Using animal dosimetry models to interpret human bioassay data for actinide exposures

Bioassay and dosometry models are needed to estimate intakes of radionuclides, and to calculate radiation doses to target tissues following such in takes. Because of the diversity of exposure materials, individual biological variabilities, and the general lack of adequate bioassay information and knowledge of the metabolism of radionuclides, current models are based mostly on empiricism. This paper describes biokinetic/dosimetry models for U, Am, and Cm. They are based on experimental data developed from studies in dogs that inhaled one of the above radionuclides in specific chemical forms and specific particle sizes. The models, which are based on similar biological principles, and, therefore, have similar structure, are applied to the very sparse human bioassay data available from cases of exposure to either U, Am, or Cm. The results thus far indicate that the lung retention for the different actinides are well described by the models, that urinary bioassay data can be described within limited time periods, and that the fecal excretion rate is not adequately described. Improvements in modeling are predicted on increased publication of human bioassay data, and better cooperative interaction between model developers and health protection professionals responsible for industrial bioassay programs.     

A near-infrared fluorescent bioassay for thrombin using aptamer-modified CuInS2 quantum dots

We describe a near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent thrombin assay using a thrombin-binding aptamer (TBA) and Zn(II)-activated CuInS₂ quantum dots (Q-dots). The fluorescence of Zn(II)-activated Q-dots is quenched by the TBA via photoinduced electron transfer, but if thrombin is added, it will bind to TBA to form G-quadruplexes and the Q-dots are released. As a result, the fluorescence intensity of the system is restored. This effect was exploited to design an assay for thrombin whose calibration plot, under optimum conditions, is linear in the 0.034 to 102 nmol L⁻¹ concentration range, with a 12 pmol L⁻¹ detection limit. The method is fairly simple, fast, and due to its picomolar detection limits holds great potential in the diagnosis of diseases associated with coagulation abnormalities and certain kinds of cancer.

We developed a simple near-infrared fluorescence assay using thrombin binding aptamer (TBA) and Zn(II)-activated CuInS₂ quantum dots for the highly selective and sensitive detection of thrombin.

     

A supramolecular approach to protein labeling. A novel fluorescent bioassay for concanavalin a activity

[reaction: see text] A new method for the bioassay of concanavalin A is based on the interaction of saccharide-substituted oligopyrrolic macrocycles with lectins. A general sensing mechanism involves the interaction of aggregated and primarily nonfluorescent labels with the target protein, label deaggregation, site-specific binding, and fluorescence signaling. Addition of saccharides to the fluorescent lectin-macrocycle complex leads to the release of the label and partial quenching of fluorescence due to reaggregation. Specificity of the protein-probe binding is discussed.     

Effect of gamma radiation on fluoropolymers

A series of fluoropolymer films were synthesized by reacting several bisphenol monomers with 1,3‐bis(1,1,1,3,3,3‐hexafluoro‐2‐pentafluorophenyl methoxy‐2‐propyl)benzene via a nucleophilic aromatic substitution to form polyethers. The bisphenols used included two diphenol‐substituted spirodilactams (SDL; aliphatic and aromatic), biphenol, bisphenol A, bisphenol AF, bisphenol O, and bisphenol F to form seven different polymers. Polymers were irradiated by a Gamma beam 651‐PT at a dose rate of 10.5 kGy/h; the absorbed dose in each film was varied between 300 and 1000 kGy. The effect on the chemical structure upon radiation was studied by DSC, TGA, FTIR‐ATR, and NMR after and before irradiation. Thermal analysis showed a lessened thermal stability and a lower T_g after irradiation. Further, irradiation caused a decrease in molecular weight as a result of cleavage of sp³ bonds. These data allowed calculation of the radiochemical yield scission (G_s) for each of these polymers. The SDL aromatic system proved the most radiation‐resistant. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 1617–1626, 2009     

Hofmeister效应辅助的蛋白质基水凝胶应变传感器

以酪蛋白酸钠和明胶为原料, 通过简单的在硫酸铵溶液中浸泡的方法, 借助Hofmeister效应制备了一种强韧导电的酪蛋白酸钠/明胶水凝胶, 克服了蛋白质基水凝胶柔软、 易碎的问题. 测试结果表明, 该水凝胶具有优异的机械性能, 最大拉伸应力为3.55 MPa, 最大拉伸应变为1375%; 水凝胶的最大电导率为0.0954 S/cm, 导电灵敏因子为0.53. 用该水凝胶制备的传感器对不同大小及不同速率的应变均具有分辨能力, 能够监测人体不同部位的运动, 且传感器的信号传输具有稳定性和准确性, 表明该水凝胶是监测人体健康和运动的理想材料. 该水凝胶还具有良好的形状记忆性能. 这一策略为制备全天然蛋白质基水凝胶开辟了新的思路, 扩展了水凝胶在生物医学和电子传感等相关领域的应用前景.     

