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The use of pork obtained from intensively growing hybrid animals as the main raw material in meat processing, in particular sausage production, is accompanied by undesirable variability of consumer characteristics of sausage products and a decrease in the economic indicators of enterprise performance. The main technological disadvantages of processed pork are reduced water-binding capacity and significant loss of meat fluid, which in practice is usually compensated by the increased use of food additives and non-meat ingredients. The aim of the study was to assess the possibility of targeted improvement of the technological properties of minced pork using a proteolytic enzyme of animal origin. Model samples of minced meat were developed and cured for 24 hours at a temperature of 4 °C. The following control samples were used: minced meat with the addition of 2% edible salt and minced meat with the addition of 2% edible salt and 0.2% sodium bicarbonate. Moreover, 0.0001% chymotrypsin was added to the test samples containing similar curing ingredients. During electrophoretic study, in samples with the enzyme, an increase in low-molecular fractions (20 kDa, 15 kDa and lower) was observed, which indicated the manifestation of proteolytic activity of chymotrypsin in model systems. Enzymatic treatment led to an increase in pH and water-binding capacity. Cooking loss was reduced by 3 to 6 times, compared to Control 1. After cooking, histological studies of model systems showed that the test samples subjected to enzymatic treatment were characterized by a denser arrangement of structural elements, less pronounced cellular components of muscle tissue and the presence of glutin formed as a result of protein breakdown, filling the microcapillaries. Thus, the use of an enzyme preparation provides an opportunity for targeted improvement of the technological properties of pork obtained from intensively growing hybrid animals.

Background. Assessing nutritional status at the start of treatment for patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma allows us to plan adequate accompanying treatment for patients in whom early nutritional support can improve the results of antitumor treatment.Aim. To assess the prevalence of nutritional deficiency, features of usual diet energy and protein composition in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma who are starting antitumor treatment.Materials and methods. The study included 96 adult patients (m = 61), average age 38.9 ± 16.8 years, with newly diagnosed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of various localization and prevalence. Additional laboratory screening (total protein, albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP), total cholesterol, triglycerides, daily urea excretion), anthropometric measurements (height, body weight (BW), weight loss over 6 months, body mass index), questionnaire (considering the intake of nutrients during the previous 3 days, calculating the intake of protein and energy, nitrogen balance) were performed in all patients before the first course of antitumor treatment. GLIM (Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition) criteria were used to diagnose protein-energy malnutrition (PEM).Results. In studied patients, energy intake was 27.92 ± 6.47 kcal/kg BW per day, protein 0.91 ± 0.18 g/kg BW per day, and nitrogen balance was –3.57 ± 2.94 g/day. Moderate PEM was diagnosed in 37 (38.5 %) patients. Differences in some laboratory parameters were revealed in patients with PEM and without nutritional disorders: CRP level (20.38 ± 14.69 mg/L versus 12.52 ± 5.66 mg/L; p = 0.0004), glucose (5.07 ± 1.09 mmol/L versus 4.57 ± 0.62 mmol/L; p = 0.005), total cholesterol (4.35 ± 1.27 mmol/L versus 5.36 ± 1.45 mmol/L), triglycerides (1.22 ± 0.51 mmol/L versus 2.02 ± 0.78 mmol/L; p = 0.001).Conclusion. Moderate PEM is detected in more than a third of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma who begin antitumor treatment. The leading symptom in this case is unintentional weight loss over the past 6 months. An increased CRP level, moderate hyperglycemia, and lower concentrations of total cholesterol and blood triglycerides also characterize PEM in this cohort of patients. With sufficient energy supply, the amount of protein in the natural diet of patients with PEM turned out to be low, and the nitrogen balance was negative, which in the future can lead to the development of sarcopenia and requires nutritional support.

