Flavonoids represent a wide group of polyphenols involved in many key processes of plant growth and its can be successfully used in medical practice. In plants that are exposed to extreme factors of various nature, the flavonoids synthesis occurs more intensively compared with plants of the same species growing under more favorable conditions. Thus, it can be assumed that it is the Arctic plants that can be important sources of flavonoids. This paper presents the results of a search for flavonoid sources among herbaceous plants growing in the Arctic zone, in particular, the Murmansk region. The total flavonoid content in ethanol extracts of 24 plant species was estimated using the reaction of complexation with aluminum chloride. It was shown that Lathyrus pratensis L., Lupinus arcticus L., Hedysarum alpinum L., Chamaenerion angustifolium L., and Polygonum weyrichii species contain the highest amounts of flavonoids.

The Russian northern regions development is associated with the extraction and processing of natural resources, which leads to environmental pollution and makes the task of sanitary-hygienic monitoring relevant. Buccal micronucleus cytome assay is one of the toxicological methods for human population studies. Studies on the inter-latitudinal comparison of Buccal micronucleus cytome assay are lacking, therefore there are difficulties in comparing the results obtained in the Russian Arctic with data from more southern regions. The aim of this study is to compare cytogenetic abnormalities in the buccal epithelium in two groups of older schoolchildren living in high and middle latitudes. The study was conducted in the city of Apatity (Murmansk region, 67 ° 34′03 ″ N, 33 ° 23′36 ″ E) and the city of Serpukhov (Moscow region, 54 ° 54 ‘56 ″ N, 37 ° 24 ‘40 “E). A total of 61 children were examined: 41 children from the Apatity and 20 children from the Serpukhov (16-18 years old). The Buccal micronucleus cytome assay was carried out according to an international protocol. It was shown that the average frequency values of the cells with micronucleus in the comparison groups of schoolchildren living in high and middle latitudes did not significantly differ and did not exceed the values for the average population norm. The frequency of cells with nuclear buds and two nucleus was significantly higher in the group of schoolchildren living in middle latitudes, which, in turn, is compensated by a higher rate of elimination of cells with impaired. Therefore, when comparing Buccal micronucleus cytome assay data, it is quite possible not to take into account the breadth of the studied groups.

Flavonoids are valuable polyphenolic compounds that accumulate in plants and have various biological activities. Koenigia Weyrichii (F. Schmidt) T.M. Schust. et Reveal is one of the plants with high flavonoid content in aerial parts. The aim of this work is to compare the total content of polyphenols, flavonoids, the total antioxidant and antiradical activity of ethanol extracts obtained from different parts of the K. Weyrichii plant growing in the Arctic zone of Russia, to compare the efficiency of ultrasonic extraction and maceration, and to determine the optimal extraction conditions. The determination of the total content of polyphenolic components was carried out using the Folin-Chocalteu reagent, the total content of flavonoids - using the complexation reaction with aluminum chloride, the total antioxidant activity - using the phosphomolybdate method, and the free radical scavenging - in the reaction with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). An increased yield of flavonoids is observed when maceration is used. According to the data on the total content of flavonoids, the optimal conditions for maceration (time and ratio of the components of the water-ethanol mixture) were determined. K. Weyrichii can be considered as a promising source of flavonoids and cultivated in the Arctic for further use.

В рамках проекта были исследованы параметры сна и дневной сонливости у детей в возрасте 7-12 лет, проживающих в Арктической зоне России. Половых различий в дневной сонливости не обнаружено. Показана задержка времени отхода ко сну для большинства детей. По самоопросникам выявлены пробуждения среди ночи практически у половины детей, а у 43,3% обследуемых детей Европейского Севера России в легкой или умеренной степени выражена бессонница. Нами показано, что возраст ребенка оказывает влияние на уровень дневной сонливости. Следовательно, дети старшего возраста должны спать больше, чем дети младшего возраста, чтобы достичь того же уровня внимательности и когнитивных способностей. Таким образом, дети компенсируют недосыпание в течение следующего дня за счет дневного...

