Aral Sea Region Research Articles

Духовное наследие каракалпакского народа: «Идегей»

The aim of the research is to study the role of researchers in the process of studying and widely popularizing the dastan of “Edige” among the Karakalpak people, as well as to analyze its significance as an important element of spiritual heritage. Research materials: The basis of the research is a variety of Karakalpak variants of the dastan of “Edige”, as well as scientific works by both Russian and Karakalpak researchers devoted to this work. Special attention is paid to the variant of the dastan recorded from the words of Erpolat zhyrau, one which stands out for its depth and brightness in the ideological images of the heroes. The scientific novelty of this research lies in a comprehensive analysis of the relationship between the images of the heroes of the Karakalpak dastan of “Edige” with historical events, something which allows us to identify the deep cultural and historical roots of this work. Unlike existing studies, the emphasis in this work is on the predominant influence of the worldview of the Karakalpak people on the image of heroes, expressed through the prism of zhyrau's creativity. In addition, the research focuses on a unique version of the dastan of “Edige”, presented in the Karakalpak tradition, which reflects the memories of the population of the Southern Aral Sea region and their longing for the banks of the Volga and Yaik rivers. Results of the research: this study confirms the importance of the dastan of “Edige” as a piece of the inextinguishable cultural heritage of the Karakalpak people. During the analysis, the following key conclusions were reached: The images of the heroes of the dastan of “Edige” are closely related to historical events, which allows a deeper understanding of the cultural and social contexts in which this folklore epic was formed. The research showed that the worldview of the Karakalpak people significantly affects the image of heroes, expressed in their moral and ethical qualities, as well as in their actions which reflected the values and ideals of their society.

Influence of metakaolin on physical and mechanical properties of cement stone heat-resistant binder from mineral-technogenic raw materials of the Aral region

The results of studies of the influence of metakaolin obtained from kaolin of the Khodzhakul deposit on the process of formation of cement stone based on heat-resistant binder from mineral-technogenic raw materials of the Aral Sea region are presented. It has been established that metakaolin allows one to control the processes of hydration, setting and hardening of the cement mass. The high degree of hydration of aluminous cement in the presence of metakaolin provides porosity and sufficiently high compressive strength of the cement stone in the last 14‒28 days of hardening. Increasing the concentration of metakaolin in the cement mixture to 15 % affects not only the process of liquefying the cement mortar, reducing the setting and hardening time of the cement mass, but also increases the compressive strength of the cement stone. New formations of hydration products have been studied.

Monitoring of agricultural land in the Aral Sea region using remote sensing data of the Earth

The article researches the use of satellite monitoring to analyze changes in vegetation and soil cover of agricultural land in the Aral Sea Region, located in Kyzylorda Region, on the border of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, using geographic information systems (GIS). These technologies are widely used to monitor natural disasters, agriculture, forest and water resources and analyze environmental pollution and predict its effects. The purpose of the study is to assess and analyze the impact of environmental degradation on agricultural land using Earth remote sensing data. The methodology includes analyzing time series of space images to calculate vegetation indices, which makes it possible to identify the dynamics of changes and assess the level of land degradation. Landsat-8 space images data for different time intervals from 2014 to 2023 were used. The object of the study was agricultural plots in Kazaly district, located on the territory of the Aral Sea. Analysis and assessment of changes in the study area were carried out using Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) and Normalized Salinity Index (NDSI) on Landsat satellite images. Data processing was performed in the EOSDA Land Viewer and QGIS software environment. As a result of satellite data processing, maps of the dynamics of agricultural crop development using NDVI, maps of water availability in the study area using NDWI, and maps assessing the degree of salinization of the soil cover were obtained. The obtained results allow us to understand more deeply the scale of the Aral Sea ecological problem and contribute to the development of actual effective strategies of adaptation and restoration of the affected agroecosystems.

