Self-Collected Oral Fluid and Nasal Swabs Demonstrate Comparable Sensitivity to Clinician Collected Nasopharyngeal Swabs for Coronavirus Disease 2019 Detection.

We compared self-collected oral fluid swab specimens with and without clinician supervision, clinician-supervised self-collected anterior nasal swab specimens, and clinician-collected nasopharyngeal swab specimens for the detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Supervised oral fluid and nasal swab specimens performed similarly to clinician-collected nasopharyngeal swab specimens. No sample type could detect SARS-CoV-2 infections amongst all positive participants.

Half-life systematics across the N=126 shell closure: role of first-forbidden transitions in the ß decay of heavy neutron-rich nuclei.

This Letter reports on a systematic study of ß-decay half-lives of neutron-rich nuclei around doubly magic (208)Pb. The lifetimes of the 126-neutron shell isotone (204)Pt and the neighboring (200-202)Ir, (203)Pt, (204)Au are presented together with other 19 half-lives measured during the "stopped beam" campaign of the rare isotope investigations at GSI collaboration. The results constrain the main nuclear theories used in calculations of r-process nucleosynthesis. Predictions based on a statistical macroscopic description of the first-forbidden ß strength reveal significant deviations for most of the nuclei with N<126. In contrast, theories including a fully microscopic treatment of allowed and first-forbidden transitions reproduce more satisfactorily the trend in the measured half-lives for the nuclei in this region, where the r-process pathway passes through during ß decay back to stability.

New isomers in the full seniority scheme of neutron-rich lead isotopes: the role of effective three-body forces.

The neutron-rich lead isotopes, up to (216)Pb, have been studied for the first time, exploiting the fragmentation of a primary uranium beam at the FRS-RISING setup at GSI. The observed isomeric states exhibit electromagnetic transition strengths which deviate from state-of-the-art shell-model calculations. It is shown that their complete description demands the introduction of effective three-body interactions and two-body transition operators in the conventional neutron valence space beyond (208)Pb.

Quantitative imaging, dosimetry and metrology; Where do National Metrology Institutes fit in?

In External Beam Radiotherapy, National Metrology Institutes (NMIs) play a critical role in the delivery of accurate absorbed doses to patients undergoing treatment. In contrast for nuclear medicine the role of the NMI is less clear and although significant work has been done in order to establish links for activity measurement, the calculation of administered absorbed doses is not traceable in the same manner as EBRT. Over recent decades the use of novel radiolabelled pharmaceuticals has increased dramatically. The limitation of secondary complications due to radiation damage to non-target tissue has historically been achieved by the use of activity escalation studies during clinical trials and this in turn has led to a chronic under dosing of the majority of patients. This paper looks to address the difficulties in combining clinical everyday practice with the grand challenges laid out by national metrology institutes to improve measurement capability in all walks of life. In the life sciences it can often be difficult to find the correct balance between pure research and practical solutions to measurement problems, and this paper is a discussion regarding these difficulties and how some NMIs have chosen to tackle these issues. The necessity of establishing strong links to underlying standards in the field of quantitative nuclear medicine imaging is highlighted. The difficulties and successes of current methods for providing traceability in nuclear medicine are discussed.

Assessment of DNA damage in lymphocytes of workers exposed to X-radiation using the micronucleus test and the comet assay.

The mutagenic and carcinogenic effects of genotoxic agents on exposed people have constituted an increasing concern. Therefore, the objective of this work was to assess DNA damage in lymphocytes of workers exposed to X-radiation using the cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus test and the comet assay (single-cell gel electrophoresis), and to compare these two techniques in the monitoring of exposed populations. The cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus test and the comet assay were employed in the monitoring of 22 workers occupationally exposed to X-radiation in a hospital in southern Brazil. The frequency of dicentric bridges was also measured. The results of both assays and the frequency of dicentric bridges revealed a significant increase in genetic effects on the cells of exposed individuals. Age was significantly correlated with micronucleus frequency and damage index in the comet assay. The concomitant analysis of dicentric bridges when determining micronucleus frequency does not require much extra work, and may serve as a reference to the type of mutagenic effect (clastogenic or aneugenic). The combination of the alkaline comet assay with the cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus test appears to be very informative for the monitoring of populations chronically exposed to genotoxic agents.

Time interpolation of angiograms toward stereoscopic display and reconstruction.

In the case of non simultaneous acquisitions of stereoscopic images, an object motion biases the 3D visualisation or reconstruction. We propose a method in order to find the interpolated image between two successive frames. It supposes that the motion locally corresponds to a translation. It works in the frequential domain and uses the phase information of the DFT. A special analysis of the phase component is made and allows to find the true interpolated phase. The application to stereoscopic angiographies illustrates the method and gives good results.

