Vol 102, No 7 (2023)
- Year: 2023
- Published: 31.08.2023
- Articles: 19
- URL: https://edgccjournal.org/0016-9900/issue/view/9589
ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE
Indicators of oxidative stress in blood samples of indigenous residents and newcomers in the Arctic zone of Yakutia
Abstract
Introduction. Oxidative stress is non-specific reaction of human organism in response to various damaging factors, including climatic.
The purpose of the study. To compare markers of oxidative stress and corresponding age dependences in blood samples of indigenous (evolutionarily adapted) and newcomer inhabitants of the Arctic zone of Yakutia.
Materials and methods. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and malondialdehyde content (MDA) were determined in blood lysates of indigenous (n=100) and newcomers (n=37) residents of Chokurdakh and Tiksi settlements. The compared subsamples did not differ in age (medians 34 and 37 years, p=0.407).
Results. No significant differences were found between newcomers and natives in terms of SOD, CAT and MDA content in the blood. The GPx activity of newcomers was 1.2 times higher than that of the natives (27.8 [22.4; 32.0] and 23.4 [19.2; 29.4] U/g Hb, p=0.042), but rapidly decreased with age (R= –0.549; p=0.001) in parallel with the increase in MDA content (R=0.420; p=0.01), whereas the indigenous people had no age-related changes in GPx and MDA.
Limitations. Associated with a comparatively modest sample size (137 persons).
Conclusion. According to modern gerontology, age-related trends in enzyme activity arise due to changes in regulation of corresponding genes and reflect the rate of aging of the population. So it can be assumed that our data, which show accelerated aging of Arctic alien inhabitants compared to the indigenous ones, can be explained by genetic polymorphism of GPx1 transcription factors.
Compliance with ethical standards. Management of depersonalized population survey and the forms of informed consent for biosampling were agreed with the Local Ethics Committee), Protocol No. 30 of 06/17/2021.
Contributions:
Khripach L.V. — research concept and design, biochemical assays, mathematical analysis, writing text;
Zagainova A.V. — research concept and design, organization of blood sample bank;
Knyazeva T.D., Koganova Z.I. — biochemical assays;
Zheleznyak E.V. — collection of literary data.
All co-authors — approval of the final version of the article, responsibility for the integrity of all parts of the article.
Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgment. The study was carried out as part of the State Assignment of the Centre for Strategic Planning of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency of Russia.
Received: April 18, 2023 / Accepted: June 7, 2023 / Published: August 30, 2023
624-631
Hygienic assessment of mycological contamination of the internal environment of residential and public buildings
Abstract
The paper presents the results of a comprehensive hygienic assessment of the fungal contamination of the internal environment of the premises of residential and public buildings and developed proposals for the methodology for conducting mycological examination of indoor air and building structures.
Materials and methods. The objects of research were urban atmospheric air, residential apartments, and office premises with and without fungal infection of wall structures, medical premises for various purposes. The studies included determination of the number of microscopic fungi in 1 m3 of air (CFU/m3); determination of the content of viable fungal flora in scrapings and in swabs from places suspected of having a fungal infection; measurements of humidity of enclosing structures and microclimatic parameters of the indoor air environment; evaluation of the ventilation system.
Results. The concentration of microscopic fungi in indoor air without fungal infection of wall structures was shown to depend on fungal pollution of atmospheric air. The peak of fungal air pollution in unaffected rooms and the ambient air, was detected over the spring-summer season. In residential apartments and office premises of public buildings with fungal infection of wall structures, the content of microscopic fungi in the air, regardless of the season, was tens and hundreds of times higher than the content of fungal flora in the air of “healthy” premises and in the atmospheric air. Fungal air pollution in residential and office premises is mainly associated with fungi of the Penicillium, Aspergillus, Cladosporium and Rizopus genera in wards, treatment and diagnostic rooms — yeast-like fungi of the genus Candida.
Limitations. The results of the study do not apply to the production facilities of biological industry enterprises, livestock and poultry complexes.
Conclusion. The necessity of conducting a mycological examination of premises has been substantiated, and a draft of methodological recommendations for conducting mycological examinations of indoor air and building structures has been developed.
Contributions:
Kalinina N.V. — concept and design of the study; data collection and processing, text writing;
Zagainova A.V. — concept and design of the study;
Yudin S.M. — editing;
Gaponova E.B. — data collection and processing;
Banin I.M. — data collection and processing, statistical processing.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.
Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgement. The study had no sponsorship.
Received: May 4, 2023 / Accepted: June 7, 2023 / Published: August 30, 2023
632-638
Ensuring the quality of atmospheric air on main streets and in residential buildings by means of planning and landscaping
Abstract
Introduction. The level of concentration of toxic substances in the atmospheric air of main streets is largely determined by their aeration regime, established due to exposure to air flow of buildings and green spaces. Therefore, when developing master plans of cities and projects of detailed planning of residential formations to ensure hygienic standards for the expected content of emissions of motor transport in the air of transport communications and adjacent residential buildings, the influence of urban factors on wind speed and direction one should take into account.
The aim of the study is the justification and selection of urban planning measures to reduce atmospheric air pollution from main roads and streets by exhaust gases of motor transport.
Material and methods. Full-scale surveys of transport infrastructure facilities in large cities and modelling of the processes of dispersion of exhaust gases of cars in the air using models of residential buildings and green spaces.
Results. The regularities of the formation of the aeration regime of city streets and the dispersion of car emissions behind the landscaping strips and in residential buildings have been established. Optimal variants of planning, development and landscaping of main streets have been determined, ensuring the reduction of gas contamination of pedestrian zones, public spaces and residential areas.
