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The gene therapy is totally new approach to treatment of patient. It has significant therapeutic potential for wide range of diseases, including those caused by genetic disorders. The in vivo therapy is one of types of gene therapy meaning that impact on gene apparatus of somatic cells occurs straight within organism of patient. Among significant advantages of of this kind of therapy is potential opportunity of treatment of diseases which previously had no effective therapy or only supportive symptomatic therapy was administered. The article describes international approaches to classification of gene therapy preparations. The review of in vivo gene therapy preparations currently registered in different countries. Also, the features of their development, production and registration are analyzed. For many in vivo gene therapy preparations, due to small number of patients, clinical evidence base is limited, especially in terms of long-term clinical effect that complicates process of registration and economic evaluation for subsequent their inclusion in the system of state funding. It should also be noted that gene preparations currently registered abroad have extremely high cost that limits their widespread implementation into clinical practice. The production of gene therapy preparations requires a number of additional measures targeted to supporting product quality that complicates process of their production and registration. Due to absence of necessity in large production capacities, gene therapy preparations are produced centrally that results in their logistic complexities. It is actual to analyze international experience of distribution of in vivo gene therapy preparations in order to optimize approaches to regulation, assessment and financing of gene technologies in the Russian Federation.

Background: The greatest potential to reduce the burden of stroke is by primary prevention of first-ever stroke, which constitutes three quarters of all stroke. In addition to population-wide prevention strategies (the 'mass' approach), the 'high risk' approach aims to identify individuals at risk of stroke and to modify their risk factors, and risk, accordingly. Current methods of assessing and modifying stroke risk are difficult to access and implement by the general population, amongst whom most future strokes will arise. To help reduce the burden of stroke on individuals and the population a new app, the Stroke Riskometer(TM) , has been developed. We aim to explore the validity of the app for predicting the risk of stroke compared with current best methods., Methods: 752 stroke outcomes from a sample of 9501 individuals across three countries (New Zealand, Russia and the Netherlands) were utilized to investigate the performance of a novel stroke risk prediction tool algorithm (Stroke Riskometer(TM) ) compared with two established stroke risk score prediction algorithms (Framingham Stroke Risk Score [FSRS] and QStroke). We calculated the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves and area under the ROC curve (AUROC) with 95% confidence intervals, Harrels C-statistic and D-statistics for measure of discrimination, R(2) statistics to indicate level of variability accounted for by each prediction algorithm, the Hosmer-Lemeshow statistic for calibration, and the sensitivity and specificity of each algorithm., Results: The Stroke Riskometer(TM) performed well against the FSRS five-year AUROC for both males (FSRS = 75.0% (95% CI 72.3%-77.6%), Stroke Riskometer(TM) = 74.0(95% CI 71.3%-76.7%) and females [FSRS = 70.3% (95% CI 67.9%-72.8%, Stroke Riskometer(TM)  = 71.5% (95% CI 69.0%-73.9%)], and better than QStroke [males - 59.7% (95% CI 57.3%-62.0%) and comparable to females = 71.1% (95% CI 69.0%-73.1%)]. Discriminative ability of all algorithms was low (C-statistic ranging from 0.51-0.56, D-statistic ranging from 0.01-0.12). Hosmer-Lemeshow illustrated that all of the predicted risk scores were not well calibrated with the observed event data (P < 0.006)., Conclusions: The Stroke Riskometer(TM) is comparable in performance for stroke prediction with FSRS and QStroke. All three algorithms performed equally poorly in predicting stroke events. The Stroke Riskometer(TM) will be continually developed and validated to address the need to improve the current stroke risk scoring systems to more accurately predict stroke, particularly by identifying robust ethnic/race ethnicity group and country specific risk factors., (© 2014 The Authors. International Journal of Stroke published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of World Stroke Organization.)

The article deals with the data related to the establishment in Russia of public associations of maternal support of breast feeding initiated by the WHO/UNISEF international initiative "Baby friendly hospital". The breast feeding is mostly a concern of medicine and medical institutions of obstetrics and pediatrics and corresponding specialists such as obstetrician-gynecologist, neonatologist and pediatrician. Hence the issue of appropriateness of existence of such groups, their competence and relationship with medical personnel and forms of activity has to be considered From historical point of view, in Soviet health care accumulated very rich experience of effective cooperation of public activists of Russian Red Cross with public health bodies in implementation of preventive and health improving activities, including health education of population groups. The conclusion is made that to provide effective activities of voluntary mothers? Associations to support breast feeding their interaction is needed with medical personnel, the development of scientific-grounded programs of training of mothers-consultants and informational methodical and health education materials.

