Long-term Effects Of Radiation Research Articles

GAMMA KNIFE RADIOSURGERY IN YOUNGER PATIENTS WITH VESTIBULAR SCHWANNOMAS

Management options for patients with vestibular schwannoma include observation, surgical resection, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), and stereotactic radiation therapy. In younger patients, resection is often advocated because of concern regarding the long-term effects of radiation. We studied tumor response and clinical outcomes after SRS in such patients. We reviewed long-term outcomes in 55 patients with vestibular schwannomas. Patients were 40 years of age or younger, underwent gamma knife (GK) SRS between 1987 and 2003, and were followed up for a minimum of 4 years. The median patient age was 35 years (range, 13-40 years). Forty-one patients had Gardner-Robertson class 1 to 4 hearing. Thirteen patients (24%) had undergone surgical removal. The median tumor volume was 1.7 mm. The median tumor margin dose was 13.0 Gy (range, 11-20 Gy). At a median of 5.3 years, (range, 4-20 years), 2 of 55 patients underwent GK SRS for a second time; 1 of these patients had had a recurrence after initial resection. The 5-year rate of freedom from additional management was 96%. Hearing preservation rates (i.e., remaining within the same Gardner-Robertson hearing class) were 93%, 87%, and 87% at 3, 5, and 10 years, respectively. In patients with serviceable hearing before SRS, it was maintained in 100%, 93%, and 93% of patients at 3, 5, and 10 years, respectively. Hearing preservation was related to a margin dose lower than 13 Gy (P = 0.017). At the last assessment, facial and trigeminal nerve function was preserved in 98.2% and 96.4% of patients, respectively; the only facial deficit (House-Brackmann grade III) occurred in a patient who received a tumor dose of 20 Gy early in our experience (1988). None of the patients treated with doses lower than 13 Gy experienced facial or trigeminal neuropathy. All patients continued their previous level of activity or employment after GK SRS. No patient developed a secondary radiation-related tumor. Our experience indicates that GK SRS is an effective management strategy for younger patients with vestibular schwannoma, most of whom have no additional cranial nerve dysfunction.

Short- and Long-Term Effects of UV Radiation on the Pigmentation of Human Skin

The incidence of skin cancer, including cutaneous melanoma, has risen substantially in recent years, and epidemiological and laboratory studies show that UV radiation is a major causative factor of this increase. UV damage also underlies photoaging of the skin, and these deleterious effects of UV can be, in part, prevented in skin with higher levels of constitutive pigmentation. We review the clinical studies we have made in recent years regarding the rapid and the long-term responses of the pigmentary system in human skin to UV exposure.Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings (2009) 14, 32-35; doi:10.1038/jidsymp.2009.10.

Sex‐dependent effects of 56Fe irradiation on contextual fear conditioning in C57BL/6J mice

Effects of irradiation on hippocampal function have been mostly studied in male rodents and relatively little is known about potential effects of irradiation on hippocampal function in female rodents. Moreover, although the long-term effects of clinical radiation on cognitive function have been well established, the effects of other forms of irradiation, such as high charged, high energy radiation (HZE particles) that astronauts encounter during space missions have not been well characterized. In this study we compared the effects of (56)Fe irradiation on fear conditioning in C57BL/6J female and male mice. Hippocampus-dependent contextual fear conditioning was impaired in female mice but improved in male mice following (56)Fe irradiation. Such impairment was not seen for hippocampus-independent cued fear conditioning. Thus, the effects of (56)Fe irradiation on hippocampus-dependent contextual fear conditioning are critically modulated by sex.

Cancer and non-cancer effects in Japanese atomic bomb survivors**Presented as an invited paper at the 21st LH Gray Conference ‘The Radiobiology—RadiationProtection Interface’, Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh 4–6 June 2008.

