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The use of respiratory protection is one of the measures for the non-specific prophylaxis of coronavirus infection. The wearing of masks is mandatory for the entire population in several countries, including Russia. The object of the study is airport workers who are at an increased risk of infection. They are in contact with many passengers arriving from other countries where mass vaccination has not yet been carried out. The study aims to assess the hygienic prevalence of adverse reactions when using face masks, to identify risk factors for their occurrence. A questionnaire survey and an evaluation of the bacterial contamination of the masks after wearing were carried out. Face sweating under the mask (68.60 %) and feeling short of breath (66.94 %) were the most frequent and pronounced reactions to wearing in comparison with other manifestations (p < 0.001). The more often an adverse reaction occurred, the more apparent it was (r = 0.79–0.95). We found a moderate positive relationship between wearing time and the frequency of facial sweating (r = 0.31). Facial skin reactions were more frequent and pronounced among users of a cotton mask compared with users of neoprene and non-woven masks. An association was found between the frequency and severity of skin manifestations and bacterial contamination of the inner mask’s surface after wearing. A moderate positive relationship was found between the colonies number and wearing time for neoprene and cotton masks (r = 0.33 and 0.46, respectively). The number of colonies increases with the duration of wearing. Factors aggravating adverse reactions’ manifestation: problem skin, young age, moderate and hard work. Recommended: keep the skin clean and well hydrated, change the mask every 2 hours, select the face mask size, fix mask on the face so as not to cause chafing and squeezing of the skin.

BACKGROUND: Asthma and obesity have a close relationship: obesity is a risk factor for asthma, the link of its pathogenesis, a predictor of heavier flow and the worst control. One of the priorities of non-drug therapy of asthma is the fight against overweight. Preventive counseling allows doctors to teach patients the principles of a healthy lifestyle, including controlling body weight. There is no domestic population-based research that reflects the coverage of overweight persons with asthma of the counseling on weight loss in various socio-demographic groups. Thus our study is actual. AIMS: Determine socio-demographic factors of overweight patients with bronchial asthma living in Russian urban areas associated with receiving counseling on weight loss. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was based on a cross-sectional population-based study Know Your Heart (20152018, Arkhangelsk, Novosibirsk, n=4504). For this research, we selected overweight patients with asthma (n=167). We applied the CHAID (Chi-Squared Automatic Interaction Detection) decision tree to identify socio-demographic factors associated with receiving weight loss counseling. CHAID method allows for the automated classification of the sample and the detection of relationships between the predictors and the analyzed outcome. RESULTS: The probability of obtaining counseling on weight loss increased by 1.39 times among retired women with obesity compared with the coverage level of counseling in the studied sample as a whole (61.7%). Among the men, the probability of obtaining counseling on weight loss increased 1.27 times in the presence of obesity. Reducing the likelihood of getting counseling both among women (1.39 times compared with the general indicator) and among men (2.2 times compared with the general indicator) was noted if their weight corresponded to the category of the excess body (BMI 25.029.9). CONCLUSION: 61.7% of the overweight urban population of two regions of Russia with asthma received counseling on weight loss. Groups of overweight patients with asthma, which are statistically significantly less often obtaining counseling on weight loss: persons with BMI 25.029.9, regardless of gender, and non-retired women with BMI 30.0. The decision tree developed by us will allow allergists-immunologists and doctors of related specialities to be wary of patients from the population groups identified in the study where the activity of conducting preventive counseling is reduced. In turn, this will increase the coverage of preventive counseling for patients with bronchial asthma and, as a result, will contribute to improving asthma control.

