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Summary Uterine fibroids are the most common benign uterine tumours in women of reproductive age. They can present with different symptoms, including menorrhagia, cramping lower abdominal pain, bloating, urinary/bowel symptoms, spotting, and infertility. Management could be medical and surgical. Other options include uterine artery embolization and non-invasive treatment with high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). We present a case of a 32-year-old woman with menorrhagia and severe pelvic pain. Ultrasound examination revealed an intramural myoma measuring 93x98x87 mm. The patient signed informed consent for HIFU ablation of the fibroid. Three months after the procedure, an MRI scan showed the fibroid had shrunk to 75% of its original size with dimensions 32x35x29. After six months, she became pregnant and gave birth to a healthy infant at 38-weeks gestation with caesarean section, at which point the fibroid measured 2 cm. HIFU is an alternative to surgical therapies and is highly beneficial in women wishing for future pregnancies. Preserving the option for future pregnancies in patients with uterine fibroids is only one of its benefits and might be the key solution for these women. HIFU treatment of uterine fibroids is an innovative approach. It should be encouraged: it is widely adopted in similar cases where it has positively impacted the treatment of uterine fibroids.

Summary We present the applicability and cost-effectiveness of the large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ) procedure in outpatient settings – anesthesia, postoperative pain, postoperative stay, and complications such as intraoperative bleeding, early postoperative bleeding, infection, late cervical canal stenosis, spotting, incomplete epithelialization, inadequate colposcopy). From Jan 1, 2017, to Jul 31, 2021, 189 patients underwent LLETZ at Medical Center “Prof. Kornovski”. The methodology includes the indications for performing the LLETZ procedure, the preparation of the patients, a description of the procedure, tools, technical parameters, the operation technique, and the postoperative period. We present the duration of the procedure; analgesics in terms of intraoperative bleeding; postoperative pain; postoperative stay; early postoperative complications (bleeding, infection); late postoperative complications (stenosis of the cervical canal, incomplete epithelialization, spotting before menstruation, and inadequate colposcopy). The LLETZ procedure is applicable in outpatient practice with low intra- and postoperative complications and minimum stay. Two main factors determine its cost efficiency in outpatient practice: the use of local anesthesia instead of general anesthesia requiring an anesthesiologist, anesthesiology nurse, anesthetic for short-term venous anesthesia, and the daily cost for an occupied bed – a financial factor in-hospital care versus the lack of daily cost per occupied bed in outpatient care.

Summary Surgical procedures of the retroperitoneum are often performed in gynecologic oncology surgery clinics. The most complex among them is paraaortic lymphadenectomy. It is generally performed in cases of bulky lymph nodes in ovarian carcinomas and sarcomas to achieve optimal cytoreduction. In the early stages of ovarian cancer, type II non-endometrioid endometrial cancer, and in advanced stages of cervical cancer, paraaortic lymphadenectomy is an integral part of staging. Moreover, the retroperitoneum is approached in cases of retroperitoneal gynecologic sarcomas. The largest vessels of the human body – the inferior vena cava and the abdominal aorta are localized in the retroperitoneum. Therefore, iatrogenic vessel injury during oncogynecological surgery is more likely to affect the inferior vena cava. Anatomical variations of the vein additionally increase the risk of vascular lesions. Therefore, surgeons should be aware of possible anatomical variations. The present article aimed to highlight the heterogeneity of anatomical variations of the inferior vena cava related to gynecologic oncology surgery. Embryogenesis of the vein and its variations are also discussed. Additionally, some anomalies of the ureter, associated with the embryogenesis of the inferior vena cava, are mentioned.

This paper presents a study on the possibilities of using two types of emulsions, of chia and grape seed oils, as substitutes for animal fat in the recipe for structureless pork sausages along with quinoa flour added as a stabilising agent to the meat matrix. The effect of the emulsions on the thiobarbituric acid, colour and sensory evaluation of seven experimental formulations of emulsified meat sausages on the 1st, 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th day of cold storage was investigated. It was found that the higher animal fat content resulted in higher MDA values. In spite of the MDA increase at the end of the storage, these values remained within the permissible limits in the sausages made with vegetable oil emulsions. The samples prepared with chia oil emulsion demonstrated higher L* values compared to those made with grape seed oil emulsion and to the control sample. No statistically significant differences were established in the a* values (P

Summary Squamous cell carcinoma is the cause in most cases of cervical cancer. A very unusual subtype of squamous cell carcinoma is lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma, found in less than 1% of the neoplasm processes in the uterine cervix. Histologically it looks like a large nest of big-sized tumor cells with large vascular nuclei. Immunohistochemical markers used for LELC are p63, p16, human leukocyte antigen-D related (HLA-DR), and B-cell lymphoma 2. Even though it has aggressive morphological features, it has a better prognosis than most carcinoma cases of the uterine cervix. The condition is treatable, with a hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy as the most common method. There are rare cases of pelvic lymph node dissection reported in the literature. There is data that lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma is associated with the Ebstein-Barr virus and human papillomavirus. According to a survey by Tseng et al. and Chao et al., EBV is associated with LELC in Asian women, while HPV is associated with Caucasian women. Due to the small number of studies found in the literature, no conclusion can be drawn concerning the said viruses’ involvement in Asian and Caucasian patients.

