[The relationship between immunological and psychopathological characteristics in patients with focal epilepsy depending on the profile of interhemispheric asymmetry]. / Vzaimosvyaz' immunologicheskikh i psikhopatologicheskikh kharakteristik u bol'nykh fokal'noi epilepsiei v zavisimosti ot profilya mezhpolusharnoi asimmetrii.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the possible influence of cellular immunity parameters and neurobiological variables (frequency of seizures of various semiotics and their severity) on comorbid psychopathological symptoms depending on the profile of interhemispheric asymmetry in patients with focal forms of epilepsy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 92 patients with epilepsy (38 men, 54 women, mean age 38.7+8.45 years). Focal temporal lobe epilepsy was diagnosed in 36 patients, focal frontal lobe epilepsy in 16 patients, and temporal-frontal lobe epilepsy in 40 patients. For each type of seizure, severity was assessed according to the National Seizure Severity Scale (NHS3). The mental status of patients was assessed using the SCL-90 self-report questionnaire. The Annette scale was used to assess the profile of interhemispheric asymmetry. The number of different clusters of lymphocytes was studied, including the number of T-lymphocytes (CD3+), T-helpers (CD3+CD4+), T-cytotoxic (CD3+CD8+), T-NK (natural killers CD3+CD16+CD56+), B-lymphocytes (CD3-CD19+), as well as immunoregulatory index (CD4/CD8 ratio). In order to identify any possible relationships between neurobiological and immune variables, on the one hand, and the SCL-90 constructs, on the other hand, a separate correlation analysis of Spearman ranks within the left-handed group and the right-handed group was carried out. RESULTS: We revealed the differences between groups of patients with epilepsy with right and left profiles of hemispheric asymmetry regarding the relationship between the frequency of seizures, their severity and accompanying psychopathological variables, on the one hand, and between immunity indices and psychopathological constructs, on the other hand. It has been established that neurobiological and immune variables in left-handers can determine the psychopathological structure of the comorbid mental disorder. CONCLUSION: Prediction of concomitant psychopathological syndromes in patients with epilepsy on the basis of clinical data and data on immunity is quite possible, but only in left-handed patients.

Resonant Raman scattering on graphene: SERS and gap-mode TERS.

Nanoscale deformations and corrugations occur in graphene-like two-dimensional materials during their incorporation into hybrid structures and real devices, such as sensors based on surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS-based sensors). The structural features mentioned above are known to affect the electronic properties of graphene, thus highly sensitive and high-resolution techniques are required to reveal and characterize arising local defects, mechanical deformations, and phase transformations. In this study, we demonstrate that gap-mode tip-enhanced Raman Scattering (gm-TERS), which offers the benefits of structural and chemical analytical methods, allows variations in the structure and mechanical state of a two-dimensional material to be probed with nanoscale spatial resolution. In this work, we demonstrate locally enhanced gm-TERS on a monolayer graphene film placed on a plasmonic substrate with specific diameter gold nanodisks. SERS measurements are employed to determine the optimal disk diameter and excitation wavelength for further realization of gm-TERS. A significant local plasmonic enhancement of the main vibrational modes in graphene by a factor of 100 and a high spatial resolution of 10 nm are achieved in the gm-TERS experiment, making gm-TERS chemical mapping possible. By analyzing the gm-TERS spectra of the graphene film in the local area of a nanodisk, the local tensile mechanical strain in graphene was detected, resulting in a split of the G mode into two components, G+ and G-. Using the frequency split in the positions of G+ and G- modes in the TERS spectra, the stress was estimated to be up to 1.5%. The results demonstrate that gap-mode TERS mapping allows rapid and precise characterization of local structural defects in two-dimensional materials on the nanoscale.

