Stochastics of HZE-induced mulesions
Abstract
Fundamental biological experiments with bacteria, yeast, and mammalian cells irradiated with ions heavier than helium indicate that maximal probability of single-hit inactivation does not occur when the ion has LET below about 100-200 keV/μm. Theoretical treatments of cell inactivation data and the radiation chemistry in particle tracks are consistent with this finding. If a ``mulesion'' is defined as a linear array, within a tissue, of cells inactivated with maximum probability, surrounded by non-lethally damaged cells, then, by this definition, there must be an LET below which ``mulesion'' damage cannot be expected. In a retrospective survey of experimental literature in which single-particle effects in tissues were sought, it was found that little or no evidence has been reported supporting single-particle effects in tissues when LET was below 200 keV/μm, while some experimenters who irradiated tissues with particles having LET greater than 200 keV/μm reported effects that could be attributed to single particle tracks.
- Publication:
-
Advances in Space Research
- Pub Date:
- 1989
- DOI:
- 10.1016/0273-1177(89)90420-1
- Bibcode:
- 1989AdSpR...9j..31T