[Protective function of the skin]. / O zashchitnoi funktsii kozhnogo pokrova.

This paper reviews published data concerning the protective function of skin and discusses factors that may affect its bactericidal capability, including space flight factors that are known to reduce its protective effect. Various concepts of the mechanisms of the bactericidal function are discussed. It is shown that in an enclosed environment the species composition of the resident autoflora and pH value of the skin of an essentially healthy man may change. The qualitative composition of the water-oil film as a source of nutrition and a skin microflora environment is discussed. Its effect on the autoflora composition and localization in various skin areas and, consequently, on the bactericidal capability of different skin areas is described. The skin bactericidal function results from an interaction of various factors that should be taken into consideration when developing flight-oriented hygienic requirements because space flight induces changes in the skin status.

[Hygienic aspects of wash water reclamation systems]. / Gigienicheskie aspekty razrabotki sistem regeneratsii sanitarno-gigienicheskoi vody.

The quality of reclaimed wash water and the composition of used wash water can be best determined by pH, oxygen chemical index, electric conductivity and chlorides that show individual variations but are sex-independent. Wash water contained mostly staphylococci and small amounts of sarcines, diplococci and micrococci. The use of washing and disinfecting agents may significantly modify the microbial characteristics of wash water, reducing noticeably its microbial content and increasing the content of organic substances and chlorides due to chemicals they include and due to more effective removal of sebaceous secretion. It is indicated that chemical components of washing and disinfecting agents that produce organic contaminants should be given special attention when developing a wash water reclamation system.

[Physiologic-biochemical aspects of the toxic effects of oxidants found in the human environment (air, water)]. / Fiziologo-biokhimicheskie aspekty toksicheskogo deistviia okislitelei, nakhodiashchikhsia v okruzhaiushchei cheloveka srede (vozdukh, voda).

This paper gives a review of published data about physiological and biochemical aspects of the toxic effect of oxygen, ozone, hydrogen peroxide, nitrogen oxide and haloid-containing disinfectants on the human body. The mechanism of action of various oxidants in terms of free radical reactions is analyzed. The oxidant sensitivity of membrane structures, sulphydryl compounds, proteins, enzymes, and the genetic apparatus of the cell is evaluated. The effect of oxidants on the function and structure of erythrocytes, red marrow, blood coagulation, immunity, histological and histochemical structure of organs and tissues is described.

[Study of the toxic properties of preservatives used in water reclamation systems]. / Issledovanie toksicheskikh svoistv konservantov, prednaznachennykh dlia ispol'zovaniia v sistemakh regeneratsii vody.

The comparative toxicity of halogen-containing oxidizing agents was investigated with the purpose of their utilization as urine preservatives in water reclamation systems. It was found that the high toxicity of the agents (LD50 of agent 1 was 15.7 +/- 1.1 mg/kg and LD50 of agent 2 was 23.0 +/- 1.2 mg/kg when injected i.p. to white mice) was distinctly related to their low pH in water solutions (pH 3-4). In neutral solutions the toxicity of agent 1 decreased 35 times and that of agent 2-12 times so that they can be classified as moderately toxic substances. Using an isolated frog heart according to Straub, it was shown that solution neutralization with 20% NaHCO3 also decreased the toxic effect of the above agents, making them similar to chloramine B, a well-known disinfectant. The above agents were found to be rapidly inactivated when stored in low concentrations and to remain highly stable when stored in concentrated solutions.

[Toxicological and hygienic aspects of increasing the efficiency of the afterpurification of the water regenerated from urine]. / Toksikologo-gigienicheskie aspekty povysheniia éffektivnosti doochistki vody regenerorovannoi iz mochi.

It has been shown experimentally that the quality of reclaimed water as related to its chemical and toxicological parameters depends on the efficiency of the repurification unit. Comparative toxicologic and hygienic investigations have demonstrated that the sorption-catalytic method of urine condensate repurification using a platinum-carbon catalyst is most promising since it can ensure the production of toxicologically safe potable water.

[Toxicologic and hygienic studies of water regenerated from oxidant-containing released moisture]. / Toksikologo-gigienicheskie issledovaniia vody, regenerirovannoi iz vlagovydelenii, soderzhashchikh okisliteli.

Toxic-hygienic examinations of water reclaimed from peroxide-containing technical fluids have shown that the water needs further purification using sorbents that contain a reducing agent. In the absence of the latter the reclaimed water exerts adverse effects on certain hematological parameters.

[Hygienic evaluation of the water reclaimed from various moisture-containing wastes]. / Gigienicheskaia otsenka vody, regenerirovannoi iz razlichnykh vlagosoderzhashchikh otkhodov.

The paper reviews 5 experiments on 25 healthy male test subjects, aged 20-36. For drinking and cooking they used water reclaimed from various water-containing wastes (atmospheric condensate, urine, fluids used in engineering processes and biological wastes) by the oxidation-catalytic and sorption techniques. The resultant water was saturated with salts and decontaminated by ionic silver at a dose of 0.1 mg/l. The experimental data on the excretion of water and minerals allow the conclusion that reclaimed and conditioned water is physiologically adequate and that the human body reacts to its intake as it does to normal potable water.

[Effect of nerobol on the water-electrolyte balance and kidney function in man during 120-day hypokinesia]. / Vliianie nerobola na vodno-solevoi obmen i funktsiiu pochek cheloveka pri 120-sutochnoi gipokinezii

The influence of anabolic steroids on the fluid-electrolyte metabolism and renal function of man was studied during a prolonged bed rest experiment. Seven test subjects were kept under surveillance. Three test subjects were given nerobol and four subjects served as controls. The fluid-electrolyte metabolism and the osmoregulatory function of the kidneys were studied. Nerobol induced a decreased excretion of sodium, potassium, calcium, chlorides and osmotically active substances. Nerobol produced the most pronounced effect on the calcium and potassium metabolism. The effect of the drug used during the prolonged bed rest experiment depended on the time and dosage as well as on the state of fluid-eletrolyte metabolism and the renal function.