Water samples and surface swabs from 15 Moscow public indoor swimming pools (SP), where disinfection was carried with the use of chlorine reagents, were studied and excess of bacteriological indicators standards was revealed, infestants of fungous skin and nails diseases were allocated. The research results showed both the absence of epidemic significant information value of bacteriological indicators in relation to infestants of fungous diseases and discrepancy of efficiency of existing recommendations for disinfection actions to requirements on providing sanitary-and-epidemiologic safety of SP visitors.
The authors studied the prevalence and a number of epidemiological features of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection in Moscow. A prophylactic medical examination revealed the infection in 863 working residents of the megapolis. A mini-invasive study was used. Enzyme immunoassay was carried out to determine serum IgG antibodies against Hp. The authors' questionnaire was used in 634 interviews. There was an extremely high incidence (88%) of Hp infection. The prevalence of the infection was found to be related to age, social status (social position, educational level), living conditions (shared or hostel habitation, no sewerage system), contact with waste waters. No association was found between the rate of the infection and the examinees' gender, the intake of raw Moscow tap drinking water, and the contact with domestic animals. Moscow was rated among the cities with a high prevalence of Hp infection. The study revealed a number of epidemiological features of the infection in the megapolis, a knowledge of which is required to elaborate measures for its prophylaxis and the prevention of its associated diseases.
The problem in the provision of rural localities with good-quality drinking water is considered. The specific features of use of diverse water supply sources are shown. The problems and ways of improving the conditions of rural water supply are outlined.
Commercial production of genetically modified (GM) crops as food or feed is regarded as a promising social area in the development of modern biotechnology. The Russian Federation has set up a governmental system to regulate the use of biotechnology products, which is based on Russian and foreign experience and the most up-to-date scientific approaches. The system for evaluating the quality and safety of GM foodstuffs envisages the postregistration monitoring of their circulation as an obligatory stage. For these purposes, the world community applies two methods: enzyme immunoassay and polymerase chain reaction. It should be noted that there are various approaches to GM food labeling in the world; this raises the question of whether the labeling of foods that are prepared from genetically modified organisms, but contain no protein or DNA is to be introduced in Russia, as in the European Union.
The paper gives the results of an integrated assessment of the hygienic parameters of the fish newly caught from the Amur River. Microbiological assay of its muscle tissue for various pollutants (nitrosamines, petroleum products, heavy metals) was used as a basic study. The consequences of the saprophytic and opportunistic bacteria being introduced into the fish with its multicomponent pollution by the toxicants, as well as reduced fish resistance to the causative agents of various diseases are discussed. The investigations show that the fish caught during freezing-over in the main stream of the Amur River falls short its safety requirements. Long-term frozen storage of the fish lowers its nutritional value.
Actual nutrition assessment in overweight patients with hypertensive disease (HD) and coronary heart disease (CHD) in remission determined excess food rations in calorie content, nutrient composition imbalance, and inadequate intake of vitamins, mineral substances, and dietary fibers. This results in impaired metabolic processes. Nutrition optimization should be a constituent in the complex of maintenance therapy in patients with HD and CHD. Moreover, the patients need higher motor activity.
An exothermic reaction that takes place during organic residue composting causes the death of pathogenic microorganisms, protozoa, and helminth eggs. However, the bacteria of the colibacillus group can preserve vital activities under such conditions. Sewage sludge fermentation gives off not only heat, but also moisture that, by lowering the temperature of composted mass, serves as a factor contributing the propagation of these microorganisms. Close observance of composting technology prevents the development of colibacilli.
One hundred and eighteen subjects living at various distances from the carrier rocket fall places underwent cytomorphological studies of the upper airways (rhinocytogram) and buccal epithelium. The findings indicate that the dwellers of the settlements of Ulytausky District have chronic hypertrophic rhinitis since the nasal mucosa and the buccal epithelium are the first and most important biological barrier on the way of adverse and technogenic factors to come into the organism. Technogenic pollutants have cumulative activities, causing granulated mast cells to accumulate; then they actively secrete biologically active substances, by impairing the epithelial responsiveness in both the upper airways and the buccal epithelium.
