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Biomedical subjects

R J Fry

Publications and source records attributed to R J Fry.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Radiation protection guidelines for the skin.

The past recommendations of the ICRP about dose limits to the skin are reviewed. Recently, an ICRP Task Group has been revisiting the old arguments and setting them against new data. With the exception of the function of cells in the skin associated with immunocompetence, non-stochastic effects have been well characterized and threshold doses are known with a precision appropriate for setting radiation protection standards. The current dose limitations of 0.5 Sv per year and a working lifetime dose limit of 20 Sv should protect the worker population against deterministic effects. When the ICRP made its recommendations in 1977 for dose limits there was no appreciation of the importance of the interaction of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and X-rays. Both clinical and experimental data show that the risk of ionizing-radiation-induced cancer is significantly increased by subsequent exposures to UVR. Therefore, risks for sun-exposed areas of skin differ from those that are shielded. The risk estimate for skin cancer is very dependent on the selection of the projection model and on the mortality rate assumed. Based on the relative risk model a mortality rate of 0.2 per cent and summing risks for both UVR exposed and shielded skin the risk is about twice (1.94 x 10(-4) Sv-1) that which ICRP derived in 1977. With the absolute model the risk is considerably less, about 0.5 x 10(-4) Sv-1. There is still insufficient understanding of the effects of multiple or protracted exposures on the risk of skin cancer induction. Experimental results suggest that exposures, at least to relatively high total doses, that are protracted over a long period are more carcinogenic than a small number of exposures over a short period.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Tissue responses to low protracted doses of high LET radiations or photons: early and late damage relevant to radio-protective countermeasures.

Early and late murine tissue responses to single or fractionated low doses of heavy charged particles, fission-spectrum neutrons or gamma rays are considered. Damage to the hematopoietic system is emphasized, but results on acute lethality, host response to challenge with transplanted leukemia cells and life-shortening are presented. Low dose rates per fraction were used in some neutron experiments. Split-dose lethality studies (LD 50/30) with fission neutrons indicated greater accumulation of injury during a 9 fraction course (over 17 days) than was the case for gamma-radiation. When total doses of 96 or 247 cGy of neutrons or gamma rays were given as a single dose or in 9 fractions, a significant sparing effect on femur CFU-S depression was observed for both radiation qualities during the first 11 days, but there was not an earlier return to normal with dose fractionation. During the 9 fraction sequence, a significant sparing effect of low dose rate on CFU-S depression was observed in both neutron and gamma-irradiated mice. CFU-S content at the end of the fractionation sequence did not correlate with measured LD 50/30. Sustained depression of femur and spleen CFU-S and a significant thrombocytopenia were observed when a total neutron dose of 240 cGy was given in 72 fractions over 24 weeks at low dose rates. The temporal aspects of CFU-S repopulation were different after a single versus fractionated neutron doses. The sustained reduction in the size of the CFU-S population was accompanied by an increase in the fraction in DNA synthesis. The proliferation characteristics and effects of age were different for radial CFU-S population closely associated with bone, compared with the axial population that can be readily aspirated from the femur. In aged irradiated animals, the CFU-S proliferation/redistribution response to typhoid vaccine showed both an age and radiation effect. After high single doses of neutrons or gamma rays, a significant age- and radiation-related deficiency in host defense mechanisms was detected by a shorter mean survival time following challenge with transplantable leukemia cells. Comparison of dose-response curves for life shortening after irradiation with fission-spectrum neutrons or high energy silicon particles indicated high initial slopes for both radiation qualities at low doses, but for higher doses of silicon, the effect per Gy decreased to a value similar to that for gamma rays. The two component life-shortening curve for silicon particles has implications for the potential efficacy of radioprotectants. Recent studies on protection against early and late effects by aminothiols, prostaglandins, and other compounds are discussed.

Aging↗
PubMed1988

Radiation protection guidelines for space missions.

