Background: Achievement of the national goals to increase life expectancy and ensure sustained population growth in the Russian Federation largely depends on the health status and mortality rates in the working-age population. Health risk management for this cohort is impossible without effective disease incidence data, the lack of which impedes the development and implementation of optimal solutions in health maintenance.

Objective: To assess rates and features of disease incidence in the working-age population of the Ural Federal District.

Materials and methods: We acquired data on disease incidence in the Russian Federation from statistical yearbooks published on the website of the Federal Research Institute for Health Organization and Informatics of the Russian Ministry of Health and on the size of the working-age population from the Federal State Statistics Service. We estimated age-specific incidence rates (per 100,000) in the working-age population of the Russian Federation, the Ural Federal District and its administrative territories for 2015–2019 using MS Excel. The statistical data analysis was performed using the Statistica 10 software. The incidence structure by ICD-10 disease categories was determined.

Results: We were first to establish absolute and relative incidence rates, incidence structure by ICD-10 disease categories, and regional features of disease incidence in the working-age population residing in the Ural Federal District. We found significant differences between district and federal average incidence rates.

Conclusions: The incidence in the Ural Federal District was significantly higher than the national average. Incidence rates differed significantly between certain territories of the district. Incidence rates in the working-age population shall be included in the system of public health monitoring and taken into account when developing local programs of governmental guarantees of free medical services to citizens.

Introduction: In the Primorsky Region, there is a steady upward trend in breast cancer morbidity and mortality. Lifestyle, material wellbeing, availability and timeliness of receiving medical care, along with genetic predisposition, have a significant impact on life expectancy and mortality of cancer patients, which is of great importance for public health, especially when developing a strategy to improve the quality of life and health status of the population.

Objective: The study aimed to analyze the situation and to develop a model for mortality prediction based on breast cancer prevalence rates and socio-economic indicators of the population of the Primorsky Region.

Materials and methods: The study was carried out based on data from the Federal State Statistics Service and the Medical Information Analytical Center of the Primorsky Region for 1994–2019. Correlation analysis was used to analyze statistical data and the prediction model was developed using artificial neural networks.

Results: In 2000–2019, there was a rise in breast cancer mortality by 39.13 % in the region. The statistical analysis of the  relationship between socio-economic indicators and the mortality rate showed significant correlations, which were further used for the development of a neural network model. We observed that predictions were most influenced by parameters of material well-being and health care quality.

Conclusion: The established relationships prove the necessity of considering them when designing management decisions aimed to increase life expectancy and improve the quality of life in breast cancer patients.

Introduction: Ensuring a further improvement of efficiency of the public health monitoring system requires integration of the modern health risk analysis methodology with a complex of adapted unified traditional and innovative analytical methods and data exchange with the environmental monitoring system.

Objectives: The study aimed to test and assess the accuracy of predicting the incidence of malignant neoplasms using an artificial neural network.

Materials and methods: The analyzed time series are presented by information from statistical reporting forms on malignant neoplasms in the city of Taganrog, Rostov Region. We applied a regression model and a forecasting modeling technique based on a feedforward artificial neural network of a multilayer perceptron type. An artificial neural network with 117 neurons in a hidden layer was created in the environment of the Matlab R2021a application package with a set of tools for the synthesis and analysis of neural networks Neural Network Toolbox using the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm for its learning.

Results: Approbation of two forecasting models was carried out on learning samples of different duration including 15 and 34 years. In a comparative assessment of the accuracy of forecasts for 2018 and 2019, absolute and relative errors were estimated. The accuracy of the neural network forecasting model was higher than that of the regression model both for the total of malignant neoplasms and for most cancer sites. The absolute errors of forecasts for 2018 when using regression and neural network models were 17.05 and 1.49 per 100,000 population, for 2019 – 39.07 and 4.42, respectively. The prediction accuracy dropped with a decrease in the time series duration and an increase in the distance from the boundaries of the learning sample.

Conclusions: The feedforward artificial neural network of the multilayer perceptron type provides more accurate predictions using minimal input information compared to the regression model, which is its undoubted advantage.

Introduction: Specifics of activities of medical personnel in different types of laboratories can potentially create working conditions that violate occupational safety and health regulations.

