Background: Numerous studies have demonstrated a steadily growing trend in the prevalence of obesity around the world. The objective of this study was to assess obesity incidence rates among various age groups of the population of the Voronezh Region in 2010-2017. Materials and methods: We used official data of the Voronezh Regional Information Fund, Registration Form No. 12 of the Russian Federal State Statistics Service, as well as outpatient cards and medical histories of 685 adults and 269 adolescents. Results: We established that the number of obese adults prevailed. The study period of 2010-2017 was characterized by a steady increase in the incidence and prevalence rates of obesity across all age groups of the population: we observed a 1.5, 2.6 and 4.5-fold rise of the incidence rates in children, adolescents and adults, respectively; the percent increase in the prevalence rates was slightly lower and amounted to 34.51% in children, 70.09% in adolescents, and 146.50% in adults. The highest obesity rates were registered among adolescents: 5.02% of them were obese and the study of a random sample confirmed the official statistics. At the same time, the results of the random obesity study in adults demonstrated a tenfold excess of the registered rate. Ranking of the territory of the Voronezh Region by obesity prevalence rates and the analysis of long-term average rates of increase in overall morbidity over the study period showed uneven distribution of obesity by administrative districts of the region in all population groups. Conclusions: The study demonstrated a pronounced upward trend in the incidence of obesity in all population groups of the Voronezh Region and underreporting of this pathology in the adult population of the region. Both findings indicate the need for immediate evidence-based actions aimed at managing the incidence based on data on the actual prevalence of the pathology, identifying the leading risk factors, adjusting diet and physical activity of various population groups, and assessing the efficiency of preventive measures.

Introduction: The rationale of prognostic and predictive molecular biomarkers of malfunctioning of homeostatic control mechanisms is important for solving the tasks of early diagnosis and prevention of priority noncom-municable diseases. Our objective was to detect omic markers of adverse effects of a combined exposure to airborne contaminants and factors of educational environment on the nervous system of children. Materials and methods: We studied school outdoor and indoor concentrations of certain air pollutants, the intensity of the educational process, and plasma proteins characterizing nervous system adverse effects in children aged 7-10 with a combined exposure to various factors of educational environment in the primary school with various types of educational programs and hygienic conditions. Results: We established that blood manganese, nickel, lead, chromium, benzene, xylene, and phenol levels among the schoolchildren of the study group were 1.2-2.4 times higher than those in the control group. The phenol concentration in blood is a proven marker of the inhalation exposure. We also identified such violations of the educational process as uneven distribution of study loads, an increase in the maximum permissible load, a 1.2-fold increase in intellectual loads, shortening of the break between basic and optional classes, and a 1.5-fold increase in intensity of the training mode. We obtained mass spectra of the peptides reflecting changes in homeostasis on the molecular level. As a result of establishing a direct causal relationship between the increase in the relative mass of a Kazal-type 5 serine protease inhibitor, the increased blood phenol level, effects of intellectual loads, routine and distribution of the training load, the Kazal-type 5 serine protease inhibitor was proved to be an omic marker of the combined exposure to ambient phenol and the factors of educational environment. Conclusions: An increase in the relative mass of the Kazal-type 5 serine protease inhibitor following the combined exposure to airborne phenol and educational factors is a molecular indicator of its prognostically unfavorable involvement into the pathogenesis of functional disorders of the nervous system in the form of vegetative-vascular dystonia.