The survivors of the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki are a general populationof all ages and sexes and, because of the wide and well characterised range of dosesreceived, have been used by many scientific committees (International Commission onRadiological Protection (ICRP), United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects ofAtomic Radiation (UNSCEAR), Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiations (BEIR)) as thebasis of population cancer risk estimates following radiation exposure. Leukaemia was thefirst cancer to be associated with atomic bomb radiation exposure, with preliminaryindications of an excess among the survivors within the first five years after the bombings.An excess of solid cancers became apparent approximately ten years after radiationexposure. With increasing follow-up, excess risks of most cancer types have beenobserved, the major exceptions being chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, and pancreatic,prostate and uterine cancer. For most solid cancer sites a linear dose response isobserved, although in the latest follow-up of the mortality data there is evidence (p = 0.10) for an upward curvature in the dose response for all solid cancers. The only cancer siteswhich exhibit (upward) curvature in the dose response are leukaemia, and non-melanomaskin and bone cancer. For leukaemia the dose response is very markedly upwardcurving, indeed largely describable as a pure quadratic dose response, particularlyin the low dose (0–2 Sv) range. Even 55 years after the bombings over 40% ofthe Life Span Study cohort remain alive, so continued follow-up of this group isvital for completing our understanding of long-term radiation effects in people.In general, the relative risks per unit dose among the Japanese atomic bomb survivors aregreater than those among comparable subsets in studies of medically exposed individuals.Cell sterilisation largely accounts for the discrepancy in relative risks between these twopopulations, although other factors may contribute, such as the generally higher underlyingcancer risks in the medical series than in the Japanese atomic bomb survivors. Risks amongoccupationally exposed groups such as nuclear workforces and underground miners aregenerally consistent with those observed in the Japanese atomic bomb survivors. Ingeneral, consistent patterns of variation of risk with age at exposure are also seen inall studies—risks for all cancer types diminish with increasing age at exposure.There are also excess risks of various types of non-malignant disease in the Japanese atomicbomb survivors, in particular cardiovascular, respiratory and digestive diseases. Indeed,risks are elevated to much the same degree for a number of non-malignant diseaseendpoints, suggestive of bias. However, in contrast with the cancer data, there is much lessconsistency in the pattern of risk between the atomic bomb survivors and other exposedgroups; for example, radiation-associated respiratory and digestive diseases have not beenseen in these other groups. Although cardiovascular risks have been seen elsewhere,particularly in medically exposed groups, in contrast with the cancer data there is muchless consistency in risk between studies: risks per unit dose in epidemiological studiesvary over at least two orders of magnitude, possibly as a result of confoundingfactors. In the absence of a convincing mechanistic explanation of epidemiologicalevidence, at present a cause-and-effect interpretation of the reported statisticalassociations for cardiovascular disease is unreliable but cannot be excluded. Furtherepidemiological and biological evidence will allow a firmer conclusion to be drawn.

The usefulness of two-colour fluorescence in situ hybridization technique using chromosomal subset at metaphase and interphase stage in radiation biodosimetry

Peripheral bloods from healthy donors were irradiated by 60Co γ-rays and californium (252Cf) –neutron for 0.5 to 4 Gy and the frequencies of the translocations were detected by two colour fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Chromosomes 1, 2 and 3 and chromosomes 6, 7 and 9 were labeled by rodamine-dUTP and fluorescein-dUTP as viewing red or green signal on metaphase chromosomes, respectively. In separate observation, translocation was detected on the interphase cells by the two color FISH method using whole chromosome painting probes of chromosomes 4 and 9. Detected translocations on the metaphase and interphase cells showed clear dose response relationships. Translocations induced by 60Co γ-rays, 252Cf neutrons, and those in atomic bomb survivors were able to detect easily by both interphase FISH and metaphase FISH using two colour of chromosome subsets. These results suggest that scoring of translocations by two colour FISH of chromosome subsets can serve as more sensitive and applicable biological dosimeter for short or long-term radiation effects. Keywords: Interphase FISH, biodosimetry, atomic bomb, neutron, γ rays

Interactive effects of phosphorus loads and ambient ultraviolet radiation on the algal community in a high-mountain lake

Interactions among multiple stressors generated by global change exert cumulative effects on ecosys- tems. In order to identify the long-term interactive effects of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and increasing atmospheric nutrient inputs (P-inputs) on aggregate (growth rate, chlorophyll a and abundance) and emergent (evenness and diaersity) algal community variables, a 2 x 5 factorial experiment [two levels of light quality (+ UVR, ― UVR) and five levels of nutrient enrichment] was conducted using in situ mesocosms in a high-mountain lake in the Sierra Nevada (Spain) over a 70-day period. Addition of P suppressed and inverted the stimulatory UVR effect on the non-flagellate growth rate (mid-term scale). This interactive effect was propagated as increased harmful UVR effect on chlorophyll a and abundance across the P-gradient. Interestingly, P-pulse reversed the positive effect of UVR on phytoplankton evenness and diversity on the long-term scale. These findings support our hypothesis that the UVR x P interactive effect would favor a few UVR-tolerant rapid-growing species. We show that the algal community is acclimated to UVR-flux but not to high P-pulse. The loss of diversity and disappearance of mixotrophic flagellates may have important implications for the functioning of clear-water ecosystems.

