INFLUENCE OF IONIZING RADIATION ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF BREAST CANCER. / ВПЛИВ ІОНІЗУЮЧОГО ВИПРОМІНЮВАННЯ НА РОЗВИТОК РАКУ МОЛОЧНОЇ ЗАЛОЗИ.

Breast cancer (BC) is one of the urgent problems of health care, which is due to a constant trend of growth. One of the risk factors for the development of breast cancer is ionizing radiation (IR). Numerous epidemiological and experimental studies have shown the high sensitivity of the mammary gland (MG) to this factor. Consideration of models of absolute and relative risks of the occurrence of radio-induced tumors of the MG in irradiated persons showed the importance of such factors as age at the time of irradiation, multiplicity. frequency of exposure, dose level and concomitant non-neoplastic diseases of the mammary and thyroid gland (TG). Excess radiation-induced cases of cervical cancer were found among irradiated women after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.Epidemiological features of the development of breast cancer under the influence of IV are presented in detail, which is one of the environmental factors involved in the formation of the modern carcinogenic situation. In con-nection with the significant sensitivity of the MG to the carcinogenic effect of IR, this form of neoplasms attracted special attention after the Chornobyl accident. The effect of small doses of radiation after the Chornobyl disaster led to a wave-like change in the incidence of breast cancer in certain periods of the year, and the radiation-induced incidence of this pathology can occur spontaneously.

STATE INSTITUTION «NATIONAL RESEARCH CENTER FOR RADIATION MEDICINE OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES OF UKRAINE¼ - RESEARCH ACTIVITIES AND SCIENTIFIC ADVANCE IN 2022. / РЕЗУЛЬТАТИ РОБОТИ ДУ «ÐÐÐ¦Ð†ÐžÐÐÐ›Ð¬ÐÐ˜Ð™ НАУКОВИЙ ЦЕНТРРАДІАЦІЙНОЇ МЕДИЦИНИ НАЦІОНАЛЬНОЇ АКАДЕМІЇ МЕДИЧНИХ НАУК УКРАЇНИ¼ У 2022 РОЦІ.

Research activities and scientific advance achieved in 2022 at the State Institution «National Research Center for Radiation Medicine of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine¼ (NRCRM) concerning medical problems of the Chornobyl disaster, radiation medicine, radiobiology, radiation hygiene and epidemiology in collaboration with the WHO network of medical preparedness and assistance in radiation accidents are outlined in the annual report. The report presents the results of fundamental and applied research works of the study of radiation effects and health effects of the Chornobyl accident. The report also shows the results of scientificorganizational and health care work, staff training. The Scientific Council meeting of NAMS approved the NRCRM Annual Report.

STATUS OF THE CURRENT DOMESTIC REGULATORY BASE FOR ENSURING RADIATION SAFETY AND ANTI-RADIATION PROTECTION OF MILITARY PERSONNEL DURING THE PERIOD OF MARTIAL STATUS. / СТАН ЧИННОЇ ВІТЧИЗНЯНОЇ НОРМАТИВНОЇ БАЗИ ЩОДО ЗАБЕЗПЕЧЕННЯ РАДІАЦІЙНОЇ БЕЗПЕКИ ТА ПРОТИРАДІАЦІЙНОГО ЗАХИСТУ ВІЙСЬКОВОСЛУЖБОВЦІВ НА ПЕРІОД ВОЄННОГО СТАНУ.

Prerequisite. In the conditions of a full-scale invasion, the issue of radiation safety and anti-radiation protection in the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) occupies a special place, since the aggressor country violated global geopolitical international decisions, occupied civilian nuclear facilities, in the process of their liberation servicemen mayhave to act in conditions of increased radiation risk, the possibility of using tactical nuclear weapons also is not excluded. OBJECTIVE: to investigate the state of the current national regulatory framework for ensuring radiation safety and anti-radiation protection of military personnel during the period of martial law. METHODS: bibliographic, analytical, historical, systematic approach. RESULTS: The main normative document on the organization of radiation safety and anti-radiation protection of both personnel and the population in Ukraine, as well as military personnel, currently in everyday conditions and in case of radiation accidents since 1998 and until now, are the State Hygienic Standards «Radiation Safety Standards of Ukraine (NRBU-97)¼. But neither in this document, nor in the transition to NRBU-2021-P, the issue of exposure to such a category as military personnel during the performance of combat (special) tasks is considered. The system of monitoring the radiation situation in Ukraine, documents on the organization of medical support for military personnel, including the Guidelines on the Medical Support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine for a Special Period (2019)and the Guidelines on the Organization of Radiation Safety in the Armed Forces of Ukraine (2020), were analyzed.modules of radiation safety principles in the Armed Forces of Ukraine were proposed. CONCLUSION: The unsolved problem of normalization of the radiation factor in the case of man-made and socio-political emergencies can create significant problems in the organization of anti-radiation protection of troops and the population in the case of the use of nuclear weapons or radiation accidents in a special period and requires anurgent solution. It is obvious that there is a need to develop regulatory documents regarding the response and planning of continuous activities to respond to potential nuclear and radiation threats during martial law, including relationships at all levels of the management vertical and methods of communication in the event of a threat.