Introduction: The processes of first-graders' adaptation to modern schooling using a diverse set of information and communication tools are determined by the level of cognitive performance, the functional state of the central nervous system (CNS), and work/rest patterns, thus indicating the importance of their studies. Materials and methods: We assessed the CNS functional state of 124 first year primary schoolchildren (7-8 years of age) according to the method developed by M.P. Moroz, their cognitive performance using the E. Landolt test, and the intensity of the educational process using the method developed by V.R. Kuchma and coauthors. We also conducted a survey of their using electronic devices in extracurricular time. Results: We found that up to 69% of the first graders had a lower level of working capacity due to a 2.5-fold decrease in the functional level of the nervous system, a 3.2-fold decrease in stability of the nervous reaction, and a 2.6-fold decrease in the level of CNS functional ability to develop the adaptation system with respect to the physiological norm. This fact was the basis of a 1.5 to 2.1-fold decrease in such cognitive indicators as the information processing speed, mental productivity, and mental accuracy factors, which even in conditions of the permissible tension of the educational process and the established irrational usage of electronic devices after school hours in 44.4-36.1% of the first graders could be the reason for the increased "physiological cost" of education and the risk of poor recovery of their adaptation potential. Conclusions: The established decreased indices of the functional and cognitive performance of the first graders in the context of their irrational use of electronic devices in extracurricular time create an additional risk of reducing the adaptation potential of pupils and require specific preventive measures aimed at optimizing rest after school hours in order to increase vital capacities in first graders.

Introduction: Urban environment in large industrial centers is characterized by an excessive anthropogenic load that, combined with unfavorable climate conditions and distinctions of the geographical position of these territo ries, has negative effects on human health. Materials and methods: We analyzed characteristics of immune and endocrine regulation associated with various polymorphic variants of the gene of synchronization and circadian biorhythms of the melatonin receptor MTNR1A (rs34532313) in children living in an industrial center in the north of Siberia. The gene pool of the examined population is characterized by the predominance of the wild-type C allele (78.6%) and the maximum frequency of the CC genotype (67.7%) of the MTNR1A melatonin receptor gene (rs34532313). Results: We established that carriers of the homozygous TT-genotype of this section of the gene differed in a statistically significant (p<0.05) deficiency of T-helpers (CD3+CD4+), inhibition of IgG production, and activation of apoptosis processes (CD3+CD95+) relative to wild-type homozygotes, all attributed to inhibition of the immunomodulatory effect of melatonin. Carriers of variant homozygous genotypes showed a significantly (p<0.05) increased level of sensitization according to the general IgE criterion relative to heterozygotes and wild-type homozygotes against the background of a statistically significant (p<0.05) excess of the reference level of this indicator for the entire sample. Conclusions: The revealed features of the immune status indicating the inhibition of cell and imbalance of humoral immune response against the general hypersensitivity and elevated cortisol significantly associate with the homozygous variant genotype of the gene locus MTNR1A (rs34532313) and form a complex of specific indicators of immune and endocrine regulation in children living in the north of Eastern Siberia that are associated with stress effects of adverse climatic and geographical factors of the region.

Introduction: Measurements of electromagnetic radiation of the radio frequency range are of great relevance due to the increasing number of transmitting radio facilities in the densely populated territories, constant cell site upgrades, and emerging communication standards. The paper presents a brief description of the biological effects of radio frequency electromagnetic radiation and shows basic mechanisms of the negative effect on the most vulnerable organs and systems. Our objective was to evaluate valid guidelines for measuring electromagnetic radiations of the radio frequency range in residential areas, in houses and public buildings. Materials and methods: We reviewed specific characteristics of cellular base and radio relay stations, compared and described electromagnetic radiation measuring devices. The provided recommendations for their selection were based on frequencies at which the communication equipment operates. We also analyzed the current guidelines with account for characteristics of transmitting radio equipment of cellular base stations and the applied measuring instruments. Results: The results of assessing established significant differences are discussed. The analysis of the requirements for measurements demonstrated significant discrepancies and contradictions between the valid documents. The evaluation results demonstrated impossibility of simultaneous measurements of electromagnetic radiation from cellular BS and RRS due to violations of requirements for measurement procedures. We concluded that, according to the current method documents, measurements of electromagnetic radiation from the fourth (4G) and fifth (5G) generation mobile communications systems were not possible. Conclusions: We revealed the necessity to revise the compared guidelines МUК 4.3.1167-02 and МUК 4.3.1677-03, to harmonize regulatory requirements for measurements, and to develop a single document guiding measurements of radio frequency electromagnetic radiation. Recommendations for taking measurements are provided.

