Background: The assessment of treatment-induced changes in glioma and the evaluation of glioma prognosis are crucial components of effective treatment management. Radiomics models based on Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging can provide critical insights into therapeutic response monitoring. Objective: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the performance of PET-based radiomics models in distinguishing treatment-related changes and predicting the prognosis of glioma. Material and Methods: In this systematic review, the articles were searched from the Web of Science databases, MEDLINE, PubMed, and EMBASE. The search terms were “amino acid PET”, “PET”, “glioblastoma”, “glioma”, “positron emission tomography”, “machine learning”, “deep learning”, “radiomics”, “artificial intelligence”, “AI”, “prognosis”, “outcome”, “post treatment changes”, “treatment-related changes”, “progression”, “true progression” “pseudo-progression”, and “necrosis”. The titles, abstracts, and full text of the recognized citations were reviewed by two independent reviewers and then the selected articles were abstracted by two independent reviewers based on a standard grid. PRISMA checklist was applied to assess the overall quality of evidence for each outcome. Results: The PET-based radiomics models outperform conventional PET parameter models, such as maximum tumor-to-brain ratios and mean tumor-to-brain ratios in distinguishing post-treatment changes and predicting glioma prognosis. The model integrating radiomics features and the conventional PET parameters achieved superior diagnostic performance compared to radiomics and conventional parameter models solely in differentiation treatment related changes. Conclusion: PET based radiomics models demonstrate enhanced capability in differentiating tumor recurrence from treatment-related changes. The implementation of these models can facilitate personalized treatment plans and increase the patient’s overall survival or quality of life.

Background: Prostate Cancer (PC) is the second leading cause of cancer death in men, and early diagnosis is essential since localized PC is curable. International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) and Medical Internal Radiation Dose (MIRD) guidelines should be followed to guarantee accurate and reliable dosimetry evaluations. Objective: In this study, the radiation absorbed dose of the human organs of [113mIn] In-PSMA-617 was estimated using animal data and Monte Carlo simulation in Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) human phantom to evaluate the dosimetry of a novel Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) agent. Material and Methods: In this experimental study, the radiolabeled compound was prepared at optimized conditions, and its biodistribution was studied at different intervals. The absorbed dose of human organs was calculated by MCNPX software by tracking a total of 106 particles for a gamma of 391.7 keV. Results: The biodistribution of the radiotracer in animals showed the activity was removed from the blood circulation very fast, and significant uptake was observed in the kidneys and the PSMA-expressing organs. The kidneys received the highest absorbed dose with 9 ±1 µGy/MBq. Conclusion: This agent shows the potential of [113mIn] In-PSMA-617 for prostate cancer imaging, particularly in regions with limited access to Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging. The generator-based production of 113mIn allows for widespread availability, making it a practical alternative to other PSMA-based radiopharmaceuticals. Additionally, the low radiation burden and efficient renal clearance support its safety for repeated imaging.

Functional ankle instability (FAI) is a common injury. Traditional training improved the reported balance impairment and subjective sense of instability in athletes with FAI. This study aims to compare the effects of traditional and virtual reality training on a subjective sense of instability and balance in athlete with FAI. In this single-blinded matched randomized clinical trial design, Fifty-four basketball players were randomly assigned in the virtual reality (n=27) or control (n=27) groups. All athletes performed 12 sessions Wii exercises or traditional training in the virtual reality and the control group, respectively, for three days a week. To assess the subjective-sense of instability and balance, we used Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT) and Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT), respectively. Measures were taken at pre- and post-test and one month after training as a follow-up. The between-group comparisons were done by the analysis of Covariance. At the pre-test, the CAIT score was 22.37, 22.04 in the control and virtual reality groups, respectively and at the post-test, these scores increased to 26.63, 27.26. The involved limb showed significant differences in posteromedial and posterior directions of the SEBT and CAIT score in the post-test and in the posterior direction and CAIT score in the follow-up. The virtual reality group had better performance than the control group but the effect size is small (cohen's d<0.2). Based on our results, both training protocols were effective in reducing the subjective-sense of instability and improved balance in athletes with FAI. Moreover, virtual reality training was very attractive for the participants.

