Does Photofrin II Combined with a Radio-Adaptive Dose Lead to a Synergistic or Additive Effect after Ionising Irradiation <i>In Vitro</i>?

Background: The radiosensitizing effect of Photofrin II has been demonstrated in vitro and in animal models, even in tumor models known to be highly radioresistant, such as glioblastoma and bladder carcinoma. Radio-adaptive doses are also known to lead to an augmented cell or tissue reaction. The aim of this study was to investigate potential synergistic or additive effects when combining the two methods in vitro for an improved therapeutic concept in bladder cancer. Material and Methods: RT4 human bladder carcinoma cell line and HCV29 human bladder epithelium cells were seeded and incubated with various concentrations of Photofrin II. The cells were additionally irradiated with ionizing radiation (0.05 Gy/2 Gy/0.05 Gy + 2 Gy). Cells without Photofrin II incubation and irradiation served as controls. The cell survival was evaluated. Results: The survival rate of both cell lines, RT4 and HCV29, did not differ significantly when incubated with a non-toxic concentration of Photofrin II and exposed to a pre-irradiation dose of 0.05 Gy prior to the 2 Gy radiation fraction, compared to cells exposed to Photofrin II plus a 2 Gy ionizing radiation. Conclusion: The combination of both methods did neither demonstrate a synergistic or additive effect nor did it lead to a negative influence of both modulating factors in an in vitro setting.

Alpha-2-macroglobulin as a radioprotective agent: a review

Radiation is an important modality in cancer treatment, and eighty percent of cancer patients need radiotherapy at some point during their clinical management. However, radiation-induced damage to normal tissues restricts the therapeutic doses of radiation that can be delivered to tumours and thereby limits the effectiveness of the treatment. The use of radioprotectors represents an obvious strategy to obtain better tumour control using a higher dose in radiotherapy. However, most of the synthetic radioprotective compounds studied have shown inadequate clinical efficacy owing to their inherent toxicity and high cost. Hence, the development of radioprotective agents with lower toxicity and an extended window of protection has attracted a great deal of attention, and the identification of alternative agents that are less toxic and highly effective is an absolute necessity. Recent studies have shown that alpha-2-macroglobulin（α2M） possesses radioprotective effects. α2M is a tetrameric, disulfide-rich plasma glycoprotein that functions as a nonselective inhibitor of different types of non-specific proteases and as a carrier of cytokines, growth factors, and hormones. α2M induces protein factors whose interplay underlies radioprotection, which supports the idea that α2M is the central effector of natural radioprotection in the rat. Pretreatment with α2M has also induced a significant reduction of irradiation-induced DNA damage and the complete restoration of liver and body weight. Mihailovi？ et al. concluded that the radioprotection provided by α2M was in part mediated through cytoprotection of new blood cells produced in the bone marrow; these authors also indicated that an important aspect of the radioprotective effect of amifostine was the result of the induction of the endogenous cytoprotective capability of α2M. The radioprotective effects of α2M are possibly due to antioxidant, antifibrosis, and anti-inflammatory functions, as well as the maintenance of homeostasis, and enhancement of the DNA repair and cell recovery processes. This review is the first to summarise the observations and elucidate the possible mechanisms responsible for the beneficial effects of α2M. The lacunae in the existing knowledge and directions for future research are also addressed.

Inhibition of IKK-NFκB pathway sensitizes lung cancer cell lines to radiation

Objective:Cancer cell radioresistance is a stumbling block in radiation therapy.The activity in the nuclear factor kappa B(NFκB)pathway correlates with anti-apoptotic mechanisms and increased radioresistance.The IKK complex plays a major role in NFκB activation upon numerous signals.In this study,we examined the interaction between ionizing radiation(IR)and different members of the IKK-NFκB pathway,as well as upstream activators,RAF1,ERK,and AKT1.Methods:The effect of 4 Gy of IR on the expression of the RAF1-ERK-IKK-NFκB pathway was examined in A549 and H1299 lung cancer cell lines using Western blot analysis and confocal microscopy.We examined changes in radiation sensitivity using gene silencing or pharmacological inhibitors of ERK and IKKβ.Results:IKKα,IKKγ,and IκBαincreased upon exposure to IR,thereby affecting nuclear levels of NFκB(phospho-p65).ERK inhibition or si RNA-mediated down-regulation of RAF1 suppressed the post-irradiation survival of the examined lung cancer cell lines.A similar effect was detected on survival upon silencing IKKα/IKKγor inhibiting IKKβ.Conclusions:Exposure of lung cancer cells to IR results in NFκB activation via IKK.The genetic or pharmacological blockage of the RAF1-ERK-IKK-NFκB pathway sensitizes cells to therapeutic doses of radiation.Therefore,the IKK pathway is a promising target for therapeutic intervention in combination with radiotherapy.

