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Behavioral analysis in preclinical neuropsychopharmacology relies on the accurate measurement of animal behavior. Several excellent solutions for computer-assisted behavioral analysis are available for specialized behavioral laboratories wishing to invest significant resources. Herein, we present an open source straightforward software solution aiming at the rapid and easy introduction to an experimental workflow, and at the improvement of training staff members in a better and more reproducible manual scoring of behavioral experiments with the use of visual aids-maps. Currently the program readily supports the Forced Swim Test, Novel Object Recognition test and the Elevated Plus maze test, but with minor modifications can be used for scoring virtually any behavioral test. Additional modules, with predefined templates and scoring parameters, are continuously added. Importantly, the prominent use of visual maps has been shown to improve, in a student-engaging manner, the training and auditing of scoring in behavioral rodent experiments. © 2017 Kokras, Baltas, Theocharis and Dalla.

Aim To evaluate diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) for detection of regional nodal metastases in primary head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Materials and methods Ten patients with HNSCC underwent an MRI prior to surgery. The scan protocol consisted of plain transverse T1- and T2-weighted turbo spin echo (TSE) sequences and gadolinium-enhanced transverse, coronal and sagittal T1-weighted TSE sequences. Additionally, a transverse echo-planar DW-MRI sequence, using six b-values between 0 and 1000s/mm2, was performed. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps were calculated for the entire b-value range (ADC avg) and for the high b-values separately (b≥500s/mm2, ADC high). ADC values were compared with histopathology of the neck dissection specimens. After determining an optimal threshold for ADC avg and ADC high, sensitivity and specificity was calculated. Finally DW-MRI was compared with TSE-MRI for detection of nodal metastases. Results MRI showed 55 lymph nodes; 41 were benign and 14 malignant on histopathology. The mean ADC avg value for benign lymph nodes was 0.00122±0.00029mm2/s and 0.00090±0.00014mm2/s for malignant nodes (p, Aim To investigate the incidence, localization and prognostic influence of retropharyngeal (RP) nodal involvement in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx. Methods The CT studies of 208 patients presenting with oropharyngeal carcinoma were retrospectively analysed. The location of nodal neck disease was registered according to recent consensus guidelines for target volume delineation, and special attention was given to the RP nodes. The influence on recurrence (local and regional), distant metastasis, and survival was investigated. Results RP adenopathies were present in 16% (34/208) of all patients and in 23% (31/134) of patients with nodal disease in other neck sites. A solitary ipsilateral RP node was present in 3 (9%) of 34 patients with RP nodes; 2 of these 3 patients had a primary posterior pharyngeal wall tumour. No patients presented with a solitary contralateral RP node. At 5 years, patients with RP adenopathy had significantly more regional recurrences (45% vs. 10%, p=0.004). Involvement of RP lymph nodes significantly (RR 4.29 [95% CI 3.33–5.25], p=0.01) and independently predicted regional recurrence in multivariate analysis. Disease-specific survival was significantly lower in the RP node positive group (38% vs. 58%, p=0.03). Conclusions Given the high incidence of RP nodal involvement in oropharyngeal cancer and the negative impact on prognosis, RP nodes should be included in the target volume, especially in node-positive necks. In node-negative necks, inclusion of RP nodes into the target volume is advised in posterior pharyngeal wall tumours., Aim Acanthomatous change (AC) has been described as a sign of greater malignancy. However, it is generally accepted that histomorphological variations have no bearing on biologic behaviour or prognosis and that there is no correlation between histologic subtype and radiologic/imaging findings. Materials and methods In a review of 20 cases of aggressive ameloblastoma over a 12-year period (1991–2002), AC was often stated in histological reports, without any special clinical significance or pathological quantification, radiological correlation or proven clinical implication. In this study, AC was classified as