Dosimetric verification of pre-treatment intensity modulated radiation therapy in the commissioning process

Background: commissioning tests are recommended before implementing Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy. This study evaluated five different plans of IMRT mocks for different modulation indices

Materials and Methods: IMRT tests were done in slab phantom for both 6MV and 15 MV photon energies using a 2D array ion chamber dosimeter

Results: the acceptance criteria were based on 3% /3mm. All tests passed the gamma criteria except for the prostate test with 15 MV photon beams and C shape test for both 6 MV and 15 MV energies. The Ratio passing points for Multi target test in 6 MV and 15 MV plans were 93.1% and 91.5%, respectively. The results of the prostate tests with 3%/3mm was 92.3% for 6MV and 91.2% for 15 MV in 4%/4 mm tolerance limit. For Head and Neck test with the same gamma criteria, the percentages of the points were 93.2 and 94 for 6 MV and 15 MV plans, respectively. For C shape tests, the used gamma criteria were 4%/ 4 mm. The ratio passing points were 94.9% and 94.3% for 6MV and 15MV plans, respectively. However, C shape hard test could not pass the gamma criteria of 4%/ 4mm for 6MV

Conclusion: results showed that by increasing the complexity of the IMRT plan, the verification test must be done in a more strict-manner, because a small change in dose delivery can cause a large discrepancy between planned and real dosimetry and may produce hot spots in organs or a cold spot in the target volume

Investigation of the effect of Calendula officinalis extract on preventing radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis

Introduction: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of Calendula officinalis mouthwash on preventing radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis

Materials and Methods: Patients with head and neck cancers referred to our center for radiotherapy were divided into two groups, one receiving drug and the other group receiving placebo. Patients in the drug group received 2% Calendula extract. Oral Mucositis Assessment Scale was used to evaluate oral mucositis intensity at the end of each week. The scale of mucositis at the end of each week was compared between groups

Results: Calendula extract significantly decreased the intensity of oral mucositis as compared to placebo at the end of the 2nd [p=0.019], 3rd [p<0.0001] and 6th week [p=0.031]

Conclusion: Calendula extract could be effectively used to decrease the intensity of radiotherapy- induced oral mucositis

Response rate and toxicity of Docetaxel / Cisplatin /5FU in comparison with cisplatin / 5FU induction chemotherapy in locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Introduction: Response to chemotherapy is a reliable marker for radiation sensitivity in patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. We compared the response rate and toxicity after two cycles of chemotherapy using Docetaxel / Cisplatin /5FU or Cisplatin / 5FU among these patients

Materials and Methods: We randomly assigned 16 to 75 years old patients with stage III or IV non-metastatic locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma to receive either DCF or CF every 3 weeks for two cycles. All patients who received at least one and two cycles of chemotherapy were considered for toxicity and response evaluation respectively

Results: Seventy patients underwent randomization, 36 and 34 patients were assigned to Docetaxel / Cisplatin /5FU and Cisplatin / 5FU groups respectively. Three and 8 patients were excluded after randomization and before receiving any chemotherapy in Docetaxel / Cisplatin /5FU and Cisplatin / 5FU groups respectively. Finally 30 and 25 in Docetaxel / Cisplatin /5FU group and 25 and 23 patients in Cisplatin / 5FU group were evaluated for toxicity and response respectively. Response rate [complete and partial response] was%83 [35% complete and 48% partial response] and%84[16% complete and 68% partial response] in Cisplatin / 5FU and Docetaxel / Cisplatin /5FU groups respectively [P= 0.28]. There was no differences in complete response rate between two groups [P=0.18]. Neutropenia, phlebitis and mucositis were more common in Cisplatin / 5FU group without statistically significant difference. Constipation was significantly more common in Cisplatin / 5FU group [P= 0.008]. Diarrhea, alopecia and febrile neutropenia were significantly more common in Docetaxel / Cisplatin /5FU group [P= 0.006, 0.01 and 0.03 respectivly]

