Charged-particle mutagenesis. 1. Cytotoxic and mutagenic effects of high-LET charged iron particles on human skin fibroblasts

Cytotoxic and mutagenic effects of high-LET charged iron (56Fe) particles were measured quantitatively using primary cultures of human skin fibroblasts. Argon and lanthanum particles and gamma rays were used in comparative studies. The span of LETs selected was from 150 keV/microns (330 MeV/u) to 920 keV/microns (600 MeV/u). Mutations were scored at the hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (HPRT) locus using 6-thio-guanine (6-TG) for selection. Exposure to these high-LET charged particles resulted in exponential survival curves. Mutation induction, however, was fitted by the linear model. The relative biological effectiveness (RBE) for cell killing ranged from 3.7 to 1.3, while that for mutation induction ranged from 5.7 to 0.5. Both the RBE for cell killing and the RBE for mutagenesis decreased with increasing LET over the range of 1.50 to 920 keV/microns. The inactivation cross section (sigma i) and the action cross section for mutation induction (sigma m) ranged from 32.9 to 92.0 microns2 and 1.45 to 5.56 X 10(-3) microns2; the maximum values were obtained by 56Fe with an LET of 200 keV/microns. The mutagenicity (sigma m/sigma i) ranged from 2.05 to 7.99 X 10(-5) with an inverse relationship to LET.

Genetic changes in mammalian cells transformed by helium ions

Midterm Syrian Hamster embryo (SHE) cells were employed to study high LET-radiation induced tumorigenesis. Normal SHE cells (secondary passage) were irradiated with accelerated helium ions at an incident energy of 22 MeV/u (9-10 keV/micrometer). Transformed clones were isolated after growth in soft agar of cells obtained from the foci of the initial monolayer plated postirradiation. To study the progression process of malignant transformation, the transformed clones were followed by monolayer subculturing for prolonged periods of time. Subsequently, neoplasia tests in nude mice were done. In this work, however, we have focused on karyotypic changes in the banding patterns of the chromosomes during the early part of the progressive process of cell transformation for helium ion-induced transformed cells.

Radiological health risks for exploratory class missions in space

Crewmembers on missions to the Moon or Mars will be unavoidably exposed to ionizing radiation as they pass through the Van Allen belts and the Galactic Cosmic Ray (GCR) flux. There is the possibility for exposure to proton radiation from Solar Particle Events (SPE). Using absorbed doses and ICRP 26, Linear Energy Transfer (LET) -dependent quality factors, the following dose-equivalents are estimated: In a spacecraft with 0.75 cm aluminum walls (2 g/cm2) at solar minimum, the lunar round trip dose-equivalent is less than 0.05 Sv. During a Mars mission the estimated dose-equivalents are: outbound (Van Allen Belts) <0.02 Sv; Earth to Mars (205 days exposure to free space GCR) 0.32 Sv; 30 days on the Martian surface (GCR) 0.023 Sv; Mars to Earth (225 days exposure to free space) 0.35 Sv; and through the Van Allen Belts 0.02 Sv. Conventionally, the total of 0.73 Sv over 460 days could be expected to increase the risk of cancer mortality in a 35-year old male astronaut by about one percent. However three-fourths of the dose-equivalent in free space is contributed by high LET heavy ions (Z > or = 3) and target fragments with average quality factors of 10.3 and 20 respectively. The biological effectiveness of these radiations is poorly understood; so the quality factors are set at conservatively very high values. The entire concept of absorbed dose/quality factor/dose-equivalent as applied to GCR must be reconsidered.

Plain film radiographic findings in lumbar disc protrusion: correlation with computed tomography iohexol myelography

A retrospective study was devised to determine the correlation between plain film radiographic findings and computed tomography iohexol myelography in the recognition of lumbar disc protrusion. A group of 61 patients who had chronic low back pain seen in Taitung Mackay Memorial hospital from January 1, 1988 to December 31, 1988 was studied. In comparison of 207 lumbar disc protrusion, reaching an accuracy close to 80% but cannot distinguish between disc bulging or herniation. Spur formation correlated to a lesser extent. Subluxation of facet joints, discogenic sclerosis and vacuum phenomenon were all specific to disc protrusion; however, their rare occurrences have limited their usefulness in the recognition of disc protrusion.

Response of cultured human airway epithelial cells to X-rays and energetic alpha-particles

Radon and its progeny, which emit alpha-particles during decay, may play an important role in inducing human lung cancer. To gain a better understanding of the biological effects of alpha-particles in human lung we studied the response of cultured human airway epithelial cells to X-rays and monoenergetic helium ions. Our experimental results indicated that the radiation response of primary cultures was similar to that for airway epithelial cells that were transformed with a plasmid containing an origin-defective SV40 virus. The RBE for cell inactivation determined by the ratio of D0 for X-rays to that for 8 MeV helium ions was 1.8-2.2. The cross-section for helium ions, calculated from the D0 value, was about 24 microm 2 for cells of the primary culture. This cross-section is significantly smaller than the average geometric nuclear area (approximately 180 microms 2), suggesting that an average of 7.5 alpha-particles (8 MeV helium ions) per cell nucleus are needed to induce a lethal lesion.

