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The emphasis of the international system of radiological protection of the environment is to protect populations of flora and fauna. Throughout the MODARIA programmes, the United Nations' International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has facilitated knowledge sharing, data gathering and model development on the effect of radiation on wildlife. We present a summary of the achievements of MODARIA I and II on wildlife dose effect modelling, extending to a new sensitivity analysis and model development to incorporate other stressors. We reviewed evidence on historical doses and transgenerational effects on wildlife from radioactively contaminated areas. We also evaluated chemical population modelling approaches, discussing similarities and differences between chemical and radiological impact assessment in wildlife. We developed population modelling methodologies by sourcing life history and radiosensitivity data and evaluating the available models, leading to the formulation of an ecosystem-based mathematical approach. This resulted in an ecologically relevant conceptual population model, which we used to produce advice on the evaluation of risk criteria used in the radiological protection of the environment and a proposed modelling extension for chemicals. This work seeks to inform stakeholder dialogue on factors influencing wildlife population responses to radiation, including discussions on the ecological relevance of current environmental protection criteria. The area of assessment of radiation effects in wildlife is still developing with underlying data and models continuing to be improved. IAEA's ongoing support to facilitate the sharing of new knowledge, models and approaches to Member States is highlighted, and we give suggestions for future developments in this regard. [Abstract copyright: © 2022 Society for Radiological Protection. Published on behalf of SRP by IOP Publishing Limited. All rights reserved.]

Colin B Seymour, Carmel MothersillMedical Physics and Applied Radiation Sciences Department, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, CanadaAbstract: This discussion paper seeks to provoke thoughts about cancer research in general, and why breast cancer in particular is not yet “curable”. It asks the question – are we looking at the disease in the right way? Should we regard cancer as a progressive state, which is part of aging? Should we tailor treatment to “reset” the system or slow progression rather than try using toxic and aggressive therapy to kill every cancer cell (and sometimes also the patient)? The thesis is presented that we need to revisit our fundamental beliefs about the disease and then ask why we cling to beliefs that clearly are no longer valid. The paper also questions the role of ethics boards in hampering research and discusses the concept that breast cancer is an industry with vested interests involving profiteering by preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic players. Finally, the paper suggests some ways forward based on emerging concepts in system biology and epigenetics.Keywords: breast cancer, causes, treatment, questioning paradigms

Susan E Beswick,1 Sandee Westell,1 Sarah Sweetman,1 Charmaine Mothersill,1 Lianne P Jeffs1,21St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada; 2Keenan Research Centre of the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada Background: Developing a therapeutic partnership between patient and nurse is key to ensuring the patient's needs and preferences are identified, addressed, and valued as a key patient safety goal. There is growing recognition that patients living with chronic lung diseases often experience increased levels of stress, anxiety, and depression compared to their healthy counterparts. Creating strategies for early identification and management of patients' fears and anxieties is a strategy to minimize anxiety and depressive symptoms.Methods: This article provides an overview of a qualitative study which explored nurses' perceptions and experiences associated with the implementation of the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario's Establishing Therapeutic Relationships Best Practice Guideline that focused on strategies to alleviate patients' fears and anxieties on one respirology unit.Results: Study findings suggest that involvement in Best Practice Guideline implementation enabled nurses to address patients' fears and anxieties in a focused, conscientious manner and to be more collaborative and confident in their care.Conclusion: Providing opportunities for nurses to learn and apply evidence-based practice around therapeutic patient-centered care is a key step in ensuring a quality patient experience.Keywords: evidence-based practice, best practice guideline, therapeutic relationship, fear and anxiety, collaborative practice

Several different autosomal recessive genetic disorders characterized by ataxia with oculomotor apraxia (AOA) have been identified with the unifying feature of defective DNA damage recognition and/or repair. We describe here the characterization of a novel form of AOA showing increased sensitivity to agents that cause single-strand breaks (SSBs) in DNA but having no gross defect in the repair of these breaks. Evidence for the presence of residual SSBs in DNA was provided by dramatically increased levels of poly (ADP-ribose)polymerase (PARP-1) auto-poly (ADP-ribosyl)ation, the detection of increased levels of reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) and oxidative damage to DNA in the patient cells. There was also evidence for oxidative damage to proteins and lipids. Although these cells were hypersensitive to DNA damaging agents, the mode of death was not by apoptosis. These cells were also resistant to TRAIL-induced death. Consistent with these observations, failure to observe a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential, reduced cytochrome c release and defective apoptosis-inducing factor translocation to the nucleus was observed. Apoptosis resistance and PARP-1 hyperactivation were overcome by incubating the patient's cells with antioxidants. These results provide evidence for a novel form of AOA characterized by sensitivity to DNA damaging agents, oxidative stress, PARP-1 hyperactivation but resistance to apoptosis.

NATO Advanced Research Workshop on Multipollution Exposure and Risk Assessment -- OCT 01-05, 2006 -- Minsk, BYELARUS, WOS: 000250404900028, In this study, the occurrence of trihalomethanes (THMs) of the tap water in Izmir City was investigated and the lifetime cancer risk of THMs through oral ingestion, dermal absorption, and inhalation exposure were estimated. The total THMs in samples taken from the Tahtali and Ball;ova Water Treatment Plants (TWTP, BWTP), which are the major water sources of the Izmir City were about 72 and 88 mu g/L, respectively. Chloroform existed at the highest concentrations in samples. Although the cancer risk evaluation of CHBr3 through oral route for both sexes was below the EPA level, the highest lifetime cancer risk was originating due to CHCl2Br; 5.2 x 10(-5) and 4.3 x 10(-5) for males and 4.76 x 10(-5) and 5.8 x 10(-5) for females, for the samples from BWTP and TWTP, respectively. While overall the average lifetime cancer risks through oral route, dermal absorption, and inhalation exposure for THMs were higher than the EPA acceptable risk of 10(-6) by about 87, 340, and 5.7 times in the samples from TWTP and 99, 390, and 7.9 times in the samples from BWTP, respectively. The average lifetime cancer risk for THMs in both sources was in decreasing order, CHCl2Br, CHCl2Br, CHCL3, and CHBr3 for both sexes., NATO