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Relevance. Miscarriage is one of the most common obstetric pathologies that determine the spontaneous death of the fetus. The role of changes in the microbiome of various biotopes is considered as a risk factor of this disease.Aim of the research is to assess the microbiocenoses structure of the reproductive system and the intestine associated with the development of spontaneous miscarriages in early pregnancy.Materials and methods. A case-control study was conducted and organized. The group of «cases» included 23 women with spontaneous miscarriage at 5–14 weeks of pregnancy and the control group included 23 women with normal pregnancies Based on the data of metagenomic sequencing of V3–V4 regions of the 16S rRNA gene, a comparative assessment of the structure of the vaginal and intestinal microbiome in these groups was carried out.Results. As a result of the study, a number of taxonomic groups of microorganisms in the vagina and intestines associated with miscarriage. It was found that the decrease in the proportion of Lactobacillus spp. in the structure of the vaginal microbiome, less than 90% of the total number of identified taxa is associated with this pathology (OR = 5.28 (95% CI = 1.2-23.2)). The gut microbiocenoses of women with spontaneous miscarriage are characterized by less taxonomic diversity than the gut microbiome of women with advanced pregnancy. At the same time, some representatives of the intestinal microbiome (Akkermansia sp., Faecalibacterium sp., Bifidobacterium sp., Methanobrevibacter sp., Lactococcus sp.) predominate in women with a normal pregnancy.Conclusion. The study demonstrated a significant role of changes in microbiocinosis of the reproductive tract and intestines in miscarriage. There is a potentially protective function of lactobacilli. The obtained data substantiates the need for active use of molecular genetic methods focused on the assessing the structure of the vaginal and intestinal microbiota in assessing the risks of reproductive failures.

Relevance. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to significant overloads in the work of health systems in many countries, a shortage of beds and staff, which contributes to a decrease in adherence to measures to prevent and control nosocomial infections, which can significantly worsen the course of viral pneumonia. Aim. To assess the possibility of the formation of hospital strains of multidrugresistant microorganisms in hospitals repurposed to provide medical care to patients with COVID-19. Materials and methods. The study included patients with severe and moderate forms of COVID-19 (ICD codes U07.1, U07.2), who were admitted to two large hospitals repurposed for the treatment of this infection. The data of microbiological studies of the biomaterial associated with the respiratory tract (sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage, tracheal aspirates) obtained from 1101 patients from May to January 2021 were analyzed using a combination of molecular genetic methods (RAPD-PCR, detection of integrons and the carbapenemase gene bla NDM.), and molecular typing of carbapenem-resistant strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumannii was carried out. Results. It was found that carbapenem resistant gram-negative bacteria predominate in the structure of the nosocomial microbiota of the respiratory tract of patients with COVID-19 in both hospitals. Based on molecular typing made the wide distribution of several genetic lines of integron-positive carbapenem resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumannii was detected. Conclusions. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the spread and circulation of bacteria with multiple antibiotic resistance in hospitals. This study has demonstrated the possibility of the formation of hospital strains of nosocomial infections in COVID-19 hospitals, which justifies the need to improve infection control measures in the context of a new coronavirus infection pandemic.

Cancer-microbe associations have been explored for centuries, but cancer-associated fungi have rarely been examined. Here, we comprehensively characterize the cancer mycobiome within 17,401 patient tissue, blood, and plasma samples across 35 cancer types in four independent cohorts. We report fungal DNA and cells at low abundances across many major human cancers, with differences in community compositions that differ among cancer types, even when accounting for technical background. Fungal histological staining of tissue microarrays supported intratumoral presence and frequent spatial association with cancer cells and macrophages. Comparing intratumoral fungal communities with matched bacteriomes and immunomes revealed co-occurring bi-domain ecologies, often with permissive, rather than competitive, microenvironments and distinct immune responses. Clinically focused assessments suggested prognostic and diagnostic capacities of the tissue and plasma mycobiomes, even in stage I cancers, and synergistic predictive performance with bacteriomes.

