Compressed sensing based tuning algorithm for the sensor of proton precession magnetometers.

In this Note, a new compressed sensing-based tuning algorithm has been developed to boost the sensor tuning performance of the proton precession magnetometers (PPMs). An end-to-end framework for the PPM's sensing free induction decay (FID) signal resonance based on orthogonal matching pursuit compressed sensing (OMPCS), dubbed OMPCS-FID resonance (OMPCS-FIDR), is developed and its working principle and implemented strategy are elaborated. By comparing the new sensor tuning approach with the state-of-the-art algorithms, i.e., peak detection, auto-correction, and secondary tuning, the results demonstrate that the proposed tuning method not only retains the performance but also overcomes the drawbacks of the state-of-the-art methods, which accelerates the possibilities of the PPM working in a scenario with a strong gradient magnetic field.

Targeting valosin-containing protein enhances the efficacy of radiation therapy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Overcoming resistance to radiation is a great challenge in cancer therapy. Here, we highlight that targeting valosin-containing protein (VCP) improves radiation sensitivity in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cell lines and show the potential of using VCP as a prognosis marker in locally advanced ESCC treated with radiation therapy. Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell lines with high VCP expression were treated with VCP inhibitor combined with radiotherapy. Cell proliferation, colony formation, cell death, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress signaling were evaluated. Moreover, patients with newly diagnosed locally advanced ESCC who were treated with radiotherapy were analyzed. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of VCP. The correlation between overall survival and VCP was investigated. Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells treated with VCP inhibitor and radiotherapy showed attenuated cell proliferation and colony formation and enhanced apoptosis. Further investigation showed this combined strategy activated the ER stress signaling involved in unfolded protein response, and inhibited the ER-associated degradation (ERAD) pathway. Clinical analysis revealed a significant survival benefit in the low VCP expression group. Targeting VCP resulted in antitumor activity and enhanced the efficacy of radiation therapy in ESCC cells in vitro. Valosin-containing protein is a promising and novel target. In patients with locally advanced ESCC who received radiotherapy, VCP can be considered as a useful prognostic indicator of overall survival. Valosin-containing protein inhibitors could be developed for use as effective cancer therapies, in combination with radiation therapy.

Should stereotactic body radiotherapy doses be adjusted according to tumor size in early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aim: Treatment schedules of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for patients with early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are varied. The aim of this study was to clarify the optimal biologically effective dose (BED) for the treatment of stage I NSCLC. Methods: Research findings published after 1990 detailing the effects of SBRT on early-stage NSCLC patients were compiled from the Medline, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Library. For comparative analyses, two groups were divided into moderate BED (100-150 Gy) and high BED (BED ≥150 Gy). Results: Two moderate BED studies and four high BED studies were selected for analysis. The results from the analysis of four moderate and high groups suggest that the 2-year local control rate was significantly lower in moderate BED group than that of high BED group (p = 0.04). Subgroup analysis by tumor size was also conducted. For patients with Stage IA disease, no difference in overall survival (OS) was found. No statistically significant difference was achieved in the instance of Stage IB tumor; however, the 2-year OS showed a trend in favor of high BED (p = 0.08). The remaining two studies, comparing 106 Gy (Stage IA) to 120-132 Gy (Stage IB) treatment, indicated a significantly higher 3-year OS in the 106 Gy group than that of 120-132 Gy group (p = 0.009). Conclusion: In patients with early-stage NSCLC treated with SBRT, our analyses suggested that a moderate BED, especially 106 Gy, is sufficient for the treatment of Stage IA tumor; although a high BED conferred no significant benefit to OS for the treatment of Stage IB tumor, a higher local control rate was achieved. Further detailed studies should be performed to explore the optimal BED for the treatment of Stage IB tumor.

Sensitive determination of ketoprofen using flow injection with chemiluminescence detection.

A rapid chemiluminescence method is described for the determination of ketoprofen by combining the flow injection technique and its sensitizing effect on the weak chemiluminescence reaction between sulfite and acidic permanganate. The optimum conditions for the chemiluminescence emission were intensity. A mechanism for the chemiluminescence reaction has been proposed on the basis of chemiluminescent spectra. Ketoprofen can be determined over the concentration range of 5.0x10(-8) to 3.0x10(-6) mol/L with a correlation coefficient of 0.9999 and a detection limit of 2.0x10(-8) mol/L (3sigma). The relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) for 15 repetitive determinations of 1.0x10(-6) mol/L ketoprofen is 0.8%. The utility of this method was demonstrated by determining ketoprofen in capsules and human urine sample.