Interactions between Aquatic Plants and Cyanobacterial Blooms in Freshwater Reservoir Ecosystems

Climate change and nutrient pollution are echoed by worldwide increasing trends in the frequency, duration, and toxicity of cyanobacterial (blue-green algal) blooms. Therefore, searching for the best options to mitigate blooms is relevant and timely. Aquatic vascular plants offer a promising solution through biological control. In this study, we use reservoirs regularly affected by intensive blooms (the Kyiv and Kaniv Reservoirs of the Dnipro River, Ukraine) to investigate whether macrophytes may inhibit or reduce the massive development of cyanobacteria. Special attention was paid to plants with floating leaves and free-floating plants since data on their effects on cyanobacteria are controversial. On the basis of field and satellite observations, the spatial distribution of cyanobacterial blooms and aquatic macrophyte patches was assessed. Multispectral images captured by satellites Sentinel-2a (S2A) and Sentinel-2b (S2B) were used. In addition, based on data from field observations, a comparative analysis of phytoplankton and physical and chemical parameters between areas of the reservoirs overgrown and not overgrown by macrophytes was carried out. The obtained results indicate that in macrophyte patches phytoplankton structure differed from that observed in open waters. However, in areas of reservoirs dominated by floating-leaf plants or free-floating plants, a significant decrease in phytoplanktic or cyanobacterial biomass was not observed. This is most likely due to the fact that these macrophytes did not reduce the concentration of biogenic substances to a level that would limit cyanobacterial growth. On the contrary, intensive overgrowth of floating-leaf plants (in particular, Trapa natans) along the river sections of the reservoirs, as well as other factors, contributed to nitrogen and phosphorus enrichment. Therefore, in the face of relevant nutrient supply, these ecological groups of macrophytes (floating-leaf plants and free-floating plants) have not shown statistically significant effectiveness in controlling the process of cyanobacterial blooms in reservoir ecosystems

Psychoemotional problems of participants in the educational process under martial law: from emergence to overcoming

The aim: To study the peculiarities of psycho-emotional problems and needs of the subjects of the educational process and to determine the priority areas of their psychological and pedagogical support in the conditions of martial law. Materials and methods: To update the aspects of the problem, we used the methods of analysis of normative and scientific sources, system analysis and generalizations, the results of our own empirical studies, materials of the questionnaire, to study the specifics of psycho-emotional problems and needs of the subjects of the educational process. Results: The problem of socio-psychological protection and support of all participants in the educational process in the conditions of martial law, especially children, is extremely important. Challenge for schools in Kyiv is the organization of the educational process for children who are abroad but continue to obtain general secondary education according to Ukrainian educational standards and programs. This ensures the realization of their constitutional right to education and demonstrates certain support for our citizens who do not yet have the opportunity to return to Ukraine. Conclusions: Considering the massive nature of traumatization of the population during military operations, there is a need to involve social institutions in the maintenance of public health, for which assistance to the population is not the main function, but which they can perform in these extraordinary circumstances. This can form the basis for establishing psychological and pedagogical support for war-traumatized children and adults