Background. Differentiation syndrome (DS) is a potentially fatal complication of therapy for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) with an incidence of up to 48 %. To date, no reliable DS risk factors have been found, with the exception of leukocytosis at the APL onset.Aim. To determine the risk factors associated with DS in patients with APL during induction therapy with arsenic trioxide (ATO) and tretinoin (ATRA).Materials and methods. The study included 39 patients with APL, 29 (74.4 %) of them were classified as low-risk according to ELN (European Leukemia Net), 10 (25.6 %) were classified as high-risk. At the disease onset, cytological and molecular (chimeric transcript PML::RARα, FLT3-ITD mutation) bone marrow studies were performed, the expression of 28 differentiation antigens by blood and bone marrow blast cells was determined (markers of early precursors, myeloid and lymphoid differentiation, cell adhesion molecules, chemokine receptors, integrins, selectin), body mass index (BMI) and the leukocytes number dynamics during induction course were assessed. All patients received ATRA and ATO therapy. Patients from the high-risk group at the onset received 1–3 injections of idarubicin (12 mg/m2) and dexamethasone (8–10 mg/m2 2 times a day) to prevent DS until leukocytosis reduced. In cases of DS, dexamethasone was prescribed at a dose of 10 mg/m2 2 times a day; in cases of severe DS, the induction course was interrupted.Results. Of the 39 patients, 12 (30.8 %) were diagnosed with DS: 20 % of high-risk patients (2/10) and 34.5 % of low-risk patients (10/29). There was no statistically significant association of leukocytosis more than 10 × 109 /L at onset, microgranular morphology of blast cells, bcr3-variant PML::RARα, FLT3-ITD mutation with DS. In multivariate analysis, the probability of DS was associated with BMI ≥30 kg/m2 and mean fluorescence intensity of CD38 antigen by blast cells, regardless of risk group. based on the results of the ROC-analysis, the threshold value of mean CD38 fluorescence intensity was set at 25,000 cu, if exceeded, DS is highly likely to develop.Conclusion. the high incidence of DS among low-risk patients is probably due to the lack of prophylactic glucocorticosteroids administration for the development of leukocytosis during ATRA and ATO therapy. BMI ≥30 kg/m2 and mean CD38 fluorescence intensity more than 25,000 cu were identified as statistically significant DS risk factors.

Express detection of viruses, in particular, norovirus (NoV) and hepatitis A virus (HAV), is becoming an extremely important task for food safety control. This study examines various approaches to recovery of viral particles and methods for RNA extraction from food matrices to assess mengovirus extraction efficiency. Efficiency of mengovirus extraction from raspberry was 14.26%, from oysters 7.99%, from pork liver 8.33%. Assessment of RNA extraction by various methods was carried out. The highest efficiency of mengovirus extraction from pork liver (19.37%) was observed when RNA was extracted using the eGene-up semi-automatic system. The lowest extraction efficiency (5.31%) was achieved upon manual RNA extraction. When RNA was extracted from oysters, the maximum efficiency (33.35%) was ensured by the AutoPure nucleic acid extraction station and NucliSens kit, while the minimum efficiency (9.78%) was observed when using the eGene-up system. The performed monitoring of food products showed that the highest occurrence of norovirus GII was recorded in oyster samples (9.6% of tested samples); the second place was occupied by strawberry, where occurrence of norovirus GII was 6.8%. In the raspberry samples, norovirus GII was not detected.

A unique muscle of pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus) is m. semitendinosus, which contains the “red” (dark) part located mainly in the depth of the leg cut and the “white” (light) part located in the close proximity to the subcutaneous fat layer. Differences in the characteristics of its “red” and “white” parts can exert a significant effect on quality and economic indicators of meat products. The aim of this research was to study histological features of the microstructure and technological properties of muscle tissue from different parts of m. semitendinosus, obtained from slaughter pigs of Russian production. M. semitendinosus was excised from chilled porcine carcasses (N=20) 24 hours after slaughter in the process of deboning. Histological examination showed that the dark part of the muscle was characterized by a higher package density of fibers, higher number of capillaries and higher sarcomere length. On the contrary, the light part was characterized by a higher diameter of muscle fibers. Analysis of muscle fiber types showed that the proportion of type I, intermediate and type IIb fibers was higher by 9.3, 5.2 and 4.1%, respectively, in the dark part. Significant differences between the dark and light parts of m. semitendinosus were revealed in terms of the number and size of giant fibers: the light part was characterized by a larger number (by more than 5 times) of giant fibers with the fibers of a larger size (almost by 11%). The samples of minced meat from the dark and light parts showed significant (р

