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. The extreme climatic and geographical factors of the North of Russia affect the metabolic responses of the body in the alien population, which distinguishes them from those of the indigenous inhabitants.

Materials and methods. It was conducted a study of the biochemical parameters of erythrocyte membranes in healthy men of two ethnic groups aged 20–30 years which undergoing routine medical examination in a regional hospital. There were examined 20 men of the alien population (Caucasians) and 20 men of the indigenous Chukchi population (Mongoloids). The group of alien population included men who had been living in the North for no more than 1–2 years. This indicates incomplete adaptation and the preservation of metabolism characteristic in Caucasians.

Results. There was carried out a comparative analysis of the quantitative composition of phospholipids, fatty acids of erythrocyte membranes, their size characteristics and hemolytic resistance to hemolytic effects in indigenous and alien populations of the North of the Russian Federation. It has been obtained the data on the ethnic characteristics of metabolic responses in representatives of two ethnic groups. In the indigenous population (Chukchi), there was a change in the ratio of phospholipid fractions in the erythrocyte membrane compared with those in the alien population. Along with this, there were differences in the fatty acid composition of lipids in erythrocyte membranes, which confirms the ethnic characteristics of indigenous and alien populations. These differences in the composition of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the structures of PC and PE suggest the appearance of modified molecular species of these fractions in the indigenous population.

Limitations. The study is limited to the number of persons examined, conducted medical examination in a district hospital.

Conclusion. Ethnic features in the phospholipid component of erythrocyte membranes in the indigenous population cause differences in the dimension characteristics of erythrocytes and an increasing in cell resistance to hemolytic effects. In our opinion, this is not a deviation from the norm, but one of the variants of human metabolism. The presence of ethnic characteristics must be taken into consideration when appointing a therapy and carrying out preventive measures in population groups of a specific geographical area.

Keywords: indigenous Chukchi population; Caucasian newly arrived population; erythrocytes; phospholipids; fatty acids; diameter; volume of erythrocytes; hemolytic stability

Compliance with ethical standards. All procedures performed in human studies comply with the ethical standards of the National Research Ethics Committee and the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its subsequent changes or comparable ethical standards. Informed voluntary consent was obtained from each participant included in the study. The study was approved by the Ethics Commission of the V.I. Ilyichev Pacific Oceanological Institute FEBRAS (рrotocol No. 17 of 04/07/2021).

Contribution:
Kushnerova N.F. – the concept and design of the study, writing a text;
Momot T.V. – the concept and design of the study, collection material;
Rakhmanin Yu.A. – editing;
Ryzhova I.N. – collection of literature data;
Fomenko S.E., Sprygin V.G. – collection material, statistical processing.
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 the state assignment of the Ilychev Pacific Oceanological Institute on the topic «Ecological and biogeochemical processes in ecosystems of the Far Eastern seas». State registration number 124022100077-0.

Received: October 1, 2025 / Revised: October 13, 2025 / Accepted: July 1, 2026 / Published: October 20, 2026

Monitoring of viral circulation is an important part of the public health framework in developed countries, which in recent years have been actively implementing modern, innovative approaches and methods for monitoring biological risks. Systems developed in European countries based on wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) methodology ensure the early detection of new and re-emerging infections at the population level, helping to prevent the threat of infectious disease outbreaks and epidemics, and contain and reduce biological risks to public health down to acceptable levels.

The study materials included scientific reports and policy documents from Germany, France, Italy, Ireland, and the European Union on wastewater epidemiology. Sources were selected based on criteria of thematic relevance, semantic and functional significance, and relevance of scientific articles and regulatory documents. A search for literary sources and documents was conducted in the following databases: eLibrary and CyberLeninka in Russian; Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, and the Cochran Library in English, German, and French; and national government and parliamentary databases of the aforementioned countries. The methods used included content analysis, data systematization, retrospective analysis, systems approach, comparative analysis, and synthesis.

Part 2 examines WBE systems operating in Europe under national projects: AMELAG (Germany), NWSP (Ireland), and SARI (Italy). The German AMELAG project is characterized by the use of sewer networks and treatment plants differing in capacity, architecture, and population density, as well as advanced automation and digitalization of sampling, data transfer, and visualization. The Irish NWSP focuses on catchment areas covering up to 70% of the population and integrates polio surveillance. The Italian SARI project features detailed analytical protocols, a web-based data entry application, and a GIS-based database (SARI 2.0) integrated with the European DEEP platform. A comparative analysis of the systems allowed identifying their common features, characteristic traits, and development directions of interest to relevant specialists in the Russian Federation.

