bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Case of Stanford Type A Acute Aortic Dissection With Preoperative Extensive Cerebral Infarction Successfully Treated Surgically
Authors: Hiraga Shun , Hirose Tomoaki , Fukuba Ryohei , Takemura Junichi , Tonomura Rei , Tamada Sayaka , Mitani Kazuhiro , Yokoyama Shinya
Published: September 2022

Patients with organ malperfusion from acute aortic dissection (AAD) have poor outcomes, and the surgical indications for patients with AAD complicated by extensive cerebral infarction have not been established. Here, we report a successfully treated surgical case of a patient with cerebral infarction and Stanford type A, AAD. A 77-year-old man was admitted to the hospital with a chief complaint of left paresis. After confirming that there was no cerebral hemorrhage with a head computed tomography and an incision in the right neck, and the right internal carotid artery was ligated and closed, emergency surgery was performed with a 24 mm Triplex® raft. The ascending aorta was replaced, and a bypass was performed with a prosthetic graft from the right axillary artery. No cerebral hemorrhage or neurological issues were observed postoperatively, which indicates the possibility of surgical intervention as a treatment strategy for this disease.
The Fried Frailty Phenotype in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Nguyenhuy Minhtuan , Chang Jaewon , Xu Ruiwen , Virk Sohaib , Saxena Akshat
Published: September 2022

Objective: Frailty is an increasingly recognized marker of poor surgical outcomes in cardiac surgery. Frailty first was described in the seminal “Fried” paper, which constitutes the longest-standing and most well-recognized definition. This study aimed to assess the impact of the Fried and modified Fried frailty classifications on patient outcomes following cardiac surgery.
Methods: The PUBMED, MEDLINE, and EMBASE databases were searched from January 2000 until August 2021 for studies evaluating postoperative outcomes using the Fried or modified Fried frailty indexes in open cardiac surgical procedures. Primary outcomes were one-year survival and postoperative quality of life. Secondary outcomes included postoperative complications, intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS), total hospital LOS, and institutional discharge.
Results: Eight eligible studies were identified. Meta-analysis identified that frailty was associated with an increased risk of one-year mortality (Risk Ratio [RR]:2.23;95% confidence interval [CI]1.17 -4.23), postoperative complications (RR 1.78;95% CI 1.27 – 2.50), ICU LOS (Mean difference [MD] 21.2 hours;95% CI 8.42 – 33.94), hospital LOS (MD 3.29 days; 95% CI 2.19 – 4.94), and institutional discharge (RR 3.29;95% CI 2.19 – 4.94). A narrative review of quality of life suggested an improvement following surgery, with frail patients demonstrating a greater improvement from baseline over non-frail patients.
Conclusions: Frailty is associated with a higher degree of surgical morbidity, and frail patients are twice as likely to experience mortality within one-year post-operatively. Despite this, quality of life also improves dramatically in frail patients. Frailty, in itself, does not constitute a contraindication to cardiac surgery.
The influence of land drainage on the abundance and species composition of small mammals
Authors:   Zhytomyr Ivan Franko State University (Zhytomyr, Ukraine), Vyskushenko Andriy , Vyskushenko Dmytro ,   Zhytomyr Ivan Franko State University (Zhytomyr, Ukraine), Andriichuk Tamara ,   Zhytomyr Ivan Franko State University (Zhytomyr, Ukraine)
Published: September 2022

The article is devoted to the research on the abundance and species composition of small mammals in the territory of central Ukraine (Cherkasy, Poltava, and Kyiv oblasts) affected by land development by drainage. The drainage areas of the studied region are located mainly in fens, which in most cases are connected with river valleys. The vegetation there used to be represented by reed sets with thickets of reed–mace as well as various sedges and horsetails. The drainage process consists of several stages. It is possible to outline four of them within the studied areas. The aim of the research was to analyse the influence drainage has on the abundance and species composition of small mammals. In total, 4161 rodents and shrews were captured at a sampling effort of 60 890 trap-days. It was found that drainage is a strong anthropogenic factor that shapes the abundance and species composition of small mammals within the drained lands of central Ukraine. It was revealed that the species diversity of small mammals decreases essentially as the area of drainage grows. In general, with drainage, the number of hydrophilous species decreases sharply or they become extinct, whereas the number of species that prefer open habitats increases. At the same time, the general diversity index (H) reaches the greatest value in areas of the second stage of drainage, and, as drainage works expand, the species diversity decreases significantly. The abundance dynamics of small-mammal species both by habitats and drainage stages is presented. The research results make it possible to understand some patterns drainage causes to the fauna of shrews and rodents, and, accordingly, the specifics of adaptation of the latter to those patterns. The obtained data can be used to estimate and foresee the number of small mammals within different regions of Ukraine, to develop measures to control harmful rodents in drainage areas, to predict the real scale of economic damage caused by them, and to elaborate some theoretical issues in biogeography.
Data on the summer bat fauna of Belarus in 2017–2020
Authors:   Scientific and Practical Centre for Bioresources, NAS of Belarus (Minsk, Belarus), Shpak Aliaksei , Godlevska Lena ,   Schmalhausen Institute of Zoology, NAS of Ukraine (Kyiv, Ukraine), Larchanka Aleksandra ,   Scientific and Practical Centre for Bioresources, NAS of Belarus (Minsk, Belarus), Savchenko Maria ,   Schmalhausen Institute of Zoology, NAS of Ukraine (Kyiv, Ukraine), Vorobei Pavlo ,   Schmalhausen Institute of Zoology, NAS of Ukraine (Kyiv, Ukraine), Molchan Uladzislau ,   Scientific and Practical Centre for Bioresources, NAS of Belarus (Minsk, Belarus), Mikhailau Andrei ,   Maxim Tank Belarusian State Pedagogical University (Minsk, Belarus)
Published: September 2022

