International Conference on Medical Physics August 03-05, 2015 Birmingham, UK

Biography:

Dr Huda Al Naemi has completed her PhD from Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt and continued her studies in the field of radiation in medicine. She has published many papers in reputed journals. Dr. Al Naemi also serves as the focal person for Radiation Safety at HMC and for the various Qatar government agencies such as; The Supreme Council of Health, Ministry of Environment and SIDRA. Dr. Al Naemi represents Qatar in a number of international meetings and conferences and work closely with global organizations such as; IAEA, UNEP and WHO and implements some of their projects at the national level.

Abstract:

This work started ten years ago at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) by monitoring radiation workers at five hospitals under HMC umbrella. More three hospitals has joined HMC in the year 2012, radiation workers number has increased to almost 2000, however only regular monitored staff been selected for this study. Medical modalities such as Radiology, Oncology, Nuclear Medicine, Cath-Lab, and Urology, etc. were covered, personal Thermoluminescent Dosimeter (TLD) technique been applied. Statistics for the last six years (2009 to 2014) were obtained and analyzed. The study concluded that the average annual occupational dose was 5.79 mSv, 5.46 mSv, 4.68 mSv, 2.21mSv, 1.77 mSv, 0.61 mSv, 0.56 mSv and 0.37 mSv for Cath-Lab technologist, interventional cardiologist, Cath-Lab nurse, interventional radiologist, radilogest, dentist, urology technologist and surgical nurse respectively. In order to deliver the monitoring results to all radiation workers, a new software been developed in the intranet of HMC to allow all radiation workers to access using their own corporation number to be updated by their occupational dose achieving

Biography:

Marco Dominietto is a medical physicist who completed his PhD in Biomedical Engineering at the ETH (Zurich, Switzerland). He moved to basic oncology research after five years of clinical experience. His research focuses on tumor development and images analysis both in animal models and human beings. He actually works at the Biomaterial Science Center at the University of Basel where he also develops energy harvesting strategies from human body to power artificial muscles.

Abstract:

Cancer is a multifactorial and heterogeneous disease. The corresponding complexity appears at multiple levels, from molecular to physiological behavior, and determine the different evolution of the same disease in different patients or the different response to the same therapy. Such complexity can be characterized by a set of quantitative phenotypic observables recorded in time-space resolved dimensions by using multimodal imaging approaches. These observables, called here features, measure single variables that account for single physiological processes both in tumor and hosting tissue, e.g. tumor oxygenation, vascular permeability, glucose consumption, etc. Clearly, in tumor progression all these features interact together and determine its evolution. The integration of all these information in a comprehensive framework is therefore one of the key to understand cancer disease in its entirety. Complex networks offer in this regard an ideal solution for the integration of multiple information layers at different space and time scales. Single parts of the tumor that correspond to voxel volumes on imaging readouts, constitute the nodes of the network that are linked together on the basis of the features distributions. Statistical inference on topological properties and dynamic evolution of the network allows the determination of the stage of the tumor and predicts its evolution. Moreover, treatment as chemotherapy or radiotherapy can be accounted as perturbation of the network. The advantages of this approach are in terms of a) integration of several features in a single framework, b) estimation of the interaction between tumor and hosting tissue and c) prediction of treatment efficacy.

Biography:

Mohammad has completed his BSc in Alquds university / Medical Imaging 2010, and MSc in Nuclear Medicine and targeted therapy from Istanbul University 2015. In the same year he started to be PhD Candidate in Istanbul University / School of Medicine/Nuclear Medicine Dept. He has scientific interests in the field of internal therapy dosimetry and Molecular & Multimodality Imaging, dose- limiting tissues Protection during therapy and clinical trials using radioactive tracers .

Abstract:

