Timing, Energy, and Spatial Characterization of Highly Sampled Monolithic PET Detectors with Different Thicknesses.

The HyPET project proposes a hybrid dedicated TOF-PET for prostate imaging, with pixelated detector blocks in the front layer and monolithic blocks in the back layer. In this work, four detector configurations have been experimentally evaluated for the rear detector layer. The detector configuration consists of LYSO monolithic blocks with the same size (25.

Computational Prediction of Structure, Function, and Interaction of (Green Peach Aphid) Salivary Effector Proteins.

Similar to plant pathogens, phloem-feeding insects such as aphids deliver effector proteins inside their hosts that act to promote host susceptibility and enable feeding and infestation. Despite exciting progress toward identifying and characterizing effector proteins from these insects, their functions remain largely unknown. The recent groundbreaking development in protein structure prediction algorithms, combined with the availability of proteomics and transcriptomic datasets for agriculturally important pests, provides new opportunities to explore the structural and functional diversity of effector repertoires.

Repurposing AZD5438 and Dabrafenib for Cisplatin-Induced AKI.

Significance Statement: To combat both untoward effects of nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity in cisplatin-treated patients, two potential therapeutic oral anticancer drugs AZD5438 and dabrafenib, a phase-2 clinical trial protein kinase CDK2 inhibitor and an US Food and Drug Administration-approved drug BRAF inhibitor, respectively, were tested in an established mouse AKI model. Both drugs have previously been shown to protect significantly against cisplatin-induced hearing loss in mice. Each drug ameliorated cisplatin-induced increases in the serum biomarkers BUN, creatinine, and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin.

Dabrafenib protects from cisplatin-induced hearing loss in a clinically relevant mouse model.

The widely used chemotherapy cisplatin causes permanent hearing loss in 40%-60% of patients with cancer. One drug, sodium thiosulfate, is approved by the FDA for use in pediatric patients with localized solid tumors for preventing cisplatin-induced hearing loss, but more drugs are desperately needed. Here, we tested dabrafenib, an FDA-approved BRAF kinase inhibitor and anticancer drug, in a clinically relevant multidose cisplatin mouse model.

Rhs NADase effectors and their immunity proteins are exchangeable mediators of inter-bacterial competition in Serratia.

Many bacterial species use Type VI secretion systems (T6SSs) to deliver anti-bacterial effector proteins into neighbouring bacterial cells, representing an important mechanism of inter-bacterial competition. Specific immunity proteins protect bacteria from the toxic action of their own effectors, whilst orphan immunity proteins without a cognate effector may provide protection against incoming effectors from non-self competitors. T6SS-dependent Rhs effectors contain a variable C-terminal toxin domain (CT), with the cognate immunity protein encoded immediately downstream of the effector.

Biological and synthetic surfactant exposure increases antimicrobial gene occurrence in a freshwater mixed microbial biofilm environment.

Aquatic habitats are particularly susceptible to chemical pollution, such as antimicrobials, from domestic, agricultural, and industrial sources. This has led to the rapid increase of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) gene prevalence. Alternate approaches to counteract pathogenic bacteria are in development including synthetic and biological surfactants such as sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and rhamnolipids.

Timing, Energy, and 3-D Spatial Resolution of the BING PET Detector Module.

We evaluated the 3D spatial, energy, and timing resolution of the Brain (or Breast)-Initiative Next-Generation (BING) PET detector. The BING detector is an array of 1-mm-thick slats of LYSO scintillator with lapped specular-reflective faces (15-mm by 52-mm) that are stacked together and oriented with their long-narrow edges normal to the imaging field of view. Interaction positions are determined from the signals of silicon-photomultiplier (SiPM) arrays placed on the entrance (top) and exit (bottom) faces.

Synthetic and biological surfactant effects on freshwater biofilm community composition and metabolic activity.

Surfactants are used to control microbial biofilms in industrial and medical settings. Their known toxicity on aquatic biota, and their longevity in the environment, has encouraged research on biodegradable alternatives such as rhamnolipids. While previous research has investigated the effects of biological surfactants on single species biofilms, there remains a lack of information regarding the effects of synthetic and biological surfactants in freshwater ecosystems.

Delineating the activity of the potent nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists (+)-anatoxin-a and (-)-hosieine-A.

The affinity and thermodynamic parameters for the interactions of two naturally occurring neurotoxins, (+)-anatoxin-a and (-)-hosieine-A, with acetylcholine-binding protein were investigated using a fluorescence-quenching assay and isothermal titration calorimetry. The crystal structures of their complexes with acetylcholine-binding protein from Aplysia californica (AcAChBP) were determined and reveal details of molecular recognition in the orthosteric binding site. Comparisons treating AcAChBP as a surrogate for human α4β2 and α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) suggest that the molecular features involved in ligand recognition and affinity for the protein targets are conserved.

Metformin for Prevention of Anthropometric and Metabolic Complications of Androgen Deprivation Therapy in Prostate Cancer Patients Receiving Radical Radiotherapy: A Phase II Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Patients with prostate cancer undergoing treatment with radical radiation therapy (RT) plus androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) experience a constellation of deleterious metabolic and anthropometric changes related to hypogonadism that are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. We assessed the effect of metformin versus placebo to blunt the adverse effects of ADT on body weight, waist circumference, and other metabolic parameters.

Methods And Materials: This phase 2, multicenter, randomized controlled trial (RCT) randomized normoglycemic men with locally advanced prostate cancer receiving radical RT and ADT (18-36 months) in a 1:1 ratio to receive metformin 500 mg by mouth 3 times a day (for 30-36 months) versus identical placebo.

