Biological Effects Of Radiation Research Articles

Progress and prospective in biological effects of terahertz radiation

Progress and prospective in biological effects of terahertz radiation

Cell stress response to low-dose neutron radiation

Background. It is a point of discussion whether low-dose ionizing radiation has harmful or stimulating impact on cell. According to high relative biological effectiveness of neutron radiation there is a need of description of any process triggered in the cell by neutrons. Objective. The aim of current work is the investigation of the low dosed neutron radiation effects on human cells by indicators of cell stress such as state of chromatin and cell membrane permeability. Materials and methods. Human buccal epithelium cells from 3 male donors (21, 24, 25 years old) were exposed to fast neutron radiation in dose range 2.3–146.0 mSv from 239Pu-Be source. State of chromatin was evaluated by count of heterochromatin granules quantity in 100 nuclei stained with 2% orcein in 45% acetic acid; ratio of cells with increased membrane permeability stained with 5 mM indigocarmine in 300 cells. Results. Changes in level of heterochromatin granules quantity and in cell membrane permeability revealed wave-shaped dependency with maximum effects at 36.5 mSv. Further increase of dose resulted in return of both chromatin state and membrane permeability levels closely to control or even lower. Conclusion. Membrane restoration and chromatin decompaction under doses higher than 36.5 mSv together can be a sign of hormetic (stimulating) effect of low-dose neutron radiation.

Adverse impacts of mobile phone tower radiation on human health

These days mobile phones have become associated with elementary a part of our life, this is often one in every of the foremost necessary mediums for communication. Consequently, several portable towers are planted to hide additional areas, particularly in huddled cities and concrete areas. Now, the bottom stations made on these locations have transceivers that employ mistreatment frequency (RF) waves to determine communication among users within the mobile network. Because of the variety of base stations needed it will increase with bigger portable use with market competition, and with new technological capabilities. The microwave frequencies utilized in mobile communication cause thermal and non-thermal effects and leave a negative impact on the biological system. The quantity of RF-EMW radiation energy absorbed by human tissue depends on the frequency, intensity, polarization, and period of exposure. The EMR is recognized because of the major reason behind cancer. This review paper presents the potential biological and medicine health effects of high-intensity portable tower radiation.

Proteomic Characterization of Proliferation Inhibition of Well-Differentiated Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells Under Below-Background Radiation in a Deep Underground Environment.

Background: There has been a considerable concern about cancer induction in response to radiation exposure. However, only a limited number of studies have focused on the biological effects of below-background radiation (BBR) in deep underground environments. To improve our understanding of the effects of BBR on cancer, we studied its biological impact on well-differentiated laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma cells (FD-LSC-1) in a deep underground laboratory (DUGL).Methods: The growth curve, morphological, and quantitative proteomic experiments were performed on FD-LSC-1 cells cultured in the DUGL and above-ground laboratory (AGL).Results: The proliferation of FD-LSC-1 cells from the DUGL group was delayed compared to that of cells from the AGL group. Transmission electron microscopy scans of the cells from the DUGL group indicated the presence of hypertrophic endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and a higher number of ER. At a cutoff of absolute fold change ≥ 1.2 and p < 0.05, 807 differentially abundant proteins (DAPs; 536 upregulated proteins and 271 downregulated proteins in the cells cultured in the DUGL) were detected. KEGG pathway analysis of these DAPs revealed that seven pathways were enriched. These included ribosome (p < 0.0001), spliceosome (p = 0.0001), oxidative phosphorylation (p = 0.0001), protein export (p = 0.0001), thermogenesis (p = 0.0003), protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum (p = 0.0108), and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (p = 0.0421).Conclusion: The BBR environment inhibited the proliferation of FD-LSC-1 cells. Additionally, it induced changes in protein expression associated with the ribosome, gene spliceosome, RNA transport, and energy metabolism among others. The changes in protein expression might form the molecular basis for proliferation inhibition and enhanced survivability of cells adapting to BBR exposure in a deep underground environment. RPL26, RPS27, ZMAT2, PRPF40A, SNRPD2, SLU7, SRSF5, SRSF3, SNRPF, WFS1, STT3B, CANX, ERP29, HSPA5, COX6B1, UQCRH, and ATP6V1G1 were the core proteins associated with the BBR stress response in cells.

