Proliferation and apoptosis after whole-body irradiation: longitudinal PET study in a mouse model.

Purpose: A reliable method for regional in vivo imaging of radiation-induced cellular damage would be of great importance for the detection of therapy-induced injury to healthy tissue and the choice of adequate treatment of radiation emergency patients in both civilian and military events. This study aimed to investigate in a mouse model if positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with proliferation and apoptosis markers is potentially suitable for this purpose.

Methods: Four groups, including twenty mice (wild-type C57BL/6) each, were whole-body irradiated with 0 Gy, 0.

Misuse of tumor marker levels leads to an insufficient International Germ Cell Consensus Classification (IGCCCG) risk group assignment and impaired treatment.

Background: Metastatic germ cell tumors of the testis (GCTs) are risk-stratified according to the International Germ Cell Cancer Collaborative Group (IGCCCG) classification system. This risk classification is based on anatomical risk factors as well as tumor marker levels of AFP, HCG, and LDH assessed pre-chemotherapy after orchiectomy treatment. An incorrect classification is possible when pre-orchiectomy marker levels are used, possibly resulting in over- or undertreatment of patients.

mRNA and small RNA gene expression changes in peripheral blood to detect internal Ra-223 exposure.

Purpose: Excretion analysis is the established method for detection of incorporated alpha-emitting radionuclides, but it is laborious and time consuming. We sought a simplified method in which changes in gene expression might be measured in human peripheral blood to detect incorporated radionuclides. Such an approach could be used to quickly determine internal exposure in instances of a radiological dispersal device or a radiation accident.

Gene expression changes in male and female rhesus macaque 60 days after irradiation.

Purpose: Transcriptome changes can be expected in survivors after lethal irradiation. We aimed to characterize these in males and females and after different cytokine treatments 60 days after irradiation.

Material And Methods: Male and female rhesus macaques (n = 142) received a whole-body exposure with 700 cGy, from which 60 animals survived.

Analyzing the impact of 900 MHz EMF short-term exposure to the expression of 667 miRNAs in human peripheral blood cells.

More than ever before, people around the world are frequently exposed to different sections of the electromagnetic spectrum, mainly emitted from wireless modern communication technologies. Especially, the level of knowledge on non-thermal biological EMF effects remains controversial. New technologies allow for a more detailed detection of non-coding RNAs which affect the post-transcriptional control.

Software Tools for the Evaluation of Clinical Signs and Symptoms in the Medical Management of Acute Radiation Syndrome-A Five-year Experience.

A suite of software tools has been developed for dose estimation (BAT, WinFRAT) and prediction of acute health effects (WinFRAT, H-Module) using clinical symptoms and/or changes in blood cell counts. We constructed a database of 191 ARS cases using the METREPOL (n = 167) and the SEARCH-database (n = 24). The cases ranged from unexposed (RC0), to mild (RC1), moderate (RC2), severe (RC3), and lethal ARS (RC4).

A New Smartphone Application to Predict Hematologic Acute Radiation Syndrome Based on Blood Cell Count Changes-The H-module App.

Treatment regimens for acute radiation syndrome have been improved over the past years. The application of appropriate therapy relies on rapid and high-throughput tests ideally conducted in the first 3 d after a radiation exposure event. We have examined the utility of blood cell counts (BCCs) 3 d post irradiation to predict clinical outcome for hematologic acute radiation syndrome (HARS).

Additional CTA-Subtraction Technique in Detection of Pulmonary Embolism-a Benefit for Patients or Only an Increase in Dose?

Latest advantages in computed tomography (CT) come with enhanced diagnostic imaging and also sophisticated dose reduction techniques. However, overall exposure to ionizing radiation of patients in Germany rises slightly, which is mainly based on the growing number of performed CT scans. Furthermore, new possibilities in modern imaging, including 4D scans or perfusion protocols, offer new medical insights but require additional scans.

CT Irradiation-induced Changes of Gene Expression within Peripheral Blood Cells.

Computed tomography (CT) is a crucial element of medical imaging diagnostics. The widespread application of this technology has made CT one of the major contributors to medical radiation burden, despite the fact that doses per individual CT scan steadily decrease due to the advancement of technology. Epidemiological risk assessment of CT exposure is hampered by the fact that moderate adverse effects triggered by low doses of CT exposure are likely masked by statistical fluctuations.

Detection of Embedded Low-level Radioactive Shrapnel after the Explosion of a Radiological Dispersal Device in Radiological Emergency Imaging.

Concern about the threat of a terrorist attack with a Radiological Dispersal Device has increased considerably over the last few years, and this comes along with an immense challenge, especially regarding medical treatment of combined injuries with incorporated radioactive fragments. In such scenarios, the identification and surgical exploration of radioactive fragments is a major issue to prevent further radiation-induced effects like wound healing disorders, onset of acute radiation syndrome, and as a late-effect cancer. However, in a usual emergency setting, it is unclear how this task can be achieved.

