Real-time dose measurement in minibeam radiotherapy using radioluminescence imaging.

Purpose: Minibeam radiotherapy (MBRT) uses small parallel beams of radiation to create a highly modulated dose pattern. The aim of this study is to develop an optical radioluminescence imaging (RLI) approach to perform real-time dose measurement for MBRT.

Methods: MBRT was delivered using an image-guided small animal irradiator equipped with a custom collimator.

Radiotherapy Quality Assurance in the SCOPE2 Trial: What Lessons can be Learned for the Next UK Trial in Oesophageal Cancer?

Aims: The SCOPE2 trial evaluates radiotherapy (RT) dose escalation for oesophageal cancer. We report findings from the accompanying RT quality assurance (RTQA) programme and identify recommendations for PROTIEUS, the next UK trial in oesophageal RT.

Maetrials And Methods: SCOPE2's RTQA programme consisted of a pre-accrual and on-trial component.

Efficacy and safety of proton radiotherapy in treating choroidal melanoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Proton beam therapy (PBT) has been gradually introduced for treating choroidal melanoma. This study systematically reviewed clinical reports to evaluate the efficacy and safety of PBT in choroidal melanoma patients.

Methods: This systematic review included all the primary studies involving PBT for choroidal melanoma patients through April 2024.

Synthesis and structural insights of bis(2-methoxy-6-{[(2-methylpropyl)imino]methyl}phenolato) nickel (II) complex through DFT and docking investigations.

Nickel complexes are a potential candidate for antibacterial and antifungal activity. A new Ni (II) complex, bis(2-methoxy-6-{[(2-methylpropyl)imino]methyl}phenolato)nickel (II) (2), was synthesised by reacting, bis(3-methoxy-salicylaldehyde)nickel (II) (1) with isobutylamine. It was characterised by single crystal X-ray diffraction (ScXRD), UV-Vis, NMR, IR, mass spectrometry, and thermogravimetry (TG) to study its structure and physico-chemical properties.

Molecular evidence for the efficacy of PBM therapy in the treatment of Oral lichen planus.

Purpose: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory disease, in which T-Lymphocytes induce apoptosis of basal keratinocytes, leading to the formation of symptomatic lesions. It is assumed that blocking the cell death program and enhancing cell proliferation would be crucial to the healing process. The aim of the study was to verify the efficacy of Photobiomodulation (PBM) in OLP management, by evaluating the effects of laser irradiation on the processes of apoptosis and cell proliferation.

Cobalt tungstate nanoparticles (CoWO NPs) affect the photosynthetic performance of the green microalga Raphidocelis subcapitata.

Innovative applications of cobalt tungstate nanoparticles (CoWO NPs) are directly linked to their increased production and consumption, which can consequently increase their release into aquatic ecosystems and the exposure of organisms. Microalgae are autotrophic organisms that contribute directly to global primary productivity and provide oxygen for maintaining many organisms on Earth. In this paper, we assessed the toxicity of CoWO NPs when in contact with the freshwater microalga Raphidocelis subcapitata (Chlorophyceae).

An exploration of the relationship between ineffective modes of mentalization and difficulties related to borderline personality disorder: A network approach.

Background: The mentalization-based perspective of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) underscores fluctuating interpersonal functionality, believed to arise from suboptimal mentalization modes, including hyper- and hypomentalizing. The connection between ineffective mentalizing and specific BPD challenges remains ambiguous. Network theory offers a unique means to investigate the hypothesis that distinct yet interconnected mental challenges ('symptoms') construct 'disorders' through their continuous mutual interactions.

An engineered adeno-associated virus mediates efficient blood-brain barrier penetration with enhanced neurotropism and reduced hepatotropism.

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a formidable barrier that restricts the entry of substances into the brain, complicating the study of brain function and the treatment of neurological conditions. Traditional methods of delivering genes from the periphery to the central nervous system (CNS) using adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) often require high doses, which can trigger immune responses and hepatotoxicity. Here, we developed a new AAV variant named AAVhu.

Automatic medical imaging segmentation via self-supervising large-scale convolutional neural networks.

Purpose: This study aims to develop a robust, large-scale deep learning model for medical image segmentation, leveraging self-supervised learning to overcome the limitations of supervised learning and data variability in clinical settings.

