Neurological prognosis prediction for cardiac arrest patients using quantitative imaging biomarkers from brain computed tomography.

Purpose: We aimed to predict the neurological prognosis of cardiac arrest (CA) patients using quantitative imaging biomarkers extracted from brain computed tomography images.

Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 86 CA patients (good prognosis, 32; poor prognosis, 54) who were treated at three hospitals between 2017 and 2019. We then extracted 1131 quantitative imaging biomarkers from whole-brain and local volumes of interest in the computed tomography images of the patients.

Effect of a three-dimensional nanotube array substrate on photocatalytic conversion performance of CO gas to methanol by amine-loaded CuO/ZnO catalysts.

The photocatalytic conversion of CO gas into energy-dense hydrocarbons holds the potential to address both environmental and energy problems. Catalysts consisting of CuO clusters/nanoparticles and ZnO nanorods on a metallic nanotube array (MeNTA) silicon substrate were utilized for CO reduction. The surface of the catalysts was modified with 3-amino-propyltriethoxysilane (APTES), the amine terminal of which can selectively bind CO gas.

Protector-free, non-plasmonic silver quantum clusters by femtosecond pulse laser irradiation: binding on nanocellulose filaments for improved catalytic activity and cycling performance.

This study introduces a new, facile method to synthesize silver clusters from aqueous silver ion solution by using high intensity femtosecond pulse laser irradiation. The particles obtained in the absence of reducing or capping agents are 1-17 nm in size and presented quantum properties, as characterized by fluorescence, but did not exhibit plasmon signals, which is not a common characteristic of conventional silver nanoparticles. In a further development, small silver quantum clusters (∼1 nm) were bound to wet-spun filaments of cellulose nanofibrils by pulsed laser irradiation.

Variation in Hounsfield unit calculated using dual-energy computed tomography: comparison of dual-layer, dual-source, and fast kilovoltage switching technique.

The purpose of the study is to investigate the variation in Hounsfield unit (HU) values calculated using dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) scanners. A tissue characterization phantom inserting 16 reference materials were scanned three times using DECT scanners [dual-layer CT (DLCT), dual-source CT (DSCT), and fast kilovoltage switching CT (FKSCT)] changing scanning conditions. The single-energy CT images (120 or 140 kVp), and virtual monochromatic images at 70 keV (VMI) and 140 keV (VMI) were reconstructed, and the HU values of each reference material were measured.

Nanoarchitectonics of Nanocellulose Filament Electrodes by Femtosecond Pulse Laser Deposition of ZnO and Conjugation of Conductive Polymers.

Electroactive filament electrodes were synthesized by wet-spinning of cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) followed by femtosecond pulse laser deposition of ZnO (CNF@ZnO). A layer of conducting conjugated polymers was further adsorbed by polymerization of either pyrrole or aniline, yielding systems optimized for electron conduction. The resultant hybrid filaments were thoroughly characterized by imaging, spectroscopy, electrochemical impedance, and small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering.

Relationship between hydrogel spacer distribution and dosimetric parameters in linear-accelerator-based stereotactic body radiotherapy for prostate cancer.

Purpose: To explore the potential of quantitative parameters of the hydrogel spacer distribution as predictors for separating the rectum from the planning target volume (PTV) in linear-accelerator-based stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for prostate cancer.

Methods: Fifty-five patients underwent insertion of a hydrogel spacer and were divided into groups 1 and 2 of the PTV separated from and overlapping with the rectum, respectively. Prescribed doses of 36.

Electrochemical nonenzymatic glucose sensors catalyzed by Au nanoclusters on metallic nanotube arrays and polypyrrole nanowires.

Monitoring blood glucose level is critical, since its abnormality leads to diabetes and causes death, even though glucose is essential for human living. Herein, the sensing study was performed on electrochemical nonenzymatic glucose sensors, which are composed of an Au nanocluster (AuNC) catalyst deposited on a metallic nanotube array (MeNTA) and polypyrrole nanowire (PPyNW). The AuNC was produced by irradiating a femtosecond pulse laser to the Au precursor solution, and it is a simple and facile method.

Movements of Magnetite-Encapsulated Graphene Particles at Air-Water Interface and Their Cell Growths under Dynamic Magnetic Field.

