Thermoluminescence and electron spin resonance properties of some travertines from Turkey

For the sake of dating certain calcite geological samples, the TL and ESR properties of travertines from Denizli (in the southwestern part of Turkey) were studied and the effects of pre-heating temperature and pre-heating time on the sensitivity of the samples to radiation evaluated. Heat treatment above 350°C increases the sensitivity of all radiation-induced TL peaks except the 330°C glow peak. Results of gamma-ray dose calibration in travertine (CaCO₃ crystal of trigonal symmetry) indicate that the 180 and 280°C TL peak amplitudes increase exponentially with dose. We show that second-order kinetics characterizes the 180 and 280°C glow peaks reasonably well. The Mn²⁺ lines of the ESR spectra are used to investigate the thermal decomposition processes of travertine samples, showing very good agreement with those of thermogravimetry. Glow mechanisms of TL in travertine have also been studied using ESR analysis. The pre-heating and subsequent laboratory irradiation procedure is found to enhance the TL and ESR signals of CO₃³⁻ and CO₂⁻ centres. An isochronal thermal anneal sequence experiment showed that 180 and 280°C peaks in travertines are correlated with CO₃³⁻ and CO₂⁻ centres in the same way that the peak at 330°C is correlated with SO₂⁻ centres. A model for the recombination mechanism is suggested on the basis of the TL and ESR measurements.     

伽玛刀联合吉西他滨治疗局部晚期胰腺癌的Ⅰ期临床观察

 目的 探索吉西他滨联合伽玛刀治疗局部晚期胰腺癌的最适剂量。方法 采用“3+3”试验设计模式,患者接受伽玛刀和吉西他滨治疗,伽玛刀治疗计划52 Gy/13F,吉西他滨初始剂量700 mg/m²,每周1次,连续3周,剂量按照100 mg/m²依次递增,直至出现剂量限制性毒性反应。结果 入组9例患者,700 mg/m²和800 mg/m²组完成治疗计划,当吉西他滨的剂量递增至900 mg/m²时出现剂量限制性的血液学毒性反应,试验中止。结论 伽玛刀联合吉西他滨治疗局部晚期胰腺癌,吉西他滨的推荐剂量为800 mg/m²,每周1次,连续3周。     

Effect of contrast media on vascular smooth muscle cells

Purpose: In order to alleviate the adverse effects of contrast media (CMs) on the vascular system, the role of Ca²⁺ in the viability of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) was investigated.

Material and Methods: VSMCs were obtained from swine thoracic aorta. The number of VSMCs was counted under a microscope using the trypan blue dye-exclusion method 24 h after culture in RPMI containing physiological saline (SAL) as control, iothalamate (IOT), or iohexol (IOH) at 10% by volume with CaCl₂ added at 0 to 2.0 mmol/l. Free Ca²⁺ in the above media was measured using an ion-selective electrode.

Results: Free Ca²⁺ was 0.4 to 1.5 mmol/l with ionic IOT and 0.4 to 1.8 mmol/l with non-ionic IOH as well as with control. The ratio of viable cells grown in the presence of CMs to those grown in the control was optimal at approximately 0.60 near 1 mmol/l Ca²⁺ and decreased markedly to 0.00 at 1.5 mmol/l Ca²⁺ in the presence of IOT and to 0.39 at 1.8 mmol/l Ca²⁺ in the presence of IOH, while the ratios decreased gradually to 0.28 in the presence of IOT and 0.53 in the presence of IOH at 0.4 mmol/l Ca²⁺.

Conclusion: Ionic IOT is more cytotoxic to VSMCs than non-ionic IOH. However, the cytotoxicity was minimal and similar between both CMs at 1 mmol/l Ca²⁺ in accordance with the sodium-calcium balance.     

Use of the ion exchange method for the determination of stability constants of trivalent metal complexes with humic and fulvic acids II. Tb, Yb and Gd complexes in weakly alkaline conditions

