[Molecular and biological properties of the African swine fever virus (Asfarviridae: Asfivirus) isolate ASF/Tatarstan 20/WB-12276].

INTRODUCTION: Up-to-date data and full characterization of circulating ASFV isolates play a crucial role in virus eradication and control in endemic regions and countries. The aim of the study was to evaluate and characterize the molecular and biological properties of the ASFV isolate ASF/Tatarstan 20/WB-12276, conduct phylogenetic analysis, and compare the results with isolates circulating in Europe and Asia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For bioassay, eight heads of the Large White pigs weighing 15-20 kg/head were used. Detection of specific anti-ASFV antibodies by ELISA and immunoperoxidase method. Detection of ASFV genome was performed by qPCR. Isolation of ASF/Tatarstan 20/WB-12276 and determination of titer were performed in pig spleen cell culture. Sequencing was carried out by the Sanger method. RESULTS: The virus was characterized as highly virulent and capable of causing acute to subacute forms of ASF. Phylogenetic analysis revealed substitutions in the genome of the ASF/Tatarstan 20/WB-12276 isolate (IGR/I73R-I329L and I267L markers) that supported the clustering of the studied variant with isolates prevalent in most of Europe and Asia. CONCLUSION: For the first time, the molecular and biological properties of the ASF/Tatarstan 20/WB-12276 virus isolate taken from a wild boar shot on the territory of the Republic of Tatarstan were studied and analyzed.

[Microbiome of therapeutic muds used in Tatarstan]. / Mikrobiom lechebnykh gryazei, primenyaemykh v Tatarstane.

Therapeutic muds (peloids), which are widely used for body healing, improve metabolism and have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects due to enrichment with necessary microelements and biological active substances. However, the microbiological component of these effects is not well studied. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the microbiome of therapeutic muds, used in the Tatarstan Republic, by identifying spectrum of cultivated microorganisms, using molecular analysis of bacterial communities, and by determining their biodiversity and functional potential based on revealed genetic determinants. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study design of 5 peloids samples (local sapropels and peat deposits of swamp; 3 samples of Crimean sulfide muds) included three main techniques: isolation and taxonomic determination of cultivated microorganisms by time-of-flight mass-spectrometry; molecular analysis of peloids bacterial communities by 16S RNA high-throughput sequencing; identification of functional profiles of communities by their genetic determinant using Global Mapper tool on iVikodak platform. RESULTS: Experimental studies have confirmed the safety of examined peloids, where non-pathogenic cultivated bacteria belonging mainly to Bacillus and Rhodococcus genera were dominant. Metagenomic analysis showed that Firmicutes, Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria were predominant in all samples in different ratios. It has been established, that there is both the internal biodiversity of each sample and difference between them. The functional profile of microbial communities was determined based on the identification of bacterial genes. It has been revealed that all communities have an ability to synthesize antibiotics, as well as to decompose dangerous xenobiotics - polyaromatic hydrocarbons, cyclic compounds, and dioxins. CONCLUSION: Various microbial communities, which were identified in the therapeutic muds, contribute both to the clearance of toxicants in the peloids and to the antibacterial properties of the latter. The obtained priority results create a fundamental basis for the subsequent study of the role of peloids' microbiome of different origin in their healing action.

Neutralizing Antibodies in COVID-19 Serum from Tatarstan, Russia.

The severity of COVID-19 is a result of the complex interplay between various branches of the immune system. However, our understanding of the role of neutralizing antibodies and the activation of cellular immune response in COVID-19 pathogenesis remains limited. In this study, we investigated neutralizing antibodies in patients with mild, moderate, and severe COVID-19, analyzing their cross-reactivity with the Wuhan and Omicron variants. We also assessed the activation of the immune response by measuring serum cytokines in patients with mild, moderate, and severe COVID-19. Our findings suggest the early activation of neutralizing antibodies in moderate COVID-19 compared to mild cases. We also observed a strong correlation between the cross-reactivity of neutralizing antibodies to the Omicron and Wuhan variants and the severity of the disease. In addition, we found that Th1 lymphocyte activation was present in mild and moderate cases, while inflammasomes and Th17 lymphocytes were activated in severe COVID-19. In conclusion, our data indicate that the early activation of neutralizing antibodies is evident in moderate COVID-19, and there is a strong correlation between the cross-reactivity of neutralizing antibodies and the severity of the disease. Our findings suggest that the Th1 immune response may play a protective role, while inflammasome and Th17 activation may be involved in severe COVID-19.

