Background. Cardiovascular and infectious diseases, especially those caused by pathogens resistant to existing drugs, remain the most important problem in modern medicine. The development of fundamentally new effective drugs is possible through the search for natural compounds. The use of new search methods and the involvement of new groups of organisms, including basidiomycetes, can significantly increase the efficiency of screening work and, ultimately, lead to the development of new, more effective drugs.

The aim of the work was to identify sterol biosynthesis inhibitors (SBIs) among the metabolic products of higher fungi — Basidiomycetes.

Materials and Methods. Basidiomycetes were grown using the submerged cultivation method. Ethyl acetate extracts from the culture broth and ethanol extracts from the mycelium of the producers were analyzed. The antibacterial and antifungal activity was assessed using the serial dilution method with determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration, as well as the agar diffusion assay. SBIs were detected utilizing a previously developed test system using the Halobacterium salinarum microbial model.

Results. The study of Ganoderma lucidum, Kuehneromyces mutabilis, Flammulina velutipes, Pleurotus ostreatus, and Lentinula edodes strains revealed the ability of many strains to produce SBIs. The extracts of some L. edodes strains, as well as the extracts obtained from the mycelium of G. lucidum and K. mutabilis, were found to contain inhibitors of the early stages of sterol biosynthesis; their suppressive effect on the H. salinarum culture was removed by the addition of mevalonic acid. The antibiotic complexes of other strains apparently contained inhibitors of later (after the formation of mevalonate) stages of sterol biosynthesis. Some strains have also exhibited antibiotic activity, mainly against Gram-positive bacteria and fungi.

Conclusion. Some of the studied strains demonstrated the ability to form inhibitors of the late stages of sterol biosynthesis. The ability to form inhibitors of early (before mevalonate formation) stages of sterol biosynthesis has been demonstrated in several L. edodes strains, as well as in the P. eryngii strain 10 used as a control. 

Background. Herpesviruses are among the most common human pathogens that cause a variety of diseases, including herpetic stomatitis, ophthalmic herpes, genital herpes, chickenpox, and shingles. Despite the availability of several effective medicines, such as acyclovir and valacyclovir, there is a need for the development of new medications with increased efficacy, reduced toxicity, and the ability to overcome viral resistance.

The aim of the study was to identify and evaluate the antiviral activity of naturally occurring compounds against the herpes simplex virus in vitro.

Results. Echinacea and hawkweed extracts demonstrated the most pronounced antiviral protection against the herpes simplex virus. Among pure chemical compounds, caffeic acid was found to be the most active against herpes simplex virus type 2.

Conclusion. The obtained data demonstrate the potential of plant compounds for the development of new treatments for herpes infections. Among the compounds studied, echinacea and hawkweed extracts are the most promising and can be considered as candidates for the development of natural antiherpetic medications. 

Background. In the modern literature, ways to increase the effectiveness of specific prevention of acute respiratory viral infections and pneumonia, including through the use of immunostimulants, are widely discussed.

The aim of the study was to determine the epidemiological effectiveness of using the three-component drug regimen: glutamine-tryptophan + bendazole + ascorbic acid in combination with influenza and pneumococcal vaccines to reduce the incidence of acute respiratory infections and pneumonia.

Material and methods. Two groups (283 people) were examined after vaccination with Grippol and Pneumo 23. In the first group (140 people), a three-component drug regimen (glutamine-tryptophan + bendazole + ascorbic acid) was used in combination with vaccination. In the second group (143 people), preventive measures were limited to vaccination.

Results and discussion. The use of a three-component drug regimen for the prevention of acute respiratory viral infections in combination with Pneumo 23 and Grippol vaccination reduces the disease incidence by 3.3 times in the first month after the start of the treatment (epidemiological efficacy of 69.8%). 

Background. Studying the diversity of bacteriophages in pristine Arctic ecosystems is of significant interest for determining strategies for finding viruses that can be used as antibacterial agents against multidrug-resistant bacteria.