THYROID CANCER INCIDENCE IN THE POPULATION OF UKRAINE AND ITS EPIDEMIOLOGICAL DETERMINANTS: IONIZING RADIATION AND ENDOCRINE DISRUPTORS. / ЧАСТОТА РАКУ ЩИТОПОДІБНОЇ ЗАЛОЗИ У НАСЕЛЕННЯ УКРАЇНИ ТА ЙОГО ЕПІДЕМІОЛОГІЧНІ ДЕТЕРМІНАНТИ: ІОНІЗУЮЧЕ ВИПРОМІНЮВАННЯ ТА ЕНДОКРИННІ РУЙНІВНИКИ.

OBJECTIVE: to estimate the risk of thyroid cancer incidence in the population of Ukraine in connection with its exposure to radioactive iodine fallout of Chornobyl origin and the use of pesticides in agricultural production in the country. OBJECT OF STUDY: Incidence rates of thyroid cancer in the population of Ukraine in 2001-2019, average regional radiation doses absorbed by the thyroid because of the Chornobyl accident, the volume of use of various groups of pesticides in the regions of Ukraine. RESEARCH METHODS: statistical, mathematical and cartographic. RESULTS: The study covering the period of 2001-2019, revealed significant temporal and regional differences in the thyroid cancer incidence in the population of the Ukraine regions in 2001-2019. The existence of a significant correlation between the thyroid cancer incidence and the amount of radiation exposure to the thyroid associated with the Chornobyl accident was established. The existence of a significant correlation between the thyroid cancer incidence and the degree of pesticide use intensity in agriculture in the Ukraine regions was established. A significant value of multiple correlation r = 0.5866 (p < 0.05) was found between the thyroid cancer incidence in Ukraine andthe average regional radiation doses and the pesticide use intensity in agricultural production in the country. CONCLUSIONS: A reliable value of the multiple correlation between the value of the average regional radiation exposure doses to the thyroid associated with the Chornobyl accident and the degree of pesticide use intensity in the national economy of Ukraine and the thyroid cancer incidence in the population was determined.

EFFECT OF IRON ON BONE TISSUE METABOLISM AND THYROID FUNCTION IN CHILDREN LIVING ON RADIOLOGICALLY CONTAMINATED TERRITORIES SINCE THE ChNPP ACCIDENT. / ВПЛИВ ЗАЛІЗА НА ПРОЦЕСИ МЕТАБОЛІЗМУ В КІСТКОВІЙ ТКАНИНІ ТА ФУНКЦІЮ ЩИТОПОДІБНОЇ ЗАЛОЗИ УДІТЕЙ, ЯКІ ЖИВУТЬ НА РАДІОАКТИВНО ЗАБРУДНЕНИХ ТЕРИТОРІЯХ ПІСЛЯ АВАРІЇ НА ЧАЕС.

OBJECTIVE: identification of clinical and metabolic characteristics of osteogenesis and factors affecting bone mineral density (BMD) in children living in radioactively contaminated territories (RCT) after the ChNPP accident for the use of therapeutic and preventive measures aiming to reduce the incidence of disorders. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Children aged 4 to 18 years old (n = 539) were involved in the study within 4 age groups, namely under 7 years old, 7-10 years old, 10-14 years old, older than 14 years old. Studied parameters in children with a reduced BMD (85-65 relative units and under 65 relative units) were estimated vs. the normative BMD (100-85 relative units) cases. Diagnosis of osteopenia and osteoporosis in children was established according to the BMD T-index. Family history of the relatives of children was studied. Body weight at birth, fractures of the long bones, complaints of osalgia, jaw anomalies, dental caries, presence of obesity, and hypermobility syndrome (HMS) were assessed. Peripheral blood biochemical tests were performed featuring the serum total protein, alkaline phosphatase (APh), calcium, vitamin D, creatinine, serum iron (SI), ferritin, cortisol, pituitary thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and free thyroxine (FT4) assay. BMD was measured and radiation doses in children were reconstructed. RESULTS: BMD depended on the age of children. A direct correlation was established between the cholelithiasis and urolithiasis incidence (р < 0.01), cancer and endocrine diseases (р < 0.05) in the relatives of children that had BMD under 65 relative units. Dental caries developed more often (р < 0.05), while obesity was less frequent (р < 0.05) in the subjects with BMD < 65 relative units. A direct correlation was established between the level of serum creatinine and BMD (р < 0.01), and there was an inverse correlation between the serum APh level and BMD (р < 0.001).Every third child had a vitamin D deficiency. Fractures of long bones and increased content of SI and TSH were characteristic for the children having got osteopenia (BMD within 85-65 relative units), while besides a predisposition to bone fractures the higher levels of SI, APh, cortisol both with calcium deficiency were found in children with osteoporosis (BMD < 65 relative units) compared to the general group with a similar BMD. An increased incidence of HMS was characteristic too. Radiation doses in children with osteopenia were higher than in those with osteoporosis: (1.17 ± 0.09) mSv and (0.92 ± 0.06) mSv respectively (р < 0.05). No correlation was found between the radiation doses and clinical signs, blood biochemistry or BMD. CONCLUSIONS: Study of the functional mechanisms of bone structures in children, depending on their metabolism, had made it possible to reveal the factors that affect bone formation in children living in RCT after the ChNPP accident, and to form the population groups for the timely application of therapeutic and preventive measures aiming to reduce the incidence of disorders of musculoskeletal system.