Differentiation syndrome (DS) is a severe complication of acute promyelocytic leukemia and its treatment, which is one of the causes of high early mortality. the similarity of clinical manifestations of DS and other complications that may develop during acute promyelocytic leukemia therapy makes it difficult to diagnose ds. at the same time, untimely initiation of DS therapy with glucocorticosteroids can lead to the patient’s death. The only generally accepted risk factor for ds is initial leukocytosis. Specific markers confirming ds have not yet been found. A number of studies show that in patients with diagnosed DS, the expression of CD56, CD54, CD2, CD15, CD13, markers of immature granulocytes, β2-integrins was more often found on blast cells. exposure to tretinoin increased the expression of chemokine receptors, chemokines, and cytokines by blast cells and vascular endothelium. The influence exerted by atypical promyelocytes, due to their biological characteristics, on the coagulation system suggests an association between hemostasis state and ds development. However, the value of the above markers as predictors or signs of DS still needs to be tested, especially when it comes to non-chemotherapeutic treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia with arsenic trioxide.

One of the priorities of the Strategy of scientific and technological development of the Russian Federation (approved by Presidential Decree № 642 of December 1, 2016) is the transition to a highly productive and environmentally friendly agriculture. Organic agriculture can help to ensure sufficient food for the population by 2050 and simultaneously reduce the impact of agriculture on the environment only if it is implemented as part of a system of agricultural production, which should provide the same volume and composition of products as in the baseline scenario. An important aspect of organic livestock production is to reduce the impact of stress factors on animals. A promising solution can be the use of natural biologically active substances with pronounced antioxidant properties. The action of natural bioflavonoids (Taxifolin) and also in a complex with vitamins on the organism of fattening pigs during the periods of stress of various etiology (climatic, fodder, social etc.) has been studied. A complex including vitamin C, vitamin E and Taxifolin has been developed. The provisions of the method of feeding pigs as a way to reduce the negative impact of stress factors on meat quality by means of the studied nutritional factor have been studied experimentally.

Relevance. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease, the drug therapy of which can only slow the progression of the disease, due to the variety of existing pathogenetic processes. A possible effective approach to the correction of symptoms can be the use of compounds with a complex mechanism of action — phosphorylacetohydrazides, capable of simultaneously acting on different parts of the pathological process, the most effective representative of which is the compound 2-chloroethoxy-para-N-dimethylaminophenyl phosphorylacetohydrazide (CAPAH). Target. To study the possibility of correcting cognitive and behavioral disorders in rats with a stereotaxic model of AD using the CAPAH compound, which affects different parts of the pathological process. Methods. 24 female Wistar rats were used in the work. AD was modeled in rats by stereotaxic bilateral injection of β-amyloid into the hippocampal region in a phosphate buffer solution, then on day 11, CAPACH (10 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally for 10 days, after which tests were performed using the ≪Elevated Plus Maze≫, ≪Open Field≫ and ≪Morris Water Maze≫. Statistical processing was carried out in the GraphPad Prism 8.0.1 program using one-way ANOVA analysis. Results. Multiple administration of CAPAH contributed to a decrease in the level of anxiety in the ≪Elevated Plus Maze≫ method, increasing the time spent in open arms by 4.6 times (p < 0.05) compared to rats without treatment. In the ≪Morris Water Maze≫ and ≪Open Field≫ tests, normalization of memory and motor activity processes was observed, respectively, the platform search time and the number of crossed lines did not differ from those of control animals. Conclusion. CAPAH reduces anxiety and memory processes in rats with a stereotaxic model of Alzheimer's disease caused by the introduction of β-amyloid into the hippocampus.