The aim of this study was to assess the genotoxic and cytotoxic effects that occur in miners working underground in rare metal ore mines at ionizing radiation levels within the maximum permissible concentration (MPC) standards using the buccal micronucleus cytome (BMCyt) assay. At the same time, we attempted to identify possible relationships between cytogenetic abnormalities in the buccal epithelium and such physiological indicators as cardiodynamics and the body mass index. The study involved a total of 269 individuals, 236 miners working underground in production related to the mining and enrichment of loparite ores and 33 non-exposed individuals (Russia, Murmansk region). Buccal micronucleus cytome assay and heart rate variability parameters were used. Micronucleus frequency was revealed to be a higher in the exposed group (8.3 ± 1.08‰) than in the non-exposed group (3.3 ± 0.49‰). The repair index showed a statistically significant increase in the non-exposed group (14.9 ± 2.90) compared with the exposed group (6.1 ± 0.74). The frequency of nuclear protrusions correlates significantly with the body mass index in the young miners (≤30 years (r = 0.45)). There is a negative relationship between the micronucleus frequency and the level of organism adaptation (r = −0.24), the vegetative regulation rate (r = −0.20) and the psycho-emotional state (r = −0.30) for miners older than 30 years. The results testify to the possible induction of clastogenic effects and a decrease in the level of reparation in the buccal epithelium cells due to the exposure of a various of production factors in the extraction of loparite ore.

Purpose: The circumpolar habitat stands as one of the most vulnerable environments for human activity and health. The primary study objective was to compare sleep-related factors, light exposure, social cues, and potential confounding variables among schoolchildren residing in the European Arctic region from two settlements situated below and above the Polar Circle using validated self-reported questionnaires. Materials and Methods: We recruited 94 children aged 13–15 years (40.4% males), matched by sex and age, from public educational institutions in two circumpolar settlements located below (Kem’, Republic of Karelia; 64.6 NL) and above the Polar Circle (Apatity, Murmansk Region; 67.3 NL). Participants completed several surveys, including the Pediatric Daytime Sleepiness Scale, the Insomnia Severity Index, the Adolescent Sleep Hygiene Scale, and the Munich ChronoType Questionnaire, to evaluate sleep parameters and chronotype. The χ² test was used to test for differences between proportions. Linear regression and multiple regression models with co-factors were applied to assess the relationship between studied indicators. Results: A noteworthy increase in physical activity was observed in children residing in Kem’ compared to those in Apatity. Children from Apatity showed higher alcohol consumption than their counterparts from Kem’. The overall rate of excessive daytime sleepiness in the sample was 17.1%. Moderate insomnia symptoms were reported in 18.4% of adolescents living in Kem’ and in 25% of respondents living in Apatity, respectively. Notably, participants from Kem’ attained higher academic scores and had longer exposure to sunlight on schooldays. On the other hand, children from Apatity tended to have later bedtimes and sleep-onset times on schooldays. According to the Munich ChronoType Questionnaire data, a reliance on alarm clocks on schooldays, and a higher Sleep Stability Factor based on the Adolescent Sleep Hygiene Scale. Discussion: Our study indicating that higher physical activity and longer sunlight exposure among Kem’ children on schooldays are associated with earlier wake-up times during schooldays, earlier bedtime whole week, reduced dependence on alarm clocks, and higher academic achievements. The results of older schoolchildren differ from many works published previously in the USA, Argentina, and Japan, which could be explained by the season when the study was performed. Here, we observed a negative impact on school performance and sleep parameters in children living in high latitudes, namely in circumpolar regions. Conclusions: Our study points out that adolescents living above the Polar Circle tend to have sleep problems, e.g., late sleep-onset times, higher excessive daytime sleepiness, and insomnia-related symptoms, because of experiencing reduced exposure to natural light. Future research encompassing assessments across all four seasons will provide a more comprehensive understanding.