Indoor radon exposure and lung cancer risk: a meta-analysis of case-control studies

The aim of this study was to assess a potential relationship between indoor radon exposure and the incidence of lung cancer worldwide. A systematic literature search was carried out in PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar to identify relevant studies published in English conducted in the last 15 years until January 2016. Summary relative risks (RR) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a random-effects model and the influence of moderators using a mixed-effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed using the Q, I2 and H2 tests, and the source of heterogeneity was detected by meta-regression analysis. Publication bias was evaluated with Egger’s regression symmetry test and the contour-enhanced funnel plot. Leave-one-out sensitivity analysis was performed. Twenty-five lung cancer studies (case-control studies) with 13,569 cases and 22,701 controls were included. Indoor Radon exposure was significantly associated with increased risk for lung cancer (RR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.02–1.39). Study location analysis showed that radon exposure was associated with increased risk for lung cancer from forty degrees absolute latitude (RR, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.92–1.31), to fifty degrees (RR 1.26; 95% CI, 1.08–1.48), to sixty degrees (RR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.12–1.91). Indoor radon exposure may be associated with increased risk for lung cancer

NEPTUNE (Nuclear process-driven Enhancement of Proton Therapy UNravEled)

Protontherapy is an important radiation modality that has been used to treat cancer for over 60 years. In the last 10 years, clinical proton therapy has been rapidly growing with more than 80 facilities worldwide [1]. The interest in proton therapy stems from the physical properties of protons allowing for a much improved dose shaping around the target and greater healthy tissue sparing. One shortcoming of protontherapy is its inability to treat radioresistant cancers, being protons radiobiologically almost as effective as photons. Heavier particles, such as 12C ions, can overcome radioresistance but they present radiobiological and economic issues that hamper their widespread adoption. Therefore, many strategies have been designed to increase the biological effectiveness of proton beams. Examples are chemical radiosensitizing agents or, more recently, metallic nanoparticles. The goal of this project is to investigate the use of nuclear reactions triggered by protons generating short-range high- LET alpha particles inside the tumours, thereby allowing a highly localized DNA-damaging action. Specifically, we intend to consolidate and explain the promising results recently published in [2], where a significant enhancement of biological effectiveness was achieved by the p-11B reaction. Clinically relevant binary approaches were first proposed with Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT), which exploits thermal neutron capture in 10B, suitably accumulated into tumour before irradiation. The radiosensitising effects due to the presence of 10B will be compared to those elicited by p-11B, using the same carrier and relating the observed effects with intracellular 11B and 10B distribution as well as modelled particle action and measured dose deposition at the micro/nanometer scale. Moreover, the p-19F reaction, which also generates secondary particles potentially leading to local enhancement of proton effectiveness, will be investigated. The in-vivo imaging of 11B and 19F carriers will be studied, in particular by optimizing 19F-based magnetic resonance

Protons Interaction with Nomex Target: Secondary Radiation from a Monte Carlo Simulation with Geant4

The study of suitable materials to shield astronauts from Galactic Cosmic Rays (GCR) is a topic of fundamental importance. The choice of the material must take into account both the secondary radiation produced by the interaction between primary radiation and material and its shielding ability. The physics case presented here deals with the interaction of a proton beam with a Nomex shield, namely, a target material with a mass thickness of 20 g cm−2. The study was conducted with the simulation code DOSE based on the well-known simulation package Geant4. This article shows the properties of secondary radiations produced in the target by the interaction of a proton beam in an energy range characterizing the GCR spectrum. We observed the production of ions of masses and charges lower than the chemical elements that make up Nomex, and also a significant production of neutrons, protons, and particles

Prevalence of hepatitis virus infections in Kosovar refugees

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Risk factors for HBV/HIV/HCV in drug addicts: a survey of attendees of a Department of Pathological Dependence

Introduction. This study aims to determine risk factors for the acquisition of HIV, HBV and HCV infections among Injection Drug Users (IDUs) who attended the out-patient clinic of the Department of Pathological Dependence at Bari Hospital in Bari Province (Italy). Methods. The study was conducted in the year 2008 using the information available in the out-patient files of 291 drug addicts who were undergoing treatment. Results. Their average age was 29.3 and 133 (45.7%) of them were affected by HIV/ HBV/ HCV. The use of injected heroin, being separated or divorced, and having committed a crime were found to be risk factors for infection by HIV/ HBV/ HCV, while having a school diploma or a university degree and the use of cannabinoids were negatively associated with the infective diseases. Discussion and conclusions. While the data from the Italian Departments of Pathological Dependence concerning HIV diffusion in treated patients have been showing a reduction in the number of cases of seropositivity, drug addiction in industrialized countries is still the second most important risk factor, after promiscuous sexual behaviour, for infection by parenteral transmission. Correct risk assessment is essential for the planning of effective strategies for primary and secondary prevention

