Gadolinium oxide nanoparticles as a multimodal contrast enhancement agent for pre-clinical proton imaging.

Orthotopic tumor models in pre-clinical translational research are becoming increasingly popular, raising the demands on accurate tumor localization prior to irradiation. This task remains challenging both in X-ray and proton computed tomography (xCT and pCT, respectively), due to the limited contrast of tumor tissue compared to the surrounding tissue. We investigate the feasibility of gadolinium oxide nanoparticles as multimodal contrast enhancement agent for both imaging modalities.

Dosimetric and temporal beam characterization of individual pulses in FLASH radiotherapy using Timepix3 pixelated detector placed out-of-field.

Background: FLASH radiotherapy necessitates the development of advanced Quality Assurance methods and detectors for accurate monitoring of the radiation field. This study introduces enhanced time-resolution detection systems and methods used to measure the delivered number of pulses, investigate temporal structure of individual pulses and dose-per-pulse (DPP) based on secondary radiation particles produced in the experimental room.

Methods: A 20 MeV electron beam generated from a linear accelerator (LINAC) was delivered to a water phantom.

Particle tracking, recognition and LET evaluation of out-of-field proton therapy delivered to a phantom with implants.

This study aims to assess the composition of scattered particles generated in proton therapy for tumors situated proximal to some titanium (Ti) dental implants. The investigation involves decomposing the mixed field and recording Linear Energy Transfer (LET) spectra to quantify the influence of metallic dental inserts located behind the tumor.A therapeutic conformal proton beam was used to deliver the treatment plan to an anthropomorphic head phantom with two types of implants inserted in the target volume (made of Ti and plastic, respectively).

Thermal neutron detection and track recognition method in reference and out-of-field radiotherapy FLASH electron fields using Timepix3 detectors.

This work presents a method for enhanced detection, imaging, and measurement of the thermal neutron flux.. Measurements were performed in a water tank, while the detector is positioned out-of-field of a 20 MeV ultra-high pulse dose rate electron beam.

Measurement of the time structure of FLASH beams using prompt gamma rays and secondary neutrons as surrogates.

. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of online monitoring of irradiation time (IRT) and scan time for FLASH proton radiotherapy using a pixelated semiconductor detector..

Self-Reported Chronic Back Pain and Current Depression in Brazil: A National Level Study.

There is limited literature investigating the association between chronic back pain (CBP) and depression in Brazil. This study evaluates the association between CBP, CBP-related physical limitations (CBP-RPL), and self-reported current depression (SRCD), in a nationally representative sample of Brazilian adults. The data for this cross-sectional study came from the 2019 Brazilian National Health Survey ( = 71,535).

Single proton LET characterization with the Timepix detector and artificial intelligence for advanced proton therapy treatment planning.

Protons have advantageous dose distributions and are increasingly used in cancer therapy. At the depth of the Bragg peak range, protons produce a mixed radiation field consisting of low- and high-linear energy transfer (LET) components, the latter of which is characterized by an increased ionization density on the microscopic scale associated with increased biological effectiveness. Prediction of the yield and LET of primary and secondary charged particles at a certain depth in the patient is performed by Monte Carlo simulations but is difficult to verify experimentally.

Out-of-field measurements and simulations of a proton pencil beam in a wide range of dose rates using a Timepix3 detector: Dose rate, flux and LET.

Stray radiation produced by ultra-high dose-rates (UHDR) proton pencil beams is characterized using ASIC-chip semiconductor pixel detectors. A proton pencil beam with an energy of 220 MeV was utilized to deliver dose rates (DR) ranging from conventional radiotherapy DRs up to 270 Gy/s. A MiniPIX Timepix3 detector equipped with a silicon sensor and integrated readout electronics was used.

Monte Carlo modelling of pixel clusters in Timepix detectors using the MCNP code.

The track structure of the signal measured by the semiconductor pixel detector Timepix3 was modelled in the Monte Carlo MCNP® code. A detailed model at the pixel-level (256 × 256 pixels, 55 × 55 µm pixel size) was developed and used to generate and store clusters of adjacent hit pixels observed in the measured data because of particle energy deposition path, charge sharing, and drift processes. An analytical model of charge sharing effect and the detector energy resolution was applied to the simulated data.

A novel proton counting detector and method for the validation of tissue and implant material maps for Monte Carlo dose calculation.

The presence of artificial implants complicates the delivery of proton therapy due to inaccurate characterization of both the implant and the surrounding tissues. In this work, we describe a method to characterize implant and human tissue mimicking materials in terms of relative stopping power (RSP) using a novel proton counting detector. Each proton is tracked by directly measuring the deposited energy along the proton track using a fast, pixelated spectral detector AdvaPIX-TPX3 (TPX3).

A key indicator of nicotine dependence is associated with greater depression symptoms, after accounting for smoking behavior.

