Radiation

18 pages, 3091 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Correlation between Ground ²²²Rn and ²²⁶Ra and Long-Term Risk Assessment at the at the Bauxite Bearing Area of Fongo-Tongo, Western Cameroon

by Léonard Boris Djeufack, Guillaume Samuel Bineng, Oumar Bobbo Modibo, Joseph Emmanuel Ndjana Nkoulou II and Saïdou

Radiation 2022, 2(4), 387-404; https://doi.org/10.3390/radiation2040029 - 14 Nov 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1848

Abstract

The aim of the current work was to study natural radioactivity in soil and the correlation between ²²²Rn and ²²⁶Ra in the ground and to assess the onsite and indoor long-term excess cancer risk at the bauxite bearing area of Fongo-Tongo [...] Read more.

The aim of the current work was to study natural radioactivity in soil and the correlation between ²²²Rn and ²²⁶Ra in the ground and to assess the onsite and indoor long-term excess cancer risk at the bauxite bearing area of Fongo-Tongo in Western Cameroon. ²²²Rn was measured in the ground at a depth of one meter, using Markus 10 detector. ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K activity concentrations were measured in soil by two techniques, in situ and laboratory gamma spectrometry. The mean values of ²²²Rn concentrations in the ground were 69 ± 18 kBqm⁻³ for Fongo-Tongo and 82 ± 34 kBq m⁻³ for the locality of Dschang, respectively. The mean values of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K activity concentrations obtained with in situ gamma spectrometry were 129 ± 22, 205 ± 61, and 224 ± 39 Bq kg⁻¹ for ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K, respectively, and those obtained by laboratory gamma spectrometry were 129 ± 23, 184 ± 54, and 237 ± 44 Bq kg⁻¹, respectively. A strong correlation between ²²²Rn and ²²⁶Ra activity concentrations determined by in situ and laboratory measurements (R² = 0.86 and 0.88, respectively) was found. In addition, it is shown that the total excess cancer risk has a maximum value of 8.6 × 10⁻³ at T = 0 year and decreases progressively in the long term. It is also shown that ²²⁶Ra makes a major contribution, i.e., above 70%, to the total excess cancer risk. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Radiation in the Human Life—Environment and Medical Use)

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11 pages, 4588 KiB

Open AccessReview

Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) Technical and Diagnostic Aspects in the Study of Lower Limb Arteries

by Alessandro Posa, Alessandro Tanzilli, Pierluigi Barbieri, Lorenzo Steri, Francesco Arbia, Giulia Mazza, Valentina Longo and Roberto Iezzi

Radiation 2022, 2(4), 376-386; https://doi.org/10.3390/radiation2040028 - 01 Nov 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 9706

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases represent one of the most frequent diseases worldwide; among these, lower limb ischemia is a threatening condition, which can lead to permanent disability if not promptly and correctly diagnosed and treated. A patient’s clinical evaluation and diagnostic imaging (e.g., color-Doppler ultrasound, [...] Read more.

Cardiovascular diseases represent one of the most frequent diseases worldwide; among these, lower limb ischemia is a threatening condition, which can lead to permanent disability if not promptly and correctly diagnosed and treated. A patient’s clinical evaluation and diagnostic imaging (e.g., color-Doppler ultrasound, computed tomography angiography (CTA), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)) are mandatory to carefully assess arterial lesion extension and severity. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) is a minimally invasive technique that represents the gold standard for percutaneous revascularization treatment of symptomatic patients who are refractory to medical management. However, when dealing with patients with lower limb terminal ischemia, the correct interpretation of diagnostic DSA findings is mandatory for treatment re-planning and to effectively evaluate post-treatment results and complications. The purpose of this review is to provide interventional radiologists and endovascular practitioners with an up-to-date practical guide to diagnostic angiography of the lower limbs, which is mandatory to address correct treatment decisions and post-treatment evaluation. Full article

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19 pages, 2468 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Ion Cyclotron Frequencies on Human Resistance and Reactance in 31 Healthy Subjects

by Aldo Liguori, Larissa Brizhik, Stefano Liguori, Laura Silli, Sergio Bangrazi, Filomena Petti, Medardo Pinti, Maria Ilaria Pistelli and Livio Giuliani

Radiation 2022, 2(4), 357-375; https://doi.org/10.3390/radiation2040027 - 26 Oct 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1881

Abstract

In order to test the theory of Brizhik et al. about the dynamic allocation of acupuncture meridians on human body and their role as hydric paths for solitons, we tested the effect of both acupuncture and exposure to extremely low frequencies (ELF) tuned [...] Read more.

