| 1. |
- Ainsbury, Elizabeth A., et al.
(author)
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Inter- and intra-laboratory comparison of a multibiodosimetric approach to triage in a simulated, large scale radiation emergency
- 2014
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In: International Journal of Radiation Biology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0955-3002 .- 1362-3095. ; 90:2, s. 193-202
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose: The European Union's Seventh Framework Programme-funded project 'Multi-disciplinary biodosimetric tools to manage high scale radiological casualties' (MULTIBIODOSE) has developed a multiparametric approach to radiation biodosimetry, with a particular emphasis on triage of large numbers of potentially exposed individuals following accidental exposures. In November 2012, an emergency exercise took place which tested the capabilities of the MULTIBIODOSE project partners. The exercise described here had a dual purpose: Intercomparison of (i) three biodosimetric assays, and (ii) the capabilities of the seven laboratories, with regards to provision of triage status for suspected radiation exposed individuals. Materials and methods: Three biological dosimetry tools - the dicentric, micronucleus and gamma-H2AX (the phosphorylated form of member X of histone H2A, in response to DNA double-strand breaks) foci assays - were tested, in addition to provision of the triage status results (low exposure: <1 Gy; medium exposure: 1-2 Gy; high exposure: >2 Gy) by the MULTIBIODOSE software. The exercise was run in two modes: An initial triage categorisation of samples (based on the first dose estimates for each assay received from each laboratory) followed by collation of the full set of estimated doses (all the results from all modes of each assay carried out by the participating laboratories) calculated using as many modes of operation as possible of the different assays developed during the project. Simulated acute whole body and partial body exposures were included. Results: The results of the initial triage categorisation and the full comparison of assays and methods within and between laboratories are presented here. Conclusions: The data demonstrate that the MULTIBIODOSE approach of applying multiparametric tools to radiation emergencies is valid and effective.
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| 2. |
- Ainsbury, Elizabeth A., et al.
(author)
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Uncertainty of fast biological radiation dose assessment for emergency response scenarios
- 2017
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In: International Journal of Radiation Biology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0955-3002 .- 1362-3095. ; 93:1, s. 127-135
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose: Reliable dose estimation is an important factor in appropriate dosimetric triage categorization of exposed individuals to support radiation emergency response. Materials and methods: Following work done under the EU FP7 MULTIBIODOSE and RENEB projects, formal methods for defining uncertainties on biological dose estimates are compared using simulated and real data from recent exercises. Results: The results demonstrate that a Bayesian method of uncertainty assessment is the most appropriate, even in the absence of detailed prior information. The relative accuracy and relevance of techniques for calculating uncertainty and combining assay results to produce single dose and uncertainty estimates is further discussed. Conclusions: Finally, it is demonstrated that whatever uncertainty estimation method is employed, ignoring the uncertainty on fast dose assessments can have an important impact on rapid biodosimetric categorization.
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| 3. |
- Antonarakis, S. E., et al.
(author)
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Factor VIII gene inversions in severe hemophilia A : Results of an international consortium study
- 1995
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In: Blood. - : American Society of Hematology. - 0006-4971 .- 1528-0020. ; 86:6, s. 2206-2212
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Twenty-two molecular diagnostic laboratories from 14 countries participated in a consortium study to estimate the impact of Factor VIII gene inversions in severe hemophilia A. A total of 2,093 patients with severe hemophilia A were studied; of those, 740 (35%) had a type 1 (distal) factor VIII inversion, and 140 (7%) showed a type 2 (proximal) inversion. In 25 cases, the molecular analysis showed additional abnormal or polymorphic patterns. Ninety-eight percent of 532 mothers of patients with inversions were carriers of the abnormal factor VIII gene; when only mothers of nonfamilial cases were studied, 9 de novo inversions in maternal germ cells ware observed among 225 cases (≃ 1 de novo maternal origin of the inversion in 25 mothers of sporadic cases). When the maternal grandparental origin was examined, the inversions occurred de novo in male germ cells in 69 cases and female germ cells in 1 case. The presence of factor VIII inversions is not a major predisposing factor for the development of factor VIII inhibitors; however, slightly more patients with severe hemophilia A and factor VIII inversions develop inhibitors (130 of 642 [20%]) than patients with severe hemophilia A without inversions (131 of 821 [16%]).
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| 4. |
- Chaintreau, Alain, et al.
