CYTOKINES AS PREDICTORS OF INTESTINAL METAPLASIA OF STOMACH

An inflammatory process accompanied by the changes in mucosal microbiota is underlying the gastroduodenal diseases. Chronic inflammation of gastric mucosa is developed and supported by secretion of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines by epithelial cells and immune cells induced by Helicobacter pylori and other microorganisms. Under the conditions of dysbiosis and immune dysregulation, gastric epithelial layer becomes like intestinal or colonic epithelium. The aim of this work was to determine diagnostic and prognostic value of cytokines in intestinal metaplasia of gastric epithelium. 204 patients with exacerbation of chronic gastritis, gastric ulcer, gastric polyposis and 40 healthy volunteers were included into the study, under their informed consent. The gastric biopsies were sampled by means of esophagogastroduodenoscopy (for histological and microbiological examination), along with drawing 5 ml of venous blood with serum separation (for enzyme immunoassay). Serum cytokine levels were studied by solidphase enzyme immunoassay. In statistical evaluation of the results, we have calculated sensitivity, specificity of indexes, logistic regression equations, characteristic curves were built with the definition of the index of consistency of the model by the area under the curves (AUC).Histological examination of gastric biopsies showed features of intestinal metaplasia in 61 patients (29.90%), colonic metaplasia was found in 40 cases (19.61%), being absent in healthy volunteers. The greatest sensitivity of intestinal metaplasia was observed for plasma levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-4, erythropoietin (EPO), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α, IL-18, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), interferon (IFN)α levels; in colonic metaplasia, for receptor antagonist IL-1β (IL-1ra), IL-8, EPO, IL-18, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, VEGF, IFNα, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17. An increase in IL-6, EPO, IL-18, VEGF, IFNα were also common, thus indicative for changed functional activity of cytokines due to microbial contamination of gastric mucosa, tissue hypoxia with activation of angiogenesis, confirming a transition of intestinal metaplasia to gastric carcinogenesis. The greatest specificity in intestinal metaplasia was observed for IL-1β, IL-1ra, IL-8, IL-17, IL-2, IL-10; in colonic metaplasia, for IL-18, IFNα, IL-4, МСР-1, VEGF. In the intestinal metaplasia, the AUC interval was higher than 0.7 for IL-2, higher than 0.65, in VEG; in colonic metaplasia > 0.91, for IL- 18, VEGF, МСР-1, IFNα, having a significance level of < 0.001. The obtained prognostic models of intestinal metaplasia of gastric epithelium, according to the AUC index, had very good (Table 2, formula 1) and excellent quality (Table 2, 3, formula 2-11), confirmed by a high percent of cases which were correctly classified of metaplasia.   Determination of serum cytokines in intestinal metaplasia of gastric epithelium is of diagnostic and prognostic value, and should be used for early diagnosis of precancerous conditions of the gastric mucosa, both as single indexes (IL-2, VEGF), and combined indicators, according to the calculated logistic regression equations

FEATURES OF IMMUNE RESPONSE AMONG MAJOR LYMPHOCYTE SUBPOPULATIONS FROM PERIPHERAL BLOOD DURING EXACERBATION OF CHRONIC GASTRITIS

The aim of this study was to identify and evaluate the features of immune response for main subpopulations of peripheral blood lymphocytes during exacerbation of chronic gastritis, depending on the severity of gastric mucosal atrophy. A comprehensive survey of 122 patients with acute exacerbation of chronic gastritis was performed. The patients with chronic focal-atrophic and atrophic gastritis in acute stage were characterized by increased numbers of CD3+ lymphocytes, CD4+, CD8+ and CD16+ cell populations, decreased CD19+ lymphocyte counts in peripheral blood. During exacerbation of non-atrophic gastritis, an increase of CD4+ and CD16+ cell counts was associated with a decrease in the CD8+ and CD19+ lymphocytes. A concomitant increase in CD4+ cell numbers, as well as elevated IL-2 and IFNγ levels in peripheral blood of patients may reflect activation of cellular immunity, which could be induced by the dysplasia of gastric mucosa and co-infection with Helicobacter/herpesvirus. Domination of increased IL-2 and IFNγ over IL-4 and IL-10 levels suggests the Th1-profile of cellular immune response. Upon exacerbation of non-atrophic gastritis, the immunoregulatory index exceeded the values of clinically healthy subjects and those of patients with atrophic gastritis. We observed statistically significant differences for CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD19+ lymphocytes, immunoregulatory index, and serum levels of IL-2, depending on presence and severity of gastric mucosal atrophy

