ORIGINAL_ARTICLE The radiobiological effects of high atomic number and energy (HZE particles) ion beams are of interest for radioprotection in space and tumor radiotherapy. Space radiation mainly consists of heavy charged particles from protons to iron ions, which is distinct from common terrestrial forms of radiation. HZE particles pose a significant cancer risk to astronauts on prolonged space missions. With high delivered energies and intense ionization, HZE particles can damage not only the biological systems but also the shielding materials. HZE particles are more effective than low-LET radiation like g- or X-rays to induce genetic mutation and cancer. On Earth, similar ions are being used for targeted cancer therapy due to the advantage of the inverse dose profile, with delivering higher doses to the tumor while keeping lower doses to the surrounding tissues. In this review, we focus on the recent insights into the biological effects caused by HZE particles and the corresponding mechanism. We also discuss the current application of HZE particle in cancer therapy. Understanding the mechanisms underlying the repair of DNA damage induced by HZE particles contribute to accurately estimate the risks to human health associated with HZE particle exposure and to improve the effectiveness of tumor radiotherapy. http://ijrr.com/article-1-1664-en.pdf 2016-05-02 1 7 10.18869/acadpub.ijrr.14.1.1 HZE particles space radiation clustered DNA damage radiotherapy J. Zhu 1 Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou AUTHOR Z. Ren 2 Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou AUTHOR Y. Chen 3 Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou AUTHOR B. Hu hubr@impcas.ac.cn 4 Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou AUTHOR

ORIGINAL_ARTICLE Background: DNA damage is one of the major consequences of radiation exposure onto the biological systems. A series of compounds including flavanoids were found to render DNA protection against radiation damage. In this study we elucidated the potential of rutin and rutin hydrate to protect plasmid DNA against damage induced by irradiation. Materials and Methods: DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging assays were performed to assess the antiradical potential of rutin and rutin hydrate. Absorption measurements were performed to assess binding parameters of rutin and rutin hydrate with calf thymus (CT)-DNA. Plasmid relaxation assay was performed to compare the radio protective potential of rutin and rutin hydrate against gamma irradiation mediated oxidative damage of pET28 plasmid DNA. Results: DPPH· assay indicated fast reaction kinetics for rutin and rutin hydrate. However antiradical parameter in terms of EC50 suggested better scavenging capacity for rutin hydrate as compared to rutin. Hydroxyl radical scavenging assay further suggested that both the compounds displayed significant reduction in hydroxyl radicals. Absorption binding study with CT-DNA suggested that rutin hydrate has better binding constant value (Ka = 8.257 x 104 M-1) compared to Ka = 1.834 x 104 M-1 for rutin. Plasmid relaxation study demonstrated that plasmid DNA remains predominantly in super-coiled form in the presence of both rutin and rutin hydrate after exposure to 100 Gy of g-radiation. Conclusion: The mechanistic studies suggested that binding and scavenging capacity of rutin hydrate and rutin contributes towards DNA radioprotection. This study may be helpful in devising potent radioprotector molecules helpful for the radiotherapy treatment. http://ijrr.com/article-1-1665-en.pdf 2016-05-02 9 16 10.18869/acadpub.ijrr.14.1.9 Rutin hydrate DNA radioprotection DPPH assay flavonoids binding constant H. Ojha 1 Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences AUTHOR K. Sharma 2 Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences AUTHOR S. Kallepalli 3 Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences AUTHOR S. Raina 4 Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences AUTHOR P.K. Agrawala paban@inmas.drdo.in 5 Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences AUTHOR

