[Endovideosurgical intrascrotal access for diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the scrotum]. / Endovideokhirurgicheskii vnutriskrotal'nyi dostup dlya diagnostiki i lecheniya zabolevanii organov moshonki.

Authors have developed technique of endoscopic inspection of scrotal organs allowing to visualize sufficiently well the poles of testis with head and tail of epididymis, posterior-lateral space behind the epididymis and to perform targeted biopsy of ovarian tissue thus decreasing traumatic effects of the operation. Endoscopy of scrotal organs has been performed in 11 patients with azoospermia of different origin. 18 endoscopic videosurgical examinations have been performed before carrying out Micro-TESE and 10 biopsies of ovarian tissue have been made under visual control with the same patients. Resection of hydatid with its torsion under the condition of artificial hydrocele has been performed in 1 patient with good results.

[Molecular methods for diagnosing novel coronavirus infection: comparison of loop-mediated isothermal amplification and polymerase chain reaction].

INTRODUCTION: Currently, the basis for molecular diagnostics of most infections is the use of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Technologies based on reverse transcription isothermal loop amplification (RT-LAMP) can be used as an alternative to RT-PCR for diagnostic purposes. In this study, we compared the RTLAMP and RT-PCR methods in order to analyze both the advantages and disadvantages of the two approaches. MATERIAL AND METHODS: For the study, we used reagent kits based on RT-PCR and RT-LAMP. The biological material obtained by taking swabs from the mucous membrane of the oropharynx and nasopharynx in patients with symptoms of a new coronavirus infection was used. RESULTS: We tested 381 RNA samples of the SARS-CoV-2 virus (Coronaviridae: Coronavirinae: Betacoronavirus; Sarbecovirus) from various patients. The obtained values of the threshold cycle (Ct) for RT-PCR averaged 20.0 ± 3.7 s (1530 ± 300 s), and for RT-LAMP 12.8 ± 3.7 s (550 ± 160 s). Proceeding from the theoretical assumptions, a linear relationship between values obtained in two kits was proposed as a hypothesis; the correlation coefficient was approximately 0.827. At the same time, for samples with a low viral load (VL), the higher Ct values in RT-LAMP did not always correlated with those obtained in RT-PCR. DISCUSSION: We noted a significant gain in time for analysis using RT-LAMP compared to RT-PCR, which can be important in the context of testing a large number of samples. Being easy to use and boasting short turnaround time, RT-LAMP-based test systems can be used for mass screening in order to identify persons with medium and high VLs who pose the greatest threat of the spread of SARS-CoV-2, while RT-PCR-based diagnostic methods are also suitable for estimation of VL and its dynamics in patients with COVID-19.

Generation of two iPSC lines from healthy donor with a heterozygous mutation in the VPS13B gene.

The human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines, iCS-MAF1-1 and iCS-MAF1-11, were generated from fibroblasts. The donor has a heterozygous mutation in the VPS13B gene, which manifests in her child as Cohen syndrome. It is a Golgi pathology, characterized by postnatal microcephaly and delayed growth and mental development. However, the process underlying pathological changes leading to the onset of the disease is still unknown. The use of iPSC will allow describing the early stages of neurogenesis, which is undoubtedly relevant for identifying key stages of development, at which phenotypic manifestations of mutations in the VPS13B gene are found.

[Monitoring the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 (Coronaviridae: Coronavirinae: Betacoronavirus; Sarbecovirus) variants in the Moscow region using targeted high-throughput sequencing].

INTRODUCTION: Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 novel coronavirus, the international community has been concerned about the emergence of mutations altering some biological properties of the pathogen like increasing its infectivity or virulence. Particularly, since the end of 2020, several variants of concern have been identified around the world, including Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351), Gamma (P.1), and Delta (B.1.617.2). However, the existing mechanism of detecting important mutations are not always effective enough, since only a relatively small part of all pathogen samples can be examined by whole genome sequencing due to its high cost. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study, we have designed special primer panel and used it for targeted highthroughput sequencing of several significant S-gene (spike) regions of SARS-CoV-2. The Illumina platform averaged approximately 50,000 paired-end reads with a length of ≥150 bp per sample. This method was used to examine 579 random samples obtained from COVID-19 patients in Moscow and the Moscow region from February to June 2021. RESULTS: This study demonstrated the dynamics of distribution of several SARS-CoV-2 strains and its some single mutations. It was found that the Delta strain appeared in the region in May 2021, and became prevalent in June, partially displacing other strains. DISCUSSION: The obtained results provide an opportunity to assign the viral samples to one of the strains, including the previously mentioned in time- and cost-effective manner. The approach can be used for standardization of the procedure of searching for mutations in individual regions of the SARS-CoV-2 genome. It allows to get a more detailed data about the epidemiological situation in a region.

