Unrecorded alcohol consumption in Russia: toxic denaturants and disinfectants pose additional risks

In 2005, 30% of all alcohol consumption in Russia was unrecorded. This paper describes the chemical composition of unrecorded and low cost alcohol, including a toxicological evaluation. Alcohol products (n=22) from both recorded and unrecorded sources were obtained from three Russian cities (Saratov, Lipetsk and Irkutsk) and were chemically analyzed. Unrecorded alcohols included homemade samogons, medicinal alcohols and surrogate alcohols. Analysis included alcoholic strength, levels of volatile compounds (methanol, acetaldehyde, higher alcohols), ethyl carbamate, diethyl phthalate (DEP) and polyhexamethyleneguanidine hydrochloride (PHMG). Single samples showed contamination with DEP (275–1269 mg/l) and PHMG (515 mg/l) above levels of toxicological concern. Our detailed chemical analysis of Russian alcohols showed that the composition of vodka, samogon and medicinal alcohols generally did not raise major public health concerns other than for ethanol. It was shown, however, that concentration levels of DEP and PHMG in some surrogate alcohols make these samples unfit for human consumption as even moderate drinking would exceed acceptable daily intakes

Распространенность и источники возможного инфицирования больных Achromobacter хylosoxidans и Stenotraphomonas maltophilia в региональном центре муковисцидоза

Summary. Achromobacter хylosoxidans and Stenotraphomonas maltophilia become increasingly important pathogens of lung disease in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Little is known about clinical significance and routes of transmission of these pathogens from environmental or hospital sources to the patient. The aim of this study was to assess a prevalence of A. хylosoxidans and S. maltophilia in a regional population of CF patients and possible hospital sources of this infection. Microbiological investigation was performed in 259 sputum samples and nasopharyngeal aspirates from 38 CF patients attending the Regional Cystic Fibrosis Center in 2010. Bacterial isolates were obtained from hospital environment (sinks in wards and toilets, physiotherapeutic equipment, nebulizers) and from hands of medical care providers (n = 50). Four (10.5 %) of patients were colonised by A. хylosoxidans. In six patients (15.8 %) S. maltophilia was detected. In 8 cases (80 %) bacterial pathogens were detected in sputum samples of the patients after i.v. or nebulised anti-pseudomonal therapy and hospitalisations. A. хylosoxidans and S. maltophilia were also isolated from sinks at common infection wards (33.2 % and 66.7 %, respectively); 40 % of toilets were contaminated with A. хylosoxidans and S. maltophilia strains. One S. maltophilia strain was isolated from high frequency chest wall oscillation vest and one S. maltophilia strain was isolated from the hands of a physiotherapist at the end of a working day. Similarity of antibiotic susceptibility of the strains isolated from the hospital equipment and from the patients suggested a possible trasmission of the infection from the hospital environment and hands of medical care providers to the patients. Therefore, a role of A. хylosoxidans and S. maltophilia for respiratory disease in CF patients could be underestimated. Improved hygienic measures in CF centers are required to prevent risk of bacterial transmission.Резюме. Роль Stenotraphomonas maltophilia и Achromobacter хylosoxidans в заболевании легких у больных муковисцидозом (МВ) становится все более существенной. О клинической значимости этих патогенов для пациентов, путях их передачи из окружающей среды или госпитальных источников инфицирования известно немного.Целью исследования явилось изучение распространенности A. хylosoxidans и S. maltophilia среди региональной популяции больных МВ, а также определение источников возможного нозокомиального инфицирования. В течение 2010 г. был проведено бактериологическое исследование 259 образцов мокроты и назофаренгиальных аспиратов от 38 больных МВ, наблюдающихся в региональном центре муковисцидоза. Бактериальные изоляты (n = 50) были выделены с госпитального оборудования (раковины, туалеты, физиотерапевтическое оборудование, небулайзеры), рук персонала. В результате 4 (10,5 %) больных оказались инфицированы A. хylosoxidans. В мокроте 6 (15,8 %) пациентов идентифицирована S. maltophilia. В 8 (80 %) случаях эти микроорганизмы выделялись из мокроты после внутривенных и ингаляционных курсов антисинегнойной терапии и госпитализации. A. хylosoxidans и S. maltophilia были обнаружены в смывах всех стоков раковин в общих инфекционных палатах (33,2 % и 66,7 % соответственно), этими штаммами было контаминировано 40 % туалетов. Однократно S. maltophilia была обнаружена на поверхности жилета высокочастотной экстрапульмональной осцилляции и на руках кинезитерапевта в конце рабочего дня. Сходство антибактериальной чувствительности штаммов, выделенных с госпитального оборудования и штаммов от пациентов, позволяет предположить возможность внутрибольничного инфицирования.Таким образом, роль A. хylosoxidans и S. maltophilia в этиологии заболевания легких при МВ может недооцениваться. Необходимо улучшение гигиенических мер в центрах муковисцидоза с целью профилактики бактериального инфицирования

