Doctor, quiero una talla 100

Cuando una paciente consulta al cirujano plástico con la intención de que éste le efectúe una mamoplastia de aumento es, en la mayoría de las ocasiones, difícil interpretar exactamente el volumen que desea. La determinación del volumen de la mama que posee la paciente y del volumen que quisiera tener se ve limitada por inconvenientes técnicos y por la poca precisión en la interpretación psicosocial de las mediciones y cálculos que se pueden hacer. El objetivo de este estudio ha sido desarrollar un sistema que partiendo de las medidas intrínsecas del sujetador permita relacionar el volumen de la mama de la paciente con el volumen de la copa del sujetador que desea y con la prótesis necesaria…

The effect of particle size on pigments colour

Dosimetric verification of stereotactic head treatments performed with Helical Tomotherapy using alanine dosimeters and gafchromic films

Phenol compounds as new materials for Electron Paramagnetic Resonance dosimetry in clinical photon and electron beams,

In the last decades several research laboratories have shown an increasing interest aimed at extending the applicability of Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) dosimetry to radiotherapy with different types of radiation beams. EPR is a spectroscopic method for investigating the structure and dynamics of such paramagnetic species. Free radicals are known to be produced when a compound is irradiated with ionizing radiations. The concentration of radiation-induced free radicals is proportional to the energy released inside in the medium and this allows for dosimetric measurements through EPR technique. The use of alanine as a dosimetric material gave the possibility to apply EPR spectroscopy…

Misure di colore su film radiocromici: nuove frontiere per la dosimetria

Characterization of phenolic pellets for ESR dosimetry in photon beam radiotherapy.

We report a study of the dosimetric features of phenolic compounds for applications in radiation therapy dosimetry of clinical photon beams by using ESR spectroscopy. After the optimization of the ESR readout parameters, basic dosimetric properties (such as intra-batch reproducibility, dose-response, sensitivity, linearity, dose rate dependence, tissue-equivalence and signal stability) of laboratory-made phenolic dosimeters in form of pellets were investigated. Furthermore, these dosimeters were tested for measuring the depth dose profile of a 6 MV clinical photon beam. The results reported show that these dosimeters are promising materials for ESR dosimetric applications in radiation thera…

Effects of Mediterranean Diet on Lipid Levels and Cardiovascular Risk in Renal Transplant Recipients

<i>Background:</i> Renal transplant recipients have an increased incidence of cardiovascular disease. These patients present abnormalities of lipoprotein profile which are persistent and involve an increasing number of individuals, suggesting the opportunity of an early therapeutic intervention. <i>Methods:</i> We evaluated the effects of a 10- to 12-week diet based on the American Heart Association step-one diet criteria, modified with an increased intake of monounsaturated fats and alimentary fibers, on lipid profile and lipid-related cardiovascular risk in 78 normolipidemic and hyperlipidemic renal transplant recipients. <i>Results:</i> Diet led to a s…

Pioderma gangrenoso superficial como complicación de mamoplastia

El Pioderma Gangrenoso (PG) es una rara enfermedad de etiología desconocida, sospechándose que pudiera ser debida a trastornos de autoinmunidad. Presentamos 2 casos de PG Granulomatoso en el postoperatorio mediato (3-6 semanas) en pacientes sometidas a mamoplastia (mastopexia con prótesis). Ambos casos se solucionaron mediante tratamiento con corticoesteroides.

"Doctor, tengo un bulto en la axila". Adenomegalia siliconomatosa postmamoplastia de aumento: a propósito de ocho casos

La aparición de adenopatías axilares asociadas a mamoplastia de aumento mediante prótesis de silicona es un hecho infrecuente, no excepcional, y muy preocupante para paciente y cirujano. Hemos hecho una revisión de 1697 historias clínicas de pacientes sometidas a mamoplastia de aumento mediante prótesis de silicona al objeto de estudiar la relación entre roturas protésicas y adenopatías axilares Las 1697 pacientes se dividieron en grupos que cumplían 1, 2, 3, 5 y 7 años de haber sido intervenidas. Revisamos sus historias clínicas y estudiamos las que con posterioridad a la cirugía habían consultado por sospecha de rotura protésica y adenopatías axilares. No encontramos roturas protésicas an…

Comparison of EPR response of pure alanine and alanine with gadolinium dosimeters exposed to TRIGA Mainz reactor

