Public Effective Dose Assessment Using Gross Alpha and Beta Radioactivity Levels of Tap Drinking Water in the District of Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire

In order to assess public effective dose due to gross alpha and beta in water, 43 tap water samples were collected from different areas in the District of Abidjan. Using the low background Gas-less Automatic Alpha/Beta counting system (Canberra iMaticTM) for analysis, the gross alpha and beta concentrations found varied from 0.001 ± 0.002 to 0.063 ± 0.050 Bq/l with an average of 0.013 ± 0.012 Bq/l and from 0.067 ± 0.080 to 0.320 ± 0.120 Bq/l with an average of 0.174 ± 0.076 Bq/l, respectively in samples. The public effective dose assessment showed values of dose to ingestion of alpha and beta emitter radionuclides lower than the recommended value of dose for drinking water 0.1 mSv/y, except in 30% of the samples. These results show the need for additional studies to be conducted in order to clarify the hazardousness of these water samples. However, this study still remains important because it has provided necessary data for future tap water quality monitoring studies in the District of Abidjan.

Indoor^(222)Rn Levels and Effective Dose Estimation of Academic Staff in izmir-Turkey

Objective To investigate the annual effective doses from indoor radon received by academic staff in the Faculty building. Methods Measurements of indoor radon concentrations were performed in the Arts and Sciences Faculty of Dokuz Eylul University for two surveys of about 1 month duration respectively using the SSNTD （Solid State Nuclear Track Detectors） method with LR115 detectors. Time integrated measurements comprised different locations inside the faculty building： classrooms, toilets, canteen and offices. Homes of academic staff were also tested for radon. Results The aritthmetic mean radon concentration is 161 Bq m-3 with a range between 40 and 335 Bq m-3 in the Faculty. Six offices and three classrooms have a radon concentration above 200 Bq m-3. The results show that the radon concentration in classrooms is generally higher than in offices. Based on the measured indoor radon data, the annual effective doses received by staff in the Faculty were estimated to range from 0.79 to 4.27 mSv, according to UNSCEAR methodology. The annual effective doses received by staff ranged from 0.78 to 4.20 mSv in homes. On average, the Faculty contributed 56% to the annual effective dose. Conclusion Reported values for radon concentrations and corresponding doses are within the ICRP recommended limits for workplaces.

Review on Hydroxyurea Usage in Young Children with Sickle Cell Disease: Examining Hemoglobin Induction, Potential Benefits, Responses, Safety, and Effectiveness

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a prevalent condition, particularly in the countries of sub-Saharan Africa, where the presence of specific genes associated with Malaria contributes to its high prevalence. Patients with sickle cell disease frequently experience painful episodes necessitating hospitalization, and their hemoglobin levels are typically lower than those of the general population. There are different treatment options available to manage complications, such as transfusing blood, hydroxyurea, and strong anti-pains. However, with all these treatments, patients still commonly experience pain crises and suffer from organ damage. Hydroxyurea, the sole approved medication for sickle cell anemia in developed and developing countries, is widely used in children despite being primarily indicated for adults. Multiple studies have demonstrated the efficacy of hydroxyurea in inducing HbF production in young children with SCD. Elevated HbF levels have been associated with improved clinical outcomes, including a reduction in vaso-occlusive crises, acute chest syndrome, and the need for blood transfusions. Furthermore, increased HbF levels have been shown to ameliorate disease-related organ damage, such as pulmonary hypertension and sickle cell retinopathy. The response to hydroxyurea treatment in young children with SCD is variable. Some patients achieve substantial increases in HbF levels and experience significant clinical benefits, while others may have a more modest response. Factors influencing the response include baseline HbF levels, genetic modifiers, treatment adherence, and dose optimization. Safety is a crucial consideration when using hydroxyurea in young children. Studies have shown that hydroxyurea is generally well-tolerated, with the most common adverse effects being myelosuppression, gastrointestinal symptoms, and dermatological manifestations. However,long-term effects and potential risks, such as renal dysfunction and reproductive impacts, require further investigation. The effectiveness of hydroxyurea in young children with SCD has been demonstrated in various clinical trials and observational studies. These studies have shown a significant reduction in disease-related complications and improved quality of life. However, optimal dosing, treatment duration, and long-term outcomes are still areas of ongoing research. This review focuses on recent studies investigating the benefits, effectiveness, responses, and safety of hydroxyurea in pediatric individuals diagnosed with sickle cell disease.

