Background: In 2013, the Federal Law No. 15-FZ of February 23, 2013 on Protecting Health of Citizens from Exposure to Secondhand Tobacco Smoke and Consequences of Tobacco Use (hereinafter referred to as the Law) came into force.
Objective: To analyze the Law development in 2013–2023 and to assess the effectiveness of implementing its norms.
Materials and methods: To assess the effectiveness and level of implementation of the Law’s provisions, a survey of experts working in the field of tobacco control in the regions of the Russian Federation was conducted using a specially developed questionnaire entitled “Assessment of Effectiveness of Legislative Tobacco Control Measures”. The expert panel included 402 specialists nominated by state authorities of 76 regions of the Russian Federation.
Results: In 2013–2023, the Law was amended and supplemented by adopting ten federal laws and a decree of the Russian Government. According to the experts, the most effective tobacco control measures included bans on advertising, marketing, and sponsorship by tobacco companies (26.2 %); informing the population about dangers of tobacco/nicotine use (25.6 %); offering stop smoking treatment (20.1 %), and protecting people from secondhand tobacco smoke/ESDN aerosol (19.5 %). Besides, 19.7 % of the experts believed that the level of implementation of measures was insufficient while 7.2 % rated it as low.
Conclusions: Since its adoption in 2013, the Law has been continuously improved, taking into account the assessment of effectiveness of its tobacco control measures, new challenges and trends. According to the experts, the effectiveness of the Law may be further improved by strengthening control over its implementation.

Introduction: Panels of pathogen-containing control samples are necessary for training of specialists of the Russian Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing (Rospotrebnadzor), drills of rapid response teams of specialized anti-epidemic brigades, external quality control of Rospotrebnadzor laboratories by Reference Centers, method validation in laboratories, and participation of Rospotrebnadzor laboratories in proficiency testing (PT) and interlaboratory comparison tests (ICT).
Objective: To prepare panels of coded samples of deoxyribonucleic acids (DNA) and complementary DNA (cDNA) of pathogens of highly contagious infectious diseases to be used for training of specialists in Rospotrebnadzor institutions and mobile units and for validation of new laboratory methods.
Materials and methods: We used lyophilized samples of rhinovirus and SARS-CoV-2 cDNA and Yersinia pestis, Francisella tularensis, Vibrio cholerae, Brucella suis, and Bacillus anthracis DNA. DNA was obtained from bacterial suspensions of the above microorganisms, cDNA was derived from positive controls contained in reagent kits produced in Russia, and “negative” samples were obtained from embryonic calf serum. All samples were dehydrated with 15 % sucrose solution.
Results: We developed panels of control samples to be used for PCR detection of highly contagious bacterial pathogens and the most common viruses. We also established their optimal storage time and temperature. To this end, dehydrated samples were kept at temperatures of +4 °C, +26 °C, +37 °C, and –20 °C during 30 days and tested for stability. The optimal storage times for the samples was determined to be 7 days. The samples were then assembled into panels, adhering to confidentiality principles, and sent to laboratories.
Conclusion: The prepared panels of control samples can be used for training of Rospotrebnadzor specialists, including those included in mobile units, in PCR testing and validating new techniques in Rospotrebnadzor laboratories.

Introduction: Despite periodic medical examinations, improvement of working conditions and personal protective equipment, pneumoconiosis is still diagnosed in workers of dusty occupations.
Objective: To compare conditions and circumstances of development, as well as the prevalence rates of pneumoconiosis and chronic bronchitis in workers in dusty occupations at enterprises in the Arctic.
Materials and methods: We studied public health monitoring data on working conditions and occupational diseases and information about 10,343 cases in the register of extracts from occupational disease registration cards (Order No. 176 of the Russian Ministry of Health of dated May 28, 2001) for 2007–2023. To achieve the goal, the main (pneumoconiosis) and reference (chronic bronchitis) observation groups were formed. Microsoft Excel 2016, Epi Info 6.04d, and Statistica 12 were used for statistical data analysis with the Student's t-test, goodness-of-fit test (χ2), and calculation of the relative risk (RR), 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI), and approximation coefficient (R2).
Results: In 2007–2021, 77 cases of pneumoconiosis were detected. Its development was more likely in men having class 3.3 working conditions, due to imperfect technological processes and during the extraction of ore raw materials. No decrease in the number of pneumoconiosis cases was noted over 15 years despite the decreasing number of exposed workers. We established significant differences in the conditions and circumstances of the development of pneumoconiosis and chronic bronchitis (n = 823), the number of cases of which decreased in 2007–2021 mainly due to a smaller exposed workforce. The risk of pneumoconiosis in 2007–2021 did not change (OR = 1.12; 95 % CI: 0.66–1.92), while that of chronic bronchitis in 2001–2011 was higher than in 2017–2021 (OR = 3.28; 95 % CI: 2.64-4.06).
Conclusion: No decrease in the number of pneumoconiosis cases was observed in 2007–2021, which necessities reduction of workers’ exposure to fibrogenic aerosols, compliance with the regulations for periodic medical examinations, and the study the pathogenetic mechanisms of development of lung diseases in the current occupational setting. Newly diagnosed cases of pneumoconiosis should be investigated by a commission of expert occupational pathologists.

