Small Capsule Research Articles

Carrierealeyensis, a new species of Salicaceae from limestone areas of Guangxi, China.

Carrierealeyensis Z.C.Lu & W.B.Xu, a new species of Salicaceae was discovered from limestone areas of Guangxi, China. The morphology of C.leyensis is similar to C.dunniana, but differs by its evergreen nature; shorter petioles, only 3-8 mm long, and tomentose or glabrous when old; elliptic leaf blade with cuneate base; shorter inflorescence (1.8-4.5 cm long); smaller flowers; and smaller capsules (1.7-2.7 cm long, 5-9 mm in diam.).

A case of hemorrhagic Meckel's diverticulum diagnosed by transabdominal ultrasound.

A 23-year-old man with a history of anemia of unknown cause was referred to our hospital. He had experienced melena three times: at 6months, 10years, and 20years of age. He underwent upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopy at 10 and 20years of age, and small intestinal capsule endoscopy twice at 20years of age, but the site of bleeding could not be identified. At first, a transabdominal ultrasound was performed for suspected Meckel's diverticulum. A cystic diverticulum was found in the ileum, with an apertural diameter of 5mm and a total size of 4cm. The cyst showed an area of loss of wall stratification, which appeared to be an ulcer scar. Based on these observations, we diagnosed anemia resulting from a hemorrhagic Meckel's diverticulum and performed laparoscopic resection. Postoperative histopathology revealed ectopic gastric mucosa and ulcer formation within the Meckel's diverticulum, which was thought to be the cause of the bleeding. Meckel's diverticulum should be considered in cases of hemorrhage in young patients. A transabdominal ultrasound as a screening test detected a diverticulum with an ulcer scar in the ileum, which led to the identification of the underlying disease.

Sennoside A+B Is as Effective as Polyethylene Glycol in Preparation for Small Intestine Capsule Endoscopy.

We aimed to compare the effectiveness of the polyethylene glycol (PEG) and sennoside A+B regimens after clear fluid diet and fasting in bowel preperation of capsule endoscopy. In this retrospective single-center study, patients who were consecutively examined with small bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) between May 2010 and March 2023 were evaluated. Patients who underwent PEG 4 L and sennoside A+B calcium 250 mL for small bowel preparation were assigned. The quality of the small bowel cleaning and the diagnostic yield in detecting of small bowel lesions were compared. Two hundred forty-two patients who underwent SBCE for various indications (PEG 74.4%, sennoside A+B 25.6%) were included in the study. The mean proximal small bowel cleaning scores was 1.97 ± 0.77 for PEG and 1.98 ± 0.04 (P = .83) for sennoside A+B; the mid small bowel cleaning scores was 1.76 ± 0.84 for PEG and 1.59 ± 0.05 (P = .108) for sennoside A+B; the mean distal small bowel cleaning scores was 1.27 ± 0.08 for PEG and 1.3 ± 0.54 (P = .805) for sennoside A+B; and the total small bowel cleaning scores was 1.66 ± 0.06 and 1.62 ± 0.04 (P = .622) for PEG and sennoside A+B, respectively. There were no significant differences regarding small bowel cleaning scores both segmentally and totally. At the same time, the diagnostic value of SBCE was similar in both groups. The effectiveness of sennoside A+B in SBCE preparation is similar to that of PEG and can be used in intestinal cleansing.

Exploring Caffeic Acid and Lignosulfonate as Key Phenolic Ligands for Metal-Phenolic Network Assembly.

Films formed by metals and phenols through a coordinative interaction have been extensively studied in previous years. We report the successful formation of MPN films from the phenolic compounds caffeic acid and lignosulfonate using Fe3+ ions for complexation. The likewise examined p-coumaryl alcohol showed some MPN film formation tendency, while for coniferyl alcohol and sinapyl alcohol, no successful film buildup could be observed. These newly formed films were compared to tannic acid-Fe3+ films as a reference. Film growth and degradation were tracked by using UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. The films were degradable under different conditions such as alkaline environments or in the presence of a strong chelator. Small hollow capsules with a diameter of 3 μm and thicknesses in the nanometer range were produced. Additionally, the prepared films showed varying colors and levels of wettability. By utilizing the films' coating properties, we successfully dyed human hair in various colors.