The development of Neutron Capture Therapy (NCT) for cancer treatments has stimulated the research for beam characterization in order to optimize the therapy procedures. The NCT has found to be promising for treatments of tumours which hardly can be treated with other techniques, such as gliomas. Alongside with the improvements of this technique, the development of procedures for the beam characterization arouses great interest in order to optimize the therapy protocol by reliably determining the various (neutronic and photonic) components of the mixed beam usually employed for therapy. Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) dosimetry for electron and photon beams with alanine has attracted …

Deficient pulsatile thyrotropin secretion in the low-thyroid-hormone state of severe non-thyroidal illness

Custro N, Scafidi V, Gallo S, Notarbartolo A. Deficient pulsatile thyrotropin secretion in the low-thyroid-hormone state of severe non-thyroidal illness. Eur J Endocrinol 1994;130:132–6. ISSN 0804–4643. Twenty-four-hour thyrotropin (TSH) profiles in eight severely ill patients were compared with those of six healthy subjects. The profiles were assessed using the cosinor method to evaluate circadian variations and using the Pulsar algorithm to analyze episodic secretion. In the normal subjects, the typical periodicity of TSH secretion showed a mean level in the rhythm (mesor) of 2.03 mU/l, The amplitude (half the extent of rhythmic change in the cycle) was 0.58 mU/l; the acrophase (the delay…

Misure preliminari su scanner MRI 7T di stabilità nel tempo di Dosimetri gel di tipo Fricke

L’ottimizzazione delle procedure che utilizzano radiazioni ionizzanti in campo medico costituisce un elemento chiave per la sicurezza del paziente e l’esito dei trattamenti radioterapici. In particolare è fondamentale arrecare il minor danno possibile ai tessuti sani circostanti la neoplasia da trattare (Attix, 2004). La misurazione precisa della dose somministrata nei tessuti e la sua mappatura in tre dimensioni sono di fondamentale importanza in termini di riuscita e di pianificazione dei trattamenti radioterapici (Khan, 2009). In questo lavoro sono presentate le misure preliminari effettuate per testare la stabilità temporale di dosimetri gel di tipo Fricke tramite scanner pre-clinico 7T…

Carotid atherosclerosis in renal transplant recipients: Relationships with cardiovascular risk factors and plasma lipoproteins

BACKGROUND: Renal transplant recipients have an increased incidence of cardiovascular disease, but less data exist about cerebrovascular atherosclerosis. In this study, we assessed the prevalence of carotid lesions as evaluated by B-mode ultrasonography in a group of renal transplant recipients, and we evaluated univariate and multivariate relationships between common risk factors and plasma lipoproteins and carotid lesions. METHODS: Fifty-seven renal transplant recipients and 113 age- and gender-matched controls underwent a complete clinical visit for the evaluation of risk factors present. In all subjects, a blood sample was collected for lipoprotein determination, and an ultrasound high-…

Caratterizzazione dosimetrica della facility a neutroni termici del reattore TRIGA di Pavia: studio della dose da fotoni mediante rivelatori ESR di alanina

The optimization of the procedures of Neutron Capture Therapy (NCT) for cancer treatments involves research for beam characterization. One major issue for this therapy is the reliable dosimetric determination of the various (neutronic and photonic) components of the employed beam. In particular, the precise and accurate measurements of the gamma photon component is fundamental for evaluating the risks to healthy tissues hit by the mixed field. Among solid state dosimeters the alanine detectors read by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) technique present several advantages such as: tissue equivalence for photon and electron beams, linearity of its dose-response over a wide range, high sta…

Determinazione della componente gamma nella colone termica del reattore TRIGA di Pavia tramite Dosimetri ESR di alanina

Negli ultimi anni il crescente interesse verso la radioterapia a cattura neutronica (internazionalmente nota come Neutron Capture Therapy - NCT) per il trattamento di neoplasie ha stimolato diverse attività di ricerca finalizzate alla caratterizzazione del fascio utilizzato e all'ottimizzazione delle procedure radioterapiche. Tra i vari sistemi dosimetrici trovano largo impiego i rivelatori a stato solido ESR (Risonanza di Spin Elettronico) a base di alanina che presentano diversi vantaggi come la tessuto equivalenza, la linearità della risposta in un ampio intervallo di dose, l'elevata stabilità dei radicali liberi radioindotti, la non distruttività della lettura del dosimetro e il basso c…