[The analysis of indicators of functioning of blood service of the Republic of Tatarstan in 2017-2020].

The actuality of donorship increases continuously since donors are the only source of blood to transfuse to patients in need. The medical institutions implementing hi-tech methods of treatment present increased requirements to quality and safety of blood components. The regular analysis of functioning of blood services permits to maintain and to develop productive potential.The article presents results of analysis of statistical indicators of blood service institutions of the Republic of Tatarstan, in particular Kazan, concerning procurement and safety of donor blood and its components as exemplified by three multidisciplinary hospitals with blood transfusion departments in 2017-2020. The data concerning number and structure of donors, donations, amount of procured blood and its components, applied technologies ensuring safety and quality of blood components is presented. The achieved indicators resulted from improved forms of donor propaganda, taking of donors with low risk of hemo-transmissible infections and coordinated work of medical personnel.

[Retrospective analysis of the incidence rate of the population in the Republic of Tatarstan with diseases of the endocrine system].

Diseases of the endocrine system are an urgent medical and social problem in connection with their widespread prevalence and negative growth trend throughout the world; they often accompany other chronic diseases and can lead to disability. Aim: to study the trends in the structure and characteristics of the morbidity of the population in the Republic of Tatarstan with diseases of the endocrine system. The study was based on the materials of the official statistics in the Republic of Tatarstan for the period 2014-2019, the methods of descriptive statistics and linear regression analysis were used. The indicators of the primary morbidity and prevalence of the endocrine system diseases among various age groups in the Republic of Tatarstan were studied. The retrospective analysis of the incidence of the endocrine system diseases in the population in the Republic of Tatarstan indicates the formation of stable negative trends in the growth of the prevalence of thyroid diseases, diabetes and obesity among all the groups under study. There is an increase in the primary incidence and prevalence of thyroid diseases among children (growth rate in 2019 compared to 2014 of 198.6 and 50.1% respectively) and adolescents (growth rate of 244.9% and 114.3% respectively), as well as an increase in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in these groups (growth rate of 500% and 269,2% respectively); an increase in both the primary incidence (growth rate of 200%) and the prevalence of hypothyroidism among children (growth rate of 183.5%), an increase in the prevalence of thyroiditis among adults (growth rate of 24.3%).The rate of increase in the primary incidence of obesity, over 6 years of observation, among children was 74.7%, among adolescents - 171.1%; among the adult population - 21.2%. To reverse negative trends in morbidity, we believe it is necessary to strengthen preventive work among all age groups to form healthy eating habits, maintain a normal body weight, take legislative decisions on mass prevention of iodine deficiency in endemic regions, as well as conduct some research aimed at assessing the impact of risk factors caused by the impact of endocrine disruptors on the health of the population of the Republic.

Serum Cytokine Alterations Associated with Age of Patients with Nephropathia Epidemica.

Nephropathia epidemica (NE) is a zoonotic disease caused by hantaviruses transmitted from rodents, endemic in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia. The disease presents clinically with mild, moderate, and severe forms, and time-dependent febrile, oliguric, and polyuric stages of the disease are also recognized. The patient's cytokine responses have been suggested to play a central role in disease pathogenesis; however, little is known about the different patterns of cytokine expression in NE in cohorts of different ages and sexes. Serum samples and clinical records were collected from 139 patients and 57 controls (healthy donors) and were used to analyze 48 analytes with the Bio-Plex multiplex magnetic bead-based antibody detection kits. Principal component analysis of 137 patient and 55 controls (for which there was full data) identified two components that individually accounted for >15% of the total variance in results and together for 38% of the total variance. PC1 represented a proinflammatory TH17/TH2 cell antiviral cytokine profile and PC2 a more antiviral cytokine profile with patients tending to display one or the other of these. Severity of disease and stage of illness did not show any correlation with PC1 profiles; however, significant differences were seen in patients with high PC1 profiles vs. lower for a number of individual clinical parameters: High PC1 patients showed a reduced number of febrile days, but higher maximum urine output, higher creatinine levels, and lower platelet levels. Overall, the results of this study point towards a stronger proinflammatory profile occurring in younger NE patients, this being associated with markers of acute kidney injury and low levels of high-density cholesterol. This is consistent with previous work indicating that the pathology of NE is immune driven, with an inflammatory immune response being associated with disease and that this immune response is more extreme in younger patients.

