Objective: To assess the frequency and risk factors of delirium in patients hospitalized with COVID-19.
Material and methods: Four hundred and forty patients admitted to the Infectious Diseases Hospital of the University Clinical Hospital No.3 of Sechenov University were included in the study. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Screening Questionnaire-7 (GAD-7), the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), the Delirium severity rating scale (DRS-R-98) were administered.
Results: Delirium was detected in 27.8% of patients. Significant risk factors were age (p=0.002), severity of respiratory failure (p=0.005), concomitant somatic disease (p=0.003), and respiratory therapy (p<0.001). There was an association between severe anxiety (p<0.001) and insomnia (p=0.07) observed at admission with the risk of developing delirium during the hospital stay.
Conclusion: The study reveals a high prevalence of delirium in patients with COVID-19. In order to prevent delirium and/or reduce the risk, early diagnosis and identification of preclinical forms are of particular importance.
Objective: To measure the knee range of motion (ROM) in the sagittal plane by video analysis in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) after a course of medical rehabilitation and determine the minimal clinically important differences (MCID).
Material and methods: We examined 45 patients (37 women, 8 men) with relapsing-remitting (n=38) and secondary-progressive MS before and after a course of medical rehabilitation. Gait parameters were recorded on video analysis system Physiomed Smart («Physiomed», Germany, the Davis protocol).
Results: The course of complex medical rehabilitation contributes to an increase knee ROM in MS patients in a wide range of disability (EDSS <6.5 points). MCID is estimated as 7.14° in mild (EDSS ≤4.0) and as 7.67° in moderate (EDSS=4.5-5.5) gait impairment.
Conclusion: The results will assist clinicians and researchers in interpreting the significance of observed kinematic changes in the knee joint in MS patients after medical intervention.
Objective: To study the effect of fluoxetine on Th17- and Th1-immune response, which plays an important role in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS).
Material and methods: Ten patients with relapsing-remitting MS and ten healthy subjects were examined. The functions of Th17- and Th1-immune responses were assessed by the production of cytokines interleukin-17 (IL-17) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) by CD4+ T cells stimulated with macrophages or microbeads coated with anti-CD3 and anti-CD28-antibodies. To assess the effect of fluoxetine on the macrophages-induced Th17- and Th1-immune response, macrophages were pre-incubated in the presence of fluoxetine and co-cultured with autologous CD4+ T-cells. In the case of stimulation of CD4+ T-cells with anti-CD3/CD28-microbeads, fluoxetine was added directly to the T-helper cells before adding of microbeads. In addition, we evaluated the effect of fluoxetine on the production of the factors of differentiation of Th17-cells cytokines IL-6 and IL-1β by macrophages. The levels of cytokines in the cell culture supernatants were measured by ELISA.
Results: The production of IL-17 and IFN-γ by CD4+ T-cells stimulated with macrophages or anti-CD3/CD28-microbeads was comparable between the groups. Fluoxetine suppressed the production of IL-17 and IFN-γ by anti-CD/CD28-stimulated CD4+ T-cells in both groups. Fluoxetine also suppressed the production of IL-6 and IL-1β by macrophages as well as their ability to induce IL-17 and IFN-γ production by CD4+ T-cells in both groups.
Conclusions: Fluoxetine may have an anti-inflammatory effect in MS that could be mediated by suppression of Th17- and Th1-cells or macrophage-induced Th17- and Th1-immune response.
Objective: To study the relationship of NMDA receptors expression activity with proliferative activity and genetic properties of anaplastic astrocytomas, as well as the survival of patients with this disease.
Material and methods: To solve this problem, we compared the expression activity of the least studied NMDA receptors in the context under consideration, detected using immunofluorescent studies and polymerase chain reaction, with the results of histological and molecular studies, the proliferative activity of neoplasms, and the survival of patients.
Results: The expression activity of NMDA receptors is higher in astrocytomas, grade 3, which do not carry mutations in IDH1 and IDH2 genes. In addition, the activity of NMDA receptors expression directly correlates with proliferative activity in the tumors. The activity of NMDA receptor expression has a significant impact on the prognosis of disease-free survival.
