Experience of using the molecular genetic studies to assess the risk of suicide

In the recent decades, there has been widespread the opinion that genetic markers of the suicidal behavior (suicide, suicidal attempts, suicidal thoughts) can be used to predict the suicidal behavior.The purpose of the study was to determine the possibility of using the method of molecular genetic research to assess the risk of suicide in men of 18‒27 years.The study used the case-control method. The control group included 100 men of 18‒27 years who never had mental disorders. The suicide group included the persons who committed highly traumatic methods of self-harm and were motivated to commit suicide (30 persons). DNA isolation was performed using a NucleoSpin Blood kit (Macherey‒Nagel, Germany) according to the manufacturer’s protocol. Each DNA sample was analyzed for polymorphism by allelic discrimination using the real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).The frequencies of occurrence of genotypes and alleles of the following genes were analyzed: HTR1A, rs6295 (G/C); BDNF, rs6265 (G/A); COMT, rs4680 (G/A); SKA2, rs7208505 (C/T); SLC6A4 (5HTT), rs25531 (T/C); 5HTR2A, rs6313 (G/A); TPH2, rs4570625 (G/T); TPH1, rs1800532 (G/T).A statistically significant difference was found for the frequency of occurrence of genotypes and alleles of the rs25531 polymorphism of the SLC6A4 (5HTT) gene. The chance of being in the suicide group with a heterozygous genotype (T/C) carriage was 2.346 times higher.The significance of the rs25531 polymorphism of the SLC6A4 (5HTT) gene for the formation of the suicidal behavior was confirmed.

First domestic apparatus for vacuum therapy

The first domestic device for vacuum therapy, Impulse KM-1, has been developed. The device is intended for the treatment of wounds, using a method of VAC therapy. Copyright protected by 2 patents. The device includes: an electronic unit with an internal power source, an external battery charge source, a reservoir for collecting of wound discharge, a disposable sterile dressing kit. The kit consists of a sponge, a film covering, a tube with a fixing head, a connector tube. The device is designed for a multiple use, provides continuous, variable and intermittent operation. Clinical trials of the device have been successfully carried out. As part of clinical trials, 17 patients who were treated at the hospital surgery clinic of the Vitebsk State Order of Peoples’ Friendship Medical University with surgical infections of the skin and soft tissues received vacuum therapy of wounds using the Impulse KM-1 apparatus. A significant reduction in the time of wound treatment was noted. The device has established itself as a reliable, easy to use device. The cost of the Impulse KM-1 apparatus is approximately 2500 $ and the cost of a disposable dressing kit is 40 $.

COVID-19: pathogen characteristics, natural and adaptive immune response mechanisms, genetic diversity and distribution

COVID-19 is a pandemic disease caused by a member of the Coronaviridae family, a beta-2 coronavirus named SARS-CoV-2. The COVID-19 pandemic lasting about 19 months has caused serious damage to the health of people on our planet – by the 13 of July 2021, more than 187.9 000 000 patients have been diagnosed and more than 4.0 mln patients died from infection (> 2.0 %). Scientists around the world are actively investigating the critically important molecular-genetic aspects of the biology of the pathogen (genome RNA structure, proteins properties) that are important for understanding the disease mechanisms, as well as the mechanisms of individual and collective immunological protection and vaccines development with non-specific prophylactics.

Blood serum myokine irisin and adipocytokine levels in newborns small for gestational age at birth

In recent years, a number of the studies of myokine irisin in adults and isolated in newborns have been carried out. The role of adipocytokines in the growth and development of the fetus and children has been shown.The aim of the study was to assess the levels of myokine irisin and adipocytokines in newborns small for gestational age at birth and to analyze the relationship between the parameters of the hormonal status of children and their mothers.49 newborns and their mothers were examined. Two groups were identified: group 1 (Gr1) – newborns small for gestational age (n = 24), group 2 (Gr2) – newborns appropriate for gestational age (n = 25). The levels of irisin and adipocytokines in the blood serum were determined by the enzyme immunoassay.Newborns small for gestational age had significantly lower levels of leptin and IGF-1 in the umbilical cord blood compared to children with physical development corresponding to the gestational age. There were no significant differences in the irisin content of cord blood serum in newborn Gr1 compared with Gr2. The presence of significant positive correlations between the level of irisin in the umbilical cord blood of newborns small for gestational age and the body weight at birth was established. In Gr1, a positive relationship was found between the irisin levels of mothers and newborns (r = 0.518, p = 0.028). The differences in the irisin content between the groups were established, taking into account the delivery mode (p = 0.0104).The revealed statistically significant differences in the concentrations of the analyzed metabolic markers in mother–child pairs, their relationship with clinical and anthropometric parameters substantiate the possibility of using irisin and adipocytokines as predictors in predicting the formation of metabolic disorders of infants small for gestational age.

