Dosimetric evaluation of synthetic CT relative to bulk density assignment-based magnetic resonance-only approaches for prostate radiotherapy.

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been incorporated as an adjunct to CT to take advantage of its excellent soft tissue contrast for contouring. MR-only treatment planning approaches have been developed to avoid errors introduced during the MR-CT registration process. The purpose of this study is to evaluate calculated dose distributions after incorporating a novel synthetic CT (synCT) derived from magnetic resonance simulation images into prostate cancer treatment planning and to compare dose distributions calculated using three previously published MR-only treatment planning methodologies.

Initial clinical experience with a radiation oncology dedicated open 1.0T MR-simulation.

The purpose of this study was to describe our experience with 1.0T MR-SIM including characterization, quality assurance (QA) program, and features necessary for treatment planning. Staffing, safety, and patient screening procedures were developed.

Evaluating organ delineation, dose calculation and daily localization in an open-MRI simulation workflow for prostate cancer patients.

Background: This study describes initial testing and evaluation of a vertical-field open Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanner for the purpose of simulation in radiation therapy for prostate cancer. We have evaluated the clinical workflow of using open MRI as a sole modality for simulation and planning. Relevant results related to MRI alignment (vs.

Prospective randomized phase 2 trial of intensity modulated radiation therapy with or without oncolytic adenovirus-mediated cytotoxic gene therapy in intermediate-risk prostate cancer.

Purpose: To assess the safety and efficacy of combining oncolytic adenovirus-mediated cytotoxic gene therapy (OAMCGT) with intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) in intermediate-risk prostate cancer.

Methods And Materials: Forty-four men with intermediate-risk prostate cancer were randomly assigned to receive either OAMCGT plus IMRT (arm 1; n=21) or IMRT only (arm 2; n=23). The primary phase 2 endpoint was acute (≤90 days) toxicity.

Motivations to quit cannabis use in an adult non-treatment sample: are they related to relapse?

Background: The majority of cannabis smokers who quit do so without formal treatment, suggesting that motivations to quit are an important part of cessation process. However, little is known about how motivations relate to successful quitting.

Method: A convenience sample of 385 non-treatment-seeking adult cannabis smokers (58% male, age 16-64years at start of quit attempt) who made a "serious" (self-defined) quit attempt without formal treatment while not in a controlled environment were administered the 176-item Marijuana Quit Questionnaire (MJQQ) to assess their motivations to quit and outcome of the quit attempt.

Clinical commissioning and use of the Novalis Tx linear accelerator for SRS and SBRT.

The purpose of this study was to perform comprehensive measurements and testing of a Novalis Tx linear accelerator, and to develop technical guidelines for com-missioning from the time of acceptance testing to the first clinical treatment. The Novalis Tx (NTX) linear accelerator is equipped with, among other features, a high-definition MLC (HD120 MLC) with 2.5 mm central leaves, a 6D robotic couch, an optical guidance positioning system, as well as X-ray-based image guidance tools to provide high accuracy radiation delivery for stereotactic radiosurgery and stereotactic body radiation therapy procedures.

Diagnostic criteria for cannabis withdrawal syndrome.

Objective: Cannabis withdrawal occurs in frequent users who quit, but there are no accepted diagnostic criteria for a cannabis withdrawal syndrome (CWS). This study evaluated diagnostic criteria for CWS proposed in DSM-V and two earlier proposals.

Method: A convenience sample of 384 adult, non-treatment-seeking lifetime cannabis smokers provided retrospective self-report data on their "most difficult" quit attempt without formal treatment, which was used in this secondary analysis.

Cannabis withdrawal symptoms in non-treatment-seeking adult cannabis smokers.

Background: Cannabis withdrawal is not recognized in DSM-IV because of doubts about its clinical significance.

Objectives: Assess the phenomenon of cannabis withdrawal and its relationship to relapse in non-treatment-seeking adults.

Subjects: Convenience sample of 469 adult cannabis smokers who had made a quit attempt while not in a controlled environment.

How often are previously undetected radiographic abnormalities detected at the time of CT simulation for breast cancer patients?

Objectives: In most institutions, planning computed tomography (CT) scans are not interpreted by diagnostic radiologists. The purpose of this analysis was to determine the percentage of cases in which a previously undetected radiographic finding was found on review of CT simulation images by diagnostic radiology.

Methods: At the Henry Ford West Bloomfield Center, CT simulations are prospectively interpreted by diagnostic radiologists and a formal report is generated.

Reliability and validity of a short form of the Marijuana Craving Questionnaire.

Background: The Marijuana Craving Questionnaire (MCQ) is a valid and reliable, 47-item self-report instrument that assesses marijuana craving along four dimensions: compulsivity, emotionality, expectancy, and purposefulness. For use in research and clinical settings, we constructed a 12-item version of the MCQ by selecting three items from each of the four factors that exhibited the greatest within-factor internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha coefficient).

