Administration Of Medium Research Articles

The Brilliant Scheduler: Automated Scheduling System for Video Conferencing Courses

The study aims to investigate the problems and drawbacks associated with the present scheduling process for courses of video-conferencing, conducted at Administration of Educational Media at KAU (King Abdul-Aziz University). In KAU, male and female campuses are almost entirely segregated. The number of male staff and the diversity of their academic specialties is higher than those of their female counter parts. Hence, some subjects are taught to female students by male faculty, while utilizing videoconferencing technology. This research investigates the main challenges, faced by the Administration of Educational Media at King Abdul-Aziz University in scheduling video conferencing courses for classrooms reservation requests. It provides a complete list of tools and features to enhance, support, and automate the scheduling process for classrooms and supervisors, following Rapid Application development (RAD) methodology. The system has been implemented as a web-based automated scheduling system to undertake the capability of technology and to create an influential scheduling system. This system might also help in the migration of traditional paper-based work to a better technological environment, satisfied employees, and faster feedbacks.

Conditioned medium from umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells improves nasal mucosa damage by radiation

To explore therapeutic effects of conditioned medium from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) on nasal mucosa radiation damage both in vivo and in vitro. The mucus cilia clearance time (7 and 30days), degree of mucosal edema (7, 30, 90 and 180days), cilia coverage (180days) of concentrated conditioned medium group improved compared with radiotherapy control group. The proliferation and migration abilities of irradiated and non-irradiated nasal epithelial cells significantly increased after culture in bronchial epithelial cell growth medium (BEGM) containing 10% conditioned medium of hUC-MSCs compared to cells cultured in BEGM alone. Soluble factors secreted by hUC-MSCs may promote nasal epithelial cell proliferation and migration. Intranasal administration of hUC-MSC conditioned medium effectively repairs nasal mucosa radiation damage.

Liver enhancement in healthy dogs after gadoxetic acid administration during dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging

Dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE)-magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) consists of acquisition of native baseline images, followed by a series of acquisitions performed during and after administration of a contrast medium. DCE-MRI, in conjunction with hepatobiliary-specific contrast media, such as gadoxetic acid (GD-EOB-DTPA), allows for precise characterisation of the enhancement pattern of the hepatic parenchyma following administration of the contrast agent. The aim of the study was to assess the pattern of temporal resolution contrast enhancement of the hepatic parenchyma following administration of GD-EOB-DTPA and to determine the optimal time window for post-contrast assessment of the liver. The study was carried out on eight healthy beagle dogs. MRI was performed using a 1.5T scanner. The imaging protocol included T1 weighted (T1-W) gradient echo (GRE), T2 weighted (T2-W) turbo spin echo (TSE) and dynamic T1-W GRE sequences. The dynamic T1-W sequence was performed using single 10mm thick slices. Regions of interest (ROIs) were chosen and the signal intensity curves were calculated for quantitative image analysis. The mean time to peak for all dogs was 26min. The plateau phase lasted on average 21min. A gradual decrease in the signal intensity of the hepatic parenchyma was observed in all dogs. A DCE-MRI enhancement pattern of the hepatic parenchyma was evident in dogs following the administration of a GD-EOB-DTPA, establishing baseline data for an optimal time window between 26 and 41min after administration of the contrast agent.

The association between different molecular weights of hyaluronic acid and CHAD, HIF-1α, COL2A1 expression in chondrocyte cultures.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of three different formulations of hyaluronic acid (HA): Low molecular weight (MW) Sinovial One®, medium MW Viscoplus® and high MW Durolane®, on chondrocyte proliferation and collagen type II (COL2A1), hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) and chondroadherin (CHAD) expression in primary chondrocyte cultures. Standard primary chondrocyte cultures were established from osteochondral tissues surgically obtained from 6 patients with gonarthrosis. Cell morphology was evaluated using an inverted light microscope; cell proliferation was determined with a MTT assay and confirmed with acridine orange/propidium iodide staining. Levels of CHAD, COL2A1 and HIF-1α expression were assessed using specific TaqMan gene expression assays. The results demonstrated the positive effect of HA treatment on cell proliferation, which was independent from the MW. COL2A1 expression increased in the medium and high MW HA treated groups. It was observed that HIF-1α expression increased in the high MW treated group alone. CHAD expression increased only in the medium MW HA treated group. Evaluation of gene expression revealed that levels of expression increased as the duration of HA application increased, in the medium and high MW HA treated groups. In terms of increased viability and proliferation, a longer duration of HA application was more effective. Taken together, it may be concluded that the administration of medium and high MW HA may be a successful way of treating diseases affecting chondrocytes in a clinical setting.

