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The article is dedicated to the numerical simulations of thin-layer structures based on CdTe semiconductors, which can be fabricated by using low-cost technologies. Structures Mo/Au/CdS/CdTe/Au, and their modifications, with different thicknesses of the main layers are investigated. The possibility of creating a detector of ionizing radiation based on these structures, which has selective properties with respect to the radiation type, and very low operation voltage, is shown. The detection efficiencies of α -, β -, and γ -radiation in different energy ranges were calculated based on the obtained values of energy losses of ionizing particles, which are proportional to the output signal of the detector. The use of such detectors, together with a solid-state converter made of boron carbide containing either natural boron nat B or boron enriched with the 10 B isotope up to 95 % , for the detection of thermal neutrons was also studied. It was shown that the structures could be used to create α -particle spectrometers, given that the CdTe thickness is tailored to the highest expected α -particle energy. Detectors with thin CdTe (1–5 μ m) can be successfully used in the counting mode. For neutron detection, stacking multiple single structures into sandwich structures was proposed and investigated. In such a configuration, the detector qualities were markedly improved: the efficiency of neutron detection reached ∼ 60 % , while the sensitivity to the background γ - and β -radiation was ∼ 100 times lower than that for neutrons. The very low sensitivity of the simulated neutron detectors to the neutron incidence angle was shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we used micro-CT-based finite element analysis to investigate the biomechanical effects of radiation on the microstructure and mechanical function of murine lumbar vertebrae. Specifically, we evaluated vertebral microstructure, whole-bone stiffness, and cortical-trabecular load sharing in the L5 vertebral body of mice exposed to ionizing radiation 11 days post exposure (5 Gy total dose; n = 13) and controls (n = 14). Our findings revealed the irradiated group exhibited reduced trabecular bone volume and microstructure (p

Abstract Background In recent years, there has been a marked growth in the use of ionizing radiation in medical imaging for both diagnosis and therapy, which in turn has led to increased radiation exposure among healthcare workers. Aim The purpose of this study was to assess the level of safety compliance awareness among healthcare workers exposed to ionizing radiation. Research design A descriptive cross-sectional design was used for this investigation. Setting This study was conducted online, using social media sites such as WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook. Subjects A purposive sample of 384 Egyptian healthcare workers was enrolled in the current study. Tool A safety compliance awareness questionnaire was used in this study to collect pertinent data. Results The result of this study showed that 65.4% and 64.1% of the studied sample chose the correct answers that mammography and CT scans involve the use of x-rays. However, 64.3% and 67.2% of the studied sample chose the wrong answers, saying that MRI and Ultrasound involve the use of X-rays. Moreover, 47.14%, 43.5%, and 57% of the studied sample never used a dosimeter, did not follow dosimeter controls, and did not wear a lead collar. Conclusion Most of the healthcare workers studied had poor knowledge about radiation exposure safety. Moreover, most of the healthcare workers in the current study demonstrated inadequate practice compliance concerning radiation protection procedures. Recommendation Should encourage hospital training programs to include radiation safety topics in their training plans for healthcare workers.

The hematopoietic system is susceptible to ionizing radiation (IR), which can cause acute hematopoietic failure or long-term myelosuppression. As the most primitive cells of the hematopoietic hierarchy, hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) maintain lifelong hematopoietic homeostasis and promote hematopoietic regeneration during stress. Numerous studies have shown that nuclear and mitochondrial genomes are the main targets of radiation injury in HSCs. More importantly, the damage of DNA may trigger a series of biological responses that largely determine HSC fate following IR exposure. Although some essential pathways and factors involved in DNA injury and damage in HSCs have been revealed, a comprehensive understanding of the biological effects of radiation on HSCs still needs to be improved. This review focuses on recent insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying DNA damage and repair in HSCs after IR. Then summarize corresponding regulatory measures, which may provide a reference for further research in this field.

The annex A of the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) 2020/2021 Report presented a comprehensive global estimate of frequencies and doses from medical exposure to ionizing radiation, their distribution and trends for the period 2009–2018. The annex considered four general categories of medical practice using ionizing radiation: (a) diagnostic radiology, including dental radiology and computed tomography, (b) interventional radiology (image-guided interventional procedures), (c) nuclear medicine, and (d) radiation therapy. In the period 2009–2018, about 4.2 billion medical radiological examinations were performed annually, resulting in an annual effective dose of 0.57 ​mSv per caput. The use of computed tomography has continued to grow and the contribution from interventional radiology has increased rapidly in recent years. The annual number of radionuclide therapy treatments has increased by 60% since the UNSCEAR 2008 Report, while the number of courses of radiation therapy has increased by 22%. Medical exposure remains by far the largest human-made source of radiation exposure to the public. The Committee's evaluation relies on the collection of up-to-date and representative exposure data from all Member States of the United Nations. Future exposure survey should be more relevant and useful and adapted to changing data sources and changing uses of radiation across the world.

The annex D of the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation （UNSCEAR） 2020/2021 Report presented a comprehensive global estimate of occupational exposure to ionizing radiation. The worldwide annual number of workers exposed to natural and human-made sources of ionizing radiation was estimated to be approximately 24 million in the period 2010–2014. About 52% of those were employed in the sectors that involve exposure to natural sources of radiation. The worldwide average annual effective dose for all workers during the period 2010–2014 was estimated to be around 1.2 ​mSv – about two thirds of the value estimated for the period 1995–1999. The annual effective dose was estimated to be around 2.0 ​mSv for workers exposed to natural sources and 0.5 ​mSv for workers exposed to human-made sources. The overriding limitation of current evaluation was the low rate of participation by United Nations Member States in providing occupational exposure monitoring data, especially data from non-nuclear sectors and occupational sectors involving naturally occurring radioactive materials. As the assessment of the worldwide occupational exposure is a complex task, the Committee relies on the collection of up-to-date data on occupational exposure from United Nations Member States in a broad range of occupational sectors, and continues collaboration with international organizations.

