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PubMed1999

[From Chernobyl to Morsleben--a public health observation].

On April 26, 1986, a serious reactor accident occurred at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. A total radioactivity of 2 x 10(18) becquerel, i.e. 3.5% of the reactor inventory were released spreading throughout Europe. Radioactive tracers were iodine 131 (with a half-life of 8 days) and caesium 137 (with a half-life of 30 years). Measurements made in Magdeburg by the Institute of Hygiene on May 5th after a heavy thunderstorm indicated a considerable radioactive contamination. Measurements revealed 75,000 bq/kg in grasses, 44,000 bq/litre in storm water and 40,000 bq/kg in garden soil, however, these high values decreased to normal by the end of 1986. The paper describes a stay in Chernobyl in 1989 and the environmental and working conditions prevailing at site. An increase of the cancer rate in the contaminated areas was not observed until 1990; however, thyroid tumours increased in children in Belorussia after that time. The current caesium load of the soils in the area is 10(6) becquerel/cubic metre. As much as 480,000 bq/kg were measured in dried mushrooms picked in the autumn of 1997. Assuming a mean natural exposure to radiation of the population in Germany of 2.4 millisievert/year (mSv/a), the additional load caused by the Chernobyl accident was 5% in 1986, falling to below 0.1% in 1996. Today, 19 nuclear power plants are operating in Germany for power generation. Radioactive substances are used in medicine, research and industry. An opinion on the safety of transports and final dumping of radioactive waste is given, based on a visit to the Morsleben final dump site. The use of nuclear energy and a percentage replacement by renewable energies are discussed from a regional and global perspective (climate protection).

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Pattern of radiation-induced RET and NTRK1 rearrangements in 191 post-chernobyl papillary thyroid carcinomas: biological, phenotypic, and clinical implications.

Molecular genetic aberrations and the related phenotypes were investigated in 191 papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs) from patients exposed at young age to radioiodine released from the Chernobyl reactor. A high prevalence of RET gene rearrangements (62.3%) with a significant predominance of ELE1/RET (PTC3) over H4/RET (PTC1) rearrangements was found in PTCs of the first post-Chernobyl decade. NTRK1 rearrangements were rare (3.3%). In 3.3%, we observed novel types of RET rearrangements: GOLGA5/ RET (PTC5), HTIF/RET (PTC6), RFG7/RET (PTC7), and an as yet undefined RFGX/RET.RET rearrangements, preferentially ELE1/RET, are related to rapid tumor development. At longer intervals after exposure to ionizing radiation, the prevalence of RET rearrangements declines with a shift from ELE1/RET to H4/RET, most significantly in female patients. The prevalence of specific types of rearrangements is independent of age at irradiation. A significantly higher prevalence of ELE1/RET was observed in the most heavily contaminated Oblasts, Gomel and Brest, suggesting a preferential formation of this type of rearrangement after high thyroid doses. RET rearrangement is related to aggressive growth: Rearrangement-positive PTCs were in a more advanced pT category and more frequently in the pN1 category at presentation than rearrangement-negative PTCs. ELE1/RET is related to the solid variant of PTC, H4/RET more frequently to typical papillary structures. The genotype/phenotype evaluation of post-Chernobyl PTCs reveals a characteristic spectrum of gene rearrangements that lead to typical phenotypes with important biological and clinical implications.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

[Ultrasound characteristics of common carotid arteries in Chernobyl clean-up crew members long after the accident].

