Three new species of Kerria (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Tachardiidae) from India

Three new species of Kerria Targioni-Tozzetti from India, namely Kerria pennyae Ahmad & Ramamurthy sp. nov. on Schleichera oleosa from Orissa, Kerria dubeyi Ahmad & Ramamurthy sp. nov. on Ficus bengalensis from Bangalore and Kerria varshneyi Ahmad & Ramamurthy sp. nov. on Ziziphus mauritiana from Punjab are described and illustrated, and a key is provided to species of Kerria known from India.

The effect of an organophosphonite antioxidant on poly(ether ether ketone)/poly(ether imide) blend as studied by quasi-isothermal modulated differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis methods

In the present study, the effect of P-EPQ, an organophosphonite antioxidant, on the glass transition and the viscoelastic behavior of optimized poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK)/poly(ether imide) (PEI; PEEK/PEI: 50/50) blend has been reported. For this, P-EPQ was added in various proportions to the PEEK/PEI blend and was studied by quasi-isothermal modulated differential scanning calorimetry (Qi-MDSC) and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) methods. The Qi-MDSC results clearly indicate a significant decrease in the glass transition temperature of the blend up to 1 wt% P-EPQ addition. The DMTA measurements revealed a decrease in tan δ peak temperature upon antioxidant addition in agreement with calorimetric results. The shift factors obtained using the time–temperature superposition of DMTA data exhibit Williams–Landel–Ferry behavior, and the fractional free volume of the blend increases with increase in antioxidant addition (up to 1 wt%). The “master curve” of storage modulus predicts high modulus for the blend with 1 wt% antioxidant, revealing its suitability for high-impact applications.

Free volume study on calcification process in an intraocular lens after cataract surgery

An opacified intraocular lens explanted from a patient in the postoperative period after phacoemulsification was investigated to find the cause of opacification. From the UV-visible and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) measurements, the opacification in the present case seems to be due to calcification of the intraocular lens and not due to modification in the UV absorber material of the lens. The average free volume size of the intraocular lens both in unimplanted and explanted state were obtained from positron lifetime spectroscopy (PLS). Further, the combined FTIR and PLS results indicate that calcium gets into the free volume cavities of the intraocular lens matrix as a cationic moiety, may be in the form of Ca(++). The small decrease in glass transition temperature of the calcified lens seems to indicate the plasticizing action of calcium ions. The present results could be of some use in the design of the intraocular lens material in which calcification would be minimum.

Lyoluminescence response of irradiated saccharides to radiation quality effects

Lyoluminescence sensitivity of five different saccharide powders to electron irradiation has been determined using luminol solution as a solvent. Effect of electron energy variation in the range of 5-20 MeV on the lyoluminescence yield has been measured. The light conversion efficiencies of different saccharides irradiated with x-rays, beta-particles, gamma-rays, fast electrons, 170-MeV/c pi(-)-mesons and 8-MeV neutrons have been calculated. Factors affecting light conversion efficiency, sensitivity and accuracy of measurements are discussed.

Three new species of Kerria (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Coccoidea: Tachardiidae), a redesciption of K. yunnanensis Ou & Hong, and a revised key to species of Kerria

Three new species of lac insect, Kerria Targioni-Tozzetti viz., Kerria manipurensis Ahmad & Ramamurthy sp. nov., Kerria maduraiensis Ahmad & Ramamurthy sp. nov., and Kerria thrissurensis Ahmad & Ramamurthy sp. nov. are described and illustrated. Kerria yunnanensis Ou & Hong is illustrated and redescribed, and a key to the known species of Kerria is provided. The usefulness of star pores as a diagnostic character in the subgeneric divisions of Kerria is also discussed.

Frameless stereotaxy for pre-treatment planning and post-treatment evaluation of radiosurgery

In our centre, 111 patients have been treated with linear accelerator stereotactic radiosurgery. Angiographic, CT and MRI images are generated and the target coordinates calculated in 3 dimensions. For CT scanning, cross sections of perpendicular and oblique fiducial markers are seen. For follow-up CT scans done without the frame, a virtual frame is generated by means of a computer program that places fiducial markers on each CT scan cut, as if the patient had been wearing the OBT frame and the scan produced with the gantry parallel to the base of the frame. The position of the oblique marker may be calculated by knowing the thickness and position of each CT cut. Various natural fiducial markers (bony landmarks) are identified by coordinates in the scan with the patient wearing the real frame and in the scan with the virtual frame applied. A transformation matrix is utilized to establish the equivalence between the original CT scan with the real frame applied and subsequent scans without the real frame but with the virtual frame applied. In effect, the virtual frame is re-applied in exactly the same position as the real frame. Lesion measurements may then be duplicated and growth or regression accurately established. The uncertainty in this system of re-application residues in possible patient movement, CT scan slice thickness and inter-observer error in the identification of natural fiducial markers.

