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Radioimmunoscintigraphy (RIS) has found widespread clinical application in tumor diagnosis. The antibody (Ab) PR81 is a new murine anti-MUC1 monoclonal antibody (MAb) against human breast carcinoma. In this study a very simple, rapid and efficient method for labeling of this MAb with 99mTc, particularly suitable for development of a 'kit'is described. The reduction of Ab was performed with 2- mercaptoethanol (2-ME) at a molar ratio of 2000:1 (2-ME:MAb) and the reduced Ab was labeled with 99mTc via methylene diphosphonate (MDP) as a transchelator. The labeling efficiency which was determined by instant thin layer chromatography (ITLC) was 94.2%±2.3. Radiocolloides measured by cellulose nitrate electrophoresis were 2.5%±1.7. In vitro stability of the labeled product in human serum which was measured by gel filtration chromatography (FPLC) was 70%±5.7 over 24 hr. The integrity of labeled MAb was checked by means of SDS-PAGE and no significant fragmentation was observed. The results of the cell-binding studies showed that both labeled and unlabeled PR81 were able to compete for binding to MCF 7 cells. Biodistribution studies were performed in normal BALB/c mice at 4 and 24 hrs post-injection and no important accumulation was observed in vital organs. These results show that the new radiopharmaceutical may be considered as a promising candidate for imaging of breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Post-surgery radiation can reduce the risk of loco-regional relapse in high-intermediate-risk endometrial cancer. High-dose-rate vaginal cuff brachytherapy (HDR-BRT) is an acceptable method of radiation in majority of endometrial cancer cases. Although 2D planning is frequently used for treatment based on physical examination without any imaging, measurement of the dose received by organs-at-risk (OARs) is not possible. Therefore, the present study was the first to compare dose delivered to target and OARs in 2D vs. 3D planning in patients treated with cobalt-60 source. Material and methods: In this study, organs including vagina wall, bladder, rectum, and sigmoid were contoured on computed tomography (CT) scan images of 37 endometrial cancer patients, and doses delivered to organs were recorded. Statistics, such as D90, D99, V100, V150, V200, D0.1cc, D1cc, and D2cc were determined. Results: D90 and D99 were lower in 3D treatment planning in comparison with 2D. Although V100 was more in 3D planning, V150 and V200 were less. Analyzing D0.1cc, D1cc, and D2cc of OARs revealed that doses given to rectum, sigmoid, and bladder were less in 3D planning compared to 2D. Conclusions: Comparison of 2D and 3D planning results showed that 3D planning could deliver an appropriate dose to the target while sparing more OARs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rectal cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers in the world. In many countries, the current standard of care is long-course chemoradiation (CRT), followed by total mesorectal excision. Some efforts have been made by intensifying radiation or chemotherapy components of the neoadjuvant therapy to further decrease the local recurrence and augment surgery's feasibility and improve the oncological outcomes. This paper reviews recent intensified neoadjuvant interventions in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) in terms of efficacy and treatment-related toxicity. Many maneuvers have been made so far to improve the oncological outcomes of rectal cancer with intensified neoadjuvant longcourse CRT. Some of these approaches seem compelling and deserve further study, while some have just increased the treatment-related toxicities without evident benefits. Those endeavors with greater pathological complete response than the standard of care may make us await the long-term results on survival rates and chronic treatment-related toxicity. After introduction of neoadjuvant CRT for LARC there have been many efforts to improve its outcomes. Here, this study gathered most of these efforts that intensified the neoadjuvant therapy with some being promising and some being futile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: To evaluate the efficacy of empagliflozin compared to pioglitazone in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Methods: In this prospective randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we assigned 106 patients with NAFLD and T2DM to receive empagliflozin 10 mg (n = 35), pioglitazone 30 mg (n = 34), or placebo (n = 37) for 24 weeks. Liver fat content and liver stiffness were measured using fibroscans. Body composition assessment was performed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scans. The primary end point was change from baseline in liver steatosis, using the controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) score. Results: A borderline significant decrease in CAP score was observed with empagliflozin compared to placebo, mean difference: − 29.6 dB/m (− 39.5 to − 19.6) versus − 16.4 dB/m (− 25.0 to − 7.8), respectively; p = 0.05. Using multivariate analysis, we observed a significant reduction in the placebo-corrected change in liver stiffness measurement (LSM) with empagliflozin compared to pioglitazone: − 0.77 kPa (− 1.45, − 0.09), p = 0.02, versus 0.01 kPa (95% CI − 0.70, 0.71, p = 0.98), p for comparison = 0.03. Changes in serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), fasting insulin, homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), HOMA2-IR, fibrosis-4 index (FIB4 index), NAFLD fibrosis score, aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI), android/gynecoid ratio (A/G ratio), and skeletal muscle index (SMI) were comparable between the two treatment groups, while significant reductions of the body weight and visceral fat area were observed only in the empagliflozin group (p < 0.001 and p = 0.01, respectively) and both were increased in the placebo and pioglitazone groups. There were no serious adverse events in either group. Conclusion: Treatment for 24 weeks with empagliflozin, in contrast to pioglitazone, was associated with improvement of liver steatosis and fibrosis in patients with NAFLD and T2DM. In addition, body weight and abdominal fat area were decreased in the empagliflozin group. Trial Registration: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT), IRCT20190122042450N3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this study, we labeled trastuzumab with 177Lu to synthesize a new radiopharmaceutical for therapy of breast cancer and at the first stage investigated its therapeutic effects on SKBr3 and MCF7 breast cancer cell lines. Trastuzumab-177Lu showed very good in-vitro characteristics such as high radiochemical purity (91±0.9%), good stability in PBS buffer (86±2.3%) and blood serum (81±2.7%) up to 96h, appropriate immunoreactivity (85.4±1.1%) and high cytotoxicity in HER2 expression cells. 5 fold increase in toxicity of trastuzumab-177Lu was observed when compared with unlabeled trastuzumab on SKBr3 cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Colorectal cancer is becoming an increasing concern in the middle-aged population of Iran. This study aimed to compare the preliminary results of short-course and long-course neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy treatment for rectal cancer patients. Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial we recruited patients with rectal adenocarcinoma located from 5 cm to 15 cm above the anal verge. Patients in group I (short-course) received three-dimensional conformational radiotherapy with a dose of 25 Gy/5 fractions in 1 week plus concurrent XELOX regimen (capecitabine 625 mg/m² from day 1-5 twice daily and oxaliplatin 50 mg/m² on day 1 once daily). Patients in group II (long-course) received a total dose of 50-50.4 Gy/25-28 fractions for 5 to 5.5 weeks plus capecitabine 825 mg/m² twice daily. Both groups underwent consolidation chemotherapy followed by delayed surgery at least 8 weeks after radiotherapy completion. The pathological response was assessed with tumor regression grade. Results: In this preliminary report on complications and pathological response, 66 patients were randomized into two study groups. Mean duration of radiotherapy in the group II (long-course) was 5 ± 1 days (range, 5 to 8 days) and 38 ± 6 days (range, 30 to 58 days). The median follow-up was 18 months. Pathological complete response was achieved in 32.3% and 23.1% of patients in the shortcourse and long-course groups, respectively (p = 0.558). Overall, acute grade 3 or higher treatment- related toxicities occurred in 24.2% and 22.2% of patients in group I and II, respectively (p = 0.551). No acute grade 4 or 5 adverse events were observed in either group except one grade 4 hematologic toxicity that was seen in group II. Within one month of surgery, no significant difference was seen regarding grade =3 postoperative complications (p = 0.333). Conclusion: For patients with rectal cancer located at least 5 cm above the anal verge, short-course radiotherapy with concurrent and consolidation chemotherapy and delayed surgery is not different in terms of acute toxicity, postoperative morbidity, complete resection, and pathological response compared to long-course chemoradiotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to compare the sonographic measurement of median nerve cross-section area (CSA) in patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and healthy individuals. The effect of duration of the disease on correlations between paraclinical findings and ALS functional rating scale (ALSFRS) were secondarily aimed to be evaluated. The cross-sectional study was approved by the Ethical Committee of Iran University of Medical Sciences and conducted between January 2017 and December 2018. We evaluated the median nerve surface area by means of sonography in 35 ALS patients and 35 healthy controls. Compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitudes during nerve conduction study and ALSFRS were recorded by the same trained specialist. