A clinico-radiological study of mild traumatic brain injury using the national emergency x-radiation utilization study decision instrument

Background: While traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the Indian subcontinent, little is known regarding its basic characteristics. While CT scanning plays an important role in primary assessment of TBI, it is not always indicated in cases of mild TBI. Thus, the present study was carried out to describe the characteristics of cases of mild TBI presenting to a tertiary care hospital in India and determine the need for CT scanning in them using the National Emergency X-radiation Utilization Study (NEXUS) decision instrument.Methods: In this prospective study, a detailed history was obtained, and clinical examination performed for each patient, followed by calculation of the NEXUS score. CT scan findings were recorded. Outcome measures were safe discharge, need for neurosurgical intervention or death.Results: Out of the 425 patients, 87.05% were males. Road Traffic Accident (RTA) was the most common mode of injury. 206 patients had significant intracranial injuries, with skull fractures and hemorrhagic contusions being the most common.138 out of these 206 had a positive NEXUS score. ENT bleed and history of loss of consciousness were also found to be important predictors of significant intracranial injuries. 83 patients were discharged safely from the emergency department, 14 required neurosurgical intervention and 2 died during the course of their stay in the hospital. Conclusions: NEXUS decision instrument can be a useful tool to determine the need for CT scanning in patients of mild TBI.

Butirato de sodio como agente coadyuvante de la acción radioprotectora de la amifostina / Sodium butyrate as a coadyuvant agent of the radioprotecting action of amifostine / Butirato de sódio como agente coadjuvante da ação radioprotetora da amifostina

Entre los escasos radioprotectores en uso, la amifostina resulta eficaz para reducir la toxicidad aguda inducida por la radiación ionizante. Sin embargo, presenta efectos tóxicos importantes que impiden su uso repetido o en dosis altas. Es necesario entonces desarrollar radioprotectores menos tóxicos, por sí mismos o como coadyuvantes de la amifostina en dosis bajas. Se expusieron ratas Sprague-Dawley a una dosis de rayos X de 6 Gy (cuerpo entero). Se ensayó el butirato de sodio como mitigante luego de una dosis baja de amifostina previa a la irradiación. A distintos tiempos después de la irradiación se realizó el recuento de eritrocitos, leucocitos y la fórmula leucocitaria. Los efectos genotóxicos se evaluaron en leucocitos de sangre mediante el ensayo Cometa. Se realizaron también estudios de supervivencia a 60 días y la evaluación histológica del duodeno e intestino grueso. El efecto del tratamiento resultó moderadamente protector respecto de la recuperación de los valores normales de eritrocitos, leucocitos y la fórmula leucocitaria en los animales sobrevivientes en ambos sexos, así como de los epitelios intestinales y el ADN de los leucocitos. También aumentó significativamente la sobrevida a 60 días. La radioprotección con amifostina en una dosis baja seguida de una mitigación con butirato fue claramente significativa.

Among the few radioprotectors in use, amifostine is effective in reducing the acute toxicity induced by ionizing radiation. However, it has important toxic effects that prevent its repeated use or in high doses. It is necessary then to develop less toxic radioprotectors, by themselves or as adjuvants of amifostine in low doses. Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to an X-ray dose of 6 Gy (whole body). Sodium butyrate was tested as a mitigant after a low dose of amifostine prior to irradiation. At different times after the irradiation, the erythrocytes, leukocytes and the leukocyte formula were counted. Genotoxic effects were evaluated in blood leukocytes by the Comet assay. Sixty-day survival studies and histological evaluation of the duodenum and large intestine were also performed. The effect of the treatment was moderately protective with respect to the recovery of the normal values of erythrocytes, leukocytes and the leukocyte formula in the surviving animals in both sexes as well as for the intestinal epithelia and leukocytes DNA. It also significantly increased the 60-day survival. The radioprotection with amifostine in a low dose followed by mitigation with butyrate was clearly significant.

Entre os poucos radioprotetores em uso, a amifostina é eficaz na redução da toxicidade aguda induzida pela radiação ionizante. No entanto, tem importantes efeitos tóxicos que impedem seu uso repetido ou em altas doses. É necessário, então, desenvolver radioprotetores menos tóxicos, isoladamente ou como coadjuvantes da amifostina em baixas doses. Ratos Sprague-Dawley foram expostos a uma dose de raios X de 6 Gy (corpo inteiro). O butirato de sódio foi testado como mitigante após uma dose baixa de amifostina antes da irradiação. Em diferentes momentos após a irradiação, os eritrócitos, leucócitos e a fórmula de leucócitos foram contados. Os efeitos genotóxicos foram avaliados em leucócitos de sangue pelo ensaio Cometa. Estudos de sobrevida de 60 dias e avaliação histológica do duodeno e do intestino grosso também foram realizados. O efeito do tratamento resultou moderadamente protetor em relação à recuperação de valores normais de eritrócitos, leucócitos e fórmula leucocitária nos animais sobreviventes em ambos os sexos, bem como protegeu epitélios intestinais e o DNA dos leucócitos. Também aumentou significativamente a sobrevida para 60 dias. A radioproteção com amifostina em baixa dose seguida de uma mitigação com butirato foi claramente significativa.

