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Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer... May 2024The aims of this study were to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding sun exposure and sun protection among the population of Kazakhstan.
OBJECTIVE
The aims of this study were to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding sun exposure and sun protection among the population of Kazakhstan.
METHOD
A cross sectional study was conducted by administering an online questionnaire via social networking sites to residents of Kazakhstan. The questionnaire was designed to determine demographic information as well as knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding sun exposure and sun protection.
RESULT
The responses of 249 participants were analysed. Descriptive tests, bivariate analyses, and multiple linear regression were used to statistically analyse the data. The mean age of the participants was 31.7 ± 11.5 (SD) years. Most participants were of Kazakh nationality (88.7%), female (71.0 %), urban residents (93.9 %), and possessed higher education degrees (88.0 %). The level of knowledge and attitudes were found to be moderate amongst the population whilst practices were determined to be low. Knowledge (p=0.002), attitudes (p=0.002), female gender (p=0.002), and having children educated in school about sun safety (p=0.018) were significantly associated with improved sun-protective practices.
CONCLUSION
This study has demonstrated low adoption of sun protective practices in the Kazakhstan population, despite the identification of certain characteristics associated with higher rates of practice.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Cross-Sectional Studies; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Adult; Kazakhstan; Sunlight; Surveys and Questionnaires; Sunscreening Agents; Young Adult; Middle Aged; Skin Neoplasms; Sunburn; Follow-Up Studies; Health Behavior; Adolescent; Prognosis
PubMed: 38809640
DOI: 10.31557/APJCP.2024.25.5.1681 -
Bioactive Materials Sep 2024Unnecessary exposure to ionizing radiation (IR) often causes acute and chronic oxidative damages to normal cells and organs, leading to serious physiological and even...
Unnecessary exposure to ionizing radiation (IR) often causes acute and chronic oxidative damages to normal cells and organs, leading to serious physiological and even life-threatening consequences. Amifostine (AMF) is a validated radioprotectant extensively applied in radiation and chemotherapy medicine, but the short half-life limits its bioavailability and clinical applications, remaining as a great challenge to be addressed. DNA-assembled nanostructures especially the tetrahedral framework nucleic acids (tFNAs) are promising nanocarriers with preeminent biosafety, low biotoxicity, and high transport efficiency. The tFNAs also have a relative long-term maintenance for structural stability and excellent endocytosis capacity. We therefore synthesized a tFNA-based delivery system of AMF for multi-organ radioprotection (tFNAs@AMF, also termed nanosuit). By establishing the mice models of accidental total body irradiation (TBI) and radiotherapy model of Lewis lung cancer, we demonstrated that the nanosuit could shield normal cells from IR-induced DNA damage by regulating the molecular biomarkers of anti-apoptosis and anti-oxidative stress. In the accidental total body irradiation (TBI) mice model, the nanosuit pretreated mice exhibited satisfactory alteration of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents, and functional recovery of hematopoietic system, reducing IR-induced pathological damages of multi-organ and safeguarding mice from lethal radiation. More importantly, the nanosuit showed a selective radioprotection of the normal organs without interferences of tumor control in the radiotherapy model of Lewis lung cancer. Based on a conveniently available DNA tetrahedron-based nanocarrier, this work presents a high-efficiency delivery system of AMF with the prolonged half-life and enhanced radioprotection for multi-organs. Such nanosuit pioneers a promising strategy with great clinical translation potential for radioactivity protection.
PubMed: 38808157
DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2024.05.017 -
Cureus Apr 2024One of the leading environmental hazards, ionizing radiation, is linked to several detrimental health consequences in the body. RADPAD (Worldwide Innovations &... (Review)
Review
Assessing the Efficacy of RADPAD Protection Drape in Reducing Radiation Exposure to Operators in the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
One of the leading environmental hazards, ionizing radiation, is linked to several detrimental health consequences in the body. RADPAD (Worldwide Innovations & Technologies, Inc., Kansas City, Kansas) is a sterile, lead-free, lightweight, disposable radiation protection shield. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the effectiveness of RADPAD protection drapes in the cardiac catheterization lab and how they can aid interventional cardiologists in becoming subjected to less scatter radiation. PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar were searched for studies discussing the efficacy of RADPAD protection drapes in reducing radiation exposure to operators in the cardiac catheterization laboratory. A random-effects model was used to pool odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for endpoints: primary operator exposure dose, dose area product (DAP), relative exposure, and screening time. Our analysis included 892 patients from six studies. Compared to the No-RADPAD group, primary operator exposure dose (E) was significantly lower in the RADPAD group (OR: -0.9, 95% CI: -1.36 to -0.43, I= 80.5%, p = 0.0001). DAP was comparable between both groups (OR: 0.008, 95% CI: -0.12 to -0.14, I= 0%, p = 0.9066). There was no difference in the relative exposure (E/DAP) (OR: -0.47, 95% CI: -0.96 to 0.02, I= 0%, p = 0.90) and screening time (OR: 0.13, 95% CI: 0.08 to 0.35, I= 0%, p = 0.22) between the two groups. The interventional cardiology laboratory is exposed to significantly less scatter radiation during procedures owing to the RADPAD protective drape. Consequently, all catheterization laboratories could be advised to employ RADPAD protective drapes.
