The various dose-dependent effect of selenium oxide and copper oxide nanoparticles in vitro and application of the hormesis paradigm

Introduction. In vitro studies on a culture of cardiomyocytes have shown that dose-response relationships could be monotonic for some effects and non-monotonic for others. In this work, we wanted to demonstrate that these features of the dose-response relationship are a general pattern. Materials and methods. In vitro experiments were conducted on the culture of human fibroblast-like cells FLECH-104. The cytotoxicity of spherical nanoparticles of selenium oxide (SeO-NP) and copper oxide (CuO-NP) was studied with an average diameter of 51 ± 14 nm and 21 ± 4 nm, respectively. Results. SeO-NP and CuO-NP were cytotoxic for human fibroblast-like cells, as judged by a decrease in ATP-dependent luminescence. In this case, the cytotoxicity of CuO-NP was somewhat more substantial than the SeO-NP one. Our experiment revealed doses that cause both cell hypertrophy and a decrease in the size of cells and nuclei. Discussion. We observed both monotonic and different variants of the non-monotonic dose-response relationship. For the latter, it was possible to construct adequate mathematical expressions based on the generalized hormesis paradigm that we had considered earlier concerning the CdS-NP and PbS-NP cytotoxicity for cardiomyocytes. Conclusion. The general rule is the variability of the dose-response dependence types manifested in different cytotoxic effects of nanoparticles.

Morbidity of the working-age population of the Russian Federation for 2015–2019

Introduction. The quality of labour potential is one of the most important factors of economic growth, which largely depends on the health status of the working-age population. Today, incidence and prevalence rates in the Russian working-age population are not monitored at the national level. Materials and methods. We conducted a descriptive epidemiological study based on retrospective data on disease incidence in the adult population of the Russian Federation. We also assessed disease incidence and prevalence in the Russian working-age population (men aged 18-59 and women aged 18-54) in 2015-2019 using the method of continuous observation. We estimated and ranked incidence and prevalence rates per 100,000 working-age population of some constituent entities and federal districts of the Russian Federation to establish the territories with the highest and lowest rates. Results. We applied and tested methodological approaches to assessing the morbidity of the working-age population living in different regions of the Russian Federation. Our findings demonstrate a high degree of variability in both incidence and prevalence rates in the working-age population in general and by ICD-10 disease categories. Conclusion. Results of our assessments and ranking of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation by disease-specific incidence and prevalence rates in the working-age population provide an opportunity to areas at risk with specific health status enabling the most efficient management of risks of labour and economic losses. The proven method approaches may be used to address the challenges of public health monitoring.

Assessment of the relationship of exacerbations of diseases of the cardiovascular system with the meteorological situation

Introduction. The impact of weather factors on the occurrence of exacerbations of diseases in meteodependent people is currently one of the actively studied problems of medicine. The aim of the study was to identify the relationship between exacerbations of diseases of the cardiovascular system with the meteorological situation to substantiate the need for preventive and informational work with meteodependent patients. Material and research methods. The study used daily data on the number of patients with cardiovascular diseases seeking medical care at Voronezh City Polyclinic No. 18 and daily information on weather conditions for 2018. The ratio of the average number of cases of medical assistance requests on days unfavourable for meteorological factors to the average number of cases of medical assistance requests per day during the year was calculated. Using software (Statistica Base V6.1), a correlation analysis of the relationship between the number of medical requests and meteorological factors was carried out. Results. It has been established that the appealability of patients with cardiovascular diseases for medical care on days unfavourable for meteorological factors is 1.1-2.0 times higher than the average annual indicator. The most informative characteristic of the six meteorological indicators taken into account in the study (average daily, minimum, maximum ambient air temperature; temperature drops by more than eight °C per day; atmospheric pressure; atmospheric pressure drops by 12 mm Hg per day or more) is a sharp drop in atmospheric pressure during the day, with which statistically significant (p <0.05) correlates the number of cases of patients with cardiovascular diseases seeking medical help. Conclusion. In medical institutions providing primary health care, it is advisable to single out separate groups of patients with meteorological dependence for dynamic observation and conduct information work with them to mitigate the severity of the course of diseases of the cardiovascular system on days unfavourable according to meteorological indicators.

