The purpose of this study including the questionnaire survey is to perform the colorectal cancer screening behavior support program developed preliminary by the authors and to inspect the efficacy of the program. The subjects were male and female persons who lived in the Kinki area of Japan and were older than 40 years. The subjects were divided as the intervention group and control group. The program was applied to the intervention group. The questionnaire survey was carried out before and after the intervention for all subjects. However, the results of the intervention group are shown and discussed in the text.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to build a system for effective dose display immediately after the gastric cancer X-ray screening. Materials and Methods: The regression equation of effective dose and dose area product (DAP) was introduced from the data of 500 persons including DAP and effective dose calculated using program for X-ray Monte Carlo. Results: The effective dose was 5.39 mSv of median, 1.18 mSv of minimum, and 38.38 mSv of maximum. The regression equation was Y=0.354+0.0003772X (Y: effective dose, mSv, X: DAP, mGy cm2). Using the regression equation, the effective dose can be estimated from DAP and displayed just after the individual screening. Conclusions: "Effective dose display system" was constructed to display effective dose immediately after gastric cancer X-ray screening. This system is on the way to be reformed by improving the regression equation on larger data.

UV-A irradiation of Gafchromic XR-RV3 and XR-SP2 are considered to be a substitute for X-ray irradiation in the double irradiation of Gafchromic XR-RV3 and XR-SP2. It makes it possible to compensate for heterogeneity errors in the active layers of Gafchromic XR-RV3 and XR-SP2. UV-A with a wavelength of 395-nm was irradiated to Gafchromic XR-RV3 and XR-SP2, and irradiation time and color density change were investigated. At first, Gafchromic XR-RV3 and XR-SP2 were pre-irradiated for 2 and 4 hours, respectively, by UV-A with a wavelength of 365-nm, with UV-A fluorescent lamp as the radiation source, located at a distance of 72 cm. Secondly, a UV-A light emitting diode (LED) capable of generating 395-nm UV-A was used. The irradiation times of UV-A for Gafchromic XR-RV3 and XR-SP2 were from 5 to 120 minutes and from 30 to 300 minutes at a distance of 5.0 cm, respectively. From these results, appropriate irradiation time was considered. A 0.5 inchs diameter region of interest was set for each irradiation area, and a histogram of pixel values was obtained. The selected condition was two items “There is not 0 in a mode”, “A 1/10 level intersects both sleeves of graph”. When Gafchromic XR-RV3 and XR-SP2 were irradiated with ultraviolet rays of wavelength 395 nm as an X-ray substitute for double irradiation technology, it was proved that 60 minutes (5511.00 mJ/cm2) and 270 minutes (24799.50 mJ/ cm2) were sufficient for irradiation time respectively. And both distance was 5cm.

mAs(G), collimation 1 Â 5 mm(S&G) 1 Â 6mm(T), FOV = 240 mm, CTDIw % 45.4 ± 0.5 mGy, kernel FC70(T), STDN(G) H40s(S) and Surface Dose: 25 mGy(T); 31 mGy(G); 35 mGy(S).Performance indicators: Noise Index (standard deviation of the HU measured in a central ROI of 28 cm[b] (40% useful radius) Homogeneity index (maximum difference on the average HU measured in 4 periphery ROI's relative to a central ROI each with 10cm 2 ); Spatial Resolution Index (zoomed visualization of the last perceptible group of a lp/ cm pattern using constant WW, WL); Low Contrast Index (CDdiameter * percentage contrast (mm*%) for each target -3 groups of different sized low contrast targets 10HU, 5HU, 3HU -2 images averaged; HU index (average HU in 45 mm[b] ROI's of 8 target materials from À1000 up to 1000 HU.Results.Noise index: r(T) = 5.36 ± 2%; r(G) = 2.87 ± 3%; r(T) = 4.01 ± 5%; maximum deviations: 8.6%(T); 3.1%(G); 4.7%(S); outliers (>10%): two (12.3;16.0%(T));one 21.6%(G);zero(S).Homogeneity index: HU = 9.53 ± 4%(T); HU = 7.1 ± 3%(G); HU = 12.7 ± 3%(S); maximum difference deviations: 14.7%(T); 14.5%(G); 12.6%(S); outliers (>15%): six(16.7;15.7%(T))one 24.2%(G);zero(S).Spatial Resolution index (lp/cm): 9(T); 7(G); 8(S); CD index (mm*%): <2,1(T); <2.2 (GE) <2.1(S).HU index: within manufacturer tolerance despite the 4 X-ray tube changes for Toshiba and 1 change for Siemens.Conclusions.The customized test proved to be a simplified but incomplete method for system performance consistency evaluation since it was inefficient in the detection of ring artifacts caused by faults in detector system calibration for the head protocol.The addition of a spiral acquisition in the homogenous section, lead to direct visualization and awareness of this type of artifacts but still do not prevent the detection of artifacts in larger FOVs or in special collimation sets depending on the CT scanner design.

