Evaluation of image quality and radiation dose in computed tomography urography following tube voltage optimisation

INTRODUCTION

Computed tomography urography (CTU) comprehensively evaluates the urinary tract. However, the procedure is associated with a high radiation dose due to multiple scan series and therefore requires optimisation. The study performed CTU protocol optimisation based on a reduction in tube voltage (kV) using quality assurance (QA) phantom and clinical images and evaluated image quality and radiation dose.

METHODS

The study was prospectively conducted on patients referred for CTU. The patients were grouped into A and B and were scanned with the standard protocol, a protocol used for the routine CTU at the CT centre before optimisation, and optimised protocol, a protocol with reduced kV respectively. The protocols were first tried on a quality assurance (QA) phantom before being applied to patients, and image quality was assessed based on signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). In addition, the clinical images were assessed based on the visibility of the anatomical criteria for CT images by five observers with >5 years of experience. The data were analysed using both visual grading characteristic (VGC) curves and statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 22.0.

RESULTS

The dose was significantly lower in the optimised protocol with a 10 % reduction in both volume computed tomography dose index and (CTDIvol) and dose length product (DLP) for the phantom images, and a 26 % reduction in CTDIvol and 28 % in DLP for the clinical images. However, there was no significant difference in image quality noted between the standard and optimised protocols based on the quantitative and qualitative image quality evaluation using both the QA phantom and clinical images.

CONCLUSION

The findings revealed a significant dose reduction in the optimised protocol. Further, image quality in standard and optimised protocols did not differ significantly based on quantitative and qualitative methods.

IMPLICATION FOR PRACTICE

kV optimisation in contrast-enhanced procedures provides dose reduction and should be encouraged in the medical imaging departments.

Spatial and temporal trends of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sediment cores of Brunei Bay, East Malaysia

The spatial and temporal distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in three sediment cores from Brunei Bay, Southern South China Sea was investigated. The total concentrations of 16 priority PAHs (∑PAH₁₆) and their alkyl-substituted derivatives ranged from 10.4 to 376 ng g^-1 and 30.7 to 2263 ng g^-1, respectively. PAH biomarker diagnostic ratios and principal component analysis (PCA) combined with absolute principal component score (APCS) and multiple linear regression (MLR) were performed to apportion the source contribution. The results revealed mixed inputs of fuel combustion residues and uncombusted petrogenic products. The downcore PAH profile revealed that the highest peaks could be related to past human activities using biofuel and coal during the industrialization/agriculture revolution period. The 1,7/(2,6+1,7)-dimethylphenanthrene ratio also highlighted wood combustion during forest fire outbreaks, which appeared to coincide with the past climate events.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in coastal sediments of Southern Terengganu, South China Sea, Malaysia: source assessment using diagnostic ratios and multivariate statistic

Surface sediments along the Southern Terengganu coast (≤7 km from the coast) were analyzed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The concentrations of 16 USEPA priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (ΣPAH₁₆) ranged from 2.59 to 155 ng g^-1 and their respective alkylated ranged between 8.80 and 24.90 ng g^-1. Traces of acephenanthrylene, benzo[c]phenanthrene, thiophenic PAH, and benzonaphthofuran were identified. PAH diagnostic ratios and cross-plots revealed that these sedimentary PAH compounds are derived mainly from pyrogenic sources, primarily from biomass burning and petroleum combustion residues with minor petrogenic input. The high correlations between pyrogenic PAHs to total PAHs (r >0.73, p <0.5), and the Bap/Bep ratio to total PAHs (r = 0.88, p <0.5), suggest that atmospheric deposition and urban runoff are the main deposition pathways. The concentrations of the PAHs in the southern South China Sea fall in the moderate contamination range of 100-1000 ng g^-1.

