Analyzing Global Cancer Control: Progress of National Cancer Control Programs through Composite Indicators and Regression Modeling.

Aim: Cancer is a significant public health concern, and National Cancer Control Programs (NCCPs) are crucial for reducing its burden. However, assessing the progress of NCCPs is challenging due to the complexity of cancer control outcomes and the various factors that influence them. Composite indicators can provide a comprehensive and accurate assessment of NCCP progress. Materials and Methods: The dataset was compiled for 144 countries and comprised eight composite indices and two high-level comparative indicators (mortality-to-cancer incidence ratio [MIR] and 5-year cancer prevalence-to-incidence ratio [PCIR]) representing NCCP outcomes. Two large databases and six annual composite index reports were consulted. Linear regression analysis and Pearson correlation coefficients were used to establish a relationship between indicators and NCCP outcomes. A multiple regression machine learning model was generated to further improve the accuracy of NCCP outcome prediction. Results: High-income countries had the highest cancer incidence, whereas low-income countries had the highest MIR. Linear regression analysis indicated a negative trend between all composite indicators and MIR, whereas a positive trend was observed with PCIR. The Human Development Index and the Legatum Prosperity Index had the highest adjusted R 2 values for MIR (0.74 and 0.73) and PCIR (0.86 and 0.81), respectively. Multiple linear regression modeling was performed, and the results indicated a low mean squared error score (-0.02) and a high R 2 score (0.86), suggesting that the model accurately predicts NCCP outcomes. Conclusions: Overall, composite indicators can be an effective tool for evaluating NCCP, and the results of this study can aid in the development and keeping track of NCCP progress for better cancer control.

Precursor engineering for soft selective synthesis of phase pure metal-rich digenite (Cu9S5) and djurleite (Cu31S16) nanocrystals and investigation of their photo-switching characteristics.

Copper sulfide nanostructures have evolved as one of the most technologically important materials for energy conversion and storage owing to their economic and non-toxic nature and superior performances. This paper presents a direct, scalable synthetic route aided by a single source molecular precursor (SSP) approach to access copper sulfide nanomaterials. Two SSPs, CuX(dmpymSH)(PPh3)2 (where X = Cl or I), were synthesized in quantitative yields and thermolyzed under appropriate conditions to afford the nanostructures. The analysis of the nanostructures through pXRD, EDS and XPS suggested that phase pure digenite (Cu9S5) and djurleite (Cu31S16) nanostructures were isolated from -Cl and -I substituted SSPs, respectively. The morphologies of the as-synthesized nanomaterials were investigated using electron microscopy techniques (SEM and TEM). DRS studies on pristine materials revealed blue shifted optical band gaps, which were found to be optimum for photoelectrochemical application. A prototype photoelectrochemical cell fabricated using the pristine nanostructures exhibited a stable photo-switching property, which presents these materials as suitable economic and environmentally friendly photon absorber materials.

Controlled synthesis of photoresponsive bismuthinite (Bi2S3) nanostructures mediated through a new 1D bismuth-pyrimidylthiolate coordination polymer as a molecular precursor.

Bismuthinite (Bi2S3) nanostructures have garnered significant interest due to their appealing photoresponsivity which has positioned them as an attractive choice for energy conversion applications. However, to utilize their full potential, a simple and economically viable method of preparation is highly desirable. Herein, we present the synthesis and characterization including structural elucidation of a new air- and moisture-stable bismuth-pyrimidylthiolate complex. This complex serves as an efficient single-source molecular precursor for the facile preparation of phase-pure Bi2S3 nanostructures. Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Raman spectroscopy, electron dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and electron microscopy techniques were used to assess the crystal structure, phase purity, elemental composition and morphology of the as-prepared nanostructures. This study also revealed the profound effects of temperature and growth duration on the crystallinity, phase formation and morphology of nanostructures. The optical band gap of the nanostructures was tuned within the range of 1.9-2.3 eV, which is blue shifted with respect to the bulk bandgap and suitable for photovoltaic applications. Liquid junction photo-electrochemical cells fabricated from the as-prepared Bi2S3 nanostructure exhibit efficient photoresponsivity and good photo-stability, which project them as promising candidates for alternative low-cost photon absorber materials.

Customizing Treatment Scheduling Windows with a Time Margin Recipe: A Single-institutional Study.

Purpose: Rising cancer incidences, complex treatment techniques, and workflows have all impacted the radiotherapy scheduling process. Intelligent appointment scheduling is needed to help radiotherapy users adapt to new practices. Materials and Methods: We utilized van Herk's safety margin formula to determine the radiotherapy department's treatment scheduling window (TSW). In addition, we examined the influence of in-room imaging on linac occupancy time (LOT). Varian Aria™ software version 15.1 was used to collect retrospective data on LOT, treatment site, intent, techniques, special protocol, and in-room imaging. Results: Treatment scheduling windows varied across treatment sites. The mean TSW using van Herk's formalism was 31.5 min, significantly longer than the current TSW of 15 min (P = 0.036), with the pelvic site having the longest (43.8 min) and the brain site having the shortest (12 min). 28% of patients exceeded the in-practice TSW of 15 min. 46.2% of patients had multiple images per fraction, with the proportion being highest in pelvic patients (33%). Patients treated with palliative intent, intensity-modulated radiotherapy, special protocols (bladder protocol and gating), and multiple in-room images per fraction had significantly higher LOT. High treatment time uncertainty was observed in the pelvic and thorax sites, indicating the impact of in-room imaging frequency and on-couch treatment decisions on overall treatment time and indicating that current treatment practices should be reviewed and modified if necessary. Conclusions: The time margin recipe can customize the treatment scheduling window and improve treatment practices. This formalism can help manage the radiotherapy department's workload and reduce patient wait times.

Efficient and Reliable Data Extraction in Radiation Oncology using Python Programming Language: A Pilot Study.

Background and Purpose: In recent years, data science approaches have entered health-care systems such as radiology, pathology, and radiation oncology. In our pilot study, we developed an automated data mining approach to extract data from a treatment planning system (TPS) with high speed, maximum accuracy, and little human interaction. We compared the amount of time required for manual data extraction versus the automated data mining technique. Materials and Methods: A Python programming script was created to extract specified parameters and features pertaining to patients and treatment (a total of 25 features) from TPS. We successfully implemented automation in data mining, utilizing the application programming interface environment provided by the external beam radiation therapy equipment provider for the whole group of patients who were accepted for treatment. Results: This in-house Python-based script extracted selected features for 427 patients in 0.28 ± 0.03 min with 100% accuracy at an astonishing rate of 0.04 s/plan. Comparatively, manual extraction of 25 parameters took an average of 4.5 ± 0.33 min/plan, along with associated transcriptional and transpositional errors and missing data information. This new approach turned out to be 6850 times faster than the conventional approach. Manual feature extraction time increased by a factor of nearly 2.5 if we doubled the number of features extracted, whereas for the Python script, it increased by a factor of just 1.15. Conclusion: We conclude that our in-house developed Python script can extract plan data from TPS at a far higher speed (>6000 times) and with the best possible accuracy compared to manual data extraction.

An audit of Grade III or more skin reactions in consecutively assessed patients at a modern radiation oncology center.

Purpose: Radiation dermatitis is most common and debilitating side effects of radiotherapy leading to treatment interruption, thereby compromising the local control, and effecting quality of life. With the invent of modern imaging and recent advances in megavoltage radiotherapy, radiation-related side effects have reduced. In this audit, we report the risk factors associated with Grade III dermatitis in modern centers. Materials and Methods: We analyzed 172 patients treated with volume modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and static field intensity-modulated radiotherapy (SFIMRT) at our center. All head and neck, breast, gynecological, GU malignancies, and sarcoma patients treated with a dose of >45 Gy from April 2018 to December 2019 were included in the study. On couch, treatment verification was done with cone-beam computer tomography (CBCT). Slice-by-slice verification of planning target volume (PTV) with CBCT was done in the first three fractions and weekly thereafter. Skin evaluation was done using CTCAE v. 5. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS v. 22. Results: Of the 172 patients treated with VMAT and SFIMRT, 15 patients (8.7%) had Grade III dermatitis. Grade III dermatitis was mostly seen in breast cancer followed by head-and-neck patients. More reactions were observed in patients with advanced stage disease. Treatment verification is important at the later course of treatment, especially in head-and-neck cases where the treatment volume is large and PTV may extend outside skin. Contributing factors of radiation dermatitis at modern radiotherapy center are gene mutation, use of concurrent chemoradiotherapy, and bolus. Conclusion: We hereby conclude that PTV mismatch in weekly treatment verification, genetic mutations, concurrent chemo-radiotherapy, use of thermoplastic mask, and bolus are the contributing factors for Grade III dermatitis in modern radiotherapy centers.

