Real-time 3D internal marker tracking during arc radiotherapy by the use of combined MV-kV imaging

To minimize the adverse dosimetric effect caused by tumor motion, it is desirable to have real-time knowledge of the tumor position throughout the beam delivery process. A promising technique to realize the real-time image guided scheme in external beam radiation therapy is through the combined use of MV and onboard kV beam imaging. The success of this MV-kV triangulation approach for fixed-gantry radiation therapy has been demonstrated. With the increasing acceptance of modern arc radiotherapy in the clinics, a timely and clinically important question is whether the image guidance strategy can be extended to arc therapy to provide the urgently needed real-time tumor motion information. While conceptually feasible, there are a number of theoretical and practical issues specific to the arc delivery that need to be resolved before clinical implementation. The purpose of this work is to establish a robust procedure of system calibration for combined MV and kV imaging for internal marker tracking during arc delivery and to demonstrate the feasibility and accuracy of the technique. A commercially available LINAC equipped with an onboard kV imager and electronic portal imaging device (EPID) was used for the study. A custom built phantom with multiple ball bearings was used to calibrate the stereoscopic MV-kV imaging system to provide the transformation parameters from imaging pixels to 3D world coordinates. The accuracy of the fiducial tracking system was examined using a 4D motion phantom capable of moving in accordance with a pre-programmed trajectory. Overall, spatial accuracy of MV-kV fiducial tracking during the arc delivery process for normal adult breathing amplitude and period was found to be better than 1 mm. For fast motion, the results depended on the imaging frame rates. The RMS error ranged from approximately 0.5 mm for the normal adult breathing pattern to approximately 1.5 mm for more extreme cases with a low imaging frame rate of 3.4 Hz. In general, highly accurate real-time tracking of implanted markers using hybrid MV-kV imaging is achievable and the technique should be useful to improve the beam targeting accuracy of arc therapy.

Brain tumour stem cells and neural stem cells: still explored by the same approach?

Brain tumour stem cells (BTSCs) are chiefly responsible for the in vivo long-term growth and recurrence of malignant gliomas and may be a potential treatment target. They resemble neural stem cells (NSCs), so their self-renewal and differentiation are currently investigated by the same methods used to study NSCs. There are, however, essential differences between these cell types: in many cases the marker expression pattern of BTSCs does not match the CD133(+)/NSE(-)/FAP(-) pattern of NSCs; BTSC tumourigenicity is independent of marker expression; and while attachment, serum-containing medium and withdrawal of mitogens (epidermal growth factor [EGF] and basic fibroblast growth factor [bFGF]) are essential to induce NSCs to differentiate, they do not affect BTSC tumourigenicity. Evidence implies that research on the renewal and differentiation of BTSCs should be orientated towards tumourigenicity and is essentially a pharmaceutical problem. Such an approach may contribute to the development of an accurate definition of BTSCs and to the search for selective differentiation-inducing drugs for BTSCs.

Cadmium stress alters gene expression of DNA mismatch repair related genes in Arabidopsis seedlings

Cadmium (Cd) is a non essential element, and is a widespread environmental pollutant. Exposure to Cd can result in a variety of adverse health effects in plant and humans. In the current study, Arabidopsis seedlings were used as a bio-indicator of Cd pollution. Seedlings were grown on MS media containing 0-6.0 mg L(-1) Cd for 18 days, and the gene expression patterns were used to link increased Cd exposure with progressive biological effects. Reduction of total soluble protein content in shoots of the Arabidopsis seedlings occurred with increase in Cd concentrations. For the gene expression patterns, seven genes known to be involved in cell division and DNA mismatch repair (MMR) system were investigated by semi-quantitative RT-PCR, and normalized using 18S rRNA gene expression. Expression of the proliferating cell nuclear antigen 2 (atPCNA 2), MutS 3 homolog (atMSH 3) and MutL1 homolog (atMLH1) genes in shoots of Arabidopsis was strongly induced by exposure to 0.75 mg L(-1) Cd, but were repressed by other Cd concentrations whereas exposure to 0.75-6 mg L(-1) of Cd resulted in a decreased expression of atPCNA1, atMSH 2, 6 and 7 genes independently of any observable biological effects, including survival, fresh weight and chlorophyll level of shoots. This work demonstrated that specific gene expression changes could serve as useful molecular biomarkers indicative of Cd exposure and related biological effects.

