Purpose: Brachytherapy is essential for treating gynecological cancers as it offers precise radiation delivery to tumors while minimizing radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. The Geneva applicator, introduced in 2020 as a replacement for older models like the Utrecht applicator, enhances MRI-based brachytherapy with improved imaging capabilities and more accurate applicator placement. In 2021, updates to non-reimbursement policies in Korea for MRI-based 3D brachytherapy planning further promoted the adoption of advanced techniques such as the Geneva applicator. This study aims to commission the Geneva applicator, focusing on wall thickness, dummy marker positions, and source dwell positions to ensure accurate dose delivery and safety. Methods: The commissioning process involved measuring wall thickness in both the longitudinal and transverse directions for the tandem and lunar-shaped ovoid tubes and comparing thesemeasurements with the manufacturer’s specifications. Dummy marker positions were verifiedusing CT imaging, with a focus on alignment tolerances of ±1 mm. Source dwell positions were planned using the Oncentra treatment planning system, with measurements taken using EBT4 film and analyzed with RIT software. Results: Wall thickness measurements and dummy marker positions were within the specified tolerance ranges, confirming their accuracy. The source dwell positions, measured and analyzedthrough multiple tests, were all within the ±1 mm tolerance, ensuring the applicator’s reliability. Conclusions The Geneva applicator met all standards for safe and effective use in brachytherapy.The use of a 3D-printed holder was crucial for precise alignment and measurement. With updated reimbursement policies in Korea for MRI-based brachytherapy, the Geneva applicator is expected to significantly impact the future of advanced brachytherapy treatments and research.

Purpose: Brachytherapy is essential for treating gynecological cancers as it offers precise radiation delivery to tumors while minimizing radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. The Geneva applicator, introduced in 2020 as a replacement for older models like the Utrecht applicator, enhances MRI-based brachytherapy with improved imaging capabilities and more accurate applicator placement. In 2021, updates to non-reimbursement policies in Korea for MRI-based 3D brachytherapy planning further promoted the adoption of advanced techniques such as the Geneva applicator. This study aims to commission the Geneva applicator, focusing on wall thickness, dummy marker positions, and source dwell positions to ensure accurate dose delivery and safety. Methods: The commissioning process involved measuring wall thickness in both the longitudinal and transverse directions for the tandem and lunar-shaped ovoid tubes and comparing thesemeasurements with the manufacturer’s specifications. Dummy marker positions were verifiedusing CT imaging, with a focus on alignment tolerances of ±1 mm. Source dwell positions were planned using the Oncentra treatment planning system, with measurements taken using EBT4 film and analyzed with RIT software. Results: Wall thickness measurements and dummy marker positions were within the specified tolerance ranges, confirming their accuracy. The source dwell positions, measured and analyzedthrough multiple tests, were all within the ±1 mm tolerance, ensuring the applicator’s reliability. Conclusions The Geneva applicator met all standards for safe and effective use in brachytherapy.The use of a 3D-printed holder was crucial for precise alignment and measurement. With updated reimbursement policies in Korea for MRI-based brachytherapy, the Geneva applicator is expected to significantly impact the future of advanced brachytherapy treatments and research.

Purpose: Brachytherapy is essential for treating gynecological cancers as it offers precise radiation delivery to tumors while minimizing radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. The Geneva applicator, introduced in 2020 as a replacement for older models like the Utrecht applicator, enhances MRI-based brachytherapy with improved imaging capabilities and more accurate applicator placement. In 2021, updates to non-reimbursement policies in Korea for MRI-based 3D brachytherapy planning further promoted the adoption of advanced techniques such as the Geneva applicator. This study aims to commission the Geneva applicator, focusing on wall thickness, dummy marker positions, and source dwell positions to ensure accurate dose delivery and safety. Methods: The commissioning process involved measuring wall thickness in both the longitudinal and transverse directions for the tandem and lunar-shaped ovoid tubes and comparing thesemeasurements with the manufacturer’s specifications. Dummy marker positions were verifiedusing CT imaging, with a focus on alignment tolerances of ±1 mm. Source dwell positions were planned using the Oncentra treatment planning system, with measurements taken using EBT4 film and analyzed with RIT software. Results: Wall thickness measurements and dummy marker positions were within the specified tolerance ranges, confirming their accuracy. The source dwell positions, measured and analyzedthrough multiple tests, were all within the ±1 mm tolerance, ensuring the applicator’s reliability. Conclusions The Geneva applicator met all standards for safe and effective use in brachytherapy.The use of a 3D-printed holder was crucial for precise alignment and measurement. With updated reimbursement policies in Korea for MRI-based brachytherapy, the Geneva applicator is expected to significantly impact the future of advanced brachytherapy treatments and research.

