Low-dose radiation modifies skin response to acute gamma-rays and protons.

The goal of the present study was to obtain pilot data on the effects of protracted low-dose/low-dose-rate (LDR) γ-rays on the skin, both with and without acute gamma or proton irradiation (IR). Six groups of C57BL/6 mice were examined: a) 0 Gy control, b) LDR, c) Gamma, d) LDR+Gamma, e) Proton, and f) LDR+Proton. LDR radiation was delivered to a total dose of 0.

Correction: Changes in Mouse Thymus and Spleen after Return from the STS-135 Mission in Space.

[This corrects the article on p. e75097 in vol. 8.

Changes in mouse thymus and spleen after return from the STS-135 mission in space.

Our previous results with flight (FLT) mice showed abnormalities in thymuses and spleens that have potential to compromise immune defense mechanisms. In this study, the organs were further evaluated in C57BL/6 mice after Space Shuttle Atlantis returned from a 13-day mission. Thymuses and spleens were harvested from FLT mice and ground controls housed in similar animal enclosure modules (AEM).

Spaceflight environment induces mitochondrial oxidative damage in ocular tissue.

A recent report shows that more than 30% of the astronauts returning from Space Shuttle missions or the International Space Station (ISS) were diagnosed with eye problems that can cause reduced visual acuity. We investigate here whether spaceflight environment-associated retinal damage might be related to oxidative stress-induced mitochondrial apoptosis. Female C57BL/6 mice were flown in the space shuttle Atlantis (STS-135), and within 3-5 h of landing, the spaceflight and ground-control mice, similarly housed in animal enclosure modules (AEMs) were euthanized and their eyes were removed for analysis.

Metalloporphyrin antioxidants ameliorate normal tissue radiation damage in rat brain.

Purpose: We examined the effects of manganese (III) meso-tetrakis (diethyl-2-5-imidazole) porphyrin, a metalloporphyrin antioxidant (MPA), on neural tissue radiation toxicity in vivo and on tumour cell radiosensitivity in vitro.

Materials And Methods: MPA was administered directly into the right lateral ventricle of young adult, male Sprague-Dawley rats (0 or 3.4 microg) 3 h before treatment with a single fraction, 100 Gy radiation dose delivered to the left brain hemisphere.

Effects of isoflurane versus fentanyl-nitrous oxide anesthesia on long-term outcome from severe forebrain ischemia in the rat.

Background: This study examined long-term outcome from severe forebrain ischemia in the rat, as a function of anesthetic given during the ischemic injury.

Methods: Rats were subjected to 10 min of near-complete forebrain ischemia while anesthetized with either 1.4% isoflurane or 70% nitrous oxide-fentanyl.