Optimization and Validation of Automated Dicentric Chromosome Analysis for Radiological/Nuclear Triage Applications

Publication date: Available online 23 September 2019Source: Mutation Research/Genetic Toxicology and Environmental MutagenesisAuthor(s): Terri L. Ryan, Maria B. Escalona, Tammy L. Smith, Joseph Albanese, Carol J. Iddins, Adayabalam S. BalajeeAbstractDicentric Chromosome Assay (DCA) is the most preferred cytogenetic technique for absorbed radiation dose assessment in exposed humans. However, DCA is somewhat impractical for triage application owing to its labor intensive and time consuming nature. Although lymphocyte culture for 48 hrs in vitro is inevitable for DCA, manual scoring of dicentric chromosomes (DCs) requires an additional time of 24-48 hrs, making the overall turnaround time of 72-96 hrs for dose estimation. To accelerate the speed of DC analysis for dose estimation, an automated tool was optimized and validated for triage mode of scoring. Several image training files were created to improve the specificity of automated DC analysis algorithm. Accuracy and efficiency of the automated (unsupervised) DC scoring was compared with the semi-automated scoring that involved human verification and correction of DCs (elimination of false positives and inclusion of true positives). DC scoring was performed by both automated and semi-automated modes for different doses of X-rays and γ-rays (0 Gy - 5 Gy). Biodoses estimated from the frequencies of DCs detected by both automated (unsupervised) and semi-automated (supervised) scoring modes were grossly similar to the a...
Source: Mutation Research Genetic Toxicology and Environmental Mutagenesis - Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Source Type: research