scholarly journals X-Ray Hesitancy: Patients’ Radiophobic Concerns Over Medical X-rays

Dose-Response ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 155932582095954 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul A. Oakley ◽  
Deed E. Harrison
Keyword(s):  
Low Dose ◽  
Background Radiation ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Adaptive Responses ◽  
Low Dose Radiation ◽  
X Ray ◽  
X Ray Imaging ◽  
The Family ◽  
Diagnostic Radiation ◽  
Dose Radiation

All too often the family physician, orthopedic surgeon, dentist or chiropractor is met with radiophobic concerns about X-ray imaging in the clinical setting. These concerns, however, are unwarranted fears based on common but ill-informed and perpetuated ideology versus current understanding of the effects of low-dose radiation exposures. Themes of X-ray hesitancy come in 3 forms: 1. All radiation exposures are harmful (i.e. carcinogenic); 2. Radiation exposures are cumulative; 3. Children are more susceptible to radiation. Herein we address these concerns and find that low-dose radiation activates the body’s adaptive responses and leads to reduced cancers. Low-dose radiation is not cumulative as long as enough time (e.g. 24 hrs) passes prior to a repeated exposure, and any damage is repaired, removed, or eliminated. Children have more active immune systems; the literature shows children are no more affected than adults by radiation exposures. Medical X-rays present a small, insignificant addition to background radiation exposure that is not likely to cause harm. Doctors and patients alike should be better informed of the lack of risks from diagnostic radiation and the decision to image should rely on the best evidence, unique needs of the patient, and the expertise of the physician—not radiophobia.

scholarly journals Radiophobia: 7 Reasons Why Radiography Used in Spine and Posture Rehabilitation Should Not Be Feared or Avoided

Dose-Response ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 155932581878144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul A. Oakley ◽  
Deed E. Harrison
Keyword(s):  
Low Dose ◽  
Background Radiation ◽  
Threshold Model ◽  
Radiation Risk ◽  
Biomechanical Analysis ◽  
Cellular Damage ◽  
Imaging Method ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Low Dose Radiation ◽  
Dose Radiation

Evidence-based contemporary spinal rehabilitation often requires radiography. Use of radiography (X-rays or computed tomography scans) should not be feared, avoided, or have their exposures lessened to decrease patient dose possibly jeopardizing image quality. This is because all fears of radiation exposures from medical diagnostic imaging are based on complete fabrication of health risks based on an outdated, invalid linear model that has simply been propagated for decades. We present 7 main arguments for continued use of radiography for routine use in spinal rehabilitation: (1) the linear no-threshold model for radiation risk estimates is invalid for low-dose exposures; (2) low-dose radiation enhances health via the body’s adaptive response mechanisms (ie, radiation hormesis); (3) an X-ray with low-dose radiation only induces 1 one-millionth the amount of cellular damage as compared to breathing air for a day; (4) radiography is below inescapable natural annual background radiation levels; (5) radiophobia stems from unwarranted fears and false beliefs; (6) radiography use leads to better patient outcomes; (7) the risk to benefit ratio is always beneficial for routine radiography. Radiography is a safe imaging method for routine use in patient assessment, screening, diagnosis, and biomechanical analysis and for monitoring treatment progress in daily clinical practice.

scholarly journals Development of a Lightweight Tungsten Shielding Fiber That Can Be Used for Improving the Performance of Medical Radiation Shields

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (14) ◽  
pp. 6475
Author(s):  
Seon-Chil Kim
Keyword(s):  
Scattered Radiation ◽  
Low Dose ◽  
Radiation Shielding ◽  
Shielding Effectiveness ◽  
Tungsten Fiber ◽  
Low Dose Radiation ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Medical Institutions ◽  
X Ray Imaging ◽  
Dose Radiation

