Introduction. Identifying the characteristics of changes in indicators characterizing neurofunctional activity will make it possible to determine the diagnostic signs of functional disorders of the central nervous system in patients depending on the severity of vibration disease (VD) caused by exposure to local vibration.The aim of the study is to identify changes in neurophysiological and neuropsychological indicators depending on the severity of vibration disease caused by exposure to local vibration to assess the state of functional activity of the brain.Materials and methods. The characteristics of the DC-potential level, SSSP, and neuropsychological features were studied in thirty patients with VD grade I (VD I) and in 51 patients with VD grade II (VD II) Results. When comparing the indicators in both groups in patients with cerebrovascular accident stage II, an increase in the DC-potential level in the central right lead, the latency of components N9, N10, P25, a decrease in the function of expressive speech, and the average value on the MoCA scale were found. For the VD II, in contrast to the VD I, it is characteristic by a decrease in the function of reciprocal coordination, modality-specific working memory (visual figurative), an increase in the latency of peaks N11 and N13 and the averaged 12-lead DC-potential level.Limitations. The study is limited due to the lack of results from a study of the impact of local vibration on cerebral hemodynamics and a brief description of working conditions.Conclusion. This study demonstrates the importance of diagnosing changes in the functional activity of the brain depending on the severity of VD. The identified pathophysiological changes expand our understanding of the role of central regulatory mechanisms in the course of occupational disease progression and can be used to monitor the development of disorders in the functional state of the central nervous system.Compliance with ethical standards. The study was approved by the Local Ethics Committee (LEC) of the East-Siberian Institute of Medical and Ecological Research (conclusions of LEC No. 3 of 02/16/2021 and No. 5 of 03/21/2023) and carried out in accordance with the ethical standards of the World Association of Medical Researchers’ Declaration of Helsinki: “Ethical Principles for Medical Research Involving Human Subjects” (as amended in 2024). All participants gave informed voluntary written consent to participate in the study.Contribution: Shevchenko O.I. – concept and design of the study,compilation and analysis the data of the general database, collected data on the NEC and neuropsychological examination, writing text, structuring the article; Lakhman O.L. – the concept of the study, editing; Slivnitsyna N.V. – collection and analysis the clinical data; Rusanova D.V. – collection the SSSP data. All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.Funding. The study had no sponsorship.Received: April 17, 2026 / Revised: June 23, 2026 / Accepted: July 1, 2026 / Published: October 20, 2026
Introduction. Changes in morphological status are important to study in changing environmental conditions due to the dependence of sexual dimorphism on the influence of stress factors.The aim to study the course of the stressful impact of a complex of factors on a human population by assessing sexual dimorphism in the height in young adults.Materials and Methods: Depersonalized height data for adults born in 1958–1961 (1st generation: 410 men and 625 women), 1979–1989 (2nd generation: 423 and 518 individuals), and 2000–2004 (3rd generation: 160 and 414 individuals) were used. The impact of stress was assessed using the sexual dimorphism coefficient.Results. In the first generation, men with a height of 170–174 cm predominated, while women with a height of 160–164 cm. In the second and third generations, trimodal heights were observed in men, while bimodal heights were observed in women. When comparing the average heights of the first and second and first and third generations, statistically significant differences were revealed for both men and women. The sexual dimorphism coefficients indicate to moderate stress for the second-generation subpopulation; low stress in the short-stature subgroups of the first and third generations; and high stress for the tall-stature subgroups.Limitations. The relative contribution of environmental factors, lifestyle, and genetic characteristics in representatives of the studied generations has not been studied.Conclusion. Changes in height are more pronounced in male groups. The coefficients of sexual dimorphism indicate to the stress effect of a complex of factors on the somatic status of tall men and women.Compliance with ethical standards. The study does not require a biomedical ethics committee opinion or other documents.Contribution: Efimova N.V. – study concept and design, statistical processing and data analysis, writing, editing; Bogdanova O.G. – data collection and statistical processing, writing; Mylnikova I.V. – literature review, writing the text. All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.Funding. The study had no sponsorship.Received: March 3, 2026 / Revised: April 16, 2026 / Accepted: September 15, 2026 / Published: October 20, 2026
