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Dynamics of unstable chromosome aberrations in human populations: a review

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Abstract

Unstable chromosomal aberrations are key indicators of damage to the genome caused by radiation and chemical factors. Despite a significant number of publications, there is no generalized picture of the prevalence of unstable chromosomal aberrations among the population, especially among high-risk groups associated with industrial activities, environmental pollution and emergency situations. The results of the study are important for an objective assessment of the consequences of large accidents, technogenic disasters and changes in the environmental situation that affect human health. Current paper is devoted to the review of literature sources that contain the data on the dynamics of unstable chromosome aberration in people affected by radiation and chemical exposure. It also deals with the frequency of unstable chromosome aberrations in unexposed individuals that compose the comparison group for the exposed people in various regions of the Russian Federation and some foreign countries. The studies reviewed cover a wide period of time, both short-and long-term effects of exposure, and include the analysis of different situations of radiation damage and chronic chemical exposure. The paper presents the comparative data on the frequency of unstable chromosome aberrations in the control groups and groups of exposed individuals that demonstrate different patterns of body response to external mutagens. The results of the studies emphasize that there is still the need to evaluate chromosome aberrations that develop in people under the effect of radiation and chemical factors. The importance of unified standards of unstable chromosome classification and measurement is also highlighted. It will improve the precision and comparability of the research findings.

About the authors

Anastasiya V. Kupriyanova

Urals Research Center for Radiation Medicine

Email: roksiika@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0009-0005-8699-2745
Russian Federation, 68-A Vorovskii st, Chelyabinsk, 454141

Yuliya R. Akhmadullina

Urals Research Center for Radiation Medicine

Author for correspondence.
Email: akhmadullina.yul@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-4394-2228
SPIN-code: 3511-3838
Russian Federation, 68-A Vorovskii st, Chelyabinsk, 454141

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