This report presents the results of the bat fauna survey carried out in Belarus during the warm seasons between 2017 and 2020. The presented data were collected in 31 localities in all six administrative regions (voblasćs) of Belarus during field studies (mist-netting, searching for roosts and colonies, and acoustic surveys) and in the course of the work of the Minsk bat contact centre. Field data refer to 26 localities; acoustic observations to 14 localities; and netting was carried out in 19 localities (151 ind.). The data on bats collected via the contact centre came from 6 localities (35 ind.). In the course of our survey, we recorded 13 out of the 19 species of the Belarusian bat fauna. They are Barbastella barbastellus, Eptesicus nilssonii, E. serotinus, Myotis dasycneme, M. daubentonii, Nyctalus lasiopterus, N. leisleri, N. noctula, Pipistrellus kuhlii, P. nathusii, P. pygmaeus, Plecotus auritus, and V. murinus. The occurrence of all recorded species was confirmed by direct identification. Data on breeding have been added for all recorded species except for N. lasiopterus and B. barbastellus. Data on breeding have been added for all recorded species, except for N. lasiopterus and B. barbastellus. Maternity colonies were recorded for E. serotinus, M. dasycneme (the second record of a maternity colony of the species for the entire period of research in Belarus) and M. daubentonii. The largest number of individuals recorded by the contact centre represent V. murinus; other species in descending order are E. serotinus, N. noctula, P. auritus, P. nathusii, B. barbastellus, M. daubentonii, P. kuhlii, and E. nilssonii. Among the netted individuals, P. nathusii prevailed; other species in descending order were M. daubentonii, P. pygmaeus, E. nilssonii, P. auritus, N. noctula, E. serotinus, M. dasycneme, N. leisleri, and N. lasiopterus. Three species (V. murinus, B. barbastellus, and P. kuhlii) were presented only among bats reported via the contact centre. During the survey, the species P. pipistrellus, Pl. austriacus, M. brandtii, M. nattereri, M. myotis, and M. mystacinus included in the list of mammal species of Belarus were not recorded. The reasons of the lack of records of these six species are discussed. The collected data contribute to the general knowledge on the distribution, breeding, and status of bat species in Belarus and Eastern Europe.
Estimating the population density of Eurasian lynx in the Ukrainian part of the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone using camera trap footage
Authors:   Chornobyl Center for Nuclear Safety, Radioactive Waste and Radioecology (Slavutych, Ukraine), Gashchak Sergii , Barnett Catherine L. ,   UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (Lancaster, GB), Beresford Nicholas A. ,   Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (Lancaster, UK), Paskevych Sergii ,   Institute for Safety Problems of Nuclear Power Plants (Chernobyl, Ukraine), Wood Mike D. ,   University of Salford (Salford, GB)
Published: September 2022

The study reports the first estimation of the Eurasian lynx population inhabiting the Ukrainian Chornobyl Exclusion Zone (CEZ, 2600 km2) in 2013–2018. Although lynx were once common in this region, anthropogenic impacts reduced their numbers substantially by the 19th century, leaving lynx as only occasional visitors to the area. In 1986, after an accident on the Chornobyl NPP, the human population was removed from the areas affected by radioactive contamination, and regular economic activity was stopped there. As a result, a gradual recovery of the lynx population was observed. Assessments of the given study are based on camera trap data obtained from wildlife studies conducted in 2013–2018 over nearly 30% of total CEZ area. The number of locations where the camera traps worked simultaneously ranged from 5 to 89. Lynx was recorded 302 times, including 125 observations of 50 identifiable individuals. The total size of the lynx population was estimated to be approximately 53 to 68 individuals of all sex and age groups. For the identified lynx, sex was defined for 22 individuals: 6 females and 16 males. Eleven of 50 identified individuals were cubs. Over the whole period 6 family groups were recorded, 5 of which were females that had 2 cubs, and one a female with a single cub. Most of the identified lynx (33 of 50) were each recorded in one location only. In those cases when the individuals were repeatedly observed in two or more locations (up to 6), the maximum distance between locations ranged from 1 to 23 km (mean distance = 1.9 km). The density of animals was approximately 2.2–2.7 individuals per 100 km2, which is comparable to other areas of Europe where conditions are favourable for this species. Whilst only a preliminary estimate, our results indicate that 32 years after the Chornobyl NPP accident, the CEZ has one of the highest lynx populations in Ukraine. Conditions for lynx are favourable in the CEZ because it has abundant prey species (roe deer and red deer), high forest cover (more than 63%), absence of a residential human population, no agricultural activity, a low level of disturbance from other human activity, and the area has protected status. The recovery of lynx in the CEZ demonstrates the conservation benefits that even unmanaged re-wilding can achieve.
A species distribution model of the Antarctic minke whale (Balaenoptera bonaerensis)
Authors:   I. I. Schmalhausen Institute of Zoology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (Kyiv, Ukraine), Tytar Volodymyr
Published: September 2022

