[NEUROBLASTOMA IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS].

Neuroblastoma the most common malignant tumor of childhood, which is often localized in the retroperitoneal space, mainly in the adrenal glands, paravertebral retroperitoneal space, at rare in the posterior mediastinum, in the neck, presacral area. First symptoms of neuroblastoma are nonspecific, mimic various diseases. In the following clinical manifestations depend on the localization of the tumor, stage presence and location of metastases. In the diagnosis of neuroblastoma using ultrasonography and computed tomography. Of the 26 children whose neuroblastoma detected in different periods have died 12. Radical removal of the tumor only effective the first year of life. Chemotherapy is effective in 50% of operated children.

[The chiral mutagens: cytogenetic effects on higher plants].

The paper covers investigation of cytogenetic activity of chiral mutagens and their specific effects on the plant cells chromosomes of soft winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Comparative analysis of cytogenetic activity of chiral NEU: S(+)1-N-nitroso- 1-N-methyl-3-N-sec-buthylureas (S(+)NMsBU) and R(-)1-N-nitroso- 1N-methyl-3-Nsec-buthylureas (R(-)NMsBU) on winter wheat was performed. As it was shown by the frequency of chromosomal aberrations the S(+) stereoisomer was twice more active than R(-). In addition to typical anaphase aberrations (fragments, bridges, lagging chromosomes) the numerous mitosis pathologies were revealed - K-mitoses, hyperspiralization and despiralization of chromosomes, unequal allocation of chromosomes between the daughter nuclei, mass fragmentation, nondisjunction and chromosome adhesion, three-pole mitoses, etc. Neither of the mentioned pathologies was observed under the action of NEU and gamma-rays.

[Comparative analysis of cosmonauts skeleton changes after space flights on orbital station Mir and international space station and possibilities of prognosis for interplanetary missions].

A summary of investigations results of human bone tissue changes in space flight on the orbital station (OS) Mir and international space station (ISS) using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is given. Results comparative analysis revealed an absence of significant differences in bone mass (BM) changes on the both OS. Theoretically expected BM loss was observed in bone trabecular structure of skeleton low part after space flight lasting 5-7 month. The BM losses are qualified in some cases as quicly developed but reversible osteopenia and generally interpreted as evidence of bone functional adaptation to the alterating mechanical loading. It was demonstrated the high individual variability BM loss amplitudes. Simultaneously was observed the individual pattern of BM loss distribution across different segments of skeleton after repetitive flights independently upon type of OS. In according with the above mentioned individual peculiarities it was impossible to establish the dependence of BM changes upon duration of space missions. Therefore we have not sufficiently data for calculation of probability to achive the critical demineralization level by the augmentation the space mission duration till 1.5-2 years. It is more less possibility of the bone quality changes prognosis, which in the aggregate with BM losses determines the bone fracture risk. It become clearly that DXA technology is unsuffitiently for this purpose. It is considered the main direction which may optimized the elaboration of the interplanetary project meaning the perfectly safe of skeleton mechanical function.

[Population genetic study of Russian cosmonauts and test subjects: genetic demographic parameters and immunogenetic markers].

Genetic demographic characteristics and immunogenetic markers (blood groups ABO, Rhesus, MNSs, P, Duffy, Kidd, and Kell) have been studied in a group of 132 Russian cosmonauts and test subjects (CTSG). Analysis of pedigrees has shown a high exogamy in the preceding generations: almost half of the subjects have mixed ethnic background. According to the results of genetic demographic analysis, a sample from the Moscow population was used as control group (CG). Comparison between the CTSG and CG has demonstrated significant differences in genotype frequencies for several blood group systems. The CTSG is characterized by a decreased proportion of rare interlocus genotypic combinations and an increased man heterozygosity. Analysis of the distributions of individual heterozygosity for loci with codominant expression of alleles has shown that highly heterozygous loci are more frequent in the CTSG. Taking into account that the CTSG has been thoroughly selected from the general population, it is concluded that heterozygosity is related to successful adaptation to a space flight.

[Identification of individual genotype parameters, informative for medical care in piloted space missions: modern and future capabilities].

