Shielding effect of radiation dose reduction fiber during the use of C-arm fluoroscopy: a phantom study

ABSTRACT This study evaluated the shielding effect of a newly developed dose-reduction fiber (DRF) made from barium sulfate, in terms of radiation doses delivered to patients’ radiosensitive organs and operator during C-arm fluoroscopy and its impact on the quality of images. A C-arm fluoroscopy unit was placed beside a whole-body phantom. Radiophotoluminescent glass dosimeters were attached to the back and front of the whole-body phantom at 20 cm intervals. Radiation doses were measured without DRF and with it applied to the back (position 1), front (position 2) or both sides (position 3) of the phantom. To investigate the impact of DRF on the quality of fluoroscopic images, step-wedge and modulation transfer function phantoms were used. The absorbed radiation doses to the back of the phantom significantly decreased by 25.3–88.8% after applying DRF to positions 1 and 3. The absorbed radiation doses to the front of the phantom significantly decreased by 55.3–93.6% after applying DRF to positions 2 and 3. The contrast resolution values for each adjacent step area fell in the range 0.0119–0.0209, 0.0128–0.0271, 0.0135–0.0339 and 0.0152–0.0339 without and with DRF applied to positions 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The investigated DRF effectively reduces absorbed radiation doses to patients and operators without decreasing the quality of C-arm fluoroscopic images. Therefore, routine clinical use of the DRF is recommended during the use of C-arm fluoroscopy.

Download Full-text

Optimization of Image Quality in Paediatric Computed Tomography

10.32920/ryerson.14663862 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Angjelina Protik

Keyword(s):

Image Quality ◽

Dose Reduction ◽

Quantitative Data ◽

Ct Image ◽

Contrast Resolution ◽

Diagnostic Quality ◽

Advantages And Disadvantages ◽

Phantom Studies ◽

Ct Image Quality ◽

The Impact

In this study the effects of ASIR™ and collimation on CT image quality (IQ) parameters were quantified. Catphan®600 phantom studies were performed on a GE HD750 64-slice scanner to investigate the impact of collimation 0.625mm vs. 5mm on the overall IQ. For noise and dose reduction ASIR™ was tested on 0.625mm collimation. The varying %ASIR™, scanned at 150mA and variable kVp and 50% ASIR™ compared to FBP on wide kVp/mA range was used. Image noise, CT# accuracy and uniformity, spatial and contrast resolution, MTF, CNR and Wiener spectrum analysis were performed on 0.625mmAX slices, 5mmAXMPR and 2mmCORMPR. Incremental advantages and disadvantages were seen with stepwise increase in %ASIR™. The 50% ASIR™ was found to be optimal blend for diagnostic quality and has potential for dose reduction in paediatric CT. This quantitative data could be used to design ASIR™-enhanced protocols with consideration of diagnostic task, balancing image quality and radiation dose.

Download Full-text

Optimization of Image Quality in Paediatric Computed Tomography

10.32920/ryerson.14663862.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Angjelina Protik

Keyword(s):

Image Quality ◽

Dose Reduction ◽

Quantitative Data ◽

Ct Image ◽

Contrast Resolution ◽

Diagnostic Quality ◽

Advantages And Disadvantages ◽

Phantom Studies ◽

Ct Image Quality ◽

The Impact

Download Full-text

Microorganism inactivation by an ozonation step optimized for micropollutant removal from tertiary effluent

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.2013.212 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 68 (2) ◽

pp. 311-318 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

H. Schaar ◽

R. Sommer ◽

R. Schürhagl ◽

P. Yillia ◽

N. Kreuzinger

Keyword(s):

