Ural Populations Research Articles

Epidemiological Studies of the Respiratory System in a Cohort of People Exposed to Chronic Radiation Exposure

Diseases of the respiratory system are leading in the structure of oncopathology in persons exposed to chronic radiation exposure in the low dose range. The objective of the work is characterize malignant neoplasms of the respiratory system in the Southern Urals Population Exposed to Radiation cohort over a long period of observation (71 years).Materials and methods. The South Urals Population Exposed to Radiation (SUPER) Cohort by accidents at the Mayak Production Association consists of 62 592 persons. We have detected 1023 cases of death from malignant neoplasms of respiratory system during the 71-year follow-up period. The total number of person-years at risk was 1 964 136. The study used a descriptive and analytical epidemiological method.Results. Deaths from malignant neoplasms of the respiratory system in the Southern Urals Population Exposed to Radiation cohort of the accidentally exposed population were registered in 898 men and 125 women. Mortality from respiratory cancer is significantly higher in men compared to women. The dependence of mortality growth on the age of initiation of exposure and its increase was revealed. Mortality is higher in the Russian ethnic group of the population compared with the ethnic group of Tatars and Bashkirs for all periods of observation, except for the period from 2016 to 2020. An increase in mortality from neoplasms of the respiratory system was revealed with an increase in the age reached and the age of initiation of exposure. The risk of mortality from of respiratory cancer is significantly higher in smokers.Conclusions. The study of oncopathology of respiratory tract in exposed people is undoubtedly of scientific and practical interest. The results can serve as a basis for development and improvement of preventive care programs for the affected population.

Risk of death from hematological malignancies in the South Urals Population Exposed to Radiation cohort

The results of studies of long-term effects of population exposure in the South Urals in the 1950s were based for a long time on studies of the effects of exposure in the Techa River cohort and later in the East Urals Radioactive Trace cohort. After the creation of the South Urals Population Exposed to Radiation cohort, combining all persons exposed in the South Urals in the period from January 1, 1950, to December 31, 1960 the size of the cohort doubled, follow-up period reached 71 years, and the number of person-years at risk increased to 1,964,333. The average dose to red bone marrow for all cohort members was 231mGy. Regression analysis using a simple parametric excess relative risk model was performed using the EPICURE statistical package. The analysis resulted in confirmation of a statistically significant (p <0.001) linear doseresponse relationship of mortality for all hemoblastoses, and leukemia. The excess relative risk and 95% confidence intervals of death at 2-year latency period from all hemoblastoses were 0.71/Gy (0.28;1.31); from all leukemias - 1.28/Gy (0.55-2.39) and from leukemias excluding chronic lymphocytic leukemia -1.52/Gy (0.64-2.94). The quadratic model also significantly described the dose dependence; (the differences between the models were not significant). Increasing the follow-up period to 71 years resulted in a slight decrease in risk estimates. The width of the confidence intervals of the risk estimates decreased by more than a factor of 3 compared to earlier studies in the Techa River cohort, which indicates a decrease in uncertainties of risk estimates. Increasing the size of the cohort made it possible to obtain significant risk values for individual population groups (by sex, age, etc.). Analysis of risk values modification did not reveal significant differences in dose dependence on the studied factors, including attained age and age at exposure. The study will be continued to investigate in more detail the influence of time-dependent factors on dose dependence, as well as to assess the risk of death from different cellular forms of leukemia.

Генетические портреты хантов и манси по гаплогруппам Y-хромосомы в контексте генофондов России