AIM: Detection of early atherosclerosis and some mechanisms of dyscirculatory encephalopathy development late after the Chernobyl accident. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 57 men (mean age 45.9 +/- 1.18 years) exposed to ionizing radiation after the Chernobyl accident in 1986-1987 (random sample) and 28 healthy men (control) entered the trial. Their examination included ECG, echocardiography, veloergometry (on demand), 24-h monitoring of arterial pressure and Holter monitoring, B-mode ultrasonic scanning in combination with dopplerography and color mapping of blood flow (triplex scanning) of the right and left common carotid arteries on the unit Vingmed CFM (Diasonic Sonotron, Germany) using 7.5 MHz sensor. Blood serum was examined for total cholesterol and triglycerides. RESULTS: Clinical manifestations of atherosclerosis--ischemic heart disease--were detected in 11 examinees (19.3%). Thickening of the complex intima-media which is thought an early marker of atherosclerosis was identified in 28 examinees (49.1%), stenoses and atherosclerotic plaques--in 17(30%) examinees. Three of them had hemodynamically significant stenoses. Increased blood flow in common carotid arteries combined with enhanced pump function of the left ventricle. CONCLUSION: Atherosclerotic vascular alterations detected in the Chernobyl wreckers were encountered 2 times more frequently than clinical symptoms of atherosclerosis. One of the mechanisms of dyscirculatory encephalopathy in them is high blood volume circulating in common carotid arteries in combination with left ventricular pump hyperfunction.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

[The rehabilitative treatment of patients after a myocardial infarct who reside in an area close to the Chernobyl Atomic Electric Power Station].

Rehabilitation treatment is evaluated in 55 patients (long-term results) with a history of myocardial infarction residing in the Chernobyl atomic station zone. It was established that the course of the disease in persons who participated in liquidation of the Chernobyl disaster was characterized by a more frequent development of reinfarctions as compared with the Kiev population. Patients residing in the zone neighbouring the Chernobyl station developed more frequently cardiac failure. This requires detailed examination of these patients during their return to work.

Accidents↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Publishing--weighty characteristic of scientific productivity (analysis of scientific publications of 15-years period since Chernobyl catastrophe)].

We have carried out a complex analysis of scientific reports of the RCRM for the last 15-years since Chernobyl holocaust. One may notice considerable growth of circulation and quality coefficient of publication of scientific research. The tendency shape of the publications over a period of 1986-2001 looks like a straight line and dynamics of references on RCRM publications--an exponential curve. Degree of scientific effort connected with priority directions of the RCRM considerably exceed similar indices in the world. Studies of immunological and hematological irradiation effects, radiation shielding of population, radiation impact on a fetus and offspring are being carried out most intensively nowadays. The article highlights the innovations in the work of the center as a leading part of the research of the RCRM closely tied with the Chernobyl tragedy and its medical consequences, urgent need to improve and develop methodical and directive documents to make better health care management of Ukrainian people suffered from Chernobyl disaster. The above-mentioned consequences and accumulated experience of their resolution having global character, are not only important for Ukraine, but also have an international value.

Periodicals as Topic↗

PubMed2004

[Remote effects of the Chernobyl accident: evaluation of the maxillodental status of the children].

Examinations of children exposed to the Chernobyl factor showed deterioration of the maxillodental status, presenting as a decrease in the incidence of normal-for-age status in comparison with children from the control group. The incidence of dental abnormalities in children whose parents participated in the Chernobyl accident aftermath is increased by 240,09%. The determination of remote effects of the Chernobyl accident for the health status of Russian children requires a differentiated approach and deserves a special study.

Abnormalities, Radiation-Induced↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Retrospective diagnosis of radiation inhalation lesions of the bronchial mucosa in clean-up personnel after the nuclear accident at the Chernobyl nuclear reactor using the micronucleus test].

The aim of the study was to detect radiation lesions in histological samples of bronchial mucosa in Chernobyl wreckers suffering from chronic non-obstructive bronchitis 10 years after Chernobyl accident by the micronuclear test. The study group consisting of Chernobyl wreckers was comparable to the controls by sex, age, smoking and morphological variants of chronic bronchitis. The test in the study group was positive as it showed a significant increase in the number of the ciliated cells in bronchial mucosa as compared to the control group. This suggests a long-term persistence of the radionuclides in the wreckers' bronchial mucosa. The micronuclear test is recommended for diagnosis of inhalation damage to the lungs in persons exposed to radiation.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

[The Chernobyl accident--did it influence the pregnancy outcome in Norway?].

