Three-dimensional printing of the human lung pleural cavity model for PDT malignant mesothelioma.

Objective: The primary aim was to investigate emerging 3D printing and optical acquisition technologies to refine and enhance photodynamic therapy (PDT) dosimetry in the management of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM).

Materials And Methods: A rigorous digital reconstruction of the pleural lung cavity was conducted utilizing 3D printing and optical scanning methodologies. These reconstructions were systematically assessed against CT-derived data to ascertain their accuracy in representing critical anatomic features and post-resection topographical variations.

Clinical PDT dose dosimetry for pleural Photofrin-mediated photodynamic therapy.

Significance: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an established cancer treatment utilizing light-activated photosensitizers (PS). Effective treatment hinges on the PDT dose-dependent on PS concentration and light fluence-delivered over time. We introduce an innovative eight-channel PDT dose dosimetry system capable of concurrently measuring light fluence and PS concentration during treatment.

Fractionated Photofrin-Mediated Photodynamic Therapy Significantly Improves Long-Term Survival.

This study investigates the effect of fractionated (two-part) PDT on the long-term local control rate (LCR) using the concentration of reactive oxygen species ([ROS]) as a dosimetry quantity. Groups with different fractionation schemes are examined, including a 2 h interval between light delivery sessions to cumulative fluences of 135, 180, and 225 J/cm. While the total treatment time remains constant within each group, the division of treatment time between the first and second fractionations are explored to assess the impact on long-term survival at 90 days.

Evaluation of Fractionated Photofrin-mediated Photodynamic Therapy Using Different Light Fluences with Reactive Oxygen Species Explicit Dosimetry (ROSED).

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an established modality for cancer treatment, and reactive oxygen species explicit dosimetry (ROSED), based on direct measurements of in-vivo light fluence (rate), in-vivo photofrin concentration, and tissue oxygenation concentration, has been proved to provide the best dosimetric quantity which can be used to predict non-fractionated PDT outcome. This study performed ROSED for Photofrin-mediated PDT for mice bearing radiation-induced fibrosacorma (RIF) tumor. As demonstrated by our previous study, fractionated PDT with a 2-hour time interval can significantly improve the long-term cure rate (from 15% to 65% at 90 days), and it tends to increase as the light dose for the first light fraction gets larger.

A real-time IR navigation system for pleural photodynamic therapy with a 3D surface acquisition system.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been used intraoperatively to treat patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma. For the efficiency of PDT, it is crucial to deliver light doses uniformly. The current procedure utilizes eight light detectors placed inside the pleural cavity to monitor the light.

PDT Light Fluence Phantom Modeling of the Human Pleural Cavity: A Proof-of-Concept Pre-Clinical Study.

We have developed a novel scanning protocol for a life-sized human phantom model using handheld three-dimensional (3D) surface acquisition devices. This technology will be utilized to develop light fluence modeling of the internal pleural cavity space during Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) of malignant mesothelioma. The external aspect of the chest cavity phantom was prefabricated of a hardened synthetic polymer resembling ordinary human anatomy (pleural cavity space) and the internal aspect remained hollow without any characterizations.

A Monte Carlo simulation for Moving Light Source in Intracavity PDT.

We developed a simulation method for modeling the light fluence delivery in intracavity Photodynamic Therapy () for pleural lung cancer using a moving light source. Due to the large surface area of the pleural lung cavity, the light source needs to be moved to deliver a uniform dose around the entire cavity. While multiple fixed detectors are used for dosimetry at a few locations, an accurate simulation of light fluence and fluence rate is still needed for the rest of the cavity.

Multispectral singlet oxygen luminescent dosimetry (MSOLD) for Photofrin-mediated Photodynamic Therapy.

Direct detection of singlet-state oxygen ([O]) constitutes the holy grail dosimetric method for type II PDT, a goal that can be quantified using multispectral singlet oxygen dosimetry (MSOLD). However, the short lifetime and extremely weak nature of the singlet oxygen signal produced has given rise to a need to improve MSOLD signal-to-noise ratio. This study examines methods for optimizing MSOLD signal acquisition, specifically employing an orthogonal arrangement between detection and PDT treatment light, consisting of two fiber optics - connected to a 632-nm laser and an InGaAs detector respectively.