[Personality traits as risk factors for the development of cognitive impairment and affective symptoms in patients with COVID-19]. / Osobennosti lichnosti kak faktory riska razvitiya kognitivnykh narushenii i affektivnoi simptomatiki u perenesshikh COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: To identify possible associations between premorbid personality traits and cognitive impairment and affective symptoms in patients who have recovered from COVID-19. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 30 people with the so-called post-COVID syndrome. The diagnosis of COVID-19 was previously confirmed by laboratory tests in each patient. The control group included 15 healthy individuals. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was used to assess depression and anxiety. Cognitive function was assessed using the Verbal Fluency Test (VF), the Montreal Cognitive Scale (MOCA), and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST). The Munich Personality Test (MRT) and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-26) were used to assess premorbid personality characteristics. Multiple stepwise regression analysis was used as the main statistical method to identify the relationship between premorbid personality constructs and cognitive test results and affective and anxiety symptoms. RESULTS: The presence of frustration tolerance in the personality structure reduced the number of incorrect answers (beta coefficient -0.811) in WCST and decreased the delay in responses with positive reinforcement (-0.630), and also reduced the level of depression (-0.465). Extraversion decreased the MOCA test score (-0.675) and increased the percentage of perseverative incorrect answers on the WCST test (0.573). The constructs of adherence to social norms and propensity to isolate lowered the final MOCA score (beta coefficients are -0.725 and -0.527, respectively). The esoteric tendencies construct decreased the latency of positive and negative reinforcement responses in WCST (-0.441 and -0.528, respectively). The severity of alexithymia was positively correlated with depression (beta 0.577), while neuroticism was positively correlated with anxiety (0.737). CONCLUSION: Low levels of frustration tolerance and esoteric tendencies have negative effects on cognition in COVID-19 survivors, while high levels of these constructs are protective against cognitive decline and depression.

[The role of premorbid personality in the genesis of psychopathological symptomatology in patients with organic anxiety-depressive disorder, schizophrenia and endogenous depression]. / Rol' lichnosti premorbidnogo perioda v geneze psikhopatologicheskoi simptomatiki u bol'nykh organicheskim trevozhno-depressivnym rasstroistvom, shizofreniei i endogennoi depressiei.

OBJECTIVE: The current study has been performed in order to find the influence of premorbid personality traits on psychopathological symptomatology in patients with endogenous depression (ED), schizophrenia and organic anxiety-depressive disorder (OADD). MATERIAL AND METHODS: 191 patients (57 with OADD,93 with schizophrenia and 41 with ED) were included into study. The Munich personality test (MPT) and Toronto alexithymia scale (TAS) were used for the evaluation of premorbid personality; the SCL-90 - for the assessment of psychopathological structure. The multiple regression analysis has been used for the assessment of relationships between premorbid personality constructs and psychopathological status separately in each diagnostic group. RESULTS: The SCL-90 scores were maximal in ED and schizophrenia patients and minimal in OADD patients (p<0.047). Comparison of premorbid personality constructs revealed the maximal values of neuroticism and motivation in ED (p=0.005), rigidity, extraversion and esoteric tendencies in schizophrenia (p<0.007) and frustration tolerance, tendency to isolation and alexithymia in OADD (p<0.02). Regression analysis revealed the positive dependence of anxiety and depression on alexithymia score (TAS-26) (p<0.002) and negative dependence on frustration tolerance in ED and schizophrenia patients (p<0.016). The negative dependence of anxiety Zung scale score on frustration tolerance in OADD patients also has been observed (p=0.003). The rigidity construct has not stochastically significant relationships neither with anxiety, nor with depression in none diagnostic group. CONCLUSION: The analysis revealed the predominance of certain personality constructs in each of the diseases, with a universal negative effect of alexithymia and a positive effect of frustration tolerance in anxiety-depressive disorders of any etiology.

[Clinical results and prospects for the use of phenosanic acid in patients with focal epilepsy]. / Klinicheskie rezul'taty i perspektivy primeneniya fenozanovoi kisloty u vzroslykh patsientov s fokal'noi epilepsiei.

OBJECTIVE: To study the efficacy and safety of using a new original synthetic antioxidant - phenosanic acid as an adjunct therapy in patients with focal epilepsy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study evaluated the efficacy and safety of phenosanic acid as an adjunct therapy to basic antiepileptic drugs in 120 patients with focal epilepsy. Primary purpose: to study the dynamic of seizure frequency. Secondary purposes: to study the dynamic of seizure-free days, the dynamics of bilateral tonic-clonic seizures, the results of questionnaires and scales (General Dynamics Assessment, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Quality of Life in Epilepsy (QOLIE-31-P), European Quality of Life Questionnaire (EQ-5D), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Frontal Asstssment Battery (FAB), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)). RESULTS: Phenosanic acid (Dibufelon) showed statistically significant benefit over placebo in the primary indicator of efficacy (reduction in the frequency of epileptic seizures by at least 50%) and in the secondary indicators. The drug was safe and well tolerated by the patients. CONCLUSION: The addition of phenosanic acid (Dibufelon) to base antiepileptic drugs seems to be perspective because of its positive effect on reducing the number of epileptic seizures, as well as on comorbid disorders in the emotional and cognitive spheres.