The ion source at the ELISE test facility is an intermediate step towards the operation of the ITER NBI source and it demonstrated fulfillment of the ITER NBI requirements for accelerated negative current density in hydrogen. However, in deuterium operation the co-extracted electron current density (je) is higher and much more unstable and limits the source performance. In the standard setup of ELISE, je is reduced by a positive potential applied to the plasma grid (PG) with respect to the source body and the bias plate (BP). To further reduce and stabilize je in deuterium, an alternative scheme by biasing the BP is investigated. Measurements of the BP currents and of the extracted currents, combined with probe diagnostics in the vicinity of the PG for short-pulse in deuterium operation are presented. Biasing the BP, leads to a change in the distribution of the plasma potential in front of the extraction area, affecting the charged particle fluxes towards the BP and the PG and a strong reduction of je.

Breast cancer is the most common malignant solid tumor among women (30% of all malignant diseases). Every year 114.9/100 000 women are diagnosed with it. this tumor metastases both hematogеnic and lymphogеnic. Through the vessels the primary cancer cells spread and colonize distant organs. one of the rarest metastatic sites is the ovaries. However, there is a number of similarities between ovarian metastases from breast cancer and primary ovarian cancer. Differentiating the former from the latter is difficult. We present the case of 57-year-old female with tumor formations in the ovaries, who 14 years ago was underwent mastectomy and chemotherapy due to breast cancer. This formations and ascites in the pelvis were detected with pet scan. Vaginal ultrasound confirmed bilateral enlarged ovaries 5x5cm and ascites in the douglas pouch. taking the patient’s symptoms into consideration, there is a chance the tumors will be primary ovarian cancer or ovarian metastases. laparoscopic bilateral adnecsectomy was performed. The histological report shows metastasis from a ductal breast cancer in both adnexa. ovarian metastases from breast cancer are a rare condition. Distinguishing them from the primary ovarian cancer is very difficult, but also very important due to the different approach in both surgical and postoperative treatment. Surgical removal of the metastatic ovarian improves life expectancy only in premenopausal women, while in menopausal women it is with diagnostic purposes only.

Radiotherapy is the mainstay of the management of women with advanced cervical cancer. Combination with chemotherapy additionally prolongs survival of the patients. Long-term radiation-induced complications such as secondary malignancies occur long years after the initial treatment and are difficult to manage. We presented the case of a 72-year-old patient, submitted to surgery in our clinic for a high-grade endometrial cancer, stage FIGO IIIA (pT3ApN0M0). It occurred 3 years after definitive radiotherapy for cervical cancer FIGO stage IIB. As the endometrial cancer was not present at the time of diagnosis of the cervical, we consider it, despite the relatively short interval time, as a secondary radiation-induced endometrial cancer. Radiation-induced secondary malignancies in the pelvis are characterized with shorter survival rates, worse prognosis, higher stage at diagnosis and poor histological features such as grade or histologic subtype as compared to primary ones.

It has been study the EPR dose-response curve of gamma irradiated alanine and sucrose dosimeters. It is well known that the EPR signals increased linear with the absorbed dose radiation for low radiation doses and begins “saturation” at higher doses. In the present study some investigations about the problems of the nonlinear response of cylindrical alanine or sugar solid state /Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (SS/EPR) dosimeters in high dose region (20–80 kGy) are presented. It has been supposed that in result of gamma irradiation dielectric losses in radiation sensitive materials increase with the dose and thus EPR response decrease. This effect can be avoided with so called “self-calibrated” EPR dosimeters. In them in addition to radiation sensitive and binding materials an “internal” standard which is not dependent on the radiation, is added and the dose estimation is calculated via the standard. In the “self-calibrated” dosimeters because this effect is applied both on the radiation sensitive material and the standard, is provided linear dose response in wide dose region (1–80 kGy).

The paper examines the effect of eleven sterilization regimes on the emulsion capacity and achieved lethal effect of sterilized meat pâté with reduced fat content and addition of inulin. The changes in the inulin-type fructan content were traced under the different sterilization conditions. Optimal Central Composite Design (OCCD) was adopted to study, as independent variables of the sterilization process are selected: temperature and holding time. The mathematical models obtained describe with relatively high accuracy the effect of temperature and holding time of sterilization on the emulsion stability, the residual fructan content and the factual lethality during the sterilization process. It was found that the increase of the sterilization duration of the pâtés was responsible to a larger extent for the reduction of their emulsion stability whereas the rise in temperature had a more significant effect on their residual fructan quantity.

