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A large number of researchers devotes deep study to reducing the contact resistance and improving the durability of air cathode. Air cathode consists of gas diffusion layer, current collector and catalytic layers. The network structure (gas diffusion layer, GDL) of Air cathode plays an important role in metal-air battery. This GDL makes the air-cathode semi-permiable. It means that H2O does not pass through GDL layer but O2 moleecules can pass the layer. For that reason, the optimization of sintering condition is very important process in manufacturing Air cathode. This article is about the dependence of discharge property of magnesium air-battery to its sinter-ability. Thus in order to observe any changes in the discharge property, sinter-ability, a cost-effective method was designed in the air cathode production.

In order to understand when to replace the electrolyte of the Mg-Air battery, the effect of the surface area of Metal anode according to the consumption. For each capacity of the Mg-Air battery pack on the electrolyte concentration was calculated, the timing of electrolyte replacement was predicted.

The theoretical discharge energy density of the Mg-Air battery, which is attracting attention as a next-generation battery, was modelled and the efficiency of electrolyte circulation was compared. After that, 180kWh class power facility was built using Mg-Air batteries, and the effect of electrolyte removal according to the circulation method was compared and investigated.

Background: Time-restricted feeding (TRF), devoid of calorie restriction, is acknowledged for promoting metabolic health and mitigating various chronic metabolic diseases. While TRF exhibits widespread benefits across multiple tissues, there is limited exploration into its impact on kidney function. In this study, our aim was to investigate the potential ameliorative effects of TRF on kidney damage in a mouse model of cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury (AKI)., Methods: Cisplatin-induced AKI was induced through intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin into C57BL/6 male mice. Mice undergoing TRF were provided unrestricted access to standard chow daily but were confined to an 8-hour feeding window during the dark cycle for 2 weeks before cisplatin injection. The mice were categorized into four groups: control, TRF, cisplatin, and TRF + cisplatin., Results: The tubular damage score and serum creatinine levels were significantly lower in the TRF + cisplatin group compared to the cisplatin group. The TRF + cisplatin group exhibited reduced expression of phosphorylated nuclear factor kappa B, inflammatory cytokines, and F4/80-positive macrophages compared to the cisplatin group. Furthermore, oxidative stress markers for DNA, protein, and lipid were markedly decreased in the TRF + cisplatin group compared to the cisplatin group. TUNEL-positive tubular cells, cleaved caspase-3 expression, and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in the TRF + cisplatin group were lower than those in the cisplatin group., Conclusion: TRF, without calorie restriction, effectively mitigated kidney damage by suppressing inflammatory reactions, oxidative stress, and tubular apoptosis in a mouse model of cisplatin-induced AKI. TRF holds promise as a novel dietary intervention for preventing cisplatin-induced AKI.

Objective: The abuse of prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicines has been a major issue addressed as a serious public health problem worldwide. This study explored factors contributing to substance abuse in Korea by examining the status of substance abuse among Korean adults and evaluating their knowledge, attitudes, and intentions toward substance abuse., Methods: Data were collected online from a sample of participants 19 years old or older from May 20 to June 1, 2020 (n=1,020). The survey consisted of questions on demographics, perceptions of drug risk, motives for drug use, and attitudes toward drug addiction treatment. Principal component and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to explore the factors contributing to the perception of drug abuse., Results: In the multivariate regression analysis, overconfidence in handling drug usage, acceptance of addictive substances, and affirmation of public support for drug abuse were associated with opioid abuse (Nagelkerke R2=0.486), and additionally affirmation of legal cannabis usage and motivation to use diet pills were associated with diet pill abuse (Nagelkerke R2=0.569)., Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that the actual situation of substance abuse among Korean adults increases awareness of and attitudes toward drug use related to substance abuse.

Here, we report a rare case of transplant renal artery stenosis in a patient with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease who received a kidney from a deceased donor. The transplant renal artery stenosis was caused by the rotation and compression of the transplanted kidney, a consequence of the preexisting polycystic kidney. To address the transplant renal artery stenosis, the patient underwent additional surgical removal of the native polycystic kidney, which corrected the stenosis and restored the function of the transplanted kidney. This case highlighted the importance of monitoring for various causes of renal artery stenosis following kidney transplant.

Background: Personalization is considered an important principle in virtual reality (VR) exposure therapy. We aimed to identify whether personalized VR exposure could provoke increased anxiety in patients with panic disorder and agoraphobia as it is considered the first step in successful treatment for anxiety., Methods: We performed a double-arm, one-day preliminary study among 28 patients with panic disorder and agoraphobia. Three sessions of VR exposure, including a theater, train, and elevator scenario, were conducted in two groups. In the personalized group (n = 14), the brightness and crowd density were customized based on a pre-assessment. In the control group (n = 14), these conditions were fully randomized. Self-reported anxiety, heart rate, skin conductance, and electroencephalography were measured before, during, and after the VR sessions., Results: In the later VR sessions, higher self-reported anxiety levels measured by the Visual Analogue Scale were observed in the personalized exposure group. Increased heart rates during and after the VR sessions were observed in the personalized group. The changes in skin conductance peaks were not significantly different between the groups, but the increase in skin conductance was associated with the participants' perception of presence. The electroencephalogram showed widespread increases in alpha waves in the frontal and temporal areas of the brain in the personalized group than in the control group., Conclusion: Personalized VR exposure elicits stronger anxiogenic effects in patients with panic disorder and agoraphobia as suggested by self-report and neurophysiological data. Personalization of VR exposure has the potential for effective behavioral therapy., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest This study was conducted on the basis of a proof-of-concept (POC) version of a virtual-reality-based treatment program for panic disorder and agoraphobia. This version was commissioned by Hallym University and developed by Orcasoft (Chuncheon, Gangwon, Republic of Korea). The technical advice and support for this study were provided by nGarden (Daegu, Republic of Korea). Currently, Hallym University College of Medicine has no direct affiliation with Orcasoft and nGarden, but the treatment principles or concepts established in this study may influence future digital therapeutics for panic disorder and agoraphobia that are being developed at Hallym University., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

In the present article, we provide a comprehensive review of the treatment strategies for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), a common, chronic, and often debilitating disorder, characterized by overwhelming obsessions and compulsions. OCD typically starts in childhood or adolescence and persists throughout life, causing functional impairment across multiple domains. The article begins by describing the historical concepts of OCD from religious and guilt-based explanations to psychoanalytic perspectives, and then explores the changing understanding of OCD as a treatable condition. Recent advances include the development of evidence-based psychological treatments, such as exposure and response prevention, and pharmacological treatments, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. The latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, and the International Classification of Diseases, has removed OCD from the anxiety disorder grouping and regrouped it into obsessive-compulsive and related disorders. We conclude by highlighting the current state of knowledge and development in the clinical management of OCD, including recommendations for first- and second-line treatments, alternative, or augmentative strategies for and novel agents under investigation for OCD. In future, the latest advances in neuroimaging, electrophysiology, digital technology, and data-driven analysis will help elucidate the pathophysiology of OCD and develop personalized intervention strategies.

