Safeguarding pollinators and their values to human well-being

Wild and managed pollinators provide a wide range of benefits to society in terms of contributions to food security, farmer and beekeeper livelihoods, social and cultural values, as well as the maintenance of wider biodiversity and ecosystem stability. Pollinators face numerous threats, including changes in land-use and management intensity, climate change, pesticides and genetically modified crops, pollinator management and pathogens, and invasive alien species. There are well-documented declines in some wild and managed pollinators in several regions of the world. However, many effective policy and management responses can be implemented to safeguard pollinators and sustain pollination services

Dose patient en neuroradiologie interventionnelle : bilan d'une enquête multicentrique

The purpose of this multicenter study was to determine the doses received by patients during interventional neuroradiology procedures and to consider establishing reference standards. © 2011 Elsevier Masson SAS and Éditions françaises de radiologie.L’objectif de cette étude multicentrique est de faire un état des lieux des doses délivrées aux patients lors de procédures de neuroradiologie interventionnelle (NRI) et d’envisager l’établissement de niveaux de référence (NR) dans ce domaine

Radiography of scoliosis Comparative dose levels and image quality between a dynamic flat-panel detector and a slot-scanning device (EOS system)

International audienceTo compare radiation dose and image quality between a slot-scanning system (SSS) and a dynamic flat-panel detector (DFD) in assessing scoliosis in children. An experimental study was first performed with a phantom to assess the quality of each device. The clinical part included a prospective observational dosimetric and qualitative comparative study with acquisition of whole-spine X-ray SSS (31 children), DFD (26 children). Institutional review board approval and informed consent were obtained. Dosimetric statistical analysis was performed from dose area product (DAP) and entrance skin dose measured by thermo-luminescent dosimeters localized in the cervical, thoracic and sacral areas. Assessment of the diagnostic quality (phantom and clinical) was realized by independent evaluation by 3 observers, using statistical analysis of quality score and inter-observer reproducibility. DAP was equivalent with the 2 systems. Entrance skin dose was significantly higher with DFD in thoracic and pelvic regions (P<0.05). Image quality scores of the SSS were significantly better than DFD for a majority of criteria, in both phantom and clinical evaluations. For scoliosis evaluation, the SSS, compared to the DFD system, offers enhanced image quality while reducing the entrance skin dose in the most radiosensitive areas. © 2015 Éditions françaises de radiologie

Intérêt des gants radio-atténuateurs en radiologie interventionnelle: une évaluation expérimentale

Objective: to determine the potential of leaded radiation attenuation gloves to decrease the X-ray exposure of operators' hands, in interventional radiology and in surgical units. Material and method: we used: radiation attenuation gloves bought by our hospital, TLD thermoluminescent dosimeters, an anthropomorphic phantom of calibration in bone densitometry, an anthropomorphic hand. The measurements were realized on 2 installations: one with sensor plans, and the other one with a brightness amplifier. We compared doses received by dosimeters without and in a glove, in the direct field (10 series of measurements, 2 with the brightness amplifier) and in the diffuse field (3 series on sensor plans), in fluoroscopy and graphy. Results: in the diffuse field, dosimeters in the glove measured a decrease in dose, varying from 1 to 3. In the direct field, 7 measurements out of 10 showed an increase in dose in the glove (13 to 42%). 3/10 measurements showed an almost stable dose. Conclusion: our measurements show the efficiency ofleaded radiation attenuation gloves in the diffuse field. In the direct field, the radiation attenuation gloves increase the hand dose, because of the automatic tuning of the parameters. © EDP Sciences, 2011.Objectif : déterminer l’intérêt des gants radio-atténuateurs plombés pour diminuer l’exposition des mains des opérateurs, en radiologie interventionnelle et au bloc opératoire. Matériel et méthode : on a utilisé des gants radio-atténuateurs plombés du marché, des dosimètres TLD thermoluminescents, un fantôme anthropomorphe de calibration en ostéodensitométrie, une main anthropomorphe. Les mesures étaient réalisées sur 2 installations : l’une avec capteurs plans, l’autre avec amplificateur de brillance. On a comparé les doses reçues par dosimètres sans et dans un gant, dans le champ direct (10 séries de mesures dont 2 avec amplificateur de brillance) et dans le diffusé (3 séries sur capteurs plans), en scopie et graphie. Résultats : dans le diffusé, les dosimètres dans le gant mesuraient une diminution de dose, variant de 1 à 3. Dans le champ direct, 7 mesures sur 10 montraient une augmentation de dose dans le gant (13 à 42 %). 3/10 mesures montraient une quasi stabilité de dose avec le gant (–3,3 % à +2 %). Conclusion : nos mesures objectivent une efficacité des gants radio-atténuateurs plombés dans le diffusé. Dans le rayonnement direct, le port des gants radio-atténuateurs plombés entraîne une augmentation de la dose – main, du fait des réglages automatiques des paramètres

