Rapid analytical method of 90Sr in urine sample: Rapid separation of Sr by phosphate co-precipitation and extraction chromatography, followed by determination by triple quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS).

A rapid analytical method for determining 90Sr in urine samples (1-2 L) was developed to assess the internal exposure of workers in a radiological emergency. Strontium in a urine sample was rapidly separated by phosphate co-precipitation, followed by extraction chromatography, and the 90Sr activity was determined by triple quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS). Measurement in the MS/MS mode with an O2 reaction gas flow rate 1 mL min-1 showed no tailing of 88Sr at m/z = 90 up to 50 mg L-1 Sr. The interferences of Ge, Se and Zr at m/z = 90 were successfully removed by phosphate co-precipitation, followed by extraction chromatography with a tandem column of Pre-filter, TRU and Sr resin. This analytical method was validated by the results of the analyses of synthetic urine samples (1.2-1.6 L) containing a known amount of 90Sr along with 1 mg of each of Ge, Se, Sr and Zr. The turnaround time for Sr purification from the urine sample and the 90Sr measurement by ICP-MS/MS was about 10 h. The detection limit of 90Sr was approximately 1 Bq per urine sample, which was lower than 15 Bq per urine after a day of intake giving 5 mSv of unplanned exposure of worker limited by Nuclear Regulation Authority of Japan.

Hereditary component of variation in 90Sr deposition in inbred mice under exogenous conditions that affect bone formation.

Bone-seeking radionuclides (specifically 90Sr) accumulate in the bone tissue and act as a long-term source of internal irradiation. Their behaviour in the body has been studied in detail, while the impact of inheritance has not been established. On one hand, the genetic determination of both skeletal morphology and calcium metabolism is indirect evidence that the kinetics of deposition of alkaline-earth radioisotopes in the skeleton also have a hereditary component. On the other hand, analysis of 90Sr kinetics in different inbred mouse strains did not reveal any differences between the mice. This study used a classical approach to evaluating the hereditary component of variation in quantitative traits, namely, a variant of familial analysis (the method of twin families). The growth of the skeleton is known to be accompanied by distinct changes in 90Sr accumulation. That is why the hereditary (familial) component of variation in 90Sr kinetics in the bone tissue of CBA mice was analyzed under the influences that modify growth processes Individual parameters of 90Sr accumulation differed between experimental groups by a factor of 2-4.5. At the same time, features of 90Sr accumulation proved to be characteristic of entire families. The results show that the intrafamilial correlation in 90Sr deposition in the skeleton is highly significant (R = 0.542, P ≤ 0.0001) and comparable to that of morphological parameters (R = 0.532-0.546, P ≤ 0.0001). The results confirm the existence of statistically significant intrafamilial correlations of weight and metabolic parameters, which is similarly expressed in different families, thereby providing evidence for hereditary determination of 90Sr metabolism. At the same time, the stability of 90Sr metabolism inheritance to changes in morphophysiology and environmental influences (including those close to pathogenic ones) is shown. This is evidence of its authenticity and significance. The results obtained can be extrapolated to humans instead of directly analyzing the role of hereditary factors in the metabolism of toxic compounds, which are difficult and unethical to perform in human subjects.

Evaluation of different methods for measuring 89Sr and 90Sr: Measurement uncertainty for the different methods as a function of the activity ratio.

In case of a radiological emergency situation involving e.g. fission of uranium or plutonium, analysis of radioactive strontium will be of importance. The primary radionuclides of interest are 90Sr, its progeny 90Y and 89Sr. A few days following an event, 89Sr will be the predominant radioisotope of strontium. Most methods found in the literature are valid and applicable when measuring 90Sr, but when samples contain both 89Sr/90Sr interference problematics arise. How these interferences are dealt with will have an effect on the uncertainty of the 90Sr determination. This work aims at evaluating three measurement approaches, all mentioned in the literature, with respect to the measurement uncertainty when determining 90Sr in an emergency preparedness situation and to propose a suitable measurement strategy.

