Advances of gas molecules against radiation damage.

Hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) has traditionally been considered a toxic environmental pollutant. In the late 1990s, the presumed solely harmful role of H(2)S has been challenged because H(2)S may also be involved in the maintenance and preservation of cardiovascular homeostasis. The production of endogenous H(2)S has been attributed to three key enzymes, cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE), cystathionine β-synthase, and 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase. The recognition of H(2)S as the third gaseous signaling molecule has stimulated research on a multitude of pathophysiologic events in the cardiovascular system. In particular, important roles in cardiovascular disorder processes are ascribed to the CSE/H(2)S pathway, such as atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, hypertension, and shock. Many biological activities and molecular mechanisms of H(2)S in the cardiovascular system have been demonstrated in studies using different tools, such as the genetic overexpression of CSE, the direct administration of H(2)S donors, or the use of H(2)S-releasing pro-drugs. Unfortunately, the role of the CSE/H(2)S pathway in cardiovascular disease remains controversial in numerous areas, and many questions regarding the gaseous molecule still remain unanswered. Advances in basic research indicate that the CSE/H(2)S pathway may provide potential therapeutic targets for treating cardiovascular disorders. But the molecular targets of H(2)S still need to be identified.

The Need for a Broad-based Introduction to Radiation Science within U.S. Medical Schools' Educational Curriculum.

Carbon monoxide derived from heme oxygenase-2 mediates reduction of methylmercury toxicity in SH-SY5Y cells

Radiation therapy is an important treatment for malignant tumors as more than 50% of patients receive radiation therapy for their illnesses. Patients receiving radiation doses have been significantly reduced because of the advancement in image-guided radiation. However, serious side effects occur owing to the off-target radiation damage to normal tissues. To decrease the level of injury, researchers have explored new radiation protection methods. Currently, agents available for protecting normal tissues against radiation damage mainly include synthesized small molecules and plant extracts with poor results. Researchers have explored new efficient approaches to radiation protection. Several advantages in gene therapy, such as targeting, low toxity, and minimal side effects, render it as an ideal strategy for radiation protection and significantly enhance the biological properties of cells and tissues. Radiation protection gene therapy and its development as a radiation protection strategy are reviewed in this paper. Key words: Radiation protection; Radiation injuries; Gene therapy

SRP Scientific Meeting, Communicating Radiological Protection: the Professionals, the Media & the Public, London, 1 October 1996

As an emerging area, gas therapy has attracted more and more attention in treating many diseases including cancer. The fabrication of stimuli‐responsive delivery systems with on‐demand release behavior is very promising for precision gas therapy, which can obtain optimal therapeutic performance without gas poisoning risks. In this review, the authors introduce the recent progress in the preparation of different kinds of gas carriers for efficient delivery of gaseous molecules (NO, H2S, CO, O2). Particularly, in order to achieve targeted accumulation of gaseous molecules in tumor tissues, gaseous molecules–integrated nanoparticles were constructed. Most importantly, by combination of gas therapy with other therapeutic modalities such as chemotherapy, photodynamic therapy (PDT), and radiotherapy, various multifunctional nanocarriers have been designed for synergistic cancer therapy. Especially, the recent developments of multifunctional gas‐carrying nanocarriers for synergistic cancer therapy are discussed in detail.

Application of gas molecules in cancer therapy

Alopecia significantly affects the appearance and psychology of patients, and pharmacological therapies and hair transplantation are the main treatments for alopecia, but both have limitations. This review aimed to summarize the non-pharmacological therapies that promote hair growth and regeneration. This is a non-systematic review. Multiple databases was searched with relevant data published between 1997 and 2024. Searching and screening followed the PRISMA guidelines. Novel therapeutic modalities, such as gas molecules, platelet-rich plasma, laser, and microneedling, can change the microenvironment of hair follicles, activate hair follicle stem cells, and promote hair growth and regeneration. This paper reviews research on the application of non-pharmacological therapies in alopecia treatment and hair regeneration, with a view to providing an important basis for future research on alopecia treatment and the postoperative treatment of patients after hair transplantation.

