Prediction of Normal Tissue Complication Probability (NTCP) After Radiation Therapy Using Imaging and Molecular Biomarkers and Multivariate Modelling

The aim of this study was to design a predictive radiobiological model of normal brain tissue in low-grade glioma following radiotherapy based on imaging and molecular biomarkers. Fifteen patients with primary brain tumors prospectively participated in this study and underwent radiation therapy. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was obtained from the patients, including T1- and T2-weighted imaging and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and a generalized equivalent dose (gEUD) was calculated. The radiobiological model of the normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) was performed using the variables gEUD; axial diffusivity (AD) and radial diffusivity (RD) of the corpus callosum; and serum protein S100B by univariate and multivariate logistic regression XLIIIrd Sir Peter Freyer Memorial Lecture and Surgical Symposium (2018). Changes in AD, RD, and S100B from baseline up to the 6 months after treatment had an increasing trend and were significant in some time points (P-value < 0.05). The model resulting from RD changes in the 6 months after treatment was significantly more predictable of necrosis than other univariate models. The bivariate model combining RD changes in Gy40 dose-volume and gEUD, as well as the trivariate model obtained using gEUD, RD, and S100B, had a higher predictive value among multivariate models at the sixth month of the treatment. Changes in RD diffusion indices and in serum protein S100B value were used in the early-delayed stage as reliable biomarkers for predicting late-delayed damage (necrosis) caused by radiation in the corpus callosum. Current findings could pave the way for intervention therapies to delay the severity of damage to white matter structures, minimize cognitive impairment, and improve the quality of life of patients with low-grade glioma.

Temporal and extratemporal atrophic manifestation of temporal lobe epilepsy using voxel-based morphometry and corticometry: clinical application in lateralization of epileptogenic zone

BACKGROUND

Advances in MRI acquisition and data processing have become important for revealing brain structural changes. Previous studies have reported widespread structural brain abnormalities and cortical thinning in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), as the most common form of focal epilepsy.

METHODS

In this research, healthy control cases (n = 20) and patients with left TLE (n = 19) and right TLE (n = 14) were recruited, all underwent 3.0 T MRI with magnetization-prepared rapid gradient echo sequence to acquire T1-weighted images. Morphometric alterations in gray matter were identified using voxel-based morphometry (VBM). Volumetric alterations in subcortical structures and cortical thinning were also determined.

RESULTS

Patients with left TLE demonstrated more prevailing and widespread changes in subcortical volumes and cortical thickness than right TLE, mainly in the left hemisphere, compared to the healthy group. Both VBM analysis and subcortical volumetry detected significant hippocampal atrophy in ipsilateral compared to contralateral side in TLE group. In addition to hippocampus, subcortical volumetry found the thalamus and pallidum bilaterally vulnerable to the TLE. Furthermore, the TLE patients underwent cortical thinning beyond the temporal lobe, affecting gray matter cortices in frontal, parietal, and occipital lobes in the majority of patients, more prevalently for left TLE cases. Exploiting volume changes in individual patients in the hippocampus alone led to 63.6% sensitivity and 100% specificity for lateralization of TLE.

CONCLUSION

Alteration of gray matter volumes in subcortical regions and neocortical temporal structures and also cortical gray matter thickness were evidenced as common effects of epileptogenicity, as manifested by the majority of cases in this study.

A Study on Mycoplasma agalactiae and Chlamydophila abortus in Aborted Ovine Fetuses in Sistan and Baluchestan region, Iran

Abortion is one of the most important economic issues in sheep flocks. Chlamydophila abortus is an agent of enzootic abortions in sheep. Mycoplasma agalactiae is the main etiological agent of contagious agalactia, which can cause abortion in sheep. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of M. agalactiae and C. abortus among aborted ovine fetuses in Sistan and Baluchestan, Iran. Sheep owners were asked to transfer their aborted fetuses to a nearby veterinary clinic; furthermore, they were taught biosecurity principles. A total of 78 aborted sheep fetuses were collected from all over Sistan region in the autumn of 2015 and winter of 2016. The samples were then transferred in ice to the Anatomy Laboratory of the Veterinary Faculty of Zabol University, Zabol, Iran. The spleen and abomasum contents of the fetuses were sampled under sterile and safe conditions. Polymerase chain reaction was used to detect M. agalactiae and C. abortus. The results showed that 24 (30.8%) cases were infected with M. agalactiae. However, infection with C. abortus was not detected in any fetuses. There was no statistically significant relationship between such independent variables as the location of livestock, history of abortion, fetal gender and age, age and parity of ewe, and fetal infection with M. agalactiae. The high incidence of Mycoplasma contamination in this study may be due to inappropriate biosecurity measures and lack of vaccination against agalactia in sheep herds in Sistan region.