• The SFE amplitude depends linearly on the perpendicular maximum flare X-ray flux. • The X-ray radiation affects the EEJ three times more strongly than the Sq current. • The weak linear relationship found for two SFE parameters might be a coincidence. Solar flares effects (SFE) are short geomagnetic disturbances (mainly in the horizontal component) observed during the development of solar flares. SFE are caused by current enhancements in multiple layers of the ionosphere induced by the flare ionizing radiation. Despite their origin, very few research studies have focused on the connection between the horizontal SFE amplitude and the maximum flare X-ray flux. By analyzing measurements from the magnetic station at Huancayo, Peru, located in the American sector of the equatorial electrojet (EEJ) current, we computed the horizontal SFE amplitudes triggered by X-class solar flares of Solar Cycle 24 by using a novel method. The EEJ contribution to the horizontal SFE amplitude was calculated using data from the geomagnetic observatory at Pilar, Argentina, located outside the EEJ belt. We found that the EEJ contribution to the horizontal SFE amplitude is linearly dependent on the perpendicular component of the maximum flare X-ray flux for two states of the EEJ current. We also found that the flare X-ray ionizing effect is around three times stronger in the EEJ current than in the solar quiet current, being the EEJ current the most important contributor to the horizontal SFE amplitude. In addition, our results suggest that the weak linear relationship between the pre-flare horizontal geomagnetic variation and the EEJ component of the horizontal SFE amplitude found by a previous study might be only a coincidence, instead of a real connection between both parameters. Exceptional SFE were studied separately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents the impact of the glass matrix Sb 2 O 3 –NiO–Na 2 O–B 2 O 3 on the structure, optical and ligand field parameters of Ni cations inside this glass system. Also, the radiation shielding properties of this glass system were investigated. The Sb 2 O 3 concentrations varied from 0 to 18 mol%, while Na 2 O and NiO were fixed at 19.6 and 0.9 mol%, respectively. The structural analyses confirmed that the glass density changed from 2.13 to 2.76 g/cm3, the molar volumes increased from 31.88 to 39.18 cm3/mol and N 4 ratio (tetrahedrally coordinated boron atoms) decreased from 41.16% to 29.65% with further Sb 2 O 3 /B 2 O 3 contents. The brown color of the glass samples and the absorption band at 419–427 nm also showed that Ni2+ cations in the form of NiO 6 units are present in this glass system. Furthermore, additional Sb 2 O 3 /B 2 O 3 contents moved the fundamental absorption edge toward higher wavelengths, reducing optical band gaps from 3.32 eV to 2.89 eV. Furthermore, the nonlinear refractive index increases with the increased Sb 2 O 3 /B 2 O 3 ratios. Also, Ni ions' ligand field splitting and Racah parameters showed different behaviors. In detail, the ligand field splitting showed decreased behavior from 7434 cm−1 to 7408 cm−1, whereas the Racah parameters showed increased behavior from 907 cm−1 to 942 cm−1. The obtained results support the tendency of the bonds between the Ni ions and their environments toward an ionic nature. Besides, the radiation shielding investigations showed enhanced parameters with further Sb 2 O 3 additives. Further, with increasing Sb 2 O 3 from 0 mol% to 18 mol%, there are increases in the mass attenuation coefficient values. The improved radiation shielding parameters of the studied glass samples propose them for ionizing radiation shielding applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To provide an updated summary of recent advances in the application of gamma irradiation to elicit secondary metabolism and for induction of mutations in plant cell and organ cultures for the production of industrially important specialized metabolites (SMs). Research on the application of gamma radiation with plants has contributed a lot to microbial decontamination of seeds, and the promotion of physiological processes such as seed germination, seedling vigor, plant growth, and development. Various studies have demonstrated the influence of gamma rays on the morphology, physiology, and biochemistry of plants. Recent research efforts have also shown that low-dose gamma (5–100 Gy) irradiation can be utilized as an expedient solution to alleviate the deleterious effect of abiotic stresses and to obtain better yields of plants. Inducing mutagenesis using gamma irradiation has also evolved as a better option for inducing genetic variability in crops, vegetables, medicinal and ornamentals for their genetic improvement. Plant SMs are gaining increasing importance as pharmaceutical, therapeutic, cosmetic, and agricultural products. Plant cell, tissue, and organ cultures represent an attractive alternative to conventional methods of procuring useful SMs. Among the varied approaches the elicitor-induced in vitro culture techniques are considered an efficient tool for studying and improving the production of SMs. This review focuses on the utilization of low-dose gamma irradiation in the production of high-value SMs such as phenolics, terpenoids, and alkaloids. Furthermore, we present varied successful examples of gamma-ray-induced mutations in the production of SMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a unique sensor for detecting total ionizing dose (TID) on metal–oxide–semiconductor (MOS) devices. The proposed capacitive radiation sensor is based on commercial 180 nm complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology. The sensor parameters of 180 nm length (L) and 20 nm oxide thickness (TOX) have been finalized based on simulation and mathematical analysis. Low and high radiation doses ranging from 100 rad to 1 Mrad are used to characterize it. The sensor's sensitivity for 0–10 krad is 20 mV/krad, 10 krad–100 krad is 3.9 mV/krad, and 100 krad–1 Mrad is 0.6 mV/krad when threshold shift is considered into account. Analysis of fixed oxide charge and interface trap charge generation due to ionizing radiation is done. Because interface traps are crucial to device performance, this device is evaluates using traps between 1 E06 cm−3 and 1 E14 cm−3 for realistic performance. Every interface trap exhibits a threshold voltage (VT) shift. Visual technology computer-aided design (TCAD) simulator was used to build, study, and evaluate a capacitive radiation sensor that might be used as a dosimeter for TID monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CUL4B, a crucial scaffolding protein in the largest E3 ubiquitin ligase complex CRL4B, is involved in a broad range of physiological and pathological processes. While previous research has shown that CUL4B participates in maintaining intestinal homeostasis and function, its involvement in facilitating intestinal recovery following ionizing radiation (IR) damage has not been fully elucidated. Here, we utilized in vivo and in vitro models to decipher the role of CUL4B in intestinal repair after IR-injury. Our findings demonstrated that prior to radiation exposure, CUL4B inhibited the ubiquitination modification of PSME3, which led to the accumulation of PSME3 and subsequent negative regulation of p53-mediated apoptosis. In contrast, after radiation, CUL4B dissociated from PSME3 and translocated into the nucleus at phosphorylated histones H2A (γH2AX) foci, thereby impeding DNA damage repair and augmenting p53-mediated apoptosis through inhibition of BRCA1 phosphorylation and RAD51. Our study elucidated the dynamic role of CUL4B in the repair of radiation-induced intestinal damage and uncovered novel molecular mechanisms underlying the repair process, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy of intestinal damage after radiation therapy for cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brain tumor detection and classification are crucial steps in evaluating life-threatening abnormal tissues to provide appropriate treatment plans. For clinical assessment, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is normally used because of its excellent quality and lack of ionizing radiation. However, as the volume of the data grows, manual processing of MRI images becomes expensive, time-taking, and error prone. Also, traditional automated detection systems struggle to handle complex image patterns, leading to reduced classification accuracy. So, this paper designs a reliable and effective brain tumor detection mechanism as a solution to these problems. The proposed "Vision Transformer with Attention and Linear Transformation module (VITALT)" system is a combination of modules such as Vision Transformer (ViT), Split bidirectional feature pyramid network (S-BiFPN), linear transformation module (LTM) and soft-quantization that effectively extracts features from complex brain structures. At first, to mitigate the training inaccuracies developed by dimension and