Comparison of derived correction factors for effects of ion recombination and photon beam quality index following TG-51 and TRS-398 dosimetry protocols.

In this study, ion recombination correction factor (kS) and beam quality conversion factor ( [Formula: see text] ) values were extracted following the recommendations of the TRS-398 and TG-51 dosimetry protocols for widely used cylindrical ionization chambers for high energy photon beam dosimetry to quantify the agreement between the instructions for these two protocols for absolute dosimetry inside water. Four different types of cylindrical ionization chambers comprising Farmer (TM30013), Semiflex 0.125 cm3 (TM31010), Semiflex 0.3 cm3 (TM31013), and PinPoint (TM31016) were considered, and kS and [Formula: see text] values were determined at photon energies of 6 MV and 15 MV. The maximum difference between the measured kS values according to the instructions in the TRS-398 and TG-51 protocols was 0.03%. The kS data measured with both protocols agreed well with those measured by using the Jaffe-plot approach, where the maximum difference was about 0.33%. The observed differences between the [Formula: see text] factors measured by using the TRS-398 and TG-51 dosimetry protocols at photon energies of 6 MV and 15 MV were 0.37% and 0.55%, respectively. The [Formula: see text] values measured using the TG-51 dosimetry protocols were slightly closer to those measured by a reference ionization chamber dosimeter. We conclude that the maximum differences were about 0.4% and 0.6% in the absorbed dose measurements according to the TRS-398 and TG-51 instructions at photon energies of 6 MV and 15 MV, respectively. The type of ionization chamber employed also affected the differences, where the maximum and minimum dose differences were found using the Farmer and PinPoint chambers, respectively.

Effects of concertation and size of aqueous QDs on the detection of ionizing radiation based on changes in optical properties.

Colloidal quantum dots (QDs) have recently been used in many applications. In particular, semiconductor and luminescent QDs are suitable candidate for use in optoelectronic devices and optical sensors. The optical properties of aqueous CdTe QDs with high efficiency photoluminescence (PL) make them good candidates for new dosimetry applications. Therefore, comprehensive studies are required of the effects of ionizing radiation on the optical properties of CdTe QDs. In the present study, we investigated the properties of aqueous CdTe QDs by a gamma 60Co source at different doses. For the first time, we determined the effects of the concentration and size of QDs, which are key factors in a gamma dosimeter. The results demonstrated the concentration-dependent photobleaching property of QDs, which grater changes in the optical properties occurred. The initial size of the QDs affected their optical properties, where red-shifting of PL peak position increased with smaller sizes. Analysis of the effect of gamma irradiation on the thin film QDs indicated that the PL intensity decrease as the dose increased. with increasing dose. X-ray diffraction analysis found no changes in the crystal structure. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy indicated decomposition of the capping agent thioglycolic acid on CdTe QDs after gamma irradiation.

DFT investigations of AgMC7H10N2 (M = Cl, Br, and I) metal organic molecules: NMR, optoelectronic, and transport properties.

The full-potential linearized augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) method was used for the calculation of the structural, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), optoelectronic, and thermoelectric properties of AgMC7H10N2 (M = Cl, Br, and I) compounds. The calculated wide band gap of AgMC7H10N2 (M = Cl, Br, and I) metal organic molecules with the density of states approach were 3.32, 3.29, and 3.10 eV, respectively. The NMR parameters are calculated for the Ag, Cl, Br, I, C, N, O, and H elements. It is found that by decreasing bandgap, the isotropic NMR chemical shielding values of Cl, Br, and I elements increase. The strong hybridization of Ag-4d, Cl-3p, Br-4p, and I-5p states are observed at the top of the valence band. The birefringence and anisotropic properties are observed in the optical spectra with high plasmon energies, and the figure of merit, ZT, of 0.98 for AgCl(C7H10N2) compound is found at 300 K. Hence, these compounds are attractive flexible metal organic molecules for optoelectronic and transport applications.

Effective energy assessment during breast cancer intraoperative radiotherapy by low-energy X-rays: A Monte Carlo study.

