| 1. |
- Ahnesjö, Anders, et al.
(författare)
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Application of the convolution method for calculation of output factors for therapy photon beams
- 1992
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Ingår i: Medical Physics. - : Wiley. - 0094-2405. ; 19:2, s. 295-301
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The output factor for a therapy photon beam is defined as the dose per monitor unit relative to the dose per monitor unit in a reference field. Convolution models for photon dose calculations yield the dose in units normalized to the incident energy fluence with phantom scatter intrinsically modeled. Output factors calculated with the convolution method as the dose per unit energy fluence relative to the calculated dose per unit energy fluence in a reference field could deviate as much as 5% if corrections are not made for perturbations due to treatment head scatter. Significant perturbations are particles backscattered from the collimators to the monitor and photons forward scattered from the filter and collimators in the treatment head. The forward scatter adds an "unmonitored" contribution to the total energy fluence of the beam. A model is developed that describes the field size dependence of these perturbations for conversion of output factors, calculated with the convolution method, to machine output factors as an integrated part in treatment planning. The necessary machine characteristics are derived from measurements of the output in air for a limited set of field sizes. The method has been tested using five different multileaf collimated irregular fields at 6 MV and for a large set of rectangular fields at 5, 6, and 18 MV and found to predict output factors with an accuracy better than 1%.
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| 2. |
- Ahnesjö, Anders, et al.
(författare)
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The IMRT information process-mastering the degrees of freedom in external beam therapy
- 2006
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Ingår i: Physics in Medicine and Biology. - 0031-9155 .- 1361-6560. ; 51:13, s. R381-402
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The techniques and procedures for intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) are reviewed in the context of the information process central to treatment planning and delivery of IMRT. A presentation is given of the evolution of the information based radiotherapy workflow and dose delivery techniques, as well as the volume and planning concepts for relating the dose information to image based patient representations. The formulation of the dose shaping process as an optimization problem is described. The different steps in the calculation flow for determination of machine parameters for dose delivery are described starting from the formulation of optimization objectives over dose calculation to optimization procedures. Finally, the main elements of the quality assurance procedure necessary for implementing IMRT clinically are reviewed.
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| 3. |
- Blomquist, Erik, et al.
(författare)
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Positive correlation between occlusion rate and nidus size of proton beam treated brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs)
- 2016
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Ingår i: Acta Oncologica. - 0284-186X .- 1651-226X. ; 55:1, s. 105-112
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Proton beam radiotherapy of arteriovenous malformations (AVM) in the brain has been performed in Uppsala since 1991. An earlier study based on the first 26 patients concluded that proton beam can be used for treating large and medium sized AVMs that were considered difficult to treat with photons due to the risk of side effects. In the present study we analyzed the result from treating the subsequent 65 patients.MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective review of the patients' medical records, treatment protocols and radiological results was done. Information about gender, age, presenting symptoms, clinical course, the size of AVM nidus and rate of occlusion was collected. Outcome parameters were the occlusion of the AVM, clinical outcome and side effects.RESULTS: The rate of total occlusion was overall 68%. For target volume 0-2cm(3) it was 77%, for 3-10 cm(3) 80%, for 11-15 cm(3) 50% and for 16-51 cm(3) 20%. Those with total regress of the AVM had significantly smaller target volumes (p < 0.009) higher fraction dose (p < 0.001) as well as total dose (p < 0.004) compared to the rest. The target volume was an independent predictor of total occlusion (p = 0.03). There was no difference between those with and without total occlusion regarding mean age, gender distribution or symptoms at diagnosis. Forty-one patients developed a mild radiation-induced brain edema and this was more common in those that had total occlusion of the AVM. Two patients had brain hemorrhages after treatment. One of these had no effect and the other only partial occlusion from proton beams. Two thirds of those presenting with seizures reported an improved seizure situation after treatment.CONCLUSION: Our observations agree with earlier results and show that proton beam irradiation is a treatment alternative for brain AVMs since it has a high occlusion rate even in larger AVMs.
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| 4. |
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| 5. |
- Grönlund, Eric, et al.