Role of multidetector computed tomography in differentiating benign and malignant common bile duct strictures

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic features in differentiating malignant from benign common bile duct (CBD) strictures using contrast-enhanced multidetector computed tomography (MDCT). Patients and Methods: An ambispective study from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2010, on fifty patients with liver function tests suggestive of obstructive jaundice and an ultrasound showing biliary obstruction were included. A nonenhanced computed tomography (CT) was done before the administration of the contrast medium and then scans were routinely obtained in four phases: early arterial , late arterial, portal venous, and delayed phases. The CT scans acquired were reviewed on a picture archiving and communication system workstation. CT findings were interpreted with regard to wall thickness, the location, length involved, enhancement pattern, presence of invasion, and margins of the stricture. These were compared with the attenuation of the normal CBD wall, the maximum CBD diameter proximal, and pancreatic duct dilatation. Results: The mean age ± standard deviation of patients was 62.84 ± 11.61 years (range: 38–82 years). Among the fifty patients included in the study, 31 (62%) had malignant CBD stricture. The involved segments of malignant CBD strictures were significantly longer with significantly larger maximum proximal CBD diameter, considerably thicker and irregular stricture wall and showing more enhancement during delayed phase. No significant differences were found between malignant and benign CBD strictures with respect to stricture location. Conclusions: Presence of irregular margins, invasion into neighboring tissues, long-segment involvement, more proximal CBD dilatation, and hyperenhancement in delayed and portal venous phases in contrast-enhanced MDCT helps in the differentiation of malignant from benign CBD strictures.

Therapist Directiveness and Client Reactance in the Administration of Homework in Therapy with College Students

ABSTRACTThe present study used an analog design with three vignettes portraying homework administrations at three levels of therapist directiveness (low, medium, and high) and the Therapeutic Reactance Scale to measure participant reactance. Participants (N = 436) read the vignettes and completed the Homework Completion Scale (HCS), Counseling Continuation Scale (CCS), Counselor Rating Form-Short (CRF-S) Attractiveness and Expertness subscales. A repeated measures analysis of variance revealed significant differences between low and high reactant groups on the HCS and CCS for the High and Medium directiveness homework administrations. These results suggest that therapist directiveness does interact with client reactance in the administration of homework.

Lotus Seed Resistant Starch Regulates Gut Microbiota and Increases Short-Chain Fatty Acids Production and Mineral Absorption in Mice.

Lotus seed resistant starch, known as resistant starch type 3 (LRS3), was orally administered to mice to investigate its effects on the gut microbiota, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) production, and mineral absorption. The results showed that mice fed LRS3 displayed a lower level of gut bacterial diversity than other groups. The numbers of starch-utilizing and butyrate-producing bacteria, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium and Lachnospiraceae, Ruminococcaceae, and Clostridium, respectively, in mice increased after the administration of medium and high doses of LRS3, while those of Rikenellaceae and Porphyromonadaceae decreased. Furthermore, SCFAs and lactic acid in mice feces were affected by LRS3, and lactate was fermented to butyrate by gut microbiota. LRS3 enhanced the intestinal absorption of calcium, magnesium, and iron, and this was dependent on the type and concentration of SCFAs, especially butyrate. Thus, LRS3 promoted the production of SCFAs and mineral absorption by regulating gut microbiota in mice.