Mixes of sucrose and various proportions of ascorbic acid were irradiated with γ-rays and studied by an electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Before irradiation no EPR signals have been recorded. After irradiation an EPR spectrum of sucrose has been observed from all samples independently of the quantity of ascorbic acid. The influence of the microwave power and the modulation amplitude on the EPR intensity was reported. It has been found that the EPR signal intensity of sucrose decreased when the ascorbic acid is added to it. This result suggests that ascorbic acid play role of free radical scavenger because of its antiradical activity.

Endometriosis is a common benign condition in women of childbearing age and is most frequently diagnosed in the pelvis. Extrapelvic localization is rarer and may frequently be in addition to pelvic lesions. Typically, symptoms are non-specific and introduce a delay into the diagnosis. The multitude of localizations of the endometriosis lesions additionally prolongs the time to diagnosis. We present a case of a 50-year-old premenopausal woman with bilateral cystic lesions in the anterior part of the minor labia. They were considered as fibroids for over 25 years as they appeared after an open trauma. Diagnosis of endometriosis was obtained only after surgical excision for other benign gynecological condition. Although its frequency the etiology and pathogenesis of endometriosis remain unclear. There are several pathogenesis theories which cannot explain all forms of this disease. In this particular case is very difficult to realize the way of development of endometriosis. Despite its rarity, vulvar endometriosis may also occur as a spontaneous condition. Its etiology remains unclear.

For the D-T operational phase of the international fusion experiment ITER, starting in 2035, pulses are planned with Q > 10 and a duration of 400 s and pulses with Q = 5 for up to 3600 s. The two neutral beam injection (NBI) systems will deliver 33.3 MW of heating power to the plasma and will also be an important source for non-inductive current drive. An essential part of the NBI systems is a large RF driven source for negative hydrogen or deuterium ions. In order to fulfil the requirements imposed to the NBI system, the ion source has to deliver an intense, stable and homogeneous large negative ion beam over pulse lengths of 400 s or 3600 s. Till now, long pulses in deuterium at the extracted negative ion current density required for ITER could not be demonstrated. The achievable performance is limited by a high current and a pronounced vertical asymmetry of the co-extracted electrons, both strongly increasing with time, whereas the stability of the negative deuterium ions is not an issue. For reduced performance, i.e. reduced negative ion current, lower and more stable co-extracted electron currents are observed, making possible pulses up to 3600 s (using pulsed extraction). One main aim of ongoing investigations at the two test facilities BATMAN Upgrade (Bavarian test machine for negative ions) and ELISE (extraction from a large ion source experiment) is the development of scenarios stabilizing and symmetrizing the co-extracted electron current in deuterium. These investigations are discussed and the current status of hardware upgrades ongoing at BATMAN Upgrade and ELISE towards the ITER scenario of one-hour steady state extraction is presented.

The aim of the study was to describe the thermal characteristics of poultry pates enriched with vegetable components in relation to their chemical composition and technological process. Two poultry pates from chicken liver, chicken or turkey meat with vegetables were developed. The thermal characteristics of the raw materials and the ready pates were examined by differential scanning calorimetry; fatty acid profiles were detected by gas chromatography analysis. The study investigated the effect of such factors as heating/cooling rate and matrix effect of other components (e.g., proteins) in the raw materials and in the pates. It was observed that the cooling rate has a considerable effect on melting/crystallization temperature, enthalpy, and height of peaks in the process of pates fat crystallization, as well as peak height and enthalpy in the melting process. The first peaks formed during the crystallization were characterized by high instability, demonstrated by various peak shapes. The rapid cooling led to lowering of the melting point, assigned to the presence of unstable α crystals. The slow cooling led to mainly stable β′ crystals. The fraction of unsaturated fatty acids present in the fat was important for both crystallization rate and melting points in the raw materials and in the products as well. This effect was stronger in the pate products because of the presence of diverse components such as proteins. The results obtained could be used for the evaluation of thermal stability of pate fatty acids and further optimization of the pate thermal treatment.

The application of high-energy radiation in many areas of human activity and its harmful effects on human health makes necessary knowledge of the radiation chemistry of various materials upon exposure to high-energy radiation. Among these materials, saccharides (particularly sucrose) maintain the greatest advantage for potential radiochemistry applications. Until now, radiation chemistry studies have been conducted primarily with γ-ray irradiation; however, in the past few years there has been increased interest in the fields of radiotherapy and radiochemistry on substances irradiated with heavy particles. To this end, this review discusses the possibilities of employing sucrose as a radiation-sensitive material for the determination of absorbed doses of high-energy radiation both for emergency situations and for dosimeters used in standard applications.

