Spontaneous-stimulated Raman co-localization dual-modal analysis approach for efficient identification of tumor cells.

The study of highly heterogeneous tumor cells, especially acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells, usually relies on invasive analytical methods such as morphology, immunology, cytogenetics, and molecular biology classification, which are complex and time-consuming to perform. Mortality is high if patients are not diagnosed in a timely manner, so rapid label-free analysis of gene expression and metabolites within single-cell substructures is extremely important for clinical diagnosis and treatment. As a label-free and non-destructive vibrational detection technique, spontaneous Raman scattering provides molecular information across the full spectrum of the cell but lacks rapid imaging localization capabilities.

Label-Free Identification of AML1-ETO Positive Acute Myeloid Leukemia Using Single-Cell Raman Spectroscopy.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a malignant hematological tumor disease. Chromosomal abnormality is an independent prognostic factor in AML. AML with t(8:21) (q22; q22)/AML1-ETO (AE) is an independent disease group.

Current practices of craniospinal irradiation techniques in Turkey: a comprehensive dosimetric analysis.

Objective: This study evaluates various craniospinal irradiation (CSI) techniques used in Turkish centers to understand their advantages, disadvantages and overall effectiveness, with a focus on enhancing dose distribution.

Methods: Anonymized CT scans of adult and pediatric patients, alongside target volumes and organ-at-risk (OAR) structures, were shared with 25 local radiotherapy centers. They were tasked to develop optimal treatment plans delivering 36 Gy in 20 fractions with 95% PTV coverage, while minimizing OAR exposure.

Preparation, Characterization, and Evaluation of Enzyme Co-Modified Fish Gelatin-Based Antibacterial Derivatives.

Fish gelatin (FG)-based wound dressings exhibit superior water absorption capacity, thermal stability, and gelation properties, which enhance the performance of these dressings. In this study, our objective was to investigate the conditions underlying the enzymatic hydrolysis of FG and subsequent cross-linking to prepare high-performance gels. A two-step enzymatic method of protease-catalyzed hydrolysis followed by glutamine transglutaminase (TGase)-catalyzed cross-linking was used to prepare novel high-performance fish gelatin derivatives with more stable dispersion characteristics than those of natural gelatin derivatives.

Recognition of Nucleophosmin Mutant Gene Expression of Leukemia Cells Using Raman Spectroscopy.

As a label-free, nondestructive, and in situ detection method, Raman spectroscopy analysis of single cells has potential application value in biomedical fields such as cancer diagnosis. In this study, the Raman spectral characteristics of nucleophosmin (NPM1)-mutant acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells and nonmutated AML cells were investigated, and the reasons for the differences in spectral peaks were explained in combination with transcriptomic analysis. Raman spectra of two AML cell lines without NPM1 mutation (THP-1 and HL-60) and the OCI-AML3 cell line carrying the NPM1 mutant gene were cultured and collected experimentally.

Characterization of 250 MeV Protons from the Varian ProBeam PBS System for FLASH Radiation Therapy.

Shoot-through proton FLASH radiation therapy has been proposed where the highest energy is extracted from a cyclotron to maximize the dose rate (DR). Although our proton pencil beam scanning system can deliver 250 MeV (the highest energy), this energy is not used clinically, and as such, 250 MeV has yet to be characterized during clinical commissioning. We aim to characterize the 250-MeV proton beam from the Varian ProBeam system for FLASH and assess the usability of the clinical monitoring ionization chamber (MIC) for FLASH use.

Effect of the initial energy layer and spot placement parameters on IMPT delivery efficiency and plan quality.

Purpose: Improving efficiency of intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) treatment can be achieved by shortening the beam delivery time. The purpose of this study is to reduce the delivery time of IMPT, while maintaining the plan quality, by finding the optimal initial proton spot placement parameters.

Methods: Seven patients previously treated in the thorax and abdomen with gated IMPT and voluntary breath-hold were included.

Intensity Modulated Proton Therapy Treatment Planning for Postmastectomy Patients with Metallic Port Tissue Expanders.

Purpose: Proton beam therapy can significantly reduce cardiopulmonary radiation exposure compared with photon-based techniques in the postmastectomy setting for locally advanced breast cancer. For patients with metallic port tissue expanders, which are commonly placed in patients undergoing a staged breast reconstruction, dose uncertainties introduced by the high-density material pose challenges for proton therapy. In this report, we describe an intensity modulated proton therapy planning technique for port avoidance through a hybrid single-field optimization/multifield optimization approach.

Outcomes of and treatment planning considerations for a hybrid technique delivering proton pencil-beam scanning radiation to women with metal-containing tissue expanders undergoing post-mastectomy radiation.

