OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this research was to identify the relationship between state-trait anxiety, parenting stress and parenting self-efficacy in mothers of children with Amblyopia. METHODS: This study was surveyed 221 mothers of children aged 3 to 14 years with amblyopia who have visited ophthalmology of outpatient department of a university hospital and been treated with occlusion therapy in G-city. The collected data were analyzed by t-test, ANOVA, correlation coefficient, using the SPSS program. RESULTS: There was significant positive correlation between state-trait anxiety and parenting stress (r=.480, P<0.001) and negative correlation between state-trait anxiety and parenting self-efficacy (r=-.402, P<0.001). Parenting self-efficacy had negative correlation to parenting stress (r=-.484, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Nursing intervention program which enhances the self-efficacy and reduces the parenting stress in mothers of children with amblyopia should be developed to improving vision of the children.
Amblyopia* ; Anxiety* ; Child* ; Humans ; Mothers* ; Nursing ; Ophthalmology ; Outpatients ; Parenting* ; Parents* ; Self Efficacy

PURPOSE: Although vitamin D deficiency is common among Korean adolescent girls and young women, few studies have explored the potential health effects of vitamin D deficiency in this vulnerable population. This study examined the association between vitamin D deficiency and anemia in Korean adolescent girls and young women.METHODS: The data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008 ~ 2014 were used. A total of 3,643 girls and adult women aged 12 to 29 who provided all the information (including serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D, hemoglobin, and/or serum ferritin) needed for the analysis were included in the analysis. Demographic, lifestyle, and health data were obtained through survey questionnaires. Anemia and iron deficiency anemia were defined according to the World Health Organization cut-offs. Multivariable logistic regression, and restricted cubic spline regression were used in the analysis.RESULTS: In fully adjusted logistic regression models, the vitamin D deficiency was significantly associated with higher prevalences of anemia (odds ratio (OR): 1.61, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04 ~ 2.49) and iron deficiency anemia (OR: 1.43, 95% CI: 1.01 ~ 2.03). In a cubic spline regression model, we observed a dose-response relationship between serum 25(OH)D concentration and anemia, and this linear relationship was also clearly observed between serum 25(OH)D concentration and iron deficiency anemia.CONCLUSION: Vitamin D deficiency may be associated with a higher prevalence of iron deficiency anemia and anemia in adolescent girls and young women. Alternatively, vitamin D deficiency may be a concurrent event for patients with anemia, which we cannot distinguish in this cross-sectional study. Further studies are needed to verify the causality in this population of low vitamin D levels.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Anemia ; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Life Style ; Logistic Models ; Nutrition Surveys ; Prevalence ; Vitamin D Deficiency ; Vitamin D ; Vitamins ; Vulnerable Populations ; World Health Organization

Purpose: Conventional gonadal shields are manufactured in standardized sizes and shapes and do not conform to individual testicular contours, causing discomfort. We developed a novel patientspecific gonadal shield using thermoplastic sheets and tested its feasibility through dosimetric evaluations. Methods: During the computed tomography simulation, custom lead shields were fabricated using thermoplastic sheets that were molded to the testicular shape of the patient. The shielding efficacy was evaluated using optically stimulated luminescent dosimeters (OSLDs) for point dose measurements. Results: The thermoplastic sheet was molded to fit closely to the skin with a minimal air gap of approximately 8.4 cm³, providing comfort to the patient during treatment. The patient-specific shield effectively reduced the surface dose from 28 cGy to less than 15 cGy. By combining the OSLDs located in the same row and calculating the mean dose value, a shielding effect was achieved with a maximum dose reduction of 56.1%. Conclusions Customized gonadal shields were successfully created using thermoplastic sheets to minimize patient discomfort during application. However, further improvements in lead shield fabrication are needed to ensure full conformity.

