Developing Topics.

Background: The interplaying neuropathology of amyloid plaque, tau tangles, and microglia-driven inflammation (tri-pathology) are related to neuronal and synaptic loss damage in Alzheimer's damages. Interventions that target Aβ or tau individually have not yielded substantial breakthroughs. Iron plays a pivotal role in tri-pathology by protein-bound iron-oxide deposition in amyloid plaque, tau tangle, and microglia, resulting in redox-active toxicity or microglial response induction, such as proinflammatory activation, autophagy dysfunction, and ferroptosis.

Superimposed Wavefront Imaging of Diffraction-enhanced X-rays: sparsity-aware CT reconstruction from limited-view projections.

Purpose: In this paper, we describe an algebraic reconstruction algorithm with a total variation regularization (ART + TV) based on the Superimposed Wavefront Imaging of Diffraction-enhanced X-rays (SWIDeX) method to effectively reduce the number of projections required for differential phase-contrast CT reconstruction.

Methods: SWIDeX is a technique that uses a Laue-case Si analyzer with closely spaced scintillator to generate second derivative phase-contrast images with high contrast of a subject. When the projections obtained by this technique are reconstructed, a Laplacian phase-contrast tomographic image with higher sparsity than the original physical distribution of the subject can be obtained.

Use of biosilica to improve loading and delivery of bone morphogenic protein 2.

The clinical utility of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) is limited because of the poor attraction between BMP2 and carriers, resulting in low loading efficiency and initial burst release. Here, the high binding affinity of BMP2 to the biosilica surface was utilized to overcome this limitation. Atomic force microscopy revealed that BMP2 bound nearly 8- and 2-fold more strongly to biosilica-coated hydroxyapatite than to uncoated and plain silica-coated hydroxyapatite, respectively.

Capacitive Electrode-Based Electric Field Treatments on Redox-Toxic Iron Deposits in Transgenic AD Mouse Models: The Electroceutical Targeting of Alzheimer's Disease Feasibility Study.

Iron accumulation in the brain accelerates Alzheimer's disease progression. To cure iron toxicity, we assessed the therapeutic effects of noncontact transcranial electric field stimulation to the brain on toxic iron deposits in either the Aβ fibril structure or the Aβ plaque in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (AD) as a pilot study. A capacitive electrode-based alternating electric field (AEF) was applied to a suspension of magnetite (FeO) to measure field-sensitized reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation.

Development of an Auxiliary Device for Patellar and Femoral Joint Tangential Axial Radiographic Imaging and a Method for Obtaining an Optimal Radiographic Image Using the Development.

This study evaluated the accuracy of tangential axial radiography of the patellar and femoral joint using an auxiliary device based on three image evaluation criteria, which we named the patellofemoral joint radiography auxiliary device (PJR). To compare the PJR method with conventional radiographic methods, such as Laurin, Merchant, and Settegast, a whole-body phantom (PBU-31) was used and three image evaluation items were set. The radiographic method, the smallest inclination of the patellar and showed the best half lateral image of the patella, is Settegast, and the measurement is 9.

The Potential Neuroprotective Effects of Extracts from Oat Seedlings against Alzheimer's Disease.

The physiological or dietary advantages of germinated grains have been the subject of numerous discussions over the past decade. Around 23 million tons of oats are consumed globally, making up a sizeable portion of the global grain market. Oat seedlings contain more protein, beta-glucan, free amino acids, and phenolic compounds than seeds.

Tumor-treating fields in combination with sorafenib restrain the proliferation of liver cancer .

Liver cancer is a common malignancy worldwide, with a poor prognosis and a high recurrence rate despite the available treatment methodologies. Tumor-treating fields (TTFields) have shown good preclinical and clinical results for improving the prognosis of patients with glioblastoma and malignant pleural mesothelioma. However, there is minimal evidence for the effect of TTFields on other cancer types.

Enhanced proton treatment with a LDLR-ligand peptide-conjugated gold nanoparticles targeting the tumor microenvironment in an infiltrative brain tumor model.

The tumor microenvironment (TME) of glioblastoma malforms (GBMs) contains tumor invasiveness factors, microvascular proliferation, migratory cancer stem cells and infiltrative tumor cells, which leads to tumor recurrence in the absence of effective drug delivery in a Blood Brain Barrier (BBB)-intact TME and radiological invisibility. Low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) is abundant in the blood brain barrier and overexpressed in malignant glioma cells. This study aimed to treat the TME with transmitted proton sensitization of LDLR ligand-functionalized gold nanoparticles (ApoB@AuNPs) in an infiltrative F98 glioma rat model.

