Preparation of Langmuir-Blodgett Films from Quinoxalines Exhibiting Aggregation-Induced Emission and Their Acidochromism.

The development of aggregation-induced emission (AIE)-exhibiting compounds heavily relies on our evolving comprehension of their behavior at interfaces, an understanding that still remains notably limited. In this study, we explored the preparation of two-dimensional (2D) sensing films from 2,3-diphenylquinoxaline-based diazapolyoxa- and polyazamacrocycles displaying AIE via the Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) technique. This systematic investigation highlights the key role of the heteroatom-containing tether of 2,3-diphenylquinoxalines in the successful fabrication of Langmuir layers at the air-water interface and the transfer of AIE-emitting supramolecular aggregates onto solid supports. Using both diazapolyoxa- and polyazamacrocycles, we prepared AIE-exhibiting monolayer films containing emissive supramolecular aggregates on silica, mica, and quartz glass and characterized them using ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopies, atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging, and fluorescence microscopy. We also obtained multilayer AIE-emitting films through the LB technique, albeit with increased complexity. Remarkably, by employing the smallest macrocycle N2C3Q, we successfully prepared LB films suitable for the visual detection of acidic vapors. This sensing material, which contains a much lesser amount of organic dye compared with traditional drop-cast films, can be regenerated and utilized for real-life sample analysis, such as monitoring the presence of ammonia in the air and the freshness of meat.

Inguinal lymph node metastases from prostate cancer: clinical, pathology, and multimodality imaging considerations.

Objective: To investigate clinical, pathology, and imaging findings associated with inguinal lymph node (LN) metastases in patients with prostate cancer (PCa). Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective single-center study of patients with PCa who underwent imaging and inguinal LN biopsy between 2000 and 2023. We assessed the following aspects on multimodality imaging: inguinal LN morphology; extrainguinal lymphadenopathy; the extent of primary and recurrent tumors; and non-nodal metastases. Imaging, clinical, and pathology features were compared between patients with and without metastatic inguinal LNs. Results: We evaluated 79 patients, of whom 38 (48.1%) had pathology-proven inguinal LN metastasis. Certain imaging aspects- short-axis diameter, prostate-specific membrane antigen uptake on positron-emission tomography, membranous urethra involvement by the tumor, extra-inguinal lymphadenopathy, and distant metastases-were associated with pathology-proven inguinal LN metastases (p < 0.01 for all). Associations with long-axis diameter, fatty hilum, laterality, and uptake of other tracers on positronemission tomography were not significant (p = 0.09-1.00). The patients with metastatic inguinal LNs had higher prostate-specific antigen levels and more commonly had castration-resistant PCa (p < 0.01), whereas age, histological grade, and treatment type were not significant factors (p = 0.07-0.37). None of the patients had inguinal LN metastasis in the absence of locally advanced disease with membranous urethra involvement or distant metastasis. Conclusion: Several imaging, clinical, and pathology features are associated with inguinal LN metastases in patients with PCa. Isolated metastasis to inguinal LNs is extremely rare and unlikely to occur in the absence of high-risk imaging, clinical, or pathology features.

