This article presents an analytical review of national and international literature sources dedicated to the use of bioimpedance analysis (BIA) to assess the body composition of humans. It examines the history of the method’s development, its physical principles and the methodological aspects of research conducting. Particular attention is paid to the use of bioimpedance analysis in conjunction with anthropometric methods when examining school-age children, including those living in rural areas. Studies characterising the role of BIA in sports medicine are analysed: assessment of the training process, sports selection and profiling by sport, including athletics. Data on the application of the bioimpedance method in combination with anthropometry for the examination of military personnel were presented. The feasibility of including BIA in the standards for comprehensive examination of various population groups is justified.

Objective. To open a new rubric in the Journal "Health and Ecology Issues" for sharing the experience and description of modern achievements of the departments of Gomel State Medical University over the course of their existence. This should effectively stimulate improvements in the departments’ work and, consequently, the entire process of training highly qualified specialists.

Materials and methods. A dynamic analysis of the department’s main activity areas was conducted, beginning with its founding to the present time, taking into account the challenges facing healthcare in the Republic of Belarus and the prospects for educational development in the country.

Results. The achievements of the Department of Propaedeutics of Internal Disease of Gomel State Medical University, which have regional and international significance, were presented. In that way, the Department’s staff created and published unique in structure and content, educational and methodological manuals, equivalent to books in volume, some of which are approved by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Belarus and written in English. A new classification variant of intracardiac blocks was proposed, which has generated interest in the international medical community. A standard ECG template recorded using the Slapak-Partille method was developed to improve the diagnosis of posterior diaphragmatic myocardial infarction. A manual “An Algorithm for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Iron Overload Syndrome in Patients with Chronic Diffuse Liver Disease” was developed and implemented. Clinical and laboratory data from patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease were determined, and gene polymorphisms associated with the development of this disease were analyzed, contributing to improved diagnosis and treatment, etc.

Conclusion. The effectiveness of the Department’s activities expressed by creation of a trilogy on the propaedeutics of internal medicine was demonstrated. A high quality of the Department’s published books is confirmed by their publication in Russia, and the first-place award at the XI International Contest for the Best Educational and Scientific Publication. The proposed new variant for classification of intracardiac blocks has generated an interest in the international medical community. The department’s creation of English-language textbooks approved by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Belarus improves the export potential of Belarusian higher medical education and contributes to the strengthening of international ties.

Objective. To develop a methodology for assessing limitations in the category of life activity “ability to work” based on prognostic factors associated with the individual risk of possible relapse in patients with respiratory tuberculosis (RTB).

Materials and methods. The study included 149 patients with RTB newly sent for medical and social assessment to determine disability, and 75 patients (control group) successfully completed the intensive phase of treatment. The study was conducted at the Minsk City Medical and Rehabilitation Expert Commission, the Minsk Regional Tuberculosis Dispensary, and the consulting and outpatient department of the National Science and Practice Centre of Medical Assessment and Rehabilitation for the period from 2017 to 2024. The mean age of patients in the study cohort was 47,4±0,71 years old (where 0,71 — standard error of the mean, SE).

Results. In the course of the study, a methodology was developed for assessing the limitations of the “ability to work” category of life activities in patients with PTB based on an assessment of the individual risk of possible relapse of the disease, which demonstrates practical applicability and scientific validity. Using an integrated score calculated based on prognostic factors (professional, work-related, social, and demographic), it allows for an objective assessment of the risk of potential relapse and the assignment of patients with identified limitations in the «ability to work» category to the appropriate functional class. This will facilitate a personalized approach when developing an individualized rehabilitation and habilitation program for individuals with disabilities during the medical and social assessment of patients with PTB.

Conclusion. The study’s results enable medical experts in medical rehabilitation expert commissions to use the integrated risk indicator for possible disease relapse as an additional objective criterion for assessing the “ability to work” category of life activity. This facilitates the informed determination of disability groups and optimizes the development of individualized rehabilitation and habilitation programs for individuals with disabilities.