Radiation exposure in medical institutions is mainly due to low doses. Low-dose radiation mainly means scattered radiation, and such scattered radiation can be shielded with a lightweight shielding suit. In this study, the shielding performance of shielding fabrics woven by winding polyethylene (PE) yarn around a 30 μm tungsten wire was evaluated. To improve the shielding performance, an air pressure dispersion process of coating tungsten nanopowder on the fiber was developed. The radiation shielding effectiveness of the shielding fibers with and without dispersed tungsten nanopowder were compared by measuring the spatial dose inside the diagnostic X-ray imaging room of a medical institution. The results of the experiment confirmed that the fabric coated with tungsten nanopowder improved the shielding performance of the general tungsten fiber by approximately 15% and provided relatively effective low-dose radiation shielding at approximately 1.2 m of the X-ray imaging equipment. This study shows that tungsten fiber can be helpful in manufacturing lightweight shielding clothing for protection from scattered radiation in medical institutions.

scholarly journals Analysis of liver damage from radon, X-ray, or alcohol treatments in mice using a self-organizing map

2017 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Norie Kanzaki ◽  
Takahiro Kataoka ◽  
Reo Etani ◽  
Kaori Sasaoka ◽  
Akihiro Kanagawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Liver Damage ◽  
Low Dose ◽  
Self Organizing Map ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Low Dose Radiation ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Radon Inhalation ◽  
Dose Radiation ◽  
Self Organizing

Abstract In our previous studies, we found that low-dose radiation inhibits oxidative stress–induced diseases due to increased antioxidants. Although these effects of low-dose radiation were demonstrated, further research was needed to clarify the effects. However, the analysis of oxidative stress is challenging, especially that of low levels of oxidative stress, because antioxidative substances are intricately involved. Thus, we proposed an approach for analysing oxidative liver damage via use of a self-organizing map (SOM)—a novel and comprehensive technique for evaluating hepatic and antioxidative function. Mice were treated with radon inhalation, irradiated with X-rays, or subjected to intraperitoneal injection of alcohol. We evaluated the oxidative damage levels in the liver from the SOM results for hepatic function and antioxidative substances. The results showed that the effects of low-dose irradiation (radon inhalation at a concentration of up to 2000 Bq/m3, or X-irradiation at a dose of up to 2.0 Gy) were comparable with the effect of alcohol administration at 0.5 g/kg bodyweight. Analysis using the SOM to discriminate small changes was made possible by its ability to ‘learn’ to adapt to unexpected changes. Moreover, when using a spherical SOM, the method comprehensively examined liver damage by radon, X-ray, and alcohol. We found that the types of liver damage caused by radon, X-rays, and alcohol have different characteristics. Therefore, our approaches would be useful as a method for evaluating oxidative liver damage caused by radon, X-rays and alcohol.

Reactive oxygen species in cell responses to toxic agents

2002 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 85-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
L E Feinendegen
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Exposure ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Low Dose ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Low Dose Radiation ◽  
Cell Responses ◽  
Toxic Agents ◽  
Particle Tracks ◽  
Dose Radiation

This review first summarizes experimental data on biological effects of different concentrations of ROS in mammalian cells and on their potential role in modifying cell responses to toxic agents. It then attempts to link the role of steadily produced metabolic ROS at various concentrations in mammalian cells to that of environmentally derived ROS bursts from exposure to ionizing radiation. The ROS from both sources are known to both cause biological damage and change cellular signaling, depending on their concentration at a given time. At low concentrations signaling effects of ROS appear to protect cellular survival and dominate over damage, and the reverse occurs at high ROS concentrations. Background radiation generates suprabasal ROS bursts along charged particle tracks several times a year in each nanogram of tissue, i.e., average mass of a mammalian cell. For instance, a burst of about 200 ROS occurs within less than a microsecond from low-LET irradiation such as X-rays along the track of a Compton electron (about 6 keV, ranging about 1 μm). One such track per nanogram tissue gives about 1 mGy to this mass. The number of instantaneous ROS per burst along the track of a 4-meV ¬-particle in 1 ng tissue reaches some 70000. The sizes, types and sites of these bursts, and the time intervals between them directly in and around cells appear essential for understanding low-dose and low dose-rate effects on top of effects from endogenous ROS. At background and low-dose radiation exposure, a major role of ROS bursts along particle tracks focuses on ROS-induced apoptosis of damage-carrying cells, and also on prevention and removal of DNA damage from endogenous sources by way of temporarily protective, i.e., adaptive, cellular responses. A conclusion is to consider low-dose radiation exposure as a provider of physiological mechanisms for tissue homoeostasis.

