Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a secretory protein that regulates the processes of neurogenesis, differentiation and survival of neurons and synaptic plasticity. The changes in the secretion and/or expression of BDNF are associated with pathological disturbance in the functioning of nervous tissue. In this regard, the study of BDNF isoforms functions at the molecular-cellular level opens up new prospects for the therapy of neuropsychiatric disorders, neurodegenerative diseases and other pathologies.
This article seeks to describe the structure of the BDNF gene, the features of synthesis and transport of its isoforms. The receptors and molecular-cellular mechanisms for BDNF functions are described. Particular attention is paid to the involvement of BDNF in the processes of neuron generation and the formation of new synapses in brain neurogenic zones. The influence of factors (neuron activity level, neurotransmitter concentration, etc.) on BDNF-dependent regulation of synaptic plasticity is considered.

Studies aimed at improving the accuracy of forecasting individualized accumulated doses of internal radiation to persons exposed to radiation as a result of the Chernobyl accident and living in a radioactively contaminated area have been conducted. As a result, a model has been developed containing parameters that quantify the time-stable factors that most influence the process of internal radiation dose formation, such as gender and age. The model was tested and compared with the data of a control sample formed on the basis of instrumentally obtained values of annual doses of internal radiation. It has been found that the model reduces the uncertainty of estimating individualized accumulated doses of internal radiation by at least 20%. The predictive value of the forecasting method has been increased by at least 10%. The improvement of these indicators was achieved as a result of taking into account the doses of a representative person in populated areas and increasing the requirements for the training sample when calibrating the model.

It is known that the immunomodulatory functions of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are realized through interdependent immunoregulatory network. Recently, researchers have increasingly been searching for soluble factors and molecules secreted in immunoprivileged organs and tissues and allowing to avoid the immune response. Such molecules can be galectin-1 and HLAG, which expressed on the trophoblast and ensure the development of immunotolerance.
The objective of this study was a comparative analysis of the production of soluble HLA-G and galectin-1 molecules, as well as interleukin-10 by intact mesenchymal stem cells and during their co-cultivation with peripheral blood lymphocytes of recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cells.
As a result of the study, it was found that for the release of the soluble form of HLA-G and, consequently, the implementation of the immunomodulatory properties of MSCs, interaction between MSCs and peripheral blood lymphocytes is necessary. At the same time, the intercellular interaction of MSCs and lymphocytes did not promote increased production of galectin-1, the main contribution to the production of which in mixed cultures was made by MSCs. The level of soluble HLA-G molecule depended on the concentration of IL-10 in the culture. The revealed patterns indicate that the choice of a biomedical cell product based on MSCs should be carried out taking into account the production of soluble factors characterizing their immunoregulatory potential, which can ultimately increase the effectiveness of cell therapy.

126 patients were examined at out-patient department of Republican Research Center for Radiation Medicine and Human Ecology. Two groups were formed. The main group (48 people) are anxious patients with signs of coronaphobia and a suspicion of having the consequences of coronavirus infection (examined in the first half of 2022). The average age is 42 years. 28 people with post-COVID syndrome (examined in the first half of 2023). The average age is 49 years. The comparison group (50 people) — patients with neuropsychiatric disorders, observed by a psychotherapist in a counseling group, fell ill before the COVID-19 pandemic (examined in the first half of 2022). The average age is 48 years. All patients were examined by a psychotherapist and a general practitioner. The methodology of ecological psychiatry was used. The author’s quantified card was filled in, including the following sections: socio-demographic; perception of socio-environmental factors; anamnestic; clinical with verification according to ICD-10 criteria with the identification of the syndromic structure; psychometric assessment of anxiety according to the GAD-7 scale and vegetative support according to A.M. Wayne. All examined patents were divided according to the presence of dyssomnia and its absence. As a result of the study, the prevalence of dyssomnia in the main group was 63,5% and increased dynamically: 51% in the covid phobia subgroup, 88% in the post-COVID syndrome subgroup, and 4% in the comparison group. A complication of the structure of anxiety disorders with associated dyssomnia was defined at the early stage of the study (with a neurotic anxiety register) and at the late stage, in the subgroup with post-COVID syndrome, with a predominantly organic genesis. It follows the idea of a well-known independent role of dyssomnia, which aggravates the psychopathological register with an increase in depressive inclusions; organic transformation of neurosis-like disorders and symptoms of cognitive dysfunction. The increase in the incidence of cognitive dysfunction is consistent with a decrease in the perception of the coronavirus infection factor, especially in the subgroup with post-COVID syndrome. In the comparison group receiving psychopharmacotherapy, dyssomnia was practically absent. And according to all other studied indicators, the comparison group is lighter than the main group. Based on the study, approaches to psychopharmacotherapy of post-COVID syndrome, including dyssomnia, were identified.

