• Energy Research
• clinical medicine close
• European Commission close

The effects of the charged ion species 4He, 12C and 20Ne on glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) T98G, U87 and LN18 cell lines were compared with the effects of 200 kVp X-rays (1.7 keV/μm). These cell lines have different genetic profiles. Individual GBM relative biological effectiveness (RBE) was estimated in two ways: the RBE10 at 10% survival fraction and the RBE2Gy after 2 Gy doses. The linear quadratic model radiosensitivity parameters α and β and the α/β ratio of each ion type were determined as a function of LET. Mono-energetic 4He, 12C and 20Ne ions were generated by the Heavy Ion Medical Accelerator at the National Institute of Radiological Sciences in Chiba, Japan. Colony-formation assays were used to evaluate the survival fractions. The LET of the various ions used ranged from 2.3 to 100 keV/μm (covering the depth-dose plateau region to clinically relevant LET at the Bragg peak). For U87 and LN18, the RBE10 increased with LET and peaked at 85 keV/μm, whereas T98G peaked at 100 keV/μm. All three GBM α parameters peaked at 100 keV/μm. There is a statistically significant difference between the three GBM RBE10 values, except at 100 keV/μm (P < 0.01), and a statistically significant difference between the α values of the GBM cell lines, except at 85 and 100 keV/μm. The biological response varied depending on the GBM cell lines and on the ions used.

Abstract Background Distributed lag non-linear models (DLNMs) are the reference framework for modelling lagged non-linear associations. They are usually used in large-scale multi-location studies. Attempts to study these associations in small areas either did not include the lagged non-linear effects, did not allow for geographically-varying risks or downscaled risks from larger spatial units through socioeconomic and physical meta-predictors when the estimation of the risks was not feasible due to low statistical power. Methods Here we proposed spatial Bayesian DLNMs (SB-DLNMs) as a new framework for the estimation of reliable small-area lagged non-linear associations, and demonstrated the methodology for the case study of the temperature-mortality relationship in the 73 neighbourhoods of the city of Barcelona. We generalized location-independent DLNMs to the Bayesian framework (B-DLNMs), and extended them to SB-DLNMs by incorporating spatial models in a single-stage approach that accounts for the spatial dependence between risks. Results The results of the case study highlighted the benefits of incorporating the spatial component for small-area analysis. Estimates obtained from independent B-DLNMs were unstable and unreliable, particularly in neighbourhoods with very low numbers of deaths. SB-DLNMs addressed these instabilities by incorporating spatial dependencies, resulting in more plausible and coherent estimates and revealing hidden spatial patterns. In addition, the Bayesian framework enriches the range of estimates and tests that can be used in both large- and small-area studies. Conclusions SB-DLNMs account for spatial structures in the risk associations across small areas. By modelling spatial differences, SB-DLNMs facilitate the direct estimation of non-linear exposure-response lagged associations at the small-area level, even in areas with as few as 19 deaths. The manuscript includes an illustrative code to reproduce the results, and to facilitate the implementation of other case studies by other researchers.

Various sociodemographic and behavioral health factors have been reported to influence the development of metabolic syndrome (Mets). In addition, the effects of various sociodemographic and health related characteristics on single-person households appear to be influenced by sex. Considering the surge in the number of single-person households globally, we conducted a sex-stratified analysis of the factors that affect the development of Mets among single-person Korean households. We used secondary data from the 2016–2018 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) for this study. A total of 1830 participants (aged ≥19 years) without any missing data were analyzed in this study. The chi-square test and multiple logistic regression were used to analyze the study data. The results of the multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the significant risk factors for Mets in men were age, body mass index (BMI), subjective health status, subjective recognition of body shape, household income, and sleep hours, whereas age, BMI, subjective health status, exercise, and sleep hours were the significant risk factors for Mets in women. Specialized sex-specific health policies and programs are needed to reduce the prevalence of Mets in single-person households.

Radiation (RT) remains the most frequently used treatment against cancer. The main limitation of RT is its lack of specificity for cancer tissues and the limited maximum radiation dose that can be safely delivered without damaging the surrounding healthy tissues. A step forward in the development of better RT is achieved by coupling it with other treatments, such as photodynamic therapy (PDT). PDT is an anti-cancer therapy that relies on the light activation of non-toxic molecules—called photosensitizers—to generate ROS such as singlet oxygen. By conjugating photosensitizers to dense nanoscintillators in hybrid architectures, the PDT could be activated during RT, leading to cell death through an additional pathway with respect to the one activated by RT alone. Therefore, combining RT and PDT can lead to a synergistic enhancement of the overall efficacy of RT. However, the involvement of hybrids in combination with ionizing radiation is not trivial: the comprehension of the relationship among RT, scintillation emission of the nanoscintillator, and therapeutic effects of the locally excited photosensitizers is desirable to optimize the design of the hybrid nanoparticles for improved effects in radio-oncology. Here, we discuss the working principles of the PDT-activated RT methods, pointing out the guidelines for the development of effective coadjutants to be tested in clinics.

