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PURPOSE: This interlaboratory comparison was conducted to evaluate the performance of the Latin-American Biodosimetry Network (LBDNet) in analyzing digitized images for scoring dicentric chromosomes from in vitro irradiated blood samples. The exercise also assessed the use of weighted robust algorithms to compensate the uneven expertise among the participating laboratories. METHODS: Three sets of coded images obtained through the dicentric chromosome assay from blood samples irradiated at 1.5 Gy (sample A) and 4 Gy (sample B), as well as a non-irradiated whole blood sample (sample C), were shared among LBDNet laboratories. The images were captured using the Metafer4 platform coupled with the AutoCapt module. The laboratories were requested to perform triage scoring, conventional scoring, and dose estimation. The dose estimation was carried out using either their laboratory calibration curve or a common calibration curve. A comparative statistical analysis was conducted using a weighted robust Hampel algorithm and z score to compensate for uneven expertise in dicentric analysis and dose assessment among all laboratories. RESULTS: Out of twelve laboratories, one had unsatisfactory estimated doses at 0 Gy, and two had unsatisfactory estimated doses at 1.5 Gy when using their own calibration curve and triage scoring mode. However, all doses were satisfactory at 4 Gy. Six laboratories had estimated doses within 95% uncertainty limits at 0 Gy, seven at 1.5 Gy, and four at 4 Gy. While the mean dose for sample C was significantly biased using robust algorithms, applying weights to compensate for the laboratory's analysis expertise reduced the bias by half. The bias from delivered doses was only notable for sample C. Using the common calibration curve for dose estimation reduced the standard deviation (s*) estimated by robust methods for all three samples. CONCLUSIONS: The results underscore the significance of performing interlaboratory comparison exercises that involve digitized and electronically transmitted images, even when analyzing non-irradiated samples. In situations where the participating laboratories possess different levels of proficiency, it may prove essential to employ weighted robust algorithms to achieve precise outcomes.

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PURPOSE: To test the performance of different algorithms that can be used in inter-laboratory comparisons based on dicentric chromosome analysis, and to evaluate the impact of considering a priori values different to calculate individual laboratory performance based on the ionizing radiation dose estimation. METHODS: Mean and standard deviation estimations in inter-laboratory comparisons are tested on simulated data and data from previously published inter-laboratory comparisons using three robust algorithms, Algorithm A, Algorithm B and Q/Hampel, all programmed in R-project language and implemented in a Shiny application. The simulated data were generated assuming three different probabilities to contaminate inter-laboratory comparisons samples with atypical dose values. Comparison between different algorithms was also done using published exercises where blood samples were irradiated at 0 and 0.7 Gy that represent a challenge for the assessment of an inter-laboratory comparison. RESULTS: The best performance was obtained with the Q/Hampel algorithm for the estimation of the dose mean and with the Algorithm B for the estimation of the dose standard deviation under the conditions tested in the simulations. The Q/Hampel algorithm showed the best performance when non-irradiated samples were evaluated and there was a high proportion of identical values. The presence identical values cause the Algorithm B to fail. Real examples illustrating the need to consider standard deviation priors, and the need to use algorithms resistant to a high proportion of identical values are presented. CONCLUSIONS: Q/Hampel algorithm is a serious candidate to estimate the dose mean in the inter-laboratory comparisons, and to estimate both parameters when the proportion of identical values equals or higher than the half of the results. When the proportion of identical values is less than the half of the results, the Algorithm B should be considered as a candidate to estimate the standard deviation in the inter-laboratory comparisons with small number of laboratories. We remark that special attention is needed to establish prior definitions of standard deviation in the assessment of inter-laboratory dicentric assay comparisons.

