Volume Cm3 Research Articles

Serum vitamin D3 level inversely correlates with uterine fibroid volume in different ethnic groups: a cross-sectional observational study

PurposeCurrently there is no effective medicinal treatment for uterine fibroids (UFs), a common health disorder that affects women of reproductive age. Identification of modifiable risk factors such as vitamin D (Vit D) deficiency could help develop novel strategies for the prevention and/or treatment of UFs. The purpose of this study was to identify whether low serum Vit D3 levels correlate with increased risk of UFs.MethodsA total of 154 premenopausal women were recruited for this cross-sectional study. The control group comprised 50 subjects with a normal, fibroid-free uterine structure, confirmed by transvaginal ultrasonography. The 104 case subjects had at least one fibroid lesion that was 2 cm3 in volume or larger, confirmed by transvaginal ultrasonography. For each case subject, total uterine volume and total volume of all existing fibroids were measured in three perpendicular planes, with volume determined according to the prolate ellipse formula (a × b × c × 0.523), where a is height, b is width, and c is depth. Serum Vit D [25(OH) D3] levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. The independent t-test was used to compare serum Vit D levels across groups. Correlations were assessed by Spearman’s rank correlation test.ResultsLower serum 25-(OH) Vit D levels were significantly associated with the occurrence of UFs (P = 0.01). A statistically significant inverse correlation was also observed between serum 25-(OH) Vit D levels and total UF volume (r = −0.31; P = 0.002) within the case cohort. Subjects with larger fibroid volumes had lower serum Vit D levels and vice versa. Data stratified for ethnicity showed a statistically significant inverse correlation between serum 25-(OH) Vit D levels and total fibroid volume in black subjects (r = −0.42; P = 0.001). An inverse correlation was also evident in white subjects (r = −0.86; P = 0.58) but this did not reach statistical significance.ConclusionLower serum Vit D levels are inversely correlated with UF burden in different ethnic groups. Vit D deficiency is a possible risk factor for the occurrence of UFs.

The Design and Research of a New Kind Small Size Resonator Used in Magnetic Coupling Resonance Wireless Energy Transmission System

Magnetic coupling resonance wireless energy transmission is a new technology, which provides fast, convenient and safe energy supply for small size household electrical appliances, body implanted devices and so on. In this technology, it is necessary to design small size resonators for the above devices for energy transfer. Here, a new kind small size resonator, which is 1.35 cm3 in volume, is designed. This design is based on the coupled-mode theory (CMT), which is applied to explain the magnetic coupling resonance system's transmission rule. Extensive simulations have been conduced to validate the design. The Ansoft software is used in the simulation of the resonator's resonance frequency. The relationships between resonator parameters and resonance frequency are obtained. It is found that the simulations are consistent well with experimental results and the resonator can meet the requirements of small size electrical appliances.

Outcomes of Surgically Treated Giant Pituitary Tumours

To evaluate the outcomes of patients with giant pituitary tumours (GPTs) who underwent a purely binasal endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery (BETS) and compare their outcomes with those achieved through craniotomy and microscopic transsphenoidal surgery (MTS). Seventy-two consecutive patients with GPTs (greater than 10 cm3 in volume) who were treated surgically with BETS, craniotomy, or MTS from October 1994 to July 2009 were reviewed for clinical outcomes, degree of tumor resection, recurrence rates, and surgical complications. The BETS group had significantly better mean reduction of tumor volume (91%) than the craniotomy (63%, p = 0.001), and the MTS (63%, p = 0.010) groups. Gross total resection rates were also higher for BETS patients than for craniotomy patients (p = 0.010). Improvements in vision and headaches were noted in 96% and 100% of patients in the BETS group, respectively; these rates were similar to those in the craniotomy and MTS groups. Of the four patients with hormone-secreting tumours in the BETS group, three remained in remission. The median length-of-stay (four days) for the BETS group was shorter (p = 0.010), and surgical complications were less frequent (p = 0.037) and less severe compared to the craniotomy group. There were no differences in the recurrence rates: 79% percent of patients in the BETS group, 69% in the craniotomy group, and 79% in the MTS group were recurrence free at last follow-up (p = 0.829). Treatment of GPT with BETS offers excellent oncologic and clinical outcomes and can frequently obviate the need for craniotomy in these patients.

