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Summary
Induction and repair of DNA breaks following irradiation with NIRS cyclotron neutrons were studied in cultured mammalian cells (L5178Y) in comparison to those following γ-rays.
The yield of the total single-strand breaks, 3′OH terminals and sites susceptible to S1 endonuclease following fast neutrons was found to be approximately 50 per cent of that following γ-irradiation. On the other hand, the yield of double-strand breaks was slightly higher after fast neutrons than after γ-rays. The percentage of the total single-strand breaks remaining unrejoined at 3 hours after post-irradiation incubation was found to be distinctly higher after the fast neutrons than after γ-rays. The neutron-induced damage appears to carry a higher proportion of alkali-labile lesions compared to γ-rays.
It was concluded that the increase in the yield of double-strand breaks and of unrejoinable breaks is responsible for a high r.b.e. of the cyclotron neutrons.