New Fricke gel with high sensitivity and low diffusion for 3D-MRI dosimetry

Calcolo dei livelli di dose gamma e dei livelli di radon dovuta ai materiali da costruzione

La radioattività delle famiglie di radionuclidi naturali contenuti nei materiali da costruzione è responsabile in una certa misura dell'equivalente di dose riferibile al fondo naturale delle radiazioni. Tale radioattività contribuisce a due fattori di dose: la dose gamma esterna e la dose alfa interna legata all'introduzione e all'accumulo del radon nonché ad un contributo dovuto all’inalazione di polveri nelle quali le concentrazioni dei capostipiti naturali sono alte. I materiali da costruzione sono la sorgente principale del rateo di dose gamma nelle abitazioni. Tutti gli edifici in pietra contengono nuclei radioattivi come 226Ra, 232Th e 40K. É noto che i livelli di radon sono legati al…

Orejas valgas: estabilización mediante colgajo dermo-graso-pericóndrico retroauricular

El tratamiento quirúrgico para la corrección de las orejas prominentes o valgas se basa en crear una distancia de entre 17-21 mm entre el hélix y la mastoides, así como recrear unos pliegues auriculares anteriores bien definidos. Desde finales de 1800 hasta la actualidad se han descrito muchas técnicas para corregir las orejas despegadas, prominentes o valgas, cada una de ellas con sus propias características. En el presente trabajo describimos una técnica para estabilizar el resultado quirúrgico cuando se corrige esta entidad y evitar su recidiva. Se trata de un procedimiento de fijación mastoidea de la oreja mediante un colgajo dermo-graso-pericóndrico de sencillo diseño, útil, seguro y f…

Diffusion coefficient of PVA Fricke gel dosimeters

Fricke gel dosimeters based on various matrix has been studied for a long time as 3D dosimetric system for radiotherapy. Selfoxidation and loss of spatial resolution due to diffusion have been the main issues that have impaired the affirmation of this technique so far. As part of an Italian nation-wide research program, we were interested in develop new gel formulations that are simple, reproducible and non toxic. We studied the one dimensional diffusion coefficient of Fe3+ ions inside Fricke gel dosimeters based on a matrix of PVA cross-linked with a di-aldehyde. With a spectrophotometer equipped with a moving tray we were able to collect absorbance measurements at different positions of t…

Subclinical hypothyroidism resulting from autoimmune thyroiditis in female patients with endogenous depression.

Thyroid function and presence of thyroid autoantibodies were assessed in a group of 75 consecutive female patients with mood disturbances and in a group of 38 healthy women of similar age recruited as controls. Nine patients suffered from major (endogenous) depression and 66 from minor (neurotic) depression. The individual patients had normal values of circulating thyroid hormones. Nevertheless, endogenously depressed patients had total serum triiodothyronine (M±SE=1.49±0.09 nmol/l) and both total (83.9±4.3 nmol/l) and free serum thyroxine (13.9±1.1 pmol/l) lower than in the group of minor depressed and in the group of controls (p<0.01, in both comparison). The median value of serum thyrotr…

Dosimetric analysis of phenolic solid state pellets exposed to radio-therapeutic photon and electron beams through electron spin resonance technique

Analisi dei vetri di orologi tramite risonanza paramagnetica elettronica (EPR) e termoluminescenza (TL) per dosimetria retrospettiva

Negli ultimi anni è cresciuto il rischio di esposizioni radiologiche non controllate della popolazione, sia a causa di incidenti associati ad applicazioni industriali e mediche delle radiazioni ionizzanti sia in seguito ad incidenti legati all’abbandono o alla dismissione di sorgenti ma anche ad un uso criminale di materiale radioattivo [1–3]. Gli effetti biologici prodotti dalle radiazioni ionizzanti dipendono fortemente dalla quantità di energia impartita per unità di massa (dose assorbita) [4]. Pertanto, nell’ambito di un incidente radiologico, disporre di procedure di ricostruzione della dose assorbita da un individuo può contribuire oltre che ad identificare i membri della popolazione …

Prospective study on thyroid autoimmunity and dysfunction related to chronic hepatitis C and interferon therapy.

