S\mathcal{S}-Matrix of Nonlocal Scalar Quantum Field Theory in the Representation of Basis Functions

Nonlocal quantum theory of one-component scalar field in $D$-dimensional Euclidean spacetime is studied in representations of $\mathcal{S}$-matrix theory for both polynomial and nonpolynomial interaction Lagrangians. The theory is formulated on coupling constant $g$ in the form of an infrared smooth function of argument $x$ for space without boundary. Nonlocality is given by evolution of Gaussian propagator for the local free theory with ultraviolet form factors depending on ultraviolet length parameter $l$. By representation of the $\mathcal{S}$-matrix in terms of abstract functional integral over primary scalar field, the $\mathcal{S}$ form of a grand canonical partition function is found. And, by expression of $\mathcal{S}$-matrix in terms of the partition function, the representation for $\mathcal{S}$ in terms of basis functions is obtained. Derivations are given for discrete case where basis functions are Hermite functions, and for continuous case where basis functions are trigonometric functions. The obtained expressions for the $\mathcal{S}$-matrix are investigated within the framework of variational principle based on Jensen inequality. Equations with separable kernels satisfied by variational function $q$ are found and solved, yielding results for both the polynomial theory $\varphi^{4}$ and the nonpolynomial sine-Gordon theory. A new definition of the $\mathcal{S}$-matrix is proposed to solve additional divergences which arise in application of Jensen inequality for the continuous case. Analytical results are illustrated numerically. For simplicity of numerical calculation: the $D=1$ case is considered, and propagator for the free theory $G$ is in the form of Gaussian function typically in the Virton-Quark model. The formulation for nonlocal QFT in momentum $k$ space of extra dimensions with subsequent compactification into physical spacetime is discussed.Comment: 38 pages, 18 figures; v2: significant text editing; v3: text and plots edited, references and acknowledgments added; prepared for the special issue of the journal Particles in memory of G.V. Efimo

Mechanisms of autoimmune pathology in post-COVID syndrome

One of the delayed consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection is post-acute COVID-19 – polymorphic disorders of various organ systems that affect COVID-19 convalescents and persist for more than four weeks after an acute infection. Due to the infectious nature of the COVID-19, we would like to pay special attention to complications from the immune system, especially concomitant and new-onset autoimmune pathology. This review analyzes the current state of the issue of post-acute COVID-19 complications, discusses the molecular features of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the mechanisms underlying the impaired immune response during acute COVID-19 infection and the occurrence of autoimmune and autoinflammatory conditions during convalescence. Particular attention is paid to the molecular mimicry of antigenic determinants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which are structurally similar to the epitopes of human autoantigens. The current data on post-acute COVID-19 autoimmune complications from humoral immunity and the endocrine system, as well as reproductive disorders faced by male patients are presented. For the first time, we hypothesize a role of the structural homology of the human SOX13 autoantigen (HMG box factor SOX13) associated with diabetes mellitus and SARS-CoV-2 envelope (E) protein in the development of the post-acute COVID-19 autoimmune pathologies. Due to the structural similarity of the two proteins and the overlap of their immunogenic regions, we suggest that the increased risk of developing diabetes mellitus and reproductive disorders in men after suffering from COVID-19 may be associated with immunological cross-reactivity

СИСТЕМАТИЗАЦИЯ И ДИФФЕРЕНЦИАЦИЯ ГОСПИТАЛЬНЫХ ИНФЕКЦИЙ ПО ЭПИДЕМИОЛОГИЧЕСКИМ И КЛИНИЧЕСКИМ ПРИЗНАКАМ

In the review the analysis of data on hospital infections which can be used at the organization of their prophylaxis in the hospitals. Systematization and differentiation of hospital infections depending on the reasons and conditions of occurrence, mechanisms of development, clinical and epidemiological signs has great value. It will assist specialists in planning and carrying out of the measures directed on improvement of quality of treatment of patients and increase of epidemiological safety of the hospital environment.В обзоре представлен анализ сведений о госпитальных инфекциях, которые могут быть использованы при организации их профилактики в лечебно-профилактических учреждениях. Большое значение имеет систематизация и дифференциация госпитальных инфекций в зависимости от причин и условий возникновения, механизмов распространения, клинических и эпидемиологических проявлений. Это окажет помощь специалистам в планировании и проведении мероприятий, направленных на улучшение качества лечения пациентов и повышение эпидемиологической безопасности госпитальной среды

