Currently, biomonitoring research is actively developing in the Arctic region, despite this, groups of people who temporarily come to the Arctic remain outside the national monitoring system, unlike the local population. Participation in expeditions on ships implies special living conditions, such as limited space, sensory deprivation. The study aims to analyse the biochemical parameters of blood, the content of essential, toxic elements, persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and vitamin D in samples of the expedition group temporarily coming to work in extreme Arctic conditions. Scientists carried out a study on board the Mikhail Somov scientific expedition vessel as part of the Arctic Floating University project. The participants were 50 people: 26 men and 24 women aged 20 to 72 years. As a result of the analysis, the authors have determined: 8 biochemical blood parameters, vitamin D levels by high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometric detection, the content of essential (Co, Mn, Se, Cu, Zn), toxic elements (As, Cd, Hg, Pb) using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer and POPs by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Almost 90% of the expedition participants had vitamin D concentrations below 20 ng/ml, which indicates a deficiency of this vitamin in the body. After conducting a comparative analysis between the expedition group and the permanent population of the Nenets Autonomous Okrug (NAO), it was found that the expedition group significantly reduced the content of not only toxic compounds (As, Cd, Hg, Pb, POPs), but also essential elements (Co, Mn, Se, Cu, Zn), according to compared to the local population. It is worth noting that the concentration of arsenic in the expedition group is 65 times lower (0.12 µg/L) than in permanent residents of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation (7.29 µg/L), and the concentration of lead in the group of expedition workers was 42 times lower (0.30 µg/L) than in the local population (15.21 µg/L). The data obtained provide information about the elementary and toxic status of the urban population of the Russian Federation. One of the reasons for such differences may be the predominantly traditional lifestyle of the local NAO population and the biomagnification of toxic substances in food chains. If biomonitoring studies are carried out by specialists on an ongoing basis and the data obtained is accumulated, then a basis may appear for predicting risks of both a short-term and long-term nature. The conducted research contributes to the expansion of the biomonitoring system at the national level.

Ethics. The study was conducted in accordance with the local Ethics Committee of the Northern State Medical University (NSMU) (extract from the minutes of the meeting dated 06/09/2021 No. 04-06-2021).

Contribution:
Korobitsyna R.D.— research concept and design, data collection and processing, writing of the text, the editing;
Varakina Yu.I. — research concept and design, data collection and processing, writing of the text;
Trofimova A.N. — data collection and processing, writing of the text;
Aksenov A.S. — writing of the text, the editing;
Sorokina T.Yu.— research concept and design, writing of the text, the editing.

Gratitude. The authors express their gratitude to the Arctic Floating University project, to the participants of this study, without whom it would not have taken place, to the staff of the Northern State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation for assistance in sampling, primary sample preparation and biochemical analysis, and to Nikita Andreevich Sobolev, a researcher at Lomonosov Moscow State University, for assistance in conducting elemental analysis of samples on the ISP-MS. The work was carried out with the support of the world-class scientific and educational center "Russian Arctic: new materials, technologies and research methods".

Funding. This work was carried out with the financial support of the Russian Science Foundation (Agreement No. 22‑15‑20076 dated 03/22/2022).

Conflict of interests. The authors declare no conflict of interests.

Received: 18.12.2023 / Accepted: 17.01.2024 / Published: 12.02.2024

Introduction. Industrial dust aerosols with a predominantly fibrogenic effect remain an important risk factor for the health of the working population in the Arctic.

The study aims to explore the features of the development, structure and prevalence of occupational diseases caused by fibrogenic aerosols at enterprises in the Arctic.

Materials and methods. The authors have studied the archival data of the socio-hygienic monitoring "Working conditions and occupational morbidity" and the register of extracts from occupational disease records (Order of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation No. 176 dated 05/28/2001).

Results. At enterprises in the Arctic in 2007–2021, fibrogenic aerosols ranked ninth (4.8%) in terms of the number of exposed workers, and fifth among harmful production factors in terms of the number of occupational diseases caused by their action (491 cases or 9.1%). They were characterized by the formation of employees of coal enterprises (83.1%), dominance in the structure of the pathology of chronic bronchitis (87.7%), etiological association with weakly fibrogenic aerosols (94.3%). The risk of diseases from exposure to fibrogenic aerosols in miners was higher than in metallurgical workers (RR=12.9; 95% CI 9.63–17.26; p<0.001), construction (RR=11.7; 95% CI 10.78–19.11; p<0.0001) and transport (RR=31.3; 95% CI 10.11–77.19; p<0.001) enterprises. For 15 years, researchers have observed a decrease in the number of diseases caused by the action of fibrogenic aerosols, and the risk of their development in 2007–2009 was higher than in 2019–2021: RR=2.10; 95% CI 1.19–3.71; p=0.009.