The Antarctic minke whale (Balaenoptera bonaerensis) is regarded a Southern Hemisphere endemic found throughout the Southern Hemisphere, generally south of 60°S in austral summer. Here they have been routinely observed in highest densities adjacent to and inside the sea ice edge, and where they feed predominantly on krill. Detecting abundance trends regarding this species by employing visual monitoring is problematic. Partly this is because the whales are frequently sighted within sea ice where navigational safety concerns prevent ships from surveying. In this respect species-habitat models are increasingly recognized as valuable tools to predict the probability of cetacean presence, relative abundance or density throughout an area of interest and to gain insight into the ecological processes affecting these patterns. The objective of this study was to provide this background information for the above research needs and in a broader context use species distribution models (SDMs) to establish a current habitat suitability description for the species and to identify the main environmental covariates related to its distribution. We used filtered 464 occurrences to generate the SDMs. We selected eight predictor variables with reduced collinearity for constructing the models: mean annuals of the surface temperature (ºC), salinity (PSS), current velocity (m/s), sea ice concentration (fraction, %), chlorophyll-a concentration (mg/m³), primary productivity (g/m3/day), cloud cover (%), and bathymetry (m). Six modelling algorithms were tested and the Bayesian additive regression trees (BART) model demonstrated the best performance. Based on variable importance, those that best explained the environmental requirements of the species were sea ice concentration, chlorophyll-a concentration and topography of the sea floor (bathymetry), explaining in sum around 62% of the variance. Using the BART model, habitat preferences have been interpreted from patterns in partial dependence plots. Areas where the AMW have particularly high likelihood of occurrence are East Antarctica, NE of the Weddell Sea, areas around the northern tip of the Antarctica Peninsula, areas bordering the Scotia–Weddell Confluence. Given the association of AMWs with sea ice, the pagophilic character of their biology makes them particularly vulnerable to climate change and a near-perfect biological indicator for tracking these changes.
Ecology of the northern mole vole (Ellobius talpinus) in the central regions of its range: characteristics of habitats in areas of the species’ occurence
Authors:   Italian Society of Natural Sciences (Milan, Italy), Artemieva Elena
Published: September 2022

Burrowers are the main creators, converters, and keepers of landscapes and soils of steppe ecosystems. The northern mole vole Ellobius talpinus (Pallas, 1770) is a rather widespread species of burrowing animals, an indicator species of various types of steppes, with a pronounced environment-forming activity. Fourteen large colonies of E. talpinus were studied in the Middle Volga region during the field seasons of 2006–2021. The agrochemical indicators of the soil characterise the possibility of developing certain steppe microstations, in which specific plant associations are formed. The parameters of soil samples and their combinations show the suitability of the formation of those plant associations that will correspond to the conditions of existence, reproduction, and feeding of burrowing rodents, in this case, the northern mole vole. The agrochemical features of steppe landscapes and habitats of the northern mole vole E. talpinus in the Middle Volga region are considered as stable trends in the formation of steppe communities. The northern mole vole E. talpinus prefers soils with a neutral or slightly alkaline pH, moderate phosphorus and calcium content, high copper and manganese content, moderate zinc content, uncontaminated by heavy metals (sometimes with an excess of cadmium content in the ancient layers of the parent rock) and rather loose (from loose sand and sandy loam to light and medium loam), which is easily carried out when digging the burrow, easily digs and deepens, for arranging chambers and passages, when extracting rhizomes, tubers, and bulbs of fodder plants. In the studied region, the steppe mole vole is generally attached to steppe and steppe landscapes, forb-feather grass-fescue steppes on parent sand and sandstone, chalk rocks; it chooses burrowing sites with steppe vegetation of various options, preferring calciphilic and psammophilic associations. The mole vole, as well as other burrowing rodents, are indicators of steppe landscapes and the preservation of soil in their biotopes, which, in turn, are indicators of the preservation of steppe habitats. The type of soil, its main features, as well as landscape characteristics of the habitat are important regional diagnostic characters of E. talpinus colonies.
The influence of the pine marten (Martes martes) on the nesting of birds in artificial nests in north-eastern Ukraine
Authors:   H. S. Skovoroda Kharkiv National Pedagogical University (Kharkiv, Ukraine), Yarys Olena
Published: September 2022

