Change in biological availability of 137Cs in grassland ecosystems after the accident at Chernobyl Atomic Energy Station

Between 1977 and 1995, nine stapedectomies using the Robinson-vein graft technique were performed in six high-performance airplane pilots diagnosed with otosclerosis. All of them returned to full active duty after stapedectomy without any vestibular symptoms. These cases illustrate that it can be safe for fighter or test pilots to return to full flight status after stapedectomy. These cases also suggest that full flight status can be reinstated as soon as 3 months after stapedectomy without endangering flight safety.     

Thyroid neoplasms in some regions of Russia after radiation accident in Chernobyl

There is an increase of thyroid carcinoma incidence in regions contaminated after the Chernobyl accident as well as in Russia on the whole. The most considerable increase occurred in younger age groups of population. No difference in thyroid tumors structure was found in polluted with radionuclides and non-polluted regions.     

Transfer of radiocaesium in sensitive agricultural environments after the Chernobyl fallout in Sweden: III. County of V?sternorrland

Clinicians are faced with the difficulty of filtering large quantities of information and incorporating evidence to make safe and accurate diagnostic, therapeutic and management decisions. One solution to this difficulty is the development of evidence-based decision support tools designed to provide relevant and up-to-date evidence to clinicians. However, as investigations of medical decision making have found that hypothesis generation and clinical reasoning differ as a function of expertise, the gathering, interpretation and use of evidence against hypotheses depends on the prior knowledge of the clinician. The specific focus of the study is to understand how clinical evidence is gathered and evaluated during diagnostic reasoning. Verbal data during clinical interactions with physicians, residents and final year medical students were collected and transcribed. The dialogues were analyzed using three levels of coding: cognitive, epistemological and linguistic pragmatic perspectives. Results show that: (a) the ability to index and use adequate evidence by physicians, residents and students is a function of the early generation of accurate hypotheses: and (b) strategies for resolving inconsistent evidence differ as a function of medical expertise. The relationship between these findings and its application for the development of adequate knowledge-based systems for indexing and retrieval is discussed.     

Sedimentation rates measurements in former channels of the upper Rh?ne river using Chernobyl 137Cs and 134Cs as tracers

Fibroblasts derived from patients with late infantile neuronal ceroid lipofucsinosis (NCL) and from a mouse model of NCL are similar to cells in intact animals in that they accumulate subunit 9 of mitochondrial F1F0-ATP synthase (F-ATPase) (Tanner, A., Dice, J.F., Cell Biol. Int. 19 (1995) 71-75). We now report no differences in the synthetic rates of F-ATPase subunit 9 in such affected cells when compared to control cells. However, the degradation rates of F-ATPase subunit 9 are reduced in both the affected human and mouse cells. This reduced degradation applies only to subunit 9 and the homologous vacuolar ATPase subunit among five distinct, reproducible proteolipid bands analyzed. Approximately 15% of newly synthesized F-ATPase subunit 9 is rapidly degraded in control cells, but this rapidly degraded component is absent in both the human and mouse NCL fibroblasts. At confluence, when the accumulated F-ATPase subunit 9 transiently disappears from human NCL fibroblasts, there is an increased degradation of all proteolipids. The pathway of degradation that is enhanced at confluence is likely to correspond to lysosomal macroautophagy. We confirmed that lysosomes were able to degrade F-ATPase subunit 9 after endocytosis of radiolabeled mitochondria. Human NCL fibroblasts were less active than control cells in this lysosomal degradation of endocytosed F-ATPase subunit 9. However, this difference was not specific for F-ATPase subunit 9 since it also applied to total endocytosed mitochondrial protein. We conclude that degradation of F-ATPase subunit 9 can occur by multiple pathways and that a mitochondrial pathway of proteolysis is defective in the late infantile human and mouse forms of NCL.     

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.     

Morphological characteristics of lungs in embryos and fetuses in women living in regions contaminated with radionuclides after accident at the Chernobyl power plant

The possibility of transplacental passage of Cr-90 and Cs-137 as well as their traces appearance in descendants muscles and bones beginning from the 2nd pregnancy trimester (and this was sometimes associated with teratogenic effects) was demonstrated on the abortion material (human embryos and fetuses) from the controlled zones of the Bryansk region. Statistically significant inhibition of the bronchial branching (according to the morphometry of the lung histological section) this indicating the disturbance of the lung prenatal morphogenesis during the "pseudoglandular" developmental stage was observed in the 1st trimester of the pregnancy in the descendants of the irradiated mothers. Lung hypoplasia was observed in some cases in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters of the pregnancy. Activation of lymphoid cells in the fetal lungs and the tendency to the enhancement in them of the ectopic erythroid hemopoiesis was revealed. These processes are considered as a reflection of the compensatory adaptive cellular reaction in the descendants respiratory organs in response to the tissue hypoxia and antigenic stimuli from the organism of the pregnant woman irradiated after the Chernobyl accident.     