ORIGINAL_ARTICLE Background: In radiation therapy, the peripheral dose is important when anatomical structures with very low dose tolerances are involved. In this study, the two available calculation algorithms of the Varian Eclipse 8.6 treatment planning system(TPS), the anisotropic analytic algorithm (AAA) and pencil-beam convolution (PBC) was used to compare measured and calculated peripheral dose distribution of physical wedged (PW) and enhanced dynamic wedged fields (EDW). Materials and Methods: Peripheral dose measurements were carried out for 6 and 18 MV photons using a 0.6cc Farmer-type ionization chamber in the slab phantom. Measurements were performed using 15°, 30°, 45° and 60° PW and EDW for three different field sizes at dmax and up to a maximum distance of 50 cm beyond the field edges. peripheral dose was further computed using two different algorithms of a TPS. The measured and calculated datas were then compared to find which algorithm calculates peripheral dose distribution more accurately. Results: Both algorithms from the TPS adequately model the peripheral dose distribution up to 45 degrees. For large field sizes with 600 EDW, the largest deviation between calculated and measured dose distribution is less than 3.5% using the AAA, but can increase up to 9.7% of the distribution using PBC. Conclusion: The AAA models wedged peripheral dose distributions more accurately than the PBC does for all studied conditions; the difference between the algorithms are more significant for large wedge angles and large field sizes. It must be emphasized that the use of PBC for planning large-field treatments with 600 EDW could lead to inaccuracies of clinical significance. http://ijrr.com/article-1-1666-en.pdf 2016-05-02 17 24 10.18869/acadpub.ijrr.14.1.17 Physical wedge enhanced dynamic wedge peripheral dose distribution calculation algorithms AAA PBC H. Acar hilalacar@hotmail.com 1 Selcuk University AUTHOR G. Yavas 2 Selcuk University AUTHOR C. Yavas 3 Konya Training and Research Hospital AUTHOR

ORIGINAL_ARTICLE Background: Use of contrast agents (CAs) during CT simulation for treatment planing system leads to changes in  electron density. In this study we aimed to investigate the effect on  calculated dose of various concentrations of CAs on treatment planing systems in different dose calculation algorithms. Materials and Methods: Contrast agent (0.769 mg/ml Iopromid) - water mixtures at concentrations of 0%, 1%, 2%, 5% and 10% in total volume of 500 ml for each were made by using five identical balloons. Calculations were performed by Cobalt-60 and 10 MV linear accelerator devices in CMS XIO treatment planning system. The prescribed dose of 100cGy was given to the center of balloon that is isocenter of SAD technique at 10cm from the surface. The doses at maximum dose depth (dmax) and at 5 cm were calculated according to the separate algorithms by either making or not making a correction for CA, and the results were recorded. Results: In all algorithms, as contrast ratio increases, the dose values at dmax and 5 cm-depth increase accordingly. When the doses at dmax and 5 cm-depth were compared for Linac and Co-60 in all algorithms, it has been shown that the dmax value of Co-60 was higher and the difference was greater in parallel with increasing contrast ratio in comparing with Linac. Conclusion: When required during the planning, the treatment plan should be calculated via providing an electron density correction by contouring the volume retaining CAs along the beam line. http://ijrr.com/article-1-1667-en.pdf 2016-05-02 25 30 10.18869/acadpub.ijrr.14.1.25 Contrast agent hounsfield unit electron density treatment planing system radiotherapy M. Izmirli 1 Yuzuncu Yıl University AUTHOR T. Çakır 2 Yuzuncu Yıl University AUTHOR S. Avcu 3 Gazi University AUTHOR M. Nart 4 Yuzuncu Yıl University AUTHOR

ORIGINAL_ARTICLE Background: Recently, there have been many studies on the harmful effects of radiation and the regulations on radiation safety have been toughened both at the in nation and abroad. This study aims to identify the perceptions and actions taken as to radiation safety, and the degree of knowledge related to radiation held by the radiologists working in large hospitals. Materials and Methods: The research tool used in this study is a structured questionnaire. It is consisted of three parts. The first part was about demographic characteristics with 10 questions. The second part was about basic knowledge with 15 questions. The third part was about the perceptions and actions with 10 questions each. The data was statistically analyzed by t-test, ANOVA and I-P analysis. Results: First, the more education the study subjects received, their knowledge of radiation increased even though the result was not statistically significant. Second, there was a statistically significant difference in relation to the gender and the age group in safety management practices. The degree of safety management practice was higher among the men than the women. Third, there was a statistically significant difference at the significant level of 5 percent in all 10 questions on the radiation safety management and the degree of practice. Conclusion: Since there is a growing importance on the radiation safety management, it is imperative to tailor educational programs to trainees’ gender, age, educational level and duty in order to make the education program for radiation professionals more teleological. http://ijrr.com/article-1-1668-en.pdf 2016-05-02 31 37 10.18869/acadpub.ijrr.14.1.31 Radiation professionals radiation safety management education radiation safety perception radiation safety measure K. Choi 1 Jeonju University AUTHOR T.J. Han 2 Jeonju University AUTHOR J.K. Cho cjk0129@naver.com 3 Jeonju University AUTHOR