Gafchromic EBT3 (EBT3) is used as a radiochromic film in half-value layer (HVL) measurement methods, which are used to calculate the effective energy for QA and QC. HVL measurements using EBT3 display a precision of less than 5 % compared with the results of standard method with an ionization chamber (IC) dosimeter, and offer a simple procedure for determining the HVL consistently and quickly without the need for an IC. However, it is difficult to apply this technique because of the scattered radiation caused by the geometric layout of the X-ray computed tomography (CT) apparatus. In this study, the effect of scattered radiation on EBT3 is investigated. It was found that the EBT3 is not affected by scattered radiation at positions beyond 50 mm from the scattering substance. Therefore, the results suggest that EBT3 is suitable for use in X-ray CT HVL measurements. On the other hand, when the distance from the scattering substance was 10 mm or less, EBT3 showed very high absorption compared to a semiconductor detector. Therefore, EBT3 is more sensitive than the semiconductor detector at a close range and can be used to measure scattered radiation when the distance from the scattering substance is 10 mm or less.

Bone mineral density (BMD) is affected by lean body mass and body weight to various degrees in the course of aging. The attempt of this study is to determine the optimal time to begin prevention of osteoporosis. In this study, female hospital employees aged 20-59 years were divided into 2 age groups, 20-39 years and 40-59 years based on age at peak BMD, and the relations of total BMD, subtotal BMD and lumbar spine BMD to lean body mass and body weight were examined in both groups. Subtotal BMD was calculated by subtracting head BMD from total BMD along with whole body measurement. While persistent positive correlations were found among all factors in the 20-39-year-old group, subtotal BMD and lumbar spine BMD were positively correlated to lean body mass in the 40-59-year-old group. Thus, lean body mass and body weight appeared to exert a profound influence on subtotal BMD in those aged 20-39 years, but lean body mass in those aged 40-59 years. Lean body mass appears to provide the best prediction of subsequent development of osteoporosis.

Recently developed radiochromic films can easily be used to measure absorbed doses because they do not need development processing and indicate a density change that depends on the absorbed dose. However, in GAFCHROMIC EBT2 dosimetry (GAF-EBT2) as a radiochromic film, the precision of the measurement was compromised, because of non-uniformity problems caused by image acquisition using a flat-bed scanner with a transmission mode. The purpose of this study was to improve the precision of the measurement using a flat-bed scanner with a reflection mode at the low absorbed dose dynamic range of GAF-EBT2. The calibration curves of the absorbed dose versus the film density for GAF-EBT2 were provided. X-rays were exposed in the range between ~0 and 120 mGy in increments of about 12 mGy. The results of the method using a flat-bed scanner with the transmission mode were compared with those of the method using the same scanner with the reflection mode. The results should that the determination coefficients (r (2) ) for the straight-line approximation of the calibration curve using the reflection mode were higher than 0.99, and the gradient using the reflection mode was about twice that of the one using the transmission mode. The non-uniformity error that is produced by a flat-bed scanner with the transmission mode setting could be almost eliminated by converting from the transmission mode to the reflection mode. In light of these findings, the method using a flat-bed scanner with the reflection mode (only using uniform white paper) improved the precision of the measurement for the low absorbed dose range.