HCV Infection in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) and Its Role of Genotypes in Clinical Outcomes of the Disease

Aim of the research. To study the epidemic manifestations of HCV infection in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) in order to develop recommendations for improving the effectiveness and quality of treatment and prevention measures. Materials and methods. The paper uses materials from the official statistics of the Territorial Department of Rospotrebnadzor of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) for 1994–2018, and data from the electronic register «Chronic viral hepatitis in the RS (Ya)» (2019). Molecular and biological studies of the genotype of the hepatitis C virus were performed jointly on the basis of the Federal state budgetary Institution «Central research Institute of epidemiology» of Rospotrebnadzor (2007–2011, n = 75). To assess the epidemiological situation, the rate of increase in morbidity is calculated on the basis of data equalized by the method of least squares. Statistical processing was performed using the SPSS 17 program. The critical significance level is assumed to be 0.05. Results. Thus, the study of long-term dynamics of the incidence of viral hepatitis shows that in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) a consistently high level of incidence of HCV with adverse trends in the development of the epidemic process remains. Analysis of the distribution of different variants of HCV genotypes allowed us to establish the prevalence of genotype 1b, which can determine the high frequency of cirrhosis and primary liver cancer. The current situation in the Republic regarding the incidence of viral hepatitis requires detailed monitoring, improvement of epidemiological surveillance and introduction of modern treatment methods. It is also necessary to improve the quality of health education among the population of the Republic

Viral Load in COVID-19: Underestimated Clinical and Epidemiological Marker

Background. The viral load of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of the new coronavirus infection, is becoming increasingly important in clinical and epidemiological contexts. Despite this, there are significant complexities in the implementation of viral load quantitative measurement into clinical practice due to the limited approaches to its assessment.The aim of this work was to develop an approach for SARS-CoV-2 viral load analysis by the value of sample threshold cycles (Ct) relative to the Ct of the internal control sample obtained in routine PCR diagnostics of the COVID-19, and to use this approach for quantitative monitoring of viral load in patients with first positive SARS-CoV-2 test from the Irkutsk region.Materials and methods. Using regression models based on the least squares method, an approach to determine the number of copies of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in 1 ml of nasopharyngeal secretion was developed. The viral load of SARS-CoV-2 was assessed in nasopharyngeal and pharyngeal samples obtained from 1370 patients from Irkutsk and Angarsk with primary diagnosed positive PCR result in the period from July 1 to November 10, 2020.Results. A tenfold increase in the average monthly viral load among patients in September-October 2020 was revealed. We assume that the change in the epidemiological pattern of the spread of the new coronavirus infection during this period is associated with an increase in the number of contacts in the population due to the school year beginning. Higher viral loads are observed in populations at risk for COVID-19 – among healthcare workers and adults/elderly patients. Conclusion. The development of a standardized quantification of SARS-CoV-2 viral load in the nasopharyngeal samples can be a predictive clinical marker and a reliable tool for improving COVID-19 surveillance using the proposed approach to assess average viral load in a local population

Online service for interpretation of the resistance prediction results to bedaquiline by the molecular data

