East-Siberian Institute of Medical and Ecological Research

Introduction. As a result of long-term economic activity of chemical plants in urban agglomeration areas, an increased accumulation of potentially hazardous toxic compounds has been observed.Materials and methods. Biomonitoring, atomic absorption method, statistical analysisResults. In vegetable samples collected in the Usolsky district, mercury levels ranged from 0.029 to 0.095 mg/kg (1.45–4.75 MPL), with the highest excess levels observed in carrots (0.091 and 0.093 mg/kg), peppers (0.092 mg/kg), onions (0.094 mg/kg), and cabbage (0.095 mg/kg). In the biological environments of the population of the Usolsky district revealed ecotoxicant levels over the range of 0.0–5.4 and 0.0–3.0 µg/l in urine and blood among adults, respectively, and 0.0–2.7 µg/l among children. The proportion of samples where mercury was not detected was 44.4% for blood, 38.0% for urine among adults, and 19.2% for urine among children.Limitations. The conducted study took into account only the content of heavy metal (mercury) in vegetables and biological environments of the population.Conclusion. Mercury contamination was confirmed by the results of post-operational analysis of vegetable products at the city-forming enterprise. Mercury levels exceeding the maximum permissible limit (0.02 mg/kg) were detected in 69.0% of vegetable samples (by 1.05–4.75 times). Median mercury concentrations in urine and blood among the surveyed population of the Usolsky district did not exceed permissible limits.Compliance with ethical standards. The study was approved by the Local Ethics Committee of the East-Siberian Institute of Medical and Ecological Research, The study was conducted in accordance with the ethical principles of the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki (2013 edition), did not infringe on the rights of the study subjects, did not endanger them. All participants and their legal representatives gave informed voluntary written consent to participate in the study.Contribution: Zhurba O.M. – search for literature sources, data processing, text writing; Merinov A.V. – search for literature sources, data processing, statistical processing, text writing; Efimova N.V. – research concept and design, scientific consulting; Katamanova E.V. – research concept, design and editing; Savchenkov M.F. – research concept and design. 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 work was carried out within the framework of funds allocated for the implementation of exploratory and scientific research of the state task East-Siberian Institute of Medical and Ecological Research.Received: October 30, 2025 / Accepted: December 2, 2025 / Published: January 15, 2026

Introduction. Preliminary results indicate to the association of glutathione-S-transferase (GST) genes polymorphic variants with changes in the nerve structure in patients with vibration syndrome. Those results were the basis to conduct the present study on a sample of patients with hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) with the involvement of a control group.The aim of the study. To establish the contribution of GSTP1, GSTM1, and GSTT1 genes polymorphic variants in the development of nerve structure disorders in HAVS patients and characterize intergene interactions.Materials and methods. Polymorphic variants of the GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 (Ile105Val and Ala114Val) genes in one hundred seventy one man (89 HAVS patients and 82 control individuals) were studied by PCR-RT method. The structure of peripheral nerves was assessed using high-resolution ultrasonography and the results were expressed as the cross-sectional area (CSA). The MDR 3.0.2 software was used to assess of interactions polymorphic variants of GST genes.Results. An increase of nerve structure parameters was found in HAVS patients relative to the control group despite the absence of age differences. Carriers of GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes deletion variants had a higher CSAmax of the median nerve (p = 0.015 and p = 0.008, respectively) compared with carriers of the genotype without the deletion among HAVS patients. Analysis of polymorphic variants interactions of GST genes made it possible to establish the Ile105Val GSTP1 gene polymorphism to have the greatest influence on the probability of developing structure of the median nerve disorders while the Ala114Val GSTP1 gene polymorphism makes a greater contribution to entropy.Limitations. Limitations include the small number of examined individuals, lack of analysis of electrophysiological changes and gene-environment interactions.Conclusion. The final phenotypic outcome (change in nerve structure) is determined not so much by individual risk-associated of genes polymorphic variants, but by the balance of the entire set of glutathione-S-transferase genes, which may explain the lack of strong individual relationships in the analysis.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 March 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; Lakhman O.L. – text editing. All authors are responsible for the integrate 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 was supported within a framework of State Assignment for East Siberian Institute of Medical and Ecological Research (No. 123032000007-8).Received: September 12, 2025 / Accepted: October 15, 2025 / Published: November 14, 2025

Introduction. Currently, magnetic nanoparticles of iron oxides are widely used in many branches of human activity. Among the production technologies, the most dangerous are metallurgical production, electric arc and gas welding, metal smelting and cutting at steel mills, during which metal oxide nanoparticles are formed in significant quantities. Materials and methods. Male white rats were orally introduced for 10 days with an aqueous solution of Fe3O4AG (iron oxide nanoparticles stabilized with the polymer arabinogalactan) at doses of 500 µg/kg. After the end of the exposure, the animals were decapitated under light ether anesthesia. Blood, brain, liver, and kidneys were taken for biochemical, histological, and genotoxic analysis using the DNA comet method. Results. Studies have shown a decrease in the amount of hemoglobin per unit of blood, a decrease in the total number of neurons in brain tissue, an increase in the area of the renal glomeruli chamber and an increase in DNA damage in nucleated blood cells. Limitations. The experiment is limited to the study of biochemical parameters of peripheral blood, histological analysis of brain, liver and kidney tissue, as well as the study of the effect of iron oxide nanocomposite at doses of 500 µg/kg on male white rats the next day after a ten-day exposure. Conclusion. The biological effect of iron oxide nanocomposite is characterized by a decrease in the amount of hemoglobin, DNA fragmentation in nucleated blood cells, an expansion of the chamber area of the renal glomeruli of the renal cortex, and a decrease in the total number of neurons in the sensorimotor cortex.

