The kinetics of topical triamterene penetration were estimated from the time-course measurements of triamterene (in Dyazide) concentrations in the anterior chamber of six rabbits (n=12, left and right eyes). The two-compartment model of Jones and Maurice (1) was fitted to the measurements. We found the apparent elimination rate constant oftriamterene A = 0.33 +/- 0.12 hr(-1), the apparent absorption rate constant of triamterene B = 2.68 +/- 0.55 hr(-1), the cornea-aqueous transfer coefficient in reference to the corneal volume of triamterene kc.ca = 0.28 +/- 0.05 hr(-1), the loss coefficient of triamterene from the anterior chamber ko = 0.43 +/- 0.16 hr(-1) and the amount of triamterene in the cornea at time zero Mo = 483 +/- 125 ng/ml. The mean of ko = 0.43 hr(-1) is significantly lower (p = 0.04% using ZTEST) than the lower limit of aqueous loss coefficient = 0.58 hr(-1) usually found in rabbits (2). We conclude that Dyazide lowers the aqueous flow rate in the positive direction, considering glaucoma treatment. Peak triamterene concentration in the anterior chamber was P = 120 +/- 32 ng/ml. Half-life for elimination from the aqueous humor was T1/2 = 1.84 +/- 0.65 hr (Mean +/- SD).
In this study, the radiobiological analysis of natural alpha emitters in extracted human teeth and animal bones from Malaysia was estimated. The microdistributions of alpha particles in tooth and bone samples were measured using CR-39 alpha-particle track detectors. The lowest and highest alpha emission rates in teeth in the Kedah and Perak states were 0.0080 ± 0.0005 mBq cm(-2) and 0.061 ± 0.008 mBq cm(-2), whereas those of bones in the Perlis and Kedah states were 0.0140 ± 0.0001 mBq cm(-2) and 0.7700 ± 0.0282 mBq cm(-2), respectively. The average alpha emission rate in male teeth was 0.0209 ± 0.0008 mBq cm(-2), whereas that of female teeth was 0.0199 ± 0.0010 mBq cm(-2). The alpha emission rate in teeth is higher in smokers (0.0228 ± 0.0008 mBq cm(-2)) than in non-smokers (0.0179 ± 0.0008 mBq cm(-2)). Such difference was found statistically significant (p < 0.01).
The radioactivity quantity and quality were determined in soil and water samples in Northern Malaysian Peninsula (NMP) using HPGe spectroscopy and GR-135 spectrometer. The (226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K concentrations in soil samples are 57±2, 68±4 and 427±17 Bq kg(-1), respectively, whereas in water samples were found to be 2.86±0.79, 3.78±1.73 and 152±12 Bq l(-1), respectively. These concentrations are within those reported from literature in other countries in the world. The radiological hazard indices of the samples were also calculated. The mean values obtained from soil samples are 186 Bq kg(-1), 88 nGy h(-1), 108 μSv y(-1), 0.50 and 0.65 for Radium Equivalent Activity (Ra(eq)), Absorbed Dose Rates (D(R)), Annual Effective Dose Rates (ED), External Hazard Index (H(ex)) and Internal Hazard Index (H(in)) respectively, whereas, for water samples were found to be 20, 10, 13, 0.05 and 0.06, respectively. All the health hazard indices are well below their recommended limits, except in two soil sampling sites which were found to be (*)025 (1.1 H(ex)) and (*)026 (1.1 H(ex), 1.6 H(in)). The calculated and the measured gamma dose rates had a good correlation coefficient, R=0.88. Moreover, the average value radon is 20 (in the range of 7-64) Bq m(-3), a positive correlation (R=0.81) was observed between the (222)Rn and (226)Ra concentrations in samples measured by the SNC continuous radon monitor (model 1029, Sun Nuclear Corporation) and HPGe detector, respectively. Some soils in this study with H(in) and H(ex)<1 are suitable for use in agriculture and as building materials. Also, in this study H(in) and H(ex)<1 for water samples, therefore, water after processing and filtration is safe and suitable for use in household and industrial purposes.
The mass attenuation coefficients of Rhizophora spp. binderless particleboard with four different particle sizes (samples A, B, C and D) and natural raw Rhizophora spp. wood (sample E) were determined using single-beam photon transmission in the energy range between 16.59 and 25.26 keV. This was done by determining the attenuation of K(α1) X-ray fluorescent (XRF) photons from niobium, molybdenum, palladium, silver and tin targets. The results were compared with theoretical values of young-age breast (Breast 1) and water calculated using a XCOM computer program. It was found that the mass attenuation coefficient of Rhizophora spp. binderless particleboards to be close to the calculated XCOM values in water than natural Rhizophora spp. wood. Computed tomography (CT) scans were then used to determine the density profile of the samples. The CT scan results showed that the Rhizophora spp. binderless particleboard has uniform density compared to natural Rhizophora spp. wood. In general, the differences in the variability of the profile density decrease as the particle size of the pellet samples decreases.
