Locoregional Recurrence Prediction Using a Deep Neural Network of Radiological and Radiotherapy Images

Radiation therapy (RT) is an important and potentially curative modality for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Locoregional recurrence (LR) of HNSCC after RT is ranging from 15% to 50% depending on the primary site and stage. In addition, the 5-year survival rate of patients with LR is low. To classify high-risk patients who might develop LR, a deep learning model for predicting LR needs to be established. In this work, 157 patients with HNSCC who underwent RT were analyzed. Based on the National Cancer Institute’s multi-institutional TCIA data set containing FDG-PET/CT/dose, a 3D deep learning model was proposed to predict LR without time-consuming segmentation or feature extraction. Our model achieved an averaged area under the curve (AUC) of 0.856. Adding clinical factors into the model improved the AUC to an average of 0.892 with the highest AUC of up to 0.974. The 3D deep learning model could perform individualized risk quantification of LR in patients with HNSCC without time-consuming tumor segmentation

Fullerene-Based Triads with Controlled Alkyl Spacer Length as Photoactive Materials for Single-Component Organic Solar Cells

Two kinds of dumbbell-shaped acceptor-donor-acceptor (A-D-A)-type triad single-component (SC) photovoltaic molecules based on a benzodithiophene-rhodanine (BDTRh) core and [6,6]-phenyl-C-61 butyric acid (PC(61)BA) termini, BDTRh-C-2-PC(61)BA and BDTRh-C-10-PC(61)BA, were synthesized by modulating the alkyl (C2 and C10) spacer lengths. Both SC photovoltaic structures had similar UV-vis spectra in solution, but BDTRh-C-10-PC(61)BA showed a significantly higher absorption coefficient as a thin film. In films, a more facile intermolecular photo-induced charge transfer was observed for BDTRh-C-10-PC(61)BA in the broad-band transient absorption measurements. BDTRh-C-10-PC(61)BA also exhibited a higher hole mobility (by 25 times) and less bimolecular recombination than BDTRh-C-2-PC(61)BA By plotting the normalized external quantum efficiency data, a higher charge-transfer state was measured for BDTRh-C-10-PC(61)BA, reducing its voltage loss. A higher power conversion efficiency of similar to 2% was obtained for BDTRh-C-10-PC(61)BA, showing higher open-circuit voltage, short-circuit current density, and fill factor than those of BDTRh-C-2-PC(61)BA devices. The different carrier dynamics, voltage loss, and optical and photoelectrical characteristics depending on the spacer length were interpreted in terms of the film morphology. The longer decyl spacer in BDTRh-C-10-PC(61)BA afforded a significantly enhanced intermolecular ordering of the p-type core compared to BDTRh-C-2-PC(61)BA, suggesting that the alkyl spacer length plays a critical role in controlling the intermolecular packing interaction

Green-, Red-, and Near-Infrared-Emitting Polymer Dot Probes for Simultaneous Multicolor Cell Imaging with a Single Excitation Wavelength

We report newly synthesized fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based green-, red-, and near-infrared (NIR)-emitting polymer dot (Pdot) probes. Fluorescent Pdots (similar to 60 nm) were prepared with a green-emissive conjugated polymer (PPDT-P, donor) alone or mixing the donor with a red- or NIR-emitting fluorophore (T-DCS or ITIC, acceptor), where an optically inert matrix polymer [poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride)] was mixed together to minimize the aggregation-caused quenching by diluting the fluorophores and surface functionalization for further bioconjugation with antibodies for active targeting. Highly fluorescent green-emissive PPDT-P Pdots were prepared with a photoluminescence (PL) quantum efficiency of similar to 30% and the FRET-mediated red and NIR PL was intensified by 5.3-8.5 times (with high FRET ratios of similar to 9) via the efficient energy transfer (FRET efficiency of 80-98%) and antenna effect, compared with the signals obtained via direct excitation of the fluorophores in Pdots. All three types of Pdot/antibody conjugates were simultaneously immunostained to COS-7 cells (showing minimal cross-reactivity), reducing the tedious sequential immunostaining process to a single step. Finally, we obtained high-contrast three-color cell images with little spectral leakthrough by exciting all the probes simultaneously at a single wavelength at 405 nm without the need for a complicated or expensive multiple-excitation setup11Nsci