The importance of taste salt sensitivity in the development of kidney damage in patients with high-risked arterial hypertension

Abstract Purpose of the study to evaluate the diagnostic significance of determining taste salt sensitivity in kidney damage development in patients with high-risked arterial hypertension. Material and methods The study included 1021 patients with arterial hypertension (AH), 60% women, 40% men, aged 58.05±7.95 years. All patients underwent the R.Henkin test to determine the threshold of taste sensitivity to table salt in the family polyclinics of Aral Sea region. All patients underwent a complete blood count, a complete urinalysis, biochemical tests, determination of serum creatinine with calculation of glomerular filtration rate, microalbuminuria, urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio and uric acid level. Results Low and medium thresholds of taste salt sensitivity were determined in 149 patients (14.6%, group 1), the average NaCl concentration was 0.15±0.02%. A high threshold of taste salt sensitivity was detected in 872 patients (85.4%, group 2), the average NaCl concentration was 0.64±0.57% (p=0.0001). Patients of the 1st and 2nd groups differed in the level of systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP): 150.8±10.0 mmHg. versus 172.0±16.7 mmHg. p=0.0001 for SBP, 91.4±3.8 mmHg versus 100.7±10.13 mmHg, p=0.0001 for DBP in the 1st and 2nd groups respectively. At the same time, there was a noticeable direct correlation between hemodynamic parameters – SBP / DBP and NaCl concentration in the test for determining the taste sensitivity to table salt threshold (r = 0.646; r = 0.610, respectively). As a result, were detected significantly differences in GFR: 97.22±11.42 versus 70.33±16.56 (p=0.0001); MAU: 58.64±35.45 vs. 215.9±126.65 (p=0.0001); albumin to creatinine ratio: 47.88±42.73 vs. 268.46±261.05 (p=0.0001); uric acid: 227.67±43.75 vs. 337.17±86.52 (p=0.0001), for 1st and 2nd groups respectively. Conclusion A high threshold of taste salt sensitivity, determined by the R.Henken method, is associated with the level of SBP, DBP, markers of kidney damage and the level of uric acid, which increases the diagnostic significance of determining taste salt sensitivity in patients with hypertension.

Aral Environmental Disaster and Its Mitigation Through Forest Plantations

Abstract The drained bottom of the Aral Sea poses a serious threat to all living things in the Aral Sea region because it covers an area of about 6 million hectares. Nearly150 million tons of salt, dust, and sand are released into the air from it annually, which causes significant damage to agriculture and the national economy. It is possible to mitigate the ecological catastrophe by creating forest plantations on the drained bottom from desert plants. Depending on the types of bottom sediments, different technologies for creating forest plantations were tested, which made it possible to obtain highly effective plantations and minimize the negative impact of the dried bottom of the Aral Sea. Globally, the ecological problem of the Aral Sea is regarded as one of the critical issues that require immediate attention, the consequences of which are still being felt on a continental scale.

Sand and Dust Storm Risk Assessment in Arid Central Asia: Implications for the Environment, Society, and Agriculture

This study aimed to assess sand and dust storm (SDS) risks in arid Central Asia during 2001–2021 from a multisectoral (environment, society, and agriculture) and comprehensive perspective on the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform. The results show that the areas with moderate or greater SDS risk accounted for 18.75% of the total area of arid Central Asia. The high SDS risk areas are mainly concentrated in the oases around the desert and are most widely distributed in spring and summer. The SDS risk in the oasis area of southern Xinjiang increased significantly, while the SDS risk in the northeastern Aral Sea region and the Kazakh hilly region decreased significantly over the 21 years. Khwarazm of Uzbekistan, located in the Amu Darya River Delta, is the administrative district with the highest comprehensive risk of sandstorms, and the Balkan State of Turkmenistan and Kashi City and Zepu County in China are the administrative districts with the highest multisectoral risk of sandstorms. The results of this study provide a complete picture of SDS risks in the arid Central Asia region and will provide some guidance to policymakers and local authorities in SDS risk mitigation.

Preliminary Results of the Study of Kuraily-Asar Necropolis

The article deals with the introduction into scientific discourse new data on the burial structures of the Dzhetyasar culture of Eastern Aral Sea region. In 2023, archaeological work was carried out on the necropolis of one of the Dzhetyasar monuments – the Kuraily-asar fortified settlement. The research was carried out by the “Aral Sea detachment” of the Margulan Institute of Archeology an under the leadership of A. Ongarruly and A.A. Tazhekeyev. The four underground burial sites were uncovered, as a result of the excavations. All the mounds have an identical design and burial rite. The mounds are surrounded by a moat with an entrance on the north and south sides, in the center of which there is a burial pit. Burials: three of them were women, and one was a child, were located on the dorsal surface and the head was oriented to the north. The anthropological characteristics of the burials show that the ontological constitution of post cranium is generally characterized by a morphological variant of the addition allocated to the Dzhetyasar population. The burial inventory included ceramic vessels and spindle whorl, buckles, a mirror and an amulet, the analysis of which allowed these mounds to be attributed to the Dzhetyasar II stage and dated to the II-IV centuries AD.

