Pulmonary tuberculosis in the group of former prisoners

Background. Distribution of tuberculosis (TB) in prison population (PP) is nearly 100 times higher, than among the civilian population according to WHO data. Aim: to estimate TB at ex-prisoners. Material and methods. 1045 protocols of autopsies of persons with a pulmonary tuberculosis (2000-2010 yrs.) are analysed. The analysis was carried out with use of nonparametric methods of statistics. The comorbid status was described by the Charlson's comorbidity index. Results. In the group of ex-prisoners larger distribution of chronic forms of the TB was revealed. Conversely, the group of honest citizens was characterized with the augmentation of a part of the acute progressing forms. As a comorbid diseases alcohol abuse and drug addiction prevailed. Conclusions. Tuberculosis of the ex-prisoners patients had not any age features. Longer course of TB, prevalence of chronic forms are, in our opinion, a positive effect of the increased attention in the relation infection with tuberculosis and well-timed treatment in this group of persons. The prevalence of acute progressing forms among died honest citizens demonstrates overdue diagnostics and the tardive beginning of specific therapy of TB in a cohort of law-abiding citizens of the Russian Federation.Цель исследования: выявить наличие особенностей некоторых характеристик туберкулеза у лиц, имевших лишение свободы. Материал исследования: 1045 протоколов аутопсий лиц с туберкулезом легких. результаты. В группе Зк было выявлено большее распространение хронических форм ТБ. Группа сравнения характеризовалась увеличением доли остро-прогрессирующих форм. коморбидный часто был представлен злоупотреблением алкоголя и наркотической зависимостью. Выводы. Более длительное течение туберкулеза у лиц, имевших лишение свободы, преобладание хронических форм являются положительным результатом повышенной настороженности в отношении заражения туберкулезом и своевременного лечения. Преобладание среди умерших лиц гражданского населения остро-прогрессирующих форм свидетельствует о запоздалой диагностике и начале специфической терапии ТБ

Features of pulmonary tuberculosis in different age groups according to the materials of the autopsies

Despite a downward trend in the morbidity of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) its rate is high now yet. The 1045 protocols of autopsy were analyzed, and two age groups were formed: 18-24 yrs (2.3% from all group of patients) and 46-60 yrs (41.1%). PTB in older patient was characterized with growth of of men's quantity, more intensive comorbidity status, and higher incidence of alcohol abuse. PTB in young patients had less intensive comorbidity background, high rate of drug abuse, and association “ТВ and HIV”, more frequent two-sided pulmonary damage and forming affects in other organs. According to our results there are some definite features of PTB in patients of different age groups. This conclusion demands to use different ways to diagnostics, treatment and outcomes prediction of this disease depending on the age of patient.Несмотря на тенденцию к снижению заболеваемости туберкулезом легких (ТБ), частота регистрации этого страдания остаётся высокой. Проанализированы 1045 протоколов аутопсий, из которых были сформированы две возрастные группы: 18-24 лет (2,3% из всей выборки) и 46-60 лет (41,1 %). ТБ пациентов старшей возрастной группы характеризовался увеличением доли мужчин и более напряженным коморбидным статусом с частой регистрацией алкогольной болезни. ТБ в группе молодых пациентов характеризовался более частыми двусторонним поражением легких и формированием отсевов во внутренние органы при менее насыщенном коморбидном фоне с высокой частотой наркотической зависимости и ассоциации «туберкулез - ВИН». Результаты проведенного исследования позволяют констатировать наличие определенных особенностей ТБ в том или ином возрастном периоде, что требует дифференцированного подхода к диагностике, терапии и прогнозу заболевания в зависимости от возраста пациента

Development and Validation of WECC Variable Speed Wind Turbine Dynamic Models for Grid Integration Studies

This paper describes reduced-order, simplified wind turbine models for analyzing the stability impact of large arrays of wind turbines with a single point of network interconnection

Evidence for in Vivo Scavenging by Aminoguanidine of Formaldehyde Produced via Semicarbazide-Sensitive Amine Oxidase-Mediated Deamination