[Preliminary pathological observation on bone injury after inhalation of trifluoromethyl hypofluoride in rats]

This paper reports the relation between fluoride contents and pathologic changes of skeletal system in Wistar rats after inhalation of organofluoride compound-trifluoromethyl hypofluoride. The trifluoromethyl hypofluoride (CF3OF), purity greater than 95%, used in this study was produced and provided by the Chenguang Chemical Industrial Institute. Twenty-four Wistar rats, weighing between 200 and 250g, were divided into three groups: a control group and two test groups. They were exposure to the trifluoromethyl hypofluoride gas at a dosage of 0, 0.067 and 0.1 ppm respectively, in 1 m3 Plexiglass chamber, two hours a day, five days a week. The results showed that the fluoride levels of ilia in 0.067 and 0.1 ppm group rats were significantly higher than those in the control group (P less than 0.05). The osteogenic effect of CF3OF was confirmed by the histopathological examination of the skeletal tissues. The lesions were also mainly limited to the 0.1 ppm CF3OF group. A very marked osteogenic reaction was found in the periosteum and Haversian canals of ilia in the rats including focal active periosteous osteoblastic proliferations and bone or osteoid tissues forming with a little osteoclastic reactions. for 23 weeks.

Neoplastic cell transformation by high-LET radiation: molecular mechanisms

Experimental data on molecular mechanisms are essential for understanding the bioeffects of radiation and for developing biophysical models, which can help in determining the shape of dose-response curves at very low doses, e.g., doses less than 1 cGy. Although it has been shown that ionizing radiation can cause neoplastic cell transformation directly, that high-LET heavy ions in general can be more effective than photons in transforming cells, and that the radiogenic cell transformation is a multi-step process [correction of processes], we know very little about the molecular nature of lesions important for cell transformation, the relationship between lethal and transformational damages, and the evolution of initial damages into final chromosomal aberrations which alter the growth control of cells. Using cultured mouse embryo cells (C3H10T1/2) as a model system, we have collected quantitative data on dose-response curves for heavy ions with various charges and energies. An analysis of these quantitative data suggested that two DNA breaks formed within 80 angstroms may cause cell transformation and that two DNA breaks formed within 20 angstroms may be lethal. Through studies with restriction enzymes which produce DNA damages at specific sites, we have found that DNA double strand breaks, including both blunt- and cohesive-ended breaks, can cause cell transformation in vitro. These results indicate that DNA double strand breaks can be important primary lesions for radiogenic cell transformation and that blunt-ended double strand breaks can form lethal as well as transformational damages due to misrepair or incomplete repair in the cell. The RBE-LET relationship is similar for HGPRT gene mutation, chromosomal deletion, and cell transformation, suggesting common lesions may be involved in these radiation effects. The high RBE of high-LET radiation for cell killing and neoplastic cell transformation is most likely related to its effectiveness in producing DNA double strand breaks in mammalian cells. At present the role of oncogenes in radiation cell transformation is unclear.

Transmission d'images en couleurs dans des fibres optiques par codage polychromatique

Color image transmission through a 1-D array of 150 parallel multimode optical fibers is demonstrated using chromatic encoding of both geometric and spectral structures of self-luminous incoherent sources. The spectroscopic encoding and decoding devices include infrared type echelette gratings working at high diffraction orders in the range of the visible wavelengths considered in these experiments (~0.45-0.75, microm). Very good image and color quality was achieved: 2.5 x 10(4) pixels, seven spectral components per pixel.

Induction of proline prototrophs in CHO-K1 cells by heavy ions

Using an established mammalian cell line, Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO-K1), we have observed the induction of prototrophs by various heavy ions. This cell line requires proline for normal growth in medium with low serum concentration. X-rays, three types of heavy particles (600 MeV/u iron, 670 MeV/u neon, and 320 MeV/u silicon ions), ethylmethane sulphonate and 5-azacytidine were used to induce revertants which were proline independent. Log-phase cells treated with 5-azacytidine showed a very high reversion frequency. The induction frequency per viable cell appears to be dose dependent for these four types of radiation, and the dose-response curves are approximately linear. Our results also indicate that the effectiveness of high-LET particles in inducing proline prototrophs is much greater than that of low-LET radiation. The RBE value for the induction of prototrophs was calculated for neon, silicon, and iron particles and found to be about 1.3, 1.7 and 4.5, respectively. At equal survival level, the reversion frequency for X-rays and EMS was about the same.

