Protein Expression in the Gastrocnemius Muscle of a Rodent Shrapnel-Injury Model

With shrapnel injuries, the metal fragment is usually left in place to reduce the risk of morbidity extensive surgery might bring. This means the individual may retain those metals for the remainder of their life. Often the long-term health effects of the embedded metal are not known, especially with respect to protein damage and perturbations of muscle repair pathways. In this study, using homogenates of rat gastrocnemius muscle implanted with pellets of military-relevant metals, we investigated expression of iNOS and eNOS, enzymes involved in nitric oxide production, as well as MMP-2 and MMP-9, matrix metalloproteinases associated with muscle repair. In addition, hydroxynonenal-modified proteins were investigated to assess metal-induced oxidative damage and metal levels in the gastrocnemius determined. Metals were implanted for up to 12 months in order to determine the long-term effects on the expression of muscle-associated proteins. With the exception of iron and cobalt at 1-month post-implantation, there were no significant differences in metal levels in the gastrocnemius in any of the cohorts. Protein expression analysis showed significant decreases in iNOS and eNOS in the 6-month and 12-month lead and depleted uranium groups. Hydroxynonenal-modified proteins were also significantly increased in the iron, copper, lead, and depleted uranium groups. These results suggest that some embedded metals can induce long-term oxidative damage, as well as affect enzyme systems involved in signal transduction.

MONTE-CARLO SIMULATION OF QUASI-INFINITE DEPLETED URANIUM TARGET IRRADIATED BY 1…10 GeV DEUTERON AND PROTON BEAM

Simulation of a ~21 t depleted uranium target irradiated by 1…10 GeV proton and deuteron particles with the help of FLUKA simulation package was carried out. Neutron spectra and neutron flux in a target volume were obtained. Total number of 235U (n,f), 238U(n,f) reactions occurred in a target were determined. Beam particle power multiplication are calculated. The calculations were performed for the purpose of planning experiments on irradiation of a uranium target (22 tons of depleted uranium) at JINR (Dubna) within the framework of the international project “Energy and Transmutation of RAW”.

Study the radioactive concentration for soil samples contaminated with depleted uranium in Al-Nahrawan site at Baghdad governorate using high purity germanium detector

This study is investigating the radioactivity in soil samples at the Al-Nahrawan site. The radiation survey appears there are 3000 square meters area are contaminated with DU in AL-Nahrawan site identified using Geiger–Müller (GM) for radiation survey and gamma spectrometry for 52 soil samples analysis taken from AL-Nahrawan site at different depths (0-70) cm and different locations. The results of gamma analysis using high-purity germanium show that the ratio between 235U/238U is less than 0.00720 (neutral ratio), and it has different values from 0.002-0.00588, and the average value of radioactive nuclides concentration for (238U, 235U and 40K) are (76019.61, 259.55 and 147.5) Bq/kg respectively, these values are higher than the (BG) radioactive concentration levels in Iraq for (238U and 235U) isotopes, and the analysis of 40K concentration appeared in the acceptable limits. The health effects of depleted uranium in the human body it is exposed to many health troubles through the entry of uranium oxide particles.

Environmentally Relevant Levels of Depleted Uranium Impacts Dermal Fibroblast Proliferation, Viability, Metabolic Activity, and Scratch Closure

Uranium (U) is a heavy metal used in military and industrial settings, with a large portion being mined from the Southwest region of the United States. Uranium has uses in energy and military weaponry, but the mining process has released U into soil and surface waters that may pose threats to human and environmental health. The majority of literature regarding U’s human health concern focuses on outcomes based on unintentional ingestion or inhalation, and limited data are available about its influence via cutaneous contact. Utilizing skin dermis cells, we evaluated U’s topical chemotoxicity. Employing soluble depleted uranium (DU) in the form of uranyl nitrate (UN), we hypothesized that in vitro exposure of UN will have cytotoxic effects on primary dermal fibroblasts by affecting cell viability and metabolic activity and, further, may delay wound healing aspects via altering cell proliferation and migration. Using environmentally relevant levels of U found in water (0.1 μM to 100 μM [UN]; 23.8–23,800 ppb [U]), we quantified cellular mitosis and migration through growth curves and in vitro scratch assays. Cells were exposed from 24 h to 144 h for a time-course evaluation of UN chemical toxicity. The effects of UN were observed at concentrations above and below the Environmental Protection Agency threshold for safe exposure limits. UN exposure resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in the viable cell count; however, it produced an increase in metabolism when corrected for the viable cells present. Furthermore, cellular proliferation, population doubling, and percent closure was hindered at levels ≥10 μM UN. Therefore, inadvertent exposure may exacerbate pre-existing skin diseases in at-risk demographics, and additionally, it may substantially interfere in cutaneous tissue repair processes.