(författare)
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Dose painting by numbers based on retrospectively determined recurrence probabilities
- 2017
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Ingår i: Radiotherapy and Oncology. - : ELSEVIER IRELAND LTD. - 0167-8140 .- 1879-0887. ; 122:2, s. 236-241
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background and purpose: The aim of this study is to derive "dose painting by numbers" prescriptions from retrospectively observed recurrence volumes in a patient group treated with conventional radiotherapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Materials and methods: The spatial relation between retrospectively observed recurrence volumes and pre-treatment standardized uptake values (SUV) from fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) imaging was determined. Based on this information we derived SUV driven dose-response functions and used these to optimize ideal dose redistributions under the constraint of equal average dose to the tumor volumes as for a conventional treatment. The response functions were also implemented into a treatment planning system for realistic dose optimization. Results: The calculated tumor control probabilities (TCP) increased between 0.1-14.6% by the ideal dose redistributions for all included patients, where patients with larger and more heterogeneous tumors got greater increases than smaller and more homogeneous tumors. Conclusions: Dose painting prescriptions can be derived from retrospectively observed recurrence volumes spatial relation to pre-treatment FDG-PET image data. The ideal dose redistributions could significantly increase the TCP for patients with large tumor volumes and large spread in SUV from FDG-PET. The results yield a basis for prospective studies to determine the clinical value for dose painting of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas.
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| 6. |
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| 7. |
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| 8. |
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| 9. |
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| 10. |
- Sjöberg, Carl, et al.
(författare)
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Clinical evaluation of multi-atlas based segmentation of lymph node regions in head and neck and prostate cancer patients
- 2013
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Ingår i: Radiation Oncology. - : BioMed Central. - 1748-717X. ; 8, s. Article number: 229-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Semi-automated segmentation using deformable registration of selected atlas cases consisting of expert segmented patient images has been proposed to facilitate the delineation of lymph node regions for three-dimensional conformal and intensity-modulated radiotherapy planning of head and neck and prostate tumours. Our aim is to investigate if fusion of multiple atlases will lead to clinical workload reductions and more accurate segmentation proposals compared to the use of a single atlas segmentation, due to a more complete representation of the anatomical variations. Methods: Atlases for lymph node regions were constructed using 11 head and neck patients and 15 prostate patients based on published recommendations for segmentations. A commercial registration software (Velocity AI) was used to create individual segmentations through deformable registration. Ten head and neck patients, and ten prostate patients, all different from the atlas patients, were randomly chosen for the study from retrospective data. Each patient was first delineated three times, (a) manually by a radiation oncologist, (b) automatically using a single atlas segmentation proposal from a chosen atlas and (c) automatically by fusing the atlas proposals from all cases in the database using the probabilistic weighting fusion algorithm. In a subsequent step a radiation oncologist corrected the segmentation proposals achieved from step (b) and (c) without using the result from method (a) as reference. The time spent for editing the segmentations was recorded separately for each method and for each individual structure. Finally, the Dice Similarity Coefficient and the volume of the structures were used to evaluate the similarity between the structures delineated with the different methods. Results: For the single atlas method, the time reduction compared to manual segmentation was 29% and 23% for head and neck and pelvis lymph nodes, respectively, while editing the fused atlas proposal resulted in time reductions of 49% and 34%. The average volume of the fused atlas proposals was only 74% of the manual segmentation for the head and neck cases and 82% for the prostate cases due to a blurring effect from the fusion process. After editing of the proposals the resulting volume differences were no longer statistically significant, although a slight influence by the proposals could be noticed since the average edited volume was still slightly smaller than the manual segmentation, 9% and 5%, respectively. Conclusions: Segmentation based on fusion of multiple atlases reduces the time needed for delineation of lymph node regions compared to the use of a single atlas segmentation. Even though the time saving is large, the quality of the segmentation is maintained compared to manual segmentation.
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| 11. |
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| 12. |
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| 13. |
- Apelgren, Peter, et al.