The Influence of Sufi Traditions On The Spiritual Life Of The Karakalpaks

he dissemination of Islam in the Khorezm and Aral Sea region is profoundly intertwined with the teachings of Sufism, which played a pivotal role in shaping the spiritual landscape of the area. Sufi missionaries emerged as the foremost proponents of Islam among the Turkic nomadic peoples, utilising their mystical and inclusive approach to attract a diverse following. This article aims to explore the principal characteristics of Sufism's spread and its subsequent development within the social and spiritual lives of the Karakalpaks. The legacy of Sufism in the Khorezm and Aral Sea region is evident in the ongoing spiritual practices and cultural expressions of the Karakalpaks. Today, elements of Sufi thought continue to influence their rituals, art, and literature, reflecting the enduring impact of Sufism on their social and spiritual life.

Mathematical Modeling of Sorptive Extraction of Lithium Chloride from Lithium-containing Brine of the Aral Sea Region

Introduction The article presents the results of chemical and physicochemical analysis of initial lithium-containing hydromineral raw materials and sorbent based on bentonite clay with titanium oxide addition. Methods It is established that the mineral is montmorillonite group and kaolinite according to the results of the analysis of the microstructure and elemental composition of bentonitic clay of the Darbazinsky deposit. Brine is characterized by the change of lithium chloride content in the range of 403- 1001 mg/l. Physical and mechanical characteristics of the obtained sorbents based on bentonite clay and titanium oxide additive are characterized by a high mechanical strength of 5.31 MPa, density of up to 2,6 g/cm3, and specific surface area of 1572 cm2/g. The technological parameters of sorption extraction of lithium chloride from lithium-containing hydromineral raw materials were optimized using the system analysis “STATISTICA” developed by StatSoft company. It is established that to increase the rate of lithium chloride extraction from brine, it is necessary to maintain the rate of brine flow within 8 l/min at maximum humidity of solution output up to 43g/m3 on the basis of the obtained volumetric graphical dependencies. Results The microstructure of the used sorbents with titanium oxide addition up to 20% is characterized by the predominance of lithium chlorides, which are represented by heap-shaped, prismatic crystals. Conclusion The maximum amount of lithium chloride in the form of clusters of light-white crystals of tabular shape on the surface of the sorbent is observed at increasing the content of titanium oxide up to 40%.

Current condition, geological structure and prospects of oil and gas resources in the Aral sea

The article presents the results of the analysis of the current state of study of the Aral Sea region by geological exploration works, and in more detail – of the Aral Sea aquatory. An attempt has been made to correlate new geological data based on the works of Uzbek geologists and materials of seismic surveys of the Kazakh part of the Aral Sea, since the West Aral oil and gas condensate field has been discovered in the Uzbek part of the Aral Sea water area, the productivity of which is associated with the Middle-Upper Jurassic deposits. Taking into account the history of geological development of the territory and formation of oil and gas bearing zones, it is necessary to carry out geological exploration works in the perspective of the unified model of the Aral Sea basin. On the basis of the discussed model of geological structure the prospects of oil and gas potential of separate structural-tectonic zones were predicted, and a series of recommendations were issued.

