Understanding psychosis: diagnosis and clinical presentation (updates for clinicians)

Psychosis is understood as the brightest manifestations of mental illness, in which the patient's mental activity does not correspond to the surrounding reality, the reflection of the real world in consciousness is sharply distorted, which manifests itself in behavioral disorders, abnormal pathological symptoms and syndromes. Psychosis is a combination of biological (genetic, neuroanatomical, neurophysiological), psychological and social factors in various proportions. Psychoses are classified according to their origin (etiology) and reasons (pathogenetic mechanisms of development) into endogenous (including endogenous psychoses include schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, some psychotic forms of affective disorders), organic, somatogenic, psychogenic (reactive, situational), intoxication, withdrawal and post-withdrawal. Most often, psychoses develop in the framework of so-called endogenous disorder. The concepts of psychosis and schizophrenia are often equated, which is incorrect as psychotic disorders can occur in a number of mental illnesses: Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia, chronic alcoholism, drug addiction, epilepsy, intellectual disabilities, etc. Other types of psychosis, such as infectious, somatic and intoxication psychoses are quite often find among patients in non-psychiatric practices. This review article is a good educational material for medical and psychological practitioners whose goal is to improve knowledge and diagnostic processes of psychosis and its related disorders.

Atrial Fibrillation in Cancer Patients: Who is at Risk?

Cancer is the second leading cause of mortality in the world, second only to cardiovascular diseases. Simultaneously cancer mortality has been steadily decreasing due to the development of new chemotherapy and targeted drugs and the improvement of existing treatment protocols. Improving the prognosis of treatment of cancer patients leads to an unexpected result - more patients are faced with side effects of cancer treatment. Cardiotoxicity, including arrhythmia, has become a significant factor to reduce the effectiveness of cancer patient’s treatment. Atrial fibrillation is frequent and persistent a rhythm disorder, affecting all categories of patients, especially the elderly. An association between these two conditions can be expected, considering the fact that in old age the prevalence of malignant neoplasms and comorbid pathology predisposing to the onset of AF is high. Therefore, AF may be an additional factor negatively influencing the prognosis and treatment tactics in patients with malignant neoplasms. A comprehensive search was conducted using the keywords “cancer”, “atrial fibrillation” and “cardiotoxicity” using the PubMed, Scopus and Cohrane databases. We reviewed publications having the relationship between AF and cancer. The literature review considered 61 publications on the prevalence of AF in cancer patients, classification, mechanisms of development, the effect of anticancer drugs and other treatment methods on this group of patients. Analyzed articles include clinical guidelines, consensus expert opinions, systematic reviews, meta-analyzes, and previously published reviews of the literature. The problem of cardiotoxic complications diagnostics is evaluated separately, incl. arrhythmias, and their monitoring in cancer patients. Therefore, the direction of medicine named "Cardio-oncology" comes to the fore. Interdisciplinary interaction will allow identify cardiotoxic manifestations at the subclinical stage and optimize anticancer treatment.

The Effect of Nosocomial Infection on the Severity and Outcome of the Disease in Patients with Severe and Extremely Severe COVID-19

The mechanisms of development of nosocomial infectious complications in COVID-19 and the contribution of bacterial and mycotic superinfection to the formation of extremely high mortality among patients with severe and extremely severe course of this disease have not yet been fully revealed. The objective: to study epidemiology, risk factors for the development of nosocomial superinfection, and its effect on the severity and outcome of the disease in patients with COVID-19.Subjects and Methods. 383 cases of severe and extremely severe COVID-19 were retrospectively analyzed. Demographic data, the presence of concomitant diseases, community-acquired co-infection at the time of hospitalization, data on the methods used to treat new coronavirus infection, severity of the course of the disease, developed infectious complications and their etiology, and the disease outcome were studied. Risk factors for the development of secondary infectious complications and the contribution of nosocomial superinfection to the severity of COVID-19 and the disease outcome were evaluated.Results. Risk factors for the development of secondary infectious complications include age over 65 years (OR 1.04; 95% CI 1.03–1.06; p < 0.0001), concomitant cardiovascular pathology (OR 3.82; 95% CI 2.02‒7.19; p < 0.0001), chronic kidney disease, including requiring renal replacement therapy (OR 2.01; 95% CI 1.33–3.02; p = 0.0007), and glucocorticoid therapy (OR 1.62; 95% CI 1.02–2.69; p = 0.04). The development of nosocomial infectious complications in patients with COVID-19 is associated with a more severe course of the disease and unfavorable prognosis (OR 13.44; 95% CI 8.23‒21.92; p < 0.0001).Conclusion. Identification of risk factors for the development of secondary infectious complications in COVID-19 allows developing differentiated approaches to the pathogenetic treatment of patients with severe COVID-19, increasing alertness in terms of the development of nosocomial infections, ensuring their timely diagnosis and treatment.

