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Background: There has been recent interest in the use of ultrasound-stimulated microbubbles (USMB) as a localised radiosensitiser, with in vivo studies to date demonstrating impressive results. In vitro results have focussed primarily on Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVEC), and studies using other cell lines have shown varying results. This study aims to further investigate any increases in radiation-induced cell killing in vitro using HUVECs and two carcinoma cell lines; and to study the effect different radiation energies have on cells treated with ultrasound-stimulated microbubbles and radiation.Methods: HUVEC, Metastatic Follicular Thyroid Carcinoma cells (FTC-238) and Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma cells (NCI-H727) were treated using a combination of 1.6% v/v microbubbles (Definity®); ~90 seconds of 2MHz ultrasound with a mechanical index of 0.8; and 0-6Gy of kV or MV x-rays. Cell viability was measured using a cell viability assay 72 hours post-treatment, and normalised survival calculated relative to untreated controls. Statistical significance was determined using a Three-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) after confirming equal variance existed across all groups.Results: All cells treated with combined USMB and radiation demonstrated decreased normalised survival, with statistically significant effects observed for the NCI-H727 cells. Statistically significant differences in the effect of kV and MV radiation were also observed for FTC-238 cells.Conclusions: USMB and Radiation Therapy significantly reduced the viability of NCI-H727 cells when compared to cells exposed to radiation treatment only. Decreased cell viability was also observed in HUVEC and FTC-238 cells, but this was not significant. Further studies using increased Microbubble concentrations may be required to achieve statistically significant results as reported elsewhere. Similarly, further research is needed to understand the differing effect of kV and MV x-rays on the survival of FTC-238 cells.

Metal-based nanoparticles (NPs) have been extensively studied for dose enhancement applications in radiation therapy. This study investigated the utility of such NPs for image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT). Phantom images of gold NPs (AuNPs) and titanium peroxide NPs (TiOxNPs) with different concentrations were acquired using IGRT modalities, including cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). AuNPs induced strong contrast enhancement in kV energy CBCT images, whereas TiOxNPs at high concentrations showed weak but detectable changes. The results indicated that these NPs can be used to enhance IGRT images as well as dose enhancement for treatment purposes.

Aim:CyberKnife is the most advanced form of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) system that uses a robotic arm to deliver highly focused beams of radiation; however, a limitation is that it only irradiates from ceiling to floor direction. In patients with posterior lungs tumour who are positioned supine, normal lung tissue may suffer undesirable radiation injuries. This study compares the treatment planning between the prone set-up and the supine set-up for lung cancer in CyberKnife SBRT to decrease normal lung dose to avoid radiation side effects.Materials and methods:A human phantom was used to generate 108 plans (54 for prone and 54 for supine) using the CyberKnife planning platform. The supine and prone plans were compared in terms of the dosimetric characteristics, delivery efficiency and plan efficiency.Results:For posterior targets, the area of low-dose exposure to normal lungs was smaller in the prone set-up than in the supine set-up. V10 of the lungs was 7·53% and 10·47% (p < 0·001) in the anterior region, and 10·78% and 8·03% (p < 0·001) in the posterior region in the supine and prone set-up plans, respectively.Conclusions:The comparison between the prone set-up and the supine set-up was investigated with regard to target coverage and dose to organs at risk. Our results may be deployed in CyberKnife treatment planning to monitor normal tissue dose by considering patient positioning. This may assist in the design of better treatment plans and prevention of symptomatic radiation pneumonitis in lung cancer patients.

Radiosensitizing therapy for cancer treatment that enhances the effect of existing radiation therapy and enables noninvasive therapy has attracted attention. In this study, to achieve target cell-s...

