Functions of Sialyltransferases in gynecological malignancies: A systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: The biosynthesis of tumor-associated sialoglycans involves Sialyltransferases expressed in cancer cells differentially. The current review aspires to bridge the existing knowledge gaps by consolidating evidence regarding the role of Sialyltransferases in gynecological malignant tumors (ovarian, cervix, endometrial, and breast). METHODS: In this systematic review, we searched databases, including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus and Cochrane Library. Twenty-two high-quality articles were selected out of 559 researched studies using radiomics quality score (RQS) tools. RESULTS: Our findings indicated that 7 articles were related to Sialyltransferases in ovarian cancer, in which 6 studies was examined only ST6Gal-I and one study examined the ST3Gal-I, ST3Gal-II, ST3Gal-III, ST3Gal-IV, ST3Gal-VI, and ST3Gal-6. In addition, 5 articles were related to Sialyltransferases in cervix cancer (ST6Gal-I), 3 articles to endometrial cancer (ST6Gal-I, ST3Gal-III, ST3Gal-IV, and ST3Gal-6), and 7 articles to breast cancer (ST6Gal-I gene in 5 studies, ST6GAL-II gene in one study, and ST8SIA1 and ST3GAL-V genes in one study). CONCLUSION: ST6Gal-I gene expression occurs at a high speed in ovarian, cervix, endometrial, and breast cancers, leading to metastasis to distant cells, cell destruction, cell invasion, and reduced patient survival.

Development and Application of Prototype System Based on Light-Emitting Diode Arrays (660 nm) with a Top Hat Beam Profile in Order to Optimize Photobiomodulation Protocols for Treatment of Radiation-Induced Oral Mucositis in Rats.

Background: Oral mucositis (OM) is a common adverse effect of radiation to the head and neck. Recent research has shown that extra oral photobiomodulation (EO-PBM) reduces the severity of OM. However, appropriate EO-PBM therapy parameters for OM severity reduction have not been documented. Objective: This work aims to optimize EO-PBM radiation parameters for lowering the severity of radiation-induced OM in rats by establishing a photobiomodulation (PBM) treatment system based on light-emitting diode arrays with top-hat beam profile. Methods: The 36 rats are separated into 2 control groups and 4 groups receiving PBM treatment. The PBM groups are exposed to irradiance between 4 and 24 J/cm2 at 660 nm. The cheek pouch mucosa is removed after scarification for biochemical and histological examination. Student's t-test, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey's Multiple were applied to compare the statistical significance of differences between control groups and PBM treatment groups. Results: Statistical analysis reveals that PBM irradiation at 12 J/cm2 (200 sec) with a flatness of 0.8 and a diameter of 3 cm substantially decreased the level of inflammatory cytokines compared with the positive control group. Conclusions: Our results indicate that the designed treatment PBM system is capable of delivering the optical parameters necessary for therapeutic treatment.

Thyroid dose and cancer risk from head and neck computed tomography at two selected centres in Nigeria.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the thyroid glands' radiation dose and the risk of thyroid cancer induction from head or neck computed tomography (CT) examinations. METHODS: In a prospective study, we evaluated all participants of all ages and sex referred for Head or Neck CT Scan at the University College Hospital, Ibadan and Me Cure Healthcare Limited, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. Thyroid radiation dose was estimated with impact scan calculator, and real-time dose measurement with thermoluminescent badge dosimeters (TLDs). Data were analysed and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty-three participants (128 adults and 35 children) participated in the study. In most participants (74%), the tube voltage was 120 kVp. The estimated median thyroid gland dose by the imPACT scan calculator was 4.95 mGy (range = 1.20-30.0 mGy) and 4.40 mGy (range = 3.0-5.10 mGy), while the real-time dose measured by the TLD was 4.79 mGy (range = 1.73-96.7 mGy) and 2.33 mGy (range = 1.20-3.73 mGy) at Centre A and B, respectively. The estimated median thyroid cancer risk was 2.88 × 10-6 (maximum range of 52 × 10-6) at centre A and a median value of 3.20 × 10-6 with a cancer risk estimate that may reach 17.9 × 10-6 recorded at centre B, compared to a cumulative thyroid cancer risk of 0.12 × 10-5 among the general Nigerian population. CONCLUSIONS: Scanner specifications and technique may significantly contribute to variations seen in thyroid radiation doses. There may be a need to optimise centre protocols and apply dose reference levels for head and neck CT examinations to reduce thyroid cancer risk in Nigeria.

