[Mycotoxins in spices consumed in Russia].

Spices and herbs have been used since ancient times as flavor and aroma enhancers, colorants, preservatives and traditional medicines. As many other plant products, they can be exposed to contaminants, ones of which are mycotoxins, secondary metabolites of fungi. Such contamination can occur during harvesting, processing and storage, distribution, retailing and consumer use. Although they are used and consumed in small quantities, but added to a wide variety of products, especially ready-to-eat products. So the assessment of their contamination with mycotoxins is very important. The aim of the study was to investigate the contamination of spices and herbs with mycotoxins of fungi of the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium and Alternaria, as well as to assess the mycotoxins intake per person when consuming these food groups. Material and methods. Concentration of mycotoxins in 155 samples of spices and herbs was determined by ultra high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass-spectrometric detection (UHPLC-MS/MS). The list of mycotoxins included deoxynivalenol, aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, zearalenone, T-2 toxin, fumonisins, sterigmatocistin, HT-2 toxin, diacetoxyscirpenol, enniatins, beauvericin, neosolaniol, citreoviridin, mycophenolic acid, citrinin, tentoxin, altenuene, alternariol and its monomethyl ether. Results. Among the regulated in plant products mycotoxins in the studied samples there were found aflatoxins (B1 - in 19% of samples, from 0.4 to 48.2 µg/kg, B2 - 8%, from < limit of quantitation (LOQ) to 3.2 µg/kg, G1 - 2%, 0.75-21 µg/kg, G2 - 5%, 0.5- 12.5 µg/kg), ochratoxin A (15% samples, 0.8-14 µg/kg), fumonisin B1 (8%, 16.1-722.6 µg/kg), and fumonisin B2 (14%, < LOQ - 79.6 µg/kg). T-2 toxin and deoxynivalenol were found in 10% of samples (< LOQ - 6.5 µg/kg and < LOQ - 65.5 µg/kg respectively), zearalenone - in 4 samples (1.7-106.2 µg/kg), HT-2 toxin - in 8 samples (5.4-19.8 µg/kg). Among little-studied (emergent) mycotoxins in the spices and herbs samples there were found tentoxin (in 36% of samples, in an amount from 0.7 to 10.9 µg/kg), altenuene (in 8%, 14.5-161.5 µg/kg). 10% of the samples were contaminated with alternariol and its methyl ether (from less than LOQ to 12.8 and < LOQ to 55.7 µg/kg, respectively), 4% - with sterigmatocystin (0.4-7.8 µg/kg), 5% - mycophenolic acid (13.1-297 µg/kg), 2% of the samples were contaminated with citrinin and enniatin B (< LOQ - 27.7 and 0.1-1 µg/kg), in 9 samples (6%) beauvericin was detected (< LOQ - 1.7 µg/kg). Over 60% of samples were contaminated with more than one mycotoxin. The content of aflatoxin B1 exceeded the maximum permissible level set in the EU (5 µg/kg) in nine samples. Conclusion. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first in the Russian Federation to report results indicating to the contamination of spices and herbs with mycotoxins. High occurrence of aflatoxins, tentoxin, ochratoxin A and fumonisin B2 has been observed. In calculating the potential exposure of mycotoxins, the possibility of high levels of aflatoxin B1 intake have been shown to be possible, which could lead to a public health risk when consuming contaminated spices, herbs and foods containing them.

[Urinary incontinence in women and its impact on quality of life].

The prevalence of urinary incontinence at a young age is 20-30%, gradually increasing to 40% among older women. Urinary incontinence affects many areas of the patient's life, including social, psychological, work, sexual, etc. The main causative factors, which also influence on its severity, include age, pregnancy, childbirth and obesity. To date, there are many treatment methods for stress urinary incontinence. However, more preference is given to the sling procedures, in which mesh is placed under the middle part of the urethra. Despite being the "gold" standard for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence, it is difficult to determine indications for surgical treatment, since "nonmedical" view of the patient's problem is often required. The low awareness of primary care physicians about the possibilities of treating urinary incontinence often leads to an erroneous opinion in patients about their disease and methods of treatment. Many patients regard this condition as an integral part of aging, avoid situations in which urinary incontinence is possible, which limits daily activities, sexual activity, sports and other areas of life. Based on the latest data, a review of the literature on urinary incontinence in women, risk factors, as well as existing methods of surgical correction are presented in the lecture. Particular attention is paid to the impact of urinary incontinence on the quality of life of patients and current methods for its assessment.

