Dysphagia after stroke

The incidence of dysphagia after stroke accounts for 20 to 64%, which makes swallowing disorder one of the most common sequels of acute cerebrovascular accident. Dysphagia may cause life-threatening complications, such as aspiration pneumonia, cachexia, and dehydration. The paper gives international algorithms for the clinical and instrumental evaluation of swallowing function and the diagnosis of aspiration. It sets forth basic principles for managing patients with dysphagia, as well as dietary recommendations for these patients. The authors show the advantages of fast-dissolving oral medicines used in the therapy of patients with dysphagia after stroke. The currently available experience of drug and non-drug treatments for dysphagia in patients after stroke is analyzed

The influence of social support on risk of acute cardiovascular diseases in female population aged 25–64 in Russia

Objective. To study the prevalence of social support (SS) and its influence on the relative risk (RR) of myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke in the female population aged 25–64 in Russia. Materials and methods. Under the third screening of the WHO “MONICA-psychosocial” programme, a random representative sample of women aged 25–64 (n=870) were surveyed in Novosibirsk. SS was measured according to the methods of the Berkman–Sym test [indices of close contacts (ICC) and index of social network (SNI)]. From 1995 to 2010, women were followed for 16 years to observe the incidence of MI and stroke. Results. The prevalence of low levels of ICC and SNI in women aged 25–64 was 57.1 and 77.7%, respectively. Low levels of ICC and SNI were associated with poor self-rated health and awareness about their health, adverse behavioural habits, high job strain and family stress. Rates of MI and stroke development were higher in married women with low ICC and SNI who were being in class “hard manual work”. Over a 16-year study period, the RR of MI in women with low ICC compared to those with high ICC was 4.9 times higher, and the risk of stroke was 4.1 times higher. Low level of SNI increased MI risk in 2.9 times, risk of stroke in 2.7 times. Conclusions. Majority of women aged 25–64 years in Russia have low social support which is associated with poor self-rated health, low awareness about the health that increases the risk of MI and stroke in 2.7–4.9 times in groups of “married” and “hard physical work”

Neurometabolic therapy in the recovery period of ischemic stroke: impact on quality of life and cognitive functions

Some recovery of impaired neurological functions (a stroke recovery period) is almost always observed within the first 6–24 months after ischemic stroke (IS). The paper discusses the mechanisms responsible for this process (neurogenesis, neuroplasticity, and readaptation) and possible approaches to the drug support of cerebral reparative processes. It presents data on the rate and etiology of poststroke cognitive impairments (CI) that are one of the important factors that negatively influence the outcome of rehabilitation measures. The results obtained from a recent study of the efficacy of the neurometabolic agent citicoline in the recovery period of IS are given. The use of citicoline is shown to cause a significant regression of CI and to improve quality of life in patients who have sustained IS for the first time

Fluorescence energy transfer in quantum dot/azo dye complexes in polymer track membranes

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer in complexes of semiconductor CdSe/ZnS quantum dots with molecules of heterocyclic azo dyes, 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol and 4-(2-pyridylazo) resorcinol, formed at high quantum dot concentration in the polymer pore track membranes were studied by steady-state and transient PL spectroscopy. The effect of interaction between the complexes and free quantum dots on the efficiency of the fluorescence energy transfer and quantum dot luminescence quenching was found and discussed

Regional Aspects of Nosocomial Infection As a Medical and Social Problem

Prevention of nosocomial infection (NI) is an important medical and socioeconomic problem. And though certain organizational and practical measures are implemented in Russia every year to reduce NIs, the problem is still relevant from medical and social points of view. The risk of infection are both for patients and medical workers. In Russia, the minimum economic damage caused by NIs is 2.5–5 billion rubles annually. According to the Office of the Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare in the Republic of Mordovia, the total incidence of NI in the region is at a low level. The incidence rate was 0.01 per 1000 patients in hospitals. The dynamics of the last five years demonstrates a decrease in hospital-acquired infections. In the dynamics of the last five years, incidence rates of purulent-septic infections of newborns and postpartum women, postoperative purulent-septic complications and post-injection complications had an unstable downward trend. Thus, purulent-septic infections of newborns and postpartum women and postoperative infections are dominated in the structure of nosocomial infections. Analysis of dynamics of morbidity in recent years in the Republic of Mordovia suggests that the measures taken to prevent NI are quite effective and are manifested with consistently low rates

Optimization of the Process of Cholera Chemical Pelleted Vaccine Production Using Ultrafiltration Technology

Technology of O-antigen obtaining from Vibrio cholerae M41production strain, using the hollow fiber ultrafiltration modules, is developed and introduced into cholera vaccine manufacturing. Application of ultrafiltration makes it possible to obtain native high-activity O-antigen preparations which comply with the current regulatory requirements. Besides, it provides for economy (10-15-fold) of ammonium sulphate, used for antigen precipitation, reduces the duration of technological cycle (2 times), and the labor inputs. The technology of protective antigen concentrating is tested on V. cholerae strains MO45 and KM137 of O139 serogroup. Three series of experimental V. cholerae O139 vaccine are obtained

Phosphatase Activity in Chemical Cholera Vaccine and its Components

Presented are the data on detection and characterization of phosphomonoesterase and phosphodiesterase activities in detoxicated cultural fluid of production Vibrio cholerae strains 569B and M41, and in choleragen-anatoxin and O-antigenic fraction, the vaccine components. These enzymes were demonstrated to be present in the cholera vaccine tablet, thus its biochemical properties were characterized more completely