Features of engraftment and rejection of ear alatransplants in laboratory rats

A method for revealing genetic affinity between laboratory rats has been developed, which is based on the transplantation of ear skin-chondrocyte allografts onto the surface of a full-thickness skin defect. On the example of Wistar rats (laboratory rats were taken from three research institutes), it was shown that the rejection of allografts occurs in the interval between 8 and 21 days with the same genetic differences that existed between the animals. However, at the same time, only those structures of ear allografts such as the dermis, epidermis and its derivatives die and are rejected, but the layers of chondrocytes are submerged under the granulation tissue and remain in a viable position for at least 210 days. The latter phenomenon is probably due to the membranes that cover the chondrocytes and act as an immunological barrier.

Kupffer cells in the regulation of the cholesterol content in the liver and the blood lipoproteins, the level of iodine-containing thyroid hormones in the blood and the body temperature in rats with experimental peritonitis

Despite the modern surgery progress and success, the achievements of asepsis and antisepsis, as well as rather broad possibilities of antibacterial, infusion and detoxification therapy, the incidence of peritonitis and mortality from it remain at a high level.The aim of the study was to clarify the significance of the activity of Kupffer cells in the regulation of total cholesterol in the liver and blood lipoproteins, the level of iodine-containing thyroid hormones in the blood and the body temperature in rats with experimental peritonitis.It was found that in the conditions of experimental peritonitis in rats, secondary atherogenic dyslipoproteinemia develops and the level of iodine-containing thyroid hormones in the blood decreases. Kupffer cells and nitrogen monoxide are involved in the changes in the content of total cholesterol, lipoproteins, the level of iodine-containing hormones in the blood plasma and the body temperature during peritonitis. A decrease in the activity of Kupffer cells in peritonitis, apparently, plays a compensatory role and prevents the development of secondary dyslipoproteinemia.

Characteristics and features of the formation of humoral immunity after immunization with Sputnik V and Vero Cell vaccines

The presented work contains an analysis of seroprevalence, tension, and duration of post-vaccination immunity to the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus in the residents of the Republic of Belarus after immunization with two vaccine preparations available in the country: Sputnik V and Vero Cell.It was found that seroconversion after the injection of the Vero Cell vaccine occurred significantly later than after the Sputnik V vaccine (p < 0.001). Nevertheless, two-stage immunization with the vaccines provided a sufficiently high efficiency of the inoculated antibodies to the S protein of the COVID-19 pathogen: the proportion of seropositive persons reached 99.19 [96.89; 99.97] % for Sputnik V and 96.03 [90.81; 98.53] % for Vero Cell. The efficiency of antibody formation after immunization with the Vero Cell vaccine was lower in older persons (in the group > 65 years). The proportion of individuals with the highest IgG score for the SARS-CoV-2 S protein was higher after the Sputnik V administration compared to that in response to the Vero Cell vaccine (p < 0.05), and gradually decreased over time. However, no significant decrease in the level of seropositive individuals after 90 days from the start of immunization with the both vaccine preparations was detected. In COVID-19 survivors immunized with the Sputnik V vaccine, the quantitative indicators of post-vaccination antibodies reached their peak values after 1 dose of the vaccine. The obtained results complement the accumulated world science and practical information on the problem of the postvaccination immunity formation in the context of the use of different drugs against COVID-19.>< 0.001). Nevertheless, two-stage immunization with the vaccines provided a sufficiently high efficiency of the inoculated antibodies to the S protein of the COVID-19 pathogen: the proportion of seropositive persons reached 99.19 [96.89; 99.97] % for Sputnik V and 96.03 [90.81; 98.53] % for Vero Cell. The efficiency of antibody formation after immunization with the Vero Cell vaccine was lower in older persons (in the group > 65 years). The proportion of individuals with the highest IgG score for the SARS-CoV-2 S protein was higher after the Sputnik V administration compared to that in response to the Vero Cell vaccine (p < 0.05), and gradually decreased over time. However, no significant decrease in the level of seropositive individuals after 90 days from the start of immunization with the both vaccine preparations was detected. In COVID-19 survivors immunized with the Sputnik V vaccine, the quantitative indicators of post-vaccination antibodies reached their peak values after 1 dose of the vaccine.The obtained results complement the accumulated world science and practical information on the problem of the postvaccination immunity formation in the context of the use of different drugs against COVID-19.

Diagnostic models of non-small cell lung cancer based on determination of blood cytokines and their receptors

