Aim. To study the spread of COVID-19 among the population of the Omsk region during the first 115 days of the epidemic.
Materials and Methods. We carried out a descriptive epidemiological study using the data from the Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology in the Omsk Region on the officially registered cases of COVID-19 in the Omsk Region from March 27 to July 19, 2020. The following indicators were calculated: exponential growth rate (r), basic reproduction number (R0), effective reproduction number (Rt), expected natural epidemic size and herd immunity threshold.
Results. During the indicated period, there were 5,503 cases of COVID-19 in the Omsk Region. The incidence rate was 285.60/ 0000 (95% CI 278.1 – 293.2), the case fatality rate was 1.5% for completed cases and 0.9^ for all cases. The most active spread of COVID-19 was noted in Omsk and in 5 out of 32 districts of the region (Kalachinskiy, Novovarshavskiy, Russko-Polyanskiy, Moskalenskiy, and Azov German National District). Individuals < 30 years of age were among the least involved in the epidemic process. Among the most affected groups were 55-69 years-old males and 50-64-years-old females. During the observation period, the proportion of asymptomatic forms gradually reduced along with the increase in the proportion of pneumonia cases. A manifold increase in the incidence of community-acquired pneumonia was registered in June and July 2020 compared to the average values in 2017-2019. The exponential growth rate was 6.6% per day, R0 was 1.4-1.5, Rt was 1.18, and herd immunity threshold was 28.6%. The expected size of the epidemic at sustained anti-epidemic measures was 58.0% of the population.
Conclusion. The spread of COVID-19 in the Omsk region is not sufficiently suppressed. Reduced number of asymptomatic cases and incomplete detection of COVID-19 among the patients with community-acquired pneumonia may contribute to the latent spread of the infection and complicated epidemic situation. Maintenance of the restrictive measures and acquirement of the herd immunity (over 28.6% population) may significantly reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the Omsk Region.

Aim. To evaluate the features of cerebral angiogenesis in the presence of neurospheres, free-floating clusters of neural stem and progenitor cells.
Materials and Methods. Endothelial cells were optionally co-cultured with neurospheres were isolated from the hippocampus of 10-14-days-old C57Bl6 mice. Angiogenesis was evaluated in vitro by means of the angiogenesis assay kit (Abcam, ab204726) according to the manufacturer's protocol.
Results. The number of vascular loops was decreased in the presence of neurospheres. Other angiogenic parameters (average loop area and perimeter, total vessel length and number of contacts per mm2) had no statistically significant differences after 18 hours of culture.
Conclusion. The proliferative activity of neurospheres inhibits in vitro cerebral angiogenesis.

Aim. To evaluate the efficacy of heterologous demineralised bone matrix (DBM) for the replacement of bone defects using a critical-sized rat calvarial defect model.
Materials and Methods. For the experiments, we used 48 Sprague-Dawley rats (4.5 to 6 months of age). Critical-sized (8 mm diameter) calvarial defect was filled by the bone autograft, heterologous DBM, or comparator product (Geistlich BioOss®) or remained unfilled (negative control). Upon 4 or 12 weeks, rats were euthanised with the subsequent investigation of the defect and adjacent tissues by means of hematoxylin and eosin staining (mineralized tissue area to the defect area ratio) and microcomputed tomography (volume, thickness, and mineral density of the repaired tissue).
Results. In our experimental setting, bone autograft was the most efficient in bone repair. Heterologous DBM and comparator product were equally efficient in filling the defect and did not show any statistically significant differences regarding any of the parameters. Microcomputed tomography and routine histological examination demonstrated concordant results.
Conclusion. Heterologous DBM is efficient for the repair of critical-sized rat calvarial defects.

Aim. To compare the reactions to 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, serotonin) in the mesenteric lymphangions upon endothelial denudation and during experimental faecal peritonitis as compared with the control lymphangions.
Materials and Methods. Experiments were performed on the intestinal lymph trunk lymphangions of rats using a pressure myograph system. We examined the changes in contraction frequency and amplitude as well as tonic reactions upon the addition of 5-HT (10-8-10-4 M). Experimental peritonitis was caused by an intraperitoneal injection of feces.
Results. Faecal peritonitis reduced contraction frequency and amplitude in mesenteric lymphangions. 5-HT increased contraction amplitude only at low concentration (10-8 M) and did not alter the tonic reactions. Upon endothelial denudation, serotonin inhibited contraction frequency and amplitude in the lymphangions. As 5-HT stimulates motility through 5-НТ2 receptors and α2-adrenoceptors on endothelial cells, faecal peritonitis abates the sensitivity of such receptors to 5-HT.
Conclusion. In experimental faecal peritonitis, alterations in lymphatic vessels are reminiscent of those in blood vessels. Endothelial dysfunction disturbs the response of lymphatic vessels to 5-HT.

Aim. To determine the variability of serum aldosterone in patients with stable coronary artery disease in relation to arterial hypertension status, age, and gender.
Materials and Methods. We recruited 176 consecutive patients with stable coronary artery disease and evaluated serum aldosterone by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, further comparing its levels with regards to age, gender, and presence of arterial hypertension.
Results. Average serum aldosterone in patients with stable coronary artery disease was similar in Kemerovo Region and those reported in the literature. Age ≥ 60 years, female gender, and the presence of arterial hypertension were among the serum aldosterone determinants
Conclusions. Females ≥ 60 years of age with a medical history of arterial hypertension have increased serum aldosterone.

Aim. To study intrinsic apoptosis in primary arterial endothelial cells treated with calcium phosphate bions (CPB).
Materials and Methods. Primary human coronary artery endothelial cells were exposed to spherical or needle-shaped CPB during 4 hours with the subsequent extraction of total protein and subcellular fractionation to separate mitochondrial and cytosolic protein. We then performed Western blotting to measure the relative levels of a mitochondrial marker porin, cytosolic marker glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase and intrinsic apoptosis proteins cytochrome c and HtrA2/Omi in mitochondria and cytosol in addition to the levels of total and cleaved caspases-9 and caspases-3 in the total protein collected from three independent experiments.
Results. Translocation of cytochrome c and HtrA2/Omi was not a mandatory consequence of CPB exposure. Relative levels of the measured proteins differed according to the particle shape. Out of three experiments, only one showed a significant increase in cleaved caspase-9 and caspase-3 in CPB-treated as compared with the mock-treated cells. In other experiments, cleaved caspases did not show a consistent elevation. The levels of total and cleaved caspase-9 and caspases-3 were concordant testifying to the direct correlation between them.
Conclusion. As mechanisms of CPB-induced endothelial toxicity are poorly defined, they require further investigation employing optimized methods.

Aim. To explore allele and genotype frequencies of the rs8175347 polymorphism within the UGT1A1 gene in Kemerovo Region.
Materials and Methods. The study sample included 64 male and 68 female inhabitants of the Kemerovo Region. Upon DNA isolation from the peripheral blood leukocytes, we conducted allele-specific polymerase chain reaction followed by electrophoretic detection of the genotype.
Results. The frequency of minor allele *28 of rs8175347 polymorphism, which is associated with the downregulation of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase А1 in the liver, was 33.3%, while the frequency of *28/*28 genotype was 13.6% and did not significantly differ in the examined men and women.
Conclusion. High frequency of the *28/*28 genotype in the studied sample suggests a high prevalence of reduced UDP-glucuronosyltransferase А1 activity and associated conditions including Gilbert’s syndrome and adverse drug reactions.

Aim. To evaluate the genital microbiota of sexual partners of women with bacterial vaginosis and its role in the development of its recurrences.
Materials and Methods. We examined 59 consecutive patients with bacterial vaginosis. In the treatment group, sexual partners of the female patients were treated by local delivery of clindamycin; in the comparison group, sexual partners did not receive the drug. All women included in the study received the same therapy: metronidazole per os and local delivery of clindamycin at the stage 1 and local delivery of lactic acid at the stage 2. All patients were examined by microscopy, PCR test, and inoculation of the genital discharge. Monitoring of the female patients with bacterial vaginosis was continued for 6 months.
Results. In male patients, genital microbiota was similar to their female partners. Gardnerella vaginalis was detected in 96% of females and 62% of males. Prevotella was identified in 93% of females and 41% of males while Atopobium vaginae was found in 79% of women and 48% of their sexual partners. The amount of bacterial species was similar in males and females of the treatment group. The most frequent microorganisms were Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus spp. and Enterococcus faecalis. Female patients of the treatment group had two-fold lower risk of recurrent bacterial vaginosis than those of the comparison group.
Conclusion. Genital microbiota of sexual partners may be responsible for the recurrent bacterial vaginosis in females, and parallel treatment of sexual partners is required to minimize its risk.

Aim. To assess the hormonal profile features in obese reproductive-age women.
Materials and Methods. We consecutively enrolled 163 women of reproductive age (140 women with body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m² and 23 women with normal body mass index) who have been admitted to Podgorbunskiy Regional Emergency Medicine Hospital. All patients of both groups underwent general and gynecological examination. Serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin, estradiol, estrone, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, thyroid-stimulating hormone, free triiodothyronine, total and free thyroxine, cortisol, leptin, immunoreactive insulin, and progesterone were assessed on days 5-6 and 21-22 of the menstrual cycle.
Results. Obese women of reproductive age were characterised by higher values of LH, LH/ FSH ratio, testosterone, estradiol, estrone, leptin, IRI and by lower levels of FSH and progesterone compared with normal weight women. A direct correlation was found between the level of leptin and estrone (r = 0.21, p = 0.014), insulin resistance (r = 0.18, p = 0.039), triglycerides (r = 0.20, p = 0.030), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (r = 0.22, p = 0.016). There was a statistically significant inverse correlation between the level of leptin and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (r = -0.18, p = 0.043). A direct correlation was established between insulin and LH (r = 0.24, p = 0.030), testosterone (r = 0.32, p = 0.037), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (r = 0.56, p = 0.003), insulin resistance (r = 0.95, p < 0.001), cholesterol (r = 0.20, p = 0.024), triglycerides (r = 0.29, p < 0.001).
Conclusion. Obese women of reproductive age have certain hormonal features that underlie menstrual and reproductive disorders in these patients.

Microdialysis is a versatile and popular minimally invasive technique which enables sampling, collecting, and continuous measurement of small-molecular-weight substances in the extracellular fluid of virtually any tissue. Widely established in pharmacology and neuroscience, it permits evaluation of the metabolism in any organ including brain and allows early detection of the cell stress. Concentrations of the target analytes in the dialysate are determined by the type of the analysed tissue, paracrine interactions, and technical features such as membrane type and surface area or flow rate of isotonic fluid. Cerebral (or brain) microdialysis can be used in personalised pharmacotherapy and prognostication in patients with neurological disorders. Here we discuss recent advances in brain microdialysis and focus on critical parameters defining its efficiency.

Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) is the most common cyanotic congenital heart defect. Since the first radical correction in 1954, treatment strategy has been constantly improving. Current treatment of ToF ensures the long-term survival (30-year survival ranges from 68.5% to 90.5%), yet it is still challenging in underweight patients. Here we present a clinical case of two-step surgery which included right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) stenting and further radical correction in an underweight child who was then followed-up for six years. RVOT stenting is an appropriate alternative to the bypass surgery which has higher risk of perioperative complications. RVOT stenting significantly reduces hypoxia, enhances the development of the pulmonary vasculature and increases end-diastolic index ultimately permitting efficient radical correction after 4 months. The described approach resulted in a favorable outcome and quality of life after 6 years of follow-up.