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Sleiman A, Miller KB, Flores D, Kuan J, Altwasser K, Smith BJ, Kozbenko T, Hocking R, Wood SJ, Huff J, Adam-Guillermin C, Hamada N, Yauk C, Wilkins R, Chauhan V. AOP report: Development of an adverse outcome pathway for deposition of energy leading to learning and memory impairment. ENVIRONMENTAL AND MOLECULAR MUTAGENESIS 2024. [PMID: 39228295 DOI: 10.1002/em.22622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2024] [Accepted: 08/14/2024] [Indexed: 09/05/2024]
Abstract
Understanding radiation-induced non-cancer effects on the central nervous system (CNS) is essential for the risk assessment of medical (e.g., radiotherapy) and occupational (e.g., nuclear workers and astronauts) exposures. Herein, the adverse outcome pathway (AOP) approach was used to consolidate relevant studies in the area of cognitive decline for identification of research gaps, countermeasure development, and for eventual use in risk assessments. AOPs are an analytical construct describing critical events to an adverse outcome (AO) in a simplified form beginning with a molecular initiating event (MIE). An AOP was constructed utilizing mechanistic information to build empirical support for the key event relationships (KERs) between the MIE of deposition of energy to the AO of learning and memory impairment through multiple key events (KEs). The evidence for the AOP was acquired through a documented scoping review of the literature. In this AOP, the MIE is connected to the AO via six KEs: increased oxidative stress, increased deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) strand breaks, altered stress response signaling, tissue resident cell activation, increased pro-inflammatory mediators, and abnormal neural remodeling that encompasses atypical structural and functional alterations of neural cells and surrounding environment. Deposition of energy directly leads to oxidative stress, increased DNA strand breaks, an increase of pro-inflammatory mediators and tissue resident cell activation. These KEs, which are themselves interconnected, can lead to abnormal neural remodeling impacting learning and memory processes. Identified knowledge gaps include improving quantitative understanding of the AOP across several KERs and additional testing of proposed modulating factors through experimental work. Broadly, it is envisioned that the outcome of these efforts could be extended to other cognitive disorders and complement ongoing work by international radiation governing bodies in their review of the system of radiological protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Sleiman
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, St. Paul Lez Durance, Provence, France
| | - Kathleen B Miller
- Department of Health and Exercise Science, Morrison College Family of Health, University of St. Thomas, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Danicia Flores
- Consumer and Clinical Radiation Protection Bureau, Environmental and Radiation Health Sciences Directorate, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jaqueline Kuan
- Consumer and Clinical Radiation Protection Bureau, Environmental and Radiation Health Sciences Directorate, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kaitlyn Altwasser
- Consumer and Clinical Radiation Protection Bureau, Environmental and Radiation Health Sciences Directorate, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Benjamin J Smith
- Consumer and Clinical Radiation Protection Bureau, Environmental and Radiation Health Sciences Directorate, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tatiana Kozbenko
- Consumer and Clinical Radiation Protection Bureau, Environmental and Radiation Health Sciences Directorate, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Robyn Hocking
- Consumer and Clinical Radiation Protection Bureau, Environmental and Radiation Health Sciences Directorate, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Janice Huff
- NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia, USA
| | | | - Nobuyuki Hamada
- Biology and Environmental Chemistry Division, Sustainable System Research Laboratory, Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry (CRIEPI), Chiba, Japan
| | - Carole Yauk
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ruth Wilkins
- Consumer and Clinical Radiation Protection Bureau, Environmental and Radiation Health Sciences Directorate, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Vinita Chauhan
- Consumer and Clinical Radiation Protection Bureau, Environmental and Radiation Health Sciences Directorate, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Muhsen IN, Zubair AC, Niederwieser T, Hashmi SK. Space exploration and cancer: the risks of deeper space adventures. Leukemia 2024; 38:1872-1875. [PMID: 38969730 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-024-02298-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim N Muhsen
- Section of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Abba C Zubair
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Jacksonville, FL, USA
- Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City-Mayo Clinic Joint Venture, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Tobias Niederwieser
- University of Colorado Boulder, Ann and H.J. Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences, BioServe Space Technologies, 429 UCB, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
| | - Shahrukh K Hashmi
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Sheikh Shakbout Medical City, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
- Medical and Clinical Affairs, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
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Taleei R, Rahmanian S, Nikjoo H. Modelling Cellular Response to Ionizing Radiation: Mechanistic, Semi-Mechanistic, and Phenomenological Approaches - A Historical Perspective. Radiat Res 2024; 202:143-160. [PMID: 38916125 DOI: 10.1667/rade-24-00019.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