Passerines are the most threatened by predators during the nesting period. According to the results of visual observa-tions conducted during 2019−2021 in forests of north-eastern Ukraine, a high proportion of bird nests destructed by the pine marten (Martes martes) in artificial nest boxes was revealed. The impact of the predator was assessed ac-cording to the following signs: the front wall of the nest box fell off, the bird’s nest was destroyed and torn, traces of claws on the front wall of the nest box, fragments of feathers and bones of the bird found nearby. In the pine forest of the Hetmansky National Nature Park near Kamenka village, the share of destroyed by the pine marten nests increased during 2019−2021 from 15.6% to 36.0% and 45.2%, respectively. In a forest of the Homilshansky Lisy National Nature Park near Zadonetske village, the largest share of nests ruined by the forest marten was 51.1% in 2020 and 33.3% in 2021. Cases of predation predominated in net boxes with nests of Parus major in the third dec-ade of May (21.05−31.05)—15.9% (n = 47) in the Homilshansky Lisy National Nature Park; F. albicollis in the first decade of June (01.06−10.06)—19.1% (n = 43) in the Hetmansky National Nature Park near Kamenka village. In general, the results indicate an increase in the destruction of nests in nest boxes by the pine marten in the first dec-ade of June (01.06−10.06) and in the first or second decade of July (01.07−20.07) for most bird species, including Parus major, Ficedula albicollis, Phoenicurus phoenicurus, Ficedula hypoleuca, and Erithacus rubecula. At the end of the third decade of February and during March, an inspection of nest boxes showed that a large number of adults of Parus major spend the night in the nest boxes. At the same time, in 2021, their share was 15% (n = 100), of which 10% became victims to the forest marten in the Homilshansky Lisy National Nature Park near Zadonetske village. In the territory of Hetmansky National Nature Park near Kamenka village, in 2020, Parus major was also the main victim of the pine marten, with a share of 5.0% (n = 120). Among the adult birds in the nest boxes that did not form breeding pairs or of which, eventually, the male or female died, the inspection of nest boxes also revealed cases of predation by the pine marten.
Treatments and interventions for compulsive sexual behavior disorder with a focus on problematic pornography use: A preregistered systematic review
Authors: Antons Stephanie , Engel Jannis , Briken Peer , Krüger Tillmann H.C. , Brand Matthias , Stark Rudolf
Published: September 2022

Background and aims

Compulsive sexual behavior disorder (CSBD) which includes problematic pornography use (PPU) is a clinically relevant syndrome that has been included in the ICD-11 as impulse control disorder. The number of studies on treatments in CSBD and PPU increased in the last years. The current preregistered systematic review aimed for identifying treatment studies on CSBD and PPU as well as treatment effects on symptom severity and behavior enactment.

Methods

The study was preregistered at Prospero International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42021252329). The literature search done in February 2022 at PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and PsycInfo, included original research published in peer-reviewed journals between 2000 to end 2021. The risk of bias was assessed with the CONSORT criteria. A quantitative synthesis based on effect sizes was done.

Results

Overall 24 studies were identified. Four of these studies were randomized controlled trials. Treatment approaches included settings with cognitive behavior therapy components, psychotherapy methods, and psychopharmacological therapy. Receiving treatment seems to improve symptoms of CSBD and PPU. Especially, evidence for the efficacy of cognitive behavior therapy is present.

Discussion and conclusions

There is first evidence for the effectiveness of treatment approaches such as cognitive behavior therapy. However, strong conclusions on the specificity of treatments should be drawn with caution. More rigorous and systematic methodological approaches are needed for future studies. Results may be informative for future research and the development of specific treatment programs for CSBD and PPU.
A case of abscessed pneumonia due to COVID-19 infection in a young patient
Authors: Vorobeva Olga V. , Romanova L. P.
Published: September 2022

Viral infections are the first ranked conditions among infectious diseases causing 515% of all community-acquired pneumonia. The aim of the study was to describe a case of COVID-19 infection, proceeding with acquired bacterial infection and developing abscess pneumonia in a young patient.
Material and methods. The accompanying medical documentation was examined, clinical and morphological analysis was carried out for assessing macro- and micropreparations.
Results. Patient A.E., 31 years old, within 5 hours 10 minutes was at in-hospital treatment with a diagnosis of Coronavirus infection, severe course. Community-acquired bilateral polysegmental pneumonia. The patient admitted with complaints of respiratory difficulty, shortness of breath, weakness, fever up to febrile level, severe pain in the right groin area, both lower extremities, swelling in hands and feet. However, despite initiated treatment, the patients condition worsened and biological death was verified. The postmortem examination revealed signs of total bilateral hemorrhagic pneumonia. Histological examination showed areas of necrosis in the alveolar epithelium and signs of marked edema with a hemorrhagic component; hemolyzed erythrocytes were found in alveolar lumen. Focal hemorrhages were visualized in the pulmonary parenchyma, sometimes merging along with lung tissue with forming microabscesses. a well-defined shaft consisting of granular leukocytes and congested vessels with erythrocyte sludge was noted on the periphery of necrosis area. In the alveoli located closer to the abscesses, fibrinous and serous exudate was detected. Signs of edema were observed in the brain; histological examination revealed perivascular, pericellular optical voids with vascular congestion, erythrocyte sludge and minor hemorrhages. SARS-CoV-2-caused pneumonia and acquired bacterial infection, in this case due to staphylococcus, led to abscess pneumonia and severe respiratory failure with developing acute distress syndrome. Obviously, the high frequency of destructive processes in staphylococcal pneumonia is due to the pathogenic staphylococci characterized by production of high-level proteolytic enzymes destroying body tissues. Thus, the current case of COVID-19 infection in a young patient is of particular importance and relevance, because it demonstrates an unfavorable disease outcome despite patient young age and lack of concomitant pathology.
Characterizing A “N-CoV-2-IgG PS” diagnostic kit to quantify SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein-specific human IgG antibodies
Authors: Zueva Elena V. , Belyaev Nikolai N. , Verbov Vyacheslav N. , Likhachev Ivan V. , Bachinin Igor A. , Khamitova Irina  V. , Korobova Zoya R. , Arsentieva Natalya A. , Totolian Areg  A.
Published: September 2022

