U Oestreicher

Publications (12)18.96 Total impact

• Source

  Available from: Kai Rothkamm

  Article: RENEB – Realising the European Network in Biological Dosimetry

  P Voisin, L Ainsbury, M Atkinson, J Barquinero, L Barrios, C Beinke, F Darroudi, P Fattibene, O Gil, V Hadjidekova, [......], S Sommer, A Testa, H Thierens, F Trompier, I Turai, P Vaz, A Vral, C Woda, A Wojcik, U Kulka
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: Creating a sustainable network in biological dosimetry that involves a large number of experienced laboratories throughout the EU will significantly improve the accident and emergency response capabilities in case of a large-scale radiological emergency. A well organised cooperated action involving EU laboratories will offer the only chance for a fast and trustworthy dose assessment urgently needed in an emergency situation. In this regard the European Commission supports the establishment of an European network in Biological dosimetry The goal of RENEB (European Network in Biological Dosimetry) is to establish a sustainable European network in biological dosimetry involving 23 organisations from 16 countries identified by the TENEB survey that will guarantee highest efficiency in processing and scoring of biological samples for fast, reliable results implemented in the EU emergency management. This goal will be achieved through 5 tasks: 1) To create an operational basis of the network, based on coordination of the existing reliable and proven methods in biological dosimetry. 2) To expand and improve the network implementing appropriate new, molecular biology methods and integrating new partners. 3) To assure high quality standards by education and training activities of members and interested non-members. Here, special focus will be placed on quality assurance and management regarding the performed assays and involved laboratories. 4) To develop an operational structure of the network including contacts to national first responders, a well organised transnational infrastructure to facilitate cross-border transport of human biological samples, a long term funding strategy and to prepare an agenda to transform RENEB into a legal organisation. 5) To guarantee dissemination of knowledge by providing access to internal and external communication platforms and databases and close cooperation with national and global emergency preparedness systems and organisations.
  NATO Science and Technology Organization Report. 10/2012; STO-MP-HFM-223:19, 1-10.
• Source

  Available from: Joan-Francesc Barquinero

  Article: Realising the European Network of Biodosimetry (RENEB).

  U Kulka, L Ainsbury, M Atkinson, J F Barquinero, L Barrios, C Beinke, G Bognar, A Cucu, F Darroudi, P Fattibene, [......], H Thierens, F Trompier, I Turai, V Vandersickel, P Vaz, P Voisin, A Vral, F Ugletveit, C Woda, A Wojcik
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: In Europe, a network for biological dosimetry has been created to strengthen the emergency preparedness and response capabilities in case of a large-scale nuclear accident or radiological emergency. Through the RENEB (Realising the European Network of Biodosimetry) project, 23 experienced laboratories from 16 European countries will establish a sustainable network for rapid, comprehensive and standardised biodosimetry provision that would be urgently required in an emergency situation on European ground. The foundation of the network is formed by five main pillars: (1) the ad hoc operational basis, (2) a basis of future developments, (3) an effective quality-management system, (4) arrangements to guarantee long-term sustainability and (5) awareness of the existence of RENEB. RENEB will thus provide a mechanism for quick, efficient and reliable support within the European radiation emergency management. The scientific basis of RENEB will concurrently contribute to increased safety in the field of radiation protection.
  Radiation Protection Dosimetry 08/2012; 151(4):621-5. · 0.82 Impact Factor
• Source

  Available from: Kai Rothkamm

  Article: The dicentric assay in triage mode as a reliable biodosimetric scoring strategy for population triage in large scale radiation accidents

  H Romm, E Ainsbury, A Bajinskis, S Barnard, J F Barquinero, C Beinke, R Puig-Casanovas, M Deperas-Kaminska, E Gregoire, U Kulka, U Oestreicher, C Lindholm, J Moquet, K Rothkamm, S Sommer, H Thierens, A Vral, V Vandersickel, A Wojcik
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: Introduction: Mass casualty scenarios of radiation accidents require high throughput techniques of biological dosimetry for population triage to identify individuals for whom clinical treatment is indicated. To this end the dicentric assay in a triage mode is a very suitable technique. Within the MULTIBIODOSE EU FP7 project a network of eight biodosimetry laboratories has been established with expertise in dose estimations based on the dicentric assay. Results: In the first task the conventional dicentric assay was tested in the triage mode. Three types of irradiation scenarios were included: acute whole body, partial body and protracted exposure. Blood samples from 33 healthy donors (> 10 donors / scenario) were irradiated in vitro with gamma rays, simulating the 3 different types of exposure and the 3 different doses. All the blood samples were irradiated at the University of Gent, Belgium, and then shipped to the participating laboratories. The dose estimates of acute whole body exposure show a good agreement with actual radiation doses (0.5, 2.0 and 4.0 Gy) for all labs. Most labs could identify correctly the partial body doses at 4 and 6 Gy, but this was not possible at 2 Gy and indicates a need for more cells to be analysed. After protracted exposure, all labs performed these dose estimations well and attained good results at 1.0 and 2.0 Gy. Conclusions: The results obtained up to now within the MULTIBIODOSE project are very promising for the application of the dicentric assay in triage mode as a high throughput scoring strategy for biodosimetry in case of large scale accidents by a network of eight collaborating laboratories throughout Europe.
  Proc IRPA. 05/2012; 13:TS 2c.
• Article: Alpha particles induce different F values in monocellular layers of settled and attached human lymphocytes.

