Immunomodulatory and neurotropic activities of synthetic peptides in a model of brain injury in rats

Treatment of consequences of traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains one of the current problems of medicine. To increase the effectiveness of treatment of post-traumatic complications, various drugs are recommended, including the peptide with neuromodulatory activity Semax.The present study aims to determine the presence of neuro- and immunoprotective properties of the synthetic peptide PR5, composed of fragments of proline-rich antimicrobial peptides.The work was performed on male Wistar rats weighing 300-350 g. The “falling weight” model of mechanical brain injury was used, which mainly causes diffuse brain damage. The synthesized peptide PR5, composed of fragments of known proline-rich peptides of animal neutrophils, and the peptide preparation Semax in the form of a 1% aqueous solution were used. The drugs were administered intranasally 1 hour after TBI, then twice a day for 4 days at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight. Control animals received physiological saline in the same regimen as the peptide preparations.TBI led to a significant decrease in body weight, but in rats receiving the peptide preparation Semax, the decrease in body weight was significantly less than in control animals, and the PR5 preparation completely prevented the decrease in body weight after TBI. After TBI, the proliferative activity of lymphocytes was suppressed and the cytotoxicity of NK cells decreased. In animals treated with peptide preparations, there was no significant suppression of NK cell cytotoxicity, and the proliferative activity of lymphocytes was restored to the level of control animals by day 14 after TBI. Both peptide preparations used contributed to higher locomotor activity, and in animals treated with the PR5 peptide, this type of activity reached the parameters of control animals. The reduction in freezing duration in groups treated with peptide preparations indicates the presence of a sedative effect.The peptide preparation PR5 was active in this series of experiments, showing immunotropic and neuroprotective activity comparable to the Semax preparation. Further studies aimed at confirming the identified types of activity of the peptide preparation PR5 may justify its prospects for clinical use as a new nootropic agent

Логистические взаимодействия в системе «станция-морской порт»

For the English abstract and full text of the article please see the attached PDF-File (English version follows Russian version). ABSTRACT The transport system of Russia processes powerful foreign trade commodity flows. The combination of developed network of railways and highways, ports, border crossing points creates a basis for formation of one of the largest transport and logistics complexes. Reliability of all its components, positive synergy of links, sufficient throughput and carrying capacity influences the effectiveness of business of many domestic and foreign enterprises that have become participants in the common logistics process. The authors of the article focus discussion on the system significance of logistics solutions for interaction of various modes of transport at the stages of carriage of goods in international traffic using the example of Ust-Luga transport hub. Keywords: management, logistics, interaction, logistics center, port, dry port, station-sea port system, multimodal transportation, transport hub.Текст аннотации на англ. языке и полный текст статьи на англ. языке находится в прилагаемом файле ПДФ (англ. версия следует после русской версии). Транспортная система России пропускает через себя мощные внешнеторговые товаропотоки. Совокупность развитой сети железнодорожных и автомобильных дорог, портов, пограничных передаточных пунктов создаёт основу для формирования одного из крупнейших транспортно-логистических комплексов. От надёжности всех его компонентов, положительной синергии звеньев, достаточной пропускной и провозной способностей зависит результативность бизнеса многих отечественных и зарубежных предприятий, ставших участниками общего для них логистического процесса. Авторы статьи рассказывают о системном значении логистических решений при взаимодействии различных видов транспорта на этапах перевозки грузов в международном сообщении на примере Усть-Лужского транспортного узла

RESEARCHING OF ADSORPTION PROPERTIES OF COATINGS FOR CORROSION PROTECTION OF REFINERY EQUIPMENT

Corrosion of refinery plants is a serious problem because sulfur compounds contained in oil have a significant impact on the corrosion process. The exploitation of this equipment without special protective measures is unacceptable. The operation of this equipment with the use of protective coatings

Заболеваемость детей сальмонеллезом и уровень резистентности клинических штаммов сальмонелл к антибактериальным препаратам в Санкт-Петербурге