Are there any gender differences in pain perception? Clinical and experimental studies in oncology

The review considers and analyzes scientific literature on gender differences in the incidence of pain syndromes, perception of clinical pain, including that in cancer patients and in experimental oncology. The literature highlights theoretical basis, some biological mechanisms and practical results associated with gender differences. Chronic pain no longer performs a protective function and is not biologically appropriate. The review presents results of experimental studies demonstrating the important role of sex hormones and regulatory systems of a living organism in the mechanisms of development, distribution and perception of pain. Some aspects of sexual dimorphism in the processes of nociception and antinociception are covered. We present the data on the causes of chronic pain syndrome and its perception in cancer patients of both sexes indicating genetically determined sexual reactivity of the body which causes an imbalance in the function of peripheral nervous system and CNS under the influence of prolonged permanent pain in a living organism. Various pain effects have been shown to cause changes in the main types of metabolism, mobilization of adaptive metabolic mechanisms, and tissue damage. Conclusions. The high prevalence of chronic pain in both women and men with cancer, heavy humanitarian and social and economic burden explains a significant increase in fundamental and clinical research in this direction.

Low-dose digoxin enhances the anticonvulsive potential of carbamazepine and lamotrigine in chemo-induced seizures with different neurochemical mechanisms

"Non-antiepileptic" drugs have a strong potential as adjuvants in multidrug-resistant epilepsy treatment. In previous study the influence of low doses of digoxin, which do not affect the myocardium, on the anticonvulsant potential of classical commonly used anti-epileptic drugs under conditions of seizures, induced by pentylenetetrazole and maximal electroshock, has been investigated. The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of digoxin at a sub-cardiotonic dose on the anticonvulsant potential of carbamazepine and lamotrigine in experimental seizures with different neurochemical mechanisms. Material and methods: A total of 192 random-bred male albino mice weighting 22–25 g were used. Carbamazepine and lamotrigine were administered intragastrically in conditionally effective (ED50) and sub-effective (½ ED50) doses: carbamazepine at doses of 100 and 50 mg/kg; lamotrigine at doses of 25 and 12.5 mg/kg. Digoxin was administered subcutaneously at a sub-cardiotonic dose of 0.8 mg/kg as an adjuvant to carbamazepine and lamotrigine in ½ ED50. Picrotoxin (2.5 mg/kg subcutaneously); thiosemicarbazide (25 mg/kg intraperitoneally); strychnine (1.2 mg/kg subcutaneously); camphor (1000 mg/kg intraperitoneally) were used as convulsant agents. Results: It was found that digoxin not only has its own permanent anticonvulsant effect on different models of paroxysms with different neurochemical mechanisms of development, but also significantly enhances the anticonvulsant potential of carbamazepine (to a lesser extent – lamotrigine) regardless of the pathogenesis of experimental paroxysms. Conclusion: Based on the results, it can be concluded that digoxin has a high potential as an adjuvant medicine in complex epilepsy treatment because it enhances the efficiency of low-dose traditional anticonvulsants carbamazepine and lamotrigine

Labour Productivity as Indicator of Regional Economy Efficiency

The interrelation of labour productivity and economic situation in regions of the Russian Federation is really acute in current conditions, when such destructive factors as sanctions, inflation, instability on global markets due to coronavirus epidemic take place. Therefore, the key goal of the research is to estimate labour productivity in regions as a factor of economy efficiency. Among methods of research it is possible to mention comparative analysis of the indicator, typology of regions by a number of parameters in order to identify regional differentiation. It is assumed that the highest labour productivity is typical of raw-materials regions, which specialize on extraction and export of mineral resources. However, we should take into account that natural and climatic factors in this group of regions increase labour costs and therefore, cut labour productivity. The authors show that in regions with conventional specialization on manufacturing industry (when the raw-materials sector retains a certain importance) the said indicator demonstrates a high value, even in spite of some unfavorable trends on labour market. The authors used the following materials and research findings for preparing the article: results of deep interviews of employment service workers in the Ryazan region conducted in 2021 within the frames of the research ‘Digitalization of Labour Market and Employment in Russia: Trends and Mechanisms of Development’; materials of expert discussions and surveys of employment service heads in regions of the Central Federal District within the frames of the research ‘Organizational and Finance Mechanisms to Support Population Employment in 2021-2023, which Aims at Unemployment Reduction’

