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Watabe H, Sato T, Yu KN, Zivkovic M, Krstic D, Nikezic D, Kim KM, Yamaya T, Kawachi N, Tanaka H, Haque AKF, Islam MR, Shahmohammadi Beni M. Development of DynamicMC for PHITS Monte Carlo package. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2024; 200:130-142. [PMID: 37961917 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncad278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Previously, we have developed DynamicMC for modeling relative movement of Oak Ridge National Laboratory phantom in a radiation field for the Monte Carlo N-Particle package (Health Physics. 2023,124(4):301-309). Using this software, three-dimensional dose distributions in a phantom irradiated by a certain mono-energetic (Mono E) source can be deduced through its graphical user interface. In this study, we extended DynamicMC to be used in combination with the Particle and Heavy Ion Transport code System (PHITS) by providing it with a higher flexibility for dynamic movement for an anthropomorphic phantom. For this purpose, we implemented four new functions into the software, which are (1) to generate not only Mono E sources but also those having an energy spectrum of an arbitrary radioisotope (2) to calculate the absorbed doses for several radiologically important organs (3) to automatically average the calculated absorbed doses along the path of the phantom and (4) to generate user-defined slab shielding materials. The first and third items utilize the PHITS-specific modalities named radioisotope-source and sumtally functions, respectively. The computational cost and complexity can be dramatically reduced with these features. We anticipate that the present work and the developed open-source tools will be in the interest of nuclear radiation physics community for research and teaching purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Watabe
- Division of Radiation Protection and Safety Control, Cyclotron and Radioisotope Center, Tohoku University, 6-3 Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8578, Japan
| | - Tatsuhiko Sato
- Nuclear Science and Engineering Center, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, 2-4 Shirakata, Tokai, Ibaraki 319-1195, Japan
| | - Kwan Ngok Yu
- Department of Physics, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Milena Zivkovic
- Faculty of Science, University of Kragujevac, R. Domanovica 12, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Dragana Krstic
- Faculty of Science, University of Kragujevac, R. Domanovica 12, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Dragoslav Nikezic
- Faculty of Science, University of Kragujevac, R. Domanovica 12, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
- Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, State University of Novi Pazar, Vuka Karadzica 9, 36300 Novi Pazar, Serbia
| | - Kyeong Min Kim
- Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences, 75, Nowon-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul 139-706, Korea
| | - Taiga Yamaya
- National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology, Anagawa 4-9-1, Inage-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Naoki Kawachi
- National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology, 1233 Watanuki, Takasaki, Gunma 370 1292, Japan
| | - Hiroki Tanaka
- Institute for Integrated Radiation and Nuclear Science, Kyoto University, 2-1010 Asashiro-Nishi, Kumatori-cho, Sennan-gun, Osaka 590-0494, Japan
| | - A K F Haque
- Atomic and Molecular Physics Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi 6205, Bangladesh
| | - M Rafiqul Islam
- Institute of Nuclear Medical Physics, AERE, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, Dhaka 1349, Bangladesh
| | - Mehrdad Shahmohammadi Beni
- Division of Radiation Protection and Safety Control, Cyclotron and Radioisotope Center, Tohoku University, 6-3 Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8578, Japan
- Department of Physics, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China
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Kawahara D, Nagata Y. Biological dosimetric impact of dose-delivery time for hypoxic tumour with modified microdosimetric kinetic model. Rep Pract Oncol Radiother 2023; 28:514-521. [PMID: 37795224 PMCID: PMC10547428 DOI: 10.5603/rpor.a2023.0062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background An improved microdosimetric kinetic model (MKM) can address radiobiological effects with prolonged delivery times. However, these do not consider the effects of oxygen. The current study aimed to evaluate the biological dosimetric effects associated with the dose delivery time in hypoxic tumours with improved MKM for photon radiation therapy. Materials and methods Cell survival was measured under anoxic, hypoxic, and oxic conditions using the Monte Carlo code PHITS. The effect of the dose rate of 0.5-24 Gy/min for the biological dose (Dbio) was estimated using the microdosimetric kinetic model. The dose per fraction and pressure of O2 (pO2) in the tumour varied from 2 to 20 Gy and from 0.01 to 5.0% pO2, respectively. Results The ratio of the Dbio at 1.0-24 Gy/min to that at 0.5 Gy/min (RDR) was higher at higher doses. The maximum RDR was 1.09 at 1.0 Gy/min, 1.12 at 12 Gy/min, and 1.13 at 24 Gy/min. The ratio of the Dbio at 0.01-2.0% of pO2 to that at 5.0% of pO2 (Roxy) was within 0.1 for 2-20 Gy of physical dose. The maximum Roxy was 0.42 at 0.01% pO2, 0.76 at 0.4% pO2, 0.89 at 1% pO2, and 0.96 at 2% pO2. Conclusion Our proposed model can estimate the cell killing and biological dose under hypoxia in a clinical and realistic patient. A shorter dose-delivery time with a higher oxygen distribution increased the radiobiological effect. It was more effective at higher doses per fraction than at lower doses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Kawahara