In order to test the theory of Brizhik et al. about the dynamic allocation of acupuncture meridians on human body and their role as hydric paths for solitons, we tested the effect of both acupuncture and exposure to extremely low frequencies (ELF) tuned with suitable ion cyclotron frequencies. The similarity of the effects, inducing variations of body impedance measured in well-known acupuncture points, up to the interchangeability and the synergy of the two treatments, the mechanic and the electromagnetic ones, turns to be evidence of the validity of the theory. Resistance and reactance variations have been detected in a group of 31 healthy volunteers before and after stimulation with a standard sequence of cyclotron frequencies, emitted from an innovative electromagnetic therapy (EMT) device. These variations were then compared with the variations produced by the well-known percutaneous stimuli of mechanical and piezoelectric nature, and, in particular in this work, acupuncture. Our results show that the observed variations can be considered as significant in both groups: cyclotron and acupuncture. The greater variations brought about by the cyclotron treatment stand out clearly. Full article

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19 pages, 4656 KiB

Open AccessArticle

In Vivo Dosimetry for Superficial High Dose Rate Brachytherapy with Optically Stimulated Luminescence Dosimeters: A Comparison Study with Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors

by Alana Lopes, Eric Sabondjian and Alejandra Rangel Baltazar

Radiation 2022, 2(4), 338-356; https://doi.org/10.3390/radiation2040026 - 18 Oct 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2247

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to calibrate and commission optically-stimulated luminescence dosimeters (OSLDs) for in vivo measurements in contact-based ¹⁹²Ir treatments for superficial high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy in place of metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs). Dose linearity and dose rate dependence [...] Read more.

The purpose of the study was to calibrate and commission optically-stimulated luminescence dosimeters (OSLDs) for in vivo measurements in contact-based ¹⁹²Ir treatments for superficial high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy in place of metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs). Dose linearity and dose rate dependence were tested by varying source-to-OSLD distance and dwell time. Angular dependence was measured using a solid water phantom setup for OSLD rotation. A group of OSLDs were readout 34 consecutive times to test readout depletion while OSLDs were optically annealed using a mercury lamp for 34.7 h. End-to-end tests were performed using a Freiburg flap and Valencia applicator. OSLD measurements were compared to MOSFETs and treatment planning system (TPS) doses. OSLD response was supralinear for doses above 275 cGy. They were found to be independent of dose rate and dependent on the incident angle in edge-on scenarios. OSLDs exhibited minimal readout depletion and were successfully annealed after 24 h of illumination. Freiburg flap measurements agreed well with the TPS. For the Valencia, OSLDs showed to be the more accurate system over MOSFETs, with a maximum disagreement with the TPS being 0.09%. As such, OSLDs can successfully be used in place of MOSFETs for in vivo dosimetry for superficial HDR brachytherapy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Cancer Biology and Radiation Therapy)

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20 pages, 2554 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Radiation Treatment Timing and Dose Delivery: Effects on Bladder Cancer Cells in 3D in Vitro Culture

by Larry Bodgi, Joelle Al-Choboq, Tarek Araji, Jolie Bou-Gharios, Joyce Azzi, Rafka Challita, Charbel Feghaly, Hisham F. Bahmad, Toufic Eid, Fady Geara, Youssef H. Zeidan and Wassim Abou-Kheir

Radiation 2022, 2(4), 318-337; https://doi.org/10.3390/radiation2040025 - 18 Oct 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2032

Abstract

While radical cystectomy remains the primary treatment of choice for bladder cancer, increased evidence supports the use of bladder-preservation strategies based on adjuvant radiotherapy. This highlights the need for a better understanding of bladder cancer radiosensitivity to different types of treatment deliveries. The [...] Read more.

While radical cystectomy remains the primary treatment of choice for bladder cancer, increased evidence supports the use of bladder-preservation strategies based on adjuvant radiotherapy. This highlights the need for a better understanding of bladder cancer radiosensitivity to different types of treatment deliveries. The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of treatment time, dose and fractionation on the number and sizes of grown three-dimensional (3D) bladder cancer spheres, and to assess the capacity of the linear-quadratic model in describing the response of cells cultured in 3D. 3D Matrigel^TM-based cultures were employed to enrich for cancer stem cells (CSCs) from three human bladder cancer cell lines, RT4, T24 and UM-UC-3. Three single dose radiation treatments were performed at different time points after plating, and sphere number and sizes were assessed. Anti-CD44 immunofluorescence, clonogenic assay and anti-γH2AX staining were also performed to analyze the cell lines’ radiosensitivity. The radiosensitivity of spheres was dependent on the treatment timing after plating. Current linear quadratic dose fractionation models were shown to over-estimate radiosensitivity in 3D models. Our results showed the importance of treatment timing on the radio-response of bladder cancer spheres. We also demonstrated that bladder cancer spheres are more resistant to dose-fractionation than the estimation from the theoretical linear-quadratic model. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Radiation-Induced DNA Damage Signaling and Repair)

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7 pages, 1184 KiB

Open AccessArticle

BRIDE v2: A Validated Collection of Genes Involved in the Mammalian Brain Response to Low-Dose Ionizing Radiation

by Christos Karapiperis, Dimitrios Vasileiou, Lefteris Angelis and Christos A. Ouzounis

Radiation 2022, 2(4), 311-317; https://doi.org/10.3390/radiation2040024 - 12 Oct 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1444

Abstract

There is significant interest in the response of the mammalian brain to low-dose ionizing radiation (LDIR), mainly examined by gene or protein expression, with applications in radiation safety on Earth, the atmosphere and outer space. Potential associations of molecular-level responses with sensory or [...] Read more.