Oxygen Demand ◽

Surface Water Quality ◽

Shielding Effect ◽

Bathing Water Directive ◽

Bacteriophage Ms2 ◽

Micropollutant Removal ◽

Microorganism Inactivation ◽

Filtration Step ◽

The Impact

This paper demonstrates the additional benefit of the microbicidal efficacy of an ozonation plant implemented for micropollutant removal from tertiary effluent. Due to the low amount of viruses and protozoa in the tertiary effluent, bacteriophage MS2 and spores of Bacillus subtilis were dosed as surrogates. At specific ozone consumptions of 0.6 and 0.9 g O3/g dissolved organic carbon (DOC) a 2-log colony forming unit (CFU) reduction was achieved for indigenous Escherichia coli and enterococci, and the limits of the European bathing water directive for the excellent quality of inland waters were met. Higher removal was impeded by the shielding effect of suspended solids in the effluent, which implies the combination of ozonation with a preceding filtration step if higher microbicidal performances are required. The surrogate virus MS2 was reduced by 4–5 log while no significant inactivation was detected for B. subtilis spores. Additionally, the impact of ozonation on the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) was studied. The BOD5 measurement was not adversely affected despite the reduced concentration of microorganisms after ozonation. The intrinsic increase in BOD5 averaged 15% at 0.6–0.7 g O3/g DOC. The impact of the projected increase on the surface water quality is generally not considered a problem but has to be assessed on a case-by-case approach.

Download Full-text

The Impact of Different Levels of Adaptive Iterative Dose Reduction 3D on Image Quality of 320-Row Coronary CT Angiography: A Clinical Trial

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0125943 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 10 (5) ◽

pp. e0125943 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Sarah Feger ◽

Matthias Rief ◽

Elke Zimmermann ◽

Peter Martus ◽

Joanne Désirée Schuijf ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trial ◽

Image Quality ◽

Dose Reduction ◽

Ct Angiography ◽

Coronary Ct Angiography ◽

Coronary Ct ◽

The Impact ◽

Different Levels

Download Full-text

Quality of Life of Complete Denture Wearers—A Comparative Study between Conventional Dentures and Acrylic Dentures with Vitamin B12 Incorporated

Medicina ◽

10.3390/medicina57080820 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 57 (8) ◽

pp. 820

Author(s):

Dana Gabriela Budală ◽

Elena Raluca Baciu ◽

Dragoș Ioan Virvescu ◽

Adina Armencia ◽

Mihaela Monica Scutariu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Oral Health ◽

Vitamin B12 ◽

Research Direction ◽

Whole Body ◽

Future Research ◽

Local Health ◽

Complete Dentures ◽

The Impact

Background and objectives: This paper is a sequel to the studies that focused on the optimization of the structure of classical acrylates with vitamin B12 as a template and their impact on patients’ general and local health. In this context, we aim to investigate the relationships between attitudes and behavior regarding oral health, oral health status, and quality of life related to oral health in the case of patients with conventional dentures and those with dentures improved with vitamin B12. Material and Methods: The sample size was estimated from previous studies, and 252 participants were enrolled and divided into two groups, one of which received as a treatment complete dentures with B12, and the other group was represented by complete edentulous patients treated with conventional complete dentures. The impact of oral health in general on patient satisfaction and quality of life was assessed using Oral Health Impact Profile OHIP-14 questionnaires. The descriptive statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 20.0. A value of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Differences registered between the two groups were statistically significant in all evaluated dimensions. The largest differences were recorded for physical, psychological, and social disability as well as for the level of disability, all in favor of denture B12 wearers. Conclusions: The materials used in the treatment of complete edentation can be a future research direction that can not only improve their mechanical strength but can contribute to maintaining the superior health of the oral mucosa and can also be a way of transporting substances necessary for the normal development of the metabolism of the whole body, such as vitamin B12 in our case.

