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In this study, we demonstrate, for the first time, estrogen-related receptor (ERR) regulation of the physiological and biochemical status of testicular tumor Leydig cells. In a mouse tumor Leydig cells, ERRs (α, β, and γ) were silenced via siRNA. Cell morphology and cell physiology (proliferation and observation of monolayer formation) were performed by inverted phase-contrast microscope. Leydig cell functional markers (steroid receptors and signaling molecules) were examined by immunofluorescence and Western blotting. Additionally, progesterone secretion was assessed. Mitochondrial mass and membrane potential were analyzed by flow-cytometry while cGMP and Ca2+ concentrations were analyzed using immunoenzymatic and colorimetric assays, respectively. These results revealed, ERRs indirectly regulate Leydig cell proliferation while ERRα and β affect cell monolayer formation. ERRs interact with canonical and membrane estrogen receptors (ERα, ERβ, and GPER), androgen receptor, metalloproteinase (MMP 9), protein kinase A (PKA), extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK), and neurogenic locus notch homolog protein 2 (Notch2). Depending on the type of ERR knocked down, coupled with estradiol treatment, changes in progesterone concentration and cGMP and Ca2+ concentrations constitute a microenvironment that may effect tumor Leydig cell characteristics. ERRs should be considered important factors in developing of innovating approaches that target pathological processes of testicular Leydig cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An evolving paradigm in global outreach in radiation oncology has been the implementation of a more region-specific, needs-based approach to help close the gap in radiation services to low- and middle-income countries through the use of innovative tools in information and communication technology. This report highlights 4 information and communication technology tools in action today: (1) the NCCN Framework for Resource Stratification of NCCN guidelines, (2) ASTRO e-Contouring, (3) i.treatsafely.org, and (4) ChartRounds.com. We also render special consideration to matters related to global outreach that we believe require distinct attention to help us meet the goals established by the 2011 United Nations׳ Declaration on noncommunicable diseases: (1) trainee advancement toward careers in global health, (2) ethical challenges of international outreach, (3) critical importance of political advocacy, and (4) collaboration with Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The article focuses on international transfer pricing, cross border transactions of multinationals and income tax codes of Internal Revenue Service.

The first Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster) recorded in the Great Lakes basin was discovered on Lake Erie near the source of the Niagara River on 7 October 2013 by J. P. Morphologic evidence suggested that this bird was an adult female of the nominate Atlantic subspecies. We obtained genomic DNA from feces left by the bird. Mitochondrial DNA from the control region (CR2) was sequenced and compared with extensive CR2 data for Brown Booby available in GenBank; this corroborated the morphologic hypothesis. This is the first time that a vagrant bird in Canada has been identified using DNA extracted from feces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Abstract: Background: Intraluminal thrombus (ILT) formation plays a significant role in the progression of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). Potentially, as ILT thickness increases the availability of trace elements in the aneurysm wall could decrease thereby leading to oxidative stress and intensifying pro-inflammatory cytokine generation. Aim: To determine if thrombus thickness is related to the concentration of trace elements in the wall of infrarenal AAA. Patients and methods: The concentrations of trace elements in the wall of the aneurysm sack and ILT obtained from 19 consecutive patients during surgery for infrarenal AAA were determined using emission spectrometry. Results: The concentrations of magnesium, zinc, manganese, and lead in the wall of AAA were significantly greater than in the ILT. Only the concentration of copper was lower in the AAA wall compared with the thrombus. The concentration of calcium, phosphorus, zinc, lead, copper, and magnesium increased with ILT thickness. The concentrations of no other trace elements in the wall of AAA were found to be related to the ILT thickness. Conclusions: Intraluminal thrombus thickness is not associated with a lower concentration of trace elements in the wall of the infrarenal AAA. Thus, the intraluminal thrombus participates in the progression of AAA by mechanisms independent of trace element supply to the wall of the aneurysm sack. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This report is part of a series of white papers commissioned for the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Board of Directors as part of ASTRO's Target Safely Campaign, focusing on the role of peer review as an important component of a broad safety/quality assurance (QA) program. Peer review is one of the most effective means for assuring the quality of qualitative, and potentially controversial, patient-specific decisions in radiation oncology. This report summarizes many of the areas throughout radiation therapy that may benefit from the application of peer review. Each radiation oncology facility should evaluate the issues raised and develop improved ways to apply the concept of peer review to its individual process and workflow. This might consist of a daily multidisciplinary (eg, physicians, dosimetrists, physicists, therapists) meeting to review patients being considered for, or undergoing planning for, radiation therapy (eg, intention to treat and target delineation), as well as meetings to review patients already under treatment (eg, adequacy of image guidance). This report is intended to clarify and broaden the understanding of radiation oncology professionals regarding the meaning, roles, benefits, and targets for peer review as a routine quality assurance tool. It is hoped that this work will be a catalyst for further investigation, development, and study of the efficacy of peer review techniques and how these efforts can help improve the safety and quality of our treatments. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

There has been growing emphasis on quality measures and process analysis techniques that may be implemented in the daily practice of radiation oncology to improve the overall quality of patient care. In this work, quality measures are a form of monitoring that should be actionable and specific to guide process improvement efforts. They are most effective when used to determine the level of execution proficiency against a standard. Control charts are an effective way to separate a change in the process from process noise such that the user can focus on issues that are more likely to improve quality. The field of radiotherapy would benefit from a common dashboard of quality measures for the different processes in radiation oncology clinics, and some suggestions are provided. The dashboard would be used to provide continuous feedback on a clinic''s capability to maintain or exceed standards. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Purpose: To evaluate the initial clinical experience with a frameless and maskless technique for stereotactic radiosurgery using minimal patient immobilization and real-time patient motion monitoring during treatment. We focus on the evaluation of the patient treatment process. Methods and Materials: The study considered the first 23 patients treated with this technique. Head positioning was achieved with a patient-specific head mold made out of expandable foam that conforms to the patient''s head. The face of the patient is left open for maximal comfort and so that motion of a region of interest consisting of the forehead, nose, eyes, and temporal bones can be monitored during treatment using a video surface imaging system (VisionRT Inc, London, UK). Initial setup of the patient was performed with the surface imaging system using the surface of the patient obtained from the treatment planning computed tomographic (CT) scan. The initial setup was confirmed and finalized with cone-beam CT (CBCT) prior to treatment. The shifts for final setup based on the CBCT and the duration of all the steps in the treatment process were recorded. Patients were monitored during treatment with surface imaging, and a beam hold-off was initiated when the patient''s motion exceeded a prespecified tolerance. Results: The average total setup time including surface imaging and CBCT was 26 minutes, while the portion corresponding to surface imaging was 14 minutes. The average treatment time from when the patient was placed on the treatment table until the last treatment beam was 40 minutes. Eight (35%) patients needed repositioning during the treatment. The average shifts identified from CBCT after initial setup with surface imaging were 1.85 mm in the anterior-posterior direction, and less than 1.0 mm in the lateral and superior-inferior directions. The longest treatment times (including beam hold-offs) happened for patients who fell asleep on the treatment table and were moving involuntarily. Conclusions: The frameless and maskless treatment using minimal immobilization and surface imaging has proven to be reasonably fast for routine clinical use. We observed that patient compliance is important. An additional degree of semi-rigid immobilization would be helpful for patients who fall asleep and involuntarily move during the procedure. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]