Positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) is a hybrid imaging modality that plays a crucial role in detecting and managing oesophageal cancer. However, not much is known about the clinicians’ perspective on its usage for oesophageal cancer. The aim of this study is to know the perspective of clinicians on the utilisation of PET-CT imaging for oesophageal cancer patients. A total of 73 clinicians with multidisciplinary clinical specialties for oesophageal cancer management were interviewed. All these clinicians had completed a survey consisting of 31 questions on; practicality, clinical efficacy and cost-effectiveness of PET-CT. The survey used Likert-scale to evaluate the responses. In terms of PET-CT practicality and clinical efficacy 39.7% - 43.8% and 47.9% - 83.5% of the sample respectively responded positively while in with regards to cost effectiveness, there was a significant difference from being neutral to having no opinion in 6 out of 9 questions. It was clear from the study that PET-CT has positive impact in the management of oesophageal cancer patients. However, issues related to expertise, availability, staffing and bureaucracy need to be addressed to improve competency and quality of services.
The use of prenatal ultrasound has become controversial as it is increasingly being performed for business
and social interests rather than for medical use. This nonmedical use of the modality has violated the
US FDA guideline. Ultrasound scans have been proven to increase temperature in insonated tissue and
their effects have been investigated via phantom and animal experiments. Absorption coefficient of the
bone is the highest compared with any other structure. Thus, exposure to ultrasound, especially during
osteogenesis, can cause significant damage to developing foetus. Twenty-two pregnant does of known
gestation were enrolled in the control and experimental groups. No exposure was given to the control
group while the experimental groups were exposed accordingly to the prenatal ultrasound in the 1st,
2nd and 3rd stage for 30, 60 and 90 minutes respectively. A total of 142 subjects aged between 1 and 5
months were analysed for bone strength. The Tb.Th of the experimental group was reduced significantly
as compared to the control group. Po, TMD and empty lacunae were higher in the experimental group.
It is thus concluded that one-time prenatal ultrasound can affect bone strength in young subjects.
Ionising radiation (IR) has been extensively used as therapy and diagnostic modality to detect abnormalities inside a human body. Interaction between IR and cells can lead to production of free radicals. This study aims to evaluate radioprotective properties of 50% watermelon juice against low dose ionising radiation (LDIR)-induced stress in mice lung and liver tissues following 14 days of juice supplementation. Eighteen (18) ICR mice were randomly divided into three groups, negative control (Cx), radiation (Rx) and treatment group (Tx). The Cx group was treated with normal diet and filtered water while the Rx group was given a normal diet, filtered water and irradiated with 100 µGy x-ray; Tx group was fed a normal diet, 50% watermelon juice and irradiated with 100 µGy x-ray. After 14 days, level of superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in lung and liver tissues were evaluated. The SOD inhibition activity revealed a significant decrease in Rx and Tx compared with Cx (p