Methods And Materials: We curated a substantial multi-center CT dataset for self-supervised pre-training using masked image modeling with sparse submanifold convolution. We designed a series of Sparse Submanifold U-Nets (SS-UNets) of varying sizes and performed self-supervised pre-training.

Towards measurements of absolute membrane potential in Bacillus subtilis using fluorescence lifetime.

Membrane potential (MP) changes can provide a simple readout of bacterial functional and metabolic state or stress levels. While several optical methods exist for measuring fast changes in MP in excitable cells, there is a dearth of such methods for absolute and precise measurements of steady-state membrane potentials (MPs) in bacterial cells. Conventional electrode-based methods for the measurement of MP are not suitable for calibrating optical methods in small bacterial cells.

Synchronous Interference of Dual Metabolic Pathways Mediated by HS Gas/GOx for Augmenting Tumor Microwave Thermal Therapy.

Sublethal tumor cells have an urgent need for energy, making it common for them to switch metabolic phenotypes between glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) for compensatory energy supply; thus, the synchronous interference of dual metabolic pathways for limiting energy level is essential in inhibiting sublethal tumor growth. Herein, a multifunctional nanoplatform of Co-MOF-loaded anethole trithione (ADT) and myristyl alcohol (MA), modified with GOx and hyaluronic acid (HA) was developed, namely, CAMGH. It could synchronously interfere with dual metabolic pathways including glycolysis and OXPHOS to restrict the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) supply, achieving the inhibition to sublethal tumors after microwave (MW) thermal therapy.

inDrops-2: a flexible, versatile and cost-efficient droplet microfluidic approach for high-throughput scRNA-seq of fresh and preserved clinical samples.

The expansion of single-cell analytical techniques has empowered the exploration of diverse biological questions at the individual cells. Droplet-based single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) methods have been particularly widely used due to their high-throughput capabilities and small reaction volumes. While commercial systems have contributed to the widespread adoption of droplet-based scRNA-seq, their relatively high cost limits the ability to profile large numbers of cells and samples.

Cold Surface Waters of the Sub-Antarctic Pacific Ocean Support High Cyanophage Abundances and Infection Levels.

Cyanobacterial distributions are shaped by abiotic factors including temperature, light and nutrient availability as well as biotic factors such as grazing and viral infection. In this study, we investigated the abundances of T4-like and T7-like cyanophages and the extent of picocyanobacterial infection in the cold, high-nutrient-low-chlorophyll, sub-Antarctic waters of the southwest Pacific Ocean during austral spring. Synechococcus was the dominant picocyanobacterium, ranging from 4.

Predictors of Peripheral Retinal Non-Perfusion in Clinically Significant Diabetic Macular Edema.

Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a significant cause of vision loss. The development of peripheral non-perfusion (PNP) might be associated with the natural course, severity, and treatment of DME. The present study seeks to understand the predictive power of central macular changes and clinico-demographic features for PNP in patients with clinically significant DME.

End-to-End Multi-Scale Adaptive Remote Sensing Image Dehazing Network.

Satellites frequently encounter atmospheric haze during imaging, leading to the loss of detailed information in remote sensing images and significantly compromising image quality. This detailed information is crucial for applications such as Earth observation and environmental monitoring. In response to the above issues, this paper proposes an end-to-end multi-scale adaptive feature extraction method for remote sensing image dehazing (MSD-Net).

Vibration Control of Flexible Launch Vehicles Using Fiber Bragg Grating Sensor Arrays.

The effects of mechanical vibrations on control system stability could be significant in control systems designed on the assumption of rigid-body dynamics, such as launch vehicles. Vibrational loads can also cause damage to launch vehicles due to fatigue or excitation of structural resonances. This paper investigates a method to control structural vibrations in real time using a finite number of strain measurements from a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor array.

Novel Design on Knee Exoskeleton with Compliant Actuator for Post-Stroke Rehabilitation.

Knee joint disorders pose a significant and growing challenge to global healthcare systems. Recent advancements in robotics, sensing technologies, and artificial intelligence have driven the development of robot-assisted therapies, reducing the physical burden on therapists and improving rehabilitation outcomes. This study presents a novel knee exoskeleton designed for safe and adaptive rehabilitation, specifically targeting bed-bound stroke patients to enable early intervention.

