Low-dose Gamma Irradiation Research Articles

ADP-ribosyl transferase activity and gamma radiation cytotoxicity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A

This work explores the ADP-ribosyltransferase activity of Pseudomonas (P.) aeruginosa exotoxin A using the guanyl hydrazone derivative, nitrobenzylidine aminoguanidine (NBAG) and the impact of gamma radiation on its efficacy. Unlike the conventional detection methods, NBAG was used as the acceptor of ADP ribose moiety instead of wheat germ extract elongation factor 2. Exotoxin A was extracted from P. aeruginosa clinical isolates and screened for toxA gene using standard PCR. NBAG was synthesized using aminoguanidine bicarbonate and 4-nitrobenzaldehyde and its identity has been confirmed by UV, FTIR, Mass and 13C-NMR spectroscopy. The ADP-ribosyl transferase activity of exotoxin A on NBAG in the presence of Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) was recorded using UV spectroscopy and HPLC. In vitro ADP-ribosyl transferase activity of exotoxin A protein extract was also explored by monitoring its cytotoxicity on Hep-2 cells using sulforhodamine B cytotoxicity assay. Bacterial broths were irradiated at 5, 10, 15, 24 Gy and exotoxin A protein extract activity were assessed post exposure. Exotoxin A extract exerted an ADP-ribosyltransferase ability which was depicted by the appearance of a new ʎmax after the addition of exotoxin A to NBAG/NAD+ mixture, fragmentation of NAD+ and development of new peaks in HPLC chromatograms. Intracellular enzyme activity was confirmed by the prominent cytotoxic effects of exotoxin A extract on cultured cells. In conclusion, the activity of Exotoxin A can be monitored via its ADP-ribosyltransferase activity and low doses of gamma radiation reduced its activity. Therefore, coupling radiotherapy with exotoxin A in cancer therapy should be carefully monitored.

Quartz Tuning Fork Sensor-Based Dosimetry for Sensitive Detection of Gamma Radiation.

This study generally relates to nuclear sensors and specifically to detecting nuclear and electromagnetic radiation using an ultrasensitive quartz tuning fork (QTF) sensor. We aim to detect low doses of gamma radiation with fast response time using QTF. Three different types of QTFs (uncoated and gold coated) were used in this study in order to investigate their sensitivity to gamma radiations. Our results show that a thick gold coating on QTF can enhance the quality factor and increase the resonance frequency from 32.7 to 32.9 kHz as compared to uncoated QTF. The results also show that increasing the surface area of the gold coating on the QTF can significantly enhance the sensitivity of the QTF to radiation. We investigated the properties of gold-coated and uncoated QTFs before and after irradiation by scanning electron microscopy. We further investigated the optical properties of SiO2 wafers (quartz) by spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE). The SE studies revealed that even a small change in the microstructure of the material caused by gamma radiation would have an impact on mechanical properties of QTF, resulting in a shift in resonance frequency. Overall, the results of the experiments demonstrated the feasibility of using QTF sensors as an easy to use, low-cost, and sensitive radiation detector.

The effects of the cross‐linking mechanism of low doses of gamma irradiation on the mechanical, thermal, and viscoelastic properties of the natural rubber latex/poly(styrene‐block‐isoprene‐block‐styrene) block copolymer blend

AbstractNatural rubber latex (NRL) is a natural polymer with versatile properties. However, uncured NRL has low strength and limited practical use. Therefore, we utilized low‐dose gamma irradiation to induce cross‐linking in blended NRL/poly(styrene‐block‐isoprene‐block‐styrene) (SIS). Blends were prepared in various ratios, and the 70NRL/30SIS blend gave optimal mechanical properties. The 70NRL/30SIS blend was then irradiated from 4 to 16 kGy. An exposure of 12 kGy led to the highest tensile strength (4.49 MPa), Young's modulus (0.41 MPa), gel content (45%), and cross‐link density (12.18 × 10−5 mol·cm−3). The results of study show irradiation has improved the crystallinity of the polymer blend, which has been determined by the formation of a new NRL crystal peak at 31.2° and the decrease of the crystallization temperature from 58 to 19°C due to strain‐induced crystallization. Moreover, the radiation has transformed the 70NRL/30SIS blend irradiated at 12 kGy from liquid‐like to an elastic state that degraded at a higher temperature (392.01°C). The presence of a singlet alkyl radical peak was detected in the electron spin resonance. Therefore, the cross‐links are proposed to be C‐C bonds formed via the radiation technique. Irradiation is an effective technique to improve the performance of NRL/SIS blends without introducing any chemical cross‐linking additive.

