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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

[Phenotypic characteristics of HIV isolates, isolated in the Belarus Republic].

Biological characteristics of 26 HIV strains circulating in the Republic of Belarus were studied in cell cultures. By the replicative activity, infectivity, and tropism to certain cell lines, all the strains can be divided into 2 groups: rapid/high and slow/low. Slow/low HIV strains were isolated from asymptomatic patients with lymphadenopathy and from AIDS patients. On the other hand, two rapid/high strains were isolated from patients without clinical signs of AIDS 6-8 months after probable infection.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed2002

[Evaluation of absorbed doses of ionizing radiation by milk teeth enamel in children living in the Belarus Republic].

Mean doses of ionizing radiation, absorbed by children in the Byelarus Republic, were evaluated by EPR dosimetry of tableted samples of milk teeth enamel. A relationship between the doses absorbed by the children and density of radionuclide contamination of the territory of residence was detected. Based on the mean absorbed doses, doses which can be absorbed during 70 years of life were estimated.

Absorption↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Serological properties of HIV-1 isolates from the focus of an epidemic in the Gomel region of the Belarus Republic (1996)].

Immunoreactivity of sera obtained in 1996 from HIV-1-infected intravenous narcomaniacs from an epidemic focus in Gomel region, Belarus, is studied with a panel of 10-16-component synthetic peptides simulating apical epitope of surface glycoprotein gp120 V3 loop of HIV-1 variants. Comparative analysis of resultant spectra with representative immunoreactivity spectra of sera from a sampling of HIV-1-positive sera collected in 1986-1997 in different regions of the former USSR demonstrated a high homogeneity of immunoreactivity spectra of sera from Gomel region. Serotypes of HIV-1 A/C variants circulating in populations of intravenous narcomaniacs in the focus in Gomel region in 1996 and in Southern and South-Eastern Ukraine in 1995-1996 are similar. This confirms a previous conclusion about the prevalence of A/C serotype among intravenous narcomaniacs in the former USSR.

Disease Reservoirs↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Radioecological condition of cleansing structures on the territory contaminated with radionuclides as a result of the accident on the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Station and the problems handing with the forming precipitates of sewage in republic Belarus].

This article deals with the problems, connected with the formation of radioactive deposits in sewage (D.S.). It's shown that the main places of the accumulation of D.S. are the fields of filtration, silty sites and biological pools. In order to reduce the extent of the risk of the secondary contamination of environment we could offer the modernization of the elements of the cleansing structures, the development of refining technologies and reduction of mobility of radiocaesium.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The prevention of HIV infection and parenteral hepatitis among people abusing narcotics by injection in the Republic of Belarus].

The analysis of the epidemiological situation in HIV infection and parenteral hepatitides in the Republic of Belarus in presented. A sharp change in the situation due to the circulation of HIV among injecting drug users is registered. In addition, the wide spread of virus hepatitides B and C (in the form of mono- and mixed infections) among injecting drug users was noted. The effectiveness of measures carried out in accordance with preventive programs was demonstrated. The necessity of carrying out the primary prophylaxis among young people with the emphasis on the development of work on information and educational programs.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1998

Field and laboratory studies of zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) infection by the ciliate Conchophthirus acuminatus in the Republic of Belarus.

