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Abstract Background and objectives :The hypothesis of the study was the assumption that the serum levels of soluble ST2 (sST2) and growth differentiation factor (GDF-15) can be predictors of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence in long-term period after primary radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFA). Methods Of the 165 patients included in the prospective follow-up, the final analysis included 131 patients whose follow-up duration reached 18 months after the end of the blanking period (3 months after RFA). The median age of patients was 59.0 (50.0; 64.0) years, and 80 (61%) were men. Paroxysmal AF was present in 103 (79%) and persistent AF in 28 (21%) patients. All patients underwent transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography, and electroanatomic mapping was used to assess the area of low-voltage zones (LVZ). sST2 and GDF-15 levels were determined by ELISA using GDF-15/MIC-1 analytical kits (BioVender, Czech Republic) and Presage ST2 (Critical Diagnostics, USA) before RFA. After RFA, patients had regular follow-up visits at 3-6-9-12-18 months with 12-lead ECG or Holter ECG monitoring and with clinical evaluation. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of the first symptomatic AF recurrence (AFr) lasting > 30 s, recorded on an ECG or during daily ECG monitoring, after a blanking period. Results At the 18-month follow-up, 47 patients (35.9%) had AFr. The groups with and without AFr didn`t differ in the LVZ area. The medians of NT-proBNP, GDF-15 and sST2 also didn`t differ significantly between the groups, but in patients with AFr, the proportion of those with sST2 ≥ 36 ng/ml (the border of the lower and middle terziles) was higher (p = 0.03). According to the one-factor Cox regression analysis, AFr were associated with four factors: AF history ≥ 1 year, early AFr (during the blanking period), left atrial appendage flow velocity (LAAFV)

Abstract In $${{{\mathcal {N}}}}=1$$ N = 1 SQED with $$N_f$$ N f flavors regularized by higher derivatives we obtain the four-loop beta function using a method based on calculating vacuum supergraphs. For this purpose we use a special C++ program which obtain contributions to the $$\beta $$ β -function from supergraphs without external legs in the form of integrals of double total derivatives. After that the result was compared with the three-loop anomalous dimension calculated earlier. We explicitly check the NSVZ relation in this order.

Aim. To study the diagnostic value of the left atrial stiffness index (LASI) of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) depending assessed by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in the diagnosis on diastolic stress test (DST) results.Material and methods. DST was performed in cases of insufficient criteria for increased left ventricular filling pressure assessed by TTE. One hundred patients were examined (52,0% men, 66,1±5,4 years). Patients with a ratio of early transmitral flow velocity to early diastolic mitral annulus velocity (E/e') ratio >15 in DST were included in group I (n=45), patients with E/e' 0,38 has the greatest ability to detect HFpEF among the possible pretest diagnostic methods.

Aim. To study the changes of biventricular contractile function depending on the types of left ventricular involvement according to the speckle tracking echocardiography (STE).Material and methods. Of the 380 patients from the Prospective Registry of People Survived COVID-19 Pneumonia, the study included 85 patients, which can be followed-up — 3 months (visit 1) and 12 months (visit 2) after COVID-19 pneumonia (men — 68,2%; mean age — 50,6±10,9 years).At visit 2, patients with diffuse left ventricle (LV) involvement according to STE (visual involvement of ≥4 segments of the same LV level) comprised group I (n=27), patients with regional LV involvement (≥3 segments corresponding to anterior, circumflex or right coronary arteries) — group II (n=39), patients without visual LV involvement — group III (n=19).Results. The groups were comparable in main clinical, functional and echocardiographic (conventional) parameters 3 and 12 months after COVID-19 pneumonia, with the exception of sex and body mass index. STE in group I showed a significant decrease in global longitudinal strain (GLS) (-18,0±2,0% at visit 1 and -16,9±1,4% at visit 2, p=0,025) and LS of all LV levels; in group II — an increase in right ventricular free wall strain (RV FWS) (-22,8±3,2% and -24,0±2,6%, respectively, p=0,006); in group III — an increase in GLS (-19,3±2,3% and -21,2±1,9%, p=0,005), LS of basal and medium LV levels, RV FWS (-23,3±2,9% and -25,0±3,0%, p=0,033). In group I, a significant increase in affected LV segments was revealed (7,0 [5,0;9,0] and 9,0 [7,0;10,0], p=0,010), while in group III there was a decrease in their number (5,0 [3,0;6,0] and 10,0 [1,0;2,0], p

Among various diagnostic methods, echocardiography (EchoCG) is most often used to identify Takotsubo syndrome. Left ventricular apical ballooning and the absence of permanent local contractility disturbances makes it possible to confirm the diagnosis. Currently, the available literature provides insufficient data on longitudinal strain (LS) of various cardiac chambers in this condition. The current case report demonstrates complete restoration of left heart LS within 1 month with its initial significant decrease.