Plasmonic nucleic acid amplification tests demand high-throughput and multi-target detection of infectious diseases as well as short turnaround time and small size for point-of-care molecular diagnostics. Here, we report a multi-channel plasmonic real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (mpRT-qPCR) assay for ultrafast and on-chip multi-target detection. The mpRT-qPCR system features two pairs of plasmonic thermocyclers for rapid nanostructure-driven amplification and microlens array fluorescence microscopes for in situ multi-color fluorescence quantification. Each channel shows a physical dimension of 32 mm, 75 mm, and 25 mm in width, length, and thickness. The ultrathin microscopes simultaneously capture four different fluorescence images from two PCR chambers of a single cartridge at a single shot exposure per PCR cycle of four different excitation light sources. The experimental results demonstrate a single assay result of high-throughput amplification and multi-target quantification for RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, nucleocapsid, and human ribonuclease P genes in SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection. The mpRT-PCR increases the number of tests four times over the single RT-PCR and exhibits a short detection time of 15 min for the four RT-PCR reactions. This point-of-care molecular diagnostic platform can reduce false negative results in clinical applications of virus detection and decentralize healthcare facilities with limited infrastructure.

Objective: This study aims to understand the attitudes, stigma, and discrimination of the general adult population toward drug addiction., Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional nationwide survey with 1,020 Korean adults using an Internet web-based panel. Self-reported data were collected on demographics, experience with substance abuse, perceptions of narcotic analgesic use, beliefs about the legalization of cannabis use, coping with substance abuse and addiction, and perceptions of drug risks. All statistical analysis in this study utilized the IBM SPSS Statistics 26 program., Results: In this study, 1.6% of the participants reported abuse of opioid analgesics, 88.0% reported negative perceptions of drug addiction, and 76.9% reported agreeing to unfair treatment of drug addicts. Logistic regression analysis found that perceived stigma was more prevalent among women (odd ratio [OR]=2.087, p<0.01), old adults (OR=1.939, p<0.01), those with no personal experience of opioid misuse (OR=8.172, p<0.05), and those who were non-smoking (OR=2.011, p<0.01). In addition, the discriminatory attitude was more prevalent among participants with higher income (OR=1.989, p<0.001) and those who are non-smoking (OR=1.608, p<0.05)., Conclusion: This study provides information and guidelines for public intervention in drug addiction by identifying factors influencing social stigma and discriminatory behaviors toward drug addiction. The findings suggest that education on drug addiction prevention for the general adult population is necessary, and this education should include knowledge on coping with drug addiction and reducing stigma and discrimination toward drug addicts.

Point-of-care real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) facilitates the widespread use of rapid, accurate, and cost-effective near-patient testing that is available to the public. Here, we report ultrafast plasmonic nucleic acid amplification and real-time quantification for decentralized molecular diagnostics. The plasmonic real-time RT-PCR system features an ultrafast plasmonic thermocycler (PTC), a disposable plastic-on-metal (PoM) cartridge, and an ultrathin microlens array fluorescence (MAF) microscope. The PTC provides ultrafast photothermal cycling under white-light-emitting diode illumination and precise temperature monitoring with an integrated resistance temperature detector. The PoM thin film cartridge allows rapid heat transfer as well as complete light blocking from the photothermal excitation source, resulting in real-time and highly efficient PCR quantification. Besides, the MAF microscope exhibits close-up and high-contrast fluorescence microscopic imaging. All of the systems were fully packaged in a palm size for point-of-care testing. The real-time RT-PCR system demonstrates the rapid diagnosis of coronavirus disease-19 RNA virus within 10 min and yields 95.6% of amplification efficiency, 96.6% of classification accuracy for preoperational test, and 91% of total percent agreement for clinical diagnostic test. The ultrafast and compact PCR system can decentralize point-of-care molecular diagnostic testing in primary care and developing countries.

Background: To assess the radiosensitivity of liver tumors harboring different genetic mutations, mouse liver tumors were generated in vivo through the hydrodynamic injection of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat/caspase 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) constructs encoding single-guide RNAs (sgRNAs) targeting Tp53 , Pten , Nf1 , Nf2 , Tsc2 , Cdkn2a , or Rb1 ., Methods: The plasmid vectors were delivered to the liver of adult C57BL/6 mice via hydrodynamic tail vein injection. The vectors were injected into 10 mice in each group. Organoids were generated from mouse liver tumors. The radiation response of the organoids was assessed using an ATP cell viability assay., Results: The mean survival period of mice injected with vectors targeting Nf2 (4.8 months) was lower than that of other mice. Hematoxylin and eosin staining, immunohistochemical (IHC) staining, and target sequencing analyses revealed that mouse liver tumors harbored the expected mutations. Tumor organoids were established from mouse liver tumors. Histological evaluation revealed marked morphological similarities between the mouse liver tumors and the generated tumor organoids. Moreover, IHC staining indicated that the parental tumor protein expression pattern was maintained in the organoids. The results of the ATP cell viability assay revealed that the tumor organoids with mutated Nf2 were more resistant to high-dose radiation than those with other gene mutations., Conclusions: This study developed a radiation response assessment system for mouse tumors with mutant target genes using CRISPR/Cas9 and organoids. The Tp53 and Pten double mutation in combination with the Nf2 mutation increased the radiation resistance of tumors. The system used in this study can aid in elucidating the mechanism underlying differential intrinsic radiation sensitivity of individual tumors.

