Dichotomous effects of in vivo and in vitro ionizing radiation exposure on lymphatic function.

On the one hand, lymphatic dysfunction induces interstitial edema and inflammation. On the other hand, the formation of edema and inflammation induce lymphatic dysfunction. However, informed by the earlier reports of undetected apoptosis of irradiated lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) in vivo, lymphatic vessels are commonly considered inconsequential to ionizing radiation (IR)-induced inflammatory injury to normal tissues.

Transient Activation of the Hedgehog-Gli Pathway Rescues Radiotherapy-Induced Dry Mouth via Recovering Salivary Gland Resident Macrophages.

Irreversible hypofunction of salivary glands is a common side effect of radiotherapy for head and neck cancer and is difficult to remedy. Recent studies indicate that transient activation of Hedgehog signaling rescues irradiation-impaired salivary function in animal models, but the underlying mechanisms are largely unclear. Here, we show in mice that activation of canonical Gli-dependent Hedgehog signaling by Gli1 gene transfer is sufficient to recover salivary function impaired by irradiation.

A case report of total skin photon radiation therapy for cutaneous epitheliotropic lymphoma in a dog.

Background: Total skin electron beam radiation therapy (TSEBT) is an effective treatment for primary diffuse cutaneous lymphomas in humans. While several techniques exist, they all require significant commitment of staff time and resources. In veterinary medicine, canine-specific techniques and strategies have been adapted and delivered but deemed not "realistically" clinically implementable given the time commitment of over 2.

An experimental model for calcium carbonate urolithiasis in goats.

Background: Calcium carbonate is a common urolith type in small ruminants with no high-yield experimental model to evaluate animal susceptibility or preventative measure response.

Hypothesis: That novel plastic winged implants would allow accumulation and quantification of calcium carbonate calculus formation in goats on a high-calcium diet and identify individual variation between goats in the mass of calculi produced.

Animals: Eight nonpregnant 3- and 4-year-old Boer-cross does, weighing 22.

Delivery of Sonic Hedgehog Gene Repressed Irradiation-induced Cellular Senescence in Salivary Glands by Promoting DNA Repair and Reducing Oxidative Stress.

Irreversible hypofunction of salivary glands or xerostomia is common in head and neck cancer survivors treated with radiotherapy even when various new techniques are applied to minimize the irradiation (IR) damage. This condition severely impairs the quality of life of patients and can only be temporarily relieved with current treatments. We found recently that transient expression of Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) in salivary glands after IR rescued salivary function, but the underlying mechanisms are not totally clear.

Molecular imaging biomarkers of resistance to radiation therapy for spontaneous nasal tumors in canines.

Purpose: Imaging biomarkers of resistance to radiation therapy can inform and guide treatment management. Most studies have so far focused on assessing a single imaging biomarker. The goal of this study was to explore a number of different molecular imaging biomarkers as surrogates of resistance to radiation therapy.

Spatially resolved regression analysis of pre-treatment FDG, FLT and Cu-ATSM PET from post-treatment FDG PET: an exploratory study.

Purpose: To quantify associations between pre-radiotherapy and post-radiotherapy PET parameters via spatially resolved regression.

Materials And Methods: Ten canine sinonasal cancer patients underwent PET/CT scans of [(18)F]FDG (FDG(pre)), [(18)F]FLT (FLT(pre)), and [(61)Cu]Cu-ATSM (Cu-ATSM(pre)). Following radiotherapy regimens of 50 Gy in 10 fractions, veterinary patients underwent FDG PET/CT scans at 3 months (FDG(post)).

Feasibility and sensitivity study of helical tomotherapy for dose painting plans.

Important limitations for dose painting are due to treatment planning and delivery constraints. The purpose of this study was to develop a methodology for creating voxel-based dose painting plans that are deliverable using the clinical TomoTherapy Hi-Art II treatment planning system (TPS). Material and methods.

Dosimetric impact of daily setup variations during treatment of canine nasal tumors using intensity-modulated radiation therapy.

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) can be employed to yield precise dose distributions that tightly conform to targets and reduce high doses to normal structures by generating steep dose gradients. Because of these sharp gradients, daily setup variations may have an adverse effect on clinical outcome such that an adjacent normal structure may be overdosed and/or the target may be underdosed. This study provides a detailed analysis of the impact of daily setup variations on optimized IMRT canine nasal tumor treatment plans when variations are not accounted for due to the lack of image guidance.