The aim of the study was to study the dynamics of the incidence of salmonellosis children in St. Petersburg and phenotypic resistance of clinical isolates of S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium to antibiotics in recent years. Materials and methods. The incidence of salmonellosis children studied according to the report for the first nine months of Rospotrebnadzor in 2013–2014. Incidence of salmonellosis in the structure of bacterial intestinal infections caused by pathogens in children hospitalized in the Department of intestinal infections in 2013–2014, studied according to annual reports. Antibiotic sensitivity was studied 86 Salmonella isolates (S. Enteritidis strain 64 and strain 22 S. Typhimurium), isolated from patients in children 2010–2014. Used the method of serial microdilution broth. Salmonella isolates were divided into sensitive, resistant, intermediate sensitivity to antibiotics. The Results. Analysis of the incidence of salmonellosis children of St. Petersburg has revealed its decline in 2014 (109.2) compared to 2013 (123,9) but relatively long-term average level was an increase in incidence (107,6). In the structure of salmonellosis in children prevailed salmonellosis Group D. In hospitalized children in the structure of bacterial intestinal infections detected Excess of share of salmonellosis in 2014 (36,9±3,4%) compared to 2013 (24,5±2,4%; p <0,01). A reduction in the frequency sensitivity of S. Enteritidis to ampicillin, cefepime, ceftazidime and chloramphenicol. Compared to S. Enteritidis S. Typhimurium isolates were more resistant to ceftazidime and ampicillin, but more sensitive to ciprofloxacin. Conclusion. Morbidity of salmonellosis in recent years characterized by a relatively long-term average increase of the level. In the structure of salmonellosis in children prevailed salmonellosis Group D. There was a reduction of sensitivity S. Enteritidis isolates to cephalosporins new generations, and S. Typhimurium isolates to cephalosporins new generations, ampicillin, chloramphenicol.Цель исследования: изучение динамики заболеваемости сальмонеллезом детей в Санкт-Петербурге и фенотипической антибиотикорезистентности изолятов S. Enteritidis и S. Typhimurium в последние годы. Материалы и методы: заболеваемость сальмонеллезом детей изучали по данным отчета Роспотребнадзора за девять месяцев 2013–2014 гг. Частоту сальмонеллеза в структуре бактериальных кишечных инфекций, вызванных патогенными возбудителями, у детей, госпитализированных в отделение кишечных инфекций НИИДИ в 2013–2014 гг., изучали по данным годовых отчетов. Исследовали антибиотикочувствительность 86 изолятов сальмонелл (64 штамма S. Enteritidis и 22 штамма S. Typhimurium), выделенных от больных детей в 2010– 2014 гг. Использовали метод серийных микроразведений в бульоне, изоляты сальмонелл разделяли на чувствительные, резистентные, с промежуточной чувствительностью к антибиотикам. Результаты: анализ заболеваемости сальмонеллезом детей Санкт-Петербурга выявил ее снижение в 2014 г. (109,2 на 100 тыс. нас.) по сравнению с 2013 г. (123,9 на 100 тыс. нас.), относительно многолетнего уровня отмечалось повышение заболеваемости (107,6 на 100 тыс. нас.). В структуре сальмонеллезов преобладали сальмонеллезы группы D. У госпитализированных детей в структуре бактериальных кишечных инфекций выявлено превышение доли сальмонеллеза в 2014 г. (36,9±3,4%) по сравнению с 2013 г. (24,5±2,4%; p<0,01). Установлено снижение частоты чувствительности изолятов S. Enteritidis к ампициллину, цефепиму, цефтазидиму и хлорамфениколу. По сравнению с S. Enteritidis изоляты S. Typhimurium были более резистентны к цефтазидиму и ампициллину, но более чувствительны к ципрофлоксацину. Заключение: заболеваемость детей сальмонеллезом в последние годы характеризовались нарастанием относительно среднего многолетнего уровня. В структуре сальмонеллезов преобладали сальмонеллезы группы D. Выявлено снижение чувствительности изолятов S. Enteritidis к цефалоспоринам новых генераций, а изолятов S. Typhimurium – к цефалоспоринам новых генераций, ампициллину, хлорамфениколу. 

The M235T Polymorphism in the AGT Gene and CHD Risk: Evidence of a Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium Violation and Publication Bias in a Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND: The M235T polymorphism in the AGT gene has been related to an increased risk of hypertension. This finding may also suggest an increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: A case-cohort study was conducted in 1,732 unrelated middle-age women (210 CHD cases and 1,522 controls) from a prospective cohort of 15,236 initially healthy Dutch women. We applied a Cox proportional hazards model to study the association of the polymorphism with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) (n = 71) and CHD. In the case-cohort study, no increased risk for CHD was found under the additive genetic model (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.20; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.86 to 1.68; P = 0.28). This result was not changed by adjustment (HR = 1.17; 95% CI, 0.83 to 1.64; P = 0.38) nor by using dominant, recessive and pairwise genetic models. Analyses for AMI risk under the additive genetic model also did not show any statistically significant association (crude HR = 1.14; 95% CI, 0.93 to 1.39; P = 0.20). To evaluate the association, a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis were undertaken of all studies published up to February 2007 (searched through PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science and EMBASE). The meta-analysis (38 studies with 13284 cases and 18722 controls) showed a per-allele odds ratio (OR) of 1.08 (95% CI, 1.01 to 1.15; P = 0.02). Moderate to large levels of heterogeneity were identified between studies. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) violation and the mean age of cases were statistically significant sources of the observed variation. In a stratum of non-HWE violation studies, there was no effect. An asymmetric funnel plot, the Egger's test (P = 0.066), and the Begg-Mazumdar test (P = 0.074) were all suggestive of the presence of publication bias. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The pooled OR of the present meta-analysis, including our own data, presented evidence that there is an increase in the risk of CHD conferred by the M235T variant of the AGT gene. However, the relevance of this weakly positive overall association remains uncertain because it may be due to various residual biases, including HWE-violation and publication biases

