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Simple Summary: Intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) has proven to be more effective in minimizing radiation exposure to normal organs when compared to photon-based volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) in patients diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC). This retrospective cohort study represents the first quantitative assessment of the longitudinal impact on the quality of life (QoL) outcomes in NPC patients undergoing treatment with IMPT (n = 41) as opposed to VMAT (n = 246). We gathered data on global QoL, functional QoL, C30 symptoms, and HN35 symptoms using the EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-HN35 questionnaires at four time points: pre radiotherapy (RT), during RT, 3 months post RT, and 12 months post RT. IMPT demonstrated superior mean dose reductions in 12 of the 16 organs at risk compared to VMAT. This reduction in radiation dose, attributed to the IMPT technique, appears to be associated with positive outcomes in functional QoL, reflecting a noteworthy increase of 7.5 points and a decrease of 10.7 points in HN35 symptoms. However, this effect is time dependent and exclusively observed at the time point of during RT. Purpose: This retrospective cohort study aims to compare the quality of life (QoL) in patients with nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) treated with intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) versus volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) at different time points. Materials and Methods: We conducted a longitudinal assessment of QoL on 287 newly diagnosed NPC patients (IMPT: 41 and VMAT: 246). We collected outcomes of global QoL, functional QoL, C30 symptoms, and HN35 symptoms from EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-HN35 questionnaires at pre-radiotherapy, during radiotherapy (around 40 Gy), 3 months post radiotherapy, and 12-months post radiotherapy (RT). The generalized estimating equation was utilized to interpret the group effect, originating from inherent group differences; time effect, attributed to RT effects over time; and interaction of the group and time effect. Results: IMPT demonstrated superior mean dose reductions in 12 of the 16 organs at risk compared to VMAT, including a significant (>50%) reduction in the oral cavity and larynx. Both groups exhibited improved scores of global QoL, functional QoL, and C30 symptoms at 12 months post RT compared to the pre-RT status. Regarding global QoL and C30 symptoms, there was no interaction effect of group over time. In contrast, significant interaction effects were observed on functional QoL (p = 0.040) and HN35 symptoms (p = 0.004) during RT, where IMPT created an average of 7.5 points higher functional QoL and 10.7 points lower HN35 symptoms than VMAT. Conclusions: Compared to VMAT, dose reduction attributed to IMPT could translate into better functional QoL and HN35 symptoms, but the effect is time dependent and exclusively observed during the RT phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cobalt Iron Yttrium (CoFeY) magnetic film was made using the sputtering technique in order to investigate the connection between the thickness and annealing procedures. The sample was amorphous as a result of an insufficient thermal driving force according to X-ray diffraction (XRD) examination. The maximum low-frequency alternate-current magnetic susceptibility (χac) values were raised in correlation with the increased thickness and annealing temperatures because the thickness effect and Y addition improved the spin exchange coupling. The best value for a 50 nm film at annealing 300 °C for χac was 0.20. Because electron carriers are less constrained in their conduction at thick film thickness and higher annealing temperatures, the electric resistivity and sheet resistance are lower. At a thickness of 40 nm, the film's maximum surface energy during annealing at 300 °C was 28.7 mJ/mm2. This study demonstrated the passage of photon signals through the film due to the thickness effect, which reduced transmittance. The best condition was found to be 50 nm with annealing at 300 °C in this investigation due to high χac, strong adhesion, and low resistivity, which can be used in magnetic fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tumor vasculature abnormality creates a microenvironment that is not suitable for anti-tumor immune response and thereby induces resistance to immunotherapy. Remodeling of dysfunctional tumor blood vessels by anti-angiogenic approaches, known as vascular normalization, reshapes the tumor microenvironment toward an immune-favorable one and improves the effectiveness of immunotherapy. The tumor vasculature serves as a potential pharmacological target with the capacity of promoting an anti-tumor immune response. In this review, the molecular mechanisms involved in tumor vascular microenvironment-modulated immune reactions are summarized. In addition, the evidence of pre-clinical and clinical studies for the combined targeting of pro-angiogenic signaling and immune checkpoint molecules with therapeutic potential are highlighted. The heterogeneity of endothelial cells in tumors that regulate tissue-specific immune responses is also discussed. The crosstalk between tumor endothelial cells and immune cells in individual tissues is postulated to have a unique molecular signature and may be considered as a potential target for the development of new immunotherapeutic approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: We developed a set of automatic temperature measurements and a monitoring platform for dairy cattle. This system resolves the need for the ranch staff to regularly measure the body temperature of dairy cattle. This study developed an automated temperature measurement and monitoring platform for dairy cattle. The platform used the YOLO V3-tiny (you only look once, YOLO) deep learning algorithm to identify and classify dairy cattle images. The system included a total of three layers of YOLO V3-tiny identification: (1) dairy cow body; (2) individual number (identity, ID); (3) thermal image of eye socket identification. We recorded each cow's individual number and body temperature data after the three layers of identification, and carried out long-term body temperature tracking. The average prediction score of the recognition rate was 96%, and the accuracy was 90.0%. The thermal image of eye socket recognition rate was >99%. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC) index of the prediction model was 0.813 (0.717–0.910). This showed that the model had excellent predictive ability. This system provides a rapid and convenient temperature measurement solution for ranchers. The improvement in dairy cattle image recognition can be optimized by collecting more image data. In the future, this platform is expected to replace the traditional solution of intrusive radio-frequency identification for individual recognition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Epithelial growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) are the first-line therapy for patients with advanced-stage lung adenocarcinoma with EGFR mutations. However, 17–31% of these patients do not respond to therapy, making early evaluation of treatment response crucial. This prospective study investigates the value of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) for timely prediction of response and survival of these patients. We evaluated 30 patients with stage IIIB/IV lung adenocarcinomas and EGFR mutations, receiving first-line EGFR-TKI therapy. 