[Comparison of premorbid personality and psychopathological structure of some anxiety-affective disorders]. / Sravnenie lichnosti premorbidnogo perioda i psikhopatologicheskoi struktury nekotorykh trevozhno-depressivnykh sostoyanii.

OBJECTIVE: To compare premorbid personality and structure of psychopathological status of organic anxiety-depressive disorder in comparison with endogenous depression and anxiety neurotic disorders. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred and twelve patients, including 57 with organic anxiety-depressive disorder (OADD), 41 with endogenous depression (ED) and 14 with anxiety neurotic disorder (AND) were studied. have been included into the study. The Munich personality test (MPT) and Toronto alexithymia scale (TAS) were used for the evaluation of premorbid personality. Psychopathological structure was assessed with SCL-90. The correlation between premorbid personality and current structure of psychopathological states was studied. RESULTS: OADD patients were characterized by higher scores of frustration tolerance, rigidity and isolation tendency and less expression of neuroticism, esoteric tendencies and motivation compared with ED. In the AND patients, the values of neuroticism and motivation predominated compared with OADD, while the value of frustration tolerance was higher in OADD. A correlation analysis revealed the strong positive relationships of alexithymia, neuroticism and isolation tendency with depression, anxiety, somatization, obsessions and sensitivity in AND group. CONCLUSION: The comparison of correlations between OADD and ED revealed no significant differences. It implies the similarity in the pathogenesis of OADD and ED.

[Sleep disorders in synucleinopathy]. / Narushenie sna pri sinukleinopatiyakh.

The article highlights the current state of the problem of sleep disorders in various neurodegenerative diseases. The clinical picture and diagnosis of these disorders are described in detail. Separately, the emphasis is made on the mechanisms underlying development of these disorders and their features in various forms of synucleinopathies. The mediator and physiological changes that underlie sleep disorders in various nosological units of synucleinopathies are discussed in detail. The current attitude to certain sleep disorders as predictors of neurodegenerative diseases is evaluated. The role of the glymphatic system in the development of these disorders is considered. Also, modern therapeutic strategies for sleep disorders in neurodegenerative diseases are discussed.

[Disorders of arousal: the mechanism of occurrence, neurophysiological features]. / Parasomnii, sviazannye s narusheniem probuzhdeniia iz medlennogo sna: mekhanizm vozniknoveniia, neirofiziologicheskie osobennosti.

The article covers the current state of the problem of disorders of arousal (DOAs). The clinical features and diagnostics of the disease are described in detail. Separately, emphasis is placed on the mechanisms of the occurrence of DOAs and the characteristic changes in the central nervous system. The question of neurophysiological changes preceding the clinical manifestation of DOAs and the concept of local sleep as a physiological basis for the occurrence of DOAs are considered. Current therapeutic approaches in the treatment of these forms of parasomnias are reviewed.

[Characteristics of psychopathological symptomatology in HIV-infection schizophrenic patients]. / Nekotorye osobennosti psikhopatologicheskoi simptomatiki u bol'nykh shizofreniei s VICh-infektsiei.

AIM: To study the psychopathological structure of psychotic syndromes in HIV-infected schizophrenic patients and in patients without HIV infection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty HIV-infected patients, 23 women and 17 men, with confirmed diagnosis of schizophrenia were included in the study. The control group consisted of 40 patients without HIV infection, 23 women (48%) and 17 men (52%). The psychopathological state in all patients was assessed with the PANSS. Flow cytometry was used to measure immunological parameters in HIV-infected patients. Data analysis included principal component analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: There were independent positive, negative and affective symptoms in the structure of syndromes of schizophrenic patients without HIV. The structure of syndromes in HIV-infected schizophrenic patients included cognitive deficit as well.

[The changes in cognitive impairment in patients with epilepsy during the disease course (on example of executive functions)]. / Dinamika kognitivnogo snizheniya u bol'nykh epilepsiei na protyazhenii bolezni (na primere ispolnitel'skikh funktsii).