The COVID-19 outbreak represents a global public health emergency. National governments have gradually introduced restrictive measures. Using respiratory protective equipment (face masks) and gloves was essential practice without specific infection control measures or guidelines. This study aimed to assess hygiene indicators when using gloves by transport workers in Russia during the COVID-19 pandemic and to develop integral indicators and recommendations for wearing gloves for workers for whom this is a mandatory requirement. For this purpose, 1103 transport workers were surveyed using a questionnaire. We investigated the hygiene aspects of gloves and evaluated the bacterial contamination of the contact side of the gloves based on the wash results. We assessed the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents, the duration of the work shift, the frequency of use of types of gloves, skin manifestations, the degree of comfort, and bacterial growth. We carried out the ranking according to comfort, the absence of adverse dermatological reactions when wearing gloves, and bacterial contamination of the inner surface of the gloves. It has been identified that it is necessary to use a comprehensive assessment of gloves to create a register of protective equipment, taking into account the frequency with which it was worn, the severity of the skin condition, comfort, and bacterial contamination.

Due to the conditions that cause the spread of COVID-19, national health systems worldwide are under severe strain. Most countries face similar difficulties such as a lack of medical personnel and equipment and tools for diagnosis and treatment, overrun hospitals, and forced restriction of planned medical care. Public authorities in healthcare take the following measures due to increased pressure: limiting the transmission and spread of the virus (social distancing and quarantine), mobilizing medical personnel, ensuring the availability of diagnostic and treatment tools, and providing a sufficient number of premises, which are not always suitable for the provision of medical care (buildings and structures). To date, the stages of management decision-making to counter coronavirus infection and the risk of COVID-19 transmission at various facilities have not been analyzed. The authors propose a methodology for assessing the COVID-19 transmission risk at various social and transport facilities. A survey of 1325 respondents from Moscow demonstrated the most significant risk factors, such as visitation avoidance, infection risk, and facemask wearing. Risk categories were determined and objects classified according to high, medium, and low-risk levels.

The skin is the first line of defence against most infections, including those by arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses). The skin is a compartmentalised organ populated by a variety of immune cells that play a critical role in coordinating immune responses after skin infection. Arboviruses such as Ross River virus (RRV) and Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) cause debilitating musculoskeletal and arthritic disease and are considered significant public health threats of major global concern due to the scale of outbreaks, and the limited treatment options available. To understand the dynamics of arthritogenic arbovirus dissemination following skin infection, we developed a pathogenic model of RRV infection to mimic a mosquito bite. We found that inflammatory monocytes, neutrophils and dermal macrophages dominated the early inflammatory response in the skin. In addition, we found that RRV-infected CD11b+ migratory cells translocate to the skin draining lymph nodes. Importantly, we unveiled a critical role for viral envelope glycosylation in driving viral dissemination kinetics and disease severity. Intradermal infection with RRV derived from mosquito cells resulted in more severe disease compared to RRV derived from mammalian cells. This difference in disease was accompanied by glycosylationspecific transcriptional response in the skin after intradermal infection. Interestingly we also show evidence indicating that viral envelope glycosylation dictates the dissemination of RRV to target tissues in muscle and joint. Using a new model of cutaneous arboviral infection, we show previously unappreciated mechanisms of immune response and viral dissemination that, in future, will help develop novel approaches to limit arboviral dissemination and ameliorate disease outcomes.

Natural products, such as humic substances (HS) and shilajit, are known to possess antiviral activity. Humic-like components are often called as carriers of biological activity of shilajit. The goal of this study was to evaluate anti-HIV activity of well characterized HS isolated from coal, peat, and peloids, and compare it to that of water-soluble organic matter (OM) isolated from different samples of Shilajit. The set of humic materials included 16 samples of different fractional composition: humic acid (HA), hymatomelanic acid (HMA), fulvic acid (FA). The set of shilajit OM included 19 samples of different geographic origin and level of alteration. The HIV-1 p24 antigen assay and cell viability test were used for assessment of antiviral activity. The HIV-1 Bru strain was used to infect CEM-SS cells. The obtained EC50 values varied from 0.37 to 1.4 mg·L-1 for the humic materials, and from 14 to 142 mg·L-1 for the shilajit OM. Hence, all humic materials used in this study outcompeted largely the shilajit materials with respect to anti-HIV activity: For the humic materials, the structure-activity relationships revealed strong correlation between the EC50 values and the content of aromatic carbon indicating the most important role of aromatic structures. For shilajit OM, the reverse relationship was obtained indicating the different mechanism of shilajit activity. The FTICRMS molecular assignments were used for ChEMBL data mining in search of the active humic molecules. As potential carriers of antiviral activity were identified aromatic structures with alkyl substituents, terpenoids, N-containing analogs of typical flavonoids, and aza-podophyllotoxins. The conclusion was made that the typical humic materials and Shilajit differ greatly in molecular composition, and the humic materials have substantial preferences as a natural source of antiviral agents as compared to shilajit., Highlights • Comparison of anti-HIV activity measured for the two large sets of humic materials and Shilajit water extracts demonstrated much higher activity of the humic materials. • Structure-activity relationships revealed leading role of aromatic structures in anti-HIV activity of humic substances, and the opposite trend was observed for shilajit. • 13C NMR and FTICR MS studies revealed structural similarity of shilajit extract to fulvic acid. • Different mode of antiviral action is suggested for aromatics-rich humic materials (humic acids, hymatomelanic acids) and N-rich shilajit. • This work was partially supported by the Russian Science Foundation: project 20-63-47070 in the part of structural characterization of the humic materials used in this study, and project 19-75-00092 in the part of FTICR MS data-mining and chemometrics.