THE COURSE OF CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA AFTER SARS-COV-2 VIRUS INFECTION. / ПЕРЕБІГ ХРОНІЧНОЇ ЛІМФОЦИТАРНОЇ ЛЕЙКЕМІЇ НА ТЛІ ІНФЕКЦІЇ ВІРУСОМ SARS-COV-2.

Objective - to investigate the course of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in patients after SARS-CoV-2 virus infection taking into account anamnestic exposure to the ionizing radiation (IR).Methods. The study was performed in a group of 51 CLL patients who were admitted to the Department of Radiation hematology of the National Research Center for Radiation Medicine of NAMS of Ukraine, Kyiv, from January 2020 (the beginning of SARS-CoV-2 epidemic) to August 2023. The group included 19 (37.3 %) clean-up workers of the Chornobyl NPP accident, 15 (29.4 %) inhabitants of radionuclide contaminated areas and 17 (33.3 %) IR non-exposed patients. The diagnosis of CLL was based on clinical history, lymphocyte morphology, and immunophenotypic criteria. Statistical studies were performed using the SPSS software package, version 20.0.Results. The diagnosis of CLL was established for the first time in 14 patients, in seven of them, CLL was diagnosed after 2-17 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection. In contrast to patients who did not suffer from a coronavirus infection, they had pronounced lymphadenopathy, which in some cases was accompanied by hyperleukocytosis, and needed early treatment. Thirteen patients with a previously established CLL were diagnosed with COVID-19 by PCR test. In seven of them (53.8 %) starting treatment was needed, or CLL has progressed. Seven of 51 patients (13.5 %) were vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2. Then, four of them were diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection, confirmed by a positive PCR test, and two patients had a relapse of CLL within 1-2 months after vaccination. Most of patients with signs of the influence of SARS-CoV-2 infection on CLL belonged to sufferers of the Chornobyl NPP accident Conclusions. The clinical features of CLL that developed after SARS-CoV-2 were characterized firstly. The negative impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on previously established CLL was established. The question about vaccination of CLL patients remains debatable.

COMORBID PATHOLOGY IN FATAL CASES DUE TO CORONAVIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19) IN VICTIMS OF THE CHORNOBYL NPP ACCIDENT. / КОМОРБІДНА ПАТОЛОГІЯ ПРИ ЛЕТАЛЬНИХ ВИПАДКАХ ВНАСЛІДОК КОРОНАВІРУСНОЇ ХВОРОБИ (COVID-19) У ПОСТРАЖДАЛИХ ВНАСЛІДОК АВАРІЇ НА ЧОРНОБИЛЬСЬКІЙ АЕС.

INTRODUCTION: The victims of the Chornobyl accident, as well as whole population of Ukraine, have become the object of the COVID-19 pandemic in today's conditions. As of 01.01.2020, 108,898 victims had documented permanent disability (persons with disabilities) and, as a rule, suffered from 4-6 types of non-tumor chronic diseases of internal organs, primarily the circulatory system, as well as oncological and endocrine pathology, that significantly affect the course of COVID-19 in a severe scenario and contribute to death. This determines the relevance of the issue of the impact of comorbid pathology in fatal cases due to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in victims of the Chornobyl accident.The Objective of the study was to study the nature and significance of comorbid pathology in the victims of the Chernobyl accident who died from COVID-19.Design, object and methods of the study - a retrospective non-randomized, comparative comprehensive analysis of the materials of 134 medical expert cases of male clean-up workers of the Chornobyl accident who died from COVID-19 in 2020-2022 during the pandemic was carried out. The analysis of the materials of expert cases included the study of clinically significant and morphologically confirmed pathological processes. The source of the data was the materials of the Central Interdepartmental Expert Commission of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine on the establishment of causal relationship of diseases, disability and death with the action of ionizing radiation and other harmful factors as a result of the Chernobyl accident. RESULTS: In the structure of comorbid pathology in the clean-up workers of the Chornobyl accident who died due to COVID-19 during 2020-2022, diseases of the circulatory system dominate, which occurred in 86.57% of cases of consideration of medical expert cases. AH complicated the course and contributed to the development of fatal consequences in 52.24% of cases, ChIHD - in 34.32% of cases. The consequences of acute vascular events in the form of post-infarction cardiosclerosis in patients with ChIHD contributed to death in COVID-19 in 29 (21.64%) cases.Cerebrovascular pathology represented by cerebral atherosclerosis was detected in 76 (56.72%) cases of death from COVID-19. Acute vascular cerebral events in the cerebral basin (ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes) contributed to fatal outcomes in 19 (14.18%) cases. The presence and course of diabetes mellitus also had a significant impact on the course and fatal mortality of COVID-19 - 24.63% (33 cases). Chronic respiratory diseases (COPD) influenced the course of COVID-19 and contributed to death in 6.72% (9) of cases, nephrological pathology (ChTIN) - in 2.98% (4) of cases, peptic ulcer disease of the duedenum - in 2.24% (3) of cases. More than half of the clean-up workers of the Chornobyl NPP accident who died due to COVID-19 had more than two severe chronic diseases of the comorbid component and their complications. CONCLUSIONS: Сlean-up workers of the Chornobyl accident who died from COVID-19 had another severe comorbid chronic disease, or several diseases that influenced the course of coronavirus disease and each other and contributed to the development of fatal consequences. Death from COVID-19 is much more common in clean-up workers of the Chornobyl accident suffering from severe disabling non-oncological diseases of the cardiovascular system (arterial hypertension, coronary heart disease), cerebrovascular diseases with consequences of acute vascular events, as well as diabetes mellitus. Victims of the Chornobyl catastrophe, especially clean-up workers of the Chornobyl NPP accident, are at special risk for severe coronavirus disease and death from COVID-19.

