[Role of infectious agents in the emergence of malignant tumors].

According to the data of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), at least 6 virus species (HPV, EBV, HHV-8/KSHV, HTLV-1, HBV, HCV), 4 helminthes species (Schistosoma haematobium and japonicum, Opisthorchis viverrini, Clonorchis sinensis) and I bacterium species (Helicobacter pylori) have been proved to be capable of causing the development of cancer. The analysis of the data available shows that Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), John Cunningham polyomavirus (JCV), monkey virus 40 (SV40), cytomegalovirus (CMV), xenotropic murine leukemia virus (XMRV), Helicobacter bilis and hepaticus, Campylobacter jejuni, Fusobacterium varium, enteropathogenic Escherichia coli, enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis, Bacteroides vulgatus, Prevotella spp., Streptococcus bovis and anginosus, Treponema denticola, Salmonella typhi, paratyphi and typhimurium, Borrelia burgdorferi, Bartonella spp., Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Chlamydia pneumoniae, trachomatis and psittaci, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Propionibacterium acnes, Tropheryma whippelii, Schistosoma mansoni, Opistorchis felineus, Strongyloides stercoralis, Taenia solium, Candida spp., Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, Histoplasma capsulatum and Trichomonas vaginalis can also be potential etiological agents of cancer. Apparently, detection of new associations between infectious agents and risk of the development of cancer will facilitate progress in elaboration of prophylaxis measures, early diagnostic methods and, probably, methods of treatment of malignant tumors.

Atmospheric Reactive Oxygen Species and Some Aspects of the Antiviral Protection at the Respiratory Epithelium.

The review summarizes literature data on molecular and biochemical mechanisms of nonspecific protection of respiratory epithelium. The special attention is paid to comprehensive analysis of up-to-date data on the activity of the lactoperoxidase system expressed on the surface of the respiratory epithelium which provides the generation of hypothiocyanate and hypoiodite in the presence of locally produced or inhaled hydrogen peroxide. Molecular mechanisms of production of active compounds with antiviral and antibacterial effects, expression profiles of enzymes, transporters and ion channels involved in the generation of hypothiocyanite and hypoiodite in the mucous membrane of the respiratory system in physiological and pathological conditions (inflammation) are discussed. A hypothesis about the effect of atmospheric air composition on the efficiency of hypothiocyanate and hypoiodite generation in the respiratory epithelium in the context of its antibacterial and antiviral protection is presented. The causes and consequences of insufficiency of the lactoperoxidase system caused by the action of atmospheric factors are discussed in the context of controlling the sensitivity of the epithelium to the action of bacterial agents and viruses. Good evidence exists that restoration of the lactoperoxidase system activity can be achieved by application of pharmacological agents aimed to compensate for the deficit of halides in tissues, and by the control of chemical composition of the inhaled air.

[Cancer molecular epidemiology: new horizons of prophylaxis].

Perspectives of malignant neoplasm prophylaxis based on molecular biology achievements are discussed. Gene variants critical to development of hereditary cancer syndromes, genes modulating malignant neoplasm development risk without hereditary cancer syndrome development, and genes determining tendency of individuals for different malignant neoplasm progress risk increasing lifestyle factors are examined. Molecular epidemiology by using large scale population analysis of cancerogenesis linked genetic polymorphisms prevalence allows determination of risk groups at the most earlier stages of cell transformation or even before the onset of cell malignization and development of goal-based prophylaxis measures based on polymorphism and corresponding cancer type. Epidemiologic analysis of this type allows for earlier diagnostics in risk groups, therapy efficacy increase, disability decrease. Specific therapy on molecular level may be possible in the future.

[Terminologic aspects of infections associated with administration of medical aid].

Evolution of key terms used in epidemiology of nosocomial infections is discussed. A modern point of view on terminology and comparison of Russian terms with foreign analogues are presented.

[Atmospheric reactive oxygen species and some aspects of the antiviral protection of the respiratory epithelium]. / Atmosfernye aktivnye formy kisloroda i nekotorye aspekty protivovirusnoi zashchity respiratornogo épiteliia.