Strontium-90 Biokinetics from Simulated Wound Intakes in Non-human Primates Compared with Combined Model Predictions from National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements Report 156 and International Commission on Radiological Protection Publication 67.

This study had a goal to evaluate the predictive capabilities of the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) wound model coupled to the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) systemic model for 90Sr-contaminated wounds using non-human primate data. Studies were conducted on 13 macaque (Macaca mulatta) monkeys, each receiving one-time intramuscular injections of 90Sr solution. Urine and feces samples were collected up to 28 d post-injection and analyzed for 90Sr activity. Integrated Modules for Bioassay Analysis (IMBA) software was configured with default NCRP and ICRP model transfer coefficients to calculate predicted 90Sr intake via the wound based on the radioactivity measured in bioassay samples. The default parameters of the combined models produced adequate fits of the bioassay data, but maximum likelihood predictions of intake were overestimated by a factor of 1.0 to 2.9 when bioassay data were used as predictors. Skeletal retention was also over-predicted, suggesting an underestimation of the excretion fraction. Bayesian statistics and Monte Carlo sampling were applied using IMBA to vary the default parameters, producing updated transfer coefficients for individual monkeys that improved model fit and predicted intake and skeletal retention. The geometric means of the optimized transfer rates for the 11 cases were computed, and these optimized sample population parameters were tested on two independent monkey cases and on the 11 monkeys from which the optimized parameters were derived. The optimized model parameters did not improve the model fit in most cases, and the predicted skeletal activity produced improvements in three of the 11 cases. The optimized parameters improved the predicted intake in all cases but still over-predicted the intake by an average of 50%. The results suggest that the modified transfer rates were not always an improvement over the default NCRP and ICRP model values.

[Does Radioecological Paradox Exist?].

In some cases radioresistant species of plants in radionuclide-contaminated areas have more strong radiation damages than radiosensitive ones. This effect was called "the radioecological paradox". It could be explained by different abilities to accumulate main dose forming radionuclides. It leads to formation of higher doses due to internal irradiation. In the case of the Chernobyl N PP accident it can be conditioned by species specific particularities in consumption of potassium and calcium, and cesium and strontium, correspondingly.

The Dynamics of the Frequency of Polydactyly, Reduction Defects of Limbs and Multiple Congenital Malformations in Newborns of Radioactively Contaminated Areas of the Bryansk Region (1999-2014).

On the basis of official statistical data for 1999-2014 the authors assessed the frequency of polydactyly, reduction defects of limbs and multiple congenital malformations in newborns of the Bryansk region living in the areas with different densities of radioactive contamination by long-lived radionuclides cesium-137.(3.0 to 2523.4 kBq/m(2)) and strontium-90 (from 0.02 to 42.5 kBq/M(2)). The findings did not reveal statistically significant differences in the frequency of polydactyly, reduction defects of limbs and multiple congenital malformations in newborns in the South-Western Territories compared with medium-regional values, although the maximum value of the sum of congenital. developmental anomalies (polydactyly, reduction limb defects and multiple congenital malformations) are detected in the above-mentioned most contaminated areas.

Contemporary Understanding of Radioactive Contamination of the Techa River in 1949-1956.

Analysis of recently available archive materials regarding the liquid radioactive waste storage and reprocessing at the "Mayak" Production Association in 1949-1956 has led to a more accurate reconstruction of radionuclide releases into the Techa River. Radionuclide concentrations in the Techa River water, bottom sediments and floodplain soils in 1949-1951 were reconstructed with the use of a purposely-developed Techa River model. Model calculations agree with the measurements of the specific activity in the river water and bottom sediments conducted since 1951. The model output for the (90)Sr concentration in the river water shows a good agreement with the retrospective estimates derived from (90)Sr measurements in teeth and the whole body of the Techa riverside residents. Modeled (137)Cs-contamination of the floodplain shows agreement with the values reconstructed from (137)Cs measurements in the floodplain soils obtained in later years. Reconstructed contamination levels by radionuclides in the Techa River water and floodplain are being used to refine internal and external doses and risk estimates of late effects in the population chronically exposed to radiation.

