[Non-ischemic priapism (post-traumatic arteriovenous fistula of the right cavernous body) in the background of Landusy-Dejerine myopathy].

Landouzy-Dejerine myopathy (Facial-shoulder-shoulder myodystrophy) is a disease which causes weakness of the muscles of the shoulder girdle, back and hip muscles, which predisposes patients to an increased risk of injury and disability. The article presents a clinical observation of non-ischemic priapism, which developed as a result of perineal trauma with the formation of a fistula of the right cavernous body in a patient against the background of facial shoulder-shoulder myodystrophy. Methods for the differential diagnosis of this condition are also discussed.

[Chordoma as a neurosurgical pathology]. / Khordoma kak neirokhirurgicheskaya patologiya.

OBJECTIVE: Assess the significance of chordoma as a neurosurgical pathology, taking into account the latest edition of the WHO classification of soft tissues and bone tumors (2020). MATERIAL AND METHODS: An analysis of 28 chordomas was carried out. All chordomas were histologically verified, including using immunohistochemical markers of notochordal differentiation (S100, EMA, keratin, brachiuria protein). RESULTS: Patients with chordomas accounted for 0.25% of the total number of neurosurgical patients. The vast majority (27) of chordomas had a cranio-vertebral localization. Sacral localization (S3-S5) of the tumor was detected in 1 patient. In 4 (15%) cases, operations were performed for the recurrence of chordoma. The tumors tended to grow into the structures of the skull, overgrown the vessels and nerves, and compress the adjacent brain structures. This was manifested by pain syndrome, neurological symptoms, impaired liquorodynamics. According to histopathological criteria, 27 (96%) cases of tumors were classified as conventional (usual) chordoma type, among them 7 corresponded to the chondroid subtype of the chordoma. In 1 case (4%), a dedifferentiated chordoma was detected. CONCLUSION: Chordoma, due to its axial localization, naturally involves adjacent structures of the nervous system, has clinically significant neuropathological manifestations, and often provides direct indications for a special neurosurgical approach. This requires its consideration not only as a bone, but also as a neurosurgical oncological pathology, along with other non-meningothelial (mesenchymal) tumors of the CNS.

Analysis of Clinical and Biochemical Characteristics of Patients With Genetically Confirmed Familial Hypercholesterolemia in Russian North Western District Residents.

Aim      To compare results of clinical, laboratory, and genetic examination of patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FHC).Material and methods  112 patients aged 40.2±17.9 years (49 men) were examined. The gene of low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) was analyzed and evaluated using the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network (DLCN) criterion of lipid score ≥6. The LDLR gene mutation was searched for using the conformational polymorphism analysis followed by sequencing of the DNA of isolated LDLR gene exons.Results Mean variables of the blood lipid profile were total cholesterol (C), 10.12±2.32 mmol/l, LDL-C, 7.72±2.3 mmol/l. Corneal arcus was observed in 15 % of patients, tendon xanthomas in 31.8 %, and xanthelasma palpebrarum in 5.3 %. The types of LDLR gene mutations included missense mutations (42.8 %), mutations causing a premature termination of protein synthesis (41.1 %), and frameshift mutations (16.1 %). In the presence of a mutation in exon 4, patients with IHD compared to patients with no IHD had significantly higher levels of total C (10.88±2.08 mmol/l vs. 8.74±1.57 mmol/l, respectively, р=0.001) and LDL-C (8.60±2.14 mmol/l vs. 6.62±1.79 mmol/l, respectively, р=0.005). Patients with IHD compared to patients with no IHD and a mutation in LDLR gene exon 9 had only a higher LDL-C level (8.96±1.53 mmol/l vs. 6.92±1.59 mmol/l, respectively, р=0.022). A differentiated comparison of IHD patients using a logistic regression depending on the identified type of LDLR gene mutation produced formulas for calculating the odds ratio of IHD and myocardial infarction (MI) with adjustments for the patient's age and baseline LDL.Conclusion      The detection rate of the LDLR gene mutations was 42.8 % for missense mutations, 41.1 % for mutations causing a premature termination of protein synthesis, and 16.1 % for frameshift mutations. Blood lipid profiles did not differ between patients from different cities and with different types of LDLR gene mutations. Blood lipid profiles were different in IHD patients depending on the mutation type.

