Effects of gamma radiation on hard dental tissues of albino rats using scanning electron microscope – Part 1

In the present study, 40 adult male albino rats were used to study the effect of gamma radiation on the hard dental tissues (enamel surface, dentinal tubules and the cementum surface). The rats were irradiated at 0.2, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0 and 6.0 Gy gamma doses. The effects of irradiated hard dental tissues samples were investigated using a scanning electron microscope. For doses up to 0.5 Gy, there was no evidence of the existence of cracks on the enamel surface. With 1 Gy irradiation dose, cracks were clearly observed with localized erosive areas. At 2 Gy irradiation dose, the enamel showed morphological alterations as disturbed prismatic and interprismatic areas. An increase in dentinal tubules diameter and a contemporary inter-tubular dentine volume decrease were observed with higher irradiation dose. Concerning cementum, low doses,<0.5 Gy, showed surface irregularities and with increase in the irradiation dose to≥1 Gy, noticeable surface irregularities and erosive areas with decrease in Sharpey's fiber sites were observed. These observations could shed light on the hazardous effects of irradiation fields to the functioning of the human teeth.     

Deconvolution of complex EPR spectrum of tooth enamel into three components: native,dosimetric and mechanical

A software was developed on the base of non-linear simulation, which allowed the deconvolution of EPR spectra of tooth enamel into three components: native, radiation- and mechanically induced. The software was designed for the reconstruction of individual absorbed doses by EPR spectra of tooth enamel using the method of additive irradiation of samples. It has been demonstrated with the help of this program that the presence of mechanically induced paramagnetic centers in enamel samples led to an excessive individual absorbed dose reconstructed by EPR spectra of tooth enamel.     

Spectral analysis of paramagnetic centers induced in human tooth enamel by x-rays and gamma radiation

Based on study of spectral and relaxation characteristics, we have established that paramagnetic centers induced in tooth enamel by x-rays and gamma radiation are identical in nature. We show that for the same exposure dose, the intensity of the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) signal induced by x-radiation with effective energy 34 keV is about an order of magnitude higher than the amplitude of the signal induced by gamma radiation. We have identified a three-fold attenuation of the EPR signal along the path of the x-radiation from the buccal to the lingual side of a tooth, which is evidence that the individual had undergone diagnostic x-ray examination of the dentition or skull. We have shown that the x-ray exposure doses reconstructed from the EPR spectra are an order of magnitude higher than the applied doses, while the dose loads due to gamma radiation are equal to the applied doses. The data obtained indicate that for adequate reconstruction of individual absorbed doses from EPR spectra of tooth enamel in the population subjected to the combined effect of x-radiation and accidental external gamma radiation as a result of the disaster at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, we need to take into account the contribution to the dose load from diagnostic x-rays in examination of the teeth, jaw, or skull.     

Analysis of EPR tooth enamel spectra exposed to combined radiation and mechanical effects

In the EPR spectra of tooth enamel samples exposed to sequential radiation and mechanical effect, the intensity of the signal in the spectra of tooth enamel samples exposed to sequential mechanical and radiation effects exceeded the amplitude of a signal in enamel samples that were only exposed to radiation. The increased dosimetric signal can be explained by superposition of mechanically and radiation-induced signals. The contribution of the mechanically induced component to the individual dose load reconstructed by EPR-spectra of tooth enamel has been evaluated.     

Interlaboratory comparison of tooth enamel dosimetry on Semipalatinsk region: Part 1, general view

For intercomparison of methods of dose determination using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy of tooth enamel, the same sets of enamel samples were analyzed in different laboratories using similar recording parameters. The sets of samples included calibration samples irradiated in known doses, test samples irradiated to doses unknown to the participants and accidental dose samples prepared from teeth of humans affected by radioactive fallout from nuclear tests in the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site in Kazakhstan. The test samples were analyzed to determine the differences in the resulting doses using different spectrometers and different spectra processing methods. The accidental dose samples were analyzed in order to test the precision of doses determined by EPR spectroscopy and to obtain more accurate values by averaging the results from different laboratories.     

