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The purpose of the research was to identify ultrasound criteria of extranodal extension (ENE) in metastases of papillary thyroid cancer and to evaluate the clinical significance of ENE.Material and Methods. Ultrasound signs of ENE in 283 cervical lymph node metastases from papillary thyroid cancer were analyzed. Extranodal extension in 137 metastases was diagnosed by ultrasound and verified by histological examination. Micrometastases invisible on ultrasound were detected in 144 patients; metastases located inside the organ were detected in 147 patients; metastases located outside the organ were revealed in 136 patients; the size of 98 metastases was less than 1 cm; the size of 185 metastases was more than 1 cm; the age of 51 patients was under 55 years; 132 patients were older than 55 years. Diagnostic significance of ENE and its clinical significance were estimated according to χ2 Pirson criteria.Results: Two ultrasound criteria: shape change and blurred margins of metastases indicated the presence of ENE. The small number of ultrasound false-negative findings indicated the need for further research. The number of micrometastases not detected by ultrasound was 2-fold higher in patients who had metastases with ENE than in patients who had metastases without ENE. The number of patients with ENE in metastases inside the organ (T1a, T1b, T2 and T3b) was 2.7 times lower compared to patients with metastases developed outside the organ (T3a, T4a, T4b); ENE was observed in metastases of different size and did not depend on age groups.Conclusion. The ultrasound method allows intravital detection of ENE in metastases of papillary thyroid cancer. The extension is accompanied by a significantly high number of micrometastases in the neck tissue. It is detected more often in metastases located outside the organ, regardless of the size and age of the patients. The extra-nodal extension should be considered as a criterion for an unfavorable prognosis.

The article describes a clinical case of serous meningitis in a patient with confirmed hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). Despite the moderate-severe course of the disease with moderate hemorrhagic syndrome, the patient had the development of acute renal failure with the simultaneous occurrence of a rare complication – inflammation of the meningeal membranes caused by hantavirus.

The compaction of the snow base of the wintering complex under construction of the Russian Antarctic station “Vostok” is considered, which was required due to the unsuitability of the natural snow base for the perception of loads from the supports of the foundation of the wintering complex. Technical solutions were developed for snow base compaction on the basis of heating by solar radiation with the use of thermal mat and on the basis of snow vacuuming. The computational justification of the developed technical solutions was performed, which was carried out based on spatial finite element models using the computational software complex ANSYS. In this case, to substantiate the method of snow base compaction by solar radiation heating with the use of thermal mat, the calculated volume was analyzed, including the snow base zone, thermal mat and the space filled with air. When substantiating the method of snow base compaction by snow vacuuming, there was explored the calculation area for modeling the method of vacuuming for the hermetic volume of the excavation pit with immersed columns under the wintering complex foundation supports. The results of the of the calculated research have fully confirmed the assumptions laid down in the technical solutions for compaction of the wintering complex snow base by using of thermal mat and snow vacuuming.