Objective. To develop a doppler-based hemodynamic model for predicting primary pharmacoresistance to non-selective beta-blockers (NSBBs) in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) to optimize the prevention strategy for hemorrhagic complications.

Materials and methods. The study included 56 patients with LC and signs of portal hypertension and esophageal varices. The design included doppler ultrasound of the splenoportal vessels at baseline and 2 hours after an acute pharmacological test with propranolol. Patients were divided into responders (n=15) and non-responders (n=41) based on the test results. Independent prognostic factors were identified using multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results. The baseline mean linear blood flow velocity (V_mean) in the portal vein was significantly higher in the responder group than in non-responders (18,90 cm/s vs. 14,80 cm/s; p=0,02). During the acute pharmacological test, responders showed a more pronounced induced reduction in mean linear velocity in the splenic vein (by 39.24% vs. 11.63% in non-responders; p=0.01) and in its volume velocity (by 39.24% vs. 17.91%, respectively; p=0.05), combined with a trend towards a greater increase in the pulsatility index (PI) of the splenic artery (–17.12% vs. –3.13%; p=0.08). Multivariate regression analysis identified two independent predictors of pharmacoresistance: baseline V_mean in the portal vein of 16.70 cm/s or less (aOR=7.20; 95% CI: 1.50–34.56; p=0.014) and a rigid response of the splenic vein defined as a linear velocity reduction of 39.23% or less (aOR=9.83; 95% CI: 1.97–49.02; p=0.005).

Conclusion. The proposed doppler ultrasound model provided an effective assessment of portal reserve and visceral bed rigidity, creating an objective basis for the early identification of patients with pharmacoresistance to NSBBs.

Objective. To evaluate the effect of increased diameter of varicose veins of the lower extremities on the recurrence rate after endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) in the long-term postoperative period.

Materials and methods. A prospective study included 65 patients who underwent 71 EVLA procedures. All patients signed informed consent to participate in the study. The procedure was performed using a Biolitec Ceralas E15 ELVeS device (wavelength 1470 nm, power 10-15 W) under tumescent anesthesia. The patients were divided into two groups: group 1 – vein diameter ≤10 mm (27 patients), group 2 – vein diameter >10 mm (38 patients). The follow-up period ranged from 28 to 1674 days (median 336 days).

Results. Primary obliteration success was achieved in 100% of cases in both groups. After 1 year, occlusion was maintained in 96.3% of patients in group 1 and 94.7% in group 2. No significant difference in recurrence rate was found between the groups (χ²=0.03; p=0.86), indicating the effectiveness of EVLA for varicose veins of the lower extremities of different diameters. The median energy delivered was 1198 J in group 1 and 1802 J in group 2 (U=340; p=0.013). A strong positive correlation was found between the energy delivered and the vein diameter (r_s=0.814; р<0.001). The main cause of recurrence was accessory trunks of the great saphenous vein. In one case (20% of recurrences in group 2) recurrence was associated with a history of thrombophlebitis.

Conclusion. EVLA is effective for varicose veins of the lower extremities of different diameters, however for veins >10 mm significantly higher energy is required. Thorough preoperative assessment of accessory veins is necessary to reduce the risk of recurrence. A past thrombophlebitis may affect vein coagulation and be one of the causes of recanalization, which should be taken into account when planning surgery.

Objective. To evaluate the prognostic significance of combined analysis of PNPLA3 (I148M) and TM6SF2 (E167K) polymorphisms for identifying patients at high risk of liver cirrhosis (LC) in alcoholic liver disease.

