Frequency Of Dicentric Chromosomes Research Articles

High frequency of dicentric chromosomes detected by multi-centromeric FISH in patients with acute myeloid leukemia and complex karyotype

Dicentric chromosomes (DCs) are considered markers of cancer in various malignancies. However, they can be overlooked when conventional analysis or multicolor fluorescence in situ hybridization (mFISH) is used to detect complex karyotypes. We analyzed the karyotypes of 114 patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and complex karyotypes and verified the presence of monosomies by FISH using multi-centromeric probes. Monosomy was detected in 63% of patients by G-banding/mFISH and confirmed in 55% of patients by centromeric FISH. FISH analysis indicated a high frequency of DCs that were previously considered monosomies. In some cases, it was apparent that the derivative monocentric chromosome was a primary DC. DCs were formed mostly by chromosomes 17 and 20. In conclusion, chromosome loss and unbalanced translocation suggest the presence of a hidden DC or its previous existence. DCs undergo several stabilizing changes and can induce other chromosomal aberrations and/or the formation of new DCs. This can result in the clonal evolution of abnormal cells, which is considered an independent prognostic marker of an unfavorable disease course and short survival.

Evaluation of Chromosomal Aberrations and Micronuclei in Medical Workers Chronically Exposed to Low Dose Ionizing Radiation

<p class="IsiAbstrakIndo"><span lang="EN-GB">Medical workers representing the group is the most consistently are exposed to low doses of ionizing radiation, prolonged low-level ionizing radiation can induce chromosomal aberrations (CAs). This study would evaluate the cytogenetic effect using the CAs based on dicentric, and cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus (CBMN) assay on hospital workers. The exposed group dividedto Interventional and Diagnostic groups then compared to non exposed group. The accumulated absorbed doses calculated for the radiation workers were below 5mSv. Blood samples were obtained from 29 samples of medical workers , and 15 samples of control. The Study showed that the frequency of dicentric chromosomes both in exposed and control were not found. In case of micronuclei, the mean frequencies were observed in exposed group that was (19 ±6.22) and (16.25 ± 6.04) respectively and the control group was (10.4±7.79). Frequency MN/1000 cell in the lymphocytes both in the two exposed group was relatively higher compared to control group. However the MN frequencies in all sample group was still in normal range . In this study chronic low radiation dose exposure in the hospital had no significant effect on chromosome aberration nor micronuclei. The benefit of the study is to enrich the potential usefulness of cytogenetic assay providing safety index in medical surveillance programs. The results suggest that education and retraining of staff concerning radiation safety guidelines need to be done to maintain the safety aspects of radiation. </span></p>

Expedited Radiation Biodosimetry by Automated Dicentric Chromosome Identification (ADCI) and Dose Estimation.

Biological radiation dose can be estimated from dicentric chromosome frequencies in metaphase cells. Performing these cytogenetic dicentric chromosome assays is traditionally a manual, labor-intensive process not well suited to handle the volume of samples which may require examination in the wake of a mass casualty event. Automated Dicentric Chromosome Identifier and Dose Estimator (ADCI) software automates this process by examining sets of metaphase images using machine learning-based image processing techniques. The software selects appropriate images for analysis by removing unsuitable images, classifies each object as either a centromere-containing chromosome or non-chromosome, further distinguishes chromosomes as monocentric chromosomes (MCs) or dicentric chromosomes (DCs), determines DC frequency within a sample, and estimates biological radiation dose by comparing sample DC frequency with calibration curves computed using calibration samples. This protocol describes the usage of ADCI software. Typically, both calibration (known dose) and test (unknown dose) sets of metaphase images are imported to perform accurate dose estimation. Optimal images for analysis can be found automatically using preset image filters or can also be filtered through manual inspection. The software processes images within each sample and DC frequencies are computed at different levels of stringency for calling DCs, using a machine learning approach. Linear-quadratic calibration curves are generated based on DC frequencies in calibration samples exposed to known physical doses. Doses of test samples exposed to uncertain radiation levels are estimated from their DC frequencies using these calibration curves. Reports can be generated upon request and provide summary of results of one or more samples, of one or more calibration curves, or of dose estimation.