Objetivo: Investigar achados clinicopatológicos e de imagem associados a metástases linfonodais inguinais em pacientes com câncer de próstata (CaP). Materiais e Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo de uma única instituição de pacientes com CaP submetidos a exames de imagem e biópsia inguinal de linfonodos em 2000­2023. A imagem multimodalidade foi avaliada para morfologia inguinal do linfonodo, linfadenopatia fora da região inguinal, extensão do CaP primário/recorrente e sítios metastáticos não nodais. Características de imagem e clinicopatológicas foram comparadas entre pacientes com e sem linfonodos inguinais metastáticos pela patologia. Resultados: Entre 79 pacientes estudados, 38 (48,1%) apresentaram metástase inguinal de linfonodo comprovada patologicamente. Certos achados de imagem ­ diâmetro do eixo curto, captação do antígeno de membrana prostático específico na tomografia por emissão de pósitrons, envolvimento da uretra membranosa pelo tumor, linfadenopatia fora da região inguinal e metástases a distância ­ foram associados com metástases inguinais no linfonodo pela patologia (p < 0,01). Diâmetro de eixo longo, hilo gorduroso, lateralidade, captação em outros traçadores de tomografia por emissão de pósitrons não foram significativos (p = 0,09­1,00). Clinicopatologicamente, os pacientes com linfonodos inguinais metastáticos apresentaram maior antígeno prostático específico e foram mais resistentes à castração (p < 0,01); idade, grau histológico e tipo de tratamento não foram estatisticamente significantes (p = 0,07­0,37). Nenhum paciente apresentou metástase inguinal isolada no linfonodo na ausência de doença localmente avançada com envolvimento da uretra membranosa ou metástase a distância. Conclusão: Várias características de imagem e clinicopatológicas foram associadas a metástases em LNs inguinais em pacientes com CaP. A metástase isolada para os LNs inguinais é extremamente rara e é improvável que ocorra na ausência de características de imagem e clinicopatológicas de alto risco.

Biodiversity of testate amoebae in Sphagnum bogs: the dataset from forest-steppe ecotone (Middle Volga Territory, Russia).

Background: Testate amoebae are a polyphyletic group of unicellular eukaryotic organisms that are characterised by a rigid shell and inhabit mostly freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems. They are particularly abundant in peatlands, especially in Sphagnum-dominated biotopes. Peatland hydrology is the most important influence on testate amoebae communities. The good preservation of the shells in peat deposits and their response to hydrological regime changes are the principles for palaeohydrological reconstructions. Any changes in the water balance of mires should be expected to have far-reaching effects on biogeochemical cycles, productivity, carbon dioxide and methane exchange. New information: This paper presents a dataset (Darwin Core Archive - DwC-A) on the distribution of Sphagnum-dwelling testate amoebae in nine mires located in the forest-steppe subzone of the East European Plane. The dataset includes information about 86 taxa belonging to 29 genera and contains 3,123 occurrences of 49,874 individuals. The following environmental variables are provided: microtopography, oxidising and reducing potential, total mineralisation, substrate temperature, acidity, substrate wetness and water table depth. These data might be used for biogeographical and palaeoecological studies, including quantitative reconstructions.

Quinoxaline-based azamacrocycles: synthesis, AIE behavior and acidochromism.

The development of luminescent molecular materials has advanced rapidly in recent decades, primarily driven by the synthesis of novel emissive compounds and a deeper understanding of excited-state mechanisms. Herein, we report a streamlined synthetic approach to light-emitting diazapolyoxa- and polyazamacrocycles N2CnOxQ and NyCnQ (n = 3-10; x = 2, 3; y = 2-5), incorporating a 2,3-diphenylquinoxaline residue (DPQ). This synthetic strategy based on macrocyclization through Pd-catalyzed amination reaction yields the target macrocycles in good or high yields (46-92%), enabling precise control over their structural parameters. A key role of the PhPF-tBu ligand belonging to the JosiPhos series in this macrocyclization was elucidated through DFT computation. This macrocyclization reaction eliminates the need for complex protecting-deprotecting procedures of secondary amine groups, offering a convenient and scalable method for the preparation of target compounds. Moreover, it boasts a potentially broad substrate scope, making it promising for structure-properties studies within photophysics, sensor development, and material synthesis. Photophysical properties of representative macrocycles were investigated, employing spectroscopic techniques and DFT computation. It was demonstrated that DPQ-containing macrocycles display aggregation-induced emission in a DCM-hexane solvent mixture despite the presence of flexible tethers within their structures. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of a representative compound N2C8O3Q allowed us to gain deeper insight into its molecular structure and AIE behaviour. The emissive aggregates of the N2C10O3Q macrocycle were immobilized on filter paper yielding AIE-exhibiting test strips for measuring acidity in vapors and in aqueous media.

