The aim of the study was to compare the analytical sensitivity and microbial growth detection time using the BACT/ALERT 3D 120 (bioMérieux, France), YUNONА LABSTAR 100 (SCENKER, China), and Autobio BC 120 (Autobio, China) blood culture analyzers. Material and methods. The study was conducted in two stages. 1) In vitro: suspensions of 10 clinical strains at concentrations simulating bacteremia (30 CFU/ml, final dilution 1–2 CFU/vial). 2) Clinical phase: 197 blood cultures from 89 cardiothoracic surgery patients, tested in parallel using only the BACT/ALERT 3D 120 and YUNONA LABSTAR 100 systems. At both stages, samples were inoculated into pairs of aerobic and anaerobic vials, and the presence of growth and its detection time were assessed. Results. In the in vitro phase, the total sensitivity was 80.5%, 77.5%, and 74.5% for the YUNONA LABSTAR 100, BACT/ALERT 3D 120, and Autobio BC 120 systems, respectively. During aerobic cultivation of gram-negative bacteria, detection rates were high in all systems (90–100%). Under anaerobic conditions, the YUNONA LABSTAR 100 system showed the maximum sensitivity for this group (72.5%), while the Autobio BC 120 system showed the minimum sensitivity (45%). The efficacy profiles differed: the advantage of the Autobio BC 120 system in the detection speed of enterobacteria under aerobic conditions (median 11.5 h vs. 13–13.9 h for others) was combined with its lower sensitivity of anaerobic vials for gram-positive bacteria (77.5% vs. 100% for the BACT/ALERT 3D 120 and YUNONA LABSTAR 100 systems). A notable finding was the growth of P. aeruginosa in all anaerobic vials of the YUNONA LABSTAR 100 system. For Candida spp., all systems showed lower sensitivity and longer detection times compared to bacteria. In the clinical phase, growth was confirmed in 19 cases (9.6%). Under aerobic conditions, both systems detected growth in 73.7% of vials. In anaerobic vials (excluding obligate aerobes), growth was detected by the BACT/ALERT 3D 120 system in 75% of cases, which was more frequent than with the YUNONA LABSTAR 100 system (56.3%). The overall sensitivity for detecting a bacteremia episode was 89.5% (17/19) for the BACT/ALERT 3D 120 system versus 73.7% (14/19) for the YUNONA LABSTAR 100 system, meaning the BACT/ALERT 3D 120 system detected 3 more bacteremia cases. The analysis by pathogen groups showed that for enterobacteria and gram-positive cocci, the sensitivity of the BACT/ALERT 3D 120 system was higher. Complete agreement in identification between both systems was observed in only 47.4% of samples, with the overall discrepancy rate reaching 52.6%. Conclusion. The diagnostic efficacy of the compared systems is variable and depends on the type of microorganism and cultivation conditions. Superiority in individual in vitro parameters (e.g., speed) does not guarantee a similar result in clinical practice, where stable sensitivity in detecting a bacteremia episode is key. The high percentage of discrepancies between modern systems confirms the validity of recommendations for collecting multiple samples to improve bacteremia detection.

Background. Enterococcus faecalis strains have been found to possess active biofilm-forming ability. Therefore, patients with diseases caused by Enterococcus faecalis are prescribed antibiotics in high doses, making the development of drugs with antibiofilm activity urgent. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of nisin on the growth parameters of clinical strains of Enterococcus faecalis isolated from the oral cavity. Material and methods. Fifteen clinical strains of E. faecalis in the presence of nisin were studied; the duration of the adaptation phase, growth rate, and area under the curve were evaluated. Results. Nisin shows bactericidal activity against Enterococcus strains, however, the lantibiotic does not have a full antibacterial effect on the biofilm of the studied strains. Therefore, it is urgent to search for additional components with biofilm-destroying ability and to create combined preparations that increase the clinical efficacy of bacteriocins in dentistry.