Purpose Real-time tracking systems of moving respiratory targets such as CyberKnife, Radixact, or Vero4DRT are an advanced robotic radiotherapy device used to deliver stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT). The internal target volume (ITV) of lung tumors is assessed through a fiducial marker fusion using four-dimensional computed tomography (CT). It is important to minimize the ITV to protect normal lung tissue from exposure to radiation and the associated side effects post SBRT. However, the ITV may alter if there is a change in the position of the fiducial marker with respect to the tumor. This study investigated the relationship between fiducial marker position and the ITV in order to prevent radiation exposure of normal lung tissue, and correct target coverage. Materials and methods This study retrospectively reviewed 230 lung cancer patients who received a fiducial marker for SBRT between April 2015 and September 2021. The distance of the fiducial marker to the gross tumor volume (GTV) in the expiratory (d(ex)) and inspiratory (d(in)) CT, and the ratio of the ITV/V(GTV(ex)), were investigated. Results Upon comparing each lobe, although there was no significant difference in the d(diff) and the ITV/V(GTV(ex)) between all lobes for d(ex) < 10 mm, there was significant difference in the d(diff) and the ITV/V(GTV(ex)) between the lower and upper lobes for d(ex) ≥ 10 mm (p < 0.05). Moreover, there was significant difference in the d(diff) and the ITV/V(GTV(ex)) between d(ex) ≥10 mm and d(ex) < 10 mm in all lung regions (p < 0.05). Conclusion The ITV that had no margin from GTVs increased when d(ex) was ≥10 mm for all lung regions (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the increase in ITV tended to be greater in the lower lung lobe. These findings can help decrease the possibility of adverse events post SBRT, and correct target coverage.

Background: Metal nanoparticles have been proposed as potential radiosensitizers. Among those, titanium nanoparticles are attractive candidates for application as radiosensitizers. We have newly established and evaluated titanium peroxide nanoparticles (TiOxNPs). The TiOxNPs are generated from titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs), manufactured via direct reaction of TiO2NPs with hydrogen peroxide. Distinguished characteristics of the TiOxNPs are continuous generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by X-ray irradiation. Bio-availabilities and safety was previously reported (Nanoparticles, 2020; 10(6): 1125). Materials and Methods: Characteristics of TiOxNPs were determined following experiments. Dynamic light scattering analysis was used to measure the diameter and Z-potential of the NPs. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) observation revealed the detailed topology of the NPs. X-ray irradiation was performed using the X-ray generator at a voltage of 150 kV and a current of 5 mA with a 1-mm thick aluminum filter in vitro and in vivo. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was evaluated using human pancreatic cancer cells, named MIAPaCa-2. The cells were stained with 50 μM carboxy-20,70-dichlorofluorescein (C-H2DCF) incubated for 45 min, and then stained with Hoechst for nuclear staining. The degree of fluorescence of C-H2DCF was detected using the fluorescence microscope. To evaluate cytotoxic effects of TiOxNPs, a colony-formation assay was performed. For xenograft experiments, the MIAPaCa-2 cells (2 x 106 cells) were injected subcutaneously into the hind legs of the BALB/cAJcl nude mice. Once the tumor volume reached 100-200 mm3, mice were randomly assigned into six groups: the control group, TiOxNPs alone, 5 Gy alone, and TiOxNPs combined with 5 Gy. Tumor size, body weight, and health condition of all mice were followed every two to three days for 55 days post-treatment. Results: Primary particles smaller than 10 nm gathered and formed secondary particles that were approximately 50 nm in diameter, and their Z-potential was -30 mV. TEM observation revealed the detailed topology of the NPs. The TiOxNPs enhanced H2O2 production more than 7-folds compared to X-ray irradiation alone in MIA PaCa-2 cells. In xenografts, combination effects of the TiOxNPs and X-ray irradiation were significantly greater than X-ray irradiation (5 Gy) alone. Conclusions: The TiOxNPs revealed to be powerful radiosensitizers in pancreatic cancer model. Clinical tests are warranted to clarify the application of TiOxNPs in the nearest future. Citation Format: Ryohei Sasaki, Hiroaki Akasaka, Masao Nakayama, Yoshiko Fujita, Hikaru Kubota, Kenta Morita, Mennaallah Hassan, Mohammed Salah, Yuya Nishimura, Naritoshi Mukumoto, Takeaki Ishihara, Daisuke Miyawaki, Chiaki Ogino. A novel radiosensitizer of titanium peroxide nanoparticles (TiOxNPs) through continuous ROS generation [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 2837.

