Determination of the attenuation coefficient for megavoltage photons in the water phantom

Attenuation coefficient [micro] plays an important role in calculations of treatment planning systems, as well as determination of dose distributions in external beam therapy, dosimetry, protection, phantom materials and industry. So, its exact measurement or calculation is very important. The aim of this study was to evaluate the micro in different points in the water phantom analytically as a formula, in addition to derive and parameterize it with dosimetry measurements data results. To find the attenuation coefficients at each point along the central axis of the beam in the phantom for every size of the fields, the first mathematical approach was performed for derivation of micro s from percentage depth dose [PDD] formula. Then by dosimetry for different fields in different depths of water phantom, one can parameterize the obtained formula for micro in any field and depth. By comparing the mathematical and dosimetry results, the parameters of the micro-expression were derived in terms of the dimension of square field in different depths. From this formula one can find the micro for any field in different depths for two energies of the Varian 2100CD linear accelerator, 6, 18MV with the statistical coefficient of determination of R2>0.98. The measurement of the micro in each field size and depth has some technical problems, but one can easily measure the micro for every point of central axis of the beams in any field size

effect of energy and field size on determination of virtual source of the linear accelerator varian 2100 CD

In dosimetric calculation, it is desirable to represent the actual electron beam as originating from a virtual point source in vacuum so that the inverse square law can be applied. Therefore in this research with dosimetry of different treatment fields for different energy of electron beams the position of virtual source for electron beams is determined and one can use the inverse square rule for this electrons as the photons. In this work, the source position of electron beams [s[vir]] from a Varian clinac 2100 CD for different field sizes at different energies was determined by use of elastic scattering theory and dosimetry data. With a parallel plate chamber PPC40 in a 50x50x50cm[3], phantom and Omini-pro accept software the depth dose profiles of 6x6, 10x10, 15x15, 20x20 and 25x25 cm[2] applicators in different energies [6,9,12 and 15 Mev] for treatment electron beams determined. From the dose profile of maximum depth and multiple scattering rules of electrons from the target the position of virtual source of electron beams for each applicator in different energy were obtained. The obtained results from this method showed a dependence on energy and field size for S[vir]. The position of S[vir] is a function of dimension of treatment field and energy. In larger treatment fields and higher energies this distance is longer

Analytical approach for determination of effective point of measurement for cylindrical lonization chamber

Cylindrical ionization chamber is used for measurements of patient dose in radiation therapy. By determination the effective point of measurement we can determine the dose distribution and the parameters of treatment. Therefore in this research we introduce an analytical approach for determination this point in CC13 cylindrical ionization chamber that used for dosimetry of linear accelerator. In this study a CC13 ionization chamber was used for dose measurement of 6 and 18 photon beams of Variant accelerator in different field sizes, 5*5 cm[2] up to 35*35cm[2]. Measurements were performed in blue phantom, up to 5cm depth and data fit software was used for evaluation of experimental data. with our formalism the Pdis quantity in 6MV for 5x5 thought 35x35cm2 were measured 3.088 to 2.88 mm and in 18 MV are measured 4.62 to 4.20 mm. The first critical point of each curve is caused by changing environment from air to water during measuring of ionization. In fact it can be considered critical point as effective point of measurement of ionization chamber. Investigation shows that any increasing in field size, decrease and increasing of energy increase the depth of this critical point

Effect of dexamethasone on frequency of respiratory distress syndrome among preterm newborns in Ahvaz Imam Khomeini Hospital

One of the most important disorders in preterm infants is lung immaturity which can lead to respiratory failure after birth. This condition is known as neonatal respiratory distress syndrome [RDS].The purpose of this study was to evaluate the RDS frequency in preterm neonates and the effect of antenatal dexamethasone in preventing this condition. This study was a retrospective random descriptive cross sectional clinical trial. Two hundred and thirty mothers who suffered from preterm labor and were admitted in Ahvaz Imam Khomeini hospital from 2006 to 2007 were included. Sixty nine mothers received 6 mg dexamethasone every 12 hours [maximum 4 doses] during pregnancy. Control group [166 cases], did not receive dexamethasone. The information, including the number of affected infants, and the effect of dexamethasone in the prevention of RDS were extracted from patients' files. xChi-square and Pierson Correlation Coefficient tests were used for data analysis. SPSS [17] was used for statistical analysis. Out of the 69 mothers who received dexamethasone, 21 [30.4%] newborns developed RDS, while 66 [41%] ones in the control group suffered from it [P= 0.012]. Dexamethasone is effective in the prevention of RDS in premature infants. Our study showed that the use of dexamethasone was beneficial in preventing this condition