Confirming detected SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies is necessary to reveal immune response in COVID-19 convalescent subjects as well as to conduct population studies by screening for specific antibodies to assess rate of COVID-19 prevalence. With this purpose St. Petersburg Pasteur Institute was the first in Russia to develop the ELISA kit for the quantitative determination of human IgG to the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N-CoV-2-IgG PS). Arbitrary units (AU/ml) were used to assess the level of antibodies. The data shown in AU/ml were recalculated later to the international units (BAU/ml) in accordance with established the First WHO International Standard for anti-SARS-CoV-2 human Immunoglobulin. Comparing the data of the N-CoV-2-IgG PS calibration curve with those of the First WHO International Standard for anti-SARS-CoV-2 human Immunoglobulin revealed a complete inter-assay association (r = 0.999, R2 = 0.997) allowing to find that 1BAU/ml = 5.97 AU/ml. The aim of the study was to characterize the SARS-CoV-2 protein N Human IgG Quantitative ELISA Kit (N-CoV-2-IgG PS), compare quantitative and qualitative data of ELISA kits, assess a correlation between the binding antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 N proteins and the neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. The data of correlation analysis of the 83 COVID-19 convalescent blood plasma samples a significant relationship between the antibodies quantitative values and titers SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody (r = 0.8436, R2 = 0.7802) as well as a moderate relationship between antibody concentration and positivity index (r = 0.6648, R2 = 0.3307), assessed by Chaddock scale. Comparing concentration of N-protein binding antibodies with neutralizing antibody titers level uncovered data consistency obtained by quantitative and virus microneutralization assays (r = 0.7310, R2 = 0.6527) used in parallel to analyze 80 blood plasma samples obtained from COVID-19 patients and convalescents. AUC under the ROC curve comprised 0.701 (P 0.0001) evidencing about a satisfactory informative value for N-CoV-2-IgG PS compared with microneutralization assay. In addition, the efficacy of the N-CoV-2-IgG PS was 95%, while the positive and negative prognostic value was 97% and 87%, respectively. The data obtained confirmed a correlation between N-protein binding antibody level and neutralizing antibody titer. Checking inter-assay agreement evidenced about acceptance for informativeness and efficacy of using N-CoV-2-IgG PS, thereby confirming an opportunity to apply the Kit to screen for SARS-CoV-2 N protein-specific IgG antibody level and assess seroprevalence in diverse population cohorts.
Clinical case of rhino-orbital mucormycosis in a convalescent COVID-19 patient: diagnostic and treatment tactics
Authors: Popova Anna Yu. , Demina Yulia V. , Zaytseva Natalya N. , Kucherenko Natalya S. , Denisenko Arkadyi N. , Tochilina Anna G. , Belova Irina V. , Belozerov Grigoryi A. , Polyanina Anastasia V. , Sadykova Natalya A. , Soloveva Irina V.
Published: September 2022

According to current data, SARS-CoV-2 virus has the ability to cause multi-organ pathology, leading to acute damage of various organs and systems and long-term consequences characterized by polymorphic symptoms. Recently, a high incidence of invasive mycoses, particularly mucormycosis COVID-M, has been noted among the COVID-19 complications. The predisposing factor for the development of this pathology is diabetes mellitus, immunodeficiency states, and prolonged use of high doses of glucocorticosteroids. Mucormycosis is characterized by severe clinical manifestations and high lethality, and timely diagnostics of this pathology often represents a difficult problem. The aim of this study was to analyze a clinical case of rhino-orbital mucormycosis in convalescent COVID-19 patient. In the study, there was used mucopurulent nasal discharge from the patient previously hospitalized with a severe novel coronavirus infection. Here, we describe the methodology allowing to isolate and identify a pure mold fungus culture from the biomaterial using methods of routine bacteriology and MALDI-ToF mass spectrometry. Direct microscopy examination of nasal cavity discharge revealed branched non-septic hyphae with a characteristic branching angle, allowing to preliminarily diagnose invasive mucormycosis. Growth of mycelial fungus colony was observed by using Sabourauds medium with potassium tellurite. Microscopy of the pure culture revealed branching mycelium without septa, broad, with irregular thickness, unsegregated hyphae, and sporangia with a typical column specific to mucormycetes. Analysis of the obtained mass spectra allowed to establish the microbial species identity as Lichtheimia corymbifera. The latter along with other members of the order Mucorales, are known to cause mucormycosis. As a result of antifungal treatment (Amphotericin B) and timely surgical intervention, the patient was discharged from the hospital with prominent clinical improvement and no complaints during further outpatient follow-up period. The analysis of this clinical case showed the lack of alertness in some clinical diagnostic laboratories to detect pathogens of invasive mycoses. To avoid errors, while making a diagnosis, attention should be paid not only to detection of fungal spores in clinical material, but also take into account the structure of mycelium underlying major difference between yeast-like fungi, higher and lower molds. The isolation and identification of a pure pathogen culture allows to confidently verify the diagnosis, timely correct the treatment tactics and monitor circulation of mycotic agents to prevent occurrence of mycoses in most vulnerable patients cohorts.
Diagnostics of macrophage activation syndrome, depending on IL-6 initial level in patients with a novel coronavirus infection
Authors: Perepelitsa Svetlana A.
Published: September 2022