In many team sports, in which environmental change is constant, athletes selectively allocate attention between the approaching ball and other players, and constantly consistently making decisions regarding whom to pass the ball to. Few previous studies on decision-making in team sports such as soccer have included the ball reception phase. This study examined players’ visual search strategies during pass decisions. Using five-on-four soccer-specific film simulations from previously recorded real scenes, high-level players (HLPs) and middle-level players (MLPs) reacted to life-sized soccer scenes. We measured their visual search strategies in decision-making tasks involving ball reception and pass execution and collected their verbal reports. We employed a novel system wherein the ball is ejected toward participants according to the video clips in order to maintain perception–action coupling during the task. We found skill-based differences in decision-making accuracy, eye movement data, and verbal reports. HLPs demonstrated better decision-making than MLPs, and, in eye movement data, HLPs allocated more attention to nonmarked attackers ([ M] = 14.1, [ SD] = 4.8%, p < .001, η2 = 0.39), the teammate receiving the pass ( M = 18.4, SD = 4.3%, p < .05, η2 = 0.15), and opponents ( M = 14.6, SD = 6.3%, p < .05, η2 = 0.17) than did MLPs. Furthermore, according to verbal reports, HLPs tended to attend to information on opponent players. Thus, visual search strategies during ball reception suggest that the position and situation of teammates and opponents are the most important information sources for accurate and consistent pass decisions.

Nanoparticles (NPs) are useful for radiotherapy. Currently, efforts are underway globally for the development of novel titanium dioxide NPs (TiO2-NPs) that exhibit both contrast effects and anti-tumor effects. In this study, the image contrast properties of TiO2-NPs were evaluated using a clinical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system and a clinical computed tomography (CT) scanner, as the use of TiO2-NPs as an anti-cancer agent has been reported in several reports. An obvious difference in visualization was observed between the control and TiO2-NP samples on T2-weighted images. These results suggest that TiO2 can potentially be used as a novel theranostic drug with radiosensitizing ability and radiological diagnostic ability, through modification of chemical groups on its surface, and as a component of drug delivery systems.

Aim To investigate tumour motion tracking uncertainties in the CyberKnife Synchrony system with single fiducial marker in liver tumours. Background In the fiducial-based CyberKnife real-time tumour motion tracking system, multiple fiducial markers are generally used to enable translation and rotation corrections during tracking. However, sometimes a single fiducial marker is employed when rotation corrections are not estimated during treatment. Materials and methods Data were analysed for 32 patients with liver tumours where one fiducial marker was implanted. Four-dimensional computed tomography (CT) scans were performed to determine the internal target volume (ITV). Before the first treatment fraction, the CT scans were repeated and the marker migration was determined. Log files generated by the Synchrony system were obtained after each treatment and the correlation model errors were calculated. Intra-fractional spine rotations were examined on the spine alignment images before and after each treatment. Results The mean (standard deviation) ITV margin was 4.1 (2.3) mm, which correlated weakly with the distance between the fiducial marker and the tumour. The mean migration distance of the marker was 1.5 (0.7) mm. The overall mean correlation model error was 1.03 (0.37) mm in the radial direction. The overall mean spine rotations were 0.27° (0.31), 0.25° (0.22), and 0.23° (0.26) for roll, pitch, and yaw, respectively. The treatment time was moderately associated with the correlation model errors and weakly related to spine rotation in the roll and yaw planes. Conclusions More caution and an additional safety margins are required when tracking a single fiducial marker.

The quantitative relationship between kicking motion and ball behaviour can be easily explained by detecting the impact point and foot posture. In previous studies, the impact point of a kicking foot was difficult to capture using visual tracking. Thus, a virtual surface modelling technique was applied in this study to clarify the differences in the three-dimensional foot speed, impact point and foot posture between straight, curve, and knuckle kicks in soccer, as well as the relationship between the kick motion and ball rotation. An optical three-dimensional motion capture system (VICON) was used to record the kicking motion. The impact points of the straight, curve, and knuckle kicks were found to be centrally located in the instep area, at a lower (more downwards) inside area, and at the medial area between the instep and inside areas of the kicking foot, respectively. Moreover, an impact with a greater ‘swing vector deviation angle (relative to the direction from the impact point to the centre of gravity of the ball)’ is necessary for ball rotation. The impact point detection method employed in this study can be applied to other ball impact estimations beyond soccer kicks.

