Operando measurement of lattice deformation profiles of synchrotron radiation monochromator

This study presents a new method for characterizing the thermal lattice deformation of a monochromator with high precision under service conditions and first reports the operando measurements of nanoscale thermal lattice deformation on a double-crystal monochromator at different incident powers.The nanoscale thermal lattice deformation of the monochromator first crystal was obtained by analyzing the intensity of the distorted DuMond diagrams.DuMond diagrams of the 333 diffraction index,sensitive to lattice deformation,were obtained directly using a 2D detector and an analyzer crystal orthogonal to the monochromator.With increasing incident power and power density,the maximum height of the lattice deformation increased from 3.2 to 18.5 nm,and the deformation coefficient of the maximum height increased from 1.1 to 3.2 nm/W.The maximum relative standard deviation was 4.2%,and the maximum standard deviation was 0.1 nm.Based on the measured thermal deformations,the flux saturation phenomenon and critical point for the linear operation of the monochromator were predicted with increasing incident power.This study provides a simple solution to the problem of the lower precision of synchrotron radiation monochromator characterizations compared to simulations.

Assessing high-energy x-ray and proton irradiation effects on electrical properties of P-GaN and N-GaN thin films

The effects of ionizing and displacement irradiation of high-energy x-ray and 2-MeV proton on GaN thin films were investigated and compared in this study.The electrical properties of both P-GaN and N-GaN,separated from power devices,were gauged for fundamental analysis.It was found that the electrical properties of P-GaN were improved as a consequence of the disruption of the Mg-H bond induced by high-dose x-ray irradiation,as indicated by the Hall and circular transmission line model.Specifically,under a 100-Mrad(Si)x-ray dose,the specific contact resistance pc of P-GaN decreased by 30%,and the hole carrier concentration increased significantly.Additionally,the atom displacement damage effect of a 2-MeV proton of 1×10^(13)p/cm^(2)led to a significant degradation of the electrical properties of P-GaN,while those of N-GaN remained unchanged.P-GaN was found to be more sensitive to irradiation than N-GaN thin film.The effectiveness of x-ray irradiation in enhancing the electrical properties of P-GaN thin films was demonstrated in this study.

L-shell x-ray fluorescence relative intensities for elements with 62≤Z≤83 at 18 keV and 23 keV by synchrotron radiation

The relative intensities of L-subshell x-ray fluorescence(XRF)for elements with atomic numbers 62≤Z≤83 were measured at two excitation energies,18 keV and 23 keV,using a synchrotron radiation source at a beamline of the Synchrotron Light Center for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East(SESAME),Jordan.The experimentally measured results of the relative intensities were compared with the calculated results using the subshell fluorescence yield and the Coster-Kronig transition probabilities recommended by Campbell and the values based on the Dirac-Hartree-Slater model by Puri.The experimental and theoretical results are in agreement.In this work,L XRF relative intensities for the elements Sm,Gd,Tb,Er,Ta,W,Re,Hg,Pb and Bi at energies of 18 keV and 23 keV were measured.

Radiation Doses in Diagnostic Radiology and Method for Dose Reduction

Objective: The current research study aims to calculate entrance surface air kerma for skull, chest, cervical spine, lumbar spine, and pelvic X-ray examinations in interior posterior and posterior interior positions and generate a method for chest dose reduction to decrease radiation risk. Materials and Methods: The indirect dose measurement was used in the current research. The X-ray tube output was measured using RAD-CHECK Plus ionization chamber and the indirect entrance surface air kerma was calculated via applying physical acquisition parameters such as a focus on skin distance, tube current times exposure time (mAs), and applied tube voltage (kV), and applying a mathematical model. Results: The main findings were obtained from comparing the radiation doses with the reference levels of International organizations such as the American College of Radiology and the International Atomic Energy Authority. The mean entrance skin dose for the skull (AP), skull (PA), skull (LAT), cervical spine (PA), cervical spine (LAT), lumbar spine (AP), lumbar spine (LAT), pelvis (AP), and pelvis (LAT) of adult X-ray examinations was within the diagnostic reference dose level values obtained by ACR (2018) except for the ESD for chest (AP) which was 0.88 mGy. Conclusions: The results of the study concluded that by adjusting the applied tube voltage, kV, and tube current product time, mAs decreased the radiation dose to the chest X-ray by 58%.

0Optimized Fluoroscopy Setting and Appropriate Project Position Can Reduce X-ray Radiation Doses Rates during Electrophysiology Procedures

Background：Nonfluoroscopic three-dimensional electroanatomical system is widely used nowadays,but X-ray remains indispensable for complex electrophysiology procedures.This study aimed to evaluate the value of optimized parameter setting and different projection position to reduce X-ray radiation dose rates.Methods：From June 2013 to October 2013,105 consecutive patients who underwent complex ablation were enrolled in the study.After the ablation,the radiation dose rates were measured by two different settings （default setting and optimized setting） with three projection positions （posteroanterior [PA] projection;left anterior oblique [LAO] 30° projection;and LAO 45° projection）.The parameter of preset voltage,pulse width,critical voltage,peak voltage,noise reduction,edge enhancement,pulse rate,and dose per frame was modified in the optimized setting.Results：The optimized setting reduced radiation dose rates by 87.5％ （1.7 Gy/min vs.13.6 Gy/min,P ＜ 0.001） in PA,87.3％ （2.5 Gy/min vs.19.7 Gy/min,P＜0.001） in LAO 30°,85.9％ （3.1 Gy/min vs.22.1 Gy/min,P ＜ 0.001） in LAO 45°.Increase the angle of projection position will increase the radiation dose rate.Conclusions：We can reduce X-ray radiation dose rates by adjusting the parameter setting of X-ray system.Avoiding oblique projection of large angle is another way to reduce X-ray radiation dose rates.

Reducing Radiation Dose by Using Pulse X-Ray Apparatus

Pulse X-ray diagnostics is capable of reducing the radiation exposure considerably. As for pulse X-ray diagnostic machines, which form pulses with the duration of 0.1 μs, using them one can get outstanding results in this area. This fact can be explained by the long period of luminophor persistence in intensifying X-ray luminescent screens. In this paper we present experimental data, comparing radiation doses, measured at pulse X-ray apparatus and apparatus of constant radiation.

Local low-dose X-ray radiation promotes homing of mesenchymal stem cells to the injured mouse spinal cord

BACKGROUND： Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells （BMSCs） are a potentially useful source for cell replacement therapy following spinal cord injury. However, the homing characteristics of BMSCs in vivo remain unclear. Low-dose radiation has been shown to promote homing of BMSCs to exposed sites. OBJECTIVE： To investigate the effects of low-dose local radiation to non-injured areas on the ability of human BMSCs to home to the injured mouse spinal cord, as well as recovery of spinal cord injury. DESIGN, TIME AND SE＇I-FING： A randomized, controlled, animal experiment was performed at the Central Laboratory, Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University between October 2007 and October 2008. MATERIALS： BMSCs were isolated from four adult, human donors. METHODS： Fifty adult, female, Balb/c mice were subjected to adjusted weight-drop impact resulting in complete paraplegia. Three days later, mice were randomly assigned to a radiation ＋ transplantation group （n = 23） and a transplantation group （n = 20）. In total, 2 x 106 carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester-labeled BMSCs were injected into each mouse via the caudal vein. Mice in the radiation ＋ transplantation group received 2.5 Gy local X-ray irradiation 2 hours before BMSCs injection. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： The homing of BMSCs to injured cord and irradiated skin after transplantation was observed by fluorescence microscope; the structure recovery of injured cord was assessed by magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS： Compared with the transplantation group, at 24 hours after transplantation, the number of BMSCs was significantly increased in the injured area and the exposed site （P 〈 0.05）, and inflammation and edema were significantly alleviated in the injured cord in the radiation ＋ transplantation group. CONCLUSION： Local low-dose radiation has the potential to promote homing of BMSCs and recovery of spinal cord injury, although the radiated region was not injured area.