The factors of space flight provoke some negative shifts in crew health. Improvement of the methods of diagnostics, evaluation of predisposition to diseases and correction of functional deviations is within the scope of the crew medical operations personnel. It is also a new focus of biomedical research referred to as "personalized medicine" the corner stone of which is genetic analysis. Investigations in this area are prediscovery by character; population genetics seems to be the most adequate approach. The authors give examples of candidate genes the genotypes of which could be of significance to medical operations and discuss the genetic safety of space flight. Aside from the applied aspects, the genetic investigations of space crews are of their own concernment in understanding the genetic basis of differences in biological resistance to unhealthy environment.

[Dynamics of ECG voltage in changing gravity].

Comparative analysis of the QRS voltage response to gravity variations was made using the data about 26 normal human subjects collected in parabolic flights (CNERS-AIRBUS A300 Zero-G, n=23; IL-76MD, n=3) and during the tilt test (head-up tilt at 70 degrees for a min and head-down tilt at-15 degrees for 5 min, n=14). Both the parabolic flights and provocative tilt tests affected R-amplitude in the Z lead. During the hypergravity episodes it was observed in 95% of cases with the mean gain of 16% and maximal--56%. On transition to the horizontal position, the Rz-amplitude showed a rise in each subject (16% on the average). In microgravity, the Rz-amplitude reduced in 95% of the observations. The voltage decline averaged 18% and reached 49% at the maximum. The head-down tilt was conducive to Rz reduction in 78% of observations averaging 2%. Analysis of the ECG records under changing gravity when blood redistribution developed within few seconds not enough for serious metabolic shifts still revealed QRS deviations associated exclusively with the physical factors, i.e., alteration in tissue conduction and distance to electrodes. Our findings can stand in good stead in evaluation of the dynamics of predictive ECG parameters during long-term experiments leading to changes as in tissue conduction, so metabolism.

[Reactions of the human bone system in space flight: phenomenology].

Results of multi-year bone observations in crewmembers of long-term (6 to 14 mos.) Salyut and Mir missions have been summarized. The theoretical expectation of bone losses (mineral bone density, MBD) was consistent only in the trabecular of the lower skeleton (lumbar spine, femur proximal epiphysis, pelvis). The upper skeleton bones (skull, cervical spine) demonstrated a clears-defined trend toward an increase in mineral content. There is a direct dependence of MBD losses on a skeleton bone position relative to the gravity vector and bone structure. Post-flight MBD did not, as a rule, deviate from the WHO-defined limits (T-criterion); in several instances MBD loss was qualified as local osteopenia. Shifts in MBD, same as MBD recovery rate, vary with subjects and, therefore, deny their dependence on flight duration. By and large, MBD shifts are interpreted as a functional adaptation of bone tissue to changing mechanic demands.

Development of U.S.-Russian medical support procedures for long-duration spaceflight: the NASA-Mir experience.

As the Russian Space Agency and the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration began in the mid-1990s to plan a preliminary cooperative flight program in anticipation of the International Space Station, programmatic and philosophical differences became apparent in the technical and medical approaches of the two agencies. This paper briefly describes some of these differences and the process by which the two sides resolved differences in their approaches to the medical selection and certification of NASA-Mir crewmembers. These negotiations formed the basis for developing policies on other aspects of the medical support function for international missions, including crew training, preflight and postflight data collection, and rehabilitation protocols. The experience gained through this cooperative effort has been invaluable for developing medical care capabilities for the International Space Station.

Problems of psychological monitoring in astronaut training.

Monitoring of the goal-oriented psychological changes of a man during professional training is necessary. The level development of the astronaut psychic features is checked by means of psychological testing with the final aim to evaluate each professionally important psychological qualities and to evaluate in general. The list of psychological features needed for evaluation is determined and empirically selected weight factors based on wide statistical sampling is introduced. Accumulation of psychological test results can predict an astronaut's ability of solving complicated problems in a flight mission. It can help to correct the training process and reveal weakness.

[A comparative analysis of plant hereditary variability during mutagenic treatment of the generative cells and seeds of corn]. / Sravnitel'nyi analiz nasledstvennoi izmenchivosti rastenii pri mutagennoi obrabotke generativnykh kletok i semian kukuruzy.

