Improvement of performance for flexible film dosimeter by incorporating additive agents.

Objective.To evaluate the reduction in energy dependence and aging effect of the lithium salt of pentacosa-10,-12-diynoic acid (LiPCDA) films with additives including aluminum oxide (Al2O3), propyl gallate (PG), and disodium ethylenediaminetetracetate (EDTA).Approach. LiPCDA films exhibited energy dependence on kilovoltage (kV) and megavoltage (MV) photon energies and experienced deterioration over time. Evaluations were conducted with added Al2O3and antioxidants to mitigate these issues, and films were produced with and without Al2O3to assess energy dependence. The films were irradiated at doses of 0, 3, 6, and 12 cGy at photon energies of 75 kV, 105 kV, 6 MV, 10 MV, and 15 MV. For the energy range of 75 kV to 15 MV, the mean and standard deviation (std) were calculated and compared for the values normalized to the net optical density (netOD) at 6 MV, corresponding to identical dose levels. To evaluate the aging effect, PG and disodium EDTA were incorporated into the films: sample C with 1% PG, sample D with 2% PG, sample E with 0.62% disodium EDTA added to sample D, and sample F with 1.23% disodium EDTA added to sample D.Main results. Films containing Al2O3demonstrated a maximum 15.8% increase in mean normalized values and a 15.1% reduction in std, reflecting a greater netOD reduction at kV than MV energies, which indicates less energy dependence in these films. When the OD of sample 1-4 depending on the addition of PG and disodium EDTA, was observed for 20 weeks, the transmission mode decreased by 8.7%, 8.3%, 29.3%, and 27.3%, respectively, while the reflection mode was 5.4%, 3.0%, 37.0%, and 34.5%, respectively.Significance. Al2O3effectively reduced the voltage and MV energy dependence. PG was more effective than disodium EDTA in preventing the deterioration of film performance owing to the aging effect.

Applications of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Deep Learning in Nutrition: A Systematic Review.

In industry 4.0, where the automation and digitalization of entities and processes are fundamental, artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly becoming a pivotal tool offering innovative solutions in various domains. In this context, nutrition, a critical aspect of public health, is no exception to the fields influenced by the integration of AI technology. This study aims to comprehensively investigate the current landscape of AI in nutrition, providing a deep understanding of the potential of AI, machine learning (ML), and deep learning (DL) in nutrition sciences and highlighting eventual challenges and futuristic directions. A hybrid approach from the systematic literature review (SLR) guidelines and the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines was adopted to systematically analyze the scientific literature from a search of major databases on artificial intelligence in nutrition sciences. A rigorous study selection was conducted using the most appropriate eligibility criteria, followed by a methodological quality assessment ensuring the robustness of the included studies. This review identifies several AI applications in nutrition, spanning smart and personalized nutrition, dietary assessment, food recognition and tracking, predictive modeling for disease prevention, and disease diagnosis and monitoring. The selected studies demonstrated the versatility of machine learning and deep learning techniques in handling complex relationships within nutritional datasets. This study provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of AI applications in nutrition sciences and identifies challenges and opportunities. With the rapid advancement in AI, its integration into nutrition holds significant promise to enhance individual nutritional outcomes and optimize dietary recommendations. Researchers, policymakers, and healthcare professionals can utilize this research to design future projects and support evidence-based decision-making in AI for nutrition and dietary guidance.

