[Work conditions, risk factors on workplace and their influence on workers' health in Latvia].

The authors demonstrated changes in occupational morbidity in Latvia over 1996-2007--that characterizes general state of the work safety system functioning. Analysis of occupational morbidity structure and occupational accidents rate proved trends of changes in those parameters. Considerably higher occupational morbidity was seen since 1996 to 2004. Afterwards slight decrease in the morbidity was demonstrated, but since 2007 the occupational morbidity increased again. Occupational incidence per 100,000 workers was 20.4 in 1996, 184.5 in 2004, 139.3 in 2007. Occupational accidents rate per 100,000 workers reached 163 in 1996 and 194 in 2007.

[Industrial medicine in Latvia]. / Meditsina truda v Latvii.

The authors have reflected new trends in occupational health in Latvia. At present the whole system of general health care in Latvia is under consolidation and reconstruction. Thus, the occupational health and safety system of Latvia, as a nature part of general health care system is also under changes and reconstruction. Today Latvia's workforce consist of 1.68 million people, working in a large number of workplaces, mainly in industry and agriculture. There are still very hazardous working conditions in many workplaces. The total number of diagnosed occupational diseases ranges from 90 to 220 cases per year. If counted per 100,000 workers the rates of occupational diseases are 5.1 in 1981 and 23.4 in 1995. New system of occupational health is under development in Latvia. New legislation and regulations are published and extensive training for specialists provided. A new system of information is under construction as well as new hygienic standards. Main stress is paid to ensure that standards of EC are met.

[Mouse macrophage interferons]. / Makrofagal'nye interferony myshei.

Mouse peritoneal macrophages produce two types of interferon: type 1 interferon resistant to pH 2.0 is produced in response to the inoculation of virus and poly(I) . poly(C), type 2 interferon (immune), sensitive to pH 2.0 is induced by phytohemagglutinin and is formed due to phagocytosis of sheep erythrocytes treated with specific antiserum. The virus-induced interferon is produced by macrophages very rapidly (maximum within 1-2 hours), and the antiviral state resulting from it develops within 1-3 hours after inoculation of the inducer. Immunization of mice as well as pretreatment of macrophages with small doses of interferon did not affect their interferon-synthesizing activity. Type 2 interferon produced a marked antiproliferative effect in L cell culture.