Arterial aneurysms represent a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide; therefore, there is a growing need for the rapid and precise tool or method enabling to predict aneurysm emergence. The objective of this study was to develop a computer-aided method for aneurism prediction. Here we utilized a computer-based approach to establish a non-invasive, high-resolution and rapid method for the prediction of aneurysm-prone arterial segments based on combining microcomputed tomography (microCT) scanning with finite element analysis (FEA). We performed a microCT image binarization and designed a computing algorithm for FEA mesh construction, followed by application of gradient mapping and stress modeling to identify thin-walled high-stress areas responsible for the development of aneurysms. The fidelity of our computing algorithm for FEA mesh construction was similar to the commercially available software. The maximum possible error of our approach did not exceed that of either microCT or clinically available multislice computed tomography angiography scanning. Our computational approach revealed thin-walled arterial segments under a high stress, therefore potentially predicting aneurysm-prone sites. Here we demonstrate our approach for the prediction of arterial segments under a high risk of aneurysm occurrence, which should be further validated in pre-clinical models to be translated into the clinical practice.

Aim. To analyze prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in the Kemerovo region based on the results of epidemiological studies (2013 and 2016).Material and methods. The study was based on two large epidemiological studies of the Kemerovo region: on 2013, «The epidemiology of cardiovascular diseases and their risk factors in the Russian Federation» and on 2016, «The prospective study of urban and rural epidemiology: study of the influence of social factors on chronic non-infectious diseases in low, middle and high income countries». In the study we analyzed cardiovascular risk factors using identical questionnaires, functional, anthropometric, biochemical means and measured on identical scales. As a result, we analyzed the prevalence of smoking, diabetes mellitus, overweight and obesity, abdominal obesity, hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia, high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL).Results. Univariate analysis indicates that in the sample of 2016, compared to the sample of 2013, the prevalence of smoking is statistically significantly lower, as well as the proportion of participants with high cholesterol levels, but not taking lipid-lowering drugs. In contrast, the prevalence of diabetes, hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia is higher. In women, the frequency of abdominal obesity on 2016 is lower than on 2013: at 35-44 age group odds ratio (OR) =0.67 with 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.44-1.03, at 45-54 age group OR =0.47 with 95% CI 0.31-0.72, 55-65 age group OR =0.49 with 95% CI 0.30-0.79. A high incidence of diabetes, hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia is characteristic mainly of older women (55-65 age group): accordingly, OR =1.96 with 95% CI 1.19-3.22, OR =1.42 with 95% CI 1,02-1.97, OR =1.51 at 95% CI 1.08-2.12. In the 45-54 age group of men, they smoked statistically significantly less often on 2016 compared to 2013, OR =0.59 with 95% CI 0.36-0.96. The prevalence of overweight and obesity in both samples is the same: for women, the OR for overweight in different age groups is within 0.74-0.87, for men - within 0.95-1.78; for obesity OR in women is from 0.70 to 0.79, in men - from 1.03 to 1.34.Conclusion. A significant advantage of the study is the analysis of changes in prevalence in age and gender groups, which showed significant differences in the dynamics of men and women in different age categories for a number of risk factors. Analysis of the dynamics of the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors makes it possible to assess the effectiveness of state and regional policies in the field of health protection and, first of all, "risk groups” that require closer attention, development and implementation of targeted health-saving technologies.

Aim. To assess the contribution of traditional and socio-economic factors to the development and dynamics of dyslipidemia based on the results of an epidemiological study in a large region of Siberia.Material and methods. Clinical and epidemiological prospective study of the population 35-70 years old was carried out. At the basic stage, 1600 participants were examined, including 1124 women and 476 men, the prospective stage included 807 respondents (the response was 84.1%). A survey was carried out to find out the state of health (presence of diseases, taking medications), socio-economic status (level of education and income, marital status) and the presence of behavioral risk factors (tobacco and alcohol use).Results. The proportion of people with hypercholesterolemia increased 1.2 times, low LDL – 1.1 times, and hypertriglyceridemia and low HDL – 1.7 times. In persons with hypertriglyceridemia, the frequency of detected obesity and hypertension decreased by 7.9% and 4.6%, respectively (p = 0.046). Obesity was associated with an increased risk of developing hypercholesterolemia (OR = 1.49, CI: 1.0-2.2), hypertriglyceridemia (OR = 2.14, CI: 1.5-3.0), high LDL cholesterol (OR = 2.16, CI: 1.3-3.6) and low HDL cholesterol (OR = 2.07, CI: 1.5-2.9). The presence of hypertension - with an increased risk of developing hypertriglyceridemia (OR = 2.19, CI: 1.5-3.1) and low HDL (OR = 2.49, CI: 1.8-3.5). Among people with low HDL levels, the number of smokers and drinkers decreased (by 7.0% and 5.7%, respectively), as well as those with obesity by 8.6%. The prevalence of dyslipidemia increased in all socioeconomic groups.Conclusion. Over 3 years of follow-up, there was a statistically significant increase in the proportion of persons with dyslipidemia in all socio-economic groups. There was a significant decrease in such risk factors as obesity, hypertension, smoking, alcohol consumption and an increase in the number of respondents taking lipid-lowering therapy.

