Phosphors as Sensors for Radiation-Induced Displacement Damage

2012 ◽  
Vol 1471 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. L. Gollub ◽  
R. R. Harl ◽  
S. L. Weeden-Wright ◽  
B. R. Rogers ◽  
D. G. Walker

AbstractThe radiation-induced displacement damage in yttrium borate (YBO3) is studied under X-ray, proton, and alpha irradiation. The photoluminescence (PL) was tested before and after irradiation to determine whether damage occurred and whether it could be queried by examining the PL spectrum. Two different dopants (cerium and europium) were used to activate the phosphor because each provides not only a different spectral signature but also a different mechanism for altering the spectrum between the pre- and post-PL measurements. X-rays, being primarily ionizing radiation, did not show any significant change between the pre and post measurements. We expected protons and alphas to damage the crystal structure, evidence of which could be seen in the change in the spectra before and after irradiation. However, we found no change under alpha exposure (3.6 × 1010 particles/cm2) and a significant change after proton exposure (5 × 1015 particles/cm2). While the material appears to be sensitive to protons, we cannot rule out its sensitivity to alphas because the alpha fluence may be too low to show an effect. This result provides strong indication that our materials are being damaged by particle radiation and that the radiation effects can be quantified.

Author(s):  
D. E. Philpott ◽  
W. Sapp ◽  
C. Williams ◽  
J. Stevenson ◽  
S. Black ◽  
...  

The testes sperraatogonial population differentiates from a stem cell (As) which, via a series of mitotic divisions, gives rise to spermatocytes. The spermatocytes undergo reductional meiotic divisions and mature into sperm. Short cellular life cycles make the testes an excellent tissue for quantitative studies of radiation effects.Brown B6D2F1 mice, aged 14 weeks, were exposed to Helium particle radiation (227 MeV) in the Berkeley 184 inch synchocyclotron and to x rays at 225 KvP and 15 mA. Doses ranged from 1 to 100 rads. Tissues were fixed in Triple Fix and embedded. Two-micron sections were stained with Toluidine Blue, and ultra-thin sections were stained in the standard manner for electron microscopy. All studies were done on the tissues 72 hrs after irradiation.Our previous work, on cell survival after graded doses of radiation, has shown a steeper slope (more sensitive response) in the low dose range below 20 rads. By convention, the resulting points were plotted by linear regression resulting in a "best fit" straight line.


2022 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 29
Author(s):  
Graysen Vigneux ◽  
Jake Pirkkanen ◽  
Taylor Laframboise ◽  
Hallie Prescott ◽  
Sujeenthar Tharmalingam ◽  
...  

The lens of the eye is one of the most radiosensitive tissues. Although the exact mechanism of radiation-induced cataract development remains unknown, altered proliferation, migration, and adhesion have been proposed as factors. Lens epithelial cells were exposed to X-rays (0.1–2 Gy) and radiation effects were examined after 12 h and 7 day. Proliferation was quantified using an MTT assay, migration was measured using a Boyden chamber and wound-healing assay, and adhesion was assessed on three extracellular matrices. Transcriptional changes were also examined using RT-qPCR for a panel of genes related to these processes. In general, a nonlinear radiation response was observed, with the greatest effects occurring at a dose of 0.25 Gy. At this dose, a reduction in proliferation occurred 12 h post irradiation (82.06 ± 2.66%), followed by an increase at 7 day (116.16 ± 3.64%). Cell migration was increased at 0.25 Gy, with rates 121.66 ± 6.49% and 232.78 ± 22.22% greater than controls at 12 h and 7 day respectively. Cell adhesion was consistently reduced above doses of 0.25 Gy. Transcriptional alterations were identified at these same doses in multiple genes related to proliferation, migration, and adhesion. Overall, this research began to elucidate the functional changes that occur in lens cells following radiation exposure, thereby providing a better mechanistic understanding of radiation-induced cataract development.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. 4290
Author(s):  
Simonetta Pazzaglia ◽  
Barbara Tanno ◽  
Francesca Antonelli ◽  
Paola Giardullo ◽  
Gabriele Babini ◽  
...  