Efecto radioprotector del piruvato de etilo, solo o como coadyuvante de la amifostina / Radioprotective effect of ethyl pyruvate alone or as a coadyuvant of amifostine / Efeito radioprotetor do piruvato de etila, sozinho ou como um coadjuvante de amifostina

Entre los radioprotectores con uso clínico se destaca la amifostina (WR- 2721), eficaz pero con efectos secundarios que impiden su uso repetitivo. Es interés de los autores desarrollar radioprotectores menos tóxicos, por sí mismos o como coadyuvantes de amifostina. Ratas machos o hembras se expusieron a una dosis de rayos X de 2 Gy. Se ensayó el piruvato de etilo, solo o conjuntamente con amifostina. Cuarenta y ocho horas después de la exposición a la radiación, se realizó el recuento de eritrocitos, de leucocitos y la fórmula leucocitaria. Los efectos genotóxicos se evaluaron en leucocitos de sangre mediante el ensayo Cometa. Se realizaron también estudios de supervivencia a 60 días post-irradiación. En los animales irradiados disminuyeron los eritrocitos, y el recuento de leucocitos se redujo drásticamente respecto al control, presentando además una fórmula alterada. El tratamiento con piruvato de etilo resultó en una protección de los eritrocitos en ambos sexos. El daño genético disminuyó significativamente por el tratamiento con piruvato de etilo solo o combinado con amifostina, y en hembras se observó una mayor supervivencia solo con el tratamiento combinado. El piruvato de etilo mostró una acción radioprotectora significativa, que podría mejorarse aumentando la dosis o el tiempo de tratamiento, ya que tiene muy baja toxicidad.

Among the currently available radioprotectors, only amifostine (WR-2721) has shown in clinical trials to reduce radiation-induced toxicity. This compound is an efficient radioprotector but it exhibits some undesirable side effects which prevent its repetitive use. Efforts are directed to develop radioprotective agents with lower toxicity, with their own protective potential or suitable as coadyuvants of amifostine. The present study describes the results obtained by repetitive oral administration of ethyl pyruvate. Male or female rats were exposed to an X-ray dose of 2 Gy. Forty-eight hours after exposure to radiation, erythrocyte count, leukocyte and differential count were performed. Genotoxic effects were assessed in blood leukocytes by the Comet assay. Survival studies were also performed at 60 days post-irradiation. Eritrocyte and leukocyte were reduced in animals exposed to radiation compared to the control, also presenting an altered formula. Treatment with ethyl pyruvate resulted in a protection on erythrocytes of both sexes. Genetic damage was significantly decreased by ethyl pyruvate alone or combined with amifostine, and in females, higher survival was observed only with combined administration. Ethyl pyruvate showed a significant radioprotective action, which could be improved by increasing the dose or time of treatment because it has low toxicity.

Entre os radioprotetores com uso clínico destaca-se a amifostina (WR-2721) eficaz mas com efeitos secundários que impedem seu uso repetitivo. O interesse dos autores é desenvolver radioprotetores menos tóxicos, por si mesmos ou como coadjuvantes de amistofina. Ratos machos ou fêmeas foram expostos a doses de raios X de 2Gy. Ensaiou-se o piruvato de etila, só ou junto com amifostina. Quarenta e oito horas após a exposição à radiação foi realizada a contagem de eritrócitos, de leucócitos e da fórmula leucocitária. Efeitos genotóxicos foram avaliados em leucócitos do sangue pelo Ensaio Cometa. Estudos de sobrevivência foram também realizados a 60 dias pós-irradiação. Nos animais irradiados diminuíram os eritrócitos, e a contagem de leucócitos se reduziu drasticamente em comparação com o controle, apresentando também uma fórmula alterada. O tratamento com piruvato de etila resultou numa proteção dos eritrócitos em ambos os sexos. O dano genético diminuiu significativamente pelo tratamento com piruvato de etila sozinho ou combinado com amifostina, e nas fêmeas se observou maior sobrevivência só com o tratamento combinado. O piruvato de etila mostrou uma ação radioprotetora significativa, que poderia ser melhorada pelo aumento da dose ou do tempo de tratamento, visto que tem baixa toxicidade.

Efecto del tratamiento de semillas con bajas dosis de rayos X en plantas de pimiento (Capsicum annuum L.) / Effect of seed treatment low doses of X-rays in peppers plants (Capsicum annuum L.).

