First insights into the Aurelia aurita transcriptome response upon manipulation of its microbiome

IntroductionThe associated diverse microbiome contributes to the overall fitness of Aurelia aurita, particularly to asexual reproduction. However, how A. aurita maintains this specific microbiome or reacts to manipulations is unknown.MethodsIn this report, the response of A. aurita to manipulations of its native microbiome was studied by a transcriptomics approach. Microbiome-manipulated polyps were generated by antibiotic treatment and challenging polyps with a non-native, native, and potentially pathogenic bacterium. Total RNA extraction followed by RNAseq resulted in over 155 million reads used for a de novo assembly.ResultsThe transcriptome analysis showed that the antibiotic-induced change and resulting reduction of the microbiome significantly affected the host transcriptome, e.g., genes involved in processes related to immune response and defense mechanisms were highly upregulated. Similarly, manipulating the microbiome by challenging the polyp with a high load of bacteria (2 × 107 cells/polyp) resulted in induced transcription of apoptosis-, defense-, and immune response genes. A second focus was on host-derived quorum sensing interference as a potential defense strategy. Quorum Quenching (QQ) activities and the respective encoding QQ-ORFs of A. aurita were identified by functional screening a cDNA-based expression library generated in Escherichia coli. Corresponding sequences were identified in the transcriptome assembly. Moreover, gene expression analysis revealed differential expression of QQ genes depending on the treatment, strongly suggesting QQ as an additional defense strategy.DiscussionOverall, this study allows first insights into A. aurita’s response to manipulating its microbiome, thus paving the way for an in-depth analysis of the basal immune system and additional fundamental defense strategies

Participation of women medical Physicists in European scientific events: The European experience

Purpose: Though the number of women scientists is increasing over the years, studies show that they are still under-represented in leadership roles. The purpose of this work is to establish the percentage of women Medical Physicists (wMPs) that have participated in European scientific events and evaluate it as an indication of the current position of women in the field of Medical Physics in Europe and to propose possible ways to encourage their participation. Materials and Methods: Data regarding the participants in European scientific events of Medical Physics were collected. The participants were divided into categories according to the program of the events and their gender was identified. The percentage of wMPs in each category was evaluated. Results: The participation of wMPs attending courses is greater than 50%. The categories with the greatest participation are “Organizing Committees” “Chairpersons-Moderators” and “Oral Presentations”. The categories with the lower participation of wMPs are “Scientific Committee” “Symposiums” and “Invited Speakers”. None of wMPs were represented as “Course Directors”. Conclusions: The attendance of wMPs in courses is slightly greater than average. However, wMPs do not have an equally important recognition in special invited roles in conferences. They are still under-represented in “Scientific Committees” “Invited Speakers” “Symposiums” and “Course directors”. wMPs should be encouraged to participate even more actively in European conferences and the organizing committees should invite more wMPs in special roles. More studies concerning the status of female MPs in each country separately should be encouraged as they will help in understanding the position of wMPS in Europe. © 2018 Associazione Italiana di Fisica Medic

Dosimetric impact of rotational errors on the quality of VMAT-SRS for multiple brain metastases: Comparison between single- and two-isocenter treatment planning techniques

Purpose: In the absence of a 6D couch and/or assuming considerable intrafractional patient motion, rotational errors could affect target coverage and OAR-sparing especially in multiple metastases VMAT-SRS cranial cases, which often involve the concurrent irradiation of off-axis targets. This work aims to study the dosimetric impact of rotational errors in such applications, under a comparative perspective between the single- and two-isocenter treatment techniques. Methods: Ten patients (36 metastases) were included in this study. Challenging cases were only considered, with several targets lying in close proximity to OARs. Two multiarc VMAT plans per patient were prepared, involving one and two isocenters, serving as the reference plans. Different degrees of angular offsets at various orientations were introduced, simulating rotational errors. Resulting dose distributions were evaluated and compared using commonly employed dose-volume and plan quality indices. Results: For single-isocenter plans and 1⁰ rotations, plan quality indices, such as coverage, conformity index and D95%, deteriorated significantly (>5%) for distant targets from the isocenter (at> 4–6 cm). Contrarily, for two-isocenter plans, target distances to nearest isocenter were always shorter (≤4 cm), and, consequently, 1⁰ errors were well-tolerated. In the most extreme case considered (2⁰ around all axes) conformity index deteriorated by on-average 7.2%/cm of distance to isocenter, if one isocenter is used, and 2.6%/cm, for plans involving two isocenters. The effect is, however, strongly associated with target volume. Regarding OARs, for single-isocenter plans, significant increase (up to 63%) in Dmax and D0.02cc values was observed for any angle of rotation. Plans that could be considered clinically unacceptable were obtained even for the smallest angle considered, although rarer for the two-isocenter planning approach. Conclusion: Limiting the lesion-to-isocenter distance to ≤4 cm by introducing additional isocenter(s) appears to partly mitigate severe target underdosage, especially for smaller target sizes. If OAR-sparing is also a concern, more stringent rotational error tolerances apply. © 2020 The Authors. Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Association of Physicists in Medicine

Geoscience Teaching and Student Interest in Secondary Schools-Preliminary Results from an Interest Research in Greece, Spain and Italy.

