CORRELATES OF ATOPIC DERMATITIS CHARACTERISTICS IN MILITARY PERSONNEL.

Atopic dermatitis, despite its relatively wide distribution and low severity, was statistically often a disqualification condition for military service. The aim of our study is to determine correlations between characteristics of atopic dermatitis in military personnel. 144 people with atopic dermatitis were under our observation, 78 of them military personnel, 26 military family members and 40 civilians, 62 men and 82 women. We studied the following characteristics: gender, age, marital status, education, social status, place of service location, genetic anamnesis, recurrence during the year, laboratory indicators of attached infections, focus of localization, other skin diseases, comorbidities, compliance with hygienic conditions, wearing a military uniform, the frequency of changing bed linen. 3-5 times recurrence a year shows a reliable positive correlation with: wearing a uniform for 12-24 hours, SSA/eosinophilia, mycosis, pathology of the respiratory system, military personnel. Staphylococcus aureus is associated with other infections - St. hominis, fungus, also shows a reliable positive correlation: localization on the face and torso, wearing the uniform for 1 week and more. Staphylococcus hominis shows a reliable positive correlation: localization - torso, wearing uniform for 1 week or more,y. Shows a reliable positive correlation with fungus: localization scalp, neck, lower limb, military serviceman; reliable positive correlation with SSA/eosinophilia: increased IgE, localization on the upper limbs, mycosis, change of bed linen - once every 2 weeks; IgE - localization of dermatosis on the upper limbs and torso area, pathology of the digestive system, changing bed linen once every 2 weeks, military serviceman. It shows a reliable positive correlation with helminthiasis: Localization on the genitals, mycosis, pathology of the digestive system, change of bed linen once a month. Development and recurrence of atopic dermatitis in military personnel correlates with living conditions and infections. Determining the differences between civilian and military patient populations will allow clinicians to better investigate the risk factors that predispose to the manifestation of dermatitis in the military.

MENTAL HEALTH AND RELIGION: INTERRELATION AND CHALLENGES IN POST-SOVIET GEORGIA.

Anxiety and depression syndrome (STD) are at the forefront of the world mental health priority list. To address this problem, a number of instruments and programs have been developed at both the global and national levels. STD is associated with a socio-political problem and correlates with external or internal instability in the country. In such circumstances, a special place is given to religion. The role of the Church, faith is important in low-or middle-income countries and depends on the authority of the Church as an institution, its activities and activity. At the final stage of the study the recommendations are presented.

AGE SPECIFIC CORRELATION PECULIARITIES OF THE DIAMETER AND DEFORMATION OF A HEALTHY HUMAN ERYTHROCYTE MEMBRANE.

The purpose of our research was to determine the interrelation peculiarities of erythrocyte membrane deformability and cell diameter in a practically healthy person, in different age groups. 60 volunteers were selected for this survey in 5 age groups: 1) 17-25, 2) 25-35, 3) 35-60, 4) 60-75, 5) 75-90. As a result of the study, it was determined that with aging the diameter of peripheral blood erythrocytes increases and an indicator of deformability, in contrary, decreases. The average diameter of erythrocytes in young people, is directly correlated with erythrocyte deformability, while in elderly people, negative correlation is revealed between erythrocytes diameter and their deformability. Decrease in membrane deformability, demonstrated in peripheral blood erythrocytes of elderly people, indicates the participation of different mechanisms in erythrocyte membrane deformity regulation, it might be related to age-related metabolic changes.

IMPACT OF ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN FAITH AND SPIRITUALITY ON SOCIETY'S MENTAL HEALTH (BASED ON THE POPULATION SURVEY OF TBILISI, GEORGIA).

Research of mental health related factors has become increasingly important on a global scale. The study is intended to uncover the relationship between a depression and a religion (Orthodox Christianity) - case of Tbilisi population. The research objectives are screening and measurement of a depression using Beck Depression Inventory; describing general statistics with correlation to demographics; revealing factors carrying significant connections with depression, distinguishing their role and place in the forming process of depression general indicator; researching religiosity as one of the hypothetical factors; analyzing the results of relationships between depression and religiousness. General Population: 18+ Tbilisi inhabitants; sample size - 500 completed interviews; method of sampling - stratified cluster sampling. Despite hard socio-economic background of Tbilisi population, low depression level was observed. The central trend of depression gravity level is ranging between having no depression and light depression's upper threshold. It is worth to note that the difference between symptoms of psychological nature and depression specific behavioral revelations is not statistically significant - that means no general linkage to depression's psychological or behavioral symptoms. The main result of the research is the discovery of inversely proportional relationship between depression gravity level and religiousness degree.

Evaluation of safety and efficacy of prolonged suppressive therapy of genital herpes with valacyclovir.

The aim of study was to determine the effectiveness, safety and side effects of suppressive therapy (valacyclovir) for relapsing genital herpes virus infections. Patients with HSV were divided into three groups: the first group was composed of 82 patients (45 males and 37 females) who received 500 mg of valacyclovir single dose daily during 6 months. The second group was composed of 52 patients (29 males and 23 females) who received 500 mg of valacyclovir single dose daily during 12 months. The third group was composed of 152 patients (87 males and 65 females), who received 500 mg of valacyclovir single dose daily during 24 months. Control group was composed of 60 patients (32 males and 28 females) who were treated with topical antiseptics. Several side effects such as headache (in 12% of patients), sickness (6%) and diarrhoea (3%) have been seen with the same frequency in patients and control group. Frequency of more serious complications, such as HBV infections, leukopenia, strong headaches was very low (0.2%). Other haematological and biochemical parameters were normal. Genital herpes reoccurrence was demonstrated only in 3% of patients. Relapse of genital herpes during suppressive therapy was seen in 9 % of patients. In control groups the same measure was 86% in patients. It is concluded, that continuous suppressive therapy of HSV infections with valacyclovir is safe and effective treatment, which strongly prevents reoccurrence or transmissions of HSV infections to sexual partners. Suppressive therapy few weeks before the expected delivery will decrease: the risk of relapse and need for cesarean section.

The method of melanocytes isolation.

To judge the therapeutic value and evaluate the mechanism of action of this specific transplantation procedure we have performed an isolation of the melanocytes in experiment on the hens. The black hens (n=5), 3-5 kg of body weight were used in experimental study. Hens were housed in standard laboratory conditions under 12-hr day-night cycles with provision of pelleted diet and water ad libitum. All hens received care according to institutional guidelines. Using a hand dermatome, a shave biopsy specimen of approximately 2 cm2 was taken from the hens' normally pigmented region under local anesthesia (lidocaine hydrochloride, 20 mg/mL). The wound was covered with a transparent occlusive bandage (4 cm x 4 cm) and secured with gauze and adhesive tape. The melanocytes suspension have been obtained by fermentative digestion.