The motion of magnetic particles under magnetic fields is an object to be solved in association with basic and practical phenomena. Movement phenomena of magnetite-encapsulated graphene particles at air-water interfaces were evaluated by manufacturing a feedback control system of the magnetic field to cause the motion of particles due to magnetic torque. A homogeneous magnetic field was generated using two pairs of electromagnets located perpendicular to each other, which were connected to an electronic switch.

Virtual cone-beam computed tomography simulator with human phantom library and its application to the elemental material decomposition.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to develop a virtual CBCT simulator with a head and neck (HN) human phantom library and to demonstrate the feasibility of elemental material decomposition (EMD) for quantitative CBCT imaging using this virtual simulator.

Methods: The library of 36 HN human phantoms were developed by extending the ICRP 110 adult phantoms based on human age, height, and weight statistics. To create the CBCT database for the library, a virtual CBCT simulator that simulated the direct and scattered X-ray on a flat panel detector using ray-tracing and deep-learning (DL) models was used.

Electrochemical immunosensing by carbon ink/carbon dot/ZnO-labeled-Ag@polypyrrole composite biomarker for CA-125 ovarian cancer detection.

In this work, we demonstrated a novel cancer antigen 125 (CA125) biomarker detection based on electrochemical immunosensor. The biomarker on conductive composite materials of carbon ink/carbon dot/zine oxide (C-ink/CD/ZnO) was employed as an electrode platform by using ITO substrate to enhance the interaction of antibodies (Ab) with supporting catalytic performance of ZnO as a labeling signal molecule. They were a scientist attention for biosensor with chemical stability, strong biocompatibility, high conductive signal, and accuracy.

Preparation of Functional Nanoparticles-Loaded Magnetic Carbon Nanohorn Nanocomposites towards Composite Treatment.

Combination therapy for cancer is expected for the synergetic effect of different treatments, and the development of promising carrier materials is demanded for new therapeutics. In this study, nanocomposites including functional nanoparticles (NPs) such as samarium oxide NP for radiotherapy and gadolinium oxide NP as a magnetic resonance imaging agent were synthesized and chemically combined with iron oxide NP-embedded or carbon dot-coating iron oxide NP-embedded carbon nanohorn carriers, where iron oxide NP is a hyperthermia reagent and carbon dot exerts effects on photodynamic/photothermal treatments. These nanocomposites exerted potential for delivery of anticancer drugs (doxorubicin, gemcitabine, and camptothecin) even after being coated with poly(ethylene glycol).

An Invisible Skin Marker for External Beam Radiation Therapy: Utilization of Ultraviolet Fluorescent Marker Pens.

Radiation therapy plays an important role in cancer treatment along with surgery and systemic therapy. The total dose of radiation therapy is divided into small doses, and the treatment is typically delivered once a day. The total treatment period can need several weeks or more, and it is necessary to deliver the radiation dose to the target volume within the patient precisely each time.

Role of HIKESHI on Hyperthermia for Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer and Application of a Novel Magnetic Nanoparticle with Carbon Nanohorn for Magnetic Hyperthermia.

The prognosis of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is technically scarce; therefore, a novel treatment for CRPC remains warranted. To this end, hyperthermia (HT) was investigated as an alternative therapy. In this study, the analysis focused on the association between CRPC and heat shock protein nuclear import factor "hikeshi (HIKESHI)", a factor of heat tolerance.

Enhancement of Perovskite Solar Cells by TiO-Carbon Dot Electron Transport Film Layers.

The high performance of perovskite solar cells was produced with the help of an electron transport layer (ETL) and hole transport layer. The film ETL (mesoporous (meso)-TiO/carbon dot) boosted the efficiency of the perovskite solar cells. A perovskite cell was fabricated by a coating of carbon dot on a meso-TiO ETL.

Cascade Förster Resonance Energy Transfer Studies for Enhancement of Light Harvesting on Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells.

This work reports cascade Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based n-type (ZnO) and p-type (NiO) dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), discussing approaches to enhance their overall performance. Although DSSCs suffer from poorer performance than other solar cells, the use of composites with carbon dot (Cdot) can enhance the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of DSSCs. However, further improvements are demanded through molecular design to stimulate DSSCs.

Complexation Nanoarchitectonics of Carbon Dots with Doxorubicin toward Photodynamic Anti-Cancer Therapy.

