Stability of Hemocytometry Parameters Under Different Sample Storage Conditions

Sample stability is essential for reliable results in clinical laboratory practice. The aim of the work was to investigate the change in values of hematological indices in samples stored for up to 72 hours under different temperature regimes. A total of 60 whole blood samples stored under different conditions were analyzed: at room temperature (25°C), heated to 35°C and cooled to 4°C. Analysis was performed at different time points: immediately after blood sampling and then consecutively after 3, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours. K2EDTA anticoagulant tubes were used, and results were obtained using a UniCel DxH 800 hematology analyzer. The median shift of the parameters relative to baseline for each combination of time and temperature was assessed using the Wilcoxon matched pairs test. The shift in hemogram values obtained using Bland-Altman plots was compared with the maximum permissible error specified in the quality specification for the desirable error. Hemoglobin, erythrocyte count, mean erythrocyte hemoglobin content and platelet content were stable for at least 72 hours at all temperatures used in the experiment. For the other tested parameters, the first unacceptable changes in hemogram values were observed after 3 hours when the samples were stored at 25°C and 35°C. In samples cooled to 4°C, the first statistically significant differences were recorded after 6 hours. As a result, storage of samples for 72 hours at room temperature led to reliable unacceptable changes in 6 hemogram parameters of the 11 studied, at 4°C 5 parameters changed unacceptably, and at 35°C – 7 parameters. The obtained results, on the one hand, indicate that when analyzing the results of hematological tests is performed with a delay after sample collection, changes in hematological parameters should be considered; on the other hand, they provide information about the list of parameters subject to temperature-time changes, as well as about the intensity of these changes.

Optimization of the Observation Period to Improve the Quality of Early Diagnosis of Diseases

The paper considers the possibilities of increasing the efficiency of detecting diseases by reducing the duration of the periods between observations of patients’ health. The methodological basis of the study was the analysis of scientific publications, generalized practical experience and process modelling. The paper proposes indicator – critical time of disease detection, that provides a given treatment efficiency. It is shown that the period of regular clinical examination, which is fixed for a large contingent of patients, does not allow for timely detection of a significant group of diseases. There is a problem of coverage with more frequent observations of patients with possible signs of diseases that have a short critical observation period. As a promising way to solve this problem, the use of home telemonitoring of health status in the delayed time mode is proposed. A method for selecting indicators for additional monitoring has been determined. It has been shown that home monitoring can significantly improve the quality of early diagnosis and the effectiveness of subsequent treatment.

Dynamics of Public Awareness About Measures to Combat Tobacco and Nicotine-Containing Products in the Russian Federation in 2019-2021

The article examines the results of a three-year monitoring of public opinion on public awareness about measures to reduce the prevalence of tobacco consumption in the Russian Federation, which was conducted on the basis of Internet surveys (SLOP research) using a questionnaire developed in accordance with the objectives of the study in 2019-2021. The questionnaire also included questions about the knowledge of the respondents about the prohibition of the sale and using of tobacco and nicotine-containing products in public places, as well as about the sources of information they noticed. The purpose of the monitoring was to identify trends and new trends in tobacco and nicotine consumption, knowledge of tobacco control measures and information sources of the population. This article describes a study of the dynamics of awareness among survey respondents about bans on the sale and use of tobacco and nicotine-containing products in public places, and also analyzes the sources of information that respondents noticed.

Feasibility of Screening for Frailty in Elderly Patients with Arterial Hypertension: Age Is Not a Hindrance?

The Russian clinical guidelines "Arterial hypertension in adults" (2020) contain a statement according to which elderly (≥65 years) patients should be screened for frailty using "Vozrast ne pomeha" (verbatim – "Age is not a hindrance") questionnaire, since the identification of frailty can affect drug treatment strategy and level of target blood pressure. The paper presents a critical analysis of this statement, which shows that recommendation to use "Vozrast ne pomeha" questionnaire for frailty screening is insufficiently evidence based and does not fully take into account the problem of geriatric care availability.

HIV testing and counseling: some aspects of the problem

The aim of the study was to analyze the attitude of the population to HIV testing and counseling and the frequency of testing-related counseling in a sample of the population of Kazan. Materials. An anonymous survey of various groups of the population permanently residing in the city of Kazan (n=301) was conducted using a questionnaire developed by us. The study involved 58.1% of women (175/301), 41.9% of men (126/301). Results. Most of the respondents had experience of undergoing HIV testing (95%, 286/301). Only 92 people out of 286 (32.2%) were examined on their own initiative. HIV testing was mainly carried out in the polyclinic at the place of residence/stay (66.8%, 191/286), while counseling, according to respondents, was carried out only in 16.20% of respondents (31/191). Conclusions. It is important to conduct a high-quality procedure of pre-and post-test counseling in the conditions of primary health care. It is necessary to train the medical staff of the polyclinic level in the skills of counseling on epidemiology and prevention of HIV infection.

