Frequency Of Dicentrics Research Articles

Laboratory Intercomparison of Cytogenetic Dosimetry Among 38 Laboratories in China.

A nationwide intercomparison exercise for estimating the irradiated dose was organized by the National Institute for Radiological Protection, Center for Disease Control and Prevention of China. Thirty-eight laboratories participated in this program. The main objective of this intercomparison exercise was to compare the participants’ ability of operation and dose assessment basing on the frequencies of dicentrics and centric rings. Whole blood samples were irradiated with different dosages of 60Co γ-rays. Each laboratory collected 2 blind samples and prepared the slides independently. All participants presented the estimated dose reports within 30 days. The doses assessed by the participants were acceptable within the reference dose of ±20%. The mean absolute difference of estimated dose relative to the reference dose was calculated, which reflected the overall accuracy of dose estimates for each laboratory. The overall estimation results of blind blood samples for intercomparison showed a good agreement with the reference dose for each sample, with nearly 75% of the participants producing acceptable results.

Determination of spontaneous dicentric frequencies and establishment of dose-response curves after expose of human peripheral blood lymphocytes to low- and high-dose rate 60Co gamma rays – the basis for cytogenetic biodosimetry in Vietnam

Purpose: The purposes of this study are to investigate spontaneous dicentric frequencies and dose–response curves of dicentrics induced by gamma 60Co for replenishing the data sets used for biodosimetry in Vietnam.Materials and methods: One hundred and four healthy donor blood samples were collected for chromosome aberrations background study, 03 healthy donor blood samples were used for generating the dose–response curves at 1.96 mGy/min and 275 mGy/min. Blood collection, in vitro irradiation, cell culture and harvest, slide preparation and metaphase scoring were performed according to IAEA standard protocol (2011). Blind exposed samples were scored for verifying each curve.Results: The dicentric, fragment and chromatid break frequencies in 106,310 metaphases of 104 donors were 0.023% ± 0.005%, 0.045% ± 0.007% and 0.101% ± 0.011%, respectively. The dose–response curve for low-dose rate was y = C + (0.0137 ± 0.0055)D + (0.0912 ± 0.0142)D2 and for high-dose rate was y = C + (0.0337 ± 0.0046)D + (0.0539 ± 0.0031)D2, where both of them were verified.Conclusion: The data of this study were established for biological dose assessment in cases with low LET of accidental or occupational radiation exposures in the dose range of 0.1–5.0 Gy.

Dicentric Dose Estimates for Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy in the RTGene Study to Assess Blood Dosimetric Models and the New Bayesian Method for Gradient Exposure.

The RTGene study was focused on the development and validation of new transcriptional biomarkers for prediction of individual radiotherapy patient responses to ionizing radiation. In parallel, for validation purposes, this study incorporated conventional biomarkers of radiation exposure, including the dicentric assay. Peripheral blood samples were taken with ethical approval and informed consent from a total of 20 patients undergoing external beam radiotherapy for breast, lung, gastrointestinal or genitourinary tumors. For the dicentric assay, two samples were taken from each patient: prior to radiotherapy and before the final fraction. Blood samples were set up using standard methods for the dicentric assay. All the baseline samples had dicentric frequencies consistent with the expected background for the normal population. For blood taken before the final fraction, all the samples displayed distributions of aberrations, which are indicative of partial-body exposures. Whole-body and partial-body cytogenetic doses were calculated with reference to a 250-kVp X-ray calibration curve and then compared to the dose to blood derived using two newly developed blood dosimetric models. Initial comparisons indicated that the relationship between these measures of dose appear very promising, with a correlation of 0.88 (P = 0.001). A new Bayesian zero-inflated Poisson finite mixture method was applied to the dicentric data, and partial-body dose estimates showed no significant difference (P > 0.999) from those calculated by the contaminated Poisson technique. The next step will be further development and validation in a larger patient group.

