Estimation of the Thyroid Secondary Cancer Risk on the Patient of Standard Breast External Beam Radiotherapy

Background: The purpose of this study was to estimate the secondary cancer risk of thyroid in standard radiotherapy methods which are commonly used for breast cancer patients. Methods: A total of 64 breast cancer patients (their age range was around 50 years old) who referred to Seyed-Al-Shohada hospital (Isfahan, Iran) were included in this study. The radiotherapy of the mentioned patients was performed using 6-MV photon beams. Dose measurements were also done using thermoluminescent dosimeters. Calculation of the risk of developing secondary cancer in thyroid was done using the Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation Committee VII and recommended quantity of the International Radiation Protection Commission, excess relative risk. Results: The mean radiation dose to thyroid for the tangential beams, tangential field with supraclavicular (SC) field, and also a tangential field with SC field in modified radical mastectomy (MRM) were 0.883 ± 0.472, 1.512 ± 0.365, and 1.587 ± 0.37, respectively. The risk of developing secondary thyroid cancer over a period of 5 years after breast cancer therapy in the tangential, tangential with a SC field, and also tangential beam with SC field in MRM were 9.974 ± 4.318, 17.891 ± 0.365, and 18.783 ± 4.384, respectively. The mean of the measured thyroid doses in patients treated with tangent fields was significantly lower than the patients under the irradiation of the tangent fields with SC field (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Using radiation protection equipment is suggested for breast cancer patients who treated with the studied radiotherapy methods

Investigation of Natural Effective Gamma Dose Rates case study: Ardabil Province in Iran

Gamma rays pose enough energy to form charged particles and adversely affect human health. Since, the external exposure of human beings to natural environmental gamma radiation normally exceeds that from all man-made sources combined, natural background gamma dose rates and corresponding annual effective doses were determined for selected cities of Ardabil province from 2009 to 2010. Outdoor gamma dose rates were measured using an Ion Chamber Survey Meter in 105 locations in selected districts. Average absorbed dose for Ardabil, Sar-Ein, Germy, Neer, Shourabil Recreational Lake, and Kosar were determined as 265, 219, 344, 233, 352, and 358 nSvh-1, respectively. Although dose rates recorded for Germi and Kosar are comparable with some areas with high natural radiation background, however, the dose rates in other districts are well below the levels reported for such locations. Average annual effective dose due to indoor and outdoor gamma radiation for Ardabil province was estimated to be 1.73 (1.35-2.39) mSv, which is on average 2 times higher than the world population weighted average

Value Creation from Big Data: Looking Inside the Black Box

The advent of big data is fundamentally changing the business landscape. We open the ‘black box’ of the firm to explore how firms transform big data in order to create value and why firms differ in their abilities to create value from big data. Grounded in detailed evidence from China, the world’s largest digital market, where many firms actively engage in value creation activities from big data, we identify several novel features. We find that it is not the data itself, or individual data scientists, that generate value creation opportunities. Rather, value creation occurs through the process of data management, where managers are able to democratize, contextualize, experiment and execute data insights in a timely manner. We add richness to current theory by developing a conceptual framework of value creation from big data. We also identify avenues for future research and implications for practicing managers

Exploring attachment to the "homeland" and its association with heritage culture identification

Conceptualisations of attachment to one’s nation of origin reflecting a symbolic caregiver can be found cross-culturally in literature, art, and language. Despite its prevalence, the relationship with one’s nation has not been investigated empirically in terms of an attachment theory framework. Two studies employed an attachment theory approach to investigate the construct validity of symbolic attachment to one’s nation of origin, and its association with acculturation (operationalized as heritage and mainstream culture identification). Results for Study 1 indicated a three-factor structure of nation attachment; the factors were labelled secure-preoccupied, fearful, and dismissive nation attachment. Hierarchical linear modelling was employed to control for differing cultures across participants. Secure-preoccupied nation attachment was a significant predictor of increased heritage culture identification for participants residing in their country of birth, whilst dismissive nation attachment was a significant predictor of decreased heritage culture identification for international migrants. Securepreoccupied nation attachment was also associated with higher levels of subjective-wellbeing. Study 2 further confirmed the validity of the nation attachment construct through confirmatory factor analysis; the three-factor model adequately fit the data. Similar to the results of Study 1, secure-preoccupied nation attachment was associated with increased levels of heritage culture identification and psychological well-being. Implications of the tripartite model of nation attachment for identity and well-being will be discussed