Humic Fertilizer and Vermicompost Applied to the Soil Can Positively Affect Population Growth Parameters of Trichogramma brassicae (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) on Eggs of Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

The tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick), is a devastating pest of tomato worldwide. One of the control measures of T. absoluta is the use of biological control agents, such as Trichogramma wasps. Interactions between natural enemies and insect pests may be affected by application of fertilizers, because changes in plant quality through the fertilizer application may therefore affect herbivore characteristics and suitability of them to parasitism. Laboratory tests were carried out to evaluate the life table parameters of Trichogramma brassicae Bezdenko on T. absoluta eggs reared on tomato plants treated either with vermicompost (40%), humic fertilizer (2 g/kg soil), or control (suitable mixture of field soil and sand). Population growth parameters of T. brassicae were affected by fertilizer treatments. Significant differences were found for immature life period and total fecundity of T. brassicae on the treatments. Differences of intrinsic rate of natural increase (r _m), finite rate of increase (λ), net reproductive rate (R ₀), mean generation time (T), and doubling time (DT) of T. brassicae among treatments were also significant. The lowest values of r _m, λ, and R ₀ were recorded for T. brassicae developed on T. absoluta eggs on control treatment, whereas the highest values of these parameters were observed on 2 g/kg humic fertilizer. Furthermore, T. brassicae had the shortest T and DT values on 2 g/kg humic fertilizer and 40% vermicompost treatments. Our results showed that application of humic fertilizer and vermicompost could positively affect population growth parameters of T. brassicae on eggs of T. absoluta fed on tomato plants.

Impact of Chemical, Organic and Bio-Fertilizers Application on Bell Pepper, Capsicum annuum L. and Biological Parameters of Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hem.: Aphididae)

Myzus persicae (Sulzer) is a polyphagous aphid that causes chlorosis, necrosis, stunting, and reduce growth rate of the host plants. In this research, the effects of Zinc sulfate and vermicompost (30%), Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Glomus intraradices, G. intraradices × B. subtilis, and G. intraradices × P. fluorescens compared to control was investigated on the growth characters of Capsicum annuum L. and biological parameters of M. persicae. Different fertilizers caused a significant effect on growth characters of C. annuum and biological parameters of M. persicae. The highest plant growth was observed on Zinc sulfate and B. subtilis treated plants, and the lowest was on control. Increase in the amount of specific leaf area (SLA) (0.502 mm² mg^-1) was significantly higher in the B. subtilis than other fertilizer treatments. The longest (10.3 days) and the shortest (5.3 days) developmental times of M. persicae nymphs were observed on 30% vermicompost and Zinc sulfate treatments, respectively. The lowest adult longevity periods of M. persicae (11.2 and 11.3 days) were observed on G. intraradices × B. subtilis and 30% vermicompost treatments, respectively, and the longest ones (16.4 days) on Zinc sulfate. The highest rate of nymphal mortality and the lowest amount of nymphal growth index (NGI) were recorded on 30% vermicompost. The nymphs reared on Zinc sulfate treatment had the lowest rate of nymphal mortality and the highest amount of NGI. Thus, amending the soil with 30% vermicompost had a significantly negative effect on the biological parameters of M. persicae that can be used as an ecological control tactic for this pest.

Population Growth Parameters of Rose Aphid, Macrosiphum rosae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on Different Rose Cultivars

The rose aphid, Macrosiphum rosae (L.), is one of the most important pests on rose plants (Rosa spp.) with a worldwide distribution. As resistance indices, the development, survivorship, and reproduction of this aphid were evaluated on 10 rose cultivars, including Bella Vita, Cool Water, Dolce Vita, Maroussia, Orange Juice, Pinkpromise, Roulette, Tea, Valentine, and Persian Yellow in laboratory at 25 ± 1°C, 65 ± 5% relative humidity, and photoperiod of 16:8 (L/D) h. Rose aphid successfully survived on all 10 rose cultivars, although mortality rate was higher on Tea and Bella Vita. The number of offspring per female differed significantly among the tested rose cultivars, and ranged from 9.2 on Tea to 38.7 nymphs on Orange Juice. Population growth parameters were significantly affected by rose cultivars. The longest mean generation time (T) was observed on Bella Vita (14.8 days) and Tea (14.7 days) and the shortest on Orange Juice (10.0 days). The net reproductive rate (R ₀ ) ranged from 6.9 on Tea to 33.2 nymphs on Orange Juice cultivar. Correspondingly, the highest value of intrinsic rate of increase (r _m ) was observed on Orange Juice (0.348 day^-1) and lower values on Tea (0.131 day^-1) followed by Bella Vita (0.154 day^-1). Cluster analysis of all the measured parameters of rose aphid on different rose cultivars revealed that Tea and Bella Vita were relatively resistant to M. rosae. These findings could be useful in developing an integrated pest management (IPM) program for this aphid in urbanized areas and commercial rose potting.

