Effect of neoadjuvant chemoradiation and postoperative radiotherapy on expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) in head and neck vessels

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Preoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer result in changes to the vessels that are used to construct microsurgical anastomoses. The aim of the study was to investigate quantitative changes and HSP70 expression of irradiated neck recipient vessels and transplant vessels used for microsurgical anastomoses.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Of 20 patients included in this study five patients received neoadjuvant chemoradiation, another five received conventional radiotherapy and 10 patients where treated without previous radiotherapy. During surgical procedure, vessel specimens where obtained by the surgeon. Immunhistochemical staining of HSP70 was performed and quantitative measurement and evaluation of HSP70 was carried out.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Conventional radiation and neoadjuvant chemoradiation revealed in a thickening of the intima layer of recipient vessels. A increased expression of HSP70 could be detected in the media layer of the recipient veins as well as in the transplant veins of patients treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiation. Radiation and chemoradiation decreased the HSP70 expression of the intima layer in recipient arteries. Conventional radiation led to a decrease of HSP70 expression in the media layer of recipient arteries.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results showed that anticancer drugs can lead to a thickening of the intima layer of transplant and recipient veins and also increase the HSP70 expression in the media layer of the recipient vessels. In contrast, conventional radiation decreased the HSP70 expression in the intima layer of arteries and the media layer of recipient arteries and veins. Comparing these results with wall thickness, it was concluded, that high levels of HSP70 may prevent the intima layer of arteries and the media layer of vein from thickening.</p

Modulus variation of composite graphite electrodes in lithium-ion batteries during electrochemical cycling

Graphite is currently the most common anode material used in commercial lithium-ion batteries. During battery charging and discharging processes, lithium ions intercalate into and deintercalate from graphite, forming several distinct stages of graphite-lithium intercalation compounds (G-LICs). Each stage of G-LIC has a unique spacing between graphene layers, with the spacing increasing for increasing lithium content. In graphite-based composite electrodes (graphite particles in a porous polymer matrix), the changing layer spacing leads to stress and strain evolution on the composite length scale. In two separate experiments, we use substrate-curvature measurements to monitor stress changes in a thin electrode constrained on an inert, rigid substrate, and we use digital image correlation to track strain changes in a free-standing, unconstrained electrode. Combining the in-situ stress and strain analyses enables us to extract the change in the apparent modulus of the composite graphite electrode as a function of electrode potential and lithium content. As expected, we found that constrained electrodes develop compressive stress during lithiation (~10 MPa) and that unconstrained electrodes undergo free expansion (~1.5% linear strain). Interestingly, the apparent modulus of the electrode increases the most significantly during the formation of the dilute stage I compound, increases slightly with the formation of the stage IV, dilute stage II, and stage II compounds, and then decreases with the formation of the stage I compound (LiC 6). During delithiation, unconstrained electrodes contract, recovering nearly their original size. In constrained electrodes during delithation, however, the compressive stress is first relaxed, and then a tensile stress develops and is subsequently relaxed. The tensile stress leads to an apparent softening of the composite electrode over a broad range of electrode potential and capacity. At the end of one complete lithiation/delithiation cycle, the apparent modulus returns to approximately its original value. The evolution of stress, strain, and modulus data provides quantitative information on the coupled electro-chemo-mechanical response of battery electrodes and insight on material strategies to increase battery reliability

A Comparative Study of Semantics of the Phrase "Ulel Amr (Those in Authority)" Mentioned in the Verses 59 and 83 in the Surah Al-Nisa' (The Women), in Shia and Sunni View

The phrase "those in authority" is only mentioned in the verses 59 and 83 of the Surah Al-Nisa' (The Women) and is terminologically disputed by Shia and Sunni scholars. Many great Shia scholars regard infallible Imams (peace be upon them) as the only referents of the phrase in the verse 59 and "infallibility" as the necessary condition of "those in authority", based on the context of the verse and several hadiths. The specification of the referent of the phrase in the verse 83 has divided Shias into two groups. One group infers the necessity of infallibility and regards the Holy Prophet's Household as the determinate referents, citing intra-textual proofs and several hadiths. Having a different conception of the context of the verse, the other does not limit the referents to infallible Imams, and holds that Imams are not the only referents of the phrase, citing some hadiths, which seems more plausible. Opposing Shia view about the verses, most Sunni scholars regard several other groups such as legitimate rulers, scientists, jurists, and people of Hall and Aqd (those whose opinions are what count) as the referents of the verses, citing some incomplete proofs which suffer from some shortcomings

Alendronate reduces periosteal microperfusion in vivo

OBJECTIVES: Bisphosphonates are known to induce a severe adverse effect known as medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ). Previous studies have proven the impact of bisphosphonates on microperfusion; therefore, this study aimed to investigate alendronate-induced microcirculatory reactions in the calvarial periosteum of rats. STUDY DESIGN: Bone chambers were implanted into 48 Lewis rats. Microhemodynamics, inflammatory parameters, functional capillary density and defect healing were examined after alendronate treatment for two and six weeks using repetitive intravital fluorescence microscopy for two weeks. RESULTS: Microhemodynamics remained unchanged. In alendronate-treated rats, inflammation was slightly increased, functional capillary density was significantly reduced (day 10: controls 100.45 ± 5.38 cm/cm$^{2}$, two weeks alendronate treatment 44.77 ± 3.55 cm/cm$^{2}$, six weeks alendronate treatment 27.54 ± 2.23 cm/cm$^{2}$) and defect healing was decelerated. The changes in functional capillary density and defect healing were dose-dependent. CONCLUSION: The bisphosphonate alendronate has a significant negative impact on periosteal microperfusion in vivo. This could be a promising target for the treatment of MRONJ

