Hematological findings in male X-ray technicians

In view of the known health hazards of x-ray radiation, this study focuses on the basic hematological parameters: red blood cells [RBCs], white blood cells [WBCs] and platelets count in x-ray technicians. The aim was to identify the affect of x-ray radiation on blood cell counts in x-ray technicians. The present study was conducted in the Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the year 2002. In this study, a group of 40 apparently healthy male x-ray technicians with age ranging from 25-50-years were recruited. They were matched with another group of 40 apparently healthy control subjects in terms of age, sex and ethnic origin. Both groups met with exclusion criteria as per standard. Red blood cells, WBC and platelets count were performed by using a blood cell auto analyser [Beckman coulter counter]. The mean value of platelet count was significantly decreased [p<0.01] in x-ray technicians when compared to controls. However, no significant difference was observed in RBC and WBC count between the groups. ation causes decreased platelet count. Further, studies are needed to study the long-term effects of x-ray radiation on blood cell count in x-ray technicians

Situaçäo no Brasil da prática de irradiaçäo de sangue na prevençäo da doença-enxerto-versus hospedeiro / Situation of Brazil of blood irradiation practice in prevention of graft vs host diseases

A transfusão de sangue e dos componentes celulares contendo linfócitos vivos pode resultar na doença do Enxerto-Versus-Hospedeiro (DEVH) em pacientes imunocomprometidos. Ela pode ser prevenida pela irradiação dos componentes do sangue antes da transfusão. Este trabalho apresenta uma visão da realidade brasileira na prática de prevenção da doença, e apresenta proposta de otimização do problema.

Thyrotoxicosis--treatment by I131 therapy and early prediction of hypothyroidism following this therapy.

This study was undertaken in 68 thyrotoxic patients to assess the predictive value of various post treatment biochemical and immunological tests for early hypothyroidism after I131 therapy and to determine whether pretreatment with carbimazole protects against post I131 therapy hypothyroidism. Early changes observed in serum T3, T4, TSH, thyroid microsomal and thyroglobulin antibody levels were found to be of no predictive value. A sharp increase in TRAb levels around 3 months following I131 therapy indicated that hypothyroidism was likely to occur as this rise reflected a greater degree of thyroid damage. Lower levels of thyroglobulin in patients who became hypothyroid by 12 months after treatment would support this view. Carbimazole pretreatment for eight weeks did not appear to protect against hypothyroidism, in our study.

Bone marrow transplantation as a prophylactic of radiation injury

Bone marrow transplantation was used as prophylactic treatment of radiation injury at dose level of [6 Gy]. The resulting amelioration was studied on hemoglobin [Hb] after time intervals of transplantation 13 and 20 days. Hb content tended to increase gradually, and even became above normal after 21 days of transplantation. Not only the improvement occurred on quantitative concentration of Hb qualitative structure and function