Khanty and Mansi are small indigenous peoples of Western Siberia with the unique cultural, anthropological, and linguistic characteristics. The study of their gene pool will make it possible to reconstruct the genetic structure of the Ugric-speaking population, of which in modern times only Khanty and Mansi remain, along with Hungarians, in whose gene pool there are traces of medieval migration of the Ugric-speaking Magyars. The detailed characterization of the gene pool of Khanty and Mansi is important for reconstruction of Ugric populations and genetic history of the region. The study was aimed to assess representative samples of Khants (n = 83) and Mansi (n = 74) based on the standard panel of 60 SNP markers and the extended panel of 74 Y-chromosomal SNP markers by statistical and cartographic methods in the context of indigenous population of Urals and Western Siberia. The differences between the gene pools of Khanty and Mansi have been revealed based on both standard panel of Y chromosome haplogroups and branches of haplogroups N2 and N3a4. Most of the Khanty gene pool is evenly distributed between N2-Y3195 (26%), N2-VL67 (23%), and N3a4-Z1936 (23%). The “Western” branch N2-Y3195 predominates in the Mansi gene pool (69%). Mansi gravitate towards populations of the Urals-Volga region in the multidimensional genetic space. Based on the standard panel of Y haplogroups, Khanty are close to the populations of Western and South Siberia. However, the analysis of branches N3a4 has shown that Khanty are intermediate between the “Uralic” and “Siberian” clusters: when the ancestors of Khanty moved from the Ural region to the northeast, these acquired both genetic components. The gene geographic maps of 10 haplogroup N3a4 branches in the populations of Urals and Western Siberia reflect the dynamic changes of the gene pool that took place 4–2 kya.

The risk of developing cancer of the digestive organs (excluding intestines) in the South Urals Population Exposed to Radiation Cohort

Evaluation of the low dose effect on population health is still a relevant issue. It requires further studies to improve our understanding of these effects. To solve this problem, it is important to conduct studies of the late effects of radiation exposure with direct risk estimation in the population that combines all strata of the society: people of different sex, age, initial health status, social and economic status. Moreover, this population should be sizeable and has been followed up for a long-term period. This manuscript is the first to present the findings of the analysis of the incidence risk of cancer of all the digestive organs, excluding intestines, and stomach cancer taken separately in members of the Southern Urals Population Exposed to Radiation Cohort depending on the dose accumulated in the stomach over the period from 1956 through 2018. This cohort is comprised of individuals exposed in the Southern Urals in two radiation accidents (on the Techa River and in the East-Urals Radioactive Trace) over the period from 01.01.1950 through 31.12.1960. The cohort also includes those who were born during this period; they could have additional in utero exposure or have exposed parents. The population was affected by long-term combined exposure (external and internal) at the low-to-medium soft tissue dose range (up to 1.1 Gy). The size of the incidence cohort was 47,282 people. Over the follow-up period 01.01.1956-31.12.2018, the number of person-years made up 1 292 930; mean dose to the stomach was 47 mGy, maximum – 1,132 mGy. Excess relative risk of the cancer incidence of the digestive organs was assessed using the Poisson regression analysis. Calculations were performed using the EPICURE Statistical software package. Excess relative risk for stomach cancer with a 2-year minimal, was 0.98/Gy (р=0.026), for all cancers of the digestive organs, excluding intestines, – 0.58/Gy, р=0.06. There was no significant modification of the effect by non-radiation factors. These values of excess relative risk do not disagree with the results of similar studies in the Japanese cohort of the atomic bomb survivors who were compatible in terms of age but had acute exposure at higher doses. No significant dose dependence of the cancer incidence of the oral cavity, esophagus, liver, or pancreas was detected at this stage.

Solid cancer mortality risk in the cohort of Urals population exposed to radiation for up the age of 20

The objective of the current study is the direct assessment of the excess relative risk of solid cancer mortality in people affected by low dose-rate chronic exposure mainly in low-to medium dose range (up to 1 Gy) at the age of <20. The study cohort consists of the population exposed at the age of <20 as a result of two large radiation accidents at the “Mayak” Production Association. The size of the cohort is 32,762 persons, follow-up period – 71 years (from 1950 through 2020), the number of person-years at risk is – 1 218 855. For this cohort the mortality catchment area includes Chelyabinsk and Kurgan Oblasts. Over a 71-year follow-up period 1,788 solid cancer deaths were registered in the cohort. Mean dose accumulated in the stomach walls over the whole follow-up period was 0.04 Gy, maximum dose was 1.1 Gy. Statistical processing of data was performed using Amfit and Datab software packages (Epicure statistics software package). Solid cancer mortality risk was analyzed with the Poisson regression using simple parametric excess relative risk model. Statistical significance of the results was estimated using the maximum likelihood method with 95% probability. For the first time the direct assessments of the excess relative risk of solid cancer mortality have been obtained in the Urals Cohort of population exposed at age <20 for a 71-year period (Excess Relative Risk was 0.84/Gy, 95% confidence interval: 0.24-1.55 for 10-years minimal latency period and 0.83 (0.24-1.55) for 5-year minimal latency period). Statistically significant estimates of the excess relative risk have been obtained for specific groups within the cohort selected according to the sex, age at the onset of exposure, and Oblast of residence at the time of exposure.