ABSTRACT Aminoguanidine (AG) is capable of preventing advanced protein glycation and inhibiting the activity of enzymes with carbonyl groups as cofactors, such as nitric-oxide synthase (NOS) and semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO). The hydrazide moiety of AG can also interact with different endogenous carbonyl metabolites and potentially harmful endogenous aldehydes. Aldehydes can be generated via different pathways, such as lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxynonenal), oxidative deamination (aldehydes), and carbohydrate metabolism (methylglyoxal). Formaldehyde and methylglyoxal are produced via SSAO-catalyzed deamination of methylamine and aminoacetone, respectively. An increase in SSAO-mediated deamination is known to be associated with various vascular disorders, such as diabetic complications. The present study demonstrates that AG is not only capable of rapidly interacting with aldehydes in vitro but also scavenging aldehydes in vivo. The AG-formaldehyde adducts were traced, and their structures were elucidated by high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. AG has also been shown to block formaldehyde-induced ␤-amyloid aggregation. Thus, AG can be an aldehyde scavenger in addition to blocking advanced glycation and inhibition of SSAO and NOS activity. Such reactions may contribute to its pharmacological effects in the treatment of vascular disorders associated with diabetic complications and other disorders. Aminoguanidine (AG) possesses a nucleophilic hydrazine (-NHNH 2 ) and a guanidine [-NHC(ϭNH)NH 2 ] moiety, which enable it to scavenge dicarbonyl compound

Plant Acyl-CoA:Lysophosphatidylcholine Acyltransferases (LPCATs) Have Different Specificities in Their Forward and Reverse Reactions

Background: Acyl-CoA:lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase (LPCAT) enzymes have central roles in acyl editing of phosphatidylcholine. Results: Plant LPCATs were expressed in yeast and biochemically characterized. Conclusion: LPCATs can edit acyl composition of phosphatidylcholine through their combined forward and reverse reactions. Significance: Plant LPCATs play a role in editing both sn-positions of PC and remove ricinoleic acid with high selectivity from this lipid

Airway cellularity, lipid laden macrophages and microbiology of gastric juice and airways in children with reflux oesophagitis

BACKGROUND: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD) can cause respiratory disease in children from recurrent aspiration of gastric contents. GORD can be defined in several ways and one of the most common method is presence of reflux oesophagitis. In children with GORD and respiratory disease, airway neutrophilia has been described. However, there are no prospective studies that have examined airway cellularity in children with GORD but without respiratory disease. The aims of the study were to compare (1) BAL cellularity and lipid laden macrophage index (LLMI) and, (2) microbiology of BAL and gastric juices of children with GORD (G+) to those without (G-). METHODS: In 150 children aged <14-years, gastric aspirates and bronchoscopic airway lavage (BAL) were obtained during elective flexible upper endoscopy. GORD was defined as presence of reflux oesophagitis on distal oesophageal biopsies. RESULTS: BAL neutrophil% in G- group (n = 63) was marginally but significantly higher than that in the G+ group (n = 77), (median of 7.5 and 5 respectively, p = 0.002). Lipid laden macrophage index (LLMI), BAL percentages of lymphocyte, eosinophil and macrophage were similar between groups. Viral studies were negative in all, bacterial cultures positive in 20.7% of BALs and in 5.3% of gastric aspirates. BAL cultures did not reflect gastric aspirate cultures in all but one child. CONCLUSION: In children without respiratory disease, GORD defined by presence of reflux oesophagitis, is not associated with BAL cellular profile or LLMI abnormality. Abnormal microbiology of the airways, when present, is not related to reflux oesophagitis and does not reflect that of gastric juices

Structure and Functions of Pediatric Aerodigestive Programs: A Consensus Statement