Assessment of Physical and Solubility & Disintegration Properties of Zinc Cements Used for Operative Dentistry and the Comparison with the Standard

Statement of Problem: Zinc contained cements are so important among dental material as they have many indications and used in different ways therefore evaluation of their physical properties is so important in dentistry.Purpose: The purpose of this research was to measure some physical properties of zinc-contained cementsused in restorative dentistry. These cements included: Zinc oxide-eugenol, Zinc phosphate and Zinc polycarboxylate. Physical properties measured in this research were compressive strength, and setting timealso Solubility & Disintegration were evaluated.Materials and Methods: To perform this research two packs of each cement type were provided from an Iranian company products as prototypes and German HARVARD Dental GmbH company products as proofsamples. For compressive strength 11 samples provided from any type of cement. For setting time test, 16 samples provided from Zinc oxide-eugenol and 11 samples from two other types. For solubility &disintegration beet, 11 samples provided only from Zinc oxide-eugenol cement. The results compared with standard.Results: The results of Iranian product showed that compressive strength of Zinc oxide-eugenol- is I2.58±3 MPa, of Zinc phosphate cement is 37.2I±5.0 MPa and of Zinc polycarboxylate cement is 35.86±2.1 MPa.Setting time of Zinc oxide-eugenol cement is 2 9.04 ±0.7 1 min, of Zinc phosphate cement is 5.41 ±0.55 min and of Zinc polycarboxylate cement is 2.5±0.6 min. Solubility & disintegration of Zinc oxide-eugenol cement is 8.44±i.l%. None of these findings are in standard limit.Conclusion: By the use of standard charts it is concluded that: Only compressive strength of Zinc oxide-eugenol cement is between standard limits and compressive strengths of two other types of the cements are less than standard limits. Also only setting time -of Zincoxide eugenol cement is in standard limit and setting times of two other types of the cements aren't in standard limit. The German samples results were in standard limit. Solubility & disintegration-of Zinc-oxide eugenol cement isn't in standard limit. Therefore it is concluded that all types of these cements are not standard for use

Gadolinium-Hematoporphyrin: new potential MRI contrast agent for detection of breast cancer cell line (MCF-7)

Background: Gadolinium-porphyrins have been synthesized and are currently being investigated as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents. This study aimed to synthesize Gd-hematoporphyrin and applicate it for in vitro detection of breast cancer cell line (MCF-7).&#13; Methods: The naturally occurring porphyrin (hematoporphyrin) was inserted with gadolinium (III) nitrate hexahydrate to yield Gd-H. T1 relaxation times and signal enhancement of the contrast agents were presented, and the results were compared. UV spectrophotometer measured the attachment of Gd to the cell membrane of MCF-7.&#13; Results: Most of gadolinium chloride (GdCl3) was found in the washing solution, indicate that it didn`t fixed to the breast cell membranes during incubation. Gd-DTPA showed some uptake into the MCF-7 cell membranes with incubation, however, its uptake was significantly lower than Gd-H.&#13; Conclusion: Good cell memberan uptake of Gd-porphyrin is comparable to controls, indicating selective delivery it to the breast cell line and considerable potency in diagnostic MR imaging for detection of breast cancer.&#13; Key Words: Porphyrin, Contrast agent, MRI, Hematoporphyrin, Breast cancer cell (MCF-7