[The application of the emulsified turpentine baths for the correction of the functional state of the cross-country skiers].

The baths with emulsified turpentine find the wide application in balneotherapy. They produce especially pronounced beneficial prophylactic effects in the patients presenting with microtrombosis and microvascular stasis. Moreover, these baths may be prescribed to improve microcirculation, increase the functional reserves and physical capacity in the athletes. At the same time, the current literature appears to contain no scientific publications on the application of emulsified turpentine baths for the restoration of the physical capacity of the professional ski runners. The lack of relevant information motivated the study reported in the present article. The main objective of the study involving 10 subjects was to evaluate the effectiveness of the modified emulsified turpentine baths as a method by which to restore and enhance the physical capacity of the professional cross-country skiers. The physical capacity of the athletes was evaluated from the results of the bicycle ergometer exercise test with the use of the «Oxycon Pro¼ system. The data obtained suggest that a course of the emulsified turpentine baths increases the activity of the cardiorespiratory system, improves the physical capacity, and enhances the functional reserves of the body in the anaerobic zone.

Magnetic storms and variations in hormone levels among residents of North Polar area--Svalbard.

In the present work four examinations (January, March, June, October 1991-1992) of the blood concentration of adrenal hormones (cortisol) and thyroid hormones (triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine T4) and their dependence on space and terrestrial weather parameters have been done for large groups of healthy inhabitants of high latitudes (Svalbard, the most northerly in the world year-round inhabited settlements). The aim of this study was to find the possible sensitivity of these biochemical parameters to variations of external natural factors at high latitudes in three independent groups of people living in this region (miners and people working underground (364 samples), the men working on the ground (274 samples) and women working on the ground (280 samples)). The obtained data indicate that the most expressed dependence of concentration of the three studied hormones is on the level of geomagnetic activity (GMA) - Kp, Ap, Kpmax - 3h. For two of the four seasons (June and October) with increasing levels of GMA a significant (p<0.05) increase in cortisol concentration in all three independent groups of people was observed. Range of increases in cortisol concentration in different groups were about 30% of the observed variation in the average intragroup concentration in June and from 16% to 38% in October. For T3 dependence was found only in June: drop in hormone secretion with increasing levels of GMA from 18 to 30% of the average range of intragroup variations. Thus it was shown for the first time that at high geographical latitudes with increased level of GMA a significant change in the level of secretion of several hormones leads to the type of adaptive stress reaction.

[The dynamics of pulse rate and biochemical parameters in blood of healthy individuals in relation to Pc5-6 geomagnetic pulsations].

Four experiments on long-term monitoring of pulse rate and blood biochemical parameters in four healthy volunteers (women) were conducted. The duration of each experiment was 90 minutes, electrocardiography was performed continuously, taking blood sampling every two minutes. In venous blood the current concentrations of triiodothyronine, cortisol, glucose, stable metabolites of nitrogen oxides (NO(x)) were determined. Synchronicity in oscillations of cortisol and free triiodothyronine levels in the blood of all four volunteers was detected, as well as the presence of the periods of 7-8 min and 15-17 min in the spectra of these biochemical parameters was observed. The periods in the spectra of NO(x) are equal to 7 min, 13 min and 25-30 min. It is shown that the, dynamics of variations in the heart rate is determined mostly by the rhythms of fluctuations in the level of NO(x) in the blood, and the periods in wavelet spectra of these physiological parameters in all four volunteers are close to the periods of their spectra synchronous variations of a. geomagnetic field vector in the frequency range of 0.5-3 mHz. The results obtained in this study indicate that. the presence of nitric oxide and its metabolites in the blood is a biochemical factor, with high probability of its participation in the developmental process of the fine "tuning" of the body to the variations of the geomagnetic field providing synchronization of variations in heart rate and geomagnetic fluctuations in the geomagnetic quiet conditions.

[Spectral parameters of heart rate variability in man under the acute normobaric hypoxia conditions].

