Design and manufacturing of a dynamically deformable liver phantom for radiotherapy.

Phantoms representing anatomical deformations are necessary to investigate and improve dynamic treatments. In this study, we aimed to produce a deformable liver phantom by simulating respiratory motion. The dynamically DEformable Liver Phantom (DELP) is designed to create a human-specific respiratory model and to produce synchronised, repeatable motion with this model.

The effect of lower urinary tract substructure doses on side effects of cervical cancer image-guided adaptive brachytherapy.

Objective: Image-Guided Adaptive Brachytherapy (IGABT) provides a survival advantage in locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC). Although side effects are seen less with this technique, dose parameters that cause urinary side effects are still questionable. We aim to investigate whether the radiotherapy doses of the lower urinary tract substructures (LUSS) affect the urinary system side effects (USSE) of cervical cancer external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and the IGABT.

Controlled Sr(ii) ion release from crosslinking electroactive hydrogels with potential for the treatment of infections.

The development of electrochemical stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems is of both academic and industrial interest due to the ease with which it is possible to trigger payload release, providing drug delivery in a controllable manner. Herein, the preparation of forming hydrogels including electroactive polypyrrole nanoparticles (PPy-NPs) where Sr ions are electrochemically loaded for electrically triggered release of Sr ions is reported. The hydrogels were characterized by a variety of techniques including Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), cyclic voltammetry (CV), The cytocompatibility towards human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and fibroblasts were also studied.

Dosimetric Performance Evaluation of MLC-based and Cone-based 3D Spatially Fractionated LATTICE Radiotherapy.

This study aims to dosimetrically compare multi-leaf collimator (MLC)-based and cone-based 3D LATTICE radiotherapy (LRT) plans. Valley-peak ratios were evaluated using seven different 3D LATTICE designs. Target volumes of 8 cm and 12 cm were defined on the RANDO phantom.

Evaluation of the voluntary deep inspiration breath-hold reproducibility in left-sided breast radiotherapy.

Purpose: Voluntary deep inspiration breath hold (v-DIBH) reduces cardiac dose during left-sided breast irradiation. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the reproducibility and variability of breath-hold level (BHL) using breath-hold curves and lateral kV setup images together.

Material/method: A retrospective analysis of 30 left breast cancer patients treated using the v-DIBH technique in our department is performed.

Batch fermentation of succinic acid from cheese whey by under variant medium composition.

Bio-based succinic acid production has attracted global attention since its consideration as a potential replacement to petroleum-based platform chemicals. This study used three different CO sources, namely NaHCO, KCO and MgCO for fermentation of succinic acid (SA) by under three distinct substrate conditions i.e.

DMSO tolerant NAD(P)H recycler enzyme from a pathogenic bacterium, PC543: effect of N-/C-terminal His Tag extension on protein solubility and activity.

NAD(P) dependent formate dehydrogenase (FDH) is an oxidoreductase used as a biocatalyst to regenerate NAD(P)H in reductase-mediated chiral synthesis reactions. Solvent stability and the need to reduce NADP to NADPH, due to the high cost of NADPH, are required features in the industrial usage of FDHs. Therefore, we aimed to identify a novel, robust NADP dependent FDH and evaluate the effect of N- and C- terminus His tag extensions on protein solubility and activity.

Effects of a porphyrazine derivative on some developmental characteristics of Drosophila melanogaster.

In this study, the effects of a porphyrazine derivative, [octakis (2-trimethylammoniumethyl thio) porphyrazinatocobalt] octaiodide (CoPzq), were explored on the developmental characteristics, sex ratio and egg fertility of Drosophila melanogaster. CoPzq was preferred in the study due to its probability to be used as a chemotherapeutic agent in medicine. As a result of the application of CoPzq, a phenotypic abnormality was revealed within the individuals of F1 and F2 generation of Drosophila.

The production of a new fungal alpha-amylase degraded the raw starch by means of solid-state fermentation.

In this study, it was intended to produce a new fungal amylase by solid-state fermentation and purification and also to determine some of its biochemical properties. It was found that Penicillium brevicompactum had the best enzyme activity according to screening methods with amylase degrading raw starch, and P. brevicompactum was selected as the amylase source.

Reliability and validity of the Geriatric Depression Scale in detection of poststroke minor depression.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the validity and reliability of the 30-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) as a screening tool for minor depression in poststroke patients.

Method: Literate patients older than 18 years of age, diagnosed to have stroke, were eligible for the study. Standardized Mini Mental Status Examination (S-MMSE) and GDS were applied to all patients.

Comparison of some properties of free and immobilized alpha-amylase by Aspergillus sclerotiorum in calcium alginate gel beads.

Some properties of immobilized alpha-amylase by Aspergillus sclerotiorum within calcium alginate gel beads were investigated and compared with soluble enzyme. Optimum pH and temperature were found to be 5.0 and 40 degrees C, respectively, for both soluble and immobilized enzymes.

Optimization of alpha-amylase immobilization in calcium alginate beads.

alpha-Amylase enzyme was produced by Aspergillus sclerotiorum under SSF conditions, and immobilized in calcium alginate beads. Effects of immobilization conditions, such as alginate concentration, CaCl(2) concentration, amount of loading enzyme, bead size, and amount of beads, on enzymatic activity were investigated. Optimum alginate and CaCl(2) concentration were found to be 3% (w/v).

Some properties of free and immobilized alpha-amylase from Penicillium griseofulvum by solid state fermentation.

Alpha-amylase was produced from Penicillium griseofulvum by an SSF technique. Alpha-amylase was immobilized on Celite by an adsorption method. Various parameters, such as effect of pH and temperature, substrate concentration, operational and storage stability, ability to hydrolyze starch and products of hydrolysis were investigated; these findings were compared with the free enzyme.

Reliability and validity of the Geriatric Depression Scale in depression in Parkinson's disease.

The objective of this study was to investigate reliability and validity of the self rated 30 item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) in screening and diagnosis of depression in Parkinson's disease (PD). The study sample comprised 109 non-demented patients with PD admitted to the movement disorders outpatient unit. The reference diagnosis of depression was made according to DSM-IV criteria.

Production and properties of alpha-amylase from Penicillium chrysogenum and its application in starch hydrolysis.

Fungi were screened for their ability to produce alpha-amylase by a plate culture method. Penicillium chrysogenum showed high enzymatic activity. Alpha-amylase production by P.