Linear Dose Response Research Articles

Influence of Age on Leukemia Mortality Associated with Exposure to γ rays and 2-MeV Fast Neutrons in Male C3H Mice.

The relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of densely ionizing radiation can depend on the biological context. From a radiological perspective, age is an important factor affecting health risks of radiation exposure, but little is known about the modifying impact of age on the effects of densely ionizing radiation. Herein, we addressed the influence of age on leukemogenesis induced by accelerator-generated fast neutrons (mean energy, ∼2 MeV). Male C3H/HeNrs mice were exposed to 137Cs γ rays (0.2-3.0 Gy) or neutrons (0.0485-0.97 Gy, γ ray contamination 0.0105-0.21 Gy) at 1, 3, 8, or 35 weeks of age and observed over their lifetimes under specific pathogen-free conditions. Leukemia and lymphoma were diagnosed pathologically. Hazard ratio (HR) and RBE for myeloid leukemia mortality as well as the age dependence of these two parameters were modeled and analyzed using Cox regression. Neutron exposure increased HR concordant with a linear dose response. The increase of HR per dose depended on age at exposure, with no significant dose dependence at age 1 or 3 weeks but a significant increase in HR of 5.5 per Gy (γ rays) and 16 per Gy (neutrons) at 8 weeks and 5.8 per Gy (γ rays) and 9 per Gy (neutrons) at 35 weeks. The RBE of neutrons was 2.1 (95% confidence interval, 1.1-3.7), with no dependence on age. The development of lymphoid neoplasms was not related to radiation exposure. The observed increasing trend of radiation-associated mortality of myeloid leukemia with age at exposure supports previous epidemiological and experimental findings. The results also suggest that exposure at the susceptible age of 8 or 35 weeks does not significantly influence the RBE value for neutrons for induction of leukemia, unlike what has been documented for breast and brain tumors.

Association between Life's Essential 8 and cognitive function among older adults in the United States

The American Heart Association (AHA) recently redefined cardiovascular health (CVH) with the introduction of Life's Essential 8 (LE8), which encompasses eight areas (diet, physical activity, nicotine exposure, sleep duration body mass index, non-HDL cholesterol, blood glucose, and blood pressure). This study aimed to explore the relationships between both the aggregate and individual CVH metrics, as defined by Life's Essential 8, and cognitive function in older adults in the United States. This cross-sectional, population-based study analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted between 2011 and 2014, focusing on individuals aged 60 years and older. CVH was categorized as low (0–49), moderate (50–79), or high (80–100). Cognitive function was assessed through the CERAD tests, Animal Fluency test, and Digit Symbol Substitution test. Multivariable logistic models and restricted cubic spline models were employed to investigate these associations. This study included a total of 2279 older adults in the United States. Only 11% of adults achieved a high total CVH score, while 12% had a low score. After further adjustment for potential confounding factors, higher LE8 scores were significantly associated with higher scores on CERAD: delayed recall score (0.02[0.01, 0.03]; P < 0.001), CERAD: total score (3 recall trials) (0.04[0.02, 0.06]; P < 0.001), animal fluency: total score (0.09[0.05, 0.12]; P < 0.001), and digit symbol: score (0.29[0.18, 0.41]; P < 0.001), demonstrating a linear dose–response relationship. Similar patterns were also observed in the associations between health behavior and health factor scores with cognitive function tests. LE8 scores exhibited positive linear associations with cognitive function. Maintaining better levels of CVH may be associated with higher levels of cognitive function in older Americans, but further research is needed to confirm the causal and temporal relationships between LE8 and cognitive function.