Aim: Dosimetry is an alternative strategy to the traditional fixed radioactive iodine treatment in metatstatic thyroid cancer therapy.Pretherapy dosimetry is increasingly recommended to calculated the maximum tolerable Activity for each patient in order to deliver absorbed dose not exceed 2 Gy for the red bone marrow and meanwhile optimization the response level of desired targeted lesions. Materials and Methods: 14 patients (9 female ,5 Male and Mean age 44±15.84 y ,TSH 65±43 µIU/ml,HTC 38.43±3.81 ng/ml, 5 patients were prepared by rhTSH; 9 patients by thyroid withdrawal) suffering from metastatic differentiated thyroid cancer were submitted to pretherapy maximum safe activity and lesion absorbed dose protocol to establish successive therapy using OLINDA/EXM Software and five different dosimetry Methods for comparison purposes. Dual head scintillation camera was utilized to measure whole body and lesions activities by drawing region of intrest adjacent to whole body and lesion contours and performing attenuation correction Besides to Blood samples collection which were measured in well –gama counter at several time points 2.6.24.48.72.96.144hours after oral administration of Radioiodine tracer (2mCi). To verify normal back ground count rate, 1 minute acquistion was performed before each whole body scan and subtracted from the related scan’s count.The neccesssery data were collected and modified according to the parameters of the dosimetry methods adopted by OLINDA/EXM, Wessels et al,Traino et al,Siegel et al,Shen et al ,and Keizer et al . Results: According to OLINDA/EXM software mean absorbed dose from tracer activity was 3.11±1.76mGy/mCi(for thyroid withdrawal 4.02±2.06 mGy/mCi ; and rTSH patients was 1.96±0.44) ,Wessels et al was 3.27±1.9mGy/mCi,Traino et al was 2.68±1.53 mGy/mCi,Kiezure et al was 2.2±1.16mGy/mCi,Siegal et al was 2.56±1.86 mGy/mCi , and Shen et al was 4.05±3.4 mGy/mCi. mean absorbed dose to distal metastatic lesions was 3.4±4.5 Gy/mCi. The deviation between the results of OLINDA/EXM software and the other dosimetry methods was variable 5.1%, -13.8%, 30%, -17%, and -29%. Discussion: Mean absorbed dose of bone marrow in Our study using OLINDA/EXM as reference for thyroid withdrawal patients was (4.02±2.06 mGy/mCi) similar to findings reported by Hänscheid H et al inwhich Aaverage bone-marrow doses were determined as average 4.2mGy/mCi (3.2 – 8.5 mGy/mCi) .For the patients with euthyrodisim (using rTSH) the absorbed dose was significantly lower ( mean: 1.96±0.44) And also within a range reported by other publishers (2.2-7.2mGy/mCi) for euthyroid .Chiese et al reported bone marrow absorbed dose using blood –based dosimetry 1.7-6.2 mGy/mCi .in this study four patients were prepared by exogemous TSH and absorbed dose of bone marrow was (1.59-7.26mGy/mCi) which is close to Keizer et al findings (2.2-7.2mGy/mCi) for euthyroid patients dosimetry . Conclusion Our study demonstrated that there is no statistically significant difference between the results reported by Wessels et al ,Shen et al and OLINDA/EXM for estimating red bone marrow dose .The amount of activity calculated to deliver 80 Gy for some distant metastatic lesion was< 250 mCi which represent the traditional maximum fixed dose.

Biography:

Natassa Pippa was born in 1987. She has completed her PhD from Faculty of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, under the guidance of the expert of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Prof. Costas Demetzos. During her PhD, she participated in the Research Programme “NANOMACRO: Functional Self-assembled Nanostructures from Block Copolymers and Proteins) in Theoretical and Physical Chemistry Institute, National Hellenic Research Foundation. She has published more than 30 peer –review papers and 2 chapters in Books. She has been selected as speaker in National and International Conferences and presented more than 35 posters. She has been awarded in three Congresses for her oral and poster presentations

Abstract:

Fractal analysis can be an attractive and alternative tool for characterizing the morphology of nanoparticles [1-3]. From the experimental point of view, determined fractal dimension comprehensively illustrates the self-assembly and the morphological complexity of drug nanocarriers. In recent literature, it is well established that the regulatory considerations are of great importance aiming at providing proof, concerning not only the design and preparation protocol of drug delivery systems, but also the final formulation’s physicochemical and morphological characteristics, especially in the pharmaceutical nanotechnology’s area. Additionally, fractal dimension plays a key role in the elucidation of morphological characteristics, while size and/or size distribution of drug nanocarriers did not change by changing the colloidal parameters, like temperature and concentration. In coming years, the above approach could be a useful tool for the development of innovative drug nanocarriers for drug or gene delivery with complete knowledge of their structural and morphological characteristics [4-5]. In conclusion, on the ubiquitous presence of fractals and fractal concepts in Pharmaceutical Sciences, the “pharmaceutical fractalomics” a term which can be correlated with other –omics in pharmaceutics can be considered as an alternative path in the field of novel pharmaceutics. Ref.: [1] Pippa, N., Kaditi, E., Pispas S., Demetzos C., (2013) Soft Matter, 9, 4073-482. [2] Pippa, N., Kaditi, E., Pispas S., Demetzos C., (2013) J. Nanopart. Res., 15,1685.[3] Pippa, N., Merkouraki, M., Pispas S., Demetzos C., (2013) Int. J. Pharm. 450(1-2),1-10. [4] Demetzos, C., Pippa, N., (2014). Int. J. Pharm. 473(1-2):213-8. [5] Pippa N., Dokoumetzidis, A., Demetzos, C., Macheras, P. (2014). Int. J. Pharm. 456(1-2):340-52.

