This study investigates the natural radioactivity in 500 soil samples collected across Binh Phuoc Province, Vietnam, a region characterized by basalt formations and bauxite mining. Activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, 40K, and 137Cs were measured using gamma spectrometry, with spatial distributions mapped at a 1:60,000 scale using a QGIS software. Results revealed 226Ra ranging from 5.88 to 63.17 Bq.kg-1, 232Th from 17.78 to 117.33 Bq.kg-1, 40K from 111.42 to 1019.90 Bq/kg, and negligible 137Cs of about 0.26 Bq.kg-1. Radiological hazard indices, including radium equivalent activity (Raeq: 117.42 Bq.kg-1) and external hazard index (Hex: 0.317), remained below international thresholds of 370 Bq.kg-1 and 1, respectively, indicating low environmental risk. Driven by a high sampling density (approximately 1 sample per 14 km2), the detailed geographic information systems (GIS) maps provide the first high-resolution baseline for naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) monitoring and support bauxite mining management as well as agricultural safety assessments in southeastern Vietnam. This research contributes significant data to the limited literature on natural radioactivity in Southeast Asian soils.
This study presents a comprehensive radiological assessment of natural radioactivity in river sediment samples from the Jomsom area along the Kaligandaki River. The sediment samples were analyzed using a 3''×3'' NaI(Tl) detector to measure activity concentration of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K. X-ray diffraction analysis of the samples was carried out to identify three mineralogical groups dominated by quartz and feldspar, with variable phyllosilicate contents. The radiological hazard parameters associated with these radionuclides, including radium equivalent activity, absorbed gamma dose rate, annual effective dose rate, external hazard index, and internal hazard index, were determined. The radium equivalent activity ranged from 78.79Bqkg-1 to 404.32Bqkg-1, with a mean value 232.52Bqkg-1 for the Jomsom region. The average absorbed dose rate was 104.40±34.58nGyhr-1 with contributions from 226Ra, 232Th and 40K are 22.3%, 59.4% and 18.3% respectively. The annual effective dose rates (outdoor and indoor) were 0.18mSvyr-1 and 0.73mSvyr-1 respectively. Although these values are higher than the global average, they remain within safety limits.
STA551 is an anti-human CD137 (hCD137) switch antibody with adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-dependent antigen binding, developed to achieve potent anti-tumor effects and superior safety. Based on several reports, unlike in normal tissues, high concentrations of ATP are considered to exist in the interstitial space of tumors, thus STA551 is expected to exhibit tumor-selective antigen (hCD137) binding (ATP switch concept). This study aims to quantitatively investigate this ATP switch concept in vivo by combining tissue distribution studies and physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling. An iodinated conventional anti-hCD137 antibody, 125I-Ure-mIgG1, was administered as a tracer to tumor-bearing hCD137 knock-in (KI) mice. Co-administration of excess unlabeled Ure-mIgG1 at 20 mg/kg increased plasma tracer radioactivity levels and decreased the tissue-to-plasma (T/P) ratios in several normal tissues and tumors. However, co-administration of unlabeled Sta-MB (mouse surrogate antibody of STA551) at 1 or 20 mg/kg did not change the plasma tracer radioactivity levels but clearly reduced T/P ratios, mainly in tumors, strongly suggesting tumor-selective binding of Sta-MB. A PBPK model was developed to explain this distribution data, and parameters including non-specific clearance, interstitial uptake clearance, target-related parameters, and ATP switch molecule concentrations were estimated. Importantly, the ATP switch molecule concentration in the tumor interstitial space was estimated to reach approximately hundreds μM, with much lower concentrations in non-tumor tissues. In conclusion, this combination approach successfully demonstrated the ATP switch concept of STA551 in vivo. These findings will help guide clinical trials for STA551 and the development of future switch antibodies.