Highlights. Unique epidemiological data were obtained on the effectiveness of preventive services of healthcare organizations in relation to cardiovascular diseases, adherence to lifestyle modification recommendations, and presence of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases in these citizens.Aim. To assess healthcare services uptake in large industrial Siberian region, as well as the adherence of population to lifestyle modification recommendations (epidemiological data).Methods. The study included 729 residents of Kemerovo and Kemerovo region. The assessment of the main risk factors for cardiovascular diseases was carried out in accordance with the Russian recommendations for cardiovascular prevention. Uptake and adherence to lifestyle modification recommendations was assessed using the Health System Assessment Questionnaire of the International Prospective Study of Urban and Rural Epidemiology.Results. Among the 729 study participants, the urban population is represented by 67.3%, rural – 32.6%. The population was majority represented by women (69.7%). The mean age of participants was 59.0 (51.0; 65.0) years. Smokers accounted for 18.6% of the participants, the majority represented by men (p = 0.000). Excessive weight was more often observed in women (p = 0.013), the mean body mass index in women was 29.5 kg/m2 . The mean values of the analyzed laboratory parameters (cholesterol, low- and highdensity lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose) were within the range of normal values. Previously diagnosed hypertension was noted in 64.6% of the participants, diabetes in 12%, coronary heart disease in about 7%, stroke in 1.6% of the participants. Assessment of cardiovascular risk according to SCORE scale showed that 17% of participants were at low risk, 50% – moderate risk in, and 29.2% – high-very high risk. Upon visiting healthcare provider, only 38.1% of subjects received recommendations for lifestyle changes. Respondents were frequently given recommendations to adjust their diet, followed by recommendations regarding weight loss, increased physical activity; smoking cessation and lower alcohol consumption were recommended less often. Respondents changed their lifestyle significantly more often in accordance with the recommendations received at the time of visit (p = 0.000); out of them, 56.7% had moderate cardiovascular risk, 26.7% had high and very high risk, and low risk according to SCORE – 16.7%. However, study participants were more likely to not follow received recommendations (p = 0.000).Conclusion. Due to high uptake of healthcare services in the population, high prevalence of risk factors and low adherence of the population to prevention, it can be concluded that the current model of prevention does not work. Innovative tools are needed to manage risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and positively change a person`s lifestyle.

Objective to evaluate the dynamics and identify the relationship between empirically obtained dietary stereotypes and the presence of arterial hypertension (AH) according to a prospective study among the population of a large region of Siberia.Design and methods. A clinical and epidemiological prospective group study of the population aged 35 to 70 years was carried out. The baseline study included 1124 women (70,3%) and 476 men (29,7%). The mean age was 54,9 ± 9,75 years and 52,6 ± 10,0 years, respectively, p < 0,001. The followup period was 3 years from the first visit of the respondent. An adapted questionnaire (Questionnaire Food Frequency (FFQ)) was used to assess the frequency of food consumption. To identify latent factors (stereotypes of eating behavior), we used factor analysis (method of principal components). The association of eating habits with the presence of AH was assessed using logistic regression analysis. The critical level of significance when testing statistical hypotheses in the study was taken to be ≤ 0,05.Results. In men, the prevalence of AH was the highest among those who adhered to the fruit and vegetable dietary stereotype (75,0%), the minimum was in men who followed the mixed stereotype (60,1 %, p = 0,034). Among women, as well as among men, the maximum prevalence of AH was observed in people with a fruit and vegetable diet (71,1 %), and the minimum was observed in those with a protein-carbohydrate diet (63,2 %, p = 0,049). Among those who followed the fruit and vegetable stereotype, new cases of AH were identified in 30,9 %, protein-carbohydrate — 33,3 %, mixed — 35,7 % (p = 0,846). The structure of nutrition of the population has undergone changes during the observation period. So, 5 main stereotypes of eating behavior were determined: vegetable, protein-carbohydrate, fruit, dairy and mixed. The prevalence of AH did not differ statistically significantly among individuals with different nutritional stereotypes at the prospective stage (p = 0,337): the maximum prevalence of AH was observed among individuals who followed the vegetable stereotype (77,6%), and the minimum — fruit (67,6%). When conducting a logistic regression analysis, after leveling the influence of gender and age, no statistically significant associations were found between nutritional stereotypes and the development of AH.Conclusions. 1. Over three years of observation, the prevalence of AH among residents of a large industrial region of Siberia increased from 66,4% to 72,0%. 2. With the help of factor analysis, three nutrition stereotypes were identified: fruit and vegetable, protein and carbohydrate, and mixed. During the three-year period of observation, the diet of the inhabitants of Siberia has changed: 5 main stereotypes of eating behavior have been identified — vegetable, protein-carbohydrate, fruit, dairy and mixed. 3. At the basic stage, AH was more common among people who followed the fruit and vegetable diet, especially among young men. During the prospective phase of the study — in individuals who preferred the vegetable stereotype.