Assessment of Cytogenetic Abnormalities by FISH in Lymphocytes from a Victim Accidentally Exposed to Cobalt-60

Background: A radiation accident occurred on 14 June 2011 in an industrial facility in Bulgaria whit Co source (137 TBq) used to sterilise equipment. Five people received doses exceed 1Gy and led to development of acute radiation syndrome. Biological dosimetry based on dicentric analysis was performed and the averaged acute whole-body doses estimated for the five patients were from 1.2 to 5.6 Gy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate in vivo induced chromosome aberrations four months after accident in the most severely exposed subject. Methods: Fluorescence plus Giemsa (FPG) staining and Fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH) were used to detect chromosomal aberrations in peripheral blood lymphocytes from the study subject four months after accidental exposure. FISH was provide using DNA probes specific for whole chromosomes #1, #4 and #11. Results: The mean frequency of dicentrics per cell ±SE was 0,425±0,042 determined by FPG. By FISH analysis the genomic frequency of apparently simple translocations (AST) per cell was 0,707±0,030. Incomplete translocations account for about 35%. For apparently simple dicentrics (ASD) the genomic frequency was calculated as 0,190±0,020. The frequency of complete plus incomplete dicentrics was 0,275 ± 0,020. Chromosome 1 was found to be involved in 52,35% of the total yield. Chromosome 4 was found to be involved in 30,2 % and chromosome 11 was involved in 22,82% of the total yield of translocations. Among 157 aberrant cells 28 cells or 17,83% were with one or more complex exchanges. Conclusions: This is a pilot study for a long time follow up assessing in vivo cytogenetic abnormalities in radiation accidentally exposed in Bulgaria persons. It is not possible at this to relate high frequency of translocation with long-term biological effect, but it is well known fact that ionizing radiation increase cancer risk in some individuals.

Lessons from the accident with 137Cesium in Goiania, Brazil: Contributions to biological dosimetry in case of human exposure to ionizing radiation

Human exposure to ionizing radiation has increased over time, mainly due to medical applications, occupational and environmental exposure, as well as accidents involving radioactive materials. In September 1987, an accident with 137Cesium occurred in Goiânia city, Brazil; the accident started with the removal of a 50.9-TBq 137Cesium source from an abandoned radiotherapy unit. Among the radiation-exposed victims, at least 50 individuals showed symptoms of whole-body and local acute irradiation, and also external or internal contamination. In this report, the purpose was to review and summarize the main results of cytogenetic studies carried out with victims of 137Cesium, for blood collection performed shortly after the accident, and following several years post-exposure. The importance of dose estimates by biological dosimetry is highlighted, and also several lessons that were learned from the initial to follow-up (7–10 years after the accident) studies, mainly by applying the fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) method. A relevant aspect discussed on the basis of the results obtained in those studies refers to the incidence of chromosomal translocations, which were directly compared to the initial frequencies of dicentrics that were previously used to estimate the absorbed doses. In general, translocation frequencies were two to three times lower than the dicentric frequencies, and the differences were dose-dependent. Furthermore, regarding attempts to perform retrospective dosimetry (10 years post-accident), the dose estimates using translocation frequencies for victims of 137Cesium indicate the feasibility of this approach only for low level exposure (below 0.5 Gy), while for higher doses there are some limitations, and the requirement to apply appropriate correction factors, which were discussed on the basis of literature data. Apart of this, in general terms, important aspects to be mentioned refer to the need for better care and control of radioactive devices, as well as adequate education programs for professionals and also the population.

Chromosome aberrations in workers occupationally exposed to tritium

This paper reports the findings of an historical chromosome analysis for unstable aberrations, undertaken on 34 nuclear workers with monitored exposure to tritium. The mean recorded β-particle dose from tritium was 9.33 mGy (range 0.25–79.71 mGy) and the mean occupational dose from external, mainly γ-ray, irradiation was 1.94 mGy (range 0.00–7.71 mGy). The dicentric frequency of 1.91 ± 0.53 × 10−3 per cell was significantly raised, in comparison with that of 0.61 ± 0.30 × 10−3 per cell for a group of 66 comparable worker controls unexposed to occupational radiation. The frequency of total aberrations was also significantly higher in the tritium workers. Comparisons with in vitro studies indicate that at these dose levels an increase in aberration frequency is not expected. However, the available historical tritium dose records were produced for the purposes of radiological protection and based on a methodology that has since been updated, so tritium doses are subject to considerable uncertainty. It is therefore recommended that, if possible, tritium doses are reassessed using information on historical recording practices in combination with current dosimetry methodology, and that further chromosome studies are undertaken using modern FISH techniques to establish stable aberration frequencies, as these will provide information on a cumulative biological effect.

