Emerging paradigms into bioremediation approaches for nuclear contaminant removal: From challenge to solution.

The release of radionuclides, including Cesium-137 (137Cs), Strontium-90 (90Sr), Uranium-238 (238U), Plutonium-239 (239Pu), Iodine-131 (131I), etc., from nuclear contamination presents profound threats to both the environment and human health. Traditional remediation methods, reliant on physical and chemical interventions, often prove economically burdensome and logistically unfeasible for large-scale restoration efforts. In response to these challenges, bioremediation has emerged as a remarkably efficient, environmentally sustainable, and cost-effective solution. This innovative approach harnesses the power of microorganisms, plants, and biological agents to transmute radioactive materials into less hazardous forms. For instance, consider the remarkable capability demonstrated by Fontinalis antipyretica, a water moss, which can accumulate uranium at levels as high as 4979 mg/kg, significantly exceeding concentrations found in the surrounding water. This review takes an extensive dive into the world of bioremediation for nuclear contaminant removal, exploring sources of radionuclides, the ingenious resistance mechanisms employed by plants against these harmful elements, and the fascinating dynamics of biological adsorption efficiency. It also addresses limitations and challenges, emphasizing the need for further research and implementation to expedite restoration and mitigate nuclear pollution's adverse effects.

STILLBIRTH RATE AND INFANT MORTALITY RATE: STUDY IN THE REGIONS OF UKRAINE MOST INTENSIVELY RADIOCONTAMINATED UPON THE CHORNOBYL NPP ACCIDENT. / МЕРТВОНАРОДЖУВАНІСТЬ ТА МАЛЮКОВА СМЕРТНОСТЬ: ДОСЛІДЖЕННЯ РАЙОНІВ УКРАЇНИ НАЙБІЛЬШ РАДІОАКТИВНО ЗАБРУДНЕНИХ ВНАСЛІДОК АВАРІЇ НА ЧОРНОБИЛЬСЬКІЙ АЕС.

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the time pattern peculiarities of stillbirth and infant mortality rates in the radiocontaminated territories of Ukraine in the post-accident period on the basis of the national State Statistics Service data. OBJECT OF THE STUDY: stillbirth and infant mortality rates of population of the most intensively radiocontaminated territories of Ukraine (Lughinskyi, Narodytskyi, Ovrutskyi and Olevskyi districts of Zhytomyrska oblast, Vyshgorodskyi, Ivankivskyi and Poliskyi districts of Kyivska oblast, Rokytnivskyi and Sarnenskyi districts of Rivnenska oblast, and Kozeletskyi and Rypkinskyi districts of Chernihivska oblast).Research materials and methods. Information resources of the State Statistics Service of Ukraine for 1986-2020 regarding the infant mortality and stillbirth rates were used in the study. Demographic, mathematical-statistical, graphical, and software-technological research methods were applies. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Parameters of infant mortality and stillbirth rates for the 1986-2020 period were studied retrospectively. Significant variations in values were revealed both between the territories and years of survey.

NEUROPHYSIOLOGICAL BASIS OF THE COMBINED EFFECTS OF ACUTE STRESS AND LOW DOSES OF IONIZING RADIATION ON HUMAN BRAIN. / НЕЙРОФІЗІОЛОГІЧНИЙ БАЗИС КОМБІНОВАНИХ ЕФЕКТІВ ГОСТРОГО СТРЕСУ ТА МАЛИХ ДОЗ ІОНІЗУЮЧОГО ВИПРОМІНЮВАННЯ НА ГОЛОВНИЙ МОЗОК ЛЮДИНИ.

OBJECTIVE: to study the clinical and neurophysiological features in the Chornobyl clean-up workers with a verified chronic cerebrovascular disease/cerebral small vessels disease (SVD) exposed to low doses of ionizing radiation (IR), employees of the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant (SSE ChNPP), who were exposed to the stress factor of a full-scale war as a result of being held captive by the Russian military at their workplaces, and individuals of the non-irradiated comparison group.Design, object and methods. A cross-sectional clinical study with parallel external control groups. We studied and carried out an expert statistical analysis of the clinical and neurophysiological characteristics of 62 male subjects, from which three examination groups were formed: 1) a randomized sample from the Clinical Epidemiological Register (CER) of the State Institution «National Research Center for Radiation Medicine of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine¼ (NRCRM) of 22 Chornobyl clean-up workers ('Chornobyl liquidators') in 1986-1990,examined during 2020-2021, aged 50-68 years at the time of examination (M ± SD: (58.1 ± 5.2) years) with a documented external radiation dose of 0.03-2.30 Sv; 2) 24 SSE ChNPP employees exposed to the stress factor impact of a full-scale war as a result of being held captive by the Russian military at their workplaces. The average age of the examined was (54.5 ± 5.8) years (range 46-71 years). 3) Comparison group - 16 non-exposed men with verified chronic cerebrovascular disease/cerebral small vessels disease (SVD). The average age of the examined was (57.8 ± 5.6) years (range 50-70 years). RESULTS: Neurophysiological studies confirm the presence of the pronounced dysfunction of the cortico-limbic system of the left dominant hemisphere of the brain with special involvement of the hippocampus in the Chornobyl clean-up workers. In the SSE ChNPP group, for the first time, the disorders of cerebral neurodynamics were detected in the form of functional hypofrontality and hyperfunction of the cortico-limbic system with lateralization to the right hemisphere. CONCLUSIONS: Today there exists a long-term thorough methodological and evidence base for a possible neurophysiological diagnosis and differential diagnosis of the combined cerebral effects of IR and psycho-emotional stress associated with the conditions of military conflicts. Neurophysiological technologies can be used in the objective professional and qualification selection of employees in a number of professions that require quick and responsible decision-making. Employees of SSE ChNPP need further medical and psychological support due to an increased risk of developing mental health disorders.

