Modeling Absorption Dynamics of Differently Shaped Gold Glioblastoma and Colon Cells Based on Refractive Index Distribution in Holotomographic Imaging.

Herein, it is demonstrated that the toxic effect of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) on three different cancer cell lines (U-118 and LN-299 glioblastoma and HCT-116 colon) depends on their absorption dynamics by cells, related to the shapes of the NPs. This hypothesis is confirmed by showing that i) based on refractive index (RI) values, typical for cell components and gold nanoparticles, it is possible to show the absorption dynamics and accumulation locations of the latter ones inside and outside of the cells. Moreover, ii) the saturation of the accumulated Au NPs volume in the cells depends on the nanoparticle shape and is reached in the shortest time for star-shaped Au NPs (AuS NPs) and in the longest time for spherical Au NPs (AuSph NPs) and on the cancer cells, where the longest and the shortest saturation are noticed for HCT-116 and LN-229 cells, respectively. A physical model of Au NPs absorption dynamics is proposed, where the diameter and shape of the Au NPs are used as parameters. The obtained theoretical data are consistent with experimental data in 85-98%.

Association of Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) exposures and the risk of systemic lupus erythematosus: a case-control study in China.

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) may have a role in impaired health. However, the data on the association between PFASs and Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have been limited. We designed a population-based case-control study in China and evaluated the association. 100 normal persons (Control) and 100 SLE patients (Case) were obtained from 113 controls and 125 cases according to matching conditions. Serum samples were collected by venipuncture for UHPLC-MRM-MS Analysis to obtain the concentration of five PFASs in participants. Demographic characterization description was performed for the two groups of participants, the PFASs concentration distribution of the two groups was described and compared, then divided into three tiers (< 50th, 50th ~ 75th, > 75th) for subsequent analysis. Conditional logistic regression models were utilized to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs for SLE. Relationship between changes in the concentration of PFASs and the risk of SLE assessed by restricted cubic spline. As the highest serum levels of the five PFASs tested in this study population, the highest perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA) quartile had a 2.78-fold (95%CI: 1.270, 6.10) compared with the lowest quartile of PFUnA exposure, other types of PFASs also showed high association with SLE as well as PFASs mixture. Additionally, the exposure of PFASs exist a dose-response relationship (ptrend < 0.05). This risk association remained be found after adjusting the covariates in model 1 (adjustment of BMI) and in model 2(adjustment of BMI, smoking, drinking, hypertension and leukocyte). The restricted cubic spline illustrated a gradual increase in the possible risk of SLE with the increasing exposure of PFASs components levels. Our study firstly revealed that PFASs are risk factors for SLE and PFASs exposures are associated with SLE risk in a dose - response manner. Evidence from larger and more adequately powered cohort studies is needed to confirm our results.

Fe3O4 Magnetic Nanoparticles Obtained by the Novel Aerosol-Based Technique for Theranostic Applications.

This work is aimed at presenting a novel aerosol-based technique for the synthesis of magnetite nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs) and to assess the potential medical application of their dispersions after being coated with TEA-oleate. Refinement of the processing conditions led to the formation of monodispersed NPs with average sizes of ∼5-6 nm and narrow size distribution (FWHM of ∼3 nm). The NPs were coated with Triethanolammonium oleate (TEA-oleate) to stabilize them in water dispersion. This allowed obtaining the dispersion, which does not sediment for months, although TEM and DLS studies have shown the formation of small agglomerates of NPs. The different behaviors of cancer and normal cell lines in contact with NPs indicated the diverse mechanisms of their interactions with Fe3O4 NPs. Furthermore, the studies allowed assessment of the prospective theranostic application of magnetite NPs obtained using the aerosol-based technique, particularly magnetic hyperthermia and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Association between per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and depression in U.S. adults: A cross-sectional study of NHANES from 2005 to 2018.