quality constraints, the preprocessing steps such as resizing and normalization are executed. The preprocessed images are divided into number of patches and embedded into high-dimensional vector to provide more compact image representation. Subsequently, the global and local features in the image are captured through ViT module by learning the relationship between image patches. The multi-scale spatial features formed are then fused using S-BiFPN to increase the accuracy of prediction. By using LTM to improve the linear expression capability of the design, the characteristics that are most important for the classification of brain tumors are discovered. Also, soft quantization is used to minimize memory footprint and minimize quantization errors in detection. Finally, the head module with set of fully connected layers accurately classifies different classes of brain tumors. The experimental analysis conducted using four different benchmark brain tumor datasets shows the viability and reliability of the suggested VITALT system in predicting brain tumors, as measured by multiple evaluation metrics. The proposed system achieves classification accuracy of 99.08% for Dataset A, 98.97% for Dataset B, 98.82% for Dataset C and 99.15% for Dataset D. A high level of classification accuracy attained by the suggested system highlights its potential in medical imaging applications and its ability to contribute to improved surgical treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anomalous photovoltaic (APV) effect in organic–inorganic hybrid perovskites (OIHPs) has attracted massive interest for developing high‐performance optoelectronic devices. However, exploring the ionizing radiation responsive APV effect remains blank, let alone its potential applications. Herein, the unprecedented APV behavior in a 1D lead‐free OIHP, (4‐AMP)BiI5 (ABI, 4‐AMP = 4‐(aminomethyl)pyridine) under X‐ray irradiation is reported, exhibiting a large above‐bandgap bulk photovoltage of ≈10 V. Such a strong APV effect is closely related to the intrinsic electric polarization in polar ABI, which acts as the driving force for X‐ray‐generated carriers' separation and transport, thus allowing it to be self‐powered. As a result, sensitive self‐powered X‐ray detectors based on high‐quality ABI single crystals are successfully fabricated, possessing a high sensitivity of 66.84 µC Gy−1 cm−2, a low detection limit of 482 nGy s−1, and superior operational stability. This work first demonstrates the ionizing radiation‐responsive APV effect in OIHPs, which further enables passive radiation detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1) is a key mediator of the DNA damage response that regulates cell cycle progression, DNA damage repair, and DNA replication. Small-molecule Chk1 inhibitors sensitize cancer cells to genotoxic agents and have shown preclinical activity as single agents in cancers characterized by high levels of replication stress. However, the underlying genetic determinants of Chk1-inhibitor sensitivity remain unclear. Although treatment options for advanced colorectal cancer are limited, radiotherapy is effective. Here, we report that exposure to a novel amidine derivative, K1586, leads to an initial reduction in the proliferative potential of colorectal cancer cells. Cell cycle analysis revealed that the length of the G2/M phase increased with K1586 exposure as a result of Chk1 instability. Exposure to K1586 enhanced the degradation of Chk1 in a time- and dose-dependent manner, increasing replication stress and sensitizing colorectal cancer cells to radiation. Taken together, the results suggest that a novel amidine derivative may have potential as a radiotherapy-sensitization agent that targets Chk1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diagnostic ultrasound (US) is a major imaging modality to visualize soft tissues and blood flow with the advantages of real‐time imaging, high acceptability to patients, and absence of ionizing radiation. US imaging provides important clinical measurements, e.g., thickness of gingiva for treatment planning in orthodontics, periodontics, and implantology; or thickness of subcutaneous adipose for optimizing insulin injection. However, the image quality and measurements of anatomical structures can be inconsistent, i.e., due to varying pressure exerted by an US transducer. Herein, a simple device is developed to real‐time measure the interface pressure applied on tissues by the US transducer. A thin‐film piezo‐resistive sensor with a small footprint is integrated to sense the pressure. A theoretical model, based on hyperelastic material behavior, is verified using the pressure measured by the thin film sensor and the thickness determined on ultrasonograms. The device is also tested on porcine samples in the pressure range of 50–300 kPa for imaging gingiva boundaries, identifying tissue thickness, and probing tissue biomenchanical properties. The device enables the understanding on the optimal range of applied pressure for higher contrast imaging. The information of the on‐tissue pressure and the tissue deformation determined on the US images help to derive the biomechanical stress–strain behavior of the tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of ionizing irradiation on the thermochromic properties of [NH2(C2H5)2]2CuCl4 (DEACC) microcrystals incorporated into a polystyrene matrix was investigated. This composite was found to possess thermochromic properties very similar to those in a bulk crystal although its thermochromic phase transition was shifted toward higher temperatures due to the tensions arising within the interface between the polystyrene matrix and the microcrystal. The similar doses of ionizing radiation cause much more pronounced changes in the thermochromic properties of the microcrystals in comparison with a bulk crystal. The main impact consists in the considerable shift of the phase transition temperature derived from the D(T) hysteresis loops toward lower values that were explained by the breaking of the chemical bonds between the polymer matrix and the microcrystals and the corresponding diminishing of the surface strains. The transformation of the discontinuous phase transition into the continuous one under the influence of irradiation was also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) lacks established biomarkers or molecular targets for predicting or enhancing radiation response. Phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-triphosphate-dependent Rac exchange factor 2 (PREX2) exhibits intricate implications in tumorigenesis and progression. Nevertheless, the precise role and underlying mechanisms of PREX2 in CRC radioresistance remain unclear. Methods: RNA-seq was employed to identify differentially expressed genes between radioresistant CRC cell lines and their parental counterparts. PREX2 expression was scrutinized using Western blotting, real-time PCR, and immunohistochemistry. The radioresistant role of PREX2 was assessed through in vitro colony formation assay, apoptosis assay, comet assay, and in vivo xenograft tumor models. The mechanism of PREX2 was elucidated using RNA-seq and Western blotting. Finally, a PREX2 small-molecule inhibitor, designated PREX-in1, was utilized to enhance the efficacy of ionizing radiation (IR) therapy in CRC mouse models. Results: PREX2 emerged as the most significantly upregulated gene in radioresistant CRC cells. It augmented the radioresistant capacity of CRC cells and demonstrated potential as a marker for predicting radioresistance efficacy. Mechanistically, PREX2 facilitated DNA repair by upregulating DNA-PKcs, suppressing radiation-induced immunogenic cell death, and impeding CD8+ T cell infiltration through the cGAS/STING/IFNs pathway. In vivo, the blockade of PREX2 heightened the efficacy of IR therapy. Conclusions: PREX2 assumes a pivotal role in CRC radiation resistance by inhibiting the cGAS/STING/IFNs pathway, presenting itself as a potential radioresistant biomarker and therapeutic target for effectively overcoming radioresistance in CRC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite great efforts in improving existing therapies, the outcome of patients with advanced radioresistant HPV-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains poor. The chromatin remodeler Chromodomain helicase DNA binding protein 4 (CHD4) is involved in different DNA-repair mechanisms, but the role and potential in HNSCC has not been explored yet. In the present study, we evaluated the prognostic significance of CHD4 expression using in silico analysis of the pan-cancer dataset. Furthermore, we established a monoclonal HNSCC CHD4 knockdown cell clone utilizing the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Effects of lower CHD4 expression on radiosensitivity after increasing doses of ionizing radiation were characterized using clonogenic assays and cell numbers. The in silico analysis revealed that high CHD4 expression is associated with significant poorer