The mass attenuation coefficients (mu/rho) of Rhizophora spp. were determined for photons in the energy range of 15.77-25.27 keV. This was carried out by studying the attenuation of X-ray fluorescent photons from zirconium, molybdenum, palladium, silver, indium and tin targets. The results were compared with theoretical values for average breast tissues in young-age, middle-age and old-age groups calculated using photon cross section database (XCOM), the well-known code for calculating attenuation coefficients and interaction cross-sections. The measured mass attenuation coefficients were found to be very close to the calculated XCOM values in breasts of young-age group.
Previous scattering and depth-dose investigations involving use of the Malaysian hardwood Rhizophora spp have shown this medium to produce good agreement with measurements made in water. Present study extends the comparison, now including measurements of percentage depth-dose made for photons at 6MV and 5 and 12MeV electron beams. For the 6 MV photon and 5 MeV electron beams, discrepancies between percentage depth-dose for Rhizophora spp and water, at all depths, are found to be within 2.6 and 2.4% respectively. At 12 MeV electron energies, measured percentage depth-doses in Rhizophora spp beyond 3.5cm depth are found to be in significant discord with those for water. The absorbed dose in water measured in Rhizophora spp at d(max) for all three beams produces discrepancies of no more than 1.1% when compared with measurements made in water.
Protocols developed for high-energy dosimetry IAEA (Technical Reports Series No. 277, 1997), AAPM (Med. Phys. 10 (1983) 741: Med. Phys. 18 (1991) 73: Med. Phys. 21 (1994) 1251), IPEMB (Phys. Med. Biol. 41 (1996) 2557), and HPA (Phys. Med. Biol. 28 (1983) 1097) have continued to enhance precision in dose measurements and the optimization of radiotherapy procedures. While recent dosimetry protocols, including those due to the IAEA and IPEMB, have made a number of improvements compared with previous protocols, it is further desirable to develop absolute dosimetry methods of dose measurements. Measurements based on careful implementation of procedures contained within the various protocols have been carried out in an effort to determine the extent to which discrepancies exist among the protocols. Dose in water at dmax was measured using cylindrical and parallel-plate ionization chambers for 6 MV photon beams and 5 and 12 MeV electron beams. Results obtained from the use of the AAPM and HPA protocols for 6 MV photon beams were found to be 0.9% larger and 0.1% smaller, respectively, than those measured following the IAEA protocol. Calibration dose measurements for 5 and 12 MeV electron beams in water phantoms were found to agree to within 1%, this being well within recommendations from the ICRU and other sources regarding the accuracy of dose delivery.
A study of dose mapping techniques to investigate the dose distribution throughout a planned target volume (PTV) in a humanoid breast phantom exposed to a 6 MV photon beam similar to that of treatment conditions is described. For tangential breast irradiation using a 6 MV accelerator beam, the dose is mapped at various locations within the PTV using thermoluminescent dosemeters (TLDs) and radiographic films. An average size perspex breast phantom with the ability to hold the dosemeters was made. TLDs were exposed after packing them in various locations in a particular slice, as planned by the treatment planning system (TPS). To map the dose relative to the isocenter, films were exposed after tightly packing them in between phantom slices, parallel to the central axis of the beam. The dose received at every location was compared with the given dose as generated by the TPS. The mapped dose in each location in the isocentric slice from superficial to deep region was found to be in close agreement with the TPS generated dose to within +/-2%. Doses at greater depths and distant medial and lateral ends, however, were found to be lower by as much as 9.4% at some points. The mapped dose towards the superior region and closest inferior region from the isocenter was found to agree with those for TPS. Conversely, results for the farthest inferior region were found to be significantly different with a variance as much as 17.4% at some points, which is believed to be owing to the variation in size and shape of the contour. Results obtained from films confirmed this, showing similar trends in dose mapping. Considering the importance of accurate doses in radiotherapy, evaluating dose distribution using this technique and tool was found to be useful. This provides the opportunity to choose a technique and plan to provide optimum dose delivery for radiotherapy to the breast.
