Overview of the Head and Neck Tumor Segmentation for Magnetic Resonance Guided Applications (HNTS-MRG) 2024 Challenge.

Magnetic resonance (MR)-guided radiation therapy (RT) is enhancing head and neck cancer (HNC) treatment through superior soft tissue contrast and longitudinal imaging capabilities. However, manual tumor segmentation remains a significant challenge, spurring interest in artificial intelligence (AI)-driven automation. To accelerate innovation in this field, we present the Head and Neck Tumor Segmentation for MR-Guided Applications (HNTS-MRG) 2024 Challenge, a satellite event of the 27th International Conference on Medical Image Computing and Computer Assisted Intervention.

Optimal Timing of Organs-at-Risk-Sparing Adaptive Radiation Therapy for Head- and-Neck Cancer under Re-planning Resource Constraints.

Background And Purpose: Prior work on adaptive organ-at-risk (OAR)-sparing radiation therapy has typically reported outcomes based on fixed-number or fixed-interval re-planning, which represent one-size-fits-all approaches and do not account for the variable progression of individual patients' toxicities. The purpose of this study was to determine the personalized optimal timing for re-planning in adaptive OAR-sparing radiation therapy, considering limited re-planning resources, for patients with head and neck cancer (HNC).

Materials And Methods: A novel Markov decision process (MDP) model was developed to determine optimal timing of re-planning based on the patient's expected toxicity, characterized by normal tissue complication probability (NTCP), for four toxicities.

Artificial intelligence uncertainty quantification in radiotherapy applications - A scoping review.

Background/purpose: The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in radiotherapy (RT) is expanding rapidly. However, there exists a notable lack of clinician trust in AI models, underscoring the need for effective uncertainty quantification (UQ) methods. The purpose of this study was to scope existing literature related to UQ in RT, identify areas of improvement, and determine future directions.

Microneedles mediated-dermal delivery of Vitamin C: Formulation, characterization, cytotoxicity, and enhancement of stability.

Vitamin C (VIT C) is an antioxidant that prevents skin aging. Although dermal delivery is one of the most effective routes to transport VIT C to the skin, the impact of this route can be limited by the barrier function of the (SC). Additionally, VIT C rapidly oxidized and degraded under light and temperature.