Showing papers by "Eric Gregoire published in 2012"

Realising the European Network of Biodosimetry (RENEB)

Abstract: In Europe, a network for biological dosimetry has been created to strengthen the emergency preparedness and response capabilities in case of a large-scale nuclear accident or radiological emergency. Through the RENEB (Realising the European Network of Biodosimetry) project, 23 experienced laboratories from 16 European countries will establish a sustainable network for rapid, comprehensive and standardised biodosimetry provision that would be urgently required in an emergency situation on European ground. The foundation of the network is formed by five main pillars: (1) the ad hoc operational basis, (2) a basis of future developments, (3) an effective quality-management system, (4) arrangements to guarantee long-term sustainability and (5) awareness of the existence of RENEB. RENEB will thus provide a mechanism for quick, efficient and reliable support within the European radiation emergency management. The scientific basis of RENEB will concurrently contribute to increased safety in the field of radiation protection.

Detection of Partial-Body Exposure to Ionizing Radiation by the Automatic Detection of Dicentrics

Abstract: In accidental exposure to ionizing radiation, it is essential to estimate the dose received by the victims. Currently dicentric scoring is the best biological indicator of exposure. The standard biological dosimetry procedure (500 metaphases scored manually) is suitable for a few dose estimations, but the time needed for analysis can be problematic in the case of a large-scale accident. Recently, a new methodology using automatic detection of dicentrics has greatly decreased the time needed for dose estimation and preserves the accuracy of the estimation. However, the capability to detect nonhomogeneous partial-body exposures is an important advantage of dicentric scoring-based biodosimetry, and this remains to be tested with automatic scoring. Thus we analyzed the results obtained with in vitro blood dilutions and in real cases of accidental exposure (partial- or whole-body exposure) using manual scoring and automatic detection of dicentrics. We confirmed that automatic detection allows threefold quicker dicentric scoring than the manual procedure with similar dose estimations and uncertainty intervals. The results concerning partial-body exposures were particularly promising, and homogeneously exposed samples were correctly distinguished from heterogeneously exposed samples containing 5% to 75% of blood irradiated with 2 Gy. In addition, the results obtained for real accident cases were similar whatever the methodology used. This study demonstrates that automatic detection of dicentrics is a credible alternative for recent and acute cases of whole- and partial-body accidental exposures to ionizing radiation.

The dicentric assay in triage mode as a reliable biodosimetric scoring strategy for population triage in large scale radiation accidents

Abstract: Introduction: Mass casualty scenarios of radiation accidents require high throughput techniques of biological dosimetry for population triage to identify individuals for whom clinical treatment is indicated. To this end the dicentric assay in a triage mode is a very suitable technique. Within the MULTIBIODOSE EU FP7 project a network of eight biodosimetry laboratories has been established with expertise in dose estimations based on the dicentric assay. Results: In the first task the conventional dicentric assay was tested in the triage mode. Three types of irradiation scenarios were included: acute whole body, partial body and protracted exposure. Blood samples from 33 healthy donors (> 10 donors / scenario) were irradiated in vitro with gamma rays, simulating the 3 different types of exposure and the 3 different doses. All the blood samples were irradiated at the University of Gent, Belgium, and then shipped to the participating laboratories. The dose estimates of acute whole body exposure show a good agreement with actual radiation doses (0.5, 2.0 and 4.0 Gy) for all labs. Most labs could identify correctly the partial body doses at 4 and 6 Gy, but this was not possible at 2 Gy and indicates a need for more cells to be analysed. After protracted exposure, all labs performed these dose estimations well and attained good results at 1.0 and 2.0 Gy. Conclusions: The results obtained up to now within the MULTIBIODOSE project are very promising for the application of the dicentric assay in triage mode as a high throughput scoring strategy for biodosimetry in case of large scale accidents by a network of eight collaborating laboratories throughout Europe.

Effect of lymphocytes culture variations on the mitotic index and on the dicentric yield following gamma radiation exposure.

Abstract: Fundamentals of biological dosimetry are described in the International Atomic Energy Agency manual, but all over the world each laboratory is using its own protocol. To test the influence of protocol variations, some blood samples were exposed to 0.5 Gy of gamma radiation and mitotic index and dicentric rates were measured under different experimental conditions. The effect of seven parameters [bromodeoxyuridin (BrdU), phytohaemagglutinin and colcemid concentrations, blood and medium volumes, culture duration and incubation temperature] was tested using a Placket and Burman experimental design. The analysis reveals that the mitotic index was influenced by the concentration of BrdU, medium and blood volumes, the culture duration and the temperature. However, none of the factors has a significant impact on the yield of dicentrics. The dicentric assay is robust against reagent variations within the range tested. These results could be used by relevant laboratories as elements of their procedures robustness in any event requiring such demonstration. © The Author 2012. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.

RENEB – Realizing the European network in biological dosimetry

Abstract: Creating a sustainable network in biological and retrospective dosimetry that involves a large number of experienced laboratories throughout the European Union (EU) will significantly improve the accident and emergency response capabilities in case of a large-scale radiological emergency. A well organised cooperative action involving EU laboratories will offer the only chance for a fast and trustworthy dose assessment urgently needed in an emergency situation. In this regard the European Commission supports the establishment of an European network in biological dosimetry (RENEB). The goal of RENEB is to establish a sustainable European network mainly based on biological dosimetry laboratories involving 23 organisations from 16 countries identified by the TENEB survey, that will guarantee the highest efficiency in the processing and scoring of biological samples for fast, reliable results implemented in the EU emergency management. RENEB will also integrate recent developments in retrospective dosimetry. This goal will be achieved through 5 tasks: 1) To create an operational basis of the network based on coordination of the existing reliable and proven methods in biological and retrospective dosimetry. 2) To expand and improve the network by implementing appropriate new methods and integrating new partners. 3) To assure high quality standards by education and training activities. Special focus will be placed on quality assurance and management regarding the performed assays and involved laboratories. 4) To ensure a long tern sustainability of the network by establishing a legal framework, linking RENEB to European and international research platforms and harmonising of transnational infrastructure. 5) To guarantee dissemination of knowledge by providing access to internal and external communication platforms and databases and close cooperation with national and global emergency preparedness systems and organisations.

Realising the european networkof biodosimetry (reneb)

Abstract: In Europe, a network for biological dosimetry has been created to strengthen the emergency preparedness and response cap-abilities in case of a large-scale nuclear accident or radiological emergency. Through the RENEB (Realising the EuropeanNetwork of Biodosimetry) project, 23 experienced laboratories from 16 European countries will establish a sustainablenetwork for rapid, comprehensive and standardised biodosimetry provision that would be urgently required in an emergencysituation on European ground. The foundation of the network is formed by five main pillars: (1) the ad hoc operational basis,(2) a basis of future developments, (3) an effective quality-management system, (4) arrangements to guarantee long-term sus-tainability and (5) awareness of the existence of RENEB. RENEB will thus provide a mechanism for quick, efficient and reli-able support within the European radiation emergency management. The scientific basis of RENEB will concurrentlycontribute to increased safety in the field of radiation protection.