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 18. We did not find a significant difference between CSA in ALS patients and the normal population (P>0.05). Comparing to normal individuals, the mean CMAP decreased significantly in ALS patients (6.6±3.07 mV versus 10.25±2.2 mV, P<0.001). ALSFRS correlated with both CSA of the median nerve at the wrist (P:<0.001, r:0.78) and the CMAP (P:<0.001, r:0.74) that were confirmed by regression models designed to consider the effect of disease duration on these correlations. CSA was not different between ALS patients and the normal population, but CMAP decreased in ALS patients. ALSFRS correlated with both CSA and CMAP of the median nerve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During an organism’s evolution, functional adaptations help species to become better suited to their ecological niches. From the morphological aspect, these adaptations are reflected in the anatomical specializations of different organs. Specializations of the lingual organ is a critical adaptation of birds, such as the white-headed duck (Oxyura leucocephala), that enables their nutritional requirements to be met. For optimal use of the available food resources, the white-headed duck utilizes three methods of food collection, namely pecking, grazing and filter-feeding. Since this species is classified as endangered, we conducted the present study on two carcasses of the white-headed duck (death due to natural causes) employing routine histological methods, light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Our results show that the tongue of this bird shares some similarities and some differences with the tongue of other members of the family Anatidae. The results confirm that it is better adapted to the filter-feeding method rather than to other types of food intake. This adaptation is reflected by anatomical specializations of its lingual structures, including the stair-like outline shape, bi-sectional lingual body, a deep median sulcus, lateral conical papillae, mucus secreting glands, lack of serous secreting glands, cartilaginous skeleton and the triangular fibromuscular structure of the lingual body. The so-called triangular structure and cartilaginous skeleton are the major structures involved in the lingual motions during the filter-feeding method. The presence of the triangular structure and its connection with the cartilaginous skeleton and lingual mucosa have not previously been reported in any species of birds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head is an increasingly common cause of musculoskeletal disability with unknown etiology. Traumatic and non-traumatic factors can be effective in its occurrence. About 50% of cases are bilateral. The underlying treatment is prosthetic replacement surgical procedure. Case Presentation: We report a case of bilateral AVN of femoral heads who was a candidate for prosthetic replacement surgery but improved significantly, using laser acupuncture. The patient was a 55-year-old woman with a diagnosis of bilateral osteonecrosis of the femoral head for five years. As the patient declined the surgical option, laser acupuncture was started for pain control. Regarding the signs of bilateral femoral head recovery (according to the MRI scan criteria), a total of 3 courses of laser acupuncture (each course was 20 sessions) with 2 months intervals was performed. Ten acupuncture points: Li4, Li11, St36, SP6, LIV3, GB4, GB5, GB6, GB13, GB14, GB20, GB30, GB31, GB34, were irradiated bilaterally using red 650 nm laser, 100 mW, 1505 Hz frequency, duty cycle 50 3 J/point and near infrared 810 nm laser, 100 mW, 1705 Hz frequency, duty cycle 50 3 J/point, for 2 minutes. The patient received 3 laser therapy courses. During the first-course, laser therapy was done every other day to reduce pain. For the second and third courses, according to pain decrease, therapy was done every week. Results: The results of the MRI scans and x-ray studies show progressive regeneration of the right femoral head from VI to B II and of the left from V to C II (based on the standard table of Pennsylvania). Conclusion: It seems that this procedure may be mentioned in future research projects, especially in cases with high risks of surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to assess complications and outcomes of a new approach, that is, combining short course radiotherapy (SRT), concurrent and consolidative chemotherapies, and delayed surgery. Materials and Methods: In this single arm phase II prospective clinical trial, patients with T3-4 or N+ M0 rectal adenocarcinoma were enrolled. Patients who received induction chemotherapy or previous pelvic radiotherapy were excluded. Study protocol consisted of three-dimensional conformal SRT (25 Gy in 5 fractions in 1 week) with concurrent and consolidation chemotherapies including capecitabine and oxaliplatin. Total mesorectal excision was done at least 8 weeks after the last fraction of radiotherapy. Primary outcome was complete pathologic response and secondary outcomes were treatment related complications. Results: Thirty-three patients completed the planned preoperative chemoradiation and 26 of them underwent surgery (24 low anterior resection and 2 abdominoperineal resection). Acute proctitis grades 2 and 3 were seen in 11 (33.3%) and 7 (21.2%) patients, respectively. There were no grades 3 and 4 subacute hematologic and non-hematologic (genitourinary and peripheral neuropathy) toxicities and perioperative morbidities such as anastomose leakage. Grade 2 or higher late toxicities were observed among 29.6% of the patients. Complete pathologic response was achieved in 8 (30.8%) patients who underwent surgery. The 3-year overall