There are numerous global navigation satellite system-denied regions in urban areas, where the localization of autonomous driving remains a challenge. To address this problem, a high-resolution light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensor was recently developed. Various methods have been proposed to improve the accuracy of localization using precise distance measurements derived from LiDAR sensors. This study proposes an algorithm to accelerate the computational speed of LiDAR localization while maintaining the original accuracy of lightweight map-matching algorithms. To this end, first, a point cloud map was transformed into a normal distribution (ND) map. During this process, vector-based normal distribution transform, suitable for graphics processing unit (GPU) parallel processing, was used. In this study, we introduce an algorithm that enabled GPU parallel processing of an existing ND map-matching process. The performance of the proposed algorithm was verified using an open dataset and simulations. To verify the practical performance of the proposed algorithm, the real-time serial and parallel processing performances of the localization were compared using high-performance and embedded computers, respectively. The distance root-mean-square error and computational time of the proposed algorithm were compared. The algorithm increased the computational speed of the embedded computer almost 100-fold while maintaining high localization precision.

The overexpansion of adipose tissues leads to obesity and eventually results in metabolic disorders. Garcinia cambogia ( G. cambogia ) has been used as an antiobesity supplement. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of G. cambogia on cellular processes have yet to be fully understood. Here, we discovered that G. cambogia attenuated the expression of CEBPB (CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP), beta), an important adipogenic factor, suppressing its transcription in differentiated cells. In addition, G. cambogia inhibited macroautophagic/autophagic flux by decreasing autophagy-related gene expression and autophagosome formation. Notably, G. cambogia markedly elevated the expression of KLF3 (Kruppel-like factor 3 (basic)), a negative regulator of adipogenesis, by reducing SQSTM1/p62-mediated selective autophagic degradation. Furthermore, increased KLF3 induced by G. cambogia interacted with CTBP2 (C-terminal binding protein 2) to form a transcriptional repressor complex and inhibited Cebpa and Pparg transcription. Importantly, we found that RPS6KA1 and STAT3 were involved in the G. cambogia -mediated regulation of CEBPB and autophagic flux. In an obese animal model, G. cambogia reduced high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity by suppressing epididymal and inguinal subcutaneous white adipose tissue mass and adipocyte size, which were attributed to the regulation of targets that had been consistently identified in vitro . These findings provide new insight into the mechanism of G. cambogia -mediated regulation of adipogenesis and suggest molecular links to therapeutic targets for the treatment of obesity. Abbreviations: 3-MA: 3-methyladenine; ACTB: actin beta; ATG: autophagy-related; Baf: bafilomycin A 1 ; BECN1: beclin 1; CEBP: CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP); CHX: cycloheximide; CREB: cAMP response element binding protein; CTBP: C-terminal binding protein; EGCG: (-)-epigallocatechin gallate; eWAT: epididymal white; G. cambogia: Garcinia cambogia ; GFP: green fluorescent protein; H&E: hematoxylin and eosin; HFD: high-fat diet; iWAT: inguinal subcutaneous white; KLF: Kruppel-like factor; LAP: liver-enriched transcriptional activating proteins; MAP1LC3/LC3: microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3; ND: normal diet; PPARG: peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma; qPCR: quantitative real-time PCR; RFP: red fluorescent protein; RPS6KA1: ribosomal protein S6 kinase A1; siRNA: small-interfering RNA; SQSTM1/p62: sequestosome 1; STAT: signal transducer and activator of transcription; TEM: transmission electron microscopy.

Smoking cessation aids in restoring lung function. However, whether long-term cessation can fully restore lung function has not been studied thoroughly, especially in Asian countries. This study aimed to evaluate the association between smoking cessation status and obstructive spirometry pattern among Koreans aged 40-79 years. In total, 6298 men and 8088 women aged 40-79 years from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2015-2019) were analyzed for smoking cessation status, including the duration after quitting. Current-smokers showed a higher likelihood of having an obstructive spirometry pattern than never-smokers among both men (odds ratio [OR]: 3.15, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.32-4.29) and women (OR: 2.60, 95% CI: 1.59-4.23). In men, the effect tended to decrease with longer duration after cessation, but male ex-smokers who had quit smoking ≥ 20 years ago still showed a higher likelihood of having an obstructive spirometry pattern than male never-smokers (OR: 1.40, 95% CI: 1.05-1.89). In female ex-smokers, there was no significant association with the obstructive spirometry pattern, compared to that in female never-smokers. This study emphasizes the benefits of smoking cessation, possibility of long-lasting harm to lung function due to tobacco smoking, and importance of smoking prevention., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

FLASH radiotherapy is an emerging radiotherapy technique used to spare normal tissues. It employs ultra-high dose rate radiation beams over 40 Gy/s, which is significantly higher than those of conventional radiotherapy. In this study, a fiber-optic radiation sensor (FORS) was fabricated using a plastic scintillator, an optical filter, and a plastic optical fiber to measure the ultra-high dose rate electron beams over 40 Gy/s used in FLASH radiotherapy. The radiation-induced emissions, such as Cherenkov radiation and fluorescence generated in a transmitting optical fiber, were spectrally discriminated from the light outputs of the FORS. To evaluate the linearity and dose rate dependence of the FORS, the outputs of the fiber-optic radiation sensor were measured according to distances from an electron scattering device, and the results were compared with those of an ionization chamber and radiochromic films. Finally, the percentage depth doses were obtained using the FORS as a function of depth in a water phantom. This study found that ultra-high dose rate electron beams over 40 Gy/s could be measured in real time using a FORS.

