Application of optical non-invasive methods to diagnose the state of the lower limb tissues in patients with diabetes mellitus

The paper shows the possibility of assessing the functional state of microcirculatory-tissue systems of patients with diabetes mellitus by laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and fluorescence spectroscopy (FS) methods. A review of the existing non-invasive optical technologies used to assess the state of microcirculation and oxygen metabolism in tissues of patients with diabetes is conducted. A series of experimental studies involving 76 patients with diabetes and 46 healthy volunteers was carried out. A wavelet analysis of LDF-grams was used to evaluate the adaptive changes of microcirculation during the temperature tests. The obtained data revealed that the proposed methodology in the form of combined use of several diagnostic technologies (LDF, FS and DRS) allows us to detect the presence or absence of trophic disorders and to evaluate adaptation processes during thermal tests

Содержание иммуноглобулинов A, M, G в слезной жидкости у больных первичной открытоугольной глаукомой

PURPOSE: To define changes of immunoglobulins A, M, G in the tear fluid of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). METHODS: We investigated the content of serum immunoglobulins and secretory immunoglobulin A in the tear fluid of patients with POAG and people with risk of its development. RESULTS: The level of IgG, which is the main immunoglobulin of the secondary immune response, was slightly elevated. Investigation of IgA concentration in the serum of patients with POAG showed an increase. Serum IgA concentration in the risk group almost did not differ from the control group. CONCLUSION: The study of immunoglobulin G, M and A in the serum of patients with POAG showed a slight increase Conflicts of Interest and Source of Funding: none declared. in their concentrations, indicating the activation of humoral mechanisms of immunopathogenesis in patients with POAG. Concentrations of secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) in the tear fluid was increased both in patients with POAG and in the risk group. It gives reason to consider the local humoral mechanisms an important link in the development of immune inflammation in primary open-angle glaucoma. Selective accumulation of sIgA in the tear fluid indicates an increase in the protective function of the mucous in response to any antigen, toxin, autoantigen, and the aim to limit the development of the pathological process.Цель. Установить изменения содержания иммуноглобулинов A, M, G в слезной жидкости у больных первичной открытоугольной глаукомой (ПОУГ). материалы и методы. ние и анализ уровня сывороточных иммуноглобулинов основных классов и секреторного иммуноглобулина А в слезной жидкости пациентов с ПОУГ и в группе риска ее развития. РЕЗУЛЬТАТЫ. Содержание IgG, являющегося основным иммуноглобулином вторичного иммунного ответа, было несколько повышено. Исследование концентрации ^А в сыворотке крови у больных ПОУГ показало ее некоторое увеличение, а у пациентов группы риска во всех подгруппах показатели почти не отличались от контроля. В слезной жидкости обнаружены значимые изменения секреторного иммуноглобулина А как у пациентов ПОУГ, так и в группе риска ее развития. ЗАКЛЮЧЕНИЕ. Результаты исследования иммуноглобулинов G, М, А в сыворотке крови у больных ПОУГ показали некоторое увеличение их концентраций, что свидетельствует об активации гуморальных механизмов иммунопатогенеза у больных ПОУГ. Локальные концентрации секреторного иммуноглобулина А (sIgA) превышали нормальные параметры как у больных ПОУГ, так и в группе риска. Это дает право считать локальные гуморальные механизмы одним из важных звеньев в развитии иммунного воспаления при ПОУГ. Селективное накопление sIgA в слезной жидкости свидетельствует об усилении защитной функции слизистых относительно любого антигена, токсина, аутоантигена, а также о стремлении ограничить развитие патологического процесса

Evidence for Low‐Pressure Crustal Anatexis During the Northeast Atlantic Break‐Up