Aerosol science is of utmost importance for both climate and public health research, and in recent years X-ray techniques have proven effective tools for aerosol-particle characterization. To date, such methods have often involved the study of particles collected onto a substrate, but a high photon flux may cause radiation damage to such deposited particles and volatile components can potentially react with the surrounding environment after sampling. These and many other factors make studies on collected aerosol particles challenging. Therefore, a new aerosol sample-delivery system dedicated to X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies of aerosol particles and gas molecules in-flight has been developed at the MAX IV Laboratory. The aerosol particles are brought from atmospheric pressure to vacuum in a continuous flow, ensuring that the sample is constantly renewed, thus avoiding radiation damage, and allowing measurements on the true unsupported aerosol. At the same time, available gas molecules can be used for energy calibration and to study gas-particle partitioning. The design features of the aerosol sample-delivery system and important information on the operation procedures are described in detail here. Furthermore, to demonstrate the experimental range of the aerosol sample-delivery system, results from aerosol particles of different shape, size and composition are presented, including inorganic atmospheric aerosols, secondary organic aerosols and engineered nanoparticles.

Objective To investigate the influence of Ginkgo biloba L. extract (EGB) on the expression of apoptosis-related protein and NF-κB signaling pathway in the spleen tissue of mice with radiation damage. Methods The mice were divided randomly into normal control group (NC), irradiation control group (IC), low dose EGB group (IC+EGBL), medium dose EGB group (IC+EGBM) and high dose EGB group (IC+EGBH) according to the random number table, with 12 rats in each group. The mice in the low, middle and high dose EGB groups were given EGB respectively by 5, 10, 20 mg/kg, and the normal and irradiation control group were given saline by intraperitoneal injection once daily for 14 days. On the 15th day, the mice in all groups were uniformly irradiated with 4.0 Gy γ-rays for one time except normal control group. After 24 hours, Bcl-2, Bax and caspase-3 protein expression were measured by immunohistochemical method. The IKKβ expression was detected by qRT-PCR method, and the content of NF-κB p65 and IKKα in serum was detected by Elisa method in spleen tissue. Results Comparing with IC group, the expression of Bax (54.31 ± 1.59, 42.04 ± 1.56, 32.08 ± 2.43 vs. 68.68 ± 3.12) and caspase-3 protein (55.73 ± 2.61, 45.81 ± 2.59, 36.78 ± 2.23 vs. 72.18 ± 1.84) in IC+EGBL, IC+EGBM and IC+EGBH group were significantly decreased (P<0.05), the expression of Bcl-2 protein (30.33 ± 1.28, 39.80 ± 2.86, 44.42 ± 3.64 vs. 22.80 ± 2.01) in IC+EGBL, IC+EGBM and IC+EGBH group significantly increased (P<0.05), the expression of IKKβ mRNA (1.43 ± 0.06, 1.31 ± 0.06, 1.17 ± 0.09 vs. 1.64 ± 0.10) and the level of NF-κB p65 (129.38 ± 8.41 pg/ml, 111.28 ± 9.09 pg/ml, 95.41 ± 6.88 pg/ml vs. 145.64 ± 6.29 pg/ml) and IKKα (160.10 ± 8.94 pg/ml, 144.00 ± 8.36 pg/ml, 108.84 ± 13.74 pg/ml vs. 176.38 ± 8.54 pg/ml) in IC+EGBL, IC+EGBM and IC+EGBH group significantly decreased (P<0.05). Conclusions The EGB can reduce the expression of apoptotic protein Bax and caspase-3 in spleen cells induced by radiation, elevate the expression level of apoptotic protein Bcl-2, and inhibit the damage caused by radiation by regulating NF-κB signaling pathway. Key words: Ginkgo folium; Extracts; Radiation protection; Apoptosis; NF-kappa B; Mice

