[Radiation protectors within the radiation safety system for extended duration exploration missions].

Radiation environment in extended duration exploration missions is scrutinized in the context of the probability of the risks of deterministic and stochastic effects of radiation. Though the probability of severe radiation damage due to solar flare is very low, nonetheless it is requisite that the crew must be provided with appropriate, including pharmacological safeguards. The current nomenclature of radiation protectors composes short-term agents against acute radiation damage. Among the others, preparation B-190 is distinguished by particularly high effectiveness and universal action, and good tolerance even when organism is exposed to the extreme factors of space flight Regimen of B-290 therapy alone and with combination with aminothiol preparations have been developed to render treatment following multiple solar events. Effectiveness of radioprotectors can be increased substantially by local shielding of the abdomen and pelvis. The most promising nonspecific stimulators of total resistance of organism are riboxin (inosin) and combined preparation aminotetravit as well as vitamins tocopherol and retinol. Therapy combining B-190 with riboxin and aminotetravit is also under discussion. Cytokine neipogen is also viewed as a candidate agent for early therapy. Concern is raised about possible development of chronic oxidative stress in long-duration exploration missions. Highlighted is the significance of adequate nutrition supplemented with fresh vegetables as a source of the most valuable bioflavonoids. Antioxidants L-selenomethionine and melatonin proved their effectiveness against heavy nuclei of galactic radiation. An open issue is how to make natural antioxidants beneficial to oxidative stress control and attenuation of low-intensity galactic radiation.

[Rhythmosuggestive compensation and unconscious mechanisms of regulation].

The article describes rhythm suggestive compensation (RSC), a new method of autonomous crew psychological support based on recruitment of cerebral mechanisms of regulation (psychological defense). The method integrates several ways of optimization such as rhythmic stimulation, binaural drumming and verbal suggestion. Procedure of rhythm suggestive compensation is tailored to each individual person with allowance for actual functional interaction of the brain hemispheres, person specific reaction to suggestive information and psychological defense. Meaningful suggestive patterns are modulated by an algorithm and harmonize with rhythmic sensory stimulation. Hence, the controlled change in activities of the hemispheres and different regions of the brain is combined with the effective form of suggestion. Effectiveness of rhythm suggestive compensation was verified with two groups of participants in combat operations (n=5). Compensatory procedure for Group-1 consisted of a simple combination of rhythmic audiovisual stimulation and verbal suggestion. Effectiveness was evaluated by cerebral potentials evoked by emotionally engaging images. Group-2 was treated with the RSC procedure. RSC was found to outdo rhythmic audiovisual stimulation. In addition, it was shown that regular repetition of the rhythm/suggestive procedures does optimize mental state and builds up a stable mental set.

[Results of experimental study of psychophysiological state and hematological characteristics in servicemen presenting with hyperuricemia].

Laboratory, clinical, and pathophysiological methods were used to examine servicemen presenting with hyperuricemia. Pronounced hypersympaticotony was accompanied by stabilization of cardiac rhythm. Neurotic personality profile was identified in 48% of the subjects, psychotic in 17.3%, and undefined in 34.6%. The elevated plasma uric acid level was shown to be a factor associated with the neurotic psychotype. There was no correlation between other hematological characteristics and personality psychotype. The examined subjects exhibited high working capacity and level of ambition. Inability to take mind off the pressure of work creates psychosomatic predisposition for and risk of cardiovascular pathology strengthened by permanent hypersympaticotony. It is proposed to teach the subjects like those included in the study to reach neuromuscular relaxation in combination with cognitive-behavioural training as a means of preventing the development of cardiovascular pathology.

[Depleted uranium: radiation and ecological safety aspects]. / Obednennyi uran: radiatsionnye i ékologicheskie aspekty bezopasnosti.

The authors have analyzed the ecological, sanitary-and-hygienic and medicobiologic aspects of using the impoverished uranium in armaments and military equipment. The influence of impoverished uranium on human body (600 cases) was studied using medicobiologic investigation. It was shown that the particles of aerosol of mixed uranium oxide cause the radiation and chemical damage of kidneys, lungs and other internals. Uranium's alpha-radiation is very effective in induction of biologic effects during internal irradiation. Taking into account that bone tissue is the critical organ for uranium isotopes the medullar tissue is exposed to alpha-radiation. In the armed conflicts of the last decade wide use of armour-piercing means with elements consisted of impoverished uranium has led to the appearance of new technogenic risk factor for the environment and the man.