The Phenotypic and Transcriptomic Response of the Caenorhabditis elegans Nematode to Background and Below-Background Radiation Levels.

Studies of the biological effects of low-level and below-background radiation are important in understanding the potential effects of radiation exposure in humans. To study this issue we exposed the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans to average background and below-background radiation levels. Two experiments were carried-out in the underground radiation biology laboratory at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) in New Mexico USA. The first experiment used naïve nematodes with data collected within 1 week of being placed underground. The second experiment used worms that were incubated for 8 months underground at below background radiation levels. Nematode eggs were placed in two incubators, one at low radiation (ca.15.6 nGy/hr) and one supplemented with 2 kg of natural KCl (ca. 67.4 nGy/hr). Phenotypic variables measured were: (1) egg hatching success (2) body size from larval development to adulthood, (3) developmental time from egg to egg laying adult, and (4) egg laying rate of young adult worms. Transcriptome analysis was performed on the first experiment on 72 h old adult worms. Within 72 h of being underground, there was a trend of increased egg-laying rate in the below-background radiation treatment. This trend became statistically significant in the group of worms exposed to below-background radiation for 8 months. Worms raised for 8 months in these shielded conditions also had significantly faster growth rates during larval development. Transcriptome analyses of 72-h old naïve nematode RNA showed significant differential expression of genes coding for sperm-related proteins and collagen production. In the below-background radiation group, the genes for major sperm protein (msp, 42% of total genes) and sperm-related proteins (7.5%) represented 49.5% of the total genes significantly up-regulated, while the majority of down-regulated genes were collagen (col, 37%) or cuticle-related (28%) genes. RT-qPCR analysis of target genes confirmed transcriptomic data. These results demonstrate that exposure to below-background radiation rapidly induces phenotypic and transcriptomic changes in C. elegans within 72 h of being brought underground.

Biological effects of low-intensity radiofrequency fields and risk assessment for biota

Despite the fact that there are still conflicting opinions about the damage caused by modern wireless communication technologies, most scientists report on the negative biological effects of low-intensity radio frequency electromagnetic radiation at different levels of the organization of live nature. There is no doubt that there is a need not only for a sanitary and hygienic assessment of man-made electromagnetic effects on humans, but also for an environmental assessment for biota. The purpose of the study was to assess the potential environmental risk of electromagnetic impact in the centimeter range on natural ecosystems. The initial data were the authors' own results in the field of radiobiology of non-ionizing radiation, as well as published of other researchers. The article analyzes the biological effects of radio frequency electromagnetic fields detected in organisms of different systematic groups and levels of organization. The data on the non-thermal biological effects of electromagnetic fields indicate a high sensitivity of different species to this factor. The analyzed research results emphasize the need to take into account the features of non-thermal effects of electromagnetic radiation on biota, since these radiations can have a negative impact on different hierarchical levels in natural ecosystems.

Combining Angiogenesis Inhibitors with Radiation: Advances and Challenges in Cancer Treatment

Radiation therapy is a widely employed modality that is used to destroy cancer cells, but it also tends to induce changes in the tumor microenvironment and promote angiogenesis. Radiation, when used as a sole means of therapeutic approach to treat cancer, tends to trigger the angiogenic pathways, leading to the upregulation of several angiogenic growth factors such as VEGF, bFGF, PDGF and angiogenin. This uncontrolled angiogenesis leads to certain angiogenic disorders like vascular outgrowth and an increase in tumor progression that can pose a serious threat to patients. This review emphasizes on various components of the tumor microenvironment, angiogenic growth factors and biological effects of radiation on tumors in provoking the relapse. It also describes the angiogenic mechanisms that trigger the tumor relapse after radiation therapy and how angiogenesis inhibitors can help in overcoming this phenomenon. It gives an overview of various angiogenesis inhibitors in pre-clinical as well as in clinical trials. The review focuses on the beneficial effects of the combinatorial therapeutic approach of anti-angiogenesis therapy and radiation in tumor management.

