The effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on oxidative stress and inflammation in patients with diabetic foot ulcers: A preliminary study.

Introduction: Patients with an uncontrolled glycemic index develop a wide variety of pathologies associated with diabetes, such as diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is an adjunctive therapy used to heal wounds and prevent lower extremity amputations in this population.

Objective: This preliminary study aimed to evaluate how HBOT impacts inflammation in patients with Wagner stages 2-4 DFUs by analyzing its effect on the gene expression of key oxidative stress regulators SOD1, SOD2, and GPX2, of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNFα, IL-1β, IL-4, and IL-12, and of the NLRP3 inflammasome.

Evaluation of Glutathione in Spike Protein of SARS-CoV-2 Induced Immunothrombosis and Cytokine Dysregulation.

Thrombotic microangiopathy has been identified as a dominant mechanism for increased mortality and morbidity in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In the context of severe COVID-19, patients may develop immunothrombosis within the microvasculature of the lungs, which contributes to the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a leading cause of death in the disease. Immunothrombosis is thought to be mediated in part by increased levels of cytokines, fibrin clot formation, and oxidative stress.

Implementation of 3D conformal radiotherapy technology at the National Cancer Centre Mongolia: A successful Asia-Pacific collaborative initiative.

Introduction: Mongolia has a population of 3.3 million and is classified by the WHO as a lower middle-income country. Cancer is now a major public health issue and one of the leading causes of mortality.

Cautiously optimistic: A survey of radiation oncology professionals' perceptions of automation in radiotherapy planning.

Introduction: While there is evidence to show the positive effects of automation, the impact on radiation oncology professionals has been poorly considered. This study examined radiation oncology professionals' perceptions of automation in radiotherapy planning.

Method: An online survey link was sent to the chief radiation therapists (RT) of all Australian radiotherapy centres to be forwarded to RTs, medical physicists (MP) and radiation oncologists (RO) within their institution.

Impact of dosimetric differences between CT and MRI derived target volumes for external beam cervical cancer radiotherapy.

Objectives: The use of MRI is becoming more prevalent in cervical cancer external beam radiotherapy (RT). The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of dosimetric differences between CT and MRI-derived target volumes for cervical cancer external beam RT.

Methods: An automated planning technique for volumetric modulated arc therapy was developed.

Evaluation of the introduction of a 'traffic light protocol' for dose-volume histogram constraints of organs at risk in definitive radiotherapy at Liverpool and Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centres.

Introduction: Protocols have been developed in our department with recommended dose constraints for organs at risk (OAR) for each tumour site receiving definitive radiotherapy. We have developed a colour coding system to indicate when constraints are meeting objectives (green), have minor variation from planning objectives (yellow) and have major variation from planning objectives (red). We performed a quality audit to assess adherence to the protocol and to determine the rate of acute and subacute toxicities.

Comparing the influence of 2009 versus 2016 ASE/EACVI diastolic function guidelines on the prevalence and echocardiographic characteristics of preclinical diastolic dysfunction (stage B heart failure) in a Hispanic population with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Aims: To identify prevalence and predictors of undetected pre-clinical diastolic dysfunction (PDD) in a cohort of adult Hispanic patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), and compare variations in epidemiology and echocardiographic characteristics between categorization based on the 2009 versus 2016 guidelines.

Methods: From 2013 to 2016, a cross-sectional cohort study of adults with T2D was performed. Patients without signs/symptoms of heart failure (HF) underwent 2D/Doppler echocardiographic screening, and were grouped into two subcohorts: 1) normal diastolic function, and 2) PDD, defined by the 2009 or 2016 ASE/EACVI criteria.

Adapting automated treatment planning configurations across international centres for prostate radiotherapy.

Background And Purpose: Automated configurations are increasingly utilised for radiotherapy treatment planning. This study investigates whether automated treatment planning configurations are adaptable across clinics with different treatment planning protocols for prostate radiotherapy.

Material And Methods: The study comprised three participating centres, each with pre-existing locally developed prostate AutoPlanning configurations using the Pinnacle® treatment planning system.

Metabolic Syndrome and Cardiovascular Disease: A Health Challenge.

Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of risk factors that, taken alone or synergically, are independent predictors of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD), which are both major public health problems that requires urgent containment actions. Current controversies regarding MetS are focused on ascertain the unifying explanation of molecular and pathophysiological mechanisms originating the syndrome, involving insulin resistance and low-grade chronic inflammation. This review aims to present the clinical relevance of MetS and its complications, as well as the hypotheses addressing its etiopathogenic relation with CVD.

Nivolumab in Renal Cell Carcinoma: Current Trends and Future Perspectives.

Targeted agents form the backbone of most therapeutic strategies in advanced renal cell carcinoma (aRCC) but ultimately resistance develops and toxicity often leads to discontinuation of treatment, limiting the clinical benefits of these treatments. Nivolumab, a fully human IgG4 anti-PD-1 antibody, selectively blocks the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands PD-L1 and PD-L2 and provides a novel therapy option for patients with aRCC. In 2015, the pivotal phase III study CheckMate 025 led to the Food and Drug Administration approval of nivolumab in patients with aRCC who had received prior anti-angiogenic therapy, and in 2017, the phase III study CheckMate 214 showed that combined immunotherapy with nivolumab plus ipilimumab resulted in greater objective response rate and prolonged progression-free survival when compared with sunitinib in intermediate- and poor-risk patients with previously untreated aRCC.