Radiation research is a multidisciplinary field, and among its many branches, mathematical and computational modelers have played a significant role in advancing boundaries of knowledge. A fundamental contribution is modelling cellular response to ionizing radiation as that is the key to not only understanding how radiation can kill cancer cells, but also cause cancer and other health issues. The invention of microdosimetry in the 1950s by Harold Rossi paved the way for brilliant scientists to study the mechanism of radiation at cellular and sub-cellular scales. This paper reviews some snippets of ingenious mathematical and computational models published in microdosimetry symposium proceedings and publications of the radiation research community. Among these are simulations of radiation tracks at atomic and molecular levels using Monte Carlo methods, models of cell survival, quantification of the amount of energy required to create a single strand break, and models of DNA-damage-repair. These models can broadly be categorized into mechanistic, semi-mechanistic, and phenomenological approaches, and this review seeks to provide historical context of their development. We salute pioneers of the field and great teachers who supported and educated the younger members of the community and showed them how to build upon their work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reza Taleei
- Medical Physics Division, Department of Radiation Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19107
| | | | - Hooshang Nikjoo
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics (DPAG) Oxford University, Oxford, OX1 3PT, United Kingdom
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Werneth CM, Patel ZS, Thompson MS, Blattnig SR, Huff JL. Considering clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential in space radiation risk analysis for hematologic cancers and cardiovascular disease. COMMUNICATIONS MEDICINE 2024; 4:105. [PMID: 38862635 PMCID: PMC11166645 DOI: 10.1038/s43856-023-00408-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Expanding human presence in space through long-duration exploration missions and commercial space operations warrants improvements in approaches for quantifying crew space radiation health risks. Currently, risk assessment models for radiogenic cancer and cardiovascular disease consider age, sex, and tobacco use, but do not incorporate other modifiable (e.g., body weight, physical activity, diet, environment) and non-modifiable individual risk factors (e.g., genetics, medical history, race/ethnicity, family history) that may greatly influence crew health both in-mission and long-term. For example, clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) is a relatively common age-related condition that is an emerging risk factor for a variety of diseases including cardiovascular disease and cancer. CHIP carrier status may therefore exacerbate health risks associated with space radiation exposure. METHODS In the present study, published CHIP hazard ratios were used to modify background hazard rates for coronary heart disease, stroke, and hematologic cancers in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration space radiation risk assessment model. The risk of radiation exposure-induced death for these endpoints was projected for a future Mars exploration mission scenario. RESULTS Here we show appreciable increases in the lifetime risk of exposure-induced death for hematologic malignancies, coronary heart disease, and stroke, which are observed as a function of age after radiation exposure for male and female crew members that are directly attributable to the elevated health risks for CHIP carriers. CONCLUSIONS We discuss the importance of evaluating individual risk factors such as CHIP as part of a comprehensive space radiation risk assessment strategy aimed at effective risk communication and disease surveillance for astronauts embarking on future exploration missions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zarana S Patel
- Center for Scientific Review, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Riego ML, Meher PK, Brzozowska B, Akuwudike P, Bucher M, Oestreicher U, Lundholm L, Wojcik A. Chromosomal damage, gene expression and alternative transcription in human lymphocytes exposed to mixed ionizing radiation as encountered in space. Sci Rep 2024; 14:11502. [PMID: 38769353 PMCID: PMC11106305 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-62313-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Astronauts travelling in space will be exposed to mixed beams of particle radiation and photons. Exposure limits that correspond to defined cancer risk are calculated by multiplying absorbed doses by a radiation-type specific quality factor that reflects the biological effectiveness of the particle without considering possible interaction with photons. We have shown previously that alpha radiation and X-rays may interact resulting in synergistic DNA damage responses in human peripheral blood lymphocytes but the level of intra-individual variability was high. In order to assess the variability and validate the synergism, blood from two male donors was drawn at 9 time points during 3 seasons of the year and exposed to 0-2 Gy of X-rays, alpha particles or 1:1 mixture of both (half the dose each). DNA damage response was quantified by chromosomal aberrations and by mRNA levels of 3 radiation-responsive genes FDXR, CDKN1A and MDM2 measured 24 h post exposure. The quality of response in terms of differential expression of alternative transcripts was assessed by using two primer pairs per gene. A consistently higher than expected effect of mixed beams was found in both donors for chromosomal aberrations and gene expression with some seasonal variability for the latter. No synergy was detected for alternative transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milagrosa López Riego
- Centre for Radiation Protection Research, Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius Väg 20C, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Prabodha Kumar Meher
- Centre for Radiation Protection Research, Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius Väg 20C, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Beata Brzozowska
- Institute of Experimental Physics, Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Pamela Akuwudike
- Centre for Radiation Protection Research, Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius Väg 20C, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Martin Bucher
- Federal Office for Radiation Protection, Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | | | - Lovisa Lundholm
- Centre for Radiation Protection Research, Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius Väg 20C, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Andrzej Wojcik
- Centre for Radiation Protection Research, Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius Väg 20C, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Institute of Biology, Jan Kochanowski University, Kielce, Poland.
