放影研

RERF

V o lu m e 27, 2016 Winte r

Radiation Eﬀects Research Foundation
Hiroshima and Nagasaki, JapanNews

RERF Teaches School Children about Radiation
Workshop

ICRP-RERF Joint Meetings Held in Hiroshima and Tokyo“Very Good for Science”
Science Articles

Irradiation at diﬀerent fetal stages results in diﬀerent
translocation frequencies in adult mouse thyroid cells

Table of Contents
RERF News・Sixth Board of Councilors Meeting Held at Hiroshima RERF .......................................................... 1
・Open House 2016 Held at Hiroshima and Nagasaki RERF ............................................................... 2・RERF Teaches School Children about Radiation, by Reiko Horimukai ............................................ 4・RERF Public Lecture Held at Japanese Radiation Research Society Meeting .................................. 5・Dr. Hayashi Commended as Reviewer for Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research Program ............... 6・Staff News .......................................................................................................................................... 7
Greetings and Farewells ................................................................................................................. 7
Conference and Workshop Reports
・ICRP-RERF Joint Meetings Held in Hiroshima and Tokyo “Very Good for Science” ..................... 9・Seventh Epidemiological Training Workshop for Biologists Draws Capacity Crowd,
to RERF’s Delight, by Ritsu Sakata ................................................................................................. 11
Special Report
・22nd Biennial Meeting of the Conference on Radiation and Health Held in
Hawaii—RERF and Mitsuo Kodama, A-bomb Survivor, Participate, by Eric J. Grant ................... 12
Science Articles
・Irradiation at different fetal stages results in different translocation frequencies inadult mouse thyroid cells, by Kanya Hamasaki ............................................................................... 15
・Relationship between spontaneous γ H2AX foci formation and progenitor functions incirculating hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells among atomic-bomb survivors,
by Junko Kajimura ........................................................................................................................... 16
Human Interest Notes
・In Memoriam – Dr. Seymour Abrahamson ...................................................................................... 18– Dr. Charles Wendell Edington, by Evan B. Douple ............................................... 19
Facts and Figures
・Report on NEWS (3rd in series): RERF Epidemiological Study of Health Effects inFukushima Emergency Workers, by Toshiteru Okubo ..................................................................... 20
Publications
・Recent Publications .......................................................................................................................... 23
・Publications Using RERF Data ........................................................................................................ 24
Editor-in-Chief’s Greetings, by Jeffrey L. Hart ........................................................................................ 25
Scientific Editor’s Greetings, by Eric J. Grant .......................................................................................... 26

update 1

RERF News

Sixth Board of Councilors Meeting Held at Hiroshima RERF
The sixth meeting of the Radiation Effects
Research Foundation (RERF) Board of Councilors (BOC) took place on June 16–17, 2016, at theHiroshima Laboratory. The meeting was attended
by seven of the eight councilors, as well as directors and auditors. Representatives of the U.S.
and Japanese governments and the U.S. National
Academy of Sciences also attended as observers.
Executive Councilor Dr. Shelley A. Hearne served
as the moderator.
In their remarks at the beginning of the meeting, the representatives of the U.S. and Japanese
governments stated that RERF’s research achievements were global assets and that RERF should
continue to serve as a center of excellence (COE)on radiation health effects studies. They also
expressed their appreciation to atomic bomb survivors and their children for their dedicated cooperation in the studies.
The meeting’s major agenda items and discussions were as follows. Reports on FY2015 activities, settlement of accounts, and audit results were
presented and approved. Plans for FY2016 activities were reported, including research projects,
training programs, public information programs,
and the activities necessary to carry out these projects, as well as budget estimates for all the activities. An explanation of the strategic plan, whichlooks into the future of RERF, was presented, andthe newly introduced internal audit system wasdescribed, followed by active discussions.
Scientific Advisory Committee Co-chair Dr.
Shunichi Yamashita reported the 43rd Scientific
Advisory Committee’s recommendations, madeduring the March 2–4, 2016, meeting at theHiroshima Laboratory, when a focused review
was made of the Department of Clinical Studies.
General recommendations included (1) consideration of a biennial review cycle to reduce meeting
preparation work, (2) development of a strategicplan and research clusters to cope with the aging ofresearch scientists and facilities, and (3) increased
involvement of the Department of Statistics atthe early stage of research proposals. RERF’s
responses to these recommendations were also discussed at the meeting.
Next, two councilors, two auditors, and two
scientific advisors were appointed. Appreciation
was expressed to two outgoing councilors for theirservice.
Finally, it was decided that next year’s BOC
meeting would be held at RERF’s Nagasaki Laboratory, June 15–16, 2017. On June 14, an informal
meeting of councilors will take place prior to the
BOC meeting, as was the case in 2016.

Participants of Board of Councilors meeting

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RERF Update Volume 27, 2016 Winterupdate 2

RERF News

Open House 2016 Held at Hiroshima and Nagasaki RERF

Child learning to use labware (pipette) [right], with RERF
staff, Hiroshima

Hiroshima and Nagasaki Open House events in2016 were crowded with visitors for the two days,
despite the stifling hot summer weather. We hopethat these two days proved meaningful for visitors
to further understand RERF. The following accountdescribes the Hiroshima and Nagasaki Open House
events.

Kun” (“hone” means bone in Japanese).
The main event of this year’s Open House wereguided tours of the Biosample Center’s robotic
biorepository, which started operations in 2015.
The tours were provided every hour. On the tours,
visitors listened to an explanation about the stored
samples and then toured the robotic freezer system
and liquid nitrogen tanks. Another exciting firsttime event was the showing of an animated filmin Japanese for the study of peace. The film wasborrowed from the Hiroshima Peace Memorial
Museum.
Four lectures were planned for the OpenHouse event. On August 5, Dr. Hiromi Sugiyama,
Acting Office Chief, Tumor & Tissue Registry
Office, Associate Senior Scientist, Departmentof Epidemiology, gave a lecture titled “What are
Cancer Registries?” given that cancer registration
was enshrined into law starting this year in Japan.
Another popular lecture since it was first held at the2014 Open House was “That’s why translation isfun!” delivered in English by Mr. Jeffrey L. Hart,
Chief, Public Relations and Publications Office.
The next day, August 6, Dr. Norio Takahashi,
RERF Consultant, gave a lecture about the basicsof radiation titled “What is radiation?” and Dr.
Kyoji Furukawa, Associate Senior Scientist,
Department of Statistics, delivered the lecture “Statistics can be fun!” illustrating the likelihood of thelocal Hiroshima Carp baseball team winning thepennant this season.
For both days, a total of 1,003 guests visitedthe Hiroshima Laboratory. A compact route wasestablished to make it easier for visitors to takein everything without becoming tired. As a result,
there were many families with children, people

Hiroshima Open House draws more than
1,000 visitors
RERF’s 22nd Open House in Hiroshima washeld at the Hiroshima Laboratory over the two daysof August 5 and 6, based on the slogan “Come to
RERF!”
Including panel displays of the newest RERF
research, which has continued thanks to the understanding and cooperation of atomic bomb survivors
and numerous others, two special exhibits wereintroduced: “Epidemiological Study of Health
Effects in Fukushima Emergency Workers,” aproject that was entrusted to RERF by
Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour andWelfare (MHLW) in 2014, and “Considering the health effects of low-dose radiation
exposure based on atomic bomb radiation
studies.”At the “Science Corner,” there wereseveral ‘hands-on’ experiments such as aliquid-nitrogen show, a DNA-extraction
presentation, and a chance for electron
microscope observation with cooperation from Japan Electron Optics Laboratory Co., Ltd. (JEOL), as well as a quiz/
stamp rally during which visitors, notably
lots of children, engaged in the contest
while strolling around the facilities. At the
Department of Clinical Studies, our staffbought a small human skeleton model, Small human skeleton model “Hone-hone Kun” used in Clinical Studies
which was given the name “Hone-hone exhibit, Hiroshima
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RERF Update Volume 27, 2016 Winterupdate 3

RERF News
from overseas, and Japanese school students. This
year’s Open House as well featured lots of communication between visitors and RERF staff.

Many visitors participate in Nagasaki OpenHouse
RERF’s 20th Open House in Nagasaki was heldat the Nagasaki Laboratory over the two days ofAugust 8 and 9, 2016, based on the slogan “Cometo RERF!”
Beautiful weather was evident on both days,
with the many visitors and RERF staff able to sharean enjoyable time together. The two special exhibits were “Epidemiological Study of Health Effects
in Fukushima Emergency Workers (NEWS)”
and “Considering the health effects of low-doseradiation exposure based on atomic bomb radiation
studies.” These special exhibits drew considerable interest from visitors. On August 9, Dr. Kyoji
Furukawa, Associate Senior Scientist, Departmentof Statistics, gave a lecture titled “Statistics can be
fun!,” which marked his third time to speak at theNagasaki Open House. The lecture was so popularamong visitors that some in the audience had tostand to listen, since no empty seats remained.
At the demonstration corner, experiments withliquid nitrogen, electron microscope observation of
red and white blood cells, posing in commemorative photographs in a white lab coat, and listening
to the heart and lungs with a stethoscope were alla hit with children, whose laughter could be heard
all around. For adults, arteriosclerosis testing, bonedensity measurement with ultrasoundbone densitometry, body fat measurement, and urinalysis were popular. It
was impressive to see visitors regardless of age enjoying themselves with
RERF staff.
A total of 503 people visited theNagasaki Open House over the twodays this year, and more than 65% ofthat number visited for the first time.
The Open House has become a good
opportunity for many people to learn
about RERF.

