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Purpose: This work describes a case of multiple evanescent white-dot syndrome (MEWDS) in a 9-year-old girl.Methods: A case report is presented.Results: A case of MEWDS in a 9-year-old girl is described.Conclusions: To our knowledge this is the youngest presentation of MEWDS discussed in the literature. MEWDS should be considered in the differential diagnosis of ocular inflammation in the first decade of life.

The ligand-activated aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is an important molecular regulator of immune function, whose activity can be modulated by dietary glucosinolate- and tryptophan-derived metabolites. In contrast, the potential use of polyphenols as dietary regulators of AhR-dependent immunity remains unclear. In this perspective, we discuss how cellular metabolism may alter the net effect of polyphenols on AhR, thus potentially reconciling some of the conflicting observations reported in the literature. We further provide a methodological roadmap, across the fields of immunology, metabolomics, and gut microbial ecology, to explore the potential effects of polyphenol-rich diets on AhR-regulated immune function in humans.

We previously showed that Mepitel Film decreased the severity of acute radiation‐induced skin reactions in head and neck cancer patients. In the current study, we compared the effect of Mepitel Film and Biafine cream on skin reaction severity in a larger cohort of head and neck cancer patients. A total of 44 head and neck cancer patients were recruited with 39 patients contributing full data sets for analysis. Patients received a dose of 50 Gy in 25 fractions to the bilateral lymph nodes in the neck. Left and right lymph node areas were randomised to either Mepitel Film or Biafine cream, applied prophylactically. Skin reaction severity was measured using Radiation‐Induced Skin Reaction Assessment Scale (RISRAS) and expanded Radiation Oncology group (RTOG) grades. Skin dose was measured using gafchromic Film. Skin reaction severity (combined RISRAS score) underneath Mepitel Film was decreased by 30% (P< 0.001) and moist desquamation rates by 41% (P< 0.001). Skin dose underneath Mepitel Film and Biafine cream was similar (P= 0.925) and unlikely to have affected skin reaction severity. The vast majority (80%) of patients preferred Mepitel Film over Biafine cream. Negative aspects of Mepitel Film included poor adherence (11/39) and discomfort (16/39) during hot weather and showering and itchy skin underneath Mepitel Film (12/39). Mepitel Film was superior to Biafine cream in reducing the severity of acute radiation‐induced skin reactions and moist desquamation incidence in our head and neck patient cohort. Mepitel Film, compared with Biafine cream, significantly decreased the severity of acute radiation‐induced skin reactions by 30% and moist desquamation rates by 41% in our cohort of 39 head and neck cancer patients.

AbstractPrenatal exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) has been associated with the development of metabolic syndrome-related diseases in offspring. According to epidemiological studies, father’s transmission of environmental effects in addition to mother’s can influence offspring health. Moreover, maternal prenatal dietary folic acid (FA) may beneficially impact offspring health. The objective is to investigate whether prenatal FA supplementation can overcome the deleterious effects of prenatal exposure to POPs on lipid homeostasis and inflammation in three generations of male rat descendants through the paternal lineage. Female Sprague-Dawley rats (F0) were exposed to a POPs mixture (or corn oil) +/− FA supplementation for 9 weeks before and during gestation. F1 and F2 males were mated with untreated females. Plasma and hepatic lipids were measured in F1, F2, and F3 males after 12-h fast. Gene expression of inflammatory cytokines was determined by qPCR in epididymal adipose tissue. In F1 males, prenatal POPs exposure increased plasma lipids at 14 weeks old and hepatic lipids at 28 weeks old and prenatal FA supplementation decreased plasma total cholesterol at 14 weeks old. Prenatal POPs exposure decreased plasma triglycerides at 14 weeks old in F2 males. No change was observed in inflammatory markers. Our results show an impact of the paternal lineage on lipid homeostasis in rats up to the F2 male generation. FA supplementation of the F0 diet, regardless of POPs exposure, lowered plasma cholesterol in F1 males but failed to attenuate the deleterious effects of prenatal POPs exposure on plasma and hepatic lipids in F1 males.

The ability to understand treatment plan dosimetry and apply this understanding clinically is fundamental to the role of the radiation therapist. This study evaluates whether or not the Virtual Environment for Radiotherapy Training (VERT) contributes to teaching treatment planning concepts to a cohort of first‐year radiation therapy students. We directly compared a custom‐developed VERTteaching module with a standard teaching module with respect to the understanding of treatment planning concepts using a cross‐over design. Students self‐reported their understanding of specific concepts before and after delivery of the VERTand standard teaching modules and evaluated aspects of VERTas a learning experience. In addition, teaching staff participated in a semi‐structured interview discussing the modules from an educational perspective. Both the standard teaching module and VERTteaching module enhanced conceptual understanding and level of confidence in the student cohort after both teaching periods. The proportion of students reporting a perceived increase in knowledge/confidence was similar for the VERTteaching module for all but two scenarios. We propose that an integrated approach, providing a strong theoretical conceptual framework, followed by VERTto situate this framework in the (simulated) clinical environment combines the best of both teaching approaches. This study has established for the first time a clear role for a tailored VERTteaching module in teaching RTplanning concepts because of its ability to visualise conceptual information within a simulated clinical environment. Using the Virtual Environment for Radiotherapy Training (VERT), a custom‐developed teaching module was compared with a standard teaching module addressing concepts in RTtreatment planning. A mixed‐methods cross‐over study design was used to evaluate both students and teaching staff. A clear role for VERTin teaching RTplanning concepts is demonstrated because of its ability to visualise conceptual information within a simulated clinical environment.