Immunofluorescence detection of γH2AX foci is a widely used tool to quantify the induction and repair of DNA double-strand breaks induced by ionising radiation. We observed that Xirradiation of mammalian cells exposed on glass slides induced 2-fold higher foci numbers compared to irradiation with γ-rays. Here, we show that the excess γH2AX foci after Xirradiation are produced from secondary radiation particles generated from the irradiation of glass slides. Both 120 kV X-rays and 137 Cs γ-rays induce ~20 γH2AX foci per Gy in cells growing on thin (~2 µm) plastic foils immersed in water. The same yield is obtained following γ-irradiation of cells growing on glass slides. However, 120 kV X-rays produce ~40 γH2AX foci per Gy in cells growing on glass, two-fold greater than obtained using cells irradiated on plastic surfaces. The same increase in γH2AX foci number is obtained if the plastic foil on which the cells are grown is irradiated on a glass slide. Thus, the physical proximity to the glass material and not morphological differences of cells growing on different surfaces accounts for the excess γH2AX foci. The increase in foci number depends on the energy and is considerably smaller for 25 kV relative to 120 kV X-rays, a finding which can be explained by known physical properties of radiation. The kinetics for the loss of foci, which is taken to represent the rate of DSB repair, as well as the Artemis dependent repair fraction, was similar following X-or γ-irradiation, demonstrating that DSBs induced by this range of treatments are repaired in an identical manner.3

Pilot study of online occupational healthcare for workers using visual display units (VDUs) Objective: Public employees at state schools in Rhineland-Palatinate use visual display units in the course of their work. For the doctors at the Institute for Teacher Health, the question arose as to whether a medical consultation leading to appropriate occupational health interventions for workers using VDUs according to “ArbMedVV” could be held online. To test this idea, the study was to apply an orienting online eye test and evaluate it with regard to practicability and benefit. Method: School staff who had applied for special visual aids for use with VDUs were offered advice via online video consultation including an orienting online eye test. A standardised questionnaire served as an interview guide for the purposes of ascertaining medical history and for documentation. The results of the questionnaire and the orienting online eye test were managed in a database and evaluated descriptively for this paper. Results: Thirty consultations (26 online video consultations, 4 telephone consultations) were held during the evaluation period (22.12.2021 to 26.07.2022). Employees of vocational colleges were the most frequent participants (27 %). All employees reported complaints when working with screens. The combination of visual and shoulder/neck complaints was the most common complaint constellation (16 people, 53 %). In the majority of cases (70 %), the employees achieved a good to very good result in the orienting online eye test. Based on the comprehensive anamnesis and observations made during the video consultation, all persons received detailed advice and an occupational medical recommendation for special visual aids for their work with VDUs. Conclusion: Online occupational healthcare for VDU workers via online video consultations including an online eye test has proven to be practicable in the group presented here. A standardised questionnaire for anamnesis and documentation has demonstrated its worth. The orienting online eye test provided important information, especially through observating the employees during the procedure. The value of the orienting online eye test should be validated in comparison with conventional eye tests according to Occupational Medical Rule (AMR) 14.1. Keywords: occupational healthcare (ArbMedVV) – online eye test – school staff – visual display units

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