Значение методов лучевой диагностики в условиях современного подхода к выявлению воспалительных заболеваний кишечника

The article discusses the modern possibilities of identifying inflammatory bowel diseases using methods of radiation diagnosis. Methods of radiation diagnostics help determine the stages of inflammatory bowel diseases helping in timely diagnosis, prescription and timely correction of therapy. The use of an adequate amount of diagnostic measures allows early detection of complications requiring immediate surgical treatment, such as fibrostenotic lesions, fistulae, and abscesses.The sources of the review were publications included in peer-reviewed databases E-library, PubMed, GoogleScholar, conference materials and non-indexed publications, including web pages of conferences and repositories of scientific data from universities.В статье рассматриваются современные возможности выявления воспалительных заболеваний кишечника при помощи методов лучевой диагностики. Методы лучевой диагностики позволяют определить фазы активности процесса при воспалительных заболеваний кишечника, способствуют своевременной постановке диагноза, назначению и коррекции терапии. Применение адекватного объема диагностических мероприятий позволяет на раннем этапе выявлять осложнения, требующие незамедлительного хирургического лечения, такие как фибростенотические поражения, свищи и абсцессы.Источниками обзорного исследования являлись публикации, включенные в рецензируемые базы E-library, PubMed, GoogleScholar, материалы конференций и неиндексируемых изданий, включая веб-страницы конференций и репозиториев научных данных университетов

The role of cytokines in the development of systemic inflammation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and obesity

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are characterized by a variety of comorbid conditions, including both somatic (arterial hypertension, atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, bronchial asthma, malignant  neoplasms, diabetes mellitus, obesity, etc.) and mental (depressive disorders, suicide attempts). Against the background  of various chronic diseases of the respiratory system, endocrine, metabolic disorders, the risks of exacerbations of COPD increase.The leading  unifying  mechanism  of these conditions  is systemic subclinical  inflammation. Its excessive activity leads to the loss of the physiological functions of inflammation, which is accompanied  by an imbalance  in the endocrine system and the release of high concentrations of hormones and neurotransmitters. The result of this response is the uncoupling of cytokine mechanisms, which leads to an imbalance in the system of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines.The article describes the role of the pro-inflammatory chemokine  IL-8 (interleukin 8), which is responsible for the migration of neutrophils to the site of inflammation. This is how the neutrophilic type of inflammation is formed. IL-4 and IL-10 are considered, which occupy a leading position in the formation of CD4+ type of immunoreactivity, which is observed in bronchial asthma. Attention is focused on the significance of IL-6, because it is an integral component of local and systemic inflammation. An increase in its concentration and, as a result, a potential risk of damage to the respiratory epithelium is the remodeling of the bronchial tree, resulting in a decrease in the elasticity of the epithelium of the respiratory tract. This mechanism leads to the formation of pulmonary emphysema and further potentiation of pathophysiological processes in patients with COPD.Since IL-6 is a cytokine with anti-inflammatory  properties, its molecular activity is achieved by interacting  with a special receptor complex consisting  of two subunits: IL-6R and gp130. The former mediates IL-6 binding, while the latter triggers the JAK/STAT or MAPK signaling  cascade pathways. The result of the reaction of IL-6 with the effector cell directly depends on the type of signaling.The paper describes three mechanisms of signal transduction into the target cell: classical, cluster, and transsignaling.Thus, by studying  the role of cytokines in the systemic inflammatory response, we have shown the cross-talk between adipose tissue and the lungs in obesity, highlighting the main inflammatory mediators, which may indicate new therapeutic targets for preventing pulmonary dysfunction

ВОЗМОЖНОСТИ ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЯ КОМПЬЮТЕРНОЙ ТОМОГРАФИИ ПРИ ИССЛЕДОВАНИИ СКЕЛЕТИРОВАННЫХ ОСТАНКОВ ЧЕЛОВЕКА

Introduction. The investigation is devoted to the possibility of application of computed tomography for forensic examination of skeletal human remains.Aim of study: to evaluate the CT scanning application to skeletons with poor preservation state of bone tissue; to find out the possibility to describe the traumatic lesions on bones; to examine the density of bone tissue.Material and method. The skeletonized remains of General Guden, the participant in the Napoleonic campaign of 1812 were studied by CT scanner «Philips Medical Systems».Results. Antemortem and postmortem traumas are described as well as bone tissue density.Conclusion. Postmortem tomography is the best non-invasive method to study skeletonized human remains in bad preservation state, which allows to define the antemortem and postmortem traumas.Введение. Работа посвящена возможности использования метода компьютерной томографии для проведения судебномедицинской экспертизы скелетированных останков человека.Цель исследования: оценить возможности использования компьютерной томографии при экспертизе скелета человека с плохой сохранностью костной ткани, выявить возможность определения характера травматических повреждений, а также рассмотреть плотность костей различных отделов скелета.Материалы и методы. Объектом исследования стали останки участника Наполеоновской кампании 1812 года генерала Гюдена, обнаруженные в результате раскопок в г. Смоленске в 2019 г. Магнитно-резонансная томография выполнялась на томографе фирмы «Philips Medical Systems» в два этапа.Результаты. Описаны прижизненные и посмертные травмы, определена плотность костной ткани.Заключение. Посмертная томография — это максимально неинвазивный способ изучения  скелетированных останков плохой сохранности при невозможности полной очистки от  грунта, который позволяет определить характер прижизненных и посмертных повреждений костей скелета