The brain undergoes ionizing radiation exposure in many clinical situations, particularly during radiotherapy for brain tumors. The critical role of the hippocampus in the pathogenesis of radiation-induced neurocognitive dysfunction is well recognized. The goal of this study is to test the potential contribution of non-targeted effects in the detrimental response of the hippocampus to irradiation and to elucidate the mechanisms involved. C57Bl/6 mice were whole body (WBI) or partial body (PBI) irradiated with 0.1 or 2.0 Gy of X-rays or sham irradiated. PBI consisted of the exposure of the lower third of the mouse body, whilst the upper two thirds were shielded. Hippocampi were collected 15 days or 6 months post-irradiation and a multi-omics approach was adopted to assess the molecular changes in non-coding RNAs, proteins and metabolic levels, as well as histological changes in the rate of hippocampal neurogenesis. Notably, at 2.0 Gy the pattern of early molecular and histopathological changes induced in the hippocampus at 15 days following PBI were similar in quality and quantity to the effects induced by WBI, thus providing a proof of principle of the existence of out-of-target radiation response in the hippocampus of conventional mice. We detected major alterations in DAG/IP3 and TGF-β signaling pathways as well as in the expression of proteins involved in the regulation of long-term neuronal synaptic plasticity and synapse organization, coupled with defects in neural stem cells self-renewal in the hippocampal dentate gyrus. However, compared to the persistence of the WBI effects, most of the PBI effects were only transient and tended to decrease at 6 months post-irradiation, indicating important mechanistic difference. On the contrary, at low dose we identified a progressive accumulation of molecular defects that tended to manifest at later post-irradiation times. These data, indicating that both targeted and non-targeted radiation effects might contribute to the pathogenesis of hippocampal radiation-damage, have general implications for human health.


Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (24) ◽  
pp. 8379
Author(s):  
Antreas Theodosiou ◽  
Arnaldo Leal-Junior ◽  
Carlos Marques ◽  
Anselmo Frizera ◽  
Antonio J. S. Fernandes ◽  
...  

This work presents an extensive, comparative study of the gamma and electron radiation effects on the behaviour of femtosecond laser-inscribed fibre Bragg gratings (FBGs) using the point-by-point and plane-by-plane inscription methods. The FBGs were inscribed in standard telecommunication single mode silica fibre (SMF28) and exposed to a total accumulated radiation dose of 15 kGy for both gamma and electron radiation. The gratings’ spectra were measured and analysed before and after the exposure to radiation, with complementary material characterisation using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Changes in the response of the FBGs’ temperature coefficients were analysed on exposure to the different types of radiation, and we consider which of the two inscription methods result in gratings that are more robust in such harsh environments. Moreover, we used the FTIR spectroscopy to locate which chemical bonds are responsible for the changes on temperature coefficients and which are related with the optical characteristics of the FBGs.


1987 ◽  
Vol 96 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. Cost ◽  
R. D. Brown ◽  
A. L. Giorgi ◽  
J. T. Stanley

ABSTRACTNd-Fe-B and Sm-Co permanent magnets have been irradiated with fission neutrons and gamma rays. Irradiated samples were periodically removed for room temperature measurements of the open-circuit remanence. Hysteresis loops were measured before and after irradiation. For neutron irradiation, two Nd-Fe-B magnets showed a rapid loss of remanence, while a third magnet from another manufacturer decayed more slowly, suggesting that the radiation hardness of Nd-Fe-B magnets may depend on microstructural details. Irradiation in the Omega West Reactor at Los Alamos with fast neutrons caused the fast-decay samples to have an Wtial loss of remanence of 1% for irradiation at 350 K to a fluence of 1015 n/cm2. Both SmCo5 and Sm2Co17 magnets showed excellent resistance to radiatifg-induied loss of remanence for neutron irradiation to a fluence of 2.6×1018 n/cm2. Results for gamma radiation showed no loss of remanence for a dose of about 49 Mrad using a 60Co source. Possible mechanisms for radiation-induced loss of magnetic properties are discussed.