Juncus snowii (Juncaceae), a New Rare Species Endemic to the Altamaha Grit of Georgia, U.S.A.

A new species, Juncus snowii W. M. Knapp & R. Carter (Juncaceae), is described from two counties of the Altamaha grit, a sandstone formation in the coastal plain physiographic province of Georgia, U.S.A. This new species resembles other members of Juncus L. sect. Ozophyllum Dumort. but is readily distinguished by a combination of characters including its typically annual life history, diminutive habit, and small capsules and tepals. The type locality is an area of geologic interest that supports a unique assemblage of rare and endemic plant species. Color photographs are provided for the new species, as well as preliminary conservation status assessments using NatureServe criteria (Critically Imperiled with extinction [G1]) and IUCN Red List criteria (Vulnerable [VU D2]).

Formulation and Evaluation of Capsule-in-Capsule Technology for Biphasic delivery of Glipizide

In the present research work, to formulation and evaluation of capsule-in-capsule technology for biphasic delivery of Glipizide. The advantages of fast releasing liquid-filled-capsules and slow release beads-filled-capsules were combined to meet the optimized requirements of our biphasic drug delivery system. Glipizide slow releasing beads were prepared by ionotrophic gelation method by using natural polymers like Sodium alginate, Pectin and were filled into a smaller capsule. Glipizide fast releasing liquid dispersion was prepared by using either Castor oil carriers and further prepared a glipizide emulsion. This fast releasing liquid and slow releasing beads-filled-capsule was further inserted into a bigger capsule body and Seal the capsule by hydro alcoholic solution. The various formulation batches were subjected to physicochemical studies, entrapment efficiency, drug content, in vitro drug release and stability studies. Interaction studies reveal that there was no interaction between drug and polymers employed in this study. The optimized capsule-in-a-capsule formulation released 22.65±0.74% of drug at the end of 30 min and 95.04±0.88% of drug at the end of 12h. The drug release profile of Glipizide capsule-in-a-capsule formulation fits well with Pepas model followed by zero order, first order and Korsemeyer-peppa’s model. Korsmeyer-Peppas model analysis indicated that the drug release followed non-Fickian transport mechanism. The stability results indicate that the various parameters of our optimized formulation are not affected on storage at 45°C/75%RH up to 4 months. Target of capsule-in-capsule drug delivery loading dose reaches therapeutic drug level in blood plasma for quicker onset of action and Maintenance dose which maintain an effective therapeutic level for prolong period. The prepared Glipizide biphasic cap-in-cap will be used for treatment of Diabetes.

Cloud technology and capsule endoscopy: A single-center users' experience of remote online video analysis and reporting.

Background and study aims Telemedicine has progressed significantly in recent years, with newer, more integrated information technology systems improving healthcare delivery. The development of the world's first cloud-based capsule platform could allow safe and timely virtual analysis of videos from a network of linked hospital centers. We aimed to assess the efficacy of Medtronic's PillCam Remote Reader System. Methods PillCam remote reader technical data were collected from the capsule endoscopy (CE) database over 8 months. User-reported performance was collect using an online survey. Outcomes included overall procedure success, video-upload/report-download rates and speeds, encryption/decryption rates, and user/reader satisfaction. Results Data from 377 studies encompassing seven different readers was collected (318 small bowel capsules, 59 colon capsules). Overall procedure success was 100% (all videos reported). Two upload delays occurred (< 24 hours). There were no encryption/decryption errors. Seven of seven respondents felt it easy to access and use vs one of seve for the old system. Six of seven respondents felt department efficiency increased. Benefits included off-site reading and multisite-conferences. Issues included offsite difficulty accessing other hospital systems. Conclusions PillCam remote reader is a reliable, secure, and effective capsule analysis platform and should be incorporated into any CE service development plan.