The retrospective study of clinical data, risk factors, and results of treatment of a large group of patients with primary systemic anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) (n = 42) with the Т-/О phenotype is presented. Primary systemic ALCL occurred in young persons aged less than 30 years. A group of patients with its poor course (with complete remission (CR) being achieved) showed a trend for the prevalence of the signs that were a part of the standard (International Prognostic Index — IPI) factors and ones of poor prognosis, which were additionally analyzed by the authors. Significant differences in a group of patients with a good prognosis (with CR being achieved) were obtained only in the following indices: ALK protein expression (substantiating the further division and study of a homogenous group of patients), the stage of the disease, evaluation of the patients’ general condition by the ECOG scale, and the presence of B-symptoms.According to the data available in the literature, ALK-positive ALCL has a better prognosis than ALK-negative ALCL. The results given in this communication additionally confirm and extend these observations. There is evidence that, by using the IPI and the baseline prevalence of the disease, one may predict an outcome in the homogenous group of patients without CR being achieved after first-line therapy. Analysis of the findings has established no clinical risk factors associated with the baseline site of a tumor process, which influence long-term results, but this matter should be studied in further prospective investigations, by keeping in mind the location zones characteristic of ALCL.

Hodgkin lymphoma differs from anaplastic largecell lymphoma (ALCL) (≪Hodgkin-like≫ variant) by more frequent early stage diseases revealing (46%), mediastinal lymph nodes involvement (69%), softtissue components absence, small number of cases with more than one extranodal organ involvement (15%), ALK-protein absence (100%) and tumor cell B-immunophenotype (PAX 5+). Morphological features: the expressed pironinophilia in tumor cells cytoplasm by Broshe staining in systemic ALCL (T-/0 phenotype), that is rare observed in Hodgkin lymphoma; large tumor cells in systemic ALCL (_-/0 phenotype) have more polymorphic nucleuses with small nucleoluses in comparison with more spherical cells with large nucleoluses in Hodgkin lymphona; intrasinus growth observed almost in a half of cases in systemic ALCL (T-/0 phenotype) does not revealed in Hodgkin lymphoma; tumor tissue fibrosis is a rare observation in systemic ALCL (T-/0 phenotype), while fibrosis and capsule sclerosis are frequent morphological signs in Hodgkin lymphoma.

Changes in the muscle tissue microstructure lead to changes in meat quality. One of the causes of the myopathy development is animal stress. Pigs experience the strongest stress during pre-slaughter holding. The study of the postmortem meat structure depending on fasting time is a topical task. The objects of the research were samples of m. L. dorsi obtained after slaughter from pigs that differed in fasting time: 4 (group 1), 8 (group 2), 10 (group 3), 16 (group 4) and 18 (group 5) hours (N = 20, n = 4). Investigation of the microstructure and morphometric measurements were carried out on preparations stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Myopathic changes in muscle tissue were assessed using a semi-quantitative method developed earlier. All studied samples were characterized by the uniform condition of muscle tissue. Statistically significant differences between individual groups were observed regarding the number and area of giant fibers, sarcomere length, diameter of muscle fibers and proportion of muscle fibers, which diameter was lower or higher by 1/3 than the mean fiber diameter. An increase in the pre-slaughter holding time reduced the number and area of giant fibers (r = –0.8437 and –0.5796, respectively), as well as the diameter of “normal” fibers (r = –0.5337), which positively influenced pork quality. Groups 1, 2 and 3 were characterized by the presence of signs of moderate and pronounced myopathy. Only one carcass with pronounced myopathic signs was revealed in each of groups 4 and 5. In group 4, one carcass did not have signs of myopathy. Pre-slaughter holding during 4, 8 and 10 hours led to deterioration of pork quality. The recommended fasting time is 16 hours.