The potential use of a sucrose dosimeter for estimating both linear energy transfer (LET) and the absorbed dose of heavy ion and X-ray radiation was investigated. The stable free radicals were produced when sucrose was irradiated with heavy ions, such as helium, carbon, silicon and neon ions, and when the X-ray radiation was similar to the obtained electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra, which were ∼7 mT wide and composed of several hyperfine structures. In addition, the total spin concentration resulting from heavy-ion irradiation increased linearly as the absorbed dose increased, and decreased logarithmically as the LET increased. These empirical relations imply that the LET at a certain dose can be determined from the spin concentration. For sucrose and alanine, both cross-sections following C-ion irradiation with a 50 Gy dose were ∼1.3 × 10(-12) [μm(2)], taking into account the molecular size of the samples. The values of these cross-sections imply that multiple ionizing particles were involved in the production of stable radicals. Furthermore, UV absorbance at 267 nm of an aqueous solution of irradiated sucrose was found to linearly increase with increasing absorbed dose. Therefore, the EPR and UV results suggest that sucrose can be a useful dosimeter for heavy-ion irradiation.

Irradiation of food in the world is becoming a preferred method for their sterilization and extending their shelf life. For the purpose of trade with regard to the rights of consumers is necessary marking of irradiated foodstuffs, and the use of appropriate methods for unambiguous identification of radiation treatment. One-third of the current standards of the European Union to identify irradiated foods use the method of the Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. On the other hand the current standards for irradiated foods of plant origin have some weaknesses that led to the development of new methodologies for the identification of irradiated food. New approaches for EPR identification of radiation treatment of herbs and spices when the specific signal is absent or disappeared after irradiation are discussed. Direct EPR measurements of dried fruits and vegetables and different pretreatments for fresh samples are reviewed.

International audience; The multi-nucleon transfer reaction mechanism was used to produce and study nuclei in the vicinity of 208Pb. This mass region is a test case for the nuclear shell model. The mass identification of the fragments was performed with the large acceptance magnetic spectrometer VAMOS++ coupled to the AGATA γ-tracking array. This experiment aimed to determine both lifetimes and gyromagnetic ratios of excited states with the Cologne plunger device. The analysis indicates promising results with the possibility to determine several new lifetimes in this region.

The results of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) study on commercially available juices from various fruits and different fruit contents: 25%, 40%, 50%, and 100%, homemade juices, nectars and concentrated fruit syrups, before and after gamma-irradiation are reported. In order to remove water from non- and irradiated samples all juices and nectars were filtered; the solid residue was washed with alcohol and dried at room temperature. Only concentrated fruit syrups were dried for 60 min at 40 °C in a standard laboratory oven. All samples under study show a singlet EPR line with g =2.0025 before irradiation with exception of concentrated fruit syrups, which are EPR silent. Irradiation of juice samples gives rise to complex EPR spectra which gradually transferred to “cellulose-like” EPR spectrum from 25% to 100% fruit content. Concentrated fruit syrups show typical “sugar-like“ spectra due to added saccharides. All EPR spectra are characteristic and can prove radiation treatment. The fading kinetics of radiation-induced EPR signals were studied for a period of 60 days after irradiation.

Combining measurements of the extracted currents with probe and laser-photodetachment diagnostics, the study is an extension of recent tests of factors and gas-discharge conditions stimulating the extraction of volume produced negative ions. The experiment is in a single element of a rf source with the design of a matrix of small-radius inductively driven discharges. The results are for the electron and negative-ion densities, for the plasma potential and for the electronegativity in the vicinity of the plasma electrode as well as for the currents of the extracted negative ions and electrons. The plasma-electrode bias and the rf power have been varied. Necessity of a high bias to the plasma electrode and stable linear increase of the extracted currents with the rf power are the main conclusions.

Shielding the bias applied to the probe by the sheath formed around it and determination of parameters of unperturbed plasmas are in the basis of the probe diagnostics. The results from a two-dimensional model of a discharge with a probe inserted in it show that the probe influences the spatial distribution of the plasma parameters in the entire discharge. The increase (although slight) in the electron temperature, due to the increased losses of charged particles on the additional wall in the discharge (mainly the probe holder), leads to redistribution of the plasma density and plasma potential, as shown by the results obtained at the floating potential of the probe. The deviations due to the bias applied to the probe tip are stronger in the ion saturation region of the probe characteristics. The pattern of the spatial redistribution of the plasma parameters advances together with the movement of the probe deeper in the discharge. Although probe sheaths and probe characteristics resulting from the model are shown, the study does not aim at discussions on the theories for determination of the plasma density from the ion saturation current. Regardless of the modifications in the plasma behavior in the entire discharge, the deviations of the plasma parameters at the position of the probe tip and, respectively, the uncertainty which should be added as an error when the accuracy of the probe diagnostics is estimated do not exceed 10%. Consequently, the electron density and temperature obtained, respectively, at the position of the plasma potential on the probe characteristics and from its transition region are in reasonable agreement with the results from the model of the discharge without a probe. Being in the scope of research on a source of negative hydrogen ions with the design of a matrix of small radius inductive discharges, the model is specified for a low-pressure hydrogen discharge sustained in a small-radius tube.

Warty carcinoma is a rare form of squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix and has better prognosis than the high-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. It is suggested that human papilloma virus (HPV) is causing this type of cancer. Our results show that not all patients have presents of HPV and probably not only this virus is responsible for this type of cervical cancer.

