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Hill MA, Staut N, Thompson JM, Verhaegen F. Dosimetric validation of SmART-RAD Monte Carlo modelling for x-ray cabinet radiobiology irradiators. Phys Med Biol 2024; 69:095014. [PMID: 38518380 PMCID: PMC11031639 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/ad3720] [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: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
Objective. Accuracy and reproducibility in the measurement of radiation dose and associated reporting are critically important for the validity of basic and preclinical radiobiological studies performed with kilovolt x-ray radiation cabinets. This is essential to enable results of radiobiological studies to be repeated, as well as enable valid comparisons between laboratories. In addition, the commonly used single point dose value hides the 3D dose heterogeneity across the irradiated sample. This is particularly true for preclinical rodent models, and is generally difficult to measure directly. Radiation transport simulations integrated in an easy to use application could help researchers improve quality of dosimetry and reporting.Approach. This paper describes the use and dosimetric validation of a newly-developed Monte Carlo (MC) tool, SmART-RAD, to simulate the x-ray field in a range of standard commercial x-ray cabinet irradiators used for preclinical irradiations. Comparisons are made between simulated and experimentally determined dose distributions for a range of configurations to assess the potential use of this tool in determining dose distributions through samples, based on more readily available air-kerma calibration point measurements.Main results. Simulations gave very good dosimetric agreement with measured depth dose distributions in phantoms containing both water and bone equivalent materials. Good spatial and dosimetric agreement between simulated and measured dose distributions was obtained when using beam-shaping shielding.Significance. The MC simulations provided by SmART-RAD provide a useful tool to go from a limited number of dosimetry measurements to detailed 3D dose distributions through a non-homogeneous irradiated sample. This is particularly important when trying to determine the dose distribution in more complex geometries. The use of such a tool can improve reproducibility and dosimetry reporting in preclinical radiobiological research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A Hill
- MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, ORCRB Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom
| | - Nick Staut
- SmART Scientific Solutions BV, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - James M Thompson
- MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, ORCRB Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom
| | - Frank Verhaegen
- SmART Scientific Solutions BV, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Radiation Oncology (Maastro), Research Institute for Oncology & Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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Kovalchuk A, Mychasiuk R, Muhammad A, Hossain S, Ghose A, Kirkby C, Ghasroddashti E, Kovalchuk O, Kolb B. Complex housing partially mitigates low dose radiation-induced changes in brain and behavior in rats. Restor Neurol Neurosci 2022; 40:109-124. [DOI: 10.3233/rnn-211216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: In recent years, much effort has been focused on developing new strategies for the prevention and mitigation of adverse radiation effects on healthy tissues and organs, including the brain. The brain is very sensitive to radiation effects, albeit as it is highly plastic. Hence, deleterious radiation effects may be potentially reversible. Because radiation exposure affects dendritic space, reduces the brain’s ability to produce new neurons, and alters behavior, mitigation efforts should focus on restoring these parameters. To that effect, environmental enrichment through complex housing (CH) and exercise may provide a plausible avenue for exploration of protection from brain irradiation. CH is a much broader concept than exercise alone, and constitutes exposure of animals to positive physical and social stimulation that is superior to their routine housing and care conditions. We hypothesized that CHs may lessen harmful neuroanatomical and behavioural effects of low dose radiation exposure. Methods: We analyzed and compared cerebral morphology in animals exposed to low dose head, bystander (liver), and scatter irradiation on rats housed in either the environmental enrichment condos or standard housing. Results: Enriched condo conditions ameliorated radiation-induced neuroanatomical changes. Moreover, irradiated animals that were kept in enriched CH condos displayed fewer radiation-induced behavioural deficits than those housed in standard conditions. Conclusions: Animal model-based environmental enrichment strategies, such as CH, are excellent surrogate models for occupational and exercise therapy in humans, and consequently have significant translational possibility. Our study may thus serve as a roadmap for the development of new, easy, safe and cost-effective methods to prevent and mitigate low-dose radiation effects on the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna. Kovalchuk