Space Medicine in Canada

Space Medicine in Canada

Health care for deep space explorers.

There is a growing desire amongst space-faring nations to venture beyond the Van Allen radiation belts to a variety of intriguing locations in our inner solar system. Mars is the ultimate destinati...

Determination of Chromosome Aberrations in Human Fibroblasts Irradiated by Mixed Fields Generated with Shielding.

To better study biological effects of space radiation using ground-based facilities, the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory (NSRL) at the Brookhaven National Laboratory has been upgraded to rapidly switch ions and energies. This has allowed investigators to design irradiation protocols comprising a mixture of ions and energies more indicative of the galactic cosmic ray (GCR) environment. Despite these advancements, beam selection and delivery schemes should be optimized against facility and experimental constraints and validated to ensure such irradiations are a suitable representation of the space environment. Importantly, since experiments are time consuming and expensive, models capable of predicting biological outcomes over a range of irradiation conditions (single ion, sequential multi ion or mixed fields) are needed to support such efforts. In this work, human fibroblasts were placed behind 20 g/cm2 aluminum and 10.345 g/cm2 polyethylene and irradiated separately by 344 MeV hydrogen, 344 MeV/n helium, 450 MeV/n oxygen and 950 MeV/n iron ions at various doses. The fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) whole chromosome painting technique was then used to assess the cells for chromosome aberrations (CAs), notably simple exchanges. A multi-scale modeling approach was also developed to predict the formation of chromosome aberrations in these experiments. The Geant4 simulation toolkit was used to determine the spectra of particles and energies produced by interactions between the incident beams and shielding. The simulated mixed field generated by shielding was then transferred into the track structure code, RITRACKS (relativistic ion tracks), to generate three-dimensional (3D) voxelized dose maps at the nanometer scale. Finally, these voxel dose maps were input into the new damage and repair model, RITCARD (radiation-induced tracks, chromosome aberrations, repair and damage), to predict the formation of various CAs. The multi-scale model described herein is a significant advancement for the computational tools used to predict biological outcomes in cells exposed to highly complex, mixed ion fields related to the GCR environment. Results show that the simulation and experimental data are in good agreement for the complex radiation fields generated by all ions incident on shielding for most data points. The differences between model predictions and measurements are discussed. Although improvements are needed, the model extends current capabilities for evaluating beam selection and delivery schemes at the NSRL ground-based GCR simulator and for informing NASA risk projection models in the future.

The Importance of Mathematical Models for Understanding the Biological Effects of Radiation: Whack-A-Mole Model and Subsequent Developments

The Importance of Mathematical Models for Understanding the Biological Effects of Radiation: Whack-A-Mole Model and Subsequent Developments

Biological Effects of Atmospheric Fields and Radiation

Our atmosphere is full of electromagnetic fields emitted from wireless communication transmitters. At the same time the bio-systems (including humans, animals &amp; birds and vegetation as well) are complex electrical systems. Naturally therefore, they are likely to have interaction and to be affected in some way or the other. Research into this field started with the knowledge about pleasing presence of negative charges and unpleasant presence of positive charges around us, concentrating effects of static or pulsating fields. Also came the explanation (and experimental verification) of Hindu mythological effects of geomagnetic fields coupled with solar activity. The effects of power line radiation and radiation from video game TV sets, microwave oven and other domestic instruments like electric blankets also figured in the research. At last the fastest emerging mobile telephony overpowered all others. Though the results of researches into possible harmful effects of mobile phone radiation and those of radiation from base station towers remain inconclusive partly because of influencing pressure from manufacturing and service providing companies, some of the researchers conclusively assert the harmfulness of the radiation at some level of field intensity present near the tower or the handset relating it to the specific absorption ratio (SAR) value. Recent increased observation of infertility among young couples is also attributed by some researchers to the effect of radiation from mobile kept in pantaloons pockets which becomes near their genitals affecting sperm or ovum. This review explains all these researches into bio-effects of electromagnetic fields and concludes that there is certainly some possible harmfulness of radiation above some level of intensity of fields.

