ABSTRACT
Background: We used a MapCHECK software-based dimensional dose distribution comparison method capable of evaluating point-to-point geometrical dose differences in volume to determine whether doses obtained from an enhanced computed tomography [CT]-based treatment plan, which better defines the target regions and organs at risk, differs from doses obtained from plain CT and then evaluated the feasibility of treatment planning via enhanced CT
Materials and Methods: Forty-three randomly selected patients underwent plain and subsequent enhanced CT with the same settings. Treatment plans developed for the two scans were identical in terms of planning parameters [e.g., isocentre, gantry angle, segments] and monitor units [MU] used for dose calculation. Horizontal and vertical dose distribution planes across the same isocentre were selected from two types of plan; a two-dimensional dose distribution analysis was used to determine the Distance-To-Agree [DTA] pass ratios of corresponding dose distribution planes
Results: Obtained doses at the head and neck [H and N] and pelvic sites did not differ greatly between enhanced and plain CT. However, enhanced CT significantly influenced doses to the lower thoracic oesophagus. A corrected pass ratio that was achieved by non-pass points in lower isodose areas excluded from the statistical analysis had better clinical outcome
Conclusion: Radiation plans with multi-fields and multi-angles can reduce the influence of enhanced CT on torso cases and may even negate its influence on H and N cases. Enhanced CT can be directly used for planning unless the target region contains the lower oesophagus and its surrounding blood vessel whose high density requires correction
ABSTRACT
Increasing evidence suggests an association between ele-vated serum aminotransferase levels and metabolic disorders [metabolic syndrome, hyperlipemia and diabetes mellitus]. However, the significance of relatively low levels of aminotransferases in relation to metabolic disorders has not been fully investigated in the general population. We inves-tigated the association between serum amiontransferase levels and metabolic disorders using data from a survey in Jilin province, China. In 2007, a survey was conducted throughout Jilin, China, covering both urban and rural areas. A total of 3835 people, 18 to 79 years old including 1761 men and 2074 women, underwent real-time ultrasonography, blood tests including aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, and had interviews with a structured questionnaire. Serum aminotransferase levels within the normal range were asso-ciated with metabolic syndrome independent of age, occupation, cultural and educational level, income, body mass index, waist circumference, smoking, and alcohol intake. Compared with the lowest level [<20 IU/L], the adjusted odds ratios for ALT levels of 20-29, 30-39, 40-49 and>50 IU/L were 1.92, 2.50, 2.97, and 3.52 in men, and 1.38, 1.54, 3.06, and 2.62 in women, respectively. Near-normal serum aminotransferase levels asso-ciated with hyperlipemia, NAFLD, DM were also found in the study. Normal to near-normal serum aminotransferase levels are associated with metabolic disorders. Serum ALT levels of 21-25 IU/L for men and 17-22 IU/L for women are suggested as cutoff levels that detect metabolic disorders affecting the liver