On the integrated decay and ingrowth equations used in the measurement of radioactive decay families: the general solution.

In the measurement of radioactivity, a finite measurement time is employed to collect data. Usually, this time is small with respect to the half-life of the nuclide being measured and the 'usual' decay equations can be used to decay measured activities to a given reference time. In some applications, such as neutron activation, an integrated form of the decay equation needs to be employed as the measurement time is comparable to the half-life and using the non-integrated form introduces a significant error. This correction is well known and is used widely. For radionuclide families, such as the natural decay series of uranium and thorium or simple parent--daughter systems, no such integrated form of the decay and ingrowth series appears to have been published in the open literature. This paper sets out the general solution for integrated decay and ingrowth of sequential decay and illustrates the validity of this theoretical solution by applying it to real examples.     

Relationship and significance of gait deviations associated with limb length discrepancy: A systematic review

Controversy still exists as to the clinical significance of leg length discrepancy (LLD) in spite of the fact that further evidence has been emerging regarding the relationship between several clinical conditions and LLD. The objectives of our study were to review the available research with regard to LLD as a cause of clinically significant gait deviations, to determine if there is a relationship between the magnitude of LLD and the presence of gait deviations and to identify the most common gait deviations associated with LLD. In line with the PRISMA guidelines, a literature search was carried out throughout the Medline, CINAHL and EMBASE databases. Twelve articles met the predetermined inclusion criteria and were included in the review. Quality assessment using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS) scale was completed for all included studies. Two main methodologies were found in 4 studies evaluating gait asymmetry in patients or healthy participants with anatomic LLD and 8 studies evaluating gait deviations while simulating LLD by employing artificial lifts of 1–5 cm on healthy subjects. A significant relationship was found between anatomic LLD and gait deviation. Evidence suggests that gait deviations may occur with discrepancies of >1 cm, with greater impact seen as the discrepancy increases. Compensatory strategies were found to occur in both the shorter and longer limb, throughout the lower limb. As the discrepancy increases, more compensatory strategies occur. Sagittal plane deviations seem to be the most effective deviations, although, frontal plane compensations also occur in the pelvis, hip and foot.     

Modeling of radon and its short-lived decay products emanating from tap water used inside a house: Dose to adult members of the public

Radon concentrations are measured in the tap water collected in different areas in Marrakech (Morocco) by using liquid scintillation techniques. The concentrations due to radon and its short-lived decay products emanating from the tap water used inside different compartments of the house were determined. Alpha activities due to the ²¹⁸Po and ²¹⁴Po short-lived radon decay products were evaluated in various compartments of the respiratory tract of adult members of the public. The committed equivalent doses due to the ²¹⁸Po and ²¹⁴Po short-lived progeny of radon were evaluated in different tissues of the respiratory tract by the frequencies of using the various parts of the house.     

Simulation of radioactive decay in GEANT Monte Carlo codes: Comparison between spectra and efficiencies computed with sch2for and G4RadioactiveDecay

Two CERN Monte Carlo codes, i.e. GEANT3.21 and GEANT4, were compared. The specific routine (sch2for), implemented in GEANT3.21 to simulate a disintegration process, and the G4RadioactiveDecay class, provided by GEANT4, were used for the computation of the full-energy-peak and total efficiencies of several radionuclides. No reference to experimental data was involved. A level of agreement better than 1% for the total efficiency and a deviation lower than 3.5% for the full-energy-peak efficiencies were found.     

Determination of radon in water by argon purging and alpha counting with a proportional counter

A method has been developed for the determination of radon in water. It is based on the purging of radon from water with argon, and α counting of radon and its decay products in a proportional counter. The method is characterized by a very low background (0.18 counts/min) and very low detection limit (0.02 Bq/L). It is also relatively simple, fast and interference-free.     

Determination of biological vector characteristics and nanoparticle dimensions for radioimmunotherapy with radioactive nanoparticles.

Radioimmunotherapy with biological vector labeled with radioactive nanoparticles is investigated from a dosimetric point of view. Beta (32P, 90Y) and low-energy X-ray radionuclides (103Pd) are considered. Dose distributions inside solid tumors have been calculated using MCNPX 2.5.0. Nanoparticle dimensions and biological vector characteristics are also determined in order to reach the 50 Gy prescribed dose inside the entire tumor volume. The worst case of an avascular tumor is considered. Results show that for beta-emitting nanoparticles, a set of data (covering fraction, biological half-life, and nanoparticle radius) can be found within acceptable ranges (those of classical radioimmunotherapy). These sources (with Emax approximately few MeV) can be used for the treatment of tumors with a maximum diameter of about 1 cm. Low-energy X-rays (E<25 keV) can be used to extend the range of tumor diameter to 4-5 cm but require very tight biological vector characteristics.     