Conclusion: We have shown for the first time the significant role of NMDA receptors in the progression of diffuse astrocytomas, which can become the basis for creating new therapeutic and diagnostic tools.
Objective: The aim of the study is to study the clinical features of asthenic disorders in chronic heart failure (CHF) considering the reaction to the disease.
Material and methods: 62 inpatients with CHF II-IV functional class (FC) according to NYHA were examined. Research methods included somatic, psychopathological and pathopsychological examination using psychometric scales.
Results: According to a pathopsychological study using the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20), asthenic disorders were discovered in all examined patients, realized mainly by «general fatigue» (75.8%) and «physical fatigue» (72.6%), more rarely «mental fatigue» was observed (32.2%). Correlations of «general fatigue» with the age of patients were revealed (p=0.018). There was a relationship between the severity of asthenic disorders and the severity of CHF, as evidenced by the correlation between «general fatigue» and reduced ejection fraction (EF) of the left ventricle (p=0.005), as well as «physical fatigue» and FC according to NYHA (p=0.022). The negative impact of all components of the dimensions of asthenic disorders on the quality of life was determined (p<0.05). According to the concept of the formation of different perceptions of the manifestations of a somatic disease, two types of reactions to asthenic disorders were identified: 1. Dissociative reactions, manifested by a discrepancy between the severity of CHF and a subjective assessment of the condition with an underestimation of the asthenic symptoms denial of its influence on the usual lifestyle and associated with an unfavorable course of CHF and 2. Adaptive reactions, realized by a harmonious perception of asthenia, awareness of the need to change lifestyle considering the presence of CHF symptoms.
Conclusion: In accordance with the results, the described clinical features of asthenic disorders allow to distinguish asthenia in CHF and other pathology, and the identified types of reactions can contribute to the timely verification of asthenia, prevention of further progression of CHF, and the development of appropriate treatment approaches.
Objective: The assessment of the clinical efficiency and safety of the drug Brainmax and its influence on the degree of functional recovery in the treatment of patients with non-dementia cognitive disorders with this drug.
Material and methods: An open multicenter randomized study included 60 patients of 18-55 years with light and moderate CI, having complaints of the cognitive spectrum. They used a clinical and neurological study using generally accepted scales and tests (MoCA, MMSE, MFI-20 tests, Schulta, DSST tests and an assessment of the quality of life of SF-36). Patients were randomized in two groups comparable by age and gender. Group 1 was treated with Brainmax per os twice every day for 14 days. After 10-days rest they received same medication for another 14 days. Group 2 was treated with Brainmax per os twice every day for 14 days, without the continuation. The total duration of the study was 40 days, the assessment of their condition was carried out on the 1st day (visit 1), after 15 days (visit 2) and after 40 days (visit 3) using the indicators of the above scales and tests in comparison with the background data. Safety assessment was carried out by the presence and structure of undesirable phenomena.
Results: The use of Brainmax led to a significant improvement in cognitive performance according to all generally accepted scales and tests (concentration and maintaining of attention, working memory, visual-constructive skills, volume and speed of attention speed, information processing and executive functions), as well as to the decrease severity of asthenia and improvement of the quality of life.
Conclusion: Brainmax has shown a good safety profile, tolerability and clinical efficacy in the treatment of young and middle-aged patients with non-demented cognitive impairment. Significant improvement was observed both with single and double course administration of the drug, but a significantly better effect was noted after its repeated course, which reflects, among other things, the cumulative effect of the active substances of this drug and makes longer use of the drug Brainmax justified and appropriate in these categories of patients. The data obtained allow us to recommend the wider use of the drug Brainmax in clinical practice for the treatment of CI in patients of different ages, which will optimize therapy and improve the course and outcome of the disease.
Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of Pantogam aktiv in the treatment of clinical manifestations of burnout in mothers of children with ADHD.
