Vol 32, No 3 (2025)

The elemental status plays a key role in maintaining the vital balance in the body and deviations in which lead to the development of a particular pathology. Sarcopenia—an age-related condition characterized by a decrease in muscle mass, strength, and functionality, is a serious public health problem, especially against the background of global population aging. One of the significant but little-studied factors influencing the development of sarcopenia is the elemental status of the body of elderly and senile people. Macro- and microelements such as zinc, magnesium, selenium, iron, and calcium play an important role in regulating muscle metabolism, antioxidant protection, and anti-inflammatory activity. Deficiency of these elements can significantly accelerate the development of sarcopenia, worsen the general condition of elderly patients and increase the risk of disability. Studying the relationship between the level of vital trace elements and the manifestations of sarcopenia allows us to better understand the pathogenesis of this condition, develop methods for early diagnosis and reasonably apply nutritional correction. Conducting research in this area is an important step towards developing personalized prevention and treatment strategies that help improve quality of life and reduce the burden of chronic age-related diseases.

BACKGROUND: The development of arterial hypertension is a highly relevant issue, especially in high-latitude regions, due to its significant impact on the working population. It often leads to prolonged temporary incapacity to work, increasing the risks of disability and mortality. Climate change, primarily associated with increased temperature variability, has a negative impact on the cardiovascular system.

AIM: The work aimed to develop predictive models for hypertension incidence in Western Siberia (Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, YNAO and Tyumen Oblast) under climate change conditions.

METHODS: Monitoring of primary incidence rates of hypertension per 1000 population in YNAO and the Tyumen Oblast for the period 2010–2020 was conducted. The data were obtained from the annual reports on primary morbidity in the working-age adult population from the official website of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, and from the average annual air temperature provided by the Federal Service for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring. The Dickey–Fuller test was used for time series analysis. Forecasting was performed using the Box–Jenkins method (ARIMA). The forecast was calculated using the Time Series/Forecasting submodule based on the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model.

RESULTS: The predictive models confirmed a growing trend the primary of hypertension in the Arctic zone of Western Siberia over the next five years, taking into account climate change.

CONCLUSION: To prevent the increase in hypertension at the regional level, a comprehensive set of preventive measures should be developed to mitigate the impact of climate change and support the sustainable formation of adaptive mechanisms for preserving public health.

BACKGROUND: Chemical contamination of food raw materials and food products, even at levels below permissible doses and concentrations, may pose a risk to public health.

AIM: The work aimed to assess the non-carcinogenic health risks to the population of the Republic of Tatarstan associated with chemical contamination of food raw materials and food products, taking into account regional exposure factors.

METHODS: The risk assessment was based on the findings of food raw material and food product studies conducted between 2008 and 2022 by the Testing Laboratory Center of the Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology in the Republic of Tatarstan. The number of samples of food raw materials and food products analyzed by group ranged from 1179 (eggs) to 5862 (meat and meat products). Calculations were performed for the following groups of food raw materials and food products: meat and meat products; fish and fish products; milk and dairy products; bread and bakery products; sugar and confectionery products; vegetables and melons (excluding potatoes); potatoes; fruits and berries; vegetable oils; eggs. Actual food consumption was assessed based on a survey of 471 individuals aged over 18 years. To assess the risk of non-carcinogenic effects of chemical contaminants, hazard quotients and hazard indices were calculated.

RESULTS: Hazard identification revealed priority chemical substances found in food products that were subject to further non-carcinogenic risk assessment: α- and β-hexachlorocyclohexane, basudin, benzo[a]pyrene, heptachlor, deoxynivalenol, DDT and its metabolites, iron, cadmium, γ-hexachlorocyclohexane, copper, arsenic, sodium fluoride, sodium chlorite, nitrates, nitrites, 2,4-D acid derivatives, mercury, lead, phosphamide, fluoride, zinc, and cypermethrin. The following critical organs and systems had the highest risk of adverse effects from exposure to chemical contaminants found in food raw materials and food products: the nervous system (hazard index up to 18.89), the hematopoietic system (up to 9.71), the liver (up to 7.71), the kidneys (up to 5.71), and the reproductive and endocrine systems (up to 3.94).

CONCLUSION: Adverse non-carcinogenic effects are primarily associated with contamination of food raw materials and food products with phosphamide (via bread and bakery products, fruits and berries), nitrates (via vegetables and melons, bread and bakery products, potatoes), and γ-hexachlorocyclohexane (via dairy products, bread and bakery products, vegetables and melons). The hematopoietic and nervous systems, liver, kidneys, and systems involved in growth and development are the most vulnerable to general toxic effects of chemical contaminants with similar mechanisms of action.

BACKGROUND: Investigating the relationship between digital stressors and sleep characteristics is crucial for developing effective prevention and support strategies amid the challenges of information overload and modern digital engagement.

AIM: The work aimed to explore the associations between digital stressors and sleep characteristics (including sleep quality and duration, use of sleep aids, bedtime, and sleep onset latency).

METHODS: Data were collected via an online survey on the Yandex.Toloka platform. A total of 1008 respondents, 436 men and 572 women, aged 18 to 80 years (M=38.3; Me=36; SD=11.4) participated. The questionnaire included sleep-related questions and incorporated the Cyberchondria Severity Scale (CSS), the Doomscrolling Scale (DS), and the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS).

RESULTS: Data analysis showed that higher levels of digital stressors (cyberchondria, doomscrolling, and social media addiction) were associated with a deterioration in sleep characteristics: decreased sleep quality, increased time to fall asleep, more frequent use of sleep aids, and reduced sleep duration. Younger respondents and women were identified as the most vulnerable groups, whereas men and those with lower levels of digital stressors reported better sleep perceptions.

CONCLUSION: The findings highlight the importance of developing digital hygiene strategies, implementing digital literacy education programs, introducing mindful technology use practices, and ensuring support from psychology and medical professionals for comprehensive digital habit management and minimizing their impact on health and psycho-emotional well-being.