BACKGROUND: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widespread persistent organic pollutants (POPs) associated with diseases including osteoporosis, altered immune function and cancer. However, few studies have investigated the association between PFAS mixture exposure and Depression in general populations. METHODS: Nationally representative data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) (2005-2018) were used to analyze the association between PFAS and Depression in U.S. adults. Total 12,239 adults aged 20 years or older who had serum PFAS measured and answered Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) were enrolled in this study. PFAS monomers detected in all 7 investigation cycles were included in the study. Generalized additive model (GAM) was used to fit smooth curves and threshold effect analysis was carried out to find the turning point of smooth curves. Generalized linear model (GLM) was used to describe the non-linear relationship between PFAS and depression and unconditioned logistic regression was used to risk analysis. RESULTS: The median of total serum PFAS concentration was 14.54 ng/mL. The curve fitting results indicated a U-shaped relationship between total serum PFAS and depression: PFAS< 39.66 ng/mL, A negative correlation between PHQ-9 score and serum PFAS concentration was observed (ß 0.047,95%CI -0.059, -0.036). The depression PHQ-9 score decreased with the increase of serum PFAS concentration. PFAS ≥ 39.66 ng/mL, A positive correlation was observed between PFAS and PHQ-9 score (ß 0.010,95% CI 0.003, 0.017). The depression PHQ-9 score increased with the increase of serum PFAS concentration. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides new clues to the association of PFAS with depression, and large population-based cohort studies that can validate the causal association as well as toxicological mechanism studies are needed for validation.

Metabolomics reveals that PS-NPs promote lung injury by regulating prostaglandin B1 through the cGAS-STING pathway.

Nanoplastics have been widely studied as environmental pollutants, which can accumulate in the human body through the food chain or direct contact. Research has shown that nanoplastics can affect the immune system and mitochondrial function, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Lungs and macrophages have important immune and metabolic functions. This study explored the effects of 100 nm PS-NPs on innate immunity, mitochondrial function, and cellular metabolism-related pathways in lung (BEAS-2B) cells and macrophages (RAW264.7). The results had shown that PS-NPs exposure caused a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential, intracellular ROS accumulation, and Ca2+ overload, and activated the cGAS-STING signaling pathway related to innate immunity. These changes had been observed at concentrations of PS-NPs as low as 60 µg/mL, which might have been comparable to environmental levels. Non-target metabolomics and Western Blotting results confirmed that PS-NPs regulated prostaglandin B1 and other metabolites to cause cell damage through the cGAS-STING pathway. Supplementation of prostaglandin B1 alleviated the immune activation and metabolic disturbance caused by PS-NPs exposure. This study identified PS-NPs-induced innate immune activation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and metabolic toxicity pathways, providing new insights into the potential for adverse outcomes of NPs in human life.

Correlation between angiotensin-converting-enzyme 2 gene polymorphisms and systemic sclerosis.

OBJECTIVES: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a disease with cardiovascular impairment and polymorphisms of the gene coding of angiotensin-converting-enzyme 2 (ACE2) may account for its development. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms of ACE2 (C>G rs879922, G>A rs2285666 and A>G rs1978124) were found to increase the risk for development of arterial hypertension (AH) and cardiovascular (CVS) diseases in different ethnicities. We investigated associations of polymorphisms rs879922, rs2285666 and rs1978124 with the development of SSc. METHODS: Genomic DNA was isolated from whole blood. Restriction-fragment-length polymorphism was used for genotyping of rs1978124, while detection of rs879922 and rs2285666 was based on TaqMan SNP Genotyping Assay. Serum level of ACE2 was assayed with commercially available ELISA test. RESULTS: 81 SSc patients (60 women, 21 men) were enrolled. Allele C of rs879922 polymorphism was associated with significantly greater risk for development of AH (OR=2.5, p=0.018), but less frequent joint involvement. A strong tendency to earlier onset of Raynaud's phenomenon and SSc was seen in carriers of allele A of rs2285666 polymorphism. They had lower risk for development of any CVS disease (RR=0.4, p=0.051) and tendency to less frequent gastrointestinal involvement. Women with genotype AG of rs1978124 polymorphism had significantly more frequent digital tip ulcers and lower serum level of ACE2. CONCLUSIONS: Polymorphisms of ACE2 may account for the development of AH and CVS disorders in SSc patients. Strong tendencies to more frequent occurrence of disease specific characteristics distinct to macrovascular involvement will require further studies evaluating significance of ACE2 polymorphisms in SSc.