Aim. To study the changes of clinical and echocardiographic parameters in people without cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) within a year after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) depending on the obesity presence.Material and methods. During the year after COVID-19 pneumonia, the clinical and echocardiographic parameters of 21 patients with obesity and without CVD were compared. The group both without CVDs and obesity consisted of 52 patients comparable by sex and age.Results. Newly developed CVDs were registered in 55% and 17% of the group with and without obesity, respectively. Left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain 3 months (-18,4±2,3 vs -20,6±2,2%, p=0,010) and one year after COVID-19 pneumonia (-18,8±1,8 vs -20,8±2,5%, p=0,021) was lower in the group with obesity. Lateral (e' later) (10,8±3,3 vs 13,1±2,9 cm/s (p=0,007)) and septal (e' sept) (8,5±2,7 vs 10,1±2,0 cm/s (p=0,011)) early diastolic mitral annulus velocity, as well as the ratio of early and late diastolic LV filling (E/A) (1,1±0,3 vs 1,2±0,3 (p=0,019)) at the end of the follow-up were lower in the group with obesity.Conclusion. In people without CVDs during a year after COVID-19 pneumonia, a high prevalence of newly developed CVD was noted in 55% and in 17% of people with and without obesity, which was accompanied by worse LV systolic and diastolic function in the group with obesity.

Low-grade systemic inflammation, myocardial stress, and extracellular matrix fibrosis lead to heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). The HFA-PEFF diagnostic algorithm and the H2FPEF score are recommended for detecting HFpEF. Their low compliance is the reason for improving the methods for diagnosing HFpEF. Modern paraclinical diagnostics of HFpEF includes an assessment of the left ventricular filling pressure during diastolic stress test. Phase analysis of left atrial strain during resting echocardiography may be promising to conclude an increase in mean left atrial pressure. Research interest is growing in relation to biomarkers involved in the regulation of collagen synthesis. Together, paraclinical diagnostics help to characterize sequential morphofunctional cardiac remodeling, increasing the possibility of HFpEF detection.

Abstract For N $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 1 SQED with N f flavors regularized by higher derivatives in the general ξ-gauge we calculate the three-loop anomalous dimension of the matter superfields defined in terms of the bare coupling constant and demonstrate its gauge independence. After this the four-loop β-function defined in terms of the bare coupling constant is obtained with the help of the NSVZ equation, which is valid for these renormalization group functions in all loops. Next, we calculate the three-loop anomalous dimension and the four-loop β-function defined in terms of the renormalized coupling constant for an arbitrary subtraction scheme supplementing the higher derivative regularization. Then we construct a renormalization prescription for which the results coincide with the ones in the DR ¯ $$ \overline{\mathrm{DR}} $$ -scheme and describe all NSVZ schemes in the considered approximation. Also we demonstrate the existence of a subtraction scheme in which the anomalous dimension does not depend on N f , while the β-function contains only terms of the first order in N f . This scheme is obtained with the help of a finite renormalization compatible with a structure of quantum corrections and is NSVZ. The existence of such an NSVZ scheme is also proved in all loops.

Aim. To investigate the relationship between echocardiographic parameters and laboratory immune inflammation signs in patients after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia depending on the left ventricular (LV) involvement according to speckle tracking echocardiography (STE).Material and methods. The study included 216 patients (men, 51,1%, mean age, 50,1±11,1 years). The examination was carried out in patients 3 months after COVID-19 pneumonia. Patients were divided in 3 groups: group I (n=41) — diffuse decrease (≥4 segments the same LV level) of longitudinal strain (LS) according to STE; group II (n=67) — patients with regional decrease (LS reduction ≥3 segments corresponding to systems of the anterior, circumflex or right coronary arteries); group III — patients without visual left ventricle involvement (n=108).Results. There were no significant differences in LV ejection fraction — 68,9±4,1% in group I, 68,5±4,4% in group II and 68,6±4,3 in group III (p=0,934). A decrease in the global longitudinal left ventricle strain was detected significantly more often in groups I and II compared with group III (-17,8±2,0, -18,5±2,0 and -20,8±1,8%, respectively; p