[Determination of near infrared radiation[IR-A] at work unit in one of the Iran steel industries]

As industries are developed, human uses of the energy in the huge scale and release the loss energy in the form of electromagnetic radiation such as infrared into the environment, that it could affect on the man health. According to the available standards, if the IR-A could be controlled and consequently health of workers could be provided, it would reduce the total industrial expenses. To control this radiation, it is necessary to measure it and compare the results with the available standards. Hence, in this study, we try to measure this radiation in a unit of industry. For this porpuse the unit of steel company that settled in southeast of Ahvaz is selected. The determinations were done every month during one year in all selected units. These results are compared with the available standards, and finally the differences are statistically evaluated by some suitable statistical For measuring the dispersal of ray in the different height, bat hard data compared with ACGIH standard and SPSS software is used for changing Radiation. The average amount of IR-A at this industrial unit is 1.18 mW/cm2 which is more than the standard value in such industries, and based on our founding the natural solar source of this radiation increases such effects in out-door work places

[Determination of the equivalent field size of asymmetric fields in photon beam therapy analytically based on physical theories]

The aim of this study was to obtain relatively theoretical methods based on physical rules in interaction of radiation with matters which can be sensitively, rapidly and easily used in different radiotherapy centers. In this study with the aid of the exponential attenuation rules of photon beams and inverse square distance rule, in 6MV and 18MV energy of 2100C Varian accelerator X-ray and 1.25MeV energy of Cobalt-60 gamma-ray in Ahvaz Golestan Hospital and considering the scatter radiation of therapeutic field and irregular field to be equal, the side of equivalent square field were calculated. In this method, since the calculation was done taking into account the situation of the field, energy and position of the shield, a very good agreement with dose measurements showed [with error, less than 2%]. Not all of these considerations are taken into account in previous methods. In addition, the calculations can be done on a computer for each therapeutic irregular field.

[Study on the efficacy of oral prednisolone therapy among hospitalized women with hyperemesis gravidarum in Ahvaz Jundishapur university's hospitals]

Hyperemesis gravidarum [HEG] is a debilitating illness affecting 0.3- 2% of pregnant women. It is characterized by continuous vomiting, dehydration, ketosis and muscle weakness. Conservative measures are not effective in severe cases. In these conditions, prednisolone therapy has been used, but yet there is no consensus on the therapy. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of prednisolone therapy in control of symptoms in women with HEG. A randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted on women with HEG who were admitted at Ahvaz University's hospitals from April 2006 to March 2008. Initially, they were divided in two [Prednisolone and placebo] groups. The prednisolone group was administered oral daily prednisolone [20 mg bid] until improved, and then tapered off over a few weeks, while the control group was given a placebo [multivitamin] with the same manner. All women also received promethazine, metoclopramide, intravenous fluids with electrolytes and vitamin supplements [B1, B6]. Finally, 54 women in two groups [steroid: 28, placebo: 26] were analyzed. The mean age in both groups at admission was about 22 years. The mean gestational age at randomization was 10.7 [ +/- 2.3] weeks in the prednisolone group and 8.4 [ +/- 1.7] weeks in the placebo group. Among prednisolone group only 10 [35.71%] women versus 15 [57.68%] women in the placebo group needed hospital cares for women more than one week [P= 0.18]. Severe vomiting was seen only in 4 [14%] patients in the prednisolone group compared with 12 [46%] in the placebo group [P=0.01]. Nineteen women [73%] in the placebo, compared with 12[50%] in the prednisolone group, were readmitted for hyperemesis [P=0.03]. After one week, ptyalism was seen in 6 [6/12] in the prednisolone group versus in one [1/4] in placebo group [P=0.59]. Prednisolone therapy is useful in resolution of symptoms in women with hyperemesis gravidarum. Further study with a larger size is recommended