The results of a topic-interest study on geosciences among 14- to 17-year-old school students are reported. The research was organized in the framework of the European project Geoschools to investigate the interest of students in the context of teaching strategies for geosciences in secondary schools. A questionnaire was designed as the main datacollection tool, based on the results of a comparison on geosciences curricula among the five European countries (Austria, Greece, Portugal, Italy, and Spain) which are the partners in the GEOschools project. The present study focuses on results from Greece and Spain but also includes preliminary results from Italy, for comparison purposes. Questionnaires were distributed in 20 schools (through 20 teachers with around 600 students) in each participating country. Specifically, a sample of 554, 14- to 15-year-old students were surveyed in 20 schools across Greece, a sample of 155, 14- to 17-yearold students was surveyed in seven schools in Aragón (Spain), and a sample of 624, 14- and 16-year-old children was surveyed in 11 schools in Sicily (Italy) to identify their main topics of interest in geosciences. Additional surveys in Spain in Castilla-La Mancha (Guadalajara), Madrid, Catalonia, and in the province of Gerona (134 students, 14–17 years old) and from Portugal (284 students) are still in the process of evaluation. Results indicate that the most attractive topics for children are Natural Hazards and Palaeontology. Teaching strategies also raise interest. Children from Spain generally show less interest in geosciences than do children of the same age from Greece. A discussion on the high educational potential of geological heritage is included, providing clear case examples for showing geological problems

Monte Carlo and TLD dosimetry of an Ir-192 high dose-rate brachytherapy source

An analytical Monte Carlo simulation code has been used to perform dosimetry calculations around an Ir-192 high dose-rate brachytherapy source utilized in the widely used microSelectron afterloaded system. Radial dose functions, dose rate constant and anisotropy functions, utilized in the AAPM Task Group 43 dose estimation formalism, have been calculated. In addition, measurements of anisotropy functions using LiF TLD-100 rods have been performed in a polystyrene phantom to support our Monte Carlo calculations. The energy dependence of LiF TLD response was investigated over the whole range of measurement distances and angles. TLD measurements and Monte Carlo calculations are in agreement to each other and agree with published data. The influence of phantom dimensions on calculations was also investigated. Radial dose functions were found to depend significantly on phantom dimensions at radial distances near phantom edges. Deviations of up to 25% are observed at these distances due to the lack of full scattering conditions, indicating that body dimensions should be taken into account in treatment planning when the absorbed dose is calculated near body edges. On the other hand, anisotropy functions do not demonstrate a strong dependence on phantom dimensions. However, these functions depend on radial distance at angles close to the longitudinal axis of the source, where deviations of up to 20% are observed. (C) 1998 American Association of Physicists in Medicine. [S0094-2405(98)00310-1]

The role of medical physicists in clinical trials across Europe

Introduction The roles and responsibilities of medical physicists (MPs) are growing together with the evolving science and technology. The complexity of today’s clinical trials requires the skills and knowledge of MPs for their safe and efficient implementation. However, it is unclear to what extent the skillsets offered by MPs are being exploited in clinical trials across Europe. Methods The EFOMP Working Group on the role of Medical Physics Experts in Clinical Trials has designed a survey that targeted all 36 current National Member Organisations, receiving a response from 31 countries. The survey included both quantitative and qualitative queries regarding the involvement of MPs in trial design, setup, and coordination, either as trial team members or principal investigators. Results The extent of MPs involvement in clinical trials greatly varies across European countries. The results showed disparities between the roles played by MPs in trial design, conduct or data processing. Similarly, differences among the 31 European countries that responded to the survey were found regarding the existence of national bodies responsible for trials or the available training offered to MPs. The role of principal investigator or co-investigator was reported by 12 countries (39%), a sign of efficient collaboration with medical doctors in designing and implementing clinical studies. Conclusion Organisation of specific training courses and guideline development for clinical trial design and conduct would encourage the involvement of a larger number of MPs in all stages of trials across Europe, leading to a better standardisation of clinical practice

Geoscience teaching and student interest in secondary schools-preliminary results from an interest research in Greece, Spain and Italy

The results of a topic-interest study on geosciences among 14- to 17-year-old school students are reported. The research was organized in the framework of the European project Geoschools to investigate the interest of students in the context of teaching strategies for geosciences in secondary schools. A questionnaire was designed as the main data-collection tool, based on the results of a comparison on geosciences curricula among the five European countries (Austria, Greece, Portugal, Italy, and Spain) which are the partners in the GEOschools project. The present study focuses on results from Greece and Spain but also includes preliminary results from Italy, for comparison purposes. Questionnaires were distributed in 20 schools (through 20 teachers with around 600 students) in each participating country. Specifically, a sample of 554, 14- to 15-year-old students were surveyed in 20 schools across Greece, a sample of 155, 14- to 17-year-old students was surveyed in seven schools in Aragón (Spain), and a sample of 624, 14- and 16-year-old children was surveyed in 11 schools in Sicily (Italy) to identify their main topics of interest in geosciences. Additional surveys in Spain in Castilla-La Mancha (Guadalajara), Madrid, Catalonia, and in the province of Gerona (134 students, 14–17 years old) and from Portugal (284 students) are still in the process of evaluation. Results indicate that the most attractive topics for children are Natural Hazards and Palaeontology. Teaching strategies also raise interest. Children from Spain generally show less interest in geosciences than do children of the same age from Greece. A discussion on the high educational potential of geological heritage is included, providing clear case examples for showing geological problems. © The European Association for Conservation of the Geological Heritage 2013