The effect of costimulatory and interleukin 2 receptor blockade on regulatory T cells in renal transplantation

Regulatory T cells (Treg) are critical regulators of immune tolerance. Both IL-2 and CD28-CD80/CD86 signaling are critical for CD4(+)CD25(+)FOXP3(+) Treg survival in mice. Yet, both belatacept (a second-generation CTLA-4Ig) and basiliximab (an anti-CD25 monoclonal antibody) are among the arsenal of current immunotherapies being used in kidney transplant patients. In this study, we explored the direct effect of basiliximab and belatacept on the Tregs in peripheral blood both in the short term and long term and in kidney biopsies of patients with acute rejection. We report that the combined belatacept/basiliximab therapy has no long-term effect on circulating Tregs when compared to a calcineurin inhibitor (CNI)-treated group. Moreover, belatacept-treated patients had a significantly greater number of FOXP3(+) T cells in graft biopsies during acute rejection as compared to CNI-treated patients. Finally, it appears that the basiliximab caused a transient loss of both FOXP3(+) and FOXP3(-) CD25(+) T cells in the circulation in both treatment groups raising important questions about the use of this therapy in tolerance promoting therapeutic protocols.

Non-radially polarized THz pulse emitted from femtosecond laser filament in air

Femtosecond laser filament could produce THz wave in forward direction. In our experiment, THz pulse emitted from a femtosecond laser filament has been investigated. It was found that the polarization of the studied THz pulse mainly appears as elliptical. This observation supplements the previous conclusion obtained by C. D'Amico et al. that THz wave emitted by a filament is radially polarized. The mechanism of generating elliptically polarized THz wave has been interpreted by either four-wave optical rectification or second order optical rectification inside the filament zone where centro-symmetry of the air is broken by the femtosecond laser pulse.

Designing pharmacogenetic projects in industry: practical design perspectives from the Industry Pharmacogenomics Working Group

Pharmacogenetic association studies have the potential to identify variations in DNA sequence which impact drug response. Identifying these DNA variants can help to explain interindividual variability in drug response; this is the first step in personalizing dosing and treatment regimes to a patient's needs. There are many intricacies in the design and analysis of pharmacogenetic association studies, including having adequate power, selecting proper endpoints, detecting and correcting the effects of population stratification, modeling genetic and nongenetic covariates accurately, and validating the results. At this point there are no formal guidelines on the design and analysis of pharmacogenetic studies. The Industry Pharmacogenomics Working Group has initiated discussions regarding potential guidelines for pharmacogenetic study design and analyses (http://i-pwg.org) and the results from these discussions are presented in this paper.

Functional polymorphisms in the BRCA1 promoter influence transcription and are associated with decreased risk for breast cancer in Chinese women

BACKGROUND

The BRCA1 gene is an important breast-cancer susceptibility gene. Promoter polymorphisms can alter the binding affinity of transcription factors, changing transcriptional activity and may affect susceptibility to disease.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Using direct sequencing of the BRCA1 promoter region, we identified four polymorphisms c.-2804T-->C (rs799908:T-->C), c.-2265C-->T (rs11655505:C-->T), c.-2004A-->G (rs799906:A-->G) and c.-1896(ACA)(1)-->(ACA)(2) (rs8176071:(ACA)(1)-->(ACA)(2)) present in Hong Kong Chinese. Each polymorphism was studied independently and in combination by functional assays. Although all four variants significantly altered promoter activity, the c.-2265T allele had stronger binding than the C allele, and the most common mutant haplotype, which contains the c.-2265T allele, increased promoter activity by 70%. Risk association first tested in Hong Kong Chinese women with breast cancer and age-matched controls and replicated in a large population-based study of Shanghai Chinese, together totalling >3000 participants, showed that carriers of the c.-2265T allele had a reduced risk for breast cancer (combined odd ratio (OR) = 0.80, 95% CI 0.69 to 0.93; p = 0.003) which was more evident among women aged >or=45 years at first diagnosis of breast cancer and without a family history of breast cancer (combined OR = 0.75, 95% CI 0.61 to 0.91; p = 0.004). The most common haplotype containing the c.-2265T allele also showed significant risk association for women aged >or=45 years without a family history of breast cancer (OR = 0.64, 95% CI 0.46 to 0.89; p = 0.008).

