Quinolizidine alkaloids and phomopsin A in animal feed containing lupins: co-occurrence and carry-over into veal products.

Lupins are used in animal feed because of their excellent nutritional composition. Australian and European seeds are incorporated in compound feed of calves for veal production in Belgium. To investigate the co-occurrence of quinolizidine alkaloids (QAs) and phomopsin A (PHO A) in lupin seeds and lupin-containing feed, and the potential transfer to animal-derived foods, representative samples were obtained from various actors in the chain.

Authenticity analysis of oregano: development, validation and fitness for use of several food fingerprinting techniques.

Several analytical techniques, i.e. spectroscopic techniques as Near Infrared (NIR) and Mid-Infrared (MIR), Hyper Spectral Imaging (HSI), Gas Chromatography coupled to Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and Proton-transfer Reaction Time-of-Flight Mass spectrometry (PTR-TOF-MS), combined with chemometrics, are examined to evaluate their potential to solve different food authenticity questions on the case of oregano.

Fixation of posterior cruciate ligament avulsion fracture with the use of a suspensory fixation.

Purpose: Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) avulsion fractures are uncommon injuries, and their treatment, still, remains difficult. There are procedures described in the literature which are minimal invasive and use either sutures or screws to stabilize the avulsed fragment. The purpose of this study was to present an innovative arthroscopic technique using a suspensory device with specific biomechanical properties.

A field study on 8 pharmaceuticals and 1 pesticide in Belgium: removal rates in waste water treatment plants and occurrence in surface water.

Only recently, attention has been drawn towards the occurrence of pharmaceuticals in the environment. In recent years many reports have been made on the occurrence of the large, differentiated group of pharmaceuticals in waste water, surface water, ground water and in soil. In this study, we demonstrate the applicability of a previously developed LC-MS/MS method by evaluating in waste water and surface water samples from Belgium the occurrence of 8 pharmaceuticals and 1 pesticide (flubendazole, pipamperone, rabeprazole, domperidone, ketoconazole, itraconazole, cinnarizine, miconazole and propiconazole).

Optimisation and validation of a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for folates in rice.

An LC-MS/MS method has been developed and validated for the analysis of six monoglutamate folates in rice. Accurate determination of folates in rice seeds required the optimisation of an extraction procedure encompassing homogenisation, heat treatment, tri-enzyme treatment (alpha-amylase, protease and deconjugase), centrifugation and ultrafiltration. The resulting extract was loaded onto a Polaris C 18-A column, followed by gradient elution and detection by tandem mass spectrometry.

Tracer test for the measurement of gas diffusion and non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL) saturation in soil.

During soil bioremediation, the diffusion of oxygen into the soil is an important prerequisite for aerobic biodegradation, and the decrease of petroleum products is the ultimate goal. Both processes need to be monitored. The aim of this work was to develop a gas tracer test that yields information on both, gas diffusion and residual saturation with non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPLs) in unsaturated soil heaps.

Comparison of matrix effects in HPLC-MS/MS and UPLC-MS/MS analysis of nine basic pharmaceuticals in surface waters.

When developing an LC-MS/MS-method matrix effects are a major issue. The effect of co-eluting compounds arising from the matrix can result in signal enhancement or suppression. During method development much attention should be paid to diminishing matrix effects as much as possible.

Validation of a solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometric method for the determination of nine basic pharmaceuticals in wastewater and surface water samples.

This paper reports the development and validation of a quantitative LC-electrospray (ESI)-MS/MS method for the simultaneous analysis of nine basic pharmaceuticals (flubendazole, pipamperone, cinnarizine, ketoconazole, miconazole, rabeprazole, itraconazole, domperidone and propiconazole) in environmental waters. Sample preparation consisted of solid-phase extraction on a Speedisk phenyl and a NH(2) solid-phase extraction tube for sample clean-up. Chromatography was performed on a pentafluorophenyl column in a total run time of 24min.

A novel triplet regimen with paclitaxel, carboplatin and gemcitabine (PACCAGE) as induction chemotherapy for locally advanced unresectable non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Unlabelled: Phase II study of 3 cycles of triplet induction chemotherapy (response, toxicity) followed by radiotherapy in locally advanced non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Background: Patients with locally advanced inoperable non-small cell lung cancer are currently treated with concomitant or sequential chemotherapy and radiotherapy. However, the outcome of existing treatment modalities is unsatisfactory.

Tackling matrix effects during development of a liquid chromatographic-electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometric analysis of nine basic pharmaceuticals in aqueous environmental samples.

When developing an LC-MS/MS-method matrix effects are a major issue. The effect of co-eluting compounds arising from the matrix can result in signal enhancement or suppression. During method development much attention should be paid to diminish matrix effects as much as possible.

Modeling the effect of age in T1-2 breast cancer using the SEER database.

Background: Modeling the relationship between age and mortality for breast cancer patients may have important prognostic and therapeutic implications.

