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Background/Objectives: Recent data indicate the involvement of skeletal muscles in the regulation of metabolism and in the pathogenesis of chronic noncommunicable diseases. The goal of our study was to describe the serum concentrations of myokines in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and hypertension (HTN) and their correlation with laboratory parameters, blood pressure (BP), and MASLD severity. Methods: A total of 67 patients with MASLD and HTN underwent anthropometric measurements, laboratory tests, and point shear-wave elastography. The serum concentrations of myokines were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Patients with detectable serum myonectin concentrations had significantly higher maximum systolic blood pressure (p = 0.022) and higher blood levels of uric acid (p = 0.029). Serum irisin concentration ≥ 6.1 μg/mL was associated with higher FLI values (p = 0.042) and liver stiffness (p = 0.034), as well as with slightly higher waist circumference (p = 0.082) and triglyceride level (p = 0.062). Patients with serum myostatin concentration ≥ 4.98 ng/mL were significantly older (p = 0.033) and had a lower blood albumin level (p = 0.043). Conclusions: In conclusion, the myokine profile in patients with MASLD and HTN correlates both with the severity of MASLD and the parameters characteristic of metabolic health, suggesting the possible contribution of altered irisin, myonectin, and myostatin concentrations to the occurrence of cardiometabolic risks in patients with MASLD.

Background/Objectives: Body composition (BC) affects the risk of developing metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and hypertension (HTN). Currently, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) is considered the gold standard for assessing BC, even though it has some limitations, including immobility, ionizing radiation, and patient weight restrictions. The aim of the study was to evaluate the correlations of BC parameters measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) with those measured by DEXA in patients with MASLD and HTN. Methods: Overall, 78 patients with MASLD and HTN underwent the following study procedures: compilation of an anamnesis, physical examination of a patient, laboratory tests, abdominal ultrasound, BIA, DEXA, and anthropometric measurements. Results: The agreement between BIA and DEXA in diagnosing reduced skeletal muscle mass (SMM) in patients with MASLD and HTN was moderate (kappa values were 0.440 and 0.404 in males and females, respectively). Significant strong direct correlations were found between fat mass (FM) and body fat percentage measured by BIA with corresponding measurements by DEXA (p < 0.001 for both). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC) of SMM to body weight ratios calculated using BIA data were 0.834 and 0.929 for reduced appendicular SMM determined by DEXA in males and females with MASLD and HTN, respectively. Conclusions: In conclusion, BIA is an easy-to-use and widely available tool for assessing SMM and FM in patients with MASLD and HTN, demonstrating reliable agreement with DEXA measurement results and completely free of its limitations.

This study aimed to describe sonographic features of rectus femoris muscle (RFM) in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MASLD) and their correlation with body composition parameters and muscle strength. A total of 67 patients with MASLD underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), bioimpedance analysis (BIA), muscle strength measurement (grip strength [GS] and chair stand test [CST]), and ultrasound (US) investigation of the RFM in the dominant thigh using a 4 to 18 MHz linear probe. MASLD patients exhibited increased RFM echogenicity, possibly due to fatty infiltration. We confirmed that the greater the subcutaneous fat thickness, the smaller was the muscle mass (p < 0.001), and the lower was the muscle strength (p < 0.001 for GS and p = 0.002 for CST). On the contrary, the greater the anteroposterior diameter (APD) of RFM, the higher was the muscle mass (p < 0.001), and the greater was the muscle strength (p < 0.001 for GS and p = 0.007 for CST). In addition, APD of the RFM and stiffness of RFM exhibited direct correlation with bone mineral density values of the lumbar spine (p = 0.005 for both GS and CST). We concluded that US investigation of the RFM in the dominant thigh can be helpful in identifying MASLD patients at a high risk of musculoskeletal disorders given repeated point-of-care clinical evaluations.

