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Objective: To analyze the incidence, clinical manifestations and treatment of post-pancreaticoduodenectomy hemorrhage in patients with pancreaticoduodenal tumors., Material and Methods: There were 362 pancreaticoduodeneectomies for ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head and pancreatoduodenal tumors in 2016-2023. Post-pancreatectomy hemorrhage (PPH) occurred in 52 (14.4%) patients. Delayed post-pancreatectomy hemorrhage followed postoperative pancreatitis, pancreatic fistula or non-drained fluid collections. Bleeding was diagnosed considering clinical manifestations with verification through contrast-enhanced CT., Results: Emergency re-laparotomy was required in 15 (28.8%) patients with unstable hemodynamics; 9 (60%) people died. Thirty-seven patients with stable hemodynamics underwent emergency contrast-enhanced CT and subsequent endovascular hemostasis. Bleeding was stopped in 31 patients (89.2%). Endovascular hemostasis was ineffective in 1 patient who underwent re-laparotomy. We found no the cause of bleeding in 3 patients, and there was no hemorrhage recurrence. Six (18.7%) people died. The overall mortality among patients with PPH was 28.8% (15 out of 52 postoperative patients)., Conclusion: PPH follows postoperative pancreatitis, pancreatic fistula or non-drained fluid collection. In case of stable hemodynamics, endovascular hemostasis is preferable for this complication.

Background: Bowel ultrasound (US) is one of the methods used to enhance diagnostic accuracy of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and its associated complications in premature newborns., Aim: To explore the diagnostic accuracy of bowel US in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants with NEC., Methods: A single-center retrospective case-control study included 84 extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants. The infants were divided into three groups: Group 1 -infants with NEC (n = 26); Group 2 -infants with feeding problems (n = 28); Group 3 -control group (n = 30)., Results: The specific bowel US findings in premature newborns with NEC (stage 3) included bowel wall thinning, complex (echogenic) ascites, and pneumoperitoneum, p < 0.05. The diagnostic effectiveness of these sonographic signs was 96.8% (sensitivity 75.0% and specificity 97.6%), p < 0.05. These findings with high specificity were associated with the need for surgical intervention, poor outcomes, or increased mortality. Stage 2 NEC which did not require surgery showed impaired differentiation of the bowel wall layers, absent or decreased bowel peristalsis, pneumatosis intestinalis, portal venous gas, or simple ascites, with a diagnostic accuracy of 82.9% (sensitivity 55.6%, specificity 91.4%, p < 0.05)., Conclusions: Bowel US can be used as an adjunct to abdominal radiography to aid in the diagnosis of infants with suspected NEC by providing more detailed evaluation of the intestine.

Surgery for mediastinal tumors is still one of the most difficult in modern medicine. This is due to vital organs and various nature of tumors in this area. Teratomas are relatively rare among mediastinal tumors. However, they have certain features that is important for treatment strategy and management of possible complications. This can complicate diagnostic algorithm, exclude transthoracic biopsy and contribute to active surgical approach even for benign process. Oncogenesis of teratoma has its own characteristics. Tissues of different organs are always present in this tumor. Among these, pancreatic tissue inclusions are rare. A few data in the world literature on the treatment of such patients do not allow to develop a universally accepted algorithm of diagnosis and treatment. The authors present two patients with mediastinal teratoma. The second patient had teratoma with pancreatic tissue. The authors discuss the diagnostic algorithm for similar cases. A special attention is paid to description of possible complications throughout long-term follow-up period. Surgical aspects including the choice of access and local spread of process (adhesions in the area of surgical interest) are considered. The report on the treatment of two patients with rare mediastinal tumors containing pancreatic tissue will be useful for primary care physicians, thoracic surgeons, oncologists and morphologists.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of negative pressure therapy in patients with peritonitis., Material and Methods: The study included 127 patients with advanced secondary peritonitis between 2019 and 2022. All patients were divided into 2 groups. All ones underwent staged sanitation of the abdominal cavity. In the first group ( n =76), re-laparotomies were accompanied by skin suture only and passive abdominal drainage. The second group included patients ( n =51) with open abdominal cavity strategy and negative pressure therapy (vacuum-assisted laparostomy). We analyzed the number of surgeries, postoperative complications, duration of hospital-stay and mortality., Results: In the second group, there were significantly lower morbidity, mean number of surgeries and hospital-stay. In addition, incidence of fascial closure of abdominal cavity was higher and mortality rate was lower in the same group., Conclusion: Vacuum-assisted laparostomy in patients with advanced peritonitis can reduce the number of secondary purulent complications and mortality, as well as increase the incidence of fascial closure of abdominal cavity. This approach reduces the number of surgical interventions and duration of in-hospital treatment.