Alprostadil protects type 2 diabetes mellitus patients treated with metformin from contrast-induced nephropathy.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients treated with metformin are predisposed to develop contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) after received emergency contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) examination. We evaluated the protective effects of alprostadil on CIN in T2DM patients treated with metformin after contrast media (CM) administration. In this single-institution, single-blind, superiority trial, we randomly assigned 451 T2DM patients taking metformin and underwent emergency contrast-enhanced CT examination to either the alprostadil group (227 patients) receiving alprostadil or the control group (224 patients) without alprostadil. All subjects stopped taking metformin and drank 500ml water within 12h after CM exposure. In addition, patients in the alprostadil group were injected with alprostadil (10μg/day, for 3days) plus 20ml normal saline (alprostadil hydration) and the control group patients were daily injected with 20ml normal saline as control for 3days following CM administration. Serum creatinine (Scr) was measured before and <72h after contrast-enhanced CT examination. CIN was defined as an increase in Scr≥44.2µmol/l (0.5mg/dL) or >25% over baseline within 3days of contrast administration. There was a lower incidence of CIN in patients underwent alprostadil hydration than drinking water monohydration after CM administration, who with either normal renal function or chronic kidney disease (baseline eGFR<60ml·min-1·1.73m-2). Alprostadil hydration was superior to drinking water monohydration regarding preventing CIN in T2DM patients treated with metformin after contrast-enhanced CT.

Optimal injection method for long-range computed tomography angiography.

We aimed to obtain high-stable computed tomography (CT) values for CT angiography (CTA). We verified the optimal use of the new protocol for long-range scanning using a contrast material flow phantom (Ichikawa, CT imaging theory. Igaku syoin Publishing, Tokyo, 8; Awai et al., Am J Roentgenol 186(2):379-385, 1) to obtain high-stable CT values (Fig.2). We have developed a novel contrast injection method called the stable line imaging protocol (SLIP). This method involved a gradual reduction in the rate of administration of the contrast medium, which was accompanied by simultaneous administration of saline to compensate for the resultant decrease in the rate of administration. A saline flush was further added after the contrast medium injection. The rate of administration of the saline flush was the same as that of the initial contrast medium. We injected a contrast medium from the injector into the flow phantom. The time-enhancement curve (TEC) data were obtained five times by changing the injection method, and the average CT values were determined. The maximum simulation of the aortic peak enhancement of TEC was defined as pTEC. The time required to keep the CT value more than 80% of the pTEC was defined as the time period of contrast enhancement (p80). The pTEC of a single injection was 295.7±5.3 HU, while that of SLIP was 296.5±2.3 HU; the two values did not differ significantly. The p80 of a single injection was 19.1±0.2s, while that of SLIP was 23.2±0.4s; p80 of SLIP was 18% longer than that of the single injection.

Effects of Bone Marrow Multipotent Mesenchymal Stromal Cells and Their Secretory Products on Microcirculation in the Broad Ligament of the Uterus of Wistar Rats during Experimental Chronic Genital Inflammation.

Effects of bone marrow multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells and their secretory products released into the conditioned medium on microcirculatory bed in the broad ligament of the uterus were studied in Wistar rats with chronic genital inflammation. Opposite changes in the parameters of microcirculation and lymphatic drainage in the broad ligament of the uterus were observed after administration of cells and conditioned medium via different routes, which should be taken into account during the treatment of inflammatory and degenerative processes in the pelvic organs.

Hydrosulfide attenuates acute myocardial ischemic injury through the glycogen synthase kinase-3β/β-catenin signaling pathway.

The endogenous signaling gasotransmitter, hydrosulfide (H2S), has been shown to exert cardioprotective effects against acute myocardial infarction (AMI) due to ischemic injury. However, the mechanisms responsible for these effects are not yet fully understood. In this study, we investigated whether sodium hydrogen sulfide (NaHS), an H2S donor, attenuates acute myocardial ischemic injury through glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β)/β-catenin signaling. For this purpose, we utilized an in vivo rat model of AMI by occluding the left anterior descending coronary artery. NaHS (0.39, 0.78 or 1.56 mg/kg, intraperitoneally), the GSK-3β inhibitor, SB216763 (0.6 mg/kg, intravenously), or 1% dimethylsulfoxide (2 ml/kg, intravenously) were administered to the rats. The results demonstrated that the administration of medium- and high-dose NaHS and SB216763 significantly improved rat cardiac function, as evidenced by an increase in the mean arterial pressure, left ventricular developed pressure, contraction and relaxation rates, as well as a decrease in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure. In addition, the administration of NaHS and SB216763 attenuated myocardial injury as reflected by a decrease in apoptotic cell death and in the serum lactate dehydrogenase concentrations, and prevented myocardial structural changes. The administration of NaHS and SB216763 increased the concentrations of phosphorylated (p-)GSK-3β, the p-GSK-3β/t-GSK-3β ratio and downstream protein β-catenin. Moreover, western blot and immunohistochemical analyses of apoptotic signaling pathway proteins further established the cardioprotective potential of NaHS, as reflected by the upregulation of Bcl-2 expression, the downregulation of Bax expression, and a decrease in the number of TUNEL-positive stained cells. These findings suggest that hydrosulfide exerts cardioprotective effects against AMI-induced apoptosis through the GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling pathway.