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Institute of Biomedical & Health Science, Hiroshima University, Japan
| | - Yasushi Nagata
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Institute of Biomedical & Health Science, Hiroshima University, Japan
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Yu KN, Watabe H, Zivkovic M, Krstic D, Nikezic D, Kim KM, Yamaya T, Kawachi N, Tanaka H, Haque A, Shahmohammadi Beni M. DynamicMC: An Open-source GUI Program Coupled with MCNP for Modeling Relative Dynamic Movement of Radioactive Source and ORNL Phantom in a 3-dimensional Radiation Field. HEALTH PHYSICS 2023; 124:301-309. [PMID: 36728190 PMCID: PMC9940830 DOI: 10.1097/hp.0000000000001670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT The present work introduces an open-source graphical user interface (GUI) computer program called DynamicMC. The present program has the ability to generate ORNL phantom input script for the Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP) package. The relative dynamic movement of the radiation source with respect to the ORNL phantom can be modeled, which essentially resembles the dynamic movement of source-to-target (i.e., human phantom) distance in a 3-dimensional radiation field. The present program makes the organ-based dosimetry of the human body much easier, as users are not required to write lengthy scripts or deal with any programming that many may find tedious, time consuming, and error prone. In this paper, we have demonstrated that the present program can successfully model simple and complex relative dynamic movements (i.e., those involving rotation of source and human phantom in a 3-dimensional field). The present program would be useful for organ-based dosimetry and could also be used as a tool for teaching nuclear radiation physics and its interaction with the human body.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwan Ngok Yu
- Department of Physics, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hiroshi Watabe
- Division of Radiation Protection and Safety Control, Cyclotron and Radioisotope Center, Tohoku University, 6-3 Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8578, Japan
| | | | | | - Dragoslav Nikezic
- Faculty of Science, University of Kragujevac, Serbia
- State University of Novi Pazar, Serbia
| | - Kyeong Min Kim
- Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences, 75, Nowon-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Taiga Yamaya
- National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology, Anagawa 4-9-1, Inage-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Naoki Kawachi
- National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology, 1233 Watanuki, Takasaki, Gunma 370-1292, Japan
| | - Hiroki Tanaka
- Institute for Integrated Radiation and Nuclear Science, Kyoto University, 2-1010 Asashiro-Nishi, Kumatori-cho, Sennan-gun, Osaka 590-0494, Japan
| | - A.K.F. Haque
- Department of Physics, University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh
| | - Mehrdad Shahmohammadi Beni
- Department of Physics, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China
- Division of Radiation Protection and Safety Control, Cyclotron and Radioisotope Center, Tohoku University, 6-3 Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8578, Japan
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Kantemiris I, Pappas EP, Lymperopoulou G, Thanasas D, Karaiskos P. Monte Carlo-Based Radiobiological Investigation of the Most Optimal Ion Beam Forming SOBP for Particle Therapy. J Pers Med 2022; 13:jpm13010023. [PMID: 36675684 PMCID: PMC9864401 DOI: 10.3390/jpm13010023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Proton (p) and carbon (C) ion beams are in clinical use for cancer treatment, although other particles such as He, Be, and B ions have more recently gained attention. Identification of the most optimal ion beam for radiotherapy is a challenging task involving, among others, radiobiological characterization of a beam, which is depth-, energy-, and cell type- dependent. This study uses the FLUKA and MCDS Monte Carlo codes in order to estimate the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) for several ions of potential clinical interest such as p, 4He, 7Li, 10Be, 10B, and 12C forming a spread-out Bragg peak (SOBP). More specifically, an energy spectrum of the projectiles corresponding to a 5-cm SOBP at a depth of 8 cm was used. All secondary particles produced by the projectiles were considered and RBE was determined based on radiation-induced Double Strand Breaks (DSBs), as calculated by MCDS. In an attempt to identify the most optimal ion beam, using the latter data, biological optimization was performed and the obtained depth-dose distributions were inter-compared. The results showed that 12C ions are more effective inside the SOBP region, which comes at the expense of higher dose values at the tail (i.e., after the SOBP). In contrast, p beams exhibit a higher DSOPB/DEntrance ratio, if physical doses are considered. By performing a biological optimization in order to obtain a homogeneous biological dose (i.e., dose × RBE) in the SOBP, the corresponding advantages of p and 12C ions are moderated. 