Materials and methods. This case-control study included 187 patients (81 patients with alcohol-associated liver cirrhosis and 106 healthy controls). Genotyping of the PNPLA3 (I148M) and TM6SF2 (E167K) polymorphisms was performed using the method of polymerase chain reaction — restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Statistical analysis included the Mann–Whitney U test, χ², Fisher›s exact test, logistic regression, and ROC analysis. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results. The PNPLA3 GG genotype carrier state in the presence of the reference TM6SF2 CC genotype was associated with an increased risk of LC (OR=3.52; p<0.001). Developed additive genetic risk index (GRI, range — 0-4 points) showed a dose-dependent effect (OR=1.30 per a point; p=0.007). In evaluating a binary predictor, the PNPLA3 GG + TM6SF2 CC combination yielded a sensitivity of 42.0%, specificity of 78.3%, Positive Predictive Value (PPV) of 59.6%, and Negative Predictive Value (NPV) of 63.8% (AUC=0.601; 95% CI: 0.519-0.684). The additive index demonstrated moderate discriminative ability (AUC=0.614).

Conclusion. Synergistic analysis of PNPLA3 and TM6SF2 polymorphisms improves the prediction accuracy of LC in patients with alcoholic liver disease compared with isolated assessment of each marker. The developed GRI (0-4 points) can be used for risk stratification of patients to optimize clinical follow-up and personalize preventive interventions.

Objective. To identify risk factors for recurrent episodes of chronic relapsing cystitis (CRC) in women.

Materials and methods. The study included 108 patients (women; median age 40.0 [28; 55.5] years old) with a confirmed diagnosis of chronic recurrent cystitis. Patients underwent a comprehensive set of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in accordance with the clinical protocol for the diagnosis and treatment of adult patients with urological diseases -in health care provided in outpatient and inpatient settings at district, regional, and national healthcare facilities of the Republic of Belarus, approved by the Order of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus No. 920 dated 22.09.2011. And furthermore, the occurrence of chronic cystitis recurrences was monitored within a year, after which the patients were divided into two groups: a group with disease recurrence (study group) —27 patients and a group without recurrence of CRC (comparison group) — 81 patients.

Results. Direct correlations were identified between lymphoid infiltration and stromal vascular congestion in bladder biopsy specimens (r_s=0.71; p<0.0001), between lymphoid infiltration in bladder biopsies and pelvic venous congestion (r_s=0.36; p<0.0001), and between stromal vascular congestion in bladder biopsies and pelvic venous congestion (r_s=0.51; p<0.0001). When analyzing recurrence cases it was revealed that 81.5% (22/27) of patients in the study group there has been a combination of pelvic varicose veins and characteristic morphological changes in the bladder mucosa (venous congestion and stasis, acanthotic strands, and lymphoid infiltration), whereas this combination was observed in 11.1% (9/81) of patients in the comparison group. Predictors of the risk of chronic cystitis exacerbation have been identified. The authors have developed and proposed an algorithm for assessing the probability of chronic cystitis recurrence in women.

Conclusion. The identified associations between morphological changes in the urinary bladder (lymphoid infiltration, venous congestion and stasis, acanthotic strands) and pelvic varicosities, combined with their high prevalence (81.5%) in patients with recurrent CRC, indicate that these factors influence the likelihood of CRC recurrence. This necessitates appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic measures aimed at eliminating these risk factors to reduce the probability of CRC recurrence.

Objective. To study the reparative effect of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the treatment of radiation-induced ulcers under experimental conditions using a biological model.

Materials and methods. Post-radiation ulcers were induced using local irradiation with a boost dose of 40 Gy were formed in an experimental model on rats. After PDT was applied to the post-radiation ulcers, the rate of their epithelialization, as well as clinical and morphological patterns of the wound healing process, were studied. The following criteria were used to assess effectiveness: clinical evaluation of the wound edges and bed, wound discharge, the nature and volume of granulations, fibrin; histological and cytological patterns of epithelialization (the number of leukocytes, neutrophils, fibroblasts in the wound, presence of vessels, reactive changes in cells).