The outcome of pregnancies in the county of Sør-Trøndelag, in Norway, during the 27 months preceding and 21 months after the Chernobyl accident has been analysed on the basis of time of conception. The analysis showed a significant decrease in the number of conceptions during the three months immediately after the accident (April-June 1986). This finding can be interpreted to mean fewer "planned" conceptions. The Chernobyl accident did not seem to have had any impact on the proportion of conceptions ending as spontaneous abortions or ectopic pregnancies. There was a significant drop in the proportion of pregnancies ending as induced abortions during the year after the accident compared with the year before. However, due to some variation during this year it is difficult to draw any definite conclusions concerning the impact of the accident on induced abortions in this county. The proportion of pregnancies ending as births increased significantly during the year after the Chernobyl accident compared with the year before.

Abortion, Induced↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Incidence of congenital anomalies in 2 communities in Croatia before and after the Chernobyl nuclear accident].

The Institute for Medical Protection of Mothers and Children, being regional centre of European registry of congenital malformations (EUROCAT) since 1982, registers congenital anomalies in municipals of Varazdin and Rijeka. Following the nuclear disaster of Chernobyl, there were numerous articles published mainly in daily newspapers, pointing to the increased number of malformations, particularly to Down's syndrome, due to additional irradiation imposed on population. Through this study we wanted to find out whether in Varazdin and Rijeka, following the Chernobyl's accident, there has been any increase of congenital anomalies and whether our regional and EUROCAT registry have been adequate to find out genetic effects of small doses of ionizing radiation. The total incidence of registered congenital anomalies in Varazdin and Rijeka in previous four-year period, amounted to 12.97%, while following Chernobyl, it amounted to 12.7%. Not even nine marker malformations, including Down's syndrome, show any statistically significant increased number of malformations, a year after this nuclear accident. In 18 EUROCAT registries, on almost half a million of newly born children and foetuses, conceived before and after May 1, 1986, the frequency of Down's syndrome and congenital malformations of central nervous system and eyes has been compared. There have been no important differences between two compared groups, and the rate of Down's syndrome was 1.26% before, and 0.91% after the accident. Anticipated stochastic genetic effects of measured and estimated additional doses of radiation imposed to our and Western European populations are too small to be found out neither by regional nor by EUROCAT registries.

Abnormalities, Radiation-Induced↗

PubMed1995

Oncogenic rearrangements of the RET proto-oncogene in papillary thyroid carcinomas from children exposed to the Chernobyl nuclear accident.

Since the Chernobyl nuclear reactor accident, a striking increase of thyroid carcinoma has been reported in children exposed to radiation in Belarus. Because of its unprecedented scale and its emotional implications, this finding has raised concern and called the attention of the scientific community to this major health problem. Although epidemiologically documented, a direct correlation between thyroid cancer and radiation exposure has not been definitely proven at the molecular level. On the assumption that ionizing radiation could cause specific and common cancer-associated genetic lesions, an analysis of oncogene activation and/or tumor suppressor gene inactivation would help to define radiation-induced thyroid carcinomas. Therefore, we have analyzed by different molecular approaches, including Southern blotting, DNA transfection assay on NIH-3T3 cells, and reverse transcription-PCR analysis, six papillary carcinomas from children living in the region of Belarus at the time of the Chernobyl nuclear accident to identify tumor-specific gene rearrangements of the proto-oncogenes RET and TRK, previously found activated in a tumor type-specific manner in papillary thyroid carcinoma. Using Southern blot analysis in four cases, we could detect specific rearranged bands indicating an oncogenic activation of RET that in three cases resulted in rearranged sequences provided by the same activating gene. Moreover, the DNA of the last three cases showed a biological activity in transforming NIH-3T3 cells after the DNA-mediated transfection assay, and the respective NIH-3T3 transfectants were found to express the oncogenic fusion transcripts. These results support the possibility that RET oncogenic activation could represent a major genetic lesion associated with thyroid carcinoma in children exposed to the Chernobyl nuclear accident.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed1995

Caring for survivors of the Chernobyl disaster. What the clinician should know.