Carbon dots (Cdots) are known as photosensitizers in which the nitrogen doping is able to improve the oxygen-photosensitization performance and singlet-oxygen generation. Herein, the characteristics of nanoconjugates of nitrogen-doped Cdots and doxorubicin were compared with the property of nitrogen-doped Cdots alone. The investigation was performed for the evaluation of pH-dependent zeta potential, quantum yield, photosensitization efficiency and singlet-oxygen generation, besides spectroscopy (UV-visible absorption and fluorescence spectra) and cytotoxicity on cancer model (HeLa cells).

Cobalt Incorporated Graphitic Carbon Nitride as a Bifunctional Catalyst for Electrochemical Water-Splitting Reactions in Acidic Media.

Non-noble metal-based bifunctional electrocatalysts may be a promising new resource for electrocatalytic water-splitting devices. In this work, transition metal (cobalt)-incorporated graphitic carbon nitride was synthesized and fabricated in electrodes for use as bifunctional catalysts. The optimum catalytic activity of this bifunctional material for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), which benefitted at a cobalt content of 10.

Hierarchical Composite Nanoarchitectonics with a Graphitic Core, Dendrimer and Fluorocarbon Domains, and a Poly(ethylene glycol) Shell as O Reservoirs for Reactive Oxygen Species Production.

Graphene oxide (GO), single-walled carbon nanohorn (CNHox), and nitrogen-doped CNH (N-CNH) were functionalized with fluorinated poly(ethylene glycol) (-PEG) and/or with a fluorinated dendrimer (-DEN) to prepare a series of assembled nanocomposites (GO/-PEG, CNHox/-PEG, N-CNH/-PEG, N-CNH/-DEN, and N-CNH/-DEN/-PEG) that provide effective multisite O reservoirs. In all cases, the O uptake increased with time and saturated after 10-20 min. When graphitic carbons (GO and CNHox) were coated with -PEG, the O uptake doubled.

Nanoscaled PAMAM Dendrimer Spacer Improved the Photothermal-Photodynamic Treatment Efficiency of Photosensitizer-Decorated Confeito-Like Gold Nanoparticles for Cancer Therapy.

A critical factor in developing an efficient photosensitizer-gold nanoparticle (PS-AuNP) hybrid system with improved plasmonic photosensitization is to allocate a suitable space between AuNPs and PS. Poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimer is selected as a spacer between the PS and confeito-like gold nanoparticles (confeito-AuNPs), providing the required distance (≈2.5-22.

Injection of hydrogel spacer increased maximal intrafractional prostate motion in anterior and superior directions during volumetric modulated arc therapy-stereotactic body radiation therapy for prostate cancer.

Background: The aim of this study was to clarify the association between intrafractional prostate shift and hydrogel spacer.

Methods: Thirty-eight patients who received definitive volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT)-stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for prostate cancer with prostate motion monitoring in our institution in 2018-2019 were retrospectively evaluated. In order to move the rectum away from the prostate, hydrogel spacer (SpaceOAR system, Boston Scientific, Marlborough, the United States) injection was proposed to the patients as an option in case of meeting the indication of use.

Femtosecond pulse laser fabrication of zinc oxide quantum clusters/nanoparticles and their electrical, optical, and chemical characteristics.

Despite various studies on the preparation of different types and sizes of ZnO, the synthesis of quantum clusters of bare metal oxide has rarely been reported. The research goals of this study were to create clusters/nanoparticles using femtosecond laser irradiation to increase the electrical, optical, and chemical functionalities of ZnO. Femtosecond pulse laser irradiation deposition technology was used here to produce ZnO from a precursor in water (pH = 5.

Chitosan-Coated-PLGA Nanoparticles Enhance the Antitumor and Antimigration Activity of Stattic - A STAT3 Dimerization Blocker.

Purpose: The use of nanocarriers to improve the delivery and efficacy of antimetastatic agents is less explored when compared to cytotoxic agents. This study reports the entrapment of an antimetastatic Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) dimerization blocker, Stattic (S) into a chitosan-coated-poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (C-PLGA) nanocarrier and the improvement on the drug's physicochemical, in vitro and in vivo antimetastatic properties post entrapment.

Methods: In vitro, physicochemical properties of the Stattic-entrapped C-PLGA nanoparticles (S@C-PLGA) and Stattic-entrapped PLGA nanoparticles (S@PLGA, control) in terms of size, zeta potential, polydispersity index, drug loading, entrapment efficiency, Stattic release in different medium and cytotoxicity were firstly evaluated.