Introduction. The novel coronavirus infection caused by the SARS-CoV-2 remains the main problem, which is being studied by all the efforts of the global scientific community. Large clinical recourse has been accumulated that allows to conduct more effective treatment of patients, but there are still unresolved issues on the pathogenesis for development and course of the disease.
Materials and methods. The study included 163 patients admitted to the infectious diseases hospital diagnosed with Novel coronavirus infection caused by the SARS-CoV-2. Upon admission, all patient serum samples were quantified for IL-6 level that allowed to stratify patients into three groups: A 55 patients with IL-6 below 5.0 pg/ml. The mean age in the group was 57.314.9 years, body mass index (BMI) was 28.25.6 kg/m2; C 52 patients whose serum IL-6 level was in the range of 549 pg/ml. The average age in the group was 60.811.8 years, BMI 29.65.5 kg/m2; C 56 patients in whom the level of IL-6 in the blood serum ranged within 50300 pg/ml. The average age in the group was 62.515.6 years, BMI 28.85.6 kg/m2. Patients at admission were analysed for serum level of IL-6, IL-8, and C-reactive protein (CRP), ferritin, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were also determined on day 3 and 7.
Results. The minimum production of IL-6 within the range of 0.15 pg/ml, corresponds to the minimum changes in IL-8, CRP, and ferritin as well as LDH that was within the range of physiological values. Moderate cytokinemia, IL-6 is within the range of 549 pg/ml was associated with elevated ferritin and LDH not tending to decline by the end of treatment. Significant cytokinemia, the level of IL-6 within the range of 50300 pg/ml was associated with hyperferritinemia and increased LDH. The course of COVID-19 in such patients is characterized by increased ferritin by day 3 of treatment, consistently high level of LDH, without a significant trend towards a decline in the studied markers by the end of treatment.
Conclusion. The risk of developing macrophage activation syndrome is not observed of the serum IL-6 level was below 5 pg/ml, whereas ferritin and LDH were within the range of physiological values, with no/degree I ARF. Moderate macrophage activation syndrome is characterized by increased serum IL-6 level within the range 549 pg/ml, a moderate increase in LDH and ferritin, as well as signs of ARF III degree. Severe signs are diagnosed in case of serum IL-6 level exceeded 50 pg/ml, along with significant increase in LDH and ferritin, as well as signs of IIIII degree ARF.
Development of quantitative criteria for assessing epidemic potential of the natural-focal viral infections
Authors: Safonova Marina V. , Simonova Elena G. , Lopatin Anton A. , Dolgova Anna S. , Dedkov Vladimir G.
Published: September 2022

Notonly directly detected new infection, but also determining prerequisites for associated epidemiological complications becomes relevant with growing importance of new and recurring infections. As a result, a need to assess a degree of their epidemiological threat, or epidemic potential, i.e. determining the significance of related properties that determine a potential to cause an epidemic process and complications of the epidemiological situation is emphasized. Purpose. Develop methodology for quantitative assessment of the epidemic potential universal for natural-foci viral infections.
Materials and methods. А multifaceted assessment of the virological and epidemiological characteristics of causative agents for natural-focal viral infections was carried out to develop criteria for determining the epidemic potential. The developed methodology for determining the epidemic potential is based on connection between the epidemic potential and the concept of epidemiological hazard, which forms an epidemic risk, and consists of the hazards for source of infection, the mechanism of transmission and host susceptibility.
Results and discussion. The platformfor quantitative assessment of the epidemic potential of natural-foci viral infections was developed. Within each link of the epidemic process, factors were identified, ranked in accordance with their significance for enabling epidemiological risk and score assigned. The epidemic virus potential is determined by the sum of points in three categories, the ratio of points between them allowing to evaluate a lead factor of epidemiological risk. To assess an epidemic virus potential in accordance with the developed criteria, it is necessary to summarize and analyze the known data on the three considered groups of factors involved in formation of epidemiological threat. To test the assessment methodology, the epidemic potential of a number of diversepathogens of natural-foci viral was determined. The values obtained on the epidemic potential for such infections is based on the degree of relevant epidemiological hazard. Thus, the evaluation system allows to quantify anepidemic potential of the pathogen, compare parameters of various pathogens with assessment of the lead epidemiological risk factor. The platform can serve as an additional tool in assessment of epidemiological threat in case of epidemiological emergencies. Meanwhile, assessment of epidemic potential fornew infections is closely associated with the need to investigate their basics. The epidemic potential is a dynamic parameter that can change with the advent of new data on ecological and genetic foundations of pathogen existence as well as mechanisms for related variability.
Epidemiology and course of infectious diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic. Report 1. HIV infection, hepatitis c and tuberculosis
Authors: Belyakov Nikolay A. , Boeva Ekaterina V. , Zagdyn Zinaida M. , Esaulenko Elena V. , Lioznov Dmitry A. , Simakina Olga E.
Published: September 2022

