Changes in mast cells and in permeability of mesenteric microvessels under the effect of immobilization and electrostimulation

It was shown that a reduction in the amount of mast cells in the mesentery and an increase in their degranulation was accompanied by an increase in vascular permeability of rat mesentery. It is supposed that immobilization and electrostimulation causing degranulation of mast cells prompted histamine and serotonin release from them, thus increasing the permeability of the venular portion of the microvascular bed. Prophylactic use of esculamin preparation with P-vitaminic activity decreased mast cell degranulation, which apparently prolonged the release of histamine and serotonin from them and normalized vascular permeability

Development and Prospects of National Intelligent System for Testing General Language Competencies Deployed Through Neural Network Solutions

The article presents the results of approbation of the intellectual system for testing general language competences (ISTOK) developed by testologists, linguists, specialists in methodology of teaching foreign languages and in artificial intelligence. This system includes a range of tests assessing language ability at levels from A2 to C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), as well as an adaptive placement test. All test materials are calibrated according to the CEFR. ISTOK is an adaptive testing system deployed through neural network solutions and providing assessment of receptive and productive language skills (reading, listening, speaking and writing) by using artificial intelligence and/or neurolinguistic models. The process of ISTOK development implied, apart from writing test items, putting together databases of writing and speaking assignments marked by professional assessors and assessment criteria for productive skills, as well as algorithms to identify various types of mistakes with the help of artificial intelligence. The results of various testing cohorts with the total number of test takers exceeding 5,000 demonstrated high reliability and objectified test validity. The new approach to language skills testing can be used for various purposes in higher education institutions, as well and to identify and/or confirm language proficiency of personnel in different organisations and businesses, while the principles of training and practical use of neurolinguistic models will find wide application in various fields of applied research

Комплексные лабораторные исследования при профессиональных заболеваниях органов дыхания

Results of complex laboratory examination of 103 patients with dust related bronchitis caused by exposure of various industrial dusts, 22 patients with pneumoconiosis and 12 subjects not having respiratory pathology and not exposed to quartz dust or any other occupational hazards are presented in this article. Laboratory examination included morphological investigations of sputum and bronchial brush biopsy specimens, cytochemical characterization of bronchial ciliated epithelium and blood cells, and bacteriological and serological investigations of bronchial mucus. Our results demonstrated that morphological lesions of bronchial epithelium cells leading to their death followed cell dysfunction, disorders of enzyme activity, hypoxemia, predominance of Haemophilus influenzae in microflora, and significant inflammatory and allergic response in blood. These changes were found in different clinical stages of dust related bronchitis and pneumoconiosis. The findings obtained are of great importance for understanding pathogenic mechanisms of dust related lung diseases as well as from clinical point of view such as diagnosis and development of individual treatment strategies.В статье представлены результаты комплексного лабораторного обследования 103 больных с пылевым бронхитом, вызванным различными видами производственной пыли, 22 пациентов с пневмокониозом различной степени выраженности и 12 человек, не имевших в анамнезе заболеваний органов дыхания и не подвергавшихся воздействию кварцсодержащей пыли и других профессиональных вредностей. Комплекс лабораторного обследования включал морфологическое изучение мокроты, соскоб слизистой бронхов, цитохимическую характеристику функционального состояния мерцательного эпителия, а также клеток крови в сочетании с бактериологической и серологической оценкой отделяемого бронхов. Исследования показали, что изменения морфологической структуры клеток бронхиального эпителия, приводящие к их гибели, связаны с нарушением функционального состояния, ферментативной активности клеток, гипоксемией, изменением микробной флоры с преобладанием Haemophilus influenzae, выраженной воспалительной и аллергической реакцией крови и характерны для различной степени выраженности клинических проявлений пылевого бронхита и пневмокониоза. Полученные данные имеют значение как с позиции уточнения патогенетических механизмов развития пылевых заболеваний легких, так и с практической точки зрения – в диагностике и при формировании индивидуальных лечебных комплексов при этой патологии

Cytokine-mediated inflammatory hyperalgesia limited by interleukin-1 receptor antagonist

1. The effect of IL-1ra on response to intraplantar (i.pl.) injection of LPS, carrageenin, bradykinin, TNFα, IL-1β, IL-8, PGE(2) and dopamine was investigated in a model of mechanical hyperalgesia in rats. 2. IL-1ra inhibited hyperalgesic response to LPS, carrageenin, bradykinin, TNFα, and IL-1β, but not responses to IL-8, PGE(2) and dopamine. 3. A sheep anti-rat IL-1ra serum potentiated response to LPS, carrageenin, bradykinin, TNFα and IL-1β but not IL-8. 4. Carrageenin and LPS stimulated and production of immunoreactive TNFα, IL-1β and IL-1ra in the skin of injected paws. 5. The inhibition by IL-1ra of the hyperalgesic response to carrageenin was not affected by antibodies neutralizing IL-4 and IL-10. 6. In mice, IL-1ra inhibited the nociceptive response to i.p. injection of acetic acid. 7. These data suggest that IL-1ra, released at sites of inflammation, limits inflammatory hyperalgesia. This effect is independent of (IL-1ra-induced) IL-4 and IL-10 and appears to be the result of antagonism by IL-1ra of IL-1β-stimulated eicosanoid production