A single element of a matrix source of negative hydrogen ions (a planar-coil inductively driven small-radius discharge equipped with an extraction system) is studied regarding the ion extraction. Since the spatial distribution of the negative ions obeys that of the dc potential, the latter is controlled by applying a high bias to the plasma electrode of the extraction system. This leads to discharge maintenance by both rf and dc power deposition and, respectively, to similarities with the axial profile of the dc potential in the glow discharges. The discharge length, the applied rf power, and the bias to the plasma electrode and its radius are the parameters varied in determination of proper conditions for the ion extraction.

The results of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies on some excipients: lactose, microcrystalline cellulose (avicel), starch, dioxosilane (aerosil), talc and magnesium stearate before and after gamma-irradiation are reported. Before irradiation, all samples are EPR silent except talc. After gamma-irradiation, they show complex spectra except magnesium stearate, which is EPR silent. Studies show the influence of gamma-irradiation on EPR spectra and stability of gamma-induced radicals. Analysis of the EPR spectrum of gamma-irradiated talc shows that this material is radiation insensitive. Only lactose forms stable-free radicals upon gamma sterilization and can be used for identification of radiation processing for a long time period thereafter.

The results of EPR studies on herbal pills of marigold, hawthorn, yarrow, common balm, tutsan, nettle and thyme before and after gamma-irradiation are reported. Before irradiation all samples exhibit one weak singlet EPR line with a g -factor of 2.0048±0.0005. After irradiation herbal pills could be separated in two groups according to their EPR spectra. Radiation-induced free radicals in pills of marigold, yarrow, nettle, tutsan and thyme could be attributed mainly to saccharide excipients. Tablets of hawthorn and common balm show “cellulose-like” EPR spectrum, superimposed on partly resolved carbohydrate spectrum, due to the active part (herb) and inulin, which is present in the pills as an excipient. Fading study of the radiation-induced EPR signals confirms that sugar radicals are more stable than cellulose species. The reported results show that the presence of characteristic EPR spectra of herbal pills due to excipients or active part can be used as unambiguous proof of radiation processing within 35 or more days after irradiation.

Nutritive supplements Enoviton, Enoviton C and Enoviton CE containing standardized anthocyanins from lyophilized red wine, vitamins (some of them) and excipients were investigated by EPR spectrometry before and after gamma-irradiation. Non-irradiated samples exhibit one singlet line with g=2.0039±0.0002, most probably due to free radicals from anthocyanins. After irradiation with 10 kGy gamma-rays, tablets of Еnoviton, Еnoviton С and Еnoviton СЕ, all exhibit complex EPR signals centered at a g-value of g=2.0034. The EPR spectrum of irradiated Enoviton is different from that of Еnoviton С or Еnoviton СЕ due to the overlap of the spectra of microcrystalline cellulose and the background singlet spectrum present in all tablets with the EPR resonance due to irradiated ascorbic acid (in Еnoviton С and Еnoviton СЕ). Gamma-induced free radicals exhibit long time stability—for a six months period the intensity of central peak decrease with 30–40%.

Solid state/EPR (SS/EPR) dosimeters of carbon ions irradiated sucrose are studied with EPR, and their water solutions – with UV spectroscopy. Doses between 20 and 200 Gy are used with linear energy transfer (LET) values for carbon ions of 63, 77, 96 and 230 keV μm −1 . After irradiation all samples show typical for irradiated sucrose EPR and UV spectra. The obtained data are compared with those previously reported for nitrogen particles and gamma rays irradiated sucrose. The identical shape of both the EPR and UV spectra of irradiated with various type radiation samples suggests that generated free radicals are not influenced by the nature of radiation. The lack of difference in the line width of the separate lines or the whole EPR spectrum, obtained for gamma and heavy particles irradiation, suggests negligible spin–spin interaction among the radiation-generated free radicals in the samples. The linear dependence of the EPR response on the absorbed dose radiation is found to be higher when generated by gamma rays, than by the same absorbed dose of heavy particles. In addition, the EPR response for carbon ions is higher than that for nitrogen ions. Water solutions of irradiated sucrose exhibit UV spectrum with absorption maximum at 267 nm, attributed to the recombination products of free radicals. The UV band intensity depends on the absorbed dose radiation. The UV spectra obtained for carbon, nitrogen and gamma rays irradiated sucrose are also compared.

The time stability and dose response of the free radicals produced in various types of “less-studied” mono- and disaccharides by γ-radiation is studied by EPR (Electron Paramagnetic Resonance) and UV spectrometry. The time evolution of the shape of the EPR spectra of irradiated saccharides is investigated from 5 min to 5 months after irradiation. The intensity of the stable EPR signal is studied as a function of the absorbed γ-dose in the range 0.5–20 kGy. Aqueous solutions of irradiated solid saccharides exhibit a UV absorption maximum in the range 250–290 nm. A linear dependency is found between the magnitude of the UV absorption maximum and the absorbed γ-dose. The time stability of the UV absorption maximum is also studied for every saccharide. The results are compared with those obtained for irradiated sucrose.