Introduction: Despite the extreme environmental conditions, an extensive economic activity based on the extraction and processing of natural resources is ongoing in the Russian Arctic. The objective of the study was to investigate occupational health risk factors for workers engaged in lumbering and wood processing in the Russian Arctic. Materials and methods: The socio-hygienic monitoring data on working conditions and occupational diseases in the population of the Russian Arctic zone in 2007-2018 were analyzed. Results: In 2007-2018, 222 occupational diseases were identified including 180 cases in wood processing workers, 25 cases in loggers, and 17 cases in people employed in the production of pulp, paper, and paper products. The development of occupational pathology was mainly induced by the increased severity of labor (70.3%) related to imperfection of technological processes (76.1%) and structural limitations of equipment (22.1%). Musculoskeletal disorders prevailed with myofibrosis of the forearm ranking first. All health disorders were chronic with the exception of two cases of acute hydrogen sulfide poisoning. The largest number of diseases (n=117) was diagnosed in 2007-2010 while the smallest (n=14) in 2015-2018 (an 8.36-fold decrease). The risk of developing occupational pathology in 2007 was higher than in 2018, the relative risk being 9.60 (CI: 2.30-40.1; p=0.00014). Over a half (129 or 58.1%) of occupational diseases were diagnosed as a result of self-seeking of medical care while 93 (41.9%) cases were revealed in the course of planned medical examinations. Conclusions: Efficient prevention of occupational diseases in the industry can only be achieved by improving labor conditions and, above all, reducing the severity of labor processes. Reliability of official data on the number of incident cases of occupational diseases among workers involved in timber harvesting and processing in the Arctic raises doubts.

Introduction: Industrial noise is one of the leading occupational risk factors in most industries. At the same time, noise has both a specific and non-specific effect on the human body: it is a stressor that disturbs psychological comfort of a person and negatively affects his autonomic nervous system, visual and vestibular apparatus. Occupational hearing loss is, in its turn, one of the most prevalent and socially significant types of occupational pathology, also common for woodworking enterprises. Objectives: Our purpose was to assess health risks of industrial noise exposures in furniture manufacturing workers. Material and methods: We conducted a sanitary and hygienic survey of 172 workplaces of the "Maria" furniture factory, 46 of which were characterized as exceeding the equivalent sound level. We made a comparative assessment of jobs by the level of furniture makers' exposures to physical factors. The occupational risk assessment of all workplaces was carried out in accordance with the "Guidelines for Occupational Health Risk Assessment. Organizational and Methodological Aspects, Principles and Criteria R 2.2.1766-03" (2003). Results. We established that the noisiest working conditions were at the sites of woodworking machines, especially near the working engine of the aspiration system, and we classified them as workplaces of the 3rd degree of hazard class 3, which indicates a high (intolerable) risk requiring urgent risk abatement measures. Conclusions: The results of analyzing health effects of noise exposures in the furniture makers proved that 46 out of 172 surveyed workplaces posed risks to workers' health and could be attributed to category 1A of the proven occupational risk according to R 2.2.1766-03.

