Thyroid function status evaluation in patient post-radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A retrospective study.

INTRODUCTION: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is among the most common malignancy in Malaysia. Radiationinduced hypothyroidism has been reported in other countries. However, in Malaysia, no studies were ever done to determine the effect of radiation on hypothyroidism. The objective of this study is to evaluate the practice of taking thyroid function test (TFT) and determine hypothyroidism post-radiation in patients with NPC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study on the symptoms and results of TFT according to the dosage of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) given to patients with NPC. Data were traced and analysed. RESULTS: A total of 78 patients were identified. All patients received IMRT with 33-35 fractions of radiotherapy (RT) with total dosage of 66-70 Gray given. Not all patients had their thyroid function status measured routinely. Twelve patients did have symptoms of hypothyroidism. TFT were obtained in this group but the results were normal. No correlation was found between RT and hypothyroidism. CONCLUSION: There was no correlation between IMRT and the development of hypothyroidism. A prospective study with better control of inclusion and exclusion criteria, and longer follow-up period with TFT, is needed to demonstrate the consistency of these findings.

Resonant Inelastic X-Ray Scattering Reveals Hidden Local Transitions of the Aqueous OH Radical.

Resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (RIXS) provides remarkable opportunities to interrogate ultrafast dynamics in liquids. Here we use RIXS to study the fundamentally and practically important hydroxyl radical in liquid water, OH(aq). Impulsive ionization of pure liquid water produced a short-lived population of OH(aq), which was probed using femtosecond x-rays from an x-ray free-electron laser. We find that RIXS reveals localized electronic transitions that are masked in the ultraviolet absorption spectrum by strong charge-transfer transitions-thus providing a means to investigate the evolving electronic structure and reactivity of the hydroxyl radical in aqueous and heterogeneous environments. First-principles calculations provide interpretation of the main spectral features.

Evaluation of the physicochemical properties and compaction behavior of melt granules produced in microwave-induced and conventional melt granulation in a single pot high shear processor.

Recently, microwave-induced melt granulation was shown to be a promising alternative to conventional melt granulation with improved process monitoring capabilities. This study aimed to compare the physicochemical and compaction properties of granules produced from microwave-induced and conventional melt granulation. Powder admixtures comprising equivalent proportions by weight of lactose 200 M and anhydrous dicalcium phosphate were granulated with polyethylene glycol 3350 under the influence of microwave-induced and conventional heating in a 10-L single pot high shear processor. The properties of the granules and compacts produced from the two processes were compared. Relative to conventional melt granulation, the rates at which the irradiated powders heated up in microwave-induced melt granulation were lower. Agglomerate growth proceeded at a slower rate, and this necessitated longer massing durations for growth induction. These factors prompted greater evaporative moisture losses from the melt granules. Additionally, nonuniform heating of the powders under the influence of microwaves led to increased inter-batch variations in the binder contents of resultant melt granules and a reliance of content homogeneity on massing duration. Agglomerate growth proceeded more rapidly under the influence of conventional heating due to the enhanced heating capabilities of the powders. Melt granules produced using the conventional method possessed higher moisture contents and improved content homogeneity. The compaction behavior of melt granules were affected by their mean sizes, porosities, flow properties, binder, and moisture contents. The last two factors were responsible for the disparities in compaction behavior of melt granules produced from microwave-induced and conventional melt granulation.

Observation of the fastest chemical processes in the radiolysis of water.

Elementary processes associated with ionization of liquid water provide a framework for understanding radiation-matter interactions in chemistry and biology. Although numerous studies have been conducted on the dynamics of the hydrated electron, its partner arising from ionization of liquid water, H2O+, remains elusive. We used tunable femtosecond soft x-ray pulses from an x-ray free electron laser to reveal the dynamics of the valence hole created by strong-field ionization and to track the primary proton transfer reaction giving rise to the formation of OH. The isolated resonance associated with the valence hole (H2O+/OH) enabled straightforward detection. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed that the x-ray spectra are sensitive to structural dynamics at the ionization site. We found signatures of hydrated-electron dynamics in the x-ray spectrum.

Microwave-assisted drying of pharmaceutical granules and its impact on drug stability.

The advent of microwave technology has intensified the search for pharmaceuticals amenable to microwave processing. This study investigated the influences of powder load, diluent particle size and amount of granulating liquid employed on the microwave-assisted drying and stability of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA)-loaded granules in a single pot high shear processor. Powder load affected the profiles, rate and extent of drying. Drying was more dependent on the size and structural properties of granules rather than their surface areas as heat was generated volumetrically. Increased granule size brought about by increasing the size of diluent particles and amount of granulating liquid resulted in higher drying rates. Drug stability was negatively correlated to the drying time of granules.

A study on microwave-induced melt granulation in a single pot high shear processor.

Microwave-induced high shear melt granulation was compared with conventional melt granulation performed in the same processor. Admixtures of lactose 200M and anhydrous dicalcium phosphate were granulated with polyethylene glycol 3350. Different heating mechanisms in the two processes necessitated the use of different parameters for process monitoring and control. Mixer power consumption was suitable for monitoring agglomerate growth under microwave-induced heating. Product temperature was a better indicator of agglomeration propensity in conventional melt granulation. These were attributed to the disparities in heat acquisition rates and heating uniformities of the powders as well as variation in baseline mixer power consumption between the two processes.

Dielectric properties of pharmaceutical materials relevant to microwave processing: effects of field frequency, material density, and moisture content.