Twenty years of FISH-based translocation analysis for retrospective ionizing radiation biodosimetry

Purpose: The fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) technique, which easily detects reciprocal translocations, is currently used to estimate doses in retrospective biological dosimetry, after suspected accidental overexposure to ionizing radiation (IR). This study of 42 cases aimed to verify the appropriateness of this assay for radiation dose reconstruction, compared to the dicentric assay, and to evaluate other limitations.Material and methods: We labeled chromosomes 2, 4, and 12 by 3-color FISH painting to detect translocations on lymphocytes of patients with suspected past IR overexposure.Result: Translocation dose estimation showed doses significantly different from 0 Gy in 25 of the 42 cases. The lowest positive dose measured was 0.3 Gy. Several months after IR exposure, the doses measured by translocation and dicentric assays are quite similar. For a year, dose estimation by translocation assay becomes more relevant as dicentric frequency starts to decrease, coming close to 0 for more than a year after the exposure. The persistence of translocations enabled us to corroborate an overexposure 44 years earlier. Interpretation of the observed translocation yield requires the knowledge of the patient’s other radiation exposures. A dose assessment by this biomarker is relevant only if the radiation exposure is confirmed.Conclusions: This technique is appropriate for corroborating a former IR exposure of individuals. When the radiation dose is greater than 1 Gy, the translocations in complex exchanges must be considered. Another relevant point is the use of an appropriate background yield of translocations. The dose assessment, however, also depends on exposure to various genotoxic agents besides IR. If no evidence about the existence of radiation exposure is available, dose assessment is not useful. For this reason, report only the translocation frequency and its comparison with the background yield by age class is preferable.

Assessment of Ionizing Radiation Induced Dicentric Chromosome and Micronuclei in Human Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes for Preliminary Reconstruction of Cytogenetic Biodosimetry

Cytological biodosimetry methodology has been widely used for determining and estimating the precise irradiation dose received by victims in the situation of emergency irradiation exposure. The aim of this study was to assess the gamma-ray induced dicentric chromosomes and micronuclei (MN) in peripheral blood lymphocytes for preliminary reconstruction of cytogenetic biodosimetry. The study was performed by exposing blood samples taken from seven healthy donors to gamma rays at dose range of 0.1 to 4.0 Gy, followed by culturing them for 48-72 hours at 37 °C by the standard technique. After being harvested, the chromosome spread at metaphase and MN were stained with Giemsa's solution. The results showed that the frequency of both dicentrics and MN of samples were increased with the increase of radiation dose. Considerable increases of both cytologic damages were found in the samples exposed to higher doses (>2 Gy). Significant differences (p>0.05) only found in mean frequencies of MN for all doses tested. Reconstruction of the relationship of these frequencies with doses was found to follow linear-quadratic curve lines and was consistent with that of other studies. Due to the aforementioned advantages namely the dependence of radiation dose and dose rate on the frequency of of both dicentric and MN, despite some limitations, these assays have been found to be suitable to be used as biological dosimetry. It is concluded that in order for this cytogenetic biodosimety method by means of scoring/assessing the radiation-induced dicentrics and MN could be used in radiation emergency and protection, and further studies with larger numbers of samples need to be done. Received: 12 November 2015 ; Revised: 18 Mei 2016 ; Accepted: 08 December 2016

The radioprotective effect of metformin against cytotoxicity and genotoxicity induced by ionizing radiation in cultured human blood lymphocytes