Cytokine biomarkers have been suggested to be a promising tool for detecting lung cancer at the initial stage of its development. However, they have not found wide application in practice due to the low diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. The aim of the work was to develop an original combination of the blood level of proteins that could increase the efficiency of their use in the diagnosis of I and II stages of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).152 patients (93 men and 59 women) with newly diagnosed NSCLC were examined: 91 had adenocarcinoma (AC) and 61 had squamous cell lung cancer (SCLC). As a control, 36 healthy patients and 13 patients with hamartoma were examined. The serum level of CYFRA 21-1, SCC, CXCL5 by the immunoassay procedure, of the C-reactive protein (CRP) by the turbidimetric method, and the fluorescence intensity of CXCR2 (MFI CXCR2) receptors on blood lymphocytes by flow cytometry were evaluated.The diagnostic efficacy of the individually analyzed results of measuring CYFRA 21-1, CXCL5, MFI CXCR2, and CRP in AK patients and the level of SCC, CXCL5, MFI CXCR2, and CRP in SCLC was less than 75 %.Two regression equations were developed using a combination of the values of each 4 markers for the diagnosis of the initial disease phase. The ROC-analysis revealed the optimal values of thresholds. In the range 0.307–0.483, the probability of AC on I and II stages was 97.9 %. In SCLC, the threshold range was 0.321–0.529. The predictive value of a positive result was 96.7 %.The examination groups included 17 patients with AK, 14 patients with SCLC, 9 patients with hamartoma, and 12 healthy people. Checking the model performance on an example sample of patients with AC showed that the diagnostic sensitivity was 76.3 %, and the diagnostic specificity was 82.8 %, in SCLC – 76.3 and 81.5 %, respectively

Study of the correlation between the clinical manifestations of the inflammatory periodontal diseases and the microbiome of periodontal pathogenic microflora in young representatives of a mixed population of the European region

The age of inflammatory periodontal disease (PD) manifestations has tended to decrease over the past decades. The study of the range of periodontal pathogens in young people and their influence on the PD manifestation contributes to the predictor identification for the early prevention of this pathology.The aim was to study the correlation between the range of periodontal pathogens in the dentoalveolar sulcus/periodontal pocket (DS/PC) contents and the clinical PD manifestations in young people.We examined 28 patients (23.1 ± 0.93 years) with dental biofilm-induced gingivitis (BG), 24 patients (30.7 ± 0.6 years) with aggressive periodontitis (AgP), and 87 clinically periodontally healthy patients (21.1 ± 0.49 years) (Control). The hygiene index and the periodontal status were determined in all patients. DNA of five periodontal pathogens was identified by PCR in the DS/PC contents. The statistical analysis was performed in Statistica 13.3. The critical significance level was p ≤ 0.05.DNA was not observed in 60.9 % of the control group samples and 7.1 % of the BG group samples. In other cases, the bacteria were found separately and as part of bacterial complexes. P.g. and T.f. were most often detected in all groups. P.g. (U = 474, р < 0.01) and A.a. (U = 209, р >< 0.05) significantly contributed to the plaque formation in the control group, T.d. – in BG and AgP groups (U = 37.5, р >< 0.05 and U = 34, р >< 0.05, respectively). In the AgP group, purulent discharge was more often recorded if T.d. was detected in the PC contents (χ2 = 5.53, р >< 0.05). T.f. + P.i. and P.g. + T.f. + P.i. complexes were exclusively associated with PD. Complexes of four bacteria were found only in the AgP group. The association of periodontal pathogens and their complexes with different PD forms was revealed.>< 0.01) and A.a. (U = 209, р <0.05) significantly contributed to the plaque formation in the control group, T.d. – in BG and AgP groups (U = 37.5, р <0.05 and U = 34, р <0.05, respectively). In the AgP group, purulent discharge was more often recorded if T.d. was detected in the PC contents (χ2 = 5.53, р <0.05). T.f. + P.i. and P.g. + T.f. + P.i. complexes were exclusively associated with PD. Complexes of four bacteria were found only in the AgP group.The association of periodontal pathogens and their complexes with different PD forms was revealed.

Plasty of shin bone defects with segmental loss using ring fixators of the wire-rod type

The problem of segmental bone loss of the tibia after fractures is an urgent and not completely resolved problem. The use of distraction osteogenesis by bone transport according to Ilizarov is the leading method of treatment. Improving this technology is a generally accepted way of improving treatment outcomes.To propose improvements in the technology of distraction osteosynthesis with the use of ring fixators, taking into account the problematic issues of their use; analyze the results obtained.Tasks: to formulate the disadvantages and problematic issues of distraction osteogenesis in patients with segmental defects of the leg bones after fractures; to propose a solution to the existing disadvantages of the method; analyze the results.78 victims met the inclusion criteria. 36 patients were operated on according to the proposed method; they made up the core group; 42 – comparison group, treatment was carried out according to the generally accepted method. The time spent in the external fixation apparatus and the index of external fixation were used as criteria for evaluating the results; the final assessment was carried out according to the anatomical and functional scale Modified Functional Evaluation System by Karlstrom–Olerud.Our results (good and excellent 77.8 %; unsatisfactory in 2.8 % are comparable to those of most researchers. Anatomical and functional results in the main group with a high degree of probability (˃95 %) exceeded the results in the comparison group.Bearing in mind the severity of the defeat, we find this result encouraging. Given the insufficient number of observations, it is necessary to recommend the use of the proposed improvements in the use of RF in the treatment of nonunions of the shin bones after fractures and further study of their effectiveness.Thus, nonunion of the tibia requires complex treatment using osteosynthesis with ring fixators. Spoke-rod designs of the apparatus, gentle technique, optimal ways of guiding the pins, transition to final fixation using Softcast/Scotchcast systems, drug correction of regeneration disorders made it possible to avoid many complications of extrafocal fixation and obtain good results.