PREVALENCE OF AGE-MACULAR DEGENERATION IN PERSONS OF WORKING AGE WHO APPLIED TO PARTICIPATE IN WORK IN ACTION CONDITIONS IONIZING RADIATION: PRELIMINARY RESULTS. / ПОПЕРЕДНІ РЕЗУЛЬТАТИ ДОСЛІДЖЕННЯ ПОШИРЕНОСТІ ВІКОВОЇ МАКУЛЯРНОЇ ДЕГЕНЕРАЦІЇ У ОСІБ ПРАЦЕЗДАТНОГО ВІКУ, ЯКІ ПРЕТЕНДУВАЛИ НА УЧАСТЬ В РОБОТАХ В УМОВАХ ДІЇ ІОНІЗУЮЧОГО ВИПРОМІНЮВАННЯ.

In recent decades, several large-scale epidemiological surveys of the eyes have been conducted to determine the global prevalence of retinal degenerative diseases (for example, the Blue Mountains Eye Study). The results of such studies were evaluated several decades, and the studies themselves required significant material resources. Such large-scale projects have not been carried out in Ukraine.Objective of the work is to study the prevalence of age-related macular degeneration in a pilot group of non-irradiated persons of working age to determine the suitability of using the results for further epidemiological studies in Ukraine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective-prospective analysis of the prevalence of degenerative diseases of the retina in a pilot group of persons who underwent an in-depth examination, as they claimed to participate in works in harmful conditions (with ionizing radiation) was carried out. The results of primary ophthalmological examinations of 1,064 people, conducted between January 18, 2007 and October 29, 2009, were randomly selected. The age of the examinees at the time of examination ranged from 18.94 to 67.49 years, the number of persons aged 18 to 30, 30 to 40, and 40 to 50 years was approximately the same. The results of a standardized ophthalmological examination were used. RESULTS: In the pilot group of people in working age, the prevalence of age-related macular degeneration was 196.4 per 1,000 people. Hazard analysis showed that the relative risk of age-related macular degeneration increased with age and was 1.14 (95% CI 1.07-1.21) for individuals aged 30-39 years; in comparison with persons under the age of 30; 1.3 (95% CI 1.21-1.41) - for persons aged 40-49; 1.3 (95% CI 1.18-1.52) - for persons aged 50-59; 1.86 (95% CI 1.0-3.47) - for persons over 60 years of age. The odds ratio (OR) of having age-related macular degeneration for those aged 30-39 years compared with those younger than 30 years was 3.04 (95% CI 1.79-5.15); for persons aged 40-49 years - 5.49 (95% CI 3.31-9.09); for persons aged 50-59 years - 6.04 (95% CI 3.36-10.88); for persons aged 50-59 years - 6.04 (95% CI 3.36-10.88) and for persons older than 60 years - 13.71 (95% CI 3.68-51.15), p in all cases < 0.0001. CONCLUSIONS: It was established that the prevalence of age-related macular degeneration in non-irradiated individuals determined in the pilot group was high and statistically significantly increased with age. It is shown that the results of primary ophthalmological examinations of a pilot group of persons who applied for participation in works in harmful conditions (with ionizing radiation) are suitable for epidemiological studies of the frequency and course of degenerative retinal diseases in persons of working age in Ukraine. The obtained results are important for practical medicine, as they will allow us to assess the prospects needs for medical care in the secondary and tertiary care.