The health status of approximately 1 million immigrants in the United States and Israel may have been adversely affected by radiation exposure as a result of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster and cleanup efforts. Many of these immigrants suffer from significant psychological distress, fearing that they have a radiation-induced illness. Based on a review of the literature and our experience from the US National Chernobyl Registry Coordinating Center, we recommend that medical management of these immigrants include routine physical examination, with particular attention to the thyroid gland. Adults should receive regular cancer screening as well as routine blood chemistry tests, thyroid function tests, complete blood cell count, and urinalysis. Children should be examined regularly, with attention to the thyroid and overall body growth. It is reasonable for children to undergo thyroid studies, a complete blood cell count, or neuropsychiatric testing if there is clinical suspicion of a disorder. Given the long latency period for disease induction by radiation exposure, it is still too early to fully assess and draw conclusions concerning the possible health effects of the Chernobyl disaster, and long-term follow-up of all potentially affected individuals is important.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

[The genetic sequelae of the Chelyabinsk and Chernobyl radioactive contaminations].

Genetic consequences of radioactive fall-outs of the Chelyabinsk plant producing plutonium (1949-1952) and the Chernobyl accident have been analysed. Three powerful radioactive fall-outs caused a population genetic dose of 682,801 cSv per 217,750 persons (the average dose was 2.25 cSv). Individual variations were from 1-2 mSv to 1.2 Sv or more. The population genetic dose from the Chernobyl accident was higher (32 x 10(6) man/cSv), but the individual dose was lower (mainly no more than 1 cSv). Progenic analyses of residents of radiation contaminated areas showed no increase in the incidence of congenital anomalies, spontaneous abortions, developmental microanomalies, and Down syndromes (except Byelorussia). Calculations of genetic consequences for the Ural region demonstrated that only in the most contaminated area (the average gonadal dose was 19.5 cSv); a 4.13% increase of the spontaneous level could be observed. In all other areas it was less than 1%. It is difficult to reveal possible genetic consequences of the Chernobyl accident using the real sample size of the newborns. Even in the areas with fall-outs above 15 Ci/km2, the incidence of congenital anomalies did not exceed 1% of the spontaneous level.

Abnormalities, Radiation-Induced↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Genomic instability after exposure to radiation at low doses (in the 10-kilometer zone of the accident at the Chernobyl Atomic Electric Power Station and under laboratory conditions)].

The results of series investigations of late effects after Chernobyl accident are discussed. Genomic instability induced by chronic irradiation of cultural cells in Chernobyl zone and in laboratory conditions have been studied. It was shown that low level prolonged irradiation result in increase of frequency of cells with micronuclei, giant cells, enhancement of radiosensitivity in descendents of early irradiated cells. Chronic low doses irradiation doesn't induce the adaptive response. Comparative investigation of adaptive response in blood lymphocytes of people (adults and children) living in Moscow and in regions polluted with radionuclides (5-40 ci/km2) after Chernobyl disaster have been conducted. In population from contaminated areas the frequency of individuals with definite adaptive response is decreased and there are individuals with increasing radiosensitivity after irradiation in conditioned dose. Chronic irradiation during living on contaminated areas don't induce the adaptive response.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMed1996

Hematological malignancies in the Republic of Belarus after the Chernobyl accident.

The data on post Chernobyl hematological malignancies incidence rates in Belarus are plotted. No statistically significant increase of incidence rates in childhood is observed in contrast to adults. However, no direct association of the incidence rates with a radiation factor is discovered 10 years following Chernobyl. Some indirect correlations are found like chemical pollutions and a possible synergistic effect of the latter with ionising radiation exposure may appear as risk factors for these diseases. Adults demonstrate a significant increase of morbidity due to these malignancies after the Chernobyl disaster.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

Down syndrome clusters in Germany after the Chernobyl accident.

