Prognostic impact of psychoeducation program completion on inpatients with schizophrenia: a pilot cohort study.

Background: Psychoeducation programs can reduce the risk of recurrence and readmission in patients with schizophrenia. However, almost all previous studies of program efficacy have included only patients completing the program, which may not be possible in all cases. The objective of this pilot cohort study was to compare the prognoses of inpatients with schizophrenia who did or did not complete a well-established institutional psychoeducation program.

Evaluation of In-room Volumetric Imaging Doses for Image-guided Radiotherapy: A Multi-institutional Study.

Aims: We investigated imaging dose and noise under clinical scan conditions at multiple institutions using a simple and unified method, and demonstrated the need for diagnostic reference levels in image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT).

Materials And Methods: Nine cone-beam and helical computed tomography (CT) scanners (Varian, Elekta, Accuray Inc., and BrainLAB) from seven institutions were investigated in this study.

[Questionnaire Survey of Hands-on Seminar Using a Web Conferencing System in the COVID-19 Pandemic].

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a hands-on seminar using a Web conferencing system, based on the post-event questionnaires of the face-to-face and online seminars of the hands-on seminar. For participants to feel realistic training in the online seminars, four educational videos explaining the procedure of the practical skill were created. We compared results of questionnaires acquired from participants after the face-to-face and online seminars.

[Usefulness of an Ultrasound System with Automatic Bladder Urine Volume Measurement Using Artificial Intelligence Technology in Radiotherapy].

Purpose: We aimed to investigate the usefulness of iViz air ver.4 Convex (FUJIFILM, Tokyo) as a tool to determine the bladder capacity before prostate radiotherapy by comparing it with the existing BladderScan BVI 6100 (Verathon Inc., Bothell, Washington).

A novel real-time shapeable soft rubber bolus for clinical use in electron radiotherapy.

We have developed soft rubber (SR) bolus that can be shaped in real-time by heating flexibly and repeatedly. This study investigated whether the SR bolus could be used as an ideal bolus, such as not changing of the beam characteristics and homogeneity through the bolus and high plasticity to adhere a patient in addition to real-time shapeable and reusability, in electron radiotherapy. Percentage depth doses (PDDs) and lateral dose profiles (LDPs) were obtained for 4, 6, and 9 MeV electron beams and were compared between the SR and conventional gel boluses.

Dosimetric evaluation of skin collimation with tungsten rubber for electron radiotherapy: A Monte Carlo study.

Purpose: Skin collimation provides a sharp penumbra for electron beams, while the effect of bremsstrahlung from shielding materials is a concern. This phantom study was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a real-time variable shape rubber containing-tungsten (STR) that can be placed on a patient's skin.

Methods: Electron beam profiles were acquired with the STR placed on a water-equivalent phantom and low melting-point alloy (LMA) placed at the applicator according to commonly used procedures (field sizes: 20- and 40-mm diameters).

[Application of Real-time Variable Shape Tungsten Rubber for Nail Radiation Protection in the Total Skin Electron Beam (TSEB) Therapy].

Purpose: This study investigated whether real-time variable shape tungsten rubber (STR) could be applied for nail radiation protection in total skin electron beam (TSEB) therapy.

Methods: Simulated finger phantoms were made from syringes filled with physiological saline of volumes 5, 10, 20, and 30 ml (inner diameters of 14.1, 17.

Dose reduction potential of using gold fiducial markers for kilovoltage image-guided radiotherapy.

This study aimed to evaluate the possibility of reducing the imaging dose for image-guided radiotherapy by using planar kilovoltage orthogonal imaging and fiducial markers (kV-FM). We tested kilovoltage planar images under clinical imaging conditions for the pelvis (75 kVp, 200 mA, 50 ms) at a decreasing tube current (from 200 to 10 mA). Imaging doses were measured with a semiconductor detector.

Feasibility of using tungsten functional paper as a thin bolus for electron beam radiotherapy.

Containing 80% tungsten by weight, tungsten functional paper (TFP) is a radiation-shielding material that is lightweight, flexible, disposable, and easy to cut. Through experimental measurements and Monte Carlo simulations, we investigated the feasibility of using TFP as a bolus in electron beam radiotherapy. Commercial boluses of thickness 5 and 10 mm and from one to nine layers of TFPs (0.

Registration accuracy with the low dose kilovoltage cone-beam CT: A phantom study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate low-dose kilovoltage cone-beam CT (kV-CBCT) for image-guided radiotherapy, with a particular focus on the accuracy of image registration with low-dose protocols.

Methods: Imaging doses were measured with a NOMEX semiconductor detector positioned at the front of head, thorax, and pelvis human body phantoms while kV-CBCT scans were acquired at different tube currents. Aspects of image quality (spatial resolution, noise, uniformity, contrast, geometric distortion, and Hounsfield unit sensitivity) and image registration accuracy using bone and soft tissue were evaluated.

Perforation of Meckel's diverticulum with enteroliths.

Perforation of Meckel's diverticulum with enteroliths is a rare complication. Here, we report a case of perforation of Meckel's diverticulum with enteroliths, which could be accurately diagnosed by the preoperative computed tomography (CT). A 46-year-old man with acute onset of severe abdominal pain, and a localized muscle guarding in the right hypochondrium, had a solitary stone detected in the right abdomen by the radiography.

AIM1 and LINE-1 epigenetic aberrations in tumor and serum relate to melanoma progression and disease outcome.

Aberrations in the methylation status of noncoding genomic repeat DNA sequences and specific gene promoter region are important epigenetic events in melanoma progression. Promoter methylation status in long interspersed nucleotide element-1 (LINE-1) and absent in melanoma-1 (AIM1; 6q21) associated with melanoma progression and disease outcome was assessed. LINE-1 and AIM1 methylation status was assessed in paraffin-embedded archival tissue (PEAT; n = 133) and in melanoma patients' serum (n = 56).

Optimal timing of MR sialography by use of a simple method of stimulating the salivary gland: a preliminary report.

The present study was performed for determining the optimal timing of MR sialography by use of the Japanese pickled plum (umeboshi) for promoting secretion by the salivary glands. MR sialography was performed in four healthy male volunteers. The four volunteers were examined before and 10 min after stimulation with umeboshi.