Reproductive Function of Male Rats and Motor Activity of Their Offspring in Fire Emissions Modeling.

We studied the reproductive function of albino male rats after long-term exposure to wildfire smoke and the species-specific behavior of their sexually mature offspring. After the end of exposure, the mean number of spermatogonia and the relative number of Leydig cells in rat testes decreased and the index of spermatogenesis decreased. The offspring of exposed males mated with intact females demonstrated impaired cognitive abilities and disturbances of species-specific behavior. The severity of these changes depended on time interval between the end of the inhalation exposure and mating.

[Comparative hygienic evaluation of work conditions in sulphate cellulose production, with consideration of modern mechanization].

Comparative evaluation covered work conditions in contemporary sulphate cellulose productions with various levels of mechanization and automation. Findings are that major work hazards for cellulose production workers are: polluted workplace air with chemical complex (methylsulphurous compounds, chlorine, chlorine dioxide, alkaline aerosol) in concentrations exceeding MAC, heating microclimate, noise. Levels of workplace air pollution with chemical hazards and transitory disablement morbidity parameters are considerably lower in highly automated production.

[Role ofneuroautoimmune integration in pathogenesis of vibration disease].

Clinical immunologic and electroneuromyographic examination covered patients with vibration disease. Registered- demyelination disorders on lower and upper limbs in vibration disease patients were associated with neurochemical changes in special neural structures (OBM, S-100 protein, DNA, AH-R, DA-R, Ser-R, GAMK-R). Direct proof of demyelination disorders in vibration disease patients are reliable correlation between levels of antibodies to OBM and conduction velocity in distal part of median nerve, in ulnar nerve from elbow bend and lower third of arm, and ulnar residual latency. Diagnosed relations between levels of antibodies to regulatory proteins in nervous tissue (antibodies to OBM and to S-100 protein), neurotransmitters (antibodies to AH-R, DA-R, Ser-R, GAMK-R) and functional parameters of nervous system prove important role of autoimmune reactions in vibration disease pathogenesis.

[Evaluation of life quality connected with health in patients with occupational diseases].

The article deals with methodology for integral evaluation of life quality connected with health in industrial medicine. Object of evaluation is life quality connected with health in workers exposed to occupational hazards. Empirical basis is long-standing study of life quality connected with health in patients with occupational diseases and in industrial workers. The article covers result of methologic instruments suggested by the authors for integral evaluation of life quality connected with health in workers and individuals exposed to occupational hazards, principles of group formation for such studies. The authors consider evaluation of life quality connected with health as a major goals of industrial medicine, as it completes quantitatively and qualitatively other studies of health changes in workers due to changing vital activity.

[Variability of some humoral immunity parameters in workers ofvarious industries in East Siberia].

Based on examination of workers exposed to various occupational factors in major industrial enterprises, the authors present results of comparative evaluation of some humoral immunity parameters. According to the study, Ig A, M and G are possible as available indicators in evaluation of functional resources being major risk factors for occupational health. Timely diagnosis and analysis of risk factors help to improve methodology of work groups certification in industrial enterprises, specification of innovation diagnostic tools and rehabilitation of working population.

[The evaluation of immunoregulatory markers in the course of neurointoxication by mercury over the post-exposure period].

There was executed the examination of patients with occupational chronic mercury intoxication in the post-exposure period after the exposure to metallic mercury vapor. 47 persons with an established diagnosis of chronic mercury intoxication (HMI) passed the laboratory and immunological examination in the period of exposure to metallic mercury vapor in a production environment. The average age of men accounted for 49.2±1.2 years. The experience of work in hazardous working conditions amounted of 21.65±1.61 years (1 observation). All these same cases were observed in the institute clinic again after 5 years (2 observation) and 10 years (3 observation). A control group of healthy men consisted of 47 cases included persons of representative both age and general work experience, without a professional route of contact with hazardous substances. The level of such cytokines as IL-1ß, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, TNF-a, INF-y and neurotropic IgG class antibodies directed to proteins of the nervous tissue (NF-200, GFAP, MBP, B-dependent Ca-channel, Glu-R, DA-R, R-GABA, Ser-R, R-Chol, DNA, B2GP) in serum were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. There was established the gain in the imbalance of inflammatory mediators and production ofneural antibodies in dynamics after the termination of the production in conditions of metallic mercury vapors. Revealed features of the regulatory relationship between the level of cytokines and the severity of the autoimmune process were shown to contribute to the maintenance and progression of neurodegenerative processes. There was recommended the identification of immunoregulatory markers (IL-1ß, IL-4, TNF-a, NF-AT to 200, GFAP, S-100) as an additional criteria for the diagnosis of health disorders in operating and monitoring the course of the progredient professional mercury intoxication.