Expedited Radiation Biodosimetry by Automated Dicentric Chromosome Identification (ADCI) and Dose Estimation

Biological radiation dose can be estimated from dicentric chromosome frequencies in metaphase cells. Performing these cytogenetic dicentric chromosome assays is traditionally a manual, labor-intensive process not well suited to handle the volume of samples which may require examination in the wake of a mass casualty event. Automated Dicentric Chromosome Identifier and Dose Estimator (ADCI) software automates this process by examining sets of metaphase images using machine learning-based image processing techniques. The software selects appropriate images for analysis by removing unsuitable images, classifies each object as either a centromere-containing chromosome or non-chromosome, further distinguishes chromosomes as monocentric chromosomes (MCs) or dicentric chromosomes (DCs), determines DC frequency within a sample, and estimates biological radiation dose by comparing sample DC frequency with calibration curves computed using calibration samples. This protocol describes the usage of ADCI software. Typically, both calibration (known dose) and test (unknown dose) sets of metaphase images are imported to perform accurate dose estimation. Optimal images for analysis can be found automatically using preset image filters or can also be filtered through manual inspection. The software processes images within each sample and DC frequencies are computed at different levels of stringency for calling DCs, using a machine learning approach. Linear-quadratic calibration curves are generated based on DC frequencies in calibration samples exposed to known physical doses. Doses of test samples exposed to uncertain radiation levels are estimated from their DC frequencies using these calibration curves. Reports can be generated upon request and provide summary of results of one or more samples, of one or more calibration curves, or of dose estimation.

Developing an Automated Cytogenetic Imaging System for Detection of Dicentric Chromosomes in Biological Dosimetry

Background: High-energy ionizing radiation is harmful and changes the genetic makeup of DNA, which can lead to increased risk of cancer. Thus, the exposure of radiation dose should be under control and limited. Ionizing radiation might lead to some chromosome aberrations like dicentric. There is a strong relation between the frequency of dicentric chromosome in metaphase, and the received dose. Objective: Identifying the frequency of dicentric chromosomes is an important task especially in large-scale radiation accident for making rapid clinical decision. Given this, a large number of metaphases should be investigated for an accurate estimating of dose. It is well known that non-automated (visual) scoring of chromosome aberrations such as dicentrics requires highly trained experts. On the other hand, as thousands of cells should be scored, it is time-consuming and results in fatigue that can lead to poor concentration. Methods: Biological dosimetry technique for assessing radiation dose is based on analyzing chromosome in peripheral blood lymphocyte. Our study describes a technique to speed up this procedure by automatically distinguishing abnormal chromosomes from normal ones. The most important feature of dicentric chromosomes is their two centromeres. Therefore, the main approach in our study is to design an automated system to identify the number and position of centromeres. We presented a method for classifying chromosomes into four groups in accordance with the number of centromeres in each chromosome. Results: The image dataset of 311 chromosomes of normal and dicentric chromosomes is used to test the scheme. The sensitivity about 90% and specificity more than 95% for classification of chromosomes into dicentric and non-dicentric as well as accuracy more than 90% for centromere identification, are obtained. Conclusion: If an automated system with the capability of straightening bent chromosome was applied prior to the proposed algorithm, even more accurate results would be achieved.

Radiation Dose Estimation by Automated Cytogenetic Biodosimetry.