Propionate is a short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) mainly produced from carbohydrates by gut microbiota. Sodium propionate (SP) has shown to suppress the invasion in G protein-coupled receptor 41 (GPR41) and GPR43-overexpressing breast cancer cells. In this study we investigated the effects of SP on the proliferation, apoptosis, autophagy, and antioxidant production of breast cancer cells. We showed that SP (5-20 mM) dose-dependently inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis in breast cancer cell lines JIMT-1 (ER-negative and HER2-expressing) and MCF7 (ER-positive type), and this effect was not affected by PTX, thus not mediated by the GPR41 or GPR43 SCFA receptors. Meanwhile, we demonstrated that SP treatment increased autophagic and antioxidant activity in JIMT-1 and MCF7 breast cancer cells, which might be a compensatory mechanism to overcome SP-induced apoptosis, but were not sufficient to overcome SP-mediated suppression of proliferation and induction of apoptosis. We revealed that the anticancer effect of SP was mediated by inhibiting JAK2/STAT3 signaling which led to cell-cycle arrest at G 0 /G 1 phase, and increasing levels of ROS and phosphorylation of p38 MAPK which induced apoptosis. In nude mice bearing JIMT-1 and MCF7 cells xenograft, administration of SP (20 mg/mL in drinking water) significantly suppressed tumor growth by regulating STAT3 and p38 in tumor tissues. These results suggest that SP suppresses proliferation and induces apoptosis in breast cancer cells by inhibiting STAT3, increasing the ROS level and activating p38. Therefore, SP is a candidate therapeutic agent for breast cancer., (© 2020. CPS and SIMM.)

A large-area and ultrathin MEMS (microelectromechanical system) mirror can provide efficient light-coupling, a large scanning area, and high energy efficiency for actuation. However, the ultrathin mirror is significantly vulnerable to diverse film deformation due to residual thin film stresses, so that high flatness of the mirror is hardly achieved. Here, we report a MEMS mirror of large-area and ultrathin membrane with high flatness by using the silicon rim microstructure (SRM). The ultrathin MEMS mirror with SRM (SRM-mirror) consists of aluminum (Al) deposited silicon nitride membrane, bimorph actuator, and the SRM. The SRM is simply fabricated underneath the silicon nitride membrane, and thus effectively inhibits the tensile stress relaxation of the membrane. As a result, the membrane has high flatness of 10.6 m -1 film curvature at minimum without any deformation. The electrothermal actuation of the SRM-mirror shows large tilting angles from 15° to -45° depending on the applied DC voltage of 0~4 V DC , preserving high flatness of the tilting membrane. This stable and statically actuated SRM-mirror spurs diverse micro-optic applications such as optical sensing, beam alignment, or optical switching.

Obesity is associated with an increase in adipose tissue, which is mediated by hyperplasia and hypertrophy. Therefore, inhibiting cell proliferation during mitotic clonal expansion (MCE) is one of the major strategies for preventing obesity. The antagonistic effects of Garcinia cambogia (G. cambogia) on obesity have been studied in animal experimental models. However, the effects of G. cambogia extract on MCE, and the underlying molecular mechanisms, are poorly understood. In this study, 3T3-L1 cells were used to investigate whether G. cambogia extract affected cell proliferation during MCE and to identify target molecules for any anti-adipogenic activity. G. cambogia extract suppressed isobutylmethylxanthine and dexamethasone-and-insulin (MDI)-induced adipogenesis at an early stage by attenuating MCE. In G. cambogia extract-treated preadipocytes, MDI-induced cell proliferation and cell cycle progression were inhibited by G 0 /G 1 arrest due to an increase in p21 and p27 expression, and inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinase 2, cyclin E1 expression, and retinoblastoma (Rb) phosphorylation. In addition, the MDI-induced phosphorylation and subsequent translocation into the nucleus of p90 ribosomal S6 kinase (p90RSK) and signal transducer and activator of transcription (Stat) 3 were suppressed. Specific inhibitors of p90RSK (FMK) and Stat3 (stattic) regulated cell proliferation and adipogenesis. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that G. cambogia extract inhibited MCE by regulating p90RSK, Stat3, and cell cycle proteins, leading to G 0 /G 1 arrest. These findings provide new insight into the mechanism by which G. cambogia suppresses adipocyte differentiation and show that p90RSK is critical for adipogenesis as a new molecular target., (© 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Air pollution caused by particulate matter (PM) has become a serious issue, and significant research has focused on managing large stationary emission sources, i.e., the primary sources of PM. Currently, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Method 201A and ISO 23210 are predominantly employed to measure the PM emissions at large stationary sources. Method 201A is designated as a standard test method in Korea, but it is difficult to measure PM 10 and PM 2.5 simultaneously owing to the size of the full-set cyclone. In large stationary emission sources, the use of a serial connection of PM 10 and PM 2.5 cyclones is unsuitable for measurements at conventional sampling ports featuring diameters of approximately 100 mm. Therefore, in this study, PM 10 and PM 2.5 cyclones were developed to replace the cyclones currently used in Method 201A. The developed cyclones featured a cutoff diameter, which was confirmed by numerical and experimental analyses that were close to Method 201A. Moreover, there was an increase in the stiffness of collection efficiency. The hook adaptor, which is a key accessory used in Method 201A, was found to be applicable to the newly developed cyclones. This alternative method will help reduce the measurement time by simultaneously measuring TSP, PM 10 , and PM 2.5 and eliminates the costs of installing or refurbishing additional sampling ports at existing large stationary sources., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

We report an ultrathin arrayed camera (UAC) for high-contrast near infrared (NIR) imaging by using microlens arrays with a multilayered light absorber. The UAC consists of a multilayered composite light absorber, inverted microlenses, gap-alumina spacers and a planar CMOS image sensor. The multilayered light absorber was fabricated through lift-off and repeated photolithography processes. The experimental results demonstrate that the image contrast is increased by 4.48 times and the MTF 50 is increased by 2.03 times by eliminating optical noise between microlenses through the light absorber. The NIR imaging of UAC successfully allows distinguishing the security strip of authentic bill and the blood vessel of finger. The ultrathin camera offers a new route for diverse applications in biometric, surveillance, and biomedical imaging.

