Classification of eco-zones from the factors and processes controlling phytoplankton biomass.

Phytoplankton is of utmost importance to the marine ecosystem and, subsequently, to the Blue Economy. This study aims to explain the reasons for variability of phytoplankton by estimating the dependency of Chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) on various limiting factors using statistics. The global oceans are classified into coherent units that display similar sensitivity to changing parameters and processes using the k-means algorithm.

Phase 3 RCT comparing docetaxel-platinum with docetaxel-platinum-5FU as neoadjuvant chemotherapy in borderline resectable oral cancer.

Background: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) with TPF (docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5FU) is one of the treatment options in very locally advanced oral cancer with a survival advantage over PF (cisplatin and 5FU). TP (docetaxel and cisplatin) has shown promising results with a lower rate of adverse events but has never been compared to TPF.

Methods: In this phase 3 randomized superiority study, adult patients with borderline resectable locally advanced oral cancers were randomized in a 1:1 fashion to either TP or TPF.

Membrane-derived particles shed by PSMA-positive cells function as pro-angiogenic stimuli in tumors.

Cell membrane-derived particles (Mp) are rounded membrane-enclosed particles that are shed from tumor cells. Mp are formed from tumor membranes and are capable of tumor targeting and immunotherapeutic agents because they share membrane homology with parental cells; thus, they are under consideration as a drug delivery vehicle. Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), a transmembrane glycoprotein with enzymatic functionality, is highly expressed in Mp and extracellular vesicles (EV) from prostate cancer (PCa) with poor clinical prognosis.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy in technically unresectable head and neck cancers: a retrospective audit.

Background: The data regarding the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in technically unresectable head and neck cancer (HNC) is limited and real-world studies are needed to look for the efficacy and toxicities of this approach.

Patients And Methods: This is a retrospective study conducted in the Medical Oncology department of our hospital. All technically unresectable HNC patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy between May 2018 and May 2020 were included in this analysis.

An Analysis of Tolerance and Early Survival Outcomes with Perioperative Modified FLOT in Gastric Cancers.

Anant Ramaswamy  Perioperative chemotherapy with fluorouracil plus leucovorin, oxaliplatin, and docetaxel (FLOT) is a current standard of care for locoregionally advanced gastric adenocarcinomas. There is limited real world data with regard to the tolerance and efficacy of this regimen.  This is a retrospective analysis of gastric cancer patients who were offered neoadjuvant perioperative modified FLOT regimen between December 2016 and October 2018, at the Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai.

Perioperative Modified FLOT Versus EOX in Locally Advanced Resectable Gastric and Gastro-Oesophageal Junction Adenocarcinoma: Results of a Matched-Pair Analysis.

Background And Objectives: There is limited real-world data on the efficacy of 2-weekly cycles of docetaxel, oxaliplatin, leucovorin, and fluorouracil (FLOT) compared to epirubicin, oxaliplatin, and capecitabine (EOX) as perioperative therapy in esophagogastric adenocarcinomas (EGAC).

Methods: The data of 611 patients with EGAC treated with perioperative chemotherapy and planned for curative resection between January 2013 and December 2019 were retrieved. Patients receiving EOX and a dose-modified version of FLOT (mFLOT) were evaluated.

Prospective testing of clinical Cerenkov luminescence imaging against standard-of-care nuclear imaging for tumour location.

In oncology, the feasibility of Cerenkov luminescence imaging (CLI) has been assessed by imaging superficial lymph nodes in a few patients undergoing diagnostic F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT). However, the weak luminescence signal requires the removal of ambient light. Here we report the development of a clinical CLI fiberscope with a lightproof enclosure, and the clinical testing of the setup using five different radiotracers.

Piloting targeted glaucoma screening: experiences of eye care services in Ganjam district, Odisha state, India.