TXNL4B regulates radioresistance by controlling the PRP3-mediated alternative splicing of FANCI.

Ionizing radiation (IR) has been extensively used for cancer therapy, but the radioresistance hinders and undermines the radiotherapy efficacy in clinics greatly. Here, we reported that the spliceosomal protein thioredoxin-like 4B (TXNL4B) is highly expressed in lung tissues from lung cancer patients with radiotherapy. Lung cancer cells with TXNL4B knockdown illustrate increased sensitivity to IR. Mechanistically, TXNL4B interacts with RNA processing factor 3 (PRP3) and co-localizes in the nucleus post-IR. Nuclear localization of PRP3 promotes the alternative splicing of the Fanconi anemia group I protein (FANCI) transcript variants, FANCI-12 and FANCI-13. PRP3 regulates alternative splicing of FANCI toward the two variants, FANCI-12 and FANCI-13. Radioresistance was greatly enhanced through the combination of PRP31 and PRP8, the critical components of core spliceosome promoted by PRP3. Notably, the inhibition of PRP3 to suppress the production of FANCI-12 would deprive PRP31 and PRP8 of such interaction. As a result, cell cycle G2/M arrest was induced, DNA damage repair was delayed, and radiosensitivity was improved. Collectively, our study highlights potential novel underlying mechanisms of the involvement of TXNL4B and alternative splicing in radioresistance. The results would benefit potential cancer radiotherapy.

Genotoxicity Associated with 131I and 99mTc Exposure in Nuclear Medicine Staff: A Physical and Biological Monitoring Study.

Nuclear medicine staff are constantly exposed to low doses of ionizing radiation. This study investigated the level of genotoxic effects in hospital employees exposed to routinely used 131I and 99mTc in comparison with a control group. The study compared the results of physical and biological monitoring in peripheral blood lymphocytes. The effects of confounding factors, such as smoking status and physical activity, were also considered. Physical dosimetry monitoring revealed differences in the individual annual effective dose as measured by finger ring dosimeter and whole-body dosimeter between the 131I- and 99mTc-exposed groups. The DNA damage studies revealed differences between the groups in terms of excess premature chromosome condensation (PCC) fragments and tail DNA. Physical activity and smoking status differentiated the investigated groups. When assessed by the level of physical activity, the highest mean values of tail DNA were observed for the 99mTc group. When assessed by work-related physical effort, excess PCC fragments were significantly higher in the 131I group than in the control group. In the investigated groups, the tail DNA values were significantly different between non-smokers and past or current smokers, but excess PCC fragments did not significantly differ by smoking status. It is important to measure exposure to low doses of ionizing radiation and assess the potential risk from this exposure. Such investigations support the need to continue epidemiological and experimental studies to improve our understanding of the mechanisms of the health effects of radionuclides and to develop predictive models of the behavior of these complex systems in response to low-dose radiation.

ATM and RAD51 Repair Pathways in Human Lymphocytes Irradiated with 70 MeV Therapeutic Proton Beam.