Metformin is a widely prescribed drug used in the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes. In this study, the radioprotective effect of metformin was investigated against cytotoxicity and genotoxicity induced by ionizing radiation (IR) in human peripheral blood lymphocytes. Human lymphocytes were treated with metformin at concentrations 10 and 50μM for 2h and irradiated with 6MV X-rays. The radiation antagonistic potential of metformin was assessed by MTT [3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiaozolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H tetrazolium bromide] assay, chromosomal aberration (CA) analysis, cytokinesis blocked micronucleus (CBMN) assay, and flow cytometry. Observations demonstrated a radiation-dose-dependent decrease in the percentage of cell viability after 24h. It was found that pretreatment with metformin (10 and 50μM) increased the percentage of cell viability. A highly significant dose modifying factor (DMF) 1.35 and 1.42 was observed for 10 and 50μM metformin, respectively. Metformin (10 and 50μM) pretreatment significantly decreased the frequency of dicentrics (DCs), acentric fragments (AFs), rings (RIs), micronuclei (MN), and nucleoplasmic bridges (NPBs) in irradiated human peripheral blood lymphocytes. Also, treatment with metformin (10 and 50μM) without irradiation did not increase the number of MN, NPBs, DCs, AFs, RIs, and did not show a cytostatic effect in the human peripheral blood lymphocytes. On the other hand, metformin treatment (10 and 50μM) 2h prior to irradiation significantly reduced X-radiation-induced apoptotic incidence in human lymphocytes. The present study demonstrates metformin to be an effective radioprotector against DNA damage and apoptosis induced by IR in human lymphocytes. These data have an important application for the protection of lymphocytes from the genetic damage and side-effects induced by radiotherapy in cancer patients.

Cytogenetic and dosimetric effects of 131I in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma: comparison between stimulation with rhTSH and thyroid hormone withdrawal treatments

A study directed to the cytogenetic and dosimetric aspects of radionuclides of medical interest is very valuable, both for an accurate evaluation of the dose received by the patients, and consequently of the genetic damage, and for the optimization of therapeutic strategies. Cytogenetic and dosimetric effects of (131)I in lymphocytes of thyroidectomized differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) patients were evaluated through chromosome aberration (CA) technique: Euthyroid patients submitted to recombinant human thyroid-stimulating hormone (rhTSH) therapy (group A) were compared with hypothyroid patients left without levothyroxine treatment (group B). CA analysis was carried out prior to and 24h, 1week, 1month and 1year after radioiodine administration (4995-7030MBq) in both groups. An activity-response curve of (131)I (0.074-0.740MBq/mL) was elaborated, comparing dicentric chromosomes in vivo and in vitro in order to estimate the absorbed dose through Monte Carlo simulations. In general, radioiodine therapy induced a higher total CA rate in hypothyroid patients as compared to euthyroid patients. The frequencies of dicentrics obtained in DTC patients 24h after treatment were equivalent to those induced in vitro (0.2903±0.1005MBq/mL in group A and 0.2391±0.1019MBq/mL in group B), corresponding to absorbed doses of 0.65±0.23Gy and 0.53±0.23Gy, respectively. The effect on lymphocytes of internal radiation induced by (131)I therapy is minimal when based on the frequencies of CA 1year after the treatment, maintaining a higher quality of life for DTC patients receiving rhTSH-aided therapy.

Intercomparison in Cytogenetic Dosimetry among 22 Laboratories in China.

As part of a regional International Atomic Energy Agency-coordinated research project with the support from the National Health and Family Planning Commission of China, 22 laboratories participated in the intercomparison in cytogenetic dosimetry in China. Slides for chromosomal aberrations were prepared by the Department of Radiation Epidemiology, National Institute for Radiological Protection, which organized the exercise. Slides were sent to the other participating laboratories through Express Mail Service. For estimates of dose, each laboratory scored the frequency of dicentrics plus centric rings chromosomes. The whole blood samples were irradiated with 60Co γ-rays (1.3 Gy, 2.4 Gy and 1.5 Gy, 2.6 Gy). Each laboratory got one group of the slides. Ten of the 44 estimates of dose fell within ±5% of the true physical dose, 12 fell within ±5–10%, 9 fell within ±10–15%, 12 fell within ±15–20%, while only one sample fell ± >20%. The evaluation of the respective dose was achieved by 21 laboratories.

