Chromosomal Aberrations, Micronuclei, Blood Parameters and Received Doses in Workers Exposed to Ionizing Radiation.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of low doses of ionizing radiation on healthcare workers using dosimeter data and several biomarkers of effects, and to asses the suitability of those tests. METHODS: Data from the last medical examinations, obtained from the medical records of 148 employees were analysed. They were divided into three groups: nuclear medicine, interventional radiology and general radiology. The examination included hematological parameters and cytogenetical tests: unstable chromosomal aberrations (UCA) and micronucleus test (MNT). The received cumulative 5-year dose was calibrated into personal dose equivalents Hp(10). RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was found between the groups in the UCAs (c2=6.634, p=0.036) with the highest UCA frequency in nuclear medicine. The ANOVA showed a statistically significant difference in the values of erythrocytes (F(2,140)=3.715, p=0.027), monocytes (F(2,127)=3.326, p=0.039) and platelets (F(2,135)=4.209, p=0.017), with higher erythrocytes and lower platelets in interventional radiology and lower monocytes in nuclear medicine, all with small effect size. The dose was significantly different among the groups (c2 =22,191; p<0.001). The nuclear medicine workers received a higher dose compared to interventional radiology (U=458, p<0.001) and general radiology (U=510.5, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Nuclear medicine employees are at a higher risk of developing neoplastic and blood-related diseases due to consistent exposure to low doses of ionizing radiation. Results suggest that UCA test might be more suitable for detecting radiation-induced damage at low doses than MNT. Compulsory monitoring of the health status at periodic examinations is required to prevent occupational diseases, esp. among the nuclear medicine workers.

The significant role of dietary intake of vitamin D in non-menopausal women health.

Optimal vitamin D status is very important for reflecting not only bone but overall woman's health. The aim of the study was to determine pharmacokinetic variability of 25-hydroxy vitamin D, to reveal and quantify the most significant factors that affect its variability in the population of healthy non-menopausal women using the population pharmacokinetic (PopPK) approach. The study population consisted of 74 healthy reproductive women aged from 35 to 50 years, without the use of any supplement. A population pharmacokinetics analysis was conducted using a nonlinear mixed-effects model software. A total of 35 factors were assessed: demographic, clinical, biochemical data and lifestyle factors. The average age and bodyweight of our participants were 40.11 ± 4.35 years 65.30 ± 6.80 kg, respectively. The observed mean serum concentration of 25-hydroxy vitamin D was 26.51 ± 13.49 ng/mL with a wide range of 6.97 to 59.89 ng/mL. Development final PopPK model of the clearance of 25-hydroxy vitamin D showed that only the average daily dose of vitamin D intake from food had a significant influence, with a magnitude of its effects of 0.00401. These results could help when individualizing vitamin D intake in the form of supplements, especially during the wintertime, in healthy reproductive women.

Spot-Weld Service Life Estimate Based on Application of the Interfacial Crack Concept.

In the automotive industry, spot-welding is the most common method of joining components. Thus, determining the service life of spot-welds is of great importance in designing assemblies or structures. It is well-known that lately there has been a trend in the industry toward reducing the fuel consumption and harmful gasses emissions, as well as the weight of structures with the application of the lightweight materials, like aluminum alloys. In this paper, research is presented on the behavior of a spot-weld between the plates made of the two dissimilar materials-aluminum alloy and steel. In addition, the influence of the plates' thickness and the weld nugget's diameter on welds' service life is presented. In this analysis, a concept of the interface crack between the two linear elastic materials was applied. Obtained results show that the plates' thickness and the nugget's size, as well as the working load, impose significant influences on the service life of a spot-weld between the two dissimilar materials.

Low-energy nanoemulsions as carriers for red raspberry seed oil: Formulation approach based on Raman spectroscopy and textural analysis, physicochemical properties, stability and in vitro antioxidant/ biological activity.

Considering a growing demand for medicinal/cosmetic products with natural actives, this study focuses on the low-energy nanoemulsions (LE-NEs) prepared via the Phase inversion composition (PIC) method at room temperature as potential carriers for natural oil. Four different red raspberry seed oils (ROs) were tested, as follows: cold-pressed vs. CO2-extracted, organic vs. non-organic, refined vs. unrefined. The oil phase was optimized with Tocopheryl acetate and Isostearyl isostearate, while water phase was adjusted with either glycerol or an antioxidant hydro-glycolic extract. This study has used a combined approach to formulation development, employing both conventional methods (pseudo-ternary phase diagram - PTPD, electrical conductivity, particle size measurements, microscopical analysis, and rheological measurements) and the methods novel to this area, such as textural analysis and Raman spectroscopy. Raman spectroscopy has detected fine differences in chemical composition among ROs, and it detected the interactions within nanoemulsions. It was shown that the cold-pressed, unrefined, organic grade oil (RO2) with 6.62% saturated fatty acids and 92.25% unsaturated fatty acids, was optimal for the LE-NEs. Textural analysis confirmed the existence of cubic gel-like phase as a crucial step in the formation of stable RO2-loaded LE-NEs, with droplets in the narrow nano-range (125 to 135 nm; PDI ≤ 0.1). The DPPH test in methanol and ABTS in aqueous medium have revealed a synergistic free radical scavenging effect between lipophilic and hydrophilic antioxidants in LE-NEs. The nanoemulsion carrier has improved the biological effect of raw materials on HeLa cervical adenocarcinoma cells, while exhibiting good safety profile, as confirmed on MRC-5 normal human lung fibroblasts. Overall, this study has shown that low-energy nanoemulsions present very promising carriers for topical delivery of natural bioactives. Raman spectroscopy and textural analysis have proven to be a useful addition to the arsenal of methods used in the formulation and characterization of nanoemulsion systems.

[Cryptogenic organizing pneumonia--case report].

INTRODUCTION: Cryptogenic organising pneumonia is a particular form of inflammatory and fibroproliferative lung disease. The disease onset is subacute with cough, dyspnoea, fever, weight loss, and elevation of biological inflammatory markers. Chest imaging usually shows multifocal alveolar opacities predominating in the subpleural regions. Lung biopsy reveals budding connective tissue filling the distal airspaces. CASE OUTLINE: A 57-year-old electrician complaining of cough, dyspnoea, and fatigue was diagnosed with pneumonia and treated with antibiotics and antihistaminics. After clinical and radiographic progression of the disease, open lung biopsy was performed, some 15 months after the disease onset. The diagnosis of cryptogenic organising pneumonia was made. The patient was treated with oral and inhalatory corticosteroids and finally with cytostatics, which led to a partial improvement of his condition. However, work capacity was lost and the quality of life seriously deteriorated. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis is established by combining clinical, radiological and histological criteria. Similarities with other disease processes can lead to a delayed or erroneous diagnosis. Most patients respond well to corticosteroid therapy (prednisone or methyl-prednisolone). Relapses are frequent but can generally be controlled.