γ-H2AX Kinetic Profile in Mouse Lymphocytes Exposed to the Internal Emitters Cesium-137 and Strontium-90.

In the event of a dirty bomb scenario or an industrial nuclear accident, a significant dose of volatile radionuclides such as 137Cs and 90Sr may be dispersed into the atmosphere as a component of fallout and inhaled or ingested by hundreds and thousands of people. To study the effects of prolonged exposure to ingested radionuclides, we have performed long-term (30 day) internal-emitter mouse irradiations using soluble-injected 137CsCl and 90SrCl2 radioisotopes. The effect of ionizing radiation on the induction and repair of DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) in peripheral mouse lymphocytes in vivo was determined using the γ-H2AX biodosimetry marker. Using a serial sacrifice experimental design, whole-body radiation absorbed doses for 137Cs (0 to 10 Gy) and 90Sr (0 to 49 Gy) were delivered over 30 days following exposure to each radionuclide. The committed absorbed doses of the two internal emitters as a function of time post exposure were calculated based on their retention parameters and their derived dose coefficients for each specific sacrifice time. In order to measure the kinetic profile for γ-H2AX, peripheral blood samples were drawn at 5 specific timed dose points over the 30-day study period and the total γ-H2AX nuclear fluorescence per lymphocyte was determined using image analysis software. A key finding was that a significant γ-H2AX signal was observed in vivo several weeks after a single radionuclide exposure. A mechanistically-motivated model was used to analyze the temporal kinetics of γ-H2AX fluorescence. Exposure to either radionuclide showed two peaks of γ-H2AX: one within the first week, which may represent the death of mature, differentiated lymphocytes, and the second at approximately three weeks, which may represent the production of new lymphocytes from damaged progenitor cells. The complexity of the observed responses to internal irradiation is likely caused by the interplay between continual production and repair of DNA damage, cell cycle effects and apoptosis.

[Dynamics of Radioecological State of the Fresh-Water Ecosystems Affected by a Long-Term Impact from Nuclear Power Plant in the Frontiers of the Zone under Observation].

The results of radioecological studies of six small rivers situated in the surveillance zone of the Beloyarskaya NPP (BNPP) and around the cooling pond of the power plant are presented. 21 radionuclides and the total α- and ß-activity were studied in the main components of the aquatic ecosystems. It is shown that after the 1st and 2nd BN PP blocks decommissioning the content of 60Co and 137Cs in the Beloyarskoye storage pond water, sediments, fish fauna and macrophytes dropped tens and hundreds of times. The fundamental importance of this fact is that in a large range of time the aquatic ecosystem mechanism of self-purification from radionuclides is working due to radioactive substances decay as well as redistribution of radionuclides from water to other components, primarily to the sediments. Of 6 small rivers the maximum levels of radioactive substances is found in the river Olkhovka, which for several years has been subjected to the low-level radioactive water discharges from Beloyarskaya NPP. The radionuclide content in the main components of the aquatic ecosystems of the other five rivers studied after BNPP 47-year operation period corresponds to the regional background.

Serum Dyslipidemia Is Induced by Internal Exposure to Strontium-90 in Mice, Lipidomic Profiling Using a Data-Independent Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Approach.

Despite considerable research into the environmental risks and biological effects of exposure to external beam γ rays, incorporation of radionuclides has largely been understudied. This dosimetry and exposure risk assessment is challenging for first responders in the field during a nuclear or radiological event. Therefore, we have developed a workflow for assessing injury responses in easily obtainable biofluids, such as urine and serum, as the result of exposure to internal emitters cesium-137 ((137)Cs) and strontium-90 ((90)Sr) in mice. Here we report on the results of the untargeted lipidomic profiling of serum from mice exposed to (90)Sr. We also compared these results to those from previously published (137)Cs exposure to determine any differences in cellular responses based on exposure type. The results of this study conclude that there is a gross increase in the serum abundance of triacylglycerides and cholesterol esters, while phostaphatidylcholines and lysophosphatidylcholines displayed decreases in their serum levels postexposure at study days 4, 7, 9, 25, and 30, with corresponding average cumulative skeleton doses ranging from 1.2 ± 0.1 to 5.2 ± 0.73 Gy. The results show significant perturbations in serum lipidome as early as 2 days postexposure persisting until the end of the study (day 30).