In vitro response of mitochondrial succinate oxidase system to epinephrine in human blood lymphocytes from health individuals and patients with neurocirculatory dystonia.

Activities of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (hyaloplasmic and mitochondrial: alpha-GPDHH and alpha-GPDHM) in peripheral blood lymphocytes, and the response of SDH activity to exogenous epinephrine in vitro (the epinephrine test) were studied in 20 healthy subjects and 46 patients with hypertensive neurocirculatory dystonia. Activities of SDH, alpha-GPDHH, and alpha-GPDHM in blood lymphocytes and SDH adrenoreactivity in epinephrine test were higher in patients than in healthy controls. Treatment with hypotensive agents (isradipin and pyrroxan) moderated adrenoreactivity. Phytotherapy normalized the baseline activities of succinate oxidase system and alpha-glycerophosphate pathway in blood lymphocytes.

[Morpho-functional status of the thyroid gland and large cell hypothalamus nuclei in the ionizing irradiation and ethanol]. / Morfofunktsional'noe sostoianie shchitovidnoi zhelezy i krupnokletochnykh iader gipotalamusa pri vozdeistvii ioniziruiushchego izlucheniia i étanola.

Morphofunctional state of the thyroid and nuclei in the hypothalamic large cells was examined following exposure to ionizing radiation at the dose of 20 Gy without and with ethanol administration (2.25 g/kg) before or after exposure. The highest thyroid radioprotecting effect of the ethyl alcohol was achieved when introduced before exposure as it reduced apoptosis of thyrocytes and balanced the disturbances in colloid amino acids iodination. As for nuclei of the hypothalamic large cells, the radiomodifying effect of ethanol was synergic when introduced before and potential amplifying after the radiation exposure being manifested by distinct activation and ensuing overstrain and exhaustion of the neurosecretory cells. Analysis of the experimental data suggests causality of the thyroid protecting effect of ethanol by functional hyperactivation of supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei in the hypothalamus.

[Possible mechanisms of the radiomodifying action of exogenous hypoxia and electromagnetic radiation in the SHF range]. / O vozmozhnykh mekhanizmakh radiomodifitsiruiushchego deistviia ékzogennoi gipoksii i élektromagnitnogo izlucheniia SVCh-diapazona.

It was shown that biologically active substances formed in the liver tissue under the effect of hypoxia and SHF electromagnetic radiation produce a radioprotective effect when administered 15 min before exposure and have no protective effect when administered after irradiation.

[Radiosensitivity during the irradiation of animals in an altered gaseous environment. A comparative study on mice and rats of the radiation-protective effect of oxygen-deficient gas mixtures]. / Radiochuvstvitel'nost' pri obluchenii zhivotnykh v izmenennoi gazovoi srede. Sravnitel'noe issledovanie na myshakh i krysakh protivoluchevogo éffekta kisloroddefitsitnykh gazovykh smesei.

The radioprotective effect of gas hypoxic mixtures containing 5, 7, 8, 10 and 15% of oxygen on mice and rats was comparatively studied. The dependence of DMF upon oxygen concentration in the mixture was approximated by a hyperbolic function similar to the dependence of the radiomodifying effect of circulatory hypoxia caused by radioprotective agents of the indolylalkylamine series.

[Behavior of cats following gamma-irradiation of the head: the induced pleasure test]. / Povedenie kotov posle gamma-oblucheniia golovy: test vyzvannogo udovol'stviia.

A decrease in the degree of manifestation of the induced pleasure response of male cats to the administration of valerian tincture was observed during the first 1-2 h following gamma-irradiation of the head with a dose of 1.29 C/kg. It is suggested that the absence of the reaction during the first 10-15 min after exposure is indicative of the presence of the phase of a pronounced excitation in the C.N.S. of the exposed animals.