Spectrum of esterified fatty acids of the omega-3 and omega-6 in the blood of persons with vibration pathology

Introduction. Vibration is one of the leading unfavourable physical factors of the working environment and leads to vibration disease (VD) development. The study of metabolic profiles of markers of fatty acids (FA) metabolism is one of the directions in the early diagnosis of vascular diseases and metabolic syndrome (MS), caused, among other things, by exposure to vibration. The aim of this work is to study the spectrum of esterified fatty acids of the omega-3 and omega-6 families in the blood of patients with vibration disease (VD) and combination with metabolic syndrome (MS). Materials and methods. The study involved 66 people, divided into two groups: Group I - 34 patients with an established diagnosis of VD; Group II - 32 patients with an established diagnosis of VD in combination with metabolic syndrome (MS). The levels of esterified forms (EF) of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) of the ω-3 and ω-6 families in blood plasma samples were determined using the method of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry on an Agilent 7890A gas chromatograph with an Agilent 5975C mass selective detector. Results. The distribution of quantitative indices of PUFA of the ω-3 and ω-6 families in the examined groups was studied. In VD patients with MS, compared with VD patients, there was a statistically significant increase in the level of eicosapentaenoic, α-linolenic acids of the ω-3 family, the sum of ω-3 PUFAs, γ-linolenic and linoleic acids of the ω-6 family. Conclusion. The study of the quantitative indices of EF of the families ω-3 and ω-6 in the blood plasma of VD patients with MS showed the levels of ω-6 to be 4.5-5.4 times statistically higher than the levels of ω-3 fatty acids.

Features of formation somatic pathologies under chronic exposure to hydrofluoride in the manufacture of titanic alloys

Introduction. Most studies on the morbidity of workers with fluorine compounds are devoted to occupational medicine at aluminium industry enterprises. The aim of the study is to identify the exposure, gender and evolutionary features of the formation of general somatic morbidity associated with chronic occupational exposure to hydrofluoride in the production of titanium alloys. Materials and methods. The analysis of the prevalence of chronic pathology according to the medical examination of 562 workers in contact with hydrofluoride and the incidence of temporary disability according to 29949 disability sheets in comparison with non-exposed persons of the same enterprise is given. Results. With an increase in the degree of harmfulness of working conditions, there was an augmentation increase in the risk of developing pathology of the respiratory organs, eyes, musculoskeletal system, arterial hypertension and hypercholesterolemia. In the working conditions of Class 3.1, an increased prevalence of diseases of the nervous and genitourinary systems with a moderate degree of occupational conditionality was revealed (relative risks (RR) 1.6 and 2.0, respectively, р < 0.05), class 3.2 - a high degree of professional conditionality of respiratory diseases (RR = 2.8). When working in harmful working conditions, there was an average degree of occupational conditionality of nervous system diseases in women (RR = 1.9) and a small degree of arterial hypertension in men (RR = 1.2). The prevalence of general somatic pathology in all age groups was higher than in non-exposed persons of the same age. Conclusion. Hydrofluoride in the production of titanium alloys was proved to be a trigger contributing to the formation of the pathology of the respiratory, circulatory, digestive, ear, eyes, skin, blood, musculoskeletal, nervous, endocrine, and genitourinary systems.