survival and local control rates were 65% and 94%, respectively. Conclusion: This study showed that SRT combined with concurrent and consolidation chemotherapies followed by delayed surgery is not only feasible and tolerable without significant toxicity but also, associated with promising complete pathologic response rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Clinical trials investigating the effects of addition of oxaliplatin to neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancers (LARCs) have brought controversial results for pathologic complete response as an endpoint. This randomized clinical trial investigated downstaging as a short-term surrogate for progression-free survival (PFS). Methods Patients with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) defined T3, T4 or N+ histologically proven adenocarcinoma of rectum within 15 cm from anal verge were randomly assigned to receive 50-50.4 Gy external beam radiation in 25-28 fractions and concurrent capecitabine 825 mg/m2 twice daily 5 days a week with or without oxaliplatin 60 mg/m2 weekly as neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy (Capox and Cap group, respectively). T downstage was defined as at least one stage regression in pathologic report after surgery comparing to MRI image before the preoperative treatment. Adverse effects of treatment were recorded on a weekly basis according to National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria, version 4. Results Sixty-three patients were randomly assigned to Cap ( n = 31) and Capox ( n = 32) groups. There was no grade 4 toxicity. The only grade 3 toxicity that occurred more in Capox group was diarrhea (22% vs 0%; P = 0.006). Histopathologic stage of 52 patients (27 patients in Cap and 25 patients in Capox groups) was compared to their preoperative stage defined by MRI. There was a greater rate of T downstage in Capox group (59% vs 42%; P = 0.037). Eleven patients in Capox group (34%) achieved pathologic complete response, comparing to four in Cap group (13%); P = 0.072. Conclusion The addition of oxalipatin to neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy in LARC led to higher rate of tumor downstaging. Longer follow-up is needed to evaluate PFS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteomyelitis can present as a severe complication in diabetic patients. The present study was structured to evaluate the histopathological characteristics of bone infection in the feet of diabetic patients and to associate any clinical variables seen with each type of bone infection. Eighty-four cases of osteomyelitis were evaluated microbiologically and histopathologically after samples were collected under sterile conditions in an operating room. The data generated were analysed using SPSS software. Polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) infiltrates were associated with acute osteomyelitis (AO) (22 cases (26.2%)) and chronic acute osteomyelitis (CAO) (10 cases (11.9%)), whereas a strong association was observed between mononuclear infiltrates and chronic osteomyelitis (CO) (33 cases (39.3%)) and fibrosis (19 cases (22.6%)). Ulcer longevity on hospital admission varied for each condition: AO (10.9 + 22 weeks), CO (29.1 + 20.6 weeks), CAO (31.5 + 22.2 weeks) and fibrosis (30.5 + 23 weeks) ( P < 0.05) (values expressed as mean + SD). The same was true for the presence of pathogenic bacteria: AO (16/22, 72.7%), CO (27/33, 81.8%), CAO (7/10, 70%) and fibrosis (16/19, 84.2%). There was significant correlation between histopathological features and presence of bacteria and longevity of the ulcer on presentation ( P < 0.05). Osteomyelitis in the feet of diabetic patients should be classified as four specific but interlinked groups: acute, chronic, acute on chronic and fibrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Dysphagia is a common initial presentation in locally advanced esophageal cancer and negatively impacts patient quality of life and treatment compliance. To induce fast relief of dysphagia in patients with potentially operable esophageal cancer high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy was applied prior to definitive radiochemotherapy. Material and methods: In this single arm phase II clinical trial between 2013 to 2014 twenty patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer (17 squamous cell and 3 adenocarcinoma) were treated with upfront 10 Gy HDR brachytherapy, followed by 50.4 Gy external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and concurrent chemotherapy with cisplatin/5-fluorouracil. Results: Tumor response, as measured by endoscopy and/or computed tomography scan, revealed complete remission in 16 and partial response in 4 patients (overall response rate 100%). Improvement of dysphagia was induced by brachytherapy within a few days and maintained up to the end of treatment in 80% of patients. No differences in either response rate or dysphagia resolution were found between squamous cell and adenocarcinoma histology. The grade 2 and 3 acute pancytopenia or bicytopenia reported in 4 patients, while sub-acute adverse effects with painful ulceration was seen in five patients, occurring after a median of 2 months. A perforation developed in one patient during the procedure