Unique Role of Vimentin in the Intermediate Filament Proteins Family.

Intermediate filaments (IFs), being traditionally the least studied component of the cytoskeleton, have begun to receive more attention in recent years. IFs are found in different cell types and are specific to them. Accumulated data have shifted the paradigm about the role of IFs as structures that merely provide mechanical strength to the cell. In addition to this role, IFs have been shown to participate in maintaining cell shape and strengthening cell adhesion. The data have also been obtained that point out to the role of IFs in a number of other biological processes, including organization of microtubules and microfilaments, regulation of nuclear structure and activity, cell cycle control, and regulation of signal transduction pathways. They are also actively involved in the regulation of several aspects of intracellular transport. Among the intermediate filament proteins, vimentin is of particular interest for researchers. Vimentin has been shown to be associated with a range of diseases, including cancer, cataracts, Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and HIV. In this review, we focus almost exclusively on vimentin and the currently known functions of vimentin intermediate filaments (VIFs). This is due to the structural features of vimentin, biological functions of its domains, and its involvement in the regulation of a wide range of basic cellular functions, and its role in the development of human diseases. Particular attention in the review will be paid to comparing the role of VIFs with the role of intermediate filaments consisting of other proteins in cell physiology.

Optical detection of infectious SARS-CoV-2 virions by counting spikes.

Existing methods for the mass detection of viruses are limited to the registration of small amounts of a viral genome or specific protein markers. In spite of high sensitivity, the applied methods cannot distinguish between virulent viral particles and non-infectious viral particle debris. We report an approach to solve this long-standing challenge using the SARS-CoV-2 virus as an example. We show that wide-field optical microscopy with the state-of-the-art mesoscopic fluorescent labels, formed by a core-shell plasmonic nanoparticle with fluorescent dye molecules in the core-shell that are strongly coupled to the plasmonic nanoparticle, not only rapidly, i.e. in less than 20 minutes after sampling, detects SARS-CoV-2 virions directly in a patient sample without a pre-concentration step, but can also distinguish between infectious and non-infectious virus strains by counting the spikes on the lipid envelope of individual viral particles.

Vitamin K2 Supplementation in Hospitalised COVID-19 Patients: A Randomised Controlled Trial.

Background: In observational studies, high levels of desphospho-uncarboxylated matrix gla protein (dp-ucMGP) that result from vitamin K deficiency were consistently associated with poor clinical outcomes during COVID-19. Vitamin K-activated matrix gla protein (MGP) is required to protect against elastic fibre degradation, and a deficiency may contribute to pathology. However, intervention trials assessing the effects of vitamin K supplementation in COVID-19 are lacking. Methods: This is a single-centre, phase 2, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial investigating the effects of vitamin K2 supplementation in 40 hospitalised COVID-19 patients requiring supplemental oxygen. Individuals were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive 999 mcg of vitamin K2-menaquinone-7 (MK-7)-or a placebo daily until discharge or for a maximum of 14 days. Dp-ucMGP, the rate of elastic fibre degradation quantified by desmosine, and hepatic vitamin K status quantified by PIVKA-II were measured. Grade 3 and 4 adverse events were collected daily. As an exploratory objective, circulating vitamin K2 levels were measured. Results: Vitamin K2 was well tolerated and did not increase the number of adverse events. A linear mixed model analysis showed that dp-ucMGP and PIVKA-II decreased significantly in subjects that received supplementation compared to the controls (p = 0.008 and p = 0.0017, respectively), reflecting improved vitamin K status. The decrease in dp-ucMGP correlated with higher plasma MK-7 levels (p = 0.015). No significant effect on desmosine was found (p = 0.545). Conclusions: These results demonstrate that vitamin K2 supplementation during COVID-19 is safe and decreases dp-ucMGP. However, the current dose of vitamin K2 failed to show a protective effect against elastic fibre degradation.