ACUTE RADIATION SICKNESS IN HUMAN: ETIOPATHOGENESIS, CLINIC, DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT (LECTURE). / ГОСТРА ПРОМЕНЕВА ХВОРОБА ЛЮДИНИ: ЕТІОПАТОГЕНЕЗ, КЛІНІКА, ДІАГНОСТИКА ТА ЛІКУВАННЯ (ЛЕКЦІЯ).

Under the conditions of war in Ukraine, there remains a high probability that russia will use nuclear weapons or commit terrorist acts against nuclear power plants, which will lead to exposure of the population in doses that cause acute radiation sickness (ARS). In this regard, our medical service must be ready for the treatment of ARS of various degrees of severity under a mass influx of victims. In peacetime, ARS is a rather infrequent pathology, so most doctors lack experience in its treatment. This article, having the form of a lecture, presents material on the pathogenesis, classification, clinic, diagnosis and treatment of ARS, taking into account the modern achievements of radiation medicine. Treatment of ARS is based on the use of pharmaceutical drugs that are licensed in Ukraine. The article will be useful for doctors and medical workers of all branches and levels of health care, who will have to deal with irradiated persons in order to timely identify patients with ARS and provide them with effective treatment.

IMMUNOPHENOTYPE OF LEUKEMIC CELLS IN CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA PATIENTS WITH NOTCH1 AND SF3B1 GENE MUTATIONS.

BACKGROUND: The typical chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) immunophenotype is vital for diagnosis, but the expression of some antigens varies and has prognostic value. There are data that reduced CD20 expression is associated with NOTCH1 and SF3B1 gene mutations. AIM: To determine a high-risk group of CLL patients for prediction of unfavorable NOTCH1 and SF3B1 gene mutations based on immunophenotyping of leukemic cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Flow cytometric and molecular-genetic analysis (mutations of NOTCH1, SF3B1, and TP53 genes using the polymerase chain reaction followed by direct sequencing) was performed in a group of 86 previously untreated CLL patients. RESULTS: The immunophenotype of leukemic cells of all examined patients met the criteria of CLL diagnosis. NOTCH1 gene mutations were found in 21 patients (24.4%), and SF3B1 gene mutations - in 7 patients (8.1%). There were no TP53 gene mutations among the examined patients. A decreased number of CD20+CD5+ cells and a downward trend in the relative index of mean fluorescence intensity (iMFI) of CD20+ cells were found in patients with NOTCH1 and SF3B1 gene mutations. Based on the iMFI level (higher and/or lower than 3.0) and the number of CD20+CD5+ cells among all B-cells (higher and/or lower than 50%), we distinguished CLL cases with low and relatively high levels of CD20 antigen expression. Using ROC analysis and the parameter of low CD20 antigen expression, we could predict the presence of NOTCH1 and SF3B1 gene mutations in 73.3 ± 0.06% of patients (p = 0.001). The risk of NOTCH1 and SF3B1 gene mutations in cases with low CD20 antigen expression was 6.96 (95% CI = 2.53-19.18; p = 0.0001). The revealed regularities were statistically significant for patients in whom the diagnosis was established in all Binet - Rai stages except A0-AI. CONCLUSION: Our data confirmed a reduced CD20 expression in CLL patients with NOTCH1 and SF3B1 mutations. In addition, an approach was proposed to identify high-risk CLL patients for prediction of such mutations: previously untreated CLL patients at advanced Binet - Rai stages (BII, CIII, CIV) with a reduced number of double-positive CD20+CD5+ cells in peripheral blood and/or low iMFI of CD20+ cells.