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6
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Ferraro S, Dave A, Cereda C, Verduci E, Marcovina S, Zuccotti G. Space research to explore novel biochemical insights on Earth. Clin Chim Acta 2024; 558:119673. [PMID: 38621588 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2024.119673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Travel to space has overcome unprecedent technological challenges and this has resulted in transfer of these technological results on Earth to better our lives. Health technology, medical devices, and research advancements in human biology are the first beneficiaries of this transfer. The real breakthrough came with the International Space Station, which endorsed multidisciplinary international scientific collaborations and boosted the research on pathophysiological adaptation of astronauts to life on space. These studies evidenced that life in space appeared to have exposed the astronauts to an accelerated aging-related pathophysiological dysregulation across multiple systems. In this review we emphasize the interaction between several biomarkers and their alteration in concentrations/expression/function by space stress factors. These altered interactions, suggest that different biochemical and hormonal factors, and cell signals, contribute to a complex network of pathophysiological mechanisms, orchestrating the homeostatic dysregulation of various organs/metabolic pathways. The main effects of space travel on altering cell organelles biology, ultrastructure, and cross-talk, have been observed in cell aging as well as in the disruption of metabolic pathways, which are also the causal factor of rare inherited metabolic disorders, one of the major pediatric health issue. The pathophysiologic breakthrough from space research could allow the development of precision health both on Earth and Space by promoting the validation of improved biomarker-based risk scores and the exploration of new pathophysiologic hypotheses and therapeutic targets. Nonstandard abbreviations: International Space Station (ISS), Artificial Intelligence (AI), European Space Agency (ESA), National Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA), Low Earth Orbit (LEO), high sensitive troponin (hs-cTn), high sensitive troponin I (hs-cTn I), high sensitive troponin T, Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP), N terminal Brain Natriuretic Peptide (NT-BNP), cardiovascular disease (CVD), parathyroid hormone (PTH), urinary hydroxyproline (uHP), urinary C- and N-terminal telopeptides (uCTX and uNTX), pyridinoline (PYD), deoxypyridinoline (DPD), half-time (HF), serum Bone Alkaline Phosphatase (sBSAP), serum Alkaline Phosphatase (sAP), Carboxy-terminal Propeptide of Type 1 Procollagen (P1CP), serum Osteocalcin (sOC)), advanced glycation end products (AGEs), glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), Growth Hormone (GH), amino acid (AA), β-hydroxy-β methyl butyrate (HMB), maple syrup urine disease (MSUD), non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Ferraro
- Department of Pediatrics, Buzzi Children's Hospital, Milan, Italy.