Exploring the viability of desiccant silica gel beads as A novel material for radiation dosimetry: A preliminary investigation

Silica gel bead material, with its porous structure, high surface area, uniform particle size, stability, and excellent adsorption capacity, is a key material for advancing dosimeter technologies. These qualities make it ideal for accurately measuring and monitoring ionizing radiation in various environments. The research aims to characterize the response of different ionizing radiation sources on desiccant silica gel beads, laying the groundwork for potential applications in medical dosimetry. In this study, silica gel bead samples were subjected to various radiation sources, including gamma rays with an average energy of 1.25 MeV, photons (6 MV), and electrons (6 MeV). The radiation was administered at doses within the range of 2 Gy–20 Gy, which is commonly used in radiotherapy to evaluate the dosimetric behaviour of the desiccant silica gel bead samples using the conventional thermoluminescence (TL) technique. The silica gel bead samples have been found to provide a highly linear dose response within the dose range of interest, with the coefficient of determination (R2) ranging between 0.91 and 0.96. Additionally, the samples show high sensitivity at lower doses and maintain excellent reproducibility, with a standard deviation of less than 4%. In regard to fading evaluation, desiccant silica gel beads exhibit minimal signal loss within 35 days post-irradiation, averaging between 20% and 38%. The findings of this study are promising for developing a new dosimeter, which will enhance radiation monitoring and measurement practices in various environments. These improvements cover dosimetric applications in medical and industrial fields including food safety and agricultural development.

Occupational Benzene Exposure and Cancer Risk among Chinese Men: A Report from the Shanghai Men's Health Study.

Benzene exposure has been associated with increased risk of leukemia and other cancers; however, epidemiologic evidence is inconsistent for the latter, and confounding from smoking and alcohol was rarely adjusted. We investigated associations between occupational benzene exposure and risk of leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and lung, stomach, liver, and kidney cancers in a population-based cohort of 61,377 men, ages 40 to 74 years. A job-exposure matrix, constructed by industrial hygienists specifically for the study population, was used to derive cumulative benzene exposure from all jobs held. Cox regressions were performed to estimate adjusted HRs (aHR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for benzene-cancer risk associations with adjustment for potential confounders. Over 15 years of follow-up, 1,145 lung cancer, 656 stomach cancer, 445 liver cancer, 243 kidney cancer, 100 leukemia, 124 lymphoma, and 46 myeloma cases were identified. Benzene exposure >550 mg/m3 was associated with an increased risk of leukemia (aHR = 2.3; 95% CI, 1.1-4.5), lung cancer (aHR = 1.2; 95% CI, 1.0-1.6), and stomach cancer (aHR = 1.4; 95% CI, 1.0-1.9); benzene exposure was associated with early cancer diagnosis age. The benzene-leukemia and benzene-stomach cancer associations followed a linear dose-response pattern (Plinear = 0.016 and 0.023), whereas the benzene-lung cancer association was evident at higher exposure levels (Pnonlinear = 0.027). Alcohol consumption modified the benzene-leukemia association (aHR = 3.0; 95% CI, 1.1-8.3 for drinkers and aHR = 0.9; 95% CI, 0.4-2.0 for nondrinkers, Pinteraction = 0.047). Benzene exposure was associated with an increased risk of leukemia, stomach cancer, and lung cancer. Alcohol consumption may modify the benzene-leukemia association, although estimates are imprecise. Our study provides additional evidence that benzene exposure increases cancer risk beyond leukemia, information important for policymakers to develop programs to mitigate cancer risk among benzene-exposed workers.

Association of triglyceride-glucose index and its combination with adiposity-related indices with the incidence of myocardial infarction: a cohort study from the UK Biobank.