This is a study using LiF:Mg;Ti thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) rods in phantoms to investigate the effect of lack of backscatter on exit dose. Comparing the measured dose with anticipated dose calculated using tissue maximum ratio (TMR) or percentage depth dose (PDD) gives rise to a correction factor. This correction factor may be applied to in-vivo dosimetry results to derive true dose to a point within the patient. Measurements in a specially designed humanoid breast phantom as well as patients undergoing radiotherapy treatment were also been done. TLDs with reproducibility of within +/- 3% (1 SD) are irradiated in a series of measurements for 6 and 10 MV photon beams from a medical linear accelerator. The measured exit doses for the different phantom thickness for 6 MV beams are found to be lowered by 10.9 to 14.0% compared to the dose derived from theoretical estimation (normalized dose at dmax). The same measurements for 10 MV beams are lowered by 9.0 to 13.5%. The variations of measured exit dose for different field sizes are found to be within 2.5%. The exit doses with added backscatter material from 2 mm up to 15 cm, shows gradual increase and the saturated values agreed within 1.5% with the expected results for both beams. The measured exit doses in humanoid breast phantom as well as in the clinical trial on patients undergoing radiotherapy also agreed with the predicted results based on phantom measurements. The authors' viewpoint is that this technique provides sufficient information to design exit surface bolus to restore build down effect in cases where part of the exit surface is being considered as a target volume. It indicates that the technique could be translated for in vivo dose measurements, which may be a conspicuous step of quality assurance in clinical practice.
This paper reports the novel use of almond gum as a binder in manufacturing Rhizophora spp. particleboard. X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy was employed for analysis under photon energy range of 16.6-25.3 keV. Results showed that almond gum-bonded Rhizophora spp. particleboard can be used as tissue-equivalent phantom in diagnostic radiation. The calculated mass attenuation coefficients of the particleboards were consistent with the values of water calculated using XCOM program for the same photon energies, with p values of 0.056, 0.069, and 0.077 for samples A8, C0, and C8, respectively. However, no direct relationship was found between the percentage of adhesive and the mass attenuation coefficient. The results positively supported the use of almond gum as a binding agent in the fabrication of particleboards, which can be used as a phantom material in dosimetric and quality control applications.
Verification of tumor dose for patients undergoing external beam radiotherapy is an important part of quality assurance programs in radiation oncology. Among the various methods available, entrance dose in vivo is one reliable method used to verify the tumor dose delivered to a patient. In this work, entrance dose measurements using LiF:Mg;Ti and LiF:Mg;Cu;P thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) without buildup cap was carried out. The TLDs were calibrated at the surface of a water equivalent phantom against the maximum dose, using 6- and 10-MV photon and 9-MeV electron beams. The calibration geometry was such that the TLDs were placed on the surface of the "solid-water" phantom and a calibrated ionization chamber was positioned inside the phantom at calibration depth. The calibrated TLDs were then utilized to measure the entrance dose during the treatment of actual patients. Measurements were also carried out in the same phantom simultaneously to check the stability of the system. The dose measured in the phantom using the TLDs calibrated for entrance dose to 6-and 10-MV photon beams was found to be close to the dose determined by the treatment planning system (TPS) with discrepancies of not more than 4.1% (mean 1.3%). Consequently, the measured entrance dose during dose delivery to the actual patients with a prescribed geometry was found to be compatible with a maximum discrepancy of 5.7% (mean 2.2%) when comparison was made with the dose determined by the TPS. Likewise, the measured entrance dose for electron beams in the phantom and in actual patients using the calibrated TLDs were also found to be close, with maximum discrepancies of 3.2% (mean 2.0%) and 4.8% (mean 2.3%), respectively. Careful implementation of this technique provides vital information with an ability to confidently accept treatment algorithms derived by the TPS or to re-evaluate the parameters when necessary.
The aim of this study was to determine the suitability of tannin-added Rhizophora spp. particleboards as phantom materials in the application of low- and high-energy photons. The tannin-added Rhizophora spp. particleboards and density plug phantoms were created with a target density of 1.0 g/cm3. The elemental composition and effective atomic number of the particleboards were measured using energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The mass attenuation coefficient of the particleboards for low-energy photons were measured using the attenuation of X-ray fluorescence. The mass attenuation coefficients of high-energy photons were measured using the attenuation of 137Cs and 60Co gamma energies. The results were compared to the calculated value of water using XCOM calculations. The results showed that the effective atomic number and mass attenuation coefficients of tannin-added Rhizophora spp. particleboards were similar to those of water, indicating the suitability of tannin-added Rhizophora spp. particleboards as phantom materials for low- and high-energy photons.