Limitations. The choice of landscaping objects for urban roads and streets for field observations and modelling of car emissions dispersion processes is limited to strips of green spaces of a blown and dense construction, without taking into account the peculiarities of the transformation of the air flow and reducing gas pollution under the influence of landscaping strips of an openwork design.
Conclusions. Reduction of gas pollution of main roads and streets is ensured by choosing the direction of the route and planning, and building techniques. At the same time, it is necessary to use environmental protection linear-strip landscaping facilities of optimal design. At the same time, it should be borne in mind that frontal multi-sectional buildings and strips of green spaces of windproof dense construction stimulate the appearance of stable vortices with a closed circulation of impurities in street canyons and on sections of highways. When choosing urban planning solutions to ensure the quality of atmospheric air of transport communications and adjacent residential buildings in various landscape and climatic conditions, it is necessary to take into account the specifics of the tasks arising in this case to regulate the aeration regime and reclamation of the microclimate as a whole.
Compliance with ethical standards. The study does not require the submission of the conclusion of the Biomedical ethics committee or other documents.
Contribution:
Balakin V.V. — the concept and design of the study, collection and processing of material, statistical processing, writing a text;
Aleksikov S.V. — the concept and design of the study, editing;
Azarov V.N. — editing.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version
Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgement. The study had no sponsorship.
Received: March 21, 2023 / Accepted: June 7, 2023 / Published: August 30, 2023
639-647
Effects of daily exposure to peat smoke on the reproductive and nervous systems in male white rats
Abstract
Introduction. The regular occurrence of large-scale peat fires is an urgent medical and environmental problem of the modern scientific community. The peat smoke is a complex mixture of pollutants that have a serious impact on air quality and public health.
Materials and methods. Adult male rats were exposed to peat smoke for 24 hours, the concentrations of PM2.5 and CO were 0.92±0.08 mg/m3 and 40.8±1.9 mg/m3, respectively. After exposure an open field examination, EEG examination and histological analysis of the testes and brain were performed, after which they were mated with intact females. Postnatal death of offspring in the first week of life, body weight, behaviour and electroencephalography indicators during puberty were evaluated.
Results. There was showed an increase in motor activity, anxiety, and violation of EEG indicators in rat males exposed to peat smoke. Both an increase in shadow cells and degeneratively altered neurons in the nervous tissue were found. No changes were detected in the testes. Exposure to peat smoke during conception increased stillbirth and mortality of offspring during the first week of life, but did not affect weight gain. Violation of behaviour structure was recorded only in females offspring. An increase in slow-wave activity of the brain in males offspring was revealed.
Limitations. The study was limited to studying the effects of a single 24-hour exposure to peat smoke on outbred white rats.
Conclusion. A single peat smoke exposure for 24 hours at a concentration of PM2.5=0.92±0.08 mg/m3 and CO=40.8±1.9 mg/m3 leads to significant morphological and functional changes in the CNS. In the absence of a gonadotoxic effect, peat smoke exposure on males before mating causes specific changes in the behavior and bioelectrical activity of the brain of their offspring.
Compliance with ethical standards. The study was approved by the Local Ethics Committee (LEC) of the East Siberian Institute of Medical and Environmental Research (Protocol of the LEC of the No. 32/19 of 09/10/2019), conducted in accordance with the European Convention for the Protection of Vertebrates Used for Experiments or Other Scientific Purposes (ETS N 123), directive of the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union 2010/63/EC of 22.09.2010 on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes.
Contribution:
Vokina V.A. — concept, literature search, experiment, writing, statistical processing, article design,
Sosedova L.M. — concept, literature search, writing, article design, responsibility for the integrity of all parts of the article;
Novikov M.A. — search and translation of literary sources, experiment;
Andreeva E.S. — justification of relevance, literature search, experiment, results processing;
Titov E.A. — morphometric results processing;
Rukavishnikov V.S. — guidance, analytical work, discussion of relevance and results;
Savchenkov M.F. — discussion of relevance and results.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.
Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgment. The work was carried out according to the research plan within the framework of the state task andsupported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, the grant No. 075-15-2020-787for implementation of Major scientific projects on priority areas of scientific and technological development (the project «Fundamentals, methods and technologies for digital monitoring and forecasting of the environmental situation on the Baikal natural territory»).
Received: April 11, 2023 / Accepted: June 7, 2023 / Published: August 30, 2023
648-652
DNA fragmentation as a bioindicator of peat fires’ smoke exposure
Abstract
Introduction. The impact of combustion products of organic substances on the body is known to be accompanied by the accumulation of DNA damage, which can lead to mutations and pathological changes in the cell and the whole organism. The prevalence and scale of this phenomenon poses an important task for studying the consequences that occur in smoke-exposed organisms and their offspring.
Materials and methods. The conditions of real peat smoke were reproduced for 40 minutes with a CO concentration of 99±2.5 mg/m3 with using of experimental bio modelling. The genotoxicity of peat fire smoke after exposure to male white rats was assessed by the occurrence of DNA damage in blood cells using the DNA comet method in the alkaline version. In the first part of the experiment, males were directly exposed to the smoke of a peat fire; in the second part — their sexually mature offspring of both sexes were examined for the occurrence of DNA damage in blood cells.
Results. The males of the parental generation and offspring were found to be resistant to the effects of smoke components, which was confirmed by the absence of statistical significance in terms of «% DNA in the comet tail» compared with the control. At the same time, females of the received generation showed a statistically significant increase in blood cell DNA damage compared to the control group.