Conclusion. In the prevention of occupational pathology from the effects of fibrogenic aerosols, the priority remains to improve dust suppression methods and respiratory protection equipment for sinkers, miners of the treatment face, machinists of mining machines and other specialists of coal mining enterprises in the Arctic.

Ethics. The study did not require the conclusion of the Ethics committee.

Contribution:
Syurin S.A. — the concept and design of the study, writing the text;
Kizeev A.N. — data collection and processing.

Funding. The study had no funding.

Conflict of interests. The authors declare no conflict of interests.

Received: 22.12.2023 / Accepted: 25.12.2023 / Published: 12.02.2024

Introduction. The main tasks of the occupational pathology service are early diagnosis of occupational diseases, prevention of their formation, and in case of development, slowing down the progression. Due to the timely start of rehabilitation measures, it is possible to preserve employees' ability to work, and the employer — the labor potential of qualified personnel.

In modern enterprises, it is necessary to create programs to provide workers with medical care at the early stages of the formation of diseases, to prevent their progression, the development of complications and the preservation of professional ability to work.

The study aims are the scientific substantiation of methodological approaches to optimizing rehabilitation and preventive programs for employees of "dust−hazardous" professions.

Materials and methods. The scientists have examined 254 employees of KAMAZ PJSC: 164 employees of the Foundry and 90 employees of other divisions of the enterprise. The work uses a complex of hygienic, clinical and laboratory, instrumental, statistical research methods.

Results. The authors have established the features of the a priori and a posteriori risk of the formation of occupational pathology of the respiratory organs in the departments of a large machine-building enterprise. There is specificity of the development of respiratory pathology depending on the exposure characteristics and characteristics of the physico-chemical properties of industrial aerosols in workers of a machine-building enterprise. The researchers have developed and scientifically substantiated a methodological approach to the application of a set of measures aimed at reducing risk and preventing occupational pathology of the respiratory system in employees of a machine-building enterprise, based on a personalized assessment of harmful factors of the production environment, a differentiated approach to correcting modifiable risk factors.

Conclusions. The authors justified the use of various rehabilitation and preventive programs for interned employees of the enterprise who have a high risk of developing occupational pathology of the respiratory system, developed a differentiated approach to the use of various rehabilitation and preventive programs based on the analysis of the dynamics of clinical and functional indicators reflecting the course of respiratory pathology under the influence of industrial aerosols of various compositions (formation of obstructive-restrictive disorders, changes in exercise tolerance, the dynamics of morbidity with temporary disability).

Funding. The study had no funding.

Conflict of interests. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Received: 22.05.2023 / Accepted: 27.12.2023 / Published: 12.02.2024

Introduction. Occupational COPD (PCODD) is characterized by partially irreversible airflow limitation, the phenomenon of "air traps" and the formation of emphysema, has a steadily progressive character. In the work of a practitioner, an individual approach to the patient with targeted pharmacotherapy using new combinations in the treatment of occupational COPD is important, taking into account the evaluation of the effectiveness of previous therapy.

The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of therapy with combined bronchodilators in PCOPD with an analysis of the dynamics of functional parameters, exercise tolerance, using additional criteria for differential diagnosis.

Material and methods. The effectiveness of bronchodilator therapy was analyzed in 45 men, diagnosed with occupational COPD (PCODD). Additional differential diagnostics included the following informative indicators: instantaneous volumetric velocity after exhalation 75 FVC (MOS₇₅); cough intensity according to the CAT questionnaire (1 point); ratio of forced vital capacity to forced expiratory volume in 1 minute (FVC/FEV₁); 6MWT data, % predicted; 6MWT, m; overall score on the mMRC questionnaire; the severity of shortness of breath according to the CAT questionnaire (point 4); instantaneous volumetric velocity after exhalation 25 FVC (MOS₂₅). The discriminant equation is represented by the formula: F=–9,76+0,75×a₁–2,00×a₂–0,19×a₃+0,27×a₄–0,11×a₅+1,22×a₆+3,62×a₇+2,22×a₈.

Results. Two clinical trials were retrospectively analyzed using combined bronchodilator therapy with long-acting muscarinic receptor antagonists (LAA) and β2-agonists (LAA) in patients with PCOD. A group of patients was identified where a statistically significant improvement in clinical and functional parameters was not achieved against the background of the therapy. When to the group of occupational bronchial asthma (OBA). When conducting an individual analysis of indicators, it was found that for patients with PCOD during bronchodilator therapy, an improvement in spirometric parameters is characteristic, in particular, an increase in FEV₁ and FVC; Significant reduction in symptoms of shortness of breath, cough, sputum. Whereas, the PBA group was characterized only by an improvement in the distance traveled in 6MWT.