Experience in treatment of patients with arterial and venous thrombosis with proven COVID-19

Background. COVID-19 is represented by a large number of different phenotypes, ranging from asymptomatic progress to the development of severe multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. The mechanisms of development of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome are multifactorial, including hypercoagulation with the formation of blood clots. They are often diagnosed as thrombotic complications with detection of blood clots not only in the veins and pulmonary arteries, but also in the heart and main arteries. An observational study shows that the incidence of venous and arterial thrombosis is as high as 31% in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. However, large studies have not yet been conducted.Aim. To generalize and analyze our own observations of the clinical course of patients with thrombosis and COVID-19.Methods. The study included 5 male patients who had arterial and venous thrombosis and COVID-19 positive test. Results The experience of treatment of 5 patients with COVID-19 with arterial and venous thrombosis was analyzed. All patients showed characteristic changes in the coagulogram. The patient who, upon admission, had a negative test for COVID-19, and characteristic changes in the coagulogram appeared on the day of recurrent thrombosis, was of greatest interest. All patients received standard treatment and were discharged with improvement after testing negative for COVID-19.Conclusion. Generalization of the clinical course of patients with COVID-19 and thrombosis of various vascular regions allowed us to develop treatment tactics for these groups of patients.

Post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome: renaissance time?

Postinfectious irritable bowel syndrome (PI–IBS) is a distinct phenotype of the disease. The occurrence of gastrointestinal symptoms in PI–IBS is in direct chronological connection with an episode of acute intestinal infection. Previously the problem was considered as the outcome of parasitic, protozoal or bacterial infection. The global spread of a novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) and increase in the number of new cases of IBS in the population suggests a renaissance of PI–IBS and makes us look at this problem again. This article summarizes and presents modern information on the possible mechanisms of development of PI–IBS, including in persons who have undergone COVID-19.

Contact Lens Solutions Toxicity Evaluation by the Bioluminescence Method

Purpose. To study the possibility of using bioluminescence biotesting to evaluate the toxicity of contact lens care solutions.Methods. The examined solutions were tested both immediately upon unpacking (i.e. sterile) and after rinsing “Pure Vision 2” lenses in them (i.e. after use). As a test system, NADH:FMN oxidoreductase and luciferase bacterial bio enzyme system was used. It contained lyophilized highly purified ferments of EC 1.14.14.3 bacterial luciferase (0.4 mg/ml) from E.coli recombinant variant and EC 1.5.1.29 NADH:FMN oxidoreductase (Ph. leiognathi) (0.18 enzyme units). The bioluminescent testing was carried out with TriStar LB 941 microplate luminometer (Germany). The measurement of the luminescence intensity was carried out in two repetitions. Residual luminescence (T, %), calculated as the ratio of the average maximum luminescence intensities of the experimental measurement (solution) and the control measurement, multiplied by 100%, was used as an integral indicator. Results. The results of bioluminescent testing of sterile solutions showed that “Maxima” solution exhibited the greatest inhibition of bioluminescence, while “Optimed” (Russia) and “AVIZOR Aqua Soft Comfort” solutions demonstrated the least effect. “Bausch + Lomb Biotrue” solution did not affect the bioluminescence. The results of bioluminescence testing of the solutions after contact lenses that had previously been worn for 10 hours were stored in them, showed a strong inhibition of bioluminescence in all solutions. Conclusion. The results of the toxicity evaluation allow for a more reliable prognosis of the long-term consequences of using certain solutions by contact lens wearers from risk groups. The findings also provide more insight into the mechanisms of development of discomfort and other reasons for refusing to wear lenses, as well as to suggest more effective prevention measures.

Pathogenetic mechanisms of sensorineural hearing loss in patients with COVID-19 and methods for their correction

The article describes the main pathogenetic mechanisms of acute sensorineural hearing loss, including that caused by infection. Possible risk factors and mechanisms of development of sensorineural hearing loss against the background of coronavirus infection caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus are consi-dered. Cases of hearing loss in patients with COVID-19 have been described. The pathogenetically substantiated therapeutic approach to the treatment of such patients is presented, it is based on the optimization of acetylcholine neurotransmission in the brain structures involved in the conduction and perception of the auditory impulse.