• Energy Research
• clinical medicine close
• JP close
• SDSN Greece close

We experimentally evaluated the proton beam dose reproducibility, sensitivity, angular dependence and depth‐dose relationships for a new Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor (MOSFET) detector. The detector was fabricated with a thinner oxide layer and was operated at high‐bias voltages. In order to accurately measure dose distributions, we developed a practical method for correcting the MOSFET response to proton beams. The detector was tested by examining lateral dose profiles formed by protons passing through an L‐shaped bolus. The dose reproducibility, angular dependence and depth‐dose response were evaluated using a 190 MeV proton beam. Depth‐output curves produced using the MOSFET detectors were compared with results obtained using an ionization chamber (IC). Since accurate measurements of proton dose distribution require correction for LET effects, we developed a simple dose‐weighted correction method. The correction factors were determined as a function of proton penetration depth, or residual range. The residual proton range at each measurement point was calculated using the pencil beam algorithm. Lateral measurements in a phantom were obtained for pristine and SOBP beams. The reproducibility of the MOSFET detector was within 2%, and the angular dependence was less than 9%. The detector exhibited a good response at the Bragg peak (0.74 relative to the IC detector). For dose distributions resulting from protons passing through an L‐shaped bolus, the corrected MOSFET dose agreed well with the IC results. Absolute proton dosimetry can be performed using MOSFET detectors to a precision of about 3% (1 sigma). A thinner oxide layer thickness improved the LET in proton dosimetry. By employing correction methods for LET dependence, it is possible to measure absolute proton dose using MOSFET detectors.PACS number: 87.56.‐v

To summarize the results of treatment for sacral chordoma in Phase I-II and Phase II carbon ion radiotherapy trials for bone and soft-tissue sarcomas.We performed a retrospective analysis of 38 patients with medically unresectable sacral chordomas treated with the Heavy Ion Medical Accelerator in Chiba, Japan between 1996 and 2003. Of the 38 patients, 30 had not received previous treatment and 8 had locally recurrent tumor after previous resection. The applied carbon ion dose was 52.8-73.6 Gray equivalents (median, 70.4) in a total of 16 fixed fractions within 4 weeks.The median patient age was 66 years. The cranial tumor extension was S2 or greater in 31 patients. The median clinical target volume was 523 cm(3). The median follow-up period was 80 months. The 5-year overall survival rate was 86%, and the 5-year local control rate was 89%. After treatment, 27 of 30 patients with primary tumor remained ambulatory with or without supportive devices. Two patients experienced severe skin or soft-tissue complications requiring skin grafts.Carbon ion radiotherapy appears effective and safe in the treatment of patients with sacral chordoma and offers a promising alternative to surgery.

The paper describes the development of chemical modules simulating the prechemical and chemical stages of charged particle tracks in pure liquid water. These calculations are based on our physical track structure codes for electrons and ions (KURBUC, LEPHIST and LEAHIST) which provide the initial spatial distribution of H2O+, H2O* and subexcitation electrons at approximately 10(-15) s. We considered 11 species and 26 chemical reactions. A step-by-step Monte Carlo approach was adopted for the chemical stage between 10(-12) s and 10(-6) s. The chemistry codes enabled to simulate the non-homogeneous chemistry that pertains to electron, proton and alpha-particle tracks of various linear energy transfers (LET). Time-dependent yields of chemical species produced by electrons and ions of different energies were calculated. The calculated primary yields (G values at 10(-6) s) of 2.80 for OH and 2.59 for e(aq)- for 1 MeV electrons are in good agreement with the published values. The calculated G values at 10(-6) s for a wide range LETs from of 0.2 to 235 keV microm(-1) were obtained. The calculations show the LET dependence for OH and H2O2. The electron penetration ranges were calculated in order to discuss the role of low energy electrons.

