The aim of the study was to evaluate adhesive properties of the surgical anti-adhesion barrier based on collagen in combination with 0.05% Chlorhexidine bigluconate solution and Prontosan in experiment performed in vitro. Materials and Methods. The study was carried out using CollaGUARD adhesion barrier consisting of renatured horse type I collagen and reference strains of Еscherichia coli АТСС ® 25922, Klebsiella pneumoniae АТСС ® 700603, Pseudomonas aeruginosa АТСС ® 27853, Staphylococcus aureus АТСС ® 25923. Bacteria adhesion to the barrier (membrane) untreated and combined with biocides was evaluated by determining the viable colony forming unit (CFU/cm 2) numbers and using atomic force microscopy after 24 h and 6 days. Results. Cells of all bacterial strains adhered to the surface of the membrane within 24 h forming a biofilm of bacilli tightly adjacent to each other (E. coli, P. aeruginosa) or cocci (S. aureus) integrated between disorganized collagen fibers, or adherent bacteria were seen separately (K. pneumoniae). The Sq index characterizing the surface roughness of the biofilm formed by S. aureus bacteria was 221.3±38.6 nm and was 3.0, 3.8, and 3.6 times higher compared with that for E. coli (72.8±12.6 nm), K. pneumoniae (57.5±21.8 nm), and P. aeruginosa (60.8±22.1 nm), respectively, and also exceeded 4.4 times the Sq index for the membrane itself (50.3±26.3 nm). Collagen degradation was revealed in case of contamination by protease-producing bacteria with collagenase activity: P. aeruginosa for 24 h and S. aureus for 6 days. Adsorption of the biocide on the membrane surface after its short exposure to Chlorhexidine bigluconate solution or Prontosan led to inhibited growth and adhesion of cells of bacteria, except for P. aeruginosa. In experimental models, in agar medium and in suspension culture, Chlorhexidine bigluconate proved to be more effective than Prontosan. The difference between the biocides in inhibiting the adhesion of bacteria to the membrane surface is not associated with changes in its surface roughness. Conclusion. Impregnation of a surgical membrane with antibacterial compounds just before the implantation can serve as an additional method for preventing abdominal surgical infection.

Introduction. Urolithiasis is a polyethylological disease of the urinary system. Epidemiological data on urolithiasis is disappointing: over the past 30 years, the number of patients with urolithiasis has increased by 48.57%, and the mortality rate has increased by 17.12%. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in various genes can influence the risk of development and recurrence of this disease. Early diagnosis of a patient's genetic predisposition to primary or recurrent urolithiasis is important for the effective prevention of urolithiasis.Objective. To explore the association of SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism) rs3134057 (TNFRS11B), rs851982 (ESR1), rs1540339 (VDR), rs2202127 (CASR), rs526906 (KL) with the development of recurrent urolithiasis.Materials and methods. The observed group consisted of 96 patients with a single-sided ureteral stone, of whom 45 had recurrent urolithiasis; the control group consisted of 51 volunteers. Venous blood samples were collected from all participants, DNA was extracted from the blood and analyzed for each SNP studied by real-time polymerase chain reaction. We analyze the data obtained on genotype and presence or absence of urolithiasis in the participants using a binomial logistic regression model.Results. An association was found between the presence of SNP rs3134057 in the TNFRS11B gene (odds ratio (OR), 1.92; confidence interval (CI): 1.05-3.52; p = 0.031) and the development of recurrent urolithiasis.Conclusion. The association of rs3134057 with urolithiasis relapse leads us to investigating the effect of this SNP on serum osteoprotegerin levels, a product of the TNFRS11B gene.

Introduction. Early diagnosis of cancer is one of the most important international strategies. Malignant and healthy tissues differ in the interaction with electromagnetic waves. Pilot studies show a potential perspective for non-invasive analysis of electromagnetic anisotropy in biological tissues.Objective. To assess the diagnostic importance of the electromagnetic detection of prostate cancer (PCa) within the prospective study.Materials & methods. One hundred and twenty-four patients were included to undergo a prostate biopsy, transurethral prostate resection, or radical prostatectomy. The investigators did not have information on their clinical details. Research technique: the probe was applied to the perineal region, turning it in three planes. A reduction of the 465 MHz band below a threshold was fixed and was considered suspect for PCa. The results of electromagnetic evaluation were compared with the findings of a pathomorphological study after biopsy or surgery.Results. Fourty-seven true-positive and 21 true-negative results were detected, 20 false-negative and 46 false-positive (follow-up group as potentially true-positive group). The overall sensitivity was 82%, specificity – 31%. The positive and negative predictive values were 73% and 62%, respectively. The accuracy of the method was 54%.Conclusion. Early PCa stage could be a reason for many false-positive results and low specificity, as a result. PCa detection is significantly reduced with lesions less than 3 mm, therefore patients with false-positive results were placed in the follow-up group. Patients’ examination with the TRIMprob TM («Galileo Avionica» SpA, Torino, Italy) could increase the early PCa detection at the screening. The research is currently ongoing.

Introduction. Erectile dysfunction (ED) combines many conditions leading to erectile dysfunction and disability to perform sexual intercourse. It was confirmed that the most common cause of ED is vascular disorders, primarily associated with atherosclerosis that leads to cardiovascular diseases. Objective. To analyze the available literature data about the methods for diagnosis vascular ED, including according to cardiovascular system status. Materials and methods. The results of the search in scientific databases Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane, Chinese BioMedical Literature Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Elibrary.ru were analyzed. After a detailed verification of the reliability of sources, impact factors of journals and the sequence of presentation of the material, 63 most relevant scientific publications were selected directly for citation. Results. The first step of the vascular ED diagnosis is the monitoring of nocturnal penile tumescences. Next, the risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and ED are evaluated: anamnesis of elevated blood pressure, physical activity, smoking, body weight, measurement of blood pressure, blood analysis with the lipid and glycemic profiles. For the diagnosis of endothelial dysfunction (END), the determination of flow-dependent vasodilation of the brachial artery is used, with the possible determination of the rate of blood filling after decompression. After the END is confirmed in patients with ED, it is useful to determine the vascular age using the SCORE scale. For further management of the patient with ED and END, stratification of the associated with sexual activity cardiovascular complications risk is recommended. Conclusion. The proposed diagnostic algorithm will allow not only identify the vascular component of ED at an early stage, but also to avoid fatal cardiovascular complications by prescribing and recommending therapeutic and preventive measures to patients with asymptomatic cardiovascular diseases.