RADIATION DOSE IS OF LIMITED CLINICAL USEFULNESS IN PERSONS WITH ACUTE RADIATION SYNDROME.

The relation of radiation exposure (dose) with acute radiation syndrome (ARS) depends on many factors. In this overview, we reconsider (1) radiation exposure characteristics (e.g.

Rapid High-Throughput Diagnostic Triage after a Mass Radiation Exposure Event Using Early Gene Expression Changes.

Radiological exposure scenarios involving large numbers of people require a rapid and high-throughput method to identify the unexposed, and those exposed to low- and high-dose radiation. Those with high-dose exposure, e.g.

Persistent mRNA and miRNA expression changes in irradiated baboons.

We examined the transcriptome/post-transcriptome for persistent gene expression changes after radiation exposure in a baboon model. Eighteen baboons were irradiated with a whole body equivalent dose of 2.5 or 5 Gy.

Gene expression changes in human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes after X-ray irradiation.

Radiation-induced heart disease caused by cardiac exposure to ionizing radiation comprises a variety of cardiovascular effects. Research in this field has been hampered by limited availability of clinical samples and appropriate test models. In this study, we wanted to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying electrophysiological changes, which we have observed in a previous study.

Liquid Biopsy Using Whole Blood from Testis Tumor and Colon Cancer Patients-A New and Simple Way?

Tumor cells shed exosomes, which are released to the blood. Detecting tumor-derived exosomes containing RNA in plasma (liquid biopsy) is currently being investigated for early identification of occult metastases or relapses. Isolation of exosomes is laborious, resulting in low RNA yields.

Successful Teaching of Radiobiology Students in the Medical Management of Acute Radiation Effects From Real Case Histories Using Clinical Signs and Symptoms and Taking Advantage of Recently Developed Software Tools.

In 2015, the Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology organized a North Atlantic Treaty Organization exercise to examine the significance of clinical signs and symptoms for the prediction of late-occurring acute radiation syndrome. Cases were generated using either the Medical Treatment Protocols for Radiation Accident Victims (METREPOL, n = 167) system or using real-case descriptions extracted from a database system for evaluation and archiving of radiation accidents based on case histories (SEARCH, n = 24). The cases ranged from unexposed [response category 0 (RC 0, n = 89)] to mild (RC 1, n = 45), moderate (RC 2, n = 19), severe (RC 3, n = 20), and lethal (RC 4, n = 18) acute radiation syndrome.

Gene Expression Analysis in Human Peripheral Blood Cells after 900 MHz RF-EMF Short-Term Exposure.

Radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) are a basic requirement of modern wireless communication technology. Statutory thresholds of RF-EMF are established to limit relevant additional heat supply in human tissue. Nevertheless, to date, questions concerning nonthermal biological effects have yet to be fully addressed.

Exploring the Link between Radiation Exposure and Multifocal Basal Cell Carcinomas in a Former Chernobyl Clean-up Worker by Combining Different Molecular Biological Techniques.

Thirty years after the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident we report on a patient who was a clean-up worker, who subsequently developed multiple cutaneous basal cell carcinomas (BCCs). We used several methods to assess the biological long-term effects related to low-dose external and internal radiation exposure. Specifically, because BCC risk may be increased with ionizing radiation exposure, we endeavored to determine whether the multifocal BCCs were related to the patient's past clean-up work.

Pre-Exposure Gene Expression in Baboons with and without Pancytopenia after Radiation Exposure.

Radiosensitivity differs in humans and likely among primates. The reasons are not well known. We examined pre-exposure gene expression in baboons ( = 17) who developed haematologic acute radiation syndrome (HARS) without pancytopenia or a more aggravated HARS with pancytopenia after irradiation.

Gene expression signature for early prediction of late occurring pancytopenia in irradiated baboons.

Based on gene expression changes measured in the peripheral blood within the first 2 days after irradiation, we predicted a pancytopenia in a baboon model. Eighteen baboons were irradiated with 2.5 or 5 Gy.

MicroRNA Expression for Early Prediction of Late Occurring Hematologic Acute Radiation Syndrome in Baboons.

For effective medical management of radiation-exposed persons after a radiological/nuclear event, blood-based screening measures in the first few days that could predict hematologic acute radiation syndrome (HARS) are needed. For HARS severity prediction, we used microRNA (miRNA) expression changes measured on days one and two after irradiation in a baboon model. Eighteen baboons underwent different patterns of partial or total body irradiation, corresponding to an equivalent dose of 2.