The Smart Drip-Feed: A Powerful Strategy to Prevent Contrast Induced Nephropathy

Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) frequently affects patients with chronic kidney disease and heart dysfunction, patients older than 65 years and patients with diabetes mellitus, multiple myeloma and sepsis. It is often related to the use of high doses of contrast medium. Vasodilators and antioxidant drugs may have positive effects on the prevention of this clinical condition. One of the most important strategies for the prevention of contrast induced nephropathy is an adequate hydration of the patient, with subsequent intravascular volume expansion, renin-angiotensin system suppression, reduced vasoconstriction and renal hypoperfusion. Anyway, an active diuresis is the most important condition for the prevention of CIN. A new system, called RenalGuard®, has been recently proposed to prevent acute kidney injury secondary to the administration of the contrast medium. In this review, we have analyzed the different strategies in the prevention of CIN and the use of RenalGuard® system.

226 EFFECTS OF MICROVESICLES SECRETED FROM EQUINE AMNIOTIC-DERIVED PROGENITOR CELLS ON IN VITRO LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDE-TREATED TENDON AND ENDOMETRIAL CELLS

Administration of horse amniotic mesenchymal cell conditioned medium (AMC-CM) improves the in vivo recovery of spontaneous equine tendon lesions. This effect may involve paracrine mechanisms whose nature remains unknown. It has recently been demonstrated that microvesicles (MV) released from cells are an integral component of cell-to-cell communication during tissue regeneration. Aims of this study were to investigate the presence and type of MV secreted by AMC using Nanosight instrument (Malvern Instruments, Malvern, UK) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and the incorporation of MV in equine tendon and endometrial cells by fluorescence semiquantitative analysis. Tendon cells were used to understand the in vitro role of MV on stressed cells compared with the in vivo results previously obtained, while the endometrial cells were investigated in view of the prospective use of AMC-CM or MV in in vivo inflammatory endometrial diseases. Moreover, the ability of MV to counteract in vitro inflammation of tendon and endometrial cells induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was also evaluated. The MV were obtained by ultracentrifugation at 100 000 × g for 1 h at 4°C of the media obtained by culturing AMC isolated from 3 different placentas. Tendon and endometrial cells were obtained from collagenase digestion for 17 and 3 h, respectively and cultured in HG-DMEM with 10% fetal calf serum. To study the ability of tendon and endometrial cells to incorporate MV, a dose-response curve was performed adding 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 × 106 MV mL–1 labelled with PKH-26 for 24, 48, and 72 h. The uptake of MV was evaluated by an Olympus BX51 microscope (Olympus, Tokyo, Japan) equipped with software for image acquisition. A dose-response curve of LPS was also investigated by apoptotic and MTT tests showing that 100 ng mL–1 at 48 h on tendon cells and 10 ng at 24 h on endometrial cells were the doses and times most effective in inducing cellular stress. RT-qPCR expression of pro-inflammatory genes such as metallopeptidase (MMP) 1 and 13 was evaluated in the in vitro LPS stress by Mann-Whitney U-test. Results by Nanosight Instrument showed that AMC secrete MV in the range of 100 to 200 nm; TEM showed budding of the AMC membrane, proving that these MV fall within the shedding vesicles category. The same semiquantitative fluorescence uptake signal was obtained when 50 × 106 MV were incorporated at 24 h, or 40 × 106 MV at 48 h, and 30 × 106 MV at 72 h, suggesting that an inverse correlation between concentration and time was found in MV uptake equally by tendon and endometrial cells. The MV induced a significant (P &lt; 0.05) down-regulation of MMP1 and MMP13 expression in both cell lines after in vitro LPS stress. Our data suggest that these MV can be incorporated in tendon and endometrial cells and have a role in modulating inflammatory genes in vitro.

