[Diagnosis and treatment of kidney damage following stab and blunt abdominal injuries]. / Diagnostika i lechenie povrezhdenii pochek pri zakrytykh travmakh i koloto-rezanykh raneniyakh zhivota.

OBJECTIVE: To improve treatment outcomes in victims with kidney damage following blunt and stab abdominal trauma by using of minimally invasive methods of diagnosis and treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: About 1.2-3.5% of all victims arrived to the Dzhanelidze St. Petersburg Research Institute for Emergency Care have kidney injuries. We analyzed the results of treatment of 117 patients with isolated and combined blunt and stab abdominal injuries. The retrospective (2014-2017) group included 62 victims, and the prospective (2018-2021) group enrolled 55 patients who were treated according to the new algorithm. This algorithm included non-surgical and minimally invasive management for patients with systolic blood pressure >90 mm Hg after contrast-enhanced CT. Angiography with selective embolization was required for ongoing bleeding. We analyzed incidence of open interventions, organ-sparing procedures, complications, duration of treatment and mortality. Between-group differences were assessed using the χ2 test and Student's test. RESULTS: In both groups, kidney damage in most victims with abdominal trauma was due to road accident and catatrauma. Most patients had combined abdominal injuries, mainly in combination with head and chest lesions. Severity of injuries and clinical condition were similar in both groups. In the retrospective group, there were 9 laparotomies with nephrectomy. Nephrorraphy was performed in 8 cases, kidney vessel suture - in 4 patietns. In the prospective group, nephrectomy was performed in 3 patients with unstable hemodynamics and injuries AAST grade V. Nephrorraphy was performed in 4 victims. In one case, vascular suture was applied for tangential vein damage. All laparoscopies in both groups were diagnostic without nephrectomy. We used non-surgical treatment in 34 patients of the prospective group. One patient underwent angiography and selective embolization of renal artery branches. There were no significant between-group differences in the incidence of infectious and non-infectious complications. Mortality rate was 30.6% (n=19) and 27.3% (n=15) in the retrospective and prospective groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: The proposed algorithm for kidney injury made it possible to reduce the incidence of laparoscopies and laparotomies by 2 times, preserve the damaged kidney in 94.5% of cases and avoid invasive treatment in 62% of victims.

A transgenic cell line with inducible transcription for studying (CGG)n repeat expansion mechanisms.

There are more than 30 inherited human disorders connected with repeat expansion (myotonic dystrophy type I, Huntington's disease, Fragile X syndrome). Fragile X syndrome is the most common reason for inherited intellectual disability in the human population. The ways of the expansion development remain unclear. An important feature of expanded repeats is the ability to form stable alternative DNA secondary structures. There are hypotheses about the nature of repeat instability. It is proposed that these DNA secondary structures can block various stages of DNA metabolism processes, such as replication, repair and recombination and it is considered as the source of repeat instability. However, none of the hypotheses is fully confirmed or is the only valid one. Here, an experimental system for studying (CGG)n repeat expansion associated with transcription and TCR-NER is proposed. It is noteworthy that the aberrations of transcription are a poorly studied mechanism of (CGG)n instability. However, the proposed systems take into account the contribution of other processes of DNA metabolism and, therefore, the developed systems are universal and applicable for various studies. Transgenic cell lines carrying a repeat of normal or premutant length under the control of an inducible promoter were established and a method for repeat instability quantification was developed. One type of the cell lines contains an exogenous repeat integrated into the genome by the Sleeping Beauty transposon; in another cell line, the vector is maintained as an episome due to the SV40 origin of replication. These experimental systems can serve for finding the causes of instability and the development of therapeutic agents. In addition, a criterion was developed for the quantification of exogenous (CGG)n repeat instability in the transgenic cell lines' genome.

Viability of Bacteriophages in the Complex Hydrogel Wound Dressings in vitro.