This study examined the effects of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and/or ionizing radiation (IR) on the viability and motility of human primary colon epithelial (CCD841) and colorectal adenocarcinoma (SW48) cells as well as human primary epidermal melanocytes (HEM) and melanoma (MM418-C1) cells. AuNPs up to 4 mM had no effect on the viability of these cell lines. The viability of the cancer cells was ~60% following exposure to 5 Gy. Exposure to 5 Gy X-rays or 1 mM AuNPs showed the migration of the cancer cells ~85% that of untreated controls, while co-treatment with AuNPs and IR decreased migration to ~60%. In the non-cancerous cell lines gap closure was enhanced by ~15% following 1 mM AuNPs or 5 Gy treatment, while for co-treatment it was ~22% greater than that for the untreated controls. AuNPs had no effect on cell re-adhesion, while IR enhanced only the re-adhesion of the cancer cell lines but not their non-cancerous counterparts. The addition of AuNPs did not enhance cell adherence. This different reaction to AuNPs and IR in the cancer and normal cells can be attributed to radiation-induced adhesiveness and metabolic differences between tumour cells and their non-cancerous counterparts.

The development of potentially safe radiosensitizing agents is essential to enhance the treatment outcomes of radioresistant cancers. The titanium peroxide nanoparticle (TiOxNP) was originally produced using the titanium dioxide nanoparticle, and it showed excellent reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in response to ionizing radiation. Surface coating the TiOxNPs with polyacrylic acid (PAA) showed low toxicity to the living body and excellent radiosensitizing effect on cancer cells. Herein, we evaluated the mechanism of radiosensitization by PAA-TiOxNPs in comparison with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) which represent high-atomic-number nanoparticles that show a radiosensitizing effect through the emission of secondary electrons. The anticancer effects of both nanoparticles were compared by induction of apoptosis, colony-forming assay, and the inhibition of tumor growth. PAA-TiOxNPs showed a significantly more radiosensitizing effect than that of AuNPs. A comparison of the types and amounts of ROS generated showed that hydrogen peroxide generation by PAA-TiOxNPs was the major factor that contributed to the nanoparticle radiosensitization. Importantly, PAA-TiOxNPs were generally nontoxic to healthy mice and caused no histological abnormalities in the liver, kidney, lung, and heart tissues.

Polyacrylic acid (PAA)-modified titanium peroxide nanoparticles (PAA-TiOx NPs) are promising radiosensitizers. PAA-TiOx NPs were synthesized from commercial TiO2 nanoparticles that were modified with PAA and functionalized by H2O2 treatment. To realize practical clinical uses for PAA-TiOx NPs, their tissue distribution and acute toxicity were evaluated using healthy mice and mice bearing tumors derived from xenografted MIAPaCa-2 human pancreatic cancer cells. Healthy mice were injected with PAA-TiOx NPs at 25 mg/kg body weight via the tail vein, and tumor-bearing mice were injected either into the tumor locally or via the tail vein. The concentration of PAA-TiOx NPs in major organs was determined over time using inductively coupled–plasma atomic emission spectrometry. After 1 h, 12% of the PAA-TiOx NP dose had accumulated in the tumor, and 2.8% of the dose remained after 1 week. Such high accumulation could be associated with enhanced permeability and retention effects of the tumor, as PAA-TiOx NPs are composed of inorganic particles and polymers, without tumor-targeting molecules. The liver accumulated the largest proportion of the injected nanoparticles, up to 42% in tumor-bearing mice. Blood biochemical parameters were also investigated after intravenous injection of PAA-TiOx NPs in healthy mice. PAA-TiOx NPs invoked a slight change in various liver-related biochemical parameters, but no liver injury was observed over the practical dose range. In the future, PAA-TiOx NPs should be modified to prevent accumulation in the liver and minimize risk to patients.