Results. The clinical, histological, and cytological aspects of the method’s effect on the healing of post-radiation ulcers were studied. After phototherapy, the study groups showed accelerated wound debridement, reduced wound area and exudate volume, and earlier appearance of granulation tissue. The effect is considered dose-dependent: it was more pronounced in the group with two phototherapy sessions than in the group with a single phototherapy session.

Conclusion. The conducted study made it possible to systematize the available data, It proved that PDT is effective against post-radiation ulcers with the aim of their complete epithelialization or accelerated preparation for plastic replacement.

Objective. To establish the role of inflammation in the development of arterial hypertension (AH) in patients with metabolic syndrome (MS).

Materials and methods. Аn open case-control study was conducted with the formation of group 1 (control) – 60 patients (healthy donors) and group 2 (main) – 34 patients with MS and AH. A total of 94 patients. A comparison of serum levels of interleukin (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-17 (IL-17), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), endothelial cells to the expression of intracellular adhesion molecules (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecules (VCAM-1), monocyte chemotactic factor-1 (MCP-1) was carried out using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results. In patients with HA and MS, the levels of IL-6 (p <0.001), MCP-1 (p=0.03), VCAM (p=0.05), CRP (p=0.001), and TNF-α (p=0.002) were higher compared to healthy individuals. When comparing the level of IL-1β (p=0.05), higher values were observed in the group of healthy patients compared to the group of patients with MS and HA. Further study of cytokine levels in the study and control groups will help clarify these data.

Conclusion. Elevated serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6 (p<0.001), TNF-α (p=0.002), and CRP (p=0.001), in patients with AH and MS compared to similar values in the control group indicate the role of inflammation in the development of hypertension. Moreover, some cytokines, such as IL-6, appear to determine the hypertensive response to angiotensin II, regardless of blood pressure values. The observed increase of VCAM-1 (p=0.05) and MCP-1 (p=0.03) levels in the blood of patients with AH associated with MS allows us to assess the involvement of endothelial dysfunction (ED) in the pathogenesis of the development and progression of hypertension and can be used as a laboratory marker of ED [1].

Objective. To conduct a comparative analysis of the frequency and spectrum of resistance mutations to NS5A inhibitors in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) monoinfection and HCV/HIV coinfection after failed treatment with direct-acting antiviral drugs.

Materials and methods. The study included 180 patients with HCV/HIV coinfection and 180 patients with HCV monoinfection who relapsed or reinfected after therapy containing NS5A inhibitors. Frequency matching was performed across groups by gender, age, and HCV subtype. HCV genotyping and resistance mutation detection were performed using Sanger sequencing of Core/E1 and NS5A genome fragments.

Results. HCV subtype 3a was found to be dominant (53.9%) among the etiologic factors of virological failure in patients with HIV coinfection. The overall frequency of Resistance-Associated Substitutions (RAS) detection in the NS5A region was 60.6% in HIV coinfection and 66.1% in HCV monoinfection (p=0.283). Significant subtype-specific intergroup differences in the mutation spectrum were revealed for subtypes 1a, 1b, and 3a. In the case of subtype 3a, clinically significant highly resistant strains (A30K/S, Y93H, and their combinations with A62) prevailed in monoinfected patients, while polymorphisms associated with decreased sensitivity (mainly A62) prevailed in HIV coinfection. For subtype 1b, high-significance RAS with a leading role played by Y93H were more common in monoinfection, while complex profiles (A30Q+L31M±Y93H) were found in coinfection. For subtype 1a, highly resistant variants (Q30R, Y93C) predominated in coinfection, while mutations of moderate significance (M28T, L31V) predominated in monoinfection.

Conclusion. The overall frequency of detection of resistance mutations in the NS5A gene did not differ significantly between the HIV coinfection and HCV monoinfection groups. However, the patterns of these mutations significantly depended on both the viral subtype and the presence of HIV coinfection. These data indicate the need to identify resistance mutations before repeat courses of therapy in patients with prior virological failure.

