Correlation of maximum dose in PTV and the need for in-hospital supportive care during radiotherapy for H and N cancer patients

Context: An objective conformal radiotherapy treatment planning criteria that can predict severity of early effects of radiotherapy would be quite useful in reducing the side effects of radiotherapy thereby improving quality of life for head and neck cancer patients. Aim of Study: Retrospective study aimed at correlating the maximum dose in planning target volume (PTV) with early effects of radiation. Materials and Methods: Patients with squamous cell carcinoma of H and N region who received radical radiotherapy and concomitant chemotherapy were retrospectively analyzed for maximum dose in PTV and the requirement of gap during radiotherapy or else hospitalization for supportive care during or up to 1 month after completion of radical radiotherapy. Results: Of a total of 23 patients, 8 patients (34.7%) required a gap of 2–14 days during their treatment. Twelve patients (52.1%) required hospitalization for 1–4 days and 4 patients (17.3%) required hospitalization for supportive care after completion of radiotherapy. The maximum dose in PTV ranged from 105.1% to 132.8% with an average of 112.68%. Subgroup analysis revealed a nonsignificant highest maximum dose of 114.72% in subset of patients requiring gap during radiotherapy (n= 8). Conclusion: It was concluded that maximum dose in PTV is a useful predictor of need for inhospital supportive care

Conserved expression of ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal esterase L1 (UCHL1) in mammalian testes.

Spermatogonia, the adult germ cells that initiate spermatogenesis in mammalian testis, are capable of dividing both mitotically and meiotically. Isolation and preservation of spermatogonia helps in preserving genetic pool of endangered animals. In this context, identification of marker(s) that can distinguish spermatogonia from other cells in testis gains significance. Here, we examined the expression of ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal esterase L1 (UCHL1) gene and protein in the testes of several mammals, including highly endangered species. Semi-quantitative-reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis showed presence of UCHL1 amplicon of 442 bp in all the 18 mammals studied. Nucleotide sequence analysis of these amplicons and their predicted protein sequences revealed 88-99% and 95-100% homology with available human UCHL1 and UCHL1 sequences of other available species in the GenBank, respectively. Western blot analysis showed that UCHL1 protein size was unique in all wild mammals. Immunohistology results confirmed UCHL1 expression in the spermatogonia/gonocytes in testes of several mammals belonging to eight distinct families including highly endangered Felidae, Canidae and Cercopithecoidae. These findings suggest that UCHL1 expression is conserved in the mammalian testis, and could be used as a specific marker for gonocytes/spermatogonia for developing male germ-cell based conservation techniques.

Rare sequelae of herpes zoster in HIV positive patient.

A 34 year -old woman, who was diagnosed to be HIV positive 4 years back, presented with zoster along T-6 dermatome followed by development of keloid.