Background. Silicon, being an indispensable component, is found in natural waters in various forms: soluble salts, colloids, and suspended particles. Despite the fact that the formation of soluble silicon compounds from silica-containing minerals occurs slowly due to hydrolysis and weathering, its concentration in some waters may exceed acceptable standards, which is confirmed by scientific research. An innovative study on the concentration of silicon and silicon dioxide in reservoirs of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic has been conducted. The obtained results were subjected to a comparative assessment with the regulatory hygienic requirements for reservoirs suitable for drinking and fishery use. The field of research. As part of the study, three key geomorphological zones of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic and nine administrative units located on its territory were selected for study: the mountainous zone of Elbrus, the foothill zone of Chegema, and the plain zone, including Baksan, Tersky, Prokhladnensky, Urvansky, Maysky, Lesken, and Nalchik districts. The aim of the study. The research included the determination of sanitary and hygienic standards for the silicon content in different types of waters; the establishment of sampling points for water bodies in various geomorphological zones, followed by their fixation on a schematic map in the Axiom 5 program; as well as the determination of the quantitative content of silicon (Si) and silicon dioxide (SiO₂). Material and methods. Silicon was analyzed using the spectrophotometric method on the UNICO-2804 device, with the formation of yellow silicolybdenum heteropoly acid and a blue (reduced) form of molybdosilicic acid. Results and discussion. According to the study results, the Tersky, Prokhladnensky, and Maysky districts are the leaders in terms of the detected total concentrations of silicon in all types of waters studied. Moreover, exceedances of the maximum permissible concentrations for fishery reservoirs (MPCr.x.) and drinking waters (MPCp.v.) were detected at 6 sampling points in the Tersk and Prokhladnensky districts. Conclusions. It has been determined that exceeding the maximum permissible concentrations for silicon is natural and is related to the geology of the catchment areas of the Malka and Terek basins.

Background. Intraperitoneal administration of drugs is a common practice in preclinical studies using laboratory animals. The distinctive features of the intraperitoneal route of administration are ease to master, simplicity of execution, as well as the possibility of repeated use. According to the parameters of pharmacokinetics and the rate of onset of effect, this route is comparable to the intravenous route, which is mandatory in the preclinical study of drugs intended for systemic application, but is more time-consuming and limited in long-term experiments. The aim of the study. Evaluation of the possibility of using intraperitoneal administration as an alternative to intravenous in preclinical studies using the acute toxicity and antitumor efficacy of classical cytostatics as an example. Materials and methods. To confirm the use of the intraperitoneal route of administration as an alternative to intravenous, comparative experiments on the acute toxicity and antitumor efficacy of these two routes in female BDF1 mice were carried out. Contemporary anticancer drugs from different classes — doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and 5-fluorouracil — were used in the experiment. Litchfield and Wilcoxon method was used to assess acute toxicity. The antitumor efficacy was compared on a model of intraperitoneal transferable P388 murine lymphocytic leukemia using the treatment/control study. Results. The calculated toxic doses in the experiment to determine the acute toxicity of doxorubicin with intravenous and intraperitoneal routes of administration did not differ significantly. The parameters of acute toxicity of alkylating agents and antimetabolites, judging by the data obtained during their determination for cyclophosphamide and 5-fluorouracil, depend on the route of administration of the compounds. In the experimental determination of antitumor efficacy, intravenous and intraperitoneal routes of administration proved to be equally effective for each representative of the classes used. Conclusion. The obtained results demonstrated that the intraperitoneal method of administration is a justified alternative to the intravenous method in the experimental determination of the antineoplastic activity of alkylating agents, antitumor antibiotics, and antimetabolites. For antitumor antibiotics, the application of an intraperitoneal route of administration in determining acute toxicity is also a possible substitute for intravenous administration. The intraperitoneal route may be an alternative to the intravenous route for alkylating drugs and antimetabolites at the initial stages of pharmacological studies, but it is necessary to take into account the peculiarities of their pharmacokinetics.