[Correlations between vessel stiffness and biomarkers of senescent cell in elderly patients].

Aim    To study the association between vascular wall stiffness and known markers for accumulation of senescent cells in blood, cells, and tissues of old patients.Material and methods    This study included male and female patients aged 65 years and older who were referred to an elective surgical intervention, that included a surgical incision in the area of the anterior abdominal wall or large joints and met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. For all patients, traditional cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and arterial wall stiffness (pulse wave velocity, PWV) were evaluated. Also, biomaterials (peripheral blood, skin, subcutaneous adipose tissue) were collected during the surgery and were used for isolation of several cell types and subsequent histological analysis to determine various markers of senescent cells.Results    The study included 80 patients aged 65 to 90 years. The correlation analysis identified the most significant indexes that reflected the accumulation of senescent cells at the systemic, tissue, and cellular levels (r>0.3, р<0.05) and showed positive and negative correlations with PWV. The following blood plasma factors were selected as the markers of ageing: insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF-21), and vascular endothelium adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1). A significant negative correlation between PWV and IGF-1 concentration was found. Among the tissue markers, P16INK, the key marker for tissue accumulation of senescent cells, predictably showed a positive correlation (r=0.394, p<0.05). A medium-strength correlation with parameters of the 96-h increment of mesenchymal stromal cells and fibroblasts and a weak correlation with IL-6 as a SASP (specific senescent-associated secretory phenotype) were noted. Results of the multifactorial linear regression analysis showed that the blood plasma marker, VCAM-1, and the cell marker, 96-h increment of fibroblasts, were associated with PWV regardless of the patient's age.Conclusion    Stiffness of great arteries as measured by PWV significantly correlates with a number of plasma, tissue, and cellular markers for accumulation of senescent cells. This fact suggests PWV as a candidate for inclusion in the panel of parameters for evaluation and monitoring of the biological age during the senolytic therapy.

Hybrid cube-in-cup nanoantenna: towards ordered photonics.

The most significant goal of nanophotonics is the development of high-speed quantum emitting devices operating at ambient temperature. In this regard, plasmonic nanoparticles-on-mirror are potential candidates for designing high-speed photon sources. We introduce a novel hybrid nanoantenna (HNA) with CdSe/CdS colloidal quantum dots (QDs) based on a silver nanocube in a metal cup that presents a nanoparticle-in-cavity coupled with an emitters system. We use focused ion beam nanolithography to fabricate an ordered array of cups, which were then filled with colloidal nanoparticles using the most simple drop-casting and spin coating methods. The spectral and time-resolved studies of the samples with one or more nanocubes in the cup reveal a significant change in the radiation characteristics of QDs inside the nanoantenna. The Purcell effect causes an increase in the fluorescence decay rate (≥30) and an increase in the fluorescence intensity (≥3) of emitters in the HNA. Using the finite element method simulations, we have discovered that the proximity of the cups wall affects the oscillation modes of the gap plasmon, which, in turn, leads to changes in the electric field enhancement inside the nanoantenna gap. Additionally, substantial variations in the behavior of the gap plasmons at different polarizations of the exciting radiation have been revealed. The proposed nanoantenna can be useful in the development of plasmonic sensors, display pixels, and single-photon sources.

Reconstruction of Electric Discharge Patterns and Electrogenesis Mechanism in African Sharptooth Catfish Clarias gariepinus (Clariidae, Siluriformes).

Electrical discharges (EDs) in the African sharptooth catfish Clarias gariepinus were studied. Irregular monopolar EDs, lasting for 8-10 ms and longer, and more complex EDs, lasting for 20-50 ms and characterized by specific indentation of the discharge pattern, were recorded in pairs of individuals exhibiting both aggressive and defensive behavior. The pattern of long discharges was reconstructed by adding short EDs with different latencies and amplitudes. The conditions for the formation of long EDs with asynchronous activity of electromotor neurons and the possibility of coordinated operation of the electric generator and electroreceptor systems in catfish were considered, since an increase in the duration of EDs lowers the threshold of their perception.