Assessment and validation of glottic motion using cone-beam CT and real-time cine MRI.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess the margin for the planning target volume (PTV) using the Van Herk formula. We then validated the proposed margin by real-time magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS: An analysis of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) data from early glottic cancer patients was performed to evaluate organ motion. Deformed clinical target volumes (CTV) after rigid registration were acquired using the Velocity program (Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, CA, USA). Systematic (Σ) and random errors (σ) were evaluated. The margin for the PTV was defined as 2.5 Σ + 0.7 σ according to the Van Herk formula. To validate this margin, we accrued healthy volunteers. Sagittal real-time cine MRI was conducted using the ViewRay system (ViewRay Inc., Oakwood Village, OH, USA). Within the obtained sagittal images, the vocal cord was delineated. The movement of the vocal cord was summed up and considered as the internal target volume (ITV). We then assessed the degree of overlap between the ITV and the PTV (vocal cord plus margins) by calculating the volume overlap ratio, represented as (ITV∩PTV)/ITV. RESULTS: CBCTs of 17 early glottic patients were analyzed. Σ and σ were 0.55 and 0.57 for left-right (LR), 0.70 and 0.60 for anterior-posterior (AP), and 1.84 and 1.04 for superior-inferior (SI), respectively. The calculated margin was 1.8 mm (LR), 2.2 mm (AP), and 5.3 mm (SI). Four healthy volunteers participated for validation. A margin of 3 mm (AP) and 5 mm (SI) was applied to the vocal cord as the PTV. The average volume overlap ratio between ITV and PTV was 0.92 (range 0.85-0.99) without swallowing and 0.77 (range 0.70-0.88) with swallowing. CONCLUSION: By evaluating organ motion by using CBCT, the margin was 1.8 (LR), 2.2 (AP), and 5.3 mm (SI). The margin acquired using CBCT fitted well in real-time cine MRI. Given that swallowing during radiotherapy can result in a substantial displacement, it is crucial to consider strategies aimed at minimizing swallowing and related motion.

Digital Anti-Aging Healthcare: An Overview of the Applications of Digital Technologies in Diet Management.

Diet management has long been an important practice in healthcare, enabling individuals to get an insight into their nutrient intake, prevent diseases, and stay healthy. Traditional methods based on self-reporting, food diaries, and periodic assessments have been used for a long time to control dietary habits. These methods have shown limitations in accuracy, compliance, and real-time analysis. The rapid advancement of digital technologies has revolutionized healthcare, including the diet control landscape, allowing for innovative solutions to control dietary patterns and generate accurate and personalized recommendations. This study examines the potential of digital technologies in diet management and their effectiveness in anti-aging healthcare. After underlining the importance of nutrition in the aging process, we explored the applications of mobile apps, web-based platforms, wearables devices, sensors, the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, blockchain, and other technologies in managing dietary patterns and improving health outcomes. The research further examines the effects of digital dietary control on anti-aging healthcare, including improved nutritional monitoring, personalized recommendations, and behavioral and sustainable changes in habits, leading to an expansion of longevity and health span. The challenges and limitations of digital diet monitoring are discussed, and some future directions are provided. Although many digital tools are used in diet control, their accuracy, effectiveness, and impact on health outcomes are not discussed much. This review consolidates the existing literature on digital diet management using emerging digital technologies to analyze their practical implications, guiding researchers, healthcare professionals, and policy makers toward personalized dietary management and healthy aging.

Daraesoon (shoot of hardy kiwi) mitigates hyperglycemia in db/db mice by alleviating insulin resistance and inflammation.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Mitigating insulin resistance and hyperglycemia is associated with a decreased risk of diabetic complications. The effect of Daraesoon (shoot of hardy kiwi, Actinidia arguta) on hyperglycemia was investigated using a type 2 diabetes animal model. MATERIALS/METHODS: Seven-week-old db/db mice were fed either an AIN-93G diet or a diet containing 0.4% of a 70% ethanol extract of Daraesoon, whereas db/+ mice were fed the AIN-93G diet for 7 weeks. RESULTS: Consumption of Daraesoon significantly reduced serum glucose and blood glycated hemoglobin levels, along with homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance in db/db mice. Conversely, Daraesoon elevated the serum adiponectin levels compared to the db/db control group. Furthermore, Daraesoon significantly decreased both serum and hepatic triglyceride levels, as well as serum total cholesterol levels. Additionally, consumption of Daraesoon resulted in decreased hepatic tumor necrosis factor-α and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 expression. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that hypoglycemic effect of Daraesoon is mediated through the improvement of insulin resistance and the downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in db/db mice.

Gromwell ameliorates glucocorticoid-induced muscle atrophy through the regulation of Akt/mTOR pathway.