Median effective dose of remifentanil for awake laryngoscopy and intubation

Background Awake intubation requires an anesthetic management that provides sufficient patient safety and comfort, adequate intubating conditions, and stable hemodynamics. In this prospective clinical study, our aim was to determine the median effective dose （ED50） of remifentanil in combination with midazolam and airway topical anesthesia for awake laryngoscopy and intubation. Methods Thirty-six female adult patients, scheduled for elective plastic surgery under general anesthesia requiring orotracheal intubation were included in this study. Ten minutes after intravenous administration of midazolam 0.1 mg/kg, patients were assigned to receive remifentanil in bolus, followed by a continuous infusion. The bolus dose and infusion rate of remifentanil were adjusted by a modified Dixon＇s up-and-down method. Patient＇s reaction score at laryngoscopy and an Observer＇s Assessment of Alertness/Sedation Scale （OAA/S） were used to determine whether the remifentanil dosage regimen was accepted. During laryngoscopy, 2% lidocaine was sprayed into the airway to provide the topical anesthesia. ED50 of remifentanil was calculated by the modified Dixon up-and-down method, and the probit analysis was then used to confirm the results obtained from the modified Dixon＇s up-and-down method. In the patients who were scored as ＂accept＂, patient＇s OAA/S and reactJon scores at dJfferent observed points, JntubatJng conditJon score and patient＇s tolerance to the endotracheal tube after intubation were evaluated and recorded. Blood pressure and heart rate at different measuring points were also noted. Results ED50 of remifentanil for awake laryngoscopy and intubation obtained by the modified Dixon＇s up-and-down method was （0.62±0.02） μg/kg. Using probit analysis, ED50 and ED95 of remifentanil were 0.63 μg/kg （95% CI, 0.54-0.70） and 0.83 μg/kg （95% CI, 0.73-2.59）, respectively. Nineteen patients who were scored as ＂accept＂ had an OAA/S of 〉15 and tolerated well laryngoscopy without significant discomfort or gagging. The mean intubating condition score was 1.8±0.8. The endotracheal tube was well tolerated. During awake laryngoscopy and intubation, blood pressure and heart rate were also kept stable. The postoperative follow up showed that no patient recalled discomfort and pain for airway manipulation. Conclusions When combined with midazolam 0.1 mg/kg and airway topical anesthesia, ED50 of remifentanil for successful awake laryngoscopy and Jntubation is 0.62 μg/kg in bolus followed by continuous infusJon of 0.062 μg·kg·min^-1. This sedation and analgesia regimen can provide patient safety and comfort, ensure adequate intubating conditions, maintain hemodynamic stability, and prevent negative recall of the airway procedure.

Estimation of the minimum effective dose of tramadol for postoperative analgesia in infants using the continual reassessment method

Tramadol is a potent analgesic.However,the analgesia efficacy of tramadol,particularly its minimum effective dose(MED),is not clear.The aim of this study is to find MED of tramadol for postoperative analgesia in infants.The continual reassessment method(CRM)was performed to find MED.Infants undergoing surgeries were included in the 3 phases of this series.In each phase,24 participants were allocated a different tramadol dose.Pain intensity was measured by face,legs,activity,cry,consolability(FLACC)measurement at 3-hour intervals.Tramadol was considered ineffective if the FLACC score was higher than 4 in 10 at anytime.In phase 1,seven dose levels were used within the range 0.1-0.4 mg·kg^(-1)·h^(-1).Phase 1 was insufficient to identify the MED,and we increased the dose to 0.4-0.8 mg·kg^(-1)·h^(-1) in phase 2.Phase 2 was insufficient to identify the MED.In phase 3,local anesthetic wound infiltration was introduced,and the tramadol dose levels tested were the same as in phase 1.The successful analgesia probability of tramadol 0.4 mg·kg^(-1)·h^(-1) was 82.1%(95%CI,0.742-0.925)in phase 1.In phase 2,it was 84.7%(95%CI,0.789-0.991)with the dose 0.8 mg·kg^(-1)·h^(-1).Phase 1 and phase 2 were insufficient to identify the MED.In phase 3,the successful analgesia probability for dose 0.35 mg·kg^(-1)·h^(-1) was 96.7%(95%CI,0.853-0.997).We have demonstrated that tramadol provides insufficient analgesia for surgeries considered to cause moderate-to-severe postoperative pain in infants if used as the sole analgesic,and that local anesthetic wound infiltration enhances the efficacy of tramadol.