Revealing weak A and B antigens in patients with knee and hip joint arthroplasty

АНТИГЕНЫКРОВЬАНТИТЕЛА АНТИИДИОТИПИЧЕСКИЕАНТИ-АНТИТЕЛААНТИГАММА-ГЛОБУЛИНОВЫЕ АНТИТЕЛААНТИГЛОБУЛИНЫАНТИИДИОТИПНЫЕ АНТИТЕЛАКОМПЛЕМЕНТКОМПЛЕМЕНТБЕЛКИ КОМПЛЕМЕНТАРНЫЕКОМПЛЕМЕНТА БЕЛКИЭРИТРОЦИТЫЦель. Провести анализ методов выявления слабых А и В антигенов на эритроцитах в системе АВ0. Материал и методы. Проведено обследование пациентов с эндопротезированием коленного и тазобедренного суставов с целью определения группоспецифической принадлежности с выявлением слабых А и В антигенов на эритроцитах. Использованы методы абсорбции, реакция агглютинации, агглютинация в присутствии комплемента и антиглобулиновый тест. Результаты. Антиглобулиновый тест с использованием как поликлональной сыворотки, так и сыворотки, содержащей только IgG антитела, позволил выявить слабые A и B подгруппы на эритроцитах при 37{o}С. В реакции абсорбции с анти-А, анти-В поликлональными сыворотками у некоторых пациентов на эритроцитах выявлены А и В антигены, также проявившиеся в реакции агглютинации при 37{o}С, но не обнаруженные при инкубации при комнатной температуре. Агглютинационный тест с использованием комплемента и сыворотки с IgG антителами также способствовал проявлению слабых антигенов. Присутствие IgG антител было определено после обработки сыворотки унитиолом в антиглобулиновом тесте. Наличие в сыворотке только IgG антител, соответствующих антигенам, при участии комплемента приводило к более выраженным изменениям эритроцитов по сравнению с присутствием обоих классов антител – IgM и IgG. Появление гемолиза ассоциировалось с увеличением размеров эритроцитов и гипохромией. Присутствие слабых подгрупп в большинстве случаев было ассоциировано с гемолизирующими, а не агглютинирующими свойствами сыворотки пациента, а также наличием комплементсвязывающих IgG антител. Заключение. Применение абсорбции, агглютинация при 37{o}С, антиглобулиновый тест при 37{o}С с сывороткой, как подвергшейся, так и не подвергшейся обработке унитиолом, а также реакция агглютинации с использованием комплемента способствовали определению слабых антигенов в системе АВ0.Objective. To analyze the methods of revealing weak A and B antigens on the erythrocytes in AB0 system. Methods. Patients after knee and joint arthroplasty were examined on group-specific characteristics with revealing weak A and B antigens on the erythrocytes. Methods of absorption, agglutination, agglutination with complement and antiglobulin test were used. Results. Antiglobulin test with the use of polyclonal serum as well as serum containing the only IgG allowed revealing weak A and B subgroups on erythrocytes at 37{o}С. In some patients A and B antigens on erythrocytes were found while absorption with anti-A, anti-B polyclonal sera and also revealed in agglutination at 37{o}С, but were not revealed while incubation at the room temperature. Agglutination test with the use of complement and IgG was also helpful in determining the weak antigens. Presence of IgG antibodies was revealed by the treatment of the serum with unithiol in antiglobulin test. Presence of complement and only IgG antibodies corresponding to the antigens led to the more expressed changes of erythrocytes as compared to the presence of both types of antibodies – IgM and IgG. Appearance of hemolysis was associated with the increased sizes of erythrocytes and hypochromia. Presence of weak subgroups was mostly associated with hemolytic rather than agglutinating abilities of the patient’s serum, as well as with the presence of complement binding IgG antibodies. Conclusions. Absorption, agglutination at 37{o}С, antiglobulin test at 37{o}C with serum both treated and non-treated with unithiol and agglutination with use of the complement helped to define weak antigens in AB0 system

INFLUENCE OF PROBIOTICS ON CYTOKINE PRODUCTION IN THE IN VITRO AND IN VIVO SYSTEMS

Modulatory effects of three probiotic bacterial strains (Lactobacillus rhamnosus K32 (L), Bifidobacterium longum GT15 (B, Enterococcus faecium L-3 (E) on expression level and contents of key cytokines were studied using PCR techniques with reverse transcription, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Both cell cultures and an experimental model of intestinal dysbiosis were used in this study.The genes encoding bacteriocins, surface membrane component, pili and exopolysaccharides involved in host immune system modulation were previously identified in the B and Ebacterial strains.Investigation of probiotic strains and effects of their supernatants expression of cytokines in cell cultures of promonocyte origin (HTP-1) showed increased expression of TNFα, due to E and L supernatants. Moreover, the Bl culture induced IL-8 and IL-10 expression.In a model of Wistar rats with ampicillinand metronidazole-induced intestinal dysbiosis corrected with probiotics we have shown that the dysbiosis was accompanied by sufficient alterations in microbiota composition (Klebsiella spp. overgrowth and low contents of Faecalobacterium prausnitzii) that were observed only in the animals untreated with probiotics (control), or after administration of L.In contrast to these results, the animals treated with E and B, the following changes were revealed: 1) low expression of proinflammatory cytokines IL-8, TNFα, MCP-1 inmesenteric lymph nodes and appropriate changes of their serum contents, 2) increased serum content of the anti-inflammatory TGFβ cytokine. Hence, the present study, having used two complementary models, has detected some individual features of immune modulation produced by the probiotictic strains of L. rhamnosus K32, B. longum GT15 и E. faecium L-3 which exert differential effects upon the intestinal microbiota

