Protective effects of the roots of Angelica sinensis on strenuous exercise-induced sports anemia in rats

Publication date: 4 December 2016
Source:Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Volume 193
Author(s): Chih-Wei Chang, Yi-Ming Chen, Yi-Ju Hsu, Chi-Chang Huang, Yu-Tse Wu, Mei-Chich Hsu
Ethnopharmacological relevanceSports anemia is a persistent and severe problem in athletes owing to strenuous exercise-induced oxidative stress and hepcidin upregulation. The roots of Angelica sinensis (AS), a familiar traditional Chinese medicine, has been used for replenishing blood since antiquity.Aim of the studyTo evaluate the effects of ethanolic AS extract in a 4-week study on sports anemia in female Wistar rats.Materials and methodsTo induce anemia, a strenuous exercise protocol consisting of running and swimming was employed with increasing intensity. Animals were randomly assigned to the following groups: control group; strenuous exercise group; and strenuous exercise and AS extract-treated group (300mgkg⁻¹d⁻¹). After 4 weeks, rats underwent exhaustive swimming and forelimb grip strength test. The blood biochemical markers and hepatic antioxidant activities were determined. Hepatic interleukin-6 and muscle glycogen were observed through immunohistochemical and Periodic acid–Schiff staining, respectively.ResultsAS extract (consisting of ferulic acid, Z-ligustilide, and n-butylidenephthalide) treatment improved forelimb grip strength and rescued exercise-induced anemia by significantly elevating the red blood cell counts and hemoglobin concentrations as well as hematocrit levels (p<0.05). AS modulated the iron metabolism through decreasing serum hepcidin-25 concentrations by 33.0% (p<0.05) and increasing serum iron levels by 34.3% (p<0.01). The hepatic injury marker serum alanine aminotransferase concentrations were also reduced, followed by increased antioxidant enzyme catalase expression in the liver (p<0.05). Furthermore, substantial attenuation of hepatic interleukin-6 expression and preservation of muscle glycogen content suggested the additional roles of AS acting on sports anemia and physical performance.ConclusionOur findings evidenced a novel and promising therapeutic approach for AS treatment for rescuing the anemic condition induced following 4 weeks of strenuous exercise.

Graphical abstract

from #MedicinebyAlexandrosSfakianakis via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2b1Typj
via IFTTT

Use of plants in oral health care by the population of Mahajanga, Madagascar

Publication date: 4 December 2016
Source:Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Volume 193
Author(s): Lala Nirina Ranjarisoa, Noëline Razanamihaja, Herintsoa Rafatro
BackgroundThe use of medicinal plants to address oral health problems is not well documented in Madagascar, yet the country is full of endemic flora. The aim of this study was to collect information on the use of plants in the region of Mahajanga, Madagascar, for the treatments of oral diseases mainly tooth decay.MethodsThe ethnobotanical survey with respect to the use of plants for curing dental problems was carried out in 2012. A cluster sampling at three levels was applied when choosing the study sites. The target population was made up of heads of household. The following data were collected from a semi-structured questionnaire: name of plants, part used, mode of preparation, and administration. The Informant Consensus Factor and Fidelity Level indexes were calculated for each condition treated and used plants.The Results revealed that 93 per cent of the targeted population has used plants to calm dental pain, whereas 44.2% have reported using plants due to financial problems. About 65 species of plants are commonly used for oral health care and 63 of them treated caries. Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. was the most plant used. It was mostly used in crushed form of 5 to 9 leaves which were prepared and placed directly on the affected oral part or in the tooth cavity. In general, the treatment lasted about 5 days or minus. The ICF were 0.83 for caries and 0.81 for periodontal diseases.ConclusionThis ethnobotanical survey will serve as database for further phytochemical and pharmacological study of plants in order to identify their active components and advise the population on the most effective administration.