Do Sustainable Palliative Single Fraction Radiotherapy Practices Proliferate or Perish 2 Years after a Knowledge Translation Campaign?

In early 2017, the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer and CancerCare Manitoba undertook a comprehensive knowledge translation (KT) campaign to improve the utilization of single fraction radiotherapy (SFRT) over multiple fraction radiotherapy (MFRT) for palliative management of bone metastases. The campaign significantly increased short-term SFRT utilization. We assess the time-dependent effects of KT-derived SFRT utilization 12-24 months removed from the KT campaign in a Provincial Cancer Program.

Females Have Worse Overall and Disease-Specific Survival in Human Papillomavirus-Negative Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Purpose: Although sex (male vs female) has been identified as an independent prognostic factor in human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), the role of sex in HPV-negative OPSCC is less understood. The purpose of this study is to measure the association between sex and HPV-negative OPSCC disease-specific survival (DSS) and overall survival (OS).

Methods: This longitudinal, retrospective study examined cases of HPV-negative OPSCC diagnosed in the United States between 2013 and 2016 from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database.

Performance Characteristics of a Dual-Sided Position-Sensitive Sparse-Sensor Detector for Gamma-ray Imaging.

Purpose: We characterize the performance of a dualsided position-sensitive sparse sensor (DS-PS3) array detector for positron emission tomography (PET). The DS-PS3 detector is designed as a high performance, cost effective PET detector for organ-specific imaging systems (e.g.

A Cadaveric Study Addressing the Feasibility of Remote Patient Monitoring Prosthesis for Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Background: Since the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020, there has been a marked rise in the use of telemedicine to evaluate patients after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The purpose of our study was to assess a novel stem with an embedded sensor that can remotely and objectively monitor a patient's mobility after TKA.

Methods: A single anatomically designed knee system was implanted in concert with an interconnected tibial stem extension containing 3D accelerometers, 3D gyroscopes, a power source, and a telemetry transmission capability in 3 cadaveric pelvis to toe specimens.

Interactions between 2'-fluoro-(carbamoylpyridinyl)deschloroepibatidine analogues and acetylcholine-binding protein inform on potent antagonist activity against nicotinic receptors.

Low-nanomolar binding constants were recorded for a series of six 2'-fluoro-(carbamoylpyridinyl)deschloroepibatidine analogues with acetylcholine-binding protein (AChBP). The crystal structures of three complexes with AChBP reveal details of molecular recognition in the orthosteric binding site and imply how the other three ligands bind. Comparisons exploiting AChBP as a surrogate for α4β2 and α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) suggest that the key interactions are conserved.

Impact of Pre-Treatment NLR and Other Hematologic Biomarkers on the Outcomes of Early-Stage Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Treated with Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy.

Introduction: We evaluated the association of pre-treatment immunologic biomarkers on the outcomes of early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT).

Materials And Methods: In this retrospective study, all newly diagnosed early-stage NSCLC treated with SBRT between January 2010 and December 2017 were screened and included for further analysis. The pre-treatment neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte lymphocyte ratio (MLR), and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were calculated.

Is Preoperative Serum Albumin Predictive of Adverse Surgical Outcomes in Maxillofacial Fracture Repair?

Purpose: Malnutrition has been recognized as a predictor of postoperative adverse outcomes across many surgical subspecialties. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between serum albumin and adverse outcomes in patients undergoing operative repair of maxillofacial fractures.

Methods: The authors utilized the 2011 to 2018 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) databases to identify patients with facial fractures undergoing operative repair.

Gastrointestinal and genitourinary toxicity profiles of metformin versus placebo in men with prostate cancer receiving prostate radiotherapy: interim toxicity results of a double-blinded, multicenter, phase II randomized controlled trial.

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) used for prostate cancer (PCa) management is associated with metabolic and anthropometric toxicity. Metformin given concurrent to ADT is hypothesized to counteract these changes. This planned interim analysis reports the gastrointestinal and genitourinary toxicity profiles of PCa patients receiving ADT and prostate/pelvic radiotherapy plus metformin versus placebo as part of a phase 2 randomized controlled trial.

Does the Modified Frailty Index (mFI-5) Predict Adverse Outcomes in Maxillofacial Fracture Repair?

Purpose: Frailty has been recognized as a predictor of postoperative adverse outcomes in many surgical subspecialties. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between frailty and complications in patients undergoing operative repair of facial fractures.

Methods: The authors utilized the 2011 to 2018 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) databases to identify patients with facial fractures undergoing operative repair.

The Impact of Mental Health Status on Health Consumption of the Elderly in China.

Based on the national baseline survey data of the CHARLS2015, the comprehensive evaluation index of depression degree of the elderly in China is calculated using a principal component analysis method. The Tobit model is used to investigate the influence of mental health status with depression degree as a proxy variable on the health consumption of the elderly in China. The results show that the overall effect and the phased effect of depression on the health consumption of the elderly are positive.

Examining the Collateral Effects of Reducing Voice Level on Vocal Stereotypy and Functional Speech.

The current study examined the collateral effects of an antecedent intervention for decreasing speech volume on vocal stereotypy. After teaching the participant to use a conversational voice level by providing visual feedback from a decibel meter app, conversational voice levels were differentially reinforced in the presence of a green card. Differential effects in voice magnitude during a green-card condition and a no-card condition were demonstrated using an alternating-treatments design.