While basaltic volcanism is dominant during rifting and continental breakup, felsic magmatism may be a significant component of some rift margins. During International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) Expedition 396 on the continental margin of Norway, a graphite‐garnet‐cordierite bearing dacitic unit (the Mimir dacite) was recovered in two holes within early Eocene sediments on Mimir High (Site U1570), a marginal high on the Vøring Transform Margin. Here, we present a comprehensive textural, petrological, and geochemical study of the Mimir dacite in order to assess its origin and discuss the geodynamic implications. The major mineral phases (garnet, cordierite, quartz, plagioclase, alkali feldspar) are hosted in a fresh rhyolitic, vesicular, glassy matrix that is locally mingled with sediments. The major element chemistry of garnet and cordierite, the presence of zircon inclusions with inherited cores, and thermobarometric calculations all support an upper crustal metapelitic origin. While most magma‐rich margin models favor crustal anatexis in the lower crust, thermobarometric calculations performed here show that the Mimir dacite was produced at upper‐crustal depths (<5 kbar, 18 km depth) and high temperature (750–800°C) with up to 3 wt% water content. In situ U‐Pb analyses on zircon inclusions give a magmatic crystallization age of 54.6 ± 1.1 Ma, consistent with emplacement that post‐dates the Paleocene‐Eocene Thermal Maximum. Our results suggest that the opening of the Northeast Atlantic was associated with a phase of low‐pressure, high‐temperature crustal anatexis preceding the main phase of magmatism

Значение аутоиммунных механизмов в патогенезе первичной открытоугольной глаукомы

PURPOSE: To evaluate the role of cytokines IL-17, IL-6, TGF-B1 and TGF-B3 in the immune response in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). METHODS: Using specific ELISA test systems «R&D Diagnostics Inc.» (USA), we investigated blood serum and tear fluid of 110 subjects (80 POAG patients and 30 healthy subjects). Mean age was 57.0±3.2 years (78 years in women and 37 - in men). From 42 patients diagnosed with glaucoma, 38 had advanced and terminal stages. Patients were subdivided into 2 subgroups: with POAG only and POAG combined with chronic pathology (hypertensive disease, type 2 diabetes, myopia). RESULTS: All patients demonstrated high levels of IL-17, IL-6 and low levels of TGF-B1 and TGF-B3 in blood serum and lacrimal fluid. The study revealed varied changes in inves- tigated biological fluids. Thus, IL-6 production was higher in the systemic circulation compared to the local, while the production of IL-17, on the contrary, was higher in the lacrimal fluid. Anterior chamber examination also revealed high local hypercytokinemia (IL-6, IL-17). Reduced concentration of the TGF-B cytokine group may be associated either with its utilization during hyperergic inflammatory reactions or with insufficient response. Similar immunological changes were also observed in the combined pathology subgroup (POAG with hypertension, type 2 diabetes, myopia) due to the similarity in the pathogeneses of these diseases: genetic, vascular, neuroendocrine.ЦЕЛЬ. Оценка роли цитокинов IL-17, IL-6, TGF-|31 и TGF-(33 в иммунном ответе у больных первичной открыто-угольной глаукомой (ПОУГ). МЕТОДЫ. Был применен ИФА с использованием специфических тест-систем «R&D Diagnostics Inc.» (USA). Исследована сыворотка крови и слезная жидкость у 110 человек (80 пациентов с ПОУГ и 30 практически здоровых лиц). Средний возраст составил 57,0±3,2 года (78 лет у женщин и 37 - у мужчин). У 42 пациентов диагностирована начальная и развитая стадии глаукомы, у 38 - далеко-зашедшая и терминальная стадии. Выделены подгруппы пациентов только с ПОУГ и ПОУГ с наличием сочетанной хронической патологии (гипертонической болезни (ГБ), сахарного диабета 2 типа (СД), миопии). РЕЗУЛЬТАТЫ. У всех больных отмечены высокие уровни IL-17, IL-6 и низкие TGF-P1 и TGF-P3 как в сыворотке крови, так и в слезной жидкости. Степень изменений в двух биологических жидкостях характеризовалась раз- нонаправленностью. Так, продукция IL-6 была выше в системном кровотоке по сравнению с локальной, а продукция IL-17, напротив, доминировала в слезной жидкости. Исследование влаги передней камеры также выявило высокую локальную гиперцитокинемию IL-6, IL-17. Сниженная концентрация цитокинов группы TGF-P может быть связана как с их потреблением при гиперергических воспалительных реакциях, так и недостаточностью продукции. Результаты исследований у пациентов с ПОУГ свидетельствуют об иммуноопосредованности механизмов глаукоматозного процесса. Схожие иммунологические сдвиги наблюдались также в подгруппе ПОУГ в сочетании с ГБ, СД 2 типа, миопией, что объясняется схожестью некоторых звеньев патогенеза этих заболеваний: генетических, сосудистых, нейроэндокринных

The structure of the oropharyngeal genus Candida fungi community in HIVinfected patients