VIDEOFLUOROSCOPIC EVALUATION OF THE IMPACT OF CAPSULE SIZE AND SUBJECT'S AGE AND GENDER ON CAPSULE SWALLOWING.

People recurrently have difficulties swallowing solid medications, which can be associated with the size of the medication and the age and gender of individuals. To evaluate the impact of capsule size and adults' age and gender on oral and pharyngeal capsule transit during capsule swallows. Videofluoroscopy was used to measure capsule oral and pharyngeal transit during swallows in 49 healthy individuals (17 men and 32 women), with a mean age of 46 years (ranging from 23 to 88 years). Smaller capsules were filled with 0.50 mL of barium sulfate, and larger capsules were filled with 0.95 mL of barium sulfate; the volume of liquid ingested with the capsules was also quantified in each ingestion. The measurements included the oral preparation time, oral transit time, swallowing reaction time, time to laryngeal vestibule closure, laryngeal vestibule closure duration, pharyngeal transit time, and upper esophageal sphincter opening duration. The capsule size did not influence either the oral or pharyngeal transit time. Increased liquid volume was ingested with larger capsules and by people older than 40 years. The oral transit time was shorter in older adults (60-88 years), and the time to laryngeal vestibule closure was longer in women. The size of large capsules did not make a difference in oral or pharyngeal transit when compared with smaller capsules. The capsule size and the participant's age influenced the volume of liquid ingested - larger capsules and older individuals required a larger volume. The capsule oral transit was faster in individuals older than 60 years. •Swallowing is influenced by the characteristics of what is being swallowed. •There was no difference in swallowing capsules containing 0.50 mL or 0.95 mL. •Larger capsules need more liquid ingestion to make swallowing easier. •Individuals older than 40 years need a greater volume of liquid to swallow capsules than younger adults.

Analysis of Melting Dynamics and Parametric Optimization in Encapsulated Phase Change Materials for Thermal Energy Storage

Phase change materials (PCMs) effectively store thermal energy via latent heat absorption/release during solid-liquid phase transitions. Salt hydrates and paraffin waxes melting within 30 °C–75 °C are suited for low-temperature applications. However, inherent challenges include poor thermal conductivity and material leakage needing encapsulation. Here, we employ computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations to systematically elucidate design parameters optimizing the performance of encapsulated PCM thermal energy storage (TES) systems. Spherical capsules containing paraffin wax or salt hydrate PCMs were modeled under varied encapsulation radii (16–58 mm) and shell thicknesses (18–72 mm) using stainless steel. Increasing radius exponentially extended melting times due to declining surface area-to-volume ratios, indicating smaller subdivided capsules accelerate heat transfer. An optimum 54–55 mm thickness maximized efficiency before reductions from lessened surface effects. Salt hydrate doubled the volumetric storage density to 9.032 $/kWh versus paraffin, highlighting the importance of suitable PCM selection. Through elucidating size, containment and material impacts, these CFD analyses provide valuable insights guiding encapsulated TES system optimization for sustainable thermal management applications.

Optimization and application of shock wave measurement technology for shock-timing experiments on small-scale capsules

