Anaplasmosis in Uganda. III. Parasitological and serological evidence of Anaplasma infection in Ugandan goats

Randomly selected goat sera from north-western, central, and south-western regions of Uganda were analyzed parasitologically and serologically for evidence of anaplasmosis. Prevalence rates of 3,2 % by parasitemia, 4,8 % by card-agglutination test, and 12,9 % by DOT-ELISA combined with western blotting were established. Parasitologically positive samples were consistently serologically positive. Positive samples were all from either the north-western or south-western regions of the country. Goats in these regions graze with cattle and are presumable exposed to the same tick species. There was no evidence of clinical caprine anaplasmosis, whereas bovine anaplasmosis cases are very common. Rhipicephalus evertsi was frequently observed on goats which cograze with cattle.The articles have been scanned in colour with a HP Scanjet 5590; 600dpi. Adobe Acrobat XI Pro was used to OCR the text and also for the merging and conversion to the final presentation PDF-format.mn201

Health status assessment of related kidney donors in the late postoperative period

ДОНОРОВ МЕДИЦИНСКИЙ ОТБОРДОНОРОВ СКРИНИНГДОНОРЫ ТКАНЕЙДОНОРЫ ОРГАНОВНЕФРЭКТОМИЯПОЧЕК ТРАНСПЛАНТАЦИЯПЕРЕСАДКА ПОЧКИПОЧЕЧНАЯ ТРАНСПЛАНТАЦИЯТРАНСПЛАНТАЦИОННАЯ ТОЛЕРАНТНОСТЬПОЧЕЧНАЯ НЕДОСТАТОЧНОСТЬПОЧКИ, НЕДОСТАТОЧНОСТЬ ФУНКЦИИПОСЛЕОПЕРАЦИОННЫЙ ПЕРИОДЦель. Изучить состояние здоровья живых доноров почки на основании степени восстановления функции почки и общего физического статуса донора. Материал и методы. 37 родственных доноров почек перенесли нефрэктомию в период с 2014 по 2017 год. Средний возраст составил 48,3±9,7 года (М±сигма), мужчин было 19 (51%), женщин – 18 (49%). В позднем послеоперационном периоде (1,9±1,1 года (М±сигма)) изучали уровни протеинурии и скорости клубочковой фильтрации (СКФ). Качество жизни доноров почек оценивали с помощью опросника Medical Outcomes Study-Short Form-36. Результаты. Средняя СКФ до операции составила 78,9±24,5 мл/мин на 1,73 м{2} и снизилась до 49,8±11,2 мл/мин на 1,73 м{2} на 2-е сутки после операции. При выписке (15,2±7,0 LYZ) средняя СКФ увеличивалась до 53,4±8,0 мл/мин на 1,73 м{2} и практически достигла предоперационного уровня через 1,9±1,1 года. Отмечено повышение креатинина и увеличение протеинурии в ранние сроки с нормализацией этих показателей в отдаленные сроки. Это свидетельствует о том, что единственная почка с нормальной функцией способна компенсировать отсутствие контралатеральной. Кроме того, наше исследование показало, что в позднем послеоперационном периоде не было статистически значимой разницы ни по СКФ, ни по качеству жизни между донорами разных возрастных групп. Таким образом, при адекватной селекции пары донор-реципиент на основе комплексного обследования, трансплантация почки является не только эффективным методом лечения терминальной стадии хронической почечной недостаточности, но и безопасна для здоровья и дальнейшей почечной функции донора. Заключение. У прижизненных доноров отмечается постепенное восстановление почечной функции, согласно СКФ, при выписке (день 15,2±7,0) и в позднем послеоперационном периоде (1,9±1,1 года) практически до предоперационного уровня. Физический и психологический компоненты здоровья доноров разных возрастных групп были сопоставимы.Objective. To analyze the health status of living kidney donors based on the degree of restoration of the kidney function and the general physical status of the donor. Methods. 37 related kidney donors underwent nephrectomy between 2014 and 2017. The average age was 48.3±9.7 (М±sigma) years, with 19 men (51%) and 18 (49%) women. In the late postoperative period (1,9±1,1 years (М±sigma), the levels of proteinuria, and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were studied. The life quality of kidney donors was assessed using the Medical Outcomes Study-Short Form-36 questionnaire. Results. The average GFR before the operation was 78,9±24,5 ml/min per 1.73 m{2}, and fell to 49,8±11,2 ml/min per 1.73 m{2} on the 2nd day after the operation. Upon discharge (15,2±7,0 day), average GFR increased to 53,4±8,0 ml/min per 1.73 m{2}, and almost reached pre-operation levels 1,9±1,1 years after the operation. This suggests that a single normally-functioning kidney is capable of taking on the load from the missing kidney. Furthermore, our study showed that, in the late postoperative period, there was no statistically significant difference in either GFR or quality of life between the donors of different age groups (p>0.05). Our research showed that if adequate protocols are used for living donor selection, donor-recipient kidney transplantation is not only an effective method for treating terminal stage of chronic end stage of renal disease, but is also safe for health and the subsequent renal function of the donor. Conclusions. In living donors, a gradual restoration of renal function is observed, according to GFR, at discharge (day 15.2±7.0) and in the late postoperative period (1.9±1.1 years), almost reaching the preoperative level. The physical and psychological health components of donors of different age groups were comparable