19-20 June 2001, Daresbury, UK Social and Political Issues in Radiological Research andProtection Enquiries to: SRP, 21 WigmoreStreet, London W1H 9LA (Tel: 01271 862665; Fax: 01271 862151;E-mail: admin@srp-uk.org; Web: http://www.srp-uk.org)13-16 July 2001, Kyoto, Japan International Symposium on Radiation and Homeostasis - ScientificBasis of Risk Assessment and the Mechanism of Radiation Carcinogenesis Enquiries to: ISRH 2001, c/o Academic Conference Planning, 383 Murakami-cho,Fushimi-ku, Kyoto 612-8369, Japan (Tel: +81-75-603-3861;E-mail: achosoya@mbox.kyoto-inet.or.jp)11-13 September 2001, Stockholm, Sweden Regulators' Workshop: The Role of Future Society and Biosphere in DemonstratingCompliance with High-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Standards and Regulations Enquiries to: Swedish Radiation Protection Institute, SSI, 171 16 Stockholm, Sweden(Tel: +46 8 729 71 00; Fax: +46 8 729 71 08; E-mail: ssi@ssi.se)30 September - 4 October 2001, Bruges, Belgium ICEM'01 - The 8th International Conference on Radioactive Waste Managementand Environmental Remediation Enquiries to: Donna McComb, ICEM'01, c/o Laser Options Inc, PO Box 35265,Tucson, AZ 85740, USA (Tel: +1(520)292-5652; Fax: +1(520)292-9080;E-mail: dmccomb@laser-options.com; Web: www.icemconf.com)1-2 October 2001, Ulm, Germany 3rd International Symposium, Lasers in Dermatology Enquiries to: E-mail: events@ilm.uni-ulm.deWeb: www.uni-ulm.de/ilm/lid2-9 October 2001, Erice, Sicily Accelerator Radiation Protection - 10th Course of the School of RadiationDamage and Protection Enquiries to: Dr Vaclav (Vashek) Vylet (E-mail: mailto:vashek.vylet@duke.edu) and Dr Graham R Stevenson (E-mail: Graham.Stevenson@cern.ch)9 October 2001, London, UK Topics Related to Regulation, Legislation and Standards Enquiries to: SRP, 21 WigmoreStreet, London W1H 9LA (Tel: 01271 862665; Fax: 01271 862151;E-mail: admin@srp-uk.org; Web: www.srp-uk.org)17 January 2002, London, UK Issues Associated with Depleted Uranium Enquiries to: SRP, 21 WigmoreStreet, London W1H 9LA (Tel: 01271 862665; Fax: 01271 862151;E-mail: admin@srp-uk.org; Web: www.srp-uk.org)16-17 April 2002, Cardiff, UK The Changing Role of the Radiation Protection ProfessionalEnquiries to: SRP, 21 WigmoreStreet, London W1U 1PJ (Tel: 01271 862665; Fax: 01271 862151;E-mail: admin@srp-uk.org; Web: www.srp-uk.org)8-11 October 2002, Florence, Italy European IRPA Congress2-5 June 2003, Utrecht, The Netherlands Radiation Protection Symposium of the NW European Countries Organised by The Netherlands Radiation Protection Society and co-sponsored by SRPNRPB RPTS Courses 2001 Foundation in Radiological Protection (revised 4-day course): 24-28 September UK Legislation and International Recommendations: 2-4 October Principles of Protection Against External Radiation Sources: 10-13 September Principles of Protection Against Internal Radiation Sources: 13-15 November Radiation Emergencies - Planning and Response: 27-29 November

Climate changes with global warming associated with rising atmospheric [CO2] can strongly impact crop performance, including coffee, which is one of the most world’s traded agricultural commodities. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to understand the mechanisms of heat tolerance and the potential role of elevated air CO2 (eCO2) in the coffee plant response, particularly regarding the antioxidant and other protective mechanisms, which are crucial for coffee plant acclimation. For that, plants of Coffea arabica cv. Geisha 3, cv. Marsellesa and their hybrid (Geisha 3 × Marsellesa) were grown for 2 years at 25/20 °C (day/night), under 400 (ambient CO2, aCO2) or 700 µL (elevated CO2, eCO2) CO2 L−1, and then gradually submitted to a temperature increase up to 42/30 °C, followed by recovery periods of 4 (Rec4) and 14 days (Rec14). Heat (37/28 °C and/or 42/30 °C) was the major driver of the response of the studied protective molecules and associated genes in all genotypes. That was the case for carotenoids (mostly neoxanthin and lutein), but the maximal (α + β) carotenes pool was found at 37/28 °C only in Marsellesa. All genes (except VDE) encoding for antioxidative enzymes (catalase, CAT; superoxide dismutases, CuSODs; ascorbate peroxidases, APX) or other protective proteins (HSP70, ELIP, Chape20, Chape60) were strongly up-regulated at 37/28 °C, and, especially, at 42/30 °C, in all genotypes, but with maximal transcription in Hybrid plants. Accordingly, heat greatly stimulated the activity of APX and CAT (all genotypes) and glutathione reductase (Geisha3, Hybrid) but not of SOD. Notably, CAT activity increased even at 42/30 °C, concomitantly with a strongly declined APX activity. Therefore, increased thermotolerance might arise through the reinforcement of some ROS-scavenging enzymes and other protective molecules (HSP70, ELIP, Chape20, Chape60). Plants showed low responsiveness to single eCO2 under unstressed conditions, while heat promoted changes in aCO2 plants. Only eCO2 Marsellesa plants showed greater contents of lutein, the pool of the xanthophyll cycle components (V + A + Z), and β-carotene, compared to aCO2 plants at 42/30 °C. This, together with a lower CAT activity, suggests a lower presence of H2O2, likely also associated with the higher photochemical use of energy under eCO2. An incomplete heat stress recovery seemed evident, especially in aCO2 plants, as judged by the maintenance of the greater expression of all genes in all genotypes and increased levels of zeaxanthin (Marsellesa and Hybrid) relative to their initial controls. Altogether, heat was the main response driver of the addressed protective molecules and genes, whereas eCO2 usually attenuated the heat response and promoted a better recovery. Hybrid plants showed stronger gene expression responses, especially at the highest temperature, when compared to their parental genotypes, but altogether, Marsellesa showed a greater acclimation potential. The reinforcement of antioxidative and other protective molecules are, therefore, useful biomarkers to be included in breeding and selection programs to obtain coffee genotypes to thrive under global warming conditions, thus contributing to improved crop sustainability.