Using bacteriophages to overcome the increasing resistance of microorganisms to antibiotics is a novel research venue of clinical importance. Among other challenges, this technique is expected to create and maintain an adequate local concentration of bacteriophages at the site of application. In addition, the possibility of combining the phage preparation with antioxidants and anesthetics may provide new options for stimulating the reparative process. The aim of the study was to assess the viability and lytic activity of bacteriophages incorporated into a hydrogel-based wound dressing that contains polyvinyl alcohol, phosphate buffer, with optional additions of succinic acid and lidocaine. Materials and Methods: A technique for incorporating bacteriophages into the complex hydrogel wound dressing ex tempore has been proposed. The bacteriolytic activity of phages inside the hydrogel was determined using standard microbiological techniques. Specifically, we used nutrient media with lawn cultures of Staphylococcus aureus added with the following antibacterial combinations: bacteriophages + succinic acid, bacteriophages + lidocaine, and bacteriophages + succinic acid + lidocaine. The lytic activity of bacteriophages was assessed within 1 to 7 days after the formation of the hydrogel. Results: In all samples containing bacteriophages, the presence of viable and lytically active phages was noted within 1 to 7 days, as evidenced by the "negative colonies" on the culture lawns. On days 1 to 3, no secondary growth was recorded in the phage-containing samples. In hydrogel samples containing phages, succinic acid, and lidocaine, secondary bacterial colonies were detected starting from day 4 indicating some reduction in the lytic activity. Conclusion: The results suggest that bacteriophages immobilized in the hydrogel maintain their viability and lytic activity, and this activity persists when the phages are combined with succinic acid and lidocaine.

[Decompensation of chronic internal hydrocephalus in an adult patient]. / Dekompensatsiya khronicheskoi vnutrennei gidrotsefalii u vzroslogo patsienta. Sluchai iz praktiki i obzor literatury.

We report a rare case of decompensated chronic internal hydrocephalus in an adult patient. A 35-year-old woman experienced acute intracranial hypertension in 3 weeks after relief of postoperative inflammation in the oral cavity (tooth extraction). MRI revealed severe internal hydrocephalus. Third ventriculostomy was followed by significant clinical improvement. However, postoperative survey and subsequent neuroimaging confirmed no reduction of ventricular system. Thus, decompensation of chronic hydrocephalus following dental intervention and subsequent oral inflammation was assumed. Impaired venous outflow from the brain and destabilization of CSF circulation can be considered as a pathogenetic mechanism.

[Use of phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging to quantify cerebrospinal fluid dynamics in patients with communicating hydrocephalus].

OBJECTIVE: to determine differences in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow velocities in patients with varying degrees of communicating hydrocephalus (CH) versus a group of healthy volunteers without hydrodynamic disorders. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The investigation enrolled 27 CH patients (17 and 10 patients with an Evans index of 0.31 and 0.46, respectively) and 62 healthy volunteers. Average, volumetric, and peak flow velocities were determined at different intracranial levels. RESULTS: Analysis of differences between the mean values indicated that the patients with CH were observed to have progressive cranial cavity CSF outflow obstruction that depended on the degree of dilation of the ventricular system and, probably, on impaired CSF reabsorption. These changes can provide an explanation for the clinical symptoms present in the patients and also serve as diagnostic criteria. CONCLUSION: The investigation showed that phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging might be used to estimate the quantitative indicators of CSF in health and in varying degrees of CH. The velocity characteristics of antegrade and retrograde CSF flows are significantly different in health and in disease, which may be relevant to neurologists and neurosurgeons when planning therapy and surgery options.

Evaluation of the flow of cerebrospinal fluid as well as gender and age characteristics in patients with communicating hydrocephalus, using phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging.

To determine the difference in the velocity parameters of cerebrospinal fluid flow in patients with varying severity of communicating hydrocephalus compared to a group of healthy volunteers without hydrodynamic disorders. The study involved 35 subjects with communicating hydrocephalus (25 subjects with Evans index of 0.31; 10 subject with Evans index of 0.46) and 62 healthy volunteers. The mean, volume, and peak flow velocities were determined at the different intracranial levels. Also were made an assessment of gender and age differences. Analysis of the differences between the mean values showed the progressive inhibition of cerebrospinal fluid outflow from the cranial cavity [in moderate communicating hydrocephalus-at 1.5 times (p < 0.05), in severe communicating hydrocephalus at 2-2.5 times (p < 0.01)], depending on the severity of enlargement of the ventricular system and, most likely, related to inhibition of its reabsorption. These changes may explain the clinical symptoms of subjects and serve as diagnostic criteria. Also it was revealed a significant influence of the factor of age on speed characteristics of the cerebrospinal fluid flow (F = 5.3303, p = 0.0003, for mean velocity).