  T E Schmid, U Oestreicher, M Molls, E Schmid
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: There is rapidly increasing information on the issue of three-dimensional nuclear architecture, according to which chromosomes are organized in localized territories and chromosome arms in exclusive domains within a given territory. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of different cell exposure conditions on cytogenetic damage induced by high-LET radiation. To this end the yield ratio of dicentrics to centric rings (F value) induced by (241)Am α particles was analyzed in monolayer cultures of human lymphocytes that were either settled or attached to foils, simulating a rounded or spread out cellular geometry, respectively. Monolayers were exposed in special irradiation chambers to 0.1 and 1.0 Gy and subsequently analyzed for chromosome aberrations. Independent of these different dose levels, significantly different F values of 10.07 ± 1.73 and 4.27 ± 0.44 have been determined in attached and settled lymphocytes, respectively. Since the diameter of nuclei vertically traversed by α particles in attached cells is about one-half that in settled cells, these F values support the postulate that proximity effects regarding the chromatin geometry in flattened or spherical human lymphocytes influence the formation of high-LET radiation-induced dicentrics and centric rings. A comparison with our earlier data sets obtained for both in vitro and in vivo exposure of human lymphocytes to α particles or (137)Cs γ rays supports the notion that the F value depends on the radiation quality when investigations are confined to spherical human lymphocytes. Thus the F value should not be ruled out as a practical chromosomal "fingerprint" for past exposure to high-LET radiation.
  Radiation Research 06/2011; 176(2):226-33. · 2.68 Impact Factor
• Article: Review of retrospective dosimetry techniques for external ionising radiation exposures.

  E A Ainsbury, E Bakhanova, J F Barquinero, M Brai, V Chumak, V Correcher, F Darroudi, P Fattibene, G Gruel, I Guclu, [......], H Romm, F Trompier, I Veronese, P Voisin, A Vral, C A Whitehouse, A Wieser, C Woda, A Wojcik, K Rothkamm
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: The current focus on networking and mutual assistance in the management of radiation accidents or incidents has demonstrated the importance of a joined-up approach in physical and biological dosimetry. To this end, the European Radiation Dosimetry Working Group 10 on 'Retrospective Dosimetry' has been set up by individuals from a wide range of disciplines across Europe. Here, established and emerging dosimetry methods are reviewed, which can be used immediately and retrospectively following external ionising radiation exposure. Endpoints and assays include dicentrics, translocations, premature chromosome condensation, micronuclei, somatic mutations, gene expression, electron paramagnetic resonance, thermoluminescence, optically stimulated luminescence, neutron activation, haematology, protein biomarkers and analytical dose reconstruction. Individual characteristics of these techniques, their limitations and potential for further development are reviewed, and their usefulness in specific exposure scenarios is discussed. Whilst no single technique fulfils the criteria of an ideal dosemeter, an integrated approach using multiple techniques tailored to the exposure scenario can cover most requirements.
  Radiation Protection Dosimetry 12/2010; 147(4):573-92. · 0.82 Impact Factor
• Article: Enhanced yield of chromosome aberrations after CT examinations in paediatric patients.

  G Stephan, K Schneider, W Panzer, L Walsh, U Oestreicher
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: To determine whether computed tomography (CT) could enhance the chromosome aberration yields in paediatric patients. Blood samples were taken before and after CT scans from 10 children for whom the medical justifications for CT examinations were accidental injuries and not diseases as investigated in earlier studies. Chromosome analysis was carried out in lymphocytes by fluorescence plus Giemsa (FPG) staining exclusively in metaphases of the first cell cycle in vitro. The mean blood dose of the 10 children was about 12.9 mGy which was determined by a newly developed dose estimation. Based on more than 20,000 analyzed cells it was found that after CT examination the frequencies of dicentrics (dic) and excess acentric fragments (ace) in lymphocytes were significantly increased. By subdividing the children into two age groups, those with an age from 0.4 years to 9 years and from 10 - 15 years, it became obvious that the observed increase in chromosome aberrations was mainly contributed by the younger age group. In this group the frequency of dicentrics was significantly increased whereas in the older group the observed increase was not significant. Our results demonstrate that CT examinations enhance the dicentrics yields in peripheral lymphocytes of children aged up to 15 years. Since in particular significantly increased dicentric yields could be observed in children with an age from 0.4 - 9 years, it can be assumed that children younger than 10 years may be more radiation sensitive than older subjects.
  International Journal of Radiation Biology 06/2007; 83(5):281-7. · 2.28 Impact Factor
• Article: Translocation yields in peripheral blood lymphocytes from control populations.