Conclusion. European wastewater-based epidemiology systems, built on modern technologies, make a significant contribution to the functioning of national biological risk monitoring systems, enabling prognostic assessment of the status of cohorts and the population as a whole, identifying not only specific pathogens or hazardous substances but also determining the population’s health status. The WBE mechanism is being actively implemented in radiation, chemical, and biological risk monitoring systems in European countries. Today, the creation of a similar modern wastewater-based epidemiology mechanism in Russia, integrated into the radiation, chemical, and biological risk monitoring system, is highly desirable and necessary, especially for closed administrative-territorial entities and enterprises served by FMBA of Russia.

Contributions:
Melnikov O.A. – concept and design of the study, search, collection, analysis, evaluation, systematization, generalization and interpretation of data, preparation of illustrative material and draft of the manuscript;
Zhernov Yu.V. – collection, systematization, generalization and interpretation of data, editing;
Bolekhan V.N. – scientific and methodological support, editing;
Kraevoy S.A. – managerial and methodological support, editing;
Yudin S.M. – concept, approval of the final version.
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 16, 2026 / Accepted: July 1, 2026 / Published: October 20, 2026

Introduction. Industrial cities are subject to increased anthropogenic pressure on water bodies due to wastewater discharges, surface runoff, and infrastructure deterioration. Krasnoarmeysk (the Moscow Region) is a typical example of such a territory: water supply is sourced from the Gzhel-Assel aquifer (with naturally elevated iron content), the Vorya River is used for recreational purposes, and wastewater disposal systems are characterized by a high degree of wear.

The aim of the study was a comprehensive hygienic assessment of water quality in the system “groundwater source – drinking water of the centralized supply system – wastewater – surface water body (the Vorya River)” in Krasnoarmeysk, the Moscow Region, based on retrospective analysis of monitoring data for 2018–2024 and an in-depth screening in 2025, with identification of priority risk factors.

Materials and Methods. Samples of drinking water (five water intake units), water from the Vorya River, and wastewater were analyzed. Over the observation period, more than 100 samples were analyzed for more than 100 parameters. Regression analysis and the Mann–Kendall test were used to identify statistically significant trends.

Results. For drinking water, the main problem remains episodic exceeding of the maximum permissible concentration (MPC) for iron (32.1% of samples in 2024, maximum concentrations of 1.5–2 MPC). In the Vorya River, an increase in petroleum product content (from 0.016 to 0.024 mg/L), ethylbenzene pollution up to 2.8 MPC in recreational areas, and persistent microbial contamination (exceeding for total coliform bacteria and enterococci in 30% of samples in 2024) were recorded. In wastewater, a decrease in concentrations of suspended solids, anionic surfactants, and petroleum products was observed; however, a persistently high phosphate load (11.6–14.25 mg/dm³) remains. The identified patterns indicate to the need for modernization of water treatment systems (iron removal) for groundwater and upgrading wastewater treatment to reduce the load on the surface water body.

Limitations. The research is limited to the characterization of waters within a single city.

Conclusion. Based on retrospective analysis (2018–2024) and in-depth screening (2025): drinking water meets standards, but requires iron adjustments. The Vorya River is microbiologically contaminated, and an upward trend in petroleum products was identified. Wastewater creates a persistent phosphate load, a factor in eutrophication.

Compliance with ethical standards. The study does not require approval from a biomedical ethics committee.

Contributions:
Alekseeva A.V. – concept and design of the study, writing text, approval of the final version of the article;
Savostikova O.N. – writing text, editing, approval of the final version of the article;
Stratan G.S. – writing text, editing;
Alekseev M.M. – material collection and data processing;
Malysheva A.G., Yudin S.M. – editing, approval of the final version of the article.
All co‑authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the article.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Funding. The research was conducted as part of a government assignment at the Center for Strategic Planning of the Federal medical and biological agency of Russia.

Received: March 23, 2026 / Revised: July 27, 2026 / Accepted: September 15, 2026 / Published: October 20, 2026

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. Occupational disease incidence is an integral indicator of the realized occupational risk and efficiency of prevention, the prognostic value of which strongly depends on data completeness and reliability. Yet, the current multi-stage and multi-channel Russian system for occupational disease registration reduces the completeness and trustworthiness of records and creates discrepancies between medical and insurance statistics.

The purpose of the study is to improve the system for registering occupational disease cases in the Sverdlovsk Region by developing architecture of an interdepartmental registry for dynamic surveillance, analysis of effectiveness of treatment and rehabilitation, and evaluation of disease outcomes.