Analysis of health risks associated with food safety

Introduction. Aim. Selection of priority safety indicators and optimal research scope through analysis of potential health risks associated with chemical and microbiological safety of food products (FP). Materials and methods. Retrospectively analyzed data on chemical and microbiological safety of FP addressed on the consumer market of the Republic of Buryatia for 2016-2020. Assessment of the potential risk of harm to human health included prediction performed on linear regression models. Results. The maximum probability of violations of mandatory requirements for chemical and microbiological contamination was noted for dairy products. The minimum probability of violations was identified for the biologically active additives and industrial baby FP. The calculation of potential risks to consumer health based on the results of studies of FP revealed the categories of “high risk” - fish and seafood, “significant risk” - dairy products, confectionery, vegetables, melons, soft drinks. It was found that the supply of fish and seafood, poultry and poultry products had long supply chains, when the risks associated with non-compliance with their transportation and storage conditions were most likely Correlations were revealed between the risk level according to the microbiological criterion associated with the contamination of food, fish, culinary products, poultry meat and the incidence of acute intestinal infections. The indicated factor signs determine from 28.6% to 67.0% of the variance of the incidence. Conclusion. Identification of potential risks of harm to the public health related to FP safety indicates the need for further monitoring of the content of chemical and microbiological contaminants.

Pulsed magnetic stimulation in combination with pneumomassage in the therapy of patients with professional sensorineural hearing loss

Introduction. There are many methods for treating sensorineural hearing loss (SHL) of the occupational origin, which indicates insufficient effectiveness and an active search for more advanced therapy methods. Objective of the study: to evaluate changes in the state of the central nervous system pathways under the influence of a magnetic field and the long-term period. Materials and Methods. There were treated fifty two aviation workers with SHL of the occupational origin with moderate hearing loss. Pulsed magnetic stimulation (MS) and pneumatic massage of the tympanic membrane were used. Before and after treatment, electroencephalography was performed with the registration of visual and auditory evoked potentials (EP), somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP), psychological testing, and the study of higher mental functions in terms of short-term and delayed verbal memory, attention function. Results. After treatment, there was an improvement in speech intelligibility in 62% of cases, a decrease in the intensity of the tinnitus and head noise in 44% of cases, there was an improvement in the indicators of audiometric research and acumetry data from both sides. There was a statistically significant increase in the α-rhythm, the time of the pulse passing through the central afferent structures increased, the indicators of operative verbal memory, and the productivity of long-term memorization, the volume and stability of attention increased. Conclusion. The effectiveness of pulse MS in treating patients with occupational SHL has been proven. The prospects of using pulsed MS in combination with pneumatic massage in occupational pathology were shown, which was confirmed by positive changes in objective and subjective indicators characterizing the condition of patients immediately after the therapy sessions and a year after treatment.

Exogenous and endogenous mortality parameters as indicators of the sanitary and epidemiological status of the population of the region

Introduction. The concepts of the epidemiological transition and types of population health are applied to analyzing and evaluating the sanitary and epidemiological status of the population. Materials and methods. For many years of mortality, the dynamics of the male population of the Irkutsk region standardized indicators were used (European age standard). For identifying trends of changing mortality rates, an analytical alignment of the time series was used. It was a linear model by EXCEL’s standard tools (Microsoft Office 2007). The significance of the trend equation was calculated using F-test in IBM SPSS Statistics 23 (p < 0,05). Results. It has been established that the formation of various types of pathology and caused by this pathology mortality occurred under the influence of factors of different nature in the process of changes in social, environmental, epidemiological situations in the region. In the 1990 th and the first half of the 2000 th, high mortality rates in the class of diseases of the circulatory system and the class of external causes of morbidity and mortality were determined mainly by psychosocial disadvantage factors. By the class of Diseases of the respiratory system, there was noted a steady decrease in mortality rate from chronic diseases of the lower respiratory tract and pneumonia. It was probably due to an increase in the level and quality of medical care. A steady tendency to increase intensive and extensive mortality rates by class of Certain infectious and parasitic diseases was seen. That was caused by negative changes in infectious and epidemic processes under the influence of man-made pollution was noted. During 2005 - 2015 the digestive system’s share of the class of Diseases in the mortality structure increased. That is due to the prevalence of alcoholic liver disease, chronic alcoholic pancreatitis, complications of the ulcer of the stomach and duodenum. Conclusion. The combination of the identified patterns of the formation of intensive and extensive mortality rates determined by exogenous and endogenous factors made it possible to characterize the situation in the Irkutsk region as a relative sanitary and epidemiological disadvantage of the population.

