Humans are constantly exposed to ionizing radiation deriving from outer space sources or activities related to medical care. Absorption of ionizing radiation doses over a prolonged period of time can result in oxidative damage and cellular dysfunction inducing several diseases, especially in ageing subjects. In this report, we analyze the effects of ionizing radiation, particularly at low doses...

BACKGROUND Efficient stem cell differentiation is considered to be the holy grail of regenerative medicine. Pursuing the most productive method of directed differentiation has been the subject of numerous studies, resulting in the development of many effective protocols. However, the necessity for further improvement in differentiation efficiency remains. This review contains a description of m...

The purpose of this paper is to briefly explain report 160 of the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurement and the significance of the report to medical imaging as a whole and nuclear medicine specifically. The implications of the findings of report 160 have had repercussions and will continue to affect all of ionizing radiation medical imaging. The nuclear medicine community sh...

QUESTION One of my patients had a computed tomography scan of her abdomen a week ago and has just found out she is 7 weeks pregnant. What should I tell her about the pregnancy and the risk to her fetus? ANSWER Your patient is not at increased risk of miscarriage or major congenital fetal malformations due to radiation exposure. Her risk is similar to that of the general population (ie, 1% to ...

1.1 Ionizing radiation Human exposure to ionizing radiation is a natural part of life on earth. These exposures occur every day from radiation associated with naturally occurring radionuclides in soil, air, and food, and also from cosmic rays. In addition, many people are exposed to dental and medical diagnostic procedures and therapy involving: x rays, gamma rays, charged particles, radionucli...