On the application of an environmental radiological assessment system to an anthropomorphic surrogate.

Recent developments have seen the expansion of the system of radiological protection for humans to one including protection of the environment against detrimental effects of radiation exposure, although a fully developed framework for integration of human and ecological risk assessment for radionuclides is only at an early stage. In the context of integration, significant differences exist between assessment methodologies for humans and the environment in terms of transfer, exposure, and dosimetry. The aim of this elaboration was to explore possible implications of the simplifications made within the system of environmental radiological protection in terms of the efficacy and robustness of dose-rate predictions. A comparison was conducted between human radiological assessment and environmental radiological assessment for an anthropomorphic surrogate, the results for which, produced by both the environmental and human-oriented risk assessment systems, were critically compared and contrasted. The adopted approach split the calculations into several parts, these being 1) physical transfer in an ecosystem, 2) transfer to humans, 3) internal doses to humans, and 4) external doses to humans. The calculations were carried out using both a human radiological assessment and ecological risk assessment system for the same surrogate. The results of this comparison provided indications as to where the 2 systems are amenable to possible integration and where such integration may prove difficult. Initial stage transport models seem to be an obvious component amenable for integration, although complete integration is arguably unattainable as the differences between endpoints mean that the relevant outputs from the models will not be the same. For the transfer and dosimetry components of 2 typical methodologies, it seems that the efficacy of the environmental system is radionuclide-dependent, the predictions given by the environmental system for (90) Sr and (60) Co being unsatisfactory and those for (239) Pu and (210) Po being evidently poor. Integration in this context might take the form of exploring the biokinetic models developed for humans with regard to selected animals and radionuclides. External dose assessment for environmental and human systems provide results for the surrogate that correspond quite closely providing an indication that integration in this regard is perhaps unnecessary.

[Assessment of cyto- and genotoxicity of natural waters in the vicinity of radioactive waste storage facility using Allium-test].

Efficacy of bioassays of "aberrant cells frequency" and "proliferative activity" in root meristem of Allium cepa L. is studied in the present work for a cyto- and genotoxicity assessment of natural waters contaminated with 90Sr and heavy metals in the vicinity of the radioactive waste storage facility in Obninsk, Kaluga region. The Allium-test is shown to be applicable for the diagnostics of environmental media at their combined pollution with chemical and radioactive substances. The analysis of aberration spectrum shows an important role of chemical toxicants in the mutagenic potential of waters collected in the vicinity of the radioactive waste storage facility. Biological effects are not always possible to explain from the knowledge on water contamination levels, which shows limitations of physical-chemical monitoring in providing the adequate risk assessment for human and biota from multicomponent environmental impacts.

[Migration of rodents in the Eastern Urals Radioactive Trace zone (radiobiological aspect)].

We investigated migrations of mouse-like rodents in the Eastern Urals Radioactive Trace (EURT) zone using the method of small mammal group marking by tetracycline (additionally to the data of radionuclide self-marking). The originality of small mammals' population in the EURT zone is defined by a configuration of radioactively polluted area and features of animals' migrations. The tetracycline label is detected in the dentine of upper incisors fluorescing in UV light. A high migration activity of rodents is observed both in the EURT zone and adjacent areas. When migrating, rodents used the certain ways of moving. Our new data allowed us to conclude that the EURT zone, as well as any other areas, is inhabited by a population with a constantly changing set of individuals, i.e. a flowing population. It is the convincing evidence of the absence of any isolation. Migrations of small mammals in the narrow and extended EURT zone (1) considerably decrease the probability that certain adaptive changes may be fixed and inherited in a series of generations; (2) are the base of transmission of radio-induced effects in adjacent areas. The fact of a flowing population should be taken into account in a wide spectrum of investigations when analyzing the remote consequences of chronic radiation influence.