Aim. To study the efficacy and safety of combined immunochemotherapy according to the DHAp protocol + nivolumab in patients with refractory/relapsed classical Hodgkin's lymphoma before autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.Materials and methods. The study consisted of 2 phases: 1st - immunotherapy with nivolumab (2 injections as monotherapy at a dose of 240 mg/day with 14 days interval); 2nd - combined immunochemotherapy according to the DHAp protocol + nivolumab (14 days after the 2nd administration of nivolumab): nivolumab 480 mg/day on day 1 in combination with chemotherapy according to the DHAp protocol, 4 cycles in total. The effectiveness of therapy was evaluated after 2 injections of nivolumab, after 2 and 4 cycles of combination therapy. from March 2020 to November 2021, 32 patients were included in the study. The median age was 34 (18-55) years.Results. As of November 2021, the result was evaluated in 32 patients after the 1st stage of treatment (nivolumab monotherapy). A complete response was obtained in 4 (12.5 %) patients, a partial response in 20 (62.5 %) patients, disease stabilization was noted in 5 (16 %) patients, an indeterminate response in 3 (9 %) patients. At the 2nd phase, the efficacy after the 2nd cycle of DHAp + nivolumab was evaluated in 31 patients (complete response was obtained in 19 (61 %), partial response in 11 (36 %)); the final efficacy evaluation (after the 4th cycle of DHAp + nivolumab) was performed in 30 patients, and all patients achieved response to therapy (complete response in 25 (83 %), partial response in 5 (17 %)). 2 patients were excluded from the study.Conclusion. preliminary results of combined immuno- and chemotherapy according to the DHAp protocol showed high efficacy and relatively low toxicity in patients with refractory/relapsed classical Hodgkin's lymphoma before autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

High pH value 45 minutes after slaughter (рН45) has so far been the most frequently used indicator to select pig carcasses with normal course of autolysis. However, in practice, this does not provide meat quality homogeneity. Therefore, carcasses with рН45 > 6.0 were examined for signs of myopathy, which are characteristic for PSE meat, using the histological method. To perform the study, we randomly selected 320 individuals for slaughter out of 1,059 individuals of mixed swine grown in the same conditions. After slaughter, we selected 18 fresh carcasses that demonstrated low рН45. The results of the examination of the muscular tissue (L. dorsi) samples revealed that pork varied in microstructural characteristics. Only 44% of the samples had no signs of myopathy: no contracture nodes and destructive changes in the muscle fibers were present. A total of 39% of the samples were identified to the muscular tissue with mildly expressed myopathy, 17% of the samples – to the muscular tissue with acute myopathy. Thus, among the carcasses with рН45 > 6.0, 56% of the carcasses had signs of mild and acute myopathy, which explains quality homogeneity of meat selected using this criterion. Statistical analysis of the results suggested that the increase in the diameter of the muscle fibers of glycolytic type was related to appearance of signs of mild and acute myopathy – “giant fibers”. Increase in the weight of animals is not a risk factor. The obtained results allowed us to conclude the necessity of developing new approaches to assessing meat quality immediately after the slaughter with the purpose of increasing efficiency in predicting technological properties of meat. Promising directions of developing quick methods in histology allow us to hope that such approaches may be based on the data on microstructure of fresh muscular tissue.

The aim of the study was to assess the level of NAD+ in the brain of mice treated with beta-amyloid (Aβ), as well as to determine the activity of ADP-ribosyl cyclase/CD38 and the number of CD38-immunopositive neurons, astrocytes and endothelial cells. Material and methods. The Alzheimer’s disease model was reproduced by intrahippocampal administration of Aβ to C57BL/6 mice. Determination of the NAD+ level in the extracellular fluid of the brain and in the hippocampal tissue was carried out by spectrophotometric analysis. Evaluation of the enzymatic activity of ADP-ribosyl cyclase / CD38 was carried out by the fluorimetric method, determination of the number of CD38-immunopositive cells by the immunohistochemistry method. Results and discussion. The level of NAD+ was significantly increased in the hippocampal tissue in mice after administration of Aβ, while the level of extracellular NAD+ did not change. The activity of ADP-ribosyl cyclase / CD38 in the hippocampal tissue did not change, but the number of CD38-immunopositive neurons decreased, and the number of CD38+ endothelial cells increased in the hippocampus of mice after administration of Aβ. Conclusion. Opposite changes in the expression of ADP-ribosyl cyclase / CD38 in neurons and endotheliocytes correspond to different metabolic states of these types of cells and, along with an increased intracellular pool of NAD+ in experimental Alzheimer’s disease, reflect an adaptive stress response to Aβ administration.