The degree of ambient pollution was studied in a town with developed petrochemical industry and allergic morbidity in its pediatric population. The specific features of the pattern and course of allergic diseases were revealed in children in relation to the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of ambient pollution. The findings permit elaboration of practical measures aimed at lowering the influence of environmental factors and to improve the health status in children.

Background: The prevalence and rate of acquisition of Helicobacter pylori infection in children from developing countries is higher than in developed countries. This phenomenon has been related to differences in socioeconomic status, sanitation, and household hygiene. Russia is in the process of transforming from an underdeveloped to a developed country., Aim: To examine the effect of recent improvements in standards of living on the prevalence of H pylori in Russian children., Patients and Methods: We conducted 2 cross-sectional studies among children in St Petersburg, Russia. The first study was conducted in 1995 and the second was conducted a decade later. H pylori status was evaluated by the same enzyme-linked immunoassay method for anti-H pylori immunoglobulin G. Demographic data were obtained from each individual, and socioeconomic class was assessed by the education level of the mother and family income., Results: In 1995 the overall prevalence of H pylori infection was 44%; 10 years later it had decreased to 13%. In both studies, the prevalence increased with age. In 1995 the prevalence was 30% among children younger than 5 years. A decade later the prevalence in the same age group was 2% (P = 0.001). The age-specific prevalence of H pylori infection increased significantly with age in both study periods. During 1995 the prevalence of the infection increased from 30% at age <5 years to 48% in the age group 15 to 19 years (P = 0.001). In the 2005 study the prevalence of the infection increased from 2% at age <5 years to 25% in the age group 15 to 19 years (P = 0.001). The crude and the age-adjusted odds ratio risk of infection in children showed an inverse correlation between the mothers' and fathers' educational levels and H pylori seropositivity (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1-3.2; P = 0.06). No associations were found between the prevalence of H pylori and any factor tested, including sex, type of dwelling, income, or the number of people living in the home., Conclusions: Improvements in standards of living in Russia have resulted in a marked reduction in H pylori transmission. Different rates of acquisition of H pylori form the basis for the differences in prevalence of infection between and among populations. The change in the prevalence of H pylori within 10 years among the Russian population is an example of how sensitive H pylori acquisition is to improvement in standards of living. Increased use of anti-H pylori eradication therapy played an important role in the reduction of the prevalence of H pylori infection.

To study the factors contributing to the development of allergic disease in children has recently become of current importance. To determine the indirect influence of maternal working environmental factors on allergic morbidity in children, the authors have examined the working conditions and morbidity of female workers engaged in that or that field of national economy and the health status and allergic diseases in children. The variance analysis was made. The proposed guidelines allow one to study the indirect influence of working environmental factors on allergic morbidity in children.

The results of monitoring of bad habits (smoking) among senior schoolchildren in 23 towns of Moscow Region are dynamically described in the paper for 2000-2003. Smoking-related specific features are analyzed with respect to the age and sex differences of teenagers. A database, comprising above 25,000 entries, was created on the prevalence of smokers among city schoolchildren.

Nonspecific resistance and the incidence of allergic diseases were studied in children living in areas with varying ambient air pollution, whose parents were exposed before conception to deleterious occupational factors at chemical and petrochemical enterprises. Nonspecific resistance was found to reduce drastically in children of female workers of chemical and petrochemical enterprises. In the children of female workers of the above enterprises, the incidence of allergic diseases was significantly higher (p < 0.01) than that in the control group. The findings suggest that environmental factors (ambient air pollution, occupational harms in parents) exert a substantial influence on a rise in the incidence of allergic diseases in children.

The paper considers the topical aspects of the health status and sociomedical needs of children and adolescents; it shows it necessary to transform the activity of primary pediatric service facilities at the stage of reforming the country's public health system. The results of one of the largest sociological studies conducted among district pediatricians as to the organization of therapeutical-and-prophylactic and sociomedical and to children are discussed.

A relationship of ambient air pollution in the towns of Almetyevsk and Kazan to acute respiratory infection of the upper airways (ARIUA) in children was examined. Higher atmospheric pollution was found to cause an increase in the incidence of ARIUA. The correlation ratios for all the nosological entities studied ranged from 0.71 to 0.92, their mean errors were 0.01-0.29. There was a significant combined effect of sulfur dioxide and carbon oxide (9.9%, p < 0.01), that of sulfur dioxide and dust (8.1%, p < 0.001). The findings serve as the basis for elaboration of measures to reduce environmental pollution.