Computed tomography dose optimisation in cystic fibrosis:A review

Cystic fibrosis(CF)is the most common autosomal recessive disease of the Caucasian population worldwide,with respiratory disease remaining the most relevant source of morbidity and mortality.Computed tomography(CT)is frequently used for monitoring disease complications and progression.Over the last fifteen years there has been a six-fold increase in the use of CT,which has lead to a growing concern in relation to cumulative radiation exposure.The challenge to the medical profession is to identify dose reduction strategies that meet acceptable image quality,but fulfil the requirements of a diagnostic quality CT.Dose-optimisation,particularly in CT,is essential as it reduces the chances of patients receiving cumulative radiation doses in excess of 100 m Sv,a dose deemed significant by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation.This review article explores the current trends in imaging in CF with particular emphasis on new developments in dose optimisation.

加速器质谱法测量99Tc

99Tc is a fission product, and it has high fission yield (6%) and very long half-life (2.1×105 a). With the movement of nucleus, the concentration of 99Tc is increasing in the circumstance. So it's important to measure the concentration of 99Tc in the circumstance, and accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) might be the best method for 99Tc measurement. The 93Nb is used for AMS instrument normalization, sample matrix. And we used the difference of energy loss and deducting the isotope to measure the 99Tc in a series of standard samples. And the results show that the AMS is the feasible measurement method.

Effect of Low Gamma Irradiation on the Germination and Morphological Characteristics of Broad Beans (Vicia faba L.), Mung Beans (Vigna radiata L.), and Peas (Pisum sativum L.) Seedlings

Understanding the effects of ionising radiation (IR) on plants has been a major focus of research. Acute high-dose effects are well-documented and understood (mainly through laboratory testing). Lower doses, on the other hand, are less understood, as low dosage research is controversial, and there are only a few studies that use low and ecologically relevant IR levels, particularly those conducted under controlled conditions. The effect of low gamma radiation was investigated in this study using Vicia faba L., Vigna radiata L., and Pisum sativum L. Healthy and viable seeds of these plants were irradiated with varying doses of gamma radiation (Cs−137 source) and sown under controlled environmental conditions. The doses/dose rates used were within the scope of the International Commission on Radiological Protection’s Derived Consideration Reference Level (DCRL) for these groups of plants (1 - 10 mGy∙d−1), so this study tested this DCRL. Observations were made on certain germination parameters and growth traits like germination percentage and rate, shoot and root length, seed weight, number of leaves, wet and dry biomass, plant height, leaf chlorophyll content, and leaf area. In the germination phase, the doses employed in this experiment did not affect the seeds’ weight, germination percentage, and rate, but there were some interesting effects on the root and shoot length;as all irradiated groups performed better than the control group (particularly the 16.2 mGy and 48.5 mGy dose in V. radiata and P. sativum, while the 1070 mGy dose had the highest value in V. faba). However, the plants were able to compensate for the effects observed in the germination phase and by the end of the experiment, there were no statistically significant effects (at 0.05 p level) in all the morphometric parameters studied;the visible organs appeared normal, and growth rate was normal. This study, therefore, concludes that the DCRL used to protect these groups of plants from the effects of IR (1 - 10 mGy∙d−1) is appropriate and present regulation appears to be suitable.

