Radiomics and artificial intelligence analysis by T2-weighted imaging and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging to predict Breast Cancer Histological Outcome.

Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the accuracy of radiomics features obtained by MR images to predict Breast Cancer Histological Outcome.

Methods: A total of 217 patients with malignant lesions were analysed underwent MRI examinations. Considering histological findings as the ground truth, four different types of findings were used in both univariate and multivariate analyses: (1) G1 + G2 vs G3 classification; (2) presence of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2 + vs HER2 -); (3) presence of the hormone receptor (HR + vs HR -); and (4) presence of luminal subtypes of breast cancer.

Stability of Multi-Parametric Prostate MRI Radiomic Features to Variations in Segmentation.

Stability analysis remains a fundamental step in developing a successful imaging biomarker to personalize oncological strategies. This study proposes an in silico contour generation method for simulating segmentation variations to identify stable radiomic features. Ground-truth annotation provided for the whole prostate gland on the multi-parametric MRI sequences (T2w, ADC, and SUB-DCE) were perturbed to mimic segmentation differences observed among human annotators.

Repeatability and reproducibility of MRI-radiomic features: A phantom experiment on a 1.5 T scanner.

Purpose: Aim of this study is to assess the repeatability of radiomic features on magnetic resonance images (MRI) and their stability to variations in time of repetition (TR), time of echo (TE), slice thickness (ST), and pixel spacing (PS) using vegetable phantoms.

Methods: The organic phantom was realized using two cucumbers placed inside a cylindrical container, and the analysis was performed using T1-weighted (T1w), T2-weighted (T2w), and diffusion-weighted images. One dataset was used to test the repeatability of the radiomic features, whereas other four datasets were used to test the sensitivity of the different MRI sequences to image acquisition parameters (TR, TE, ST, and PS).

Role of IMRT/VMAT-Based Dose and Volume Parameters in Predicting 5-Year Local Control and Survival in Nasopharyngeal Cancer Patients.

This study aimed to look into the relationship between intensity-modulated-radiotherapy (IMRT)- or volumetric-modulated-arc-therapy (VMAT)-based dose-volume parameters and 5-year outcome for a consecutive series of non-metastatic nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) patients (pts) treated in a single institution in a non-endemic area in order to identify potential prognostic factors. A retrospective analysis of consecutive non-metastatic NPC pts treated curatively with IMRT or VMAT and chemotherapy (CHT) between 2004 and 2014 was conducted. One patient was in stage I (0.

Baseline MRI-Radiomics Can Predict Overall Survival in Non-Endemic EBV-Related Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Patients.

Advanced stage nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) shows highly variable treatment outcomes, suggesting the need for independent prognostic factors. This study aims at developing a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based radiomic signature as a prognostic marker for different clinical endpoints in NPC patients from non-endemic areas. A total 136 patients with advanced NPC and available MRI imaging (T1-weighted and T2-weighted) were selected.

Methodology and technology for the development of a prognostic MRI-based radiomic model for the outcome of head and neck cancer patients.

The purpose of this study was to establish a methodology and technology for the development of an MRI-based radiomic signature for prognosis of overall survival (OS) in nasopharyngeal cancer from non-endemic areas. The signature was trained using 1072 features extracted from the main tumor in T1-weighted and T2-weighted images of 142 patients. A model with 2 radiomic features was obtained (RAD model).

Radiomics in diffusion data: a test-retest, inter- and intra-reader DWI phantom study.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the robustness of radiomics features of a MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) phantom in quantitative diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and depending on the image resolution.

Materials And Methods: Scanning of an in-house developed DWI phantom was performed at a 1.5 T MRI scanner (Magnetom AERA, Siemens, Erlangen, Germany) using an echo planar imaging (EPI) DWI sequence (b=0,500,1,000 s/mm) with low (3×3 mm) and high (2×2 mm) image resolutions.

High-dose-rate brachytherapy for high-grade vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia: a dosimetric analysis.

Purpose: Due to the rarity of vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VAIN), it is impossible to define the best treatment approach or to assess vaginal morbidity. However, brachytherapy (BT) could be a valuable choice for VAIN grade 3 (VAIN3). The aim of this paper was to report a single-institution study of the application of high-dose-rate BT and to evaluate clinical outcomes as well as to investigate the dose-effect relationship for vaginal stenosis.

An innovative gynecological HDR brachytherapy applicator system for treatment delivery and real-time verification.

The multichannel vaginal cylinder (MVC) applicator employed for gynecological high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy increases dose delivery complexity, and thus makes the treatment more prone to errors. A quality assurance (QA) procedure tracking the source throughout dose delivery can detect dwell position and time errors in the multiple channels of the applicator. A new MVC system with integrated real time in vivo treatment delivery QA has been developed based on diodes embedded on the outer surface of the MVC.

Pre-implant magnetic resonance and transrectal ultrasound imaging in high-dose-rate prostate brachytherapy: comparison of prostate volumes, craniocaudal extents, and contours.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the prostate contours drawn by two radiation oncologists and one radiologist on magnetic resonance (MR) and transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) images. TRUS intra- and inter-fraction variability as well as TRUS vs. MR inter-modality and inter-operator variability were studied.