[Comparative study between magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in the diagnosis of the pancreatic and biliary obstruction]. / Estudo comparativo entre a colangiopancreatografia por ressonância magnética e a colangiopancreatografia endoscópica no diagnóstico das obstruções biliopancreáticas.

BACKGROUND: The endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography were methods used for diagnosis of the diseases in the biliary and pancreatic ducts. AIM: Compare the diagnostic concordance among, analyzing sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy. PATIENTS/METHODS: There were 41 patients in the studied group, divided in two groups: I--without biliary or pancreatic tract obstruction, and II--with obstruction. Group II was further divided in A--obstruction due to lithiasis, and B--due to other causes. RESULTS: Concordance between the two methods was found in 67% in group I and 82% in group II. Sensitivity of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was 94% and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography was 89%. Specificity of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was 100% and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography was 67%. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography positive predictive value was 93%, the negative predictive value was 50% and the accuracy was 85%. CONCLUSION: Both methods showed the same sensitivity.

The value of MRI in the assessment of traumatic intra-uterine adhesions (Asherman's syndrome).

Since the publication titled Amenorrhea Traumatica (atretica) by Asherman in 1948, this syndrome has been considered a well defined clinical entity. It is typically manifested by the formation of fibrous adhesions involving the uterine cavity, sometimes involving the internal cervical os. The major causes are surgical intervention of the post-partum uterus and elective termination of early pregnancy. The diagnosis is usually suggested by hysterography and confirmed by hysteroscopy. The MRI appearances are reported in four cases of Asherman's Syndrome in which the diagnosis was confirmed by hysteroscopy. The full range of MRI appearances in Asherman's Syndrome has not been established and to our knowledge there has been only one case reported in the literature.

Bacharelado em física: ênfase física médica / Phisics bachelor: medical phisics enphasis

O presente trabalho visa descrever as etapas de implantação, bem como, os primeiros resultados referentes a formação de alunos de graduação no curso de Bacharelado de Física, com ênfase na área médica. Os resultados apresentados demonstram a perfeita integração dos egressos com o curriculo desenvolvido, da mesma maneira que, com as atividades extracurriculares realizadas na área hospitalar.

Abstract - This paper describes the implementation steps of student's graduation who's taking a Phisics couse bachelor enphassissing medical area. showing it's first results. Our analisyss show us a perfect integration between students, an advanced curriculum course and at the same time extra activities developed at hospital's major

Análise das doses efetivas recebidas por trabalhadores em radiologia médica / Analysis of effective doses received by workers in medical radiology

Pesquisou-se as doses recebidas por uma fração de trabalhadores ocupacionalmente expostos à radiação ionizante na área de radiologia médica que utilizam dosímetros individuais. A heterogeneidade dos dados, garantia pelo tratameno estatístico adotado, possibilitou verificar que nenhum usuário de dosímetro atingiu o limite de dose de 50 mSv/ano, estabelecido pela Norma da CNEN-NE-3.01. No entanto, no local em que os funcionários não recebem treinamento freqüente em radioproteção, encontraram-se as maiores doses individuais mensais e anuais, e os maiores índices percentuais de doses de investigação e dosímetros não devolvidos.

Análise de filmes radiográficos rejeitados: parâmetro para um programa de garantia da qualidade / Analysis of the rejectable radiographic films: parameter to a quality assurance program

A análise de filmes radiográficos rejeitados serve como parâmetro para justificar um Programa de Garantia de Qualidade (PGQ). Esta análise torna possível identificar os tipos de exames em que ocorra mais frequentemente a rejeição, o tamanho de filme mais rejeitado e a causa. Permite considerar acerca da competência do pessoal técnico envolvido, problemas nos equipamentos, revelação do filme e posicionamento do paciente.

The analisys of rejected radiographic films are used like a justification to do a Quality Control Program. This analisy makes possible to identify wich is the most rejected exam type, what size of film has greater number of rejection and the cause of that. The competence of technical people involved, troubles in the equipments, in processment of the film and how to positioning pacients can be avaluated

Testes de aceitaçäo em equipamentos de radiologia / Acceptance tests in radiological equipments

A importância e a obrigatoriedade da realização de testes de aceitação para equipamentos de radiologia comprovam-se na sua execução. Garantem um bom funcionamento do aparelho e a certeza de que as condições de trabalho, com qualidade, sejam plenamente satisfeitas. Permitem determinar padrões técnicos característicos de cada equipamento que servirão para um acompanhamento analítico do mesmo durante sua vida útil, garantindo a satisfação do comprador e um uso pleno do equipamento.

