A breathing lung phantom for 81mKr lung ventilation studies its use in dosimetry and quality control

The construction of a breathing lung phantom that can be used to measure the amount of radioactive gas in the lungs as well as to determine the absorbed dose is described. For a lung ventilation study that consists of 6 views of 300 kents each, an effective dose equivalent of 50 Sv was calculated. The phantom is also suitable for comparison of different generator systems.     

Adult adjustment of persons with severe/profound mental disabilities: A longitudinal study

The parents of 14 individuals with severe/profound mental disabilities were interviewed one and three years after their children graduated or aged out of high school. Two categories of information were sought concerning the adult adjustment of these individuals. General status variables included marital status, place of residence, agencies contacted concerning employment opportunities, financial resources, leisure activities, means of transportation, sources of help in resolving problems, and amount of postsecondary training. Employment variables included location of employment, wages, number of hours worked per week, and job benefits received. Results indicated that three years after exiting high school, all participants were very dependent upon others for housing, transportation, and financial assistance. Ten of the 14 individuals were employed 3 years after exiting high school, all in sheltered workshops.     

Lactic dehydrogenase virus (LDV) impairs the antigen-presenting capacity of macrophages yet fails to affect their phagocytic activity

The effect of acute infection of mice with lactic dehydrogenase virus (LDV) on two major functions of peritoneal macrophages was tested. Using a macrophage-dependent T cell proliferative assay to test the antigen-presenting capacity of LDV-infected macrophages we found that LDV impairs the capacity of antigen-presenting cells to trigger memory T lymphocytes. Endocytosis of antigen by LDV-infected macrophages was similar to that of uninfected cells. In addition, the proportion of intracellular antigen versus membrane-bound antigen in LDV-infected cells were similar to that observed in uninfected mice. It appears therefore, that the impaired immunogenic effect of LDV-infected macrophages results from reduced immunogenicity of the membrane-bound antigen.Testing the phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophages we found that the uptake of radiolabeled antibody-coated sheep erythrocytes or bacteria (E. coli) by infected cells was similar to that by uninfected macrophages. In addition, LDV failed to affect the ability of peritoneal macrophages in a nitroblue tetrazolium reduction reaction which serves as an alternative parameter for measuring phagocytic activity. Our results support the assumption that LDV, which probably propagates in the cells of the reticuloendothelial system, impairs some of the immunogenic functions of macrophages and thereby affects macrophage-dependent immune responses.     

高千伏摄影附加滤过与皮肤入射剂量相对关系的实验研究

目的：通过测量不同滤过条件下，体模入射剂量随滤过条件的变化确定高千伏X线摄影时的最佳附加滤过。材料与方法：利用X线剂量仪测量不同Al滤过时对应体模表面剂量的变化。结果与结论：通过适当增加附加滤过可以合理降低被检者皮肤剂量，120kV摄影时，附加滤过2.5mmAl是恰当的。     

Further studies on the chronotherapy of asthma with inhaled steroids: The effect of dosage timing on drug efficacy

Background: Chronotherapy studies with inhaled corticosteroids have shown optimal therapeutic benefit when steroids are administered four times per day (QID) or once daily at 3 PM.Objective: This study evaluated whether more convenient once-daily dosage times (8 AM and 5:30 PM) produce improvement in asthma equivalent to QID.Methods: Efficacy outcome measures included FEV₁, peak expiratory flow rates, bronchial responsiveness, use of β₂-agonists, nocturnal awakenings, and responses to a quality of life questionnaire. Systemic effects were blood eosinophil count, cortisol level, 24-hour urinary cortisol, and evaluation for oral candidiasis and dysphonia.Results: Baseline measurements for all three treatment groups were similar. For morning peak expiratory flow rate, significant improvement was seen for the QID group (p = 0.001) and the 5:30 PM group (p = 0.003), but not the 8 AM group (p = 0.75). For evening peak expiratory flow rate, significant improvement was seen for the QID group (p = 0.005) and the 5:30 PM group (p = 0.01), but not for the 8 AM group (p = 0.47). There were significant improvements in all other outcome variables for each group except PC₂₀. There was a significant improvement in PC₂₀ only in the QID group. The systemic effects of the three regimens were comparable.Conclusion: Dosing of inhaled steroid at 5:30 PM had no increased systemic effects and produced efficacy similar to QID dosing. Dosing at 8 AM did not produce results consistently comparable to QID dosing. Optimal once-daily dosing of inhaled steroid is between 3 PM and 5:30 PM.     