AIM: To identify the relationship between executive functions (EF), personality traits and clinical characteristics of disease course. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred and five patients with partial epilepsy, including temporal lobe epilepsy (61%), lobe epilepsy (33%) and other forms (6%), were examined. Mean age of the patients was 30.24±8,67 years. EF were studied using the the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) in 25 out of 105 patients of the main group. The patients were followed-up after 5.5 years. RESULTS: Correlations between the EF decline and the age, illness duration and disability was found. Seizure remission and its duration have a positive effect on EF indices. There were no correlations with the age at seizure onset, severity of seizures, amount of medications used, psychopathological symptoms and left-handedness. The WCST scores were worse in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy and patients with alexithymia. A follow-up examination showed the relationship between the further EF decline and the left-sided localization of the epileptic focus as well as the absence of seizure remission. No relationship between the EF deficit and antiepileptic treatment was found. CONCLUSION: The EF deficit was observed in all forms of epilepsy, it was correlated with disability of patients, may be aggravated by personality and neurobiological characteristics and increased with the persistence of seizures. Based on the results of the study, the achievement of remission is needed in treatment tactics for epilepsy to preserve cognitive functioning and social well-being of patients.

[Possibilities and prospects of three-dimensional bioprinting in vascular surgery].

Rapid development of tissue engineering is gradually changing the approach to patient care. Despite the fact that the use of an autograft or transplantation of an artificial prosthesis is preferred in most cases, this is frequently impossible due to shortage of suitable material or the patient's condition. Regenerative medicine and tissue engineering make it possible to reduce the terms of treatment and restoration after vascular operations, as well as complications rate. At the present moment there is a lot of information about methods of biofabrication and multiple techniques of using stem cells. Nevertheless, clinical efficacy of these methods requires further detailed examination. The review of literature contains the data concerning modern achievements in the area of bioprinting.

Diverse prognostic value of the GTn promoter polymorphism in squamous cell and adeno carcinoma of the oesophagus.

The basal transcription of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) regulation is dependent upon a GT repeat germ line polymorphism (GTn) in the promoter of the HO-1 gene. We determined the prognostic value of HO-1 promoter polymorphism on the natural postoperative course of complete resected oesophageal cancer. Genomic DNA from 297 patients was amplified by polymerase chain reaction and sequenced. The results were correlated with clinicopathological parameters, disseminated tumour cells in bone marrow (DTC) and clinical outcome. Depending on short allele with <25 and long allele with ≥25, GTn repeats three genotypes (SS, SL and LL) were defined. A diverse role of GTn was evident in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma (AC). In SCC, the SS genotype presented less advanced tumours with lower rate DTC in bone marrow and relapse compared with L-allele carriers. In contrast, AC patients with the SS genotype displayed a complete opposing tumour characteristic. The disease-free (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in SCC patients was markedly reduced in LL genotypes (p < 0.001). In AC contrarily the SS genotype patients displayed the worst DFS and OS (p < 0.001). GTn is a strong prognostic factor with diverse prognostic value for recurrence and survival in AC and SCC.

[Brugada Syndrome: Possibilities of the Use of Noninvasive Electrocardiographic Mapping. A Case Report].

Patient P., 50 years old, male, with type I Brugada syndrome was examined. The patient had aborted sudden death event (2006) in his clinical history, ICD Gem III VR was implanted in 2006, ICDLumax DR was reimplanted in 2012. The patient had coved type pattern in right precordial ECG-leads. The p.E553X mutation in SCN5A gene, whish encodes the sodium channel α-subunit, was found. Noninvasive electrocardiographic mapping was performed. Significant changes of local unipolar electrograms including QRS fragmentation, ST segment elevation and late ventricular potentials were identified in the epicardium of the right ventricle outflow tract. Thus, the presented case demonstrates that noninvasive electrocardiographic mapping methodology allows to determine and visualize arrhythmogenic substrate in patients with inherited channelopathies.

[Prediction of the changes of immunological status and psychopathological data in HIV-infected schizophrenia patients].