The rising popularity of microwaves for drying, material processing and quality sensing has fuelled the need for knowledge concerning dielectric properties of common pharmaceutical materials. This article represents one of the few reports on the density and moisture content dependence of the dielectric properties of primary pharmaceutical materials and their relevance to microwave-assisted processing. Dielectric constants (epsilon') and losses (epsilon'') of 13 pharmaceutical materials were measured over a frequency range of 1 MHz-1 GHz at 23 +/- 1 degrees C using a parallel-electrode measurement system. Effects of field frequency, material density and moisture content on dielectric properties were studied. Material dielectric properties varied considerably with frequency. At microwave frequencies, linear relationships were established between cube-root functions of the dielectric parameters [symbols: see text] and density which enabled dielectric properties of materials at various densities to be estimated by regression. Moisture content was the main factor that contributed to the disparities in dielectric properties and heating capabilities of the materials in a laboratory microwave oven. The effectiveness of a single frequency density-independent dielectric function for moisture sensing applications was explored and found to be suitable within low ranges of moisture contents for a model material.

Ultrasonographic characteristics of soft tissue tumours in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To identify and describe the ultrasonographic features of soft tissue tumours in dogs. PROCEDURE: Superficial soft tissue tumours of various histological types, including mast cell tumours (MCTs) and soft tissue sarcomas (STSs), were evaluated. Ultrasound was used to visualise internal characteristics of the tumour, including vascularity. Tumours were categorised according to size, shape, margin definition, tissue plane mobility, echogenicity, echotexture, acoustic shadowing or enhancement and vessel distribution. Objective measurements of intratumoural blood flow included velocities and maximal perfused cross-sectional area (fractional area). Logistic regression models incorporating a variety of data were used in an attempt to predict the histopathological type of tumours. RESULTS: The logistic regression model defined by the parameters echotexture, margin definition and presence of subcapsular vessels was highly predictive of MCTs (> 73%; P = 0.024). Several other trends, including a larger size for STSs and less vascularity for both MCTs and STSs, were observed, but did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION: This preliminary study has shown the potential diagnostic value of ultrasound in differentiating soft tissue tumours. However, at present, ultrasound cannot replace biopsy and histopathological evaluation for tumour diagnosis.

Structural, dynamic, and theoretical studies of [AunPt2(PPh3)4(mu-S)2-n(mu 3-S)nL][PF6]n [n = 1, L = PPh3; n = 2, L = Ph2PCH2PPh2, (C5H4PPh2)2Fe].

Three heterometallic Au-Pt complexes [Pt2(PPh3)4(mu-S)(mu 3-S)Au(PPh3)][PF6] (2), [Pt2(PPh3)4(mu 3-S)2Au2(mu-dppm)]-[PF6]2 (3), and [Pt2(PPh3)4(mu 3-S)2Au2(mu-dppf)][PF6]2 (4) have been synthesized from Pt2(PPh3)4(mu-S)2 (1) [dppm = Ph2PCH2PPh2; dppf = (C5H4PPh2)2Fe] and characterized by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. In 2, the Au(I) atom is anchored on only one of the sulfur centers. In 3 and 4, both sulfur atoms are aurated, showing the ability of 1 to support an overhead bridge structure, viz. [Au2(P-P)], with or without the presence of Au-Au bond. The change of dppf to dppm facilitates such active interactions. Two stereoisomers of complex 3 (3a,b) have been obtained and characterized by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. NLDFT calculations on 2 show that the linear coordination mode is stabilized with respect to the trigonal planar mode by 14.0 kJ/mol. All complexes (2-4) are fluxional in solution with different mechanisms. In 2, the [Au(PPh3)] fragment switches rapidly between the two sulfur sites. Our hybrid MM-NLDFT calculations found a transition state in which the Au(I) bears an irregular trigonal planar geometry (delta G++ = 19.9 kJ/mol), as well as an intermediate in which Au(I) adopts a regular trigonal planar geometry. Complexes 3a,b are roughly diastereoisomeric and related by sigma (mirror plane) conversion. This symmetry operation can be broken down to two mutually dependent fluxional processes: (i) rapid flipping of the dppm methylene group across the molecular plane defined by the overhead bridge; (ii) rocking motion of the two Au atoms across the S...S axis of the (Pt2S2) core. Modeling of the former by molecular mechanics yields a steric barrier of 29.0 kJ/mol, close to that obtained from variable-temperature 31P(1Hz) NMR study (33.7 kJ/mol). In 4, the twisting of the ferrocenyl moiety across the S...S axis is in concert with a rocking motion of the two gold atoms. The movement of dppf is sterically most demanding, and hence, 4 is the only complex that shows a static structure at lower temperatures. Pertinent crystallographic data: (2) space group P1, a = 15.0340(5) A, b = 15.5009(5) A, c = 21.9604(7) A, alpha = 74.805(1) degrees, beta = 85.733(1) degrees, gamma = 78.553(1) degrees, R = 0.0500; (3a) space group Pna2(1), a = 32.0538(4) A, b = 16.0822(3) A, c = 18.9388(3) A, R = 0.0347; (3b) space group Pna2(1), a = 31.950(2) A, b = 16.0157(8) A, c = 18.8460(9) A, R = 0.0478; (4) space group P2(1)/c, a = 13.8668(2) A, b = 51.7754(4) A, c = 15.9660(2) A, beta = 113.786(1) degrees, R = 0.0649.