To investigate the feasibility of both quantitative and qualitative assessment of fundal accommodation during solid meal gastric emptying (SGE) scintigraphy. SGE scintigraphy studies of 72 patients were retrospectively evaluated. Regions of interest (ROIs) were generated on the stomach at different times (0, 30 min, 1, 2, 3, and 4 h), and the corresponding retention percentages were calculated. Counts as geometric means from anterior and posterior ROIs over proximal stomach half and whole stomach at zero-time were used to calculate gastric fundal accommodation ratio (FAR). The radioactivity at the fundus was visually assessed at zero-time image to generate a four-point fundal accommodation visual score (1 = abnormal, 2 = probably abnormal, 3 = probably normal, and 4 = normal). Fifty patients had normal SGE, and 22 had delayed SGE. The mean FAR was 0.753 ± 0.151. The fundal accommodation visual score and the FAR were significantly moderately correlated (ρ = 0.455, P < 0.0001). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed a FAR cut-off value of 0.669 distinguishing normal from abnormal FAR (area under the curve = 0.873; P < 0.001) with 70% sensitivity and 92.3% specificity. A comparison of the fundal accommodation visual score and FAR revealed highly significant agreement (P < 0.0001). A fundal radioactivity to total stomach ratio of 0.669 at zero-time image was an appropriate threshold for detecting abnormal fundal accommodation. Given the high correlation between visual scoring and quantitative ratios, visual assessment may be regarded as a quick and dependable way to evaluate fundal accommodation.
Ervogastat (PF-06865571) is a potent and selective small-molecule inhibitor of diacylglycerol-O-acyltransferase-2 currently in clinical development for treating metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis with liver fibrosis. A fixed sequence 2-period 14C-microtracer crossover study was used to determine a comprehensive and quantitative overview of the total disposition of ervogastat after oral and intravenous administration. From these studies, ervogastat was determined to have a systemic clearance of 23.9 L/h, a volume of distribution of 38.8 L, extent of oral absorption of ∼93%, time to maximum plasma concentration of ∼3.0 hours, and absolute oral bioavailability of ∼75%. The plasma half-lives of both ervogastat and total radioactivity were similar, with no indication of long-lived metabolites. The total recovery of [14C]ervogastat after oral administration was 79.0% ± 16.7%, with 48.9% ± 16.3% in the urine and 30.1% ± 2.9% in the feces. Ervogastat metabolites observed in human plasma, urine and feces generally can be assigned as originating from 1 of 4 primary metabolic pathways: amide bond hydrolysis (M2); tetrahydrofuran oxidation (M4/M5); O-de-ethylation (M1); and direct glucuronidation (584). The major circulating drug-related components were ervogastat (43.8%), M2 (36.6%), and M6 (11.3%). The major drug-related components detected in urine were M2 (24.9%) and coeluting M6 (des-ethyl sulfate), M7 (des-ethyl amide hydrolysis) and 584 (11.4%). In the feces, the predominant drug-related products were coeluting M4 and 426 (10.0%), M2 (7.0), M7 (6.3%), and M1 (4.5%). Reaction phenotyping was carried out using a subsequent qualitative followed by quantitative approach identifying CYP3A metabolism as the predominant route of in vitro metabolism. As assignment of metabolic pathways in the hADME study was complicated by chromatographically coeluting metabolites or metabolites arising from multiple possible primary pathways, fractional clearance ranges were derived by assigning metabolites to only one primary pathway at a time to represent a potential permutation followed by evaluation of all possible permutations. This novel approach allowed us to overcome the aforementioned confounding issues and, along with in vitro chemical inhibition results, permitted the assignment of the various metabolic pathways and enzymes involved in the metabolism of ervogastat. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This study provides a comprehensive and quantitative overview of the disposition, clearance pathways, and pharmacokinetics in humans of ervogastat, a potent and selective inhibitor of diacylglycerol-O-acyltransferase-2 for the treatment of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis with liver fibrosis.
Snus is an oral moist smokeless tobacco product with high nicotine content, provided in small pouches or loose form to be placed under the lip. It is the most common way to consume tobacco in Sweden, due to the perception of being less harmful. However, snus contains carcinogenic ingredients such as tobacco-specific nitrosamines and high radiotoxicity radionuclides. The current study had investigated the radioactivity levels of 210Po, 232Th, 234U and 238U in 16 Swedish snus products as well as the capacity of saliva to extract them from snus. The higher activity concentration was measured for 210Po, ranging between 2 and 6 mBq/g with an average activity concentration of 4 ± 1 mBq/g. In the case of 232Th and uranium radionculides the activity concentration ranged between 0.1 and 0.7 mBq/g with an average value of 0.2 ± 0.1 mBq/g for uranium radionuclides and 0.3 ± 0.1 mBq/g for 232Th. For the first time, bioaccessibility of other alpha emitters different to 210Po from snus consumption has been determined. However, the results of the study highlighted that 210Po is the alpha emitter with higher contribution to dose exposure for snus consumers, being neglectable the contribution from 232Th and uranium radionuclides.