T.A. Ruzhentsova1,2, R.V. Popova3, A.A. Garbuzov1, E.K. Shushakova4, I.N. Khalyastov2,5, N.A. Meshkova6 1G.N. Gabrichevsky Moscow Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare, Moscow, Russian Federation 2Moscow Medical University "Reaviz", Moscow, Russian Federation 3Mytishchi Regional Clinical Hospital, Mytishchi, Russian Federation 4City Center for Medical Study LLC, Moscow, Russian Federation 5Rehabilitation Center of the Pension and Social Insurance Fund of the Russian Federation "Volginskii", Mashinostroitel, Russian Federation 6I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russian Federation Aim: to evaluate the detection rate of the herpesvirus activity in children with acute respiratory viral infection (ARVI) signs for determination of the optimal treatment tactics. Patients and Methods: the study included 1120 children aged 3 to 18 years (mean age 7.48±3.91 years) who were observed on an outpatient basis (n=650) or hospitalized (n=379) due to the lack of improvement on the 3rd day after the first ARVI symptoms onset (n=1029) or due to the detected complication (n=91). The herpesvirus DNA was detected in throat swabs by PCR. Enzyme immunoassay was used to evaluate the levels of IgG, IgM, and IgA antibodies. Results: the presence of IgG antibodies to at least one of the herpes viruses was detected in 1097 (97.9%) of patients: in the children group over 6 years old in 723 (100%) patients. The presence of herpesvirus DNA in smears from the posterior pharyngeal wall and tonsils was detected in 234 (20.9%) children: 178 (15.9%) — isolated, 56 (5.0%) — in various combinations. IgM antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus were detected in all cases in the herpesvirus DNA presence in the blood. The herpes simplex virus DNA has not been detected in any case. However, antibodies were detected in 63 (5.6%) children: IgA in 57 (5.1%) and IgM in 6 (0.5%) children. Conclusions: in children with ARVI symptoms, signs of an active infection caused by one or another type of herpes were detected in 26.5% of cases, and in 5% — their combination. The high prevalence of the herpesvirus activity comparable with the detection rate of seasonal respiratory viral infections, along with the adverse effect of herpesvirus infection on the immune system with the severe somatic pathology probability, necessitates the use of a drug with a wide spectrum of antiviral action for the ARVI signs in children — inosine pranobex. In the presence of complications caused by herpesvirus, inosine pranobex does not cause negative trend of antibody activity indicators, inosine pranobex, Groprinosin®. Keywords: HHV-6, human herpesvirus type 6, herpes simplex virus, Epstein-Barr virus, herpes, herpesvirus infection, herpes infection, ARVI, cytomegalovirus, inosine pranobex, Groprinosin. For citation: Ruzhentsova T.A., Popova R.V., Garbuzov A.A., Shushakova E.K., Khalyastov I.N., Meshkova N.A. Herpesvirus infections in ARVI episodes in children. Russian Journal of Woman and Child Health. 2023;6(4):399–404 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.32364/2618-8430-2023-6-4-12.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of prolonged ESP-block in comparison with prolonged thoracic epidural anesthesia in MIDCAB surgery. Materials and methods. We conducted a prospective randomised two centre study with 45 patients who underwent MIDCAB surgery. In addition to general anesthesia, prolonged ESP-block was performed in group 1 (n = 22), and prolonged epidural anesthesia was performed in group 2 (n = 23). Results. The decrease in blood pressure caused by the development of the regional block at all stages of anesthesia was more pronounced when using epidural anesthesia. In group 2, the dosage of norepinephrine was higher: 0.06 (0.05; 0.0725) mcg/kg–1/min–1 in group 1 and 0.16 (0.16; 0.16) mcg/kg/min in group 2, p < 0.001. The duration of prolonged mechanical ventilation in group 1 was lower and amounted to 102.5 (90; 110) minutes versus 110 (110; 115) minutes in group 2. The duration of surgery did not differ between the groups, the fentanyl consumption for anesthesia was higher in group 1: 0.7 (0.6; 0.8) mg versus 0.6 (0.5; 0.1) mg in group 2 (p < 0.001). Postoperatively, pain was rated as mild to moderate in both groups, with less pain in the group with epidural analgesia at stages 4 to 32 hours at rest and on coughing. After 48 hours, there were no statistical differences between the groups. The score of pain during coughing in both groups did not exceed 3 points, and patients did not need emergency analgesia. Conclusion. In MIDCAB operations, the prolonged ESP-block is an effective method of regional anesthesia. While providing a sufficiently high level of analgesia, the use of the ESP-block during surgery only slightly increases the fentanyl usage. In the postoperative period, when using the ESP-block, extubation occurs earlier, and analgesia is almost as good as epidural blockade.

