title: Calculation of initial yields of single- and double-strand breaks in cell nuclei from electrons, protons and alpha particles.
abstract: A model of the DNA and electron and ion track structure computer codes are used to model damage in the DNA by direct action. This damage is converted into single-strand breaks using the method described by Charlton and Humm (1988) in which a minimum energy deposited in a critical volume of the DNA is correlated with the production of single-strand breaks. It is then assumed that if these single-strand breaks lie on opposite strands and are separated by less than a few base pairs they produce double-strand breaks. Absolute yields of both single- and double-strand breaks expressed in breaks/Gy-dalton are calculated and compared to measured yields. Good agreement is obtained for single-strand breaks while the calculated yields for double-strand breaks are greater than those measured.
authors.affiliation: Physics Department, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Charlton
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nikjoo
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Humm
mesh_terms: D000512:Alpha Particles; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000528:radiation effects; D004247:DNA / Q000528:radiation effects*; D004249:DNA Damage; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded / Q000528:radiation effects*; D004583:Electrons; D008958:Models, Molecular; D011522:Protons; D012984:Software
chemical_list: D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded; D011522:Protons; D004247:DNA