Conclusion: We could not find any significant differences between response to Docetaxel / Cisplatin /5FU and Cisplatin /5FU combination chemotherapy among Iranian patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. However, for better evaluation, larger studies with better designs are being conducted in our center

Long term survival in unresectable stage iv esophageal squamous cell carcinoma treated with chemoradiation: a case report

Introduction: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is one of the most common gastrointestinal cancers in Iran. Development of para-aortic lymphadenopathy is classified as stage IV and long term survival is rare. We report a case of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma with paraaortic lymphadenopathies, who was treated with systemic and nonsurgical locoregional therapy

Report of the case: A 39-year-old female with squamous cell carcinoma of the distal esophagus and proximal stomach, that was unresectable on laparatomy, was referred to our center for palliative treatment. She received six cycles of chemotherapy [Paclitaxel / Cisplatin], and then concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherapy to the primary tumor and paraaortic region with a total dose of 5220 centigray [cGy]. Six years later, she was still alive without any complaints or disease progression

Conclusion: It seems that patients with locally advanced unresectable esophageal squamous sell sarcinoma can be treated radically with systemic and nonsurgical locoregional therapy, to achieve long term survival

Vinorelbine and docetaxel combination as the first line treatment in patients with metastatic breast cancer: results of a multi-centric phase ii trial in Iran

Introduction: We conducted a multi-centric phase II study to evaluate the tumor response and safety of the combination of vinorelbin and docetaxel in treatment of metastatic breast cancer patients

Patients and methods: Forty one metastatic breast cancer patients, who had at least one measurable lesion and had not been treated for metastasis before, were enrolled from March 2006 to June 2009. Treatment contained vinorelbine 25mg/m2 IV and docetaxel 30mg/m2 at day 1 and 8. Cycles were repeated every 21 days for 6 cycles. We evaluated response to chemotherapy every three weeks and toxicity every week

Results: The mean age of patients was 50.4 years [range 30-81]. Twenty eight patients [68.2%] had received prior neoadjuvant anthracycline based chemotherapy. No patient had received adjuvant chemotherapy within the last 3 months. Twenty four patients [58.3%] had two or more metastatic sites. Thirty six patients were evaluable for their response. An objective tumor response [either complete response or partial response] was achieved in 32 [88.8%] and complete response was seen in 9 [25%] patients. Thirteen patients [31.6%] developed grade 3-4 neutropenia and neutropenic fever was reported in 11 [26.8%]. Grade 3 anemia was observed in 1 patient [2.4%]. No grade 4 non-hematological toxicity was noted and the most frequent grade 3 non-hematological toxicities were hair loss [39%], stomatitis [7.3%] and diarrhea [4.8%]. Median time to progression was 7 months and median overall survival was 11 months

Conclusion: Vinorelbine-docetaxel combination shows a considerable tumor response and manageable toxicity as the first line treatment for metastatic breast cancer. It seems logical to conduct phase III trials to further evaluate this regimen

Human papilloma virus prevalence and types among Iranian women attending regular gynecological visits

Introduction: Human papilloma virus prevalence data is scarce in Iran. This study was performed to evaluate type-specific human papilloma virus prevalence and to compare it with Pap smear results among Iranian women attending regular gynecological visits

Patients and methods: A total of 851 women aged 18-65 years, attending regular gynecological visits were retrospectively evaluated. Human papilloma virus detection and genotyping was performed using polymerase chain reaction technique. Cytological evaluation was performed by Papanicolaou method and the association between cytological results and human papilloma virus profile was analyzed

Results: Nineteen different types of human papilloma virus were detected in 265 of 851 patients [31.1%]. Overall infection as well as infection with high risk human papilloma virus types; were highest in women aged 18-25 years and decreased with age. Type-specific prevalence of human papilloma virus -16 and 18 was 7.3% and 2.8% respectively. There was also an upward trend in the prevalence of high risk human papilloma virus infection as the abnormality in cytology increased. The prevalence of human papilloma virus related events was 29.1% among virus positive patients and declined from low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion [18.2%] to high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion [3.9%]

Conclusion: Our study indicated that the burden of human papilloma virus infection among Iranian females was higher in comparison with previous estimates reported from Iran. Furthermore, higher prevalence of premalignant changes in Iranian women infected with high risk human papilloma virus types other than vaccine types should be considered in immunization programs and development of population-specific human papilloma virus vaccines

[Functional and thermal properties of chickpea and soy-protein concentrates and isolates]

In the last few years there has been a growing trend to use chickpea as a good protein source. Chickpea protein products, such as chickpea flour, concentrate and isolate, are considered as functional food supplements, alternatives to soy protein. The objective of this study was to determine and compare the functional and thermal properties of chickpea and soy-protein concentrates and isolates. Chickpea protein concentrate and isolate were prepared from defatted chickpea flour by applying alkaline extraction and isoelectric precipitation. Chemical composition [protein, fat, ash, crude fiber, and water contents], functional properties [water and fat absorptions, gelation, foaming capacity, and foam stability], and thermal properties [glass transition and denaturation temperatures] of chickpea protein concentrate and isolate were determined and compared with those of the soy protein products. The protein contents of the concentrate and isolate obtained from defatted chickpea flour were 80% and 88.6%, respectively; the corresponding proportions for soy concentrate and isolate were 83.1% and 90.2%. There were no statistically significant differences as regards water and oil absorptions between soy and chickpea proteins. The gelation properties and foaming capacity of all the samples increased with an increase in protein concentration. However, soy protein had a higher foaming capacity and foam stability as compared to chickpea protein [P

Treatment of synthetic wastewater containing reactive red 198 by electrocoagulation process

Discharge of textile colored wastewater industries without providing enough treatment in water bodies, is harmful for human and aquatic organisms and poses serious damages to the environment. Most of conventional wastewater treatment methods don't have enough efficiency to remove textile dyes from colored wastewater; thus in this research the efficiency of electrocoagulation treatment process with aluminum electrodes for treatment of a synthetic wastewater containing C.I. Reactive Red 198 in batch reactor was studied. The experiment conducted in a Plexiglass reactor with a working volume of 2L that equipped with 4 aluminum electrodes. The effects of operating parameters such as voltage, time of reaction, initial dye concentration and interelectrode distance on the color removal efficiency, electrical energy consumption and electrode consumption were investigated. in the optimum operational condition electrocoagulation, is able to remove color and COD as high as 99.1 and 84.3% in aluminum electrode in 75 minutes at 20 volt and 2 cm interelectrode distance, respectively. Under this condition, operating cost was 2986 rails per cubic meter of treated wastewater. Increase in the interelectrode distance and initial dye concentration, lead to the decrease in efficiency of dye and COD removal. While as the voltage and time of reaction increased, energy consumption, electrode consumption, final pH and color removal, increased too. electrocoagulation process by aluminum electrode is an efficient and suitable method for reactive dye removal from colored wastewater

[ comparative study of antibacterial effects of aqueous extract of oxalis corniculata L. with antibacterial effects of common antibiotics in staphylococcus aureus and E. coli Infections]

The pathogenic of gram positive Staphylococcus aureus and gram negative E. coli are the most important infectious factors for human. Since the bacterial resistance to the chemical medicines has increased and the plant medicines are of less side effects, nowadays the medical plants have been the focus of attention. In this research antibacterial effects of aqueous extract of Oxalis corniculata L., [Oxalidaceae] were evaluated on Staphylococcus aureus and E.coli species. The disc diffusion method was used in this study due to it's simple, short time procedure and reliability. After preparation of aqueous extract, it's antibacterial effects were assessed at 5, 10, 15 and 20 percent [50 micro L] concentrations. Next, the obtained results were compared with antimicrobial effects of common antibiotics on S.aureus and E. coli. The results showed that the average of circle diameters made by Oxalis corniculata L. was more than that made by chemical medicines. Increasing the concentration of the extract from 5 to 20 percent, the average of the circle diameters increased. The final results of the research showed that in all cases there was a direct relationship between concentration and circle of inhibition diameter. In the other word, antibacterial effect increased with the increase of extract concentration

