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Introduction. Campylobacteriosis is among the leading causes of acute gastrointestinal infections. The severity of campylobacteriosis and the development of long-term complications may be influenced by the genotype of the pathogen, whose biological properties can affect immune response parameters. The aim of the study was to identify common genotypes of epidemic clones of Campylobacter pathogens and to investigate characteristics of the immune response and severity of the disease. Materials and methods. The study included 203 patients aged from 1 month to 17 years with campylobacteriosis who underwent treatment at the clinic of the Federal State Budgetary Institution "DNKCIB FMBA" in 2019–2021. The diagnosis was confirmed using polymerase chain reaction method. Patient samples were also analyzed using culture-based methods. Total DNA was extracted using the QIAamp DNA Mini Kit. Genetic determinants encoding virulence factors and MLST typing were performed using the ResFinder program. The immune status of patients was assessed on days 1 and 7 of the illness. Immunological investigation included measurement of serum immunoglobulin concentrations (IgA, IgM, IgG), C-reactive protein, and cytokines (IL-1β, IL-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL- 7, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α, and IFN-γ). Results. When analyzing the frequency of detection of Campylobacter sequence types in children with clinical intestinal infections, it was found that the profile of isolated isolates is most similar to those from countries of North America (USA and Canada), Northern Europe (Great Britain, Holland ) and Scandinavia (Denmark, Sweden, Finland). Identification of a pathogen with the flgE+, cdtA+, cdtC+ genotype was accompanied by a statistically significant increase in the level of IL-8 and a decrease in the content of IgA in the peripheral blood serum, which reflected the low efficiency of the immune response during infection with Campylobacter and predetermined the severe course of the infectious process during the disease.

During a prospective multicenter non-interventional observational study, a comparative assessment was made of the serotype structure of pneumococci circulating among healthy children under the age of 5 years and children of the same age group with signs of respiratory infections in the periods 2016-2018 and 2020-2022. Data on the serotype structure of pneumococci in the period from 2016-2018 were obtained from our previous works. In 2020-2022 the study included 2066 healthy children and 603 children with respiratory infections. Streptococcus pneumoniae and their DNA were detected in nasopharyngeal swabs by classical culture and molecular methods. Typing was carried out by molecular methods. On the territory of the Russian Federation, pneumococci belonging to the serotypes included in the 13-valent vaccine are being forced out of circulation and replaced by non-vaccine serotypes. Before the introduction of mass antipneumococcal vaccination (until 2015), the 13-valent conjugate vaccine covered from 66.2% to 92% of pneumococci, after the start of mass anti-pneumococcal vaccination in the period 2016-2018, coverage decreased to 57.3%. Between 2020 and 2022, coverage was less than 40%. The main “non-vaccine” serotypes/serogroups circulating in the Russian Federation are 15AF, 11AD, 23A, 9LN and 16F.

Purpose: to develop a logistic regression model for early differential diagnosis of viral and bacterial community-acquired pneumonia in children. Materials and methods. A prospective study of the clinical and laboratory features of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) was carried out in 130 children. A complex approach using bacteriological, molecular genetic, serological diagnostic methods (material – nasopharyngeal swabs, pleural effusion, blood) was used to establish the etiology of CAP. Two etiological groups of CAP were distinguished: viral (n=76), bacterial (n=44). The binary logistic regression method was used to create a differential diagnosis model. Potential predictors of CAP etiology were anamnestic, clinical, laboratory (complete blood count), instrumental (chest x-ray) data. The quality of the constructed regression model was evaluated on a validation set of 42 children with CAP. Results. A statistically significant (p

The study included 50 isolates of Neisseria meningitidis isolated from patients with generalized forms of meningococcal infection and 48 isolates, which were isolated from carriers. The isolates were identified by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry using a Microflex LT mass spectrometer (Bruker Daltonics, Germany). Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of benzylpenicillin, ampicillin, ceftriaxone, meropenem, ciprofloxacin, azithromycin, rifampicin, and chloramphenicol were assessed by the method of serial agar dilution with interpretation of the results according to EUCAST 2021 criteria. Clinical resistance to penicillin was detected in 7% of isolates. However, all isolates with MIC >0.064 µg/ml (n=26) had mutations in the penA gene. Decreased sensitivity to rifampicin was found in four isolates isolated from patients and four isolated from carriers. Seven out of eight isolates with reduced sensitivity to rifampicin had mutations in the rpoB gene. Resistance to ceftriaxone, meropenem, ciprofloxacin was not detected.