Dr. Ohtsura Niwa, Chairman, explaining about scientific research
to visitor, Nagasaki

Scene inside lecture “That’s why translation is fun!,” Hiroshima

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RERF Update Volume 27, 2016 Winterupdate 4

RERF NewsRERF Teaches School Children about Radiation
Reiko Horimukai, Assistant Chief
Public Relations and Publications Office
The second round of RERF’s project to present
lectures about radiation in area schools took placeon October 11, 2016, with a visit to the Hiroshima
Suzugamine Elementary School. The theme was“A school-visit lecture concerning radiation: its
beneficial and harmful uses.” The project’s aim is
to teach children about radiation, and the lecture
was attended by 34 fifth graders and several parents, as part of elementary school parent-teacherchildren (PTC) activities. Dr. Norio Takahashi,
RERF Consultant, presented the lecture, which
Mr. Yuji Yoneyama, a certified radiation protection
supervisor and Assistant Section Chief, Department of General Affairs, supported as teachingassistant.
The lecture began with demonstrations of thevarious characteristics and types of radiation using
slides, balls of various sizes, and a flashlight. Dr.
Takahashi then introduced examples of beneficial
uses of radiation, including health examinations,cancer treatments, and airport screenings. He also
explained harmful effects of radiation, including
cellular damage that can lead to cancer development. He concluded by explaining that an understanding of radiation’s both beneficial and harmful
aspects is important for its effective use.
After studying radiation basics, the children andparents tried their hand at scientific experiments.
While it is known that radiation dose decreases
with distance from the source of radiation, the observers verified this phenomenon by conducting measurementswith a survey meter. Children saw thedecrease in radiation with increasing
distance and thus directly experienced
this particular characteristic of radiation.
The next experiment demonstrated
the association between radiation andshielding. Wooden plates, even whenseveral were placed together between asource of very low-level radiation andthe survey meter, did not change themeasurements. Next, participants usediron plates of various thicknesses. The
lead
thicker the leadiron plate, the lower the measurement value was; however, the val-

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ues never reached zero. Dr. Takahashi explained tothe participants that wood does not block radiation,
while a sufficient thickness of leadiron does. He noted,
however, that there is no place on earth completely
free of radiation due to the naturally occurring
radiation present everywhere.
Finally, the participants observed radiation
using a ‘cloud chamber,’ the inside of which was
lined with black paper. Alcohol was poured into
the bottom of the chamber, and a very low-doseradiation source was placed inside, at the center.
The chamber was covered with cellophane wrap
and placed on dry ice. Because the bottom of thecloud chamber cooled, the alcohol became supersaturated. In minutes, a white line appeared andevanesced inside the chamber, like the contrailsof an airplane. Then multiple white lines appeared
and evanesced, reminiscent of the appearance ofouter space. When announced that “These whitelines are traces of radiation,” a cheer arose from thechildren. Sometimes, multiple white lines appeared
in a radial pattern, and we could see the faces ofchildren light up as they came into contact with themagical world of science.
Our goal is for this lecture project to help children deepen their understanding of radiation. Afterthe presentation, we left the school with the hopethat the children felt more at ease with science ingeneral.

Students listening to lecture about radiation

RERF Update Volume 27, 2016 Winterupdate 5

RERF NewsRERF Public Lecture Held at Japanese Radiation ResearchSociety Meeting

Opening scene of Public Lecture

The RERF Public Lecture in 2016 was presented as part of the 59th Meeting of the JapaneseRadiation Research Society, with the Society
acting as co-sponsor. The lecture was held in theevening of October 26 at the JMS Aster Plaza inNaka-ku, Hiroshima. About 120 persons attended,
including Society participants and members of the
public.
Because 2016 marked the fifth anniversary of
TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant
accident, the Public Lecture featured four presentations based on the theme “Message to Fukushimafrom Hiroshima and Nagasaki five years after theaccident—harmony between health monitoringand scientific research.” Dr. Toshiya Inaba, Professor, Research Institute for Radiation Biology andMedicine of Hiroshima University, and Ms. Reiko
Horimukai, Assistant Chief, Public Relations andPublications Office, RERF, served as co-presenters.
In his opening lecture, Mr. Sunao Tsuboi,
Chairman, Hiroshima Prefecture Confederation of
A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations, spoke
passionately about his own experiences immediately after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. He

Dr. Inaba (upper left), acted as presenter at lecture, andthree speakers: Dr. Kodama, Chief Scientist (upper right),
Dr. Kai (lower left), Dr. Midorikawa (lower right)

Mr. Sunao Tsuboi speaking about his A-bombing experience

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RERF Update Volume 27, 2016 Winterupdate 6

RERF News
described how he roamed around theruined city after being exposed to thebombing 1.5 kilometers from the hypocenter, how he prepared for death in thevicinity of Miyuki-bashi Bridge, and how
he shouted out a warning to a young girlnot to go in the direction of the blaze.
Every attendee in the hall was surely
moved by Mr. Tsuboi’s strong desire tocommunicate to as many people as possible about the true nature of the atomic
bombings and the need to eliminate
nuclear weapons for global peace.
Dr. Kazunori Kodama, RERF Chief
Scientist, explained that RERF has been
thinking about how to go about conveying its research findings to people in
Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and throughout
the world. He emphasized that RERF is making
every effort to carry out such activities, including
releasing information on its website, holding Local
Liaison Council meetings, and hosting events suchas the Open House and Public Lecture.
Dr. Michiaki Kai, Professor, Oita University
of Nursing and Health Sciences, used figures andcharts to present a readily understandable explanation of radiation protection systems and talked
about how radiation protection standards are basedon the outcomes of health effects studies conductedby RERF in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Public Lecture leaflet

Dr. Sanae Midorikawa, Professor, Fukushima
Medical University, spoke about a major thyroid
screening project conducted after the Fukushima
accident for mothers who feared the onset of thyroid cancer among their children, noting that theoutcome ironically multiplied the mothers’ fears.
The last lecture reminded the audience of theimportance of communication that is sensitive
to the difficulties inherent in striking a balance
between scientific research and health protection,
thus avoiding misunderstandings between examiners and examinees.

Dr. Hayashi Commended as Reviewer for Grant-in-Aid
for Scientific Research Program
On October 11, 2016, Dr. Tomonori Hayashi,
Assistant Chief, Department of Molecular Biosciences (and Fixed-term Research Scientist, Biosample Center) at the RERF Hiroshima Laboratory,
was awarded a certificate of commendation by
the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science(JSPS)* for his work as a reviewer to determine
the allocation of grants for the Society’s Grantsin-Aid for Scientific Research program. The commendation was awarded on the basis of JSPS’s
great appreciation for Dr. Hayashi’s work, which
contributed to fair and impartial review.
Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research are competitive research funds intended to significantly
develop all areas of academic research (based onfree ideas of researchers), from basic to applied science in all fields, covering projects in humanities
and social sciences to natural sciences. Grants areawarded to creative and pioneering research projects after a peer-review screening process. JSPS
reviews applications in a two-stage process, which
consists of a first-stage review (of written proposReturn to Table of Contentsals) and a second-stage review (panel review), bothof which evaluate applications from a specialized
viewpoint to ensure proper and fair grant-allocation

Dr. Tomonori Hayashi, Assistant Chief, Molecular Biosciences Dept., with certificate

RERF Update Volume 27, 2016 Winterupdate 7

RERF News
screening. Furthermore, the Research Center for
Science Systems (RCSS) reviews the process after
screening, and those results are reflected appropriately in the selection of reviewers to serve on thereview committee in the following fiscal year.
Based on assessments by the RCSS, first-stage
reviewers who provided meaningful comments forthe second-stage review are awarded commendation. In fiscal 2016, 268 reviewers, including Dr.
Hayashi, were selected for commendation fromamong the 5,700 first-stage reviewers.
On his work for the Grants-in-Aid for Scientific
Research program, Dr. Hayashi commented, “I
have reviewed about 90 applications as one of thecommittee members. In order to evaluate submitted
applications, an evaluation form with comments,
along with scores, needs to be prepared for eachapplication. It is very time-consuming work.”
He further explained, “In addition, I need to give
each application a score and sort all applications
into a five-point-scale system. I took the review

very seriously, hoping that as many researchers
as possible would receive proper and fair reviews
and be awarded grants to work on their projects
from the Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research
program.”Dr. Hayashi expressed his hope for this projectin the future. “As a recent award trend, it seems tome that applied research leading to useful applications is immediately given more weight.” Dr.
Hayashi added, “But I think that in the long run,it is also important to fund and support work that
focuses on basic research as well.”By having an RERF researcher act as a reviewer
in this program, RERF can also learn more about
how to undergo proper and fair/impartial researchevaluation, insight that could contribute to great
improvement in the quality of RERF’s future
research.
*JSPS homepage
https://www.jsps.go.jp/english/index.html

Staff News
Noriko Inoue was appointed as Visiting
Research Fellow, Department of Clinical Studies, on May 1, 2016. Yoichiro Kusunoki, Chief(Senior Scientist), Department of Molecular Biosciences (concurrently assigned as Chief, Laboratory of Cell Biology), and Michiko Yamada, Chief(Senior Scientist), Division of Radiology, Department of Clinical Studies, both retired on June 30
under the mandatory age limit, but continue toperform research as Fixed-term Research Scientists(Department Chief [Senior Scientist], Departmentof Molecular Biosciences [concurrently assigned
as Chief, Laboratory of Cell Biology] and Chief[Senior Scientist], Division of Radiology, Department of Clinical Studies, respectively) starting
July 1. Fukiko Mitsui, Fixed-term Research Scientist, Division of Medicine, Department of ClinicalStudies, retired on July 31. Takanobu Teramoto,Executive Director, resigned, and on October 1
Akira Hashizume was newly appointed to the postof Executive Director.
The following are a message of greetings fromDr. Hashizume, newly appointed Executive Director, and a farewell message from Mr. Teramoto,former Executive Director.

Greetings and Farewells
Greetings
Akira Hashizume
Executive Director
I would like to begin by expressing how honored I feel to be appointed as Executive Directorof the Radiation Effects Research Foundation(RERF). RERF is an institute at which epidemiologists and public health specialists dream of working, because it is the site of the largest and longest
cohort research in the world.
My parents had just conceived me when the
Lucky Dragon No. 5 was exposed to nuclear
fallout. I spent my childhood being exposed tonuclear fallout caused by hundreds of nuclear tests
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conducted aboveground. In the liberal arts programat my university, I wrote a report on the structure
and principles of atomic weapons with the aim ofearning credit for a course on energy. Looking backnow, atomic bomb radiation and I appear to have
had a deep connection with each other.
After graduating from medical school, I engaged
in public health administration at Japan’s Ministryof Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) for 25
years. When just beginning my career at MHLW, I
received training at the U.S. Department of Health
RERF Update Volume 27, 2016 Winterupdate 8

RERF NewsNew Executive Director, Dr. Akira Hashizumeand Human Services. During this training period, I
had an opportunity to witness America’s views of
the atomic bombings by visiting the Los Alamos
Historical Museum. When I was working on myassignment at the MHLW bureau responsible for
Medical Law, I was in charge of work related tothe protection of patients and medical workers
from medical radiation risk. Part of my role was toundertake the necessary arrangements both insideand outside MHLW to apply the recommendations
from the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) to domestic law. Upon enactment of the Atomic Bomb Survivors’ AssistanceLaw, I had the chance to meet with A-bomb survivors groups and RERF staff. It was then I found outthat I shared a birthday with former RERF Chairman Dr. Itsuzo Shigematsu.
In the course of my duty authorizing diseases
determined to be caused by the atomic bombings, I
read numerous study reports published by RERF as
well as the dosimetry system DS86 report. Immediately after the Atomic Bomb Survivors’ Assistance Law was enacted, I was dispatched to theHiroshima city government to help in implementing the law and spent three years working there.
During my time in Hiroshima, I visited Vienna onbehalf of the Hiroshima mayor to give a speech andto lobby for the 10th International Conference of
the International Radiation Protection Association(IRPA10) to be held in Hiroshima in 2000. The
Conference was convened here that year, becoming
one of my good memories. I was also involved in
implementation and management of a healthcare
project for the residents of Semipalatinsk as partof the Japan International Cooperation Agency(JICA)’s work.
I cannot help but believe that I was destined towork at RERF due to my abiding connection withradiation. I am determined to fulfill my duties as
RERF Executive Director in recognition that thiswill be the last phase of my life’s work.