Total Dose Radiation Hardened PDSOI CMOS 64k SRAMs

The first domestic 1×10^6rad（Si） total dose hardened 1.2μm partially depleted silicon-on-insulator （PDSOI） 64k SRAM fabricated in SIMOX is demonstrated.The address access time is independent of temperature from -55 to 125℃ and independent of radiation up to 1×10^6rad（Si） for the supply voltage VDD.The standby current is 0.65μA before the total dose of radiation and is only 0.80mA after radiation exposure,which is much better than the specified 10mA.The operating power supply current is 33.0mA before and only 38.1mA afterward,which is much better than the specified 100mA.

Effects of Low Dose Radiation on Tumor Apoptosis, Cell Cycle and Apoptosis-Related Protein Bcl-2 in Tumor-Bearing Mice

To study the effects of low dose radiation (LDR) on tumor apoptosis, cellcycle progression and changes of apoptosis-related protein Bcl-2 in tumor-bearing mice. Methods:Male mice of Kunming strain were implanted subcutaneously with S180 sarcoma cells in the left inguenas an in situ experimental animal model. Seven days later, the mice were subjected to 75 mGywhole-body γ-irradiation. At 24 and 48 h after the irradiation, all mice were sacrificed. The tumorsizes were measured, and tumor cell apoptosis and cell cycle progression were analyzed by flowcytometry. The expression of apoptosis-related protein Bcl-2 and the apoptotic rate of tumor cellswere observed by immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. Results: Tumors grew significantlyslower after LDR (P 【 0.05). The tumor cells were arrested in G1 phrase and the expression of Bcl-2protein decreased at 24 h. Apoptotic rate of tumor cells was increased significantly at 48 h afterLDR (P 【 0.01). Conclusion: LDR could cause a G1-phase arrest and increase the apoptosis of tumorcells through the low level of apoptosis-related protein bcl-2 in the tumor-bearing mice. Theorganized immune function and anti-tumor ability are markedly increased after LDR. Our studyprovides practical evidence of clinical application to cancer treatment.

Total Ionizing Dose Radiation Effects on MOS Transistors with Different Layouts

Both nMOS and pMOS transistors with two-edged and multi-finger layouts are fabricated in a standard commercial 0.6μm CMOS/bulk process to study their total ionizing dose （TID） radiation effects. The leakage current, threshold voltage shift, and transconductance of the devices are monitored before and after T-ray irradiation. Different device bias conditions are used during irradiation. The experiment results show that TID radiation effects on nMOS devices are very sensitive to their layout structures. The impact of the layout on TID effects on pMOS devices is slight and can be neglected.

A Total Dose Radiation Hardened PDSOI CMOS 3-Line to 8-Line Decoder

The first domestic total dose hardened 2μm partially depleted silicon-on-insulator （PDSOI） CMOS 3-line to 8- line decoder fabricated in SIMOX is demonstrated. The radiation performance is characterized by transistor threshold voltage shifts,circuit static leakage currents,and I-V curves as a function of total dose up to 3× 10^5rad（Si）. The worst case threshold voltage shifts of the front channels are less than 20mV for nMOS transistors at 3 × 10^5rad（Si） and follow-up irradiation and less than 70mV for the pMOS transistors. Furthermore, no significant radiation induced leakage currents and functional degeneration are observed.

Effect of Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy on Diverse Organ Lesions in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Receiving Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors

Objective The combination of stereotactic body radiation therapy(SBRT)and immune checkpoint inhibitors(ICIs)is actively being explored in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer(NSCLC)patients.However,little is known about the optimal fractionation and radiotherapy target lesions in this scenario.This study investigated the effect of SBRT on diverse organ lesions and radiotherapy dose fractionation regimens on the prognosis of advanced NSCLC patients receiving ICIs.Methods The medical records of advanced NSCLC patients consecutively treated with ICIs and SBRT were retrospectively reviewed at our institution from Dec.2015 to Sep.2021.Patients were grouped according to radiation sites.Progression-free survival(PFS)and overall survival(OS)were recorded using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared between different treatment groups using the log-rank(Mantel-Cox)test.Results A total of 124 advanced NSCLC patients receiving ICIs combined with SBRT were identified in this study.Radiation sites included lung lesions(lung group,n=43),bone metastases(bone group,n=24),and brain metastases(brain group,n=57).Compared with the brain group,the mean PFS(mPFS)in the lung group was significantly prolonged by 13.3 months(8.5 months vs.21.8 months,HR=0.51,95%CI:0.28–0.92,P=0.0195),and that in the bone group prolonged by 9.5 months with a 43%reduction in the risk of disease progression(8.5 months vs.18.0 months,HR=0.57,95%CI:0.29–1.13,P=0.1095).The mPFS in the lung group was prolonged by 3.8 months as compared with that in the bone group.The mean OS(mOS)in the lung and bone groups was longer than that of the brain group,and the risk of death decreased by up to 60%in the lung and bone groups as compared with that of the brain group.When SBRT was concurrently given with ICIs,the mPFS in the lung and brain groups were significantly longer than that of the bone group(29.6 months vs.16.5 months vs.12.1 months).When SBRT with 8–12 Gy per fraction was combined with ICIs,the mPFS in the lung group was significantly prolonged as compared with that of the bone and brain groups(25.4 months vs.15.2 months vs.12.0 months).Among patients receiving SBRT on lung lesions and brain metastases,the mPFS in the concurrent group was longer than that of the SBRT→ICIs group(29.6 months vs.11.4 months,P=0.0003 and 12.1 months vs.8.9 months,P=0.2559).Among patients receiving SBRT with<8 Gy and 8–12 Gy per fraction,the mPFS in the concurrent group was also longer than that of the SBRT→ICIs group(20.1 months vs.5.3 months,P=0.0033 and 24.0 months vs.13.4 months,P=0.1311).The disease control rates of the lung,bone,and brain groups were 90.7%,83.3%,and 70.1%,respectively.Conclusion The study demonstrated that the addition of SBRT on lung lesions versus bone and brain metastases to ICIs improved the prognosis in advanced NSCLC patients.This improvement was related to the sequence of radiotherapy combined with ICIs and the radiotherapy fractionation regimens.Dose fractionation regimens of 8–12 Gy per fraction and lung lesions as radiotherapy targets might be the appropriate choice for advanced NSCLC patients receiving ICIs combined with SBRT.

Multislice CT angiography in coronary artery disease: Technical developments, radiation dose and diagnostic value

Multislice computed tomography (CT) angiography has been increasingly used in the detection and diagnosis of coronary artery disease because of its rapid technical evolution from the early generation of 4-slice CT scanners to the latest models such as 64-slice, 256-slice and 320-slice CT scanners. Technical developments of multislice CT imaging enable improved diagnostic value in the detection of coronary artery disease, and this indicates that multislice CT can be used as a reliable lessinvasive alternative to invasive coronary angiography in selected patients. In addition, multislice CT angiography has played a significant role in the prediction of disease progression and cardiac events. Despite promising results reported in the literature, multislice CT has the disadvantage of having a high radiation dose which could contribute to the radiation-induced malignancy. A variety of strategies have been currently undertaken to reduce the radiation dose associated with multislice CT coronary angiography while in the meantime acquiring diagnostic images. In this article, the author will review the technical developments, radiation dose associated with multislice CT coronary angiography, and strategies to reduce radiation dose. The diagnostic and prognostic value of multislice CT angiography in coronary artery disease is briefly discussed, and future directions of multislice CT angiography in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease will also be highlighted.

Radiation dose to patients during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is an important tool for the diagnosis and treatment of the hepatobiliary system. The use of fluoroscopy to aid ERCP places both the patient and the endoscopy staff at risk of radiation-induced injury. Radiation dose to patients during ERCP depends on many factors, and the endoscopist cannot control some variables, such as patient size, procedure type, or fluoroscopic equipment used. Previous reports have demonstrated a linear relationship between radiation dose and fluoroscopy duration. When fluoroscopy is used to assist ERCP, the shortest fluoroscopy time possible is recommended. Pulsed fluoroscopy and monitoring the length of fluoroscopy have been suggested for an overall reduction in both radiation exposure and fluoroscopy times. Fluoroscopy time is shorter when ERCP is performed by an endoscopist who has many years experience of performing ERCP and carried out a large number of ERCPs in the preceding year. In general, radiation exposure is greater during therapeutic ERCP than during diagnostic ERCP. Factors associated with prolonged fluoroscopy have been delineated recently, but these have not been validated.

