Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Web-based scoring of the dicentric assay, a collaborative biodosimetric scoring strategy for population triage in large scale radiation accidents

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Radiation and Environmental Biophysics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In the case of a large scale radiation accident high throughput methods of biological dosimetry for population triage are needed to identify individuals requiring clinical treatment. The dicentric assay performed in web-based scoring mode may be a very suitable technique. Within the MULTIBIODOSE EU FP7 project a network is being established of 8 laboratories with expertise in dose estimations based on the dicentric assay. Here, the manual dicentric assay was tested in a web-based scoring mode. More than 23,000 high resolution images of metaphase spreads (only first mitosis) were captured by four laboratories and established as image galleries on the internet (cloud). The galleries included images of a complete dose effect curve (0–5.0 Gy) and three types of irradiation scenarios simulating acute whole body, partial body and protracted exposure. The blood samples had been irradiated in vitro with gamma rays at the University of Ghent, Belgium. Two laboratories provided image galleries from Fluorescence plus Giemsa stained slides (3 h colcemid) and the image galleries from the other two laboratories contained images from Giemsa stained preparations (24 h colcemid). Each of the 8 participating laboratories analysed 3 dose points of the dose effect curve (scoring 100 cells for each point) and 3 unknown dose points (50 cells) for each of the 3 simulated irradiation scenarios. At first all analyses were performed in a QuickScan Mode without scoring individual chromosomes, followed by conventional scoring (only complete cells, 46 centromeres). The calibration curves obtained using these two scoring methods were very similar, with no significant difference in the linear-quadratic curve coefficients. Analysis of variance showed a significant effect of dose on the yield of dicentrics, but no significant effect of the laboratories, different methods of slide preparation or different incubation times used for colcemid. The results obtained to date within the MULTIBIODOSE project by a network of 8 collaborating laboratories throughout Europe are very promising. The dicentric assay in the web based scoring mode as a high throughput scoring strategy is a useful application for biodosimetry in the case of a large scale radiation accident.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abend M, Rothkamm K, Romm H, Badie C, Balagurunathan Y, Barnard S, Bernard N, Boulay-Greene H, Brengues M, De Amicis A, De Sanctis S, Greither R, Herodin F, Jones A, Knie T, Kabacik S, Kulka U, Lista F, Martigne P, Missel A, Moquet J, Oestreicher U, Peinnequin A, Poyot T, Roessler U, Scherthan H, Terbrueggen B, Thierens H, Valente M, Vral A, Zenhausern F, Meineke V, Little MP, Beinke C (2012) NATO Exercise 2011: Intra- and inter-assay comparison of established and emerging biodosimetry assays. In: Human factors and medicine panel HFM-223 Symposium on biological effects of ionizing radiation exposures and countermeasures: current status and future perspectives. North Atlantic Treaty Organization Research and Technology Organization, Slovenia

  • Ainsbury EA, Lloyd DC (2010) Dose estimation software for radiation biodosimetry. Health Phys 98:290–295

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ainsbury EA, Bakhanova E, Barquinero JF, Brai M, Chumak V, Correcher V, Darroudi F, Fattibene P, Gruel G, Guclu I, Horn S, Jaworska S, Kulka U, Lindholm C, Lloyd D, Longo A, Marrale M, Monteiro Gil O, Oestreicher U, Pajic P, Rakic B, Romm H, Trompier F, Veronese I, Voisin P, Vral A, Whitehouse CA, Wieser A, Woda C, Wojcik A, Rothkamm K (2011) Review of retrospective dosimetry techniques for external ionising radiation exposures. Radiat Prot Dosim 147:573–592

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baciu F, Buglova E, Martincic R, Spiegelberg Planer R, Stern W, Winkler G (2010) Incident and emergency centre of the IAEA. Health Phys 98:779–783

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blakely WF, Carr Z, Chu MC, Dayal-Drager R, Fujimoto K, Hopmeir M, Kulka U, Lillis-Hearne P, Livingston GK, Lloyd DC, Maznyk N, Perez Mdel R, Romm H, Takashima Y, Voisin P, Wilkins RC, Yoshida MA (2009) WHO 1st consultation on the development of a global biodosimetry laboratories network for radiation emergencies (BioDoseNet). Radiat Res 171:127–139

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deperas J, Szluinska M, Deperas-Kaminska M, Edwards A, Lloyd D, Lindholm C, Romm H, Roy L, Moss R, Morand J, Wojcik A (2007) CABAS: a freely available PC program for fitting calibration curves in chromosome aberration dosimetry. Radiat Prot Dosim 124:115–123

