Narrow Results

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising approach to the local destruction of malignant tumours. This method is based on the partially selective retension in tumor tissue of the photosensitizers which have photodynamic effect. It is important for PDT to determine the photosentizer concentration in tumor and in normal tissue. We quantitatively analysed the concentration of the metallic phthalocyanines, a class of photosensitizers now recognized as “second generation” PDT drugs and studied its action in different time by PIXE technique. The paper shows also the correlation between trace elements and cancer.

Concentrations of chemical elements in different organs of healthy, of tumor (rhabdomyosarcoma R1H) bearing and of cis-diamminodichloroplatinum (cisDDP) treated rats were analyzed with a 2 MeV proton microprobe. Characteristic concentrations were found in spleen, liver, kidney, muscle and tumor. Bromine concentrations were elevated after three weeks of tumor growth. As a result of cisDDP application, they dropped considerably. These alterations were found not only in tumor tissue but also in organs not directly involved in tumor growth (e.g. liver and spleen). Platinum as a marker for the drug could be detected in all tissues except muscle. The highest concentrations were found in the kidney. With the scanning microprobe, elemental maps in several tissues were investigated. These could be correlated to histological details (e.g. in spleen and tumor).

The experimental apparatus of X-ray fluorescence (XRF) microprobe analysis at Beijing Synchrotron Radiation Facility (BSRF) is described. Using the bovine liver as the standard reference, the minimum detection limit (MDL) of trace element was measured to determine the capability of biological sample analysis by synchrotron radiation XRF microprobe. The relative change of the content of the major or trace element in the normal and tumor part of human bone tissue slice was investigated. The experimental result relation to the clinical medicine was also discussed.

Human prostate cancer PC3 cells were treated in vitro with psychosomatic power emitted by a Buddhist-Zen Master. A significant decrease of growth rate was observed as determined by MTT assay after 48 hours. These cells also had two- to three-fold higher levels of prostatic acid phosphatase (PAcP) activity, a prostate tissue-specific differentiation antigen. In addition, the treated cells formed fewer and smaller colonies in soft agar as compared with control cells, which displayed anchorage-independent growth. These observations provide insight into the suppressive effects of healing power through the practice of Buddhist-Zen meditation on tumor progression. The emitted bioenergy may be suggested as an alternative and feasible approach for cancer research and patient treatment.

Tumor-immune interaction plays an important role in the tumor treatment. We analyze the stability of steady states in a diffusive tumor-immune model with response and proliferation delay $\tau$ of immune system where the immune cell has a probability $p$ in killing tumor cells. We find increasing time delay $\tau$ destabilizes the positive steady state and induces Hopf bifurcations. The criticality of Hopf bifurcation is investigated by deriving normal forms on the center manifold, then the direction of bifurcation and stability of bifurcating periodic solutions are determined. Using a group of parameters to simulate the system, stable periodic solutions are found near the Hopf bifurcation. The effect of killing probability $p$ on Hopf bifurcation values is also discussed.

In this paper, we study ultimate dynamics and derive tumor eradication conditions for the angiogenic switch model developed by Viger et al. This model describes the behavior and interactions between host ($x$); effector ($y$); tumor ($z$); endothelial ($w$) cell populations. Our approach is based on using the localization method of compact invariant sets and the LaSalle theorem. The ultimate upper bound for each cell population and ultimate lower bound for the effector cell population are found. These bounds describe a location of all bounded dynamics. We construct the domain bounded in $x$- and $z$-variables which contains the attracting set of the system. Further, we derive conditions imposed on the model parameters for the location of omega-limit sets in the plane $w=0$ (the case of a localized tumor). Next, we present conditions imposed on the model and treatment parameters for the location of omega-limit sets in the plane $z=0$ (the case of global tumor eradication). Various types of dynamics including the chaotic attractor and convergence dynamics are described. Numerical simulation illustrating tumor eradication theorems is fulfilled as well.

Mass balance equations typically adopted to describe tumor growth are to be closed by introducing a suitable velocity field. The first part of this paper is devoted to a critical review of some approaches devised to this aim in the relevant literature. In the second part we start from the observation that the phenomenological description of a tumor spheroid suggests to model it as a growing and deformable porous material. The concept of volume fraction and the essentials of the mechanics of multicomponent continua are then introduced and applied to the problem at hand. The system of equations regulating such a system is stated and its validity is then discussed at the light of numerical simulations.