Introduction. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) which have carcinogenic and mutagenic effects are priority ambient air pollutants on territories where energy sector use solid fuel. The aim of this study was to comparatively analyze quantitative and qualitative composition of PAH in emissions from autonomous heating sources (AHS) upon use of various fossil fuels and perform hygienic assessment of ambient air pollution.Materials and methods. An experimental study of PAH in emissions was conducted for a typical heating furnace fueled by using birch firewood, wooden pellets, brown coal and coal. Naphthalene, 2-methyl-naphthalene, anthracene, 9-metyl-anthracene, pyrene and benzo(a)pyrene were quantified by using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorometric detection. Model calculations of dispersion were accomplished for a simulated group of forty eight AHS stoves according to standardized methods. Hygienic assessment involved using average daily MPC and health risk criteria using factors of relative carcinogenic activity.Results. The highest total PAH contents at the ignition stage were detected for coals (0.962 µg/m³ for brown coal, 2.07 µg/m³ for coal) with the most intensive formation of high-molecular PAH, pyrene and benzo(a)pyrene (in coal ignition: 1.132±0.204 and 0.897±0.188 µg/m³ respectively). The lowest total PAH contents (0.283 µg/m³) with prevailing naphthalene and 2-methyl-naphthalene were detected for use of wooden pellets. Benzo(a)pyrene concentrations were 2–18 times higher during ignition against stationary burning. Situational simulation of ambient air pollution revealed that only benzo(a)pyrene concentrations exceeded average daily MPC.Limitations. The study was accomplished only for one type of furnace and involved limited number of repetitions. Conclusion. PAH occur in emissions from AHS in different combinations and concentrations upon use of all kinds of fossil fuels. Regular monitoring of PAH emissions from solid fuel use is advisable. The development and effectiveness of regional air pollution reduction programs in communities with extensive solid fuel heating systems should be based on health risks assessment.Compliance with ethical standards. This study does not require approval of a biomedical ethics committee.Contribution: Zaitseva N.V. – study concept and design; May I.V. – study design, writing the text; Kleyn S.V. – writing the text, editing; Nurislamova T.V. – writing the text, literature data collection and analysis; Starchikova M.О. – data collection, data analysis; Zagorodnov S.Y. – performing calculations, data analysis; Balashov S.Yu. – performing calculations, plotting maps. All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.Funding. The study had no sponsorship.Received: July 7, 2026 / Revised: August 20, 2026 / Accepted: , 2026 / Published: October 20, 2026
Introduction. Previously, data were obtained on the association between genotypes of polymorphic variants of glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs) genes with changes in nerve structure of the upper limbs in patients with vibration syndrome (VS). This suggests the existence of similar relationships for polymorphisms of genes encoding the activity of other antioxidant enzymes, mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (SOD2) in particular.The aim of the study was to establish associations between the polymorphic variant of SOD2 gene and changes in nerve structure in VS patients which is caused by exposure to various vibration types.Materials and methods. The polymorphic variant Ala16Val of SOD2 gene (rs4880) in two hundred forty seven: VS patients (caused by exposure to hand-arm vibration (HAVS) (n = 94) and combined vibration (hand-arm and whole body vibration – VScomb (n = 65)), and control individuals (n = 88) were studied by RT-PCR method. The structure of the median and ulnar nerves of the upper limbs was assessed by using ultrasonography and the results were expressed as the cross-sectional area (CSA).Results. A significant role of the Ala16Val polymorphic variant of SOD2 gene was established in the development of nerve structural changes of upper limbs in VS patients. The most pronounced changes were revealed in carriers of all rs4880 genotypes (CC, CT, and TT) in HAVS patients relative to the control, which was manifested in greater CSAmax of the median, ulnar, and average peripheral nerves CSA (p = 0.005, p = 0.013, and p = 0.004, respectively). Carriage of the TT genotype was accompanied by greater values of all the above parameters compared to the control both in HAVS patients and patients with combined vibration exposure.Limitations. The number of examined individuals, the lack of analysis of electrophysiological