Aim. To compare structural and tensile properties of electrospun vascular grafts fabricated of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate)/ poly(ε-caprolactone) blend and type I collagen solution utilizing either joint or separate feed of these polymers, and to further evaluate adhesion and viability of endothelial cells on both types of the grafts. Materials and Methods. Either 4 mm or 8 mm diameter electrospun grafts were assessed by scanning electron microscopy and uniaxial tension test following culture of human umbilical vein endothelial cells on the graft surface, either Hoechst 33342/PKH26 or acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining, and fluorescence microscopy. Results. Grafts fabricated using the separate feed had poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate)/ poly(ε-caprolactone) blend and type I collagen located in core and sheath of electrospun fibers, respectively. This two-layer structure of fibers resulted in 5-fold increase in adhesion and 1.5-fold increase in viability of endothelial cells cultured on the graft surface; therefore, the total number of viable endothelial cells increased more than 8-fold. Both types of the grafts demonstrated higher durability and elasticity compared to internal mammary artery, a widely applied vascular conduit. Conclusion. Separate feed of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate)/poly(ε-caprolactone) blend and type I collagen solution significantly increases the biocompatibility of the electrospun vascular grafts while not affecting their mechanical competence.

Aim. To determine the prevalence of female infertility among the urban and rural population of Buryat Republic. Materials and Methods. We recruited 2,038 women of reproductive age: 1,495 women living in Ulan-Ude (826 Caucasians and 669 Asians) and 543 women from the rural areas (302 Caucasians and 241 Asians). We used a questionnaire (Filippov, 1999) which eventually distributed the study participants into five categories: fertile, probably fertile, with primary infertility, with secondary infertility, and with unknown fertility. Results. The prevalence of female infertility in Buryat Republic was 22.82% (95% CI: 21.05-24.69), with no significant differences among Caucasians and Asians (21.9%, 95% CI: 19.58-24.41 and 23.96%, 95% CI: 21.29-26.84, respectively, p = 0.3). Overall, secondary infertility was more common in comparison with the primary one; furthermore, the prevalence of secondary infertility was significantly higher in Asians compared to Caucasians. In the urban population, the prevalence of female infertility was 19.67% (95% CI: 17.73-21.76), without significant differences among Caucasians and Asians. The prevalence of secondary infertility in urban population significantly exceeded those of primary infertility regardless of the ethnicity. Among the rural population, the prevalence of female infertility was 31.49% (95% CI: 27.72-35.52), with no significant differences between Caucasians and Asians. Notably, Caucasian females living in the rural areas had higher prevalence of primary infertility compared to the secondary infertility. Female infertility in the rural population was considerably higher than in urban population (31.49% and 19.67%, p < 0.001), with a significantly higher frequency of primary infertility in rural women (19.15% and 5.35%, p < 0.001). Conclusion. The prevalence of female infertility in the Buryat Republic is around 23% and depends on the area of living rather than on the ethnicity.

Aim. To analyze a 20-year experience of Regional Clinical Emergency Hospital with regard to the diagnosis of abdominal trauma. Materials and Methods. We compared the extent and localization of both blunt and penetrating abdominal trauma in 2207 patients admitted to our hospital during 1997-2016. Results. In 2007-2016, an incidence of abdominal trauma reduced by 36.9% compared to 1997-2006. A particular decrease (around 60%) in incidence was found regarding pancreatic, duodenal, kidney, and large vessel injury. Expectedly, penetrating abdominal trauma prevailed over the blunt abdominal trauma (62.8% and 37.2%, respectively). Parenchymal and hollow organs were injured in 54.9% and 34.3% of patients, respectively, while mesenteric and large vessels were damaged in 9.8% of cases. Retroperitoneal trauma was identified in 1-2% of the patients. Conclusion. In Kemerovo, a moderate reduction of abdominal trauma incidence is currently observed.