Spectral parameters (SP) of heart rate variability (HRV) and a duration of cardiointervals (RR) in 14 healthy male volunteers at the age of 23-36 years under the influence of acute normobaric hypoxia by respiratory gas oxygen-nitrogen mixture (9% O2, 25 min) were studied. The 300 cardiocycles at each of six experimental time points by ECG at II standart lead were registered. The parameters before hypoxia were (M ± m): RR (s) 0.90 ± 0.03; SP powers (ms2) TP 13 553 ± 2789; VLF 3885 ± 902; LF 4724 ± 1062; HF 4945 ± 1165. All parameters were about 21-25% less as compared to background in the 5th min of hypoxia. The decreasing was about 17% (RR) and 34-38% (SP) in the 10th min of hypoxia. At the 20th min of hypoxia all parameters but RR were increased to the background level. At last after hypoxia in the 5th min parameters RR were at the background level, SP were to 1.5-2 times higher. In the 15th min all parameters returned to initial levels.

[Functional indices of the participants of the satellite experiments of the "Mars-500" project in the north of Russia in different seasons of a year].

17 male northerners participating in the satellite experiments of the '"Mars-500" project passed through the morphological, physiometric, psychological and biochemical studies. The prenosological health indices in different seasons were calculated using the hardware-software complex "Ecosan-2007". Seasonal sinusoidal fluctuations were detected for the thermoregulation (body and skin temperature), lipids metabolism (cholesterol, HDL and LDL levels in the blood), circulation regulation under physical exercise (the increase of "double product" and its recovery time). In the majority of the participants the unfavorable deviations of body mass index, "power" and "life" indices, simple visual-motor reaction time, Kerdo vegetative index, physical health levels and regulatory systems activity index (in comparison with the mid-latitude standards) were found.

[The low content of apolipoprotein E as a risk factor of increasing of ratio apolipoprotein B/A-1 in healthy males with normal lipemia].

The relationship of ratio of apolipoprotein (apo) B/apoA-1 with other indicators of lipid metabolism in healthy people with normal lipemia was analyzed. The dependence of ratio of apolipoprotein (apo) B/apoA-1 from content of apoE (X2=8.20; p=0.042) was established. Under low indicators of apoE risk of detection of unfavorable ratio apolipoprotein (apo) B/apoA-1 (higher than 0.9) increases (probability ratio 0.61, CI 95% 0.41-0.88, p=0.009). It is possible that low content of apoE results in deceleration of elimination and accumulation of lipoproteins in blood. This occurrence is followed by alteration of balance between apoE and apoA-1. In general, among patients with unfavorable ratio apoB/apoA-1 in spite of normal lipemia were detected higher indicators of triglycerides and atherogenic index of plasma and lower values of ratio of cholesterol lipoproteins of low density and apoB. This observation indicates on increasing of quantity triglyceride-reach lipoproteins and little solid lipoproteins of low density. Therefore, low content of apoE in blood can be considered as a predictor of increasing of ratio apoB/apoA-1 in healthy persons.

[Vulnerability to atmospheric and geomagnetic factors of the body functions in healthy male dwellers of the Russian North].

In April 2009 through to November 2011, a Mars-500 satellite study of Russian Northerners (Syktyvkar citizens) was performed using the standard ECOSAN-2007 procedure evaluating the atmospheric and geomagnetic susceptibility of the main body functional parameters. Seventeen essentially healthy men at the age of 25 to 46 years were investigated. Statistical data treatment included correlation and single-factor analysis of variance. Comparison of the number of statistical correlations of the sum of all functional parameters for participants showed that most often they were sensitive to atmospheric pressure, temperature, relative humidity and oxygen partial pressure (29-35 %), and geomagnetic activity (28 %). Dependence of the functional parameters on the rate of temperature and pressure change was weak and comparable with random coincidence (11 %). Among the hemodynamic parameters, systolic pressure was particularly sensitive to space and terrestrial weather variations (29 %); sensitivity of heart rate and diastolic pressure were determined in 25 % and 21 % of participants, respectively. Among the heart rate variability parameters (HRV) the largest number of statistically reliable correlations was determined for the centralization index (32 %) and high-frequency HRV spectrum (31 %); index of the regulatory systems activity was least dependable (19 %). Life index, maximal breath-holding and Ckibinskaya's cardiorespiratory index are also susceptible. Individual responses of the functional parameters to terrestrial and space weather changes varied with partidpants which points to the necessity of individual approach to evaluation of person's reactions to environmental changes.

[Effects of acute normobaric hypoxia on free plasma amino acids metabolism in humans].