Image-guided pulsed focused ultrasound (pFUS) is a non-invasive technique that can increase tropism of intravenously (IV)-infused mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) to sonicated tissues. MSC have shown promise for cardiac regenerative medicine strategies but can be hampered by inefficient homing to the myocardium. This study sonicated the left ventricles (LV) in rats with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided pFUS and examined both proteomic responses and subsequent MSC tropism to treated myocardium. T2-weighted MRI was used for pFUS targeting of the entire LV. pFUS increased numerous pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and trophic factors and cell adhesion molecules in the myocardial microenvironment for up to 48 hours post-sonication. Cardiac troponin I and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide were elevated in the serum and myocardium. Immunohistochemistry revealed transient hypoxia and immune cell infiltration in pFUS-targeted regions. Myocardial tropism of IV-infused human MSC following pFUS increased twofold-threefold compared with controls. Proteomic and histological changes in myocardium following pFUS suggested a reversible inflammatory and hypoxic response leading to increased tropism of MSC. MR-guided pFUS could represent a non-invasive modality to improve MSC therapies for cardiac regenerative medicine approaches., (© 2020 The Authors. Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine published by Foundation for Cellular and Molecular Medicine and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Dark current in optical sensors has been one of their issues. The performance of these sensors can be improved by reducing their dark current. In this study, we investigated UV sensors based on ZnO nanorods (ZNRs), in particular, their current-voltage characteristics, response and recovery times, on-off current ratio, and responsivity as a function of the device process conditions. The number of seed layer coatings was changed and an oxygen (O₂) plasma treatment was applied to ZNRs. A microwave-assisted growth (MAG) method was used to grow ZNRs. The MAG method is one way to shorten device manufacturing time. The small number of seed layer coating processes played a role in reducing the dark current of the sensor. The O₂ plasma treatment further reduced the dark current. The crystal quality of ZNRs was affected by changes in the sensor fabrication process. Although the O₂ plasma treated device had an increased on-off current ratio, the response time was increased.

We report a new microfabrication method of multifocal microlens arrays (MF-MLAs) for extended depth-of-field (DoF) using multilayer photolithography and thermal reflow. Microlenses of different focal lengths were simultaneously fabricated on a single glass wafer by using repeated photolithography with multiple photomasks to define microposts of different thicknesses and concurrent thermal reflow of multi-stacked microposts. The diverse lens curvatures of MF-MLAs are precisely controlled by the thickness of the micropost. Hexagonally packaged MF-MLAs clearly show three different focal lengths of 249 µm, 310 µm, and 460 µm for 200 µm in lens diameter and result in multifocal images on a single image sensor. This method provides a new route for developing various three-dimensional (3D) imaging applications such as light-field cameras or 3D medical endoscopes.

Compound eyes found in insects provide intriguing sources of biological inspiration for miniaturised imaging systems. Here, we report an ultrathin arrayed camera inspired by insect eye structures for high-contrast and super-resolution imaging. The ultrathin camera features micro-optical elements (MOEs), i.e., inverted microlenses, multilayered pinhole arrays, and gap spacers on an image sensor. The MOE was fabricated by using repeated photolithography and thermal reflow. The fully packaged camera shows a total track length of 740 μm and a field-of-view (FOV) of 73°. The experimental results demonstrate that the multilayered pinhole of the MOE allows high-contrast imaging by eliminating the optical crosstalk between microlenses. The integral image reconstructed from array images clearly increases the modulation transfer function (MTF) by ~1.57 times compared to that of a single channel image in the ultrathin camera. This ultrathin arrayed camera provides a novel and practical direction for diverse mobile, surveillance or medical applications., Competing Interests: Conflict of interestThe authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (© The Author(s) 2020.)

In this study, we investigated the operational characteristics of AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) by applying the copper-filled trench and via structures for improved heat dissipation. Therefore, we used a basic T-gate HEMT device to construct the thermal structures. To identify the heat flow across the device structure, a thermal conductivity model and the heat transfer properties corresponding to the GaN, SiC, and Cu materials were applied. Initially, we simulated the direct current (DC) characteristics of a basic GaN on SiC HEMT to confirm the self-heating effect on AlGaN/GaN HEMT. Then, to verify the heat sink effect of the copper-filled thermal structures, we compared the DC characteristics such as the threshold voltage, transconductance, saturation current, and breakdown voltage. Finally, we estimated and compared the lattice temperature of a two-dimensional electron gas channel, the vertical lattice temperature near the drain-side gate head edge, and the transient thermal analysis for the copper-filled thermal trench and via structures. Through this study, we could optimize the operational characteristics of the device by applying an effective heat dissipation structure to the AlGaN/GaN HEMT., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interests.

Combustible gases, such as CH 4 and CO, directly or indirectly affect the human body. Thus, leakage detection of combustible gases is essential for various industrial sites and daily life. Many types of gas sensors are used to identify these combustible gases, but since gas sensors generally have low selectivity among gases, coupling issues often arise which adversely affect gas detection accuracy. To solve this problem, we built a decoupling algorithm with different gas sensors using a machine learning algorithm. Commercially available semiconductor sensors were employed to detect CH 4 and CO, and then support vector machine (SVM) applied as a supervised learning algorithm for gas classification. We also introduced a pairing plot scheme to more effectively classify gas type. The proposed model classified CH 4 and CO gases 100% correctly at all levels above the minimum concentration the gas sensors could detect. Consequently, SVM with pairing plot is a memory efficient and promising method for more accurate gas classification.

This study investigated DC characteristics of AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) considering self-heating effect (SHE) with basic T-gate (BT), drain-side extended T-gate (DSET), and source-bridge FP (SBFP) structures. We analyzed threshold voltage, transconductance, drain saturation current, and breakdown voltage of each structure for device optimization. Experimental data were initially matched with simulated data for the BT structure, then DC characteristics were compared with the drift-diffusion, coupled drift-diffusion and self-heating models for basic T-gate HEMT devices. Breakdown voltages were measured to identify the optimum DSET structure length, while increasing drain-side gate head to 3 µ m. An SBFP was also employed where the DSET device showed highest breakdown voltage. Therefore, DC characteristics were compared for three structures and contrasted to reduce SHE. Hot spot and overall temperature were also analyzed for each structure.

We investigate DC characteristics of AlGaN/GaN high-electron mobility transistors by using a source-bridged field plate and additional bottom plate (BP) structure. The analysis of experimental data was performed with a two-dimensional simulator. Source connected BP structure stabilized threshold voltage and transconductance regardless of various drain voltages. The effect of BP location was also analyzed, which had optimal DC values because of the dependence of breakdown voltage and drain current of the device on BP position between gate and drain. Finally, the optimum distance of 0.8 μ m from drain side gate head edge to BP was achieved for optimum DC characteristics and the highest breakdown voltage of 341 V.

