Bulletin of RSMU

ISSN Print 2500–1094 ISSN Online 2542–1204

Bulletin of RSMU

BIOMEDICAL JOURNAL OF PIROGOV UNIVERSITY (MOSCOW, RUSSIA)

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Razenkova VA, Korzhevskii DE

The cerebral circulatory disorder associated with arterial hypertension results in neuroinflammation, in which microglia and macrophages of the brain are actively involved. The study aimed to assess functional activity and immunophenotype of microglia and macrophages in the areas of brain barriers in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Specimens of the brain of male Wistar and SHR rats (age 3–4 months, n = 10) were used. The study involved the use of immunohistochemistry analysis and confocal laser microscopy. The presence of М2 activation (CD206) and phagocytic activity (CD68) markers in the population of microglia and macrophages was assessed. It was shown that the CD206 protein was present in perivascular cells, the counts of which were considerably increased in SHR rats (40.69 ± 4.87 cells per 1 mm2 vs. 28.73 ± 1.39 in Wistar rats; t-test, р = 0.0007). The quantitative analysis conducted allowed us to identify the upward trend of the share of phagocytic cells in the brain of SHR rats compared to Wistar rats. No changes in the CD68 protein distribution were found in SHR rats, therefore, activation of microglia and macrophages is not accompanied by the phagocytic activity increase. The findings suggest alternative activation of brain macrophages in neuroinflammation caused by arterial hypertension.

Received: 2026-02-04

Published online: 2026-02-28

DOI: 10.24075/brsmu.2026.008

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VIEWS 46

Petrash EA, Nikishina VB, Yunina-Pakulova NYu, Minaev AS, Melkonyan GG, Lytkina KA, Karpenko AS

Assessment of phantom pain linguosemantic descriptors in patients with traumatic amputation during the use of mirror visual feedback is conditioned by the need to find criteria for the psychological phantom pain adjustment effectiveness. The study aimed to assess the dynamic changes in linguosemantic pain descriptors in patients with traumatic amputation showing manifestations of phantom pain syndrome as a criterion for evaluating the effectiveness of mirror visual feedback. The total sample size was 87 males post traumatic amputation of one lower limb (age 23–55 years). The research methods were as follows: Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), original form for registering linguosemantic descriptors of phantom painful sensations, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for phantom pain. The detected dynamic changes in linguosemantic descriptors of phantom painful sensations in patients with traumatic amputation of the limb showing manifestations of phantom pain syndrome during treatment involving the use of mirror visual feedback makes it possible to consider the following as effectiveness criteria: an increase in the number of pain descriptors represented mainly by concrete and tangible nouns (makes it possible to reduce phantom pain severity rated using a 10-point scale), as well as the increase in the number of descriptors that characterize non-painful unpleasant sensations at the linguosemantic level.

Received: 2026-01-29

Published online: 2026-02-26

DOI: 10.24075/brsmu.2026.007

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VIEWS 47

Ilina AA, Lakman IA, Bikmeyev AT, Enikeeva AR, Badykova EA, Zagidullin NSh, Bryukhanova OA

Tortuosity of the coronary, cerebral arteries, aorta and its branches remains an important vascular problem, which, on the one hand, complicates selection of the X-ray surgical treatment tactics, and on the other hand worsens the disease outcome. The lack of common standards for assessment of tortuosity of the coronary, cerebral arteries, aorta and its branches reduces the diagnosis accuracy in patients at high risk of cardiovascular events. The use of machine learning for automated tortuosity assessment represents one possible solution to this problem. The study aimed to analyze and compare accuracy, feasibility, and limitations of the available methods for automated assessment of tortuosity of the coronary, cerebral arteries, aorta and its branches using the machine learning tools. The systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA protocol. The search for papers published in 2015–2025 in the PubMed, Scopus, and eLibrary databases was performed using the following keywords: deep learning, machine learning, artificial intelligence, vessel tortuosity, curvature. Six papers out of 240 were included in the analysis. The analysis has shown that 80% of approaches are based on convolutional neural networks, and skeletonization aimed to isolate small blood vessels from the artery represents an essential preprocessing phase. In 50% of papers, tortuosity was determined qualitatively based on the presence of bending angles over 45°. Quantitatively, tortuosity was determined as a distance coefficient and a measure of curvature. In three studies out of six, verification of estimates was carried out by comparing the results with expert opinions (accuracy was 0.92–0.94). The study limitations are as follows: monocentricity, the use of data from one type of equipment.