CONCLUSION

This comprehensive study of BRCA1 promoter polymorphisms found four variants that altered promoter activity and with the most significant contribution from c.-2265C-->T, which could affect susceptibility to breast cancer in the Chinese population. Its significance in other populations remains to be investigated.

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell transplantation improves ovarian function and structure in rats with chemotherapy-induced ovarian damage

BACKGROUND

Many investigations have reported that mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation can ameliorate the structure and function of injured tissues. The purpose of this study was to explore the therapeutic potency of MSC transplantation for chemotherapy-induced ovarian damage.

METHODS

MSC were isolated and cultured in vitro. The cytokines, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), were detected in the MSC cultures using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Phosphoramide mustard (PM) was added to the media of granulosa cells (GC) cultured alone or co-cultured with MSC. GC apoptosis was assayed by Annexin-V and DNA fragmentation analysis. Chemotherapy-induced ovarian damage was induced in rats by intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide (CTX). After the injection, MSC labeled with green fluorescent protein (GFP) were transplanted directly into bilateral ovaries. The rats were killed at 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks after transplantation. Ovarian function was evaluated by estrous cycle changes and sexual hormone levels. The follicle number was counted, and GC apoptosis was analyzed by TUNEL. The expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins were detected by Western blotting.

RESULTS

MSC released VEGF, HGF and IGF-1 in vitro. The GC apoptosis was diminished by co-culture with MSC, which also resulted in increased Bcl-2 expression. The ovarian function of the rats exposed to CTX injection was improved after MSC transplantation. MSC reduced apoptosis of GC and induced up-regulation of Bcl-2 in vivo.

DISCUSSION

MSC transplantation can improve ovarian function and structure damaged by chemotherapy. The paracrine mediators secreted by MSC might be involved in the repair of damaged ovaries.

Activated effector and memory T cells contribute to circulating sCD30: potential marker for islet allograft rejection

T-cell activation up-regulates CD30 resulting in an increase in serum soluble CD30 (sCD30). CD4+ T cells, a major source for sCD30, play a significant role in the pathogenesis of rejection. In this study, sCD30 was measured pre- and posttransplant in mouse islet allograft models and human islet allograft recipients. sCD30 was measured by ELISA in diabetic C57BL/6, CD4Knockout (KO) and CD8KO islet allograft recipients. sCD30 increased significantly prior to rejection (1.8 +/- 1 days) in 80% of allograft recipients. Sensitization with donor splenocytes, or a second graft, further increased sCD30 (282.5 +/- 53.5 for the rejecting first graft vs. 374.6 +/- 129 for the rejecting second graft) prior to rejection suggesting memory CD4+ T cells contribute to sCD30. CD4KO failed to reject islet allograft and did not demonstrate sCD30 increase. CD8KO showed elevated (227 +/- 107) sCD30 (1 day) prior to rejection. High pretransplant sCD30 (>20 U/ml) correlated with poor outcome in human islet allograft recipients. Further, increase in sCD30 posttransplant preceded (3-4 months) loss of islet function. We conclude that sCD30 is released from activated CD4 T cells prior to islet allograft rejection and monitoring sCD30 can be a valuable adjunct in the follow-up of islet transplant recipients.

