Objective: To analyze changes in immune functions by detecting lymphocyte subsets in the peripheral blood of residents in the vicinity of radon from hot springs. Methods: Two groups were randomly selected; 61 residents in the vicinity of the hot springs were assigned to the radon group, and 51 residents with a similar lifestyle and habits but no contact with hot springs were assigned to the control group. The percentages of lymphocyte subsets (CD3+, CD4+CD8−, CD4−CD8+, CD4+/CD8+, and TCR/CD3) in the 2 groups were evaluated on a FACS Aria flow cytometer. The absolute values of lymphocytes (LYMPH#) and percentages of lymphocytes (LYMPH%) were measured by an automatic blood analyzer. Results: In the radon group, the numbers of CD3+ ( Z = −0.140, P > .05) and CD4+CD8− ( Z = −0.964, P > .05) T cells were higher, as compared with the controls, but this difference was not significant. In addition, the number of CD4−CD8+ ( t = −2.141, P < .05) T cells was significantly lower in the radon group. Furthermore, the average ratios of CD4+/CD8+ ( t = −2.201, P < .05) and TCR/CD3 ( t = 2.047, P < .05) cells were significantly higher in the radon group than in the controls. Compared with the control group, the LYMPH# ( t = −0.485, P > .05) and LYMPH% (Z = −0.835, P > .05) showed no significant change. Conclusion: Radon-rich hot springs could alter the proportions of lymphocyte subsets and possibly affect immunologic functions.
A nationwide intercomparison exercise for estimating the irradiated dose was
organized by the National Institute for Radiological Protection, Center for
Disease Control and Prevention of China. Thirty-eight laboratories participated
in this program. The main objective of this intercomparison exercise was to
compare the participants’ ability of operation and dose assessment basing on the
frequencies of dicentrics and centric rings. Whole blood samples were irradiated
with different dosages of 60Co γ-rays. Each laboratory collected 2
blind samples and prepared the slides independently. All participants presented
the estimated dose reports within 30 days. The doses assessed by the
participants were acceptable within the reference dose of ±20%. The mean
absolute difference of estimated dose relative to the reference dose was
calculated, which reflected the overall accuracy of dose estimates for each
laboratory. The overall estimation results of blind blood samples for
intercomparison showed a good agreement with the reference dose for each sample,
with nearly 75% of the participants producing acceptable results.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.