[Evaluation of cytotoxicity of the essential oil and various extracts of cinnamon and ginger using brine shrimp lethality assay [BSL]]

The bark of Cinnamon [Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume.] and rhizome of Ginger [Zingiber officinale Rosc.] have been widely used as spice in Iranian diets. The aim of the present study is the evaluation of cytotoxicity of the essential oil and various extracts of these two plants using Brine shrimp lethality assay [BSL]. The plants were prepared from a local market and their scientific names were confirmed with microscopic analysis. The essential oils and various extracts in increasing polarity order were prepared with hydro distillation and percolation method respectively. The cytotoxicity of all fractions was evaluated using BSL method in 10, 100 and 1000 micro g/ml concentrations. Results were analyzed using software of probit analysis. Chloroform, essential oil and ether extracts of cinnamon with LC50= 9, 10 and 18 micro g/ml respectively] and essential oil, petroleum ether, methanol and chloroform extracts of Ginger with LC 50=0.03, 4.03, 7.9 and 8.89 micro g/ml exhibited the most cytotoxicity in comparing to potassium dichromate [LC50= 27.75 micro g/ml]. All of the fractions from the bark of Cinnamon and rhizome of Ginger exhibited high cytotoxicity. However it is needed more separation and identification of active components on the basis of this biological activity. If these results would confirm with the other bioassays, it is suggested to make safety recommendations for daily consumption of these two plants

Clinical manifestations and treatment results of patients with cervical cancer: a report from Iran

Cervical cancer is one of the major causes of cancer and death among women aged 40 to 60 in developing countries. There is some difference, however, in the incidence of this cancer in Iranian women compared to women living in western and south-east Asian countries. We aimed at investigating the epidemiologic aspects and treatment results of cervical cancer among Iranian patients. Medical records of patients with cervical cancer who were referred to Mortazavi Radiation Oncology Center [Imam Hossein Hospital] between 2000 and 2004 were evaluated retrospectively. Clinical data such as stage of the disease, type pf chemotherapy, radiation technique and sequence of treatment was recorded. A total of 220 patients with a median age of 55 years [range: 28 to 89] were studied. The majority of them [37.3%] were referred with stage IIB of the disease. Other stages, in order of frequency, were IIA, IIIA and IB. Most of the patients [74%] were treated with two opposed field radiotherapy with a dose of 50 Gy or less [64%]. Disease recurred in 46 patients [21%], 153 patients [74%] received two opposed field radiotherapy and 54 [36%] patients were treated with four fields. On the other hand, 113 patients [55%] did not receive brachytherapy, 36 [18%] only received ovoid brachytherapy and 56 [27%] were treated with ovoid and tandem brachytherapy. Recurrence was more prevalent if the radiotherapy dose was less than 50 Gy and also in patients treated with four-field box technique. The most frequent site of recurrence was pelvic area [71%]. Our report revealed that most of the patients in Iran are diagnosed in advanced stages, a finding that can influence treatment results. Also, using external beam radiotherapy techniques, accessibility to brachytherapy devices and better patient support may improve treatment results

[Study on the quality and comparing of the compost produced by Khomain and Tehran compost factories]