The study included 14 isolates of Neisseria meningitidis serogroup W, isolated from patients with generalized forms of meningococcal infection aged 0–17 years at the Pediatric Research and Clinical Center for Infectious Diseases during the period from 2009 to 2020, as well as from carriers. The isolates from carriers (17–18 years old) were isolated in 2016–2019. The isolates were identified by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry using a Microflex LT mass spectrometer (Bruker Daltonics, Germany). Whole genome sequencing of N. meningitidis was carried out on the basis of the Miseq Illumina platform; it was established that they belong to ST11 (cc11) sequence type. The results of the whole genome sequencing of the studied meningococci showed that there are 2 groups of the subcluster belonging to the Hajj cluster in St. Petersburg. In addition, they show close affinity with meningococci of the Anglo-French and Swedish clusters of the Hajj line.

Ball brooches make a difficult research theme in Denmark. This is mainly because very few of the hitherto published specimens were found in a context or under circumstances that help to shed light on their chronology. The most recently published study is a very brief paper by Jesper Laursen on the chronology and typology of ball brooches (Laursen 1984). Laursen’s paper was published at a time when hobby metal detecting was only at its early stages in Denmark. Therefore, this hobby had not yet had its impact on the material. Metal detecting favors objects with much metal and since cultivated soil contains a lot of iron waste most hobby detectorists tend to screen for iron. Consequently, objects of bronze, silver and gold will have a tendency to dominate the finds brought in by these people, and especially massive objects.

Cardiac valvular surgery in patients after lung transplantation is a challenging procedure, reports are scarce. We report a 29-year-old patient who underwent concomitant mitral valve reconstruction and implantation of a decellularized aortic homograft two years after bilateral lung transplantation.

Nubia constituted the area in the Nile Valley in the present day Sudan, the area which spread from the first cataract up to the place where the White Nile meets the Blue Nile. The area was inhabited by the population using a common language – Old Nubian. In the second half of the sixth century thanks to the missions send by the Byzantine Court, Nubia accepted Christianity as a state religion. Nubia immediately found itself in the area of influence of Byzantine culture. Byzantine administration, liturgy of the Eastern Church and the Greek language were introduced. In 641 the Arab conquest of Egypt took place. Soon after that in 642, the Arab army entered the Nubian territory and from this date centuries of clashes and peace treaties characterized relations between Nubians and Arab peoples. The 13th century marks slow decline of the kingdom of Nubia. Hostile Negro tribes from the South and South-West appear in the Mid Valley of Nile. Fights weaken the kingdom; slow islamization of the country follows, royal rule and Christian faith falls and together with those culture and arts deteriorates. The history of military as well as political or commercial Nubian-Arabic contacts over entire period of existence of Christian kingdom of Nubia undoubtedly had to bring about certain artistic trends in Nubia originating from rich heritage of Muslim culture. The culture of Christian Nubia originally based to considerable extent on Byzantine art, in course of time, subjected to more and more intense Arabic influence, significantly changed. Arabic components seen in Nubian church architecture, wall painting and art crafts became predominant, which over following centuries led to creation of Arabic culture of the contemporary Sudan.

In conditions of increasing antibiotic resistance and widespread antibiotic-associated diarrhea caused by Clostridium difficile, it is necessary to choose a rational drug for the empirical treatment of escherichioses, which has a wide range of antibacterial activity and does not lead to the development of serious side effects and disruption of the gut microbiota.The aim of the study is to assess the effectiveness and safety of the use of the drug “Nifuroxazid-ECO” in the integrated therapy of escherichioses in children.Patients and methods: 50 patients aged 1 month to 18 years were selected for work by random sampling, hospitalized in the intestinal department of the Pediatric Research and Clinical Center for Infectious Diseases of Russia with non-severe clinical forms of escherichioses. All patients underwent routine clinical, biochemical, instrumental examination. DNA detection of the pathogen was carried out by molecular methods in fecal samples using a set of reagents to detect and differentiate the DNA of diaregenic E. coli in environmental objects and clinical material by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with hybridization-fluorescent detection. Patients received the drug “Nifuroxazid-ECO”at age dosage, every 6–8 hours for 5–7 days.Results: Against the background of the therapy, a significant majority of patients showed clinical improvement. The average duration of hospitalization was 4.8 days, the duration of preservation of diarrhoeal syndrome was 3.4 days. The drug showed good tolerability. There were no cases of antibiotic-associated diarrhea, re-hospitalization at an early date after treatment, serious adverse reactions.Conclusion: Studies have shown that the drug “Nifuroxazid- ECO” is a safe and effective modern drug which can be successfully used in the therapy of non-severe escherichioses in children.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and clinical significance of an accelerated, method, for the identification of microorganisms in blood, cultures in children using real-time multiplex PCR.Materials and methods: A total of 72 blood, samples were obtained, from 62 children aged. 3 months to 16 years. The identification of the isolated cultures, according to the proposed, method, was carried out in real-time PCR and. also using classical culture microbiological methods.Results: Based, on the frequency of detection and. the clinical significance of pathogens isolated from children, a panel of test systems was formed to identify them, by means of real-time PCR. It was shown that the effectiveness of the developed, method, for identification, of bacteria and. micromycetes by real-time PCR was 86,7% as compared, with the microbiological method. A significant reduction in the time of identification, of pathogens (from 48 hours to 5—7 hours) was demonstrated. In addition, the use of this method, allows, at the same time, to identify a number of antibiotic resistance genes (in particular, the genes of acquired, carbapenemases and. methicillin-resistant staphylococci).Conclusion: The developed, method, with real-time PCR for detecting and identifying microorganisms in the blood has shown its effectiveness, clinical significance and. the possibility of using it for pediatric patients. Its use significantly shortens the time frame for obtaining results and, thus, allows timely initiation, of etiotropic therapy.