[Improvement of measures to ensure safe working conditions for staff of the bureau of forensic medicine]. / Sovershenstvovanie meropriyatii po obespecheniyu bezopasnykh uslovii truda sotrudnikov byuro sudebno-meditsinskoi ekspertizy.

Employees of the Bureau of Forensic Medicine (BFM) are exposed to various harmful and dangerous workplace factors during their work. The objective of the study is to improve measures to maintain a safe epidemiological situation in the experience of the BFM of the Republic of Tatarstan based on the results of an online questionnaire survey of employees, which included parts on the assessment of health, working conditions, and morbidity, including tuberculosis. The detailed analysis of the responses made it possible to determine a set of measures to improve the BFM workflow and health status of employees.

Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection among small mammals in Tatarstan, Russian Federation.

Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic parasite with a wide host range that includes humans, domestic animals and wild animals. Small mammals serve as intermediate hosts for T. gondii and may contribute to the persistence of this parasite in the environment. Mass mortality in wild animals and deaths in rare endemic species make the study of this parasite of growing importance. In this study, T. gondii infection prevalence was evaluated in brain tissues from 474 small mammals captured at 26 trapping points in urban and rural areas of Tatarstan, Russian Federation. Nested PCR was used to detect the T. gondii B1 gene in the samples. Overall, 40/474 samples (8.44%) showed B1 gene positivity. T. gondii infection among the wild small mammals trapped in the rural area was significantly higher as a whole than that of the urban area as a whole. Multivariate logistical regression analysis also showed that the trapping area (rural or urban) significantly contributed to T. gondii positivity. Vegetation in the trapping points, small mammal species, sex, age or distance from the trapping points to the nearest human settlements did not significantly affect T. gondii positivity in the sampled small mammals.

[On the issue of characteristics of height weight anthropometric indices in children and adolescents residing in various regions of Russia].

The issues of protecting the health of the children and adolescent population of Russia require detailed study of the regional characteristics of the indices of physical development, determined by anthropometric growth and weight criteria. The purpose of the study is to analyze the regional characteristics of average height and weight anthropometric indices of children of school age (7-17 years) living in various regions of the Russian Federation. The assessment of statistically significant differences in average height and weight anthropometric indices children of school age was carried out to establish the basis of developing normative indices of 10 regional "Standards of physical development of children of school age (7-17 years old)" covering such Federal Okrugs as the Central (Kostroma), North-West (St. Petersburg), North Caucasian (Makhachkala, Grozny, Vladikavkaz), Privolzhsky (Kazan, rural areas of the Republic of Tatarstan, Cheboksary ) and Far East (Yakutsk, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk). For the first time the statistical analysis considered simultaneously the anthropometric data of the population sample of the examined children of health groups I and II (healthy and practically healthy). Namely, 41030 persons were allocated to conditional age groups: junior (7-9 years), middle (10-14 years) and senior (15-17 years old) school age. The differences in regional height and weight indices of physical development of children were statistically significant only in groups of comparison of indices of height and body weight of schoolchildren in the older age group.

[Indicators of stroke morbidity and mortality from stroke in the territories included in the Federal program of caring for patients with stroke]. / Pokazateli zabolevaemosti insul'tom i smertnosti ot nego na territoriyakh, voshedshikh v Federal'nuyu programmu reorganizatsii pomoshchi patsientam s insul'tomm.