On the quantification of the dosimetric accuracy of collapsed cone convolution superposition (CCCS) algorithm for small lung volumes using IMRT

Specialized techniques that make use of small field dosimetry are common practice in today's clinics. These new techniques represent a big challenge to the treatment planning systems due to the lack of lateral electronic equilibrium. Because of this, the necessity of planning systems to overcome such difficulties and provide an accurate representation of the true value is of significant importance. Pinnacle3 is one such planning system. During the IMRT optimization process, Pinnacle3 treatment planning system allows the user to specify a minimum segment size which results in multiple beams composed of several subsets of different widths. In this study, the accuracy of the engine dose calculation, collapsed cone convolution superposition algorithm (CCCS) used by Pinnacle3, was quantified by Monte Carlo simulations, ionization chamber, and Kodak extended dose range film (EDR2) measurements for 11 SBRT lung patients. Lesions were < 3.0 cm in maximal diameter and <27.0 cm3 in volume. The Monte Carlo EGSnrc\\BEAMnrc and EGS4\\MCSIM were used in the comparison. The minimum segment size allowable during optimization had a direct impact on the number of monitor units calculated for each beam. Plans with the smallest minimum segment size (0.1 cm2 to 2.0 cm2) had the largest number of MUs. Although PTV coverage remained unaffected, the segment size did have an effect on the dose to the organs at risk. Pinnacle3‐calculated PTV mean doses were in agreement with Monte Carlo‐calculated mean doses to within 5.6% for all plans. On average, the mean dose difference between Monte Carlo and Pinnacle3 for all 88 plans was 1.38%. The largest discrepancy in maximum dose was 5.8%, and was noted for one of the plans using a minimum segment size of 0.1 cm2. For minimum dose to the PTV, a maximum discrepancy between Monte Carlo and Pinnacle3 was noted of 12.5% for a plan using a 6.0 cm2 minimum segment size. Agreement between point dose measurements and Pinnacle3‐calculated doses were on average within 0.7% in both phantoms. The profiles show a good agreement between Pinnacle3, Monte Carlo, and EDR2 film. The gamma index and the isodose lines support the result.PACS number: 87.56.bd

Hepatic Height on Coronal Computed Tomography Images Predicts Total Liver Volume in European Adults Without Liver Disease

Hepatic volume measurement provides useful information in a large range of clinical situations. The goal of this study was to test the hypothesis that significant correlation exists between hepatic volume calculated using three-dimensional reconstruction of computed tomography (CT) data and hepatic height calculated using coronal reformation of CT images in European adult patients without liver disease. One hundred patients (50 men, 50 women; mean age, 47 years) without hepatic disease were included. Coronal and three-dimensional images of the liver were obtained using 64-section helical CT. Correlation between hepatic height and hepatic volume was searched for using the Pearson correlation test. Regression analysis was used to compare hepatic height and hepatic volume. A strong and highly significant positive correlation was found between hepatic height and hepatic volume, with a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.767 (95%CI 0.672-0.837; r² = 0.588) (P < 0.001). The equation of the correlation line was y = 11.764x - 244 where y represents the hepatic volume in cm³ and x the hepatic height in mm. Hepatic height as obtained on coronal CT image is a simple and rapid measurement that allows predicting hepatic volume in European adult patients without liver disease.