BACKGROUND: Muscle atrophy is characterized by decreased muscle mass, function, and strength. Synthetic glucocorticoids, including dexamethasone (Dexa), are commonly used to treat autoimmune diseases. However, prolonged exposure of Dexa with high dose exerts severe side effects, including muscle atrophy. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether Gromwell root extract (GW) can prevent Dexa-induced muscle atrophy in C2C12 cells and mice and to characterize the composition of GW to identify bioactive compounds. METHODS: For in vitro experiments, GW (0.5 and 1 µg/mL) or lithospermic acid (LA, 5 and 10 µM) was added to C2C12 myotubes on day 4 of differentiation and incubated for 24 h, along with 50 µM Dexa. For in vivo experiment, four-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into the four following groups (n = 7/group): Con group, Dexa group, GW0.1 group, and GW0.2 group. Mice were fed experimental diets of AIN-93 M with or without 0.1 or 0.2% GW for 4 weeks. Subsequently, muscle atrophy was induced by administering an intraperitoneal injection of Dexa at a dose of 15 mg/kg/day for 38 days, in conjunction with dietary intake. RESULTS: In Dexa-induced myotube atrophy, treatment with GW increased myotube diameter, reduced the expression of muscle atrophy markers, and enhanced the expression of myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoforms in C2C12 cells. Supplementation with the GW improved muscle function and performance in mice with Dexa-induced muscle atrophy, evidenced in the grip strength and running tests. The GW group showed increased lean body mass, skeletal muscle mass, size, and myosin heavy chain isoform expression, along with reduced skeletal muscle atrophy markers in Dexa-injected mice. Supplementation with GW increased protein synthesis and decreased protein degradation through the Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin and glucocorticoid receptor/forkhead box O3 signaling pathways, respectively. We identified LA as a potential bioactive component of the GW. LA treatment increased myotube diameter and decreased the expression of muscle atrophy markers in Dexa-induced C2C12 cells. CONCLUSIONS: These findings underscore the potential of the GW in preventing Dexa-induced skeletal muscle atrophy and highlight the contribution of LA to its effects.

Genome-Wide Identification and Comprehensive Analysis of the GASA Gene Family in Peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) under Abiotic Stress.

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is a globally cultivated crop of significant economic and nutritional importance. The role of gibberellic-acid-stimulated Arabidopsis (GASA) family genes is well established in plant growth, development, and biotic and abiotic stress responses. However, there is a gap in understanding the function of GASA proteins in cultivated peanuts, particularly in response to abiotic stresses such as drought and salinity. Thus, we conducted comprehensive in silico analyses to identify and verify the existence of 40 GASA genes (termed AhGASA) in cultivated peanuts. Subsequently, we conducted biological experiments and performed expression analyses of selected AhGASA genes to elucidate their potential regulatory roles in response to drought and salinity. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that AhGASA genes could be categorized into four distinct subfamilies. Under normal growth conditions, selected AhGASA genes exhibited varying expressions in young peanut seedling leaves, stems, and roots tissues. Notably, our findings indicate that certain AhGASA genes were downregulated under drought stress but upregulated under salt stress. These results suggest that specific AhGASA genes are involved in the regulation of salt or drought stress. Further functional characterization of the upregulated genes under both drought and salt stress will be essential to confirm their regulatory roles in this context. Overall, our findings provide compelling evidence of the involvement of AhGASA genes in the mechanisms of stress tolerance in cultivated peanuts. This study enhances our understanding of the functions of AhGASA genes in response to abiotic stress and lays the groundwork for future investigations into the molecular characterization of AhGASA genes.

Identification of QTLs and allelic effect controlling lignan content in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) using QTL-seq approach.

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.), an oilseed crop, is gaining worldwide recognition for its healthy functional ingredients as consumption increases. The content of lignans, known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, is a key agronomic trait that determines the industrialization of sesame. However, the study of the genetics and physiology of lignans in sesame is challenging, as they are influenced by multiple genes and environmental factors, therefore, the understanding of gene function and synthetic pathways related to lignan in sesame is still limited. To address these knowledge gaps, we conducted genetic analyses using F7 recombinant inbred line (RIL) populations derived from Goenbaek and Gomazou as low and high lignin content variants, respectively. Using the QTL-seq approach, we identified three loci, qLignan1-1, qLignan6-1, and qLignan11-1, that control lignan content, specifically sesamin and sesamolin. The allelic effect between loci was evaluated using the RIL population. qLignan6-1 had an additive effect that increased lignan content when combined with the other two loci, suggesting that it could be an important factor in gene pyramiding for the development of high-lignan varieties. This study not only highlights the value of sesame lignan, but also provides valuable insights for the development of high-lignan varieties through the use of DNA markers in breeding strategies. Overall, this research contributes to our understanding of the importance of sesame oil and facilitates progress in sesame breeding for improved lignan content.