Low-dose gamma irradiation and pectin biodegradable nanocomposite coating containing curcumin nanoparticles and ajowan (Carum copticum) essential oil nanoemulsion for storage of chilled lamb loins

The current investigation assessed the effect of pectin (PE) biodegradable nanocomposite coating containing curcumin nanoparticles (CNP) and ajowan (Carum copticum) essential oil nanoemulsion (ANE) combined with low-dose gamma irradiation on microbial, physiochemical, and sensorial qualities of lamb loins during refrigeration conditions. Active coating combined with gamma irradiation reduced the count number of mesophilic and psychrotrophic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae; and minimized lipid and protein oxidation changes, total volatile basic nitrogen content, met-myoglobin formation, and color deterioration in the loin samples. The increased shelf-life of lamb loins up to 25 days compared with 5 days assigned for the control group can be associated with the application of ionizing radiation and edible PE coating containing CNP and ANE, which might be due to the synergistic or additive effects of treatments. Overall, as an effective preservation technique, a combination of PE + CNP + ANE and irradiation can be recommended for prolonging the shelf-life of lamb loins during refrigerated storage.

Impairment of Placental Angiogenesis in Rats Treated with Saffron: The Role of Low Dose Gamma Irradiation

Impairment of Placental Angiogenesis in Rats Treated with Saffron: The Role of Low Dose Gamma Irradiation

The effect of thermal pasteurization, freeze-drying, and gamma irradiation on donor human milk

The availability of donor human milk (DHM) is currently limited by the volumes that can be thermally pasteurized and kept in long-term cold storage. This study assesses the application of freeze-drying followed by low-dose gamma irradiation of DHM for simplified, safe long-term storage. Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) GC–MS, SDS and native PAGE gel electrophoresis demonstrated that the overall changes in volatile and protein profiles in Holder pasteurized and freeze-dried DHM was negligible compared to the natural variations in DHM. Freeze-dried DHM samples (moisture < 2.2 %) processed with 2 kGy gamma irradiation did not show any significant lipid oxidation end-products and variation in protein profile. Therefore, freeze-drying followed by in-packaging gamma irradiation could be a safe method for pasteurization, convenient storage and delivery of DHM at ambient temperature. These methods may generate a means to create a reserve stock of DHM for emergencies and humanitarian aid.

High-Performance and Radiation-Hardened Solution-Processed ZrLaO Gate Dielectrics for Large-Area Applications.

Radiation hardness is important for electronics operating in harsh radiation environments such as outer space and nuclear energy industries. In this work, radiation-hardened solution-processed ZrLaO thin films are demonstrated. The radiation effects on solution-processed ZrLaO thin films and InOx/ZrLaO thin-film transistors (TFTs) were systemically investigated. The Zr0.9La0.1Oy thin films demonstrated excellent radiation hardness with negligible roughness, composition, electrical property, and bias-stress stability degradation after radiation exposure. The metal-oxide-semiconductor capacitors (MOSCAPs) based on Zr0.9La0.1Oy gate dielectrics exhibited an ultralow flat band-voltage (VFB) sensitivity of 0.11 mV/krad and 0.19 mV/krad under low dose and high dose gamma irradiation conditions, respectively. The low dose condition had a 103 krad (SiO2) total dose and a 0.12 rad/s low dose rate, whereas the high dose condition had a 580 krad total dose and a 278 rad/s high dose rate. Furthermore, InOx/Zr0.9La0.1Oy thin-film transistors (TFTs) exhibited a large Ion/Ioff of 2 × 106, a small subthreshold swing (SS) of 0.11 V/dec, a small interface trap density (Dit) of 1 × 1012 cm-2, and a 0.16 V threshold shift (ΔVTH) under 3600 s positive bias-stress (PBS). InOx/Zr0.9La0.1Oy TFT-based resistor-loaded inverters demonstrated complete swing behavior, a static output gain of 13.3 under 4 V VDD, and an ∼9% radiation-induced degradation. Through separate investigation of the radiation-induced degradation on the semiconductor layer and dielectric layer of TFTs, it was found that radiation exposure mainly generated oxygen vacancies (Vo) and increased electron concentration among gate oxide. Nevertheless, the radiation-induced TFT instability was mainly related to the semiconductor layer degradation, which could be possibly suppressed by back-channel passivation. The demonstrated results indicate that solution-processed ZrLaO is a high-potential candidate for large-area electronics and circuits applied in harsh radiation environments. In addition, the detailed investigation of radiation-induced degradation on solution-processed high-k dielectrics in this work provided clear inspiration for developing novel flexible rad-hard dielectrics.