Author(s):  
R. F. Bils ◽  
W. F. Diller ◽  
F. Huth

Phosgene still plays an important role as a toxic substance in the chemical industry. Thiess (1968) recently reported observations on numerous cases of phosgene poisoning. A serious difficulty in the clinical handling of phosgene poisoning cases is a relatively long latent period, up to 12 hours, with no obvious signs of severity. At about 12 hours heavy lung edema appears suddenly, however changes can be seen in routine X-rays taken after only a few hours' exposure (Diller et al., 1969). This study was undertaken to correlate these early changes seen by the roengenologist with morphological alterations in the lungs seen in the'light and electron microscopes.Forty-two adult male and female Beagle dogs were selected for these exposure experiments. Treated animals were exposed to 94.5-107-5 ppm phosgene for 10 min. in a 15 m3 chamber. Roentgenograms were made of the thorax of each animal before and after exposure, up to 24 hrs.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (21) ◽  
pp. 8151
Author(s):  
Sharda Kumari ◽  
Shibani Mukherjee ◽  
Debapriya Sinha ◽  
Salim Abdisalaam ◽  
Sunil Krishnan ◽  
...  

Radiation therapy (RT), an integral component of curative treatment for many malignancies, can be administered via an increasing array of techniques. In this review, we summarize the properties and application of different types of RT, specifically, conventional therapy with x-rays, stereotactic body RT, and proton and carbon particle therapies. We highlight how low-linear energy transfer (LET) radiation induces simple DNA lesions that are efficiently repaired by cells, whereas high-LET radiation causes complex DNA lesions that are difficult to repair and that ultimately enhance cancer cell killing. Additionally, we discuss the immunogenicity of radiation-induced tumor death, elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which radiation mounts innate and adaptive immune responses and explore strategies by which we can increase the efficacy of these mechanisms. Understanding the mechanisms by which RT modulates immune signaling and the key players involved in modulating the RT-mediated immune response will help to improve therapeutic efficacy and to identify novel immunomodulatory drugs that will benefit cancer patients undergoing targeted RT.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 971
Author(s):  
Kristoff Hammerich ◽  
Jens Pollack ◽  
Alexander F. Hasse ◽  
André El Saman ◽  
René Huber ◽  
...  

Background: A major disadvantage of current spacers for two-stage revision total knee arthroplasty (R-TKA) is the risk of (sub-) luxation during mobilization in the prosthesis-free interval, limiting their clinical success with detrimental consequences for the patient. The present study introduces a novel inverse spacer, which prevents major complications, such as spacer (sub-) luxations and/or fractures of spacer or bone. Methods: The hand-made inverse spacer consisted of convex tibial and concave femoral components of polymethylmethacrylate bone cement and was intra-operatively molded under maximum longitudinal tension in 5° flexion and 5° valgus position. Both components were equipped with a stem for rotational stability. This spacer was implanted during an R-TKA in 110 knees with diagnosed or suspected periprosthetic infection. Postoperative therapy included a straight leg brace and physiotherapist-guided, crutch-supported mobilization with full sole contact. X-rays were taken before and after prosthesis removal and re-implantation. Results: None of the patients experienced (sub-) luxations/fractures of the spacer, periprosthetic fractures, or soft tissue compromise requiring reoperation. All patients were successfully re-implanted after a prosthesis-free interval of 8 weeks, except for three patients requiring an early exchange of the spacer due to persisting infection. In these cases, the prosthetic-free interval was prolonged for one week. Conclusion: The inverse spacer in conjunction with our routine procedure is a safe and cost-effective alternative to other articulating or static spacers, and allows crutch-supported sole contact mobilization without major post-operative complications. Maximum longitudinal intra-operative tension in 5° flexion and 5° valgus position appears crucial for the success of surgery.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 1418
Author(s):  
Elham Shahhoseini ◽  
Masao Nakayama ◽  
Terrence J. Piva ◽  
Moshi Geso

