Simulation of 3D objects into breast tomosynthesis images

Digital breast tomosynthesis is a new three-dimensional (3D) breast-imaging modality that produces images of cross-sectional planes parallel to the detector plane from a limited number of X-ray projections over a limited angular range. Several technical and clinical parameters have not yet been completely optimised. Some of the open questions could be addressed experimentally; other parameter settings cannot be easily realised in practice and the associated optimisation process requires therefore a theoretical approach. Rather than simulating the complete 3D imaging chain, it is hypothesised that the simulation of small lesions into clinical (or test object) images can be of help in the optimisation process. In the present study, small 3D objects have been simulated into real projection images. Subsequently, these hybrid projection images are reconstructed using the routine clinical reconstruction tools. In this study, the validation of this simulation framework is reported through the comparison between simulated and real objects in reconstructed planes. The results confirm that there is no statistically significant difference between the simulated and the real objects. This suggests that other small mathematical or physiological objects could be simulated with the same approach.

Preliminary evaluation on the use of homing pigeons as a biomonitor in urban areas

This study evaluates the usefulness of homing pigeons as a biomonitor of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in urban environments. The mean concentrations of total PAHs in liver and lung tissues were greater in pigeons from Beijing compared to pigeons from Chengdu, however, this difference was only statistically significant for PAH concentrations in liver tissue (P < 0.05). Similarly, the severity of anthracosis or pneumoconiosis in lung tissue and hepatitis in liver tissue was greater in pigeons from Beijing compared to pigeons from Chengdu. Low molecular weight PAHs dominated the contribution of individual PAHs in both tissues. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed for most low and moderate molecular weights PAHs in liver and for some low and high molecular weights PAHs in lung between the two cites. The profile patterns of individual PAHs were similar between lung tissue of pigeons and between local ambient airs in summer for both cities, whereas the profile patterns between liver tissue and pigeon food were less similar. These data suggest that homing pigeons may be of value as a biomonitor of environmental pollution in urban areas.

The importance of environment on respiratory genotype/phenotype relationships in the Inuit

BACKGROUND

Genetic and environmental influences and their interactions are central to asthma pathogenesis. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different macro-environments on asthma genotype-phenotype associations in two geographically separated populations with common ancestry.

METHODS

To accomplish this, two unselected populations of Inuit were recruited, one living in Greenland (n = 618) and the other in Denmark (n = 739). Subjects were genotyped for CD14 C-159T, SCGB1A1 A38G, ADRB2 Arg16Gly and Gln27Glu. The resulting genetic data were analysed for relationships with asthma-related parameters including lung function, ever asthma, atopy, rhinitis and dermatitis.

RESULTS

The results showed contrasting magnitude and direction of genetic associations between the two geographically separate Inuit populations. In Greenland, the ADRB2 16Arg allele was associated with male-specific lower lung function, but in Denmark the same allele was associated with male-specific higher lung function. This allele was also associated with higher incidence of ever asthma in Denmark but not in Greenland. The SCGB1A1 38A allele was associated with lower rhinitis prevalence in Greenland but not in Denmark.

CONCLUSIONS

These associations suggest that environment interacts with candidate asthma genes to modulate asthma pathogenesis in the Inuit.

Evaluation of a 3D diode array dosimeter for helical tomotherapy delivery QA

The Delta4 biplanar diode array dosimeter was validated for helical tomotherapy delivery QA. The basic detector characteristics were found to be satisfactory in terms of short-term reproducibility (0.1%), linearity (<0.1%), dose rate dependence (0.4%), and absolute calibration accuracy (0.4% in the center of the phantom compared with the independently calibrated diode). Relative calibration of the arrays was verified by comparison with film and by rotating the detector 180°. The dosimeter response to rotational irradiation changed by no more than 0.2% when one of the detector boards was replaced by the homogeneous phantom material. The daily output correction factor can be derived from a Delta4 measurement in a uniform cylindrical field. The γ(3%, 3 mm) passing rate (absolute dose) was above 90% for all 9 evaluated clinical plans, and above 96% for all but one. The mean passing rate was 97 ± 2.7%. The plans varied in modulation factor, pitch, and calculation grid size. For best results, the phantom needs to be aligned carefully, preferably by megavoltage computed tomography imaging.