The aim of the study was to describe the structure and characteristics of viromes associated with seabird colonies on the Barents Sea islands as a potential source for virulent bacteriophages that can be used for phage therapy of infectious diseases in humans and animals.

Material and methods. The study included metagenomic analysis of soil samples collected in the seabird colonies on Severny Island (Novaya Zemlya archipelago) and Western Northbrook Island (Franz-Josef Land archipelago), as well as isolation and sequencing of Escherichia coli bacteriophage genomes from these samples. Metagenomic sequencing was performed on a DNBSEQ-G400 sequencing platform with a paired-end read length of 150 base pairs. Further analysis included assembling raw reads into contigs using MEGAHIT version 1.2.9, followed by classification using Kraken2 and the RefSeq database of viral sequences. Bacteriophage isolation was achieved through the accumulation method using Escherichia coli flora2c and OO17 cultures. The genomes of the two isolated bacteriophages were sequenced, and their phylogenetic relationships were analyzed using the Parsnp program.

Results. The structure of metaviromes is dominated by sequences of Caudoviricetes-class tailed phages, accounting for up to 78.45% of the total number of classified viral sequences. The analysis of metavirome data revealed a significant diversity of Caudoviricetes bacteriophages, including Straboviridae and Shitoviridae families and genera such as Baikalvirus and Phitrevirus. Representatives of these genera can be used in phage therapy. Two virulent Escherichia coli bacteriophages were isolated from ornithogenic soil samples. Based on phylogenomic analysis, one of them represents a known species of the genus Justusliebigvirus, while the second can be classified as a novel species of the genus Kagunavirus.

Conclusion. The current study reveals a considerable diversity of virulent bacteriophage species in the microbiomes associated with Arctic seabird colonies, suggesting that there is potential for finding new bacteriophages applicable for phage therapy.

The introduction of biologically active compounds, particularly hormonal substances of natural and synthetic origin, into aquatic ecosystems poses a global environmental safety problem for the population. Steroid hormones — 17β-estradiol (E2), estriol (E3), and progesterone – have high estrogenic activity and are considered key endocrine disruptors. The aim of the study was a comparative assessment of the content of 17β-estradiol (E2), estriol (E3), and progesterone in drinking water of some settlements in the Prokhladnensky district of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic (KBR), as well as in the surface waters of the Malka River. The methodology involved collecting drinking water samples from centralized water supply systems in populated areas of the Prokhladnensky District. Solid-phase extraction followed by high-performance liquid chromatography — tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) was used to analyze the water samples. 17β-estradiol (E2) was detected in surface waters of the Malka River in the Prokhladnensky District, with concentrations ranging from 1.1 to 3.2 ng/L. The highest concentrations were recorded in surface water samples near agricultural areas. Estriol (E3) was similarly detected in surface water samples at concentrations ranging from 1.2 to 2.3 ng/L. Progesterone levels ranged from 2.5 to 3.4 ng/L. Comparative analysis revealed that progesterone was the dominant hormonal pollutant in the surface waters studied. This study provides the first systematic assessment of the presence of 17β-estradiol (E2), estriol (E3), and progesterone in drinking and surface waters of the KabardinoBalkarian Republic. Despite the lack of a direct toxicological risk to public health at the current level, the detected prevalence of 17β-estradiol (E2), estriol (E3), and progesterone indicates anthropogenic impacts on the region's water resources (agriculture, municipal wastewater, etc.). Therefore, based on the conducted analysis, it is necessary to include hormonal substances in the regional programs for monitoring the quality of water bodies, as well as to improve the efficiency of treatment facilities for municipal and other wastewater. 

Cutaneous melanoma (CM) is a serious problem of modern oncology, both in Russia and in many countries of the world. According to the Global Canсer Registry, 331,722 new cases of cutaneous melanoma were reported in 2022, of which 4% were patients from the Russian Federation. Skin melanoma accounts for 70.3% of deaths in patients with malignant skin tumors. Over the past decade, there has been an annual increase in melanoma cases by 3–4%, especially among people with light skin phototypes. Morphological verification of primary cutaneous melanoma (CM) is a critically important stage in the diagnosis and determination of adequate treatment tactics for this disease. Histological and cytological verification are necessary methods for accurate confirmation of the diagnosis and determination of prognostic factors for the disease. This review aims to analyze the diagnostic value of various methods of primary verification of CM, as well as further prospects for improving diagnostics.