ORIGINAL_ARTICLE Background: Radioactive substances are water chemical contaminants. In this study, the concentration of radon was measured in drinking water supplies of Taft villages (part of Dehshir-Baft fault located in central part of Iran) and also Shirkooh area with granite rocks (containing uranium). Materials and Methods: This cross sectional research was conducted in fall 2013 and winter 2014 on the sources of drinking water and also drinking water network of Taft city of Yazd province. According to the measured radon levels; the annual effective absorbed dose was also calculated. Results: Minimum and maximum levels of radon gas were related to sample number 54 (0.88 BqL-1) and number 31 (43.01BqL-1). Range of radon concentrations was 1.88-43.01 BqL-1 in samples of wells in private homes, 0.88- 20.36 BqL-1 in supplier wells of public network of drinking water, 1.23-10.29 BqL-1 in aqueducts, 1.23-11.49 BqL-1 in water tap connected to the public network and 12.89 BqL-1 in one measured spring. The annual effective absorbed dose through drinking and breathing in an environment that this water is used ranged from 0.00 msv/y (sample No.54) to 0.11 msv/y (sample No.31). Conclusion: Radon concentration was lower than the limit set by the Environmental Protection Agency of United States of America, in 82% of samples. Samples with high radon concentrations were located around Shirkooh area due to the presence of granitic rocks. Dehshir and Garizat villages located through Dehshir - Baft fault and the Radon concentration of these samples was less than the permissible limit, probably due to the inactive Fault. http://ijrr.com/article-1-1669-en.pdf 2016-05-02 39 46 10.18869/acadpub.ijrr.14.1.39 Radon drinking water effective dose Taft M. Malakootian m.malakootian@yahoo.com 1 Kerman University of Medical Sciences AUTHOR H. Salmani Marvast 2 Kerman University of Medical Sciences AUTHOR A. Negharestani 3 Kerman University of Medical Sciences AUTHOR F. Iranmanesh 4 Kerman University of Medical Sciences AUTHOR

ORIGINAL_ARTICLE Background: Ionizing radiation irradiated from iodine-131 can induce DNA damage and cell death. The cellular DNA damage is the cause of mutation and cancer. The micronucleus assay in polychromatic erythrocytes was applied to assess the radio-protective effect of Turmeric extract on genotoxic potential of iodine therapy. Materials and Methods: Thirty six male albino rats were randomly divided in six groups. A single dose (200 or 500 mg/kg) of Turmeric extract was injected to the rats 30 min before iodine therapy. Iodine-131 (5.55 MBq) was administrated intra peritoneal to the experimental animals. The percentage of micronuclei in PCE, NCE and ratio of PCE / (PCE + NCE) was determined 48 h after iodine injection for each experimental group to assess iodine-131 radiation effects with or without Turmeric extract. Results: Iodine therapy showed a significant increase in the number of micronucleus formation. The animals treated with different doses of Turmeric extract + iodine showed a significant reduction in the frequency of micronucleus compared to the animals treated with iodine-131 alone. Both doses of Turmeric extract had the same effect when injected 30 min prior to iodine therapy. Conclusion: Our results indicate protective effect of Turmeric extract against genetic damages induced by iodine-131 administration. http://ijrr.com/article-1-1670-en.pdf 2016-05-02 47 51 10.18869/acadpub.ijrr.14.1.47 Turmeric iodine-131 micronucleus M. Jadidi jadidim@semums.ac.ir 1 Semnan University of Medical Sciences AUTHOR A.A. Taherian 2 Semnan University of Medical Sciences AUTHOR M. Mahdinejad 3 Semnan University of Medical Sciences AUTHOR