Case report: Fulminant pneumococcal sepsis in an unvaccinated asplenic patient in Italy

We report a fatal case of overwhelming pneumococcal infection in an asplenic young adult not vaccinated against Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae). Post-mortem microbiological investigations revealed the presence of S. pneumoniae in blood samples and lungs. Serotyping by molecular methods identified the presence of a 6C serotype not comprised in the current 23-valent pneumococcal vaccine, highlighting that a risk of fatal infections may persist even in vaccinated splenectomised individuals

Immunization coverage among splenectomized patients: Results of an ad hoc survey in Puglia Region (South of Italy)

Patients with anatomic or functional asplenia have a 10-50 times higher risk than general population to develop Overwhelming Post-Splenectomy Infection. Evidences are unanimous in recommending splenectomised patients to receive meningococcal, antipneumococcal and Haemophilus influenzae type B vaccinations according to a specific timing. In Italy there are no current data on the immunisation coverage in these patients. This study aims to investigate immunisation coverage in patients undergoing elective or urgent splenectomy for 2012-2013 in the 3 Apulian hospitals. The patients discharged with the code ICD-9-CM 41.5 - "Total splenectomy" were enrolled. The administration of vaccines was verified through consultation of medical records, archives of general practitioners and vaccination offices. In the study period, 166 subjects underwent splenectomy and none of them received vaccinations during hospitalization. 25 splenectomised patients (15.1%) received at least one of the recommended vaccinations. 21 patients (12.6%) received vaccine against Streptococcus pneumonia, 13 (7.8%) meningococcal vaccine, 10 patients (6%) Haemophilus influenzae type B vaccine. The low vaccination coverage could be due both to poor perception of the risk of infection and to a lack of knowledge on vaccinations by surgeons. For this reason it is necessary to draw up and share operational protocols that establish the administration of vaccines

Validation of the Electromagnetic Physical Processes with Software SPENVIS

The Space Radiation represents a serious risk for astronauts during space missions. The risk related to the space radiation exposure could involve acute and/or late effects. The Solar Cosmic Radiation that consists of protons (≈98%) with a very wide spectrum in energy (up to several GeV), is the major source of exposure for the crew. In this paper we present the results of the validation of the electromagnetic physical processes with the aim to contribute to the study of radiation protection for astronauts, in particular against the radiation due to the Solar Particle Events (SPE). The simulation was performed using MULASSIS, a module to the software SPENVIS, with protons as source, in the energy range from 800 MeV to 1.2 GeV, on a slab of aluminum of mass thickness of 20 g/cm2. The results obtained by the simulation were compared with PSTAR database of the NIST. Finally, a comparison between SPENVIS and Geant4-9.6p2 was performed

Gini Method Application: Indoor Radon Survey in Kpong, Ghana

In this study, the indoor radon concentrations map, starting from a sparse measurements survey, was realized with the Gini index method. This method was applied on a real dataset coming from indoor radon measurements carried out in Kpong, Ghana. The Gini coefficient variogram is shown to be a good estimator of the inhomogeneity degree of radon concentration because it allows for better constraining of the critical distance below which the radon geological source can be considered as uniform. The indoor radon measurements were performed in 96 dwellings in Kpong, Ghana. The data showed that 84% of the residences monitored had radon levels below 100 Bqm¯³, versus 16% having levels above the World Health Organization's (WHO) suggested reference range (100 Bqm¯³). The survey indicated that the average indoor radon concentration (IRC) was 55 ± 36 Bqm¯³. The concentrations range from 4–176 Bqm¯³. The mean value 55 Bqm¯³ is 38% higher than the world's average IRC of 40 Bqm¯³ (UNSCEAR, 1993)

Risk factors for HBV/HIV/HCV in drug addicts: a survey of attendees of a Department of Pathological Dependence

Introduction. This study aims to determine risk factors for the acquisition of HIV, HBV and HCV infections among Injection Drug Users (IDUs) who attended the out-patient clinic of the Department of Pathological Dependence at Bari Hospital in Bari Province (Italy). Methods. The study was conducted in the year 2008 using the information available in the out-patient files of 291 drug addicts who were undergoing treatment. Results. Their average age was 29.3 and 133 (45.7%) of them were affected by HIV/ HBV/ HCV. The use of injected heroin, being separated or divorced, and having committed a crime were found to be risk factors for infection by HIV/ HBV/ HCV, while having a school diploma or a university degree and the use of cannabinoids were negatively associated with the infective diseases. Discussion and conclusions. While the data from the Italian Departments of Pathological Dependence concerning HIV diffusion in treated patients have been showing a reduction in the number of cases of seropositivity, drug addiction in industrialized countries is still the second most important risk factor, after promiscuous sexual behaviour, for infection by parenteral transmission. Correct risk assessment is essential for the planning of effective strategies for primary and secondary prevention