Farewell Message
Takanobu Teramoto
Former Executive Director
About two months have passed since my retirement from the post of RERF Executive Director at
the end of August 2016. I would like to extend myappreciation to all RERF staff for the support andcooperation they extended to me during my tenure.
I was blessed with a number of rare opportunities in my 11 years at RERF. For one who had notbeen particularly involved in science or medicine,it may have been fate of sorts that I was able toserve in that position for so long, given as how I
often found myself feeling my way around, akinto one of the characters in the parable of the ‘blind
men and the elephant.’
I am deeply thankful to everyone for their support while I was in such a state. I am glad that I
could join forces with the various staff in charge
to make progress on RERF’s transition to a publicinterest incorporated foundation, research ethics
reviews, public relations activities, facility repairsof the Hiroshima and Nagasaki laboratories,
archiving of historical materials, and other issues
involving research and society.
I am pleased to hear that the public lecture
presented as part of the 59th Annual Meeting ofReturn to Table of Contents

the Japanese Radiation Research Society, heldon October 26, was successful, because I had
requested Mr. Sunao Tsuboi earlier in the spring

Former Executive Director, Mr. Takanobu Teramoto, enjoying
nature in Izu-kogen highlands

RERF Update Volume 27, 2016 WinterRERF News / Conference and Workshop Reportsof this year to speak on behalf of the A-bomb
survivors at the event, which was co-sponsored by
RERF. During my RERF tenure, I was indebted
to many people, and in particular, I appreciatedthe opportunity to be on friendly terms with Mr.
Tsuboi. Longing for world peace and advances inmedicine for those exposed to radiation, he wasalways supportive of RERF research and readily accepted all our requests; I have nothing but
respect for him. I dream of a scenario in which Mr.
Tsuboi is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize someday
based on a recommendation by U.S. President
Barack Obama, with whom Mr. Tsuboi shookhands at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park lastMay. It would be almost perfect, by the way, if theHiroshima Carp could win a national baseball title
around the same time.
My current home is in the Izu-kogen highlands
area, not far from Lake Ippeki, in the city of Ito,
Shizuoka prefecture. It is a place surrounded bynature—I rise in the morning to the songs of morning birds (I actually get up earlier than they do). A
pheasant family sometimes appears in my garden
during the day, and a wild pig family crosses infront of our house almost every night. The best“treat” here is the fresh air arising from the woods.

update 9

In their seasons, we can collect edible wild plants,
raspberries, and chestnuts. At local fish shops, we
can inexpensively buy many kinds of fish in season. We had our home built more than 20 years
ago, but this is the first time we will have taken up
residence year-round. If we were to admit to inconveniences, we might come up with a few, such as
there being nearby no supermarket, general hospital, or department store. However, my family and
I are very happy with our life in Ito amidst nature.
I am writing this article from Geneva, Switzerland,
where I am on business. A meeting of the Governing Body of the International Labour Organization(ILO) is being held here, and I am a member of oneof the ILO committees, the Freedom of Association
Committee. I have served RERF for 11 years andthis committee of the ILO for eight, making me
realize that my involvement with both organizations has continued for quite some time.
The more I talk with local people in Izu, themore attached I feel to the area. Even so, I will
think of everyone in Hiroshima and Nagasaki eachAugust 6 and 9. I wish RERF research the very bestof success into the future, and hope that someday
the organization is awarded the Nobel Prize inPhysiology or Medicine.
(November 1, 2016)

ICRP–RERF Joint Meetings Held in Hiroshima and Tokyo“Very Good for Science”
During the period October 6–9, 2016, RERF convened joint meetings at the Hiroshima Laboratory
and Tokyo University (working language: English),in partnership with the International Commission
on Radiological Protection (ICRP), a body founded
in 1928 to provide recommendations and guidanceworldwide on radiation protection.
The agenda in Hiroshima at the RERF Auditorium for the first two days—October 6 and October
7—included both joint meetings with RERF as
well as independent closed meetings of the ICRPTask Group (TG) 91 (Radiation Risk Inference at
Low-dose and Low-dose Rate Exposure for Radiological Protection Purposes) and the ICRP TG 102(Detriment Calculation Methodology).
On October 8, an informal exchange seminarfeaturing young RERF scientists with ICRP seniorresearchers was held first thing in the morning. The
recruitment and training of younger research staff
members is one of RERF’s most urgent concerns.
Its aim in holding this portion of the meetings
was to encourage communication between RERF
younger researchers and ICRP senior scientists. Dr.
John B. Cologne, Senior Scientist, Department of
Statistics, said about his interpretation of the seminar, “ICRP people seemed to perceive it as not just
Return to Table of Contents[about] young scientists but also the current andfuture work of RERF.”
The morning session of the informal seminar
included presentations by three younger RERF
researchers. Dr. Atsuko Sadakane, fixed-term
Research Scientist, Department of Epidemiology, touched on “Impact of medical radiation
exposures on the risk estimate analysis of atomic
bomb radiation.” Subsequently, Dr. Ritsu Sakata,
Senior Scientist, Department of Epidemiology,
made a presentation titled “Health effects of black
rain in Hiroshima and Nagasaki,” and Dr. Ikuno
Takahashi, Associate Senior Scientist, Departmentof Clinical Studies, talked about “Heart diseasemortality among atomic bomb survivors.” Thesecond part of the morning session also had three
speakers from RERF. Dr. Misa Imaizumi, Chief,
Division of Radiology, Department of ClinicalStudies (Nagasaki), spoke on the issue of “Thyroid disease among atomic bomb survivors.” Next,
Dr. Kyoji Furukawa, Associate Senior Scientist,
Department of Statistics, gave a presentation titled“Development of statistical approaches to radiation
risk assessment with atomic bomb survivors,” followed by Dr. Kanya Hamasaki, Research Scientist,
Cytogenetics Laboratory, Department of Molecular
RERF Update Volume 27, 2016 WinterConference and Workshop Reports
Biosciences, who touched on “Fetal irradiation andresearch risk: Dependence on irradiation stage for
persistent cytogenetic damage.”
After a lunch break, ICRP Task Group chairpersons made presentations. ICRP’s Dr. Werner
Rühm, Head of Working Group, Institute of Radiation Protection, described the ongoing efforts of
TG 91 on the theme “Radiation Risk Inference
at Low-dose and Low-dose Rate” and discussed
various issues related to the risk of low doses andlow-dose rates. Dr. Nobuhiko Ban, Commissioner,
Nuclear Regulation Authority, Japan, talked about
the activities of TG 102 regarding “Detriment Calculation Methodology” to calculate “detriment” asa measure of disease severity in terms of lethality,
impact on quality of life, and years of life lost.
The last session of the day featured as speaker
Mr. Mitsuo Kodama (84), an A-bomb survivor who
authored a book on his A-bomb experiences titled“Hibakusha A-bomb Survivor—Eight-fifteen a.m.
August 6, 1945.” He gave a presentation titled “Anatomic-bomb survivor exposed at an extremely
short distance: a history of my life,” touching on
his experiences resulting from the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and greatly moving the audience.
The talk included his descriptions of his exposure
800 meters from the hypocenter in Hiroshima andbeing only one of 19 students from among morethan 300 in the first grade of his junior high school
who were able to return to school. He was 12 at thetime.
Mr. Kodama’s publication was distributed to themeeting participants beforehand, and immediately
following his presentation, 10–15 people lined up
to speak with Mr. Kodama and ask for his autograph. According to Dr. Cologne, the gratitude that
RERF consistently expresses to the survivors fortheir cooperation in the organization’s studies takes
on new meaning, “because I now have a better
understanding of what the survivors went through.”
Mr. Kodama was also invited by Chairman
Niwa to speak at the 22nd Biennial Meeting of theConference on Radiation & Health, in partnershipwith the 62nd Annual Meeting of the Radiation
Research Society, held in Hawaii, October 15–19(see related article, page 12), which many RERF
scientists attended.

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update 10
The University of Tokyo, the following day,
October 9, hosted the “Joint RERF-ICRP Workshop on Health Risk of Radiation and the System
of Radiological Protection.” The Tokyo workshop,
opened by Dr. Christopher Clement, Scientific
Secretary, ICRP, was open to the public and media,
attracting more than 80 participants to listen tolectures provided by ICRP members and RERF
researchers.
From RERF, Dr. Nori Nakamura, Consultant,
Department of Molecular Biosciences, spoke
about “Hereditary effects of radiation in men andin mice.” Dr. Eric J. Grant, Associate Chief ofResearch, spoke on “Dose response of solid cancer
in atomic bomb survivors,” which was followed bya talk by Dr. Rühm titled “Current ICRP stance on
DDREF.” Later, Dr. Kotaro Ozasa, Chief, Department of Epidemiology, gave a presentation titled“Current research on non-cancer diseases in atomic
bomb survivors,” which was followed by Dr.
Tamara Azizova (ICRP), Deputy Director, Southern Urals Biophysics Institute (SUBI), speaking on“Circulatory disease in Mayak workers.”
These lectures culminated in a roundtable discussion on “Futures of Health Risk Research andthe System of Radiological Protection,” chaired as
discussion leaders by Dr. Robert L. Ullrich, RERF
Vice Chairman, and Dr. Ban.
ICRP is a body founded in 1928 to provide recommendations and guidance worldwide on radiation protection. It is an independent international,
non-governmental organization registered as acharity in the United Kingdom with its scientificsecretariat located in Ottawa, Canada, and has
more than 200 volunteers—leading scientists andpolicy makers in the field of radiation protection—from around 30 countries.
These joint meetings in Hiroshima and Tokyo
had the effect of introducing the respected international organization to the younger scientists at
RERF, as well as affording RERF the opportunity,
in collaboration with ICRP, to raise RERF’s profile outside of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, in Tokyo.
According to RERF Chairman Niwa, open andinstructive communication took place over thecourse of the four days. He said, “This kind of
meeting is very good for science.”