Application of hybrid MOF composite in extraction of f-block elements: Experimental and computational investigation.

An attempt was made to understand the sorption behaviour of UO22+, Th4+ and Eu3+ on novel hybrid metal-organic framework composites, FeBDC@CoBDC. The XRD pattern revealed the composite nature of the hybrid MOF materials, while FTIR and Raman spectroscopic analyses evidenced the presence of different functional moieties. The thermal stability of the hybrid MOF composites was investigated through thermogravimetric analysis. The sorption predominantly followed Langmuir isotherm with sorption capacity of 189 mg g-1, 224 mg g-1 and 205 mg g-1 for UO22+, Th4+ and Eu3+ respectively. The sorption proceeded through chemisorption following pseudo 2nd order rate kinetics. The processes were found to be thermodynamically favourable and endothermic in nature. However, they were entropically driven. Multiple contacts of complexing agents were necessary for quantitative elution of f-elements from loaded MOF. The MOF showed moderate stability towards radiation exposure. DFT calculation was used for the optimization of structures, estimation of bond length and estimation of binding energy. In hybrid MOF composites, the Fe atom was having six coordination with 4 O atoms of BDC moieties and 2 O atoms of -OH groups. The O atoms of BDC and -OH groups were coordinated to Eu, Th and U atoms during their sorption.

A mathematical formulation for volume expansions in contouring for radiotherapy planning.

CONTEXT: This research describe the characteristic volume expansion of a moving target as a function of differential margins. AIM: We aimed to ascertain the volume change after giving margin for clinical and set up uncertainties including generating internal target volume (ITV) for moving target. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Settings and Design - Spheres of diameter (0.5-10 cm) with differential expansion of 1-15 mm were generated using a mathematical formula. Moving targets of radius 1-5 cm were generated, and the resultant volume envelopes with incremental motion from 1 to 20 mm were obtained. All relative volume change results were fitted with mathematical functions to obtain a generalized mathematical formula. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: None. RESULTS: The percentage increase in volume (%ΔVp) was much more pronounced for smaller radius target. For moving target with relatively smaller radius, %ΔVp is predominant over the absolute volume change and vice versa in case of larger radius. Mathematical formulae were obtained for %ΔVp as a function of radius and expansion and for %ΔVp in ITV volume as a function of radius and tumor movement. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides an idea of volume change for various expansions for various size targets and/or moving target for different range of movements. It establishes a correlation of these volume changes with the changing target size and range of movements. Finally, a clinically useful mathematical formulation on volume expansion has been developed for rapid understanding of the consequence of volume expansion.

Clinical correlates of leukoaraiosis: A study of 175 patients.

BACKGROUND: In India, the correlates of leukoaraiosis (LA) have not been widely reported. This study was designed to investigate the factors which correlate with LA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included patients with LA who consented for the study and graded their severity on the basis of Fazekas scale. We excluded patients with LA who did not consent/cooperate for the study as also patients with other white matter changes which mimic LA. RESULTS: LA is a common and under-rated cause of disability. Presentations include cognitive decline, gait disturbance, dysarthria, bladder/bowel sphincter disturbances, and increased risk of stroke. The comorbidities include hyperhomocysteinemia, hypertension, dyslipidemia, tobacco use, ischemic heart disease, previous stroke, atrial fibrillation, chronic renal failure, and bariatric surgery.

Preparation of fenofibrate solid dispersion using electrospray deposition and improvement in oral absorption by instantaneous post-heating of the formulation.

A coaxial electrospray technique was applied to a poorly soluble drug, fenofibrate (FEN), to increase its bioavailability. A particulate core-shell solid dispersion was designed using poly(methacrylic acid-co-methyl methacrylate) (Eudragit L-100) as a shell material and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) K12-17 as a dispersant for FEN in the core phase. Although 58% of FEN remained in the crystalline state in the electrosprayed formulation, the dissolution behavior was significantly improved due to decrease in particle size, decrease in crystallinity, and increase in dispersion efficiency. The formulation was subjected to post-heating at 100 °C for 30 s to transform the remaining crystals into the amorphous state to further improve the dissolution behavior. Oral bioavailability was also on the order of: heated formulation>intact formulation>crystalline FEN. Instantaneous heating significantly improved the performance of the formulation despite its simple procedure, and thus can be a powerful step to be incorporated in the formulation manufacturing process.