New multi protein patterns differentiate liver fibrosis stages and hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic hepatitis C serum samples

AIM： To identify a multi serum protein pattern as well as single protein markers using surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry （SELDI-TOF-MS） for detection and differentiation of liver fibrosis （F1-F2）, liver cirrhosis （F4） and hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus （HCV）. METHODS： Serum samples of 39 patients with F1/F2 fibrosis, 44 patients with F4 fibrosis, 34 patients with HCC were applied to CM10 arrays and analyzed using the SELDI-TOF ProteinChip System （PBS-Ⅱc; Ciphergen Biosystems） after anion-exchange fractionation. All patients had chronic hepatitis C and histologically confirmed fibrosis stage/HCC. Data were analyzed for protein patterns by multivariate statistical techniques and artificial neural networks. RESULTS： A 4 peptide/protein multimarker panel （7486, 12843, 44293 and 53598 Da） correctly identified HCCs with a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 85% in a two way-comparison of HCV-cirrhosis versus HCV-HCC training samples （AUROC 0.943）. Sensitivity and specificity for identification of HCC were 68% and 80% for random test samples. Cirrhotic patients could be discriminated against patients with F1 or F2 fibrosis using a 5 peptide/protein multimarker pattern （2873, 6646, 7775, 10525 and 67867 Da） with a specificity of 100% and a sensitivity of 85% in training samples （AUROC 0.976） and a sensitivity and specificity of 80% and 67% for random test samples. Combination of the biomarker classifiers with APR/score and alfa-fetopotein （AFP） improved the diagnostic performance. The 6646 Da marker protein for liver fibrosis was identified as apolipoprotein C-I. CONCLUSION： SELDI-TOF-MS technology combined with protein pattern analysis seems a valuable approach for the identification of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Host probably a combination of different serum markers will help to identify liver cirrhosis and early-stage hepatocellular carcinomas in the future.

实际接地系统的冲击特性试验研究(英文)

In this work,the results of an experimental study of the impulse characteristic of practical ground electrodes consisting of horizontal conductors of various lengths and full-scale tower footings were reported.These electrodes were installed at an outdoor test site having nonuniform soil,with equipment facilities for generating low-and high-magnitude impulse currents.The tests on the horizontal electrode were used to determine the effective length,the voltage and current distribution along the electrode length and the effect of the injection point along the electrode.The tests on the tower footings were used to determine impulse resistance and demonstrate its non-linear variation with current magnitude.Computer simulations of the test electrodes using the electromagnetic field method showed good agreement with the measured result.

Accurate calculations of the helium atom in magnetic fields

The 1^10^＋ 1^1（-1）^＋and 1^1（2）^＋ states of the helium atom in the magnetic field regime between 0 and 100 a.u. are studied using a full configuration-interaction （CI） approach. The total energies, derivatives of the total energy with respect to the magnetic field and ionisation energies are calculated with Hylleraas-like functions in spherical coordinates in low to intermediate fields and Hylleraas Caussian functions in cylindrical coordinates in intermediate to high fields, respectively. In intermediate fields, the total energies and ionisation energies are determined in terms of Hermite interpolation, based on the results obtained with the two above-mentioned basis functions. Calculations show that the current method can produce lower total energies and larger ionisation energies, and make the two ionisation energy curves obtained with the two above-mentioned basis functions join smoothly in intermediate fields. Comparisons are also made with previous works.

Semiclassical calculation of ionisation rate for Rydberg helium atoms in an electric field

The ionisation of Rydberg helium atoms in an electric field above the classical ionisation threshold has been examined using the semiclassical method, with particular emphasis on discussing the influence of the core scattering on the escape dynamics of electrons. The results show that the Rydberg helium atoms ionise by emitting a train of electron pulses. Unlike the case of the ionisation of Rydberg hydrogen atom in parallel electric and magnetic fields, where the pulses of the electron are caused by the external magnetic field, the pulse trains for Rydberg helium atoms are created through core scattering. Each peak in the ionisation rate corresponds to the contribution of one core-scattered combination trajectory. This fact further illustrates that the ionic core scattering leads to the chaotic property of the Rydberg helium atom in external fields. Our studies provide a simple explanation for the escape dynamics in the ionisation of nonhydrogenic atoms in external fields.

Ionisation of Rydberg hydrogen atom near a metal surface by short pulse laser

In the ionisation of Rydberg hydrogen atoms near a metal surface, the electron will escape from the nucleus and arrive at the detector in a time sequence. This probability flux train relies on the initial electron wave packet irradiated by the laser pulse. For simplicity, the laser pulse is usually simplified to a delta function in energy domain, resulting in a sharp initial arrival time with an exponentially decaying tail at the detector. Actually and semiclassically, the initial outgoing wave should be modeled as an ensemble of trajectories propagating away from the atomic core in all directions with a range of launch times and a range of energies. In this case, each pulse in the pulse train is averaged out rather than a sharp profile. We examine how energy and time averaging of the electron wave packet affects the resolution of escaping electron pulses and study the energy dependence of the arrival time for each pulse in the ionisation train. An optimization condition for the laser pulse shape to generate narrow ionisation electron pulse in the train is obtained. The ionisation rates with various excitation energy are calculated also, which show the excitation to higher N Rydberg states will narrow the electron pulse as well.