The paper describes results of the numerical simulation and experimental characterization of plasmonic gratings and waveguides in the optical range of 1520 – 1630 nm. Gold structures were coated with a 630-nm thick tetraethylorthosilicate layer to achieve higher coupling efficiency for plasmonic gratings using lensed optical probes. We experimentally demonstrated gold input/output plasmonic gratings with an efficiency of about – 3.8 ± 0.2 dB per grating. The measured loss of the plasmonic mode propagating over the surface of the gold waveguide was 0.14 ± 0.02 dB / μm. The work was carried out with the aim of studying integrated plasmonic structures for the development of a hybrid photonic-plasmonic integrated technology.

Purpose of the study. To assess ultrasound features and patterns of features for metastatic papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) in soft tissues of the neck.Materials and methods. The study included 335 histologically confirmed metastases and 102 benign lymph nodes (LN). Statistical processing was carried out in the SPSS program. The reliability between the groups was assessed by criterion t with a significance level of p < 0.05. The informative value of ultrasound signs and patterns of signs, and the probability of the presence of metastasis using binary logistic regression are calculated.Results. The 14 criteria for metastasis have been studied. There are 33 signs, i.e. types of criteria. During the statistical analysis, six most informative criteria were established: calcifications, contours, shape, depth-to-width ratio in the transverse scanning plane, state (differentiation) of the cortical and cerebral layers, echostructure. To create complexes (patterns) of ultrasonic signs, a combination of these signs was used among themselves, and five patterns were established. The first pattern, including the depth-to-width ratio in the transverse scanning plane and the echo structure, has a sensitivity (Se) of 97 %, diagnostic accuracy (Ac) of 96.5 %, area under the curve (AUC) of 96 %, the probability ranges from 95 to 99 %. The Se of the second pattern, including the ratio of depth to width in the transverse scanning plane, echostructure and shape, was 97.2 %, Ac – 96.8 %, AUC – 97.3 %, probability – 95–100 %. The third pattern, including the ratio of depth to width in the transverse scanning plane, nature, shape and contours, and the fourth pattern, including the following criteria, the ratio of depth to width in the transverse scanning plane, echostructure, shape, contours and differentiation into cortical and cerebral layers, have Se 96.9 %, Ac – 97.1 %, AUC – 98.7 %, probability – 88–100 %. The fifth pattern, including the ratio of depth to width in the transverse scanning plane, echostructure, shape; contours; state (differentiation) of the cortical and cerebral layers; calcinates, has Se – 99.6 %, Ac – 99.5 %, AUC – 99.9 %, probability – 94–100 %.Conclusion. Five patterns of metastatic involvement of lymph nodes in PTC were found. The informative value of US increased from the first to the fifth pattern achieving a Se of 99.6 %, Ac of 99.5 %, AUC of 99.9 %. The probability ranged from 94 % to 100 %.

Hepatocytes are replenished gradually during homeostasis and robustly after liver injury1, 2. In adults, new hepatocytes originate from the existing hepatocyte pool3-8, but the cellular source of renewing hepatocytes remains unclear. Telomerase is expressed in many stem cell populations, and mutations in telomerase pathway genes have been linked to liver diseases9-11. Here we identify a subset of hepatocytes that expresses high levels of telomerase and show that this hepatocyte subset repopulates the liver during homeostasis and injury. Using lineage tracing from the telomerase reverse transcriptase (Tert) locus in mice, we demonstrate that rare hepatocytes with high telomerase expression (TERTHigh hepatocytes) are distributed throughout the liver lobule. During homeostasis, these cells regenerate hepatocytes in all lobular zones, and both self-renew and differentiate to yield expanding hepatocyte clones that eventually dominate the liver. In response to injury, the repopulating activity of TERTHigh hepatocytes is accelerated and their progeny cross zonal boundaries. RNA sequencing shows that metabolic genes are downregulated in TERTHigh hepatocytes, indicating that metabolic activity and repopulating activity may be segregated within the hepatocyte lineage. Genetic ablation of TERTHigh hepatocytes combined with chemical injury causes a marked increase in stellate cell activation and fibrosis. These results provide support for a 'distributed model' of hepatocyte renewal in which a subset of hepatocytes dispersed throughout the lobule clonally expands to maintain liver mass.

