Elio Giroletti

Radon signals related to seismic activity in Ecuador, March 1987

A radon concentration measurement survey was carried out in Ecuador using the SSNTD technique. The data analysis shows a definite radon anomaly prior to March 6, 1987;M=6.9 earthquake. Anomalies found before October 18 and October 28th mild earthquakes in 1986 could be correlated with these events. Other anomalies that we cannot correlate with any geophysical event were also found.

A Model of Radiation-Induced Cell Killing: Insights into Mechanisms and Applications for Hadron Therapy

A mechanism-based, two-parameter biophysical model of cell killing was developed with the aim of elucidating the mechanisms underlying radiation-induced cell death and predicting cell killing by different radiation types, including protons and carbon ions at energies and doses of interest for cancer therapy. The model assumed that certain chromosome aberrations (dicentrics, rings and large deletions, called “lethal aberrations”) lead to clonogenic inactivation, and that aberrations derive from μm-scale misrejoining of chromatin fragments, which in turn are produced by “dirty” double-strand breaks called “cluster lesions” (CLs). The average numbers of CLs per Gy per cell were left as a semi-free parameter and the threshold distance for chromatin-fragment rejoining was defined the second parameter. The model was “translated” into Monte Carlo code and provided simulated survival curves, which were compared with survival data on V79 cells exposed to protons, carbon ions and X rays. The agreement was good between simulations and survival data and supported the assumptions of the model at least for doses up to a few Gy. Dicentrics, rings and large deletions were found to be lethal not only for AG1522 cells exposed to X rays, as already reported by others, but also for V79 cells exposed to protons and carbon ions of different energies. Furthermore, the derived CL yields suggest that the critical DNA lesions leading to clonogenic inactivation are more complex than “clean” DSBs. After initial validation, the model was applied to characterize the particle and LET dependence of proton and carbon cell killing. Consistent with the proton data, the predicted fraction of inactivated cells after 2 Gy protons was 40–50% below 7.7 keV/μm, increased by a factor ∼1.6 between 7.7–30.5 keV/μm, and decreased by a factor ∼1.1 between 30.5–34.6 keV/μm. These LET values correspond to proton energies below a few MeV, which are always present in the distal region of hadron therapy spread-out Bragg peaks (SOBP). Consistent with the carbon data, the predicted fraction of inactivated cells after 2 Gy carbon was 40–50% between 13.7–32.4 keV/μm, it increased by a factor ∼1.7 between 32.4–153.5 keV/μm, and decreased by a factor ∼1.1 between 153.5–339.1 keV/μm. Finally, we applied the model to predict cell death at different depths along a carbon SOBP used for preclinical experiments at HIMAC in Chiba, Japan. The predicted fraction of inactivated cells was found to be roughly constant (less than 10%) along the SOBP, suggesting that this approach may be applied to predict cell killing of therapeutic carbon beams and that, more generally, dicentrics, rings and deletions at the first mitosis may be regarded as a biological dose for these beams. This study advanced our understanding of the mechanisms of radiation-induced cell death and characterized the particle and LET dependence of proton and carbon cell killing along a carbon SOBP. The model does not use RBE values, which can be a source of uncertainty. More generally, this model is a mechanism-based tool that in minutes can predict cell inactivation by protons or carbon ions of a given energy and dose, based on an experimental photon curve and in principle, a single (experimental) survival point for the considered ion type and energy.

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging: patient safety considerations

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is widely used in medicine. In cardiology, it is used to assess congenital or acquired diseases of the heat: and large vessels. Unless proper precautions are taken, it is generally advisable to avoid using this technique in patients with implanted electronic stimulators, such as pacemakers and defibrillators, on account of the potential risk of inducing electrical currents on the endocardial catheters, since these currents might stimulate the heart at a high frequency, thereby triggering dangerous arrhythmias. In addition to providing some basic information on pacemakers, defibrillators and MRI, and on the possible physical phenomena that may produce harmful effects, the present review examines the indications given in the literature, with particular reference to coronary stents, artificial heart valves and implantable cardiac stimulators.

Seasonal and Lunar Month Periods Observed in Natural Neutron Flux at High Altitude

Air radon concentration measurement is useful for research on geophysical effects, but it is strongly sensitive to site geology and many geophysical and microclimatic processes such as wind, ventilation, air humidity and so on inducing very big fluctuations on the concentration of radon in air. On the contrary, monitoring the radon concentration in soil by measuring the thermal neutron flux reduces environmental effects. In this paper, we report some experimental results on the natural thermal neutron flux as well as on the concentration of air radon and its variations at 4300 m asl. These results were obtained with unshielded thermal neutron scintillation detectors (en-detectors) and radon monitors located inside the ARGO-YBJ experimental hall. The correlation of these variations with the lunar month and 1-year period is undoubtedly confirmed. A method for earthquake prediction provided by a global net of en-detectors is currently under study.

Laboratory UV Exposure: Risk Assessment and Protective Measures {

Abstract In research laboratories ultraviolet radiation is widely used, particularly in photochemistry and photobiology, as a sterilizing agent and for the characterization of samples. The results of a survey conducted near several university laboratories are presented with the aim of quantifying exposure levels to UV-incoherent radiation and to assess individual risk for researchers and students. It has been shown that exposure is not negligible, especially if safety procedures are neglected and personal protective equipments, described in this study, are not used.

Are physicians aware enough of patient radiation protection? Results from a survey among physicians of Pavia District– Italy

BackgroundRadiological practices are the first anthropic sources of ionizing radiation exposure of the population. However, a review of recent publications underlines inadequate doctors’ knowledge about doses imparted in medical practices and about patient protection that might explain unnecessary radiological prescriptions. We investigated the knowledge of the physicians of Pavia District (Italy) on the risk of radiation exposure.MethodsA cross sectional study was performed involving the Medical Association of Pavia District. Data were collected with a self-administered questionnaire, available on-line with private login and password.ResultsFour hundred nineteen physicians fulfilled the questionnaire; 48% of participants reported training about radiation protection. The average percentage of correct answers on the knowledge on ionizing radiation was 62.29%, with a significantly higher result between radiologist. Around 5 and 13% of the responders do not know that, respectively, ultrasonography and magnetic resonance do not expose patients to ionizing radiations. Only 5% of the physicians properly identified the cancer risk rate associated to abdomen computed tomography.ConclusionsThe findings show a quite good level of the general knowledge about ionizing radiations, higher that reported in literature. Nevertheless, we believe the usefulness of training on the risk linked to radiation exposure in medicine for physicians employed in every area.