Brachytherapy: A Pharmacist's Perspective

1989 ◽  
Vol 2 (5) ◽  
pp. 271-275 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel F. Liprie

Brachytherapy is treatment by implantation of one or more radioactive sources into, or near, a tumor or other cancerous area of the body. This form of cancer treatment presents new challenges for the nuclear (radiologic) pharmacist who is seeking additional unique roles within the specialty. The nuclear pharmacist is the obvious choice for active participation in brachytherapy procedures since his/her training and daily routine deals with the safe handling and use of radioactive materials. Before beginning treatment, the radioactive implant must be surveyed, calibrated, and leak tested, all of which are important aspects of nuclear pharmacy practice. Applying the basic principles of safe handling and use of radiopharmacouticals, the clinical nuclear pharmacist can easily master the art of actual implantation and removal of a brachytherapy source as well as its preparation for waste disposal. This article focuses on specifics of the brachytherapy procedure and how the clinical nuclear pharmacist can become an integral member of the brachytherapy team.

Author(s):  
Robert Laumbach ◽  
Michael Gochfeld

This chapter describes the basic principles of toxicology and their application to occupational and environmental health. Topics covered include pathways that toxic substances may take from sources in the environment to molecular targets in the cells of the body where toxic effects occur. These pathways include routes of exposure, absorption into the body, distribution to organs and tissues, metabolism, storage, and excretion. The various types of toxicological endpoints are discussed, along with the concepts of dose-response relationships, threshold doses, and the basis of interindividual differences and interspecies differences in response to exposure to toxic substances. The diversity of cellular and molecular mechanisms of toxicity, including enzyme induction and inhibition, oxidative stress, mutagenesis, carcinogenesis, and teratogenesis, are discussed and the chapter concludes with examples of practical applications in clinical evaluation and in toxicity testing.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yiyu Chen ◽  
Abhinav Pandey ◽  
Zhiwei Deng ◽  
Anthony Nguyen ◽  
Ruiqi Wang ◽  
...  

Abstract The global COVID-19 pandemic has inevitably made disinfection a daily routine to ensure the safety of public and private spaces. However, the existing disinfection procedures are time-consuming and require intensive human labor to apply chemical-based disinfectant onto contaminated surfaces. In this paper, a robot disinfection system is presented to increase the automation of the disinfection task to assist humans in performing routine disinfection safely and efficiently. This paper presents a semi-autonomous quadruped robot called LASER-D for performing disinfection in cluttered environments. The robot is equipped with a spray-based disinfection system and leverages the body motion to control the spray action without an extra stabilization mechanism. The spraying unit is mounted on the robot’s back and controlled by the robot computer. The control architecture is designed based on force control, resulting in navigating rough terrains and the flexibility in controlling the body motion during standing and walking for the disinfection task. The robot also uses the vision system to improve localization and maintain desired distance to the disinfection surface. The system incorporates image processing capability to evaluate disinfected regions with high accuracy. This feedback is then used to adjust the disinfection plan to guarantee that all assigned areas are disinfected properly. The system is also equipped with highly integrated simulation software to design, simulate and evaluate disinfection plans effectively. This work has allowed the robot to successfully carry out effective disinfection experiments while safely traversing through cluttered environments, climb stairs/slopes, and navigate on slippery surfaces.


2021 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Panoraia I. Siafaka ◽  
Gökce Mutlu ◽  
Neslihan Üstündağ Okur

Background: Dementia and its related types such as Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia and mixed dementia belong to brain associated diseases, resulting in long-term progressive memory loss. These diseases are so severe that can affect a person's daily routine. Up to date, treatment of de- mentias is still an unmet challenge due to their complex pathophysiology and unavailable efficient pharmacological approaches. The use of nanotechnology based pharmaceutical products could possibly improve the management of dementia given that nanocarriers could more efficiently deliver drugs to the brain. Objective: The objective of this study is to provide the current nanotechnology based drug delivery systems for the treatment of various dementia types. In addition, the current diagnosis biomarkers for the mentioned dementia types along with their available pharmacological treatment are being dis- cussed. Method: An extensive review of the current nanosystems such as brain drug delivery systems against Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia and mixed dementia was performed. Moreover, nan- otheranostics as possible imaging markers for such dementias were also reported. Results: The field of nanotechnology is quite advantageous for targeting dementia given that nanoscale drug delivery systems easily penetrate the blood brain barrier and circulate in the body for prolonged time. These nanoformulations consist of polymeric nanoparticles, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostruc- tured lipid carriers, microemulsions, nanoemulsions, and liquid crystals. The delivery of the nan- otherapeutics can be achieved via various administration routes such as transdermal, injectable, oral, and more importantly, through the intranasal route. Nonetheless, the nanocarriers are mostly limited to Alzheimer’s disease targeting; thus, nanocarriers for other types of dementia should be developed. Conclusion: To conclude, understanding the mechanism of neurodegeneration and reviewing the cur- rent drug delivery systems for Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia types are significant for medical and pharmaceutical society to produce efficient therapeutic choices and novel strategies based on mul- tifunctional and biocompatible nanocarriers, which can deliver the drug sufficiently into the brain.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 90-96
Author(s):  
Anastasia Goncharova ◽  
Maria Vil'