Comparison of different treatment planning optimization methods for vaginal HDR brachytherapy with multichannel applicators: A reduction of the high doses to the vaginal mucosa is possible.

Purpose: A direct planning approach with multi-channel vaginal cylinders (MVCs) used for HDR brachytherapy of vaginal cancers is particularly challenging. Purpose of this study was to compare the dosimetric performances of different forward and inverse methods used for the optimization of MVC-based vaginal treatments for endometrial cancer, with a particular attention to the definition of strategies useful to limit the high doses to the vaginal mucosa.

Methods: Twelve postoperative vaginal HDR brachytherapy treatments performed with MVCs were considered.

Semiconductor real-time quality assurance dosimetry in brachytherapy.

With the increase in complexity of brachytherapy treatments, there has been a demand for the development of sophisticated devices for delivery verification. The Centre for Medical Radiation Physics (CMRP), University of Wollongong, has demonstrated the applicability of semiconductor devices to provide cost-effective real-time quality assurance for a wide range of brachytherapy treatment modalities. Semiconductor devices have shown great promise to the future of pretreatment and in vivo quality assurance in a wide range of brachytherapy treatments, from high-dose-rate (HDR) prostate procedures to eye plaque treatments.

Physicists' views on hadrontherapy: a survey of members of the Italian Association of Medical Physics (AIFM).

Background: This study was based on a survey to investigate perceptions of hadrontherapy of the members of the Italian Association of Medical Physics (AIFM). The survey was digitally submitted to the 991 members between the end of January and the beginning of April 2016.

Methods: A 19-item questionnaire was designed focusing on advantages and disadvantages of hadrontherapy, current status and possible future improvements, and need and opportunities for future investments in Italy and abroad.

Clinical application of MOSkin dosimeters to rectal wall in vivo dosimetry in gynecological HDR brachytherapy.

Purpose: Three MOSkins dosimeters were assembled over a rectal probe and used to perform in vivo dosimetry during HDR brachytherapy treatments of vaginal cancer. The purpose of this study was to verify the applicability of the developed tool to evaluate discrepancies between planned and measured doses to the rectal wall.

Materials And Methods: MOSkin dosimeters from the Centre for Medical Radiation Physics are particularly suitable for brachytherapy procedures for their ability to be easily incorporated into treatment instrumentation.

ATP Bioluminometers Analysis on the Surfaces of Removable Orthodontic Aligners after the Use of Different Cleaning Methods.

Purpose. The aim was to quantify the bacteria concentration on the surface of orthodontic clear aligners using three different cleaning methods. Furthermore the objective was to validate the efficacy of the bioluminometer in assessing the bacteria concentration.

In vivo rectal wall measurements during HDR prostate brachytherapy with MOSkin dosimeters integrated on a trans-rectal US probe: Comparison with planned and reconstructed doses.

Background And Purpose: To study if MOSkin detectors coupled to a trans-rectal ultrasound (TRUS) probe may be used for in vivo dosimetry on the rectal wall surface during US-based HDR prostate brachytherapy and to quantify possible discrepancies between planned and delivered doses.

Materials And Methods: MOSkins are a specific type of MOSFET dosimeter optimized to measure dose in steep dose gradients on interfaces. Two MOSkins were assembled on a TRUS probe used for on-line treatment planning.

Scanning electron microscopy analysis of the growth of dental plaque on the surfaces of removable orthodontic aligners after the use of different cleaning methods.

Background: Advances in orthodontics are leading to the use of minimally invasive technologies, such as transparent removable aligners, and are able to meet high demands in terms of performance and esthetics. However, the most correct method of cleaning these appliances, in order to minimize the effects of microbial colonization, remains to be determined.

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to identify the most effective method of cleaning removable orthodontic aligners, analyzing the growth of dental plaque as observed under scanning electron microscopy.

Online in vivo dosimetry in high dose rate prostate brchytherapy with MOSkin detectors: in phantom feasibility study.

MOSkin detectors were studied to perform real-time in vivo dose measurements in high dose rate prostate brachytherapy. Measurements were performed inside an urethral catheter in a gel phantom simulating a real prostate implant. Measured and expected doses were compared and the discrepancy was found to be within 8.

Automated culture system experiments hardware: developing test results and design solutions.

The experiment proposed by Prof. Ricci University of Milan is funded by ASI with Laben as industrial Prime Contractor. ACS-EH (Automated Culture System-Experiment Hardware) will support the multigenerational experiment on weightlessness with rotifers and nematodes within four Experiment Containers (ECs) located inside the European Modular Cultivation System (EMCS) facility.

Mice Drawer System: phase c/d development and perspective.

MDS (Mice Drawer System) is the Facility that will support the research on board the International Space Station (ISS). Funded by ASI with Laben as industrial Prime Contractor, MDS will also permit its utilisation for other research programs with mice. The most attractive feature of MDS is that six mice can he kept separate inside dedicated and isolated cages.