Peculiarities of Humoral Immunity Formation in Medical Institution Employees Recovered from or Vaccinated against COVID-19 in Irkutsk.

We performed a seroepidemiological survey of the level and structure of population immunity to SARS-CoV-2 among employees of medical institution in the Irkutsk region during the COVID-19 pandemic. Seroprevalence assessment was organized from May 2020 to April 2021. The level of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 was measured by ELISA. It was found that 139 (46%) of 299 examined workers were seropositive, including 50 (36%) vaccinated against COVID-19, 75 (54%) patients diagnosed with COVID-19, and 14 (10%) asymptomatic cases of SARS-CoV-2. The results obtained should be taken into account when predicting the dynamics of the epidemic process and organizing preventive (antiepidemic) measures, including vaccination.

[International register "Analysis of Chronic Non-infectious Diseases Dynamics After COVID-19 Infection in Adult Patients (ACTIV SARS-CoV-2)"].

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[Hypoglycemia in neonates: a review of the literature and a case report].

Hypoglycemia in the neonatal period is one of the urgent problems of pediatric endocrinology. The main factors that lead to disruption of carbohydrate homeostasis are generally known, but the issues of neonatal hypoglycemia continue to be actively studied. In the last few years, the effect of low blood glucose on brain neurons has been studied, the issues of glycemia monitoring in the first days of life have been outlined, and strategies for managing newborns with hypoglycemic syndrome are being discussed.

Factors affecting the results of analgesic therapy. Results of the Russian multicentre study of NOTE (NSAID: Open-label Trial of Efficacy).

AIM: To identify factors affecting the effectiveness of NSAIDs in patients with OA and LBP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An observational study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of a 2-week course of NSAIDs in OA and LBP in real clinical practice. The study group consisted of 3604 patients with OA and LBP (60.6% women and 39.4% men, mean age 55.0±13.4 years). According to the study design, aceclofenac (Airtal) and other NSAIDs used in the ratio 1:1. The main criterion of effectiveness was the frequency of complete pain relief after 2 weeks of therapy. In addition, the decrease of pain and general health were determined on a 10-point numerical rating scale (NRS). We compared the frequency of complete pain relief in patients who had and did not have the studied factors. The value of the studied factors was determined using OR (95% CI). RESULTS: Most patients received aceclofenac (54.9%), as well as diclofenac (2.0%), ketoprofen (1.9%), lornoxicam (2.2%), meloxicam (13.7%), naproxen (2.1%), nimesulide (5.8%), celecoxib (5.9%), ethicoxib (7.1%) and other NSAIDs (4.4%); 56.2% of patients received muscle relaxants, mainly tolperisone (74.7%), vitamin B (10.4%), and proton pump inhibitors (42.8%). Complete pain relief was achieved in 54.8% of patients. The pain decrease and general health improvement were (for NRS) 63.9±13.4% and 61.7±14.8%, respectively. The efficacy of aceclofenac was slightly higher than in the whole group: complete pain relief was in 59.9% of patients. Adverse events in aceclofenac use were observed in 2.3% of patients, other NSAIDs-from 2.4 to 14.1%. The frequency of complete pain relief was higher in men: OR 1,239 (95% CI 1.08-1.418; p=0.002), who had the first episode of pain - OR 3.341 (95% CI 2.873-3.875; p=0.000), a good" response " to NSAIDs in history - OR 1.656 (95% CI 1.385-1.980; p=0.000) and received NSAIDs in combination with muscle relaxants - OR 1.218 (95% CI 1.067-1.390; p=0.004). The effect of therapy is lower in patients 65 years and older-OR 0,378 (95% CI 0.324-0.442; p=0,000), with body mass index >30 kg/m² - OR 0.619 (95% CI 0.529-0.723; p=0.000), with severe pain (≥7 points NRS) - OR 0.662 (95% CI 0.580-0.756; p=0.002), with pain at rest, - OR 0.515 (95% CI 0.450-0,589; p=0.000), pain at night - OR 0.581 (95% CI 0.501-0.672; p=0.000) and the presence of stiffness - OR 0.501 (95% CI 0.438-0,573; p=0.000). Treatment results are significantly worse in the cases of combination of LBP and joint pain, as well as pain in the trochanter major and pes anserinus area (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: NSAIDs are the first-line medications for the pain treatment in LBP and OA. Aceclofenac is effective and safe in this conditions. When carrying out analgesic therapy should take into account factors that affect the effectiveness of treatment: old age, overweight, insufficient effect of NSAIDs in history, severe pain, signs of "inflammatory" pain, multiple sources of pain.