The relationship of polymorphic variants of genes GSTM1, GSTT1, GSTP1 with the risk of developing diseases (literature review)

Authors analyzed the relationship of the most studied polymorphisms of glutathione-S-transferase genes (GSTT1, GSTM1, GSTP1) with the risk of developing diseases in the territory of the Russian Federation. The authors analyzed domestic articles on gene polymorphisms and their association with various conditions. A systematic review of scientific papers was carried out using the following electronic databases: Cyberleninka, Electronic Library and Google Scholar, which searched for glutathione transferase (GST) gene polymorphisms from 1900 to 2020. The following keywords were used for the search: “GST polymorphism”. The search for articles was carried out in English but took into account the results obtained only in the territory of the Russian Federation. The search for scientific publications was independently checked and compared to filter out duplicate articles. The sample size, the number of loci included in the analysis, and the analyzed population (ethnic group) are essential in studying the relationship between glutathione S-transferase gene polymorphisms and the development of diseases. In general, the analysis of the articles makes it possible to reveal the association between the polymorphisms of the glutathione-S-transferase genes and the high risk of developing oncological diseases, respiratory diseases and other pathologies. This article did not consider the relationship of polymorphisms with reproductive pathologies because this topic includes a large amount of work and requires separate consideration. The least studied issue is the relationship between polymorphisms of genes for biotransformation of xenobiotics and the development of occupational diseases.

Justification of measures to protect against exposure nicotine-containing products in enclosed spaces

Introduction. The introduction of amendments and additions to the anti-smoking Federal Law No. 15-FZ of 23.02.2013 in 2020 contributed to the cardinal revision of the name of this law and the introduction of a ban on consumption of any nicotine-containing products in public places. There are no separate, specially allocated isolated premises provided for the consumption of tobacco products and other types of nicotine-containing products by law, even though specially conducted studies have shown significantly different levels of additional inhalation risk arising from air pollution when consuming tobacco products and electronic nicotine delivery systems or heating tobacco. The aim of the study: based on experimental data, to justify the multiplicity of air exchange in unique isolated rooms designed to protect against the effects of ambient tobacco smoke, the consequences of tobacco consumption or nicotine-containing products. Materials and methods. The study was subject to 3 types of nicotine-containing products: tobacco cigarettes (cigarettes), an electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) and an electronic tobacco heating system (ETHS). In the course of the study were carried out: a series of experiments on the consumption of nicotine-containing products in various ways in a specially equipped indoor room, air sampling and laboratory studies were performed, the gross and specific emissions of chemicals entering the air environment from one unit of production per hour were calculated, the selection of priority chemicals for calculating the air removed from the room when using nicotine-containing products of each type was carried out, the necessary level of air exchange of premises was calculated, intended for the consumption of tobacco or nicotine. Results. The indoor air quality assessment showed that the main components of the gross intake into the air environment are suspended particles and carbon monoxide when smoking cigarettes. However, taking into account the values of the maximum permissible concentrations, the most significant contribution to the integral indicator is made by acetaldehyde and suspended particles PM10 and PM2.5. Using ENDS, the most significant pollutants were acetaldehyde and carbon monoxide, using ETHS - acetaldehyde and suspended particles PM10 and PM2.5. For all the investigation types of products, the priority substance for calculating the removed air is acetaldehyde, its share in the structure of all detected pollutants was: for cigarettes - 56.27%, for ENDS - 62.7%, for ETHS - 82.51%, in connection with which its specific values can be used to calculate the consumption of the removed air when modelling a specially allocated room intended for the consumption of tobacco products and other types of nicotine-containing products. Conclusion. The obtained findings demonstrated an obvious, more than 10-fold difference in the requirements for air exchange of premises intended for cigarette smoking and premises intended for the consumption of ENDS or ETHS, at the same intensity of consumption. Therefore, when organizing specially designated places for smoking or the consumption of nicotine-containing products, it is advisable to separate them depending on the type of products consumed: tobacco smoking separately, ENDS and ETHS consumption separately.