Age peculiarities in the change of aldoketoreductase spectrum in rat blood

In order to reveal the causes of age-related changes in sensitivity of the organism to oxidative stress, the spectrum of aldoketoreductases in blood serum of rats of different ages was investigated. It was discovered that 0.5- and 24-month old rats have the similar spectrum of aldoketoreductase in the blood. There are only four electrophoretic fractions of aldoketoreductases in their spectrum. The share of 3rd fraction increases the spectrum of 1.5-, 2- and 3- month old rats. The pubertal rats contain additional 5th fraction in aldoketoreductase spectrum of the blood. This electrophoretic fraction has maximal electrophoretic mobility, but there is inconstancy in spectrum. There are 6 electrophoretic fractions of aldoketoreductases in the blood of 3-month old rats. Two of them with maximal electrophoretic mobility are absent in the spectrum of 0.5- and 24- month old rats. There are the same shares of 3rd and 4th fraction in the aldoketoreductase spectrum of the blood 12-month old rats, and 5th fraction there is inconstancy. The cause of age-related changes in the aldoketoreductase spectrum of blood may be coupled with existence of age-related differences in the gene expression of the encoded enzymes of aldoketoreductase family. Due to the fact that 0.5- (early childhood) and 24-month old (senescence) rats have similar aldoketoreductase spectrum of the blood, we propose that the cause ofthat phenomenon coupled with age-related changes in the production and secretion of sex steroids

Efficiency of use of packages of applied programs at studying mathematical disciplines

Предложена концепция системного использования ИНТ в преподавании большинства дисциплин в техническом университете. Ее реализация на примере курса высшей математики привела к разработке и внедрению инновационной образовательной технологии преподавания дисциплин математического и естественнонаучного циклов.The concept of system use IT in teaching the majority of disciplines in a technical univercity is offered. Its realization by the example of higher mathematics has resulted in development and introduction of innovational educational technology of teaching of disciplines of a mathematical and natural-science cycle

Involving of teenagers to the classical musicin the school's educational process

The article deals the actual problem of musical education, connecting with the search of the methodical ways for realization of order to educational sphere “The Art” of the Federal State Educational Standard of General Education, about education with schoolchildren steady interest to classical musical heritage.В статье находит освещение актуальная проблема музыкального образования, связанная с поиском методических путей реализации требования к образовательной области «Искусство» Федерального государственного образовательного стандарта основного общего образования о воспитании у обучающегося устойчивого интереса к классическому музыкальному наследию

Strain mapping at the micro-scale in hierarchical polymer composites with aligned carbon nanotube grafted fibers

For the first time, micro-scale digital image correlation (μDIC) is investigated for measurement of strain fields in hierarchical fiber-reinforced composites. The methodology is developed on an exemplary alumina fiber/epoxy composite laminate with aligned carbon nanotubes (A-CNTs) grown on fibers. Utilizing environmental scanning electron microscopy and nano-scale random speckle patterns, sufficient precision is achieved to detect the influence of the A-CNTs on the deformation field around the fibers. Debonded regions at the fiber/matrix interface with openings as small as 35 nm could be detected. μDIC could identify the propagation of the debonded region based on the non-linear increase of the opening. The image correlation uncertainty in the displacement analysis is estimated to be below 5 nm. The experimental results are validated by computational analysis performed on the region of interest. For this, an advanced model with two scales of reinforcement (microscopic fibers and nanotubes) and boundary conditions taken from the experiment is used. As verified by the model, A-CNTs are found to constrain matrix deformation in their longitudinal direction. Keywords: Digital image correlation (DIC); Scanning electron microscopy (SEM); Carbon nanotubes; Mechanical properties; Finite element analysis (FEA