BRAIN AND EYE AS POTENTIAL TARGETS FOR IONIZING RADIATION IMPACT. PART V - ORGANIC AND FUNCTIONAL CHANGES CORRELATION ON THE EXAMPLE OF CERTAIN DISEASES. / ГОЛОВНИЙ МОЗОК ТА ОРГАН ЗОРУ ЯК ПОТЕНЦІЙНІ МІШЕНІ ДЛЯ ВПЛИВУ ІОНІЗУЮЧОГО ВИПРОМІНЮВАННЯ: ЧАСТИНА V ­ СПІВВІДНОШЕННЯ ОРГАНІЧНИХ І ФУНКЦІОНАЛЬНИХ ЗМІН НА ПРИКЛАДІ ОКРЕМИХ ЗАХВОРЮВАНЬ.

The question about correlation between organic and functional changes in persons, exposed to radiation is still insufficiently studied. Dynamics of morbidity for different forms and classes of non-tumour diseases periodisation, proposed by epidemiologists, suggests the identification of three main periods: «early¼ (the first 6 post-Chornobyl accident years); «distant¼ (12-21 years) and «late¼ (22-30 years). However, the correspondence this periodisation to the results of epidemiological data, without taking into account the clinical features of the diseases, may contribute to the impression, that in the first period after a radiation disaster functional disorders (or autonomic regulation disorders, etc.) prevail in all cases. Meanwhile, the data from ophthalmological and neurological studies, which we aim to demonstrate in this paper, rather indicate the presence of a significant morphological basis for the development of functional disorders in early period after a radiation disaster. The objective of this work is analyse modern experimental, epidemiological and clinical data on the correlation between organic and functional changes, characteristic of radiation cerebro-ophthalmological effects - radiation cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, cerebral small vessel disease, and neurocognitive deficits. Materials and methods. The criteria for inclusion in the analytical review were peer-reviewed publications in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and manually selected papers; the results of our own research were also used. An additional analysis of the results of examinations conducted in 1991-2004 was performed, which included a total of 11 123 persons irradiated as the result of catastrophy at the Chornobyl NPP. Results. In the first period of radiation cataract development, which is a specific consequence of radiation exposure, morphological changes (lens opacities) are observed, which lead to a decrease in visual function only later. Analysing the correlation between organic and functional changes in the development of diseases, for which ionising radiation exposure is a significant risk factor, we observe a similar picture. For example, CSVD associated with arterial hypertension may be a manifestation of accelerated aging associated with exposure to ionising radiation.Similarly, the initial signs of age-related macular degeneration in radiation-exposed individuals are usually manifested by changes in the morphology of the retina, choroid, and pigment epithelium in the macular area, while functional disorders in the form of decreased central vision and metamorphopsia, etc., occur later.

RADIOACTIVELY CONTAMINATED TERRITORIES OF CHERNIHIVSKA OBLAST OF UKRAINE: THE RADIATION-ECOLOGICAL AND MEDICAL-DEMOGRAPHIC PAST AND PRESENT. / RADIATsIINO ZABRUDNENI TERYTORIÏ ChERNIGIVS'KOÏ OBLASTI UKRAÏNY: RADIATsIINO-EKOLOGIChNE TA MEDYKO-DEMOGRAFIChNE MYNULE TA SUChASNE.

OBJECTIVE: to determine the current radiationecological and medicaldemographic parameters of the territories of Chernihivska oblast of Ukraine, which were recognized as radioactively contaminated as a result of the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant accident, and to assess their changes in the postaccident period. OBJECTS AND METHODS: The parameters of contamination of natural environments (soil, food products), both with number, structure, natural and migratory movement of population of radioactively contaminated territories of Chernihivska oblast of Ukraine (Kozeletskyi, Koriukivskyi, NovhorodSiverskyi, Ripkynskyi, Semenivskyi, Sosnytskyi, and Chernihivskyi districts) were the study objects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from the Chernihiv Regional Office of the State Statistics Service of Ukraine,Department of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Chernihiv Regional State Administration, and CentralEnvironmental Dosimetry Register of the State Institution «National Research Center for Radiation Medicine of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine¼ were used. General scientific, mathematicalstatistical, graphic, cartographic, and softwaretechnological research methods are applied. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: After the accident at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant the largescale radioecological monitoring was conducted on the territory of Chernihivska oblast, where a significant improvement in the state of radioactively contaminated areas had been observed. The number of settlements where the soil contamination density with cesium isotopes exceeded the lower limit for the zone of guaranteed voluntary resettlement (185 kBq*m2) has decreased from 8 to 1. The average regional concentration of 137Cs in milk mostly did not exceed 50 Bq*l1. The average concentration of 137Cs in potatoes from private households over the entire observation period was 5-10 times lower than in milk. Analysis of medical and demographic data allowed concluding that the districts of Chernihivska oblast, which were most intensively contaminated after the Chornobyl accident, feature now some regional problems. There are trends towards population decline and birth rate decrease along with increase in mortality. The most intensive changes had occurred in Kozeletskyi and Ripkynskyi districts, where destructive processes in the age structure of population and a stable trend of increase of mortality rates were revealed. Research should be continued.

