Reliability of functional connectivity in resting-state functional MRI

     Functional MRI is a noninvasive method in brain imaging. Localization, classification, prediction and connectivity are the most common issues. Functional connectivity is a branch of fMRI that focuses on connectivity between voxels and ROIs. There are several methods for investigating functional connectivity such as correlation analysis. In any field, it is very important that results of any research have reliability according to the experiment. Any methods and measurement instruments need to be reliable. Without reliability, results are meaningless and our research is not trustworthy. Brain imaging can be used as a valuable tool for pre-surgical planning, so the results should be highly reproducible. Test-retest reliability can be explored using the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). I2C2 is an extent of ICC to verify the reliability in high-dimensional data as imaging studies. 13 subjects of test-retest resting-state fMRI are used to investigate reliability. I2C2 of four ROIs are also computed (Caudate, Cingulate, Cuneus and Precentral regions). Functional connectivity is found to have moderate reliability ranging 0.6244 to 0.6941. 95% confidence interval of I2C2 is calculated by nonparametric bootstrap in which CI of Caudate region I2C2 has the shortest length.

Determine the Dose Distribution Using Ultrasound Parameters in MAGIC-f Polymer Gels

In this study, using methacrylic and ascorbic acid in gelatin initiated by copper (MAGIC-f) polymer gel after megavoltage energy exposure, the sensitivity of the ultrasound velocity and attenuation coefficient dose-dependent parameters was evaluated. The MAGIC-f polymer gel was irradiated under 1.25 MeV cobalt-60, ranging from 0 to 60 Gy in 2-Gy steps, and received dose uniformity and accuracy of +2%. After calibration of the ultrasonic systems with a frequency of 500 kHz, the parameters of ultrasound velocity and attenuation coefficient of the irradiated gel samples were measured. According to the dose–response curve, the ability of ultrasonic parameters was evaluated in dose rate readings. Based on a 4-order polynomial curve, fitted on the dose–response parameters of ultrasound velocity and attenuation coefficient and observed at 24 hours after irradiation, ultrasonic parameters had more sensitivity. The sensitivity of the dose–velocity and dose-attenuation coefficient curves was observed as 50 m/s/Gy and 0.06 dB/MHz/Gy over the linear range of 4 to 44 Gy, respectively. The ultrasonic parameters at 5C, 15C, and 25C on the gel dosimeter after 0 to 60 Gy irradiation showed that readings at 25C have higher sensitivity compared to 15C and 5C. Maximum sensitivity time and temperature readings of the MAGIC-f ultrasonic parameters were concluded 24 hours after irradiation and at a temperature of 25C. Keyw

The Ability of Ultrasonic Characterization to Extract the Dose Distribution of MAGIC-f Polymer Gel

Background & Aims: Today, different imaging techniques have been studied in the reading of radiationsensitive polymer gels dosage. Due to limitations of imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT), ultrasound techniques are proposed for dose-dependent parameter extraction. In this study, using MAGIC-f (methacrylic and ascorbic acid in gelatin initiated by copper with added formaldehyde) polymer gel and megavoltage radiation energy, the dose-dependent parameters of speed of sound and broadband ultrasonic attenuation (BUA) were evaluated. Methods: MAGIC-f polymer gel was irradiated with 1.25 MeV of Cobalt-60 and received a uniform dose in the range of 0 to 60 Gy in 2 Gy steps (2% accuracy). After calibration of ultrasound system with 500 kHz frequency, the parameters of speed of sound and BUA coefficient of exposed polymer gel samples were measured. Based on the dose-response curve, the ability of the ultrasound parameters in reading the absorbed dose was investigated. To evaluate the reasonable time interval with the most sensitive reading of the ultrasound method, samples were studied 3, 24, 36, and 48 hours after irradiation. To study the temperature readings, the gel samples irradiated at 5, 15, and 25 °C were studied. Results: The relationship of variation of speed of sound and attenuation coefficient and quality index (QI) with absorbed dose 3, 24, 36, and 48 hours after irradiation of gels are shown with a fourth-order polynomial fit. The results show that ultrasonic parameters have higher sensitivity 24 hours after irradiation. The sensitivity of dose-speed of sound and attenuation curve were 50 cm/s and 0.06 dB/MHz/Gy based on each Gy in the linear range of 4-44 Gy. Ultrasonic parameters were measured in the gel samples at 5, 15, and 25 ºC after 0-60 Gy irradiation in 2 Gy steps to determine the sensitivity of the ultrasonic properties to temperature. The measurements show that readings at 25 °C have a higher sensitivity than that at 5 and 15 °C. Thus, with an increase of 20 °C, the speed of sound increased 28 and 66 m/s before irradiation and with 60 Gy absorbed dose, respectively. Moreover, the attenuation coefficient decreased 2.50 dB/MHz before irradiation and increased 2.70 dB/MHz with 60 Gy absorbed dose. Conclusion: Acoustic properties of MAGIC-f gel, determined by measurements of speed of sound and ultrasonic broadband attenuation, indicate the ability of this technique in reading of absorbed dose. Maximum sensitivity of reading time and temperature of MAGIC-f gel were 24 hours after irradiation and 25 °C, respectivel

Knowledge, attitude and behavior towards using of microwave oven among women working at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical science and Health service in 2016