Objective. To study the dynamics of patients’ attitude toward the organization of infectious disease care, their preferences, and satisfaction levels based on a comparative analysis of sociological surveys conducted in 2021 and 2025 in healthcare facilities in Grodno.

Materials and methods. A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted using a questionnaire-based survey method. The 2021 survey included 491 respondents, while the 2025 survey included 495 respondents. The age composition of the groups was comparable (47,4±14,5 years old and 47,2±15,6 years old, respectively). The statistical analysis was performed using Pearson’s chi-squared test, Fisher’s exact test, Student’s t-test, and the Mann – Whitney U test.

Results. There have been significant changes in patients’ preferences for the period of 2021 and 2025: the proportion of respondents who fully agreed with receiving treatment in an infectious disease department by their place of residence increased from 49,9% to 62,4% (p<0,001), and those being treated by an infectious disease specialist in an outpatient clinic increased from 32,0% to 43,4% (p=0,0011). The assessment of the effectiveness of outpatient care by a maximum of 5 points increased from 33.0 to 62.4% (p < 0.001). This revealed a decline in satisfaction regarding the accessibility of diagnostic services (the proportion of maximum scores decreased from 49,0% to 34,8%, p<0.001) and medication treatment (from 57,8% to 46,7%, p=0,0015). The integral indicator of willingness to recommend the healthcare facility underwent structural changes: the proportion of «Definitely yes» responses decreased from 43,9% to 29,5%, while the proportion of «Probably yes» responses increased from 36,7% to 56,0% (p<0,001).

Conclusion. In the post-pandemic period, patients demonstrated a consistent preference for receiving infectious disease care in healthcare facilities located by their place of residence. Despite positive trends in evaluations of outpatient care and emergency hospitalization, a decrease in satisfaction with the accessibility of diagnostic tests and pharmaceutical care was identified. These findings revealed the need of optimizing resource allocation for infectious disease services while maintaining the achieved level of patient trust.

Objective. To study the trends and regional characteristics of the formation of primary disability (PD) of the adult population of the Republic of Belarus due to multiple and combined injuries of the musculoskeletal system, and to assess the severity of PD of this nosology of injuries.

Materials and methods. We monitored and analyzed PD rates due to multiple and combined musculoskeletal injuries for the period of 2015-2024. The data from the Republican Information and Analytical System for Medical Assessment and Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons of the Republic of Belarus were used.

Results. The average annual PD rate due to multiple and combined musculoskeletal injuries in the Republic of Belarus for the period of 2015-2024 was 0.28 per 10,000 population. The severity rate is high, averaging 68.8%. The proportion of men in the PD structure was 83.5%; the PD rate among men was 4 times higher than among women: 0.48 and 0.12 per 10,000 population, respectively. The average age of those newly recognized as disabled and able to work was 44.9±12.9 years old. The severity rate was higher in younger individuals compared to other age groups (70.1% in the 30-39 age group and 75.9% in the 18-29 age group). The biggest contribution to the structure of PD was made by fractures involving several areas of the body (41.8%), the highest level of PD was also noted among persons recognized as disabled due to this nosology of injuries – 0.12 per 10 thousand of the population. The highest indicator of PD severity was noted due to multiple femur fractures – 86.4%. Among persons recognized as disabled for the first time, urban residents predominated (71.4%), however, the average annual level of PD and the severity of PD among rural residents (0.36 per 10 thousand of the population and 72.5%, prevailed over the same indicators for urban residents (0.26 per 10 thousand of the population and 67.3%). The largest number of persons recognized as disabled for the first time lived in the Minsk region (23.6%). The highest level of PD was also noted in the Minsk region, amounting to 0.43 per 10 thousand of the population and exceeding the national average by 53.6%.