Targeted covalent inhibitors (TCIs) are low-molecular-weight drugs containing a reactive warhead to inactivate target proteins. In 2023, the IQ consortium DMPK Guidelines for Targeted Covalent Drugs Workgroup surveyed 23 IQ member companies to explore knowledge around this compound class. Areas deserving special consideration included human clearance prediction and modeling approaches to predict dose. Respondents highlighted the importance of achieving sufficient warhead reactivity to engage target, while avoiding excessive off-target binding. Stability assays with glutathione (GSH) were leveraged frequently, but data interpretation challenges were reported for more complex covalent binding assays; these are typically performed in the event of safety signals. Drug binding to endogenous proteins, while not necessarily a safety concern, may result in lower recovery of total radioactivity from human mass balance studies compared to non-TCI drugs. A comparison of drug safety profiles for TCI and non-TCI did not reveal any increased safety risks for TCIs.
Radioactive heavy metals, including uranium, strontium-90, caesium-137, radium, thorium, and plutonium, pose potential health risks to nursing infants through breast milk transfer. Understanding the extent of contamination, transfer mechanisms, and health implications is critical for public health policy. This scoping review synthesises evidence on radioactive heavy metal contamination in breast milk, maternal-infant transfer mechanisms, and associated health impacts on early life development. A comprehensive scoping literature search was conducted in December 2024 across multiple electronic databases. After deduplication, 161 unique papers remained. An AI-assisted relevance scoring approach (SciSpace biomedical agent) was used to prioritize screening; final eligibility decisions and data extraction were performed by the authors. Thirty studies were included for synthesis. Evidence demonstrates measurable concentrations of strontium-90, caesium-137, uranium, and radium in breast milk following environmental contamination events (Chernobyl, Techa River, nuclear weapons testing) and in regions with naturally elevated radioactivity. Transfer rates vary by radionuclide, with strontium-90 showing significant maternal-infant transfer. Biokinetic models indicate dose-dependent accumulation in infant tissues. Limited direct evidence exists for specific health outcomes, though theoretical risk assessments suggest potential impacts on hematopoietic development, bone metabolism, and long-term cancer risk. While breast milk contamination with radioactive heavy metals is documented in specific contexts, the health benefits of breastfeeding generally outweigh risks except in acute high-exposure scenarios. Gaps remain in understanding long-term neurodevelopmental and growth impacts. Enhanced biomonitoring and longitudinal studies are needed to inform evidence-based public health guidance.
Severe putamen dopamine depletion in Parkinson disease (PD) has been attributed to nigrostriatal denervation; however, there are also functional abnormalities in extant terminals (the "sick-but-not-dead" phenomenon). Rates of intra-neuronal processes of synthesis, storage, and metabolism of dopamine complexly influence releasable dopamine stores but have not yet been systematically estimated. Post-mortem empirical data were available about putamen tissue contents of 7 reactants, including the autotoxic dopamine metabolite 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde (DOPAL). We constructed kinetic models depicting reactions related to putamen dopamine content, the simplest model consisting of 7 reactions and the most complete model 18 reactions among 10 intra-neuronal reactants. We used the post-mortem data, in vivo results of 18 F-DOPA positron emission tomography (PET), and the models to estimate rates of the intra-neuronal processes and rank their contributions to control-PD differences. There was about a 98% decrease in putamen tissue dopamine in PD. The concentration ratio of DOPAL/DA was about 9 times control. Applying the simplest kinetic model, vesicular sequestration was estimated to be decreased by 98.5% (0.073 vs. 4.91 nmol/min). About 3-fold greater in vivo "washout" of putamen 18 F-DOPA-derived radioactivity compared to controls also indicated attenuated vesicular storage in PD. According to the complete model, control-PD differences in intra-neuronal reaction rates were, in descending order, vesicular uptake ≈ vesicular leakage > exocytotic release ≈ neuronal reuptake > L-aromatic-amino-acid decarboxylase activity ≈ tyrosine hydroxylase activity > other reactions. Empirical post-mortem and in vivo data and application of kinetic models provide convergent quantitative evidence for a substantial vesicular storage defect in residual dopaminergic terminals in PD, a potential target for disease-modifying treatment or prevention strategies. None. We estimated rates of reactions involved with synthesis, storage, release, reuptake, and metabolism of dopamine in the putamen in Parkinson disease and found that the main intra-neuronal functional abnormality separating Parkinson disease from controls was attenuated vesicular sequestration, implicating decreased vesicular uptake via the vesicular monoamine transporter and increased vesicular leakiness as key determinants of putamen dopamine deficiency in PD.