Aim. To study the changes of morphological and functional right ventricular (RV) parameters depending on the severity of coronavirus infection 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia over long-term follow-up.Material and methods. A total of 200 patients (men, 51,5%, mean age, 51,4±10,9 years) were examined at 2 control visits (3, 12 months after receiving two negative polymerase chain reaction tests). Patients were divided into following groups: group I (n=94) — lung tissue involvement ≥50% according to inhospital chest computed tomography (chest CT), group II (n=106) — lung tissue involvement˂50% according to chest CT.Results. The groups were comparable in key clinical and functional parameters 3 months after COVID-19 pneumonia. Speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) revealed a significant increase in following global longitudinal strain (LS) parameters: RV free wall endocardial LS (-22,7±3,2% and -24,3±3,8% in group I, p˂0,001; -23,2±3,5% and -24,5±3,4% in group II, p˂0,001), and RV endocardial LS (-21,0±3,1% and -22,5±3,7% in group I, p˂0,001, -21,5±3,2% and -22,6±3,3% in group II, p=0,001 ). Significant increase of segmental endocardial LS was revealed in group I in the basal segments of RV free wall (-26,2±5,1% and -28,1±5,1%, p=0,004) and interventricular septum (IVS) (-16,2 [13,9; 19,5]% and -17,5 [14,6; 21,4]%, p=0,024), IVS middle segment (-20,3±4,1% and -21,5±4,8%, p=0,030), as well as in group II in the apical segments of RV free wall (-21,9±6,7% and -24,4±5,2%, p=0,001) and IVS (-23,7±4,7% and -24,9±4,8%, p=0,014).Conclusion. Recovery of RV function during a 12-month follow-up period in patients with both severe and moderate/mild lung involvement in COVID-19 was detected using the STE method.

Objectives to identify a relationship of septal flash (SF) with a super-response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), apical rocking (AR) and signs of left bundle brunch block (LBBB) in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). Material and methods.The study included 38 patients (92.1% men; mean age 54.39.4 years) with II-IV NYHA functional class CHF. Left bundle brunch block (LBBB) was diagnosed according to 3 criteria: American Heart Association (AHA) 2009, European Society of Cardiology (ESC) 2013, Strauss. Septal flash (SF, mechanical anomaly of interventricular septum (IVS) movement) is determined according to speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI). The patients were divided into two groups: with SF (I group, n=8) and without SF (II group, n=30). Mean follow-up was 34.5 [13.8;55.3]. Results.At baseline the groups did not differ in main clinical characteristics including QRS. The left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) was higher in group I (33.1%1.7 and 30.0%4.0; p=0.044). Basal segment of IVS longitudinal strain (LS) delay by STE (258.0 [144.0;294.0] ms vs 323.5 [273.3;385.0] ms; р=0.024) and LS delay by TDI (176.0 [146.8;287.3] ms vs 415.5 [315.8;493.5] ms; р0.001) were significantly lower in group with SF. There was significant relationship between SF signs and Apical rocking (AR) (r=0.791; p=0.034). According to electrocardiogram (ECG) it was found that the q wave in the I and V5, V6 was absent in all patients with SF. Monophasic R wave was in 62.5% in group I and in 16.7% in group II (p=0.019). All patients in group I had a super-response to CRT (ESV LV decrease 30%); 53.1% of patients in group II were super responders (р0.034). Conclusion.SF is associated with AR, super-response to CRT, and the change of the direction of interventricular septum depolarization vector.

Aim. To analyze the prognostic value of 18 electrocardiographic (ECG) markers of left bundle branch block (LBBB) in predicting left ventricular (LV) reverse remodeling in patients receiving cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT).Material and methods. The study included 98 patients. Depending on the presence of reverse remodeling during CRT, defined as a decrease in LV endsystolic volume ≥15%, the patients were divided into two groups: non-responders (n=33) and responders (n=65). We selected and analyzed 18 ECG markers included in 9 LBBB criteria.Results. Among the ECG markers significantly associated with reverse remodeling during CRT, the absence of q wave in leads V5-V6 demonstrated the highest sensitivity (92,31%), a negative predictive value (70,59%) and overall accuracy (73,47%). Normal internal deviation interval of the R wave in leads V1-V3 was also associated with the best sensitivity (92.31%), while QS with a positive T in lead aVR — the best specificity (69,7%). Discordant T wave demonstrated the highest positive predictive value (80,33%). Multivariate analysis revealed following ECG signs independently associated with reverse remodeling during CRT: QRS complex duration (odds ratio (OR)=1,022; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1,001-1,043; p=0,040); absence of q wave in leads V5-V6 (OR=4,076; 95% CI: 1,071-15,51; p=0,039); discordant T wave (OR=4,565; 95% CI: 1,708-12,202; p=0,002). These ECG findings were combined into a mathematical model that demonstrated high predictive power (AUC=0,81 [0,722-0,898], p