High-temperature synthesis in TI+AL powder mixture exposed to gamma irradiation. The features of intermetallic phases formation

The purpose of the work presented is to study the processes of phase formation in mechanically activated Ti + Al powder mixture which was exposed to low doses of gamma radiation. A two-stage treatment of the initial powder mixture of the specified composition was conducted. At the first stage, the mixture was mechanically activated in order to achieve a high quality of contact between the reactants. At the second stage, the mixture was subjected to gamma irradiation in order to form a wide transition zone in the contact area. The irradiated mixture was heated by the external heating source. To study the processes of phase formation, the technique of time-resolved X-Ray diffraction was used. The comparative analysis of intermetallic phases formation sequences for irradiated and non-irradiated mixtures was carried out. It was found that the heterogeneous reactions pathways are significantly different for these cases. The detailed analysis of parallel and consecutives reactions was carried out at various stages of high-temperature synthesis taking into account the structure of the Ti–Al equilibrium diagram. It was found that the most probable mechanism of heterogeneous reaction in unirradiated mixture is the predominant dissolution of titanium with the formation of intermetallic phases TiAl, TiAl3. In the irradiated mixture, on the contrary, the flow of aluminum atoms dominates, which leads to the formation of the only synthesis product of the TiAl composition. In the case of forced cooling of the mixture after thermal explosion (TE), a uniform distribution of reactants is observed in the whole volume of the sample of the irradiated mixture which is similar in composition to the TiAl compound.

Effect of Low-Dose Gamma Radiation and Lipoic Acid on High- Radiation-Dose Induced Rat Brain Injuries

AimThis work aims to investigate the possible radio-adaptive mechanisms induced by low-dose (LD) whole-body γ-irradiation alone or combined with alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) administration in modulating high-dose (HD) head irradiation–induced brain injury in rats.Materials and MethodsRats were irradiated with LD (.25 Gy) 24 hours prior HD (20 Gy), and subjected to ALA (100 mg/kg/day) 5 minutes after HD and continued for 10 days. At the end of the experiment, animals were sacrificed and brain samples were dissected for biochemical and histopathological examinations.ResultsHD irradiation-induced brain injury as manifested by elevation of oxidative stress, DNA damage, apoptotic, and inflammatory markers in brain tissue. Histological examination of brain sections showed marked alterations. However, LD alone or combined with ALA ameliorated the changes induced by HD.ConclusionUnder the present experimental conditions, LD whole-body irradiation exhibited neuroprotective activity against detrimental effects of a subsequent HD head irradiation. This effect might be due to the adaptive response induced by LD that activated the anti-oxidative, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory mechanisms in the affected animals making them able to cope with the subsequent high-dose exposure. However, the combined LD exposure and ALA supplementation produced a further modulating effect in the HD-irradiated rats.

The Effects of Thermal Pasteurisation, Freeze-Drying, and Gamma-Irradiation on the Antibacterial Properties of Donor Human Milk.