Quantitative radiomics approach to assess acute radiation dermatitis in breast cancer patients.

PURPOSE: We applied a radiomics approach to skin surface images to objectively assess acute radiation dermatitis in patients undergoing radiotherapy for breast cancer. METHODS: A prospective cohort study of 20 patients was conducted. Skin surface images in normal, polarized, and ultraviolet (UV) modes were acquired using a skin analysis device before starting radiotherapy ('Before RT'), approximately 7 days after the first treatment ('RT D7'), on 'RT D14', and approximately 10 days after the radiotherapy ended ('After RT D10'). Eighteen types of radiomic feature ratios were calculated based on the values acquired 'Before RT'. We measured skin doses in ipsilateral breasts using optically stimulated luminescent dosimeters on the first day of radiotherapy. Clinical evaluation of acute radiation dermatitis was performed using the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group scoring criteria on 'RT D14' and 'After RT D10'. Several statistical analysis methods were used in this study to test the performance of radiomic features as indicators of radiodermatitis evaluation. RESULTS: As the skin was damaged by radiation, the energy for normal mode and sum variance for polarized and UV modes decreased significantly for ipsilateral breasts, whereas contralateral breasts exhibited a smaller decrease with statistical significance. The radiomic feature ratios at 'RT D7' had strong correlations to skin doses and those at 'RT D14' and 'after RT D10' with statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: The energy for normal mode and sum variance for polarized and UV modes demonstrated the potential to evaluate and predict acute radiation, which assists in its appropriate management.

Novel tongue-positioning device to reduce tongue motions during radiation therapy for head and neck cancer: Geometric and dosimetric evaluation.

This study aimed to assess the performance of a tongue-positioning device in interfractional tongue position reproducibility by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Fifty-two patients treated with radiation therapy (RT) while using a tongue positioning device were included in the study. All patients were treated with 28 or 30 fractions using the volumetric modulated arc therapy technique. CBCT images were acquired at the 1st, 7th, 11th, 15th, 19th, 23th, and 27th fractions. Tongues on planning computed tomography (pCT) and CBCT images were contoured in the treatment planning system. Geometric differences in the tongue between pCT and CBCT were assessed by the Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) and averaged Hausdorff distance (AHD). Two-dimensional in vivo measurements using radiochromic films were performed in 13 patients once a week during sessions. The planned dose distributions were compared with the measured dose distributions using gamma analysis with criteria of 3%/3 mm. In all patients, the mean DSC at the 1st fraction (pCT versus 1st CBCT) was 0.80 while the mean DSC at the 27th fraction (pCT versus 27th CBCT) was 0.77 with statistical significance (p-value = 0.015). There was no statistically significant difference in DSC between the 1st fraction and any other fraction, except for the 27th fraction. There was statistically significant difference in AHD between the 1st fraction and the 19th, 23th, and 27th fractions (p-value < 0.05). In vivo measurements showed an average gamma passing rate of 90.54%. There was no significant difference between measurements at the 1st week and those at other weeks. The tongue geometry during RT was compared between pCT and CBCT. In conclusion, the novel tongue-positioning device was found to minimize interfractional variations in position and shape of the tongue.

Sample-efficient multi-agent reinforcement learning with masked reconstruction.

Deep reinforcement learning (DRL) is a powerful approach that combines reinforcement learning (RL) and deep learning to address complex decision-making problems in high-dimensional environments. Although DRL has been remarkably successful, its low sample efficiency necessitates extensive training times and large amounts of data to learn optimal policies. These limitations are more pronounced in the context of multi-agent reinforcement learning (MARL). To address these limitations, various studies have been conducted to improve DRL. In this study, we propose an approach that combines a masked reconstruction task with QMIX (M-QMIX). By introducing a masked reconstruction task as an auxiliary task, we aim to achieve enhanced sample efficiency-a fundamental limitation of RL in multi-agent systems. Experiments were conducted using the StarCraft II micromanagement benchmark to validate the effectiveness of the proposed method. We used 11 scenarios comprising five easy, three hard, and three very hard scenarios. We particularly focused on using a limited number of time steps for each scenario to demonstrate the improved sample efficiency. Compared to QMIX, the proposed method is superior in eight of the 11 scenarios. These results provide strong evidence that the proposed method is more sample-efficient than QMIX, demonstrating that it effectively addresses the limitations of DRL in multi-agent systems.