Purpose The CyberKnife Xsight Lung Tracking (XLT) and 1-View tracking systems can synchronize beam targeting to a visible lung tumor with respiratory motion during irradiation without requiring internal fiducial markers. The systems use a correlation model that relates external marker positions to tumor positions as well as a prediction model that predicts the target's future position. In this study, the correlation and prediction model uncertainties related to the CyberKnife fiducial-free tumor tracking system were evaluated using clinical log data. Methods and materials Data from 211 fractions in 42 patients with lung tumors were analyzed. Log files produced by the CyberKnife Synchrony system were acquired after each treatment; the mean correlation and prediction errors for each patient were calculated. Additionally, we examined the tracking tumor-related parameters and analyzed the relationships between the model errors and tracking tumor-related parameters. Results The overall means ± standard deviations (SDs) of the correlation errors were 0.70 ± 0.43 mm, 0.36 ± 0.16 mm, 0.44 ± 0.22 mm, and 0.95 ± 0.43 mm for the superoinferior (SI), left-right (LR), anteroposterior (AP), and radial directions, respectively. The overall means ± SDs of the prediction errors were 0.13 ± 0.11 mm, 0.03 ± 0.02 mm, 0.03 ± 0.02 mm, and 0.14 ± 0.11 mm for the SI, LR, AP, and radial directions, respectively. There were no significant differences in these errors between the XLT and 1-View tracking methods. The tumor motion amplitude was moderately associated with the correlation error and strongly related to the prediction error in the SI and radial directions. Conclusions Clinical log data analysis can be used to determine the necessary margin sizes in treatment plans to compensate for correlation and prediction errors in the CyberKnife fiducial-free lung tumor tracking system. The tumor motion amplitude may facilitate margin determination.

Purpose Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) have been investigated for their role as radiosensitisers for radiation therapy. The study aims to increase the efficiency of these NPs by synthesising them with samarium. Methods Samarium-doped TiO2 NPs (Ti(Sm)O2 NPs) were synthesised using a solvothermal method. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) were performed for characterising of the Ti(Sm)O2 NPs. The intracellular uptake and cytotoxicity were assessed in vitro using A549 and DU145 cancer cell lines. Furthermore, the effect of dose enhancement and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in response to 6 MV X-rays was evaluated. Additionally, the image contrast properties were investigated using computed tomography (CT) images. Results The synthesised Ti(Sm)O2 NPs were about 13 nm in diameter as determined by TEM. The XRD pattern of Ti(Sm)O2 NPs was consistent with that of anatase-type TiO2. EDS confirmed the presence of samarium in the nanoparticles. At 200 μg/ml concentration, no differences in cellular uptake and cytotoxicity were observed between TiO2 NPs and Ti(Sm)O2 NPs in both A549 and DU145 cells. However, the combination of Ti(Sm)O2 NPs and X-rays elicited higher cytotoxic effect and ROS generation in the cells than that with TiO2 NPs and X-rays. The CT numbers of Ti(Sm)O2 NPs were systematically higher than that of TiO2 NPs. Conclusions The Ti(Sm)O2 NPs increased the dose enhancement of MV X-ray beams than that elicited by TiO2 NPs. Samarium improved the efficiency of TiO2 NPs as potential radiosensitising agent.

Micro-slit-beam radiation therapy (MRT) using synchrotron-generated X-ray beams allows for extremely high-dose irradiation. However, the toxicity of MRT in central nervous system (CNS) use is still unknown. To gather baseline toxicological data, we evaluated mortality in normal mice following CNS-targeted MRT. Male C57BL/6 J mice were head-fixed in a stereotaxic frame. Synchrotron X-ray-beam radiation was provided by the SPring-8 BL28B2 beam-line. For MRT, radiation was delivered to groups of mice in a 10 × 12 mm unidirectional array consisting of 25-μm-wide beams spaced 100, 200 or 300 μm apart; another group of mice received the equivalent broad-beam radiation therapy (BRT) for comparison. Peak and valley dose rates of the MRT were 120 and 0.7 Gy/s, respectively. Delivered doses were 96–960 Gy for MRT, and 24–120 Gy for BRT. Mortality was monitored for 90 days post-irradiation. Brain tissue was stained using hematoxylin and eosin to evaluate neural structure. Demyelination was evaluated by Klüver–Barrera staining. The LD50 and LD100 when using MRT were 600 Gy and 720 Gy, respectively, and when using BRT they were 80 Gy and 96 Gy, respectively. In MRT, mortality decreased as the center-to-center beam spacing increased from 100 μm to 300 μm. Cortical architecture was well preserved in MRT, whereas BRT induced various degrees of cerebral hemorrhage and demyelination. MRT was able to deliver extremely high doses of radiation, while still minimizing neuronal death. The valley doses, influenced by beam spacing and irradiated dose, could represent important survival factors for MRT.