The most common pasteurisation method used by human milk banks is Holder pasteurisation. This involves thermal processing, which can denature important proteins and can potentially reduce the natural antimicrobial properties found in human milk. This study assesses the application of a hybrid method comprised of freeze-drying followed by low-dose gamma-irradiation for nonthermal donor human milk pasteurisation. Freeze-drying donor human milk followed by gamma-irradiation at 2 kGy was as efficient as Holder pasteurisation in the reduction of bacterial inoculants of Staphylococcus aureus (106 cfu/mL) and Salmonella typhimurium (106 cfu/mL) in growth inhibition assays. These assays also demonstrated that human milk naturally inhibits the growth of bacterial inoculants S. aureus, S. typhimurium, and Escherichia coli. Freeze drying (without gamma-irradiation) did not significantly reduce this natural growth inhibition. By contrast, Holder pasteurisation significantly reduced the milk’s natural antimicrobial effect on S. aureus growth after 6 h (−19.8% p = 0.01). Freeze-dried and then gamma-irradiated donor human milk showed a strong antimicrobial effect across a dose range of 2–50 kGy, with only a minimal growth of S. aureus observed after 6 h incubation. Thus, a hybrid method of freeze-drying followed by 2 kGy of gamma-irradiation preserves antimicrobial properties and enables bulk pasteurisation within sealed packaging of powderised donor human milk. This work forwards a goal of increasing shelf life and simplifying storage and transportation, while also preserving functionality and antimicrobial properties.

Concerted hepatoprotective effect of bradykinin potentiating factor and low dose of γ- radiation on Naja haje envenomed rats via Bax/Bcl2 pathway

This study investigates the concerted hepatoprotective effects for three doses of bradykinin potentiating factor (BPF) and/or followed by exposure to a low dose of γ-radiation (LDR) against Naja haje envenoming in rats. Male rats were injected with three consecutive doses of BPF (1 μg/g i.p. for 3 days), followed by exposure to a low dose of gamma radiation (0.5 Gy), and then rats were injected with a dose of Naja haje venom (250 μg/kg i.p.). Results showed that Naja haje causes liver damage, significant elevation of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), cytochrome c, Nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA) and significant depletion in glutathione peroxidase (GPx) contents. In addition, significant depletion in B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and significant elevation in BcL-2 associated X (Bax protein), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in hepatocytes. Bradykinin potentiating factor and/or low dose of γ-radiation caused improvement in liver damage caused by Naja haje venom by a significant decrease in ALT, AST, ALP levels, Bax, cytochrome c, NF-κB, IL-1β, NO and MDA contents, BPF alone or combined with low dose radiation caused a significant increase in Bcl2 and GPx contents. In conclusion, the concerted impact of BPF and LDR may provide an effective venom detoxification tool that helps to reduce hepatic toxicity and extends the lifespan.

Modulation of PTZ-induced convulsions in rats using topiramate alone or combined with low dose gamma irradiation: Involving AKT/m-TOR pathway

ABSTRACT The current study evaluates the anticonvulsant effect low dose whole body gamma irradiation (LDR) alone or combined with topiramate (TOP) against pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced convulsions. Male Wister rats received either saline or pentylenetetrazole (75 mg/kg i.p.). The other three groups were pretreated with single low dose radiation (o.5 Gy), Topiramate (50 mg/kg, p.o., 7 days) and TOP with LDR respectively before PTZ injection. Racine’ score, latency and duration of the convulsions were assessed. Glutamate and GABA were measured. As well as AKT/m-TOR signalling pathway including AKT (protein kinase –B), m-TOR (mammalian target of rapamycin), protein S6 and caspase3 were also assessed. Measurements of markers of oxidative stress including MDA (malondialdehyde), GSH (glutathione) and NO (nitric oxide) were carried out. Histological examinations of hippocampi were done. Results: PTZ produced behavioural changes (high Racine score, short latency and long duration. It elevated MDA and NO contents, while reduced GSH content. TOP treatment alone or combined with LDR ameliorated the PTZ-induced convulsions and caused significant improvement in behavioural changes, brain mediators, m-TOR pathway, oxidative stress and histological pictures in hippocampal regions. Histopathological examinations of the normal group showed normal structure with intact cells, while PTZ- treated rats exhibited necrosis, pyknosis and atrophy of pyramidal cells. The histological findings corroborated with the amendment of biochemical parameters. Conclusions The positive effects of LDR could offer a possible contributor in management of convulsions due to modulation of AkT/m-TOR signalling pathway, reduction of oxidative stress and modulation of brain amino acids. LDR improved the oxidative stress side effects of topiramate. Highlights Male Wistar rats were treated with topiramate 50 mg/kg p.o. for 7 days. on the 6th day of topiramate treatment, rats were exposed to a single low dose whole body gamma radiation (0.5 Gy). on the 7th day of topiramate treatment, rats were injected with pentylenetetrazole 75 mg/kg i.p. 2h after the 7th dose of TOP to illustrate the protective effects of TOP against acute convulsions induced by PTZ. Low dose whole body gamma irradiation purveyed novel anticonvulsant activity which could offer a possible contributor in the basic management of convulsions to avoid side effects of traditional anticonvulsant drugs such as liver and kidney impairments.