Investigation of aliphatic hydrocarbons in core sediments of Brunei Bay, East Malaysia

The distribution of aliphatic hydrocarbons in three sediment cores from Brunei Bay was investigated in order to understand their sources and the biogeochemical processes of these hydrocarbons. The total concentrations of C₁₅ to C₃₇n-alkanes ranged from 0.70 to 16.5 μg g^-1. Traces of hopanes with C₂₉-C₃₁ carbon homologs were detected in the study area. The carbon preference index (CPI_15-37) ranged from 1.23 to 3.42 coupled with the natural n-alkane ratio (NAR_19-32) ratios (1.52 to 5.34), and the presence of unresolved complex mixtures and hopanes, suggested slight contamination by anthropogenic hydrocarbons, presumably derived from activities along the coasts. The presence of C₂₇ trisnorhopene and diploptene, as well as their association with long-chain and short-chain n-alkanes, revealed a depositional environment of organic matter in the sediment cores.

Sources of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in South China Sea Short Core Sediments Off Southern Part Terengganu, Malaysia and Multivariate Statistics Approaches

Sediment cores from the southern South China Sea off the Terengganu coast were analyzed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH s) and perylene. The concentrations of total 17 PAH (TPAHs) and perylene varied between 5.45-27.7 ng/g and 0.51-7.77 ng/g, respectively. Analyses of variance showed significant differences between the stations, but not in sub-bottom depths at the 0.05 level. The PAH cross plots showed a predominance of pyrogenic over petrogenic PAH s. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed clustered PAH s that are correlated with total organic carbon (TOC), indicating the importance of surface runoff via fluvial transport for contributing these PAH s to the coastal environment of the study area. Overall, the concentrations of PAH s in the study area are considered to be in the low range, not exceeding the 100 ng/g mark.

The significance of pyrogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Borneo peat core for the reconstruction of fire history

The reconstruction of fire history is essential to understand the palaeoclimate and human history. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been extensively used as a fire marker. In this work, the distribution of PAHs in Borneo peat archives was investigated to understand how PAHs reflect the palaeo-fire activity. In total, 52 peat samples were analysed from a Borneo peat core for the PAH analysis. Pyrogenic PAHs consist of 2–7 aromatic rings, some of which have methyl and ethyl groups. The results reveal that the concentration of pyrogenic PAHs fluctuated with the core depth. Compared to low-molecular-weight (LMW) PAHs, the high-molecular-weight (HMW) PAHs had a more similar depth variation to the charcoal abundance. This finding also suggests that the HMW PAHs were mainly formed at a local fire near the study area, while the LMW PAHs could be transported from remote locations.

Input of organic matter in Brunei Bay, East Malaysia, as indicated by sedimentary steroids and multivariate statistics

Brunei Bay is one of the most important marine environments of East Malaysia (South China Sea), covering many productive ecosystems with activities including fisheries, tourism, and main shipping lanes for petroleum transfers. Evaluation of the sources and distributions of steroids in the surface sedimentary organic matter was carried out by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The concentrations of the total identified sterols (TIS) ranged between 0.81 and 12.69 μg g^-1 dry weight, and the total sterones were between 0.11 and 5.66 μg g^-1 dry weight. The coprostanol level was comparatively low (<0.10 μg g^-1), and the multi-biomarker proxies indicated that the region did not exhibit significant contamination from sewage effluents. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed the coastal environment of the study area was dominated by allochthonous (mainly terrestrial) organic matter input.

Distribution, sources and potential health risks of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in PM2.5 collected during different monsoon seasons and haze episode in Kuala Lumpur