Biologically-Effective-Dose of Tolpyralate and Tolpyralate plus Atrazine for Control of Multiple-Herbicide-Resistant Waterhemp [<i>Amaranthus tuberculatus</i>(Moq.) J. D. Sauer] in Corn

The biologically-effective-dose of tolpyralate, a new 4-hydroxyphenyl-pyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD)-inhibitor, applied alone or tank-mixed with atrazine, for the control of multiple-herbicide-resistant (MHR) waterhemp [Amaranthus tuberculatus (Moq.) J. D. Sauer] has not been studied in corn. Seven field experiments were conducted during a three-year period (2018, 2019, 2020) in Ontario, Canada with MHR waterhemp to determine: 1) the dose-response of MHR waterhemp to tolpyralate and tolpyralate plus atrazine, and 2) the relative efficacy of tolpyralate and tolpyralate plus atrazine to post-emergence corn herbicides, dicamba/atrazine (500/1000 g·ha−1) and mesotrione + atrazine (100 + 280 g·ha−1). Tolpyralate + atrazine (120 + 4000 g·ha−1) caused 13% corn injury at one site two weeks after application (WAA), which was observed as transient foliar chlorosis and bleaching of new leaves. At 12 WAA, the predicted dose of tolpyralate for 50% control of MHR waterhemp at Cottam and on Walpole Island was 8 and 2 g·ha−1, respectively;the predicted dose of tolpyralate + atrazine for 50% control of MHR waterhemp at Cottam and on Walpole Island was 5 + 160 and 1 + 21 g·ha−1, respectively. The difference in predicted dose at the two sites is likely due to differences in MHR density and resistance profile. Applied at the registered rate, tolpyralate (30 g·ha−1) and tolpyralate + atrazine (30 + 1000 g·ha−1) controlled MHR waterhemp similar to dicamba/atrazine and mesotrione + atrazine across sites. This study demonstrates that tolpyralate + atrazine, applied POST, provides season-long control of MHR waterhemp in corn.

Total Indicative Dose Determination in Water from the North Riviera Well Field of SODECI in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire

The Uranium-238 (238U), Thorium-232 (232Th) families and Potassium-40 (40K) are of terrestrial origin and contribute generally to an individual’s external exposure through our presence in this environment. They also contribute to the internal exposure through the ingestion of products and beverages such as water that are close to the earth. The aim of this work is to determine the committed effective dose or Total Indicative Dose (TID) due to gamma radioactivity of the borehole water from the Nord Riviera (NR) well field operated by the Côte d’Ivoire Water Distribution Company (SODECI) for the supply of drinking water to part of the population of Abidjan. In addition, the populations, with their habits, could use these borehole waters directly as drinking water. To this end, water samples from the seven (07) functional boreholes were collected and analyzed on a gamma spectrometry chain, equipped with an HPGe detector in the laboratory of the Radiation Protection Institute (RPI) of the GHANA Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC). The results of the specific activities of 238U, 232Th and 40K obtained were transcribed into TID. As the natural radioactivity of the borehole water is high [1], the TIDs calculated from the activity results of the natural radionuclides238U, 232Th, and 40K vary for the seven boreholes from 0.150 to 0.166 mSv/yr with an average of 0.161 ± 0.034 mSv/yr. The TID of the control tower, where the borehole water is mixed and treated for household use, is equal to 0.136 ± 0.03 mSv/yr. The TIDs obtained are therefore all slightly greater than the WHO reference dose value of 0.1 mSv/yr. But all remain below the UNSCEAR reference dose of 0.29 mSv/yr.

Laser-assisted Simulation of Dose Rate Effects of Wide Band Gap Semiconductor Devices

Laser-assisted simulation technique has played a crucial role in the investigation of dose rate effects of silicon-based devices and integrated circuits,due to its exceptional advantages in terms of flexibility,safety,convenience,and precision.In recent years,wide band gap materials,known for their strong bonding and high ionization energy,have gained increasing attention from researchers and hold significant promise for extensive applications in specialized environments.Consequently,there is a growing need for comprehensive research on the dose rate effects of wide band gap materials.In response to this need,the use of laser-assisted simulation technology has emerged as a promising approach,offering an effective means to assess the efficacy of investigating these materials and devices.This paper focused on investigating the feasibility of laser-assisted simulation to study the dose rate effects of wide band gap semiconductor devices.Theoretical conversion factors for laser-assisted simulation of dose rate effects of GaN-based and SiC-based devices were been provided.Moreover,to validate the accuracy of the conversion factors,pulsed laser and dose rate experiments were conducted on GaN-based and SiC-based PIN diodes.The results demonstrate that pulsed laser radiation andγ-ray radiation can produce highly similar photocurrent responses in GaN-based and SiC-based PIN diodes,with correlation coefficients of 0.98 and 0.974,respectively.This finding reaffirms the effectiveness of laser-assisted simulation technology,making it a valuable complement in studying the dose rate effects of wide band gap semiconductor devices.