The chemistry of free radicals has not yet received the attention it deserves in medical research. It is generally accepted that free radicals are active forms of non-metals: chalcogenes, pnictogens, halogens. They enter into complex and multistage reactions with the biological membranes of cells, disrupting their functional activity and creating a general pathological state called oxidative stress. Today it is important to determine the presence and concentration of both intermediate metabolites of reactions and final metabolites of oxidation reactions in order to determine the severity (stages and depth of manifestations) of oxidative stress. The study of the concentrations of a number of products of pathobiochemical reactions in oxidative stress can be considered promising and scientifically justified. These parameters include total antioxidant capacity, reduced glutathione, total mercaptogroups, protein oxidation products, nitrate and nitrite ions, malonic dialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione reductase. The unification of the above parameters in the general pathogenesis of oxidative stress is a promising study to derive a mathematical formula for calculating the oxidative stress index in patients with cirrhosis and acute blood loss.

The article is devoted to the study of factors influencing the severity of pain syndrome of cardiogenic and vertebrogenic genesis in patients who underwent myocardial revascularization and suffer from low back pain. The prevalence of low back pain syndrome in patients aged 40 to 60 years is high. Chronic back pain significantly reduces quality of life and functional status, especially in elderly patients. The study included 84 patients who underwent myocardial revascularization. Various questionnaires and scales were used to assess pain, anxiety and quality of life. The results showed that patients with more severe pain syndrome were older than 60 years of age and had significantly worse scores on all quality of life parameters. It is important to note that despite the similarity of laboratory indicators, the subjective assessment of the patient’s condition differed, indicating the need to take into account psychological aspects in rehabilitation. The findings emphasize the importance of an integrated approach to the treatment and rehabilitation of patients with cardiogenic and vertebrogenic pain, as well as the need for further study to improve the quality of medical care.

The article is devoted to the study of remote results of open reconstructive surgeries on arteries of the femoropopliteal region with atherosclerotic lesions. A comparative analysis of clinical effectiveness and the postoperative period after bypass operations and endarterectomies from the femoral arteries was carried out, factors affecting the outcome of operations were analyzed. The indication for revascularization of the vessels of the lower extremities was often chronic limb-threatening ischemia. Statistically significant differences in the incidence of bypass occlusions after bypass operations and deobliterated artery after endarterectomy in the remote postoperative period were not revealed. Atherosclerotic lesions of the terminal branches of the popliteal artery of grades 3 and 4 according to GLASS negatively affect the clinical results of open surgeries on arteries of the femoropopliteal region.

Analysis of serum CRP levels in 197 patients with polycythemia vera revealed positive correlations with fibrinogen (rs=0,46, p<0,001), interleukin-6 (r=0,38, p<0,001), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (rs=0,47, p<0,001). A notable association was identified between elevated CRP levels (>5 mg/l) and the frequency of increased D-dimer concentrations (Pearson’s χ2 test p=0,031). Additionally, a weak but detectable correlation was observed with hyperhomocysteinemia and decreased protein S levels, potentially contributing to thrombotic complications. CRP levels correlated significantly with leukocyte count (rs=0,20, p=0,034), particularly neutrophils (rs=0,23, p=0,012) and monocytes count (rs=0,26, p=0,004), as well as with uric acid levels (rs=0,26, p=0,005), gamma-glutamyl transferase activity (rs=0,25, p=0,006), and urea levels (rs=0,20, p=0,036). Elevated CRP values were more prevalent among patients with a history of cancer, diabetes mellitus, or coronary heart disease, although differences did not reach statistical significance.