The dose from ionizing radiation exposure can be interpolated from a calibration curve fit to the frequency of dicentric chromosomes (DCs) at multiple doses. As DC counts are manually determined, there is an acute need for accurate, fully automated biodosimetry calibration curve generation and analysis of exposed samples. Software, the Automated Dicentric Chromosome Identifier (ADCI), is presented which detects and discriminates DCs from monocentric chromosomes, computes biodosimetry calibration curves and estimates radiation dose. Images of metaphase cells from samples, exposed at 1.4-3.4 Gy, that had been manually scored by two reference laboratories were reanalyzed with ADCI. This resulted in estimated exposures within 0.4-1.1 Gy of the physical dose. Therefore, ADCI can determine radiation dose with accuracies comparable to standard triage biodosimetry. Calibration curves were generated from metaphase images in ~10 h, and dose estimations required ~0.8 h per 500 image sample. Running multiple instances of ADCI may be an effective response to a mass casualty radiation event.

Chromosomal Aberrations in Wild Mice Captured in Areas Differentially Contaminated by the Fukushima Dai-Ichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident.

Following the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident, radiation effects on nonhuman biota in the contaminated areas have been a great concern. The induction of chromosomal aberrations in splenic lymphocytes of small Japanese field mice (Apodemus argenteus) and house mice (Mus musculus) inhabiting Fukushima Prefecture was investigated. In mice inhabiting the slightly contaminated area, the average frequency of dicentric chromosomes was similar to that seen in mice inhabiting a noncontaminated control area. In contrast, mice inhabiting the moderately and heavily contaminated areas showed a significant increase in the average frequencies of dicentric chromosomes. Total absorbed dose rate was estimated to be approximately 1 mGy d(-1) and 3 mGy d(-1) in the moderately and heavily contaminated areas, respectively. Chromosomal aberrations tended to roughly increase with dose rate. Although theoretically, the frequency of chromosomal aberrations was considered proportional to the absorbed dose, chromosomal aberrations in old mice (estimated median age 300 days) did not increase with radiation dose at the same rate as that observed in young mice (estimated median age 105 days).

Triage biodosimetry using centromeric/telomeric PNA probes and Giemsa staining to score dicentrics or excess fragments in non-stimulated lymphocyte prematurely condensed chromosomes

The frequency of dicentric chromosomes in human peripheral blood lymphocytes at metaphase is considered as the “gold-standard” method for biological dosimetry and, presently, it is the most widely used for dose assessment. Yet, it needs lymphocyte stimulation and a 2-day culture, failing the requirement of rapid dose estimation, which is a high priority in radiation emergency medicine and triage biodosimetry. In the present work, we assess the applicability of cell fusion mediated premature chromosome condensation (PCC) methodology, which enables the analysis of radiation-induced chromosomal aberrations directly in non-stimulated G0-lymphocytes, without the 2-day culture delay. Despite its advantages, quantification of an exposure by means of the PCC-method is not currently widely used, mainly because Giemsa-staining of interphase G0-lymphocyte chromosomes facilitates the analysis of fragments and rings, but not of dicentrics. To overcome this shortcoming, the PCC-method is combined with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), using simultaneously centromeric/telomeric peptide nucleic acid (PNA)-probes. This new approach enables an accurate analysis of dicentric and centric ring chromosomes, which are formed within 8h post irradiation and will, therefore, be present in the blood sample by the time it arrives for dose estimation. For triage biodosimetry, a dose response curve for up to 10Gy was constructed and compared to that obtained using conventional metaphase analysis with Giemsa or centromeric/telomeric PNA-probes in metaphase. Since FISH is labor intensive, a simple PCC-method scoring Giemsa-stained fragments in excess of 46 was also assessed as an even more rapid approach for triage biodosimetry. First, we studied the rejoining kinetics of fragments and constructed a dose-response curve for 24h repair time. Then, its applicability was assessed for four different doses and compared with the PCC-method using centromeric/telomeric PNA-probes, through the evaluation of speed of analysis and minimum number of cells required for dose estimation and categorization of exposed individuals.

Unstable chromosome aberrations do not accumulate in normal human fibroblast after fractionated x-irradiation.