Objective: To determine positive effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) in conventional dysphagia therapy on masseter muscle oral dysfunction of patients after subacute stroke., Methods: Among subacute stroke patients who were diagnosed as oropharyngeal dysphagia by videofluoroscopy swallowing study (VFSS), those with oral dysfunction were enrolled. They were randomly assigned to a study group or a control group. The study group received NMES on masseter muscle and suprahyoid muscle simultaneously, while the control group received NMES only on suprahyoid muscle. NMES therapy session as applied 30 minutes each time, two times per day for a total of 20 sessions. Both groups received conventional dysphagia therapy for 2 weeks. All enrolled patients were evaluated by VFSS after 2 weeks. Oropharyngeal swallowing function was evaluated by Penetration-Aspiration Scale, Functional Dysphagia Scale (FDS), and American Speech-Language-Hearing Association National Outcome Measurement System swallowing scale based on results of VFSS., Results: Patients were randomly assigned to the study group (n=20) or the control group (n=20). There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics or initial values between the two groups. After 2 weeks of NMES, both groups showed improvement in scores of total FDS and pharyngeal phase FDS. Additionally, the study group showed improvement in oral phase FDS. Changes in all measurements were similar between the two groups., Conclusion: In this preliminary study, NMES for masseter muscle has a therapeutic effect on oral dysfunction of patients after subacute stroke.

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effects of mechanical inspiration and expiration exercise using mechanical cough assist on velopharyngeal incompetence in patients with subacute stroke., Design: Pilot, randomized controlled study., Setting: University-based rehabilitation centre., Subjects: Thirty-six patients with subacute stroke diagnosed with velopharyngeal incompetence by videofluoroscopic swallowing study., Methods: Subjects were randomly assigned to 2 groups. The study group received conventional dysphagia therapy and additional mechanical inspiration and expiration exercise. The control group received conventional dysphagia therapy only. Swallowing function was evaluated according to the American Speech-Language-Hearing association scale, functional dysphagia score, and the penetration aspiration scale, based on the videofluoroscopic swallowing study. Coughing function was measured using peak cough flow., Results: Eighteen patients in each group completed the protocol and were analysed. After treatment, the study group showed significant improvement in functional dysphagia score with regard to nasal penetration degree. Comparing the treatment effect between the 2 groups, nasal penetration degree and peak cough flow showed greater improvement in the study group., Conclusion: Mechanical inspiration and expiration exercise had a therapeutic effect on velopharyngeal incompetence in subacute stroke patients with dysphagia. This therapy is easy to provide clinically and could be a useful therapeutic strategy for velo-pharyngeal incompetence with dysphagia in patients with stroke.

Increased demand for compact devices leads to rapid development of miniaturized digital cameras. However, conventional camera modules contain multiple lenses along the optical axis to compensate for optical aberrations that introduce technical challenges in reducing the total thickness of the camera module. Here, we report an ultrathin digital camera inspired by the vision principle of Xenos peckii , an endoparasite of paper wasps. The male Xenos peckii has an unusual visual system that exhibits distinct benefits for high resolution and high sensitivity, unlike the compound eyes found in most insects and some crustaceans. The biologically inspired camera features a sandwiched configuration of concave microprisms, microlenses, and pinhole arrays on a flat image sensor. The camera shows a field-of-view (FOV) of 68 degrees with a diameter of 3.4 mm and a total track length of 1.4 mm. The biologically inspired camera offers a new opportunity for developing ultrathin cameras in medical, industrial, and military fields., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Europium ion (Eu 2+ ) doped Sr 2 SiO 4 phosphors with greenish-yellow emission were synthesized using microwave-assisted sintering. The phase structure and photoluminescence (PL) properties of the obtained phosphor samples were investigated. The PL excitation spectra of the Sr 2 SiO 4 :Eu 2+ phosphors exhibited a broad band in the range of 260 nm to 485 nm with a maximum at 361 nm attributed to the 5f-4d allowed transition of the Eu 2+ ions. Under an excitation at 361 nm, the Sr 2 SiO 4 :Eu 2+ phosphor exhibited a greenish-yellow emission peak at 541 nm with an International-Commission-on-Illumination (CIE) chromaticity of (0.3064, 0.4772). The results suggest that the microwave-assisted sintering method is promising for the synthesis of phosphors owing to the decreased sintering time without the use of additional reductive agents., (© 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Melanoma is one of the most aggressive types of cancer, and its incidence has increased rapidly in the past few decades. In this study, we investigated a novel treatment approach, the use of low-intensity ultrasound (2.3 W/cm 2 at 1 MHz)-mediated Optison microbubble (MB) destruction (UMMD) to treat melanoma in a flank tumor model. The effect of UMMD was first evaluated in the melanoma cell line B16 F10 (B16) in vitro and then in mice inoculated with B16 cells. MB + B16 cells were exposed to US in vitro, resulting in significant cell death proportional to duty cycle (R 2  = 0.74): approximately 30%, 50%, 80% and 80% cell death at 10%, 30%, 50% and 100% DC respectively. Direct implantation of tumors with MBs, followed by sonication, resulted in retarded tumor growth and improved survival (p = 0.0106). Immunohistochemical analyses confirmed the significant changes in expression of the cell proliferation marker Ki67 (p = 0.037) and a microtubule-associated protein 2 (p = 0.048) after US + MB treatment. These results suggest that UMMD could be used as a possible treatment approach in isolated melanoma and has the potential to translate to clinical trials., (Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