focal or diffuse (from 1+ to 4+) and correlated with the radiological appearance and clinical behaviour. Results AC occurred in the follicular and plexiform subtypes. Fourteen cases were recurrences. It was conclusively shown that progressive AC was associated with an aggressive radiological appearance and biologic behaviour, including a case of ameloblastic carcinoma. Conclusion AC correlates with aggressive behaviour. Pathologists and clinicians should be alerted to the significance of AC in biopsy and resected histological specimens. These cases should be carefully assessed by MRI for diagnosis and follow up., Aim To investigate sentinel lymph node mapping in patients with early stage breast carcinoma. Methods A systematic search of world literature of sentinel node mapping in patients with early stage breast carcinoma following chemotherapy was undertaken. Using the keywords ‘sentinel node biopsy’, ‘early stage breast cancer’, ‘axillary lymph node dissection’ and ‘lymphatic mapping’, potentially eligible studies were identified. Results Between 2000 and 2005, 24 trials were reported that met eligibility criteria. Of the 1247 patients studied, 1047 patients (84%) had successfully mapped lymph nodes. The proportion of patients who had successful lymph node mapping ranged from 63% to 100%, with 55% of studies reporting a rate of, Aim To investigate the behaviour of the dynamic optical breast imaging (DOBI) curve in relation to the microvessel density (MVD) count of surgical specimens from breast biopsies. Methods Forty-six patients underwent DOBI evaluation for mammographic findings suggesting biopsy. The DOBI evaluation was performed the day before or on the day of the scheduled biopsy. The MVD count was performed from the site of the specimen where the pathology was located. The characteristics of the DOBI curve were correlated to the MVD count and to the pathology results of the biopsy. Results All malignant lesions had a high MVD count and a DOBI curve with a downslope direction, rather straight and without any initiation delays. The benign cases with a high MVD count had a downslope DOBI curve but not always straight and with some initiation delays. The rest of the cases had a low MVD count and most of them an elevated DOBI curve. Conclusion Our preliminary results indicate a relationship between malignant breast lesions with a characteristic DOBI curve and high MVD count., Aim To assess magnetic resonance (MR) imaging features of breast lymphoma (BL) and to compare MR characteristics of BL and ductal infiltrating carcinoma (DIC). Methods MR features of 7 patients with 7 breast lymphoma lesions (BL) and 7 patients with 9 DIC lesions were retrospectively evaluated by two radiologists, according to a multifactorial evaluation protocol (8-point scale) for lesion morphology (form, margins, and enhancing pattern) and dynamics (initial wash-in peak and post-initial washout). Signal intensity values of pre-contrast, initial and post-initial enhancement were recorded in order to calculate percentage changes of these values for BL and DIC lesions. Diameter of lesions was also recorded. The Wilcoxon two-sample test was used to evaluate the differences between BL and DIC MR features. The same statistical test was used to assess the inter-observer variability. Results BL showed a significantly higher median diameter (median 38 mm, range 25–50 mm) than DIC (median 20 mm, range 15–23 mm) (p0.05). There was no significant inter-observer variability for all the assessed data (p>0.05). Conclusion MR evaluation of BL and DIC lesions did not show significant difference in initial enhancement percentage change and overall evaluation score. There was significant difference between the two groups in diameter and percentage change of post-initial enhancement., Aim To determine the presence, severity and distribution of morphological changes consistent with ‘fibrosis’ and fatty infiltration on MRI with SPIO in patients with colorectal metastases, and their relationship to chemotherapy. Methods One-hundred and seventeen patients with colorectal metastases, 89 undergoing chemotherapy and 28 untreated, underwent unenhanced in-phase and opposed-phase T1-weighted gradient refocused echo (GRE) imaging, and T2-weighted fast spin echo (FSE) and GRE sequences before and after 8 μmol /kg ferucarbotran. The images were reviewed by two experienced observers to determine the presence, severity and distribution of morphological changes consistent with ‘fibrosis’ and fatty infiltration. Percentage signal intensity loss (PSIL) and tumour-to-liver contrast (CNR) were measured on superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)-enhanced liver images. Results In the post-chemotherapy patients the mean PSIL, mean CNR were 51.9, 6.7 on FSE and 70.7, 29.6 on GRE sequences, respectively. In untreated patients the mean PSIL, mean CNR were 54.9, 8.3 on FSE and 74.1, 32.4 on GRE. Twenty-five patients (19 treated, 6 untreated) had ‘fibrosis’ (4 severe, 21 moderate), which was extensive in 11 and localised in 14. Compared with the non-fibrotic group (n=92), the 25 patients with ‘fibrosis’ had significantly lower PSIL (47.5 v 54.1 [p, Aim To monitor by CTp perfusion, changes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) following therapy with thalidomide. To correlate tumour perfusion with alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and circulating endothelial cells (CEC). To investigate whether baseline tumour perfusion may predict therapy outcome. Methods Thirteen consecutive patients with advanced HCC, treated with orally administered thalidomide (200 mg /day), underwent baseline CTp and follow-up CTps, every 8 weeks. On May 2006 nine patients reached follow-up >6 months. Perfusion parameters (blood flow (BF), blood volume (BV), mean transit time (MTT), permeability surface (PS)) of the tumours were calculated using dedicated software (CT Perfusion 3, GE) and statistically correlated with AFP and CEC. Results Twelve patients were assessable for response (one excluded for toxicity); none had partial or complete remission; 6 had stable disease (SD) at 6 months and 3 had progressive disease (PD). All patients with PD showed increased BF (average 30.57%) at the time of PD; all patients with SD had stable or reduced BF (average −13.3%) at 6 months. Significant correlation between BF and AFP changes was found (R=0.71). Baseline BF and BV of HCC were significantly higher (p, Aim Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PP) is a rare condition characterised by mucinous ascites and mucinous implants involving the peritoneal surfaces. The pathology of PP has been defined into three groups: disseminated peritoneal adenomucinosis (DPAM), peritoneal mucinous carcinomatosis (PMCA) and the hybrid type. The aim of the retrospective study was to describe the computed tomography (CT) findings of 51 patients referred to our institution for surgical cytoreduction. Methods Two observers independently reviewed the CT images performed between 1996 and 2004. Results There were 38 patients with PMCA (18 women, 20 men, mean age 59 years) and 13 with DPAM (8 women, 5 men, mean age 55 years). No hybrid type of PP was encountered. Pleural effusion or pleural rind, omental cake and paraaortic lymph nodes were seen only in cases of PMCA. Liver and spleen scalloping as well as hernias were also common in PMCA. Calcifications were seen in 36% of DPAM and 26% of PMCA examinations. Conclusions Pseudomyxoma peritonei is difficult to diagnose clinically. However, knowledge of typical CT findings can help the radiologist to suggest a diagnosis of PP., Aim To compare prospectively the accuracy of ferucarbotran-enhanced high-resolution dynamic T1-weighted imaging and delayed T2-weighted gradient refocused echo (GRE) imaging for detecting small metastases. Methods We studied 25 patients referred for liver resection with colorectal metastases. All were imaged with dynamic T1-weighted fat-suppressed 3D GRE (VIBE) and delayed T2-weighted GRE sequences after bolus injection of ferucarbotran. Images were independently evaluated by two blinded observers who identified and localised lesions using a four-point confidence scale. Only lesions smaller than 2 cm were included in the analysis. The results were correlated with surgery, intra-operative ultrasound and histopathology. AFROC analysis was used to determine the accuracy of each technique. Results One-hundred and forty-seven metastases, smaller than 2 cm (107 < 1 cm) were present. For all metastases the accuracy values were 0.94 and 0.92 for T1-weighted and 0.93 and 0.91 for T2-weighted, respectively, for each of two observers. Accuracy values for lesions of 1 cm or less were 0.93 and 0.89 for T1-weighted and 0.91 and 0.88 for T2-weighted. Nine sub-centimetre lesions were not detected by either observer on any technique. Overall 11/147 (7.5%) lesions were detected only on T1-weighted (mean of two observers) compared with 7/147 (4.7%) detected only on T2-weighted (all less than 1 cm). Conclusion Accuracy for ferucarbotran-enhanced T1- and T2-weighted imaging was similar. With