Characterization of the a-Si EPID in the unity MR-linac for dosimetric applications

Electronic portal imaging devices (EPIDs) are frequently used in external beam radiation therapy for dose verification purposes. The aim of this study was to investigate the dose-response characteristics of the EPID in the Unity MR-linac (Elekta AB, Stockholm, Sweden) relevant for dosimetric applications under clinical conditions. EPID images and ionization chamber (IC) measurements were used to study the effects of the magnetic field, the scatter generated in the MR housing reaching the EPID, and inhomogeneous attenuation from the MR housing. Dose linearity and dose rate dependencies were also determined. The magnetic field strength at EPID level did not exceed 10 mT, and dose linearity and dose rate dependencies proved to be comparable to that on a conventional linac. Profiles of fields, delivered with and without the magnetic field, were indistinguishable. The EPID center had an offset of 5.6 cm in the longitudinal direction, compared to the beam central axis, meaning that large fields in this direction will partially fall outside the detector area and not be suitable for verification. Beam attenuation by the MRI scanner and the table is gantry angle dependent, presenting a minimum attenuation of 67% relative to the 90° measurement. Repeatability, observed over two months, was within 0.5% (1 SD). In order to use the EPID for dosimetric applications in the MR-linac, challenges related to the EPID position, scatter from the MR housing, and the inhomogeneous, gantry angle-dependent attenuation of the beam will need to be solved.

A systematic review of the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of enzyme replacement therapies for Fabry's disease and mucopolysaccharidosis type 1

OBJECTIVES

To determine the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the administration of intravenous enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) to symptomatic patients for the prevention of long-term damage and symptoms in Fabry's disease and in mucopolysaccharidosis type 1 (MPS1).

DATA SOURCES

Electronic databases from inception up to mid-2004. Contact with clinical experts.

REVIEW METHODS

Relevant studies were identified and assessed using recommended quality criteria.

RESULTS

The results suggested beneficial effects of ERT for Fabry's disease on measures of pain, cardiovascular function and some end-points reflecting neurosensory function. Renal function appeared to be stabilised by ERT. At present there are no utility-related health-related quality of life data on which to assess the relative health gain of ERT in MPS1. In order to be able to demonstrate the full extent of health gain from treatment, it was necessary to review the natural history of untreated patients in each disease in order to try to estimate the health loss prevented. The published information for Fabry's disease tallied with descriptions of a multi-system, life-threatening disorder particularly involving kidney, heart and brain with individual patients exhibiting many manifestations. The fragmentary information reviewed in 16 studies relevant to the natural history of MPS1 did not generate a coherent picture of disease progression and could provide little added value to published narrative reviews. For Fabry's disease, the mean cost per patient (50 kg) treated is around pounds sterling 85,000 per annum in England and Wales. The cost per patient varies considerably by dose. No published evidence reporting an economic evaluation of ERT for Fabry's disease was identified by this review. A dynamic decision model was constructed based on a birth cohort of male patients who are followed up until death. Owing to lack of information reported in the literature, many assumptions had to be applied. The key assumptions were that ERT returns patients to full health and a normal life expectancy. As far as possible, all assumptions favoured rather than detracted from the value of ERT. ERT was assumed to restore patients to full health in the base case. The estimated incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) in the base case was pounds sterling 252,000 per QALY (agalsidase beta). Univariate sensitivity analysis around the key assumptions produced ICERs ranging from pounds sterling 602,000 to pounds sterling 241,000. The base case unit cost of ERT was taken as pounds sterling 65.1/mg based on the cost of agalsidase beta. The unit cost would have had to be reduced to pounds sterling 9 to obtain an ICER of pounds sterling 30,000 per QALY. For MPS1, the mean cost per child patient (20 kg) treated is approximately pounds sterling 95,000 and an adult (70 kg) around pounds sterling 335,000 per annum in England and Wales. The cost per patient varies considerably by dose. There is no published evidence reporting an economic evaluation of ERT for MPS1 and no study was identified that reported the quality of life of MPS1 patients within a utility format. Furthermore, no or minimal information of the severity and rate of change of clinical manifestations of disease or the impact of ERT on these factors was identified. Information on the effect of ERT on mortality is also lacking owing to the relatively short time that the treatment has been available. Given this lack of data, it was not possible to develop a cost-effectiveness model of ERT treatment for MPS1 as the model would consist almost completely of assumptions based on no published evidence, leading to an incremental cost per QALY result that would be meaningless.

CONCLUSIONS

Although ERT for treating the 'average' patient with Fabry's disease exceeds the normal upper threshold for cost-effectiveness seen in NHS policy decisions by over sixfold, and the value for MPS1 is likely to be of a similar order of magnitude, clinicians and the manufacturers argue that, as the disease is classified as an orphan disease under European Union legislation, it has special status, and the NHS has no option but to provide ERT. More information is required before the generalisability of the findings can be determined. Although data from the UK have been used wherever possible, this was very thin indeed. Nonetheless, even large errors in assumptions made will not reduce the ICER to anywhere near the upper level of treatments usually considered cost-effective. In order to overcome limited evidence on the natural history of the disease and the clinical effectiveness of the intervention, the establishment of disease-specific data registries is suggested to facilitate the process of technology assessment and improving patient care. These registries should attempt to include all affected patients in the UK, and collect longitudinal patient level data on clinically relevant problems, interventions received and quality of life in a utility format.