Development of a quasi-3D dosimeter using radiochromic plastic for patient-specific quality assurance.

BACKGROUND: Patient-specific QA verification ensures patient safety and treatment by verifying radiation delivery and dose calculations in treatment plans for errors. However, a two-dimensional (2D) dose distribution is insufficient for detecting information on the three-dimensional (3D) dose delivered to the patient. In addition, 3D radiochromic plastic dosimeters (RPDs) such as PRESAGE® represent the volume effect in which the dosimeters have different sensitivities according to the size of the dosimeters. Therefore, to solve the volume effect, a Quasi-3D dosimetry system was proposed to perform patient-specific QA using predetermined-sized and multiple RPDs. PURPOSE: For patient-specific quality assurance (QA) in radiation treatment, this study aims to assess a quasi-3D dosimetry system using an RPD. METHODS: Gamma analysis was performed to verify the agreement between the measured and estimated dose distributions of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT). We fabricated cylindrical RPDs and a quasi-3D dosimetry phantom. A practicability test for a pancreatic patient utilized a quasi-3D dosimetry device, an in-house RPD, and a quasi-3D phantom. The dose distribution of the VMAT design dictated the placement of nine RPDs. Moreover, a 2D diode array detector was used for 2D gamma analysis (MapCHECK2). The patient-specific QA was performed for IMRT, VMAT, and stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) in 20 prostate and head-and-neck patients. For each patient, six RPDs were positioned according to the dose distribution. VMAT SABR and IMRT/VMAT plans employed a 2%/2 mm gamma criterion, whereas IMRT/VMAT plans used a 3%/2 mm gamma criterion, a 10% threshold value, and a 90% passing rate tolerance. 3D gamma analysis was conducted using the 3D Slicer software. RESULTS: The average gamma passing rates with 2%/2 mm and 3%/3 mm criteria for relative dose distribution were 91.6% ± 1.4% and 99.4% ± 0.7% for the 3D gamma analysis using the quasi-3D dosimetry system, respectively, and 97.5% and 99.3% for 2D gamma analysis using MapCHECK2, respectively. The 3D gamma analysis for patient-specific QA of 20 patients showed passing rates of over 90% with 2%/2 mm, 3%/2 mm, and 3%/3 mm criteria. CONCLUSIONS: The quasi-3D dosimetry system was evaluated by performing patient-specific QAs with RPDs and quasi-3D phantom. The gamma indices for all RPDs showed more than 90% for 2%/2 mm, 3%/2 mm, and 3%/3 mm criteria. We verified the feasibility of a quasi-3D dosimetry system by performing the conventional patient-specific QA with the quasi-3D dosimeters.

Extension of matRad with a modified microdosimetric kinetic model for carbon ion treatment planning: Comparison with Monte Carlo calculation.

BACKGROUND: Treatment planning is essential for in silico particle therapy studies. matRad is an open-source research treatment planning system (TPS) based on the local effect model, which is a type of relative biological effectiveness (RBE) model. PURPOSE: This study aims to implement a microdosimetric kinetic model (MKM) in matRad and develop an automation algorithm for Monte Carlo (MC) dose recalculation using the TOPAS code. In addition, we provide the developed MKM extension as open-source tool for users. METHODS: Carbon beam data were generated using TOPAS MC pencil beam irradiation. We parameterized the TOPAS MC beam data with a double-Gaussian fit and modeled the integral depth doses and lateral spot profiles in the range of 100-430 MeV/u. To implement the MKM, the specific energy data table for Z = 1-6 and integrated depth-specific energy data were acquired based on the Kiefer-Chatterjee track structure and TOPAS MC simulation, respectively. Generic data were integrated into matRad, and treatment planning was performed based on these data. The optimized plan parameters were automatically converted into MC simulation input. Finally, the matRad TPS and TOPAS MC simulations were compared using the RBE-weighted dose calculation results. A comparison was made for three geometries: homogeneous water phantom, inhomogeneous phantom, and patient. RESULTS: The RBE-weighted dose (DRBE ) distribution agreed with TOPAS MC within 1.8% for all target sizes for the homogeneous phantom. For the inhomogeneous phantom, the relative difference in the range of 80% of the prescription dose in the distal fall-off region (R80) between the matRad TPS and TOPAS MC was 0.6% (1.1 mm). DRBE between the TPS and the MC was within 4.0%. In the patient case, the difference in the dose-volume histogram parameters for the target volume between the TPS and the MC was less than 2.7%. The relative difference in R80 was 0.7% (1.2 mm). CONCLUSIONS: The MKM was successfully implemented in matRad TPS, and the RBE-weighted dose was comparable to that of TOPAS MC. The MKM-implemented matRad was released as an open-source tool. Further investigations with MC simulations can be conducted using this tool, providing a good option for carbon ion research.