HIV-1 protease-reverse transcriptase sequences from 62 HIV-1-infected individuals recently diagnosed in Moscow were analyzed. Subtype A former Soviet Union (FSU) (AFSU) variant was the predominant clade (62.9%), followed by subtype B (22.6%), unique recombinants (6.5%), subtype G (6.5%), and CRF01_AE (1.6%). AFSU predominated among people who inject drugs (88.9%) and heterosexually acquired infections (77.8%), while subtype B was the most prevalent genetic form among men who have sex with men (44%), although AFSU was also frequent in this population (36%). Forty-eight (77.4%) viruses branched within intrasubtype clusters, three of which, of subtype B, had a majority of viruses collected outside of FSU. The four subtype G viruses identified in this study belonged to the Portuguese-Spanish (Iberian) variant and, together with three from databases, formed a Russian cluster closely related to viruses from Denmark. This is the first report of the circulation of the Iberian subtype G variant in Russia.

Natural products (e.g., polyphenols) have been used as biologically active compounds for centuries. Still, the mechanisms of biological activity of these multicomponent systems are poorly understood due to a lack of appropriate experimental techniques. The method of tritium thermal bombardment allows for non-selective labeling and tracking of all components of complex natural systems. In this study, we applied it to label two well-characterized polyphenolic compounds, peat fulvic acid (FA-Vi18) and oxidized lignin derivative (BP-Cx-1), of predominantly hydrophilic and hydrophobic character, respectively. The identity of the labeled samples was confirmed using size exclusion chromatography. Using ultra-high resolution Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT ICR MS), key differences in the molecular composition of BP-Cx-1 and FA-Vi18 were revealed. The labeled samples ([3H]-FA-Vi18 (10 mg/kg) and [3H]-BP-Cx-1 (100 mg/kg)) were administered to female BALB/c mice intravenously (i.v.) and orally. The label distribution was assessed in blood, liver, kidneys, brain, spleen, thymus, ovaries, and heart using liquid scintillation counting. Tritium label was found in all organs studied at different concentrations. For the fulvic acid sample, the largest accumulation was observed in the kidney (Cmax 28.5 mg/kg and 5.6 mg/kg, respectively) for both routes. The organs of preferential accumulation of the lignin derivative were the liver (Cmax accounted for 396.7 and 16.13 mg/kg for i.v. and p.o. routes, respectively) and kidney (Cmax accounted for 343.3 and 17.73 mg/kg for i.v. and p.o. routes, respectively). Our results demonstrate that using the tritium labeling technique enabled successful pharmacokinetic studies on polyphenolic drugs with very different molecular compositions. It proved to be efficient for tissue distribution studies. It was also shown that the dosage of the polyphenolic drug might be lower than 10 mg/kg due to the sensitivity of the 3H detection technique.

