Introduction: Diseases associated with iodine deficiency are among the most prevalent noncommunicable diseases around the world. Despite the fact that the number of countries where iodine deficiency disorders (IDDs) pose a national problem decreases annually, iodine deficiency pathology in the Russian Federation is characterized by the annual increase in the incidence rate and the specific features of its spread are of high medical and social importance for our country. The objective was to summarize the results of available studies establishing characteristics of the spread of IDDs in the regions of the Russian Far Eastern Federal District. The material included research data on the issue accumulated in 1994-2019. This analytical review examines and systematizes existing information about the factors significant for the formation and development of disorders associated with iodine deficiency in the population of the Far Eastern Federal District (FEFD). Results: We identified the features related to a variety of factors leading to and promoting the development of IDDs in the population of the FEFD. We established that in the examined regions iodine deficiency was attributed to both the features of geochemical provinces, iodine deficiency in environmental media and the influence of factors of a different nature indirectly associated with a deficiency of iodine intake but able to disrupt the thyroid system and lead to serious consequences for public health. Conclusion: In view of the above, it is expedient to develop programs for targeted prevention of IDDs in groups at higher risk (children, adolescents, pregnant women, and nursing mothers) taking into account regional factors affecting the formation and development of IDDs.

Introduction: Pediatric community-acquired pneumonia incidence is rising both in the Russian Federation and around the world. Our objective was to establish the main features of the long-term epidemic process of community-acquired pneumonia in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug - Yugra (KMAO) in 2014-2018. Materials and methods: We used official statistics of Rospotrebnadzor and results of a retrospective analysis of medical histories of 652 hospitalized children with clinical manifestations of community-acquired pneumonia for 2014-2018. Results: The long-term incidence rate of community-acquired pneumonia in the general population of KMAO for 2014-2018 was 449.2 ± 5.45 per 100,000 or 1.19 times higher than the corresponding Russian rate. The same rate among children under the age of 17 across administrative units of KMAO ranged from 821.4 ± 87.2 to 1,983.2 ± 69.2 per 100,000 for the same period. The long-term average incidence rate of community-acquired pneumonia in children under the age of 17 in KMAO in 2014-2018 was 684.4 ± 13.1 per 100,000 or 1.7 times higher than corresponding federal rate and 1.85 times higher than that in the regional adult population. Among the children hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia in 2014-2018, the majority were toddlers aged 1-2 (37 %) while the percentages of infants of 0-1 and adolescents of 15-17 were the lowest and equaled 14% and 5%, respectively. As for etiology, we observed a decrease in bacterial community-acquired pneumonia, with a rise in 2018, and an increasing incidence of mycoplasma pneumoniea pneumonia. Conclusions: In 2014-2018, the epidemic process of community-acquired pneumonia in KMAO was characterized by a common trend of significant growth in the general population with the highest rate of increase registered in 2018. Among the hospitalized pediatric cases of pneumonia, the majority were children of 1 to 6 (63%). Redistribution of the spectrum of bacterial pathogens of pneumonia in children was characterized by a decrease in pneumococcal infection and a higher detection rate of mycoplasma infection.

Introduction: An increase in epizootic activity has been registered in a number of plague foci in the Russian Federation over the past few years. As part of securing sanitary and epidemiologic wellbeing of the population living in the natural foci of the disease, a mass immunization with a live plague vaccine based of the Yersinia pestis EV line NIIEG vaccine strain was carried out. Objectives: The purpose of the study was to assess the influence of a complex of factors including age, gender, health status, the number of previous vaccinations against plague, blood groups, and HLA gene polymorphism on the state of the cellular and humoral immune response in people vaccinated with the live plague vaccine. Materials and methods: The analysis of venous blood of 347 volunteers included determination of the concentration of specific antibodies to the capsular antigen (F1) of plague microbe, spontaneous and induced production of marker cytokines (IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-4) by ELISA, and genes of the main histocompatibility complex (HLA) class II by real-time PCR. We also analyzed medical documentation (Form 025/u) and the results of a questionnaire-based survey of the vaccinated people. Results and discussion: We established the influence of various factors, including genetic ones, on marker indicators of the humoral and cellular immune response in persons vaccinated with the live plague vaccine. We also characterized the relationship between the level of specific antibodies to plague microbe F1 production and some cytokines and the age and the number of previous vaccinations in our volunteers. The most common gene variants of the main histocompatibility complex of class II (HLA-DQA1, HLA-DQB1 and HLA-DRB1) in the cohort were identified and possible relationships between the production of IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-4 and allelic polymorphism of HLA class II genes were determined. Conclusions: Immunologic reactivity in people vaccinated with the live plague vaccine is mainly determined by age, the number of previous vaccinations against this infection, and individual characteristics of HLA gene polymorphism.