[FOUNDER PERM PROVINCIAL MEDICINE--"PEOPLE'S DOCTOR" F. H. GRAIL].

The article presents the biography of one wonderful doctors, who have high human, civil and professional qualities, Fyodor Ch. Gral.

Thymus Polypeptide Preparation Tactivin Restores Learning and Memory in Thymectomied Rats.

We studied the effects of tactivin and splenic polypeptides on learning and memory of thymectomized animals. In 3-week rats, thymectomy blocked active avoidance conditioning. Injections of tactivin (0.5 mg/kg) during 1 month after surgery restored learning capacity; splenic polypeptides were ineffective.

[The influence of the thymus peptides on analgesia caused by acute and chronic immobilization].

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to investigate the influence of thymic polypeptides on pain sensitivity and to analyze a possible role of the opioid system in the implementation of the analgesia caused by immobilization stress. METHODS: The study was performed on male Wistar rats at the Moscow state University named after M. V. Lomonosov. We studied effects of thymus peptides: thymuline (0.15 mg/kg), fraction 5 thymosin (0.25 microgram/kg) and cattle thymus extracted product (CTEP) (0.5 mg/kg) on pain sensitivity in rats using test "tail flick" without stress, with acute (3 h) and sub acute (12 h) immobilization stress. The comparison groups were animals treated with saline and spleen polypeptides. RESULTS: It is shown that preparations of thymus increase the threshold of pain sensitivity in the intact animals. Immobilization stress duration 3 and 12 h in thymus peptides treated rats caused a less pronounced increase in pain threshold than in the control groups (immobilization stress 3 h: CTEP--p = 0.025, thymuline--p = 0.022, fraction 5 thymosin--p = 0.033; immobilization stress 12 h: CTEP--p = 0.034, thymuline--p = 0.027, fraction 5 thymosin--p = 0.036). The opioid receptor blocker naloxone (1 mg/kg) did not completely block the stress-induced analgesia, indicating the presence of both opioid and non -opioid components in this state. In thymus peptides treated rats, opioid component was less pronounced than in the control groups (CTEP--p = 0.031, thymuline--p = 0.026, fraction 5 thymosin--p = 0.029). CONCLUSION: Pre-activation of the opioid system by the thymus polypeptides leads to an increase in the share of non-opioid component of the stress-induced analgesia and prevents the depletion of the opioid system in immobilization stress.

Stress-protective effect of thymic peptides.

Experiments on Wistar rats showed that thymic peptides produce a stress-protective effect that manifested in prevention of functional impairment of conditioned active avoidance response and a decrease in generalized motor activity typical of higher nervous activity failure. We concluded that thymic peptides significantly modulate integrative functions of the brain and produce a stress-protective effect.

[The impact of immunoactive drugs on passive avoidance response].

AIM: The objective of this project was to explore the influence of immunoactive drugs (tactivin, thymulin, and thymosin fraction 5) on the development of the passive avoidance conditioned reflex. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two types of passive avoidance boxes were used--a regular two-chamber box and a modified three-chamber box, comprising a dark chamber in which rats were exposed to electrical shock, a safe dark chamber, and a light chamber in the center. RESULTS: The project has established that the memory trace persists longer under the influence of the immunoactive drugs in both models, which is consistent with the reference nootropic piracetam test results. Notably, the immunoactive drugs' mnemotropic effect was more pronounced in the modified three-chamber box than in the standard two-chamber box. Using the modified box helped to establish the influence of tactivin, thymulin, and thymosin fraction 5 on the spatial memory component. Immunotropic preparations from thymus caused the animals to select the safe chamber 24 hours later and in subsequent tests. CONCLUSION: The project's results indicate that the drugs tested do possess mnemotropic properties, so their range of clinical use can be broadened.

[Comparative evaluation of antiplatelet efectiveness drugs of original and reproduced enteric forms of acetylsalicylic acid (clinical study ICAR))].