Alteration of yeast activity by gamma radiation

Yeast is an important component in microbe based industrial technologies. Due to the techno-economic reasons, the fermentation technique has acquired renewed interest. The effect of -radiation on the fermentation reaction has been investigated. The studies show that exposure of the fermentation mixture to -radiation at 5 kGy enhance alcohol production, whereas irradiation at higher doses, viz., 10 kGy and 25 kGy caused a considerable reduction in the alcohol yield. Therefore, low dose irradiation of fermentation mixtures can be applied for increasing the alcohol production by about 25%.     

Papain incorporated chitin dressings for wound debridement sterilized by gamma radiation

Wound debridement is essential for the removal of necrotic or nonviable tissue from the wound surface to create an environment conducive to healing. Nonsurgical enzymatic debridement is an attractive method due to its effectiveness and ease of use. Papain is a proteolytic enzyme derived from the fruit of Carica papaya and is capable of breaking down a variety of necrotic tissue substrates. The present study was focused on the use of gamma radiation for sterilization of papain dressing with wound debriding activity. Membranes with papain were prepared using 0.5% chitin in lithium chloride/dimethylacetamide solvent and sterilized by gamma radiation. Fluid absorption capacity of chitin–papain membranes without glycerol was 14.30±6.57% in 6 h. Incorporation of glycerol resulted in significant (p<0.001) increase in the absorption capacity. Moisture vapour transmission rate of the membranes was 4285.77±455.61 g/m²/24 h at 24 h. Gamma irradiation at 25 kGy was found suitable for sterilization of the dressings. Infrared (IR) spectral scanning has shown that papain was stable on gamma irradiation at 25–35 kGy. The irradiated chitin–papain membranes were impermeable to different bacterial strains and also exhibited strong bactericidal action against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The fluid handling characteristics and the antimicrobial properties of chitin–papain membranes sterilized by gamma radiation were found suitable for use as wound dressing with debriding activity.     

Protein-based chiral stationary phases for high-performance liquid chromatography enantioseparations

The enantioseparations of various compounds using proteins as the chiral selectors in high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) are considered in this review. The proteins used include albumins such as bovine serum albumin and human serum albumin, glycoproteins such as alpha1-acid glycoprotein, ovomucoid, ovoglycoprotein, avidin and riboflavin binding protein, enzymes such as trypsin, alpha-chymotrypsin, cellobiohydrolase I, lysozyme, pepsin and amyloglucosidase, and other proteins such as ovotransferrin and beta-lactoglobulin. This review deals with the properties of HPLC chiral stationary phases based on proteins, and the enantioselective properties and chiral recognition mechanisms of these stationary phases.     

Effect of gamma radiation on organic ion exchangers

Effects of gamma radiation on indigenous strong cation and anion exchange resins have been studied in HCl medium up to a dosage of 3600 kGy. The ion exchange capacities of cation and anion exchangers decreased by around 20% at 2400 kGy of absorbed dose. Decrease in salt-splitting capacity and total exchange capacity for both cation and anion exchangers were comparable up to 2400 kGy. Above 2400 kGy, a marginal loss in the capacity was observed for cation exchangers whereas a drastic reduction was noticed for the anion exchangers. The distribution coefficients for zirconium, antimony and cobalt, measured in HCl medium, did not change significantly for 2400 kGy of absorbed dose. Crushing strength and moisture retention capacity did not exhibit any specific trend with the absorbed dose.     

Influence of gamma radiation onto polymeric matrix with papain

Papain is a proteolytic enzyme that has been widely used as debridement agent for scars and wound healing treatment. However, papain presents low stability, which limits its use to extemporaneous or short shelf-life formulations. The purpose of this study was to entrap papain into a polymeric matrix in order to obtain a drug delivery system that could be used as medical device. Since these systems must be sterile, gamma radiation is an interesting option and presents advantages in relation to conventional agents: no radioactive residues are formed; the product can be sterilized inside the final packaging and has an excellent reliability. The normative reference for the establishment of the sterilizing dose determines 25 kGy as the inactivation dose for viable microorganisms. A silicone dispersion was selected to prepare membranes containing 2% (w/w) papain. Irradiated and non-irradiated membranes were simultaneously assessed in order to verify whether gamma radiation interferes with the drug-releasing profile. Results showed that irradiation does not affect significantly papain release and its activity. Therefore papain shows radioresistance in the irradiation conditions applied. In conclusion, gamma radiation can be easily used as sterilizing agent without affecting the papain release profile and its activity onto the biocompatible device is studied.     