Involvement of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Apoptosis of Testicular Cells Induced by Low-dose Radiation

Summary： The study examined the role of endoplasmic reticulum stress （ERS） and signaling pathways of inositol-requiring enzyme-1 （IRE1）, RNA-activated protein kinase-like ER kinase （PERK） and activating transcription factor-6 （ATF6） in apoptosis of mouse testicular cells treated with low-dose radiation （LDR）. In the dose-dependent experiment, the mice were treated with whole-body X-ray irradiation at different doses （25, 50, 75, 100 or 200 mGy） and sacrificed 12 h later. In the time-dependent experiment, the mice were exposed to 75 mGy X-ray irradiation and killed at different time points （3, 6, 12, 18 or 24 h）. Testicular cells were harvested for experiments. H202 and NO concentrations, and Ca2＋-ATPase activity were detected by biochemical assays, the calcium ion concentration （[Ca2＋]i） by flow cytometry using fluo-3 probe, and GRP78 mRNA and protein expressions by quantitative real-time RT-PCR （qRT-PCR） and Western blotting, respectively. The mRNA expressions of S-XBP1, JNK, caspase-12 and CHOP were measured by qRT-PCR, and the protein expressions of IREla, S-XBP1, p-PERK, p-elF2a, ATF6 p50, p-JNK, pro-caspase-12, cleaved caspase-12 and CHOP by Western blot- ting. The results showed that the concentrations of H202 and NO, the mR_NA expressions of GRP78, S-XBP1, JNK, caspase-12 and CHOP, and the protein expressions of GRP78, S-XBP1, IREla, p-PERK, p-elF2a, ATF6 p50, p-JNK, pro-caspase-12, cleaved caspase-12 and CHOP were significantly increased in a time- and dose-dependent manner after LDR. But the [Ca2]i and Ca2-ATPase activities were sig nificantly decreased in a time and dose-dependent manner. It was concluded that the ERS, regulated by IRE 1, PERK and ATF6 pathways, is involved in the apoptosis of testicular cells in LDR mice, which is associated with ERS-apoptotic signaling molecules of JNK, caspase-12 and CHOP.

Correlation between Low Tube Voltage in Dual Source CT Coronary Artery Imaging with Image Quality and Radiation Dose

The influence of low tube voltage in dual source CT（DSCT） coronary artery imaging on image quality and radiation dose and its application value in clinical practice were investigated. Totally, 300 cases of chest pain with low body mass index（BMI 〈18.5 kg/m2） subjected to DSCT coronary artery imaging were prospectively enrolled. The heart rate in all patients were greater than 65/min. The retrospective ECG gated scanning mode and simple random sampling method were used to assign the patients into groups A, B and C（n=100 each）. The patients in groups A, B and C experienced 120-, 100-, and 80-kV tube voltage imaging respectively, and the image quality was evaluated. The CT volume dose index（CTDIvol） and dose length product（DLP） were recorded, and the effective dose（ED） was calculated in each group. The image quality scores and radiation doses in groups were compared, and the influence of tube voltage on image quality and radiation dose was analyzed. The results showed that the excellent rate of image quality in groups A, B and C was 95.69%, 94.72% and 96.33% respectively with the difference being not statistically significant among the three groups（P〉0.05）. The CTDIvol values in groups A, B and C were 51.35±12.21, 21.28±7.13 and 6.34±3.34 mGy, respectively, with the difference being statistically significant（P〈0.05）. The ED values in groups A, B and C were 9.27±1.63, 4.56±2.29 and 2.29±1.69 mSv, respectively, with the difference being statistically significant（P〈0.05）. It was suggested that for the patients with low BMI, the application of DSCT coronary artery imaging with low tube voltage can obtain satisfactory image quality, and simultaneously, significantly reduce the radiation dose.