(författare)
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Vascularization of tissue engineered cartilage-Sequential in vivo MRI display functional blood circulation
- 2021
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Ingår i: Biomaterials. - : Elsevier BV. - 0142-9612 .- 1878-5905. ; 276
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Establishing functional circulation in bioengineered tissue after implantation is vital for the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the cells. Native cartilage is avascular and thrives on diffusion, which in turn depends on proximity to circulation. Here, we investigate whether a gridded three-dimensional (3D) bioprinted construct would allow ingrowth of blood vessels and thus prove a functional concept for vascularization of bioengineered tissue. Twenty 10 x 10 x 3-mm 3Dbioprinted nanocellulose constructs containing human nasal chondrocytes or cell-free controls were subcutaneously implanted in 20 nude mice. Over the next 3 months, the mice were sequentially imaged with a 7 T small-animal MRI system, and the diffusion and perfusion parameters were analyzed. The chondrocytes survived and proliferated, and the shape of the constructs was well preserved. The diffusion coefficient was high and well preserved over time. The perfusion and diffusion patterns shown by MRI suggested that blood vessels develop over time in the 3D bioprinted constructs; the vessels were confirmed by histology and immunohistochemistry. We conclude that 3D bioprinted tissue with a gridded structure allows ingrowth of blood vessels and has the potential to be vascularized from the host. This is an essential step to take bioengineered tissue from the bench to clinical practice.
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| 14. |
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| 15. |
- Ghatnekar-Nilsson, Sara, et al.
(författare)
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A new multifunctional platform based on high-aspect ratio interdigitated NEMS structures
- 2009
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Ingår i: Nanotechnology. - : IOP Publishing. - 0957-4484 .- 1361-6528. ; 20:17
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A multifunctional NEMS platform based on a mass-producible, surface relief grating has been developed and fabricated directly in polymer materials. The pattern consists of high aspect ratio interdigitated nanometer-sized pairs of walls and can be produced in a low-complexity one-step patterning process with nanoimprint lithography. In this paper, we demonstrate the usefulness of the platform primarily by showing an application as a high-sensitivity mass sensor in air. The sensors, which are based on the high frequency resonant response of around 200 MHz, show a mass responsivity of the order of 0.1 Hz/zg per wall at room temperature and in ambient air. Their ability to selectively adsorb airborne target molecules, such as thiols, is also demonstrated. We also show that the same device can function as a varactor for electronic circuits based on its large tunable capacitive range.
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| 16. |
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| 17. |
- Isacsson, Ulf, et al.
(författare)
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A method to separate the rectum from the prostate during proton beam radiotherapy of prostate cancer patients
- 2010
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Ingår i: Acta Oncologica. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0284-186X .- 1651-226X. ; 49:4, s. 500-505
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The use of protons for curative treatment of prostate cancer is increasing, either as a single treatment modality or in combination with conventional radiotherapy. The proximity between prostate (target) and rectum (organ at risk) often leads to a compromise between dose to target and organ at risk. Material and methods. The present study describes a method where the distance between prostate and rectum is increased by retraction of the rectum in dorsal direction. Comparative treatment plans with and without retraction of the rectum in the same patients have been studied. Nine patients with biopsy proven, localised adenocarcinoma of the prostate were studied. A cylindrical rod of Perspex was inserted into the rectum. This device allows the rectum to be retracted posteriorly. The patients were given a proton boost of 20 Gy in four fractions of 5 Gy in addition to a conventional photon beam treatment to a dose of 50 Gy in 25 fractions of 2 Gy. Results. Comparative treatment planning shows that the treatment plan with rectal retraction significantly reduces (p < 0.01) the volume of the rectal wall receiving high doses (equal to 70 Gy in 2 Gy fractions) in all patients. Conclusions. The proton boost treatment with retraction of rectum during treatment decreases the rectal dose substantially. This is expected to reduce rectal side effects.