Lignan-Rich Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) Cultivar Exhibits In Vitro Anti-Cholinesterase Activity, Anti-Neurotoxicity in Amyloid-ß Induced SH-SY5Y Cells, and Produces an In Vivo Nootropic Effect in Scopolamine-Induced Memory Impaired Mice.

Alzheimer's disease, a major cause of dementia, is characterized by impaired cholinergic function, increased oxidative stress, and amyloid cascade induction. Sesame lignans have attracted considerable attention owing to their beneficial effects on brain health. This study investigated the neuroprotective potential of lignan-rich sesame cultivars. Among the 10 sesame varieties studied, Milyang 74 (M74) extracts exhibited the highest total lignan content (17.71 mg/g) and in vitro acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity (66.17%, 0.4 mg/mL). M74 extracts were the most effective in improving cell viability and inhibiting reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) generation in amyloid-ß25-35 fragment-treated SH-SY5Y cells. Thus, M74 was used to evaluate the nootropic effects of sesame extracts and oil on scopolamine (2 mg/kg)-induced memory impairment in mice compared to the control cultivar (Goenback). Pretreatment with the M74 extract (250 and 500 mg/kg) and oil (1 and 2 mL/kg) effectively improved memory disorder in mice (demonstrated by the passive avoidance test), inhibited AChE, and enhanced acetylcholine (Ach) levels. Moreover, immunohistochemistry and Western blot results showed that the M74 extract and oil reversed the scopolamine-induced increase in APP, BACE-1, and presenilin expression levels in the amyloid cascade and decreased BDNF and NGF expression levels in neuronal regeneration.

RNA editing of AZIN1 coding sites is catalyzed by ADAR1 p150 after splicing.

Adenosine-to-inosine RNA editing is catalyzed by nuclear adenosine deaminase acting on RNA 1 (ADAR1) p110 and ADAR2, and cytoplasmic ADAR1 p150 in mammals, all of which recognize dsRNAs as targets. RNA editing occurs in some coding regions, which alters protein functions by exchanging amino acid sequences, and is therefore physiologically significant. In general, such coding sites are edited by ADAR1 p110 and ADAR2 before splicing, given that the corresponding exon forms a dsRNA structure with an adjacent intron. We previously found that RNA editing at two coding sites of antizyme inhibitor 1 (AZIN1) is sustained in Adar1 p110/Aadr2 double KO mice. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying RNA editing of AZIN1 remain unknown. Here, we showed that Azin1 editing levels were increased upon type I interferon treatment, which activated Adar1 p150 transcription, in mouse Raw 264.7 cells. Azin1 RNA editing was observed in mature mRNA but not precursor mRNA. Furthermore, we revealed that the two coding sites were editable only by ADAR1 p150 in both mouse Raw 264.7 and human embryonic kidney 293T cells. This unique editing was achieved by forming a dsRNA structure with a downstream exon after splicing, and the intervening intron suppressed RNA editing. Therefore, deletion of a nuclear export signal from ADAR1 p150, shifting its localization to the nucleus, decreased Azin1 editing levels. Finally, we demonstrated that Azin1 RNA editing was completely absent in Adar1 p150 KO mice. Thus, these findings indicate that RNA editing of AZIN1 coding sites is exceptionally catalyzed by ADAR1 p150 after splicing.

Evaluation of initial patient setup methods for breast cancer between surface-guided radiation therapy and laser alignment based on skin marking in the Halcyon system.