Consumers have a growing preference for convenient, fresh-like, healthy, minimal-processed food products with natural flavor and taste and extended shelf-live. High pressure processing (HPP) is a p...

Crystalline sucrose irradiated with C and Si ions is investigated with EPR and UV spectroscopy. Samples are treated at different doses of radiation in the region 20–300 Gy and linear energy transfer (LET) values of 39.6, 49 and 58 keV μm−1 for C ions and 60 keV μm−1 for Si ions. All samples exhibit identical EPR spectra due to radiation-induced stable sucrose radicals. At given constant LET the EPR signal responses are linear to the absorbed doses of Si and C ions. Water solutions of irradiated sucrose exhibit UV absorption maximum at 267 nm due to the product of radical recombination. The intensity of this band is stronger at irradiation with Si than with C ions. UV absorption is more sensitive to heavy-ion species irradiation than the EPR signals.

The responses of dNTP, DNA, and protein synthesis systems in blood-forming organs of animals (dogs, mice) as well as changes in blood Fe3+-transferrin (Fe-TF) and Cu2+-ceruloplasmin (Cu-CP) pools upon γ-irradiation and administration of radioprotectors have been studied. It is shown that changes in Fe-TF and Cu-CP pools are indices of change in body radioresistance and are reliably checked by the EPR technique. An increase in the Fe-TF pool promotes the activation of synthesis of dNTP, DNA, and Fe3+-containing proteins, which are essential for repair efficiency during early postirradiation time as well as for the development of compensatory-restorative reactions of cellular systems; i.e., they are responsible for body resistance to DNA-damaging factors. It is important that the intensity of responses depends on the initial state of the organism. Thus, dogs with initial individual characteristics of blood typical of “depressed” or “activated” states had abnormally high responses to irradiation at low doses of 0.25 and 0.5 Gy. This fact is important for estimating the consequences of prolonged low-dose irradiation for the human population. It has been shown that radioprotectors efficient in the survival test activate the synthesis of dNTP, DNA, and proteins in organs. The intensity of dNTP synthesis and the time when dNTP pools become maximal determine the efficiency of protectors and the time of irradiation after their administration.

The radiation-induced EPR spectra in some medical herbs are reported. The samples studied are: (i) leaves of nettle, common balm, peppermint and thyme; (ii) stalks of common balm, thyme, milfoil, yarrow and marigold; (iii) blossoms of yarrow and marigold; (iv) blossoms and leaves of hawthorn and tutsan; and (v) roots of common valerian, nettle, elecampane (black and white), restharrows and carlina. Before irradiation all samples exhibit one weak anisotropic singlet EPR line with effective g -value of 2.0050±0.0002. The radiation-induced spectra fall into three groups. EPR spectra of irradiated blossoms of yarrow and marigold, stalks of common balm, thyme, tutsan and yarrow as well as roots of common valerian, nettle and elecampane (black and white) show “cellulose-like” EPR spectrum typical for irradiated plants. It is characterized by one intense central line with g =2.0050±0.0005 and two weak satellite lines situated ca. 30 G left and right to it. EPR spectra of gamma-irradiated restharrows and carlina are complex. They may be represented by one triplet corresponding to the “cellulose-like” EPR spectrum, one relatively intense singlet, situated in the center of the spectrum, and five weak additional satellite lines left and right to the center. The last spectrum was assigned as “carbohydrate-like” type. Only one intense EPR singlet with g =2.0048±0.0005 was recorded after irradiation of leaves of nettle and common balm. The lifetime of the radiation-induced EPR spectra was followed for a period of 3 months.

The results of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) study on fresh fruits (whole pulp of pears, apples, peaches, apricots, avocado, kiwi and mango) before and after gamma-irradiation are reported using two drying procedures before EPR investigation. In order to remove water from non-irradiated and irradiated samples of the first batch, the pulp of fresh fruits is pressed, and the solid residue is washed with alcohol and dried at room temperature. The fruits of the second batch are pressed and dried in a standard laboratory oven at 40 °C. The results obtained with both drying procedures are compared. All samples under study show a singlet EPR line with g=2.0048±0.0005 before irradiation. Irradiation gives rise to typical “cellulose-like” EPR spectrum featuring one intensive line with g=2.0048±0.0005 and two very weak satellite lines situated 3 mT at left and right of the central line. Only mango samples show a singlet line after irradiation. The fading kinetics of radiation-induced EPR signal is studied for a period of 50 days after irradiation. When the irradiated fruit samples are stored in their natural state and dried just before each EPR measurement, the satellite lines are measurable for less than 17 days of storage. Irradiated fruit samples, when stored dried, lose for 50 days ca. 40% of their radiation-induced radicals if treated with alcohol or ca. 70% if dried in an oven. The reported results unambiguously show that the presence of the satellite lines in the EPR spectra could be used for identification of radiation processing of fresh fruits, thus extending the validity of European Protocol EN 1787 (2000). Foodstuffs—Detection of Irradiated Food Containing Cellulose by EPR Spectroscopy. European Committee for Standardisation. Brussels for dry herbs.