Material and methods: Under observation were 108 mothers of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) aged 25 to 50 years, who had symptoms of burnout in the clinical picture during the initial visit. The following research methods were used in the work: clinical history taking, neurological examination, S. Maslach questionnaire for assessing the burnout manifestations, subjective asthenia rating scale (MFI-20) with five subscales, digital fatigue rating scale (10-point variant), quantitative assessment of autonomic changes (questionnaire A.M. Wein), Spielberger-Khanin Scale for assessing emotional disorders, psychophysiological study of cognitive functions: test of attention variables TOVA (the Test of Variables of Attention). For the treatment of patients, the drug Pantogam Active was used in capsules of 300 mg, at a daily dose of 900 mg (2 capsules in the morning and 1 capsule in the afternoon) for 8 weeks.
Results: A re-examination after a course of treatment showed improvement in 68.5% of patients. After treatment, there was a significant decrease in the severity of such indicators of burnout as emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, a significant decrease in the average values according to the A.M. Wayne, a decrease in reactive anxiety, a statistically significant improvement in attention and a decrease in impulsivity (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Thus, the results of the study indicate that the use of Pantogam active in the treatment of clinical manifestations of parental burnout is characterized by high efficiency. After treatment, there is a significant decrease in fatigue, asthenia, anxiety, and total indicators characterizing burnout. The data obtained make it possible to recommend the use of Pantogam aktiv in the treatment of clinical manifestations of parents burnout in children with neurological diseases.
Objective: To assess the representation of risk factors and treatment adherence in patients with cerebrovascular diseases.
Material and methods: A single-stage cross-sectional non-comparable study was conducted, which included 492 patients, of whom 133 had an ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack (main group, MG), 344 had chronic cerebrovascular pathology (comparison group, CG). The representation of risk factors, the state of cognitive functions, the severity of anxiety and depression were evaluated.
Results: MG respondents visit specialized specialists more often than CG (p<0.001), are more committed to taking antiplatelet agents (p<0.003), statins (p<0.005), antihypertensive drugs (p<0.005). Regular intake of antithrombotic drugs was associated with the history of ischemic stroke (r=0.483; p<0.01), type 2 diabetes (r=0.637; p<0.011), atrial fibrillation (r=0.481; p<0.001), living in a family (r=0.493; p<0.03). An inverse correlation was established between the systematic intake of antiplatelet drugs and the age of the respondents (r=-0.637; p<0.002), cognitive impairment (r=-0.433; p<0.05), the history of the gastrointestinal tract diseases (gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer) (r=-0.563; p<0.001). Irregular medication intake was observed in patients aged over 60 years compared with younger (17.3% and 6.4%, respectively, p=0.001), patients living in a family compared with single (85.6% and 65.1%, p=0.032). The history of ischemic stroke or myocardial infarction is associated with increased adherence to regular medication.
Conclusion: The study of risk factors and the assessment of treatment adherence can ensure the formation of an effective strategy for primary and secondary prevention of cerebrovascular diseases.
Objective: Morphometric estimation of the numerical density of oligodendrocytes (NcOl) and numerical density of oligodendrocyte clusters (NvOlC) in the rostral part of the caudate head nucleus associated with the cortical regions of the default network in the norm and in schizophrenia.
Material and methods: NcOl and NvOlC were determined in the gray matter of the rostral part of the head of the caudate nucleus in Nissl-stained sections using optical dissector in postmortem brains in 18 schizophrenia and 18 healthy control cases.
Results: The NvOl (-20%, p<0.001) and NvOlC (-28%, p<0.001) were decreased in the schizophrenia group as compared to the control groups. The NvOl correlated with the NvOlC (R≥0.88, p<0.001) in both groups while a lack of correlations was previously found in the central part of the caudate head.
Conclusion: The detected deficits of the NcOl and NvOlC is an agreement with prominent suppressing of cortico-striatal connections and reduced density of gray matter in this part of the caudate in schizophrenia. The differences in the pattern of correlations as compared to the central part of this structure might be associated with the specific features of functional activity of default-mode and fronto-parietal networks associated with these parts of caudate nucleus.