Tumor-treating fields as a proton beam-sensitizer for glioblastoma therapy.

Few advances in GBM treatment have been made since the initiation of the Stupp trials in 2005. Experimental studies on immunotherapy drugs, molecular inhibitors, radiation dosage escalation and vascular growth factor blockers have all failed to provide satisfactory outcomes. TTFields therapy, on the other hand, have emerged as a viable substitute to therapies like radiation in GBM patients having a highly immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment.

Tumor treating fields can effectively overcome trastuzumab resistant breast cancer multiplication.

The Human Epidermal Growth Receptor 2, or the HER2 is one of the highest expressed negative receptor that constitutes approximately 15-20% of malevolent breast cancerous tumors among women. The prevalence of HER2 has untimely and unfavorable consequences on breast cancer, and its underlying carcinomous cell processes, structures, and growth. Trastuzumab (TRZ), a humanized antibody that is rooted in relatively recent foundations, has been found operational in its construction of treatments against HER2-positive breast cancer.

X-ray dark-field phase-contrast imaging: Origins of the concept to practical implementation and applications.

The basic idea of X-ray dark-field imaging (XDFI), first presented in 2000, was based on the concepts used in an X-ray interferometer. In this article, we review 20 years of developments in our theoretical understanding, scientific instrumentation, and experimental demonstration of XDFI and its applications to medical imaging. We first describe the concepts underlying XDFI that are responsible for imparting phase contrast information in projection X-ray images.

Stimulus-Responsive Contact Lens for IOP Measurement or Temperature-Triggered Drug Release.

Purpose: Continuous monitoring of elevated intraocular pressure and timely drug delivery for successful treatment of glaucoma are necessary to reduce intraocular pressure (IOP), which shows wide variations across the circadian pattern and in response to medication. This in vivo study presents a new contact lens-based method of optical IOP measurement or temperature-triggered drug elution.

Methods: A contact lens with moiré patterns of concentric circles measures the changes in eyeball diameter of a rabbit glaucoma model due to changes in IOP by superimposing a camera-captured image onto the micro pattern of the contact lens with a computer-assisted virtual reference image.

Medulla loss of scalp hair in breast cancer patients determined by near-infrared microscopy.

Inexpensive near-infrared microscopy (NIRM) was developed as a convenient technique to detect the medulla loss of scalp hair while reducing analytical time with easy sample preparation, leading to a field screening tool for breast cancer. NIRM has been evaluated as an alternative to synchrotron-based nanoscopy and to the relatively expensive method of conventional infrared microscopy to determine the degree and pattern of medulla loss of scalp hairs of patients with breast cancer and benign diseases, as well as normal healthy individuals. NIR imaging showed a strong, scattering-based hyperintense contrast of the medulla compared to the fully attenuated cortex in medullated healthy hair.

Direct immobilization and recovery of recombinant proteins from cell lysates by using EctP1-peptide as a short fusion tag for silica and titania supports.

Immobilization of protein, compared to the use of free protein, offers improved stability, easy separation and continuous reusability. However, the classic routes for protein immobilization, based on non-specific adsorption, often negatively affect protein functionality. In this study, EctP1 peptide was explored as a novel short fusion tag for non-covalent adsorption on unmodified solid surfaces, silica and titania.

Thermo-sensitive nanogel-laden bicontinuous microemulsion drug-eluting contact lenses.

The bicontinuous microemulsion contact lens (BMCL) has nanoporous biphasic structures (100-250 nm) that are interconnected via multiple nano-channels, providing suitable retention of various drugs for glaucoma. Timolol maleate (TM)-carried thermosensitive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) nanogel (30-50 nm) was incorporated into BMCLs by soaking or by centrifuging plus soaking. Here, we present drug-loading and release in silicon- or polyethylene oxide-microemulsion BMCLs under various conditions.

Track analysis of a synchrotron X-ray photoelectric nanoradiator by in situ fluorescence imaging of reactive oxygen species: comparative study of gold and iron oxide nanoparticles.