Evaluation of Detector Position and Light Fluence Distribution Using an Infrared Navigation System during Pleural Photodynamic Therapy.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been used to treat malignant pleural mesothelioma. Current practice involves delivering light to a prescribed light fluence with a point source, monitored by eight isotropic detectors inside the pleural cavity. An infrared (IR) navigation system was used to track the location of the point source throughout the treatment.

Real-time PDT Dose Dosimetry for Pleural Photodynamic Therapy.

PDT dose is the product of the photosensitizer concentration and the light fluence in the target tissue. For improved dosimetry during plural photodynamic therapy (PDT), an eight-channel PDT dose dosimeter was developed to measure both the light fluence and the photosensitizer concentration simultaneously from eight different sites in the pleural cavity during PDT. An isotropic detector with bifurcated fibers was used for each channel to ensure detected light was split equally to the photodiode and spectrometer.

Reactive oxygen species explicit dosimetry (ROSED) for fractionated photofrin-mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT).

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an established modality for cancer treatment and reactive oxygen species explicit dosimetry (ROSED), based on direct measurements of in-vivo light fluence (rate), in-vivo photofrin concentration, and tissue oxygenation concentration, has been proved to be an effective dosimetric quantity which can be used to predict PDT outcome. In this study, ROSED was performed for photofrin-mediated PDT for mice bearing radiation-induced fibrosacorma (RIF) tumor. PDT treatments were performed using single or fractionated illumination to a same total fluence of 135 Jcm.

Validation of multispectral singlet oxygen luminescence dosimetry (MSOLD) for photofrin-mediated photodynamic therapy.

Accurate dosimetry is crucial for the ongoing development and clinical study of photodynamic therapy (PDT). Current dosimetry standards range from less accurate methods involving measurement of only light fluence and photosensitizer concentration during treatment, to significantly improved methods such as singlet oxygen explicit dosimetry (SOED), a macroscopic model that includes an additional important parameter in its dosimetric calculations: ground-state oxygen concentration ([O]). However, neither of these models is a method of direct dosimetry.

MiR-423-5p activated by E2F1 promotes neovascularization in diabetic retinopathy by targeting HIPK2.

Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a diabetic complication and the primary cause of blindness in the world. However, the treatments of DR are challenging given its complicated pathogenesis. Here, we investigated the molecular mechanisms of DR by focusing on the function of E2F1/miR-423-5p/HIPK2/HIF1α/VEGF axis.

Identification of Versican as an Independent Prognostic Factor in Uveal Melanoma.

Objective: To assess the role of versican (VCAN) in uveal melanoma (UVM) from its expression, prognostic value and biological function.

Methods: The general profile of VCAN mRNA and protein expression levels were obtained using bioinformatic approaches. Then, UALCAN database was adopted to examine the association of VCAN mRNA expression and clinical factors in UVM.

lncRNA MEG3, Acting as a ceRNA, Modulates RPE Differentiation Through the miR-7-5p/Pax6 Axis.

Accumulated evidence indicated that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) involves in numerous biological and pathological processes, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Dysfunction and dedifferentiation of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells have been demonstrated to be one of the crucial factor in AMD etiology. Herein, we aim to investigate the essential role of lncRNA maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) in AMD progression.

A nontoxic dose of chrysotile can malignantly transform Met-5A cells, in which microRNA-28 has inhibitory effects.

Chrysotile, which is classified as a class I carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), has extensive application in the industry and can lead to lung or other cancers. However, whether chrysotile causes malignant mesothelioma and its molecular mechanism remain debatable. Thus, this study aimed to demonstrate the mesothelioma-inducing potential of chrysotile at the mesothelial cellular level and the function of microRNA-28 in malignantly transformed mesothelial MeT-5A cells.

Label-free fluorescence "turn-on" strategy for mercury (II) detection based on the T-Hg-T configuration and the DNA-sensitized luminescence of terbium (III).