Radiation effects on MOS and bipolar devices by 8 MeV protons,60 MeV Br ions and 1 MeV electrons

The radiation effects of the metal-oxide-semiconductor （MOS） and the bipolar devices are characterised using 8 MeV protons, 60 MeV Br ions and 1 MeV electrons. Key parameters are measured in-situ and compared for the devices. The ionising and nonionising energy losses of incident particles are calculated using the Geant4 and the stopping and range of ions in matter code. The results of the experiment and energy loss calculation for different particles show that different incident particles may give different contributions to MOS and bipolar devices. The irradiation particles, which cause a larger displacement dose within the same chip depth of bipolar devices at a given total dose, would generate more severe damage to the voltage parameters of the bipolar devices. On the contrary, the irradiation particles, which cause larger ionising damage in the gate oxide, would generate more severe damage to MOS devices. In this investigation, we attempt to analyse the sensitivity to radiation damage of the different parameter of the MOS and bipolar devices by comparing the irradiation experimental data and the calculated results using Geant4 and SRIM code.

The radial correlation of atomic electrons in (e,2e) reaction

We perform a research of the influence of atomic electrons correlation to some characteristics of the (e,2e) process on helium. The Hilleraas type J-matrix approach was used for numerical calculations.

A Study on the Determination of Copper by Microwave Induced Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (MIP-AES)

The determination of copper by MIP-AES was investigated in detail. Aqueous samples were introduced from an ultrasonic nebulizer and the solvent was removed by a desolvation device before introduction of the aerosol into the MIP. The desolvation system consisted of a condenser associated with a concentrated H2SO4 absorption cell. Various experimental conditions and interferences from easily ionised elements (EIEs) were also studied and some practical samples were analyzed.

Antimicrobial Effect of Silver Ionised Water Prepared with the Sintering Coating Method—Effect on Acid Production in Plaque

Purpose: To investigate the effect of silver ionised water on acid production in plaque. Methods: After injecting 0.5 mL of silver ionised water (concentration: 5 ppm) produced with the sintering coating method in the sensor part of the pH metre, plaque collected from the oral cavity by one platinum loop was mixed in. Immediately after that, a 5% sucrose solution (1 g/20 mL) was added and the pH was continuously measured for 30 minutes at 1-minute intervals (A). Similarly, silver ionised water was mixed with 5% sucrose solution in the same way as in (A) at 3 (B), 5 (C), 10 (D) and 15 minutes (E) after plaque contamination. The pH was measured at 1-minute intervals. The pH of the purified water containing no silver ionised water mixed with plaque and sugar solution at the same time was measured and used as a control. Each experiment was conducted three times, and the pH measured every minute was compared as a percentage of the pH at the beginning of the measurement (100%). Results: Analysis of variance of the repeated measurements to determine the effect of silver ionised water on the decrease in pH revealed a main effect of silver ionised water and an interaction between time and group [F(1.302,20.826) = 39.145, p < 0.01]. Multiple comparisons using Dunnett’s method showed a significant decline in the rate of decrease in pH from B to E as compared with that in the control (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Silver ionised water was found to inhibit the acid production in plaque.

Absorption of Microwaves in Low Intensity Eucalyptus Litter Fire

A fuel bed was constructed where various vegetation species could be used as combustion fuel. The fuel bed was equipped with a thermocouple to measure fire temperature and a two-port automatic network analyser to measure microwave scattering parameters in flame medium. The parameters are then used to determine microwave propagation characteristics in fire. The measurements have implications on radio wave communication during wildfire suppression and in remote sensing. The attenuation data also provide an estimation of vegetation fire ionisation and conductivity. Eucalyptus litter fire with a maximum flame temperature of 976 K was set on the fuel bed and X-band microwaves (7.00 - 9.50 GHz) were caused to propagate through the flame. Attenuation of 0.35 - 0.90 dB was measured for microwaves in the frequency range. For the low intensity fire, conductivity was measured to range from 0.00021 - 0.00055 mho/m and electron density was to be the range of 1.83 - 2.24 × 1015 m-3.

