[Evaluation of occupationally conditioned and non-occupational risks of health disorders in truck drivers].

The authors present analysis of changes in genera! morbidity related to age and length of service for truck drivers (chronic diseases of cardiovascular system, respiratory and digestive organs, urinary system, spine, locomotory system and connective tissue) exposed to complex combination of occupational hazards (unusual work schedule, night shifts, air pollution with automobile transport exhaust gases). Morbid "ity parameters were calculated according to deep medical investigation results in periodic examinations of drivers and their appealability to medical office. General hygienic evaluation of work conditions was performed according to increment in risk of diseases for length of service years (annual risk increase). Difference of disease risk increase rates related to age and length of service was applied to determine occupational and non-occupational fractions of general morbidity in drivers working in hazardous conditions.

[Occupational health risks in transport workers of mi ning chemical enterprise in Kolsk Transpolar area].

The study covered features of work conditions, occupational risks and health state in 574 workers of automobile and railway transport, engaged into transportation of lobe rock in Kolsk Transpolar area. Findings are higher risk of occupationally conditioned (onychomycosis, obesit arterial hypertension and peptic ulcer of duodenum/stomach) and occupational diseases (neurosensory deafness, radiculopathy, vibration disease) in rock handler drivers. Conclusion was made on necessity to improve prophylaxis and treatment of health disorders in these workers.

Comparative evaluation of X-ray contrast myography and ultrasound study in diagnosis of occupational myofibrosis].

The article presents results proving significant advantage of ultrasound examination vs. X-ray contrast myography in diagnosis of occupational myofibrosis early stages. The authors recommend implementation of thi s method into medical examination practice for better diagnosis of occuptional myofibrosis to objectify decision on linking the disease with occupation.

[Alternative investigation methods in toxicologic hygienic evaluation of industrial and environmental objects].

North-West Public Health Research Center, 4, 2-ya Sovetskaya str, S.-Petersburg, Russia, 191036 The authors reviewed toxicologic alternative investigation methods used in Russia for evaluation of occupational and natural environment.

[Features of health disorders in miners employed at northern copper-nickel mines].

The aim of the study was to assess the influence of different working conditions on the health of 1523 copper-nickel miners of the Kola High North. The low degree of mechanization of mining operations was established to be related to more higher levels of vibration, noise and physical overloads. The working in such conditions, when compared with high mining mechanization, leads to a decrease in the number of conditionally healthy workers (12% and 20.7%, p <0.001) an increase in the number of diseases in the one worker (2,94 ± 0,10 and 2.13 ± 0.07 cases, p <0,001), the increase of the risk of occupational diseases (OD) of the musculoskeletal (RR = 2.31) and nervous (RR = 2.07) systems, vibration disease (RR = 1.70), neuro-sensory hearing loss (RR = 1.90). Both at low and high degree of mechanization of mining operations the greatest risk of occupational diseases in noted in drifters (OR = 5.68), at that it was higher at hand mining than at mechanized mining (RR = 1.44). There was made a conclusion about the need to improve the complex of measures for the preservation of health in this group of workers, especially engaged in the performance of tunnel works.

[Dynamics of morphologic changes in tracheobronchial system in patients with acute carbon monoxide poisoning complicated by thermochemical damage to respiratory tract].

The authors identified three severity degrees of thermochemical damage to respiratory tract during acute carbon monoxide poisoning. Follow-up bronchoscopic studies were performed, and characteristic signs of thermochemical damage to respiratory tract in acute carbon monoxide poisoning were diagnosed. Evidence is that the signs were following certain sequence: from edema and hyperemia of respiratory tract lining to severe purulent discharge.

[Experience of antioxidants in combined therapy for vibration disease patients].

The study proved important role of antioxidants in combined therapy for patients with vibration disease caused by general and local vibration. Findings are positive influence of thioctic acid on amelioration of pain and angiodystonia, supported by clinical and functional investigations.

[Dynamics of elements distribution in blood, depending on age, by example of Moscow Region residents].

Elemental status of a person determines the qualitative and quantitative content of chemical elements in the human body. This marker allows us to estimate the level of imbalance of chemical elements and therefore health risks. The method for simultaneous quantitative and qualitative analysis of 67 elements in biomaterials has been proposed. The detailed elemental analysis of whole blood samples of 1711 healthy people (age range 0-100 years) of Moscow Region has been performed. A number of patterns of age-related changes of the element status conditionally healthy people has been estimated. Na content in the samples increased with the age of the person. Presumably, this result reflects the studied populations nutrition disorders associated with immoderate consumption of table salt. The maximum content of Ca was observed in blood samples of people age range 0-20 years (66-69 mg/kg), the Ca content in the blood samples of people age range 26-85 years was significantly lower (59-62 mg/kg). The maximum decrease of Ca was detected in blood samples of people age range of 85-100 years (57-59 mg/kg). Thisreductionin the concentration of Ca, apparently due to age-related changes of Ca balance, correlates with decrease of bone mineral density and bone mass. Iron content decreased in the blood samples of people age range 10-100 years from 480 to 390 mg/kg. Selenium content in blood of people age range 0-25 years linearly increased, remained stable high in the blood of people age range 25-55 years (0,13-0,136 mg/kg) and then gradually decreased. A graph of As content dependence from a person's age is a mirror image of the graph of Se content dependence from a person's age, which is evidence of the antagonistic effects of these elements. Graphic changes in the content of rare earth elements Eu and Ho reflect the unidirectional trend of these elements accumulation. The maximum content of these elements was observed in blood samples of people age range of 25-65 years. Perhaps a reduction of Eu and Ho in the age range 65-100 years age reflects a downward trend in bone mineral density and decrease in bone mass, which correlates with the Ca content in the blood depending on the age of people. The data obtained showed a significant increase of U and V in the blood of people age range of 85-100 years. The compounds of vanadium and uranium normally relatively easily filtered by the kidneys and excreted in the urine. This result seems to demonstrate age-related deterioration in the functioning of the excretory system. A list of recommendations for nutrition correction of elemental imbalance of the observed population has been proposed.

