Vol 7, No 1 (2025)

In this study, we investigated five non-homogenized chaga raw material samples collected from different regions of the Pskov Region (Russia) and one homogenized sample (in powder form) from the Republic of Serbia. Macroscopic analysis of the four raw material samples allowed for clear differentiation of the crustal zone, medullary region, and mycelial pulp. Micromorphological analysis of all six raw material samples correlated with the aforementioned macroscopic differentiation of the chaga outgrowths and allowed for the identification of diagnostically significant microstructures. For raw material obtained from the crustal zone, brownish-stained hyphal clusters of prosenchymatous texture are diagnostically significant. For raw material from the medullary region of the outgrowth, a more open arrangement of hyphae and the presence of pleurocetes are characteristic. The results of the morphometric analysis allowed for the expansion of the diagnosis of I. obliquus f. sterilis. It was shown that for the intake of aqueous extracts of the fungus for prophylactic purposes, preliminary sorting of raw material parts is not necessary, since different fractions are characterized by different contents of extractable biologically active substances (crust – betulinic acid predominates, medullary region of the outgrowths – β-glucans and melanins, mycelial pulp – inotodiol). For pharmaceutical productions requiring alcohol extraction and subsequent purification of products, on the contrary, it is recommended to carry out preliminary sorting and preparation before drying the raw material. Furthermore, the elemental composition of the chaga raw material samples was determined by X-ray spectral microanalysis based on comparative analysis using the modern analytical method of scanning electron microscopy using a KYKY-EM8000F STD FEG SEM microscope (China) under high vacuum conditions. To assess the elemental composition of the samples, an energy-dispersive microanalysis system (AZtec, Oxford Instruments) was used. Before analysis, the sample was coated with a thin conductive layer of carbon (13 nm) using a Nano-Structured Coating Co vacuum sputtering system (Iran). Thus, the goal of this work – morphometric analysis of various parts of fungal chaga raw material with the assessment of the possibilities of its primary sorting depending on the purposes of further use – was achieved, and the results of the study allowed us to propose aspects of differentiation of chaga raw material during its primary sorting for further use in pharmaceuticals and the production of biologically active additives.

Analysis of lymphoid leukemia incidence in various regions of the world allows for the identification of significant trends and differences, which can be useful for further research and the development of measures for the prevention and treatment of these diseases. According to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10), lymphoid leukemias (LL) are classified under category C91, with subcategories 0, 1-9. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) – subcategory C91.1 – accounts for the majority of patients in this category, representing approximately 70% of all LL cases, while acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) – subcategory C91.0 – accounts for approximately 25%. Lymphoid leukemias are cancers of the hematopoietic system. The disease develops in the bone marrow, where blood cells are normally renewed in a balanced manner, but when the formation of healthy cells is disrupted, a vast number of immature white blood cells are produced, leading to anemia. Immature lympholeukemic cells enter the bloodstream and lymphatic system, affecting the entire body. Therefore, ALL and CLL are considered systemic malignant diseases. The aim of the study is to investigate the characteristics of LL prevalence among different age groups of the population, the nature of annual mortality rates, and the dynamics of observed and relative one-year and five-year survival rates of LL patients, considering the patients’ sex, histological structure, and place of residence. The conducted study confirmed an increase in the incidence of LL (C91) in the Russian population in absolute numbers and “crude” rates by 6% and 5%, respectively, which mainly increased due to the ongoing aging process of the population. The growth of the standardized incidence rate of LL (C91) over 11 years in the country amounted to 0.69%. Over four five-year observation periods, a significant decrease in the mortality rate of LL (C91) patients in the first year of observation from 21.4% to 16.6%, or 22.43%, and in the fifth year of observation over three periods by 19.61% was established.

The present review provides a detailed bibliographic analysis of scientific works, including little-known ones, by I.V. Zmitrovich, devoted to the processes of biological development and taxonomy of eukaryotes. As the study of the bibliographic heritage of I.V. Zmitrovich has shown, important issues of theoretical biology raised in his works were morphogenesis, adaptogenesis, and eukaryote megataxonomy. First of all, by the specificity of affiliation, I.V. Zmitrovich was interested in fungi – osmoheterotrophic organisms with a chitinous cell wall, an open growth system, resembling plants and for a long time attributed to this kingdom. However, consideration of the tendencies of the development of multicellularity and modular theory expanded the realm of interests of this researcher, being extended to the evolution of the vegetative body of plant organism, including higher plants with different types of cells and tissue differentiation. The purpose of this review was to study and acquaint our readers with the numerous scientific works by I.V. Zmitrovich devoted to the morphogenesis and taxonomy of eukaryotes of the last thirty years, many of which, in our opinion, were undeservedly lost in the intensifying flow of scientific and technical information of recent years.

This essay, bearing a documentary and biographical nature, is the result of a documented and scientific understanding of the scientific and pedagogical activities of Professor Yuri Davidovich Zilber, Doctor of Medical Sciences. The stylistic and linguistic structure of the essay fully corresponds to the authors’ goal: to create a concise and laconic picture of the labor, scientific, and pedagogical activities of Professor Yu.D. Zilber. We faced the challenge of gathering disparate documentary information and materials, as well as the recollections of relatives and colleagues, which helped to reveal the character and contribution of Yuri Davidovich to medical and biological sciences as a significant scientist and educator. In our opinion, we succeeded in researching and describing the key stages in the formation of Yu.D. Zilber as a physician and scientist: the years of study, the difficult trials during the Great Patriotic War, and his fruitful scientific and pedagogical activities. We utilized surviving archival documents and scientific publications from the St. Petersburg State Chemical Pharmaceutical University, the Military Medical Museum, and the Zilber family archive. The authors hope that the results of this research will be of interest to students and teachers of our university studying the history of medicine and pharmacy, as well as to a wide range of readers interested in the fates of significant and outstanding scientists.