GWAS and polygenic risk score of severe COVID-19 in Eastern Europe.

Background: COVID-19 disease has infected more than 772 million people, leading to 7 million deaths. Although the severe course of COVID-19 can be prevented using appropriate treatments, effective interventions require a thorough research of the genetic factors involved in its pathogenesis.

Methods: We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on 7,124 individuals (comprising 6,400 controls who had mild to moderate COVID-19 and 724 cases with severe COVID-19).

Biological non-ablative repair of lumbar discs by transforaminal intradiscal laser irradiation: MRI quantitative analysis of the effects-preliminary report.

Degenerative disc disease is a significant reason for low back pain. Low-level laser irradiation (LLLI) of cartilage results in its reshaping and combines with regenerative reaction. A certain pattern of lumbar disc irradiation induces healing reaction and formation of new cartilage.

How I do it: bilateral lumbar spinal canal microsurgical decompression via unilateral approach.

Background: Bilateral lumbar spinal canal decompression via unilateral approach is a surgical way to treat degenerative spinal canal stenosis.

Method: We report the treatment of degenerative lumbar spinal canal stenosis by removing overgrown ligaments, bone, and other compromising tissue on both sides of the spinal canal, using one side approach, avoiding surgical trauma of the counter side of the spine.

Conclusion: This technique allows to achieve perfect results using common microsurgical instruments and Caspar distractor for one or multilevel surgery.

MORPHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF HEPATITIS B VIRUS WITH ESCAPE MUTATIONS IN S-gene G145R AND S143L.

Background: In terms of serological properties and immunization, the wild type of HBsAg HBV and its G145R mutant behave as different antigens. This testifies to serious structural changes, which presumably could have a significant impact on the morphogenesis of virions and subviral particles. Nevertheless, morphological and ultrastructural investigations of HBV with G145R mutation have not been carried yet.

Protective Effect of Peroxiredoxin 6 in Ischemia/Reperfusion-Induced Damage of Small Intestine.

Background: Strong oxidative stress starting in the epithelium upon restoration of blood cell circulation is a major cause of necrosis of the intestinal epithelium in ischemia/reperfusion-induced damage.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the tissue-protective effect of exogenous peroxiredoxin 6 (Prx6) in ischemia/reperfusion-induced damage of small intestine.

Methods: The research was carried out using a model of acute superior mesenteric artery occlusion in Wistar male rats.