Tumoral dynamics and antitumor immunotherapies are likely to be influenced by the modalities of interaction between tumor cells and immune system effectors, and by the inter-effectors interactions. Within the framework of the theory of competing populations, we study here the influence of the proliferation response of effectors to tumor burden, and of cooperation and/or competition between immune system effectors, by means of three inter-related bi-dimensional meta-models. After studying their null-clines, we study the location and the local stability of the equilibria. Then, we investigate the existence and, in some cases, the uniqueness of stable limit cycles. The condition for the global asymptotically stable eradication under constant or slightly variable periodic immunotherapy is given. Finally, implications of strong saturation in the effectors ability to kill tumor cells are discussed.

The Kirschner-Panetta model describes the poblational competition between effector cells and tumor cells. We analize external changes in the parameters and mechanisms to obtain the decreasing of tumor cells. These variations were performed by three different ways: Oscillations, spikes with the natural frequency of the system, and spikes with Normal Distribution. It was observed that the amount of tumor cells decreases to zero if we change simultaneously the parameters properly.

To develop an anticancer drug, the mathematical models are nowadays indispensable because of complex immunological mechanisms defying with high experimentation costs as well as a large number of parameters. Based on immunological theories and vision of experimentation data, a simple and sufficient compartment model is designed that can accurately interpret and predict the effects of dendritic cell (DC)-based immunotherapy in accordance with experimentation data. The model includes effector cells, regulatory T cells, helper T cells, and DCs. A new key feature is the inclusion of immunotherapy with DCs matured with different materials. All the parameters of the model have been optimally obtained by fitting the experimental data using genetic algorithm. The proposed model has been used to predict a near-optimal pattern that minimizes tumor size after vaccination. This pattern has been validated by carrying out the associated in-vivo experimentation. The model recommends maturation materials and doses that activate a small amount of Treg in the early days and a large Th1/Treg ratio in the next days. The performance of the model compared with the previous study was shown to be superior, both qualitatively and quantitatively.

In recent days, the number of cancer cases is escalating promptly around the world. In general, conventional ablation methods, encompassing comprehensive drawbacks, are employed to cure cancer. At present, photo thermal therapy (PTT) is showing great promise to the treatment of cancer. However, the effective implementation of this technology is utmost challenging as several parameters affect the tumor surroundings. In this work, the effects of different parameters on the performance of PTT have been thoroughly investigated by considering a realistic model of human tissue underneath the skin using a finite element solver, COMSOL Multiphysics. Two different conditions, with and without considering gold nanoparticles at tumor site, are investigated where a laser beam is used as a source of energy. Fluence rate, temperature distribution, and thermal damage are highlighted in this work. It is observed that by utilizing a miniature needle with integrated waveguide and gold nanoparticles, a tumor can be effectively eradicated along with assuaging the conventional drawbacks of PTT. This study would also be useful for designing operative PTT for different parts of human tissue.

We report a case of intraneural malignant granular cell tumor of the upper extremity occurring in a child. This is an exceedingly rare tumor and the incidence has so far been reported only in adults. The tumor was successfully treated surgically and the patient has remained tumor free to date. We describe our approach to the problem so that it will serve as an index case for similar encounters in the future.

Pain around the foot and ankle joint is often misdiagnosed as plantar fasciitis and may lead to delayed diagnosis of osteosarcoma in foot. Delay in diagnosis can lead to adverse prognosis and poor survival outcomes. We present a patient who had primary osteosarcoma of the calcaneum that was initially diagnosed and treated for plantar fasciitis, resulting in a delay of diagnosis. The patient eventually was treated with neo-adjuvant chemotherapy followed by below-knee amputation and adjuvant chemotherapy. This case highlights the need to maintain an index of suspicion with close scrutiny of the radiographs. We suggest few clinical recommendations and need for a great suspicion while evaluating a mass arising from the calcaneum.

Introduction: Giant cell Tumors (GCT) are relatively common lesions that are most often encountered in middle aged women [Salunke AA, Shah J, Warikoo V, Chakraborty A, Pokharkar H, Chen Y, Pruthi M, Pandit J. Giant cell tumor of distal radius treated with ulnar translocation and wrist arthrodesis. J Orthop Surg 2017 25(1): 2309499016684972, 2017, doi:10.1177/2309499016684972]. As 25% of these are usually locally aggressive, early diagnosis, and treatment are of paramount importance [Dorfman HD, Czerniak B. Bone Tumors. St. Louis, Mosby (1998)]. Due to the high incidence of local recurrence following simple curettage, it is no longer a preferred line of treatment. In recent times, extended curettage, wide resection or en-bloc resection with bone grafting have supplanted simple curettage [Şirin E, Akgülle AH, Topkar OM, Sofulu Ö, Baykan SE, Erol B. Mid-term results of intralesional extended curettage, cauterization, and polymethylmethacrylate cementation in the treatment of giant cell tumor of bone: A retrospective case series. Acta Orthop Traumatol Turc54(5): 524–529, 2020, doi: 10.5152/j.aott.2020.19082].

