Introduction. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is considered to be the equivalent of cardiovascular disease due to its micro- and macrovascular complications. Insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia, impaired glucose tolerance and fasting glucose, and their subsequent maladaptive responses lead to myocardial dysfunction several years before the onset of T2DM. Pathological changes in the cardiovascular system in T2DM can progress without any symptoms for a long time.
Aim. To identify clinical, laboratory, echocardiographic predictors of the early manifestations of chronic heart failure (CHF) in patients with T2DM.
Materials and methods. The study included 94 patients with T2DM with and without initial symptoms of CHF at the age of 40 to 65 years. All patients had obesity or excess body weight and arterial hypertension (AH), 37 patients had stable coronary heart disease (CHD). Patients underwent general clinical and laboratory examination, a 6-minute walk test (6MWT), echocardiography. The concentration of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide ( NT-proBNP ) was also determined. The patients were divided into 2 groups: without CHF symptoms (group 1, n = 54) and with initial symptoms of CHF (group 2, n = 40) and then these groups were compared.
Results. Differences were revealed between the second and first groups in the duration of T2DM (10.5 vs 7.5 years, p = 0.02) and AH (15 vs 10 years, p = 0.009); the incidence of stable CHD (70 vs 16.7%, p < 0.0001); distance covered during 6MWT (375 vs 425 m, p < 0.0001); the median level of NT-proBNP (38.5 vs 27.2 pg/ml, p = 0.031); the left atrium (LA) size (4.4 vs 4.2 cm, p = 0.044); the left ventricular posterior wall thickness (PWT) (1.05 vs 0.95 cm, p = 0.02); the level of triglycerides (2.3 vs 1.6 mmol/l, p = 0.03) and the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) (74.1 vs 79.1 ml/min/1.73 m², r = 0.04). The discriminant analysis revealed combination of factors associated with initial symptoms of CHF: the duration of CHD (taken as 0, if absent, p < 0.00001), PWT of the LV (p = 0.000007), GFR (p = 0.0009), the LA size (p = 0.005), the level of triglycerides (p = 0.03), the duration of T2DM (p = 0.046). The NT-proBNP level > 125 pg/ml was detected in 16% of patients with T2DM and correlated with the duration of diabetes over 10 years (p = 0.0085), the presence of stable CHD (p < 0.0001), and left ventricular mass index (p = 0.0005) and the ejection fraction of the LV (p < 0.0001).
Conclusion. Predictors of the initial manifestations of chronic heart failure in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were the presence and duration of stable CHD, an increase in the PWT of the LV, the LA size, the level of triglycerides, and the duration of diabetes. An elevated level of NT-proBNP (more than 125 pg/ml) in patients with T2DM was detected in 16% of cases and was associated with the duration of diabetes for more than 10 years, presence of stable CHD, initial symptoms of CHF, left ventricular myocardial hypertrophy, and a lower left ventricular ejection fraction according to echocardiography.

Carotenoids are of interest as precursors of vitamin A, which has a wide range of pharmacological effects — antioxidant, immunomodulatory, participating in photoreception, etc.
The aim of the research was to develop a technique for the spectrophotometric determination of the A-vitamin activity of carotenoids-rich medicinal plant raw materials (MPRM). The objects of research were the traditional sources of carotenoids — sea buckthorn, carrot, pumpkin and wild rose. A method is proposed for determining the content of individual carotenoids in MPRM by optical density at wavelengths corresponding to the characteristic peaks of α-carotene, β-carotene and lycopene. It has been shown that it is preferable to use isopropyl alcohol as the most effective solvent.
Taking into account the content of specific carotenoids makes it possible to determine the A-vitamin activity of the sum of carotenoids extracted from plant materials, and, accordingly, to increase the efficiency of the use of herbal preparations and biologically active additives for health improvement.

The differences in clinical manifestations of oral administration of 40% ethanol (vodka) with carbonation compared with neat (non-carbonated) vodka were studied. It was found that when taking carbonated ethanol, both subjective and objective symptoms appear, which are absent when taking ethanol without carbonation. The symptoms of alcohol intoxication characteristic of ethanol, both with and without carbonation, persist longer when carbonated ethanol is ingested. The maximum heart rate values when taking ethanol with carbonation, recorded 4 hours after ingestion, were 18.4% higher relative to the baseline (the time of intake), and when taking ethanol without carbonation — by 9.6%. There was no significant difference in the change in blood pressure indicators when taking ethanol with and without carbonation.