We determined the frequencies of dicentric chromosomes per cell in non-dividing confluent normal human fibroblasts (MRC-5) irradiated with a single 1 Gy dose or a fractionated 1 Gy dose (10X0.1 Gy, 5X0.2 Gy, and 2X0.5 Gy). The interval between fractions was between 1 min to 1440 min. After the completion of X-irradiation, the cells were incubated for 24 hours before re-plating at a low density. Then, demecolcine was administrated at 6 hours, and the first mitotic cells were collected for 42 hours. Our study demonstrated that frequencies of dicentric chromosomes in cells irradiated with a 1 Gy dose at different fractions were significantly reduced if the fraction interval was increased from 1 min to 5 min (p<0.05, χ2-test). Further increasing the fraction interval from 5 up to 1440 min did not significantly affect the frequency of dicentric chromosomes. Since misrejoining of two independent chromosome breaks introduced in close proximity gives rise to dicentric chromosome, our results indicated that such circumstances might be quite infrequent in cells exposed to fractionated X-irradiation with prolonged fraction intervals. Our findings should contribute to improve current estimation of cancer risk from chronic low-dose-rate exposure, or intermittent exposure of low-dose radiation by medical exposure.

Radioprotective Effect of Carvacrol Against X-Radiation-Induced Cellular Damage in Cultured Human Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes.

In the present study, we evaluated the radioprotective effect of carvacrol (CVC) against X-radiation-induced cellular damage in cultured human blood lymphocytes. By MTT assay, the LD50 doses of CVC and X-radiation to lymphocytes were determined to be 100 μg/ml and 4 Gy, respectively. To explore the radioprotective effect of CVC, the cultured lymphocytes were treated with 100 μg/mL of CVC 30 min prior to 4 Gy irradiation. Subsequently, the radiation-induced damage was screened by micronuclei (MN) and dicentric chromosome (DC) frequencies and comet assay. The percentage of cell death was evaluated by acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) staining. The radiation-induced oxidative stress was estimated by assessing the changes in the levels of enzymatic antioxidants and lipid peroxidation markers. Compared with the sham control, we observed increases in MN and DC frequencies, comet attributes, % cell death, and lipid peroxidation with a concomitant decrease in the antioxidant status of the lymphocytes treated with radiation alone. Pre-treatment of lymphocytes with CVC (100 μg/mL) altered those changes mediated by radiation. These results clearly indicate that CVC may be an effective radioprotector against X-radiation. It has the ability to scavenge the free radicals produced and to protect cells from radiation-induced cell damage.

The use of centromeric/telomeric PNA probes in prematurely condensed chromosomes of peripheral blood lymphocytes for absorbed dose estimation

Background: The frequency of dicentric chromosomes in human peripheral blood lymphocytes at metaphase is considered as the “gold-standard” for biological dosimetry and at present is the most widely used method for dose assessment. This methodology requires lymphocyte culture and analysis time of more than three days. Such long time period, is inadequate in radiation emergency medicine since a rapid and accurate estimation of the dose is considered to be a high priority. Alternatively, cell fusion mediated premature chromosome condensation (PCC) enables the observation of radiation-induced cytogenetic damage directly in non-stimulated lymphocytes without the need of blood culturing. Quantification of an exposure by means of this method has been limited so far mainly to the analysis of chromosome fragments and rings. This limitation is due to the fact that staining with Giemsa of prematurely condensed chromosomes (PCCs) does not allow visualization of the centromeric regions and, consequently, the identification of dicentrics, centric rings, and acentric fragments. In the present work, we overcome this shortcoming by developing a methodology enabling us the detection of dicentric chromosomes rapidly and accurately in non-stimulated lymphocyte PCCs.