RERF Update Volume 27, 2016 WinterConference and Workshop Reports

update 11

Seventh Epidemiological Training Workshop for Biologists
Draws Capacity Crowd, to RERF’s Delight
Ritsu Sakata
Senior Scientist
Department of Epidemiology, Hiroshima
The seventh Epidemiological Training Workshop for Biologists, sponsored by the Council of
Radiation Effects Research Organizations,* washeld at the Hiroshima RERF Auditorium August
29–30, 2016. In addition to the 48 participantsfrom outside organizations, many RERF staff also
attended the workshop and helped to make it a success.
This workshop featured a new session, “Biology
for non-specialists I,” in the morning program on
the first day, with Dr. Asao Noda, Assistant Chief,
Department of Molecular Biosciences, serving as
the speaker. Dr. Kotaro Ozasa, Chief, Departmentof Epidemiology, and Dr. Ohtsura Niwa, RERF
Chairman, then delivered opening remarks to kickoff the workshop.
Lectures on RERF’s epidemiological researchand its results were presented first, including“Epidemiology for non-specialists” by Dr. Sakata;“Recent results from the Life Span Study (LSS)”
by Dr. Ozasa; and “Risk of heart diseases” by Dr.
Kazunori Kodama, RERF Chief Scientist. Following these lectures, Dr. Nori Nakamura, Consultant,
Department of Molecular Biosciences, gave alecture titled “Genetic effects of radiation: why are
they undetected in humans?” to conclude the morning session.
Participant self-introductions, scheduled during
lunchtime, had to be canceled, because the large
number of participants made getting to everyone

difficult.
In the afternoon, the following lectures weredelivered:• “Radiation exposure and thyroid cancer” (Dr.
Misa Imaizumi, Chief, Divisions of Radiology and Clinical Laboratories [concurrent
assignment], Department of Clinical Studies,
Nagasaki)• “Is cancer susceptibility high among those
exposed to radiation at a young age?” (Dr.
Atsuko Sadakane, Acting Chief, Laboratoryof Pathology, Department of Epidemiology)• “Radiation’s effect on the fetus: an unresolved
issue” (Dr. Kanya Hamasaki, research scientist, Department of Molecular Biosciences)• “Mechanism of radiation-induced leukemia”
and “Introduction to mutral understanding ofmouse experiments and epidemiologicalresearch” (Dr. Nakamura)
Most participants also attended the reception party, which began with greetings by Vice
Chairman Dr. Robert L. Ullrich and Dr. Kiyohiko
Mabuchi, Senior Scientist, U.S. National Cancer
Institute (NCI). Participants stayed until late in theevening enjoying conversation.
On the second day of the workshop, the morning session began with “Radiobiology for nonspecialists II” by Dr. Nakamura. This presentation was followed by “Tissue-specific varianceof naturally occurring cancers” (introduction ofTomasetti paper), in which Dr.
Munechika Misumi, Research
Scientist, Department of Statistics, explained the statisticalmodels used in the paper. The
next presentations were “Howshould epidemiology and biology
be connected?” by Dr. Mabuchi
and “Radiation carcinogenesis
and stem cells” by Dr. Niwa.
After the lectures, a general discussion was held to conclude theworkshop.
In his lecture, Dr. Nakamura
explained that the workshop
was initiated on the basis of his
own difficulties in understanding RERF’s epidemiology publications and because he thought
Scene of training workshop at Auditorium, with Dr. Ritsu Sakata, Senior Scientist,
biologists in other organizations
Epidemiology Dept., giving a lecture (at rear left)
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RERF Update Volume 27, 2016 Winterupdate 12

Conference and Workshop Reports / Special Report
would face similar difficulties,
as they were likely not in regularcontact with statisticians or epidemiologists.
To this 2016 workshop, we wereable to attract a broader rangeof participants due to the Japan
Health Physics Society’s efforts topublicize the event. Participationof those in varied fields and fromdifferent backgrounds is welcome
from the viewpoint of enhancing
participant exchange and having
discussions from varied viewpoints.
On the other hand, by preparing
training and lectures focused on
the participants’ various fields andbackgrounds, the program is starting to feel overloaded. We may
have to review our program preparation and think
about modifications, such as making the basic lectures more compact in the future.
RERF technicians also participated in this year’s
workshop. We hope that the event was helpful forthem to reaffirm the mission of RERF and review
scientific basics of their work. In conclusion, I
would like to thank the participants, lecturers, andstaff of the General Affairs Section and the Department of Epidemiology involved in the preparations
for making this workshop a success.

Workshop program*The Council of Radiation Effects Research
Organizations, consisting of the Institute for Environmental Sciences, Kyoto University, Nagasaki
University, Hirosaki University, Hiroshima University, Fukushima Medical University, National
Institute of Radiological Sciences, and Radiation
Effects Research Foundation (order arranged
according to the Japanese syllabary), was established to develop understanding and association
among radiation research organizations.

22nd Biennial Meeting of the Conference on Radiation and Health Heldin Hawaii—RERF and Mitsuo Kodama, A-bomb Survivor, Participate
Eric J. Grant
Associate Chief of Research
The 22nd Biennial Meeting of the Conference on Radiation & Health (CRH), in
partnership with the 62nd Annual Meeting of the Radiation Research Society(RRS), was held on the Big Island of
Hawaii October 16–19, 2016, with the
CRH Early Stage Radiation Investigators(ESRI) Workshop convened on October
15, 2016.
The CRH, formerly sponsored by theAmerican Statistical Association, began
meeting jointly with the RRS Annual
Meeting in 2014. The CRH topics tend to
focus more on epidemiological, radiation
protection, and dosimetric issues, while
the RRS topics tend to focus on the laboratory science of radiation biology and on
clinical radiation therapy. Some sessions
are specifically designated as “joint”
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Scene of annual meeting

RERF Update Volume 27, 2016 WinterSpecial Report

update 13

entire conference) was a presentation by Mr.
Mitsuo Kodama (84), an A-bomb survivor, titled“An atomic bomb survivor exposed at an extremely
short distance: a history of my life.” Mr. Kodama’s
talk touched on his experiences resulting from theatomic bombing of Hiroshima, greatly moving
the audience, some of whom were interviewed on
the spot by a reporter from the New York bureauof NHK, the national public broadcaster in Japan.
Mr. Kodama was invited to speak at the event by
Dr. Ohtsura Niwa, RERF Chairman (see separate
article on Mr. Kodama’s talk to ICRP, page 9), withthe aim of providing researchers the opportunity
to interact with a survivor and learn of his experiences. Mr. Kodama’s talk included descriptions of
his exposure 800 meters from the hypocenter in
Hiroshima and being only one of 19 students fromamong more than 300 in the first grade of his juniorhigh school who were able to return to school. He
was 12 at the time. He touched on the point that heand others of his male friends were unable to father
children, and believed that his radiation exposure
was to blame, as well as on the multiple cancers hehas suffered. He listened politely to all the scientists’ lectures but cautioned the researchers in theroom not to prematurely discount possible hereditary effects among those born to atomic bomb
survivors.
Mr. Kodama authored a book on his A-bomb
experiences titled “Hibakusha A-bomb Survivor—
Eight-fifteen a.m. August 6, 1945,” which was
distributed to the meeting participants beforehand.
Immediately following his presentation, many
attendees lined up to speak with Mr. Kodama andask for his autograph on their book copy. The
opportunity to meet and listen to the stories of oneof the A-bomb survivors who have been studied for
decades at ABCC and RERF gave radiation experts
a human perspective from which to view theirresearch into radiation health effects.
A poster session that evening of October 16 was well represented by a numberof RERF researchers, who displayed theirresearch on the risks for various body tissues in response to radiation exposure, theresults of which are currently being prepared for publication.
On October 19 was held a joint RRS/NIAID symposium titled “Late effectsof radiation injury and the dominoes
continue to fall,” featuring Dr. Tomonori
Hayashi, Assistant Chief, RERF Department of Molecular Biosciences, as speaker.
His presentation, titled “Influenza vaccine
response in 2011–2013 among Hiroshima’s
atomic-bomb survivors,” touched on analysis results of the vaccination immune
response in the RERF survivor population.
Mr. Mitsuo Kodama speaking of his A-bombing experiencegatherings that provide opportunities for topics thatintersect these areas of research. The concurrent
meetings allow attendees to freely move between
sessions and obtain a broad understanding of thecurrent issues in radiation research.
On the first day, October 15, Dr. Harry M.
Cullings, Chief, RERF Department of Statistics,
chaired a session on “Dosimetric Uncertainties” that explored radiation dose estimation in
the Kazakhstan, Techa River, and Mayak worker
cohorts, along with statistical methodologies toaccount for any uncertainties in the dose estimateswhen they are used as the independent variable
in risk regressions. The next morning, October
16, a major CRH session was titled “RERF”
and included five speakers, four of whom werecurrent RERF researchers. Dr. Eric J. Grant,
Associate Chief of Research, spoke on “Cancer
epidemiology of atomic bomb survivors” andincluded some historical topics, including theAtomic Bomb Casualty Commission (ABCC;
RERF’s predecessor organization)’s sometimes
unfavorable treatment of A-bomb survivor study
participants prior to the establishment of RERF;
some in attendance mentioned their appreciation
for his forthrightness. Dr. Cullings then spoke on“Atomic bomb survivor dosimetry,” which detailed
recent upgrades to RERF dose estimates under themoniker “DS02R1.” Dr. Nori Nakamura, Consultant, Department of Molecular Biosciences, later
discussed the work done at RERF on hereditaryeffects of radiation over the long history of ABCC
and RERF. Dr. Kazunori Kodama, Chief Scientist,
discussed RERF’s current efforts on developmentof its Biosample Center and how the organization
hopes the Center will lead to greater opportunities for collaboration with external researchers andinstitutes in the future.
The highlight of the session (and perhaps the

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RERF Update Volume 27, 2016 WinterSpecial Report
Other sessions at CRH included Occupational
Studies, Topical Review of Controversies in Thyroid Cancer Screening, Disaster Consequences andEmergency Preparedness, Radiation Genetics, anda special symposium on Low-Dose Epidemiology in honor of the late Dr. William F. Morgan, aleading figure in the study of biological effects ofionizing radiation. The CRH ended with a banquet
at which Dr. Ruth Kleinerman of NIH was the
speaker and Dr. Marilyn Stovall of University ofTexas Health Science Center was honored for her
lifetime contribution to radiation dosimetry.
In addition to these sessions, the meeting in
Hawaii explored such topics as: increased cancer
risk amid an increasing global population, radiotherapy’s prominent role in the control and eradication of various types of cancers, and the idea thatthe future success of radiotherapy depends on afundamental understanding of radiation effects
at the biophysical, radiochemical, molecular, andtissue specific levels. The theme of occupationaland environmental exposures contributing to secondary radiogenic cancers highlighted the need tounderstand the detailed effects of ionizing radiation
exposure on biology. In addition, improved disease

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update 14
detection and therapy using radiation will improve
patient outcomes and quality of life for cancer survivors and help in reducing health-care costs.
The annual meeting represents an opportunity
for radiation science researchers to discuss new
ideas and findings. The meeting featured a comprehensive scientific program, including world-classplenary speakers, two debate sessions, and fiveinterdisciplinary symposia and workshops covering state-of-the-art radiological sciences with anemphasis on neuroscience. New this year was theinclusion of continuing medical education credits
for certain scientific sessions, enhancing the meeting’s educational objectives.
The Radiation Research Society’s objectives
are, according to the organization: advance radiation research in all areas of the natural sciences;facilitate cooperative research among disciplines
regarding the study of properties and effects ofradiation; and promote dissemination of such disciplines through publications, meetings, and educational symposia.
The next CRH/RRS joint meeting is scheduled
for October 2018 in Chicago, U.S. Dr. Grant will
be a scientific co-chair for the meeting.