[Mycotoxins contamination of cocoa products and carob marketed in the Russian Federation].

Cocoa is a daily basic food for many people all over the world. Also, people engaged in healthy lifestyle often prefer carob. The aim of the present study was to evaluate occurrence of Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium and Alternaria secondary metabolites in cocoa and carob available in the Russian Federation and assess mycotoxin's intake with these products. Material and methods. Concentration of 27 mycotoxins in 63 samples of cocoa and carob products was determined by ultra high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass-spectrometric detection (UPLC-MS/MS). The list of mycotoxins included regulated ones (aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, deoxynivalenol, fumonisins, T-2 toxin, zearalenone), their derivatives and structural analogs (A and B trichothecenes), and emergent mycotoxins (alternariol, its monomethyl ether, altenuene, tentoxin, citrinin, sterigmatocistin, cyclopiazonic and mycophenolic acids, enniatins, beauvericin). Results. 29 of 41 cocoa samples were positive for beauvericin, contamination level was from 1.6 to 2184.8 µg/kg. Tentoxin, sterigmatocystin and alternatiol monomethyl ether were detected in 3 samples; their concentration varied in the ranges 0.7-1.2, 1.5-3.3 and 4.0-7.8 µg/kg correspondingly. Carob samples were positive for alternariol (14 of 22 samples, 1.5-43.1 µg/kg); tentoxin (13 samples, 0.5-8.7 µg/kg), mycophenolic acid (6 samples, 6.9-8.2 µg/kg) and for alternatiol monomethyl ether (3 samples, 1.0-1.2 µg/kg). Several samples of cocoa were contaminated with regulated mycotoxins: zearalenone (18 of 41 samples, 2.1-24.6 µg/kg), ochratoxin A (14 samples, 0.75-12.0 µg/kg) and aflatoxin B1 (2 samples, 0.59 and 0.86 µg/ kg). Several carob samples were contaminated with fumonisin B2 (7 of 22 samples, 4.2-5.2 µg/kg), ochratoxin A (5 samples, 0.5-1.4 µg/kg) and aflatoxin B1 (3 samples, 0.15-0.18 µg/kg). The ochratoxin A content in two instant cocoa beverages exceeded its maximum level (5 µg/kg) set for some plant products. Conclusion. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first survey devoted to emergent mycotoxin contamination of carob and cocoa alternative products marketed in the Russian Federation. The high occurrence of such mycotoxins as aflatoxins, beauvericin and ochratoxin A in these products indicates a potential health risk and the need for a hygienic assessment of cocoa and carob products' contamination not only with regulated in cocoa products aflatoxin B1, but with other mycotoxin including emergent ones. The risk of dietary intake of aflatoxins, beauvericin and ochratoxin A with cocoa products (especially with instant cocoa beverages) has been revealed for children over 7 years old in organized groups.

[Dried fruits marketed in Russia: multi-mycotoxin contamination].

Mycotoxins (MT) - secondary metabolites of micromycetes - are natural contaminants of plant products. Fruits are particularly susceptible to fungal contamination and MT accumulation due to high sugar content. It can occur at any production stage: during vegetation, drying and storage. The most hazardous MT - aflatoxins (AFLs) and ochratoxin A (OTA) - are regulated in dried fruits in some countries. However, their maximum levels (ML) were not set in Russia yet. The present research was aimed at the evaluation of MT contamination of dried fruits marketed in Russia. Material and methods. 54 samples of dried dates (n=11), apricots (n=9), raisins (n=9), prunes (n=7), figs (n=6), apples (n=3) and mixtures for compote (n=9) were analyzed for 32 MTs by HPLC-MS/MS with positive/negative ESI in the MRM mode. Results. OTA and fumonisins (FBs) were the major regulated contaminants, their occurrence proved to be 10 and 17% correspondingly. Emergent metabolites of Fusarium spp. enniatin A (ENN A, 22%) and beauvericin (BEA, 15%); Penicillium spp. mycophenolic and cyclopiazonic acids (MPA and CPA, about 19%); Alternaria spp. tentoxin (TE, 17%) were detected also. Two-thirds of positive samples were contaminated with two and more MTs. All studied samples could be referred as safe within the EU regulations. Conclusion. Some kinds of dry fruits proved to be susceptible to contamination with particular MTs. Characteristic pattern for raisin was the OTA and MPA combination, for figs - FBs and CPA. According to literature data concerning occurrence and safety of MTs and the results of our survey, the long-term monitoring of AFLs and OTA in dry fruits and AFLs, OTA, FBs and CPA in figs from different regions of Russia is necessary to assess the need for setting of MLs of these MTs.

