Use of Photobioreactors in Regenerative Life Support Systems for Human Space Exploration.

There are still many challenges to overcome for human space exploration beyond low Earth orbit (LEO) (e.g., to the Moon) and for long-term missions (e.

Overcoming nephrotoxicity in peptide receptor radionuclide therapy using [Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE for the treatment of neuroendocrine tumours.

Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) is used for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastasized somatostatin receptor type 2 (SSTR)-expressing gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (GEP-NETs). The radiolabelled somatostatin analogue [Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE delivers its radiation dose to SSTR-overexpressing tumour cells, resulting in selective cell killing during radioactive decay. While tumour control can be achieved in many patients, complete remissions remain rare, causing the majority of patients to relapse after a certain period of time.

Gold nanoparticles meet medical radionuclides.

Thanks to their unique optical and physicochemical properties, gold nanoparticles have gained increased interest as radiosensitizing, photothermal therapy and optical imaging agents to enhance the effectiveness of cancer detection and therapy. Furthermore, their ability to carry multiple medically relevant radionuclides broadens their use to nuclear medicine SPECT and PET imaging as well as targeted radionuclide therapy. In this review, we discuss the radiolabeling process of gold nanoparticles and their use in (multimodal) nuclear medicine imaging to better understand their specific distribution, uptake and retention in different in vivo cancer models.

Charge Localization and Magnetic Correlations in the Refined Structure of UO.

Atomic arrangements in the mixed-valence oxide UO are refined from high-resolution neutron scattering data. The crystallographic model describes a long-range structural order in a UO primitive cell (space group 4/) containing distorted cuboctahedral oxygen clusters. By combining experimental data and electronic structure calculations accounting for spin-orbit interactions, we provide robust evidence of an interplay between charge localization and the magnetic moments carried by the uranium atoms.

Recommendations for the use of active personal dosemeters (APDs) in interventional workplaces in hospitals.

Occupational radiation doses from interventional procedures have the potential to be relatively high. The requirement to optimise these doses encourages the use of electronic or active personal dosimeters (APDs) which are now increasingly used in hospitals. They are typically used in tandem with a routine passive dosimetry monitoring programme, with APDs used for real-time readings, for training purposes and when new imaging technology is introduced.

Bayesian inference of 1D activity profiles from segmented gamma scanning of a heterogeneous radioactive waste drum.

We present a Bayesian approach to probabilistically infer vertical activity profiles within a radioactive waste drum from segmented gamma scanning (SGS) measurements. Our approach resorts to Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) sampling using the state-of-the-art Hamiltonian Monte Carlo (HMC) technique and accounts for two important sources of uncertainty: the measurement uncertainty and the uncertainty in the source distribution within the drum. In addition, our efficiency model simulates the contributions of all considered segments to each count measurement.

Intestinal mucositis precedes dysbiosis in a mouse model for pelvic irradiation.

Pelvic radiotherapy is known to evoke intestinal mucositis and dysbiosis. Currently, there are no effective therapies available to mitigate these injuries, which is partly due to a lack of insight into the events causing mucositis and dysbiosis. Here, the complex interplay between the murine host and its microbiome following pelvic irradiation was mapped by characterizing intestinal mucositis along with extensive 16S microbial profiling.

Comparing the effectiveness of learning formats in radiation protection.

At the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN) more than 850 employees advance the peaceful applications of ionising radiation through research, services and education and training. Several initiatives are taken to guarantee a safe working environment, one of them being a compulsory introductory safety training for all new employees, followed by refresher courses. With the objective to increase the flexibility for the participants and to optimise the teaching time of lecturers, the training format is adapted from face-to-face training to blended learning in which a significant amount of online learning is introduced.

Environmental Conditions Modulate the Transcriptomic Response of Both Morphotypes to Cu Stress.