The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index performs better at reflecting insulin resistance when combined with waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) than when used alone. This study aimed to prospectively examine the relationships between TyG, TyG-BMI, TyG-WC, and TyG-WHtR with the incidence of myocardial infarction (MI) and its subtypes. This cohort study included 370,390 participants from the UK Biobank. The Cox proportional hazards model and restricted cubic spline regression model were used to assess the associations of TyG, TyG-BMI, TyG-WC, and TyG-WHtR with MI, ST-elevation MI (STEMI) and non-ST-elevation MI (NSTEMI). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the area under the curve (AUC) were employed to examine the predictive value of four indicators. The hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of MI in the highest quartiles for TyG, TyG-BMI, TyG-WC, and TyG-WHtR were 1.36 (1.28-1.44), 1.47 (1.39-1.56), 1.53 (1.43-1.64), and 1.58 (1.48-1.68) in the fully-adjusted model. Comparable findings were observed when the outcomes were reclassified as STEMI or NSTEMI. However, the associations of TyG-BMI, TyG-WC, and TyG-WHtR with the risk of STEMI were weaker than MI and NSTEMI. A linear dose-response association between TyG and the risk of MI and NSTEMI were demonstrated. TyG-BMI, TyG-WC, and TyG-WHtR all showed nonlinear patterns in their associations with the risk of MI, STEMI, and NSTEMI. TyG-WC was most effective in diagnosing MI (AUC: 0.648, 95% CI: 0.644-0.653), STEMI (AUC: 0.631, 95% CI: 0.622-0.639), and NSTEMI (AUC: 0.647, 95% CI: 0.641-0.654). The TyG index was linearly associated with increased risk of MI and NSTEMI, whereas TyG-BMI, TyG-WC, and TyG-WHtR were nonlinearly associated with increased risk of MI and NSTEMI. There were distinct patterns in the relationships between these indicators with STEMI. TyG-WC provided the best diagnostic effectiveness for MI, STEMI, and NSTEMI.

Associations of remnant cholesterol in early pregnancy with gestational diabetes mellitus risk: a prospective birth cohort study

BackgroundRemnant cholesterol (RC) reportedly contributes to the development of diabetes mellitus. However, evidence on the relationship between maternal RC and the risk of developing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) during pregnancy is limited. This study aimed to assess the relationship between maternal RC and GDM risk during early pregnancy, and explore the potential pathways involved in the relationship between RC levels and GDM risk.MethodsFrom 2018 to 2021, a prospective birth cohort study was designed and carried out in China. The associations of maternal RC and other lipid parameters with GDM risk were estimated using logistic regression models and restricted cubic splines. Subgroup analyses were performed stratified by prepregnancy body mass index (pre-BMI), maternal age and gravidity. Mediation analyses were conducted to explore the mediating effect of some related factors on the relationship between RC levels and the risk of GDM.ResultsA total of 33,018 pregnant women were included. The median RC level was 0.47 ± 0.20 mmol/L. The prevalence of GDM was 15.19%. As RC quartiles increased, the incidence of GDM increased substantially, reaching 19.24% for the highest quartile of RC (P < 0.001). Maternal RC in the first trimester was positively correlated with GDM risk (OR: 2.254, 95% CI: 1.943–2.615). Compared to the lowest RC quartile, higher RC quartiles were correlated with an increased risk of GDM, and the ORs (95% CIs) for Q3 and Q4 were 1.208 (1.101–1.325) and 1.489 (1.364–1.626), respectively. Moreover, a linear dose–response relationship was found for this association (P for all < 0.001, P for nonlinearity > 0.05) and was consistent across subgroups with different pre-BMIs, maternal ages and gravidities (all P values for interactions > 0.05). Furthermore, the correlation between RC level and GDM risk was partially mediated by pre-BMI (9.20%) and blood glucose level (-11.1%).ConclusionsHigher maternal RC levels in the early stage of pregnancy was positively associated with an increased risk of developing GDM. This association was partially mediated by pre- BMI and blood glucose levels.

Exploring the thermoluminescence characteristics of smartphone screen safety glasses for retrospective dosimetry applications

In clinical settings, standard dosimeters might miss radiation mishaps. Retrospective dosimeters could help to track personnel (such as patients and other staff who don't wear dosimeters) exceeding safe limits and assess long-term exposure trends. This study has investigated key thermoluminescence (TL) dosimetric characteristics, including the glow curve structure, dose-response, energy dependence, sensitivity and fading of various safety glasses that are used as screen protectors of smartphones subjected to photon irradiation. Among the studied glasses, the HD Anti-Peep safety glass for iPhone has been found to exhibit a linear dose-response with a regression coefficient of 99% within the dose range of 2–10 Gy. Moreover, all the safety glasses showed independence with respect to photon energy of 6 MV and 10 MV. The TL glow curves of the samples showed a broad glow peak between 125 °C and 325 °C at 10 Gy. The TL kinetic parameters of the safety glasses were also studied by analyzing the glow curves using the peak shape and initial rise method. The geometric factor (μg) is found to be within the range of 0.43–0.53, which indicates the suitability of applying Chen's general-order formula to calculate the kinetic parameters such as activation energy, frequency factor and trap lifetime. The activation energy (E) and frequency factor (s) are found in the range of 0.31–0.54 eV and 4.55 × 103 to 2.12 × 106 s−1 respectively obtained via the peak shape method. The relatively long trap lifetime and observed thermoluminescence features indicate that the HD Anti-Peep safety glass offers a better option to estimate dose retrospectively to ensure the safety of human health.