  C A Whitehouse, A A Edwards, E J Tawn, G Stephan, U Oestreicher, J E Moquet, D C Lloyd, L Roy, P Voisin, C Lindholm, J Barquinero, L Barrios, M R Caballin, F Darroudi, J Fomina
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: To record the latest information on control levels of translocations in cultured human lymphocytes. Control-level data from seven European laboratories that are using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) techniques for retrospective biological dosimetry have been combined in a meta-analysis. After correction for the differing probe combinations used, tests of consistency are performed. The combined data have been used to test for individual variation, systematic variation with age, gender and smoking habits. There is a strong variation of translocation yield with age but no variation was detectable with gender or smoking habits. After correction for age, homogeneity tests showed that about 10% of individuals were outside the 95% confidence limits as opposed to 5% expected. From a total of 385, there is an excess of about 20 individuals most of whom have an unexpectedly high yield of translocations. For retrospective biological dosimetry purposes a generic age-dependent control level can be assumed. No other lifestyle factors such as smoking appear to have a significant effect on translocation yield.
  International Journal of Radiation Biology 03/2005; 81(2):139-45. · 2.28 Impact Factor
• Article: Cytogenetic analyses in peripheral lymphocytes of persons living in houses with increased levels of indoor radon concentrations.

  U Oestreicher, H Braselmann, G Stephan
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: Published data concerning the effects of indoor radon exposure on the frequency of chromosome aberrations in peripheral lymphocytes of residents are contradictory. Possible reasons for this may be the low radon concentration in dwellings and/or the limited number of investigated persons. We therefore studied the relationship of domestic radon exposure and the occurrence of chromosome aberrations in peripheral lymphocytes in 61 persons living in houses with radon concentrations from 80 up to 13,000 Bq/m3. We analyzed 60,000 cells from fluorescence plus Giemsa (FPG)-stained slides. It could be clearly demonstrated that in groups of persons living in dwellings with indoor radon concentrations >200 Bq/m3 the number of cells containing dicentrics and/or centric rings (C(dic + cr)) (2.45 +/- 0.50 x 10(-3)) was significantly increased (p < 0.05) in comparison to the control level (1.03 +/- 0.15 x 10(-3)). However, there was no difference in the mean frequency of C(dic + cr) between the groups living in dwellings with higher radon concentrations. Using the fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique for the detection of translocations, we analyzed 23,315 cells in 16 persons of the highest exposed group (>5,000 Bq/m3). The observed frequency of translocations was 3.9 +/- 0.64 x 10(-3). In comparison to the control group (2.02 +/- 0.18 x 10(-3)), there was a slight but not statistically significant increase in the exposed group (P = 0.055). If, however, the age of the examined persons is taken into account, the values are significantly increased (P < 0.05) in the exposed persons older than 40 years in comparison to the age-matched controls. Since most of the translocations were found in stable cells, it is concluded that translocations are also induced in blood-forming tissue and are transmitted to peripheral blood.
  Cytogenetic and Genome Research 01/2004; 104(1-4):232-6. · 1.53 Impact Factor
• Article: Chromosome investigation of individuals living in areas of southern Germany contaminated by fallout from the Chernobyl reactor accident.