OBJECTIVE: To study and analyze the dynamics of stroke morbidity and mortality rates among men and women in the territories included in the Federal program for the reorganization of care for stroke patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was based on data from the territorial-population register of strokes. The study included the following territories: Ivanovo region, Stavropol territory, the Republic of Bashkortostan, Sverdlovsk region, Irkutsk region, Sakhalin region, and the Republic of Tatarstan. Research period was from 2009 to 2016. A total of 29 779 stroke cases were analyzed. The age of the examined people was 25 years and older. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: In the study areas, a 2.2 - fold decrease in stroke mortality among men and a 3-fold decrease among women was found. The values of morbidity and mortality from stroke over the entire study period were higher among men. It was also revealed that in 2015-2016, the mortality rate was in a narrow range of values, which demonstrates the impact of comprehensive measures to reduce stroke mortality in all the studied territories. The results of cluster analysis of stroke incidence rates obtained from seven territories over an 8-year period indicate similar measures for primary stroke prevention among men. Among women, there are also similarities in primary stroke prevention measures, with the exception of two regions - the Stavropol territory (4.8 cases per 1000 population) and the Republic of Tatarstan (4.5 cases per 1000 population), where the highest values of the stroke incidence rate were found. The results of cluster analysis of stroke mortality rates among men indicate a fairly large variation in the indicator values. The dominant value of the stroke mortality rate among men was found in the Sakhalin region (1.61 per 1000 population). The significance of stroke mortality rates among women in the regions was similar: six territories with similar levels of values were identified. The exception was the Stavropol territory (2.48 cases per 1000 population), where the highest death rate from stroke was revealed.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease-Associated Changes in the Gut: Focus on Kazan Patients.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have highlighted the role of host-microbiome interactions in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), resulting in an increasing amount of data mainly focusing on Western patients. Because of the increasing prevalence of IBD in newly industrialized countries such as those in Asia, the Middle East, and South America, there is mounting interest in elucidating the gut microbiota of these populations. We present a comprehensive analysis of several IBD-related biomarkers and gut microbiota profiles and functions of a unique population of patients with IBD and healthy patients from Kazan (Republic of Tatarstan, Russia). METHODS: Blood and fecal IBD biomarkers, serum cytokines, and fecal short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) content were profiled. Finally, fecal microbiota composition was analyzed by 16S and whole-genome shotgun sequencing. RESULTS: Fecal microbiota whole-genome sequencing confirmed the presence of classic IBD dysbiotic features at the phylum level, with increased abundance of Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Fusobacteria and decreased abundance of Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Verrucomicrobia. At the genus level, the abundance of both fermentative (SCFA-producing and hydrogen (H2)-releasing) and hydrogenotrophic (H2-consuming) microbes was affected in patients with IBD. This imbalance was confirmed by the decreased abundance of SCFA species in the feces of patients with IBD and the change in anaerobic index, which mirrors the redox status of the intestine. CONCLUSIONS: Our analyses highlighted how IBD-related dysbiotic microbiota-which are generally mainly linked to SCFA imbalance-may affect other important metabolic pathways, such as H2 metabolism, that are critical for host physiology and disease development.

[The Indices of Morbidity of Main Socially Significant Noninfectious Diseases of Population of the Republic of Tatarstan].

Socially significant diseases cause enormous damage to entire modern society and require higher expenses for prevention, treatment and rehabilitation. The most studied socially significant diseases include cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, mental disorders, alcoholism, and oncologic diseases. The study purpose is to assess incidence of major socially significant diseases, including malignant nephropathy, mental disorders and alcoholism in the Republic of Tatarstan during 1997-2017. The discussion. According to the analysis results, there was gradual increasing of incidence of malignant necrosis in the Republic of Tatarstan during the analyzed period i.e. from 240.5 cases to 412.9 cases per 100 thousand of population. The incidence of mental disorders in males was significantly higher than in females. The maximal discrepancy of indices, amounting up to 252.6 cases per 100 thousand of population, was different in 1998. The gap gradually decreased and by 2017 made up to to 62.6 cases per 100 thousand of population. The dynamics of the incidence of alcoholism characterized by increasing up to to 2001. Since 2004, gradual decreasing of indicator was in 2011-2017. The incidence of alcoholism ranged from 123.5 to 129.6 cases per 100 thousand of population. Conclusion. The decreasing in the incidence of mental disorders and alcoholism was established during study period, as well as gradual increasing of incidence of cancer in the Republic of Tatarstan.