Herein, we provide a concise review of the critical role of motion management in radiation therapy, with a focus on photon radiation therapy, real-time control of respiratory motion, and image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) in lung stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). The dynamic nature of human anatomy, particularly in regions prone to movement such as the thoracic and abdominal areas, poses significant challenges in accurately targeting tumors during radiation therapy. This review explores the implications of organ and tumor motion, emphasizing the necessity for precise treatment delivery. We assess the advancements in four-dimensional (4D) imaging techniques such as 4D computed tomography, which provide time-resolved images for enhanced treatment planning. The review highlights various motion management strategies, including motionencompassing methods, respiratory-gating, breath-hold techniques, and real-time tumor tracking, discussing their implementation and impact on treatment efficacy. The role of IGRT in lung SBRT is particularly emphasized, showcasing how real-time imaging and advanced targeting techniques enhance the precision of high-dose radiation delivery while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. This comprehensive review aims to underscore the significance of integrating motion management in radiation therapy, highlighting its pivotal role in improving treatment accuracy, reducing toxicity, and ultimately enhancing patient outcomes in cancer care.

Purpose: Accurate operation of the multi-leaf collimator (MLC), a key technology in intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), is essential for safe and optimal radiation treatment. The HalcyonTM linear accelerator has a collimator with low leakage and radiation transmission, making it suitable for IMRT. The limitations of the existing HalcyonTM MLC quality assurance (QA) method were supplemented with a mathematical method, and the results were analyzed. Methods: Electric portal imaging device (EPID) images obtained by performing the MLC QA plan on the HalcyonTM was analyzed using Python. The picket fence tests were performed and compared using the maximum pixel value and mathematical methods. Dose rate, gantry speed, and leaf speed variation plan were performed for dose transmission comparison. Results: For the maximum pixel value, the minimum distance between leaf junctions was 13.86 mm, and the maximum was 16.06 mm. However, for the mathematical method, the minimum and maximum were 14.54 mm and 15.68 mm, respectively. This suggests that setting the peak value to the highest value may cause an error in interpretation due to the limitations of the pixels of the EPID image. Performing QA on the remaining items confirmed that the measured values were within 3% of tolerance. Conclusions The presented analysis method applied to the MLC QA can derive more reasonable and valid values than existing methods, which will help with MLC monitoring by reducing errors in excessive interpretation.

Purpose: Conventional gonadal shields are manufactured in standardized sizes and shapes and do not conform to individual testicular contours, causing discomfort. We developed a novel patientspecific gonadal shield using thermoplastic sheets and tested its feasibility through dosimetric evaluations. Methods: During the computed tomography simulation, custom lead shields were fabricated using thermoplastic sheets that were molded to the testicular shape of the patient. The shielding efficacy was evaluated using optically stimulated luminescent dosimeters (OSLDs) for point dose measurements. Results: The thermoplastic sheet was molded to fit closely to the skin with a minimal air gap of approximately 8.4 cm³, providing comfort to the patient during treatment. The patient-specific shield effectively reduced the surface dose from 28 cGy to less than 15 cGy. By combining the OSLDs located in the same row and calculating the mean dose value, a shielding effect was achieved with a maximum dose reduction of 56.1%. Conclusions Customized gonadal shields were successfully created using thermoplastic sheets to minimize patient discomfort during application. However, further improvements in lead shield fabrication are needed to ensure full conformity.

Herein, we provide a concise review of the critical role of motion management in radiation therapy, with a focus on photon radiation therapy, real-time control of respiratory motion, and image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) in lung stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). The dynamic nature of human anatomy, particularly in regions prone to movement such as the thoracic and abdominal areas, poses significant challenges in accurately targeting tumors during radiation therapy. This review explores the implications of organ and tumor motion, emphasizing the necessity for precise treatment delivery. We assess the advancements in four-dimensional (4D) imaging techniques such as 4D computed tomography, which provide time-resolved images for enhanced treatment planning. The review highlights various motion management strategies, including motionencompassing methods, respiratory-gating, breath-hold techniques, and real-time tumor tracking, discussing their implementation and impact on treatment efficacy. The role of IGRT in lung SBRT is particularly emphasized, showcasing how real-time imaging and advanced targeting techniques enhance the precision of high-dose radiation delivery while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. This comprehensive review aims to underscore the significance of integrating motion management in radiation therapy, highlighting its pivotal role in improving treatment accuracy, reducing toxicity, and ultimately enhancing patient outcomes in cancer care.

