Journals
2025 EN
Delmas Dominique · Perus Maude · Aires Virginie
+1 more
ABSTRACT Omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and polyphenols have attracted interest to counteract ocular diseases and more specifically age‐related macular degeneration (AMD). This eye disease, which is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in industrialized countries, is characterized by damage to the central part of the retina, the macula. Despite therapeutic advances with the use of anti‐vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) monoclonal antibodies, numerous resistance mechanisms that worsen visual impairment have been identified. In this context, we highlight the exceptional potential of polyphenols and PUFA in addressing AMD through their actions on the different molecular mechanisms involved in AMD progression. More specifically, this review focuses on the current understanding of the effects of resveratrol, as well as docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic acids, two prominent omega‐3 PUFA, and the combination of these compounds. We also discuss the limitations and explore future directions for the combined use of these natural products as preventive or complementary therapies to preserve vision and slow disease progression.
Journals
2025 EN
Bao Xiue · Li Jinkai · Wang Li
+6 more
ABSTRACT This letter presents a highly compact waveguide‐based bandpass filter, which can be used for high‐power transmission for satellite communications. The filter consists of a quarter spherical resonator, whose higher‐order modes are restricted by introducing four tool cavities. By integrating four spherical resonators into a sphere, a highly compact fourth‐order filter with wideband and good out‐of‐the‐band rejection is obtained, whose geometric size is1.24 λ × 1.24 λ × 1.24 λ$1.24\,\lambda 1.24\,\lambda 1.24\,\lambda $ . The spherical filter with complex internal structure is manufactured by using the selective laser melting (SLM) technology, which is a 3D printing technique with a low cost‐to‐complexity ratio. Finally, measurement results validate the good performance and obvious miniaturization of the developed filter.
Journals
2025 EN
Baroudi Hana · Che Fru Leonard · Schofield Deborah
+20 more
Abstract Background Automation in radiotherapy presents a promising solution to the increasing cancer burden and workforce shortages. However, existing automated methods for breast radiotherapy lack a comprehensive, end‐to‐end solution that meets varying standards of care. Purpose This study aims to develop a complete portfolio of automated radiotherapy treatment planning for intact breasts, tailored to individual patient factors, clinical approaches, and available resources. Methods We developed five automated conventional treatment approaches and utilized an established RapidPlan model for volumetric arc therapy. These approaches include conventional tangents for whole breast treatment, two variants for supraclavicular nodes (SCLV) treatment with/without axillary nodes, and two options for comprehensive regional lymph nodes treatment. The latter consists of wide tangents photon fields with a SCLV field, and a photon tangents field with a matched electron field to treat the internal mammary nodes (IMNs), and a SCLV field. Each approach offers the choice of a single or two isocenter setup (with couch rotation) to accommodate a wide range of patient sizes. All algorithms start by automatically generating contours for breast clinical target volume, regional lymph nodes, and organs at risk using an in‐house nnU‐net deep learning models. Gantry angles and field shapes are then automatically generated and optimized to ensure target coverage while limiting the dose to nearby organs. The dose is optimized using field weighting for the lymph nodes fields and an automated field‐in‐field approach for the tangents. These algorithms were integrated into the RayStation treatment planning system and tested for clinical acceptability on 15 internal whole breast patients (150 plans) and 40 external patients from four different institutions in Switzerland, Argentina, Iran, and the USA (360 plans). Evaluation criteria included ensuring adequate coverage of targets and adherence to dose constraints for normal structures. A breast radiation oncologist reviewed the single institution dataset for clinical acceptability (5‐point scale) and a physicist evaluated the multi‐institutional dataset (use as is or edit). Results The dosimetric evaluation across all datasets (510 plans) showed that 100% of the automated plans met the dose coverage requirements for the breast, 99% for the SCLV, 98% for the axillary nodes, and 91% for the IMN. As expected, hot spots were more prevalent when multiple fields were combined. For the heart, ipsilateral lung, and contralateral breast, automated plans met constraints for 95%, 92%, and 95% of the plans, respectively. Physician evaluation of the 15 internal patients indicated that all automated plans were clinically acceptable with minor edits. Notably, the use of automated contours with the RapidPlan model resulted in plans that were immediately ready for use in 73% of cases (95% confidence interval, 95% CI [51‐ 96]) of patients, with the remaining cases requiring minor stylistic edits. Similarly, the physicist's review of the 40 multi‐institution patients showed that the auto‐plans were ready for use 79% (95% CI [73,85]) of the time (95% CI [73,85]), with edits needed for the remaining cases. Conclusion This study demonstrates the feasibility of a comprehensive automated treatment planning model for whole breast radiotherapy, effectively accommodating diverse treatment paradigms.