A rare case of metastatic esthesioneuroblastoma

Olfactory neuroblastoma, also known as esthesioneuroblastoma (ENB), is a rare malignant tumour of the basal layer of the olfactory epithelium, which originally develops unilaterally, accounting for 3-6% of all intranasal tumours. We present the case of a patient with a voluminous ethmoidal lesion that invaded the left basal frontal lobe and left orbit. The biopsy revealed a stage C KADISH, grade III neuroblastoma. The patient followed a multimodal treatment with chemotherapy and radiation therapy to which he responded partially, then returned after 11 months for sphincter disorder and bilateral sciatic type pain. An MRI showed metastasis of the filum terminale, the anatomopathological exam identifying also neuroblastoma. CT and MRI imaging are required for a correct assessment of the regional extension of olfactory neuroblastoma, response to oncological treatment but also for the detection of secondary lesions found in a small number of cases

СЕПТОРИОЗЫ ЗЕРНОВЫХ КУЛЬТУР И ИХ ВРЕДОНОСНОСТЬ

Nowadays septoria has become widespread in many countries of the world, including in the Republic of Belarus, in winter and spring wheat crops and winter triticale. Septoria of cereal crops is caused by several types of pathogens: on leaves in the crops of studied cultures this disease is caused mainly by fungus Septoria tritici Desm., and since paniculation phase – Stagonospora nodorum (Berk.) E. Castell. & Germano. Development of leaves septoria depends on hydrothermal conditions of growing season and varietal characteristics. Analysis of cereal crops damage by septoria over the last 20 years indicates significant changes in phytopathological state of crops. For instance, in winter and spring wheat crops, the development of a complex of diseases of the leaf apparatus, with the dominance of septoria, reached its maximum in the vegetation seasons of 2006–2010 compared with those of other five-year periods, when the average index of disease development reached 34.3 % with deviations from 22.4 to 55.9 % and 40.9 % with fluctuations from 31.0 to 75.1 %, respectively. In recent years (2011–2015), the development of the disease in the crops of these crops has decreased to 15.7 % (4.3–40.5 %) and 32.2 % (0.2–73.0 %). There was a higher damage degree of leaves with a complex of diseases in winter triticale crop (38.8 %) was recorded in conditions of 2001–2005 at fluctuation of this indicator within the range of 14.9–72.5 %, whereas in 1996–2000 (the lowest development) on average 11.3 % with deviations from 1.6 to 20.0 %. There is a tendency to damage degree reduction in winter wheat septoria development from 36.7 % (2001–2005) to 19.7 % (2011–2015), in winter triticale on the contrary, growth in these periods from 26.3 to 36.3 %. Head of spring wheat was more intensively damaged by septoria during all the years of observations – 34.8 % in 2001–2005, 62.3 % in 2006–2010, and 44.7 % in 2011–2015.В настоящее время во многих странах мира, в том числе и в Республике Беларусь, в посевах озимой и яровой пшеницы, озимого тритикале получил широкое распространение септориоз. Септориоз зерновых культур вызывается несколькими видами возбудителей: на листьях в посевах изучаемых культур болезнь вызывает в основном гриб Septoria tritici Desm., а начиная с фазы колошения – Stagonospora nodorum (Berk.) E. Castell. & Germano. Развитие септориоза листьев зависит от гидротермических условий вегетационного сезона и сортовых особенностей. Анализ поражаемости зерновых культур септориозом за последние 20 лет свидетельствует о существенных изменениях в формировании фитопатологического состояния посевов. Например, в посевах озимой и яровой пшеницы развитие комплекса болезней листового аппарата, при доминировании септориоза, достигало максимума в вегетационные сезоны 2006–2010 гг. по сравнению с таковыми других пятилеток, когда средний индекс развития болезней достигал 34,3 % с отклонениями от 22,4 до 55,9 % и 40,9 % с колебаниями от 31,0 до 75,1 % соответственно. В последние годы (2011–2015 гг.) развитие болезни в посевах этих культур понизилось до 15,7 % (4,3–40,5 %) и 32,2 % (0,2–73,0 %). В посевах озимого тритикале более высокая степень поражения листьев комплексом болезней (38,8 %) отмечалась в условиях 2001–2005 гг. при колебании этого показателя в пределах 14,9–72,5 %, тогда как в 1996–2000 гг. (самое низкое развитие) в среднем 11,3 % с отклонениями от 1,6 до 20,0 %. В развитии септориоза колоса озимой пшеницы наблюдается тенденция снижения степени поражения с 36,7 % (2001–2005 гг.) до 19,7 % (2011–2015 гг.), озимого тритикале, наоборот, роста в эти периоды от 26,3 до 36,3 %. Колос яровой пшеницы интенсивнее поражался во все годы наблюдений септориозом: в 2001–2005 гг. – 34,8 %, 2006– 2010 гг. – 62,3 %, 2011–2015 гг. – 44,7 %.