Comparative Analysis of Cytotoxic Activity of New Nitrosyl Iron-Sulfur Complexes in Human Tumor Cells In Vitro.

We studied cytotoxic activity of new tetranitrosyl NO-generating binuclear iron-sulfur [Fe-S] complexes containing different ligands in the molecule against tumor cells in vitro. Cytotoxic activity of the most active complex with cysteamine (CysAm) was compared with that of antitumor drug cisplatin. Caspase activation and morphological changes in cells were visualized by fluorescence microscopy. Fluorescence of active caspases 3 and 7 and changes in nuclear DNA in cells in the presence of CyAm were detected by using fluorochrome-labeled inhibitor of caspases (FLICA) and Hoechst and propidium iodide reagents. Similar cytotoxic activities of CyAm and cisplatin were demonstrated in various human tumor cell lines of different histogenesis. Therefore, a new class of NO-donating [Fe-S] complexes can provide the base of potential drugs for chemotherapy with a new mechanism of action.

Analysis of Antitumor Activity of the Liposomal Photosensitizer Lipophthalocyan.

We studied specific antitumor activity of a liposomal drug based on tetra-3-phenylthiophthalocyanine aluminum hydroxide (lipophthalocyan) intended for photodynamic therapy. The optimal dose and protocol for photodynamic therapy with lipophthalocyan were chosen in experiments on mice: single intravenous dose of 6 mg/kg with a 5-h interval between administration and laser exposure and irradiation energy density of 400 J/cm2. A wide spectrum antitumor activity of lipophthalocyan was demonstrated in vivo for various transplantable mouse tumors (Lewis lung epidermoid carcinoma, S37 sarcoma, and colon adenocarcinoma AKATOL). The results show the possibility of using lipophthalocyan for photodynamic therapy of tumors of surface localization (skin and mucosa tumors).

[Stroke Prevention in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation in Real Clinical Practice, Emphasis on Efficacy and Safety of Anticoagulant Therapy].

Aim To evaluate frequency of administration of anticoagulant therapy (ACT) for atrial fibrillation and to study the effect of chronic antithrombotic therapy (ATT) on kidney function.Material and methods Due to a high medical and social significance of AF, much attention is presently paid to appropriate administration of ACT for AF in clinical practice. The study retrospectively analyzed 776 case reports of hospitalized patients with AF. The effect of chronic ATT on kidney function was studied in 70 patients who were rehospitalized, including 25 patients treated with warfarin, 25 patients treated with direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC), and 20 patients treated with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA).Results In January 2014, at the prehospital stage, 74.3 % of patients did not receive ATT, 14.7 % of patients received antiplatelet therapy, and only 11 % received anticoagulants. In the hospital in January 2014, ACTs were administered to 74.3 % of patients (warfarin, 58.6 %; DOAC, 15.7 %), 20.6 % of patients received antiplatelet drugs, and 5.1 % of patients were discharged without ATT. In January 2019, the number of patients receiving ACT at the prehospital stage increased to 58.1 % (warfarin, 13.8 %; DOAC, 44.3 %); 12 % of patients received antiplatelet drugs; and 29.9 % of patients did not receive ATT. The number of patients treated with warfarin and DOAC in the hospital increased to 14.8 % and 70.6 % (rivaroxaban, 33.4 %; apixaban, 25.5 %, and dabigatran, 11.7 %), respectively. The number of patients taking antiplatelet drugs decreased to 3.7 %, and the number of patients without ATT decreased to 10.9 %. There were no statistically significant differences in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) between these three groups at baseline. Only in the warfarin treatment group, GFR was significantly decreased from baseline during the follow-up period. Comparison of GFR in three study groups at the finale stage of the study showed significant differences between mean GFRs in the warfarin treatment group and the DOAC treatment group and between the warfarin treatment group and the ASA treatment group.Conclusion Among the prescribed and taken anticoagulants, DOACs are presently in the first place. Among DOACs, the most frequently prescribed drug is rivaroxaban. GFR decreases with the DOAC treatment slower than with the warfarin treatment. Despite the slower decrease in GFR with the ASA treatment compared to warfarin, ASA is not indicated for prevention of stroke in AF due to its low efficacy.