Priming Low-Dose Gamma Irradiation Increases Cellular Radioadaptation Response through the Induction of Hsp70 and SOD2

Exposure to low-dose radiation has been demonstrated to stimulate increased cell protection when receiving subsequent challenge dose in what is known as radioadaptation response. Hsp70 and SOD, especially SOD2, are cytoprotectors against superoxide radicals generated by radiation exposure. This study aims to measure the expressions of Hsp70 and SOD2 in parotid salivary gland acinar cells as an indicator of radioadaptation response stimulated by low-dose gamma irradiation. The study used 24 male Rattus norvegicus that are divided into four groups: normal control, positive control, with 50-mGy priming irradiation, and with 100-mGy priming irradiation. The animals were immobilized without anesthetics with special tools designed especially for this study. Irradiation was carried out using a cobalt-60 (gamma ray) teletherapy unit (Philips XK-100) directed to the dorsa of the animals’ heads . High-dose gamma irradiation (2 Gy) was administered 5 hours after priming irradiation. The expression of Hsp70 and SOD2 was measured through immunohistochemical technique on the parotid salivary gland acinar cells and observed using a light microscope with 1000× magnification. Data obtained was analyzed with one-way ANOVA test ( α = 0.05). The results showed that Hsp70 and SOD2 expressions in the priming irradiation groups were higher than those in control groups. The conclusion of this study: priming irradiation with low-dose gamma radiation before challenge irradiation with high-dose gamma radiation increases the radioadaptation response of salivary gland acinar cells through induction of Hsp70 and SOD2.

Hormetic effects of low-dose gamma rays in soybean seeds and seedlings: A detection technique using optical sensors

The use of radiation technology in agriculture has increased remarkably in recent years. The stimulating effect of low-dose gamma rays, known as hormesis, improves the adaptive response of living organisms to more severe challenges. Different areas of agriculture such as plant physiology, crop breeding and seed biology demand accurate methods for real-time diagnosis of the ionizing radiation effect on biological systems. However, traditional measures are still calculated from slow, laborious and destructive techniques, which depend on human vision. Here, we present two robust optical sensors based on multispectral and fluorescence imaging approaches for rapid and non-destructive detection of the hormetic effects of low-dose gamma radiation in soybean seeds and seedings. Multispectral images were acquired from seeds treated with gamma radiation (0, 12, 16 and 20 Gy), and the reflectance, autofluorescence, texture and color features were extracted from images. Next, a chlorophyll fluorescence-based technique was applied to measure the minimal level of fluorescence (F0), maximum fluorescence (FM), average chlorophyll a fluorescence and quantum yield of photosystem II (FV/FM) in seedlings grown from irradiated and non-irradiated seeds. Using a reflectance technology, the seedlings were also evaluated for anthocyanin, chlorophyll a and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). Results showed that multispectral and fluorescence-based techniques provide useful information on the hormetic effects of gamma rays in soybean seeds and seedlings, which are invisible to the naked eye. Our findings provide a better understanding of the link between spectral and fluorescence parameters and the hormetic effect of low-dose gamma rays. From a practical point of view, such optical sensors can provide markers for fast, non-destructive and reliable identification of the best gamma-ray doses to stimulate soybean growth parameters. However, we strongly support in-depth studies of the dose–response relationship in seeds with different initial physiological potential from different soybean genotypes.

