A model for the induction of DNA damages by fast neutrons and their evolution into cell clonogenic inactivation

Neutron activation of holmium poly(L-lactic acid) microspheres for hepatic arterial radio-embolization: a validation study

Poly(L-lactic acid) microspheres loaded with holmium-166 acetylacetonate (¹⁶⁶Ho-PLLA-MS) are a novel microdevice for intra-arterial radioembolization in patients with unresectable liver malignancies. The neutron activation in a nuclear reactor, in particular the gamma heating, damages the ¹⁶⁶Ho-PLLA-MS. The degree of damage is dependent on the irradiation characteristics and irradiation time in a particular reactor facility. The aim of this study was to standardize and objectively validate the activation procedure in a particular reactor. The methods included light- and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), particle size analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, viscometry, thermal neutron flux measurements and energy deposition calculations. Seven hours-neutron irradiation results in sufficient specific activity of the ¹⁶⁶Ho-PLLA-MS while structural integrity is preserved. Neutron flux measurements and energy deposition calculations are required in the screening of other nuclear reactors. For the evaluation of microsphere quality, light microscopy, SEM and particle size analysis are appropriate techniques.

Effective dose measured with a life size human phantom in a low Earth orbit mission

The biggest concern about the health risk to astronauts is how large the stochastic effects (cancers and hereditary effects) of space radiation could be. The practical goal is to determine the "effective dose" precisely, which is difficult for each crew because of the complex transport processes of energetic secondary particles. The author and his colleagues thus attempted to measure an effective dose in space using a life-size human phantom torso in the STS-91 Shuttle-Mir mission, which flew at nearly the same orbit as that of the International Space Station (ISS). The effective dose for about 10-days flight was 4.1 mSv, which is about 90% of the dose equivalent (H) at the skin; the lowest H values were seen in deep, radiation-sensitive organs/tissues such as the bone marrow and colon. Succeeding measurements and model calculations show that the organ dose equivalents and effective dose in the low Earth orbit mission are highly consistent, despite the different dosimetry methodologies used to determine them.