Effect of gamma,ethylene oxide,electron beam,and plasma sterilization on the behaviour of SR-PLLA fibres in vitro

- The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of various sterilization processes on the physical and mechanical properties of self-reinforced bioabsorbable fibres made out of polylactide (PLLA). The samples were sterilized using plasma, ethylene oxide (one and two cycles), gamma (25 kGy at room temperature, 25 kGy in dry ice, and 2 × 25 kGy at room temperature), and electron beam (15, 25, and 55 kGy) sterilization. The intrinsic viscosity, crystallinity, and mechanical properties (modulus of elasticity, yield strength, and ultimate tensile strength) were tested before and immediately after each sterilization treatment, as well as up to 30 weeks in vitro. Compared with unsterilized fibres, the intrinsic viscosity was markedly decreased after radiation sterilization (gamma and electron beam) and the loss in mechanical properties was accelerated during in vitro degradation. Plasma and ethylene oxide (one and two cycles) did not markedly alter the properties of the samples after sterilization or during in vitrodegradation. These data are important for determining the effect of various sterilization processes on the physical and mechanical properties of polylactidebased materials and can be used to predict how fast degradation of the mechanical properties of the self-reinforced PLLA will occur. They can also be used to tailor the degradation kinetics to optimize implant design.     

Clinac iX和Trilogy加速器束流匹配计划验证分析

通过对束流匹配的加速器进行计划设计,比较计划参数,验证交叉执行的差异及通过率,验证束流匹配的可行性及可靠性。选取头颈、胸部和腹盆部共15例病例,分别设计Clinac iX和Trilogy两个不同治疗机的三维适形计划（3D-CRT）;另选头颈、胸部和腹盆部共15例病例,分别设计两个不同治疗机的调强计划（IMRT）。比较相同计划类型不同治疗机的计划差异,评价指标包括靶区PTV的D98%、D2%、Dmax,晶体Dmax、脑干Dmax、左右肺V5 Gy、双肺V20 Gy、脊髓Dmax、膀胱D50%、小肠D2 cc、股骨头V40 Gy等危及器官及治疗机跳数MU。并对治疗机执行计划进行点剂量和面剂量验证。PTV的D98%、D2%、Dmax剂量差异最大平均值标准差分别为-0.52%±0.30%、0.53%±0.45%、-0.55%±0.17%,危及器官剂量差异最大平均值为膀胱D50%（0.94%±0.84%）;Clinac iX和Trilogy治疗机执行所有计划的最大绝对剂量偏差分别为2.36%和-2.80%。MatriXX和PV的γ验证通过率结果平均值分别在97.00%和96.00%以上,Clinac iX最小值为95.40%,Trilogy最小值为95.90%。两台经过束流匹配的治疗机之间交换执行计划的剂量学偏差在临床可接受的范围内,各项参数能精准执行,必要时可以在两台治疗机之间交换执行计划,保证病人放疗疗程完整。     

Objective assessment of the combined effect of exomass-related- and motion artefacts in cone beam CT

Objectives:To assess quantitatively the combined effect of exomass-related- and motion artefacts on voxel value parameters in cone beam CT (CBCT).Methods:A cylindrical phantom was manufactured, containing 21 tubes filled with a radiopaque solution, allowing the inclusion of three titanium implants in the periphery to induce exomass-related artefacts. The phantom was mounted on a robot simulating 0.75-, 1.5-, and 3 mm movements (nodding/lateral rotation/tremor). CBCT images with/without exomass and with/without movements were acquired in duplicate in three units: Cranex 3Dx, Orthophos SL-3D, and X1 (with motion-artefact correction). A cylindrical volume of interest was defined in each tube and voxel value mean and standard deviation were assessed. For each CBCT volume, the 21 mean voxel values were averaged providing the overall mean voxel value (MVV), and the standard deviation (among the 21 values) was calculated providing overall voxel value inhomogeneity (VVI). The standard deviation from each of the 21 volumes-of-interest were averaged, providing overall image noise (IN). The effect of the diverse tested situations was inferred from a repeated-measures analysis of variance, followed by Sidak’s test (α = 0.05).Results:Overall, images acquired with exomass showed significantly (p ≤ 0.05) lower MVV, and higher VVI and IN. Motion artefacts aggravated exomass-related alterations. MVV and VVI were mostly affected by 3 mm nodding movements. Motion-artefact correction eliminated the deleterious effect of movement.Conclusions:CBCT voxel-value parameters are altered by exomass-related artefacts, and this finding is aggravated in the presence of motion artefacts. Motion-artefact correction effectively eliminated the deleterious impact of movement.     

