A case of recurrent human Dirofilaria repens infection in Uzbekistan.

Dirofilaria repens is a zoonotic mosquito-borne filarioid that parasitizes in the subcutaneous tissues of carnivores, that has been incriminated in the great majority of human dirofilariasis cases reported throughout the Old World. From the Republic of Uzbekistan, recent data showed that this parasite is endemic in domestic and wild carnivores. In contrast, information regarding human infection is scarce and mostly outdated, with a single case report being published during the last decades. The present paper reports a case of recurrent autochthonous infection with D. repens in a patient living in the rural area of the Sirdaryo Region of Uzbekistan and having no international travel history. The first diagnosis was in 2019, when the patient presented with what was suspected to be a tumour of the left breast. Three years later, in 2022, she presented for a consultation after experiencing redness, occasional swelling and persistent itching in the umbilical region of the abdomen. The ultrasound indicated the presence of a living, motile nematode. Following anthelmintic therapy, the parasite was surgically removed and identified as a female D. repens. The present report highlights the possibility of human re-infection with D. repens and further underlines the necessity of raising public awareness and implementing of solid control strategies in carnivores.

Rapid assessment methodology in NORM measurements from building materials of Uzbekistan.

Utilizing low cost NaI(Tl) scintillation detector systems we present methodology for the rapid screening of building material samples and the determination of their Radium Equivalent Activity (Raeq). Materials from Uzbekistan as a representative developing country have been measured and a correction coefficient for Radium activity is deduced. The use of the correction coefficient offers the possibility to decrease analysis times thus enabling the express measurement of a large quantity of samples. The reduction in time, cost and the use of inexpensive equipment can democratize the practice of screening NORM in building materials in the international community.

Soft tissue ossification and condylar cartilage degeneration following TMJ disc perforation in a rabbit pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: There are limited clinical treatments for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pathologies, including degenerative disease, disc perforation and heterotopic ossification (HO). One barrier hindering the development of new therapies is that animal models recapitulating TMJ diseases are poorly established. The objective of this study was to develop an animal model for TMJ cartilage degeneration and disc pathology, including disc perforation and soft tissue HO. METHODS: New Zealand white rabbits (n = 9 rabbits) underwent unilateral TMJ disc perforation surgery and sham surgery on the contralateral side. A 2.5 mm defect was created using a punch biopsy in rabbit TMJ disc. The TMJ condyles and discs were evaluated macroscopically and histologically after 4, 8 and 12 weeks. Condyles were blindly scored by four independent observers using OARSI recommendations for macroscopic and histopathological scoring of osteoarthritis (OA) in rabbit tissues. RESULTS: Histological evidence of TMJ condylar cartilage degeneration was apparent in experimental condyles following disc perforation relative to sham controls after 4 and 8 weeks, including surface fissures and loss of Safranin O staining. At 12 weeks, OARSI scores indicated experimental condylar cartilage erosion into the subchondral bone. Most strikingly, HO occurred within the TMJ disc upon perforation injury in six rabbits after 8 and 12 weeks. CONCLUSION: We report for the first time a rabbit TMJ injury model that demonstrates condylar cartilage degeneration and disc ossification, which is indispensible for testing the efficacy of potential TMJ therapies.

[Palivizumab: four seasons in Russia].

In 2010, the Russian Federation (RF) registered palivizumab--innovative drug, based on monoclonal antibodies for passive immunization of seasonal respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in children of disease severe progress risk group, which include primarily premature infants, children with bronchopulmonary dysplasia and hemodynamically significant congenital heart disease. Currently, palivizumab is included in the list of recommended medicines and medical care standards of different countries, including Russia. In the review the results of Russian research on the progress of RSV infection, its epidemiology and immunization experience gained over the 2010-2014 period are summarized in relation to the foreign data. During the four epidemic seasons palivizumab immunization covered more than 3,200 children of severe RSV infection risk group with a progressive annual increase in the number of patients who received the drug. Geography of palivizumab immunization is also greatly expanded in our country during this time. If during the first two seasons measures of immunization were taken mainly in Moscow and St. Petersburg, at the present time, thirty one territorial entities of the Russian Federation have the experience in the drug application. Analysis of the results of RSV infection immunization (made in several regions) confirms the high clinical efficacy and palivizumab safety already demonstrated in international studies. In addition, the analysis presents the potential to improve the efficiency of the integrated RSV infection immunization programs, realizing in the establishment of high-risk child group register, adequate counseling for parents, as well as the development of the routing of patients and coordination of interaction between different health institutions during the immunization.