Electrogenesis in Two African Upside-Down Catfishes, Synodontis sorex and S. batensoda (Mochokidae, Siluriformes).

Weak electric discharges generated by the two species of the African upside-down catfishes, Synodontis sorex and S. batensoda are described. In both species two types of discharges were recorded in the course of aggressive-defense interactions in the pairs of individuals: short simple biphasic and longer (duration >20 ms) discharges with more complex waveform. The discharges of the latter type seem to result from a temporal summation (with various latency) of simple discharges. It is suggested that formation of the long quasimonopolar discharges enhances the coincidence of frequency spectrum of the catfish discharges with maximum sensitivity range of their ampullary electroreceptors.

[Office and 44-hour ambulatory blood pressure and central haemodynamic parameters in the patients with end-stage renal diseases undergoing haemodialysis].

AIM: To assess the incidence of blood pressure (BP) control and various phenotypes of BP by comparing the results of office and 44-hour ambulatory brachial and central BP measurement in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on program hemodialysis (HD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 68 patients ESRD receiving renal replacement therapy we evaluated office peridialysis BP and performed 44-hour ambu latory monitoring (ABPM) of brachial and central BP during peridialysis period using a validated oscillometric device BPLabVasotens (OOO "Petr Telegin"). Results were considered statistically significant with p<0.05. RESULTS: The frequency of control of peripheral office BP before the HD session was 25%, after - 23.5%; control of central BP - 48.6% and 49%, respectively. According to office measurement the frequency of systolic-diastolic hypertension was 44.1%, isolated systolic hypertension - 25%, isolated diastolic hypertension - 5.9%. The values of peripheral and central office systolic BP (SBP) before and after HD were not consistent with the corresponding mean and daily SBP levels for 44 hours and for the first and second days of the interdialysis period. The frequency of true uncontrolled arterial hypertension (AH) according to peripheral ABPM was 66.5%, masked uncontrolled AH - 9%. Circadian rhythm abnormalities for 44-h peripheral BP were detected in 77%, for central - in 76%. In 97% of patients agreement between phenotypes of the daily profile of peripheral and central BP was observed. 73% of patients had a significant increase in peripheral and central SBP and pulse pressure (PP) and an increase in the proportion of non-dippers from the 1st to the 2nd day. CONCLUSION: Patients with ESRD on HD were characterized by poor control of BP control and predominance of unfavourable peripheral and central ambulatory BP phenotypes. A single measurement of clinical peripheral and central BP in the peridialysis period was not sufficient to assess the control of hypertension in this population. The 24-h BP profiles in the 1st and 2nd days of interdialysis period had significant differences.

[Cytomorphometric study on the effect of smoking on tissues adjacent to dental implants]. / Vliianie kureniia na sostoianie tkanei, prilezhashchikh k dental'nym implantatam, po dannym tsitomorfometricheskogo issledovaniia.

The aim of the study was determination of the effectiveness of peri-implantation zone tissues control by means of cytomorphometry in cellular imprints obtained from the area of dental implantation on a model applying a comparison of the state of the tissues of the peri-implantation zone of smokers and non-smokers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cytomorphometry was used for tissue monitoring in implant-adjacent areas by the Index of Destruction (ID) and the Inflammatory-Destructive Index (IDI) in the group of smoking patients: 6 females and 9 males (41 implant) and in the group of non-smoking patients: 13 females and 14 males (97 implants). Follow-up terms in both groups from the moment of gingival former or provisional crown placement comprised 1, 5, 15, 25, 30, 60, 120, 180, 240, 720 days. Significant increase of ID within 25-120 days was revealed in smokers. The study of Inflammation-Distraction Indices revealed a statistically significant increase in the values in group of smokers at 5 to 60 days. The results of using of cytomorphometric method allow conclude that smoking is a pathogenic factor that exerts its influence through initiation and sustentation of an inflammatory process in the tissues adjacent to dental implants.