Pathological conditions of various natures are capable of mutual aggravation, significantly affecting the overall burden of the disease, its manifestations and severity. This analytical review is devoted to the interaction between pathogens of socially significant infections human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV), hepatitis C, Mycobacterium tuberculosis and SARS-CoV-2. Foreign and own data covering the issues of syndemia and interference of pathogens are presented. The results of epidemiological analysis in the North-Western Federal District (NWFD) are presented, which demonstrated the absence of a significant impact of the pandemic caused by a new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) on the epidemic incidence of HIV, viral hepatitis C or tuberculosis at the population level, which may be due to various mechanisms of transmission of infections and the required infectious dose of the pathogen. The absence of a negative effect of COVID-19 on mortality rates in HIV infection, viral hepatitis C and tuberculosis in the territories of the NWFD was noted. Special attention is paid to the clinical picture of the combined course of HIV infection, tuberculosis and COVID-19. The data are demonstrated, which allow us to conclude that the worst prognosis and risk of death are patients in the progressive stage of the disease, which is characterized by the presence of opportunistic infections, especially AIDS-indicator conditions, with disseminated tuberculosis and in the cirrhotic stage of viral hepatitis. The significance of severe manifestations of infectious pathology in cases of deterioration of the prognosis of COVID-19 is shown. Based on the experience of two years of the pandemic, the problems contributing to the syndrome of new coronavirus infection and other conditions, as well as the causes of high mortality from COVID-19, which include: limited resources for non-infectious areas of medical care; insufficient funding for planned and high-tech care; a decrease in the volume of primary diagnosis and detection of infectious and non-infectious pathology; delayed and limited research in areas; distraction of specialists from preventive and dispensary work outside of infectious pathology; shortage of medicines and consumables; social instability and deterioration of the well-being of the population, characteristic of pandemics. The role of a personalized approach to patients with concomitant somatic and infectious diseases as a preventive measure for the severe course and complications of COVID-19 is determined.
Intra-laboratory validated “TigraTest® SARS-CoV-2” — test assessing release of interferon gamma in vitro to identify peripheral blood T-lymphocytes specifically responding against SARS-CoV-2 virus antigens
Authors: Lyagoskin Ivan V. , Kargopolova Pauline E. , Obyedkov Dmitry A. , Egorova Irina Yu. , Shukurov Rahim R.
Published: September 2022

SARS-CoV-2 (Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), also known as 2019-nCoV (2019-Novel Coronavirus) is a strain of coronavirus from the genus Betacoronavirus, discovered in China at the end of 2019 in patients with pneumonia. Coronavirus infection COVID-19 (COrona VIrus Disease 2019) caused by coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) has spread around the world at a very fast pace, with death toll exceeding more than 5.2 million people worldwide. Limited success in developing new drugs as well as use of existing drugs for the treatment of COVID-19 resulted in situation when the main prevention measures for a long time were based on testing and isolation of sick subjects, which started to reverse due to vaccination. Monitoring the formation of humoral and T-cell population immunity against the SARS-CoV-2 virus during the COVID-19 pandemic is a necessary element for epidemiological surveillance. ELISA-based methods are widely used to assess humoral immunity, and various test systems including ELISPOT (Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSpot) are used to analyze cellular immunity. The ELISPOT assay is a highly sensitive and specific method for quantifying individual cytokine-secreting T cells after being stimulated with a specific antigen. TigraTest SARS-CoV-2 Test assessing release of interferon gamma in vitro to detect peripheral blood T-lymphocytes that specifically respond to the SARS-CoV-2 virus antigens manufactured by GENERIUM JSC, is created on the ELISPOT platform. This study describes the procedure for laboratory validation of this test system to analyze the following parameters: specificity of antibody pair, effect of interfering substances, sensitivity and specificity, precision, stability of blood samples till isolation of target cells. The developed test system showed high diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. The specificity of TigraTest SARS-CoV-2 was 100%, the sensitivity for subjects immunized with the Gam-COVID-Vac vaccine (Sputnik V) was 91.67%, and the sensitivity in convalescent COVID-19 patients was 95.45%. At the same time, the data variability both during within and between series comparison did not exceed 25%, whereas 24-hour storage of peripheral blood samples at (1825)С after blood collection followed by isolation of target cells did not affect the test results.
Opportunities for correction of immunosuppression in patients with COVID-19
Authors: Kiselevskiy Mikhail V. , Treshalina H. M. , Mikhailova I. N. , Martirosyan D. V. , Manina I. V. , Reshetnikova V. V. , Kozlov I. G.
Published: September 2022