Immunological and hematological outcomes following protracted low dose/low dose rate ionizing radiation and simulated microgravity

Using a ground-based model to simulate spaceflight [21-days of single-housed, hindlimb unloading (HLU) combined with continuous low-dose gamma irradiation (LDR, total dose of 0.04 Gy)], an in-depth survey of the immune and hematological systems of mice at 7-days post-exposure was performed. Collected blood was profiled with a hematology analyzer and spleens were analyzed by whole transcriptome shotgun sequencing (RNA-sequencing). The results revealed negligible differences in immune differentials. However, hematological system analyses of whole blood indicated large disparities in red blood cell differentials and morphology, suggestive of anemia. Murine Reactome networks indicated majority of spleen cells displayed differentially expressed genes (DEG) involved in signal transduction, metabolism, cell cycle, chromatin organization, and DNA repair. Although immune differentials were not changed, DEG analysis of the spleen revealed expression profiles associated with inflammation and dysregulated immune function persist to 1-week post-simulated spaceflight. Additionally, specific regulation pathways associated with human blood disease gene orthologs, such as blood pressure regulation, transforming growth factor-β receptor signaling, and B cell differentiation were noted. Collectively, this study revealed differential immune and hematological outcomes 1-week post-simulated spaceflight conditions, suggesting recovery from spaceflight is an unremitting process.

Low dose gamma irradiation pretreatment modulates the sensitivity of CNS to subsequent mixed gamma and neutron irradiation of the mouse head

ABSTRACТ Purpose: To explore if the total body γ-irradiation at a dose of 0.1 Gy 7 days prior to acute mixed γ, n-irradiation of the head at the dose of 1 Gy can reduce the harmful effects of neutron irradiation on the hippocampal functions, neuroinflammation and neurogenesis. Materials and methods: Mice were exposed to γ-radiation alone, mixed γ,n-radiation or combined γ-rays and γ,n-radiation 7 days after γ-irradiation. Two months post-irradiation, mice were tested in Open Field and in the Morris water maze. The content of microglia, astrocytes, proliferating cells and cytokines TGF-β, TNF-α, IL-1β, GFAP levels, hippocampal BDNF, NT-3, NT-4, NGF mRNA expression were evaluated. Results: Two months after combined irradiation, we observed impaired hippocampus-dependent cognition, which was not detected in mice exposed to γ,n-irradiation. Combined exposure and γ,n-irradiation led to a significant increase in the level of activated microglia and astrocytes in the brains. The level of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the brain and hippocampal neurotrophine's genes changed differenly after the combined exposure and γ,n-irradiation. The quantity of DCX-positive cells was reduced after γ,n-irradiation exposer alone, but increased after combined irradiation. Conclusions: Our results indicate radio-adaptive responses in brains of mice that were exposed to low-dose gamma irradiation 7 days prior to acute 1 Gy γ,n-irradiation.

Low Doses of Gamma Irradiation Stimulate Synthesis of Bioactive Compounds with Antioxidant Activity in Fomes fomentarius Living Mycelium

Environmental changes generate free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS), resulting in abiotic stress in plants and fungi. Gamma ionizing radiation generates a significant amount of free radicals and ROS, thereby simulating natural environmental stressors. We used a 60Co source of radiation to experimentally induce oxidative stress in living mycelium mass of the medicinal fungus Fomes fomentarius, in order to obtain a late response of stress tolerance by means of bioactive compounds synthesis. We measured the response at 24, 48, and 72 h after the irradiation. The highest improvement was found 24 h after exposure for antioxidant activity and for total phenolic compounds of methanolic extract, with a 1.89- and 1.64-fold increase, respectively. The total flavonoids in methanolic extract increased 1.68 times after 48 h from treatment and presented a more stable raising in the assessed time-lapse. For the three analyzed parameters, 300 Gy was the optimum absorbed dose to trigger a beneficial response, with potentially applications in pharmaceutics and nutraceutics. Gamma irradiation can be used as a biotechnological tool to direct the secondary metabolites synthesis upregulation in medicinal mushroom living mycelium.

