The microorganisms Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium are a common cause of nosocomial infections, particularly in intensive care units. The problem of treatment for such infections lies in antimicrobial resistance. The present article deals with the problems of epidemiology and rational antimicrobial therapy of enterococcal infections.

Life expectancy is a complex factor, and identification of genetic mechanisms of its formation is one of the fundamental problems in developmental biology, evolutionary genetics, and molecular gerontology. The task of the biology of aging includes elucidation of the aging mechanisms, which are diverse and involve mechanical deterioration of organism, elucidation of the genetic features of the structure and functioning of the DNA nucleus and cytoplasmic organelles - mitochondria. Currently mitochondrial genetics is an independent scientific discipline. The discovery of the leading role of mitochondria in sensitivity to drugs, their key role in aging and neurodegenerative disorders of apoptosis led to the creation of mitochondrial medicine, which studies diseases associated with mitochondrial dysfunction.

The data of the present review indicate that due to the recently constantly increasing amount of data on the significance of specific gender differences among cardiovascular diseases, choice of the treatment with the account of gender features is becoming of higher demand. This makes it possible to improve and optimize the rendering of medical aid to females and males.

Objective: to study the regional epidemiological features of genital HPV infection and cervical cancer, to develop an optimal strategy and tactics of medical prevention of invasive cervical cancer in young women of Gomel region. Material and methods. The data on cervical cancer incidence and mortality in the Republic of Belarus and Gomel region over 1975-2014 obtained from Belarusian Cancer Registry have been used. The results of cytology and HPV test from 1032 women residing in Gomel and 5873 women living in Dobrush and Dobrush district of Gomel region have been analyzed. The efficacy of HPV test in screening for cervical cancer has been assessed, an algorithm of medical prevention of cervical cancer has been proposed. Results. There is a negative upward trend in the cervical cancer incidence among reproductive-aged women and among women living in the countryside, while morbidity and mortality rates in middle-aged and elderly women are decreasing and carcinogenesis periods of cervical cancer are becoming shorter. 80 % patients with cervical ectopia were HPV-positive. Using DNA HPV test as a screening method can improve the diagnosis of CIN I-III and cervical cancer by 16 times compared with cytology screening. Conclusion. HPV test is an etiopathogenetically reasonable method in the wide-spread HPV epidemic and effectively involves the risk group of young female patients developing cervical cancer. It is necessary to reconsider the tactics of cervical ectopia management in favor of its active treatment.

Objective: to assess the role of IL-8 (Т251А) gene polymorphism in the pathogenesis of gastric diseases. Materials and methods. The study included 250 patients diagnosed with chronic gastritis and 72 patients diagnosed with gastric cancer. To define IL-8 (Т251А) gene polymorphism, and detect the DNA of H. pylori and СаgA genotype, we used the method of allel-specific polymerase chain reaction (AS PCR). Results. The presence of ТА IL-8 genotype (T251A) in a patient increases twice as much the risk for gastric cancer regardless of the status of СagA infection with H. pylori positive strains (р = 0.006). Conclusion. ТА IL-8 (T251A) genotype was significantly more prevalent in gastric cancer: χ² = 0.006; OR - 2.07; 95 % CI 1.22-3.53. The diagnostic sensitivity of detection of this genotype makes up 55.6 %, the diagnostic specificity - 62.4. The presence of reliable differences in the distribution of alleles and genotypes is indicative of the association of the polymorphic marker with the illness, in this particular case, the presence of ТА IL-8 (T251A) genotype in a patient increases twice as much the risk for the development of gastric cancer. While studying the interrelations between IL-8 (T251A) polymorphism and stomach atrophy we revealed no reliable differences (χ² = 0.249). The differences between the activity of gastritis and IL-8 (T251A) (χ² = 0.341) polymorphism are statistically unreliable. No interrelation between IL-8 (T251A) polymorphism and СagA+ infection with H. pylori strains in both the studied groups was found: χ² =0.188 in the group with chronic gastritis and χ² =0.181 in the group with gastric cancer.

Objective: comparative analysis of phenotyping and genotyping of N-acetylation polymorphism in healthy volunteers from the south-east region of the Republic of Belarus. Material and methods. We identified the genotype NAT2 in 30 healthy volunteers from the south-east region of the Republic of Belarus using the method PCR-RFLP by 5 mononucleotide changes (T341C, G590A, G857A, C282T, C481T). Results. It was proved that mutant alleles occurred in any N-acetyltransferase activity (p = 0.08). The number of mutant alleles of NAT2 gene showed a direct moderate association with the speed of acetylation (τ = -0.633, p < 0.0001). Probabilities for slow acetylation phenotype increases with the growing number of SNP (τ = -0.657, p < 0.0001), and the presence of 4 single nucleotide substitutions indicates a high degree of confidence for the slow acetylation phenotype (p = 0.0007). Conclusion. The simultaneous assessment of several SNPs in NAT2 gene increases the accuracy of prognosis for NAT2 acetylation phenotype, but even the simultaneous assessment of 5 SNPs does not make it possible to predict the phenotype of acetylator definitely.

