1. Inter-comparison project for boron concentration determination at INFN-University of Pavia (Italy) and CNEA (Argentina) A. Portu 1,2, I. Postuma 3,4, M.A. Gadan 1, G. Saint Martin 1, M.S. Olivera 1, S. Altieri 3,4, S. Bortolussi 3,4 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 –

2. Boron quantification techniques ItalyArgentina 0 Alpha spectrometry technique (α-spect) 0 Quantitative neutron radiography (NCR) based on CR-39 nuclear track detector 0 Quantitative neutron autoradiography (QTA) technique using Lexan 0 ICP-OES/ICP-MS

3. KeV tumor healthy tissue background EE xxxx Using the curve of residual energy as a function of tissue thickness, the  x where the  originated is calculated experimental spectra α-spectrometry Using the curve of residual energy as a function of tissue thickness, the  x where the  originated is calculated experimental spectra EE Bortolussi and Altieri, Radiat Environ Biophys (2013) 52:493–503

4. QTA 0 Lexan 0 Calibration standards: 0 SLCs 0 LMP agarose 0 RA-3 (Bs As, Argentina) 0 10 11 n.cm -2, 10 12 n.cm -2 0 PEW, 70 °C, 2 min 0 Individual counting 0 400 x NCR 0 CR-39 0 Calibration standards: 0 Boron aqueous solutions 0 liver homogenates 0 TRIGA Mark II (Pavia, Italy) 0 1,04. 10 11 n.cm -2 (aq solutions) and 1,96. 10 10 n.cm -2 (homogenates) 0 PEW, 70 °C, 10 min 0 Individual counting (roundness selection) 0 115x

5. QTANCR 300 µm 100 µm Boric acid solution (10 ppm)

6. NCR and α-spectrometry Precancerous BPA Normal BPA Tumor BPA Precancerous BPA+GB-10 Normal BPA+GB-10 Precancerous BPA Normal BPA Precancerous BPA Normal BPA Tumor BPA+Thalidomide Precancerous BPA+Thalid Normal BPA + Thalidomide Tumor BPA+Thalidomide Precancerous BPA+Thalid Normal BPA + Thalidomide Samples: tumor, precancerous and normal tissue of the hamster cheek pouch Bortolussi et al., ARI 2014, ICNCT-15

7. QTA and ICP Samples: BDIX rat normal liver GB-10: 50 mg 10 B.kg -1 bw (3 h) BPA: 46.5 mg 10 B.kg -1 bw (3 h) Samples: Tumor of NUDE mice BPA: 350 mg.kg -1 bw (2 h) Portu et al., ARI 69 (2011) 1698–1701

8. In view of the extensive collaboration between both groups, an inter-comparison protocol of the boron determination methodologies is required.

9. Samples a) aqueous boric acid solution with different boron concentration values ranging from 0 to 100 ppm b) liver homogenates prepared with different boron concentration values (0 to 75 ppm) c) liver sections of rats injected with BPA, GB-10 and Liposome-CAOB.

10. Boric acid solutions Comparison of autoradiography techniques

11. Boric acid solutions Comparison of solutions

12. Liver homogenates

14. Liver samples (BDIX rats, euthanised 3 h post administration) (50 mg 10 B.kg -1 bw) (46.5 mg 10 B.kg -1 bw) ?

15. Thank you for your attention!