[Assessment of carcinogenic risks to workers of the main enterprises of the Irkutsk region].

The purpose of research is the assessment of the individual cancer risk (ICR) for workers of the basic occupations in key branches of industry of the Irkutsk region. There was executed the calculation of ICR levels for workers of the basic occupations of the aircraft industry, aluminum smelters and vinyl chloride production plants. The estimation of the exposure for workers was carried out according to long-term time-weighted average concentrations in the air of the working area, for the population - on annual average concentrations in the ambient air. To assess the risk that is not associated with the profession, the dose was calculated for the period of life (70 years). When calculating the toxicant doses in the working area there were used the "standard" indices ofpulmonary ventilation for adults, body weight, the work experience in the contact with carcinogens of 30 years, the number of days in the contact of 240, the duration of the working time 8 or 12 hours (in accordance with the working hours) duration. ICR for the Irkutsk population amounted of 3.08E-04, in Shelekhov - 4.8E-05, Sayansk - 1.1E-05. The amount of risk depends on the content offormaldehyde in all territories and chromium VI in cities of Irkutsk and Shelekhov. ICR for workers of basic occupations of studied plants in dozens of times are higher than for the urban population. Priority carcinogens are: chromium VI, nickel, formaldehyde, silicon dioxide -for the aircraft plant employees; 1,2-dichloretan, vinyl chloride - for the workers of vinyl chloride production plant; benzopyrene - for the aluminum smelter workers.

[Clinical and neurophysiological peculiarities of health disorders in workers in dependence on the vinyl chloride exposure load].

Results of the clinical and neurophysiological examinations of 42 workers with operating history at the chemical plant exposed to vinyl chloride (VC) are presented. The purpose of research was the identification ofpeculiarities of clinical manifestations and disorders of the functional activity of the brain in workers at the vinyl chloride production, with taking into account the exposure toxic load (ETL). There were made clinical and electroencephalographic examinations with the detection of cognitive evoked potentials (CEP) and statistical analysis of results with the use of the Mann-Whitney U-test, Fisher's F-test, calculation of Spearman's correlation coefficient. The features in clinical picture of the pathology of the nervous system were detected in the form of asthenic disorders with cognitive impairment and autonomic dysfunction syndrome. There was established the increase in the cognitive impairment rate (p = 0.03), the decline in a-EEG activity (p = 0.01) and the worsening of indices of the amplitude (p = 0.011) and latency (p = 0,05) of CEP in extremely high level of ETL in comparison with same indices in the group with moderately high ETL. In the first group there was revealed a statistically significant exceedance of the frequency of hypertension - by 1.6 times, skin diseases - by 9 times, chronic subatrophic rhino-pharyngitis by 1.4 times in comparison with cases from the second group. In the group with moderately high level of ETL there was established the statistically significant inverse correlationship between the ETL and the index of P300 amplitude from the left side (r = -0.38, p = 0.019) and in the group with extremely high level ETL - between ETL and index of the ß2 - rhythm (r = - 0.73, p = 0.0008).

[Modern aspects of the conservation and promotion of health of firefighters].

On the basis of complex hygienic studies there were determined conditions of the work of firefighters in liquidation of foci of fires at the incipient stage, identified the complex of toxic substances, their quantitative content in the area of the smoke of fires. The analysis of the etiological role of occupational factors in the shaping of the morbidity and the physiological and clinical manifestations, established indices of the risk for occupational and industrial-caused pathology have allowed to substantiate the relationship of a number of nosological forms associated with working conditions of firefighters. There was developed a system of preventive activities for the promotion and preservation of the health of firefighters, as well as a conceptual model for monitoring of working conditions and state of health.

[Induction of apoptosis in neurons of white rats under exposure of nanobiocomposite based on ag (0) nanoparticles and arabinogalactan].