[Clinical aspects of removable complete dentures].

One of the main goals of modern orthopedic dentistry is the development of high quality removable complete dentures. Some materials used in removable complete denture construction consist of polymethyl methacrylate, which causes of serious pathological process in the tissue of denture's zone, as a result - weakness of adaptation ability of organism and dissatisfaction. Interest increases in production of different types of removable dentures made of thermoplastic materials, which is biocompatible with the organ and tissues of the oral cavity. Interest to manufacture of removable complete denture made of thermoplastic materials as a progressive technologic and aesthetic solution rises constantly in recent years. The aim of this study was to examine the properties of thermoplastic materials in orthopedic dentistry. The results of this investigation revealed good functional and adaptation properties of removable complete denture made of thermoplastic materials.

[Etiopathogenesis of complication caused by removable full dentures].

The goal of the research was to study the complications caused by removable dentures. For these reason 890 patients were investigated. It was found that the pathologic changes in oral cavity are the results of: poor quality of denture, unfavorable condition before and after prosthesis. The factors responsible in the development of complications after orthopedic treatment were identified: living conditions, quality and toxicity of dentures materials. The received results give an ability to determine the common disturbance in the maxillo-facial system and use adequate methods and remedies to avoid complications caused by removable orthopedic construction.

[Treatment of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome with surfactant BL].

The paper presents the results of use of the Russian drug Surfactant BL as part of complex intensive care of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in the premature newborn. The drug was used in 45 children (a study group). A control group comprised 52 children with RDS who had undergone a course of therapy before the use of the drug at our clinic. Statistical analysis indicated the practical uniformity of the study and control groups. Particular emphasis was laid on the study of changes in the parameters of blood oxygenation and those of artificial ventilation (AV) regimens in both groups of children. The study demonstrated that in the Surfactant BL-treated patients, blood oxygenation (pO2, A-aDO2, respiratory coefficient) improved much more rapidly and, from the end of the first day of treatment to the termination of therapy in the intensive care unit of a maternity hospital, the mean values of these parameters remained statistically significantly better than those in the controls. In the study group, under AV, insufflated gas FiO2 could be reduced more rapidly and by a large quantity and some other AV parameters "attenuated". Analyzing the outcome of treatment of neonatal infants with RDS has indicated that Surfactant BL has a statistically significant advantage in the positive outcomes of treatment in a group of patients treated with this agent as part of complex intensive care.

Application of NaI(Tl) detector for measurement of natural radionuclides and (137)Cs in environmental samples: new approach by decomposition of measured spectrum.

An alternative method for determination of activities of natural, technogenic and fallout radionuclides in environmental samples was proposed. The method used a widely available scintillation spectrometer and was based on the decomposition of samples' gamma-spectra into spectral components of separate radionuclide groups with the help of standard sources. The method was tested on water, soil and coal samples and could be successfully used in field (expedition) conditions (without liquid nitrogen for the detector cooling).

[Effect of shale kerogen oxidation products on biodegradation of petroleum and petroleum products in soil and water]. / Vliianie produktov okisleniia kerogena slantsev na biodestruktsiiu nefti i nefteproduktov v pochve i vode.

Effect of oxidation products of shale kerogen (high-molecular-weight acids with 6-22 carbon atoms) on biodegradation of oil and oil products in soil and water was studied. High-molecular-weight acids (HMWA) not only affected the layer of oil and/or oil products and dispersed it into small particles, but also stimulated growth of Rhodococcus erythropolis VKM AS-1339D, degraders of oil and oil products. Addition of 0.001-0.003% HMWA to a medium to be purified from oil products increased the extent of bacterial biodegradation by a factor of 1.1-5.0.

[A new oil-oxidizing micromycete Fusarium sp]. / Novyi nefteokisliaiushchii mikromitset Fusarium sp.