Cone Beam Computed Tomography Analysis of Sphenoid Sinus Pneumatization and Relationship with Neurovascular Structures

BackgroundThe sphenoid sinus is considered as the most variable pneumatized structure of the skull.PurposeThe aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of the Onodi cell as well as to evaluate the relationship between the sphenoid sinus type of pneumatization and the presence of surrounding neurovascular protrusion using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).MethodsThe CBCT images of 500 patients/996 sides [203 males (40.6%) and 297 females (59.4%)] were analyzed in this study. The type of sphenoid sinus pneumatization, prevalence of internal carotid artery (ICA) and optic nerve (ON) protrusion and dehiscence, and also the frequency of Onodi cell were assessed.ResultsThe percentages of the conchal, presellar, sellar, postsellar (a), and postsellar (b) types of pneumatization were 1%, 11.5%, 35.5%, 38.9%, and 13.1%, respectively. The more the sphenoid sinuses pneumatized, the greater the frequency of ON and ICA protrusion and dehiscence of their wall to the sinus. The prevalence of Onodi cell was 38.8%. A significant correlation was found between ON dehiscence and the presence of Onodi cells.ConclusionThe present study demonstrated a significant relationship between the sinus type and frequency of neurovascular protrusions. Therefore, the sphenoid sinus extent of pneumatization might be useful in predicting the risk of iatrogenic damage to the surrounding structures.     

基于锥形束CT对邻面接触区釉质厚度的测量与分析

目的    应用锥形束CT（cone beam computed tomography,CBCT）测量上下颌牙列邻面接触区釉质厚度及邻接点距离牙合面和釉牙骨质界的垂直高度,为临床邻面去釉提供参考数据。方法    选取2019年6—10月于吉林大学口腔医院医学影像科行CBCT检查患者50例,根据纳入标准选取符合测量条件的牙齿145颗,运用Invivo软件测量每颗牙齿邻面接触区的釉质厚度及邻接点距离牙合面和釉牙骨质界的垂直高度。结果    从切牙至第一磨牙邻面接触区釉质厚度有逐渐增大的趋势;大多数牙位的远中邻面接触区釉质厚度大于近中（P < 0.05）,仅有上颌第一前磨牙和下颌第一磨牙的近远中邻面接触区釉质厚度差异无统计学意义（P > 0.05）;上下颌左右侧同名牙邻面接触区釉质厚度差异无统计学意义（P > 0.05）;除上颌中切牙-侧切牙、上下颌侧切牙-尖牙邻面接触区外,其余相邻牙齿近远中邻面接触区釉质厚度相似,差异均无统计学意义（均P > 0.05）;上颌邻面接触区平均釉质厚度大于下颌,差异有统计学意义（P < 0.05）;上下颌近远中邻接点到牙合面的垂直距离均小于到釉牙骨质界的垂直距离（均P < 0.05）。结论    不同牙位近远中邻面接触区釉质厚度不同,邻接点距离牙合面和釉牙骨质界的垂直高度也不同,临床邻面去釉时不同牙位去釉量不能按照同一标准进行,应结合CBCT影像资料制定个体化治疗方案。     

