[Information as physical factor: problems of measurement, hygienic assessment and IT-automation].

The increasing flow of information, speeding up the progress of society, can impact the health that puts the task of its hygienic reglamentation. The physical aspects of information, parameters and units of quantities, aspects of measurement and evaluation with account of information quantity and quality as well as criteria of its permissible and optimal levels are considered. The results of measurements of quantity of text information produced per year on computer in 17 occupations of 10 economic sectors are presented.

[Prevention and protection of workers' reproductive health].

The article mentiones issues of preserving and strengthening the reproductive health of women workers, dealed by researchers of the laboratory, established in 1974. It describes the developed concept of the reproductive health problems and scientific research areas, developed documents, including legislative fields, formulates main prospects of the laboratory to meet the requirements of the present moment. Noted the role of the Problem Commission "Scientific basis for the reproductive health of workers", in the work of the Scientific Council on medical and environmental issues of workers' health.

[Paradigm shift in health: forecasting and causation as a basis for risk management].

The problem of occupational risk management (ORM) is discussed using the evidence-based medicine approach and bio- and IT-technologies. The prognosis and causation of work-related health disorders are analyzed as components of ORM system. The Web-based handbook "Occupational risk assessment" with software and information materials as practical tool is presented.

[Occupational health in E.U.: strategy, directives, guides, statistics].

Review of official rules and guides of E.U. on occupational health.

[The efficacy of tiotropium bromide (spiriva) in the treatment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease of varying severity: results of the Russian trial].

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Spiriva (thiotropium bromide 18 microg for inhalation via a HandiHaler device) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) of all severities in routine clinical practice in Russia.

Subjects And Methods: The study enrolled 407 patients (68 women and 339 men) with COPD who used thiotropium bromide (Spiriva) for 8 weeks. Most (72.