In this study, we investigated the low intensity ultrasound (US)-controlled delivery of local cytotoxicity and drug release via induced destruction and degradation of microparticles (MPs) made of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA). This study was conducted in vitro with potential application towards tumor treatment in conjunction with direct injection. MPs, either loaded with or without doxorubicin (DOX), were prepared using a double-emulsion solvent-evaporation technique. First, the MPs were exposed to US with duty cycle (DC)-modulation. The destruction and degradation of MPs were evaluated using light and scanning electron microscopy. Second, the effects of US-mediated destruction/degradation of MPs on the local cytotoxicity as well as DOX release were evaluated. US-triggered MP destruction/degradation significantly enhanced nearby cell death and DOX release. These affects occurred in proportion to the DC. Our findings indicate that controlled cytotoxicity and DOX release by US could be useful in developing the minimally invasive therapeutic applications for tumor treatment., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Image-guided high intensity focused ultrasound has been used as an extracorporeal cardiac pacing tool and to enhance homing of stem cells to targeted tissues. However, molecular changes in the myocardium after sonication have not been widely investigated. Magnetic-resonance (MR)-guided pulsed focused ultrasound (pFUS) was targeted to the rat myocardium over a range of pressures and the microenvironmental and histological effects were evaluated over time., Methods: Eight-to-ten-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats received T2-weighted MR images to target pFUS to the left ventricular and septum without cardiac or respiratory gating. Rats were sonicated through the thoracic wall at peak negative pressures (PNP) from 1 to 8 MPa at a center frequency of 1 MHz, 10 ms pulse duration and 1 Hz pulse repetition frequency for 100 pulses per focal target. Following pFUS, myocardium was harvested over 24 h and subjected to imaging, proteomic, and histological measurements., Results: pFUS to the myocardium increased expression of cytokines, chemokines, and trophic factors characterized by an initial increase in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α followed by increases in pro- and anti-inflammatory factors that returned to baseline by 24 h. Immediately after pFUS, there was a transient (< 1 h) increase in N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) without elevation of other cardiac injury markers. A relationship between PNP and expression of TNF-α and NT-proBNP was observed with significant changes (p < 0.05 ANOVA) ≥ 4 MPa compared to untreated controls. Contrast-enhanced ex vivo T1-weighted MRI revealed vascular leakage in sonicated myocardium that was accompanied by the presence of albumin upon immunohistochemistry. Histology revealed infiltration of neutrophils and macrophages without morphological myofibril changes in sonicated tissue accompanied by pulmonary hemorrhage at PNP > 4 MPa., Conclusions: MR-guided pFUS to myocardium induced transient proteomic and histological changes. The temporal proteomic changes in the myocardium indicate a short-lived sterile inflammatory response consistent with ischemia or contusion. Further study of myocardial function and strain is needed to determine if pFUS could be developed as an experimental model of cardiac injury and chest trauma.

We report an angle-selective optical filter (ASOF) for highly sensitive reflection photoplethysmography (PPG) sensors. The ASOF features slanted aluminum (Al) micromirror arrays embedded in transparent polymer resin, which effectively block scattered light under human tissue. The device microfabrication was done by using geometry-guided resist reflow of polymer micropatterns, polydimethylsiloxane replica molding, and oblique angle deposition of thin Al film. The angular transmittance through the ASOF is precisely controlled by the angle of micromirrors. For the mirror angle of 30 degrees, the ASOF accepts an incident light between - 90 to + 50 degrees and the maximum transmittance at - 55 degrees. The ASOF exhibits the substantial reduction of both the in-band noise of PPG signals over a factor of two and the low-frequency noise by three times. Consequently, this filter allows distinguishing the diastolic peak that allows miscellaneous parameters with diverse vascular information. This optical filter provides a new opportunity for highly sensitive PPG monitoring or miscellaneous optical tomography.

Serious meniscus injuries seldom heal and increase the risk for knee osteoarthritis; thus, there is a need to develop new reparative therapies. In that regard, stimulating tissue regeneration by autologous stem/progenitor cells has emerged as a promising new strategy. We showed previously that migratory chondrogenic progenitor cells (CPCs) were recruited to injured cartilage, where they showed a capability in situ tissue repair. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the meniscus contains a similar population of regenerative cells. Explant studies revealed that migrating cells were mainly confined to the red zone in normal menisci: However, these cells were capable of repopulating defects made in the white zone. In vivo, migrating cell numbers increased dramatically in damaged meniscus. Relative to non-migrating meniscus cells, migrating cells were more clonogenic, overexpressed progenitor cell markers, and included a larger side population. Gene expression profiling showed that the migrating population was more similar to CPCs than other meniscus cells. Finally, migrating cells equaled CPCs in chondrogenic potential, indicating a capacity for repair of the cartilaginous white zone of the meniscus. These findings demonstrate that, much as in articular cartilage, injuries to the meniscus mobilize an intrinsic progenitor cell population with strong reparative potential. © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 35:1966-1972, 2017., (© 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background: The mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (MET) receptor can be overexpressed in solid tumors, including small cell lung cancer (SCLC). However, the molecular mechanism regulating MET stability and turnover in SCLC remains undefined. One potential mechanism of MET regulation involves the C-terminus of Hsp70-interacting protein (CHIP), which targets heat shock protein 90-interacting proteins for ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. In the present study, we investigated the functional effects of CHIP expression on MET regulation and the control of SCLC cell apoptosis and invasion., Methods: To evaluate the expression of CHIP and c-Met, which is a protein that in humans is encoded by the MET gene (the MET proto-oncogene), we examined the expression pattern of c-Met and CHIP in SCLC cell lines by western blotting. To investigate whether CHIP overexpression reduced cell proliferation and invasive activity in SCLC cell lines, we transfected cells with CHIP and performed a cell viability assay and cellular apoptosis assays., Results: We found an inverse relationship between the expression of CHIP and MET in SCLC cell lines (n=5). CHIP destabilized the endogenous MET receptor in SCLC cell lines, indicating an essential role for CHIP in the regulation of MET degradation. In addition, CHIP inhibited MET-dependent pathways, and invasion, cell growth, and apoptosis were reduced by CHIP overexpression in SCLC cell lines., Conclusion: CHIP is capable of regulating SCLC cell apoptosis and invasion by inhibiting MET-mediated cytoskeletal and cell survival pathways in NCI-H69 cells. CHIP suppresses MET-dependent signaling, and regulates MET-mediated SCLC motility., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest No potential conflicts of interest relevant to this article are reported.