Population Growth Parameters of Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) on Tomato Plant Using Organic Substrate and Biofertilizers

The tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) is a devastating pest associated with tomato. In this study, effects of tomato plants treated with vermicompost (20, 40, and 60%), humic fertilizer (2, 4 and 6 g/kg soil) and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus subtilis) were investigated on the life table parameters of T. absoluta in a growth chamber at 25 ± 2 °C, 65 ± 5% RH, and 16:8 (L:D) h. Significant differences were found for the total developmental time, fecundity, and oviposition period of T. absoluta on the treatments tested. The net reproductive rate (R0), intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm), finite rate of increase (λ), mean generation time (T), and doubling time (DT) of T. absoluta were significantly different among treatments tested. We found that in all vermicompost, humic fertilizer and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria treatments, values of R0, rm, and λ were lower than control treatment. However, the lowest values of these parameters were obtained on 2 g/kg humic fertilizer and 40% vermicompost. Furthermore, T. absoluta had longest T and DT values on 2 g/kg humic fertilizer treatment. Data obtained showed that the addition of 2 g/kg humic fertilizer and 40% vermicompost to the growing soil reduced T. absoluta populations in tomato cultures. In addition, these levels of fertilizers improved growth parameters of tomato seedlings (plant height, wet weight, and dry weight) compared with other treatments. These results could be useful in improving the sustainable management of the moth.

Functional Response of Aphidoletes aphidimyza Rondani (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) to Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae): Effects of Vermicompost and Host Plant Cultivar

Interactions between natural enemies and herbivores may be affected by application of fertilizers and different cultivars. We investigated the functional response of the predatory gall midge, Aphidoletes aphidimyza Rondani (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) larvae to the nymphs of the melon aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae), reared on two commonly grown cucumber cultivars in Iran (Khasib and Karim) treated with different vermicompost/soil ratios (0:100, 10:90, 20:80, and 30:70%). Based on logistic regression analysis, A. aphidimyza revealed a type II functional response to the aphid in all treatments. Attack rates and handling times of A. aphidimyza larvae on different vermicompost/soil ratios ranged from 0.076 to 0.140 h(-1) and 0.969 to 1.164 h on Khasib and from 0.092 to 0.123 h(-1) and 0.905 to 1.229 h on Karim, respectively. Furthermore, increasing the density of the melon aphid on both cultivars amended with vermicompost/soil ratios resulted in increased prey consumption by the predator. Density of trichomes increased when plants received higher concentrations of vermicompost. So, trichomes may be responsible for different attack rates and handling times of A. aphidimyza on both cultivars.

Immune cell trafficking from the brain maintains CNS immune tolerance

In the CNS, no pathway dedicated to immune surveillance has been characterized for preventing the anti-CNS immune responses that develop in autoimmune neuroinflammatory disease. Here, we identified a pathway for immune cells to traffic from the brain that is associated with the rostral migratory stream (RMS), which is a forebrain source of newly generated neurons. Evaluation of fluorescently labeled leukocyte migration in mice revealed that DCs travel via the RMS from the CNS to the cervical LNs (CxLNs), where they present antigen to T cells. Pharmacologic interruption of immune cell traffic with the mononuclear cell-sequestering drug fingolimod influenced anti-CNS T cell responses in the CxLNs and modulated experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) severity in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis (MS). Fingolimod treatment also induced EAE in a disease-resistant transgenic mouse strain by altering DC-mediated Treg functions in CxLNs and disrupting CNS immune tolerance. These data describe an immune cell pathway that originates in the CNS and is capable of dampening anti-CNS immune responses in the periphery. Furthermore, these data provide insight into how fingolimod treatment might exacerbate CNS neuroinflammation in some cases and suggest that focal therapeutic interventions, outside the CNS have the potential to selectively modify anti-CNS immunity.