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Resumen Introducción: el laboratorio de citogenética del Instituto de Investigaciones en Salud (INISA) de la Universidad de Costa Rica estableció un Servicio de Dosimetría Biológica en enero del 2020 utilizando biomarcadores citogenéticos de exposición a radiaciones ionizantes. Es el primero de su tipo en la región centroamericana. Objetivo: establecer un servicio de dosimetría biológica para Costa Rica, elaborando una curva de calibración dosis-efecto para rayos gamma. Metodología: para la realización de la curva de calibración se irradiaron muestras de sangre periférica in vitro con rayos gamma de dos voluntarios, uno femenino y otro masculino, en 11 puntos de dosis en el rango de 0 a 5 Gy. Se cultivó la sangre acorde a los protocolos internacionales durante 48 horas y se registraron las aberraciones inducidas. Los programas Dose Estimate V5.2 y R versión 4.03 se utilizaron para el cálculo de los coeficientes de la curva de calibración que correlaciona la frecuencia de cromosomas dicéntricos con la dosis. Resultados: los coeficientes de la curva son α: 0.02737±0.00658, ß: 0,05938±0,00450 y C: 0.00129±0.00084. Estos coeficientes tienen valores similares a los reportados internacionalmente. La curva se validó calculando dos dosis incógnitas, en la primera incógnita la dosis suministrada fue de 1,5 Gy y la dosis estimada fue 1,47 Gy y en la segunda la dosis suministrada fue de 4 Gy y la dosis estimada fue 3,616 Gy, para ambos casos no existen diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre las dosis suministradas y las estimadas. Conclusiones: actualmente El Servicio de Dosimetría Biológica del INISA puede estimar dosis absorbida en personas que se sospecha de una sobre exposición a rayos gamma en personal ocupacionalmente expuesto o personas involucradas en un accidente radiológico.

Abstract Introduction. The cytogenetics laboratory of the Health Research Institute (INISA) of the University of Costa Rica established a Biological Dosimetry Service in January 2020 using cytogenetic biomarkers of exposure to ionizing radiation. It is the first of its kind in the Central American region. Objective: establish a biological dosimetry service for Costa Rica, developing a dose-effect calibration curve for gamma rays. Methodology: to carry out the calibration curve, peripheral blood samples from two volunteers, one female and the other male, were irradiated in vitro with gamma rays, at 11 dose points in the range of 0 to 5 Gy. Blood was cultured according to international protocols for 48 hours and induced aberrations were recorded. The Dose Estimate V5.2 and R version 4.03 programs were used to calculate the coefficients of the calibration curve that correlates the frequency of dicentric chromosomes with the dose. Results: the coefficients of the curve are α: 0.02737 ± 0.00658, ß: 0.05938 ± 0.00450 and C: 0.00129 ± 0.00084. These coefficients have values similar to those reported internationally. The curve was validated by calculating two unknown doses, in the first unknown case the delivered dose was 1.5 Gy and the estimated dose was 1.47 Gy and in the second case the delivered dose was 4 Gy and the estimated dose was 3.616 Gy. for both cases there are no statistically significant differences between the delivered and estimated doses. Conclusions: the Biological Dosimetry Service of the INISA can estimate absorbed dose in persons suspected of overexposure to gamma rays in occupationally exposed personnel or persons involved in a radiological accident.Health is loaded with symbolisms and practical manifestations that differ according to social groups and sociocultural contexts. In order to make everyday life and needs visible, the Theoretical Paradigm of Social Representations provides the theoretical-methodological bases necessary to understand the common sense knowledge associated with health among the Nicaraguan migrant population in Costa Rica. Methodology: Qualitative study with ethnographic approach that aimed to identify the social representation of health, through the process of objectification, present among Nicaraguan migrants living in Costa Rica. Data collected through semi-structured interviews, participant observation, and field diaries. Processing according to Content Analysis. Results: The social representation of health found behaves analogously to a formula; where, the search for peaceful environments is added to the achievement of financial stability to result in two interdependent representations: 1) Health as physical-mental strength; and 2) Health as a future and abstract sensation of well-being, happiness and transcendence. The socio-political antecedents in Nicaragua, the migratory process, and the adaptation to Costa Rica play a preponderant role in shaping the representation on health. Conclusion: Social representations about health have direct practical implications on the ways of life and needs of migrant groups. Understanding their common sense knowledge allows to move towards more contextualized public policies. More integration of the thoughts, opinions and feelings of migrants in decision-making platforms is recommended.

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Se realizó el biomonitoreo de los trabajadores de la planta formuladora de plaguicidas de Managua con el objetivo de conocer si la manipulación de plaguicidas, descritos como mutágenos químicos potenciales, había causado efecto genotóxico. Se estudió el daño primario al ADN mediante el ensayo cometa y el daño cromosómico mediante aberraciones cromosómicas en linfocitos y micronúcleos en células exfoliadas de la mucosa bucal. Para los análisis de los datos se utilizaron el porcentaje de ADN en la cola, el porcentaje de células con aberraciones cromosómicas y el porcentaje de células con micronúcleos. Las frecuencias de aberraciones cromosómicas y de células con micronúcleos tanto en el grupo expuesto como en el grupo control se encuentran dentro del intervalo reportado para muestras de la población cubana. Los valores del porcentaje de ADN en la cola analizados por el ensayo cometa en el grupo expuesto no mostraron diferencias significativas antes y después de la jornada laboral. Los resultados analizados evidencian que la manipulación de plaguicidas por este grupo de trabajadores no ha inducido daño genético detectable por los métodos empleados(AU)