Diversity of the CO1 Gene of Mitochondrial DNA in Representatives of Genus Antimora (Moridae, Gadiformes) in the World Oceans.

The frequency of occurrence of the COI gene of mitochondrial DNA in the Pacific flatnose Antimora microlepis and blue antimora Antimora rostrata (Moridae, Gadiformes) was analyzed in samples collected in different areas of the World Ocean. The revealed maximum haplotype diversity of COI in the blue antimora in the North Atlantics may indicate that this species emerged in this region, from which it widely distributed in the World Ocean. The Pacific flatnose Antimora microlepis originated from Antimora rostrata. Antimora might penetrate into the North Pacific by several routes: through the Panama Strait, along the coast of Antarctica, or through the Indian Ocean along the coast of Australia.

Electric Organ Discharges of Cyphomyrus petherici (Mormyridae, Osteoglossiformes) from the White Nile Basin.

The waveform and some characteristics of the electric organ discharges have been studied in 11 individuals of Cyphomyrus petherici, the only representative of the genus in the Nilotic fauna. The discharge is characterized by three to five phases with a prevalence of the second phase in terms of the relative amplitude and a wide variability of the total duration of discharge (from 212 to 558 µs). The comparison of the discharges of the species under study with those in the congeneric species and representatives of the genus Pollimyrus (which previously encompassed C. petherici) demonstrates a general similarity of the C. petherici discharges with those of Cyphomyrus, but not Pollimyrus. This is in agreement with the correspondence of the discharge characteristics observed in other mormyrids to the phylogenetic position and taxonomic status of the species.

Rearrangement of the Prefrontal Cortex Neural Activity in Both Hemispheres during Learning.

Neuronal activity of both right and left hemispheres of the rat prefrontal brain cortex was recorded in the two-ring maze during animal learning to operate in response to signals. At the beginning of learning, pairwise comparison of neural activity that accompanied correct and incorrect choice of the right and left sides showed significant differences in the left hemisphere and the lack of differences in the right one. With increasing percentage of correct choices during a session of learning, the differences in neuronal responses appeared in the right hemispheres and were reduced in the left one. The opposite trends in rearrangement of the total impulse activity are believed to be related to different roles of hemispheres in the construction of the internal behavioral model.

[The informative value of various methods for identifying acid-fast bacilli in relation to the degree of tuberculosis process activity]. / Informativnost' razlichnykh metodov identifikatsii kislotoustoichivykh mikobakterii v zavisimosti ot stepeni aktivnosti tuberkuleznogo protsessa.

Carbol fuchsin (Ziehl-Neelsen) staining is a major method used since the late nineteenth century to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the tissues. At the same time, the number of mycobacteria does not frequently show a clinical and morphological correspondence to the activity of the infectious process. OBJECTIVE: To reveal the morphological characteristics of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in patients with long-lasting tuberculosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-four autopsies of verified fibrous-cavernous tuberculosis were examined. Paraffin sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, carbol fuchsin (Ziehl-Neelsen), or auramine-rhodamine (followed by luminescence microscopic examination); an immunohistochemical (IHC) study with serum to PAV (Protein antigen B) was conducted. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The changes characteristic of progressive tuberculosis were revealed in all the cases. The Ziehl-Neelsen staining revealed isolated clusters of acid-fast bacilli (a total of 1,000 in less than 10 fields of view). When stained with auramine-rhodamine, the number of found mycobacteria proved to be significantly larger (a total of 1,000 to 10,000 in 10-50 fields of view) and that was greatest in the IHC study (a total of over 10,000 in more than 50 fields of view). At the same type, all types of studies revealed that the localization of mycobacteria was exclusively extracellular. The Ziehl-Neelsen staining indicated that the proportion of typical bacilli was much higher (85-95%; mean 88.13±2.14) than that (50-85%; mean 64.38±4.24%) identified when stained with auramine-rhodamine and even more significantly more than that (50-70%; mean 57.29±2.78%) detected during the IHC study. The indicators were equally different for the atypical morphological forms of mycobacteria identified in minimal quantities by the Ziehl-Nielsen staining and in large quantities by fluorescence and IHC studies. CONCLUSION: There is evidence for the ability of mycobacteria to have morphological polymorphism and for the need to clarify the pathogenesis of tuberculosis.