Les zones rurales des pays en développement se caractérisent par un manque de ressources, une faible densité de population et une pénurie d'infrastructures de communication. Ces circonstances rendent difficile la fourniture de services de santé appropriés. Cet article explique les résultats de la recherche réalisée par Enlace Hispano Americano de Salud - Hispano American Health Link (EHAS) et comment ils ont contribué à améliorer les soins de santé dans des zones isolées des pays en développement grâce à l'utilisation des technologies de l'information et de la communication (TIC). Dans un premier temps, l'EHAS collabore toujours avec les systèmes de santé publique pour identifier ses besoins en matière de communication et d'information. Sur la base de l'analyse des besoins, l'EHAS effectue des recherches sur les technologies appropriées pour assurer la communication dans chaque contexte et sur les systèmes d'information adaptés aux besoins du personnel de santé. En parallèle, EHAS a travaillé pour fournir des applications qui, en utilisant les services de communication installés, pourraient améliorer les services de soins de santé dans ces zones reculées. Dans cette ligne, des solutions pour améliorer la surveillance épidémiologique ou pour fournir des services de télémédecine (comme un stéthoscope numérique ou un système de télémicroscopie) ont été développées. EHAS a également effectué plusieurs recherches visant à assurer la durabilité de ses solutions et les a résumées dans un cadre de gestion pour la fourniture durable de soins de santé en ligne. Enfin, l'effort de diffusion des connaissances acquises s'est cristallisé dans un livre qui détaille toutes les technologies et procédures précédemment mentionnées. Las zonas rurales de los países en desarrollo se caracterizan por la falta de recursos, la baja densidad de población y la escasez de infraestructura de comunicaciones. Estas circunstancias dificultan la prestación de servicios de salud adecuados. Este artículo explica los resultados de la investigación realizada por Enlace Hispano Americano de Salud - Hispano American Health Link (EHAS) y cómo han contribuido a mejorar la atención médica en áreas aisladas de países en desarrollo mediante el uso de tecnologías de la información y la comunicación (TIC). Como primer paso, EHAS siempre colabora con los sistemas de salud pública para identificar sus necesidades de comunicación e información. A partir del análisis de necesidades, EHAS realiza investigaciones sobre tecnologías adecuadas para proporcionar comunicación en cada contexto y sobre sistemas de información adecuados a las necesidades del personal sanitario. Paralelamente, EHAS ha trabajado para proporcionar aplicaciones que, haciendo uso de los servicios de comunicaciones instalados, podrían mejorar los servicios de atención médica en estas áreas remotas. En esta línea, se han desarrollado soluciones para mejorar la vigilancia epidemiológica o para prestar servicios de telemedicina (como un estetoscopio digital o un sistema de telemicroscopía). EHAS también ha realizado varias investigaciones tratando de garantizar la sostenibilidad de sus soluciones y las ha resumido en un Marco de Gestión para la Prestación Sostenible de e-Healthcare. Finalmente, el esfuerzo por difundir el conocimiento adquirido se ha cristalizado en un libro que detalla todas las tecnologías y procedimientos mencionados anteriormente. Rural areas in developing countries are characterized by lack of resources, low population density, and scarcity of communications infrastructure. These circumstances make it difficult to provide appropriate health-care services. This paper explains research results achieved by Enlace Hispano Americano de Salud - Hispano American Health Link (EHAS) and how they have contributed to improve healthcare in isolated areas of developing countries through the use of information and communication technologies (ICT). As the first step, EHAS always collaborates with public health systems to identify its communication and information needs. Based on the analysis of needs, EHAS does research on appropriate technologies to provide communication in each context and on information systems suited to needs of health personnel. In parallel, EHAS has worked to provide applications that, making use of the communications services installed, could improve the health-care services in these remote areas. In this line, solutions to improve epidemiological surveillance or to provide telemedicine services (like a digital stethoscope or a tele-microscopy system) have been developed. EHAS has also performed several researches trying to ensure the sustainability of their solutions and has summarized them in a Management Framework for Sustainable e-Healthcare Provision. Finally, the effort to spread acquired knowledge has crystallized in a book that details all the technologies and procedures previously mentioned. تتميز المناطق الريفية في البلدان النامية بنقص الموارد وانخفاض الكثافة السكانية وندرة البنية التحتية للاتصالات. هذه الظروف تجعل من الصعب توفير خدمات الرعاية الصحية المناسبة. تشرح هذه الورقة نتائج البحث التي حققتها Enlace Hispano Americano de Salud - Hispano American Health Link (EHAS) وكيف ساهمت في تحسين الرعاية الصحية في المناطق المعزولة من البلدان النامية من خلال استخدام تكنولوجيا المعلومات والاتصالات (ICT). كخطوة أولى، تتعاون EHAS دائمًا مع أنظمة الصحة العامة لتحديد احتياجاتها من الاتصالات والمعلومات. بناءً على تحليل الاحتياجات، تجري EHAS أبحاثًا حول التقنيات المناسبة لتوفير التواصل في كل سياق وعلى أنظمة المعلومات المناسبة لاحتياجات العاملين الصحيين. في موازاة ذلك، عملت EHAS على توفير التطبيقات التي، باستخدام خدمات الاتصالات المثبتة، يمكن أن تحسن خدمات الرعاية الصحية في هذه المناطق النائية. في هذا الخط، تم تطوير حلول لتحسين المراقبة الوبائية أو لتوفير خدمات التطبيب عن بعد (مثل سماعة الطبيب الرقمية أو نظام المجهر عن بعد). كما أجرت EHAS العديد من الأبحاث في محاولة لضمان استدامة حلولها ولخصتها في إطار إداري لتوفير الرعاية الصحية الإلكترونية المستدامة. أخيرًا، تبلور الجهد المبذول لنشر المعرفة المكتسبة في كتاب يفصل جميع التقنيات والإجراءات المذكورة سابقًا.