Taking the outset in two finds of bone points in Norway, the distribution and use of the artefact type is discussed. Points of bone and antler are frequent¬ly found at settlements and in wetlands in Northern Europe. However, the exact distribution of the artefact type is hard to determine because its modest design makes it easy to overlook. This is also the reason why it is usually looked upon as a sign of poverty and as second rate. It seems the artefact type had more than one area of use; as a tool, as an implement for fishing and hunting, and as a combat weapon. Concerning the latter, it is argued that the points of bone and antler were valued and efficient weapons that more likely served as spears rather than javelins. This is confirmed by ancient written sources.

Central Asia is an integral part of the Belt and Road (B&R) initiative and the management of water resources is a critical issue in the region. Recently China has become more active in pursuing its economic and political interests in the Eurasian landmass and its expansionist drive has received much attention in the academic literature, which informs this article. The success or failure of the B&R is intertwined with the political economy of water in Central Asia and the purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the central importance of water, given the recent history, to such an ambitious economic initiative. The design of the paper is to firstly to traverse the literature and academic debate on Chinese motives and intentions and how they can impact on upstream and downstream water issues. Then water issues and water governance will be examined considering particularly available evidence of Chinese project experiences in B&R countries, the inter-country geopolitical situation in Central Asia and the recent history of environmentally rooted conflict in the region. The methodology broadly follows a systems approach, meaning that understanding is obtained by giving attention to the interacting sub-systems: the political, economic, geographical, social and environmental factors in the context of recent history and the literature on Chinese intentions and motivations. The main conclusions are that the B&R initiative, while offering economic development promise, contains inherent risks of conflict and project failure, particularly in the context of existing and potential water conflicts. Improved trans-boundary governance–especially regarding trans-boundary river systems, stakeholder engagement and effective project management will be required. It is intended that the arguments will resonate with decision-makers and project designers.

Iron Age (500 BC-1000AD) settlements have been excavated in large numbers in Denmark and Scandinavia, and not only the houses but the layout of the farms and villages are well illuminated themes. Since this is not the case everywhere in Europe, this paper focuses on the important first step in order to get to grips with this problem; the archaeological prospecting. There are a number of methods at hand and they work best in combination. While prospecting, the archaeologist has to work in a source critical manner in order not simply to reproduce already known facts.

OPCAB (Off-pump coronary artery bypass) remains nowadays an alternative method to traditional on-pump technique of the myocardial revascularization especially in high-risk and elderly patients. A successful adoption of this technique depends on a surgeon’s experience, a cooperative team and standardization of all steps in anesthesiological and surgical procedures in perioperative period. This article describes the perioperative policy adopted in our institution and our view on the role and place of OPCAB in the treatment of patients with coronary heart disease.

The study investigates the intravital high-field proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy and superimposed magnetic scanning of brain metabolism in 60 patients showing the association between demyelination activity and the inflammatory or degenerative stage of MS. It also educes Flicker noise phenomenon as a new indicator of a pathologic process progression. The data on the tissue respiration decrease, of the neurotransmitter hypometabolism, energy, and enzyme brain systems were collected to use as the therapy prediction and monitoring of MS.