This study was designed to assess patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) for the presence of thyroid autoimmunity and dysfunction, to evaluate the risk of thyroid disorders associated with interferon (IFN) therapy, and to survey the outcome of possible treatment-related thyroid injury. Out of 104 consecutive untreated patients (30 women and 74 men; mean age, 52.7 years), 8 (7.7%) were found seropositive for thyroid autoantibodies (ThyAb), whereas seropositivity in healthy controls was 1/98 (1.3%). The relative increase in risk of developing thyroid autoimmunity associated with CHC was 760% (95% Cl, 220–1300%). No patients had abnormalities of thyroid function tests, but on IFN treatment, 3…

NEW FRICKE GEL WITH HIGH SENSITIVITY AND LOW DIFFUSION FOR3D-MRI DOSIMETRY

TESTING OF NANOSTRUCTURED PRODUCTS FOR THE PROTECTION AND CONSOLIDATION OF STONE SURFACES: THE CASE STUDY OF THE TOWER OF PALAZZO ALLIATA IN PALERMO

This study focused on the battlements of the Tower of Palazzo Alliata Pietratagliata in Palermo, which is one of the most important examples of late medieval civil architecture in Sicily. The battlements are made by biocalcarenite and currently affected by a strong desegregation. In order to first characterize the stone some tests have been carried out on small samples collected in situ: chemical and morphological analysis through X-ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), optical polarized light microscopy (PLM), determination of total soluble salt content by measuring the conductivity and dosage of the anions and determination of the dimensional distribution of the pores. T…

Nuovi composti fenolici per la dosimetria a risonanza di spin elettronico (ESR) in campo misto neutroni-gamma

Dosimetry to Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) using organic compounds (alanine and ammonium tartrate) for mixed neutron-gamma fields

Alongside with the development of Neutron Capture Therapy (NCT) and the use of thermal neutrons for radiotherapeutic purposes, many efforts have been devoted to the characterization of the beam in order to optimize therapy procedures. Reliable dose measurements should be able to determine the various (neutrons and photonic) components of the mixed beam usually employed for therapy. This paper studies the effect of additives such as Boric and Gadolinium nuclei on the sensitivity of neutron organic (alanine and ammonium tartrate) dosimeters analyzed through Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) technique. These dosimeters were exposed to a mixed (neutron-gamma) field mainly composed of thermal neutro…

Caratterizzazione del campo misto neutroni-gamma nella colonna termica del reattore TRIGA di Pavia tramite attivazione neutronica e rivelatori ad alanina

Phenol compounds for EPR dosimetry in radiation therapy

EPR/alanine dosimetry in Stereotactic Radiosurgery treatments through Helical Tomotherapy

PVA-GTA Fricke gel dosimeters exposed to clinical photons beams: Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Relaxometry and Imaging

Fricke Gel (FXGs) dosimetric system is based on the radiation induced oxidation of ferrous to ferric ions. The application of Fricke gels for ionizing radiation dosimetry is continuously increasing worldwide due to their many favorable properties. However, one of their shortcomings is that ferrous and ferric ions diffuse in the gel matrix. To maintain the spatial integrity of the dose distribution, Fricke gels must be undergoing measurement within a few hours of their irradiation, so that ferric ions remain close to their point of production. Thus, the spatial integrity of the dose distribution in the Fricke gel is maintained (Schreiner, 2015). The gel matrix also contributes to the oxidati…

Mutations in the Matrin 3 gene cause familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

MATR3 is an RNA- and DNA-binding protein that interacts with TDP-43, a disease protein linked to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia. Using exome sequencing, we identified mutations in MATR3 in ALS kindreds. We also observed MATR3 pathology in ALS-affected spinal cords with and without MATR3 mutations. Our data provide more evidence supporting the role of aberrant RNA processing in motor neuron degeneration. © 2014 Nature America, Inc. All rights reserved.

Uso della spettroscopia ESR per la caratterizzazione di composti fenolici irradiati con fasci clinici di fotoni ed elettroni

In the last decades several research laboratories have shown an increasing interest aimed at extending the applicability of Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) dosimetry to radiotherapy with different types of radiation beams. ESR is a spectroscopic method for investigating the structure and dynamics of such paramagnetic species. Free radicals are known to be produced when a compound is irradiated with ionizing radiations. The concentration of radiation-induced free radicals is proportional to the energy released inside in the medium and this allows for dosimetric measurements through ESR technique which able to quantitatively determine the radical concentration. The use of alanine as a dosimetri…