Vaccination Against COVID-19: Emerging Issues and Future Prospects

The most effective means of combating the COVID-19 pandemic s the formation of herd immunity, with the formation of an immune population to infection. Vaccination rates are continuously increasing. In early February 2021, WHO announced that the number of people vaccinated against the disease for the first time exceeded the number of infected. In early June 2021 the vaccinated number exceeded 2 billion which is more than 12 times the total number infected for the entire duration of the pandemic. The high rate of vaccination leads to the formulation of a number of questions concerning the effectiveness of vaccines currently used for mass immunization the level of herd immunity, necessary to stop the spread of the disease, the actual duration of the vaccination carried out, long-term prospects of the platforms, used in the creation of vaccines. The purpose of this paper is to substantiate reasoned answers to the questions posed.

7P pediatrics — Medicine of Development and Health Programming

The transition to personalized, predictive, preventive and participatory medicine, due, among other things, to the achievements of fundamental science, digitalization and the development of information and communication technologies, naturally demanded changes in childrens health care. New organizational, methodological and technological changes that have taken place to ensure a highly dynamic, adapted, and, at the same time, permanent provision of the medical process anywhere and at any time, have led to the need for specialists of a new formation a pluriexpert team ready to work in new conditions: how to participate in research in fundamental science, and to the introduction of innovative methods in clinical practice, medical and social support and the educational process. In these conditions, the strategic goal set for pediatrics to analyze absolutely all aspects of health: somatic, neuropsychic, emotional and psycho-social, in the process of growth and development of a child from conception/birth to adolescence / adulthood was implemented in a new direction of clinical and fundamental medicine developmental pediatrics and child health programming. 7P-pediatrics: Programming the development and health of the child, Preventive, Predictive, Personalized, Participatory, Polyprofessional (Pluriexpert), Progressive medicine for children, in which the results of scientific work based on fundamental data and ideas of neurosciences about progressive development and modern methodology of educational support of the entire medical process are fully translated into a clinical practice.

Efficacy and Safety of a Fixed Combination of Glycyrrhizic Acid and Essential Phospholipids in Non-Alcoholic Fatty and Alcoholic Liver Disease: Results from Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trials

Background. Drug treatment of non-alcoholic fatty and alcoholic liver disease remains an urgent, unsolved problem. Due to the commonality of many pathogenetic mechanisms and predictors of progression, a universal approach to the search for a therapeutic agent can be considered. Aims pooled analysis of the results of two multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies of a fixed combination of glycyrrhizic acid and essential phospholipids in two dosage forms to study its efficacy and safety in non-alcoholic fatty and alcoholic liver disease, in the presence and absence of predictors of disease progression. Methods. The pooled analysis included 180 patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (Gepard study) and 120 patients with alcoholic liver disease (Jaguar study). Patients of the main group received a fixed combination of 5.0 g intravenous jet 3 times a week for the first 2 weeks; then 2 capsules 3 times a day for the next 10 weeks. Patients in the control group received placebo according to the same scheme. The total duration of treatment was 12 weeks in the Gepard study (1 course of stepwise therapy) and 24 weeks in the Jaguar study (2 courses of stepwise therapy). A comparative analysis of the efficacy and safety of a fixed combination and a placebo was carried out, in the presence and absence of predictors of progression, separately for each nosology and in a mixed sample. Results. In patients with non-alcoholic fatty and alcoholic liver disease who received the fixed combination, in contrast to the placebo group, there was a statistically more significant decrease in the level of biochemical markers of inflammation alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, adiponectin, and the value of the AktiTest index. There was no negative trend in the NAFLD fibrosis score; more significant positive dynamics of FibroTest is shown. Predictors of disease progression hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, age did not have a negative impact on the results in the study group. The efficacy of the study drug was noted in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and normal body weight; data were obtained indicating its possible effectiveness with a high activity of the inflammatory process associated with alcoholic liver damage. The frequency of adverse events in the study and control groups was comparable. Conclusions. Based on a generalized analysis of the results of two studies, promising directions for the study and use of a fixed combination of glycyrrhizic acid and essential phospholipids were identified: non-alcoholic fatty liver disease without obesity, alcoholic steatohepatitis of high activity (as an adjuvant); steatohepatitis of non-alcoholic and alcoholic etiology, combined with hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia.