Inflation expectations and consumer sentiments of the Urals population

In recent decades, central banks of an increasing number of countries have been using the inflation targeting regime in their monetary policy, since it has proven to be an effective tool for balancing economic growth and inflation. In countries with the regional heterogeneity, local manifestations of inflation may differ significantly, which entails a shift in inflation expectations and their unequal impact on actual dynamics of prices in the future. The article explores the determinants of inflation expectations in Ural regions of Russia. The methodological basis of the study includes monetary concepts developed primarily within the framework of the new Keynesian theory and linking monetary policy with the assessments of inflation expectations. The study uses methods of statistical processing of the data collected during two rounds of monitoring of the population’s inflation expectations. The evidence of the study comes from the surveys conducted on a sample of 2,976 respondents. The study reveals regional, social and allocative heterogeneity in the perception of dynamics of prices and the formation of inflationary expectations. The results of the study contribute to understanding the nature of inflation expectations using the case of the Urals population and can become a basis for developing targeted communication measures aimed at bringing inflation closer to the target.

Analysis of the frequency of distribution of CVM, BY BLAD in cattle populations

The modern selection of Holstein cattle is aimed at increasing milk production. However, using sires that are carriers of genetic anomalies contributes to more unwanted recessive alleles in cattle populations, leading to significant economic losses. Both phenotypic and genetic factors influence the performance of herd reproduction. The presence in animal populations of recessive alleles that determine genetic diseases increases the likelihood of the appearance of lethal homozygous genotypes in offspring. Such destructive genetic disorders are called LoF mutations that lead to the malfunction of the genes. The increase in the frequency of occurrence of LoF mutations in the population dictates the need to control their spread. This paper assessed the frequency of carriers of genetically determined diseases in the Ural cattle population. Data were obtained for three recessive disorders: BY - 1.16%, CVM - 1.8, BLAD - 3.79%. According to the literature review, the received data are close in value to the average compared with the results of other studies. This can be explained by the fact that the descendants of outstanding sires bred in the United States are used for breeding in the Urals. Thus, screening of sires and individuals included in pedigree stock, with the further selection of parental pairs, considering the results obtained, is a preferable conservative strategy to prevent the spread of recessive mutations.

Ecological and landscape-forming role of saigas of the Ural population in modern conditions

This article into the intricate biology and ecology of the Ural saiga (Saiga tatarica) population, offering a comprehensive update on its current status and dynamics. Drawing upon extensive field studies conducted at various key locations including lambing sites, and summer and winter habitats, the research aims to provide a nuanced understanding of the evolving relationship between saiga and agriculture. One of the primary focuses lives in assessing the landscape-modifying impact of saiga within contemporary environments. By examining the role of saiga in shaping local ecosystems, the study sheds light on the intricate interplay between these magnificent animals and the agricultural activities that often encroach upon their habitats. A significant aspect addressed in this research is the conflict of interests arising between the burgeoning Ural saiga population and agricultural practices. This conflict tends to intensify during periods of population peaks, posing challenges for both conservation efforts and the agricultural development. To mitigate these conflicts and pave the way for sustainable coexistence, the study puts forward preliminary measures for resolution. These measures are designed to reconcile the divergent interests of saiga conservation and agricultural productivity. Furthermore, the research identifies potential pathways for integrating the growing saiga population harmoniously into modern agricultural landscapes. By exploring innovative approaches and collaborative strategies, the study seeks to foster a mutually beneficial relationship between saiga conservation and agricultural sustainability. Overall, this article serves as a vital resource for policymakers, conservationists, and stakeholders invested in the preservation of the Ural saiga population and the cultivation of sustainable agricultural practices in the region.