Background. Bedaquiline is a new and promising anti-tuberculosis drug, but longterm use requires resistance. This is due to mutations in the atpE and mmpR genes in M. tuberculosis (MBT).The aim of the research was to test a system for automated interpretation of results for predicting resistance to bedaquiline by the molecular data.Materials and methods. DNA was isolated from strains of M. tuberculosis in the Irkutsk region and Yakutia. The total quantity of DNA samples was 27 strains from Yakutia and 21 strains from the Irkutsk region. The study of MBT genomes was carried out on the DNA previously obtained by the authors in the territories of the Irkutsk region (n = 5), Yakutia (n = 4), Buryatia (n = 3), Zabaykalskiy kray (n = 4) and the Far East (n = 8). We used the BSATool program to detect bedaquiline resistance based on  Sanger and genomic data. Sanger sequencing analyzed the atpE and  mmpR genes, and whole genome sequencing examined mutations in the same sequences, as well as additionally in mmpL5, mmpS5, Rv0678, Rv1979c, and pepQ.Results. Complete agreement between the phenotypic and genotypic analysis of resistance to bedaquiline was found for three strains from Yakutia. One genome with significant mutations to bedaquiline was identified. A conclusion was made about the importance of molecular analysis of target genes with subsequent detection of resistance to bedaquiline in silico

Isolation and whole genome sequencing of a lipophilic anaerobic bacterium, a representative of the species complex <i>Corynebacterium tuberculostearicum</i>, from a tuberculosis focus

Background. The study of the lower respiratory tract microbiome has been actively developed inrecent years with the help of whole genome sequencing (WGS) methods. Due to this, it became clear that the nature of the lungs microbiota is very different from other microbial communities inhabiting the human body. One of the important directions in the study of pathological lungs biocenosis is the study of the role of the satellite microbiota of the tuberculosis focus. The aim of the work. To isolate and characterize oxygen-tolerant anaerobes from the necrotic contents of tuberculomas. Materials and methods. Biopsy material from 5 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis was obtained during a planned surgical treatment of tuberculoma. A pure culture was isolated from one sample during anaerobic cultivation. Lipase activity of strain was determined by plating on brain heart infusion agar (HIMEDIA, India) supplemented with 0.1 % Tween-80 and 10 mM of CaCl2. Antibiotic susceptibility was determined by RAPMYCO and SLOWMYCO of TREK Diagnostic Systems (Thermo Fisher Scientific, USA). DNA from the sediment of the broth culture was isolated by the CTAB chloroform method. Whole genome sequencing was performed on a DNBSeq-G400 NGS sequencer by Genomed (Russia). Results. Based on WGS results and phylogenetic analysis, the strain was identified as Corynebacterium kefirresidentii. The strain was characterized by high lipase activity and resistance only to Isoniazid, Ethionamide and Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazolin. Conclusion. The isolation of a lipophilic anaerobic representative of the Corynebacterium tuberculostearicum species complex from a tuberculous focus indicates a  possible role of the non-tuberculous microbiota in the liquefaction of caseous necrosis. We assumed that in some cases, favorable conditions are created inside the tuberculous focus for the development of satellite anaerobic lipophilic microbiota

Genotypic and phenotypic characteristics of <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i> drug resistance in TB children

Background. Russian Federation is included in the list of 30 countries with the highest burden of tuberculosis, including MDR tuberculosis. The most important part of this problem is the primary MDR/XDR TB in children.The aim: a comparative analysis of the phenotypic and genotypic profile of drug resistance to anti-tuberculosis drugs (ATP) according to whole genome sequencing of M. tuberculosis strains from children.Materials and methods. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) results of 61 M. tuberculosis isolates from children with tuberculosis in 2006–2020 in the Russian Federation were analyzed for anti-TB drug resistance mutations, according to the WHO catalog and were compared with the results of phenotypic drug sensitivity.Results. The M. tuberculosis belonged to two genetic groups: Beijing genotype – 82 % (50/61) dominant Central Asian Russian (31/50) and B0/W148 (16/50) subtypes, and non-Beijing (Ural, S, LAM) – 18 % (11/61). Three isolates belonged to Asian Ancestral subtype (3/50). Of the 61 isolates, only 14.7 % (9/61) were sensitive to antiTB drugs, 49.2 % (30/61) were MDR and 14.7 % (9/61) were pre-XDR. Comparison of the resistance profile (MDR/pre-XDR) with genotype revealed an upward shift for Beijing isolates, in particular Beijing B0/W148 (15/16) subline compared to other Beijing (19/34) (Chi-square with Yates correction = 5.535; p &lt; 0.05) and nonBeijing (5/12) (Chi-square with Yates correction = 6.741; p &lt; 0.05) subtypes. Discrepancies between genotypic and phenotypic drug resistance profiles were found in 11.5 % (7/61) of cases.Conclusions. Based on the analysis of WGS data, the genotypic characteristics of M. tuberculosis and the most complete set of drug resistance mutations were obtained, indicating a significant prevalence in MDR and pre-XDR TB of cases caused by epidemic subtypes of Beijing (B0/W148 and Central Asian Russian). The molecular mechanisms of adaptation of M. tuberculosis to the treatment of anti-TB drugs are not unique for the child population but reflect the general processes of the spread of MDR/XDR in Russia

