Use of novel technology-based techniques to improve alcohol-related outcomes in clinical trials.

With a better understanding of the biologic basis of alcohol dependence and the considerable financial burden of alcohol abuse and dependence, the number of alcohol-related clinical pharmacotherapy trials has been on the rise. Subsequently, the potential to find efficacious treatments is more promising. Unfortunately, alcohol-related trials face a number of challenges, as a result of the difficulties that arise from traditional and outdated methods to collect data and ensure medication adherence.

Environmental health collaboration: United States and Russia.

Developed nations share similar challenges to human health from commercial and agricultural chemicals that are released into the environment. Although Russia and the United States are historically distinct and unique, both countries are geographically large and economically dependent on emission-producing surface transportation. This paper describes U.

[The revaccination against diphtheria and tetanus with adsorbed DT-m anatoxin of children having solid tumors in their case histories].

Data on the safety and effect of the vaccination of children with solid tumors are presented. As revealed in this study, the injection of adsorbed DT-m toxoid with reduced antigen content at the period of remission does not induce the relapse of the disease and leads to the production of specific antitoxic antibodies on the protective level. The study has shown that complex antitumor treatment does not essentially affect the formation of specific immune response, though prolonged changes in cell-mediated immunity can be observed.

Childhood Lead Poisoning in Russia: A Site-specific Pediatric Blood Lead Evaluation.

Lead poisoning in children is an international concern. Health effects vary according to a child's blood lead level. Historically, the problem of lead poisoning in Russia had been defined by analysis of hair samples.

[Regional aspects of health status of the population with regard to chemical pollution of the environment].

The article summarises data on regional aspects associated with health state of population in connection with environmental pollution. Changes in health state of population inhabiting polluted territories are assessed through wide variety of parameters, in accordance with special Criteria. Notions are that no adequate investigations cover influence of environmental factors on infants and children mortality, only few works deal with evaluation of toxic chemicals in human biologic material.

[Mortality of people residing near electric power supply line with voltage of 500 kV].

The epidemiologic study covered causes and levels of mortality in the settlement situated near electric power supply line (voltage is 500 kV). The work used retrospective cohort method adjusted for evaluation of mortality in general population. The study revealed no higher mortality risk with all the causes totally and with leading causal groups under influence of high frequency electromagnetic fields.

[Mortality of geologists in relation to occupational activities].

The study covered mortality among a cohort of geologists working in North-Western Russia. The cohort included 3911 geologists, geophysicists and drillers, whose life was followed during 1977-1992. The standardized relative mortality risk with all death causes equalled 0.

[Mortality of personnel operating electric power objects with 500 kV voltage].

The retrospective cohort study covered causes and mortality levels among the staffers working at 6 objects of power supply line (voltage of 500 kV) in Vladimir, Gorky, Rjazan, Ulyanovsk and Lipetsk regions. The mortality in general and concerning specific causes demonstrated no increase in connection with exposure to industrial electromagnetic fields. The relative risk of mortality with leukemia appeared to be insignificantly higher.

Evaluation of carcinogenic risk in friction product workers.

Mortality rates of two cohorts of asbestos friction product (FP) workers were studied in comparison with the population of the adjoining towns over periods of 20 and 40 years respectively. The second cohort was subdivided into 3 subcohorts exposed to chrysotile asbestos (CA), vulcanization and/or polymerization vapours and gases (VPGV) and asbestos bakelite (AB) or asbestos rubber (AR) dusts. In the first cohort no deaths from lung cancer were recorded, even though the total tumour mortality was higher than in the general population.

[Epidemiology of chronic, precancerous and oncologic diseases in workers of asbestos and cement industry].

Hygienic, clinical and epidemiologic screening was performed in staff of asbestos and cement goods production enterprise. Various dystrophic processes of pharynx and nasal cavity appeared to prevail among upper respiratory tract diseases. Average exposure to dust during 22 years at the stated production can lead to asbestosis 0-I stage, average exposure during 20.

[Concept of risk in epidemiological studies].

Risk is defined as probability of disease within the stated period of time. The concepts of relative risk, difference of risks, standardized relative risk and others conventional in epidemiological and hygienic research are given.

[Clinical and epidemiologic evaluation of carcinogenic pollution in the wood-processing industry].

Hygienic, clinical, epidemiologic studies in primary woodworking and chipboard production workers showed that exposure to occupational hazards (wooden dust, formaldehyde and other chemicals of wooden origin) results in frequent allergy and irritation of upper respiratory tract and skin. High oncologic risk among woodworking production employees assigns the industry to a group with oncologic jeopardy. MAC for wooden dust should be corrected taking into account the chemicals (phenol, formaldehyde, furans et al.

The age-dependent risk of postvaccination complications in vaccinees with smallpox vaccine.

The use of vaccinia virus in recombinant systems may result in the occurrence of complications observed following smallpox vaccination. The results are presented of a large survey carried out in the USSR between 1968 and 1979. High complication rates are reported, particularly in older primary vaccinees; for example, there were 312.

[The results and outlook of a clinico-epidemiological study of the problem of the carcinogenic hazard in industry].

Much attention is paid to clinical and epidemiological aspects of carcinogenic hazards in the production of asbestos textile, asbestos cement, friction, graphite and furniture goods. "Dose-response" relationship in exposure to occupational carcinogens was studied, criteria of occupational malignant neoplasma appurtenance were worked out, role of carcinogenic factors in malignant tumors of rare localisations was shown, signs of carcinogenic aerosols effects described and prophylactic measures suggested.

[The epidemiological assessment of the "dose-response" relationship in the hygienic regulation of asbestos-containing dusts].

"Dose-response" dependence worked out by American scientists helped to reveal the linear dependence between carcinogenic risk factor, asbestos containing dust, and lung cancer formation, use it for basing the new MAC for asbestos containing dust taking into account the oncologic security.

[Evaluation of the carcinogenic hazard in the manufacture of graphite articles].

As a result of complex hygienic, clinical and cancer epidemiologic studies, dust proved to be a major occupational hazard. Coke and graphite dust absorbs polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, including benz(a)pyrene in concentrations exceeding maximum permitted levels. Screening of 746 graphite workers followed by clinical examination established increased incidence of diseases of the upper respiratory tract (chronic rhinitis pharyngitis, laryngitis, etc.

[The potential hazard for the development of leukemia from exposure to electromagnetic radiation (a review of the literature)].

A number of studies were reviewed which dealt with the possibility of electromagnetic field effect on the onset of leucosis in those working with electromagnetic energy and also among the population living near electric power stations and power lines. The above studies analysed 20 occupational groups at risk of leucosis. The studies were carried out in the USA, Great Britain, New Zealand and Sweden.

[Anti-measles humoral immunity in children with thymus hyperplasia].

Analysis is made of the data obtained during clinical studies of the vaccinal process in 54 children with grades I-II thymus enlargement, vaccinated against measles. The clinical course of the vaccinal process in these children does not differ from the common course in normal children vaccinated against measles. The children with grades I-II thymus enlargement are capable of producing humoral antiviral immunity and of preserving high titres of antiviral antibodies for a long time.