Monte Carlo modelling of a prototype small-body portable graphite calorimeter for ultra-high dose rate proton beams.

Background And Purpose: Accurate dosimetry in Ultra-High Dose Rate (UHDR) beams is challenging because high levels of ion recombination occur within ionisation chambers used as reference dosimeters. A Small-body Portable Graphite Calorimeter (SPGC) exhibiting a dose-rate independent response was built to offer reduced uncertainty on secondary standard dosimetry in UHDR regimes. The aim of this study was to quantify the effect of the geometry and material properties of the device on the dose measurement.

Absolute dosimetry for FLASH proton pencil beam scanning radiotherapy.

A paradigm shift is occurring in clinical oncology exploiting the recent discovery that short pulses of ultra-high dose rate (UHDR) radiation-FLASH radiotherapy-can significantly spare healthy tissues whilst still being at least as effective in curing cancer as radiotherapy at conventional dose rates. These properties promise reduced post-treatment complications, whilst improving patient access to proton beam radiotherapy and reducing costs. However, accurate dosimetry at UHDR is extremely complicated.

The heparin-von Willebrand factor interaction and conventional tests of haemostasis - the challenges in predicting bleeding in cardiopulmonary bypass.

Bleeding is a significant complication of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), despite routine anticoagulation monitoring. This is likely to be multifactorial. In this prospective, single-centre cohort study of 30 patients undergoing CPB surgery, our aim was to characterise the changes in von Willebrand factor (VWF) function, platelet interaction and the global coagulation changes during and after CPB surgery and to determine whether bleeding can be predicted.

Development of a QSAR model to predict hepatic steatosis using freely available machine learning tools.

There are various types of hepatic steatosis of which non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which may be caused by exposure to chemicals and environmental pollutants is the most prevalent, representing a potential major health risk. QSAR modelling has the potential to provide a rapid and cost-effective method to identify compounds which may trigger steatosis. Although models exist to predict key molecular initiating events of steatosis such as nuclear receptor binding, we are aware of no models to predict the apical effect steatosis.

Predicting estrogen receptor binding of chemicals using a suite of in silico methods - Complementary approaches of (Q)SAR, molecular docking and molecular dynamics.

With the aim of obtaining reliable estimates of Estrogen Receptor (ER) binding for diverse classes of compounds, a weight of evidence approach using estimates from a suite of in silico models was assessed. The predictivity of a simple Majority Consensus of (Q)SAR models was assessed using a test set of compounds with experimental Relative Binding Affinity (RBA) data. Molecular docking was also carried out and the binding energies of these compounds to the ERα receptor were determined.

Oral immunostimulation of the oyster Ostrea edulis: Impacts on the parasite Bonamia ostreae.

Bioactive compounds were orally administered to the native European oyster Ostrea edulis to evaluate the immune response and the progression of infection of the protozoan parasite Bonamia ostreae. The immunostimulants lipopolysaccharide and zymosan directly administrated to the water column induced an increase in lysozyme activity and the percentage of granulocytes in naïve oysters over a period of 7 days. In another set of experiments, zymosan and curdlan were microencapsulated in alginate and also administered to the water column to naïve and B.

Novel control methods for insect pests: development of a microencapsulation procedure for proteinaceous bioactives intended for oral delivery.

Background: The objective was to develop an environmentally favourable microcapsule suitable for delivery of proteinaceous bioactive agents ('bioinsecticides') to pest insects.

Results: Utilising feeding bioassays, we determined that microspheres made of alginate can be produced in a variety of sizes and are palatable and non-toxic to larvae of the lepidopteran pest Lacanobia oleracea. Dehydrated microspheres were also readily ingested by larvae.

Global QSAR models of skin sensitisers for regulatory purposes.

Background: The new European Regulation on chemical safety, REACH, (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of CHemical substances), is in the process of being implemented. Many chemicals used in industry require additional testing to comply with the REACH regulations. At the same time EU member states are attempting to reduce the number of animals used in experiments under the 3 Rs policy, (refining, reducing, and replacing the use of animals in laboratory procedures).

In silico assessment of toxicity of heat-generated food contaminants.

Since the discovery of acrylamide in heat-treated carbohydrate-rich foods, many more heat-generated food contaminants have been identified in a variety of foods and models systems. A database of these contaminants, generated as a result of either lipid oxidation or the Maillard reaction, has recently been compiled under the HEATOX project. A large majority of the compounds has not been tested for potential adverse effects on human health, which makes it difficult to carry out adequate assessment of risks to an average consumer.

Can Batesian mimicry help plants to deter herbivores?

Several authors have suggested that edible plants could avoid herbivory by mimicking olfactory cues of toxic plants. However, very few studies have been carried out to test this hypothesis. The aims of the present study were to identify the volatiles of three clover species and to test whether a species lacking chemical defences, such as red clover, could avoid being grazed by rabbits by mimicking the volatiles of the cyanogenic white clover.

Boosting silica levels in wheat leaves reduces grazing by rabbits.

Systemic application of sodium silicate can significantly enhance the levels of leaf silica in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Mercia), suggesting that this material could reduce the palatability of plants to vertebrate herbivores (e.

Damage limitation in cosmetic dermatology.

Good communication is the key to damage limitation. A complaint by a patient should be treated as a medical emergency as early effective communication will almost always neutralise patient anger. Legible and appropriate clinical notes are also important.

Masking the taste of the conditioned taste aversion agent levamisole using an ion-exchange resin, for practical application in wildlife management.

For a conditioned taste aversion (CTA) agent to be successful in wildlife management applications, the compound must not be detectable by the animal. Levamisole is an effective CTA agent when administered by oral intubation, but it is readily detected by a number of species when mixed directly in food. This paper describes the development of an ion-exchange resin complex (resinate) to mask the taste of levamisole.

Improving the persistence of a formulation of the avian repellent cinnamamide, for the protection of autumn-sown oilseed rape.

In a previous pilot field trial on autumn-sown oilseed rape (Brassica napus L), a suspension concentrate formulation of the avian repellent cinnamamide, using Acronal 4D (50 g litre(-1)) as the sticker, was shown to reduce damage by woodpigeons (Columba palumbus L). However, the persistence of cinnamamide on rape leaves was poor. This paper describes the development of a weather-resistant formulation by the inclusion of a more effective sticker.

Severe phototoxic reaction to laser treatment in a patient taking St John's Wort.

Potential patients in the developed world are increasingly turning to treatment with herbs. One of the most popular herbs taken for depression is St John's Wort, which contains the potential photosensitizer hypericin. 'Hypericism' is a term used to describe a state of skin sensitivity to visible light in animals following ingestion of hypericin-containing plants and feed.

Sarcoidosis presenting as tattoo granuloma inadvertently treated with laser therapy.

A patient presenting with nodules in his tattoos was referred for laser treatment, following which there was a diagnosis of cutaneous and pulmonary sarcoidosis. Nodular change involving several different tattoo colours is characteristic of sarcoidosis.

Minocycline-induced pigmentation resolves after treatment with the Q-switched ruby laser.

Four patients with minocycline-induced cutaneous pigmentation were treated with the Q-switched ruby laser. The pigmentation resolved and there was no adverse effects.