Fine-tuned iron availability is essential to achieve optimal adipocyte differentiation and mitochondrial biogenesis

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Adipose tissue from obese and insulin-resistant individuals showed altered expression of several iron-related genes in a recent study, suggesting that iron might have an important role in adipogenesis. To investigate this possible role, we aimed to characterise the effects of iron on adipocyte differentiation.

METHODS

Intracellular iron deficiency was achieved using two independent approaches: deferoxamine administration (20 and 100 μmol/l) and transferrin knockdown (TF KD). The effects of added FeSO4, holo-transferrin and palmitate were studied during human and 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation. Finally, the relationship between iron-related and mitochondrial-related genes was investigated in human adipose tissue.

RESULTS

Most adipose tissue iron-related genes were predominantly expressed in adipocytes compared with stromal vascular cells. Of note, transferrin gene and protein expression increased significantly during adipocyte differentiation. Both deferoxamine and TF KD severely blunted adipocyte differentiation in parallel with increased inflammatory mRNAs. These effects were reversed in a dose-dependent manner after iron supplementation. Palmitate administration also led to a state of functional intracellular iron deficiency, with decreased Tf gene expression and iron uptake during adipocyte differentiation, which was reversed with transferrin co-treatment. On the other hand, iron in excess impaired differentiation, but this antiadipogenic effect was less pronounced than under iron chelation. Of interest, expression of several genes involved in mitochondrial biogenesis occurred in parallel with expression of iron-related genes both during adipogenesis and in human adipose tissue.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

Precise and fine-tuned iron availability is essential to achieve optimal adipocyte differentiation, possibly modulating adipocyte mitochondrial biogenesis.

Severe and acute loss of visual field in a young patient with optic disc drusen

CASE REPORT

We describe a case of a young patient with bilateral optic disc drusen, who in the course of 10 months, had a sudden visual field constriction in the right eye accompanied by moderate loss of vision, corresponding to the ophthalmological examination of changing from hidden to visible drusen.

DISCUSSION

The optic disk drusen are a fairly common disorder that is mainly considered as a benign disorder due to the low frequency of complications that appear during their course. This case shows how they can become a real problem in a short period of time.

Magnetization Measurements on Iron (III)Solutions for Detecting Oligomer Formation

By measuring the magnetization at low temperatures (near 1 K) and intense magnetic fields ( ≳100 KG), information about oligomer formation in ferric salts solutions can be obtained. It is shown that, under rather general conditions, the magnetic moment per ferric ion of a given ferric solution measured in the saturation regime should be equal to 5 β if all the complexes involved in the solution are high-spin monomers. Moreover, if the solution is mainly composed by monomeric species and antiferromagnetic dimers, the relative concentration of monomeric and dimeric species can easily be determined. This techniques has been applied to solutions of Cl3Fe and (NO3)3Fe9H2O in isopropanol as solvent containing about 0.4 M of water. In the first case the present measurements are consistent with the existence of dihydroxo ferric dimers suggested by previous Mössbauer and Optical Absorption data. The relative concentration of these dimers increases from 25% to 50% when the water content increases from 0.4 M to ~ 10 M. In the second case it is confirmed that the solution is mainly composed by oligomers, the relative concentration of monomeric species being less than 30%.

Circulating tryptase as a marker for subclinical atherosclerosis in obese subjects

Introduction

Mast cells participate in atherogenesis by releasing cytokines to induce vascular cell protease expression. Tryptase is expressed highly in human atherosclerotic lesions and the inhibition of tryptase activity hampers its capacity to maintain cholesterol inside macrophague foam cells. We aimed to investigate the association between circulating tryptase levels and subclinical atherosclerosis through estimation of carotid intima-media thickness (c-IMT) as surrogate marker for increased cardiovascular risk in obese and non-obese subjects.

Methods

Circulating tryptase levels (ELISA) and metabolic parameters were analyzed in 228 subjects. Atherosclerosis (c-IMT>0.9 mm) was evaluated ultrasonographically.