This study investigates temporal and spatial variation in 137Cs activity concentrations in Swedish wild boar between 2011 and 2024 to assess long-term ecological impacts of radiocaesium of anthropogenic origin. Data from a total of 5844 meat samples collected across 39 municipalities in six counties were analysed. Average ground deposition of 137Cs in these municipalities in 1986 ranged from 1.84 to 51.55 kBq m-2. The average 137Cs concentration in wild boar meat was 1679 Bq kg-1, with 27.5% of samples exceeding the sales limit of 1500 Bq kg-1. Seasonal variation in 137Cs activity concentrations in wild boar meat was evident, with levels peaking in winter and early spring and declining nearly fivefold in late summer and early autumn, across all locations. On average, younger boars (≤1 year) exhibited 25% higher concentrations than older individuals, with the greatest differences observed in winter and no differences in autumn. No sex-specific differences in concentrations were detected. A weak but statistically significant correlation was observed between meat radioactivity and average ground deposition across all counties, with a slightly weaker correlation in Gävleborg and Uppsala. Overall, 137Cs deposition remained the primary factor explaining the observed levels of meat contamination. A twofold increase in 137Cs deposition resulted in an almost proportional increase in 137Cs activity concentrations in wild boar meat, whereas the 137Cs transfer factor (Tag) remained largely unchanged. The geometric mean Tag for wild boar was 0.052 m2 kg-1, while the effective half-life (Teff) of 137Cs varied widely among municipalities (2-3 to >30 years); no Teff could be estimated for the study area as a whole due to the absence of a consistent decline in 137Cs activity concentrations.
Crystalline rock massif of the Yeniseiskiy site (Krasnoyarsk region) is considered for the disposal of radioactive waste in the Russian Federation. In this study the resistance of different types of rocks located at target depths in the site of geological disposal facility (gneisses, dolerites, and carbonatized fissure filling) to dissolution by groundwater was simulated by short-term stage-by-stage treatment with 18 % HCl solution and aqua regia. The impact of dissolution on isolation properties was also investigated. A high sorption capacity to Cs(I) and Eu(III) which chemical behavior is similar to Am (III) and Pu (III) of gneiss, dolerite, and fissure filling samples was established. During the studies of sorption properties, it was found that the greatest influence on the retention of Cs by gneiss and dolerite have the specific surface area (SSA) value. This effect is most pronounced for gneiss due to the increased available surface area of mica minerals biotite and muscovite. The retention effect of the fissure filling material is mainly determined by the content of mixed-layer illite-smectite clay minerals and chlorite. It was found that the greatest influence on the retention of europium by gneiss and mineral fissure filling is the content of chlorite in the samples. The obtained results reflect the resistance of the host rock of the Yeniseiskiy site to the most aggressive acid environments, which allows assessing the stability of their isolation properties for a long-term perspective.
Understanding new particle formation (NPF) and the fate of nanoparticles is crucial because of their close links to air quality, cloud formation, and climate. These effects vary spatially and temporally owing to diverse aerosol sources and their relatively short atmospheric lifetime. Here, we present a comprehensive analysis of long-term trends in NPF-associated nucleation-mode particles and cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) concentrations across diverse observation environments using quality-controlled particle number size distribution (PNSD) and CCN data from 37 sites, primarily from Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) stations. We identify declining decadal trends in both NPF occurrences and nucleated particle concentrations across most site types, with the strongest declines in urban areas. We observe simultaneous reductions in both CCN concentrations and nucleation-mode particles, suggesting that newly formed particles are a potential source of CCN. This, in turn, suggests that cloud microphysical properties and radiative effects can be indirectly influenced through aerosol-cloud interactions that modify cloud droplet formation. These findings indicate that decreasing anthropogenic emissions could influence the climate forcing potential of aerosol-cloud interactions, with important implications for future climate projections.
By-products and wastes from NORM (Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material) industries usually present enhanced concentration of naturally occurring radionuclides. Some of them are liquid, such as water from acid drainage sites, uranium mine tailings, or phosphogypsum ponds. There is considerable variability in the types of locations, size of water bodies, radionuclide concentration, type of water, hydrogeochemical characteristics of the site that can have a significant influence on the transfer of naturally occurring radionuclides to groundwater. Therefore, their occurrence in groundwater can pose a radiological hazard, since it can be used for irrigation, watering animals or drinking water, among others. In this study, we developed three different synthetic/theoretical scenarios in which most of these parameters are fixed after consulting the corresponding literature. Two scenarios are based on uranium tailings and a phosphogypsum stack with high radionuclide concentration that percolates into an aquifer; whereas in the third scenario the source term is a leaking pipe in the ground above the aquifer. The purpose of these scenarios is to determine the influence of several variables on the transfer of naturally occurring radionuclides to groundwater used for human consumption.