Trends in Morbidity and Hospital Lethality from Neoplasms before and during the New Coronavirus Infection COVID-19

Background. Taking into account the special medical and social significance of oncological diseases, as well as taking into account that patients suffering from neoplasms are a special risk group for developing complications of coronavirus infection, it seems relevant to study the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the level of morbidity and hospital lethality of patients with neoplasms. Aims to study the trends of morbidity and hospital lethality due to neoplasms in the Russian Federation before and during the pandemic of the new coronavirus infection COVID-19. Methods. The indicators of primary and general morbidity, hospital lethality from neoplasms of the adult population were calculated on the basis of federal statistical observation data contained in reporting forms No. 12 and No. 14 of all subjects of the Russian Federation for 20152020. Results. During the period from 2015 to 2019, an increase in the general (by 14.8%) and primary (by 4.8%) incidence of neoplasms was noted in the Russian Federation. In 2020, compared with 2019, on the contrary, the indicators of general (by 5.0%) and primary (by 17.4%) incidence of neoplasms decreased. Hospital lethality due to neoplasms also increased during 20152019, in total it increased by 19.2%, in one year (2020) hospital lethality increased by 6.6%. A similar situation has developed in all federal districts and most regions of the country. Conclusions. The decline in the incidence of neoplasms in 2020, with their previous continuous growth, reflects the difficult situation that has developed during the pandemic of a new coronavirus infection in the healthcare of the Russian Federation. The increase in hospital lethality from neoplasms indicates a more severe course of coronavirus infection in adult patients with malignant neoplasms and a more frequent development of fatal complications in them.

Comparative Cohort Epidemiological Study of Collective Immunity against New Coronavirus Infection among Different Groups of Military Personnel

Background. The need to study the population immunity to the SARS-CoV-2 virus is due to the intensive spread of COVID-19 and the implementation of immunoprophylaxis of this infection. The identification of the features of the formation of immunoresistance in organized military collectives will allow us to predict the development of the epidemic situation, including among comparable population groups. Aims the study of population immunity to the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic against the background of specific immunoprophylaxis in organized military collectives. Methods. According to epidemiological indications, an epidemiological study of collective immunity to the SARS-CoV-2 virus was conducted against the background of vaccination among cadets of military educational organizations. The study involved 497 people, divided into groups by epidemiological and vaccination history for COVID-19, blood groups and Rh factor. The assessment of the immunity intensity was carried out by the levels of class G immunoglobulins (IgG) to SARS-CoV-2 in the blood serum by the method of solid-phase enzyme immunoassay. Results. Seroprevalence in the total sample was 92.6%. The highest rates were observed among vaccinated patients: those who were not ill and vaccinated 99.0 0.7%, those who were ill and vaccinated-100% (mean geometric antibody titers 1:2234 and 1:4399). Among the ill, unvaccinated individuals, the seroprevalence index was 84.5 3.2% (1:220). Among those who were not ill, not vaccinated 8.2 3.1% (1:113), which may indicate a hidden course of the epidemic process in the team. A negative immune response was more common (tSt = 2.01; p 0.05) in individuals A(II)Rh+ blood group. The highest proportion of maximum antibody titers (1:32001:6400) was determined in AB(IV) individuals. Rh-blood groups (tSt=2.21; p 0.05). Conclusions. For the first time, the formation of combined immunity with the highest concentrations of specific antibodies was revealed in patients who have been ill and vaccinated has been revealed, which allows us to recommend vaccination to those who have suffered from COVID-19. The emergence of post-infectious immunity in organized groups with a latent epidemic process has been established. The relationship between the intensity of immunity with blood groups and the Rh factor was found.