Background: Rates of care abandonment for retinoblastoma (RB) demonstrate significant geographical variation; however, other variables that place a patient at risk of abandoning care remain unclear. This study aims to identify the risk factors for care abandonment across a multinational set of patients., Methods: A prospective, observational study of 692 patients from 11 RB centres in 10 countries was conducted from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2019. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify risk factors associated with higher rates of care abandonment., Results: Logistic regression showed a higher risk of abandoning care based on country (high-risk countries include Bangladesh (OR=18.1), Pakistan (OR=45.5) and Peru (OR=9.23), p<0.001), female sex (OR=2.39, p=0.013) and advanced clinical stage (OR=4.22, p<0.001). Enucleation as primary treatment was not associated with a higher risk of care abandonment (OR=0.59, p=0.206)., Conclusion: Country, advanced disease and female sex were all associated with higher rates of abandonment. In this analysis, enucleation as the primary treatment was not associated with abandonment. Further research investigating cultural barriers can enable the building of targeted retention strategies unique to each country., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2023. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

The etiology of intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is complex and multifactorial, and it is still not fully understood. A better understanding of the pathogenesis of IVDD will help to improve treatment regimens and avoid unnecessary surgical aggression. In order to summarize recent research data on IVDD pathogenesis, including genetic and immune factors, a literature review was conducted. The pathogenesis of IVDD is a complex multifactorial process without an evident starting point. There are extensive data on the role of the different genetic factors affecting the course of the disease, such as mutations in structural proteins and enzymes involved in the immune response. However, these factors alone are not sufficient for the development of the disease. Nevertheless, like mechanical damage, they can also be considered risk factors for IVDD. In conclusion, currently, there is no consensus on a single concept for the pathogenesis of IVDD. We consider the intervertebral disc autoimmune damage hypothesis to be the most promising hypothesis for clinicians, because it can be extrapolated to all populations and does not counteract other factors. The genetic factors currently known do not allow for building effective predictive models; however, they can be used to stratify the risks of individual populations.

The review addresses debatable issues of myocardial revascularization in chronic forms of ischemic heart disease, shows major differences between percutaneous coronary intervention and coronary artery bypass grafting in terms of long-term prognosis, and the dependence of the results on the clinical profile of the disease. The review of current publications demonstrates advantages of open surgery in long-term survival and prevention of adverse outcomes in target groups of patients.

Objective: To determine the optimal algorithm for tracheal anastomotic insufficiency and prevention of arterial bleeding., Material and Methods: We present 2 patients with defects of tracheal anastomosis after tracheal resection and divergence of tracheal edges. We primarily analyzed appropriate emergency care and prevention of subsequent severe complications such as arterial bleeding and respiratory insufficiency., Conclusion: Tracheostomy may be preferable for complete late tracheal anastomotic insufficiency to restore breathing. However, surgery should be accompanied by prevention of arterial bleeding. Isolation of damaged area, particularly tracheostomy tube, from the mediastinum by well-vascularized tissues can prevent bleeding from major vessels (for example, innominate artery). Follow-up is unreasonable due to worsening of clinical situation, risk of hemorrhagic complications and fatal outcomes. General satisfactory clinical status of the patient is not of matter. Repeated tracheal anastomosis is justified only for early insufficiency, i.e. within 2-3 days when postoperative inflammation is mild.

We present a 33-year-old patient with atypical clinical course of pancreatic mucinous cystadenoma. The tumor had connection with pancreatic ductal system and led to bleeding into cystic cavity. This contributed to incorrect preoperative diagnosis of post-necrotic cyst. The final diagnosis of mucinous cystadenoma was established after histological examination. Distal pancreatectomy excluded incorrect treatment.

Laparoscopic surgery is now one of the main options for patients with surgical diseases of abdominal cavity, pelvis and retroperitoneal space. Postoperative complications are known, and methods for their prevention after such interventions are well developed. However, there are rare complications, and their management deserves a special attention. The authors present a patient with giant traumatic hernia in long-term period after laparoscopic liver surgery. Clinical manifestations of disease are retrospectively analyzed. The authors discuss surgical aspects of treatment, i.e. choice of access, repair of diaphragmatic defect and peculiarities of postoperative period associated with non-anatomic return of abdominal organs through the diaphragmatic defect. This report will be useful for radiologists, thoracic and abdominal surgeons, anesthesiologists and intensive care specialists.

Objective: To summarize the results of pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for pancreatic tumors and complications of chronic pancreatitis regarding prediction and prevention of postoperative complications., Material and Methods: There were 336 PD procedures between 2016 and mid-2022 in two centers. We assessed the factors influencing specific postoperative complications (postoperative pancreatitis, pancreatic fistula, gastric stasis, arrosive bleeding). Several risk factors were distinguished: baseline pancreatic disease and tumor size, CT-signs of a «soft» gland, intraoperative assessment of the pancreas, number of functioning acinar structures. We assessed surgical prevention of pancreatic fistula via preserving adequate blood supply to the pancreatic stump. The last one is provided by extended pancreatic resection and reconstructive stage of surgery, i.e. Roux-en-Y hepatico- and duodenojejunostomy with isolation of pancreaticojejunostomy on the second loop., Results: Postoperative pancreatitis underlies specific complications after PD. The risk of pancreatic fistula in case of postoperative pancreatitis increases by 5.3 times compared to patients without pancreatitis. Postoperative pancreatic fistula is more common in patients with T1 and T2 tumors. According to univariate analysis, only pancreatic fistula significantly affects the risk of gastric stasis. Among 336 people who underwent PD, pancreatic fistula occurred in 69 patients (20.5%), gastric stasis - in 61 (18.2%), pancreatic fistula complicated by arrosive bleeding - in 45 (13.4%) patients. Mortality rate was 3.6% ( n =15)., Conclusion: Modern prognostic criteria are valuable to predict specific complications after PD. A promising way to prevent postoperative pancreatitis can be extended pancreatic resection considering angioarchitectonics of the pancreatic stump. Roux-en-Y pancreaticojejunostomy is advisable to reduce aggressiveness of pancreatic fistula.