Introduction. Under the influence of industrial vibration, disorders form in various body systems, including the central nervous system (CNS). It is advisable to detect changes in the structures of the nervous system by conducting electroneuromyography (ENMG) with testing of sensory and motor axons with F-wave registration, determination of somatosensory evoked potentials, peripheral transcranial magnetic stimulation. The study aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of the structures of the nervous system (peripheral nerves, spinal cord neurons, thalamic region, cortical representation) in patients with vibration disease associated with the combined effects of local and general vibration. Materials and methods. 36 patients with vibration disease were examined, with an average age of 54.8±5.35 years, and an average length of service of 17.9±2.8 years. The results obtained during the study were compared with a control group (CG) of 46 people (48.37±4.18 years) who had no contact with vibration. The researchers conducted an electroneuromyography (ENMG) with testing of the sensory component of peripheral nerves, with the determination of the F-wave and the registration of somatosensory evoked potentials in the upper and lower extremities on the Neuro-EMG-Micro electroneuromyograph (Neurosoft LLC). The specialists have completed peripheral transcranial magnetic stimulation during median nerve testing. Results. In afferent conducting structures, there is a decrease in the speed of conducting an impulse along axons on the arms and legs, and a decrease in the amplitude of the action potential on the legs, the transit time of excitation in the popliteal fossa decreases, the excitability of neurons in the cervical and lumbar spine, subcortical structures (the thalamic nuclei zone) and in the somatosensory cortex decreases. In efferent conducting structures, a decrease in the rate of conduction of an impulse along the nerves of the upper and lower extremities, damage to the motor neurons of the primary motor cortex, neurons of the corticospinal tract and at the level of the lumbar and cervical spine was found. Limitations. A limitation of the study is the fact that transcranial magnetic stimulation was not performed when testing the nerves of the lower extremities. Conclusion. In patients with vibration disease associated with the combined effects of local and general vibration, a decrease in the rate of pulse conduction along afferent axons in the upper extremities was revealed, and a decrease in the action potential of the nerve trunk in the lower extremities. A violation of the pulse conduction time along the afferent pathways of the lumbar and cervical spine has been established. A slowdown in the activation of neurons of afferent conducting structures in the thalamic region, in the area of the somatosensory cortex, as well as a slowdown in the depolarization of efferent neurons of the primary motor cortex and the corticospinal tract was revealed.

Abstract Introduction: the article considers the classification of war crimes including theoretical approach, international legal enshrinement and criminal law provisions, presents recommendations for amending and supplementing the provisions of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation involving elements of war crimes basing on the examination of the classification of war crimes. Materials and Methods: the author used theories of Russian scientists, Statute of the International Criminal Court and other international documents as well as the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation as study materials, the methods of analysis and comparison to shape author’s position, for future reference. Literature review: the author used works of E.N. Trikoz, S.A. Lobanov, I.Yu. Belyi and other researchers studying war crimes. Results: the author suggests the final classification of war crimes basing on which elements of war crimes defined and introduced amendments to Chapter 34 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. Discussion and Conclusions: the analysis made it possible to identify the advantages and disadvantages of the theoretical classifications of various scientists, as well as the types of war crimes enshrined in international documents and national legislation. In conclusion, the author’s development of a theoretical approach to the formation of a classification of war crimes, which must be applied to consolidate specific elements of war crimes in the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, is presented. Its application is aimed at resolving various practical issues that arise when qualifying acts under national criminal law at the present time.

Introduction. A few neurophysiologic studies have shown that changes of the bioelectrical brain activity are observed in hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) patients. There is practically no information about the state of bioelectrical brain activity in the hand-arm vibration. The purpose is to study the dynamics of the formation of neurophysiologic changes in workers exposed to hand-arm vibration. Materials and methods. Electroencephalography (EEG) and registration of evoked potentials (EP) was carried out in workers exposed to hand-arm vibration (practically healthy workers, HAVS individuals who continue to work in their occupation), twice in a connected sample. The results are presented as median, upper and lower quartiles, and extensive indicators. The significance of differences was assessed using Pearson’s χ2 test, Fisher’s angular transformation, and Wilcoxon T-test. Results. In dynamics, there is a change in the EEG pattern from disorganized with a predominance of alpha activity to disorganized with a predominance of delta, and theta activity; a decrease in the spectral power of the main EEG rhythms in all main functional leads in both examined groups. Diffuse changes in the EEG indicate a multisystem nature of bioelectrical brain activity disorders with involvement of the cerebral cortex, stem, and diencephalic structures of the brain. Changes in the amplitude-temporal parameters of EP manifested by an excess of the latency of the main peaks and a decrease in amplitude, indicate an imbalance in the central nervous system, general modulating influences on the cerebral cortex of the thalamocortical systems of the brain. Limitations. One occupational group with different levels of health status – practically healthy workers, HAVS individuals who continue to work in their occupation – was enrolled in the study. Conclusion. The one-direction and progressive development of changes in the bioelectrical brain activity has been established, manifested by a restructuring of the electrical activity of the brain, desynchronization of neuronal activity, an increase in the level of functional activity of the brain, and an imbalance of general modulating influences on the cerebral cortex. The identified changes are a manifestation of the nonspecific part of the pathogenesis of HAVS.