RERF Update Volume 27, 2016 Winterupdate 15

Science Articles

Irradiation at different fetal stages results indifferent translocation frequencies
in adult mouse thyroid cells*
Kanya Hamasaki
Department of Genetics*This article is based on the following publication:
Kanya Hamasaki, Reid D. Landes, Asao Noda, Nori Nakamura, Yoshiaki Kodama: Irradiation
at different fetal stages results in different translocation frequencies in adult mouse thyroid
cells. Radiat Res 2016 (October); 186(4):360-6 (doi: 10.1667/RR14385.1)

Study Findings
We examined chromosome aberration frequencies in thyroid tissues of adult mice irradiated during the fetal stage and found that radiation effects
varied depending on the fetal stage at the timeof irradiation. While mice irradiated as 6.5-day
fetuses (before organogenesis) had a relatively low
chromosome aberration frequency (5.8×10-3), adultmice irradiated as 15.5-day fetuses (during the fetal
stage) showed frequencies that were nearly thesame as that of their mothers’ (25.3×10-3). Taking
into account findings from previous studies, weinterpreted these results as an indication that fetal
tissue stem cells record radiation damage primarily
when exposed after locating in their niche*; before
locating in their niche, however, radiation-damaged
cells may undergo negative selection and be unable
to locate in the niche, and therefore the effects ofradiation damage may not remain.
Niche*: Microenvironment in which tissue stem
cells can function.
Explanations
Based on findings from epidemiological studies(case-control studies) starting in the 1950s, fetuseshave been considered highly sensitive to cancer
risks from radiation. However, RERF’s study using
chromosome aberration frequency in lymphocytes
as a marker revealed that few effects of radiation
were observed among in-utero survivors. The present study investigating chromosome aberrations intissues of mice irradiated as fetuses may provide aclue for understanding these apparently contradictory observation results.
1. Study Purpose
To verify differences in fetal irradiation-related
chromosome aberrations among tissues of different
types, we previously studied hematopoietic cells in
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mice and mammary gland epithelial cells in rats.
In this study, we examined chromosome aberration
frequencies in mouse thyroid epithelial cells. We
also conducted experiments using irradiation at
different stages of fetal development to determine
whether or not chromosome aberration frequencies
following fetal irradiation differ by when irradiation occurs.
2. Study Methods
Pregnant female mice were irradiated with 2 Gyof X-rays at day 6.5 or 15.5 after conception. Afterthe neonatal mice reached adulthood (at least eightweeks of age), their thyroid glands and those of
their mothers were removed. We cultured thyroid
epithelial cells for five or six days and preparedchromosome samples using conventional methods.
To detect stable chromosome aberrations, suchas translocation, occurring in thyroid cells due
to fetal irradiation, we employed fluorescence insitu hybridization (FISH),* which labels chromosomes 1 and 3 in green and red, respectively. We
then observed slides of labeled chromosomes andcounted the number of translocations and otherstable chromosome aberrations. In a portion of themice, spleen T lymphocytes were also cultured andassessed for chromosome analysis.
*FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization) isa staining technique. To determine the presence or absence of structural abnormality ina target chromosome (chromosomes 1 and 3
in this study), DNA is extracted from a libraryof the target chromosome and labeled withfluorescence to prepare a probe. (A library
contains DNA extracted from individual chromosomes and amplified in Escherichia coli.)
Following preparation of single-strand DNA
from double-strand DNA of the target chroRERF Update Volume 27, 2016 Winterupdate 16

Science Articles
mosome sample (denaturalization), a reaction
is prompted with the aforementioned probe(hybridization), making it possible to label a
specific DNA sequence artificially.
3. Study Results(1) Adult mice irradiated with 2 Gy of X-rays as
15.5-day fetuses had a higher translocation frequency (30/1155 or 25.3×10-3) in thyroid cells
than did non-irradiated adult controls (0/1007
or 0.1×10-3), a figure that was nearly the sameas that experienced by irradiated mothers andother adult females (43/1244 or 33.6×10-3).
These results are consistent with previously
observed results in fetally irradiated rat mammary cells.
(2) When fetuses were exposed to 2 Gy at an
earlier stage of development (day 6.5) before
thyroid organogenesis, however, the resulting translocation frequency was much lower(3/502 or 5.8×10-3) than that in the mice
irradiated at day 15.5 (30/1155 or 25.3×10-3).
These results reveal that fetal radiation sensitivity differs by timing of irradiation, andthat the effects of thyroid irradiation prior tothyroid organogenesis are insignificant. On theother hand, few chromosome aberrations wereobserved in hematopoietic tissues regardless ofthe timing of irradiation (it is understood that
hematopoietic stem cells locate in their niches
only after birth).

Study SignificanceThis study revealed that chromosome aberration frequencies in mouse thyroid cells due to fetal
irradiation differed by timing of irradiation (prior
to organogenesis/during the fetal stage). Such differences may be partly attributed to whether or not
irradiated tissue stem cells have located in theirniche. If tissue stem cells are irradiated before
locating in this way, aberrant cells cannot locate
in their niche; when such cells are irradiated after
locating in their niches, however, stem cells may
repair DNA damage with the aim of survival, andthus cause mis-repairs of DNA that lead to chromosome aberrations. This study’s results will contribute to understanding of the mechanisms behindcancer risks due to fetal radiation exposure.

Relationship between spontaneous γH2AX fociformation and progenitor functions in circulatinghematopoietic stem and progenitor cells among
atomic-bomb survivors*
Junko Kajimura
Department of Radiobiology/Molecular Epidemiology*This article is based on the following publication:
Junko Kajimura, Seishi Kyoizumi, Yoshiko Kubo, Munechika Misumi, Kengo Yoshida,
Tomonori Hayashi, Kazue Imai, Waka Ohishi, Kei Nakachi, Nan-ping Weng, Lauren F. Young,
Jae-Hung Shieh, Malcolm A. Moore, Marcel R.M. van den Brink, Yoichiro Kusunoki: Relationship between spontaneous γH2AX foci formation and progenitor functions in circulatinghematopoietic stem and progenitor cells among atomic-bomb survivors. Mutat Res Genet Toxicol Environ Mutagen 2016 (May); 802:59-65 (doi: 10.1016/j.mrgentox.2016.03.007)

Study Findings
The self-renewability of hematopoietic stem
cells has been suggested to decline in atomic bomb
(A-bomb) survivors exposed to higher radiation
doses and who had more DNA damage in their
hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs),
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which are responsible for the production of red,white, and other blood cells.

Explanation
1. Study Purpose
Accumulation of DNA damage in hematopoiRERF Update Volume 27, 2016 WinterScience Articles
etic stem cells is known to be one factor in thefunctional decline of human hematopoiesis associated with aging. Not known, however, is whether
an association exists between radiation exposureand hematopoietic decline due to accumulated
DNA damage. This study examined the association between radiation exposure and hematopoietic
function by measuring DNA damage frequency inthe circulating HSPCs of A-bomb survivors.
2. Study Methods
Using peripheral blood collected from 229
consenting A-bomb survivors in Hiroshima who
participated in the Adult Health Study (AHS)
from 2011 to 2013, we evaluated DNA damage frequency using γH2AX foci formation* as amarker. Also assessed was hematopoietic function
including self-renewability of HSPCs, which canbe detected by the cobblestone area-forming cell**assay in CD34-positive/lineage marker-negative(CD34+Lin-) HPSCs. In addition, we measured thelength of granulocyte telomeres*** as a marker forthe assessment of hematopoietic system aging.
*γH2AX foci formation: In the presence ofDNA damage such as DNA double-strand
breaks, γH2AX and other DNA repair proteins form a mass called a “focus” at the
break. By detecting such foci and ascertaining their numbers, DNA damage frequency
can be determined.
**Cobblestone area-forming cell: When acell-culture environment is created in vitro
similar to one in which hematopoietic stem
cells self-renew in the bone marrow (culturing HSPCs in the absence of hematopoietic
factors and in the presence of stromal cells),
hematopoietic stem cells form an undifferentiated cobblestone-like colony, allowing
assessment of how many hematopoietic
stem cells have self-renewability.
***Length of granulocyte telomeres: Cellular
telomere length is a marker used to assess
aging because length of a telomere, a repeatbase sequence located at the end of a chromosome, is shortened at each cell division.
The length of granulocyte telomeres is amarker to assess aging of the entire hematopoietic system, because granulocytes have ashort lifecycle of a few days in vivo and are

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update 17
continuously produced from hematopoietic
progenitor cells.
3. Study Results(1) Frequency of DNA damage in HSPCs in association with radiation dose
DNA damage frequency (γH2AX foci formation) gradually decreased with increasing radiationdose up to 1.5 Gy. At higher doses, an increase infoci was observed. Because DNA damage detectedon the basis of γH2AX foci can be repaired withina few days, detected DNA damage may have been
induced by oxidative stress in vivo over the periodof a few days before blood drawing rather than by
A-bomb radiation. The association observed inthis study with radiation dose may indicate lower
levels of DNA damage stress or more effective
DNA repair among A-bomb survivors exposed to
1.5 Gy or less. Such details are unclear at this point
in time.
(2) Frequency of DNA damage in HSPCs in association with granulocyte telomere length
Frequency of γH2AX foci formation increased
with decreasing length of granulocyte telomeres,
which suggests an association between DNA
damage in HSPCs and aging of the hematopoietic
system. A similar association has been reported
by other studies. In this study, the association withaging was also confirmed in A-bomb survivors.
(3) An interaction effect between radiation doseand frequency of DNA damage
A negative interaction effect between radiationdose and γH2AX foci formation frequency was
indicated in the cobblestone formation assay. This
result suggests that the self-renewability of hematopoietic stem cells may have decreased among
survivors who had a higher radiation dose andmore DNA damage.