Se estudió la influencia del tratamiento de semillas con bajas dosis de rayos X sobre el crecimiento y el rendimiento del cultivar de pimiento California Wonder. Las semillas se irradiaron con un equipo de rayos X de baja potencia (11,47 Gy/min) con las dosis 5, 10, 20 y 30 Gy, empleando semillas no irradiadas como control. Se evaluó la altura de las plántulas (mm), longitud de la raíz principal (mm), diámetro del tallo (mm), diámetro medio polar de los frutos (mm), diámetro medio ecuatorial de los frutos (mm), masa promedio de los frutos (g) y rendimiento por planta (kg.planta-1). Los resultados mostraron un incremento significativo (p≤0.001) en los indicadores; altura de las plantas (15%), longitud de la raíz (12%), diámetro del tallo (7%), diámetro medio ecuatorial (47%), masa promedio de los frutos (16%) y rendimiento por plantas (107%), respecto al control.

The influence of seed treatment with X-rays radiation on some growth and yield of peppers plants, California Wonder variety was studied. The seeds were irradiated with X- rays irradiation source of low potency (11,47Gy/min), with doses of 5, 10, 20 y 30 Gy, using untreated seeds as controls. The plant height (mm), root length (mm), stem diameter (mm), polar average diameter (mm) ecuatorial mean diameter (mm), mean fruit mass (g) and yield per plant (kg.plant-1) were evaluated. The results showed a significant improvement (p≤0.001) in the indicators of plants height (15%), root length (12%), stem diameter (7%), equatorial mean diameter (47%), mean fruit mass (16%) and yield per plant (107%), compared to control.

Calculation of the displacement cross sections and the dpa distribution in hydrogenated amorphous silicon semiconductors detectors in medical digital imaging applications / Cálculo de la sección transversal de desplazamiento y la distribución de los dpa en detectores semiconductores de silicio amorfo hidrogenado en aplicaciones de imagenología digital médica

Utilizando la aproximación de Mott-McKinley-Feshbach en el trabajo se calculó la dependencia de la sección transversal de desplazamiento para cada especie de átomo de la estructura del a-Si:H en los intervalos de energía típicos de los electrones secundarios generados por los rayos X empleados en aplicaciones de imagenología médica. Se observó que para energías de los electrones superiores a 1,52 keV son posibles los desplazamientos de átomos de hidrógeno, mientras que la energía umbral de desplazamiento de los átomos de silicio resultó de 126 keV. Estos resultados se compararon con los obtenidos para detectores similares pero fabricados de silicio cristalino. Con el empleo de la simulación matemática del transporte de la radiación en la materia se calculó el especto energético de los electrones secundarios con el objetivo de estimar el número de desplazamientos por átomos que tienen lugar en el dispositivo amorfo semiconductor en régimen de trabajo. La distribución espacial de los dpa en el volumen del detector, así como su comportamiento con la profundidad son presentados y discutidos en el texto.

In present paper the dependence of the displacement cross sections of the different species of atoms in the a-Si:H structure, with the energy of the secondary electrons generated by the X-rays of the typical energies using in medical imaging applications, was calculated using the Mott-McKinley-Feshbach approach. It was verified that for electron energies higher than 1.52 keV it is possible the occurrence of hydrogen atoms displacements, while for the silicon atoms the threshold energy is 126 keV. These results were compared with those obtained for similar detectors but developed with crystalline silicon. With the use of the mathematical simulation of the radiation transport in the matter, the energy spectrum of the secondary electrons was calculated in order to estimate the number of atomic displacements, which take place in the semiconducting amorphous device in working regime. The spatial distribution of the dpa in the detectors volume, as well as its behavior with the depth in the work region are presented and discussed in the text.

Radiation -induced Congenital Anomalies in the Rat Fetuses / 체질인류학회지

X -ray irradiation induces various congenital anomalies in the human fetuses and experimental animals. The action mechanism of teratogenesis, however, still not known completely. Furthermore, the dynamics of teratogenesis according to the developmental stages are so great that complete unveiling the teratogenic action mechanism of radiation is nearly impossible. And, it is necessary to make the experimental model for the study on the damages caused by electromagnetic field, recently. In this study, the Sprague -Dawley rats were irradiated 2 Gy once on the GD 10.7, and observed the congenital anomalies of the fetuses on GD 17.5, grossly and light microscopically. The results were as follows ; 1. There was no significant difference in the survival rate between control and irradiated groups. However, mean body weight of the experimental group decreased significantly compared to control group. 2. X -irradiation -induced congenital anomalies were eye anomalies such as unilateral and/or bilateral anophthalmia, microphthalmia, and aphakia, hemorrhagic plaques on the head, tail anomalies such as short tail and curved tail, and posterior limb anomalies. 3. Posterior limb anomalies were all ecrodactyly, such as 4 -digit anomaly, 3 -digit anomaly, and cleft foot. In the sidedness of anomalies, right side showed greater dominance than left.