The spine is an uncommon metastatic location from thyroid cancer. Here, we describe our experience with spinal cord compression as presentation of metastatic thyroid carcinoma, including surgical management and outcome. Five patients with spinal metastases from thyroid cancer were identified over a 20-year period. This descriptive case series comprised 5 women with a median age of 61 years. Three patients presented to the emergency room without a previous diagnosis of thyroid carcinoma. Clinical symptoms at presentation included pain, ataxia, and bladder and bowel incontinence. Imaging (MRI in four patients and CT in one) revealed thoracic spinal metastases in four cases and a sacral lesion in one case. Surgical treatment consisted of en-bloc resection in one patient and subtotal resection in the remaining four. The median Karnofsky Performance Score improved from 70% to 90%, postoperatively. Histopathological analysis confirmed follicular thyroid carcinoma in all cases. Postoperatively, all patients received radioactive iodine therapy, and three patients additionally underwent radiotherapy. One patient had a recurrence. The median survival time was 69 months (range 19–188 months). The main goals of surgical management in patients with spinal metastases from thyroid cancer are preservation of neurological function and restoration of spinal stability. This is followed by comprehensive evaluation and treatment of the primary malignancy. Multidisciplinary management is essential, with subsequent therapy directed toward control of systemic disease.
Radioactive microspheres play an important role in deciphering flow dynamics and micro mixing in multiphase chemical process reactors through a technique known as computer assisted radioactive particle tracking (CARPT). In the present study, radioactive microsphere of yttrium-88 having size 500-1500 μm have been prepared for their potential application in CARPT. The yttrium-88 radioactive microsphere (YRM) have been prepared in two steps. First the inactive glass microparticles containing strontium termed strontium glass microspheres (SMSs) were prepared by melt-quench combined with microwave method. Subsequently, in the second step, the SMSs were irradiated with 12 Mev proton beam from an accelerator to produce YRM. The SMSs were characterized with UV-vis spectroscopy, FTIR, XRF, TG-DSC, XRD, SEM and EDX for analysis of the nature of bonding, physical properties, surface morphology and elemental composition. The activity on a single YRM was measured to be 10.54 - 20.33 MBq, which is adequate for its application for the CARPT.
American Thyroid Association (ATA) argues that the prevalence of malignancy of the indeterminate nodules may vary substantially among regions, and states that it is crucial to know the prevalence of malignancy within each indeterminate cytological category at one's institution. Our aim is to draw attention to the malignancy rates of indeterminate nodules that cannot be underestimated in an endemic region and raise awareness to differences across different populations. Between March-2021 and June-2024, 13,531 fine needle aspirations were performed on thyroid nodules in a single institution. Of these 2121 nodules were classified as indeterminate (Bethesda III-IV) and 242 patients underwent surgery. Demographic characteristics, nodule size, risk of malignancy, tumor types and subtypes were evaluated. The necessity of radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy and consequent completion thyroidectomy was investigated. Of the 242 patients 123 (50.8%) underwent lobectomy and 119 (49.2%) underwent total thyroidectomy. In total, 115 (47.5%) of 242 patients resulted in malignancy (186 patients were Bethesda-III and 82 (44.1%) of them were malignant; 56 were Bethesda-IV and 33 (58.9%) of them were malignant). Incidental carcinoma was detected in a different focus other than the indeterminate nodule in 17 patients. RAI therapy was indicated in 39 patients (33.9%) primarily based on the ATA guideline, and 24 (20.8%) patients who initially underwent lobectomy required completion thyroidectomy. Risk of malignancy in indeterminate thyroid nodules varies endemically. Each region should know their own risk and each patient's treatment should be tailored accordingly. In this way, under-overtreatment and related morbidities will be prevented.