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to evaluate the efficiency and accuracy of the daily patient setup for breast cancer patients by applying surface-guided radiation therapy (SGRT) using the Halcyon system instead of conventional laser alignment based on the skin marking method. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We retrospectively investigated 228 treatment fractions using two different initial patient setup methods. The accuracy of the residual rotational error of the SGRT system was evaluated by using an in-house breast phantom. The residual translational error was analyzed using the couch position difference in the vertical, longitudinal, and lateral directions between the reference computed tomography and daily kilo-voltage cone beam computed tomography acquired from the record and verification system. The residual rotational error (pitch, yaw, and roll) was also calculated using an auto rigid registration between the two images based on Velocity. The total setup time, which combined the initial setup time and imaging time, was analyzed to evaluate the efficiency of the daily patient setup for SGRT. RESULTS: The average residual rotational errors using the in-house fabricated breast phantom for pitch, roll, and yaw were 0.14°, 0.13°, and 0.29°, respectively. The average differences in the couch positions for laser alignment based on the skin marking method were 2.7 ± 1.6 mm, 2.0 ± 1.2 mm, and 2.1 ± 1.0 mm for the vertical, longitudinal, and lateral directions, respectively. For SGRT, the average differences in the couch positions were 1.9 ± 1.2 mm, 2.9 ± 2.1 mm, and 1.9 ± 0.7 mm for the vertical, longitudinal, and lateral directions, respectively. The rotational errors for pitch, yaw, and roll without the surface-guided radiation therapy approach were 0.32 ± 0.30°, 0.51 ± 0.24°, and 0.29 ± 0.22°, respectively. For SGRT, the rotational errors were 0.30 ± 0.22°, 0.51 ± 0.26°, and 0.19 ± 0.13°, respectively. The average total setup times considering both the initial setup time and imaging time were 314 s and 331 s, respectively, with and without SGRT. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated that using SGRT improves the accuracy and efficiency of initial patient setups in breast cancer patients using the Halcyon system, which has limitations in correcting the rotational offset.

Performance evaluation of a visual guidance patient-controlled respiratory gating system for respiratory-gated magnetic-resonance image-guided radiation therapy.

The performance of a visual guidance patient-controlled (VG-PC) respiratory gating system for magnetic-resonance (MR) image-guided radiation therapy (MR-IGRT) was evaluated through a clinical trial of patients with either lung or liver cancer. Patients can voluntarily control their respiration utilizing the VG-PC respiratory gating system. The system enables patients to view near-real-time cine planar MR images projected inside the bore of MR-IGRT systems or an external screen. Twenty patients who had received stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) for lung or liver cancer were prospectively selected for this study. Before the first treatment, comprehensive instruction on the VG-PC respiratory gating system was provided to the patients. Respiratory-gated MR-IGRT was performed for each patient with it in the first fraction and then without it in the second fraction. For both the fractions, the total treatment time, beam-off time owing to the respiratory gating, and number of beam-off events were analyzed. The average total treatment time, beam-off time, and number of beam-off events with the system were 1507.3 s, 679.5 s, and 185, respectively, and those without the system were 2023.7 s (p < 0.001), 1195.0 s (p < 0.001), and 380 times (p < 0.001), respectively. The VG-PC respiratory gating system improved treatment efficiency through a reduction in the beam-off time, the number of beam-off events, and consequently the total treatment time when performing respiratory-gated MR-IGRT for lung and liver SABR.

Scanning methodology for contact lens-type ocular in vivo dosimeter (CLOD) dosimetry applying a silicone material.

PURPOSE: Contact lens-type ocular in vivo dosimeters (CLODs) were recently developed as the first in vivo dosimeter that can be worn directly on the eye to measure the dose delivered to the lens during radiotherapy. However, it has an inherent uncertainty because of its curved shape. Newton's ring effect inevitably occurs because the spacing between the glass window and the active layer is not constant. Furthermore, it involves a large uncertainty because the objective of the CLOD with such morphological characteristics is to measure the dose delivered to an out-of-field lens. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of various compensating materials on the sensitivity, accuracy, and uniformity of analysis using a curved CLOD. We developed a new scanning methodology that involves applying a compensating material to reduce the uncertainty caused by the air gap. METHODS: Four compensating materials-Dragon Skin™ 10 (DS), a transparent silicon material, SORTA-Clear™ 40 (SC), optical grease (OG), and air (no compensating material)-were used in this study. The CLOD was scanned in the reflective mode and transmission mode using each compensating material. We then examined the sensitivity, accuracy, and scan uniformity to evaluate the scanning methodology using compensating materials. RESULTS: The increase in sensitivity was the highest for OG compared to that for air in the reflective mode. On average, the sensitivity in the reflective mode was higher than that in the transmission mode by a factor of 2.5 for each dose. Among the four compensating materials, OG had the smallest uncertainty. Therefore, the best scan uniformity was achieved when OG was used. CONCLUSIONS: Scanning methodology was proposed in which a compensating material is applied for a curved lens-type dosimeter. Our results show that OG is the most suitable compensating material to obtain the best accuracy of dose analysis. Following this methodology, the scan uncertainty of curved dosimeters significantly decreased.