The conditional stability constants for tracer concentrations of Tb(III), Yb(III), and Gd(III) with three soil humic acids, three soil fulvic acids and a fulvic acid from weathered coal were determined at pH 9.0–9.1 (these values are similar to those in calcareous soils) in the presence of NaHCO₃ by using the anion exchange method. It was found that 1 : 1 and 1 : 2 complexes were simultaneously formed in the weakly alkaline conditions. The conditional stability constants of these 1 : 1 and 1 : 2 complexes were calculated from the distribution coefficients of rare earth elements at various concentrations of humate or fulvate. The stability constants indicate the very high stability of trivalent Tb³⁺, Yb³⁺ and Gd³⁺ complexes with humic substances in weakly alkaline conditions. The key parameters necessary for the experimental determination of the conditional stability constants of metal ions with humic substances in the presence of NaHCO₃ by using an anion exchange method were discussed. The conditional stability constants of these 1 : 1 and 1 : 2 complexes were compared in this paper. It was found that stabilities of Tb³⁺ 1 : 1 and 1 : 2 complexes with humic acid are greater than the corresponding ones with fulvic acid from the same soil. In addition, the effect of the presence of Ca²⁺ as a competitor on the stabilities of 1 : 1 and 1 : 2 complexes of Yb was examined and no pronounced change of stabilities of 1 : 1 complex was found, even though Ca²⁺ is in a 10³ excess to Yb³⁺.     

胸腔镜下肺叶切除术患者围术期多模式镇痛效果及其对免疫功能的影响

 目的 探讨多模式镇痛对胸腔镜下肺叶切除术患者围术期镇痛和免疫功能的影响。方法 胸腔镜下肺叶切除术患者90例,男51例,女39例,年龄18~65岁,随机分为3组(每组30例),对照组:静脉自控镇痛(patient controlled intravenous analgesia,PCIA);超前镇痛组:氟比洛芬酯+PCIA;多模式镇痛组:氟比洛芬酯+胸椎旁神经阻滞(thoracic paravertebral nerve block,TPVB)+PCIA。记录术中丙泊酚、瑞芬太尼用量及舒芬太尼追加量,术后6、24、48 h疼痛视觉模拟评分(visual analogue scale,VAS)、48 h内镇痛泵按压次数,采用流式细胞仪测量麻醉前(T₀)、术毕(T₁)、术后24 h(T₂)、术后72 h(T₃)T淋巴细胞亚群(CD3⁺、CD4⁺、CD8⁺)与NK细胞百分比,并计算CD4⁺/CD8⁺。结果 与对照组比较,超前镇痛组和多模式镇痛组瑞芬太尼用量和舒芬太尼追加量显著减少(P<0.05),超前镇痛组术后6 h的VAS评分明显降低(P<0.05)、T₁时NK细胞百分比以及CD3⁺、CD4⁺、CD4⁺/CD8⁺水平明显升高(P<0.05);多模式镇痛组术后6 h、24 h VAS评分均较低(P<0.05),镇痛泵按压次数少(P<0.05),T₁、T₂时NK细胞百分比、CD3⁺、CD4⁺、CD4⁺/CD8⁺水平及T₃时CD3⁺、CD4⁺较高(P<0.05),术后恶心呕吐发生率低(P<0.05)。结论 胸腔镜肺叶切除术中,多模式镇痛可增强术后镇痛效果,减少围术期阿片类药物使用量,减轻免疫抑制,且不增加术后恶心呕吐发生率。其中,氟比洛芬酯联合椎旁神经阻滞围术期镇痛更完善,对免疫功能影响小。     

Use of the ion exchange method for the determination of stability constants of trivalent metal complexes with humic and fulvic acids—Part I: Eu and Am complexes in weakly acidic conditions

The conditional stability constants for tracer concentrations of Eu(III) and Am(III) with a red earth humic acid (REHA), a red earth fulvic acid (REFA) and a fulvic acid from weathered coal (WFA) were determined at pH 5.2–6.4 (such values are similar to those in non-calcareous soils) in the presence of HAc/NaAc or NaNO₃ by using the cation exchange method. It was found that 1 : 1 complexes were predominately formed in weakly acidic conditions. The total exchangeable proton capacities and the degrees of dissociation of these humic substances were determined by using a potentiometric titration method.

The key parameters necessary for the experimental determination of the conditional stability constants of metal ions with humic substances in weakly acidic conditions by using the cation exchange method were discussed.

The conditional stability constants of 1 : 1 complexes obtained in this paper were compared with the literature data of Am(III) determined by using the ion exchange method and the solvent extraction method and with the stability constants of 1 : 1 complexes of UO₂²⁺ and Th⁴⁺ with the same soil humic substances. These results indicate the great stability of bivalent UO₂²⁺, trivalent Eu³⁺, Am³⁺ and tetravalent Th⁴⁺ complexes with humic and fulvic acids in weakly acidic conditions.     