The repair of radiation-induced DNA damage is a key factor differentiating patients in terms of the therapeutic efficacy and toxicity to surrounding normal tissue. Proton energy substantially determines the types of cancers that can be treated. The present work investigated the DNA double-strand break repair systems, represented by phosphorylated ATM and Rad51. The status of proton therapy energy used to treat major types of cancer is summarized. Here, human lymphocytes from eight healthy donors (male and female) were irradiated with a spread-out Bragg peak using a therapeutic 70 MeV proton beam or with reference X rays. For both types of radiation, the kinetics of pATM and Rad51 repair protein activation (0-24 h) were estimated as determinants of homologous and non-homologous double-strand break repair. Additionally, γ-H2AX was used as the gold standard marker of double-strand breaks. Our results showed that at 30 min postirradiation there was significantly greater accumulation of γ-H2AX (0.6-fold), pATM (2.0-fold), and Rad51 (0.6-fold) in the proton-irradiated cells compared with the X-ray-treated cells. At 24 h post irradiation, for both types of radiation and all investigated proteins, the foci number was still significantly higher when compared with control. Furthermore, the mean value of pATM and Rad51 repair effectiveness was higher in cells exposed to protons than in cells exposed to X rays; however, the difference was significant only for pATM. The largest inter-individual differences in the repair capabilities were noted for Rad51. The association between the frequency of repair protein foci and the frequency of lymphocyte viability at 1 h post irradiation showed a positive correlation for protons but a negative correlation for X rays. These findings indicate that the accumulation of radiation-induced repair protein foci after proton versus X-ray irradiation differs between patients, consequently affecting the cellular responses to particle therapy and conventional radiation therapy.

CNN-Based Classifier as an Offline Trigger for the CREDO Experiment.

Gamification is known to enhance users' participation in education and research projects that follow the citizen science paradigm. The Cosmic Ray Extremely Distributed Observatory (CREDO) experiment is designed for the large-scale study of various radiation forms that continuously reach the Earth from space, collectively known as cosmic rays. The CREDO Detector app relies on a network of involved users and is now working worldwide across phones and other CMOS sensor-equipped devices. To broaden the user base and activate current users, CREDO extensively uses the gamification solutions like the periodical Particle Hunters Competition. However, the adverse effect of gamification is that the number of artefacts, i.e., signals unrelated to cosmic ray detection or openly related to cheating, substantially increases. To tag the artefacts appearing in the CREDO database we propose the method based on machine learning. The approach involves training the Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) to recognise the morphological difference between signals and artefacts. As a result we obtain the CNN-based trigger which is able to mimic the signal vs. artefact assignments of human annotators as closely as possible. To enhance the method, the input image signal is adaptively thresholded and then transformed using Daubechies wavelets. In this exploratory study, we use wavelet transforms to amplify distinctive image features. As a result, we obtain a very good recognition ratio of almost 99% for both signal and artefacts. The proposed solution allows eliminating the manual supervision of the competition process.

Investigation of Chromosome 1 Aberrations in the Lymphocytes of Prostate Cancer and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Patients by Fluorescence in situ Hybridization.

PURPOSE: Radiotherapy is one of the most common treatments for prostate cancer. Finding a useful predictor of the therapeutic outcome is crucial as it increases the efficacy of treatment planning. This study investigated the individual susceptibility to radiation based on chromosome 1 aberration frequency measured by the FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization) method. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Whole blood samples were collected from 27 prostate cancer (PCa) patients and 32 subjects with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), who were considered as a control group. Samples were irradiated with 2 Gy of x-rays, cultured, harvested, and used in the FISH procedure. RESULTS: After irradiation, significantly higher levels of all studied chromosome 1 aberrations (except for deletions) in the group of PCa patients were revealed. Furthermore, in the lymphocytes of cancer patients, nearly five-fold higher frequencies of acentric fragments were observed compared to the BPH group. The highest individual radiosensitivities for all estimated biomarkers were seen in PCa patient cells who reported cancer incidence in the immediate family (CIF+). CONCLUSION: The differences in chromosome 1 aberrations between PCa and BPH demonstrate that lymphocytes taken from patients with prostate cancer have higher radiosensitivity which might be related to hereditary or familiar inclinations. Therefore, this technique may find future application in searching biomarkers of the cellular radiotherapy response in prostate cancer patients.

Investigation of DNA Damage and Cell-Cycle Distribution in Human Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes under Exposure to High Doses of Proton Radiotherapy.