Results

Significant positive associations were evident between circulating tryptase levels and BMI, fat mass, glycated haemoglobin, fasting insulin, HOMAIR, fasting triglycerides and ultrasensitive PCR (p<0.05 from linear-trend ANOVA). The positive association between tryptase levels and insulin resistance parameters, suggested a glucose homeostasis impairment in individuals with higher tryptase levels. The negative asociation between tryptase levels and HDL-cholesterol supports the proatherogenic role of this protease (p<0.0001). Circulating tryptase levels were strongly associated with c-IMT measurements (p<0.0001 from linear-trend ANOVA), and were higher in subjects with presence of carotid plaque (p<0.0001). Tryptase levels (beta = 0.015, p = 0.001) contributed independently to subclinical atherosclerosis variance after controlling for cardiovascular risk factors (BMI, blood pressure, LDL-cholesterol).

Conclusions

Circulating tryptase level is associated to obesity related parameters and has a close relation with various metabolic risk factors. Moreover, serum tryptase level was independently associated with c-IMT, suggesting its potential use as a surrogate marker for subclinical atherosclerosis in obese subjects.

Sharp lines due to Cr³⁺ and Mn²⁺ impurities in insulators: going beyond the usual Tanabe-Sugano approach

This work is aimed at understanding the different behavior of optical sharp lines (corresponding to 10Dq-independent transitions) of Mn(2+) and Cr(3+) in normal and inverted perovskites that cannot be explained within the usual Tanabe-Sugano approach. In particular, we want to clarify why on passing from KMgF3:M to LiBaF3:M (M = Mn(2+), Cr(3+)) the energy, E((6)A1 → (4)A1), for Mn(2+) decreases by Δ = 1100 cm(-1), while Δ < 100 cm(-1) for the energy E((2)E →( 4)A2) corresponding to Cr(3+). The origin of this surprising difference in these model systems is clarified by writing the transition energies of MF6 complexes through the ten Coulomb and exchange integrals consistent with the cubic symmetry and not considered in the usual Tanabe-Sugano approach. It is shown that E((6)A1 → (4)A1) depends on exchange integrals K(3z(2) - r(2), xy) and K(x(2) - y(2), xy), while E((2)E → (4)A2) depends on K(xz, yz) where the two involved electrons display a π character. These exchange integrals have been calculated just considering a MF6 unit subject to the internal electric field due to the rest of the lattice ions. In addition to a reasonably reproduction of the main trends observed experimentally for the model systems, the present calculations prove that the exchange integrals are not related in a simple way to the covalency of involved orbitals. Particular attention is also paid to explain why the transitions, which are 10Dq-independent are less sensitive to the host lattice change than those which do depend on 10Dq. The present work shows that K(xz, yz) for Cr(3+) is particularly insensitive to the host lattice change and thus sheds light on the origin of the near independence of E((2)E → (4)A2) along the series of oxides doped with such an impurity .

[Irisin: a messenger from the gods?]

Due to the need to understand the basis of the metabolic benefits of exercise, irisin was discovered a few years ago. This cytokine, secreted by skeletal muscle due to exercise, should have positive effects on energetic metabolism. In particular, it could act as a messenger on white adipose tissue, modifying its phenotype into the beige adipocyte, and increasing its thermogenic capacity. Since it was described, there have been numerous studies led to depict its function, with the aim of determining if irisin could become a therapeutic target in the context of diseases associated with a caloric excess, such as obesity and diabetes. In this review, the irisin discovery is summarized, along with its in vitro and in vivo effects described up until now.

Transition metal complexes coupled to vacancies in oxides: origin of different properties of Cr3+ in MgO bounded to a <100> or <110> Mg2+ vacancy