The genetic sequelae for plant populations of radioactive environmental pollution in connection with the Chernobyl accident

Populations of Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh., and Pinus sylvestris L., growing within 30 km of Chernobyl and Bryansk region have been analyzed for the frequency of embryonic lethal mutations on Arabidopsis and frequency of chlorophyll mutations and chromosome aberrations by pine. On pine also have been analyzed rate of mutations at enzyme loci in endosperms of seeds. Dose dependence of the value genetic damage on level of radioactive pollution was observed.     

The morphogenic characteristics of human transitional-cell bladder tumors in Ukraine after the accident at the Chernobyl Atomic Electric Power Station]

Ten 13-17-year-old boys with pathocharacterologic peculiarities in premorbid period were examined. Syndrome of affective excitability was observed in pure form in 5 juveniles, while it was combined with hysteric features in 3 patients and with affective instability in 2 ones. These peculiarities of personality resulted in behavioral deviations which promoted the development of alcoholism and exaggerated of disorders conditioned by this disease. Course of alcoholism in the studied cases was unfavourable (binges, intake of large doses of alcohol and of the substitutes, etc) with pronounced disorders of behaviour up to aggression and delinquency. It was established that psychologic motivation (search of psychologic comfort, satisfaction of the need of actualization of personality, etc) played an important role both in development of the disease and in forming its clinical peculiarities.     

The dynamics of thyroid diseases in the inhabitants of Kiev and Kiev Province after the accident at the Chernobyl Atomic Electric Power Station

Autoimmune affections of the thyroid gland were found to be on the increase as were Hashimoto's disease and follicular adenoma, as evidenced by a pathomorphic study in surgically removed thyroid glands of 12684 patients over 1984-1993. Rise in the frequency of malignant tumors was moderate. Increase in the incidence of papillary microcarcinoma against the background of another surgical pathology of the thyroid gland may be an unfavourable prognostic sign of further growth of morbidity of clinically manifest forms of carcinoma in Kiev and the Kiev Province.     

Incidence and time trends in Hodgkin's disease: from parts of the United Kingdom (1984-1993)

Over 3,000 cases of Hodgkin's Disease diagnosed between 1984-93 were used to examine incidence and time trends. These data are part of the Leukaemia Research Fund's specialist Data Collection Study, which is the only large, population-based data set of its type in Europe. The age specific incidence curves showed different patterns for nodular sclerosis contrasted with all other subtypes combined (non-nodular sclerosis). For nodular sclerosis, there was a female excess for young adults, while for non-nodular sclerosis a gradual rise in incidence with age in both sexes was observed. Incidence varied over time, showing a complex pattern with a decreasing trend in males in all Rye-subtypes and no significant change among females diagnosed with nodular sclerosis. These complex patterns of change are different from those seen in other countries. It is concluded that the results provide clear evidence of the heterogeneity of Hodgkin's disease between the sexes and between subtypes, which should be taken into account in future studies.     

The genetic effects in the somatic cells of persons working under chronic irradiation of different intensities after the accident at the Chernobyl Atomic Electric Power Station

A complex genetic study of two groups from of Chernobyl NPP personnel (from "Shelter" unit and 3rd Block) has been carried out using classical cytogenetic and GPA methods. The first group was the most vulnerable from the viewpoint of accumulated dose (exceeding 25 cGy for the moment of study). Positive correlation between individual and group frequencies of cytogenetic markers of irradiation (stable and unstable chromosomes aberrations) and NO mutations in the GPA locus was found.     

Experience with the dynamic dispensary observation of those who worked in the cleanup of the aftermath of the accident at the Chernobyl Atomic Electric Power Station

The possibility of isolating 4-nitrophenols from objects of biological origin by acetic anhydride is investigated. Extracts from biological material were purified by extraction followed by silica gel thin layer chromatography. A method for identification and measurement of phenol 4-nitro derivatives in extracts of human cadaveric liver and blood is developed.     

Hypophyseal-thyroid system function in patients with nonspecific lung diseases who participated in the cleanup of the aftermath of the accident at the Chernobyl Atomic Electric Power Station

A comparative evaluation was done of the condition of the hypophyseal-thyroid axis in those patients with unspecific pulmonary diseases having taken part in the elimination of the aftermath of the ChNPP accident in 1986-1988, as well as patients with no particular prior history and essentially healthy subjects. With the thyroxin content tending downwards, the main differences manifested themselves at the level of hypophyseal control. Provision of the organism with more active forms of hormones was found to be maintained in all the cases at the physiological level.     