[Assessment of the psychological status of urologists during the COVID-19 pandemic].

The aim of this study was to analyze the symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress in urologists during the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 90 urologists aged 25 to 60 years (M=37.27, S.D.=9.53), 93% of them were men, participated in the online survey. They answered questions about their attitude to their job as doctors and the impact of COVID-19. They filled out the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS-21), the Ten Item Personality Inventory (TIPI) and answered questions assessing their sense of control. RESULTS: The greatest concern among urologists is the risk of getting infected with COVID-19 (for 30% of the doctors). 43% of urologists state that their profession interesting. A positive attitude to work, as well as the Big Five traits (Conscientiousness, Emotional Stability and Agreeableness) are associated with lower levels of depression, anxiety, stress and lack of control. Working with COVID-19 patients reduces stress and increases the sense of control. Age and high levels of Emotional Stability predicted lower levels of anxiety, depression and stress. DISCUSSION: Working with COVID-19 patients allows doctors to feel more control over what is happening. A sense of control, in turn, and a positive attitude towards work are associated with a lower levels of depression, anxiety and stresssymptoms. CONCLUSION: The results of this study can be used in selection of therapeutic targets for psychotherapy, administered to doctors; in prevention of symptoms of anxiety, stress and depression among doctors; and in professional selection of doctors for working in crisis situations.

[Novel Genes Associated with the Development of Carotid Paragangliomas].

Carotid paragangliomas (CPGLs) are rare neuroendocrine tumors of the head and neck. "Germline" and somatic mutations in a number of genes were shown to be associated with the development of CPGLs; however, molecular mechanisms of the tumor pathogenesis have not been fully understood. In the work, we have used whole exome sequencing data of 52 CPGLs obtained earlier. Using MutSigCV, the search for genes with high mutation rate was performed. Thirty four genes (MADCAM1, SARM1, ZFPM1, CTDSP2, DSPP, POTED, ANP32B, FRG2B, BAGE3, CCDC89, ACOT2, KRTAP10-1, ATXN1, GXYLT1, MUC2, AQP7, TMPRSS13, KRTAP4-3, PRR21, PSPH, PLBD1, ZNF595, IGSF3, PRR16, FAM157A, KCNJ12, HYDIN, IGFBP2, KIAA1671, DISC1, MUC6, XKR3, HRNR, and MUC4) potentially associated with the CPGL initiation and progression were revealed. The involvement of these genes in the pathogenesis of CPGLs was first shown, and possible mechanisms of their participation in that were discussed.

Comparative Analysis of Bioactivity of the Russian-Made Antitumor Substances of the Nitrosourea Group.

We performed an in vivo comparative study of activity of three substances of the nitrosourea group produced in Russia. All substances demonstrated high antitumor activity against various solid and leukemic tumors. Aranosa significantly enhanced life duration in mice with leukemia (by 65-194%) and inhibited the growth of solid tumors (by 49-99.6%). Lisomustine and ormustine showed higher activity than aranose. Single administration of lisomustine increased life span of mice (by 22-114%) and resulted in cure of all animals in four models: lymphoblastic leukemia L-1210, lymphocytic leukemia P-388, Lewis lung carcinoma, and cervical cancer RShM-5. After ormustine treatment, full recovery was observed only in groups with lymphocytic leukemia P-388 and cervical cancer RShM-5. These findings attest to higher activity of lisomustine in the studied models.