The adaptation of educational programs under restrictions during the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic and after it is based not only on the widespread use of video lectures, but also on the introduction of a number of new educational technologies. Hybrid learning will become the cornerstone of future educational technologies in clinical laboratory diagnostics and will contribute to the creation of virtual practical classes with examples of analysis of laboratory testing results based on case histories (Case Technologies). The key aspect in the implementation of video cases into the educational process is the development of video materials. The use of educational video cases developed by Vector-Best in the process of training specialists in clinical laboratory diagnostics during the cycles «Retraining» and «General Improvement» at the Department of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics of the Saratov State Medical University named after V. I. Razumovsky of the Ministry of Health of Russia was a convenient format and received positive assessment of cadets. Currently, the «IVD gallery» section has appeared on the FLM website and the placement of an additional educational resource - a library of educational video cases., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

There is accumulating evidence that anemia and iron deficiency, thrombocytopenia, blood loss and coagulopathy are independent risk factors for adverse patient outcomes in oncology and other settings. Patient blood management (PBM) aims to address these factors by managing and preserving a patient's blood. PBM improves patient health, but also reduces resource utilization, including use of allogeneic blood components, which is another risk factor for adverse outcomes. Supported by the World Health Organization and endorsed in WHA63.12, PBM is recommended by an increasing number of health authorities and is about to become a new standard of care. In support of the Russian National Long-Term Oncology Strategy 2030 to improve quality of oncological care, and with support from the National Association of Specialists in PBM, the PBM Oncology Working Group of the Russian Federation was created. In July 2020, this Group met to discuss the rationale and need for PBM in Russian oncology care. The Group recommended to include PBM as an integral part of standard oncology treatment pathways and developed a national resolution as a call to action on this matter, which was adopted in August 2020. This article details the rationale behind the resolution, delineates the action required from facilitating stakeholders (government; healthcare providers; educational facilities; research entities/institutions; funders; patient representatives/advocates), and proposes a roadmap for implementation. The generation of local health-economic and outcome data and the development of educational programs will be important in the implementation of PBM to help alleviate the health, social and economic burden of cancer., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

The piriform aperture (PA) is anatomically an opening in the central part of the facial skull. To date, the piriform aperture, as an element of the static component of the internal nasal valve (INV) and as a possible cause of its dysfunction, has not received proper surgical attention. If PA is considered as a possible cause of nasal obstruction, then the main parameter is its width, which has a direct effect on the volume of the INV area. This parameter is the focus of the presented work. Despite the absence of generally accepted normative indicators for PA, we currently know the shape and size of the piriform aperture in different ethnic groups of the population, described in the article. As a result of the analysis of the presented research results, it was revealed that the width of the PA is influenced by the gender, age and ethnicity of the individual. The anthropometric data of the piriform aperture require further study, since they are of important reference value not only in the theory of medical research, but also in practical otorhinolaryngology, maxillofacial and plastic surgery, pulmonology.

Immunoprophylaxis is one of the pressing health problems. The safety of those involved in the provision of medical care acquired particular importance during the period of the introduction of the high alert regime. Regulatory norms determine the need for the prevention of infectious processes, including among this group of workers. However, at the moment there are not fully regulated organizational and legal aspects, including the issue of vaccination against coronavirus infection caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

On December 18, 2020, an expert council was held with the participation of members of the Russian Society of Cardiology, the Eurasian Association of Ther-apists, the National Society for Atherothrombosis, the National Society for Evi-dence-Based Pharmacotherapy, and the Russian Heart Failure Society. The event was devoted to the discussion of the correct use of research data of "real clinical practice" in decision making.

In recent years there has been significant interest in treating iron deficiency (ID) in patients with heart failure (HF) due to its high prevalence and detrimental effects in this population. As stated in the 2020 Russain HF guidelines, Intravenous ferric carboxymaltose remains the only proven therapy for ID.This document was prompted by the results from the recent AFFIRM-AHF trial which demonstrates that treatment of ID after acute HF decompensation reduces the risk of future decompensations. Experts have concluded that in HF patients with acute decompensation, a left ventricular ejection fraction of &lt; 50% and ID, Intravenous ferric carboxymaltose reduces future HF hospitalisations. Patients with stable HF may also benefit from treatment of ID to improve quality of life and alleviate symptoms.  It is, therefore, reasonable to screen for and treat ID in patients with HF.