Ionization clustering on charged particle tracks as a seed for biologically relevant radiation effects.

We construct a statistical framework for investigating the physical origins of radiation effects on biological materials and report the fit of an analytical statistical model to rates of simple lesions in DNA. Modeling primary ionization damage as trails of electron vacancies left on the trajectories of fast charged particles, we derive the dependence of rates of spatial clustering on ionization density [linear energy transfer (LET)]; a clustering scale parameter, r_{0}; and number per cluster. Published experimental results on rates of single strand breaks and base lesions in dry DNA over a range of LET are fitted with the derived functions, assuming clusters of 1 or ≥1. The fits yield reasonable goodness of fit and values of r_{0} that are consistent with expectations. Limitations of the model and future developments are discussed. This framework may ultimately contribute to an improved understanding of the physical origins of biological radiation effects.

A simple model for calculating relative biological effectiveness of X-rays and gamma radiation in cell survival.

The relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of X-rays and γ radiation increases substantially with decreasing beam energy. This trend affects the efficacy of medical applications of this type of radiation. This study was designed to develop a model based on a survey of experimental data that can reliably predict this trend. In our model, parameters α and β of a cell survival curve are simple functions of the frequency-average linear energy transfer (LF) of delta electrons. The choice of these functions was guided by a microdosimetry-based model. We calculated LF by using an innovative algorithm in which LF is associated with only those electrons that reach a sensitive-to-radiation volume (SV) within the cell. We determined model parameters by fitting the model to 139 measured (α,β) pairs. We tested nine versions of the model. The best agreement was achieved with [Formula: see text] and β being linear functions of [Formula: see text] .The estimated SV diameter was 0.1-1 µm. We also found that α, β, and the α/β ratio increased with increasing [Formula: see text] . By combining an innovative method for calculating [Formula: see text] with a microdosimetric model, we developed a model that is consistent with extensive experimental data involving photon energies from 0.27 keV to 1.25 MeV. We have developed a photon RBE model applicable to an energy range from ultra-soft X-rays to megaelectron volt γ radiation, including high-dose levels where the RBE cannot be calculated as the ratio of α values. In this model, the ionization density represented by [Formula: see text] determines the RBE for a given photon spectrum.

Biological effectiveness of very high gamma dose rate and its implication for radiological protection

Many experimental studies are carried out to compare biological effectiveness of high dose rate (HDR) with that of low dose rate (LDR). The rational for this is the uncertainty regarding the value of the dose rate effectiveness factor (DREF) used in radiological protection. While a LDR is defined as 0.1 mGy/min or lower, anything above that is seen as HDR. In cell and animal experiments, a dose rate around 1 Gy/min is usually used as representative for HDR. However, atomic bomb survivors, the reference cohort for radiological protection, were exposed to tens of Gy/min. The important question is whether gamma radiation delivered at very high dose rate (VHDR—several Gy/min) is more effective in inducing DNA damage than that delivered at HDR. The aim of this investigation was to compare the biological effectiveness of gamma radiation delivered at VHDR (8.25 Gy/min) with that of HDR (0.38 Gy/min or 0.79 Gy/min). Experiments were carried out with human peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMC) and the human osteosarcoma cell line U2OS. Endpoints related to DNA damage response were analysed. The results show that in PBMC, VHDR is more effective than HDR in inducing gene expression and micronuclei. In U2OS cells, the repair of 53BP1 foci was delayed after VHDR indicating a higher level of damage complexity, but no VHDR effect was observed at the level of micronuclei and clonogenic cell survival. We suggest that the DREF value may be underestimated when the biological effectiveness of HDR and LDR is compared.