Functional analyses of lymphocytes and granulocytes isolated from the thymus, spiral valve intestine, spleen, and kidney of juvenile Australian lungfish, Neoceratodus forsteri

Our current understanding of the lungfish immune system is limited. This study is characterizing the immune cells separated from primary and secondary immune organs of the Australian lungfish, Neoceratodus forsteri. Our functional studies utilized flow cytometry to study the immune cells extracted from the thymus, spiral valve intestine, spleen, and kidney. The different characteristics of lymphocytes and granulocytes were analyzed by utilization of viability, phagocytosis, oxidative burst, and apoptosis assays. Most of the nonviable intestinal cells were lymphocytes. Depending on the organ, 6-25% of the total population, predominantly granulocytes, underwent phagocytosis where the splenic cells were the most and intestinal cells the least phagocytic cells. Cells responded positively but differently to stimulation with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) to produce radical oxygen species, an indication of their oxidative burst activity, which was mainly associated with granulocytes. Although cells were induced by dexamethasone to undergo apoptosis, such an induction did not follow a consistent pattern of dose of dexamethasone or incubation time between the different organs. In the absence of monoclonal antibodies against lungfish immune cells, these functional flow cytometric analyses aid our understanding on the functionality of immune cells.

Effect of vermicompost and cucumber cultivar on population growth attributes of the melon aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

Worldwide, the developing industry of cucumbers (Cucumis sativus L.) grown in greenhouses is threatened by damage from sucking pests, especially aphids. Among these, the melon aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is the most serious. We tested the effect of two cucumber cultivars ('Royal' and'Storm') and three vermicompost concentrations (0 [control], 20, and 30%) in field soil on the development and fecundity rates of A. gossypii, by using a randomized complete block design with four replicates as a factorial experiment. The developmental times of nymphs reared on plants grown into the three vermicompost concentrations ranged from 5.5 (0%) to 8.7 (30%) d (on Storm) and from 4.3 (0%) to 7 (30%) d (on Royal). The developmental time of melon aphid's nymphs was greatest on plants grown in the culture medium with 30% vermicompost rate and least on plants reared in the soil without vermicompost. The intrinsic rate of natural increase (r,,) of A. gossypii ranged from 0.204 d(-1) on plants grown in the soil amended with 30% vermicompost rate (on Storm seedlings) to 0.458 d(-1) on plants grown in the soil without vermicompost (on Royal seedlings). Accordingly, our findings confirm that a combination of a low level of vermicompost and a partially resistant cucumber cultivar might play an important role in managing this aphid on cucumbers in greenhouses.

Effect of chronic and acute administration of fluoxetine and its additive effect with morphine on the behavioural response in the formalin test in rats

Serotonergic systems are involved in the central regulation of nociceptive sensitivity. Fluoxetine, a selective inhibitor of the reuptake of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT), was administered orally (0.16, 0.32, 0.8 mg kg(-1) daily for 7 days), intraperitoneally (0.04, 0.08, 0.16 mg kg(-1) day(-1) for 7 days and a single dose of 0.32 mg kg(-1)) and intracerebroventricularly (10 microg/rat) to rats and nociceptive sensitivity was evaluated using the formalin test (50 microL of 2.5% formalin injected subcutaneously). The effect of fluoxetine was also studied in the presence of 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine creatinine sulfate (5,7-DHT) and after co-administration with morphine. Oral (0.8 mg kg(-1)), intraperitoneal (0.16 and 0.32 mg kg(-1)) and intracerebroventricular (10 microg/rat) fluoxetine induced antinociception in the late phase of the formalin test. Furthermore, intrathecal administration of 5-HT (100 microg/rat) induced an analgesic effect. The analgesic effect of fluoxetine (0.16 and 0.32 mg kg(-1), i.p.) and 5-HT (100 microg/rat, i.t.) was abolished by pre-treatment with 5,7-DHT (100 microg/rat, i.t.). In addition, the analgesic effect of 5-HT (100 microg/rat, i.t.) was decreased by pre-treatment with naloxone (2 mg kg(-1), i.p.). Morphine (5 mg kg(-1), i.p.) induced analgesia that was increased by fluoxetine (0.32 mg kg(-1), i.p.). These results suggest that fluoxetine has an antinociceptive effect in tonic inflammatory pain through functional alteration of the serotonergic system and also potentiates the analgesic effect of morphine.