18F-FDG PET/CT was performed before and two weeks after initiation of treatment. Positron Emission Tomography Response Criteria in Solid Tumors served as an independent predictor of non-progressive disease; baseline and change of metabolic tumor volume represented independent predictors of progression-free survival and overall survival, respectively. Therefore, 18F-FDG PET/CT is an early predictor of outcomes and individual prognosis of patients with stage IIIB/IV lung adenocarcinomas and EGFR mutations receiving first-line EGFR-TKI therapy. This study aims to investigate the role of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) in early prediction of response and survival following epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR)–tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy in patients with advanced lung adenocarcinomas and EGFR mutations. Thirty patients with stage IIIB/IV lung adenocarcinomas and EGFR mutations receiving first-line EGFR-TKIs were prospectively evaluated between November 2012 and May 2015. EGFR mutations were quantified by delta cycle threshold (dCt). 18F-FDG PET/CT was performed before and 2 weeks after treatment initiation. PET response was assessed based on PET Response Criteria in Solid Tumors (PERCIST). Baseline and percentage changes in the summed standardized uptake value, metabolic tumor volume (bsumMTV and ΔsumMTV, respectively), and total lesion glycolysis of ≤5 target lesions/patient were calculated. The association between parameters (clinical and PET) and non-progression disease after 3 months of treatment in CT based on the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors Version 1.1 (nPD3mo), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were tested. The median follow-up time was 19.6 months. The median PFS and OS were 12.0 and 25.3 months, respectively. The PERCIST criteria was an independent predictor of nPD3mo (p = 0.009), dCt (p = 0.014) and bsumMTV (p = 0.014) were independent predictors of PFS, and dCt (p = 0.014) and ΔsumMTV (p = 0.005) were independent predictors of OS. 18F-FDG PET/CT achieved early prediction of outcomes in patients with advanced lung adenocarcinomas and EGFR mutations receiving EGFR-TKIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd-YAG) laser is used for removal of pigmented skin patches and rejuvenation of skin. However, complications such as hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, and petechiae can occur after frequent treatments. Therefore, identifying the risk factors for such complications is important. The development of a multivariable logistic regression model with least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) is needed to provide valid predictions about the incidence of post inflammatory hyperpigmentation complication probability (PIHCP) among patients treated with Nd-YAG laser toning. A total of 125 female patients undergoing laser toning therapy between January 2014 and January 2016 were examined for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) complications. Factor analysis was performed using 15 potential predictive risk factors of PIH determined by a physician. The LASSO algorithm with cross-validation was used to select the optimal number of predictive risk factors from the potential factors for a multivariate logistic regression PIH complication model. The optimal number of predictive risk factors for the model was five: immediate endpoints of laser (IEL), α-hydroxy acid (AHA) peels, Fitzpatrick skin phototype (FSPT), acne, and melasma. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was 0.79 (95% CI, 0.70–0.88) in the optimal model. The overall performance of the LASSO-based PIHCP model was satisfactory based on the AUC, Omnibus, Nagelkerke R2, and Hosmer–Lemeshow tests. This predictive risk factor model is useful to further optimize laser toning treatment related to PIH. The LASSO-based PIHCP model could be useful for decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spermidine is a functional ingredient that can extend the lifespan of many foods and indicate meat safety. However, its synthesis and enrichment is expensive and complex. To develop an effective separation material that can offer highly selective recognition of spermidine, we first applied non-covalent molecular imprinting technology using methacrylic acid as a functional monomer, azobisisobutyronitrile as an initiator, and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as a cross-linker. The adsorption properties of the polymers were analyzed using the Scatchard equation, the Lagergren kinetic equation, and the static distribution coefficient. The optimal polymerization molar ratio of the template molecule spermidine to the functional monomer was 1:4, the maximum adsorption amount was 97.75 μmol/g, and the adsorption equilibrium time was 300 min. The selective experiment showed that the interfering substances tyramine and histamine had selectivity factor α values of 2.01 and 1.78, respectively, indicating that the prepared polymer had good spermidine recognition ability. The density function theory calculations showed that the hydrogen bond strength, steric effect, and product energy caused adsorption and separation differences among the different imprinted polymer complexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a novel CMOS wireless temperature sensor design in order to improve the sensitivity and linearity of our previous work on such devices. Based on the principle of CMOS double zero temperature coefficient (DZTC) points, a combined device is first created at the chip level with two voltage references, one current reference, and one temperature sensor. It was successfully fabricated using the 0.35 μm CMOS process. According to the chip results in a wide temperature range from -20 °C to 120 °C, two voltage references can provide temperature-stable outputs of 823 mV and 1,265 mV with maximum deviations of 0.2 mV and 8.9 mV, respectively. The result for the current reference gives a measurement of 23.5 μA, with a maximum deviation of 1.2 μA. The measurements also show that the wireless temperature sensor has good sensitivity of 9.55 mV/°C and high linearity of 97%. The proposed temperature sensor has 4.15-times better sensitivity than the previous design. Moreover, to facilitate temperature data collection, standard wireless data transmission is chosen; therefore, an 8-bit successive-approximation-register (SAR) analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and a 433 MHz wireless transmitter are also integrated in this chip. Sensing data from different places can be collected remotely avoiding the need for complex wire lines.