Hormesis effects of gamma radiation on growth of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa)

Purpose Quinoa is an annual plant that grows well in high altitude regions with high radiation and ultraviolet intensity. It has known that high-dose radiation damages living organisms, but low-dose radiation also has a beneficial effect. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the hormesis effect of gamma-ray on quinoa by growth analysis and hyperspectral imaging. Materials and methods Quinoa seeds were irradiated at 50, 100, and 200 Gy emitted by 60CO. Subsequently, the seeds were germinated and transplanted into pots, then conducted growth analysis and physiological evaluation every week, and hyperspectral imaging. Photosynthetic ability was measured at 35 days after transplanting (DAT), and the plants for each dose were divided into aerial and underground parts for biomass evaluation at 91 DAT. Various vegetation indices were estimated from 14 to 35 DAT by hyperspectral analysis, and the specific bands were extracted based on the PLS model using plant height, SPAD value, and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters. Results We found that plant height and biomass were increased in quinoa plants treated with a low dose (50 Gy) as compared to control. Chlorophyll content and chlorophyll fluorescence were not different between doses at the early growth stage, but as growth progressed, the plant irradiated at 200 Gy began to be lower. The photosynthetic ability of the quinoa plant treated at 50 Gy was greater than other plants at 35 DAT. The vegetation indices related to the pigment status also were higher in the plants treated by irradiation at 50 Gy than the plants grown in other doses treatment units at the beginning of the growth. Using the PLS model we collected sensitive band wavelengths from hyperspectral image analysis. Among the collected bands, eight bands closely related to plant height, nine bands to chlorophyll content, and ten bands to chlorophyll fluorescence were identified. Conclusion Our results showed that the growth and physiological parameters of quinoa treated by low dose gamma irradiation to seeds were greater than that of control as well as the plant with higher doses. These findings confirm that the positive changes in the characteristics of quinoa with low dose radiation indicated that hormesis occurs at 50 Gy radiation.

Effect of Low-Doses of Gamma Radiation on Electric Arc-Induced Long Period Fiber Gratings.

This work presents an experimental study on the effects of gamma radiation on Long Period Fiber Gratings (LPFGs) in a low-dose test campaign to evaluate their eventual degradation. The study was carried out with standard single-mode fibers where the grating was inscribed using the Electric-Arc Discharge (EAD) technique. Before the gamma campaign, a detailed optical characterization was performed with repeatability tests to verify the accuracy of the setup and the associated error sources. The gamma-induced changes up to a dose of 200 krad and the recovery after radiation were monitored with the Dip Wavelength Shift (DWS). The results show that the gamma sensitivity for a total dose of 200 krad is 11 pm/krad and a total DWS of 2.3 nm has been observed with no linear dependence. Post-radiation study shows that recovery from radiation-induced wavelength shift is nearly complete in about 4000 h. Experimental results show that the changes suffered under gamma irradiation of these LPFGs are temporary making them a good choice as sensors in space applications.

Low dose gamma irradiation attenuates cyclophosphamide-induced cardiotoxicity in rats: role of NF-κB signaling pathway

Purpose Cyclophosphamide (Cyp) is one of the most commonly used, wide spectrum chemotherapeutic agents. Cyp has multi-organ toxicities that are dose limiting, thus it’s mostly used in chemotherapeutic combinations. Radiation is well known as a hazardous sort of energy, recent studies are interested in studying the beneficial therapeutic effects of low-dose gamma radiation. This study examined the protective effect of two different doses/dose-rates of irradiation either alone or combined with telmisartan against Cyp-induced cardiotoxicity. Materials and methods Rats were divided into seven groups; (1): Control, (2): Cyp, (3–4): 0.05 Gy low dose rate (LDR) irradiation, 0.25 Gy high dose rate (HDR) irradiation, respectively, prior to Cyp dose, (5–7): telmisartan either alone or with 0.05 Gy LDR-irradiation or 0.25 Gy HDR-irradiation, respectively, prior to Cyp dose. The current investigation studied the effect of Cyp alone or combined with different treatment regimens on serum cTn-I and LDH, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway (p65/IκB/IKK-α/IKK-ß) in the myocardium. Pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α were assessed in addition to histopathological examination of the heart. Results Low-dose irradiation attenuated cardiac enzymes, pro-inflammatory cytokines, NF-κB content, and histology, in both low and HDRs. Furthermore, the combination of low-dose irradiation with telmisartan (an angiotensin-II receptor type-1 blocker and a known cardio-protective drug) offered the best histological results. Conclusions Low-dose irradiation-induced amelioration is partially but not completely through canonical activation of NF-κB, and may have another atypical pathway. While telmisartan probably ameliorates NF-κB totally through canonical pathway.