Limitations. The study was limited to the study of DNA fragmentation after a single 40-minute exposure to peat smoke in male white rats and their intact offspring.
Conclusion. The data obtained in this investigation indicate that damage to the DNA structure in the offspring of male rats exposed to peat smoke containing CO at a concentration of 99±2.5 mg/m3 can be considered as a bioindicator of genotoxic effects induced in the next generation.
Compliance with ethical standards. The study was approved by the local Ethics Committee of the East Siberian Institute of Medical and Environmental Research (Protocol of the LC of the FSBI VSIMEI No. 32/19 of 09/10/2019), conducted in accordance with the European Convention for the Protection of Vertebrates Used for Experiments or Other Scientific Purposes (ETS N 123), directive of the European Parliament and the Council Of the European Union 2010/63/EC of 22.09.2010 on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes.
Contribution:
Tyutrina V.A. — literature search, experiment, writing, statistical processing, article design;
Sosedova L.M. — concept, writing, discussion of relevance and results, responsibility for the integrity of all parts of the article;
Vokina V.A. — concept, experiment, statistical processing, article design.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.
Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgment. The work was carried out according to the research plan within the framework of the state task and supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, the grant No. 075-15-2020-787 for implementation of Major scientific projects on priority areas of scientific and technological development (the project «Fundamentals, methods and technologies for digital monitoring and forecasting of the environmental situation on the Baikal natural territory»).
Received: May 10, 2023 / Accepted: June 7, 2023 / Published: August 30, 2023
653-657
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
Comparative assessment of the state of main arteries in workers of the pivotal occupations in the coal and aluminum industries
Abstract
Introduction. To prevent cardiovascular accidents and preserve the employability in workers in the pivotal occupations of the coal and aluminum industries it is required timely identification of risk groups for long-term asymptomatic damage to the atherosclerotic process of the arteries.
Material and methods. The study included two hundred twenty two miners and 109 workers in the aluminum industry aged of 40–55 years (average age of miners — 47.1 ± 0.36 years, metallurgists — 47.64 ± 0.43 years, р = 0.367). All subjects underwent ultrasound investigation of the carotid and femoral arteries. Also anamnestic, anthropometric data, the presence of arterial hypertension, indices of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism were evaluated.
Results. Miners were more often diagnosed with intimal thickening (41.9% vs. 27.5%, p = 0.011), in contrast to aluminum production workers, who were significantly more likely to have atherosclerotic plaques (57.8% vs. 43.2%, p = 0.0127). The frequency of generally accepted risk factors for atherosclerosis in both occupational cohorts (arterial hypertension, smoking, carbohydrate metabolism disorders, physical inactivity, obesity) was detected without significant differences. Miners with atherosclerosis were diagnosed with significantly higher average values of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, metallurgists with atherosclerosis showed hypertriglyceridemia.
Limitations. The study was limited by the number of the examined persons undergoing periodic medical examination at the Research Institute for Complex Problems of Hygiene and Occupational Diseases.
Conclusion. A more significant lesion of the main arteries in the form of atherosclerotic plaques with varying degrees of stenosis was found in aluminum production workers compared to miners, which was probably due to the more aggressive influence of harmful production factors in metallurgists. In this regard, it is recommended to conduct a screening ultrasound investigation of the main arteries at a periodic medical examination, which will identify a risk group for the timely prevention of cardiovascular complications.
Compliance with ethical standards. All subjects signed an informed consent to participate in the study, the protocol of which corresponded to the requirements of the Bioethical Committee of the Research Institute for Complex Problems of Hygiene and Occupational Diseases, executed in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration of the World Medical Association “Ethical Principles for Conducting Scientific Medical Researches Involving Humans” as amended in 2013 and the “Rules of Clinical Practice in the Russian Federation”, approved by the Order of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation No. 266 dated 19.06.2003.
Contribution:
Korotenko O.Yu. — the concept and design of the study, collection of material, writing a text;
Filimonov E.S. — collection of material, statistical processing, writing a text;
Panev N.I. — writing a text;
Ulanova E.V. — collection of material, writing a text.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.
Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgement. The study had no sponsorship.
Received: April 10, 2023 / Accepted: June 7, 2023 / Published: August 30, 2023
658-663
Evaluation of autonomic disorders in miners with vibration disease
Abstract
Introduction. Autonomic disorders in the form of autonomic neuropathy develop in vibration disease already at the early stages. As the disease progresses, the compensatory mechanisms of autonomic regulation are depleted, which leads to a worse prognosis for life and an increased risk of sudden cardiac death in patients with a severe degree of autonomic neuropathy.
The aim of the study was to evaluate the severity of autonomic disorders and the preservation of compensatory reserves of autonomic regulation in patients with vibration disease.
Materials and methods. One hundred thirty six miners with a proven diagnosis of vibration disease and 60 apparently healthy men of similar age without complaints and who had never worked under the conditions of exposure to industrial vibration were examined. Heart rate variability was analyzed at rest and during an active orthostatic test.
Results. A decrease in the spectral parameters of heart rate variability in the patients with vibration disease was revealed. In a subgroup of the patients with an initially low level of very low frequency oscillations (less than 30 ms2/Hz), a decrease in the non-linear entropy index (less than 180) was determined; when performing an active orthostatic test, the power of very low frequency spectrum oscillations in the patients of this subgroup decreased by more than 50% of the initial values. In all patients with vibration disease under orthostatic load, a decrease in the oscillations of high and low frequencies of the spectrum of heart rate variability was revealed, whereas in the control group, the low frequency oscillation power remained at the initial level.