In light ion therapy, the knowledge of the spectra of both primary and secondary particles in the target volume is needed in order to accurately describe the treatment. The transport of ions in matter is complex and comprises both atomic and nuclear processes involving primary and secondary ions produced in the cascade of events. One of the critical issues in the simulation of ion transport is the modeling of inelastic nuclear reaction processes, in which projectile nuclei interact with target nuclei and give rise to nuclear fragments. In the Monte Carlo code SHIELD-HIT, inelastic nuclear reactions are described by the Many Stage Dynamical Model (MSDM), which includes models for the different stages of the interaction process. In this work, the capability of SHIELD-HIT to simulate the nuclear fragmentation of carbon ions in tissue-like materials was studied. The value of the parameter κ, which determines the so-called freeze-out volume in the Fermi break-up stage of the nuclear interaction process, was adjusted in order to achieve better agreement with experimental data. In this paper, results are shown both with the default value κ = 1 and the modified value κ = 10 which resulted in the best overall agreement. Comparisons with published experimental data were made in terms of total and partial charge-changing cross-sections generated by the MSDM, as well as integral and differential fragment yields simulated by SHIELD-HIT in intermediate and thick water targets irradiated with a beam of 400 MeV u(-1) (12)C ions. Better agreement with the experimental data was in general obtained with the modified parameter value (κ = 10), both on the level of partial charge-changing cross-sections and fragment yields.

ObjectivesAlmost a quarter of the global burden of disease and mortalities is attributable to environmental causes, the magnitude of which is projected to increase in the near future. However, in many low- and middle-income settings, there remains a large gap in the synthesis of evidence on climate-sensitive health outcomes. In India, now the world’s most populous country, little remains known about the impacts of climate change on various health outcomes. The objective of this study is to better understand the challenges faced in conducting climate change and health research in Puducherry, India.Design and settingIn this study, we employed key informant interviews to deepen the understanding of the perceived research barriers in Puducherry. The findings were analysed using data-driven qualitative thematic analysis to elaborate the major perceived barriers to conducting environmental health research.ParticipantsThis study was conducted among 16 public health professionals, including medical researchers, and professionals involved in environmental policies and planning in Puducherry.ResultsWe identify three key barriers faced by public health professionals as key stakeholders, namely: (1) political and institutional barriers; (2) education and awareness barriers; and (3) technical research barriers. We show there is a need, from the professionals’ perspective, to improve community and political awareness on climate change and health; strengthen technical research capacity and collaboration among researchers; and strengthen health surveillance, resource allocation and access to health data for research.ConclusionEvidence informed policies and interventions are a key element in the adaptation response for countries. In the context of the paucity of data on environmental health from India, despite recognised climate change related health vulnerabilities, these findings could contribute to the development and improvement of relevant interventions conducive to a strong research environment.