Gross Alpha and Beta Activities and Related Lifetime Risks Assessment Due to Ingestion of Drinking Water from Different Sources in the District of Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire

Drinking good quality water is essential for better health. It is therefore essential to assess the radiological quality of all water consumed in the District of Abidjan in order to prevent related hazards. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess the risk of cancer due to the ingestion of alpha and beta emitting radionuclides in the different types of water consumed in the region. A total of 63 water samples with 43 tap water samples, 5 bottled mineral water and 15 sachet water samples was collected and taken to GAEC laboratory for analysis. The low background Gas-less Automatic Alpha/Beta counting system (Canberra iMaticTM) was used to determine alpha and beta activity concentrations. Activity concentrations of both gross alpha and gross beta obtained in water sample were respectively lower than the WHO recommended limits of 0.1 Bq/l and 1 Bq/l. Also, the annual effective dose and total equivalent effective dose found in mineral bottled water samples were higher than in other types of water. The assessment of radiological lifetime risk has shown values of cancer risk due to ingestion alpha and beta emitters lower than recommended limit. These results indicate that there is no health hazard associated to consumption of water in the District of Abidjan.

Measurement of Radon Concentration and Estimation of Cancer Risk in Twenty-Four Model Houses in the Town of Koudougou

The objective of our study is to evaluate the concentration of radon (86Rn) inside houses in the town of Koudougou in order to estimate its impact on the health of the population. Indeed, when uranium-rich minerals are found near the surface of the ground, radon concentrations can reach tens of becquerels per cubic meter in enclosed spaces. Given the nature of the geological base of Burkina Faso, this situation is quite probable and certain places that are sometimes poorly ventilated (house, school, office, etc.) can have radon levels high enough to constitute a health problem for occupants. Thus, twenty-four (24) sample houses were identified. In each house, the Corentium digital detector was between 0.8 m and 2 m for at least one week in a place where the occupants estimate that they spend more time of time and measure the concentration of radon in the long term and short term. The recorded data allowed us to determine the Absorbed Dose and the Annual Effective Dose of radon gas for each house in order to estimate the Risk of Cancer and the probable Number of Cases of Lung Cancer per million inhabitants. Thus, the results indicate that the long-term radon concentration varies between 6 Bq/m3 and 285 Bq/m3 respectively in houses 11 and 4 compared to 1 Bq/m3 to 208 Bq/m3 in the short term in the same houses. Also, in the long term, in control houses 1, 3 and 4, the radon level is above the recommended threshold interval. For the short term, these are houses 1, 3, 4 and 17 respectively with 110 Bq/m3, 142 Bq/m3, 208 Bq/m3 and 105 Bq/m3. As for the long-term and short-term effective doses, only houses 1, 3, 4, 17 and 24 have values between 3 - 10 Sv/year. The estimation of the relative risk of lung cancer gives values relatively close to unity and between 1.006 and 1.142 with an average of 1.035 and that of the Number of Lung Cancer Cases per million inhabitants gives values between 8 and 166 with an average of 42. Thus, we can conclude that with the exception of houses 1, 3, 4 and 17, the radon concentrations are relatively low in the twenty-four control houses in the city of Koudougou. The lifestyle of the populations can well explain this situation when we know that people are in the habit of always leaving doors and windows open, especially when they are not sleeping. We can therefore say that the risk of population exposure to radon gas is relatively low in the town of Koudougou.