ФАКТОРЫ РИСКА ИШЕМИЧЕСКОЙ БОЛЕЗНИ СЕРДЦА СРЕДИ ГОРОДСКОГО И СЕЛЬСКОГО НАСЕЛЕНИЯ ГОРНОЙ ШОРИИ

The purpose: To study the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and their association with this disease among rural and urban indigenous of Gornaya Shoria.Material and methods. Clinical and epidemiological study of indigenous population of Gornaya Shoria (with a sample of 513 people, including 256 residents of Sheregesh (urban-type settlement) and 257 residents of Ust-Orton and Kabyrzy (hard to reach remote villages of Gornaya Shoria)). Medical experts in conditions of the expedition conducted examinations by standard methods (survey, collection of complaints, clinical examination) on the basis of rural medical stations and clinics. The characteristics of the blood lipid spectrum, blood pressure, carbohydrate metabolism were investigated. Electrocardiograms were taken. The statistical analyses were performed using the program "STATISTICA 6.1".Results: It was found that risk factors such as overweight (29,61%), obesity (20,85%), abdominal obesity (45,92%) and hyperbetacholesterolemia (59,45%) more common among the urban population of Gornaya Shoria compared to the rural population (23,01%, 12,78%, 29,26% и 49,25%, соответственно). Smoking respondents was higher in the group of persons living in rural areas -41.76%, compared with urban residents - 30.82%. The risk of CHD was correlated with age and hypertension in both groups. The association of obesity and abdominal obesity with coronary artery disease among the urbanized population found. The risk of coronary disease was higher among shorians with impaired carbohydrate metabolism, living in rural areas.Conclusions: The findings of this study indicate that urbanization affects at prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in a natives population of Gornaya Shoria.Цель: Изучить распространенность факторов риска ИБС и их ассоциацию с данным заболеванием среди городского и сельского коренного населения Горной Шории.Материал и методы исследования: Проведено клинико-эпидемиологическое исследование коренного населения Горной Шории (выборка 513 человек, из них 256 человек – жители Шерегеша (поселок городского типа) и 257 человек – жители Ортона и Усть-Кабырзы (труднодоступные отдаленные поселки Горной Шории). Осмотры специалистов проходили в условиях экспедиции по стандартным методикам (анкетирование, сбор жалоб, клинический осмотр) на базе сельских фельдшерско-акушерских пунктов и поликлиники. Исследовался липидный спектр крови, артериальное давление, углеводный обмен. Проводилась запись ЭКГ. Статистическая обработка выполнялась с помощью программы «STATISTICA 6.1».Результаты: Установлено, что такие факторы риска, как избыточная масса тела (29,61%), ожирение (20,85%), абдоминальное ожирение (45,92%) и гипербетахолестеринемия (59,45%) чаще встречались среди городского населения Горной Шории по сравнению с сельским населением (23,01%, 12,78%, 29,26% и 49,25% соответственно). Курящих респондентов было больше в группе лиц, проживающих в сельской местности, – 41,76% по сравнению с городскими жителями – 30,82%. Риск развития ИБС коррелировал с возрастом и АГ в обеих группах. Выявлена ассоциация ожирения и абдоминального ожирения с ИБС среди урбанизированного населения. Риск коронарной патологии был выше у шорцев с нарушениями углеводного обмена, проживающих в сельской местности.Выводы: Таким образом, выявлено, что урбанизация влияет на распространенность факторов риска ИБС в популяции коренных жителей Горной Шории