The review focuses on molecular and biochemical mechanisms of nonspecific protection of respiratory epithelium. The authors provide a comprehensive analysis of up-to-date data on the activity of the lactoperoxidase system expressed on the surface of the respiratory epithelium which provides the generation of hypothiocyanate and hypoiodite in the presence of locally produced or inhaled hydrogen peroxide. Molecular mechanisms of production of active compounds with antiviral and antibacterial effects, expression profiles of enzymes, transporters and ion channels involved in the generation of hypothiocyanite and hypoiodate in the mucous membrane of the respiratory system in physiological and pathological conditions (inflammation) are discussed. In the context of antibacterial and antiviral defense special attention is paid to recent data confirming the effects of atmospheric air composition on the efficiency of hypothiocyanite and hypoiodate synthesis in the respiratory epithelium. The causes and outcomes of lactoperoxidase system impairment due to the action of atmospheric factors are discussed in the context of controlling the sensitivity of the epithelium to the action of bacterial agents and viruses. Restoration of the lactoperoxidase system activity can be achieved by application of pharmacological agents aimed to compensate for the lack of halides in tissues, and by the control of chemical composition of the inhaled air.

[Hospital infections: the problems and ways to resolve them]. / Gospital'nye infektsii: problemy i puti resheniia.

The authors present the critical analysis of the existing situation in the spread of purulent septic infections in surgical hospitals of the USSR and the state of epidemiological surveillance. Considering this situation to be highly unfavorable, the authors propose a number of urgent organizational measures (the inclusion of hospital epidemiologists into the medical staff of large clinics, the system of training in this problem). The article deals with the specific features of the epidemiological process in purulent septic infections and the main principles of the organization of the epidemiological surveillance system for this group of infections.

[Epidemiological diagnosis of suppurative-septic hospital infections in surgery]. / Epidemiologicheskaia diagnostika gospital'nykh gnoino-septicheskikh infektsii v khirurgii.

The authors have analyzed the results of epidemiologic diagnosis of suppurative-septic hospital infections after surgery, that helped them develop a preventive system permitting a decrease of the incidence rate of suppurative-septic infections in surgery 1.8-fold within a year. The main features of the epidemic process in suppurative-septic infections is described. A total systems approach to epidemiological diagnosis is necessitated.

[Infective endocarditis: the course]. / Infektsionnyi éndokardit--evoliutsiia bolezni.

AIM: Epidemiological analysis of mortality due to infectious endocarditis (IE) and the disease evolution. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was made of 109 IE lethal outcomes for 1987-1996 basing on the results of autopsies performed in Kemerovo prosectorium. RESULTS: A significant trend to a rise in death rate of IE was registered. Among the deceased there is a higher proportion of old IE patients and patients with primary IE. Many of the patients died of staphylococcal IE, greater number of patients died of gram-negative infection and IE caused by injections of narcotic drugs. CONCLUSION: Long-term trends in IE evolution are described.

[Characteristics of the epidemic process in pyoseptic infections in a heart surgery hospital]. / Kharakteristika épidemicheskogo protsessa gospital'nykh gnoino-septicheskikh infektsii v kardiokhirurgicheskom statsionare.

The authors conducted an epidemiologic analysis of hospital pyoseptic infections on the basis of study of the outcomes of 1,517 operations on the heart and the results of bacteriologic tests. A high frequency of secondary infectious endocarditis in acquired heart diseases was revealed, which allows operations in this group of patients to be related to the category of "conventionally clean" and shows that the proper antiseptic regimen must be organized during the operation without fail. The valves of the heart in 59.3% of patients with acquired heart diseases are affected with the causative agents of hospital pyoseptic infections. The epidemic process is characterized by high intensity of manifestations, dependence on the degree of aggression and invasion of the therapeutic and diagnostic process, the type of the operative intervention, and polymorphism of the clinical manifestations and the etiological structure. The process is of the intermittent dynamic type and is marked by a tendency towards growth of morbidity and mortality with prevalence of an endogenous mechanism of contamination. The main sources and routes of transmission of infection are shown.