Epidemiological Situation on Tick-Borne Borreliosis in the Russian Federation in 2021 and Forecast for 2022

3875 cases of tick-borne borreliosis (TBB) (2.65 per 100000 of population) were recorded in Russia in 2021. Compared to 2020, 61 out of 78 constituent entities experienced a decrease in the incidence rate in 2021. Over the past year, the largest number of cases was registered in the Central Federal District (CFD) – 1797 cases, which is 46.4 % of cases in Russia. Second in the rank by the number of cases of TBB comes the Siberian FD (SFD) – 616 cases (15.9 %), followed by Ural FD – 445 cases (11.5 %), the North-Western FD – 418 (10.8 %), and the Volga FD – 388 (10 %). 134 (3.5 %) and 60 (1.5 % of the total number of cases of TBB) cases were registered in the Far Eastern and Southern Federal Districts, respectively. The last place is occupied by the North Caucasus Federal District (NCFD), where 17 cases were registered, the share of which in the total structure of cases in Russia is 0.4 %. When assessing the long-term dynamics of TBB incidence, a significant trend towards a decrease in the intensity of the epidemic process has been revealed for the North-Western FD, UFD and VFD, as opposed to the CFD and Southern FD, where a significant upward trend was noted. For the Russian Federation on the whole, the Siberian FD, FEFD and NCFD the variation in the incidence rates within the confidence intervals of the long-term annual average values is most likely to be observed in the near future

On the identification of folium by SERS: from crude extracts to illuminated codices

The ancient purple dye known as folium is still a mystery for both scientists and art historians. Today, it is commonly assumed that folium was produced from the fruits of Chrozophora tinctoria (L.) A. Juss., a plant belonging to the Euphorbiaceae family, and efforts have been mainly devoted to highlight the analytical features of the dyes extracted from this plant, whereas detection in ancient manuscripts has been mainly based on poorly selective, non-invasive analytical techniques. As a consequence, the possibility that the actual source for the dye could have been so far misunderstood cannot be excluded. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), a highly selective and sensitive analytical technique, has been used here to characterize both extracts from C.\u2009tinctoria and a microsample taken from a medieval manuscript. The behaviour of the dyes as SERS probes has been investigated in order to set up an accurate and selective procedure for the identification of the dye in ancient artworks. By unambiguously detecting the dye by SERS in the microsample of the medieval manuscript, we also demonstrated that the purple dye mentioned in ancient treatises is definitely linked with the aqueous extract from purple fruits of C.\u2009tinctoria

Epidemiological Situation on Tick-Borne Borreliosis in the Russian Federation in 2019 Compared to the Period of 2002–2018

Objective: to analyze the epidemiological situation on Ixodidae tick-borne borreliosis in the Russian Federation in 2019 in comparison with the period of 2002–2018.Materials and methods. The paper uses the data contained in Form No. 2 of the state statistical reporting for 2002–2019 and information obtained by the Reference Center for Monitoring Borreliosis of the Omsk Research Institute of Natural Focal Infections from 74 constituent entities of Russia in 2019. The main research method is epidemiological one with the use of modern information technologies.Results and discussion. In Russia, 8048 cases of tick-borne borreliosis (Lyme disease – LD) were recorded (5.48 0/0000) in 2019. The actual indicators of the LD incidence for the whole country and federal districts (FD) in 2019 were within the confidence limits predicted with linear regression based on the study of the dynamics of the epidemic process in 2002–2018 in the vast majority of cases. A steady upward trend in the LD incidence was observed during 2002–2019 in the Central Federal District due to 10 out of 18 entities (Moscow, Belgorod, Lipetsk, Moscow, Bryansk, Voronezh, Kursk, Ryazan, Tambov, Tula regions); in the Southern Federal District because of the Krasnodar Territory and the Volgograd Region; in the North Caucasus Federal District – because of the Stavropol Territory. Despite the fact that a downward trend in the incidence of LD has been established over the past 18 years in the North-West, Volga and Ural Federal Districts, in some subjects of these regions a trend towards an aggravation of the epidemiological situation is observed (the Komi Republic and Chuvashia, Penza Region). In the absence of a pronounced tendency to change in the incidence rate of LD in the Siberian and Far Eastern Federal Districts, Kemerovo Region-Kuzbass, the Republic of Tuva and the Trans-Baikal Territory where a growing trend has been identified require special attention. In the Ural and Siberian Federal Districts, the share of non-erythema forms among laboratory-confirmed cases of LD was higher than in other regions, which merits further study of the genome-specific features of borrelia populations and their carriers. Effective control of the LD epidemiological situation in Russia is possible provided that the control is improved and maintained, and the capacity of preventive measures and zoological-entomological monitoring of the activity and structure of the natural foci of LD is enhanced in the entities with the long-term tendency towards increase in the incidence of the disease