Luminescence and dosimetry investigations of Eu(III) doped Ca2CeVO6 novel double perovskite

A novel composition of vanadate double perovskite Ca2CeVO6 doped with Eu3+ was successfully synthesized using combustion synthesis, wherein the doping levels of Eu3+ ranged from 1 to 6 mol%. The Rietveld refinement of the powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) data confirmed the orthorhombic structure of the phosphors. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX) were employed to investigate the surface morphology and elemental distribution in the phosphor, respectively. Under the excitation at 280 nm and 467 nm, the phosphor exhibited strong down-conversion red photoluminescence (PL) emission, attributed to Eu3+ transitions (5D0-7FJ, where J = 0–3) originating from its 4f states. The intensity of PL emission shows increasing trend with increasing doping concentration. However, exceeding the threshold doping concentrations led reduction in PL intensity due to multipolar interaction effects. Additionally, the Eu3+ doped Ca2CeVO6 phosphors were subjected to irradiation with a radioactive 90Sr/90Y beta source to explore their thermoluminescence (TL) properties. Post-irradiation, the phosphors displayed prominent TL glow curves, with the most intense peak at around 94 °C, followed by peaks at 160 °C and 288 °C. The TL intensity of these peaks exhibited a linear dose response within the dose range of 1 Gy–50 Gy. Besides, the TL fading and reproducibility tests showed satisfactory results. Furthermore, Tmax-Tstop experiments revealed the presence of three trap centres within the trap depth range of 0.7–2.1 eV in the Ca2CeVO6:Eu3+ phosphor. Additionally, the glow curve deconvolution (GCD) was employed to determine trapping parameters, providing valuable insights into the TL behaviour of the phosphor. Overall, the results suggest that the novel phosphor under study holds promise for its applications in lighting devices and TL dosimetry (TLD).

Impact of sample preparation temperature on Li and Ce co-doped MgB4O7 dosimetry performance: A plausible scenario for controlling defect clustering

MgB4O7 co-doped with Ce and Li has been recognized as a promising dosimetric material for spatially-resolved optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) measurements. Nevertheless, conflicting information exists in the literature regarding its dosimetric characteristics. These include discrepancies in fading, the proportion of shallow traps, the range of linear dose response, and a notable absence of direct sensitivity comparisons. These discrepancies are likely attributed to variations in the synthesis methods utilized to produce this material. As part of our research initiative aiming at elucidating the influence of synthesis on the luminescence properties, we are examining in this contribution a single parameter – specifically, the sample preparation temperature – and assessing its impact on the luminescence properties. For the first time, we identified a correlation between the width of the thermoluminescence (TL) glow curves, the TL, optically stimulated luminescence (OSL), and radioluminescence (RL) intensities, as well as the fading characteristics over time and annealing temperature. We show that annealing at higher temperature leads to narrowing of the main TL peak (c.a. 240 °C at 5 °C/s heating rate) compared with samples prepared at lower temperatures, which in turn leads to a decrease in the integrated TL intensity of that peak. Despite exhibiting lower intensity, samples prepared at temperatures above 800 °C show less than 10 % TL/OSL fading over 60 days. Our measurements suggest an involvement of clustered defects for the samples prepared at 600 °C, with a shift towards a scenario of delocalized transitions in samples prepared at higher temperatures.

