Том 100, № 7 (2021)

Introduction. According to epidemiological observations, the level of congenital malformations in children is associated with the degree of chemical pollution of the environment and certain forms of genes of the I and II phases of the xenobiotic biotransformation system.

The study aimed to determine and compare the index of anthropogenic load with the probability of occurrence of congenital malformations of the fetus in combination with gene polymorphisms of I and II phases of the xenobiotic biotransformation system in women living in different administrative territories in the South of Kuzbass.

Material and methods. The level of air pollution in the cities of the South of the Kemerovo region (Kuzbass) was established. Prenatal screening of 1,426 pregnant women at the term of 15-18 weeks in the cities of the South of Kuzbass was carried out. The Real Time-PCR method was used to determine the gene polymorphism of the xenobiotic biotransformation system (CYP1A2, GSTM1) in 53 women of Novokuznetsk who gave birth to newborns with congenital malformations.

Results. In the cities of the South of Kuzbass, with a critical and high degree of pollution of atmospheric air and waterways, many women are at risk of congenital malformations in offsprings. The A/A CYP1A2*1F genotype in combination with the deletion polymorphism of the GSTM1 gene in the mother is reliably associated with the occurrence of congenital malformations in offsprings (χ² — 4.72; р — 0.030; OR — 5.56; CI — 1.05–29.32), and the C/ACYP1A2*1F genotype in combination with the normal functioning GSTM1 “+” gene is associated with resistance to the development of congenital malformations (χ² — 12.53; p — <0.001; OR — 0.11; CI — 0.03–0.4 ). 

Conclusion. Against the background of an increasingly unfavourable ecological situation in Kuzbass and raising the number of newborns with congenital malformations, it is essential to include in the algorithm for early prenatal diagnosis the determination of the forms of genes of different phases of the xenobiotic metabolism system to elaborate an algorithm for reducing the xenobiotic load on the body of pregnant women during critical periods of fetal organogenesis.

Contribution:

Gulyaeva O.N. — the concept and design of the study, collection and processing of material, statistical processing, writing a text, editing;

Zhukova A.G. — editing;

Kazitskaya A.S. — collection and processing of material;

Luzina F.A. — collection and processing of material;

Alekseeva M.V. — collection and processing of material;

Renge L.V. — the concept and design of the study;

Ryabov V.A. — the concept and design of the study, collection and processing of material, statistical processing, writing a text.

All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Acknowledgement. The study had no sponsorship.

Introduction. Indoor air quality is an essential component of a healthy human environment. Air conditioning units can affect indoor air quality, including mycogenic contamination of the air if the condition is not adequately monitored.

Material and method. The paper presents the results of a mycological study of air samples and flushes from the surface of filters and gratings of air conditioning devices taken from 40 residential and office premises.

Results. The presence of micromycetes fungi was noted in 100% of the samples taken from the surface of filters and air conditioning grids and 81.6% of air samples. A greater species diversity of fungi (26 species) was revealed in air samples compared to air conditioning devices (15 species). A higher frequency of occurrence of dark-coloured species of fungi, incl. Aspergillus spp. and Alternaria spp., and fungal species belonging to the third group of pathogenicity, were noticed on the surface of air conditioners, compared with air samples, in which Penicillium spp., Fusarium spp., Trichoderma spp. were more often detected.

It was found that the surface of air conditioners functioned sporadically. For a short time (28 rooms), there is a large species diversity of mycobiota at a low or moderate level of seeding (no more than 10³ CFU). In rooms with long-term continuous air conditioners (12 rooms), a high level of seeding (more than 10⁴ CFU) by 1-2 species of fungi was more often noted. The existence of a close relationship, confirmed by the values of the Pearson contingency coefficient, between the species composition of the mycobiota of air conditioning devices and air, and a higher level of mycogenic contamination in rooms with long-term continuous operation of air conditioners, were shown.

Conclusion. Thus, air conditioning devices can be a source of mycogenic air contamination, especially during long-term continuous operation, which must be taken into account to ensure indoor air quality.

Contribution:

Khaldeeva E.V. — the concept and design of the study; collection and processing of material, writing a text;

Glushko N.I. — collection of literature data, collection and processing of material;

Lisovskaya S.A. — editing, collection and processing of material.