Abstract A134: MiR-875-5p impairs prostate cancer metastasis by remodeling tumor secretome and enhances tumor radiation response via EGFR suppression

Abstract Acquisition of mesenchymal features by carcinoma cells through the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is responsible for the initiation and sustainment of the metastatic cascade, as well as the establishment of a chemo- and radio-resistant phenotype. In prostate cancer (PCa), metastatic disease remains incurable despite the approval of several new drugs for clinical use in recent years. In addition, emergence of resistance to radiotherapy, which is one of the mostly used therapeutic options for PCa, still represents a clinical challenge. In the study, we reported for the first time on the possible therapeutic utility of miR-875-5p, a microRNA the role of which in human cancer has not been so far investigated. By exploiting the correlation with E-cadherin levels in a series of PCa clinical specimens, we identified miR-875-5p as a novel microRNA able to impair metastasis in PCa experimental models by repressing EMT and remodeling tumor secretome, mainly reducing cytokine secretion. Indeed, the sole intratumoral administration of the culture media obtained from PCa cells ectopically overexpressing miR-875-5p showed antitumor (max tumor volume inhibition: 49%, P&amp;lt;0.01) and antimetastatic (significant reduction of spontaneous dissemination to the lung) effects in SCID mice subcutaneously xenotransplanted with PCa cells. We additionally found that the reversion of EMT operated by miR-875-5p depends at least in part on the repression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a direct target of the microRNA as confirmed in a luciferase assay, and consequent reduction of interleukin-8 secretion. Consistent with the known role of EGFR in determining response to ionizing radiation, we found that miR-875-5p overexpression increased the radiosensitivity of PCa cells, in terms of reduced clonogenic cell survival and decreased DNA damage repair, as assessed by γH2AX foci and DNA comet tail in individual cells. Overall, our data support the clinical interest in developing a novel therapeutic approach for PCa based on miR-875-5p reconstitution to counteract tumor dissemination and increase response to radiotherapy. Citation Format: Nicola Fenderico, Denis Cominetti, Rihan El Bezawy, Monica Tortoreto, Matteo Dugo, Riccardo Valdagni, Paolo Gandellini, Nadia Zaffaroni. MiR-875-5p impairs prostate cancer metastasis by remodeling tumor secretome and enhances tumor radiation response via EGFR suppression. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2015 Nov 5-9; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2015;14(12 Suppl 2):Abstract nr A134.

Serum NGAL, cystatin C and urinary NAG measurements for early diagnosis of contrast-induced nephropathy in children

Aim: The study investigated a number of biomarkers for the early diagnosis of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN), which is an important cause of acute kidney injury (AKI). Material and methods: The study included 91 children scheduled for elective cardiac angiography and 50 healthy controls. Biomarkers including serum (s) and urinary (u) sodium, serum and u-creatinine, s-cystatin-C, serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and urinary N-acetyl beta glucosaminidase (u-NAG)/creatinine ratio were measured 4 times sequentially in the patients and once in the controls. Results: The patient group comprised 40 males (44%) and 51 females (56%) while the control group comprised 16 males (32%) and 34 females (68%). Age, gender, s-creatinine, estimated-glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), s-cystatin-C and fractional-excretion of sodium did not differ significantly between the groups. Serum sodium and s-NGAL were found to be lower in the patients than those of in the controls, while their u-NAG/creatinine ratio was found to be higher. Sequential data analysis revealed that s-NGAL and u-NAG/creatinine ratio increased in the first 6 h after radiocontrast media (RCM) administration and decreased at 12 and 24 h. Serum BUN and s-cystatin-C levels also showed a significant difference during the 24-h follow-up. eGFR, s-sodium and s-creatinine levels did not change in the following period. Serum cystatin-C levels revealed a significant negative correlation with eGFR. Administered RCM doses showed a positive correlation only with u-NAG/creatinine ratios. Conclusion: In the first 24 h, s-cystatin-C, s-NGAL and especially u-NAG/creatinine ratio showed promise as biomarkers, but eGFR is not adequate for early diagnosis of CIN. Sequential measurement of biomarkers may contribute to more accurate diagnosis of AKI.