Despite the importance of vacancies over the properties of insulating oxides its influence on neighboring transition metal ions is far from being understood. This work is devoted to find the origin of various up to now unexplained properties of chromium bounded either to a <100> or a <110> Mg(2+) vacancy in MgO. In these model systems particular attention is paid to understand, by means of ab initio calculations, why the cubic field splitting parameter, 10Dq, is surprisingly 1600 cm(-1) higher for a <100> than for a <110> vacancy, a fact behind the suppression of the sharp (2)E → (4)A2 luminescence in the latter case. Our calculations, which reproduce the main experimental facts, prove that the average Cr(3+)-O(2-) distance is the same within 0.8% for both systems, and thus, the low 10Dq value for a <110> vacancy is shown to be due mainly to the electrostatic potential from the missing Mg(2+) ion, which increases the energy of antibonding t(2g) (∼xy, xz, yz) levels. By contrast, for a <100> Mg(2+) vacancy that potential provides a supplementary increase of the e(g) (∼x(2) - y(2), 3z(2 )- r(2)) level energy and thus of 10Dq. The existence of the (2)E → (4)A2 luminescence for Cr(3+)-doped MgO under perfect cubic symmetry or with a <100> vacancy is shown to be greatly helped by the internal electric field created by the rest of the lattice ions on the CrO6(9-) unit, whose importance is usually ignored. The present results underline the role of ab initio calculations for unveiling the subtle effects induced by a close vacancy on the properties of transition metal ions in oxides. At the same time they stress the failure of the empirical superposition model for deriving the equilibrium geometry of C4v and C2v centers in MgO:Cr(3+).

Resultados a largo plazo de prótesis de cúbito distal como cirugía de rescate en un caso de técnica de Sauvé-Kapandji fallida

La técnica de Sauvé-Kapandji se emplea como tratamiento de rescate en la patología de la articulación radiocubital distal (ARCD). Los resultados postoperatorios son buenos, aunque a largo plazo pueden surgir complicaciones como dolor, muñón cubital inestable y pérdida de fuerza de prensión. Presentamos un caso de cirugía de rescate de esta técnica mediante prótesis de cúbito distal. A los cuatro años de seguimiento, el paciente presenta desaparición completa del dolor y recuperación de la fuerza de prensión, lo que hace pensar que la prótesis cubital puede ser un buen método de rescate cuando fracasa un Sauvé-Kapandji.

Changes in circulating microRNAs are associated with childhood obesity

CONTEXT

Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are valuable biomarkers of metabolic diseases and potential therapeutic targets in this field.

OBJECTIVE

Our objective was to define the circulating pattern of miRNAs in childhood obesity. DESIGN, SETTINGS, AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The genome-wide circulating miRNA profile was assessed by RT-PCR in 10 boys (5 lean and 5 obese children). The most relevant miRNAs were cross-sectionally validated in 85 lean versus 40 obese children (63 boys and 62 girls) and longitudinally evaluated in samples from the same children when they were ≈ 7 and ≈ 10 years old (23 boys and 22 girls).

RESULTS

The cross-sectional validation study disclosed that 15 specific circulating miRNAs were significantly deregulated in prepubertal obesity, including the decreased miR-221 and miR-28-3p and increased concentrations in plasma of miR-486-5p, miR-486-3p, miR-142-3p, miR-130b, and miR-423-5p (all P < .0001). The circulating concentration of these miRNAs was significantly associated with body mass index and other measures of obesity such as percent fat mass, waist, regional fat distribution and with laboratory parameters such as homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, high-molecular-weight adiponectin, C-reactive protein, and circulating lipids in concordance with anthropometric associations. Plasma concentrations of 10 of these circulating miRNAs changed significantly and differently during the 3-year follow-up in children who increased or decreased their normalized weight.

CONCLUSION

This study provides the first evidence that circulating miRNAs are deregulated in prepubertal obese children. Thus, the very early detection of an abnormal circulating miRNA profile may be a promising strategy to identify obese children who may suffer from metabolic abnormalities.

Divergent effects of D₂/₃ receptor activation in the nucleus accumbens core and shell on impulsivity and locomotor activity in high and low impulsive rats

RATIONALE

Previously we demonstrated reduced D2/3 receptor availability in the ventral striatum of hyper-impulsive rats on the five-choice serial reaction time task (5-CSRTT). However, the anatomical locus of D2/3 receptor dysfunction in high impulsive (HI) rats is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

In the present study, we investigated whether D2/3 receptor dysfunction in HI rats is localised to the core or shell sub-regions of the nucleus accumbens (NAcb).

METHODS

Rats were selected for low (low impulsive, LI) and high impulsivity on the 5-CSRTT and implanted with guide cannulae targeting the NAcb core and shell. The D2/3 receptor agonist quinpirole was locally injected in the NAcb (0.1, 0.3 and 1 μg per infusion) and its effects investigated on the performance of LI and HI rats on the 5-CSRTT as well as spontaneous locomotor activity in an open field.