Recently, two following demographic trends have been clearly obser­ved in the world: population aging and an increase in the prevalence of obesity. In February 2022, the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) and the European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO) published the first consensus guidelines for the definition and diagnosis of sarcopenic obesity, which characterizes by a combination of excess adipose tissue with a decrease in muscle mass, muscle strength and impaired muscle function. The purpose of this review is to describe the prevalence, the main etiopathogenetic factors of sarcopenic obesity, as well as currently accepted approaches to the diagnosis of this condition.

Background/Objectives: Recent data indicate the involvement of skeletal muscles in the regulation of metabolism and in the pathogenesis of chronic noncommunicable diseases. The goal of our study was to describe the serum concentrations of myokines in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and hypertension (HTN) and their correlation with laboratory parameters, blood pressure (BP), and MASLD severity. Methods: A total of 67 patients with MASLD and HTN underwent anthropometric measurements, laboratory tests, and point shear-wave elastography. The serum concentrations of myokines were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Patients with detectable serum myonectin concentrations had significantly higher maximum systolic blood pressure (p = 0.022) and higher blood levels of uric acid (p = 0.029). Serum irisin concentration ≥ 6.1 μg/mL was associated with higher FLI values (p = 0.042) and liver stiffness (p = 0.034), as well as with slightly higher waist circumference (p = 0.082) and triglyceride level (p = 0.062). Patients with serum myostatin concentration ≥ 4.98 ng/mL were significantly older (p = 0.033) and had a lower blood albumin level (p = 0.043). Conclusions: In conclusion, the myokine profile in patients with MASLD and HTN correlates both with the severity of MASLD and the parameters characteristic of metabolic health, suggesting the possible contribution of altered irisin, myonectin, and myostatin concentrations to the occurrence of cardiometabolic risks in patients with MASLD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: Body composition (BC) affects the risk of developing metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and hypertension (HTN). Currently, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) is considered the gold standard for assessing BC, even though it has some limitations, including immobility, ionizing radiation, and patient weight restrictions. The aim of the study was to evaluate the correlations of BC parameters measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) with those measured by DEXA in patients with MASLD and HTN. Methods: Overall, 78 patients with MASLD and HTN underwent the following study procedures: compilation of an anamnesis, physical examination of a patient, laboratory tests, abdominal ultrasound, BIA, DEXA, and anthropometric measurements. Results: The agreement between BIA and DEXA in diagnosing reduced skeletal muscle mass (SMM) in patients with MASLD and HTN was moderate (kappa values were 0.440 and 0.404 in males and females, respectively). Significant strong direct correlations were found between fat mass (FM) and body fat percentage measured by BIA with corresponding measurements by DEXA (p < 0.001 for both). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC) of SMM to body weight ratios calculated using BIA data were 0.834 and 0.929 for reduced appendicular SMM determined by DEXA in males and females with MASLD and HTN, respectively. Conclusions: In conclusion, BIA is an easy-to-use and widely available tool for assessing SMM and FM in patients with MASLD and HTN, demonstrating reliable agreement with DEXA measurement results and completely free of its limitations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundA significant number of systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) patients discontinue biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) due to lack of efficacy or safety concerns. Studies of biologic therapy switch regimens in sJIA are required.MethodsPatients with sJIA who switched from tocilizumab (due to lack of efficacy or safety) to canakinumab (4 mg/kg every 4 weeks) and were hospitalized at the rheumatology department from August 2012 to July 2020 were included. Primary efficacy outcomes were 30% or greater improvement based on the paediatric criteria of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR30), achievement of inactive disease (JADAS-71 = 0) and clinical remission (ACR sJIA clinical inactive disease criteria). Follow-up from time first canakinumab dose administered was 12 months or the closest time point (not less than 6 and not more than 18 months). Data were extracted from electronic outpatient medical records.ResultsDuring the study period, 46 patients with sJIA switched from tocilizumab to canakinumab. Median age at baseline was 8.2 [interquartile range (IQR) 4.0–12.9] years, with the median sJIA duration being 1.8 (IQR 0.8–5.8) years; 37 (80%) patients received at least one conventional DMARD (cDMARD; oral corticosteroids, methotrexate and/or cyclosporine A). Study outcomes were followed up in 45 patients (one patient did not attend the follow-up for an unknown reason); median follow-up was 359 (IQR 282–404) days. During the follow-up, 1 patient discontinued canakinumab due to tuberculosis detection and the dose was reduced or the injection interval increased in 4 (9%) patients. In total, 27 (60%) patients continued to receive at least one cDMARD. Improvement according to the ACR30 criteria was achieved in 43 patients [96%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 85–99], inactive disease in 42 (93%; 95%CI 82–98), and remission in 37 (82%; 95% CI 69-91); after adjustment for actual time-at-risk, the rates were 83, 85 and 73 events per 100 person-years, respectively. During follow-up, 23 AEs (most frequently infections) were reported in 19/45 (42%) patients; 5/45 (11%) patients developed macrophage activation syndrome, with a favorable outcome in all cases.ConclusionsOne-year canakinumab therapy was found to be potentially effective as second-line biologic therapy after discontinuation of tocilizumab in patients with sJIA.