Somatic mutation in the tyrosine kinase domain of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a decisive factor for the therapeutic response to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) in lung adenocarcinoma. The stability of mutant EGFR is maintained by various regulators, including heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90). The C terminus of Hsc70-interacting protein (CHIP) is a Hsp70/Hsp90 co-chaperone and exhibits E3 ubiquitin ligase activity. The high-affinity Hsp90-CHIP complex recognizes and selectively regulates their client proteins. CHIP also works with its own E3 ligase activity independently of Hsp70/Hsp90. Here, we investigated the role of CHIP in regulating EGFR in lung adenocarcinoma and also evaluated the specificity of CHIP's effects on mutant EGFR. In HEK 293T cells transfected with either WT EGFR or EGFR mutants, the overexpression of CHIP selectively decreased the expression of certain EGFR mutants (G719S, L747&#95;E749del A750P and L858R) but not WT EGFR. In a pull-down assay, CHIP selectively interacted with EGFR mutants and simultaneously induced their ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. The expressions of mutant EGFR in PC9 and H1975 were diminished by CHIP, while the expression of WT EGFR in A549 was nearly not affected. In addition, CHIP overexpression inhibited cell proliferation and xenograft's tumor growth of EGFR mutant cell lines, but not WT EGFR cell lines. EGFR mutant specific ubiquitination by CHIP may provide a crucial regulating mechanism for EGFR in lung adenocarcinoma. Our results suggest that CHIP can be novel therapeutic target for overcoming the EGFR TKI resistance., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Although treatment of BRAF V600E-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC(V600E)) with GSK2118436 has shown an encouraging efficacy, most patients develop resistance. To investigate the mechanisms of acquired resistance to GSK2118436 in NSCLC(V600E), we established GSK2118436-resistant (GSR) cells by exposing MV522 NSCLC(V600E) to increasing GSK2118436 concentrations. GSR cells displayed activated EGFR-RAS-CRAF signaling with upregulated EGFR ligands and sustained activation of ERK1/2, but not MEK1/2, in the presence of GSK2118436. Treatment of GSR cells with GSK2118436 enhanced EGFR-mediated RAS activity, leading to the formation of BRAF-CRAF dimers and transactivation of CRAF. Interestingly, sustained activation of ERK1/2 was partly dependent on receptor-interacting protein kinase-2 (RIP2) activity, but not on MEK1/2 activity. Combined BRAF and EGFR inhibition blocked reactivation of ERK signaling and improved efficacy in vitro and in vivo Our findings support the evaluation of combined BRAF and EGFR inhibition in NSCLC(V600E) with acquired resistance to BRAF inhibitors. Mol Cancer Ther; 15(7); 1627-36. ©2016 AACR., (©2016 American Association for Cancer Research.)

This work reports electrothermal MEMS parallel plate-rotation (PPR) for a single-imager based stereoscopic endoscope. A thin optical plate was directly connected to an electrothermal MEMS microactuator with bimorph structures of thin silicon and aluminum layers. The fabricated MEMS PPR device precisely rotates an transparent optical plate up to 37° prior to an endoscopic camera and creates the binocular disparities, comparable to those from binocular cameras with a baseline distance over 100 μm. The anaglyph 3D images and disparity maps were successfully achieved by extracting the local binocular disparities from two optical images captured at the relative positions. The physical volume of MEMS PPR is well fit in 3.4 mm x 3.3 mm x 1 mm. This method provides a new direction for compact stereoscopic 3D endoscopic imaging systems.

This work reports a microprism array (MPA) based compact stereo endoscopic camera with a single image sensor. The MPAs were monolithically fabricated by using two-step photolithography and geometry-guided resist reflow to form an appropriate prism angle for stereo image pair formation. The fabricated MPAs were transferred onto a glass substrate with a UV curable resin replica by using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) replica molding and then successfully integrated in front of a single camera module. The stereo endoscopic camera with MPA splits an image into two stereo images and successfully demonstrates the binocular disparities between the stereo image pairs for objects with different distances. This stereo endoscopic camera can serve as a compact and 3D imaging platform for medical, industrial, or military uses.

Dacomitinib, an irreversible pan-HER inhibitor, had shown modest clinical activity in squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck (SCCHN) patients. Therefore, validated predictive biomarkers are required to identify patients most likely to benefit from this therapeutic option. To characterize the genetic landscape of cisplatin-treated SCCHN genomes and identify potential predictive biomarkers for dacomitinib sensitivity, we performed whole exome sequencing on 18 cisplatin-resistant metastatic SCCHN tumors and their matched germline DNA. Platinum-based chemotherapy elevated the mutation rates of SCCHN compared to chemotherapy-naïve SCCHNs. Cisplatin-treated SCCHN genomes uniquely exhibited a novel mutational signature characterized by C:G to A:T transversions at CCR sequence contexts that may have arisen due to error-prone translesional synthesis. Somatic mutations in REV3L, the gene encoding the catalytic subunit of DNA polymerase ζ involved in translesional synthesis, are significantly enriched in a subset of patients who derived extended clinical benefit to dacomitinib (P = 0.04). Functional assays showed that loss-of-function of REV3L dramatically enhanced the sensitivity of SCCHN cells to dacomitinib by the loss of both translesion synthesis and homologous recombination pathways. Our data suggest that the 'platinum' mutational signature and inactivation of REV3L may inform treatment options in patients of recurrent SCCHN.

This study describes the development and evaluation of a new dosimetric system for proton therapy using an array of fiber-optic Cerenkov radiation sensors (AFCRS). The AFCRS was superior to a conventional, multi-layer ion chamber (MLIC) system in real-time data acquisition and cost effectiveness., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

In this study, prototype ultra-thin fiber-optic dosimeters were fabricated using organic scintillators, wavelength shifting fibers, and plastic optical fibers. The sensor probes of the ultra-thin fiber-optic dosimeters consisted of very thin organic scintillators with thicknesses of 100, 150 and 200 μm. These types of sensors cannot only be used to measure skin or surface doses but also provide depth dose measurements with high spatial resolution. With the ultra-thin fiber-optic dosimeters, surface doses for gamma rays generated from a Co-60 therapy machine were measured. Additionally, percentage depth doses in the build-up regions were obtained by using the ultra-thin fiber-optic dosimeters, and the results were compared with those of external beam therapy films and a conventional fiber-optic dosimeter.