Study SignificanceMany years after radiation exposure and as the
A-bomb survivors continue to age, their hematopoietic functions as a group show normal aging,but this study suggests that among A-bomb survivors with large quantities of accumulated DNA
damage in HPSCs, reduced self-renewability ofhematopoietic stem cells due to aging may be
modified by A-bomb radiation exposure.

RERF Update Volume 27, 2016 Winterupdate 18

Human Interest Notes

In Memoriam
Dr. Seymour Abrahamson(November 28, 1927–July 23, 2016)
Dr. Seymour Abrahamson, Professor Emeritus of Zoology at the University of Wisconsin–
Madison, died in Madison, Wisconsin, U.S., July23, 2016, at the age of 88.
He was born in New York City on November
28, 1927, and received his Ph.D. in genetics from
Indiana University, where he studied under theNobel Laureate geneticist Dr. Herman J. Muller.
Dr. Abrahamson joined the U.W.-Madison facultyin 1961, teaching classes on zoology and genetics.
He also supervised a genetics research laboratory
studying radiation effects in drosophila. He twice
served as Chair of the Zoology Department at theuniversity.
In addition to his academic career in the UnitedStates, Dr. Abrahamson served in various posts at
RERF, helping oversee and publish studies regarding radiation effects in atomic bomb survivors.
During 1988–1990, he served as Permanent Director and Chief of Research, and again in the same
posts 1992–1994. During 1995–1996, he worked
as Vice Chairman and Chief of Research and in
the latter months as Permanent Director. In 1998,
he acted as Associate Chief of Research and during 2000–2001 again served as Vice Chairman andChief of Research. For his contributions to scienceand the Japanese people, Dr. Abrahamson received
a distinguished service award from the Emperor ofJapan in 1999.
Dr. Abrahamson, the recipient of many otherhonors, was elected to five professional societies, including the American Association for
the Advancement of Science, and served on
numerous professional boards and committees
on the state, national, and international levels,among them the National Academy of Sciences,
National Council on Radiation Protection, Nuclear
Regulatory Commission, Environmental Protec-

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Dr. Seymour Abrahamson, November 2000, at Hiroshima
RERF

tion Agency, Brookhaven National Laboratory,
Argonne National Laboratory, and Institute ofRegulatory Sciences.
Dr. Abrahamson published more than 100
papers and book chapters in scientific journals
involving health, physics, and radiation, participated on the editorial boards of several professional
publications, and served as Editor-in-Chief ofEnvironmental Mutagenesis.
RERF would like to offer its condolences
to Dr. Abrahamson’s wife, Wisconsin Supreme
Court Justice and former Chief Justice Shirley
Abrahamson, as well as extended family, andexpress our heartfelt appreciation for his significant
contributions to the field of radiation health effects
research over so many years, including the research
conducted at RERF.

RERF Update Volume 27, 2016 Winterupdate 19

Human Interest Notes

In Memoriam
Dr. Charles Wendell Edington(February 26, 1925–September 17, 2016)
Evan B. Douple
Former Associate Chief of Research, RERF
It is with much sadness that I report the passingof Dr. Charles Wendell Edington, former RERF
Vice Chairman, who died in his favorite reading
chair in his home in New Bern, North Carolina,
U.S., September 17, 2016, at the age of 91.
“Charlie” reinforced my interest in, and respect
for, the important work being done at RERF.
When exploring the possibility of a sabbatical in
Washington, D.C., I was invited by Dr. Edington
to assist his staff at the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) Board on Radiation Effects Research(BRER). I will always remember his big smile and“southern gentleman” welcome. On his office wall
was a large chalkboard with numbers in many columns. When I inquired about the figures, he said
he was tracking the daily Japanese yen/U.S. dollar
exchange rate to get the most favorable exchange
for dollar funding from the U.S. government to
RERF—an example of his attention to detail, fairness, and support for RERF.
Charlie was born February 26, 1925, in Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S., and raised on a farm during
the Great Depression. He was awarded B.S., M.S.,
and Ph.D. degrees in zoology from the Universityof Tennessee. He began his career in genetics andstudied the biological and medical effects of radiation at the Biology Division of Oak Ridge National
Laboratory. He taught at Florida State University.
His interests in genetics continued when he moved
to the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), at
which he was promoted to Associate Director of
the Office of Health and Environmental Research,
U.S. Department of Energy, 1981–1985. He left
DOE to work at NAS and was appointed to serve as
RERF Vice Chairman, 1985–1987. Because of his
experience and training in genetics, Dr. Edington
took great interest in RERF biological research andgenetics work.
While residing in Japan, Charlie and his wife
Suzanne made many friends. A “red meat” person
not fond of sashimi, Charlie discovered that thechef of the sushi restaurant Sushitomi on the eastside of Hijiyama had been trained in a famous
western-style steak restaurant; thereafter, the couple was frequently seen eating in Sushitomi andsharing Charlie’s “Tennessee sake” (Jack Daniels)
with the neighborhood “locals.”
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After returning to the U.S., Charlie served as
Director of BRER where he continued to support
RERF through dedicated work. In a book Charlie
recommended about Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission (ABCC; predecessor to RERF) history, I
read of the U.S. intent to get Japan back on its feetquickly following the war by encouraging Japanto re-establish medical infrastructure on its own.
There were also accounts that U.S. medics individually would make special arrangements to provide medical assistance when needed. Last month,in the New Bern obituary, I read: “When Charlie
was a Japanese-language interpreter with an Army
medical unit during the occupation of Japan, hebent the rules to help ensure that a young Japanese
schoolgirl got the medical care she needed to survive a dangerous infection. Back in Japan some 30
years later, he met the girl, Tomoko, again, as wellas her family.”
Of course—that was Charlie Edington as I
remembered him, always kind, fair, helpful andconsiderate of others. I would like to offer my condolences to Dr. Edington’s family and express myheartfelt appreciation for his significant contributions to the research conducted at RERF.

Dr. Charles Edington, July 1987, at Hiroshima RERF

RERF Update Volume 27, 2016 Winterupdate 20

Facts and Figures

Report on NEWS (3rd in series)

RERF Epidemiological Study of Health Effects inFukushima Emergency Workers
Toshiteru Okubo
NEWS Principal Investigator
RERF Senior Consulting Scientist
This is the third in a series of reports, following
the second report, which appeared in the Summer2016 issue of Update. In this article, I will look
into such issues as how we manage study participants dispersed across every prefecture in Japan.
NEWS (Nuclear Emergency Worker Study), as thetitle implies, is an acronym for the official Epidemiological Study of Health Effects in Fukushima
Emergency Workers.

NFIHO member organizations act as collaborating centers throughout Japan
Since Fukushima emergency workers are scattered across every one of Japan’s prefectures (seemap at right), it has been necessary for us to establish centers for conducting interviews and healthexaminations throughout Japan. For this purpose,
we contacted mainly member organizations of the
National Federation of Industrial Health Organizations (NFIHO), which are entrusted with workers’
health examinations. As a result of this effort, 61
NFIHO organizations, including NFIHO branches,
became collaborating organizations.
We have asked each of these organizations toappoint one or two nurses as research coordinators (RCs) to be in charge of coordinating studyrelated work. On March 14–15, 2015, we held theCurrent location of the nearly 20,000 Fukushima emergency workers, who are spread throughout all 47 prefecturesof Japan, including Okinawa (not shown on map; as ofDecember 2014)

first RC meeting in Tokyo to provide training on
epidemiological approaches that RCs would needto understand in order to conduct interviews andhealth examinations for the emergency workers.
The meeting program featured presentations onradiation health effects, basic knowledge in data
management, and the role of the RC, in orderto lay the groundwork for the study.
Collaborating organizations and study participants in Japan by
In addition to the RC meeting, we held aprefecture
meeting
on July 5, 2015, for those in charge
Hokkaido
1
561
Toyama1
16
Shimane178
of administrative work of the collaborating
Aomori1
643
Ishikawa
1
60
Okayama
2
25
Iwate
1
112
Fukui
2
112
Hiroshima
3
126
organizations, since administration of financial
Miyagi
2
370
Yamanashi —90
Yamaguchi —63
requests and payments is also important for
Akita
—
91
Nagano185Tokushima—
8
conducting the study.
Yamagata
1
50
Gifu
2
56
Kagawa—55
Fukushima
2
5388
Shizuoka
3
263
Ehime
1
82
We then researched how many health examIbaraki
2
1021
Aichi
4
169
Kochi
1
21
inees could be accepted for individual visits to
Gunma
1
288
Mie
1
59
Fukuoka4303
the collaborating organizations, and held the
Tochigi
1
216
Shiga
1
26
Saga
1
73
following seminars on special examination
Saitama
1
1137
Kyoto
1
59
Nagasaki
1
139
Chiba
1
1409
Osaka
1
255
Kumamoto
1
41
techniques.
Tokyo
6
2404
Hyogo
1
224
Oita
1
43
a) Thyroid ultrasound (7/2/15, 11/12/16)
Kanagawa
2
2009
Nara
—
10
Miyazaki138b) Structured interview for psychologicalNiigata2
1244
Wakayama
1
27
Kagoshima1
44
Tottori
1
16
Okinawa
151
effects (2/7/16, 2/14/16, 7/9/16, 10/15/16)
c) Photomicrography for cataracts (in the planNumbers of collaborating organizations (middle column) in eachning stage)
Japan prefecture and study participants (right column)

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RERF Update Volume 27, 2016 WinterFacts and Figures
In addition to biochemical tests of blood to be
conducted when obtaining blood samples, we plan
to preserve part of the blood and urine samples atminus 80 degrees C on a long-term basis, because
we intend to confirm retrospectively the onset ofchanges and development of symptoms regarding
any disorders found later. Multiple issues must be
resolved before starting collection and preservation of samples on a full-scale basis. One such
issue is standardization of the technical approach
to treating sample blood among the collaboratingorganizations, as treatment of these blood samples
is different from the normal work of these organizations, which specialize in medical checkups
at workplaces. Another matter to be consideredis standardized transport of the samples to RERF,
where samples will be preserved, from the healthexamination centers throughout Japan. For thisreason, in FY2015 we limited transport to whole
blood at 4 degrees C.
The current study involves many persons andorganizations. The approximate number of study
participants, 20,000, is not particularly large forthis kind of epidemiological project, but the number of their workplaces exceeds 1,000, and theaddresses of the workers are scattered nationwide.
That is why we have asked about 70 collaborating organizations throughout Japan to conduct
interviews and health examinations. In conducting
examinations over such a wide network, we cannot
help but entrust the handling of personal data to thecall centers contacting emergency workers and thesample transport operators. Multiple collaborating
researchers and six individual research institutes
may actually handle the emergency workers’ data.
Since this cross-sectional structure of the study ishighly likely to change over time, it is importantfor us to establish an information processing system that has continuity and can cope with changes
in the information network. Needless to say, it isalso essential to develop a specialized information
processing and distributing system equipped withstrict confidentiality to ensure that personal information can be communicated without error oversuch a wide network. We are currently working on
developing such a system to satisfy these requirements.