This study systematically investigates how a single high-dose therapeutic proton beam versus X-rays influences cell-cycle phase distribution and DNA damage in human peripheral blood lymphocytes (HPBLs). Blood samples from ten volunteers (both male and female) were irradiated with doses of 8.00, 13.64, 15.00, and 20.00 Gy of 250 kV X-rays or 60 MeV protons. The dose-effect relations were calculated and distributed by plotting the frequencies of DNA damage of excess Premature Chromosome Condensation (PCC) fragments and rings in the G2/M phase, obtained via chemical induction with calyculin A. The Papworth's u test was used to evaluate the distribution of DNA damage. The study shows that high doses of protons induce HPBL DNA damage in the G2/M phase differently than X-rays do. The results indicate a different distribution of DNA damage following high doses of irradiation with protons versus photons between donors, types of radiation, and doses. The proliferation index confirms the impact of high doses of mitosis and the influence of radiotherapy type on the different HPBL response. The results illuminate the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie differences in the distribution of DNA damage and cell-cycle phases; these findings may yield an improvement in the efficacy of the radiotherapies used.

Normal Tissue Injury Induced by Photon and Proton Therapies: Gaps and Opportunities.

Despite technological advances in radiation therapy (RT) and cancer treatment, patients still experience adverse effects. Proton therapy (PT) has emerged as a valuable RT modality that can improve treatment outcomes. Normal tissue injury is an important determinant of the outcome; therefore, for this review, we analyzed 2 databases: (1) clinical trials registered with ClinicalTrials.gov and (2) the literature on PT in PubMed, which shows a steady increase in the number of publications. Most studies in PT registered with ClinicalTrials.gov with results available are nonrandomized early phase studies with a relatively small number of patients enrolled. From the larger database of nonrandomized trials, we listed adverse events in specific organs/sites among patients with cancer who are treated with photons and protons to identify critical issues. The present data demonstrate dosimetric advantages of PT with favorable toxicity profiles and form the basis for comparative randomized prospective trials. A comparative analysis of 3 recently completed randomized trials for normal tissue toxicities suggests that for early stage non-small cell lung cancer, no meaningful comparison could be made between stereotactic body RT and stereotactic body PT due to low accrual (NCT01511081). In addition, for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer, a comparison of intensity modulated RT with passive scattering PT (now largely replaced by spot-scanned intensity modulated PT), PT did not provide any benefit in normal tissue toxicity or locoregional failure over photon therapy. Finally, for locally advanced esophageal cancer, proton beam therapy provided a lower total toxicity burden but did not improve progression-free survival and quality of life (NCT01512589). The purpose of this review is to inform the limitations of current trials looking at protons and photons, considering that advances in technology, physics, and biology are a continuum, and to advocate for future trials geared toward accurate precision RT that need to be viewed as an iterative process in a defined path toward delivering optimal radiation treatment. A foundational understanding of the radiobiologic differences between protons and photons in tumor and normal tissue responses is fundamental to, and necessary for, determining the suitability of a given type of biologically optimized RT to a patient or cohort.

Gold Nanopeanuts as Prospective Support for Cisplatin in Glioblastoma Nano-Chemo-Radiotherapy.

Herein, we propose newly designed and synthesized gold nanopeanuts (Au NPes) as supports for cisplatin (cPt) immobilization, dedicated to combined glioblastoma nano-chemo-radiotherapy. Au NPes offer a large active surface, which can be used for drugs immobilization. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that the size of the synthesized Au NPes along the longitudinal axis is ~60 nm, while along the transverse axis ~20 nm. Raman, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DCS) measurements showed, that the created nanosystem is stable up to a temperature of 110 °C. MTT assay revealed, that the highest cell mortality was observed for cell lines subjected to nano-chemo-radiotherapy (20-55%). Hence, Au NPes with immobilized cPt (cPt@AuNPes) are a promising nanosystem to improve the therapeutic efficiency of combined nano-chemo-radiotherapy.

Effects of culturing technique on human peripheral blood lymphocytes response to proton and X-ray radiation.