The current radiation protection guidelines of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) were recommended in 1970. The career limit was set at 4.0 Sv (400 rem). Using the same approach as in 1970 but current risk estimates, a considerably lower career limit would obtain today. Also, there is now much more information about the radiation environments that will be experienced in different missions. Furthermore, since 1970 women have joined the ranks of the astronauts. For these and other reasons, it was considered necessary to re-examine the radiation protection guidelines. This task has been undertaken by the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements Scientific Committee 75. Within the magnetosphere, the radiation environment varies with altitude and inclination of the orbit. In outer space missions, galactic cosmic rays, with the small but important heavy-ion component, determine the radiation environment. The new recommendations for career dose limits, based on lifetime excess risk of cancer mortality, take into account age at first exposure and sex. The career limits range from 1.0 Sv (100 rem) for a 24-y-old female up to 4.0 Sv (400 rem) for a 55-y-old male, compared with the previous single limit of 4.0 Sv (400 rem). The career limit for the lens of the eye has been reduced from 6.0 Sv (600 rem) to 4.0 Sv (400 rem).

Female↗
PubMed1988

Extrapolation of the relative risk of radiogenic neoplasms across mouse strains and to man.

We have examined two interrelated questions: is the susceptibility for radiogenic cancer related to the natural incidence, and are the responses of cancer induction by radiation described better by an absolute or a relative risk model. Also, we have examined whether it is possible to extrapolate relative risk estimates across species, from mice to humans. The answers to these questions were obtained from determinations of risk estimates for nine neoplasms in female and male C3Hf/Bd and C57BL/6 Bd mice and from data obtained from previous experiments with female BALB/c Bd and RFM mice. The mice were exposed to 137Cs gamma rays at 0.4 Gy/min to doses of 0, 0.5, 1.0, or 2.0 Gy. When tumors that were considered the cause of death were examined, both the control and induced mortality rates for the various tumors varied considerably among sexes and strains. The results suggest that in general susceptibility is determined by the control incidence. The relative risk model was significantly superior in five of the tumor types: lung, breast, liver, ovary, and adrenal. Both models appeared to fit myeloid leukemia and Harderian gland tumors, and neither provided good fits for thymic lymphoma and reticulum cell sarcoma. When risk estimates of radiation-induced tumors in humans and mice were compared, it was found that the relative risk estimates for lung, breast, and leukemia were not significantly different between humans and mice. In the case of liver tumors, mice had a higher risk than humans. These results indicate that the relative risk model is the appropriate approach for risk estimation for a number of tumors. The apparent concordance of relative risk estimates between humans and mice for the small number of cancers examined encourages us to undertake further studies.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

New dosimetry of atomic bomb radiations.

The reassessment of the radiation dosimetry from the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombs is almost complete. Since atomic bomb survivors provide a major source of data for estimates of risk of cancer induction by radiation the impact of the new dosimetry on risk estimates and radiation protection standards is important. The changes include an increase of about 20% in the estimated yield of the Hiroshima bomb and a reduction in the estimated doses from neutrons in both cities. The estimated neutron dose for Hiroshima is about 10% of the previous estimate. The neutron doses are now so small that direct estimates of neutron relative biological effectiveness may be precluded or be much more difficult. There is little change in most of the gamma ray organ doses because various changes in the new estimates tend to cancel each other out. The new estimate of the attenuation of the free-in-air kerma by the walls of the homes is about twice that used in the previous dosimetry. But the transmission of gamma radiation to the deep organs such as bone marrow is significantly greater than earlier estimates. Probably future risk estimates for radiogenic cancer will be somewhat higher because of both the new dosimetry and the new cancer mortality data. New risk estimates should be available in 1988.

Brain↗
PubMed1987

Comparison of intestine and bone marrow radiosensitivity of the BALB/c and the C57BL/6 mouse strains and their B6CF1 offspring.

The radiosensitivity as measured by LD50/6 or LD50/30 of the F1 hybrid B6CF1 (C57BL/6 X BALB/c) is similar to that of C57BL/6 mice but markedly different from BALB/c. The LD50/6 for BALB/c mice was about 8.8 Gy compared to 16.4 Gy for the B6CF1. The difference in LD50/6 between the parent strains or between BALB/c and the F1 hybrid could not be explained by any differences in crypt cell number, cell cycle time, or transit time. Likewise, the observed differences in the LD50/6 do not appear to result from marked differences in the radiosensitivity of marrow stem cells (CFU-S) since the D0's for the three genotypes of mice were similar. Also, there were no apparent differences in the red blood cell contents of several enzymes associated with antioxidant defenses. The microcolony assay was used to determine the D0 for the crypt clonogenic cells and the D0 values for 60Co gamma rays were about 0.8 Gy for BALB/c mice and 1.4 Gy for B6CF1 mice. However, the D0 values for JANUS fission neutrons were similar; 0.6 Gy for the BALB/c mice and 0.5 for the B6CF1 mice. A comparison of clonogenic cell kinetics, using prolonged colcemid block to distinguish between slowly and rapidly cycling cells suggest that, normally, the stem cells are slowly cycling in both the BALB/c and the B6CF1 hybrid. However, the stem cells of the B6CF1 appear to go into rapid cell cycle more rapidly than those of the BALB/c following irradiation or prolonged colcemid treatment. The more rapid recovery in intestinal epihelial cell production in the B6CF1 hybrid after irradiation may provide an increased mucosal barrier and may, in part, explain the difference in the response to radiation compared to that in the BALB/c.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