scholarly journals Low-Dose Radiation Activates Akt and Nrf2 in the Kidney of Diabetic Mice: A Potential Mechanism to Prevent Diabetic Nephropathy

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao Xing ◽  
Chi Zhang ◽  
Minglong Shao ◽  
Qingyue Tong ◽  
Guirong Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetic Nephropathy ◽  
Low Dose ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Diabetic Mice ◽  
Low Dose Radiation ◽  
Single Exposure ◽  
Akt Phosphorylation ◽  
And Function ◽  
Nrf2 Expression ◽  
Dose Radiation

Repetitive exposure of diabetic mice to low-dose radiation (LDR) at 25 mGy could significantly attenuate diabetes-induced renal inflammation, oxidative damage, remodeling, and dysfunction, for which, however, the underlying mechanism remained unknown. The present study explored the effects of LDR on the expression and function of Akt and Nrf2 in the kidney of diabetic mice. C57BL/6J mice were used to induce type 1 diabetes with multiple low-dose streptozotocin. Diabetic and age-matched control mice were irradiated with whole body X-rays at either single 25 mGy and 75 mGy or accumulated 75 mGy (25 mGy daily for 3 days) and then sacrificed at 1–12 h for examining renal Akt phosphorylation and Nrf2 expression and function. We found that 75 mGy of X-rays can stimulate Akt signaling pathway and upregulate Nrf2 expression and function in diabetic kidneys; single exposure of 25 mGy did not, but three exposures to 25 mGy of X-rays could offer a similar effect as single exposure to 75 mGy on the stimulation of Akt phosphorylation and the upregulation of Nrf2 expression and transcription function. These results suggest that single 75 mGy or multiple 25 mGy of X-rays can stimulate Akt phosphorylation and upregulate Nrf2 expression and function, which may explain the prevention of LDR against the diabetic nephropathy mentioned above.

scholarly journals Treatment of Cancer and Inflammation With Low-Dose Ionizing Radiation

Dose-Response ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 155932581769753 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuji Kojima ◽  
Mitsutoshi Tsukimoto ◽  
Noriko Shimura ◽  
Hironobu Koga ◽  
Akishisa Murata ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Ulcerative Colitis ◽  
Bone Metastasis ◽  
Low Dose ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Low Dose Radiation ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Radiation Hormesis ◽  
Irradiation Treatment ◽  
Dose Radiation

There is considerable evidence from experimental studies in animals, as well as from clinical reports, that low-dose radiation hormesis is effective for the treatment of cancer and ulcerative colitis. In this study, we present 3 case reports that support the clinical efficacy of low-dose radiation hormesis in patients with these diseases. First, a patient with prostate cancer who had undergone surgical resection showed a subsequent increase in prostate-specific antigen (PSA). His PSA value started decreasing immediately after the start of repeated low-dose X-ray irradiation treatment and remained low thereafter. Second, a patient with prostate cancer with bone metastasis was treated with repeated low-dose X-ray irradiation. His PSA level decreased to nearly normal within 3 months after starting the treatment and remained at the low level after the end of hormesis treatment. His bone metastasis almost completely disappeared. Third, a patient with ulcerative colitis showed a slow initial response to repeated low-dose irradiation treatment using various modalities, including drinking radon-containing water, but within 8 months, his swelling and bleeding had completely disappeared. After 1 year, the number of bowel movements had become normal. Interest in the use of radiation hormesis in clinical practice is increasing, and we hope that these case reports will encourage further clinical investigations.

scholarly journals GC-16HYPERSENSITIVITY OF INTRACRANIAL GERMINOMAS FOR LOW-DOSE RADIATION: RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DIAGNOSTIC RADIATION DOSE AND VOLUMETRIC CHANGES BEFORE CHEMORADIOTHERAPY

