To assess occupational effective dose in fourteen different medical departments in Saudi Arabia during 2018–2019.
Thermoluminescent dosemeters (TLD-100) made of Harshaw detector crystal of LiF:Ti,Mg ...were used to estimate effective doses for 1,375 medical workers. These TLDs are made of Harshaw detector crystal of LiF:Ti,Mg with an estimated tissue equivalence (Zeffective) of 8.15 and density of 2.65 g/cm3. TLDs were analyzing using Harshaw model 6600 plus TLD reader along with WinREMS software.
The annual mean effective doses for the workers in 2018 and 2019 remained in the range of 0.27–0.96 and 0.34–1.24 mSv respectively. The annual collective doses for all workers in 2018 and 2019 were found to be 591 and 847 person-mSv respectively. More than 93% of the workers received an effective dose of less than 1 mSv. A comparison of occupational dose values among the studied departments revealed that workers in the nuclear medicine and cardiac catheterization exposed to the highest annual effective doses.
In compliance with the ALARA principle, the occupational doses were distributed with a low dose range in mind. In general, the dose values for this study are an indication of an adequative radiation practices mainly due to reducing radiation leakage by using better manufacturing equipment, improving the effective radiation protection policies, developing a highly effective radiation protection equipments, and having access to the latest radiology literature.
Computed tomography (CT) scans are one of the most common radiation imaging modalities, and CT scans are rising steadily worldwide. CT has the potential to enhance radiography practice, but it also ...has the risk of drastically increasing patient doses. One CT procedure for the abdomen pelvis (AP) area can expose a patient's prostate or uterus to a substantial radiation dose, leading to concerns about radiation-induced cancer. This study aimed to estimate organ doses of the uterus and prostate and evaluate the lifetime attributable risk (LAR) of cancer incidence and mortality resulting from AP CT examinations. This retrospective study included 665 patients, of which 380 (57%) were female, and 285 (43%) were male. Data were collected from the picture archiving and communication system for AP CT procedures and exposure parameter data. Organ doses for the uterus and prostate were calculated using National Cancer Institute CT (NCICT) software. Based on the risk models proposed by the BEIR VII report, the calculated organ doses were used to estimate the LAR of prostate and uterus cancer incidence and mortality due to radiation exposure from AP CT procedures. The mean effective dose resulting from AP CT for females and males was 5.76 ± 3.22 (range: 1.13-12.71 mSv) and 4.37 ± 1.66 mSv (range: 1.36-8.07 mSv), respectively. The mean organ dose to the uterus was 10.86 ± 6.09 mGy (range: 2.13-24.06 mGy). The mean organ dose to the prostate was 7.00 ± 2.66 mGy (range: 2.18-12.94 mGy). The LAR of uterus and prostate cancer incidence was 1.75 ± 1.19 cases and 2.24 ± 1.06 cases per 100,000 persons, respectively. The LAR of cancer mortality rates from uterus and prostate cancers were 0.36 ± 0.22 and 0.48 ± 0.18 cases per 100,000 persons, respectively. The LAR of prostate and uterus cancer occurrence and mortality from radiation doses with AP CT procedures was low but not trivial. Therefore, efforts should be made to lower patient doses while retaining image quality. Although the minimization of the patient's radiation dose must guide clinical practice, the estimated slight increase in risk could aid in easing fears regarding well-justified AP CT procedures.
To address the high tolerance of biofilms to antibiotics, it is urgent to develop new strategies to fight against these bacterial consortia. An innovative antibiofilm nanovector drug delivery system, ...consisting of Dispersin B-permethylated-β-cyclodextrin/ciprofloxacin adamantyl (DspB-β-CD/CIP-Ad), is described here. For this purpose, complexation assays between CIP-Ad and (i) unmodified β-CD and (ii) different derivatives of β-CD, which are 2,3-O-dimethyl-β-CD, 2,6-O-dimethyl-β-CD, and 2,3,6-O-trimethyl-β-CD, were tested. A stoichiometry of 1/1 was obtained for the β-CD/CIP-Ad complex by NMR analysis. Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC) experiments were carried out to determine Ka, ΔH, and ΔS thermodynamic parameters of the complex between β-CD and its different derivatives in the presence of CIP-Ad. A stoichiometry of 1/1 for β-CD/CIP-Ad complexes was confirmed with variable affinity according to the type of methylation. A phase solubility study showed increased CIP-Ad solubility with CD concentration, pointing out complex formation. The evaluation of the antibacterial activity of CIP-Ad and the 2,3-O-dimethyl-β-CD/CIP-Ad or 2,3,6-O-trimethyl-β-CD/CIP-Ad complexes was performed on
(
) strains. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) studies showed that the complex of CIP-Ad and 2,3-O-dimethyl-β-CD exhibited a similar antimicrobial activity to CIP-Ad alone, while the interaction with 2,3,6-O-trimethyl-β-CD increased MIC values. Antimicrobial assays on S. epidermidis biofilms demonstrated that the synergistic effect observed with the DspB/CIP association was partly maintained with the 2,3-O-dimethyl-β-CDs/CIP-Ad complex. To obtain this "all-in-one" drug delivery system, able to destroy the biofilm matrix and release the antibiotic simultaneously, we covalently grafted DspB on three carboxylic permethylated CD derivatives with different-length spacer arms. The strategy was validated by demonstrating that a DspB-permethylated-β-CD/ciprofloxacin-Ad system exhibited efficient antibiofilm activity.