UV radiation-induced skin tumors in Monodelphis domestica.

Chronic exposure of the skin of the South American opossum (Monodelphis domestica) to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) from an FS-40 sunlamp (280-400 nm) 3 times per week for a total of 200 exposures resulted in the appearance of actinic keratoses, fibrosarcomas, squamous cell carcinomas and keratoacanthomas. At the higher doses of UVR used in this study, moderate to severe hyperplasia was also observed. The susceptibility of this animal to the induction of skin tumors by UVR in conjunction with the capacity to enzymatically photoreactive pyrimidine dimers in cutaneous DNA identifies this animal as a useful model in determining the role of pyrimidine dimers in skin tumor induction by UVR.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Radiation effects in space.

The radiation protection guidelines of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) are under review by Scientific Committee 75 of the National Council Protection and Measurements. The re-evaluation of the current guidelines is necessary, first, because of the increase in information about radiation risks since 1970 when the original recommendations were made and second, the population at risk has changed. For example, women have joined the ranks of the astronauts. Two types of radiation, protons and heavy ions, are of particular concern in space. Unfortunately, there is less information about the effects on tissues and cancer by these radiations than by other radiations. The choice of Quality Factors (Q) for obtaining dose equivalents for these radiations, is an important aspect of the risk estimate for space travel. There are not sufficient data for the induction of late effects by either protons or by heavy ions. The current information suggests a RBE for the relative protons of about 1, whereas, a RBE of 20 for tumor induction by heavy ions, such as iron-56, appears appropriate. The recommendations for the dose equivalent career limits for skin and the lens of the eye have been reduced but the 30-day and annual limits have been raised.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

High-LET radiation carcinogenesis.

The dose-response curves for the induction of tumors by high-LET radiation are complex and are insufficiently understood. There is no model or formulation to describe the dose-response relationship over a range 0-100 rad. Evidence suggests that at doses below 20 rad the response is linear, at least for life shortening and some tumor systems. Thus limiting values of RBEs for the induction of cancer in various tissues can be determined, but it will require sufficient data obtained at low single doses or with small fractions. The results obtained from experiments with heavy ions indicate an initial linear response with a plateauing of the curve at a tumor incidence level that is dependent on the type of tissue. The RBE values for the heavy ions using 60Co gamma rays as the reference radiation increase with the estimated LET from 4 or 4H to about 27 for 56Fe and 40Ar. The dose responses and RBEs for 56Fe and 40Ar are similar to those for fission neutrons. These findings suggest the possibility that the effectiveness for tumor induction reaches a maximum.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Approaches to radiation guidelines for space travel.

There are obvious risks in space travel that have loomed larger than any risk from radiation. Nevertheless, NASA has maintained a radiation program that has involved maintenance of records of radiation exposure, and planning so that the astronauts' exposures are kept as low as possible, and not just within the current guidelines. These guidelines are being reexamined currently by NCRP Committee 75 because new information is available, for example, risk estimates for radiation-induced cancer and about the effects of HZE particles. Furthermore, no estimates of risk or recommendations were made for women in 1970 and must now be considered. The current career limit is 400 rem to the blood forming organs. The appropriateness of this limit and its basis are being examined as well as the limits for specific organs. There is now considerably more information about age-dependency for radiation effects and this will be taken into account. In 1973 a committee of the National Research Council made a separate study of HZE particle effects and it was concluded that the attendant risks did not pose a hazard for low inclination near-earth orbit missions. Since that time work has been carried out on the so-called microlesions caused by HZE particles and on the relative carcinogenic effect of heavy ions, including iron. A remaining question is whether the fluence of HZE particles could reach levels of concern in missions under consideration. Finally, it is the intention of the committee to indicate clearly the areas requiring further research.

Aerospace Medicine↗