Radioprotective Effects of Amifostine and Lycopene on Human Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes In Vitro

BackgroundRadiation protection is a pivotal challenge for radiation workers employed in medical fields, industry, and also space professionals with an increasing role in medical diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Radioprotective effects of amifostine and lycopene and their ability to moderate the level of radiation-induced chromosomal aberrations were investigated using the dicentric chromosome assay. MethodsParallel human whole blood samples, pretreated with amifostine (250 μg/mL), lycopene (5 μg/mL), and/or their combinations were irradiated for 30 minutes with 60Co γ rays (1, 2, 3, and 4 Gy) with a dose rate of 98.46 cGy/min at SAD = 100 cm, in vitro and cocultured with control groups. The frequencies of chromosomal aberrations in the lymphocyte of the cells were analyzed. ResultsThere were no apparent chromosome aberrations in controls and also in the drug-treated groups in the absence of radiation. Radiodrug treatment significantly decreased frequency of the radiation-induced chromosome aberrations compared with radiation alone (P < .05). Amifostine reduced the frequency of radiation-induced dicentrics by 15.8%, 21.9%, 4.5%, and 11.6%, with dose protection factors (DPFs) of 1.2 ± 0.02, 1.3 ± 0.1, 1.05 ± 0.03, and 1.13 ± 0.02. Lycopene reduced the frequency by 17.2%, 3.07%, 1.63%, and 16.6%, with DPFs of 1.21 ± 0.12, 1.03±0.05, 1.02±0.03 and 1.12±0.03. The combination treatment reduced the frequency by 28%, 24.9%, 9%, and 31.2%, with DPFs of 1.38 ± 0.06, 1.33 ± 0.06, 1.09 ± 0.02, and 1.45 ± 0.03 with radiation doses of 1, 2, 3, and 4 Gy, respectively. ConclusionsIt can be suggested that pretreatment with combined amifostine and lycopene may reduce the extent of ionizing radiation damage in cells.

O.4 - A comparative study of the cytogenetic responses for homo- and heterogeneous exposures of human T-lymphocytes

Introduction: Biological dosimetry is central in the assessment and mitigation of large scale radiation accidents and occupational over-exposures. Several biological endpoints have been successfully employed to estimate doses for both in vitro and in vivo exposures. Comprehensive statistical analysis of the dose–response parameters can yield more information than mere quantitative dose estimates. Qualitative aspects of the radiation type and dose distribution can be predicted, which is important for real world biodosimetry applications. Materials and Methods: Equivalent total body dose estimates were prepared for blood samples exposed to 60Co gamma-rays at doses ranging from 1 to 6Gy. The samples were subsequently dilutedwith sham irradiated blood to yield a range of total body dose equivalents between 0 and 4 Gy. Dicentric formation frequency in lymphocyte metaphase spreads was quantified using a semi-automated image analysis system. Results: Cytogenetic aberration frequencies for each irradiation and dilution condition were translated to whole body dose values using dose– response curves established in the laboratory. The measured values were in agreement with the calculated estimates (P-value > 0.05). The overdistribution of chromosomal aberrations correlated with the non-uniformity of the radiation applied; which is reflected by the indices of dispersion (σ2/ μ > 1.2) for heterogeneously exposed samples. Conclusion: The degree of non-uniformity of exposures can be predicted on the basis of over-dispersion parameters calculated using advanced statistical analysis of dicentric frequency distributions.

A Case Report: Cytogenetic Dosimetry after Accidental Radiation Exposure during (192)Ir Industrial Radiography Testing.