The purpose of this study is to estimate the activity release from near surface disposal repository for a hypothetical open pool light-water research reactor (OP-LWR) in the Riyadh region, Saudi ...Arabia.
mathematical model was used to model six cement barriers near surface disposal repository. Water infiltration into the repository and into the radioactive waste is assumed to be the main cause of activity release into the environment. The hydraulic conductivity, specific mass, the porosity of the cement, and the local geosphere were considered, as well as the expected radioactive waste inventory produced by this reactor.
The results show that there is a direct proportionality between distribution coefficient, retardation factor, and the mean time to collapse (MTTC). Also, the results show that nickel has the highest mean time to collapse among all the other radionuclides in the proposed model. The highest activity release in the biosphere was found to be 1.1×104 Bq for Tc-99 after 1300 years.
The impact of the radiological behavior of each selected radionuclide enabled finding the effect on the repository performance.
Radiologic technologists in Saudi Arabia Makkawi, Mohammed; Alasmari, Sultan; Shubayr, Nasser A ...
Saudi medical journal,
08/2021, Letnik:
42, Številka:
8
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Objectives: To determine the influence of prolonged exposure to radiation based on dosimeter readings on hematological parameters among radiologic technologists (RTs) in Saudi Arabia. Methods: The ...study was specifically conducted on selected RTs with experience of more than 10 years and the highest thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) readings among all RTs in the Radiological Department, Sabya General Hospital, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia from August to October 2020. The RTs group was compared with a control group of non-irradiated participants. Blood samples were collected for hematological and coagulation profile evaluation. Results: The acquired radiation dose analysis revealed that the average accumulated dose in 10 years is 7.6 mSv. The medians of prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) of the RTs group were significantly lower when compared to the control group. In addition, RTs group exhibited a significant reduction in neutrophil count and an elevation in lymphocyte count. Conclusion: Chronic exposure to radiation revealed a significant change in blood tests and may reflect an effect on RTs tissues, leading to serious health problems. However, further investigation in a large cohort to study the association between alteration in hematological parameters and chronic radiation exposure is required. Keywords: ionizing radiation, radiation dosage, radiation exposure, hematological tests, coagulation tests
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of outside-field-of-view (FOV) lead shielding on the entrance surface dose (ESD) of the breast on an anthropomorphic X-ray phantom for a variety ...of axial skeleton X-ray examinations.
Using an anthropomorphic phantom and radiation dosimeter, the ESD of the breast was measured with and without outside-FOV shielding in anterior-posterior (AP) abdomen, AP cervical spine, occipitomental 30° (OM30) facial bones, AP lumbar spine, and lateral lumbar spine radiography. The effect of several exposure parameters, including a low milliampere-seconds technique, grid use, automatic exposure control use, wraparound lead (WAL) use, trolley use, and X-ray table use, on the ESD of the breast with and without outside-FOV shielding was investigated. The mean ESD (μSv) and standard deviation for each radiographic protocol were calculated. A one-tailed Student's t-test was carried out to evaluate whether ESD to the breast was reduced with the use of outside-FOV shielding.
A total of 920 breast ESD measurements were recorded across the different protocol parameters. The largest decrease in mean ESD of the breast with outside-FOV shielding was 0.002 μSv (
= 0.084), recorded in the AP abdomen on the table with a grid, OM30 on the table with a grid, OM30 standard protocol on the trolley, and OM30 on the trolley with WAL protocols. This decrease was found to be statistically non-significant.
