Dose-Escalated Radiation Therapy as Primary Treatment for Residual Bladder Cancer After Transurethral Resection.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine whether escalating the local radiation dose can improve the outcome of residual bladder cancer after transurethral resection of bladder tumor without increasing treatment-related toxicity. Methods and Materials: The treatment plans and medical records of patients with bladder cancer treated with curative-intent radiation therapy between 2008 and 2020 were reviewed. Those who had residual tumors in the computed tomography simulation images were included. A cumulative radiation dose higher than 6600 cGy was defined as dose escalation. The effect of dose escalation on 3-year locoregional control, progression-free survival, and overall survival was evaluated. Results: A total of 149 patients with residual tumors were identified. The median follow-up period was 27.5 months. Among them, 51 patients received an escalated radiation dose, and 98 received a standard dose in the residual tumor area. Patients in the dose-escalation group had higher 3-year locoregional control (65.6% vs 27.8%; P < .001) and progression-free survival (42.6% vs 18.2%; P < .001) than the standard-dose group. Overall survival also showed a trend favoring the dose-escalation group (54.9% vs 36.2%; P = .059). In the multivariate analyses, the differences between the dose-escalation and standard-dose groups were significant in terms of locoregional control (hazard ratio, 0.32; CI, 0.18-0.59; P = <.001) and progression-free survival (hazard ratio, 0.51; CI, 0.32-0.82; P = .005). There was no statistical difference in acute and chronic treatment-related toxicities between the 2 groups. Conclusions: The outcome of residual bladder cancer after transurethral resection of bladder tumor could be improved by dose-escalated radiation therapy.

Enhancement of natural killer cell cytotoxicity by using static magnetic field to increase their viability.

Natural killer (NK) cells are innately immune to the body's immune system and can actively recognize and kill cancer cells. This study explores the potential for enhancing the killing ability of NK cells by co-culturing the NK cells with the target cells under a static magnetic field (SMF). In this study, NK92-MI cell lines were cultured in the presence of a 0.4-T SMF. The effect of the SMF on NK cell viability was evaluated by means of an MTT assay. Culturing tests were performed with inhibitors of the DAG/IP3, STAT3, ERK, JNK and p38 pathways in order to examine the possible signaling cascade responsible for the SMF effect on the NK92-MI cell viability. Finally, the effect of the SMF on the cytotoxicity of the NK92-MI cells was evaluated by co-culturing the NK cells with K562 leukemia cell lines. The results showed that the application of a 0.4-T SMF significantly increased (p < 0.05) the viability of the NK92-MI cells. Furthermore, the inhibitor tests indicated that the SMF affected cell viability by activating multiple MAPK signaling pathways (ERKs, JNKs, and p38-MAPK). Finally, SMF pre-exposure for 48 hr significantly improved the killing activity of the NK92-MI cells (p < 0.05). That is, pre-exposure to SMF increased the viability of the NK92-MI cells and improved their killing ability against K562 tumor cells. In general, the present results suggest that NK cells pre-exposed to 0.4-T SMF show potential as a tool for immune-therapy treatment of cancer.

Photoelastic analysis of stress distributions in the root-bone interface when applying various orthodontic methods to subside lower anterior crowding.

Dental crowding is a prevalent problem in modern society. Various factors, including different bracket systems and geometry of wire, influence the outcome using superelastic wire in the alignment stage of treatment. Currently, the use of light round wire instead of large-sized rectangular wire is emphasized to avoid powerful torsional stiffness. However, these guidelines lack scientific evidence for support. They have been written predominantly based on clinical experience. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate how factors such as bracket systems and wire geometry affect the stress distribution at the root-bone interface. Models using a photoelastic material (PL-3) to simulate bone tissue were fabricated. The simulated teeth were arranged as in lower anterior crowding. Then, the crowded teeth were subjected to orthodontic treatment with various types of bracket, ligating approaches using ligature wires of different sizes, shapes, and materials. Photoelastic images of the bone area of the models were obtained and compared. The results showed that wire size plays a more significant role than the material or cross-sectional shape of the wire in affecting the stress distribution at the simulated root-bone interface. The teeth ligated with a larger cross-sectional diameter of wire showed the application of excessive torque, which may cause root resorption and slow down tooth movement. These results not only demonstrate the scientific evidence backing clinical experience but also can be a useful reference for further clinical application.

Cross-Regulation of Proinflammatory Cytokines by Interleukin-10 and miR-155 in Orientia tsutsugamushi-Infected Human Macrophages Prevents Cytokine Storm.

