Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields Cause Non-Temperature-Induced Physical and Biological Effects in Cancer Cells.

Non-temperature-induced effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF) have been controversial for decades. Here, we established measurement techniques to prove their existence by investigating energy deposition in tumor cells under RF exposure and upon adding amplitude modulation (AM) (AMRF). Using a preclinical device LabEHY-200 with a novel in vitro applicator, we analyzed the power deposition and system parameters for five human colorectal cancer cell lines and measured the apoptosis rates in vitro and tumor growth inhibition in vivo in comparison to water bath heating.

Ammunition is the principal source of lead accumulated by California condors re-introduced to the wild.

The endangered California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus) was reduced to a total population of 22 birds by the end of 1982. Their captive-bred descendants are now being released back into the wild in California, Arizona, and Baja California, where monitoring indicates they may accumulate lead to toxic levels. Fragments of ammunition in the carcasses of game animals such as deer, elk, and feral pigs not retrieved by hunters or in gut piles left in the field have been considered a plausible source of the lead, though little direct evidence is available to support this hypothesis.

Role of the retention test Homburg in evaluating platelet hyperactivity and in monitoring therapy with antiplatelet drugs.

Decreased retention in the retention test Homburg (RTH) indicates a loss of platelet function; increase is associated with an increased activation of platelets, for example, in patients with vascular diseases. Compared with other materials (e.g.

Adhesion, spreading, and aggregation of platelets in flowing blood and the reliability of the retention test Homburg.

Adhesion and aggregation are important parameters characterizing the function of intact platelets in flowing blood and in contact with a more or less thrombogenic surface. In the retention test Homburg (RTH), platelets are exposed to a standardized textured surface (Sysmex retention tubes) under defined conditions of flow. Platelet counts are performed before and after the Sysmex retention tube passage.

Nuclear fragmentation cross-sections of 400 A MeV 36Ar and 40Ar in collisions with light and heavy target nuclei.

We have measured fragmentation cross-sections of Ar projectile nuclei at beam energy of 400 A MeV using experimental set-ups with plastic nuclear track detectors and different targets. In this paper total charge changing cross-sections and elemental fragmentation cross-sections for the production of fragments with charges ZF > or = 7 in interactions with H, C, Al, Cu, Ag and Pb target nuclei are presented. The dependence of the cross-sections on the fragment charge number and target charge number are discussed.

Dose equivalent, absorbed dose and charge spectrum investigation in low Earth orbit.

Particle intensity, dose equivalent and absorbed dose have been measured on board the space shuttle Endeavour during STS-108 in December 2001 by Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS). The dose estimates are based on very accurate measurements of recoils produced in CR-39 by cosmic ray primary and secondary protons and heavier nuclei and by secondary neutrons. The corresponding LET spectra were used to determine dose equivalent and absorbed dose values.

Energy spectrum of 50-250 MeV/nucleon iron nuclei inside the MIR space craft.

Stacks of CR-39 plastic nuclear track detectors were mounted inside the MIR spacecraft during the EUROMIR95 space mission for a period of 6 months. This long exposure time resulted in a large number of tracks of HZE-particles in the detector foils. All trajectories of stopping iron nuclei could be reconstructed by optimizing the etching conditions so that an automatic track measurement using image analysis techniques was possible.

Radiation measurements on the Mir Orbital Station.

Radiation measurements made onboard the MIR Orbital Station have spanned nearly a decade and covered two solar cycles, including one of the largest solar particle events, one of the largest magnetic storms, and a mean solar radio flux level reaching 250 x 10(4) Jansky that has been observed in the last 40 years. The cosmonaut absorbed dose rates varied from about 450 microGy day-1 during solar minimum to approximately half this value during the last solar maximum. There is a factor of about two in dose rate within a given module, and a similar variation from module to module.

Monte Carlo calculation of the radiation field at aircraft altitudes.

Energy spectra of secondary cosmic rays are calculated for aircraft altitudes and a discrete set of solar modulation parameters and rigidity cut-off values covering all possible conditions. The calculations are based on the Monte Carlo code FLUKA and on the most recent information on the interstellar cosmic ray flux including a detailed model of solar modulation. Results are compared to a large variety of experimental data obtained on the ground and aboard aircraft and balloons, such as neutron, proton, and muon spectra and yields of charged particles.

Energy spectrum of iron nuclei measured inside the MIR space craft using CR-39 track detectors.

We have exposed stacks of CR-39 plastic nuclear track detectors inside the MIR space craft during the EUROMIR95 space mission for almost 6 months. Over this long period a large number of tracks of high LET events was accumulated in the detector foils. The etching and measuring conditions for this experiment were optimized to detect tracks of stopping iron nuclei.

Cosmic rays and dosimetry at aviation altitudes.

Recent concerns regarding the effects of the cosmic radiation field at aircraft altitudes on aircrew have resulted in a renewed interest in detailed measurements of the neutral and charged particle components in the atmosphere. CR-39 nuclear track detectors have been employed on a number of subsonic and supersonic aircraft to measure charge spectra and LET spectra at aircraft altitudes. These detectors are ideal for long term exposures required for these studies and their passive nature makes them suitable for an environment where interference with flight instrumentation could be a problem.