Polyacrylic acid-modified titanium peroxide nanoparticles (PAA-TiOx NPs) are promising radiosensitizers that enhance the therapeutic effect of X-ray irradiation after local injection into tumors. However, the mechanism for this reaction has remained unclear with the exception of the involvement of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which is released by PAA-TiOx NPs to a liquid phase during dispersion. In the present study, a clonogenic assay was used to compare PAA-TiOx NPs with free H2O2 molecules to investigate the effect exerted on the radiosensitivity of cancer cells in vitro. A cell-free dialysis method revealed that a portion of the H2O2 adsorbed onto the PAA-TiOx NPs during synthesis could be released during a treatment regimen. The H2O2 release lasted for 7 h, which was sufficient for one radiation treatment procedure. For in vitro experiments, cultured human pancreatic cancer cells took up PAA-TiOx NPs in 10 min after administration. Interestingly, when the cells were washed with a buffer after treatment with either a PAA-TiOx NP or H2O2 solution, the intracellular H2O2 levels remained higher with PAA-TiOx NP treatment compared with the H2O2 solution treatment. Furthermore, the effects of subsequent X-ray irradiation corresponded to the intracellular H2O2 levels. These results indicate that PAA-TiOx NPs are efficient carriers of H2O2 into cancer cells and thus enhance the radiosensitivity.

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are being investigated extensively for their role as radiosensitisers. Studies have shown that they are effective dose enhancing agents. One of the main factors that enables AuNPs to function as dose enhancing agents is their ability to generate reactive oxygen species under X-ray irradiation. In this study, we investigated this issue utilising a chemiluminescence technique with 3’-(p-aminophenyl) fluorescein (APF) in a phantom. First, we examined the time variation and dose response of the fluorescence intensity of APF for spherical 50 nm AuNPs exposed to a 6 MV photon beam. The APF reagent was added to the AuNPs suspension in a small tube fixed in a water phantom. The fluorescence intensities of APF were measured using a microplate reader. Next, based on the APF response, we evaluated the dose enhancements caused by AuNPs in a 6 MV flattening filter (FF) and flattening filter-free (FFF) photon beams and doses of either 2, 4, or 6 Gy. While the time variation of APF fluorescence intensity without AuNPs was less than 5% after X-ray irradiation, we observed an increase in the fluorescence intensity over time in the presence of AuNPs without the radiation. The APF signals had a linear response to X-ray irradiation in a dose-dependent manner. The measured dose enhancement ratios for the FFF beam were significantly higher than that for the FF beam in the presence of 30 μg/ml AuNPs. This result shows APF can successfully detect differences in dose enhancement between the FF and FFF beams using AuNPs. In conclusion, the chemiluminescence technique using APF is a useful and simple method to estimate the level of dose enhancement caused by nanoparticles in a phantom.

Purpose This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of multiple dose-volume specifications in minimizing interinstitutional, target-prescribed, dose variations for spine stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). Methods and materials Seven institutions with a total of 10 treatment apparatuses participated in this study. SBRT plans for 3 representative spinal metastases were generated using 2 different protocols (Protocols 1 and 2) for target dose. While using just 2 target dose objectives (doses delivered to 95% and maximum point dose) in Protocol 1, 3 target dose constraints (doses delivered to 95% and 50% and maximum point dose) were defined in Protocol 2 with the intent to decrease target dose variation. A dose-volume histogram analysis was performed for the evaluated planning target volume (PTVevl) and critical neural structures such as the spinal cord and cauda equina. Results Doses to the organs at risk were all maintained at the maximal tolerance in both protocols; however, the interinstitutional variation of the PTVevl dose-volume histograms was significantly decreased with Protocol 2. Furthermore, the mean PTVevl covered by the prescription dose was increased from 73.0% in Protocol 1 to 85.8% in Protocol 2. There were no differences in the mean values of the nearly maximum dose of the critical neural structures between 2 protocols. Conclusions In spine SBRT with the emphasis on preservation of critical neural structures, the target prescribed dose should be defined by using multiple dose-volume objectives to minimize user and apparatus-dependent dose variabilities for the spinal metastases that are adjacent to the critical neural structures.