The review paper examines the main risk factors for microbial contamination of meat at different stages of its processing. Particular emphasis has been placed on primary animal processing being the most hazardous in terms of microbial contamination of meat. Carcass cross-contamination most frequently occurs during skinning and evisceration since hides and the digestive tract are the primary sources of microbial pathogens. It is necessary to observe stringent sanitary and hygienic rules when performing these operations. Continuous cold chain management along all following stages of meat processing and control of the sanitary status of cold chambers during meat storage are of extreme importance. An increase in the microbial counts due to the high number of manual operations was observed during meat cutting, boning, and trimming. Subsequent stages of meat processing, including mincing, curing, the addition of spices, also promote significant microbial growth. Strict control regarding detection of dangerous pathogens, especially L. monocytogenes, is needed at this stage. In general, to minimize problems linked with meat and meat product safety, it is necessary to take timely measures on sanitary treatment of meat processing facilities, including the prevention of biofilm formation.

Tracking the spread of emerging pathogens is critical to the design of timely and effective public health responses. Policymakers face the challenge of allocating finite resources for testing and surveillance across locations, with the goal of maximizing the information obtained about the underlying trends in prevalence and incidence. We model this decision-making process as an iterative node classification problem on an undirected and unweighted graph, in which nodes represent locations and edges represent movement of infectious agents among them. To begin, a single node is randomly selected for testing and determined to be either infected or uninfected. Test feedback is then used to update estimates of the probability of unobserved nodes being infected and to inform the selection of nodes for testing at the next iterations, until certain test budget is exhausted. Using this framework, we evaluate and compare the performance of previously developed active learning policies for node selection, including Node Entropy and Bayesian Active Learning by Disagreement. We explore the performance of these policies under different outbreak scenarios using simulated outbreaks on both synthetic and empirical networks. Further, we propose a policy that considers the distance-weighted average entropy of infection predictions among neighbors of each candidate node. Our proposed policy outperforms existing ones in most outbreak scenarios given small test budgets, highlighting the need to consider an exploration-exploitation trade-off in policy design. Our findings could inform the design of cost-effective surveillance strategies for emerging and endemic pathogens and reduce uncertainties associated with early risk assessments in resource-constrained situations.

Background. Bendamustine is one of the main drugs included in the arsenal of cytostatic agents that are used in oncohematology. In Russia, the drug was registered at the end of 2010 under the commercial name Ribomustin (company Astellas). At the end of 2018, two national generics of bendamustine appeared on the Russian market – Rozustin® (Rafarma) and Kovada (Biocad).Materials and methods. In 2019 the department of hemoblastosis chemotherapy of the N. N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology received the drug bendamustin (Rozustin®) (Rafarma, Russia). This article presents the first experience of using Rozustin® in patients with various lymphoproliferative diseases. Most often, the drug was used for relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin’s lymphoma.Results and conclusion. The high effectiveness, acceptable toxicity profile compared to alternative “salvage” regimens, ease of implementation, and the possibility of a full collection of hematopoietic stem cells followed by high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplant, confirm the good potential of the combined program with the inclusion of the drug bendamustine (Rozustin®).

Recently, there has been a growing demand for healthy processed foods, such as comminuted or gel-type meat and fish products with reduced content of salt (sodium chloride), phosphate (sodium phosphate) and/or fat, while maintaining their texture and quality characteristics. As know, a high intake of dietary sodium is associated with cardiovascular diseases and strokes. On the other hand, high phosphate intake has a potential health risk, especially with regard to bone metabolism, cardiovascular and kidney diseases. High hydrostatic pressure (HHP) technology has been recognized as a useful method for successfully reducing salt, phosphate and/or fat content in processed muscle products. The texture, yield and organoleptic properties of products are closely related to the structure and functionality of myofibrillar proteins (MP). Application of moderate high hydrostatic pressure at 100–200 MPa has been successfully used to increase the functionality of myofibrillar proteins by modifying the structure due to denaturation, solubilization, aggregation or gelation. The ability to reduce sodium content and achieve a high binding and water retention using this technology is an important task for the production of healthy food products.