Problems of Desertification and Dustiness of Atmospheric Air in Arid Cities of the Aral Sea Region

Problems of Desertification and Dustiness of Atmospheric Air in Arid Cities of the Aral Sea Region

An insight into effect of soil salinity on vegetation dynamics in the exposed seafloor of the Aral Sea

The desiccation of the Aral Sea has precipitated significant ecological degradation, resulting in the progressive development of vegetation on the exposed seafloor. Soil salinity emerges as a pivotal determinant in this ecological succession process. Employing a comprehensive methodology integrating multi-source datasets spanning from 1986 to 2023, this study elucidates the temporal changes in vegetation dynamics and soil salinity levels. Satellite imagery (Landsat-4/5/7/8), field soil samplings, hydrological and topographic data were analyzed to understand their interactions with regression analysis. The results reveal a consistent increasing trend in the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) across the exposed seabed since 1986. However, NDVI demonstrates a non-linear relationship with elevation in the North Aral Sea region. Interestingly, NDVI levels near an elevation of 42 m on the exposed seabed approximate those observed during the pre-recession period in the 1960s. Conversely, in the South Aral Sea region, NDVI demonstrates a linear upward trend with increasing elevation. Furthermore, the spatial distribution of soil salinity on the exposed seabed was delineated with linear regression analysis. It revealed water salinity levels at the time of sea recession can serve as a proxy for soil salinity in cases where direct soil data is unavailable. Through establishing a robust correlation between NDVI and soil salinity, the range of stable NDVI values on the exposed seabed was delineated. Lastly, three hypothetical scenarios of rising water levels were considered to evaluate changes in stable NDVI across different elevation gradients. If the water level returns to 45 m, the salt-desert area would decrease by 4.5 × 104 km2, accounting for 23 % of the total area in 1960. At this water level, it is anticipated that lake hydrological conditions and ecological environments may restore to those observed in 1981. This study provides a long-term perspective on environmental changes in the Aral Sea region by integrating multiple data sources and analytical methods. The predictive insights from the scenario analysis offer valuable guidance for future water management and ecological restoration efforts. Compared with previous studies, it presents a detailed and comprehensive picture of the interplay between vegetation dynamics and soil salinity, highlighting the critical impact of water level changes on the region's ecosystem.

Interrelations between iron content and immune dysfunctions in frequently ill children of the Aral Sea Region

The widespread occurrence of immune-dependent diseases and disturbances in iron metabolism, as well as their co-occurrence and the impact of iron deficiency on the immune system, underscore the relevance of this study. Modern data also indicate the involvement of iron in regulating cytokine production and protein synthesis by lymphocytes. In addition to the age-related characteristics of the child’s immune system, a significant factor in the development of inadequate course of the infectious process is the disruption of immune system adaptation, which can be caused by frequent infections, other somatic diseases such as anemia, and environmental factors. The aim of this study is to assess the relationship between iron levels and immune dysfunction in children with frequent acute respiratory diseases living in the Aral Sea region. A total of 127 children, who are native residents living at the epicenter of the ecological crisis, were examined. The children’s ages ranged from 1 to 5 years old. Among them, there were 105 frequently ill children (with 6 or more episodes of acute respiratory infections per year) with iron-deficiency anemia (IDA), and 22 healthy children of the same age. All children underwent clinical examination and standard laboratory tests, including complete blood count, relative content and ratio of T and B lymphocytes, as well as the levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-2 and 4) and ferritin in the serum. According to the results of the conducted research, it was found that among frequently ill children with iron-deficiency anemia (IDA), there is a moderate positive correlation between the relative quantity of T lymphocytes and the hemoglobin level (r = +0.62), as well as a strong positive correlation with the serum iron level (r = +0.78). This indicates a significant influence of iron deficiency on the level of cellular immunity. Clinical data also indicate a higher risk of respiratory infections development in children with IDA compared to the control group. Ferritin, hemoglobin, lymphocytes, and cytokines act as positive regulators of hematopoiesis in IDA conditions and contribute to the compensation of anemia during iron deficiency replenishment.

Uncovering the Antifungal Potential of Plant-Associated Cultivable Bacteria from the Aral Sea Region against Phytopathogenic Fungi.