The purpose of this study was to measure the aerodynamic force acting upon a soccer ball spun in a wind-tunnel test. In particular, we prepared two types of spinning soccer balls (air and motor types), measured the aerodynamic force on each, and examined the validity of the measurement method. In the case of the air-type spinning ball, the ball was made to spin by applying compressed air from an air compressor via an air duster. In the case of the motor-type spinning ball, a motor was placed at the middle inside the ball, and the ball was then automatically spun. First, both the air- and motor-type spinning balls demonstrated very strong spin-parameter ( Sp ) dependence with respect to drag during spinning. In addition, the side-force coefficient showed signs of linear increase as Sp increased in the motor-type spinning ball, whereas it increased along a slight curve in the air-type spinning ball. In particular, a negative Magnus effect was observed in the motor-type spinning ball when the Reynolds number was approximately 2.0 × 10 5 and Sp was approximately 0.14 (-0.007) and when the Reynolds number was approximately 2.2 × 10 5 and Sp was approximately 0.13 (-0.005).

In cancer research, small animal models, for example, mice, rats, or rabbits, facilitate the in-depth study of biological processes and the effects of radiation treatment that can lead to breakthrough discoveries. However, the physical quality of small animal irradiation systems has not been previously evaluated. In this study, we evaluate the quality of a small animal irradiation system using GAFCHROMICTM film and a Tough Water Phantom. The profiles and percentage depth dose curves for several irradiation conditions were measured to evaluate the quality of the irradiation system. The symmetry ratios when the table was rotated were 1.1 (no filter), 1.0 (0.5 mm Al filter), 1.0 (1.0 mm Al filter), 1.1 (2 mm Al filter), and 1.0 (filter consisting of 0.5 mm Al combined with 0.1 mm Cu). The results of measuring the percentage depth dose curve showed that the relative doses were 17.5% (10 mm depth), 12.4% (20 mm depth), 9.5% (30 mm depth), and 7.4% (40 mm filter) with no filters inserted, 78.0% (10 mm depth), 61.1% (20 mm depth), 46.9% (30 mm depth), and 35.3% (40 mm depth) when a 1.0 mm Al filter was inserted, and 94.4% (10 mm depth), 81.7% (20 mm depth), 68.1% (30 mm depth), and 54.7% (40 mm depth) when a filter consisting of 1.0 mm Al combined with 0.2 mm Cu was inserted. These physical assessments seem to be necessary especially in vivo experiments because those increase reliability of data obtained from small animal irradiation systems.

The effect of 15 nm-sized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and/or ionizing radiation (IR) on the migration and adhesion of human prostate (DU145) and lung (A549) cancer cell lines was investigated. Cell migration was measured by observing the closing of a gap created by a pipette tip on cell monolayers grown in 6-well plates. The ratio of the gap areas at 0 h and 24 h were used to calculate the relative migration. The relative migration of cells irradiated with 5 Gy was found to be 89% and 86% for DU145 and A549 cells respectively. When the cells were treated with 1 mM AuNPs this fell to ~75% for both cell lines. However, when the cells were treated with both AuNPs and IR an additive effect was seen, as the relative migration rate fell to ~60%. Of interest was that when the cells were exposed to either 2 or 5 Gy IR, their ability to adhere to the surface of a polystyrene culture plate was significantly enhanced, unlike that seen for AuNPs. The delays in gap filling (cell migration) in cells treated with IR and/or AuNPs can be attributed to cellular changes which also may have altered cell motility. In addition, changes in the cytoskeleton of the cancer cells may have also affected adhesiveness and thus the cancer cell&rsquo, s motility response to IR.

Typically, soccer balls are constructed with 32 pentagonal and hexagonal panels. More recently Teamgeist and Jabulani balls have 14 and 8 panels, respectively, with dramatically different panel shapes and designs from conventional balls. The latest model called Cafusa, made with 32 panels, has been adopted by many soccer leagues. However, there are few studies on the aerodynamic characteristics of these balls. This study examined the trajectory and aerodynamic characteristics of soccer balls constructed with different numbers and shapes of panels. Results of wind tunnel tests indicated that the aerodynamic forces varied significantly according to the number of panels. They were also substantially different by the panel orientation of the balls and their rotation. The results for points of impact showed that the ball trajectory changes dramatically according to panel orientation, suggesting that panel orientation has significant effects on the flight of the balls. Furthermore, the panel shapes, rather than the numbers, are considered to affect the flight trajectory because balls with the same number of panels varied depending on their panel shape and orientation.