Anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating effects of the bacterial lysate in the <em>in vivo</em> models of aseptic lymphadenitis and pneumococcal pneumonia

Bacterial lysates may produce immunoregulatory effects in the inflammatory diseases that are not directly caused by infectious agents; they may also stimulate the immune response against pathogens which are not a part of the lysate composition. Imudon® is a polyvalent bacterial lysate that is available in orodispersible tablets. However, the influence of this drug product on aseptic inflammation and immune defense against the infectious agents, the antigens of which are not contained in this preparation have not been studied so far. The aim of this study, therefore, was to determine the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating effects of Imudon® using the models of aseptic lymphadenitis (in Wistar rats) and pneumococcal pneumonia (in Balb/c mice), i.e., the conditions not related to the specific components of the bacterial lysate. Lymphadenitis was induced in rats by administration of λ-carrageenan into a cervical lymph node via an open operative approach. Whereas pneumonia was induced in mice by administering Streptococcus pneumoniae suspension intranasally. The choice of pneumococcus was determined by the absence of pneumococcal antigens in Imudon®, i.e., it cannot be a direct inducer of adaptive immune response against pneumococcal infection. Imudon® was administered intragastrically as a crushed tablet suspension following a therapeutic-preventive regimen (for 14 days daily until the induction of inflammation and for 3 [in the lymphadenitis model] or 5 days [in the model of pneumonia] in three doses thereafter). In the lymphadenitis model, Imudon® demonstrated both local and systemic anti-inflammatory responses manifested in the reduced number of circulating leucocytes and lower TNFα levels and by ameliorated histological features of inflammation in the operated lymph node. In rats, the anti-inflammatory effect was most pronounced when the product was administered at a dose of 2.2 mg/kg (equivalent to a human therapeutic dose) and 6.6 mg/kg. In the model of pneumonia, administration of Imudon® at 4.44 mg/kg (equivalent to a human therapeutic dose) and 13.32 mg/kg demonstrated a trend towards increased survival rate as compared to the control group. On Day 5 after infection Imudon® (4.44 and 13.32 mg/kg) decreased significantly the severity of inflammation and bacterial titer in the lungs. The titer of anti-pneumococcal immunoglobulins A in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were found to be higher in the Imudon® treated group (13.32 mg/kg) compared to control group. The results of this study showed high antiinflammatory and immunomodulatory activities of Imudon® and provided an insight into the mechanisms that underlie the clinical effects of this drug in various inflammatory diseases

Site types revisited : comparison of traditional Russian and Finnish classification systems for European Boreal forests

doi: 10.1111/avsc.12525Questions Forest classifications are tools used in research, monitoring, and management. In Finland, the Cajanderian forest site type classification is based on the composition of understorey vegetation with the assumption that it reflects in a predictable way the site's productive value. In Russia, the Sukachevian forest classification is similarly based on understorey vegetation but also accounts for tree species, soil wetness, and paludification. Here we ask whether Cajander's and Sukachev's forest types are effectively the same in terms of species composition, site productivity, and biodiversity. Location Boreal forests on mineral soils in Finland and the Russian part of Fennoscandia. Methods We use vegetation and soil survey data to compare the Cajanderian and the Sukachevian systems in terms of the understorey community composition (that is supposed to define them), soil fertility and tree productivity (that they are expected to indicate), and biodiversity (that is of interest for conservation purposes). We create and employ class prediction models to divide Russian and Finnish sites into Cajander's and Sukachev's types, respectively, based on vegetation composition. We perform cross-comparisons between the two systems by non-metric multidimensional scaling ordination and statistical tests. Results Within both systems, the site types formed similar, meaningful gradients in terms of the studied variables. Certain site types from the two systems were largely overlapping in community composition and arranged similarly along the fertility gradient and may thus be considered comparable. Conclusions The Cajanderian and the Sukachevian systems were both developed in the European boreal zone but differ in terms of the exact rules by which site types are determined. Our results show that analogous types between the systems can be identified. These findings aid in endeavours of technology and information transfer between Finnish and Russian forests for the purposes of basic or applied ecological research and forest management.Peer reviewe

Успішний випадок використання радикальних операцій на пізніх стадіях раку товстої кишки

The results of treatment of 31 patients with malignant tumors of the colon, complicated by acute intestinal obstruction and colon perforation, peritonitis during 2018 were collected, processed and analyzed in the work. The ratio of surgical interventions was determined depending on the location of the tumor and anatomical features. To illustrate the material, a personal clinical case of radical surgery usage in the colon cancer late stages was presented.В работе представлены собранные, обработанные и проанализированные результаты лечения 31 больного со злокачественными опухолями толстой кишки на поздних стадиях, осложненными острой кишечной непроходимостью и перфорацией кишки, перитонитом за 2018 год. Было определено соотношение оперативных вмешательств в зависимости от локализации опухоли и анатомических особенностей. Для иллюстрации материала представили личный клинический случай использования радикальных операций на поздних стадиях рака толстой кишки.У статті представлено зібрані, оброблені і проаналізовані результати лікування 31 хворого зі злоякісними пухлинами товстої кишки на пізніх стадіях, ускладненими гострою кишковою непрохідністю та перфорацією кишки, перитонітом за 2018 рік. Було визначено співвідношення оперативних втручань залежно від локалізації пухлини та анатомічних особливостей. Для ілюстрації матеріалу представили особистий клінічний випадок використання радикальних операцій на пізніх стадіях раку товстої кишки

A Study of Embryotoxic, Foetotoxic, and Teratogenic Effects of the Original Antituberculosis Agent Thiozonide in Pregnant Rabbits

Several treatment regimens with antituberculosis medicinal products are available for tuberculosis. Thiozonide is a newly developed original antimicrobial agent that exhibits bacteriostatic activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains H37Rv, CN-37, CN-40, and MS-115.The aim of the study was to investigate the embryotoxic, foetotoxic, and teratogenic effects of thiozonide in pregnant rabbits.Materials and methods. The study involved 66 pregnant rabbits (4 groups of 16–17 animals each). The rabbits received oral thiozonide from day 6 to day 19 of gestation at doses of 20.6 mg/kg (1 TD (therapeutic dose)), 103 mg/kg (5 TDs), and 206 mg/kg (10 TDs). The control group received a 1% starch solution. The authors conducted a macroscopic examination of the reproductive organs and a histological evaluation of the placenta in eutha nised pregnant rabbits. Live foetuses underwent a check for developmental abnormalities, a skeletal development evaluation with a modified Dawson’s method, and a histologic examination of the internal organs.Results. The study showed no clinical signs of toxicity and no mortality associated with thiozonide in pregnant rabbits across all dose groups. Macroscopic and histological examinations revealed no pathological changes in the reproductive organs of pregnant rabbits. The evaluation of embryotoxic and foetotoxic effects did not identify any differences between the foetuses of the animals assigned to different doses of thiozonide and the control group. The authors found no developmental abnormalities in the foetuses. Examinations of foetal skeleton development and internal organ condition identified no differences between the groups and no abnormalities. The authors registered the death of all foetuses (late resorption) in one rabbit from the 206 mg/kg group. Therefore, the 103 mg/kg dose (5 TDs) was selected as a reasonable No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL).Conclusions. Thiozonide has no embryotoxic, foetotoxic, or teratogenic effects