Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Toxic Reactions: Overview

Toxic Reactions: Overview

When toxic substances penetrate the human body, they disseminate to various tissues, undergoing metabolic changes. This process yields reactive metabolites that may covalently bind with specific target molecules, resulting in toxicity.
Toxicity falls into two primary categories: local and systemic.
Local toxicity appears at the exposure site, such as protein denaturation caused by caustic substances.
In contrast, systemic toxicity requires the toxic agent's absorption and distribution,...

Frequency-dependent Selection

Frequency-dependent Selection

When the fitness of a trait is influenced by how common it is (i.e., its frequency) relative to different traits within a population, this is referred to as frequency-dependent selection. Frequency-dependent selection may occur between species or within a single species. This type of selection can either be positive—with more common phenotypes having higher fitness—or negative, with rarer phenotypes conferring increased fitness.

Predator-Prey Interactions

Predator-Prey Interactions

Predators consume prey for energy. Predators that acquire prey and prey that avoid predation both increase their chances of survival and reproduction (i.e., fitness). Routine predator-prey interactions elicit mutual adaptations that improve predator offenses, such as claws, teeth, and speed, as well as prey defenses, including crypsis, aposematism, and mimicry. Thus, predator-prey interactions resemble an evolutionary arms race.

Responses to Salt Stress

Responses to Salt Stress

Salt stress—which can be triggered by high salt concentrations in a plant’s environment—can significantly affect plant growth and crop production by influencing photosynthesis and the absorption of water and nutrients.

Comparative Excretory Systems

Comparative Excretory Systems

Animals have evolved different strategies for excretion, the removal of waste from the body. Most waste must be dissolved in water to be excreted, so an animal’s excretory strategy directly affects its water balance.

The Stanford Prison Experiment

The Stanford Prison Experiment

The famous and controversial Stanford Prison Experiment, conducted by social psychologist Philip Zimbardo and his colleagues at Stanford University, demonstrated the power of social roles, social norms, and scripts.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Late-onset sequelae after right middle and lower lobectomy: a case report.

Journal of medical case reports·2026

Same author

M $^{3}$ SegNet: A Multi-Modal and Multi-Branch Framework for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Segmentation in Radiotherapy Planning.

IEEE journal of biomedical and health informatics·2026

Same author

In Reply to Nath.

International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics·2025

Same author

Can Radiation Therapy Quality Assurance Improve Nasopharyngeal Cancer Outcomes in Low and Middle-Income Countries-Reporting the Technical Component of the Second Phase of a Prospective International Atomic Energy Agency study (E33039).

International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics·2025

Same author

Primary target volume delineation for radiotherapy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: CSTRO, CACA, CSCO, HNCIG, ESTRO, and ASTRO guidelines and contouring atlas.

The Lancet. Oncology·2025

Same author

Target volume delineation of the neck for radiotherapy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: CSTRO, CACA, CSCO, HNCIG, ESTRO, and ASTRO guidelines and contouring atlas.

The Lancet. Oncology·2025

Same journal

Accidental hypothermia.

Nature reviews. Disease primers·2026

Same journal

Accidental hypothermia.

Nature reviews. Disease primers·2026

Same journal

Primary aldosteronism.

Nature reviews. Disease primers·2026

Same journal

Primary aldosteronism.

Nature reviews. Disease primers·2026

Same journal

Buruli ulcer in Africa: between innovation and pragmatism.

Nature reviews. Disease primers·2026

Same journal

Author Correction: Atopic dermatitis.

Nature reviews. Disease primers·2026

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 28, 2026

Voluntary Breath-hold Technique for Reducing Heart Dose in Left Breast Radiotherapy

Voluntary Breath-hold Technique for Reducing Heart Dose in Left Breast Radiotherapy

Published on: July 3, 2014

Radiotherapy toxicity.

Dirk De Ruysscher¹, Gabriele Niedermann^2,3, Neil G Burnet⁴

¹Maastricht University Medical Center, Department of Radiation Oncology (Maastro Clinic), School for Oncology and Developmental Biology (GROW), Maastricht, Netherlands. dirk.deruysscher@maastro.nl.

Nature Reviews. Disease Primers

|February 23, 2019

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Radiotherapy, a common cancer treatment, can cause normal tissue damage and toxicity. Understanding toxicity mechanisms improves patient quality of life, especially for pediatric cancer survivors.

More Related Videos

Treatment of Liver Metastases Using an Internal Target Volume Method for Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy

Treatment of Liver Metastases Using an Internal Target Volume Method for Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy

Published on: May 8, 2018

Radiation Planning Assistant - A Streamlined, Fully Automated Radiotherapy Treatment Planning System

Radiation Planning Assistant - A Streamlined, Fully Automated Radiotherapy Treatment Planning System

Published on: April 11, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jan 28, 2026

Voluntary Breath-hold Technique for Reducing Heart Dose in Left Breast Radiotherapy

Voluntary Breath-hold Technique for Reducing Heart Dose in Left Breast Radiotherapy

Published on: July 3, 2014

Treatment of Liver Metastases Using an Internal Target Volume Method for Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy

Treatment of Liver Metastases Using an Internal Target Volume Method for Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy

Published on: May 8, 2018

Radiation Planning Assistant - A Streamlined, Fully Automated Radiotherapy Treatment Planning System

Radiation Planning Assistant - A Streamlined, Fully Automated Radiotherapy Treatment Planning System

Published on: April 11, 2018

Area of Science:

Oncology
Radiation Oncology
Medical Physics

Background:

Radiotherapy is a cornerstone in cancer treatment, utilized in over 50% of patients for curative and palliative care.
Ionizing radiation targets tumor cells but can also damage surrounding normal tissues, leading to treatment-related toxicity.
Despite advancements in precise radiotherapy techniques like intensity-modulated radiotherapy, adverse effects persist in some patients.

Purpose of the Study:

To elucidate the mechanisms underlying radiotherapy-induced toxicity.
To explore factors influencing toxicity, such as irradiation site and organ-at-risk status.
To highlight the importance of understanding toxicity for improving patient quality of life, particularly in pediatric oncology.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on radiotherapy mechanisms and toxicity.
Analysis of parameters affecting normal tissue damage.
Discussion of differential diagnosis challenges for post-radiotherapy symptoms.

Main Results:

Radiotherapy toxicity is multifactorial, influenced by irradiation parameters and patient-specific factors.
Knowledge of physiopathology enables a more rational approach to toxicity management.
Distinguishing treatment effects from other conditions is crucial for appropriate patient care.

Conclusions:

Understanding radiotherapy toxicity mechanisms is key to improving symptom management and patient quality of life.
Special consideration is needed for pediatric patients due to long-term effects.
Accurate differential diagnosis of post-treatment symptoms is critical for effective patient management.