This study aimed to describe sonographic features of rectus femoris muscle (RFM) in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MASLD) and their correlation with body composition parameters and muscle strength. A total of 67 patients with MASLD underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), bioimpedance analysis (BIA), muscle strength measurement (grip strength [GS] and chair stand test [CST]), and ultrasound (US) investigation of the RFM in the dominant thigh using a 4 to 18 MHz linear probe. MASLD patients exhibited increased RFM echogenicity, possibly due to fatty infiltration. We confirmed that the greater the subcutaneous fat thickness, the smaller was the muscle mass (p < 0.001), and the lower was the muscle strength (p < 0.001 for GS and p = 0.002 for CST). On the contrary, the greater the anteroposterior diameter (APD) of RFM, the higher was the muscle mass (p < 0.001), and the greater was the muscle strength (p < 0.001 for GS and p = 0.007 for CST). In addition, APD of the RFM and stiffness of RFM exhibited direct correlation with bone mineral density values of the lumbar spine (p = 0.005 for both GS and CST). We concluded that US investigation of the RFM in the dominant thigh can be helpful in identifying MASLD patients at a high risk of musculoskeletal disorders given repeated point-of-care clinical evaluations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Immunological potency of 13-valent pneumococcal vaccine (PCV-13) in children with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA) is still unstudied. Estimates of the genetically engineered biologic drugs (GEBD) effects on pneumococcal vaccination results also remain controversial.Objective. The aim of the study was to explore the PCV-13 efficacy in patients with SJIA and who is on treatment with monoclonal antibodies against interleukin 6 receptor (tocilizumab) and interleukin 8 receptor beta (canakinumab).Methods. The study included patients under the age of 18 with SJIA in remission or active form of disease vaccinated with PCV-13. The vaccine was administered in single dose of 0.5 ml intramuscularly in patients on treatment with GEBD or 3 weeks before GEBD administration for the first time (for patients with active disease). Vaccination was considered effective at achievement of the minimum protective level of antibodies to capsular polysaccharide of pneumococcus (anti-SPP IgG; ≥ 7 U/ml) or increase of anti-SPP IgG level ≥ 2 times in 4 weeks after vaccination. The anti-SPP IgG levels were measured with enzyme immunoassay.Results. The study included 53 patients (27 girls) in remission of SJIA and 25 (16 girls) in active disease. Median age was 13.3 and 10.8 years respectively. Tocilizumab/canakinumab was administrated in 43/10 and 18/7 patients respectively. Minimum significant anti-SPP IgG level and two-fold increase in anti-SPP IgG level were recorded in 49/53 (92%) and 32/53 (60%) patients with SJIA in remission, as well as in 22/25 (88%) and 18/25 (72%) patients in active disease respectively. PCV-13 immunological potency in patients with SJIA in remission and in active disease (in those who were initially administrated and who did not receive GEBD) did not differ.Conclusion. PCV-13 vaccination allows to achieve protective antibodies level in most of the patients with SJIA in children population regardless of the disease stage and the history of GEBD administration.