Object: The wide spread of gadgets among modern schoolchildren and their intensive use during breaks in school corridors and recreation areas indicates the necessity of improving illumination in school recreation areas to secure conditions suitable for intensive visual work. Thanks to their technical characteristics, durability and affordable price, LED light sources can ensure the implementation of this task. The objective of the study was to assess the impact of LED lighting of school corridors, halls and recreational facilities on visual acuity and psycho-emotional state of first graders in the course of a schoolyear. Materials and methods: In the corridors and recreation areas of the Dolgoprud-ninskaya Gymnasium (Moscow Region), fluorescent lamps were replaced by PrLUX-AU-36 LED lamps with Epistar LEDs, opal diffuser, 3600Lm luminous flux, and the color temperature of 4000K. Measurements of artificial lighting were taken before and after installing LED lamps using a TKA PKM 43 light meter. We conducted a study of visual acuity among 67 first graders (aged 7-8) in the annual dynamics from September to May using the Sivtsev-Golovin table placed in the Rota apparatus. Testing was conducted by a highly qualified ophthalmologist. The psycho-emotional state was assessed using the Luscher color test. Results: We observed a significant increase in visual acuity in children over the specified period indicating the absence of negative effects of LED lighting on the organ of vision. The results of the Lusher test proved the absence of negative dynamics, thus demonstrating null adverse health effects of LED lighting in the primary schoolchildren. The studies confirmed that the influence of that light load on vision and its negative non-visual effects were only potential.

Introduction: Life at high latitudes imbalances immuno-neuro-endocrine regulation in humans due to contrasting changes in the duration of the light period. Our objective was to study the immune and genetic status of children living in the Far North and the Perm Region. Materials and methods: We conducted a survey of 120 children of 3 to 12 living in the Far North, and 154 children of 7 to 18 living in the Perm Region with a normal alternation of day and night. In order to study the frequency of the PER2 circadian gene polymorphism (C/G, rs643159) a genetic analysis was performed by real-time PCR with a subsequent allelic discrimination. Results: The comparative analysis of the frequencies of alleles and genotypes of the PER2 clock gene polymorphism (rs643159) showed no significant differences in its polymorphism in the children's groups differing in climatic features. The results of an immunological study of the blood of children in the Arctic enabled us to establish changes in the immune status characterized by a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in class A immunoglobulins (1.26 times), M (1.14 times), G (1.15 times), mediators of neuroendocrine regulation of cortisol (1.33 times), serotonin (1.42 times), as well as overproduction of apoptosis activator CD3+CD95+ and TSH relative to the child contingent of Prikamye (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The comparative analysis of the status of regulatory mediators in the children living in the Far North with similar indicators of the child contingent of moderate latitudes (the Perm Region) - carriers of the mutant G allele of the clock receptor gene allowed us to establish not only a reliable imbalance in the immune status in children living under conditions of asynchronosis but also a significant deficit of the regulatory mediator of serotonin free T4 and increased levels of cortisol (p < 0.05) characterizing the breakdown of neuroregulatory connections. Thus, in the conditions of the Far North the imbalance of key indicators of immune homeostasis, neuroendocrine regulation, associated with the variant G allele of the gene PER2 (rs643159) is formed.

Introduction: The issue of radiation safety in terms of population exposure to natural sources of background radiation remains relevant since, according to the results of numerous studies, among all sources of ionizing radiation the natural ones contribute the most to the population exposure worldwide. Our purpose was to assess the contribution of natural sources of background radiation to the individual effective dose of the population of the Arkhangelsk Region. Materials and methods: We measured residential indoor and outdoor gamma dose rates and the residential indoor equivalent equilibrium volumetric activity of radon isotopes. We also analyzed data of statistical form No. 4-DOZ "Information about population exposure doses attributed to the natural and anthropogenically altered background radiation" and radiation hygiene passportization conducted in 2008-2017 by cities and districts of the Arkhangelsk Region and estimated long-term average indicators of the individual effective dose of radiation and chain indicators of the growth rate. Results: We established that the internal exposure to radon isotopes (46.8%) and external terrigenous exposure (23.6%) contributed the most to the individual effective dose due to natural sources in the population of the Arkhangelsk Region. In 2008-2017, the individual effective dose attributed to natural sources was 2.50 mSv/yr, to external exposure - 0.59 mSv/yr, and to internal exposure to radon isotopes - 1.17 mSv/yr. The analysis of average values of the equivalent equilibrium volumetric activity of radon isotopes and the gamma radiation dose rate in residential buildings of various type (wooden, single-story stone and multistory stone) in the Arkhangelsk Region supported the conclusion about the significant contribution of the former to the individual effective dose due to natural sources. Conclusions: We established the contribution of natural sources of ionizing radiation to the total doses of the population.