Materials and Methods. The materials of the study included data from the Regional Registry of the Occupational Health Center at the Yekaterinburg Medical Research Center for Prophylaxis and Health Protection in Industrial Workers (Regional Registry), the Sverdlovsk Region Branch of the Social Fund of Russia (Social Fund), and health facilities of the Sverdlovsk Region. We analyzed the document flow and logistics between occupational health centers, health facilities, offices of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing (Rospotrebnadzor), and the Social Fund. We also compared data from the Regional Registry of confirmed occupational disease cases with those of the Social Fund and health facilities on insurance payments and followed-up patients with occupational diseases, respectively.

Results. The current system for occupational disease surveillance is characterized by multiple registration points, fragmented data, a lack of end-to-end patient support, and limited interdepartmental feedback, all leading to significant statistical discrepancies.

Limitations. The study is limited due to the lack of common formats and mandatory routing of data on occupational diseases between medical, insurance, and surveillance authorities.

Conclusion. The development and setting up of a single interdepartmental registry will improve the completeness and reliability of statistics on occupational diseases, ensure continuous patient support from diagnosis to outcome assessment and rehabilitation, and create a basis for management decisions aimed at maintaining the labor potential of the working population.

Compliance with ethical standards. Not applicable.

Contribution:
Gazimova V.G. – study conception and design, draft manuscript preparation and revision;
Sozonova T.V. – data collection and processing, draft manuscript preparation and revision;
Gurvich V.B. – draft manuscript preparation and revision;
Alshits E.A. – data preparation, revision;
Shastin A.S. – data preparation and processing;
Kuzmin D.V. – data collection and processing;
Ivashchenko M.A. – data collection and processing.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of its final version.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Funding. The study had no sponsorship.

Received: June 18, 2026 / Revised: July 21, 2026 / Accepted: July 1, 2026 / Published: October 20, 2026

Introduction. The study of the polymorphism of the genes responsible for the immune response and inflammation is of considerable interest in modern biomedical science. Cytokines are key mediators and participants in the inflammatory process. Serum IL-6 and TNF- α levels may be caused by the functional polymorphism of the corresponding genes and have an adverse effect on the course of vibration disease (VD), aggravating its clinical manifestations.

Aim of the study. To evaluate the association of polymorphic *IL-6* (rs1800795) and *TNF* (rs1800629) genes with cytokine concentrations (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-4) in VD patients.

Material and Methods. Genotyping of the polymorphic loci rs1800795 of the IL-6 gene and rs1800629 of the TNF gene was performed by polymerase chain reaction. Serum cytokine concentrations (IL-4, IL-6, TNF- α) were determined by enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay.

Results. The frequency the heterozygous C/G genotype of the IL-6 gene (rs1800795) was found to be statistically significantly higher in VD patients, in contrast to individuals in the comparison group. There were no significant association relationships between polymorphic variants of the IL-6 (rs1800795) and TNF (rs1800629) genes with concentrations of IL-6, TNF- α in VD patients. At the same time, the results obtained indicate to the development of an imbalance in the cytokine system and compensatory mechanisms of cytokine regulation of the neuroimmune response in all genotypes of the IL-6 (rs1800795) and TNF (rs1800629) genes in VD patients.

Limitations. The limitations of this work are small groups of patients.

Conclusion. New data on the frequency of genotypes and alleles of polymorphic genes IL-6 (rs1800795) and TNF (rs1800629) in VD patients have been obtained. It was revealed that the presence of the C/G genotype of the IL-6 gene (rs1800795) in VD patients might be associated with a change in the level of IL-6 and an increase in the risk of developing and intensifying an inflammatory response during the formation of occupational disease. The results obtained may be due to both genetic factors and epigenetic changes, which reflects the development of an imbalance in the cytokine system and impaired neuroimmune interaction in VD patients.

Compliance with ethical standards. During the study were observed the ethical standards of the Helsinki Declaration of the World Medical Association “Ethical Principles for Conducting Scientific Medical Research with Human Participation” (2024). There is a conclusion of the Local Ethics Committee of the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution VSIMEI (protocol No. 5 dated 03/21.2023). All participants gave informed voluntary written consent to participate in the study.

Contribution:
Naumova O.V. – collection and processing of material, design of research, writing of text, editing;
Bodienkova G.M. – concept and design of research, writing of text, editing;
Boklazhenko E.V. – collection and processing of material, statistical processing;
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 performed within the framework of funds allocated for the implementation of the state task East-Siberian Institute of Medical and Ecological Research.

Received: June 1, 2026 / Accepted: July 1, 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