Population status of Greenland halibut Reinhardtius hippoglossoides (Walbaum, 1793) of the Laptev Sea.

This is the first study to perform a comparative genetic analysis of Greenland halibut in the samples from the Atlantic (waters of west and east of Greenland), Arctic (Laptev Sea), and Pacific (the western part of the Bering Sea) ocean basins using seven microsatellite loci. The obtained data clearly demonstrate that the Greenland halibut population in the Laptev Sea belongs to the groups of the Atlantic Ocean basin. Apparently, the Greenland halibut of the Laptev Sea is represented by a dependent population, which is replenished due to the drift of immatures from the spawning grounds in the Barents Sea with the transformed Atlantic water flow along the continental slope. In addition, the Arctic population can be partially replenished due to the breeding of the halibut in local spawning grounds.

Electric discharges and electrogenesis peculiarity in two African upside-down catfishes, Synodontis caudovittatus and S. eupterus (Mochokidae, Siluriformes).

The paper reports spontaneous generation of weak electric discharges with an amplitude of 0.4-1.0 mV and a frequency of 3-9 min-1 by solitary Synodontis caudovittatus fish. When fish individuals were tested in pairs, their aggressive-defense interactions were associated with an increase in the amplitude of the discharges (up to 30-45 mV) compared to the discharges of individual fish, while the duration of the pulses increased up to 20-25 ms due to the prolongation of the second phase. In S. eupterus, electric activity was recorded only in the course of aggression-defense interactions, while spontaneous generation of discharges was not observed at all. The paper discusses the different aspects of electrocummunication between the catfish including the role of the reversion of polarity of the merged summated discharges with increased duration.

Sucrose-enriched diet during maturation increases ethanol preference in rats.

In the present study we used a diet enriched with 10% sucrose, which was consumed by adolescent animals of the experimental group for one month. We found that consumption of sweet food during sexual maturation affected alcohol preference, anxiety, and locomotor and exploratory activity in the adult rats. Our data show that easily available tasty food during adolescence probably impairs the reward system and serves as a trigger of future alcohol preference.

[The case of repeated syncopes in recurrent pulmonary embolism].

The article provides a case report of recurrent syncopal episodes in a 57-year old male patient. During a three-month period of recurrent syncope, the patient was managed by the family doctor and at pulmonology and cardiology departments for different diagnoses. Due to an uncertainty in diagnosis, the patient was moved to a hospital where he underwent echocardiographic examination and duplex scanning of right leg veins, which detected a 49.3 mm right leg venous thrombus with a free-floating head in the right common femoral vein. Retrospectively, recurrent pulmonary artery thromboembolism was diagnosed. Thrombectomy and ligation of the right superficial artery were performed; an approximately 17 cm long thrombus was removed; the anticoagulant treatment was administered with a beneficial effect.

Otolith shape lends support to the sensory drive hypothesis in rockfishes.

The sensory drive hypothesis proposes that environmental factors affect both signalling dynamics and the evolution of signals and receivers. Sound detection and equilibrium in marine fishes are senses dependent on the sagittae otoliths, whose morphological variability appears intrinsically linked to the environment. The aim of this study was to understand if and which environmental factors could be conditioning the evolution of this sensory structure, therefore lending support to the sensory drive hypothesis. Thus, we analysed the otolith shape of 42 rockfish species (Sebastes spp.) to test the potential associations with the phylogeny, biological (age), ecological (feeding habit and depth distribution) and biogeographical factors. The results showed strong differences in the otolith shapes of some species, noticeably influenced by ecological and biogeographical factors. Moreover, otolith shape was clearly conditioned by phylogeny, but with a strong environmental effect, cautioning about the use of this structure for the systematics of rockfishes or other marine fishes. However, our most relevant finding is that the data supported the sensory drive hypothesis as a force promoting the radiation of the genus Sebastes. This hypothesis holds that adaptive divergence in communication has significant influence relative to other life history traits. It has already been established in Sebastes for visual characters and organs; our results showed that it applies to otolith transformations as well (despite the clear influence of feeding and depth), expanding the scope of the hypothesis to other sensory structures.