The document focuses on key issues of diuretic therapy in CHF from the standpoint of current views on the pathogenesis of edema syndrome, its diagnosis, and characteristics of using diuretics in various clinical situations.

The CRX gene encoding the cone-rod homeobox protein is a specific photoreceptor transcription factor crucial for retinal function. Persons temporarily residing in the Arctic zone during the polar summer may suffer from disturbances associated with extremely high ambient illumination. These environmental changes are mediated by retinal photoreceptors; therefore, it is important to study the expression of retinal genes in order to assess individual capacities of sensory adaptation to polar day conditions., Purpose: To reveal the dynamics of CRX expression level in humans after a prolonged temporary exposure to polar day conditions., Material and Methods: The study included 6 pilots (males from 39 to 69 y.o.) who participated in the Arctic World Oceanic International Flight Sever Vash (West to East, from 62°N 74°E to 72°N 114°E). Samples of peripheral blood for RNA isolation were collected at the start and at the end of the flight. The level of mRNA in the samples was evaluated based on the data of quantitative real-time PCR of the CRX gene, as well as the b2M and TBP housekeeping genes (reference)., Results: Expression of the CRX gene in the studied group ( p <0.01) was revealed; the total average level of mRNA was about 3 times higher prior to, and approximately 7 times higher after normalization to the b2M gene. Five pilots had increased expression of the CRX gene within the range of -1.53 to -3.07 (Z-score of <0 before the flight and >0 after the flight). In one pilot, the level of CRX expression was higher at the start, but it reduced by the end of the circumnavigation flight., Conclusions: The results confirm the hypothesis that the CRX gene is expressed after a prolonged temporary exposure to polar day conditions. It was also revealed that during rapid adaptation, equal changes in the illumination of retinal photoreceptors lead to different individual dynamics of CRX expression.

Objective: To summarize and analyze the results of minimally invasive spine surgery., Material and Methods: A retrospective quantitative analysis of surgical interventions for the period 2011-2018 was carried out. All procedures were performed at the neurosurgical department of the Neurology Research Center. Structure and effectiveness of minimally invasive interventions were reported., Results: There were over 800 endoscopic minimally invasive interventions on the lumbar spine and 127 procedures on the cervical spine. For the period from 2011 to 2018, we found an increase in the number of minimally invasive interventions (104 endoscopic discectomies in 2018), active use of percutaneous approaches (87 operations in 2018) along with microsurgical discectomy (81 operations in 2018). The total efficiency of the methods ranges from 91.42% to 95.69%., Conclusion: Own results and literature data confirm the validity and expediency of surgical treatment of patients with degenerative-dystrophic spine diseases. Highly effective and safe minimally invasive surgery should be preferred in these cases.

The paper presents the results of an epidemiological analysis of statistical data on the number of deaths from violent deaths, which cause has not been established; unidentified and unclaimed corpses in forensic medical expertise in Russia as a whole and in individual federal districts for the period from 2009 to 2018. Percentage indicators and share values of the circumstances due to which the death cause was not established are given. It was found that on the basis of a steady decreasing trend in number of violent deaths, the number of corpses with an unknown death cause is growing, mainly due to putrefactive changes in corpses of adults and due to the burning of children corpses. The presence of a strong correlation between the number of unclaimed and unidentified corpses with the number of forensic medical expertise, when the cause of death was not established, was shown. Based on the analysis results at the macro level (federal districts), some interregional differences in the structure of the analyzed indicators were revealed. The results obtained make it possible to confirm the relevance of existing clusters of scientific research and to form new ones, to place accents in the directions of the postgraduate education of specialists.

Objective: To reduce the incidence of postoperative complications via reinforcement of colorectal anastomosis., Material and Methods: A randomized prospective study included 115 patients. In the main group ( n =60), anterior resections were followed by reinforcement of colorectal anastomosis via suturing the muscular and serous layers at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 o'clock. In case of low anterior resection, all layers of intestinal wall were transanally sutured at the above-mentioned points. Reinforcement was not performed in the control group ( n =55)., Results: In the main group, overall incidence of anastomotic leakage was 8.3% (5/60), in the control group - 25.5% (14/55) ( p =0.01). We also analyzed the subgroups of anastomoses with high and low risk of leakage. In case of transabdominal reinforcement, incidence of anastomotic leakage was 11% (2/18) in the main group and 0% (0/14) in the control group ( p =0.6). Transanal reinforcement was followed by anastomotic leakage in 7% (3/42) of patients in the main group and 34% (14/41) of patients in the control group ( p =0.005)., Conclusion: Reinforcement of colorectal instrumental anastomosis by additional sutures reduces the incidence of postoperative complications associated with anastomotic leakage.