NMDA receptors in primary afferents require phosphorylation by Src family kinases to induce substance P release in the rat spinal cord

The function of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in primary afferents remains controversial, in particular regarding their ability to evoke substance P release in the spinal cord. The objective of this study was, first, to confirm that substance P release evoked by NMDA is mediated by NMDA receptors in primary afferent terminals. Second, we investigated whether these NMDA receptors are inactivated in some conditions, which would explain why their effect on substance P release was not observed in some studies. Substance P release was induced in spinal cord slices and measured as neurokinin 1 (NK1) receptor internalization in lamina I neurons. NMDA (combined with d-serine) induced NK1 receptor internalization with a half of the effective concentration (EC50) of 258 nM. NMDA-induced NK1 receptor internalization was abolished by the NK1 receptor antagonist L-703,606, confirming that is was caused by substance P release, by NMDA receptor antagonists (MK1801 and ifenprodil), showing that it was mediated by NMDA receptors containing the NR2B subunit, and by preincubating the slices with capsaicin, showing that the substance P release was from primary afferents. However, it was not affected by lidocaine and omega-conotoxin MVIIA, which block Na+ channels and voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels, respectively. Therefore, NMDA-induced substance P release does not require firing of primary afferents or the opening of Ca2+ channels, which is consistent with the idea that NMDA receptors induce substance P directly by letting Ca2+ into primary afferent terminals. Importantly, NMDA-induced substance P release was eliminated by preincubating the slices for 1 h with the Src family kinase inhibitors PP1 and dasatinib, and was substantially increased by the protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor BVT948. In contrast, PP1 did not affect NK1 receptor internalization induced by capsaicin. These results show that tyrosine-phosphorylation of these NMDA receptors is regulated by the opposite actions of Src family kinases and protein tyrosine phosphatases, and is required to induce substance P release.

Expression of survivin, caspase-3 and p53 in cervical cancer assessed by tissue microarray: correlation with clinicopathology and prognosis

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine the role of survivin, caspase-3 and p53 expression in cervical cancer, and their correlation with clinicopathological features and prognosis.

METHODS

Two hundred and twenty-eight cases of cervical disease were analyzed retrospectively between February 2003 and May 2007 at Taizhou Hospital of Taizhou Enze Medical Center. The expressions of survivin, caspase-3 and p53 were detected by immunohistochemistry (EnVision), assessed by tissue microarray. The correlation of the three genes and clinicopathological factors as well as prognosis were statistically analyzed.

RESULTS

The results showed that the positive expression rate of survivin, caspase-3 and p53 in cervical cancer was significantly higher than in the CIN group and cervicitis group (p < 0.05). The expression of survivin was related with clinical staging, stromal involvement and lymph node metastasis (p < 0.05). The positive ratio of caspase-3 was significantly different from histological grading (p < 0.05). The positive expression of p53 was correlated with histological type and grading (p < 0.05). The expression of survivin in cervical cancer was negatively associated with that of caspase-3 (p < 0.01). The positive expression of survivin in the survival group and non-survival group was significantly statistically difference (p < 0.01). There was a significant difference between survivin expression and survival duration by the log-rank method. Whereas no association with survival was seen for caspase-3 and p53 positivity.

CONCLUSION

Survivin, caspase-3 and p53 may play an important role in the occurrence and development of cervix carcinoma. It has been suggested that the high expression of survivin or p53 and low expression of caspase-3 are closely correlated with cervical cancer. They could be used as markers for malignant degree and invasiveness of cervix cancer. Survivin can also be used in the estimation of prognosis and survival time of cervix carcinoma.

