The detection of viral RNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is currently the main diagnostic tool for COVID-19 ( Eurosurveillance 2019 25 1 ). The PCR-based test, however, shows limited sensitivity, especially in the early and late stages of disease development ( 32235945 Nature 2020 581 465 469 ; 32340768 J. Formosan Med. Assoc. 2020 119 1123 ), and is relatively time-consuming. Fast and reliable complementary methods for detecting the viral infection would be of help in the current pandemic conditions. Mass spectrometry is one of such possibilities. We have developed a mass-spectrometry-based method for the detection of the SARS CoV-2 virus in nasopharynx epithelial swabs based on the detection of the viral nucleocapsid N protein. Our approach shows confident identification of the N protein in patient samples, even those with the lowest viral loads, and a much simpler preparation procedure. Our main protocol consists of virus inactivation by heating and the addition of isopropanol and tryptic digestion of the proteins sedimented from the swabs followed by MS analysis. A set of unique peptides, produced as a result of proteolysis of the nucleocapsid phosphoprotein of SARS-CoV-2, is detected. The obtained results can further be used to create fast parallel mass-spectrometric approaches for the detection of the virus in the nasopharyngeal mucosa, saliva, sputum and other physiological fluids.

Stem cells from the endometrium isolated during menstrual bleeding were characterized. By their main surface markers, differentiation potential, and morphological signs these cells belong to mesenchymal stem cells. Specific features of this cell type are high clonogenic activity and low capacity to adipocyte differentiation.

We compared differentiation potential of mesenchymal stem cells originating from human bone marrow, fatty tissue, thymus, placenta, and skin. The cells were characterized by differentiation into adipocytes and osteoblasts. Mesenchymal stem cells from different sources exhibited different differentiation potential, manifesting by the rate of differentiation and percentage of differentiated cells. Presumably, differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells derived from different tissues can differ due to the presence of progenitor cells of different types.

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Current document presents the expert consensus of Russian Association of Endocrinologists and Russian Society of Obstetrician- Gynecologists on diagnostic criteria of gestational diabetes and other glycemic disorders of pregnancy. The consensus is based on analysis of HAPO (Hyperglycemia and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes Study) - a major multinational study, that included more than 23000 patients. Project of current consensus was repeatedly discussed during meetings of the research group and publicly addressed at 6th Pan-Russian Congress of Endocrinology with international participation ?Modern Endocrine Technologies?, as well as Pan-Russian Educational Interscience Conference ?Complicated Pregnancy and Preterm Birth?.