•First European guideline on Surface Guided Radiation Therapy (SGRT)•Collection of criteria for decision-making for procurement of an SGRT system.•Overview of staff roles and responsibilities and ...common and potential errors in SGRT workflows.•Recommendations for acceptance and commissioning.•Comprehensive guidelines for QA procedures and QA frequency.
Surface guidance systems enable patient positioning and motion monitoring without using ionising radiation. Surface Guided Radiation Therapy (SGRT) has therefore been widely adopted in radiation therapy in recent years, but guidelines on workflows and specific quality assurance (QA) are lacking. This ESTRO-ACROP guideline aims to give recommendations concerning SGRT roles and responsibilities and highlights common challenges and potential errors. Comprehensive guidelines for procurement, acceptance, commissioning, and QA of SGRT systems installed on computed tomography (CT) simulators, C-arm linacs, closed-bore linacs, and particle therapy treatment systems are presented that will help move to a consensus among SGRT users and facilitate a safe and efficient implementation and clinical application of SGRT.
Performing reactions in the presence of self-assembled hierarchical structures of amphiphilic macromolecules can accelerate reactions while using water as the bulk solvent due to the hydrophobic ...effect. We leveraged non-covalent interactions to self-assemble filled-polymer micelle nanoreactors (NR) incorporating gold nanoparticle catalysts into various amphiphilic polymer nanostructures with comparable hydrodynamic nanoreactor size and gold concentration in the nanoreactor dispersion. We systematically studied the effect of the hydrophobic co-precipitant on self-assembly and catalytic performance. We observed that co-precipitants that interact with gold are beneficial for improving incorporation efficiency of the gold nanoparticles into the nanocomposite nanoreactor during self-assembly but decrease catalytic performance. Hierarchical assemblies with co-precipitants that leverage noncovalent interactions could enhance catalytic performance. For the co-precipitants that do not interact strongly with gold, the catalytic performance was strongly affected by the hydrophobic microenvironment of the co-precipitant. Specifically, the apparent reaction rate per surface area using castor oil (CO) was over 8-fold greater than polystyrene (750 g/mol, PS 750); the turnover frequency was higher than previously reported self-assembled polymer systems. The increase in apparent catalytic performance could be attributed to differences in reactant solubility rather than differences in mass transfer or intrinsic kinetics; higher reactant solubility enhances apparent reaction rates. Full conversion of 4-nitrophenol was achieved within three minutes for at least 10 sequential reactions demonstrating that the nanoreactors could be used for multiple reactions.
Amorphous molybdenum sulfide is an attractive electrode material for Li/Mg batteries and an efficient Pt‐free catalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction in water. By using the electrochemical ...quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) analysis, new insights were gained into the electrochemical polymerization of the Mo3S132− cluster, which generates amorphous molybdenum sulfide thin films. In this work, it is shown that, at the anodic potential, a two‐electron oxidative elimination of the terminal disulfide ligand within the Mo3S132− cluster induces the polymerization. A reductive elimination of the terminal disulfide ligand also occurs at the cathodic potential, inducing the polymerization. However, in sharp contrast to the anodic polymerization, according to which the film growth is rapid, the cathodic polymerization competes with the electrochemical reductive corrosion of the readily grown film, therefore occurring at a significant lower growth rate.
The growth mechanism of amorphous molybdenum sulfide thin film by using Mo3S132− as the building block was investigated by using the electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance analysis.
The biodiversity of marine ecosystems is the foundation for the sustainable development of several marine economic sectors based on natural resources such as tourism, fisheries, and marine medicine ...in marine countries, including Vietnam. Truong Sa Islands (TSIs) is an offshore archipelago located in the southeast of Vietnam, a significant marine zone because of its rich biological resources and diversity of marine life. The study aimed to clarify the spatial distribution of biodiversity in the area using the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, from which a total of 839 species of six groups, including seagrasses, cone snails, reptiles, marine fish, lobsters, and mammals, were extracted. The biodiversity risk index (BRI) map revealed priority areas for conservation. It was calculated by averaging the conservation status of the species on a GIS-based cell-by-cell basis. The results showed the most species-rich area accounts for more than 45% of the total area and ranges from a depth of 400–1050 m, and the most threatened species are located in the coral reef zone. Analytical and comparative results between the six study plots illustrated that Thuyen Chai’s area (Barque Canada Reef) has the highest BRI, followed by Toc Tan (Alison Reef) and Nam Yet (Namyit). Based on the BRI, figuring out the order of the sea is an important step in making plans and strategies for marine economic development and protecting marine biodiversity.