Breast-Conserving Surgery Is Preferred Though Not Commonly Performed in an Urban Region of China

Introduction: Breast-conserving surgery (BCS) followed by radiation therapy has proven to be as effective as modified radical mastectomy, and has, therefore, been considered as the standard treatment for patients with localized breast cancer in Western societies. However, performance of BCS for the treatment of breast cancer in China is not as common as in Western countries. This study was to evaluate healthy women's attitudes towards BCS in an urban region of China.Method: Between February and March 2009, three hundred and fifty healthy women from three urban suburbs of Taiyuan city in Northern China were invited to complete a self-administered questionnaire. Participants' characteristics, including age, education, occupation, and attitudes towards breast cancer treatment options and involvement of treatment decisions, were collected and analyzed.Results: Three hundred and fifteen women returned the questionnaire. The response rate was 90%. The median age of the participants was 31.2 years old (range: 16 – 69 years old). Among them, 49.2% were married, 27.9% had received high levels of education, and 87.3%, 95.2% and 71.4% would like to know the disease status, to involve making treatment decisions, and to accept BCS, respectively, if they were diagnosed with breast cancer. Women aged above 45 years were more likely to choose BCS compared with those less than 45 years old (73.4% vs 61.5%, P = 0.08). There was no association between choices of surgical approaches and levels of education or occupation. As for breast cancer treatment information sources, 76.8% of the participants mentioned oncologists, followed by the internet (12.1%), friends, and media (10.8%). Almost all responders (93.3%) would like to attend hospitals specialized in cancer treatment if breast lumps were detected.Conclusion: Although only 7.1% of breast cancer patients attending a specialized tumor hospital in Taiyuan city underwent BCS, the current study indicate that most women in Northern China would prefer BCS to mastectomy if they were diagnosed with breast cancer. Therefore, further occupational training is warranted for oncologists in China so that optimal treatments for patients with breast cancer can be carried out.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(24 Suppl):Abstract nr 6077.

Post-Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy Is Reliable in Breast Cancer: A Prospective Study in Chinese Patients

Background: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) for breast cancer patients before chemotherapy is currently being practiced in a world wide scale. However, obvious disadvantage of a second surgical procedure after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) has been noted. Considering that metastasis in axillary lymph node would probably be eradicated by NAC making axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) completely unnecessary, SLNB performed after NAC could be a choice. Nonetheless, it is still controversial for a fear of impaired detection rate and accuracy. Therefore we carried out a prospective study by one single surgical team to compare SLNB between post-NAC patients and non-NAC patients.Methods: Operable invasive breast cancer patients confirmed by core needle biopsy before treatment with clinical N0 or N1 axilla were enrolled. Exclusion criteria included noninfiltrating cancer, inflammatory carcinoma and clinically fixed axillary lymph node. SLNB followed by ALND was performed in one single operation by the same surgical team for all patients either afer NAC or without NAC. Single methylene blue was used for SLN tracing with 2ml injected subcutaneously into the areola area and the mapping procedure was started 5 minutes later. SLN and ALND specimens were examined by 2 independent pathologists under standard pathological procedures.Results: From Dec 2007 to May 2009, 50 patients without NAC and 49 patients after NAC were prospectively enrolled. SLNB and ALND were performed as scheduled. In the post-NAC group, 19 had clinical N0 axilla and 30 had N1 axilla before treatment. SLNB was successful in 46 patients with 1.6 SLNs detected on average (range 1 to 5) and the average number of lymph nodes taken out in ALND was 15.4 (range 7 to 33). We found 9 with SLN(+)/ALN(+), 5 with SLN(+)/ALN(-), 2 with SLN(-)/ALN(+), and 29 with SLN(-)/ALN(-). In the non-NAC group, 40 had clinical N0 axilla and 10 had N1 axilla before surgery. SLNB was successful in 48 patients with 1.7 SLNs detected on average (range 1 to 6) and the average number of lymph nodes taken out in ALND was 16.8 (range 8 to 38). We found 4 with SLN(+)/ALN(+), 10 with SLN(+)/ALN(-), 1 with SLN(-)/ALN(+), and 33 with SLN(-)/ALN(-). Detection rate, accuracy, and false negative rate was 93.9% (46 of 49), 95.7% (44 of 46) and 11.8% (2 of 17) in post-NAC group and 96% (48 of 50), 97.9% (44 of 46) and 6.7% (1 of 15) in non-NAC group, respectively. There was no statistical difference between post-NAC group and non-NAC group in either detection rate (p=0.409), accuracy (p=0.525) or false negative rate (p=0.548).Conclusions: This prospective study in Chinese breast cancer population shows that post-NAC SLNB has both satisfactory detection rate and accuracy with acceptable false negative rate, being comparable to non-NAC patients. Our results also showed that using methylene blue only in SLNB for breast cancer is an ideal choice where radio detection method is not available.Summary of pathological resultsGrouppost-NAC (N=49)non-NAC (N=50)SLNB successful4648Average SLNs detected1.6 (range 1 to 5)1.7 ( range 1 to 6)Average ALNs taken out15.4 (range 7 to 33)16.8 (range 8 to 38)SLN+ / ALN-94SLN+/ ALN+510SLN- / ALN+21SLN- / ALN-2933 