All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Acknowledgment. The work was carried out within the framework of the State Assignment in accordance with the Branch Research Program of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Well-being (Rospotrebnadzor) “Problem-oriented scientific research in the field of epidemiological surveillance of infectious and parasitic diseases” (for 2016-2020) p. 2.4.8. 

Introduction. An assortment of fungicides in agriculture is constantly being updated due to creating new highly effective but moderately toxic pesticide formulations that minimize the risks for those working with them. The study aimed to research working conditions and assess the risk for workers during the application of pyrimethanil-based plant protection products in agriculture using various technologies.

Materials and methods. Working conditions when using preparations based on pyrimethanil separately or in a mixture (pyrimethanil+fluopyram) in field conditions: during ground boom spraying of field crops; air blast spraying of horticultural crops; knapsack spraying of sheltered ground tomato (greenhouse), field and horticultural crops in individual subsidiary plots (PSP). Air samples of the working area were gathered in the breathing zone of those working with pesticides (operators and users) using PU-4E aspiration devices coupled with filters. Before and after work, swab samples were taken from common areas of the operator’s and user’s skin, and pyrimethanil and fluopyram were identified in air and swab samples. Total risk for the complex (inhalation and dermal) exposure (SFsum) was calculated by summing the safety factors of pesticide inhalation (SFinh) and dermal (SFd) income of pesticides (MU 1.2.3017-12). The absorbed dose risk (SFab) was determined by the ratio of the absorbed exposure dose of pesticides and the permissible daily exposure level for the operator (PDELO, mg/kg) and the acceptable daily intake (ADI, mg/kg bw).

Results. The established safety factors when assessing the complex effect of pyrimethanil by exposure (SFexp – 0.08-0.11) and by absorbed dose (SFad – 0.002-0.007) allow considering the health risks for workers and consumers as permissible, subject to strict adherence to regulations and safety measures. 

Conclusion. The obtained results are the basis for recommending pyrimethanil-based formulations for use in agricultural production in Russia.

Contribution:

Rakitskii V.N. — approval of the final version of the manuscript.

Antipova V.I. — concept and design of the study, conduction of the study, primary data acquisition, statistical data analysis, writing of the manuscript, editing, approval of the final version of the manuscript, responsible for all of the sections of the manuscript.

Masaltsev G.V. — conduction of the study, primary data acquisition, writing of some sections of the manuscript, editing.

Approval of the final version of the article, responsibility for the integrity of all parts of the article — all co-authors.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Acknowledgment. The study had no sponsorship. 

The aim of the study was to study the polymorphism of HIF-1A (rs11549465) and VEGFA (rs2010963) genes and their association with immunological parameters among the miners with lung dust pathology in the Kemerovo region.

Material and methods. 200 Kuzbass miners aged from 39 to 58 years, working in the primary occupations with a high risk of occupational pathology, were examined. All the subjects were divided into two groups: the 1st group included 130 cases with a proven diagnosis of dust lung pathology. The 2nd group was a control one represented by 70 workers in the same sanitary and hygienic conditions but without occupational diseases. Polymorphisms of the HIF-1A (rs11549465) and VEGFА (rs2010963) genes were studied by the method of real-time polymerase chain reaction. Immunological parameters were determined by immunoenzyme (immunoglobulins A, M and G) and immunoturbidimetric (haptoglobin, ceruloplasmin and α-1-antitrypsin) methods.

Results. The study of the distribution of heterozygous genotypes 1772C/T HIF-1A and -634G/C VEGFA did not reveal statistically significant differences between the miners with dust lung pathology and healthy individuals in the South of the Kemerovo region. However, the study results showed heterozygous polymorphisms HIF-1A and VEGFA, particularly the level of haptoglobin α-1-antitrypsin, ceruloplasmin, and IgM, to affect the immune status of the miners with dust lung pathology.

Conclusion. Heterozygous polymorphisms 1772C/T HIF-1A and -634G/C VEGFA can be used to determine the immune response and predict the development of dust lung pathology in miners, as well as the choice of treatment and preventive measures.