Creation of nurseries and veterinary preventive measures for saigas of Betpakdala and Ural populations in Kazakhstan

Preservation and maintenance of biological diversity of Earth’s life is one of the key tasks of mankind. Therefore, the search and substantiation of methods that will be able to stabilise and increase the number of endangered species of animals and plants, a key direction of modern science, consisted in the development of organisational and veterinary preventive approaches in the breeding of saigas of the Betpakdala and Ural populations in the conditions of the nurseries “ASAR Live” and “Akboken” in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The nursery stock was formed by the internment of new-born saigas removed from the natural population. Control over the growth and development of saigas was carried out by periodic weighing and determining the average daily weight gain. Dimensional characteristics of young animals were determined by selecting the measurements of the sexes of the body. The state of health of the animals in the premises was monitored by determining biochemical and haematological indicators – the content of protein, glucose, cholesterol. Approbation of the developed scheme of feeding new-born saigas in nurseries turned out to be quite effective, which was confirmed by high average daily weight gains at the level of 167-180 g up to 4 months of age and a 6-fold increase in live weight during this period. At the same time, the preservation of the animal population in nurseries was at the level of 97.3%. Accounting for all the necessary parameters to create optimal conditions for saigas in the nursery allowed increasing the population of saigas from 150 to 230 units already in the first year, considering that at the time of the formation of the herd it consisted of new-born animals. A comprehensive approach to solving the problem of preserving the local population of saigas in Kazakhstan allowed developing an effective system of measures tested in nurseries for the preservation and breeding of animals of the Betpakdala and Ural populations. The developed methods of preserving the endangered Tatar saiga population in nurseries, in addition to the reputational image of Kazakhstan as a country that solved the problem with the autochthonous species of fauna, contain recommendations for the development of a population of wild animals with minimal stress and adaptation consequences

Solid cancer mortality risk in the Southern Urals populations exposed to radiation cohort: 1950-2019

The objective of the study is to obtain direct risk estimates of solid cancer mortality for members of the Southern Urals Populations Exposed to Radiation Cohort. Materials and methods: the cohort was first created in 2018 and combines all the residents of the Southern Urals exposed to radiation in the territory of the Techa River and East Urals Radioactive Trace. Combining individuals exposed in the two radiation accidents increased the number of cohort members to 62.5 thousand people, the number of solid cancer cases included in the analysis to 4,511 and the number of person-years at risk to 1.956 million with the maximum follow-up period up to 70 years. The analysis was conducted with the use of regression analysis and a simple parametric model for excess relative risk. Maximum likelihood method was used to calculate 95% confidence intervals. Stomach dose was taken as an analogue of the dose to soft tissues accumulated over the entire follow-up period, and calculated using the updated Dosimetry System-2016 in the Urals Research Center for Radiation Medicine. Results: the analysis revealed a statistically significant linear dependence of solid cancer mortality rates on the dose, which confirms and clarifies the conclusions of previous studies. Solid cancer mortality ERR was 0.078/100 mGy. The increase of the statistical power of the analysis due to the increase of the cohort size and extension of the follow-up period enabled to obtain statistically significant ERR values for certain population groups by sex, ethnicity and other parameters. It refines the previously obtained values, reduces uncertainty and allows using the data to refine the radiation safety standards for the population exposed to radiation in various situations.

Cancer incidence risk of female reproductive organs in the Southern Urals Populations Exposed to Radiation Cohort: 1956-2019

The objective of the study is to obtain direct estimates of the excess relative risk of the reproductive organ cancer in women from the cohort of the Southern Urals population exposed to radiation under chronic exposure in the dose range not exceeding 1 Gy. Materials and Methods: The analytical cohort of the Southern Urals population exposed to radiation of women included 26,076 individuals with a follow-up period of 65 years (1956 to 2019) and 749,053 person-years at risk. The cancer incidence catchment area is limited to five districts of the Chelyabinsk region, the city of Chelyabinsk and the city of Ozyorsk. Over a 65 year-period 601 cases of the reproductive organ cancers have been registered in the incidence catchment area. The average cumulative dose to the uterus for women in the analytical cohort was 42 mGy; the maximum dose was 988 mGy. A regression analysis with a simple parametric model of the excess relative risk was used in the study. The significance of the results was assessed by the maximum likelihood method with 95% probability. Calculations were performed with the statistical software package “Epicure”. Results: The risk analysis revealed a statistically significant linear dependence of the excess relative risk of the cervical cancer incidence and that of all reproductive organ cancers in total on the dose accumulated in the walls of the uterus. The paper assesses the influence of modifying factors available for analysis on the magnitude of the risk. No dependence of either uterine body cancer risk on the dose to the uterus or ovary cancer risk on the dose to the ovaries was revealed. The possibility of obtaining significant risk values of the development of site-specific cancers appeared with an increase in the size of the analyzed population as a result of combining people exposed in the Southern Urals in two radiation accidents into one cohort, which increased the statistical power of the study. Assessment of the excess relative risk of the reproductive organ cancer in this cohort was carried out for the first time. This cohort has a great potential for further research to obtain direct estimates of the radiation risk of cancer and non-cancer diseases due to chronic exposure in the dose range up to 1 Gy.

