Endothelin-1 and nitrogen oxide metabolites in risk diagnostics of arterial hypertension in persons of young and middle ages occupied in harmful working conditions.

Hypertension is a global public health problem. One of the reasons contributing to the development of arterial hypertension is endothelial dysfunction, which is expressed in the imbalance of vasoactive indicators of vascular tone - nitrogen oxide and endothelin-1. Monitoring the indicators of endothelial dysfunction in workers exposed to harmful occupational factors will help to identify a risk group for the development of occupationally caused diseases of the cardiovascular system and, in particular, arterial hypertension, for early implementation of preventive measures. This study aims to identify the relationship between endothelin-1, nitrogen oxide metabolites and blood pressure in young and middle-aged people occupied in harmful working conditions, to evaluate the studied parameters as possible markers for diagnosing the risk of hypertension. Two hundred thirty-six (236) employees of young and middle age were examined of one of the metallurgical plants of the Nizhny Novgorod region. In order to characterize the state of vascular tone, a coefficient was used that represents the ratio of the concentration of nitrogen oxide (µmol/L) to endothelin-1 (pg/ml) (NOx/ET-1). It was revealed that in one-third of people with normal and high normal blood pressure, the NOx/ET-1 value was 2-3 times less than in people with optimal blood pressure, which indicates the occurrence of endothelial dysfunction and the possible development of persistent arterial hypertension. Harmful occupational factors negatively affect vascular tone - the value of NOx/ET-1 in individuals exposed to harmful factors was 3-4 times less than in individuals not subjected to such exposure. The NOx/ET-1 coefficient can be used as an informative indicator when monitoring health conditions with an in-depth examination of working people; it can be a criterion for the risk of developing hypertension.

Estimating the Impact of Economic Fluctuations on Unemployment in Russian Regions Based on the Okun Model.

Based on the modified Okun's model, the article evaluates the impact of changes in production volumes on the dynamics of unemployment in Russia and three regional clusters differing in the unemployment rate and behavioral responses to economic shocks. Assessing the specifications of the basic Okun model on the data of 2010-2020 made it possible to identify a cyclical reaction of the unemployment rate in heterogeneous regional clusters to changes in output volumes.

Validation of the infrared spectroscopy method for analysis of the composition of urine concretes.

The aim of this study was to validate the method for analyzing the composition of calculus using infrared (IR) spectroscopy by studying model mixtures of salts. Study was made with an ALPHA-P IR Fourier spectrometer with OPUS software (Bruker, Germany). The samples of pure chemical salts manufactured by Sigma-Aldrich USA were used to validate the method. Salt mixtures were prepared in ratios of 10/90, 50/50 and 90/10. To assess the effect of the fraction size on the calculus component results, were used calculi of patients with urolithiasis. For each mixture were used 10 repeated measurements. Analysis of the composition of model salts showed that in the study of pure cystine salt CV(%) was 0,79%, calcium carbonate - 0,92%, sodium urate - 0,97%, calcium oxalate monohydrate - 4,94%, magnesium ammonium phosphate - 5,59%. And the most common components were analyzed in the composition of complex mixtures, including 90%, 50% and 10% of the investigated component. Calcium oxalate monohydrate has CV(%) 5.70% in mixture 9 part of it to one part of impurities, in mixture 50/50 - 21.57% and in 10/90 - 5.70%. For uric acid in 90/10 - 2.20%, in 50/50 - 10.09%, in 10/90 - 31.94%. For calcium carbonate in 90/10 - 9.02%, in 50/50 - 11.98%, in 10/90 - 24.70%. The dispersion analysis showed that the weighed portions of salts with a particle diameter of more than 0.8 mm provide reproducibility with a CV - 11.48%, with a diameter of 0.2-0.8 mm - 5.35%, and finally less than 0.1 mm - 2.28%. The accuracy of the method is high, but the reproducibility of the IR-spectroscopy method is relatively low in the analysis of stones of mixed composition, due to the greater error in the determination of impurities. Laboratories should pay special attention to optimizing sample preparation to ensure particle fineness less than 0.1 mm.

[Antioxidant status evaluation in sportsmen using in their ration natural concentrated food products made by cryogenic technology].