Recently, the prevalence of Fasciola hepatica in some areas has increased considerably and the availability of a vaccine to protect livestock from infection would represent a major advance in tools ...available for controlling this disease. To date, most vaccine-target discovery research on this parasite has concentrated on proteomic and transcriptomic approaches whereas little work has been carried out on glycosylation. As the F. hepatica tegument (Teg) may contain glycans potentially relevant to vaccine development and the Newly Excysted Juvenile (NEJ) is the first lifecycle stage in contact with the definitive host, our work has focused on assessing the glycosylation of the NEJTeg and identifying the NEJTeg glycoprotein repertoire. After in vitro excystation, NEJ were fixed and NEJTeg was extracted. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation-time of flight-mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) analysis of released N-glycans revealed that oligomannose and core-fucosylated truncated N-glycans were the most dominant glycan types. By lectin binding studies these glycans were identified mainly on the NEJ surface, together with the oral and ventral suckers. NEJTeg glycoproteins were affinity purified after targeted biotinylation of the glycans and identified using liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). From the total set of proteins previously identified in NEJTeg, eighteen were also detected in the glycosylated fraction, including the F. hepatica Cathepsin B3 (FhCB3) and two of the Cathepsin L3 (FhCL3) proteins, among others. To confirm glycosylation of cathepsins, analysis at the glycopeptide level by LC-ESI-ion-trap-MS/MS with collision-induced dissociation (CID) and electron-transfer dissociation (ETD) was carried out. We established that cathepsin B1 (FhCB1) on position N80, and FhCL3 (BN1106_s10139B000014, scaffold10139) on position N153, carry unusual paucimannosidic Man2GlcNAc2 glycans. To our knowledge, this is the first description of F. hepatica NEJ glycosylation and the first report of N-glycosylation of F. hepatica cathepsins. The significance of these findings for immunological studies and vaccine development is discussed.
Non-genetic induction of somatic cells into neural crest stem-like cells (NCSCs) is promising for potential cell-based therapies for post-traumatic peripheral nerve regeneration. Here, we report that ...human gingiva-derived mesenchymal stem cells (GMSCs) could be reproducibly and readily induced into NCSCs via non-genetic approaches. Compared to parental GMSCs, induced NCSC population had increased expression in NCSC-related genes and displayed robust differentiation into neuronal and Schwann-like cells. Knockdown of the expression of Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1), a critical mechanosensor and mechanotransducer, attenuated the expression of NCSC-related genes; specific blocking of RhoA/ROCK activity and non-muscle myosin II (NM II)-dependent contraction suppressed YAP1 and NCSC-related genes and concurrently abolished neural spheroid formation in NCSCs. Using a rat model of facial nerve defect, implantation of NCSC-laden nerve conduits promoted functional regeneration of the injured nerve. These promising findings demonstrate that induced NCSCs derived from GMSCs represent an easily accessible and promising source of neural stem-like cells for peripheral nerve regeneration.
Splenic ectopic pregnancy (SEP) is a rare high-mortality condition, particularly relating to life-threatening intraperitoneal bleeding due to a high risk of spontaneous rupture. Diagnosing in a ...timely fashion is extremely crucial and the patients could benefit from active treatment strategies and early management. In this article, we reviewed a case of 40 years-old female who complained of lower quadrant abdominal pain and amenorrhea with a history of intrauterine device (IUD) insertion for over 6 years. Elevating b-human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) blood levels were documented, raising concern about pregnancy-related emergency conditions. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging results suggested a splenic ectopic pregnancy entity with a high rupture rate. The patient subsequently underwent laparoscopic resection for splenic mass removal. Ectopic pregnancy should cautiously be excluded in all cases of abdominal pain in childbearing-age women.