UTILIZATION OF ORANGE POMACE IN PROCESSING LOW CALORIES CAKE

This research was aimed to utilized from baladi orange pomace (Citrus sinensis) as by-products from juices factories which causes some environmental problems in processing low cup calories cakes. Wheat flour 72% extraction was substituted with powdered orange pomace at different three levels i.e. 5, 10 and 15%. Effect of orange pomace on physical, chemical, textural characteristics and microstructure properties of cup cakes were determined. A gradual decrease in moisture, ether extract, carbohydrates, while fiber and ash contents were increased with the increase in concentration of powdered orange pomace. with substitution of 15 % orange pomace to cake batters and cake formulae was negatively effect on physical characteristics namely , pH, line spread, and volume cm3, texture profile and volume measurements. Results of scanning electron microscope showed that substitution with 15 % orange pomace caused undesirable changes in the structure of starch granules, gluten matrix and the gas cells comparing with the other cup cake formulae. Results of sensory evaluation indicated that cup cake formulae containing 5% and 10% orange pomace have the highest scores for taste ,odour, height , crumb colour and crust colour in compared with cup cake formula with 15 % orange pomace. So, substitution wheat flour 72 % with orange pomace powder up to 10 % in processing low calories cup cake is recommended .

Investigation of power and frequency for 3D conformal MRI-controlled transurethral ultrasound therapy with a dual frequency multi-element transducer

Transurethral ultrasound therapy uses real-time magnetic resonance (MR) temperature feedback to enable the 3D control of thermal therapy accurately in a region within the prostate. Previous canine studies showed the feasibility of this method in vivo. The aim of this study was to reduce the procedure time, while maintaining targeting accuracy, by investigating new combinations of treatment parameters. Simulations and validation experiments in gel phantoms were used, with a collection of nine 3D realistic target prostate boundaries obtained from previous preclinical studies, where multi-slice MR images were acquired with the transurethral device in place. Acoustic power and rotation rate were varied based on temperature feedback at the prostate boundary. Maximum acoustic power and rotation rate were optimised interdependently, as a function of prostate radius and transducer operating frequency. The concept of dual frequency transducers was studied, using the fundamental frequency or the third harmonic component depending on the prostate radius. Numerical modelling enabled assessment of the effects of several acoustic parameters on treatment outcomes. The range of treatable prostate radii extended with increasing power, and tended to narrow with decreasing frequency. Reducing the frequency from 8 MHz to 4 MHz or increasing the surface acoustic power from 10 to 20 W/cm2 led to treatment times shorter by up to 50% under appropriate conditions. A dual frequency configuration of 4/12 MHz with 20 W/cm2 ultrasound intensity exposure can treat entire prostates up to 40 cm3 in volume within 30 min. The interdependence between power and frequency may, however, require integrating multi-parametric functions in the controller for future optimisations.

Electrical heating for SEOP-based polarized 3He system

Development of neutron spin filters based on polarized 3He is underway at Spallation Neutron Source (SNS). We report the progress of electrical heating tests in polarized 3He based on Spin-Exchange Optical Pumping (SEOP) method. We first test the system performance based on electrical heating via non-inductance heating pads. We observe a contribution of 955 hours to the relaxation time T1 from the heating pads. We then test the electrical heating SEOP pumping system at the SNS beamline Magnetic Reflectometer. We currently obtain 73% 3He polarization in a cell with 820 cm3 in volume.

Growth and Characterization of Polycrystalline Lanthanide Halide Scintillators.

We are exploring a novel time- and cost-efficient approach to produce robust, large-volume polycrystalline lanthanide halide scintillators using a hot wall evaporation (HWE) technique. To date, we have fabricated LaBr3:Ce and LaCl3:Ce films (slabs) measuring up to 7 cm in diameter and 7+ mm in thickness (20 to 25 cm3 in volume) on quartz substrates. These polycrystalline scintillators exhibit very bright emissions approaching those exhibited by their melt-grown crystal counterparts. Scanning electron micrographs (SEMs) and X-ray diffraction analyses confirm polycrystalline growth with columnar structures, both of which help in light piping, thereby contributing to the observed high light yields. The new scintillators also exhibit good energy resolution for γ-rays over the tested range of 60 keV (241Am) to 662 keV (137Cs), although they have not yet reached that of the corresponding crystals. The measured response linearity over the same energy range is comparable for both our HWE synthesized films and melt-grown commercially-available reference crystals. Similar consistency in response is also observed in terms of their decay time and afterglow behaviors. The data collected so far demonstrate that our HWE technique permits the rapid creation of scintillators with desired structural and compositional characteristics, without the introduction of appreciable defects, and yields material performance equivalent to or approaching that of crystals. Consequently, the deposition parameters may be manipulated to tailor the physical and scintillation performance of the resulting structures, while achieving a cost per unit volume that is substantially lower than that of crystals. In turn, this promises to allow the use of these novel scintillation materials in such applications as SPECT, PET, room-temperature radioisotope identification and homeland security, where large volumes of materials in a wide variety of shapes and sizes are needed. This paper describes our growth and testing of polycrystalline LaBr3:Ce scintillators and provides comparative characterizations of their performance with crystals.