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (suppl 3) ◽  
pp. iii45.3-iii45
Author(s):  
Naoki Kagawa ◽  
Ryuichi Hirayama ◽  
Yasunori Fujimoto ◽  
Yasuyoshi Chiba ◽  
Chisato Yokota ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Dose ◽  
Low Dose ◽  
Low Dose Radiation ◽  
Diagnostic Radiation ◽  
Dose Radiation

BACKGROUND RADIATION LEVELS NEAR A MINERAL SAND MINING FACTORY IN SRI LANKA: CORRELATION OF RADIATION MEASUREMENTS WITH MICRONUCLEI FREQUENCY

2020 ◽  
Vol 189 (1) ◽  
pp. 114-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tania Warnakulasuriya ◽  
Senani Williams ◽  
Thiwanka Weerakkody ◽  
Mangala Dabarera ◽  
Kusum Rodrigo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Low Dose ◽  
Background Radiation ◽  
Venous Blood ◽  
Low Dose Radiation ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Radiation Measurements ◽  
Dose Radiation

Abstract Lanka Mineral Sands Ltd (LMS) is a company operating in Pulmoddai, Sri Lanka, mining for rare earth minerals along with monazite which contains thorium that emits ionizing gamma and alpha radiation on decay. The objective of the study was to determine the background radiation levels and selected radionuclides and then to correlate these levels with the frequency of micronuclei (MN) among persons residing in the vicinity of LMS. A cross-sectional study was conducted among persons of both sexes between 35 and 45 years of age residing in the vicinity of LMS. Background radiation measurements were obtained by a survey metre, and gamma spectrometry was done on soil samples. Five millilitres of venous blood was drawn for cytokinesis-blocked MN assay. Background radiation levels measured by the survey metre; 232Th, 226Ra and 210Pb mass activities in soil were highest in the samples collected from the LMS. The background radiation measurements positively correlated with MN frequency although the magnitude of the correlation was small (r = 0.176, p = 0.04). This implies that chronic long-term exposure to low-dose radiation may result in genotoxicity. Prospective large-scale studies are recommended to evaluate the long-term effect of exposure to low-dose radiation at Pulmoddai.

scholarly journals The Adaptive Responses in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer A549 Cell Lines Induced by Low-Dose Ionizing Radiation and the Variations of miRNA Expression

Dose-Response ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 155932582110399
Author(s):  
Xiao-Chun Wang ◽  
Li-Li Tian ◽  
Cai-Xia Fan ◽  
Cai-Hong Duo ◽  
Ke-Ming Xu
Keyword(s):  
Mirna Expression ◽  
Low Dose ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Cell Communication ◽  
A549 Cells ◽  
Enrichment Analysis ◽  
Adaptive Responses ◽  
Low Dose Radiation ◽  
Dose Radiation

Objective To study the effects of adaptive response in A549 cells induced by low-dose radiation and the miRNAs expression. Methods A549 cells were irradiated with 50 mGy and 200 mGy initial doses, respectively, and then irradiated with a challenge dose 20 Gy at 6 hours interval. The biological effects and miRNA expression were detected. Results The apoptosis rates of 50 mGy-20 Gy and 200 mGy-20 Gy groups were significantly lower than that of only 20 Gy irradiation group ( P < .05). The percentage of G2/M phase cells of 50 mGy-20 Gy and 200 mGy-20 Gy groups was significantly decreased relative to the 20 Gy group ( P < .05). One miRNA (mir-3662) was upregulated and 15 miRNAs (mir-185, mir-1908, mir-307, mir-182, mir-92a, mir-582, mi-r501, mir138-5p, mir-1260, mir-484, mir-378d, mir-193b, mir-127-3p, mir-1303, and mir-654-5p) were downregulated both in 50 mGy-20 Gy and 200 mGy-20 Gy groups than that of the 20 Gy group. Go and KEGG enrichment analysis showed that the target genes were significantly enriched in cell communication regulation, metabolic process, enzyme binding, and catalytic activity signaling pathways. Conclusion Low-dose X-ray of 50 mGy and 200 mGy radiation can induce adaptive apoptosis response prior to 20 Gy in A549 cells. Sixteen differently expressed miRNAs may play important roles in the adaptive effect of low-dose radiation.

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