RESULTS

Intra-NAcb core quinpirole increased premature responding in HI rats but not in LI rats. In contrast, intra-NAcb shell quinpirole strongly increased locomotor activity in HI rats, unlike LI rats. This effect was blocked by intra-NAcb shell infusions of the D2/3 receptor antagonist nafadotride (0.03 μg). However, nafadotride was ineffective in blocking the effects of intra-NAcb core quinpirole on premature responding in HI rats.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate that impulsivity and hyperactivity are separately regulated by core and shell sub-regions of the NAcb and that HI rats show an enhanced response to D2/3 receptor activation in these regions. These results suggest that the symptom clusters of hyperactivity and impulsivity in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder may be neurally dissociable at the level of the NAcb.

Circulating irisin levels and coronary heart disease: association with future acute coronary syndrome and major adverse cardiovascular events

INTRODUCTION

Irisin is a newly discovered myokine, associated with 'browning' of the white adipose tissue, obesity, insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. The purpose of this study is to evaluate circulating irisin as a predictor of acute coronary syndromes (ACSs) and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).

METHODS

Sub-study 1: a case-control study, nested within the Veteran's Affairs Normative Ageing Study, evaluating circulating irisin levels in 88 ACS cases and 158 age- and sampling year-matched controls, as a predictor of ACS. Sub-study 2: a prospective cohort study, where 103 participants with established coronary artery disease were stratified by circulating irisin levels at the time they received percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) and were followed for the development of MACE.

RESULTS

Study 1: there was no association between irisin levels and ACS in otherwise healthy individuals (odds ratio: 1.00 95% confidence interval: (0.99-1.00)). Study 2: the incidence of MACE was significantly lower in the first irisin tertile compared with the second and third (incidence rate 0 vs 0.92 (0.51-1.61) vs 0.57 (0.28-1.14) events per 1000 person-days; P < 0.01). This was primarily driven by the lower incidence of unstable angina (incidence rate 0 vs 0.61 (0.31-1.22) vs 0.43 (0.19-0.96) per 1000 person-days; P = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

This is the first study to date that demonstrates that, although circulating irisin levels do not predict the development of ACS in healthy individuals, increased irisin levels are associated with the development of MACE in patients with established coronary artery disease after PCI.

Geographic population structure of the African malaria vector Anopheles gambiae suggests a role for the forest-savannah biome transition as a barrier to gene flow

The primary Afrotropical malaria mosquito vector Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto has a complex population structure. In west Africa, this species is split into two molecular forms and displays local and regional variation in chromosomal arrangements and behaviors. To investigate patterns of macrogeographic population substructure, 25 An. gambiae samples from 12 African countries were genotyped at 13 microsatellite loci. This analysis detected the presence of additional population structuring, with the M-form being subdivided into distinct west, central, and southern African genetic clusters. These clusters are coincident with the central African rainforest belt and northern and southern savannah biomes, which suggests restrictions to gene flow associated with the transition between these biomes. By contrast, geographically patterned population substructure appears much weaker within the S-form.

Roles of the ubiquitin peptidase USP18 in multiple sclerosis and the response to interferon-β treatment

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Ubiquitin specific peptidase 18 (USP18) is a deubiquitinating enzyme that functions as a negative regulator of the type I interferon (IFN) signalling pathway and is specifically induced by type I IFNs. In the present study, previous observations by our group were expanded suggesting an implication of USP18 in multiple sclerosis (MS) based on the finding of a deficient expression of the gene in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from MS patients compared with healthy controls.

METHODS

Two polymorphisms, rs2542109 (intronic) and rs9618216 (promoter), were genotyped in a cohort of 691 relapse-onset MS patients and 1028 healthy controls and in 225 MS patients treated with IFNβ and classified into responders and non-responders after 2 years of treatment according to clinical criteria. Correlations between genotypes and expression levels for USP18 and its target ISG15 were performed by real-time polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

Two USP18 haplotypes were significantly associated with MS, TG and CG. Additional experiments revealed that CG carriers were characterized by lower USP18 gene expression levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and higher clinical disease activity. Finally, AA homozygosis for the intronic polymorphism rs2542109 was associated with the responder phenotype; however, USP18 expression levels induced by IFNβ did not differ amongst MS patients carrying different rs2542109 genotypes.

