Bactericidal and biologically stable coatings for medical implants and instruments

The experimental research showed the fine-film coating based on hafnium nitride to inhibit the pathogenic microflora and to exert the bactericidal effect by far less versus that of antibiotics; at the same time, the concentration of hafnium ions in the solution is just within the sensitivity limit detectable by the most recent registration methods--it amounts to less than 10(-10) mol/l. Therefore, according to the research results, the use of such coatings based on hafnium nitride is promising in manufacturing the surgical metal implants and medical instruments.     

Necessity for using evidence-based medicine in making clinical decisions based on the example of erectile dysfunction

The choice of the method to treat erectile dysfunction is often not easy. The evidence-based approach to the critical appraisal of the medical literature could help us to find the best way. All the available information was critically assessed in order to find the answer to the question: Ds sildenafil effective in the treatment of erectile dysfunction in patients with diabetes mellitus? All sources of information have been analysed including medical text books and the sources from the university of Cochrane library. The result of the analysis was the following: sildenafil is effective with a B degree of significance in the treatment of erectile dysfunction in patients with diabetes mellitus. This allows us to recommend sildenafil for treatment of erectile dysfunction in men with diabetes mellitus. The above algorithm of the critical assessment of the primary medical literature can be used for preparing standards of urological diseases treatment.     

The diameter of the descending thoracic aorta in patients with Fallot's tetralogy (angiographic study)

The diameter of the descending thoracic aorta was measured at the level of the diaphragm on angiograms in 91 patients with Fallot's tetralogy. The existence of an exponential dependence of the diameter on the body surface area of patients as well as of healthy individuals was shown. The course of the regression curve in patients with Fallot's tetralogy repeated exactly the course of that in healthy individuals, but the former ran 0.5 mm higher. Thus, to determine the diameter of the descending thoracic aorta in patients with Fallot's tetralogy one may use the nomogram of the dependence of this diameter on the body surface area of healthy individuals or an equation suggested by the authors. It is practically impossible to locate the descending thoracic aorta by means of echography, whereas the size of its diameter is included in equations for calculating the important hemodynamic parameters. The data obtained by the authors allow wider use of noninvasive methods for the diagnosis (echo-morphometry) and prognostication of the results of radical correction of Fallot's tetralogy in a concrete patient.     

Immediate and Remote Results of Endovascular Recanalization of Chronic Coronary Artery Occlusions

We compared early and long-term follow-up results of balloon angioplasty and stenting of chronic coronary occlusions. The initial success rate was 75% (82 of 109 patients). Proportion of patients free of angina was 57 and 69% after successful balloon angioplasty and stenting, respectively. Stenting of coronary occlusions yielded better immediate angiographic results than did balloon angioplasty: residual stenosis and minimal diameter of artery after stenting were 13.5-12.4% and 2.7-0.2 mm, respectively; those after balloon angioplasty were 23.2-15.6% and 2.3-0.2 mm, p<0,05, respectively. Four-year clinical outcome was better in stenting than in angioplasty group: free of angina were 52 and 22% of patients in stenting and angioplasty group, respectively (p<0,05). There was no difference at follow-up between two groups in the rate of myocardial infarction, death, repeat revascularization. Repeat coronary angiography was performed after 38-24 months in 44% of patients. The rate of 'late' restenosis was 32% in stenting and 73% in balloon angioplasty group (p<0,05); mean stenosis and minimal diameter of artery after stenting were 43.5-12.4% and 1.7-0.6 mm, respectively; those after balloon angioplasty were 67.5-15.6% and 0.72+0.5 mm, respectively (p<0,05).     

Use of contraceptive agents by women in the city of Frunze

The use of contraceptives by female residents in the city of Frunze was studied. 2512 questionnaires were studied and they revealed that 57.5% of women utilize contraceptives. According to the results, the most effective mechanical means of contraception failed to find wide usage, while the chemical methods were of low efficiency. Data obtained showed that modern safe methods of contraception are still unknown to the majority of these women. (author's modified)