This study quantifies the infection prevalence and intensity of the European, commensal, host-specific ciliate Conchophthirus acuminatus (Scuticociliatida: Conchophthiridae) in five zebra mussel populations within the Republic of Belarus. Laboratory and field experiments were also conducted to assess variables affecting infection. C. acuminatus was found in zebra mussels in all five waterbodies sampled: Naroch, Myastro, and Lukomskoe Lakes, Skema Stream, and in the Svisloch River. Prevalence was always 100%, with the exception of shallow areas (</=0.5 m depth) in the Svisloch River. This was possibly the result of the elimination of the majority of infected zebra mussels each winter by a combination of factors, including ice scour, mallard duck predation, and fluctuating water levels. As a result, zebra mussels are not permanently present at shallow depths, and the mussels that we randomly sampled there during the summer were thus smaller (i.e., younger) and less infected than those present in deeper sections of the river. This is the first study to quantify the intensity of Conchophthirus infection in zebra mussels. When infection prevalence was 100%, it was not uncommon for zebra mussels to have 500-2,000 C. acuminatus in their mantle cavities, particularly those mussels ca. 15-30 mm in length. Zebra mussels, while relatively small bivalves, have one of the highest intensities ever reported for ciliates in the order Scuticociliatida. Infection intensity correlated directly with mussel length (range in r2 = 0.83-0.92). Transinfection of zebra mussels with C. acuminatus was achieved both in the laboratory and field, and represented the first successful trials to initiate protozoan infection in Dreissena. Laboratory experiments demonstrated that C. acuminatus rapidly leave their dying zebra mussel hosts, and this suggested that these mussels are likely a major source for the spread of C. acuminatus infection. Field trials indicated that the presence of mussels with high intensity infections can cause an increase in the levels of infection (both prevalence and intensity) in other zebra mussels in their microhabitat.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Pathomorphological findings in thyroid cancers of children from the Republic of Belarus: a study of 86 cases occurring between 1986 ('post-Chernobyl') and 1991.

Recently, an impressive increase in malignant thyroid tumours has been observed among children less than 15 years of age living in the Republic of Belarus at the time of the nuclear accident of Chernobyl in 1986. More than half of these patients lived in the region of Gomel, nearest to Chernobyl. Because of the very short time interval between the accident and the tumour occurrence an independent review of the available histopathological material was done. Out of 101 cases diagnosed as thyroid cancers, we reviewed slides of 93 cases and agreed the diagnosis of malignancy in 92.5%. Of these tumours 96.5% were papillary carcinomas, 61.5% were moderately or poorly differentiated. Extrathyroidal extension was observed in 60.5%, regional lymph node metastases in 74% and distant metastases in 7%. One of the patients died from lung metastases. Our results confirm that the neoplasms increasingly diagnosed between 1986 and 1991 among children of this region are thyroid carcinomas. In addition, we correlate several histopathological findings with sex and age of the patients and other parameters, and compare the results with data from other studies.

Accidents↗
PubMed1999

Chernobyl accident: reconstruction of thyroid dose for inhabitants of the Republic of Belarus.

The Chernobyl accident in April 1986 resulted in widespread contamination of the environment with radioactive materials, including (131)I and other radioiodines. This environmental contamination led to substantial radiation doses in the thyroids of many inhabitants of the Republic of Belarus. The reconstruction of thyroid doses received by Belarussians is based primarily on exposure rates measured against the neck of more than 200,000 people in the more contaminated territories; these measurements were carried out within a few weeks after the accident and before the decay of (131)I to negligible levels. Preliminary estimates of thyroid dose have been divided into 3 classes: Class 1 ("measured" doses), Class 2 (doses "derived by affinity"), and Class 3 ("empirically-derived" doses). Class 1 doses are estimated directly from the measured thyroidal (131)I content of the person considered, plus information on lifestyle and dietary habits. Such estimates are available for about 130,000 individuals from the contaminated areas of the Gomel and Mogilev Oblasts and from the city of Minsk. Maximum individual doses are estimated to range up to about 60 Gy. For every village with a sufficient number of residents with Class 1 doses, individual thyroid dose distributions are determined for several age groups and levels of milk consumption. These data are used to derive Class 2 thyroid dose estimates for unmeasured inhabitants of these villages. For any village where the number of residents with Class 1 thyroid doses is small or equal to zero, individual thyroid doses of Class 3 are derived from the relationship obtained between the mean adult thyroid dose and the deposition density of (131)I or 137Cs in villages with Class 2 thyroid doses presenting characteristics similar to those of the village considered. In order to improve the reliability of the Class 3 thyroid doses, an extensive program of measurement of (129)I in soils is envisaged.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Changes in registered congenital anomalies in the Republic of Belarus after the Chernobyl accident.