This study presents a mechanical model of a novel medical device designed to optimize the osseointegration process in upper and lower limb amputees, leading to the promotion of optimal rehabilitation. The medical device is developed to reduce the risk of implant failure, leading to re-amputation above the implant. The proposed model serves several purposes: 1) to guide the osseointegration process by providing electrical endo-stimulation directly to the bone-implant contact site, using an invasive electrical stimulation system, which is implanted in the bone permanently, 2) to locally transmit stem cells after implantation, without the need for opening the skin or perforating the bone, which is particularly useful for regenerative medicine after partial healing of the implant, 3) to transmit necessary nutrients from the bone, also without opening the skin or puncturing the bone, and 4) to combat infections by locally administering drugs after implantation.

Background: Handgrip or Grip strength (GS) is a common method used to evaluate muscle strength and affected by different factors, including age, gender, and arm’s positions.Objective: This study aims to investigate the effect of both the gender and arm’s positions on the handgrip strength and the fatigue resistance (FR), which is the time needed for the handgrip strength to drop to 75% (FR75), 50% (FR50), and 25% (FR25) of its maximum strength during sustained maximal handgrip effort.Material and Methods: In this experimental study, 59 male and 41 female participants were asked to grip forcefully on a dynamometer for the longest period. GS and FR75, FR50, and FR25 values were recorded for 7 different arm positions. Factorial ANOVA was used to find the main effect of gender and position and the interaction between them. Sidak and Tukey’s HSD tests were used to find the gender and arm position effects, respectively.Results: The results showed a significant effect for gender and arm position on GS and FR and a significant interaction effect for GS that was significantly higher in males than females for all positions. The gender difference in FR depends on arm’s positions and the level at which the FR was measured. GS was higher when arm adduction with 90 ͦ forward at the elbow as compared to arm abduction with 180 ͦ at the shoulder and 90 ͦ at the elbow.Conclusion: The results confirmed the significant effect of the gender and arm’s positions on the maximal handgrip strength and fatigue resistance during sustained maximal handgrip effort.

During deep space missions, astronauts are exposed to highly ionizing radiation, incl. neutrons, protons and heavy ions from galactic cosmic rays (GCR), solar wind (SW) and solar energetic particles (SEP). This increase the risks for cancerogenisis, damages in central nervous system (CNS), cardiovascular diseases, etc. Large SEP events can even cause acute radiation syndrome (ARS). Long term manned deep space missions will therefor require unique radiation protection strategies. Since it has been shown that physical shielding alone is not sufficient, this paper propose pre-flight screening of the aspirants for evaluation of their level of adaptive responses. Methods for boosting their immune system, should also be further investigated, and the possibility of using radiation effect modulators are discussed. In this paper, especially, the use of vitamin C as a promising non-toxic, cost-effective, easily available radiation mitigator (which can be used hours after irradiation), is described. Although it has previously been shown that vitamin C can decrease radiation-induced chromosomal damage in rodents, it must be further investigated before any conclusions about its radiation mitigating properties in humans can be concluded.

Substantial data indicate that genetic and environmental factors play a key role in determining the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Moreover, it is known that having relatives with AD increases the risk of developing this disease. This study is aimed at investigating whether having a family history of AD, may increase the risk of COVID-19 in a cohort-based study. Participants of this retrospective cohort study were previously enrolled in the SUMS Employees Cohort (SUMSEC). All participants including those whose SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed by positive PCR test and chest CT scan were requested to respond to interviewer-administered questionnaires. Moreover, AD was diagnosed via memory and thinking impairment, concentration problems, confusion with location, and problems in finishing daily tasks. The total numbers of female and male participants with a family history of AD were 463 and 222 individuals, respectively. When all types of family history of AD were considered, a 51.3% increase was found in the relative frequency of the participants with both family history of AD and confirmed COVID-19 compared with those only with a family history of AD. Despite the limitations of our study, and from a broader perspective, our findings can further support the concept that AD risk haplotypes including APOE are linked to the same morbidities from cardiovascular disease and obesity that increase vulnerability to COVID-19. Given this consideration, millions of APOE ε4 carriers around the globe should be advised to take additional precautions to prevent life-threatening diseases such as COVID-19.