Response of portable gamma monitors for dose rate measurements under various radiation conditions

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - Responses of the hand-held gamma monitors available for the ambient dose equivalent rate measurements in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina...     

Mediate gamma radiation effects on some packaged food items

For most of prepackaged foods a 10 kGy radiation dose is considered the maximum dose needed; however, the commercially available and practically accepted packaging materials must be suitable for such application. This work describes the application of ionizing radiation on several packaged food items, using 5 dehydrated food items, 5 ready-to-eat meals and 5 ready-to-eat food items irradiated in a ⁶⁰Co gamma source with a 3 kGy dose. The quality evaluation of the irradiated samples was performed 2 and 8 months after irradiation. Microbiological analysis (bacteria, fungus and yeast load) was performed. The sensory characteristics were established for appearance, aroma, texture and flavor attributes were also established. From these data, the acceptability of all irradiated items was obtained. All ready-to-eat food items assayed like manioc flour, some pâtés and blocks of raw brown sugar and most of ready-to-eat meals like sausages and chicken with legumes were considered acceptable for microbial and sensory characteristics. On the other hand, the dehydrated food items chosen for this study, such as dehydrated bacon potatoes or pea soups were not accepted by the sensory analysis. A careful dose choice and special irradiation conditions must be used in order to achieve sensory acceptability needed for the commercialization of specific irradiated food items.     

The effect of gamma radiation on some organicpH indicators

The effect of gamma-radiation on the color intensity of a series of representative organic dyes, commonly used as pH indicators, has been studied. In aqueous medium, at commonly used concentration levels, the dyes demonstrate ability to indicate pH after gamma-doses of 10³-10⁴ r. In general all the dyes show less sensitivity to radiation in neutral or basic media than in acid media. The compounds demonstrate a pseudo first order degradation reaction rate which was shown to be the expected radiation effect zero order rate. Of those compounds studied, methyl orange proved to be the most sensitive to radiation while bromocresol green is the most resistant to radiation damage. It was found that addition of small amounts of ethyl alcohol to the medium was effective in decreasing dye radiation damage to a large degree. Research sponsored by the U.S. Atomic Energy Comission under contract with the Union Carbide Corporation.     

Bismuth radionuclides in the natural background gamma radiation spectrum

The natural background gamma (NBG) spectrum was accumulated inside the laboratory, with 102.88 cm³ Ge(Li) detector, to investigate bismuth natural radionuclides in the energy range of 500–1700 keV. The relative intensities of identified²¹⁴Bi gamma lines were obtained from the spectrum. The results were in good agreement with that obtained from a source of a precise strength. Out of the 25 gamma lines of²¹⁴Bi, 19 lines were established including 6 lines observed for the first time in the NBG spectrum. Most of the gamma lines of²¹¹Bi and²¹²Bi were observed. Some of these lines are new.     

CCRI supplementary comparison of standards for absorbed dose to water in 60Co gamma radiation at radiation processing dose levels

Six national standards for absorbed dose to water in ⁶⁰Co gamma radiation at the dose levels used in radiation processing have been compared over the range from 5 to 30 kGy using the alanine dosimeters of the NIST and the NPL as the transfer dosimeters. The standards are in agreement at the level of around 0.5%, which is significantly smaller than the stated standard uncertainties.     

Engineered Bio-inspired Multifunctional Peptide- and Protein-based Therapeutic Biomolecules for Better Wound Care

Developing non-immunogenic therapeutic biomolecules for facilitating blood clotting followed by wound healing via therapeutic angiogenesis, still remains a formidable challenge. Excessive blood loss of accident victims and battalions cause a huge number of deaths worldwide. Patients with inherited bleeding disorders face acute complications during injury and post-surgery. Biologically-inspired peptide-based hemostat can act as a potential therapeutic for handling coagulopathy. Additionally, non-healing wounds for patients having ischemic diseases can cause severe clinical complications. Advancement in stabilized growth-factor-based proangiogenic therapy may offer effective possibilities for the treatment of ischemic pathology. This review will discuss nature-inspired biocompatible stabilized peptide- and protein-based molecular medicines to serve unmet medical challenges for handling traumatic coagulopathy and impaired wound healing.