Conclusion. Our earlier clinical studies on the effectiveness of treatment of patients with PCOD with combined bronchodilator therapy showed the effectiveness of this therapy in 70–75% of the patients examined. An individual analysis of the clinical and functional parameters of the examined patients made it possible to identify the features of the course of occupational bronchopulmonary pathology, with the identification of individuals who need the use of a triple combination of LABA, LAAA with the addition of topical glucocorticosteroids. In this regard, all patients, as part of diagnostic measures, in addition to the standard examination, it is necessary to include 6MWT, BPG, questionnaires using mMRC and CAT questionnaires. Calculation of discriminant equations using data from spirometry, questionnaires, 6MWT and BPG will allow at the first stage of differential diagnosis to identify a group of patients for whom "triple" therapy is the means of choice.

Ethics. The study was carried out in accordance with the ethical principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. The Clinical Study Protocol was reviewed at a meeting of the local Ethics Committee East-Siberian Institute of Medical and Ecological Research.

Funding. Financing was carried out within the framework of the research work "Study of the mechanisms of formation and progression of neurodegenerative and bronchopulmonary disorders under the influence of industrial toxicants" and the PNR "Development of methods for the diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and prevention of diseases aimed at prolonging the active longevity of the population of Siberia"

Conflict of interests. The author declare no conflicts of interest.

Received: 19.07.2023 / Accepted: 20.01.2024 / Published: 12.02.2024

The health of the working population is one of the main guarantors of the sustainable and planned development of the state's economy, while working conditions and factors of the production environment play an important role in its formation. Studies of indicators of endogenous intoxication make it possible to identify the formation of adaptive and compensatory changes in the hemogram depending on the conditions of the production environment and the labor process.

The study aims to explore the degree of professional conditionality of integral hematological indices for early diagnosis of the harmful effects of production factors on the body of workers employed in metallurgy.

The authors have analyzed the results of some integral hematological indices and carried out the assessment of occupational risk in accordance with the "Temporary methodological recommendations for the calculation of occupational risk indicators" (2005) and the methodological recommendations "Methodology for the detection of occupational diseases and diseases related to working conditions" based on the calculation of relative risk (RR, units) and etiological proportion (EF, %).

The calculation of the leukocyte intoxication index showed high values in all occupational groups from 50.00% for electricians and gas welders to 88.16% for potash workers. Scientists diagnosed a significantly increased number of eosinophilic granulocytes (more than 5%) in 26.09% of draggers, in 34.52% of rope-winding machinists, in 38.16% of potters compared with the control group (p<0.001). Scientists determined the most pronounced changes in the indicators of endogenous intoxication in the first five years of contact with harmful factors of production. We found high LII values in 62.16% of draggers, 75.00% of compressor unit drivers, 73.53% of rope winding drivers and 45.00% of electricians. The content of eosinophils in peripheral blood, as well as the calculated allergization index, demonstrate almost complete industrial conditionality in all occupational groups of the examined (RR>5, EF=81–100%). In the group of electricians, these indicators have a very high degree of production conditionality.

Timely identification of workers with violations of integral hematological indices in the dynamics of professional activity allows them to be identified as a risk group for further monitoring and preventive measures.

Limitations. The conducted study took into account the influence of only harmful production factors on deviations of integral hematological indices in workers of metallurgical production.

Ethics. The material of the article was approved by the Bioethical Commission at the Ufa Research Institute of Occupational Medicine and Human Ecology (Protocol No. 01-11 dated 11/22/2023).

Contribution:
Vlasova N.V. — concept and design, collection and processing of material, writing of the text;
Abdrakhmanova E.R. — collection and processing of material, the editing;
Masyagutova L.M. — concept and design, writing of the text, the editing;
Muzafarova A.R. — compilation of the list of references;
Rafikova L.A. — compilation of the list of references.

Funding. The study had no funding.

Conflict of interests. The authors declare no conflict of interests.

Received: 05.12.2023 / Accepted: 23.12.2023 / Published: 12.02.2024

Workers employed in ferrous metallurgy enterprises are affected by various oxidants, which lead to increased formation of free radicals, suppression of the antioxidant system, initiation of oxidative stress and the development of diseases characterized by high blood pressure. In this regard, the identification of polymorphisms of genes encoding enzymes that are associated with the formation and neutralization of free radicals is an important task of personalized medicine.

The study aims to explore the relationship of polymorphisms rs4880 (SOD2), rs1799983 (NOS3) and rs7069102 (SIRT1) with hypertension in workers of the converter workshop.

To conduct the research the authors used data from periodic medical examinations of men aged 30 to 59 years, including 116 employees of the converter shop and 169 representatives of administrative and managerial personnel (comparison group). Subsequently, we divided each group according to the principle of the presence or absence of a diagnosis of "hypertensive heart disease" (I11 according to ICD-10), established or confirmed during a periodic medical examination. DNA was isolated from peripheral blood using the Lumiere kit for the isolation of genomic DNA from whole blood and literal epithelium (Lumiprobe, Russia) in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. The scientists performed genotyping using the optical PCR system with real-time optical detection QuantStudio 3 (Thermo Fisher, USA) and ready-made commercial sets "SNP-Screen" (Syntol, Russia).