At the present time virtually no data are available about the structure of the genus Candida fungus able to target HIV-infected patients and serve as an etiological factor of candidiasis. The aforementioned shaped the aim of the study: to examine structure of the Candida genus community colonizing the oropharynx in HIV-infected patients with clinical manifestations of oropharyngeal candidiasis. There was conducted a microbiological study of the oropharynx in 31 HIV-infected patients (51.6% males and 48.4% females) with clinical manifestations of oropharyngeal candidiasis treated at Moscow Infectious Clinic No. 2 inpatient department in the years 2015–2017. We confirmed the diversity of the oropharyngeal Candida spp. community found in HIV-infected patients. Total 52 isolates of the genus Candida were isolated. C. albicans dominated in 57.7% cases, whereas C. glabrata prevailed (21.1%) among non-albicans species. Minor components were represented by C. tropicalis (11.5%) and C. krusei (9.6%). C. albicans and C. glabrata were sensitive to polyenes, whereas minor community components — to itroconazole and clotrimazole. The vast majority of fungal strains were resistant to fluconazole. The genus Candida community reveals a unique architecture so that any member may exist in the oropharyngeal biotope of HIV-infected patients as a monoculture or in association: homogeneous, consisting of a single species strains, or heterogeneous, formed by several species. Candida fungi in 18 patients (58.1%) were isolated as a monoculture, whereas in 13 (41.9%) subjects — in association consisting of 34 isolates (65.4% of total number), of which 16 (30.8%) and 18 (34.6%) were isolated from homogeneous and heterogeneous associations, respectively. There were identified 9 two-component associations (69.2%), and 4 (30.8%) consisting of three or more components. It turned out that pattern of the examined community was mainly determined by species composition that agrees with previous data. Most common associations were presented by C. krusei (100%) and C. albicans (73.3%). Upon that, most often C. albicans (72.7%) formed a homogeneous type of associations. Sensitivity of Candida fungi to antimycotic drugs also depended on the architecture of related community. C. albicans isolates in heterogeneous associations revealed a wide range of resistance acquired by contact with non-albicans species

The role of melatonin in pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases

The results presented, of laboratory and clinical studies of melatonine role in pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases as arterial hypertension, coronary pathology. The influence of melatonin on atherogenesis is described, its impact on platelet aggregation. Increase of melatonin production in cardiovascular patients is probably the result of compensatory mechanisms activation at the stage of functional disorders with further exhaustion of compensatory mechanisms towards somatic disease development. As the severity of cardiovascular pathology increases, general production of melatonin declines, as well as its rhythmic of production turns disordered

PROGNOSIS, PREVENTION, AND TREATMENT OF DIABETIC CATARACT SURGERY POSTOPERATIVE COMPLICATIONS

Aim. To study immune and antioxidant status of diabetic cataract patients and to assess the efficacy of preoperative preparation for diabetic cataract surgery to prevent intra- and postoperative complications and the efficacy of cataract treatment in metabolic syndrome patients. Patients and methods. 136 cataract patients (272 eyes) were examined (mean age 62±3.2 years). Among these patients, women predominated (n = 74). Control group included 25 healthy volunteers (10 men and 15 women) aged 32‑56 (mean age 44.3±2.4 years) without ocular diseases (50 eyes). Two patient groups were examined. Group 1 included 78 patients (mean age 54±1.5) younger than 60 (52.5 %) with similar lens morphological changes and metabolic disorders who were diagnosed with complicated (diabetic) cataract. Group 2 included 58 patients with age-related cataract. Tear, anterior chamber (AC) humor, and blood tests were performed. Immune status, lipid peroxidation parameters in tear fluid and blood, active peroxiredoxin 6 (PRDX6) and / or its breakdown fragments in tear fluid and AC humor were studied. In group 1 (age-related cataracts), somatic disorders were diagnosed in 4.5 % of cases, in group 2 (complicated cataracts), somatic disorders were diagnosed in 100 % of cases. Expression of protective enzymes against oxidative stress in tear fluid was studied. Activity of tear antioxidant enzymes under oxidative stress conditions in therapy and after cataract surgery was evaluated. Results. Postoperatively, increase in PRDX6 level was revealed in age-related cataract patients. The absence of phaco complications confirms these findings. In complicated (diabetic) cataracts, PRDX6 level was 6‑times less than in age-related cataracts. Conclusions. Prophylaxis of inflammatory complications in age-related cataract patients can be performed using the following schedule: 0.5 % levofloxacin 4 times daily, bromfenac once daily