Hybrid computational pregnant female phantom construction for radiation dosimetry applications.

The number of patients undergoing diagnostic radiology and radiation therapy procedures has increased drastically owing to improvements in cancer diagnosis and treatment, and consequently, patient survival. However, the risk of secondary malignancies owing to radiation exposure remains a matter of concern. We previously published three hybrid computational fetal phantoms, which contained 27 fetal organs, as a starting point for developing the whole hybrid computational pregnant phantom set, which is the final objective of this study.

Hydroxyl radical is a significant player in oxidative DNA damage in vivo.

Recent publications have suggested that oxidative DNA damage mediated by hydroxyl radical (˙OH) is unimportant in vivo, and that carbonate anion radical (CO˙) plays the key role. We examine these claims and summarize the evidence that ˙OH does play a key role as an important member of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) in vivo.

Construction of realistic hybrid computational fetal phantoms from radiological images in three gestational ages for radiation dosimetry applications.

Radiation exposure and associated radiation risks are major concerns for fetal development for pregnant patients who undergo radiation therapy or diagnostic imaging procedures. In order to accurately estimate the radiation dose to the fetus and assess the uncertainty of fetal position and rotation, three hybrid computational fetus phantoms were constructed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for each fetus model as a starting point to construct a complete anatomically accurate fetus, gravid uterus, and placenta. A total of 27 fetal organs were outlined from radiological images via the Velocity Treatment Planning System.

A New Standard DNA Damage (SDD) Data Format.

Our understanding of radiation-induced cellular damage has greatly improved over the past few decades. Despite this progress, there are still many obstacles to fully understand how radiation interacts with biologically relevant cellular components, such as DNA, to cause observable end points such as cell killing. Damage in DNA is identified as a major route of cell killing.

Comprehensive track-structure based evaluation of DNA damage by light ions from radiotherapy-relevant energies down to stopping.

Track structures and resulting DNA damage in human cells have been simulated for hydrogen, helium, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and neon ions with 0.25-256 MeV/u energy. The needed ion interaction cross sections have been scaled from those of hydrogen; Barkas scaling formula has been refined, extending its applicability down to about 10 keV/u, and validated against established stopping power data.