Limitations. The study was limited to the evaluation of spectral and non-linear indices of heart rate variability in 136 miners with vibration disease.
Conclusion. The criteria for a severe course of autonomic neuropathy in the patients with vibration disease were identified: an initial decrease in the power of very low frequency oscillations and a non-linear entropy index of heart rate variability, as well as a decrease in the power of very low frequency oscillations by more than 50% during an orthostatic test. According to these criteria, in 40.4% of the miners with vibration disease, pronounced violations of the autonomic support with a lack of compensatory mechanisms of autonomic regulation were found to be detected.
Compliance with ethical standards. The study was performed using non-invasive methods and approved by the Bioethical Committee of the Research Institute for Complex Problems of Hygiene and Occupational Diseases, Protocol No. 5, § 1 of 26.12.2018, in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki by the World Medical Association “Ethical Principles for Conducting Scientific Research Involving Humans” as amended in 2013 and “Rules of Clinical Practice in the Russian Federation” approved by the Order of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation No. 266 dated June 19, 2003.
Contribution:
Yamshchikova A.V. — the concept and design of the study, collection and processing of material, collection of literature data, statistical processing, writing a text;
Fleishman A.N. — the concept and design of the study, editing;
Martynov I.D. — editing.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.
Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgement. The study had no sponsorship.
Received: March 23, 2023 / Accepted: June 7, 2023 / Published: August 30, 2023
664-669
Distribution of polymorphic variants of the TNF-α and TNFRSF1α genes in miners with dust lung pathology
Abstract
Introduction. Long-term exposure to coal-rock dust on the body causes the development of systemic inflammation, one of the development mechanisms of which is an increase in the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines as follows: TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6. The development and course of occupational pathology were shown to depend on the individual characteristics of the body of those who works in hazardous conditions. In this regard, it is necessary to establish the significance of the polymorphism of the TNF-α and TNFRSF1α genes in the development of dust lung pathology in workers of the main occupations of the mines in the South of Kuzbass.
The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of polymorphic variants of the TNF-α (rs1800629) and TNFRSF1α (rs4149584) genes in miners with dust lung pathology.
Materials and methods. A survey of one hundred twenty seven miners working for a long time in the mines of the south of Kuzbass was carried out. Of these: 69 miners with prolonged exposure to high concentrations of coal-rock dust with a previously proven diagnosis of dust lung pathology, 58 miners without a proven diagnosis of dust lung pathology working in the same sanitary and hygienic conditions (control). The typing of the TNF-α (rs1800629) and TNFRSF1α (rs4149584) genes was carried out using the Real-Time method.
Results. The GG rs1800629 TNF-α genotype were shown to be a potent molecular genetic marker of the risk of developing dust lung pathology, the chance of detecting it in the group of the miners with dust pathology is almost 4 times higher than in the control group. The carriage of the A allele and the heterozygous AG rs1800629 TNF-α genotype reduce the probability of developing dust lung pathology. It has been established that the GG rs4149584 TNFRSF1α genotype can be a molecular and genetic marker of the risk of developing dust lung pathology, the chance of detecting it in the group of the miners with dust pathology is 2.6 times higher than in the control group.
Limitations. The study was limited by relatively small size of the groups under study.
Conclusion. The carriage of homozygous GG genotypes of the rs1800629 and rs4149584 polymorphic loci of the TNF-α and TNFRSF1α genes, respectively, is associated with the risk of developing dust lung pathology in miners in the South of Kuzbass. The carriage of the A allele and the heterozygous AG rs1800629 TNF-α genotype reduce the probability of developing dust lung pathology.
Compliance with ethical standards. The examination of the patients complied with the ethical standards of the Bioethical Committee of the Research Institute for Complex Problems of Hygiene and Occupational Diseases, elaborated in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration of the World Association “Ethical Principles for Conducting Scientific Medical Research Involving Humans” as amended in 2013 and “Rules of Clinical Practice in the Russian Federation”, approved by the Order of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation No. 266 of June 19, 2003. Each study participant gave informed voluntary written consent to participate in the study and to publish personal medical information in depersonalized form in the Hygiene and Sanitation, Russian journal.
Contribution:
Zhukova A.G. — the concept and design of the study, writing a text, editing;
Kazitskaya A.S. — collection and processing of material, statistical processing, editing;
Yadykina T.K. — collection and processing of material;
Logunova T.D. — editing.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.
Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgement. The study had no sponsorship.
Received: March 23, 2023 / Accepted: June 7, 2023 / Published: August 30, 2023
670-674
Personalized prediction of the probability of developing arterial hypertension and coronary heart disease in miners with anthracosilicosis using an automated system
Abstract
Introduction. The remaining high level of production-related cardiovascular morbidity necessitates timely preventive measures. The development of an automated forecasting technique will make it possible to implement personalized and differentiated approaches in the prevention of cardiovascular pathology in persons in contact with harmful production factors.
Materials and methods. The object of the study were workers employed in underground coal mining: One hundred sixty eight miners with previously diagnosed anthracosilicosis and 151 miners of the control group without lung pathology (a total of 319 people). Identification of diseases of the circulatory system and risk factors was carried out using clinical, laboratory, instrumental methods. The Bayes method was used to develop a forecasting system. The forecasting software as developed in the Lazarus environment using object-oriented programming methods.
Results. The most informative markers associated with a high probability of developing arterial hypertension and coronary heart disease in workers with anthracosilicosis have been identified. A software “Automated system for personalized prediction of the probability of developing arterial hypertension and coronary heart disease in miners with anthracosilicosis” has been developed. An automated forecasting system determines the degree of risk of diseases based on the results of the sum of prognostic coefficients.