Adjustment in Childhood Brain Tumor Survival: Child, Mother, and Teacher Report

Examined the adjustment of 6- to 18-year-old children and adolescents(n = 38) 2 to 5 years postdiagnosis of brain tumor with respectto standardized measures of anxiety and depression; self-perceptions;and adaptive living skills. Child, mother, and teacher reportdata were used. Maternal adjustment (anxiety and depression,parenting stress) was also assessed. Children and adolescentssurviving brain tumors reported themselves to be generally withinthe normal range. However, maternal ratings of social problemswere higher than normative scores and significantly lower thannorms on social problems, scholastic competence, and communicationskills. Teacher ratings on the Teacher Rating Form were allwithin normal limits. Maternal adjustment measures were withinthe normal range, although the Parent-Child Dysfunctional Interactionsubscale of the Parenting Stress Index was elevated. No differencesin scores were found between children in regular and specialeducation, or between children who had received radiation andthose who did not. This sample of survivors of pediatric braintumors and their mothers had relatively mild problems in adjustment,supporting a competency-based view of the adaptation of pediatricpatients and their families.     

Acute and Subacute Toxicity of Aspilia Africana Leaves

This study was designed to evaluate the toxicity of the aqueous extract of Aspilia africana leaves. Oral doses of 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg were administered for 28 days to rats after every 2 days for sub-acute toxicity. For acute toxicity, 5 doses of 2, 4, 8, 12 and 16g/Kg body weight were investigated in mice. The control groups consisted of mice or rats administered with distilled water. The signs of toxicity fluctuated lightly from one mammal to another throughout the experiment. The liver, kidneys and heart weight of rats revealed no significant differences between the test groups and the control. The results indicated that the medium lethal dose (LD₅₀) was found to be greater in females than males with an average of 6.6g/Kg body weight for both sexes. Regardless of the significant differences observed at certain points in some biochemical parameters (ALT, AST, ALP, Creatinine and Glutathione); none showed any linear dose responsiveness. On the other hand, most of the parameters investigated were found to be gender dependent. These results suggested that A Africana can be classified among substances with low toxicity.     

X(γ)刀输出吸收剂量的测量与验证

目的：目前，国内X（γ）刀的国家检定规程正在起草之中，本文的目的是为X（γ）刀剂量测量提供合理的设备与吸收剂量计算方法。材料与方法：利用德国PTW-UNIDOS剂量仅与有效体积为0．015cc的针尖电离室及自制的小体积半导体探测器相匹配，在160mm直径的有机玻璃球形模体内测量X（γ）刀的输出吸收剂量，并验证其治疗计划的实际输出剂量，得到较满意的结果。结论：为了保证剂量的准确度，X（γ）刀治疗计划系统的实际输出剂量应定期在现场测量与验证，所用探测器的直径应小于射野直径的1／2，小灵敏体积的半导体探测器适宜X（γ）刀小野(如：Ф4mm)的测量。     

Comprehensive Assessment of Pain in Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis: An Empirical Model

A comprehensive assessment model of variables hypothesized toinfluence pediatric pain perception was empirically investigatedin 23 families who had a child with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.To determine the effects of family environment, child psychologicaladjustment, and disease parameters on child pain perception,a developmentally appropriate model was developed. Childrenbetween the ages of 5 and 15 were found to be reliable judgesof their pain intensity. Several family environmental and childpsychological factors were found to interact with specific diseaseparameters in determining pediatric pain perception and report.A multidimensional age-appropriate assessment model is suggestedfor use in the further examination of pediatric chronic andrecurrent pain.     

A Contextual Family/Systems Approach to Pediatric Psychology: Introduction to the Special Issue

Introduced the special issue on "Family System in PediatricPsychology" by organizing the papers around a series of themesrelevant to understanding families in pediatric psychology.Themes reflect the relationships between parent and child adjustment,family subsystems, legacies and traditions, social support systems,family interventions, the constancy of change in families, thechallenges of conducting longitudinal research, the inclusionof fathers, and the importance of a competency framework inpediatric family psychology. The paper concludes with recommendationsfor pediatric family psychology, including suggestions for increasingdiversity, expanding methodological approaches, and enhancingfamily competence.