Поглотительная и ферментативная активность фагоцитирующих клеток при хроническом обструктивном бронхите

We studied the phagocytic activity of alveolar macrophages and neutrophils in the peripheric blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in 37 patients affected with chronic obstructive bronchitis (COB) and healthy persons to determine the activity of elastase and collagenase in BALF cells and their supernate.The peripheric blood of COB patients revealed normal neutrophilic and monocytic phagocytosis, while the monocytes of complementary pulmonary emphysematous patients revealed an increased absorbing activity.BALF demonstrated an acute depression of alveolar macrophagal phagocytosis, which a remission of the inflammatory process raised close to normal only with persons not affected with pulmonary emphysema. COB patients revealed increased activities of elastase and collagenase both in an acute inflammatory process and during remissions. COB patients not affected with pulmonary emphysema displayed the greatest activity increase of elastase.Исследовалась фагоцитарная активность альвеолярных макрофагов и нейтрофилов периферической крови и жидкости бронхоальвеолярного лаважа (ЖБАЛ) у 37 больных хроническим обструктивным бронхитом (ХОБ) и здоровых лиц. Определялась активность эластазы и коллагеназы как в клетках ЖБАЛ, так и в супернатанте клеток ЖБАЛ.Показано, что у больных ХОБ в периферической крови фагоцитоз нейтрофилов и моноцитов был в норме, однако у больных со вторичной эмфиземой легких отмечалось повышение поглотительной активности моноцитов.В ЖБАЛ наблюдалось резкое угнетение фагоцитоза альвеолярных макрофагов, который повышался почти до нормы в ремиссии воспалительного процесса только у лиц без эмфиземы легких. У больных ХОБ как в обострении, так и ремиссии воспалительного процесса усилена активность эластазы и коллагеназы. Наиболее выраженное увеличение активности эластазы наблюдалось у больных ХОБ без эмфиземы легких

ORGANIZATION OF LABORATORY RESEARCH OF CLINICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLES DURING THE ANTHRAX OUTBREAK IN THE YAMALO-NENETS AUTONOMOUS DISTRICT IN 2016

Presented are the order and features of organization of operative diagnostic and monitoring studies of the material during the anthrax outbreak in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District in 2016. Characterized are the main directions of the laboratory base work. Represented are the results of laboratory studies of various materials (clinical samples, material from animals, samples of environmental objects) for the presence of Bacillus anthracis

A Case of Agglutination and Hemolysis of Erythrocytes Caused by the Patient’s Own Plasma

The aim of the work was to study the agglutination and hemolysis of erythrocytes under diff erent conditions in vitro in a patient with unknown cause of anemia and concomitant secondary instability of endoprosthesis

IMPULSE OSCILLOMETRY FOR DIAGNOSIS OF EARLY CHANGES IN THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM FUNCTIONAL STATE IN PATIENTS WITH MILD ASTHMA

Currently, the analysis of respiratory function of lungs at suspicion of obstructive pulmonary diseases is recommended to start with spirometry as the most sensitive method of obstruction detection. However, data on informative value and specificity of a method are contradictory. To obtain reliable results good cooperation of the patient and health professionals is necessary. Impulse oscillometry is a noninvasive method of general respiratory resistance assessment, which does not require forced exhalations. The sensitivity and specificity of this method remain undecided as well as the obtained parameter interpretation. The objective of this work was to study opportunities of impulse oscillometry in diagnostics of early respiratory dysfunctions of ist most informative indicators correlating with parameters of spirometry and body plethysmography.Materials and methods. Patients with the established diagnosis of mild asthma (n=68) were examined. In 71% of patients, obstructive respiratory dysfunction was revealed. In the control group (n=41) there were no abnormalities.Results. In most of patients with revealed via spirometry and body plethysmography obstructive disturbances the increase in indicators of absolute frequency dependence of the resistive component of the respiratory impedance at the oscillation frequency of 5 and 20 Hz (Rrs5-Rrs20) and the reactance area (AX). Increase in Rrs5-Rrs20 was revealed in 48 (71%) patients and the increase in AX was observed in 44 (65%) of the surveyed, patients with 42 (61%) patients without the increase of reactance (Xrs5) and resistance (Rrs5).Conclusion. The absolute frequency dependence of Rrs5-Rrs20 and AX are the most informative parameters of impulse oscillometry. In some patients the IOM findings were more significant in comparison with spirometry ones