The ratio of the chances of developing hypertension in the personnel of the converter shop was increased in carriers of mutant genotypes of the SOD2 (TT) gene. Also, the values of blood pressure, total cholesterol and glucose levels were higher in carriers of the mutant TT genotype of the SOD2 gene compared with CC/CT, but only in the group of converter shop workers with hypertension. In addition, in the comparison group with hypertension, systolic and diastolic blood pressure significantly differed, the values of which were higher in carriers of the mutant GG genotype of the SIRT1 gene.

Presumably, an excess of superoxide anion in the TT genotype of the SOD2 gene, together with exposure to harmful environmental factors, may contribute to the development of cardiovascular diseases in workers of the converter workshop.

Ethics. The study was approved in accordance with Protocol No. 1 dated 02/26/2021 and the conclusion of the Local Ethics Committee of the Federal Budgetary Institution of Science "Yekaterinburg Medical Scientific Center for the Prevention and Health Protection of Industrial Workers" of Rospotrebnadzor.

Contribution:
Bereza I.A. — research concept and design, data collection and processing, writing the text, the editing;
Shaikhova D.R. — research concept and design, data collection and processing, writing the text, the editing;
Amromina A.M. — research concept and design, data collection and processing, writing the text, the editing;
Polyanina D.D. — data collection and processing;
Gazimova V.G. — data collection and processing, the editing;
Shastin A.S. — data collection and processing, the editing;
Astakhova S.G. — data collection and processing, the editing;
Sutunkova M.P. — research concept and design, the editing;
Gurvich V.B. — research concept and design.

Funding. The study had no funding.

Conflict of interests. The authors declare no conflict of interests.

Received: 11.12.2023 / Accepted: 17.01.2024 / Published: 12.02.2024

Currently, there is a serious problem of the risk of developing oncopathology in chemical enterprises. Numerous workers in the chemical industry, including vinyl chloride and polyvinyl chloride (VC and PVC), are exposed to a complex of chemical compounds that, among other things, have carcinogenic effects and affect many body systems. The immune system has the ability to recognize malignant cells with subsequent activation and hyperactivation of immune responses, including cytokine production. To date, the details of cytokine control and, moreover, the ways of manipulating the antitumor immune response remain insufficiently studied.

The study aims to evaluate changes in serum concentrations of certain cancer markers, cytokines and their relationships in highly trained vinyl chloride production workers.

The authors have determined serum concentrations of cancer markers (CA 19-9; CEA) and interleukins (IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-8, TNF-α, INF-γ) using the method of solid-phase enzyme immunoassay.

As a result of the study, the researchers found that the highest concentrations of carbohydrate antigen (CA 19-9) are characteristic of trained workers, and when analyzing their level of embryonic cancer antigen (CEA), its tendency to increase attracts attention, which significantly increases the likelihood of cancer pathology in workers. Also, in most workers of this production, we observed hyperproduction of IL-4, IL-8, TNF-α, INF-γ against the background of a decrease in IL-1β and IL-2. At the same time, an increase in the concentration of CA 19-9 was accompanied by a decrease in the levels of IL-8 and INF-γ, which may lead to the preservation of cancer risks.

Thus, the assessment of changes in the content of markers of oncopathology, inflammatory mediators and their relationships among workers in the production of VC and PVC indicates and confirms the role of violations of the mechanisms of immunoregulation underlying the formation of various pathologies, including oncological ones. Further study of the mechanisms of cytokine regulation of the antitumor immune response will contribute to improving the methods of early diagnosis and prevention of disorders in the body of workers at carcinogenic enterprises.

Ethics. The study was conducted in compliance with Ethical standards in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration of the World Medical Association.

Contribution:
Bodienkova G.M. — research concepts and design, data collection and processing, writing the text, the editing;
Boklazhenko E.V. — research concepts and design, data collection and processing, writing the text.

Funding. The work was carried out at the expense of financial resources allocated within the framework of the State Task of the Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution VSIMEI.

Conflict of interests. The authors declare no conflict of interests.

Received: 22.12.2023 / Accepted: 26.12.2023 / Published: 12.02.2024

The article is devoted to the 70^th anniversary of chief research fellow of the Research Institute of Occupational Health Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences Honoured Physician of the Russian Federation, Doctor of medical sciences, Professor Colonel-General of Medical Service Bykov Igor Yurievich and gives an overview of his biography, service and scientific-research activity.

Funding. The study had no funding.

Conflict of interests. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Received: 15.01.2024 / Accepted: 24.01.2024 / Published: 12.02.2024