Assessing the Impact of Electronic Capture of Patient Reported Outcomes in Radiation Oncology

Condition:   Patients With Lung, Breast, Head and Neck, or Pelvic Malignancies
Intervention:   Other: Survey
Sponsor:   Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania
Recruiting - verified April 2016

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Dose Escalation Versus Standard in Laryngopharyngeal Cancers

Conditions:   Malignant Neoplasm of Oropharynx Stage III;   Malignant Neoplasm of Larynx Stage III;   Malignant Neoplasm of Hypopharynx Stage III;   Malignant Neoplasm of Oropharynx Stage IVa;   Malignant Neoplasm of Oropharynx Stage IVb;   Malignant Neoplasm of Larynx Stage IV;   Malignant Neoplasm of Hypopharynx Stage IVa;   Malignant Neoplasm of Hypopharynx Stage IVb
Interventions:   Radiation: Escalated Dose;   Radiation: Standard Dose
Sponsor:   Tata Medical Center
Recruiting - verified April 2016

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Noot bij GwH 1 oktober 2015

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Gentse profesoren in de rechten en de letteren 1946-1992

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Influence of Folic Acid on Neural Connectivity during Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurogenesis

The vitamin folic acid (FA) is essential for DNA synthesis, repair and methylation, and for methionine synthesis. Although it is necessary for neural development, recent studies suggest a possible link between excess maternal supplemental FA intake and adverse interferences with single-carbon metabolism and neural development. Insufficient FA early in brain development can lead to failure of the neural tube closure, but the consequences of too much intake have not been fully investigated. Plasma FA concentrations can increase greatly with dietary supplementation. To model the development of neural connectivity, we cultured dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) taken from 8-day-old chick embryos in a range of pteroylmonoglutamate (PteGlu, synthetic supplemental FA) concentrations. DRGs were cultured for 36 h, fixed and immunostained to reveal the locations of neural networks with synaptic vesicles. We found a concentration-dependent relationship with significant reduction in neurite length in PteGlu concentrations from 0.25 to 20 μM. The average total of stained synaptic areas surrounding each cultured DRG was significantly reduced as well. To further characterize the effects, we carried out time-lapse imaging of growth cones at terminals of extending neurites. We found that PteGlu reduced the area-changing activity of the growth cone, hindering its exploratory capabilities, along with a tendency to inhibit overall advancement, thus altering the ability to extend and form synapses. Our results show that PteGlu at 250 nM and higher reduces neurite extension and synapse formation in a dose-dependent manner during neurogenesis, and that its effect is mediated through inhibition of growth cone motility.
Cells Tissues Organs

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A randomized trial of videoconference-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy for survivors of breast cancer with self-reported cognitive dysfunction

BACKGROUND

Long-term chemotherapy-related cognitive dysfunction (CRCD) affects a large number of cancer survivors. To the authors' knowledge, to date there is no established treatment for this survivorship problem. The authors herein report results of a small randomized controlled trial of a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Memory and Attention Adaptation Training (MAAT), compared with an attention control condition. Both treatments were delivered over a videoconference device.

METHODS

A total of 47 survivors of female breast cancer who reported CRCD were randomized to MAAT or supportive therapy and were assessed at baseline, after treatment, and at 2 months of follow-up. Participants completed self-report measures of cognitive symptoms and quality of life and a brief telephone-based neuropsychological assessment.

RESULTS

MAAT participants made gains in perceived (self-reported) cognitive impairments (P = .02), and neuropsychological processing speed (P = .03) compared with supportive therapy controls. A large MAAT effect size was observed at the 2-month follow-up with regard to anxiety concerning cognitive problems (Cohen's d for standard differences in effect sizes, 0.90) with medium effects noted in general function, fatigue, and anxiety. Survivors rated MAAT and videoconference delivery with high satisfaction.

CONCLUSIONS

MAAT may be an efficacious psychological treatment of CRCD that can be delivered through videoconference technology. This research is important because it helps to identify a treatment option for survivors that also may improve access to survivorship services. Cancer 2016. © 2016 American Cancer Society.

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Photovoltaics with Ferroelectrics: Current Status and Beyond

Ferroelectrics carry a switchable spontaneous electric polarization. This polarization is usually coupled to strain, making ferroelectrics good piezoelectrics. When coupled to magnetism, they become so-called multiferroic systems, a field that has been widely investigated since 2003. While ferroelectrics are birefringent and non-linear optically transparent materials, the coupling of polarization with optical properties has received, since 2009, renewed attention, triggered notably by low-bandgap ferroelectrics suitable for sunlight spectrum absorption and original photovoltaic effects. Consequently, power conversion efficiencies up to 8.1% were recently achieved and values of 19.5% were predicted, making photoferroelectrics promising photovoltaic alternatives. This article aims at providing an up-to-date review on this emerging and rapidly progressing field by highlighting several important issues and parameters, such as the role of domain walls, ways to tune the bandgap, consequences arising from the polarization switchability, and the role of defects and contact electrodes, as well as the downscaling effects. Beyond photovoltaicity, other polarization-related processes are also described, like light-induced deformation (photostriction) or light-assisted chemical reaction (photostriction). It is hoped that this overview will encourage further avenues to be explored and challenged and, as a byproduct, will inspire other research communities in material science, e.g., so-called hybrid halide perovskites.

The conversion of light into electricity in piezoelectrics originates from their intrinsic inversion symmetry breaking. This photovoltaic effect, the underlying microscopic mechanisms, and the influential parameters are reviewed here in ferroelectrics, which are characterized by a switchable spontaneous polarization.

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