Purpose: Videofluoroscopy is generally considered a “gold standard” technique for diagnosing dysphagia; however this technique exposes subjects to radiation. Ultrasonography is applied widely in clinical practice because of low cost, safety of the technique, and absence of radiation exposure. The purpose of this study was to investigate the application of B+M-mode ultrasound imaging as a new approach to quantify activity patterns of the geniohyoid muscles during swallowing and to assess the effect of bolus volume in healthy subjects.

Our aim in this study was to evaluate hyoid bone movement trajectories and the age-related changes during swallowing in healthy subjects by ultrasonography. Data were obtained from 30 healthy volunteers (15 men, 15 women) in three age groups (20-39, 40-59, 60-79 years). The subjects were examined while sitting in an upright position, with the back against a wall to control movement. The transducer was placed in a longitudinal scan above the larynx. The subjects were then given 5 mL of mineral water. The water bolus was held in their mouth until they were forced to do a rapid swallow. The imaging was repeated five times for averaging. The movement was divided into 4 phases: slowly ascending phase (A-B, Elevation); rapidly ascending phase (B-C, Anterior); temporary pause phase (position of maximum rise, Remain); and rapidly and slowly descending shifts toward the resting position phase (C-D, Return). We easily visualized the hyoid bone trajectory by using ultrasonography. In all cases, ultrasonographic analysis of the hyoid bone was confirmed to have a similar trajectory, as determined with videofluoroscopy. The average swallowing duration measurements increased with age. The measurement of the maximally elevated point of the hyoid bone decreased with age. The movement of the hyoid bone during swallowing can be visualized by US. The trajectory of the hyoid bone in sagittal section indicated the capability of swallowing, and may detect some anomalies in swallowing.

Proximal femoral bone mineral density (BMD) can be measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry method in the neck, trochanter, intertrochanter, total and Ward's triangle area. Ward's triangle area of the proximal femur is a smaller area to measure than the others, and the position varies, depending on the status of inner rotation of the target leg. In this study, the measurements of the proximal femoral BMD in women were carried out on the neck, trochanter, intertrochanter, total and Ward's triangle area with the, subjects' legs turned 15 degrees toward the inside. The Ward's BMD were measured using Ward's cognitive method, in which the measured BMD were compared among age groups of 50-59, 60-69, 70-79 and 80-89 to determine whether this process could reveal decreased femoral BMD in elderly women. The correlation between BMD and age was tested using the Pearson correlation coefficient. In all measured parts, the BMD of women age 50-59 were significantly higher than those of women age 80-89. The correlations between BMD and age were negative in all measured parts, and the most negative correlation was between age and Ward's BMD. The study using Ward's cognitive method showed an inverse correlation between Ward's BMD and age in women.

In X-ray mass screening for gastric cancer, it is important to reduce exposure dose and to decrease cancer mortality risk. We previously produced three types of lead acrylic filter and compared their usefulness in terms of exposure dose, X-ray tube load, deep dose, gastric phantom image density, filter shadow and percentage penetration of filter image into diagnostic area. This study was performed to estimate any decrease in life time cancer mortality risk due to the exposure dose reduction with these filters. The lifetime cancer mortality risk using filters was calculated by multiplying that without filters by the following exposure dose reduction rate employing each type of filter: 6.03, 10.92 and 13.64% using lead acrylic Filter A (thickness, 7.3 mm), B (14.6 mm) and C (21.9 mm), respectively. The lifetime cancer mortality risk using each type of filter was estimated to be decreased by 24 × 10% for Filter A, 44 × 10% for Filter B and 55 × 10% for Filter C in both males and females. The mass screening using lead acrylic filter may contribute to the decrease in lifetime cancer mortality risk through exposure dose reduction.