[Possibilities of improvement of anti-epidemic events at forensic medical institution on the basis of quality management approaches]. / Vozmozhnosti sovershenstvovaniya protivoepidemicheskikh meropriyatii v byuro sudebno-meditsinskoi ekspertizy na osnove podkhodov menedzhmenta kachestva.

The article shows the experience of the Republican Bureau of Forensic Medical Expertise of the Ministry of Health of Tatarstan Republic in organizing and ensuring anti-epidemic measures using a quality management system. The comprehensive implementation of anti-epidemic measures in the expert institution dictates the need for regulation of the main provisions by internal documents (standard operative procedures), built on the basis of existing regulatory legal acts. The method of quality management system based on the Shekhard-Deming cycle was applied in practical activities, a process-based approach was used to organize work in organization. The proposed standard operative procedures, together with a model for managing the activities of an epidemiologist, showed high efficiency and allow improving the process of managing epidemiological risks.

[An analysis of the long-term stroke morbidity and mortality in the regions of the Russian Federation included in the Federal patient assistance reorganization program]. / Analiz srednemnogoletnei zabolevaemosti i smertnosti ot insul'ta v regionakh Rossiiskoi Federatsii, voshedshikh v federal'nuyu programmu reorganizatsii pomoshchi patsientam s insul'tom.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the average long-term incidence of stroke and mortality in the regions of Russia in the territories included in the Federal program for the reorganization of care for stroke patients from 2009 to 2016. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study is based on data from the territorial population register for an eight-year period for seven territories in the regions of Russia included in the Federal program for the reorganization of care for stroke patients. The study included the following territories: Stavropol krai, the Republic of Bashkortostan, Sverdlovsk region, Irkutsk region, Sakhalin region, and the Republic of Tatarstan. The total number of stroke cases in the study areas was 29 779. RESULTS: The highest average incidence was shown in the Republic of Tatarstan, which had significant differences with all regions (p<0.001). The level of mean annual mortality was identified in Stavropol krai, which had significant differences with all regions (p=0.008-p<0.001). Significant differences in the average long-term stroke incidence were typical for nine pairs of territories out of 21 of the territories, and the average long-term stroke mortality was typical for six pairs of territories. CONCLUSION: The incidence of stroke does not depend on the geographical location of the region, its economic development and ethnic composition of the population. The quality and effectiveness of primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases comes to the fore. In regions where it is not carried out at the proper level, the incidence of stroke is the highest. Only high-quality implementation of appropriate preventive measures will significantly reduce these indicators. Stroke mortality rates depend primarily on the quality of diagnosis and specialized medical care provided to stroke patients. The decrease in the mortality rate of these patients is possible only with the mandatory implementation of the approved clinical guidelines and protocols for treatment.

[The evaluation of inter-departmental interaction in ensuring sanitary hygienic security under realization of mass events].

The article presents results of assessment of the algorithm of interdepartmental interaction related to complex security during mass events as exemplified by experience of the Department of Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing (Rospotrebnadzor) in the Republic of Tatarstan (Tatarstan) during the preparation and holding of matches of the FIFA world Cup 2018 and the FIFA Confederations Cup 2017 in Kazan. The structure of management and interaction concerning security issues included three levels: the Federal level, the subject regional level and the regional departmental level. The vertical interaction was carried out on the departmental level as well as between the interdepartmental operational headquarters and regional interdepartmental operational headquarters through their heads. The horizontal interaction was carried out between departments at the subject regional level. The parallel transmission of information on the horizontal and vertical levels of interaction between the headquarters was previously worked out in Kazan conditions of mass events in 2013 and 2015. The model of interdepartmental horizontal interaction at the level of the constituent entity of the Russian Federation provided algorithm of coordination of activities of security on the part of responsible Agency. For operational prevention of possible security menaces and implementation of planned tasks ensuring comprehensive security directly during the mass events the operational interdepartmental management centers composed of representatives of all interested departments in the subject of the city-participant were created. The key areas of activities ensuring security during preparation and holding of the matches of the FIFA World Cup 2018 and the FIFA Confederations Cup 2017 in Kazan were included into interdepartmental plans of actions since the establishment of the coordinating body and at the end of the event, as well as in the minutes of meetings of the established interdepartmental body. The regulations of activities of interdepartmental operational bodies allowed to implement effective interaction in reaching objectives of safety in the subject of the Russian Federation.