In two independent studies using different approaches and covering West Berlin and Bavaria, respectively, highly significant temporal clusters of Down syndrome were found. Both sharp increases occurred in areas receiving relatively low Chernobyl fallout and concomitant radiation exposures. Only for the Berlin cluster was fallout present at the time of the affected meioses, whereas the Nuremberg cluster preceded the radioactive contamination by 1 month. Hypotheses on possible causal relationships are compared. Radiation from the Chernobyl accident is an unlikely factor, because the associated cumulative dose was so low in comparison with natural background. Microdosimetric considerations would indicate that fewer than 1 in 200 oocyte nuclei would have experienced an ionizing event from Chernobyl radioactivity. Given the lack of understanding of what causes Down syndrome, other than factors associated with increased maternal age, additional research into environmental and infectious risk factors is warranted.

Down Syndrome↗

PubMed1997

A study of the effects of exposure on cleanup workers at the Chernobyl nuclear reactor accident using multiple end points.

Blood samples were collected from 192 exposed workers who participated in the cleanup after the April 26, 1986, nuclear reactor accident at Chernobyl, Ukraine. These samples, together with samples from 73 individuals living in Russia but not involved in Chernobyl cleanup activities, were collected during September 1991 to May 1996 and shipped to the U.S. for evaluation by three bioassays: cytogenetic analysis based on chromosome painting, HPRT mutation analysis and glycophorin A (GPA) variant analysis. Univariate statistical analyses of the results of each bioassay (including adjustments for age, smoking status and estimated precision of the bioassay) found greater frequencies of chromosome translocations and HPRT mutant T lymphocytes among the exposed individuals compared to the controls (P < or = 0.01). GPA analyses showed no significant difference for exposed compared to controls for either hemizygous, N/O, or homozygous, N/N, variant cell frequency. Multivariate analysis of variance of the subset of 44 exposed and 14 unexposed individuals with measurements from all three bioassays found elevated frequencies of chromosomal translocations and HPRT mutants, and reduced frequencies for both GPA end points among the exposed persons compared to the controls. However, none of these differences, considered singly or in combination, was statistically significant (although statistical power is low due to small sample sizes). Mean estimated dose, based on cytogenetic response, for those exposed was 9 cGy (range 0 to 51 cGy) and was less than that estimated by physical dosimetry (25 cGy). Correlation between the end points of the bioassays and estimated physical dosimetry was low (r < 0.2); the only significant correlation found was for physical dose estimate and dates worked at Chernobyl (r = 0.4, P < 0.01), with those working soon after the accident receiving greater estimated doses.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[The effect of factors in the accident at the Chernobyl, Atomic Electric Power Station on the development of nodular goiter in the immediate postirradiation period].

With the purpose of studying effects of a complex of factors of Chernobyl Atomic Power Plant breakdown on evolution of nodular goiter, an analysis was carried out of clinical and laboratory evaluation of 6572 individuals (3549 men and 3023 women) who had taken part in the elimination of aftermath of Chernobyl accident, with regard to sex, dose and length of time during which the above individuals were exposed to radiation. Duration of exposure did not appear to affect nodular goiter rates either in men (7.92% in liquidators of "iodine" period and 8.19% among those of "noniodine" period of irradiation, or women (17.31% and 24.66% respectively). Results of studies made 5-7 years after the Chernobyl accident did not show relationship between incidence rate of nodular goiter and dose of radioactive irradiation received.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1997

[Morbidity of multiple myeloma in material from the Hematology Clinic AM in Lublin after the accident in Chernobyl].

The average dosage of radiation which was measured in Poland during the year after damage of the nuclear power in Chernobyl (according to UNSCEAR) was 0.27 mSv, which gives 11% natural radiation dosage in the period of one year (2.6 mSv). Disturbances of cells genome caused by radiation are possible because of big dosage of radiation in Lublin region. It was interesting to define morbidity and mortality of multiple myeloma (MM) after the damage in Chernobyl. The average latent period of MM is about 20 years (like thyroid carcinoma). The increase of thyroid carcinoma morbidity after the damage of Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Byelorussia. Ukraine, Russia was observed. The increased morbidity rate of MM among patients of Haematologic Department (especially in the third stage of disease) and the increased mortality rate in Lublin region was confirmed.

Air Pollutants, Radioactive↗