Abstract While the study of the tumor microbiome and its effects on cancer biology has expanded considerably over the last few years, most of this research focused on bacteria and viruses, leaving behind the fungal kingdom. Recently, a few studies have demonstrated that specific fungi may promote tumor progression, stressing the importance of comprehensively studying the tumor mycobiome and its effects. To address this, we have characterized the mycobiome in 1,183 human tumors and their adjacent tissues, originating from eight major solid tumor types. Staining and imaging demonstrated the presence of fungi in both cancer and immune cells, with tumor-type specific distribution patterns. Quantitative PCR of the fungal 5.8s rDNA revealed the presence of fungal DNA in all tumor types. To characterize the tumor mycobiome and address potential contamination during tissue handling and processing, we subjected all samples, as well as 295 negative controls of different types, to sequencing of the ITS2 region that is situated between fungal rRNA genes. We found cancer-type specific mycobial signatures with relatively high similarity between tumors and their adjacent tissues. While the fungal mycobiome had a lower species richness as compared to the bacterial microbiome of the same tumors, fungi showed significant co-occurrences with specific bacteria, suggesting the existence of ecological niches within the tumors. We also found significant correlations with clinical parameters such as patient’s age, tumor stage, progression-free survival, overall survival, and response to immune checkpoint blockade therapy. Characterization of the tumor mycobiome may add a biologically relevant, previously overlooked, component to be considered in the study of cancer, including its effects on tumor initiation, progression, diagnosis, and response to therapy. Citation Format: Lian Narunsky Haziza, Gregory D. Sepich-Poore, Ilana Livyatan, Omer Asraf, Cameron Martino, Deborah Nejman, Nancy Gavert, Jason E. Stajich, Guy Amit, Antonio González, Stephen Wandro, Gili Perry, Ruthie Ariel, Arnon Meltser, Justin P. Shaffer, Qiyun Zhu, Nora Balint-Lahat, Iris Barshack, Maya Dadian, Einav N. Gal-Yam, Sandip P. Pate, Amir Bashan, Austin D. Swafford, Yitzhak Pilpel, Rob Knight, Ravid Straussman. Pan-cancer characterization of the tumor mycobiome and its clinical effects [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 3054.

Background/Objectives: Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) are a global health threat due to their high morbidity and mortality rates and limited treatment options. This study examines the plasmid-mediated transmission of virulence and antibiotic resistance determinants in carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kpn) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) isolated from Russian hospitals. Methods: We performed short- and long-read whole-genome sequencing of 53 clinical isolates (48 Kpn and 5 E. coli) attributed to 15 genetic lineages and collected from 21 hospitals across nine Russian cities between 2016 and 2022. Results: The plasmid analysis identified 18 clusters that showed high concordance with replicon typing, with all clusters having a major replicon type. The majority of plasmids in the IncHI1B(pNDM-MAR)/IncFIB(pNDM-Mar)-like cluster (79.16%) carried both antibiotic resistance genes (e.g., blaNDM-1 and blaOXA-48) and virulence factors (VFs) such as siderophore genes. We hypothesized that hybrid plasmids could play a critical role in the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes and VFs. Comparative analyses with global plasmid databases revealed high-risk lineages of hybrid plasmids that are predominantly spread throughout Russia at present. Conclusions: Our findings underscore the importance of monitoring plasmid backbones for clinical management, surveillance, and infection control activities.