Long-term effects of irradiation with iron-56 particles on the nigrostriatal dopamine system

Exposure to heavy ions during a Mars mission might damage the brain, thus compromising mission success and the quality of life of returning astronauts. Several workers have suggested that the dopamine system is particularly sensitive to heavy ion radiation, but direct evidence for this notion is lacking. We examined measures of brain dopamine viability at times up to 15 months after acute exposure of rats to (56)Fe (1.2-2.4 Gy). No effects were seen in brain sections stained for tyrosine hydroxylase, the classical marker for dopamine cells and nerve terminals. Locomotion stimulated by cocaine, which directly activates the dopamine system, was reduced at 6 months but not at 12 months. Furthermore, in a visually cued lever-pressing test, reaction times, which are prolonged by dopamine system damage, were identical in irradiated and control animals. However, learning times were increased by irradiation. Our data suggest that the midbrain dopamine system is not especially sensitive to damage by (56)Fe particles at doses much higher than would be associated with travel to and from Mars.

Cytogenetical and haematological effects of long-term irradiation on freshwater gastropod snails in the Chernobyl accident Exclusion Zone

The cytogenetical effects of long-term irradiation in embryo tissue of gastropod snail (Lymnaea stagnalis L.) as chromosome aberration rate as well as change of structure, level of differentiation, death and cytogenetical stability of hemolymph cell population has been studied. Our researches were carried out during 1998–2007 in water bodies within the Chernobyl Exclusion. The absorbed dose rate for snails from research water bodies within the exclusion zone was registered in the range from 1.8 mGy/year to 3.4 Gy/year. The highest rate was found in snails from lakes, the lowest – from the river ecosystems. Molluscs from the control lakes were characterized by absorbed dose rate about 0.3 mGy/year. The lowest rate of chromosome aberration was determined in molluscs form the control lakes – 1.1–2.0%. The highest rate was found in snails from lake ecosystems – 21–23%. In hemoliph of snails from contaminated lakes of the exclusion zone the quantity of death cells averages 40%, the part of phagocytic cells averages 42% as well as decrease of the young amoebocytes quantity to 10–20.1%. In the control water bodies the part of death cells averages from 2.2 to 5.3% and the quantity of phagocytic was at level 3.0–4.2%. The quantity of young amoebocytes have useful increased here to 79.7–89.6%.

Effects of Long-Term Irradiation with LEO Environment Effective Factors on Properties of Solid Lubricant

Effects of Long-Term Irradiation with LEO Environment Effective Factors on Properties of Solid Lubricant

Cytogenetic effects of long-term radiation on higher aquatic plants within the Chernobyl accident Exclusion Zone

The rate of chromosome aberrations has been studied in higher aquatic plants: common reed, sagittaria, flowering rush and manna. The main water bodies were Glubokoye and Dalekoye-1 Lakes (left-bank flood lands of the Pripyat River), Azbuchin Lake and Yanovsky Crawl (right-bank flood lands of the Pripyat River), Cooling Pond of the Chernobyl NPP as well as Pripyat and Uzh Rivers. In decreasing sequence due to the absorbed dose rate for hydrobionts the first were water bodies of the left-bank flood lands of the Pripyat River, the second ones from right-bank flood lands. The highest chromosome aberrations rate in root meristems was registered in plants from lakes within the left-bank flood lands of the Pripyat River, the lowest one – in plants from the Pripyat and Uzh Rivers. The chromosome aberration rate in closed and slow-running water bodies within the right-bank flood lands of the Pripyat River was in 3–4 times higher than spontaneous mutagenesis level. It seems that spectrum of the main types of chromosome damages in plants of right-bank flood lands determines by chemical mutagens. The type of chromosome damages distribution in plants of the left-bank flood lands points to practically equivalent effects of radiation and chemical factors.