The authors evaluated the level of products of lipid peroxidation and enzymatic component of antioxidant defense in 30 sportsmen (19-22 years) going in for boat racing at pre-competition period, after competition and during one month of subsequent planned training. At the same time, the authors assessed some indices of vitamin (А, Е, В1, В2) and mineral status of human organism (zinc, copper, iron). As the criteria of antioxidant defense status, catalase activity and ceruloplasmin level were detected in blood serum, content of products of lipid peroxidation was evaluated according to levels of malon dialdehyde and nitric oxide metabolites. To assess influence of food ration upon antioxidant defense in sportsmen, natural concentrated food products made by cryogenic technology were administrated to persons of the main group (n=15). The food products were administrated as powder in second course during organized diner. The food products were not given to persons in control group (n=15). First food product consisted of vegetable components and animal protein: cryopowders of rabbit meat, celery, onion, pumpkin, hips. Second food product consisted of cryopowders of red grape, topinambour, beet root and verdure of parsley. Both food products were given 10 grams during 15 days. Results showed before study 40% of sportsmen had high level of products of lipid peroxidation. It probably provided evidence about inadequacy of physical loads. These changes were detected against the background decreased content of vitamins А (10.0% persons), Е (40.0% persons), В2 (43.3% persons), В1 (100.0% persons), copper (30.0% persons) and iron (53.3 % persons). The preparation for sportive competitions led to augmentation of products of lipid peroxidation in control group. In persons of main group using the food products during pre-competition period, the increase of micronutrient saturation was noted; it probably positively influenced upon metabolic processes in human organism and prevented the augmentation of production of malon dialdehyde and nitric metabolites. The enzymatic component activity in control group did not change and was in the range of standard. Since the level of lipid peroxidation metabolites in blood serum in main group significantly decreased at the end of observation, but enzymatic component activity remained high (it provided evidence of higher antioxidant defense), the authors supposed aftereffect due to using in ration food products with elevated content of biologically active substances. Probably, sportsmen of main group more sufficiently endured planned physical loads. Obtained results provided evidence about availability of using food products made by cryogenic technology in ration of sportsmen of different kind of sport.

The Diagnostic Value of Alpha-1-Antitrypsin Phenotype in Patients with Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis.

The deficiency of alpha-1 protease inhibitor, or alpha-1-antitrypsin (A1AT), predisposes to chronic lung diseases and extrapulmonary pathology. Besides classical manifestations, such as pulmonary emphysema and liver disease, alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency (A1ATD) is also known to be associated with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA or Wegener's granulomatosis). The aim of our study was to evaluate the frequency of allelic isoforms of A1AT and their clinical significance among GPA patients. Detailed clinical information, including Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (BVAS), incidence of lung involvement, anti-proteinase 3 (PR3) antibodies concentrations, and other laboratory data were collected in 38 GPA patients. We also studied serum samples obtained from 46 healthy donors. In all collected samples A1AT phenotyping by isoelectrofocusing (IEF) and turbidimetric A1AT measurement were performed. Abnormal A1AT variants were found in 18.4% (7/38) of cases: 1 ZZ, 4 MZ, 2 MF, and only 1 MZ in control group (2%). The mean A1AT concentration in samples with atypical A1AT phenotypes was significantly lower (P = 0.0038) than in normal A1AT phenotype. We found that patients with abnormal A1AT phenotypes had significantly higher vasculitis activity (BVAS) as well as anti-PR3 antibodies concentration. We conclude that A1AT deficiency should be considered in all patients with GPA.

[THE POSSIBILITY OF APPLICATION OF COLORIMETRY TECHNIQUE OF DETECTION OF LEVELS OF OXIDATIVE STRESS AND ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY OF SERUM].

The analysis was implemented concerning indicators of oxidative status and antioxidant capacity of serum. The indicators were received by colorimetry technique based on detection of peroxides in blood serum in examined patients of different categories: healthy persons aged from 17 to 20 years and from 30 to 60 years and patients with bronchopulmonary pathology. The low level of oxidative stress and high antioxidant capacity of serum were established in individuals ofyounger age. With increasing of age, degree of expression of oxidative stress augmented and level of antioxidant defense lowered. Almost all patients with bronchopulmonary pathology had high level of oxidative stress and low level of antioxidant defense. The analysis of quantitative data of examined indicators their conformity with health condition was established

[THE CLINICAL LABORATORY MARKERS OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS IN PATIENTS WITH ATHEROTHROMBOTIC STROKE].