Objective: To evaluate the early and long-term outcomes of rectovaginal fistula closure with vaginal rectangular flap., Material and Methods: There were 61 patients with rectovaginal fistula for the period 2012-2020. Median age of patients was 35 years [31; 48]. Postpartum fictula was observed in 27 (44.2%) cases, postoperative - 10 (16.4%) patients, inflammatory - 15 (24.6%) patients, other causes - 9 (14.8%) patients. Disease recurrence occurred in 29 (47.5%) patients., Results: Median follow-up period was 36.2 [6; 64] months. Postoperative recurrence of rectovaginal fistula occurred in 19 (31.1%) patients. Length of hospital-stay ranged from 3 to 36 days (median 14 [12; 16]). We analyzed the relationship between the risk of disease recurrence and various factors, including etiology of rectovaginal fistula, localization and diameter of the fistula, intraoperative cautery, previous surgeries and preventive colostomy., Conclusion: Vaginal rectangular flap is effective for rectovaginal fistula. Multivariate analysis confirmed two significant risk factors of postoperative recurrence: diameter of fistula over 5 mm and its localization in the rectum above the upper border of surgical anal canal (more than 7 mm from the dentate line).

The risk of choroidal melanoma developing from choroidal nevus (CN) varies in range of 0.78-7%. Absence of a common terminology and distinct diagnostic criteria characterizing small melanoma de novo and unusual CN often complicates treatment choice and patient prognosis., Purpose: To study the clinical features and the role of visualization methods in the diagnosis of CN transformation into melanoma., Material and Methods: The study analyzes the clinical picture and visualization results of 11 patients with initial diagnosis of «choroidal nevus» ( n =3) and «suspicious choroidal nevus» ( n =8)., Results and Discussion: Examination and continued observation revealed 7 patients to have melanoma that had developed from CN (2 of them confirmed with histological studies). The time before CN transformed into melanoma varied between 4 and 13 years, with median 5 [4; 12] years. Two patients were diagnosed with primary melanoma (melanoma de novo ), two other patients - with suspicious CN. In progressive CN transforming into melanoma, visual impairments occurred between 6 months and 13 years in 6 out of 7 patients. Initial prominence of suspicious CN at the first visit was 1.9±0.68 mm (0.9 mm to 2.67 mm). The characteristic features of suspicious CN transforming into initial melanoma are: 1) asymmetric shape of the edges of expanded choroidal complex; 2) presence of areas of damaged choriocapillaris layer, direct and indirect signs of loss of integrity of the Bruch's membrane; 3) areas of accumulation of moderately hyperreflective subretinal exudate; 4) presence of intraretinal hyperreflective inclusions. The signs distinguishing primary choroidal melanoma from melanoma that had developed from CN are: 1) absence of areas with tomography pattern characteristic of nevi; 2) more pronounced asymmetry of the shape of edges, compared to melanoma developed from CN; 3) presence of cysts in larger tumors, compared to melanoma developed from CN., Conclusion: All patients with CN should be regularly followed up by an ophthalmologist.

Objective: To identify the risk factors associated with non-closure of defunctioning stoma in patients with rectal cancer., Material and Methods: A retrospective analysis included patients who underwent surgical treatment at the Ryzhikh National Medical Research Centre of Coloproctology for the period from March 2017 to August 2019. Inclusion criterion was anterior or low anterior resection followed by anastomosis and preventive stoma. Univariate and multivariate analysis enrolled 28 factors for identifying the risk factors of non-closure of defunctioning stoma., Results: There were 246 patients with rectal cancer. Intraoperative fluorescence angiography was applied in 145 cases to assess blood supply within the anastomosis and reduce the risk of anastomotic leakage. According to multivariate analysis, only two factors had significant influence on non-closure of preventive stoma - any grade of anastomotic leakage (OR 6.5; 95% CI 2.2-18.8, p =0.001) and rectal cancer stage IV (OR 7.2; 95% CI 1.9-27.6, p =0.004)., Conclusion: According to our data, permanent stoma is observed in 15% of patients.

Aim        To study temporal and spectral characteristics of heart rhythm variability (HRV) in night shift workers.Materials and methods       Along with traditional risk factors, conditions of labor contribute to development of cardiovascular morbidity, including night shift work, which can be associated with disorders of the autonomic regulation detected by analysis of HRV. This study included 100 healthy men. 74 of them were engaged in shift work, including 53 men with rotating shift work, 21 men with fixed night shifts, and 26 men with day-time work. HRV was analyzed by data of 5-min electrocardiogram recording (background recording and orthostatic test).Results   Night-shift workers had decreases in total power of regulation (ТР, SDNN) and in the parasympathetic branch (HF, pNN50). Rotating night-shift workers displayed significant decreases in SDNN and pNN50 and pronounced changes in the VLF / LF / HF ratio in the orthostatic test.Conclusion            In work with night shifts, the type of autonomic regulation differs from the "standard" functioning of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). This study showed different effects of night work regimens on HRV indexes. With the rotating shift work, the ANS dysregulation was more profound and was evident by a significant decrease in the ANS total tone and parasympathetic activity (SDNN, pNN50) compared to night shifts with fixed working hours. The excessive weakening of the parasympathetic component in the passive orthostatic test can be considered as an early marker for ANS maladaptation.