[Ultrasound examination in diagnosis and classification of occupational myofibrosis (lecture)].

Based on comparative analysis of contemporary clinical and instrumental investigations, the authors justify advantage of ultrasound examination in diagnosis of occupational myofibrosis. Results of ultrasound application helped to specify a classification of occupational myofibrosis according to the disease severity, that considerably increases efficiency of examining connection between the disease and occupation.

[Dynamics of blood gases and acid-base balance in patients with carbon monoxide acute poisoning].

Evaluation of blood gases and acid-base balance covered patients with carbon monoxide acute poisoning, in accordance with inhalation trauma presence. Evidence is that thermochemical injury of respiratory tract induced severe acid-base dysbalance remaining decompensated for a long time despite the treatment.

[Influence of smoking and industrial air pollutants on respiratory health of nickel industry workers].

Studies covered respiratory health of 1530 workers of nickel industry, among which were 796 (52.0%) smokers. Findings are that tobacco smoke combined with nickel industry hazards cause potentized negative effects in respiratory organs, with earlier and more frequent chronic bronchitis. For isolated influence of these factors, chronic bronchitis risk is higher from exposure to tobacco smoke vs. occupational hazards (OR = 2.48; DI 1.49-4.13). Chronic obstructive lung disease development in nickel industry workers is caused by smoking. Industrial air pollutants appeared to have no potentizing effect on COLD formation, as well as on toxic pneumosclerosis formation.

[North-Western Research Center for Hygiene and Public Health. 90th anniversary: results and prospects of scientific work].

The authors represented results on major research directions followed by the Institute since its foundation, the prospects of their development in hygiene and industrial medicine.

[Justifying expedience connected with development of Federal Law "On chemical safety"].

Based on analysis of present legal acts and regulations concerning chemicals handling in Russia, the authors necessitate development of Federal Law "On chemical safety".

[Occupational morbidity among miners engaged into contemporary method of extracting copper-nickel ores in Kola Transpolar regions].

The risks for developing occupational pathology and its specific features were studied in 358 Kola Transpolar copper-nickel miners who were diagnosed with 722 cases of occupational diseases (OD) in the years 1990-2013. The highest risk for developing OD, which are dominated by the diseases of the musculoskeletal system, has been found in tunnellers (OR = 12,8) and operators of drilling rigs (OR = 10,4). A significant increase in the risk of OD has been established in miners with length of service at 11-15 years and over 25 years. The conclusion is made about the need to improve the technical, medical and organizational measures targetted at preventing health problems in this group of workers.

[Study of the effectiveness of drugs in experimental models of poisoning neuropathy in malathion].

For the study developed of the experimental model of toxic neuropathy, using malathion. In this was examined the effectiveness of a course of administration of pharmacological agents with different mechanisms of action: gliatilin, galantamine, memantine, and the recombinant (PRD), nerve growth factor (NGF). From all agents only galantamine, PRD and NGF significantly reduced the degree of impairment of conduction of the sciatic nerve in rats after sub-acute poisoning with malathion.

[Correction of metabolic disorders during treatment of alcohol-induced liver injuries in patients with acute alcoholic intoxication].

A total of 103 patients with acute alcoholic intoxication were examined and treated for alcohol-induced hepatic lesions. It was shown that remaxol reduced severity of metabolic disorders associated with hypoxic conditions and active lipid peroxidation and thereby decreased the frequency of alcoholic delirium to 10.8% (n=7) compared with ademetionine (10.8%, n=22). Improvement of metabolism resulted in the reduction of stay in the intensive therapy ward by 5.6+/-0.3 and 7.3+/-0.6 days after remaxol and ademetionine therapy respectively). The total duration of treatment decreased by 9.0+/-0.4 and 11.8+/-1.1 days. The use of remaxol reduced the cost of the treatment by 21.7% compared with ademetionine.

[Problem of electromagnetic safety in contemporary scientific progress].

The article covers problems of human electromagnetic safety in intensive development of new generation radio-frequency equipment with complicated physical and technical properties. The authors suggest national program on electromagnetic safety.

[N.A. Vigdortchik--outstanding national scientist, teacher and public figure, as founder of scientific occupational medicine school in Leningrad (to the 140th birthday)].

The authors analyze activities of N.A. Vigdortchik as a founder of scientific, teaching and practical directions in doctors' work on occupational problems and industrial hygiene in Leningrad.

[The use of remaxol in combined intensive therapy of acute mushroom poisoning].

A case of very severe mushroom poisoning is reported. Traditional hepatoprotective therapy with ademethionine, ornithine-aspartate, and essential phospholipids failed to ensure positive dynamics of the hepatic and general functional state. Hepatic insufficiency was complicated by cerebral oedema and swelling, bilateral pneumonia, and acute respiratory distress of mixed genesis. Combined therapy with remaxol and ornithine aspartate produced beneficial effect, resulted in the improvement of the patient's condition and favorable outcome of the life-threatening intoxication.

[Pharmacologic correction of hypoxia in patients with acute cerebral failure due to acute poisoning with carbon monoxide and combustion products].

The article deals with the materials, which have been received in the process of the examination and treatment of 48 patients with acute severe carbon monoxide and burning products poisonings on fires. It has been registered that the including of citoflavin into the complex program of the intensive therapy of acute severe carbon monoxide and burning products poisonings on fires leads to a decrease of hypoxia and manifestations of acute toxicohypoxic cerebral deficiency, which significantly improves the clinics of acute severe poisonings.