The emission of fluorescent X-rays and low-energy electrons by mid-/high-Z nanoparticles upon irradiation with either X-ray photons or high-energy ion beams is referred to as the nanoradiator effect (NRE). A track analysis of NRE was performed using reactive oxygen species (ROS) gels, to which macrophages containing gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were attached, together with single-cell irradiation of the intracellular nanoparticles from a microbeam of synchrotron X-rays, and the range and distribution of ^\bulletOH and O^{ \bullet - } produced were compared with those of the Fe-nanoradiator by magnetite nanoparticles (FeONP, FeO). The Au-nanoradiator generated ROS fluorescence to a greater depth and wider angle with respect to the incident X-rays than that of the Fe-nanoradiator.

Anti-Flt1 peptide and cyanine-conjugated gold nanoparticles for the concurrent antiangiogenic and endothelial cell proton treatment.

Anti-Flt1 peptide of GNQWFI binds to vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (VEGFR1 or Flt1) and prevents binding of VEGF, inhibiting VEGFR1-mediated endothelial cell migration and tube formation. Bare gold nanoparticle (AuNP) was known to have anti-angiogenic properties by specific binding with VEGF. In this study, anti-Flt1 peptide (GGNQWFI) and cyanine were chemically conjugated to AuNPs (Flt1@AuNP-cyanine 5.

Intravitreal implantable magnetic micropump for on-demand VEGFR-targeted drug delivery.

In this paper, we propose an intravitreal implantable magnetic micropump integrated with micro check valve capable of on-demand vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR)-targeted drug delivery for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and other eye pathologies characterized by ocular neoangiogenesis. Precise on-demand drug release is realized by the deflection of the magnetic membrane assembly according to the external magnetic field, and the membrane assembly consists of a thin elastic polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membrane and a cylindrical magnetic nanoparticle-PDMS composite block. Additionally, a micro check valve composed of two PDMS layers was integrated into the micropump to realize a diode-like one-directional drug delivery and prevent undesired drug diffusion.

Enhanced production of reactive oxygen species in HeLa cells under concurrent low‑dose carboplatin and Photofrin® photodynamic therapy.

Concurrent low‑dose carboplatin/Photofrin® photodynamic therapy (ccPDT) has been shown to promote relapse‑free complete tumor regression in cervical or endometrial cancer patients as a fertility‑preservation therapy. This study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanism of the enhanced therapeutic efficacy of ccPDT by determining intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and necrotic or apoptotic cell damage in HeLa cells loaded with fluorescent oxidant agents and Photofrin or/and carboplatin under light irradiation. The cytotoxic effects of ccPDT were compared when monitored with a light dose under carboplatin or Photofrin alone.

Development of Gallic Acid-Modified Hydrogels Using Interpenetrating Chitosan Network and Evaluation of Their Antioxidant Activity.

In this work, antioxidant hydrogels were prepared by the construction of an interpenetrating chitosan network and functionalization with gallic acid. The poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) p(HEMA)-based hydrogels were first synthesized and subsequently surface-modified with an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) structure prepared with methacrylamide chitosan via free radical polymerization. The resulting chitosan-IPN hydrogels were surface-functionalized with gallic acid through an amide coupling reaction, which afforded the antioxidant hydrogels.

Reactive oxygen species-based measurement of the dependence of the Coulomb nanoradiator effect on proton energy and atomic Z value.

Purpose: The Coulomb nanoradiator (CNR) effect produces the dose enhancement effects from high-Z nanoparticles under irradiation with a high-energy ion beam. To gain insight into the radiation dose and biological significance of the CNR effect, the enhancement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production from iron oxide or gold NPs (IONs or AuNPs, respectively) in water was investigated using traversing proton beams.

Methods And Materials: The dependence of nanoradiator-enhanced ROS production on the atomic Z value and proton energy was investigated.

Synchrotron tomographic images from human lung adenocarcinoma: Three-dimensional reconstruction and histologic correlations.

High-resolution tomographic images using synchrotron X-rays are expected to provide detailed reflection of microstructures, thereby allowing for the examination of histologic structures without destruction of the specimen. This study aims to evaluate the synchrotron tomographic images of mixed ground-glass opacity excised on 5-mm sections in comparison to pathologic examination. The Institutional Review Board of our institute approved this retrospective study, and written informed consent was obtained from each patient whose lung tissue would be used.