(author)
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Site-specific C-13 content by quantitative isotopic C-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry : a pilot inter-laboratory study
- 2013
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In: Analytica Chimica Acta. - : Elsevier BV. - 0003-2670 .- 1873-4324. ; 788, s. 108-113
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Isotopic C-13 NMR spectrometry, which is able to measure intra-molecular C-13 composition, is of emerging demand because of the new information provided by the C-13 site-specific content of a given molecule. A systematic evaluation of instrumental behaviour is of importance to envisage isotopic C-13 NMR as a routine tool. This paper describes the first collaborative study of intra-molecular C-13 composition by NMR. The main goals of the ring test were to establish intra-and inter-variability of the spectrometer response. Eight instruments with different configuration were retained for the exercise on the basis of a qualification test. Reproducibility at the natural abundance of isotopic C-13 NMR was then assessed on vanillin from three different origins associated with specific delta C-13(i) profiles. The standard deviation was, on average, between 0.9 and 1.2 parts per thousand for intra-variability. The highest standard deviation for inter-variability was 2.1%. This is significantly higher than the internal precision but could be considered good in respect of a first ring test on a new analytical method. The standard deviation of delta C-13(i) in vanillin was not homogeneous over the eight carbons, with no trend either for the carbon position or for the configuration of the spectrometer. However, since the repeatability for each instrument was satisfactory, correction factors for each carbon in vanillin could be calculated to harmonize the results.(C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 5. |
- Kulka, Ulrike, et al.
(author)
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RENEB - Running the European Network of biological dosimetry and physical retrospective dosimetry
- 2017
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In: International Journal of Radiation Biology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0955-3002 .- 1362-3095. ; 93:1, s. 2-14
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose: A European network was initiated in 2012 by 23 partners from 16 European countries with the aim to significantly increase individualized dose reconstruction in case of large-scale radiological emergency scenarios. Results: The network was built on three complementary pillars: (1) an operational basis with seven biological and physical dosimetric assays in ready-to-use mode, (2) a basis for education, training and quality assurance, and (3) a basis for further network development regarding new techniques and members. Techniques for individual dose estimation based on biological samples and/or inert personalized devices as mobile phones or smart phones were optimized to support rapid categorization of many potential victims according to the received dose to the blood or personal devices. Communication and cross-border collaboration were also standardized. To assure long-term sustainability of the network, cooperation with national and international emergency preparedness organizations was initiated and links to radiation protection and research platforms have been developed. A legal framework, based on a Memorandum of Understanding, was established and signed by 27 organizations by the end of 2015. Conclusions: RENEB is a European Network of biological and physical-retrospective dosimetry, with the capacity and capability to perform large-scale rapid individualized dose estimation. Specialized to handle large numbers of samples, RENEB is able to contribute to radiological emergency preparedness and wider large-scale research projects.
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| 6. |
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| 7. |
- Oestreicher, Ursula, et al.
(author)
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RENEB intercomparisons applying the conventional Dicentric Chromosome Assay (DCA)
- 2017
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In: International Journal of Radiation Biology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0955-3002 .- 1362-3095. ; 93:1, s. 20-29
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose: Two quality controlled inter-laboratory exercises were organized within the EU project 'Realizing the European Network of Biodosimetry (RENEB)' to further optimize the dicentric chromosome assay (DCA) and to identify needs for training and harmonization activities within the RENEB network. Materials and methods: The general study design included blood shipment, sample processing, analysis of chromosome aberrations and radiation dose assessment. After manual scoring of dicentric chromosomes in different cell numbers dose estimations and corresponding 95% confidence intervals were submitted by the participants. Results: The shipment of blood samples to the partners in the European Community (EU) were performed successfully. Outside the EU unacceptable delays occurred. The results of the dose estimation demonstrate a very successful classification of the blood samples in medically relevant groups. In comparison to the 1st exercise the 2nd intercomparison showed an improvement in the accuracy of dose estimations especially for the high dose point. Conclusions: In case of a large-scale radiological incident, the pooling of ressources by networks can enhance the rapid classification of individuals in medically relevant treatment groups based on the DCA. The performance of the RENEB network as a whole has clearly benefited from harmonization processes and specific training activities for the network partners.
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| 8. |
- Romm, Horst, et al.
(author)
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Web based scoring is useful for validation and harmonisation of scoring criteria within RENEB
- 2017
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In: International Journal of Radiation Biology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0955-3002 .- 1362-3095. ; 93:1, s. 110-117
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose: To establish a training data set of digital images and to investigate the scoring criteria and dose assessment of the dicentric assay within the European network of biodosimetry (RENEB), a web based scoring inter-comparison was undertaken by 17 RENEB partners. Materials and methods: Two sets of 50 high resolution images were uploaded onto the RENEB web site. One set included metaphases after a moderate exposure (1.3 Gy) and the other set consisted of metaphases after a high dose exposure (3.5 Gy). The laboratories used their own calibration curves for estimating doses based on observed aberration frequencies. Results: The dose estimations and 95% confidence limits were compared to the actual doses and the corresponding z-values were satisfactory for the majority; only the dose estimations from two laboratories were too low or too high. The coefficients of variation were 17.6% for the moderate and 11.2% for the high dose. Metaphases with controversial results could be identified for training purposes. Conclusions: Overall, the web based scoring of the two galleries by the 17 laboratories produced very good results. Application of web based scoring for the dicentric assay may therefore be a relevant strategy for an operational biodosimetry assistance network.
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