Development of a silicone-based radio-fluorogenic dosimeter using dihydrorhodamine 6G.

A silicon-based three-dimensional dosimeter can be formed in a free shape without a container and deformed because of its flexibility. Several studies have focused on enhancing its radiological characteristics and assessing its applicability as a quality assurance tool for image-guided and adaptive radiation therapy, considering motion and deformation. Here, we applied a fluorescence probe (dihydrorhodamine 6G, DHR6G) to a silicon elastomer as a new radiosensitive compound that converts nonfluorescent into fluorescent dyes using irradiation, and its fluorescence intensity increases linearly with the absorbed dose. In this study, we demonstrated a cost-effective synthesis method and optimized the composition conditions. The results showed that the DHR6G-SE prepared from 2.2 × 10-3 wt% DHR6G, 0.024 wt% pyridine, and a silicone elastomer (SE) (SILPOT TM 184, base/curing agent = 10/1) exhibited a linear increase in fluorescence with radiation exposure within a dose range of 0-8 Gy and a highly stable sensitivity for as long as 64 h. To demonstrate its container-less characteristics, the possibility of dosimetry for low-energy X-rays using DHR6G-SE was investigated.

Formation of radicals in irradiated maltose - the role of hydrogen bonding with water.

The EPR spectra of irradiated maltose were obtained and compared to those of sucrose and glucose. In maltose anhydrite, the main radicals were produced from the cleavage of the glycoside bond at the C1 carbon with a carbonyl at the C2 carbon the same as those in sucrose. On the contrary, a carbonyl anion radical involving the proton hydrogen bonding to a water molecule was also observed in maltose monohydrate. The conformation of the carbonyl anion radical changed and became stable.

Improvement of the method to estimate the relative reaction rate constants of hydroxyl radical with polyphenols using ESR spin trap: X-ray irradiation of water with a flowing system.

UV-photolysis of hydrogen peroxide is a useful technique to produce hydroxyl radical. However, it is not an appropriate method to estimate the reactivity of polyphenols with hydroxyl radicals because many of the polyphenol derivatives also absorb the UV-light to generate hydroxyl radicals. In this study, X-ray irradiation of water with a flowing system was applied to estimate the reactivity of hydroxyl radicals with polyphenols using electron spin resonance (ESR) spin trap. The obtained relative reaction rates reasonably agreed with previous data by pulse radiolysis. This method will be a useful technique to estimate the reactivity of antioxidants including polyphenols with hydroxyl radicals.

Estimation of relative reaction rate of hydroxy radical with poly-hydroxy benzenes: ESR spin trapping combined with UV-A photolysis.

The reaction of the hydroxy radical with thymidine and poly-hydroxy benzenes; i.e., catechol, resorcinol, hydroquinone, and pyrogallol, was studied by ESR spin trapping combined with the UV-A photolysis of hydrogen peroxide. The obtained relative reaction rates reasonably agreed with those previously obtained by pulse radiolysis. Electron distribution in the HOMO obtained by DFT calculations also supports the resulting order of reactivity of the polyphenols.

A renoprotective effect of low dose losartan in patients with type 2 diabetes.

It has been reported that angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) improves proteinuria in diabetic patients. However, whether this is a direct effect of ARB or through lowering blood pressure is still controversial. The aim of this study is to determine the direct effect of ARB on diabetic nephropathy. Thirty-four type 2 diabetic patients with early kidney damage were divided into two groups: losartan group (n=17) and control group (n=17). In losartan group, low dose (25mg) of losartan was administered once daily for a year. Blood pressure at home, blood pressure at office and urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (UACR) were measured before and during the treatment. After a 1-year observation, the increment of UACR was significantly smaller in losartan group than that in control group [-23.8+/-13.7 mg/gCr vs. 15.9+/-13.2mg/gCr, mean+/-S.E.M., P=0.0114]. Mean blood pressure levels did not change before and during the observation period both in losartan group and control group, though only systolic blood pressure at home decreased slightly but significantly. There were no significant differences in the levels of HbA(1c), fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride and body mass index between the two groups. The observed decrease in UACR in the losartan-treated group might be attributed to a direct renoprotective action in addition to a subtle decrease in systolic blood pressure at home.