Received: 2025-12-22

Published online: 2026-02-05

DOI: 10.24075/brsmu.2026.005

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VIEWS 89

Kozin SA, Lysikova EA, Yakovlev RYu, Mukhina KA, Soloveva AE, Shmigol TA, Makarov AA, Mitkevich VA

High efficacy of the synthetic Ac-His-Ala-Glu-Glu-NH2 (HAEE) peptide in suppression of the congophilic amyloid plaque formation was earlier shown in the animal model of Alzheimer's disease. The study conducted as part of the pre-clinical trial aimed to determine the optimal therapeutic dose of this peptide when used as an anti-amyloid agent for treatment of this disorder. The APP/PS1 transgenic mice randomized into four experimental groups and one control group (eight males and eight females per group) were used as model animals. Mice of experimental groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 twice a week throughout eight weeks received subcutaneous injections of drugs with the following HAEE dosage: 0.18 mg/kg, 0.30 mg/kg, 1.50 mg/kg, 3.00 mg/kg. Mice of the control group were administered saline. The Congo red stain was used to determine amyloid plaques in the hippocampus of all animals. Quantification of such plaques showed a significant (p < 0.001) decrease in the number of plaques in mice of experimental groups (the average plaque number per brain slice was 7.5 ± 2.1, 3.2 ± 0.9, 3.1 ± 0.6, and 3.3 ± 0.7 in mice of groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively) compared to control mice (15.7 ± 4.6). Since the number of plaques in groups 2, 3, and 4 did not change significantly, the minimal HAEE dose, with which the lowest number of amyloid plaques is observed in the studied mice, is 0.3 mg/kg. This is roughly equivalent to the dose of 1.75 mg in terms of one adult human. Thus, the optimal therapeutic HAEE dose for clinical trials has been experimentally substantiated.

Received: 2025-12-09

Published online: 2026-02-04

DOI: 10.24075/brsmu.2026.006

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VIEWS 218

Minasov BSh, Yakupov RR, Akbashev VN, Evgrafov IO, Malsagov YuM, Karimov KK, Minasov IB, Akhmeldinova AA, Shveykin AA

The study is relevant due to persistent postural control impairment and gait disorder in patients post total knee arthroplasty (TKA), despite pain relief and restoration of the range of motion. The study aimed to assess the effects of kinesiotherapy in suspension on the patients’ stabilometry and gait phase parameters in the long term after TKA. A prospective comparative study was conducted that involved 93 patients (39 males and 54 females; average age 62.3 ± 5.1 years) enrolled 36 months after surgery. The patients were randomized into the index group (standard rehabilitation involving kinesiotherapy in suspension) and comparison group (standard program). The efficacy was assessed using stabilometry and gait phase analysis before and after the 3-week rehabilitation course. In the index group, a significant decrease in the normalized vectorogram area from 320 ± 60 to 190 ± 40 mm2 (p = 0.001) and mean center of pressure movement linear speed from 15.5 ± 2.8 to 8.7 ± 2.1 mm/s (p = 0.002) was revealed. The stance phase duration increased by 18%, and the walking phase symmetry increased from 74 ± 5 to 90 ± 4% (p < 0.01). In the comparison group, the changes were non-significant (p > 0.05). The decrease in WOMAC scores was reported for both groups, there were no intergroup differences. The data obtained confirm the efficacy of using kinesiotherapy in suspension to adjust postural and locomotor disorders after TKA.

Received: 2026-01-05

Published online: 2026-02-03

DOI: 10.24075/brsmu.2026.003

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VIEWS 252

Takhchidi KhP, Doga AV, Obodova KV

Today, selection of the optimal treatment method in patients with the early-stage primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) remains an urgent problem of ophthalmology. There are various approaches to treating such patients, including the use of topical therapy and laser treatments. The study aimed to assess the hypotensive effect and clinical and functional outcomes of the simultaneous combined laser treatment, including YAG-LAT and the subsequent one-time SLT in the same localization zones, in patients with the newly diagnosed early-stage POAG and moderately elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). The study included 100 eyes with stage I POAG, which were divided into two groups: group I — 50 eyes before and after YAG-LAT and SLT; group II – 50 eyes that underwent SLT only. The follow-up period was 12 months. In patients of groups I and II, a decrease in IOP by 28 and 30.5% relative to the baseline IOP was reported at 1 month, and by 32.2 and 32% at 3 months, respectively. The intergroup difference in the extent of IOP decrease at 1 and 3 months was non-significant (р > 0.05). There was still good hypotensive effect, up to 29.3% of the preoperative value, 12 months after YAG-LAT and SLT. Twelve months after SLT, the hypotensive effect was 17%. The intergroup difference in the extent of IOP decrease at 12 months was significant (р < 0.05). Glaucoma stabilization was reported in groups I and II, but in group II, antihypertensive therapy was required in 63% of cases. The simultaneous combined laser treatment technology (YAG-LAT and SLT) showed a pronounced, persistent hypotensive effect and glaucoma stabilization when used for treatment of the newly diagnosed early-stage POAG.

Received: 2025-12-17

Published online: 2026-02-01

DOI: 10.24075/brsmu.2026.004

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VIEWS 207

Klimenko PA, Lisitsa AV, Petushkova NA, Veiko NN, Kostyuk SV, Ershova ES, Klimenko MP, Gerasimova AA, Yusef OV, Vaschenko SI, Kurtser MA

Biopsy is used for the diagnosis when treating miscarriage. However, it does not guarantee that a healthy oocyte will be acquired. The study aimed to identify proteins that are specific for pregnancy development and determine rDNA in the maternal and fetal genomes during embryogenesis. A total of 45 patients took part in the continuous prospective survey. Non-viable pregnancy was terminated in 25 patients. Another five underwent abortion due to teratogenic effects. Artificial abortion was performed in 15 cases (controls). To quantify proteins, tissues of the chorion and/or embryo and the decidua were collected from all the assessed individuals during surgery, along with blood from the cubital vein. DNA was isolated from all samples by the extraction method involving the use of organic solvents. The rDNA copy number in the DNA was determined by non-radioactive quantitative hybridization (NQH), and the chorion proteins were determined by panoramic mass spectrometry. In individuals with frozen pregnancy, decreased levels of some proteins specific for pregnancy, beta-1-glycoproteins (PSG), were revealed. The rDNA content was the same in blood cells and decidual cells of the same woman. Frozen pregnancy is associated with severe imbalance of the rDNA content in the embryonic and maternal genomes. In most cases, there are significantly less rDNA copies in the embryonic genome, than in the maternal genome and genomes of other embryos, the development of which has not been spontaneously interrupted. Thus, determination of specific proteins in chorionic villi and the rDNA copy number in the potential parents’ genomes with subsequent rDNA copy number modeling in the embryo can help determine possible causes of infertility in married couples and improve the prenatal diagnosis quality.

Received: 2025-12-08

Published online: 2026-01-28

DOI: 10.24075/brsmu.2026.002

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VIEWS 245

Lapshtaeva AV, Sychev IV, Adamchik AI, Puzakova DV, Marmuleva VS, Sychev DA

Anovulatory infertility remains a significant medical and social issue requiring the development of new approaches to personalized patient management in assisted reproductive technology programs. Pharmacogenetic testing of hormone metabolism gene polymorphisms can contribute to optimization of ovarian stimulation protocols and higher in vitro fertilization (IVF) efficacy. The study aimed to assess a possible association of polymorphic variants of CYP isoenzyme genes (CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP17А1, CYP19A1) with the IVF program clinical efficacy in patients with anovulatory infertility. A total of 18 polymorphisms of the CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP17A1, and CYP19A1 genes were analyzed by genotyping on the Illumina iScan platform. The CYP1A2 Т/Т rs2470890 and А/А rs762551 genotype carrier state is associated with the increased likelihood of getting pregnant (OR = 3.824; 95% CI: 1.150–12.713, p = 0.023 and OR = 4.030; 95% CI: 1.372–11.839, p = 0.009, respectively). As for other studied polymoprhisms, including rs1048943, rs1800031, rs4646903, rs2606345 (gene CYP1А1), rs2069514 (gene CYP1А2), rs743572, rs104894136 (gene CYP17А1), rs10046, rs936306, rs700518, rs749292, rs1062033, rs2470152, rs28757157, rs6493497, rs7176005 (CYP19А1), no significant differences in the abundance of genotypes between comparison groups were revealed (p > 0.05). The pilot study data obtained suggest the potential role of the CYP1A2 gene rs2470890 and rs762551 variants in modulation of the individual response to treatment and the IVF program efficacy in patients with anovulatory infertility.

Received: 2025-12-25

Published online: 2026-01-22

DOI: 10.24075/brsmu.2026.001

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VIEWS 241