Can Machine Learning Predict Favorable Outcome After Radiofrequency Ablation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma?

Purpose: The standard practice for limited-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the resection or the use of local ablative techniques, such as radiofrequency ablation (RFA). The outcome after RFA depends on a complex interaction between the patient's general condition, hepatic function, and disease stage. In this study, we aimed to explore using a machine learning model to predict the response.

Optimal Operation of an Industrial Dividing Wall Column through Multiparametric Programming.

In this contribution, we present a high-fidelity dynamic model of an industrial dividing wall column and the application of explicit model predictive control for its regulation. Our study involves the separation of methyl methacrylate from a quaternary mixture. The process includes a dividing wall column coupled with a decanter, which results in highly concentrated methyl methacrylate and water streams from the middle side draw of the column and the decanter, respectively.

Binary Classification of the Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals by Artificial Neural Networks.

We develop a machine learning framework that integrates high content/high throughput image analysis and artificial neural networks (ANNs) to model the separation between chemical compounds based on their estrogenic receptor activity. Natural and man-made chemicals have the potential to disrupt the endocrine system by interfering with hormone actions in people and wildlife. Although numerous studies have revealed new knowledge on the mechanism through which these compounds interfere with various hormone receptors, it is still a very challenging task to comprehensively evaluate the endocrine disrupting potential of all existing chemicals and their mixtures by pure or approaches.

Novel biomarkers for the assessment of disease activity in patients with sarcoidosis: a case-control study.

Background And Aim: The prognosis of sarcoidosis is challenging and largely depends on the persistence of disease activity and the degree of organ dysfunction. Various biomarkers have been evaluated for diagnosis, disease activity assessment, and prognosis. This study aimed to determine if the ratios of monocytes to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (MHR), platelets to lymphocytes (PLR), neutrophils to lymphocytes (NLR), and lymphocytes to monocytes ratio (LMR) could be used as novel sarcoidosis activity markers.

Towards more efficient inhalable chemotherapy: Fabrication of nanodiamonds-releasing microspheres.

Nanodiamonds (NDs) are among the most promising chemotherapy vectors, however, they tend to aggregate upon storage, or when exposed to mild changes in pH or ionic strength. Therefore, fabrication of dried NDs with minimal change in particle size is highly desirable. In this study, we have developed a dried powder form of NDs with controlled particle size to be eligible for pulmonary delivery, after screening different drying protectants for their effect on NDs particle size and surface charge.

Effect of titanium dioxide nanoparticles and β-cyclodextrin polymer on physicochemical, antimicrobial, and antibiofilm properties of a novel chitosan-camphor polymer.

In this paper, chitosan (Chi) was successfully reacted with natural mono ketone namely, camphor (Cam), through a condensation reaction to obtain a novel Chi-Cam polymer. The encapsulation of Chi-Cam polymer into the cavity of β-cyclodextrin biopolymer by inclusion complex method, and the immobilization of TiO NPs into Chi-Cam matrix by metal complex method were performed. A set of characterizations (XRD, FTIR, SEM, UV-Vis.

Preventing Metastasis Using Gold Nanorod-Assisted Plasmonic Photothermal Therapy in Xenograft Mice.

Despite significant research regarding metastasis, there has been limited success in preventing it. However, gold nanoparticle (AuNP) technology has shown the potential to inhibit metastasis. Our earlier studies of gold nanorod-assisted plasmonic photothermal therapy (AuNRs-PPTT), where gold nanorods (AuNRs) were irradiated with near-infrared (NIR) light to induce heat, were utilized in slowing cancer cell migration .

Microfluidics for Development of Lipid Nanoparticles: Paving the Way for Nucleic Acids to the Clinic.

Nucleic acid therapeutics hold an unprecedented promise toward treating many challenging diseases; however, their use is hampered by delivery issues. Microfluidics, dealing with fluids in the microscale dimensions, have provided a robust means to screening raw materials for development of nano delivery vectors, in addition to controlling their size and minimizing their polydispersity. In this mini-review, we are briefly highlighting the different types of nucleic acid therapies with emphasis on the delivery requirement for each type.

Therapeutic potential of targeted-gold nanospheres on collagen-induced arthritis in rats.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease that causes functional disability due to bone destruction and severe joint pain. Current anti-rheumatic treatments develop severe complications and do not provide complete remission. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have garnered attention because of their unique physical and chemical properties.

Dynamic placenta-on-a-chip model for fetal risk assessment of nanoparticles intended to treat pregnancy-associated diseases.

Pregnant women often have to take medication either for pregnancy-related diseases or for previously existing medical conditions. Current maternal medications pose fetal risks due to off target accumulation in the fetus. Nanoparticles, engineered particles in the nanometer scale, have been used for targeted drug delivery to the site of action without off-target effects.

Histopathology of laryngomalacia.