Biography:

Abstract:

Purpose: Evaluate the knowledge and the attitudes of the Togolese radiographers on the medical irradiation of pregnant women. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional study performed in April, 2012 about 72 radiographers of the public and private hospitals in Togo. Results: The quarter of the radiographers thought that the MRI is an irradiant examination and 44.5 % of them did not know that the scintigraphy uses ionizing radiations. There were 77.7 % to consider that the pregnancy is not an absolute contraindication for any irradiant medical imaging modality. They thought in 88.8 % of the cases that radiography must be realized only in the first ten days of the menstrual cycle of women old enough to procreate. The majority of the radiographers (72.3%) did not ask the last date of menstruations of the women before undergoing the examination. None recorded the exposure parameters used for the irradiation of the pelvic in young women. The vast majority (86.1 %) of the radiographers did not wear lead aprons for the pregnant women during the examinations and 83.3 % of them have already refused to realize an unjustified radiography to the pregnant women. Globally, the erroneous knowledge on the biological effects of ionizing radiations and on radiation protection rules of the pregnant Woman, were more counted with radiographers having more than 10 years old of work experience. Conclusion: It is concluded the Togolese should take special attention to standard for women exposed to ionizing radiation. The sanitary authorities of Togo should encourage the in-service training in radiation protection of the patients. Keywords: Medical irradiation, Pregnancy, Ionizing Radiations, Radiographers, Radiation protection.

Biography:

Mathematics physical assessment of cardiac dynamics based on theory of probability and proportions of entropy in the intensive care unit for patients with arrhythmia

Abstract:

Mathematics physical assessment of cardiac dynamics based on theory of probability and proportions of entropy in the intensive care unit for patients with arrhythmia

Biography:

Maximilian Drexler graduated in 2011 his studies in mechanical engineering at the Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuernberg, Germany. In the same year he started his scientific work within the Collaborative Research Centre 814 – Additive Manufacturing. In 2013 he became managing director of this research project. Maximilian Drexler published over 10 papers facing the selective beam melting process.

Abstract:

So called 3D-Printing processes offer nearly unlimited freedom of part-design. Due to this fact, the processes are spotlighted especially for building complex, highly individualized parts, like implants. Despite the high theoretical potential of 3D-Printing processes related to production of complex products, only few of them meet the requirements for real ‘Additive Manufacturing’ of small lot size series. Often powder and beam based processes are ascribed to meet requirements of industrial production. Powder and beam based processes are a well-established technologies for rapid prototyping applications (known for example as Selective Laser Sintering – SLS), although there is still a deficit in basic process knowledge. Considering the demands of series production, especially of sensible products like implants, the powder and beam based techniques are faced with various challenges concerning suitable material systems, process strategies and part properties. Consequently, basic research is necessary to understand and optimize processes in order to enable a shift from rapid prototyping to rapid manufacturing of small lot sized series. A better understanding of the manifold interactions between materials, processes and resulting part properties are fundamental. State of the art is a strong variation of part properties even for superficial equal processing or material conditions. An explanation for this fact might be competing and superposing effects, which are not understood yet. The Collaborative Research Centre 814 – Additive Manufacturing (CRC 814), established 2011 in Erlangen by German Research Foundation (DFG), investigates further mentioned interactions. Therefore metal as well as polymeric powders are focused. Furthermore the built up of multi-level simulation models and the setup of inline measurement systems is performed. Within the lecture an overview about the interdisciplinary research activities of CRC 814 is given.

Biography:

M-V Papoutsaki is a medical physicist. She has completed her PhD at the age of 30 at University of Crete in research field of MRI polymer gel dosimetry in radiotherapy. Her PhD results were presented in conferences and scientific articles were published. Since 2014, she is undertaking her postdoctoral training as MRI physicist for clinical trials at the Institute of Cancer Research. Her current post gives her the opportunity to be involved in the development of multi-centre trials within a clinical setting, as well as to improve her research skills.