Conclusion. The trends established during the study towards the formation of a contingent of newly recognized disabled people due to multiple and combined injuries of the musculoskeletal system by people of working age and high rates of disability severity indicate that that the consequences of injury in a given nosology of injury are not only medical, but also a socio-economic problem due to the loss of labor resources, and also act as a confident argument on the need to improve medical rehabilitation measures, aimed at the optimal restoration of the functioning of persons and compensation for lost functions with the aim of social adaptation and subsequent reintegration to the work of patients.

Objective. To analyse the causes of the increase in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in the Republic of Belarus.

Materials and methods. The data from full-text scientific articles in international academic databases, as well as data of official statistical reports of the Republic of Belarus 1-Psychiatry (Ministry of Health) "Report on mental disorders, behavioural disorders (excluding disorders related to the use of psychoactive substances) and the number of patients under observation", and data from the database of the Republican Information and Analytical System for Medical Assessment and Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities of the Republic of Belarus . Relative and incidence rates were calculated taking into account demographic data from the National Statistical Committee of the Republic of Belarus were used.

Results. The prevalence of ASD in the Republic of Belarus reached a rate of 1 in 251 children in 2025. The phenomenon of rising ASD rates is complex and multifaceted. The authors have identified three main groups of causes for the increase in this condition: biological factors, methodological factors, and factors relating to social adaptation.

Conclusion. The data obtained showed an almost sevenfold increase in the incidence and disability rates for ASD over the period of 2016–2025, whilst the total number of patients aged 0-17 with mental disorders registered by healthcare organisations remained relatively stable, indicating a specific epidemiological rise in ASD. This increase is driven by a combination of biological determinants (genetic factors, pregnancy complications, and the care of extremely preterm infants), as well as methodological and psychosocial factors that broaden diagnostic criteria and enhance the detection of ASD. Against this backdrop, a predominance of severe disability is observed in the Republic of Belarus. Furthermore, there is a predominance of males among children diagnosed with «childhood autism», and the development of a national early screening system and the application of a biopsychosocial model of care are evident, which create the conditions for timely detection, a reduction in the social burden, and an improvement in the quality of life for people with ASD and their families.

Objective. To present a clinical case of atypically located nerve lipomatosis with traumatic injury in an adult patient’s medical history, and to demonstrate the current capabilities of ultrasound diagnostics in this pathology.

Materials and methods. A retrospective analysis of the patient’s medical history treated at the Peking University Third Hospital (China) was conducted.

Results. Nerve lipomatosis is a rare benign congenital peripheral nerve lesion. Involvement of the sciatic nerve trunk is exceptionally uncommon and may pose diagnostic challenges in differential diagnosis. Differential diagnostics is carried out with malignant neoplasms (liposarcoma, malignant neoplasm of the peripheral nerve sheaths) to avoid unjustifiably aggressive treatment.

Conclusion. The presented clinical case highlights the importance of an integrative approach based on a multidisciplinary analysis of clinical, morphological, and advanced medical imaging data for the accurate verification of rare peripheral nerve tumors with atypical localization.

Objective. To study the humoral immune response and evaluate the frequency of post-vaccination events when using various COVID-19 vaccines during the pandemic, taking into account the change in virus strains.

Materials and Methods. The study of the immunogenicity and frequency of post-vaccination events during COVID-19 immunization using the vaccines Sputnik V, Sinopharm and Soberana Plus approved for use in the Republic of Belarus, as well as the vaccine BelKovidVak, was conducted.