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(24 Suppl):Abstract nr 1014.

A modified technique of renal artery anastomosis in rat kidney transplantation

AIMS

To reduce warm ischemic time and avoid irreversible damage to the graft in rat kidney transplantation.

METHODS

After left nephrectomy, recipients were transplanted with syngeneic kidney grafts using microsurgical techniques. In control rats (n = 20), the renal artery anastomoses were performed with 8-9 interrupted sutures by the conventional technique. In experimental animals (n = 20), a modified anastomosis was performed using fewer (5-6) sutures and fibrin glue devoid of thrombin.

RESULTS

The number of sutures in the control group was 8.09 + or - 0.35 while that in the experimental group was 5.65 + or - 0.48 (p < 0.01). The warm ischemic time reduced from 29.7 + or - 1.1 min in the control group to 23.9 + or - 0.9 min in the experimental group (p < 0.01). These anastomoses maintained adequate patency rates and mechanical strength. Up to 21 days after operation, the graft survival rates in the experimental and control groups were 90 and 85%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our modified technique for renal artery anastomosis significantly reduced the warm ischemic time in rat kidney transplantation. This technique would be a safe and reliable method for rat renal artery anastomosis as well as for other microarterial anastomoses, particularly for novice surgeons.

Production of single cell protein using waste capsicum powder produced during capsanthin extraction

AIMS

To produce single cell protein (SCP) by using waste capsicum powder produced during capsanthin extraction as a substrate.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The extraction [CPM (capsicum powder medium)] from waste capsicum powder was used as culture medium to cultivate four yeast strains. The main composition of CPM was determined. The average concentration of total sugar, total nitrogen and phosphorous of CPM were 16.3, 3.7 g l(-1) and 785.4 mg l(-1), respectively. Four yeast strains were cultured in two CPMs, and the cell mass, protein content of cells and specific growth rate of cells were determined. Addition of corn steep liquor significantly increased the cell mass production. Presence of capsaicin in CPM did not show inhibition of cell growth of yeast tested.

CONCLUSIONS

CPM contained sufficient nutrients and could be used as a good medium to produce SCP. Candida utilis 1769 was chosen as the biomass producer because of its highest SCP formation (6.8 g l(-1)) and higher specific growth rate (0.12 h(-1)). The amino acid composition of its protein was well balanced.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Utilization of waste capsicum powder can reduce environmental pollution and increase protein supply for animal feed.

Reoperation of biliary tract by laparoscopy

BACKGROUND

Patients with previous operation of biliary tract were considered in the past as a contraindication to perform reoperation by laparoscopy. As experience with laparoscopic techniques and instrumentation has expanded, laparoscopic reoperation of biliary tract has become an accepted procedure in the management of cholelithiasis. Here we introduce our interesting experience with regard to reoperation of biliary tract by laparoscopy.