of brachytherapy that resolved successfully with immediate surgery. Conclusions: Brachytherapy before EBRT was a safe and effective procedure to induce rapid and durable relief from dysphagia, especially when combined with EBRT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monoclonal antibodies are routinely used as tools in immunotherapies against solid tumors. However, administration of monoclonal antibodies may cause undesired side effects due to their accumulation in non-targeted organs. Nanoliposomes of less than 200 nm can target antibodies to tumors by enhanced permeation and retention (EPR) mechanisms. To direct monoclonal antibodies to tumors, nanoliposomes encapsulating intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) as a model antibody were prepared. The liposomes had average diameters of 100 nm and encapsulation efficiencies of 31 to 46%. They showed less than 10% release in plasma at 37 °C up to seven days. The secondary and tertiary structures of liposome-encapsulated antibodies were analyzed by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. The near and far-UV spectra analyses revealed no obvious conformational changes in the structures of the encapsulated antibodies. The biodistribution of free and liposome-encapsulated iodinated antibodies was investigated in mice bearing C-26 colon carcinoma tumors. The accumulation of liposome-encapsulated antibodies in tumors was significantly greater than that of free antibodies due to the EPR effect. The PEGylated liposomes were more efficient in the delivery of antibodies to the tumor site than non-PEGylated liposomes. We conclude that administration of monoclonal antibodies in PEGylated liposomes is more efficient than administration of non-encapsulated monoclonal antibodies for solid tumor immunotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diabetes mellitus has a variety of structural and functional effects on the male reproductive system. Diabetes results in reduced sperm parameters and libido. The present study aims to investigate the effects of royal jelly (RJ) on reproductive parameters of testosterone and malondialdehyde (MDA) production in diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: This experimental study was conducted on adult male Wistar rats. The animals were divided into four groups (n=8 per group): control, RJ. diabetic and diabetic treated with RJ. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 60 mg/kg body weight (BW) of streptozotocin (STZ). RJ. at a dose of 100 mg/kg BW was given by gavage. The duration of treatment was six weeks. After the treatment period the rats were sacrificed. The testes were weighed and changes in sperm count, motility, viability, deformity, DNA integrity and chromatin quality were analyzed. Serum testosterone and MDA concentrations of testicular tissue were determined. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA with p<0.05 as the significant level. Results: STZ-induced diabetes decreased numerous reproductive parameters in rats. Testicular weight, sperm count, motility, viability and serum testosterone levels increased in the diabetic group treated with RJ. There was a significant decrease observed in sperm deformity, DNA integrity, chromatin quality, and tissue MDA levels in diabetic rats treated with RJ compared to the diabetic group (p<0.05). Conclusion: RJ improved reproductive parameters such as testicular weight, sperm count, viability, motility, deformity, DNA integrity, chromatin quality, serum testosterone and testicular tissue MDA levels in diabetic rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The main aim of this study was to investigate the usability of polyurethane (PU) and polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers for improving the sound absorption of conventional polyester nonwovens in wide band of frequencies along with weight and thickness reduction. The effect of nanofiber and nonwoven layers number, nanofiber layers surface density, and the type of nanofiber polymer on the sound absorption was studied. To find the optimum conditions for achieving high sound absorption, response surface methodology was used. The results showed that the sound absorption of composite samples is improved when the nanofiber layer number or its surface density increased. The results also showed that the sound absorption of composites is enhanced by using PAN instead of PU. At a constant surface density, the higher resonant peak, without shifting, was achieved with increasing the nanofiber layers number. Optimization process showed that samples containing PAN nanofiber layers with surface density of 4.72 g/m2 and six nonwoven layers have highest average sound absorption coefficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Central nervous system tumors account for 2%-5% of all malignancies in humans. These tumors account for 2% of all pediatric cancers. The worldwide incidence of primary central nervous system tumors is estimated at 3.9 (males) and 3.2 (females) per 100000 person-years. The incidence of brain tumor cases has been reported as 3.67% of all malignancies and 4% of all cancer mortalities in Iran. The five most common histological types of brain tumor in Iran according to different case studies