Introduction. The Internet is a source of information on the sexual life for most adolescents and young people. However, the information is not always correct and reliable. The use of modern, relevant and continuing to gain popularity technologies (mobile applications and social networks) should contribute to a better perception of preventive information regarding sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV infection among young people.
Aim of the research. Improving methods of primary prevention of STIs and HIV infection among young people using a mobile application.
Materials and methods. The mobile application (Personal Sexual Health) was developed taking into account previously conducted scientific (sociological) research, during which the level of awareness on STIs and HIV infection among the youth of Novosibirsk was assessed. The development of the mobile application was carried out using the Agile methodology (agile software development).
Results. It was found that young people trust online information and consider the Internet as a reliable source of sexual health advice. The concept of the Personal Sexual Health mobile application implies raising awareness among young people on the prevention of STIs and HIV infection. The information component of the Personal Sexual Health mobile application has been developed taking into account the previously obtained results from a sociological survey of young people.
Conclusion. Personal Sexual Health is the first mobile application created in Russia, which is dedicated to sexual health and primary prevention of STIs and HIV infection among young people. Given the significant role of modern digital technologies in the search for information among young people, the Department of Social Policy of the Mayor’s Office of Novosibirsk recommends this mobile application for widespread implementation in the social sphere of the city and, in particular, in the work of institutions for orphans and abandoned children.

Introduction. A peculiarity of the first two waves of the epidemic of a novel coronavirus infection was that during their development only diagnostic methods, treatment regimens and anti-epidemic measures were only being developed, there were no vaccines and no mass vaccination was carried out. In this regard, the pandemic of the novel coronavirus infection of the first two waves is characterized by spontaneous progression of the disease.
Aim of the research. Comparative study of morphological and clinical features of the novel coronavirus infection in the 1st and 2nd waves of the pandemic in 2020.
Materials and methods. The autopsy protocols of deceased patients at the City Clinical Hospital No. 1 (Novosibirsk) during the 1st (May — June 2020) (1st group) and 2nd (October — December 2020) (2nd group) waves of the epidemic were analyzed. The 1st group included 30 cases, that is 14 women (46.7%) and 16 men (53.3%), in the 2nd — 110 cases, of which 43 were women (39.1%) and 67 – men (60.9%). In all cases, the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in nasopharyngeal swabs from the patients was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction.
Results. The novel coronavirus infection (coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), ICD-10 code: U07.1) as the principal diagnosis in both the 1st and 2nd waves was recorded in more than 66% of observations. Among the comorbidities, the circulatory and endocrine disorders (primarily diabetes mellitus and obesity), kidneys and urinary tract diseases, mainly chronic pyelonephritis, prevailed. The COVID-19 pneumonia was predominantly bilateral polysegmental serоhemorrhagic in nature, however, in the 1st wave of the pandemic, the frequency of subtotal and seropurulent pneumonias was higher than in patients hospitalized during the 2nd wave. Diffuse alveolar damage in the 1st wave of the epidemic was characterized by the predominance of the early (exudative) phase of inflammation, in contrast to the 2nd wave, which was characterized by the predominance of the late (productive) phase in patients. Histologically, in patients of the 1st wave, the signs of exudative inflammation and hemorrhagic phenomena (with neutrophils and hyaline membranes in the alveoli, infarctions caused by thrombosis and pulmonary thromboembolism) prevailed. In the 2nd wave, signs of productive inflammation were more common in the lungs (predominance of macrophages in the alveoli, organizing pneumonia (pneumofibrosis), squamous cell metaplasia).
Conclusion. The differences in the course of the novel coronavirus infection in the 1st and 2nd waves of the 2020 epidemic concerned primarily the frequency and structure of comorbidities and the level of polymorbidity, which were higher in patients during the 2nd wave. The severity of lung damage in patients of the 2nd wave was less pronounced: subtotal bilateral pneumonias were less common, lower lobe seropurulent pneumonias were more common. Diffuse alveolar damage in the 1st wave of the epidemic was characterized by the predominance of the early (exudative) phase, in contrast to the 2nd wave, which was characterized by the predominance of the late, productive phase of inflammation.