[FEATURES OF DIAGNOSTICS AND TREATMENT OF EXTREMELY SEVERE COMBINED INJURY].

The data of examination and treatment of 356 victims with extremely severe combined injury and shock of III degree were analyzed. All the patients had a medical unfavorable life prognosis. On the basis of the research, it was proved, that the modern approach of treatment of such trauma should include an adequate anti-shock treatment in conditions of the first-level trauma center. The operative activity should be increased in cases of combined trauma of bones by their early external fixation. The authors recommend an application of up-to-date prevention sepsis treatment, late reconstructive--restorative operation performance after its full relief and nutritive metabolic therapy. This approach allowed reducing of the rate of life-threaten infectious complications on 32.4% and noninfectious--on 31.7%, the lethality--on 24%.

[Management of medical care for the victims of road accidents in traumatology centers of Saint-Petersburg].

The number of road accidents, fatal outcomes and victims exceeded in 1.5 times in Saint-Petersburg in comparison with Moscow. At the average, 600 victims were treated in each of 6 first-level traumatology centers every year. The quantity of patients, who were admitted to 3 second-level traumatology centers, numbered 10 times less. About 300 people entered to others hospitals. The lethality consisted of 15%, 20% and 37%, respectively. There are a lot of matters, that should be discussed, such as an importance of better treatment financing of multitrauma by using compulsory medical insurance system, an optimization of pre-admission treatment and a necessity of patient delivery by mobile medical team using the anaesthesiology and resuscitation.

[Early enteral infussions in complex treatment of severe combined chest trauma].

On the basis of study and treatment of 98 victims it was stated that the absorption of isotonic glucose electrolytes solutions in the small intestine was saved even increased in case of large hemorrhage in severe polytrauma with chest, abdominal injury and other regions trauma. An application of early enteral infusions allowed reducing of the volume of parenteral introduction solutions and facilitated to a reliable decrease of development frequency of nosocomial pneumonia of attributive lethality.

[Medical care for mechanical trauma of the chest and abdomen at the prehospital stage].

The authors describe specific features of the diagnosis and emergency medical care at the prehospital period developed on the basis of treatment of more than 5000 patients with isolated and combined injuries of the chest and abdomen. The importance of using the resuscitation-surgical teams, the syndrome diagnostics and stabilization of vital functions at the place of the accident is stressed as well as admittance of the casualties as quickly as possible to an up-to-date specialized multitype traumatology center.

[Classification of mechanical injuries of the chest].

The authors propose morpho-functional and medico-strategy classification of mechanical injuries of the chest. In addition to traditional principles, special attention is given to concurrency, plurality, possible shocks, domination of the injuries as one of the basic concepts of wound dystrophy. The proposed classifications of mechanical injuries of the chest substantially supplement traditional principles, allow not only correct and full diagnosing and decision on the most rational strategy of treatment of patients with combined traumas, but also give a complex of reliable criteria for a scientific generalization of the results of clinical investigations.

[Potentialities of videothoracoscopy in diagnostics and treatment of traumatic hemothorax].

Therapeutic-diagnostic videothoracoscopy was used in complex treatment of hemothorax in 86 patients for isolated and combined stab-slash wounds and closed traumas of the chest. Thoracoscopy was not used in 321 patients with the same pathology taken as control. It was found that videothoracoscopy used for medium and big hemothorax always allowed the doctors to make the precise topical diagnosis of chest injury and due to medicinal endosurgical manipulations the thoracotomies were made 2.1 times more rarely, the duration of pleural drainage was 2.2 times shorter. Complications of the traumatic disease were 1.6 times less often, the time of in-patient treatment and lethality 1.3 times less.

[Endotoxinemia as a factor in the pathogenesis of thrombocytopathies in patients with acute infectious destruction of the lungs]. / Endotoksinemiia kak faktor patogeneza trombotsitopatii u bol'nykh ostrymi infektsionnymi destruktsiiami legkikh.

Laboratory studies of the influence of the staphylococcal endotoxin on functional properties of thrombocytes and clinical observations of patients with a pronounced syndrome of endotoxicosis have shown an important role of endotoxinemia in pathogenesis of the arising thrombocytopathies. Possibilities of the medicamentous protection of blood plates from the damaging action of endotoxinemia are considered.