bebig ruthenium-106 ophthalmic plaques have been used for treatment of uveal melanoma, retinoblastoma, melanoma of the iris and other special applications for many years. the plaques consist of a thin film of 106ru, a beta emitter, encapsulated in pure silver. the present work proposes a new mathematical eye model for ophthalmic brachytherapy dosimetry. this new model includes detailed descript...

Prototype 10 × 10 and 20 × 20-cm2 electron collimators were designed for the Elekta Infinity accelerator (MLCi2 treatment head), with the goal of reducing the trimmer weight of excessively heavy current applicators while maintaining acceptable beam flatness (±3% major axes, ±4% diagonals) and IEC leakage dose. Prototype applicators were designed initially using tungsten trimmers of constant thi...

PURPOSE To assess the relevance of virtual reality distraction (VR) during uterovaginal brachytherapy applicators’ removal, as an alternative to nitrous oxide (N2O) conscious sedation, decrease anxiety and pain perception. METHODS AND MATERIALS We prospectively evaluated 35 patients treated with cervical for locally or advanced cancer. Brachytherapy applicators were removed in patient's room at...

The acute nervous system toxicity of organophosphate (OP) pesticides is well described. However, the reported long-term effects of OP pesticides on the nervous system are inconsistent. This inconsistency may be due to imprecise estimates of pesticide exposure, variability of central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS) assessment, small samples, and poor control of confoundi...

OBJECTIVE We estimated 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) exposure and systemic dose in farm family members following an application of 2,4-D on their farm. METHODS Farm families were recruited from licensed applicators in Minnesota and South Carolina. Eligible family members collected all urine during five 24-hr intervals, 1 day before through 3 days after an application of 2,4-D. Exposu...

Purpose: To investigate the dosimetric differences between colpostats and cylinder applicators for intravaginal brachytherapy. Methods and Materials: Dose distributions near vaginal colpostats and dome cylinders were computed with a commercial high–dose-rate treatment-planning system and verified by spot measurements by using LiF thermoluminescent dosimeters. Taking source anisotropy into a...

Background: Atrazine is the most heavily applied agricultural pesticide for crop production in the United States. Both animal and human studies have suggested that atrazine is possibly carcinogenic, but results have been mixed. We evaluated cancer incidence in atrazine-exposed pesticide applicators among 53 943 participants in the Agricultural Health Study, a prospective cohort study of license...

BACKGROUND Atrazine is the most heavily applied agricultural pesticide for crop production in the United States. Both animal and human studies have suggested that atrazine is possibly carcinogenic, but results have been mixed. We evaluated cancer incidence in atrazine-exposed pesticide applicators among 53,943 participants in the Agricultural Health Study, a prospective cohort study of licensed...