Minimally invasive treatment of symptomatic thyroid nodules is now commonplace. Ethanol ablation (EA) of thyroid cystic nodules has been performed since the 1990s, but there is no global consensus or guideline. Although various limitations of EA have been described, recommendations for practical application are necessary. Therefore, the Task Force Committee of the Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology initiated the present consensus statement and here we provide recommendations for the role of EA in the management of symptomatic thyroid nodules. These recommendations are based on evidence to date from the literature and expert opinion.

Synovial fluid was collected from the superior articular cavity of the temporomandibular joint in patients with unilateral internal derangement and joint pain whose contralateral joint was healthy. Glycosaminoglycans were liberated by digestion with pronase E, and precipitated with cetylpyridinium chloride and ethanol. Unsaturated disaccharide isomers of chondroitin sulfate, obtained following chondroitinase ACII digestion, were analyzed by high‐performance liquid chromatography. Analytic data indicated that ΔDi‐0S and ΔDi‐6S were often found in chondroitin sulfate from the fluid of the diseased joints. The amounts of ΔDi‐0S and ΔDi‐6S differed significantly between synovial fluid samples from the diseased and healthy joints. Comparison of the relative proportions of the unsaturated disaccharides in the synovial fluid with previously reported values for several tissues, indicated that the chondroitin sulfate originated from articular cartilage, with possibly some contributions from soft connective tissues and serum present in the synovial fluid. These results suggest that chondroitin sulfate in the synovial fluid provides a useful indicator of the degree of internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint.

The anticonvulsant effect of [(+/-)-2-[(inden-7-yloxy)methyl]morpholine (indeloxazine) HCl, a new cerebral activator, was investigated in rats against kindled seizures from the amygdala, an assumed model of secondarily generalized seizures in human. Indeloxazine (0.25-10 mg/kg, IP) dose-dependently depressed the kindled seizure and shortened the evoked amygdaloid afterdischarge. A high dose of indeloxazine (40 mg/kg, IP), however, induced generalized seizures. Comparison of the effects on the kindled seizures of indeloxazine to those of phenytoin, diazepam, ethanol, and imipramine revealed that the anticonvulsant actions of indeloxazine are similar to those of imipramine but not to those of phenytoin, ethanol, and diazepam. The results suggest that indeloxazine may exert its action through the monoaminergic system in the brain.

The Healthy City program is a comprehensive health promotion program implemented by local governments to improve citizens’ health. The Healthy City program aims to improve citizens’ quality of life through health promotion activities in daily life. It also improves health by eliminating health risk factors and increasing citizens’ happiness. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of the Healthy City program on the happiness index of local residents and the correlation between the Healthy City program and the happiness index using quality of life as a parameter. We conducted a questionnaire survey of residents of Seoul, where Healthy City networks are actively promoted. A total of 392 responses were obtained. Structural equations were used to analyze the collected data. The Healthy City program had positive effects on the happiness index. In other words, it increased the happiness index by improving the health of the local residents. Relevant policy efforts are also being made to advance health services through Healthy City programs. For an effective Healthy City program, it is necessary to implement policies regarding health equity, to expand Healthy City programs based on a settings approach, and to implement a sustainable Healthy City program through the establishment of Healthy City governance.

The impacts of climate change on human health have been observed and projected in the Philippines as vector-borne and heat-related diseases have and continue to increase. As a response, the Philippine government has given priority to climate change and health as one of the main research funding topics. To guide in identifying more specific research topics, a scoping review was done to complement the agenda-setting process by mapping out the extent of climate change and health research done in the country. Research articles and grey literature published from 1980 to 2017 were searched from online databases and search engines, and a total of 34 quantitative studies were selected. Fifty-three percent of the health topics studied were about mosquito-borne diseases, particularly dengue fever. Seventy-nine percent of the studies reported evidence of positive associations between climate factors and health outcomes. Recommended broad research themes for funding were health vulnerability, health adaptation, and co-benefits. Other notable recommendations were the development of open data and reproducible modeling schemes. In conclusion, the scoping review was useful in providing a background for research agenda-setting; however, additional analyses or consultations should be complementary for added depth.