Objetive. Percutaneous occlusion of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) has classically been performed entirely by fluoroscopy, however in recent years, transthoracic echocardiography (TE) has been used as an aid to fluoroscopy or entirely by echocardiography, which avoids access of femoral artery, use of contrast and decrease in time and dose of radiation exposure. The objective of this study was to evaluate the success rate with the use of TE in percutaneous PDA closure. Material and method. Descriptive, comparative, retrospective study between patients in whom PDA closure was performed with fluoroscopy plus angiography (group 1) and fluoroscopy plus ET (group 2), between January 2018 and December 2022. The data were obtained from the clinical history electronic and procedure report. Results. One hundred eight patients were analyzed, fluoroscopy group (n: 57) and TE (n: 51). The success rate in PDA occlusion using TE was  100% and 98% for the fluoroscopy group, with no statistically significant difference The average age of group 2 was 2.9 years, while the average age of group 1 was 5 years (p=0.001), the average fluoroscopy time in group 1 was 16.9 min and 4.71 min in group 2 (p < 0.001); the fluoroscopy dose in group 1 was 68.98 mGy and 5.17 mGy in group 2 (p<0.001). Krichenko, but without significant difference in both groups. Conclusions. The success rate of percutaneous PDA closure using echocardiography and fluoroscopy is appropiate, with a success rate similar to the classic technique. In addition, it makes it possible to reduce the dose and time of fluoroscopy, avoid the use of contrast, and access the femoral artery.

• Book : 5(2)
• Pub. Date : 2024
• Page :
• Keyword :

The imperative advancement of gamma-ray shielding materials is pivotal for ensuring radioactive and nuclear safety. In this study, our objective was to ascertain key gamma ray shielding parameters, including the mass attenuation coefficient (μm), effective atomic number (Zeff), half-value layer (HVL), effective electronic density (Neff), mean free path (MFP), and exposure buildup factor (EBF), for four oxyanion complexes (CaMoO4, PbCrO4, PbMoO4, or CaWO4). These calculations were performed using Phy-X software within the photon interaction range of 0.015-15 MeV. The investigated ternary chromate, tungstate, and molybdate complexes with the molecular formula ABO4, where A = Ca or Pb and B = Mo, Cr, or W, exhibited an exponential decrease in μm with increasing photon energy in the low-energy region. Lead molybdate demonstrated the highest μm followed by PbCrO4, CaWO4, and CaMoO4, correlating with their respective mean atomic numbers and densities. The mean free path values followed the order of PbMoO4, PbCrO4, CaWO4, and CaMoO4, indicating superior shielding properties due to effective medium-photon interactions. The HVL increased with rising photon energy, with the minimum HVL observed in the presence of lead, primarily attributed to the photoelectric effect. Zeff exhibited a decrease with diminishing mean atomic number and density, with PbMoO4 displaying the highest Zeff, signifying superior γ-ray shielding capability. The exposure buildup factor (EBF) highlighted the interference of photons by calcium compared to lead compounds. The controlled parameters at low and high energy exposures were attributed to the anion and cation properties of the ternary ABO4, respectively. Among the evaluated materials, PbMoO4 emerged as the most effective gamma shielding material in the context of nuclear safety.

• Book : 11(1)
• Pub. Date : 2024
• Page : pp.48-66
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Aim. The aim of this study is to compare the performance of toroidal and solenoidal configurations of a superconducting inductive energy storage device using CORC® and racetrack cables made from high-temperature superconducting tapes. Methods. A numerical multiphysics analysis of inductive energy storage device was performed using the finite element method in the Comsol Multiphysics engineering modeling environment. Results. The analysis revealed that the CORC® cable in a solenoid configuration, with a transport current density to critical current density ratio of 0.7 at the boiling point of liquid nitrogen, was the most suitable for inductive energy storage. Conclusion. The developed numerical model allows to calculate energy capacity and energy losses in superconducting inductive energy storage devices configured as solenoids or toroids. This model can be applied to the development of inductive storage devices made from HTS composites.