The accidental gamma radiation exposure of an industrial radiography worker and the cytogenetic examination of the worker's blood lymphocytes are described here. The exposure of the worker was due to a malfunction at the entrance into the depleted uranium-shielding device of a (192)Ir source during operation. Because the source was sealed no additional beta radiation exposure was assumed. The worker's thermoluminescent dosimeter indicated an absorbed dose of 0.078 Sv, which presumably took place in December 2013. No clinical symptoms were reported in the case history after the potential exposure to radiation. Four months after the incident it was decided that biological dosimetry using dicentric chromosome and micronucleus analysis would be performed to follow radiation protection aspects and to clarify the radiation dose uncertainties for the exposed worker. Micronucleus frequency was not increased above the laboratory's control value of micronucleus background frequency of unexposed individuals. However, the observed dicentric frequency (0.003 dicentric/cell) differs significantly from the laboratory's background level of dicentric chromosomes in unexposed individuals (0.0007 dicentric/cell). Dicentric analysis in 2,048 metaphase cells resulted in an estimated dose of no more than 0.181 Gy (95% upper confidence level), not less than 0.014 Gy (95% lower confidence level) and a mean dose of 0.066 Gy (photon-equivalent whole-body exposure) based on interpolation from the laboratory's calibration curve for (60)Co gamma radiation. Since overdispersion of dicentric chromosomes (u = 9.78) indicated a heterogeneous (partial-body) exposure, we applied the Dolphin method and estimated an exposure of 2.1 Sv affecting 21% of the body volume. Because the overdispersion of dicentric chromosomes was caused by only one heavily damaged cell containing two dicentrics, it is possible that this was an incidental finding. In summary, a radiation overexposure of the radiography worker must be assumed and this case considered as a potential partial-body exposure scenario.

New tool for biological dosimetry: Reevaluation and automation of the gold standard method following telomere and centromere staining

PurposeThe dicentric chromosome (dicentric) assay is the international gold-standard method for biological dosimetry and classification of genotoxic agents. The introduction of telomere and centromere (TC) staining offers the potential to render dicentric scoring more efficient and robust. In this study, we improved the detection of dicentrics and all unstable chromosomal aberrations (CA) leading to a significant reevaluation of the dose–effect curve and developed an automated approach following TC staining. Material and methodsBlood samples from 16 healthy donors were exposed to 137Cs at 8 doses from 0.1 to 6Gy. CA were manually and automatically scored following uniform (Giemsa) or TC staining. The detection of centromeric regions and telomeric sequences using PNA probes allowed the detection of all unstable CA: dicentrics, centric and acentric rings, and all acentric fragments (with 2, 4 or no telomeres) leading to the precise quantification of estimated double strand breaks (DSB). ResultsManual scoring following TC staining revealed a significantly higher frequency of dicentrics (p<10−3) (up to 30%) and estimated DSB (p<10−4) compared to uniform staining due to improved detection of dicentrics with centromeres juxtaposed with other centromeres or telomeres. This improvement permitted the development of the software, TCScore, that detected 95% of manually scored dicentrics compared to 50% for the best currently available software (DCScore™). ConclusionThe use of TC staining has permitted a reevaluation of the dose–response curve and the highly efficient automation of the scoring process, marking a new step in the management and follow-up of populations exposed to genotoxic agents including ionizing radiation.

Cytogenetic analysis of peripheral blood lymphocytes, many years after exposure of workers to low-dose ionizing radiation

The present study aims to measure chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei in peripheral blood lymphocytes from 25 subjects exposed to 0.10–0.33Gy external or internal irradiation 32–41 years ago using conventional cytogenetic analysis methods. The frequencies of total chromosome-type aberrations and micronucleus significantly increased in the exposed group compared with that in age-matched control group (p<0.001); chromatid-type aberrations showed no difference between the two groups (p>0.05). When exposed subjects were divided into two groups based on exposure dose, higher levels of dicentric plus translocation frequencies were observed in the ≥0.15Gy dose group compared with those in the <0.15Gy dose group, though the difference was not significant. Borderline association between exposure dose and dicentric frequency was detected in the exposed group (r=0.358; p=0.079). These results suggest that the genotoxic effects of ionizing radiation remain in subjects exposed to low-dose radiation even decades after exposure.

