In this paper, the erythrocytes of healthy donors and people with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 were tested by Raman spectroscopy and laser interference microscopy. We argue that erythrocytes (red blood cells) in COVID-19 patients have an irregular shape, and their morphometric characteristics are impaired in comparison to healthy red blood cells. Raman spectroscopy also allows us to detect a decreased oxygen transport function of these erythrocytes. The combination of these methods—Raman spectroscopy and laser interference microscopy—is a highly effective method for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2.

COVID-19 and other infectious diseases can exacerbate the course of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). The efficacy and safety of the Gam-COVID-Vac vaccine in patients with PNH has not been adequately studied. A retrospective, observational, cohort, non-comparative study was performed to assess the course of COVID-19 as well as the safety and efficacy of the Gam-COVID-Vac (Sputnik V) vaccine in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). The study included data from 52 patients with PNH aged 18 to 75 years, 38 of whom received background therapy with eculizumab (Elizaria^®) between March 2020 and January 2022. COVID-19 was diagnosed according to the results of PCR testing. The patients were divided into two groups for comparison of the incidence of COVID-19. Group 1 included non-vaccinated patients with PNH, and Group 2 included patients vaccinated prior to the onset of COVID-19. According to vaccination, patients were subdivided into non-vaccinated and vaccinated groups without signs of previous COVID-19 at the beginning of the analyzed period, and patients vaccinated half a year or more after recovery from COVID-19. Testing for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG levels was carried out in patients with PNH in the year after their COVID-19. Tests for anti-SARS-CoV-2 RBD IgG levels were performed on vaccinated patients. In total, 28 (53.8%) of the enrolled patients had COVID-19, including asymptomatic forms in 7 (25%) and mild forms in 16 (57%) patients. A total of 22 (42.3%) patients were fully vaccinated with Gam-COVID-Vac, of which 13 (25%) patients were vaccinated without the signs of previous SARS-CoV-2infection, and 9 (17.3%) patients were vaccinated after COVID-19. The number of patients who had COVID-19 was about two times higher in Group 1 (non-vaccinated; 24) (61.5%), whereas in Group 2 (vaccinated), the number of patients with COVID-19 was only 4 (30.8%). The proportion and number of patients who did not have COVID-19 was higher in the group of vaccinated patients (9; 69.2%) than in the group of non-vaccinated patients (15; 38.5%) (p = 0.054). In patients who had been infected with COVID-19, maximum concentrations of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG were observed 2–3 months after the acute infection phase, followed by a gradual decline by month 9–10. The mean RBD IgG concentration was higher in the group of patients who had been infected by COVID-19 than in the group of patients without COVID-19 (p = 0.047). Therapy type, including eculizumab, did not have a significant impact on RBD IgG titers (p > 0.05). Hospitalization was required in five (18%) patients, all of whom had breakthrough hemolysis and severe lung damage on CT scans. After the first dose, adverse events (AEs) were reported in 41% of the patients (body temperature increased in 18%; headache in 13.6%; and pain in joints in 4.5%; colitis exacerbation was observed in 4.5%). After the second dose, no AEs were reported. The performed study suggests the possible efficacy and demonstrates the safety of Gam-COVID-Vac (Sputnik V) for the prophylaxis of COVID-19 in patients with PNH who experience immunosuppression due to target therapy.

This article objective was to identify a centenary trend in the growth and development of girls in the metropolis of Moscow. Material and methods — The physical development (body length and weight, chest circumference, right hand muscle strength, and menstrual function development) of Moscow girls was studied during the period from 1920 to 2020. The amount of own observations was 4581 girls aged 8-17 years. Results – A comparative analysis of the physical development of Moscow school girls of different decades revealed a statistically significant increase in body length by 3-5 cm and a significant increase in chest circumference in all age groups of girls of the beginning of the XXI century, compared with their peers in the 1960s and 1980s, which indicates the completion of the gracialization processes that have been observed since the 1980s. However, in all age groups, a decrease in the muscle strength of the right hand is still being noticed. Earlier terms of menarshe onset in modern Moscow school girls (12 years 9 months) and a shift in growth jumps to earlier terms were established. It is shown that the age of menstruation depends on the level of family wealth. Conclusions. In Moscow girls in the centenary dynamics, a tendency to increase the total body size and shift the terms of biological maturation to earlier terms was revealed.

Responses of the skeletal muscle tissue and thymus to muscle injury (complete transection) and wound xenoplasty with the minced muscle tissue of newborn rats (tissue therapy) were studied in mdx mice aged 12–16 and 40–48 weeks. The muscle tissue of mdx mice has genetic defects causing chronic dystrophic processes in it. The muscle tissue of young mdx mice proved to retain a relatively high capacity for regeneration. Under conditions of tissue therapy of the wound, the formation of muscle fibers from muscle cells of the graft and active regeneration of muscle fibers in the recipient mice were observed, and no structural defects were detected in the thymus. The capacity of posttraumatic regeneration in old mdx mice was lower. The xenogenic graft was undergoing resorption, thereby suppressing regeneration of muscle fibers and causing further tissue destruction in the injured muscle. The thymus parenchyma was subject to degenerative changes such as the formation of gaps, hemorrhagic foci, and increased numbers of macrophages and mast cells.