overall survival of HPV-negative HNSCC patients. Additionally, the knockdown of CHD4 significantly increased the radiosensitivity of HNSCC cells. Therefore, CHD4 might be involved in promoting radioresistance in hard-to-treat HPV-negative HNSCC entities. We conclude that CHD4 could serve as a prognostic factor in HPV-negative HNSCC tumors and is a potential target protein overcoming radioresistance in HNSCC. Our results and the newly established cell clone laid the foundation to further characterize the underlying mechanisms and ultimately use CHD4 in HNSCC therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patients who underwent thoracic surgery procedures were usually subjected to daily chest X-rays until discharge, exposing patients to ionizing radiation and requiring patient movement with chest drains, difficult positioning, and time-consuming. Unlike chest ultrasound, which is a good alternative because it is bedside and accurate in the detection of pulmonary complications. We hypothesize that a thoracic surgery resident with a short training program in chest ultrasound can achieve comparable results to a chest X-ray. Our study aims to analyze the agreement between the two techniques. Results: This is an observational prospective study. Eighty-six adult patients who underwent thoracic surgery were included. Every patient had a chest X-ray and chest ultrasound follow-up on day 0, day 3, and day 5 post-operative. Chest ultrasound examinations were performed by the same resident, and the results were revised by an expert sonographer for the detection of pneumothorax, pleural effusion, pulmonary consolidation, and interstitial pattern. Both diagnostic procedures showed substantial agreement for pneumothorax (K = 0.661). For pleural effusion, they showed moderate agreement (K = 0.448, P < 0.001), and no cases developed an interstitial pattern. Overall, both diagnostic procedures showed perfect agreement (K = 0.838, P < 0.001). The time lag to perform a chest ultrasound was statistically lower than that to perform. chest X-ray, with a median of 7 min versus 80 min, respectively. Conclusions: Performing chest ultrasound by a thoracic surgery resident is a less time-consuming and easy bedside diagnostic tool. Compared chest ultrasound to the postoperative X-ray showed a perfect diagnostic agreement for pulmonary consolidation and moderate agreement for pleural effusion and pneumothorax. Trial registration: NCT04118621 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In 2011, the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident resulted in the release of vast quantities of radioactive substances. In this study, we performed an ultrastructural analysis of the testis of the wild large Japanese field mouse (Apodemus speciosus), inhabiting the area near the ex-evacuation zones of the FDNPP and chronically exposed to various levels of low-dose-rate (LDR) radiation, to evaluate the effects of ionizing radiation on the male reproductive system and the possible consequences for future generations. Our results showed a preserved morphology of seminiferous tubules. However, ultrastructural changes, such as wide intercellular spaces, cytoplasmic vacuolization, vacuolated mitochondria, and increased lipid droplet clusters, were found, which could be linked to the mechanisms related to spermatogenesis. Long-term chronic LDR radiation exposure associated with the FDNPP accident had no pronounced adverse effect on spermatogenesis in A. speciosus, even if testis presented some ultrastructural changes. Our findings could be used in future studies to evaluate the effects of radiation on reproductive health in wild animals. Since the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident, great attention has been paid to the impact of chronic low-dose-rate (LDR) radiation exposure on biological systems. The reproductive system is sensitive to radiation, with implications connected to infertility. We investigated the testis ultrastructure of the wild large Japanese field mouse (Apodemus speciosus) from three areas contaminated after the FDNPP accident, with different levels of LDR radiation (0.29 µSv/h, 5.11 µSv/h, and 11.80 µSv/h). Results showed good preservation of the seminiferous tubules, comparable to the unexposed animals (controls), except for some ultrastructural modifications. Increases in the numerical density of lipid droplet clusters in spermatogenic cells were found at high levels of LDR radiation, indicating an antioxidant activity rising due to radiation recovery. In all groups, wide intercellular spaces were found between spermatogenic cells, and cytoplasmic vacuolization increased at intermediate and high levels and vacuolated mitochondria at the high-level. However, these findings were also related to the physiological dynamics of spermatogenesis. In conclusion, the testes of A. speciosus exposed to LDR radiation associated with the FDNPP accident showed a normal spermatogenesis, with some ultrastructural changes. These outcomes may add information on the reproductive potential of mammals chronically exposed to LDR radiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pediatric distal forearm fractures, comprising 30% of musculoskeletal injuries in children, are conventionally diagnosed using radiography. Ultrasound has emerged as a safer diagnostic tool, eliminating ionizing radiation, enabling bedside examinations with real-time imaging, and proving effective in non-hospital settings. The objective of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of ultrasound for detecting distal forearm fractures in the pediatric population. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted through a comprehensive literature search in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase databases until October 1, 2023, following established guidelines. Eligible studies, reporting diagnostic accuracy measures of ultrasound in pediatric patients with distal forearm fractures, were included. Relevant data elements were extracted, and data analysis was performed. The analysis included 14 studies with 1377 patients, revealing pooled sensitivity and specificity of 94.5 (95% CI 92.7–95.9) and 93.5 (95% CI 89.6–96.0), respectively. Considering pre-test probabilities of 25%, 50%, and 75% for pediatric distal forearm fractures, positive post-test probabilities were 83%, 44%, and 98%, while negative post-test probabilities were 2%, 6%, and 15%, respectively. The bivariate model indicated significantly higher diagnostic accuracy in the subgroup with trained ultrasound performers vs. untrained performers (p = 0.03). Furthermore, diagnostic accuracy was significantly higher in the subgroup examining radius fractures vs. ulna fractures (p < 0.001), while no significant differences were observed between 4-view and 6-view ultrasound subgroups or between radiologist ultrasound interpreters and non-radiologist interpreters. This study highlighted ultrasound's reliability in detecting pediatric distal forearm fractures, emphasizing the crucial role of expertise in precisely confirming fractures through ultrasound examinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the event of a large-scale radiological accident, rapid and high-throughput biodosimetry is the most vital basis in medical resource allocation for the prompt treatment of victims. However, the current biodosimeter is yet to be rapid and high-throughput. Studies have shown that ionizing radiation modulates expressions of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in healthy human cell lines and tumor tissue. circRNA expressions can be quantified rapidly and high-throughput. However, whether circRNAs are suitable for early radiation dose classification remains unclear. We employed transcriptome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis to screen for radiation-differentially expressed circRNAs in the human lymphoblastoid cell line AHH-1 at 4 h following exposure to 0, 2, and 5 Gy 60Co γ-rays. The dose–response relationships between differentially expressed circRNA expressions and absorbed doses were investigated using real-time polymerase chain reaction and linear regression analysis at 4 h, 24 h, and 48 h post-exposure to 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 Gy. Six distinct dose classification models of circRNA panels were established and validated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. A total of 11 radiation-differentially expressed circRNAs were identified and validated. Based on dose–response effects, those circRNAs changed in a dose-responsive or dose-dependent manner were combined into panels A through F at 4 h, 24 h, and 48 h post-irradiation. ROC curve analysis showed that panels A through C had the potential to effectively classify exposed and non-exposed conditions, which area under the curve (AUC) of these three panels were all 1.000, and the associate p values were.009. Panels D through F excellently distinguished between different dose groups (AUC = 0.963–1.000, p <.05). The validation assay showed that panels A through F demonstrated consistent excellence in sensitivity and specificity in dose classification. Ionizing radiation can indeed modulate the circRNA expression profile in the human lymphoblastoid cell line AHH-1. The differentially expressed circRNAs exhibit the potential for rapid and high-throughput dose classification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure to ionizing radiation is one of the known risk factors for the development of lens opacities. It is believed that radiation interactions with lens epithelial cells (LEC) are the underlying cause of cataract development, however, the exact mechanisms have yet to be identified. The aim of this study was to investigate how different radiation dose and fractionation impact normal LEC function. A human derived LEC cell line (HLE-B3) was exposed to a single acute x-ray dose (0.25 Gy) and 6 fractionated doses (total dose of 0.05, 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2 Gy divided over 5 equal fractions). LEC were examined for proliferation using a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and migration using a Boyden chamber assay at various time points (0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 7, 9, 11, and 14 d) post-irradiation. Transcriptomic analysis through RNA sequencing was also performed to identify differentially expressed genes and regulatory networks in cells following 4 different acute exposures and 1 fractionated exposure. Exposure to an acute dose of 0.25 Gy significantly increased proliferation and migration rates, peaking at 7 d post irradiation (20% and 240% greater than controls, respectively), before returning to baseline levels by day 14. Fractionated exposures had minimal effects up to a dose of 0.5 Gy, but significantly reduced proliferation and migration after 1 and 2 Gy by up to 50%. The largest transcriptional response occurred 12 h after an acute 0.25 Gy dose, with 362 genes up-regulated and 288 genes down-regulated. A unique panel of differentially expressed genes was observed between moderate versus high dose exposures, suggesting a dose-dependent transcriptional response in LEC that is more pronounced at lower doses. Gene ontology and upstream regulator analysis identified multiple biological processes and molecular functions implicated in the radiation response, in particular differentiation, motility, receptor/ligand binding, cell signaling and epithelial-mesenchymal cell transition. Overall, this research provides novel insights into the dose and fractionation effects on functional changes and transcriptional regulatory networks in LEC, furthering our understanding of the mechanisms behind radiation induced cataracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon spectral features are ubiquitous in the ultraviolet (UV) and far-infrared (FIR) spectra of the reionization-era galaxies. We probe the ionized carbon content of a dwarf galaxy Pox 186 using the UV, optical, mid-infrared, and FIR data taken with Hubble , Gemini, Spitzer , and Herschel , respectively. This local (z ∼ 0.0040705) galaxy is likely an analogue of reionization-era galaxies, as revealed by its extreme FIR emission line ratio, [O  iii ] |$88 \,\mu \mathrm{m}$| /[C  ii ] |$157 \,\mu \mathrm{m}$| (>10). The UV spectra reveal extreme C  iii ] λλ1907, 1909 emission with the strongest equivalent width (EW) = 35.85 ± 0.73 Å detected so far in the local (z ∼ 0) Universe, a relatively strong C  iv λλ1548, 1550 emission with EW = 7.95 ± 0.45 Å, but no He  ii λ1640 detection. Several scenarios are explored to explain the high EW of carbon lines, including high effective temperature, high carbon-to-oxygen ratio, slope, and upper mass of top-heavy initial mass function, hard ionizing radiation, and in-homogeneous dust distribution. Both C  iii ] and C  iv line profiles are broadened with respect to the O  iii ] λ1666 emission line. Each emission line of C  iv λλ1548, 1550 shows the most distinct double-peak structure ever detected, which we model via two scenarios, firstly a double-peaked profile that might emerge from resonant scattering and secondly, a single nebular emission line along with a weaker interstellar absorption. The study demonstrates that galaxies with extreme FIR properties may also show extreme UV properties, hence paving a promising avenue of using FIR+UV in the local (via Hubble + Herschel /SOFIA) and distant (via JWST  + ALMA) Universe for unveiling the mysteries of the reionization-era. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiation therapy is a primary treatment for cancer, but radioresistance remains a significant challenge in improving efficacy and reducing toxicity. Accumulating evidence suggests that deubiquitinases (DUBs) play a crucial role in regulating cell sensitivity to ionizing radiation. Traditional small-molecule DUB inhibitors have demonstrated radiosensitization effects, and novel deubiquitinase-targeting chimeras (DUBTACs) provide a promising strategy for radiosensitizer development by harnessing the ubiquitin-proteasome system. This review highlights the mechanisms by which DUBs regulate radiosensitivity, including DNA damage repair, the cell cycle, cell death, and hypoxia. Progress on DUB inhibitors and DUBTACs is summarized, and their potential radiosensitization effects are discussed. Developing drugs targeting DUBs appears to be a promising alternative approach to overcoming radioresistance, warranting further research into their mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemoresistance remains a major challenge in treating pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Although chemoradiation has proven effective in other tumor types, such as head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, its role in PDAC and effect on acquired chemoresistance have yet to be fully explored. In this study, we investigated the sensitivity of gemcitabine-resistant (GR) and paclitaxel-resistant (PR) PDAC cells to ionizing radiation (IR) and their underlying mechanisms. GR and PR clones were generated from PANC-1, PATU-T, and SUIT2-007 pancreatic cancer cell lines. Cell survival after radiation was assessed using clonogenic assay, sulforhodamine B assay, apoptosis, and spheroid growth by bioluminescence. Radiation-induced DNA damage was assessed using Western blot, extra-long polymerase chain reaction, reactive oxygen species production, and immunofluorescence. Autophagy and modulation of the Hippo signaling pathway were investigated using proteomics, Western blot, immunofluorescence, and reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. In both 2- and 3-dimensional settings, PR cells were more sensitive to IR and showed decreased β-globin amplification, indicating more DNA damage accumulation compared with GR or wild-type cells after 24 hours. Proteomic analysis of PR PATU-T cells revealed that the protein MST4, a kinase involved in autophagy and the Hippo signaling pathway, was highly downregulated. A differential association was found between autophagy and radiation treatment depending on the cell model. Interestingly, increased yes-associated protein nuclear localization and downstream Hippo signaling pathway target gene expression were observed in response to IR. This was the first study investigating the potential of IR in targeting PDAC cells with acquired chemoresistance. Our results demonstrate that PR cells exhibit enhanced sensitivity to IR due to greater accumulation of DNA damage. Additionally, depending on the specific cellular context, radiation-induced modulation of autophagy and the Hippo signaling pathway emerged as potential underlying mechanisms, findings with potential to inform personalized treatment strategies for patients with acquired chemoresistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Computed tomography (CT) stands as a pivotal medical imaging technique, delivering timely and reliable clinical evaluations. Yet, its dependence on ionizing radiation raises health concerns. One mitigation strategy involves using reduced radiation for low-dose CT (LDCT) imaging; however, this often results in noise artifacts that undermine diagnostic precision. To address this issue, a distinctive CT image denoising technique has been introduced that utilizes deep neural networks to suppress image noise. This advanced CT image denoising network employs an attention mechanism for the feature extraction stage, facilitating the adaptive fusion of multi-scale local characteristics and channel-wide dependencies. Furthermore, a novel residual block has been incorporated, crafted to generate features with superior representational abilities, factoring in diverse spatial scales and eliminating redundant features. A unique loss function is also developed to optimize network parameters, focusing on preserving structural information by capturing high-frequency components and perceptually important details. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed network in enhancing the quality of LDCT images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scintillators, owing to their exceptional ability to convert high-energy ionizing radiation into visible light, are the core component of X-ray radiography. However, conventional single-crystal scintillators are inadequate to satisfy the modern social and scientific demands. So, the development of novel scintillator materials is imminent. Herein, a series of Na 5 Lu 9- x Gd x F 32 :Ce3+ glass-ceramics (GCs) scintillators were elaborated by an exercisable and low-cost method. Benefiting from the proper introduction of Al powder and Gd3+, as well as the crystallization of Na 5 Lu 9- x Gd x F 32 nanocrystal (NCs) after heat treatment, luminescence excited by ultraviolet and X-ray of the sample is enhanced significantly. The integrated X-ray excited luminescence intensity of the representative sample can reach up to 128% of that of Bi 4 Ge 3 O 12. More importantly, the sample has excellent irradiation stability that is almost undamaged even exposed to high-energy X-ray radiation. Finally, satisfactory X-ray imaging based on the resultant sample was realized. The spatial resolution is as high as 14 lp mm−1, which exceeds that of many novel perovskite scintillators. Thus, this investigation promotes the development of low-cost, stable and high-performing Ce3+-activated GCs scintillators. • Three effective ways were designed to improve the scintillating property of the sample. • The integrated X-ray excited luminescence reaches 128% of that of Bi 4 Ge 3 O 12. • The sample is undamaged even excited by high-power (12 W) X-ray, infering outstanding irradiation stability. • Satisfactory X-ray imaging based on the sample was achieved. • The spatial resolution reaches 14 lp mm−1, exceeding that of many perovskite scintillators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the presented work, the charge state of P(VDF-TeFE)/Si-based composites obtained on the basis of nano-Si with a size of 50 nm and micro-Si particles with a size of 50 μ m and P(VDF-TeFE) copolymer of polyvinylidenefluoride with tetrafluoroethylene from polar polymers, was investigated, the amount of filler and the effect of ionizing radiation on these properties were studied. It has been shown that the observed differences in the charge state parameters of P(VDF-TeFE)/Si composites obtained with nano- and micro-sized Si are due to the higher concentration of nanoparticles and, accordingly, the effective surface area in the composites obtained with nanosized Si, and the change in the mobility of relaxors due to the effects of construction and destruction processes that occur in the polymer matrix and at the interphase boundary after the effect of gamma radiation. The reason for the observed changes in the depolarization processes of polarized P(VDF-TeFE)/nano-Si composites after gamma radiation is the change in the ratio between the construction and destruction processes in the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The one‐carbon metabolism enzyme bifunctional methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase/cyclohydrolase 2 (MTHFD2) is among the most overexpressed proteins across tumors and is widely recognized as a promising anticancer target. While MTHFD2 is mainly described as a mitochondrial protein, a new nuclear function is emerging. Here, we observe that nuclear MTHFD2 protein levels and association with chromatin increase following ionizing radiation (IR) in an ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM)‐ and DNA‐dependent protein kinase (DNA‐PK)‐dependent manner. Furthermore, repair of IR‐induced DNA double‐strand breaks (DSBs) is delayed upon MTHFD2 knockdown, suggesting a role for MTHFD2 in DSB repair. In support of this, we observe impaired recruitment of replication protein A (RPA), reduced resection, decreased IR‐induced DNA repair protein RAD51 homolog 1 (RAD51) levels and impaired homologous recombination (HR) activity in MTHFD2‐depleted cells following IR. In conclusion, we identify a key role for MTHFD2 in HR repair and describe an interdependency between MTHFD2 and HR proficiency that could potentially be exploited for cancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiation-induced renal fibrosis (RIRF) is a progressive, irreversible condition causing chronic kidney disease. Pentoxifylline (PTX) and vitamin E may mitigate radiation-induced damage and fibrosis. This study assesses their effectiveness. We used four groups, each with six rats: radiation therapy alone (RT-only), radiation therapy plus drug treatment (RT + drug), drug treatment alone (drug-only), and a control group. Rats were monitored for three months, with weight measurements every four weeks. Afterward, rats were analyzed biochemically and histologically, with blood and tissue samples taken for statistical comparison. No significant differences in serum creatinine levels and body weight were observed. RT-only group had more severe kidney tubule effects. Histomorphological, immunohistochemical, and TUNEL analyses showed significant RIRF mitigation in the RT + drug group. Our study highlighted molecular pathways (SMAD, TGF-beta, VEGF) and histological markers (collagens, a-SMA, fibronectin, metalloproteinases) associated with RIRF. PTX and vitamin E reduced ionizing radiation's impact on renal cells and mitigated radiation-induced kidney fibrosis. Further human studies are needed to confirm these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The photoluminescent properties of lanthanide complexes have been thoroughly investigated; however, there have been much fewer studies showcasing their potential use in ionizing radiation detection. In this work, we delve into the photo‐ and radio‐induced luminescence of a series of lanthanide‐bearing organic‐inorganic hybrids and their potential as a platform for X‐ray scintillation and imaging. The judicious synergy between lanthanide cations and 2,6‐di(1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl)isonicotinate (bppCOO−) ligands affords six new materials with three distinct structures. Notably, Eu‐bppCOO‐1 and Tb‐bppCOO‐2 display sharp fingerprint X‐ray‐excited luminescence (XEL), the intensities of which can be linearly correlated with the X‐ray dose rates over a broad dynamic range (0.007–4.55 mGy s−1). Moreover, the X‐ray sensing efficacies of Eu‐bppCOO‐1 and Tb‐bppCOO‐2 were evaluated, showing that Tb‐bppCOO‐2 features a lower detection limit of 4.06 μGy s−1 compared to 14.55 μGy s−1 of Eu‐bppCOO‐1. Given the higher X‐ray sensitivity and excellent radiation stability of Tb‐bppCOO‐2, we fabricated a flexible scintillator film for X‐ray imaging by embedding finely ground Tb‐bppCOO‐2 in the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) polymer. The resulting scintillator film can be utilized for high‐resolution X‐ray imaging with a spatial resolution of approximately 7 lp mm−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractPurposeConclusionsTransforming growth factor (TGF-β) plays a dual role in tumor progression as well as a pivotal role in radiation response. TGF-β-related epigenetic regulations, including DNA methylation, histone modifications (including methylation, acetylation, phosphorylation, ubiquitination), chromatin remodeling and non-coding RNA regulation, have been found to affect the occurrence and development of tumors as well as their radiation response in multiple dimensions. Due to the significance of radiotherapy in tumor treatment and the essential roles of TGF-β signaling in radiation response, it is important to better understand the role of epigenetic regulation mechanisms mediated by TGF-β signaling pathways in radiation-induced targeted and non-targeted effects.By revealing the epigenetic mechanism related to TGF-β-mediated radiation response, summarizing the existing relevant adjuvant strategies for radiotherapy based on TGF-β signaling, and discovering potential therapeutic targets, we hope to provide a new perspective for improving clinical treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ionizing radiation (IR) and oncolytic viruses are both used to treat cancer, and the effectiveness of both agents depends upon stimulating an immune response against the tumor. In this study we tested whether combining image guided ionizing radiation (IG-IR) with an oncolytic vaccinia virus (VACV) could yield a better therapeutic response than either treatment alone. ΔF4LΔJ2R VACV grew well on irradiated human and mouse breast cancer cells, and the virus can be combined with 4 or 8 Gy of IR to kill cells in an additive or weakly synergistic manner. To test efficacy in vivo we used immune competent mice bearing orthotopic TUBO mammary tumors. IG-IR worked well with 10 Gy producing 80% complete responses, but this was halved when the tumors were treated with VACV starting 2 days after IG-IR. VACV monotherapy was ineffective in this model. The antagonism was time dependent as waiting for 21 days after IG-IR eliminated the inhibitory