Over than 70% of solid wastes is consisted of food wastes with high putrecibility in Iran. Due to this regard, construction of composting factories for sanitary disposal or fertilizer production from solid wastes was very appreciated in our country. The objective of this research was to study on the quality and comparing of the compost produced by Khomain and Tehran compost factories. This study was accomplished on the compost produce from Khomain and Tehran compost factories about 9 months. For investigation of chemical qualities of these materials, some indexes such as percentage of organic materials, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, potash and heavy metals consists of lead, cadmium, mercury and chromium were measured. Microbial quality of these compost materials were defined by assessing of the amounts of coliforms bacteria, salmonella bacteria and parasites ova. The average amounts of some indexes in compost of Khomain and Tehran were been: organic materials% [37.77, 29.80], carbon%[22.14, 18.12], nitrogen% [2.08, 1.6], lead [229.6, 59.44 ppm], and chromium [70.2, 19.75], respectively. The microbial quality of these compost samples were agreement with class B of USEPA guidelines. This study showed that quality of organic materials percent in Tehran's samples was better than Khomain's samples, but these indexes on these samples were lower than the grade No.2 of compost. The percentage of carbon, nitrogen and potash in these samples were desirable but, phosphorus amount were not in sufficient. The heavy metals especially lead and chromium in Tehran's samples were higher than Khomain's samples, but these samples were usually in agreement with guidelines of compost. Due to the defined microbial qualities, these samples could be used as well as amendment agents for poor soil

[Probing the relation between gene promoters hypermethylation of RARB and p16 among patients with prostatic cancer of different prognosis]

With regard to the increasing prevalence and mortality rate of prostate cancer and several related reports studying the role of promoter Hypermethylation of RARB and p16 in predicting the prognosis, this research is carried out on 3 groups of subjects with; poor prognostic factors [case], good prognostic factors [control-2] and healthy person [control-1], at three general hospitals of Imam Hossein, Modarres and Labbafineyhad, between 2007-2009. The research has case-control Design. All three groups of participants [21 subjects in each group] were analyzed for hypermethylation of RARB- p16. All groups were matched for age, tumor stage, grade and PSA. The technique was methylation specific polymerase chain reaction [MSPCR]. In control-1, no methylation of RARB were observed. In control-2, RARB was positive in 33%. In case group, the RARB was positive for 71.4%. For control 2 and case groups, the RAR positivity was higher than control-1 [P< 0.001], however, that of case group was higher than control-2[p<0.02]. In healthy persons p16 were negative. For good prognosis group p16 were positive in 19%, while for poor prognosis one, p16 were positive in 47.6%. p16 hypermethylation was higher in case and control-2 groups [P<0.001]. Nevertheless, for case group this was higher than control-2 [P< 0.01].:Hypermethylation of promotor RARB and p16 would be a good prognostic factor for early detection and prognosis of prostatic cancer

[Testes doses and sex hormone changes using different radiotherapy machines to treat rectal cancer]

Complications of pelvic irradiation have gained more attention because of increased survival of patients. CO-60 Teletherapy has wide penumbra in comparison with linear accelerator that can cause testes irradiation during radiotherapy in vicinity of lower border of pelvic portal when treated for rectal cancer. In this study we compared testicular doses of testes when pelvis is irradiated for rectal cancer and its effect on sex hormone levels. In a cohort study, rectal cancer patients treated by pelvic irradiation concomitant with chemotherapy in two group. A group treated by Co-60 Teletherapy and another group by Linear Accelerator [LINAC]. Sex hormones serum levels were measured immediately before and 3 to 6 weeks after finishing irradiation. Testicular doses were measured by TLD [LiF], 3 times during whole course of irradiation in 5 patients of each group. T test and Mann-Whitney were used to compare data. 28 patients entered in study but 2 patients died early in course of radiotherapy [1 in each group], and one patient excluded because testes was inside of treatment portals. Patients and disease characteristics were similar between groups. Testes doses in patients treated by LINAC [55 +/- 24.7 mGy] was significantly lower than Co-60 [120 +/- 23 mGy] [p <0.001]. FSH and LH serumic level increased after irradiation in both groups and there is not a relation between FSH and LH levels with treatment machine [p<0.2] for LINAC and p<0.6 for Co-60. Decrease in serumic levels of testosterone was significant in patients treated by CO-60 [p<0.05], but was not significant in LINAC group [p<0.3]. It seems using LINAC in treating patient with rectal cancer can decrease testes doses but can not prevent hormonal changes. We suggest extra shield to decrease testes doses below the toxic dose