Background: Laryngomalacia is the commonest laryngeal anomaly and cause of stridor in children. Although most cases are self-limiting, failure to thrive, hypoxaemia or significant apnoeic episodes may warrant surgical intervention in the form of aryepiglottoplasty. Opinion is divided as to the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the disease process.

Chitosan-coated nanodiamonds: Mucoadhesive platform for intravesical delivery of doxorubicin.

Nanodiamonds (NDs) are an emerging delivery system with a massive surface area qualifying them for efficient loading with various drugs. However, NDs easily scavenge ions upon mixing with physiological media leading to rapid aggregation. Herein, chitosan was employed to endue steric stabilization to NDs and confer adhesiveness to the particles improving their retention in the urinary bladder.

Erratum: Inferolateral Transorbital Approach to the Petrous Apex. An Adjunctive Approach to the EEA.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1702612.].

Gold Nanorod-Assisted Photothermal Therapy Decreases Bleeding during Breast Cancer Surgery in Dogs and Cats.

For localized tumors, gold nanorod (AuNR)-assisted plasmonic photothermal therapy (PPTT) is a potentially effective alternative to traditional surgery, in which AuNRs absorb near-infrared light and convert it to heat in order to kill cancer cells. However, for large tumors (volume ≥ 20 cm), an uneven distribution of AuNRs might cause inhomogeneity of the heat distribution inside the tumor. Surgery is frequently recommended for removing large tumors, but it is associated with a high risk of cancer recurrence and metastasis.

Nanodiamonds: Minuscule gems that ferry antineoplastic drugs to resistant tumors.

Remarkable efforts are currently devoted to the area of nanodiamonds (NDs) research due to their superior properties viz: biocompatibility, minute size, inert core, and tunable surface chemistry. The use of NDs for the delivery of anticancer drugs has been at the forefront of NDs applications owing to their ability to increase chemosensitivity, sustain drug release, and minimize drug side effects. Accelerated steps towards the move of NDs from bench side to bedside have been recently witnessed.

Gold Nanorod Photothermal Therapy Alters Cell Junctions and Actin Network in Inhibiting Cancer Cell Collective Migration.

Most cancer-related deaths come from metastasis. It was recently discovered that nanoparticles could inhibit cancer cell migration. Whereas most researchers focus on single-cell migration, the effect of nanoparticle treatment on collective cell migration has not been explored.

Effect of Submerged vs Nonsubmerged Implant Placement Protocols on Implant Failure and Marginal Bone Loss: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Purpose: To compare prosthesis and implant failures and marginal bone loss (MBL) resulting from submerged vs nonsubmerged dental implant protocols.

Materials And Methods: Electronic and manual searches of two databases (MEDLINE [PubMed] and Cochrane) were conducted to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing submerged to nonsubmerged dental implant protocols. Data were independently extracted by two reviewers, and meta-analyses were performed for the included RCTs.

Targeting cancer cell integrins using gold nanorods in photothermal therapy inhibits migration through affecting cytoskeletal proteins.

Metastasis is responsible for most cancer-related deaths, but the current clinical treatments are not effective. Recently, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were discovered to inhibit cancer cell migration and prevent metastasis. Rationally designed AuNPs could greatly benefit their antimigration property, but the molecular mechanisms need to be explored.

The accuracy and sensitivity of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging with Apparent Diffusion Coefficients in diagnosis of recurrent cholesteatoma.

Objective: To evaluate the accuracy and sensitivity of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging with ADC value combined with MDCT in evaluating recurrent cholesteatoma.

Patients: Thirty patients (20 females and 10 males), their age ranged from 10 to 40years, had undergone a tympanomastoid surgery for a cholesteatoma of the middle ear underwent MDCT and MR DWI examination before second- or third-look surgery from May 2015 to October 2016.

Results: CT showed partial opacification of the tympanomastoid cavity in 10 ears and complete opacification in 21 ears.

Efficacy, long-term toxicity, and mechanistic studies of gold nanorods photothermal therapy of cancer in xenograft mice.

Gold nanorods (AuNRs)-assisted plasmonic photothermal therapy (AuNRs-PPTT) is a promising strategy for combating cancer in which AuNRs absorb near-infrared light and convert it into heat, causing cell death mainly by apoptosis and/or necrosis. Developing a valid PPTT that induces cancer cell apoptosis and avoids necrosis in vivo and exploring its molecular mechanism of action is of great importance. Furthermore, assessment of the long-term fate of the AuNRs after treatment is critical for clinical use.

Nuclear Membrane-Targeted Gold Nanoparticles Inhibit Cancer Cell Migration and Invasion.

Most cancer patients die from metastasis. Recent studies have shown that gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) can slow down the migration/invasion speed of cancer cells and suppress metastasis. Since nuclear stiffness of the cell largely decreases cell migration, our hypothesis is that targeting AuNPs to the cell nucleus region could enhance nuclear stiffness, and therefore inhibit cell migration and invasion.