Abstract:

For quantitative MR quality control, an ideal phantom must provide reliable and reproducible multi-parameter measurements without any temperature dependence. Despite the fact that several phantoms have been presented in the literature, there is still a need for a phantom, which would provide reliable and reproducible values of temperature-dependent magnetic resonant (MR) parameters with values relevant to the corresponding physiological ranges with temperature control. In this study, a new polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) temperature-controlled phantom is presented for the quality control of quantitative T1, T2 and diffusion measurements. This phantom is cylindrical and contains 7 vials, one of distilled water and six of aqueous Polyvinylpyrolidone solutions. Its temperature control was achieved by filling it with ice-water. T1-weighted, T2-weighted and diffusion-weighted measurements were performed on a 1.5T MR scanner by using an Inversion Recovery technique, a multi-echo spin echo sequence and single shot echo planar imaging acquisition respectively three times in order to assess their short and long-term repeatability. For each measurement, the corresponding parameter maps were calculated and the T1, T2 and ADC values of each vial were estimated. The results indicate good short and long-term repeatability. The ADC estimates and the relation with the PVP concentrations were consistent with previously published results covering a range of physiologically relevant values. T1 and T2 values were comparable with the corresponding values of biological tissues and fluids respectively. As a conclusion, a PVP phantom at ice-water temperatures is suitable and reliable for multi-parametric quantitative MR quality control in a clinical setting.

Biography:

Dr. Arshad Zaman is an experienced neuroscientist with over 15 years experience in developing and clinically applying functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) at international centers of excellence (Walton Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery, WCNN, Pain Research Institute). Previous studies encompass a spectrum of applications from cognitive impact of new consumer products to state-of-the-art applications (e.g. pain relief, brain training, etc). Current commitments centre around clinical utilisation of fMRI.

Abstract:

Functional magnetic resonance imaging or functional MRI (fMRI) is a state-of-the-art functional neuroimaging technique that measures brain activity by detecting associated changes in blood flow. fMRI is increasingly playing key role in providing a deeper insight into brain function and or functional brain networks. In fact, fMRI has matured over the last two decades from a research technique to robust technique implemented in a spectrum of domains, from judicial, commercial to clinical. There are several new approaches in fMRI acquisition, analysis, and acquisition that further springboard this exciting technique into the clinical arena.

Biography:

Prof. Zang-Hee Cho received Ph.D. from Uppsala University (Sweden) in 1966 and has been faculty at the University of California-Los Angeles, Columbia University, University of California, Irvine, and more recently as a University Professor and Director of the Neuroscience Research Institute, Gachon University, till he joined as a Distinguished Research Fellow at the Advanced Institute of Convergence Technology (AICT), Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea Professor Cho is the pioneer of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging. He was the one who developed world’s first "Ring PET" in 1975 and more recently, the first PET-MRI (Proteomics 2008). Among the numerous honors and awards, Professor Cho was elected as a member of the US National Academy of Sciences- Institute of Medicine in 1997.

Abstract:

New imaging system, the Brain dedicated PET-MRI, using High resolution PET and Ultra High Field 7.0T Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and their applications to Brain Research, especially to the areas of neuropsychiatry, neurosurgery and neuroscience will be discussed. Among the interesting topical areas, applications of the high resolution brain PET(HRRT) and the ultra high field MRI(7.0T) will be highlighted. Especially for the In-vivo Human brain imaging with ultra-high field MRI, such as the 7.0T MRI, one can now visualize the substructures of the thalamus and brainstem in-vivo as well as tractography hitherto unable to do with existing MRI systems. Together with molecular imaging using Positron Emission Tomography (PET), that is the brain dedicated PET-MRI fusion system developed recently, now, it is possible to visualize molecular mechanisms quantitatively in our human brain in-vivo as well as their Connectivity. Lastly, Ultra-high field MRI also began to provide excellent tractographic images delinealing fine fibers such as medial forebrain bundles and internal medullary laminars in the thalamo-limbic areas suggesting future potential applications of these fibers to, among others, such as the DBS (Deep Brain Stimulation). Some recent results of brain PET-MRI fusion system as well as the new tractographic images obtained with 7.0T will be discussed and high lighted.