Neoplastic cell transformation by energetic heavy ions and its modification with chemical agents

For many years we have been interested in understanding the potential carcinogenic effects of cosmic rays. We have studied the oncogenic effects of cosmic rays with accelerator-produced heavy particle radiation and with a cultured mammalian cell system--C3H10T1/2 cells. Our quantitative data obtained with carbon, neon, silicon, and iron particles showed that RBE is both dose and LET dependent for neoplastic cell transformation. RBE is higher at lower dose, and RBE increases with LET up to about 200 keV/micrometer. In nonproliferation confluent cells, heavy-ion induced transformation damage may not be repairable, although a dose modifying factor of about 1.7 was observed for X-ray radiation. Our recent studies with super-heavy high-energy particles, e.g., 960 MeV/U U235 ions (LET = 1900 keV/micrometer), indicate that these ions with a high inactivation cross-section can cause neoplastic cell transformation. The induction of cell transformation by radiation can be modified with various chemicals. We have found that the presence of DMSO (either during or many days after irradiation) decreased the transformation frequency significantly. It is, therefore, potentially possible to reduce the oncogenic effect of cosmic rays in space through some chemical protection.

Effects of heavy ion radiation on the brain vascular system and embryonic development

Using neonatal rats as a model system, we investigated the response of the brain vascular system to ionizing radiation and found that distinct petechial hemorrhages developed in the cerebral cortex within a few hours after irradiation, reached a maximum about 13 to 24 hours, and decreased exponentially with time. No brain hemorrhage was found in neonatal rats 12 days after irradiation. Our experimental results indicate that a dose of a few hundred rad of X rays can induce a significant number of hemorrhages in the brain, and the number of lesions increases exponentially with dose. Heavy ions induce more hemorrhages than X rays for a given dose, and the RBE for 670 MeV/u neon particles ranges from about 2.0 for low doses to about 1.4 for high doses. A histological study of the hemorrhages indicates that a large number of red blood cells leak from the blood vessels. The radiation-induced hemorrhages may be a result of some capillary membrane damages or reproductive death of some blood vessel epithelial cells. The fast onset of hemorrhage after irradiation suggest that some membrane damage may be involved. The effect of heavy-ion radiation on the embryonic development was studied with energetic iron particles. Pregnant mice were whole-body irradiated with 600 MeV/u iron particles on day 6 of gestation and were sacrificed 12 days after irradiation. Various physical abnormalities were observed, and embryos irradiated with 1 rad iron particles showed retardation of body development.

Response of cultured normal human mammary epithelial cells to X rays

The effect of X rays on the reproductive death of cultured normal human mammary epithelial cells was examined. Techniques were developed for isolating and culturing normal human mammary epithelial cells which provide sufficient cells at second passage for radiation studies, and an efficient clonogenic assay suitable for measuring radiation survival curves. It was found that the survival curves for epithelial cells from normal breast tissue were exponential and had D0 values of about 109-148 rad for 225 kVp X rays. No consistent change in cell radiosensitivity with the age of donor was observed, and no sublethal damage repair in these cells could be detected with the split-dose technique.

Molecular and cellular radiobiology of heavy ions

Quantitative studies at the BEVALAC have demonstrated some of the physical and radiobiological factors that promise to make accelerated heavy ions important for the therapy of cancer. The measured physical dose-biological effect relationships allow the safe and effective delivery of therapeutic schedules of heavy ions. Among the charged particle beams available, carbon, neon and helium ions in the "extended Bragg peak mode" have optimal physical and biological effectiveness for delivery of therapy to deep seated tumors. The depth-dose profiles of these beams protect intervening and adjacent tissues as well as tissues beyond the range of the particles. For the treatment of hypoxic tumors, silicon and argon beams are being considered because they significantly depress the radiobiological oxygen effect in the region of the extended Bragg ionization peak. The depth-effectiveness of the argon beam is somewhat limited, however, because of primary particle fragmentation. Silicon beams have a depth-dose profile which is intermediate between that of neon and argon, and are candidates to become the particle of choice for maximizing high LET particle effects. Heavy accelerated ions depress enzymatic repair mechanisms, decrease variations of radiosensitivity during the cell division cycle, cause greater than expected delays in cell division, and decrease the protective effects of neighboring cells in organized systems. Near the Bragg peak, enhancement of heavy particle effects are observed in split dose schedules. Late and carcinogenic effects are being studied. With the newly developed Repair-Misrepair theory we can quantitatively model most observations.

Response of cultured mammalian cells to accelerated krypton particles

One of the more interesting observations made in early studies with heavy ions is that the cross-section of the radiosensitive area in mammalian cells increases with LET of HZE particles. It is not certain, however, whether this radiosensitive area is limited to the nuclear area of cells. The successful acceleration of krypton ions to 8.5 MeV/amu at the HILAC Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, has provided an opportunity to gain more information on this question. Cultured human kidney cells (T-1), growing in exponential phase, were exposed to 3 MeV/amu krypton particles and their colony-forming ability studied. The survival curve was found to be exponential with a mean lethal dose D0=720 rad. A calculation of the cross-section of the radio-sensitive area from the data obtained gives a value of about 145 micrometers2. Present results suggest that the inactivation cross-section stays about the same for heavy ions that have LET greater than 20,000 MeV cm2 g-1, that the nucleus is the only sensitive site for high LET radiation and that a single hit of a heavy ion with very high LET in the nuclear region of the cell can lead to lethal effects. Such particles are therefore extremely dangerous to proliferating living cells.