AIM: To predict the immunological status in HIV-infected patients with schizophrenia based on a set of clinical and psychopathological characteristics of the endogenous process. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 28 patients with confirmed diagnosis of schizophrenia and HIV status. Authors used psychopathological method, along with psychometric scales (PANSS), in patients with schizophrenia and an immunological method for the determination of HIV-associated status and viral load. RESULTS: Affective syndromes with severe depressive symptoms, volitional impairment, high impulsivity and social features of autism can be prognostically favorable factors for the immune status of HIV-infected patients with schizophrenia that obviously indicates an acute psychotic state. Negative (deficit) symptoms were prognostically unfavorable for the immune status of HIV-infected patients with schizophrenia and for psychosis course. CONCLUSION: Favorable immune status corresponds to acute psychosis whereas the forms with severe deficit are associated with immunosuppression in HIV-infected patients.

[Low doses of ionizing radiation-induced apoptotic nature of erythrocyte hemolysis].

It is established that exposure of the red blood cells of the rats to low doses of ionizing radiation (0.04; 0.08; 0.16; 0.25 and 0.33 mGr) leads to non-linear changes in the processes of lipid peroxidation in the membrane of erythrocytes, their electrophoretic mobility, osmotic resistance. In a dose range from 0.08 to 0.16 mGr with ionizing radiation apoptosis that determines a temporary slowing of the process of hemolysis and stabilization of erythrocytes that is confirmed by morphological changes in erythrocytes is most likely triggered.

[About the comorbidity of affective and conversion disorders in epilepsy]. / O komorbidnosti affektivnykh i konversionnykh rasstroistv pri épilepsii.

In this literature review, special attention is drawn to the pathogenesis of conversion disorders in patients with epilepsy, in particular, with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures. Diagnostic issues and pharmacotherapy of affective and conversion disorders in patients with epilepsy is discussed.

[Accumulation of 238, 239 + 240Pu and 241Am in Boar Organs and Tissues on the Territory of the Belarusian Part of the ChNPP Exclusion Zone].

The paper is devoted to determination of α-emitting radionuclides of 238, 239 + 240Pu and 241Am in liver, lungs, muscular and bone tissues of the boars on the territory of the Belarusian part of the ChNPP exclusion zone. It is shown that the content of Pu and Am isotopes in boar organs and tissues decreases in the following order: liver > bone tissues > lungs ≥ muscular tissues. The results received allow evaluation of penetration of 238, 239 + 240Pu and 241Am through the biological chain "soil-ration-organs and tissues". It is calculated that 1.7% of a boar's ration falls on the soil getting into the stomach with food. Translocation and accumulation coefficients characterizing the transfer of radionuclides through the chain "soil-vegetation-organs and tissues" were calculated. The conclusion about accumulation of Pu in the boar's body is made.

[Brugada Syndrome: Possibilities of the Use of Noninvasive Electrocardiographic Mapping].

Patient P., 50 years old, male, with type I Brugada syndrome was examined. The patient had aborted sudden death event (2006) in his clinical history, ICD Gem III VR was implanted in 2006, ICDLumax DR was reimplanted in 2012. The patient had coved type pattern in right precordial ECG-leads. The p.E553X mutation in SCN5A gene, whish encodes the sodium channel -subunit, was found. Noninvasive electrocardiographic mapping was performed. Significant changes of local unipolar electrograms including QRS fragmentation, ST segment elevation and late ventricular potentials were identified in the epicardium of the right ventricle outflow tract. Thus, the presented case demonstrates that noninvasive electrocardiographic mapping methodology allows to determine and visualize arrhythmogenic substrate.

Photodynamic therapy of experimental sarcoma M-1 with boronated chlorine as a photosensitizer.

Using rat model of experimental sarcoma M-1 we studied the efficacy of photodynamic therapy with boronated chlorine as a photosensitizer in doses of 1.25, 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 mg/ kg body weight. Laser irradiation was performed at energy densities of 150, 300 J/cm(2) and power density of 0.25 and 0.42 W/cm(2). Treatment efficacy was evaluated by the percentage of animals with complete tumor regression, percentage of tumor recurrence and, in cases of its growth, by tumor growth coefficient. The efficacy of photodynamic therapy depended on the dose of boronated chlorine and parameters of the laser irradiation. Optimal conditions were the dose of 2.5 mg/kg at laser energy density of 300 J/cm(2) and power density of 0.42 W/cm(2) and a dose of 5.0 mg/kg at 150 J/cm(2) and 0.25 W/cm(2).