We performed toxicological evaluation of dental gel ‘Matripin.’ Objective: to assess acute and chronic toxicity of dental gel ‘Matripin’ on mature rats. Animals were kept in standard vivarium conditions. Our findings suggest that ‘Matripin’ is a class 5 drug (virtually non-toxic substance). The assessment of chronic toxicity demonstrated that topical application of ‘Matripin’ does not have any toxic effects on the lungs, heart, spleen, liver, and kidneys, since morphological changes in these organs were similar in the experimental and control groups.

This article covers current views on the role of subclinical carotid atherosclerosis as a biomarker and equivalent of coronary heart disease. It focuses on the detection of subclinical multifocal atherosclerosis in lowto moderate-risk patients, which enables disease diagnosis, its verification, restratification of patients, identification of highand very high-risk individuals, and implementation of a complex of therapeutic and preventive measures, including aggressive lipid-regulating pharmacotherapy.

This article analyzes treatment of patients with burns complicated by connective tissue dysplasia. Histological examination of skin biopsy samples demonstrated an association between the grade of dysplasia and the processes of wound regeneration. We provided case reports describing patients with deep burns in functionally significant areas and their comprehensive treatment with cytokines.

The history of rectal cancer surgery dates back more than 200 years. This period encompasses many stages associated not only with the investigation of topographic and anatomical features and improvement of surgical techniques, but also with the implementation of modern medical equipment. Diagnostic tactics and surgical techniques for rectal cancer have been continuously studied and improved over the past several decades. This problem tends to be of particular interest due to an increased incidence of this disease and development of new technological approaches. Current studies are focused not only on patient's recovery, but also on the preservation of the good quality of life. An improvement in the quality of treatment is achieved by studying the surgical anatomy of the rectum, tumor morphological structure, risk factors, pathways of metastasis, and clinical course of the disease at different stages. Despite significant advances in rectal cancer surgery, there are still many unaddressed and controversial issues related not only to measures aimed to reduce the number of postoperative complications, but also wide implementation of sphincter-sparing surgeries along with following all the principles of radical intervention.

This review focuses on the prevention of cardiovascular diseases and their complications in elderly patients. It discusses disease diagnosis, its verification, and risk stratification of patients. Highand very highrisk patients should receive aggressive lipid-regulating pharmacotherapy with statins in order to control the level of low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol. Such therapy has some specific features in elderly patients.

Experimental modeling of light desynchronosis was performed on 60 male Wistar rats at the age of 6 months, weighing 280–300 g, to study its effect on food behavior. The experiment evaluated the amount of food consumed and the mass of animals. It was found that in conditions of round-the-clock lighting, there is a statistically significant increase in body weight and the amount of food consumed, compared with the control group.

Objective: to evaluate the levels of metalloproteinases as a prognostic factor for early postoperative period in patients with blunt splenic injuries.

Materials and methods. The study included 96 patients with blunt splenic injuries. Isolated lesions were detected in 47 patients (49 %), whereas 22 patients (22.9 %) presented with combined injuries. Study participants were divided into two groups. Group 1 included 47 patients with isolated injuries; Group 2 comprised 22 patients with combined trauma. We used the Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) to estimate the severity of injuries. We also assessed serum levels of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1 (TIMP-1) and matrix metalloproteinases 2, 7 and 9 (MMP-2, MMP-7, and MMP-9). Blood samples were collected from the peripheral vein on days 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, and 13 postoperatively.

Conclusion. Metalloproteinases play an important role in the development of complications after blunt splenic injuries. Changes in serum levels of TIMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-7, and MMP-9 are not similar and depend on the severity of lesions. Patients with AIS grade 3 isolated splenic injuries had the most significant changes, whereas individuals with AIS grade 1 injuries had minimal changes. Patients with grade 1 lesions demonstrated faster normalization of their laboratory markers (by day 5 postoperatively) compared to patients with grade 3 lesions, who had their laboratory parameters normalized only by day 13 postoperatively. Patients with combined and multiple injuries had changes in the parameters measured already one day postoperatively; no complete restoration was achieved by day 13.