[Foot arch shape in children aged 2-5 years according to the data of plantography and holographic interferometry].

25 children aged 2 to 5 years were examined orthopedically using the methods of plantometry and holographic interferometry of three-dimensional casts of footprints. The computer maps of the foot arch surface were obtained and the graphic reconstruction of the arch shape was performed in normal cases and in children with flatfoot. Most significant deviations of the foot arch shape, probably associated with the development delay, were detected in 4-5-year-old children under the dynamic load. Some additional advantages of holographic interferometry for the early diagnosis of flatfoot in children were demonstrated.

Lambda spectra in 11.6A GeV/c Au-Au collisions.

E896 has measured Lambda production in 11.6A GeV/c Au-Au collisions over virtually the whole rapidity phase space. The midrapidity p(t) distributions have been measured for the first time at this energy and appear to indicate that the Lambda hyperons have different freeze-out conditions than protons. A comparison with the relativistic quantum molecular dynamics model shows that while there is good shape agreement at high rapidity the model predicts significantly different slopes of the m(t) spectra at midrapidity. The data, where overlap occurs, are consistent with previously reported measurements.

[A system of measuring surface relief and elasticity of the skin]. / Sistema dlia izmereniia rel'efa poverkhnosti i uprugosti kozhi.

An opticoelectronic system for measurement of a surface microprofile and elasticity of the skin in real time has been developed operating with a source of radiation having small time coherence. The frequency of measurement is 120 Hz, accuracy at least 3 microns. The system can be used for anthropological inspections, study of age and pathological changes in the skin.

[Surgical tactics in pleural empyema with regard to the use of a carbon dioxide laser and argon plasma]. / Khirurgicheskaia taktika pri émpieme plevry s uchetom ispol'zovaniia uglekislotnogo lazera i argonovoi plazmy.

The authors analyze the experience gained in treating 30 patients with acute and 23 with chronic pleural empyema. The management policy identified the following points. Laser thoracoscopic necrectomy and empyemic cavity sanitation are indicated in acute destructive pulmonitis. A combination of temporary bronchial occlusion and laser treatment of the empyemic cavity and bronchopleural fistula should be performed after debridement of a destructive pulmonitis area from necrotic tissues. Radical treatment of chronic pleural empyema should be better conducted in the early periods by employing a plasma scalpel at all the stages of surgical intervention for hemostasis, aerostasis and sterilization of the operation field.

[The thoracoscopic use of the CO2 laser in the combined treatment of pleural empyema]. / Torakoskopicheskoe primenenie CO2-lazera v kompleksnom lechenii émpiemy plevry.

A new method for treating acute pneumothorax with a bronchopleural fistula was experimentally developed and clinically tested. It is based on thoracoscopic use of CO2 laser radiation. The laser beam energy is employed for evaporation of necrotic tissues in the area of pulmonary destruction, "welding" of the bronchopulmonary fistulae, and general irradiation of the empyema cavity with a defocused beam. Nineteen patients with various disease duration were treated. In 16 patients the bronchial fistulae and the empyema cavity were eliminated and the lung re-expanded. The purulent inflammation in the pleural cavity was acute in these cases.

[Errors in the diagnosis and treatment of severe craniocerebral injuries complicated by shock]. / Oshibki v diagnostike i lechenii sochetannykh tiazhelykh cherepno-mozgovykh travm, oslozhnennykh shokom.

The frequency and character of errors in the diagnosis and treatment of 239 patients with shock mainly caused by a severe craniocerebral injury combined with other damages were studied. It was established that the percentage of diagnostic errors in these cases was quite high both in the prehospital stage and in the hospital (41 and 23%, respectively). Such injuries take o latent course, masking each other. It is shown that craniocerebral injury and blood loss have an aggravating effect on shock developing in a combined trauma. The advancing cerebral hypoxia in severe shock intensifies the affection of the brain caused by the direct trauma, which makes the diagnosis of craniocerebral and extracranial injuries very difficult. Underestimation of the severity of the developing shock leads to deficient antishock therapy.