Genetic engineering of cotton: current status and perspectives

Currently, several species of the genus Gossypium are cultivated in agriculture to produce fiber. Cotton has been cultivated for a long time, however, many aspects of its cultivation and processing are still researched. Writing about the cultivation of cotton, it is worth mentioning the fundamental problems of its processing. For example, the amounts of pesticides used in the cultivation of cotton are greater than for any other crop. Chemicals sprayed on cotton fields are washed away from the fields and, reaching the fresh water sources, pollute them, causing significant damage to the environment. Fortunately, such challenges can be solved by switching to the cultivation of transgenic cotton. Transgenic cotton has already brought many important environmental, social and economic benefits, including reduce of the used pesticides, indirectly increasing of yield, minimizing environmental pollution, reducing the labor force involved and economic costs.Today, the main methods of obtaining transgenic cotton lines are still agrobacterial transformation and biolistics. In recent years, however, innovative methods of transformation have also been developed. For example, the introduction of genetic material mediated by a pollen tube for the cultivation of commercial transgenic cotton is actively used in China. Although in recent decades transgenic lines resistant to diseases, abiotic stresses and with improved fiber quality have been obtained, the dominant position in the market of transgenic cotton is still occupied by lines of plants resistant to insects and herbicides. All the above indicates an insufficient degree of integration between institutes that introduce new advanced developments and agricultural industry.In this review the results of research involving the cultivation and genetic modification of cotton were collected and summarized. The main methods of genetic transformation of cultivated representatives of the genus Gossypium, both actively used at present and still under development, were considered. The most remarkable transgenic lines were also described, among which both those that have already entered agricultural industry and those that have only recently been obtained. Thus, the reader will be able to get a general idea of the current achievements in the field of cotton genetic modification

IMMUNOSUPPRESSION AS A COMPONENT OF MULTIPLE ORGAN DYSFUNCTION SYNDROME FOLLOWING CARDIAC SURGERY

Aim. To defne the role of myeloid-derived suppressor cells in the development of persistent multiple organ dysfunction followed cardiac surgeries with cardiopulmonary bypass.Methods. 40 patients who have undergone cardiac surgery were included in the study. Granulocyte myeloid-derived suppressor cells (G-MDSC) were defned as cells with the HLA-DR– / CD11β+ / CD15+ / CD33+ phenotype, and monocytic MDSC (M-MDSC) as cells with the HLA-DR– / CD11β+ / CD14+ / CD33+ phenotype using flow cytometry. Levels of cytokines, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-10 were measured with an enzyme immunoassay. All patients were assigned to three groups: Group 1 – patients with the uncomplicated postoperative period (n = 14), Group 2 – patients with non-persistent MODS and its early resolution (n = 16), and Group 3 – patients with persistent MODS at day 7.Results. We observed an increase in M-MDSCs and G-MDSC at day 1 following cardiac surgery. The most pronounced increase was found in monocytic-myeloid derived suppressor cells, i.e. an 8-fold increase in M-MDSCs in all study groups at day 1 after surgery. The number of M-MDSCs remained high in patients with persistent MODS at day 7 after cardiac surgery. Levels of IL-6 and IL-10 increased at day 1 after surgery. IL-6 reached its peak level, signifcantly exceeding baseline levels. By day 7, blood levels of all cytokines have decreased, except IL-10 levels, which remained above the baseline in patients with persistent MODS.Conclusion. An increase in M-MDSCs and elevated serum levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 have been found in patients regardless of the presence or absence of the complications in the early postoperative period after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. Persistent MODS with the SOFA scoring > 5 scores at day 7 after cardiac surgery, is associated with an increase in M-MDSCs and elevated levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, related to higher rate of hospital infections, prolonged intensive care unit stay and higher mortality.Aim. To defne the role of myeloid-derived suppressor cells in the development of persistent multiple organ dysfunction followed cardiac surgeries with cardiopulmonary bypass.Methods. 40 patients who have undergone cardiac surgery were included in the study. Granulocyte myeloid-derived suppressor cells (G-MDSC) were defned as cells with the HLA-DR– / CD11β+ / CD15+ / CD33+ phenotype, and monocytic MDSC (M-MDSC) as cells with the HLA-DR– / CD11β+ / CD14+ / CD33+ phenotype using flow cytometry. Levels of cytokines, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-10 were measured with an enzyme immunoassay. All patients were assigned to three groups: Group 1 – patients with the uncomplicated postoperative period (n = 14), Group 2 – patients with non-persistent MODS and its early resolution (n = 16), and Group 3 – patients with persistent MODS at day 7.Results. We observed an increase in M-MDSCs and G-MDSC at day 1 following cardiac surgery. The most pronounced increase was found in monocytic-myeloid derived suppressor cells, i.e. an 8-fold increase in M-MDSCs in all study groups at day 1 after surgery. The number of M-MDSCs remained high in patients with persistent MODS at day 7 after cardiac surgery. Levels of IL-6 and IL-10 increased at day 1 after surgery. IL-6 reached its peak level, signifcantly exceeding baseline levels. By day 7, blood levels of all cytokines have decreased, except IL-10 levels, which remained above the baseline in patients with persistent MODS.Conclusion. An increase in M-MDSCs and elevated serum levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 have been found in patients regardless of the presence or absence of the complications in the early postoperative period after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. Persistent MODS with the SOFA scoring > 5 scores at day 7 after cardiac surgery, is associated with an increase in M-MDSCs and elevated levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, related to higher rate of hospital infections, prolonged intensive care unit stay and higher mortality

