Childhood exposure due to the Chernobyl accident and thyroid cancer risk in contaminated areas of Belarus and Russia

The thyroid dose due to 131I releases during the Chernobyl accident was reconstructed for children and adolescents in two cities and 2122 settlements in Belarus, and in one city and 607 settlements in the Bryansk district of the Russian Federation. In this area, which covers the two high contamination spots in the two countries following the accident, data on thyroid cancer incidence during the period 1991-1995 were analysed in the light of possible increased thyroid surveillance. Two methods of risk analysis were applied: Poisson regression with results for the single settlements and Monte Carlo (MC) calculations for results in larger areas or sub-populations. Best estimates of both methods agreed well. Poisson regression estimates of 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were considerably smaller than the MC results, which allow for extra-Poisson uncertainties due to reconstructed doses and the background thyroid cancer incidence. The excess absolute risk per unit thyroid dose (EARPD) for the birth cohort 1971-1985 by the MC analysis was 2.1 (95% CI 1.0-4.5) cases per 10(4) person-year Gy. The point estimate is lower by a factor of two than that observed in a pooled study of thyroid cancer risk after external exposures. The excess relative risk per unit thyroid dose was 23 (95% CI 8.6-82) Gy(-1). No significant differences between countries or cities and rural areas were found. In the lowest dose group of the settlements with an average thyroid dose of 0.05 Gy the risk was statistically significantly elevated. Dependencies of risks on age-at-exposure and on gender are consistent with findings after external exposures

Resource potential of some species of the genus Miscanthus Anderss. under conditions of continental climate of West Siberian forest-steppe

In the meantime, search for environmentally friendly renewable energy sources alternative to fossil fuel has been driven by energy security challenges including limited availability of fuel and energy price fluctuations. Therefore herbal perennial grasses with their rapid growth and prominent biomass yield increasingly make it a favorite choice as a valuable agricultural crop usable for cellulosic ethanol production. As an example, the genus Miscanthus Anderss. (silvergrass) comprises ca. 14–20 species including M. sacchariflorus (Maxim.) Hack., M. sinensis Anderss., M. purpurascens Anderss, and M. × giganteus, which appear to be an almost inexhaustible source of sustainable raw material, and several Miscanthus species were investigated as a potential biofuel energy crop with commercially viable way of its producing. Introduction and investigation of Miscanthus species were initiated in the Central Siberian Botanical Garden of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (CSBG SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia) based on the grass and ornamental plant collection in the late 1990s. The paper objective is studying the biological traits of three Miscanthus species introduced into the CSBG SB RAS, selection and genetic identification of cultivars and varieties as the most perspective agricultural crop. To evaluate the potential crop yield and selection prospects of Miscanthus species being competitive as a valuable biofuel energy crop, the authors have estimated seasonal rhythms of model species development in the continental climate conditions of West Siberia. The article characterizes different Miscanthus varieties obtained either by the ex situ or in situ methods; presents the biochemical analysis of plant material and molecular identification of three Miscanthus species introduced into the CSBG SB RAS. The seasonal development analysis of three selected varieties of Miscanthus (M. sacchariflorus, M. sinensis, and M. purpurascens) proved the hydrometeorological conditions to be advantageous for prominent biomass yield, e. g. contributory to use Miscanthus in West Siberia as an easy to grow cellulose-rich grass. Molecular markers applicable in DNA-identification and genetic passportization of Miscanthus varieties have been established, which are perspective as such an economically available plant material as alternative non-woody source of cellulose

The formation and the study of a collection of the Miscanthus resource species gene pool in the conditions of the West Siberian forest steppe

Several species of the genus Miscanthus Anderss. (elephant grass) characterized by a high rate of growth of the aboveground vegetative mass are currently in the focus of attention due to their high practical application as a source of bioethanol and cellulose. The main goals of this study were: (1) molecular genetic identification and (2) histochemical analysis of the genus Miscanthus Anderss. species in the collection of Central Siberian Botanical Garden SB RAS in order to identify the most perspective and technically valuable individuals. To study the collection of Miscanthus samples, a multi-disciplinary approach was applied. To collect the samples of different species from native habitats, traditional systematic and geobotanical methods (comparative morphological and phytocenological) were used. According to the results of the ISSR-analysis, 16 samples of three Miscanthus species were divided into two clades: Sinensis and Sacchariflorus, the former including two subclades. For the samples of M. purpurascens_I and II, a hybrid origin of this species was confirmed by ISSR data. The molecular data obtained from the study allowed us to hypothesize that the samples involved in the subclade I of the Sinensis clade could be used as donors of resistance to adverse environments, and the samples of the subclade II, as donors of high biomass productivity. Based on histochemical analysis, sclerenchyma cells were characterized by the most lignin-rich thickened membranes, so the most appropriate direction in Miscanthus selection should be based on identification and using less lignin-containing samples

Частота встречаемости гиповитаминоза D и ассоциации плазменной концентрации 25(OH)D с показателями активности заболевания у пациентов с ревматоидным артритом