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Di Giorgio M, Barquinero JF, Vallerga MB, Radl A, Taja AR, Seoane A, De Luca J, Oliveira MS, Valdivia P, Lima OG, Lamadrid A, Mesa JG, Aguilera IR, Cardoso TM, Carvajal YC, Maldonado CA, Espinoza ME, Martinez-Lopez W, Mendez-Acuna L, Di Tomaso MV, Roy L, Lindholm C, Romm H, Guclu I, Lloyd DC (2011) Biological dosimetry intercomparison exercise: an evaluation of triage and routine mode results by robust methods. Radiat Res 175:638–649

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Flegal FN, Devantier Y, McNamee JP, Wilkins RC (2010) Quickscan dicentric chromosome analysis for radiation biodosimetry. Health Phys 98:276–281

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Flegal FN, Devantier Y, Marro L, Wilkins RC (2012) Validation of QuickScan dicentric chromosome analysis for high throughput radiation biological dosimetry. Health Phys 102:143–153

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garcia O, Di Giorgio M, Vallerga MB, Radl A, Taja MR, Seoane A, De Luca J, Stuck Oliveira M, Valdivia P, Lamadrid AI, Gonzalez JE, Romero I, Mandina T, Pantelias G, Terzoudi G, Guerrero-Carbajal C, Arceo Maldonado C, Espinoza M, Oliveros N, Martinez-Lopez W, Di Tomaso MV, Mendez-Acuna L, Puig R, Roy L, Barquinero JF (2012) Interlaboratory comparison of dicentric chromosome assay using electronically transmitted images. Radiat Prot Dosim 154:18–25

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • IAEA (2011) IAEA cytogenetic dosimetry: applications in preparedness for and response to radiation emergencies, EPR-Biodosimetry 2011. International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna

    Google Scholar 

  • ISO (2004) ISO 19238: radiation protection-performance criteria for service laboratories performing biological dosimetry by cytogenetics. International Organization for Standardization Geneva, Switzerland

    Google Scholar 

  • ISO (2008) ISO 21243: radiation protection—performance criteria for laboratories performing cytogenetic triage for assessment of mass casualties in radiological or nuclear emergencies—general principles and application to dicentric assay. International Organization for Standardization, Geneva

    Google Scholar 

  • Kulka U, Ainsbury L, Atkinson M, Barquinero JF, Barrios L, Beinke C, Bognar G, Cucu A, Darroudi F, Fattibene P, Gil O, Gregoire E, Hadjidekova V, Haghdoost S, Herranz R, Jaworska A, Lindholm C, Mkacher R, Mortl S, Montoro A, Moquet J, Moreno A, Ogbazghi A, Oestreicher U, Palitti F, Pantelias G, Popescu I, Prieto MJ, Romm H, Rothkamm K, Sabatier L, Sommer S, Terzoudi G, Testa A, Thierens H, Trompier F, Turai I, Vandersickel V, Vaz P, Voisin P, Vral A, Ugletveit F, Woda C, Wojcik A (2012) Realising the European Network of Biodosimetry (RENEB). Radiat Prot Dosim 151:621–625

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Livingston GK, Wilkins RC, Ainsbury EA (2011) Pilot website to support international collaboration for dose assessments in a radiation emergency. Radiat Meas 46:912–915

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lloyd DC, Edwards AA, Moquet JE, Guerrero-Carbajal YC (2000) The role of cytogenetics in early triage of radiation casualties. Appl Radiat Isot 52:1107–1112

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maznyk NA, Wilkins RC, Carr Z, Lloyd DC (2012) The capacity, capabilities and needs of the WHO BioDoseNet member laboratories. Radiat Prot Dosim 151:611–620

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miller SM, Ferrarotto CL, Vlahovich S, Wilkins RC, Boreham DR, Dolling JA (2007) Canadian Cytogenetic Emergency Network (CEN) for biological dosimetry following radiological/nuclear accidents. Int J Radiat Biol 83:471–477

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MULTIBIODOSE (2012) Multi-disciplinary biodosimetric tools to manage high scale radiological casualties (MULTIBIODOSE), project funded within the 7th EU Framework Programme. http://www.multibiodose.eu/index.htm. Accessed 18 Mar 2013

  • Romm H, Oestreicher U, Kulka U (2009) Cytogenetic damage analysed by the dicentric assay. Ann Ist Super Sanita 45:251–259

    Google Scholar 

  • Romm H, Wilkins RC, Coleman CN, Lillis-Hearne PK, Pellmar TC, Livingston GK, Awa AA, Jenkins MS, Yoshida MA, Oestreicher U, Prasanna PG (2011a) Biological dosimetry by the triage dicentric chromosome assay: potential implications for treatment of acute radiation syndrome in radiological mass casualties. Radiat Res 175:397–404