Review of the Epidemiological Situation on Ixodic Tick-Borne Borrelioses in the Russian Federation in 2013–2022 and Forecast for 2023

The aim of the review was to characterize the epidemiological situation on ixodic tick-borne borreliosis (ITBB) in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation in 2022, to forecast the development of the ITBB epidemic process in 2023 based on the analysis of its trends in the period of 2013–2022. In total, 7 264 cases of ITBB were registered in the Russian Federation in 2022, which is 1.9 times higher than the 2021-value. In all regions in 2022, after a sharp decrease in the level of registered morbidity during the “covid” phase of 2020–2021, there was an incidence raise to the pre-pandemic level. During 2013–2022, distinctive features of the trends in the development of the ITBB epidemic process in the territories of varying degree of epidemic hazard were retained. A downward tendency in the incidence rates was revealed in 14 out of 18 entities with a long-term average annual incidence (LTAA) of ITBB above 6.2 0 /0000, with the exception of Moscow and the Kaluga Region, where a further increase in the incidence of ITBB is possible. In 6 out of 16 regions with LTAA 2013–2022 between 3.31 and 6.2 0 /0000, an upward trend was observed, and in 8 – a decrease in morbidity. The trend towards an increase in morbidity was detected in 7 out of 21 entities with LTAA of ITBB from 1.21 to 3.3 0 /0000 and in 15 out of 26 regions with a low LTAA 2013–2022 (below 1.2 0 /0000). The analysis of trends in the development of the ITBB epidemic process against the trends in changes in the frequency of contacts of the population with ticks, as well as calculations of the probable incidence rate allowed us to conclude that the incidence rate of ITBB in 2023 will range within the confidence intervals of long-term average annual values for the majority of the federal districts, with the exception of the Central Federal District, where an increase in the number of cases of ixodic tick-borne borreliosis is likely to occur, provided that the existing volumes of preventive measures are maintained and abnormal climatic phenomena absent. Effective control of the epidemic situation on the ITBB is attainable through preservation, and for such areas as Moscow, the Moscow Region, Voronezh, Kaluga, Orel, Ryazan, Penza and Rostov Regions, the Republic of Buryatia – increase in the volume of preventive measures, strengthening zoological and entomological monitoring of activity and structure of natural foci. There is an obvious need to develop algorithms for molecular-genetic monitoring of pathogens circulating in natural foci, and to focus attention onto the problems of diagnosis and prophylaxis of tick-borne transmissible infections

Impact of elevated CO2 concentration on dynamics of leaf photosynthesis in Fagus sylvatica is modulated by sky conditions

AbstractIt has been suggested that atmospheric CO2 concentration and frequency of cloud cover will increase in future. It remains unclear, however, how elevated CO2 influences photosynthesis under complex clear versus cloudy sky conditions. Accordingly, diurnal changes in photosynthetic responses among beech trees grown at ambient (AC) and doubled (EC) CO2 concentrations were studied under contrasting sky conditions. EC stimulated the daily sum of fixed CO2 and light use efficiency under clear sky. Meanwhile, both these parameters were reduced under cloudy sky as compared with AC treatment. Reduction in photosynthesis rate under cloudy sky was particularly associated with EC-stimulated, xanthophyll-dependent thermal dissipation of absorbed light energy. Under clear sky, a pronounced afternoon depression of CO2 assimilation rate was found in sun-adapted leaves under EC compared with AC conditions. This was caused in particular by stomata closure mediated by vapour pressure deficit