Methods: Adult marijuana users (n=490), who had made at least one serious attempt to quit marijuana use but were not seeking treatment, completed the MCQ-Short Form (MCQ-SF) in a single session.

Longitudinal ECG changes in cocaine users during extended abstinence.

Background: Cocaine lengthens electrocardiographic QTc, QRS and PR intervals through blockade of sodium and potassium channels, but changes during withdrawal have not been well studied.

Methods: We recorded weekly electrocardiograms (ECGs) from 25 physically healthy cocaine users (84.0% men, mean [S.

EEG absolute power during extended cocaine abstinence.

We examined the effects of cocaine withdrawal on EEG during 3 months of abstinence. Twenty physically healthy cocaine users (80% men, 80% African American, mean (SD) age, 34.8 (4.

Pediatricians' practices and attitudes about environmental tobacco smoke and parental smoking.

Objective: To assess pediatric resident and preceptor environmental tobacco smoke (ETS)-reduction practices and attitudes to inform the development of resident tobacco intervention training.

Study Design: Pediatricians in a teaching hospital anonymously completed a 65-item survey.

Results: Residents' and preceptors' (n = 93) ETS actions were generally similar.

Effect of MLC leaf width on the planning and delivery of SMLC IMRT using the CORVUS inverse treatment planning system.

This study investigates the influence of multileaf collimator (MLC) leaf width on intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) plans delivered via the segmented multileaf collimator (SMLC) technique. IMRT plans were calculated using the Corvus treatment planning system for three brain, three prostate, and three pancreas cases using leaf widths of 0.5 and 1 cm.

Permanent iodine-125 interstitial radiation therapy in the treatment of non-glioblastoma multiforme high-grade gliomas.

Background: This study evaluates prognostic factors influencing survival outcomes for 60 patients with permanent iodine-125 implants in the primary treatment of non-glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) high-grade gliomas.

Methods: Stereotactic treatment planning aimed to encompass the contrast-enhancing rim of the tumor visualized by CT, with an initial dose rate of 0.05 Gy/h with 125I, delivering 100 Gy at 1 year and 103.

Chemoradiotherapy in the treatment of regional pancreatic carcinoma: a phase II study.

In locally advanced pancreatic cancer, the utilization of chemotherapy and radiotherapy is increasing, although in view of the reported long-term results of several contemporary trials, further improvements are certainly needed. Encouraging results using the combination of cisplatin, cytarabine, caffeine, and continuous infusion (CI) 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) (PACE) for the treatment of advanced pancreatic carcinoma prompted a phase II study using PACE followed by external beam radiotherapy with CI of 5-FU (PACE-RT) for localized disease. Forty-one patients were treated with PACE-RT as adjuvant therapy after surgical resection (21 patients), or as primary therapy for locally advanced, unresectable disease (20 patients), with reevaluation for resection after completion of treatment.

Interventions to reduce sexual risk for the human immunodeficiency virus in adolescents, 1985-2000: a research synthesis.

Objective: To summarize studies that have tested the efficacy of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) sexual risk-reduction interventions in adolescents.

Data Sources: Reports were gathered from computerized databases, by contacting individual researchers, by searching conference proceedings and relevant journals, and by reviewing reference sections of obtained articles.

Study Selection: Studies were included if they investigated any educational, psychosocial, or behavioral intervention advocating sexual risk reduction for HIV prevention; used experimental designs (or other designs with adequate comparison groups); had behavioral-dependent measures relevant to sexual risk; sampled adolescents (age range, 11-18 years); and had sufficient information to calculate effect size (ES) estimates.

Gamma knife radiosurgery in patients with advanced breast cancer undergoing bone marrow transplant.

Object: Recent studies have suggested a high incidence of cognitive deficits in patients undergoing high-dose chemotherapy, which appears to be dose related. Whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) has previously been associated with cognitive impairment. The authors attempted to use gamma knife radiosurgery (GKS) to delay or avoid WBRT in patients with advanced breast cancer treated with high-dose chemotherapy and autologous bone marrow transplantation (HDC/ABMT) in whom brain metastases were diagnosed.

Gamma knife radiosurgery for intracranial metastatic melanoma: a 6-year experience.

Object: The purpose of this study was to evaluate retrospectively the effectiveness of stereotactic radiosurgery for intracranial metastatic melanoma and to identify prognostic factors related to tumor control and survival that might be helpful in determining appropriate therapy.

Methods: Twenty-four patients with intracranial metastases (115 lesions) metastatic from melanoma underwent radiosurgery. In 14 patients (58.

Gamma knife radiosurgery for renal cell carcinoma brain metastases.

Object: The purpose of this study was to clarify the effectiveness of gamma knife radiosurgery (GKS) in achieving a partial or complete remission of so-called radioresistant metastases from renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and to propose guidelines for optimal treatment

Methods: During a 5-year period, 29 patients (19 male and 10 female) with 92 brain metastases from RCC underwent GKS. The median tumor volume was 4.7 cm3 (range 0.