The article discusses results of secondary analysis of the data obtained in the SPRINT study and published in recent years. Unresolved issues in the tactics of managing patients with arterial hypertension are discussed. One of such issues is choosing an optimum level of blood pressure (BP) for a subgroup of patients with certain characteristics, including elderly and senile patients, patients with chronic kidney disease, and patients with arterial hypertension who continue smoking. The article discusses calculation of a threshold of risk for complications of cardiovascular diseases, at which a maximum advantage of intensified regimens of antihypertensive therapy could be achieved. In addition, the article addresses approaches to selection of antihypertensive drugs in the current conditions. The authors discussed the role of candesartan in the treatment of arterial hypertension, a sartan most studied in a broad range of patients. The issue of a rapid increase in BP without a damage to target organs is addressed; evidence for the role of captopril in such clinical situation is provided.

Non-typhoid Salmonella gastroenteritis is one of the most common forms of intestinal infections among the population of developed countries and generalized forms of infection are rare. We present a case of 67-year-old woman with salmonaella sepsis, deep venous thrombosis, and septic thromboembolism of pulmonary artery complicated with development of necrotizing pneumonia. Generalization of the infectious process was mediated by the presence of polymorphisms in the TLR4 gene. Development of pulmonary infarction is infrequent. Even rarer is a formation of cavities in infarcted lung tissue, usually in the background of the infectious disease. A combination of 2 rare conditions in 1 patient demonstrates the need of multidisciplinary approach in treatment of severe and atypical forms of infectious diseases to evaluate the primary etiology of such state. The article will discuss various aspects of lung tissue damage caused by Salmonella and give a brief overview of the literature on this topic., (© 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of University of Washington.)

Background: Erosive pustular dermatosis of the scalp (EPDS) is characterized by crusted erosions or superficial ulcerations that lead to scarring alopecia., Objectives and Methods: We performed a multicentre retrospective clinical study including 56 patients (29 females and 27 males, mean age 62.7) with a confirmed EPDS in order to describe epidemiology, clinical findings and therapeutic choices of this disease., Results: Mechanical/chemical trauma was reported in 28.6%, a previous infection in 10.7%, a previous cryotherapy in 5.4% androgenetic alopecia in 48.2% and severe actinic damage in 25%. Trichoscopy showed absence of follicular ostia, tufted and broken hair, crusts, serous exudate, dilated vessels, pustules and hyperkeratosis. Histopathology revealed three different features, depending on the disease duration. The most prescribed therapy was topical steroids (62.5%), followed by the combination of topical steroids and topical tacrolimus (8.9%), systemic steroids (7.1%) and topical tacrolimus (5.4%). A reduction of inflammatory signs was observed in 28 patients (50%) treated with topical steroids and in all three patients treated with topical tacrolimus., Conclusion: The relatively high number of patients collected allowed us to identify a better diagnostic approach, using trichoscopy and a more effective therapeutic strategy, with high-potency steroids or tacrolimus, which should be considered as first-line treatment., (© 2020 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.)

Importance: Early diagnosis of retinoblastoma, the most common intraocular cancer, can save both a child's life and vision. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that many children across the world are diagnosed late. To our knowledge, the clinical presentation of retinoblastoma has never been assessed on a global scale., Objectives: To report the retinoblastoma stage at diagnosis in patients across the world during a single year, to investigate associations between clinical variables and national income level, and to investigate risk factors for advanced disease at diagnosis., Design, Setting, and Participants: A total of 278 retinoblastoma treatment centers were recruited from June 2017 through December 2018 to participate in a cross-sectional analysis of treatment-naive patients with retinoblastoma who were diagnosed in 2017., Main Outcomes and Measures: Age at presentation, proportion of familial history of retinoblastoma, and tumor stage and metastasis., Results: The cohort included 4351 new patients from 153 countries; the median age at diagnosis was 30.5 (interquartile range, 18.3-45.9) months, and 1976 patients (45.4%) were female. Most patients (n = 3685 [84.7%]) were from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Globally, the most common indication for referral was leukocoria (n = 2638 [62.8%]), followed by strabismus (n = 429 [10.2%]) and proptosis (n = 309 [7.4%]). Patients from high-income countries (HICs) were diagnosed at a median age of 14.1 months, with 656 of 666 (98.5%) patients having intraocular retinoblastoma and 2 (0.3%) having metastasis. Patients from low-income countries were diagnosed at a median age of 30.5 months, with 256 of 521 (49.1%) having extraocular retinoblastoma and 94 of 498 (18.9%) having metastasis. Lower national income level was associated with older presentation age, higher proportion of locally advanced disease and distant metastasis, and smaller proportion of familial history of retinoblastoma. Advanced disease at diagnosis was more common in LMICs even after adjusting for age (odds ratio for low-income countries vs upper-middle-income countries and HICs, 17.92 [95% CI, 12.94-24.80], and for lower-middle-income countries vs upper-middle-income countries and HICs, 5.74 [95% CI, 4.30-7.68])., Conclusions and Relevance: This study is estimated to have included more than half of all new retinoblastoma cases worldwide in 2017. Children from LMICs, where the main global retinoblastoma burden lies, presented at an older age with more advanced disease and demonstrated a smaller proportion of familial history of retinoblastoma, likely because many do not reach a childbearing age. Given that retinoblastoma is curable, these data are concerning and mandate intervention at national and international levels. Further studies are needed to investigate factors, other than age at presentation, that may be associated with advanced disease in LMICs.