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Romm H, Oestreicher U, Kulka U (2011b) Semi-automation of dicentric scoring to increase throughput in case of a large scale accident. Med Corps Int Forum Suppl 2:22

    Google Scholar 

  • Romm H, Barnard S, Boulay-Greene H, Herodin F, Martigne P, Peinnequin A, Poyot T, Valente M, De Sanctis S, De Amicis A, Franco M, Moquet J, Kulka U, Lista F, Oestreicher U, Rothkamm K, Thierens H, Vandersickel V, Vral A, Little M, Meineke V, Beinke C, Abend M (2012a) Performance of the automated dicentric and cytokinesis block micronucleus assays in a recent NATO exercise of established biodosimetrymethods. IRPA13 Glasgow abstract book. www.irpa13glasgow.com. Accessed 18 Mar 2013

  • Romm H, Ainsbury E, Bajinskis A, Barnard S, Barquinero JF, Beinke C, Puig-Casanovas R, Deperas-Kaminska M, Gregoire E, Kulka U, Oestreicher U, Lindholm C, Moquet J, Rothkamm K, Sommer S, Thierens H, Vral A, Vandersickel V, Wojcik A (2012b) The dicentric assay in triage mode as a reliable biodosimetric scoring strategy for population triage in large scale radiation accidents. IRPA 13 TS2.C3 www.irpa13glasgow.com. Accessed 18 Mar 2013

  • Romm H, Ainsbury E, Barnard S, Barrios L, Barquinero JF, Beinke C, Deperas M, Gregoire E, Koivistoinen A, Lindholm C, Moquet J, Oestreicher U, Puig R, Rothkamm K, Sommer S, Thierens H, Vandersickel V, Vral A, Wojcik A (2013) Automatic scoring of dicentric chromosomes as a tool in large scale radiation accidents. Mutat Res 756:174–183

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vaurijoux A, Gruel G, Pouzoulet F, Gregoire E, Martin C, Roch-Lefevre S, Roy L, Voisin P (2009) Strategy for population triage based on dicentric analysis. Radiat Res 171:541–548

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilkins RC, Romm H, Kao TC, Awa AA, Yoshida MA, Livingston GK, Jenkins MS, Oestreicher U, Pellmar TC, Prasanna PG (2008) Interlaboratory comparison of the dicentric chromosome assay for radiation biodosimetry in mass casualty events. Radiat Res 169:551–560

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wojcik A, Lloyd D, Romm H, Roy L (2010) Biological dosimetry for triage of casualties in a large-scale radiological emergency: capacity of the EU member states. Radiat Prot Dosim 138:397–401

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yoshida MA, Hayata I, Tateno H, Tanaka K, Sonta S, Kodama S, Kodama Y, Sasaki MS (2007) The chromosome network for biodosimetry in Japan. Radiat Meas 42:1125–1127

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Marina DiGiorgio for sharing the software to calculate the CV, trueness and robust average. The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement no 241536. URL:http://www.multibiodose.eu.

Conflict of interest

The author(s) indicated no conflicts of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Bundesamt fuer Strahlenschutz, Ingolstaedter Landstr. 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany

    H. Romm & U. Oestreicher

  2. Public Health England, Chilton, OX11 0RQ, UK

    E. Ainsbury, S. Barnard, J. Moquet & K. Rothkamm

  3. Stockholm University, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden

    A. Bajinskis, M. Deperas-Kaminska & A. Wojcik

  4. Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, 92260, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France

    J. F. Barquinero & E. Gregoire

  5. Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, 08193, Barcelona, Spain

    L. Barrios & R. Puig-Casanovas

  6. Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, 80937, Munich, Germany

    C. Beinke

  7. Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, 00880, Helsinki, Finland

    C. Lindholm

  8. Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology, 03-195, Warsaw, Poland

    S. Sommer

  9. University of Ghent, 9000, Ghent, Belgium

    H. Thierens, A. Vral & V. Vandersickel

Authors
  1. H. Romm
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. E. Ainsbury
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. A. Bajinskis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. S. Barnard
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. J. F. Barquinero
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. L. Barrios
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. C. Beinke
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. R. Puig-Casanovas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. M. Deperas-Kaminska
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. E. Gregoire
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  11. U. Oestreicher
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  12. C. Lindholm
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  13. J. Moquet
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  14. K. Rothkamm
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  15. S. Sommer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  16. H. Thierens
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  17. A. Vral
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  18. V. Vandersickel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  19. A. Wojcik
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to H. Romm.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Romm, H., Ainsbury, E., Bajinskis, A. et al. Web-based scoring of the dicentric assay, a collaborative biodosimetric scoring strategy for population triage in large scale radiation accidents. Radiat Environ Biophys 53, 241–254 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00411-014-0519-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00411-014-0519-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation