Mapping the research trends on the biological effects of radiation less than 100 mSv: a bibliometric analysis for 30 years publication

The Coming of Age for Big Data in Systems Radiobiology, an Engineering Perspective

As high-throughput approaches in biological and biomedical research are transforming the life sciences into information-driven disciplines, modern analytics platforms for big data have started to address the needs for efficient and systematic data analysis and interpretation. We observe that radiobiology is following this general trend, with -omics information providing unparalleled depth into the biomolecular mechanisms of radiation response-defined as systems radiobiology. We outline the design of computational frameworks and discuss the analysis of big data in low-dose ionizing radiation (LDIR) responses of the mammalian brain. Following successful examples and best practices of approaches for the analysis of big data in life sciences and health care, we present the needs and requirements for radiation research. Our goal is to raise awareness for the radiobiology community about the new technological possibilities that can capture complex information and execute data analytics on a large scale. The production of large data sets from genome-wide experiments (quantity) and the complexity of radiation research with multidimensional experimental designs (quality) will necessitate the adoption of latest information technologies. The main objective was to translate research results into applied clinical and epidemiological practice and understand the responses of biological tissues to LDIR to define new radiation protection policies. We envisage a future where multidisciplinary teams include data scientists, artificial intelligence experts, DevOps engineers, and of course radiation experts to fulfill the augmented needs of the radiobiology community, accelerate research, and devise new strategies.

The long-term effects of γ-radiation on the growth of Allium cepa plants

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to assess the long-term effects of gamma-radiation, including low-dose radiation, on growth parameters of onion (Allium cepa) seedling roots 6-10 days after irradiation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Onion seedlings were exposed to a ¹³⁷Cs gamma source at doses ranging from 0.1 to 10 grays (Gy). Responses of root and shoot length growth were studied 6 and 10 days after irradiation.

RESULTS

Our results showed inhibition of the root and shoot length growth 6 days after exposure at all doses, including the low dose - 0.1 Gy. At a later point in time (day 10), root and shoot inhibition was only observed after irradiation at high doses (above 5 Gy), and that suggested the occurrence of cell repair after irradiation at low doses. The results indicated that the length of seedling roots was more sensitive to gamma-irradiation than the shoot length.

CONCLUSION

The results of the study suggested that short-term gamma-irradiation of onion seedlings (absorbed doses of 0.1-10 Gy) caused inhibition of plant growth 6 and 10 days after irradiation. The dose dependence of the onion root length was linear. The present study showed for the first time that short-term low-dose gamma-irradiation could induce long-term negative effects on plant growth.