Dose optimization of intrathecal administration of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells for the treatment of subacute incomplete spinal cord injury

Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells(hUC-MSCs)are a promising candidate for spinal cord injury(SCI)repair owing to their advantages of low immunogenicity and easy accessibility over other MSC sources.However,modest clinical efficacy hampered the progression of these cells to clinical translation.This discrepancy may be due to many variables,such as cell source,timing of implantation,route of administration,and relevant efficacious cell dose,which are critical factors that affect the efficacy of treatment of patients with SCI.Previously,we have evaluated the safety and efficacy of 4×10^(6) hUC-MSCs/kg in the treatment of subacute SCI by intrathecal implantation in rat models.To search for a more accurate dose range for clinical translation,we compared the effects of three different doses of hUC-MSCs-low(0.25×10^(6) cells/kg),medium(1×10^(6) cells/kg)and high(4×10^(6) cells/kg)-on subacute SCI repair through an elaborate combination of behavioral analyses,anatomical analyses,magnetic resonance imaging-diffusion tensor imaging(MRI-DTI),biotinylated dextran amine(BDA)tracing,electrophysiology,and quantification of mRNA levels of ion channels and neurotransmitter receptors.Our study demonstrated that the medium dose,but not the low dose,is as efficient as the high dose in producing the desired therapeutic outcomes.Furthermore,partial restoration of theγ-aminobutyric acid type A(GABAA)receptor expression by the effective doses indicates that GABAA receptors are possible candidates for therapeutic targeting of dormant relay pathways in injured spinal cord.Overall,this study revealed that intrathecal implantation of 1×10^(6) hUC-MSCs/kg is an alternative approach for treating subacute SCI.

ASSESSMENT OF COLLECTIVE DOSE FOR TRAVELLERS BY WATERS

People travelling by air will receive more exposure dose and by water will receive less one.According to statistic data from the Ministry of Communications in 1988,the turnover in that year was abode 2×1010 man·km.The total number of fishermen for inshore fishing was nearly two million reported by Ministry of Agriculture,Animal Husbandry and Fishery.Based on measured data on 212 points in six typical shipping lines of inshore lines and inland rivers,and the total voyage is 5625km,the average natural radiation dose rate received by travellers was calculated.Worn that assessment of collective effective dose for passengers by Water and fishermen was derived.The value is 32.7 man.Sv for passengers and 265.3 man.Sv for fishermen.

Measurement of Radioactivity in Carbonated Soft Drinks and Annual Dose Assessment

A set of measurements have been conducted, using gamma spectrometry technique, in order to determine the activity-level in some carbonated soft drinks. The obtained activity is about 0.18 ± 0.07 Bq/l for 137Cs, whereas it is less than 0.13, 0.18 and 4.51 Bq/l respectively for 212Pb, 214Pb and 40K. The total average annual dose is about 3.49, 1.69 and 1.68 μSv/y respectively for 7 - 12, 12 - 17 and >17 years old person leading to a radiological risk about 0.142 for adolescent and adults. The obtained results show no significant radiation dose and radiation hazard on human health due to the consumption of these carbonated soft drinks.

Modeling of Radon and Its Short-Lived Decay Products during Showering: Dose to Adult Members of the Public

Human exposure to radon inside different parts of the house has become a great concern. In this study, the distribution of radon and its decay inside the shower will be numerically investigated. In fact, the radon concentration in water is measured through the use of AlphaGUARD. They are used as an input for CFD simulation. The numerical results proved that temperature and humidity have significant impacts on both radon content and distribution. Also, the equilibrium factor variations between radon and its progeny with the temperature and relative humidity were carefully looked at. The equivalent doses due to 218Po and 214Po were evaluated in different tissues of the respiratory tract of the members of the public from the inhalation of air inside the shower. The annual effective dose due to radon short lived decay from the inhalation of air inside the shower by the members of the public was also investigated.

Machine learning-based analyses for total ionizing dose effects in bipolar junction transistors

Machine learning methods have proven to be powerful in various research fields.In this paper,we show that research on radiation effects could benefit from such methods and present a machine learning-based scientific discovery approach.The total ionizing dose(TID)effects usually cause gain degradation of bipolar junction transistors(BJTs),leading to functional failures of bipolar integrated circuits.Currently,many experiments of TID effects on BJTs have been conducted at different laboratories worldwide,producing a large amount of experimental data which provides a wealth of information.However,it is difficult to utilize these data effectively.In this study,we proposed a new artificial neural network(ANN)approach to analyze the experimental data of TID effects on BJTs An ANN model was built and trained using data collected from different experiments.The results indicate that the proposed ANN model has advantages in capturing nonlinear correlations and predicting the data.The trained ANN model suggests that the TID hardness of a BJT tends to increase with base current I.A possible cause for this finding was analyzed and confirmed through irradiation experiments.