• Book : 10(2)
• Pub. Date : 2024
• Page : pp.215-230
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The aim of the article is to establish the importance of devising and adhering to an imaging protocol for musculoskeletal imaging by presenting a case of Dysplasia epiphysealis hemimelica also known as Trevor’s disease in a 13 year old child with atypical presentation which proved to be a diagnostic challenge.

• Book : 9(1)
• Pub. Date : 2024
• Page : pp.6-9
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Цель исследования — изучение особенностей морфометрических параметров лимфоцитов периферической крови при хроническом пиелонефрите у больных пожилого возраста в сравнении с больными молодого и среднего возраста. Обследован 81 больной хроническим пиелонефритом в фазе обострения. Все больные были разделены на три возрастные группы согласно рекомендациям ВОЗ: 1-я — 42 пациента молодого возраста (18–44 года); 2-я — 17 пациентов среднего возраста (45–59 лет); 3-я — 22 пациента пожилого возраста (60–74 года). Всем обследованным проведена компьютерная морфометрия лимфоцитов. У пожилых больных хроническим пиелонефритом размеры и цитоплазменно-ядерное отношение лимфоцитов увеличиваются. Это указывает на сохранность защитных реакций лимфоцитов в этом возрасте. У мужчин, больных хроническим пиелонефритом, в 1-й и 2-й возрастных группах размеры лимфоцитов увеличиваются, а у женщин — уменьшаются. Цитоплазменно-ядерное отношение увеличивается у мужчин этих возрастных групп, у женщин — не меняется или уменьшается. Получены косвенные указания на снижение иммунитета у женщин в молодом и среднем возрасте при развитии хронического воспаления в почках. The aim of the study was to investigate the peculiarities of morphometric parameters of peripheral blood lymphocytes in chronic pyelonephritis in elderly patients in comparison with young and middle-aged patients. A total of 81 patients with chronic pyelonephritis in the exacerbation phase were examined. All patients were divided into three age groups according to WHO recommendations: the 1st — 42patients of young age (18–44 years); the 2nd — 17 patients of middle age (45–59 years); the 3rd — 22 elderly patients (60–74 years). Computer morphometry of lymphocytes was performed in all examined patients. In elderly patients with chronic pyelonephritis the size and сytoplasmic-nuclear ratio of lymphocytes increase. This indicates the preservation of lymphocyte defense responses at this age. In male patients with chronic pyelonephritis in the 1st and 2nd age groups the size of lymphocytes increases, and in female patients — decreases. The сytoplasmic-nuclear ratio increases in males of these age groups, while it remains unchanged or decreases in females. Indirect indications of reduced immunity in young and middle-aged women with chronic inflammation in the kidneys have been obtained.

• Book : 37(1-2)
• Pub. Date : 2024
• Page : pp.40-45
• Keyword :

Solar ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation-induced DNA damage is a well-known initiator of skin carcinomas. The UVB-induced DNA damage response (DDR) involves series of signaling cascades that are activated to maintain cell integrity. Among the different biological processes, little is known about the role of energy metabolism in the DDR. We sought to determine whether UVB-induced nuclear and/or mitochondrial cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) alter cellular energy metabolism. To gain insight into this question, we took advantage of keratinocytes expressing nuclear or mitochondrial CPD photolyase. Applying a quantitative proteomic approach and targeted metabolomics, we observed biphasic alterations in multiple metabolic pathways and in the abundance of various metabolites, largely influenced by the presence of genomic CPDs. The heightened oxygen consumption rate post-irradiation, along with mitochondrial structural rearrangements, was found to be dependent on both mitochondrial and nuclear CPDs. Understanding the influence of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA damage on keratinocyte responses to UVB irradiation deepens current knowledge regarding skin cancer prevention, initiation, and therapy. *Pauline Michon and Léa Dousset contributed equally.

