High control rate for lymph nodes in cervical cancer treated with high-dose radiotherapy using helical tomotherapy.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether bulky lymphadenopathy located in the abdominopelvic cavity in cervical cancer can be controlled without severe toxicity by increasing radiation dose using helical tomotherapy. From January 2007 to December 2010, 26 patients with cervical cancer with metastatic lymph nodes (LNs) having at least one short diameter > 1.5 cm were treated with helical tomotherapy. A total of 58 LN sites were treated and the largest LN of each site was evaluated for response. Median follow-up time was 28 months (4-50 months). Median short diameter of the LNs was 1.7 cm (0.7-4.2 cm) with median radiation dose of 62.6 Gy(10) in 2 Gy equivalent dose (53.3-77.9 Gy(10)). Initial LN response was evaluated on imaging obtained within 4 months after radiotherapy. Initial complete response (CR), partial response (PR), and stable disease (SD) were observed in 54, 2 and 2 lesions, respectively. Recurrence occurred in two with CR and progression in one with PR. Therefore, final CR, PR, SD, and progression of disease were observed in 52, 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Actuarial 3-year LN progression-free survival and overall survival (OS) were 63% and 65%, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed final LN response (CR vs. non-CR) as a strong prognostic factor for OS (p = 0.016). Radiation Therapy Oncology Group grade 2 or more acute and late toxicity was observed in 8 and 1 patients, respectively. The treatment of bulky lymphadenopathy using helical tomotherapy in advanced cervical cancer is highly effective and has acceptable toxicity.

Antimicrobial gelatin films reduce Listeria monocytogenes on turkey bologna.

Antimicrobial films and coatings may be useful to inhibit bacterial growth on ready-to-eat poultry meats. Nisaplin and Guardian CS1-50 were added at 6 and 5 different concentrations to cast gelatin-based films to inhibit Listeria monocytogenes inoculated in liquid media, solid media, and on bologna. Color properties and antimicrobial activity were measured during storage of films at 21 degrees C+/-2. For the shelf-life study on bologna, color change and antimicrobial effect of 0.5% Nisaplin and 1% Guardian were measured. The intensity of yellowness in films increased as both Nisaplin and Guardian concentrations increased. Film tensile strength and percentage of elongation decreased as incorporation of antimicrobials increased. All 6 Nisaplin films showed a 3-log reduction after 1 h and a 6-log reduction after 6 to 8 h compared with control, in which there was no reduction in Listeria population in 0.1% peptone water. Two Guardian films (0.5 and 1%) showed approximately a 3-log reduction in 24 h. In the solid media, all Nisaplin films (except 0.05%) and all Guardian films inhibited L. monocytogenes after 48 h of incubation. Nisaplin films and all Guardian films still showed antilisterial effects after 16 wk of storage in the solid media. Total color difference compared with control (bologna) decreased from highest to lowest in the following order: 1% Guardian>control (film with no antimicrobial)>0.5% Nisaplin film>bologna. Both 0.5% Nisaplin film (4 log lower than control) and 1% Guardian film (3 log lower than control) effectively inhibited L. monocytogenes on bologna during storage at 4 degrees C for 56 d.

Antimicrobial activity of catfish gelatin coating containing origanum (Thymus capitatus) oil against gram-negative pathogenic bacteria.

The antimicrobial activity of origanum oil (OG) was determined against Salmonella Typhimurium and E. coli O157:H7. The efficacy of catfish gelatin coating containing selected concentrations of OG (0.5%, 1.0%, and 2.0%, v/v) was also investigated in catfish flesh irradiated, inoculated with both bacteria, and stored at selected temperatures. The antimicrobial activity of catfish gelatin coating was determined by cell counts during storage at 4 and 10 degrees C for 12 d. The color properties of catfish flesh coated with catfish gelatin containing OG were also measured. In the media, the inhibitory effects of OG against S. Typhimurium were greater than the inhibition effects against E. coli O157:H7, exhibiting complete inhibition against S. Typhimurium at the concentration greater than 0.5% (v/v). The incorporation of OG into catfish gelatin coating also inhibited both S. Typhimurium and E. coli O157:H7 in catfish flesh stored at 4 degrees C. The reduction of S. Typhimurium counts by gelatin coating containing 0%, 0.5%, 1%, 2% (v/v) OG were 0.58, 0.73, 1.16, and 1.76 log CFU/g, respectively, exhibiting the greatest effect at 2% (v/v) OG (P < 0.05). During storage at 10 degrees C, the reduction of S. Typhimurium counts by catfish gelatin coatings with 0%, 0.5%, 1%, and 2 % (v/v) OG were 0.67, 0.91, 1.32, and 2.05 log CFU/g, respectively. The incorporation of OG into catfish gelatin coating exhibited greater antimicrobial activity against S. Typhimurium than against E. coli O157:H7 at both temperatures. The lightness and yellowness of catfish flesh was not altered; however, the redness of catfish gelatin was decreased by catfish gelatin coating containing OG.

Pharmacological characterization of (10bS)-1,2,3,5,6,10b-hexahydropyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline oxalate (YSL-3S) as a new alpha2-adrenoceptor antagonist.

Alpha2-adrenoceptor antagonists, which can enhance synaptic norepinephrine levels by blocking feedback inhibition processes, are potentially useful in the treatment of disease states such as depression, memory impairment, impotence and sexual dysfunction. (10bS)-1,2,3,5,6,10b-Hexahydropyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline oxalate (YSL-3S) was evaluated in several in vitro biological tests to establish its pharmacological profile of activities as an alpha2-adrenoceptor antagonist. Saturation binding assay revealed that [3H]rauwolscine bound to the alpha2-adrenoceptors with a Kd value of 6.3+/-0.5 nM and a Bmax value of 251+/-39 fmol/mg protein in rat cortical synaptic membranes. Competitive binding assay showed that YSL-3S inhibited the binding of [3H]rauwolscine (1 nM) in a concentration-dependent manner with a Ki value of 98.2+/-12.1 nM while it did not inhibit the binding of [3H]cytisine (1.25 nM) to neuronal nicotinic cholinergic receptors. The Ki values of yohimbine, clonidine and norepinephrine for [3H]rauwolscine binding were 15.8+/-1.0, 40.1+/-5.9 and 40.0+/-11.5 nM, respectively. In addition, the binding affinity of YSL-3S for alpha2-adrenoceptors was higher than that of its antipode and the racemic mixture. The functional activity of YSL-3S at the presynaptic alpha2-adrenoceptors was assessed using the prostatic portion of the rat vas deferens. Clonidine inhibited field-stimulated contractions of the vas deference in a dose-dependent manner. The presence of YSL-3S or yohimbine caused a parallel, rightward the dose-response curve of clonidine in a dose-dependent manner, indicating an antagonistic action at the presynaptic alpha2-adrenoceptors. The pA2 values of yohimbine and YSL-3S were 7.66+/-0.13 and 6.64+/-0.18, respectively. The results indicate that YSL-3S acts as a competitive antagonist at presynaptic alpha2-adrenoceptors with a potency approximately ten times lower than yohimbine, but is devoid of binding affinity for neuronal nicotinic cholinergic receptors.