7Li ions conveniently combine a considerably lower dose tail and a DSOPB/DEntrance ratio similar to 12C. This work contributes towards identification of the most optimal ion beam for cancer therapy. The overall results of this work suggest that 7Li ions are of potential interest, although more studies are needed to demonstrate the relevant advantages. Future work will focus on studying more complex beam configurations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Kantemiris
- Medical Physics Department, Metropolitan Hospital, 18547 Neo Faliro, Greece
| | - Eleftherios P. Pappas
- Medical Physics Laboratory, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Georgia Lymperopoulou
- 1st Department of Radiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11528 Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Thanasas
- Medical Physics Laboratory, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Pantelis Karaiskos
- Medical Physics Laboratory, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Correspondence:
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Shahmohammadi Beni M, Islam MR, Kim KM, Krstic D, Nikezic D, Yu KN, Watabe H. On the effectiveness of proton boron fusion therapy (PBFT) at cellular level. Sci Rep 2022; 12:18098. [PMID: 36302927 PMCID: PMC9613677 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-23077-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The present work introduced a framework to investigate the effectiveness of proton boron fusion therapy (PBFT) at the cellular level. The framework consisted of a cell array generator program coupled with PHITS Monte Carlo package with a dedicated terminal-based code editor that was developed in this work. The framework enabled users to model large cell arrays with normal, all boron, and random boron filled cytoplasm, to investigate the underlying mechanism of PBFT. It was found that alpha particles and neutrons could be produced in absence of boron mainly because of nuclear reaction induced by proton interaction with 16O, 12C and 14N nuclei. The effectiveness of PBFT is highly dependent on the incident proton energy, source size, cell array size, buffer medium thickness layer, concentration and distribution of boron in the cell array. To quantitatively assess the effectiveness of PBFT, of the total energy deposition by alpha particle for different cases were determined. The number of alpha particle hits in cell cytoplasm and nucleus for normal and 100 ppm boron were determined. The obtained results and the developed tools would be useful for future development of PBFT to objectively determine the effectiveness of this treatment modality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehrdad Shahmohammadi Beni
- grid.35030.350000 0004 1792 6846Department of Physics, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China ,grid.69566.3a0000 0001 2248 6943Division of Radiation Protection and Safety Control, Cyclotron and Radioisotope Center, Tohoku University, 6-3 Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-Ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8578 Japan
| | - M. Rafiqul Islam
- grid.69566.3a0000 0001 2248 6943Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, Tohoku University, Sendai, 980-8579 Japan
| | - Kyeong Min Kim
- grid.415464.60000 0000 9489 1588Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences, 75, Nowon-Ro, Nowon-Gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Dragana Krstic
- grid.413004.20000 0000 8615 0106Faculty of Science, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Dragoslav Nikezic
- grid.413004.20000 0000 8615 0106Faculty of Science, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia ,grid.445145.50000 0004 5899 9718State University of Novi Pazar, Novi Pazar, Serbia
| | - Kwan Ngok Yu
- grid.35030.350000 0004 1792 6846Department of Physics, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hiroshi Watabe
- grid.69566.3a0000 0001 2248 6943Division of Radiation Protection and Safety Control, Cyclotron and Radioisotope Center, Tohoku University, 6-3 Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-Ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8578 Japan