The study reported in the present paper aimed to evaluate the effective energy (Eeff) of X-rays emitted from the surface of a bare X-ray probe and from different spherical applicators with various diameters, which are widely employed for low kV intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) of breast cancer. A previously validated Monte Carlo model of the INTRABEAM system along with applicator diameters of 1.5-5 cm (with 0.5 cm increments) was employed for this purpose. The results show that the presence of the applicator can considerably harden the X-rays produced by the bare probe so that Eeff increases by a factor of about 2.6. Variations of applicator diameter also affects the X-ray effective energy. Specifically, increasing the applicator diameter from 1.5 to 3 cm and 3.5-5 cm resulted in an increase in the Eeff by 8.8% and 14.6%, respectively. The validity of the calculated Eeff values was confirmed by a reasonable agreement between the obtained probability density distributions (PDDs) for the full X-ray energy spectrum and those for the corresponding single effective energies, for different applicator diameters. The Eeff values obtained for different applicator diameters and the bare probe alone can be used as an alternative for the corresponding full energy spectra, in Monte Carlo-based dosimetry simulations of low-energy therapeutic X-rays, as well as for determining quality conversion factors of any ion chambers employed for low kV-IORT absolute dosimetry.

Impact of spherical applicator diameter on relative biologic effectiveness of low energy IORT X-rays: A hybrid Monte Carlo study.

INTRODUCTION: Low-kV IORT (Low kilovoltage intraoperative radiotherapy) using INTRABEAM machine and dedicated spherical applicators is a candidate modality for breast cancer treatment. The current study aims to quantify the RBE (relative biologic effectiveness) variations of emitted X-rays from the surface of different spherical applicators and bare probe through a hybrid Monte Carlo (MC) simulation approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A validated MC model of INTRABEAM machine and different applicator diameters, based on GEANT4 Toolkit, was employed for RBE evaluation. To doing so, scored X-ray energy spectra at the surface of each applicator diameter/bare probe were used to calculate the corresponding secondary electron energy spectra at various distances inside the water and breast tissue. Then, MCDS (Monte Carlo damage simulation) code was used to calculate the RBE values according to the calculated electron spectra. RESULTS: Presence of spherical applicators can increase the RBE of emitted X-rays from the bare probe by about 22.3%. In return, changing the applicator diameter has a minimal impact (about 3.2%) on RBE variation of emitted X-rays from each applicator surface. By increasing the distance from applicator surface, the RBE increments too, so that its value enhances by about 10% with moving from 2 to 10 mm distance. Calculated RBE values within the breast tissue were higher than those of water by about 4% maximum value. CONCLUSION: Ball section of spherical IORT applicators can affect the RBE value of the emitted X-rays from INTRABEAM machine. Increased RBE of breast tissue can reduce the prescribed dose for breast irradiation if INTRABEAM machine has been calibrated inside the water.

High-precision image-guided proton irradiation of mouse brain sub-volumes.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Proton radiotherapy offers the potential to reduce normal tissue toxicity. However, clinical safety margins, range uncertainties, and varying relative biological effectiveness (RBE) may result in a critical dose in tumor-surrounding normal tissue. To assess potential adverse effects in preclinical studies, image-guided proton mouse brain irradiation and analysis of DNA damage repair was established. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We designed and characterized a setup to shape proton beams with 7 mm range in water and 3 mm in diameter and commissioned a Monte Carlo model for in vivo dose simulation. Cone-beam computed tomography and orthogonal X-ray imaging were used to delineate the right hippocampus and position the mice. The brains of three C3H/HeNRj mice were irradiated with 8 Gy and excised 30 min later. Initial DNA double-strand breaks were visualized by staining brain sections for cell nuclei and γH2AX. Imaged sections were analyzed with an automated and validated processing pipeline to provide a quantitative, spatially resolved radiation damage indicator. RESULTS: The analyzed DNA damage pattern clearly visualized the radiation effect in the mouse brains and could be mapped to the simulated dose distribution. The proton beam passed the right hippocampus and stopped in the central brain region for all evaluated mice. CONCLUSION: We established image-guided proton irradiation of mouse brains. The clinically oriented workflow facilitates (back-) translational studies. Geometric accuracy, detailed Monte Carlo dose simulations, and cell-based assessment enable a biologically and spatially resolved analysis of radiation response and RBE.

Late Side Effects in Normal Mouse Brain Tissue After Proton Irradiation.

