[Formation of focus of West Nile fever on the territory of Saratov Region].

Aim: Detection of circulation of West Nile virus (WNV) on the territory of Saratov Region and prerequisites for formation of natural focus of West Nile fever (WNF), determination of the role of WNV in infectious pathology on the territory of the region.

Materials And Methods: of organs of small mammals, birds, blood-sucking arthropods for the presence of WNV markers (antigens and/or RNA) were studied. Clinical material from patients with symptoms not excluding WNF was studied.

[Detection of arbovirus antigens in the mosquitoes and ticks inhabiting the Saratov Region].

The paper gives the results of a study dealing with the detection of the antigens of arboviruses of West Nile, Sindbis, Batai, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, a serocomplex of Californian encephalitis in the field material gathered in the Saratov Region in 2000-2006. The bloodsucking arthropods inhabiting the region were shown to be actively involved in the circulation of arboviruses in natural biotopes. The conclusion that it is expedient to organize an annual monitoring of arbovirus-induced infections in the areas where positive findings have been notified is justified.

[Optimization of diagnostic and therapeutic programs in modern neonatal surgery].

Tendencies in neonatal surgery research are presented. Based on 187 cases, indications to preventive intestinal stomas creation in the newborns and also time of their closure are regarded. Surgical correction of malformation or treatment of acute process in the abdominal organs with intestinal stoma closing is finished to month 2-3 of childs life.

Technogenic load in small river watersheds in the Hibiny Mountains.

Pollution loads and morphological changes in the Hibiny mountains ecosystems, one of the most industrially developed regions of the Russian North, were studied using landscape geochemical methods. Principal pollutants come from the local apatite-nepheline ore mining and processing industry which is responsible for mechanical disturbances as well. Some pollutants (Cu, Ni, Co, sulphur etc.