A descriptive analysis of birth defects and malformations was performed to assess whether the rates of these defects correlate with the geographic areas of Belarus that received different levels of 137Cs contamination resulting from the Chernobyl catastrophe. Since this accident in 1986, the frequency of both congenital and fetal abnormalities in the Republic of Belarus has apparently increased. This increase is most prominent in areas with at least 555 9Bq/m2 radioactive contamination, although it has not been possible to correlate the individual dose received by a pregnant woman with the incidence of congenital malformations. The types of anomalies that were most increased in frequency were multiple congenital malformations, polydactyly, and reduction limb defects. These malformations are commonly associated with dominant new mutations. Chromosomal disorders such as occur in Down syndrome were not increased in frequency, nor could teratogenic effects be attributed to exposure to ionizing radiation. Preventive measures have apparently reduced the number of births with congenital abnormalities but have had no apparent effect on the frequency of fetal defects. Results of our analysis are consistent with the hypothesis that ionizing radiation released during the Chernobyl accident may have placed fetuses and neonates at risk for congenital malformations. Epidemiological studies are now required to determine whether a mother's radiation dose correlates with congenital malformations in her children.

Abnormalities, Radiation-Induced↗
PubMed2000

Promotion of breastfeeding intervention trial (PROBIT): a cluster-randomized trial in the Republic of Belarus. Design, follow-up, and data validation.

This paper summarizes the objectives, design, follow-up, and data validation of a cluster-randomized trial of a breastfeeding promotion intervention modeled on the WHO/UNICEF Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI). Thirty-four hospitals and their affiliated polyclinics in the Republic of Belarus were randomized to receive BFHI training of medical, midwifery, and nursing staffs (experimental group) or to continue their routine practices (control group). All breastfeeding mother-infant dyads were considered eligible for inclusion in the study if the infant was singleton, born at > or = 37 weeks gestation, weighed > or = 2500 grams at birth, and had a 5-minute Apgar score > or = 5, and neither mother nor infant had a medical condition for which breastfeeding was contraindicated. One experimental and one control site refused to accept their randomized allocation and dropped out of the trial. A total of 17,795 mothers were recruited at the 32 remaining sites, and their infants were followed up at 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of age. To our knowledge, this is the largest randomized trial ever undertaken in area of human milk and lactation. Monitoring visits of all experimental and control maternity hospitals and polyclinics were undertaken prior to recruitment and twice more during recruitment and follow-up to ensure compliance with the randomized allocation. Major study outcomes include the occurrence of > or = 1 episode of gastrointestinal infection, > or = 2 respiratory infections, and the duration of breastfeeding, and are analyzed according to randomized allocation ("intention to treat"). One of the 32 remaining study sites was dropped from the trial because of apparently falsified follow-up data, as suggested by an unrealistically low incidence of infection and unrealistically long duration of breastfeeding, and as confirmed by subsequent data audit of polyclinic charts and interviews with mothers of 64 randomly-selected study infants at the site. Smaller random audits at each of the remaining sites showed extremely high concordance between the PROBIT data forms and both the polyclinic charts and maternal interviews, with no evident difference in under- or over-reporting in experimental vs control sites. Of the 17,046 infants recruited from the 31 participating study sites, 16,491 (96.7%) completed the study and only 555 (3.3%) were lost to follow-up. PROBIT's results should help inform decision-making for clinicians, hospitals, industry, and governments concerning the support, protection, and promotion of breastfeeding.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Pediatric thyroid cancer after the Chernobyl disaster. Pathomorphologic study of 84 cases (1991-1992) from the Republic of Belarus.

BACKGROUND: During the initial period after the Chernobyl accident, large amounts of radioactive iodine were released in fallout, resulting in serious exposure to the thyroid gland in the residents of areas around the nuclear power station. Beginning in 1990, a definite increase in the incidence of thyroid cancer was noted in children of the Republic of Belarus. METHODS: Morphologic and clinical features of 84 cases of post-Chernobyl thyroid carcinoma in Belarussian children from 5 to 14 years of age are reported. The latent period for tumor development was 4-6 years, with a mean of 5.8 years. RESULTS: Papillary carcinoma was found in 83 patients and medullary carcinoma in one. Besides typical papillary carcinoma (14%), solid (34%), follicular (33%), mixed (10%), and diffuse sclerosing (9%) variants were observed. The follow-up period ranged from 8 months to 2.5 years. One patient died, local recurrence developed in 2, and cervical lymph node metastases developed in 10. To date, the incidence of local recurrence or metastatic disease after surgery was significantly higher in patients 5-8 years of age and in residents of areas nearest to the Chernobyl station. CONCLUSIONS: Post-Chernobyl pediatric thyroid carcinoma is characterized by a short latency, a higher proportion of tumors arising in young children, and an almost equal sex ratio. Microscopically, these tumors were usually aggressive, often demonstrating intraglandular tumor dissemination (92%), thyroid capsular and adjacent soft tissue invasion (89%), and cervical lymph node metastases (88%). Papillary carcinoma was diagnosed in 99% of cases, with an unusually high frequency of solid growth patterns. Morphologic changes in nonneoplastic thyroid tissue were present in 90% of the glands, and the most specific findings were vascular changes and perifollicular fibrosis.