Bacteria encounter elevated copper (Cu) concentrations in multiple environments, varying from mining wastes to antimicrobial applications of copper. As the role of the environment in the bacterial response to Cu ion exposure remains elusive, we used a tagRNA-seq approach to elucidate the disparate responses of two morphotypes of NA1000 to moderate Cu stress in a complex rich (PYE) medium and a defined poor (M2G) medium. The transcriptome was more responsive in M2G, where we observed an extensive oxidative stress response and reconfiguration of the proteome, as well as the induction of metal resistance clusters.

Optimization and validation of a LaBr(Ce) detector model for use in Monte Carlo simulations.

A reliable detector model is needed for Monte Carlo efficiency calibration. A LaBr(Ce) detector model was optimized and verified using different radioactive sources (Am,Ba,Cs,Co andEu) and geometries (point, extended and surface). PENELOPE and MCNP were used for Monte Carlo simulations.

The salivary glands as a dose limiting organ of PSMA- targeted radionuclide therapy: A review of the lessons learnt so far.

At present, prostate cancer remains the second most occurring cancer in men, in Europe. Treatment efficacy for therapy of advanced metastatic disease, and metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer in particular is limited. Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is a promising therapeutic target in prostate cancer, seeing the high amount of overexpression on prostate cancer cells.

EURADOS STRATEGIC RESEARCH AGENDA 2020: VISION FOR THE DOSIMETRY OF IONISING RADIATION.

Since 2012, the European Radiation Dosimetry Group (EURADOS) has developed its Strategic Research Agenda (SRA), which contributes to the identification of future research needs in radiation dosimetry in Europe. Continued scientific developments in this field necessitate regular updates and, consequently, this paper summarises the latest revision of the SRA, with input regarding the state of the art and vision for the future contributed by EURADOS Working Groups and through a stakeholder workshop. Five visions define key issues in dosimetry research that are considered important over at least the next decade.

Radiobiological risks following dentomaxillofacial imaging: should we be concerned?

Objectives: This review aimed to present studies that prospectively investigated biological effects in patients following diagnostic dentomaxillofacial radiology (DMFR).

Methods: Literature was systematically searched to retrieve all studies assessing radiobiological effects of using X-ray imaging in the dentomaxillofacial area, with reference to radiobiological outcomes for other imaging modalities and fields.

Results: There is a lot of variability in the reported radiobiological assessment methods and radiation dose measures, making comparisons of radiobiological studies challenging.

Generation of clinical Lu SPECT/CT images based on Monte Carlo simulation with GATE.

Purpose: Patient-specific dosimetry in MRT relies on quantitative imaging, pharmacokinetic assessment and absorbed dose calculation. The DosiTest project was initiated to evaluate the uncertainties associated with each step of the clinical dosimetry workflow through a virtual multicentric clinical trial. This work presents the generation of simulated clinical SPECT datasets based on GATE Monte Carlo modelling with its corresponding experimental CT image, which can subsequently be processed by commercial image workstations.

Dose Estimation for the European Epidemiological Study on Pediatric Computed Tomography (EPI-CT).

Within the European Epidemiological Study to Quantify Risks for Paediatric Computerized Tomography (EPI-CT study), a cohort was assembled comprising nearly one million children, adolescents and young adults who received over 1.4 million computed tomography (CT) examinations before 22 years of age in nine European countries from the late 1970s to 2014. Here we describe the methods used for, and the results of, organ dose estimations from CT scanning for the EPI-CT cohort members.

EANM position paper on the role of radiobiology in nuclear medicine.

With an increasing variety of radiopharmaceuticals for diagnostic or therapeutic nuclear medicine as valuable diagnostic or treatment option, radiobiology plays an important role in supporting optimizations. This comprises particularly safety and efficacy of radionuclide therapies, specifically tailored to each patient. As absorbed dose rates and absorbed dose distributions in space and time are very different between external irradiation and systemic radionuclide exposure, distinct radiation-induced biological responses are expected in nuclear medicine, which need to be explored.

Changes in DNA Methylation in Plants Exposed Over Multiple Generations to Gamma Radiation.