The results of the joint work of a panel of experts from Rospotrebnadzor and healthcare professionals of the Republic of Uzbekistan on organizing activities to counter the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus are described in the paper.The goal of the study was to determine the main driving forces of COVID-19 spread in the Republic of Uzbekistan and develop an action plan to reduce the incidence of coronavirus infection caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.Materials and methods. The organization of work in 14 health care institutions in Tashkent and Samarkand, as well as in Tashkent and Samarkand Regions, was analyzed: in 7 laboratories, 6 hospitals and 1 polyclinic. The routes for the movement of personnel, the demarcation of green and red zones, the features of disinfection and the use of personal protective equipment were studied. Attention is drawn to the diagnosis of COVID-19, the use of therapy aimed at reducing the period of virus shedding, the criteria for lifting quarantine restrictions for patients.Results and discussion. The main factors in the organization of work of institutions that contribute to the spread of COVID-19 among medical personnel and the population have been identifed: the lack of equipped gateways between the red and green zones with the accessibility of adequate disinfection, the wrong choice of personal protective equipment, monitoring of contact persons for 10 days, discharge from hospitals based on clinical improvement. The incorrect use of antiviral therapy, the lack of differentiated approaches to the selection of optimal regimens have been noted. Proposals are formulated for organizing the work of healthcare institutions, taking into account the requirements of biological safety. The introduction of targeted measures in addition to those previously adopted has led to a signifcant improvement in the epidemic situation: the total number of active cases in the Republic of Uzbekistan, despite the increase in testing volumes, decreased from 3,686 people on August 23 to 2335 on October 27. Towards December 20, 2020, 97 % of patients recovered completely. All diagnostic triage centers in the Republic of Uzbekistan are closed due to the absence of patients with COVID-19, most of the country’s medical institutions previously re-profled for patients with coronavirus infection have returned to the routine operations.

The purpose of the study — to identify the factors contributing to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection within the territory of the Republic of Moldova and to develop measures aimed at their elimination.Materials and methods. In May 2020, experts of Rospotrebnadzor (the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing), together with leading employees of institutions participating in planning and implementing measures aimed at prevention of COVID-19 spread, conducted a detailed analysis of epidemic control and curative measures in 10 healthcare organizations in the Republic of Moldova. They assessed the effectiveness of the undertaken actions in in-patient facilities, in laboratories, and in the country in general.Results. The existing approaches to treatment of patients with COVID-19 and to laboratory diagnostics were in line with the common practices; the adequacy of measures was evidenced by the hospital bed capacity and the stock of artificial lung ventilation machines. In the meantime, the experts came across the factors that obviously contributed to the infection spread. Their elimination could intercept some paths of infection and improve the situation.Conclusion. The analysis of the current measures and their results is important for planning and implementing actions aimed at improvement of the epidemic situation in different regions. The collaborative efforts helped slow down the outbreak in the Bender psychoneurological residential facility; outbreaks were prevented in other limited-access institutions; the incidence among healthcare workers decreased; the daily number of new COVID-19 cases decreased to 0–5 during the summer months in the Dniestrian Moldovan Republic. Presently, there is a clear picture of approaches that should be taken to decrease the incidence. Most likely, the experience obtained in the fight against the novel coronavirus infection will be of great use in future if any new variants of viruses emerge.