Uterine artery embolization for leiomyomata: Optimization of the radiation dose to the patient using a flat-panel detector angiographic suite

cited By 17The purpose of this study was to assess the ability of low-dose/low-frame fluoroscopy/angiography with a flat-panel detector angiographic suite to reduce the dose delivered to patients during uterine fibroid embolization (UFE). A two-step prospective dosimetric study was conducted, with a flat-panel detector angiography suite (Siemens Axiom Artis) integrating automatic exposure control (AEC), during 20 consecutive UFEs. Patient dosimetry was performed using calibrated thermoluminescent dosimeters placed on the lower posterior pelvis skin. The first step (10 patients; group A) consisted in UFE (bilateral embolization, calibrated microspheres) performed using the following parameters: standard fluoroscopy (15 pulses/s) and angiography (3 frames/s). The second step (next consecutive 10 patients; group B) used low-dose/low-frame fluoroscopy (7.5 pulses/s for catheterization and 3 pulses/s for embolization) and angiography (1 frame/s). We also recorded the total dose-area product (DAP) delivered to the patient and the fluoroscopy time as reported by the manufacturer's dosimetry report. The mean peak skin dose decreased from 2.4 ± 1.3 to 0.4 ± 0.3 Gy (P = 0.001) for groups A and B, respectively. The DAP values decreased from 43,113 ± 27,207 μGy m2 for group A to 9,515 ± 4,520 μGy m2 for group B (P = 0.003). The dose to ovaries and uterus decreased from 378 ± 238 mGy (group A) to 83 ± 41 mGy (group B) and from 388 ± 246 mGy (group A) to 85 ± 39 mGy (group B), respectively. Effective doses decreased from 112 ± 71 mSv (group A) to 24 ± 12 mSv (group B) (P = 0.003). In conclusion, the use of low-dose/low-frame fluoroscopy/angiography, based on a good understanding of the AEC system and also on the technique during uterine fibroid embolization, allows a significant decrease in the dose exposure to the patient. © 2010 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC and the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe (CIRSE)

L'exposition des patients en radiodiagnostic: Bilan de l'étude dosimétrique réalisée en 2001-2003 dans 24 services français de radiologie

International audienceWithin the frame work of implementation of Directive 97/43, a French dosimetry campaign in diagnostic radiology was carried out, from April 2001 to February 2003, under supervision of a steering Committee, involving representatives of scientific and professional societies, of the Directorate-General for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection (DGSNR) and experts of the Institute of Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN). The aim was to assess patient dose associated to the standardized radiology procedures recommended by the "Société française de radiologie" and to determine national dose reference levels (DRL) in diagnostic radiology. On the basis of protocols and data sheets established by the "Société française de physique médicale" and the IRSN, measurements were performed by multidisciplinary team (radiologist, physicists and radiographer) in 24 volunteer centers. The treatment of measured and collected data was in charge of the IRSN. For each of the 8 examinations selected, (4 in Conventional Radiology (CR) and 4 in Computed Tomography (CT)), data and dose measurements were assessed for 20 adult patients in each center. In CR, the entrance surface dose for each exposure was measured on 1231 patients using thermoluminescent dosimeters. In CT, the weighted Computed Tomography Dose Index and the Dose-Length Product were calculated for 667 patients, on base of the procedure parameters and the scanner normalized dose index values. For each type of examination, mean dose values and third quartile values were determined: depending on the type of examination, the results are either similar or lower than 1996 European DRL. These results are analyzed according the dose influencing parameters. Despite the 24 involved hospitals were not randomly selected, this preliminary study emphasizes the feasibility and great interest of a larger campaign of measurements based on a precise statistical survey of radiological practices in order to determine French DRL and to facilitate their periodic review in a continuous process of unnecessary doses reduction. © 2004 EDP Sciences.Dans le cadre des travaux de transposition en droit français de la directive 97/43 Euratom relative à la radioprotection des patients, une campagne nationale de dosimétrie en radiodiagnostic s’est déroulée entre avril 2001 et février 2003, à l’initiative conjointe des sociétés savantes et professionnelles, de la Direction générale de la Sûreté nucléaire et de la radioprotection (DGSNR) et de l’Institut de radioprotection et de sûreté nucléaire (IRSN). Son objectif était d’associer des niveaux de doses aux procédures radiologiques standardisées, élaborées dans une étape précédente par la Société française de radiologie, et d’engager une première étude pour la détermination de niveaux de référence diagnostiques (NRD) français. Sur la base de protocoles de mesures et de fiches d’informations établis par l’IRSN et la Société française de physique médicale, la campagne a reposé sur des équipes pluridisciplinaires (radiologue, physicien, technicien), dans 24 services de radiologie volontaires. Son organisation pratique, la centralisation des données et le traitement des résultats ont été assurés par l’IRSN. Pour les 8 examens sélectionnés (4 en radiologie classique et 4 en scanographie), dans chaque service, 20 sujets d’âge adulte et de morphologie moyenne devaient faire l’objet d’une dosimétrie. En radiologie classique, la dose à l’entrée a été mesurée par dosimètres thermoluminescents placés à la peau, pour 1231 patients. En scanographie l’indice de dose de scanographie pondéré et le produit dose × longueur ont été déterminés pour 667 patients à partir des paramètres de l’examen et des données de base du scanner. Pour chaque type d’examen les valeurs moyennes de chacune de ces grandeurs ainsi que celles du 75e percentile ont été calculées. Pour la grande majorité des examens et des centres ayant participé à l’étude, il apparaît que ces valeurs se situent en dessous des NRD proposés par la Commission européenne en 1996. Ces résultats, analysés en fonction des facteurs d’influence sur la dose et des limites méthodologiques de l’étude (volontariat des services participant), prouvent la faisabilité et le grand intérêt d’une campagne nationale de mesures de doses en radiologie, à plus grande échelle, qui permettrait d’établir des NRD spécifiques à la pratique française, de prévoir leur révision périodique et de définir les démarches d’optimisation appropriées