Sex and limb differences during a single-leg cut with body borne load

BackgroundMilitary personnel don body borne loads that produce maladaptive lower limb biomechanics, increasing risk of musculoskeletal injury during common training tasks. Female personnel have over twice the injury risk as males, but it is unknown if a sex dimorphism in lower limb biomechanics exists during common training-related tasks.Research QuestionTo determine whether lower limb biomechanics exhibited during a single-leg cut with military body borne loads differ between sexes.MethodsSixteen females and 20 males had lower limb biomechanics quantified during five single-leg cuts off each limb with four loads (20, 25, 30 and 35 kg). Each cut required participants run 4 m/s, before planting their foot on a force platform and cut 45° towards the opposite limb. Lower limb biomechanics related to musculoskeletal injury were submitted to a repeated measures ANOVA to test for main and interaction effects of load, sex, and limb.ResultsDuring the cut, load increased peak proximal anterior tibial shear force (p < 0.001) and peak hip flexion (p = 0.010) and knee abduction (p = 0.045) moments, but decreased peak knee flexion angle (p = 0.032). Females exhibited greater peak proximal anterior tibial shear (p = 0.014), and peak hip adduction (p < 0.001) and knee external rotation (p = 0.001) moment than males. Dominant limb exhibited larger peak hip adduction (p = 0.002); whereas, the non-dominant limb exhibited greater peak hip internal (p = 0.002) and knee external (p = 0.007) rotation moments. Only the non-dominant limb increased peak knee abduction moment (p = 0.001) with additional load.SignificanceDuring the cut, adding body borne load produced maladaptive biomechanics that may increase knee musculoskeletal injury risk. Load increased peak proximal tibial shear and potential strain of knee’s soft-tissues. Females exhibited a sex dimorphism in lower limb biomechanics that may further elevate their injury risk. Both limbs exhibited biomechanics that may increase injury risk, but only the non-dominant limb further increased injury risk with load.     

The double crush syndrome: a common occurrence in cyclists with ulnar nerve neuropathy-a case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the incidence of double crush syndrome in the upper limbs of cyclists with clinical diagnosis of ulnar nerve neuropathy. DESIGN: Case-control study. SETTING: Outpatient clinics and university setting. PARTICIPANTS: Consecutive sampling of 70 cyclists (140 upper limbs) with a mean age of 36 years (+/-11.3). Seventy-two upper limbs were excluded, leaving 40 upper limbs with a clinical diagnosis of ulnar nerve neuropathy [ULNN (+)] and 28 without symptoms of ulnar nerve neuropathy [ULNN (-)]. ASSESSMENT: Cyclists were examined clinically for the presence of proximal dysfunction using the following testing (independent variables): (1) thoracic outlet syndrome provocation testing: elevated arm stress test and modified Cyriax release test; (2) presence of an elevated first rib: cervical rotation lateral flexion test; and (3) presence of proximal symptoms: reports of neck pain and shoulder pain. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: The upper limbs of cyclists were categorized into 2 groups (dependent variable)-ULNN (+) and ULNN (-)-based on history, symptoms, motor, sensory, and provocative clinical testing. RESULTS: A significantly greater number of upper limbs of cyclists with ULNN (+) presented with positive provocative testing for thoracic outlet syndrome (elevated arm stress test P = 0.005; modified Cyriax release test P = 0.002) than did the upper limbs of cyclists with ULNN (-). The likelihood for the presence of neck pain, shoulder pain, and an elevated first rib was 3, 5, and 12 times greater, respectively, in the ULNN (+) than the ULNN (-) group. CONCLUSION: A statistically significant greater number of the upper limbs of cyclists with clinical diagnosis of ulnar nerve neuropathy presented with proximal dysfunctions suggestive of double crush syndrome.     

Intracranial papillary endothelial hyperplasia: occurrence of a case after surgery and radiosurgery.

Papillary endothelial hyperplasia (PEH) is considered a form of endothelial proliferation rather than a true neoplasm and is usually located in the skin or subcutis. We report a case of intracranial PEH that occurred after surgery for glioma and subsequent radiosurgery. CT and MR revealed an enhancing extra-axial mass located left posterolateral to the brainstem. Intracranial PEH is rare; to our knowledge, development of an intracranial PEH after surgery and radiosurgery has not been previously reported.     

Separation of intra- and extracellular lactate NMR signals using a lanthanide shift reagent.

This work describes the use of [Pr-DO3A] as a shift reagent for differentiating intra- and extracellular L-lactate resonance in (1)H- and (13)C-NMR spectra. DO3A acts as heptadentate ligand towards lanthanide(III) ions, leaving two coordination vacancies for the coordination of the L-lactate ion. The exchange between free and [Pr-DO3A]-bound L-lactate is fast on the NMR timescale, thus yielding a paramagnetically shifted L-lactate signal for the substrate in the compartment containing the paramagnetic chelate. The evaluation of the method was carried out on a model system based on sealed ghosts from human red blood cells.     

Initial clinical experience with a new pulsed dye laser device in angioplasty of limb ischemia and shunt fistula obstructions.

Selective plaque ablation with laser radiation at 405-530 nm in vitro has been reported. We investigated the possibilities of a new pulsed dye laser device for in vivo recanalization of arteries in ischemic lower limbs and stenoses/occlusions of arterio-venous hemodialysis shunt fistulae. A specially designed 9F or 7F multifiber catheter was used for treatment of 10 patients with lower limb artery obliterations and 11 patients with malfunctioning hemodialysis access fistulae (HAF). The recanalization technical success was 5/5 in the iliac arteries (IA), 4/5 in the superficial femoral arteries (SFA), and 11/11 in the HAF. Early re-occlusions occurred in one SFA and one IA, respectively, caused by very bad run-off. There was one clinically insignificant SFA perforation. Additional balloon angioplasty was considered necessary in 10/16 lesions. Mean ankle-arm index increased from 0.68 to 0.97. With two exceptions all HAF patients were re-integrated in the dialysis program. Pulsed dye laser angioplasty promises to be an effective and fast method for plaque ablation/debulking. The first clinical experience confirms previous in vitro results. In particular laser recanalization may become the method of choice for treatment of rigid HAF obstructions and it seems to be superior to vascular surgery or balloon angioplasty alone.