mFISH analysis of chromosome aberrations in workers occupationally exposed to mixed radiation

We performed a study on the presence of chromosome aberrations in a cohort of plutonium workers of the Mayak production association (PA) with a mean age of 73.3 ± 7.2 years to see whether by multi-color fluorescence in situ hybridization (mFISH) translocation analysis can discriminate individuals who underwent occupational exposure with internal and/or external exposure to ionizing radiation 40 years ago. All Mayak PA workers were occupationally exposed to chronic internal alpha-radiation due to incorporated plutonium-239 and/or to external gamma-rays. First, we obtained the translocation yield in control individuals by mFISH to chromosome spreads of age-matched individuals and obtained background values that are similar to previously published values of an international study (Sigurdson et al. in Mutat Res 652:112–121, 2008). Workers who had absorbed a total dose of >0.5 Gy external gamma-rays to the red bone marrow (RBM) displayed a significantly higher frequency of stable chromosome aberrations relative to a group of workers exposed to <0.5 Gy gamma-rays total absorbed RBM dose. Thus, the translocation frequency may be considered to be a biological marker of external radiation exposure even years after the exposure. In a group of workers who were internally exposed and had incorporated plutonium-239 at a body burden >1.48 kBq, mFISH revealed a considerable number of cells with complex chromosomal rearrangements. Linear associations were observed for translocation yield with the absorbed RBM dose from external gamma-rays as well as for complex chromosomal rearrangements with the plutonium-239 body burden.     

Structural genomic damages in workers of plutonium production

The research objective is assessment of structural genomic damages in plutonium workers. The study group included the Mayak nuclear workers subject to chronic occupational exposure to incorporated 239Pu and/or external gamma-rays. The analysis was performed based on the culture of lymphocytes in peripheral blood. The yield of intra-chromosomal exchange aberrations of chromosomal type on stained slides was analyzed using in situ fluorescent hybridization, mBAND. Linear relationships were revealed between (a) the total yield of chromosomal type aberrations (e.g. intra- and inter-chromosomal ones) and an absorbed dose from external exposure of the red bone marrow to gamma-rays, an absorbed dose from internal exposure to a-radiation from incorporated 239Pu; and (b) the yield of intra-chromosomal exchange aberrations of chromosomal type and an absorbed dose from exposure of the red bone marrow to 239Pu and 239Pu body burden.     

Eurados review of retrospective dosimetry techniques for internal exposures to ionising radiation and their applications

Radiation and Environmental Biophysics - This work presents an overview of the applications of retrospective dosimetry techniques in case of incorporation of radionuclides. The fact that internal...     

Analysis of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms G919A and A2039G of Gene <Emphasis Type="Italic">FSHR</Emphasis> in Infertile Men

The polymorphic variants G919A and A2039G of the FSHR gene in men with azoospermia were investigated. In the nonobstructive form of azoospermia, the frequency of homozygotes GGAA, GGGG, and AAAA was 1.8–3.2 times higher than theoretically expected. In men with nonobstructive azoospermia, the highest level of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in serum was observed in homozygotes for the polymorphic variant G919A of gene FSHR; heterozygotes were characterized by intermediate values; wild-type homozygotes showed a low level, r_s = 0.49. The FSH level in some patients with the nonobstructive form was at the upper limit or higher compared with the normal values, 19.07–33.42 mIU/mL, and the FSH level was in the normal range in the obstructive form. For obstructive azoospermia, the actual frequency of heterozygotes GGGG, GAAG, and AAAA was 2–5.1 times higher than expected; no homozygotes GGAA were found.     

Structural genomic damage in plutonium workers

The research objective is assessment of structural genomic damages in plutonium workers. The study group included workers of the Mayak Production Association subject to chronic occupational internal exposure to incorporated ²³⁹Pu and/or external γ-rays. A lymphocyte culture of peripheral blood was chosen as an object of study. The yield of intrachromosomal exchange aberrations of chromosomal type on stained slides was analyzed using fluorescent in situ hybridization, mBAND. Linear relationships were revealed between (a) the total yield of chromosome-type aberrations (intra- and inter-chromosomal ones) and the absorbed dose from external exposure of the red bone marrow (RBM) to γ rays, the absorbed dose from internal exposure of the RBM to α-radiation from incorporated ²³⁹Pu, and ²³⁹Pu body burden, and (b) the yield of intrachromosomal aberrations and an absorbed dose from internal exposure of the RBM to ²³⁹Pu and ²³⁹Pu body burden.