title: Radiobiological intercomparison of clinical neutron beams for growth inhibition in Vicia faba bean roots.
abstract: Relative biological effectiveness (RBE) and oxygen enhancement ratio (OER) values of different neutron beams produced at the variable energy cyclotron "Cyclone" of Louvain-la-Neuve (Belgium) were determined. The neutrons were obtained by bombarding a beryllium target with 34-, 45-, 65-, or 75-MeV protons or with 50-MeV deuterons. The biological system was growth inhibition in Vicia faba bean roots. Taking the p(65) + Be neutron beam as a reference, RBE values were found equal to 1.36 +/- 0.2, 1.20 +/- 0.1, 1.00 (ref), 0.98 +/- 0.1, and 1.18 +/- 0.1, respectively; the doses corresponding to 50% growth inhibition were 0.39, 0.44, 0.53, 0.54, and 0.45 Gy. For the same beams, OER values were found equal to 1.55 +/- 0.1, 1.38 +/- 0.1, 1.29 +/- 0.1, 1.41 +/- 0.1, and 1.60 +/- 0.2, respectively.
authors.affiliation: UCL-Cliniques Universitaires St.-Luc, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Beauduin
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gueulette
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vynckier
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wambersie
mesh_terms: D006128:Growth / Q000528:radiation effects; D008954:Models, Biological; D009502:Neutrons; D010100:Oxygen / Q000502:physiology; D010315:Particle Accelerators; D010944:Plants / Q000528:radiation effects; D012062:Relative Biological Effectiveness
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen