A Monte Carlo based analytic model of the in-room neutron ambient dose equivalent for a Mevion gantry-mounted passively scattered proton system.

The goal of this study was to develop a Monte Carlo (MC)-based analytical model that can predict the in-room ambient dose equivalent from a Mevion gantry-mounted passively scattered proton system. The Mevion S250 and treatment vault were simulated using the MCNPX MC code. The results of the in-room neutron dose measurements, using an FHT 762 WENDI-II detector, were employed to benchmark the MC-derived values.

A Monte Carlo-based analytic model of neutron dose equivalent for a mevion gantry-mounted passively scattered proton system for craniospinal irradiation.

Purpose: To calculate in- and out-of-field neutron spectra and dose equivalent, using Monte Carlo (MC) simulation, for a Mevion gantry-mounted passively scattered proton system in craniospinal irradiation. An analytical model based on the MC calculations that estimates in- and out-of-field neutron dose equivalent from proton Craniospinal irradiation (CSI) was also developed.

Methods: The MCNPX MC code was used to simulate a Mevion S250 proton therapy system.

Effect of targeted gold nanoparticles size on acoustic cavitation: An in vitro study on melanoma cells.

When a liquid is irradiated with high intensities of ultrasound irradiation, acoustic cavitation occurs. Since cavitation can be fatal to cells, it is utilized to destroy cancer tumors. Considering cavitation onset and bubbles collapse, the required ultrasonic intensity threshold can be significantly decreased in the presence of nanoparticles in a liquid.

Sensitivity analysis of Monte Carlo model of a gantry-mounted passively scattered proton system.

Purpose: This study aimed to present guidance on the correlation between treatment nozzle and proton source parameters, and dose distribution of a passive double scattering compact proton therapy unit, known as Mevion S250.

Methods: All 24 beam options were modeled using the MCNPX MC code. The calculated physical dose for pristine peak, profiles, and spread out Bragg peak (SOBP) were benchmarked with the measured data.

On the spectral characterization of radiochromic films irradiated with clinical proton beams.

Radiochromic films have been widely studied for clinical dosimetry in conventional external beam radiation therapy. With an increase in practice of proton therapy, such films are being conveniently used; however, their spectroscopic characterization for this modality is lacking. This work investigated the response of the EBT3 radiochromic films irradiated in a Mevion S250 clinical proton beam.

Prediction of skin dose in low-kV intraoperative radiotherapy using machine learning models trained on results of in vivo dosimetry.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to implement a machine learning model to predict skin dose from targeted intraoperative (TARGIT) treatment resulting in timely adoption of strategies to limit excessive skin dose.

Methods: A total of 283 patients affected by invasive breast carcinoma underwent TARGIT with a prescribed dose of 6 Gy at 1 cm, after lumpectomy. Radiochromic films were used to measure the dose to the skin for each patient.

Dual Function of Gold Nanoparticles in Synergism with Mitoxantrone and Microwave Hyperthermia Against Melanoma Cells.

Background: This study was performed to evaluate any synergetic effects of mitoxantrone (MX) and gold nanoparticles (GNPs) as dual therapeutic approach, along with microwave (MW) hyperthermia for melanoma cancer. Methods: Various tests were performed on the DFW melanoma cell line in the presence of MX and different concentrations of GNPs, with and without MW irradiation. MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol–2-yl)-2,5-iphenyltetrazolium bromide] assays were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the used therapeutic methods in terms of cell survival.

Evaluation of the Effects of Prostate Radiation Therapy on Occludin Expression and Ultrasonography Characteristics of the Bladder.

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of radiation dose in prostate radiation therapy (RT) on occludin expression and ultrasonography characteristics of the bladder.

Methods And Materials: Urine samples of 64 prostate RT patients were collected before, at regular intervals during, and 3 months after RT. Occludin expression analysis was performed, and bladder wall echogenicity and echotexture were investigated by ultrasound and the gray-scale histogram analysis method.

Effects of radiofrequency radiation in the presence of gold nanoparticles for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma.

The most common type of kidney cancer is renal cell carcinoma (RCC), which accounts for more than 80% of all kidney cancers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of radiofrequency (RF) radiation in the presence of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) for the treatment of RCC. Human embryonic kidney (HEK) cancer cells were divided into 6 groups.

ELISA reader does not interfere by mobile phone radiofrequency radiation.

Background: The increasing number of mobile phones can physically cause electromagnetic interference (EMI) in medical environments; can also cause errors in immunoassays in laboratories. The ELISA readers are widely used as a useful diagnostic tool for Enzymun colorimetric assay in medicine. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the ELISA reader could be interfered by the exposure to the 900 MHz cell phones in the laboratory.

Estimation of cell response in fractionation radiotherapy using different methods derived from linear quadratic model.

Background: The aim of this study was to use various theoretical methods derived from the Linear Quadratic (LQ) model to calculate the effects of number of subfractions, time intervals between subfractions, dose per subfraction, and overall fraction time on the cells' survival. Comparison of the results with experimental outcomes of melanoma and breast adenocarcinoma cells was also performed. Finally, the best matched method with experimental outcomes is introduced as the most accurate method in predicting the cell response.

The application of the linear quadratic model to compensate the effects of prolonged fraction delivery time on a Balb/C breast adenocarcinoma tumor: An in vivo study.

Purpose To investigate the effect of increasing the overall treatment time as well as delivering the compensating doses on the Balb/c breast adenocarcinoma (4T1) tumor. Materials and methods A total of 72 mice were divided into two aliquots (classes A and B) based on the initial size of their induced tumor. Each class was divided into a control and several treatment groups.

Potential health concerns of trace elements and mineral content in commonly consumed greenhouse vegetables in Isfahan, Iran.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the potential health concerns of trace elements and mineral content of commonly consumed greenhouse vegetables in Isfahan, Iran.