RADIATION-INDUCED DAMAGE TO THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM AFTER RADIATION THERAPY IN WOMEN WITH BREAST CANCER. / RADIATsIINO-INDUKOVANI URAZhENNIa SERTsEVO-SUDYNNOÏ SYSTEMY PISLIa PROMENEVOÏ TERAPIÏ U ZhINOK, KhVORYKh NA RAK MOLOChNOÏ ZALOZY.

Despite current research in the development of drugbased cytostatic and targeted therapies in the treatment of breast cancer, radiation therapy (RT) is an important component in the treatment of this pathology in the postoperative period. At the same time, an important problem is the development of pathological changes in the heart in the longterm period, which worsen the quality of life and increase the risk of cardiac death 10 or more years after RT The problem of heart damage due to RT is gaining new significance due to the existing increase in the number of cancer patients requiring radiation exposure in the modern world. RT of malignant tumors of the breast and organs of the chest cavity causes damage to all structures of the heart, including the coronary arteries, valves, conducting system, pericardium. The frequency of heart damage increases in proportion to the time that has passed after RT. According to some authors, the prevalence of clinically significant radiationinduced heart diseases 5-10 years after RT is 10-30%, and the frequency of asymptomatic lesions is 88%. The duration of the latent period can reach 15-20 years. The work has an analysis of longterm studies of the presence of pathological changes that are found in the heart tissues of patients with breast cancer, as a result of radiation therapy.

CLASSIFICATION OF MEDICAL EQUIPMENT FOR ANTI-RADIATION PROTECTION. / KLASYFIKATsIIa MEDYChNYKh ZASOBIV PROTYRADIATsIINOGO ZAKhYSTU.

Any collection of objects of study needs some arrangement, i. e. classification. The existing numerous classifications of antiradiation agents are built on the basis of their antiradiation effects of an integrated or differentiated nature. The work presents the chronology of the main classifications of chemical compounds that are able to protect against the shortterm and longterm effects of ionizing radiation when they are introduced into the body both before and after exposure. The change of views, trends and paradigms regarding radioprotective compounds is shown. These classifications of antiradiation medicines include radioprotectors, means of stimulating the radioresistance of the body, means of prevention and suppression of the primary reaction to irradiation, means of prevention and treatment of lesions from exposure to incorporated radionuclides, means of treatment of acute bone marrow syndrome, means of treatment of local radiation lesions. It is shown that modern concepts of radiation protection are based on fundamentally different «points of application¼ of groups of radioprotective agents and depend on the stage of radiation damage.

STATE INSTITUTION «NATIONAL RESEARCH CENTER FOR RADIATION MEDICINE OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES OF UKRAINE¼ - RESEARCH ACTIVITIES AND SCIENTIFIC ADVANCE IN 2021. / REZUL'TATY ROBOTY DU «NATsIONAL'NYI NAUKOVYI TsENTR RADIATsIINOÏ MEDYTsYNY NATsIONAL'NOÏ AKADEMIÏ MEDYChNYKh NAUK UKRAÏNY¼ U 2021 ROTsI.

Research activities and scientific advance achieved in 2021 at the State Institution «National Research Center for Radiation Medicine of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine¼ (NRCRM) concerning medical problems of the Chornobyl disaster, radiation medicine, radiobiology, radiation hygiene and epidemiology in collaboration with the WHO network of medical preparedness and assistance in radiation accidents are outlined in the annual report. The report presents the results of fundamental and applied research works of the study of radiation effectsand health effects of the Chornobyl accident.The report also shows the results of scientific-organizational and health care work, staff training. The Scientific Council meeting of NAMS approved the NRCRM Annual Report.

LATE ONCOLOGICAL AFTEREFFECTS OF RADIATION EXPOSURE CAUSED BY THE CHORNOBYL ACCIDENT. / VIDDALENI ONKOLOGIChNI NASLIDKY RADIATsIINOGO OPROMINENNIa, SPRYChYNENOGO AVARIIeIu NA ChORNOBYL'S'KII AES.

Studies of the longterm oncological consequences after the Chornobyl accident show a significant impact of radiation exposure on the cancer incidence rate in affected population in Ukraine. This is supported by the increased radiation risk of leukaemia in liquidators, which exceeds national population rates, and its value is comparable to the data on hibakushi, who were subjected to Abombings. For the first time in the cleanup workers cohort the radiation dependence of chronic lymphoid leukaemia was established. There are radiation associated risks of leukemia in children who have been exposed to radiation from the Chornobyl accident. There has been registered an increase of thyroid cancer incidence in children and adults (liquidators, evacuees from the 30km exclusion zone and residents of the most contaminated territories). There is an excess of breast cancer in female liquidators. The frequency of all forms of malignant neoplasms decreases over time but still exceeds national rates. Further monitoring of malignant neoplasms in the groups of affected population will allow evaluating the radiation risks of cancer forms whose radiationassociated manifestation is already known from previous studies or can be expected in the future.