ANXIOUSNESS AND QUALITY OF SLEEP IN CHILDREN WHO WERE IN QUARANTINE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. / TRYVOZhNIST' TA IaKIST' SNU U DITEI, IaKI PEREBUVALY NA KARANTYNI PID ChAS PANDEMIÏ COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: to assess the level of anxiety and characterize the quality of sleep in children living in radioactively con-taminated areas in comparison with children who were not affected by the Chornobyl-affected contingents that werequarantined in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The indicators of the level of anxiety were studied using the scale of self-assessment of thelevel of anxiety Ch.D. Spielberger, sleep quality was assessed using a standardized questionnaire for self-completionof PSQI and 137Cs content was measured in children. The main group consisted of 96 children who were quarantineddue to the COVID-19 pandemic and permanently lived in radioactively contaminated areas of Zhytomyr and Rivneregions with a soil contamination density of 137Cs from 18 kBq/m2 to 235 kBq/m2. The age of children ranged from10 to 17 years. Among them were 33 boys and 63 girls. The comparison group consisted of 52 children of similar age,including 26 boys and 26 girls. These children lived permanently in Kyiv and were not victims of the Chornobyl dis-aster. RESULTS: It was found that children who were quarantined for COVID-19 (both residents of radioactively contami-nated areas and children who do not belong to the contingents affected by the Chornobyl disaster) had an increasedlevel of reactive (RA) and personal anxiety (PA). The comparative analysis showed that children of the same sex ofthe main group and the comparison group did not differ in terms of PA and RA. At the same time, studies have shownthat girls, both in the main group and in the comparison group, were characterized by higher levels of PA and RAthan boys. It was determined that poor sleep quality was common in both children living in radioactively contami-nated areas (42.71 %) and children in the comparison group (42.44 %). Among the sleep disorders in children ofboth observation groups, «day dysfunction¼ was most often detected. CONCLUSIONS: There was a direct correlation between the overall PSQI score and the level of reactive, personal anx-iety and the overall PSQI score. Using regression analysis, the presence of a linear association of the level of incorporated 137Cs (Bq) with the indicator of personal anxiety of children living in radioactively contaminated territory (b = -0.716, p < 0.001) was proved.

Radiation Risk Analysis of Neuropsychiatric Disorders in Ukrainian Chornobyl Catastrophe Liquidators.

Goal: To explore the possible impact of ionizing radiation in the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric disorders amongst clean-up workers of the Chornobyl catastrophe (liquidators). Design, object, and methods: Retrospective-prospective study (1987-2015) of liquidators from the State Register of Ukraine (SRU) with radiation doses records and Clinical-Epidemiological Register (CER) of the State Institution ≪National Research Center for Radiation Medicine of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine≫ (NRCRM). Moreover, cohort and cross-sectional studies of the randomized sample of liquidators from the CER (exposed group, 198 subjects) were examined. Internal control group included the liquidators irradiated in doses <50.0 mSv (42 persons). All subjects were assessed by a detailed clinical examination and a battery of standardized neuropsychiatric scales, psychometric, and neuropsychological tests. Descriptive and variation statistics, non-parametric criteria, regression-correlation analysis, survival analysis by Kaplan & Meier, and risk analysis were used. Results: Exposed group vs. control group showed cognitive disorders in 99 (50.0%) vs. 20 (18.1%), (P = 0.04); affective disorders in 96 (48.3%) vs. 36 (32.7%) (P = 0.007), and stress-related disorders in 115 (58.4%) vs. 8 (7.3%) (P < 0.001). In the main group exposed to ≥50 mSv vs. internal control group (exposed to <50 mSv), affective disorders were present, respectively, in 89 (56.4%) vs. 7 (19.1%) (P < 0.001), and stress-related disorders in 98 (62.8%) vs. 17 (40.4%) (P = 0.009). Relative risks (RR) and 95% confidential intervals (95%CI) of Incidence of some neuropsychiatric disorders in liquidators of 1986-1987 related to internal control (doses <50 mSv) were as follows: organic psychosis (RR = 3.15; 95% CI: 2.6; 3.7); non-psychotic organic brain damage (RR = 1.99; 95% CI: 1.6; 2.5); acute (RR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.3; 1.5), and chronic cerebrovascular disorders (RR = 1.23; 95% CI 1.0;1.5). Neuropsychiatric diseases show a strong, increasing, and approximately quadratic statistically significant (Pv < 0.001) relationship with individual dose, yielding an estimated excess relative risk ERR = 2.76 Sv-2 (95% CI 1.06-7.15). Conclusions: Liquidators have an excess of cognitive, affective, and stress-related disorders. The risk of diseases rises with radiation dose. Radiation risks are revealed for organic psychoses, non-psychotic organic brain damage, acute and chronic cerebrovascular pathology.

