“Exposure to External and Internal Radiation
os
gy
Medical Studies of Marshall Islanders and Study of Radiation ~.. .
Project Title: Effects on Intracellular Mechanisms
~ RX-O1-O1-(a) >
13.
Publications:
Oh, Y. H., and Conard, R. A.
Effect of aging on acetate incorporation
in nuclei of lymphocytes stimulated with phytohemagglutinin.
Life Sci. 11, _—_—
677-84 (1972).
Oh, Y. H.,
|
and Conard, R, A.
[G//5
Further studies on mitogenic components of
phaseolus vulgaris phytohemagglutinin:
Biophys. 152, 631-7 (1972).
Oh, Y. H., and Conard, R. A.
subunit structure.
Arch. Biochem.
Job G4
Effect of aging on histone acetylation of
Che normal and regenerating rat liver.
Science (in press).
4
693
Demoise, C. F,, and Conard, R, A.
Effects of age and radiation exposure
on chromosomes in a Marshall Island population.
J. Gerontol. 27,,;No. 2, 197-
201 (1972).
4
.
|
/)43S
Scope:
A)
200 Word Summary:
The continuing primary objective is the determination of the Life-time
effects of fallout radiation on the people of the Marshall Islands who were
accidentally exposed to radioactive fallout in 1954. Medical surveys are
now conducted at six-month intervals. An unexposed Rongelap population is . °
also examined for comparison. These surveys are carried out jointly by
'
Brookhaven National Laboratory, under the auspices of the Atomic Energy
,
Commission, and the Trust Territory, Department of Interior. The results of
the surveys are of great importance in regard to the development of thyroid -
mg
Fa ee
lesions, acute Leukemia, and growth impairment in exposed children.
Research studies are carried on to elucidate the intracellular mechanisms
triggered by mitogens in normal cultured human lymphocytes and to determine
tras,
ae
the defects in lymphocytes from patients with disorders of cellular immunity.
A purified substance, isolated from phytohemagglutinin causes widespread
transformation and cell division of lymphocytes in culture. Tagged with
tritium, this molecule is used to study possible altered function of human
lymphocytes in immunodeficient diseases, particularly chronic lymphocytic
leukemia.
Intracellular localization and action of the tagged mitogen is
-
-O
studied by autoradiography and by biochemical studies of subcellular fractions.
-- Supplement to 200 Word Summary:
mo,
‘Gee 19th year post-exposure surveys of the Marshall Islands have been
ares
completed.
.
In addition to the 239 people originally exposed, over 300
unexposed Marshallese are examined for a “comparison population" to assess
late effects of radiation from fallout.
The development of thyroid
neoplasms and growth impairment in exposed children indicates the need for
examinations to be as complete as possible.
In additon to routine physical,
hematological and other laboratory examinations, the surveys involve special
(See Continuation Sheet)
‘-
F119165
RX-5