This study found no significant decrease in the ESD of the breast with the use of outside-FOV shielding for the AP abdomen, AP cervical spine, OM30 facial bones, AP lumbar spine, or lateral lumbar spine radiography across a range of protocols.
To report the burden of breast cancer among Saudi females from 2004 to 2016.
Age-standardised rates and cases according to age, year, region and stage at diagnosis were retrieved from the Saudi ...Cancer Registry (SCR). Descriptive statistics were reported before joinpoint regression analysis was used to calculate the annual percent change (APC).
During the study period, the number of breast cancer cases increased by 186% from 783 cases in 2004 to 2240 cases in 2016. The median age at diagnosis increased from 47 to 50 years (APC = + 0.7, 95% CI = 0.5 to 0.9) and nearly 60% of cases were diagnosed among women aged ≥40 years. During the study period, the percentage of localised cases increased by 17% (APC = +5.1, 95% CI = 8.7 to 3.3), along with a reduction in regional (APC = −1.3, 95% CI = −0.4 to −4.9) and unknown (APC = −6.5, 95% CI = −12.0 to −0.7) cases. The highest increases in breast cancer cases were recorded in Najran (APC = +8.8, 95% CI = 0.7 to 17.5), followed by Qassim (APC = +6.9, 95% CI = 2.4 to 11.6) and Hail (APC = +6, 95% CI = 3.0 to 9.1). Makkah region reported the lowest significant increase with an APC of +2.3 (95% CI = 0.3 to 4.4) per year.
Although an increasing trend in breast cancer cases were seen over the study period, encouraging outcomes were observed. An incidence shift towards the older age group was noticed, as well as an increased proportion of women diagnosed at early stages. A higher APC was seen in smaller regions, which highlights the need for region-based studies.
The American College of Radiology (ACR) requires MR personnel not to work alone due to the increased risk of safety issues such as projectiles, aggressive patients, and technologist fatigue. As a ...result, we intend to assess the current safety of lone-working MRI technologists in MRI departments in Saudi Arabia.
A cross-sectional study using a self-report questionnaire was conducted in 88 Saudi hospitals.
A response rate of 64% (174/270) was obtained among the 270 MRI technologists which were identified. The study discovered that 86% of MRI technologists had prior experience working alone. In terms of MRI safety training, 63% of MRI technologists received such training. A question about lone MRI workers' awareness of the ACR's recommendations revealed that 38% were unaware of such recommendations. Furthermore, 22% were misinformed, believing that working alone in an MRI unit is optional or depends on the individual's desire to work alone. Working alone has the primary consequence of being statistically significantly associated with projectile/object-related accidents/mistakes (
= 0.03).
Saudi Arabian MRI technologists have extensive experience working alone without supervision. Most MRI technologists are unaware of lone working regulations, which has raised concerns about accidents/mistakes. There is a need for MRI safety training and adequate practical experience to raise awareness of MRI safety regulations and policies related to lone working among departments and MRI workers.
Groundwater is the most valuable resource in arid regions, such as UAE. Estimations of natural radionuclide concentrations are important to evaluate the potential risks to the public. In this study, ...the activity concentrations (ACs) of naturally occurring radioactive materials in groundwater from wells across UAE were determined using gamma spectroscopy. Forty groundwater samples were collected from different sites across UAE and measured using gamma-ray spectrometry technique. The samples were collected from agricultural areas, which represents a small area of the UAE. The AC of
226
Ra ranged from 2.61
×
10
-
1
to 4.14
×
10
-
1
Bq/L, with a mean value of 3.37
×
10
-
1
± 0.063 Bq/L. For
232
Th, the AC ranged from 1.55
×
10
-
1
to 2.93
×
10
-
1
Bq/L, with a mean value of 2.24
×
10
-
1
± 0.056 Bq/L. The mean ACs for
226
Ra and
232
Th were lower than the recommended limit of 1 Bq/L by the World Health Organization (WHO). The AC of
40
K ranged from 3.24 to 6.8 Bq/L, with a mean value of 5.0 ± 0.122 Bq/L. Similarly, the mean AC for
40
K was lower than the WHO-recommended limit of 10 Bq/L. The absorbed dose rates of 5.0
×
10
-
1
nGy/h and annual effective dose rates of 6.2
×
10
-
1
µSv/year were found to be lower than the WHO-specified average limit. The internal and external hazard indexes were below the UNSCEAR-recommended threshold, indicating no significant health risks to the public.
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