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| 18. |
- Johansson, Jonas, 1970-
(författare)
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Comparative Treatment Planning in Radiotherapy and Clinical Impact of Proton Relative Biological Effectiveness
- 2006
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The development of new irradiation techniques is presently a very active field of research with increased availability of more sophisticated modalities such as intensity modulated photons (IMRT), protons and light ions. The primary aim of this work is to evaluate if the dose-distributions using IMRT and protons contribute to clinical advantages. A secondary aim is to investigate the potential clinical implication of the increased relative biological effect (RBE) for protons at the end of the Bragg peak. The potential benefits are evaluated using physical dose measures and dose-response models for normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) and tumour control probability (TCP). Comparative treatment planning was performed using three locally advanced tumour types, left-sided node positive breast cancer, hypopharyngeal cancer, and rectal cancer. All studies showed that both IMRT and protons could improve the dose distributions compared to 3D-CRT, and significantly improve treatment results with lower NTCPs and, concerning hypopharyngeal cancer, higher TCP. Protons always resulted in smaller volumes receiving intermediate and low radiation doses.Using protons or IMRT for left-sided node-positive breast cancer, the advantage is a significantly decreased risk for cardiac mortality (from 6.7% to 1%) and radiation induced pneumonitis (from 28.2% to less than 3%) compared to 3D-CRT. For hypopharyngeal cancer, protons and IMRT provide more selective treatment plans, higher TCP since a simultaneous boost technique is feasible, and better parotid gland sparing for several patients. For locally advanced rectal cancer, the NTCP for small bowel is potentially reduced by approximately 50% using IMRT or protons; protons have an even greater potential if the structure of the small bowel is parallel.A variable RBE correction is developed and applied to a clinical proton treatment plan. A significant difference is obtained compared to the commonly accepted RBE correction of 1.1. This indicates that a variable RBE may be of importance in future proton treatment planning.This thesis provides support for increased use both IMRT and proton radiotherapy, although stronger for protons. Therefore, investments in proton facilities with capacity for large clinical trials can be supported.
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| 19. |
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| 20. |
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| 21. |
- Johansson, Silvia, et al.
(författare)
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Hypofractionated proton boost combined with external beam radiotherapy for treatment of localized prostate cancer
- 2012
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Ingår i: Prostate Cancer. - : Hindawi Limited. - 2090-3111 .- 2090-312X. ; 2012
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Proton boost of 20 Gy in daily 5 Gy fractions followed by external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) of 50 Gy in daily 2 Gy fractions were given to 278 patients with prostate cancer with T1b to T4N0M0 disease. Fifty-three percent of the patients received neoadjuvant androgen deprivation therapy (N-ADT). The medium followup was 57 months. The 5-year PSA progression-free survival was 100%, 95%, and 74% for low-, intermediate-, and high-risk patients, respectively. The toxicity evaluation was supported by a patient-reported questionnaire before every consultant visit. Cumulative probability and actuarial prevalence of genitourinary (GU) and gastrointestinal (GI) toxicities are presented according to the RTOG classification. N-ADT did not influence curability. Mild pretreatment GU-symptoms were found to be a strong predictive factor for GU-toxicity attributable to treatment. The actuarial prevalence declined over 3 to 5 years for both GU and GI toxicities, indicating slow resolution of epithelial damage to the genitourinary and gastrointestinal tract. Bladder toxicities rather than gastrointestinal toxicities seem to be dose limiting. More than 5-year followup is necessary to reveal any sign of true progressive late side effects of the given treatment. Hypofractionated proton-boost combined with EBRT is associated with excellent curability of localized PC and acceptable frequencies of treatment toxicity.
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| 22. |
- Karlsson, Mikael, et al.
(författare)
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"Distributed proton radiation therapy"--a new concept for advanced competence support.