Numerical Response of Owls to the Dampening of Small Mammal Population Cycles in Latvia.

Strong numerical and functional responses of owls to voles in cyclic environments are well known. However, there is insufficient knowledge from the boreonemoral region in particular, with depleted populations of small mammals. In this study, we describe the dynamics of the small mammal population in Latvia from 1991 to 2016 and link them to owl population characteristics. We used food niche breadth, number of fledglings, and population trends to lay out the numerical response of six owl species to dampened small mammal population cycles. We found temporarily increasing food niche breadth in tawny and Ural owls. There were no other responses in the tawny owl, whereas the breeding performance of three forest specialist species-pygmy, Tengmalm's, and Ural owls-corresponded to the vole crash years in Fennoscandia. Moreover, the populations of forest specialist owls decreased, and the change in the Ural owl population can be attributed to the depletion of small mammal populations. We found evidence of a carry-over effect in the eagle owl arising from a strong correlation of declining breeding performance with the small mammal abundance indices in the previous autumn. We conclude that dampening of the small mammal population cycles is an important covariate of the likely effects of habitat destruction that needs to be investigated further, with stronger responses in more specialized (to prey or habitat) species.

Cultural Heritage Protection in the Notes of the Ural Society of Devotees of Natural Science (Late 19th — Early 20th Centuries)

This article analyses the practice of public presentation of the cultural heritage protection problems in the printed materials of the Ural Society of Devotees of Natural Science (Ekaterinburg) between the second half of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Currently, the civil society structures are actively involved in the system of cultural heritage protection which makes the study of such historical experience relevant. The author comprehensively analyses the materials of Zapiski Uralskogo Obshchestva Lyubitelei Estestvoznaniya (Notes of the Ural Society of Devotees of Natural Science) (40 volumes) related to the discussion of issues of cultural heritage protection, which has never been done previously. The study uses research tools of the historical-anthropological and procedural methods. The article refers to different sources: published office documents of the Society (minutes of meetings, reports), scientific notes and papers, catalogs. The analysis of the sources demonstrates that Zapiski dealt with the problems of preserving all the main categories of cultural heritage (immovable, cultural properties, intangible). The publications pay significant attention to the problems of preserving book rarities and museum collections, disseminating their own and world experience in this area. The regular topics of Zapiski were the discussion of the problems of archaeological objects protection (registration, methods of study), information about excavations, and random archaeological finds. The important topics of the Zapiski were the popularization and actualization of objects of Ural cultural heritage. This was achieved through the publication of catalogs of the society’s collections and reviews of archaeological sites. Zapiski contains a lot of articles about the ethnography of the Ural population (everyday life, traditions, folklore). Nevertheless, the problems of preserving the intangible heritage were raised very rarely. The experience of protection activities was promoted by printed materials on the interaction between the Society and the Imperial Archaeological Commission, the provincial administration, and foreign organizations. The author believes that the materials of the Notes of the Ural Society of Devotees of Natural Science performed an important function of disseminating scientific and practical experience in the protection of cultural heritage, its popularization, and actualization.

СЕЛЬСКО-ГОРОДСКАЯ МИГРАЦИЯ НАСЕЛЕНИЯ УРАЛА ПО ДАННЫМ ВСЕСОЮЗНОЙ ПЕРЕПИСИ 1970 г.