STATUS OF THE CELLULAR IMMUNITY IN CLEAN-UP WORKERS OF THE CHORNOBYL ACCIDENT AND PATIENTS WITH CANCER OF THE MOUTH CAVITY, ORAL AND LARYNGEAL PART OF THE PHARYNX. / STAN KLITYNNOGO IMUNITETU V UChASNYKIV LIKVIDATsIÏ NASLIDKIV AVARIÏ NA ChAES TA KhVORYKh NA ZLOIaKISNI NOVOUTVORENNIa POROZhNYNY ROTA, ROTOVOÏ TA GORTANNOÏ ChASTYN GLOTKY.

OBJECTIVE: to establish cellular immunity in clean-up workers of the Chornobyl accident compared to patients with malignant neoplasms of the oral cavity, oral and laryngeal parts of the pharynx according to the subpopulation organization of peripheral blood leukocytes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined 112 males, age (56,92 ± 6,17) years (M ± SD), including 26 male clean-up workers exposed at the radiation dose 10-500 mSv; 20 male clean-up workers exposed at the dose range 504-990mSv; 33 patients with malignant neoplasms of the oral cavity, oral and laryngeal parts of the pharynx and 33 non-exposed subjects of the control group. Immune cell subsets analysis was performed by the expression of differential and activation antigens of peripheral blood leukocytes using flow cytometry. RESULTS: In assessing each group's cellular immunity, there was a decrease in the number of CD19+ B-lymphocytes, CD3+ HLA-DR+ T- and CD3- HLA-DR+ B-lymphocytes, CD3- 16+ 56+ natural killer cells, combined with an increase in the number of CD8+ T-lymphocytes. An increase in the relative number of CD4+ CD8+ T-lymphocytes was determined in clean-up workers (D < 500 mSv) and cancer patients. An increase in the number of CD8+ T-lymphocytes and a decrease in the number of CD4+ T-lymphocytes were observed in clean-up workers (D > 500 mSv), as well as in cancer patients. In addition, a decrease of monocytes, CD3+ 16+ 56+ , and CD3+ TCRαß+ T-lymphocytes was determined in patients with oncological pathology. CONCLUSIONS: The obtained results show the unidirectionality of changes in cellular immunity in the participants of the liquidation of the consequences of the accident at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant and patients with the investigated oncological pathology, which indicates the formation of persistent violations of antitumor protection in the participants of the liquidation of the consequences of the accident as the basis of oncogenesis. Determining changes in the number of lymphocytes, monocytes, granulocytes, CD4+ T-lymphocytes, CD4+ CD8+ immature T-lymphocytes, the immunoregulatory ratio CD4+ / CD8+, CD3+TCRαß+ T-lymphocytes and CD3+ 16+ 56+ CTL can have an additional effect on the effectiveness antitumor protection and the probability of oncogenesis risk in immunocompromised individuals.

FACTORS AFFECTING MECHANISMS OF INCREASED BONE DENSITY FORMATION IN CHILDREN LIVING ON RADIOLOGICALLY CONTAMINATED TERRITORIES AFTER THE ChNPP ACCIDENT. / ChYNNYKY, IaKI VPLYVAIuT' NA MEKhANIZMY FORMUVANNIa PIDVYShchENOÏ ShchIL'NOSTI KISTKOVOÏ TKANYNY U DITEI, ZhYTELIV RADIOAKTYVNO ZABRUDNENYKh TERYTORII, PISLIa AVARIÏ NA ChAES.

OBJECTIVE: to determine the causes of increased bone mineral density (BMD) based on case history, clinical and laboratory data, including the assay of hormones involved in ossification processes in children, living on radiologically contaminated territories (RCT) after the accident at the ChNPP, compared to the normative BMD patterns. MATERIALS AND METHODS: There were 289 children involved in the study. The 1st group included persons with a BMD above 100 IU, 2nd group - with normative BMD (100-85 IU). Family history of diseases was assessed featuring cancer and endocrine diseases, cholelithiasis, and urolithiasis. Weight of the child at birth, frequency of bone fractures, complaints about osalgia, jaw abnormalities, dental caries, presence or absence of obesity, peripheral blood count, blood biochemical parameters (total protein, creatinine, iron, alkaline phosphatase, calcium), serum pituitary thyroid-stimulating hormone and cortisol were accounted. Children's radiation doses were calculated according to the materials of the «General dosimetric certification of settlements of Ukraine that were exposed to radioactive contamination after the Chornobyl accident¼. RESULTS: Higher than normative BMD values were found in children after puberty, while normative ones - in puberty (р < 0.001), regardless of gender. A direct correlation between the bone fractures frequency was established in children with increased BMD (р < 0.01). Jaw anomalies and dental caries occurred at that significantly less often than in normative BMD (р > 0.05). A direct correlation was established between the obesity and BMD (р < 0.001).Increased alkaline phosphatase activity was inversely correlated with BMD (rs = -0.21; р < 0.05). In children with elevated BMD a direct correlation was established between the level of iron and endocrine disorders in the family history (р > 0.001). Serum level of cortisol was directly correlated with dental caries (р < 0.05). In children, regardless of BMD value, a direct correlation was established between the radiation dose, age and obesity (р < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Higher than normative BMD is accompanied by an increased frequency of bone fractures, jaw abnormalities, metabolic changes in bone tissue and bone tissue hormonal regulation in children, which requires application of pathogenetic therapy for the osteogenesis.