- 2006
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Ingår i: Acta oncologica (Stockholm, Sweden). - : Informa UK Limited. - 0284-186X .- 1651-226X. ; 45:8, s. 1094-101
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The increased interest in high precision radiation therapy is to a large extent driven by the potential of modern imaging technology. The aim of this project was to analyse how an expensive proton facility best could support a multi-centre health care system. We have developed a model for distributed expert collaboration where all clinical experts will work close to their patients in regional centres. Patients who are candidates for proton therapy will be examined and dose-planned at their regional clinic, discussed in a fully information supported video conference and digitally made available at the proton treatment facility. The proton facility itself will be placed near a communication centre easily reached by all patients where they will be treated under full responsibility of their own physician at the home clinic. This concept has been analysed in detail both with respect to the overall functionality and with respect to possible weaknesses. It was found that the concept of distributed radiation therapy, as proposed here, will offer a stable clinical solution for advanced radiation therapy. It will support the spread of knowledge, serve as a fully developed backup system and the concept will further serve as an efficient base for clinical research.
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| 23. |
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| 24. |
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| 25. |
- Mikkelsen, Anders, et al.
(författare)
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Low temperature Ga surface diffusion from focused ion beam milled grooves.
- 2009
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Ingår i: Nanotechnology. - : IOP Publishing. - 0957-4484 .- 1361-6528. ; 20:32
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Ga diffusion from focused ion beam (FIB) milled grooves has been studied using x-ray photoemission electron microscopy (XPEEM) and mirror electron microscopy (MEM). We analyze the surface chemistry of the FIB structures measuring the Ga presence in the top layers of the milled grooves and morphological defects inside the grooves. The Ga is initially strictly confined to the grooves. However, annealing at temperatures as low as 150 degrees C leads to rapid and significant Ga surface diffusion from the FIB structures. The out-diffused Ga forms a thin layer extending up to several microns laterally in a non-regular pattern. The diffusion is significantly enhanced at small crystallites at the edges of the grooves. We explain the general behavior with an atomic scale model in which interstitial Ga in the milled areas diffuses out and substitutes silanol groups on the surface.
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| 26. |
- Montelius, Anders, 1952-
(författare)
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Determination of absorbed dose in fields of fast neutrons
- 1986
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Analytical models have been developed to solve energy deposition problems in finite detectors and near interfaces in beams of fast neutrons. Dose expressions have been derived, which are suitable for numerical evaluation. The detectors or volumes of interest have been characterized by distributions of chord length along which the particles travel. The approximations obtained by using a single mean chord length instead of a chord length distribution have also been investigated. The theoretical models have been carefully tested in beams from modern neutron therapy units, monoenergetic neutron sources and fission neutron sources. The models have further been applied to calculate the dose in bone marrow cavities and dose distributions near interfaces in the human body.
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| 27. |
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| 28. |
- Nyholm, Tufve, et al.
(författare)
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A national approach for automated collection of standardized and population-based radiation therapy data in Sweden
- 2016
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Ingår i: Radiotherapy and Oncology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0167-8140 .- 1879-0887. ; 119:2, s. 344-350
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: To develop an infrastructure for structured and automated collection of interoperable radiation therapy (RT) data into a national clinical quality registry. Materials and methods: The present study was initiated in 2012 with the participation of seven of the 15 hospital departments delivering RT in Sweden. A national RT nomenclature and a database for structured unified storage of RT data at each site (Medical Information Quality Archive, MIQA) have been developed. Aggregated data from the MIQA databases are sent to a national RT registry located on the same IT platform (INCA) as the national clinical cancer registries. Results: The suggested naming convention has to date been integrated into the clinical workflow at 12 of 15 sites, and MIQA is installed at six of these. Involvement of the remaining 3/15 RT departments is ongoing, and they are expected to be part of the infrastructure by 2016. RT data collection from ARIA (R), Mosaiq (R), Eclipse (TM), and Oncentra (R) is supported. Manual curation of RT-structure information is needed for approximately 10% of target volumes, but rarely for normal tissue structures, demonstrating a good compliance to the RT nomenclature. Aggregated dose/volume descriptors are calculated based on the information in MIQA and sent to INCA using a dedicated service (MIQA2INCA). Correct linkage of data for each patient to the clinical cancer registries on the INCA platform is assured by the unique Swedish personal identity number. Conclusions: An infrastructure for structured and automated prospective collection of syntactically inter operable RT data into a national clinical quality registry for RT data is under implementation. Future developments include adapting MIQA to other treatment modalities (e.g. proton therapy and brachytherapy) and finding strategies to harmonize structure delineations. How the RT registry should comply with domain-specific ontologies such as the Radiation Oncology Ontology (ROO) is under discussion.
