[Dosimetric Properties of Brass Mesh Bolus for High-energy Photon Beam].

Purpose: To investigate fundamental dosimetric properties of surface dose, exit dose, and beam profile of the brass mesh bolus for 4, 6, and 10 MV high-energy photon beams in radiation therapy.

Methods: Surface dose and exit dose in the water-equivalent phantom were measured, and percent depth doses (PDDs) were calculated with no bolus, one layer of brass mesh, two layers of brass mesh bolus, three layers of brass mesh bolus, and 0.5 cm tissue-equivalent (TE) bolus.

Correction to: Development of a new phantom simulating extracellular space of tumor cell growth and cell edema for diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging.

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake. Second column of "Cell edema" should read as.

Development of a new phantom simulating extracellular space of tumor cell growth and cell edema for diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging.

Objective: A phantom for diffusion-weighted imaging is required to standardize quantitative evaluation. The objectives were to develop a phantom simulating various cell densities and to evaluate repeatability.

Materials And Methods: The acrylic fine particles with three different diameters were used to simulate human cells.

The reproducibility of measurements using a standardization phantom for the evaluation of fractional anisotropy (FA) derived from diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).

Objectives: It is necessary to standardize the examination procedure and diagnostic criteria of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the reproducibility of measurements using a standardization phantom composed of different fibre materials with different fibre densities (FDs) for the evaluation of fractional anisotropy (FA) derived from DTI.

Materials And Methods: Two types of fibre materials wrapped in heat-shrinkable tubes were used as fibre phantoms.

Dosimetric assessment of a single-energy metal artifact reduction algorithm for computed tomography images in radiation therapy.

This study aimed to evaluate the performance of a single-energy metal artifact reduction (SEMAR) algorithm for radiation therapy treatment using phantom cases with metal inserts, assess improvements in computed tomography (CT) number accuracy, and investigate its effects on treatment planning dosimetry. A standard electron density phantom was scanned with and without metal inserts. The numbers of tissue-equivalent materials on both uncorrected and SEMAR-corrected CT images were compared.

[Improvement of Image Quality in the Axial Section Using High-resolution Scan Mode and Hybrid Iterative Reconstruction in Ultra-high-resolution Computed Tomography].

The purpose of this study is to compare the physical characteristics and visibility of high-resolution and conventional images acquired with the same X-ray dose, and to investigate the superiority of super high-resolution imaging. A Catphan phantom was scanned in the normal resolution (NR), high-resolution (HR), and super high-resolution (SHR) modes of ultra-high-resolution computed tomography at 120 kV and 75 mAs. All images were reconstructed into a 5-mm thick image slices with filtered back-projection (FBP) and hybrid image reconstruction (HIR), which included normal and enhanced adaptive iterative dose reduction 3D (AIDR and eAIDR, respectively).

RAD-Seq analysis of typical and minor accessions, including Bhutanese varieties.

We analyzed the reduced-representation genome sequences of species by double-digest restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (ddRAD-Seq) using 44 accessions, including typical and minor accessions, such as Bhutanese varieties. The results of this analysis using typical accessions were consistent with previous reports that citron, papeda, pummelo, and mandarin are ancestral species, and that most species are derivatives or hybrids of these four species. varieties often reproduce asexually and heterozygosity is highly conserved within each variety.

[Verification of the protective effect of a testicular shield in postoperative radiotherapy for seminoma].

In postoperative radiotherapy for seminoma, control of the testicular absorbed dose is important, since exposure of the testis can lead to temporary or permanent infertility. In this case, instead of using a dog-leg-shaped field, treatment using a field focused near the aorta was provided in several disease stages of seminoma. However, the precise need for testicular shielding during treatment and dose of testis exposure was not clear.

Characterization of limes (Citrus aurantifolia) grown in Bhutan and Indonesia using high-throughput sequencing.

Lime [Citrus aurantifolia (Cristm.) Swingle] is a Citrus species that is a popular ingredient in many cuisines. Some citrus plants are known to originate in the area ranging from northeastern India to southwestern China.

[Verification of the dose from an iridium-192 ((192)Ir) sealed source absorbed by an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) during uterine intracavitary brachytherapy].

The purpose of this study was to verify the dose absorbed by an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) from an (192)Ir sealed source during uterine intracavitary brachytherapy, and to confirm its immunity to radiation effects. First, prior to treatment, the doses around the ICD position of an anthromorphic phantom were evaluated. Next, we also measured the dose at the ICD position using a fluorescent glass dosimeter and silicon diode dosimeter during the treatment of intracavitary brachytherapy of a patient implanted with an ICD.

Phylogenetic relationships of citrus and its relatives based on matK gene sequences.

The genus Citrus includes mandarin, orange, lemon, grapefruit and lime, which have high economic and nutritional value. The family Rutaceae can be divided into 7 subfamilies, including Aurantioideae. The genus Citrus belongs to the subfamily Aurantioideae.

Surgical treatment of superior cluneal nerve entrapment neuropathy.

Object: Superior cluneal nerve (SCN) entrapment neuropathy is a poorly understood clinical entity that can produce low-back pain. The authors report a less-invasive surgical treatment for SCN entrapment neuropathy that can be performed with local anesthesia.

Methods: From November 2010 through November 2011, the authors performed surgery in 34 patients (age range 18-83 years; mean 64 years) with SCN entrapment neuropathy.