Radiothérapie et radiochirurgie des adénomes hypophysaires

There are two principal types of treatment for pituitary adenomas: fractionated conventional radiation therapy, based on biological selectivity, and radiosurgery, which is delivered in a single dose, based on anatomic selectivity and indicated preferentially for small tumors sufficiently distant from the optic chiasm. Conventional radiation therapy is effective against secretion in 60-80% of cases and radiosurgery in 40-50%, depending on the type of secretion. Maximum antisecretory efficacy is not reached immediately: this delay is longer for conventional radiation therapy (5-10 years) than for radiosurgery (2-3 years). In both cases, antisecretory treatment must be started, while awaiting remission. Radiation therapy and radiosurgery make it possible to stabilize or diminish tumor volume in 70-100% of cases. This is especially useful in the case of an active residue after surgery for non-secreting adenoma, but the long-term side effects of radiation must be borne in mind. The principal side effect is the onset of a pituitary deficiency (in more than 50% of cases after radiation therapy, 20% after radiosurgery). The risk increases with time since treatment. Other very long-term side effects have been described with radiation therapy: radiation-induced tumors, cerebral necrosis, strokes, etc. The role of radiosurgery and radiation therapy is growing ever more limited, because of the increasing efficacy of drug treatments and the excellent surgical results of experienced teams.

Long-Term Effects of High-Dose Chemotherapy and Radiation for Relapsed and Refractory Hodgkin's Lymphoma

To evaluate the risk of late morbidity and mortality, and to assess long-term health-related quality of life (QOL) among patients with relapsed/refractory Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) after high-dose chemoradiotherapy (HDT) and autologous stem-cell rescue (ASCR). From 1985 to 1998, 218 patients with HL were treated on HDT with ASCR salvage protocols. Of these 218, 153 (70%) who survived > or = 2 years after ASCR were evaluated for late morbidity and mortality from causes other than HL. QOL information was obtained through self-administered questionnaires. Risk ratios (RR) were calculated to compare observed second malignancy (SM) rates in this cohort with expected SM rates from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) registry. Median follow-up after ASCR was 11.5 years. Among 153 patients, there were 53 deaths; 33 from HL and 20 from other causes. Thirteen deaths were caused by SM, with median time from ASCR to SM diagnosis of 9 years (range, 3 to 18 years). The RR of SM was 6.5 (95% CI, 3.6 to 10.7) when compared with the general population, but 2.4 (95% CI, 1.4 to 4.05) when compared with patients with HL. Global QOL of ASCR survivors was comparable with the general population, but for specific domains, respondents' scores indicated reduced functioning and worse symptoms. HL accounts for most deaths among patients surviving HDT and ASCR. Survivors of ASCR had an elevated risk of SM compared with the cancer risk in the general population, but when compared with patients with HL in SEER, the risk was less pronounced.

Half-Lives and Half-Truths: Confronting the Radioactive Legacies of the Cold War (review)

Reviewed by: Half-Lives and Half-Truths: Confronting the Radioactive Legacies of the Cold War Robert C. Kiste Half-Lives and Half-Truths: Confronting the Radioactive Legacies of the Cold War, edited by Barbara Rose Johnston. Santa Fe, NM: School for Advanced Research Press, 2007. ISBN 978-1-930618-82-4; x + 326 pages, tables, figures, maps, notes, references, index. US $27.95. While the nuclear era began with the development and use of atomic weapons by the United States near the end of World War II, the focus of this volume is the ensuing cold war between the United States and the former Soviet Union. The book’s thirteen chapters are authored or coauthored by fifteen anthropologists, most of whom have studied the culture and history of science, documented the legacy of the cold war, and conducted research with the aim to assist communities harmed by the arms race. The chapter by editor Barbara Rose Johnston, “Half-Lives, Half-Truths, and Other Radioactive Legacies of the Cold War,” introduces the volume. While several nations are known to have nuclear weapons (including China, France, India, Israel, Pakistan, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States), others have the technical capacity to develop them. Drawing on the nuclear history of the United States and the Soviet Union, Johnston makes several observations that are of general relevance. The nuclear programs of both nations have had and continue to have devastating consequences for the peoples involved. Uranium mining and processing, weapon production facilities, the testing of nuclear weapons, and nuclear waste dumps have created “radiogenic communities.” Such communities suffer from unseen dangers of radiological contamination, which result in an increased incidence of a variety of cancers and other illnesses, miscarriages, births of congenitally deformed children, difficulties of caring for disabled children, and cause people to live with fear and anxiety over inter-generational and other long-term and unknown effects of radiation. Johnston notes that the ability of communities to comprehend, confront, [End Page 500] and address environmental and health problems is strongly linked to and constrained by a number of variables. The victims of radioactive pollution are psychologically traumatized and often stigmatized by neighboring peoples. They are relatively powerless and have a low position in the larger scheme of things. They are often indigenous peoples living on traditional or tribal lands in remote areas and are relatively poor. Very importantly, they are deprived of basic information. National security is the most commonly advanced rationale for the development of nuclear weapons. The cold-war security state required control over the science involved, the production of weapons, and the dissemination of information. Secrecy allowed the systematic use of half-truths and misinformation to pacify and alleviate public concerns, and detached scientists caught up in their work often lost sight of basic human needs and welfare. Animals are commonly used in laboratory research, and in reference to Marshall Islanders, Johnston quotes one researcher: “these people are more like us than mice” (25)—an astounding remark that seems to suggest the view that indigenous peoples are creatures of a lower order than the rest of humanity. Three chapters focus on the US nuclear testing program in the Pacific. Johnston’s chapter, from which the above quote was drawn, provides essential historical background. Holly M Barker, a researcher and, until 2008, adviser for the government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, reviews the major issues and problems that have challenged that small island nation. David H Price provides a biographical sketch of Earle Reynolds, a physical anthropologist turned cold-war dissident, who gave up his career to challenge US nuclear activities in the Pacific. The remaining chapters provide a larger context, which allows a better understanding of US nuclear activities both at home and abroad during the cold-war era. The United States has conducted nuclear tests and related activities in the Pacific Islands and the western United States, including Alaska. In the Pacific, 67 atmospheric tests were conducted at Bikini and Enewetak Atolls in the Marshall Islands between 1946 and 1958. Other tests were conducted on Johnston Island, and, in conjunction with the United Kingdom, on Christmas and Malden Islands in Kiribati. The people of...