This article focuses on linking structures of fractionated humic polyanions (PAs), which were molecularly defined using ultrahigh resolution Fourier transform mass spectrometry (FTMS), to their antiviral activities with respect to laboratory HIV-1 strains. Anti-HIV-1 activity was proven using a full HIV-1 replication system validated for antiviral testing. We demonstrated that all humic PAs tested in our study were capable of inhibiting HIV fusion. The most hydrophobic fractions of humic and hymatomelanic PAs also strongly inhibited HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. The structure–activity analysis revealed the direct relationship of antiviral activities with contribution of CHO molecules in humic PA composition and lipophilicity index, and the inverse relationship with their carboxylic and total acidity. This was explained by the supramolecular character of humic PAs, the properties of which are ruled rather by the contribution of most potent scaffolds than by the total charge density. It is concluded that all humic PAs tested in this study can be considered as promising precursors for developing cost-effective combinatorial microbicides with polymodal anti-HIV activity and low cytotoxicity capable of preventing HIV-1 transmission.

Humic substances (HS) are complex natural mixtures comprising a large variety of compounds produced during decomposition of decaying biomass. The molecular composition of HS is extremely diverse as it was demonstrated with the use of high resolution mass spectrometry. The building blocks of HS are mostly represented by plant-derived biomolecules (lignins, lipids, tannins, carbohydrates, etc.). As a result, HS show a wide spectrum of biological activity. Despite that, HS remain a ‘biological activity black-box’ due to unknown structures of constituents responsible for the interaction with molecular targets. In this study, we investigated the antiviral activity of eight HS fractions isolated from peat and coal, as well as of two synthetic humic-like materials. We determined molecular compositions of the corresponding samples using ultra-high resolution Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass-spectrometry (FTICR MS). Inhibitory activity of HS was studied with respect to reproduction of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), which is a representative of Flavivirus genus, and to a panel of enteroviruses (EVs). The samples of natural HS inhibited TBEV reproduction already at a concentration of 1 µg/mL, but they did not inhibit reproduction of EVs. We found that the total relative intensity of FTICR MS formulae within elemental composition range commonly attributed to flavonoid-like structures is correlating with the activity of the samples. In order to surmise on possible active structural components of HS, we mined formulae within FTICR MS assignments in the ChEMBL database. Out of 6502 formulae within FTICR MS assignments, 3852 were found in ChEMBL. There were more than 71 thousand compounds related to these formulae in ChEMBL. To support chemical relevance of these compounds to natural HS we applied the previously developed approach of selective isotopic exchange coupled to FTICR MS to obtain structural information on the individual components of HS. This enabled to propose compounds from ChEMBL, which corroborated the labeling data. The obtained results provide the first insight onto the possible structures, which comprise antiviral components of HS and, respectively, can be used for further disclosure of antiviral activity mechanism of HS.

Purpose of review More than 30 years ago, the first molecular structures of allergens were elucidated and defined recombinant allergens became available. We review the state of the art regarding molecular AIT with the goal to understand why progress in this field has been slow, although there is huge potential for treatment and allergen-specific prevention. Recent findings On the basis of allergen structures, several AIT strategies have been developed and were advanced into clinical evaluation. In clinical AIT trials, promising results were obtained with recombinant and synthetic allergen derivatives inducing allergen-specific IgG antibodies, which interfered with allergen recognition by IgE whereas clinical efficacy could not yet be demonstrated for approaches targeting only allergen-specific T-cell responses. Available data suggest that molecular AIT strategies have many advantages over allergen extract-based AIT. Summary Clinical studies indicate that recombinant allergen-based AIT vaccines, which are superior to existing allergen extract-based AIT can be developed for respiratory, food and venom allergy. Allergen-specific preventive strategies based on recombinant allergen-based vaccine approaches and induction of T-cell tolerance are on the horizon and hold promise that allergy can be prevented. However, progress is limited by lack of resources needed for clinical studies, which are necessary for the development of these innovative strategies.