Can leaded glasses protect the eye lens in patients undergoing neck computed tomography?

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Computed tomography (CT) is one of the main sources using ionizing radiation. Considering the toxicity from this radiation, any technique that could reduce the radiosensitive organs' doses without affecting the image diagnostic quality must be considered in routine practice. In this study, the amount of eye lens dose reduction in the presence of radioprotective glasses was evaluated in neck CT examinations. METHODS: Thirty adult patients (15 men and 15 women) with a mean age of 44.6 years undergoing neck CT examination participated in this study. For each patient, six thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs-100) were attached above the eye lens glasses surface, and another six under the glasses to assess the radioprotective effect of the glasses. The TLDs were readout and converted to Hp (3) as an indicator of eye lens dose. The obtained results from the TLD readouts as eye lens dose were compared using a paired t-test. RESULTS: The TLD measurements showed the mean±standard deviation values of 2.97±0.61 mGy and 1.04±0.16 mGy for TLDs above and under the radioprotective glasses, respectively. The radioprotective glasses significantly decreased the eye lens dose by about 64.9% (P=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Due to the results, wearing radioprotective glasses for patients during neck CT scans could significantly reduce the eye lens doses. RELEVANCE FOR PATIENTS: The outcome of this research shows that leaded glasses can decrease the received dose significantly in patient during neck CT scans.

Treatment Parameters of Photobiomodulation in the Prevention of Non-surgical Cancer Treatment-Induced Oral Mucositis: A Review of Preclinical Studies.

Introduction: The most important side effect after non-surgery cancer treatment (NSCT) is oral mucositis (OM) which degrades the quality of life. Using photobiomodulation (PBM), formerly known as low-level laser therapy (LLLT), in the prevention of NSCT-induced OM was widely studied. Hence, this review evaluates the efficacy of optical treatment parameters behind the working process of PBM in preventing NSCT-induced OM in preclinical studies. Methods: Using the PubMed, Scopus and Embase databases, the present study systematically reviewed existing preclinical studies for optical treatment parameters of PBM in preventing NSCT-induced OM in experimental models without restriction on the year of publication. Results: In total, 51 articles were recognized during the search of the literature, and only 16 research papers were included in this review, taking into consideration the inclusion as well as exclusion benchmarks. The reviewed studies showed that a consensus has yet to be reached on the optimal PBM treatment parameters in preventing NSCT-induced OM. However, a wavelength of 660 nm, a power density of 40 mW as well as fluence which ranged between 2 and 6 J/cm2 were mostly utilized in the included studies. Furthermore, the severity of NSCT-induced OM was reduced following PBM application with no reported severe side effects. Conclusion: The efficacy of PBM with the associated optical parameters is a promising strategy in preventing NSCT-induced OM. However, the optimal parameters of PBM need to be investigated.

AIRBORNE RADIOMETRIC MAPPING FOR NATURAL RADIATION ASSESSMENT OVER OKITIPUPA SOUTHEAST BELT OF THE BITUMINOUS SAND FIELD OF NIGERIA.

Airborne radiometric data were used for natural radiation assessment with the view to assess its likely environmental and health impact, which is one of the major factors that may pose some dangers to both physical and biological components especially during the exploitation of bitumen and also use the assessment as a baseline study that could be useful in planning appropriate environmental management programs that will reduce the potential negative effect of exploiting the resources on the environment. To determine the radiation source effects of humans, exposure rate, absorbed dose rate and annual effective dose rate were computed. The results obtained over Okitipupa southeast belt bituminous sand field indicate that the average levels of natural background radiations are generally not considered harmful. The natural activity levels were not above average and the does appear to be well within recommended limits and norms for naturally occurring activity.

Protection Against Ionizing Radiation-Induced Normal Tissue Damage by Resveratrol: A Systematic Review.