Influence of Genetic Factors on Immunopathogenesis and Clinical Phenotypes of ANCA-associated Vasculitis

The review presents the recent data on assumed risk factors for the development of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), among which environmental factors, such as climatic, chemical, etc., are of particular interest of researchers. Controversial opinions of various authors on the role of individual causative agents of infectious diseases in the development of AAV are analyzed. The review pays special attention to scientific data on the influence of variants of the structure of genes encoding various components of the immune system on the development of the pathogenetic process of AAV. Up-to-date information on the association of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with the course, risk of development and the likelihood of AAV recurrence is indicated, the most associated of which are genes encoding proteins of the main histocompatibility complex (HLA), a toll-like receptors (TLR`s), as well as an inhibitor of serine proteinases-alpha-antitrypsin (AAT). The analysis of scientific publications describing the molecular mechanism of the development of a pathological focus that forms the conditions for the synthesis of PR3ANCA and MPOANCA complexes characteristic of AAV has been carried out. The data of a number of foreign studies on the relationship of individual SNPs associated with the features of the course of granulomatosis with polyangiitis, microscopic polyangiitis, as well as eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis are presented and summarized. The review presents current AAV treatment regimens and promising directions for the development of medical care for patients.

90 Years Old Academician Felix Ivanovich Ershov

December 10, 2021 marks the 90th anniversary of the birth and 65 years of the scientific activity of Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor Felix Ivanovich Ershov. F.I. Ershov is a prominent scientist-virologist, popularizer of science, known in our country and abroad, one of the leading experts on the problem of interferon and its inducers. Staff members of the National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology named after Honorary Academician N.F. Gamaleya, friends, colleagues and students sincerely congratulate Felix Ivanovich Ershov on his anniversary and wish him new creative successes, health, long and happy years of life!

Cross-Sectional Online Study of the Psychological Status of Russian Doctors during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background. COVID-19 outbreak resulted in an increased psychological and physical pressure on healthcare professionals worldwide. Doctors treating COVID-19 patients have turned out to be at higher risk of depression, anxiety, psychosomatic disorders. The data about the influence of the pandemic on psychological health of Russian doctors is still missing. Aims to evaluate a psychological status of Russian doctors during COVID-19 pandemic. Methods. This cross-sectional online-study was conducted among 133 doctors of different specialties aged 2570 (mean age 43.6 9.9), 112 (84.2%) of the them were females. We assessed the work conditions of the respondents during pandemic, the presence of psychosomatic disorders, depression and anxiety levels by HADS scale. Results. Almost two thirds (82; 61.7%) of the respondents reported an increased workload during the pandemic, 54.1% of them work more than 40 hours per week. The income has risen only in 25.6% of the doctors. Most of the respondents announced a manifestation of one or more psychosomatic disorders during the pandemic. The most frequent complaint was insomnia found in 72 (54.1%) of the doctors. Clinical anxiety was confirmed in 30 (22.6%), clinical depression in 15 (11.3%), moderate anxiety in 22 (16.5%), moderate depression in 31 (23.3%), both clinical anxiety and depression in 6% of the participants. Conclusions. During the pandemic Russian doctors continue to work under physical and psychological pressure and provide medical care even if they have clinical depression and anxiety that influences on patients and doctors wellbeing. Theres still a lack of psychological assistance to doctors and of other methods to prevent professional burn-out.

