The Impact of Dose Calibration Point Differences Between the Treatment Plan and Patient-specific Quality Assurance in Passive Scattering Proton Beam Therapy.

Background/aim: Passive scattering proton beam therapy (PSPT) is performed by taking actual measurements of all pre-designated fields in a treatment plan followed by appropriate adjustments to the prescribed dose. For this reason, it is necessary to ensure precision management of the measurements (patient-specific calibration) in the administration of a planned dose. Therefore, this study investigated the impact on dose distribution in treatment planning when the patient calibration point differs from the normalized point in a treatment plan.

Absolute Method for Measuring Environmental Radioactive Materials Using Imaging Plates.

We had previously developed a measurement method using an imaging plate (IP) to evaluate and address surface contamination caused by the release of radioactive materials during the Fukushima nuclear accident. The measurement units for the surface contamination density were in relative values [described as relative luminescence levels measured in luminescence arbitrary units (LAU)], but the evaluation was required in absolute values, such as Bq cm -2 , to enable appropriate control of exposure doses. This study establishes a method for converting the IP measurements of surface contamination density due to environmental radioactivity into absolute values.

Muscle Quality as a Potential Diagnostic Marker of Advanced Liver Fibrosis in Patients with Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Background: Muscle-liver crosstalk plays an important role in the development and progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The measurement of muscle echo-intensity during ultrasonography is a real-time, non-invasive method of assessing muscle quality. In this retrospective study, we investigated the significance of poor muscle quality (namely, a greater mass of non-contractile tissue, including intramuscular fat) as a risk factor for advanced liver fibrosis and considered whether it may represent a useful tool for the diagnosis of advanced liver fibrosis.

Relationship between assistant's lens exposure and dose information during computed tomography examinations.

According to International Commission of Radiological Protection, the equivalent dose limit for the eye lens for occupational exposure is recommended to be 20 mSv yr, averaged over 5 years, with no single year above 50 mSv. Some studies reported the measurement of assistant's lens exposure in diagnostic computed tomography (CT) examinations, but further investigation is still required in the association between the lens dose for assistants and various dose parameters. Therefore, we measured the assistant's lens exposure using small optically stimulated luminescence dosimeters.

Triglyceride-glucose index is capable of identifying metabolically obese, normal-weight older individuals.

Background: The concept of metabolically obese, normal weight (MONW) has emerged to describe individuals with a normal body mass index (BMI) who are at a relatively high risk of chronic diseases. However, BMI itself is a suboptimal index for the assessment of the health risks associated with visceral fat. The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index is considered to be a reliable and cost-effective marker of insulin resistance.

Analysis of source dwell position during treatment in brachytherapy using CT scout images.

Purpose: Several cases of inaccurate irradiation in brachytherapy have been reported, occurring similarly to external radiation. Due to a large dose per fraction in brachytherapy, inaccurate irradiation can seriously harm a patient. Although various studies have been conducted, systems that detect inaccurate irradiation in brachytherapy are not as developed as those for external irradiation.

Survey of Dietary Habits and Physical Activity in Japanese Patients with Non-Obese Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

The incidence of non-obese non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), characterized by the presence of a fatty liver in individuals with a normal body mass index, is on the rise globally. Effective management strategies, including lifestyle interventions such as diet and exercise therapy, are urgently needed to address this growing public health concern. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between non-obese NAFLD, dietary habits, and physical activity levels.

Novel Approach for Glycemic Management Incorporating Vibration Stimulation of Skeletal Muscle in Obesity.

Because obesity is associated with impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes (T2D), it is important to manage the blood glucose level at an early stage. Nevertheless, people with obesity have significantly lower resistance to muscle fatigue after exercise and exercise adherence. Therefore, we developed a novel "Relaxing-Vibration Training (VT)" consisting of 25 postures using vibration stimulation of skeletal muscle and determined the feasibility of VT for glycemic management.

Evaluation of basic characteristics of 3-mm dose equivalent measuring instrument for evaluating lens exposure dose in radiotherapy.

Introduction: Despite the development of DOSIRIS™, an eye lens dosimeter, the characteristics of DOSIRIS™ in the area of radiotherapy have not been investigated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the basic characteristics of the 3-mm dose equivalent measuring instrument DOSIRIS™ in radiotherapy.

Methods: Dose linearity and energy dependence were evaluated for the irradiation system based on the calibration method of the monitor dosimeter.

Triglyceride-Glucose Index as a Potential Indicator of Sarcopenic Obesity in Older People.

Purpose: This population-based cross-sectional study aimed to determine whether the triglyceride-glucose index (TyG index) is associated with sarcopenic obesity (SO) and whether it would be a helpful indicator of SO.