NEUROENDOCRINE EFFECTS OF PRENATAL IRRADIATION FROM RADIOACTIVE IODINE (review). / NEY̆ROENDOKRYNNI EFEKTY PRENATAL'NOGO OPROMINENNIa RADIOAKTYVNYM Y̆ODOM (ogliad).

BACKGROUND: Neuroendocrine effects of the prenatal radiation exposure from radioactive iodine in an event of nuclear power reactor accidents are a key issue in the field of radiation medicine and radiation safety because of a dramatic radiosensitivity of the developing organism. OBJECTIVE: Review of contemporary epidemiological, clinical and experimental data on neuroendocrine effects of prenatal exposure to 131I. OBJECT AND METHODS: Search in the PubMed/MEDLINE and Google Scholar abstract databases, along with a manual search for the relevant data sources. RESULTS: Estimated absorbed doses of intrauterine thyroid irradiation from radioactive iodine were obtained based on ICRP Publication 88, both with estimates of effective radiation doses on embryo and fetus, and estimates of the brain equivalent doses upon exposure in utero. The latter ones are subject to updating. The evidence-based data has been presented regarding a radiation-associated reduction of head and chest circumference at birth, as well as a radiation-associated excess of goiter with large thyroid nodules, and possibly of thyroid cancer after a prenatal exposure to 131I radionuclides. Data on intrauterine brain damage are controversial, but most researchers share the view that there are cognitive and emotional-behavioral disorders due to prenatal and postnatal irradiation and psy- chosocial impacts. Incidence increase of non-cancerous endocrine disorders and degenerative vascular disease of retina was noted. An experimental model of intrauterine irradiation from 131I on Wistar rats was for the first time ever created, extrapolating the radioneuroembryological effects in rats to individuals prenatally exposed after the Chornobyl disaster. Late neuropsychiatric and endocrine effects may be resulted from the relatively short-term impact of ionizing radiation at a level previously been considered safe. The necessity of neuropsychiatric and endocrinological monitoring of individuals exposed prenatally to ionizing radiation after the Chornobyl catastrophe throughout their life is substantiated. Experimental animal studies are a key direction in the further research of radiation effects, especially associated with low radiation doses. Further experimental and clinical neuroradiobio- logical studies aimed at exploration of the effect of ionizing radiation on hippocampal neurogenesis are most rele- vant nowadays.

NEUROPSYCHOBIOLOGICAL MECHANISMS OF AFFECTIVE AND COGNITIVE DISORDERS IN THE CHORNOBYL CLEAN-UP WORKERS TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE SPECIFIC GENE POLYMORPHISMS. / NEIROPSYKhOBIOLOGIChNI MEKhANIZMY AFEKTYVNYKh I KOGNITYVNYKh ROZLADIV V UChASNYKIV LIKVIDATsIÏ NASLIDKIV AVARIÏ NA ChORNOBYL'S'KII AES Z URAKhUVANNIaM POLIMORFIZMU GENIV.