The article presents materials on the effectiveness and safety of food products enriched with pre – and probiotic components, vitamins and trace elements for the prevention of acute respiratory infections (ARI) and as a therapeutic food in young children. Data on the role of bifidobacteria BB-12, inulin, vitamins and trace elements in the formation of the immune response are presented. The results of modern studies confirming the importance of these components in childhood are shown. Data on products enriched with components necessary for the prevention of acute respiratory infections are presented. It was shown that preventive intake of food products enriched with bifidobacteria BB-12, inulin, vitamins, macro-and microelements calcium, D3, safely modulates the activity of the immune system, which provides prevention of repeated episodes of ari in young children. The inclusion in the diet of foods enriched with probiotics, vitamins and trace elements in ARI significantly accelerates recovery and the period of convalescence. Fermented milk drink immunobaby for children older than 8 months, enriched with prebiotic (inulin), sourdough of lactic acidophilus bacilli, probiotic (bifidobacteria BB-12), vitamin and mineral complex containing Zn and vitamin D3, can be recommended for permanent, preventive and therapeutic nutrition of young children. Juice-containing drink for children older than 12 months enriched with prebiotic – inulin, minerals (calcium, iron) and vitamins (C, E, A, D3) is an additional source of necessary trace elements both during the period of ARI disease and during convalescence. The effectiveness of the drink is clinically proven. The composition of drinking yoghurts for children older than 8 months, enriched with prebiotic – inulin, and probiotic (bifidobacteria BB-12) can provide natural aid to digestion both in the acute period of infection, with pronounced antibiotic therapy, and for preventive purposes. The effectiveness is clinically proven.

Introduction. Analysis of the pathogenesis of coronavirus infection caused SARS-CoV-2 indicates a significant impact of hemorheological disorders on its course and outcomes. It is known that chronic cardiovascular diseases are associated with the risk of severe course and lethal outcomes both in COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. Therefore, in each case it is necessary to study the interaction and mutual influence of different components of the treatment program prescribed to such patients. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the effect of coagulation activity on the course of a novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) and to justify the management of comorbid patients having been received novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in previously selected doses according to indications in concomitant somatic diseases. Material and methods. Total 76 cases of confirmed coronavirus infection in patients who had been received initial therapy on an outpatient basis were analyzed. 26 patients who received NOACs (rivaroxaban, apixaban, dabigatran) made up the main group and 50 - the comparison (control) group in which patients had not been administered any drugs that affect blood clotting until the episode of COVID-19. All patients have been prescribed therapy following the Provisional guidelines «Prevention, diagnosis and treatment of coronavirus infection (COVID-19)» (https://static-0.minzdrav.gov.ru/system/attachments/attaches/). Results and discussion. The number of hospitalizations was significantly fewer in the group of patients who had been received NOACs (19 vs. 66% in the control group). No deaths or cases of severe respiratory and/or renal failure were observed in the main group, while adverse outcomes were noted in 14% of patients who had not been administered these drugs. Conclusion. Taking NOACs reduces the probability of severe course and adverse outcomes in the development of coronavirus infection caused by SARS-CoV-2, which indicates a significant contribution of coagulation mechanisms to the pathogenesis in COVID-19. There were no indications for drug replacement and correction of anticoagulant therapy regimens in patients who received adequate therapy with oral anticoagulants for treating a non-severe form of coronavirus infection in ambulatory patient settings.

Background: According to WHO, as of March 31, 2021, 127 877 462 confirmed cases of the new COVID-19 coronavirus infection were registered in the world, including 2 796 561 deaths (WHO Coronavirus Disease). COVID-19 is characterized by a wide range of clinical manifestations, from asymptomatic to a rapid progression to severe and extremely severe. Predictive biomarkers for the early detection of high-risk individuals have become a matter of great medical urgency. Aims: Search for the predictors of a cytokine storm in patients with COVID-19 infection and creation of a risk scale of this complication for practical applications. Methods: The study included 458 patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection with signs of viral lung lesions according to the computer tomography data. The patients were divided into 2 groups: those with a stable course of moderate severity (100 patients) and those with progressive moderate, severe and extremely severe course (358 patients). Results: It has been established that the main risk factors for the development of a cytokine storm in COVID-19 patients are the following: interleukin-6 concentration 23 pg/ ml, dynamics of the index on the NEWS scale 0, ferritin concentration 485 ng/ml, D-dimer concentration 2.1, C-reactive protein concentration 50 mg/l, number of lymphocytes in the blood 0.72109/l, age 40 years. The cytokine storm incidence correlates with an increase in the number of risk factors. For the practical testing the scale was applied in 3 groups. In patients of the first group (01 factor) almost no cytokine storm risk was found, in the second group (2 -3 factors) the probability of the storm was 55% (increase by 35.5 times), in the third group (4 risk factors) it reached 96% (increase by 718 times). Conclusion: The diagnostic and monitoring criteria of a cytokine storm have been established in patients with COVID-19 infection. The developed prognostic scale allows identification of patients at high risk of developing a cytokine storm so that early anti-inflammatory therapy could be started.