青春期甲状腺功能亢进症对生长发育及精神状态的影响

 目的 探讨青春期甲状腺功能亢进症(甲亢)对生长发育及精神状态的影响。方法 选择2017-01至2018-12武警辽宁总队医院就诊的青春期甲亢患者50例作为观察组,同期随机选择至该院体检的同年龄段青少年50例作为对照组。所有人员均测定身高、体重、甲状腺功能、血清Ca²⁺、P²⁺、ALP,进行PSQI、SAS、SDS问卷调查。比较两组的相关指标,并分析FT₃、FT₄、TSH水平与其他指标的相关性。结果 观察组身高<-2 SD、体重<-2 SD、BMI<18.5(kg/m²)所占比例显著高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。两组受试者的血清Ca²⁺、P²⁺水平无统计学差异,但观察组ALP水平、PSQI评分、SAS评分、SDS评分均高于对照组,观察组中PSQI≥16分、SAS≥50分、SDS≥53分所占比例亦显著高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。Pearson相关性分析发现FT₄水平与PSQI评分、SAS评分、SDS评分呈正相关(P<0.05)。结论 青春期甲亢影响青少年的生长发育和精神状态。     

A CD(4)/T(4) receptor peptide ligand labeled with technetium-99m: synthesis and biological activity

The octapeptide D-Ala-Ser-Thr-Thr-Thr-Asn-Tyr-Thr-NH₂ ([D-Ala¹]TNH₂), an analog of peptide T (H-Ala-Ser-Thr-Thr-Thr-Asn-Tyr-Thr-OH) associated with CD₄/T₄ receptors involved in human immunodeficiency virus infection, was combined with the chelating polyazamacrocycle 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (cyclam) to afford the bifunctional ligand cyc-[D-Ala¹]TNH₂. This was then reacted with [^99mTcO₄]⁻ and Sn²⁺ to yield the monocationic complex [^99mTc(O)₂(cyc-[D-Ala¹]TNH₂)]⁺. Biological activity of both the cyclam-peptide conjugate and the resulting Tc-99m complex were evaluated by measuring their chemotactic indexes. Results showed that N-cyclam acylation and subsequent labeling with Tc-99m of [D-Ala¹]TNH₂ were tolerated, and both cyc-[D-Ala¹]TNH₂ and [^99mTc(O)₂(cyc-[D-Ala¹]TNH₂)]⁺ retained the high chemotactic capacity of the original octapeptide. Biodistribution of the Tc-99m complex was carried out in rats. Fast blood clearance and no accumulation in organs of interest were observed.     

中药联合TACE对原发性肝癌患者免疫功能的影响

 目的 观察中药联合肝动脉灌注化疗栓塞术(transcatheter arterial chemoembolization,TACE)对原发性肝癌患者免疫功能的影响。方法 原发性肝癌80例被分为治疗组(中药联合TACE组,40例)和对照组(TACE组,40例)。两组均于TACE术前24 h、术后1周和4周,检查外周血T淋巴细胞亚群、CD4CD25调节性T淋巴细胞(Treg),以及AFP含量,并进行临床疗效及生活质量评分(KPS)比较。结果 治疗1周后,对照组CD3⁺[(45.26±2.83) vs (50.16±6.31)]、CD4⁺[(22.65±2.35) vs (27.12±3.36)]、CD4⁺/CD8⁺[ (0.85±0.16) VS (1.16±0.27)]较术前降低,CD8⁺[(32.48±6.21) vs (27.36±5.64)]及CD4⁺CD25⁺[(12.65±5.12) vs (9.15±3.63)]调节性T淋巴细胞(Treg)呈升高趋势,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);治疗组CD3⁺[(46.55±3.94) vs (49.33±3.12)]、CD4⁺[(23.13±2.72) vs (25.53±2.52)]、CD8⁺[(25.26±3.52) vs (27.69±5.13)]、CD4⁺/CD8⁺[(1.13±0.39) vs (1.22±0.16)]及Treg细胞[(10.36±5.62) vs (8.20±2.25)]较治疗前变化无统计学意义(P>0.05)。治疗4周后,两组患者T细胞亚群各项指标均较术前明显改善(P<0.05),组间比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);Treg细胞组间比较,治疗组优于对照组[(3.96±1.32) vs (6.21±3.42)],有统计学意义(P<0.05)。AFP测定及KPS评分,治疗组均优于对照组。结论 中药联合TACE可以更好的改善原发性肝癌患者的免疫状况及生活质量。     

Impact of digital imaging on radiation doses to the patient during X-ray examination of the urinary tract

Purpose: To compare radiation doses given to patients undergoing IVU (intravenous urography) before and after digitalization of our X-ray department.