In Vitro Effects of Cellular Phone Electromagnetic Fields at 940 MHz on the Structure and Half-Life of Recombinant Human Growth Hormone

The biological effects of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation (EMF) are of high importance in biological and health studies. This study aimed to find out these effects on the structure and function of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH). The rhGH was exposed to uniform mobile phone 940-MHz EMFs for 45 min and then characterized by circular dichroism (CD), dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential, and intrinsic fluorescence spectroscopy techniques. The half-life of this protein in plasma has been measured by ELISA after exposure to the EMFs. The CD spectra indicated significant changes in the secondary structure of the hormone (two negative peaks at 208 and 222 nm). These changes in the secondary structure of the treated rhGH were found irreversible as there were no significant differences in the CD spectra of the samples measured at first day and 45 days afterwards. The DLS analysis showed about 27% increase in the protein size compared to that of control. The biological activity as measured by half-life of the rhGH in plasma showed a sevenfold decrease after 25 min. The injection of the radiated protein into mice had shown a significant decrease in the weight gain compared to that of control. These findings approved irreversible disruptive changes in the structure and function of the rhGH upon exposure to the EMF.

Cellular Response to Proton Irradiation: A Simulation Study with TOPAS-nBio.

The cellular response to ionizing radiation continues to be of significant research interest in cancer radiotherapy, and DNA is recognized as the critical target for most of the biologic effects of radiation. Incident particles can cause initial DNA damages through physical and chemical interactions within a short time scale. Initial DNA damages can undergo repair via different pathways available at different stages of the cell cycle. The misrepair of DNA damage results in genomic rearrangement and causes mutations and chromosome aberrations, which are drivers of cell death. This work presents an integrated study of simulating cell response after proton irradiation with energies of 0.5-500 MeV (LET of 60-0.2 keV/µm). A model of a whole nucleus with fractal DNA geometry was implemented in TOPAS-nBio for initial DNA damage simulations. The default physics and chemistry models in TOPAS-nBio were used to describe interactions of primary particles, secondary particles, and radiolysis products within the nucleus. The initial DNA double-strand break (DSB) yield was found to increase from 6.5 DSB/Gy/Gbp at low-linear energy transfer (LET) of 0.2 keV/µm to 21.2 DSB/Gy/Gbp at high LET of 60 keV/µm. A mechanistic repair model was applied to predict the characteristics of DNA damage repair and dose response of chromosome aberrations. It was found that more than 95% of the DSBs are repaired within the first 24 h and the misrepaired DSB fraction increases rapidly with LET and reaches 15.8% at 60 keV/µm with an estimated chromosome aberration detection threshold of 3 Mbp. The dicentric and acentric fragment yields and the dose response of micronuclei formation after proton irradiation were calculated and compared with experimental results.

Quality of teaching radiation oncology in Germany\u2014where do we stand?

PurposeMedical students’ knowledge of radiation oncology (RO) is of increasing importance with a rising prevalence of malignancies. However, RO teaching in medical schools is heterogeneous and has not been analyzed at a federal level yet. Therefore, the following survey aims to provide a national overview of RO teaching in Germany.MethodsA questionnaire containing multiple-choice and free-text questions covering the extent and topics of RO teaching was sent to RO departments of all university hospitals in Germany and was answered by the heads of department/main lecturers.Results24/35 (68.6%) RO departments returned completed forms. Most faculties employ lectures (91.7%), seminars (87.5%), and practical/bedside training (75.0%), whereas training in radiation biology and medical physics are rare (25% and 33.3%, respectively). Main topics covered are general RO (100%), radiation biology (91.7%), and side effects (87.5%). Regarding RO techniques and concepts, image-guided and intensity-modulated radiotherapy are taught at all faculties, followed by palliative and stereotactic techniques (87.5% each). Notably, all departments offered at least a partial rotation in RO in conjunction with radiology and/or nuclear medicine departments in the last year of medical school, while only 70.8% provided a complete rotation in RO. In addition, 57.1% of the departments have taken measures concerning the upcoming National Competence-Based Learning Objectives Catalogue (NKLM) for medical education.ConclusionRO plays an integral but underrepresented role in clinical medical education in Germany, but faces new challenges in the development of practical and competence-based education, which will require further innovative and interdisciplinary concepts.