Secondary cancer risk in six anatomical sites when using PAT, IMPT, and VMAT/IMRT radiotherapy

Background and purposeCompared to intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT), proton arc therapy (PAT) is expected to improve dose conformality, delivery efficiency, and provide a more favorable LET distribution. Alternatively, the low-dose bath is potentially spread over larger volumes, which could impact the likelihood of developing a radiation-induced, secondary cancer (SC). The goal of this study was to evaluate this risk in several anatomical sites using newly developed commercial tools. Materials and methodsTreatment plans encompassing six anatomical sites, five patients per site, and three techniques per patient were created using RayStation. Techniques included PAT and IMPT for protons, and either volumetrically modulated radiotherapy (VMAT) or intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for photons. Risk estimates were based on the organ-equivalent dose (OED) concept using both Schneider’s mechanistic dose–response model for carcinoma induction and a linear dose–response model. ResultsWith few exceptions, mean and integral dose were lowest with PAT. For protons, the factor OEDIMPT/OEDPAT ranged from 0.7 to 1.8 with both the mechanistic and linear model, while for photons OEDphoton/OEDPAT ranged from 1.5 to 10 using the mechanistic model and 1.3 to using the linear model. A strong correlation was found between mean dose and OED for organs with significant repopulation/repair (high R value) and less cell death from single hit interactions (low α value). ConclusionBased on results from both mechanistic and linear risk models, the transition from IMPT to PAT should not substantially affect SC risk in patients treated with proton therapy. Additionally, when using Schneider’s model, the shapes of the dose–response curves can be used as a good predictor of how SC risk will respond to shifts from intermediate dose to low dose as anticipated when moving from IMPT to PAT.

Investigating luminescence signals of pharmaceuticals and dietary supplements for emergency dosimetry

This study investigates the potential use of dietary supplements and pharmaceuticals containing magnesium, calcium or potassium for emergency dosimetry applications using the phenomenon of optically stimulated luminescence (OSL). Signal measurements were carried out using different stimulation wavelengths, and blue light stimulation was found to be the most efficient. More than half of the samples exhibited a measurable OSL signal and relatively high radiation sensitivity compared to other previously measured emergency detectors. Moreover, samples generally demonstrated a linear dose response. Possible causes of their high zero-dose signal were investigated: mechanical processing and UV light excitation. As variability in sensitivity was observed, the test-dose protocol was used during measurements. Furthermore, the study showed a significant loss of OSL signal intensity within 24 h after irradiation, which suggests the necessity for a fading correction. Finally, a dose recovery test was performed to evaluate the materials and the test-dose protocol under realistic conditions. The findings indicate the potential for using pharmaceuticals and dietary supplements in the event of a radiation emergency due to their dosimetric properties and ease of obtaining.

Serum albumin, genetic susceptibility, and risk of venous thromboembolism

BackgroundPrevious research on the association between serum albumin (ALB) and venous thromboembolism (VTE) has produced inconclusive results. The polygenic risk score is constructed from a set of independent risk variants associated with a disorder, enabling the identification of a larger fraction of the population at comparable or greater disease risk. It is still unknown whether ALB and genetic factors jointly contribute to the incidence of VTE. ObjectivesThe present study aimed to explore ALB, genetic susceptibility, and the risk of VTE. MethodsThe present investigation was an analysis of prospectively collected data from UK Biobank, a population-based, longitudinal cohort. Cox proportional models were used to calculate hazard ratios and 95% CIs for VTE. The Kaplan–Meier curve was utilized to visualize the cumulative risk of VTE according to different serum ALB levels, and the restricted cubic spline model was leveraged to explore the exposure–response relationship among ALB levels and VTE risk. ResultsDuring median follow-up of 13.5 years, 11,502 cases with VTE were diagnosed among 417,113 participants in the UK Biobank. The lower ALB levels were associated with a higher risk for VTE. Individuals with both a high genetic risk and lowest ALB level had the highest risk of VTE (hazard ratio, 3.89; 95% CI, 3.41-4.43), compared with those with low genetic risk and highest ALB level. The positive joint effects of low ALB and polygenic risk score increased the risk of VTE in individuals with high genetic risk. This study excluded non-European patients and primarily focused on the European population, which may limit the generalizability of the findings. ConclusionLow serum ALB levels were linked to an increased risk of VTE, which was in accordance with a linear dose–response relationship. There was a positive additive effect of ALB and genetic susceptibility on the risk of VTE. ALB could serve as a biomarker for predicting the risk of VTE.