Novel Efficient Lipid-Based Delivery Systems Enable a Delayed Uptake and Sustained Expression of mRNA in Human Cells and Mouse Tissues.

Over the past decade, mRNA-based therapy has displayed significant promise in a wide range of clinical applications. The most striking example of the leap in the development of mRNA technologies was the mass vaccination against COVID-19 during the pandemic. The emergence of large-scale technology and positive experience of mRNA immunization sparked the development of antiviral and anti-cancer mRNA vaccines as well as therapeutic mRNA agents for genetic and other diseases. To facilitate mRNA delivery, lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have been successfully employed. However, the diverse use of mRNA therapeutic approaches requires the development of adaptable LNP delivery systems that can control the kinetics of mRNA uptake and expression in target cells. Here, we report effective mRNA delivery into cultured mammalian cells (HEK293T, HeLa, DC2.4) and living mouse muscle tissues by liposomes containing either 1,26-bis(cholest-5-en-3ß-yloxycarbonylamino)-7,11,16,20-tetraazahexacosane tetrahydrochloride (2X3) or the newly applied 1,30-bis(cholest-5-en-3ß-yloxycarbonylamino)-9,13,18,22-tetraaza-3,6,25,28-tetraoxatriacontane tetrahydrochloride (2X7) cationic lipids. Using end-point and real-time monitoring of Fluc mRNA expression, we showed that these LNPs exhibited an unusually delayed (of over 10 h in the case of the 2X7-based system) but had highly efficient and prolonged reporter activity in cells. Accordingly, both LNP formulations decorated with 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-[amino(polyethylene glycol)-2000] (DSPE-PEG2000) provided efficient luciferase production in mice, peaking on day 3 after intramuscular injection. Notably, the bioluminescence was observed only at the site of injection in caudal thigh muscles, thereby demonstrating local expression of the model gene of interest. The developed mRNA delivery systems hold promise for prophylactic applications, where sustained synthesis of defensive proteins is required, and open doors to new possibilities in mRNA-based therapies.

Synthesis and study of organo-modified silica based hydrogels: Rheological properties and drug release kinetics.

The method of synthesis of unmodified and organo-modified silica hydrogels and their composites with orotic acid as a model drug was developed. The hydrogels had a pH of 6.5-7.8. The particulate nature and highly porous structures of the hydrogel materials were revealed using scanning electron and optical microscopy methods. The content of aqueous phase in the hydrogels was 99% or more. In order to evaluate the possibility of their application as a basis for development of novel soft drug formulations and cosmetic compositions, rheological properties of the hydrogels and in vitro release kinetics of the drug were studied. The effects of synthesis conditions (increasing concentration of catalyst of silica sol formation, drug loading) and the silica matrix modification with various organic groups on the indicated properties were investigated. It was found that all synthesized hydrogels exhibited pseudoplasticity, thixotropy and controlled release of the drug, which are important for their potential application. However, in general, the indicated effects led to worsening the properties of the hydrogel materials in comparison with the unmodified silica hydrogels.

Deep Learning Prostate MRI Segmentation Accuracy and Robustness: A Systematic Review.

