Chromosome%20aberration%20analysis%20in%20peripheral%20lymphocytes%20of%20Gulf%20and%20Balkans%20war%20veterans

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Chromosome aberration analysis in peripheral
lymphocytes of Gulf and Balkans war veterans

• H.Schröder, A.Heimers, R.Frentzel-Beyme, A.Schott
  and W.Hoffmann

Radiation Protection Dosimetry, 103211-219 (2003)
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Human T-lymphocyte metaphase
Karyotype 46, XY
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Chromosome- type aberrations distinguishable
cytologically at mitosis
centric ring chromosome and acentric fragment
dicentric chromosome and acentric fragment
Two normal chromosomes
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Aberrant metaphase
Metaphase with two dicentric chromosomes and two
acentric fragments
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Exclusion criteria

• Previous radiotherapy and/or medical use of
  cytotoxic drugs
• Greater than average exposure to diagnostic
  medical radiation
• Heavy smokers (more than 20 Cigarettes a day over
  more than 10 years)
• Previous work in the nuclear industry or other
  badgemonitored occupation

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2nd division metaphase with sister chromatid
exchanges (SCE)
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Results of the chromosome aberration analysis
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Result of the chromosome aberration analysis
after grouping
Group Number of cells analysed Number of dic cR Mean 95CI- 95CI
Gulf, subjects (N16) 15963 40 0,0025 0,0018 0,0034
Balkans (N2) 2005 4 0,0020 0,0005 0,0051
Gulf and Balkans (N1) 1002 3 0,0030 0,0006 0,0088
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Distribution of the observed dicentric
chromosomes and centric ring chromosomes
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Very rare findings

• Multicentric ring chromosome in a tetraploid
  metaphase, most probably consting of 4
  chromosomes
• One metaphase with pulverized chromosomal material

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Results, summary

• Method of chromosome aberration analysis is both
  sensitive and specific
• 5-fold elevation of dic and cR compared to the
  control (2.5 per 1000 M vs 0.5 per 1000 M)
• elevation is highly significant
• significant elevation of dic and cR also in 9 of
  the 19 individual cases
• distribution of dic and cR deviates from Poisson
• very rare finding of a multi-cR in a tetraploid
  metaphase and pvz chromosome material
• biological half life of dic is 3.5 years,
  contradicts to an acute radiation event

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Results of the SCE-Assay