Long-term results after cervical anterior fusion using an autologous bone graft (Williams-Isu method).

Objective: Cervical anterior fusion with autologous bone grafts (Williams-Isu method) is a modified, accepted method to treat spinal degenerative disease. Here we report minimum 10-year outcomes.

Methods: Of 101 patients we treated by cervical anterior fusion using the Williams-Isu method, 50 patients were followed up for a mean of 177 months.

Microsurgical medial fenestration with an ultrasonic bone curette for lumbar foraminal stenosis.

Background: Misdiagnosis and inadequate treatment of lumbar foraminal stenosis (LFS) are the most common causes of failed back surgery. Although several surgical procedures have been reported, the optimal surgical treatment remains controversial.

Aim: We describe our method of microsurgical medial fenestration using an ultrasonic bone curette (Sonopet, Stryker Corp.

Discovery of new orally active prostaglandin D2 receptor antagonists.

To identify an orally available drug candidate, a series of 3-benzoylaminophenylacetic acids were synthesized and evaluated as prostaglandin D(2) (PGD(2)) receptor antagonists. Some of the compounds tested were found to exhibit excellent inhibitory activity against cAMP accumulation in human platelet rich plasma (hPRP), which is one of the indexes of DP antagonism. The optimization process including improvement of the physicochemical properties such as solubility, which may result in an improved pharmacokinetic (PK) profile, is presented.

Design and synthesis of new prostaglandin D₂ receptor antagonists.

To identify new cost-effective prostaglandin D₂ (DP) receptor antagonists, a series of novel 3-benzoylaminophenylacetic acids were synthesized and biologically evaluated. Among those tested, some representative compounds were found to be orally available. Receptor selectivity and rat PK profiles were also evaluated.

Unexplained lower abdominal pain associated with sacroiliac joint dysfunction: report of 2 cases.

A 25-year-old woman and a 31-year-old man presented with chronic lower back pain and unexplained lower abdominal pain. Both patients had groin tenderness at the medial border of the anterior superior iliac spine. The results of radiographical and physical examinations suggested sacroiliac joint dysfunction.

Discovery of selective indole-based prostaglandin D₂ receptor antagonist.

A series of N-benzoyl-2-methylindole-3-acetic acids were synthesized and biologically evaluated as prostaglandin (PG) D₂ receptor antagonists. Some of the selected compounds significantly inhibited OVA-induced vascular permeability in guinea pig conjunctiva after oral dosing. Structure-activity relationship study is presented.

Detailed study of graft sinking and worsening of the fused segment angle in patients with cervical disease treated with the Williams-Isu method.

Detailed changes involved in the worsening of the fused segment angle were assessed after application of the Williams-Isu method using autologous bone grafts from cervical vertebral bodies in 30 patients with cervical disease treated by single-level anterior fusion. The mean follow-up duration was 25.4 months.

Selective posterior decompression of the cervical spine.

Posterior decompression of the cervical spine is an accepted treatment for patients with cervical canal disease, but some patients experience postoperative axial pain and C5 or C6 palsy that affect their quality of life. Here we describe selective posterior decompression using a spinous process-splitting approach to prevent these complications performed in 17 patients with myelopathy treated at median 2.4 levels by selective posterior decompression via the transspinous approach.

Combination of the Williams-Isu method and the transvertebral approach to treat cervical disease.

In anterior fusion, we use autologous bone grafts from cervical vertebral bodies (Williams-Isu method; WI-method). To reduce the fusion level, we combine the WI-method and the transvertebral approach (TVA). The wide window yielded by the removal of the bone graft from vertebral bodies at the fusion level provides for the safe decompression of neural structures.

[Ketamine treatment for severe neuropathic pain with cervical spondylotic myelopathy. A case report].

This 60-year-old man with cervical spondylosis experienced bilateral arm pain and weakness. After anterior cervical fusion and posterior decompression at a local hospital his symptoms worsened and he was admitted to our hospital. On admission he manifested bilateral motor weakness, neuropathic pain, and numbness below the C5 level.

Syringomyelia associated with Chiari I malformation treated with foramen magnum decompression and duraplasty using a polyglycolic acid patch and fibrin glue: a case report.

A 31-year-old woman presented with worsening numbness and pain in the arms and chest. Neurological findings at admission were decreased pain sensation and temperature sensation in the arms and chest. Magnetic resonance demonstrated a large cervical syrinx from the level of C4 to Th4 associated with Chiari I malformation.

[Sacroiliac joint dysfunction presented with acute low back pain: three case reports].

Sacroiliac joint (SIJ) can cause low back pain when its joint capsule and ligamentous tissue are damaged. We report our experience in treating three SIJ dysfunction patients presenting with acute low back pain (a 38 year-old male, a 24 year-old male, and a 32 year-old female). SIJ dysfunction was diagnosed using the one-finger test, the modified Newton test, and SIJ injection.

Radiological study of the sandwich method in cervical anterior fusion using autologous vertebral bone grafts.

Autologous bone grafts from cervical vertebral bodies (Williams-Isu method) are used for anterior fusion of the cervical spine. When adequate amounts of bone cannot be harvested from the vertebral body, hydroxyapatite (a ceramic) is placed between the bone grafts (the sandwich method). We conducted a radiological study to examine the efficacy of the sandwich method by comparing the alignment of the whole spine and the fused segment between patients who had received a sandwich graft (n=20) and a control group (n=20).