Radiation-induced late side effects such as cognitive decline and normal tissue complications can severely affect quality of life and outcome in long-term survivors of brain tumors. Proton therapy offers a favorable depth-dose deposition with the potential to spare tumor-surrounding normal tissue, thus potentially reducing such side effects. In this study, we describe a preclinical model to reveal underlying biological mechanisms caused by precise high-dose proton irradiation of a brain subvolume. We studied the dose- and time-dependent radiation response of mouse brain tissue, using a high-precision image-guided proton irradiation setup for small animals established at the University Proton Therapy Dresden (UPTD). The right hippocampal area of ten C57BL/6 and ten C3H/He mice was irradiated. Both strains contained four groups (nirradiated = 3, ncontrol = 1) treated with increasing doses (0 Gy, 45 Gy, 65 Gy or 85 Gy and 0 Gy, 40 Gy, 60 Gy or 80 Gy, respectively). Follow-up examinations were performed for up to six months, including longitudinal monitoring of general health status and regular contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of mouse brains. These findings were related to comprehensive histological analysis. In all mice of the highest dose group, first symptoms of blood-brain barrier (BBB) damage appeared one week after irradiation, while a dose-dependent delay in onset was observed for lower doses. MRI contrast agent leakage occurred in the irradiated brain areas and was progressive in the higher dose groups. Mouse health status and survival corresponded to the extent of contrast agent leakage. Histological analysis revealed tissue changes such as vessel abnormalities, gliosis, and granule cell dispersion, which also partly affected the non-irradiated contralateral hippocampus in the higher dose groups. All observed effects depended strongly on the prescribed radiation dose and the outcome, i.e. survival, image changes, and tissue alterations, were very consistent within an experimental dose cohort. The derived dose-response model will determine endpoint-specific dose levels for future experiments and may support generating clinical hypotheses on brain toxicity after proton therapy.

Monte Carlo based analysis and evaluation of energy spectrum for low-kV IORT spherical applicators.

Low-kV IORT is an increasing modality for breast cancer treatment. Soft X-rays from INTRABEAM (Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, Oberkochen, Germany), a dedicated IORT device along with special spherical applicators are employed for this purpose. A Monte Carlo model of INTRAMBEAM and spherical applicators are introduced in the current study to evaluate the dosimetric and physical characteristics of emitted X-rays from the bare probe and different applicator diameters. X-ray probe and different applicator diameters of 1.5cm to 5cm were simulated by GEANT4 Monte Carlo Toolkit. Then, the validity of the simulated model was evaluated by comparing the Monte Carlo based PDD (percentage depth dose) and anisotropy data with those reported by the manufacturer. Finally, the physical characteristics of X-rays such as the mean and most probable energy as well as the LET of secondary electrons were obtained and analyzed. There was a good agreement between the simulated and reported PDDs for bare probe and different applicator diameters. The anisotropy values were also within an exemplary range reported by the manufacturer. The X-ray mean energy shifts from 25.6keV to 28.6keV with variations of applicator diameter. The maximum variation of the secondary electron LET was 9% with changing the applicator diameter. The usefulness of GEANT4 Toolkit for Monte Carlo based commissioning of INTRABEAM machine was confirmed in the current study. The variations of the applicator diameter slightly changed the physical characteristics of low-kV X-rays and LET of secondary electrons which cannot considerably affect the relative biologic effectiveness (RBE) for different applicator diameters.

Experimental study of the influence of dental restorations on thermal and fast photo-neutron production in radiotherapy with a high-energy photon beam.

In head and neck radiation therapy, the presence of dental restorations can increase unwanted neutron dose to the patient. This study aimed at the measurement of secondary neutron production induced by irradiation of a healthy tooth, Amalgam, Ni-Cr alloy and Ceramco with a photon beam generated in the treatment head of a Siemens Primus linac at a voltage of 15 MV. The irradiation field amounted to 10 × 10 cm2. The measurements of thermal and fast-neutron equivalent doses were performed by means of CR-39 detectors positioned in various depths of a Perspex (polymethyl methacrylate) phantom as at open field as at presence of corresponding dental restorations. The general trend of thermal neutron as well as fast-neutron equivalent dose behind the denture samples reveals their reduction with increasing depth. The maximum values of thermal-neutron dose related to Amalgam, Ceramco and Ni-Cr alloy amount to 1.45 mSv/100 MU, 1.38 mSv/100 MU and 1.32 mSv/100 MU, whereas the corresponding maximum values of fast-neutron dose at the depth of 1.8 cm amount to 0.19 mSv/100 MU, 1.04 mSv/100 MU and 0.97 mSv/100 MU, respectively. The present study investigates the neutron dose accompanied with radiotherapy. It is recommended that attempts have to be made to ensure that dental restorations are not in the path of the primary high-energy photon beam. Considering treatment planning, the guidelines of radiation protection should be improved.