CONCLUSIONS

Altogether, these results point to a role of USP18 in MS pathogenesis and the therapeutic response to IFNβ.

Colour due to Cr3+ ions in oxides: a study of the model system MgO:Cr3+

Seeking to understand why the cubic centre in MgO:Cr(3+) has the same 10Dq value as emerald, ab initio cluster and periodic supercell calculations have been performed. It is found that the equilibrium Cr(3+)-O(2-) distance, R, in MgO:Cr(3+) is equal to 2.03 Å and thus 0.06 Å higher than that measured for the emerald. Calculations carried out on the isolated CrO(6)(9-) complex at R = 2.03 Å give 10Dq = 14,510 cm(-1), which is 10% smaller than the experimental figure for MgO:Cr(3+). Nevertheless, when the internal electric field, ER(r), due to the rest of the lattice ions is also taken into account, the calculated 10Dq = 16,210 cm(-1) coincides with the experimental value. Accordingly, the colour shift for different oxides doped with Cr(3+) can be well understood on the basis of this extrinsic contribution to 10Dq usually ignored in a ligand field description. The calculated electrostatic potential, VR(r), related to ER(r), is found to be attractive when the electronic density is lying along <110> directions and |r| > 1 Å driven by the first shell of twelve Mg(2+) ions. The action of VR(r) upon the CrO(6)(9-) complex slightly decreases the energy of t2g(xy,xz,yz) orbitals with respect to that for eg(3z(2) - r(2),x(2) - y(2)) orbitals, thus enhancing the 10Dq value by 0.2 eV. However, the addition of VR(r) induces very small changes in the electronic density, a relevant fact that is related to the (2)E(t(2g)(3)) −> (4)A(2)(t(2g)(3)) emission energy being nearly independent of the host lattice along the series of Cr(3+)-doped oxides.

84 EFFECT OF A STRESSOR ON CANINE SPERM DNA FRAGMENTATION USING THE SPERM CHROMATIN DISPERSION TEST

Recently, a new procedure for the analysis of sperm DNA fragmentation has been developed for human and different mammalian species (Sperm-Halomax®), based on the sperm chromatin dispersion test (SCDt); however, no studies has been performed specifically on canine frozen–thawed-stressed semen but is there for cooled semen. The aim of this work was to assess the effect of a stressor (24 h in an oven at 38°C) on canine frozen–thawed semen using the SCDt to resemble what happens in the female reproductive tract. For this purpose, ejaculates were collected by digital manipulation from 4 healthy beagle dogs and the sperm-rich fraction of the ejaculates from 3 different dogs was pooled each time. All the pooled semen samples (n = 4) used presented physiological values concerning to routine semen parameters (motility, morphology, and sperm concentration). After evaluation, semen samples were centrifuged and the sperm pellet resuspended to a final concentration of 100 × 106 sperm mL–1 in 2 steps with CaniPRO Freeze (Minitub, Tiefenbach, Germany). Sperm were slowly cooled to 5°C and then loaded into 0.5-mL plastic straws. After that, straws were frozen in liquid-nitrogen vapours for 10 min and stored into a nitrogen tank. Straws were thawed in a water bath (30 s/37°C) and incubated for 24 hours at 38°C before analysis. The sperm DNA fragmentation was assessed in fresh semen and frozen–thawed-stressed samples using the Sperm-Halomax® commercial kit specifically developed for canine semen (Halotech DNA SL, Madrid, Spain) following the manufacturer’s instructions. Slides were stained for green fluorescence staining and 500 sperm per slide were counted using fluorescence microscopy. The sperm DNA fragmentation index (%) was compared between fresh and frozen–thawed-stressed semen samples by ANOVA. Results were expressed as mean ± standard error of the mean. The results obtained showed that subjecting thawed semen to 24 h in an oven at 38°C significantly increased (P < 0.05) DNA fragmentation compared with fresh semen (2.7% ± 0.2 v. 1.4 ± 0.1%). The stress factor was performed to simulate the viability of canine thawed sperm (12–24 h) when a bitch is inseminated with frozen semen. It would be interesting to perform further studies to relate sperm DNA fragmentation and fertility of frozen–thawed canine semen. In conclusion, frozen–thawed-stressed semen samples increased the sperm DNA fragmentation index measured using a SCDt. Further studies are needed to relate sperm DNA fragmentation with fertility rates or cryopreservation success.