Reactivity of 2-chalcogenopyridines with palladium-phosphine complexes: isolation of different complexes depending on the nature of chalcogen atom and phosphine ligand.

Reactions of either Pd(0) phosphine complexes with dipyridyldichalcogenides or [PdCl2(P∩P)] (P∩P = dppe, dppp) with pyridylchalcogenolate ions have been examined and a variety of Pd(II) complexes have been isolated and characterized. Oxidative addition of {SeC5H3(3-R)N}2 (R = H or Me) to [Pd(P∩P)2] (P∩P = dppe, dppp) gave either a mononuclear complex, [Pd{2-Se-C5H3(3-R)N}2(P∩P)] (for P∩P/R: dppe/H or Me; dppp/H) or a cationic binuclear complex, [Pd2{µ-SeC5H3(3-Me)N}2(dppp)2]2+ (4b) (R = Me) whereas reactions involving the tellurium analogue exclusively afforded trinuclear complexes, [Pd3(µ-Te)2(P∩P)3]Cl2 (P∩P = dppe (2) or dppp (6)). The latter was also obtained in the substitution reaction between [PdCl2(P∩P)] and NaTeC5H3(3-R)N. The substitution reactions between [PdCl2(dppe)] and Pb{EC5H3(3-R)N}2 yielded mononuclear complexes, [Pd{2-E-C5H3(3-R)N}2(dppe)] (1a­1e) (E = S, Se or Te) while in the case of [PdCl2(dppp)], the reactions resulted in the formation of mono-, bi- and tri- nuclear complexes depending on the nature of the chalcogen atom (E = S, Se or Te) and the substituent on the pyridyl ring (R = H or Me). Treatment of dipyridyl ditellurides, {TeC5H3(3-R)N}2 (R = H or Me), with [Pd(PPh3)4] gave expected tellurolate complexes, [Pd{2-TeC5H3(3-R)N}2(PPh3)2] (7a, 7b) which on prolonged standing in CDCl3 solution gave green crystals of [PdCl{2-Te(Cl)2C5H3(3-Me)N}(PPh3)] (9). The molecular structures of {TeC5H3(3-Me)N}2, [Pd2{µ-TeC5H3(3-Me)N}2(dppp)2]Cl2·3H2O (5·3H2O), [Pd3(µ-Te)2(dppp)3]Cl2·3CHCl3 (6·3CHCl3) and [PdCl{2-Te(Cl)2C5H3(3-Me)N}(PPh3)] (9) were established by single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses.

Tellurium(0) as a ligand: synthesis and characterization of 2-pyridyltellurolates of platinum(II) and structures of [Pt{2-Te-3-(R)C5H3N}2Te(PR'3)] (R = H or Me).

Treatment of toluene solutions of the ditellurides [Te(2){C(5)H(3)N(R)-3}(2)] (R = H or Me) with [Pt(PPh(3))(4)] yielded two types of complexes, [Pt{2-Te-3-(R)C(5)H(3)N}(2)(PPh(3))(2)] (1a-d) as the major products and [Pt{2-Te-3-(R)C(5)H(3)N}(2)Te(PPh(3))] (2a-d) as minor products. The above complexes can also be obtained by the reaction of [PtCl(2)(PR'(3))(2)] (PR'(3) = PPh(3) or PPh(2)(2-C(5)H(4)N)) with 2 equiv of Na(2-Te-C(5)H(3)R). The complexes were characterized by elemental analyses and UV-vis, NMR ((1)H and (31)P), and (in part) XPS spectroscopy. The molecular structures of [Pt(2-Te-C(5)H(4)N)(2)Te(PPh(3))] (2a) and [Pt{2-Te-C(5)H(3)(Me)N}(2)Te(PPh(3))] (2b) were established by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Both complexes exhibit a distorted square-planar configuration at the platinum(II) centers. The two mutually trans positioned 2-pyridinetellurolate ligands [2-Te-C(5)H(3)(R)N] coordinate to the central platinum atom in a monodentate fashion through the tellurium atoms. The tellurium(0) atom adopts a "bent T" configuration as it is bridging the 2-Te- C(5)H(3)(R)N molecules via N-Te-N bonds (166 degrees angle) and coordinates to Pt(II) in the trans position to PPh(3). The novel bis(pyridine)tellurium(0) arrangement resembles the bis(pyridine)iodonium structure. The calculated NICS indices and ELF functions clearly show that the compounds 2a and 2b are aromatic in the region defined by the Te-C-N-Te-Pt five-membered rings.