The article analyzes the indicators of economic activity of textile enterprises of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the context of the transition to an innovative path of economic development. The aim of the study is to increase the efficiency of innovative activities of textile enterprises of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The importance of the work, despite the active support of the state today, lies in the fact that domestic textile enterprises have low competitiveness, since they cannot demonstrate innovative development. Domestic textile products are very low in the domestic market, and the country's textile products are mainly imported. At the same time, the share of textile enterprises in the total volume of industrial production is also small. The study used methods of analysis, synthesis, synthesis and research. The study took into account the experience of European countries in managing the innovative activities of textile enterprises, the high risk of innovative production of products and the implementation of scientific research in production and personal research. The main result of the study is a thorough analysis of the innovative activity of textile enterprises, strengths and weaknesses of this industry. It was proved that the products of the textile industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan take 10% of the domestic Market. At the same time, for the providing of the economic security of the country it should be 30%. Also presented are ways to increase the efficiency of innovative activities of textile enterprises. The work is of practical importance, in the country all types of raw materials are necessary for the textile industry, and they should be exported as more finished products, and not exported to raw materials. This indicates the need to increase the innovative activity of domestic textile enterprises that produce innovative products.

The article is devoted to formation of the components of development of innovative entrepreneurship in Kazakhstan. It has been underlined that currently the Republic of Kazakhstan needs a new qualitative leap in development, innovative character of economic of the country, increase of its institutional competitiveness, as well as positive structural shifts. The application of the definition “innovations” in the context of industrial and innovative development of the country as a new technology, which will significantly improve the quality of life of the population and reduce the price of access to this quality compared to previous technology, has been offered. By SWOT-analysis of the infrastructure of development of the innovative activity, the directions of the entrepreneurship sector development have been determined. The components of the efficiency of the system of the state stimulating of the innovative entrepreneurship have been elaborated. These components are: programs of the development, grant resources, scientific and consulting centres, business incubators, special economic zones, tax incentives and restrictions, media propaganda, creation of accessible databases for any type of employment. It has been proved that programmes of stimulating and instruments for support of the innovative entrepreneurship are actively represented in all regions of the country and should start from detail at the local level. It has been offered to start the formation of the innovative entrepreneurship in small and medium business at the local level. The role of crediting in the sectors of economy as an instrument of the innovative entrepreneurship development has been considered. By the analysis of interviews with representatives of business structures it has been proved that for the development of the innovative entrepreneurship the powers of local governments should be increased, as well as the ecommerce, sector of Internet-consumption and area of the education business-services should be developed. The recommendations for the interrelationship between the state and entrepreneurship in the area of innovations have been elaborated

Background: Both the steroid- and NSAID-sparing effects of biologics in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) treatment are key aspects of the dynamics of patient’s condition. The proper selection of biologics enables maximum treatment effectiveness and reduction of the dosage of concomitant therapy. Our aim was to study the dynamics of concomitant therapy during etanercept (ETA) and methotrexate (MTX) treatment in patients with JIA. Methods: This analysis included 215 JIA patients (63.3% females) showing sufficient response to main therapy. One hundred patients received MTX as main therapy, 24 received ETA monotherapy, and 91 received ETA þ MTX combination therapy. The dynamics of concomitant therapy were analyzed after 1 month, every 3 months during the first year, and every 6 months during the long-term follow-up (up to 5 years). Results: At the baseline, 24 (11.2%) patients received concomitant oral glucocorticoids (orGCs) and NSAIDs; the remaining 191 (88.8%) patients were treated with concomitant NSAIDs only. Within 1-year treatment, NSAIDs were discontinued in 162 (75.3%) patients. There were no significant differences in the dynamics of withdrawal of NSAIDs in patients who received and did not receive concomitant MTX. However, the percentage of treatment discontinuation in the MTX group was significantly lower compared to the other two groups (p < 0.001). Oral GCs were discontinued completely in 4 children (16.7%), and the dose of oral GCs was reduced in another 4 patients (16.7%). By the end of the follow-up period, 44 of 115 patients (38.3%) treated with ETA in combination with any concomitant therapy could switch to ETA monotherapy. Conclusion: Therapy with ETA makes it possible to reduce the dosage or completely discontinue most concomitant medications (orGCs, NSAIDs, MTX) in a significant percentage of patients. This reduces the risk of development of NSAID- and GC-induced pathological conditions, while the effectiveness of therapy of the underlying condition remains high. Key Words: concomitant treatment, etanercept, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, NSAID