The aim of the research was to establish an effect of gas stunning of pigs at slaughter on the condition of the internal organs and pork functional-technological characteristics. The experiment was carried out in the conditions of the operating enterprise on 37 Large White pigs. When using 94% concentration in a chamber, only 65% of animals were assessed as normally stunned, 30% of animals did not have cardiac activity and were considered dead, 5% of animals retained sensibility. Assessment of the condition of the internal organs, dynamics of pH changes, comparison of moisture holding capacity and color characteristics did not reveal substantial and statistically significant differences between slaughter products from normally stunned animals and animals died during stunning. The authors discuss mortality of animals before the beginning of bleeding as a possible cause of similar results of investigation of the internal organs and meat quality from animals with and without cardiac activity after gas stunning.

The results of meteorological observations, carried out in the framework of the international project Ice Memory on the Western plateau of the Elbrus Mountain during the Second drilling expedition (24.06–17.07.2018), are analyzed. The analysis of the field data made together with the assessment of the large-scale meteorological fields from the NCEP/NCAR reanalysis did show that, on the whole, the observed meteorological conditions corresponded to the background state of the atmosphere in the Greater Caucasus in the summer season (with the exception of the anomalous high moisture content). The Western plateau is characterized by a high frequency of storm winds ( > 20 m/s) with low drifting snow and intensive snowfalls: the precipitation sum for the expedition period is approximately estimated as 150 mm. Spectral analysis of time series allowed establishing the significant role of the mountain and valley circulation in the formation of the meteorological regime. It is shown that the melting of snow in high-mountain conditions is determined by the incoming short-wave radiation, while turbulent flows of heat and moisture mainly transport energy from the surface. For 20 days of the observations, approximately 49 mm of snow (in the water equivalent) melted, and about 25% of this volume evaporated. The rest of the moisture diffused into the snow cover, and thus, remained in the accumulation layer. During the expedition, deviations of meteorological values from the norm were relatively small, so it can be assumed that the obtained value of the evaporated liquid on the Western plateau during the ablation period was close to the climatic mean.

Objective: to evaluate the possibilities of ultrasound elastography for differentiation of reactive and lymphomatous superficial lymph nodes (LN).Materials and methods. The prospective study included 138 patients with enlarged superficial LN. Based on a previous histological examination, patients were divided into two groups: 1st group (n = 108) – patients with non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas and Hodgkin’s lymphoma; 2nd (n = 30) – patients with reactive (inflammatory) changes in superficial LN. All patients underwent ultrasound elastography of the enlarged LN using ARFI technology.Results. According to the results of ultrasound elastography, the average, minimum, and maximum shear wave velocities for enlarged LN in lymphoma (1st group) were 2.616 ± 0.684; 1.980 ± 0.557 and 3.351 ± 0.987 m / s, respectively; for LN with reactive changes (2nd group) – 1.704 ± 0.223; 1.414 ± 0.209 and 2.027 ± 0.261 m / s, respectively. Thus, the average, minimum, and maximum values of shear wave velocities significantly different between the groups (p ˂0.001). The cut off values of the average shear wave velocity in the differential diagnosis of lymphoma and hyperplasia are determined at the level of 2.05 m / s, with a sensitivity of 88.5 %, specificity of 100 %, and AUC of 0.942 (p ˂0.001).Conclusion. Ultrasound elastography demonstrated statistically significant differences in shear wave velocity in the enlarged superficial LN in lymphoma and in inflammatory processes that can be used as a preliminary non-invasive differential diagnosis of enlarged superficial LN in these conditions.

Erdheim–Chester disease (ECD) is a rare disease with a poor prognosis. The first two cases were reported by Jakob Erdheim and William Chester in 1930. The etiology and disease incidence are unknown. One of the main components of this disorder is a chronic uncontrollable inflammation. In 2016 ECD was classified as histiocytic neoplasm by the World Health Organization and was categorized as “tumors of histiocytes and dendritic cells”. More than half of patients testing positive for the BRAF mutation. The final diagnosis is made on the basis of histological finding. There are radiological markers indicating a possible association with the disease. This is a specific, almost pathognomonic scintigraphic picture of the skeleton, “coated” aorta, “hairy” kidney patterns on computer tomography. There is a Erdheim–Chester Disease Global Alliance (ECDGA), which try to unite and provide with information about diagnostics and treatment of this rare disease both patients and doctors. Today, there are 571 registered patients and only one from Russia. We demonstrate three clinical cases of patients with newly diagnosed ECD and the role of nuclear medicine methods in assessing the prevalence of this disease.