Prostate cancer remains one of the most common urological malignancies. This article aims to describe the experience of using high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), a non-invasive method for the treatment of prostate cancer, and to summarize the results of latest studies on this problem.

Background. Tumors of the small intestine are difficult to diagnose. Their preoperative detection is an exception rather than the rule.

Materials and methods. We examined 15 patients preoperatively diagnosed with small bowel tumors. Patients were selected for two-stage enterography according to special criteria. Before examination, patients received prokinetic agents to enhance gastrointestinal motility. After placing the probe in the initial segment of the small intestine, we connected a special device for remote mechanical administration of contrast agent (0.1 kg/cm2, which is equal to 100 mL/min). To prevent overextension of the intestine, we administered contrast by portions. After reaching the middle part of the ileum, we introduced a portion of air. Monitoring of the diagnostic process was performed by short-term radiographic inspection and imaging.

Results and discussion. Multislice computed tomography enterography is currently considered as one of the most informative methods. It is a highly sensitive method for the diagnosis of small bowel tumors. However, a tailored approach should be used during examination with the consideration of gastrointestinal motility.

Conclusion. Multislice computed tomography enterography has a number of advantages over conventional enterography.

Small bowel tumors that are not associated with clinical signs of acute intestinal obstruction may remain undiagnosed for a long time and treated as any other gastrointestinal diseases.

Surgical treatment of small bowel tumors remains the main therapeutic measure for patients.

Objective: to assess the psychoemotional state of patients after surgical treatment of thyroid diseases performed by conventional and minimally invasive approaches.

Material and methods. The study was conducted in Samara City Clinical Hospital No. 8. We included 60 patients with benign tumors after thyroidectomy from standard or minimally invasive approach. The psychoemotional state was evaluated using psychological tests.

Results. Data analysis confirmed that patients who have undergone thyroidectomy through the upper cervical fold experienced less discomfort associated with a postoperative scar than patients in the first group.

Conclusion. Thus, thyroidectomy through the upper cervical fold minimizes negative consequences for the self-esteem and social well-being of female patients.

We analyzed blood viscosity in patients with abdominal stab wounds in the early postoperative period. We found that these patients had increased blood viscosity starting from day 3 postoperatively. Partial normalization was observed by day 7 postoperatively and complete normalization was registered ten days postoperatively.

Cholelithiasis and acute/chronic pancreatitis are some of the most common diseases in the practice of any doctor. There are numerous causes of cholelithiasis and pancreatitis (age, female gender, pregnancy, obesity, etc.), but the impact of hormones on these disorders is still poorly understood. One of the conditions for the formation of stones in the biliary tract is an increased level of fat in blood. Adrenocorticotropic hormone, somatotropic hormone, thyrotropic hormone, insulin, and thyroid hormones have lipotropic activity. In particular, deficiency of thyroxine and triiodothyronine disrupts fat metabolism in the body. There is also some evidence that reduced evacuation function of the gastrointestinal tract increases the risk of cholelithiasis, which is probably a result of hypothyroidism. Pancreas functioning is also affected by hormones. Hypothyroidism can be accompanied by a decrease in calcitonin secretion, which will eventually lead to the development of chronic pancreatitis.

Objective: to analyze the studies evaluating the impact of hypothyroidism on the formation of concretions in the biliary tract and the risk of acute or chronic pancreatitis and to report a case.

Materials and methods. We analyzed the impact of hypothyroidism on the incidence of cholelithiasis and acute or chronic pancreatitis and reported a case of these disorders.

Results and discussion. There is evidence that patients with hypothyroidism have increased serum levels of cholesterol; hypothyroidism causes cholestasis, while in patients with cholelithiasis, concomitant thyroid disorders significantly reduce the contractility of the gall bladder. Cholelithiasis was observed in 44.6% of patients with thyroid nodules, 33.3% of patients with autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT), and 22.2% of patients with primary and postoperative hypothyroidism. In 31.9% of women with thyroid hypofunction, concretions in the bile duct developed within 1–1.5 years after hypothyroidism diagnosis. In the study evaluating cases of concomitant hypothyroidism and chronic pancreatitis, the examination of patients with primary hypothyroidism revealed signs of pancreatic dysfunction in 64.1% of patients. Pancreatic dysfunction manifests itself with various changes in exocrine and endocrine functions and aggravates with hypothyroidism progression.

