The Function of Forward Planned Intensity-modulated Radiotherapy Technique in Radiotherapy of the Intact Breast Dose Distribution Optimization

Objective: The recommended course of treatment for early-stage breast cancer is breast-conserving surgery followed by adjuvant whole-breast radiation. It is challenging to obtain homogeneous dose distribution using standard procedures because of breast irregularities. Currently, it is possible to use different breast irradiation techniques such as a field in field (FIF) which produces a more homogenous distribution of doses within the target volumes while sparing the organs at risk, leading to a better treatment outcome. Materials and Methods: The present study aimed to compare the conformal and the FIF techniques dosimetrically. In this retrospective dosimetric study, we evaluate 20 patients with early-stage breast cancer who underwent computed tomography. For each patient, two different treatment plans were created, three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy and a FIF plan. A dose of 50 Gy in 25 fractions was prescribed to the planning target volume (PTV). Results: The plans were compared with each other on volume coverage (conformity and homogeneity) and OAR sparing. The dosimetric parameters and monitor components were compared with paired sample t-test. The FIF technique obtained a significantly lower dose homogeneity index, lower maximum doses, and higher median doses in PTV (P < 0.05). In ipsilateral lungs, FIF significantly reduced the maximum and mean doses (P < 0.05). In patients with left-sided breast cancer, minimum and maximum doses and V40 of the heart were significantly decreased in FIF plans (P < 0.05). Doses to the contralateral lung differ to a little degree as well. Conclusion: The use of forward intensity-modulated radiation therapy (RT) technique for RT of high-risk node-positive breast cancer patients provides an efficient and reliable method for achieving superior dose uniformity, conformity, and homogeneity in the breast chest wall volume with minimal doses to the OAR. Monitor units were less in FIF, with less time on the machine and less machine consumption

Dual versus Monotherapy in the Prophylaxis of Acute and Chronic Migraine

Migraine, a primary headache disorder, is a debilitating condition with reduced productivity, increased disability, and a very high economic burden. The present study aimed to individualize the treatment protocols for episodic and chronic migraine in order to reduce the duration, frequency, and severity of attacks, as well as the disability associated with migraine by comparing monotherapy and dual therapy

Verification of dosimetric commissioning accuracy of intensity modulated radiation therapy and volumetric modulated arc therapy delivery using task Group-119 guidelines

Aim: The purpose of this study is to verify the accuracy of the commissioning of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) based on the recommendation of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine Task Group 119 (TG-119). Materials and Methods: TG-119 proposes a set of clinical test cases to verify the accuracy of IMRT planning and delivery system. For these test cases, we generated two sets of treatment plans, the first plan using 7–9 IMRT fields and a second plan utilizing two-arc VMAT technique for both 6 MV and 15 MV photon beams. The template plans of TG-119 were optimized and calculated by Varian Eclipse Treatment Planning System (version 13.5). Dose prescription and planning objectives were set according to the TG-119 goals. The point dose (mean dose to the contoured chamber volume) at the specified positions/locations was measured using compact (CC-13) ion chamber. The composite planar dose was measured with IMatriXX Evaluation 2D array with OmniPro IMRT Software (version 1.7b). The per-field relative gamma was measured using electronic portal imaging device in a way similar to the routine pretreatment patient-specific quality assurance. Results: Our planning results are compared with the TG-119 data. Point dose and fluence comparison data where within the acceptable confident limit. Conclusion: From the obtained data in this study, we conclude that the commissioning of IMRT and VMAT delivery were found within the limits of TG-119

Free Radical Scavenging Activity of Elsholtzia densa

AbstractMedicinal plants have been used traditionally to cure a variety of diseases since ancient times. Elsholtzia densa, a rare annual herb of the Kashmir valley, was assessed for its antioxidant efficacy. Antioxidant activity of the crude extracts was evaluated using 1, 1- diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl free radical (DPPH), DNA sugar damage, lipid peroxidation, ferric thiocyanate (FTC) and hydrogen peroxide scavenging assays. The maximum percentage decrease of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl radical (DPPH) standard solution was recorded for the 50% ethanolic extract (90.48%). The extracts were further evaluated using the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances assay. The methanolic extract showed the highest activity (32.02%) in reducing oxidative damage to DNA. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was also determined using the linoleic acid system and the highest antioxidant activity (49.64%) was found in the 50% ethanolic extract. In the case of the FTC assay, the 50% ethanolic extract showed the highest activity (70.14%) which was comparable to that of α-tocopherol. Moreover, total phenolics concentration was found to be 62.5mg% and 77.5mg% in the cases of absolute ethanolic and 50% ethanolic extracts, respectively. These findings indicate promising antioxidant activity of crude extracts of the plant and the need for further exploration of their effective use in both modern and traditional systems of medicine