Two freshwater rivers, the Amu Darya and Syr Darya, flow into the Aral Sea, but they began to diminish in the early 1960s, and by the 1980s, the lake had nearly ceased to exist due to excessive water consumption for agriculture and the unsustainable management of water resources from rivers, which transformed the Aral Sea into a hypersaline lake. Despite this, the flora and fauna of the region began to evolve in the high-salinity seabed soil, which has received little attention in studies. In this study, we isolated approximately 1400 bacterial strains from the rhizosphere and phyllosphere of plant species of distinct families. Bacterial isolates were examined for antifungal activities against a range of pathogenic fungi such as Rhizoctonia gossypii, Trichothecium ovalisporum, Fusarium annulatum, F. oxysporum, F. culmorum, F. brachygibbosum, F. tricinctum, F. verticillioides, Alternaria alternata, A. terreus, Aspergillus niger, and As. flavus. Eighty-eight bacterial isolates exhibited varying antagonistic ability against pathogenic fungi. Furthermore, DNA barcoding of isolates using the 16S rRNA gene indicated that most antagonistic bacteria belonged to the Bacillus and Pseudomonas genera. The study also explored the activity of hydrolytic and cell-wall-degrading enzymes produced by antagonistic bacteria. The findings revealed that antagonistic bacteria can be utilized to widely protect seabed plants and plants growing in saline areas against pathogenic fungi, as well as agricultural crops.

Circular settlements of the Trans-Urals and Western Siberia from the Neolithic to the early iron age

Circular in plan fortified settlements, or ring settlements, were an ideal type of lowland fortifications. One of their prototypes is unfortified settlements with a closed layout of dwellings in a circle and an oval. In the north of Eurasia, ring fortifications emerged in the Neolithic (6th–4th millennia BC), in the fisher-hunter-gatherers’ communities in the taiga area of the Ob’ River Basin and the mountain-forest Trans-Urals, during the mass settlement of these territories in the context of global warming. In the Bronze Age (late 3rd – early 1st millennium BC), such fortified settlements, as well as promontory and riverside fortified settlements, disappeared in the taiga giving way to large earth-timber fortified dwellings. At the beginning of the Bronze Age, during the next xerotherm, in the steppes of the Trans-Urals, pastoralists who migrated from South-Eastern Europe erected circular fortresses (the Sintashta culture of the 21st–18th centuries BC). Probably, the construction of circular in plan unfortified settlements of the Tashkovo culture in the forests of the Lower Tobol region in the 21st/20th – 16th centuries BC was influenced by the steppe defensive architecture. The earliest taiga fortified settlements were developing independently of the forest-steppe and steppe settlements. The former and the latter alike were economic, industrial, social and, possibly, cult centres of communities. A new mass distribution of ring settlements in the forest-steppe area of the Tobol-Irtysh region, and later in the taiga area of the Surgut and Lower Ob’ River region, took place at the end of the Bronze Age and the beginning of the Iron Age (8th/7th centuries BC – 3rd/4th centuries AD). In the 6th/5th centuries BC – 3rd/4th centuries AD, the defensive systems of some West Siberian fortifications were supplemented with bastion-tower elements borrowed from the Saka people of the Aral Sea region.

At Shores of a Vanishing Sea: Microbial Communities of Aral and Southern Aral Sea Region

Since the early 60s of the 20th century, as a result of agricultural development in the irrigated areas of Uzbekistan, the area of the Aral Sea has decreased by 90%, while the water salinity has increased from 1% to 20%. The aim of our work was to investigate the diversity of microbial communities of water and sediments of the Western Aral Sea, as well as of the adjacent soils and reservoirs using high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA genes variable V4 region. It was found that the Aral Sea water with a salinity of 22% was dominated by uncultured Archaea of the family Haloferacaceae (22‒43%), as well as by bacteria of the genera Spiribacter and Psychroflexus. In the Aral Sea sediments the share of archaea was much lower (2‒17%), and among them the uncultured Woesearchaeales predominated. Among bacteria, dominating in Aral sediments, there were sulfate reducers of the phylum ‘Desulfobacterota’, as well as representatives of the genera Fusibacter, Halanaerobium, Guyparkeria, Marinobacter, Idiomarina and Thiomicrospira. In soil samples of the former Aral Sea bed with salinity of 8.2%, a variety of archaea of the phylum Halobacterota were present, as well as uncultured bacteria of the family Nitrosococcaceae. However, in the rhizosphere of Ewresmann’s teresken plant (Kraschennininikovia ewresmanniana) growing there, archaea accounted for only 4% and mainly represented the family Nitrososphearaceae. 33% of all prokaryotes in the rhizosphere microbiome were the uncultured representatives of the phylum Actinomycetota. The microbial community of the teresken rhizosphere turned out to be similar to the microbial communities of the soil of the Ustyurt plateau, located in 3 km from the Aral Sea shore. The fresh water flowing along the former Aral Sea bed from an artificially drilled well also causes significant changes in the microbial communities: cyanobacterial mats and associated organotrophic bacteria develop along the stream bed with the increasing salinity (0.5‒2%). Finally, the greatest diversity of prokaryotes was found in the microbial community of Sudochie Lake sediment with salinity of 1%, which is probably a modern analogue of the Aral Sea microbiome before its shallowing.