Radiation Dosimetry Using Alanine and Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) Spectroscopy: A New Look at an Old Topic

The detection and quantification by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy of stable radicals formed in alanine by exposure to γ-radiation is used as a secondary standard for radiation dosimetry measurements, even though the EPR signal is actually derived from >1 radical with different spectral properties. For high radiation doses, microwave power saturation and spectral linewidths are both dependent on the received dose, and result in non-linear calibration curves. Furthermore, using a high-sensitivity microwave cavity, the power at which EPR signal saturation commences is ~0.3–0.4 mW for samples with irradiation doses ≤10 kGy; these values are an order of magnitude lower than those normally used in alanine dosimetry. In addition, the central peak of the first derivative spectrum, the height of which is commonly used in dosimetry measurements, is the most susceptible to microwave power saturation. Therefore, for high-level dosimetry we now recommend that analyses be performed under non-saturating conditions, and that the spectral acquisition parameters should be determined with a standard irradiated to ≤10 kGy to eliminate any intensity problems associated with variable saturation characteristics. At low radiation doses, variations in spectral saturation characteristics are negligible, and partially saturating conditions along with modulation amplitudes much higher than those normally used can reliably produce improved signal-to-noise ratios and allow extension of the methodology to practical working limits of ~0.1–0.2 Gy.     

Radiation dose reconstruction and nuclear-explosion dating in the East-Kazakhstan region

The radioecological situation in the East-Kazakhstan region was studied by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), radiography and nuclear spectroscopy methods. The eastern part of this region borders the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site. Radiation doses for 33 residents of this region were measured by EPR dosimetry in tooth enamel. It was found that for 25% of the residents the measured radiation doses do not exceed the background level. The rest of the doses exceed the background level by a factor of 2–4 on the average. A new method of nuclear explosion dating was developed on the basis of the EPR measurements of the free radical concentration in annual tree rings. Their maximal concentration corresponds to the years when nuclear explosions were executed. The obtained results correlate well with the commonly accepted radiography method. Both methods show a maximum of radionuclide levels in the years of nuclear testing. The plutonium-239 content in residents hair samples was found to be equal to (0.8±0.2)·10^?9 g/kg and with activity of 1.9±0.4 Bq/kg. This is by a factor of 20 higher than the permitted content for the population.     

Electron paramagnetic resonance radiation dosimetry in fingernails

There is now an increased need for accident dosimetry due to the increased risk of significant exposure to ionizing radiation from terrorism or accidents. In such scenarios, dose measurements should be made in individuals rapidly and with sufficient accuracy to enable effective triage. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) is a physical method of high potential for meeting this need, providing direct measurements of the radiation-induced radicals, which are unambiguous signatures of exposure to ionizing radiation. For individual retrospective dosimetry, EPR in tooth enamel is a proven and effective technique when isolated teeth can be obtained. There are some promising developments that may make these measurements feasible without the need to remove the teeth, but their field applicability remains to be demonstrated. However, currently it is difficult under emergency conditions to obtain tooth enamel in sufficient amounts for accurate dose measurements. Since fingernails are much easier to sample, they can be used in potentially exposed populations to determine if they were exposed to life-threatening radiation doses. Unfortunately, only a few studies have been carried out on EPR radiation-induced signals in fingernails, and, while there are some promising aspects, the reported results were generally inconclusive. In this present paper, we report the results of a systematic investigation of the potential use of fingernails as retrospective radiation dosimeters.     

EPR-dosimetry with carious teeth

The effect of caries in EPR dosimetry of tooth enamel (in the dose range of 0–1 Gy) was investigated. The enamel of each tooth was divided into carious, non-carious and intermediate portions. The EPR signals of enamel at g = 2.0018 (dosimetric) and g = 2.0045 (native) were examined. The intensity of the dosimetric signal was the same for all three portions, while that of the native signal was higher for carious portions than for non-carious and intermediate portions. Reconstruction of the laboratory applied doses was done using all portions. Reasonable correlation between nominal and reconstructed doses was found in most cases. The effect of alkali treatment on the native and dosimetric signals of enamel was also tested. Reduction of the native signal intensity, particularly in the carious portions, was found to be the only significant effect. This resulted in a slight improvement in the accuracy of the reconstructed doses.     

Study of the dynamics of the absorption spectra of human tooth enamel and dentine under heating and ablation by submillisecond pulse radiation of an erbium laser with a generation wavelength of 2.79 μm

We studied the absorption spectrum of intact human tooth enamel and dentine in the range of 0.26–10 μm. We present the infrared absorption spectra of destruction products of human tooth enamel and dentine by submillisecond laser pulses on a crystal of yttrium-scandium-gallium garnet, activated by chrome and erbium ions with a wavelength of 2.79 μm. We discuss the effect of water spraying on the mechanism of laser ablation and the infrared absorption spectra. We report for the first time transformations observed in the absorption spectra of human tooth enamel in the wavelength range of 2.5–3.5 μm under its heating to +700°C.     