Cardiomyopathy of Friedreich's Disease. Modern Methods of Diagnostic

Friedreich's disease is a hereditary neurodegenerative multiple organ disease, primarily affecting the most energy-dependent tissues (cells of the nervous system, myocardium, pancreas), the lesion of which is characterized by progressive ataxia, dysarthria, dysphagia, oculomotor disorders, loss of deep tendon reflexes, pyramid signs, diabetes mellitus, visual impairment. Friedreich's ataxia is the most common of all hereditary ataxias; nevertheless, this disease is considered orphan. By its pathogenesis, Friedreich's disease is mitochondrial ataxia, caused by a deficiency in the transcription of the FXN gene, leading to a decrease in the synthesis of the frataxin protein. Frataxin is a protein associated with the inner mitochondrial membrane, which in turn is involved in the formation of iron-sulfur clusters, the lack of which leads to a decrease in the production of mitochondrial ATP, an increase in the level of mitochondrial iron and oxidative stress. The basis of the clinical picture of Friedreich's disease is ataxia of a mixed (sensitive and cerebellar) nature. The steady and gradual progression of neurological symptoms significantly affects the quality of life of patients and is most often the leading reason for seeking medical attention. However, the prognosis is primarily due to the involvement of cardiac tissue in the pathological process. The main causes of death in patients with Friedreich's ataxia are severe heart failure and sudden cardiac death due to cardiomyopathy. The overwhelming majority of foreign and domestic publications on Friedreich's ataxia are devoted to the neurological manifestations of this disease, and little attention is paid to this problem in the cardiological scientific and practical society. The purpose of this review is to provide up-to-date information on modern methods of diagnosing myocardial damage at various stages of Friedreich's disease

RISK FACTORS OF CORONARY ARTERY STENOSIS IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Objective: to determine frequency and grade of the coronary artery (CA) damage using coronary angiography data in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and suspected coronary artery disease (CAD); to evaluate the association of its progress with traditional risk factors (TRF), inflammatory markers and antirheumatic therapy. Subjects and methods. 25 male and 38 female RA patients with suspected or verified CAD, (median age was 58 [52; 63] years, RA duration – 10,5 [7; 23] years), were included in the study. 85% of patients were seropositive for IgM rheumatoid factor, 69% – for cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibodies. DAS28 median was 4,7 [3,3; 5,8]. CA stenosis was diagnosed if hemodynamically significant narrowing of the artery lumen (≥50%) was present. Results and discussion. CA stenosis was diagnosed in 22 (35%) patients (group I), 15 (68%) of them had single vessel damage, 7 (32%) – three-vessel involvement; the damage of two vessels was not diagnosed in any RA case. 41 (65%) patients had no lesions in CA (group II). The frequency of CA stenosis was higher in male patients (15 out of 25; 60%) than in female (7 out of 38; 18%; p<0,05). CAD incidence in group I was higher than in group II: myocardial infarction (MI) history was documented in 32% and 2%, stable angina pectoris in 77% and 32% of cases respectively, p><0,05. TRF incidence was similar in both groups. Concentration of serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) in group I was lower than in group II (median 1,2 [1,0; 1,5] vs 1,3 [1,2;1,8] mmol/L respectively, p=0,025). Carotid artery atherosclerotic plaques were detected in 19% and 16%, carotid artery intimamedia thickening – in 53% and 57% of patients respectively (p>0,05). The multiple regression analysis did not revealed any direct relationship of CA stenosis development with age, gender, DAS28, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein level, concentration of cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, HDLC, and consumption of anti-rheumatic drugs. The prediction of CA stenosis development was not possible with parameters used in this study. However, differences in age were the closest to statistical significance (OR=0,85; 95% CI [0,72–1,0], p=0,05). Other parameters, including HDLC level< 1,2 mmol/L for women and< 1,0 for men (OR 0,82; 95% CI [0,64–0,90], p=0,09) had less predictive power. Conclusion: CA stenosis was diagnosed in every third patient with RA and suspected CAD or verified CAD. Male gender and low level of HDLC may increase the risk of CA stenosis