Case Scenario: A 22-year-old female patient presented to the OPD with a swelling in her right wrist which she noticed two years back. The swelling gradually increased to the size of a lemon at presentation and was initially painless but eventually became painful. The patient was evaluated based on clinical history, examination, and radiography. A clinical and radiological diagnosis of GCT of the distal radius was made. FNAC was done to confirm the same. Further, the lungs were screened for metastasis. She underwent en-bloc resection of the lesion followed by reconstruction with non-vascularized proximal fibular autograft secured with a DCP and $K$-wires. The excised specimen was dispatched for Fig. 1. The swelling at presentation histopathological examination and confirmed to be a Giant Cell Tumor. Regular follow-up schedule was initiated at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 1 year, 36 weeks, and 2 years postoperatively. Her functional outcome was monitored by assessing the wrist range of movements and the Mayo wrist scores.

Results: The patient’s Mayo wrist scores showed an increasing trend during follow-up, indicating improved functional outcomes. Recurrence was not noted during the follow-up period.

Discussion: Tumor in the distal radius metaphyseoepiphyseal region is commonly associated with extracompartmental involvement, cortical invasion, and pathologic fracture [Yang YF, Wang JW, Huang P, Xu ZH. Distal radius reconstruction with vascularized proximal fibular autograft after en-bloc resection of recurrent giant cell tumor. BMC Musculoskelet Disord17 (1): 346, 2016. doi:10.1186/s12891-016-1211-8]. Hence, curettage is not an optimal method in the distal radius. Thus, wide excision is the optimal choice of treatment. However, this creates a defect at the distal end of the radius. The preferred options for the management of the defect comprise of osteoarticular allografts, vascularized grafts, non-vascularized bone grafts, and custom-made prostheses [Saini R, Bali K, Bachhal V, Mootha AK, Dhillon MS, Gill SS. En bloc excision and autogenous fibular reconstruction for aggressive giant cell tumor of distal radius: a report of 12 cases and review of literature. J Orthop Surg Res6: 14, 2011, doi: 10.1186/1749-799X-6-14]. Vascularized bone grafts have been proposed to have a better union rate and lesser complication rate as compared to non-vascularized options. Thus, with our case report, we would like to highlight the effectiveness of the non-vascularized proximal fibular autograft in the reconstruction following en bloc excision of the distal radius.

Conclusion: Hence, en-bloc resection and non-vascularized fibular bone grafting is a valuable method of treatment of GCTs of the distal radius. It is also associated with low recurrence rates and improved wrist function in the course of follow-up.

AUSTRALIA — A Web-based Tool to Predict Bone Fracture Risk

AUSTRALIA — World's First Stem Cell Screening Facility to Target Brain Tumors

CHINA — Agro-Technology to Build Biodiesel Refinery

CHINA — TCM Development Strategy Established

CHINA — Folic Acid Prevents Stomach Cancer

CHINA — A Major Nanobiology Research Project is Initiated at CAS

CHINA — Scientists to Sequence Giant Panda Genome

CHINA — Biotech Company Announces World's First Genetically Modified Phytase Corn

CHINA — Smoking — A Major Risk Factor of Stroke in China

HONG KONG — ASB Biodiesel to Build Hong Kong Plant

INDIA — CCRAS Identified 39 Formulations for Eight Specific Disease Conditions

INDIA — First Hi-tech TomoTherapy System Installed

INDIA — Government Research Labs Develop 28 New Drugs for Chronic Ailments

INDIA — BIOTRONIK Home Monitoring Cardiac Devices Launched in India

INDIA — Biotech Incubation Center to Become a Reality Soon

JAPAN — Radiation Exposure in utero and in Young Children Increases Adult Cancer Risk

JAPAN — Anchoring Protein Variant Associated with Increased Breast Cancer Risk

JAPAN — Stem Cells Develop New Organs in Mice

NEW ZEALAND — New Diabetes Treatment Now Available in New Zealand

NEW ZEALAND — Trans-Tasman Scientists Study Livestock Methane

PHILIPPINES — Philippines Bioethanol Capacity to Expand

SINGAPORE — Asia's First Research Center for Palliative Care Opens in Singapore

SINGAPORE — Millipore Corporation (MIL) Announces New Facility in Singapore

SINGAPORE — Patients Under Chronic Disease Management Program Show Better Disease Control

SINGAPORE — NTUC Childcare Issues Health Alert Following Hong Kong Flu Outbreak

TAIWAN — Gene Screening Used in IVF for Healthy Babies

TAIWAN — Researchers Tout Progress in Vaccine to Combat HIV

TAIWAN — Taipei Program to Help Cardiac Arrest Victims

EUROPE – Biomarkers for Autism Discovered.