Exposure subpopulations and peculiarities of individual dose distributions among inhabitants of the Semipalatinsk region

The results of integral dose estimations for inhabitants of four settlements near the former Semipalatinsk nuclear test site obtained by EPR dosimetry on tooth enamel in 2004–2005 years are discussed.It was found that the observed dose distributions have a nonstandard bimodal form with a mode at low doses in the range from 0.3–0.5 Gy, and a tail with higher doses, possibly suggesting two subpopulations. Possible reasons for such high doses are discussed.     

EPR and Magnetization Studies of Polymer-Derived Fe-Doped SiCN Nanoceramics Annealed at Various Temperatures: Blocking Temperature,Superparamagnetism and Size Distributions

X-band EPR spectra on SiCN ceramics, doped with Fe(III) ions, annealed at 800 °C, 1000 °C, 1100 °C, 1285 °C, and 1400 °C have been simulated to understand better their magnetic properties, accompanied by new magnetization measurements in the temperature range of 5–400 K for zero-field cooling (ZFC) and field cooling (FC) at 100C. The EPR spectra reveal the presence of several kinds of Fe-containing nanoparticles with different magnetic properties. The maxima of the temperature variation of ZFC magnetization were exploited to estimate (i) the blocking temperature, which decreased with annealing temperature of the samples and (ii) the distribution of the size of Fe-containing nanoparticles in the various samples, which was found to become more uniform with increasing annealing temperature, implying that more homogenous magnetic SiCN/Fe composites can be fabricated by annealing at even higher temperatures than 1400 °C to be used as sensors. The hysteresis curves showed different behaviors above (superparamagnetic), below (ferromagnetic), and about (butterfly shape) the respective average blocking temperatures, 〈T_B〉. An analysis of the coercive field dependence upon temperature reveals that it follows Stoner–Wohlfarth model for the SiCN/Fe samples annealed above 1100 °C, from which the blocking temperatures was also deduced.     

Use of optical properties of LiF in radiation protection dosimetry

Optical absorption spectra of LiF:Mg, Ti thermoluminescence (TL) materials have been determined and used in radiation absorbed dose measurements. Samples were irradiated with different gamma doses (0???1.022 Gy) with dose rate of 12.78 mGy/min and also for different X-ray beam qualities. It was found that there is no significant absorption edge, and the optical absorption increases with increasing gamma doses. Peak intensities of trapping levels showed a linear increase with increasing X-ray or gamma doses. The variation of the optical density with X-ray or gamma doses is energy independent. The TL readings were not affected when the samples were first measured optically. The linearity of the optical density–dose relationship is found to be useful in radiation protection dosimetry.     

Verification of radiotherapy doses by EPR dosimetry in patients' teeth

The aim of this work was to verify applicability of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) ex vivo dosimetry in teeth enamel for determination of doses absorbed by patients during radiotherapy with radiation fields covering head regions and to examine with what accuracy the doses predicted by radiotherapy treatment plan (RTP) can be confirmed by doses measured ex post by the EPR method. The doses were determined in 22 enamel samples obtained from 11 patients who, after their radiotherapy treatment underwent extraction of teeth due to medical reasons. The delivered doses were determined by measuring EPR signals in enamel samples from the extracted teeth; magnitude of these signals is proportional to concentration of stable free radicals induced by radiation in the hydroxyapatite content of enamel. The measured doses were compared with doses planned in the teeth locations by RTP systems. The relation between the measured (D_m) and the planned (D_p) doses can be described as a linear function: D_m = s·D_p + b, with the slope s = 0.93 ± 0.03 and the intercept b = 0.67 ± 1.26. The deviations between the measured and calculated doses were in the (−12.6%, +1.9%) range with the average deviation of – 4.6%. It is concluded, than more accurate measurements, achievable when using a higher calibration dose than in the present study, are necessary to confirm or to deny the observed bias between the measured and planned doses.     

Emergency EPR dosimetry technique using vacuum-stored dry nails

Human finger- and toenails have been tested with an X-band EPR technique for different conditions of nail storage. The main radiation-induced signal at g = 2.005 demonstrated good stability if the samples were stored in a vacuum at room temperature after nail harvesting and irradiation. On the basis of this phenomenon, a new protocol is proposed to use the nails as possible emergency EPR dosimeters. The dosimetry protocol was tested on laboratory-exposed samples and demonstrated the ability to recover doses in the region 0–10 Gy with an estimated uncertainty of approximately 0.3–0.4 Gy for doses in the range <2 Gy, increasing to 0.6–0.7 Gy for doses in the range 5–10 Gy.     

