THE DEVELOPMENT OF A METHOD FOR DIRECT MASS SPECTROMETRIC ANALYSIS OF BIOLOGICAL SAMPLES USING POROUS SAMPLERS

The paper presents a method for rapid multi-omics investigation of biological samples using polypropylene bulk porous samplers. The use of porous samplers makes it easy to collect samples from the surface of the skin, mucous membranes, and biological fluids even in a field, and the surfaces of wounds and injuries. Collected samples do not require special storage conditions, and the samplers are lightweight and very compact. They can be used to monitor the condition of cosmonauts before, during, and after the spaceflight with the same sample collection method. The analysis of biomaterial applied to the sampler is performed using direct mass spectrometry methods, similar to the dried blood spot technique that is already used in clinical practice. However, bulk porous samplers allow expanding the range of analytes ionization conditions, which increases the stability and reliability of the ionization process, which expands the variety of analyzed molecules. The proposed method can be used to study compounds of various classes, including proteins, lipids, and metabolites, to systematically monitor the status of people in extreme conditions (athletes, astronauts), or to study the condition of patients in the clinic.

APPLICATION OF THE ADJOINT IDEOMOTION METHOD FOR PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGICAL DIAGNOSTICS AND CORRECTION WITH THE HELP OF SMARTPHONE

The paper introduces the principles of an adjoint ideomotion method (AIM) for psychophysiological diagnostics based on a client – server distributed system within which information is communicated and measurement data filed with the help of commonly used smartphones. The authors discuss the issues of remote diagnostics automation and unification, application areas, and practical uses. Comparison of the results of questioning and AIM evidenced for advantages of the latter in respect to small populations and revealing symptoms undetectable by standard questionnaires.

DIAGNOSTICS OF THE ISCHEMIC HEART DISEASE WITH THE USE OF HEART RATE VARIABILITY AND DISPERSION MAPPING OF THE MYOCARDIUM DURING STRESS-ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY

The authors present a stress-echocardiography (stress-echoECG) technique enhanced with dispersion mapping and heart rate variability analysis. This combination of diagnostic tools increases IHD diagnostics sensitivity and specificity to 96 and 89 % respectively.

USE OF THE RISK MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY IN EVALUATION OF HEALTH SERVICES FOR EMPLOYEES OF ENTERPRISES OF A LARGE OIL PRODUCING COMPANY

Protection of personnel health is part and parcel of the corporate social policy adopted by oil producing companies with the divisional structure. The medical care system using outsourcing needs a proficient control of its functioning. Since it incorporates dozens of objects, the control is workable only provided digital technologies are applied. We made choice of the infographic matrix to build up two matrices, i.e. one for health risk management and the other, for resources and processes management. Besides, we developed systems for quantitative risk evaluation, and to score key resources, processes, and medical personnel efficiency on 5-point scales. Weight coefficient was accepted for each factor. The technique has been implemented for health analysis and healthcare evaluation at 49 enterprises. Scrupulous attention was given to the enterprises within the orange zone (51-75 on the scale). Out of 9 to 10 enterprises that traveled in the zone over 3 years of monitoring, 4 were present in both matrices. Analysis of the reports provided guides to develop response measures suitable for specific enterprises. Health risk matrices can find application in a large number of enterprises for online information acquisition, problem identification and solving.

MEDICAL PROBLEMS OF ADAPTATION TO TRANSMERIDIAN FLIGHTS

The paper contains analysis of the medical problems of human adaptation to fast time zone changes such as symptoms of desynchronosis and impacts on sporting activity, factors modulating the effects of transmeridian flights, as well as methods and means to facilitate adaptation to rapid light/dark cycle shifting.

INFLUENCE OF THE AGE ON BAROREFLEX SYNCHRONIZATION OF ARTERIAL PRESSURE AND HEART RATE DURING THE PASSIVE STANDING TEST

Age-related changes in phase synchronization of spontaneous blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) fluctuations within the baroreflex wave range (about 0.1 Hz) were studied in 66 subjects aged 20 to 52 years. Measurements performed during the head-up tilt test included continuous BP monitoring using the volume-compensation method, ECG recording for ensuing HR calculation, and breathing rate recording. The phase synchronization index (PSI) was used for evaluation of BP-HR coupling. In supine position, phase synchronization in the subjects over 40 years was higher as compared with their counterparts at the age of 20 to 24 years. Along with that, less pronounced PSI increase in people over 40 in response to the tilt test suggests a decline of the baroreflex activity with aging.

METHANOGENIC ARCHAEA IN THE SPACE ENVIRONMENT

Next phase of experiment TEST is aimed to evaluate microbial viability after a prolonged external exposure on the International space station (ISS). Methanogenic archaea isolated from various habitats have been tested in ground facilities for the ability to survive exposure to such open space factors as UV and vacuum. Methanosarcina mazei S-6T (VKM B-1636T) was found to be the most viable and, therefore, suitable for the experiment. Our investigations showed that the Methanosarcina mazei population maintained viability in the course of 24-month exposure. On this evidence we conclude that genome of this metanogenic archaea possesses mechanisms against the space vacuum, UV and thermal differences that, probably, underlie the ability of the strain to form peculiar cyst-like dormant cells.

IMPROVEMENT OF MEDICAL SUPPLIES TO HELP WITH DISORDERS OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM FUNCTION DURING SPACE MISSION

Analysis of digestive function (DF) disorders in cosmonauts-participants in 83 main missions to the station Mir and ISS showed that episodic DF problems had been abated successfully with the help of onboard medicaments. Comparative assessment of the spaceflight adversities and digestive disease risk factors resulted in drawing up a list of predictable digestive diseases that includes the gastroesophageal reflux disease, irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspesia. Following the ensuing recommendations, the onboard medical kits have been complemented with the proton pump inhibitors, H2-histamine receptor antagonists, prokinetics of new classes, antibacterials, ursodesocholic acid preparations, and probiotics to treat gut dysbiosis. A broad use of prefilled syringes is advisable.

METHOD OF DEFINING THE OBJECT FREE ZONES ON CLOSE-TO-AERODROME TERRITORIES BY THE CRITERION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC INFLUENCE ON POPULATION AND PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE

The method of defining the object free zones on close-to-aerodrome territories is calculation based on the data of electromagnetic fields from radio landing aids and air-ground communication stations. The core of it is division of the antenna surface into Huygens wavelets with subsequent summing up the radiation field from all wavelets at a specified point. The method can be used to construct the lines of equal peak and equivalent EMF strength levels that do not exceed admissible values on their outer boundary and beyond, and to substantiate measures intended to assure sanitary-epidemiological wellbeing on close-to-aerodrome territory.

MEASUREMENT OF PARAMETERS CHARACTERIZING EARLY VASCULAR AGING WITH THE USE OF OSCILLOMETRIC METHOD DURING SPACE FLIGHT

The article covers the studies of the vascular wall functioning in cosmonauts using the data of pulse wave velocity as a biomarker of early vascular aging. The investigations were performed with the use of device Mobilograph twice before launch, every 30 days of 6-month ISS missions and on days 4 and 8 of recovery. Pulse wave velocity has never exceeded threshold values suggesting that participation in low-Earth orbital missions does not put at risk cardiac health threatening with vascular pathologies. Yet, the conclusion can be premature given the limited potentialities of the method and hardware used in the investigation.