The use of some agents as radioprotectors has been evaluated for protection against normal tissue toxicity following exposure to ionizing radiation. Resveratrol, a natural flavonoid, with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties has attracted research interests for its radioprotective potential. This study systematically evaluates existing studies to examine the radioprotective effectiveness of resveratrol. A literature search of the electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Embase was conducted to retrieve articles investigating the protective effect of resveratrol against ionizing radiation-induced damage to normal tissues. The search timeframe ranged from the inception of each database to January 2020. From an initial search of 231 articles, and after the removal of duplicates as well as applying the predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria, 33 articles were finally included for this systematic review. Results showed promising protective effect of resveratrol against ionizing radiation-induced damage to normal tissues. Furthermore, no adverse effect was observed after administering resveratrol. Resveratrol showed the potential to protect against ionizing radiation-induced damage to normal tissue cells via notable mechanisms, including anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects. However, further studies on the efficacy of clinical translation of resveratrol would open up more insights, while other gray areas such as the optimal radioprotective dosage of resveratrol requires further investigation. Overall, resveratrol is a potential double-edged sword in cancer therapy while protecting healthy tissues.

Sumatriptan alleviates radiation-induced oral mucositis in rats by inhibition of NF-kB and ERK activation, prevention of TNF-α and ROS release.

OBJECTIVES: Oral mucositis caused by radiation therapy is a common problem in cancer patients, especially those with head and neck cancer. Numerous experimental and clinical studies have attempted to find a drug to alleviate oral mucositis. Sumatriptan, is conventionally used to treat migraine attack and cluster headache. Recently, low doses have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. In this study we aimed to measure the effect of sumatriptan on experimental radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study evaluates the use of sumatriptan 0.3 and 1 mg/kg in radiation-induced oral mucositis. In order to induce oral mucositis, six rats from each group received 8-Gy of X-ray in a single session. Likewise, three rats from each group received 26-Gy of X-ray. The latter dose of X-ray was used for inducing severe mucositis and apoptosis evaluation by TUNEL assay, while the first dose was used for histopathological and molecular assessments. On 8th day after irradiation, specimens were collected from their tongues for histology, TUNEL and molecular assessments. RESULTS: Radiation caused mucosal atrophy, derangement of the tissue and vasodilation. Sumatriptan significantly decreased histopathological score and alleviated mucosal atrophy. As well, there was no evidence of vasodilation in the sumatriptan group. Likewise, sumatriptan decreased the increased level of NF-kB and prevented its activation as well as ERK phosphorylation. In addition, Sumatriptan-treated rats had lower tissue level of TNF-α, reactive oxygen species and fewer apoptotic cells in TUNEL assay. CONCLUSION: Based on study results, sumatriptan mitigate radiation-induced oral mucositis by inhibiting NF-kB, ERK and limiting the release of TNF-α, oxidative stress factor and apoptosis.

Radiation protection by Ex-RAD: a systematic review.

Protection of normal tissues against ionizing radiation-induced damages is a critical issue in clinical and environmental radiobiology. One of the ways of accomplishing radiation protection is through the use of radioprotectors. In the search for the most effective radioprotective agent, factors such as toxicity, effect on tumors, number of tissues protected, ease of administration, long-term stability, and compatibility with other drugs need to be assessed. Thus, in the present study, we systematically review existing studies on a chemical radioprotector, Ex-RAD, with the aim of examining its efficacy of radiation protection as well as underlying mechanisms. To this end, a systematic search of the electronic databases including Pubmed, Scopus, Embase, and Google Scholar was conducted to retrieve articles investigating the radioprotective effect of Ex-RAD. From an initial search of 268 articles, and after removal of duplicates as well as applying the predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria, 10 articles were finally included for this systematic review. Findings from the reviewed studies indicated that Ex-RAD showed potentials for effective radioprotection of the studied organs with no side effect. Furthermore, the inhibition of apoptosis through p53 signaling pathway was the main mechanism of radioprotection by Ex-RAD. However, its radioprotective effect would need to be investigated for more organs in future studies.