In laser fusion research, the precision of shock-timing technology is pivotal for attaining optimal adiabatic tuning during the compression phase of fusion capsules, which is crucial for ensuring the high-performance implosion. The current main technological approach for shock-timing experiments is to use keyhole targets and VISAR (velocity interferometer system for any reflector) diagnostics to measure the shock velocity history. Nonetheless, this approach encounters limitations when scaling down to smaller capsules, primarily due to the reduced effective reflection area available for VISAR diagnostics. In this work, a novel high-precision shock-timing experimental methodology is used to realize a double-step radiation-driven implosion of a 0.375 mm radius capsule on a 100 kJ laser facility. By calculating the intensity of VISAR images with spherical reflective surfaces, a new experimental technical route is proposed, i.e. using the keyhole cone reflection effect to enhance the VISAR diagnostic spatial area, which can effectively increase the effective data collection region by nearly threefold for small-scale capsules. The technique has been adeptly used to measure shock waves in cryogenic liquid-deuterium-filled capsules under shaped implosion experimental conditions, thus obtaining high-precision shock-timing experimental data. The experimental data reveal that the application of this technology can markedly enhance both the image quality and the precision of data analysis for shock wave velocity measurements in small-scale capsules. Furthermore, it is discovered that under similar laser conditions, there exist considerable variations in the shock velocity profiles. Simulation analysis shows that the difference in chasing behavior of the “&lt;i&gt;N&lt;/i&gt;+1” reflected shock wave caused by small changes in laser intensity is the main reason for the significant difference in merging speed. It is demonstrated that small changes in laser parameters can significantly affect the transmission behavior of the shock wave. This experiment highlights the complex sensitivity of shock wave transmission in high-performance forming implosion physics process on a current small capsule scale, making it essential to conduct shock-timing experiments to accurately adjust actual shock wave behavior. This research not only lays a robust technical foundation for promoting adiabatic tuning experiments ofour 100 kJ laser facility but also has profound significance for the ultra-high pressure physics research based on the spherical convergence effect.

Multi-objective Optimization for the Base Lattice Structure of a Small Space Sampling Return Capsule

The space sample-return mission capsule will bear a large landing impact at the moment of landing, so the return capsule structure is required to be the lightest under the premise of ensuring the safety of equipment and sampling samples. In view of the small size, compact layout and high lightweight requirements of the space sample-return mission module, the base lattice structure made of additive materials can achieve better comprehensive performance of landing impact resistance. In this paper, design of experiments (DOE) and surrogate model are used to carry out parameter sensitivity analysis and multi-objective optimization for the base lattice structure of small return capsule landing impact for space sampling. First, the parametric model of the large base lattice of the landing impact dynamics of the return capsule was established. Then, the Latin Hypercube Sampling (LHS) method was used to carry out sensitivity analysis of the lattice structure parameters and identify key factors. Finally, the response surface model was constructed, and the genetic algorithm was used to optimize the lattice structure parameters. The optimal design was obtained. By comparison with the dynamics analysis model, the results of the surrogate model are basically consistent with the dynamic analysis results.

Experimental study of dosimetric properties of thermoluminescent powder TLD-100

The creation of a scientifically substantiated quality assurance system for dosimetry and the optimization of medical exposure of the population of Ukraine during diagnostic and therapeutic procedures (and the possibility of dosimetric control and monitoring of emergency situations) falls within the field of the application of ionizing radiation sources (IRs). Trends in modern medicine in most countries, including Ukraine, prove a continued increase in the share of medical exposure. The main requirements and recommendations for the use of IRs for medical purposes while ensuring the radiation safety requirements for patients are provided in the documents of such International Organizations as the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Commission (EC).&#x0D; One of the key factors to ensure the quality of radiation therapy is metrological and dosimetric support. To enhance the effectiveness of radiation treatment and reduce the number of complications in the future, it is necessary to irradiate the local target within the patient’s body with a dose error of no more than 5%. Control of the radiation output of the therapeutic device, i.e., the calibration of the therapeutic beam used in the treatment process, is an essential element of radiation therapy.&#x0D; Radiation protection programmes are based on checking the accuracy of the calibration of remote radiotherapy devices using thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) – small plastic capsules filled with thermoluminescent powder that are sent by post to radiology centres for exposure to a specific dose in a water phantom.&#x0D; Radiation therapy in Ukraine is primarily conducted using cobalt machines, X-ray therapy devices and linear accelerators.&#x0D; The results of the study include the examination of the dependency of measurement results on various exposure parameters using the automatic reader PCL-3, the determination of dosimetric characteristics of the thermoluminescent powder TLD-100, and the development of a calibration method for thermoluminescent dosimeters under standard irradiation conditions on a remote gamma therapy device.&#x0D; Therefore, the accuracy of beam calibration using TLD dosimeters has been studied, which will enable to timely detect errors in clinical dosimetry and reduce the number of cases of radiation-related complications for patients during their treatment.