Background. The global antimicrobial resistance (AMR) crisis, exacerbated by the shortage of new antibiotics due to economic and regulatory barriers, poses a particular threat to the Russian Federation. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has developed a number of adaptive regulatory approaches to address the AMR crisis. This experience can be used as a basis for addressing this problem in Russia. The aim of this review is to analyze the evolution, criteria, and practical effectiveness of key FDA programs for accelerated approval of new antibacterial drugs: Fast Track (FT), Breakthrough Therapy (BT), Qualified Infectious Disease Product (QIDP) designation, and Limited Population Pathway for Antibacterial Drugs (LPAD), as well as to assess the potential for applying this experience to improve regulatory practices in the Russian Federation.

Material and Methods. A review of US legislation, FDA regulatory guidance, scientific publications, and public reports on approved drugs (2010–2025) was conducted. The criteria, benefits, and practical aspects of each program were organized systematically.

Results. The characteristics and advantages of each program are organized systematically. It is shown that QIDP status, which provides automatic FT assignment, priority review, and 5 years of additional market exclusivity, has become a key factor in the approval of most new antibiotics. The essence of the LPAD pathway is a fundamentally new approach: drug approval for a limited patient population is possible based on a reduced amount of clinical information. Examples of successful implementation of these programs (ceftolozane/tazobactam, ceftazidime/avibactam) are provided.

Conclusion. The FDA's experience demonstrates that specialized regulatory measures can accelerate the development of new antibiotics. For the Russian Federation, integrating adapted QIDP and LPAD principles into the national regulatory system appears to be a promising approach to overcoming the AMR crisis.

Patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIRDs) have a higher risk of developing pneumococcal infection than the general population due to an autoimmune process and/or ongoing immunosuppressive therapy. The 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV-23) and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines are available for the prevention of this infection. PPV-23 has proven itself to be a safe and effective vaccine, which is reflected in numerous studies by domestic and foreign authors. This review analyzes studies on the safety, immunogenicity, and clinical efficacy of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines.

In the agro-industrial complex (AIC), it is recommended, whenever possible, to use the compounds that are considered not to have a significant impact on the problem of antibiotic resistance instead of antibiotic drugs that are undesirable from the point of view of the development of resistance of pathogenic microorganisms. Antibiotics are represented by different classes of compounds and have different mechanisms of action; they act as inhibitors of bacterial and fungal cell wall synthesis, protein synthesis, and cell membrane functions. A number of such antibiotics are considered as feed additives and growth promoters for the prevention of bacterial infections and accelerated growth of young animals, as well as fungicides in veterinary medicine and plant growing. Antibiotics come in a variety of classes and have different mechanisms of action; they act as inhibitors of bacterial and fungal cell wall synthesis, protein synthesis, and cell membrane function. This review presents the structures of these antibiotics, their mechanisms of action, and the potential for resistance development, including their impact on the human ecosystem.

Chronic psychosocial stress, dietary patterns, and physical activity levels are important modifiable factors of cardiovascular risk. Their influence is mediated through behavioral, neuroendocrine, metabolic, and psychophysiological mechanisms. The aim of this review was to systematize data on the relationship between stress, dietary patterns, physical activity, and cardiovascular risk based on a predefined literature. The analysis was based on 15 publications, including meta-analyses, systematic reviews, clinical trials, and conceptual papers on stress, hypertension, diet, cardiorespiratory fitness, mindfulness, as well as relaxation interventions. Chronic stress has been shown to be associated with a higher risk of hypertension, while social support, mindfulness-based interventions, the Mediterranean diet, soluble fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and physical activity have been associated with a more favorable cardiometabolic profile. The integration of psychological and nutritional interventions, along with physical activity, may be considered a promising strategy for the prevention of cardiovascular disease.