MMS350: A Novel Bifunctional Sulfoxide With Radiation Protection and Mitigation Properties

Gas molecules with pharmaceutical effects offer emerging solutions to diseases. In addition to traditional medical gases including O2 and NO, more gases such as H2 , H2 S, SO2 , and CO have recently been discovered to play important roles in various diseases. Though some issues need to be addressed before clinical application, the increasing attention to gas therapy clearly indicates the potentials of these gases for disease treatment. The most important and difficult part of developing gas therapy systems is to transport gas molecules of high diffusibility and penetrability to interesting targets. Given the particular importance of gas molecule delivery for gas therapy, distinguished strategies have been explored to improve gas delivery efficiency and controllable gas release. Here, we summarize the strategies of therapeutic gas delivery for gas therapy, including direct gas molecule delivery by chemical and physical absorption, inorganic/organic/hybrid gas prodrugs, and natural/artificial/hybrid catalyst delivery for gas generation. The advantages and shortcomings of these gas delivery strategies are analyzed. On this basis, intelligent gas delivery strategies and catalysts use in future gas therapy are discussed. This article is categorized under: Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease.

Objective To investigate the protective effect of hydrogen-rich water on rat cognitive dysfunction induced by ionizing radiation. Methods A total of 20 SD rats were randomly divided into four groups with the ramdom number table method: control group (C), hydrogen-rich water group (HRW), irradiation group (IR) and hydrogen-rich water intervention group (HRW+ IR), with 5 rats in each group. The spatial memory ability of rats was tested by a morris water maze. The expression of apoptosis-related genes was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. The changes of glutathione (GSH), 8-hydroxydeoxy guanosine (8-OHdG) and malondialdehyde (MDA) and SOD were also measured. Results The escape latency (F=6.003, P<0.05) and the swimming distances (F=3.850, P<0.05) of rats in four different groups had statistically significant differences. Compared with the IR group, the escape latency of the HRW+ IR group was significantly decreased at 3, 4, 5 d after irradiation (P<0.05), and the swimming distance of this group became much longer (P<0.05). The levels of GSH, 8-OHdG and MDA in these four groups had statistically significant differences (F=6.450, 5.033, 4.113, P<0.05). Compared with IR group, the concentration of GSH was increased (P<0.05), but MDA and 8-OHdG decreased (P<0.05) in the brain tissue of HRW+ IR group, and the expressions of caspase-3, caspase-9 and bax genes were reduced (t=2.956, 3.087, 5.246, P<0.05), while the expression of bcl-2 gene was enhanced (t=-3.640, P<0.05) in the HRW+ IR group. Conclusions Hydrogen-rich water attenuates the oxidative damage of ionizing radiation by neutralizing oxyhydrogen free radicals and thus protects brain from radiation damage. Key words: Hydrogen-rich water; Ionizing radiation; Cognitive dysfunction; Radiation protection