Objective: The study aimed to assess health risks of thermal balance disruption in PCR laboratory staff wearing personal protective equipment for biohazards in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Materials and methods: The study was conducted in winter 2020–2021 in PCR laboratories of the Volgograd Region. It included measurements of laboratory microclimate parameters, such as relative humidity, air temperature and velocity, used to estimate the heat load index. An observation cohort of 31 female medical laboratory workers aged 32.48 ± 1.45 years with  a three to nine months experience of work in the PCR laboratory was formed to monitor the thermal state at the start and end of the work shift by measuring skin temperature at five points, sublingual temperature, and heat sensation. The results of measurements were used to estimate the mean skin temperature and heart rate while the dynamics of work ability was assessed by the results of contact tremorometry.

Results: We established a significant increase in all measured values. The mean skin temperature at the end of the shift reached 33.85 ± 0.24 °C, thus exceeding the upper limit of the permissible value. The heart rate and heat sensation parameters  approached the upper values of the maximum permissible thermal state of a person. Contact tremorometry results indicated a decrease in the performance by the end of the work shift. The findings gave evidence of tension of thermoregulatory reactions and the risk of thermal balance disruption posed by the use of a specific type of personal protective equipment in the PCR laboratory.

Conclusion: The research results provide strong support for the conclusion that the use of PPE for biohazards poses a risk of thermal balance disruption in medical laboratory personnel. The severity of stress of thermoregulatory reactions depends on technical and design characteristics of the PPE used. The necessity of a physiological and hygienic substantiation of acceptable duration of work of medical workers wearing various types of PPE for biohazards in PCR laboratories justifies the importance of further studies.

Introduction: In the context of a decreasing size of the working-age population, monitoring of the health status and disease incidence in this cohort shall be one of the most important tasks of public and occupational health professionals. Health risk management for the working population in the Russian Federation requires complete and reliable data on its morbidity, especially in view of the fact that its average age demonstrates a stable growth. It is, therefore, crucial to have precise and consistent information about the morbidity of the working-age population.

Objective: The study aimed to assess incidence rates of diseases with temporary incapacity for work in the constituent entities of the Ural Federal District of the Russian Federation.

Materials and methods: We reviewed data on disease incidence rates published by the Federal State Statistics Service in the Common Interdepartmental System of Statistical Information, Section 15.12, Causes of Temporary Disability, and Section 2.9.I.4, Federal Project for Public Health Promotion. The constituent entities under study were ranked according to the number of cases and days of temporary incapacity per 100 workers and E.L. Notkin scale was used to determine grade the incidence. The statistical analysis was performed using STATISTICA 10 software. Long-term average values of certain indicators, median values, standard deviation (σ) and coefficients of variation were estimated. The difference in the indices was assessed using the Mann-Whitney test.

Results: Compared to 2010, incidence rates of diseases with temporary incapacity for work in the constituent entities of the Ural Federal District in 2019 demonstrated a significant decline. The sharp drop was observed in 2015. We also established that the Common Interdepartmental System of Statistical Information contains contradictory information on disease incidence.

Conclusion: It is expedient to consider the issue of revising guidelines for organization of federal statistical monitoring of morbidity with temporary incapacity for work and to include this indicator in the system of public health monitoring.

Introduction: In the context of the modern educational process, accompanied by a high intensity of intellectual work, one of the most important tasks of school medicine specialists is to support, maintain and improve cognitive skills of schoolchildren as the main predictors of academic success.

Objective: The study aimed to give a physiological and hygienic characteristic of cognitive functions determining academic success of schoolchildren aged 15–17 years under conditions of various schooling intensity.

Materials and methods: We conducted a time study to assess schooling intensity of 250 pupils of a multidisciplinary lyceum (Group 1) and 274 pupils of a comprehensive school (Group 2) and evaluated their academic performance. Computer testing was  used to study the functional state of the central nervous system, mental performance and cognitive skills of the schoolchildren.

Results: We established higher grade point averages in key disciplines among Group 1 students with high schooling intensity (class 3.1) compared to those in Group 2 with optimal intensity of the educational process (class 1). We found that high  academic performance in Group 1 was attributed to the optimal functional state of the central nervous system characterized by stabilization of nervous processes and a better ability of the nervous system to form the adaptive functional system of the body in response to various stimuli; to the dominance of the left cerebral hemisphere in 61.2 % of the students, which determined mature skills of verbal, abstract, logical and analytical thinking in 51.9–93.5% of the students; high speed of mental  activity and concentration of voluntary attention promoting cognitive activity and maintaining normal mental performance of the schoolchildren.