Results. According to the results of genotyping of SARS-CoV-2 strains in 2021, the majority of the samples (67.3%) were genovariants of B.1.617.2 (Delta) lines. In 2022 they accounted for 1.3% of samples. In 2022 93.5% of samples belonged to other genetic lines of the SARS-CoV-2 virus not related to B.1.1.529 and B.1.617.2. The highest concentration of IgG to SARS-CoV-2 was observed on the 90th day after administration of the BelKovidVak vaccine. In a study of the frequency of adverse events after primary immunization with Sputnik V (Gam-COVID-Vac) and Sinopharm (BBIBP-CorV) vaccines, 45% of participants had mild or moderate adverse events: soreness (74.1%) and redness (11.1%) at the site of injections, fever (40.7%), weakness (3.7%), headache (3.7%), swelling of the injection site (3.7%). Elevated body temperature was significantly more common (p<0.001) in the group vaccinated with Sputnik V. According to the BelKovidVak vaccine study, most of the adverse events fell into the categories of “Systemic disorders and injection site reactions”, “Nervous system disorders”, “Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders” and “Laboratory and instrumental data” of mild severity. Adverse events were noted in 37.8% of cases (p=0.02) after administration of the Soberana Plus vaccine (FINLAY-FR-1A). Soreness at the injection site was most often noted (67.3% of cases).

Conclusion. COVID-19 vaccines have a beneficial safety profile and develop a humoral immune response that persists for several months.

Objective. To demonstrate the feasibility of a comprehensive assessment of molecular and cytological parameters from a single specimen (preserved in a stabilizing liquid medium), and to identify patterns of association between these parameters and the degree of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

Materials and methods. A retrospective multicenter study was conducted involving 79 female patients of reproductive age (decreed cohorts aged 21, 24, and 27 years old) who underwent cytological screening (PAP test) in medical institutions in Gomel and Gomel Region in February–March 2026. The biomaterial was analyzed using liquid-based cytology (LBC) (the Bethesda System, TBS 2014). From the residual volume of the same specimen, genotyping for 22 HPV types (real-time PCR), testing for sexually transmitted diseases (STD) (Ureaplasma spp., Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma genitalium), and quantitative analysis of the expression of six marker microRNAs (miR-21, miR-29b, miR-145, miR-451a, miR -1246, miR -1290) were performed, with calculation of the diagnostic parameter miR-CERVIX. Statistical analysis included the Kruskal-Wallis test, Spearman’s correlation analysis, and Fisher’s exact test.

Results. A statistically significant dependence of microRNA expression levels on the degree of cytological changes was established (p<0.001). The median miR-CERVIX values were: for NILM – 0.33 [0.15; 0.46], for LSIL – 0.61 [0.56; 0.64], and for HSIL – 0.69 [0.57; 0.77]. These values were significantly higher when comparing NILM with the LSIL and HSIL groups (p<0.001). In the HSIL group, a high-oncogenic risk HPV was detected in 100% of cases, with HPV type 16 dominating (either isolated or in combination). HPV multi-infection was more frequent in the LSIL and HSIL groups. Correlation analysis confirmed a statistically significant dependence (p<0.001) of microRNA expression levels on the degree of cytological changes (NILM, LSIL, HSIL).

High variability of the miR-CERVIX index was detected in the NILM group (0.01–0.74), indicating subclinical molecular changes and justifying extended work-up in patients with values ≥0.60. Furthermore, the miR-CERVIX index allows personalization of management strategy in the LSIL group: values <0.60 are associated with a favorable outcome, whereas values ≥0.75 indicate a risk of progression.

Conclusion. The comprehensive assessment of the liquid-based cytology and molecular markers from a single sample prevents preanalytical errors, ensures high data comparability, and optimizes the clinical pathway, thereby eliminating the need for additional visits for specimen collection. The miR-CERVIX index is a sensitive marker of the CIN degree. It enables differential risk stratification within the NILM and LSIL groups, whereas in the HSIL group it serves as an objective confirmation of the molecular aggressiveness of the lesion. A comprehensive approach including the assessment of HPV status and microRNA profile forms a methodological basis for optimizing diagnostic triage and requires further prospective validation with histological confirmation.

Objective. To evaluate the clinical efficacy of anti-BCMA CAR-T cells in patients with refractory / recurrent multiple myeloma (RRMM.)

