Optimization of clinical target volume delineation using magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging [MRSI] in 3D conformal radiotherapy of prostate cancer

For the purpose of individual clinical target volume assessment in radiotherapy of prostate cancer, MRSI was used as a molecular imaging modality with MRI and CT images. The images of 20 prostate cancer patients were used in this study. The MR and MRSI images were registered with CT ones using non-rigid registration technique. The CT based planning [BP], CT/MRI BP and CT/MRSI BP was performed for each patient. For plan evaluation, Dose Volume Histograms [DVHs] data were used. A paired sample T-test was used for the analysis of the obtained data. The percentage of variation of CTVMRI to CTVCT and PTVMRI to PTVCT were 12.83% and 8.97%, respectively. CTVMRSI and PTVMRSI were 21% and 27.41% more than their corresponding values of CT volumes. The mean percentage of variation in rectum volume that received 60% of the prescribe dose [V60R] in MRSI/CT BP relative to CT BP was 14.66%. The use of MRSI in detecting of prostate adenocarcinoma could provide some decisive information to determine optimum volume and safe margin for target definition to improve adaptive radiotherapy in prostate cancer

Does whole body exposure to GSM-950 MHz electromagnetic fields affect acquisition and consolidation of spatial information in rats?

This study was planned to examine the effects of whole-body exposure to GSM-950 MHz electromagnetic fields [EMFs] on acquisition and consolidation of spatial memory in rats using a water maze task. In experiment 1, the animals were given two blocks of five trials per day for three consecutive days in a water maze task. The interval between blocks was 4h. Before each training session, the animals were exposed to 950 MHz EMFs for 45 min with lower-[0.835 mW/cm[2]] or higher-power [1.166 mW/cm[2]] densities. In experiment 2, the animals were given two blocks of 5 trials with a 3 min interval between blocks. Immediately after the last trial, they were exposed to EMFs for 45 min with lower-or higher-power densities. In both experiments, 48 h after the last training day a 60 s probe test was done. Results from experiment1 [pre-training exposure to EMFs] indicated no significant differences in performances of exposed and non-exposed groups either during acquisition [learning] or during probe test [memory retention]. Results from experiment 2 [post training exposure to EMFs] also indicated no significant differences among groups during acquisition or probe test. In these experiments, no effect of exposure to 950 MHz on acquisition or consolidation of spatial navigation of rats in a water maze was detected

Low-power density of 950 MHz rediation does not affect long-term potentiation in rat dentate gyrus

Over the last decade, exposure to non-ionizing electromagnetic waves due to base station antenna has increased. This in vivo study was planned for evaluating the effects of whole-body exposure to 950 MHz field of GSM mobile phone system on rat dentate gyrus long-term potentiation. 24 naive male Wistar rats [3 month old, 225 +/- 25 g] were randomly divided in the three groups [sham-exposed, GSM and continuous field exposed]. The exposure program was planned for 10 sessions at 3 days. Animals were exposed to electromagnetic field for 45 minutes in a circular plastic chamber [mean power density=0.835 mW/cm[2]]. Immediately after end exposure, anesthesia was induced for long term potentiation [LTP] induction. Field potentials were recorded and analyzed using the population spike amplitude and EPSP slope for 60- min. There were no significant differences in population spike amplitude, EPSP slope and EPSP slope maintenance among the three groups. This study provides no evidence indicating that long-term potentiation can be affected by the whole-body exposure to low-power density of 950 MHz field of GSM mobile phone system

[ effect of GSM mobile phone base station waves on hippocampus synaptic plasticity]

Over the last decade, exposure to electromagnetic waves due to base station antenna has increased. This in vivo study was planned for evaluating the effects of 950 MHz waves of GSM mobile phone system on dentate gyrus long-term potentiation. 32 naive male Wistar rats [3 months old, 220 +/- 15 g] were randomly divided into four groups [sham-exposed, continuous 950 MHz, 950 MHz with modulation and 950 MHz GSM field exposed]. The exposure program was planned for 10 sessions at 3 days. Animals were exposed to electromagnetic field for 45min in a circular plastic chamber [mean electric field = 50.4 V/m]. Immediately after ending exposure, anesthesia was induced for LTP induction. Field potentials were recorded and analyzed using the population spike amplitude, EPSP slope, EPSP slope maintenance and EPSP duration for 60-min. There were no significant differences in population spike amplitude, EPSP slope and EPSP slope maintenance and EPSP duration among the four groups. This experiment provides no evidence indicating that rat's long-term potentiation can be affected by the whole-body exposure to 950 MHz field of GSM mobile phone system

Relation between sleep disorders in the last month of pregnancy and type of delivery in women referring to health centers at Saghez

Pregnancy can affect on sleep pattern. About 2/3 of pregnant women complain of their sleep pattern. Besides having physical and psychological outcomes, the pattern can influence on labor and the type of delivery. This cohort study was conducted to determine the relation between sleep disorders in the last month of pregnancy and the type of delivery. 139 subjects [59 women without sleep disorders and 85 with sleep disorders] were selected by sequential sampling method and followed until their delivery. A questionnaire, an observation form and a checklist were used for data collection. Findings indicated that the chance of Cesarean section in women with sleep disorders were 2.7 times more than the other group [CI=0.83-8.5, RR = 2.7]. However, Qui-square test showed no significant difference between the groups [p= 0.096]. Sleep disorders have no effect on increasing Cesarean prevalence

Tissue uptakes of 67Ga-bleomycin and carrier free 67Ga in fibrosarcoma - bearing mice

67Gallium-bleomycin complex [67Ga-BLM] was prepared using Thakour method. Radio-thin-layer-chromatography of prepared complex showed A2 and B2 radiopeaks with Rf at 0.7 and 0.4 respectively with a purity of above% 95. Tissue uptake of 67Ga-BLM and 67GaCl3 in twelve tissues including tumor, blood, liver, lung, spleen, muscle, skin, heart, kidney, colon, colon content,bladder and the total body were counted by well counter at 1, 2, 4, 24 and 48 hours post injection of radiopharmaceuticals. Uptakes of tissues are expressed as percent injected dose per gram of tissue. The clearance rate of 67Ga-BLM was 1.75-1.95 times faster than 67GaCl3 at all time intervals. Bladder uptakes of 67Ga-BLM were highest among twelve tissues at 1,2 and 4 hours after injection, then falling rapidly after 24 and 48 hours. Blood uptake of 67Ga-BLM was lower than 67GaCl3 in all time intervals. Colon content uptake of 67Ga-BLM was highest among twelve tissues at 2 and 4 hours post injection. Tumor to tissue activity ratios were also calculated, showing an increase of tumor to blood and muscle ratios. Tumor to blood ratio increased from 0.3 at 1 hour to 5.3 at 48 hours. Activity ratio of muscle increased from 0.5 at 1 hour to 5.5 at 48 hours. Whole body counting of animals showed that effective half lives of 67Ga-BLM and 67GaCl3 were about 1 and 15 hours respectively, which renders faster excretion of 67Ga-BLM complex. Biodistribution data clearly indicates that prepared complex in comparison with carrier free 67Ga [67GaCl3] has two main advantages: 1] high tumor to soft tissue uptake ratio that make it suitable for tumor imaging, 2] faster excretion specially at first three hours post injection. In addition complex is stable in vitro and in vivo