Quality control as a key issue to consider inthe futureWith the increased upper limit permitted forradiation exposure in emergency work, the national
government has directly determined general healthcontrol criteria for all such emergency workers.
Setting the national limit as the minimum standard,
however, the Tokyo Electric Power Company(TEPCO) and its prime contractors have prepared
their own additional services. As a result, a variety
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update 21of systems for safety and industrial health management have been established by contractors and corporations. Regarding exposure dose, for example,
the limits set by some companies are obviously
low compared to the average. For this reason, when
conducting our analysis in the current study, we
may have to focus not only on dose variance but
also on other possible confounding factors, including preliminary education on radiation protection,
countermeasures for heatstroke and labor load, anddifferences in the hotels where the workers stayed.
The urgent task for us at the moment is to solicit
participation in the study by as many emergency
workers as possible. But based on our past experience, we anticipate a range of problems in addition
to differing perceptions among the workers. For
instance, many of the study participants still workat a distance from their families, and as a result, if
we send mail to their registered addresses, the mailis often received by the workers’ family members.
In such cases, we will have to contact the workers
through their family members to determine the siteof the workers’ health examinations.
Systematic duplication of health examinations
is another issue to consider. Most of the candidate study participants are hazardous operations
workers who are eligible for application of special
health care under the Industrial Safety and Health
Act, and therefore they basically undergo healthexaminations twice a year (routine examinations
and special examinations/examinations for specifictask workers). In addition to these examinations,the national government has conducted screenings
for cancer, thyroid disorder, and cataracts for theseworkers, depending on exposure dose; at the sametime, the government has established a national
network for counseling of the workers. TEPCO
has been providing supplementary examinations
as well. Because we are adding our study-related
examinations in circumstances that involve almost
excessive health examinations, we will have toconsider the factor of examinee stress. Since weplan to conduct a time-dependent analysis of theresults on a long-term basis, an important factor forour study-related examinations will be firm quality
control. The frequency of examinations, however,will probably be once every two-to-three years,
and one of our major tasks will be to coordinate
the timing and frequency of these multiple healthexaminations and test items, and develop a systemthat is useful for individual examinees’ health control.

Importance of building good relationships
with the study participants
In working on invitations to individual emergency workers to participate in our study, we havereceived inquiries based on workers’ concerns
RERF Update Volume 27, 2016 WinterFacts and Figures
about involvement in hazardous work and the relevant system of benefits. For examination-specificquestions, we have received comments and inquiries about the possible costs for detailed checkup or
treatment and compensation for potential disease
occurrence. If any health disorder is found in ourstudy-related examinations, our project will not beable to bear the costs for additional detailed checkups and further treatment. Some corporations may
be able to take care of this issue for those who arestill working, but when retirement of the workers
increases in the future, such compensation will
be more difficult. Even now, non-regular workers,
such as those working on a temporary basis, are
not financially compensated for time spent in thehealth examinations, and this has often been cited
as a reason for workers refusing to participate in
the examinations. Generally speaking, if someone
suffers a disease that is deemed eligible for workers’ compensation, he/she will have a chance toreceive compensation. Even so, compliance withcompensation criteria could be an issue. We understand that we should build good relationships withthe candidate study participants from the outset andprovide them with enough information to prevent
conflicts stemming from misunderstandings. Someof those conflicts are exemplified in past legal court
cases involving workers’ compensation and atomic

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update 22bomb diseases.
As much as we try to address these social concerns, our fundamental purpose, as stated above,is to elucidate the health effects of low-dose radiation. To this end, we will attempt to analyze exposure dose as accurately as possible, thus enhancing
the reliability of health-effect index measurements,
and pay full attention to confounding factors when
conducting analysis.
In addition to NEWS, another line of follow-up
is ongoing with respect to national government
workers, including members of Japan’s SelfDefense Forces, firefighters, and law-enforcement
officers who provided emergency help and worked
immediately after the accident during the earlyhazardous time. Incidentally, a considerable number of national and local government workers who
must have entered the damaged facility in responseto the accident are not included in the scope of
emergency workers for NEWS.
Information transfer is vital in the present project, which involves a large number of study participants, collaborating organizations, and researchcollaborators. The next NEWS article in this series,
scheduled to appear in the Summer 2017 issue ofUpdate, will look into the computer system thatplays an important role in facilitating this communication.

RERF Update Volume 27, 2016 WinterPublications

Recent Publications(Japanese): the original article is in Japanese.

update 23(April); 69(4):374-6. (Proceedings of the 56th
Late A-bomb Effects Research Meeting, 2015)(Japanese)

Cologne JB, Furukawa K: Re: Asymptoticallyunbiased estimation of exposure odds ratios incomplete records logistic regression. Am J Epidemiol 2016 (July); 184(2):160.

Kusunoki Y: Report. The 41st Meeting of Chugokuarea Radiation Research Society. Hoshasen
Seibutsu Kenkyu [Radiat Biol Res Commun]
2016 (September); 51(3):294-7. (Japanese)

Goossens ME, Isa F, Brinkman M, Mak D, Reulen
R, Wesselius A, Benhamou S, Bosetti C, Buenode-Mesquita B, Carta A, Allam MF, Golka K,
Grant EJ, Jiang X, Johnson KC, Karagas MR,
Kellen E, La Vecchia C, Lu CM, Marshall J,
Moysich K, Pohlabeln H, Porru S, Steineck G,
Stern MC, Tang L, Taylor JA, van den Brandt P,
Villeneuve PJ, Wakai K, Weiderpass E, White E,
Wolk A, Zhang ZF, Buntinx F, Zeegers MP:
International pooled study on diet and bladdercancer: the bladder cancer, epidemiology andnutritional determinants (BLEND) study: design
and baseline characteristics. Arch Public Health2016 (July); 74(30):1-10.

Masaoka H, Matsuo K, Ito H, Wakai K, Nagata C,
Nakayama T, Sadakane A, Tanaka K, Tamakoshi
A, Sugawara Y, Mizoue T, Sawada N, Inoue M,
Tsugane S, Sasazuki S for the Research Groupfor the Development and Evaluation of Cancer
Prevention Strategies in Japan: Cigarette smoking and bladder cancer risk: An evaluation basedon a systematic review of epidemiologic evidence in the Japanese population. Jpn J Clin
Oncol 2016 (March); 46(3):273-83.

Hamasaki K, Landes RD, Noda A, Nakamura N,
Kodama Y: Irradiation at different fetal stages
results in different translocation frequencies inadult mouse thyroid cells. Radiat Res 2016
(October); 186(4):360-6. (RR 9-15)
Hayashi T, Hu Y, Yoshida K, Ohishi W, Hida A,
Hayashi I, Kyoizumi S, Kusunoki Y, Nakachi K:
Radiation-associated breast cancer risk and ATM
genotypes among atomic-bomb survivors.
Hiroshima Igaku [J Hiroshima Med Assoc] 2016
(April); 69(4):277-80. (Proceedings of the 56th
Late A-bomb Effects Research Meeting, 2015)(Japanese)
Imaizumi M: Clinical aspects of thyroid. Epidemiology. Japan Thyroid Association ed. Guidebookof thyroidologists. Tokyo: Shindan to Chiryo
Sha; 2016, pp 43-6. (Japanese)
Kajimura J, Kyoizumi S, Kubo Y, Misumi M,
Yoshida K, Hayashi T, Imai K, Ohishi W,
Nakachi K, Weng NP, Young LF, Shieh JH,
Moore MA, van den Brink MRM, Kusunoki Y:
Relationship between spontaneous γH2AX fociformation and progenitor functions in circulatinghematopoietic stem and progenitor cells among
atomic-bomb survivors. Mutat Res-Gen Tox En
2016 (May); 802:59-65. (RR 12-15)
Kondo H, Soda M, Yokota K, Mine M: Association
between the effects of exposure status for theincidence rates of cancer and age at bombing.
Hiroshima Igaku [J Hiroshima Med Assoc] 2016
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Nakamura N: Can gene fusions serve for fingerprints of radiogenic cancers? Hoshasen Seibutsu
Kenkyu [Radiat Biol Res Commun] 2016
(March); 51(1):75-87. (Japanese)
Okubo T: Responding to questions even 70 years
after the A-bombings. Hiroshima Igaku [JHiroshima Med Assoc] 2016 (April); 69(4):2404. (Proceedings of the 56th Late A-bomb Effects
Research Meeting, 2015) (Japanese)
Okubo T: FY2014 Report of EpidemiologicalStudy of Health Effects in Fukushima Emergency Workers. 2015 (March), 97 p. (Japanese)
Okubo T: FY2015 Report of EpidemiologicalStudy of Health Effects in Fukushima Emergency Workers. 2016 (March), 172 p. (Japanese)
Okubo T, Kodama K: Long-term epidemiological studies of the A-bomb survivors and theiroffspring: Past, present and future. Hoshasen
Seibutsu Kenkyu [Radiat Biol Res Commun]
2015 (December); 50(Special Issue):122.
(Japanese)
Ozasa K: Long-term health effects of the atomicbomb radiation. Hiroshima Igaku [J Hiroshima
Med Assoc] 2016 (April); 69(4):253-8. (Proceedings of the 56th Late A-bomb Effects
Research Meeting, 2015) (Japanese)
Ozasa K, Sakata R, Cullings HM, Grant EJ: Association of acute radiation syndromes and rain
after the bombings in the atomic-bomb survivors. Radiat Res 2016 (June); 185(6):604-15.
(RR 1-15)