There is significant interest in the response of the mammalian brain to low-dose ionizing radiation (LDIR), mainly examined by gene or protein expression, with applications in radiation safety on Earth, the atmosphere and outer space. Potential associations of molecular-level responses with sensory or cognitive defects and neurodegenerative diseases are currently under investigation. Previously, we have described a light-weight approach for the storage, analysis and distribution of relevant datasets, with the platform BRIDE. We have re-implemented the platform as BRIDE v2 on the cloud, using the bioinformatics infrastructure ELIXIR. We connected the annotated list of 3174 unique gene records with modern omics resources for downstream computational analysis. BRIDE v2 is a cloud-based platform with capabilities that enable researchers to extract, analyze, visualize as well as export the gene collection. The resource is freely available online at <http://bride-db.eu>. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Omics in Radiation Research)

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8 pages, 1356 KiB

Open AccessCase Report

Multimodality Imaging Findings in Waterhouse-Friderichsen Syndrome: A Case Report and a Short Literature Review

by Maria Luigia Angeli, Annemilia Del Ciello, Claudia Dell’Atti, Federico Orsini, Andrea Piccioni, Laura Franza, Martina Petrucci, Tommaso Pirronti, Francesco Franceschi and Marcello Covino

Radiation 2022, 2(4), 303-310; https://doi.org/10.3390/radiation2040023 - 11 Oct 2022

Viewed by 2253

Abstract

Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome is a rare disease characterized by bleeding into the adrenal glands, and its symptoms may vary from non-specific abdominal pain to multi-organ failure. Commonly related to a variety of infectious diseases among which sepsis from Neisseria meningitidis is the most frequent, [...] Read more.

Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome is a rare disease characterized by bleeding into the adrenal glands, and its symptoms may vary from non-specific abdominal pain to multi-organ failure. Commonly related to a variety of infectious diseases among which sepsis from Neisseria meningitidis is the most frequent, many other etiologies have been described, and in some rare cases, even no apparent cause can be identified. We report a rare case of an idiopathic bilateral adrenal hemorrhage in a 70-year-old male who presented to our emergency department with non-specific abdominal pain. Ultrasonography Scan (US) and Computed Tomography (CT) findings were crucial for making an early diagnosis, which resulted in a short hospitalization time and, eventually, a complete recovery of the adrenal function. After discharge, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was also performed, providing a more complete ensemble of multimodality imaging findings that can be associated with this rare syndrome. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Radiation in Medical Imaging)

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18 pages, 1879 KiB

Open AccessReview

Physical Differences between Man-Made and Cosmic Microwave Electromagnetic Radiation and Their Exposure Limits, and Radiofrequencies as Generators of Biotoxic Free Radicals

by Christos D. Georgiou, Electra Kalaitzopoulou, Marianna Skipitari, Polyxeni Papadea, Athina Varemmenou, Vassilios Gavriil, Evangelia Sarantopoulou, Zoe Kollia and Alkiviadis-Constantinos Cefalas

Radiation 2022, 2(4), 285-302; https://doi.org/10.3390/radiation2040022 - 22 Sep 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4396

Abstract

The critical arguments for radiofrequency radiation exposure limits are currently based on the principle that radio frequencies (RF) and electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are non-ionising, and their exposure limits are even 100-fold lower than those emitted from the Sun in the whole RF-EMF spectrum. [...] Read more.

The critical arguments for radiofrequency radiation exposure limits are currently based on the principle that radio frequencies (RF) and electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are non-ionising, and their exposure limits are even 100-fold lower than those emitted from the Sun in the whole RF-EMF spectrum. Nonetheless, this argument has been challenged by numerous experimental and theoretical studies on the diverse biological effects of RF-EMF at much lower power density (W/m²) levels than today’s exposing limits. On the other hand, less attention has been given to counterarguments based on the differences in the physics concepts underlying man-made versus natural electromagnetic radiation (EMR) and on the fact that man’s biology has been adapted to the natural EMR levels reaching Earth’s surface at single EMF wavelengths, which are the natural limits of man’s exposure to EMFs. The article highlights the main points of interaction of natural and man-made radiation with biomatter and reveals the physical theoretical background that explains the effects of man-made microwave radiation on biological matter. Moreover, the article extends its analysis on experimental quantum effects, establishing the “ionising-like” effects of man-made microwave radiation on biological matter. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers of Radiation 2022)

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Radiation, Volume 2, Issue 4 (December 2022) – 8 articles

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