Comparison of the Prognostic Value of Assessing Tumor Diameter Versus Tumor Volume at Diagnosis or in Response to Initial Chemotherapy in Rhabdomyosarcoma

In this study on a series of 205 patients with rhabdomyosarcoma, we investigated whether the prognostic effect of tumor size, at diagnosis or in terms of tumor response after induction chemotherapy, differed when tumor diameter or tumor volume were considered. Tumor size was assessed radiologically at diagnosis and, for the 108 patients with measurable disease, after three courses of chemotherapy. The analysis was based on multivariable models (linear for association between size and patient/tumor characteristics, Cox for association with survival). The predictive performance of the Cox model (estimated by V measure) was compared for the tumor's diameter and volume. Initial tumor size was significantly larger in male or older patients and in T2 or alveolar tumors, but was not associated with the achievement of complete surgical resection. Initial tumor size significantly influenced overall survival. The risk of death was comparable for tumors 10 cm in maximum diameter and 194.0 cm(3) in volume. The predictive performance of the Cox model was much the same when the tumor's diameter or volume was considered. Tumor response was a significant predictor of survival, again irrespective of the type of tumor measurement considered. In our analysis, initial tumor size and tumor response were significant prognostic factors in rhabdomyosarcoma, regardless of whether tumor diameter or volume was considered. Three-dimensional tumor assessment was of no greater prognostic value than one-dimensional assessment, neither initially nor after induction treatment.

Validation of the radiosurgery-based arteriovenous malformation score in a large linear accelerator radiosurgery experience

The radiosurgery-based arteriovenous malformation (AVM) score (RBAS) is a grading system designed to predict patient outcomes after Gamma Knife surgery for AVMs. This study seeks to validate independently the predictive nature of the RBAS, not only after single treatment but for retreatment, and to assess the overall outcome regardless of number of radiosurgeries. The authors analyzed 403 patients treated with linear accelerator (LINAC) radiosurgery for AVMs between May 1988 and June 2008. The AVM scores were determined by the following equation: AVM score = (0.1 x volume in cm(3)) + (0.02 x age in years) + (0.3 x location). The location values are as follows: frontal/temporal = 0, parietal/occipital/corpus callosum/cerebellar = 1, and basal ganglia/thalamus/brainstem = 2. Testing demonstrated that the RBAS correlated with excellent outcomes after single or repeat radiosurgery (p < 0.001 for both variables). One hundred sixty-two (49%) of 330 patients had excellent outcomes (obliteration without deficit) after a single treatment. Excellent outcomes were achieved in 74, 64, 50, and 11% of patients with AVM scores of < 1.0 (Group 1), between 1.0 and < 1.8 (Group 2), between 1.8 and < 2.5 (Group 3), and >or= 2.5 (Group 4), respectively. Fifty-one patients (70%) obtained radiosurgical cure and 46 (63%) achieved excellent outcomes after repeat radiosurgery. Of these, 100% achieved excellent outcomes in Group 1, 70% did so in Group 2, 47% in Group 3, and 14% in Group 4. The RBAS correlated with excellent outcomes after overall treatment (p < 0.001). Two hundred seventy-seven patients (69%) obtained AVM obliteration, and 62% achieved excellent outcomes. In Group 1, 87% achieved excellent outcomes, 75% did so in Group 2, 61% in Group 3, and 24% in Group 4. The RBAS is a good predictor of patient outcomes after LINAC radiosurgery.