曲面体层片与锥形束CT比较分析上颌后牙牙根与上颌窦的关系

目的研究曲面体层片与锥形束CT(cone beam computer tomography,CBCT)判断上颌后牙牙根与上颌窦关系的准确性,为临床医师根据曲面体层片信息治疗上颌后牙区相关疾病提供参考。方法纳入80例符合标准的患者(牙根数671个),以锥形束CT为标准,在曲面体层片及锥形束CT片上测量上颌后牙根尖到上颌窦的距离。结果当曲面体层片显示上颌窦的皮质骨连续,牙根距上颌窦存在明显距离、与上颌窦相切时,曲面体层片判断上颌后牙牙根与上颌窦关系的准确率分别为82.0%、70.0%;当曲面体层片显示上颌窦皮质骨中断,牙根突入上颌窦内时,曲面体层片判断上颌后牙牙根与上颌窦关系的准确率为48.5%。曲面体层片、锥形束CT均显示牙根突入上颌窦时,曲面体层片测量上颌后牙牙根突入上颌窦距离为(2.19±1.82)mm,而锥形束CT测量距离为(1.47±1.01)mm,两者差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论曲面体层片判断上颌后牙牙根未进入上颌窦的准确率较高,但判断上颌后牙牙根突入上颌窦的准确率较低。     

Assessment of IGRT variability for lung SBRT

PurposeThe purpose of this project was to assess factors that may influence variability in the pre-treatment kilovoltage cone beam computed tomography (kV CBCT) image matching process for lung stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT).Methods and materialsPre-treatment CBCT and planning CT data sets of previously-treated lung SBRT patients were gathered and anonymized from four radiotherapy centers in Alberta. Eight radiation therapists (RTTs) and four radiation oncologists (ROs) were recruited from the same four cancer centers for image matching. Identical data sets were provided to each user, but the order of image sets was randomized independently for each user to remove any learning bias. Inter-user variabilities were then investigated as functions of various factors, including image origin (source institution/machine), user's institution (local matching protocol), profession (RTT vs. RO), years of experience and image quality (presence/absence of added noise).ResultsVery little variation in image matching between different users was observed. The mean differences from the consensus means for different image sets were less than 1 mm in all directions, and cases that exceeded 3 mm (i.e. clinically significant differences) were extremely rare. Image origin, user's institution, and profession (RTT vs. RO) didn't lead to any meaningful clinical differences, while image quality didn't introduce any statistically significant differences. In addition, no discernible trend was seen between user's experience and deviation from the user mean. Overall, no meaningful differences in inter-user variabilities for the different factors investigated were found in this study.ConclusionsThere appears to be an adequate standardization across the province of Alberta in terms of CBCT image matching process. No clinically significant differences were observed as functions of various factors investigated in this study. Consistency in matching between RTTs and ROs in this study suggests that RTTs do not need systematic RO approval of their lung CBCT match. It should be noted that RTTs at the centers in this study receive comprehensive training in CBCT-based image matching.     

Probing the interfacial strength of novel multi-layer zirconias

ObjectivesThe rapidly increasing use of zirconia-based CAD/CAM multi-layer structures in dentistry calls for a thorough evaluation of their mechanical integrity. This work examines the effect of the multi-layering architecture as well as variations in composition and inclusion of pigments among the layers on the flexural strength of multi-layer zirconias.MethodsA modified 4-point bending test, aided by a Finite Element Analysis (FEA), was used to probe the interfacial strength of 3 classes of yttria-partially-stabilized zirconia: Ultra Translucent Multi-Layer (UTML—5Y-PSZ), Super Translucent Multi-Layer (STML—4Y-PSZ), Multi-Layer (ML—3Y-PSZ). In accord with the size limitation (22-mm height) of CAD/CAM pucks, test samples were prepared in the form of “long” (25 × 2 × 3 mm) and “short” (17.8 × 1.5 × 2 mm) beams. Homogeneous beams (both long and short) were produced from either the Enamel (the lightest shade) or Dentin (the darkest shade) layer, whereas multi-layer beams (short beam only) were obtained by cutting the pucks along their thickness direction, where the material components of various shades were stacked.ResultsThe Enamel and Dentin layers exhibited similar flexural strength for a given material class, with ML amassing the highest strength (800–900 MPa) followed by STML (560–650 MPa) and UTML (470–500 MPa). The 3 classes of multi-layer zirconia showed a trade-off between strength and translucency, reflecting different yttria contents in these materials. The failure stress of the cross-sectional multi-layer beams was, however, ∼30% lower than that of their Enamel or Dentin layer counterparts, regardless of material tested.SignificanceThe weakness of interfaces is a drawback in these materials. Additionally, when measuring strength using short beam flexure, friction between the specimen and supporting pins and accuracy in determining loading span distances may lead to major errors.