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| 29. |
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| 30. |
- Ryttlefors, Mats, et al.
(författare)
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Long-term evaluation of the effect of hypofractionated high-energy proton treatment of benign meningiomas by means of (11)C-L-methionine positron emission tomography
- 2016
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Ingår i: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1619-7070 .- 1619-7089. ; 43:8, s. 1432-1443
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- PURPOSE: To determine if (11)C-L-methionine PET is a useful tool in the evaluation of the long-term effect of proton beam treatment in patients with meningioma remnant.METHODS: Included in the study were 19 patients (4 men, 15 women) with intracranial meningioma remnants who received hypofractionated high-energy proton beam treatment. Patients were examined with (11)C-L-methionine PET and MRI prior to treatment and after 6 months, and 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 10 years. Temporal changes in methionine uptake ratio, meningioma volume, meningioma regrowth and clinical symptoms throughout the follow-up period were evaluated.RESULTS: In 17 patients the tumour volume was unchanged throughout the follow-up. The methionine uptake ratio on PET decreased over the years in most patients. In two patients the tumour remnant showed progression on MRI. In these patients, prior to the volume increase on MRI, the methionine uptake ratio increased. One patient experienced transient clinical symptoms and showed radiological evidence of a radiation-induced reaction close to the irradiated field.CONCLUSION: Proton beam treatment is a safe and effective treatment for achieving long-term growth arrest in meningioma remnants. Follow-up with (11)C-L-methionine PET may be a valuable adjunct to, but not a replacement for, standard radiological follow-up.
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| 31. |
- Sebelius, Fredrik, et al.
(författare)
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Classification of motor commands using a modified self-organising feature map.
- 2005
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Ingår i: Medical Engineering & Physics. - : Elsevier BV. - 1873-4030 .- 1350-4533. ; 27:5, s. 403-413
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In this paper, a control system for an advanced prosthesis is proposed and has been investigated in two different biological systems: (1) the spinal withdrawal reflex system of a rat and (2) voluntary movements in two human males: one normal subject and one subject with a traumatic hand amputation. The small-animal system was used as a model system to test different processing methods for the prosthetic control system. The best methods were then validated in the human set-up. The recorded EMGs were classified using different ANN algorithms, and it was found that a modified self-organising feature map (SOFM) composed of a combination of a Kohonen network and the conscience mechanism algorithm (KNC) was superior in performance to the reference networks (e.g. multi-layer perceptrons) as regards training time, low memory consumption, and simplicity in finding optimal training parameters and architecture. The KNC network classified both experimental set-ups with high accuracy, including five movements for the animal set-up and seven for the human set-up.
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| 32. |
- Sundberg, Mark, et al.
(författare)
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Actin filament guidance on a chip: Toward high-throughput assays and lab-on-a-chip applications
- 2006
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Ingår i: Langmuir. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 0743-7463 .- 1520-5827. ; 22:17, s. 7286-7295
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Biological molecular motors that are constrained so that function is effectively limited to predefined nanosized tracks may be used as molecular shuttles in nanotechnological applications. For these applications and in high-throughput functional assays (e. g., drug screening), it is important that the motors propel their cytoskeletal filaments unidirectionally along the tracks with a minimal number of escape events. We here analyze the requirements for achieving this for actin filaments that are propelled by myosin II motor fragments (heavy meromyosin; HMM). First, we tested the guidance of HMM-propelled actin filaments along chemically defined borders. Here, trimethylchlorosilane (TMCS)-derivatized areas with high-quality HMM function were surrounded by SiO2 domains where HMM did not bind actin. Guidance along the TMCS-SiO2 border was almost 100% for filament approach angles between 0 and 20 degrees but only about 10% at approach angles near 90 degrees. A model (Clemmens, J.; Hess, H.; Lipscomb, R.; Hanein, Y.; Bohringer, K. F.; Matzke, C. M.; Bachand, G. D.; Bunker, B. C.; Vogel, V. Langmuir 2003, 19, 10967-10974) accounted for essential aspects of the data and also correctly predicted a more efficient guidance of actin filaments than previously shown for kinesin- propelled microtubules. Despite the efficient guidance at low approach angles, nanosized (< 700 nm wide) TMCS tracks surrounded by SiO2 were not effective in guiding actin filaments. Neither was there complete guidance along nanosized tracks that were surrounded by topographical barriers (walls and roof partially covering the track) unless there was also chemically based selectivity between the tracks and surroundings. In the latter case, with dually defined tracks, there was close to 100% guidance. A combined experimental and theoretical analysis, using tracks of the latter type, suggested that a track width of less than about 200-300 nm is sufficient at a high HMM surface density to achieve unidirectional sliding of actin filaments. In accord with these results, we demonstrate the long- term trapping of actin filaments on a closed-loop track (width < 250 nm). The results are discussed in relation to lab-on-a-chip applications and nanotechnology-assisted assays of actomyosin function.