This study aimed to determine the distribution and potential health risks of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in PM_2.5 collected in Kuala Lumpur during different monsoon seasons. The potential sources of PM_2.5 were investigated using 16 priority PAHs with additional of biomass tracers namely levoglucosan (LV), mannosan (MN) and galactosan (GL). This study also investigated the cytotoxic potential of the extracted PAHs towards V79-4 cells. A high-volume air sampler (HVS) was used to collect PM_2.5 samples for 24 h. PAHs were extracted using dichloromethane (DCM) while biomass tracers were extracted by a mixture of DCM/methanol (3:1) before analysis with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The cytotoxicity of the PAHs extract was determined by assessing the cell viability through the reduction of tetrazolium salts (MTT). The results showed that the total mean ± SD concentrations of PAHs during the southwest (SW) and northeast (NE) monsoons were 2.51 ± 0.93 ng m^-3 and 1.37 ± 0.09 ng m^-3, respectively. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) using PAH and biomass tracer concentrations suggested four potential sources of PM_2.5; gasoline emissions (29.1%), natural gas and coal burning (28.3%), biomass burning (22.3%), and diesel and heavy oil combustion (20.3%). Health risk assessment showed insignificant incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) of 2.40E-07 for 70 years of exposure. MTT assay suggested that PAHs extracts collected during SW monsoon have cytotoxic effect towards V79-4 cell at the concentrations of 25 μg mL^-1, 50 μg mL^-1, 100 μg mL^-1 whereas non-cytotoxic effect was observed on the PAHs sample collected during NE monsoon.

Distribution, sources and potential health risks of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in PM2.5 collected during different monsoon seasons and haze episode in Kuala Lumpur

This study aimed to determine the distribution and potential health risks of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in PM_2.5 collected in Kuala Lumpur during different monsoon seasons. The potential sources of PM_2.5 were investigated using 16 priority PAHs with additional of biomass tracers namely levoglucosan (LV), mannosan (MN) and galactosan (GL). This study also investigated the cytotoxic potential of the extracted PAHs towards V79-4 cells. A high-volume air sampler (HVS) was used to collect PM_2.5 samples for 24 h. PAHs were extracted using dichloromethane (DCM) while biomass tracers were extracted by a mixture of DCM/methanol (3:1) before analysis with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The cytotoxicity of the PAHs extract was determined by assessing the cell viability through the reduction of tetrazolium salts (MTT). The results showed that the total mean ± SD concentrations of PAHs during the southwest (SW) and northeast (NE) monsoons were 2.51 ± 0.93 ng m^-3 and 1.37 ± 0.09 ng m^-3, respectively. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) using PAH and biomass tracer concentrations suggested four potential sources of PM_2.5; gasoline emissions (29.1%), natural gas and coal burning (28.3%), biomass burning (22.3%), and diesel and heavy oil combustion (20.3%). Health risk assessment showed insignificant incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) of 2.40E-07 for 70 years of exposure. MTT assay suggested that PAHs extracts collected during SW monsoon have cytotoxic effect towards V79-4 cell at the concentrations of 25 μg mL^-1, 50 μg mL^-1, 100 μg mL^-1 whereas non-cytotoxic effect was observed on the PAHs sample collected during NE monsoon.

Surfactants in the sea-surface microlayer and atmospheric aerosol around the southern region of Peninsular Malaysia

This study was conducted to determine the composition of surfactants in the sea-surface microlayer (SML) and atmospheric aerosol around the southern region of the Peninsular Malaysia. Surfactants in samples taken from the SML and atmospheric aerosol were determined using a colorimetric method, as either methylene blue active substances (MBAS) or disulphine blue active substances (DBAS). Principal component analysis with multiple linear regressions (PCA-MLR), using the anion and major element composition of the aerosol samples, was used to determine possible sources of surfactants in atmospheric aerosol. The results showed that the concentrations of surfactants in the SML and atmospheric aerosol were dominated by anionic surfactants and that surfactants in aerosol were not directly correlated (p>0.05) with surfactants in the SML. Further PCA-MLR from anion and major element concentrations showed that combustion of fossil fuel and sea spray were the major contributors to surfactants in aerosol in the study area.

Ionic composition of rainwater at selected sites of Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia: a preliminary study

A short-term investigation on the chemical composition of rainwater was carried out at five selected sampling stations in Kuantan district, Pahang, Malaysia. Sampling of rainwater was conducted by event basis between September and November 2011. Rainwater samples were collected using polyethylene containers and the parameters measured were cations (sodium, potassium, ammonium, calcium and magnesium) and anions (chlorides, nitrates and sulphates). The average pH value for rainwater samples was 6.0 ± 0.57 in which most of the sampling sites exhibited pH values >5.6. Calcium and sulphate were the most abundant cation and anion, respectively, whilst the concentrations of other major ions varied according to sampling location.