Effect of External Targeted Radiotherapy on Dosimetry Due to Rapid Clearance of Gold Nanoparticles

Progress in the application of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) in the biomedical research of small animals has substantially advanced in recent years. Studies suggest a high potential of applying nanoparticle technology to the targeted drug delivery and sensitization system for external beam radiotherapy. Therefore, a scenario of integrated cancer therapy is highly expected, in which patients are treated with administration of GNP media and external beam radiotherapy simultaneously. However, a possible problem is that GNPs may be rapidly transported through the circulatory system to the kidneys, accumulating in the bladder. As a consequence, dosimetric variations could occur as GNP media are absent in the treatment planning, but present in the bladder at a high density during treatment delivery. This study investigates the effect of the rapid clearance of GNPs on dosimetric variations and biological consequences. A prostate phantom and five clinical cases are included. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and RapidArc are used as the treatment techniques. Dose-volume histograms show that the amounts of dose delivered to the prostate planning target volume (PTV), bladder, and rectum decrease. Linear correlations between the concentration of GNP media in the bladder and the corresponding percentage changes of mean dose at the PTV are formulated. For biological consequences, high-dose regions in the mucosal areas of the bladder and rectum are identified. To manage a dosimetric variation of less than 3 % for the prostate PTV, the phantom study results suggest an upper threshold of 97.48 mg-Au/mL with IMRT and 168.22 mg-Au/mL with RapidArc, whereas the clinical study suggests 131.58 mg-Au/mL with RapidArc.

TU-CD-207-03: Time Evolution of Texture Parameters of Subtracted Images Obtained by Contrast-Enhanced Digital Mammography (CEDM)

Purpose: To evaluate the time evolution of texture parameters, based on the gray level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM), in subtracted images of 17 patients (10 malignant and 7 benign) subjected to contrast-enhanced digital mammography (CEDM). The goal is to determine the sensitivity of texture to iodine uptake at the lesion, and its correlation (or lack of) with mean-pixel-value (MPV). Methods: Acquisition of clinical images followed a single-energy CEDM protocol using Rh/Rh/48 kV plus external 0.5 cm Al from a Senographe DS unit. Prior to the iodine-based contrast medium (CM) administration a mask image was acquired; four CM images were obtained 1, 2, 3, and 5 minutes after CM injection. Temporal series were obtained by logarithmic subtraction of registered CM minus mask images.Regions of interest (ROI) for the lesion were drawn by a radiologist and the texture was analyzed. GLCM was evaluated at a 3 pixel distance, 0° angle, and 64 gray-levels. Pixels identified as registration errors were excluded from the computation. 17 texture parameters were chosen, classified according to similarity into 7 groups, and analyzed. Results: In all cases the texture parameters within a group have similar dynamic behavior. Two texture groups (associated to cluster and sum mean) show a strong correlation with MPV; their average correlation coefficient (ACC) is r^2=0.90. Other two groups (contrast, homogeneity) remain constant with time, that is, a low-sensitivity to CM uptake. Three groups (regularity, lacunarity and diagonal moment) are sensitive to CM uptake but less correlated with MPV; their ACC is r^2=0.78. Conclusion: This analysis has shown that, at least groups associated to regularity, lacunarity and diagonal moment offer dynamical information additional to the mean pixel value due to the presence of CM at the lesion. The next step will be the analysis in terms of the lesion pathology. Authors thank PAPIIT-IN105813 for support. Consejo Nacional de Ciencia Y Tecnologia, PAPIIT-IN105813

Media Literacy Is Common Sense: Bridging Common Core Standards with the Media Experiences of Digital Learners