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
| | | | - Arif. Muhammad
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
| | - Shakhawat. Hossain
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
| | - Abhijit. Ghose
- Jack Ady Cancer Center, Alberta Health Services, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
| | - Charles. Kirkby
- Jack Ady Cancer Center, Alberta Health Services, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
- Department of Physics and Astronomy and Department of Oncology, University of Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Esmaeel. Ghasroddashti
- Jack Ady Cancer Center, Alberta Health Services, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
- Department of Physics and Astronomy and Department of Oncology, University of Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Olga. Kovalchuk
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
| | - Bryan. Kolb
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
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Li T, Cao Y, Li B, Dai R. The biological effects of radiation-induced liver damage and its natural protective medicine. PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2021; 167:87-95. [PMID: 34216638 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2021.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The biological damage caused by the environmental factors such as radiation and its control methods are one of the frontiers of life science research that has received widespread attention. Ionizing radiation can directly interact with target molecules (such as DNA, proteins and lipids) or decomposed by radiation from water, leading to changes in oxidative events and biological activities in cells. Liver is a radiation-sensitive organ, and its radiosensitivity is second only to bone marrow, lymph, gastrointestinal tissue, gonads, embryos and kidneys. In addition, as a key organ of mammals, liver performs a series of functions, including the production of bile, the metabolism of nutrients, the elimination of waste, the storage of glycogen, and the synthesis of proteins. Therefore, liver is prone to various pathophysiological changes. In this review, the effects of radiation on liver injury, its pathogenesis, bystander effect and the natural traditional Chinese medicine to protect the radiation induced liver damage are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianmei Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Separation and Analysis in Biomedicine and Pharmaceuticals, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Yanlu Cao
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Separation and Analysis in Biomedicine and Pharmaceuticals, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Bo Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Separation and Analysis in Biomedicine and Pharmaceuticals, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China; Advanced Research Institute of Multidisciplinary Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China.
| | - Rongji Dai
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Separation and Analysis in Biomedicine and Pharmaceuticals, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
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Jung HM, Lee JE, Lee SJ, Lee JT, Kwon TY, Kwon TG. Development of an experimental model for radiation-induced inhibition of cranial bone regeneration. Maxillofac Plast Reconstr Surg 2018; 40:34. [PMID: 30525010 PMCID: PMC6249347 DOI: 10.1186/s40902-018-0173-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2018] [Accepted: 09/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Radiation therapy is widely employed in the treatment of head and neck cancer. Adverse effects of therapeutic irradiation include delayed bone healing after dental extraction or impaired bone regeneration at the irradiated bony defect. Development of a reliable experimental model may be beneficial to study tissue regeneration in the irradiated field. The current study aimed to develop a relevant animal model of post-radiation cranial bone defect. Methods A lead shielding block was designed for selective external irradiation of the mouse calvaria. Critical-size calvarial defect was created 2 weeks after the irradiation. The defect was filled with a collagen scaffold, with or without incorporation of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) (1 μg/ml). The non-irradiated mice treated with or without BMP-2-included scaffold served as control. Four weeks after the surgery, the specimens were harvested and the degree of bone formation was evaluated by histological and radiographical examinations. Results BMP-2-treated scaffold yielded significant bone regeneration in the mice calvarial defects. However, a single fraction of external irradiation was observed to eliminate the bone regeneration capacity of the BMP-2-incorporated scaffold without influencing the survival of the animals. Conclusion The current study established an efficient model for post-radiation cranial bone regeneration and can be applied for evaluating the robust bone formation system using various chemokines or agents in unfavorable, demanding radiation-related bone defect models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Moon Jung