Background. Vaccination coverage in patients with rheumatic diseases remains extremely low. Moreover, infections are the leading cause of death in such patients. Respiratory infections mortality is 2–5 times higher in adults with rheumatoid arthritis than in overall population. The most frequent infectious complications in patients receiving Tocilizumab (first-line drug for treatment of patients with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA)) are pneumonia and acute sinusitis. Their clinical course differs: slight clinical presentation, reference ranges of laboratory tests of disease activity (ESR, C-reactive protein), significant changes in lungs and paranasal sinuses according to the computer tomography. Infectious complications development can cause aggravation of prior disease itself or due to temporary immunosuppressive therapy cessation. Clinical Case Description. The experience of immunization with 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) and haemophilus influenzae-tetanus toxoid conjugate vaccine in the 1,5 years old boy with SJIA receiving interleukin-6 receptor monoclonal antibody Tocilizumab is presented. The result of such vaccination was increase of pneumococcal and haemophilus influenzae antibodies levels by more than two times. Meanwhile vaccination had no negative impact on the prior disease course: the levels of predictors of prior disease aggravation such as protein S100 and highly sensitive C-reactive protein did not increase significantly in comparison with the period before vaccination. Conclusion. The efficiency and safety of immunization with PCV13 and haemophilus influenzae-tetanus toxoid conjugate vaccine in the child with SJIA receiving Tocilizumab is presented.

International practice of immunization against pneumococcus in patients with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA) receiving biological therapy is generalized in this review. High efficiency and safety of pneumococcal vaccines in children with SJIA is presented. Numerous researches show the adequate immune response after vaccination as well as alongside with genetically engineered biologic drugs therapy. Prevention of pneumococcal disease in patients with SJIA reduces the risk of development of pneumococcal diseases severe complications.

Background. Prognosis of therapy results of patients with the juvenile idiopatic arthritis (JIA) without systematic manifestations is the precondition of their treatment efficiency enhancement.Objective. Our aim was to establish early predictors for remission achievement in patients with JIA without systematic manifestations who received Etanercept therapy.Methods. In prospective cohort study the therapy results of patients with JIA without systematic manifestations hospitalized from December, 2009 to August, 2014 and administrated with Etanercept are analysed. The association of initial demographic indicators as well as initial and registered after a month of treatment clinical and laboratory indicators with remission achievement after a year of treatment according to the Wallace criteria is estimated.Results. The research included 197 patients with JIA without systematic manifestations who received Etanercept in 0.4 mg/kg dose twice a week subcutaneously (the maximum single dose — 25 mg). In addition to Etanercept 136 (69%) patients received Methotrexat, 121 (61%) — non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, 10 (5%) — glucocorticosteroids, 6 (3%) — Sulfasalazine. After a year of treatment remission was recorded in 77 out of 197 (39.1%) patients. According to multivariate analysis the remission predictors are the following: tender joint count 4 (odds ratio (OR) 4.38; 95% confidential interval (CI) 2.33–8.55), duration of illness before Etanercept therapy 2 years (OR 1.28; 95% CI 1.02–2.15), disease activity decline according to JADAS71 index 10 points in a month of the therapy including Etanercept (OR 2.59; 95% CI 1.38–5.03). Model sensitivity was 32% (all three criteria in 25/77 patients with remission), specificity — 94% (lack of even one criteria in 113/120 patients who did not achieve remission).Conclusion. The predictors of remission in patients with JIA without systematic manifestations in 1 year of Etanercept therapy are smaller tender joint count prior to therapy, smaller duration of illness as well as significant disease activity decline in a month of the therapy.