Purpose: The main aim of this study was to comparatively investigate the effects of culturing methods on the response of human peripheral blood lymphocytes to irradiation exposure.Materials and methods: Whole blood and isolated lymphocytes were ex vivo exposed to two radiation sources (60 MeV proton or 250 kV X-ray radiation) with different doses (0.3, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, and 4.0 Gy), and genotoxic markers were subsequently assayed. The observed effects were compared as dose-response relationships using two end points (CBMN and PCC tests) and different biomarkers (NDI, PCC index, MNi frequency and excess PCC fragments).Results and conclusions: The results showed different effects of the culturing techniques on the response of human peripheral blood lymphocytes to radiation. The MNi frequency and excess PCC fragments were significantly higher when lymphocytes were cultured after being isolated. After irradiation, no differences were seen in the NDI between the lymphocytes of the two culturing techniques; however, there were differences in the PPC index. When planning or performing cytogenetic studies, the possibility of such effects and their potential to impact the variability of the results of human biomonitoring studies should be considered important and taken into account.

Assessment of the nuclear medicine personnel occupational exposure to radioiodine.

PURPOSE: To physically and cytogenetically screen medical personnel of Department of Endocrinology and Nuclear Medicine, Holy Cross Cancer Center, Kielce, Poland (DENM) who are occupationally exposed to 131I. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The exposure was monitored by whole-body and finger ring dosimeters. The thyroid iodine intake was measured by a whole-body spectrometer equipped with two semiconductor gamma radiation detectors. A cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay and the premature chromosome condensation technique were used to assess the aberration score. Cytogenetic analyses were carried out on a group of 29 workers and were compared to 32 controls (healthy donors), matched for gender and age. RESULTS: On average, the exposed group showed a significantly higher frequency of genetic damage and a higher proliferation index compared to the control group. Smoking status, age and duration of exposure influenced the observed effects in both groups. No differences in measured biomarkers were observed after stratification of the exposed group into two subgroups based on the measured 131I activity below and above 6 Bq. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that radiation protection principles based on whole-body and finger ring dosimetry, supported by activity measurements with a whole-body spectrometer, may be insufficient to monitor the absorbed dose estimation of the nuclear medicine staff who are occupationally exposed to 131I. Furthermore, their future health risks are influenced by confounders. Direct assessments comparing physical and biological dose estimations on the larger group are needed to accurately monitor occupational radiation exposure.

Infrared nanospectroscopic mapping of a single metaphase chromosome.

The integrity of the chromatin structure is essential to every process occurring within eukaryotic nuclei. However, there are no reliable tools to decipher the molecular composition of metaphase chromosomes. Here, we have applied infrared nanospectroscopy (AFM-IR) to demonstrate molecular difference between eu- and heterochromatin and generate infrared maps of single metaphase chromosomes revealing detailed information on their molecular composition, with nanometric lateral spatial resolution. AFM-IR coupled with principal component analysis has confirmed that chromosome areas containing euchromatin and heterochromatin are distinguishable based on differences in the degree of methylation. AFM-IR distribution of eu- and heterochromatin was compared to standard fluorescent staining. We demonstrate the ability of our methodology to locate spatially the presence of anticancer drug sites in metaphase chromosomes and cellular nuclei. We show that the anticancer 'rule breaker' platinum compound [Pt[N(p-HC6F4)CH2]2py2] preferentially binds to heterochromatin, forming localized discrete foci due to condensation of DNA interacting with the drug. Given the importance of DNA methylation in the development of nearly all types of cancer, there is potential for infrared nanospectroscopy to be used to detect gene expression/suppression sites in the whole genome and to become an early screening tool for malignancy.

Biological effects and inter-individual variability in peripheral blood lymphocytes of healthy donors exposed to 60 MeV proton radiotherapeutic beam.