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A Feasibility Study on Proton Range Monitoring Using 13N Peak in Inhomogeneous Targets. Tomography 2022; 8:2313-2329. [PMID: 36136889 PMCID: PMC9498793 DOI: 10.3390/tomography8050193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Proton irradiations are highly sensitive to spatial variations, mainly due to their high linear energy transfer (LET) and densely ionizing nature. In realistic clinical applications, the targets of ionizing radiation are inhomogeneous in terms of geometry and chemical composition (i.e., organs in the human body). One of the main methods for proton range monitoring is to utilize the production of proton induced positron emitting radionuclides; these could be measured precisely with positron emission tomography (PET) systems. One main positron emitting radionuclide that could be used for proton range monitoring and verification was found to be 13N that produces a peak close to the Bragg peak. In the present work, we have employed the Monte Carlo method and Spectral Analysis (SA) technique to investigate the feasibility of utilizing the 13N peak for proton range monitoring and verification in inhomogeneous targets. Two different phantom types, namely, (1) ordinary slab and (2) MIRD anthropomorphic phantoms, were used. We have found that the generated 13N peak in such highly inhomogeneous targets (ordinary slab and human phantom) is close to the actual Bragg peak, when irradiated by incident proton beam. The feasibility of using the SA technique to estimate the distribution of positron emitter was also investigated. The current findings and the developed tools in the present work would be helpful in proton range monitoring and verification in realistic clinical radiation therapy using proton beams.
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Shahmohammadi Beni M, Yu KN, Islam MR, Watabe H. Development of PHITS graphical user interface for simulation of positron emitting radioisotopes production in common biological materials during proton therapy. JOURNAL OF RADIATION RESEARCH 2022; 63:385-392. [PMID: 35349714 PMCID: PMC9124619 DOI: 10.1093/jrr/rrac010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The Monte Carlo (MC) method is a powerful tool for modeling nuclear radiation interaction with matter. A variety of MC software packages has been developed, especially for applications in radiation therapy. Most widely used MC packages require users to write their own input scripts for their systems, which can be a time consuming and error prone process and requires extensive user experience. In the present work, we have developed a graphical user interface (GUI) bundled with a custom-made 3D OpenGL visualizer for PHITS MC package. The current version focuses on modeling proton induced positron emitting radioisotopes, which in turn can be used for verification of proton ranges in proton therapy. The developed GUI program does not require extensive user experience. The present open-source program is distributed under GPLv3 license that allows users to freely download, modify, recompile and redistribute the program.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - M Rafiqul Islam
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8579, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Watabe
- Corresponding author. Division of Radiation Protection and Safety Control, Cyclotron and Radioisotope Center, Tohoku University, 6-3 Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8578, Japan. Phone: (81)22-795-7803; Fax: (81)22-795-7809;
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Islam MR, Shahmohammadi Beni M, Ng CY, Miyake M, Rahman M, Ito S, Gotoh S, Yamaya T, Watabe H. Proton range monitoring using 13N peak for proton therapy applications. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0263521. [PMID: 35167589 PMCID: PMC8846528 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The Monte Carlo method is employed in this study to simulate the proton irradiation of a water-gel phantom. Positron-emitting radionuclides such as 11C, 15O, and 13N are scored using the Particle and Heavy Ion Transport Code System Monte Carlo code package. Previously, it was reported that as a result of 16O(p,2p2n)13N nuclear reaction, whose threshold energy is relatively low (5.660 MeV), a 13N peak is formed near the actual Bragg peak. Considering the generated 13N peak, we obtain offset distance values between the 13N peak and the actual Bragg peak for various incident proton energies ranging from 45 to 250 MeV, with an energy interval of 5 MeV. The offset distances fluctuate between 1.0 and 2.0 mm. For example, the offset distances between the 13N peak and the Bragg peak are 2.0, 2.0, and 1.0 mm for incident proton energies of 80, 160, and 240 MeV, respectively. These slight fluctuations for different incident proton energies are due to the relatively stable energy-dependent cross-section data for the 16O(p,2p2n)13N nuclear reaction. Hence, we develop an open-source computer program that performs linear and non-linear interpolations of offset distance data against the incident proton energy, which further reduces the energy interval from 5 to 0.1 MeV. In addition, we perform spectral analysis to reconstruct the 13N Bragg peak, and the results are consistent with those predicted from Monte Carlo computations. Hence, the results are used to generate three-dimensional scatter plots of the 13N radionuclide distribution in the modeled phantom. The obtained results and the developed methodologies will facilitate future investigations into proton range monitoring for therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Rafiqul Islam