Background. Modern military conflicts are characterized by an increase in the incidence of mine-blast wounds (MBWs). Bacterial infection may lead to severe purulent complications. The microbial landscape and antibiotic susceptibility of bacteria in MBWs are poorly understood and remain a subject of debate. The aim of this study was to analyze the species composition and antibiotic resistance of bacteria in patients with lower extremity MBWs. Material and methods. The results of examination and treatment of 575 patients with lower extremity MBWs were retrospectively analyzed. The median age of the wounded was 35 years [IQR: 18–60], and the median time since the injury was 16 days [IQR: 4–62]. Microbiological examination included qualitative analysis of bacterial flora and determination of antibiotic susceptibility. Wound discharge and tissues obtained during surgical debridement (SD) were examined. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using the disk diffusion method. Results. Co-infection was predominant and amounted to 70.1% of the cases. Among gram-positive microorganisms, Enterococcus faecalis was most common at 43.9%. Among gram-negative bacteria, the most common were: Acinetobacter spp. — 39.3%, Pseudomonas aeruginosa — 19.9%, Klebsiella pneumoniae — 18.9%, Escherichia coli — 12.2%, Enterobacter spp. — 11.4%. The longer the time since the injury, the more frequently gram-negative microorganisms were isolated. The highest polyantibiotic resistance was noted among Acinetobacter spp. (69.6%), K. pneumoniae (66.5%) and P. aeruginosa (40.1%). The need for repeated chemical wound ablation was observed more often when Acinetobacter spp. and P. aeruginosa were isolated (69.8% and 42.5%). Conclusion. MBWs are characterized by high levels of microbial associations and gram-negative flora, the number of which increased over time after the wound formation. This demonstrates the importance of controlling wound contamination with hospital-acquired, polyantibiotic-resistant microflora.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of two dosing regimens of Grammidin® with anesthetic (metered-dose oropharyngeal spray) in the treatment of acute infectious inflammatory conditions of the pharynx. Materials and methods. The study included a total of 222 patients presenting with sore throat as the predominant symptom, diagnosed with acute pharyngitis, acute nasopharyngitis, or acute exacerbation of chronic pharyngitis. Participants were randomized in a 1:1:1 allocation ratio to 3 parallel groups of equal size (N = 74 per group). Patients randomized to group 1 received Grammidin® with anesthetic (metered-dose oropharyngeal spray), 2 sprays every 6 hours (3 times daily) after meals; participants in group 2 received the same formulation, 4 sprays every 6 hours (3 times daily) after meals; and participants in group 3 received Septolete® Total (lozenges; benzydamine hydrochloride 3 mg and cetylpyridinium chloride 1 mg), 1 lozenge every 6 hours (3 times daily). The treatment duration was 7 days. Efficacy was assessed based on: reduction in sore throat intensity, measured using a visual analog scale (VAS); changes in symptom severity according to the Tonsillopharyngitis Clinical Scoring Scale; presence and severity of erythema and edema of the pharyngeal and tonsillar mucosa, as well as the severity of systemic intoxication symptoms. Results. Primary endpoint analysis (ITT population) confirmed a statistically significant dose-related effect of Grammidin® with anesthetic: the 4-spray regimen demonstrated greater reduction in VAS throat pain scores 60 minutes after the first administration in contrast with both comparators. Mean differences (rounded to 1 decimal place) were 9.29 mm in the Grammidin® with anesthetic 2-spray regimen group and 11.66 mm in the Septolete® Total group, respectively. By day 8, all patients demonstrated clinically significant improvement, with no statistically significant between-group differences (P = 0.197). Per-protocol analysis on day 8 confirmed sustained symptomatic benefit of Grammidin® with anesthetic over Septolete® Total across both dose levels on the Tonsillopharyngitis Clinical Scoring Scale (2 sprays vs comparator: P = 0.008; 4 sprays vs comparator: P = 0.024), supporting a consistent clinical benefit. Conclusion. The 4-spray, 3-times-daily (after meals) regimen of Grammidin® with anesthetic for 7 days demonstrated a clinically relevant benefit over both the 2-spray regimen (3-times-daily after meals) and the active comparator, Septolete® Total (1 lozenge every 6 hours 3 times daily), in the treatment of acute infectious-inflammatory pharyngeal conditions. The safety profile of Grammidin® with anesthetic was consistent across dose levels, with no clinically important differences observed relative to Septolete® Total.

Relevance. The increase in the incidence of drug-resistant tuberculosis necessitates the use of new etiotropic drugs. One of such contemporary drugs is bedaquiline. The literature on the safety and efficacy of bedaquiline in the treatment of tuberculosis in children of early and preschool age is limited. The aim of the study was to assess the tolerability and effectiveness of treatment regimens, including bedaquiline, in children of early and preschool age with active tuberculosis with drugresistant MBT sites. Clinical observation of 7 children of early and preschool age receiving bedaquiline included in the standard chemotherapy regimens for tuberculosis with drug-resistant pathogen sites. Results. Data were obtained on good tolerability and high clinical efficacy of bedaquiline included in standard chemotherapy regimens. Conclusion. It is advisable to continue the clinical use of bedaquiline in children of younger and preschool age.

The aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and prostate enucleation in elderly patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), taking into account nutritional status, and to evaluate the relevance of including Remaxol in their perioperative nutritional support regimens. Material and Methods. Data from 75 patient records aged 61–75 years were retrospectively analyzed. Of these, 50 patients (the study group) underwent transurethral resection, and 25 (the comparison group) underwent laser enucleation of the prostate. In addition to standard clinical and laboratory tests, the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) scale and a sarcopenia test (gait test, bioimpedance analysis, and chair stand test) were performed. Based on the data obtained, an alimentary-volemic diagnosis was formed and nutritional deficiency was corrected. Results. When comparing the effects of surgical treatments for BPH in elderly patients (TURP and prostate enucleation) on their nutritional status, no significant differences were found in the formation of the AVD. Postoperative comprehensive nutritional support contributed to the normalization of blood biochemical parameters, particularly transaminase levels, and an improvement in the general condition of patients, manifested in a 1.5-fold reduction in the length of stay in the intensive care unit and the overall hospitalization period compared to average values. It was also noted that recovery after TURP was somewhat longer than after laser enucleation of the prostate, which may be due to the latter's low traumatic nature. For patients with intoxication syndrome and changes in transaminase levels, it is advisable to include a medication with hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties (Remaxol) in their nutritional support regimen. Conclusion. The issue of perioperative nutritional support for elderly urological patients is relevant and feasible and is being developed based on an alimentary-volemic diagnosis.

Mycobacteriophages – viruses that infect members of the genus Mycobacterium — are emerging as a rapidly advancing platform for the diagnosis and treatment of infections caused by both tuberculous and nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). This review critically summarizes current approaches to (i) the discovery and isolation of native mycobacteriophages from environmental substrates; (ii) their biological and morphological characterization; (iii) molecular identification and genome annotation; (iv) targeted modification and construction of recombinant phages (including BRED) with desired properties; (v) development of pharmaceutical formulations, quality control, and biosafety; and (vi) strategies for personalized phage therapy of NTM infections, as well as the potential of reporter phages for diagnostics. Limitations (narrow host range activity, emergence of bacterial resistance, interactions with the immune system), regulatory and technological barriers, and perspectives on integrating phage platforms with antibiotic therapy and bioengineering are discussed. Standardized workflows for sampling, screening, purification, and quality control, as well as minimal research and clinical documentation sets, are proposed.

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) pose a serious public health threat due to their high antibiotic resistance, ability to cause severe infections, and increased mortality due to limited therapeutic options. Therefore, studying the molecular genetic characteristics of vancomycin-resistant strains is particularly important. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major multidrug-resistant nosocomial pathogen. Regarding chemotherapy against invasive MRSA infections, vancomycin still remains a gold standard, in addition to some other anti-MRSA agents, such as teicoplanin, linezolid, and daptomycin. Previously, vancomycin-resistant MRSA (VRSA) was defined as strains with an MICs I 16 µg/mL; however, the number of cases caused by these strains in patients remains limited. Clinically, infections from strains with MICs of I 1.5 µg/mL, even with albeit susceptible MICs (⇄ 2 µg/mL), respond poorly to vancomycin. Some of those bacteria have been bacteriologically characterized as vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus (VISA) and heterogeneous VISA (hVISA), generally with HA-MRSA genetic backgrounds, which are currently classified by EUCAST as vancomycin-resistant.

Exogenous and endogenous hormones are found in many foods — from steroid implants and recombinant growth factors used in livestock and dairy production to natural hormones present in animal products. Due to the growing incidence of endocrine and reproductive diseases, an analysis of current data on the way dietary hormones affect human physiology and health was conducted. These substances include synthetic growth promoters, animal steroids, and plant phytoestrogens, which can enter the human diet through the consumption of meat, dairy, and soy products. The mechanisms of action of hormonal substances on the human body were examined, as well as data on endocrine disruption, cancer risk, and reproductive outcomes. Epidemiological and experimental studies have found associations between dietary hormone consumption and endocrine disruption, changes in the timing of puberty and fertility, metabolic dysfunctions, and hormone-dependent cancers. The complexity of this topic lies in the lack of consensus on the relationship between the consumption of hormone-containing products and the development of these diseases, resulting in varying approaches to regulating intake levels across countries. Therefore, this review provides an overview of global regulatory limits for hormone content in foods, examines the types and origins of these compounds, summarizes data on their impact on human and animal health, as well as discusses the risks and prospects of long-term consumption of endocrine disruptors.

Behind great discoveries there are always people whose lives are pushed into the background, yet they can inspire new generations to new achievements. One such person is Tamara Iosifovna Balezina, who discovered the Soviet penicillin and interferon; however, her contribution to science is little known. In this article her life and previously unknown details of the discovery of the Soviet penicillin are described based on the surviving sources, as well as on the information from the archive of the Balezin family, kindly provided by the son of Tamara Iosifovna to the author. The discovery that was made during the hard days of the Great Patriotic War (World War II). The article is accompanied by the unique photographs and documents, published for the first time, as well as by the only surviving image of the culture of the fungus Penicillium crustosum collected from the air of bomb shelter located in a residential building.