Redox dysregulation in imaging professionals occupationally exposed to ionizing and non-ionizing radiation.

Purpose: Imaging professionals are occupationally exposed to chronic ionizing radiation (IR) and non-ionizing radiation (NIR). This study aimed to investigate the influence of occupational radiation exposure on oxidative stress and antioxidant levels based on blood biomarkers in different hospital imaging professional groups.Materials and methods: The study groups included 66 imaging professionals occupationally exposed to IR (n = 58, 43 diagnostic radiography (G1), seven nuclear medicine (G2), eight radiation therapy (G3)), and NIR (n = 8, ultrasound imaging (G4)) and 60 non-exposed controls. Blood levels of superoxide (O2•-) as an index of oxidative stress, and the antioxidant activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione ratio (GSH/GSSG), and catalase (CAT) were measured.Results: The blood values of O2•-, SOD, and CAT were significantly higher in imaging professionals occupationally exposed to radiation than in the control group (p < .05), while a significant decrease in the ratio of GSH/GSSG was observed (p < .05). The results from the NIR group were significantly higher compared to IR group.Conclusions: Based on these results, chronic exposure to radiation (IR and NIR) is associated with redox dysregulation that may result in damages to cellular biomolecules including lipids, proteins and DNA. Further studies are needed to determine the impact of redox dysregulation and the need for periodic examination among imaging professionals occupationally exposed to IR and NIR.

Healthcare Workers Occupationally Exposed to Ionizing Radiation Exhibit Altered Levels of Inflammatory Cytokines and Redox Parameters.

Studies have shown an increased risk for a variety of cancers, specifically brain cancer, in healthcare workers occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation. Although the mechanisms mediating these phenomena are not fully understood, ionizing radiation-mediated elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), oxidative DNA damage, and immune modulation are likely involved. A group of 20 radiation exposed workers and 40 sex- and age-matched non-exposed control subjects were recruited for the study. We measured superoxide (O2•-) levels in whole blood of healthcare workers and all other measurements of cytokines, oxidative DNA damage, extracellular superoxide dismutase (EcSOD) activity and reduced/oxidized glutathione ratio (GSH/GSSG) in plasma. Levels of O2•- were significantly higher in radiation exposed workers compared to control. Similarly, a significant increase in the levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1α and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1α in radiation exposed workers compared to control was observed, while there was no significance difference in the other 27 screened cytokines. A significant positive correlation was found between MIP-1α and O2•- levels with no correlation in either IL-6 or IL-1α. Further, a dose-dependent relationship with significant O2•- production and immune alterations in radiation exposed workers was demonstrated. There was no statistical difference between the groups in terms of oxidative DNA damage, GSH/GSSG levels, or EcSOD activity. Although the biologic significance of cytokines alterations in radiation exposed workers is unclear, further studies are needed for determining the underlying mechanism of their elevation.

Interprofessional Education in Allied Health Using Virtual Technologies.

BACKGROUND: Interprofessional education (IPE) is becoming increasingly prevalent in health science education, with the goal of preparing students to work collaboratively in teams within the healthcare environment. Students in our cytotechnology and radiation therapy (RT) programs used virtual technologies to demonstrate their professions using case studies. The purpose of this activity was to see if our students' knowledge of each other's professions and educational technologies increased and if the students had a better understanding of how they would work together in a healthcare team. METHODS: Participants included four cytotechnology students and five RT students. All were given a presurvey to determine their level of knowledge about each other's profession. The cytotechnology students presented cases involving gynecologic and lung cancers using virtual microscopy and explained how they screen slides and interpret cellular changes. The RT students explained how they would treat these same patients using the Virtual Environment Radiotherapy Training system (VERT), showing the cytotechnology students how the beam is guided to the exact spot for treatment. After the IPE activity, all participants were given a post-survey to determine their levels of understanding. RESULTS: The results indicated that the IPE activity increased the level of understanding regarding each other's professions and how they each fit together in the role of patient care. CONCLUSIONS: IPE activities, even on a small scale with two professions in the same college, can improve knowledge and collaboration between professions. More of these activities should be conducted for effective healthcare teams and improved patient outcomes.