Human perception of ionizing radiation.

Here we address the question of whether humans can perceive ionizing radiation. We conducted a thorough review of the clinical and experimental literature related to ionizing radiation, with a focus on its acute effects. Specifically, we examined the three domains of X-ray perception found in animals (abdominal, olfactory, and retinal), which led us to instances of ionizing radiation-induced hearing and taste sensory phenomena in humans thus suggesting that humans can perceive X-rays across various sensory modalities via multiple mechanisms.

Decreased Levels of STAT1 and Interferon-γ-Induced STAT1 Phosphorylation in Rheumatoid Arthritis CD4 and CD8 T Cells.

Objective: We investigated whether a previously reported association of IFNGR expression with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its radiographic severity reflects differences in proximal interferon-γ (IFN-γ) signaling in T cells from patients with RA compared with healthy controls (HC).

Methods: Using phosphoflow cytometry, we compared IFN-γ-stimulated signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) activation in CD4 and CD8 T-cell populations from patients with RA and HC.

Results: Compared with controls, patients with RA had a higher proportion of CD4 T cells, associated with expansion of the CD4 effector memory subset.