Background and Aims: Microwave oven, a household appliance that works with microwave, is one of the essential supplies in the kitchen because of ease and speed in cooking. Microwave users are required to be aware of its safety tips, and women are in the program's top priority due to more involvement. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude and behavior towards using microwave oven amongwomen working at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences and health services in 2016.Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, totally, 120 women working at Shahid Beheshti University of medical Sciences and Health Services were selected through clustering procedure. All stages of this research were conducted ethically. The consent forms were indeed completed. A reliable and valid questionnaire prepared by the research team was exploited for data collection. The questionnaire encompassed demographic, knowledge, attitude and behavior of using microwave oven questions. Finally, the obtained data was analyzed using SPSS22 statistical Software.Results: The mean age of women was 38.63 ± 9.19 years. About 58.35 percent of participants had associate's, bachelor's level education and 28.35 percent were of Master's degree. Approximately 68.35%of the total study group were married. Overall the mean score of knowledge was 15.80 out of 28. The mean score of attitude was 36.69 out of 50, and the mean score of behavior was 59.62 out of 75. There was no statistically significant relationship between age, marital status, education and knowledge and atti tude.Conclusion: The results of the study suggest the need for interventions to promote awareness, attitude and behavior

Evaluation and comparing rectum and bladder's clinical complications in pelvis radiotherapy in order to treat prostate cancer by using custom block and MLC for three- dimensional conformal radiotherapy

       Ionization radiation caused to incidence of complications in the exposed organs. In prostate radiotherapy, rectum and bladder have been radiated unwantedly and indicated some complications during and after treatment. The purpose of present study is to consider and to compare clinical complications of rectum and bladder in custom block and MLC for 3- D conformal radiotherapy, in order to determine if both treatments differ with respect to creating radiation protection, subsequently in the incidence of complications. In this respect, 72 patients with prostate cancer classified into two arms, above 60 years without the history of previous radiotherapy, hormone therapy and surgery, were selected randomly in October 2014. In one arm, patients were treated with block 3- D conformal radiotherapy, and in second arm with MLC outbound technique for 3- D radiotherapy. Rectal and bladder clinical complications were recorded before, during (at the end of 10 treatment sessions), 3 and 6 months after treatment then compared based on tables (RTOG/ LENT).Obtained results showed that patients had a significant difference in such complications as urinary frequency after 10 treatment sessions, 3 months after treatment (p<0.02 and p<0.04, respectively)   Also, patients had a significant difference in regard to dysuria at the end of treatment (p<0.02). In both arms, patients had a significant difference in constipation after 30 sessions also at the end of treatment (p<0.02, p<0.02, respectively).In comparing different grades of complications based on RTOG/ LENT tables, it was not observed a significant difference between patients' complications in both arms

The probability of influence of the abscopal effect on reduction of similar far away 4T1 cell line tumors by irradiation of main tumor

The most important problem with radiotherapy is the limitation of whole body irradiation of a metastatic patient. There are evidence showing that similar effect will occur in non-irradiated tumors similar to the irradiated ones. This effect is called abscopal effect. In the present study, the abscopal effect on local induced mice breast cancers has been investigated. One million of 4T1 mice breast cancer cell line was injected to balb/c mice subcutaneously while being under anesthesia. After the growth of tumors till becoming palpable, one of two induced tumors were exposed to total 28 Gy, with gamma rays emitted from a cobalt -60 tele-therapy machine in 14 fractions with 2 Gy daily doses. Tumor volumes were measured, using the caliper. The data was analyzed by the use of non-parametrical and ANOVA tests. Similar growth in non-irradiated control tumors was seen. After 10 or 11 fractions of one- side irradiation and total dose of 20 to 22 Gy, however, non-irradiated tumors, similar to irradiated ones, showed similar effect, reduction of size and volume different from control groups (P<0.05).The reduction of non-irradiated tumors relative to irradiation of another tumor in the same mouse is the emblem of occurrence of the abscopal effect. The mechanism of the abscopal effect is unknown but it could be related to the release of cytokines from irradiated tumors with their receptors existing on the surface of non-irradiated tumors. By induction of this effect, the remission probability of small metastases after local irradiation could be possible

Prospective evaluation of acute radiation – induced skin reactions in patients after head and neck radiotherapy

     Acute Radiation- induced Skin reaction (ARISR) is a common side effect in the majority of patients receiving radiotherapy. ARISR is often characterized by swelling, redness, pigmentation, dry and moist desquamation, edema, ulceration, bleeding and necrosis of the Skin. This study was carried out to evaluate prevalence and severity of ARISR in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiotherapy and determining skin dose–response relationship. From December 2014 to September 2015, we evaluated 88 patients with head and neck cancer. The acute skin toxicity was scored based on RTOG toxicity criteria. Analysis of data using statistical software SPSS (version20) and ANOVA or chi- square test was done, with P  0.05 considered as significant. 98.86% of patients experienced dermatitis, but were mild in most cases.There was no significant differences in age, sex, stage, and field size between patients with dermatitis

Early effect of radiation on the liver functional tests of patients with thoracic and abdominal tumors during radiotherapy

The liver is an organ at risk (OAR) in radiotherapy of thoracic and abdominal tumors such as gastric, distal esophagus, lower lung and breast, bile duct, pancreas and whole abdomen. In this study the alteration in liver functional tests (LFT) of these patients during radiotherapy was investigated. To that end, the level of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), direct and total bilirubin were checked out at different times (before radiotherapy and every 2 weeks after the start of radiotherapy and followed up to 2 months after the end of treatment). The results showed that LFT level increased during radiotherapy while they gradually decreased after treatment. Our results showed that the LFT serum is a very sensitive and useful biomarker for evaluation of the radiotherapy effects.