Association between new Life’s Essential 8 and the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in patients with hypertension: a cohort study

BackgroundThe American Heart Association recently introduced a new model for cardiovascular health (CVH) known as Life’s Essential 8 (LE8). The impact of LE8 on hypertensive individuals is currently unclear. In our study, we investigated the correlation between comprehensive and individual CVH indicators as defined by LE8, and the mortality rates in hypertension patients.MethodsWe analyzed a total of 8,448 hypertensive individuals aged ≥ 20 years who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2007 to 2016. These participants were nonpregnant and noninstitutionalized. We identified their mortality by linking their data to the National Death Index until December 31, 2019. The overall cardiovascular health (CVH) was assessed using the LE8 score, which ranged from 0 to 100. Additionally, we evaluated the scores for each component of diet, physical activity, tobacco/nicotine exposure, sleep duration, body mass index, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, blood glucose, and blood pressure. The CVH were categorized into low (0–49), moderate (50–79), and high (80–100) CVH.ResultsOver an average follow-up period of 7.41 years, 1,482 (17.54%) of the participants died, among which 472 deaths were attributed to CVD. When compared to adults with lower total CVH scores, those with elevated total CVH scores displayed a 37% reduced risk of mortality from all causes (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 0.63, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.45–0.88). In relation to CVD-specific mortality, the corresponding aHRs for moderate and high total CVH scores were 0.76 (0.60–0.97) and 0.54 (0.31–0.94), respectively. Furthermore, after adjusting for potential confounders, it was observed that higher scores on the LE8 index were associated with a reduced risk of both all-cause mortality (aHR for every 10-score increase, 0.91; 95% CI = 0.86–0.96) and CVD-specific mortality (aHR for every 10-score increase, 0.82; 95% CI = 0.75–0.90). Notably, a linear dose–response relationship was observed in this association. Similar patterns were identified in the relationship between health behavior and both all-cause and CVD-specific mortality.ConclusionsAchieving a higher CVH score, as per the new LE8 guidelines, has been found to be associated with a reduced risk of mortality from all causes and specifically from CVD in patients with hypertension. Therefore, public health and healthcare initiatives that focus on promoting higher CVH scores could potentially yield significant benefits in terms of reducing mortality rates among individuals with hypertension.

Novel approach for emergency dosimetry: Investigations of screen protectors for smartphones by EPR spectroscopy

Screen protectors for smartphone are investigated in attempts for emergency dosimetry as for example in case of malicious attacks with radioactive sources or accidental overexposure. Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) measurements were carried out on six different types of screen protectors (SPs). The inter and intra batch variability of the EPR signals characteristics (sensitivity, stability, signal shape) were studied. Contrary to touch screen (De Angelis et al., 2015; Juniewicz et al., 2020), UVB exposure for SP is not a limiting confounding factor. All samples under irradiation exhibit same EPR signals. The nature of the radio-induced point defects was identified (HC1 and HC2) as well as their evolution according to dose. The linear dose response was studied in the 0–5 Gy dose range with a detection limit estimated of 750 mGy with a field deployable benchtop EPR spectrometer. Large variability of the dose response prevents presently from using universal calibration curve. Therefore, further work is needed to consider possible application for triage in the case of large-scale accidents scenarios.

Association between obstructive sleep apnea severity and depression risk: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has received considerable attention as a potential risk factor for depressive symptoms. The systematic review was conducted to confirm the dose‒response connection between OSA severity and depression risk. A systematic literature search of English and Chinese articles published in PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and SinoMed databases from their inception to 28 August 2023 was conducted. An evaluation using the Newcastle‒Ottawa Scale was performed. A meta-analysis was used to evaluate the impact of OSA severity. A random-effects dose‒response model was conducted to evaluate the linear and nonlinear dose‒response connections. We evaluated publication bias by funnel plots, and symmetry by Egger's test. We identified 18 cross-sectional researches. 3143 participants which were involved in the dose‒response meta-analysis. Contrasted with mild OSA, individuals with severe OSA had a higher adjusted risk of depression (rate ratio: 1.34, 95% confidence interval = 1.05-1.70), with substantial heterogeneity (I2 = 70.9%, Pheterogeneity<0.001). There is a significant linear connection between OSA severity and depression risk. The depression risk increased by 0.4% for every 1 event per hour increase in the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). The protocol for this unfunded research was drafted and registered at PROSPERO (ID CRD42023474097).