combined T1- and T2-weighted imaging we detected substantially more lesions than either sequence alone., Aim To compare the performance of tri-phasic multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and gadoxetate (formerly known as Gd-EOB-DTPA, Primovist ®, Schering, Germany)-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in detection and characterization of focal liver lesions. Methods The study population consisted of 34 patients, who underwent triphasic MDCT and Gd-EOB-DTPA enhanced 1.5-T MRI (time interval, max 14 days), including dynamic and late phase gadoxetate-T1-weighted scans at 20 and 40 min. Two radiologists evaluated the images in consensus reading with respect to lesion size, number, location and characterisation. Gold standard was defined by histopathologic correlation, intra-operative ultrasound or imaging follow up. The McNemar test was used for statistical analysis. Results Of a total of 126 lesions CT detected 78% and MRI 93% (p=0.003), respectively. The correct characterisation of lesions was accomplished in 64% with CT and in 89% with MRI (p, Aim To evaluate the preoperative TNM-staging of oesophageal carcinomas with contrast enhanced 16-or 64-row multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and to compare the findings with results by endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), using the histopathological findings as gold standard. Methods Eighty-six patients with oesophageal carcinoma (proven by endoscopic biopsy) were preoperatively examined with MDCT in a prone position. After distending the oesophagus (gas granules) and stomach (1.5 L of water) the chest and neck were subjected to MDCT scanning with 16×0.75 mm or 64×0.63 mm, the abdomen with 16×1.5 or 64×1 mm, using an individualised contrast injection protocol based on a bolus tracking technique. EUS was performed using a fibre-optic endoscope with a 5–10 MHz electronic array with a 360 degree scanning angle. Our MDCT staging criteria were drawn from a careful review of the literature and from personal experience and we used the TNM classification of the American Joint Committee on Cancer. Results Both modalities detected all tumours with a sensitivity of 100%. T staging by MDCT and EUS reached accuracies of 79% and 89%. The diagnosis of local node involvement by MDCT was correct in 85%, in EUS in 72%. The evaluation of distant node involvement and other metastases reached an accuracy of 92% with MDCT and only 65% with EUS. Conclusion Non-invasive MDCT is an important tool in the preoperative staging of oesophageal carcinoma and is complementary to EUS.

Zielsetzung: Auswertung der Behandlungsergebnisse der neoadjuvanten und adjuvanten Kurzzeit-Hormontherapie kombiniert mit konformaler HDR-Brachytherapie und externer Radiotherapie beim Prostatakarzinom. Patienten und Methoden: Von 01/97 bis 09/99 behandelten wir 102 Patienten mit Prostatakarzinomen im Stadium T1–3 N0 M0. Im Stadium T1–2 befanden sich 71, im Stadium T3 31 Patienten. Der mediane prätherapeutische PSA-Wert betrug 15,3 ng/ml. Nach ultraschallgesteuerter transrektaler Implantation von vier Afterloadingnadeln erfolgte die CT-gestützte 3D-Brachytherapie- Planung. Alle Patienten erhielten vier HDR-Implantate mit einer Referenzdosis von 5 Gy oder 7 Gy pro Implantat. Die Zeit zwischen jedem Implantat betrug jeweils 14 Tage. Nach der Brachytherapie folgte die externe Radiotherapie bis 39,6 Gy oder 45,0 Gy. Alle Patienten erhielten eine neoadjuvante und adjuvante Kurzzeit-Hormontherapie, die 2–19 Monate vor der Brachytherapie eingeleitet und 3 Monate nach Abschluß der externen Radiotherapie abgesetzt wurde (mediane Dauer: 9 Monate). Ergebnisse: Die mediane Nachbeobachtungszeit war 2,6 Jahre (range: 2,0–4,1 Jahre). Die biochemische Kontrollrate betrug 82 % nach 3 Jahren. Bei 14/102 Patienten registrierten wir ein biochemisches Rezidiv, bei 5/102 Patienten ein klinisches Rezidiv. Das Gesamtüberleben betrug 90 %, das krankheitsspezifische Überleben 98,0 % nach 3 Jahren. Ein Patient entwickelte eine prostato-urethro-rektale Fistel als späte Grad 4-Toxizität. Akute Grad-3 Toxizitäten traten bei 4 %, späte Grad-3 Toxizitäten bei 5 % der Patienten auf. Schlußfolgerung: Die neoadjuvante und adjuvante Kurzzeit-Hormontherapie kombiniert mit konformaler HDR-Brachytherapie und externer Radiotherapie erweist sich als sichere und wirksame Behandlungsmodalität beim Prostatakarzinom mit minimalen behandlungsbedingten Toxizitäten und einer vielversprechenden biochemischen Kontrollrate nach medianer Nachbeobachtungszeit von 2,6 Jahren.