Background: As an alternative form of cancer therapy, photothermal therapy (PTT) and sonodynamic therapy (SDT) using nanomaterials are in development. Nanomaterials can act as energy absorber as well as anti-cancer agent.Objective: In this study, the effects of laser and ultrasound irradiation with Se-PEG-Cur nanoparticles were investigated on melanoma cancer.Material and Methods: In this experimental study, nanoparticles of selenium-polyethylene glycol-curcumin (Se-PEG-Cur) were synthesized, and their UV-vis absorption, particle size, zeta potential and photothermal conversion efficiency were determined. Se-PEG-Cur was then introduced as a novel 808-nm laser light absorbing agent as well as ultrasound (US) wave for treatment of C540 (B16/F10) cancer cells. Also, ROS generation in C540 (B16/F10) cancer cells was measured upon PTT and SDT using Se-PEG-Cur. Results: Mean size, zeta potential and photothermal conversion efficiency of Se-PEG-Cur were obtained as ~300 nm, 42.7 mV and 16.7%, respectively. Cell viability upon irradiation of the laser light or US waves with 100 µg mL-1 Se-PEG-Cur were decreased to 33.9 and 22.9%, respectively. Conclusion: Intracellular ROS detection indicated that dual PTT and SDT in the presence of Se-PEG-Cur induced the highest ROS production. Se-PEG-Cur was therefore introduced as an absorbing agent of both laser light and US waves for cancer treatment.

One of the most important challenges in treatment of patients with cancerous tumors of chest and abdominal areas is organ movement. The delivery of treatment radiation doses to tumor tissue is a challenging matter while protecting healthy and radio sensitive tissues. Since the movement of organs due to respiration causes a discrepancy in the middle of planned and delivered dose distributions. The moderation in the fatalistic effect of intra-fractional target travel on the radiation therapy correctness is necessary for cutting-edge methods of motion remote monitoring and cancerous growth irradiancy. Tracking respiratory milling and implementation of breath-hold techniques by respiratory gating systems have been used for compensation of respiratory motion negative effects. Therefore, these systems help us to deliver precise treatments and also protect healthy and critical organs. It seems aspiration should be kept under observation all over treatment period employing tracking seed markers (e.g. fiducials), skin surface scanners (e.g. camera and laser monitoring systems) and aspiration detectors (e.g. spirometers). However, these systems are not readily available for most radiotherapy centers around the word. It is believed that providing and expanding the required equipment, gated radiotherapy will be a routine technique for treatment of chest and abdominal tumors in all clinical radiotherapy centers in the world by considering benefits of respiratory gating techniques in increasing efficiency of patient treatment in the near future. This review explains the different technologies and systems as well as some strategies available for motion management in radiotherapy centers.

Background: Despite the potential benefits of virtual reality technology in physical rehabilitation, only a few studies have evaluated the efficacy of this type of treatment in patients with neck pain.Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of virtual reality training (VRT) versus conventional proprioceptive training (CPT) in patients with neck pain.Methods: Forty four participants with nonspecific chronic neck pain were randomly assigned to VRT or CPT in this assessor-blinded clinical trial. A novel videogame called Cervigame® was designed for VRT. It comprises of 50 stages divided into unidirectional and two-directional stages ordered from easy to hard. CPT consisted of eye-follow, gaze stability, eye-head coordination and position and movement sense training. Both groups completed 8 training sessions over 4 weeks. Visual analogue scale score, neck disability index and Y-balance test results were recorded at baseline, immediately after and 5 weeks post-intervention. Mixed repeated measure ANOVA was used to analyze differences between mean values for each variable at an alpha level of 0.05.Results: There were significant improvements in all variables in both groups immediately after and 5 weeks after the intervention. Greater improvements were observed in the visual analogue scale and neck disability index scores in VRT group, and the results for all directions in Y-balance test were similar in both groups. No side effects were reported.Conclusion: Improvements in neck pain and disability were greater in VRT than CPT group. Cervigame® is a potentially practical tool for rehabilitation in patients with neck pain.