Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging for Quantification of Targeted Drug Delivery in Varying Tumor Microenvironments.

Trastuzumab (TZM) is a monoclonal antibody that targets the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) and is clinically used for the treatment of HER2-positive breast tumors. However, the tumor microenvironment can limit the access of TZM to the HER2 targets across the whole tumor and thereby compromising TZM's therapeutic efficacy. An imaging methodology that can non-invasively quantify the binding of TZM-HER2, which is required for therapeutic action, and distribution within tumors with varying tumor microenvironments is much needed.

Revival of cryopreserved larvae from the important aquaculture species Pacific White Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) using vitrification and ultra-rapid laser warming.

Cryopreservation of aquatic embryos or larvae is needed to help safeguard genetics from important wild and captive species, increase aquaculture output, and meet the global demand for protein. To this end, the development of a cryopreservation protocol for nauplius larvae of the commercially important aquaculture species Litopenaeus vannamei, or Pacific White Shrimp, was pursued. Toxicity screening was performed using multiple cryoprotective agents (CPA), and a multi-constituent CPA cocktail was developed to achieve reliable vitrification of shrimp larvae encapsulated in 1.

The Role of Risk Tolerance in a Patient's Decision to Undergo Total Knee and Hip Arthroplasty.

Background: A patient's decision-making process to undergo surgery is crucial for surgeons to understand for patient-counseling purposes. Total knee and hip arthroplasty, like any other major surgery, is associated with serious, sometimes life-threatening, complications. Using the results of discrete choice experiments (DCEs), we aimed to understand the relationship between a patient's risk tolerance and choosing to undergo surgery in real life.

The influence of antenatal relaxation classes on perinatal psychological wellbeing and childbirth experiences: a qualitative study.

Background: There is growing evidence that antenatal education incorporating relaxation practices can positively influence perinatal psychological wellbeing. However, a paucity of qualitative research is evident. Gaining insight into how and why such education may influence childbearing women, can inform the design of effective educational interventions.