The leading factors triggering neoangiogenesis include matrix metalloproteinases. Objective: to assess the prognostic significance of the level of MMP-2 expression in colon cancer. Material and methods. The clinical and morphological analysis of 72 cases of colorectal cancer resected over 2001-2011. Immunohistochemical studies using mouse monoclonal antibodies to MMP-2 were performed in the laboratory of Collegium Medicum Bydgoszcz. Results. The research showed a relation between the level of matrix metalloproteinase-2 expression in colon cancer to the age of the patients, level of differentiation, invasion and metastasis of cancer, and survival of patients. However, the data suggest there is no direct relation between an increase in the marker expression and tumor progression.

Aim: to study the contribution of TP53 and HMMR genes to the genesis of sporadic forms of breast cancer in patients from Belarus. Material and methods. The study included 169 patients with sporadic breast cancer, molecular genetic analysis was performed by RFLP analysis and PAGE electrophoresis. Results. The polymorphic variants p.72R ( TP53 , rs1042522) and p.V353A ( HMMR , rs299290) in patients with breast cancer from Belarus were analyzed. The frequencies of genotypes and alleles prevalence in patients with breast cancer (and in the comparison group) and compared the results with the data by ESP Cohort Populations. The relation of the results of genotyping to the clinical and morphological characteristics of the tumor was analyzed. The study revealed statistically significant differences (p = 0.029) between the frequency of the prevalence of the genotype CC ( TP53 , p.R72P) and the level of expression of the Her-2/neu in the patients with breast cancer. The genotype CT ( HMMR , p.V353A) is associated with estrogen-negative breast tumors (p = 0.016). Conclusion. The polymorphic variants p.72R ( TP53 , rs1042522) and p.V353A ( HMMR , rs299290) have no significant modifying effect on the risk of sporadic breast cancer, but at the same time, there is a link between the presence of a particular genotype and the clinical morphological characteristics of the tumor.

The aim of the study was to determine changes of certain microcirculation parameters in patients with odontogenic inflammatory diseases of maxillofacial area. Material and methods. The study included the results of a comprehensive survey of 31 patients with infectious and inflammatory diseases of maxillofacial area of odontogenic etiology and 30 healthy donors. We studied the deformability of erythrocytes and aggregation of the suspension of leukocytes and platelets. Results. The parameters of the level and speed of the aggregation of the suspension of leukocytes and platelets in the development of infectious inflammatory diseases of maxillofacial area of odontogenic pathology increase in regard to those in healthy persons. At the same time, the similar comparison of the erythrocyte deformability in patients reliably decrease. Conclusion. There is a decrease in the erythrocyte deformability and increase in the rate and degree of aggregation of the suspension of leukocytes and platelets with the development of odontogenic infectious and inflammatory diseases in maxillofacial area. During the treatment of the patients the microcirculation abnormalities are preserved. The index of erythrocytes deformability in the blood plasma rises towards the end of the treatment relative to the values determined for just hospitalized patients.

The article deals with the evaluation of comprehensive and segmental systolic deformation of the myocardium by the method of speckle tracking echocardiography in patients with the stable angina pectoris of II and III functional class accompanied by diabetes mellitus type 2 and in patients with isolated stable angina pectoris and isolated diabetes mellitus type 2. This study resulted in the evaluation of the comprehensive and segmental systolic myocardium deformation indicators diagnostic utility, the indication of threshold levels for the diagnosis of comprehensive and segmental systolic deformation of myocardium caused by coronary atherosclerosis in patients.

Aim: to define the structure of different factors of metabolic syndrome influencing the development of insulin resistance. Material and methods . 140 patients were examined, and the basic parameters of metabolic syndrome were evaluated. The thickness of subcutaneous and preperitoneal fat was measured, the abdominal wall fat index and HOMA-IR index were estimated. The factors which significantly influenced the development of insulin resistance were singled out by the method of double taking logarithms. Results . On the assumption of the obtained data it is possible to suppose that obesity is not a significant factor for the development of insulin resistance, and the risk of insulin resistance increases in young people. The ultrasonic diagnosis is an available and high-informative method of differential diagnostics of obesity types.

This paper describes the method of allocating and receiving decellularized autologous fascial flap and presents the results of its experimental application in reconstructive surgery on the femoral arteries, followed by morphological assessment in laboratory animals.