EUROPE – New Research Could Stop Tumor Cells From Spreading.

EUROPE – Dutch Scientists Deliver Drugs with Nanorockets.

EUROPE – "Living" Micro-Robot Could Detect Diseases in Future.

EUROPE – Animal Import Bans Threaten UK Drug Research.

EUROPE – £100M Welsh Biotech Fund Inspired by Sir Chris Evans.

EUROPE – Scientists Discover New Plasmodium Mechanism.

INDIA – Landmark Gleevec IP Case Makes Big Pharma Think Twice.

INDIA – Indian Govt Defends Generics Industry.

JAPAN – Japan May Open $96 Billion Drug Market Further.

SINGAPORE – Temasek Foundation and Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory Collaborate in Myanmar.

SINGAPORE – NCIS, NCCS and ESMO to Launch Cancer Education Initiative.

TAIWAN – Taiwan Lags Behind South Korea in Biotech.

TAIWAN – NCHU Inaugurates Taiwan-U.S. Research Center on Plant and Food Biotech.

TAIWAN – Taiwan Offers New Model to Predict Hepatitis C Cancer Risk.

TAIWAN – Nobel Laureate Dr. Ada E. Yonath to Lecture in Taipei.

USA – BIO Opens Nominations for 2012 Biotech Humanitarian Award.

USA – Pharmaceuticals Survey: Many Think Business Model Is Broken.

USA – Probe Proteins Ultrafast with Infrared Spectroscopy.

USA – This DNA Cannot be Replicated.

USA – New Single-Cell, Single-Molecule Method to Identify DNA.

USA – New Gene Therapy Approach Could Treat Sickle Cell.

USA – Clamor Affects More than Birds and Other Animals.

USA – The End of RNA World?

USA – Curly Leaves Inspire New Technique for Shaping Thin Gel Sheets.

USA – Mutant Plants May be Better for Biofuels.

USA – Breakthrough in ID'ing Target Cancer Epigenetic Genes.

SINGAPORE – A New Way of Looking at Cancer

SINGAPORE – Novel Discovery by NUS Scientists Improves Profiling of AML Patients for Targeted Therapies

SINGAPORE – Red Meat Consumption Linked with Increased Risk of Developing Kidney Failure

SINGAPORE – Thomson Medical and UK-based Cell Therapy Limited Collaborate on Stem Cell Research to Develop Regenerative Medicines

UNITED STATES – New Biomaterial Developed for Injectable Neuronal Control

UNITED STATES – Research Shines Light on Lesser Known Form of Vitamin D in Foods

UNITED STATES – MRIGlobal to Lead International Research Collaboration for Tularemia Vaccine

INDIA – Improving Agricultural Yield and Quality through Tissue Culture Technology

TAIWAN – A Cascade of Protein Aggregation Bombards Mitochondria for Neurodegeneration and Apoptosis under WWOX Deficiency

SINGAPORE – Human Heart Tissue Grown from Stem Cells Improves Drug Testing.

UNITED STATES – Bioengineered Human Livers Mimic Natural Development.

UNITED STATES – New Cellular Target May Put the Brakes on Cancer’s Ability to Spread.

UNITED STATES – Does Consuming Low-Fat Dairy Increase the Risk of Parkinson’s Disease?

UNITED STATES – Memory Loss and Other Cognitive Decline Linked to Blood Vessel Disease in the Brain.

AUSTRALIA – Fabricating High Performance Nanohybrid Catalysts.

TAIWAN – US FDA Approves Zhaohe Cao-based Botanical Drug as an Investigational New Drug for Cancer Therapy.

KOREA – Distinguished Professor Sang Yup Lee Elected to the NAS.

This paper presents a new method for the segmentation of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of brain tumor. First, discrete wavelet transform (DWT)-based soft-thresholding technique is used for removing noise in the MRI. Second, intensity inhomogeneity (IIH) independent of noise is removed from the MRI image. Third, again DWT is used to sharpen the de-noised and IIH corrected image. In this method, the image is decomposed into first level using wavelet decomposition and approximate values are assigned to zero and reconstruct the image results in detailed image. The detailed image is added with the pre-processed image to produce sharpened image. Entropy maximization using Grammatical Swarm (GS) algorithm is used to obtain a set of threshold values and a threshold value is selected with the expert knowledge to separate the lesion part from the other non-diseased cells in the image.