Limitations. The limitation of the study was related to the sample of coal mine workers examined in the clinic of the Institute, namely: age from 40 to 54 years, long-term (more than 15 years) work experience in harmful working conditions. The study did not include miners who had other occupational diseases besides anthracosilicosis.
Conclusions. An automated system of personalized forecasting ensures the formation of high cardiovascular risk groups with minimal time costs, which allows starting primary prevention of cardiological pathology in a timely manner.
Compliance with ethical standards. The study was approved by the Local Ethics Committee of the Research Institute for Complex Problems of Hygiene and Occupational Diseases and was conducted in compliance with the ethical principles presented in the latest version of the Declaration of Helsinki developed by the World Medical Association. From patients there was obtained voluntary informed consent.
Contribution:
Panev N.I. — the concept and design of the study, collection and processing of material, statistical processing, writing a text;
Filimonov S.N. — editing;
Panev R.N. — statistical processing of material, writing a text;
Evseeva N.A. — collection and processing of material, writing a text;
Korotenko O.Yu. — collection of material, editing.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.
Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgement. The study had no sponsorship.
Received: April 7, 2023 / Accepted: June 7, 2023 / Published: August 30, 2023
675-681
The impact of adverse climatic conditions and forms of labour management on the quality of life of the population
Abstract
Introduction. The quality of life is a cumulative characteristic of different aspects of a person’s life affected by uncomfortable climatic and geographical conditions.
Materials and methods. The health-related quality of life was studied using the SF-36 questionnaire. Men and women engaged in mental labour were residents of Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug – Yugra, manual workers (men) lived outside the district and worked on a rotational basis.
Results. The indicators of the quality of life according to the state of health among the workers of the northern region, depending on the nature of labour activity and gender were determined. In the examined groups, latent factors of the quality of life were revealed.
Limitations. Men and women engaged in mental work; men working on a rotational basis.
Conclusion. The conditions of the northern region in the quality of life were determined by the state of health, there are differences associated with the nature of labour activity and gender. Occupationally conditioned increased social activity was shown to negatively affect on the somatic and mental health of males. As a result, in groups of office workers, the gender characteristics of self-assessment of psychological criteria for the quality of life are partially levelled, in the presence of differences in the physical component. The leading factor in the quality of life for them was the psychological comfort. For men engaged in physical labour, the leading factor in the quality of life was the scale of role functioning, due to physical condition, that is, the most important thing for them was the possibility of life, not limited by deviations in physical health.
Compliance with ethical standards. The study was conducted in accordance with the ethical and legal standards set forth in the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki. The study was approved by the Local Ethics Committee of the Nizhnevartovsk State University (Protocol No. 1 dated September 23, 2022).
Contribution:
Pogonysheva I.A., Shalamova E.Yu. — concept and design of the study, text writing, editing;
Ragozin O.N. — editing, approval of the final version of the article, responsibility for the integrity of all parts of the article;
Pogonyshev D.A. — statistical processing, editing;
Kerimova N.R. — collection of material and data processing.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version
Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgment. The study was carried out at the expense of the grant of the Russian Science Foundation and the Government of Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug-Yugra No. 22-15-20023.
Received: May 22, 2023 / Accepted: June 7, 2023 / Published: August 30, 2023
682-688
Analysis of polymorphic loci of candidate genes in patients with occupational diseases
Abstract
Introduction. Development and progress features of vibration syndrome (VS) and noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) are determined by genetic factors to a certain extent. The latter define the relevance of the search for individual approaches to prevention and medical support of patients with these occupational diseases.
The aim of the study was to investigate the genotypes distribution of polymorphic loci of candidate genes in patients with occupational diseases caused by vibration and noise impact.
Materials and methods. Polymorphic variants of the HSPA1B (rs1061581), IL17A (rs2275913), IL10 (rs1800872), and TNF-α (rs1800629) genes of three hundred ninety eight males were studied using PCR-RFLP and real-time PCR methods, including 268 patients with VS divided into two groups: VShtv (n = 117) and VScomb (n = 151), in which VS was caused by exposure to hand-transmitted vibration (HTV) or combined exposure to HTV and whole-body vibration (COMB), respectively. The study also involved 96 patients with occupational NIHL diagnosis and 34 individuals of the comparison group without occupational contact with physical factors.
Results. The increase in GG-HSPA1B (1267A/G) genotype frequency (p=0.058) was found in VScomb patients compared with those from the VShtv group. There was a significant difference in carriers of the C/C genotype of the IL10 (rs1800872) polymorphic locus in the group of NIHL patients relative to the comparison group (p=0.036). The results of regression analysis indicate the carriage of the A allele to reduce the risk of NIHL development.
Limitations. The limitations include the number of examined cases in all groups, especially in comparison group and the lack of groups of workers with no occupational exposure to a physical factor.
Conclusion. The obtained results expand the understanding of the genetic features able to determine sensitivity to the physical factors exposure that define the development of occupational pathology and the issues to be resolved at the next stage of research.
Compliance with ethical standards. The study was approved by the Biomedical Ethics Committee of the East Siberian Institute of Medical and Ecological Research (Protocols No. 6 of 15.11.2012 and No. 5 of 20.03.2023). The voluntary informed consent was signed by all study participants.
Contribution:
Chernyak Yu.I. — concept and study design, final statistical data analysis, text writing and editing;
Merinova A.P. — sample collection, implementation of methods and data analysis.
All authors are responsible for the integrite of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.