Purpose To investigate the accuracy and robustness of prostate segmentation using deep learning across various training data sizes, MRI vendors, prostate zones, and testing methods relative to fellowship-trained diagnostic radiologists. Materials and Methods In this systematic review, Embase, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were queried for English-language articles using keywords and related terms for prostate MRI segmentation and deep learning algorithms dated to July 31, 2022. A total of 691 articles from the search query were collected and subsequently filtered to 48 on the basis of predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Multiple characteristics were extracted from selected studies, such as deep learning algorithm performance, MRI vendor, and training dataset features. The primary outcome was comparison of mean Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) for prostate segmentation for deep learning algorithms versus diagnostic radiologists. Results Forty-eight studies were included. Most published deep learning algorithms for whole prostate gland segmentation (39 of 42 [93%]) had a DSC at or above expert level (DSC ≥ 0.86). The mean DSC was 0.79 ± 0.06 (SD) for peripheral zone, 0.87 ± 0.05 for transition zone, and 0.90 ± 0.04 for whole prostate gland segmentation. For selected studies that used one major MRI vendor, the mean DSCs of each were as follows: General Electric (three of 48 studies), 0.92 ± 0.03; Philips (four of 48 studies), 0.92 ± 0.02; and Siemens (six of 48 studies), 0.91 ± 0.03. Conclusion Deep learning algorithms for prostate MRI segmentation demonstrated accuracy similar to that of expert radiologists despite varying parameters; therefore, future research should shift toward evaluating segmentation robustness and patient outcomes across diverse clinical settings. Keywords: MRI, Genital/Reproductive, Prostate Segmentation, Deep Learning Systematic review registration link: osf.io/nxaev © RSNA, 2024.

Expression features of T-lymphocytes, B-lymphocytes and macrophages in the post-traumatic regenerate of the mandible rats under conditions of filling a bone defect with hydroxyapatite-containing osteotropic material and thymalin injecting the surrounding soft tissues.

OBJECTIVE: Aim: The purpose of the study was to determine the features of the expression of T-lymphocytes, B-lymphocytes, macrophages in the post-traumatic regenerate of the mandible rats under conditions of filling a bone defect with hydroxyapatite-containing osteotropic material and thymalin injecting the surrounding soft tissues. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and Methods: An experiment was conducted on 48 mature rats of the WAG population weighing 160-180 grams. Four groups were formed. Group 1 included 12 rats with a simulated holey defect in the lower jaw. Group 2 included 12 rats with a simulated holey defect in the lower jaw followed by its closure with hydroxyapatite-containing osteotropic material (bone graft "Biomin GT"). Group 3 included 12 rats with a simulated holey defect in the lower jaw with injecting the surrounding soft tissues with thymalin. Group 4 included 12 rats with a simulated holey defect in the lower jaw followed by its closure with hydroxyapatite-containing osteotropic material (bone graft "Biomin GT") and injecting the surrounding soft tissues with thymalin. The material for the morphological study was a fragment of the lower jaw from the area of the simulated holey defect. An immunohistochemical study was aperformed using monoclonal antibodies to CD68, CD20, CD163, CD86, CD3. RESULTS: Results: A comprehensive experimental and morphological study conducted by the authors revealed that thymalin injection of the soft tissues surrounding the bone defect of the lower jaw, filled with hydroxyapatite-containing osteotropic material "Biomin GT", stimulates local immune reactions in the post-traumatic regenerate, which is manifested, firstly, by an increase in the number T-lymphocytes on the 3rd day of the experiment and their increase up to the 28th day; secondly, by increasing the number of B-lymphocytes on the 14th day of the experiment with their further increase up to the 28th day; thirdly, by increasing the number of macrophages on the 3rd day of the experiment and their growth up to the 28th day; fourth, changes in macrophages phenotypes (decrease in the number of M1-macrophages and increase in the number of M2-macrophages). CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Stimulation of local immune reactions in the post-traumatic regenerate can be one of the mechanisms that activate reparative osteogenesis in the lower jaw of rats under the conditions of filling bone defects with hydroxyapatite-containing osteotropic material "Biomin GT" and thymalin injecting the surrounding soft tissues.

Phenoxaphosphonium Mixed Ylides in Ring Expansion Reaction.

Treatment of mixed phosphonium-iodonium ylides featuring a six-membered phenoxaphosphonium fragment with aqueous tetrafluoroboronic acid induces a rearrangement, resulting in expansion of the phosphacycle and oxidation of the phosphorus atom. The target difficult-to-access dibenzo[b,f][1,4]oxaphosphepine oxides (3 examples) were isolated in excellent yields (up to 95%) as mixtures of stereoisomers. Hydrolysis of a five-membered mixed ylide, a dibenzophosphole derivative, predominantly preserves the phosphole system with cycle expansion occurring as a side process.