The article presents an analysis of the results of surgical intervention in patients with uterine myoma at the State Institution «Republican Research Center for Radiation Medicine and Human Ecology». The clinical and anamnestic characteristics of patients, an analysis of the duration of surgical intervention and the postoperative period depending on the surgical approach are presented. The advantages of laparoscopic hysterectomy have been identified, including reduced blood loss and length of postoperative hospital stay, the need to prescribe antibacterial drugs and additional pain relief, which leads to reduced treatment costs. The method of laparoscopic treatment of uterine fibroids has its limitations, due to the size of the uterus. Development of an algorithm for choosing a method of providing medical care to patients with uterine fibroids on an outpatient stage will reduce the costs of patients’ stay in hospital and carry out targeted preparation for hospitalization.

To assess the occurrence of mental health disorders, including anxiety, stress, and depression, among production workers in Vietnam›s steel and ceramic tile manufacturing sectors.

This research involved 1,228 production workers — 836 from the steel sector and 392 from ceramic tile manufacturing — to evaluate the prevalence of mental health issues, including anxiety, stress, and depression. The methodology included clinical assessments of the employees, featuring observations, job requirement analyses, interviews, and mental health evaluations using the DASS 21 scale.

The study reveals significant exposure of workers to challenging conditions like high temperatures, dust, and noise, contributing to workplace stress. A considerable part of workers (74,0%) faced a stressful environment, with higher exposure reported among steel workers (79,1%) compared to ceramic tile workers (63,2%), p<0,001. The overall prevalence of mental health disorders was 20,8%, with comparable rates between steel workers (21,1%) and ceramic tile workers (20,2%), not statistically significant (χ²=0,13, p=0,72). Specifically, the rates for anxiety, stress, and depression were 18,7%, 7,4%, and 7,2% across both worker groups. Among steel workers, these rates were 18,4% for anxiety, 7,4% for stress, and 6,6% for depression, whereas ceramic tile workers showed slightly higher rates of 19,4% for anxiety, 7,4% for stress, and 8,7% for depression.

The study identified a higher depression rate of 10,0% among workers aged ≥35, nearly double the rate found in those under 35 (5,4%), indicating a significant age-related risk factor (OR= 1,96; 95%CI=1,26–3,02). Workers experiencing stress at work reported a 24,3% prevalence of mental disorders, 1,35 times higher than their unstressed counterparts (19,2%) (OR= 1,35; 95%CI=1,01–1,81). To combat these challenges, the authors propose several strategies aimed at mitigating mental health risks among workers.

The article describes early manifestations of pelvic floor dysfunctions in women, diagnostic and correction methods. The role and place of thread perineal lifting in relaxed vagina syndrome and gaping genital slit, advantages and limitations of the method are considered. An important condition for using this technique is the integrity of the pelvic fascia and muscular compartment of the pelvic floor. It is shown that threads based on polydioxanone, polylactide caprolactone and polylactic acid with multidirectional notches demonstrate high efficiency and safety in aesthetic correction of the vulvovaginal region. A new promising direction in aesthetic gynecology is the use of biodegradable threads for the correction of perineal ptosis, tone of the labia majora, shape of the vulvar region and for reinforcing the vagina.

A clinical case is presented of destructive chronic purulent ulcerative-necrotic balanocavernitis with destruction of the glans penis, destruction of the tunica albuginea of the corpora cavernosa, ulcerative distal urethritis combined with cicatricial stenosis and micturition disorder, chronic urinary retention, chronic pain syndrome according to the visual analogue pain scale (VAS) score of 5, and a secondarily shrinkage of penis. The patient underwent sanitary penectomy with ureterocutaneostomy. The presented clinical case is an illustration of a rare outcome of bullous balanoposthitis with the development of a destructive form of balanocavernitis over two years of the clinical course of the disease, leading to penectomy.