Best practice in radiation oncology: A project to train the trainers: Review of 2008-2023.

The European Society of Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) project on 'best practice in radiation oncology: a project to train the radiation therapist trainers' commenced in 2008. The aim of the project was to influence education programmes throughout, mainly, eastern Europe to increase the radiation therapy-specific education of their programmes. This is to enable graduates of these programmes to be radiation therapists that are fit for purpose in the clinic.

CRISPR-Cas Genome Editing in Human Lungs to Rewire the Translational Path of Genome-Targeting Therapeutics.

The ongoing advancements in CRISPR-Cas technologies can significantly accelerate the preclinical development of both and organ genome-editing therapeutics. One of the promising applications is to genetically modify donor organs prior to implantation. The implantation of optimized donor organs with long-lasting immunomodulatory capacity holds promise for reducing the need for lifelong potent whole-body immunosuppression in recipients.

Effectiveness of adjuvant systemic therapy following complete cytoreductive surgery in patients with recurrent granulosa cell tumours of the ovary.

Aim of the present analysis is to compare the impact of antihormonal therapy versus cytotoxic chemotherapy versus a watch a wait approach on disease-free survival (DFS) in the adjuvant setting of patients who underwent complete cytoreductive surgery(CRS) for recurrent adult type granulosa cell tumours of the ovary (GCT). Moreover, we wished to identify prognostic risk factors for recurrence. We included recurrent GCT-patients who underwent CRS resulting in total macroscopic tumour clearance, treated in two gynaecological cancer centres over a 20-year period (2000-2020).

Forecasting Institutional LINAC Utilization in Response to Varying Workload.

Pandemics, natural disasters, and other unforeseen circumstances can cause short-term variation in radiotherapy utilization. In this study, we aim to develop a model to forecast linear accelerator (LINAC) utilization during periods of varying workloads. Using computed tomography (CT)-simulation data and the rate of new LINAC appointment bookings in the preceding week as input parameters, a multiple linear regression model to forecast LINAC utilization over a 15-working day horizon was developed and tested on institutional data.

Radiological progression of extremity soft tissue sarcoma following pre-operative radiotherapy predicts for poor survival.

Objectives: To determine if radiological response to pre-operative radiotherapy is related to oncologic outcome in patients with extremity soft tissue sarcomas (STSs).

Methods: 309 patients with extremity STS who underwent pre-operative radiation and wide resection were identified from a prospective database. Pre- and post-radiation MRI scans were retrospectively reviewed.

Crystal Methamphetamine Use and Initiation among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men Living with HIV in a Treatment as Prevention Environment.

Risk compensation in an HIV Treatment as Prevention (TasP) environment may increase high-risk sexual and substance use behaviors among people living with HIV. To examine recent crystal methamphetamine (CM) use/initiation in a longitudinal cohort of gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) living with HIV in Metro Vancouver, Canada. Eligible participants were GBMSM aged >15years who reported sex with another man in the past six months.

Impact of Immobilization on Interfractional Errors for Upper Extremity Soft Tissue Sarcoma Radiation Therapy.

Introduction/background: Owing to the rare nature and presentation of upper extremity soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) and the high mobility of associated anatomy, various patient positioning strategies are used for radiation therapy. The purpose of this study is to measure the interfractional setup errors associated with upper extremity sarcomas using different immobilization methods through cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images.

Methods: All patients treated with daily CBCT guidance for upper extremity STSs during 2014-2015 were identified and triaged based on type of immobilization.

A review of the Best Practice in Radiation Oncology project from 2008 to 2018.

The European Society of Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO)/International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Best Practice in Radiation Oncology-a project to train RTT trainers has reached its ten year anniversary and will commence its fifth iteration in 2018. This project commenced as a novel way to address the issue of limited RTT education throughout Europe. In many countries the profession of RTT is not officially recognised and there is no formal education programme.

Design and evaluation of a safety-centered user interface for radiation therapy.

Purpose: As radiation therapy treatment grows more complex over time, treatment delivery has become more susceptible to adverse events and patient safety risks from use error. The radiation therapy monitoring and treatment delivery user interface explored in this study was redesigned using ecological interface design, a human factors engineering method, and evaluated to improve treatment safety.

Methods And Materials: An initial design concept was created based on previously completed analysis and informally evaluated in focus groups with radiation therapists.

Transition metal redox switches for reversible "on/off" and "slow/fast" single-molecule magnet behaviour in dysprosium and erbium bis-diamidoferrocene complexes.

Single-molecule magnets (SMMs) are considered viable candidates for next-generation data storage and quantum computing. Systems featuring switchability of their magnetization dynamics are particularly interesting with respect to accessing more complex logic gates and device architectures. Here we show that transition metal based redox events can be exploited to enable reversible switchability of slow magnetic relaxation of magnetically anisotropic lanthanide ions.

Evidence-based region of interest matching guidelines for sarcoma volumetric image-guided radiation therapy.