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Personalized Treatment of Trace Element and Vitamin Status in Men with Initial Stages of Androgenic Alopecia Treated with Conservative Therapy

Background. Androgenic alopecia (AGA) is the most common form of pathological hair loss with multiple micronutrient disorders involvedin its occurrence and development. Aimto evaluatethe effectiveness of personalized treatment of micronutrient deficiencies in patients with early stages of AGA and conservative therapy using a vasodilator drug minoxidil based on evidence-based medicine. Methods. A total 48 patients with stages IIV of AGA (according to the NorwoodHamilton scale) were recruited to experimental prospective clinical study evaluating the effectiveness of pharmaceutical forms of trace elements and vitamins. The primary diagnosis of micronutrient deficiency was carried out by comparing laboratory parameters of patients with AGA and 25 healthy volunteers. After that, conservative treatment with 5% topical minoxidilin AGA patients was enriched with 2-month personalized systemic supplementation of pharmaceutical forms of trace elements and vitamins. At the end of the study, the correspondence between changes in trace elements and vitamins content in the plasma and the trichogram parameters before and after conservative therapy was assessed. Results. The majority (96%) of the examined patients with AGA were characterized by mono- or polynutrient deficiencies. Personalized correction made it possible to restore the content of Se, Mg, Fe and vitamin E to the baseline levels and to achieve a significant increase in Zn, vitamin D and folic acid plasma content. The relationship between changes in the level of micronutrients and trichogram parameters was recorded only for Se (decrease in anagen hairs: r = 0.43; p = 0.037; decrease in hair density: r = 0.45; p = 0.028) and folic acid (an increase in anagen hairs: r = 0.41; p = 0.024); the positive effect of vitamin E on hair density was also detected. Conclusion. The results of the study allow to recommend a personalized treatment of folic acid and vitamin E deficiencies, with possible refusal to use the Se-containing drugs in conservative therapy of patients with the early stages of AGA.

Clinical and Anamnestic Characteristics of Acute Coronary Syndrome after Suffering COVID-19

Background. COVID-19 increases the risk of developing thromboembolic complications, including acute myocardial infarction, in the acute period of the disease. The long-term consequences of COVID-19 are poorly understood. At the same time, the available data on an increased risk of acute coronary syndrome after infectious diseases allow us to make an assumption about a similar risk in COVID-19. The aim of the study was to study the anamnestic and laboratory diagnostic data in patients with acute coronary syndrome after COVID-19. Methods. The study included 185 patients with acute coronary syndrome who were admitted to the State Clinical Hospital No. 13 in Moscow in the period from May to December 2020. 2 groups were identified: group 1 109 patients with ACS who had previously suffered COVID-19, group 2 76 patients with ACS without COVID-19 in the past. The patients were collected anamnesis, including: the fact of smoking and alcohol consumption, heredity, previous diseases, including diabetes mellitus, acute myocardial infarction, previously performed PCI. Information about the COVID-19 infection has been collected (the duration of the disease, the course of the disease). A clinical and laboratory examination was conducted, including the determination of body mass index (BMI), examination for antibodies to COVID-19, determination of the lipid profile level (total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides), blood glucose level, C-RB. The analysis was performed on automatic biochemical analyzers Hitachi-902, 912 (Roche Diagnostics, Japan). All patients underwent coronary angiography. Results. In patients with ACS with previously transferred COVID-19, the development of the disease occurred at a younger age compared to patients without transferred COVID-19. Among the patients with COVID-19, body weight was significantly lower, there were fewer smokers, concomitant type 2 diabetes mellitus and transferred ONMC were less common. In laboratory parameters, lower triglyceride levels were observed in patients with ACS with COVID-19 compared with those of patients without COVID-19. In the laboratory parameters of blood clotting in patients with ACS with COVID-19, higher APTT, thrombin time, fibrinogen level, D-dimer were noted. The indicated laboratory parameters in the groups had statistically significant differences. In ACS patients with a previous COVID-19, compared with patients without COVID-19, the lesion of 2 or more coronary vessels was more common in the anamnesis. Conclusion. According to the results of our study, it was revealed that multivessel coronary artery damage in patients after COVID-19 in comparison with patients without COVID-19 develops significantly more often, while these patients are significantly less likely to have DM and previously suffered ONMC, the level of TG is significantly lower.