Vol 27, No 12 (2020)

The aim of the study was to estimate concentrations of heavy metals in animal hair in an urban setting of the Altai Republic. Methods. The method of atomic absorption spectral analysis was used to determine the content of trace elements (Cd, Pb, Cu, Cr, Mn) in the hair of the outdoor dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) of Gorno-Altaisk. Results. The mean values for the concentration of trace elements in the hair samples of the examined dogs were the following: Cd - 0.13 pg/kg; Pb - 1.23 pg/kg; Cr - 4.0 pg/kg; Cu - 7.8 pg/ kg; Mn - 12.36 pg/kg. Concentrations of trace elements in animal hair was not associated with age, sex and area of residence of the animals. In general, the range of concentrations of the studied elements were comparable with the findings from other settings. A possible source of microelements in animal hair in Gorno-Altaisk is micro-fine solids of emissions from solid fuel heating systems and combustion engines exhaust. Conclusion: rancentrations of heavy metals in animal hair in the study setting is comparable with other settings and seems to reflect the peculiarities of the processes of accumulation of exo-toxicants and self-cleaning of the city air basin.

The aim was to study cardiac bioelectric features across different levels of acute normobaric hypoxia (ANH) in healthy young men. Methods: We studied cardiac functions in response to exposure to ANH of mild (14.5 % O2) and medium (12.3 % O2) degrees for 20 minutes among 30 and 29 young men, respectively. Results. With mild and medium degree of ANH, SpO2 decreases to (91.6 ± 4.2) % and to (78.2 ± 5.2) %, respectively. An initial increase in the P1II wave was common for all ANH exposures. On average, during the period of mild ANH, the total BAL and BAR of the heart compartments decreased, only at the beginning the RR and QT intervals decreased, and in the end QT increased. Medium ANH was associated with more pronounced changes in ECG characteristics. On average, during the ANH period of 12.3 % O2, the RII wave (by 0.078 mV, p < 0.001), T1II (0.074 mV, p < 0.001), BAL (0.26 mV, р < 0.001) and BAR (at 0.12 mV, p < 0.001) of the heart decreased, RR intervals (at 100 ms, p < 0.001), QT (11 ms, p < 0.001), and Pc, PQc, QRSc, QTc increased. Correlations between QT deviations and SpO2, СО, SVR, VIK increased. For ANH of 14.5 % O2, the factor "positive chronotropic effect" dominated in the general structure of the ECG, while for 12.3 % O2 it was "chrono-inotropic conjugation". Conclusions. Changes in ECG parameters seem to be more pronounced in exposure to moderate than mild ANH. Possible extracardiac and myogenic regulation mechanisms in the organization of heart bioelectric processes with a mild and medium degree of hypoxia are proposed in the paper.

Due to the widespread danger of coronavirus infection SARS-COV-2, which caused the COVID-19 pandemic, advanced readiness measures were taken in the Russian Federation, restricting movement and using exclusively distance educational technologies in educational organizations. The aim of the study is to assess the perceptions of students of psychological and pedagogical departments about distance education during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods. The study involved students of psychological and pedagogical departments of Tyumen State University (n = 353) and Kurgan State University (n = 53). A semantic field of 3,654 words (sometimes phrases) was obtained by the method of free associations to the stimulus "distant learning format under quarantine conditions". Results. The semantic field of self-awareness of students in conditions of distance learning due to COVID-19 quarantine is generally characterized by a stable, positive background. The associative array is focused on being at home (observing the prescribed self-isolation regime) in comfortable conditions, completing assignments (reading, writing) while at the computer, and striving to complete tasks before the deadline indicated by the teacher. Of the most frequently used associations of conventionally negative connotations, only indications of complexity and duration can be distinguished. The difficulty is associated with the need to master academic information without direct contact with teachers (before the universities left the "technical vacation" on COVID-19, the use of ZOOM and MicrosoftTeams services was not common among teachers). Conclusions. The basic needs of students for the most part are not frustrated, somatic and psychological stress symptoms are significant. The needs for communication and self-development are not stressful. Students are involved in the educational process, but have cognitive difficulties in material digestion online. The main focus of attention is shifted to the educational process, meeting a needs for knowledge, meeting the requirements of the educational process, which suggests the focus of students' (psychologists) ideas on involvement in the educational process during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Professional activities of employees of the Internal Affairs Bodies (IAB) are associated with increased stress which affects their emotional state, reduces the psychological resources and may have serious consequences for mental health including the risk of suicide. Development of suicidal behavior in police officers is a result of a complex interaction of social, personal and occupational factors. The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) of Russia prioritizes promotion of mental health and prevention of mental illnesses. Thus, it is necessary to develop complex measures for early detection of deviations in the state of mental health of IAB employees associated with the risk for suicidal behavior. The aim of the study is the methodological substantiation and systematization of modern trends in the organization of interdisciplinary interaction for prevention of suicidal behavior in the Internal Affairs Bodies. Methods. We performed a comprehensive analysis of the regulatory documentation of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs on the reorganization of medical, psychiatric and psychological services for the employees. Results. Prevention of suicidal behavior in the system of the Ministry of Internal Affairs has two levels: 1) implementation of measures for the professional psychological selection of candidates for police services. 2) annual medical examinations and psychological services for the employees. Organizational and methodological measures aimed at the interaction of medical, psychological, personnel services and educational organizations of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs on prevention of suicidal behavior are proposed. A unified mechanism for monitoring of the state of mental health of employees has been developed using departmental electronic digital resources. Conclusion: to improve the effectiveness of the measures directed at prevention of suicide among police officers, it is necessary to take organizational and methodological measures aimed at systematizing interdisciplinary interaction with a consistent differentiation of services and specialists' functions and improving the regulatory and methodological basis to ensure the activities of specialists in the field of mental health.