Here, we review thematic publications in available literature sources of the databases PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, eLibrary, 49 of which were dated of the years 19972022. Analysis of such reports is aimed at assessing features of cytokine storm-induced hyperinflammatory reaction with signs of immunosuppression accompanied by pronounced lymphopenia and lowered count of CD4+T helpers during severe COVID-19. The prognostic factor for unfavorable prognosis was based on the marker of systemic inflammatory reaction correlating with the disease severity the soluble IL-2 receptor as well as the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and the lymphocyte subset imbalance. An immunosuppressive therapy of severe forms of COVID-19, aimed at weakening the inflammatory response, exacerbates immune dysfunction by suppressing the T cell function, mainly due to Th1 lymphocytes involved in recognizing and eliminating intracellular pathogens particularly viruses. Upon that, cell-mediated immunity becomes compromised that relies on cytotoxic T-lymphocytes, natural killer cells and macrophages. Timely and targeted immunocorrection is required to prevent or reduce the immunosuppression that accompanies a severe disease course and leads to serious and prolonged complications, as well as to association of secondary infections. In fight against the cytokine storm, it is important not to miss a time point of developing immunosuppressive condition that transitions into immunoparalysis as follows from recent publications covering the tactics of treating immune-mediated complications of coronavirus infection. The review discusses opportunities for immunosuppressive therapy along with glucocorticosteroids and monoclonal antibodies blocking IL-6 or cognate receptors. Studies using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to reduce systemic inflammatory response at COVID-19 are outlined in the review. The use of antigen-specific Treg and their combinations with antagonists of tumor necrosis factor- (TNF), interferon- (IFN) as well as low-dose IL-2 in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection were analyzed. The prognostic perspectives for CAR-T cells and CAR-NK cells technology have been considered as novel therapeutic approaches aimed at training effector cells to recognize the surface SARS-CoV-2 virus spike-like (S) protein. The feasibility of a therapeutic approach is also emphasized by comparatively analyzed of efficacy of using IL-7 or IL-15 during lymphopenia in patients with COVID-19. Here, side effects complicating immunocorrection come to the fore. Critical evaluation of corrected immunosuppressive conditions in patients with COVID-19 in the post-COVID-19 period by using low-dose IL-2 therapy revealed its ability to repair cellular immune response. As a result, a low-dose IL-2 therapy is recommended as a cytokine replacement therapy in such patients with COVID-19 during hyper-to-hypo-inflammatory phase transition in immune response.
Type of cercaria in freshwater snails at Tunggu Pampang Reservoir, Makassar City, Indonesia
Authors: Jabal Arif Rahman , Mutiasari Dian , Akbar Hairil , Arfah M. , Marhani Marhani , Rini Rini , Sobak Nur Alam , Pisu Anggit Julianingsih , Toemon Agnes Immanuela , Ratnasari Arini
Published: September 2022

The Tunggu Pampang Reservoir is one of the reservoirs located in the city of Makassar. The functions of the reservoir area was tourist attractions and fish farming locations so that the local community uses them for swimming, fishing, selling, and gardening. The existence of various types of freshwater snails in the reservoir has the potential to act as intermediate hosts for trematodes in animals and humans. This study aimed to analyze the type of cercariae in freshwater snails. This research is a descriptive survey to determine the distribution of trematode larvae. The stages of this research began with the snails were collected from Tunggu Pampang Reservoir, Makassar City. Freshwater snails were collected at several points in the reservoir. Freswater snail collection using hand collecting method. The snails were put into a plastic bag with different types of snails and site of collection. The collected samples and cercariae were examined in the Tropical Disease Laboratory of the Study Program of DIII Medical Laboratory Technology, Megarezky University, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Freshwater snails are placed on a petri dish and their shells were gently crushed with a stamper. Dropped with aquadest on the crushed snail shell. The next step was observed using a microscope to determine the presence of cercariae. Cercariae found then identified according to morphological classification as previously study. A total number of 500 freshwater snail were collected in Tunggu Pampang Reservoir. The results showed that overall snails infected with cercariae was 33,4%. The highest prevalence of cercariae in Indoplanorbis exustus was 94.3%. Total of Echinostoma cercariae found (n = 224) compared to furcocercous cercariae (n = 5). Cercariae of Echinostoma sp., Fasciola gigantica, Fasciolopsis buski living in Tungu Pampang Reservoir can cause diseases in humans and animals. Larval trematodes can be controlled in snails using reducing parasite contamination, monitoring surveillance, information dissemination, and preventive education.
O Modelo de Barras de Singapura na Resolução de Problemas Aritméticos e Algébricos
Authors: Richit Luiz Augusto , Richit Adriana
Published: September 2022

Resumo As representações figurais assumem importante papel na aprendizagem e compreensão conceitual da Matemática, a exemplo do caso de figuras em demonstrações da geometria. Uma abordagem que tem se popularizado pelo seu potencial para a resolução de problemas utilizando representações figurais é o Modelo de Barras de Singapura (‘ Model’ Method ). Mobilizados por esses aspectos, realizamos uma revisão de literatura com o objetivo de apresentar o Modelo de Barras de Singapura e suas contribuições para a aprendizagem da Matemática. O material empírico do estudo foi constituído mediante uma busca realizada na plataforma Google Scholar . Os resultados dos trabalhos analisados apontam contribuições para a aprendizagem nos seguintes aspectos: protagonismo assumido pelos alunos na construção do conhecimento, aprofundamento de conceitos e relações matemáticas, aprimoramento das habilidades de resolução de problemas e uso de representações mais abstratas, assim como a antecipação da resolução de problemas avançados. Nesta perspectiva, o Modelo de Barras tem potencial para promover mudanças no ensino da Matemática e favorecer a aprendizagem dos alunos.