Background: The use of high-density barium sulfate was recommended by the Japan Society of Gastroenterological Cancer Screening (JSGCS) in 2004. We evaluated the diagnostic validity of gastric cancer screening that used high-density barium sulfate.Methods: The study subjects were 171 833 residents of Osaka, Japan who underwent gastric cancer screening tests at the Osaka Cancer Prevention and Detection Center during the period from 1 January 2000 through 31 December 2001. Screening was conducted using either high-density barium sulfate (n = 48 336) or moderate-density barium sulfate (n = 123 497). The subjects were followed up and their medical records were linked to those of the Osaka Cancer Registry through 31 December 2002. The results of follow-up during 1 year were defined as the gold standard, and test performance values were calculated.Results: The sensitivity and specificity of the screening test using moderate-density barium sulfate were 92.3% and 91.0%, respectively, while the sensitivity and specificity of the high-density barium test were 91.8% and 91.4%, respectively. The results of area under receiver-operating-characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed no significant difference between the 2 screening tests.Conclusions: Screening tests using high- and moderate-density barium sulfate had similar validity, as determined by sensitivity, specificity, and ROC curve analysis.

This Letter describes the current most precise measurement of the W boson pair production cross section and most sensitive test of anomalous WW gamma and WWZ couplings in p (p) over bar collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 1.96 TeV. The WW candidates are reconstructed from decays containing two charged leptons and two neutrinos. Using data collected by the CDF II detector from 3: 6 fb(-1) of integrated luminosity, a total of 654 candidate events are observed with an expected background of 320 +/- 47 events. The measured cross section is sigma(p (p) over bar -> W+W- +X) = 12.1 +/- 0.9(stat)(-1.4)(+1.6)(syst) pb, which is in good agreement with the standard model prediction. The same data sample is used to place constraints on anomalous WW gamma and WWZ couplings.

Recently, high-concentration barium sulfate has been developed and is used in many medical facilities. This study compared radiation dose using high-concentration and moderate-concentration barium sulfate. The dose was evaluated with an experimental method using a gastric phantom and with a clinical examination. In the former, the dose and X-ray tube load were measured on the phantom with two concentrations of barium sulfate. In the latter, the fluoroscopic dose-area product (DAP), the radiographic DAP and their sum, the total DAP, were investigated in 150 subjects (112 males, 38 females) treated with both concentrations of barium sulfate. The effective dose was calculated by the software of PCXMC in every case. The results of the experimental evaluation indicated that the effective dose and X-ray tube load were greater with high-concentration barium sulfate than with moderate-concentration barium sulfate (p < 0.05). The results of the clinical evaluation indicated that the fluoroscopic DAP was greater with moderate-concentration barium sulfate than with high-concentration barium sulfate (p < 0.05), but the radiographic DAP was quite the reverse, so the total DAP and effective dose were almost same with both concentrations of barium sulfate. We conclude that high-concentration barium sulfate does not increase radiation dose in mass screening for gastric cancer.

Recently, mass screening for gastric cancer has been popularized in Japan. In the screening, gastric radiography is carried out using a contrast medium, usually barium sulfate. Recently, a high concentration barium sulfate has been developed and is currently used in several medical facilities. However, high concentration barium sulfate flows out of the stomach faster than a solution of lower concentration used in the past, which interferes with the diagnosis. The flow rate is dependent on the viscosity of barium sulfate, which changes based on gastric pH and temperature. In this study, the viscosity changes of barium sulfate induced by pH and temperature changes were examined. Two types of high concentration barium sulfate, 185B barium and 200C barium, and one type of moderate concentration barium sulfate, 145A barium, were used in this study. The radiographs of gastric phantoms applied with the three types of barium sulfate were also tested under several different pH and temperature conditions. Furthermore, we analyzed the particle size distribution of the three types of barium sulfate. The results indicated that 185B barium is the best among three types tested for gastric radiography. This study of characteristics of barium sulfate may improve radiography technology in mass screenings for gastric cancer.