Energy spectra of HZE-particles inside the International Space Station.

To measure the energy spectra of low energy ions inside the International Space Station (ISS) we will expose three stacks of CR-39 plastic nuclear track detectors aligned to the three coordinate axes of the space station. The energies of cosmic ray nuclei at the stack surfaces can be determined by reconstructing the trajectories of ions stopping inside the detector material and by measuring their ranges. To measure only HZE (high charge Z and energy E) ions with charges of Z6 stopping in our experiment a special batch of CR-39 detectors with low sensitivity will be used.

Physics of cosmic radiation fields.

This paper glances at the knowledge of composition and energy spectra of galactic cosmic rays and briefly discusses the mechanism of solar modulation and of shielding against these particles by the earth's magnetic field. A short review of the properties of solar particle events is given, in which particles emitted from the sun enter the atmosphere. Particle production in the earth's atmosphere in hadronic and electromagnetic cascades is described and the altitude variations of the different particle components are investigated.

Neutron spectra at flight altitudes and their radiological estimation.

Since the publication of the ICRP-report 60, air crews and other frequently flying persons are considered as occupationally exposed people. At civil flight levels neutrons contribute the major part to the radiologically relevant dose to men. The quantification of the neutron dose, and herewith the radiation risk due to neutrons, suffers from spectral data available especially in the energy range above 20 MeV.

Neutron spectra in the atmosphere from interactions of primary cosmic rays.

Spectra of neutrons from interactions of primary cosmic rays in the earth's atmosphere are calculated with the Monte Carlo model FLUKA for various depths down to sea level. We discuss the environmental models describing the primary cosmic ray spectrum and details of the calculations. Neutron energy spectra are presented for different depths in the atmosphere and for different geographical locations.

The high-LET radiation component measured during the EUROMIR-94 mission.

Stacks of CR-39 plastic nuclear track detectors were mounted inside the MIR-station during the EUROMIR-94-mission. We present LET-spectra determined separately for long range cosmic ray heavy ions and for short range target fragments produced in nuclear interactions of cosmic rays and measured charge distributions for relativistic and stopping particles.

Dimensions of quality of life and self-monitoring therapy with oral anticoagulants--still research or everyday practice?

In correlation with increased life expectancy of patients, quality of life (QOL) has become a factor of increasing interest by the patient himself and also of importance in health-care planning and recruitment of financial resources. In this context, self-monitoring of long-term anticoagulant treatment might be a strategy that could mean a step forward in health-related as well as general life satisfaction for patients participating in self-monitoring programs. Also, the new strategy of increased home-control of anticoagulant treatment illustrates the complexity of multiple factors that can lead to changes in the subjective feeling and objective aspects of QOL.

The overdosed patient and bleedings with oral anticoagulation.

Overdose or bleeding with oral anticoagulation requires gradual antagonization of the drugs. Minor bleedings are most commonly managed by temporarily discontinuing treatment and by giving vitamin K to antagonize the coumarin derivative effects. Major bleedings, in contrast, especially intracranial hemorrhages, require immediate antagonization of anticoagulation.

Direct percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in acute myocardial infarction. Predictors of short-term outcome and the impact of coronary stenting. Study Group of The Arbeitsgemeinschaft Leitender Kardiologischer Krankenhausärzte (ALKK).

Background: Direct percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is widely accepted in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction since excellent results had been reported from several small randomized trials. Less favourable results were observed in large-scale registries. In particular, the use of stents in acute myocardial infarction has become common practice without documented evidence of clinical efficacy.

Calculation of radiation fields in the atmosphere and comparison to experimental data.

In this paper the spectra of secondary hadrons are determined in the atmosphere at various depths down to sea level. The calculations are performed using the Monte Carlo code FLUKA together with cosmic-ray environmental models which describe the spectra of primary cosmic-ray particles. We discuss the details of the calculations and the dependence of the results on the primary cosmic-ray spectrum, the atmospheric depth and the geographical location.

Cosmic ray radiation effects caused by proton-induced fragmentation.

In space, radiation effects in which a large amount of energy is transferred by a single particle are observed. These effects can be caused by either the direct ionization of a cosmic ray heavy ion or alternatively by the ionization of short range target fragments which are produced inside the material by interactions of cosmic ray particles. Protons of the lower radiation belt contribute significantly to target fragmentation; especially in the South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA).

Dosimetry for occupational exposure to cosmic radiation.

In the course of their work, aircraft crew and frequent flyers are exposed to elevated levels of cosmic radiation of galactic and solar origin and secondary radiation produced in the atmosphere, aircraft structure, etc. This has been recognised for some time and estimates of the exposure of aircraft crew have been made previously and included in, for example, UNSCEAR (United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation) publications. The recent increased interest has been brought about by several factors--the consideration that the relative biological effectiveness of the neutron component as being underestimated; the trend towards higher cruising altitudes for subsonic commercial aircraft and business jet aircraft; and, most importantly, the recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) in Publication 60, and the revision of the Euratom Basic Safety Standards Directive (BSS).