METHODS

Laparoscopic operation of biliary tract was performed on 3,674 consecutive patients from April 1992 to June 2005. Among these patients, 26 had a previous open operation of biliary tract whose clinical data were analyzed retrospectively : seven cases had complicated intrahepatic bile duct stones (restricted at hepatic duct of the first and the 2nd order); Diameter of common bile duct in patients with common duct stones was above 1.2 cm and the numbers of stones from each patient was more than 3 and the biggest stone exceeded 1 cm. All 26 patients were preoperatively excluded to present stenosis of bile duct and malignant tumor by both radiological examination and detection of serological tumor markers.

RESULTS

The mean operative time was 125 min (75-190 min). Reoperations of biliary tract by laparoscopy were successfully accomplished in 25 patients. One patient was converted to open operation whose common duct stones were taken out by right angle forceps through a short incision. None of the patients developed any severe complication and all of them recovered and were discharged. Three cases with retained calculus were successfully cured by taking them out through the sinus tract of T tube.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic procedure is minimally invasive, is safe and feasible for reoperation of the biliary tract. And it is a first choice method for cases to whom endoscopic sphincterotomy is contraindicated.

Seroprevalence of Cryptosporidium parvum infection of dairy cows in three northern provinces of Thailand determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using recombinant antigen CpP23

Cryptosporidium parvum is the most frequent parasitic agent that causes diarrhoea in AIDS patients in Thailand. Cryptosporidiosis outbreaks in humans may be attributed to contamination of their drinking water from infected dairy pastures. A 23-kDa glycoprotein of C. parvum (CpP23) is a sporozoite surface protein that is geographically conserved among C. parvum isolates. This glycoprotein is a potentially useful candidate antigen for the diagnosis of cryptosporidiosis by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Therefore, we investigated the seroprevalence of C. parvum infection in dairy cows in northern Thailand using an ELISA based on recombinant CpP23 antigen. Sera were randomly collected from 642 dairy cows of 42 small-holder farmers, which had the top three highest number of the dairy cows' population in Northern Thailand, that included Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Lumpang provinces. The overall seroprevalence of the infection was 4.4 %, and the seropositive rates for the three provinces were 3.3 % in Chiang Mai, 5.1 % in Chiang Rai and 3 % in Lumpang. These results suggest that cattle could play a role in zoonotic cryptosporidiosis in Thailand.

Opposite gene by environment interactions in Karelia for CD14 and CC16 single nucleotide polymorphisms and allergy

BACKGROUND

Finnish Karelians have a higher prevalence of allergic disease than Russian Karelians. As both populations are generally from the same ethnic group, the Karelian population offers a unique opportunity to analyse genetic and allergic disease interactions between 'Western' and 'Eastern' environments.

OBJECTIVES

We investigated associations between allergic diseases and CD14 and CC16 polymorphisms in Finnish vs Russian Karelian women.

METHODS

Adult female Karelians (330 Finnish and 274 Russian) were recruited, examined for a range of symptoms and conditions including rhinitis, itchy rash, asthma and atopy and genotyped for CD14 C-159T and CC16 A38G.

RESULTS

For both CD14 C-159T and CC16 A38G, the risk allele for atopic phenotypes in Finnish Karelia was the protective allele in Russian Karelia. For CD14 C-159T, an interactive effect on ever itchy rash (P(interaction) = 0.004), itchy rash <12 mo (P(interaction) = 0.001) and dry cough at night in the past 12 months (<12 months) (P(interaction) = 0.011) was found; the risk allele was C in Russians and T in Finns. For CC16 A38G, an interaction was significant for ever rhinitis (P(interaction) = 0.006), rhinitis <12 mo (P(interaction) = 0.004), and marginally significant for ever hayfever (P(interaction) = 0.07), allergic eye symptoms <12 mo (P(interaction) = 0.09); their risk allele was G in Russians and A in Finns.

CONCLUSION

An Eastern vs Western environment appears to exert an effect via opposite alleles on risk of allergic diseases in adult women.