The importancy and necessity of the Aceptence Tests for radiological equipments are proved by their selfs. It permit a good performance of the equipment and ensure that a quality condicions work are satisfied completly. Caracteristic technical patterns are stablished for each equipment, and with this an analitcal avaluation will be done during the useful life of the equipment, it garentee a satisfaction to the owner of the equipment and the completly use of it

Utilizaçäo da sensitometria no controle de qualidade de imagens radiográficas / Utilization of sensitometry in quality control of radiographic images

Utilizando o método sensitométrico analisou-se a resposta característica de filmes radiográficos e a qualidade das imagens neles geradas. A sensitometria consistiu em sensibilizações e avaliações sistemáticas dos filmes após o seu processamento. A coleta de dados foi realizada diariamente, durante o período de três meses. Os resultados desta pesquisa demostraram que 100 por cento dos filmes apresentam uma resposta característica em desacordo com a sensitometria utilizada como referência. Os resultados podem acrescentar pontos desfavoráveis na decisão de utilizar essa marca e tipo de filme no Serviço de Radiologia em questão.

Using a sensitometric method, the characteristic answer of radiographic films and the quality of the produced images were analized. Sensitometry was a sistematic sensibilization and evaluation of the films after they were processed. Data was collected daily in a period of three months. Results from this research show a desagreement in 100% from the pattern of the sensitometric characteristics to the analized films. This conclusion may add negative points in decision on using this or that fabricant and type of film at the Radiologic Service in question.

Quarto de iodoterapia / Iodotherapy's room

Este trabalho tem por objetivo apresentar uma descrição dos procedimentos necessários para montagem, instalação e manutenção de um quarto de iodoterapia, tendo como meta principal uma melhor relação entre os fatores: necessidades do paciente e adequação com as normas de proteção radiológica estabelecidas pela Comissão Nacional de Energia Nuclear.

This articles has the objective to show the description of rules necessaries to assemble, to installation and mainterence the iodotherapy's room; and having the principal aim, get a better relacion between the factors: necessities of the pacient and the adaptation with the norms of protection radiologic established by the National Comission Nuclear Energy.

Monitoramento e avaliaçäo de uma câmara escura / Monitoring and evaluation of a dark chamber

As condições de operação de uma câmara escura devem ser tais que possibilitem a maior eficiência do Serviço de Radiologia. Os cuidados com as etapas que nela se desenrolam devem ser minuciosos tendo em vista que a menor falha comprometerá todo o processo radiológico. Tal comprometimento, implicará na repetição do procedimento radiográfico expondo desnecessariamente paciente e profissionais envolvidos à radiação ionizante. Além disso, esse fato acarretará, também, em gastos adicionais para a instituição. Para averiguar a integridade e o funcionamento da câmara escura, foram propostos testes básicos que traduziram as reais condições de operação das câmaras escuras avaliadas.

The operating conditions of the Darkroom should be possibility to inérease efficiency of Radiologic Service. The cares with the steps developed on the Darkroom should be circunstantial and the minor mistake will compromisse the radiologic process. This compromisse will implicate on the repetition of all radiographic procedures, exposed unnecessarily patients and professionals involved in ionize radiation. ln addiction, also this fact will cause additional costs to institution. To verify the Darkroom's integrity and performance, had proposed basic tests that express the real conditions of the avaliated darkroom's.

Atuaçäo do físico médico nos serviços de radiologia, hemodinâmica e unidade de bloco cirúrgico no Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre / Actuation of physical medical in ridiology, hemodinamic services and surgical unit in Hospital de Clinica de Porto Alegre

Atualmente, os hospitais tem demonstrado maior interesse no Programa de Garantia de Qualidade, bem como, na Radioproteção, no que tange a serviços que envolvam radiações ionizantes. Faz-se necessário, perante a esta tendência, a presença do Físico Médico, que irá elaborar plano de Proteção Radiológica, Programa de Garantia da Qualidade informar mensalmente as doses individuais, acompanhar inspeções sanitárias, treinar e orientar os profissionais envolvidos nessa área. Portanto, o presente trabalho tem o objetivo de relatar as atividades desempenhadas por este profissional nos Serviço de Radiologia, Hemodinâmica e unidade de Bloco Cirúrgico, assim como, a metodologia e os resultados obtidos.

At present, the hospitals have showed more interest in the Quality Assurance Program, also, in Radioprotection, about the services that involve ionization radiation. This is necessery, because a treemd, the presence of the Medical Physics, that will organize a Radiologic Protection project, Quality Assurance Program, inform monthly the individual doses, accompany sanitary inspection, train and orientale the profissionals involve in this area. Consequently, the present paper has the; objective to give an account of the activities executed for this profissional in the Radiologic, Hemodinamic and Surgery Unit, also, the metodology and the results obteined with it.