The laboratory biomarkers can effect on choice of tactics of treatment in patients with atherosclerotic stenosis ofcarotids and high risk of stroke. However, nowadays there is no established laboratory criteria of significant atherosclerotic affection of internal carotid. The purpose of study was to investigate informativeness of biomarkers of atherosclerosis in clinical molecuIar panel of expertise system of determining risk of stroke in patients with significant stenosis of carotid. The study included patients with 50-90% atherosclerotic stenosis of internal carotid in acute period of atherothrombotic stroke or transitory ischemic attack (group 1), patients with stable 50-90% atherosclerotic stenosis of inner carotid having no vascular events during 30 days before engaging into study (group II) and group of healthy volunteers without atherosclerosis of inner carotid. The examination of patients included anamnesis collection, evaluation of neurological status, analysis of serum level of biomarkers of atherosclerosis (lipoprotein-associatedphospholipase A2 (LP-PL A2), serum protein A associated with pregnancy (PA PP-A), lipoprotein (a) (LP(a)), asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), C-reactive protein detected by highly sensitive technique (hsCRP) and lipid spectrum of blood) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, duplex ultrasound scanning of brachiocephalic arteries. The stroke risk factors of other etiology were chosen as exclusion criteria except atherothrombotic one. The Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were applied to establish group differences. The Data Mining techniques were applied to establish patterns of analyzing sample. Out of 356 examined patients, 30 patients of group 1, 51 patients of group II and 16 healthy volunteers were included in the study. All patients were comparable by gender and age (50-80 years). The serum level of hsCRP and ADMA in the group of patients of acutest period of ischemic stroke was significantly higher than in groups of patients with stable stenosis and healthy volunteers (p < 0.05). The comparison between three groups established no statistically significant differences in serum concentration of PAPP-A, LP-PL A2 and LP(a). The ADMA, hsCRP and PAPP-A can be recommended for including into clinical molecular panel for personalized diagnostic of causes of stroke along with clinical anamnestic data. The serum level of ADMA and hsCRP significantly increases in acute period of atherothrombotic stroke. The analysis of levels of ADMA, hsCR and PPAPP-A interpreted with regard to clinical anamnestic data can be proposed for enhancing quality of diagnostic of causes of stroke.

[Ecologically-dependent vitamin-minerals insufficiency in the sportsmen's organism].

The authors revealed the reduction of saturation of iron, copper, zinc, E and B2 vitamins in sportsmen's organism under high physical exercise. The negative effect was associated with the duration of training - competition cycles. The reduced vitamin-mineral saturation of the organism was associated with the low ferritin level and an imbalance in the hormonal regulation of erythropoiesis. The state of erythropoiesis can be a criterion performance of athletes, whereas a degree of saturation of the body with minerals and vitamins can be the criterion for prenosological diagnosis of their health and professional relevance.

[Antioxidant system as a perspective direction in the assessment of the state and prognosis of population health].

The study of blood serum of persons falling under the category of people with high and very high physical activity, revealed the increase of the production of the stress hormone cortisol, that indicates to the prevalence of catabolic processes in the body, the decrease in saturation with zinc, copper, iron, disturbing the activity of enzyme link, and the reduction of the saturation of the body with vitamins A and E that causes the deterioration of the state of low-molecular link of antioxidant protection. Significant physical loads contributed to the accumulation of lipid peroxidation products, by leading to oxidative stress, which was an adverse predictor of health. The obtained data prove that the indices of the state of the antioxidant system are a marker of health and criteria of population life quality.

[Vitamin and mineral status of oarsmen during the training-competition cycles].

Vitamin and minerals status of 30 sportsmen aged 16.8 +/- 0.2 years (trained in boat racing 5.0 +/- 0.3 years) during the training--competition cycles in autumn and winter has been studied. A significant decrease of vitamin A level in the range of reference limits was found in 30.8% of sportsmen during autumn season, but such decrease was revealed in 100% of examined sportsmen during winter Vitamin B1 and B2 deficiency has been detected in both seasons. The portion of persons with vitamin B2 deficiency increased during training cycles. A significant decrease of magnesium (in 56.3% of sportsmen) and sodium level (in 33.3% of sportsmen) was detected during autumn season. Irrespective of the season a significant decrease of blood serum of calcium (in 40.0-66.7% of sportsmen); potassium (in 53.3-66.7% of sportsmen according to both absolute and individual data); chlorides (in 50.0-90.0% of sportsmen), and iron (in 53.3-60.0% of sportsmen) has been revealed. The data obtained indicate the need for diagnostics and correction of vitamin and minerals status in sportsmen.

[The comparative value of quantiferonic test, neopterin and specific anti-tuberculosis antibodies in clinical diagnostic of tuberculosis of lungs].

The article deals with comparison of clinical diagnostic value of laboratory techniques of tuberculosis. The sample included 63 patients with tuberculosis of lungs. 49 persons of long-time contact with patients with tuberculosis and 28 healthy donors. The QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube test was applied to total sampling. The content of neopterin and specific anti-tuberculosis antibodies in blood plasma was determined. According study data, the mentioned test is mostly informative for detection of tuberculosis contamination (sensitivity 64%, specificity 89%). However, the obvious shortcoming of this technique is the fact that it can't provide the differentiation between active and latent tuberculosis infection. As opposed to QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube test, the detection of specific anti-tuberculosis antibodies (sensitivity 54%, specificity 94%) and neopterin (sensitivity 51%, specificity 92%) makes it possible to differentiate these two groups of patients.

[Lipid metabolism in occupational chronic bronchitis associated with diabetes mellitus].

The study of 311 patients with chronic occupational bronchitis associated with diabetes mellitus (or diabetes-free) revealed lipid metabolism disorders presenting with overweight, obesity, dyslipoproteinemia. Diabetes mellitus addition to chronic bronchitis increased frequency of lipid metabolism disorders and higher values of lipid state. The revealed lipid metabolism disorders were more marked in the females.

