Abstract:The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential positive effect of black grape juice (BGJ) on lipid peroxidation considering Total Body Irradiation (TBI) in Wistar rats. As a potential feasible means of evaluation in situ, blood serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels were evaluated as a marker for heart damage from acute radiation syndrome (ARS). Twenty rats were divided into four groups, two of them being irradiated by OPEN ACCESSMolecules 2013, 18 12155 gamma-rays from a Co-60 source. Animals were treated by gavage with 2 mL per day of BGJ or placebo for one week before and 4 days after 6 Gy whole body gamma-irradiation, when they were euthanasiated. LDH on serum and lipid peroxidation on heart tissue were evaluated. High concentration of metabolites from lipid peroxidation in heart, and high LDH level on serum were found only in gamma-irradiated group given placebo, mainly at the first 24 h after radiation. Phytochemical analysis of BGJ was performed by determining total phenolics, flavonoids, and tannins followed by a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC/DAD) analysis, which showed resveratrol as the major constituent. Results suggest that BGJ is a good protective candidate compound against heart damage from ARS and its effects suggest its use as a radiomodifier.

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This study evaluated the effects of black grape juice (BGJ) against gamma radiationinduced damage in rats. Rats were exposed (PI) or not (PNI) to radiation and BGJ (2 mL/Kg of body weight) was administrated to irradiated animals (SI) and to nonirradiated animals (SNI). Blood was collected at different time points after irradiation for blood cells counts. The spleen of the animals was removed for weight, lipid peroxidation (LPO) and antioxidant defenses estimation. Blood cell count decreased, whereas LPO and catalase activity increased in spleen along with a decrease in the organ weight after irradiation. Despite the lack of protective effect on hematological parameters and catalase activity, BGJ attenuated LPO induced by gamma radiation. This protective effect seems to be related to the phenolic compounds found in BGJ, such as resveratrol, quercetin and rutin. We demonstrated that BGJ plays a beneficial role in damage caused by gamma radiation by preventing spleen LPO. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSGrape products, such as black grape juice (BGJ), and their polyphenol compounds have several properties that can be useful in prevention and treatment of many conditions. One of these properties is the antioxidant capacity, which makes of phenolic compounds, such as resveratrol, quercetin and rutin, good exogenous scavengers of free radicals. The present study demonstrates that BGJ exhibits a radiomodifier potential against gamma radiation by exerting antioxidant effects and, hence, it can be used as a valuable agent for managing radiation exposure. bs_bs_banner Journal of Food Biochemistry

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A radiological dispersal device (RDD) is a simple weapon capable of causing human harm, environmental contamination, disruption, area denial, and economic cost. It can affect small, large, or long areas depending on atmospheric stability. The risk of developing a radio-induced cancer depends on exposure, and an effective response depends upon available timely guidance. This article proposes and demonstrates a convergence of three different capabilities to assess risk and support rapid safe resource efficient response. The three capabilities that are integrated are Hotspot for dispersion, RERF for epidemiological risk, and RESRAD-RDD for response guidance. The combined methodology supports decisions on risk reduction and resource allocation through work schedules, the designation and composition of response teams, and siting for operations. In the illustrative RDD scenario, the contamination area for sheltering, evacuation, and long-term public concern was greatest for calm atmospheric conditions, whilst close-quarter responders faced highest dose rates for neutral atmospheric conditions. Generally, the risks to women responders were found to be significantly greater than for men, and the risks to 20-year-old responders were three times that of their 60-year-old counterparts for similar exposure.

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A radiological dispersive device (RDD) spreads radioactive material, complicates the treatment of physical injuries, raises cancer risk, and induces disproportionate fear. Simulating such an event enables more effective and efficient utilization of the triage and treatment resources of staff, facilities, and space. Fast simulation can give detail on events in progress or future events. The resources for triage and treatment of contaminated trauma victims can differ for pure exposure individuals, while discouraging the "worried well" from presenting in the crisis phase by media announcement would relieve pressure on hospital facilities. The proposed methodology integrates capabilities from different platforms in a convergent way composed of three phases: (a) scenario simulation, (b) data generation, and (c) risk assessment for triage focused on follow-up epidemiological assessment. Simulations typically indicate that most of the affected population does not require immediate medical assistance. Medical triage for the few severely injured and the radiological triage to diminish the contamination with radioactivity will always be the priority. For this study, however, higher priorities should be given to individuals from radiological "warm" and "hot" zones as required by risk criteria. The proposed methodology could thus help to (a) filter and reduce the number of individuals to be attended, (b) optimize the prioritization of medical care,

The neutralization of suspicious objects by a conventional explosion in public places seems to be an option often considered by security forces. A radiological dispersive device (RDD) uses a radioactive material coupled to an amount of conventional explosive in order to contaminate an area. Extremist groups may take advantage of such protocol by leaving the radioactive material in public places to provoke suspicion, thus leading to the neutralization by an explosion, which in turn creates a RDD event. This work aims to discuss the influence of such a protocol in the radiological threat by means of computational simulation. The total maximum effective dose equivalent (TEDE Max), the Pasquill–Gifford atmospheric stability classes (PG classes), and the potentially affected population size were evaluated. The results consider two radionuclides Cs-137 and Sr-90. The findings allow us to infer that TEDE Max and surface contamination are strongly dependent on the PG classes. In addition, the affected population size depends on the plume size, which seems to be independent of the radionuclide, but not of the PG classes. Therefore, PG classes play a key role in the radiological threat. The findings may be of value to support decisions when facing an event.