Thyroid-optimized and thyroid-sparing radiotherapy in oral cavity and oropharyngeal carcinoma: A dosimetric study.

Background: Radiation-induced hypothyroidism is a common toxicity of head and neck radiation. Our re-planning study aimed to reduce thyroid dose while maintaining target coverage with IMRT.

Methods: We retrospectively identified patients with oral-cavity (n = 5) and oropharyngeal cancer (n = 5).

Correlative study of dose to thyroid and incidence of subsequent dysfunction after head and neck radiation.

Background: Thyroid dysfunction is common after radiotherapy (RT) for patients with head and neck cancers. We attempted to discover RT dose parameters that correspond with RT-induced thyroid dysfunction.

Methods: Records of 102 patients who received RT from 2008 to 2010 were reviewed with respect to thyroid function.

A novel miRNA-based predictive model for biochemical failure following post-prostatectomy salvage radiation therapy.

Purpose: To develop a microRNA (miRNA)-based predictive model for prostate cancer patients of 1) time to biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy and 2) biochemical recurrence after salvage radiation therapy following documented biochemical disease progression post-radical prostatectomy.

Methods: Forty three patients who had undergone salvage radiation therapy following biochemical failure after radical prostatectomy with greater than 4 years of follow-up data were identified. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue blocks were collected for all patients and total RNA was isolated from 1mm cores enriched for tumor (>70%).

Antioxidant effcacy of unripe banana (Musa acuminata Colla) peel extracts in sunflower oil during accelerated storage.

Background: Sunflower oil is prone to oxidation during storage time, leading to production of toxic compounds that might affect human health. Synthetic antioxidants are used to prevent lipid oxidation. Spreading interest in the replacement of synthetic food antioxidants by natural ones has fostered research on fruit and vegetables for new antioxidants.

Prostate movement during simulation resulting from retrograde urethrogram compared with "natural" prostate movement.

Purpose: Retrograde urethrography (UG) is commonly used at the time of simulation to assist in defining the prostate apex. Some investigators have reported that performing the UG introduces error by causing prostate displacement. We investigate the movement of the prostate caused by the retrograde UG.

Effectiveness of heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in children younger than five years of age for prevention of pneumonia.

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of the Wyeth heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine against clinical and radiograph-confirmed pneumonia in children.

Methods: The heptavalent CRM(197) pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) was given to infants at 2, 4, 6 and 12 to 15 months of age in a randomized, double blind trial. Children were randomized to receive either the CRM(197) PCV (vaccine group) or the meningococcal type C CRM(197) conjugate vaccine (control group).