changes.Conclusion. The TT genotype carriage of the polymorphic variant rs4880 of SOD2 gene is associated with an increase in the nerve structure parameters of upper limbs both in HAVS patients and in patients of combined group. This may be due to a decrease in SOD2 activity, accompanied by increased oxidative damage. Compliance with ethical standards. The study was approved by the Biomedical Ethics Committee of the East Siberian Institute of Medical and Ecological Research (Protocol No. 5 of 03/21/2023). All participants gave informed voluntary written consent to participate in the study.Contribution: Chernyak Yu.I. – concept and study design, sample collection, implementation of methods and data analysis, final statistical data analysis, text writing and editing; Zueva Ya.I. – study design, sample collection, implementation of methods and data analysis, final statistical data analysis, text writing and editing; Zaguzina A.R. – sample collection, statistical data analysis. All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.Funding. The study was supported within a framework of State Assignment for East Siberian Institute of Medical and Ecological Research (No. 123032000007-8).Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.Received: July 30, 2026 / Accepted: September 15, 2026 / Published: October 20, 2026
Introduction. Iron oxide nanoparticles (NPs) are widely used in medicine. However, the mechanisms of their toxicity are not fully understood. In particular, due to their ability to accumulate in the nervous system (NS), it is necessary to investigate their remote neurotoxic effects.The aim of the study was to evaluate the neurotoxicity of an iron oxide nanocomposite (NC) encapsulated in an arabinogalactan (AG) matrix over the post-exposure period, based on changes in electroencephalography (EEG) parameters and behavioral responses in male rats.Materials and methods. The experiment was performed on mongrel, sexually mature male albino rats (n = 60). The experimental groups received NC intragastric administration for 10 days at doses of 500 µg/kg (Fe₃O₄AG 500) and 5000 µg/kg (Fe₃O₄AG 5000) body weight. The control groups received 0.5 ml of 0.9% NaCl. Rats’ behavior was studied using the «open-field» method using the EthoStudio setup. EEG recording and analysis were performed using a «Neuron-Spectr-1/V» device. Rats were examined immediately and 6 months after the end of exposure.Results. In the early post-exposure period, the distance traveled increased in the Fe₃O₄AG 5000 group compared to intact animals. In the 1st period, the average power of alpha and beta-1 rhythms increased in the Fe₃O₄AG 500 group in lead Fp1-A1 compared to the control group. In rats, immediately after receiving NC in doses of 500 µg/kg and 5000 µg/kg, an increase in the delta rhythm and a decrease in theta and alpha rhythms were noted in lead C3-A1 compared to the control according to the rhythm index. After 6 months, the number of the supported rearing decreased in the Fe₃O₄AG 5000 group compared to the control group. In the remote period, a decrease in the average amplitude of delta and theta rhythms in lead Fp1-A1 in the experimental groups compared to the control group was more informative. The amplitude of the theta rhythm in the Fe₃O₄AG 500 group was also lower than in the Fe₃O₄AG 5000 group.Limitations. The study was limited to examining behavioral responses in the «open field» and EEG parameters in male albino rats immediately after 10 days of administration of NC Fe₃O₄AG at doses of 500 µg/kg and 5000 µg/kg and a 6-month post-exposure period. Conclusion. During the post-exposure period, NC Fe₃O₄AG at doses of 500 and 5000 µg/kg caused changes in behavioral responses and EEG in rats that were not dose-dependent, which requires further study.Compliance with Ethical Standards. The study was approved by the local Ethics Committee of the East Siberian Institute of Medical and Ecological Research (ESIMER) (Conclusion No. 8 dated December 15, 2023) and was conducted in compliance with the international standards of the European Convention (ETS No. 123) and GLP requirements.Contribution:Yakimova N.L. – collection and processing of material, registration and description of EEG, writing text, editing; Novikov M.A. – the concept and design of the study, implementation of animal studies, editing; Skrynnik A.S. – collection and processing of material, and description of the results of the study of behavior; Lizarev A.V. – collection of material, EEG registration, editing. All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.Acknowledgments. The authors express their gratitude to L.M. Sosedova, DSc (Medicine), professor, for consultative assistance and editing the article.Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.Funding. The study was carried out within the framework of a government assignment and had no additional sources of sponsorship.Received: April 20, 2026 / Revised: July 10, 2026 / Accepted: September 15, 2026 / Published: October 20, 2026