| | - Anilkumar Dave
- Space Economy and Open Innovation, Darwix srl, Venice, Italy
| | - Cristina Cereda
- Department of Pediatrics, Buzzi Children's Hospital, Milan, Italy; Center of Functional Genomics and Rare Diseases
| | - Elvira Verduci
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; Metabolic Diseases Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Buzzi Children's Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Gianvincenzo Zuccotti
- Department of Pediatrics, Buzzi Children's Hospital, Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Science, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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7
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Dobney W, Mols L, Mistry D, Tabury K, Baselet B, Baatout S. Evaluation of deep space exploration risks and mitigations against radiation and microgravity. FRONTIERS IN NUCLEAR MEDICINE (LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 3:1225034. [PMID: 39355042 PMCID: PMC11440958 DOI: 10.3389/fnume.2023.1225034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2024]
Abstract
Ionizing radiation and microgravity are two considerable health risks encountered during deep space exploration. Both have deleterious effects on the human body. On one hand, weightlessness is known to induce a weakening of the immune system, delayed wound healing and musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and sensorimotor deconditioning. On the other hand, radiation exposure can lead to long-term health effects such as cancer and cataracts as well as have an adverse effect on the central nervous and cardiovascular systems. Ionizing radiation originates from three main sources in space: galactic cosmic radiation, solar particle events and solar winds. Furthermore, inside the spacecraft and inside certain space habitats on Lunar and Martian surfaces, the crew is exposed to intravehicular radiation, which arises from nuclear reactions between space radiation and matter. Besides the approaches already in use, such as radiation shielding materials (such as aluminium, water or polyethylene), alternative shielding materials (including boron nanotubes, complex hybrids, composite hybrid materials, and regolith) and active shielding (using fields to deflect radiation particles) are being investigated for their abilities to mitigate the effects of ionizing radiation. From a biological point of view, it can be predicted that exposure to ionizing radiation during missions beyond Low Earth Orbit (LEO) will affect the human body in undesirable ways, e.g., increasing the risks of cataracts, cardiovascular and central nervous system diseases, carcinogenesis, as well as accelerated ageing. Therefore, it is necessary to assess the risks related to deep space exploration and to develop mitigation strategies to reduce these risks to a tolerable level. By using biomarkers for radiation sensitivity, space agencies are developing extensive personalised medical examination programmes to determine an astronaut's vulnerability to radiation. Moreover, researchers are developing pharmacological solutions (e.g., radioprotectors and radiomitigators) to proactively or reactively protect astronauts during deep space exploration. Finally, research is necessary to develop more effective countermeasures for use in future human space missions, which can also lead to improvements to medical care on Earth. This review will discuss the risks space travel beyond LEO poses to astronauts, methods to monitor astronauts' health, and possible approaches to mitigate these risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Dobney
- Radiobiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), Mol, Belgium
- School of Aeronautical, Automotive, Chemical and Materials Engineering, Loughborough University, Loughborough, United Kingdom
| | - Louise Mols
- Radiobiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), Mol, Belgium
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dhruti Mistry
- Radiobiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), Mol, Belgium
| | - Kevin Tabury
- Radiobiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), Mol, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering and Computing, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Bjorn Baselet
- Radiobiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), Mol, Belgium
| | - Sarah Baatout
- Radiobiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), Mol, Belgium
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology, UGhent, Gent, Belgium
- Department of Human Structure & Repair, UGhent, Gent, Belgium
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Hatsuda M, Kawasaki H, Shigenaga A, Taketani A, Takanashi T, Wakabayashi Y, Otake Y, Kamata Y, Ichinose A, Nishioka H, Kimura H, Koganei Y, Komoriya S, Sakai M, Hamano Y, Yoshida M, Yamakura F. Effects of neutron radiation generated in deep space-like environments on food resources. Sci Rep 2023; 13:12479. [PMID: 37528144 PMCID: PMC10394055 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-38990-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The impact of deep space cosmic rays on food resources is as important as the risks of cosmic rays to the human body. This study demonstrates the potential for neutrons as secondary radiation in deep space spacecraft to cause meat activation and oxidative modification of proteins and lipids. We conducted a series of experiments such as the neutron irradiation experiment, the radioactivation analysis and the biochemical analysis. Neutrons with energies from 1 to 5 MeV with doses from 0.01 Gy to 4 Gy were irradiated by the RIKEN accelerated-driven neutron source (RANS). Radioactive nuclei, 24Na, 42K, and 38Cl, were detected in the neutron-irradiated meat. The modification products of the proteins by oxidative nitration, 6-nitrotryptophan (6NO2Trp), and by a lipid peroxidation, 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE), were detected in several proteins with neutron dose dependent. The proteome analysis showed that many oxidative modifications were detected in actin and myosin which are major proteins of myofibrils. This study is of crucial importance not only as risk factors for human space exploration, but also as fundamental effects of radiation on the components of the human body.