Review of Medical Thermometry: From the Advent to Modern Applications

The article describes the first and modern devices for the study of temperature, their principles of operation and the prospects for the development of medical thermometry in clinical practice, along with the use of information technologies, their advantages and disadvantages. The prospects for the use of thermometry using remote methods of recording temperature, wearable devices, the Internet of medical things, telemedicine, big data for patients in rehabilitation at home as part of continuous monitoring of the state of health are considered. The article emphasizes the importance of measuring body temperature by remote thermometry as one of the main diagnostic markers of infection during the pandemic of the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus infection. Also, the importance of thermometry for the timely appointment of antipyretic therapy, control over the course of various diseases and the effectiveness of the prescribed treatment is considered.

Assessment of the Effect of Clinical Aspects of the Course of Combined Pathology (HIV Infection and Tuberculosis) on the Spread of Mycobacteria of Tuberculosis in Foci, as One of the Main Risk Factors for Infection

Introduction: The article presents an analysis of the state of the immune system of HIV-infected patients with tuberculosis, the rate of recurrence of tuberculosis in HIV-infected people against the background of insufficient preventive therapy against HIV-infection and tuberculosis. Aim: To assess the effect of clinical aspects of the course of combined pathology (HIV infection and tuberculosis) on the spread of isolation of bacteria of tuberculosis mycobacteria as one of the main risk factors for infection in foci. Materials and methods: comparative analysis of isolation of bacteria of tuberculosis mycobacteria among patients with combined pathology (tuberculosis and HIV) was carried out (main group): determination of CD4 lymphocyte cell number and isolation of tuberculosis mycobacteria (n = 100). The number of TB recurrences in the main group (100 patients) and comparison group (TB patients) – 100 patients were studied. Data processing was carried out using the calculation of intensive and extensive indicators, the calculation of the standard error of the average (m). Statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel. The results testified: the impact of the clinical course in tuberculosis patients with HIV infection characterized by an immunodeficiency condition, the presence of stages of 4B and 4V HIV infection (65,0 (95% RI:55;74)) and the recurrent course of tuberculosis in 25% (95 RI:17,5;34) is 1.4 times higher than in tuberculosis and is one of the main risk factors for infection in foci.

Assessment of the Epidemic Situation on the Incidence of Tick-Borne Rickettsiosis and Tick-Borne Encephalitis in the Population of Altai Territory in 2000-2019

The article presents the results of a study carried out in relation to the epidemic situation in terms of the incidence of one of the topical representatives of tick-borne natural focal infections among the population of the Altai Territory in the period from 2000 to 2019 – tick-borne rickettsiosis and tick-borne encephalitis. An assessment of the prevalence of these infections among certain age and social groups of the region's population is presented. Using GIS technologies and the method of sigma deviations, the spatial prevalence of current infections in the territory of the region was estimated and regions with high, medium and low, for the Altai Territory, incidence of tick-borne encephalitis and tick-borne rickettsiosis during the study period were identified. The results of the assessment of preventive measures carried out in the region aimed at reducing the incidence of current infections among the local population – vaccine prophylaxis, seroprophylaxis and acaricidal treatments of territories are presented.

Combined Determination of Succinic Acid and Cetylpyridinium Chloride in Medicinal Films by Gradient High Performance Liquid Chromatography

A technique has been developed based on reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-matrix detection for the joint determination of succinic acid and cetylpyridinium chloride in complex action medicinal films. Efficient chromatographic separation of active drug components was achieved in a gradient elution mode on a Luna C18 (2) 100A column (4.6 × 250 mm, 5 µm) using a mobile phase consisting of a 0.1% solution of phosphoric acid and acetonitrile. The detection wavelength was 210 nm for both compounds. The developed method is validated in terms of specificity, linearity, precision, accuracy and can be used to determine the authenticity and quantitative content of succinic acid and cetylpyridinium chloride in the joint presence in assessing the quality of medicinal films.

Dynamics of Consumption of Tobacco and Nicotine-Containing Products in the Russian Federation in 2019-2021

The article examines the results of a three-year monitoring of public opinion on public awareness about measures to reduce the prevalence of tobacco consumption in the Russian Federation, which was conducted on the basis of Internet surveys (SLOP research) using a questionnaire developed in accordance with the objectives of the study in 2019-2021 years. The questionnaire also included questions about the consumption of tobacco and nicotine-containing products. The purpose of the monitoring was to identify existing and emerging trends in the consumption of tobacco and nicotine, in the awareness of the population and information sources. This article describes the study of the dynamics of consumption of tobacco and nicotine-containing products among the survey respondents, as well as analyzes the preferences in the consumption of these products and their combinations depending on age and gender.