There are presented results of the immunohistochemical study of neural tissue of outbred albino rats exposed for 9 days to the influence of the silver nanobiocomposite consisted of silver nanoparticles encapsulated into a matrix of a natural polymer - arabinogalactan. The research of albino rats was performed in 2 stages: half of the rats in each groups were decapitated immediately after the exposure (early period) and the rest animals - 6 months after the end of exposure (remote period). The impact of the studied substance was proved to cause functional changes in cells of the nervous tissue. After the subacute administration of the nanobiocomposite - argentum-arabinogalactan (nano-Ag-AG) in cells of the nervous tissue of the brain of albino rats the expression of apoptotic and anti-apoptotic protein (caspase-3 and bcl-2) was established to be changed. The number of normal neurons producing protein caspase-3 sharply increases. Herewith the number of immunonegative neurons fairly declines. Along with this there is noted the high level of bcl-2 content, one function ofwhich is the preclusion ofapoptosis. In preparations there is revealed a significant gain in the number of bcl-2 expressing neurons, however, the protective effect of the protein is not fully realized, that leads to the significantly increase in the content of damaged hyperchromatic cells. The evaluation of results of the immunohistochemical study of the nervous tissue of albino rats according to data concerning the proteins caspase-3 and bcl-2 expression permits to make a conclusion about the capability of nanoargentum encapsulated into polymer matrix by passing the blood-brain barrier to induce the triggering apoptosis cascade in neurons of the cerebral cortex.

[The content of petroleum products, benzo(a)pyrene and heavy metals in soils of yamalnenets autonomous district and heavy metals in the hair of children].

The paper presents information about the content of benzo(a)pyrene in soil samples of petroleum products and the content of heavy metals (iron, copper, lead, arsenic, manganese, chromium, cadmium and mercury) in the soil and hair samples of children. Soil samples and hair were taken in October 2014 in the north-western part of the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous District. The values obtained were compared with the approximately permissible levels and maximum allowable concentrations adopted in the Russian Federation. Levels are determined compounds in the soil in general do not exceed the allowable concentrations. In hair samples there was noted marked exceeding of the recommended values for zinc, copper, chromium and iron 10%, 16.7%, 83.3% and 100% samples, respectively. The cause of the high iron content in the hair samples may be due to the quality of consumed water, which is characterized by low mineralization and high iron content. Increased chromium content of more than 80% of the hair samples can be caused, as in the case of iron, the quality of water consumed, but also a high proportion of local foods in the diet of people, rich by chromium. A conducted study on the state of the environment in the village, away from areas of hydrocarbon production, indicates to the low importance of anthropogenic impact.

[On theory of sensory conflict under exposure to physical factors: main principles and concepts of formation].

The article presents results of longstanding studies on influence of occupational physical factors on workers health. Experimental and nature studies helped to justify basic concepts of sensory conflict theory, a trigger of occupational disease formation. Patients having occupational disease present disorders of cortex-subcortex relationships on diencephal level, central and peripheral regulatory mechanisms, central sensory mechanisms participation in pathologic processes development, changes in vegetative regulation on cerebral level, demyelination and axon demyelination changes in peripheral nerves of upper and lower limbs. Findings are also changes in central nervous, peripheral nervous systems, endocrine, immune systems, severe emotional negative strain and high level of nervous system excitation, perivascular edema in brain cortex of experimental animals. Based on key principles of the theory, the authors specified and tested new methods of treatment and prevention of occupational diseases caused by physical factors, aimed to unblock the sensory conflict.

[Cognitive disorders in toxic (mercurial) and alcohol encephalopathy].

To differentiate cognitive disorders in toxic (mercurial) and alcohol encephalopathy, the authors determined peculiarity of mental disorders in patients with toxic encephalopathie of various origins. Discriminant analysis helped to evaluate totality of informative neurophysiologic and psychologic parameters to assign patients to a group with cognitive disorders due to mercurial toxic encephalopathy or to a group with that due to alcohol encephalopathy.

[Evaluation of biologic effects caused by nano-silver influence on brain tissue of experimental animals].

The article presents results of histologic and immunohistochemical examination of nerve tissue of outbred white rats subjected over 9 days to nanobiocomposite containing nanoparticles of silver and natural biopolymer arabinogalactane. Exposure to the studied chemical was proved to cause structural and functional changes in nervous tissue. Comparing results of structural study of nervous tissue with expression of proteins caspase-3 and bcl-2 proves ability of nanosilver incapsulated into polymer matrix to penetrate through blood-brain barrier and induce apoptosis in neurons of brain cortex.