Temperature Dependence of Electron Spin Relaxation of 2,2-Diphenyl-1-Picrylhydrazyl in Polystyrene

The electron spin relaxation rates for the stable radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) doped into polystyrene were studied by inversion recovery and electron spin echo at X-band and Q-band between 20 and 295 K. At low concentration (340 μM, 0.01 %), spin–lattice relaxation was dominated by the Raman process and a local mode. At high concentration (140 mM, 5 %), relaxation is orders of magnitude faster than at the lower concentration, and 1/T ₁ is approximately linearly dependent on the temperature. Spin lattice relaxation rates are similar at X-band and Q-band. The temperature dependence of spin echo dephasing was faster at about 140 K than at higher or lower temperatures, which is attributed to a wagging motion of the phenyl groups.     

Thermal induced EPR signals in tooth enamel

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy was used to detect the effects of temperature on powdered human tooth enamel, not irradiated in the laboratory. Samples were heated at temperature between 350 and 450, at 600 and at 1000°C, for different heating times, between 6 min and 39 h. Changes in the EPR spectra were detected, with the formation of new signals. Possible correlation between the changes in EPR spectra and modifications in the enamel and in the mineral phase of bone detected with other techniques is discussed. The implications for dosimetric applications of signals induced by overheating due to mechanical friction during sample preparation are underlined.     

Electron spin relaxation studies of La@C82 in the solid state by EPR

The temperature dependence of EPR spectrum of La@C₈₂ in the powder of empty C₆₀ and C₇₀ mixed crystals was studied by EPR spectroscopy employing X- and Q-band microwave frequencies. The rigid limit spectra (at 4.2 K for the X-band and at 132 K for the Q-band) could be analyzed by static spectral simulation which yielded the EPR parameters,g _‖=2.0021,g _⊥=1.9970,^La A _⊥=7.8 MHz,^La A _‖～0 MHz and an isotropic¹³C coupling value of about 3 MHz. For higher temperatures an appreciable motional averaging effect was observed and the spectra were analyzed by using dynamic spectral simulation based on the stochastic Liouville equation, where we assumed an isotropic rotational motion with the Brownian diffusion. The calculated spectra reproduced the dominant feature of the temperature dependence of the spectra almost satisfactorily for both the X-and Q-band frequencies with the appropriate rotational correlation times. The Arrhenius plots of the correlation time gave two activation energies of 0.9 kcal/mol and 2.9–3.8 kcal/mol for the temperatures below and above 200 K, respectively.     

Microdistribution of lead in human teeth using microbeam synchrotron radiation X‐ray fluorescence (μ‐SRXRF)

Lead (Pb) exposure is known to be associated with adverse effects on human health, especially during the prenatal period and early childhood. The Pb content in teeth has been suggested as a useful biomarker for the evaluation of cumulative Pb exposure. This study was designed to employ the microbeam synchrotron radiation X‐ray fluorescence technique to determine the microdistribution of Pb within the tooth to evaluate the reliability of the technique and the effectiveness of tooth Pb as a biomarker of Pb exposure. The results showed that in the incisor sample, Pb primarily deposited in secondary dentine region close to the pulp and secondarily at enamel exterior. In addition, Pb colocalised with Zn, indicating a positive correlation between Pb and Zn. By contrast, in the two molar samples, Pb accumulated principally in the pulp, and secondarily in the enamel. At the same time, Pb in these two molar samples colocalised with Ca instead of Zn as was observed in the incisor sample. Several batches of line scans further confirmed the conclusions. The feasibility of using microbeam synchrotron radiation X‐ray fluorescence to determine the microdistribution of Pb in teeth and of using the tooth Pb, especially in dentine, as a biomarker was discussed. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

EPR dosimeter material properties of potassium tartrate hemihydrate

The ability of potassium tartrate hemihydrate as a radiation sensitive material for electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) dosimetry was investigated. The samples were subjected to different doses, in the range of 1–9 Gy of ⁶⁰Co gamma rays at room temperature. The EPR spectra were investigated through variation of signal intensity with respect to absorbed dose, magnetic field modulation amplitude, microwave power and time stability. The results indicate that the sensitivity of potassium tartrate hemihydrate is about 30% higher than that of alanine. However, the EPR signal is timely less stable within the first two weeks after irradiation.