[en] Factors affecting the success of treatment are outlined, and the authors' experience in the radiotherapy of prostate carcinoma are summarized. (P.A.)

[en] The National Radiation Protection Institute has been engaged in international comparisons organized by the French organization PROCORAD (Association pour la promotion du controle de qualite des analyses medicale en radiotoxicologie). The events encompassed the following topics: determination of ⁹⁰Sr, gamma spectrometry, uranium, actinides except uranium and tritium in urine; actinides in stool ashes, and a 'sample with surprise', i.e. urine with any radionuclide. The total results are compared with those obtained by the Institute

[en] The low-energy reaction ³H(d,n)⁴He was studied phenomenologically making use of the threshold properties of the binary reaction amplitude parameters (barrier-penetrability model) in the formalism of the Wigner-Eisenbud resonance (R-matrix) theory. A formula was derived for the description of the amplitude of scattering and reaction in the ⁵He system within the energy region of the threshold of the d+³H channel (⁵He^* = 17.6 MeV), which is a function of two free parameters only. The results were used to discuss the 'complete set of experiments' (minimum number of linearly independent measurables) in the ⁵He system, making possible a unique empirical determination of the transition amplitudes (the phase analysis) in the states of the S-, P-, and D-waves of the two channels, d+ ³e and n+⁴He

[en] Polarized deuterons at energies from 2.4 to 7.4 GeV are split on a target of Be and C to give a beam of polarized neutrons with one-half energy. The polarization is vertical and after turning in a magnetic field, is oriented in the beam direction. The polarization direction is turned after each cycle. The transmission of polarized neutrons by the target with protons polarized in the beam direction is measured in the experiment. Before hitting the target, the relative neutron flux is monitored by means of two neutron detectors which are based on the scintillation principle. The flux of neutrons which are not scattered in the target is measured with 3 detectors of the same type. Four combinations of polarization of the beam and target are necessary to determine the transmission ratios and to reduce bias. The quantity measured, difference in the total spin cross sections Δσ_L, depends on the observed ratios, polarization of the beam and target, and amount of polarized hydrogen atoms of the target

[en] The surroundings of the Jaslovske Bohunice nuclear power plant site were evaluated with respect to the proportion of premature mortality as a complex index of the public health status. The standardized premature mortality was calculated for all communes in Slovakia in 1993-1996, and the 30 km zone around the NPP site was compared with the overall status in Slovakia. Ninety-six percent inhabitants of the zone lie in the average or under-the-average range, and only 3.5% inhabitants are in the above-the-average range. In the 5 km zone around the NPP site, all inhabitants are in the average or under-the-average range, none town or village lies in the above-the-average range. All communes in the circle examined are similar with respect to the premature mortality proportion

[en] High energy radiation fields are usually characterized by a wide spectrum of types of particles and their energies. The qualitative differences between the nature of interactions of high energy radiation with material environment are outlined, their consequences for the detection and dosimetry are highlighted, and the choice of suitable methods is explained. In the monitoring of radiation fields, the use of tissue-equivalent proportional counters of the microdosimetric type is generally regarded as a reference method which is sufficiently sensitive and correct. The situation is more complex in personnel dosimetry, particularly with regard to the radiation component with a high linear energy transfer (LET) - mostly neutrons and heavy charged particles. Personnel dosemeters are tested in high-energy reference radiation fields behind the shielding of accelerators, as well as in aircraft and spacecraft. None of the available methods for the high LET component is sufficiently sensitive and, simultaneously, not very energy dependent

[en] The time-of-flight (TOF) detector will serve as the central reaction trigger in heavy ion reactions and as a tool to find 'di-lepton candidates' in the high multiplicity environment of charged particles. Both tasks will be fulfilled by a granular system with 1056 scintillator rods read-out on both ends using photomultipliers which allow a 100-150 ps time resolution. A segment of the outer TOF detector consisting of 64 scintillator bars has been constructed

[en] Authors' experience in the examination of myocardial perfusion by single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is presented. Surveys of radionuclides used, load protocols, accumulation protocols and data evaluation are given. The sensitivity and specificity of myocardial SPECT are discussed with emphasis on the most frequent causes of false negative and false positive findings. Economic aspects are also mentioned, and possible future trends in this diagnostic technique are suggested

[en] The following topics are discussed: (i) ¹³¹I therapy of thyrotoxicosis; (ii) ¹³¹I therapy of differentiated thyroid carcinoma; (iii) ³²P therapy of myeloproliferative disease; (iv) ¹³¹MIBG therapy of neural crest tumors; (v) radiolabelled peptides in neuroendocrine tumors; (vi) radioimmunotherapy; (vii) palliative bone therapy of painful skeletal metastases; (viii) radiosynoviorthesis; (ix) alternative approaches; (x) side effects and long-term effects

[en] Skeletal scintigraphy with ⁹⁹mTc-MPD was performed on six patients. In certain circumstances including polymyositis (combination of degenerative and inflammatory changes), the radiopharmaceutical accumulates in soft tissues. This allows to identify the most affected points at which additional examination (NMR, biopsy) can be performed in a targeted manner, and to monitor the effect of therapy