Evaluation and Substantiation of the Necessity to Revise Guidelines for Measuring Electromagnetic Radiation of Cellular Base Stations

Introduction: Measurements of electromagnetic radiation of the radio frequency range are of great relevance due to the increasing number of transmitting radio facilities in the densely populated territories, constant cell site upgrades, and emerging communication standards. The paper presents a brief description of the biological effects of radio frequency electromagnetic radiation and shows basic mechanisms of the negative effect on the most vulnerable organs and systems. Our objective was to evaluate valid guidelines for measuring electromagnetic radiations of the radio frequency range in residential areas, in houses and public buildings. Materials and methods: We reviewed specific characteristics of cellular base and radio relay stations, compared and described electromagnetic radiation measuring devices. The provided recommendations for their selection were based on frequencies at which the communication equipment operates. We also analyzed the current guidelines with account for characteristics of transmitting radio equipment of cellular base stations and the applied measuring instruments. Results: The results of assessing established significant differences are discussed. The analysis of the requirements for measurements demonstrated significant discrepancies and contradictions between the valid documents. The evaluation results demonstrated impossibility of simultaneous measurements of electromagnetic radiation from cellular BS and RRS due to violations of requirements for measurement procedures. We concluded that, according to the current method documents, measurements of electromagnetic radiation from the fourth (4G) and fifth (5G) generation mobile communications systems were not possible. Conclusions: We revealed the necessity to revise the compared guidelines МUК 4.3.1167–02 and МUК 4.3.1677–03, to harmonize regulatory requirements for measurements, and to develop a single document guiding measurements of radio frequency electromagnetic radiation. Recommendations for taking measurements are provided.

Life in the near space and implications for astrobiology

Near space is a region that lies between 20 and 100 km above sea level, which includes the major region of the stratosphere, the mesosphere and the lower thermosphere. Near space comprises a harsher physical environment which contains high ultraviolet light levels, subzero temperatures, desiccation and low atmospheric pressure, in comparison to the low-altitude atmosphere. This provides a unique analogue environment that resembles the surface conditions of Mars, the high-altitude atmospheric environments of Venus and the high radiation environments of early Earth. Microorganisms can enter the lower atmosphere and the near space through weather systems like wind, geological activities like earthquake and volcanic eruption and human activities like air transportation. In recent years, methodological and technological advances have deepened our understanding of the diversity and survival strategies of organisms in near space. Payload systems and methods for exposing organisms and for in situ collecting microbial samples in near space have been designed and developed. Consequently, a growing number of studies investigate the microbial survival strategies in near space by exposing model microorganisms (e.g., bacteria, archaea and yeasts) to near space extreme environments through flight exposures. A diverse group of microorganisms have been isolated, identified and characterized from near space, suggesting that it may potentially contain a vast unknown microbial biosphere. The dispersal of life in near space may play an essential role in shaping global patterns of microbial biodiversity and biogeography. The ability of these microbes to survive under near space extreme environments has prompted researchers from different disciplines to study them to better understand their diversity, distribution and survival strategies. Near space not only provides great opportunities to investigate some basic biological questions such as the biological effects of radiations, but it also has a wide application potential since microorganisms in near space, as extremophiles, are a valuable source of a variety of new genes and enzymes. Astrobiology is the study of the origin, evolution, habitability and future of life on Earth and beyond in the context of cosmic evolution. One promising research field in astrobiology is planetary analogue research which conducts experiments and tests in specific environments on Earth that have physical/chemical similarities to the extraterrestrial environments. Analogue research has offered new insights into the planetary habitability and the search for extraterrestrial life. Near space as a natural laboratory can provide hard evidence for important astrobiology topics including the limits to life on Earth, the upper boundary of Earth’s biosphere, the possibility of interplanetary transport of life, the assessment of panspermia hypothesis and the planetary protection. With the recent development of the Chinese Space Station and deep-space exploration, the study of near space biology will provide support for future space station related research and will further promote the development of astrobiology in China. Here I review the major advances in biodiversity in near space and their survival strategies, with emphases on key astrobiology questions associated with the research of near space. I also highlight major challenges that will be necessary to address in future research and discuss possible perspectives in the study of near space biology.