In the Photograph! |
 Dr. William Morgan discusses cells that have undergone apoptosis (programmed cell death) in a bronchiole (left) and tumor (right) from a historic beagle dog study. Apoptotic cell nuclei are red, and normal nucleic material appears blue. |
Selected Presentations
2012 Scientific Advisory Committee Meeting
2011 SAC Recommendations & 2012 USTUR Overview – Tolmachev, S.Y.
The SAC’s recommendations from last year’s meeting, and how the USTUR addressed each recommendation, were presented. Additional 2012 activities were also summarized. These included topics such as: the new FY2013-17 grant cycle, a visit from a Russian scientist from the Southern Urals Biophysics Institute (SUBI), and recent publications.
Administrative & Financial Developments – Bedell-Parker, M.
The FY2012 expenditures, FY2013-17 budget, and the new 5-year grant cycle were explained. The cost of facilities leases, personnel changes, and the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) personnel that are supported by the current $900,000 grant were also discussed.
USTUR Statistics & Registrant Correspondence – McComish, S.L.
Changes in the number of deceased, living, and inactive Registrants were summarized. During the past year, the USTUR received a commitment from one new Registrant, one inactive Registrant signed renewal paperwork, two Registrants passed away, and four changed to an inactive status. The reason for these status changes and/or a brief summary of each individual’s exposure were provided.
Health Physics Database: Standardization of Exposure Records and Bioassay Data – Avtandilashvili, M.V.
The health physics data entry forms were described. Progress toward entering Registrant exposure records into the USTUR’s health physics database was summarized by intake type, contaminant, and solubility class.
National Human Radiobiological Tissue Repository – McComish, S.L.
During the past year, 2,595 samples have been logged into THEMIS. These were summarized by sample type. Progress toward logging in frozen tissue samples, and the procedures for re-packaging acid solutions were described in greater detail.
2012 Radiochemistry Progress Report – Miller, F.
Operation of the radiochemistry laboratory was described. Topics included building maintenance and modification, laboratory equipment, method development, and sample processing and analysis.
USTUR/PNNL Collaboration – Morgan, W.
Chris Nielsen’s master’s thesis and upcoming PhD research on the microdistribution of plutonium nitrate in the lungs of beagle dogs and former workers were summarized. The value of the USTUR was emphasized, as was the usefulness of data and materials from historic beagle dog studies.
Progress toward a Graduate Certificate Program in Radiation Protection – Stansbury, P.
A graduate certificate program in radiation protection is being developed at WSU Tri-Cities. The timeline, core competencies, and coursework associated with this program were summarized.
USTUR Donor Family Perspectives – Next-of-Kin
The son of one of our Registrant donors summarized his father’s work history, exposure, and health concerns. He also provided feedback from a family perspective, on what the USTUR is doing well and where the USTUR has room for improvement. An extremely valuable discussion on how the USTUR can better communicate with Registrants and their next of kin followed.
Note: To maintain Registrant confidentiality, all slides containing personal information have been removed.
Research & Operation Plan for FY 2013 – Tolmachev, S.
The 2013 goals for radiochemical analyses, entry of exposure data into the health physics database, development of a radiochemistry database, NHRTR tissue and acid solution inventory, and scientific collaborations were presented.
A PMR and PCMR Analysis of Radiation and Mesothelioma in the United States Transuranium and Uranium Registries – Gibb, H.
The background, methods, and results of a collaborative study carried out by the USTUR and Tetra Tech Sciences were presented. This study was conducted to investigate the unusually high incidence of mesothelioma among USTUR Registrants, and has been accepted for publication in the American Journal of Public Health.