Comparison of effects of two radiotherapy techniques, two tangential/single anterior supra-clavicular field and two tangential/two anterior and posterior opposed supra-clavicular fields on lung volumes and peripheral oxygen saturation

Chest wall irradiation for early breast cancer affects forced vital capacity [FVC], forced expiratory volume in the first second of expiration [FEV1] and may change peripheral oxygen saturation [SpO2]. In our institute chest wall is irradiated with a four field technique: two tangential and two oppositional anterior and posterior supraclavicular fields. Regional recurrence in this technique is less than 5 percent. We conducted this study to compare changes in FEV1, FVC and SpO2 between standard three field and four fields technique. We randomized 51 stage I and II breast cancer cases after modified radical mastectomy and completion of chemotherapy in two groups. In group I patients were treated with four field and in group II with three field technique using cobalt 60 teletherapy. Patients with a history of smoking, pulmonary disease, heart disease and any deformities in chest wall were excluded. Patients were stratified due to central long distance [CLD], fields separation in tangential fields and filed borders defined in standard manner. Radiotherapy dose was 50.4 Gy in 28 fractions. Spirometry and pulse oxymetry was done before, one month after and three months after the completion of radiotherapy. FEV1, FVC and FEV1/FVC showed no significant difference between two groups one month and three months after radiotherapy. Also there was no significant difference in FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC one month after radiotherapy comparing with pre-radiotherapy values. There were significant differences in FEV1 and FVC reduction three months after radiotherapy in comparison with pre-radiotherapy values [P<0.001, P<0.006 respectively] SpO2 showed no significant difference between two groups and also in each group after one and three months. Locoregional radiotherapy of chest wall and supraclavicular lymph nodes causes reduction in FEV1 and FVC three months after radiotherapy but there is no significant difference between three field and four fields techniques. We suggest this study be completed by using pulmonary function tests including spirometry and diffusion capacities

Application and optimization in chromium-contaminated wastewater treatment of the reverse osmosis technology

Chromium [Cr] is the most important element used to plate other metals and electroplating factories are still considered to be the most important industries which pollute the environment to this metal. This paper describes a study conducted to determine the efficiency of reverse-osmosis [RO] as a membrane technique for removal of Cr from wastewater samples synthetically prepared to be similar to electroplating effluents. The RO unit used in this study was a spiral wound module of 2521 TE made by a Korean CSM company. Synthetic wastewater samples containing Cr ions at various concentrations of 1 to 20 mg/L were prepared and subjected to treatment by RO, and quantitative analysis had been accomplished by a colorimetric method. Evaluation of optimized conditions of treatment had also been carried out by determining the effects of changing operating pressure, temperature and pH[s] of samples. Optimum conditions of Cr-treatment by RO in 10 g/L initial Cr concentration were determined to be in the pH range of 6 to 7 and in temperature of about 25°C at an applied pressure of 200 psi. Considering the efficiency of Cr removal which was as high as 99% at the optimized conditions it could be concluded that RO membrane process may be selected and developed as an effective alternative for treatment of metal-contaminated effluents of electroplating and similar industries

[Evaluation of powdered-activated carbon treatment [PACT] process in textile dye removal]

PACT is an adsorption- degradation process through which slowly or non-biodegradable waste water compounds such as dye can be degraded. This study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of PACT in removal of dyes form textile industry wastewaters. This research was carried out in pilot scale. The pilot design had two parts: an aeration tank with 40L volume and a clarifier with 12L volume. The dyes used in this research were acid and reactive dyes in different concentrations which are mostly used in textile industries. First, the biodegradability of the dye was studied through Zahen-Wellens method [ISO 9888, 1999]. Then, dye removal efficiency in different conditions of powdered-activated carbon concentration and operational conditions were evaluated. American Dye Manufacture Institute [ADMI] method was utilized for determination of dye removal in samples. Biodegradability of acid dyes and basic dyes in 100 mg/L dye concentration, were 60 and 80% respectively. On the other hand, the best efficiency for application of PAC in activated sludge process, was obtained in 1500 mg/L PAC concentration. In this situation, with 30 hydraulic retention time, and 30§C temperature, the rejection percent of dye was 98.8%. PACT process could be the best method for removal of different dyes used in textile industry with high efficiency [up to 90%]. Application of this method in treatment of textile wastewaters is an important economic improvement, which in a single step, allows the removal of COD and color from textile wastewater without additional physicochemical treatment