Objective: to study the effect of citrus pectin on the functional status of rats` colon. Material and methods. The experiments have been performed on male rats (n = 45) in accordance with the rules of the humane treatment of experimental animals. The doses of dietary fiber have been calculated by the physiological norm of human consumption, approved by the Committee on Health of the Russian Federation (2002) and accounted for 1.25 and 1.875 g/animal/day. Microbiological and biochemical studies have been carried out according to the conventional techniques. Results. It has been ascertained that long-term use (for 1 month) of citrus pectin at a dose of 1.25 g/animal/day leads to changes of the titer the positive microflora, but causes emergence of Citrobacter . The increase of pectin to 1.875 g/animal/day leads to a decrease in the concentration of specific probiotic microorganisms (Lactobacillus ssp. and Bifidobacterium ssp.), an increase in the pool of Enterobacteriaceae and potentially pathogenic Fungi. The material verified Citrobacter and Candida , which were not found in control animals. Applying both the doses of citrus pectin we noted an increase in the concentrations of acetic and butyric acids, acidification of the intestinal contents, as evidenced by the decrease in the pH of the animals` faeces. Conclusion. The experimental data make it possible to state that regular long-term consumption of citrus pectin at the permissible dose (1.25 g/animal/day) in the normal physiological state does not cause any changes in the probiotic intestinal flora but creates preconditions for enhancing colonization by opportunistic agents. The excess dose of the studied additive results in a significant decrease of pH values of the intestinal contents and enhanced proliferation of potentially pathogenic microorganisms.

Objective: to estimate the antibacterial activity of officinal herbs available in Belarus in regard to extensively antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. Material and methods . Minimal inhibitory concentrations and minimal bactericidal concentrations of water infusions from officinal medicinal herbs in regards to antibiotic-resistant and antibiotic-sensitive strains of Gram-negative rods have been determined. Results. 4 out of the 17 herbs revealed the expressed antibacterial activity in regards to Gram-negative non-fermenting rods. The herbs did not reveal any antibacterial activity of water infusions in regard to K. pneumoniae . Conclusion. The revealed data on the antibacterial activity make it possible to recommend medicinal herbs for additional local application along with current systemic antibiotic therapy.

The work presents the experimental study of the method of dental implantation using low-intensity pulsed ultrasound in animals. The nature of morphological changes in the peri-implant bone tissue after the contact exposure of low intensity pulsed ultrasound to the implant and the peri-implant tissue has been studied. The obtained results are indicative of the efficiency of the method of dental implantation using the combined effect of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound.

Objective: to study the social and economic status of patients with urolithiasis and to identify the risk factors of occurrence and recurrence of the disease. Material and methods. We conducted a retrospective epidemiological study of the representative sample of 443 patients with urolithiasis (the main group of 403 patients without recurrences and 40 with recurrences) and 203 in-patients with other mainly acute urological pathology (control group) undergoing treatment at urology wards of healthcare institutions of Ivano-Frankivsk region. Results. It was established that urolithiasis mainly affects people of the working age (75 %). The prevalence of the pathology increases with age (OR = 3.93; 95 % CI = 1.64-9.44) as well as stone formation recurrences (2.44; 1.21-4.93) occurring in 10-20 % of patients with urolithiasis over 40. It was found out that in terms of material welfare, education and employment the patients with urolithiasis did not differ from the control group. However, lower levels of these parameters among the patients with urolithiasis from rural areas points out to the risk of their limited access to medical care. It has been proved that the recurrence of urolithiasis increases the chances of worsening of the patients` well-being (3.43; 1.77-6.65), unemployment (2.26; 1.14-4.45), and disability (3.93, 1.64-9.44). Conclusion. Urolithiasis as a result of its recurrent chronic course is a significant social and economic burden that highlights the importance of prevention and metaphylaxis of the pathology.

Objective: to assess the quality of life in schizophrenia patients under supervision in a neuropsychiatric asylum. Material and methods. Evaluation of the psychopathological status, survey using SDS and Q-LES-Q-SF questionnaires, statistical methods. Results. The patients revealed moderate satisfaction with life parameters, quite a high proportion of patients with low job satisfaction and employment, and related welfare. Conclusion. The findings are indicative of the necessity to develop rehabilitation methods based on employment and the use of the residual abilities to work.

The work is dedicated to the topical questions of one of the most prevalent children`s inherited diseases - mucoviscidosis. It gives data on the mucoviscidosis incidence rate in Belarus, diagnostic criteria, pathophysiological and therapeutic aspects, and treatment. The paper covers current trends in replacement enzyme therapy, management of bronchopulmonary disorders, gives a clinical case.

The article presents a clinical case of successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation lasting for more than 90 minutes with a favorable neurological outcome in a patient with acute coronary syndrome. New resuscitation protocols and patient supervision methods after successive restoration of cardiac activity have been described on the particular example.

The article considers the typical scheme of a nitrogen cryosurgical apparatus and describes the apparatus units such as the container with liquid nitrogen, capillaries to supply liquid and discard vapor phase of nitrogen, cryoprobe and operational tips. Methodologies for calculating hydraulic losses along the capillaries, local hydrodynamic resistances and level differences of the liquid phase of nitrogen in the container and cryoprobe have been reported. The maximum and minimum values of nitrogen pressure in the container have been calculated.

Objective: systematization and analytical review of scientific publications dealing with the stated topic with accentuation of attention to practical application of the methods of molecular visualization in diagnostic radiology. Material. The available literary sources covering molecular visualization in diagnostic radiology. Results. Possibilities and advantages of modern molecular visualization in the practice of diagnostic radiology have been defined. Conclusion. The application of methods of molecular diagnostic visualization considerably raises the quality of the image and the diagnosis, opens wide prospects of diagnostics in many areas of medicine in preservation of noninvasive researches.