- 1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dentistry, Kyungpook National University, 2177 Dalgubeol-daero, Jung-gu, Daegu, 41940 Republic of Korea.,2Department of Radiologic Technology, Daegu Health College, Taejeon-Dong 15, Youngsong-Ro, Buk-Gu, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong-Eun Lee
- 3Department of Radiation Oncology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, 130 Dongdeok-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu, 41944 Republic of Korea
| | - Seoung-Jun Lee
- 4Department of Radiation Oncology, Kyungpook National University Hospital, 130 Dongdeok-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu, 41944 Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Tae Lee
- 1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dentistry, Kyungpook National University, 2177 Dalgubeol-daero, Jung-gu, Daegu, 41940 Republic of Korea
| | - Tae-Yub Kwon
- 5Department of Dental Materials, School of Dentistry, Kyungpook National University, 2177 Dalgubeol-daero, Jung-gu, Daegu, 41940 Republic of Korea
| | - Tae-Geon Kwon
- 1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dentistry, Kyungpook National University, 2177 Dalgubeol-daero, Jung-gu, Daegu, 41940 Republic of Korea
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Kovalchuk A, Mychasiuk R, Muhammad A, Hossain S, Ilnytskyy S, Ghose A, Kirkby C, Ghasroddashti E, Kovalchuk O, Kolb B. Liver irradiation causes distal bystander effects in the rat brain and affects animal behaviour. Oncotarget 2016; 7:4385-98. [PMID: 26678032 PMCID: PMC4826213 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.6596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2015] [Accepted: 11/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Radiation therapy can not only produce effects on targeted organs, but can also influence shielded bystander organs, such as the brain in targeted liver irradiation. The brain is sensitive to radiation exposure, and irradiation causes significant neuro-cognitive deficits, including deficits in attention, concentration, memory, and executive and visuospatial functions. The mechanisms of their occurrence are not understood, although they may be related to the bystander effects. We analyzed the induction, mechanisms, and behavioural repercussions of bystander effects in the brain upon liver irradiation in a well-established rat model. Here, we show for the first time that bystander effects occur in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus regions upon liver irradiation, where they manifest as altered gene expression and somewhat increased levels of γH2AX. We also report that bystander effects in the brain are associated with neuroanatomical and behavioural changes, and are more pronounced in females than in males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Kovalchuk
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
| | - Richelle Mychasiuk
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
| | - Arif Muhammad
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
| | - Shakhawat Hossain
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
| | - Slava Ilnytskyy
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
| | - Abhijit Ghose
- Jack Ady Cancer Center, Alberta Health Services, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
| | - Charles Kirkby
- Jack Ady Cancer Center, Alberta Health Services, Lethbridge, AB, Canada.,Department of Physics and Astronomy and Department of Oncology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Esmaeel Ghasroddashti
- Jack Ady Cancer Center, Alberta Health Services, Lethbridge, AB, Canada.,Department of Physics and Astronomy and Department of Oncology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Olga Kovalchuk
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada.,Alberta Epigenetics Network, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Bryan Kolb
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada.,Alberta Epigenetics Network, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Punnoose J, Xu J, Sisniega A, Zbijewski W, Siewerdsen JH. Technical Note: spektr 3.0-A computational tool for x-ray spectrum modeling and analysis. Med Phys 2016; 43:4711. [PMID: 27487888 PMCID: PMC4958109 DOI: 10.1118/1.4955438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2016] [Revised: 06/13/2016] [Accepted: 06/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE A computational toolkit (spektr 3.0) has been developed to calculate x-ray spectra based on the tungsten anode spectral model using interpolating cubic splines (TASMICS) algorithm, updating previous work based on the tungsten anode spectral model using interpolating polynomials (TASMIP) spectral model. The toolkit includes a matlab (The Mathworks, Natick, MA) function library and improved user interface (UI) along with an optimization algorithm to match calculated beam quality with measurements. METHODS The spektr code generates x-ray spectra (photons/mm(2)/mAs at 100 cm from the source) using TASMICS as default (with TASMIP as an option) in 