Characterization of Markerless Tumor Tracking Using the On-Board Imager of a Commercial Linear Accelerator Equipped With Fast-kV Switching Dual-Energy Imaging.

Purpose: To describe and characterize fast-kV switching, dual-energy (DE) imaging implemented within the on-board imager of a commercial linear accelerator for markerless tumor tracking (MTT).

Methods And Materials: Fast-kV switching, DE imaging provides for rapid switching between programmed tube voltages (ie, 60 and 120 kVp) from one image frame to the next. To characterize this system, the weighting factor used for logarithmic subtraction and signal difference-to-noise ratio were analyzed as a function of time and frame rate.

Pregnancy in Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease: The Experience of an Italian Thalassemia Center.

The life expectancy of thalassemia patients has increased significantly in recent years being the most "elderly" patients approaching or are over 50 years old. Consequently, patients' perspectives have changed, leading them to longer-term planning with a consequent increase in their reproductive potential and desire to have children. Crucial points in the management of pregnancy in thalassemia are the iron chelation therapy before and during pregnancy, the antithrombotic prophylaxis, the management of transfusion therapy according to the modified transfusion requirement, a cardiologic monitoring for hemodynamic changes that expose an increased risk of heart failure.

Adaptive weighted log subtraction based on neural networks for markerless tumor tracking using dual-energy fluoroscopy.

Purpose: To present a novel method, based on convolutional neural networks (CNN), to automate weighted log subtraction (WLS) for dual-energy (DE) fluoroscopy to be used in conjunction with markerless tumor tracking (MTT).

Methods: A CNN was developed to automate WLS (aWLS) of DE fluoroscopy to enhance soft tissue visibility. Briefly, this algorithm consists of two phases: training a CNN architecture to predict pixel-wise weighting factors followed by application of WLS subtraction to reduce anatomical noise.

Fast-switching dual energy cone beam computed tomography using the on-board imager of a commercial linear accelerator.

To evaluate fast-kV switching (FS) dual energy (DE) cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) using the on-board imager (OBI) of a commercial linear accelerator to produce virtual monoenergetic (VM) and relative electron density (RED) images. Using an polynomial attenuation mapping model, CBCT phantom projections obtained at 80 and 140 kVp with FS imaging, were decomposed into equivalent thicknesses of aluminum (Al) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). All projections were obtained with the titanium foil and bowtie filter in place.

Markerless tumor tracking using fast-kV switching dual-energy fluoroscopy on a benchtop system.

Purpose: To evaluate markerless tumor tracking (MTT) using fast-kV switching dual-energy (DE) fluoroscopy on a bench top system.

Methods: Fast-kV switching DE fluoroscopy was implemented on a bench top which includes a turntable stand, flat panel detector, and x-ray tube. The customized generator firmware enables consecutive x-ray pulses that alternate between programmed high and low energies (e.

Accuracy of low-dose proton CT image registration for pretreatment alignment verification in reference to planning proton CT.

Purpose: Proton CT (pCT) has the ability to reduce inherent uncertainties in proton treatment by directly measuring the relative proton stopping power with respect to water, thereby avoiding the uncertain conversion of X-ray CT Hounsfield unit to relative stopping power and the deleterious effect of X- ray CT artifacts. The purpose of this work was to further evaluate the potential of pCT for pretreatment positioning using experimental pCT data of a head phantom.

Methods: The performance of a 3D image registration algorithm was tested with pCT reconstructions of a pediatric head phantom.

At-Home Application of Autologous Platelet Rich Plasma as Treatment for Pressure Sore and Related Anemia.

Pressure sores are a major complication in the bed-ridden older patient. In this report, we present the case of platelet rich plasma (PRP) application for the treatment of a pressure sore in an 88-year-old female affected by transfusion-dependent chronic inflammatory disease anemia associated with the congenital and inherited condition of thalassemic trait carrier. A weekly application schedule was planned athome, given the patient's debilitation and her decreased performance status as well as personal and family difficulties to go as outpatients at our treatment center.

Mechanisms of uterine specificity of vaginal progesterone.

Endometrial transformations achieved by vaginal progesterone exceed those normally expected from the circulating concentrations obtained, this suggests some degree of direct vagina to uterus transport. We speculate on the different mechanisms involved in uterine specificity of vaginal progesterone and report data of a preliminary randomized study comparing progesterone concentrations in serum and endometrial tissue obtained from hysterectomy specimens after vaginal or i.m.

[The role of vaginal pH. Importance of its normalization in the prevention of recurrent vaginitis].

Background: A sample of 100 women was clinically examined for a very various vulvovaginal symptomatology and an individual diagnosis of vulvovaginitis of different aetiology was established.

Methods: All women were treated with antibiotic and/or antimycotic drugs on the basis of individual diagnosis. Sixty women had only this treatment, while 40 women had also a supplementary treatment with a cleanser emulsion characterized by physiologic pH value and an antiseptic activity due to a vegetable extract (Saugella Attiva, Lab.