[Evaluation of population's commitment to healthy nutrition and physical culture (by results of the questionnaire)].

One of the main tasks in implementing the foundations of state policy in the field of a healthy lifestyle of the population is the formation of optimal nutritional status and the preservation of public health. In this regard, issues of a comprehensive self-assessment of health by the population are becoming particularly relevant. The aim of the research was to identify the degree of commitment of the population to a healthy lifestyle, including maintaining a balanced diet and the presence of physical activity, as well as the relationship between the respondents' lifestyle and the presence of non-communicable diseases. Material and methods. A random survey of the adult population of the Rybno-Slobodsky district of the Republic of Tatarstan has been conducted. In total, 2346 respondents aged 21 to 74 (women - 71.7%, people with higher education - 33.2%) took part in the survey. For this study, a questionnaire was developed to identify the attitude of the population to a healthy lifestyle (HLS), which included questions regarding the physical activity of respondents, their commitment to healthy eating and diet, the existence of pernicious habits (drinking, smoking), and the presence of noncommunicable diseases. In the framework of this article, two factors were analyzed: the population's commitment to a balanced diet and physical activity, as well as the relationship of these factors with the presence of non-communicable diseases among respondents. Results and discussion. Data analysis showed that 18.8% of women and 14.1% of men always adhere to healthy eating and proper diet. Women are more committed to healthy eating than men (p<0.001). Regularly (2-3 times a week), 21.4% of women and 18.1% of men are engaged in exercise (a sport or physical activity), that is only 20.6% of respondents (p<0.001). The percentage of people committed to healthy nutrition was almost equal, both in the group of those with and without cardiovascular diseases (CVD) (19.5 and 17.4%, respectively). Among people who regularly engage in physical activity and sports (2-3 times a week), 27.5% of respondents have CVD, while among those who do not engage in exercise, 64.2% of individuals have CVD (p<0.001). Among those who adhered to a balanced diet, gastrointestinal diseases were observed in 14.1% of the respondents, while among the respondents who did not adhere to healthy eating, gastrointestinal diseases were observed in 83.7% (p<0.001). Conclusion Among respondents who adhere to healthy eating and diet and physical activity, non-communicable diseases and stress are less common (according to the respondents' answers). The results of a self-assessment (questionnaire) of public health can be used to develop targeted program of treatment and preventive measures to build community commitment in the Rybno-Slobodsky district of the Republic of Tatarstan to healthy lifestyle.

[The regional model of palliative medical care support of patients with malignant neoplasms].

The article considers issues of development of model of palliative care and analysis of its activities. The study was based on the results of medical care provided by palliative service of the Republic of Tatarstan. The palliative service is complex system that unites several different institutions. The palliative care is provided in hospital and out-patient settings. In the oncologic hospital beds are integrated to provide urgent and palliative care to patients with cancer to apply comprehensive complex of medical interventions. Out-patient care is provided by 7 field teams including oncologist (3 teams) and two paramedics (4 teams). Four field teams function day-and-night seven days a week. Since 2014, the "Children's Hospice" unit functions as element of palliative service. Since 2015, in Almetyevsk, functions field department of palliative care attached to polyclinic of oncologic dispensary/ It co0nsists of two field medical teams. The provision of palliative care is to include all stages needed: palliative care offices, outpatient services, inpatient departments and hospices. The integration of palliative care into common health care network makes it possible to apply tangible possibilities and research potential of large medical institutions and advanced technologies of modern medicine as well.