Oxidative Transformation of 2-Furylanilines into Indolin-3-ones.

Oxidation of 2-furylaninlies with m-CPBA followed by treatment with a base provides access to functionalized indolin-3-ones. The designed oxidative transformation utilizes an underassessed chemical behavior of furyl-containing amines to form a C-N bond via engaging a ß-carbon atom of the furan core upon a ring-forming step, thereby providing an alternative disconnection toward nitrogen-containing heterocycles.

Body oncologic imaging subspecialty training a curriculum based on the experience in a tertiary cancer center.

PURPOSE: To describe the structure of a dedicated body oncologic imaging fellowship program. To summarize the numbers and types of cross-sectional imaging examinations reported by fellows. METHODS: The curriculum, training methods, and assessment measures utilized in the program were reviewed and described. An educational retrospective analysis was conducted. Data on the number of examinations interpreted by fellows, breakdown of modalities, and examinations by disease management team (DMT) were collected. RESULTS: A total of 38 fellows completed the fellowship program during the study period. The median number of examinations reported per fellow was 2296 [interquartile range: 2148 - 2534], encompassing all oncology-relevant imaging modalities: CT 721 [646-786], MRI 1158 [1016-1309], ultrasound 256 [209-320] and PET/CT 176 [130-202]. The breakdown of examinations by DMT revealed variations in imaging patterns, with MRIs most frequently interpreted for genitourinary, musculoskeletal, and hepatobiliary cancers, and CTs most commonly for general staging or assessment of nonspecific symptoms. CONCLUSION: This descriptive analysis may serve as a foundation for the development of similar fellowship programs and the advancement of body oncologic imaging. The volume and diversity of examinations reported by fellows highlights the comprehensive nature of body oncologic imaging.

Current progress and challenges in the development of brain tissue models: How to grow up the changeable brain in vitro?

In vitro modeling of brain tissue is a promising but not yet resolved problem in modern neurobiology and neuropharmacology. Complexity of the brain structure and diversity of cell-to-cell communication in (patho)physiological conditions make this task almost unachievable. However, establishment of novel in vitro brain models would ultimately lead to better understanding of development-associated or experience-driven brain plasticity, designing efficient approaches to restore aberrant brain functioning. The main goal of this review is to summarize the available data on methodological approaches that are currently in use, and to identify the most prospective trends in development of neurovascular unit, blood-brain barrier, blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier, and neurogenic niche in vitro models. The manuscript focuses on the regulation of adult neurogenesis, cerebral microcirculation and fluids dynamics that should be reproduced in the in vitro 4D models to mimic brain development and its alterations in brain pathology. We discuss approaches that are critical for studying brain plasticity, deciphering the individual person-specific trajectory of brain development and aging, and testing new drug candidates in the in vitro models.

Searching for stable copper borozene complexes in CuB7- and CuB8.

Copper has been shown to be an important substrate for the growth of borophenes. Copper-boron binary clusters are ideal platforms to study the interactions between copper and boron, which may provide insight about the underlying growth mechanisms of borophene on copper substrates. Here we report a joint photoelectron spectroscopy and theoretical study on two copper-doped boron clusters, CuB7- and CuB8-. Well resolved photoelectron spectra are obtained for the two clusters at different wavelengths and are used to understand the structures and bonding properties of the two CuBn- clusters. We find that CuB8- is a highly stable borozene complex, which possesses a half-sandwich structure with a Cu+ species interacting with the doubly aromatic η8-B82- borozene. The CuB7- cluster is found to consist of a terminal copper atom bonded to a double-chain B7 motif, but it has a low-lying isomer composed of a half-sandwich structure with a Cu+ species interacting with an open-shell η7-B72- borozene. Both ionic and covalent interactions are found to be possible in the binary Cu-B clusters, resulting in different structures.