Fluorescent screen video imaging for checking linac beams in dynamic stereotactic radiosurgery

Precise beam targeting is crucial to stereotactic radiosurgery. A monitoring system is described consisting of a fluorescent screen, video camera, and computer interface. Approximately ten frames are analyzed each second, verifying the beam intensity, uniformity, position, and diameter. When mounted on the gantry, the system can indicate the dynamic isocenter position using the "ball test" technique. The fluorescent screen video indicates that the 6-MV beam used for radiosurgery at our facility is acceptably stable; moreover, the small isocenter shift versus gantry and couch angles is reasonably reproducible. At our facility, quality assurance tests with this apparatus are performed every month.

P5-19-05: Age-Related Changes in the Pharmacokinetics (pK), Response, and Toxicity of Weekly nab-Paclitaxel in Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC)

Background: Although cancer is a disease of aging, few studies have evaluated the association between patient age and the pK or pharmacodynamics (pD) of cancer therapeutics. The goals of this study were 1) to evaluate the age-related changes in the pK and pD of weekly nab-paclitaxel in patients with MBC; 2) to determine response rate; and 3) to explore the relationship of age with pK and pD parameters (i.e., dose reductions, dose delays and grade ≥ 3 toxicities). Patients and Methods: Forty patients with MBC, receiving 1st or 2nd line chemotherapy, entered an IRB approved protocol to evaluate the age-related changes in the pK of weekly nab-paclitaxel administered at 100 mg/m2 IV for 3 weeks followed by a 1-week break. Patients were accrued from 4 age strata <50, 50–60, 60–70, and >70 years of age. Blood samples were collected for pK analysis with the first dose of nab-paclitaxel. Response was assessed every 2 cycles. Toxicity was graded using the NCI Common Toxicity Criteria for Adverse Events (v 3.0) and was adjudicated as attributable to nab-paclitaxel if it was possibly, probably, or definitely related. Linear regression analysis was used to examine the strength of the relationship between patient age and natural logarithm of 24 hour area under the curve (AUC). Two-sided two-sample t-tests were used to assess if there was a difference in mean age based on the presence of pD variables (i.e., dose reductions, dose delays and grade ≥ 3 toxicities). The significance level was set to 0.05.

Results: Of the 40 patients who entered the study, 39 (98%) were evaluable with a mean age of 60 (SD=13.4; min=30; max=81). Patients were accrued in the following age cohorts: <50 (n= 10; 26%), 50–60 (n= 5; 13%), 60–70 (n= 15; 38%), and >70 (n= 9; 23%) years of age. The median number of courses completed was 4 (min=1, max=21). The response rate was: 0% (n=0) CR, 31% (n=12) PR, 38% (n=15) SD. Grade 3 toxicity was experienced by 26% (n=10). We observed 8% (n=3) grade 3 hematological toxicities [neutrophils (n=1; 3%), leukocytes (n=2; 5%)] and 18% (n=7) grade 3 non-hematological toxicities [nausea and hypophosphatemia (n=1; 3%), diarrhea and infection without neutropenia (n=1; 3%), fatigue (n=2; 5%), hyponatremia (n=1; 3%), and infections without neutropenia (n=2; 5%)]. There were no cases of grade 4 or 5 toxicity. Grade 2 sensory neuropathy was experienced by 8% (n=3; no cases in the 70+ age cohort). Dose reductions or course delays were experienced by 62% (n=24) and 21% (n=8), respectively. There was a borderline significant positive association between age and natural logarithm of total nab-paclitaxel 24 hour AUC (coef=.01; se=.006; p=0.055; n=36). There were no differences in the mean ages based on the presence of grade 3 or higher toxicity (p =0.75), need for dose reductions (p=0.48), or need for dose delays (p=0.61).

Discussion: There is a borderline statistically significant relationship between age and 24 hour AUC but no differences in mean age based on pD variables (i.e., dose reductions, dose delays and grade ≥ 3 toxicities) were identified. The treatment is well-tolerated across all age groups.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-19-05.

Bacteriology of diabetic foot ulcers

Seventy five diabetic foot ulcers were cultured using optimal aerobic and anaerobic microbiologic techniques. There were a total of 223 isolates (162 aerobes and 61 anaerobes) representing an average of 2.97 bacterial species per specimen. Mixed organisms were the most common isolates. Staphylococcus aureus was the commonest isolate being recovered in 60% of cases. Anaerobic organisms were isolated in 46 patients (61.33%) and the most frequent anaerobe isolated was Bacteroides fragilis. The other organisms predominantly isolated were Proteus, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas, Peptoccus and Clostridia. Antibiogram showed discouraging pattern with commonly used antibiotics. Metronidazole and gentamicin were the most effective antimicrobial agents against anaerobic and aerobic organisms respectively. Appreciation of the causative organisms in diabetic foot and their antibiotic sensitivity is essential for institution of appropriate antibiotic therapy.