This study examined the effects of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and/or ionizing radiation (IR) on the viability and motility of human primary colon epithelial (CCD841) and colorectal adenocarcinoma (SW48) cells as well as human primary epidermal melanocytes (HEM) and melanoma (MM418-C1) cells. AuNPs up to 4 mM had no effect on the viability of these cell lines. The viability of the cancer cells was ~60% following exposure to 5 Gy. Exposure to 5 Gy X-rays or 1 mM AuNPs showed the migration of the cancer cells ~85% that of untreated controls, while co-treatment with AuNPs and IR decreased migration to ~60%. In the non-cancerous cell lines gap closure was enhanced by ~15% following 1 mM AuNPs or 5 Gy treatment, while for co-treatment it was ~22% greater than that for the untreated controls. AuNPs had no effect on cell re-adhesion, while IR enhanced only the re-adhesion of the cancer cell lines but not their non-cancerous counterparts. The addition of AuNPs did not enhance cell adherence. This different reaction to AuNPs and IR in the cancer and normal cells can be attributed to radiation-induced adhesiveness and metabolic differences between tumour cells and their non-cancerous counterparts.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Clare Shakespeare ◽  
Handsome Dube ◽  
Sikhangezile Moyo ◽  
Solwayo Ngwenya

Abstract Background On the 27th of March 2020 the Zimbabwean government declared the Covid-19 pandemic a ‘national disaster’. Travel restrictions and emergency regulations have had significant impacts on maternity services, including resource stock-outs, and closure of antenatal clinics during the lockdown period. Estimates of the indirect impact of Covid-19 on maternal and perinatal mortality was expected it to be considerable, but little data was yet available. This study aimed to examine the impact of Covid-19 and lockdown control measures on non-Covid outcomes in a government tertiary level maternity unit in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, by comparing maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality before, and after the lockdown was implemented. Methods This was a retrospective, observational study, using a cross-sectional design to compare routine monthly maternal and perinatal statistics three months before and after Covid-19 emergency measures were implemented at Mpilo Central Hospital. Results Between January-March and April-June 2020, the mean monthly deliveries reduced from 747.3 (SD ± 61.3) in the first quarter of 2020 to 681.0 (SD ± 17.6) during lockdown, but this was not statistically significant, p = 0.20. The Caesarean section rates fell from a mean of 29.8% (SD ± 1.7) versus 28.0% (SD ± 1.7), which was also not statistically significant, p = 0.18. During lockdown, the percentage of women delivering at Mpilo Central Hospital who were booked at the hospital fell from a mean of 41.6% (SD ± 1.1) to 35.8% (SD ± 4.3) which was statistically significant, p = 0.03. There was no significant change, however, in maternal mortality or severe maternal morbidity (such as post-partum haemorrhage (PPH), uterine rupture, and severe preeclampsia/eclampsia), stillbirth rate or special care baby unit admission. There was an increase in the mean total number of early neonatal deaths (ENND) (mean 18.7 (SD ± 2.9) versus 24.0 (SD ± 4.6), but this was not statistically significant, p = 0.32. Conclusions Overall, maternity services at Mpilo showed resilience during the lockdown period, with no significant change in maternal and perinatal adverse outcomes, with the same number of man-hours worked before and during the lockdown Maternal and perinatal outcomes should continue to be monitored to assess the impact of Covid-19 and the lockdown measures as the pandemic in Zimbabwe unfolds. Further studies would be beneficial to explore women’s experiences and understand how bookings and deliveries at local clinics changed during this time.


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