INITIAL EVALUATION OF INDIVIDUAL DOSES IN THE EARLY PHASE OF A NUCLEAR REACTOR ACCIDENT BASED ON IN-VIVO MONITORING DATA AND SIMULATED RADIOLOGICAL CONSEQUENCES.

In the early phase of a nuclear reactor accident, in-vivo monitoring of impacted population would be highly useful to detect potential contamination during the passage of the cloud and to estimate the dose from inhalation of measured radionuclides. However, it would be important to take into account other exposure components: (1) inhalation of unmeasured radionuclides and (2) external irradiation from the plume and from the radionuclides deposited on the soil. This article presents a methodology to calculate coefficients used to convert in-vivo measurement results directly into doses, not only from the measured radionuclides but from all sources of exposure according to model-based projected doses.

Repeated KI Prophylaxis in Case of Prolonged Exposure to Iodine Radioisotopes: Pharmacokinetic Studies in Adult Rats.

Purpose: To propose a new and effective dose regimen for stable potassium iodide (KI) repeated prophylaxis in case of prolonged exposure to radioactive iodine.

Methods: The pharmacokinetics of iodine was determined in rats by compartmental analyses after intravenous and oral administrations of the optimal dose of 1 mg/kg KI, which was previously selected in a dose-effect study. The thyroid protection against iodine-125 incorporation was followed during 24 h after a single oral dosing of KI.

Intracellular uranium distribution: Comparison of cryogenic fixation versus chemical fixation methods for SIMS analysis.

Localization of uranium within cells is mandatory for the comprehension of its cellular mechanism of toxicity. Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) has recently shown its interest to detect and localize uranium at very low levels within the cells. This technique requires a specific sample preparation similar to the one used for Transmission Electronic Microscopy, achieved by implementing different chemical treatments to preserve as much as possible the living configuration uranium distribution into the observed sample.

Optimal KI Prophylactic Dose Determination for Thyroid Radiation Protection After a Single Administration in Adult Rats.

A dose-response study was performed in adult rats to select an optimal stable potassium iodide (KI) dose which could be implemented in repeated prophylaxis, in case of prolonged exposure to radioactive iodine. Increasing doses of KI were given orally to rats 1 hour before internal exposure simulated by I-125 injection. I-125 incorporation in the thyroid was measured by γ-spectrometry, and KI protection effect was modeled by pharmacological functions.

Compared in vivo efficiency of nanoemulsions unloaded and loaded with calixarene and soapy water in the treatment of superficial wounds contaminated by uranium.

No emergency decontamination treatment is currently available in the case of radiological skin contamination by uranium compounds. First responders in the workplace or during an industrial nuclear accident must be able to treat internal contamination through skin. For this purpose, a calixarene nanoemulsion was developed for the treatment of intact skin or superficial wounds contaminated by uranium, and the decontamination efficiency of this nanoemulsion was investigated in vitro and ex vivo.