Findings from a case study highlight the benefits of an integrated model of literacy, thereby illustrating the relevance and accessibility of media literacy education.Walk down any middle grades hallway after school and you are likely to observe a variety of student interactions. On the surface, these interactions may appear as routine events, but the details have gone digital with the advent and accessibility of mobile media technologies. More often than not, a mobile phone or other screenbased technology is a focal point in the lives of young adolescents. Middle school students are accessing local, national, and global information via social, political, and entertainment outlets. These media influence and impact the developmental characteristics of adolescents, including the physical, cognitive, moral, psychological, and social-emotional dimensions of development (National Middle School Association [NMSA], 2010, p. 43). More than any other time in history, the coming of age experiences and identity development of young adolescents are largely mediated by a slew of multimodal texts. For educational professionals, the implication of students' increased engagement with media is that to help students develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to live, contribute, and thrive in the digital world of the 21st century, we need to amend how we think about texts and diversify the kinds of texts we choose to integrate into our curricula.Although most mobile devices are small, fitting in the palm of one's hand or pocket, the cumulative time young adolescents spend seeking, streaming, and sharing digital content is striking, totaling nearly 12 hours of media exposure per day (Rideout, Roberts, 8c Foehr, 2010). In an effort to promote critical engagement with media content, many teachers, family members, administrators, and policymakers are advocating for media literacy education.Media literacy is a set of augmented literacy skills that respond to the culture of multimodal information, ideas, and communication media that young adolescents experience. In short, media literacy is the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and create texts in all forms (Hobbs, 2010). In conjunction with printed, alphabetic texts, media literacy recognizes and values the complex assortment of non-print and non-alphabetic texts (Gainer, 2013) that comprise our daily reading-such as pictures, television, movies, songs, video games, and websites-and provides teaching strategies for promoting active, critical reading of these media as texts. Thoman and Jolis (2004) explain:If our children are to be able to navigate their lives through this multi-media culture, they need to be fluent in 'reading' and 'writing' the language of images and sounds just as we have always taught them to 'read' and 'write' the language of printed communications, (p. 19)To create and implement responsive and relevant learning experiences that address the developmental level and cultural identities of middle school students, it is essential that our definition of text reflects changing communication forms, and expands to include both print and non-print sources.The purpose of this article is to investigate the concept of texts and how the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) affords teachers opportunities to implement media literacy education, in turn providing developmentally and culturally responsive middle level practice and promoting 21st century skills. This has implications for middle level teachers seeking to meet and move beyond Common Core Standards in ways that extend and expand notions of text while also supporting middle level practice and 21st century skills.The article begins by contextualizing media use by adolescent learners in the 21st century, briefly reporting the time teens spend with media and technology and how the media affects them. This discussion is followed by a brief examination of the Common Core's concept of texts, seeking to define the concept in alignment with research and scholarship on 21st century skills. …

How hybrid SPECT/CT systems changed imaging work-up in detecting parathyroid adenoma (PA)

The improvements achieved in imaging techniques in the last two decades have deeply changed the approach to the diagnosis of primary pauci-symptomatic hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). Initially, planar 99mTc-Sestamibi scintigraphy both adopting dual-phase or double-tracer subtraction protocol, both with Iodine-123 or 99mTc-pertechnetate, was the only possibility to assess the hyperfunction of a parathyroid adenoma (PA). Later, in 1980s, the tomography technology applied to scintigraphy, called SPECT (single-photon emission tomography), enabled 3-dimensional reconstruction and improved tumor to background contrast. The further step was the assembly of hybrid cameras capable of simultaneous computed tomography (CT) and SPECT acquisition. The first commercial SPECT/CT scanner, introduced in 1999, was able to permit anatomical localization of disease, define its extension, and improve discrimination of physiological versus pathological uptake. This first generation of hybrid systems had the CT transmission part highly limited in their spatial resolution, scan speed, and signal-to-noise performance. On the contrary, last-generation scanners build multislices CT having similar performance to that obtained with conventional diagnostic CT, thus permitting also the administration of CT-contrast media. Superior diagnostic accuracy of SPECT/CT over planar and SPECT imaging has been constantly reported since it improves diagnostic confidence and accord between specialists, thus impacting the patientmanagement course [1]. Some authors suggest the combination of functional imaging with neck ultrasound (US) in order to better visualize PA located within or behind the thyroid gland [2–4]. However, US principal constraints are the limited field-of-view (affecting low or mediastinal PA detection) and the fact that it is highly operator-dependent, and results may differ a lot among one and another operator. In this view, the use of objective and standardize imaging techniques, such as SPECT/CT, is highly appreciated in the endocrine community. In my experience and as recommended by EANM parathyroid guidelines of which I was the coordinator, the ideal work-up consisted of (a) double tracer subtraction 99mTc-pertechnetate ? 99mTc-Sestamibi plus potassium perchlorate protocol (which speed Sestamibi wash-out by the thyroid tissue after thyroid imaging [5]) lasting 40 min, (b) neck US, and (c) SPECT/CT acquisition with large field covering neck & mediastinum [6]. In my experience (data unpublished), the ratio of Sestamibi PA/thyroid uptake, measured by region-of-interest (ROI) method (manually positioned over the highest area of focus radiotracer uptake) using a last-generation hybrid SPECT/CT camera, should increase up to 70–155 % thanks to the attenuation correction and allowed a better detection of deep PAs. Different experiences in detecting PHPT by the means of other techniques have been investigated and worth to be cited. For example, the use of positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) with 11CMethionine (MET) in patients with suspected parathyroid adenoma was deepened by Caldarella and co-worker in the only one meta-analysis published on this topic [7]. Rationale of the use of MET as specific tracer for detection of PHPT is that it is one of the amino acids comprising parathyroid hormone and therefore closely related with biosynthesis of parathyroid hormone. The pooled sensitivity of MET-PET was found to be good (81 %), however, D. Rubello (&) A. M. Maffione Department of Nuclear Medicine–PET/CT Oncologic & Endocrine Sections, Rovigo Hospital, Via Tre Martiri 140, 45100 Rovigo, Italy e-mail: domenico.rubello@libero.it