Introduction. Part 1 of Article 356 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation establishes one of the most socially dangerous crimes recognised by the entire world community – war crimes.The disposition of the structure as alternative actions provides for the use of means of warfare prohibited by international treaties of the Russian Federation. However, the criminal law does not specify such means, which creates a problem for the qualification of the crime. The analysis of such treaties makes it possible to form specific prohibitions, the violation of which should be considered as the commission of the objective aspect of a war crime. At present, this issue is very relevant, since a large number of armed conflicts are taking place in the world and such crimes are being committed. Defending the inevitability of punishment for war crimes, Russia, in accordance with the norms of international law, should have a legal possibility to apply the mechanism of such responsibility. Therefore, the presented analysis is relevant and interesting. Methods. Methods of description, analysis, comparison and systematic method of research are used. Results. The results of the research were the final assessment of the analysed international treaties of the Russian Federation, enshrining prohibitions on the use of specific means of warfare, and the formation of recommendations to improve the provisions of the disposition of part 1. art. 356 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation for more effective use and classification of war crimes.

Mortality among the Irkutsk region population was chosen as a research object. The aim of this study was to assess socioeconomic losses and the epidemiological risk caused by nutrition-related non-communicable diseases, including diseases of the circulatory system, among adult working age population in the Irkutsk region. The study was cross-sectional and observational. We analyzed data on mortality, gross regional product and employment provided by the Territorial office of the Federal State Statistic Service in the Irkutsk region over 2011–2020. Social and economic losses caused by early mortality among the population in the Irkutsk region were calculated in accordance with the Methodical Guidelines on using the Potential years of life lost (PYLL) indicator to establish priority health issues of the Russian population at the federal, regional and municipal level. Data were analyzed using Statistica 6.0. The assessment revealed that over 2011–2020 mortality caused by nutrition-related non-communicable diseases on average accounted for 13.85 % (13.64; 14.07) of the overall population mortality. Average annual social losses equaled 154,827.00 (153,098.56; 156,555.44) person-years lost before a person reached the end of working age. Accompanying probable economic losses aggregated over the analyzed period ranged between 9,560.58 and 15,934.29 million rubles. We managed to build acceptable predictive models (R2 > 0.5) on the growth in economic losses due to mortality caused by nutrition-related non-communicable diseases for both sexes and for males living in the Irkutsk region. Our findings highlight the significance of socioeconomic losses caused by nutrition-related non-communicable diseases and give evidence of suboptimal diets being widely spread among the population of the Baikal region.

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Introduction. An important aspect of prevention is the dynamic monitoring of workers exposed to the vibration in the workplace, which not only forms the basis for the diagnosis of occupational intoxication, but also ensures timely resolution of issues of examination of working capacity.
 Materials and methods. Twenty one male patient with an established diagnosis of vibration disease (VD) associated with exposure to local vibration. A dynamic survey was conducted, 3 observation periods were studied.
 Results. Over the 3rd period of the examination, the latency of N10 and N30 increased when compared with the 1st period. In periods 2 and 3, the duration of N13–N18 increased compared to period 1. The rate of pulse conduction (RPC) along the ulnar nerve decreased during period 2 when compared with period 1. Over the period 3, a decrease in RPC along the tibial nerve was revealed when compared with periods 1 and 2. During periods 2 and 3, the amplitude of the ulnar nerve action potential decreased when compared with period 1, along the afferent axons of the ulnar nerve the RPC decreased during period 2 when compared with 1. In period 3, the RPC along the median nerve decreased when compared with period 1.
 Limitations. The limitation of this study is that the dynamics of changes depending on the degree of vibration disease has not been analyzed. This task was not implemented due to the small number of observations in the sample. 
 Conclusion. The progression of vibration disease syndromes and the degree of severity of vibration disease in dynamics were noted. The time of activation of neurons of the somatosensory zone of the cerebral cortex and the time of passage of the pulse from neurons of the cervical thickening to the thalamic structures in dynamics was found to slow down. There were increased disturbances in the conduction of the pulse along the axons at the level of the brachial plexus and from the brachial plexus to the lower parts of the brain stem. Demyelinating changes in the motor component of the peripheral nerves of the upper and lower extremities were aggravated in patients.