Development of an anthropomorphic multimodality pelvic phantom for quantitative evaluation of a deep-learning-based synthetic computed tomography generation technique.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to fabricate an anthropomorphic multimodality pelvic phantom to evaluate a deep-learning-based synthetic computed tomography (CT) algorithm for magnetic resonance (MR)-only radiotherapy. METHODS: Polyurethane-based and silicone-based materials with various silicone oil concentrations were scanned using 0.35 T MR and CT scanner to determine the tissue surrogate. Five tissue surrogates were determined by comparing the organ intensity with patient CT and MR images. Patient-specific organ modeling for three-dimensional printing was performed by manually delineating the structures of interest. The phantom was finally fabricated by casting materials for each structure. For the quantitative evaluation, the mean and standard deviations were measured within the regions of interest on the MR, simulation CT (CTsim ), and synthetic CT (CTsyn ) images. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy plans were generated to assess the impact of different electron density assignments on plan quality using CTsim and CTsyn . The dose calculation accuracy was investigated in terms of gamma analysis and dose-volume histogram parameters. RESULTS: For the prostate site, the mean MR intensities for the patient and phantom were 78.1 ± 13.8 and 86.5 ± 19.3, respectively. The mean intensity of the synthetic image was 30.9 Hounsfield unit (HU), which was comparable to that of the real CT phantom image. The original and synthetic CT intensities of the fat tissue in the phantom were -105.8 ± 4.9 HU and -107.8 ± 7.8 HU, respectively. For the target volume, the difference in D95% was 0.32 Gy using CTsyn with respect to CTsim values. The V65Gy values for the bladder in the plans using CTsim and CTsyn were 0.31% and 0.15%, respectively. CONCLUSION: This work demonstrated that the anthropomorphic phantom was physiologically and geometrically similar to the patient organs and was employed to quantitatively evaluate the deep-learning-based synthetic CT algorithm.

3D star shot analysis using MAGAT gel dosimeter for integrated imaging and radiation isocenter verification of MR-Linac system.

PURPOSE: This study aims to investigate a star shot analysis using a three-dimensional (3D) gel dosimeter for the imaging and radiation isocenter verification of a magnetic resonance linear accelerator (MR-Linac). METHODS: A mixture of methacrylic acid, gelatin, and tetrakis (hydroxymethyl) phosphonium chloride, called MAGAT gel, was fabricated. One MAGAT gel for each Linac and MR-Linac was irradiated under six gantry angles. A 6 MV photon beam of Linac and a 6 MV flattening filter free beam of MR-Linac were delivered to two MAGAT gels and EBT3 films. MR images were acquired by MR-Linac with a clinical sequence (i.e., TrueFISP). The 3D star shot analysis for seven consecutive slices of the MR images with TrueFISP was performed. The 2D star shot analysis for the central plane of the gel was compared to the results from the EBT3 films. The radius of isocircle (ICr ) and the distance between the center of the circle and the center marked on the image (ICd ) were evaluated. RESULTS: For MR-Linac with MAGAT gel measurements, ICd at the central plane was 0.46 mm for TrueFISP. Compared to EBT3 film measurements, the differences in ICd and ICr for both Linac and MR-Linac were within 0.11 and 0.13 mm, respectively. For the 3D analysis, seven consecutive slices of TrueFISP images were analyzed and the maximum radii of isocircles (ICr_max ) were 0.18 mm for Linac and 0.73 mm for MR-Linac. The tilting angles of radiation axis were 0.31° for Linac and 0.10° for MR-Linac. CONCLUSION: The accuracy of 3D star shot analysis using MAGAT gel was comparable to that of EBT3 film, having a capability for integrated analysis for imaging isocenter and radiation isocenter. 3D star shot analysis using MAGAT gel can provide 3D information of radiation isocenter, suggesting a quantitative extent of gantry-tilting.