Background: The number of patients with visual impairment and blindness from glaucoma is rapidly increasing with wide-ranging impacts for individuals and societies. However, the disease often goes undiagnosed for a long time, especially in low- and middle-income countries where healthcare services are limited. This paper presents the results of a pilot programme, which integrated targeted glaucoma screenings of people aged ≥40 y in community-based eye care services in the Ganjam district of Odisha state, India.

Radiolabeling of Theranostic Nanosystems.

In the recent years, progress in nanotechnology has significantly contributed to the development of novel pharmaceutical formulations to overcome the drawbacks of conventional treatments and improve the therapeutic outcome in many diseases, especially cancer. Nanoparticle vectors have demonstrated the potential to concomitantly deliver diagnostic and therapeutic payloads to diseased tissue. Due to their special physical and chemical properties, the characteristics and function of nanoparticles are tunable based on biological molecular targets and specific desired features (e.

Low-cost oral metronomic chemotherapy versus intravenous cisplatin in patients with recurrent, metastatic, inoperable head and neck carcinoma: an open-label, parallel-group, non-inferiority, randomised, phase 3 trial.

Background: Regimens for palliation in patients with head and neck cancer recommended by the US National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) have low applicability (less than 1-3%) in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) because of their cost. In a previous phase 2 study, patients with head and neck cancer who received metronomic chemotherapy had better outcomes when compared with those who received intravenous cisplatin, which is commonly used as the standard of care in LMICs. We aimed to do a phase 3 study to substantiate these findings.

Phase I/II Study of Palliative Triple Metronomic Chemotherapy in Platinum-Refractory/Early-Failure Oral Cancer.

Purpose: Platinum-resistant oral cancer has a dismal outcome with limited treatment options. We conducted a phase I/II study to identify the optimal biologic dose (OBD) of methotrexate when given along with erlotinib and celecoxib and to assess the efficacy of this three-drug regimen in advanced oral cancer.

Methods: Patients with platinum-resistant or early-failure squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity were eligible for this study.

Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography with Gallium-68-labeled Prostate-specific Membrane Antigen Detects Relapse After Vascular-targeted Photodynamic Therapy in a Prostate Cancer Model.

Background: Evaluating the efficacy of focal therapy for prostate cancer is limited by current approaches and may be improved with biological imaging techniques.

Objective: We assessed whether positron emission tomography/computed tomography with gallium-68-labeled prostate-specific membrane antigen (Ga-PSMA PET/CT) can be used to predict relapse after vascular-targeted photodynamic therapy (VTP).

Design, Setting, And Participants: A total of 1×10 LNCaP cells were grafted subcutaneously in the flanks of 6-8-wk-old SCID mice.

Phase III Non-inferiority Study Evaluating Efficacy and Safety of Low Dose Gemcitabine Compared to Standard Dose Gemcitabine With Platinum in Advanced Squamous Lung Cancer.

Background: Prolonged infusion of low dose gemcitabine (PLDG) in combination with platinum has shown promising activity in terms of improved response rate and progression free survival (PFS); especially in squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Hence, we conducted a phase 3 randomized non-inferiority study with the primary objective of comparing the overall survival (OS) between PLDG and standard dose of gemcitabine with platinum.

Methodology: Adult subjects (age ≥ 18 years), with stages IIIB-IV, NSCLC (squamous) and ECOG performance status of ≤ 2 were randomized 1:1 into either carboplatin with standard dose gemcitabine (1000 mg/m intravenous over 30 min, days 1 and 8) (STD-G arm) or carboplatin along with low dose gemcitabine (250 mg/m intravenous over 6 h, days 1 and 8) (LOW-G arm) for a maximum of 6 cycles.

Efficacy of selective laser trabeculoplasty following incisional glaucoma surgery.

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) in glaucomatous eyes with previous incisional glaucoma surgery.

Methods: A retrospective cohort of eyes that underwent SLT at a single institution from 2013-2015 were followed for 1y. Reduction in intraocular pressure (IOP) following SLT was evaluated in eyes with prior trabeculectomy with ExPress mini shunt (Alcon, Ft Worth, TX, USA), Ahmed valve (New World Medical, Cucamonga, CA, USA), or combined phacoemulsification-trabeculectomy.