Experimental proof of a structural origin for the shadow fermi surface of Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+delta

By combining surprising new results from a full polarization analysis of nodal angle-resolved photoemission data from pristine and modulation-free Bi(2)Sr(2)CaCu(2)O(8+delta) with structural information from LEED and ab initio one-step photoemission simulations, we prove that the shadow Fermi surface in these systems is of structural origin, being due to orthorhombic distortions from tetragonal symmetry present both in surface and bulk. Consequently, one of the longest standing open issues in the investigation of the Fermi surface of these widely studied systems finally meets its resolution.

Ischemia in normoglycemic and hyperglycemic rats: plasma energy substrates and hormones

Seizures are a documented complication to cerebral ischemia. After 10 min of forebrain ischemia in rats, preischemic hyperglycemia invariably leads to severe, most often fatal epileptic attacks. This outcome is related to the exaggerated lactic acidosis, which has been suggested as a possible contributor to severe membrane changes and widespread edema. To find out if circulating hormones or plasma energy substrates modulate this additive damage caused by the hyperglycemia, plasma concentrations of of corticosterone, epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine, glucagon, insulin, glucose, free fatty acids (FFA), 3-hydroxybutyrate, and acetoacetate were measured before and in the early recirculation period after 15 min of forebrain ischemia in the rat. Plasma corticosterone levels did not differ between the normo- and hyperglycemic groups. Although not significantly different from control, the catecholamine levels showed a tendency to be higher in the hyperglycemic groups. Therefore, because catecholamines have been reported to have a protective effect during ischemia the present result cannot explain why hyperglycemia aggravates the ischemic damage. Insulin levels seemed to increase during ischemia but not significantly. Levels quickly returned to normal after 30 min of recirculation. FFA concentrations were reduced after the induction of ischemia and appeared lower in all hyperglycemic groups. The level of one of the ketone bodies, 3-hydroxybutyrate, showed a significant decrease in hyperglycemic ischemia in all groups compared with normoglycemic ischemia. The same tendency was seen for acetoacetate. Results are compatible with a protective role of ketone bodies in ischemia. It is concluded that among the hormones and substrates studied only the ketone body concentrations qualify as a modulator of the exaggerated brain damage after ischemia in hyperglycemic subjects.

Three-dimensional chromosome arrangement of Crepis capillaris in mitotic prophase and anaphase as studied by confocal scanning laser microscopy

To estimate the extent of ordering of chromosomes, confocal scanning laser microscopy was used to make three-dimensional images from optical sections. For Crepis capillaris, which has 2n = 6 easily recognizable chromosomes, a statistically significant sample of 75 Feulgen-stained root tip anaphases was analysed. A comparison of the observed chromosome ordering and the expected random distribution showed a significant surplus of one of the arrangements with a juxtaposition of the two chromosomes with a nucleolus organizer region. Two of the arrangements with these chromosomes in opposite positions were never observed in our material. Another analysis of 30 mithramycin A-stained prophases and 30 meta- and anaphases showed partly different patterns of non-random chromosome distribution in the two stages of mitosis. A preference for an association of the homologues was observed for all pairs of chromosomes in prophase cells, whereas in meta- and anaphase the association only persisted for the nucleolus organizer chromosomes. This indicates that there may be some relocation of the chromosome positions during the transition from prophase to metaphase. In meta- and anaphase one of the arrangements with juxtaposed NOR chromosomes was preferred, i.e. the ordering in which chromosomes 1 and 3 occupied alternate positions. Probably, the nucleolus is an important factor in producing a non-random distribution, but there could be other factors that influence chromosome ordering as well. A comparison of the anaphase chromosome ordering in C. capillaris plants from very different localities, indicated that the observed non-random distribution was independent of the origin of the material. Existing models of chromosome disposition are not sufficient to explain the observed non-random chromosome ordering in C. capillaris.

Variation in Escherichia coli buoyant density measured in Percoll gradients

Escherichia coli B/r cells, centrifuged to equilibrium in either self-generating or preformed gradients of Percoll, banded at an average density of 1.080 to 1.100 g/ml, depending on their growth rate and the temperature of centrifugation. Cells cultured in gradient material (70% Percoll) exhibited the same average density. At the various growth rates examined, the density of the individual cells in a steady-state population varied by less than 1% of the mean in E. coli strains B/r and B, as well as K-12. Electron microscope analysis of the density fractions of both fast- and slow-growing E. coli B/r populations suggested a small increase in density during cell constriction.