The influence of a substrate including extracellular matrix proteins on karyotypic variability in two cell lines of Indian muntjac skin fibroblasts

The influence of cell-culture conditions on numerical and structural karyotypic variability has been investigated in two Indian muntjac skin fibroblast “markerless” cell lines, M and MT. The cells were cultivated on a substrate consisting of extracellular matrix proteins (ECMs) synthesized by human mesenchymal stem cells (SC5-MSC). The character of cell distribution for the chromosome number of the cell line M changed after cultivation for 1 and 4 days as compared to control cells, which were cultured on a hydrophilic surface without ECM coating. These changes involve a significant decrease in frequency of cells with the modal numbers of chromosomes and an increase in frequency of cells with lower chromosome numbers. Many new types of additional structural variants of the karyotype (SVK) appear. The MT cell line, differing from M line in the number of homologous chromosomes, exhibited a character of cell distribution similar to that of the M line for the chromosome number for only 1 day after cultivation on the ECM substrate, but not after 4 days under the same culture conditions, when no difference from the control cells was observed. Further cultivation of MT cells for 8 days did not change the character of cell distribution for the chromosome number relative to the control variant. The observed alterations seem to be due to disturbances in the correct chromosome-segregation process, which were caused by an abrupt shift in the cell-culture conditions. Analysis of the structural karyotypic variability revealed a significant increase in frequency of chromosomal aberrations in the M cell line for 1 and 4 days in culture on the ECM substrate as compared to the control cells. The frequency of dicentric chromosomes (telomeric associations) was increased and constituted more than 50% of all chromosome aberrations. No increase in frequency of chromosome aberrations was observed for MT cells cultured under the same conditions. It can be suggested that the differing by the karyotypic structure, but the genetically identical cell lines have different response to the substrate. In contrast to the M line, in the MT line, a fast normalization of numerical karyotypic characteristics and no enhancement of structural karyotypic variability takes place. This provides a possibility to cultivate an MT cell on the given protein substrate while maintaining a balanced karyotypic structure characteristic of MT cell line.

Cytogenetic Abnormalities in Lymphocytes from Victims Exposed to Cobalt-60 Radiation

The present study investigates cytogenetic damage in lymphocytes, derived from three victims who were unfortunately exposed to cobalt-60 (60Co) radiation (the 1999 accident occurred in a village in China’s Henan province). Case A of the three victims was exposed to a higher dose of 60Co radiation than Cases B and C. The chromosomal aberrations, cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN, the CBMN assay), and DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs, the comet assay) examined in this study are biomarkers for cytogenetic abnormalities. After the lymphocytes collected from the victims were cultured, the frequencies of dicentric chromosomes and rings (dic + r) and CBMN in the first mitotic division detected in the lymphocytes of Case A were found to be substantially higher than in Cases B and C. Similarly, the DNA-DSB level found in the peripheral blood collected from Case A was much higher than those of Cases B and C. These results suggest that an acutely enhanced induction of the 60Co-induced cytogenetic abnormality frequency in humans depends on the dose of 60Co radiation. This finding is supported by the data obtained using practical techniques to evaluate early lymphoid-tissue abnormalities induced after exposure to acute radiation.

Analysis of chromosome damage for biodosimetry using imaging flow cytometry

The dicentric chromosome assay (DCA), which involves counting the frequency of dicentric chromosomes in mitotic lymphocytes and converting it to a dose-estimation for ionizing radiation exposure, is considered to be the gold standard for radiation biodosimetry. Furthermore, for emergency response, the DCA has been adapted for triage by simplifying the scoring method [1]. With the development of new technologies such as the imaging flow cytometer, it may now be possible to adapt this microscope-based method to an automated cytometry method. This technology allows the sensitivity of microscopy to be maintained while adding the increased throughput of flow cytometry. A new protocol is being developed to adapt the DCA to the imaging cytometer in order to further increase the rapid determination of a biological dose.Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated from ex vivo irradiated whole blood samples using a density gradient separation method and cultured with PHA and Colcemid. After 48h incubation, the chromosomes were isolated, stained for DNA content with propidium iodide (PI) and labelled with a centromere marker. Stained chromosomes were then analyzed on the ImageStream× (EMD-Millipore, Billerica, MA).Preliminary results indicate that individual chromosomes can be identified and mono- and dicentric chromosomes can be differentiated by imaging cytometry. A dose response curve was generated using this technology. The details of the method and the dose response curve are presented and compared to traditional microscope scoring.Imaging cytometry is a new technology which enables the rapid, automated analysis of fluorescently labelled chromosomes. Adapting the dicentric assay to this technology has the potential for high throughput analysis for mass casualty events.