are; meningioma, astrocytoma, glioblastoma, pituitary adenoma and ependymoma. The aim of this study is to determine the histopathological pattern and characteristics of patients with brain tumors who have referred to the Mahdieh Radiotherapy Department, Hamadan, Iran. Methods: This descriptive, retrospective study was performed at the Mahdieh Radiotherapy Department, between 2005 and 2012. We included 220 patients who referred to the Radiotherapy Department with diagnoses of primary brain tumor in this study. Results: Between 2005 and 2012, we treated 220 new cases of primary brain tumor at Mahdieh Radiotherapy Department. The mean age at diagnosis was 39.95±15.48 years with a median age of 39 years. Patients' ages ranged from 4 to 75 years. Among the 220 patients, 138 were male and 82 were female with a male to female ratio of 1.68. For most tumors there was a male predominance, with the exception of meningioma (M/F: 0.23), ependymoma (M/F: 1) and pituitary adenoma (M/F: 0.6). Astrocytomas, glioblastomas, high grade meningiomas and oligodendrogliomas were the four most common pathologies treated in this department. The best treatment results were achieved in patients with astrocytomas. Conclusion: The present study is a retrospective radiotherapy centre-based study designed in a pioneer radiotherapy centre in Western Iran, not a prospective population study. These data have provided a baseline for further epidemiological studies. Our encouraging results in radiotherapy treatment of primary malignant tumors clearly highlight the benefits of definitive or postoperative radiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, flexible polyurethane (PU) nanocomposite foams were prepared by in situ polymerization. The effects of incorporation of nanoparticles on the morphological and structural developments and the relation between this development and mechanical properties of the PU foam were demonstrated. The effects of three different contents (low, moderate, and high) of nanoclay and multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) loading on foam morphology, structure, kinetics of foaming reactions, and mechanical properties were separately investigated. By adding MWNTs and nanoclay in foams, the foam morphology improved, in which cell density increased and smaller cells were obtained. The mechanical properties of foam especially tensile strength have been increased in the presence of nanoparticles. With enhancing the nanoclay content, the tensile strength of nanocomposite foam has improved but in the case of MWNTs contrary effects were observed. An increase in nanoparticle amount leads to a lower cell density. In general, the incorporation of both nanoparticles (nanoclay and MWNTs) in the foam structure leads to a lower foaming reaction rate that affects mechanical properties of foams. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Adv Polym Techn 32: E545-E555, 2013; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/adv.21300 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, simultaneous effects of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and polyurethane (PU) nanofibers, multi wall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) and nanoclay incorporation on sound absorption behavior of polyurethane foam were studied. The most important parameters such as nanoparticles content, number and mass per unit area of nanofiber layers and foam thickness were chosen and their influences on sound absorption in a wide band of frequencies were investigated. Applying of both nanoparticles gave rise to considerable improvement in PU foam sound absorption, however in case of MWNTs more satisfied results were observed. Sound absorption tests of simultaneous incorporation of MWNTs and nanoclay showed that the optimized result can be obtained at moderate to high MWNTs percents (0.1-0.15 wt.%) and low percents of nanoclay (0.5 wt.%). On the other hand, by adding PAN or PU nanofiber layers within the PU foam structure, superior sound absorption was achieved. Upper sound absorption by increasing the numbers of nanofiber layers was obtained. Incorporation of PAN nanofiber layers showed a better effect at high mass per unit area (5 g/m), however the higher sound absorption in case of PU nanofiber layers was observed at low mass per unit area (1 g/m). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DTPA is a very strong metal chelator widely utilized in radiopharmaceutical chemistry for conjugation of chemicals which do not have enough potency for direct metalo-labeling and also to manage toxic radioactive materials such as plutonium, americium, and curium. It is difficult to conjugate DTPA to an amine group in a singular direction and such reactions usually also coincidently produce a mixture of DTPA-bis-amides and DTPA-mono-amide resulting in considerable insufficiencies/difficulties in synthesis and especially yield/separation procedures. In this paper, novel methods for the exclusive synthesis of DTPA-mono-amide have been established which extensively reduce the difficulties otherwise encountered and increase the reaction’s yield considering the green chemistry approaches. This is expected to be of interest to radiopharmaceutical researchers interested in the DTPA (Radio)-metallic-conjugate. Overall, this