We demonstrated significant changes in levels of several plasma free amino acids--proline, hydroxyproline, glycine, and phenylalanine--in healthy volunteers in response to severe acute normobaric hypoxia (breathing nitrogen-oxygen mixture with 9% of O2). We assume that demonstrated an increase of free proline, hydroxyproline, and glycine in plasma in the 10th minute of hypoxia was caused by increased collagenolysis due to hypoxic activation of matrix metalloproteinases. Significantly increased levels of free phenylalanine in the 10th and 20th minutes of hypoxia were the consequences of autophagy activation. Our results suggest that acute severe normobaric hypoxia has specific effects on plasma free amino acids in healthy humans.

[Age dynamics of functional parameters in men in the Polar region].

In order to test the hypothesis about rapid involution of functional parameters in residents in the Polar region, the functional parameters in men of 20-69 years have been compared in cross-sectional study. There is a tendency to a steady decrease of height, strength indices, parameter of muscle working capacity, balancing of the body when standing on one leg, vital capacity, cardiac output, tolerance to hypoxemia, level of physical health, adrenocorticotropic hormone and testosterone levels and an increase of body mass index, index of coordination (impairment of motor coordination), time of visual-motor response, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, index of functional changes, insulin level. More pronounced decline of functions is observed in men after 50 years.

[Influence of latitude factor on organism of adolescences residing on North].

Complex investigations of adolescences (14-15 years) residing on the European North at 62 and 65 degrees latitudes have been carried out. It was shown that the latitude factor on the North affected on mature organism of adolescences already at a difference of residence place on 3 degrees. The decrease of tolerance to hypoxemia, quality of hemodynamic regulation at short-term physical activity, physical health level, nervous processes rate (switching of attention) and the increase of plasma lactate level (attribute of hypoxia) were shown in adolescences residing at higher latitudes. The sexual distinctions and features of northerner organism on a lot of parameters in adolescences were revealed.

[Individual systemic reactions of human organism under acute hypoxia].

Results of physiological and biochemical study including analysis of brain electrical activity dynamics, volumetric and linear parameters of cerebral blood flow, plasma stress hormones levels (adrenaline, noradrenaline, cortisol) and energy metabolism markers (glucose, lactate) at different stages of acute normobaric hypoxia are presented. The correlations are shown between alterations of main cerebral arteries tone and resistivity type vessels, as well as between changes in linear and volumetric cerebral blood flow providing a compensation of the oxygen deficit. Features of EEG dynamics were investigated that characterized CNS regulatory functions and brain electrogenesis disturbance under deep stages of hypoxia. By means of original evaluating methods of interaction structure between different EEG rhythm, EEG markers were obtained that revealed both brain intercentral interaction rearrangements and functional disintegration of systemic brain activity at various stages of acute hypoxia.

[Multi-month dynamics of the functional condition of organism of normal male northeners of Russia].

In conjunction with the Mars-500 project, 17 male residents (25-46 y.o.) of the North of Russia (62 degrees 40'N) were examined monthly using hard- and software EKOSAN-2007. In the period of June, 2010 through to November, 2011 they visited a standard laboratory to go through comprehensive anthropophysiometric, psychophysiological and physiological investigations at rest and combined with exercise, standing and cold tests aimed at tracking the seasonal responses of the body functional parameters. The larger part of group-average psychomotor, breathing and circulation measurements as well as heart rate variability did not exhibit statistically significant differences between months or seasons. Reliable seasonal variations were documented in the life index, body and cutaneous temperature, myocardium index and regulatory systems activity. A correlation between environmental and some body functional parameters was established. In the course of the multi-month monitoring there were periods when essentially healthy people were diagnosed as prenosologic and even premorbid. Some findings in the functioning of male northerner's organism are clearly attributable to living in the high-altitude area.

[Physiological and psychophysiological indices dynamics in operators with three-shift working day in different working conditions].

It was shown that intense operator work in pulp and paper industry (bleachers and chlorinators) with changes in shift time (day, evening, night) causes fatigue. The fatigue in operators was indicated by increasing number of errors in sensomotor coordination test and coordination index, and among chlorinators it was accompanied by deterioration of state of health. Manifestations of 24 hours' rhythm of physiological functions were detected by changes in body temperature (among bleachers), heart rate, blood pressure and sensomotor coordination indices (all operators). Harmful chemical substances (chlorine and chlorine dioxide) in the air negatively influence psychophysiological status among clorinators.

[Lipids and their correlation with vitamin D in the indigenous populations of Russia European North].