Aim: to study the etiology of severe community - acquired pneumonia (SCAP) in adults in Russian Federation. SCAP is distinguished by high mortality and socio - economic burden. Both etiology and antimicrobial resistance are essential for appropriate antibiotic choice., Materials and Methods: A prospective cohort study recruited adults with confirmed diagnosis of SCAP admitted to multi - word hospitals of six Russian cities in 2014-2018. Etiology was confirmed by routine culture of blood, respiratory (sputum, endotracheal aspirate or bronchoalveolar lavage) and when appropriate, autopsy samples, urinary antigen tests (L. pneumophila serogroup 1, S. pneumoniae); real - time PCR for identification of "atypical" bacterial pathogens (M. pneumoniae, C. pneumoniae, L. pneumophila) and respiratory viruses (influenza viruses A and B, parainfluenza, human metapneumovirus, etc.) was applied., Results: Altogether 109 patients (60.6% male; mean age 50.8±18.0 years old) with SCAP were enrolled. Etiological agent was identified in 65.1% of patients, S. pneumoniae, rhinovirus, S. aureus and K. pneumoniae were the most commonly isolated pathogens (found in 43.7, 15.5, 14.1 and 11.3% of patients with positive results of microbiological investigations, respectively). Bacteriemia was seen in 14.6% of patients and most commonly associated with S. pneumoniae. Co - infection with 2 or more causative agents was revealed in 36.6% of cases. Combination of bacterial pathogens (mainly S. pneumoniae with S. aureus or/and Enterobacterales) prevailed - 57.7% of cases; associations of bacteria and viruses were identified in 38.5% of patients, different viruses - in one case., Conclusion: S. pneumoniae was the most common pathogen in adults with SCAP. A high rate of respiratory viruses (mainly rhinovirus and influenza viruses) identification both as mixt infection with bacteria and mono - infection should be taken into account.

The article shows the experience of the Republican Bureau of Forensic Medical Expertise of the Ministry of Health of Tatarstan Republic in organizing and ensuring anti-epidemic measures using a quality management system. The comprehensive implementation of anti-epidemic measures in the expert institution dictates the need for regulation of the main provisions by internal documents (standard operative procedures), built on the basis of existing regulatory legal acts. The method of quality management system based on the Shekhard-Deming cycle was applied in practical activities, a process-based approach was used to organize work in organization. The proposed standard operative procedures, together with a model for managing the activities of an epidemiologist, showed high efficiency and allow improving the process of managing epidemiological risks.

Balance disorders and recurring falls are the most frequent causes of medical treatment in old age. Chronic cerebral vascular insufficiency is considered to be the cause of instability in most of these cases, and its role in the development of postural instability in old age is likely to be greatly overrated. At the same time, the role of chronic peripheral vestibular disorders, by contrast, is underestimated. The emergence in recent years of sensitive, specific and, at the same time, relatively accessible methods of diagnosing peripheral vestibulopathies has led to a much more frequent diagnosis of peripheral vestibulopathies, and their role in the development of postural instability in elderly patients is being revisited. This review considers current approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of bilateral vestibulopathy.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of ultrasound in diagnosis of chronic paracolic inflammatory mass in patients with diverticular disease., Material and Methods: We analyzed ultrasonic findings in 216 patients with chronic inflammatory complications of colonic diverticular disease. Chronic paracolic inflammatory mass as the most common and significant chronic complication of diverticular disease was analyzed in 116 patients. Ultrasonic findings were compared with specimen assessment, intraoperative data, irrigoscopy, colonoscopy, endoscopic ultrasound and computed tomography data., Results: Sensitivity of ultrasound for diagnosis of chronic paracolic inflammatory mass was 76,7%, specificity - 100%, overall accuracy - 87,5%. CT and endoscopic ultrasound were the most informative among different diagnostic tools (sensitivity 79,6% and 77,8%, respectively)., Conclusion: Ultrasonic examination and computed tomography are the most valuable methods for diagnosis of chronic paracolic inflammatory mass in patients with diverticular disease. Ultrasound is a first-line method for diagnosis and follow-up of complicated diverticular disease due to its availability, safety and unnecessary special preparation of patients.