Download Full-text

Optical tolerance to rotation of trifocal toric intraocular lenses as a function of the cylinder power

European Journal of Ophthalmology ◽

10.1177/1120672120926845 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 112067212092684

Author(s):

Javier Ruiz-Alcocer ◽

Amalia Lorente-Velázquez ◽

Pablo de Gracia ◽

David Madrid-Costa

Keyword(s):

Transfer Function ◽

Intraocular Lens ◽

Modulation Transfer Function ◽

Optical Quality ◽

Significant Loss ◽

Intraocular Lenses ◽

Modulation Transfer ◽

The Impact ◽

Distance Vision

Background: The aim was to assess the impact of 5- and 10-degree rotations in the optical quality of a trifocal toric intraocular lens with different amounts of cylinder. Methods: Two Physiol Toric intraocular lenses with 1.5 and 3.0 D of cylinder were analysed in three different positions: centred, 5 and 10 degrees rotated. The optical quality of the intraocular lenses was evaluated with the PMTF optical bench through specific perpendicular targets. The analysis was performed by the through-focus modulation transfer function curves and the modulation transfer function corresponding to distance vision (0 D of vergence). Results: For a centred situation, the through-focus modulation transfer function curves of both intraocular lenses showed the classical three peaks corresponding to the powers of the two principal meridians of the intraocular lenses. When 5 and 10 degrees of rotation were induced, the three peaks were attenuated in both cases. The case with the intraocular lens with 3.0 D of cylinder and 10 degrees of rotation showed the worst optical quality and a significant loss of trifocality. The modulation transfer function values obtained for distance vision also showed the worst optical quality for the intraocular lens with 3.0 D of cylinder and 10 degrees of rotation. Conclusion: Rotations over 5 degrees decreased the optical quality of trifocal toric intraocular lenses, being this reduction moderate from 5 to 10 degrees for low levels of cylinder (≤1.5 D). For mid-high levels of cylinder (≥3.0 D), rotations over 5 degrees cause a significant loss of optical quality at all object distances.

Download Full-text

Quality of Life and Emotional Impact after Immediate Breast Reconstruction

Journal of Advanced Plastic Surgery Research ◽

10.31907/2414-2093.2020.06.02 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 5-9

Author(s):

Marcus Vinicius Jardini Barbosa ◽

◽

Carolline Gabrielle Campos De Souza ◽

Cecília Barbosa Oliveira ◽

Heloísa Loureiro Costa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Breast Reconstruction ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Immediate Breast Reconstruction ◽

The Body ◽

Whole Body ◽

Life Questionnaire ◽

Quality Life ◽

The Impact

Background: Mastectomy is the main method of treating breast cancer and carries a mutilating stigma. Breast reconstruction restores body aesthetics, influencing psychosocial aspects and quality of life. Thus, the aim of the study was to analyze interpersonal and emotional relationships after immediate breast reconstruction. Methods: A qualitative, descriptive and prospective study, was performed through the application of a quality life questionnaire – Breast Evaluation Questionnaire (BEQ 55) in patients who had immediate breast reconstruction, between 2010 to 2019. Results: From the 89 (n=89) women registered in the clinic’s database during the study period, 15 (n=15) of them agreed to participate. The average age was 46 years. Physical domain showed high scores, regarding intimate and sexual activities, professional and work activities, as well as social and recreation activities. Patient’s comfort in front of men were progressive smaller regarding the body dressed, in a swimsuit and naked. The same pattern was observed intimate women and with health professionals. Considering sexual domain scores showed that the more covered, the greater the satisfaction, with an improvement regarding the breasts (73.3%) when compared to the whole body (60.0%). The same pattern was observed regarding the patients’ comfort when being alone, revealing an improvement in the valorization of the breasts in relation to the whole body in the sense of self-image. Conclusion: This study allowed a better understanding of the impact of immediate breast reconstruction showing that this experience can be less traumatic and gradually overcome if there is support from family and health professionals.