The dose-response relationship for dicentric chromosomes and γ-H2AX foci in human peripheral blood lymphocytes: Influence of temperature during exposure and intra- and inter-individual variability of donors

Purpose: Hypothermia during in vitro irradiation of human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) affects the level of chromosome aberrations. The molecular mechanisms of this phenomenon are not fully understood. The aim of our study was to examine the effect of hypothermia on the dose-response relationship for dicentric chromosomes and the level of γ-H2AX (phosphorylated histone H2AX) foci. In addition, the inter- and intra-individual variability was assessed in relation to temperature.Materials and methods: PBL were kept at 0.8, 20 and 37°C and then exposed to gamma-rays (from 0–3 Gy). Dicentric chromosomes were scored in first post-treatment mitoses. γ-H2AX foci were scored 15, 30, 60, 120 min and 24 h post irradiation.Results: Our results revealed that the frequency of dicentric chromosomes in cells exposed at 37°C to gamma-rays was higher than after exposure at 0.8 and 20°C. No effect of temperature was observed on the number of γ-H2AX foci as well as on the intra- and inter-individual variations of the dicentric yield and the number of γ-H2AX foci.Conclusions: Temperature at exposure to ionizing radiation has a pronounced effect on the level of cytogenetic damage but not γ-H2AX foci.

Random frequency of radiation induced aberrations in individual chromosomes of lymphocytes of α -thalassemia variant patients

Abstract To evaluate the effects of ionizing radiation on chromosomal aberration in lymphocytes of α-thalassemia variants compared to normal controls, venous blood samples were obtained from 10 healthy volunteers and 30 α-thalassemia patients. Different types of α-thalassemia were diagnosed by multiplex polymerase chain reaction. Blood samples were divided into two parts, the first exposed to 3 Gy gamma rays generated from a 60Co source and the other without any irradiation. The blood samples were used for preparation of metaphase cells according to standard methods. Results showed that the frequency of spontaneous aberration (about 0.012 per cell) was similar in all study groups. Irradiated samples showed significantly higher frequency of aberrations (about 0.6 per cell) compared to non-irradiated samples in all groups but similar for control and α-thalassemia variants. The frequency of dicentric chromosomes was significantly higher than other aberrations. In normal individuals in all of the chromosomes except in chromosome 1, a random distribution of break points proportional to their length based on their DNA content was observed. In α-thalassemia variant individuals in all of the chromosomes, a random distribution of break points proportional to their length based on their DNA content was observed.

Folate deficiency is associated with the formation of complex nuclear anomalies in the cytokinesis‐block micronucleus cytome assay

Chromosomal instability (CIN) is an important hallmark to oncogenesis and can be diagnosed morphologically by the presence of nuclear anomalies such as micronuclei (MN), nucleoplasmic bridges (NPBs), and nuclear buds (NBuds). We have identified additional nuclear anomalies formed under folate-deficient conditions, defined as "fused" nuclei (FUS), "circular" nuclei (CIR), and "horse-shoe" nuclei (HS) and investigated their suitability for inclusion as additional CIN biomarkers in the lymphocyte cytokinesis-block micronucleus cytome (CBMN-Cyt) assay. Although the morphological appearance of FUS, CIR, and HS suggested an origin from multiple NPB in the fusion region between the two nuclei, the very low frequency of dicentric chromosomes in metaphase spreads from these cultures did not support this model. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis of cytokinesis-blocked binucleated (BN) cells with peptide nucleic acid probes for telomeres and centromeres (PNA-FISH) revealed a high proportion of fusion regions contained both centromeric and telomeric DNA. This suggests that folate deficiency may disrupt the process of sister chromatid separation and chromosome segregation during mitosis. It was concluded that the FUS, CIR, and HS morphologies represent promising biomarkers of CIN that are sensitive to folate deficiency, and further validation and investigation of the mechanisms responsible for their formation is warranted.