The effect of mutagenic factors on maize generative cells during different gametogenesis stages, as well as on mature pollen and gametes causes an essential raise in frequency, widening in visible mutation spectra and seems to be more efficient than on dry seeds. Original mutations on qualitative and quantitative characters have been obtained.

[Mutagenic activity of nitrosoalkylureas and diazoketones on corn. I]. / Izuchenie mutagennoi aktivnosti nitrozoalkilmochevin i diazoketonov na kukuruze. Soobshchenie I.

Among the nitrozoalkylureas studied, nitrozoethylurea proved to be the most effective in respect to the frequency of induced chromosome aberrations. Diazoketones, except for bis-diazoacetyl had a negligible effect on the chromosome structure. As to the frequency of induced visible mutations (M1-M3) diazoacetone, nitrosodiethylurea, bis-diazoacetyl and nitrozodimethylurea (88.8-54.3% of mutations) were the most active among 10 studied mutagens.

[Mutagenic effect of several pesticides on durum spring wheat]. / Izuchenie mutagennogo deistviia nekotorykh pestitsidov na iarovuiu tverduiu pshenitsu.

Spraying of spring wheat plants during vegetation with herbicides of 2,4-D group and ethrel increased chromosome aberrations in meiosis 2.8-5, 3.6-4.1 times. The insecticides, chlorophos and phtalophos, in a little higher dosage than it is usually practised increased the spontaneous level of chromosome aberrations 3.1-5.5 times. Phtalophos also induced chlorophyll mutations. These results testify to the necessity of keeping strictly to the established normative doses, because of overdosage is of potential genetic danger to spring wheat crops.

[Informational technologies in medical support to an interplanetary mission crew]. / Informatsionnye tekhnologii v meditsinskom obespechenii ékipazha mezhplanetnogo kosmicheskogo poleta.

Plans to send humans to Mars dictate revision of the whole crew medical support system. Autonomy of the mission will extend crew responsibilities for all dimensions of medical support. The article compares and contrasts medical support of crews on orbital and interplanetary missions, and considers the place and functionality of medical informational technologies in a mission to Mars.

[The dynamics of the electroencephalogram indices in pilots with acute hypoxia]. / Dinamika pokazatelei élektroéntsefalogrammy u letchikov pri ostroi gipoksii.

In experimental conditions the authors have modelled the state of acute hypoxia in pilots with disorders of high psychic functions. In the result of these researches it was found out that the changes of peak frequency of alpha rhythm anticipated the slow delta and theta rhythms. This EEG characteristic feature could be used for the development of a device which would control these states in pilots.

[Clinical and physiological evaluation of bone changes among astronauts after long-term space flights]. / Kliniko-fiziologicheskaia otsenka izmenenii kostnoi tkani u kosmonavtov posle dlitel'nykh kosmicheskikh poletov.

Results of the joint Russian/US studies of the effect of microgravity on bone tissues in 18 cosmonauts on return from 4.5- to 14.5-month long missions are presented. Dual-energy x-ray gamma-absorbtiometry (QDR-1000 W, Hologic, USA) was used to measure bone mineral density (BMD, g/cm2) and mineral content (BMC, g) in the whole body, the scalp including cervical vertebra, arms, ribs, sternal and lumbar regions of the spinal column, pelvis and legs. A clearly defined dependence of topography of changes upon the position of a skeletal segment in the gravity vector was established. The greatest BMD losses have been observed in the skeleton of the lower body, i.e. in pelvic bones (-11.99 +/- 1.22%), lumbar vertebra (-5.63 +/- 0.817%), and in proximal femur, particularly in the femoral neck (-8.17 +/- 1.24%). Bones of the upper skeleton were either unchanged (insignificant) or showed a positive trend. Overall changes in bone mass of the whole skeleton of male cosmonauts during the period of about 6 months on mission made up -1.41 +/- 0.406% and suggest the mean balance of calcium over flight equal to -227 +/- 62.8 mg/day. Reasoning is given to qualify these states of cosmonauts' bone tissues as local osteopenia. On the literature and results of authors' clinical evidence, discussed is availability of the densitometric data for predicting risk of trauma. A biological nature of the changes under observation is hypothesized.