OTHERS_CITABLE Background: Ewing Sarcoma Family of Tumors (ESFTs) is the second most common primary tumors of bone in childhood. The decision regarding the optimal modality for achieving local tumor control remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to report the clinical features and outcome as well as reviewing risk factors in patients. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 75 ESFTs patients who were treated at cancer institute between 2004 and 2009. Files of all patients with ESFTs were reviewed retrospectively and we called them for follow up. Specific data were collected with regard to the age at diagnosis, gender, tumor site and size, clinical stage, surgical procedure, plan of radiotherapy and treatment outcome (5-year and median survival). Results: The mean age at diagnosis was 21 that ranged from 1 to 52 years (SD = 9.6). The mean tumor size at diagnosis was 4.8±4.48 cm. The percent of biopsy only, partial and complete resection was 54.7% (41 patients), 6.7% (5 patients) and 37.3% (28 patients) respectively. Radiotherapy was done as definitive treatment or postoperatively (adjuvant) in 46 (61.3%) and 16 (21.4%) patients respectively. Overall 5 year survival was 24% and median survival for patients with and without metastases was 21±17 and 75±10 months. Conclusion: Presence of metastases, age at diagnosis, positive surgical margin and tumor size were the prognostic factors that influenced outcome of patients. This study suggests that radiation therapy is an acceptable local treatment modality in patients with Ewing sarcoma family. http://ijrr.com/article-1-1671-en.pdf 2016-05-02 53 57 10.18869/acadpub.ijrr.14.1.53 Ewing sarcoma radiotherapy multimodality treatment E. Esmati 1 Cancer Institute AUTHOR A. Maddah Safaei afsan1980@ymail.com 2 Cancer Institute AUTHOR M. Babaei 3 Cancer Institute AUTHOR H. Nosrati 4 Cancer Institute AUTHOR H. Momeni 5 Cancer Institute AUTHOR

OTHERS_CITABLE Background: Accurate small radiation field dosimetry is essential in modern radiotherapy techniques such as stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). Precise measurement of dosimetric parameters such as beam profile, percentage depth doses and output factor of these beams are complicated due to the electron disequilibrium and the steep dose gradients. In the present work the MAGIC polymer gel was used for dosimetry of small circular photon beams. The results of MAGIC were compared with EBT2 measurements and Monte Carlo (MC) calculations. Materials and Methods: Experimental measurements were made by mentioned dosimeters in four small field sizes 5, 10, 20 and 30 mm. The BEAMnrc code based on EGSnrc was used for simulation to calculate dosimetric parameters at these small fields. The phantoms were irradiated in a 6 MV photon beam Varian 2100C linear accelerator at SSD=100 cm. gel readout performed by 3 Tesla MRI scanner. Results: The results showed that the Percent depth dose (PDD) values measured and calculated by EBT2 film and MC had maximum local differences 4% and 5% with PDD values measured by MAGIC for field size of 5mm respectively. These differences decreased for larger field sizes. The measurements of output factor and penumbra (80%-20%) and (90%-10%) showed good agreement between the measurements and MC calculation. Conclusion: This study showed that the MAGIC polymer gel based on high resolution MRI images is useful detector for small field dosimetry but its agreement with MC is less than agreement of EBT2 film with MC. http://ijrr.com/article-1-1672-en.pdf 2016-05-02 59 65 10.18869/acadpub.ijrr.14.1.59 Small field Monte Carlo penumbra MAGIC polymer gel W. Parwaie 1 Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences AUTHOR M. Yarahmadi 2 Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences AUTHOR H.A. Nedaie 3 Tehran University of Medical Sciences AUTHOR M.H. Zahmatkesh 4 Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences AUTHOR A.H. Barati 5 Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences AUTHOR M. Afkhami 6 Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences AUTHOR