Cytokine Storm Combined with Humoral Immune Response Defect in Fatal Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome Case, Tatarstan, Russia.

Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is endemic in Tatarstan, where thousands of cases are registered annually. Puumalaorthohantavirus is commonly detected in human case samples as well as in captured bank voles, the rodent hosts. The pathogenesis of HFRS is still not well described, although the cytokine storm hypothesis is largely accepted. In this study, we present a comprehensive analysis of a fatal HFRS case compared with twenty four non-fatal cases where activation of the humoral and cellular immune responses, pro-inflammatory cytokines and disturbed blood coagulation were detected using immunological, histological, genetic and clinical approaches. Multiple organ failure combined with disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome and acute renal failure was the cause of death. Decreased Interleukin (IL)-7 and increased IL-18, chemokine (C-C motif) ligand (CCL)-5, stem cell growth factor (SCGF)-b and tumor necrosis factor-beta (TNF-ß) serum levels were found, supporting the cytokine storm hypothesis of hantavirus pathogenesis.

The association between 2D:4D ratio and aggression in children and adolescents: Cross-cultural and gender differences.

BACKGROUND: Two recent meta-analyses have suggested the association between digit ratio (2D:4D) and aggression is weak. This conclusion has been criticised because the meta-analyses conflate forms of aggression that show strong sex differences with those that do not, and most studies have considered post-pubertal participants. AIMS: We test the influence of 2D:4D and ethnicity in the expression of aggression in children and adolescents in four ethnic groups of European and African origin. STUDY DESIGN: Buss and Perry aggression questionnaire. Direct measurement of the 2nd and 4th digits. SUBJECTS: 1296 children and adolescents from Tanzania and Russia from 4 ethnic groups - Datoga, Meru, Russians, Tatars. RESULTS: There were ethnic and gender differences in ratings on aggression with boys consistently reporting more physical aggression. In all four samples right 2D:4D was significantly lower in boys, compared to girls. With regard to our total sample of boys, the right 2D:4D was significantly and negatively associated with self-ratings on physical aggression, but no association was found for left 2D:4D. No associations between 2D:4D and physical aggression were found for girls. Hostility was negatively correlated with 2D:4D for boys, and anger was positively correlated with 2D:4D in girls. CONCLUSION: Sex differences were strongest for right 2D:4D (boysgirls). Right 2D:4D was negatively related to physical aggression in boys only, suggesting possible relationship to prenatal androgenization.

Epidemiology of Symptomatic Chiari Malformation in Tatarstan: Regional and Ethnic Differences in Prevalence.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiology can assess the effect of Chiari I malformation (CM1) on the neurological health of a population and evaluate factors influencing CM1 development. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the regional and ethnic differences in the prevalence of CM1. METHODS: The population of the Republic of Tatarstan (RT) in the Russian Federation was evaluated for patients with CM1 symptoms over an 11-yr period. Typical symptoms of CM1 were found in 868 patients. Data from neurological examination and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurement of posterior cranial fossa structures were analyzed. RESULTS: MRI evidence of CM1, defined as cerebellar tonsils lying at least 5 mm inferior to the foramen magnum, was found in 67% of symptomatic patients. Another 33% of symptomatic patients had 2 to 4 mm of tonsillar ectopia, which we defined as "borderline Chiari malformation type 1 (bCM1)." The period prevalence in the entire RT for symptomatic CM1 was 20:100 000; for bCM1 was 10:100 000; and for CM1 and bCM1 together was 30:100 000. Prevalence of patients with CM1 symptoms was greater in the northern than southern districts of Tatarstan, due to a high prevalence (413:100 000) of CM1 in the Baltasy region in one of the northern districts. CONCLUSION: One-third of patients with typical symptoms of CM1 had less than 5 mm of tonsillar ectopia (bCM1). Assessments of the health impact of CM1-type symptoms on a patient population should include the bCM1 patient group. A regional disease cluster of patients with Chiari malformation was found in Baltasy district of RT and needs further study.