Electron—Proton Twins, Orderly Arranged in The Inside of Bioatoms

In the present study the first 20 microatoms of the periodic table are named as bioatoms, since they are needed for biochemical functions and services to life itself. The rationale behind this project is the detailed analysis of the ionization energy of the electrons in the inside of the bioatoms and their orderly arrangement at specific positions. Such position of the electrons is harmonized with the succession of their energy values in their logarithmic curves. The compelling arrangement of each electron at a particular place would not be feasible in the absence of an energy offset, which is a proton. The latter would hold electrons on their proper position. These fundamental aspects of our project receive such strong support from the quantum theory, according to which it is the electromagnetic interaction between electrons and protons by the exchange of photons, which hold them together in the atoms. According to our proposed model, the protons of the aforementioned proton—electron twins, are distributed on distinct positions which are the junctions of a primary network, coupled with their electrons, in a secondary network. The geometry and distance of the protons, in the plexus, is constant and is calculated at 8, 42 ?. This was estimated by a mathematical analysis of the proposed model, as discussed further. Our study has shown that electrons in the specific positions are moving in a symmetrical oscillation in the length of a channel, in vacuum, under the Coulomb forces. Moreover, the chemical evidence suggests that electrons, in an atom, have their own separate orbit, and that these orbits are closely interrelated.

Qualitative and Quantitative Assessment of Petroleum Contaminants in Soils under Tropical Weather Conditions

GC-FID methods for the analysis of Petroleum hydrocarbons were developed and optimised. Contamination of soil from the Niger Delta was investigated about 40 days after crude oil spillage from the Shell Petroleum marginal well head. Soil samples and controls were collected at depths of 0 - 15 cm, 15 - 30 cm and 30 - 60 cm. Samples were analysed using gas chromatography fitted with a flame ionisation detector. Penetration and migration of C10-C26 and C26-C34 hydrocarbons through the soil layers were assessed by cluster analysis to determine the spatial distribution, penetration and similarity of these compounds over the contaminated area. The results also indicated elevated levels of total hydrocarbon contents when compared with the reference sites. Recommendations are made to carefully monitor and remediate the environment.

Radiotherapy and the cellular DNA damage response: current and future perspectives on head and neck cancer treatment

Incidences of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma(HNSCC)have been on the rise in the last few decades,with a significant risk factor being human papillomavirus(HPV)type-16/18 infection,particularly in the development of oropharyngeal cancers.Radiotherapy(RT)is an important treatment modality for HNSCC,where it promotes extensive cellular DNA damage leading to the therapeutic effect.It has been well-established that HPV-positive HNSCC display better response rates and improved survival following RT compared to HPV-negative HNSCC.The differential radiosensitivity has been largely associated with altered cellular DNA damage response mechanisms in HPV-positive HNSCC,and particularly with the signaling and repair of DNA double strand breaks.However,other factors,particularly hypoxia present within the solid cancer,have a major impact on relative radioresistance.Consequently,recent approaches aimed at enhancing the radiosensitivity of HNSCC have largely centered on targeting key proteins involved in DNA repair,DNA damage checkpoint activation,and hypoxia signaling.These studies have utilised in vitro and in vivo models of HPV-positive and HPV-negative HNSCC and examined the impact of specific inhibitors against the targets in combination with radiation in suppressing HNSCC cell growth and survival.Here,accumulating evidence has shown that targeting enzymes including poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase,ataxia telangiectasia and Rad-3 related,DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit,and checkpoint kinase 1 can radiosensitise HNSCC cells which should be taken forward in further preclinical studies,with the goal of optimizing the future effective RT treatment of HNSCC.

A novel 58-nuclei silver nanowheel encapsulating a subvalent Ag64+ kernel

The combination of CrO4^2-anion and N,N′-dimethylformamide(DMF)-containing solvent helps to stabilize an atom-precise ultrasmall Ag6 kernel into a 52-nuclei silver shell,giving a core-shell Ag6@Ag52 wheel-like structure(SD/Ag58b).The solution behavior and photocurrent response property were investigated in details.