Introduction: Depression is a global burden that is exacerbated by smoking. The association between depression and chronic smoking is well-known; however, existing findings contain possible confounding between nicotine dependence (ND), a latent construct measuring addiction, and objective smoking behavior. The current study examines the possible unique role of ND in explaining depression, independently of smoking behavior.

The Association Between Hours Spent at Work and Obesity Status: Results From NHANES 2015 to 2016.

Purpose: To determine whether weekly hours worked is associated with obesity among employed adults in the United States.

Design: Data from the 2015 to 2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used for this study. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey is a cross-sectional study.

Does self-rated health status influence receipt of an annual flu vaccination?

Despite 79,400 deaths due to the influenza (flu) virus during the 2017-18 season, <50% of US adults receive an annual flu vaccination (AFV). Self-rated health status (SRH) is associated with health behavior utilization. The current study aims to determine if an association exists between an individual's SRH and their receipt of an AFV.

The association between obesity and self-reported current depression among adult cancer survivors residing in Brazil.

Background: The purpose of the current study was to investigate the association between obesity and self-reported current depression (SRCD) in a population-based sample of adult Brazilian cancer survivors.

Methods: The sample for this study (N=930) was based on the 2013 Brazilian National Health Survey. SRCD was assessed using the 8-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8).

The association between history of screening for cancer and receipt of an annual flu vaccination: Are there reinforcing effects of prevention seeking?

Background: Receipt of an annual flu vaccination (AFV) is a preventative health measure that reduces the risk of infection with the flu. Screening for cancer (SC) is another recommended preventative health measure. The current study hypothesizes that people who have previously obtained a cancer screening are motivated to receive other preventative health measures.

The association between physical activity and depression among individuals residing in Brazil.

Purpose: There is very limited literature investigating the association between physical activity (PA) and depression in South American countries such as Brazil. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the prevalence of depression and its association with PA in a very large, representative sample of young adults (ages 18-39 years) (YA), middle-aged adults (ages 40-59 years) (MAA) and older adults (ages ≥ 60 years) (OA) residing in Brazil.

Methods: The sample for this cross-sectional study was based on the Brazilian National Health Survey conducted in 2013.

County level incidence rates of chronic lymphocytic leukemia are associated with residential radon levels.

Aim: We previously reported that incidence rates for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) among US states are significantly correlated with levels of residential radon (RR). Because these correlations could be influenced by confounding and/or misclassification among large geographic units, we reinvestigated them using smaller geographic units that better reflect exposure and disease at the individual level.

Methods: We examined the relationships between CLL and RR per county in 478 counties with publicly-available data.

Current depression as a potential barrier to health care utilization in adult cancer survivors.

Background: Depression in cancer survivors is a major concern and is associated with poor health related quality of life (HRQOL). Delaying or forgoing care due to depression may further augment poor HRQOL. Although several studies have documented depression as a barrier to health care utilization in non-cancer populations, the impact of current depression on health care utilization among adult cancer survivors (ACS) has not been fully elucidated.

Psychological distress among adult cancer survivors: importance of survivorship care plan.

Purpose: The goal of our study was to better understand the importance of adult cancer survivors (ACS) receiving Survivorship Care Plans (SCP) especially for their psychological well-being. We hypothesize that the receipt of SCP would decrease the likelihood of symptoms of current depression (SCD) in this population.

Methods: We tested our hypothesis by using a representative sample of ACS, more than 1 year from cancer diagnosis, who responded to the 2010 BRFSS survey.

Simulation-based education for transfusion medicine.

Background: The administration of blood products is frequently determined by physicians without subspecialty training in transfusion medicine (TM). Education in TM is necessary for appropriate utilization of resources and maintaining patient safety. Our institution developed an efficient simulation-based TM course with the goal of identifying key topics that could be individualized to learners of all levels in various environments while also allowing for practice in an environment where the patient is not placed at risk.

Cigarette smoking and pulmonary function in adult survivors of childhood cancer exposed to pulmonary-toxic therapy: results from the St. Jude lifetime cohort study.

Treatments for childhood cancer can impair pulmonary function. We assessed the potential impact of cigarette smoking on pulmonary function in 433 adult childhood cancer survivors (CCS) who received pulmonary-toxic therapy, using single breath diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide corrected for hemoglobin (DLCOcorr), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and total lung capacity (TLC). FEV1/FVC median values among current [1.

The association between ASA status and other risk stratification models on postoperative intensive care unit outcomes.

Background: There is limited medical literature investigating the association between perioperative risk stratification methods and surgical intensive care unit (SICU) outcomes. Our hypothesis contends that routine assessments such as higher ASA physical status classification, surgical risk as defined by American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines, and simplified Revised Cardiac Index (SRCI) can reliably be associated with SICU outcomes.

Methods: We performed a chart review of all patients 18 years or older admitted to the SICU between October 1, 2010, and March 1, 2011.