Analyzes statistics of induced abortions as reflected at the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Russia. Puts forward the most significant medicosocial factors influencing the causes of pregnancy discontinuation. Analysis of the prevalence of induced abortions in different regions of Russia persuasively demonstrates the necessity of improving the state statistics of abortions for the realization of family planning programs.

Presents the results of a random social hygienic study devoted to family planning, carried out in the town of Tver and its region. The objects of this study were medical and university students and physicians specialized in obstetrics and gynecology engaged in family planning problems. Contraception behavior of young people was analyzed and the structure of contraception in Russia compared with that in countries with well-developed economy. Family planning problems viewed by present-day young people are discussed: the optimal marriage age and time of appearance of the first baby, the desired number of children, intergenetic intervals, and pregnancy outcomes. The attitude of obstetricians and gynecologists to contraception, their knowledge and skills in this sphere are analyzed. Shortcomings in the activities of obstetrical and gynecological service in family planning and contraception are discussed.

The authors have studied the epidemiological importance of different paths and factors of the transmission of causative agents in the foci of campylobacteriosis, as well as the character and frequency of microbial associations detected in cases of campylobacteriosis. The family foci of campylobacteriosis have been epidemiologically studied and the detected factors contributing to contacting campylobacteriosis have been analyzed. As revealed in this study, 41.6% of the foci of campylobacteriosis are linked with the active action of the alimentary factor, while 37.9% of the foci are linked with the factor of everyday contacts. High frequency of microbial associations with Campylobacter has been established (20.8%), which makes it possible for sporadic cases and especially outbreaks of campylobacteriosis to be disguised as other infections.

The results of the analysis of the epidemic situation in Campylobacter infection and the epidemiological markers of the strains of the infective agent have demonstrated that Campylobacter infection, registered as single cases among the residents of Vologda, has an epidemic character. An intensive and uncontrolled process among fowl (chickens) and the absence of effective measures of specific prophylaxis make it necessary that a system of hygienic measures be given priority in the complex of measures aimed at the prophylaxis of Campylobacter infection.

Epidemiological investigations carried out at the foci of Campylobacter infection in Moscow and the Moscow region in 1987-1990 demonstrated that Campylobacter infection was recently registered as sporadic cases in a few foci. The alimentary route of the transmission of this infection was the main factor of its spread. A high role of everyday contacts in the spread of this infection was noted. The possibility for outbreaks and sporadic cases of Campylobacter infection to be masked by very frequently occurring associations of these bacteria is discussed.

The study, carried out in two regions of the USSR and aimed at estimation of the contamination of products supplied by industrial poultry complexes (IPC), revealed that the contamination of these products was closely related to the Campylobacter contamination of the personnel of IPC. The causes of high Campylobacter contamination of the products of IPC at all technological stages of their production are described. The species, serovars and biovars of Campylobacter strains isolated from different sources were determined, which made it possible to carry out the specific and intraspecific differentiation of these strains.

The paper provides the results of a socio-hygienic survey of young families with 5-year length of family life. The study data on financial position, living conditions and lifestyle of these families are provided. The high prevalence of harmful habits in the young families and also some unfavourable features of their lifestyle were detected (low physical activity, irrational diet, etc). Low reproductive orientation of young spouses was noted mainly associated with unsatisfactory living and financial conditions. There is a discussion of the most urgent problems facing the young families which are mainly associated with social sphere.

The authors describe the data of the screenings of the representative random samples from the open male population aged 20 to 54 years, carried out in accordance with the common program in 6 cities of this country. The prevalence of definite cases of cerebrovascular diseases (CVD) ranged from 7.7% in Moscow to 12% in Irkutsk. As to the structure of cerebrovascular injuries, the initial manifestations of brain blood supply insufficiency accounted for 68%. The prevalence of CVD turned out to be the greatest in Western Siberia, the least in the European region. The transcaucasian republics occupy an intermediate position.

The clinical course and epidemiological features of campylobacteriosis in Moscow and Moscow Province in 1986-1987 are described. The specific proportion of this infection in the structure of acute enteric infections is, on the average, 4.8%. The level of Campylobacter contamination of animals and birds and their role in the spread of campylobacteriosis have been established. The possible ways and factors of the transfer of this infection are discussed.