Short-term salivary acetaldehyde increase due to direct exposure to alcoholic beverages as an additional cancer risk factor beyond ethanol metabolism

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>An increasing body of evidence now implicates acetaldehyde as a major underlying factor for the carcinogenicity of alcoholic beverages and especially for oesophageal and oral cancer. Acetaldehyde associated with alcohol consumption is regarded as 'carcinogenic to humans' (IARC Group 1), with sufficient evidence available for the oesophagus, head and neck as sites of carcinogenicity. At present, research into the mechanistic aspects of acetaldehyde-related oral cancer has been focused on salivary acetaldehyde that is formed either from ethanol metabolism in the epithelia or from microbial oxidation of ethanol by the oral microflora. This study was conducted to evaluate the role of the acetaldehyde that is found as a component of alcoholic beverages as an additional factor in the aetiology of oral cancer.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Salivary acetaldehyde levels were determined in the context of sensory analysis of different alcoholic beverages (beer, cider, wine, sherry, vodka, calvados, grape marc spirit, tequila, cherry spirit), without swallowing, to exclude systemic ethanol metabolism.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The rinsing of the mouth for 30 seconds with an alcoholic beverage is able to increase salivary acetaldehyde above levels previously judged to be carcinogenic in vitro, with levels up to 1000 μM in cases of beverages with extreme acetaldehyde content. In general, the highest salivary acetaldehyde concentration was found in all cases in the saliva 30 sec after using the beverages (average 353 μM). The average concentration then decreased at the 2-min (156 μM), 5-min (76 μM) and 10-min (40 μM) sampling points. The salivary acetaldehyde concentration depends primarily on the direct ingestion of acetaldehyde contained in the beverages at the 30-sec sampling, while the influence of the metabolic formation from ethanol becomes the major factor at the 2-min sampling point.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study offers a plausible mechanism to explain the increased risk for oral cancer associated with high acetaldehyde concentrations in certain beverages.</p

Genomic history of the seventh pandemic of cholera in Africa.

The seventh cholera pandemic has heavily affected Africa, although the origin and continental spread of the disease remain undefined. We used genomic data from 1070 Vibrio cholerae O1 isolates, across 45 African countries and over a 49-year period, to show that past epidemics were attributable to a single expanded lineage. This lineage was introduced at least 11 times since 1970, into two main regions, West Africa and East/Southern Africa, causing epidemics that lasted up to 28 years. The last five introductions into Africa, all from Asia, involved multidrug-resistant sublineages that replaced antibiotic-susceptible sublineages after 2000. This phylogenetic framework describes the periodicity of lineage introduction and the stable routes of cholera spread, which should inform the rational design of control measures for cholera in Africa

Chemical Diversity and Complexity of Scotch Whisky as Revealed by High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry

Scotch Whisky is an important product, both culturally and economically. Chemically, Scotch Whisky is a complex mixture, which comprises thousands of compounds, the nature of which are largely unknown. Here, we present a thorough overview of the chemistry of Scotch Whisky as observed by Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS). Eighty-five whiskies, representing the majority of Scotch Whisky produced and sold, were analyzed by untargeted high-resolution mass spectrometry. Thousands of chemical formulae were assigned for each sample based on parts-per-billion mass accuracy of FT-ICR MS spectra. For the first time, isotopic fine structure analysis was used to confirm the assignment of high molecular weight CHOS species in Scotch Whisky. The assigned spectra were compared using a number of visualization techniques, including van Krevelen diagrams, double bond equivalence (DBE) plots, as well as heteroatomic compound class distributions. Additionally, multivariate analysis, including PCA and OPLS-DA, was used to interpret the data, with key compounds identified for discriminating between types of whisky (blend or malt) or maturation wood type. FT-ICR MS analysis of Scotch Whisky was shown to be of significant potential in further understanding of the complexity of mature spirit drinks and as a tool for investigating the chemistry of the maturation processes. [Figure: see text] ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s13361-016-1513-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Cholera: Analysis and Assessment of Epidemiological Situation around the World and in Russia (2013–2022). Forecast for 2023