Unique Signatures of Natural Background Radiation on Human Y Chromosomes from Kerala, India

The most frequently observed major consequences of ionizing radiation are chromosomal lesions and cancers, although the entire genome may be affected. Owing to its haploid status and absence of recombination, the human Y chromosome is an ideal candidate to be assessed for possible genetic alterations induced by ionizing radiation. We studied the human Y chromosome in 390 males from the South Indian state of Kerala, where the level of natural background radiation (NBR) is ten-fold higher than the worldwide average, and that from 790 unexposed males as control.We observed random microdeletions in the Azoospermia factor (AZF) a, b and c regions in >90%, and tandem duplication and copy number polymorphism (CNP) of 11 different Y-linked genes in about 80% of males exposed to NBR. The autosomal homologues of Y-linked CDY genes largely remained unaffected. Multiple polymorphic copies of the Y-linked genes showing single Y-specific signals suggested their tandem duplication. Some exposed males showed unilocus duplication of DAZ genes resulting in six copies. Notably, in the AZFa region, approximately 25% of exposed males showed deletion of the DBY gene, whereas flanking genes USP9Y and UTY remained unaffected. All these alterations were detected in blood samples but not in the germline (sperm) samples.Exposure to high levels of NBR correlated with several interstitial polymorphisms of the human Y chromosome. CNPs and enhanced transcription of the SRY gene after duplication are envisaged to compensate for the loss of Y chromosome in some cells. The aforesaid changes, confined to peripheral blood lymphocytes, suggest a possible innate mechanism protecting the germline DNA from the NBR. Genome analysis of a larger population focusing on greater numbers of genes may provide new insights into the mechanisms and risks of the resultant genetic damages. The present work demonstrates unique signatures of NBR on human Y chromosomes from Kerala, India

A Spatial Survey of Environmental Indicators for Kazakhstan: An Examination of Current Conditions and Future Needs

The Republic of Kazakhstan, located in Central Asia, has experienced many years of environmental degradation, largely as a result of the poor management of its significant natural resources. In this survey, data relating to different environmental factors are critically analysed in order to understand the state of the environment. It was found that: warming trends are seen in sensitive areas (e.g. the steppe and near glaciers); drying trends are seen where there is already water stress (e.g. the Aral Sea); air quality has been declining recently (following improvements on the decadal timescale) in major urban centres, particularly Almaty; water quality appears to be improving in some areas (e.g. important lakes in the Aktobe and Zhambyl regions); and levels of exposure to radioactivity are below internationally recommended levels (where data have been found). More generally, there is an issue with data availability and quality, which requires attention if Kazakhstan is going to make the best use of its increasing investment in environmental actions. Current policies are reviewed and recommendations are made for future interventions

ОСОБЕННОСТИ КОМПЬЮТЕРНОЙ ТОМОГРАФИИ ТРУПА: ПРОБЛЕМА ИНТЕРПРЕТАЦИИ СПЕЦИФИЧЕСКИХ И НЕСПЕЦИФИЧЕСКИХ АРТЕФАКТОВ

The literature review analyzes studies on postmortem CT as an alternative to the conventional autopsy in forensic examination of the bodies of an adults. The main objective of the review is to give a brief analysis of the characteristics of post-mortem CT imaging, which do not face the clinical radiologists in their practice. The analysis comes up with 72 literature sources. The basic Internet resources were used during preparation of the study: Scientific Electronic Library (elibrary), SciVerse (ScienceDirect), Scopus, PubMed, and Discover. The review includes articles which discuss both the advantages and limitations of CT in the posthumous forensic examination of the bodies of an adults, and especially post-mortem CT imaging the most common pathological processes and artefacts. Conclusions. Early and late postmortem changes, such as rigor, autolysis, putrefaction and others largely change the normal pattern in CT imaging clinical radiologists are used to. In particular, the interpretation of CT images of the corpse must consider common specific and non-specific artefacts which result from: agonal changes (alteration in anatomical appearance, decomposition); autolysis, putrefaction; regurgitation of gastro-intestinal contents, aspiration; lividity and hypostasis; postmortem blood clotting; resuscitation effects; postmortem handling/autopsy technique; insect activity; and many others. These artefacts are not pathological findings, and should always be taken into account when interpreting the postmortem CT images.В обзоре литературы проанализированы исследования по проблеме посмертной компьютерной томографии (ПМКТ) в качестве альтернативы традиционному вскрытию в судебно-медицинской экспертизе трупов взрослых лиц. Основная цель обзора - дать краткий анализ особенностей посмертной КТ-визуализации, с которыми не сталкиваются клинические рентгенологи в своей практической деятельности. Представлен анализ 77 источников литературы. При подготовке обзора были использованы основные интернет-ресурсы: научная электронная библиотека (elibrary), SciVerse (ScienceDirect), Scopus, PubMed и Discover. В обзор включены статьи, в которых обсуждались как преимущества, так и ограничения ПМКТ в судебно-медицинской экспертизе трупов взрослых лиц, а также особенности посмертной КТ-визуализации наиболее часто встречающихся патологических процессов и артефактов. Выявлено, что ранние и поздние трупные изменения, такие как окоченение, аутолиз, гнилостные и другие посмертные процессы, в значительной степени меняют «норму» при КТ-визуализации к которой привыкли клинические рентгенологи. В частности, при интерпретации КТ-изображений трупа следует учитывать часто встречающиеся специфические и неспецифические артефакты, к которым приводят: свертки и седиментация крови в полостях сердца и крупных сосудах, посмертная аспирация содержимого желудка в воздухоносные пути, эзофаго- и гастромаляция, трупные пятна и гипостазы во внутренних органах, уплотнение стенок аорты, расширение правых отделов сердца, нарушение дифференцировки между серым и белым веществом головного мозга, гнилостные газы в сосудах, органах и тканях, и многие другие. Указанные артефакты не являются патологическими находками и должны быть обязательно учтены при интерпретации посмертных КТ-изображений