Aim. To study the course of pregnancy in women having an extremely premature labor. Materials and Methods. We recruited 100 women who delivered in Kemerovo Regional Perinatal Centre during 2014-2015 following stratification into two equal groups (n = 50): with extremely premature labor and with urgent delivery. Results. Women with extremely premature labor had a high prevalence of threatened miscarriage (56%), preterm premature rupture of membranes (42%), placenta previa (36%), polyhydramnios (22%), bacterial vaginosis (22%), and pre-eclampsia (8%). These patients were prescribed to glucocorticoids (72%), progestogens (28%), tocolytics (8%), and cervical pessary (8%). Newborns with extremely low birth weight (ELBW) had higher prevalence of asphyxia and required a respiratory support on average of 12 days. A majority (68%) of newborns with ELBW had congenital malformations, particularly congenital heart disease (34% of newborns with ELBW). Conclusion. Women with extremely premature labor are characterized by a high prevalence of pregnancy complications. Newborns with ELBW frequently have asphyxia, congenital malformations, and demand a longer respiratory support.

Here I discuss the controversial issues of sapronoses in a general biomedical context. The novel data on ecology and epidemiology of sapronotic agents are contradictory to the conventional concept that significantly impacts terminology and classification. In this review, I suggest the feasible solutions and talk about the current understanding of sapronoses.

Fungal diseases, caused by pathogenic fungi from air, soil, water, plants, and even the human body, are dangerous for humans of all age groups. Currently, commercially available antifungal agents mainly include synthetic products having numerous contraindications and severe side effects. Another problem is a widespread resistance of fungi to antifungal agents. Therefore, the search of medicinal plants containing antifungal substances for the development of non-toxic plant drugs is rapidly ongoing. Experimental studies show the high efficiency of even minimum concentrations of biologically active substances (essential oils, saponins, flavonoids etc.) against the most common fungal pathogens (Microsporum canis, Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes). These data indicate the possibility of using medicinal plants to prepare novel efficient antifungal agents.

Here I discuss the recent data on epidemiology, development, diagnosis, and treatment of acute pancreatitis, with the particular focus on its complications. A two-fold increase in incidence of acute pancreatitis has been registered in Kemerovo Region during the recent 24 years. Pancreatic hypertension caused by cholelithiasis or alcohol abuse induces local inflammation and necrosis, with the further spread to the retroperitoneal tissue and abdominal organs if untreated. I also describe the diagnostic algorithm, conservative treatment, low invasive techniques, and laparotomy in management of both sterile and infected pancreatic necrosis. The lecture is intended for gastroenterologists, surgeons, and senior students of medical schools.

Here we describe the successful surgical treatment of the patient with aneurysm of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA), an extremely rare vascular disease. As the optimal surgical treatment for such pathology has not been conclusively determined, we performed a decompressive craniotomy of the posterior cranial fossa following clipping of the aneurysm within the fourth segment of the left vertebral artery and left PICA. In spite of technical difficulties, detailed neuroimaging permitted a thorough assessment of blood vessel topography. The selected approach has led to the favorable in-hospital and 2-year outcome. We suggest that the treatment of PICA aneurysm should be based on a complete assessment of the contralateral vertebral artery blood supply. In the case of its dysplasia, clipping should be performed avoiding the occlusion of the vertebral artery on the aneurysmal side. This was achieved in the abovementioned patient due to careful neuroimaging and detailed planning of surgery.

Currently, stent implantation is considered as the most efficient way to restore coronary blood flow upon myocardial infarction. Although counterintuitively, rapid cardiac reperfusion aggravates myocardial injury, increasing the necrosis area. A number of approaches to protect the ischemic myocardium have been suggested during the last decade, yet the consensus concept of myocardial protection is still lacking. Here we describe a case report where pharmacological cardioprotection after a primary percutaneous coronary intervention due to myocardial infarction successfully prevented reperfusion injury. We particularly focus on our therapeutic technique and protocol of cardioprotection.