Evaluation of the IgG antibody response to SARS CoV-2 infection and performance of a lateral flow immunoassay: cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis over 11 months.

Objective: To evaluate the dynamics and longevity of the humoral immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection and assess the performance of professional use of the UK-RTC AbC-19 Rapid Test lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) for the target condition of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein IgG antibodies.

Design: Nationwide serological study.

Setting: Northern Ireland, UK, May 2020-February 2021.

Effect of Moderate Red Wine versus Vodka Consumption on Inflammatory Markers Related to Cardiovascular Disease Risk: A Randomized Crossover Study.

Few interventions have tested the effects of different alcohol types on cardiovascular risk biomarkers. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of red wine versus vodka on inflammatory and vascular health-related biomarkers. In a crossover study, participants were randomized to receive either red wine or vodka (3 units/day) for 2 weeks.

Confirmation of a realistic reactor model for BNCT dosimetry at the TRIGA Mainz.

Purpose: In order to build up a reliable dose monitoring system for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) applications at the TRIGA reactor in Mainz, a computer model for the entire reactor was established, simulating the radiation field by means of the Monte Carlo method. The impact of different source definition techniques was compared and the model was validated by experimental fluence and dose determinations.

Methods: The depletion calculation code origen2 was used to compute the burn-up and relevant material composition of each burned fuel element from the day of first reactor operation to its current core.

Detector to detector corrections: a comprehensive experimental study of detector specific correction factors for beam output measurements for small radiotherapy beams.

Purpose: The aim of the present study is to provide a comprehensive set of detector specific correction factors for beam output measurements for small beams, for a wide range of real time and passive detectors. The detector specific correction factors determined in this study may be potentially useful as a reference data set for small beam dosimetry measurements.

Methods: Dose response of passive and real time detectors was investigated for small field sizes shaped with a micromultileaf collimator ranging from 0.

Dosimetry auditing procedure with alanine dosimeters for light ion beam therapy.

Background And Purpose: In the next few years the number of facilities providing ion beam therapy with scanning beams will increase. An auditing process based on an end-to-end test (including CT imaging, planning and dose delivery) could help new ion therapy centres to validate their entire logistic chain of radiation delivery. An end-to-end procedure was designed and tested in both scanned proton and carbon ion beams, which may also serve as a dosimetric credentialing procedure for clinical trials in the future.

Copper surfaces reduce the rate of healthcare-acquired infections in the intensive care unit.

OBJECTIVE. Healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs) cause substantial patient morbidity and mortality. Items in the environment harbor microorganisms that may contribute to HAIs.

Correction factors for ionization chamber dosimetry in CyberKnife: machine-specific, plan-class, and clinical fields.

Purpose: The aim of this work is the application of the formalism for ionization chamber reference dosimetry of small and nonstandard fields [R. Alfonso, P. Andreo, R.

Sustained reduction of microbial burden on common hospital surfaces through introduction of copper.

The contribution of environmental surface contamination with pathogenic organisms to the development of health care-associated infections (HAI) has not been well defined. The microbial burden (MB) associated with commonly touched surfaces in intensive care units (ICUs) was determined by sampling six objects in 16 rooms in ICUs in three hospitals over 43 months. At month 23, copper-alloy surfaces, with inherent antimicrobial properties, were installed onto six monitored objects in 8 of 16 rooms, and the effect that this application had on the intrinsic MB present on the six objects was assessed.

Correction factors for A1SL ionization chamber dosimetry in TomoTherapy: machine-specific, plan-class, and clinical fields.

Purpose: Recently, an international working group on nonstandard fields presented a new formalism for ionization chamber reference dosimetry of small and nonstandard fields [Alfonso et al., Med. Phys.

Control and mitigation of healthcare-acquired infections: designing clinical trials to evaluate new materials and technologies.

Hospitals clean environmental surfaces to lower microbial contamination and reduce the likelihood of transmitting infections. Despite current cleaning and hand hygiene protocols, hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) continue to result in a significant loss of life and cost the U.S.

Dose determination using alanine detectors in a mixed neutron and gamma field for boron neutron capture therapy of liver malignancies.

Unlabelled: Boron Neutron Capture Therapy for liver malignancies is being investigated at the University of Mainz. One important aim is the set-up of a reliable dosimetry system. Alanine dosimeters have previously been applied for dosimetry of mixed radiation fields in antiproton therapy, and may be suitable for measurements in mixed neutron and gamma fields.

Dose response of alanine detectors irradiated with carbon ion beams.