Acknowledgment. The study was supported within a framework of State Assignment for East Siberian Institute of Medical and Ecological Research (Nos. 0534-2016-0006 and 123032000007-8). The authors are grateful to Institute’s Clinic-physicians for organizing the medical examination, as well as to project leader, Prof. Oleg L. Lakhman for useful comments in the process of the manuscript preparing.
Conflict of interests. The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
Received: March 23, 2023 / Accepted: June 6, 2023 / Published: August 30, 2023
689-694
Features of the use of ischemic preconditioning for the correction of vibration polyneuropathy of the upper extremities
Abstract
Introduction. The study of the methods for non-pharmacological correction of vibration polyneuropathy is relevant in view of the high prevalence of vibration disease in various industries, and high occurrence of disability of workers. Ischemic preconditioning has shown its effectiveness in correcting the manifestations of vibration polyneuropathies. The high frequency of nerve compression in tunnels against the background of polyneuropathic lesions in vibration disease dictates the need to study the effectiveness of the method in various forms of vibration polyneuropathy.
The aim of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of ischemic preconditioning in various forms of vibration polyneuropathy.
Materials and methods. Twenty nine patients with a proven diagnosis of vibration disease were examined and treated uisng the ischemic preconditioning. They were divided into 2 groups: group 1 – 18 individuals with upper extremities polyneuropathy without nerve compression, group 2 – 11 subjects with compression complications of polyneuropathy. The examinations included neurological survey, electroneuromyographic investigation before and after the course of ischemic preconditioning conducted according to a patented technique.
Results. A decrease in sensory disturbances and improvement in the impulse conduction along the sensory fibers of the nerves of the upper extremities after a course of ischemic preconditioning in the group of the patients without compression neuropathies were noted. In the group of the patients with polyneuropathies complicated by the nerve compression in tunnels, the positive effect was less significant.
Limitations. The study was limited by the assessment of clinical and electroneuromyographic parameters in 29 patients with vibration disease due to the exposure to local vibration before and after the course of ischemic preconditioning.
Conclusion. The method of ischemic preconditioning is effective as a method for non-pharmacological correction of vibration polyneuropathy. Compression neuropathies are predictors of lower efficiency of the method, and therefore it is important to select patients for the treatment by this method with the preferred inclusion of the patients with uncomplicated vibration polyneuropathies.
Compliance with ethical standards. The study was performed by non-invasive methods and complies with the ethical standards of the Bioethical Committee of the Research Institute for Complex Problems of Hygiene and Occupational Diseases (protocol No.5 of 26.12.2018), elaborated in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki by the World Medical Association “Ethical Principles for Conducting Scientific Research Involving Humans” as amended in 2013 and “Rules of Good Clinical Practice”, approved by the Order of the Ministry of Health of Russian Federation No. 200n dated April 1, 2016. All examined patients signed a voluntary informed consent to participate in the study.
Contribution:
Yamshchikova A.V. — the concept and design of the study, collection and processing of material, collection of literature data, statistical processing, writing a text;
Fleishman A.N. — the concept and design of the study, editing;
Martynov I.D. — editing;
Bychkovskaya T.A. — collection and processing of material;
Kungurova A.A. — collection and processing of material.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.
Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgement. The study had no sponsorship.
Received: April 6, 2023 / Accepted: June 7, 2023 / Published: August 30, 2023
695-699
Pathogenesis of morphological changes in organs and tissues in chronic fluoride intoxication (literature review)
Abstract
Introduction. Traditionally, the main manifestation of chronic fluoride intoxication is the damage to the skeletal system, while during recent years a large amount of works has been accumulated on the study of the mechanism of action of both fluorine and its compounds on non-skeletal tissues. Based on the analysis of the Russian Science Citation Index, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, MedLine, Google Scholar, CyberLeninka databases, a review of contemporary concepts of morphological changes in organs and systems under the conditions of long-term exposure to fluorine compounds is presented.
Effect of fluorine on the musculoskeletal system. Fluorine Ihas been shown to induce differentiation and apoptosis of osteoblasts and osteoclasts, leading to various skeletal injuries. Active osteogenesis and accelerated bone metabolism are key processes in the progression of skeletal fluorosis and the pathological base of the diversity of osteogenic lesions.
Effect of fluorine on non-skeletal tissues. Data on the effect of fluorine on the induction of free radical oxidation in the cerebral cortex, redistribution, and damage to nerve cells are presented. Activation of apoptosis, oxidative stress, and a decrease in the activity of antioxidant enzymes under the influence of sodium fluoride in the heart muscle are shown, data on the development of functional and structural disorders in the myocardium are given. Due to fluoride intoxication, the formation of degenerative and inflammatory changes in the respiratory system, liver, and kidneys, structural disorders and dysfunction of the thyroid gland, as well as an increase in the level of reactive oxygen species and the induction of apoptosis in these organs are shown. Data on the effect of sodium fluoride on the histological structure of the reproductive organs with a decrease in sperm motility, lack of differentiation and maturation of spermatocytes, intensification of free radical oxidation and cell apoptosis are presented.
Conclusion. The analysis carried out allows expanding the understanding of the pathogenetic bases of morphological changes and functional failure of organs and tissues under the conditions of chronic fluoride intoxication, to substantiate a systemic, integrated approach to its treatment and prevention.
Contribution:
Bugaeva M.S. — concept and design of the study, collection and processing of material, writing a text;
Kazitskaya A.S., Yadykina T.K. — collection and processing of material;
Zhukova A.G. — collection and processing of material, text editing;
Mikhailova N.N. — concept of the study, text editing.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.
Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgement. The study had no sponsorship.
