Potential consequences of the Fukushima accident for off-site nuclear emergency management: a case study for Germany.

The Fukushima accident led to high radionuclide releases into the atmosphere for more than 3 weeks. This situation has not been assumed when the concepts of nuclear emergency preparedness were developed internationally. The results of simulations studying potential implications of Fukushima-like source terms on nuclear emergency preparedness are presented. Two hypothetical source terms are considered. Radiological consequences are assessed with the decision support system RODOS. Atmospheric dispersion calculations are based on meteorological monitoring data from June and December 2010, respectively, to study potential seasonal effects. Simulations are performed for two nuclear power plant sites in Northern and Southern Germany, respectively. These sites are chosen due to their differing meteorology and topography. Predicted radiation doses of members of the population are compared with dose reference levels actually recommended for initiating protective measures in Germany. Potential implications of general interest for nuclear emergency planning are discussed.

Non-clathrin-coat protein alpha is a conserved subunit of coatomer and in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is essential for growth.

To complete the molecular characterization of coatomer, the preformed cytosolic complex that is involved in the formation of biosynthetic transport vesicles, we have cloned and characterized the gene for non-clathrin-coat protein alpha (alpha-COP) from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The derived protein, molecular weight of 135,500, contains four WD-40 repeated motifs (Trp/Asp-containing motifs of approximately 40 amino acids). Disruption of the yeast alpha-COP gene is lethal. Comparison of the DNA-derived primary structure with peptides from bovine alpha-COP shows a striking homology. alpha-COP is localized to coated transport vesicles and coated buds of Golgi membranes derived from CHO cells.

Comparison of gallium-67 versus indium-111 monoclonal antibody (96.5, ZME-018) in detection of human melanoma in athymic mice.

We compared the biodistribution of two radiolabeled, whole, tumor selective monoclonal antibodies [( 111In]96.5, [111In]ZME-018) to 67Ga in nude mice bearing a human melanoma known to express p97 antigen. Localization of gallium was determined 48 hr following i.v. injection. Localization of the radiolabeled antibodies was determined at 3 days and 7 days following i.v. injection. All agents showed more or less similar absolute tumor uptake which varied between 22% and 36% of the injected dose per gram of tumor. Only the tumor uptake of [111In]96.5 antibody at 7 days was significantly lower than the 67Ga uptake at 48 hr. However, uptake in normal tissues was generally higher for both antibodies at 3 and 7 days than for 67Ga uptake at 48 hr. Therefore, the tumor-to-blood ratio for 67Ga was tenfold higher than that for either antibody, the tumor-to-muscle ratio was twofold higher. Bone was the only organ in which the tumor-to-organ ratio was consistently higher with radiolabeled antibody than with 67Ga. The tumor-to-liver and tumor-to-intestine ratios were comparable. Localization of the two tumor selective antibodies was greater than a nonspecific "control antibody" [( 111In]CEA) and change in specific activity from 0.17 mCi/mg to 3.3 mCi/mg did not influence localization. From these animal data it may be anticipated that tumor imaging with [111In]96.5 or [111In]ZME-018 will not be superior to imaging with 67Ga for detection of melanoma.