Purpose: The aim of our study was to investigate the amount of initial DNA damage and cellular repair capacity of human peripheral blood lymphocytes exposed to the therapeutic proton beam and compare it to X-rays. Materials and methods: Lymphocytes from 10 healthy donors were irradiated in the Spread Out Bragg Peak of the 60 MeV proton beam or, as a reference, exposed to 250 kV X-rays. DNA damage level was assessed using the alkaline version of the comet assay method. For both sources of radiation, dose-DNA damage response (0-4 Gy) and DNA repair kinetics (0-120 min) were estimated. The observed DNA damage was then used to calculate the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of the proton beam in comparison to that of X-rays. Results: Dose-response relationships for the DNA damage level showed linear dependence for both proton beam and X-rays (R2 = 0.995 for protons and R2 = 0.993 for X-rays). Within the dose range of 1-4 Gy, protons were significantly more effective in inducing DNA damage than were X-rays (p < .05). The average RBE, calculated from the proton and X-ray doses required for the iso-effective, internally standardized tail DNA parameter (sT-DNA) was 1.28 ± 0.57. Similar half-life time of residual damage and repair efficiency of induced DNA damage for both radiation types were observed. In the X-irradiated group, significant inter-individual differences were observed. Conclusions: Proton therapy was more effective at high radiation doses. However, DNA damage repair mechanism after proton irradiation seems to differ from that following X-rays.

Aberrations Involving Chromosome 1 as a Possible Predictor of Odds Ratio for Colon Cancer--Results from the Krakow Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND: There is still an open question how to predict colorectal cancer risk before any morphological changes appear in the colon. OBJECTIVE: The purpose was to investigate aberrations in chromosomes 1, 2 and 4 in peripheral blood lymphocytes analyzed by fluorescence in situ hybridization technique as a tool to assess the likelihood of colorectal cancer. METHODS: A hospital-based case-control study included 20 colon cancer patients and 18 hospital-based controls. Information about potential covariates was collected by interview. The frequency of stable and unstable chromosome aberrations in chromosome 1, 2 and 4 was assessed by fluorescence in situ hybridization technique. RESULTS: Colorectal cancer patients, as compared to controls, had a relatively higher frequency of chromosome 1 translocations (median: 3.5 versus 1.0 /1000 cells, p = 0.006), stable aberrations (3.8 versus 1.0 /1000 cells, p = 0.007) and total aberrations (p = 0.009). There were no differences observed for chromosomes 2 and 4. Our results showed an increase in the odds of having colon cancer by about 50-80% associated with an increase by 1/1000 cells in the number of chromosome 1 aberrations. CONCLUSIONS: The results revealed that the frequency of chromosomal aberrations, especially translocations in chromosome 1, seems to be a promising method to show a colon cancer risk. Additionally, our study suggests the reasonableness of use of biomarkers such as chromosome 1 aberrations in peripheral blood lymphocytes in screening prevention programs for individuals at higher colon cancer risk to identify those who are at increased risk and require more frequent investigations, e.g. by sigmoidoscopy.

Response of human lymphocytes to proton radiation of 60 MeV compared to 250 kV X-rays by the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay.

Particle radiotherapy such as protons provides a new promising treatment modality to cancer. However, studies on its efficacy and risks are relatively sparse. Using the cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus assay, we characterized response of human peripheral blood lymphocytes, obtained from health donors irradiated in vitro in the dose range: 0-4. 0 Gy, to therapeutic proton radiation of 60 MeV from AIC-144 isochronous cyclotron, by studying nuclear division index and DNA damage and compared them with X-rays. Peripheral blood lymphocytes show decreased ability to proliferate with increasing radiation doses for both radiation types, however, in contrast to X-rays, irradiation with protons resulted in a higher proliferation index at lower doses of 0.75 and 1.0 Gy. Protons are more effective in producing MN at doses above 1.75 Gy compared to X-rays. Dose-response curves for micronucleus incidence can be best described by a cubic model for protons, while for X-rays the response was linear. The differences in the energy spectrum and intracellular distribution of energy between radiation types are also apparent at the intracellular distribution of cytogenetic damage as seen by the distribution of various numbers of micronuclei in binucleated cells. Our studies, although preliminary, further contribute to the understanding of the mechanistic differences in the response of HPBL in terms of cellular proliferation and cytogenetic damage induced by protons and X-rays as well as intra-cellular distribution of energy and thus radiobiological effectiveness.