Controlled hydrogel-based encapsulation of macrophages determines cell survival and functionality upon cryopreservation

The development of novel cell-based therapies has increased the necessity to improve the long-term storage of cells. The current method of cryopreservation is far from optimal, causing ice-associated mechanical and osmotic damage to sensitive cells. Cell encapsulation is emerging as a new strategy to overcome those current limitations; however, few data are applicable to slow freezing, with conflicting results and multiple experimental conditions. The objective of this research work was to evaluate the impact of capsule size and encapsulation method on cell survival and functionality after a conventional freezing protocol. To this end, cells were encapsulated in alginate beads of different sizes, spanning the range of 200–2000 µm thanks to multiple extrusion techniques and conditions, and further cryopreserved using a slow cooling rate (−1°C/min) and 10 % DMSO as cryoprotectant. Our data show that there is a strong correlation between bead size and cell survival after a slow cooling cryopreservation process, with cell viabilities ranging from 7 to 70 % depending on the capsule size, with the smallest capsules (230 µm) achieving the highest level of survival. The obtained results indicate that the beads’ diameter, rather than their morphology or the technique used, plays a significant role in the post-thawing cell survival and functionality. These results show that a fine control of cell encapsulation in alginate hydrogels is required when it comes to overcoming the current limitations of long-term preservation techniques by slow cooling.

Towards a neurocognitive profile in familial cerebral cavernous malformations

BackgroundFamilial cerebral cavernous malformations (FCCM) is a rare autosomal dominant disease, characterized by vascular malformations that can lead to macro and microhemorrhages. The neurocognitive impact of FCCM is still underrecognized.MethodsWe report the clinical, neurocognitive, imaging and genetic data of a three generation family with FCCM.ResultsA 63-year-old man (proband) had progressive memory impairment since the last year. Neurologic exam was unremarkable. Brain MRI showed multiple large cavernomas (mainly in the pons, left temporal, and right temporo-parietal) and scattered microhemorrhages. Neuropsychological assessment mainly revealed left frontal and right temporo-parietal dysfunction. A 41-year-old daughter, presented with headache, vertigo and memory complaints in the last 2 years. Neurological examination revealed left central facial paralysis. Brain MRI showed two small right parietal and internal capsule cavernomas, as well as microhemorrhages. Neuropsychological assessment showed moderate temporal neocortical left dysfunction. A 34-year-old daughter had recurrent headache and memory complaints, with unremarkable neurological exam. Brain MRI revealed two large cavernomas (left fronto-orbitary and inferior temporal), with few microhemorrhages. Neuropsychological assessment was normal. A granddaughter had mild headaches and a small right cerebellar cavernoma, without microhemorrhages. Neuropsychological assessment showed mild temporal neocortical left dysfunction. A nonsense variant, c.55C > T; p.R19* generating a premature stop codon in CCM2 gene shared by all affected family members was identified.ConclusionsNeuropsychological evaluation showed that memory complaints and cognitive impairment could be an important unrecognized finding in FCCM. Its pathophysiological mechanisms are still unknown but the role of recurrent microhemorrhages could provide an interesting hypothesis.

Leptospermum hoipolloi (Myrtaceae), a new species from Aotearoa / New Zealand, segregated from Leptospermum scoparium s. l.