Structural, optical and thermoluminescence properties of amazonite

This study presents an analysis of the structural and thermoluminescence properties of amazonite, a feldspar species. The characterization was done using X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), optical spectroscopy, and vibrational spectroscopies such as Raman and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR). The sample exhibits a partial (Al, Si) ordenation, and contains an albite phase in addition to microcline. FTIR and Raman indicated the presence of water and OH– vibration modes. Optical absorption measurements highlighted the influence of the hydroxyl groups as catalyst for Pb transitions, contributing to the coloration of amazonite. Thermoluminescence (TL) studies were performed within a dose range from 0.1 to 10 Gy using a built-in beta source (90Sr/90Y; delivering 10 mGy/s), showing seven TL glow peaks based on non-first kinetic order. The sample exhibited a linear dose–response, with TL signals proving to be both repeatable and reproducible (CV ∼ 2%). Fading analysis showed the first two TL peaks disappear after 16 days of dark storage. Thermal quenching behavior was investigated under various heating rates, demonstrating a decrease in luminescence efficiency with increasing heating rates. Additionally, the activation energies were determined using different methods, and the amazonite TL glow curve presented activation energies values within 0.7 to 2 eV.

Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Is Associated With Prediabetes, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, and Insulin Resistance in Children: A Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-analysis of Epidemiologic Studies.

Although several investigations have been conducted on the association between serum vitamin D levels and prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in children and adolescents, their findings are inconsistent. We conducted a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis to summarize this subject. The electronic databases of ISI Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and motor engineering of Google Scholar were comprehensively searched up to May 2023. Epidemiologic studies that investigated the risk of hyperglycemia and insulin resistance in relation to serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels in children and adolescents were included. Twenty-two investigations, with a total of 38 622 participants, were systematically reviewed. Meta-analysis of 15 studies (n = 32 720 participants) showed that participants with the highest serum vitamin D levels had 42% lower risk of hyperglycemia, compared with those in the lowest category of serum vitamin D levels (relative risk [RR] = 0.58; 95%CI, 0.48, 0.71). Moreover, pooling 8 studies (n = 10 465 participants) illustrated that highest serum vitamin D level was associated with a 44% lower risk of insulin resistance compared with the lowest serum vitamin D level (RR = 0.56; 95%CI, 0.37, 0.83). Based on linear dose-response analysis, each 10 nmol/L increment in serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D was associated with a 6% decreased risk of hyperglycemia and insulin resistance in children. Furthermore, nonlinear dose-response analysis revealed that increasing serum vitamin D concentration from 40 nmol/L to sufficient values (>50 nmol/L) was associated with a decreasing trend in risk of hyperglycemia and insulin resistance. This meta-analysis revealed inverse associations between serum vitamin D levels and hyperglycemia and insulin resistance in children and adolescents, in a dose-response manner. Increasing serum vitamin D concentration from 40 nmol/L to sufficient values (>50 nmol/L) was associated with a decreasing trend in hyperglycemia and insulin resistance risk. Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO registration no. CRD42023458155.

Dose measurements with radiophotoluminescent glass dosimeters (GD- 352M and GD-302M) in therapeutic proton beams