paper provides a framework to achieve a higher degree of propriety from DTPA as a chelator to conjugate to the chemical compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. Insulin like growth factor receptor 1 (IGF-1R) is well-documented to play a key role in radiation response and tumor radiosensitivity, thus offering an attractive clinic drug target to enhance tumor sensitivity to anti-cancer radiotherapy. Material and methods. Human colon carcinoma SW480 cells were transfected with the specific small interference RNA (siRNA) expression vector (pkD-shRNA-IGF-1R-V2) designed to target IGF-1R mRNA. The expression of IGF-1R mRNA and its protein among the transfected and untransfected cells were detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and ELISA assay. The changes in cell radiosensitivity were examined by MTT assay. Results. Transfection of mammalian expression vector pkD containing IGF-1R siRNA was shown to reduce IGF-1R mRNA levels by up to 95%. ELISA assay detected a similar inhibition of IGF-1R protein levels in cells transfected with IGF-1R siRNA. SW480 cells transfected with the expression vector for siRNA significantly rendered cells more sensitive to radiation and the highest radiation enhancement ratio was 2.02 ± 0.08. Conclusion. These data provide the first evidence that specific siRNA fragment (pkD-shRNA-IGF-1R-V2) targeting human IGF-1R mRNA is able to enhance colon cancer radiosensitivity. Also results indicated that, combining IGF-1R siRNA and radiation significantly enhances antitumor efficacy compared with either modality alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Elevated expression of insulin-like growth factor-I receptor (IGF-IR) is a frequent genetic abnormality seen in this malignancy. For a better understanding of its role in maintaining the malignant phenotype, we used RNA interference (RNAi) directed against IGF-IR in our study. The aim of this study was to examine the anti-proliferation and chemosensitization effects elicited by a decrease in the transcription and protein levels of IGF-IR by RNAi in SW480 colon cancer cells. A plasmid-based polymerase III promoter system was used to deliver and express short interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting IGF-IR to reduce its expression in SW480 cells. Western blot analysis was used to measure the protein level of IGF-IR. We assessed the effects of IGF-IR silencing on cancer cell growth by a cell growth curve. The effect of the 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-induced cell death by knockdown of IGF-IR was also investigated by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay. Transfection of siRNA targeting IGF-IR was shown to reduce IGF-IR messenger RNA levels by 95%. Western blotting detected a similar inhibition of IGF-IR protein levels in those cells. The cells transfected with PKD-short hairpin RNA-IGF-IR-V2 significantly decreased cell growth and rendered cells more sensitive to chemotherapy. The highest proliferation inhibitory and chemosensitization ratios were 53 ± 2% and 1.78, respectively. This study indicates that downregulation of IGF-IR results in significant inhibition of tumor growth in vitro. It also provides a promising strategy to chemotherapy efficacy in human tumors and forming a basis for future in vivo trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Colon cancer is the second leading cause of death due to cancer worldwide. Elevated expression of IGF-IR is a frequent genetic abnormality seen in this malignancy. The aim of the study was to examine the anti-growth effects elicited by a decrease in the protein level of IGF-IR by RNA interference (RNAi) in SW480 cells. Methods: A plasmid-based polymerase III promoter system was used to deliver and express short interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting IGF-IR to reduce its expression in SW480 cells. The expression of IGF-1R protein was detected by Western blot. We assessed the effects of IGF-IR silencing on cancer cell growth by a growth curve. Results: We prepared a type of IGF-IR short hairpin RNA (shRNA) expression vector that could efficiently inhibit the expression of IGF-IR in SW480 cells. At 48 h after transfection, the expression inhibition rate was 92 ± 2% at mRNA level detected by RT-PCR analysis. Western blotting detected a similar inhibition of IGF-IR protein levels in cells transfected with pkD-shRNA-IGF-IR-V2. Downregulation of IGF-IR resulted in significant inhibition of cancer cell growth in vitro. The cell growth inhibition rates at 24, 48, and 72 h after pkD-shRNA-IGF-IR-V2 transfection were 32.06, 47.61, and 35.36%, respectively. Conclusions: Our data show that decreasing the IGF-IR protein level in SW480 cells by RNAi could significantly inhibit tumor growth in vitro, implying the therapeutic potential of RNAi on the treatment of colon cancer by targeting overexpression oncogenes such as IGF-IR. IGF-IR may be a potential therapeutic target for human colon cancer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The affiliation of the third author has been incorrectly published in the original publication of the article. The correct affiliation is provided in this erratum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]