In electron therapy, lead cutout or low-melting alloy block is used for shaping the field. Material for shaping electron field affects the output factor as well as the collimation system. The authors measured the output factors of electron beams for shaped fields from Clinac-18 using ionization chamber of Farmer type on polystyrene phantom. They analyzed the incident energy, collimation system and size of shaped field. For shaped field the variation of output factor for the field (A/P) has appearance of a smooth curve for all energy and all applicator collimator combination. The output factors for open field deviate from the curves for shaped fields. An output factor for a given field can be calculated by equivalent field method such as A/P method, if a combination of applicator and collimator is fixed.
Alloys ; Polystyrenes

Several combinations of measuring devices and phantoms were studied to measure electron beams. Silicon PN junction diode was used to find the dependence of depth dose profile on field size on axis of electron beam Depths of 50, 80 and 90% doses increased with the field size for small fields. For some larger fields, they were nearly constant. The smallest of field sizes over which the parameters were constant was enlarged with increase of the energy of electron beams. Depth dose distributions on axis of electron beam of 10 x 10 cm2 field were studied with several combinations of measuring devices and phantoms. Cylindrical ion chamber could not be used for measurement of surface dose, and was not convenient for measurement of near surface region of 6 MeV electron. With some exceptions, parameters agreed well with those studied by different devices and phantoms. Surface dose in some energies showed 4% difference between maximum and minimum. For 18 MeV, depths of 80 and 90% doses were considerably shallower by film than by others. Parallel-plate ion chamber with polystyrene phamtom and silicon PN junction would be recommended for measurement of central axis depth dose of electron beams with considerably large field size. It is desirable not to use cylindrical ion chamber for the purpose of measurement of surface dose or near surface region for lower energy electron beam. It is questionable that film would be recommended for measurement of dose distribution of electron with high energy like as 18 MeV.
Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Polystyrenes ; Silicones

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Colonization of microorganisms on pollutants is the first indication of the potential ability of microbes to utilize plastic pollutants as a carbon source by sequential biodegradation into usable form for sustenance. The Philippines is considered the third highest country contributing to global mismanaged plastic waste. To locally manage and find a natural and innovative solution to this worldwide concern, this study aimed to evaluate the capacity of Xylaria sp. SDM (sterile dark mycelia) wild type, which was previously reported to colonize polyethylene plastic and mutant strains to colonize polystyrene, a plastic pollutant widely produced in the world. Assessment of the ability of local Xylaria sp. strains to grow, penetrate, and damage the surface and inner structures of polystyrene was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

METHODOLOGY: Xylaria sp. strains were cultured in a pH 5.0 mineral medium with 0.5% glucose as carbon source and polystyrene as a co-carbon source, and stored at 25?C for 50 days. At the end of the incubation period, due to irremovable fungal strains on the surface of the polystyrene strips, samples of polystyrene from each strain were subjected to SEM.

RESULTS: On the 20th day of incubation, the presence of mucilaginous sheaths and fungal growth was observed on the surface of treated polystyrene strips. At the end of the 50-day incubation period, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed fungal growth and colonization, through the presence of mycelial mats and hyphae, of the wild type and mutant strains on the surface and inner structures of polystyrene except the control. Moreover, physical surface damage in the form of holes, cracks, and crevices on polystyrene demonstrated the active burrowing action of Xylaria sp. strains further supporting the potential of this fungus to damage polystyrene plastic.

CONCLUSION: Whereas fungal growth on a polymer surface is necessary but not sufficient to conclude the process of carbon assimilation as the final biodegradation step, the initial colonization of Xylaria sp. strains on polystyrene supports its ability to establish itself and physically damage the pollutant. Hence, this study extended the existing knowledge on the colonizing ability of Xylaria sp. on plastic making it a potential candidate organism to biodegrade plastic waste, which is one of the topmost environmental waste hazards in the world today.

PURPOSE: The wedge filter is the most commonly used beam modifying device during radiation therapy. Recently dynamic wedge technique is available through the computer controlled asymmetric collimator, independent jaw. But dosimetric characteristics of dynamic wedge technique is not well know. Therefore we evluate dosimetric characteristics of dynamic wedge compared to conventional fixed wedge. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated dosimetric characteristics of dynamic wedge and fixed wedge by ion chamber, film dosimetry and TLD in phantoms such as water, polystyrene and average breast phantom. Six MV x-ray was used in 15X15 cm field with 15,30 and 45 degree wedge of dynamic/fixed wedge system. Dosimetric characteristics are interpreted by wellhofer Dosimetrie system WP700/WP700i and contralateral breast dose(CBD) with tangential technique was confirmed by TLD. RESULTS: 1) Percent depth dose through the dynamic wedge technique in tissue equivalent phantom was similar to open field irradiation and there was no beam hardening effect compared to fixed wedge technique. 2) Isodose line composing wedge angle of dynamic wedge is more straight than hard wedge. And dynamic wedge technique was able to make any wedge angle on any depth and field size. 3) The contralateral breast dose in primary breast irradiation was reduced by dynamic wedge technique compared to fixed wedge. When the dynamic wedge technique was applied, the scatter dose was similar to that of open field irradiation. CONCLUSION: The dynamic wedge technique was superior to fixed wedge technique in dosimetric characteristics and may be more useful in the future.
Breast ; Film Dosimetry ; Jaw ; Polystyrenes ; Water