Purpose: The dose response of the alanine detector shows a dependence on particle energy and type when irradiated with ion beams. The purpose of this study is to investigate the response behavior of the alanine detector in clinical carbon ion beams and compare the results to model predictions.

Methods: Alanine detectors have been irradiated with carbon ions with an energy range of 89-400 MeV/u.

A national dosimetric audit of IMRT.

Background And Purpose: A dosimetric audit of IMRT has been carried out within the UK between June 2009 and March 2010 in order to provide an independent check of safe implementation and to identify problems in the modelling and delivery of IMRT.

Methods And Materials: A mail based audit involving film and alanine dosimeters was utilized. Measurements were made for each individual field in an IMRT plan isocentrically in a flat water-equivalent phantom at a depth of 5cm.

The relationship between microvascular endothelial function and carotid-radial pulse wave velocity in patients with mild hypertension.

Carotid-radial pulse wave velocity (CRPWV) can be measured rapidly using applanation tonometry and significantly higher values have been reported among patients with risk factors for vascular disease. Forearm blood flow responses to intrabrachial infusion of acetylcholine independently predict cardiovascular morbidity among hypertensive patients. We aimed to examine the relationship between CRPWV, a potentially informative, noninvasive measure and this more established parameter of arterial health.

Dose calculation in biological samples in a mixed neutron-gamma field at the TRIGA reactor of the University of Mainz.

To establish Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) for non-resectable liver metastases and for in vitro experiments at the TRIGA Mark II reactor at the University of Mainz, Germany, it is necessary to have a reliable dose monitoring system. The in vitro experiments are used to determine the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of liver and cancer cells in our mixed neutron and gamma field. We work with alanine detectors in combination with Monte Carlo simulations, where we can measure and characterize the dose.

Dietary intake of fruits and vegetables improves microvascular function in hypertensive subjects in a dose-dependent manner.

Background: Observational evidence has consistently linked increased fruit and vegetable consumption with reduced cardiovascular morbidity; however, there is little direct trial evidence to support the concept that fruit and vegetable consumption improves vascular function. This study assessed the dose-dependent effects of a fruit and vegetable intervention on arterial health in subjects with hypertension.

Methods And Results: After a 4-week run-in period during which fruit and vegetable intake was limited to 1 portion per day, participants were randomized to consume either 1, 3, or 6 portions daily for the next 8 weeks.

Prognostic value of a multimarker approach for patients presenting to hospital with acute chest pain.

To evaluate the prognostic role of novel biomarkers for the risk stratification of patients admitted with ischemic-type chest pain, a prospective study of 664 patients presenting to 2 coronary care units with ischemic-type chest pain was conducted over 3 years beginning in 2003. Patients were assessed on admission for clinical characteristics, electrocardiographic findings, renal function, cardiac troponin T (cTnT), markers of myocyte injury (heart fatty acid-binding protein [H-FABP] and glycogen phosphorylase BB), neurohormonal activation (N-terminal-pro-brain natriuretic peptide [NT-pro-BNP]), hemostatic activity (fibrinogen and D-dimer), and vascular inflammation (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, myeloperoxidase, matrix metalloproteinase-9, pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A, and soluble CD40 ligand). A >or=12-hour cTnT sample was also obtained.

Novel biomarkers in early diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction compared with cardiac troponin T.

Aims: To evaluate the role of novel biomarkers in early detection of acute myocardial infarction (MI) in patients admitted with acute chest pain.

Methods And Results: A prospective study of 664 patients presenting to two coronary care units with chest pain was conducted over 3 years from 2003. Patients were assessed on admission: clinical characteristics, ECG (electrocardiogram), renal function, cardiac troponin T (cTnT), heart fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP), glycogen phosphorylase-BB, NT-pro-brain natriuretic peptide, D-dimer, hsCRP (high sensitivity C-reactive protein), myeloperoxidase, matrix metalloproteinase-9, pregnancy associated plasma protein-A, soluble CD40 ligand.

Use of cardiac troponin T in diagnosis and prognosis of cardiac events in patients on chronic haemodialysis.

Background: Patients undergoing chronic haemodialysis frequently have elevated serum cardiac troponin T (cTnT) levels resulting in difficulty in diagnosing acute coronary syndromes (ACS) in these patients. We sought to determine whether: (i) cTnT concentrations were consistent over time; (ii) intradialytic changes in cTnT levels were due to haemoconcentration; (iii) baseline cTnT levels predicted subsequent mortality or ACS.

Methods: We measured serial pre- and post-dialysis cTnT concentrations in 75 asymptomatic patients undergoing chronic haemodialysis at baseline, and at 48 h, 8 months and 15 months.