Effect of Low Dose Radiation on Intracellular Calcium and Protein Kinase C in Lymphocytes

It is first reported in the present paper that whole-body irradiation (WBI) with low dose X-rays could increase intracellular calcium ions ([Ca2+]i) and stimulate protein kinase C (PKC) activity of mouse lymphocytes. Following WBI of male Kunming micc With 75 mGy X-rays at a dose rate of 12.5 mGy/min the mobilization of [Ca2+]i with Con A in CD4+ and CD8+ Cells in the thymus and spleen was potentiated and the amplitude of [Ca2+], mobilization in thymocytes in response to anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody increased with time from 4 to 24 h following low dose radiation. The PKC activity in the homogenate of spleen was markedly stimulated 12 h after WBl with 75 mGy, reaching its peak value at 24-48 h and coming down to lower than normal on day 7. However, the PKC activity in the separated T lymphocytes reached its peak value at 12 h and that in the B lymphocytes reached its peak value on day 4, both coming down to below control on day 7. The implications of this facilitation of signal transduction in T lymphocytes in the mechanism of immunoenhancement after low dose radiation were discussed

Hot-Carrier Effects on Total Dose Irradiated 65 nm n-Type Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors

The influence of total dose irradiation on hot-carrier reliability of 65 nm n-type metal-oxide-semiconductor field- effect transistors （nMOSFETs） is investigated. Experimental results show that hot-carrier degradations on ir- radiated narrow channel nMOSFETs are greater than those without irradiation. The reason is attributed to radiation-induced charge trapping in shallow trench isolation （STI）. The electric field in the pinch-off region of the nMOSFET is enhanced by radiation-induced charge trapping in STI, resulting in a more severe hot-carrier effect.

Suppressing the hot carrier injection degradation rate in total ionizing dose effect hardened nMOSFETs

Annular gate nMOSFETs are frequently used in spaceborne integrated circuits due to their intrinsic good capability of resisting total ionizing dose （TID） effect. However, their capability of resisting the hot carrier effect （HCE） has also been proven to be very weak. In this paper, the reason why the annular gate nMOSFETs have good TID but bad HCE resistance is discussed in detail, and an improved design to locate the source contacts only along one side of the annular gate is used to weaken the HCE degradation. The good TID and HCE hardened capability of the design are verified by the experiments for I/O and core nMOSFETs in a 0.18 μm bulk CMOS technology. In addition, the shortcoming of this design is also discussed and the TID and the HCE characteristics of the replacers （the annular source nMOSFETs） are also studied to provide a possible alternative for the designers.

Dose Effects of Ion Beam Exposure on Deinococcus Radiodurans: Survival and Dose Response

To explore the survival and dose response of organism for different radiation sources is of great importance in the research of radiobiology. In this study, the survival-dose response of Deinococcus radiodurans (E.coli, as the control) for ultra-violet (UV), γ-rays radiation and ion beam exposure was investigated. The shoulder type of survival curves were found for both UV and γ-ray ionizing radiation, but the saddle type of survival curves were shown for H+、 N+( 20keV and 30keV) and Ar+ beam exposure. This dose effect of the survival initially decreased with the increase in dose and then increased in the high dose range and finally decreased again in the higher dose range. Our experimental results suggest that D. radiodurans, which is considerably radio-resistant to UV and x-ray and γ-ray ionizing radiation, do not resist ion beam exposure.

How to conduct an acupuncture dose–effect relationship study? A discussion based on study methodology

Acupuncture therapy is widely used in the clinic,and its therapeutic effects have been proven by numerous studies.The dose–effect relationship of acupuncture is a fundamental aspect of the acupuncture research system.Recent studies found that different acupuncture dosages altered study results directly,indicating the importance of screening the optimal stimulation dosage.However,the system for studying the acupuncture dose–effect relationship is still in its infancy,and the methodology of the system needs to be improved.This review aimed to define the factors impacting acupuncture“dosage”and“effect,”and to improve the methodological system for research on the dose–effect relationship of acupuncture.By summarizing the current findings of acupuncture dose–effect studies,we discussed the vital acupuncture parameters and methodological problems that influence the relationship between acupuncture dosage and its effects.These factors consist of specific influencing factors(acupoint selection,acupuncture manipulation parameters,de qi response)and nonspecific influencing factors(comparison selection,blinding procedure,patient expectancy).Our perspectives offer suggestions for the design of acupuncture dosage–effect trials.Further studies need to be conducted to establish the methodological system and provide systematic evidence of the acupuncture dose–effect relationship.