Increased Levels of p53 and PARP-1 in EL-4 Cells Probably Related with the Immune Adaptive Response Induced by Low Dose Ionizing Radiation in vitro

Objective This paper is to explore the DNA repair mechanism of immune adaptive response （AR） induced by low dose radiation （LDR）, the changes of mRNA levels and protein expressions of p53, ATM, DNA-PK catalytic subunit （DNA-PKcs） and PARP-1 genes in the LDR-induced AR in EL-4 cells. Methods The apoptosis and cell cycle progression of EL-4 cells were detected by flow cytometry in 12 h after the cells received the pre-exposure of 0.075 Gy X-rays （inductive dose, D 1） and the succeeding high dose irradiation （challenge dose, D2; 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 Gy X-rays, respectively） with or without wortmannin （inhibitor of ATM and DNA-PK） and 3-aminobenzamid （inhibitor of PARP-1）. And the protein expressions and mRNA levels related to these genes were detected with flow cytometry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in 12 h after irradiation with D2. Results The mRNA and protein expressions of p53 and PARP-1 in EL-4 cells in the D1 ＋ D2 groups were much lower than those in the D2 groups, and those of PARP-1 in the 3-AB ＋ D2 and the 3-AB ＋ D1 ＋ D2 groups were much lower than those in the D2 and the D1 ＋ D2 groups. The percentage of apoptotic EL-4 cells in the 3-AB ＋ D1 ＋ D2 groups was much higher than that in the D1 ＋ D2 groups, that in the G0/G1 and the G2 ＋ M phases was much higher, and that in the S phase were much lower. Although the ATM and DNA-PKcs mRNA and protein expressions in wortmannin ＋ D1 ＋ D2 groups were much lower than those in the D1 ＋ D2 groups, there were no significant changes in the apoptosis and cell cycle progression between the wortmannin ＋ D1 ＋ D2 and the D1 ＋ D2 groups. Conclusion PARP-1 and p53 might play important roles in AR induced by LDR.

Application of Low Tube Voltage, Low-concentration Contrast Agent Using a 320-row CT in Coronary CT Angiography: Evaluation of Image Quality, Radiation Dose and Iodine Intake

The effect of low voltage and low concentration contrast agent on image quality of coronary CT angiography,radiation dose and iodine intake was evaluated.A total of 121 patients with body mass index(BMI)<26 kg/m2 and heart rate(HR)<70 beats/min were randomly divided into four groups:group A(n=31,80 kVp,270 mgl/mL);group B(n=33,100 kVp,270 mgl/mL);group C(h=30,100 kVp,320 mgl/mL);group D(w=27,100 kVp,400 mgl/mL).The automatic current modulation system and the iterative algorithm for reconstruction were adopted in each group.The CT values and SD values of the aortic root(AR),subcutaneous fat,left coronary artery opening(LCA),and right coronary artery opening(RCA)were measured in all groups,the signalto-noise ratio(SNR)and contrast noise ratio(CNR)were calculated,and effective radiation dose and iodine intake were recorded.The subjective assessment for image quality was performed by two physicians using a 4-point scale.The results were compared using the one-way ANOVA and rank sum tests.The image quality of the four groups met the clinical diagnostic requirements.The CT values of AR in groups A,B,C,and D were 537.6±71.4,447.2±81.9,445.2±64.9 and 518.5±94.9 Hu,respectively,with no significant difference between group A and group D,or between group B and group C,while CT values in groups B and C were significantly lower than those in groups A and D(P<0.05).In groups A,B,C,and D,the LCA SNR values were 22.7±9.1,23.3±9.1,23.3±7.7 and 26.6±8.9,and the RCA CNR values were 26.9±9.&28.5±11.4,27.7土&8 and 32」±10.6,respectively.The AR visual scores in groups A,B,C and D were 3.8±0.2,3.9±0.3,3.9±0.3 and 4.0±0.3,respectively.There were no significant differences in SNR,CNR and visual score among the four groups(P>0.05).The radiation doses in groups A,B,C and D were 2.6±1.4,3.6±1.&4.9±3.5 and 4.9±2.8 mSv,respectively.The radiation dose in group A was significantly less than that in the rest three groups(P<0.05).The iodine intakes in groups A,B,C and D were 14.9±1.5,15.0±1.5,17.7±2.0 and 18.1±2.5 g,respectively.There was no significant difference in the intake of iodine between groups C and D,or between groups A and B,while iodine intake in groups A and B were significantly reduced as compared with that in groups C and D(P<0.05).It was concluded that for patients with low BMI and controlled HR,compared to 100 kVp tube voltage combined with multiple concentration contrast agents,80 kVp combined with 270 mgl/mL contrast agent is enough to ensure the quality of the images,and can reduce the radiation dose significantly,while reducing the amount of iodine intake notably,thus reducing the incidence of adverse reaction.