Journals
2025 EN
Bernelin Thibault · Muir Bryan · Renaud James
+4 more
Abstract Background Real‐time beam monitoring and accurate dose reporting is challenging in ultra‐high dose rate (UHDR) electron beams. Although beam current transformers (BCTs) can effectively track parameters such as pulse width (PW) and repetition frequency for UHDR electron beams, recent work has highlighted their sensitivity to electric fields induced by transient charge buildup in irradiated media under UHDR conditions. Purpose This study evaluates the performance of a novel electrostatically shielded BCT for real‐time, high‐accuracy dose monitoring in UHDR electron beams. Methods Irradiations were conducted using the Mobetron linear accelerator configured for UHDR electron beams with energies of 6 and 9 MeV. A shielded BCT was implemented to monitor beam delivery, with dose calibration established using alanine dosimeters in solid water phantoms. Dose stability was assessed over short (7‐day) and long (16‐week) periods. The BCT's response to variations in PW, pulse number, and pulse repetition frequency was also evaluated to determine its robustness across beam configurations. Results The BCT showed high reproducibility and accuracy, with standard deviations of the difference between BCT‐predicted and alanine‐measured doses within 0.21% over short‐term measurements and 0.57% over long‐term measurements, even when subject to large (10%) machine output adjustments. When varying beam parameters, the BCT maintained accurate dose prediction within 1.0% and 1.4% of alanine measurements for 6 and 9 MeV, respectively, with high linearity (R 2 ≥ ${\rm R}^2\ge$ 0.9997) across total doses. Conclusion Shielded BCTs provide a stable and accurate solution for real‐time dose monitoring in FLASH radiotherapy, demonstrating robustness against output fluctuations and beam parameter variations. While further calibration standardization is required, this study supports the feasibility of using shielded BCTs for reliable UHDR dose monitoring, facilitating safe and precise implementation of FLASH radiotherapy in preclinical and clinical settings.
Journals
2025 EN
Neuhaus Dominique · Rost Thomas · Haas Tanja
+5 more
Abstract Purpose To compare postmortem in situ with ex situ MRI parameters, including volumetry, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and relaxometry for assessing methodology‐induced alterations, which is a crucial prerequisite when performing MRI biomarker validation. Methods MRI whole‐brain scans of five deceased patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis were performed at 3 T. In situ scans were conducted within 32 h after death (SD 18 h), and ex situ scans after brain extraction and 3 months of formalin fixation. The imaging protocol included MP2RAGE, DTI, and multi‐contrast spin‐echo and multi‐echo gradient‐echo sequences. Volumetry, fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity, T 1 , T 2 , andT 2 * $$ {T}_2^{\ast } $$ have been assessed for specific brain regions. Results When comparing ex situ to in situ values, the following results were obtained. Deep gray matter as well as the thalamus and the hippocampus showed a reduced volume. Fractional anisotropy was reduced in the cortex and the whole brain. Mean diffusivity was decreased in white matter and deep gray matter. T 1 and T 2 were reduced in all investigated structures, whereasT 2 * $$ {T}_2^{\ast } $$ was increased in the cortex. Conclusion The results of this study show that the volumes and MRI parameters of several brain regions are potentially affected by tissue extraction and subsequent formalin fixation, suggesting that methodological alterations are present in ex situ MRI. To avoid overlap of indistinguishable methodological and disease‐related changes, we recommend performing in situ postmortem MRI as an additional intermediate step for in vivo MRI biomarker validation.