effect but without yielding any further benefits over IR alone. In irradiated tumors, VACV replication was also lower, suggesting that irradiation created an environment that did not support infection as well in vivo as in vitro. A study of how four different treatment regimens affected the immune composition of the tumor microenvironment showed that treating irradiated tumors with VACV altered the immunological profiles in tumors exposed to IR or VACV alone. We detected more PD-1 and PD-L1 expression in tumors exposed to IR+VACV but adding an αPD-1 antibody to the protocol did not change the way VACV interferes with IG-IR therapy. VACV encodes many immunosuppressive gene products that may interfere with the ability of radiotherapy to induce an effective anti-tumor immune response through the release of danger-associated molecular patterns. These data suggest that infecting irradiated tumors with VACV, too soon after exposure, may interfere in the innate and linked adaptive immune responses that are triggered by radiotherapy to achieve a beneficial impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiation therapy for abdominopelvic malignancies often results in damage to the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and permanent changes in bowel function. An overlooked component of the pathophysiology of radiation-induced bowel injury is the role of the gut microbiome. The goal of this research was to identify the impacts of acute radiation exposure on the GIT and gut microbiome. C57BL/6 mice exposed to whole-body X-rays (0.1–3 Gy) were assessed for histological and microbiome changes 48 h post-radiation exposure. Within the ileum, a dose of 3 Gy significantly decreased crypt depth as well as the number of goblet cells, but increased overall goblet cell size. Overall, radiation altered the microbial distribution within each of the main phyla in a dose- and tissue-dependent manner. Within the Firmicutes phylum, high dose irradiation resulted in significant alterations in bacteria from the class Bacilli within the small bowels, and from the class Clostridia in the large bowels. The 3 Gy radiation also significantly increased the abundance of bacterial families from the Bacteroidetes phylum in the colon and feces. Overall, we identified various alterations in microbiome composition following acute radiation exposure, which could potentially lead to novel biomarkers for tracking patient toxicities or could be used as targets for mitigation strategies against radiation damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An important hallmark of radiation dermatitis is the impairment of the mitotic ability of the stem/progenitor cells in the basal cell layers due to radiation-induced DNA damage, leading to suppressed cell renewal in the epidermis. However, this mechanism alone does not adequately explain the complex pathogenesis of radiation-induced skin injury. In this review, we summarize the latest findings on the complex pathogenesis of radiation dermatitis and correlate these with the clinical features of radiation-induced skin reactions. The current studies show that skin exposure to ionizing radiation induces cellular senescence in the epidermal keratinocytes. As part of their epithelial stress response, these senescent keratinocytes secrete pro-inflammatory mediators, thereby triggering skin inflammation. Keratinocyte-derived cytokines and chemokines modulate intercellular communication with the immune cells, activating skin-resident and recruiting skin-infiltrating immune cells within the epidermis and dermis, thereby orchestrating the inflammatory response to radiation-induced tissue damage. The increased expression of specific chemoattractant chemokines leads to increased recruitment of neutrophils into the irradiated skin, where they release cytotoxic granules that are responsible for the exacerbation of an inflammatory state. Moreover, the importance of IL-17-expressing γδ-T cells to the radiation-induced hyperproliferation of keratinocytes was demonstrated, leading to reactive hyperplasia of the epidermis. Radiation-induced, reactive hyperproliferation of the keratinocytes disturbs the fine-tuned keratinization and cornification processes, leading to structural dysfunction of the epidermal barrier. In summary, in response to ionizing radiation, epidermal keratinocytes have important structural and immunoregulatory barrier functions in the skin, coordinating interacting immune responses to eliminate radiation-induced damage and to initiate the healing process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review discusses the relationship between cellular senescence and radiation exposure. Given the wide range of ionizing radiation sources encountered by people in professional and medical spheres, as well as the influence of natural background radiation, the question of the effect of radiation on biological processes, particularly on aging processes, remains highly relevant. The parallel relationship between natural and radiation-induced cellular senescence reveals the common aspects underlying these processes. Based on recent scientific data, the key points of the effects of ionizing radiation on cellular processes associated with aging, such as genome instability, mitochondrial dysfunction, altered expression of miRNAs, epigenetic profile, and manifestation of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), are discussed. Unraveling the molecular mechanisms of cellular senescence can make a valuable contribution to the understanding of the molecular genetic basis of age-associated diseases in the context of environmental exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relevance of some galactic feedback mechanisms, in particular cosmic-ray (CR) feedback and the hydrogen ionizing radiation field, has been challenging to definitively describe in a galactic context, especially far outside the galaxy in the circumgalactic medium (CGM). Theoretical and observational uncertainties prevent conclusive interpretations of multiphase CGM properties derived from ultraviolet (UV) diagnostics. We conduct three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic simulations of a section of a galactic disc with star formation and feedback, including radiative heating from stars, a UV background, and CR feedback. We utilize the temperature phases present in our simulations to generate Cloudy models to derive spatially and temporally varying synthetic UV diagnostics. We find that radiative effects without additional heating mechanisms are not able to produce synthetic diagnostics in the observed ranges. For low CR diffusivity |$\kappa _{\rm {cr}}=10^{28} \rm {cm}^2 \rm {s}^{-1}$|⁠ , CR streaming heating in the outflow helps our synthetic line ratios roughly match observed ranges by producing transitional temperature gas (T ∼ 105–106 K). High CR diffusivity |$\kappa _{\rm {cr}}=10^{29} \rm {cm}^2 \rm {s}^{-1}$|⁠ , with or without CR streaming heating, produced transitional temperature gas. The key parameter controlling the production of this gas phase remains unclear, as the different star formation history and outflow evolution itself influences these diagnostics. Our work demonstrates the use of UV plasma diagnostics to differentiate between galactic/circumgalactic feedback models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Head and neck cancer treatment often consists of surgical resection of the tumor followed by ionizing radiation (IR), which can damage surrounding tissues and cause adverse side effects. The underlying mechanisms of radiation-induced salivary gland dysfunction are not fully understood, and treatment options are scarce and ineffective. The wound healing process is a necessary response to tissue injury, and broadly consists of inflammatory, proliferative, and redifferentiation phases with immune cells playing key roles in all three phases. In this study, select immune cells were phenotyped and quantified, and certain cytokine and chemokine concentrations were measured in mouse parotid glands after IR. Further, we used a model where glandular function is restored to assess the immune phenotype in a regenerative response. These data suggest that irradiated parotid tissue does not progress through a typical inflammatory response observed in wounds that heal. Specifically, total immune cells (CD45+) decrease at days 2 and 5 following IR, macrophages (F4/80+CD11b+) decrease at day 2 and 5 and increase at day 30, while neutrophils (Ly6G+CD11b+) significantly increase at day 30 following IR. Additionally, radiation treatment reduces CD3- cells at all time points, significantly increases CD3+/CD4+CD8+ double positive cells, and significantly reduces CD3+/CD4-CD8- double negative cells at day 30 after IR. Previous data indicate that post-IR treatment with IGF-1 restores salivary gland function at day 30, and IGF-1 injections attenuate the increase in macrophages, neutrophils, and CD4+CD8+ T cells observed at day 30 following IR. Taken together, these