Methods: A total of 3821 participants aged ≥ 60 years were selected for the study group, and 4919 participants aged 20-39 years were included as a reference group. The participants were allocated to sarcopenia, obesity, and SO groups depending on if their body mass index (BMI) was ≥25 kg/m and their sarcopenia index was ≤1 standard deviation (SD) lower than the mean of the reference group.

Usefulness of a lead-acrylic shield for reducing lens dose of assistant in x-ray CT examination.

In computed tomography (CT) examinations, the usefulness of protective glasses for reducing lens exposure to assistants has been reported. The present study aimed to compare the dose reduction effect for assistants with lead-acrylic shields and protective glasses (0.07 mm Pb, 0.

Analysis of diaphragm movements to specify geometric uncertainties of respiratory gating near end-exhalation for irradiation fields involving the liver dome.

Background And Purpose: The technique of gating near end-exhalation is commonly adopted to reduce respiration-associated geometric uncertainties for particle beam therapy. However, for irradiation fields involving the liver dome, how diaphragm movements generating liver-lung interface change, alongside geometric uncertainties, remain unspecified.

Methods And Materials: Patients receiving respiratory-gated computed tomography (RGCT) with four-dimensional computed tomography (4DCT) scans during simulation were retrospectively reviewed.

The A Body Shape Index Might Be a Stronger Predictor of Chronic Kidney Disease Than BMI in a Senior Population.

The A Body Shape Index (ABSI) was recently introduced to quantify abdominal adiposity relative to the body mass index (BMI) and height. This cross-sectional study was performed to explore whether the ABSI is linked to chronic kidney disease (CKD) in older adults and compare the predictive capacity of the ABSI versus BMI for CKD. In total, 7053 people aged ≥ 60 years were divided into normal, mild, and moderate-to-severe CKD groups based on their estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).

Particle therapy using protons or carbon ions for cancer patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED): a retrospective multi-institutional study.

Purpose: To evaluate the outcomes of particle therapy in cancer patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs).

Materials And Methods: From April 2001 to March 2013, 19,585 patients were treated with proton beam therapy (PBT) or carbon ion therapy (CIT) at 8 institutions. Of these, 69 patients (0.

Weight-loss-independent benefits of exercise on liver steatosis and stiffness in Japanese men with NAFLD.

Background & Aims: A weight-loss-independent beneficial effect of exercise on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) management has been reported, but the underlying mechanism is unknown. To help determine this mechanism, the effects of exercise on individual tissues (liver, adipose tissue, and skeletal muscle) were retrospectively studied.

Methods: Data from Japanese obese men with NAFLD in a 3-month exercise regimen were analysed and compared with those in a 3-month dietary restriction program designed to achieve weight loss.

Relationships of Fat and Muscle Mass with Chronic Kidney Disease in Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study.

This cross-sectional pilot study aimed to assess the relationships of fat and muscle mass with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in older adults. Serum creatinine concentration was used to measure estimated glomerular filtration rate (mL/min/1.73 m) in the 236 subjects, who were allocated to three groups: a normal (≥60.

Cardiorespiratory fitness is strongly linked to metabolic syndrome among physical fitness components: a retrospective cross-sectional study.

Background: Maintaining a good level of physical fitness from engaging in regular exercise is important for the treatment and prevention of metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, which components constitutive of physical fitness confer the greatest influence remains controversial. This retrospective cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the association between MetS and physical fitness components including cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, flexibility, and agility and to identify which physical fitness components have the largest influence on MetS.

Changes in skeletal muscle diffusion parameters owing to intramyocellular lipid.

Introduction: Several studies investigated the changes in diffusion of water molecules in skeletal muscle cells of lifestyle-related-disease patients who performed a hybrid training (HYBT) for six months. They reported that the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and all diffusion eigenvalues (λ, λ, and λ) increased after the HYBT, owing to the enlargement of the intramyocellular diffusion space (intracellular space) caused by the muscular hypertrophy. We assumed that the HYBT promoted metabolism of the whole skeletal muscle including lipids, which reduced the amount of intramyocellular lipid (IMCL), and led to a secondary enlargement of the diffusion space in the skeletal muscle cells.

Evaluation of Dose Distribution and Normal Tissue Complication Probability of a Combined Dose of Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Imaging with Treatment in Prostate Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) on dose distribution and normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) by constructing a comprehensive dose evaluation system for prostate intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT).

Methods: A system that could combine CBCT and treatment doses with MATLAB was constructed. Twenty patients treated with prostate IMRT were studied.