Materials and methods. Six patients with multiple myeloma MM who had undergone significant pretreatment got anti-BCMA (B-Cell Maturation Antigen) CAR-T (Chimeric Antigen Receptor) cell therapy at the clinical site of the Republican Research Center for Radiation Medicine and Human Ecology. Prior to CAR-T cell therapy, all patients got three to five lines of treatment, including autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT). The follow-up period ranged from 3 to 13 months (median is 9.5 months). The creation of a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) for the MM target — BCMA protein, the generation of a model cell line with ectopic BCMA expression, and leukapheresis were performed at the Genetic Biotechnology Laboratory of the Belarusian Research Center for Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Immunology. The lymphodepletion regimen included cyclophosphamide and fludarabine. BCMA CAR-T cell levels were monitored by flow cytometry in peripheral blood on days 3, 7, 14, 28, and 60. The response to therapy, the dynamics of minimal residual disease, the persistence of BCMA CAR-T cells, and disease recurrence were analyzed.

Results. Persistence of CAR-T cells in the peripheral blood of patients from 7 to 14 days after administration of the cell product was detected in 5 of 6 patients. The time of peak CAR-T expansion correlated with the maximum antitumor response, expressed as the absence of clinical and laboratory signs of tumor growth. The most common adverse event associated with immune effector cells was hematological toxicity which developed in all patients.

Conclusion. CAR-T cell therapy targeting BCMA demonstrated high efficacy in the treatment of patients with refractory / recurrent MM with an acceptable safety profile. Overall response rates to anti-BCMA CAR-T cell therapy resulted in complete remission by day 28 and were 100%. Relapses occurred in two patients during the follow-up period. The absence of relapse has been recorded in 66.7% of cases to date, which can be regarded as a promising start.

Objective. To assess the frequency of achieved postoperative emmetropic refraction after cataract phacoemulsification with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in patients with different preoperative refractive profiles, and to compare refractive outcomes with axial length (AL).

Materials and methods. This retrospective comparative study included 129 eyes of 129 patients aged 65.4±9.8 years old. According to the spherical equivalent (SE), the groups were classified as hyperopic (n=21), emmetropic (n=85), or myopic (n=23). Postoperative refraction was assessed no sooner than 1 month after surgery. The primary index was the absolute distance of postoperative SE from emmetropia. Strict emmetropia was defined as SE between -0.25 and +0.25 D, additionally proportions within ±0.50 D and ±1.00 D were analyzed. Individual target refraction was not documented for the entire cohort, therefore, refractive prediction error was not calculated.

Results. Mean AL was 22.4±1.1 mm in the hyperopic group, 23.8±1.3 mm in the emmetropic group, and 26.9±2.4 mm in the myopic group (p<0.001). Strict emmetropia was achieved in 59 eyes from 129 (45.7%): in 42.9%, 48.2%, and 39.1% of cases respectively (p=0.709). Postoperative SE was within ±0.50 D in 71.3% of eyes overall, including 66.7% in patients with intact hyperopia, 72.9% with emmetropia, and 69.6% with myopia (p=0.833). A deviation greater than 1.00 D occurred in 10.9% of patients. Its highest frequency was in the group with the shortest AL: 14.3% versus 9.4% in the intermediate-AL group and 13.0% in the longest-AL group (p=0.759).

Thus, with intermediate AL, the highest proportion of results close to emmetropia was observed, whereas with extreme AL values, the proportion of pronounced deviations was higher, but the intergroup differences did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusion. Strict postoperative emmetropia was achieved in 45.7% of eyes, while 71.3% were within ±0.50 D of emmetropia. AL differed significantly between preoperative refractive groups. The highest proportion of deviations greater than 1.00 D was observed in the group with a short AL, and the highest frequency of results within ±0.50 D was observed in the group with an emmetropic axial length. The obtained data justify taking into account AL when analyzing the postoperative refractive result, but do not allow considering AL as an independent predictor of deviation without individual multivariate analysis.