Dioxin Induces Genomic Instability in Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts

Ionizing radiation and certain other exposures have been shown to induce genomic instability (GI), i.e., delayed genetic damage observed many cell generations later in the progeny of the exposed cells. The aim of this study was to investigate induction of GI by a nongenotoxic carcinogen, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). Mouse embryonic fibroblasts (C3H10T1/2) were exposed to 1, 10 or 100 nM TCDD for 2 days. Micronuclei (MN) and expression of selected cancer-related genes were assayed both immediately and at a delayed point in time (8 days). For comparison, similar experiments were done with cadmium, a known genotoxic agent. TCDD treatment induced an elevated frequency of MN at 8 days, but not directly after the exposure. TCDD-induced alterations in gene expression were also mostly delayed, with more changes observed at 8 days than at 2 days. Exposure to cadmium produced an opposite pattern of responses, with pronounced effects immediately after exposure but no increase in MN and few gene expression changes at 8 days. Although all responses to TCDD alone were delayed, menadione-induced DNA damage (measured by the Comet assay), was found to be increased directly after a 2-day TCDD exposure, indicating that the stability of the genome was compromised already at this time point. The results suggested a flat dose-response relationship consistent with dose-response data reported for radiation-induced GI. These findings indicate that TCDD, although not directly genotoxic, induces GI, which is associated with impaired DNA damage response

Роль немедикаментозных методов в комплексе мероприятий по профилактике и лечению остеопороза (обзор литературы)

The review represents the results of investigations into the role of nondrug methods in the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis (OA). The data available in the literature suggest that a number of non-drug technologies, first of all exercise therapy, aquatic therapy, reflexotherapy, electrical stimulation, and electromagnetic therapy, have proven efficiency and a certain potential for reducing the risk of osteoporosis and its complications and for improving bone metabolism. Expanding the range of these methods and increasing their validity for clinical introduction are very promising.В обзоре литературы представлены результаты исследований, посвященных изучению роли немедикаментозных методов в лечении и профилактике остеопороза (ОП). Данные литературы свидетельствуют о том, что ряд немедикаментозных технологий, прежде всего лечебная физкультура, акватерапия, рефлексотерапия, электростимуляция, электромагнитотерапия, обладают доказанной эффективностью и имеют определенный потенциал для снижения риска развития ОП и его осложнений, а также улучшения костного метаболизма. Расширение спектра и повышение степени доказательности этих методов для внедрения в лечебную практику является весьма перспективным

Combining Network Modeling and Gene Expression Microarray Analysis to Explore the Dynamics of Th1 and Th2 Cell Regulation

Two T helper (Th) cell subsets, namely Th1 and Th2 cells, play an important role in inflammatory diseases. The two subsets are thought to counter-regulate each other, and alterations in their balance result in different diseases. This paradigm has been challenged by recent clinical and experimental data. Because of the large number of genes involved in regulating Th1 and Th2 cells, assessment of this paradigm by modeling or experiments is difficult. Novel algorithms based on formal methods now permit the analysis of large gene regulatory networks. By combining these algorithms with in silico knockouts and gene expression microarray data from human T cells, we examined if the results were compatible with a counter-regulatory role of Th1 and Th2 cells. We constructed a directed network model of genes regulating Th1 and Th2 cells through text mining and manual curation. We identified four attractors in the network, three of which included genes that corresponded to Th0, Th1 and Th2 cells. The fourth attractor contained a mixture of Th1 and Th2 genes. We found that neither in silico knockouts of the Th1 and Th2 attractor genes nor gene expression microarray data from patients with immunological disorders and healthy subjects supported a counter-regulatory role of Th1 and Th2 cells. By combining network modeling with transcriptomic data analysis and in silico knockouts, we have devised a practical way to help unravel complex regulatory network topology and to increase our understanding of how network actions may differ in health and disease