An endoscopic capsule robot: a meso-scale engineering case study

A number of unique challenges arise in fabricating and assembling complex mechanisms at the meso-scale (hundreds of microns to centimetres). In general, for a complex multi-part mechanism at this length scale, no single machining technique can produce all the necessary parts—or often even a single individual part. Towards developing a comprehensive set of ‘best practices’ for combining multiple precision micromachining operations at the meso-scale, we present a case study on fabricating and assembling an endoscopic capsule robot. Existing passive imaging capsules have proven exceptionally useful in the diagnosis of the gastrointestinal tract, and robotic capsules promise to enhance their diagnostic capabilities and enable non-invasive treatment delivery. In this case study, we describe the fabrication of a robotic capsule (2.6 cm3 in volume) containing a complex mechanism consisting of 72 components, each of which requires a variety of meso- or even micro-scale features. We describe the manufacturing processes used to produce these components and features (combinations of high precision, multiply refixtured computer numerical control processes, sink and wire electro discharge machining, laser cutting, etc). These results contribute to the emerging framework of best practices in meso-scale design and manufacture, illustrating ways to effectively combine several processes to produce a complex meso-scale device.

A random phased array device for delivery of high intensity focused ultrasound

Randomized phased arrays can offer electronic steering of a single focus and simultaneous multiple foci concomitant with low levels of secondary maxima and are potentially useful as sources of high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). This work describes laboratory testing of a 1 MHz random phased array consisting of 254 elements on a spherical shell of radius of curvature 130 mm and diameter 170 mm. Acoustic output power and efficiency are measured for a range of input electrical powers, and field distributions for various single- and multiple-focus conditions are evaluated by a novel technique using an infrared camera to provide rapid imaging of temperature changes on the surface of an absorbing target. Experimental results show that the array can steer a single focus laterally to at least ±15 mm off axis and axially to more than ±15 mm from the centre of curvature of the array and patterns of four and five simultaneous foci ±10 mm laterally and axially whilst maintaining low intensity levels in secondary maxima away from the targeted area in good agreement with linear theoretical predictions. Experiments in which pork meat was thermally ablated indicate that contiguous lesions several cm3 in volume can be produced using the patterns of multiple foci.

Differential behavior of components of the 238U-206Pb and 235U-207Pb isotopic systems in polymineralic U ores

U-Pb systems were examined in samples (ranging from 4 to 10 cm3 in volume) of ore material taken from along a 3.5-m profile across a zone of U mineralization exposed in an underground mine at the Strel’tsovskoe U deposit in eastern Transbaikalia. The behaviors of two isotopic U-Pb systems (238U-206Pb and 235U-207Pb) are principally different in all samples from our profile. While the individual samples are characterized by a vast scatter of their T(206Pb/238U) age values (from 112 to 717 Ma), the corresponding T(207Pb/235U) values vary much less significantly (from 127 to 142 Ma) and are generally close to the true age of the U mineralization. The main reason for the distortion of the U-Pb system is the long-lasting (for tens of million years) migration of intermediate decay products in the 238U-206Pb(RD238U) in the samples. This process resulted in the loss of RD238U from domains with high U concentrations and the subsequent accommodation of RD238U at sites with low U concentrations. The long-term effect of these opposite processes resulted in a deficit or excess of 206Pb as the final product of 238U decay. The loss or migration of RD238U are explained by the occurrence of pitchblende in association with U oxides that have higher Si and OH concentrations than those in the pitchblende and a higher +6U/+4U ratio. The finely dispersed character of the mineralization and the loose or metamict texture of the material are the principal prerequisites for RD238U loss and an excess of 206Pb in adjacent domains with low U concentrations. Domains with low U contents in the zone with U mineralization serve as geochemical barriers (because of sulfides contained in them) at which long-lived RD238U(226Ra, 210Po, 210Bi, and 210Pb) were accommodated and subsequently caused an excess of 206Pb. The 235U-207Pb system remained closed because of the much briefer lifetime of the 235U decay products. This may account for the significant discrepancies between the T(206Pb/238U) and T(207Pb/235U) age values. RD238U was most probably lost via the migration of radioisotopes at the middle part and end of the 238U family (starting with 226Ra). The heavy Th, Pa, and U radioisotopes (234Th, 234Pa, 234U, and 230Th) that occur closer to the beginning of 238U decay, before 226Ra, only relatively insignificantly participated in the process. Our results show that the loss and migration of RD238U are, under certain conditions, the main (or even the only) process responsible for the distortion of the U-Pb system.