The paper presents the implementation of the mathematical model of cancer taking into account interference competition and the model of continuous treatment with a constant concentration of the drug in the patient's blood. The implementation was carried out using the MATLAB SimBiology application package. The principle of implementation of different stages of the course of the disease within the framework of one model is described. On the basis of the constructed models and SimBiology tools, a modification was carried out that implements the discrete administration of doses of the drug in courses and takes into account its dynamics in the body, taking into account the assumption that the drug is consumed only to suppress cancerous cells.


Author(s):  
Benjamin Godard ◽  
Edouard De Jaeghere ◽  
Nabil Ben Nasr ◽  
Julien Marty ◽  
Raphael Barrier ◽  
...  

With the rise of ultra high bypass ratio turbofan and shorter and slimmer inlet geometries compared to classical architectures, designers face new challenges as nacelle and fan design cannot anymore be addressed independently. This paper reviews CFD methods developed to simulate inlet-fan interactions and suitable for industrial design cycles. In addition to the reference isolated fan and nacelle models, the methodologies evaluated in this study consist of two fan modeling approaches, an actuator disc and body-force source terms. The configuration is a modern turbofan with a high bypass ratio under cross-wind. Results are compared to experimental data. As to be predicted, the body-force modeling approach enables early inlet reattachment. In addition, it provides a representative flow deviation across the fan zone which enables performance and stability assessments.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 053-058
Author(s):  
Anuradha Pandit

In this twentieth century with dynamic changing lifestyle, more towards sedentary, growing technologies, crazy working hours, pressures, deadline, competition, responsibilities and eventually growing stress is reason for growing physical and pathological disorders. This is also the cause of early pathological disorders. One becomes victim of wrong posture due to monotonous routine, improper work environment and lack of exercises. We are conscious about our health and follow specific fitness regime and diet, but awareness of body and its structure is also equally important. We are conscious about our external look, but we ignore internal beauty of our body. Maintaining balance of well-arranged body created by the environment and our energy should be well preserved. Yoga plays an important role in creating this awareness, posture practice to keep us physically healthy, meditation to keep our mind healthy and raj yoga teaches us to have insight to know the goal of our soul which is ‘peace’. This article emphasis on posture awareness through posture modification. It emphasis on what is posture modification and how it can be achieved through posture correction. It explains the importance of posture correction and how important is body awareness with reference to effect of gravitation force on our body, to bring change in our body to maintain symmetry/ balance and preserve it. It also covers Ashtanga yoga, 8 limbs of yoga which is the best guide to teach us how to live our life, with systematic progression in setting up our goals towards the purpose of our life. When I say understanding of the body that also includes understanding of our daily routine and the flow of posture correction from foot to toe and flow of the yoga therapy which goes after identification of the problem. The article also mentions few important facts in this article, Kids learn through imitating our behavior physically and socially. Gaining knowledge and wisdom is fate, passing this knowledge to next generation is our responsibility. As the topic says, principles of Sunjeevan Yoga are explained throughout the article. Just like various schools of Yoga, Sunjeevan Yoga is also a school of Yoga which has main aspect as Yoga Therapy using different Hatta yoga asnaas and props to treat patient with various physical deformity and supportive therapy to pathological disorders. Keeping the base of Patanjali yoga sutra as philosophy behind Sunjeevan Yoga therapy, it works more on body and mind awareness. To summarize, Lifestyle Management is crucial and is need of an hour. This can be achieved through Yoga, that is awareness of body and mind. Lifestyle management is spending quality time at work, family, friends, and oneself. How well we manage our body and mind that is physical and virtual health and how we primacies our priorities. Yoga is just not just stretching and postures, but yoga is posture recognition and modification, stretching with awareness.


2019 ◽  
Vol 72 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 39-42
Author(s):  
Ivan Ergelasev ◽  
Ivan Kuhajda ◽  
Dejan Djuric ◽  
Danijela Kuhajda ◽  
Sinisa Maksimovic