PubMed: 38807800
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.59215 -
Clinical and Translational Medicine Jun 2024Copper, a trace element and vital cofactor, plays a crucial role in the maintenance of biological functions. Recent evidence has established significant correlations... (Review)
Review
Copper, a trace element and vital cofactor, plays a crucial role in the maintenance of biological functions. Recent evidence has established significant correlations between copper levels, cancer development and metastasis. The strong redox-active properties of copper offer both benefits and disadvantages to cancer cells. The intestinal tract, which is primarily responsible for copper uptake and regulation, may suffer from an imbalance in copper homeostasis. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most prevalent primary cancer of the intestinal tract and is an aggressive malignant disease with limited therapeutic options. Current research is primarily focused on the relationship between copper and CRC. Innovative concepts, such as cuproplasia and cuproptosis, are being explored to understand copper-related cellular proliferation and death. Cuproplasia is the regulation of cell proliferation that is mediated by both enzymatic and nonenzymatic copper-modulated activities. Whereas, cuproptosis refers to cell death induced by excess copper via promoting the abnormal oligomerisation of lipoylated proteins within the tricarboxylic acid cycle, as well as by diminishing the levels of iron-sulphur cluster proteins. A comprehensive understanding of copper-related cellular proliferation and death mechanisms offers new avenues for CRC treatment. In this review, we summarise the evolving molecular mechanisms, ranging from abnormal intracellular copper concentrations to the copper-related proteins that are being discovered, and discuss the role of copper in the pathogenesis, progression and potential therapies for CRC. Understanding the relationship between copper and CRC will help provide a comprehensive theoretical foundation for innovative treatment strategies in CRC management.
Topics: Humans; Copper; Colorectal Neoplasms; Cell Proliferation
PubMed: 38804588
DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1724 -
Scientific Reports May 2024The knowledge on responses of human lens epithelial cells (HLECs) to ionizing radiation exposure is important to understand mechanisms of radiation cataracts that are of...
The knowledge on responses of human lens epithelial cells (HLECs) to ionizing radiation exposure is important to understand mechanisms of radiation cataracts that are of concern in the field of radiation protection and radiation therapy. However, biological effects in HLECs following protracted exposure have not yet fully been explored. Here, we investigated the temporal kinetics of γ-H2AX foci as a marker for DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) and cell survival in HLECs after exposure to photon beams at various dose rates (i.e., 150 kVp X-rays at 1.82, 0.1, and 0.033 Gy/min, and Cs γ-rays at 0.00461 Gy/min (27.7 cGy/h) and 0.00081 Gy/min (4.9 cGy/h)), compared to those in human lung fibroblasts (WI-38). In parallel, we quantified the recovery for DSBs and cell survival using a biophysical model. The study revealed that HLECs have a lower DSB repair rate than WI-38 cells. There is no significant impact of dose rate on cell survival in both cell lines in the dose-rate range of 0.033-1.82 Gy/min. In contrast, the experimental residual γ-H2AX foci showed inverse dose rate effects (IDREs) compared to the model prediction, highlighting the importance of the IDREs in evaluating radiation effects on the ocular lens.
Topics: Humans; Epithelial Cells; Lens, Crystalline; DNA Breaks, Double-Stranded; Histones; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; Cell Survival; Radiation, Ionizing; Cell Line; DNA Repair; Fibroblasts; X-Rays; Gamma Rays
PubMed: 38802452
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-62679-8 -
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety May 2024Cranial radiotherapy is a major treatment for leukemia and brain tumors. Our previous study found abscopal effects of cranial irradiation could cause spermatogenesis...
Cranial radiotherapy is a major treatment for leukemia and brain tumors. Our previous study found abscopal effects of cranial irradiation could cause spermatogenesis disorder in mice. However, the exact mechanisms are not yet fully understood. In the study, adult male C57BL/6 mice were administrated with 20 Gy X-ray cranial irradiation (5 Gy per day for 4 days consecutively) and sacrificed at 1, 2 and 4 weeks. Tandem Mass Tag (TMT) quantitative proteomics of testis was combined with bioinformatics analysis to identify key molecules and signal pathways related to spermatogenesis at 4 weeks after cranial irradiation. GO analysis showed that spermatogenesis was closely related to oxidative stress and inflammation. Severe oxidative stress occurred in testis, serum and brain, while serious inflammation also occurred in testis and serum. Additionally, the sex hormones related to hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis were disrupted. PI3K/Akt pathway was activated in testis, which upstream molecule SCF/C-Kit was significantly elevated. Furthermore, the proliferation and differentiation ability of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) were altered. These findings suggest that cranial irradiation can cause spermatogenesis disorder through brain-blood-testicular cascade oxidative stress, inflammation and the secretory dysfunction of HPG axis, and SCF/C-kit drive this process through activating PI3K/Akt pathway.
PubMed: 38795418
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116504 -
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024After the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident in 2011, many types of survey meters were used, including Geiger-Müller (GM) survey meters, which have long been used...