Introduction: Staphylococcus aureus is a significant infectious agent causing food poisoning. High adaptability and the ability to produce heat-stable enterotoxins make it a dangerous pathogen of public health concern. Monitoring antibiotic resistance and assessing the risk of food contamination by this microorganism are critical to prevent and treat foodborne toxic infections.
Objective: To assess phenotypic and genotypic antibiotic resistance of S. aureus strains isolated from food products on the territory of the Republic of Tajikistan.
Materials and methods: The study included 50 isolates of S. aureus derived from foods in the Republic of Tajikistan in 2018–2022. Species identification was performed by MALDI-TOF MS. Phenotypic susceptibility to antimicrobial agents was determined by the minimum inhibition concentration method using the Sensititre system. Genetic determinants of resistance and virulence were determined by analyzing data from full-genome sequencing using Illumina NextSeq 2000 system.
Results: 44.0 % (22/50) of S. aureus isolates were resistant to at least one antimicrobial drug, of which 34.0 % (17/50) were multidrug resistant. S. aureus with phenotypic and genotypic resistance to beta-lactams were the most common (40.0 %): blaZ resistance genes were detected in 94.0 % (16/17) and mecA in 76.4 % (13/17). The analysis of multilocus sequence typing results revealed 4 different S. aureus sequencing types with ST5 prevailing. A high frequency of virulence genes, including enterotoxins and leukocidins, was also observed.
Conclusion: Food contamination with S. aureus poses a significant threat to public health. High antibiotic resistance of the foodborne microorganisms and the presence of multiple virulence genes highlight the need for continuous monitoring and development of strategies to manage the risks associated with the spread of antibiotic resistance through the food chain.

Introduction: Measles virus remains one of the main causes of childhood morbidity and mortality, posing a serious threat to most countries. Since March 2023, measles incidence rates have been growing in Kazakhstan, with the disease registered in previously unvaccinated, incompletely or untimely vaccinated children and adults representing a wide unimmunized stratum of the population.
Objective: To conduct epidemiological and molecular genetic monitoring of measles viruses causing the increase in disease incidence in Kazakhstan in 2023.
Materials and methods: The analysis of measles incidence in the Republic of Kazakhstan in 2023 was based on state statistics. In order to genotype circulating measles strains, we took 69 clinical urine samples and performed Sanger sequencing of the C-terminal region of the N-gene.
Results: In 2023, 29,731 measles cases were registered in Kazakhstan, the incidence rate being 149.95 per 100 thousand population. Most of the cases were children aged 1 to 4 years – 43.3 %, followed by children aged 5–14 years – 19.9 % and children aged 0–12 months – 16.1 %, of which 65.9 % were not vaccinated against measles. The results of nucleotide sequencing of 69 samples from measles patients showed two genotypes – D8 and B3.
Discussion: Measles cases in 2023 were registered throughout Kazakhstan. Measles virus genotype D8 was represented by the predominant line 8248, identified in Tajikistan in 2021 and circulating in Europe. Genotype B3 was associated with strains first identified in India and Saudi Arabia. These data confirm that measles incidence in Kazakhstan was attributed to viruses imported from other countries.
Conclusion: Findings of epidemiological analysis and molecular genetic testing of measles viruses confirm continued circulation of genotypes B3 and D8 and emphasize the importance of continuing monitoring and increasing vaccination rates to control the disease spread.

