METHODS: Negatively charged acrylic microspheres were labeled with 152Sm ions through electrostatic interactions. In another formulation, the Sm-labeled microsphere was treated with sodium carbonate solution to form the insoluble 152Sm carbonate (152SmC) salt within the porous structures of the microspheres. Both formulations were neutron-activated in a research reactor. Physicochemical characterization, gamma spectrometry, and radiolabel stability tests were carried out to study the performance and stability of the microspheres.
RESULTS: The Sm- and SmC-labeled microspheres remained spherical and smooth, with a mean size of 35 µm before and after neutron activation. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy indicated that the functional groups of the microspheres remained unaffected after neutron activation. The 153Sm- and 153SmC-labeled microspheres achieved activity of 2.53 ± 0.08 and 2.40 ± 0.13 GBq·g-1, respectively, immediate after 6 h neutron activation in the neutron flux of 2.0 × 1012 n·cm-2·s-1. Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) and gamma spectrometry showed that no elemental and radioactive impurities were present in the microspheres after neutron activation. The retention efficiency of 153Sm in the 153SmC-labeled microspheres was excellent (~99% in distilled water and saline; ~97% in human blood plasma), which was higher than the 153Sm-labeled microspheres (~95% and ~85%, respectively).
CONCLUSION: 153SmC-labeled microspheres have demonstrated excellent properties for potential application as theranostic agents for hepatic radioembolization.
Methods: The maize seeds were first photobiomodulated with two lasers: 1) a helium-neon (He-Ne) red laser (632.8 nm), and 2) a neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) green laser (532 nm). Following three replications of randomized complete block design (RCBD), four irradiation treatments were applied (45 s, 65 s, 85 s, and 105 s) at two power intensities (2 mW/cm2 and 4 mW/cm2).
Results: Based on the results, maize seeds pretreated with a green laser and 2 mW/cm2 power intensity for 105 s exhibited the highest rate of seed emergence (96%) compared to the untreated control seeds with a lower seed emergence rate (62.5%). Furthermore, maize seeds treated with a red laser for 45 s showed an increased vigor index compared to the other treatment options and the control (P
METHODS: The [152Sm]Sm2O3-PS microspheres were synthesized using solid-in-oil-in-water solvent evaporation. The microspheres underwent neutron activation using a 1 MW open-pool research reactor to produce radioactive [153Sm]Sm2O3-PS microspheres via 152Sm(n,γ)153Sm reaction. Physicochemical characterization, gamma spectroscopy and in-vitro radionuclide retention efficiency were carried out to evaluate the properties and stability of the microspheres before and after neutron activation.
RESULTS: The [153Sm]Sm2O3-PS microspheres achieved specific activity of 5.04 ± 0.52 GBq·g-1 after a 6 h neutron activation. Scanning electron microscopy and particle size analysis showed that the microspheres remained spherical with an average diameter of ~33 μm before and after neutron activation. No long half-life radionuclide and elemental impurities were found in the samples. The radionuclide retention efficiencies of the [153Sm]Sm2O3-PS microspheres at 550 h were 99.64 ± 0.07 and 98.76 ± 1.10% when tested in saline solution and human blood plasma, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: A neutron-activated [153Sm]Sm2O3-PS microsphere formulation was successfully developed for potential application as a theranostic agent for liver radioembolization. The microspheres achieved suitable physical properties for radioembolization and demonstrated high radionuclide retention efficiency in saline solution and human blood plasma.
Materials and Methods: Ninety aluminum oxide ceramic (Turkom-Ceramic Sdn. Bhd., Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) specimens were produced and divided into nine groups to receive the following surface treatments: control group, no treatment (Group C), sandblasting (Group B), silica coating (Group S), erbium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG) laser irradiation at 150 mJ 10 Hz (Group L1), Er:YAG laser irradiation at 300 mJ 10 Hz (Group L2), sandblasting + L1 (Group BL1), sandblasting + L2 (Group BL2), silica coating + L1 (Group SL1), and silica coating + L2 (Group SL2). After surface treatments, surface roughness (SR) values were measured and surface topography was evaluated. Resin cement was applied on the specimen surface, and shear bond strength (SBS) tests were performed. Data were statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's multiple comparisons at a significance level of P < 0.05.
Results: Group S, SL1, and SL2 showed significantly increased SR values compared to the control group (P < 0.05); therefore, no significant differences were found among the SR values of Groups B, BL1, BL2, L1, and L2 and the control group (P > 0.05). Group S showed the highest SBS values, whereas the control group showed the lowest SBS values.
Conclusion: Silica coating is the most effective method for resin bonding of high strength ceramic, but Er:YAG laser application decreased the effectiveness.