A novel quantification method for low-density gel dosimeter.

AIM: Low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) images of lung-like (low-density [LD]) gel dosimeters, compared to unit-density (UD) gels, necessitate the use of different quantification methods. SETTING AND DESIGN: In this study, a new method is introduced based on noise correction and exponential (NCEXP) fitting. The feasibility of NCEXP method for quantifying dose absorption in LD gels is evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sensitivity, dose resolution, detectable dynamic range, and correlation of the calibration curve for both UD and LD gel dosimeters are the parameters, which we analyze to investigate the consequences of new method. Results of NCEXP method are compared to maximum likelihood estimation of rician distribution (MLE-R) and variable echo number (VAREC) quantification methods. RESULTS: Dose response of LD gel dosimeter shows wider detectable dynamic range as compared to UD gel. Using NCEXP method for both LD and UD dosimeter gels, a more sensitive calibration curve with a superior dose resolution is obtained. The advantage of new quantification method is more significant for LD dosimeter gel analysis, where SNR decreases as a result of higher absorbed doses (≥10 Gy). Despite the inverse effect of the VAREC method on detectable dose range of UD gel, no specific changes are observed in dynamic dose range of LD gel dosimeter with different quantification methods. The correlations obtained with different methods were approximately of the same order for UD and LD gels. CONCLUSION: NCEXP method seems to be more effective than the MLE-R and VAREC methods for quantification of LD dosimeter gel, especially where high-dose absorption and steep-dose gradients exist such as those in intensity-modulated radiation therapy and stereotactic radiosurgery.

Monte Carlo calculations and experimental measurements of the TG-43U1-recommended dosimetric parameters of 125I (Model IR-Seed2) brachytherapy source.

A new design of 125I (Model IR-Seed2) brachytherapy source has been manufactured recently at the Applied Radiation Research School, Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute in Iran. The source consists of six resin beads (0.5 mm diameter) that are sealed in a cylindrical titanium capsule of 0.7 mm internal and 0.8 mm external diameters. This work aims to evaluate the dosimetric parameters of the newly designed 125I source using experimental measurements and Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. Dosimetric characteristics (dose rate constant, radial dose function, and 2D and 1D anisotropy functions) of the IR-Seed2 were determined using experimental measurements and MC simulations following the recommendations by the Task Group 43 (TG-43U1) report of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM). MC simulations were performed using the MCNP5 code in water and Plexiglas, and experimental measurements were carried out using thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD-GR207A) in Plexiglas phantoms. The measured dose to water in Plexiglas data were used for verification of the accuracy of the source and phantom geometry in the Monte Carlo simulations. The final MC simulated data to water in water were recommended for clinical applications. The MC calculated dose rate constant (Λ) of the IR-Seed2 125I seed in water was found to be 0.992 ± 0.025 cGy h-1U-1. Additionally, its radial dose function by line and point source approximations, gL(r) and gp(r), calculated for distances from 0.1 cm to 7 cm. The values of gL(r) at radial distances from 0.5 cm to 5 cm were measured in a Plexiglas phantom to be between 1.212 and 0.413. The calculated and measured of values for 2D anisotropy function, F(r, θ), were obtained for the radial distances ranging from 1.5 cm to 5 cm and angular range of 0°-90° in a Plexiglas phantom. Also, the 2D anisotropy function was calculated in water for the clinical application. The results of these investigations show that the uncertainty of the experimental data is within ± 7% between the measured and simulated data in Plexiglas. Based on these results, the MC-simulated dosimetric parameters of the new 125I source model in water are presented for its clinical applications in brachytherapy treatments.

Synthesis, in vitro cytotoxicity and radiosensitizing activity of novel 3-[(2,4-dinitrophenylamino)alkyl] derivatives of 5-fluorouracil.

Previously, it was reported that 3[3-(2,4-dinitrophenylamino)-propyl]-5-fluorouracil 8c unlike its components 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) 6 and 2,4-dinitroaniline 2 in HT-29 cells under aerobic conditions had no cytotoxicity but showed radiosensitizing activity. In this study several analogues of 8c differing in the number of linking methylene groups were prepared and tested for in vitro cytotoxicity and radiosensitizing activity under both aerobic and hypoxic conditions. Tethered compound 8a was prepared in one pot by the reaction of 5-FU 6 with paraformaldehyde and 2,4-dinitroaniline 2 in the presence of the concentrated hydrochloric acid, and compounds 8b-f were prepared by the reaction of N-(bromoalkyl)-2,4-dinitrobenzeneamines 5b-f with 1-(t-butoxycarbonyl)-5-fluorouracil 7 followed by hydrolysis of the protecting group. The cytotoxicity of the tested compounds were measured by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), and propidium iodide (PI)-digitonin assays and values of sensitization enhancement ratio (SER) as a measure of the radiosensitizing activity were measured from radiation survival curves in the absence and presence of each sensitizer for 37% survival respectively. Results showed that tethered compounds 8a-f induced time- and concentration-dependent cytotoxicity under hypoxia but had no significant effect under aerobic conditions. These compounds also showed selective and concentration-dependent radiocytotoxicity under hypoxic conditions.