Vitamin D deficiency is an important environmental risk factor that influences the prevalence and severity of several autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency in patients with RA, to establish the relationship between serum vitamin D levels and indicators of disease activity. 156 patients with RA were included in the study, mean age 60.2 ± 13.9 years. Assessment of clinical status was performed, serum concentrations of rheumatoid factor (RF), C-reactive protein (CRP), total vitamin D (25(OH)D), antibodies to cyclic citrullinated peptide (ACCP) were determined. RA disease activity was evaluated using DAS28 (disease activity score), SDAI (Simplified Disease Activity Index) и CDAI (Clinical Disease Activity Index) scores. Average levels of 25(OH)D in the surveyed sample were 25.2 ± 13.2 ng/ml. The results of the study indicate a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in patients with RA. Normal indicators of vitamin D, its insufficiency and deficiency were observed in 47 (30.3 %), 45 (28.7 %) and 64 (40.7 %) patients, respectively. Low level of serum 25(OH)D was associated with higher indices of RA activity according to DAS28, SDAI and CDAI, as well as with greater tender joint count. Vitamin D should be prescribed as an adjunctive therapy in patients with active RA due to its potential immunomodulatory effect, as well as for the prevention and treatment of bone metabolism disorders.Гиповитаминоз D – важный экологический фактор риска, влияющий на распространенность и тяжесть некоторых аутоиммунных заболеваний, включая ревматоидный артрит (РА). Цель настоящего исследования – выявить частоту встречаемости дефицита и недостаточности витамина D у пациентов с РА, установить ассоциации плазменной концентрации 25(ОН)D с показателями активности заболевания. В исследование включены 156 пациентов с РА, средний возраст 60,2 ± 13,9 лет. Пациентам проводилась оценка клинической картины заболевания, выполнялось определение уровня ревматоидного фактора (РФ), С-реактивного белка (СРБ), содержание общего витамина D (25(OH)D), антител к циклическому цитруллинированному пептиду (АЦЦП). Активности РА оценивались с применением расчетных индексов DAS28 (Disease Activity Score), SDAI (Simplified Disease Activity Index) и CDAI (Clinical Disease Activity Index). Средние уровни 25(OH)D в обследованной выборке составили 25,2 ± 13,2 нг/мл. Нормальные показатели витамина D, его недостаточность и дефицит наблюдались у 47 (30,3 %), 45 (28,7 %) и 64 (40,7 %) пациентов соответственно. Результаты проведенного исследования свидетельствуют о высокой распространенности гиповитаминоза D у пациентов с РА. Низкий уровень 25(OH)D у пациентов с РА ассоциируется с более высокими показателями активности заболевания по индексам DAS28, SDAI и СDAI и большим количеством болезненных суставов. Назначение витамина D целесообразно использовать в качестве дополнительной терапии у пациентов с активным РА с потенциальной иммуномодулирующей целью, а также для профилактики и лечения нарушений костного метаболизма

The Fukushima Daiichi Accident

The Fukushima Daiichi Accident consists of a Report by the IAEA Director General and five technical volumes. It is the result of an extensive international collaborative effort involving five working groups with about 180 experts from 42 Member States with and without nuclear power programmes and several international bodies. It provides a description of the accident and its causes, evolution and consequences, based on the evaluation of data and information from a large number of sources available at the time of writing. The set contains six printed parts and five supplementary CD-ROMs. Contents: Report by the Director General; Technical Volume 1/5, Description and Context of the Accident; Technical Volume 2/5, Safety Assessment; Technical Volume 3/5, Emergency Preparedness and Response; Technical Volume 4/5, Radiological Consequences; Technical Volume 5/5, Post-accident Recovery; Annexes. The JRC contributed to volumes 1,2 and 3, which are attached.JRC.F.5-Nuclear Reactor Safety Assessmen

Emergency Exposure Situations: IAEA Safety Standards and Guidance

The Incident and Emergency Centre (IEC) of the International Atomic Emergency Agency (IAEA) is the global focal point for preparedness and response to nuclear and radiological incidents and emergencies irrespective of their cause. In the area of preparedness the Centre continuously works to develop standards and guidance for strengthening Member States’ preparedness; practical tools and training programs to assist Member States in promptly applying the standards and guidance; and organizes a variety of training events and exercises. This paper provides an overview of the information presented in the IAEA Safety Standards and Guidance in the area of emergency preparedness and response

INTERLEUKIN-2 – AND INTERFERON-ALPHA- INDUCED CHANGES OF PERIPHERAL BLOOD LYMPHOCYTE SUBPOPULATIONS IN CHILDREN WITH ADVANCED MALIGNANCIES, TREATED WITH CHEMOTHERAPY AND WHOLE BODY HYPERTHERMIA

Abstract. The effect of cytokine preparations (Interleukin-2/IL-2/Proleukin and interferon-alpha/IFN-α 2b/ Intron A) on immune cell subpopulations has been studied in the children suffering with advanced malignancies during intensive chemotherapy cycles combined with whole body hyperthermia (thermochemotherapy). It was shown that IFN-α 2b promotes recovery of peripheral lymphocyte counts in the patients. However, no sufficient changes were observed for the lymphocyte subpopulations. Furthermore, more profound lymphopenia along with increased contents of activated (CD25+, HLA-DR+) T cells occurs in a group of children treated with IL-2, as compared to the patients who received IFN-α 2b. Besides that, some differential effects upon the CD4+/CD8+ T-cell ratios were observed in the patients treated with Proleukin or Intron A, with a tendency to increase in CD4+ T-cells for the patients treated with IL-2. It was concluded that differential immunomodulatory mechanisms mediate the effects of IL-2 and IFN-α 2b in the patients with malignancies undergoing combined chemobiotherapy with whole-body hyperthermia