Background Bronchial asthma (BA) is a chronic disease of the airways. The great majority of BA exacerbations are associated with respiratory viral infections. Recent findings point out a possible role of proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-33 (IL-33) in the development of atopic diseases. Although, little is known about the role of IL-33 in virus-induced BA exacerbations. Methods We used mouse models of RSV (respiratory syncytial virus)-induced inflammation exacerbation in OVA-sensitized mice and RSV infection alone in adult animals to characterize expression of il33 in the mouse lungs. Moreover, we studied the influence of il33 knockdown with intranasally administrated siRNA on the development of RSV-induced inflammation exacerbation. In addition, we evaluated the expression of IL33 in the ex vivo stimulated PBMCs from allergic asthma patients and healthy subjects with and without confirmed acute respiratory viral infection. Results Using mouse models, we found that infection with RSV drives enhanced il33 mRNA expression in the mouse lung. Treatment with anti-il33 siRNA diminishes airway inflammation in the lungs (we found a decrease in the number of inflammatory cells in the lungs and in the severity of histopathological alterations) of mice with RSV-induced inflammation exacerbation, but do not influence viral load. Elevated level of the IL33 mRNA was detected in ex vivo stimulated blood lymphocytes of allergic asthmatics infected with respiratory viruses. RSV and rhinovirus were the most detected viruses in volunteers with symptoms of respiratory infection. Conclusion The present study provides additional evidence of the crucial role of the IL-33 in pathogenesis of RSV infection and virus-induced allergic bronchial asthma exacerbations.

Immunoglobulin E (IgE)-associated allergy is the most common immunologically-mediated hypersensensitivity disease. It is based on the production of IgE antibodies and T cell responses against per se innocuous antigens (i.e., allergens) and subsequent allergen-induced inflammation in genetically pre-disposed individuals. While allergen exposure in sensitized subjects mainly boosts IgE production and T cell activation, successful allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) induces the production of allergen-specific IgG antibodies and reduces T cell activity. Under both circumstances, the resulting allergen-antibody complexes play a major role in modulating secondary allergen-specific immune responses: Allergen-IgE complexes induce mast cell and basophil activation and perpetuate allergen-specific T cell responses via presentation of allergen by allergen presenting cells to T cells, a process called IgE-facilitated antigen presentation (FAP). In addition, they may induce activation of IgE memory B cells. Allergen-induced production of specific IgGs usually exerts ameliorating effects but under certain circumstances may also contribute to exacerbation. Allergen-specific IgG antibodies induced by AIT which compete with IgE for allergen binding (i.e., blocking IgG) inhibit formation of IgE-allergen complexes and reduce activation of effector cells, B cells and indirectly T cells as FAP is prevented. Experimental data provide evidence that by binding of allergen-specific IgG to epitopes different from those recognized by IgE, allergen-specific IgG may enhance IgE-mediated activation of mast cells, basophils and allergen-specific IgE+ B cells. In this review we provide an overview about the role of allergen-specific antibodies in regulating secondary allergen-specific immune responses.

HIV-1 protease-reverse transcriptase sequences from 62 HIV-1-infected individuals recently diagnosed in Moscow were analyzed. Subtype A former Soviet Union (FSU) (A

The spread of the HIV-1circular recombinant CRF02-AG in countries of the former Soviet union (Commonwealth of Independent States, CIS) was studies using partial and full genome sequences. The full-genome sequence of the CRF02-AG recombinant circulating in Russia was obtained for the first time. A Global phylogenetic tree of CRF02-AG full-genome sequences was constructed. Three distinct groups of the sequences were detected as clustered by the geographical location (CIS, South Korea, and France), which is indicative of the single-virus introduction in each of the regions mentioned above. The CIS cluster exhibiting minimum genetic diversity was, therefore, relatively young. The phylogenetic analysis of the env gene sequences within the CIS cluster made it possible to clearly discriminate three branches: two of Russian and one of Uzbek origin. The low genetic diversity within the two Russian subclusters provides evidence of at least two recent independent introductions of the CRF02-AG recombinant from Central Asia into Russia. This work was performed within the framework of the 7th Federal Research Program (FP), Project EURIPRED (European Research Infrastructures for Poverty Related Diseases), grant agreement No.312661.