OTHERS_CITABLE Background: One major challenge in brachytherapy is to verify the accuracy of dose distributions calculated by the treatment planning system. In this project, a new phantom design has been introduced for quality assurance of dose distributions in gynocological (GYN) brachytherapy implants using EBT GafChromic film. Materials and Methods: This phantom has been designed and fabricated from 90 slabs of 18×16×0.2 cm3 Perspex to accommodate a tandem and ovoids assembly, which is normally used for GYN brachytherapy treatment. In addition, this phantom design is allowing the use EBT GafChromic films for dosimetric verification of GYN implants with Cs-137 Selectron LDR system. With this assembly, GafChromic films were exposed using a plan designed to deliver 2.5 Gy dose to point "A" in Manchester system for tandem and ovoids configurations and to deliver 1.5 Gy of dose to 0.5 cm distance from the lateral surface of ovoids for using ovoid-pair. The measured dose distributions with GafChromic films were compared with the TPS isodose lines both numerically and spatially. For a quantitative analysis of the results, the measured doses values at several points of interest were evaluated with the treatment planning data and values obtained following the TG-43 dose calculation formalism. Results: The results of these investigations have indicated that the new phantom design enables us to measure differences of greater than ±6% for LDR brachytherapy GYN treatments. Conclusion: The new phantom design could be utilized for the QA procedure of the brachytherapy remote after loading systems to confirm the accuracy of dose distribution in GYN implants. http://ijrr.com/article-1-1673-en.pdf 2016-05-02 67 71 10.18869/acadpub.ijrr.14.1.67 QA brachytherapy phantom film dose measurements Selectron LDR system TG-43 S. Gholami sgholami@razi.tums.ac.ir 1 Tehran University of Medical Sciences AUTHOR H.R. Mirzaei mirzaei65@yahoo.com 2 Shohada e Tajrish Hospital AUTHOR A. Jabbary Arfaee 3 Shohada e Tajrish Hospital AUTHOR R. Jaberi 4 Cancer institute AUTHOR H.A. Nedaie 5 Cancer institute AUTHOR S. Rabi Mahdavi 6 Iran University of Medical Sciences AUTHOR E. Rajab Bolookat 7 Shohada e Tajrish Hospital AUTHOR A.S. Meigooni 8 Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada AUTHOR

OTHERS_CITABLE Background: Different kinds and models of personal dosimeters are used in individual monitoring by workers.  Performance testing as part of approval procedures is carried out to demonstrate that the essential performance specifications are routinely maintained. There are four service providers in Iran which use different luminescence techniques (i. e. TLD and RPL) with various kinds of dosimeter materials/reader instruments in personal dosimetry services. Materials and Methods: A national performance approval tests program was performed for the dosimeters of the service providers in energy range of soft, 660 keV and 1.25 MeV, at the doses values around the recoding, investigation and annual dose limits, and different angle of incidents (e. g. 0, 20, 40 and 60 degree). Results: The results of this testing satisfies the overall accuracy criteria with 95% confidence levels specified by the ICRP,  except that of RPL technique in low energy  which overestimates the dose out of the acceptable accuracy band defined as the ICRP trumpet curves. Conclusion: The inter-comparison has proved that the personal dose equivalent quantity, Hp(10), defined by the ICRU and recommended by the IAEA are becoming widely accepted and implemented in most participated laboratories. http://ijrr.com/article-1-1680-en.pdf 2016-05-07 73 76 10.18869/acadpub.ijrr.14.1.73 TLD RPL dosimetry inter-comparison individual performance tests N. Navab Moghadam 1 Amirkabir University of Technology AUTHOR S.M. Hosseini Pooya mhosseini@aeoi.org.ir 2 Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute AUTHOR H. Afarideh 3 Amirkabir University of Technology AUTHOR M.R. Kardan 4 Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute AUTHOR

OTHERS_CITABLE A discrete MIBI avid lung lesion was found in cinematic views of myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) of a 59 year-old woman. Interestingly, the abnormal uptake in the lung was detectable only in the rest phase images and not in the images acquired in the stress phase. MPI was performed for pre-operation cardiac risk assessment before correction surgery for spinal canal stenosis.  She had no past medical history or symptoms concerning pulmonary problems. The clinical examination of the pulmonary system was normal. MPI was reported normal but for the lung lesion she was sent for consultation with pulmonologist. The pulmonologist diagnosed the lesion was an old inflammatory/infective lesion probably secondary to tuberculosis. No histopathological examination was done. By reporting this case we intended to highlight the possibility of the effect of stress on uptake of MIBI in tumoral lesions as a tumor agent in nuclear medicine. http://ijrr.com/article-1-1674-en.pdf 2016-05-02 77 79 10.18869/acadpub.ijrr.14.1.77 MIBI tumor uptake stress myocardial perfusion imaging S. Farzanefar 1 Tehran University of Medical Sciences AUTHOR A. Mirzabeigi 2 Tehran University of Medical Sciences AUTHOR M. Abbasi meabbasi@tums.ac.ir 3 Tehran University of Medical Sciences AUTHOR