Cilia-Inspired Bionic Tactile E-Skin: Structure, Fabrication and Applications.

The rapid advancement of tactile electronic skin (E-skin) has highlighted the effectiveness of incorporating bionic, force-sensitive microstructures in order to enhance sensing performance. Among these, cilia-like microstructures with high aspect ratios, whose inspiration is mammalian hair and the lateral line system of fish, have attracted significant attention for their unique ability to enable E-skin to detect weak signals, even in extreme conditions. Herein, this review critically examines recent progress in the development of cilia-inspired bionic tactile E-skin, with a focus on columnar, conical and filiform microstructures, as well as their fabrication strategies, including template-based and template-free methods.

Optimization of a Pressurized Extraction Process Based on a Ternary Solvent System for the Recovery of Neuroprotective Compounds from Leaves.

Green chemistry focuses on reducing the environmental impacts of chemicals through sustainable practices. Traditional methods for extracting bioactive compounds from leaves, such as hydro-distillation and organic solvent extraction, have limitations, including long extraction times, high energy consumption, and potential toxic solvent residues. This study explored the use of supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), and gas-expanded liquid (GXL) processes to improve efficiency and selectivity.

Optimizing Photobiomodulation Radiometric and Spectral Parameters In Vitro to Enhance Angiogenesis and Mitochondrial Function.

Photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy, a therapeutic approach utilizing low-level light, has garnered significant attention for its potential to modulate various biological processes. This study aimed at optimizing and investigating the effects of PBM on angiogenesis and mitochondrial metabolic activity. In vitro experiments using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) were performed to assess PBM's impacts on cell migration, proliferation, endogenous protoporphyrin IX production, mitochondrial membrane potential, Rhodamine 123 fluorescence lifetime, mitochondrial morphology, and oxygen consumption.

Synthesis of New Promising BNCT Agents Based on Conjugates of -Dodecaborate Anion and Aliphatic Diamino Acids.

In this work, a series of boronated amidines based on the -dodecaborate anion and amino acids containing an amino group in the side chain of the general formula [BHNHC(NH(CH)CH(NH)COOH)CH], where n = 2, 3, 4, were synthesized. These derivatives contain conserved α-amino and α-carboxyl groups recognized by the binding centers of the large neutral amino acid transporter (LAT) system, which serves as a target for the clinically applied BNCT agent para-boronophenylalanine (BPA). The paper describes several approaches to synthesizing the target compounds, their acute toxicity studies, and tumor uptake studies in vivo in two tumor models.

Numerical Simulation of Free Surface Deformation and Melt Stirring in Induction Melting Using ALE and Level Set Methods.

This study investigates fixed and moving mesh methodologies for modeling liquid metal-free surface deformation during the induction melting process. The numerical method employs robust coupling of magnetic fields with the hydrodynamics of the turbulent stirring of liquid metal. Free surface tracking is implemented using the fixed mesh level set (LS) and the moving mesh arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian (ALE) formulation.

Dynamic Reconstruction of the Nickel Ions' Behavior in Different Orthodontic Archwires Following Clinical Application in an Intraoral Environment.

: Orthodontic archwires undergo chemical and structural changes in the complex intraoral environment. The present work aims to investigate the safe duration for intraoral use (related to the nickel release hypothesis) of different types of nickel-containing wires. By analyzing how the nickel content (NC) varies over time, we aim to provide practical recommendations for the optimal use of said archwires.

Automatic Characterization of Prostate Suspect Lesions on T2-Weighted Image Acquisitions Using Texture Features and Machine-Learning Methods: A Pilot Study.

: Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most frequent neoplasia in the male population. According to the International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP), PCa can be divided into two major groups, based on their prognosis and treatment options. Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) holds a central role in PCa assessment; however, it does not have a one-to-one correspondence with the histopathological grading of tumors.

Lifetime Attributable Risk in Mammography Screenings in Dubai: The Influence of Breast Thickness and Age on Radiation Exposure.

This study investigated the lifetime attributable risk (LAR) of radiation-induced breast cancer from mammography screening in Dubai. It aimed to explore the relationship between breast thickness, patient age, and the associated radiation dose during mammographic examinations. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 2601 patients aged 40 to 69 across five screening facilities in Dubai's healthcare system.