Title: Female reproductive function in areas affected by radiation after the Chernobyl power station accident
Author: Kulakov VI, Sokur TN, Volobuev AI, Tzibulskaya IS, Malisheva VA, Zikin BI, Ezova LC, Belyaeva LA, Bonartzev PD, Speranskaya NV, et al.
Reference: Environ Health Perspect. 1993 Jul;101 (Suppl 2):117–123
Keywords: female reproductive function, Belarus, Ukraine
Abstract: [This paper reports the results of a comprehensive survey of the effects of the accidental release of radiation caused by the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power station in April 1986. The accident and the resulting release of radiation and radioactive products into the atmosphere produced the most serious environmental contamination so far recorded. We have concentrated on evaluating the outcomes and health risks to women, their reproductive situation, and consequences for their progeny. We have concentrated on two well-defined areas: the Chechersky district of the Gomel region in Belorussia and the Polessky district of the Kiev region in the Ukraine….]
URL:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1519931/
Title: Elevated Minisatellite Mutation Rate in the Post-Chernobyl Families from Ukraine
Author: Yuri E. Dubrova, Gemma Grant, Anatoliy A. Chumak, Vasyl A. Stezhka, Angela N. Karakasian
Reference: Am. J. Hum. Genet. 71:801–809, 2002
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1086/342729
Keywords:Germline mutation, minisatellite, Ukraine
Abstract: Germline mutation at eight human minisatellite loci has been studied among families from rural areas of the Kiev and Zhitomir regions of Ukraine, which were heavily contaminated by radionuclides after the Chernobyl accident. The control and exposed groups were composed of families containing children conceived before and after the Chernobyl accident, respectively. The groups were matched by ethnicity, maternal age, parental occupation, and smoking habits, and they differed only slightly by paternal age. A statistically significant 1.6-fold increase in mutation rate was found in the germline of exposed fathers, whereas the maternal germline mutation rate in the exposed families was not elevated. These data, together with the results of our previous analysis of the exposed families from Belarus, suggest that the elevated minisatellite mutation rate can be attributed to post-Chernobyl radioactive exposure. The mechanisms of mutation induction at human minisatellite loci are discussed.
URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002929707603668
Title: Reduction of births in Italy after the Chernobyl accident
Author: Bertollini R, Di Lallo D, Mastroiacovo P, Perucci CA
Reference: Scand J Work Environ Health. 1990 Apr;16(2):96-101
Keywords: birth, Italy, abortion
Abstract: After the Chernobyl accident serious concern spread throughout Italy about the possible effects of the consequent exposure to radioactivity on fetuses. A reduction of births in the first three months of 1987, and particularly in February (7.2% reduction in the birth rate), was observed throughout Italy. In April-June 1987 a 4.8% increase in the number of births was observed. The magnitude of both phenomena varied in different areas of the country. The total number of births in the first six months of 1987 was very similar to the expected (264,241 versus 263,659). Induced abortions increased in Lombardia (northern Italy) in June (+1.6%) and July of 1986 (+3.4%) and in Campania (southern Italy) in June (+12.7%) and August (+4.3%). No increase in legal abortions was detected in Lazio (central Italy). Italian data suggest a voluntary decrease in the number of planned pregnancies and the termination of some of them in the first weeks after the accident as a consequence of postdisaster stress.
URL:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2353200
Title: The Chernobyl accident and induced abortions: only one-way information
Author: Perucchi M, Domenighetti G.
Reference: Scand J Work Environ Health 1990;16:443-4
DOI: 10.5271/sjweh.1761
Keywords: abortion
Abstract: Comment on Reduction of births in Italy after the Chernobyl accident. [Scand J Work Environ Health. 1990]
URL:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2284594
Title: The victims of Chernobyl in Greece: induced abortions after the accident
Author: D Trichopoulos, X Zavitsanos, C Koutis, P Drogari, C Proukakis, and E Petridou
Reference: Br Med J (Clin Res Ed). 1987 October 31; 295(6606): 1100
Keywords: Greece, abortion
Abstract: The number of abortion performed because of the Chernobyl accident by recording the actual numbers of liveborn infants in Greece by month until the end of March 1987 and comparing this numbers with those expected on the basis of recent birth rate trends.
URL:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1248180/pdf/bmjcred00044-0022.pdf
Title: Chernobyl fallout and outcome of pregnancy in Finland
Author: A Auvinen, M Vahteristo, H Arvela, M Suomela, T Rahola, M Hakama, and T Rytömaa
Reference: Environ Health Perspect. 2001 February; 109(2): 179–185.