EFFECT OF IRON ON BONE TISSUE METABOLISM AND THYROID FUNCTION IN CHILDREN LIVING ON RADIOLOGICALLY CONTAMINATED TERRITORIES SINCE THE ChNPP ACCIDENT. / VPLYV ZALIZA NA PROTsESY METABOLIZMU V KISTKOVII TKANYNI TA FUNKTsIIu ShchYTOPODIBNOÏ ZALOZY UDITEI, IaKI ZhYVUT' NA RADIOAKTYVNO ZABRUDNENYKh TERYTORIIaKh PISLIa AVARIÏ NA ChAES.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the metabolic processes in bone tissue and state of thyroid gland depending on iron metabolism parameters in children of pre-pubertal, pubertal and post-pubertal age, living on radiologically contaminated territories after the ChNPP accident. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Children (n = 119) aged 6 to 18 years were examined and the 4 study groups were formed, featuring the childhood, pre-pubertal, pubertal and post-pubertal life periods. Clinical symptoms, iron metabolism parameters (serum iron (SI) and ferritin (SF) content, transferrin saturation coefficient), parameters of bone tissue metabolism (serum creatinine and alkaline phosphatase (APh)), and amino acid content in urine were taken into account. Functional state of thyroid, titers of antibodies to thyroperoxidase (TPOAb) and thyroglobulin (TgAb) were assayed. Results and their discussion are presented depending on the age of children, biochemical parameters of blood, iron metabolism findings, thyroid gland function and individualized radiation doses. RESULTS: In 13.4 % of pubertal and post-pubertal children an elevated content of SI and SF was observed. APh levels were increased in 20.2 % of children (758.9 ± 16.3 U/l) being directly correlated with SI levels (rs = 0.50; р < 0.01). In 16.3 % of children of pubertal and post-pubertal age, in whom the level of SI was above 27 µmol/l, a direct correlation with serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level was established in case of the hormone content above 2.5 mU/l (rs = 0.50; р < 0.05). Serum creatinine level directly correlated with glycine content in urine (rs = 0.70), which is a part of collagen, and inversely correlated with serum APh (rs = -0.47), (р < 0.05). Under the levels of SI higher than (15.1 ± 1.2) µmol/l and SF higher than (87.5 ± 6.4) ng/ml, the TPOAb titer was higher than at lower iron concentrations (U-test = 64.5, р < 0.05). The TgAb titer directly correlated with SI (rs = 0.39) and TSH (rs = 0.81) levels (р < 0.01). The average effective radiation dose in children was (0.75 ± 0.10) mSv. A direct correlation was established between the child's radiation dose and age (rs = 0.33; р < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Bone metabolism depends on the age of children, characteristics of pubertal period, excess of iron in the body, and functional state of thyroid system, which is involved in collagen formation and protein metabolism.

RETINA VESSELS CHANGES IN CHORNOBYL NUCLEAR POWER PLANT EMPLOYEES WHO EXPERIENCED LONG-TERM ABNORMAL RADIATION EXPOSURE AT THE WORKPLACE AS A RESULT OF THE OCCUPATION OF CHORNOBYL NUCLEAR POWER PLANT IN 2022. / ZMINY SUDYN SITKIVKY V SPIVROBITNYKIV ChORNOBYL'S'KOÏ ATOMNOÏ ELEKTROSTANTsIÏ, IaKI ZAZNALY TRYVALOGO NENORMOVANOGO RADIATsIINOGO VPLYVU NA ROBOChOMU MISTsI VNASLIDOK OKUPATsIÏ ChAES U 2022 ROTsI.

During the occupation of the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant (ChNPP) in 2022, a group of employees remained in the working town for a long time. These personnel were exposed to long-term radiation and non-radiation factors of the production environment, as well as stress and other factors. These factors could result in negative changes of health.It is known that radiation exposure causes changes in the course and caliber of retinal vessels. OBJECTIVE: to assess the condition of retinal arteries and veins and the level of incorporated 137Cs content in persons who were exposed to prolonged exposure to radiation and non-radiation factors of industrial environment, as they were at the workplace overtime during the occupation of the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant in 2022. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comprehensive ophthalmological examination was carried out. Which included the determination of the diameter of the retinal arteries and veins, the arteriovenous ratio, of 55 people from among the personnel of the ChNPP, who worked under the conditions of the occupation of the ChNPP. All those examined were examined on an expert human radiation counter. The results of the ophthalmological examination were compared with the results of earlier examinations of ChNPP employees of the same age groups. RESULTS: It was established that in the examined group, a decrease in the arterio-venous ratio was observed, mainly due to the expansion of retinal veins. Dilatation of the veins was asymmetric, mainly the branches of the central vein of the retina of the right eye were more dilated. Retinal arteries were narrowed in all examined subjects. When comparing the results with the data of previous examinations, it was established that the arterio-venous ratio in this group was probably lower than in previously examined employees of the ChNPP of the same age groups. At the same time, the maximum registered value of the content of incorporated 137Сs was 713 Bq/organism, none of the examined exceeded the control level of 1,000 Bq/organism. CONCLUSIONS: Violation of blood circulation in the retina was detected - a probable increase in the arteriovenous ratio due to the expansion of the retinal veins in the personnel of the Chornobyl nuclear power plant who worked under the conditions of the occupation of the ChNPP in 2022. Since the examined subjects did not exceed the control level of incorporated 137Сs content (1,000 Bq/organism), the observed effect may be a consequence of the influence of other, both radiation and non-radiation factors.

