Transmissible α-synuclein seeding activity in brain and stomach of patients with Parkinson's disease.

Cerebral deposition of abnormally aggregated α-synuclein (αSyn) is a neuropathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD). PD-associated αSyn (αSyn) aggregates can act as proteinaceous nuclei ("seeds") able of self-templated propagation. Since this is strikingly reminiscent to properties of proteinaceous infectious particles (prions), lessons learned from prion diseases suggest to test whether transferred αSyn can propagate and induce neurological impairments or disease in a new host.

Alpha-synuclein seeds of Parkinson's disease show high prion-exceeding resistance to steam sterilization.

Background: Cerebral deposition of abnormally misfolded and aggregated alpha-synuclein (αSyn) is a neuropathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD). Pathologically aggregated αSyn species of PD (αSyn) can act, in a 'prion-like' manner, as proteinaceous nuclei ('seeds') which are capable of self-templated propagation. This has raised concerns that αSyn seeds transmitted iatrogenically between humans may stimulate αSyn pathologies or clinically harmful effects in the recipients.

Local shielding of high dose rate brachytherapy in an operating theatre.

A high-dose rate brachytherapy facility was installed into an established operating theatre by using local shielding in the form of mobile lead screens and by taking advantage of the ease with which staff movements can be controlled in an operating suite. This facility was inexpensive to develop, and has proved clinically efficient and entirely adequate from a radiation safety standpoint.

The use of round ended needles for high dose rate brachytherapy implants.

The use of Speiser needles for interstitial implants has resulted in malfunctioning of HDR afterloading equipment due to seepage of blood. We have successfully used rounded ended needles in the patient after removal of the trocar ended needles, preventing the seepage of blood. This technique also helps to prevent any possible cross contamination between patients.