Sandbar-regulated hydrodynamic influences on river hydrochemistry at Mengabang Telipot River, Peninsular Malaysia

Influences of river hydrodynamic behaviours on hydrochemistry (salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen saturations and dissolved phosphorus) were evaluated through high spatial and temporal resolution study of a sandbar-regulated coastal river. River hydrodynamic during sandbar-closed event was characterized by minor dependency on tidal fluctuations, very gradual increase of water level and continual low flow velocity. These hydrodynamic behaviours established a hydrochemistry equilibrium, in which water properties generally were characterized by virtual absence of horizontal gradients while vertical stratifications were significant. In addition, the river was in high trophic status as algae blooms were visible. Conversely, river hydrodynamic in sandbar-opened event was tidal-controlled and showed higher flow velocity. Horizontal gradients of water properties became significant while vertically more homogenised and with lower trophic status. In essence, this study reveals that estuarine sandbar directly regulates river hydrodynamic behaviours which in turn influences river hydrochemistry.

Distribution and sources of hydrocarbons in lagoon sediments of Setiu Wetland, Terengganu, Malaysia

Hydrocarbon compounds viz. aliphatic hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), sterols, long chain fatty acids, alkanones and alkanals in surface sediment of Setiu Wetland were analysed and characterized using GCMS. The concentration of total identified resolved n-alkanes (TIRNA) in sediment ranged from 2.99–11.6 μ g g− 1 dry weight. The distribution of the aliphatic fraction showed the presence of n-alkanes ranging from C12 to C36 with high predominance for long chain homologues (C25-C31) and a carbon maximum at C29 and C31 with CPI &gt; 3; these observations provide evidence for the presence of biogenic terrigenous input corresponding to epicuticular plant waxes into the lagoon sediments. Positive and strong correlation between n-alkanes associated with terrigenous input (ALK TER) and TIRNA suggest terrestrial input is the main sources of TIRNA in this study area. The absence of unresolved complex mixture (UCM) in the chromatogram and the absence of hopanes, steranes and PAHs compounds are indicative of uncontaminated sediment by petrogenic and pyrogenic hydrocarbons. The concentration of total identified sterols (TIS) ranged from 1.41 μ g g− 1 dry weight to 3.11 μ g g− 1 dry weight with cholesterol, β -Sitosterol and stigmasterol were generally the most dominant and abundant components detected at almost all stations. A positive and strong correlation was observed between B-Sitosterol and TIS and the distribution of long chain n-alkan-2-ones in the range of C21 to C27 with odd to even predominance and n-alkanals (C20 to C28), n-alkanols (C22–C30) and n-alkanoic acids (C22–C30) with even to odd predominance provide further evidence for biogenic sources of hydrocarbons with terrestrial plant input as the predominant source. It was noted that a minor contribution associated with marine phytoplankton (algae) as well as bacteria were also observed in some of the sediment samples superimposing with the terrigenous plant wax input. In general results from this study clearly showed the lagoon sediment of Setiu Wetland is still in uncontaminated condition where terrestrial plants input are the dominant contributor of organic compounds in the sediments with a minor input from marine organisms.

On-line preconcentration and determination of trace metals using a flow injection system coupled to ion chromatography

A flow injection (FI) method with on-line preconcentration using a mini-column loaded with 8-hydroxyquinoline immobilized on controlled pore glass (CPG-8HQ) is described for the determination of trace metals by ion chromatography (IC) with pyridine-2-6-dicarboxylic acid (PDCA) as the eluent. Copper, cadmium, lead, zinc, nickel and iron were determined at ppb level after post-column derivatization with 4-(2-pyridylazo)-resorcinol (PAR). The detection limits (3sigma) for the FI/IC system were 8.27, 0.89, 0.09, 0.06, 0.09 and 0.07 g l(-1) for Pb(2+), Cd(2+), Cu(2+) Ni(2+), Zn(2+) and Fe(3+), respectively, using 5 ml sample volume. The method was applied to the analysis of Malaysian natural waters.