Virtual 3D tumor marking-exact intraoperative coordinate mapping improve post-operative radiotherapy

The quality of the interdisciplinary interface in oncological treatment between surgery, pathology and radiotherapy is mainly dependent on reliable anatomical three-dimensional (3D) allocation of specimen and their context sensitive interpretation which defines further treatment protocols. Computer-assisted preoperative planning (CAPP) allows for outlining macroscopical tumor size and margins. A new technique facilitates the 3D virtual marking and mapping of frozen sections and resection margins or important surgical intraoperative information. These data could be stored in DICOM format (Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine) in terms of augmented reality and transferred to communicate patient's specific tumor information (invasion to vessels and nerves, non-resectable tumor) to oncologists, radiotherapists and pathologists

Patterns of mandibular fractures related to interaction with horses

Background: The risks of facial injuries with horse-related activities are much higher than in other sports. There are just a few studies about horse-related maxillofacial injuries, and there are even less data in particular about mandibular fractures. However, the aim of this study was to determine the patterns for mandibular fractures caused by horse contact or horseback riding. Materials and Methods: Data from patient records were collected over 15 years from January 2000 to March 2015. All patients who suffer a mandibular fracture caused by horse contact or horseback riding were included in this study. The analysis contained demographical data, trauma mechanism, type of mandible fracture, and type of protective clothing. Results: Overall, 23 patients within 37 fractures were included in the study. Of those, 87 were females and 13 males. More than the half (52.2) were aged between 16 and 30 years. The most common trauma mechanism was a horse kick (78.3). The most common site of fractures was the parasymphysis (32.4) and the condylar region (32.4), followed by the angle (21.7). In addition, 52.2 of the patients had a single and 47.8 a combined fracture of the mandible. Nearly all patients (95.7) underwent surgery. Open reduction and internal fixation was the treatment of choice. Only 17.4 of the patients wore a helmet. Conclusion: Mandibular fractures are not the leading trauma in horse relating accidents; however, they are often associated with functional loss. The most frequent cause is a kick from the horse while unmounted. Hence, there is a need for protective equipment usage at all times around horses especially wearing a helmet with a face guard

Vascularization and biocompatibility of poly(ε-caprolactone) fiber mats for rotator cuff tear repair

Rotator cuff tear is the most frequent tendon injury in the adult population. Despite current improvements in surgical techniques and the development of grafts, failure rates following tendon reconstruction remain high. New therapies, which aim to restore the topology and functionality of the interface between muscle, tendon and bone, are essentially required. One of the key factors for a successful incorporation of tissue engineered constructs is a rapid ingrowth of cells and tissues, which is dependent on a fast vascularization. The dorsal skinfold chamber model in female BALB/cJZtm mice allows the observation of microhemodynamic parameters in repeated measurements in vivo and therefore the description of the vascularization of different implant materials. In order to promote vascularization of implant material, we compared a porous polymer patch (a commercially available porous polyurethane based scaffold from Biomerix™) with electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) fiber mats and chitosan-graft-PCL coated electrospun PCL (CS-g-PCL) fiber mats in vivo. Using intravital fluorescence microscopy microcirculatory parameters were analyzed repetitively over 14 days. Vascularization was significantly increased in CS-g-PCL fiber mats at day 14 compared to the porous polymer patch and uncoated PCL fiber mats. Furthermore CS-g-PCL fiber mats showed also a reduced activation of immune cells. Clinically, these are important findings as they indicate that the CS-g-PCL improves the formation of vascularized tissue and the ingrowth of cells into electrospun PCL scaffolds. Especially the combination of enhanced vascularization and the reduction in immune cell activation at the later time points of our study points to an improved clinical outcome after rotator cuff tear repair. © 2020 Gniesmer et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited

In vivo analysis of vascularization and biocompatibility of electrospun polycaprolactone fibre mats in the rat femur chamber

In orthopaedic medicine, connective tissues are often affected by traumatic or degenerative injuries, and surgical intervention is required. Rotator cuff tears are a common cause of shoulder pain and disability among adults. The development of graft materials for bridging the gap between tendon and bone after chronic rotator cuff tears is essentially required. The limiting factor for the clinical success of a tissue engineering construct is a fast and complete vascularization of the construct. Otherwise, immigrating cells are not able to survive for a longer period of time, resulting in the failure of the graft material. The femur chamber allows the observation of microhaemodynamic parameters inside implants located in close vicinity to the femur in repeated measurements in vivo. We compared a porous polymer patch (a commercially available porous polyurethane-based scaffold from Biomerix™) with electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) fibre mats and chitosan (CS)-graft-PCL modified electrospun PCL (CS-g-PCL) fibre mats in vivo. By means of intravital fluorescence microscopy, microhaemodynamic parameters were analysed repetitively over 20 days at intervals of 3 to 4 days. CS-g-PCL modified fibre mats showed a significantly increased vascularization at Day 10 compared with Day 6 and at Day 14 compared with the porous polymer patch and the unmodified PCL fibre mats at the same day. These results could be verified by histology. In conclusion, a clear improvement in terms of vascularization and biocompatibility is achieved by graft-copolymer modification compared with the unmodified material. © 2019 The Authors Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Published by John Wiley & Sons Lt