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| 33. |
- Vikhorev, Petr, et al.
(författare)
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Diffusion dynamics of motor driven transport: gradient production and self-organization of surfaces.
- 2008
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Ingår i: Langmuir. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 0743-7463 .- 1520-5827. ; 24:23, s. 13509-13517
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The interaction between cytoskeletal filaments (e.g., actin filaments) and molecular motors (e.g., myosin) is the basis for many aspects of cell motility and organization of the cell interior. In the in vitro motility assay (IVMA), cytoskeletal filaments are observed while being propelled by molecular motors adsorbed to artificial surfaces (e.g., in studies of motor function). Here we integrate ideas that cytoskeletal filaments may be used as nanoscale templates in nanopatterning with a novel approach for the production of surface gradients of biomolecules and nanoscale topographical features. The production of such gradients is challenging but of increasing interest (e.g., in cell biology). First, we show that myosin-induced actin filament sliding in the IVMA can be approximately described as persistent random motion with a diffusion coefficient D) given by a relationship analogous to the Einstein equation (D = kT/gamma). In this relationship, the thermal energy (kT) and the drag coefficient (gamma) are substituted by a parameter related to the free-energy transduction by actomyosin and the actomyosin dissociation rate constant, respectively. We then demonstrate how the persistent random motion of actin filaments can be exploited in conceptually novel methods for the production of actin filament density gradients of predictable shapes. Because of regularly spaced binding sites (e.g., lysines and cysteines) the actin filaments act as suitable nanoscale scaffolds for other biomolecules (tested for fibronectin) or nanoparticles. This forms the basis for secondary chemical and topographical gradients with implications for cell biological studies and biosensing.
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| 34. |
- Vlachogiannis, Pavlos, et al.
(författare)
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Hypofractionated high-energy proton-beam irradiation is an alternative treatment for WHO grade I meningiomas
- 2017
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Ingår i: Acta Neurochirurgica. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0001-6268 .- 0942-0940. ; 159:12, s. 2391-2400
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Radiation treatment is commonly employed in the treatment of meningiomas. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of hypofractionated high-energy proton therapy as adjuvant or primary treatment for WHO grade I meningiomas. A total of 170 patients who received irradiation with protons for grade I meningiomas between 1994 and 2007 were included in the study. The majority of the tumours were located at the skull base (n = 155). Eighty-four patients were treated post subtotal resection, 42 at tumour relapse and 44 with upfront radiotherapy after diagnosis based on the typical radiological image. Irradiation was given in a hypofractionated fashion (3-8 fractions, usually 5 or 6 Gy) with a mean dose of 21.9 Gy (range, 14-46 Gy). All patients were planned for follow-up with clinical controls and magnetic resonance imaging scans at 6 months and 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 10 years after treatment. The median follow-up time was 84 months. Age, gender, tumour location, Simpson resection grade and target volume were assessed as possible prognostic factors for post-irradiation tumour progression and radiation related complications. The actuarial 5- and 10-year progression-free survival rates were 93% and 85% respectively. Overall mortality rate was 13.5%, while disease-specific mortality was 1.7% (3/170 patients). Older patients and patients with tumours located in the middle cranial fossa had a lower risk for tumour progression. Radiation-related complications were seen in 16 patients (9.4%), with pituitary insufficiency being the most common. Tumour location in the anterior cranial fossa was the only factor that significantly increased the risk of complications. Hypofractionated proton-beam radiation therapy may be used particularly in the treatment of larger World Health Organisation grade I meningiomas not amenable to total surgical resection. Treatment is associated with high rates of long-term tumour growth control and acceptable risk for complications.