Accidents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Promotion of Breastfeeding Intervention Trial (PROBIT): a randomized trial in the Republic of Belarus.

CONTEXT: Current evidence that breastfeeding is beneficial for infant and child health is based exclusively on observational studies. Potential sources of bias in such studies have led to doubts about the magnitude of these health benefits in industrialized countries. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of breastfeeding promotion on breastfeeding duration and exclusivity and gastrointestinal and respiratory infection and atopic eczema among infants. DESIGN: The Promotion of Breastfeeding Intervention Trial (PROBIT), a cluster-randomized trial conducted June 1996-December 1997 with a 1-year follow-up. SETTING: Thirty-one maternity hospitals and polyclinics in the Republic of Belarus. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 17 046 mother-infant pairs consisting of full-term singleton infants weighing at least 2500 g and their healthy mothers who intended to breastfeed, 16491 (96.7%) of which completed the entire 12 months of follow-up. INTERVENTIONS: Sites were randomly assigned to receive an experimental intervention (n = 16) modeled on the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative of the World Health Organization and United Nations Children's Fund, which emphasizes health care worker assistance with initiating and maintaining breastfeeding and lactation and postnatal breastfeeding support, or a control intervention (n = 15) of continuing usual infant feeding practices and policies. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Duration of any breastfeeding, prevalence of predominant and exclusive breastfeeding at 3 and 6 months of life and occurrence of 1 or more episodes of gastrointestinal tract infection, 2 or more episodes of respiratory tract infection, and atopic eczema during the first 12 months of life, compared between the intervention and control groups. RESULTS: Infants from the intervention sites were significantly more likely than control infants to be breastfed to any degree at 12 months (19.7% vs 11.4%; adjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.47; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.32-0.69), were more likely to be exclusively breastfed at 3 months (43.3% vs 6.4%; P<.001) and at 6 months (7.9% vs 0.6%; P =.01), and had a significant reduction in the risk of 1 or more gastrointestinal tract infections (9.1% vs 13.2%; adjusted OR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.40-0.91) and of atopic eczema (3.3% vs 6.3%; adjusted OR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.31-0.95), but no significant reduction in respiratory tract infection (intervention group, 39.2%; control group, 39.4%; adjusted OR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.59-1.28). CONCLUSIONS: Our experimental intervention increased the duration and degree (exclusivity) of breastfeeding and decreased the risk of gastrointestinal tract infection and atopic eczema in the first year of life. These results provide a solid scientific underpinning for future interventions to promote breastfeeding.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of enteroviruses inducing the outbreaks and seasonal rises of morbidity in different regions of the Republic of Belarus].

As shown by the results of the analysis, viruses ECHO 30 circulating over the period of the last 8 years in Belarus, belonged to 3 different genetic subtypes which earlier or simultaneously circulated in other European states. The outbreaks of enterovirus infections (EVI) were facilitated by the appearance of a genetic viral subtype, relatively "new" for human population, and which had not earlier circulated on this territory. Thus, the development of outbreak morbidity in 2003 was caused by a change in the dominating subtype of virus ECHO 30, which caused the outbreak of 1997. The relatively "soft" rise of morbidity in 2004 was due to the continued circulation of the same subtype of virus ECHO 30, that in 2003. The largest outbreaks of EVI in the Republic of Belarus had a number of considerable differences: the outbreak of 1997 in Gomel was characterized by the genetic heterogeneity of infective agents, being simultaneously geographically localized within the limits of one city. However, during the outbreaks of 2003 the circulation of genetically closely related viruses of the one subtype among the population of geographically remote regions of the country was registered.

Capsid Proteins↗