Conclusions: Our findings contribute to a better understanding of the processes of adaptation of schoolchildren to various factors of school environment and learning to be used within the development of school medicine when organizing educational activities of students at schools with an intensive learning regime in order to promote academic performance and achieve high efficiency of the educational process within physiological capabilities of children and adolescents. At the same time, from physiological and hygienic points of view, assessment of cognitive skills in children and teenagers by means of medical and psychological testing in educational establishments implementing profile training of various difficulty levels can become an effective diagnostic tool in predicting academic performance of students and help resolve issues of prevention of maladjustment and stress at school.

Introduction: The object of this study included features of thermal regulation and adaptation processes of 18-year-old college students playing sports before and after cold exposure training (morning hot/cold contrast showers) and their attitude to  such training.

Objective: To conduct a comparative analysis of changes in thermoregulation and adaptation of college students in response to cold exposure training.

Methods: We conducted a questionnaire-based survey and testing using the Kestner–Marshak capillary cold reaction test and the “Adaptolog–Expert” system for assessing the functional status of the organism. Results of the survey conducted before  and after the experiment allowed us to form a sample of the experimental group. At the end of the experiment, the repeated questionnaire-based survey of the level of cold exposure training showed a significant prevalence of affirmative answers, while the number of negative and unsure answers showed a pronounced decrease. The average group values of the cold reaction test equaled the upper limit of the norm indicating insufficient cold exposure training. By the end of the experiment, the average time of appearance and disappearance of hyperemia among the college students decreased significantly, thus proving the benefit of contrast showers to improve human thermoregulation. The results of applying the “Adaptolog–Expert” system showed statistically significant differences with the initial indicators of adaptation with multidirectional dynamics, indicating normalization of the studied parameters of adaptation.

Conclusions: The study of thermoregulatory and adaptation parameters of college athletes confirmed the positive impact of the proposed technique on the students’ attitude to cold exposure training and normalized their adaptation to cold.

Introduction: Extreme climate conditions have a negative impact on human health.

Purpose: The study aimed to assess weather and climate-related risks to human health in different areas of the Krasnoyarsk Region by effective temperatures estimated during two long-term observation periods.

Materials and methods: We analyzed ambient temperatures (average monthly and minimum), wind speed (average and  maximum), and relative humidity in the subarctic and temperate continental zones estimated during the periods of determining climatic norms in 1961–1990 and 1991–2020. The health risk was assessed on the basis of effective temperatures.

Results: In the subarctic zone, the wind strength (average and maximum values) decreased, the duration of such periods  increased just like the ambient temperature while the relative humidity did not change. In temperate climates, all indicators have changed. In the subarctic zone, in the second observation period, frostbite was possible within 20–30 minutes during two months (versus 3 in the first). In the temperate climate, there was no such risk to humans. At the minimum temperature  and maximum wind speed in the subarctic zone, the risk of frostbite is possible during 5 months (versus 6): after 10–15 minutes during two months and after 20–30 minutes – during three months of the year. In temperate climates, frostbite is possible within 20–30 minutes during two months (versus 3 in the first period).

Conclusions: In the interval of establishing climatic norms (1991–2020), a significant increase in effective temperatures was  determined: in the subarctic zone with the average wind strength and temperature in February–April and June, with maximum wind and minimum temperature – in March–July; in temperate climates, in April and June, respectively. The duration of periods of health risks posed by cold temperature exposures in the subarctic climate with average wind and temperature values equaled two months (I–II), with maximum wind speed and minimum temperatures – five months (XI–III); in the  temperate climate, it was null and 2 (3) months (I, II, and XII), respectively.

Introduction: More than half of the global population currently lives in cities; by 2050, this rate is expected to increase to 68 %. The worldwide process of rapid urbanization is associated with significant environmental, economic and social changes, particularly in public health.

The aim of the study: review and systematization of data concerning the impact of a number of hygienic factors specific to the urban environment on the mental health of the population.