Understanding Alkene Interaction with Metal-Modified Zeolites: Thermodynamics and Mechanism of Bonding in the π-Complex.

Zeolites modified with metal cations are perspective catalysts for converting light alkenes to valuable chemicals. A crucial step of the transformation is an alkene interaction with zeolite to afford π-complex with metal cations. The mechanism of alkene bonding with cations is still unclear. To address this problem, propene adsorption on H+ (BroÌ·nsted acid site), Na+, Ca2+, Zn2+, Co2+, Cu2+, Cu+, and Ag+ cationic sites in ZSM-5 zeolite has been studied by quantum chemical calculations in terms of adsorption enthalpy, νC═C frequency, and natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis together with natural energy decomposition analysis (NEDA). It is revealed that the conventional concept of σ- and π-bonding is only partially applicable to alkene interaction with metal cations in zeolites. The orbital interaction between an alkene molecule and a metal site is more complex. Several different bonding mechanisms have been identified depending on the nature and electron configuration of the metal cation. This finding explains the complex correlations observed for propene π-complex stability and νC═C frequency shift or charge transfer from the alkene molecule. The results provide the basis for further understanding the interactions between alkenes and inorganic solid BroÌ·nsted and Lewis acids.

Streamlining Radiology Workflows Through the Development and Deployment of Automated Microservices.

Microservices are a software development approach where an application is structured as a collection of loosely coupled, independently deployable services, each focusing on executing a specific purpose. The development of microservices could have a significant impact on radiology workflows, allowing routine tasks to be automated and improving the efficiency and accuracy of radiologic tasks. This technical report describes the development of several microservices that have been successfully deployed in a tertiary cancer center, resulting in substantial time savings for radiologists and other staff involved in radiology workflows. These microservices include the automatic generation of shift emails, notifying administrative staff and faculty about fellows on rotation, notifying referring physicians about outside examinations, and populating report templates with information from PACS and RIS. The report outlines the common thought process behind developing these microservices, including identifying a problem, connecting various APIs, collecting data in a database, writing a prototype and deploying it, gathering feedback and refining the service, putting it in production, and identifying staff who are in charge of maintaining the service. The report concludes by discussing the benefits and challenges of microservices in radiology workflows, highlighting the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration, interoperability, security, and privacy.

Integrated Automatic Examination Assignment Reduces Radiologist Interruptions: A 2-Year Cohort Study of 232,022 Examinations.

Radiology departments face challenges in delivering timely and accurate imaging reports, especially in high-volume, subspecialized settings. In this retrospective cohort study at a tertiary cancer center, we assessed the efficacy of an Automatic Assignment System (AAS) in improving radiology workflow efficiency by analyzing 232,022 CT examinations over a 12-month period post-implementation and compared it to a historical control period. The AAS was integrated with the hospital-wide scheduling system and set up to automatically prioritize and distribute unreported CT examinations to available radiologists based on upcoming patient appointments, coupled with an email notification system. Following this AAS implementation, despite a 9% rise in CT volume, coupled with a concurrent 8% increase in the number of available radiologists, the mean daily urgent radiology report requests (URR) significantly decreased by 60% (25 ± 12 to 10 ± 5, t = -17.6, p < 0.001), and URR during peak days (95th quantile) was reduced by 52.2% from 46 to 22 requests. Additionally, the mean turnaround time (TAT) for reporting was significantly reduced by 440 min for patients without immediate appointments and by 86 min for those with same-day appointments. Lastly, patient waiting time sampled in one of the outpatient clinics was not negatively affected. These results demonstrate that AAS can substantially decrease workflow interruptions and improve reporting efficiency.

Vortex ring reconnections in elliptic Gaussian beams.

We study theoretically accessible optical vortex rings and their topological transformations in superpositions of elliptic and astigmatic Gaussian beams with a plane wave. We demonstrate the birth and death of vortex rings at isolated points on and off the optical axis and their pairwise and higher-order three- and four-ring reconnections.