Radiophotoluminescent glass dosimeters (RPLDs) are increasingly used, especially to measure the doses in therapeutic beams, but the reported data are mainly related to photon and electron beams, while the data for proton beams are limited and not always consistent.In this study, dose measurements were performed with two types of RPLDs: GD-352M and GD-302 M (Asahi Techno Glass Corporation). The dose dependence, long-term fading and response in different Spread out Bragg Peak (SOBP) configurations were evaluated. The dose dependence was measured in the middle of the SOBP for doses ranging from 1 Gy to 120 Gy and a linear dose response was shown for both types of RPLDs. The long-term fading of RPLDs irradiated with proton beams determined under normal ambient conditions over a period of one year is negligible. The GD-352M and GD-302M responses were evaluated in different configurations of the SOPB. The fluence-averaged (LETf) and dose-averaged (LETd) LET values at the positions of the dosimeters were calculated using the PHITS Monte Carlo code. GD-302 M results showed a small under-response compared to the doses provided by treatment planning system (TPS) (within 1.9 %). GD-352M showed an under-response compared to TPS doses for all investigated ranges and modulations with an average under-response of 20 %, indicating the need for correction factors. Both types showed a slight decrease in the response with an increase in the LET.

Combined associations of visceral adipose tissue and adherence to a Mediterranean lifestyle with T2D and diabetic microvascular complications among individuals with prediabetes

BackgroundIt’s unclear if excess visceral adipose tissue (VAT) mass in individuals with prediabetes can be countered by adherence to a Mediterranean lifestyle (MEDLIFE). We aimed to examine VAT mass, MEDLIFE adherence, and their impact on type 2 diabetes (T2D) and diabetic microvascular complications (DMC) in individuals with prediabetes.Methods11,267 individuals with prediabetes from the UK Biobank cohort were included. VAT mass was predicted using a non-linear model, and adherence to the MEDLIFE was evaluated using the 25-item MEDLIFE index, encompassing categories such as “Mediterranean food consumption,” “Mediterranean dietary habits,” and “Physical activity, rest, social habits, and conviviality.” Both VAT and MEDLIFE were categorized into quartiles, resulting in 16 combinations. Incident cases of T2D and related DMC were identified through clinical records. Cox proportional-hazards regression models were employed to examine associations, adjusting for potential confounding factors.ResultsOver a median follow-up of 13.77 years, we observed 1408 incident cases of T2D and 714 cases of any DMC. High adherence to the MEDLIFE, compared to the lowest quartile, reduced a 16% risk of incident T2D (HR: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.71–0.98) and 31% for incident DMC (0.69, 0.56–0.86). Conversely, compared to the lowest quartile of VAT, the highest quartile increased the risk of T2D (5.95, 4.72–7.49) and incident any DMC (1.79, 1.36–2.35). We observed an inverse dose-response relationship between MEDLIFE and T2D/DMC, and a dose-response relationship between VAT and all outcomes (P for trend < 0.05). Restricted cubic spline analysis confirmed a nearly linear dose-response pattern across all associations. Compared to individuals with the lowest MEDLIFE quartile and highest VAT quartile, those with the lowest T2D risk had the lowest VAT and highest MEDLIFE (0.12, 0.08–0.19). High MEDLIFE was linked to reduced T2D risk across all VAT categories, except in those with the highest VAT quartile. Similar trends were seen for DMC.ConclusionHigh adherence to MEDLIFE reduced T2D and MDC risk in individuals with prediabetes, while high VAT mass increases it, but MEDLIFE adherence may offset VAT’s risk partly. The Mediterranean lifestyle’s adaptability to diverse populations suggests promise for preventing T2D.

Dosimetric response of radiophotoluminescent glass detectors in a scanning pencil proton beam

The dose and linear energy transfer (LET) dependence of the radiophotoluminescence (RPL) response was evaluated for RPL glass detectors, taken from the environmental dosimeter type SC-1, using a clinical 100 MeV and 200 MeV scanning pencil proton beam. The measurements were performed at different positions along the Bragg curves. The fluence-averaged (LETf) and dose-averaged (LETd) LET at the positions of the detectors were calculated using two Monte Carlo codes (MCNP and PHITS). Before measurements in proton beams, the linearity of the dose response for the dose range of interest (up to 10 Gy) was checked and confirmed in a Co-60 gamma ray field, since the FGD-202 reader for SC-1 dosimeters is usually used for doses up to 1 Gy and we found no data for higher doses in the literature. For proton beams, the linear dose response was determined for the doses investigated from 0.5 Gy to 8.8 Gy. For the LET range, which corresponds to the LETd from 0.47 keV/μm to 4.70 keV/μm, a decrease in response with an increase in LET was observed.