237 CHROMOSOMAL ABNORMALITIES IN IN VITRO-PRODUCED EARLY BOVINE EMBRYOS: USE OF HOMOLOGOUS FOLLICULAR FLUID SUPPLEMENTATION IN THE OOCYTE MATURATION MEDIA

Chromosomal abnormalities were described as a possible cause of embryo failures in cattle, even more so when they are in vitro produced. It has been widely demonstrated that the post-fertilization culture environment affects the frequency of blastomeric aneuploidies. However, the literature concerning the effect of the oocyte maturation techniques on in vitro-produced embryos is scarce. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of homologous bovine follicular fluid (BFF) as a possible replacement for commercial sera in the appearance of chromosomal abnormalities on early IVF-produced embryos. Cumulus–oocyte complexes obtained from ovarian puncture were maturated in modified bicarbonate-buffered TCM-199 media, supplemented with glutamine, sodium pyruvate, FSH, LH, oestradiol, and gentamicin in three different groups. Two treatments were performed: 1) base media supplemented with BFF, obtained aseptically from follicles between 4 and 10 mm in diameter (10 and 20%), and 2) a control group, with base media supplemented with 10% FCS without BFF. After 20 h of culture at 38.5°C in a 5% CO2 humid atmosphere, cumulus–oocyte complexes from both treatments were fertilized in IVF media and then cultured for 72 h in SOF media, according to our laboratory techniques. A total of 152 early embryos were cytogenetically evaluated following our standard laboratory techniques. Developed embryos were individually fixed onto a slide, disaggregated into blastomeres with acetic acid, and stained with Giemsa solution. Chromosomal numerical abnormalities were evaluated in each embryo by direct observation at 1250× magnification using a bright field microscope. Results were statistically compared among treatments by the expected proportion test. No significant differences (P > 0.05) were found between different culture media on the percentages of normal diploid embryos or each kind of numerical abnormality. According to our results (Table 1), the use of homologous follicular fluid as a supplement on the oocyte maturation media did not influence the appearance of abnormal complements in the embryos produced compared with the use of FCS. In conclusion, homologous follicular fluid may be considered a valid serum replacement in the maturation media on IVF-produced bovine embryos. Table 1.Analysis of chromosomal complements of Day 3 in vitro-produced bovine embryos derived from oocytes maturated in culture media with different serum supplementation1

A therapeutic vaccine using Salmonella-modified tumor cells combined with interleukin-2 induces enhanced antitumor immunity in B-cell lymphoma

Therapeutic vaccination holds potential as complementary treatment for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). B-NHL cells are antigen-presenting cells, but they cannot elicit proper antitumor responses because they lack expression of co-stimulatory molecules. Here, we report a novel approach to design improved whole tumor cell vaccines for B-NHL. We demonstrated that Salmonella infection significantly up-regulates CD80, CD86, CD40 and MHC II expression in lymphoma cells, and that therapeutic vaccination with infected and then irradiated lymphoma cells combined with IL-2 elicits strong anti-tumor specific immunity and extended survival in lymphoma-bearing mice. This may represent the basis of an effective immunotherapy against B-NHL that could be easily translated into the clinics.

Realising the European Network of Biodosimetry (RENEB)

In Europe, a network for biological dosimetry has been created to strengthen the emergency preparedness and response capabilities in case of a large-scale nuclear accident or radiological emergency. Through the RENEB (Realising the European Network of Biodosimetry) project, 23 experienced laboratories from 16 European countries will establish a sustainable network for rapid, comprehensive and standardised biodosimetry provision that would be urgently required in an emergency situation on European ground. The foundation of the network is formed by five main pillars: (1) the ad hoc operational basis, (2) a basis of future developments, (3) an effective quality-management system, (4) arrangements to guarantee long-term sustainability and (5) awareness of the existence of RENEB. RENEB will thus provide a mechanism for quick, efficient and reliable support within the European radiation emergency management. The scientific basis of RENEB will concurrently contribute to increased safety in the field of radiation protection.