Relevance of the present work is determined by the considerable prevalence of both affective and cognitive disor-ders in the victims due to the Chornobyl accident, the pathogenesis of which is insufficiently studied.Objective is to identify the neuropsychiobiological mechanisms of the formation of the remote affective and cog-nitive disorders following exposure to ionizing radiation taking into account the specific gene polymorphisms.Design, object and methods of research. The retrospective and prospective cohort study with the external andinternal control groups. The randomized sample of the male participants in liquidation of the consequences of theaccident (Chornobyl clean-up workers, liquidators) at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant (ChNPP) in 1986-1987(n = 198) recruited from the Clinico-epidemiological registry (CER) of NRCRM aged 39-87 (M ± SD: 60.0-8.5 years)with the external irradiation dose ranged 0.6-5900.0 mSv (M ± SD: 456.0 ± 760.0 mSv) was examined. The compar-ison group (n = 110) consisted of the unexposed patients of the Radiation Psychoneurology Department with thecorresponding age and sex (the external control group). The internal control group included the liquidators irradi-ated at doses < 50.0 mSv (n = 42). The standard diagnostic neuropsychiatric scales, psychodiagnostic questionnairesand tests, neuropsychological methods (including the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) with premorbid IQ(pre-IQ) assessment), neuropsychiatric and psychophysiological methods (quantitative EEG (qEEG) and the audito-ry cognitive evoked potentials (Event-Related Potentials, ERP) were applied. The genotypes of the serotonin trans-porter gene SLC6A4 were determined by the 5_HTTLPR and rs25531 polymorphisms. The methods of descriptive and vari-ation statistics, non-parametric criteria, regression-correlation analysis, survival analysis by Kaplan - Meier and riskanalysis were used.Results. Cerebrovascular diseases, organic mental and depressive disorders, mainly of radiation-stress-relatednature, prevail among the liquidators. The overall risk of neuropsychiatric pathology increases (Pv < 0.001) with theirradiation dose. The verbal memory and learning are impaired, as well as the full IQ is reduced at the expense of theverbal one. The frequency of both mild cognitive impairment and dementia is risen. The cognitive impairment atdoses > 0.3 Sv is dose-dependent (r = 0.4-0.7; p = 0.03-0.003). Affective disorders (depression) and neurocogni-tive deficit are more severe at higher doses of irradiation (> 50 mSv). In the left posterior temporal region(Wernicke's area) the qEEG indices changes become dose-dependent at doses greater than 0.25-0.3 Sv. The dis-turbed brain information processes lateralized to the Wernicke's area are observed even at doses > 50 mSv. The car-riers of intermediate and low-level genotypes (LА/S, LА/LG, LG/LG, LG/S, S/S) of the serotonin transporter gene SLC6A4have more depressive disorders, especially severe ones, and tend to have more frequent and severe cognitive andstress-related disorders.The debut of depressive disorders in the carriers of the intermediate and low-activity genotypes occurs much earli-er (Log-Rank Test = 4.43, p = 0.035) in comparison with the carriers of the high-performance genotype LА/ LА.Conclusions. The radiation-induced dysfunction of the cortico-limbic system in the left dominant hemisphere ofthe human brain with a specific involvement of the hippocampus is considered to be the key cerebral basis of post-radiation organic brain damage. The association of genotypes by 5_HTTLPR and rs25531 polymorphisms of the SLC6A4gene with affective and cognitive disorders suggests the presence of neuropsychobiological features of these dis-orders associated with ionizing radiation depending on the certain gene polymorphisms.

Myastenia and small doses of ionizing radiation: experience of successful use of rituximab for treatment of an irradiated with myasthenia gravis. / MIASTENIIa I MALI DOZY IONIZUIuChOÏ RADIATsIÏ: DOSVID USPIShNOGO ZASTOSUVANNIa RYTUKSYMABU DLIa LIKUVANNIa OPROMINENOGO Z MYASTHENIA GRAVIS.

A clinical case of the rituximab («Rituksim¼, «Mabthera¼) use to treat a man affected by the Chornobyl NPP acci dent with malignant resistant form of myasthenia gravis in conjunction with chronic mixed infection by Toxoplasma, Epstein Barr virus, Cytomegalovirus and Herpes simplex virus is described. In the dynamics of two year's observa tion the clinical efficacy of monoclonal antibodies was shown as the main symptoms stabilization and reducing doses of glucocorticoid and anticholinergic therapy. The positive effect was marked in the nearest and remote peri ods. Taking to account the efficacy, safety and good tolerability of rituximab, it is advisable to recommend treat ment for people exposed to ionizing radiation and developing myasthenia associated with chronic mixed infection by Toxoplasma, Epstein Barr, Cytomegalovirus and Herpes simplex virus.

Initial healthcare to pediatric population under the radiation events. / MEDYChNA DOPOMOGA DYTIaChOMU NASELENNIu PRY RADIATsIY̆NYKh PODIIaKh NA PERShYKh ETAPAKh.

The objective of this paper is to analyze the data from scientific literature and available recommendations for health professionals on healthcare providing to pediatric population in the events associated with risk of radiation exposure. Over the past sixty years there were several large scale radiological events with a large number of chil dren affected, namely the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, accident at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant, contact to 137Cs radiation source unutilized at the hospital shutdown in Brazil etc. Further research has crys tallized injuries and health disorders in the survived children in all cases being much more significant vs. other pop ulations. Analysis of circumstances and features of a number of emergency situations or incidents in the nuclear industry for several decades has shown a high probability of radioactive materials release into the environment. The danger of terrorism with the use of ionizing radiation sources resulting in a considered inevitable hazard to the chil dren is estimated as serious in recent years and deserves an especial mention here.

Ionizing radiation: brain effects and related neuropsychiatric manifestations. / IONIZUIuChA RADIATsIIa: VPLYV NA GOLOVNYY̆ MOZOK TA NEY̆ROPSYKhIATRYChNI PROIaVY.