Previous studies have found indications that exposure to ionising radiation (IR) results in DNA methylation changes in plants. However, this phenomenon is yet to be studied across multiple generations. Furthermore, the exact role of these changes in the IR-induced plant response is still far from understood.

Microbially-Enhanced Vanadium Mining and Bioremediation Under Micro- and Mars Gravity on the International Space Station.

As humans explore and settle in space, they will need to mine elements to support industries such as manufacturing and construction. In preparation for the establishment of permanent human settlements across the Solar System, we conducted the ESA BioRock experiment on board the International Space Station to investigate whether biological mining could be accomplished under extraterrestrial gravity conditions. We tested the hypothesis that the gravity () level influenced the efficacy with which biomining could be achieved from basalt, an abundant material on the Moon and Mars, by quantifying bioleaching by three different microorganisms under microgravity, simulated Mars and Earth gravitational conditions.

Microbiota-based markers predictive of development of Clostridioides difficile infection.

Antibiotic-induced modulation of the intestinal microbiota can lead to Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), which is associated with considerable morbidity, mortality, and healthcare-costs globally. Therefore, identification of markers predictive of CDI could substantially contribute to guiding therapy and decreasing the infection burden. Here, we analyze the intestinal microbiota of hospitalized patients at increased CDI risk in a prospective, 90-day cohort-study before and after antibiotic treatment and at diarrhea onset.

Incidence and predictive biomarkers of Clostridioides difficile infection in hospitalized patients receiving broad-spectrum antibiotics.

Trial enrichment using gut microbiota derived biomarkers by high-risk individuals can improve the feasibility of randomized controlled trials for prevention of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). Here, we report in a prospective observational cohort study the incidence of CDI and assess potential clinical characteristics and biomarkers to predict CDI in 1,007 patients ≥ 50 years receiving newly initiated antibiotic treatment with penicillins plus a beta-lactamase inhibitor, 3/4 generation cephalosporins, carbapenems, fluoroquinolones or clindamycin from 34 European hospitals. The estimated 90-day cumulative incidences of a first CDI episode is 1.

Assessing radiation risk perception by means of a European stakeholder survey.

It is increasingly recognised that stakeholder views can be essential for ascertaining the credibility of those entrusted with protection of the public and workers against radiation risks, the robustness of the approaches to protection and the relevance of research underpinning radiation protection (RP). The CONCERT European Joint Programme of RP research included consideration of stakeholder views. These were evaluated by means of a publicly available survey, translated into 15 languages, to encourage responses from a wide range of European countries.

Dosimetric Evaluation of the Effect of Receptor Heterogeneity on the Therapeutic Efficacy of Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy: Correlation with DNA Damage Induction and In Vivo Survival.

Our rationale was to build a refined dosimetry model for Lu-DOTATATE in vivo experiments enabling the correlation of absorbed dose with double-strand break (DSB) induction and cell death. Somatostatin receptor type 2 expression of NCI-H69 xenografted mice, injected with Lu-DOTATATE, was imaged at 0, 2, 5, and 11 d. This expression was used as input to reconstruct realistic 3-dimensional heterogeneous activity distributions and tissue geometries of both cancer and heathy cells.

Distribution and behaviour of naturally occurring radionuclides within a Scots pine forest grown on a CaF waste deposit related to the Belgian phosphate industry.

The distribution and behaviour of naturally occurring radionuclides within a vegetated part of a CaF sludge heap from the Belgian phosphate industry was studied. A Scots pine forest plot was selected as study area. Trees were approximately 20 years old and showed a disturbed health state.

X‑irradiation induces acute and early term inflammatory responses in atherosclerosis‑prone ApoE‑/‑ mice and in endothelial cells.

Thoracic radiotherapy is an effective treatment for many types of cancer; however it is also associated with an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD), appearing mainly ≥10 years after radiation exposure. The present study investigated acute and early term physiological and molecular changes in the cardiovascular system after ionizing radiation exposure. Female and male ApoE mice received a single exposure of low or high dose X‑ray thoracic irradiation (0.