Efficient and compact green laser for micro‐projector applications

Abstract— Efficient and compact green lasers are keystone components for micro‐projector applications in mobile devices. An architecture that consists of an infrared‐producing DBR (distributed Bragg reflector) laser with a frequency‐doubling crystal is used to synthesize a green laser that has high electrical‐to‐optical conversion efficiency and can be modulated at speeds required for scanner‐based projectors. The design and performance of a green‐laser package that uses adaptive optics to overcome the challenge of maintaining alignment between the waveguides of the DBR laser and the frequency‐doubling crystal over temperature and lifetime is described. The adaptive optics technology that is employed uses the piezo‐based smooth impact drive mechanism (SIDM) actuators that offer a very small step size and a range of travel adequate for the alignment operation. The laser is shown to be compact (0.7 cm3 in volume) and capable of a wall‐plug efficiency approaching 10% (at 100‐mW green power). It was demonstrated that the adaptive optics enables operation over a wide temperature range (10–60°C) and provides the capability for low‐cost assembly of the device.

Efficient and compact green laser for micro‐projector applications

Efficient and compact green lasers are keystone components for micro‐projector applications in mobile devices. An architecture that consists of an infrared‐producing DBR (distributed Bragg reflector) laser with a frequency‐doubling crystal is used to synthesize a green laser that has high electrical‐to‐optical conversion efficiency and can be modulated at speeds required for scanner‐based projectors. The design and performance of a green‐laser package that uses adaptive optics to overcome the challenge of maintaining alignment between the waveguides of the DBR laser and the frequency‐doubling crystal over temperature and lifetime is described. The adaptive optics technology that is employed uses the piezo‐based smooth impact drive mechanism (SIDM) actuators that offer a very small step size and a range of travel adequate for the alignment operation. The laser is shown to be compact (0.7 cm3 in volume) and capable of a wall‐plug efficiency approaching 10% (at 100‐mW green power). It was demonstrated that the adaptive optics enables operation over a wide temperature range (10–60°C) and provides the capability for low‐cost assembly of the device.

Expression Profiling of Galectin-3-Depleted Melanoma Cells Reveals its Major Role in Melanoma Cell Plasticity and Vasculogenic Mimicry

Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a beta-galactoside-binding protein that is involved in cancer progression and metastasis. Using a progressive human melanoma tissue microarray, we previously demonstrated that melanocytes accumulate Gal-3 during the progression from benign to dysplastic nevi to melanoma and further to metastatic melanoma. Herein, we show that silencing of Gal-3 expression with small hairpin RNA results in a loss of tumorigenic and metastatic potential of melanoma cells. In vitro, Gal-3 silencing resulted in loss of tumor cell invasiveness and capacity to form tube-like structures on collagen ("vasculogenic mimicry"). cDNA microarray analysis after Gal-3 silencing revealed that Gal-3 regulates the expression of multiple genes, including endothelial cell markers that appear to be aberrantly expressed in highly aggressive melanoma cells, causing melanoma cell plasticity. These genes included vascular endothelial-cadherin, which plays a pivotal role in vasculogenic mimicry, as well as interleukin-8, fibronectin-1, endothelial differentiation sphingolipid G-protein receptor-1, and matrix metalloproteinase-2. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays and promoter analyses revealed that Gal-3 silencing resulted in a decrease of vascular endothelial-cadherin and interleukin-8 promoter activities due to enhanced recruitment of transcription factor early growth response-1. Moreover, transient overexpression of early growth response-1 in C8161-c9 cells resulted in a loss of vascular endothelial-cadherin and interleukin-8 promoter activities and protein expression. Thus, Gal-3 plays an essential role during the acquisition of vasculogenic mimicry and angiogenic properties associated with melanoma progression.