Recently, an increasing interest has been directed towards the investigation of brain effects of ionizing radiation (IR), as it is now evident that, depending on the doses, the damages character and severity, as well as clinical man ifestations are different. They are generally considered to be the result of a blending of atherosclerotic, cardiovas cular, cerebrovascular and neurodegenerative processes. Further, an ongoing debate has been opened on the pos sible brain abnormalities following medical radiation from X ray in interventional radiology and nuclear medicine procedures that would involve both patients and medical workers. The aim of the present paper is to summarize literature data on brain effects of IR exposure, with a special focus on those gathered by some of the authors after the Chornobyl nuclear plant disaster, and how they can be related to the pathophysiology of different neuropsy chiatric disorders.

Interpretation of results of radioiodine measurements in thyroid for residents of Ukraine (1986). / INTERPRETATsIIa REZUL'TATIV VYMIRIuVAN' VMISTU RADIOiODU U ShchYTOPODIBNIi ZALOZI MEShKANTsIV UKRAiNY (1986 RIK).

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this research is to make analysis, revision and estimation both reliability and accuracy of all measurements of radioiodine in the thyroid for residents of Ukraine, which were performed in 1986, and to justify the calibration factors to be applied for interpretation of measurements performed by non-calibrated devices. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The radioiodine activity in the thyroid for residents of the most contaminated oblasts of Ukraine has been calculated on the base of 150 thousands direct measurements of the content of 131I in thyroid obtained in the frames of the thyroid monitoring in 1986. A method for the calculation of measurement errors has been developed and the accuracy of the errors has been determined assuming that the density of errors' distribution for main parameters of the measurements is close to Gaussian. Using the results of laboratory measurements, the calibration factors have been determined for integrated radiometers SRP-68-01 - devices which were often used to perform the thyroid dosimetric monitoring. RESULTS: The distribution of estimates on the content of radioiodine in thyroid is close to the lognormal one with geometric mean being equal to 4.8 kBq and geometric standard deviation being equal to 3.8. Most of these estimates (90 %) are in the range of 0.58-47 kBq, and the main set of their relative errors (90 %) are between 0.1 and 0.6. Thus, the model of thyroid activity observation with classical additive error has been obtained.

Postaccident changes in health status of the Chornobyl cleanup workers 1986-1987 (period of observation 1988-2012). / PISLIaAVARIY̆NI ZMINY STANU ZDOROV'Ia UChASNYKIV LIKVIDATsII NASLIDKIV AVARII NA ChAES 1986-1987 rr. (PERIOD SPOSTEREZhENNIa 1988-2012 rr.).

OBJECTIVE: To determine postaccident changes in health status of the Chornobyl cleanup workers 1986 1987, pecu liarities of nontumor incidence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Long term cohort epidemiological study (period of observation 1988-2012) has been con ducted using data of the State Registry of Ukraine of Persons Affected by the Chornobyl Accident. Study cohort - 196,423 males participants of the Chornobyl recovery operations in 1986-1987. Epidemiological and mathematical and statistical methods were used. RESULTS: We have found a dramatic deterioration of the Chornobyl cleanup workers' health due to the growth of wide range of nontumor diseases, especially circulatory, digestive, respiratory, endocrine, genitourinary and nervous sys tem diseases. In postaccident period, disability and mortality have increased significantly due to nontumor dis eases. Circulatory diseases make major contribution to the structure of causes of disability and death. When study ing the dynamics of nontumor incidence, we have found that in 1988-1992 the highest, throughout postaccident period, rate of mental and behavioral disorders, diseases of the nervous system was mainly due to disorders of the autonomic nervous system. Since 1993-1997, rate of this pathology has significantly reduced and remained stable in subsequent years of observation. Thus, we can assume that in the early postaccident period, stress factor in com bination with radiation one had the greatest impact on health of cleanup workers, resulting in the development of other nontumor diseases in the remote postaccident period. CONCLUSIONS: The study revealed an evident increase in nontumor incidence, disability and mortality from nontumor diseases among Chornobyl cleanup workers 1986-1987; the highest rate of nontumor incidence was observed 12-21 years after the Chornobyl accident.