[Adipokines Level in Metabolically Healthy Obese Saint-Petersburg Inhabitants (ESSE-RF)].

AIM: to elucidate prevalence of phenotypes of metabolically heathy obesity (MHO) among inhabitants of Saint-Petersburg using various criteria and assess dependence levels of adipokines on obesity phenotype. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Within a framework of epidemiologic study ESSE-RF we formed a random sample of 1600 Saint-Petersburg inhabitants stratified according to gender and age. Examination of participants included anthropometry with measurement of waist circumference CRP and estimation of body mass index (BMI), measurement of arterial pressure, determination of fasting blood glucose, insulin (with calculation of index of insulin resistance -IIR), lipid spectrum, C-reactive protein (CRP), adiponectin, leptin. In subjects with obesity (BMI more or equal 30 kg/m) we used Meigs and Wildman MHO criteria. To Wildman criteria we applied 3 variants of definition of elevated CRP and IIR: 90th percentile among subjects with BMI <25 kg/m (variant 1) or among all participants (variant 2), and (variant 3) definition from publication by E.Oliveros et al. (2014). RESULTS: Obesity (BMI more or equal 30 kg/m) was found in 430 participants. Numbers/rates of MHO according to the Wildman criteria were the following: variant 1 - 49/12% (among them 13/10% men and 36/14% women, =0.15); variant 2 - 85/22% (24/18% men, 61/23% women, =0.13); variant 3 - 59/15% (13/10% men, 46/18% women, =0.02). Portion of MHO according to Meigs criteria was 138/35% (among them 48/36% men, 90/35% women, =0.4). Significant differences in adipokines levels between subjects with MHO and metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUHO) were revealed only among women. There was no difference in leptin level between subjects with MHO and MUHO irrespective of gender. CONCLUSION: Rate of MHO phenotype in a sample of inhabitants of Saint-Petersburg varied from 12 to 35% depending on criteria used. Gender differences in MHO rates were minimal and depended on selected criteria. Elevated adiponectin level among obese women could be presumably related to more favorable metabolic profile.

[PREVALENCE OF NON-CARIOUS CERVICAL LESIONS AND ABFRACTIONS OF DENTAL HARD TISSUES IN AN ADULT IN DIFFERENT AGES].

The article is devoted to gerontostomatological and gender-specific prevalence of non-carious lesions of the hard tissue of teeth in adults. The paper presents data of epidemiological study on prevalence of non-carious lesions of dental hard tissues (high abrasion, erosion, wedge-shaped defects, hyperesthesia). Allocated to four age groups: young adults surveyed--from 22 to 39 years; middle ages--from 40 to 59 years; older--from 60 to 74 years of age; senile age--from 75 to 87 years. To determine the frequency of occurrence of different forms of non-carious lesions of the hard tissue of teeth we have used the following: general scientific and special methods: poll, dental examination, groupings, statistical and mathematical methods of processing sample. We have ranked low incidence of non-carious lesions of the hard tissue of the teeth in the sample surveyed: high abrasion, erosion, wedge-shaped defects of solid tissues, hyperesthesia. The features of clinical course of non-carious lesions have been determined. In particular a rare combined lesion of the teeth with advanced erasibility, wedge defects and erosion has been noted. Significant combination of the pathological processes of the hard tissue of teeth with their hyperesthesia has been found. Features of different forms of non-carious lesions of the hard tissue of teeth in different age periods of life have been determined. Noted that older people, due to non-carious esions of the hard tissue of teeth were more likely to require medical intervention aimed at addressing the ncreased sensitivity and loss of hard tissue of teeth by dental therapeutic activities or dental prosthetics.