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) affects the function of all organs and systems. Today, studying the effect of COVID-19 on cardiovascular system, including on echocardiographic characteristics, is relevant.Aim. To study the prevalence of symptoms, cardiovascular disease and changes in echocardiographic data in persons after documented COVID-19 pneumonia 3 months after discharge from the hospital.Material and methods. The study included 106 patients after documented COVID-19 pneumonia. The patients underwent a comprehensive examination during hospitalization and 3 months±2 weeks after discharge from the hospital. The mean age of participants was 47±16 years (19-84 years); 49% of subjects were women.Results. Three months after hospital discharge, the symptoms persisted in 86% of examined patients. There were significant echocardiographic changes as follows: a decrease in LV end-diastolic, end-systolic and stroke volume (113,8±26,8 ml vs 93,5±29,4 ml; 37,7±13,0 ml vs 31,3±14,2 ml; 77,2±17,8 ml vs 62,2±18,7 ml, respectively, p

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease that affects almost all organs and systems. The main target is the respiratory system, but cardiovascular involvement is also common. Today, it is relevant to study the effect of complicated COVID-19 course on the patient’s cardiovascular system after hospital discharge — in particular, echocardiographic parameters.Aim. To study the echocardiographic parameters of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia 3 months after discharge from the hospital.Material and methods. The study included 106 patients with documented COVID-19 pneumonia. Patients underwent a comprehensive examination during hospitalization and 3 months ± 2 weeks after hospital discharge. The mean age of participants was 47±16 years (from 19 to 84 years), while 49% were women.Results. Three months after discharge, the average body mass index of the subjects was 28,2±5,7 kg/m2. Obesity was noted in 37,1%, cardiovascular diseases — in 52%. According to echocardiography, the prevalence of right ventricular (RV) dilatation was 2,9%, a decrease in tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) — 9,5%, grade ≥2 tricuspid regurgitation — 1,9%, pulmonary hypertension (pulmonary artery systolic pressure >36 mm Hg) — 3,8%. The mean value of RV global longitudinal myocardial strain (GLMS RV) and global longitudinal myocardial strain (GLES RV) was 19,6±4,5 and 20,6±4,6, respectively. We found moderate correlations between GLMS RV and blood flow time through the left ventricular outflow tract (OT) (r=-0,436), through the mitral valve (r=-0,390; both p

Aim. To assess a relationship of left bundle branch block (LBBB) patterns defined by electrocardiography (ECG) and echocardiography with super-response (SR) to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT).Material and methods. Sixty patients (mean age, 54,5±10,4 years) were examined at baseline and during follow-up (10,6±3,6 months). Patients were divided into groups: group I (n=31) — decrease of left ventricular end-systolic volume (ESV) ≥30% (super-responders) and II group (n=29) — decrease of LV ESV

Abstract We find the three-loop contribution to the $$\beta $$ β -function of $$\mathcal{N}=1$$ N=1 supersymmetric gauge theories regularized by higher covariant derivatives produced by the supergraphs containing loops of the Faddeev–Popov ghosts. This is done using a recently proposed algorithm, which essentially simplifies such multiloop calculations. The result is presented in the form of an integral of double total derivatives in the momentum space. The considered contribution to the $$\beta $$ β -function is compared with the two-loop anomalous dimension of the Faddeev–Popov ghosts. This allows verifying the validity of the NSVZ equation written as a relation between the $$\beta $$ β -function and the anomalous dimensions of the quantum superfields. It is demonstrated that in the considered approximation the NSVZ equation is satisfied for the renormalization group functions defined in terms of the bare couplings. The necessity of the nonlinear renormalization for the quantum gauge superfield is also confirmed.