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
- Institute of Nuclear Medical Physics, AERE, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Mehrdad Shahmohammadi Beni
- Division of Radiation Protection and Safety control, CYRIC, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
- Department of Physics, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong
| | - Chor-yi Ng
- Queen Mary Hospital, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Masayasu Miyake
- Division of Radiation Protection and Safety control, CYRIC, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Mahabubur Rahman
- Nuclear Safety Security Safeguard Division, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regularity Authority, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | | | | | - Taiga Yamaya
- National Institute for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Watabe
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
- Division of Radiation Protection and Safety control, CYRIC, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
- * E-mail:
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An Analysis Scheme for 3D Visualization of Positron Emitting Radioisotopes Using Positron Emission Mammography System. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/app12020823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Proton range monitoring and verification is important to enhance the effectiveness of treatment by ensuring that the correct dose is delivered to the correct location. Upon proton irradiation, different positron emitting radioisotopes are produced by the inelastic nuclear interactions of protons with the target elements. Recently, it was reported that the 16O(p,2p2n)13N reaction has a relatively low threshold energy, and it could be potentially used for proton range verification. In the present work, we have proposed an analysis scheme (i.e., algorithm) for the extraction and three-dimensional visualization of positron emitting radioisotopes. The proposed step-by-step analysis scheme was tested using our own experimentally obtained dynamic data from a positron emission mammography (PEM) system (our developed PEMGRAPH system). The experimental irradiation was performed using an azimuthally varying field (AVF) cyclotron with a 80 MeV monoenergetic pencil-like beam. The 3D visualization showed promising results for proton-induced radioisotope distribution. The proposed scheme and developed tools would be useful for the extraction and 3D visualization of positron emitting radioisotopes and in turn for proton range monitoring and verification.
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Shahmohammadi Beni M, Watabe H, Krstic D, Nikezic D, Yu KN. MCHP (Monte Carlo + Human Phantom): Platform to facilitate teaching nuclear radiation physics. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0257638. [PMID: 34534258 PMCID: PMC8448329 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Some concepts in nuclear radiation physics are abstract and intellectually demanding. In the present paper, an “MCHP platform” (MCHP was an acronym for Monte Carlo simulations + Human Phantoms) was proposed to provide assistance to the students through visualization. The platform involved Monte Carlo simulations of interactions between ionizing radiations and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) adult male human phantom. As an example to demonstrate the benefits of the proposed MCHP platform, the present paper investigated the variation of the absorbed photon dose per photon from a 137Cs source in three selected organs, namely, brain, spine and thyroid of an adult male for concrete and lead shields with varying thicknesses. The results were interesting but not readily comprehensible without direct visualization. Graphical visualization snapshots as well as video clips of real time interactions between the photons and the human phantom were presented for the involved cases, and the results were explained with the help of such snapshots and video clips. It is envisaged that, if the platform is found useful and effective by the readers, the readers can also propose examples to be gradually added onto this platform in future, with the ultimate goal of enhancing students’ understanding and learning the concepts in an undergraduate nuclear radiation physics course or a related course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehrdad Shahmohammadi Beni
- Department of Physics, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Division of Radiation Protection and Safety Control, Cyclotron and Radioisotope Center, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Watabe
- Division of Radiation Protection and Safety Control, Cyclotron and Radioisotope Center, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Dragana Krstic
- Faculty of Science, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Dragoslav Nikezic
- Faculty of Science, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
- State University of Novi Pazar, Novi Pazar, Serbia
| | - Kwan Ngok Yu
- Department of Physics, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- * E-mail:
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