Abstract 3771: Splenic macrophages induce chemotherapy resistance via DNA damage repair

Abstract The development of resistance to chemotherapy is one of the most important obstacles to continued effective treatment of cancer in patients. We recently identified an important network that is responsible for reversible systemic resistance to chemotherapy. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), activated by chemotherapy, secrete two specific polyunsaturated fatty acids that confer resistance to a broad spectrum of anti-cancer agents. These two distinct platinum-induced polyunsaturated fatty acids (PIFAs), 12-S-keto-5,8,10-heptadecatrienoic acid (KHT) and 4,7,10,13-hexadecatetraenoic acid (16:4(n-3)), can independently induce chemotherapy resistance at picomolar concentrations. Here we show that these PIFAs do not induce resistance to the tumor cells directly but rather function systemically via F4/80+/CD11blow/Ly6G- splenocytes to enhance DNA damage repair within tumors. We found that the PIFAs only induce resistance against DNA damaging agents but not against non-DNA damaging chemotherapeutics. When comparing tumors from cisplatin and PIFAs treated mice with cisplatin alone treated mice we found overall less DNA damage and a quicker restoration of DNA damage. In BRCA1-/-/p53-/- mice lacking homologous recombination, PIFAs were unable induce chemotherapy resistance. Several lines of evidence identified F4/80+/CD11blow/Ly6G- splenocytes as key mediators within this mechanism of systemic chemoresistance. First, PIFAs were unable to induce resistance in splenectomized tumor-bearing mice. Second, administration of conditioned medium from splenocytes (sCM) activated by the PIFAs to splenectomized mice was able to re-introduce systemic chemotherapy resistance in various mouse models (mean tumor volume in mm3 8 days after treatment ± SEM control: 290.7 ± 33.4, cisplatin: 118.2 ± 8.9 and cisplatin + sCM: 261.1 ± 29.7). Third, analysis of the different cell types present in the spleen indicated that F4/80+/CD11blow expressing cells were able to induce systemic resistance in splenectomized mice. Finally, administration of liposomal clodronate to tumor-bearing mice treated with chemotherapy and PIFAs was able to inhibit induction of resistance. Given the fact that 12-S-HHT is a natural ligand of the leukotriene B4 receptor 2 (BLT2) we investigated if signaling via BLT2 is responsible for 12-S-HHT-induced chemoresistance. Both genetic loss of BLT2 or inhibition of BLT2 using LY255283 was able to prevent 12-S-HHT-mediated chemoresistance. Taken together, our findings provide a novel role for the spleen in inducing a systemic protection against chemotherapy via enhancing DNA damage repair. Citation Format: Julia M. Houthuijzen, Laura G.M, Daenen, Jeanine M.L. Roodhart, Klaas M. Govaert, Michelle E. Smith, Juergen Thomale, Sahar J. Sadatmand, Hilde Rosing, Fabian Kruse, Nico van Rooijen, Jos H. Beijnen, Piet Borst, Sven Rottenberg, Bodduluri Haribabu, Emile E. Voest. Splenic macrophages induce chemotherapy resistance via DNA damage repair. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 3771. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-3771