Results: This review is based on articles published over the last two decades and provides an overview of urban environment-related risk factors for mental health and well-being of citizens. The studies reviewed give evidence of adverse health effects of environmental exposures to air, light, and noise pollution in the cities. The main consequences of their impact on mental health include psychological distress, sleep disturbance, anxiety, depression, an increased risk of manifestation and higher severity of mental disorders, all mediated by endocrine and neurophysiological disorders and oxidative stress.

Conclusion: The analysis and assessment of the differential significance of various environmental conditions of the urban environment require consideration of other factors, including social, household, genetic, individual psychological and physiological characteristics. Our findings indicate the importance of further research on the influence of urban environment on mental health, the results of which can be implemented in various hygiene practices and urban planning programs.

Introduction: High resistance of M. tuberculosis to external conditions, presence of animate reservoirs, adverse socio-economic factors, and inadequate hygiene practices contribute to high incidence of tuberculosis in the world. Effective disease prevention shall be based on scientific substantiation of causality and the mechanisms of its development.

Objective: The study aimed to investigate the etiopathogenesis of autoimmune disorders associated with the exposure of warm-blooded animals to heat killed M. tuberculosis.

Materials and methods: We determined hematological parameters of old Wistar rats using standard methods and estimated the activity of lactate and succinate dehydrogenases (LDH, SDH) in lymphocytes (mitochondria) using a cytobiochemical  method. The clinical and laboratory results were confirmed by X-ray tests.

Results: Inflammation induced by administration of heat inactivated M. tuberculosis (complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA))  reached the maximum during the third week: the number of white blood cells increased from (9.8 to 11.3) × 109/L compared  to the control animals, normalizing by the seventh week. By the end of the first week, there was a pronounced immune response manifested by the increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate, which later exceeded the threshold limit by 87–100 %.  The autoimmune disease progression was accompanied by impaired cellular respiration (glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation) by 40 % and 77 %, respectively (p < 0.01). X-ray revealed disorders in the articular apparatus of the exposed animals  including signs of rheumatoid arthritis and bone resorption.

Conclusion: The mechanism of immunotoxicity of M. tuberculosis is associated with impaired energy supply of immune cells and changes in their morpho-functional properties. Based on our findings, we recommend inclusion of drugs with immunomodulatory, antihypoxic and osteoprotective mechanisms in treatment and prevention regimens for tuberculosis and associated diseases to enhance therapeutic efficacy.

Introduction: The importance of the problem of natural focal infections (NFIs) in the world is associated with their wide spread and a severe clinical course. The Volgograd Region, which is part of the Southern Federal District, is endemic for a whole number of NFIs. Regional epizootic and epidemic manifestations in foci of plague, tularemia, Q fever, ixodes tick-borne borreliosis (Lyme disease), hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), Crimean – Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), and West Nile fever (WNV) have been of varying degrees of activity over a long period of time.

Objective: To study the features of epidemic and epizootic manifestations of natural focal diseases (plague, tularemia, Lyme disease, HFRS, WNV, CCHF, Q fever) in the territory of the Volgograd Region.

Materials and methods: We analyzed the results of epizootologic and epidemiologic surveillance carried out in natural foci of contagious diseases in the Volgograd Region over the past decade, including data on the incidence of NFIs and the results of laboratory testing of zoological and entomological assays. We did an epidemiologic analysis of the ten-year rate, structure and changes in the incidence of natural focal diseases in the population of the Volgograd Region. Electronic databases were developed and analyzed in Microsoft Excel 2010 (Microsoft, USA).

Results and discussion: We established that over the past decade, the number of endemic areas in the Volgograd Region has risen from 18 to 25 for СCHF and from 5 to 11 for Lyme disease. At present, all regional districts are endemic for tularemia, WNV, HFRS, and Q fever, 25 districts – for CCHF, and 11 – for Lyme disease. We observed a general promising tendency towards a decrease in incidence rates for all nosological forms. At the same time, the incidence of Q fever and Lyme disease remains low while that of HFRS and СCHF is somewhat higher. The West Nile fever, epidemic manifestations of which have been registered since 1999, is the main challenge in terms of NFIs in the Volgograd Region today.

Conclusion: In the last decade, there has been an increase in the number of NFI-endemic areas in the region, combined foci of bacterial, rickettsial and viral nature were formed. The current situation necessitates continuous epidemiological and epizootological monitoring of NFI in order to ensure the epidemiological well-being of the population.