Purpose: Brachytherapy is essential for treating gynecological cancers as it offers precise radiation delivery to tumors while minimizing radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. The Geneva applicator, introduced in 2020 as a replacement for older models like the Utrecht applicator, enhances MRI-based brachytherapy with improved imaging capabilities and more accurate applicator placement. In 2021, updates to non-reimbursement policies in Korea for MRI-based 3D brachytherapy planning further promoted the adoption of advanced techniques such as the Geneva applicator. This study aims to commission the Geneva applicator, focusing on wall thickness, dummy marker positions, and source dwell positions to ensure accurate dose delivery and safety. Methods: The commissioning process involved measuring wall thickness in both the longitudinal and transverse directions for the tandem and lunar-shaped ovoid tubes and comparing thesemeasurements with the manufacturer’s specifications. Dummy marker positions were verifiedusing CT imaging, with a focus on alignment tolerances of ±1 mm. Source dwell positions were planned using the Oncentra treatment planning system, with measurements taken using EBT4 film and analyzed with RIT software. Results: Wall thickness measurements and dummy marker positions were within the specified tolerance ranges, confirming their accuracy. The source dwell positions, measured and analyzedthrough multiple tests, were all within the ±1 mm tolerance, ensuring the applicator’s reliability. Conclusions The Geneva applicator met all standards for safe and effective use in brachytherapy.The use of a 3D-printed holder was crucial for precise alignment and measurement. With updated reimbursement policies in Korea for MRI-based brachytherapy, the Geneva applicator is expected to significantly impact the future of advanced brachytherapy treatments and research.

Purpose: Brachytherapy is essential for treating gynecological cancers as it offers precise radiation delivery to tumors while minimizing radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. The Geneva applicator, introduced in 2020 as a replacement for older models like the Utrecht applicator, enhances MRI-based brachytherapy with improved imaging capabilities and more accurate applicator placement. In 2021, updates to non-reimbursement policies in Korea for MRI-based 3D brachytherapy planning further promoted the adoption of advanced techniques such as the Geneva applicator. This study aims to commission the Geneva applicator, focusing on wall thickness, dummy marker positions, and source dwell positions to ensure accurate dose delivery and safety. Methods: The commissioning process involved measuring wall thickness in both the longitudinal and transverse directions for the tandem and lunar-shaped ovoid tubes and comparing thesemeasurements with the manufacturer’s specifications. Dummy marker positions were verifiedusing CT imaging, with a focus on alignment tolerances of ±1 mm. Source dwell positions were planned using the Oncentra treatment planning system, with measurements taken using EBT4 film and analyzed with RIT software. Results: Wall thickness measurements and dummy marker positions were within the specified tolerance ranges, confirming their accuracy. The source dwell positions, measured and analyzedthrough multiple tests, were all within the ±1 mm tolerance, ensuring the applicator’s reliability. Conclusions The Geneva applicator met all standards for safe and effective use in brachytherapy.The use of a 3D-printed holder was crucial for precise alignment and measurement. With updated reimbursement policies in Korea for MRI-based brachytherapy, the Geneva applicator is expected to significantly impact the future of advanced brachytherapy treatments and research.

In this study, the effect of particle size of genistein-loaded solid lipid particulate systems on drug dissolution behavior and oral bioavailability was investigated. Genistein-loaded solid lipid microparticles and nanoparticles were prepared with glyceryl palmitostearate. Except for the particle size, other properties of genistein-loaded solid lipid microparticles and nanoparticles such as particle composition and drug loading efficiency and amount were similarly controlled to mainly evaluate the effect of different particle sizes of the solid lipid particulate systems on drug dissolution behavior and oral bioavailability. The results showed that genistein-loaded solid lipid microparticles and nanoparticles exhibited a considerably increased drug dissolution rate compared to that of genistein bulk powder and suspension. The microparticles gradually released genistein as a function of time while the nanoparticles exhibited a biphasic drug release pattern, showing an initial burst drug release, followed by a sustained release. The oral bioavailability of genistein loaded in solid lipid microparticles and nanoparticles in rats was also significantly enhanced compared to that in bulk powders and the suspension. However, the bioavailability from the microparticles increased more than that from the nanoparticles mainly because the rapid drug dissolution rate and rapid absorption of genistein because of the large surface area of the genistein-solid lipid nanoparticles cleared the drug to a greater extent than the genistein-solid lipid microparticles did. Therefore, the findings of this study suggest that controlling the particle size of solid-lipid particulate systems at a micro-scale would be a promising strategy to increase the oral bioavailability of genistein.
Absorption* ; Animals ; Biological Availability* ; Drug Liberation ; Genistein* ; Nanoparticles* ; Particle Size* ; Powders ; Rats