Leptospermum hoipolloi de Lange &amp; L.M.H. Schmid sp. nov. (Myrtaceae) is segregated from L. scoparium J.R. Forst. &amp; G. Forst. (sensu lato). The new species is endemic to Te Ika a Maui / North Island and the northern part of Te Wai Pounamu / South Island of Aotearoa / New Zealand. The new species is morphologically distinguished from L. scoparium s. str. by the distinctly sericeous, narrower, and longer (up to 30 × 6 mm) lanceolate to elliptic lanceolate leaves, larger (up to 30 mm in diameter) flowers (these white, pink-tinged, pink-streaked or red); capsules up to 15.1 × 14.1 mm (unopened) and 16.6 × 18.0 mm (opened). Three formae are recognised, f. hoipolloi, for those plants with shorter, narrower, glabrescent leaves, mostly white (occasionally pink tinged or red) flowers, and smaller capsules; f. procumbens L.M.H. Schmid &amp; de Lange f. nov., for those plants with a decumbent / prostrate growth habit, and silver-white to silvery grey hairy leaves, larger, white, pink-tinged or pink flowers, and larger capsules; and f. incanum (Cockayne) de Lange &amp; L.M.H. Schmid f. comb. &amp; stat. nov., for those plants previously recognised as L. scoparium var. incanum Cockayne, and which have an erect shrub growth habit, with longer, often broader leaves, whose young and maturing lamina is invested in silvery-grey or grey hairs; larger white, pink-tinged or streaked, pink or red flowers and capsules. Conservation assessments using the New Zealand Threat Classification System are proposed and a revised key to the Leptospermum of Aotearoa / New Zealand provided.

Ubiquitin Degradation of the AICAR Transformylase/IMP Cyclohydrolase Ade16 Regulates the Sexual Reproduction of Cryptococcus neoformans.

F-box protein is a key protein of the SCF E3 ubiquitin ligase complex, responsible for substrate recognition and degradation through specific interactions. Previous studies have shown that F-box proteins play crucial roles in Cryptococcus sexual reproduction. However, the molecular mechanism by which F-box proteins regulate sexual reproduction in C. neoformans is unclear. In the study, we discovered the AICAR transformylase/IMP cyclohydrolase Ade16 as a substrate of Fbp1. Through protein interaction and stability experiments, we demonstrated that Ade16 is a substrate for Fbp1. To examine the role of ADE16 in C. neoformans, we constructed the iADE16 strains and ADE16OE strains to analyze the function of Ade16. Our results revealed that the iADE16 strains had a smaller capsule and showed growth defects under NaCl, while the ADE16OE strains were sensitive to SDS but not to Congo red, which is consistent with the stress phenotype of the fbp1Δ strains, indicating that the intracellular protein expression level after ADE16 overexpression was similar to that after FBP1 deletion. Interestingly, although iADE16 strains can produce basidiospores normally, ADE16OE strains can produce mating mycelia but not basidiospores after mating, which is consistent with the fbp1Δmutant strains, suggesting that Fbp1 is likely to regulate the sexual reproduction of C. neoformans through the modulation of Ade16. A fungal nuclei development assay showed that the nuclei of the ADE16OE strains failed to fuse in the bilateral mating, indicating that Ade16 plays a crucial role in the regulation of meiosis during mating. In summary, our findings have revealed a new determinant factor involved in fungal development related to the post-translational regulation of AICAR transformylase/IMP cyclohydrolase.