The sensitivity of different environments to radioactive contamination.

This paper describes modelling calculations carried out to determine the sensitivity of various rural and semi-natural environments to radionuclide contamination by (137)Cs, (90)Sr, and (131)I released during a major nuclear accident. Depositions of 1000 Bq/m(3) were assumed for each radionuclide. Four broad types of environments were considered: agricultural, forest or tundra, freshwater aquatic, and coastal marine. A number of different models were applied to each environment. The annual dose to a human population receiving most or all of its food and drinking water from a given environment was taken as a broad measure of sensitivity. The results demonstrated that environmental sensitivity was highly radionuclide specific, with (137)Cs generally giving the highest doses during the first year, especially for adults, in terrestrial and freshwater pathways. However, in coastal marine environments, (131)I and (239)Pu were more significant. Sensitivity was time dependent with doses for the first year dominating those for the 2nd and 10th years after deposition. In agricultural environments the ingestion dose from (137)Cs was higher for adults than other age groups, whereas for (90)Sr and (131)I, the ingestion dose was highest for infants. The dependence of sensitivity on social and economic factors such as individual living habits, food consumption preferences, and agricultural practices is discussed.

Do Chernobyl-like contaminations with (137)Cs and (90)Sr affect the microbial community, the fungal biomass and the composition of soil organic matter in soil?

(137)Cs and (90)Sr are the main radionuclides responsible for contamination of agricultural soils due to core melts in nuclear power plants such as Chernobyl or Fukushima. The present study focused on effects of Chernobyl-like contaminations on the bacterial and fungal community structure, the fungal biomass and the formation of soil organic matter in native and in sterilized and reinoculated soils. 2% wheat straw [m/m] was applied to a typical agricultural soil, artificially contaminated with (137)Cs and (90)Sr, and it was then incubated in microcosms for three months at 20 °C and 50% of the water-holding capacity. The development of the microbial communities was monitored with 16S and 18S rDNA denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). The quantification of the ergosterol content was used as a proxy for changes in the fungal biomass. Changes in the soil organic matter were determined using the (13)C cross polarization/magic angle spinning nuclear magnet resonance technique ((13)C-CP/MAS NMR). Slight but significant population shifts in the DGGE gel patterns could be related to the applied radionuclides. However, radiation-induced impacts could not be seen in either the chemical composition of the soil organic matter or in the development of the fungal biomass. Impacts caused by sterilization and reinoculation prevailed in the microcosms of the present study. Contaminations with (137)Cs or (90)Sr up to 50-fold that of the hotspots occurring in Chernobyl led to minor changes in soil microbial functions suggesting a strong resilience of natural soils with respect to radioactive contamination.

[Interpopulation defferences in parameters of hemocyte DNA-comets of snail Lymnaea stagnalis from regions with the different environmental load].

The research of hemocytes of snail Lymnaea stagnalis from regions with different environmental load has been carried out by means of DNA-comet assay. Significant interpopulation distinctions in parameters of hemocytes DNA comets, and also significant differences of sensitivity of hemocyte genetic matherial in snails form different ecological zones to the influence of external damaging factors (in particular, heavy metals) have been revealed by means of the software analysis of hemocyte DNA-comet images. Since the two populations of mollusks are characterized by high genetic identity, the different levels of proliferative processes in hemocytes of snail Lymnaea stagnalis from different ecological zones (that we revealed using the comet assay) may act as an indicator of the intensity of damaging effects and environmental quality.

[The cytogenetic consequences of chronic irradiation in rodent populations inhabiting the Eastern Urals Radioactive Trace zone].