Background:. Nerve reconstruction techniques for lumbosacral plexus (LSP) injuries vary. There are no clear treatment guidelines available, and summative evaluations of the literature discussing these surgeries are lacking. For these reasons, this investigation aimed to systematically review and consolidate all available literature discussing surgical interventions for LSP injuries and cohesively present patient-reported and objective postoperative outcomes. Methods:. The authors conducted a systematic review using PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global (via Proquest.com), and ClinicalTrials.gov databases according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. After title and abstract screening, identified articles were read in full and selected for inclusion based on prespecified criteria. Results:. Our literature search identified 8683 potential citations, and after duplicate removal, abstract screening, and full-text review, 62 studies remained meeting inclusion and exclusion criteria. Outcomes were extracted according to the location of injury and type of surgical repair. Injuries were classified into isolated femoral nerve injuries, isolated obturator nerve injuries, isolated sciatic nerve injuries, and multilevel LSP injuries. Surgical treatment was further classified into exploration with neurolysis, direct repair, nerve grafting, and nerve transfer surgery. Conclusions:. Although results vary based on the location of the injury and the surgical technique used, nerve grafts and transfers demonstrated reasonable success in improving functional and pain outcomes. Overall, isolated femoral and obturator nerve injuries had the best outcomes reported with surgical treatment. Furthermore, incomplete sciatic nerve and multilevel LSP injuries had more reported surgical options and better outcomes than complete sciatic nerve injuries.

The study objective is to evaluate value of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography (PET-CT) and whole-body scintigraphy (131I-WBS) performed during the first course of radioiodine therapy for its ability to detect persistence metastatic foci and for its role in the management of differentiated thyroid cancer patients.Materials and methods. Forty patients with DTC underwent both post-therapeutic 131I-WBS and PET-CT. PET-CT performed on a positron emission tomograph combined with a 16-slice computer tomograph. Post-therapeutic 131I-WBS performed during radioiodine therapy on the single-detector gamma camera.Results. Sensitivity in detecting of the tumor persistence for PET-CT was 84 %, for post-therapeutic 131I-WBS 66 % (р >0.05). In 17 (42.5 %) patients additional PET-CT foci were found that negative on 131I-WBS, including 11 (27.5 %) cases of distant metastases. Fifteen percent of patients had metastatic foci visualized only on 131I-WBS, including 4 (10 %) cases of distant metastases. In 17 (44 %) patients tumor foci were identified by both methods. A high pre-ablative level of stimulated thyroglobulin was the only independent predictor of the presence of PET-CTpositive metastatic foci (p = 0.001).Conclusion. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET-CT can be recommended during the first radioiodine therapy in differentiated thyroid cancer patients with a high risk progression group, as well as with suspected the tumor persistence in case of a high pre-ablation thyroglobulin level, to complete staging, improve the quality of management and ongoing risk stratification.

Introduction. The article presents basic information on approaches to pathogenetic therapy of acute intestinal infections. Data from our own research on the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal manifestations of COVID-19 in children aged 3 months to 18 years are presented. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of complex rehydration, cytomucoprotective and probiotic therapy for infectious diarrhea of various etiologies, including those developing with a new coronavirus infection. Materials and methods. We analyzed data from our own observations of patients aged 3 months to 18 years with diarrhea against the background of acute intestinal infections of various etiologies (120 children), as well as with a new coronavirus infection caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus (32 children). The children were treated in accordance with current standards and treatment recommendations. Clinical examples are presented.Results and discussion. Diarrhea was observed in 64% of patients with a new coronavirus infection. Clinical cases confirm the effectiveness of rehydration, cytomucoprotective and probiotic therapy for infectious diarrhea, regardless of the etiology, including COVID-19.Conclusions. Diarrhoea and other symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders in COVID-19 are stopped when pathogenetic therapy is recommended for patients with acute intestinal infections.