Introduction: Production of ethylbenzene and styrene (EBS) is one of the most important stages in organic synthesis. The products have general toxic, hepatotoxic, irritating and narcotic effects on the human body. Severe exposures to EBS can induce pronounced disorders of the central nervous system such as styrene sickness and encephalopathy and of peripheral blood such as leukopenia and lymphocytosis. Materials and methods: We studied homeostasis indices in 376 workers of the main professional groups engaged in the production of EBS including equipment operators, repairmen, and instrumentation and automation fitters. Results: We established an increase in lipid peroxidation by the level of malondialdehyde amid an increase in catalase activity and a decrease in blood retinol and а-tocopherol levels. We also noted an increased activity of indicator enzymes including ALT, AST, GGT, and alkaline phosphatase. Significant changes in lipid metabolism in the form of cholesterolemia, triglyceridemia, a higher atherogenic index, and lower cholesterol of non-atherogenic blood serum lipids demonstrating atherogenic changes in the body were revealed. Conclusions: The earliest prenosological disorders in the body of the examined workers included an impaired hepatic protein synthesis, the development of cytolysis processes and a change in the integrity and functional activity of the liver cell in individuals, an imbalance in the oxidant-antioxidant system, one of the reasons of which was the adverse occupational exposure to hazardous chemicals. An increase in catalase activity is a protective compensatory reaction during the activation of free radical oxidation processes.

Introduction: Introduction: Food safety is an absolute priority for both producers and consumers. It is obvious that the issues of safety, sanitation, quality and consistency apply to all processed products, not only to fermented ones. However, the industry of fermented foods is unique: it is the industry where a product success depends, inter alia, on the growth and activity of microorganisms. Today, there is a need to summarize knowledge about the factors that affect the development of the target microflora of fermented plant objects and, as a result, to obtain a quality product that has an undoubted biological and nutritional value with minimal losses during its production. Objectives: Our goal was to generalize factors affecting the development of the target microflora, the quality of fermented vegetable products, and microbial spoilage during storage. Results: The article discusses basic principles of vegetable fermentation from the microbiological and biochemical points of view. Under the influence of dynamically changing conditions in the process of fermentation of plant raw materials, there occurs a complex species change of microorganisms involved in this process. The most important group of microorganisms includes lactic acid bacteria used in fermentation of vegetables for manufacturing products that are more stable during storage. Conclusions: Fermentation is an affordable and energy-saving method of vegetable processing. It helps increase food safety by reducing the risk of growth of pathogenic microorganisms to infectious or toxicogenic levels. The researchers studying fermentation of plant raw materials and creating starter cultures for this process are faced with the task of improving the quality and reducing spoilage of fermented vegetables. This can be achieved by organizing a human-directed fermentation process using a combination of biological, chemical, and physical factors.

Background: Noroviruses are common causative agents of acute gastroenteritis worldwide. Person-to-person transmission is the dominant transmission route for norovirus infection but contaminated water also often leads to outbreaks. Objectives: Our purpose was to do epidemiologic and molecular genetic analyses of waterborne norovirus infection outbreak among children in Khabarovsk in 2019. Materials and methods: Clinical and water samples were screened for the presence of norovirus RNA using real-time RT-PCR detection kit. The norovirus nucleotide sequences were determined by Sanger sequencing. The obtained sequences were subjected to a phylogenetic analysis. Results: In July 2019, 34 children developed acute gastroenteritis in Khabarovsk. The epidemiologic investigation showed that on the eve of the disease onset all patients played and bathed in a pedestrian fountain complex. A molecular genetic analysis of 18 biological samples from children with acute gastroenteritis and a water sample from the fountain revealed a recombinant norovirus GII.P7-GII.6. We established a 100.0% identity of all obtained nucleotide sequences to each other. A phylogenetic analysis of ORF2 partial sequences showed that the capsid protein of the Khabarovsk GII.P7-GII.6 strains belonged to the variant GII.6a. Conclusions: Contaminated water in the pedestrian interactive fountain complex was the most likely cause of the norovirus infection outbreak among children in Khabarovsk in 2019 associated with the lack of proper maintenance and regular disinfection measures.

The objectives of the study were to summarize and analyze long-term scientific and practical materials about the rates and trends in the incidence of trichinosis, to identify the routes of disease transmission in the population, both traditional and emerging, and possible options of their prevention in the Ural Federal District (UFD). Materials and methods: We used data from collections of statistical and analytical materials "The Incidence of Protozoa and Helminthiases in the Population of the Russian Federation" by the Federal Center for State Sanitary and Epidemiologic Surveillance and later by the Federal Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology of the Federal Service for Surveillance in the Sphere of Consumer Rights and Human Welfare (Rospotrebnadzor) and data reports of the local regional services responsible for trichinosis control for 1996-2014. Topical scientific publications since 1960s became an additional important source of information. We applied the analytical method and a method of comparative historical research to achieve the study goals. Results: The article demonstrates the urgency of the problem of trichinosis in the subjects of the Ural Federal District. With regular population outreach and comprehensive preventive measures, the incidence of trichinosis, brought to the level of sporadic in the Ural Federal District, has not reached a stable state. In the presence of natural reservoirs of trichinella with a real and potential danger of transition to a synanthropic habitat, facts of violation of legislation in the field of wildlife hunting, the existence of social and economic prerequisites, and increased risks of infection of the population associated with new forms of management in the production and sale of meat products, cooperation of governmental and supervisory authorities in preventing trichinosis transmission in the human environment acquires particular importance.