Survival of patients with the most frequent malignant neoplasms in the population of Krakow in the years 1985-1989

In 1985-1989 there was not significant improvement of survival rates for the most common cancer sites in Cracow population. Survival of Cracow patients with colorectal, breast and larynx cancer and chronic lymphatic leukaemia were significantly below European mean. This situation is probably typical for whole Polish population.     

Unexpected increase of the CA 19-9 tumour marker in patients with endometriosis

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the ovarian function of women with endometriosis could be identified by serologic concentration of the oncofetal antigen CA 19-9 before, during and after treatment for 6 months with danazol. A total of 15 women with endometriosis, 20-40 years old, were studied. The serum CA 19-9 antigen was measured by immunoradiometric assay. The measurement of CA 19-9 was repeated during the last 15 days of a 6-month therapy period with danazol and after 3 months from the end of the therapy in only seven women. It was found that: 1) Eight out of 15 women (53.3%) showed higher CA 19-9 values than the upper normal limit. 2) Danazol caused a significant decrease in the antigen values which remained stable after the cessation of therapy. This data suggests that endometriosis should be classified among other diseases which cause an increase in the serum levels of CA 19-9 and that ovarian function is related to antigen levels.     

Laparoscopic resection of a benign true cyst of the spleen with the harmonic scalpel producing high levels of CA 19-9 and carcinoembryonic antigen

BACKGROUND: Oral ingestion of immunoglobulins in humans has been shown to be effective as prophylaxis against enteric infections. However, its therapeutic effect in children with infectious diarrhea has hitherto not been proven. We treated children with rotavirus diarrhea with immunoglobulins extracted from immunized bovine colostrum (IIBC) containing high titers of antibodies against four rotavirus serotypes. METHODS: In this double blind placebo-controlled trial, 80 children with rotavirus diarrhea were randomly assigned to receive orally either 10 g of IIBC (containing 3.6 g of antirotavirus antibodies) daily for 4 days or the same amount of a placebo preparation. The daily stool output (grams/kg/day), intake of oral rehydration solution (ml/kg/day), stool frequency (number of stools/day) and presence of rotavirus in stool were monitored for the 4 days during treatment. RESULTS: Children who received IIBC had significantly less daily and total stool output and stool frequency and required a smaller amount of oral rehydration solution than did children who received placebo (P < 0.05). Clearance of rotavirus from the stool was also earlier in the IIBC group compared with the placebo group (mean day, 1.5 vs. 2.9, P < 0.001). No adverse reactions from the colostrum treatment were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with antirotavirus immunoglobulin of bovine colostral origin is effective in the management of children with acute rotavirus diarrhea.     

Incidence of neoplastic polyps in the ileal pouch of patients with familial adenomatous polyposis after restorative proctocolectomy

PURPOSE: Although adenomatous polyps and even adenocarcinomas have been found in the terminal ileum of patients with familial adenomatous polyposis, the prevalence of neoplastic changes in the pouches of patients who have undergone restorative proctocolectomy is unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of pelvic pouch neoplasia in familial adenomatous polyposis patients after restorative proctocolectomy. METHODS: Patients in a polyposis registry who had undergone restorative proctocolectomy were recruited. Demographic, surgical, pathologic, and endoscopic data were obtained from patient records. Video pouchoscopy was done after two enemas and representative biopsies were taken. RESULTS: Of 102 eligible patients, 26 (17 males and 9 females) participated. Median age at ileal pouch-anal anastomosis was 31 (range, 12-58) years. Median follow-up period was 66 (11-156) months. Adenomas were found in the pouch of 11 (42 percent) patients, in the terminal ileum above the pouch in 1 patient, and in the anal canal of 4 patients. Among patients with pouch polyps, three patients had one lesion, three patients had two lesions, and five patients had more than ten lesions. The incidence of polyps increased steadily with time from restorative proctocolectomy. There was no relation between the incidence of pouch polyposis and the severity of colonic or duodenal disease. CONCLUSIONS: Proctocolectomy and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis is associated with a significant risk of pouch neoplasia in familial adenomatous polyposis patients. The severity of pouch adenomas was not related either to the severity of colonic or duodenal disease. The pelvic pouches of all patients with familial adenomatous polyposis who have undergone restorative proctocolectomy should be examined periodically.