Nanocovax is a recombinant severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 subunit vaccine composed of full-length prefusion stabilized recombinant SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoproteins (S-2P) and aluminium ...hydroxide adjuvant.
We conducted a dose-escalation, open label trial (phase 1) and a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (phase 2) to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of the Nanocovax vaccine (in 25 mcg, 50 mcg, and 75 mcg doses, aluminium hydroxide adjuvanted (0·5 mg/dose) in 2-dose regime, 28 days apart (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04683484). In phase 1, 60 participants received two intramuscular injection of the vaccine following dose-escalation procedure. The primary outcomes were reactogenicity and laboratory tests to evaluate the vaccine safety. In phase 2, 560 healthy adults received either vaccine doses similar in phase 1 (25 or 50 or 75 mcg S antigen in 0·5 mg aluminium per dose) or adjuvant (0·5 mg aluminium) in a ratio of 2:2:2:1. One primary outcome was the vaccine safety, including solicited adverse events for 7 day and unsolicited adverse events for 28 days after each injection as well as serious adverse event or adverse events of special interest throughout the study period. Another primary outcome was anti-S IgG antibody response (Index unit/ml). Secondary outcomes were surrogate virus neutralisation (inhibition percentage), wild-type SARS-CoV-2 neutralisation (dilution fold), and T-cell responses by intracellular staining for interferon gamma (IFNg). Anti-S IgG and neutralising antibody levels were compared with convalescent serum samples from symptomatic Covid-19 patients.
For phase 1 study, no serious adverse events were observed for all 60 participants. Most adverse events were grade 1 and disappeared shortly after injection. For phase 2 study, after randomisation, 480 participants were assigned to receive the vaccine with adjuvant, and 80 participants were assigned to receive the placebo (adjuvant only). Reactogenicity was absent or mild in the majority of participants and of short duration (mean ≤3 days). Unsolicited adverse events were mild in most participants. There were no serious adverse events related to Nanocovax. Regarding the immunogenicity, Nanocovax induced robust anti-S antibody responses. In general, there humoral responses were similar among vaccine groups which reached their peaks at day 42 and declined afterward. At day 42, IgG levels of vaccine groups were 60·48 CI95%: 51·12–71·55, 49·11 41·26–58·46, 57·18 48·4-67·5 compared to 7·10 6·32-13·92 of convalescent samples. IgG levels reported here can be converted to WHO international standard binding antibody unit (BAU/ml) by multiplying them to a conversion factor of 21·8. Neutralising antibody titre of vaccine groups at day 42 were 89·2 52·2–152·3, 80·0 50·8–125.9 and 95·1 63·1–143·6, compared to 55·1 33·4-91·0 of the convalescent group.
Up to day 90, Nanocovax was found to be safe, well tolerated, and induced robust immune responses.
This work was funded by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), the Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam, and Nanogen Pharmaceutical Biotechnology JSC.
Piezoelectric biomaterials can generate piezoelectrical charges in response to mechanical activation. These generated charges can directly stimulate bone regeneration by triggering signaling pathway ...that is important for regulating osteogenesis of cells seeded on the materials. On the other hand, mechanical forces applied to the biomaterials play an important role in bone regeneration through the process called mechanotransduction. While mechanical force and electrical charges are both important contributing factors to bone tissue regeneration, they operate through different underlying mechanisms. The utilizations of piezoelectric biomaterials have been explored to serve as self-charged scaffolds which can promote stem cell differentiation and the formation of functional bone tissues. However, it is still not clear how mechanical activation and electrical charge act together on such a scaffold and which factors play more important role in the piezoelectric stimulation to induce osteogenesis. In our study, we found Poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA)-based piezoelectric scaffolds with higher piezoelectric charges had a more pronounced osteoinductive effect than those with lower charges. This provided a new mechanistic insight that the observed osteoinductive effect of the piezoelectric PLLA scaffolds is likely due to the piezoelectric stimulation they provide, rather than mechanical stimulation alone. Our findings provide a crucial guide for the optimization of piezoelectric material design and usage.
We generalize Helberg's number-theoretic construction of binary multiple insertion/deletion correcting codes to non-binary alphabets and describe a linear decoding algorithm for correcting multiple ...deletions.
PDF