Aim. To compare the cardiovascular and psychological profile of young military population after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with/without pneumonia.Material and methods. We examined 26 military men under 30 years of age (22,3±3,7 years/21,0 [19,8; 24,3] years) with documented COVID 19 (3 months±2 weeks after two virus-negative polymerase chain reaction tests). The participants were divided into 2 groups: experimental group (n=16) — those with COVID-19 pneumonia; comparison group (n=10) — those without pneumonia. All subjects underwent a complex of clinical and diagnostic tests.Results. Military men with COVID-19 pneumonia were significantly older (23,0 [20,5; 28,5] years vs 19,5 [19,0; 20,0] years, p=0,001). They had a prolonged PQ interval (154,5 [140,0; 163,5] ms vs 137,0 [134,0; 144,0] ms; p=0,014). According to echocardiography, the following parameters were significantly larger in experimental group: anteroposterior right ventricular dimension (26,0 [24,5; 27,5] mm vs 23,5 [22,0; 25,0] mm, p=0,012), right atrium length (48,0 [46,0; 51,5] mm and 45,5 [44,0; 47,0] mm, p=0,047), tricuspid regurgitation peak gradient (18,0 [15,5; 22,0] mm vs 14,0 [12,0; 20,0] mm, p=0,047), pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) (30,3 [27,6; 34,0] mm Hg vs 23,0 [20,5; 30,5] mm Hg, p=0,038), mean pulmonary artery pressure (20,3 [18,9; 22,7] mm Hg vs 16,8 [14,5; 20,6] mm Hg, p=0,038). The estimated pulmonary vascular resistance was significantly higher in the study group (1,50 [1,2; 1,8] Wood units vs 1,17 [1,1; 1,2] Wood units, p

Abstract For the general renormalizable N=1 $$ \mathcal{N}=1 $$ supersymmetric gauge theory we investigate renormalization of the Faddeev-Popov ghosts using the higher covariant derivative regularization. First, we find the two-loop anomalous dimension defined in terms of the bare coupling constant in the general ξ-gauge. It is demonstrated that for doing this calculation one should take into account that the quantum gauge superfield is renormalized in a nonlinear way. Next, we obtain the two-loop anomalous dimension of the Faddeev-Popov ghosts defined in terms of the renormalized coupling constant and examine its dependence on the subtraction scheme.

Analysis of the literature on anti-cytokine therapy demonstrates the effectiveness of this therapy, compared with conventional glucocorticosteroid and immunosuppressive therapy. Drugs with anti-cytokine mechanism of action can be used in Ophthalmology, as inhibitors of angiogenesis in neovascularization and anti-inflammatory therapy in uveitis. Route of administration of TNF inhibitors are intravenous and subcutaneous. They can be used as monotherapy or with the glucocorticosteroid and immunosuppressive therapy. From the literature it is obvious, that the effect of the use of this group of drugs are dose-dependent and they can be positive (anti-angiogenic and anti-inflammatory) and negative – toxic. In a comparative aspects, studies show, that Infliximab has more pronounced anti-inflammatory effect, but at the same time, use of Infliximab is more often with side effects and complications. According to different authors, doses that cause side effects, are not comparable. It seems that, localization of inflammatory process plays a role in the vascular tract of the eye (front, rear), etiologic factor, causing the inflammation and, of course, the intensity of cytokine responses. Therefore, the question, the efficacy and tolerability of anti-cytokine drugs are dose-dependent, and whether, there are other factors that influence on the success of treatment -remains open. To answer these questions is required a detailed study, investigating the influence of this group of drugs on the eye tissues, pathological angiogenesis processes depending on the drug, the dose and the conditions of its application, and testing of optimal dosage of drugs to avoid side effects

Voltage-dependent inward currents responsible for the depolarizing phase of action potentials were characterized in smooth muscle cells of 4th order arterioles in mouse skeletal muscle. Currents through L-type Ca2+ channels were expected to be dominant; however, action potentials were not eliminated in nominally Ca2+-free bathing solution or by addition of L-type Ca2+ channel blocker nifedipine (10 μM). Instead, Na+ channel blocker tetrodotoxin (TTX, 1 μM) reduced the maximal velocity of the upstroke at low, but not at normal (2 mM), Ca2+ in the bath. The magnitude of TTX-sensitive currents recorded with 140 mM Na+ was about 20 pA/pF. TTX-sensitive currents decreased five-fold when Ca2+ increased from 2 to 10 mM. The currents reduced three-fold in the presence of 10 mM caffeine, but remained unaltered by 1 mM of isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX). In addition to L-type Ca2+ currents (15 pA/pF in 20 mM Ca2+), we also found Ca2+ currents that are resistant to 10 μM nifedipine (5 pA/pF in 20 mM Ca2+). Based on their biophysical properties, these Ca2+ currents are likely to be through voltage-gated T-type Ca2+ channels. Our results suggest that Na+ and at least two types (T- and L-) of Ca2+ voltage-gated channels contribute to depolarization of smooth muscle cells in skeletal muscle arterioles. Voltage-gated Na+ channels appear to be under a tight control by Ca2+ signaling.