COVID-19 is a severe infection with high mortality. The concept of the disease has been shaped to a greater extent on the basis of large registers from the USA, Spain, Italy, and China. However, there is no information on the disease characteristics in Caucasian patients.Therefore, we created an international register with the estimated capacity of 5,000 patients — Dynamics Analysis of Comorbidities in SARS-CoV-2 Survivors (AKTIV SARS-CoV-2), which brought together professionals from the Russian Federation, Republic of Armenia, Republic of Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyz Republic. The article presents the first analysis of the register involving 1,003 patients. It was shown that the most significant difference of the Caucasian population was the higher effect of multimorbidity on the mortality risk vs other registers. More pronounced effect on mortality of such diseases as diabetes, obesity, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and age over 60 years was also revealed.

Background. Tumour necrosis factor alpha inhibitors are widely used in the treatment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). To achieve maximum efficiency of genetically engineered biologic drugs, it is necessary to study predictors of the response to therapy. Objective. Our aim was to identify early predictors of the response to adalimumab therapy in patients with JIA without systemic manifestations. Methods. A prospective cohort study analysed treatment results of patients with JIA without systemic manifestations, who were prescribed adalimumab for the period from August 2008 to August 2014. We studied the relationship between baseline demographic indicators as well as baseline and registered after one month of treatment clinical and laboratory parameters and the best (remission according to the Wallace criteria) response to therapy after one year. Results. In the first year of therapy, 94 (43.9%) of 214 patients achieved remission according to the Wallace criteria. In a multivariate analysis, predictors of achieving remission after one year of adalimumab therapy were the improvement according to the ACR70 criterion after one month of therapy [odds ratio (OR) 3.3; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.7–6.7], a history of uveitis (OR 1.86; 95% CI 1.03–3.33), a decrease in the number of joints with active arthritis after one month of therapy (OR 1.09; 95% CI 1.02–1.16). During therapy, injection reactions in the form of pain were observed in 36 (16.8%) of 214 patients, infectious diseases of ENT organs — in 85 (39.7%), of the respiratory tract — in 17 (7.9%), and tubinfection — in 13 (6.1%) children. Conclusion. The presence of uveitis, rapid reduction in the number of joints with active arthritis and a high level of response to treatment after one month of adalimumab therapy are predictors for achieving remission during the first year of treatment.

Background. Insufficient efficacy or intolerance of the first TNF-α inhibitor in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is an indication for the appointment of a second inhibitor. Golimumab is a new TNF-α inhibitor registered for treating JIA under pediatric indications. Clinical Case Description. At an early age, the patient had an onset of polyarticular JIA. Due to the aggressive and rapidly progressive course, failure of therapy with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, methotrexate and glucocorticosteroids for intra-articular administration, infliximab was prescribed to the patient, with a positive effect. Subsequently, the patient developed a secondary resistance to infliximab, inflammatory changes in the joints relapsed; thus, a second TNF-α inhibitor (golimumab) was prescribed. In the course of therapy, pain and signs of arthritis in the patient were reversed, and the range of motion in the affected joints increased. After one year of therapy, JIA remission was ascertained. At the same time, the child was not administered oral glucocorticosteroids. The duration of remission of the joint syndrome was 5 years. Adverse events were not serious and did not constitute a basis for drug discontinuation. Conclusion. Switching to a second TNF-α inhibitor (golimumab) was effective in a patient with a secondary resistance to the first TNF-α inhibitor.