A rapid growth in monolithic residential construction over recent decades has created a problem associated with ammonia contamination inside newly constructed buildings. Absence of substantiated preventive actions aimed at minimizing ammonia emissions hinders commissioning of new residential buildings and may create an unfavorable sanitary-epidemiological situation with obvious olfactory-reflex and irritating effects on public health. The aim of this study was to develop a scientifically grounded method to predict when ammonia concentrations emitted from concrete constructions would reach their permissible levels in air inside contaminated premises in newly constructed buildings. Ammonia emissions were estimated based on data of laboratory tests that involved analyzing indoor air samples taken in Saint Petersburg and the Leningrad region. Indoor air was analyzed in 4 newly constructed residential buildings (165 premises, 57 test protocols, 893 air samples tested to identify ammonia in them). Relationships between changes in ammonia concentrations and ventilation time were obtained by using regression analysis (regression equation, least square method). To establish reproducibility of the results and a possibility to compare them, we tested variances for homogeneity by using Fisher criterion. Sampled populations were compared with Student’s t-test in case the data fitted to a normal distribution (Kolmogorov – Smirnov test, Shapiro – Wilks test). Critical significance was taken at 0.05 in all the statistical comparisons. We have developed a method for predicting when ammonia concentrations that occurred in indoor air inside newly constructed buildings due to multi-day emissions from building materials would reach their permissible levels. The method involves multi-day measurements (y, mg/m3) of ammonia concentrations sequentially in each premise inside a newly constructed building on any day of measurements during the time period t; building up relationships between averaged ammonia concentrations (yav, mg/m3) and a time moment t; mathematical analysis of the obtained relationships by parameterization and statistical analysis of the obtained kinetic parameters.

Natural resources extraction involves continuous exposure to cooling meteorological factors typical for open production grounds. This necessitates relevant health risk assessment and management of health risks caused by exposure to these harmful occupational factors. However, the available risk assessment models do not provide a possibility to perform complete assessment of the existing risks created by exposure to meteorological hazards. The study design included the following. We performed hygienic assessment of working conditions and health of workers employed by “Samotlorneftegaz” Joint Stock Company (JSC) who had to perform their work tasks under exposure to cooling meteorological factors on open production grounds; the assessment involved calculating the group health risk. Individual peculiarities were assessed using subjective (547 people took part in questioning) and objective assessment methods (76 people took part in estimating thermal state of their bodies and 54 people participated in thermometry with cold stress). Finally, we assessed prior and posterior risks. The prior group risk assessment made it possible to identify risk groups who had a significant risk of developing occupational and non-occupational diseases and to rank working places as per health hazards. The posterior risk assessment confirmed the results produced by the prior risk assessment regarding potentiating negative effects produced by cooling meteorological factors. The assessment of developing general and local thermoregulation disorders revealed that certain individual peculiarities made a substantial contribution into their development. Among them, we can mention long-term outdoor work (60 % of work time or more) under exposure to cooling meteorological factors; a chronic pathology; tobacco smoking. The results produced by this study allowed us to suggest an integrated model for risk assessment, management and communication about health risks caused by working under exposure to cooling meteorological factors

The paper considers the dependence of the load on displacement during uniaxial compression of spruce wood samples with an adjustable deformation rate (1 mm/min); the water content in the samples was equal to 6.4%. The study focuses on the analysis of criteria for brittle destruction of wood and its transition to a plastic state. The concept of virtual material transformation (CoViMT) forms the basis of the research. At the idea level, this concept is a variant of the well-known equivalent material concept (EMC). An integral criterion for brittle fracture was developed. Comparison with experimental data showed that the integral criterion and the known differential criterion lead to mismatched points of brittle fracture and transition of wood to the plastic state. Therefore, it is possible to determine the boundaries of the region of plastic states with the help of these criteria. Experiments confirmed the adequacy of the criteria when compressing wood with 6.4% and 18.0% moisture content. However, the volume of studies of the problem touched upon is small, so further research is necessary to better understand the stages of deformation of wood of different species.

See the retraction notice E3S Web of Conferences 420, 00001 (2023), https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202342000001