[Cognitive impairment in a toxic lesion of the brain].

OBJECTIVE: To identify features of cognitive impairment in patients with toxic (mercury or alcohol) encephalopathy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study involved 36 patients with chronic mercury intoxication and 30 people with chronic alcoholism. A control group included 30 age-matched healthy men who were not exposed to toxic substances and alcohol abuse. All patients underwent neuropsychological examination, which involved a set of neuropsychological Luria rated memory status, praxis, gnosis and speeches. MMSE and FAB were used for the diagnosis of moderate cognitive impairment. Computer electroencephalography and cognitive evoked potentials method were used as well. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The diffuse brain injury in toxic encephalopathy (alcohol and mercury) on EEG, and according to the results of neuropsychological testing was identified. Changes in analytical and synthetic thinking, audio-verbal, long-term, visual memory, reciprocal coordination, finger gnosis, impressive speech were observed in mercury encephalopathy. Functional failure of the frontal lobe and the premotor area of the left hemisphere were revealed in alcoholic encephalopathy.

[Occupational neurointoxications: patterns and mechanisms of formation].

The article covers results of long-standing study of clinical features of occupational neurointoxications in late period, and mechanisms underlying nervous system disorders in individuals working under long exposure to neurotoxic chemicals and in late period of occupational intoxications. With modern neurophysiologic, neuropsychologic, immunologic and biochemical diagnostic methods, the authors specified early manifestations of occupational disorders. Translation patterns of neurointoxications are specified.

[Pathogenetic aspects of occupationally related disorders of lipid metabolism in workers exposed to chemicals].

The article presents results of lipid metabolism parameters in long-standing examinations of workers exposed to toxic chemicals. Findings are pro-atherosclerotic tendencies that can be considered as occupationally related, their pathogenetic mechanisms are specified. Evidences are that irrespective of acting toxic factor (mercury, vinyl chloride, complex of toxic chemicals) sequence of cholesterol metabolism disorders with pro-atherogenous features in workers has common aspects: at first, high-density lipoproteins cholesterol level lowers and atherogenicity index increases, then general cholesterol level increases, and low-density lipoproteins cholesterol level increases afterwards. Peculiarity is that chronic occupational exposure to vinyl chloride and toxic combustion products causes very low-density lipoproteins involvement into atherogenic process. Lipid metabolism disorders in workers exposed to neurotoxic chemicals at work appeared to progress into psycho-neurologic sphere changes, to have pro-atherogenic tendency and to cause early atherosclerosis, arterial hypertension and ischemic heart disease.

[Neurotoxic effect of toluene on background of prenatal hypoxic brain damage to white rats].

Comparative study covered influence of toluene on behavioral parameters, cognitive abilities and brain bioelectric activity in white rats with normal embryonic development or with prenatal hypoxia. Prenatal hypoxia was simulated by subcutaneous injection of 50 mg/kg sodium nitrite into female white rats on day 13-14 of gestation. The offspring at the age of 2, 5-3 months was exposed to toluene (concentration of 560 mg/m3, 4 hours per day, 5 days per week, over 4 weeks). After the exposure, the animals were estimated for individual and intraspecific behaviour in "open fields and "resident-intruder" tests, for cognitive abilities in "radial maze" training, EEG with visual and auditory evoked potentials. Acute hypoxia at early stages of organogenesis appeared to be burdening factor and to influence consequences of toluene intoxication.

[Improving methodical approaches to experimental studies in the field of occupational medicine].

The features of the methodical approaches in performing the experimental studies dealing with studying the working condition and the health state in the employees are presented in this paper. The results of our experiments performed in the Institute based on modeling the occupational toxic encephalopathy, studying the combined factor activity of the biological and chemical nature developing the methodical approaches to the assessment of the biological activity effects of the nanomaterials are indicated. The purposefulness of performing the experiments in the occupational medicine using the non-breedy and line-breedy animals is considered.

[The study of health risk in short-term inhalation exposure in conditions of forest fires].

The algorithm of studying of risk to population health due to short-term high atmospheric air pollution is presented. The algorithm was tested on a model example. The elevation of the content of a pool of carbon monoxide and the weighed particles in quantities above referential levels in the air are established to lead to increase in emergency medical aid appealability concerning diseases of respiratory and blood circulation organs.