Download Full-text

The effect of progressive muscle relaxation interventions on depression, stress, anxiety, and quality of life for cancer patients: a systematic review

PROFESSIONAL HEALTH JOURNAL ◽

10.54832/phj.v3i1.97 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

pp. 34-42

Author(s):

Sholihin Yusuf ◽

Tria Anisa Firmanti ◽

Muhammad Nashir ◽

Roudlotun Nurul Laili

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Psychological Symptoms ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Muscle Relaxation ◽

Progressive Muscle Relaxation ◽

Whole Body ◽

The Impact

Patients with cancer experience emotional distress which characterized by psychological symptoms such as anxiety or depression, psychological symptoms that arise and complex cancer processes have negative impact on their quality of life. Many cancer patients use a wide variety of techniques to improve their psychological symptoms and quality of life including relaxation therapy and specifically, Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR). The systematic review purpose was to review the evidence regarding the use of PMR intervention for cancer patients. Thirty four published studies and nine identified original article as potentially relevant , undertaken in the past six years until now (2013 to 2019) with data bases in Scopus, Proquest, Google Scholar, Oxford, and Science direct Searches. The information flow chart from record identification to study inclusion was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA and extracted data with PICOT. The impact of progressive muscle relaxation interventions remained in effect for between seven days and six month after the interventions.. Progressive muscle relaxation intervention is the technique including continous and systematic stretching and relaxing of the muscles until the whole body becomes relaxed. It has effects in improving depression, stress, anxiety and quality of life via physical relaxation.

Download Full-text

Spot-scan imaging of ice-embedded catalase crystal on a slow-scan CCD camera in a 400-kV electron cryomicroscope

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100168220 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 52 ◽

pp. 98-99

Author(s):

Wah Chiu ◽

Michael Sherman ◽

Jaap Brink

Keyword(s):

Electron Diffraction ◽

Ccd Camera ◽

Protein Crystal ◽

Modulation Transfer ◽

Measured Intensity ◽

3 Dimensional ◽

Dimensional Reconstruction ◽

Diffraction Patterns ◽

Complex Crystal

In protein electron crystallography, both low dose electron diffraction patterns and images are needed to provide accurate amplitudes and phases respectively for a 3-dimensional reconstruction. We have demonstrated that the Gatan 1024x1024 model 679 slow-scan CCD camera is useful to record electron diffraction intensities of glucose-embedded crotoxin complex crystal to 3 Å resolution. The quality of the electron diffraction intensities is high on the basis of the measured intensity equivalence ofthe Friedel-related reflections. Moreover, the number of patterns recorded from a single crystal can be as high as 120 under the constraints of radiation damage and electron statistics for the reflections in each pattern.A limitation of the slow-scan CCD camera for recording electron images of protein crystal arises from the relatively large pixel size, i.e. 24 μm (provided by Gatan). The modulation transfer function of our camera with a P43 scintillator has been determined for 400 keV electrons and shows an amplitude fall-off to 0.25 at 1/60 μm−1.

Download Full-text

Self-Compassion and Quality of Life in Adults Who Stutter

American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology ◽

10.1044/2020_ajslp-20-00055 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 29 (4) ◽

pp. 2097-2108

Author(s):

Robyn L. Croft ◽

Courtney T. Byrd

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Social Connectedness ◽

The Self ◽

Future Research ◽

Self Compassion ◽

Adults Who Stutter ◽

And Gender ◽

Relationship Of ◽

The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this study was to identify levels of self-compassion in adults who do and do not stutter and to determine whether self-compassion predicts the impact of stuttering on quality of life in adults who stutter. Method Participants included 140 adults who do and do not stutter matched for age and gender. All participants completed the Self-Compassion Scale. Adults who stutter also completed the Overall Assessment of the Speaker's Experience of Stuttering. Data were analyzed for self-compassion differences between and within adults who do and do not stutter and to predict self-compassion on quality of life in adults who stutter. Results Adults who do and do not stutter exhibited no significant differences in total self-compassion, regardless of participant gender. A simple linear regression of the total self-compassion score and total Overall Assessment of the Speaker's Experience of Stuttering score showed a significant, negative linear relationship of self-compassion predicting the impact of stuttering on quality of life. Conclusions Data suggest that higher levels of self-kindness, mindfulness, and social connectedness (i.e., self-compassion) are related to reduced negative reactions to stuttering, an increased participation in daily communication situations, and an improved overall quality of life. Future research should replicate current findings and identify moderators of the self-compassion–quality of life relationship.

Download Full-text