Research of DNA repair genes polymorphism XRCC1 and XPD and the risks of thyroid cancer development in persons exposed to ionizing radiation after the Chornobyl disaster. / DOSLIDZhENNIa POLIMORFIZMU GENIV REPARATsIi DNK XRCC1 TA XPD TA RYZYKU VYNYKNENNIa RAKU ShchYTOPODIBNOi ZALOZY U OSIB, IaKI ZAZNALY DIi IONIZUIuChOi RADIATsIi VNASLIDOK AVARIi NA ChORNOBYL'S'KIi AES.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this work was to determine and compare the features of DNA repair gene XRCC1 Arg399Gln and XPD Lys751Gln polymorphisms in patients with thyroid cancer (TC), who were exposed to ionizing radiation (IR) as a result of the Chornobyl disaster, and in patients without exposure to ionizing radiation in history. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Determination of gene XRCC1 Arg399Gln and XPD Lys751Gln polymorphisms was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 102 patients with thyroid cancer: 38 people, who were exposed to ionizing radiation due to Chornobyl disaster (members of the accident, and evacuees and residents from controlled areas contaminated with radionuclides), 64 individuals without exposure to ionizing radiation in history and 41 persons residents of Ukraine without cancer pathology in the control group. For comparison of the data on spontaneous and radiation-associated thyroid cancer and settlement of allele frequencies differences and risk of cancer pathology were used the literature data on control groups of populations of Russia, Belarus and Poland. RESULTS: Comparing to the literature data on XRCC1 Arg399Gln polymorphisms in radiation-exposed individuals without cancer pathology, the risk of thyroid cancer in homozygous minor allele XRCC1 Gln399Gln carriers, who were exposed to ionizing radiation was significantly increased: OR = 4,14, p = 0,001 (CI95 % 1,72-9,93). In homozygous carriers of the minor allele of the gene XPD Lys751Gln, exposed to IR, revealed increased risk of thyroid cancer: OR = 3,30, p = 0,05 (CI 95 % 0,82-14,14), when compared with the control group of Ukrainian population. CONCLUSIONS: The carriage of homozygous minor allele Gln399Gln XRCC1 and XPD Gln751Gln of DNA repair genes is a risk factor for thyroid cancer under the influence of ionizing radiation in research group of Ukrainian population.

Allelic polymorphism of DNA repair gene XRCC1 in patients with thyroid cancer who were exposed to ionizing radiation as a result of the Chornobyl accident. / Alel''nyj polimorfizm gena reparacii' DNK XRSS1 u hvoryh na rak shhytopodibnoi' zalozy, jaki zaznaly dii' ionizujuchoi' radiacii' vnaslidok avarii' na Chornobyl''s''kij AES.

Objective - to determine and compare the features of DNA repair gene XRCC1 Arg399Gln polymorphisms in patients with thyroid cancer (TC), who were exposed to ionizing radiation as a result of the Chornobyl disaster, and in patients without exposure to ionizing radiation in history. Materials and methods. Determination of gene XRCC1 Arg399Gln polymorphisms was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 102 patients with thyroid cancer: 38 people, who were exposed to ionizing radiation due to Chornobyl disaster (clean-up workers, evacuees and residents from controlled areas contaminated with radionuclides) and 64 individuals without exposure to ionizing radiation in anamnesis. The literature data on control groups of populations of Russia and Belarus were used for comparison of the data on spontaneous and radiation-associated thyroid cancer and calculation of allele frequencies differences and risk of cancer pathology. Results. Frequency of minor allele Arg399Gln XRCC1 gene and homozygous carriers of this allele in patients with thyroid cancer, who were exposed to ionizing radiation due to Chornobyl disaster was significantly higher than in patients without exposure to ionizing radiation in anamnesis (0.57 and 0.37, p = 0.006 and 34.21 % and 7.81 %, p = 0.001, respectively). Comparing to the literature data on XRCC1 Arg399Gln polymorphisms in radiation-exposed individuals without cancer pathology, the risk of thyroid cancer in homozygous minor allele XRCC1 Gln399Gln carriers, who were exposed to ionizing radiation was significantly increased: OR = 4.14, p = 0.001 (CI95 % 1.72-9.93). Conclusions. The carrying of homozygous minor allele Gln399Gln of DNA repair gene XRCC1 is a risk factor for thyroid cancer under the influence of ionizing radiation in research group of Ukrainian population.

Depression and ionizing radiation.

The objective of this at issue paper is the analysis of published data in correlation with the results of own research on the potential role of ionizing radiation in the genesis of depressive disorders. Depression is one of the most significant and long-term effect of the atomic bombings, nuclear testing and radiation emergences. The participants of the accident at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant increased prevalence of depression (18.0% and 13.1% in controls) and suicide rates. Depression is mainly observed in the structure of an organic mental disorder against cerebrovascular disease. The clinical pattern is dominated by asthenoadynamic and asthenoapathetic depression. Depressive disorders in radiation emergencies are multifactorial, that is the result of exposure to the complex psychogenic and radiological accident's factors, impact of traditional risk factors, somatic and neurological diseases, genetic predisposition, predisposition, etc. At the same time, exposure to ionizing radiation is a factor in the genesis of depression. This impact can be direct (to the Central Nervous System), and indirectly through the somatic and neurological abnormalities (multiorgan dysfunction) as well as by a variety of pathogenic mechanisms of ionizing radiation on the brain that have been discovered recently. It is strongly necessary analytical clinical and epidemiological studies with verification of depression and evidence-based establishment of the role of radiation and non-radiation risk factors.