Background: Following mastectomy, immediate breast reconstruction often involves the use of temporary tissue expanders (TEs). TEs contain metallic ports (MPs), which complicate proton pencil-beam scanning (PBS) planning. A technique was implemented for delivering PBS post-mastectomy radiation (PMRT) to patients with TEs and MPs.

Plan quality effects of maximum monitor unit constraints in pencil beam scanning proton therapy for central nervous system and skull base tumors.

Purpose/objective(s): With reports of CNS toxicity in patients treated with proton therapy at doses lower than would be expected based on photon data, it has been proposed that heavy monitor unit (MU) weighting of pencil beam scanning (PBS) proton therapy spots may potentially increase the risk of toxicity. We evaluated the impact of maximum MU weighting per spot (maxMU/spot) restrictions on PBS plan quality, prior to implementing clinic-wide maxMU/spot restrictions.

Materials/methods: PBS plans of 11 patients, of which 3 plans included boosts, for a total of 14 PBS sample cases were included.

Simulation of an HDR "Boost" with Stereotactic Proton versus Photon Therapy in Prostate Cancer: A Dosimetric Feasibility Study.

Purpose/objectives: To compare the dose escalation potential of stereotactic body proton therapy (SBPT) versus stereotactic body photon therapy (SBXT) using high-dose rate prostate brachytherapy (HDR-B) dose-prescription metrics.

Patients And Methods: Twenty-five patients previously treated with radiation for prostate cancer were identified and stratified by prostate size (≤ 50cc; = 13, > 50cc; = 12). Initial CT simulation scans were re-planned using SBXT and SBPT modalities using a prescription dose of 19Gy in 2 fractions.

Multiple Computed Tomography Robust Optimization to Account for Random Anatomic Density Variations During Intensity Modulated Proton Therapy.

Purpose: To propose a method of optimizing intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) plans robust against dosimetric degradation caused by random anatomic variations during treatment.

Methods And Materials: Fifteen patients with prostate cancer treated with IMPT to the pelvic targets were nonrandomly selected. On the repeated quality assurance computed tomography (QACTs) for some patients, bowel density changes were observed and caused dose degradation because the treated plans were not robustly optimized (non-RO).

Proton Versus Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy: First Dosimetric Comparison for Total Scalp Irradiation.

Purpose: Total scalp irradiation (TSI) is used to treat malignancies of the scalp and face, including angiosarcomas, nonmelanoma skin cancers, and cutaneous lymphomas. Owing to the irregularity of the scalp contour and the presence of underlying critical organs at risk (OARs), radiation planning is challenging and technically difficult. To address these complexities, several different radiation therapy techniques have been used.

Techniques for Treating Bilateral Breast Cancer Patients Using Pencil Beam Scanning Technology.

Purpose: Patients with bilateral breast cancer (BBC), who require postmastectomy radiation therapy or radiation as part of breast conservation treatment, present a unique technical challenge. Even with modern techniques, such as intensity modulated radiation therapy or volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT), adequate target coverage is rarely achieved without the expense of increased integral dose to important organs at risk (OARs), such as the heart and lungs. Therefore, we present several BBC techniques and a treatment algorithm using intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) for patients treated at our center.

Radiation dose-painting with protons vs. photons for head-and-neck cancer.

Dose-painting has recently been investigated in early-phase trials in head-and-neck cancer (HNC) with the aim of improving local tumor control. At the same time proton therapy has been reported as potentially capable of decreasing toxicity. Here, we investigate whether protons could be applied in a dose-painting setting by comparing proton dose distributions with delivered photon plans from a phase-I trial of FDG-PET based dose-painting at our institution.

Preserving Endocrine Function in Premenopausal Women Undergoing Whole Pelvis Radiation for Cervical Cancer.

Purpose: Whole pelvis radiation therapy (WPRT) in premenopausal women with cervical cancer can cause permanent ovarian damage, resulting in premature menopause. Oophoropexy, often considered as an initial step, demonstrates safety of sparing 1 ovary at the cost of delay in initiating WPRT. Therefore, we dosimetrically compared volumetric modulated arc radiotherapy (VMAT) and intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) techniques to allow for ovarian-sparing WPRT.

Proton beam therapy delivered using pencil beam scanning vs. passive scattering/uniform scanning for localized prostate cancer: Comparative toxicity analysis of PCG 001-09.

Background And Purpose: Patient-level benefits of proton beam therapy (PBT) relative to photon therapy for prostate cancer (PC) continue to be the focus of debate. Although trials comparing the two modalities are underway, most are being conducted using "conventional" PBT (passive scattering/uniform scanning [PS/US]) rather than pencil beam scanning (PBS). The dosimetric benefits of PBS are well-known, but comparative data are limited.