Objective: The purpose of our research was to assess characteristics of immune regulation in petrochemical workers suffering from cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Materials and methods: Our sample was divided into two groups: an observation group consisting of 115 people with CVD and a reference group of 56 people. Blood benzene was assayed by gas chromatography. Cellular phagocytosis was examined using formalinized sheep erythrocytes. The IgG content specific to benzene was measured using the allergosorbent test. CD-lymphocytes were phenotyped on a flow cytometer via membrane immune fluorescence and applying a panel of labeled monoclonal antibodies to membrane CD-receptors. Expression of TNFR, p53, Bcl-2, and bax was determined by applying relevant monoclonal antibodies. We used the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to determine total IgG, CA 19-9, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), interleukin-6, and VEGF. Statistical data analysis was performed using techniques of descriptive statistics and sample comparison. Intergroup differences were considered statistically significant at р<0.05. Results: Chemical analytical tests revealed an excess benzene burden in the test group against the reference one. Immunoassays showed higher cellular phagocytic activity. We detected significant changes in CD-immunogram parameters such as increased concentrations of CD16+ effector cells, activation of Т-suppressors lymphocytes CD127-, an increase in Annexin V-FITC+7ADD-negative cells, TNFR, p53, bcl-2, bax, as well as the deficiency of CD19+, CD25+, CD95+ lymphocytes both against the reference group and physiological standards. We also determined an increase in total and benzene-specific sensibilization of the body, elevated concentrations of tumor markers CA 19-9 and PSA, interleukin-6, and the growth factor of vessels endothelium VEGF. All these changes characterized the features of immune homeostasis indicators and were responsible for pathogenesis and development of cardiovascular diseases. Conclusions: Significant associations of immunologic parameters in the form of functional disorders in programmed cells death with simultaneous activation of specific sensibilization processes create specific immunologic status of petrochemical workers with cardiovascular diseases in their medical history.

Introduction: The wide spread of V. cholerae non-O1/non-O139 strains resistant to antibacterial drugs and the variability of antibiotic resistance spectrum are of interest and require regional monitoring studies. Our objective was to accumulate basic information on the state of antibiotic sensitivity/resistance of V. cholerae non-O1/non-O139 strains isolated from water bodies in the city of Rostov-on-Don. Materials and methods: Water samples were taken at stationary sites of open reservoirs from May through September 2016-2018. We established sensitivity/resistance of V. cholerae non-O1/non-O139 strains to antibiotics recommended for emergency prevention and treatment of cholera by their serial dilution in Mueller-Hinton agar. Results: We found that representatives of O16 and O76 serogroups prevailed among 361 isolated V. cholerae non-O1/non-O139 strains during the study period. Monoresistant phenotypes were represented by furazolidone-resistant strains. Conclusions: We established a statistically significant increase in the percentage of strains resistant to nalidixic acid (from 4.0% to 13.3%) and chloramphenicol (from 0.5% to 4.4%) in 2016-2018. Resistance to those two antimicrobial drugs was observed in more than one third of the strains. The most common phenotypes were cotrimoxazole/furazolidone and furazolidone/ampicillin. In 2016, the percentage of such phenotypes was 21.4% and 14.8%, in 2017 - 20.0% and 10.6%, and in 2018 - 20.0% and 15.5%, respectively. When analyzing the microorganisms isolated in 2016-2018 and sensitive to three or more antibiotics, we established significant differences indicating the growth of multidrug-resistant microorganisms belonging to V. cholerae non-O1/non-O139 serogroups.

Relevance: The article describes the results of studying the activity of the epidemic process of enterobiasis, the most common parasitic disease in the Russian Federation. Our objective was to give a comprehensive assessment of the epidemic process of enterobiasis in the country based on the official data on the incidence of pinworm infection in the population and the results of parasitological studies of environmental media conducted in 2010 2017. Materials and methods: Using the methods of variation statistics, we estimated the dynamics of enterobiasis incidence and prevalence rates, studied the differences in the prevalence of enterobiasis detected during testing of suspected cases and of the general population for preventive purposes and epidemic reasons. Results: We established the role of pinworm infection in the structure of parasitic diseases, identified age groups and regions with the highest incidence and prevalence rates of enterobiasis. We observed significant differences in the prevalence of enterobiasis between Russian federal districts. The analysis of the ongoing sanitary parasitological studies helped reveal the regions of the country with a high and low frequency of detecting pinworm eggs in environmental media and the key factors activating the mechanism of transmission of pinworm eggs. Conclusions: We established that in some regions the pinworm infection was spread through the use of swimming pools, while in others it disseminated mainly through contaminated surfaces of various environmental media. At the same time, the estimated statistically significant decrease in the frequency of detecting pinworm eggs in swabs from environmental objects demonstrates the improvement of the sanitary and hygienic condition (maintenance) of epidemically significant facilities (educational establishments and other institutions).