The paper is a study on the formation and properties of mixed-chelate copper(II) complexes, in which one ligand is strongly covalently bound diselenocarbamate (dsc), and the other belongs to a series of differently substituted acetylacetonates (acac), all forming weak covalent bonds. Thenoyltrifluoro- and trifluoro- substituted acetylacetonates only partly form mixed-chelate complexes, stable in toluene, benzene or dichloromethane, but gradually decomposing in chloroform or carbontetrachloride by analogy with Cu(Et 2 dsc) 2 behavior in these solvents. Hexafluoro-acetylacetonato copper(II) completely turns into a mixed-chelate Cu(dsc)(hfacac), which remains unchanged for more than 8 months of monitoring in all solvents used. The stability of Cu(dsc)(hfacac) is attributed to the reduced remaining negative charge on selenium atom embarrassing the formation of weak D–A complex with haloalkanes. The obtained EPR parameters suggest significant lowering of the contribution of the 4s AO of copper(II) in the mixed-chelate complexes. It is shown that Cu(acac) 2 does not react with Cu(Et 2 dsc) 2 .

Sucrose irradiated with N-ions and gamma-rays is investigated by EPR and UV spectroscopy. Irradiation doses are in the range of 20–380 Gy and linear energy transfer (LET) for N-ions of 90, 125 and 160 keV μ m - 1 . All EPR spectra recorded in irradiated solid samples are identical, suggesting that generated free radicals are not sensitive to the radiation quality. The EPR response of free radicals linearly depends on the absorbed dose but when generated by N-ions it is always lower than that obtained by irradiation with the same absorbed dose from gamma-rays. Water solutions of irradiated sucrose exhibit UV absorption at 267 nm due to the product of free radicals recombination, which spectrum remains independent on the radiation quality. The intensity of this band however depends on the absorbed dose and for equal doses it is higher for samples irradiated with N-ions than with gamma-rays. For different high LET-radiations with N-ions and low-LET radiation from gamma rays is found an excellent linearity between the EPR signal intensity and the UV absorbance of the obtained water solution. The relation between EPR and UV response of N-ions irradiated samples is reciprocal as well as between them and gamma-irradiated samples suggesting different impact of the high-energy photons and heavy particles on the solid state. For low LET photon radiation with moderate dose rate the probability for a successful hitting of two neighboring molecules is low. Therefore, only a small part of low LET radiation-induced free radicals may be expected to recombine giving an UV detectable product. In opposite, because of the dense ionizations and heaviness of N-ions almost all molecules in the core of the track are ionized yielding mainly products of the recombined free radicals. In the outer part of the track delta particles, which are more like low LET radiation electrons, stands for ionizations and produces a small number of free radicals situated far from each other. Therefore, we can expect higher EPR response of sugar irradiated with a certain dose of gamma-rays than of heavy particles. Just the opposite behavior should be expected for the UV absorption, which should be higher in the irradiation with heavy particles than with gamma-rays. The reported observations suggest that a sucrose/UV/EPR dosimetric system seems to be very promising for dose determinations from both gamma and heavy particle radiation and indicate a method for simultaneous determination of absorbed dose and LET. It also seems to be a new way for calibration of EPR dosimeters irradiated with N-ions via UV spectrometry.

The results, obtained by six independent electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) laboratories, of the dose response coefficients ( K dr ) of “self-calibrated” solid-state EPR dosimeters containing alanine as a radiation-sensitive material and Mn 2+ /MgO as an internal reference material, are reported. The intercomparison trial was divided into three steps. It started with the distribution of dosimeters among the participating EPR laboratories with the purpose of irradiating them with known doses of γ -rays and to estimate the K dr . The percentage standard deviation (PSD) of the K dr obtained at individual labs was in the range of 1.4–4.6%. The interlaboratory PSD of the K dr was 8%, primarily pointing to variations in irradiation procedures and EPR spectrometer settings. Further investigations showed that the main source of the interlaboratory PSD is differences in the calibrations of irradiators and settings of EPR acquisition parameters. In order to provide reproducible estimates of the K dr , low microwave power and modulation amplitude using a combination of sweep time and time constant that gives a distortion-free EPR spectrum should be utilized. In the third step following such a procedure, measuring the same irradiated alanine dosimeter at the respective laboratories, spectrometers (12 instruments of 6 different models and 3 producers) and 10 operators gave an interlaboratory PSD of 3.1%. In conclusion, EPR dosimetry using “self-calibrated” alanine dosimeters may be used as a secondary standard, although a careful calibration of the EPR spectrometer must be performed in order to further reduce the uncertainty.

