Vol 28, No 9 (2021)

Introduction: Cytotoxic T-lymphocytes play an important role in a specific immune response via a lytic effect in relation to abnormal cells. The number of these cells greatly increases sin pathological states. In addition, an increased cytotoxic activity is a characteristic of the immune response of people living in the Far NorthTherefore, it is important to understand what function cytotoxic T-lymphocytes predominantly perform in healthy people in the North - cytolytic or suppressor? Aim: To assess associations between CD8+ concentration and immune response and apoptotic deaths of the lymphocytes in healthy individuals. Methods: Ninety-three healthy adult residents of the Russian North comprised the sample. Apoptotic lymphocyte death was studied by flow cytometry. FITC-annexine-V and propidium iodide labelled cells were detected. Concentrations of cytokines and apoptosis mediators were assessed by a solid-phase enzyme immunoassay. Neutrophiles, monocytes and phagocytic activity of neutrophils were studied in blood smears stained by Romanowsky's - Giemsa. The level of phenotypic activity of lymphocytes was assessed by double peroxidase labeling using monoclonal antibodies. The data were presented using means, standard deviations, medians, the 1st and the 3rd quartiles. All study participants were divided into two groups: with normal- (0.2-0,4 х109 kl/l) and elevated (more 0,6 х109 kl/l) blood cytotoxic lymphocyte levels. The groups were similar in terms of by age- and gender distribution. Continuous variables were analyzed using Mann-Whitney tests. Results: In individuals with an increased level of cytotoxic CD8+ lymphocytes in peripheral venous blood had greater concentrations of leukocytes (7.4 ± 0.49 х109 cells/l vs. 5.5 ± 0.23 х109, p = 0.003), lymphocytes (2.8 ± 0.17 х109 cells/l vs.1.8 ± 0.07 х109 cells/t p = 0.005), and mature neutrophils (4.1 ± 0.19 х109 cells/l vs. 3.4 ± 0.49 х109 cells/l, p = 0.013). No associations between the level of apoptosis of lymphocytes (AnV+/PI-) and concentrations of sFasL, TRAIL, TNFa, and cytochrome C were observed. Conclusions: Lymphocytes CD8+ in healthy residents of the Russian North perform mainly cytotoxic function, which is not related to apoptotic cellular death.

Introduction: Healthy nutrition is an important determinant of physical and mental wellbeing. A significant amount of evidence has been accumulated on the effect of nutrition on health promotion, disease prevention, resiliance to unfavorable climatic factors, longevity and life quality. Insufficient intake of micronutrients is often combined with an excess intake of macronutrients, particularly fats and simple carbohydrates increasling the risk of developing chronic diseases. Nutrition of women is of particular importantce not only for the present, but also for future generations. Aim: To assess dietary intake of vitamins A, C, E, D and trace elements, such asFe, Mn, Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn and Se in women of fertile age in Khanty-Mansiysk and Salekhard, North-Eastern Siberia. Methods: A cross-sectional study. A total of 137 non-indigenous women aged 18-44 years living in Khanty-Mansiysk (n = 75) and Salekhard (n = 62) participated in a cross-sectional dietary survey. A 3-day diet was assessed by a questionnaire and the ASPON-nutrition software. Dietary intake of the abovementioned vitamins and nutrients were compared with the naitonal recommended daily amounts (RDA). Results: No statistically significant differences in the intake of vitamines and nutrients were observed between the two settings. Women from the Northen city of Salekhard had insufficient intake of Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn (70-89 % RDA) and Se in partlicular (49 % RDA). They also consumed insufficient amounts ofvitamins E (82-87 % RDA), C (62-73 % RDA) D ( 54-55 % RDA). We also oserved excess intake of vitamin A (111-115 % RDA). Conclusion: A substantial proportion of fertile-age women in North-Eastern Siberia have insufficient intake of vitamines C, E and D as well as Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn and Se warranting development of public health programms including activities to promote dietary supplements and food fortification to improve nutrition of residents in general and women in particular in North-Eastern Siberia.

Introduction: Russian national demographic policy aims at increasing life expectancy, reducing mortality, increasing birth rate, and regulating internal and external migration to protect and promote health of the population. Aim: To analyze the demographic situation in the Primorsky Territory in the Russian Far East. Methods: A descriptive study. Secondary data from the Medical Information and Analytical Center of the Ministry of Health of the Primorsky Territory for 2009-2019, State report on the state of health of the population in the Primorsky Territory for 2017-2019; data of the Territorial Body of the Federal State Statistics Service for the Primorsky Territory (Primorskstatupravlenie) "Primorsky Statistical Yearbook" for 2017-2019 and data from the Federal State Statistics Service of the Russian Federation "Healthcare in Russia in 20112019". Absolute and relative values, indicators of a time serie were calculated. Results: The overall population decreased by 2.3 % from 2013 to 2019. The proportion of rural population decreased to 22.6 % while the proportion of the urban residents increased to 77.4 %. The total number of women exceeds the number of men by 4.4 %. The proportion of the population under the working age was 17.9 %, while the corresponding proportion of the people over the working age was 25.1 %. The proportion of the population aged 0-14 years increased by 0.14 % while the share of the working age population decreased by 1.38 %. The population turnover ratio was 23.2 %, and the share of natural decrease was 17.0 %. The birth rate has been decreasing every year and it was 9.6 per 1 000 in 2019. The overall mortality rate was 13.6 per 1 000exceeding the national average by 10.6 %. Infant mortality rate was 6.4 per 1 000 in 2019, which is 30 % higher than the national data. Conditions of perinatal period was the main cause of death in infancy Conclusion: Our assessment indicates that the process of depopulation in the Primorsky Territory continues warranting development and implementation of regional measures to improve the demographic situation.

Introduction: Climatic factors are important determinants of human health acting through different mechanisms including the immune system. Long-term exposure to extreme climatic conditions may result in immune response disturbances manifested by secondary immunodeficiency. Aim: To assess the concentration of T-helpers in the peripheral blood (CD4+) of men living in the extreme climatic conditions of the North and the South. Methods: Altogether, 32 men aged from 20 to 60 years from Arkhangelsk (Arctic Russia) and 30 men of the same age from Aleppo (Syria) comprised the sample. The analysis of immune parameters of lymphoid subpopulations of peripheral blood CD3+ (mature lymphoid cells), CD4+ (T-helper cells) was performed by indirect immunoperoxidase reaction using monoclonal antibodies. Results: A deficiency of mature T-lymphocytes (CD3+) was revealed in 93-100 % of the study participants regardless of age and region of residence (0,27-0,62 -109 cells/l). A reduced content of T-helpers (CD4+) was found in 52,9 % and 46,7 % of men in Arkhangelsk at the age of 20-39 and 40-60 years (0,34-0,43 -109 cells/l), respectively. The deficiency of T-helpers in Aleppo men aged 20-39 and 40-60 was found in 40,0 % and 6,7 % of cases. Conclusion: Severe T-cell immunodeficiency was twice as common in young men in the Arctic compared to the residents of semiarid climatic zone of the same age group. Low T-helper activity was 6,7 times more prevalent among the northerners than among the Syrians in the of the older age group.