Objective of the work was to investigate the peculiarities of gastrointestinal tract disorders in children with coronavirus disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus.Materials and methods. We have analyzed the frequency, terms of emergence, duration and character of gastrointestinal disorders on the basis of medical records of 36 children receiving the treatment for community-acquired pneumonia of coronavirus etiology (positive for SARS-CoV-2 virus) in the children’s infectious disease department of Moscow State Clinical Hospital, Mytishchi. The majority of patients had moderate form of the disease (97 %), severe cases were not registered. The age range of the children – 8 months to17 years old. All patients were subjected to supplementary examination on Day 1 in accordance with the current recommendations. Children were treated in hospital settings for 8–15 days. Assessment of clinical status was performed at least once a day over the stated period, supplementary survey – at least once in a week, upon indications – more frequently. SARSCoV-2 virus was identified using polymerase chain reaction. All patients received standard therapy in compliance with advanced methodological recommendations, upon indications – other pharmaceutical products.Results and discussion. Gastro-intestinal disorders in 23 children (64 %) emerged on Day 4–5, in 8 children (22 %) – before the start of the treatment; they lasted 3–5 days. In most of the patients diarrhea (64 %) and stomachaches (57 %) were observed. 67 % of the children demonstrated other symptoms indicative of gastrointestinal dysfunction. The disorders were characteristic for most of the children hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus. The symptoms are contained when the main course of therapy is conducted, indicated for treatment of COVID-19, and additional therapy recommended for management of gastro-intestinal infections is performed.

Abstract. The paper discusses specific features of acute respiratory infections (ARI) progression in patients with comorbidity. The relevance of this study is accounted for by severe progression of ARIs in this group of patients, as well as by specific considerations of combining causal treatment of infections with life-long treatment of chronic diseases.The aim of the study was to use a clinical case to substantiate an optimal treatment strategy for influenza and associated complications in a comorbid patient.Results: the analysis of the clinical case showed that an unfavourable course of ARI in the patient was due to the lack of timely antiviral therapy, adverse effects of paracetamol during statin therapy, exposure to pneumonia pathogen degradation products, general intoxication, and immune response. The compromised medical history contributed to the development of severe complications. The paper proposes a strategy for selecting the most eff ective and safe approach to the treatment of ARIs in a comorbid patient.Conclusions: ARIs in patients with chronic diseases entail increased risks of complications that may arise both due to specific characteristics of the infection and unfavourable combination of drugs. Treatment regimens for infl uenza and other ARIs in comorbid patients should be eff ective and timely. Early antiviral treatment is especially important in patients with comorbidity. When choosing a treatment regimen, it is necessary to assess potential benefi ts of pharmacotherapy as well as associated risks, including those related to previously prescribed medicines.