In Russia, migration processes have always played a huge political and socio-economic role. The 20th century passed for the country under the sign of industrialization and urbanization, which, on the one hand, determined the strategic direction of modernization, and on the other hand, acted as the main coordinates that determined the movement of the population. It is common knowledge that migration from rural to urban areas was the main migration trend of modern Russian history, reflecting the accelerated development of the country’s urbanization processes. The most important source of data on migration is population censuses, which allow supplementing and clarifying the materials of the current statistical observation. A special place among them is occupied by the 1970 All-Union population census as the first post-war census, which program included questions about migration. The article aims at identifying regional specifics of rural-urban migration of the Urals population based on the materials of the 1970 census — determining the size and ratio of the flows that made up this migration, as well as assessing the intermediate results of its impact on the dynamics of the region’s population composition by the beginning of the 1970s. It is shown that even in the most urbanized regions of the Urals, villagers arriving in urban settlements constituted about a third of the total migration flow, while 23 times more than the number of migrants heading in the opposite direction, from city to village. Almost the same difference characterized the differences between the relative indicators of the migration intensity of the urban and rural population of the region.

Medieval Burials at Ryabchikov Klyuch-1, the Kansk-Rybinsk Basin

Previously, burials at Ryabchikov Klyuch-1 on the Kan River near Kansk were dated to the Late Middle Ages (pre-Russian period) and attributed to an autochthonous group. In 2015, two burials were discovered at the cemetery, with the remains of an adolescent girl and a child. A comprehensive analysis of the burial rite and grave goods suggests that the burials date to the 12th century. Numerous archaeological and ethnographic parallels were found. Morphologically, the girl’s cranium reveals generally eastern traits, specifically those common in Western Siberian (Uralic and Ob-Irtysh) populations. The cranium was restored, and a graphical reconstruction of the face was made. Burial practices of the 17th–19th century Middle Kan populations are described. They were Ket-speaking Kotts, Turkic-speaking Karagas, and Samoyed-speaking Kamasins. The analysis of sources suggests that the buried people were likely ancestors of the Kotts.

Филогенетические связи скорпионов рода Mesobuthus (Vaсhon, 1950) из Нижнего Поволжья и Южного Урала

The article presents data on the new location of scorpions of the genus Mesobuthus in the Orenburg Nature Reserve. The aim of the work is to determine the species on the basis of the identified morphological features of populations living in the Southern Urals (the territory of the Orenburg Nature Reserve, Orenburg region, Kuvandyksky Mountains. the district, the vicinity of Aituar village) and phylogenetic relationships with populations living on the territory of the Lower Volga region (Krasnoarmeysky district of the Saratov region, Kamyshinsky district of the Volgograd region, Akhtubinsky district of the Astrakhan region) based on a comparison of nucleotide sequences of COI gene fragments. DNA was isolated from metasomal segments and sequenced using the Sanger reaction. Multiple analysis was performed using the tools of the MEGA X software package. The data obtained by the authors in the course of their work contribute to the development of ideas about phylogenetic relationships between populations of scorpions of the genus Mesobuthus living in the Palearctic in the territories of the Sakhar-Gobi and Scythian steppe regions. In the course of the study, specific morphological features were identified for the Orenburg scorpion population, such as: the number of pectin teeth, the color of the chelicerae of the shell and tergite; the shape of the telson. Thus, the data obtained during the multiple analysis of the decoded DNA sequences confirm the presence of closely related links between the Lower Volga and South Ural scorpion populations. The distinctive features identified during morphological analysis are of interest for further comparative morphological studies in the framework of studying the phylogeny of the genus Mesobuthus.

Risk of cataract of different morphological types in Urals population chronically exposed at low doses

To assess the risk of lens opacity depending on the dose in the population exposed to external and internal radiation for a long time, based on a long-term clinical follow-up of the cohorts of people exposed to radiation as a result of two radiation accidents in the South Urals. A layer-by-layer morphological study of the lens of 1,377 exposed individuals was conducted according to a special program in the Clinical Department of the Urals Research Center for Radiation Medicine (URCRM) 68 years after the onset of exposure. Lens changes were classified in accordance with the lens opacities classification (LOCS) III and included images of lens. To calculate the doses to lens, the data were taken into account, including the person's residence history in the radioactively contaminated territory, age and sex that affected their lifestyle and diet, radionuclide distribution in organs and tissues. Individualized lens doses were calculated using Techa River Dosimetry System (TRDS)-2016. Case-control method was used for statistical analysis. Individual values of absorbed dose to lens ranged from 0 to 600 ​mGy. A dose-dependent increased risk of posterior subcapsular cataract (PSC) ( OR ​1.54, 95% CI : 1.04–2.27) and nuclear cataract ( OR ​1.84, 95% CI : 1.14–2.95) was found among chronically exposed individuals by a case-control method. No evidence of dose effect was found for cortical cataracts. The results showed that population exposed to long-term chronic low-dose radiation was subjected to an increased risk of PSC and nuclear cataract development.