Conclusion. Both literature data and our clinical experience confirm that hypothyroidism of any origin leads to the development of cholelithiasis and pancreatitis; therefore, the patients require preventive measures in advance.

We identified insufficient awareness of patients about risk factor and symptoms of myocardial infarction in both groups. Respondents without acute coronary syndrome were better informed and had fewer modifiable risk factors. Low awareness of risk factors for myocardial infarction leads to their inadequate correction. In most cases, insufficient knowledge of symptoms causes delays in the patient 's decision to see a doctor, and, therefore, delays in qualified care.

In this publication, the authors cover topical issues of the anesthesia manual for ovarian puncture. Practical aspects of anesthesia methods usage are described in detail, indications and contraindications are covered. Special attention is paid to the impact of anesthetics on ovarian fertilization and embryonic development.

An experimental simulation of light desynchronosis was carried out on 60 rats of male Wistar breed at the age of 6 months, weighing 280–300 g to study its effect on carbohydrate and fat metabolism. It was found that prolonged exposure to rats under conditions of light deprivation leads to pronounced metabolic disturbances leading to the formation of hypercholesterolemia and hyperglycemia in the experimental group of animals.

We analyzed the results of examination of 85 patients with ischemic stroke in the carotid arterial system and leading hemiparesis syndrome during the early recovery period. The experimental group included 51 males and 34 females aged between 42 and 65 years (mean age 57.3 years). The control group comprised 20 healthy individuals matched for age and gender. This study was undertaken to assess the appropriateness of activation and coordination relationships in muscles of patients in the early recovery period after ischemic stroke in the carotid arterial system depending on its severity. We measured the amplitudes of the maximum arbitrary activity of the shoulder, forearm, and hand antagonist muscles using EMG and calculated adequacy coefficient (AC) and reciprocity coefficient (RC) (both sides). All patients were divided into two groups according to their Barthel index. Group 1 included 29 patients with mild restrictions in their daily living, whereas Group 2 included 56 patients with moderate restrictions in their daily living. All study participants had mild to moderate hemiparesis (with muscle strength of 3–4. 5 points). In Group 1, we registered increased RC (to 104%) in the forearm extensors and increased AC (to 85%) in the forearm flexors on the paresis side. In Group 2, we observed increased RC in the shoulder flexors and forearm extensors (to 89%) and increased AC in the shoulder extensors (to 76%) on the paresis side. Patients from Group 1 demonstrated high RC (68%) and AC (53%) in nonparetic limbs. Patients from Group 2 demonstrated even higher RC and AC (72%) in nonparetic limbs. Surface EMG with AC and RC calculation objectifies both the severity of paresis and tone disorders in paretic and nonparetic limbs. This method can also be used to predict the degree of motor defect recovery and evaluate the effectiveness of rehabilitation in patients with mild to moderate disease and predominant central hemiparesis syndrome.

This article shows that the participation of pharmacy students in research on bioethics contributes to the formation of their bioethical positions for information and consulting work of the pharmacist in accordance with professional standards. This is discussed on the example of a bioethical position about the value of human life from the moment of conception and the ethics of the implementation and use of hormonal abortive contraceptive. We interviewed 81 young people aged 18 to 20 years and found that 40% of respondents do not believe that human life starts from the moment of conception; almost half of respondents did not know that hormonal contraceptives can interrupt the life of an already conceived human; approximately 30% of respondents did not know about the similar effect of emergency contraceptives. Almost 80% of respondents believe that it is necessary to warn clients about the abortive effect of these drugs. More than 50% of respondents would not use these drugs themselves and recommend them to others, while 11% of the respondents changed their opinion about abortion to negative after participating in the survey. This survey revealed the opinion of young people on these issues and convinced future specialists of the need for a bioethical approach to the information and consulting work of the pharmacist among the population.