Graphical abstract

from #MedicinebyAlexandrosSfakianakis via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2b1TLc1
via IFTTT

A flexible mixed-signal image processing pipeline using 3D chip stacks

Abstract

This work presents a highly flexible mixed-signal CMOS image sensor suitable for smart camera applications. These systems need to fit different constraints regarding power consumption, speed and quality, and the optimal compromise may differ depending on the application. Moreover, the best implementation of a desired image processing task may be in the analog or the digital domain, or even a combined computation. Different aspects starting from the image sensor and signal acquisition up to the pre-processing in analog and digital domain are investigated in this paper to optimize not just one part of the system, but the whole system altogether. Moreover, it is shown that analog processing algorithms can improve signal quality, processing speed and latency while being able to save power, which is important for real-time systems. In order to be able to carry out spatial operations, the state-of-the-art sensor is modified to be able to read out multiple pixels at the same time. This allows analog spatial filter operations which consume significantly less power. As an example, an averaging filter is described which needs less than 5.3 % of the power–time product of a digital implementation for one computation. To enhance data throughput and flexibility, 3D chip stacking is proposed to partition the sensor in smaller units and enable massively parallel processing.

from #MedicinebyAlexandrosSfakianakis via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2bfxXHC
via IFTTT

Reconstitution of Basic Mitotic Spindles in Spherical Emulsion Droplets

The assembly and positioning of the mitotic spindle depend on the combined forces generated by microtubule dynamics, motor proteins and cross-linkers. Here we present our recently developed methods in which the geometrical confinement of spherical emulsion droplets is used for the bottom-up reconstitution of basic mitotic spindles.

from #MedicinebyAlexandrosSfakianakis via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2bpFDYd
via IFTTT

Radiothérapie des cancers des cavités nasosinusiennes

Publication date: Available online 12 August 2016
Source:Cancer/Radiothérapie
Author(s): G. Peyraga, C. Lafond, Y. Pointreau, P. Giraud, P. Maingon
Les tumeurs nasosinusiennes sont rares (10 % des tumeurs de la tête et du cou) et sont principalement représentées par les carcinomes épidermoïdes des fosses nasales ou du sinus maxillaire et les adénocarcinomes de l'ethmoïde (maladie professionnelle, poussière de bois). Le signe clinique le plus fréquent est l'obstruction nasale, mais on peut aussi retrouver une rhinorrhée et/ou une épistaxis (signes à présentation le plus souvent unilatérale). Une imagerie par résonance magnétique du massif facial est systématique dans le bilan initial avant traitement. La prise en charge consiste en une chirurgie première si le patient est opérable et la tumeur résécable. Si ce n'est pas le cas, le traitement consiste en une radiothérapie associée à une chimiothérapie, en fonction des données initiales (stade T3/T4 ou atteinte ganglionnaire). Après chirurgie première, une radiothérapie est indiquée (sauf si stade T1N0 avec résection complète), associée à une chimiothérapie en fonction des données postopératoires (rupture capsulaire ou résection incomplète). Une irradiation ganglionnaire est à discuter au cas par cas, mais est indiquée devant tout envahissement ganglionnaire. La radiothérapie doit être délivrée avec modulation d'intensité (RCMI), statique ou dynamique, et guidée par l'imagerie (IGRT). Selon le rapport 83 de l'International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements (ICRU), les doses reçues par les organes à risque et les volumes cibles doivent être rapportées. Enfin, après une imagerie de référence post-thérapeutique entre 2 et 4 mois, le suivi est alterné avec le chirurgien ORL tous les 2 à 3 mois pendant 2ans, puis tous les 4 à 6 mois pour 5ans au minimum.The nasal cavity and parasinusal cancer are rare (10% of tumors of the head and neck) and are mainly represented by squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal cavity or the maxillary sinus and adenocarcinoma of the ethmoid sinus (occupational disease, wood dust). The most common clinical sign is nasal obstruction, but tumors can also manifest as rhinorrhea and/or epistaxis (usually unilateral signs). A magnetic resonance imaging of the facial structure is systematic for staging before treatment. The treatment consists of a first surgery if the patient is operable with a resectable tumor. If it is not the case, the treatment consists of radiotherapy (RT) associated with chemotherapy (CT) according to the initial data (T3/T4 or N+). After first surgery, RT is indicated (except T1N0 with complete resection) associated with a CT based on postoperative data (capsular effraction or incomplete resection). Lymph node irradiation is considered case by case, but is indicated in any nodal involvement. RT must be an intensity modulated RT (IMRT), static or dynamic, and must be imagery guided (IGRT). According to ICRU 83, doses to organs at risk and target volumes must be carried. Finally, after a post-treatment baseline imaging between 2 and 4 months, monitoring will be alternated with the ENT surgeon every 2 or 3 months for 2 years, then every 4 to 6 months for 5 years.