Material and Methods: IVU examinations were monitored with dose area product meters before and after the X-ray department changed to digital techniques. The first step was a change from film-screen to storage phosphor plates, while the second step involved changing to a flat panel detector. Forty-two patients were included for the film-screen situation, 69 when using the storage phosphor plates, and 70 using the flat panel detector.

Results: A dose reduction from 41.8 Gycm² to 31.5 Gycm² was achieved with the first step when the film-screen system was replaced with storage phosphor plates. A further reduction to 12.1 Gycm² was achieved using the flat panel detector.

Conclusion: The introduction of the flat panel detectors made a considerable dose reduction possible.     

脑外伤合并不同程度获得性肺炎患者外周血T细胞亚群表达水平观察

 目的 观察脑外伤(traumatic brain injury,TBI)合并不同程度获得性肺炎(hospital acquired pneumonia ,HAP)患者外周血T细胞亚群表达水平。方法 连续选择2013-01至2015-06神经外科住院的合并HAP患者31例,另选择同期住院确诊TBI但无HAP患者19例(TBI组),另有同期参加我院体检结论健康者为对照组(23例)。3组对象接受了外周血T细胞亚群(CD3⁺、CD4⁺、CD8⁺、CD4⁺/ CD8⁺)指标检测。结果 TBI合并HAP患者外周血CD3⁺、CD4⁺表达水平[(52.71±5.24)%和(29.30±3.15)%]及CD4⁺/CD8⁺(0.89±0.17)比值明显低于TBI组及对照组(P均<0.05)。同时,TBI合并重度HAP患者外周血CD3⁺、CD4⁺表达水平[(49.64±4.81)%和(28.76±3.04)%]以及CD4⁺/CD8⁺(0.85±0.13)比值明显低于TBI合并轻度HAP患者(P均<0.05)。结论 TBI合并HAP患者存在明确的外周血T细胞亚群表达异常,且随病情加重趋于显著。     

Effect of pH and concentration on the diffusion of radiostrontium in compacted bentonite—a capillary experimental study

The effects of pH and Sr²⁺ solution concentration on diffusion and sorption of Sr²⁺ in compacted bentonite (ρ_b=1000±30 kg/m³) were studied using an “in-diffusion” method at an ionic strength of 0.1 M NaClO₄. The results (distribution coefficients, K_d, apparent and effective diffusion coefficients, D_a and D_e) derived from the capillary method are in good agreement with the literature data obtained for similar bentonite dry densities and fit Fick's second law very well. The results suggest that the diffusion of Sr²⁺ in compacted bentonite decreases slightly with increasing pH values and also increases slightly with increasing Sr²⁺ solution concentration. The distribution coefficients are weakly dependent on the solution concentrations and show a slight increase with increasing pH values. The average effective diffusion coefficient of Sr²⁺ in compacted bentonite is (1.2±0.2)×10⁻⁹ m²/s, surface diffusion effects are found for the diffusion of Sr²⁺ in compacted bentonite.     

肝动脉化疗栓塞联合阿帕替尼治疗原发性肝癌的安全性和有效性分析

目的研究肝动脉化疗栓塞（TACE）联合阿帕替尼治疗肝癌的安全性和有效性。 方法选取我院于2017年1月至2020年5月期间收治的72例原发性肝癌患者为研究对象,按随机数字表法划分为观察组（n=36）与对照组（n=36）。对照组采用TACE治疗方案,观察组采用TACE联合阿帕替尼治疗方案,对两组患者治疗前与治疗后血清血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）、基质金属蛋白酶-9（MMP-9）浓度表达、肝功能指标、免疫功能指标、治疗效果、治疗期间不良反应发生率以及随访生存情况进行比较和评价。 结果治疗前两组患者血清VEGF与MMP-9浓度、ALT、AST、TBil与PT水平、CD3⁺、CD4⁺/CD8⁺与CD19⁺比较均无显著差异（P>0.05）;治疗后观察组血清VEGF与MMP-9浓度、ALT、AST水平、CD8⁺均比对照组更低,CD3⁺、CD4⁺、CD4⁺/CD8⁺均比对照组更高（P<0.05）。术后两组患者随访半年内生存率对比差异不明显（P>0.05）;观察组治疗总有效率、随访1年与2年内生存率、不良反应发生率均高于对照组（P<0.05）。 结论对于肝癌患者,采用TACE联合阿帕替尼治疗方案与单独TACE相比,总体安全性好,并可显著改善生存期,提高细胞免疫功能与肝功能。     