Long-term irradiation effects on gamma-irradiated Nylon 6,12 fibers

Long-term effects on Nylon 6,12 crystalline fibers irradiated six years ago have been determined, including chemical structure and morphology, and their relationship with storage time. Results from x-ray diffraction, small-angle x-ray scattering, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy are reported for those fibers and for freshly irradiated ones. Some results for non-irradiated samples are included for comparison. Changes in the shape and size of the crystals (crystallinity degree) are found; the crystallite size increases with storage time. Both surface and bulk changes are seen in the morphology. Surface damage increases with storage time. Changes observed can be attributed to irradiation causing chain scission, which, in turn, causes crystal reorganization. The present results reinforce interpretation of earlier results obtained for concretes reinforced with irradiated Nylon fibers.

Tailoring Treatment to Prognosis for Childhood Localized Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Tailoring Treatment to Prognosis for Childhood Localized Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Cytogenetical and haematological studies of gastropod snails within the Chernobyl accident Exclusion Zone

The cytogenetical effects of long-term irradiation in embryo tissue of gastropod snail (Lymnaea stagnalis L.) as chromosome aberration rate as well as change of structure, level of differentiation, death and cytogenetical stability of hemolymph cell population has been studied. Our researches were carried out during 1998-2007 in water bodies within the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone - lakes Azbuchin, Dalekoye-1, Glubokoye, Yanovsky Crawl, Uzh River and Pripyat River. The results compared to the data from the control lakes - Vyrlitsa, Opechen’ and Goloseevo, located within the Kiev City area. The absorbed dose rate for snails from research water bodies within the exclusion zone was registered in the range from 1.8 mGy/year to 3.4 Gy/year. The highest rate was found in snails from lakes Dalekoye-1 and Glubokoye, the lowest - from Pripyat River and Uzh River. Molluscs from the control lakes were characterized by absorbed dose rate about 0.3 mGy/year. The lowest rate of chromosome aberration was determined in molluscs form the control lakes - 1.1-2.0 %. About 3.3 % of aberrant cells were registered in snails from Pripyat River. In snails of Uzh River the aberration rate was about 5.7 %. The highest rate was found in snails from Dalekoye-1 Lake and Glubokoye Lake - 21-23 %. In snails from Yanovsky Crawl chromosome aberration rate was about 18 % and in Azbuchin Lake - about 20 %. The decrease of total agranulocyte quantity in cell population occurs due to decreace of amoebocytes and increase of granulocytes, which involves in phagocytic raction. In hemoliph of snails from Dalekoye-1 Lake, Azbuchin Lake and Glubokoye Lake the quantity of death cells averages 36.2 %, 39.2 % and 43.8 % respectively, the part of phagocytic cells averages 44.3 %, 41.2 % and 45.0 %, as well as decrease of the young amoebocytes quantity to 13.2 %, 20.1 % and 9.5 % respectively. The insignificant quantity of abnormal cells and micronuclei has been observed as well. In the control water bodies the part of death cells averages from 2.2 to 5.3 % and the quantity of phagocytic was at level 3.0-4.2 %. The quantity of young amoebocytes have useful increased here to 79.7-89.6 %.