Iterative active deformational methodology for tumor delineation: Evaluation across radiation treatment stage and volume

To introduce, implement, and assess an iterative modification to the active deformational image segmentation method as applied to cervical cancer tumors. A comparison by Jaccard similarity (JS) between this active deformational method and manual segmentation was performed on tumors of various sizes across preradiation, 3 weeks postradiation, and 6 weeks postradiation using a General Linear Mixed Model across 121 studies from 52 patients with Stage IIB-IV cervical cancers. The deformable segmentation method produced promising levels of agreement including JS factors of 0.71+/-0.11 in the preradiation studies. The analysis illustrated a rate of improvement in JS with increasing tumor volume that differed between the preradiation and 6 weeks postradiation stage (P=0.0474). In the large preradiated tumors each additional cm3 of volume was associated with an increase or improvement in JS of 0.0008 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.0003, 0.0014). In the smaller postradiation tumors, each additional cm3 of volume was associated with a more robust improvement in JS of 0.0046 (95% CI: 0.0009, 0.0082). Agreement was strongly affected by tumor volume, and its performance was most impacted across volume in the later stages of radiation therapy. The deformation-based segmentation method appears to demonstrate utility for delineating cervical cancer tumors, particularly in the earliest stages of radiation treatment, where agreement is greatest.

NSC 290205-based therapy in colon 38 adenocarcinoma in combination with adriamycin (ADR)

15104 Background: NSC 290205 (A) is a hybrid synthetic antitumor ester which combines a D-lactam derivative of androsterone and nitrogen mustard. In this study cyclophosphamide in the standard CHOP chemotherapeutic regimen was replaced with NSC 290205 (AHOP) and the efficacy of these regimens against murine colon 38 adenocarcinoma was compared. Methods: Colon 38 adenocarcinoma was used in this study. It was purchased from NCI (USA). Tumor was grown in C57 Bl mice and was transplanted subcutaneously with puncture in the inguinal region. The amount of the transplanted graft was 40–50 mg fragment. The acute toxicity of the compounds was determined and the lethal dose LD10 was used as a therapeutic dose. The antitumor activity was assessed from the inhibition of tumor growth by volume in cm3 and T/C % oncostatic parameter, according to the protocol of the experimental evaluation of anticancer drugs of the NCI. Treatment was given as an intermitted dose on days 1, 5, 9. Results: Results show that treatment with steroidal derivative (A) or cyclophosphamide (C) produced almost equal borderline activity. Moreover, both CHOP and AHOP regimens showed significant and comparable antitumor effect. AHOP caused the maximum effect inhibiting tumor growth by 68.5 % and producing T/C values of 211%. CHOP was less effective producing 47.1% inhibition of tumor growth and T/C 174%. Conclusions: Although the treatment of colon adenocarcinoma with cyclophosphamide or NSC 290205 yielded equivalent results, AHOP showed higher antitumor potency than CHOP. It is very likely that the D-lactamic steroid (androstan) alkylator for A, containing the amide group -NH-CO-, combined with adriamycin which intercalates between DNA base-pairs, is the explanation for the higher activity of AHOP as compared to CHOP. Preclinical research supports that the aza-steroidal alkylator NSC 290205 demonstrates favorable acute and sub acute toxicity, as well as superior antitumor activity which in combination with adriamycin against colon 38 adenocarcinoma justifies further clinical studies. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Persimmon cv. Hachiya (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) fruit: some physical, chemical and nutritional properties

The persimmon cv. Hachiya (Diospyros kaki) fruits were analysed for some physical properties (fruit dimensions, fruit mass, fruit volume, fruit density, aspect ratio, geometric mean diameter, sphericity, spread area, projected area, bulk density, skin and flesh firmness, skin and flesh colour as L, a and b values, coefficient of static friction on different surfaces and porosity), chemical properties (moisture, ash, pH, acidity, vitamin C, total soluble solids) and nutritional properties (phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, iron, manganese, copper and zinc). The fruit characteristics ranged from 169 g for average fruit mass, 65.97 mm for the geometric mean diameter, 1.03% for sphericity and 180 cm3 for volume of fruit. The bulk density, fruit density and porosity were determined as 5,817 N/m3, 9,300 N/m3 and 38.06%, respectively. The present study also revealed important nutritional values of persimmon fruits.