EXPRESSION OF IMMUNOGLOBULIN SEQUENCES HOMOLOGOUS TO ANTI-SARS-CoV-2 ANTIBODIES AND HIV IN CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA CASES.

BACKGROUND: Identification of epitopes recognized by leukemic B cells could provide insights into the molecular mechanisms of B cell transformation in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The aim of this paper was to compare nucleotide sequences of immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region (IGHV) genes in CLL with known sequences directed against antigens of different origins available in public databases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Analysis was performed in the groups of 412 unselected CLL patients with productive IGHV gene using polymerase chain reaction followed by direct sequencing. RESULTS: Homology between CLL Ig sequences and antibodies directed against autoantigens was found in 12 patients (2.9%), homology between CLL Ig sequences and antiviral antibodies - in 35 patients (8.5%). Most of these sequences belonged to stereotypical clusters. Among the sequences that have homology to antiviral antibodies, the most prevalent were cases homologous with antibodies against HIV (14 cases, 3.4%) and SARS-CoV-2 antigens (10 cases, 2.4%). None of the patients in our cohort was HIV-infected and the study was conducted before the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 virus. CONCLUSIONS: Suggestions could be made about the possible impact of past infection of SARS-CoV-2 virus on the pathogenesis of CLL. In particular, an increase in the proportion of CLL cases with the expression of some stereotyped BCR and/or an increase of CLL risk in the long-term period after SARS-CoV-2 virus infection is not excluded. This assumption needs to be verified by epidemiological data.

STATE INSTITUTION «NATIONAL RESEARCH CENTER FOR RADIATION MEDICINE OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES OF UKRAINE¼ - RESEARCH ACTIVITIES AND SCIENTIFIC ADVANCE IN 2020. / REZUL'TATY ROBOTY DU «NATsIONAL'NYI NAUKOVYI TsENTR RADIATsIINOÏ MEDYTsYNY NATsIONAL'NOÏ AKADEMIÏ MEDYChNYKh NAUK UKRAÏNY¼ U 2020 ROTsI.

Research activities and scientific advance achieved in 2020 at the State Institution «National Research Center for Radiation Medicine of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine¼ (NRCRM) concerning medical problems of the Chornobyl disaster, radiation medicine, radiobiology, radiation hygiene and epidemiology in collaboration with the WHO network of medical preparedness and assistance in radiation accidents are outlined in the annual report. The report presents the results of fundamental and applied research works of the study of radiation effects and health effects of the Chornobyl accident. The report also shows the results of scientific-organizational and health care work, staff training. The Scientific Council meeting of NAMS approved the NRCRM Annual Report.

SKIN AND SUBCUTANEOUS ADIPOSE TISSUE DAMAGE AFTER RADIATION THERAPY IN BREAST CANCER PATIENTS. / POShKODZhENNIa ShKIRY I PIDShKIRNOÏ ZhYROVOÏ KLITKOVYNY PISLIa PROMENEVOÏ TERAPIÏ U KhVORYKh NA RAK MOLOChNOÏ ZALOZY.

The analysis of long-term researches of the pathological changes arising in soft tissues at patients with a breast cancer as a result of radical surgical treatment and adjuvant radiotherapy is carried out in work. The article shows that the standard approach to postoperative radiation therapy, which is based only on the prevalence of the primary tumor process is not always justified. Very often it leads to excessive radiation load on the patient's body and the development of local acute and chronic radiation reactions of the skin, subcutaneous tissue and other soft tissues.In this regard, the question of differentiated purpose of radiotherapy acquires special value first of all at patients with small primary prevalence of tumor process. The paper presents the results of studies to study changes in the anterior chest wall in patients with breast cancer. In relation to the conduct of adjuvant radiotherapy more often need to use the concept of personalized radiation therapy. Radical operation, post-radiation early and late pathological changes in soft tissues, disturbance of microcirculation of lymph and blood, disturbance of innervation of vessels of an upper extremity, peripheral nerves in system of a cervical and plexus plexus, leads to intensive degen-erative and dystrophic changes in soft tissues of the upper. and causes morphological changes in them and further progression of reflex neurovascular and neurodystrophic disorders. Based on the data of adverse effects of radio-therapy on the skin and surrounding tissues, as well as to reduce excessive radiation exposure to the patient's body, a differentiated approach to the appointment of adjuvant radiation therapy.