Materials And Methods: Six kinds of greenhouse vegetables namely; Raphanus sativus (Radish), Cucumis sativus (Cucumber), Solanum lycopersicum (Tomato), green Capsicum annuum (Green bell pepper), yellow C. annuum (Yellow bell pepper), and red C.

(99m)Tc-Phytate Lymphoscintigraphy for Detection of Sentinel Node: Preliminary Results of the First Year's Clinical Experience in Isfahan, Iran.

Sentinel lymph node is the first regional lymph node that drains the lymph from the primary tumor. It is potentially the first node to receive the seeding of lymph-borne metastatic cells. This study aimed to discuss lymphoscintigraphy procedural guidelines for detection of sentinel node using (99m)Tc-Phytate in Isfahan, Iran.

The evaluation of trace elements of interest in kidney disease in commonly consumed greenhouse vegetables in Isfahan, Iran: preliminary results.

Trace elements play a significant role in biological processes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the trace elements of interest in kidney disease in commonly consumed greenhouse vegetables in Isfahan, Iran. Six kinds of greenhouse vegetables namely; Raphanus sativus (Radish), Cucumis sativus (Cucamber), Solanum lycopersicum (Tomato), green Capsicum annuum (Green bell pepper), yellow Capsicum annuum (Yellow bell pepper) and red Capsicum annuum (Red bell pepper) were collected from Isfahan greenhouses, between December 2012 to March 2013.

Evaluation of testicular dose and associated risk from common pelvis radiation therapy in Iran.

This study aimed to investigate testicular dose (TD) and the associated risk of heritable disease from common pelvis radiotherapy of male patients in Iran. In this work, the relation between TD and changes in beam energy, pelvis size, source to skin distance (SSD) and beam directions (anterior or posterior) was also evaluated. The values of TDs were measured on 67 randomly selected male patients during common pelvis radiotherapy using 1.

Spiritual Well-Being for Increasing Life Expectancy in Palliative Radiotherapy Patients: A Questionnaire-Based Study.

Spiritual well-being in patients with an advanced cancer has been found to positively correlate with subjective well-being, lower pain levels, hope and positive mood states, high self-esteem, social competence, purpose in life, and overall quality of life. In this regard, Quran recitation is stated to be an efficient way to increase patient spirituality and also to handle life's everyday challenges. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of listening, reading, and watching the text of the Holy Quran, called (in this study) Quran recitation, for increasing life expectancy (LE) in palliative radiotherapy patients admitted to Radiotherapy Department of Seyed alshohada Hospital, Isfahan, Iran.

Thermal Effects of Laser-osteotomy on Bone: Mathematical Computation Using Maple.

In recent years, interest in medical application of lasers especially as a surgical alternative is considerably increasing due to their distinct advantages such as non-contact intervention, bacteriostasis, less traumatization, minimal invasiveness, decreased bleeding and less heat damage. The present study aimed to evaluate the temperature changes and the consequent released thermal stress in cortical bone caused by an Erbium:yttrium aluminum garnet (Er:YAG) laser (Fideliss 320A, Fotona Inc., Deggingen, Germany) during osteotomy, using mathematical computation by means of Maple software, version 9.

Effects of gamma irradiation on microbial load and quality characteristics of veal.

Background: Veal is a rich nutrient medium that provides a suitable environment for proliferation of veal spoiling microorganisms and common food-borne pathogens. In this study, the effects of irradiation on the veal microbiological quality and half life of minced beef during chilled storage was investigated.

Materials And Methods: Twenty samples of minced veal were irradiated with doses of 2, 5, 7, and 10 kGy (Cobalt-60, gamma cell 220) and evaluated for their microbiological quality up to 10 days.

Health effects of living near mobile phone base transceiver station (BTS) antennae: a report from Isfahan, Iran.

Background: In recent years, by tremendous use of mobile phone telecommunication, a growing concern about the possible health hazards has increased greatly among public and scientists. The mobile phone exposure has been shown to have many effects upon the immune functions, stimulating hormones, mammalian brain, sperm motility and morphology, and neurological pathologies syndrome. The aim of this study was to find out the psychological and psychobiological reactions of the people who are living near mobile phone base transceiver stations (BTS) antenna, in Isfahan, Iran.

Effects of radiofrequency radiation on human ferritin: an in vitro enzymun assay.

Ferritin is a macromolecule and is responsible for the long term iron storage function in human serum and plasma. Recent studies have highlighted the role of cell phone exposure on central nervous system, immune function and reproduction. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the human serum ferritin level could be interfered by the exposure to the 900 MHz GSM cell phones.

A novel approach in electron beam radiation therapy of lips carcinoma: a Monte Carlo study.

Purpose: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is commonly treated by electron beam radiotherapy (EBRT) followed by a boost via brachytherapy. Considering the limitations associated with brachytherapy, in this study, a novel boosting technique in EBRT of lip carcinoma using an internal shield as an internal dose enhancer tool (IDET) was evaluated. An IDET is referred to a partially covered internal shield located behind the lip.

Photoneutron contamination from an 18 MV Saturne medical linear accelerator in the treatment room.

Dose escalation with high-energy X rays of medical linear accelerators (linacs) in radiotherapy offers several distinct advantages over the lower energy photons. However, owing to photoneutron reactions, interaction of high-energy photons (>8 MV) with various high-Z nuclei of the materials in the linac head components produces unavoidable neutrons. The aim of this study was to evaluate the photoneutron dose equivalent per unit therapeutic X-ray dose of 18 MV, GE Saturne 20 linac in the treatment room using Monte Carlo (MC) MCNP linac head full simulation as well as thermoluminescence dosemeter measurements.