Tips and Tricks in Molecular Imaging: A Practical Approach

A variety of imaging modalities include X-ray-based Computed Tomography (CT) scan, Ultrasound (US), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Nuclear Medical Imaging (NMI), and Optical Imaging (OI) are used to help diagnose and treat diseases through anatomical, physiological, and functional representation. With the advent of molecular imaging using nanoparticles, detailed information about properties is provided and facilitates early detection of malignancies. Now, novel approaches in nanoparticle designing, the development of hybrid imaging modalities, and improvements in the sensitivity of instruments have raised the level of disease diagnosis. Regarding the fact that the molecular imaging fundamentals and basis of materials as contrast agents are different from each other, we have updated the brief synopsis of basic principles of imaging technique containing important points in detail with a practical approach.

Recent advances, challenges, and perspectives of perovskite-based scintillators

: Scintillators are currently widely used in high energy physics, nuclear physics, nuclear medical imaging, industrial exploration, security inspection and so on. The development of new applications puts forward the new requirements for scintillators, and it is becoming extremely urgent to discover the new scintillators. In recent years, perovskite materials present their advantages in the field of solar cell, light-emitting diode, laser, photodetector, memory and so on, owing to their high carrier mobility, long diffusion distance and continuously adjustable emission wavelength. Therefore, the perovskite-based scintillators have attracted great attention and interest due to their low detection threshold, high light yield, fast attenuation, and tunable emission wavelength. This review article summarizes the crystal structure and luminescence properties of organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite and inorganic perovskite scintillators. In addition, the fundamental application of perovskite scintillators for radiation detection has been discussed. The goal of this review article is to introduce the recent advances and development in perovskite scintillators, and a particular focus is given on the challenges and perspectives for their enormous potential application in nuclear medical imaging and radiation detection.

Monte Carlo Computational Software and Methods in Radiation Dosimetry

The fast developments and ongoing demands in radiation dosimetry have piqued the attention of many software developers and physicists to create powerful tools to make their experiments more exact, less expensive, more focused, and with a wider range of possibilities. Many software toolkits, packages, and programs have been produced in recent years, with the majority of them available as open source, open access, or closed source. This study is mostly focused to present what are the Monte Carlo software developed over the years, their implementation in radiation treatment, radiation dosimetry, nuclear detector design for diagnostic imaging, radiation shielding design and radiation protection. Ten software toolkits are introduced, a table with main characteristics and information is presented in order to make someone entering the field of computational Physics with Monte Carlo, make a decision of which software to use for their experimental needs. The possibilities that this software can provide us with allow us to design anything from an X-Ray Tube to whole LINAC costly systems with readily changeable features. From basic x-ray and pair detectors to whole PET, SPECT, CT systems which can be evaluated, validated and configured in order to test new ideas. Calculating doses in patients allows us to quickly acquire, from dosimetry estimates with various sources and isotopes, in various materials, to actual radiation therapies such as Brachytherapy and Proton therapy. We can also manage and simulate Treatment Planning Systems with a variety of characteristics and develop a highly exact approach that actual patients will find useful and enlightening. Shielding is an important feature not only to protect people from radiation in places like nuclear power plants, nuclear medical imaging, and CT and X-Ray examination rooms, but also to prepare and safeguard humanity for interstellar travel and space station missions. This research looks at the computational software that has been available in many applications up to now, with an emphasis on Radiation Dosimetry and its relevance in today's environment.

Dendrimers for theranostic applications

Recently, there have been tremendous advances in the development of various nanotechnology-based platforms for diagnosis and therapy. These nanoplatforms, which include liposomes, micelles, polymers, and dendrimers, comprise highly integrated nanoparticles that provide multiple functions, such as targeting, imaging, and therapy. This review focuses on dendrimer-based nanocarriers that have recently been developed for ‘theranostics (or theragnosis)’, a combination of therapy and diagnostics. We discuss the in vitro and in vivo applications of these nanocarriers in strategies against diseases including cancer. We also explore the use of dendrimers as imaging agents for fluorescence imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, X-ray computed tomography, and nuclear medical imaging.