Selection of stable expressed reference genes in native and vitrified/thawed human ovarian tissue for analysis by qRT-PCR and Western blot.

PURPOSE: To select reference genes with stable messenger RNA (mRNA) expression for quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis of vitrified/thawed human ovarian tissue and to evaluate in human ovarian tissue the levels of key proteins which are commonly used as reference proteins. METHODS: Pieces of ovarian tissue were obtained during laparoscopy from patients (n = 10, 24-36 years old) who suffered from types of cancer that does not affect reproductive system. Tissue strips from the intact group were immediately placed into liquid nitrogen. Tissue strips from the second group were successively placed into solutions with cryoprotective agents. Then, these strips were rapidly placed into liquid nitrogen. After thawing, ovarian tissue strips were cultured during 2 h in complete growth medium. Gene expression levels were measured using quantitative RT-PCR. Also, protein levels of three key reference genes were measured using Western blot. Statistical analysis of obtained data was performed by BestKeeper, NormFinder, and geNorm software utilities; correlation coefficients were also calculated. RESULTS: The most suitable reference genes for qRT-PCR analysis of human cortical ovarian tissue after cryopreservation by vitrification are genes of ribosomal proteins RPL4, RPLP0, RPS18, and heat shock protein HSP90AB1. The protein levels of three commonly used reference genes (ACTB, GAPDH, and HSP90) were measured in two groups of samples of human ovarian tissue: intact and vitrified/thawed. The levels of ACTB, GAPDH, and HSP90 proteins were similar in native and vitrified/thawed samples. CONCLUSION: Selection of suitable reference genes is the first aim of any research dedicated to the investigation of gene expression, because the interpretation of obtained results largely depends on selection of appropriate reference genes. Nowadays, there are many mathematical approaches allowing to select not only single reference gene but also a group of the most stably expressed reference genes. The use of mathematical models which take into account multiple reference genes will allow to obtain more accurate data on the expression of target genes.

Effect of Vitrification on Functional Morphology and Viability of the Ovarian Tissue.

The results of a complex morphofunctional study with markers of proliferation (PCNA and Ki-67), angiogenesis (CD31 and CD34), and structural integrity of mesenchymal cells (vimentin) suggest that the pool of primordial follicles was well preserved in vitrified ovarian tissue and that viability of its cellular components can be rapidly restored during incubation at 37°C within 4 h after thawing.

Female fertility preservation strategies: cryopreservation and ovarian tissue in vitro culture, current state of the art and future perspectives.

In the present review, the main strategies of female fertility preservation are covered. Procedures of fertility preservation are necessary for women who suffer from diseases whose treatment requires the use of aggressive therapies, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy. These kinds of therapy negatively influence the health of gametes and their progenitors. The most commonly used method of female fertility preservation is ovarian tissue cryopreservation, followed by the retransplantation of thawed tissue. Another approach to female fertility preservation that has been actively developed lately is the ovarian tissue in vitro culture. The principal methods, advantages and drawbacks of these two strategies are discussed in this article.

[Promising source of micronutrients for specialized foods with modified carbohydrate profile: traditional medicine experience].

Worldwide experience of Traditional medicine (TM) has been successfully applied to the development of modern standardized herbal medicines. Mainly researchers are guided by local sources of medicinal plants and traditional medical systems. TM experience is also used in the search of plants considered as sources of biologically active substances (BAS) and food ingredients. The steady increase in the incidence of type 2 diabetes, makes clear the need for research of domestic plant sources of BAS (with a proven carbohydrate metabolism effect) to create modern specialized foods. This article proves the feasibility of using TM experience of Russia and some neighboring European countries (Belarus, Ukraine) to develop optimized compositions for specialized food products for patients with type 2 diabetes. For reliable identification of the most promising plants, 550 traditional antidiabetic herbal formulations of 66 traditional recipe directories were studied in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. It revealed 37 species of plants included to more than 20% of all bibliographical sources, and 13 plants included to more than 50% of prescription directories. The 3 most popular are bilberry leaves, leaffruit of common bean, great nettle leaves.

Effect of treatment of chum salmon Oncorhynchus keta (Walbaum) eggs with 1,3;1,6-ß-D-glucans on their development and susceptibility to Saprolegnia infection.