Background. An important goal of treating patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is to achieve the best quality of life associated with health. Objective. Our aim was to assess the impact of methotrexate plus etanercept therapy on the quality of life of patients with early and late JIA. Methods. The prospective study included patients with early and late JIA without systemic manifestations. The patients’ quality of life was assessed with the help of questionnaires for children and parents: the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) Generic Core Scale, the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) Rheumatology Module, and the Health Utilities Index Mark 3 (HUI3). The quality of life was assessed prior to the therapy and after one, six, and 12 months of treatment. Results. 150 children with JIA aged 5.1 (2.0; 17.7) years; 50 children aged 4.0 (2.3–11.4) years in the group of etanercept monotherapy, 50 children aged 5.0 (3.2–9.0) years in the group of methotrexate monotherapy, and 50 children aged 9.9 (6.4–13.0) years in the group of methotrexate plus etanercept combination therapy. All groups showed low scores on all questionnaires before treatment, compared to healthy children. In the course of therapy, there was a tendency for score increase to almost 1.0 according to the HUI3 questionnaire in all groups. After one year of etanercept therapy, the parameters of the quality of life of children with early JIA did not differ from healthy children; the score increased from 56 to 90 p = 0.942 according to the physical functioning scale and from 60 to 85 p = 0.889 according to the emotional functioning scale. In the 2nd group, there was a tendency for score increase, but a statistically significant difference was found across all scales of the questionnaire. After 12 months of etanercept plus methotrexate combination therapy in patients with late JIA, the questionnaire analysis showed that the responses of healthy children and children with JIA differed with probability p = 0.001 for the physical functioning scale, p = 0.001 for the social functioning scale, p = 0.001 for role functioning, and p = 0.001 for the total score. The score increase from 60 to 85 p = 0.789 was noted for emotional functioning scales. Conclusion. The use of questionnaires to assess the quality of life in children with severe chronic diseases can significantly improve the efficacy of treatment and ensure its control.

Background. Infections are the main cause of death for patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases. In adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), mortality caused by respiratory infections is 2–5 times higher than in the population. One of the frequent infectious complications in the course of treatment with tocilizumab, the first-choice drug for treating systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA), is pneumonia characterized by a poor clinical picture, normal values of laboratory indices of the disease activity (ESR, C-reactive protein) with pronounced changes in the lungs revealed by computed tomography. In case of acute respiratory infection in children with systemic JIA, immunosuppressants and genetically engineered biological preparations (GEBP) are discontinued. This often leads to an exacerbation of the underlying disease and the progression of a pathological process. At present, vaccination against pneumococcal infection in Russia is not included in the standard for managing patients with rheumatic diseases. Studies of the safety and efficacy of vaccination with 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) in patients with sJIA receiving genetically engineered biological preparations were not conducted. Clinical Case Description. The article shares the experience of vaccination of a girl aged 9 years with a 13-valent PCV that was conducted in the course of a scientific investigation, which studied the efficacy and safety of vaccination of children with systemic JIA prior to prescription of GEBP tocilizumab. Vaccination did not cause a deterioration in the course of the main disease (1 month), led to a reduction in the incidence of acute respiratory infections (from 4 to 1 time within 6 months before and after vaccination), and discontinuation of antibacterial drugs within 6 months after vaccination. Conclusion. The safety of a 13-valent PCV in a child with sJIA and a decrease of the incidence of respiratory diseases after vaccination, their complications, and the use of antibacterial drugs have been shown.