As a benign adnexal tumor, steatocystoma usually occurs as an autosomal dominant condition known as steatocystoma multiplex. Steatocystoma simplex, the noninherited solitary counterpart of steatocystoma multiplex,was first described by Brownstein in 1982, and is exceedingly rare. We report a case of steatocystoma simplex in a 27-years-old female, who presented with an asymptomatic soft, oval shaped mass on the lower anterior neck. The lesion was completely excised and confirmed as steatocystoma simplex on histopathological examination.
Female ; Humans ; Methylmethacrylates ; Neck ; Polystyrenes ; Steatocystoma Multiplex

No abstract available.
Latex* ; Polystyrenes* ; Potassium Channels* ; Potassium* ; Vasospasm, Intracranial*

No abstract available.
Herpes Simplex ; Herpes Zoster ; Humans ; Methylmethacrylates ; Polystyrenes

The unique properties of the nickel-titanium shape memory alloy (NiTi) have provided the enabling technology and potential for many applications in the orthopaedic and dental fields. In this study, the cytocompatibility of NiTi was analyzed by investigating the biological activity of osteoblasts on NiTi in vitro, followed by comparative analysis of their activity on commercially pure titanium (CP-Ti). Using an in vitro osteoblast culture model for durations from 4 hours to 1 week, cellular characteristics including number, cell spreading, alignment, and elongation of osteoblasts cultured on grit blasted NiTi, grit blasted CP-Ti, and tissue culture polystyrene (TCP) as a control were characterized. Measurement of total DNA of osteoblasts on CP-Ti, NiTi, and TCP was performed using relatively new fluorescent methods for DNA quantification, and the proliferation of living cells was determined using colorimetric methods. Furthermore, cellular function of osteoblasts was assessed by quantifying alkaline phosphatase enzyme content as a function of exposure to the materials. In terms of morphology, osteoblasts were observed to spread to the greatest extent on TCP followed by NiTi, then CP-Ti. Proliferation based on DNA quantification and biochemical activity was highest for TCP surfaces in general, however, NiTi supported proliferation to a level comparable to CP-Ti. The levels of alkaline phosphatase activity between the three groups were not significantly different. Overall, when compared with CP-Ti, NiTi shows remarkable cytocompatibility with osteoblasts in vitro.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Alloys* ; Cell Count ; DNA ; Memory* ; Osteoblasts* ; Polystyrenes ; Titanium

Steatocystoma is a benign adnexal tumor originating from the pilosebaceous duct junction which can be classified into two groups (steatocystoma simplex and steatocystoma multiplex). Steatocystoma simplex, which presents as a solitary lesion, is very rare. Steatocystoma simplex occurs most commonly on the face and the case reported herein involving the scalp is extremely rare. A 49-year-old man presented for evaluation and treatment of a solitary papule on the right parietal scalp which had persisted for a period of 1 year. The histopathologic examination revealed a thin-walled cyst consisting of stratified squamous epithelium with hyaline cuticle that lacked a stratum granulosum. Based on clinical and histologic findings, we diagnosed this case as steatocystoma simplex of the scalp and report this rare case.
Epithelium ; Humans ; Hyalin ; Methylmethacrylates ; Middle Aged ; Polystyrenes ; Scalp

PURPOSE: To manufacture a light artificial eye that is lighter in weight than a conventional artificial eye and to correct the problems resulting from the long-term use of artificial eyes in anophthalmic patients. METHODS: The light artificial eyes were manufactured by substituting their posterior portions with a lightweight material, polystyrene. The conventional artificial eyes manufactured with polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and sold by the American Optical Corporation were used as the control. The control was grouped according to 3, 4, and 5 grams in weight with 8 sets in each group. The light artificial eyes that have the same volume and shape as the conventional ones was compared in terms of the reduction rates of weight with each group. RESULTS: The reduction rates of weight in the light artificial eyes were 22.6%, 40.2%, and 46.7% in the 3-, 4-, and 5-gram groups, respectively. In addition, the light artificial eyes showed significant statistical differences from the conventional ones. CONCLUSIONS: The light artificial eye, the posterior portion of which was substituted with a lightweight material, showed a significant reduction in weight, and the rate of weight reduction was higher with the heavier groups. Therefore, the lightweight artificial eye, which has fewer side effects to the orbit and adnexa, could contribute to the rehabilitation of the anophthalmic patients.
Eye, Artificial* ; Humans ; Orbit ; Polymethyl Methacrylate ; Polystyrenes ; Rehabilitation ; Weight Loss