[Biochemical parameters of cardiovascular pathology risk in automobile drivers].

Examination of 94 city bus drivers with long length of service revealed changes in lipid metabolism and C-reactive protein level, dependent on the examinees' age and length of service. Matching the biochemical parameters and clinical data proved that dyslipoproteinemia and serum C-reactive protein level could indicate cardiovascular risk in city bus drivers.

[Detection of immunoglobulin concentration using the latex agglutination test]. / Opredelenie kontsentratsii immunoglobulinov s pomoshch'iu reaktsii aggliutinatsii lateksa.

Serum concentrations of IgG, IgA, and IgM in humans were measured in the latex agglutination test (LAT) with specific latex diagnostic agents. The results of immunoglobulin measurements by Mancini's method and LAT were in good correlation.

[The determination of class-M immunoglobulins in the latex agglutination reaction]. / Opredelenie immunoglobinov klassa M v reaktsii aggliutinatsii lateksa.

Results of measuring the concentrations of IgM in human serum using a specific latex diagnostic agent in the latex agglutination test (LAT) are presented. The authors demonstrate a higher efficacy of LAT in comparison with Mancini's method.

[Lysosomal enzymes and natural killer activity]. / Lizosomnye fermenty i aktivnost' estestvennykh killerov.

The natural killer activity (NKA) of human mononuclear cells and the activity of the lysosomal enzymes of these cells (arylsulfatase, acid phosphatase and beta-glucuronidase) has been studied in norm and under human lung cancer. The mononuclear cells were isolated from peripheral blood of 10 healthy donors and 20 patients with lung cancer of II-III stages. Under the action of mononuclear cells on the target cells (human erythroleukosis cells K-562 labeled with 3H-uridine) the NKA of mononuclear cells of patients was seen to decrease (cytotoxic index = 54.8 +/- 6.4%), in comparison with that of healthy donors (cytotoxic index = 65.1 +/- 4.5%). Simultaneously a decrease in arylsulfatase activity (0.05 +/- 0.01 nmoles/10(6) cells/min) was found in comparison with the control value (0.11 +/- 0.01 nmoles/10(6) cells/min). In 2-3 weeks after the operation the NKA value (cytotoxic index = 50.2 +/- 5.8%) was restored and arylsulfatase activity (0.09 +/- 0.02 nmoles/10(6) cells/min) was increased. There was no correlation between the NKA value and the activities of acid phosphatase and beta-glucuronidase. The parallelism observed between changes in NKA value and arylsulfatase activity may suggest a possible participation of this enzyme in the killing mechanism at the stage of cerebroside sulfate ester degradation of the target cell membrane to initiate the lytic events.

[A spectrophotometric method of determining the cytotoxic activity of HBsAg-sensitized lymphocytes]. / Spektrofotometricheskii metod opredeleniia tsitotoksicheskoi aktivnosti sensibilizirovannykh k HBsAg limfotsitov.

The authors describe a modification of the method for measuring the cytotoxic activity of lymphocytes sensitized to HBsAg; this modification is based on spectrophotometry of the cytotoxic reaction products. The procedure consists in preliminary conjugation of target cells (native sheep red cells) with HBsAg with the use of chromium chloride, isolation of effector cells (lymphocytes) from the peripheral blood of viral hepatitis patients, co-incubation of effector cells with target cells, and spectrophotometric analysis of the incubation mixture supernatant. Optimal conditions have been selected for the conjugation of native sheep red cells with HBsAg with the use of CrCl3 and spectrophotometric analysis with orthophenylenediamine as chromogen. Clinical trials of the method were carried out. The studies have shown a rise of the HBsAg-sensitized lymphocytes cytotoxic activity in the patients during the acute period of medium-severity or protracted viral hepatitis B.

[Development and comparisons of information value of different methods of myoglobin determination: solid phase immunoenzyme assay and hemagglutination test]. / Razrabotka i sopostavlenie informatsionnoi znachimosti metodov opredeleniia mioglobina: tverdofaznyi immunofermentnyi analiz i gemaggliutinatsionnyi test.

Optimal conditions were developed for estimation of myoglobin using immunoenzyme assay (ELISA) of competitive and "sandwich" types. Informative efficiency of the ELISA procedures was compared with commercially available hemagglutination test "Erythrocyte diagnosticum for myoglobin detection; dry immunoglobulin". Efficiency of these assays both ELISA and hemagglutination test was found to be similar although hemagglutination is a semiquantitative procedure. The commercially available preparation exhibited some advantages; it is rapid, simple and reproducible. The hemagglutination test may be used as an express analysis in urgent medicine as well as in laboratories which do not possess special biochemical equipment.