The aim of our research was to investigate the level of 25-OH vitamin D in blood plasma of indigenous inhabitants of Russia European North. The study showed that there was wide spreading of vitamin D deficiency among northerners especially in teenager. The significant reduction of 25-OH vitamin D3 was revealed in the inhabitants of Far North in March. It is shown that there is correlation of the vitamin D with total cholesterol, apolipoprotein A, high and low density lipoproteins and vitamin A and E.

[Lipids metabolism at aboriginal adolescents in Russian European North].

The aim of our research was to investigate the contents of lipids and fat-soluble vitamins in blood plasma of aboriginal adolescents of Russian European North (komi, n=104). It was established that there are specific Lipemic index at aboriginal adolescents: low level of the general cholesterol, triglycerides, transport lipoproteins both their albuminous components and raised proportion omega-6/omega-3 fatty acids concerning recommended specifications. Level of fat-soluble vitamins also has been considerably lowered. Adolescents living in 62 degrees N differed as a completely higher level of atherogenous fractions of lipids, than the adolescents of Circumpolar regions (65 degrees N) having traditional

[Rated power of conscripts in the north].

The nutrition on alimentary and power value in the term active duty soldier on the North on norm No 1 (troop ration) approaches to calculated sizes (with the exception of fat deficiency) that allows to support the physical working capacity and the body mass index on high enough level. However insufficient content of vitamins (polyhypovitaminosis) in organisms of most of studied persons was revealed. The dynamics of change of nutrition status in the soldiers on the North during year shows essential dependence on the weather rigidity parameters and the seasonal factor.

[Vitamin D level in the indigenous populations of Russia European North].

The aim of our research was to investigate the level of 25-OH vitamin D3 in blood plasma of indigenous inhabitants of Russia European North. The study showed that there was wide spreading of vitamin D deficiency among northerners especially in teenager. The significant reduction of level of 25-OH vitamin D3 was revealed in the inhabitants of Far North in March.

[Apolipoprotein E and triglyceride levels in various hepatic functional states].

Apolipoprotein E (apo-E) was ascertained to affect serum triglycerides levels in relation to the hepatic functional state. When apoE values were higher or in the normal range, the activity of gamma-glutamyltrasferase (gamma-GT) failed to considerably affect serum triglyceride levels. When apo-E values were lower, serum triglyceride levels substantially depended on the activity of gamma-GT. The highest serum triglyceride levels were noted in men having low apo-E concentrations with a high gamma-GT activity.

[Dynamic characteristics of the external respiratory function in young men of the north in the annual cycle].

The annual cycle in young men (19.0 +/- 0.9 years), inhabitants of the European North (62 degrees) were studied: peak (PVR) and the instantaneous volumetric rate at the time of expiration 25, 50, 75% of forced vital capacity (FVC), average volume rate during exhalation from 25 to 75% FVC, respiration rate, time to attain the PRV and FVC. Indicators of lung function were determined on microprocessor spirograph SPM-01-R-D. Revealed that young men in the annual cycle significantly (F-test) changed only the speed characteristics of respiratory function, time function had no significant differences. Also is revealed a more variation in the annual cycle of values of speed parameters of lung function compared with those for the inhabitants of middle latitudes, indicating that the adaptive responses of lung function and certain restriction ofbronchial permeability on the level of medium and especially small bronchi. The peak and the instantaneous volumetric rate at the time of expiration 25, 50 and 75% FVC and the average volumetric expiratory flow rate in the range of 25 to 75% of forced vital capacity of lungs from male northerners in the cold season more, in warm weather--less.

[Serum glucose level in acute severe hypoxia in human at rest].

Study of the effects of acute normobaric hypoxia was performed on a group of young healthy males (age 19-23, n = 10). Conditions of acute normobaric hypoxia were modeled by using oxygen-nitrogen mixture containing 8% of oxygen as a breath gas. That level of oxygen corresponds with its partial pressure at 7000 meters above sea level. A number of different analyses were conducted during experiment: levels of glucose, pyruvate, lactate in peripheral venous blood, hemoglobin, pH, hematocrit, partial pressures of 02 and CO2, hemoglobin saturation. It was shown that on 5th minute of hypoxia serum glucose level decreased significantly (p < 0.05). The average decrease was about 0.76 mmol/l in its maximum and lowest individual glucose levels were 4.0 mmol/l or higher. Serum glucose level returned to background values (assessed before the test) at 10th minute of experiment. In our opinion results of the study suggest that syncopal form of height hypoxia may be caused by the reasons other than hypoglycemia.