A novel label-free fluorescence "turn-on" strategy was developed for the sensitive detection of Hg based on the thymine-Hg-thymine (T-Hg-T) coordination and the fact that single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) greatly enhances the fluorescence of terbium (III) (Tb), but double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) does not. In the absence of Hg, the mercury-specific DNA (MSD) hybridized with the corresponding complementary strand (cDNA) to form a double helix structure in solution based on Watson-Crick base pairings, which cannot enhance the fluorescence of Tb. In the presence of Hg, MSD preferentially bound with Hg to form the T-Hg-T complex due to the strong affinity of Hg(II) for the T bases of DNA, thus avoiding the hybridization of the cDNA to MSD.

Baicalin Alleviates Age-Related Macular Degeneration via miR-223/NLRP3-Regulated Pyroptosis.

Background: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a major eye degenerative disease, ultimately causes irreversible vision loss. Baicalin was identified to attenuate laser-induced chorodial neovascularization, indicating a therapeutic role in AMD. However, the exact mechanisms for baicalin in AMD remain unknown.

NFE2/miR-423-5p/TFF1 axis regulates high glucose-induced apoptosis in retinal pigment epithelial cells.

Background: A study has shown that miR-423-5p is highly expressed in proliferative diabetic retinopathy. However, the exact biological functions and mechanisms of miR-423-5p in diabetic retinopathy (DR) progression are currently unclear. This study aimed to investigate the role of miR-423-5p in DR and the underlying mechanism.

Facile detection of melamine by a FAM-aptamer-G-quadruplex construct.

The development of a novel method for melamine detection that uses a FAM-aptamer-G-quadruplex construct due to the efficient quenching ability of an aptamer-linked G-quadruplex is reported herein. The construct, which is labeled with the fluorescent dye 6-carboxyfluorescein (FAM), consists of two parts: a melamine-binding aptamer and a G-rich sequence that can form a G-quadruplex structure. Because of the specific recognition of melamine by the T-rich aptamer, this aptamer folds into a hairpin structure in the presence of melamine, which draws the G-quadruplex closer to the FAM fluorophore, leading to the quenching of the fluorescence of FAM.

Development of Structure-Switching Aptamers for Kanamycin Detection Based on Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer.

The structure-switching aptamers are designed for the simple and rapid detection of kanamycin based on the signal transduction principle of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). The structure switch is composed of kanamycin-binding aptamers and the complementary strands, respectively labeled with fluorophore and quencher, denoted as FDNA and QDNA. In the absence of kanamycin, FDNA and QDNA form the double helix structure through the complementary pairing of bases.

Protectiveness of Artesunate Given Prior Ischemic Cerebral Infarction Is Mediated by Increased Autophagy.

Ischemic cerebral infarction is a severe clinical condition that can cause serious mortality. Artesunate, an anti-malarial drug that is widely used in cancer treatment, is known to facilitate accelerated cell apoptosis. The aim of this study is to explore the possible neuroprotective effects of artesunate on hypoxic-ischemic cells in rats.

Long non-coding RNA SNHG14 promotes microglia activation by regulating miR-145-5p/PLA2G4A in cerebral infarction.

Activated microglia cells (MCs) are able to release a large amount of inflammatory cytokines after ischemic stroke, which exacerbates neuron damage. In this study, we explored the functional involvement of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) SNHG14 and its potential regulatory mechanism in the activation of MCs. The mouse model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and microglia cell model of oxygen/glucose deprivation (OGD) were made.

Alveolar bone thickness around maxillary central incisors of different inclination assessed with cone-beam computed tomography.

Objective: To assess the labial and lingual alveolar bone thickness in adults with maxillary central incisors of different inclination by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Methods: Ninety maxillary central incisors from 45 patients were divided into three groups based on the maxillary central incisors to palatal plane angle; lingual-inclined, normal, and labial-inclined. Reformatted CBCT images were used to measure the labial and lingual alveolar bone thickness (ABT) at intervals corresponding to every 1/10 of the root length.