Biochemical aspects of nitric oxide synthase feedback regulation by nitric oxide

Nitric oxide (NO) is a small gas molecule derived from at least three isoforms of the enzyme termed nitric oxide synthase (NOS). More than 15 years ago, the question of feedback regulation of NOS activity and expression by its own product was raised. Since then, a number of trials have verified the existence of negative feedback loop both in vitro and in vivo. NO, whether released from exogenous donors or applied in authentic NO solution, is able to inhibit NOS activity and also intervenes in NOS expression processes by its effect on transcriptional nuclear factor NF-κB. The existence of negative feedback regulation of NOS may provide a powerful tool for experimental and clinical use, especially in inflammation, when massive NOS expression may be detrimental

Age at Menarche, Schooling, and Sexual Debut in Northern Malawi

Background: Age at sexual debut is a key behavioural indicator used in HIV behavioural surveillance. Early age at menarche may precipitate early sex through perceived readiness for sex, or through school drop-out, but this is rarely studied. We investigated trends and circumstances of sexual debut in relation to schooling and age at menarche.Methods and Findings: A cross-sectional sexual behaviour survey was conducted on all individuals age 15-59 within a demographic surveillance site in Karonga District, Malawi. Time trends were assessed using birth cohorts. Survival analysis was used to estimate the median age at menarche, sexual debut and first marriage. The 25(th) centile was used to define "early" sex, and analyses of risk factors for early sex were restricted to those who had reached that age, and were done using logistic regression. Of the 8232 women and 7338 men resident in the area, 88% and 78%, respectively, were seen, and, 94% and 92% of these were interviewed. The median reported age at first sex was 17.5 for women and 18.8 for men. For women, ages at menarche, sexual debut and first marriage did not differ by birth cohort. For men, age at sexual debut and first marriage decreased slightly in later birth cohorts. For both men and women increased schooling was associated with later sexual debut and a longer delay between sexual debut and first marriage, but the associations were stronger for women. Earlier age at menarche was strongly associated with earlier sexual debut and marriage and lower schooling levels. In women early sexual debut (= 16 (OR 0.04, 95%CI 0.02-0.05) compared to those with menarche at = 16. The association between age at menarche and schooling was partly explained by age at sexual debut. The association between age at menarche and early sex was not altered by adjusting for schooling.Conclusions: Women with early menarche start sex and marry early, leading to school drop-out. It is important to find ways to support those who reach menarche early to access the same opportunities as other young women

Heterogeneity of Microglial Activation in the Innate Immune Response in the Brain

The immune response in the brain has been widely investigated and while many studies have focused on the proinflammatory cytotoxic response, the brain’s innate immune system demonstrates significant heterogeneity. Microglia, like other tissue macrophages, participate in repair and resolution processes after infection or injury to restore normal tissue homeostasis. This review examines the mechanisms that lead to reduction of self-toxicity and to repair and restructuring of the damaged extracellular matrix in the brain. Part of the resolution process involves switching macrophage functional activation to include reduction of proinflammatory mediators, increased production and release of anti-inflammatory cytokines, and production of cytoactive factors involved in repair and reconstruction of the damaged brain. Two partially overlapping and complimentary functional macrophage states have been identified and are called alternative activation and acquired deactivation. The immunosuppressive and repair processes of each of these states and how alternative activation and acquired deactivation participate in chronic neuroinflammation in the brain are discussed