Scrub typhus is caused by the obligate intracellular bacterium Orientia tsutsugamushi. Macrophages are host cells for its replication and clearance. Severe complications in patients are mainly caused by a cytokine storm resulting from overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines; nevertheless, the molecular mechanism for the occurrence remains obscure. Herein, we investigate the interactive regulation of cytokines and micro-RNA (miR) in human macrophages infected with low and high doses of O. tsutsugamushi. During low dose infection, macrophages produce high levels of IL-10 through extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation, which inhibits proinflammatory cytokine production and facilitates pathogen replication. Increasing levels of pathogen results in reduced levels of IL-10, and macrophages begin to generate high levels of proinflammatory cytokines through NF-κB activation. However, during a high dose infection, macrophages produce high levels of miR-155 to slow the proinflammatory response. The extracellular signal-regulated kinase/IL-10 axis suppresses the NF-κB/tumor necrosis factor alpha axis via activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3. Both IL-10 and miR-155 inhibit the NF-κB signaling pathway. Furthermore, IL-10 is a potent inhibitor of miR-155. Patients susceptible to a cytokine storm, peripheral blood mononuclear cells showed significantly lower IL-10 and miR-155 responses to O. tsutsugamushi challenge. Thus, IL-10 and miR-155 operate inhibitory mechanisms to achieve a proper defense mechanism and prevent a cytokine storm.

Bone Healing Improvements Using Hyaluronic Acid and Hydroxyapatite/Beta-Tricalcium Phosphate in Combination: An Animal Study.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the use of HLA as an aqueous binder of hydroxyapatite/beta-tricalcium phosphate (HA-ßTCP) particles can reduce the amount of bone graft needed and increase ease of handling in clinical situations. In this study, HA/ßTCP was loaded in commercially available crosslinking HLA to form a novel HLA/HA-ßTCP composite. Six New Zealand White rabbits (3.0-3.6 kg) were used as test subjects. Four 6 mm defects were prepared in the parietal bone. The defects were filled with the HLA/HA-ßTCP composite as well as HA-ßTCP particle alone. New bone formation was analyzed by micro-CT and histomorphometry. Our results indicated that even when the HA-ßTCP particle numbers were reduced, the regenerative effect on bone remained when the HLA existed. The bone volume density (BV/TV ratio) of HLA/HA-ßTCP samples was 1.7 times larger than that of the control sample at week 2. The new bone increasing ratio (NBIR) of HLA/HA-ßTCP samples was 1.78 times higher than the control group at week 2. In conclusion, HA-ßTCP powder with HLA contributed to bone healing in rabbit calvarial bone defects. The addition of HLA to bone grafts not only promoted osteoconduction but also improved handling characteristics in clinical situations.

[Study on the fine structure of K-feldspar of Qichun granite].

Fine structure of K-feldspar from the Qichun granite was investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier infrared absorption spectroscopy (FTIR), and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry methods to understand the evolution of the granitic magmatism and its correlation to molybdenite mineralization. The XRD results showed that K-feldspar of the potassic alteration veins has higher ordering index and triclinicity and is namely microcline with triclinic symmetry. K-feldspar of the early cretaceous granite has relatively lower ordering index and has widening [131] peak and is locally triclinic ordering. K-feldspar of the late cretaceous granite has lowest ordering index and sharp [131] peak and is honiogeneously monoclinic. The FTIR results showed that the IR spectra of the Qichun K-feldspar are similar to that of orthoclase reported by Farmer (1974). The 640 cm-1 absorption band increases while the 540 cm-' absorption band decreases with increase in K-feldspar ordering index, also, the 1,010 cm-1 absorption band separates into 1,010 and 1,046 cm-1 absorption bands, with a change in the band shape from widening to sharp outline. The ICP-MS results suggested that K-feldspar of the early cretaceous granite has relatively higher metal elements and rare earth elements, and the granite exhibits better mineralization background, K-feldspar of the potassic alteration veins has markedly lower Sr and Ba, indicating that the alteration fluid originated from the granitic magmatism, and hence, potassic alteration is a good indicator for molybdenite exploration.

Influence of a static magnetic field on the slow freezing of human erythrocytes.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to test whether or not a strong static magnetic field (SMF) had a positive effect on the survival rate of frozen erythrocytes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human erythrocytes were slow freezing at a rate of -1°C/min, to a final temperature of -20°C. During the freezing process, the cells were simultaneously exposed to an SMF with a magnetic induction of 0.2 or 0.4 T. After the cells were thawed, the survival rate, morphology, and function of the thawed erythrocytes were evaluated. Furthermore, tests of membrane fluidity were performed to assess the effect of the SMF on the cell membrane. RESULTS: The slow freezing process coupled with an SMF increased the survival rate of frozen erythrocytes, without any negative effect on the cell morphology or function. The increases in relative survival rates of frozen erythrocytes were 5.7% and 9.1% when the cells were frozen in 0.2 T and 0.4 T groups, respectively. In addition, the 0.4 T group significantly increased the membrane rigidity of the erythrocytes. CONCLUSIONS: Slow freezing coupled with a strong SMF produced positive effects on the survival rate of thawed erythrocytes, without changing their normal function.