Journals
2025 EN
Chapuis Robert P. · Taveau Coline · Duhaime François
+6 more
ABSTRACT Unsaturated zones are important for geotechnical design, geochemical reactions, and microbial reactions. The numerical analysis of unsaturated seepage is complex because it involves highly nonlinear partial differential equations. The permeability can vary by orders of magnitude over short vertical distances. This article defines and uses H‐convergence tests to quantify numerical errors made by uniform meshes with element size ( ES ) for 1D steady‐state conditions. The quantitative H‐convergence should not be confused with a qualitative mesh sensitivity study. The difference between numerical and mathematical convergences is stated. A detailed affordable method for an H‐convergence test is presented. The true but unknown solution is defined as the asymptote of the numerical solutions for all solution components when ES decreases to zero. The numerical errors versus ES are then assessed with respect to the true solution, and using a log–log plot, which indicates whether a code is correct or incorrect. If a code is correct, its results follow the rules of mathematical convergence in a mathematical convergence domain (MCD) which is smaller than the numerical convergence domain (NCD). If a code is incorrect, it has an NCD but no MCD. Incorrect algorithms of incorrect codes need to be modified and repaired. Existing codes are shown to converge numerically within large NCDs but generate large errors, up to 500%, in the NCDs, a dangerous situation for designers.
Journals
2025 EN
Torosis Michele · Stothers Lynn · Cisneros Crystal
+2 more
ABSTRACT Objectives Few studies look at therapeutic efficacy specifically in the OAB population that lacks urgency incontinence (OAB‐dry). Transvaginal electrical stimulation (TES) improves urgency incontinence in OAB‐wet by targeting the detrusor muscle by reflex inhibition but has not yet been trialed for the improvement of urgency and frequency symptoms alone without incontinence. This study sought to measure the efficacy of an at‐home TES program on urgency and frequency symptoms alone in OAB‐dry. Methods This was a prospective, randomized, cross‐over, controlled trial of women > 18 years old presenting to a urogynecology clinic with urinary urgency and frequency without incontinence. Participants were randomized to receive 4 weeks of sham, followed by a 3‐week washout period, and then 4 weeks of intervention (Arm 1), or the reverse (Arm 2). Intervention included 15 min/day of TES using a TENS unit and transvaginal probe with stimulation width of 100 µs, rate of 12 Hz, and amplitude set by participant based on sensation. Baseline bladder symptoms were captured with voiding diaries and standardized questionnaires. Standardized pelvic floor muscle exam was performed at the beginning and end of treatment. Participants were categorized as responders if the participants stated they planned to continue the TES as their primary treatment after study completion. Outcomes were compared using t ‐tests, χ 2 , and Fisher exact tests. Results In total, 19 enrolled and 15 (79%) completed the study and had primary outcomes data available for analysis. There were no demographic differences between arms. Mean OAB‐q scores for all at baseline was 25.1, post‐sham was 22.9, and post‐TES was 17.60, for a mean change of −7.73 points (95% CI, −21.5 to 5.9), p = 0.007). There was a reduction in voids per 24 h from 11.3 (± 3.7) to 9.0 (± 3.6) posttreatment ( p = 0.048). Response, defined as continuation of therapy, had a significant association with lack of pelvic floor tenderness on baseline standardized exam (OR 0.96, CI 0.94–0.99). Conclusions These data suggest there are two phenotypes within OAB‐dry, those with pelvic floor myofascial dysfunction that do not respond to bladder directive therapy, and those who represent a population of less severe OAB‐wet with detrusor overactivity, which respond to bladder directive therapy. TES is a viable treatment option for this population, resulting in clinically significant improvements in urinary symptoms and patient‐reported disease severity. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov : NCT04957524.