Contribution:

Zhukova A.G. — the concept and design of the study, writing a text;

Kazitskaya A.S. — collection and processing of material, statistical processing, editing;

Yadykina T.K. — collection and processing of material;

Panev N.I. — editing.

All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.

Acknowledgement. The study had no sponsorship.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest. 

Conclusion of the Biomedical Ethics Committee of the Research Institute for Complex Problems of Hygiene and Occupational Diseases: the study was carried out in accordance with the ethical standard of the Bioethical Committee of the Research Institute for Complex Problems of Hygiene and Occupational Diseases, developed in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki of the World Association “Ethical principles of scientific research with human participation”, as amended in 2013 . and “Rules of Clinical Practice in the Russian Federation” approved by the Order of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation No. 266 of June 19, 2003.

Introduction. Aluminium production is characterized by the accumulation of impurities of various toxic and chemical compositions in the air of working areas, the predominant among which are fluoride compounds. The accumulation of fluorides in the body causes the development of osteoarticular and associated systemic pathology. 

The aim of the study was to evaluate the hygienic and medico-biological features of toxic liver damage in the conditions of chronic fluoride intoxication of the body. 

Material and methods. The hygienic working conditions of the workers of the primary professions in aluminium production were evaluated. The analysis of hepatobiliary dysfunction based on clinical and instrumental methods was carried out in 263 subjects with fluoride intoxication and a comparison group of 116 persons. Experimental studies of the morpho-functional liver state in modelling chronic fluoride intoxication were carried out based on toxicological, biochemical, pathomorphological methods with histological analysis of tissues. The toxic properties of sodium fluoride were studied in 117 white laboratory male rats with its peroral route intake into the body.

Results. The qualitative composition of the air in the working areas in the electrolysis building was analyzed. The prevalence of pathological disorders of the biliary tract in metallurgists engaged in aluminium production was assessed. Clinical studies revealed a significant prevalence of toxic fluoride hepatopathy, fatty hepatosis, cholecystitis and other disorders in the group of patients with chronic fluoride intoxication. The harmful effect of sodium fluoride on hepatocytes, vessels of the portal tract was shown in an experiment. Hyperfunction of the reticuloendothelial system, Kupffer cell proliferation, irreversible destruction of hepatocytes, necrosis against the background of severe dystrophy, and decreased synthetic activity of the liver were determined.

Conclusion. The structure of occupational diseases in the workers engaged in the aluminium production is dominated by hepatobiliary pathology caused by toxic liver damage with fluoride confirmed by experimental data on destructive violations of its morphostructure.

Contribution:

Yadykina T.K. — the concept and design of the study, collection and processing of material, statistical processing, writing a text;

Mikhailova N.N. — the concept and design of the study, editing;

Bugaeva M.S. — collection and processing of material; Gorokhova L.G. – collection and processing of material, statistical processing;

Kislitsyna V.V. — collection and processing of material;

Danilov I.P. — collection and processing of material;

Kochergina T.V. — collection of literature data.

All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.

Conclusion of the Biomedical Ethics Committee of the Research Institute for Complex Problems of Hygiene and Occupational Diseases: the clinical study was carried out with the informed consent of the subjects and complies with the ethical standards of the Bioethical Committee of the Research Institute for Complex Problems of Hygiene and Occupational Diseases, developed in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki by the World Association “Ethical Principles for Conducting Scientific Research with Human Participation” as amended in 2013 and “Rules of Clinical Practice in the Russian Federation” approved by the Order of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation No. 266 dated June 19, 2003 Research Institute for Complex Problems of Hygiene and Occupational Diseases. The study did not infringe on the rights and did not endanger the subjects. The experimental study on rats was carried out in accordance with the international rules “Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals” (Strasbourg, 1986) and the “Rules of laboratory practice in the Russian Federation (GLP)” (approved by order of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation dated 19.06.2003, No. 267).

Acknowledgement. The study had no sponsorship.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Introduction. Occupational air is contaminated with zinc oxide nanoparticles in the copper smelting industry, especially in the smelting of brass and copper. A wide range of toxic effects with varied clinical symptomatology is observed in zinc and its compounds. Competitive relations with many other metals, including calcium, copper, and iron, are the foundation of most cases of zinc intoxication. Long-term administration of zinc or its compounds to laboratory rodents affects enzymes, carbohydrates and mineral metabolism.