from #MedicinebyAlexandrosSfakianakis via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2b6fz3y
via IFTTT

International consensus guidelines on Clinical Target Volume delineation in rectal cancer

Publication date: Available online 12 August 2016
Source:Radiotherapy and Oncology
Author(s): Vincenzo Valentini, Maria Antonietta Gambacorta, Brunella Barbaro, Giuditta Chiloiro, Claudio Coco, Prajnan Das, Francesco Fanfani, Ines Joye, Lisa Kachnic, Philippe Maingon, Corrie Marijnen, Samuel Ngan, Karin Haustermans
IntroductionThe delineation of Clinical Target Volume (CTV) is a critical step in radiotherapy. Several guidelines suggest different subvolumes and anatomical boundaries in rectal cancer (RC), potentially leading to a misunderstanding in the CTV definition. International consensus guidelines (CG) are needed to improve uniformity in RC CTV delineation.Material and methodsThe 7 radiation oncologist experts defined a roadmap to produce RC CG. Step 1: revision of the published guidelines. Step 2: selection of RC cases with different clinical stages. Step 3: delineation of cases using Falcon following previously published guidelines. Step 4: meeting in person to discuss the initial delineation outcome, followed by a CTV proposal based on revised and if needed, adapted anatomical boundaries. Step 5: peer review of the agreed consensus. Step 6: peer review meeting to validate the final outcome. Step 7: completion of RC delineation atlases.ResultsA new ontology of structure sets was defined and the related table of anatomical boundaries was generated. The major modifications were about the lateral lymph nodes and the ischio-rectal fossa delineation. Seven RC cases were made available online as consultation atlases.ConclusionThe definition of international CG for RC delineation endorsed by international experts might support a future homogeneous comparison between clinical trial outcomes.



from #MedicinebyAlexandrosSfakianakis via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2bnYHZJ
via IFTTT

A prospective study of DWI, DCE-MRI and FDG PET imaging for target delineation in brachytherapy for cervical cancer

Publication date: Available online 12 August 2016
Source:Radiotherapy and Oncology
Author(s): Kathy Han, Jennifer Croke, Warren Foltz, Ur Metser, Jason Xie, Tina Shek, Brandon Driscoll, Cynthia Ménard, Doug Vines, Catherine Coolens, Anna Simeonov, Akbar Beiki-Ardakani, Eric Leung, Wilfred Levin, Anthony Fyles, Michael F. Milosevic
Background and purposeWe examined the utility of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI), diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI), and FDG-PET imaging for brachytherapy target delineation in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer.Materials and methodsTwenty-two patients had DWI, DCE-MRI, and FDG-PET/CT scans after brachytherapy applicator insertion, in addition to standard T2-weighted (T2w) 3T MRI. Gross tumor volume (GTVB) and high-risk clinical target volume (HRCTV) were contoured first on T2w images, and then modified if indicated upon review of DWI/DCE-MRI/FDG-PET images by two observers. The primary endpoint was utility, determined by the number of patients whose volumes were modified, and interobserver variability.ResultsEleven patients' T2w-GTVB were modified based on DWI/DCE-MRI/FDG-PET by observer 1, due to clearer demarcation (7) and residual disease not well visualized on T2w MRI (4). GTVB was modified in 17 patients by observer 2 (11 and 6, respectively). Incorporation of functional imaging improved the conformity index (CI) for GTVB from 0.54 (T2w alone) to 0.65 (P=0.003). HRCTV was modified in 3 and 8 patients by observers 1 and 2, respectively, with a trend toward higher CI using functional imaging (0.71 to 0.76, P=0.06).ConclusionsDWI/DCE-MRI/FDG-PET imaging as a supplement to T2w MRI decreased interobserver variability in GTVB delineation.



from #MedicinebyAlexandrosSfakianakis via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2b3xFTH
via IFTTT