HE ARAL SEA PROBLEM THROUGH THE PRISM OF FOREIGN POLICY OF THE REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN

The Aral Sea, once one of the world's largest inland bodies of water, has experienced a catastrophic decline over the past several decades, primarily due to unsustaina ble water man-agement practices. This environmental catastrophe has had profound implications for the foreign policy of the Republic of Uzbekistan, a country heavily impacted by the crisis. This scientific ar-ticle examines the multifaceted dimensions of the Aral Seaproblem and how it has shaped Uzbekistan's foreign policy. It explores the nation's efforts in water resource management, regional cooperation, international partnerships, climate diplomacy, security considerations, and human-itarian responses in the context of the Aral Sea crisis. The main purpose of this article is to analyze the problems and causes of the drying up of the Aral Sea and to generalize approaches to resolving this issue of the Republic of Uzbekistan through the lens of foreign policy. This analys is was carried out by applying such methods as historical, comparative and content analysis. These methods enabled the author to analyse and identify the main factors contributing to solving the problems of the Aral Sea. The author concluded that Uzbekistan, as an equal subject of international relations, is pursuing an active foreign policy aimed also at solving the ecologic a l disaster in the territory of the Aral Sea region. Thus, this article summarizes the main ways of improving the situation in the Aral Sea, which the Republic of Uzbekistan is undertaking in the international arena and in the region as a whole.

PREVALENCE OF RISK FACTORS AND TARGET ORGAN DAMAGE CAUSED BY HYPERTENSION IN RESIDENTS OF THE ARAL SEA REGION OF UZBEKISTAN

Objective: Analysis of the results of screening the population over 40 years of age for early detection of risk factors and target organ damage caused by hypertension in real clinical practice of family clinics in the Aral Sea region. Design and method: The results of screening of 2430 respondents were analyzed according to the modified PEN WHO protocol, which 1020 people with blood pressure (BP) 140/90 mm Hg or more included in the study. The average age was 57.68±8.06 years, women 61.4%, men 38.6%. Additionally, we determined echocardiography, ultrasound examination of the brachiocephalic arteries, microalbuminuria, creatinine and uric acid in blood serum. Statistical data are presented as M±SD. Results: Among the patients with high BP, 24 (2.4%) were under 40 years old, 847 (81%) were aged 40-65 years, 169 (16.6%) were over 65 years old. Obesity was detected in 46.2% of patients, left ventricular hypertrophy in 96%, microalbuminuria in 76%, proteinuria in 21%, thickening of the intima-media of the common carotid artery >0.9 mm in 92% of the examined. It was revealed that low cardiovascular risk was 2 times more common among women compared to men: 11.3% versus 5.6% (χ2=8.990; p=0.003); almost 4 times fewer patients with coronary artery disease: 7.4% versus 28.9% (χ2=14.939; p=0.0001); there are no tobacco users or regular alcohol drinkers, whereas among men these risk factors were identified in 59.4% (χ2=178.848; p=0.0001) and 35% (χ2=82.238; p=0.0001), respectively. Hyperuricemia prevailed in men compared to women: 23.3% versus 6.4% (χ2=60.243; p=0.0001) but the incidence of type 2 diabetes is 2 times higher in women compared to men: 13.7% versus 7.4% (χ2=9.205; p=0.002) Conclusions: The study showed a wide distribution of CVD risk factors among the hypertensive population of the Aral Sea region and significant target organ damage caused by hypertension. Among hypertensive men, there was a significant prevalence of tobacco and alcohol use, a significantly frequent detection of coronary artery disease, and hyperuricemia compared to women; type 2 diabetes mellitus is significantly more frequently detected in the female population.