Received: March 23, 2023 / Accepted: June 7, 2023 / Published: August 30, 2023
700-705
METHODS OF HYGIENIC AND EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATIONS
Approaches to the antimicrobial susceptibility testing of Campylobacter to monitor the spread of antibiotic-resistant strains
Abstract
Introduction. Campylobacteriosis is one of the most common diarrhea-associated infections over the world. The situation is getting worse along with increasing cases of the disease caused by the Campylobacter spp. pathogen resistant to antimicrobials (AMPs). Preventing the disease requires monitoring the spread of resistant Campylobacter strains isolated from both sick people and animals, food, and water.
Aim of the study is to evaluate the results of the antimicrobial susceptibility testing of Campylobacter according to the requirements of the EUCAST and CLSI methodologies using Russia-made nutrient media.
Materials and methods. Collected and freshly isolated strains of C. jejuni, C. coli, C. fetus and C. lari were used. Campylobacter cultures were subcultured on Campylobacter Agar Base (HiMedia), Preston laboratory-produced medium and iron-erythritol blood agar (Obolensk). Their sensitivity to AMPs was determined by three methods as ffollows: disc diffusion, gradient diffusion and microdilutions using Mueller-Hinton agar, and broth of two manufacturers (BD BBL and Obolensk) according to EUCAST and CLSI.
Results. Using Russian-made and imported Mueller-Hinton agar and broth allowed obtaining identical results for AMPs susceptibility of Campylobacter spp. The campylobacter strains were attributed to the same susceptibility category by all three methods in frame of any methodology (EUCAST or CLSI) when interpreting results. Due to differences in cutoffs of MIC and inhibition zone diameters in the EUCAST and CLSI standards, there were some differences in the interpretation of the results.
Limitations. Eight strains of four species Campylobacter were tested for their susceptibility to three antimicrobials by three methods according to EUCAST and CLSI methodology.
Conclusion. The results obtained confirm the possibility of applying a complex of domestic nutrient media for cultivating and monitoring the spread of antibiotic resistant strains of Campylobacter spp. This is especially important in view of implementing the import substitution program.
Compliance with ethical standards. The research did not use human or animal biological materials. Only collected strains of microorganisms were studied, and therefore the conclusion of the biomedical ethics committee or some other documents is not required.
Contribution:
Kosilova I.S. — concept and design of the research, carrying out experiments, statistical processing of material, writing the text;
Domotenko L.V. — concept and design of the research, collecting material, statistical processing of material, writing of the text;
Polosenko O.V. — conducting experiments, statistical processing of material, writing text;
Trukhina G.M. — reviewing.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.
Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgement. The work was carried out within the Rospotrebnadzor industry program.
Received: December 22, 2022 / Accepted: June 7, 2023 / Published: August 30, 2023
706-712
Methodical support for controlling safety of cereals for children (exemplified by furan and methylfuran)
Abstract
Introduction. The study addresses issues related to developing a procedure for identification of chemicals in food products in practical instrumental investigations. We have validated the method for quantification of a heterocyclic compound (furan) and sylvan (methylfuran) in grain-based cereals for children.
The aim of this study was to develop a precise GC-MS-method for quantifying a heterocyclic compound and sylvan in food products to control their safety for children, especially infants.
Materials and methods. The research objects were quantification means (QM) as a certain amount of an analyzed heterocyclic compound and sylvan (the mass share of the analyzed compound is 99%) provided by Sigma Aldrich Corporation (USA), as well as milk and milk-free dry cereals for babies. The study involved using an Agilent 7890А gas chromatographer with 5975С quadrupole mass-spectrometric detector. Sample preparation involved extraction and concentration of furan and methylfuran from food samples by statistical vapour-liquid equilibrium analysis and subsequent gas-chromatographic analysis of vapour phase.
Results. The procedure for quantification of furan and methylfuran is an original scientific and technical development based on experimental data. It gives an opportunity to identify furan and methylfuran micro-admixtures in food samples with high precision and sensitivity with a range of concentrations between 0.93 and 9.37 ng and between 0.91 and 9.13 ng accordingly. The ultimate indicators describing acceptability of the results obtained by furan and methylfuran quantification included error not higher than 24%, пintra-laboratory precision (σRл) not higher than 10%, correctness (± σCл) not higher than 22%.
Conclusion. The developed technique has shown high selectivity, sensitivity, reliability and satisfactory accuracy. The methodology meets the criteria of the State Standard of the Russian Federation GOST R ISO 5725-1-6-2002 and can be used for laboratory studies of food safety by enterprises and institutions engaged in quality control and research of food products and food raw materials.
Contribution:
Zaitseva N.V. — topicality, conclusion;
Nurislamova Т.V. — topicality, conclusion;
Maltseva О.А. — topicality, results, discussion, conclusion;
Chinko Т.V. — materials and methods, results;
Subbotina D.Yu. — analytical and experimental research.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.
Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgement. The study had no sponsorship.
Received: May 22, 2023 / Accepted: June 7, 2023 / Published: August 30, 2023
713-719
PREVENTIVE TOXICOLOGY AND HYGIENIC STANDARTIZATION
Assessment of the neurotoxic effect of iron (III) oxide nanoparticles at the subcellular level
Abstract
Introduction. Both naturally occurring and artificially produced nanoparticles are ubiquitous; their high concentrations can be detected in the environment, thus posing risks of toxic effects in humans. Penetrating the blood-brain barrier by metal nanoparticles has been already proven and is currently of interest from the point of view of toxicology and hygiene.