Towards Differential Static Magnetic Localization of Commercial Capsule Endoscopes: An Evaluation Using Different Ring and Cylindrical Magnets

Abstract. Capsule endoscopy is a promising diagnostic tool for the entire gastrointestinal tract. Since a patient swallows the capsules, their size must be sufficiently small. The principal built-in components are cameras, silver-oxide batteries, light emitting diodes, and an antenna for transmitting the video. For diagnosis and treatment, the precise localization of the capsules for specific video frames is required. Recently, static magnetic localization of these capsules with an integrated permanent magnet showed promising results. However, in the state-of-the-art, relatively large magnets compared to the small capsules were used. Therefore, in this extended paper, the localization performance of a recently proposed optimized differential static magnetic localization method for different sized disc and ring magnets was evaluated. The ring magnets were designed for integration with the two batteries of commercial capsules. The magnets were evaluated in static and dynamic scenarios to evaluate the performance of the method in a patient's daily life. It was revealed that the mean position and orientation errors did not exceed 5 mm and 4∘, respectively, for all applied magnets except for the 1.5 and 3 mm long disc magnets. Moreover, the results indicated that the ferromagnetic batteries of capsule endoscopes increase the localization performance when they are centered within a diametrical ring magnet. Overall, it was revealed that the localization performance of the optimized differential method is significantly better than the state-of-the-art even when the magnet volume is significantly reduced compared to previous work. Therefore, it was concluded that 5 mm long disc magnet or a ring magnet are excellent candidates for integration into a commercial capsule for magnetic localization and yield the advantage of being passive magnetic sources.

Concept Descriptions for the VTR Rabbit System and Driver Fuel Test Assemblies

Two of the experiment vehicles being developed for the Versatile Test Reactor (VTR) are presented here. The first is a rabbit system that will enable rapid insertion of small test capsules into the high fast flux of the VTR core for relatively short durations. The rabbit concept development includes the construction/demonstration of a near-full-scale system in a deep-water pool to demonstrate functionality, development of a concept of operations and initial procedures, and validation of thermal-hydraulic modeling. In addition, modeling efforts are underway to simulate the thermal and neutronic environment of a rabbit capsule. The second type of experiment vehicle presented here is a driver fuel test assembly for inserting fuel and materials tests into the core by replacing a driver fuel assembly. A novel design for dismountable test assemblies is proposed for the VTR.

Reaching a burning plasma and ignition using smaller capsules/Hohlraums, higher radiation temperatures, and thicker ablator/ice on the national ignition facility

In indirect-drive implosions, the final core hot spot energy and pressure and, hence, neutron yield attainable in 1D increase with increasing laser peak power and, hence, radiation drive temperature at the fixed capsule and Hohlraum size. We present simple analytic scalings validated by 1D simulations that quantify the improvement in performance and use this to explain existing data and simulation trends. Extrapolating to the 500 TW National Ignition Facility peak power limit in a low gas-fill 5.4 mm diameter Hohlraum based on existing high adiabat implosion data at 400 TW, 1.3 MJ and 1 × 1016 yield, we find that a 2–3 × 1017 yield (0.5–0.7 MJ) is plausible using only 1.8 MJ of laser energy. Based on existing data varying deuterium–tritium (DT) fuel thickness and dopant areal density, further improvements should be possible by increasing DT fuel areal density, and hence confinement time and yield amplification.

Optoacoustic Endoscopy of the Gastrointestinal Tract

Optical endoscopy is the most commonly applied procedure for inspecting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and it is based on different approaches and designs, from using a flexible optical scope to swallowing a small camera capsule that obtains photographs as it advances through the digestive tract. Despite its wide use in GI diagnostics and theranostics, optical visualization only allows a superficial inspection of the wall lining (mucosa), therefore limiting the ability to obtain information from deeper GI layers. In the quest for developing methods to visualize under the mucosal layers, we review herein progress with optoacoustic endoscopy, a technique that captures optical contrast in high resolution deep inside tissues, enabling imaging beneath the surface of the mucosa. Optoacoustic endoscopy combines imaging of optical contrast with the resolution and depth penetration afforded by ultrasonography, thus merging highly advantageous characteristics for clinical applications. We review progress and the current status of the technology, its key endoscopic competitors, and challenges for clinical application. We further offer a perspective regarding future directions and the overall application potential of the technique to complement the current state-of-the-art.