On Students Training in a New Masters Program “Molecular Biology and Plant Agrobiotechnology” at SaintPetersburg State University (SPbSU)

The development of an agro-industrial complex under present-day conditions is impossible to imagine without the development of agro-biotechnology, which in turn requires specialists with profound knowledge of biology, chemistry and related sciences. In this regard, training of personnel is needed to ensure active implementation of modern technologies in agricultural sciences. Until recently, such specialists have not been trained at classical universities, to which St. Petersburg State University belongs. To deal with this challenge, a Masters Program «Molecular Biology and Agrobiotechnology of Plants» has been developed and is being implemented in SPbSU. Teaching staff from eight departments of the Biological Faculty of SPbSU is involved in the creation and implementation of the Program. The Program in question is focused on familiarizing students with the modern problems, achievements, methodology of agro-biotechnology of plants, as well as on practical application of the obtained knowledge. Special attention is paid to the formation of trainees’ perceptions of the possibility and necessity of bringing plant breeding to the level of requirements and possibilities of the «post-genome era» to achieve high productivity and sustainability of agricultural production with minimal environmental risks. The Program seamlessly integrates practical exercises and students’ research work in the SPbSU facilities, as well as that performed at St. Petersburg research institutes. Much attention is paid to the development of students’ skills in conducting scientific discussions and in presenting their scientific data in different formats, for instance in English, which is very important for monitoring current scientific trends and integrating own research into world science. The Program is popular with students and many of its graduates have been employed by the leading biological and agricultural research institutes

Cartoon Image of the Mother, Its Perception by Elementary School Students and Correction in the Process of Media Education

Received 11 June 2021. Accepted 8 September 2021. Published online 11 October 2021.This article presents a psychological study of the mother image projected in cartoons and its perception by elementary school students. The research provides evidence for the importance of an integral approach to the analysis of media texts addressed to children, as well as for the necessity of considering their narrative, verbal, and descriptive components. A psychological analysis was conducted on the material of three cartoons: “Chunya” (USSR), “Barboskiny” [The Barkers] (Russia), and “Peppa Pig” (UK). Hypotheses were formulated about the potential influence of the cartoons on the younger audience. 70 elementary school students (χ = 9.5 years old) took part in the study. The research was conducted using the method of semantic differential; the data obtained were processed using factor analysis. The results show that the categorization of images follows the factors of “education”, “love”, “patience”, and “respect”. Differences in the semantic assessment of the cartoons under study are presented. Children perceive the events taking place in a cartoon directly, without reflection. Artistic mediation—polysemy, metaphors, and the category of the comic—does not evoke an aesthetic reaction in children, as assumed by the authors. It was found that the semantic assessment of the word “mother” by elementary school students did not agree with the traditional cultural status of a mother. Thus, the respondents ranked such indicators as “understanding” and “prestige” at a low level. A developmental experiment was conducted to correct the mother image as perceived by elementary school students. During the experimental program (8 lessons in total), the schoolchildren watched and discussed the cartoons together with a psychologist. At the end of the experiment, the semantic assessment of the verbal stimulus “mom” by the respondents showed a statistically significantly increase (р ≤ 0.05) in the indicators of “understanding” and “prestige”