• Book : ()
• Pub. Date : 2024
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The combination of immunoPET&mdash;where an antibody (Ab) is labeled with an isotope for PET imaging&mdash;and radioimmunotherapy (RIT), using the same antibody with a therapeutic isotope, offers significant advantages in cancer management. ImmunoPET allows non-invasive imaging of antigen expression, which aids in patient selection for a subsequent radioimmunotherapy. It also facilitates the assessment of tumor response to therapy, allowing for treatment adjustments if necessary. In addition, immunoPET provides critical pharmacokinetic data, including antibody biodistribution and clearance rates, which are essential for dosimetry calculations and treatment protocol optimization. There are still challenges to overcome. Identifying appropriate target antigens that are selectively expressed on cancer cells while minimally expressed on normal tissues remains a major hurdle to reduce off-target toxicity. In addition, it is critical to optimize the pharmacokinetics of radio-labeled antibodies to maximize tumor uptake and minimize normal tissue uptake, particularly in vital organs such as the liver and kidney. This approach offers the potential for targeted and personalized cancer therapy with reduced systemic toxicity by exploiting the specificity of monoclonal antibodies and the cytotoxic effects of radiation. However, further research is needed to address remaining challenges and to optimize these technologies for clinical use.

• Book : ()
• Pub. Date : 2024
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One of the oldest problems in physics is that of calculating the motion of N particles under a specified mutual force: the N-body problem. Much is known about this problem if the specified force is non-relativistic gravity, and considerable progress has been made by considering the problem in one spatial dimension. Here I review what is known about the relativistic gravitational N-body problem. Reduction to one spatial dimension has the feature that gravitational radiation is absent, thereby allowing for a clear comparison between the physics of one-dimensional relativistic and non-relativistic self-gravitating systems. After describing how to obtain a relativistic theory of gravity coupled to N point particles, I discuss in turn the 2-body, 3-body, 4-body, and N-body problems. Quite general exact solutions can be obtained for the 2-body problem, unlike the situation in general relativity in 3 spatial dimensions for which only highly specified solutions exist. The 3-body problem exhibits mild forms of chaos, and provides one of the first theoretical settings in which relativistic chaos can be studied. For N4 other interesting features emerge. Relativistic self-gravitating systems have a number of interesting problems awaiting further investigation, providing us with a new frontier for exploring relativistic many-body systems.

• Book : ()
• Pub. Date : 2024
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Abstract. Boreal rivers and streams are significant sources of carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) to the atmosphere.  Yet the controls and the magnitude of these emissions remain highly uncertain, as current estimates are mostly based on indirect and discrete flux measurements. In this study, we present and analyse the longest CO2 and the first ever CH4 flux dataset measured by the eddy covariance (EC) technique over a river. The field campaign (KITEX) was carried out during June–October 2018 over the River Kitinen, a large regulated river with a mean annual discharge of 103 m3 s−1 located in northern Finland. The EC system was installed on a floating platform, where the river was 180 m wide and with a maximum depth of 7 m.  The river was on average a source of CO2 and CH4 to the atmosphere. The mean CO2 flux was 0.36 ± 0.31 μmol m−2 s−1 and the highest monthly flux occurred in July. The mean CH4 flux was 3.8 ± 4.1 nmol m−2 s−1 and it was also highest in July. During midday hours in June, the river acted occasionally as a net CO2 sink. In June–August, the nocturnal CO2 flux was higher than the daytime flux. The CH4 flux did not show any statistically significant diurnal variation. Results from a multiple regression analysis show that pattern of daily and weekly mean fluxes of CO2 are largely explained by partial pressure of CO2 in water (pCO2w), photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), water flow velocity and wind speed. Water surface temperature and wind speed were found to be the main drivers of CH4 fluxes.

• Book : ()
• Pub. Date : 2024
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The waste that is generated during the different applications of radionuclides in medicine is considered as biomedical radioactive waste. This waste includes contaminated materials and syringes generated from Nuclear Medicine procedures, unused radioactive seeds from implants in Radiation Oncology as well as sealed sources used for calibration purposes, which are no longer useful. The overall goal of biomedical radioactive waste handling is to minimize the hazards posed by the waste prior to discharge or disposal. In order to plan the treatment of radionuclides in medical facilities, it is important to design an effective system for the overall management of radioactive biomedical waste. In this scientific paper I make a general assessment of the planning methods used in the handling of radioactive waste in medical facilities, including the collection, separation and packaging of radioactive biomedical waste.

• Book : 10(2)
• Pub. Date : 2024
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