Response of Fingernail Growth to Out-of-Field Low-Dose X ray in Cancer Patients Receiving Radiotherapy

Transcriptomic profiling reveals gene expression in human peripheral blood after exposure to low-dose ionizing radiation

Although the health effects of exposure to low-dose ionizing radiation have been the focus of many studies, the affected biological functions and underlying regulatory mechanisms are not well-understood. In particular, the influence of radiation exposure at doses of less than 200 mGy on the regulation of genes and pathways remains unclear. To investigate the molecular alterations induced by varying doses of low-dose radiation (LDR), transcriptomic analysis was conducted based on ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequencing following exposure to 50 and 150 mGy doses. Human peripheral blood was collected, and the samples were divided into three groups, including two treatments and one control (no radiation). A total of 876 (318 upregulated and 558 downregulated) and 486 (202 upregulated and 284 downregulated) differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified after exposure to 50 mGy and 150 mGy, respectively. Most upregulated genes in both the 50 mGy and 150 mGy groups were associated with 'antigen processing and presentation,' which appeared to be the major targets affected by LDR exposure. Several interacting genes, including HLA-DQA1, HLA-DQA2, HLA-DQB2, HLA-DRB1, and HLA-DRB5 were mapped to 'antigen processing and presentation,' 'immune system-related diseases' and the 'cytokine-mediated signaling pathway,' suggesting that these genes might drive the downstream transmission of these signal transduction pathways. Our results suggest that exposure to LDR may elicit changes in key genes and associated pathways, probably helping further explore the biological processes and molecular mechanism responsible for low-dose occupational or environmental exposures in humans.

The efficacy and safety of topical Tretinoin combined with Superficial X-ray therapy (SXRT) in treating Periungual warts

BACKGROUND

There are multiple treatment modalities for Periungual warts (PWs), although most are destructive and painful, limiting their application. Radiotherapy is a non-invasive method suitable for treating PW patients with contraindications to invasive procedures.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the efficacy and safety of topical Tretinoin combined with Superficial X-ray therapy (SXRT) in treating PWs.

METHODS

This study included patients with 65 PWs who underwent treatment and a 3-month follow-up. 24 PWs were subjected to SXRT alone (group A). The remaining 41 PWs were subjected to SXRT combined with the application of the Tretinoin cream from the first day (group B). The overall clinical response rate, recurrence rates, cosmetic outcomes, and adverse events were observed during the follow-up period.

RESULTS

The complete clearance rate (75% vs. 92.7% in groups A and B, respectively) and healing times (19.9 vs. 16.0 days in groups A and B, respectively) between the two groups were significantly different (P<0.046 and 0.04), indicating the combination treatment is more effective. Notably, there was no damaging or permanent deformation on the nail, and the other adverse effects were mild and bearable.

CONCLUSION

Topical Tretinoin combined with SXRT therapy is an effective strategy for treating PWs, with minor side effects. It is painless and with excellent cosmetic outcomes.

Effect of protective glasses on radiation dose to eye lenses during whole breast irradiation

OBJECTIVES

The efficacy of radiotherapy for breast cancer has greatly improved owing to better irradiation methods. Radiotherapy aims to deliver therapeutic doses to predetermined target volumes while sparing surrounding healthy tissues. However, there are few reports on radiation exposure to eye lenses, and the recommended exposure limits to ocular lens have been substantially reduced in recent years. This study aimed to investigate the amount of radiation exposure to eye lenses using optically stimulated luminescence dosimeters (OSLDs) and determine whether wearing special protective devices to protect the eyes, as an organ at risk, during whole breast irradiation, is necessary.

METHODS

This experiment used OSLDs on water-equivalent phantom to measure the change in scattered radiation dose due to the difference of irradiation field while using 4- and 6-MV photons of TrueBeam linear accelerator. Using a total treatment dose of 50 Gy, a target was positioned to approximate the breast, and a plan was formulated to deliver 2 Gy per treatment by tangential irradiation. The mean (SD) irradiation dose at the lens position outside the irradiation field was reported.

RESULTS

The scattered radiation dose outside the irradiation field was more affected by the irradiation field size than by the radiation energy. The out-of-field irradiation dose with a larger field of view was higher than that with a smaller field of view. The use of 0.07- and 0.83-mm-thick lead shield protective glasses reduced the radiation dose by 56.1% (P < .001) and 55.6% (P < .001), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

In this experimental model, the amount of radiation the eye was exposed to during whole breast irradiation was determined by the distance of the eye from the radiation field edge and by wearing protective glasses. In clinical practice, the protection offered by eyeglasses may reduce the risk of long-term side effects and allow the use of higher intensive radiotherapy.