Introduction. Infection with human coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome, forms polymorphous pattern of the infectious disease (COVID-19) in the range from mild acute respiratory infection to severe and life-threatening variations of systemic infection with respiratory tract involvement. Among significant predictors of the severe course and lethal outcome in the individuals with lung affection associated with COVID-19 infection, the increase of plasma levels of D-dimer, homocysteine, and some single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of genes of the folate cycle proteins are singled out.
Aim. To assess the role of genetic markers of folic acid metabolic disorders in the development of symptoms and the outcomes of viral lung damage associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection in the hospitalized patients.
Materials and methods. In an open prospective comparative study the assessment of outcomes depending on polymorphic markers of protein genes of the folate cycle and the use of fixed combination of folic acid and vitamins В₆, В₁₂ in comprehensive therapy was performed in 117 patients with lung damage associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Results. Patients showed an increased relative risk of the heterozygous minor G-allele carriage of 66AG SNP of the methionine synthase reductase gene (MTRR). The homozygous MTRR G66G genotype was associated with indicators of anemia and thrombocytopenia. A statistically significant decrease in the odds ratio in achieving negative results for SARSCoV-2 RNA detection by the 14th day of therapy in patients with the heterozygous 677CT genotype and the homozygous 677TT genotype of the MTHFR (methylenetetrahydrofalate reductase) gene was established.
Conclusion. Lung damage caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with an increased risk of genetic metabolic disorder of folate and vitamin B_12.

Attempts to determine the biological behavior of tumors have been an integral part of research in oncology for nearly 100 years. During this period, many works have been carried out to assess the value of individual factors, including both clinical information about the patient and the pathomorphological features of the tumor. Various systems have been pro-posed and modified, combining all possible combinations of neoplasm characteristics and epidemiological parameters. Thus, approaches to predicting the biological behavior of tumors can be conditionally divided into two types: the first, an analytical approach, is based on revealing individual morphological or clinical factors that affect the course of the tumor process, and the second, a systemic approach, which consists in combining several related and interacting constitute signs into a unified predictive model. Existing tumor classification systems are far from perfect. Nevertheless, the general consensus among pathologists, surgeons, and clinical oncologists is that prognosis parameters deserve to be a part of the standard pathology report for most tumors.

The review presents the prevalence, pathogenetic aspects of the development of impaired hypoglycemia awareness in diabetes mellitus and its effect on the course of the disease. A key aspect in the pathogenesis of atypical hypoglycemias is the brain adaptation to a low glucose concentration in blood, which entails a disorder of hormonal response to hypoglycemia. This process is an autonomous dysfunction associated with hypoglycemia. It is noted the role of atypical hypoglycemia in the development of cardiovascular complications, cognitive impairments and pregnancy failure in patients with diabetes mellitus.

In recent decades, it has been found that microRNAs are involved in almost all cellular processes, including the development of tumors.
In this paper, we consider the molecular genetic characteristics of a number of microRNAs that function in normal hematopoiesis, whose expression is impaired in the development of lymphoproliferative diseases. The last published results of studies on the diagnostic, prognostic and clinical significance of gene methylation considered by microRNAs in malignant neoplasms of the blood system are presented.

The review considers the features of modern diagnostics, pharmacotherapy and prevention of peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM). The significance of modern markers of PPCM is discussed: PAI-1, miR-146a, 16 kDa-PRL, sFlt-1/PlGF, interferongamma, asymmetric dimethylarginine and the role of diagnostic tests (echocardiography, magnetic resonance imaging), the use of which depends on gestational age and the course of PPCM. The information on indications, complications and clinical experience of the use of the main pharmacological drugs used in the treatment of PPCM, taking into account their possible adverse effects on the fetus and lactation, is given. A new algorithm for the treatment of PPCM, called the BOARD concept (bromocriptine, oral therapy of chronic heart failure (CHF), anticoagulants, vasodilators and diuretics), is being considered, in which the use of bromocriptine and anticoagulants is added to the conventional therapy of CHF, as well as preventive measures for the management of patients with PPCM, taking into account the risk of relapse with persistent left ventricular dysfunction during and after pregnancy.