The aim of the review was to analyze and assess the epidemiological situation on cholera in the world and Russia in 2013–2022 and to make a forecast for 2023. Over the period of 2013–2022, 500 administrative territories affected by cholera were identified in various regions of 71 countries of Asia, Africa and America (the Caribbean region) with formation of 69 endemic foci in 16, 41 and 12 countries, respectively. In 2022, 1 209 301 cases of cholera were registered in 36 countries of the world. The intensity of epidemic process in Asian countries (Syria, Lebanon) increased. Unfavorable epidemiological situation on the African continent persisted. Epidemics and large outbreaks, which began in 2021–2022 due to emergency situations (ES) of social and natural character, continued. The prediction of the stability of the epidemiological situation on cholera in the territories of constituent entities of the Russian Federation (RF), given for 2022, has been confirmed. In 2022, 43 non-toxigenic strains of Vibrio cholerae О1 were isolated from surface water bodies, 8 V. cholerae nonO1/nonO139 strains – from humans. Similarity of those strains with genetically closely related ones isolated in the course of monitoring in previous years in Russia, Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) and Zaporozhye Region was demonstrated. In 2023, the risks of importation of the infection into RF are retained. It is associated with the intensification of epidemic processes in Asian, African and Caribbean region countries. The extended border with Ukraine, to where importation of cholera from endemic countries is possible, contributes to increased degree of threat. Bioterrorism is also not excluded. The consequences of a possible cholera epidemic complication in DPR, Lugansk People’s Republic, Zaporozhye and Kherson Regions are exacerbated by social emergencies resulting in disruption of infrastructure, interruptions in water supply, etc. In the absence of implementation of the risks of importation of this infection on the territory of RF, a stable epidemiological situation on cholera will be retained. Detection of non-toxigenic V. cholerae O1 strains (including probability of clonal complexes formation), as well as strains of non-O1/non-O139 serogroups, which can be etiological factors of sporadic cases or outbreaks of diarrheal diseases, in surface water bodies is predicted

Cholera: Trends in the Development of the Epidemic Process in 2021, Forecast for 2022

The aim of the work was to summarize the results of cholera monitoring in 2021, to assess current trends in the development of the epidemic process, and to predict the epidemiological situation in the Russian Federation for 2022. It was established that within the period of 2012–2021, 4117264 cases of cholera with the spread of infection across 83 countries on all continents were registered in the world and there was a downward trend in the incidence in Asia and Africa. The dynamics of monthly morbidity in 2021 was associated with emergencies as factors of epidemiological risk. Epidemics and outbreaks of cholera were documented against the background of COVID-19 pandemic and laid a double burden on healthcare systems. At the same time, based on the overview of the results of cholera monitoring in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, it was shown that the forecast of epidemic well-being given for 2021 was fully justified. It has been determined that the increase in the number of non-toxigenic strains of Vibrio cholerae O1 (67) isolated from water bodies compared to 2020 (25) is mainly due to the appurtenance of a number of isolates to clonal complexes. The study of phylogenetic relation has demonstrated that the detection of strains with genotypes which were previously identified in the isolates evidences the persistence potential. The identification of strains with new genotypes, which were earlier established in the strains circulating in other territories, pointed at the possibility of the occasional importations. The forecast of the epidemiological situation on cholera in Russia for 2022 is associated with the continuous existence of risks of introduction. If these epidemiological risks are not realized, a favorable epidemiological situation is predicted regarding this infection in the country. It is expected that the detection of epidemiologically insignificant strains of V. cholerae O1 in environmental water bodies, along with their clones and/or clonal complexes, will remain, including strains that may be an etiological factor in sporadic cases or outbreaks of disease