Materials and methods. Subchronic intoxication with repeated intraperitoneal injections and acute low respiratory tract reaction to a single intratracheal injection of zinc nanoparticles were simulated in outbred white rats. Water suspensions of zinc oxide nanoparticles with a 30-80 nm diameter were applied in both experimental models. Upon completion of the exposure, the condition of the rats in all groups was evaluated in many generally accepted criteria for toxicity. The student’s t-test was applied for statistical analysis of the obtained data.

Results. Moderate intoxication development in a subchronic experiment is demonstrated. Homogeneous ultrastructural changes in the spleen tissue were revealed. Mitochondrial damage with partial or complete loss of crista is the most common. The fragmentation ratio of DNA was found by a statistically significant increase. A single intratracheal injection of zinc oxide nanoparticles revealed the increase in the attraction of cells capable of their phagocytosis (mainly neutrophils) into the low respiratory tract. This shows their cytotoxicity.

Conclusion. Moderate general toxic and cytotoxic effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles on the rat body were identified.

Contribution:

Sutunkova M.P. — concept and design of the study, writing the text, editing;

Minigalieva I.A. — concept and design of the study, writing the text, editing;

Privalova L.I. — concept and design of the study, writing the text, editing;

Ryabova Iu.V. — concept and design of the study, collection and processing of material, statistical processing, preparation of drawings;

Makeyev O.G. — collection and processing of material;

Zubarev I.V. — concept and design of the study, preparation of drawings;

Shishkina E.V. — collection and processing of material;

Bushueva T.V. — collection and processing of material;

Katsnelson B.A. — concept and design of the study, writing the text, editing.

Approval of the final version of the article, responsibility for the integrity of all parts of the article – all co-authors.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Acknowledgement. The study had no sponsorship.

Introduction. Dried fruits are a valuable source of dietary fibre, many vitamins and minerals in the population’s diet. However, the high content of readily available carbohydrates makes this type of product vulnerable to mould contamination. The greatest danger among which are toxigenic species. But there is practically no scientific information about the contamination presented on the Russian market dried fruits with moulds producing mycotoxins. That does not allow judging about this aspect of food safety. 

Materials and methods. Contamination with moulds and bacteria of 57 samples of dried fruits of 7 species popular in Russia was studied using cultural methods of analysis. Monospore isolates of moulds were isolated from dried fruits; in vitro mycotoxins production studied; by UHPLC-MS / MS analyzed mycotoxins in the multidetection mode.

Results and discussion. In general, the microbial contamination of dried fruits was low: 87.7% of the samples met the established microbiological standards, in most cases, moulds caused it. At the same time, the highest frequency and levels of contamination were found in dates. Aspergillus sp. dominated in the micoflora of all types of dried fruits. Among the isolated 33 strains of moulds, 45.5% turned out to be toxigenic and, in vitro, were capable of biosynthesis of significant amounts of several types of mycotoxins, including emergent mycotoxins. Fumonisin- and ochratoxin-producing activities have been found in Aspergillus strains of the Nigri section. In model experiments, the accumulation of mycotoxins in individual strains exceeded the level normalized in grain products, including (in μg/kg): for aflatoxins B1 - more than 32000 and B2 - 3230; fumonisin B2 - more than 3100; ochratoxin A up to 4.3; for emergent accumulation reached: sterigmatocystin up to 6218220 and citreoviridine - 153. 

Conclusion. Moulds are the main type of microflora that contaminates dried fruits. The ability of mould isolates from dried fruits to form mycotoxins has been established, among which highly toxigenic strains have been identified. This indicates the presence of a potential risk of contamination of this type of food with unregulated mycotoxins and a possible increase in their content in the diets of consumers. The results obtained substantiate the need for extensive monitoring of mycotoxin producers in dried fruits. This is important for predicting the risk of toxin formation and identifying the relationship of specific mycotoxins with certain types of dried fruits. The presence of toxigenic activity of moulds isolated from dried fruits has been shown in Russia for the first time.