Aerodigestive programs provide coordinated interdisciplinary care to pediatric patients with complex congenital or acquired conditions affecting breathing, swallowing, and growth. Although there has been a proliferation of programs, as well as national meetings, interest groups and early research activity, there is, as of yet, no consensus definition of an aerodigestive patient, standardized structure, and functions of an aerodigestive program or a blueprint for research prioritization. The Delphi method was used by a multidisciplinary and multi-institutional panel of aerodigestive providers to obtain consensus on 4 broad content areas related to aerodigestive care: (1) definition of an aerodigestive patient, (2) essential construct and functions of an aerodigestive program, (3) identification of aerodigestive research priorities, and (4) evaluation and recognition of aerodigestive programs and future directions. After 3 iterations of survey, consensus was obtained by either a supermajority of 75% or stability in median ranking on 33 of 36 items. This included a standard definition of an aerodigestive patient, level of participation of specific pediatric disciplines in a program, essential components of the care cycle and functions of the program, feeding and swallowing assessment and therapy, procedural scope and volume, research priorities and outcome measures, certification, coding, and funding. We propose the first consensus definition of the aerodigestive care model with specific recommendations regarding associated personnel, infrastructure, research, and outcome measures. We hope that this may provide an initial framework to further standardize care, develop clinical guidelines, and improve outcomes for aerodigestive patients

Role of Operon aaoSo-mutT in Antioxidant Defense in Streptococcus oligofermentans

Previously, we have found that an insertional inactivation of aaoSo, a gene encoding L-amino acid oxidase (LAAO), causes marked repression of the growth of Streptococcus oligofermentans. Here, we found that aaoSo and mutT, a homolog of pyrophosphohydrolase gene of Escherichia coli, constituted an operon. Deletion of either gene did not impair the growth of S. oligofermentans, but double deletion of both aaoSo and mutT was lethal. Quantitative PCR showed that the transcript abundance of mutT was reduced for 13-fold in the aaoSo insertional mutant, indicating that gene polarity derived from the inactivation of aaoSo attenuated the expression of mutT. Enzymatic assays were conducted to determine the biochemical functions of LAAO and MutT of S. oligofermentans. The results indicated that LAAO functioned as an aminoacetone oxidase [47.75 nmol H2O2 (min·mg protein)–1]; and MutT showed the pyrophosphohydrolase activity, which removed mutagens such as 8-oxo-dGTP. Like paraquat, aaoSo mutations increased the expression of SOD, and addition of aminoacetone (final concentration, 5 mM) decreased the mutant’s growth by 11%, indicating that the aaoSo mutants are under ROS stress. HPLC did reveal elevated levels of cytoplasmic aminoacetone in both the deletion and insertional gene mutants of aaoSo. Electron spin resonance spectroscopy showed increased hydroxyl radicals in both types of aaoSo mutant. This demonstrated that inactivation of aaoSo caused the elevation of the prooxidant aminoacetone, resulting the cellular ROS stress. Our study indicates that the presence of both LAAO and MutT can prevent endogenous metabolites-generated ROS and mutagens. In this way, we were able to determine the role of the aaoSo-mutT operon in antioxidant defense in S. oligofermentans

Statistical Analysis of the Processes Controlling Choline and Ethanolamine Glycerophospholipid Molecular Species Composition

The regulation and maintenance of the cellular lipidome through biosynthetic, remodeling, and catabolic mechanisms are critical for biological homeostasis during development, health and disease. These complex mechanisms control the architectures of lipid molecular species, which have diverse yet highly regulated fatty acid chains at both the sn1 and sn2 positions. Phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) serve as the predominant biophysical scaffolds in membranes, acting as reservoirs for potent lipid signals and regulating numerous enzymatic processes. Here we report the first rigorous computational dissection of the mechanisms influencing PC and PE molecular architectures from high-throughput shotgun lipidomic data. Using novel statistical approaches, we have analyzed multidimensional mass spectrometry-based shotgun lipidomic data from developmental mouse heart and mature mouse heart, lung, brain, and liver tissues. We show that in PC and PE, sn1 and sn2 positions are largely independent, though for low abundance species regulatory processes may interact with both the sn1 and sn2 chain simultaneously, leading to cooperative effects. Chains with similar biochemical properties appear to be remodeled similarly. We also see that sn2 positions are more regulated than sn1, and that PC exhibits stronger cooperative effects than PE. A key aspect of our work is a novel statistically rigorous approach to determine cooperativity based on a modified Fisher's exact test using Markov Chain Monte Carlo sampling. This computational approach provides a novel tool for developing mechanistic insight into lipidomic regulation