Abstract Background Cigarette smoking is a main cause of preventable morbidity and mortality. Many young adults begin smoking in the military, with smoking rates higher among soldiers than in the general population. Among other health effects, smoking impairs performance among soldiers. Smoking cessation programs in the military are challenging due to the unique settings and low access to smoking cessation resources. Studies have shown that text-messaging smoking cessation programs are feasible and effective, but there is a lack of studies on soldiers. Objective To evaluate the feasibility of a text-messaging smoking cessation program tailored for soldiers. Methods We recruited 81 soldiers who smoked, 76.5% of whom were male. Following enrollment, participants filled out a baseline survey and were given a text messaging program for 6 months. Participants could send predetermined keywords and immediately receive a response from a list of messages that were constructed as a response to the specific keyword. Participants filled out a follow-up survey at 1 month. Additionally, we retrieved and analyzed program usage data, including keywords sent and received, for the entire program period. Based on the follow-up survey and the program usage data, we assessed feasibility of the recruitment methods, participants’ engagement and satisfaction and technical usability of the program. Results At 1 month, 20.6% reported that they had not smoked in the past week. A high percentage of the participants were engaged in the program, with 82.5% sending at least one valid keyword. The lowest self-efficacy group had higher chances of leaving the program (50.0%) while for the highest group there were much lower chances (4.8%). Most of the soldiers (96.8%) found the program easy to use and would recommend it to a friend (84.1%). Conclusions The study demonstrates that a text-messaging smoking cessation program is feasible in a military setting. Further development and evaluation of digital smoking cessation tools tailored for soldiers are warranted.

Brunner’s gland hyperplasia is a rare cause of duodenal mass and gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Imaging and esophagoduodenoscopic evaluation of this condition are frequently consistent with a duodenal malignancy often resulting in surgical resection. However, the malignant potential of these lesions is still unknown, and most are benign. We report the case of a 74-year-old man who presented with fatal gastrointestinal bleeding and esophagoduodenoscopy findings consistent with a duodenal mass and mucosal ulceration. At autopsy, histologic examination of the mass revealed Brunner’s gland hyperplasia with associated ulcer formation. In this report, we review the findings associated with this case as well the literature regarding presentation, clinical associations, and treatment of Brunner’s gland hyperplasia.

The purpose of the work is to develop an analytical method for calculating the effective ranges of structural parameters of the throttle part of the axial valve with the external location of the locking shell based on the proposed stochastic models of bubble formation at the initial stage of hydrodynamic cavitation. In contrast to the well-known engineering methods for choosing the conditional bore diameter for the designed control device constructed using the Pi-Buckingham theorem, this calculation method relies not only on gyrodynamic similarity criteria, but also on functional dependences for the laws of distribution of cavitation bubbles according to various characteristics (specific size bubbles, the degree of opening of the node “separator-external locking shell”). This takes into account a wide range of design and operating parameters, including the required valve capacity, as well as the physical and mechanical characteristics of the working medium. A block diagram of the calculation of the node “separator-external locking shell” for the specified axial valve is proposed. The influence of a set of design parameters for the “separator-external locking shell” assembly from the rational ranges of their variation obtained using the proposed analytical calculation algorithm on the size of cavitation bubbles is investigated. It has been established that when using the latest results in comparison with the values of parameters from irrational ranges of change, there is a tendency to reduce the ensemble average value of the diameter of the cavitation bubble by 1.95 times, when switching to a mode from 20% of the degree of separation of the separator to 80% of the opening of the throttle holes, the nominal valve capacity increases by 10.7 times. The results obtained illustrate the possibility of preventing an increase in the intensity of formation of cavities in the flow part of the control device already at the initial stage of the occurrence of cavitation.

Acoustic trauma is well known to cause peripheral damage with subsequent effects in the central auditory system. The inferior colliculus (IC) is a major auditory center for the integration of ascending and descending information and is involved in noise-induced tinnitus and central hyperactivity. Here we show that the early effects of acoustic trauma, that eventually result in permanent damage to auditory system, lead to a transient activation of BDNF and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) including extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 in the IC. In contrast, the early effects of acoustic trauma that result in a temporary damage produced a reversible activation only of p38. The transient activation of MAPK and BDNF in the IC after permanent acoustic trauma is attributed to the plastic changes triggered by a decreased signal input from the damaged periphery. The pattern of MAPK and BDNF activation in the IC is different from that previously described for the cochlea from this laboratory. The differences in the pattern of MAPK and BDNF expression in the IC highlight unique molecular mechanisms underlying temporary and permanent acoustic damage to the central auditory system.