THE POTENTIAL OF PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP’S EMPLOYMENT IN URBAN PASSENGER TRANSPORT SPHERE IN OMSK

Authors consider concept of public-private partnership, forms of its implementation. The Legislative acts, regulating the activities public-private partnerships, and features of Russian and foreign application experience are studied. It presents analyses of statistical indicators and situation in urban public transport sphere in Omsk, on which results identified the necessity and investigate the opportunity of public-private partnership principles applying taking into account the specifics of the regional market

Evaluation of factors influencing stable microbubble test results in preterm neonates at 30–33 gestational weeks

Oxana A Teslova1,2, Takehiko Hiroma1, Elena I Baranovskaya2, Tomohiko Nakamura11Division of Neonatology, Nagano Children's Hospital, Azumino City, Nagano, Japan; 2Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gomel State Medical University, BelarusBackground: The stable microbubble test (SMT) is a sensitive and specific means of predicting respiratory distress syndrome in newborns, using quantitative correlations with concentrations of the protein and lipid components of surfactant. We hypothesized that fetal nutrition would affect the synthesis of surfactant components. The objectives of this study were to evaluate aspects of fetal and maternal nutrition influencing SMT results and related to development of respiratory distress syndrome in preterm neonates.Methods: Data from 194 preterm neonates of gestational age 23–36 weeks were analyzed using multivariate regression modeling to identify factors influencing SMT results. After adjusting for gestational age, we compared obstetric, maternal, neonatal, and placental data using analysis of variance in 99 neonates at 30–33 weeks of gestation based on results of the SMT. Receiver-operating-characteristic analysis was performed to characterize factors predictive of respiratory distress syndrome.Results: SMT results were most strongly associated with the concentration of protein in neonatal blood (P < 0.05) and maternal weight gain during pregnancy (P < 0.05). Cutoff values for predicting respiratory distress syndrome were serum protein <4.7 g/L and maternal weight gain <200 g/week.Conclusion: Inadequate maternal weight gain during pregnancy may play a significant role in immaturity of the surfactant system in the lungs and may be a predictor of respiratory distress syndrome in premature babies.Keywords: stable microbubble test, respiratory distress syndrome, protein concentration, gestational weight gai

Genospecies Diversity of Borrelia in Ixodes Ticks of the West Siberia

Objective: to determine genospecies composition of Borrelia in the ixodid ticks of various species in natural foci of Ixodes tick-borne borreliosis (ITB) in the South of Western Siberia. Materials and methods. A total of 1148 examples of ticks collected from vegetation and 2183 examples of ticks withdrawn from persons seeking medical help have been tested by bacteriological (sowing in BSK-H medium, SIGMA, USA) and Real Time PCR methods. Genotyping of Borrelia was performed by sequencing. Results and conclusions. Infection of Ixodes ticks with borrelia ranged from 22.4 % in the Altay Republic to 56.9 % in the Novosibirsk Region. Reliable differences in borrelia infection rates of ticks I. persulcatus and I. pavlovskiy have not been established (average levels of infection 40 % and 38.8 %, respectively). The study of isolates of borrelia sp. circulating in natural foci of the West Siberia showed the presence of at least four genospecies of pathogenic borrelia (B. garinii, B. afzelii, B. bavariensis, B. miyamotoi). 30 nucleotide sequences of the rrf (5S)-rrl (23S) intergenic spacer were submitted to GenBank database. The detection rate of genospecies B. garinii and B. afzelii of different types of ticks (I. persulcatus and I. pavlovskiy) has no significant difference. More frequent occurrence of B. garinii in comparison with that of B. afzelii was determined. The level of I. persulcatus ticks infection with B. miyamotoi was significantly lower than that with genospecies B. garanii and B. afzelii. DNA of B. spielmanii and B. miyamotoi was detected in ticks D. reticulatus. Further evaluation of the role of ticks D. reticulatus in the distribution of borrelia in ticks in natural foci of the Russian Federation is necessary