Acoustic backscatter and effective scatterer size estimates using a 2D CMUT transducer

Compared to conventional piezoelectric transducers, new capacitive microfabricated ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) technology is expected to offer a broader bandwidth, higher resolution and advanced 3D/4D imaging inherent in a 2D array. For ultrasound scatterer size imaging, a broader frequency range provides more information on frequency-dependent backscatter, and therefore, generally more accurate size estimates. Elevational compounding, which can significantly reduce the large statistical fluctuations associated with parametric imaging, becomes readily available with a 2D array. In this work, we show phantom and in vivo breast tumor scatterer size image results using a prototype 2D CMUT transducer (9 MHz center frequency) attached to a clinical scanner. A uniform phantom with two 1 cm diameter spherical inclusions of slightly smaller scatterer size was submerged in oil and scanned by both the 2D CMUT and a conventional piezoelectric linear array transducer. The attenuation and scatterer sizes of the sample were estimated using a reference phantom method. RF correlation analysis was performed using the data acquired by both transducers. The 2D CMUT results indicate that at a 2 cm depth (near the transmit focus for both transducers) the correlation coefficient reduced to less than 1/e for 0.2 mm lateral or 0.25 mm elevational separation between acoustic scanlines. For the conventional array this level of decorrelation requires a 0.3 mm lateral or 0.75 mm elevational translation. Angular and/or elevational compounding is used to reduce the variance of scatterer size estimates. The 2D array transducer acquired RF signals from 140 planes over a 2.8 cm elevational direction. If no elevational compounding is used, the fractional standard deviation of the size estimates is about 12% of the mean size estimate for both the spherical inclusion and the background. Elevational compounding of 11 adjacent planes reduces it to 7% for both media. Using an experimentally estimated attenuation of 0.6 dB cm(-1) MHz(-1), scatterer size estimates for an in vivo breast tumor also demonstrate improvements using elevational compounding with data from the 2D CMUT transducer.

Audiological and genetic features of the mtDNA mutations

CONCLUSIONS

Significant difference in the incidence of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations was found between the Chinese and USA populations. The identification of the mtDNA A1555G mutation in a large proportion of Chinese probands with nonsyndromic sensorineural hearing loss (NSHL) provides a molecular explanation for the high prevalence of aminoglycoside-induced deafness in China.

OBJECTIVE

The aim was to characterize the audiological and genetic features of NSHL due to mutations in mtDNA.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

The mtDNA and audiogram analyses were performed in 498 NSHL patients (290 from China and 208 from the USA) with and without history of aminoglycoside exposure. A PCR and restriction enzyme digestion protocol was used for mutational screening and the European Workshop on Genetic Hearing Loss criteria were applied for audiological classification.

RESULTS

All Chinese probands (15.5%) with mtDNA mutation were found to carry the homoplasmic mtDNA A1555G mutation, whereas four probands (1.9%) from the USA were found to carry the mtDNA A1555G and two (1%) had mtDNA G7444A. Approximately 63% of the probands with mtDNA mutations had post-lingual hearing loss and 56.8% of them had a medical history of exposure to aminoglycosides. Hearing losses are bilateral, sensorineural, and symmetric. The main audiogram shapes found were sloping.

Metal contamination in the sediment, pondweed, and snails of a stream receiving effluent from a lead/zinc mine in southern China

This study assessed the potential of Potamogeton crispus and Pomacea canaliculata as biomonitors of sedimentary metal contamination. The results indicate P. crispus possesses several attributes of a biomonitor and its tissue concentrations of Cd, Pb and Zn may reflect the levels of sedimentary contamination by these metals. Although P. canaliculata can accumulate metals to high levels and serve as an indicator of metal contamination, its tissue metal concentrations did not correlate with those of the sediments or macrophytes.

Using SELDI-TOF MS to identify serum biomarkers of rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVES

No satisfactory biomarkers are currently available to screen for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We have developed and evaluated surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF MS) for detection and analysis of multiple proteins for distinguishing individuals with RA from control individuals.