The effects of six 1,3;1,6-ß-D-glucooligo- and polysaccharides with different structures (ranging from 1 to 10 kDa in molecular mass and containing 10-25% of ß-1,6-linked glucose residues) from brown algae, Saccharina cichorioides, on development of the chum salmon, Oncorhynchus keta (Walbaum), were evaluated. Exposure of chum salmon eggs to 1,3;1,6-ß-D-glucans with a molecular mass of more than 2 kDa increased the survival of embryos and juveniles and their resistance to Saprolegnia infection by up to 2.5-fold, leading to a weight gain in juveniles of 40-55% compared with The control chum salmons. The 1,3;1,6-ß-D-glucans with molecular mass of 6-8 kDa and used at a at concentration of 0.5 mg mL(-1) rendered the best stimulative effect.

[Antitumor and antiproliferative action of the steroidal cytostatic antiestrogen cytestrol acetate on hormone-dependent tumor models].

Cytestrole acetate (CA), in the structure of which the steroidal antiestrogen component is associated with bis-ß-cloroethylamino group, exhibits a strong cytotoxic activity against hormone-dependent cancer cell lines (CaOV, HeLa, MCF-7). In doxorubicin-resistant MCF-7 cells, CA potentiates the cytotoxic effect of etoposide and doxorubicin, and the IC50 for CA in these cells is 40 times lower than that for tamoxifen (TAM). In transplantable mice breast adenocarcinoma Ca-755, the therapeutic CA dose is 25 mg/kg when administered subcutaneously in oil solution for 5 days. On the DMBA-induced mammary tumors in rats, CA injected subcutaneously led to partial regressions 4 weeks after treatment in 75% of test rats, whereas TAM produced this effect in 43% of rats. Among various drug forms of CA, the most active were oil solution of CA in gelatin capsules for oral use and liposomal emulsion for intravenous administration, since these forms exhibited the highest values of Ca-755 tumor growth inhibition index (TGI = 97 - 98%).

[Stress-induced indicators of hydrolytic function of the stomach and the pancreas in persons with various type of autonomic nervous system].

The purpose of research is to study the influence of emotional stress on the activity of digestive enzymes in blood serum of individuals with different initial tone of the autonomic nervous system. Students' session acted as a model of emotional stress. Based on ritm-cardiografic testing according to the indicators of heart rate variability (HRV) 120 healthy young people (18-22 years old) were divided into 3 groups. Hardware-software complex "Varikard 2.51" has been applied to record the electrocardiography and heart rate variability analysis. Regulatory system tension has been selected as an indicator of autonomic balance index, that did not exceed 30 conventional units in student with vagotonia, ranged from 31 to 120 conventional units in normotonics and values from 121 conventional units characterized sympathicotonia. The interpretation of these parameters was carried out in accordance with the recommendations of the European Cardiology and North-American Society for electrophysiology, as well as the guidelines of Russian authors. The level of serum hydrolytic enzymes: 1 pepsinogen (PG 1), 2 pepsinogen (PG 2), amylase, lipase has been determined, the ratio PG 1/PG 2 was calculated. Investigations were carried out on an empty stomach in the day of workshops and during the examination session (emotional stress). The obtained data were statistically processed by variance analysis using the Student's t test. Individual variations were identified in hydrolytic activity of serum enzymes, depending on the original background level of the autonomic nervous system. It has been found that stress factors lead to opposite changes of digestive enzymes activity of blood serum, which were more pronounced in students with high baseline tone of sympatic nervous system. It has been determined that the amylolytic activity was increased in stress in all groups. A reduction in pepsinogen 2 level and lipolytic activity of blood serum has been showed in the group with simpathotony; while endocrine function of the gastric glands in the parasympatic and normotonic groups in terms of pepsinogen 2 increased.

A characteristic of the species composition of pathogenic fungi of the genus Fusarium in corn biocenoses of the Voronezh region.