The purpose of the study was a comparative study of antiplatelet activity of acetylsalicylic acid drugs, produced in gastro-resistant form trombopol 75 mg and aspirin cardio 100 mg in patients with high risk of cardiovascular events. Effect of trombopol 75 mg versus 100 mg aspirin cardio on platelet aggregation in 30 patients with high risk of cardiovascular events during 3 week treatment period was studied. Design method: blind, randomized, crossover method. Three weeks before the initial therapy, for those patients, who received antiplatelet platelet therapy at the time of inclusion in the study, this therapy was withdrew ("wash-out period"), after which patient was given one of the study drug (sequence of courses was s determined according to the scheme of randomization) with the recommendation of taking it daily in the morning at the same time. At each visit, before the next dose of the drug, blood samples for determination of ADP-induced platelet aggregation were taken, physical examination, measurement of blood pressure (BP) and heart rate were recorded, adverse events were recorded. Follow-up visit was performed 3 weeks later. 21 days after first study drug withdrawal, a second similar course of therapy with another drug was performed. Antiplatelet efficacy of aspirin was assessed by its effect on spontaneous and ADP- induced platelet aggregation. Aggregation activity was determined by turbidometric method by changing of translucent ability of the blood sample during the formation of aggregates after 2 minutes of exposure. As an inducer of aggregation ADP solutions of three concentrations (0.5, 1 and 2 mM) were used. No significant difference between compared drugs in influence on aggregation ability of platelets after 3 weeks of daily intake was found. No adverse events associated with taking of studied drugs were registered. It was concluded that, generic APD - trombopol 75 mg and aspirin cardio 100 mg were equivalent on antiplatelet efficacy and tolerability.

Quantitative evaluation of learning and memory trace in studies of mnemotropic effects of immunotropic drugs.

Apart from restoration of disordered immunological parameters, tactivin and derinat exhibit a pronounced effect on the higher integrative functions of the brain. Experiments on Wistar rats have shown that these drugs accelerated conditioning of food and defense responses. New methods for quantitative evaluation of memory trace consolidation are proposed.

[Effect of tactivin on the behaviour and learning in rats].

The action of the immunocorrective agent tactivin on CNS functional activity was studied in an experiment using outbred white rats. The drug was shown to affect the animals' behaviour in an elevated cross-shaped maze including learning capacity and ability to overcome functional disorders of conditioned active avoidance response. The data obtained suggest anti-stress activity of tactivin.

Effect of tactivin on functional disturbances in avoidance reaction in rats.

Experiments on outbred albino rats showed that tactivin (thymic polypeptide preparation) reduced functional disturbances in active avoidance reaction induced by extra electric current exposure violating the established relationships between the stimuli, reaction, and its result. The preparation provided high level of avoidance reaction after its violation. New effects of immunocorrective agent tactivin were detected. It not only restored the disordered immunological parameters, but also exhibited a pronounced effect on the higher integrative functions of the brain and produced an antistress effect.

Refolding of scFv mini-antibodies using size-exclusion chromatography via arginine solution layer.

The method for refolding of mini-antibodies using size-exclusion chromatography via arginine solution layer was developed. This method allows to refold scFv, to separate both aggregated protein and low molecular weight compounds and to isolate functionally active protein preparation in monomeric form. The comparison of various scFv preparations isolated either from inclusion bodies or from soluble fraction revealed that refolded mini-antibodies demonstrate higher antigen-binding activity. Mini-antibodies refolded in the presence of arginine also demonstrate higher electrophoretic mobility during native PAGE in comparison with soluble cytoplasmic antibodies. Both soluble as well as refolded antibodies had similar CD spectra. Refolded mini-antibodies are storage-stable.

[Structural changes in wild-type Cry3A delta-endotoxin and its mutants in ethyl alcohol solutions at pH 2-2.5].

The methods of circular dichroism, scanning microcalorimetry, electron microscopy, and proteolysis were used to study the ability of wild-type Cry3A-delta-endotoxin and three mutant toxins with cysteine substitutions in helices alpha3 and alpha4 (domain I) to form oligomeric structures in acidic alcohol solutions that reproduce the premembrane environment. At pH 2-2.2 and 20% ethanol, the mutant toxins with single substitutions E132C (alpha3) and E160C (alpha4), as well as the double mutant E132C/S160C with a cysteine bridge connecting helices alpha3 and alpha4, form short linear oligomers specific for Cry3A with a high content of the beta-structure and enhanced sensitivity to proteolysis with pepsin. The data obtained show that the formation of oligomeric structures of this type does not require any divergence of helices alpha3 and alpha4 in domain I of the Cry3A toxin. It has been demonstrated that, at higher pH values in 20% solution of ethanol, the proteins studied are in a metastable state, and their ability to form oligomeric structures depends on temperature.