After the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident in 2011, many types of survey meters were used, including Geiger-Müller (GM) survey meters, which have long been used to measure β-rays. Recently, however, a novel radiation survey meter that uses a plastic-scintillation sensor has been developed. Although manufacturers' catalog data are available for these survey meters, there have been no user reports on performance. In addition, the performance of commercial plastic-scintillation survey meters has not been evaluated. In this study, we experimentally compared the performance of a plastic-scintillation survey meter with that of a GM survey meter. The results show that the two instruments performed very similarly in most respects. The GM survey meter exhibited count losses when the radiation count rate was high, whereas the plastic-scintillation survey meter remained accurate under such circumstances, with almost no count loss at high radiation rates. For measurements at background rates (i.e., low counting rates), the counting rates of the plastic-scintillation and GM survey meters were similar. Therefore, an advantage of plastic-scintillation survey meters is that they are less affected by count loss than GM survey meters. We conclude that the plastic-scintillation survey meter is a useful β-ray measuring/monitoring instrument.
PubMed: 38793828
DOI: 10.3390/s24102973 -
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Radon is a naturally occurring noble radioactive gas that poses significant health risks, particularly lung cancer, due to its colorless, odorless, and tasteless nature,... (Review)
Review
Radon is a naturally occurring noble radioactive gas that poses significant health risks, particularly lung cancer, due to its colorless, odorless, and tasteless nature, which makes detection challenging without formal testing. It is found in soil, rock, and water, and it infiltrates indoor environments, necessitating regulatory standards and guidelines from organizations such as the Environmental Protection Agency, the World Health Organization, and the Occupational Health and Safety Agency to mitigate exposure. In this paper, we present various methods and instruments for radon assessment in occupational and environmental settings. Discussion on long- and short-term monitoring, including grab sampling, radon dosimetry, and continuous real-time monitoring, is provided. The comparative analysis of detection techniques-active versus passive-is highlighted from real-time data and long-term exposure assessment, including advances in sensor technology, data processing, and public awareness, to improve radon exposure evaluation techniques.
Topics: Radon; Humans; Occupational Exposure; Radiation Monitoring; Air Pollution, Indoor; Air Pollutants, Radioactive; Environmental Exposure
PubMed: 38793821
DOI: 10.3390/s24102966 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine May 2024Skin cancer is a global and increasingly prevalent issue, causing significant individual and economic damage. UV filters in sunscreens play a major role in mitigating... (Review)
Review
Skin cancer is a global and increasingly prevalent issue, causing significant individual and economic damage. UV filters in sunscreens play a major role in mitigating the risks that solar ultraviolet ra-diation poses to the human organism. While empirically effective, multiple adverse effects of these compounds are discussed in the media and in scientific research. UV filters are blamed for the dis-ruption of endocrine processes and vitamin D synthesis, damaging effects on the environment, induction of acne and neurotoxic and carcinogenic effects. Some of these allegations are based on scientific facts while others are simply arbitrary. This is especially dangerous considering the risks of exposing unprotected skin to the sun. In summary, UV filters approved by the respective governing bodies are safe for human use and their proven skin cancer-preventing properties make them in-dispensable for sensible sun protection habits. Nonetheless, compounds like octocrylene and ben-zophenone-3 that are linked to the harming of marine ecosystems could be omitted from skin care regimens in favor of the myriad of non-toxic UV filters.
PubMed: 38792526
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13102986 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine May 2024To evaluate radiation exposure in standard interventional radiology procedures using a twin robotic X-ray system compared to a state-of-the-art conventional angiography...
To evaluate radiation exposure in standard interventional radiology procedures using a twin robotic X-ray system compared to a state-of-the-art conventional angiography system. Standard interventional radiology procedures (port implantation, SIRT, and pelvic angiography) were simulated using an anthropomorphic Alderson RANDO phantom (Alderson Research Laboratories Inc. Stamford, CT, USA) on an above-the-table twin robotic X-ray scanner (Multitom Rax, Siemens Healthineers, Forchheim, Germany) and a conventional below-the-table angiography system (Artis Zeego, Siemens Healthineers, Forchheim, Germany). The phantom's radiation exposure (representing the potential patient on the procedure table) was measured with thermoluminescent dosimeters. Height-dependent dose curves were generated for examiners and radiation technologists in representative positions using a RaySafe X2 system (RaySafe, Billdal, Sweden). For all scenarios, the device-specific dose distribution differs depending on the imaging chain, with specific advantages and disadvantages. Radiation exposure for the patient is significantly increased when using the Multitom Rax for pelvic angiography compared to the Artis Zeego, which is evident in the dose progression through the phantom's body as well as in the organ-related radiation exposure. In line with these findings, there is an increased radiation exposure for the performing proceduralist, especially at eye level, which can be significantly minimized by using protective equipment ( < 0.001). In this study, the state-of-the-art conventional below-the-table angiography system is associated with lower radiation dose exposures for both the patient and the interventional radiology physician compared to an above-the-table twin robotic X-ray system for pelvic angiographies. However, in other clinical scenarios (port implantation or SIRT), both devices are suitable options with acceptable radiation exposure.
PubMed: 38792273
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13102732