1 keV energy bins over beam energies 20-150 kV, extensible to 640 kV using the TASMICS spectra. An optimization tool was implemented to compute the added filtration (Al and W) that provides a best match between calculated and measured x-ray tube output (mGy/mAs or mR/mAs) for individual x-ray tubes that may differ from that assumed in TASMICS or TASMIP and to account for factors such as anode angle. RESULTS The median percent difference in photon counts for a TASMICS and TASMIP spectrum was 4.15% for tube potentials in the range 30-140 kV with the largest percentage difference arising in the low and high energy bins due to measurement errors in the empirically based TASMIP model and inaccurate polynomial fitting. The optimization tool reported a close agreement between measured and calculated spectra with a Pearson coefficient of 0.98. CONCLUSIONS The computational toolkit, spektr, has been updated to version 3.0, validated against measurements and existing models, and made available as open source code. Video tutorials for the spektr function library, UI, and optimization tool are available.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Punnoose
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
| | - J Xu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
| | - A Sisniega
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
| | - W Zbijewski
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
| | - J H Siewerdsen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
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Kovalchuk A, Mychasiuk R, Muhammad A, Hossain S, Ilnytskyy Y, Ghose A, Kirkby C, Ghasroddashti E, Kolb B, Kovalchuk O. Profound and Sexually Dimorphic Effects of Clinically-Relevant Low Dose Scatter Irradiation on the Brain and Behavior. Front Behav Neurosci 2016; 10:84. [PMID: 27375442 PMCID: PMC4891337 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2016.00084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2016] [Accepted: 04/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Irradiated cells can signal damage and distress to both close and distant neighbors that have not been directly exposed to the radiation (naïve bystanders). While studies have shown that such bystander effects occur in the shielded brain of animals upon body irradiation, their mechanism remains unexplored. Observed effects may be caused by some blood-borne factors; however they may also be explained, at least in part, by very small direct doses received by the brain that result from scatter or leakage. In order to establish the roles of low doses of scatter irradiation in the brain response, we developed a new model for scatter irradiation analysis whereby one rat was irradiated directly at the liver and the second rat was placed adjacent to the first and received a scatter dose to its body and brain. This work focuses specifically on the response of the latter rat brain to the low scatter irradiation dose. Here, we provide the first experimental evidence that very low, clinically relevant doses of scatter irradiation alter gene expression, induce changes in dendritic morphology, and lead to behavioral deficits in exposed animals. The results showed that exposure to radiation doses as low as 0.115 cGy caused changes in gene expression and reduced spine density, dendritic complexity, and dendritic length in the prefrontal cortex tissues of females, but not males. In the hippocampus, radiation altered neuroanatomical organization in males, but not in females. Moreover, low dose radiation caused behavioral deficits in the exposed animals. This is the first study to show that low dose scatter irradiation influences the brain and behavior in a sex-specific way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Kovalchuk
- Department of Neuroscience, University of LethbridgeLethbridge, AB, Canada; Alberta Epigenetics NetworkCalgary, AB, Canada
| | - Richelle Mychasiuk
- Department of Psychology, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Arif Muhammad
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge Lethbridge, AB, Canada
| | - Shakhawat Hossain
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge Lethbridge, AB, Canada
| | - Yaroslav Ilnytskyy
- Alberta Epigenetics NetworkCalgary, AB, Canada; Department of Biological Sciences, University of LethbridgeLethbridge, AB, Canada
| | - Abhijit Ghose
- Jack Ady Cancer Center, Alberta Health Services Lethbridge, AB, Canada
| | - Charles Kirkby
- Jack Ady Cancer Center, Alberta Health ServicesLethbridge, AB, Canada; Department of Physics and Astronomy and Department of Oncology, University of CalgaryAB, Canada
| | - Esmaeel Ghasroddashti
- Jack Ady Cancer Center, Alberta Health ServicesLethbridge, AB, Canada; Department of Physics and Astronomy and Department of Oncology, University of CalgaryAB, Canada
| | - Bryan Kolb
- Department of Neuroscience, University of LethbridgeLethbridge, AB, Canada; Alberta Epigenetics NetworkCalgary, AB, Canada; Canadian Institute for Advanced ResearchToronto, ON, Canada
| | - Olga Kovalchuk
- Alberta Epigenetics NetworkCalgary, AB, Canada; Department of Biological Sciences, University of LethbridgeLethbridge, AB, Canada
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