Background. To assign genetically engineered biologic drugs, we need data on the predictors for response to therapy. Prognostic factors for the response to tocilizumab in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) without systemic symptoms are poorly studied.Objective. Our aim was to reveal early predictors for the response to tocilizumab therapy in patients with JIA without systemic symptoms.Methods. A retrospective cohort study enrolled patients with JIA without systemic symptoms who received tocilizumab therapy between July 2009 and August 2017. We assessed the association between the initial demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters in patients and the best response (according to the ACR90 criteria) to treatment after a year.Results. The study included 95 (girls 85%) patients; the mean age was 10.3 (6.0; 13.6). During the first year of therapy, 71 (75%), 55 (58%), 38 (40%), and 22 (23%) patients achieved the improvement according to ACR30/50/70/90 criteria, respectively; 22 (23%) patients reached disease inactive stage according to the Wallace criteria. When performing multivariate analysis, the following improvement predictors were revealed based on the ACR90 criteria after a year of treatment: decrease in serum C-reactive protein level during the first month of therapy [odds ratio (OR) 1.024; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.007–1.051], decrease in disease activity score on the visual analogue scale according to the parent/patient assessment (OR 1.048; 95% CI 1.005–1.105), early onset of the disease (OR 0.38; 95% CI 0.16–0.72), persistent oligoarthritis according to the ILAR (OR 9.9; 95% CI 1.5–109.3). During the first year of tocilizumab administration, neutropenia was registered in one patient, leukopenia — in three cases, and urticaria — in one case.Conclusion. The variant of JIA, the age at the disease onset, and the disease course pattern in the first month of tocilizumab therapy are the predictors of treatment efficacy throughout the year.

Background. Patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) have an increased risk of being infected. Approximately half of all serious infections in children with JIA are associated with airway involvement.Objective. Our aim was to study the efficacy and safety of the pneumococcal 13-valent conjugate vaccine (PCV) in children with JIA.Methods. In a prospective cohort study, 5 groups were formed: children with JIA in the remission phase on methotrexate therapy (group 1) or etanercept (group 2), with JIA in the active phase prior to the appointment of methotrexate (group 3) or etanercept (group 4), control group (conditionally healthy children). 0.5 ml of the 13-valent PCV was administered once subcutaneously during therapy in patients in the remission phase or 3 weeks before the appointment of methotrexate or etanercept in patients in the active phase. The main study outcome was the proportion of patients with a protective ( 40 mg/L) level of specific anti-pneumococcal antibodies (anti-SPP) IgG to Streptococcus pneumoniae 4 weeks after vaccination. In addition, we assessed the incidence of infectious events before and after vaccination as well as changes in the content of a high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, S100 protein, and post-vaccination period.Results. The study included 125 children. Four weeks after vaccination, the protective level of anti-SPP IgG was established in 21 (84%) patients in the 1st, 23 (92%) in the 2nd, 22 (88%) in the 3rd, 24 (96%) in the 4th and 5th groups (p =1.0). Increase in the concentration of S100 protein and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein after vaccination was not noted. JIA exacerbation episodes were not recorded in any patient. After immunization, the total number of infectious events decreased in all observed groups (p 0.001). Serious adverse events were not registered during the study.Conclusion. Vaccination with the 13-valent PCV in children with JIA is highly effective and is not accompanied by the development of serious adverse events.

The problem of intensive pollution of the Caspian Sea has been continued to be one of the most significant and serious for the region. The rising of pollution level of the Caspian Sea coast with oil hydrocarbons has a particular concern. The purpose of this paper is to assess the pollution degree of the Caspian coast with petroleum hydrocarbons. The idea of the author is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the environmental destructive factors of the oil production process on natural complexes, including the effect of chemical pollution of the water basin with petroleum hydrocarbons on local hydrobionts. Methods of mathematical modeling of the oil films spreading on the water surface aimed to the prediction of the influence area, and methods of toxicological studies and assessment of the dose-effect relationship have been used. It was determined that the waters of the Caspian Sea, associated with offshore oil production, are areas of increased environmental risk. In the cases the concentration of hydrocarbons is above 1 mg / l, physiological changes are observed in the majority of dominant groups of hydrobionts. Areas of increased risk level for marine ecosystems caused by gas and oil industry development are connected with north and west-south parts of the Caspian Sea. The obtained results can be used to develop programs to ensure the environmental safety of the studied region.