Methods: Data from 9 registries of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (SEER) of the United States were used. This study employed proportional hazards to model mortality in women with T1-2 breast cancers.

Statistical interaction in the survival analysis of early breast cancer using registry data: role of breast conserving surgery and radiotherapy.

Purpose: To identify subgroup effects that might influence the survival results of postoperative radiotherapy.

Patients And Methods: Women selected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database, aged 40-69 years, with non-metastasized T1-T2 breast carcinoma, in whom axillary lymph node dissection was performed. Subgroup analyses were performed using proportional hazards models with interactions.

Free and total para-aminobenzoic acid analysis in plants with high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry.

para-Aminobenzoic acid (PABA), a precursor in the synthesis of folates in plants, is determined by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). In plants PABA can be converted into its beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester (PABA-Glc) and can also exist in its free form. In this work, we developed and validated a quantitative method to study free and total PABA in plants.

Percutaneous placement of marking coils before stereotactic radiation therapy of malignant lung lesions.

Purpose: To evaluate a technique for implantation of radiopaque markers in lung nodules as an aid in extracranial stereotactic radiation therapy.

Materials And Methods: An implantation technique was developed for marking intrapulmonary lung lesions by introducing a vascular coil through a coaxial needle in or near the target tumor. The markers were placed percutaneously through 15- or 20-gauge coaxial needles in 41 lesions (25 patients) under computed tomographic fluoroscopic guidance.

Ratios of involved nodes in early breast cancer.

Introduction: The number of lymph nodes found to be involved in an axillary dissection is among the most powerful prognostic factors in breast cancer, but it is confounded by the number of lymph nodes that have been examined. We investigate an idea that has surfaced recently in the literature (since 1999), namely that the proportion of node-positive lymph nodes (or a function thereof) is a much better predictor of survival than the number of excised and node-positive lymph nodes, alone or together.

Methods: The data were abstracted from 83,686 cases registered in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program of women diagnosed with nonmetastatic T1-T2 primary breast carcinoma between 1988 and 1997, in whom axillary node dissection was performed.

Adjuvant radiotherapy for breast cancer: effects of longer follow-up.

Background And Purpose: Recent and large trials of adjuvant radiotherapy for breast cancer have shown an overall survival benefit in favour of radiotherapy. However, with longer follow-up the late lethal toxicity of radiotherapy might reduce the overall survival benefits. In this paper we investigate more deeply this hypothesis.

The lymph node ratio as prognostic factor in node-positive breast cancer.

Background And Purpose: The clinical records of the node-positive breast cancer patients treated at our department were reviewed, to evaluate if there is a correlation between the ratio of involved axillary lymph nodes and the overall and cause specific survival.

Patients And Methods: From 1984 until July 2001, 2073 files from patients with an invasive breast carcinoma were submitted to retrospective analyses. In 810 cases, a node positive status was diagnosed.

Adjuvant radiotherapy after mastectomy for pT1-pT2 node negative (pN0) breast cancer: is it worth the effort?

Purpose: Postoperative radiotherapy (RT) for pT1-2 pN0 breast cancer was the standard treatment in our department. Since little data on the importance of RT in this subgroup are known, we reviewed the clinical records with regard to overall survival.

Material And Methods: From 1984 until 2000, 1789 files were submitted to retrospective analyses; 731 had a pT1 (n=427) or pT2 (n=304) pN0 lesion.

Omission of radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery: survival impact and time trends.

Purpose: To evaluate the survival impact of omission of radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery and the changes with time.

Material And Methods: Women aged 40-69 with non-metastasized T1-T2 breast cancer, who underwent breast-conserving surgery with axillary node dissection, with or without post-surgery radiotherapy, selected from the SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results) database. The analysis uses proportional hazards models.

Quality assurance of a system for improved target localization and patient set-up that combines real-time infrared tracking and stereoscopic X-ray imaging.

Background And Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate the positional accuracy of a prototype X-ray imaging tool in combination with a real-time infrared tracking device allowing automated patient set-up in three dimensions.

Material And Methods: A prototype X-ray imaging tool has been integrated with a commercially released real-time infrared tracking device. The system, consisting of two X-ray tubes mounted to the ceiling and a centrally located amorphous silicon detector has been developed for automated patient positioning from outside the treatment room prior to treatment.

Functional form of the effect of the numbers of axillary nodes on survival in early breast cancer.

The change in survival in function of the numbers of involved and uninvolved axillary nodes in early breast cancer - i.e. the functional form - was investigated to search for prognostic cutoffs and to assess if ratio-based characterization of node involvement is a significant prognostic factor or not.

Effect of the number of uninvolved nodes on survival in early breast cancer.

A high number of uninvolved axillary nodes was found by some authors to be associated with poor survival in node-negative breast cancer. We searched for confirmation and extend the investigation to node-positive cases, using population data from the SEER Program. Patients selected were women aged 40-69 years, diagnosed 1988-1997, T1-T2 breast cancer, undergoing axillary dissection with 4-35 nodes examined.