  G Stephan, U Oestreicher
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: One specific area in the Federal Republic of Germany experienced a particularly high contamination by fallout from the Chernobyl reactor accident in 1986. The individuals living there received an additional radiation exposure from the fallout of about 0.8 mSv in 1986, which had decreased to about 0.2 mSv in 1989. Blood samples for chromosome analyses were collected from 29 different individuals during the period 1987-1991. About 44,000 cells were scored. The individuals were subdivided according to sampling time. In 1987/88, the mean frequency of dicentrics and centric rings (dic + Rc) was 2.45 +/- 0.42 per 1000 cells and that for excess acentrics (ace) was 8.20 +/- 0.90 per 1000 cells. In the following 2 years the mean yields per 1000 cells for dic + Rc were 1.60 +/- 0.40 and 1.79 +/- 0.42, respectively, and that for ace 8.18 +/- 0.90 and 6.92 +/- 0.83, respectively. The mean yields for chromatid breaks (cbr) per 1000 cells in the same periods were 4.96 +/- 0.60, 6.79 +/- 0.82, and 5.14 +/- 0.71, respectively. In addition, individuals were investigated as controls in two different areas where the exposure doses from the Chernobyl fallout were lower by one order of magnitude. In one control area, the mean frequency of structural chromosome aberrations was found to be 2.58 +/- 0.36 dic + Rc, 9.62 +/- 0.69 ace, and 6.54 +/- 0.57 cbr per 1000 cells (20 individuals, approximately 20,000 cells). In the other control area, the mean yields were 1.91 +/- 0.42, 8.63 +/- 0.89, and 5.90 +/- 0.73, respectively, per 1000 cells (11 individuals, approximately 11,000 cells). These yields show no significant trend, either with sampling time or with contamination level for any of the three aberration types. Five individuals from the highly contaminated area who were investigated in 1987, were reinvestigated in 1991. On the basis of about 10,000 cells, the mean yield of dic + Rc per 1000 cells decreased significantly from 2.69 +/- 0.52 to 1.40 +/- 0.37 (p < 0.05). In nine individuals from the contaminated area, the content of cesium nuclides was measured using a whole body counter. No relation between the physically calculated radiation doses to blood and the frequency of dicentrics determined in 1987/88 was found (r = 0.41).
  Mutation Research/Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis 11/1993; 319(3):189-96. · 2.85 Impact Factor
• Article: Chromosome and SCE analysis in peripheral lymphocytes of persons occupationally exposed to cytostatic drugs handled with and without use of safety covers.

  U Oestreicher, G Stephan, M Glatzel
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: The frequency of structural chromosome aberrations and sister-chromatid exchanges in peripheral blood lymphocytes of nurses handling cytostatic drugs without a safety cover is compared with that of individuals doing this work exclusively under a safety cover and with that of nurses working under similar conditions but not handling cytostatics. The mean yield of dicentric chromosomes, (4.3 +/- 0.7)/1000 cells, and acentric fragments, (15.4 +/- 1.4)/1000 cells, in the occupationally exposed group is significantly increased in comparison to individuals working with protection (dic: (1.1 +/- 0.4)/1000 cells, ace: (11.2 +/- 1.2)/1000 cells) and nurses not handling cytostatics (dic: (2.1 +/- 0.5)/1000 cells, ace: (9.9 +/- 1.1)/1000 cells). The frequency of chromatid breaks and SCE is not significantly different between these groups (p greater than 0.05).
  Mutation Research/Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis 01/1991; 242(4):271-7. · 2.85 Impact Factor
• Article: An increased frequency of structural chromosome aberrations in persons present in the vicinity of Chernobyl during and after the reactor accident. Is this effect caused by radiation exposure?

  G Stephan, U Oestreicher
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: About a week after the reactor accident in Chernobyl, a number of German citizens returned to the Federal Republic of Germany from different places of residence in the U.S.S.R. Chromosome analyses of these individuals show a surprisingly significant increase in dicentric chromosomes in comparison to the laboratory control. Acentrics are nearly twice as frequent as dicentrics. Centric rings are also in evidence. Chromatid breaks do not significantly differ from the control with the exception of 1 place of residence. The frequency of aberrations is too high to be induced by absorbed doses calculated physically or by modelling techniques. So far, no explanation is available for the discrepancy-a factor of about 100-between calculated absorbed doses and the measured biological effect.
  Mutation Research/Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis 06/1989; 223(1):7-12. · 2.85 Impact Factor
• Article: Results of chromosome aberrations after Computed Tomography (CT) in children

  U Oestreicher, G Stephan, K Schneider, W Panzer, L Walsh
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: The use of CT scans has increased rapidly during the last years in adults and children as well. CT involves larger radiation doses than the more common conventional x – ray imaging procedures. To examine the biological effect in the peripheral blood of the paediatric patients chromosome analysis was carried out in 10 children for whom the medical justifications for CT examinations were accidental injuries and not diseases as investigated in earlier studies. Blood samples were taken before and after CT scans. Chromosome analysis was carried out in lymphocytes by fluorescence plus Giemsa (FPG) staining exclusively in metaphases of the first cell cycle in vitro. The mean blood dose of the 10 children was about 12.9 mGy which was determined by a newly developed dose estimation. Based on more than 20,000 analysed cells it was found that after CT examination the mean frequencies of dicentrics and excess acentric fragments in lymphocytes were significantly increased. By subdividing the children into two age groups, those with an age from 0.4 years to 9 years and from 10 years to 15 years, it became obvious that the observed increase in chromosome aberrations was mainly contributed by the younger age group. In this group the frequency of dicentrics was significantly increased whereas in the older group the observed increase was not significant. Further investigations will be necessary to confirm these results.
  http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/radiopro:2008570.