Introduction: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a global epidemic that has yet to be addressed. The occurrence of nosocomial infections is strongly associated with hand hygiene compliance. With an increase in the latter, the occurrence of nosocomial infections decreases. The percentage of people who wash their hands is still low–between 35 % and 55.3 % in Indonesia and 54.7 % worldwide.
Objective: To evaluate a structural model of hand hygiene compliance determinants among nurses in Indonesian hospitals. Perceived behavioral control, facility factors, and knowledge factors are some of the determinant factors.
Materials and methods: The population in the study was nurses at Jember Regency hospitals in Indonesia. The sampling technique included a total sample of 116 nurses. The inclusion criteria used are nurses who provide direct service to the patient and are willing to respond. In this study, an exclusion clerk refers to a nurse who was on leave or engaged in academic studies at the time of data collection. Data was analyzed descriptively and inferentially using path analysis with the Structural Equation Model (SEM) and the Partial Least Squares (PLS) technique in SmartPLS software.
Results: Hospital facilities become an important predictor of hand hygiene compliance (p < 0.05). The respondents agreed that the facilities available at the hospital were adequate, as demonstrated by high-grade response statements (61 %). Nurses’ awareness has a significant influence on hand hygiene compliance (p < 0.05), good knowledge leading to a positive perception of maintaining hand hygiene behaviours. The respondents’ level of knowledge of hand hygiene ranged from high (40 %) to low (34 %). Perceived behavioral control significantly affects hand hygiene behaviour (p < 0.05). Nurses with strong perceptions and beliefs about hand hygiene are more likely to have better hand hygiene performance. Respondent compliance with hand hygiene was high (60 %). The hospital facilities and nurse knowledge have a significant effect on perceived behavioral control with an explanatory factor of 36.4 %. All factors, namely hospital facilities, nurse knowledge, and perceived behavioral control were able to explain hand hygiene compliance by 45.2 %.
Conclusions: Factors of knowledge and facilities play a crucial role in shaping perceived behavioral control in hand hygiene. These three influencing criteria have positively influenced hand hygiene compliance among nurses in Indonesian hospitals. The structural model provides insights that can be used to design more effective infection prevention strategies, especially in health care.

Introduction: The relevance of the methodological development of the subsystem of sanitary and environmental protistology in conditions of high anthropogenic pressure on the environment is associated with the need to monitor safety of cenotic changes in natural ecosystems in order to assess their impact on public health.
Objective: To analyze up-to-date areas of modern scientific research of unicellular organisms of the natural environment and human biota.
Materials and methods: The article presents a literature review of scientific research findings published in 1990–2022 and found on PubMed, Google Scholar, eLibrary, CyberLeninka, Scopus, and disserCat information portals and platforms. The scientific topic was searched for using the following keywords: protists, environmental protistology, medical protistology, genetic and morphological diversity of unicellular organisms, role of protozoa in nature, and exemplary models. The initial selection consisted of more than 60 publications; 40 of the 45 initially identified articles were selected for analysis. Description of the infrastructural components of the biota of the natural and internal organizational environment was the inclusion criterion while that of the mechanisms of interaction and changes in biomedical processes was the exclusion one.
Results: The patterns of change in the structural community of aquatic and terrestrial amoebae in Russia have been poorly studied. Modern ideas about the role of free-living amoebae in natural and organismal biota allow their use in exemplary models for studying various biological processes. Given the type and humidity of the environment, the community of free-living amoebas is closely attached to the micro-conditions of their habitat. The morphological and genetic diversity of new amoeba taxa continues to expand and makes a significant contribution to the development of scientific and applied research on their impact on microbial communities and maintenance of ecosystem and organismal balance.
Conclusion: The necessity of active application of free-living protozoa models in Russian research projects is substantiated, taking into account the increasing interest of foreign scientists in their use in various fields of research, including in the creation of artificial cells.

Introduction: Climatic conditions determine the spread of the main vectors of ixodid tick-borne borreliosis and tickborne encephalitis in Eurasia.
Objective: : To assess the conditions of possible changes in the boundaries of the ranges of the main vectors of Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis based on the examples of the Magadan Region and the west coast of Norway.
Materials and methods: Feasibility of forming populations of the main vectors of ixodid tick-borne borreliosis (tick-borne encephalitis) is determined by the calendar date of the meeting of individuals with the host, which ultimately determines whether the egg-laying and nourished ticks manage to get the necessary amount of heat to complete development. In this context, an analytical and theoretical study was undertaken to establish the potential of emergence of independent vector populations in two regions. The analysis was carried out in Microsoft Word 10 by comparing different ten-day variants of the tick feeding time frames and indicators of the soil surface heat supply (allowing or not allowing thermal constant gains) during the warm period, when the average monthly temperature does not fall below the threshold value for the development of these phases (+10 °C).
Results: Currently, the emergence of independent populations of the taiga tick in the Magadan Region is unlikely due to the impossibility of obtaining required values of thermal constants for the completion of embryogenesis in a certain time span. The emergence of independent populations of forest mites on the west coast of Norway is related to the possibility of gaining thermal constants of development by overwintering ovipositors in the required period of time.
Conclusion: Given the values of the thermal constants of development of the main vectors of Lyme disease and tickborne encephalitis, it seems possible to propose a science-based forecast of the northward expansion of their range due to expected climate change.