Purpose of the study. To evaluate the potentialities of ultrasound method in diagnosing cervical lymph node metastasis in patients with first diagnosed papillary thyroid cancer (group 1) and in patients previously treated surgically at different clinics of the Russian Federation and subsequently admitted to the A.F.Tsyb Medical Radiological Research Center — Branch of the National Medical Research Radiological Center to receive radioactive iodine therapy (group 2).Patients and methods. Patients with PTC were divided into two groups. Group 1 included 649 patients with first diagnosed PTC. All the patients underwent thyroidectomy and level VI lymph node neck dissection at the clinic of the A.F.Tsyb Medical Radiological Research Center — Branch of the National Medical Research Radiological Center. Of these patients, 92 patients underwent cervical lymph node dissection including levelsII–III–IV and 9 patients underwent cervical lymph node dissection including level VB. Group 2 consisted of 2875 patients who had previously received surgery at different clinics of the Russian Federation. Subsequently, they were admitted to our institution to receive radioactive iodine therapy. In 291 of these patients, cervical lymph node metastases were found and reoperations were performed: in 89 cases at level VI, in 170 cases at levels II–III–IV and in 32 cases at level VB. The detected metastases were verified histologically.Results. Histology confirmed the presence of nodal metastasis in 57.6% of 649 patients in group 1, and in 10.1% of 241 patients in group 2. In group 1, the incidence of metastatic disease in level VI nodes was 73% and in group 2, it was 30.6%. Metastases in levels II–III–IV were noted in 24.6% of patients in group 1, and in 58.4% of patients in group 2. Level VB metastasis was found in 2.4% of patients in group 1, and in 11% of patients in group 2. Multiple metastases were detected in 75.4% of patients in group 1, and in 20.3% of patients in group 2.Conclusion. Central lymph node metastasis was observed in 73% of patients who were first diagnosed with PTC and treated with thyroidectomy and prophylactic level VI cervical lymph node dissection. In group 2, solitary metastases to lateral lymph nodes occurred more frequently after surgical treatment for PTC, which suggested that the primary treatment was insufficiently radical.

Summary:. Hand aneurysms in infants are extremely rare and, unlike their adult counterparts, cannot be explained by repetitive trauma to the palm. When they occur, they are most often located in the ulnar artery. Usually there is no history of trauma, and an alternative diagnosis like malignancy must be excluded. Helpful physical findings to aid diagnosis include rapid appearance of a mass over the course of a few days, pulsatile nature, and location along the ulnar side of the hand. These cases can be challenging and excisional biopsy may be required if the lesion is thrombosed and does not have a characteristic appearance on imaging. Aneurysms located in the palmar arch or common digital arteries are usually treated with simple excision, while those located in the ulnar artery often require repair or reconstruction. Here we present a unique case of an infant with a pseudoaneurysm involving the superficial palmar arch on the radial side of the hand with a likely congenital etiology. Diagnostic challenges and treatment options are discussed.

ObjectiveA critical role in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pathogenesis is played by immune dysregulation that leads to a generalized uncontrolled multisystem inflammatory response, caused by overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines, known as “a cytokine storm” (CS), strongly associated with a severe course of disease. The aim of this study is to identify prognostic biomarkers for CS development in COVID-19 patients and integrate them into a prognostic score for CS-associated risk applicable to routine clinical practice.Materials and MethodsThe authors performed a review of 458 medical records from COVID-19 patients (241 men and 217 women aged 60.0 ± 10.0) who received treatment in the St. Petersburg State Budgetary Institution of Healthcare City Hospital 40 (City Hospital 40, St. Petersburg), from Apr. 18, 2020 to Nov. 21, 2020. The patients were split in two groups: one group included 100 patients with moderate disease symptoms; the other group included 358 patients with progressive moderately severe, severe, and extremely severe disease. The National Early Warning Score (NEWS) score was used alongside with clinical assessment, chest computed tomographic (CT) scans, electrocardiography (ECG), and lab tests, like ferritin, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-6, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and D-dimer.ResultsThe basic risk factors for cytokine storms in COVID-19 patients are male gender, age over 40 years, positive test result for replicative severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA, absolute lymphocyte count, dynamics in the NEWS score, as well as LDH, D-dimer, ferritin, and IL-6 levels. These clinical and instrumental findings can be also used as laboratory biomarkers for diagnosis and dynamic monitoring of cytokine storms. The suggested prognostic scale (including the NEWS score dynamics; serum IL-6 greater than 23 pg/ml; serum CRP 50 mg/L or greater; absolute lymphocyte count less than 0.72 × 109/L; positive test result for replicative coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) RNA; age 40 years and over) is a useful tool to identify patients at a high risk for cytokine storm, requiring an early onset of anti-inflammatory therapy.