Paediatric ependymomas: should we avoid radiotherapy?

Although ependymomas account for only 10% of all childhood brain tumours, this tumour type is particularly common in young children. Because of the potentially severe long-term effects of radiation on the developing central nervous system, over the past 20 years, several studies have focused on the feasibility of using postoperative chemotherapy to delay or even avoiding radiotherapy.

Cardiovascular risk under electromagnetic exposure in physiotherapy

The aim of the study was to assess the long-term effects of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) on cardiovascular system of medical staff in physiotherapy. A number of 52 exposed subjects (4 male and 48 female; aged 47.3 ± 8.7 years), and a control group of 52 subjects, matched by sex and age, with similar job characteristics without EMR exposure were studied. The EMR exposure from devices emitting at 50 Hz, 150 kHz, 27.12 MHz, 2.45 GHz, and optical radiation was assessed. The relative values of EMR for the whole frequency range in each physiotherapy were calculated and the obtained quota was much larger than 1. The workload and psychosocial factors were evaluated, too. The cardiovascular risk factors arterial pressure, lipid profile, body mass index, waist/hip ratio, smoking, alcohol consumption, nutrition, family history of cardiovascular disease were studied. The incidence of hypertension was moderate with the studied physiotherapists (26.9% v.s. 23.8% control group). The total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were significantly higher in the exposed group. The odds ratios indicate higher possibility of becoming dyslipidemic for the exposed to EMR subjects [for TC OR (95% CI) = 1.570 (1.048–2.351) and for LDL-C OR (95% CI) = 1.840 (1.158–2.924)]. In conclusion, our data show that the EMR exposure of the medical staff in physiotherapy could be associated with the adverse effects on cardiovascular system.

X-ray-based machine vision system for distal locking of intramedullary nails

In surgical procedures for femoral shaft fracture treatment, current techniques for locking the distal end of intramedullary nails, using two screws, rely heavily on the use of two-dimensional X-ray images to guide three-dimensional bone drilling processes. Therefore, a large number of X-ray images are required, as the surgeon uses his/her skills and experience to locate the distal hole axes on the intramedullary nail. The long-term effects of X-ray radiation and their relation to different types of cancer still remain uncertain. Therefore, there is a need to develop a surgical technique that can limit the use of X-rays during the distal locking procedure. A robotic-assisted orthopaedic surgery system has been developed at Loughborough University to assist orthopaedic surgeons by reducing the irradiation involved in such operations. The system simplifies the current approach as it uses only two near-orthogonal X-ray images to determine the drilling trajectory of the distal locking holes, thereby considerably reducing irradiation to both the surgeon and patient. Furthermore, the system uses robust machine vision features to reduce the surgeon's interaction with the system, thus reducing the overall operating time. Laboratory test results have shown that the proposed system is very robust in the presence of variable noise and contrast in the X-ray images.

Growth inhibition by gamma rays affects lipids and fatty acids in garlic sprouts during storage

Bulbs of cv. Colorado garlic were irradiated at dormancy with a dose of 60 Gy of gamma rays and stored for 8 months, during which period the content and fatty acid composition of phospholipids (PL), glycolipids (GL) and neutral lipids were analyzed on three occasions. No significant changes were observed a few hours after irradiation, but the treatment resulted in a considerable reduction in lipid and fatty acid content 150 and 240 days post-harvest, with a concomitant reduction in the process of sprout growth. In total lipid, all fatty acids including the major linoleic acid (18:2) decreased, the largest decrease being in linolenic acid (18:3). The latter was a relatively minor component of PL (phosphatidylcholine and -ethanolamine) and a major acyl group of GL (monogalactosyl- and digalactosylglycerol). Radioinhibition had the opposite effect on polyunsaturated fatty acids of PL and GL, the 18:3/18:2 ratio decreasing in the former and increasing in the latter. Accretion of lipids and fatty acids is a normal biosynthetic process accompanying sprout growth, and the long-term effects of irradiation are interpreted to reflect a delay or slowing down of such process.