[Tumor suppressor gene RBSP3 in cervical carcinoma: copy number and transcriptional level].

In this work for the first time copy number and expression changes of the tumor suppressor gene RBSP3 (3p21.3) were investigated. The study was performed on HPV-positive squamous cervical carcinoma (SCC) using real-time PCR. Deletions were detected in 42% of cases (19 of 45 studied biopsies). Frequency of deletions was significantly higher in SCC samples with metastases (64%) than in tumors without metastases (32%, P < 0.05). In a few cases amplification of RBSP3 was also found. Altogether copy number changes of RBSP3 were detected in 51% of cases (23 of 45). Expression of RBSP3 was decreased in 64% of SCC samples (21 of 33). Again decreased expression of RBSP3 was detected significantly more frequently (83%) in tumors with metastases compared with SCC without metastases (52%, P < 0.05). In several cases however increased expression was observed. Altogether changes in expression of RBSP3 were detected in 79% (26 of 33) of SCC biopsies. Comparison of copy number and expression changes showed that in 23% of SCC cases decreased expression of RBSP3 was detected in samples with deletions and in 36% cases such decrease was not associated with copy number changes. Rarely more complicated SCC cases were found. For example in some tumors increased expression of RBSP3 was detected in samples with deletions or without changes in copy number. Results of the study suggested that RBSP3 is involved in the progression of SCC and complex mechanisms for inactivation of RBSP3. We also hypothesize that these data indicate that RBSP3 in addition to dephosphorylation of pRb has other functions important for malignant transformation because pRb is almost absent in HPV-positive SCC.

[The component composition of the body in children with progressive obesity].

The aim of the investigation was to determine the major components of body mass in obese children. Two hundred and thirty-four children aged 8-16 years, including 181 healthy children and 53 obese children, were examined. The components of body mass in obese children were comparatively analyzed, by taking into account gender, age, and the disease seventy, which Indicated that the adipose tissue was the major component of the body, greatly dominating over muscular and bony components with its increase in progressive disease (up to 280 and 448% of the normal values in second- and third-degree obesity, respectively). The absolute content of fat as the body's major component in overweight children has no great gender differences. In children, obesity progression is accompanied by a statistically significant reduction in absolute body mass and in the proportion of an osseal component in younger age (8-10 years) groups.

[Rational approach to selection of antihypertensive therapy in persons with metabolic syndrome: efficacy of monotherapy with spirapril and its combination with retard form of nifedipine].

AIM: Achievement of target blood pressure (BP) levels in subjects with metabolic syndrome (MS) by the method of stepwise antihypertensive therapy and assessment of metabolic effects of combination of spirapril and nifedipine retard. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients (n=20, 12 women, 8 men, mean age 54+/-3 years) with MS were first given spirapril (6 mg/day). Nifedipine retard (40 mg/day) was added if target BP was not achieved after 4 weeks. Study duration was 12 weeks. The following parameters were measured at baseline and at study end: heart rate, blood pressure, body mass, waist circumference, parameters of lipid spectrum, content of insulin including index HOMA IR, blood glucose (fasting and during oral glucose tolerance test). RESULTS: Target BP levels were achieved in 18 patients (90%)--in 11 with moexipril monotherapy, in 9--after addition of nifedipine. Lowering of systolic and diastolic BP from baseline was 11 and 14%, respectively. After 3 months of combination antihypertensive therapy triglyceride levels decreased by 28% while high density lipoprotein cholesterol (CH) increased 6%. Total, low density lipoprotein CH and coefficient of atherogenecity did not change as well as fasting blood glucose after fast and oral glucose tolerance test. Concentration of fasting immunoreactive insulin significantly decreased by 34% entailing 35% decrease of insulin resistance. Therapy was well tolerated, side effects were transitory and did not cause withdrawal of treatment. CONCLUSION: In patients with MS and mild hypertension monotherapy with spirapril and combination of spirapril with nifedipine retard caused lowering of BP to target level in 55 and 90%, respectively. Combination of spirapril and nifedipine retard exerts positive metabolic action.