Background and purpose A substantial reduction of uncertainties in clinical brachytherapy should result in improved outcome in terms of increased local control and reduced side effects. Types of uncertainties have to be identified, grouped, and quantified. Methods A detailed literature review was performed to identify uncertainty components and their relative importance to the combined overall uncertainty. Results Very few components (e.g., source strength and afterloader timer) are independent of clinical disease site and location of administered dose. While the influence of medium on dose calculation can be substantial for low energy sources or non-deeply seated implants, the influence of medium is of minor importance for high-energy sources in the pelvic region the level of uncertainties due to target, organ, applicator, and/or source movement in relation to the geometry assumed for treatment planning is highly dependent on fractionation and the level of image guided adaptive treatment. Most studies to date report the results in a manner that allows no direct reproduction and further comparison with other studies. Often, no distinction is made between variations, uncertainties, and errors or mistakes the literature review facilitated the drafting of recommendations for uniform uncertainty reporting in clinical BT, which are also provided the recommended comprehensive uncertainty investigations are key to obtain a general impression of uncertainties, and may help to identify elements of the brachytherapy treatment process that need improvement in terms of diminishing their dosimetric uncertainties. It is recommended to present data on the analyzed parameters (distance shifts, volume changes, source or applicator position, etc.), and also their influence on absorbed dose for clinically-relevant dose parameters (e.g., target parameters such as D90 or OAR doses). Publications on brachytherapy should include a statement of total dose uncertainty for the entire treatment course, taking into account the fractionation schedule and level of image guidance for adaptation. Conclusions This report on brachytherapy clinical uncertainties represents a working project developed by the Brachytherapy Physics Quality Assurances System (BRAPHYQS) subcommittee to the Physics Committee within GEC-ESTRO. Further, this report has been reviewed and approved by the American Association of Physicists in Medicine. © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Purpose: To present experimental dosimetry results for the new IsoSeed I25.S17plus 125I brachytherapy source, in fulfillment of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine recommendation for, at least one, experimental dosimetry characterization of new low-energy seeds before their clinical implementation. Methods and Materials: A batch of 100 LiF thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD)-100 microcubes was used for the experimental determination of the dose-rate constant, radial dose, and anisotropy functions, in irradiations performed using two Solid Water phantoms. Monte Carlo (MC) simulations were used to determine appropriate correction factors that account for the use of Solid Water as a phantom material instead of liquid water and for the different energy response of the TLD dosimeters in the experimental 125I photon energies relative to the 6MV x-ray photon beam used for the TLD calibration. Measurements were performed for four I25.S17plus seeds; one with direct traceability of air-kerma strength calibration to National Institute of Standards and Technology and three with secondary National Institute of Standards and Technology traceability. Results: A mean dose-rate constant, Λ, of 0.956±0.043 cGy h-1 U-1 was experimentally determined for the I25.S17plus source, which agrees within uncertainties with the MC result of 0.925±0.013 cGy h-1 U-1 calculated independently for the same seed model in a previous study. Agreement was also observed between the measured and the MC-calculated radial dose and anisotropy function values. Conclusions: Experimental dosimetry results for the I25.S17plus 125I source verify corresponding independent MC results in the form of Task Group-43 dosimetry parameters. The latter are found in agreement within uncertainties with sources of similar design incorporating a silver marker, such as the Oncura OncoSeed Model6711. © 2014 American Brachytherapy Society.