ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND@#Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy technique has not been used as a diagnostic tool for diabetes in clinical practice. This study was linked to structural changes in hemoglobin (Hb) in type 2 diabetes patients at higher levels of HbA1C using FTIR spectroscopy.@*METHODS@#Fifty-three diabetic patients from the Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur, Pakistan were categorized as group A (6% < HbA1C < 7%; n = 25) and group B (HbA1C ≥9%; n = 28). Another group (group N) of twenty blood samples was taken from healthy people from the Islamia University Bahawalpur, Pakistan. Data from all groups were collected from January 1, 2018 to March 31, 2019. The structure of Hb was studied by FTIR spectroscopy and impact of glucose on the fine structure of HbA1C was estimated.@*RESULTS@#Hb secondary structure erythrocyte parameters were altered by changing glucose concentrations. From FTIR spectra of all three groups it was found that Hb structure was slightly altered in group A, but significantly changed in group B (P < 0.05). There was an increase in β-sheet structure and a reduction in α-helix structure at elevated levels of HbA1C (group B) in type 2 diabetes.@*CONCLUSION@#We suggest that higher level of glycation reflected by increased HbA1C might be a contributing factor to structural changes in Hb in type 2 diabetic patients. FTIR spectroscopy can be a novel technique to find pathogenesis in type 2 diabetes.
ABSTRACT
A major challenge in radiotherapy treatment is to deliver precise dose of radiation to the tumor with minimum dose to the healthy normal tissues. Recently, gel dosimetry has emerged as a powerful tool to measure three-dimensional [3D] dose distribution for complex delivery verification and quality assurance. Dosimeters currently in use are inadequate for clinical use as they measure one-dimensional [e.g. ion chambers] or two-dimensional [e.g. Radiographic films] dose distribution. There are basically two types of gel dosimeters i.e. Fricke and polymer gels. Fricke gel dosimeters are easy to prepare and are tissue equivalent but their use is limited because of dependence on oxygen concentration. Polymer gels are also sensitive to oxygen contamination however different formulations are used to solve this problem. The review summarizes improvements in gel dosimeter models and different gel compositions that had been proposed. These dosimeters act both as a phantom and detector, thus confirming the versatility of dosimetry technique. In this review imaging techniques most widely used for gel dosimeters. Magnetic Resonance Imaging, X-ray and Optical Computed Tomography shall be evaluated along with their limitations and sensitivity of gels