Purpose: Accurate operation of the multi-leaf collimator (MLC), a key technology in intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), is essential for safe and optimal radiation treatment. The HalcyonTM linear accelerator has a collimator with low leakage and radiation transmission, making it suitable for IMRT. The limitations of the existing HalcyonTM MLC quality assurance (QA) method were supplemented with a mathematical method, and the results were analyzed. Methods: Electric portal imaging device (EPID) images obtained by performing the MLC QA plan on the HalcyonTM was analyzed using Python. The picket fence tests were performed and compared using the maximum pixel value and mathematical methods. Dose rate, gantry speed, and leaf speed variation plan were performed for dose transmission comparison. Results: For the maximum pixel value, the minimum distance between leaf junctions was 13.86 mm, and the maximum was 16.06 mm. However, for the mathematical method, the minimum and maximum were 14.54 mm and 15.68 mm, respectively. This suggests that setting the peak value to the highest value may cause an error in interpretation due to the limitations of the pixels of the EPID image. Performing QA on the remaining items confirmed that the measured values were within 3% of tolerance. Conclusions The presented analysis method applied to the MLC QA can derive more reasonable and valid values than existing methods, which will help with MLC monitoring by reducing errors in excessive interpretation.

Purpose: Conventional gonadal shields are manufactured in standardized sizes and shapes and do not conform to individual testicular contours, causing discomfort. We developed a novel patientspecific gonadal shield using thermoplastic sheets and tested its feasibility through dosimetric evaluations. Methods: During the computed tomography simulation, custom lead shields were fabricated using thermoplastic sheets that were molded to the testicular shape of the patient. The shielding efficacy was evaluated using optically stimulated luminescent dosimeters (OSLDs) for point dose measurements. Results: The thermoplastic sheet was molded to fit closely to the skin with a minimal air gap of approximately 8.4 cm³, providing comfort to the patient during treatment. The patient-specific shield effectively reduced the surface dose from 28 cGy to less than 15 cGy. By combining the OSLDs located in the same row and calculating the mean dose value, a shielding effect was achieved with a maximum dose reduction of 56.1%. Conclusions Customized gonadal shields were successfully created using thermoplastic sheets to minimize patient discomfort during application. However, further improvements in lead shield fabrication are needed to ensure full conformity.

Herein, we provide a concise review of the critical role of motion management in radiation therapy, with a focus on photon radiation therapy, real-time control of respiratory motion, and image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) in lung stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). The dynamic nature of human anatomy, particularly in regions prone to movement such as the thoracic and abdominal areas, poses significant challenges in accurately targeting tumors during radiation therapy. This review explores the implications of organ and tumor motion, emphasizing the necessity for precise treatment delivery. We assess the advancements in four-dimensional (4D) imaging techniques such as 4D computed tomography, which provide time-resolved images for enhanced treatment planning. The review highlights various motion management strategies, including motionencompassing methods, respiratory-gating, breath-hold techniques, and real-time tumor tracking, discussing their implementation and impact on treatment efficacy. The role of IGRT in lung SBRT is particularly emphasized, showcasing how real-time imaging and advanced targeting techniques enhance the precision of high-dose radiation delivery while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. This comprehensive review aims to underscore the significance of integrating motion management in radiation therapy, highlighting its pivotal role in improving treatment accuracy, reducing toxicity, and ultimately enhancing patient outcomes in cancer care.