A biomonitoring of workers of the pesticide formulation plant from Managua municipality to know if the manipulation of pesticides described as potential chemical mutagens, had a genotoxic effect was carried out. The primary damage of DNA was studied by means of the comet assay and the chromosomal damage by chromosomal aberrations in lymphocytes and micronuclei in exfoliated cells of oral mucosa. For data analysis the DNA percentage in tail, the percentage of cells with chromosomal aberration and the percentage of cells with micronuclei were used. The frequency of chromosomal aberrations and of cells with micronuclei, both, in the exposed group and in the control one are within the interval reported for samples of Cuban population. The values of DNA percentage in tail, analyzed by comet assay in exposed group not showed significant differences before and after working day. The results analyzed demonstrate that manipulation of pesticides by this group of workers has not provoked any genetic damage perceptible by methods used(AU)

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RESUMEN Se muestran 11 curvas dosis respuesta in vitro obtenidas por primera vez en el país para tres indicadores biológicos: anillos en cromosomas prematuramente condensados (PCC-R) índice PCC; focos gamma H2AX (-H2AX), todos ellos en linfocitos de sangre periférica humana. Estas curvas en su conjunto cubren un intervalo de dosis desde 0,1 Gy hasta 25 Gy, y varias calidades de radiación, así como varios tiempos post exposición, lo cual fortalece las capacidades para dar respuesta a las emergencias radiológicas y amplía las posibilidades de contribuir al esclarecimiento de cualquier suceso radiológico anormal que pueda ocurrir en la región, donde el indicador predominante en la actualidad continúa siendo la cuantificación de dicéntricos en linfocitos de la sangre periférica.

ABSTRACT In this paper we show the dose response curves in vitro obtained at first time in Cuba, with several biological indicators for radiation damage: rings in premature chromosome condensation (PCC-R); PCC index and -H2AX foci, all of these in peripheral human lymphocytes. These curves cover an interval of doses between 0.1 Gy to 25 Gy, several radiation qualities and times post-exposition, strengthening the capabilities of the Cuban laboratory to give answer to the radiological emergencies and in the same way increase its contribution to elucidate any radiological abnormal event take place at the region where the main indicator at the present time is the dicentric assay in lymphocytes of peripheral blood.

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Se realizó el biomonitoreo de los trabajadores de la planta formuladora de plaguicidas de Managua con el objetivo de conocer si la manipulación de plaguicidas, descritos como mutágenos químicos potenciales, había causado efecto genotóxico. Se estudió el daño primario al ADN mediante el ensayo cometa y el daño cromosómico mediante aberraciones cromosómicas en linfocitos y micronúcleos en células exfoliadas de la mucosa bucal. Para los análisis de los datos se utilizaron el porcentaje de ADN en la cola, el porcentaje de células con aberraciones cromosómicas y el porcentaje de células con micronúcleos. Las frecuencias de aberraciones cromosómicas y de células con micronúcleos tanto en el grupo expuesto como en el grupo control se encuentran dentro del intervalo reportado para muestras de la población cubana. Los valores del porcentaje de ADN en la cola analizados por el ensayo cometa en el grupo expuesto no mostraron diferencias significativas antes y después de la jornada laboral. Los resultados analizados evidencian que la manipulación de plaguicidas por este grupo de trabajadores no ha inducido daño genético detectable por los métodos empleados

A biomonitoring of workers of the pesticide formulation plant from Managua municipality to know if the manipulation of pesticides described as potential chemical mutagens, had a genotoxic effect was carried out. The primary damage of DNA was studied by means of the comet assay and the chromosomal damage by chromosomal aberrations in lymphocytes and micronuclei in exfoliated cells of oral mucosa. For data analysis the DNA percentage in tail, the percentage of cells with chromosomal aberration and the percentage of cells with micronuclei were used. The frequency of chromosomal aberrations and of cells with micronuclei, both, in the exposed group and in the control one are within the interval reported for samples of Cuban population. The values of DNA percentage in tail, analyzed by comet assay in exposed group not showed significant differences before and after working day. The results analyzed demonstrate that manipulation of pesticides by this group of workers has not provoked any genetic damage perceptible by methods used