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| 35. |
- Wernersson, Lars-Erik, et al.
(författare)
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Epitaxially overgrown, stable W-GaAs Schottky contacts with sizes down to 50 nm
- 2002
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Ingår i: Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology B. - : American Vacuum Society. - 1520-8567. ; 20:2, s. 580-589
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A processing scheme for the fabrication of embedded W-GaAs contacts has been established and the resulting contact characteristics have been evaluated. The main advantage of these contacts is that they are stable during high-temperature epitaxial overgrowth. The fabrication scheme is based on a liftoff process with electron beam evaporation of tungsten and subsequent epitaxial overgrowth using metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy. Various methods were used to characterize the buried contacts. First, the structural properties of GaAs surrounding embedded W features, with widths down to 50 nm, were characterized by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Measurements of the conductivity in individual, buried wires were performed in order to study the influence of the overgrowth process on the properties of the tungsten. We also evaluated the current-voltage characteristics for macroscopic contacts, which revealed a clear dependence on processing parameters. Optimized processing conditions could thus be established under which limited contact degradation occurred during overgrowth. Finally, we used the overgrowth technique to perform a detailed investigation of the electrical and optical properties of floating-potential embedded nano-Schottky contacts by space-charge spectroscopy.
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| 36. |
- Åstrand, Bengt, et al.
(författare)
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Assessment of ePrescription quality : an observational study at three mail-order pharmacies
- 2009
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Ingår i: BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1472-6947. ; 9:1, s. Article number: 8-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: The introduction of electronic transfer of prescriptions (ETP) or ePrescriptions in ambulatory health care has been suggested to have a positive impact on the prescribing and dispensing processes. Thereby, implying that ePrescribing can improve safety, quality, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. In December 2007, 68% of all new prescriptions were transferred electronically in Sweden. The aim of the present study was to assess the quality of ePrescriptions by comparing the proportions of ePrescriptions and non-electronic prescriptions necessitating a clarification contact (correction, completion or change) with the prescriber at the time of dispensing.Methods: A direct observational study was performed at three Swedish mail-order pharmacies which were known to dispense a large proportion of ePrescriptions (38–75%). Data were gathered on all ePrescriptions dispensed at these pharmacies over a three week period in February 2006. All clarification contacts with prescribers were included in the study and were classified and assessed in comparison with all drug prescriptions dispensed at the same pharmacies over the specified period.Results: Of the 31225 prescriptions dispensed during the study period, clarification contacts were made for 2.0% (147/7532) of new ePrescriptions and 1.2% (79/6833) of new non-electronic prescriptions. This represented a relative risk (RR) of 1.7 (95% CI 1.3–2.2) for new ePrescriptions compared to new non-electronic prescriptions. The increased RR was mainly due to 'Dosage and directions for use', which had an RR of 7.6 (95% CI 2.8–20.4) when compared to other clarification contacts. In all, 89.5% of the suggested pharmacist interventions were accepted by the prescriber, 77.7% (192/247) as suggested and an additional 11.7% (29/247) after a modification during contact with the prescriber.Conclusion: The increased proportion of prescriptions necessitating a clarification contact for new ePrescriptions compared to new non-electronic prescriptions indicates the need for an increased focus on quality aspects in ePrescribing deployment. ETP technology should be developed towards a two-way communication between the prescriber and the pharmacist with automated checks of missing, inaccurate, or ambiguous information. This would enhance safety and quality for the patient and also improve efficiency and cost-effectiveness within the health care system.
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