Contribution:

Minaeva L.P. — concept and design of the study, collection and processing of material of microbiological studies, writing and editing of the manuscript, responsibility for the integrity of all parts of the article;

Polyanina A.S., Efimochkina N.R. — collection and processing of material of microbiological studies;

Kiseleva M.G., Chalyy Z.A. — collection and processing of material UHPLC-MS/MS research results;

Sheveleva S.A. — editing.

All authors — approval of the final version of the article.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Acknowledgement. The study was supported by Russian Science Foundation (grant No 18‐16‐00077).

A healthy diet is a factor in maintaining and improving health, helping to reduce the risk of developing alimentary-dependent diseases. The article presents the causes of malnutrition, data on the actual deficiency of vitamins and minerals in the population of the Russian Federation. Insufficient content of essential micronutrients in the diet is accompanied by a decrease in the body’s adaptive capabilities, contributing to an increase in the risk of developing non-infectious diseases. The article provides information on the role of chronic low-level inflammation and oxidative stress in the development of noncommunicable diseases. Significant contributors are vitamin D, zinc and selenium, and their deficiencies are widespread. Scientific evidence supports the role of vitamin D, zinc, selenium in the development of non-infectious diseases. The review discusses the role of vitamin D in the development of cardiovascular disorders, discusses the dependence on iron and zinc, which has clinical diagnostic and therapeutic value in anaemia and associated pathological conditions. In addition, the article discusses selenium and zinc deficiencies with the risk of the coronary syndrome, stroke, cardiovascular disease and mortality from them. Despite conflicting data on the effectiveness of oral micronutrient supplementation to prevent and treat chronic noncommunicable diseases, healthcare providers should be informed about the consequences of micronutrient deficiencies and identify micronutrient deficiencies correct them. This is important in treatment and prevention activities for people at risk, especially in endemic disadvantaged regions. The literature search was carried out in the databases PubMed, CyberLeninka, e-library.

Contribution:

Zaikina I.V. — writing a text;

Komleva N.E. — the concept and design of the study;

Mikerov A.N. — editing.

All authors are responsible for the integrity of parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.

Acknowledgement. The study had no sponsorship

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Introduction. The bacterial reverse gene mutations test (the Ames test) is widely used to assess chemicals’ mutagenic activity. The spontaneous mutation level of test strains is a mandatory characteristic that has to be monitored in a laboratory performing mutagenicity studies using the Ames test. In this regard, it is important to assess the factors affecting the spontaneous mutation level in the experiment and, therefore, on the general conclusion on the test item mutagenicity.

Material and methods. A plate incorporation test version was used both in the presence and absence of a metabolic activation system.

Results. We summarized the historical control data obtained in the laboratory in 2016-2020, determine the fluctuation limits in the number of revertant colonies for each strain, and identify the factors affecting the negative control variability. No significant differences were found in the spontaneous background of test strains when using DMSO or water as solvents, polypropylene or polystyrene tubes, as well as Petri dishes of different types. In the case of the TA1535, TA102 and TA100 cultures, no influence of the presence of the S9 mixture on the spontaneous reversion range was revealed (p≤0.05). Statistically significant differences in the number of spontaneous revertants (at + S9 or -S9) were found for the strains that allow detecting frameshift mutations, TA97 and TA98. It has been shown that the volume of the selective medium and the brand of gelling agent in its composition are important factors leading to the variability of the historical negative control.

Conclusion. To ensure the quality of experiments according to the principles of good laboratory practice and the reliability of the data obtained using the bacterial reverse mutation method, it is necessary to standardize the operations in advance of experiments.

Contribution:

Egorova O.V. — the concept and design of the study, collection and processing of material, statistical analysis, writing a text;

Demidova Yu.V. — collection of material;

Ilyushina N.A. — processing of material, writing a text.

All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version 

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Acknowledgment. The study had no sponsorship.

3 августа 2021 г. исполняется 70 лет  со дня рождения член-корреспондента РАН,  профессора, доктора медицинских наук  Владислава Ремировича Кучмы — признанного  лидера в области гигиены детей и подростков.