The minimum residual disease (MRD) for hematopoietic and lymphoid systems tumors is an important component of patient examination during therapy. The MRD detection is performed to evaluate the effect of therapy and risk stratification during chemotherapy (acute leukemia) or at the end of it (peripheral B-cell lymphomas). The main laboratory methods for MRD assessing are molecular (polymerase chain reaction) and immunological (multi-parameter flow cytometry (FC)) methods. Immunological evaluation of MRD is the standard of clinical protocols for the treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia during induction therapy. In the case of acute leukemia in adults, MRD assessment is usually performed at the end of the consolidation course. Clinically significant and practically standardized is the immunological assessment of MRD in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia.In multiple myeloma (in World Health Organization (2016) classification – plasma cell myeloma (PCM)), work is also underway to standardize protocols and unify approaches to MRD detection. With the introduction of new drugs and treatment regimens, as well as transplantation clinical outcome of patients significantly improved and MRD value is considered as a prognostic factor. To date, the use of the MRD value as a biomarker of treatment response in PCM has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.With the accumulation of our knowledge regarding the MRD and to establish the clinical significance of the FC in PCM, International Multiple Myeloma Study Group (IMWG) in 2011 was added the following definition to the traditional criteria of PCM complete remission: “Immunophenotypic complete remission” – the immunophenotypically absence of aberrant clonal plasma cells in the bone marrow when analyzing at least 1 million myelocaryocytes using a multiparameter FC (4 or more parameters).This article discusses the evolution of immunological approaches using a multi-parameter FC to detect MRD in patients with PCM in accordance with various existing protocols, features of the preanalytical stage and general rules for FC detection of MRD in PCM.

Objective. The possibilities of ultrasound elastography of the lymph nodes as an additional technique for the intermediate control of treatment of patients with Hodgkin’s lymphoma are determined.Materials and methods. A prospective study included patients with a diagnosis of classical Hodgkin’s lymphoma with affected superficial lymph nodes. Patients underwent ultrasound elastography (compression elastography and shear wave elastography) of the enlarged lymph nodes before treatment and after two cycles of chemotherapy. The reasons for the ultrasound examination of superficial lymph nodes after the second chemotherapy cycle were: an earlier ultrasound examination with revealed changes in the superficial lymph nodes (in 100% of cases), preservation of the palpable formation in the projection of the superficial lymph nodes (in 56.9% of cases). Before ultrasound elastography of the studied group of patients, the positive dynamics after two cycles of chemotherapy was confirmed by PET/CT (Deauville scale 2—3).Results and conclusion. According to strain elastography, stiff heterogeneous (third type of elastogram) and stiff structure (fourth type of elastogram) of affected lymph nodes were noted in 53.5 and 42.3% of cases, respectively, before treatment. After two cycles of chemotherapy, these types of elastogram were 52.1 and 43.7% of cases, respectively. According to the results of shear wave elastography before and after treatment, a decrease in the average shear wave velocity in the affected lymph nodes from 2.67 + 0.69 to 2.21 + 0.40m/s (p = 0.000003) was revealed.

The features of the competitiveness of enterprises in the hospitality industry on the example of the restaurant business have been examined. Nowadays the restaurant industry, including the coffee shop’s segment, is highly competitive, it's necessary to monitor constantly competitors and their offers and, also to form right competitive strategy for the enterprise. It has been noted, that in our days the chain coffee shops with a similar offer of services dominate in the restaurant industry in the coffee segment. The competitive analysis and well-built strategy enable coffee shops to conquer their target audience, help to increase their loyalty, what entails an increase in sales and profit growth of the enterprise.

The objective of study is to estimate the efficiency of extracorporeal free light chains of immunoglobulin elimination in patients with monoclonal gammopathies (n = 12) during hemodialysis using selective filters.Materials and methods. A blood and dialysate free light chains concentrations change was criterion of efficiency.Results and conclusion. The selective free light chains filtration give the possibility of an adequate anti-tumor therapy, could prevent the development of irreversible renal failure and hypoalbuminemia.