The strain Fusarium sp. No. 56 isolated from natural oil-containing soil samples taken near the city of Oktyabr'skii, Republic of Bashkortostan, displayed a pronounced capability of biotransforming oil and its light and heavy fractions. This micromycete is nonpathogenic and can grow at 10 degrees C. The latter property is of practical significance for its uses in soil and water bioremediation under cold climatic conditions of Bashkortostan and other regions.

[Ultrasound examination for diagnosis of postoperative peritonitis]. / Ul'trazvukovoe issledovanie v diagnostike polseoperatsionnogo peritonita.

78 patients with peritonitis after various operations on the organs of abdominal cavity were followed up. Ultrasound examinations (n = 86) were carried out in 59 patients. In 28 of them US has revealed abscesses of the abdominal cavity. Comparative analysis showed coincidence of the diagnosis of peritonitis by clinical and roentgenological data with the results of relaparotomy in 10 (58.8%) of 17 examined patients. The same coincidence of the diagnosis of peritonitis by clinical, roentgenological and sonographic data on one side and of the results of relaparotomy on the other was found in 48 (81.4%) of 59 patients with peritonitis. It is stated, that US examination considerably increases the effectiveness of the diagnosis of postoperative peritonitis and incapsulated cavities.

[A calcium channel in the rat liver inner mitochondrial membrane. Effective diameter and selectivity under various conditions]. / Kal'tsievyi kanal vnutrennei membrany mitokhondrii pecheni krysy. Effektivny diameter i selektivnost' v razlichnykh usloviiakh.

The pore with an effective diameter of 6.0 A is a Ca(2+)-channel of the inner mitochondrial membrane. Transport of nonelectrolytes through the pore is inhibited by ruthenium red, a specific Ca2+ transport inhibitor, and by polyanions which bind to the positively charged regions in the pore localized on the outer side of the inner mitochondrial membrane. The selectivity of Ca2+ ion transport into intact mitochondria is due to the binding of Ca2+ ions by the glycoprotein at the mouth of the pore as well as to electrostatic interactions of monovalent cations (electrostatic repulsion) and Cl- ions (strong binding) with the positively charged region of the ion-selective filter of the pore. Under normal conditions SCN- and NO3- ions are transferred through the pore at a high rate. Removal of Mg2+ ions and the rise in pH diminish the electrostatic repulsion of the monovalent cations and Cl- ions from the positively charged region of the pore. Depending on conditions, the pore can function as a monovalent ion transport system or as a mechanism of Cl- ion transfer through the inner mitochondrial membrane.

[The epidemiological characteristics of the spread of Grigor'ev-Shiga dysentery in the territories of the former USSR in recent years]. / Epidemiologicheskie osobennosti rasprostraneniia dizenterii Grigor'eva--Shiga na territoriiakh byvshego SSSR v poslednie gody.

On the basis of special data on the registered cases of Grigor'ev-Shiga dysentery on the territory of the former USSR the spread of this nosological form of Shigella infections since 1980 until the present moment has been analyzed. As shown by this analysis, Grigor'ev-Shiga dysentery is not widely spread on the whole territory of the former USSR, the cases of this disease being mostly registered in Namangan (the Uzbek Republic). The study has shown that the area of the circulation of Shigella dysenteriae 1 is not completely determined. This disease is quite widely spread in some areas of Central Asia, penetrating from these areas to other regions. Everyday contacts have shown to play the main role in the transmission of S. dysenteriae 1 due to poor municipal sanitation facilities and pronounced deficiency in the level of general and sanitary education. The withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan has led to the rapid improvement of the epidemiological situation on the territory of the former USSR as the result of a sharp decline in the "import" of Shigella dysenteriae 1.

[Possibilities of ultrasonic examination in mechanical jaundice]. / Vozmozhnosti u'ltrazvukovogo issledovaniia pri mekhanicheskoi zheltukhe.

Under analysis were results of ultrasonic examination of 280 patients with mechanical jaundice. In 137 of them the echotomographic diagnoses were verified by findings of other methods of examination of bile ducts and operative procedures. The origin of jaundice was exactly determined in 95.7% of the patients with the help of ultrasonic examination. The cause of mechanical jaundice was correctly established in 76% of the patients. In 66.6% of the patients operated upon the surgical tactics was determined by results of echotomography only.