65. Physical and clinical dosimetry by means of Monte Carlo using a process distribution tool

The choice of the most appropriate strategy in a Radiotherapy treatment is mainly based on the use of a planning system. With the introduction of new techniques (conformal and/or small fields, asymmetrical and non coplanar beams, true 3D calculations, IMRT) the trustworthiness of the algorithms is being questioned. An alternative verification procedure is every time more necessary to warranty a treatment delivery. The reliability of Monte Carlo is generally accepted. However, its clinical use has not been operative due to the high CPU times needed. During the last few years our objective has been focussed to reduce this time by means of new process distribution techniques. Tnis drop has made it feasible, not only the physical dosimetry under special conditions, but also a numerous variety of clinical cases: photon and electron conformal fields, Radiosurgery and IMRT. The carried out procedure is presented. Furthermore, experimental dosimetry data as well as conventional TPS calculations are compared with Monte Carlo simulations

Estudos latino-americanos sobre melancolia: um transtorno do humor melhor definido para o CID-11 Melancholia in Latin American studies: a distinct mood disorder for the ICD-11

OBJETIVO: A depressão melancólica é um diagnóstico psiquiátrico de história de vida, geralmente com episódios recorrentes. Melancolia é uma síndrome com longa duração e características específicas de psicopatologia, insuficientemente diferenciada de depressão maior por um especificador no DSM-IV e parcialmente descrito nos critérios da Classificação Internacional de Doenças-10ª Edição. Dentro da classificação atual, é frequentemente vista em pacientes gravemente doentes com depressão e transtorno bipolar. No entanto, a melancolia possui uma homogeneidade psicopatológica e biológica distinta na experiência clínica e nos marcadores de testes laboratoriais, e é diferencialmente sensível às intervenções terapêuticas específicas. O objetivo deste estudo é revisar a literatura de artigos publicados por autores latino-americanos sobre a melancolia. MÉTODO: Realizou-se busca de artigos latino-americanos de informações relevantes para a revisão da Classificação Internacional de Doenças-10ª Edição de transtornos mentais e comportamentais em pacientes com depressão melancólica. Foi avaliada a qualidade do design de todos os estudos e realizada uma revisão abrangente sobre o assunto, com o objetivo de considerar a contribuição latino-americana para inclusão da melancolia como uma entidade distinta na futura Classificação Internacional de Doenças-11ª Edição. RESULTADOS E CONCLUSÃO: Os estudos latino-americanos fundamentam o diagnóstico da melancolia com uma psicopatologia e psiconeuroendocrinologia própria que fundamentam ser reconhecida como um transtorno de humor identificável e merecedor de uma atenção específica nos sistemas de classificação, como um transtorno de humor distinto, identificável e especificamente tratável.<br>OBJECTIVE: Melancholic depression is a lifetime diagnosis, typically with recurrent episodes. Melancholia, a syndrome with a long history and distinctive psychopathological features, is differentiated from major depression by the DSM-IV specifiers and partly described in the International Classification of Diseases - 10th edition. Within the present classification, it is frequently seen in severely ill patients with major depression and bipolar disorder. Nevertheless, it has a distinctive psychopathology and biological homogeneity in clinical experience and laboratory test markers, and it is differentially responsive to specific treatment interventions according to international studies. The objective of this study is to review the literature published by Latin American authors about Melancholia. METHOD: We conducted a systematic search to identify scientific literature published by Latin American authors gathering information relevant to the revision of the classification of mental and behavioral disorders in patients with melancholic depression of the International Classification of Diseases - 10th edition. The review was specifically focused on literature from Brazil and Latin America in order to examine the specific Latin American contribution for the study of melancholia as a distinct entity. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Melancholia can be identified as a separate mood disorder with unique psychopathology and psychoneuroendocrinology, worthy of separate attention in the classification systems. We therefore suggest that melancholia be positioned as a distinct, identifiable mood disorder that requires specific treatment

Dietary total antioxidant capacity from different assays in relation to serum C-reactive protein among young Japanese women

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The association between dietary total antioxidant capacity (TAC) from different assays and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) has not been assessed in non-Western populations. We examined the association between dietary TAC and serum CRP concentration in young Japanese women using different four TAC assays.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The subjects were 443 young Japanese women aged 18–22 years. Dietary TAC was assessed with a self-administered diet history questionnaire and the TAC value of each food using the following four assays: ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP); oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC); Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC); and total radical-trapping antioxidant parameter (TRAP). Serum CRP concentrations were measured by highly sensitive nephelometry.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The major contributor to dietary TAC was green, barley, and oolong tea (FRAP: 53%, ORAC: 45%, TEAC: 36%, and TRAP: 44%). The prevalence of elevated CRP concentrations (≥ 1 mg/L) was 5.6%. TAC from FRAP was inversely associated with serum CRP concentrations (adjusted odds ratio [OR] for elevated CRP concentration in high [compared with low] dietary TAC group: 0.39 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.16-0.98]; <it>P</it> = 0.04). TAC from ORAC was inversely associated with CRP, although the association was not significant (OR: 0.48 [95% CI: 0.20-1.14]; <it>P</it> = 0.10). TAC from TEAC was inversely associated with CRP (OR: 0.32 [95% CI: 0.12-0.82]; <it>P</it> = 0.02), as was TAC from TRAP (OR: 0.31 [95% CI: 0.12-0.81]; <it>P</it> = 0.02).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Dietary TAC was inversely associated with serum CRP concentration in young Japanese women regardless of assay. Further studies are needed in other populations to confirm these results.</p