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Affiliation(s)
- Machiko Hatsuda
- Faculty of Health Science, Juntendo University, Tokyo, 113-0034, Japan.
| | - Hiroaki Kawasaki
- Faculty of Food and Health Sciences, Showa Women's University, Tokyo, 154-8533, Japan
| | - Ayako Shigenaga
- Institute of Health and Sports Science and Medicine, Juntendo University, Chiba, 270-1695, Japan
| | - Atsushi Taketani
- RIKEN Center for Advanced Photonics, RIKEN, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Takaoki Takanashi
- RIKEN Center for Advanced Photonics, RIKEN, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Yasuo Wakabayashi
- RIKEN Center for Advanced Photonics, RIKEN, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Yoshie Otake
- RIKEN Center for Advanced Photonics, RIKEN, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Yayoi Kamata
- Institute for Environmental and Gender-Specific Medicine, Juntendo University, Chiba, 279-0023, Japan
| | - Akari Ichinose
- Faculty of Food and Health Sciences, Showa Women's University, Tokyo, 154-8533, Japan
| | - Honoka Nishioka
- Faculty of Food and Health Sciences, Showa Women's University, Tokyo, 154-8533, Japan
| | - Hayato Kimura
- Faculty of Health Science, Juntendo University, Tokyo, 113-0034, Japan
| | - Yumi Koganei
- Faculty of Health Science, Juntendo University, Tokyo, 113-0034, Japan
| | - Shiomi Komoriya
- Faculty of Health Science, Juntendo University, Tokyo, 113-0034, Japan
| | - Miyu Sakai
- Faculty of Health Science, Juntendo University, Tokyo, 113-0034, Japan
| | - Yui Hamano
- Faculty of Health Science, Juntendo University, Tokyo, 113-0034, Japan
| | - Maria Yoshida
- Faculty of Health Science, Juntendo University, Tokyo, 113-0034, Japan
| | - Fumiyuki Yamakura
- Faculty of Health Science, Juntendo University, Tokyo, 113-0034, Japan
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Boice JD, Cohen SS, Mumma MT, Golden AP, Howard SC, Girardi DJ, Ellis ED, Bellamy MB, Dauer LT, Eckerman KF, Leggett RW. Mortality among Tennessee Eastman Corporation (TEC) uranium processing workers, 1943-2019. Int J Radiat Biol 2023; 99:208-228. [PMID: 35758985 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2022.2078003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are few occupational studies of women exposed to ionizing radiation. During World War II, the Tennessee Eastman Corporation (TEC) operated an electromagnetic field separation facility of 1152 calutrons to obtain enriched uranium (235U) used for the Hiroshima atomic bomb. Thousands of women were involved in these operations. MATERIALS AND METHODS A new study was conducted of 13,951 women and 12,699 men employed at TEC between 1943 and 1947 for at least 90 days. Comprehensive dose reconstruction techniques were used to estimate lung doses from the inhalation of uranium dust based on airborne measurements. Vital status through 2018/2019 was obtained from the National Death Index, Social Security Death Index, Tennessee death records and online public record databases. Analyses included standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) and Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS Most workers were hourly (77.7%), white (95.6%), born before 1920 (58.3%), worked in dusty environments (57.0%), and had died (94.9%). Vital status was confirmed for 97.4% of the workers. Women were younger than men when first employed: mean ages 25.0 years and 33.0 years, respectively. The estimated mean absorbed dose to the lung was 32.7 mGy (max 1048 mGy) for women and 18.9 mGy (max 501 mGy) for men. The mean dose to thoracic lymph nodes (TLNs) was 127 mGy. Statistically significant SMRs were observed for lung cancer (SMR 1.25; 95% CI 1.19, 1.31; n = 1654), nonmalignant respiratory diseases (NMRDs) (1.23; 95% CI 1.19, 1.28; n = 2585), and cerebrovascular disease (CeVD) (1.13; 95% CI 1.08, 1.18; n = 1945). For lung cancer, the excess relative rate (ERR) at 100 mGy (95% CI) was 0.01 (-0.10, 0.12; n = 652) among women, and -0.15 (-0.38, 0.07; n = 1002) among men based on a preferred model for men with lung doses <300 mGy. NMRD and non-Hodgkin lymphoma were not associated with estimated absorbed dose to the lung or TLN. CONCLUSIONS There was little evidence that radiation increased the risk of lung cancer, suggesting that inhalation of uranium dust and the associated high-LET alpha particle exposure to lung tissue experienced over a few years is less effective in causing lung cancer than other types of exposures. There was no statistically significant difference in the lung cancer risk estimates between men and women. The elevation of certain causes of death such as CeVD is unexplained and will require additional scrutiny of workplace or lifestyle factors given that radiation is an unlikely contributor since only the lung and lymph nodes received appreciable dose.