The Ural Population Project. Demography and Culture From Microdata in a European-Asian Border Region

The Ural Population Project (URAPP) is built from individual level data transcriptions of 19th- to early 20th-century parish records and mid-19th-century census-like tax revisions manuscripts. This article discusses the source material, the contents, the history of creation and the strategy of the URAPP database and the outcome of the main research topics so far, including historical demography, Jewish studies, indigenous studies and studies of religious minorities in the Urals and Siberia. Our studies of the ethno-religious cultural landscape of the Urals and northwestern Siberia as well as participation in population history projects was more vital backgrounds than the traditional focus on aggregates. The over 65,000 vital events transcribed from parish records of Russian Orthodox Churches and minority religions in and around Ekaterinburg have been the basis for studies of mortality, nuptiality, religion and other characteristics. We found that the Jewish population kept their traditions and connections with relatives in the Pale of Settlement. Prisoners of WWI usually marrying within their own religious group. Infant mortality in Ekaterinburg was lower among Jews and the Catholics, minorities with higher education and western background, while the Orthodox majority exposed their newborn to extremely tough baptism. The burial records show cases of the Spanish flu in 1918–1919, but on a lower level than in the West, supporting recent theories that estimates of flu mortality may be too high. Based on the tax revisions, polygyny was officially recognized among the indigenous Siberian people. The strategy of the URAPP project has evolved from transcribing microdata about minorities towards covering the whole population.

Addressing equity and access to care: How an academic family medicine practice manages human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis C, and substance use disorders in rural Appalachia

AbstractRural populations struggle with health care access and are influenced by social determinants of health, lack of available resources, and fragmented care. Longstanding disparity and inequity have led to increased prevalence and poor outcomes of preventable and treatable disease states, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C, and substance use disorders (SUD). This article describes how an academic family medicine center addresses access to care in a rural population with a high prevalence of HIV, hepatitis C, and SUD. The goal is to provide strategies that other practice sites could use to develop and expand their own services to enhance equity and improve outcomes in this patient population. Strategies include co‐locating medical services to address multiple needs in one visit, leveraging telehealth to reduce barriers to care, utilizing multidisciplinary teams to promote comprehensive care, collaborating with community partners to address social determinants of health, and training health care learners to increase capacity and sustainability. The role of the pharmacist is highlighted as a leader of a team‐based interdisciplinary care model that can meet complex patients' comprehensive care needs.

Результаты популяционного исследования распространенности хирургии катаракты и причин низких послеоперационных зрительных функций

Purpose. Тo study the prevalence of cataract surgery, its effectiveness and factors that reduce visual results in a population of the population of the Republic of Bashkortostan. Material and methods. The Ural Eye and Medical Study population study, based on the Ufa Research Institute of Eye Diseases, was attended by 5885 people aged 40 years and older. A low visual result after cataract surgery was determined with visual acuity without correction below 0.3. Statistical data analysis was performed using the IBM SPSS Statistic application package. Results. The prevalence of cataract surgery was 6.1% (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 4.0–9.3%). A higher frequency of operations was associated with an age factor (odds ratio (OR) 1.13, 95% CI 1.11–1.15%; p<0.001), male gender (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.19–2.37%; p=0.003), living in a city (OS 1.54, 95% CI 1.06–2.23%; p=0.02), single living (OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.01– 2.11%; p=0.04) and the presence of diabetes mellitus (OR 1.33, 95% CI 0.78–2.20%; p=0.02). Low visual results after cataract surgery, given the maximum postoperative correction, were detected in 11.5% of cases (58 eyes). The main reasons for the low postoperative result are refractive error (40%), macular degeneration (19.0%), glaucoma (15.5%), clouding of the posterior capsule (13.8%) and diabetic retinopathy (12.1%). Conclusion. The obtained results of good postoperative uncorrected visual acuity amounted to 73.1% and turned out to be quite close to international standards (80%). The main reasons for the low visual results of cataract surgery were refractive error and age-related macular degeneration. Key words: population study, cataract surgery, the prevalence of cataract surgery