Multi-institutional comparison of simulated treatment delivery errors in ssIMRT, manually planned VMAT and autoplan-VMAT plans for nasopharyngeal radiotherapy.

Purpose: To quantify the impact of simulated errors for nasopharynx radiotherapy across multiple institutions and planning techniques (auto-plan generated Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (ap-VMAT), manually planned VMAT (mp-VMAT) and manually planned step and shoot Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (mp-ssIMRT)).

Methods: Ten patients were retrospectively planned with VMAT according to three institution's protocols. Within one institution two further treatment plans were generated using differing treatment planning techniques.

Investigating the impact of treatment delivery uncertainties on treatment effectiveness for lung SABR.

To quantify the impact of treatment delivery uncertainties on lung stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) plans for step-and-shoot intensity-modulated radiotherapy (ssIMRT) and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT). Baseline ssIMRT and VMAT treatment plans were generated for a cohort of 18 lung SABR patients. Modified plans were generated for each baseline plan by systematically varying gantry and collimator angles between - 5 and + 5 degrees, as well as multi-leaf collimator (MLC) leaf position errors of magnitude between 1 and 5 mm in both directions (i.

Standardized screening for periodontitis as an integral part of multidisciplinary management of adults with type 2 diabetes: an observational cross-sectional study of cohorts in the USA and UK.

Objective: To determine prevalence and factors predictive of periodontitis by using a standardized assessment model in adults with type 2 diabetes.

Research Design And Methods: We performed an observational cross-sectional study to determine the burden of periodontitis in adults with type 2 diabetes attending urban, ambulatory referral centers in the USA and UK. Full-mouth probing was performed and periodontitis was diagnosed based on either a low (≥5 mm at ≥1 site) or high pocket probing-depth threshold (≥6 mm at ≥1 site).

Dose discrepancy between planning system estimation and measurement in spine stereotactic body radiation therapy: A case report.

Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) to treat spinal metastases has shown excellent clinical outcomes for local control. High dose gradients wrapping around spinal cord make this treatment technically challenging. In this work, we present a spine SBRT case where a dosimetric error was identified during pre-treatment dosimetric quality assurance (QA).

Restoring Cytokine Balance in HIV-Positive Individuals with Low CD4 T Cell Counts.

HIV infects and destroys CD4+ T cells leading to a compromised immune system. In a double-blinded study, a group of HIV-infected individuals with CD4+ T cell counts below 350 cells/mm were given either an empty liposomal supplement or a liposomal glutathione (L-GSH) supplement to take over a 3-month period. Baseline measurements in HIV-positive subjects show a significant decrease in levels of interleukin (IL)-12, IL-2, and interferon (IFN)-γ, along with a substantial increase in the levels of IL-6, IL-10, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, and free radicals, compared to healthy individuals.

Tumor necrosis factor links chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and K-ras mutant lung cancer through induction of an immunosuppressive pro-tumor microenvironment.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is known as an important regulator of tumor microenvironment and inflammation. TNF levels are markedly elevated in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is an independent risk factor for lung cancer. We have previously shown that COPD-like airway inflammation promotes lung cancer in a K-ras mutant mouse model (CC-LR mouse).

Complement 3 Receptor Expression in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes.

Background: According to the World Health Organization, as of 2014 9% of the world's adult population is affected by diabetes. Uncontrolled diabetes is a pro-inflammatory process that increases generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Methods: The production of ROS leads to a chronic increase in oxidative stress which results in an increased susceptibility to infections.

IL6 Blockade Reprograms the Lung Tumor Microenvironment to Limit the Development and Progression of K-ras-Mutant Lung Cancer.

Activating mutations of K-ras are the most common oncogenic alterations found in lung cancer. Unfortunately, attempts to target K-ras-mutant lung tumors have thus far failed, clearly indicating the need for new approaches in patients with this molecular profile. We have previously shown NF-κB activation, release of IL6, and activation of its responsive transcription factor STAT3 in K-ras-mutant lung tumors, which was further amplified by the tumor-enhancing effect of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)-type airway inflammation.

Liposomal Glutathione Supplementation Restores TH1 Cytokine Response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection in HIV-Infected Individuals.

Cytokines are signaling biomolecules that serve as key regulators of our immune system. CD4(+) T-cells can be grouped into 2 major categories based on their cytokine profile: T-helper 1 (TH1) subset and T-helper 2 (TH2) subset. Protective immunity against HIV infection requires TH1-directed CD4 T-cell responses, mediated by cytokines, such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-12, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α).

Investigating the causes for decreased levels of glutathione in individuals with type II diabetes.

Tuberculosis (TB) remains an eminent global burden with one third of the world's population latently infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb). Individuals with compromised immune systems are especially vulnerable to M.

Promoting effect of neutrophils on lung tumorigenesis is mediated by CXCR2 and neutrophil elastase.

Background: Tumor cells produce various cytokines and chemokines that attract leukocytes. Leukocytes can amplify parenchymal innate immune responses, and have been shown to contribute to tumor promotion. Neutrophils are among the first cells to arrive at sites of inflammation, and the increased number of tumor-associated neutrophils is linked to poorer outcome in patients with lung cancer.

Violent and fatal youth trauma: is there a missed opportunity?

Introduction: Accidents and assaults (homicides) are the leading causes of death among the youth of the United States, accounting for 53.3% of deaths among children aged 1 to19 years. Victim recidivism, defined as repeated visits to the emergency department (ED) as a victim of violent trauma, is a significantly growing public health problem.