Journals
2025 EN
Neuhaus Dominique · Wendebourg Maria Janina · Deigendesch Nikolaus
+6 more
ABSTRACT There is an urgent need for reliable magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) biomarkers for the diagnosis, prognosis or therapy management of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The aim of this study was to explore potential biomarkers for ALS by conducting postmortem (PM) in situ MRI, allowing for a non‐invasive evaluation of the disease's end‐stage without the effects of formalin fixation. PM in situ MRI whole‐brain scans of five deceased patients with clinically definite ALS and seven deceased healthy controls (HC) without known neurological disorders were performed at 3 Tesla. Fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity, T 1 , T 2 and T 2 * were assessed for cortex, deep grey matter, white matter, whole brain and hippocampus. For the validation of the MRI DTI data, the focus was placed on the hippocampus, where the myelin density was evaluated by analysing histological samples from the dentate gyrus. A custom python script was developed for the quantification of the myelin density in histological data. Comparing ALS to HC values suggested potential reductions of mean diffusivity, T 1 (after outlier removal) and T 2 * in white matter and of T 2 in deep grey matter in the ALS group. Furthermore, mean diffusivity was potentially reduced in the hippocampus of patients with ALS (after outlier removal), whereas no difference in myelin density was found by histopathological assessment. The results of this exploratory study suggest potential differences in diffusivity and relaxometry between PM in situ brains of patients with ALS and HC. Understanding these variations at the end‐stage of ALS might contribute to the development of novel MRI prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers for ALS. However, larger sample sizes and complementary histological examinations are needed to confirm these results and to clarify the underlying mechanisms.
Journals
2025 EN
Franson Dominique · Calixto Camilo · Fan Hongli
+7 more
ABSTRACT Half‐Fourier Acquisition with Single‐Shot Turbo Spin Echo (HASTE) scans are routinely used for fetal brain imaging, but they have a high specific absorption rate (SAR) and can be inefficient due to SAR limits. Here, we have designed an optimized variable flip angle (VFA) pattern for fetal HASTE neuroimaging to reduce both the SAR and repetition time (TR) of the HASTE sequence while maintaining similar image quality to standard fetal HASTE imaging with a constant flip angle (CFA). The VFA pattern was optimized by minimizing the difference in expected signal between the VFA and CFA scans while constraining the SAR of the VFA scan to no more than 65% of the SAR of the CFA scan and reducing the TR by 29%. The expected signal was calculated using an extended phase graph formalism, and simulations were used to predict the performance of the two scans using different image quality metrics. The proposed VFA and standard CFA scans were tested in phantoms and fetuses at 3 T. SAR and acquisition times were recorded, and image quality was rated by three radiologists. The VFA scan showed similar signal‐to‐noise ratio and contrast‐to‐noise ratio values but slightly lower signal and relative contrast values than the CFA scan in phantom studies. In vivo, the VFA scan yielded significantly reduced SAR, measurement times, and total scan times. There was no significant difference in overall image quality ratings between the VFA and CFA scans. An optimized VFA scan can provide 65% of the SAR and 71% of the acquisition time of a CFA scan while being diagnostically equivalent. Lower SAR reduces heating, eliminates SAR pauses, and allows accelerated scans by reducing the TR. The time saved by faster HASTE acquisitions increases patient comfort and may be used to repeat scans with excessive fetal motion or to perform advanced sequences.
Journals
2025 EN
Avig Antoine · Bonnet JeanBaptiste · Anitcheou Jean
+11 more
Abstract Objective Obesity management requires personalized approaches. Using data from the Aviitam platform in France, this study aimed to do the following: 1) explore psychological and behavioral patterns through clustering techniques; 2) validate the robustness of these clusters; and 3) assess their association with weight‐loss outcomes in severe obesity under semaglutide treatment. Methods Phase 1 included 989 adults with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m 2 who completed validated questionnaires, including the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Intuitive Eating Scale‐2 (IES‐2). Phase 2 validated robustness in 492 individuals. Phase 3 applied clusters to 125 individuals with BMI ≥ 40 kg/m 2 who were treated with semaglutide 2.4 mg/week at Montpellier University Hospital, assessing weight‐loss trajectories over 12 months. Results The following two clusters were identified: the Intuitive Eaters Group (IEG, n = 482); and the Emotionally Driven Eaters Group (EDEG, n = 507). The IEG exhibited lower emotional distress and higher intuitive eating scores. HADS and IES‐2 distinguished clusters effectively (area under the curve, 0.95). Robustness was confirmed in Phase 2. In Phase 3, the IEG demonstrated a significantly more favorable weight‐loss trajectory compared to the EDEG ( p = 0.03). Conclusions Psychological and behavioral clusters identified through HADS and IES‐2 are associated with weight loss under semaglutide treatment, suggesting the value of integrating psychological and behavioral profiling into obesity care.