data indicate that parotid salivary tissue exhibits a dysregulated immune response following radiation treatment which may contribute to chronic loss of function phenotype in head and neck cancer survivors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The surge in the utilization of CT scans for COVID-19 diagnosis and monitoring during the pandemic is undeniable. This increase has brought to the forefront concerns about the potential long-term health consequences, especially radiation-induced cancer risk. This study aimed to quantify the potential cancer risk associated with CT scans performed for COVID-19 detection. Methods: In this cross-sectional study data from a total of 561 patients, who were referred to the radiology center at Imam Hossein Hospital in Shahroud, was collected. CT scan reports were categorized into three groups based on the radiologist's interpretation. The BEIR VII model was employed to estimate the risk of radiation-induced cancer. Results: Among the 561 patients, 299 (53.3%) were males and the average age of the patients was 49.61 ± 18.73 years. Of the CT scans, 408 (72.7%) were reported as normal. The average age of patients with normal, abnormal, and potentially abnormal CT scans was 47.57 ± 19.06, 54.80 ± 16.70, and 58.14 ± 16.60 years, respectively (p-value < 0.001). The average effective dose was 1.89 ± 0.21 mSv, with 1.76 ± 0.11 mSv for males and 2.05 ± 0.29 mSv for females (p-value < 0.001). The average risk of lung cancer was 3.84 ± 1.19 and 9.73 ± 3.27 cases per 100,000 patients for males and females, respectively. The average LAR for all cancer types was 10.30 ± 6.03 cases per 100,000 patients. Conclusions: This study highlights the critical issue of increased CT scan usage for COVID-19 diagnosis and the potential long-term consequences, especially the risk of cancer incidence. Healthcare policies should be prepared to address this potential rise in cancer incidence and the utilization of CT scans should be restricted to cases where laboratory tests are not readily available or when clinical symptoms are severe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant diseases pose a significant threat to global food security, leading to substantial yield losses and economic damage. In recent years, irradiation technology has emerged as a promising approach to enhance plant disease resistance. Gamma irradiation, a well-established technique, has been utilized for approximately 60 years to develop new plant varieties with improved resistance to pests and diseases. X-ray is another form of ionizing radiation, has also shown the potential in enhancing plant disease resistance. UV light, including UVB and UVC radiation, has been effective in eliminating microorganisms by damaging their DNA. Electron beam irradiation, a non-ionizing form of radiation, has been investigated for its impact on plant disease resistance. However, the implementation of irradiation technology in agriculture faces challenges such as public perception, regulatory barriers and cost-effectiveness. This review article highlights the advances in irradiation technology for plant disease resistance. It emphasizes the potential of gamma irradiation, X-ray gamma irradiation, UV light, UVB, UVC and electron beam in enhancing plant disease resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Diagnostic cerebral angiograms (DCAs) are widely used in neurosurgery due to their high sensitivity and specificity to diagnose and characterize pathology using ionizing radiation. Eliminating unnecessary radiation is critical to reduce risk to patients, providers, and health care staff. We investigated if reducing pulse and frame rates during routine DCAs would decrease radiation burden without compromising image quality. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of prospectively acquired data after implementing a quality improvement protocol in which pulse rate and frame rate were reduced from 15 p/s to 7.5 p/s and 7.5 f/s to 4.0 f/s respectively. Radiation doses and exposures were calculated. Two endovascular neurosurgeons reviewed randomly selected angiograms of both doses and blindly assessed their quality. Results: A total of 40 consecutive angiograms were retrospectively analyzed, 20 prior to the protocol change and 20 after. After the intervention, radiation dose, radiation per run, total exposure, and exposure per run were all significantly decreased even after adjustment for BMI (all p<0.05). On multivariable analysis, we identified a 46% decrease in total radiation dose and 39% decrease in exposure without compromising image quality or procedure time. Conclusions: We demonstrated that for routine DCAs, pulse rate of 7.5 with a frame rate of 4.0 is sufficient to obtain diagnostic information without compromising image quality or elongating procedure time. In the interest of patient, provider, and health care staff safety, we strongly encourage all interventionalists to be cognizant of radiation usage to avoid unnecessary radiation exposure and consequential health risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yeast recycling, which is a common practice in sugarcane ethanol plants, could be expanded if it could be successfully implemented in corn-based ethanol production. However, the process of recycling the yeast remaining after fermentation is hampered by contaminating microorganisms that reduce the fermentation efficiency and compete with the yeast for the fermentable sugars. Currently, antibiotics are used to control microbial contamination. This study proposes chlorine dioxide and electron beam irradiation as alternative control methods for completely inactivating contaminants and minimizing their effect on recycled yeast. For that, wort sterilization using electron radiation (20 kGy) and treatment with a chemical biocide, namely chlorine dioxide (125 mg kg−1), were compared with non-treated wort. Five fermentation cycles were performed using fed-batch systems with 300 g L−1 of fermentable sugars. The results obtained in this study showed the inactivation of contaminants under the effect of electron beam irradiation, which led to an increase in the productivity, yield, and efficiency of fermentation by 0.21 g L−1h−1, 2.6%, and 4.7%, respectively. However, ClO2 did not show promising results in reducing contamination or improving fermentative parameters. Thus, electron beam irradiation of contaminated wort may be a suitable alternative to chemical biocides and would allow the use of recycled yeast in corn-based ethanol plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the field of radiation biodosimetry, which involves measuring biological responses to estimate the absorbed radiation dose in exposed humans. The article highlights the current biodosimetry tools used, including prodromal signs/symptoms, hematological analysis, cytogenetics, omics, and physical dosimetry. The special issue contains reviews and research articles on various aspects of biodosimetry, including biomarkers, high-throughput automation, and the need for validation and testing of existing tools. The article also emphasizes the importance of considering confounding factors such as age, sex, and genetic predisposition in dose prediction accuracy. The authors hope that this special issue will inspire further research in the field to protect human safety and health from radiation exposures. [Extracted from the article]

Following a mass-casualty nuclear/radiological event, there will be an important need for rapid and accurate estimation of absorbed dose for biological triage. The cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) assay is an established and validated cytogenetic biomarker used to assess DNA damage in irradiated peripheral blood lymphocytes. Here, we describe an intercomparison experiment between two biodosimetry laboratories, located at Columbia University (CU) and Health Canada (HC) that performed different variants of the human blood CBMN assay to reconstruct dose in human blood, with CU performing the assay on isolated lymphocytes and using semi-automated scoring whereas HC used the more conventional whole blood assay. Although the micronucleus yields varied significantly between the two assays, the predicted doses closely matched up to 4 Gy – the range from which the HC calibration curve was previously established. These results highlight the importance of a robust calibration curve(s) across a wide age range of donors that match the exposure scenario as closely as possible and that will account for differences in methodology between laboratories. We have seen that at low doses, variability in the results may be attributed to variation in the processing while at higher doses the variation is dominated by inter-individual variation in cell proliferation. This interlaboratory collaboration further highlights the usefulness of the CBMN endpoint to accurately reconstruct absorbed dose in human blood after ionizing radiation exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]