Corn is one of the main crops of modern world agriculture. It ranks f irst in terms of gross grain harvests and second in terms of acreage, ceding only to the main grain crop of the globe, wheat. The problem of increasing the production of grain and green mass of corn remains one of the urgent tasks of agricultural production. High potential yields very often remain untapped due to diseases, direct losses from which are estimated at 20-50 %. The purpose of this work was to study the species composition of micromycetes on corn collected in different phases of vegetation in May-July 2020 in the Voronezh region, to identify phytopathogenic genus Fusarium fungi, to study pathogenic and phytotoxic strains of the fungi to replenish the collection of the All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of a Phytopathology. Preservation of infectious material of fungi from the genus Fusarium is of no small importance for phytopathological, immunological, breeding, genetic and toxicological studies. As a result of the mycological studies carried out, a lot of fungi isolates from the genera Fusarium, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Curvularia, Penicillium, Rhizopus, Periconia, Pythium, Trichothecium, etc., isolated from the affected roots, stems and ears of corn in the Voronezh region in 2020 were identif ied. Fungi isolates from seven taxonomic groups: Fusarium fujikuroi Nirenberg (F. moniliforme, F. verticillioides), Fusarium oxysporum Schltdl., Fusarium culmorum (Wm.G. Sm.) Sacc., Fusarium graminearum Schwabe, Fusarium heterosporum Nees & T. Nees (F. lolii ), Fusarium roseum Link (F. sambucinum), Fusarium sporotrichioides Sherb. were tested for pathogenicity and phytotoxicity on seedlings of plant-testers. It has been shown that pathogenic and phytotoxic activity in fungi varies signif icantly between Fusarium species and within the same species. The greatest danger to corn is represented by the species F. sporotrichioides, F. graminearum, F. culmorum, F. fujikuroi, F. oxysporum, F. heterosporum, which have a high intensity of phytotoxic activity associated with the fact that they contribute to the synthesis and accumulation of dangerous toxins in plant tissues. As a result of the conducted studies, 55 strains of fungi from the genus Fusarium belonging to seven species were selected. The isolates, stable in morphological and cultural characteristics and studied for pathogenicity and toxicity, were placed for long-term storage in the Russian State Collection of Plant Pathogenic Microorganisms and Cultivars for Identif ication of Phytopathogenic Microbial Strains at the All-Russian Scientif ic Research Institute of a Phytopathology.

[The first experience with heart transplantation in the Federal Center of the Heart, Blood and Endocrinology named after V. A. Almazov].

At the present time heart transplantation is considered to be the operation of choice in treatment of patients with terminal stage of chronic heart failure. Results of the first 5 heart transplantations made in the Federal Center of the heart, blood and endocrinology named after V. A. Almazov are assessed. There were no perioperational lethality and complications at the hospital stage. An analysis of the long-term results has shown effectiveness of heart transplantations in treatment of severe heart pathology.

[Features of cognitive impairment in individuals with paranoid schizophrenia combined with alcohol dependence syndrome]. / Osobennosti kognitivnykh narushenii u lits s paranoidnoi shizofreniei v sochetanii s sindromom zavisimosti ot alkogolya.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the cognitive functioning of patients with paranoid schizophrenia with alcohol dependence syndrome and patients with this disease without comorbid alcohol pathology. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 34 patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, paranoid form, aged 24 to 39 years (22 men and 12 women). The experimental group included 17 patients with paranoid schizophrenia combined with alcohol dependence syndrome with diagnosed symptomatic alcoholism. The comparison group included 17 patients with a similar diagnosis without a comorbid disorder. The duration of the disease in both groups was 5-10 years. The main research tool was a neuropsychological examination, which included the Benton test, the pathway test, the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and the constructive praxis test. RESULTS: Moderate cognitive impairments were found in patients with schizophrenia in combination with comorbid pathology, combined with disorders of intellectual flexibility and cognitive control. Also, in the experimental group, marked disorders of constructive praxis and visual memory were noted, which indicates a lesion of the occipital-parietal parts of the brain. Thus, in the course of the study, cognitive disorders were identified in patients with schizophrenia in combination with alcohol addiction: disturbances of perceptual organization, cognitive flexibility and attention switching, visual memory. CONCLUSION: Concomitant alcohol dependence is a significant factor for changing cognitive functions in patients with schizophrenia: control functions suffer, visual memory is disturbed and constructive apraxia is noted.