Summary EPR studies of free radicals generated in roasting process of peanut, almond, walnut and apricot are reported separately for the kernels and flakes. The raw flakes exhibit a weak singlet EPR signal, whereas raw kernels are EPR silent. Two different EPR signals are recorded in the course of roasting. One in flakes with g = 2.0040, which is independent of temperature and time of roasting and is attributed to C-centered free radical. The same C-centered (g = 2.0040) free radical is recorded at high temperature (>140 °C) and for extended time (>20 min) of roasted kernels connected with burning of the material. However, an O-centered (g = 2.0048) free radical of ‘lipid’ type appears in kernels at roasting temperature of 100–140 °C and short time (5–20 min). On the contrary, free radical concentration in kernels and flakes increases with increase in roasting temperature and decreases with the time after that. The kinetics of the decay of free radicals concentration in flakes and kernels is followed at room temperature under the storage environment (air or argon).

A simple new approach for independent calibration of solid state/EPR (SS/EPR) dosimetry system is reported. It is based on the fact that: (i) gamma-irradiation of solid sucrose (sugar) induces stable EPR detectable free radicals accompanied by UV detectable brown colour stable in the solid state and in solution; (ii) both the EPR intensity of gamma-irradiated solid sucrose and its solution UV absorbance linearly depend on the absorbed dose high energy radiation and may be independently used for dosimetric purpose; (iii) UV spectrometers are calibrated. The correlation between EPR response and absorbed dose radiation of solid sucrose and UV absorption of its solutions is used in the present communication for calibration purpose. The procedure of sucrose extraction from sucrose-paraffin dosimeters is described. The calibration procedure may be applied to any other (alanine, self-calibrated, etc.) SS/EPR dosimeters, simultaneously irradiated with sucrose.

X-, K- and Q-band EPR studies on lyophilized whole pulp parts of blue plum, apricot, peach, melon as well as achens and pulp separately of strawberry before and after X–ray irradiation are reported. Before irradiation all samples show in X band a weak singlet EPR line with g = 2.0030 ± 0.0005 , except melon, which is EPR silent. Immediately after irradiation all samples exhibit complex fruit-depending spectra, which decay with time and change to give, in ca. 50 days, an asymmetric singlet EPR line with g = 2.0041 ± 0.0005 . Only apricot pulp gave a typical “sugar-like” EPR spectrum. Singlet EPR lines recorded after irradiation in X -band are K- and Q-band resolved as typical anisotropic EPR spectra with g | | = 2.0023 ± 0.0003 and g ⊥ = 2.0041 ± 0.0005 . In addition, K- and Q-band EPR spectra of all samples show a superposition with the six EPR lines of Mn2+ naturally present in the fruits. The saturation behavior of the EPR spectra of achens of lyophilized and fresh strawberry is also studied. The differences in g factors of samples before and after X-ray irradiation might be used for the identification of radiation processing of fruits in the case of pulp and the differences in the EPR saturation behavior might be used for the achens of strawberry.

EPR study on the ligand-exchange reaction between bis(diethyldiselenocarbamato)copper(II), Cu(Et 2 dsc) 2 , and bis(octyldithiocarbonato)copper(II), Cu(octxant) 2 , in CH 2 Cl 2 , CHCl 3 , CCl 4 , C 6 H 6 and C 6 H 5 ·CH 3 is reported for the first time. Mixing of equimolar amounts of the parents (chromophores CuSe 4 and CuS 4 , respectively) in C 6 H 6 , C 6 H 5 ·CH 3 and CH 2 Cl 2 makes EPR signals of both parents superimposed by the spectrum of a mixed-chelate Cu(xant)(dsc) complex (chromophore CuS 2 Se 2 ). A new additional EPR spectrum appears in CHCl 3 or CCl 4 due to a five-coordinate mixed-ligand complex with the chromophore Cu(S 3 Se)S as follows by comparing the g -values of parents and mixed-ligand complexes. The appearance of this complex could be explained having in mind donor–acceptor properties of complexes, solvents and the resultant reaction of Cu(octxant) 2 with the ester of diselenocarbamic acid yielded in Cu(Et 2 dsc) 2 destruction by CCl 4 or CHCl 3 .

The influence of the shape and size of dosimeters used in solid state-EPR (SS/EPR) dosimetry on their response is reported. It is shown that for commonly used cylindrical (rod) shaped dosimeters of equal height, prepared of low ( e ⩽ 3 ) dielectric constant materials, linearity between their volume and the EPR response is observed when their diameter varies between 3 and 5 mm. Further increase of the dosimeter's diameter is not recommended since the increased penetration of the dosimeter material into the electric component of the microwave field in the EPR cavity increases the dielectric losses and decreases the EPR response. In an attempt to improve the sensitivity of the SS/EPR dosimetry we have prepared and tested new, flat-shaped, dosimeters of low ( e ≈ 2 ) dielectric constant materials which were found to exhibit: (i) linear EPR response within 1–5 mm thickness; (ii) higher sensitivity than cylindrical dosimeters at equal sample volume; (iii) increased by ca. 270% EPR sensitivity at 5 mm thickness compared to the cylindrical dosimeters with the same diameter (ca. 1.7 times increased sample volume). Using flat shape dosimeters of suitable size provides 2.7 times higher EPR sensitivity of single estimation.