Low contrast medium and radiation dose for hepatic computed tomography perfusion of rabbit VX2 tumor

AIM:To evaluate the feasibility of low contrast medium and radiation dose for hepatic computed tomography(CT) perfusion of rabbit VX2 tumor.METHODS:Eleven rabbits with hepatic VX2 tumor underwent perfusion CT scanning with a 24-h interval between a conventional tube potential(120 k Vp) protocol with 350 mg I/m L contrast medium and filtered back projection,and a low tube potential(80 k Vp) protocol with 270 mg I/m L contrast medium with iterative reconstruction.Correlation and agreement among perfusion parameters acquired by the conventional and low dose protocols were assessed for the viable tumor component as well as whole tumor.Image noise and tumor-to-liver contrast to noise ratio during arterial and portal venous phases were evaluated.RESULTS:A 38% reduction in contrast medium dose(360.1 ± 13.3 mg I/kg vs 583.5 ± 21.5 mg I/kg,P < 0.001) and a 73% decrease in radiation dose(1898.5 m Gy·cm vs 6951.8 m Gy·cm) were observed.Interestingly,there was a strong positive correlation in hepatic arterial perfusion(r = 0.907,P < 0.001;r = 0.879,P < 0.001),hepatic portal perfusion(r = 0.819,P = 0.002;r = 0.831,P = 0.002),and hepatic blood flow(r = 0.945,P < 0.001;r = 0.930,P < 0.001) as well as a moderate correlation in hepatic perfusion index(r = 0.736,P = 0.01;r = 0.636,P = 0.035) between the low dose protocol with iterative reconstruction and the conventional protocol for the viable tumor component and the whole tumor.These two imaging protocols provided a moderate but acceptable agreement for perfusion parameters and similar tumorto-liver CNR during arterial and portal venous phases(5.63 ± 2.38 vs 6.16 ± 2.60,P = 0.814;4.60 ± 1.27 vs 5.11 ± 1.74,P = 0.587).CONCLUSION:Compared with the conventional protocol,low contrast medium and radiation dose with iterative reconstruction has no significant influence on hepatic perfusion parameters for rabbits VX2 tumor.

Radiation dose detection using a high-power portable optically stimulated luminescence real-time reading system

Optically stimulated luminescence(OSL) reading systems are becoming smaller and capable of real-time detection. To improve real-time and multipurpose radiation dosimetry readings, we built a real-time continuous-wave(RCW) OSL reading system. This system is both small and lightweight, and it employs powerful laser excitation(478 mW/cm^2) at the dosimetry probe location. We investigate the possibility of using the RCW mode to read the radiation luminescence(RL) or OSL by using a singlecrystal Al_2O_3:C dosimeter in a low-dose-rate137 Cs y field.Our results indicate that the RL/OSL follows a stable and uniform distribution. The minimum detected doses associated with the RL, OSL, and RL + OSL signals are2.1 9 10^(-2), 3.17 9 10^(-1), and 5.7 9 10^(-2) l Gy, respectively. This device provides a framework for the future development of applications for practical radiation dose measurements.