Preliminary evaluation of acute toxicity of 188Re–BMEDA–liposome in rats

Liposomes can selectively target cancer sites and carry payloads, thereby improving diagnostic and therapeutic effectiveness and reducing toxicity. To evaluate therapeutic strategies, it is essential to use animal models reflecting important safety aspects before clinical application. The objective of this study was to investigate acute radiotoxicity of ¹⁸⁸Re-N,N-bis (2-mercaptoethyl)-N',N'-diethylethylenediamine (BMEDA)-labeled pegylated liposomes (¹⁸⁸Re-BMEDA-liposome) in Sprague-Dawley rats. Rats were administered with ¹⁸⁸Re-BMEDA-liposome, normal saline as blank or non-radioactive liposome as vehicle control via intravenous injection and observed for 14 days. Examinations were conducted with respect to mortality, clinical signs, food consumption, body weight and hematological and biochemical analyses. In addition, gross necropsy, histopathological examinations and cytogenetic analyses were also performed. None of the rats died and no clinical sign was observed during the 14-day study period. Rats administered with ¹⁸⁸Re-BMEDA-liposome at dosage of 185 MBq displayed a significant weight loss compared with the control from study day (SD) 1 to SD 4, and the white blood cell count reduced to 5-10% of initial value (female: 18.55 ± 6.58 to 0.73 ± 0.26 x 10³ µl⁻¹; male: 14.52 ± 5.12 to 1.43 ± 0.54 x 10³ µl⁻¹) 7 days-post injection, but were found to have recovered on SD 15. There were no significant differences in biochemical parameters and histopathological assessments between the ¹⁸⁸Re-BMEDA-liposome-treated and control groups. The frequencies of dicentric chromosomes were associated with dosage of ¹⁸⁸Re-BMEDA-liposome. The information generated from this study on acute toxicity will serve as a safety reference for further subacute toxicity study in rats and human clinical trials.

Dose estimation by chromosome aberration analysis and micronucleus assays in victims accidentally exposed to60Co radiation

The objective of this study was to assess the radiation exposure levels in victims of a (60)Co radiation accident using chromosome aberration analysis and the micronucleus assay. Peripheral blood samples were collected from three victims exposed to (60)Co 10 days after the accident and were used for the chromosome aberration and micronucleus assays. After in vitro culture of the lymphocytes, the frequencies of dicentric chromosomes and rings (dic+r) and the numbers of cytokinesis blocking micronuclei (CBMN) in the first mitotic division were determined and used to estimate radiation dosimetry. The Poisson distribution of the frequency of dic+r in lymphocytes was used to assess the uniformity of the exposure to (60)Co radiation. Based on the frequency of dic+r in lymphocytes, estimates of radiation exposure of the three victims were 5.61 Gy (A), 2.48 Gy (B) and 2.68 Gy (C). The values were estimated based on the frequencies of CBMN, which were 5.45 Gy (A), 2.78 Gy (B) and 2.84 Gy (C). The estimated radiation dosimetry demonstrated a critical role in estimating the radiation dose and facilitating an accurate clinical diagnosis. Furthermore, the frequencies of dir+r in victims A and B deviated significantly from a normal Poisson distribution. Chromosome aberration analysis offers a reliable means for estimating biological exposure to radiation. In the present study, the micronucleus assay demonstrated a high correlation with the chromosome aberration analysis in determining the radiation dosimetry 10 days after radiation exposure.

Dose and dose-rate effects of long-term exposure to low-dose rate-gamma rays on dicentric chromosome frequencies in mouse splenocytes

Dose and dose-rate effects of long-term exposure to low-dose rate-gamma rays on dicentric chromosome frequencies in mouse splenocytes