[Use of reverse osmosis for removal of chromium from electroplating industrial sewages]

Chromium is a transitional element of group 6 and is the 21rst common element in the nature which occurs in two forms: a three valent and a 6 valent form. Electroplating industry contributes much to the pollution of the environment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of reverse osmosis membrane in the removal of chromium from industrial sewages. We also studied the optimum condition for reverse osmosis membrane for removal of chromium. At first, synthetic chromium solutions with concentrations of 5, 10, 15, 20 g/l were prepared and injected into the spiral module of 2521 TE model RO system made in Korea by CSM company. The influence of operating pressure, feed concentration, temperature, and pH on chromium removal efficiency for each concentration was determined. Our study revealed that a 200psi pressure [u=0.Ol], 10 g/l concentration [a=0.05], 25°C temperature [a=0.05] and a pH of 6-7 gave rise to the optimum condition for removal chromium. The efficiency of chromium removal by reverse osmosis membrane was about 99%. Therefore this method of chromium removal, when compared to other methods, is more suitable and effective

Effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplements on serum lipids, apolipoproteins and malondialdehyde in type 2 diabetes patients

In order to test whether hyperlipidaemia and glycaemic control can be improved among diabetes patients by dietary supplementation with purified omega-3 fatty acids, we carried out a doubleblind, placebo-controlled trial on 50 type 2 diabetes patients randomized to 2 g/day purified omega-3 fatty acids or placebo for 10 weeks. Fasting triglycerides decreased significantly with supplementation relative to placebo [P = 0.01]. There was a significant decrease in ApoB-100 and malondialdehyde compared to baseline values and compared to the control group. Omega-3 fatty acids had no significant effect on serum lipid levels, ApoA-I, glucose, insulin and HbA1[c]

Comparison of radiotherapy side effects on lung volumes and peripheral oxygen saturation in two methods of radiotherapy: two tangential and single anterior supraclavicular field with two tangential and two anterior and posterior opposed supraclavicular fields

Radiotherapy after breast cancer surgery will increase local control of the disease and also increase overall survival. Radiation have some side effects on lung function. In different radiotherapy techniques, these side effects are different. Pulmonary function tests and oxygen saturation are methods for evaluation of these complications. In this study we decide to campare pulmonary complications in two radiotherapy methods. In this clinical trial study fifty one patients with breast cancer hi stage II and III according to TNM staging system, which were under modified radical mastectomy in Imam Hosein hospital and refered for adjuvant radiotherapy, randomly divided in two groups. In one group patients were treated with three field technique and in others with four field technique. All patients received total dose of 48-50 Gy. For patients, pulmonary function test and pulse oxymetery were done once before initiation of radiotherapy and then one and three months after radiotherapy. Measurement of FEV[1], FVC and FEV, FVC show that no significant statistical difference was present between the two groups one month and three months after radiotherapy, also in each of the two groups the amount of FEV[1], FVC and FEV, FVC one month after radiotherapy had no significant statistical difference in comparison to baseline tests but FEVI and FVC after three months was decreased and had significant statistical difference respectively [p<0.001, p<0.006]. SO[2] had no significant defference between the two groups and also hi each group after one and three month of radiotherapy. Locoregional radiotherapy of breast and lymph nodes areas causes a decrease in some parameter of pulmonary function tests but no difference was present between three field and four field techniques