Genome damage in testicular seminoma patients seven years after radiotherapy

Purpose: Testicular seminoma cancer incidence has significantly increased over the last few decades, and although it is successfully treated by radiotherapy, long-term health risks are still unclear. The aim of the study was to show long-term genome damage in patients with seminoma after radiotherapy.Materials and methods: Chromosome aberration (CA) and micronucleus (MN) assays seven years after radiotherapy with a total dose of 25 Gy were conducted in 10 testicular seminoma patients aged 23–49 years and results were compared with 10 healthy control subjects matched for age and smoking status.Results: Although mean CA frequency did not deviate from control values, significantly increased frequencies of dicentrics, double minutes, and ring chromosomes were detected in seminoma patients. MN frequency in binuclear lymphocytes of patients was similar to controls (4.60/1000 vs. 5.82/1000, respectively). Significantly higher MN frequency was detected in mononuclear lymphocytes of patients than in controls (2.55/1000 vs. 0.73/1000, respectively). Average percentage of centromere-positive MN was 62.6% in seminoma patients.Conclusion: This study shows the persistence of unstable CA in seminoma patients seven years after radiotherapy and the relevance of long-term follow up. MN frequency in mononuclear lymphocytes was shown to be relevant biomarker of long-term genome damage.

Synergistic effect of radon in blood cells of smokers – An in vitro study

Epidemiological studies indicate that the risk of lung cancer among smokers increases with exposure to residential radon. The present study aimed to investigate the synergetic effect between smoking and radon. Blood samples from smokers and non-smokers were exposed to different concentrations of radon ranging from 0 to 189MBq/m3 corresponding to doses ranging from 0.2 to 15.2mGy. Chromosome aberrations in first division metaphase preparations were scored. The frequency of dicentrics in radon-exposed smoker cells was found to be higher than non-smokers by factor of 3.8. The present study is the first of its kind to investigate the interaction of radon and smoking sans confounding factors, as smoker cells were exposed in vitro to radon.

Frequency of dicentrics and contamination levels in Ukrainian children and adolescents from areas near Chernobyl 20 years after the nuclear plant accident

Purpose: To survey the possible presence of chromosomal damage and internal contamination in a group of Ukrainian children and adolescents, 20 years after the Chernobyl accident at the Nuclear Power Plant.Materials and methods: Cytogenetical procedures were performed according to dicentric assay in 55 Ukrainian children and adolescents (29 boys and 26 girls), living near Chernobyl. In addition, a whole body detector and urinalysis were used to detect internal contamination.Results: 36 dicentrics were found in a total of 53,477 metaphases scored in these children, which reflected a frequency of dicentrics below the background level. On the other hand, internal contamination was not detected in any subject studied.Conclusions: Since the estimated absorbed dose is below the detection limit, according to both biological and physical dosimetry, radiation overexposure during the last 3–5 years has not been detected in the considered subjects.

Chromosome analysis of nuclear power plant workers using fluorescence in situ hybridization and Giemsa assay

The aim of this study was to evaluate the genotoxic effects of ionizing radiation in vivo in exposed Bulgarian nuclear power plant workers by using classical cytogenetic and molecular cytogenetic analyses of peripheral lymphocytes. Chromosome analysis using fluorescence in situ hybrydization (FISH) and Giemsa techniques was undertaken on 63 workers and 45 administrative staff controls from the Bulgarian Nuclear Power Plant. Using the Giemsa method, the frequencies of cells studied with chromosome aberrations, dicentrics plus rings and chromosome fragments in the radiation workers were significantly higher compared with the control group (P = 0.044, P = 0.014, and P = 0.033, respectively). A significant association between frequencies of dicentrics plus rings and accumulated doses was registered (P < 0.01). In the present study, a FISH cocktail of whole chromosome paints for chromosomes 1, 4 and 11 was used. A significant association between frequency of translocations and accumulated doses was also observed (P < 0.001). Within the control group, a correlation was found between age and the spontaneous frequency of translocations. No correlation was found between smoking status and frequency of translocations. When compared with the control group, workers with accumulated doses up to 100 mSv showed no increase in genome translocation frequency, whereas workers with accumulated doses from 101 to 200 mSv showed a statistically significant doubling of genome translocation frequency (P = 0.009). Thus, in cases of chronic exposure and for purposes of retrospective dosimetry, the genome frequency of translocations is a more useful marker for evaluation of genotoxic effects than dicentric frequency.