Statistical analysis of measured operators’ finger doses in interventional radiology

International audienceThis work suggests a classification of interventional radiology and cardiology procedures based on statistical analysis of operators' finger doses measured in routine clinical conditions. In total, 346 finger doses were measured and the observed mean finger dose per class of procedure ranged from 0.03 mSv to 1.56 mSv for Cerebral, and Bone and Joint procedures, respectively. The statistical analysis showed that the finger dose in Cerebral procedures is significantly lower than in Cardiac procedures, which was significantly lower than the rest. Furthermore, finger doses in therapeutic procedures and in close ones were significantly greater than in diagnostic procedures and in distal ones. This work also studied the statistical relation between the use of ceiling-suspended shields or leaded gloves and the extremity dose. From the set of collected and analyzed data, a finger dose classification was proposed for different criteria: procedure type (diagnostics/therapeutic), proximity (close/distal), procedure class and access route

Ionizing radiation doses during lower limb torsion and anteversion measurements by EOS stereoradiography and computed tomography

International audienceObjectives To calculate and compare the doses of ionizing radiation delivered to the organs by computed tomography (CT) and stereoradiography (SR) during measurements of lower limb torsion and anteversion. Materials and methods A Rando anthropomorphic phantom (Alderson RANDO phantom, Alderson Research Laboratories Inc., Stanford, Conn) was used for the dose measurements. The doses were delivered by a Somatom 16-slice CT-scanner (Siemens, Erlangen) and an EOS stereoradiography unit (EOS-Imaging, Paris) according to the manufacturers' acquisition protocols. Doses to the surface and deeper layers were calculated with thermoluminiscent GR207P dosimeters. Dose uncertainties were evaluated and assessed at 6% at k = 2 (that is, two standard deviations). Results The absorbed doses for the principal organs assessed were as follows for the ovaries, 0.1 mGy to the right ovary and 0.5 mGy to the left ovary with SR versus1.3 mGy and 1.1 mGy with CT, respectively; testes, 0.3 mGy on the right and 0.4 mGy on the left with SR versus 8.5 mGy and 8.4 mGy with CT; knees, 0.4 mGy to the right knee and 0.8 mGy to the left knee with SR versus 11 mGy and 10.4 mGy with CT; ankles, 0.5 mGy to the right ankle and 0.8 mGy to the left with SR versus 15 mGy with CT. Conclusion The SR system delivered substantially lower doses of ionizing radiation doses than CT to all the organs studied CT doses were 4.1 times higher to the ovaries, 24 times higher for the testicles, and 13-30 times higher for the knees and ankles. The use of the SR system to study the torsion of lower limbs makes it possible to reduce the amount of medical irradiation that patients accumulate. © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd