Aim. To study the mechanisms of Bifidobacteria membrane resistance to the lipases of Staphylococcus aureus. Materials and Methods. Quantitative and qualitative composition of fatty acids in membranes of Bifidobacteria was evaluated before and after exposure to the lipolytic enzymes of S. aureus using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results. Membrane of Bifidobacterium breve consisted of oleic (C 18:1; 80,3 µg), palmitic (C 16:0; 53,9 µg), and linoleic (C 18:2; 29,4 µg) acid, while membranes of B. bifidum and B. longum were composed mainly of palmitic (C 16:0; 21,2 µg and 21,8 µg, respectively) and stearic (C 18:0; 18,8 µg and 11,9 µg, respectively) acid. Upon exposure to the S. aureus lipase, the proportion of saturated fatty acids in the membrane of B. breve increased twofold, with the corresponding sevenfold decrease in unsaturated fatty acids and altered diversity of fatty acid composition. However, this was not the case for the membranes of B. bifidum and B. longum. Conclusions. Mechanisms of Bifidobacteria resistance to the lipolytic enzymes of S. aureus are species-specific. In B. breve, a change in the liquid-crystalline state of the membrane occurs; however, the membranes of B. longum and B. bifidum are resistant to the action of S.aureus lipases due to the high content of saturated fatty acids.

Aim. To determine the critical butyric acid concentrations in the feces of patients on enteral tube feeding. Materials and Methods. We investigated oropharyngeal and gut microbiota of 31 patients admitted to intensive care unit and further supplied with enteral tube feeding. Quantication of microorganisms was performed by seeding into liquid agar medium. Activity of oropharyngeal and gut microbiota was determined by measuring concentrations of short-chain fatty acids using gas-liquid chromatography. Results. At the fecal butyric acid concentration of 2.2 mmol/g, a ratio of fecal levels of acetic, propionic, and butyric acids (C2:C3:C4) was 72:17:11, with a structural index of 0.56. Below fecal butyric acid concentration of 2.2 mmol/g, a proportion of acetic acid decreased linearly, with a decrease in structural index. Conclusions. Decrease in fecal butyric acid concentration < 2.2 mmol/g impairs activity of gut microbiota and induces further metabolic changes in the gut.

Aim. To investigate how periodontitis affects periodontal structure and microbiota. Materials and Methods. We cultured anaerobic microorganisms from the periodontal exudate and gingival uid and performed microcirculation rheography in 60 patients (20-49 years of age). Histological examination of interdental papillae was performed using hematoxylin and eosin staining, van Gieson staining with the further Weigert's resorcin fuchsin, and azure staining. Results. Intact periodontal tissues were characterized by stabilizing resident microbiota, which, however, was gradually superseded by pathogenic microbiota. Conclusions. Inammation induces colonization of periodontal tissues by pathogenic microbiota that further alters microcirculation and causes destruction of periodontal tissues.

Aim. To study the antibacterial properties of isoalantolactone and its derivatives on opportunistic bacteria. Materials and Methods.We examined the activity of isoalantolactone, a major metabolite of Inula helenium L., and its 38 derivatives containing 11,13- exomethylenic bond (Ia-r), 11,13- sat- urated bond (IIa-t), heterocyclic derivatives with 7,11-double bond, С-8 epimers (IIIa-c), and alantolactone (IV) against Escherichia coli (25522 АТСС) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (U-16) utilizing serial dilutions in a liquid medium. Results. From the group I, an antibacterial activity was detected only for substances Ic and Ig. While IIIa isomer had bactericidal properties on Escherichia coli, Ig agent showed only bacteriostatic activity. IIr agent, with a pyridine separated from lactone, demonstrated lower bacteriostatic activity on Escherichia coli even compared to Ig; however, it was more efficient against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Among the uracil-substituted derivatives, only substance containing 5-bromuracil had antibacterial properties against both Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In addition, certain isoalantolactone derivatives inhibited Pseudomonas aeruginosa biolm formation. Conclusions. Among 38 derivatives of isoalantolactone, only five and three compounds showed antibacterial properties against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, respectively. This can be explained by the presence of pyridinil or bromuracil substituent in their structure.

Aim. To study the associations of the maternal and paternal alleles and genotypes within the HLA-DRB1* gene with the risk of congenital heart diseases (CHD) in their children. Materials and Methods. Having performed the genotyping, we compared the allele frequencies and genotypes within the HLA-DRB1* in females (experimental group 1, n = 97) and males (experimental group 2, n = 59) who have children with CHD and in females (control group, n = 54) and males (control group 2, n = 98) with healthy children. Results. HLA-DRB1*03 (OR = 5.56) and HLA-DRB1*11 (OR = 4.31) alleles in females along with HLA-DRB1*07 (OR=2.72) allele and HLA-DRB1*01, 04 (OR=15.81) genotype in males were associated with a high risk of CHD. On the contrary, allele HLA-DRB1*12 (OR = 0.28) and HLA- DRB1*01, 12 genotype (OR = 0.06) in females correlated with a lower CHD risk. Conclusions. Inherited variation within the HLA-DRB1* gene is associated with a high risk of CHD in the next generation.