RERF Update Volume 27, 2016 WinterPublications
Rakhypbekov T, Noso Y, Takeichi N,
Chaizhunusova N, Kazbek A, Bakytbek A, Aidal
R, Pak L, Katayama H, Hoshi M: The present
problems of Semipalatinsk nuclear test site.
Hiroshima Igaku [J Hiroshima Med Assoc] 2016
(April); 69(4):335-41. (Proceedings of the 56th
Late A-bomb Effects Research Meeting, 2015)(Japanese)
Toyota S, Kuwabara M, Kaseda S, Tsuya T,
Yamasaki M, Noma J, Fujimoto M, Tsumura H,
Ishida H, Haruta D, Kishikawa N, Koike T,
Ichiku N, Hara E, Kamigochi K, Tsuchiya A,
Ishigami T, Kuroki S, Yuta M, Matsuyama K,
Sadakane A, Oda T: Report on the results of the20th medical examination of atomic bomb survivors resident in North America. Hiroshima Igaku[J Hiroshima Med Assoc] 2016 (May);
69(5):387-414. (Japanese)
Yoshida K, Misumi M, Kubo Y, Yamaoka M,
Kyoizumi S, Ohishi W, Hayashi T, Kusunoki Y:
Long-term effects of radiation exposure andmetabolic status on telomere length of peripheral

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update 24
blood T cells in atomic bomb survivors. Radiat
Res 2016 (October); 186(4):367-76. (RR 2-16)
Yoshida K, Nakashima E, Kyoizumi S, Hakoda M,
Hayashi T, Hida A, Ohishi W, Kusunoki Y: Metabolic profile as a potential modifier of long-term
radiation effects on peripheral lymphocyte subsets in atomic bomb survivors. Radiat Res 2016
(September); 186(3):275-82. (RR 16-15)

Publications Using RERF Data
Bertrand RJ: The Hiroshima/Nagasaki survivor
studies: Discrepancies between results and general perception. Genetics 2016 (July);203(4):1505-12.
Kawakami H: Statistical significance of cancer risk
after low-dose protracted exposure--importanceof handling age dependence. Materials for the
3rd Meeting of the Communication Network for
Citizens and Scientists to Study Radiation. 2016
(August), 25 p. (Japanese)

RERF Update Volume 27, 2016 Winterupdate 25

Editor-in-Chief’s Greetings

Editor-in-Chief’s Greetings
Welcome to the Update Winter edition of 2016.
This marks my inaugural issue as Editor-inChief, after involvement in the publication foryears, first as editor/translator and next as technical editor. I will rely on Dr. Eric J. Grant, RERF’s
Associate Chief of Research, to serve as Scientific
Advisor (see his greetings on page 26). I owe adebt of gratitude to Dr. Harry M. Cullings, theprevious Editor-in-Chief, for his dedication to thenewsletter since the summer of 2013.
My hope for Update is that it continues to
evolve, with the help of my able colleagues in the
Public Relations and Publications Office, into apublication that gives readers a chance to absorb
our newest research results and peek into the innerworkings of RERF as an organization engaged
in work that touches the public in sometimes
subtle but significant ways. Our data are used, forinstance, in radiation protection standards worldwide, as well as in Fukushima in 2011, when
the Japanese national government had to devise
guidelines for evacuation from affected areas andfor emergency nuclear workers working to control the crisis (see our NEWS series on page 20).
My challenge with Update is to shine light on theimportance of RERF work, work that would be
impossible without cooperation from the A-bomb
survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
I have resided in Japan for nearly two decades,
most of that time in Hiroshima. The impression theBusy Update work schedule for 2016 Winter edition

atomic bombings left on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
is indelible. I often wonder whether the cities could
ever emerge from that history with their innocence
restored. I also am aware, however, of the important roles that those cities alone can play in theworld precisely because of their experience. RERF
shares with the world the knowledge it has learned
concerning radiation health effects from survivorsof the atomic bombings of the two cities. I am
proud to contribute my part to that effort.
My two children, with guidance from their
Japanese mother, attend local schools. I am gratefulfor the safe environment in which they can learn
and grow. I am hopeful they will become adults
with pride in this city in which they were born

New Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Hart (2nd from left) and Technical Editors Yutaka
Ogasawara (left), Sayaka Green (2nd from right), Jun Kitamura (right), with copyof new Update cover in Hijiyama Hall garden
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RERF Update Volume 27, 2016 Winterupdate 26

Scientific Editor’s Greetings
and raised and that the experience provides them aplatform from which to speak on important issuesof our time.
This year, 2016, was marked by memorable
events: Hiroshima hosted its first-ever visit by asitting U.S. president, Barack Obama, in May,
something that Dr. Cullings touched on in previous
greetings (see Summer edition Update 2016). The
Olympics in Rio were, as always, awe-inspiring;
Japanese athletes won 41 medals, their best showing ever. The Hiroshima Carp baseball team madeit to the championship series—after winning theCentral League pennant for the first time in 25
years—only to be defeated in 6; no more of thatissue shall be spoken here. In the U.S., the Cubs
won the World Series after a century-plus. The
presidential election captured even Japan’s attention; when visiting Hiroshima University HighSchool to speak on English scientific writing, I
was approached by a security guard who discussed
his take on the election and its global implications(my teaching experience will appear in the next
Update). Scientifically, RERF submitted since

the last Update the newest paper on its seminal
longitudinal study of solid cancer incidence in the
A-bomb survivors (to be touched on next issue).
In November, we published a paper on differences
found in mutation frequency in mice depending
on fetal stage of irradiation (see page 15). Anotherpaper looked at gene foci formation and progenitor
functions in blood among atomic bomb survivors(see page 16). In addition, for younger generations,
RERF initiated an effort to communicate about
radiation in a new School Visit program (see page
4).
I spend considerable time trying to bridge cultural and linguistic differences both at home and atwork. Update, a bilingual publication, represents aforum for me to apply what I learn to the issue ofcommunicating RERF to the public.
My team and I invite you to enjoy this newest
issue and the issues to come.
Jeffrey L. Hart
Editor-in-Chief

Scientific Editor’s Greetings
Welcome to the latest edition of RERF Update.
Long-time readers will recognize several changes
in this edition. First, is the emergence of Mr. Jeffrey L. Hart as Editor-in-Chief. Mr. Hart serves as
Chief of RERF’s Public Relations and Publications
Office, which has taken on the bulk of the responsibilities in producing Update. Readers and staff
alike owe a hearty thanks to our most recent Editorin-Chief, Dr. Harry M. Cullings, who has filled inadmirably since the departure from RERF of Dr.
Evan B. Douple at the end of 2012. Dr. Cullings
will continue to offer advice on Update as needed.
Finally, I bid you all greetings as the incoming Scientific Editor and will do my best to uphold the finework performed by so many before me.
I was appointed as RERF’s Associate Chief ofResearch in April 2016. I have worked for RERF
since December 1997, most recently as AssistantChief of the Department of Epidemiology. My roleas Scientific Editor of Update will be to help Mr.
Hart decide which scientific materials to include
in the publication and to help with the writing andediting of content.
This edition focuses on the recent Conferenceon Radiation and Health (CRH) held in October
2016. CRH is a major international conference,and RERF was well represented, with a total of 18
scientists giving either oral or poster presentations.
In addition, scientific articles appear in the Science
Articles section, from page 15 to page 17.
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Since our last publication in June 2016, Dr.
Akira Hashizume was appointed as RERF Executive Director on October 1 (see his greetings on
page 7). Dr. Hashizume worked in Hiroshima 20
years ago at the Hiroshima City Social Affairs
Bureau and most recently served as a physician
in Fukuoka prefecture. The previous Executive
Director, Mr. Takanobu Teramoto, served RERF
for more than 10 years, and we wish him the very
best as he transitions to retirement (see his message of farewell on page 8). In sadder news, wewish to report the death of Dr. Shigenobu Nagataki,
RERF’s Chairman from 1997 to 2001, who passed
away at age 84 in November.
RERF is beginning to prepare for the 44th Sci-

Dr. Eric Grant, Scientific Editor, in his office

RERF Update Volume 27, 2016 Winterupdate 27

Scientific Editor’s Greetings
entific Advisory Committee (SAC) meeting, which
will be held in March 2017. Each year, a different research department is designated for focused
review. In the spring of 2016, the Department ofClinical Studies was reviewed, and in 2017 thedepartment will respond to the recommendations
made at that time. The Department of Epidemiology will undergo focused review in 2017, and forthis purpose, the SAC has been strengthened by theaddition of one Japanese epidemiologist (Dr. Kazuo
Tajima, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine) and one U.S.-based epidemiologist (Dr. Amy
Berrington de González, U.S. National Cancer
Institute). Besides such departmental reviews, theSAC will also review RERF’s three new Research
Clusters (Cancer, Non-Cancer, and Genetics), eachof which will present its progress over the past 12
months for the first time in special sessions.
I hope that you enjoy this edition. I believe thatthe new arrangement of the Update editorial staff is
a positive change and acknowledges the long hours
that the Public Relations and Publications Office
dedicates to bringing you this publication. We lookforward to your feedback.
Eric J. Grant
Scientific Editor

This newsletter is published twice a year by the Radiation Effects Research Foundation (RERF;
formerly the Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission), established in April 1975 as a private, nonprofit Japanese foundation. It is supported by the government of Japan through its Ministry of
Health, Labour and Welfare and by the United States through its Department of Energy (DOE), inpart by DOE contract DE-HS0000031 with the National Academy of Sciences. RERF became apublic interest incorporated foundation on April 1, 2012.
RERF conducts research and studies—for peaceful purposes—on medical effects of radiation
and associated diseases in humans, with a view to contributing to maintenance of the health andwelfare of the atomic-bomb survivors and to enhancement of the health of all humankind.
Editor-in-Chief: Jeffrey L. Hart, Chief, Public Relations and Publications Office
Scientific Editor: Eric J. Grant, Associate Chief of ResearchTechnical Editors: Jun Kitamura, Sayaka Green, Yutaka Ogasawara, Public Relations and Publications Office
Editorial Policy
Contributions to RERF Update receive editorial review only and do not receive scientific peer
review. The opinions expressed herein are those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect
RERF policies or positions.
Contact: Mailing address: RERF Public Relations and Publications Office, 5-2 Hijiyama Park,
Minami-ku, Hiroshima 732-0815 Japan
Telephone: 81-82-261-3131; Facsimile: 81-82-263-7279
Internet: http://www.rerf.jp/ (Access RERF’s Facebook page here.)

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RERF Update Volume 27, 2016 Winterwww.rerf.jp

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