Cerenkov-Activated Sticky Tag for In Vivo Fluorescence Imaging.

A big challenge in the clinical use of Cerenkov luminescence (CL) imaging is its low signal intensity, which is several orders of magnitude below ambient light. Consequently, highly sensitive cameras, sufficient shielding from background light, and long acquisition times are required. To alleviate this problem, we hypothesized a strategy to convert the weak CL signal into a stronger fluorescence signal by using CL-activated formation of nitrenes from azides to locally fix a fluorescent probe in tissue by the formation of a covalent bond.

Recurrent intracranial Rosai-Dorfman disease: Management of a challenging case.

Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD) is a rare, idiopathic, benign histioproliferative disorder. Extranodal involvement is seen in around 25-40% of patients. Central nervous system manifestation of RDD is uncommon and suprasellar location of the lesion is a distinct rarity.

Near-Infrared Quantum Dot and Zr Dual-Labeled Nanoparticles for in Vivo Cerenkov Imaging.

Cerenkov luminescence (CL) is an emerging imaging modality that utilizes the light generated during the radioactive decay of many clinical used isotopes. Although it is increasingly used for background-free imaging and deep tissue photodynamic therapy, in vivo applications of CL suffer from limited tissue penetration. Here, we propose to use quantum dots (QDs) as spectral converters that can transfer the CL UV-blue emissions to near-infrared light that is less scattered or absorbed in vivo.

Scleral fixation of a foldable intraocular lens with polytetrafluoroethylene sutures through a Hoffman pocket.

Unlabelled: Scleral fixation of intraocular lenses (IOLs) is traditionally performed after conjunctival dissection and preparation of scleral flaps. The Hoffman pocket technique creates scleral pockets without conjunctival dissection. We describe a technique that uses a Hoffman pocket and 7-0 polytetrafluoroethylene (Gore-Tex) sutures for scleral fixation of a foldable posterior chamber IOL in patients with insufficient capsule support.

Biometry with a new swept-source optical coherence tomography biometer: Repeatability and agreement with an optical low-coherence reflectometry device.

Purpose: To assess the repeatability of a new swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) biometer (IOLMaster 700) and evaluate the agreement with an optical low-coherence reflectometry (OLCR) biometer (Lenstar 900) in cataractous eyes.

Setting: Tertiary eyecare facility.

Design: Prospective evaluation of a diagnostic test.

Effect of fluidics on corneal endothelial cell density, central corneal thickness, and central macular thickness after phacoemulsification with torsional ultrasound.

Aim: To study the relative effects of high and low fluidic parameters on endothelial cell density (ECD), central corneal thickness (CCT), and central macular thickness (CMT) after phacoemulsification with torsional ultrasound.

Settings And Design: Prospective, randomized clinical trial based on a tertiary eye hospital.

Subjects And Methods: The study included 65 patients in each group.

Microscope Integrated Intraoperative Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography for Cataract Surgery: Uses and Applications.

Aim: To demonstrate the uses and applications of a microscope integrated intraoperative Optical Coherence Tomography in Micro Incision Cataract Surgery (MICS) and Femtosecond Laser Assisted Cataract Surgery (FLACS).

Methods: Intraoperative real time imaging using the RESCAN™ 700 (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Oberkochen, Germany) was done for patients undergoing MICS as well as FLACS. The OCT videos were reviewed at each step of the procedure and the findings were noted and analyzed.

Outcome of primary orbital lymphoma treated with induction chemotherapy followed by conformal radiotherapy.

Purpose: To analyze the clinical outcome of primary orbital lymphoma (POL) patients treated with a combined modality approach with local radiotherapy after induction chemotherapy.

Methodology: We retrospectively retrieved demographic, treatment and outcome data of patients treated for POL from 2000 to 2010. The charts were reviewed and the data were tabulated in a predesigned pro-forma.