METHODS

A total of 156 serum samples from 90 RA patients, 30 patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and 36 healthy individuals were examined by SELDI technology. Spectral data were analysed by the support vector machine (SVM) approach and potential biomarkers were chosen for system training and were used to construct a diagnostic model.

RESULTS

Pattern 1, consisting of four protein peaks with m/z values of 3899, 4594, 7566, and 13,842, distinguished RA from the healthy samples with sensitivity of 90.0% and a specificity of 91.7%. Pattern 2, consisting of m/z peaks 4287 and 6471, distinguished RA from AS with a sensitivity of 86.7% and a specificity of 85.0%.

CONCLUSION

The combination of SELDI-TOF MS and SVM could facilitate the discovery of better biomarkers for RA and also provide a useful tool for molecular diagnosis in the future.

A preliminary microsatellite genetic map of the ostrich (Struthio camelus)

Molecular genetic maps can provide information for the identification and localization of major genes associated with quantitative traits. However, there are currently no published genetic linkage maps for any ratites. Herein, a preliminary genetic map of ostrich was developed using a two-generation ostrich reference family by linkage analysis of 104 polymorphic microsatellite markers, including 40 novel markers reported in this study. A total of 35 microsatellite markers were placed into 13 linkage groups. Five linkage groups are composed of three or more loci, whereas the remaining eight groups each contained two markers. The sex-averaged map spans 365.4 cM. The marker interval of each linkage group ranges from 5.3 to 25.4 cM, and the average interval distance is 16.61 cM. The male map covers 342.7 cM, with an average intermarker distance of 15.58 cM, whereas the female map is 456.7 cM, with the average intermarker spacing of 20.76 cM. In order to screen the orthologous loci between ostrich and chicken, all of the flanking sequences of the 104 polymorphic loci, nine monomorphic loci and a further 12 reported microsatellite loci for ostrich were screened against the chicken genomic sequence using the BLAST algorithm (Altschul et al., 1990), and corresponding orthologs were found for 13 sequences. The microsatellite loci and genetic map developed in this study will be useful for QTL mapping, population genetics and phylogenetic studies in the ratite. In addition, the 13 orthologous loci identified in this study will be advantageous to the construction of a comparative genetic map between chicken and ostrich.

Circadian modulation of light-induced locomotion responses in Drosophila melanogaster

The relationship between light and the circadian system has long been a matter of discussion. Many studies have focused on entrainment of light with the internal biological clock. Light also functions as an environmental stimulus that affects the physiology and behaviour of animals directly. In this study, we used light as an unexpected stimulus for flies at different circadian times. We found that wildtype flies showed circadian changes in light-induced locomotion responses. Elevation of locomotor activity by light occurred during the subjective night, and performance in response to light pulses declined to trough during the subjective day. Moreover, arrhythmic mutants lost the rhythm of locomotion responses to light, with promotion of activity by light in timeless(01)mutants and inhibition of activity by light in Clock(ar)mutants. However, neither ablation of central oscillators nor disturbance of the functional clock inside compound eyes was sufficient to disrupt the rhythm of light responses. We show that, compound eyes, which have been identified as the control point for normal masking (promotion of activity by light), are sufficient but not necessary for paradoxical masking (suppression of activity by light) under high light intensity. This, taken together with the clear difference of light responses in wildtype flies, suggests that two different masking mechanisms may underlie the circadian modulation of light-induced locomotion responses.

Magnetic nanoparticles with core/shell structures

Magnetic nanoparticles with core/shell structures are an important class of functional materials, possessing unique magnetic properties due to their tailored dimensions and compositions. This paper reviews mainly our recent advances in the preparation and characterizations of core/shell structured magnetic materials, focusing in nonmagnetic, antiferromagnetic, or ferro/ferri-magnetic shell coated magnetic core particles. And some of the unique properties of core-shell materials and their self-assembly are presented. Shell layers are shown to serve various functions. A broad demonstration of the successful blend of these types of materials synthesis, microstructural evolution and control, new physics and novel applications that is central to research in this field is presented.