Natl, Inst. Radiol. Sci. Ann. Rept. (NRIS—10, 1971)

stored in the punched paper tape for retrospective
studies. The original image stored in the dise is then
processed into an intelligent pattern for visual interpretation by means of smoothing and restoration,

and displayed on CRIT, line printer or curve plotter

normal person,

2, The frequeney of stable and unstable chromosome abnormalitics was remarkable high. Compared
with that of a normal person, the frequency of
stable cells was 10—20 times higher, and fairly con-

(Fig. 8). The above procedures are also programmed
in an on-line mode so that all instructions are initiated at the keyboard of the input-output typewriter equipped in the scanning room. The viewer ts
alowed to choose any image processing technique
employed in program and to repeat the display until
he finds the best one to be photographed for
diagnosis. These highspeed versatile functions offer
the physicians many additional diagnostic information which cannot be obtained by the conventional
methods. Details will be soon published.

stant in each annual examination.

Chromosome Abnormalities of Japanese Fishermen

exposure) and almost corresponded to the severity

Exposed to Fallout Radiation in 1954

Toshiyuki Kumatori, Takaaki Ishihara, Sei-ichi Kohno
and Machiko Inaba

Twentythree: Japanese fishermen were exposed to
fallout radiation in the Pacific Ocean on March 1,

1954, The fishermen were irradiated externally from
the radioactive materials deposited on the boat, internally from those materials which entered various
organs and by those that adhered to the body surface. Although the estimation of exposed dose was
very difficult, the external gamma radiation dose of
each person was inferred as 170-690 KR for 14
days, nearly 60% of which was received on the first
day. The external irradiation seems to have taken an
important role in their radiation syndrome,
Follow-up studies on the fishermen have been
performed on an annual basis by the authors. Numher of persons examined in cach year were 15-18,
which corresponded to about 70-80% of exposed
fishermen.
.
The cytogenctical studies have been continued
since 1964. The chromosome analyses were done by

the culture method of peripheral blood. At first we

did 72 hrs. culture, but since the 1966 examinations, 2 days culture has been adopted. The results
of chromosome analyses arc summarized as follows;

1. The frequency of aneuploid cells was 2—3%,

which was not so high compared with that of a

MON Sous

~

According to these results it was suggested that
an intimate correlation might exist belween chromosome aberration rate and the externally irradiated
dose of each person. This correlation was examined
on the findings of 1969 survey. The aberration. rate
used was that of the stable cells. 300 cells on an
average were observed in each case for the calcula-

tion of the rate. As shownin Fig. 9 the close correlation between stable cells percentage and external
doses were proved (P<0.01). In addition a similar
close relationship existed between these aberration
rates and minimum values of neutrophils, which
were observed at the critical stage (4-7 wecks alter
of acute radiation syndrome of each fishermen. Fig.
10 shows this relationship (P<0.01).
Although the significance of chromosome abnormalities should be elucidated by further followup sludies, it is noted

that the examination of

chromosome abnormalitics is valuable for the ask
esumation of radiatton exposed persons.
~ (Unpublished)
%
5

co O.58

> 4

4 3

e

4
i

°

°

2?

°

e

wey

°
es

ee
ee

°

Dose of Ist pay

1

108

yee

7

Dost ovalnG 2 WweeKs

x

4a

st

+6

7%

ESTIMATED EXTERHAL nOses(R)

Fig. 9. Correlation between chromosome aberrations (Cs
cells} and estimated external doses.

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