Introduction. Fibrous dysplasia is a noninherited benign skeletal disorder associated with abnormal bone development. Single bone involvement, the monostotic form, accounts for 70 ? 80% of cases, while the polyostotic form, with multiple bone involvement, accounts for 20 ? 30% of cases. Cystic degeneration and occasional aneurysmal bone cyst formation may be found in fibrous dysplasia lesions, particularly in the costal lesions. Case Report. A 51-year-old man presented with acute shortness of breath after sustaining simple chest wall injury. Chest computed tomography showed multiple massive osteolytic rib lesions, as well as a massive left-sided pleural effusion with compression atelectasis of the lung parenchyma. Osteolytic lesions of the anterior 2nd and 7th thoracic vertebral body were found, along with a well defined osteolytic lesion in the body of the sternum. Video-assisted thoracoscopy of the left pleural space was performed and frozen sections, collected using endoscopic biopsy forceps of the cystic wall and solid parts of the tumors, were sent for ex tempore histopathological analysis. Results showed fibrous dysplasia with suspected malignancy. Talc pleurodesis was performed based on the obtained results. At present, the patient is asymptomatic with his daily routine uninterrupted by his medical condition. Conclusion. Treatment of pleural effusion caused by a cyst rupture of unresectable degenerated polyostotic fibrous dysplasia of the ribs represents a surgical challenge. Surgical drainage of the cysts followed by chemical pleurodesis seems to be a reasonable solution in cases where pulmonary functions are impacted by combined effects of pleural effusion and cystic compression.


2020 ◽  
Vol 73 (7) ◽  
pp. 1516-1520
Author(s):  
Oksana V. Tymoshchuk ◽  
Oksana Y. Zhurakivska ◽  
Volodymyr V. Derpak ◽  
Iryna O. Kostitska ◽  
Iryna T. Tokar

The aim of study is special aspects of the efficient daily routine of students at modern educational institutions of different types, and its influence on psychophysical functions, adaptive abilities, the quality of life as well as the state of mental and somatic health of the youngsters. Materials and methods: While studying special aspects of the daily routine of students at modern educational institutions and their influence on the state of physical and mental health, the young people were observed in five modern educational establishments in Ivano-Frankivsk: Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University, Ivano-Frankivsk Finance Commercial Cooperative College named after S.Granat, Ivano-Frankivsk music school named after Denis Sichinskiy, Ivano-Frankivsk Vocational Motor Transport and Construction Lyceum № 15, Ivano-Frankivsk boarding lyceum for gifted young people from rural areas. 300 students were observed (150 female students and 150 male students). The study analyzed their educational conditions, daily routine tension, and activities during breaks, special aspects of leisure arrangements, amount of time spent on homework, subjective assessment of the level of tension of the educational process, and their projected influence on the health state of students by using static models. Results: Received results of the assessment of sanitary and hygienic conditions under which training takes place at modern educational institutions of different types, as well as conditions of after school activities of the students, by applying common methods to evaluate illumination level, microclimate, and air quality have revealed that the youngsters’ conditions at modern educational institutions are marked by absence of significant deviations from common hygienic requirements, they are similar and easily comparable and that enables defensibly and illuminatively to identify main features of influence of the different psychohygienic methods on the development of health maintaining tools and the establishment of features of the formation of functional capabilities and the basic correlates of mental and physical health. Conclusions: The educational conditions of young people in modern educational establishments can be described as not having considerable deviations from common hygienic requirements, being easily comparable and enabling to identify main influence factors of different types of psychohygienic methods of developing and implementing of healthmaintaining tools on the course of formation of the functional capabilities of the body and the development of the main adaptation reactions in young males and females.


2008 ◽  
Vol 47 (172) ◽  
Author(s):  
Buddhi Prasad Paudyal

Acute poisoning by organophosphorus (OP) compounds is a major global clinical problem, withthousands of deaths occurring every year. Most of these pesticide poisoning and subsequentdeaths occur in developing countries following a deliberate self ingestion of the poison. Metacid(Methyl parathion) and Nuvan (Dichlorovos) are commonly ingested OP pesticides; Dimethoate,Profenofos, and Chlorpyrifos are other less frequently ingested compounds in Nepal. The toxicityof these OP pesticides is due to the irreversible inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzymeleading to accumulation of acetylcholine and subsequent over-activation of cholinergic receptorsin various parts of the body. Acutely, these patients present with cholinergic crisis; intermediatesyndrome and delayed polyneuropathy are other sequel of this form of poisoning. The diagnosisdepends on the history of exposure to these pesticides, characteristic manifestations of toxicityand improvements of the signs and symptoms after administration of atropine. The supportivetreatment of OP poisoning includes the same basic principles of management of any acutelypoisoned patient i.e., rapid initial management of airways, breathing, and circulation. Gastriclavage and activated charcoal are routinely used decontamination procedures, but their valuehas not been conclusively proven in this poisoning. Atropine is the mainstay of therapy, andcan reverse the life threatening features of this acute poisoning. However, there are no clearcut guidelines on the dose and duration of atropine therapy in OP poisoning. Cholinesterasereactivators, by regenerating AChE, can reverse both the nicotinic and muscarinic effects;however, this benefit has not been translated well in clinical trials. All these facts highlight thatthere are many unanswered questions and controversies in the management of OP poisoningand there is an urgent need for research on this aspect of this common and deadly poisoning.Key Words: poisoning, organophosphorus insecticides, decontamination, antidotes


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