Aim. To study morphometry of hepatocyte nuclei in hamsters with induced opisthorchiasis after the treatment with plant anthelmintics Erlim and Ekorsol. Materials and Methods. Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) were divided into 4 groups: 1) without experimentally induced opisthorchiasis and treatment; 2) with opisthorchiasis and without treatment; 3) with opisthorchiasis and treatment using Erlim (0.023 g/kg body weight for 5 days); 4) with opisthorchiasis and treatment using Ekorsol (0.26 g/kg body weight for 5 days). Infectious dose was 100 metacercariae per animal, treatment with Erlim or Ekorsol was started 90 days postinfection. After 14 days of treatment, the animals were sacriced with a subsequent liver explantation and histological examination (300 slides per group). Morphometric analysis was performed employing Aperio ImageScope package. Results. Ranges of hepatocyte nuclei in the groups of healthy untreated, Erlim- and Ekorsol-treated hamsters were 9.62, 8.91, and 6.64 u.e., respectively. Therefore, treatment with Erlim but not with Ekorsol induced proliferation and regeneration of liver tissue. Conclusions. Erlim is more efficient plant anthelmintic compared to Ekorsol.

Aim. To assess the reproductive health of preterm- and full-term-born adolescent girls with a gestational age of 28-32 weeks. Materials and Methods. We recruited 100 consecutive full-term-born adolescent girls (15-16 years of age) and 29 preterm-born (gestational age of 28-32 weeks) and performed a clinical and gynecological examination. Results. We identied the parameters of physical development, menstrual function, pelvic size, and the main ultrasound parameters of the uterus and uterine appendages. Preterm-born adolescent girls more frequently had extended menstrual cycle, less pelvic, ovarian, and uterine size, less endometrial thickness, and longer cervix. Conclusion. Preterm birth affects the development of the reproductive system in the postnatal period and increases the risk of reproductive system disorders.

Aim. To investigate the associations between harmful working conditions, length of work, and occupational diseases in Kemerovo Region. Materials and Methods. We retrospectively assessed 4860 case histories of patients with occupational diseases who were admitted to the hospitals of Kemerovo Region in 2008-2015 following multivariate regression analysis. Results. Workers without harmful conditions had an average length of work 34-37 years. Strikingly, workers with harmful conditions in 70% had either sensorineural hearing loss (length of work 16.4-29.7 years), vibration disease (length of work 15-28 years), dust bronchitis (length of work 14-31 years), or musculoskeletal system disorders (length of work 12-30 years). Conclusion. Harmful working conditions can be a cause of occupational diseases within 12-30 working years in 69-81% of workers.

Studies of upper respiratory metagenome in children identied Firmicutes as a dominant bacterial group and Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria and Fusobacteria as other main groups, with the population, environmental, and seasonal differences in spatiotemporal distribution of bacterial species. Secretion of IgE and IgG to Streptococcus spp. and Haemophilus spp. can be considered as a valid diagnostic criterion of upper respiratory dysbiosis. Tonsillar hypertrophy is associated with the presence of Haemophilus parainuenzae, Haemophilus paraphrohaemolyticus, Gemella haemolysans, Gemella morbillorum, Gemella sanguinis, Streptococcus (S.) pneumoniae, S. pseudopneumoniae, S. intermedius, S. agalactiae among upper respiratory microbiota.

A phenomenon of gender dysphoria has been actively investigated from 1950s when clinicians became able to treat gender dysphoria utilizing hormone therapy and surgery. Here we review the recent data on development and genetic basis of gender dysphoria. Future epidemiological, genome-wide association and epigenetic studies are needed for improving our understanding of gender dysphoria development.

Here we review the data on internal picture of the disease (IPD) phenomenon and its features in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). We describe the recent classification of IPD and the data of latest experimental studies. We then analyze the interrelations between IPD, psychosocial and behavioral status. In particular, non-adaptive IPD may occur under the cardiogenic life-threatening conditions. Furthermore, we suggest cognitive behavioral therapy as a promising option for the treatment of IPD, with a detailed description of specific techniques.

The lecture presents the recent advances in the taxonomy of microorganisms, the terminology, the principles, the rules, and the procedure for naming bacteria. In addition, we describe the differences between pro- and eukaryotes and between Archaea and Bacteria domains. Finally, we report the classification of bacteria relevant for basic, translational, and clinical medicine according to the 2nd edition of Bergey’s Manual of Systematic Bacteriology.

The lecture describes the current understanding of cholelithiasis and its complications (acute cho- lecystitis, choledocholithiasis, papillolithiasis, stulas and gallbladder cancer), including: 1) clinical diagnosis, i.e. signs and symptoms; 2) laboratory diagnosis; 3) treatment

we discuss the recent trends on statistical analysis and presentation of the experimental data. Among these are: 1) choice of non- parametric instead of parametric tests for the statistical analysis; 2) presentation of the data as univariate scatterplots but not as bar or line graphs; 3) use of figures instead of tables; 4) use of GraphPad Prism for both statistical analysis and data presentation; 5) unification of the figures within one panel.

Here we present a case report of watershed stroke due to sclerosing syphilitic lesions of the carotid arteries. The paper aims to inform the physicians about the development, signs, and symptoms of this disease.