JRODOS customization for Pakistan and assessment of the consequences of a hypothetical nuclear accident.

Since the Chernobyl disaster in 1986, decision support systems and modelling tools have been utilized in response to nuclear and radiological emergencies. The java-based real-time online decision support system (JRODOS) is a decision support tool that can be utilised in response to an emergency in managing off-site radiological consequences. This article documents the customization and use of JRODOS for Pakistan. JRODOS was tailored to the local Pakistan conditions, and a case study of a theoretical nuclear power plant accident was used to assess JRODOS's feasibility as a decision support tool. A worst-case probabilistic accident scenario was used to identify zones and areas where urgent protective actions, early protective actions and food restriction and other response actions could be required. The areas and distances identified for the implementation of protective and response actions for such a hypothetical accident were found to be in agreement with the emergency planning zones and distances suggested by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Additionally, the implications of meteorological and source term input parameters on predicting the radiation doses to members of the public were investigated. It was identified that the output of such tools strongly depends on the availability and accuracy of the input parameters, such as radioactive release and meteorological data. Limitations and uncertainties associated with these tools need to be considered in deciding on protective and other response actions in response to a nuclear accident. As established by the IAEA, protective and other response actions need to be applied on a graded approach, taking into account the protection strategy and uncertainties and limitations in the available information and criteria, based on the conditions at the facility and off-site.

Carbon tetrachloride-induced nephrotoxicity in rats: protective role of Digera muricata.

Digera muricata is used in renal disorders in folk medicine. Generation of reactive radicals has been implicated in carbon tetrachloride-induced nephrotoxicity, which are involved in lipid peroxidation, accumulation of dysfunctional proteins, leading to injuries in kidneys. The present study was aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Digera muricata on the kidney function in CCl(4)-induced injuries. CCl(4) treatment (5 ml/kg body wt., i.p. CCl(4):olive oil; 1:9) significantly increased the level of urine creatinine, protein, nitrite, urobilinogen, red blood cells (RBCs), leucocytes count, and levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Level of proteins and DNA fragmentation %, argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) count in renal tissues was also significantly increased. Activity of antioxidant enzymes; catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and reduced glutathione (GSH) were decreased while thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARSs) were increased with CCl(4) treatment. DNA ladder assay was intimately related with the DNA fragmentation assay. Telomerase activity was determined in the CCl(4)-treated renal tissue homogenate. Treatment with n-hexane (HDMP) and methanolic (MDMP) extracts of Digera muricata (200 and 250 mg/kg body wt., oral, respectively) effectively attenuated the alterations in the biochemical markers, telomerase activity was inhibited and confirms the restoration of normalcy and accredits the protective role of Digera muricata against CCl(4)-induced nephrotoxicity.