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Affiliation(s)
- John D Boice
- National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements, Bethesda, MD, USA.,Department of Medicine, Division of Epidemiology, Vanderbilt Epidemiology Center and Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | | | - Michael T Mumma
- International Epidemiology Institute, Rockville, MD, USA.,Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Ashley P Golden
- ORISE Health Studies, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | - Sara C Howard
- ORISE Health Studies, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | - David J Girardi
- ORISE Health Studies, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | - Elizabeth D Ellis
- ORISE Health Studies, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | - Michael B Bellamy
- Department of Medical Physics and Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lawrence T Dauer
- Department of Medical Physics and Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
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10
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Huff JL, Poignant F, Rahmanian S, Khan N, Blakely EA, Britten RA, Chang P, Fornace AJ, Hada M, Kronenberg A, Norman RB, Patel ZS, Shay JW, Weil MM, Simonsen LC, Slaba TC. Galactic cosmic ray simulation at the NASA space radiation laboratory - Progress, challenges and recommendations on mixed-field effects. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2023; 36:90-104. [PMID: 36682835 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2022.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
For missions beyond low Earth orbit to the moon or Mars, space explorers will encounter a complex radiation field composed of various ion species with a broad range of energies. Such missions pose significant radiation protection challenges that need to be solved in order to minimize exposures and associated health risks. An innovative galactic cosmic ray simulator (GCRsim) was recently developed at the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory (NSRL) at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL). The GCRsim technology is intended to represent major components of the space radiation environment in a ground analog laboratory setting where it can be used to improve understanding of biological risks and serve as a testbed for countermeasure development and validation. The current GCRsim consists of 33 energetic ion beams that collectively simulate the primary and secondary GCR field encountered by humans in space over the broad range of particle types, energies, and linear energy transfer (LET) of interest to health effects. A virtual workshop was held in December 2020 to assess the status of the NASA baseline GCRsim. Workshop attendees examined various aspects of simulator design, with a particular emphasis on beam selection strategies. Experimental results, modeling approaches, areas of consensus, and questions of concern were also discussed in detail. This report includes a summary of the GCRsim workshop and a description of the current status of the GCRsim. This information is important for future advancements and applications in space radiobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janice L Huff
- NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA, 23681, United States of America.
| | - Floriane Poignant
- National Institute of Aerospace, Hampton, VA, 23666, United States of America
| | - Shirin Rahmanian
- National Institute of Aerospace, Hampton, VA, 23666, United States of America
| | - Nafisah Khan
- National Institute of Aerospace, Hampton, VA, 23666, United States of America
| | - Eleanor A Blakely
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, United States of America
| | - Richard A Britten
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Cell Biology, Leroy T Canoles Jr. Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, 23507, United States of America
| | - Polly Chang
- SRI International, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, United States of America
| | - Albert J Fornace
- Georgetown University, Washington, DC, 20057, United States of America
| | - Megumi Hada
- Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX, 77446, United States of America
| | - Amy Kronenberg
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, United States of America
| | - Ryan B Norman
- NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA, 23681, United States of America
| | - Zarana S Patel
- KBR Inc., Houston, TX, 77058, United States of America; NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, 77058, United States of America
| | - Jerry W Shay
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, United States of America
| | - Michael M Weil
- Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, United States of America
| | - Lisa C Simonsen
- NASA Headquarters, Washington, DC, 20546, United States of America
| | - Tony C Slaba
- NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA, 23681, United States of America
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11
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Kumar K, Moon BH, Datta K, Fornace AJ, Suman S. Simulated galactic cosmic radiation (GCR)-induced expression of Spp1 coincide with mammary ductal cell proliferation and preneoplastic changes in Apc Min/+ mouse. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2023; 36:116-122. [PMID: 36682820 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2022.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Female astronauts inevitably exposed to galactic cosmic radiation (GCR) are considered at a greater risk for mammary cancer development. The purpose of this study is to assess the status of mammary cancer-associated preneoplasia markers after GCR and γ-ray irradiation using a mouse model of human mammary cancer. Female ApcMin/+ mice were irradiated to 50 cGy of either γ-ray (137Cs) or full-spectrum simulated galactic cosmic radiation (GCR) (33-beam), and at 110 - 120 days post-irradiation mice were euthanized, and normal-appearing mammary tissues were analyzed for histological and molecular markers of preneoplasia. Whole-mount staining, hematoxylin and eosin-based histological assessment, and Cyclin D1 immunohistochemistry (IHC) were performed to analyze ductal outgrowth and cell proliferation. Additionally, mRNA expression of known mammary preneoplasia markers (Muc1, Exo1, Foxm1, Depdc1a, Nusap1, Spp1, and Rrm2) was analyzed using qPCR, and their respective protein expression was validated using immunohistochemistry. A significant increase in ductal outgrowth and cell proliferation in mammary tissues of GCR-irradiated mice was noted which indicates a higher risk of mammary cancer, relative to γ-rays. Increased mRNA and protein expression of Spp1 was observed in the GCR group, relative to γ-rays. This study demonstrates the plausibility of Spp1 as a preneoplasia marker in the early detection of mammary cancer after space radiation exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamendra Kumar
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, United States of America
| | - Bo-Hyun Moon
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, United States of America
| | - Kamal Datta
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, United States of America
| | - Albert J Fornace
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, United States of America; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, United States of America
| | - Shubhankar Suman
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, United States of America.
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12
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Towards sustainable human space exploration-priorities for radiation research to quantify and mitigate radiation risks. NPJ Microgravity 2023; 9:8. [PMID: 36707520 PMCID: PMC9883222 DOI: 10.1038/s41526-023-00262-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Human spaceflight is entering a new era of sustainable human space exploration. By 2030 humans will regularly fly to the Moon's orbit, return to the Moon's surface and preparations for crewed Mars missions will intensify. In planning these undertakings, several challenges will need to be addressed in order to ensure the safety of astronauts during their space travels. One of the important challenges to overcome, that could be a major showstopper of the space endeavor, is the exposure to the space radiation environment. There is an urgent need for quantifying, managing and limiting the detrimental health risks and electronics damage induced by space radiation exposure. Such risks raise key priority topics for space research programs. Risk limitation involves obtaining a better understanding of space weather phenomena and the complex radiation environment in spaceflight, as well as developing and applying accurate dosimetric instruments, understanding related short- and long-term health risks, and strategies for effective countermeasures to minimize both exposure to space radiation and the remaining effects post exposure. The ESA/SciSpacE Space Radiation White Paper identifies those topics and underlines priorities for future research and development, to enable safe human and robotic exploration of space beyond Low Earth Orbit.
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13
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Werneth CM, Slaba TC, Huff JL, Patel ZS, Simonsen LC. Medical Countermeasure Requirements to Meet NASA's Space Radiation Permissible Exposure Limits for a Mars Mission Scenario. HEALTH PHYSICS 2022; 123:116-127. [PMID: 35551137 DOI: 10.1097/hp.0000000000001572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The space radiation environment consists of a complex mixture of ionizing particles that pose significant health risks to crew members. NASA currently requires that an astronaut's career Risk of Exposure Induced Death (REID) for cancer mortality should not exceed 3% at the upper 95% confidence level. This career radiation limit is likely to be exceeded for even the shortest round-trip mission scenario to Mars. As such, NASA has begun to pursue more vigorously approaches to directly reduce radiation risks, despite the large uncertainties associated with such projections. A recent study considered cohort studies of aspirin and warfarin as possible medical countermeasures (MCMs) acting to reduce background cancer mortality rates used in astronaut risk projections. It was shown that such MCMs can reduce the REID for specific tissues in restricted time intervals over which the drugs were administered; however, the cumulative effect on total lifetime REID was minimal. As an extension, the present work addresses more general MCM requirements that would be needed to meet current NASA radiation limits for a Mars mission scenario. A sensitivity analysis is performed within the major components of the NASA cancer risk model that would likely be modified by MCM interventions. This includes the background cancer incidence and mortality rates, epidemiologically based hazard rates derived from acute terrestrial exposures, and radiation quality factors used to translate terrestrial exposures to space radiation. Relationships between possible MCMs and each of these components are discussed. Results from this study provide important information regarding MCM requirements needed to meet NASA limits for planned Mars missions. Insight into the types of countermeasures expected to yield greatest reductions in crew risk is also gained.