Purpose: Region-of-interest (ROI) guidelines for online cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) radiotherapy may improve matching reproducibility and reduce inter-user variability of soft tissue sarcoma (STS) image guidance. The purpose of this work is to standardize ROI STS CBCT image registration guidelines using the plan-do-study-act (PDSA) cycle for the lower extremity, retroperitoneal, pelvis, and thorax.

Methods: Based on anatomic bony surrogates, initial ROI matching guidelines for STS were developed by a team of radiation therapists, physicists and oncologists (Plan).

Immobilization and image-guidance methods for radiation therapy of limb extremity soft tissue sarcomas: Results of a multi-institutional survey.

Radiation therapy for limb-extremity soft tissue sarcoma (STS) requires accurate, reproducible dose delivery. However, patient positioning is challenging and there is a lack of existing guidelines to assist institutional standardization. Therefore, we conducted a multi-institutional international survey of STS immobilization, image guidance methods, and treatment protocols to investigate current practice.

Does use of point-of-care testing improve cost-effectiveness of the NHS Health Check programme in the primary care setting? A cost-minimisation analysis.

Objective: To determine if use of point of care testing (POCT) is less costly than laboratory testing to the National Health Service (NHS) in delivering the NHS Health Check (NHSHC) programme in the primary care setting.

Design: Observational study and theoretical mathematical model with microcosting approach.

Setting: We collected data on NHSHC delivered at nine general practices (seven using POCT; two not using POCT).

A comparative study of magnetization dynamics in dinuclear dysprosium complexes featuring bridging chloride or trifluoromethanesulfonate ligands.

We utilized a rigid ligand platform PyCp (PyCp = [2,6-(CHCH)CHN]) to isolate dinuclear Dy complexes [(PyCp)Dy-(μ-OSOCF)] (1) and [(PyCp)Dy-(μ-Cl)] (3) as well as the mononuclear complex (PyCp)Dy(OSOCF)(thf) (2). Compounds 1 and 2 are the first examples of organometallic Dy complexes featuring triflate binding. The isolation of compounds 1 and 3 allows us to comparatively evaluate the effects of the bridging anions on the magnetization dynamics of the dinuclear systems.

Synthesis and crystal structure of bis-(μ-2-methyl-benzene-thiol-ato-κ:)bis-[meth-yl(2-methyl-benzene-thiol-ato-κ)indium(III)].

The dinuclear title compound, [In(CH)(CHS)] or [Me(2-MeCHS)In-μ-(2-MeCHS)InMe(2-MeCHS)], was prepared from the 1:2 reaction of MeIn and 2-MeCHSH in toluene. Its crystal structure exhibits a four-membered InS ring core bridging (2-MeCHS) groups. The dimeric units are further associated into a one-dimensional polymeric structure extending parallel to the axis inter-molecular In⋯S contacts.

Management of soft-tissue sarcomas; treatment strategies, staging, and outcomes.

Soft-tissue sarcomas (STS) are a rare group of malignant tumors which can affect any age group. For the majority of patients who present with a localized STS, treatment involves a multidisciplinary team decision-making approach ultimately relying on surgical resection with or without adjuvant radiation for successful limb salvage. The goals of treatment are to provide the patient with a functional extremity without local tumor relapse.

The value of adaptive preoperative radiotherapy in management of soft tissue sarcoma.

Purpose: To determine the value of preoperative adaptive radiotherapy (ART) for soft tissue sarcoma patients (STS) by modeling the dosimetric consequences of tumour volume changes (TVC) using different external beam radiotherapy techniques.

Methods And Materials: A subset of 22 STS patients from a recent trial (NCT00188175) underwent a repeat CT scan (CT2) prompted by TVC>1cm during IMRT; 14 tumours grew, 8 shrank. Conformal and conventional plans were modelled in addition to IMRT replicating original criteria from the initial planning dataset (CT1):95% PTV encompassed by 97% prescribed dose.

The role of radiotherapy in the management of localized soft tissue sarcomas.

The combination of radiotherapy (RT) and function-preserving surgery is the most usual contemporary approach in the management of soft tissue sarcomas (STS). Pre- and postoperative RT result in similar local control rates, as shown by a landmark trial in extremity STS. In this review, the role of RT in the management of extremity STS will be discussed, but STS in other sites, including retroperitoneal STS, will also be addressed.

Optically-tracked handheld fluorescence imaging platform for monitoring skin response in the management of soft tissue sarcoma.

Standard clinical management of extremity soft tissue sarcomas includes surgery with radiation therapy. Wound complications (WCs) arising from treatment may occur due to bacterial infection and tissue breakdown. The ability to detect changes in these parameters during treatment may lead to earlier interventions that mitigate WCs.

The influence of time interval between preoperative radiation and surgical resection on the development of wound healing complications in extremity soft tissue sarcoma.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship of the time interval between completion of preoperative radiation therapy (RT) and surgical resection on wound complications (WCs) in extremity soft tissue sarcoma (STS).

Methods: Overall, 798 extremity STS patients were managed with preoperative RT and surgery from 1989 to 2013. WCs were defined as requiring secondary operations/invasive procedures for wound care, use of vacuum-assisted closure, prolonged dressing changes, or infection within 120 days of surgery.