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Background: Congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI) is a severe disease with a high risk of complications including neurological deficit. Persistent hypoglycemia in patients with focal form of CHI can not be managed with medical treatment in 96.4% of cases, what subsequently leads to surgical treatment. Currently, there is a lack of information regarding patients with focal form of CHI. This study is aimed at finding better approaches for diagnosis and treatment of patients with focal form of CHI., Aims: To study clinical, genetic and PET/CT findings of the focal form of CHI in Russian group of patients., Materials and Methods: The observational research included all patients with a histologically confirmed focal form of CHI, who were admitted to Endocrinology Research Centre during the period from January 2008 to January 2019. A statistical analysis of clinical data, genotype, and positron emission tomography (PET) with 18F-dihydroxyphenylalanine (18F-DOPA) was performed. The median follow-up was 18 months., Results: The study included 31 patients with focal CHI (14 boys, 45.2%). All patients had a neonatal presentation of the disease and demanded high levels of continuous glucose infusion to maintain euglycemia. The difference between the age of hypoglycemia presentation and the age of diagnosis ranged from 1 day to 3.9 months. In all cases, diazoxide was found to be ineffective. However, in 9 patients, it was possible to withdraw continuous glucose infusion and maintain euglycemia using octreotide in the preoperative period. A molecular genetic study allowed us to detect diverse pathogenic variants in ABCC8 and KCNJ11 genes in 30 patients. According to PET data with 18F-DOPA, the pancreatic index (PI) varied widely from 1.16 to 3.59. After partial resection of the pancreatic region with insulin hypersecretion, all patients showed complete recovery., Conclusions: The focal form of CHI is a severe condition with high prevalence of neurological complications. For preoperative diagnosis of the morphological form of the disease, it is necessary to conduct genetic analysis and radionuclide studies. Solely evaluation of mathematical parameters in 18F-DOPA PET without taking into account the visual data and the results of genetic analysis does not allow establishing the robust diagnosis. Timely diagnosis, identification of risk factors, and prevention of complications of persistent hypoglycemia are important tasks for clinicians.

Coronary artery disease is the most clinically significant manifestation of atherosclerosis and the main cause of morbidity and mortality around the world. Atherogenesis is a complex process, involving various types of cells and regulatory molecules. MicroRNA molecules were discovered at the end of the 20th century, and nowadays are the important regulators of several pathophysiological processes of atherogenesis. The review examines data on the participation of various microRNAs in the development of atherosclerosis and its main clinical manifestations and discusses the possibility of using microRNAs as diagnostic markers for these diseases.

Objective: To evaluate the long-term results in endovascular treatment of iliofemoral venous obstructive lesions., Methods: From January 2009 to March 2017, 75 patients were admitted for endovascular treatment of chronic obstructive lesions of the iliofemoral veins. Of these, 60 patients underwent stenting of postthrombotic obstructions and 15 patients stenting of nonthrombotic obstructive lesions of the iliac veins (May-Thurner syndrome in 11, for tumor-induced compression and cicatricial stenosis in 4). Dynamic control of stent patency was carried out by means of duplex ultrasound. Efficacy of endovascular intervention was evaluated by measuring the venous pressure gradient and malleolar circumference. The clinical result was determined by the Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS)., Results: Technical success of endovascular intervention in postthrombotic occlusions of iliac vein was 92% and in nonthrombotic iliac vein lesions was 100%. Cumulative primary and secondary patency in postthrombotic lesions at 60 months amounted to 72% and 81%, respectively, in nonthrombotic lesions to 85% (primary patency). Reinterventions were successfully performed in 6 patients including catheter-directed thrombolysis (3 patients) and stenting (3 patients). The mean VCSS score fell from 14.2 (4.2) to 7.5 (2.6; P < .001). The quality of life was improved; its mean score decreased from 62.6 (18.7) to 48.7 (12.8; P < .01)., Conclusion: Endovascular angioplasty and stenting for obstructive lesions of the iliofemoral veins is a minimally invasive, safe, and highly effective method of treatment, which is confirmed by a significant improvement of the limb's condition and good long-term results of patency of the restored venous segments.

The purpose of the study was to identify the pathogenesis features of prepiloric and pyloric ulcers and to establish the cause of resistance to conservative therapy and the tendency to complicated course of type III ulcers according to H.D. Johnson. A comparative analysis of acid production was carried out in 150 patents with duodenal ulcer (n-80) and peptic ulcer of type III according to H.D. Johnson classification (n-70). We revealed a definite individual rhythm of daily intragastric acidity with a maximum rise at night in patients with duodenal ulcer. The paper explores the peculiarities of digestive juice secretion depending on ulcerative substratum localization. The pathogenetic validity of the use of antisecretory drugs for duodenal ulcer treatment and the need to further improve the algorithm for pyloric and prepyloric ulcer therapy are shown. For pyloric and prepiloric ulcers characteristic specific morphological changes in the muscle layer of the wall of the antrum, leading to the motor-evacuation disorders and promoting duodenogastric reflux - dystrophy myocytes circular muscle layer vacuolation of the cytoplasm, edema and hypertrophy ganglia intermuscular plexus, hemorrhages in the muscle sheath, violation of muscle bundles.