beta-Lapachone has drawn increasing attention as an anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer drug. However, its oral bioavailability has not been yet assessed, which might be useful to develop efficient dosage forms possibly required for non-clinical and clinical studies and future market. The aim of the present study was thus to investigate pharmacokinetic properties of beta-lapachone as well as its first-pass metabolism in the liver, and small and large intestines after oral administration to measure the absolute bioavailability in rats. A sensitive HPLC method was developed to evaluate levels of beta-lapachone in plasma and organ homogenates. The drug degradation profiles were examined in plasma to assess the stability of the drug and in liver and intestinal homogenates to evaluate first-pass metabolism. Pharmacokinetic profiles were obtained after oral and intravenous administration of beta-lapachone at doses of 40 mg/kg and 1.5 mg/kg, respectively. The measured oral bioavailability of beta-lapachone was 15.5%. The considerable degradation of beta-lapachone was seen in the organ homogenates but the drug was quite stable in plasma. In conclusion, we suggest that the fairly low oral bioavailability of beta-lapachone may be resulted from the first-pass metabolic degradation of beta-lapachone in the liver, small and large intestinal tracts and its low aqueous solubility.
Administration, Intravenous ; Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Biological Availability* ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Dosage Forms ; Intestines ; Liver ; Metabolism* ; Pharmacokinetics ; Plasma ; Rats* ; Solubility

Retinyl palmitate (RP)-loaded pectinate micro- and nano-particles (PMP and PNP) were designed for stabilization of RP that is widely used as an anti-wrinkle agent in anti-aging cosmeceuticals. PMP/PNP were prepared with an ionotropic gelation method, and anti-oxidative activity of the particles was measured with a DPPH assay. The stability of RP in the particles along with pectin gel and ethanolic solution was then evaluated. In vitro release and skin permeation studies were performed using Franz diffusion cells. Distribution of RP in each skin tissue (stratum corneum, epidermis, and dermis) was also determined. PMP and PNP could be prepared with mean particle size diameters of 593~843 mum (PMP) and 530 nm (i.e., 0.53 mum, PNP). Anti-oxidative activity of PNP was greater than PMP due largely to larger surface area available for PNP. The stability of RP in PMP and PNP was similar but much greater than RP in pectin bulk gels and ethanolic solution. PMP and PNP showed the abilities to constantly release RP and it could be permeated across the model artificial membrane and rat whole skin. RP was serially deposited throughout the skin layers. This study implies RP loaded PMP and PNP are expected to be advantageous for improved anti-wrinkle effects.
Animals ; Diffusion ; Epidermis ; Ethanol ; Gels ; Membranes, Artificial ; Nanoparticles ; Particle Size ; Rats ; Skin*

We investigated the combined moisturizing effect of liposomal serine and a cosmeceutical base selected in this study. Serine is a major amino acid consisting of natural moisturizing factors and keratin, and the hydroxyl group of serine can actively interact with water molecules. Therefore, we hypothesized that serine efficiently delivered to the stratum corneum (SC) of the skin would enhance the moisturizing capability of the skin. We prepared four different cosmeceutical bases (hydrogel, oil-in-water (O/W) essence, O/W cream, and water-in-oil (W/O) cream); their moisturizing abilities were then assessed using a Corneometer(R). The hydrogel was selected as the optimum base for skin moisturization based on the area under the moisture content change-time curves (AUMCC) values used as a parameter for the water hold capacity of the skin. Liposomal serine prepared by a reverse-phase evaporation method was then incorporated in the hydrogel. The liposomal serine-incorporated hydrogel (serine level=1%) showed an approximately 1.62~1.77 times greater moisturizing effect on the skin than those of hydrogel, hydrogel with serine (1%), and hydrogel with blank liposome. However, the AUMCC values were not dependent on the level of serine in liposomal serine-loaded hydrogels. Together, the delivery of serine to the SC of the skin is a promising strategy for moisturizing the skin. This study is expected to be an important step in developing highly effective moisturizing cosmeceutical products.
Hyaluronic Acid* ; Hydrogel* ; Hydrogels* ; Liposomes ; Serine* ; Skin* ; Water

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of stabilization of retinyl palmitate (RP) on its skin permeation and distribution profiles. Skin permeation and distribution study were performed using Franz diffusion cells along with rat dorsal skin, and the effect of drug concentration and the addition of pectin on skin deposition profiles of RP was observed. The skin distribution of RP increased in a concentration dependent manner and the formulations containing 0.5 and 1 mg of pectin demonstrated significantly increased RP distributions in the epidermis. Furthermore, it was found that skin distribution of RP could be further improved by combined use of pectin and ascorbyl palmitate (AP), due largely to their anti-oxidative effect. These results clearly demonstrate that the skin deposition properties of RP can be improved by stabilizing RP with pectin. Therefore, it is strongly suggested that pectin could be used in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic formulations as an efficient stabilizing agent and as skin penetration modulator.
Animals ; Diffusion ; Epidermis ; Rats ; Skin*