Background/Objectives: Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is a common condition in hip surgery, which is characterized by the death of bone cells due to disruption of the blood supply and ultimately irreversible destruction of the hip joint. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, a significant increase in the incidence of ONFH has been identified. To better understand the pathogenesis of ONFH in the context of COVID-19, our research aimed to determine pathomorphological changes in articular tissues specific to post-COVID-19 ONFH. Methods: Using morphological, morphometric, and statistical methods, the femoral heads after hip arthroplasty were retrospectively studied in patients with post-COVID-19 ONFH (n = 41) compared to a non-COVID-19 group of patients (n = 47). Results: Our results revealed that the key morphofunctional biomarkers of post-COVID-19 ONFH were clusters of mast cells, extensive areas of fibrosis, numerous arterial and venous thrombi, and giant cell granulomas. The potential relationship of those morphological features with the action of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus was discussed. Conclusions: Mast cells have been proposed as the leading players that may trigger the main molecular and cellular mechanisms in the development of post-COVID-19 ONFH and can be considered a diagnostic sign of the disease.

Критерии нарушения метаболома в прогнозировании гестационного сахарного диабета: аналитический обзор

Relevance. Pregnancy in women with carbohydrate metabolism disorders is classified as a high-risk group for early reproductive losses, obstetric complications, and perinatal morbidity, despite undeniable progress in understanding the pathogenesis, timely correction, and prevention of complications in this cohort of women. Aim: To study the metabolomic profile of amino acids in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) to identify potential biomarkers for predicting obstetric and perinatal complications. Materials and Methods: The study involved 50 pregnant women in the third trimester: 25 with GDM (GDM group) and 25 without GDM (control group). The concentration of 26 amino acids in a morning urine sample was determined for all participants, with analysis performed on the Agilent 1200 HPLC chromatographic system. Statistical processing of the data was carried out using IBM SPSS v. 26. Results: Three significant metabolites — valine, lysine, and glutamine — were identified. In GDM group, lysine levels were 5.3 times lower, valine 2 times lower, and glutamine 1.61 times lower compared to the control group. These changes may reflect GDM pathogenesis and predict complications. Conclusion: To enhance the effectiveness of diagnosis, individual management of pregnant women, and prevention of complications in women with GDM, it is important to consider the reduction in concentrations of key amino acids such as valine, lysine, and glutamine, which can serve as predictors of carbohydrate metabolism disorders.