Comparison of non-isotopic exchange methods for n.c.a. labelling of 2-iodophenyl-metyrapone

The Cu(I)-assisted aromatic halogen exchange proved useful for preparation of macroscopic amounts of 2-iodophenyl-metyrapone as well as for the n.c.a. radioiodinated analogue. Semi-preparative HPLC-isolation provided the compound with high purity for use as chromatographic standard and for the determination of the inhibition constant of the 2-iodo-analogue. The non-isotopic exchange led to a high specific activity (>5000 GBq/μmol) of 2-[¹²³I]iodophenyl-metyrapone. A reaction in acetic acid at elevated temperatures proved superior to an exchange in aqueous solution with in-situ reduction of Cu²⁺. Even without Cu⁺ high radiochemical yields of > 80% were obtained, while addition of Cu⁺ provided the radiotracer with 95% radiochemical yield within 5 minutes in acetic acid.     

13C hyperfine interactions of CO2- in irradiated tooth enamel as studied by EPR.

The EPR spectrum of tooth enamel caused by ¹³C hyperfine interactions of the CO₂⁻ radical were studied on γ-irradiated powdered samples annealed for 40 min at different temperatures up to 250°C. The lineshape and hyperfine splitting of the spectra were found to depend on the annealing temperature. Experimental spectra were compared with calculated ones assuming that EPR spectra are formed by two CO₂⁻ species—axial (rotating) and orthorhombic (braked) radicals. We assumed that the axial CO₂⁻ radicals are centers located in perfect areas of the hydroxyapatite crystals of tooth enamel whereas the orthorhombic CO₂⁻ radicals are rotating centers which are braked by defects. The thermal treatment of enamel samples leads to defective annealing and transformation of the orthorhombic centers into axial ones. This results in an increasing axial CO₂⁻ radical contribution to the EPR spectrum with increase of annealing temperature.     

Evaluation of Dosimetric Parameters for Various Ir Brachytherapy Sources Under Unbounded Phantom Geometry by Monte Carlo Simulation

As per TG-43 dose calculation formalism, it is essential to obtain various dosimetric parameters such as the air-kerma strength, dose rate constant, radial dose function, and anisotropy function, as they account for accurate determination of dose rate distribution around brachytherapy sources. Most of the available reported Monte Carlo simulations were performed in liquid water phantoms with a bounded region of 30-cm diameter. In this context, an attempt was made to report the dosimetric parameters for various commercially available pulsed-dose rate (PDR) and high-dose rate (HDR) sources under unbounded phantom conditions, as the data may be used as input to treatment planning systems (TPSs) for quality control assistance. The air-kerma strength per unit activity, S_k/A, was computed for various Iridium-192 (¹⁹²Ir) sources in dry air medium. The air-kerma strength and dose rate constant for old PDR is (9.77 ± 0.03) 10⁻⁸ U/Bq and 1.124 ± 0.001 cGyh⁻¹U⁻¹; for new PDR, the values are (9.96 ± 0.03) 10⁻⁸ U/Bq and 1.124 ± 0.001 cGyh⁻¹U⁻¹; for old MHDR, the values are (9.80 ± 0.01) 10⁻⁸ U/Bq and 1.115 ± 0.001 cGyh⁻¹U⁻¹; for new MHDR, (9.80 ± 0.01) 10⁻⁸ U/Bq and 1.112 ± 0.001cGyh⁻¹U⁻¹; for old VHDR, the values are (10.32 ± 0.01) 10⁻⁸ U/Bq and 1.035 ± 0.002 cGyh⁻¹U⁻¹; for new VHDR, the values are (10.34 ± 0.02) 10⁻⁸ U/Bq and 1.096 ± 0.001 cGyh⁻¹U⁻¹. The computed radial dose function values and anisotropy function values are also in good agreement with available data.     

Investigation of the NMR relaxation rate dose-response of a ceric sulphate dosimeter

The relationship between the radiation absorbed dose and the NMR longitudinal and transversal relaxation rates, R₁ and R₂, respectively, of a ceric sulphate dosimeter was examined. By adding copper sulphate, the R₁ and R₂ dose-responses were found to be linear up to 60 kGy with dose sensitivities of 13×10⁻⁶ and 15×10⁻⁶ s⁻¹ Gy⁻¹, respectively. There is thus the potential for a three-dimensional ceric dosimeter for high dose applications, provided a suitable gelling substance is used.     