Investigating the physiological and evolutionary consequences of contaminant exposure in wild populations is critical for understanding long-term ecological impacts of anthropogenic change. However, how and why species persist, even thrive, in highly contaminated regions in the absence of humans remains a topic of much debate. We examined the regulatory and genomic impacts of multigenerational chronic radiation exposure to grey wolves (Canis lupus) within the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone. Wolves within the exclusion zone are at an estimated seven times greater density than surrounding preserves, despite lack of physical barriers to dispersal and chronic exposure to elevated radiation dose. Demographic analyses of genetic variation and home range modelling further suggest that ecological factors may support the wolf population within the exclusion zone. Wolves within Chornobyl exhibit altered leukocyte composition and regulatory signatures within the blood transcriptome that support significant alterations to metabolic and immune response pathways, particularly those influential in DNA damage response indicating radiation-induced immune modulation. Selection scans across genes within the blood transcriptome revealed multiple regions of accelerated Chornobyl-specific divergence at loci with known roles in immunity and response to oncogenesis. Together, these data provide evidence that chronic exposure to ionising radiation may be a significant source of ongoing natural selection in an apex predator after a single contamination event, highlighting multigenerational impacts beyond initial exposure. Further, these results highlight the potential contributions of natural selection to species persistence and proliferation in highly contaminated ecosystems.
We present a case of a 76-year-old female with a history of papillary thyroid cancer treated with a total thyroidectomy, central neck dissection, and radioactive iodine (RAI) in 2006. Sixteen years later, she was found to have lung metastases and underwent a treatment dose of RAI. Given no improvement in her thyroglobulin levels, she underwent a third dose of RAI. One week following this, she presented with new ophthalmalgia, conjunctival injection, and binocular diagonal diplopia. She was diagnosed with a complex ophthalmoplegia, and a magnetic resonance imaging scan of her orbits revealed symmetric bilateral exophthalmos and bilateral enlargement of her extraocular muscles suggesting Graves ophthalmopathy. Her TSH receptor antibody was elevated at 10.1 IU/L (reference range, <1.8 IU/L), consistent with de novo Graves disease. We highlight the possibility that an overflow of TSH-receptor antigens following RAI treatment in patients with metastatic thyroid cancer can lead to the formation of TSH-receptor antibodies, presenting as Graves ophthalmopathy many years following total thyroidectomy.
Understanding the spatiotemporal dynamics of protein synthesis and degradation is important for establishing how cells maintain protein homeostasis. Conventional methods for detecting newly synthesized proteins include metabolic labeling with radioactive [35S]methionine (Met) or the incorporation of l-azidohomoalanine (AHA) or l-homopropargylglycine followed by fluorescent labeling via copper(I)-catalyzed click chemistry. However, these methods typically require cell fixation, making them unsuitable for live-cell imaging. Here, we describe a fluorescence imaging technique to monitor newly synthesized proteins in living cells by utilizing a strain-promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition (SPAAC) reaction, in which l-AHA-containing proteins are labeled with fluorescent dyes conjugated to dibenzocyclooctyne (DBCO). We synthesized orange-emitting tetramethylrhodamine (TAMRA)-DBCO and far-red-emitting silicon rhodamine (SiR)-DBCO. TAMRA-DBCO enabled the visualization of newly synthesized proteins and their time-dependent degradation throughout the entire cell. SiR-DBCO was similarly effective, but was mainly distributed to the cytoplasm. The time-dependent decrease of TAMRA-DBCO fluorescence intensity in living cells was suppressed by lysosomal enzyme inhibitors and a proteasome inhibitor, suggesting that newly synthesized proteins are degraded via both pathways. Moreover, imaging of drug-induced senescent cells with TAMRA-DBCO suggested that senescent cells have a lower protein degradation ability than nonsenescent cells. These methods should be useful for investigating protein homeostasis in living cells.
Naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) mobilized during oil and gas extraction become Technologically Enhanced NORM (TENORM), creating localized but significant radiological hazards. Radionuclides from the 238U and 232Th decay chains, particularly 226Ra, 228Ra, 210Pb, and 210Po, concentrate in produced water, scales, sludges, drill cuttings, and residual oil ash. Activity concentrations span eight orders of magnitude, reaching up to 107 Bq/kg in scale, and their environmental behavior is governed by complex geochemical and microbial interactions. Produced water discharges, evaporation ponds, and road spreading of brines facilitate transfer of TENORM into soils, sediments, and groundwater, while radon release and airborne radioactive particulates contribute to inhalation exposure. Workers are primarily affected by external gamma radiation and radon inhalation, whereas nearby communities and ecosystems experience chronic low-dose exposures through contaminated water and sediment pathways. Although regulatory limits generally constrain short-term exposures, inconsistent global oversight, the persistence of radium decay products, and the paucity of biological data complicate accurate risk evaluation. Direct laboratory and field studies reveal genotoxicity, oxidative stress, and subtle ecological disruptions at low doses, yet the long-term implications of alpha- and beta-emitter exposure remain underexplored.