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14
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Guo Z, Zhou G, Hu W. Carcinogenesis induced by space radiation: A systematic review. Neoplasia 2022; 32:100828. [PMID: 35908380 PMCID: PMC9340504 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2022.100828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The carcinogenic risk from space radiation has always been a health risk issue of great concern during space exploration. In recent years, a large number of cellular and animal experiments have demonstrated that space radiation, composed of high-energy protons and heavy ions, has shown obvious carcinogenicity. However, different from radiation on Earth, space radiation has the characteristics of high energy and low dose rate. It is rich in high-atom-number and high-energy particles and, as it is combined with other space environmental factors such as microgravity and a weak magnetic field, the study of its carcinogenic effects and mechanisms of action is difficult, which leads to great uncertainty in its carcinogenic risk assessment. Here, we review the latest progress in understanding the effects and mechanisms of action related to cell transformation and carcinogenesis induced by space radiation in recent years and summarize the prediction models of cancer risk caused by space radiation and the methods to reduce the uncertainty of prediction to provide reference for the research and risk assessment of space radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiological Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Guangming Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiological Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, Jiangsu, PR China.
| | - Wentao Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiological Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, Jiangsu, PR China.
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15
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Huff JL, Plante I, Blattnig SR, Norman RB, Little MP, Khera A, Simonsen LC, Patel ZS. Cardiovascular Disease Risk Modeling for Astronauts: Making the Leap From Earth to Space. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:873597. [PMID: 35665268 PMCID: PMC9161032 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.873597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
NASA has recently completed several long-duration missions to the International Space Station and is solidifying plans to return to the Moon, with an eye toward Mars and beyond. As NASA pushes the boundaries of human space exploration, the hazards of spaceflight, including space radiation, levy an increasing burden on astronaut health and performance. The cardiovascular system may be especially vulnerable due to the combined impacts of space radiation exposure, lack of gravity, and other spaceflight hazards. On Earth, the risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) following moderate to high radiation doses is well-established from clinical, environmental, and occupational exposures (largely from gamma- and x-rays). Less is known about CVD risks associated with high-energy charged ions found in space and increasingly used in radiotherapy applications on Earth, making this a critical area of investigation for occupational radiation protection. Assessing CVD risk is complicated by its multifactorial nature, where an individual's risk is strongly influenced by factors such as family history, blood pressure, and lipid profiles. These known risk factors provide the basis for development of a variety of clinical risk prediction models (CPMs) that inform the likelihood of medical outcomes over a defined period. These tools improve clinical decision-making, personalize care, and support primary prevention of CVD. They may also be useful for individualizing risk estimates for CVD following radiation exposure both in the clinic and in space. In this review, we summarize unique aspects of radiation risk assessment for astronauts, and we evaluate the most widely used CVD CPMs for their use in NASA radiation risk assessment applications. We describe a comprehensive dual-use risk assessment framework that supports both clinical care and operational management of space radiation health risks using quantitative metrics. This approach is a first step in using personalized medicine for radiation risk assessment to support safe and productive spaceflight and long-term quality of life for NASA astronauts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janice L. Huff
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA, United States
- *Correspondence: Janice L. Huff
| | - Ianik Plante
- KBR, Houston, TX, United States
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Steve R. Blattnig
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA, United States
| | - Ryan B. Norman
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA, United States
| | - Mark P. Little
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Radiation Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Amit Khera
- Division of Cardiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Lisa C. Simonsen
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA Headquarters, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Zarana S. Patel
- KBR, Houston, TX, United States
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, United States
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