Effect of Ar ion irradiation on electrochemical behaviors of zircaloy-4

In order to investigate the effect of the damage on the electrochemical behavior, zircaloy-4 specimens were irradiated by Ar ions using an accelerator at an energy of 50 keV, with doses from 3×10¹⁴ to 3×10¹⁶ ions/cm² at liquid nitrogen temperature. Potentiodynamic polarization measurements were employed to evaluate the corrosion resistance of zircaloy-4 in a 0.5 M H₂SO₄ water solution at room temperature. A damage efficiency function on the passive current density of the polarization curve was defined and deduced theoretically.     

肝细胞癌TACE术后肿瘤内T细胞表型与CD73的表达及其与预后的相关性

目的探讨TACE术后肿瘤微环境的T细胞表型、PD-1（程序性细胞死亡受体）及其配体PD-L1和免疫抑制相关蛋白CD73表达变化及其在预测预后中的价值。 方法本研究收集了20例2019年5月到2020年12月间经TACE治疗后转化切除的肝癌组织样本（TACE组,简称T+组）,同时收集20例同期未接受过TACE治疗的肝癌组织样本作为对照组（无TACE组,简称T-组）。通过对肿瘤组织切片进行多重荧光免疫组化,比较两组患者肿瘤内（FOXP3⁺）调节性T细胞（Treg）、免疫耗竭的（CD8⁺/PD-1⁺）T细胞数量及PD-L1和CD73的表达情况。统计分析不同的T细胞表型及CD73表达水平对患者无进展生存期的影响,并通过Cox多因素回归分析影响患者预后的主要因素。 结果T+组中的肿瘤组织中的CD73表达水平明显高于T-组（11.86 vs 7.7,P = 0.047）。T+组的Treg、CD8⁺和CD8⁺ PD-1⁺ T细胞数量分别为35.93、86.09、13.91,明显低于T-组的60.02 （P = 0.013) 、120.27（P = 0.043）和28.36（P = 0.015）,而PD-L1表达水平在T+与T-中无明显差异（23.68 vs 21.04,P = 0.380）。CD73高表达组显示更少的CD8⁺ （84.83 vs 121.53,P = 0.029）和CD8⁺ PD-1⁺ （15.00 vs 27.27,P = 0.041）T细胞数量,FOXP3⁺数量两组无差异（45.50 vs 50.45,P = 0.623）。Kaplan-Meier生存分析显示,CD73高表达以及CD8⁺ PD-1⁺高表达患者的无进展生存期更差（P值分别为0.009和0.019）。 结论TACE术后肿瘤免疫微环境CD73表达升高,而FOXP3⁺和CD8⁺/PD-1⁺ T细胞数量降低,而CD73高表达以及CD8⁺ PD-1⁺高表达与患者不良预后密切相关,提示靶向CD73可能会成为TACE联合治疗的新方向。     

Light weight concrete: Ra, Th, K contents and dose reduction assessment

Four types of light weight concrete (LWC) commonly used in Hong Kong, namely, autoclave aerated concrete (plus lime), autoclave aerated concrete (plus Pulverized Fuel Ash or PFA), concrete with synthetic aggregate ‘Leca’ and concrete with polystyrene bean as aggregate were measured for their ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K contents using high-resolution gamma spectrometry. All the radionuclide contents except those for the PFA autoclave aerated concrete were below the world averages of building materials. The Ra-equivalents for these four LWC were 49.6, 249, 122 and 44.2 Bq kg⁻¹, respectively, and were much smaller than a recommended limit of 370 Bq kg⁻¹ for construction materials for dwellings. The gamma-dose rate for an indoor environment with partition walls built with LWC was estimated to be about 20 × 10⁻⁸ Gy h⁻¹, which corresponded to a reduction in the effective dose of about 0.25 mSv y⁻¹ when compared to that obtained for an indoor environment built with normal concrete (NC) only. The Rn exhalation rates from the three lowest Ra-equivalent LWC were calculated as 0.509, 1.28, and 0.335 mBq m⁻² s⁻¹, respectively, which corresponded to a reduction in the indoor Rn concentration of around 14 Bq m⁻³ and reduction in the tracheobronchial dose reaching 1 mSv y⁻¹ by using the James lung-dosimetry model, when compared to the case of NC.