Materials and methods. Female rats were exposed to ferric oxide nanoparticles administered intranasally with a 25 mg/ml suspension at a dose of 50 µl three times a week during six weeks. The experimental and control groups contained seven animals each. Tissue samples for testing were taken from the olfactory bulbs of the rat’s brain. Iron (III) oxide nanoparticles were identified by electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The cytotoxic effect of ferric oxide nanoparticles was assessed by ranking mitochondria by mitochondrial membrane morphotypes and comparing their distribution in the experimental and control groups.
Results. We confirmed the presence of nanoparticles in tissues of the olfactory bulbs of the exposed rodents. The morphotype pattern of mitochondria showed significant changes following the exposure to ferric oxide nanoparticles: the proportion of mitochondria with normal and vesicular swollen morphotypes decreased by 36.4 and 4.9%, respectively, compared with the control group of animals, the proportion of mitochondria with normal vesicular and vesicular morphotypes increased by 19.8 and 21.8%, while the proportion of vesicular swollen mitochondria decreased from 9.5% to 4.6%.
Limitations. The study was limited to examining ultrastructural changes in mitochondria and identifying ferric oxide nanoparticles in tissues.
Conclusions. Further studies of the impact of iron-containing nanoparticles on the structure and functions of the mitochondrial apparatus can help to identify their potential harm at the subcellular level and provide information for the development of appropriate health protective measures and new strategies for prevention and treatment of metal toxicity-induced diseases in humans.
Compliance with ethical standards. The animals were kept in accordance with the International Guiding Principles for Biomedical Research Involving Animals (CIOMS and ICLAS). The study approval was provided by the Local Ethics Committee of the Yekaterinburg Medical Research Center for Prophylaxis and Health Protection in Industrial Workers (Minutes No. 2 of April 20, 2020).
Contribution:
Sutunkova M.P., Minigalieva I.A. — study conception and design;
Shelomentsev I.G., Amromin L.A., Shaikhova D.R. — data collection, analysis and interpretation of results, literature review, draft manuscript preparation.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version
Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgement. The study had no sponsorship.
Received: February 21, 2023 / Accepted: June 7, 2023 / Published: August 30, 2023
720-725
Toxicological and hygienic assessment of modern thermo-insulating polymer materials during thermal exposure
Abstract
Introduction. Polyethylene and synthetic foam caoutchouc are used for thermal insulation of communications, at temperatures not exceeding 90 °C and 105 °C, respectively. Data on how these materials will behave in the appropriate temperature conditions was not be found.
The purpose of the study was to conduct a toxicological and hygienic assessment of products made of polyethylene foam and synthetic foam rubber under thermal exposure.
Materials and methods. The thermal effect on the studied samples was modelled in a climate chamber. The time interval during the mass loss of the samples was determined, a sanitary and chemical study of the gas-air mixture in the climatic chamber was carried out. To conduct a toxicological and hygienic study in animals, a swim-escape conditioned active avoidance response was developed.
Results. Under thermal (90 °C) exposure for 72 hours to polyethylene tube, a loss of 0.77% of the initial mass of the sample occurs. Thermal exposure (105 °C) to synthetic foam caoutchouc resulted in a loss of 15.3% of the initial mass of the sample for 108 hours, while pronounced changes in the appearance of the samples were determined. When conducting a sanitary and chemical study in the climate chamber, an increase in the concentration of carbon monoxide was determined after 12, 24, and 72 hours and hydrogen chloride after 12 and 24 hours following the onset of thermal exposure compared with the values of their average daily maximum permissible concentration. Thermal exposure to the sample and synthetic foam caoutchouc led to an increase in the concentration of ammonia, carbon monoxide and hydrogen chloride 12 and 24 hours after the start of exposure compared with the average daily maximum permissible concentration. During the toxicological and hygienic study, animals exposed to thermal degradation products of the materials under study were revealed to show learning disabilities.
Limitations. They are conditioned by the methodology of the study. A quantitative analysis of some gaseous thermal degradation products released into the climate chamber was performed, without taking into account the aerosols formed.
Conclusion. Thermal insulation materials made of synthetic foam rubber and polyethylene foam lose their structural properties when they are operated in the maximum permissible temperature conditions (105 °C and 90 °C, respectively). When they are used in appropriate temperature conditions, the formation of toxic products occurs, the inhalation effect of which leads to a disturbances of the learning ability in laboratory animals.
Compliance with ethical standards. The Local ethics committee of the Military Medical Academy named after S.M. Kirov. The work was guided by the requirements of regulatory legal acts on the procedure for experimental work using animals, including humane treatment of them.
Contribution:
Tolkach P.G. — the concept and design of the study, collection and processing of material, statistical processing, writing a text;
Basharin V.A. — the concept and design of the study, editing;
Shilov Yu.V. — collection and processing of material;
Yazenok A.V., Antushevich A.E., Zagorodnikov G.G. — editing.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.
Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgement. The study had no sponsorship.
Received: March 6, 2023 / Accepted: June 7, 2023 / Published: August 30, 2023
726-731
ANNIVERSARY DATES
Pinigin Migmar Aleksandrovich (on the occasion of 95th and 70th anniversary of the scientific activity)
Abstract
28 августа 2023 года исполняется 95 лет Мигмару Александровичу Пинигину, доктору медицинских наук, профессору, Заслуженному деятелю науки Российской Федерации, признанному специалисту и авторитетному учёному в области токсикологии и санитарной охраны атмосферного воздуха.
732-733
OBITUARY
734-734
Регистрационный номер и дата принятия решения о регистрации СМИ: серия ПИ № ФС 77 - 37884 от 02.10.2009.