Keywords: Finland, pregnancy
Abstract: Possible effects of Chernobyl fallout on outcome of pregnancy in Finland were evaluated in a nationwide follow-up study. The outcomes were the rate of live births and stillbirths, pregnancy loss, and induced abortions by municipality. Exposure was assessed based on nationwide surveys of radiation dose rate from the Chernobyl fallout, from both external and internal exposures. Using these measurements, we estimated the monthly dose rate for each of the 455 Finnish municipalities. On average, the dose rate from Chernobyl fallout reached 50 microSv per month in May 1986–a doubling of the natural background radiation. In the most heavily affected area, 4 times the normal background dose rates were recorded. Given the underlying regional differences in live birth, stillbirth, and abortion rates, we used longitudinal analysis comparing changes over time within municipalities. A temporary decline in the live birth rate had already begun before 1986, with no clear relationship to the level of fallout. A statistically significant increase in spontaneous abortions with dose of radiation was observed. No marked changes in induced abortions or stillbirths were observed. The decrease in the live birth rate is probably not a biological effect of radiation, but more likely related to public concerns of the fallout. The effect on spontaneous abortions should be interpreted with caution, because of potential bias or confounding. Further, there is little support in the epidemiologic literature on effects of very low doses of radiation on pregnancy outcome.
URL:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1240640/
Title: Founder mutations in the BRCA1 gene in west Belarusian breast-ovarian cancer families
Author: O Oszurek, B Gorski, J Gronwald, Z Prosolow, K Uglanica, A Murinow, I Bobko, O Downar, M Zlobicz, D Norik, T Byrski, A Jakubowska, J Lubinski
Reference: Clinical Genetics, Volume 60, Issue 6, pages 470–471, December 2001
DOI: 10.1034/j.1399-0004.2001.600611.x
Keywords:BRCA1, Belarus, breast cancer, ovarian cancer
Abstract: Germline mutation at eight human minisatellite loci has been studied among families from rural areas of the Kiev and Zhitomir regions of Ukraine, which were heavily contaminated by radionuclides after the Chernobyl accident. The control and exposed groups were composed of families containing children conceived before and after the Chernobyl accident, respectively. The groups were matched by ethnicity, maternal age, parental occupation, and smoking habits, and they differed only slightly by paternal age. A statistically significant 1.6-fold increase in mutation rate was found in the germline of exposed fathers, whereas the maternal germline mutation rate in the exposed families was not elevated. These data, together with the results of our previous analysis of the exposed families from Belarus, suggest that the elevated minisatellite mutation rate can be attributed to post-Chernobyl radioactive exposure. The mechanisms of mutation induction at human minisatellite loci are discussed.
URL: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1034/j.1399-0004.2001.600611.x/abstract
Title: High frequency and allele-specific differences of BRCA1 founder mutations in breast cancer and ovarian cancer patients from Belarus.
Author: Bogdanova NV, Antonenkova NN, Rogov YI, Karstens JH, Hillemanns P, Dörk T.
Reference: Clinical Genetics Volume 78, Issue 4, pages 364–372, October 2010
DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-0004.2010.01473.x
Keywords: BRCA1, breast cancer, founder mutations, genetic susceptibility, ovarian cancer, radiation, Belarus
Abstract: Breast cancer and ovarian cancer are common malignancies in Belarus accounting for about 3500 and 800 new cases per year, respectively. For breast cancer, the rates and age of onset appear to vary significantly in regions differentially affected by the Chernobyl accident.
URL: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1399-0004.2010.01473.x/abstract
Title: Fear of the unknown: ionizing radiation exposure during pregnancy
Author: Reinou S. Groen, Jin Y. Bae, Kyoung J. Lim
Reference: American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Volume 206, Issue 6, June 2012, Pages 456-462
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2011.12.001
Keywords: lactation, nuclear, pregnancy, protective measures, radiation, Fukushima
Abstract: Ionizing radiation during pregnancy can negatively impact a fetus. In light of the Fukushima nuclear plant disaster in Japan, we discuss existing knowledge on the health effects of radiation and preventive measures for pregnant women. Overall, the risk of exposure to radiation is limited but severe defects can result from fetal radiation exposure >100 mGy equivalent to 10 rad (>1000 chest x-rays). While such high-level exposure rarely occurs during single medical diagnostic procedures, caution should be exercised for pregnant women. As a protective public health measure in light of a disaster, evacuation, shielding, and elimination of ingested radioactive isotopes should all be considered. Detailed radiation reports with health effects and precautionary measures should be available for a population exposed to more than background radiation.
URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002937811023520
Author: V.Ya. Rebeko, I.V. Rebeko
Reference: Медицинские Новости (Medical news) №5 2013
Keywords: long-term effects, radioiodine therapy, complication
Abstract: The Chernobyl accident in 1986 resulted in unprecedented, in its scale, increased of incidence of thyroid cancer (TC) in children and adults, flowing very aggressively, with rapid development of regional and distant metastases. [4] In complex treatment of highly differentiated form of thyroid cancer, an important role is played by radioiodine therapy to improve surgical ablation component of treatment and treatment of distant metastases. The accumulation of contingent of thyroid cancer patients, in need of radioiodine therapy, requires analysis of complications and long-term consequences that arise from this type of radiation therapy.
URL: http://www.mednovosti.by/journal.aspx?article=2967