INCREASED INTAKE OF TABLE SALT AS A RISK FACTOR FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION

Objective: to study association of high table salt intake with hypertension among hypertensive patients of Aral Sea region of Uzbekistan. Design and method: The results of screening of the population over 40 years of age (total 2430 respondents) in family clinics of the region were analyzed, according to the modified (for the region of Central Asia and Transcaucasia) PEN WHO protocol. From the total number of respondents, individuals with high blood pressure (BP) 140/90 mm Hg or more were selected. Taking into account the Aral Sea region, characterized by an unfavorable climate and salinity of soil and water, all subjects were tested according to the method of R. Henkin to determine the threshold of taste sensitivity to table salt. Results: The 2019 STEPS Uzbekistan study shows that more than a third (36.6%) of residents always or often add or directly during meals and more than a third (36.2%) always or often eat processed foods high in salt. Hypertensive patients in the Aral region were characterized by a pronounced prevalence of a high threshold of taste sensitivity to table salt: in the general group - 85.6%, women 83.7%, men 88.7%, which on average required more than 0.32% NaCl concentration to assess the threshold. At the same time, there was a noticeable direct correlation between hemodynamic parameters – systolic and diastolic BP, mean BP and NaCl concentration in the test for determining the taste sensitivity to table salt threshold (r = 0.646; r = 0.610; r = 0.645, respectively). A survey on proper nutrition, according to the PEN protocol, also showed that 68% of those surveyed added salt to their food and/or consumed saltiness in their diet, with a slight difference between women and men: women 61.2%, men 72.6%, which is significantly more similar indicators identified. Conclusions: As our results showed, among patients with hypertension in the Aral region, high consumption of table salt prevails, which is confirmed by a high threshold of taste sensitivity to NaCl. A correlation was revealed between a high threshold of taste sensitivity to table salt and blood pressure in hypertensive patients.

The structure of the incidence of acute intestinal infections in children of the Southern Aral Sea region and bioimmune correction of intestinal microbiocenosis in shigellosis

BACKGROUND: The microbiome of the gastrointestinal tract ensures colonization resistance of the intestinal epithelium, produces enzymes, and participates in nutrient metabolism. Changes in its composition lead to pathological conditions of the intestines.AIM: To determine the structure of the incidence of acute intestinal infections in children living in the Southern Aral Sea region and to characterize the effect of bioimmune correction of changes in the intestinal microbiome in children with shigellosis.
 MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the period from 06.07.2020 to 05.10.2020, 179 children with intestinal infections aged 2 to 7 years living in an environmentally unfavorable zone of Southern Uzbekistan were examined. The children were divided into two groups: the first (32 children) received basic therapy (pathogenetic therapy, antibiotic therapy, diet), the second (11 children) received basic therapy with bioimmune correction with bifidobacteria bifidum (bifidumbacterin PL) and thymus peptides of sheep embryos and newborn lambs (immunomodulin). To characterize the microbiome, the material was screened on differential diagnostic media, identifying obligate, facultative and opportunistic microflora. To assess the statistical significance of differences between data groups, the Student's t test was used, taking p ≤0.05 as a significant level.
 RESULTS: Shigellosis was diagnosed in 43 sick children (24% of those examined), escherichiosis was diagnosed in 34 (19%), salmonellosis was diagnosed in 30 (16.3%), and diarrhea of other bacterial etiology was diagnosed in 23 (13%) patients. In all variants, changes in the intestinal microbiome were detected. Etiotropic therapy led to an improvement in the general condition of patients, but did not affect dysbiotic changes in the intestines and did not contribute to the restoration of the microbiome. Bioimmune correction of dysbiosis in shigellosis in 11 patients using preparations of bifidobacteria bifidum and fetal thymic peptides led to the restoration of intestinal microflora to normal values: the number of lactose-negative E. coli significantly decreased by more than 5 orders of magnitude (p=0.037), fungi of the genus Candida (p=0.030) and enterococci (p=0.019) by 3 orders of magnitude, and staphylococci by 2 orders of magnitude (p=0.048).
 CONCLUSION: The use of preparations of bifidobacteria bifidum and fetal thymus peptides as bioimmunocorrectors is a promising therapeutic strategy for shigellosis in children.