Technical Note: Quality assurance of proton central axis pencil-beam spread-out Bragg peak using large-diameter multilayer ionization chambers.

Purpose: The aim of this work is to describe a method of machine quality assurance (QA) by measuring proton spread-out Bragg peak constructed by the integrated depth dose via a large-diameter (12-cm) multilayer ionization chamber (LD-MLIC).

Methods: Two types of contours are used to create the nominal plan. The final nominal plan is composed of mixed-energy proton pencil-beam spots located close to the central axis.

Proton Therapy Delivery and Its Clinical Application in Select Solid Tumor Malignancies.

Radiation therapy is a frequently used modality for the treatment of solid cancers. Although the mechanisms of cell kill are similar for all forms of radiation, the in vivo properties of photon and proton beams differ greatly and maybe exploited to optimize clinical outcomes. In particular, proton particles lose energy in a predictable manner as they pass through the body.

Concepts of PTV and Robustness in Passively Scattered and Pencil Beam Scanning Proton Therapy.

Concepts of planning target volume and plan robustness in proton therapy are described. Implementation of these concepts into treatment planning is described. Proton plan sensitivity and interfractional and intrafractional anatomical variation are also discussed.

Proton beam therapy for malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare disease with a poor prognosis. Surgical techniques have made incremental improvements over the last few decades while new systemic therapies, including immunotherapies, show promise as potentially effective novel therapies. Radiation therapy has historically been used only in the palliative setting or as adjuvant therapy after extrapleural pneumonectomy, but recent advances in treatment planning and delivery techniques utilizing intensity-modulated radiation therapy and more recently pencil-beam scanning (PBS) proton therapy, have enabled the delivery of radiation therapy as neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy after an extended pleurectomy and decortication or as definitive therapy for patients with recurrent or unresectable disease.

A comparison of two pencil beam scanning treatment planning systems for proton therapy.

Objective: Analytical dose calculation algorithms for Eclipse and Raystation treatment planning systems (TPS), as well as a Raystation Monte Carlo model are compared to corresponding measured point doses.

Method: The TPS were modeled with the same beam data acquired during commissioning. Thirty-five typical plans were made with each planning system, 31 without range shifter and four with a 5 cm range shifter.

Potential-Resolved Electrochemiluminescence for Simultaneous Determination of Triple Latent Tuberculosis Infection Markers.

A novel electrochemiluminescence (ECL) immunosensor based on the potential-resolved strategy was first developed for simultaneous determination of triple latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) markers with high sensitivity, interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin (IL)-2. In this work, luminol and self-prepared carbon quantum dots and CdS quantum dots were integrated onto gold nanoparticles and magnetic beads in sequence to fabricate potential-resolved ECL nanoprobes with signal amplification. IFN-γ-antibody (Ab)1, TNF-α-Ab1, and IL-2-Ab1 were separately immobilized on three spatially resolved areas of a patterned indium tin oxide electrode to capture the corresponding LTBI markers, which were further recognized by IFN-γ-Ab2, TNF-α-Ab2, and IL-2-Ab2-functionalized ECL nanoprobes.

Novel Electrochemiluminescence-Sensing Platform for the Precise Analysis of Multiple Latent Tuberculosis Infection Markers.

Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is one of the major contributing factors for the high incidence of tuberculosis, and the low contents of LTBI markers in human serum present a great challenge for the diagnosis of LTBI. Here, we reported a novel electrochemiluminescence (ECL)-sensing platform for the precise analysis of multiple LTBI markers, interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin (IL)-2. In this approach, self-prepared carbon quantum dots (CQDs) and luminol were integrated onto gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), which were further enriched on the surface of magnetic bead (MB) to create two solid-phase ECL nanoprobes (MB@Au@CQDs and MB@Au@luminol) for improving the detection sensitivity efficiently.

Dual Electrochemiluminescence Signal System for In Situ and Simultaneous Evaluation of Multiple Cell-Surface Receptors.

A mutiplex cytosensor based on a dual electrochemiluminescence (ECL) signal system was fabricated for in situ and simultaneous detection of the expression levels of multiple cell-surface receptors, mannose and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), using luminol-capped gold nanoparticles (Au@luminol) and CdS quantum dots (CdS QDs) as potential-resolved ECL nanoprobes. Two spatially resolved areas on indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes were modified with polyaniline (PANI) by electropolymerization, on which gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were attached to strengthen conductivity and stability of the sensing interface. Human mucin1 protein (MUC1) aptamer was immobilized onto AuNPs for capturing MUC1-positive MCF-7 cells.