In bone marrow cells of rodents (Apodemus (Sylvaemus) uralensis Pall., 1811, Apodemus agrarius Pall., 1771) inhabiting the Eastern Urals Radioactive Trace (EURT) zone (Kyshtym radiation accident 1957) and adjacent areas of Urals, the chromosome instability and 90Sr accumulation in bones were investigated. Intensive mutagenic process in both species from impact plots (the soil pollution by 90Sr 2322-16690 kBq/m2) was found. Significant positive correlation of aberrant cells frequencies and 90Sr was shown. Possible causes of the lack of resistance to long-term mutagenic factor (over 100 generations since 50 years from the accident) such as migration of animals and specific configuration of the EURT zone (narrow extended territory with sharply falling gradient of radionuclide pollution), which considerably decrease the probability that certain changes will be fixed and inherited in a series of generations of rodents, are discussed.

Biomaterials for the decorporation of (85)Sr in the rat.

Although four stable isotopes of strontium occur naturally, Sr is produced by nuclear fission and is present in surface soil around the world as a result of fallout from atmospheric nuclear weapons tests. It can easily transfer to humans in the event of a nuclear/radiological emergency or through the plant-animal-human food chain causing long-term exposures. Strontium is chemically and biologically similar to calcium, and is incorporated primarily into bone following internal deposition. Alginic acid (alginate) obtained from seaweed (kelp) extract selectively binds ingested strontium in the gastrointestinal tract blocking its systemic uptake and reducing distribution to bone in rats, while other natural polysaccharides including chitosan and hyaluronic acid had little in vivo affinity for strontium. Alginate exhibits the unique ability to discriminate between strontium and calcium and has been previously shown to reduce intestinal absorption and skeletal retention of strontium without changing calcium metabolism. In our studies, the effect of commercially available alginate on intestinal absorption of strontium was examined. One problem associated with alginate treatment is its limited solubility and gel formation in water. The aqueous solubility of sodium alginate was improved in a sodium chloride/sodium bicarbonate electrolyte solution containing low molecular weight polyethylene glycol (PEG). Furthermore, oral administration of the combined alginate/electrolyte/PEG solution accelerated removal of internal strontium in rats when compared to treatment with individual sodium alginate/electrolyte or electrolyte/PEG solutions. Importantly, both alginate and PEG are nontoxic, readily available materials that can be easily administered orally in case of a national emergency when potentially large numbers of the population may require medical treatment for internal depositions. Our results suggest further studies to optimize in vivo decorporation performance of engineered alginate material via modification of its chemical and physicochemical properties are warranted.

[The impacts of permanent irradiation on the flora of the eastern ural radioactive trace].

In the Eastern Ural Radioactive Trace, concentrations of 90Sr, the main contaminant, in the upper topsoil was estimated to be 40-17000 times over the global level. The density of contamination decreased with the distance from the accident plot according to exponential law. The resulting doze loads shown an excess over the background level of about 1-3 orders of magnitude. Vegetation in the head part of the EURT is represented with synanthropic and seminatural communities undergoing different phases of degradations and recovery successions. Phytocenosis degradation is caused by the failures during the accident, subsequent reinstatement and restoration activities and also by the initial anthropogenic load. The ecological and genetic effects of permanent ionizing radiation on plants are evident from a wider spectrum of variability for all indicators of the living ability of seed posterity and their increased mutability. The effect of radioadaptation, i.e. increased the resistance to the additional irradiation, in the EURT plants was not found.

[Dose dependence of the frequency of morphological changes in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) in Chernobyl exclusion zone].

Patterns and main parameters of the dynamics of radioactive contamination of organs of Scots pine in the plantations of Chernobyl zone are presented. On the basis of this data and within the frameworks of the microdosimetric approach, the dosimetric model for the apical meristem of the pine trees was created. The dose rates were calculated for the trees of the experimental array growing at three sites in the exclusion zone and one outside, which differed by three orders of magnitude of the trees' radioactive contamination levels. Comparable high, up to several Gy/y, levels of the dose rate of chronic irradiation were shown for the plantation at the Red Forest site. Such an expressed radiation factor results in a high frequency of the morphological changes at this site. The dose rate-effect dependence was formulated for this type of the radiobiological effects.