Study of acute and chronic toxicity of feed additive based on vermiculture

The paper presents the results of study of the toxicity of a feed additive, which includes Leuzea safflower (Rhaponticum carthamoides) and protein obtained from vermiculture. The acute toxicity of the feed additive was studied in 31 SD white rats. It has been established that the acute oral toxicity of the feed additive is above 2500 mg/kg, which makes it possible to classify the feed additive as hazard class 3 and classify it as “moderately hazardous” according to GOST 12.1.007-76. The chronic toxicity of the feed additive was studied in 22 SD white rats. The feed additive was administered orally at a dose of 120 and 1200 mg/kg for 30 days. Long-term effects were assessed 14 days after the last introduction of the feed additive. To assess the toxic effects, the effect of the additive on the general condition of the animals, food and water intake was evaluated, blood and urine were analyzed. Complete blood count was carried out by standard methods with the determination of the following parameters: hematocrit, hemoglobin level, the number of erythrocytes, platelets, leukocytes, eosinophils, segmented neutrophils, lymphocytes and monocytes. The study of biochemical parameters of blood was carried out using standard kits for biochemical analysis. The following indicators were determined: ALT, total bilirubin, glucose, creatinine and urea. The urinalysis included the determination of the following indicators: density, leukocytes, nitrites, pH, erythrocytes, protein,  glucose, ascorbic acid, ketones, urobilinogen, bilirubin. There was no statistically significant difference in blood and urine parameters between the animals of the control and experimental groups. A pathohistological examination of the stomach, liver, kidneys and heart was carried out, which showed the absence of a toxic effect of the feed additive. Local irritant action was studied in pathomorphological studies. It has been established that the feed additive does not have an irritating effect at the injection site. Thus, the feed additive can be used in feeding farm animals and birds at the recommended dose

Macrophage polarization in sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is a systemic inflammatory disease of unknown etiology, characterized by the formation of epithelioid cell granulomas, multisystem lesions with a certain frequency of involvement of various organs, mainly the lungs (up to 90% of cases). Over the past decade, significant progress has been made in understanding the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis, the important role of immunological, genetic and environmental factors in the development of this pathology has been established. It is believed that the leading mechanism in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis is the aberrant activation of the innate and adaptive immune response to unidentified antigen(s), which leads to the development of granulomatous inflammation and the formation of granulomas. However, despite the huge number of studies that has been carried out, the mechanisms and signaling pathways that control the development of the inflammatory process during the formation of granulomas and the progression of pathology have not been fully determined.This literature review examines the important role of various cytokines and T helper subpopulations in sarcoidosis. Particular attention is paid to the cells of innate immunity – macrophages in the pathogenesis of this disease. These cells play a key role in the formation of sarcoid granulomas and in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis. The macrophage population is characterized by plasticity and functional heterogeneity. In response to various signals from the microenvironment, macrophages are able to acquire certain phenotypes. The review considers the issues of polarization of macrophages, changes in the phenotype of these cells to subpopulations M1 (M1 phenotype; classically activated; pro-inflammatory) and M2 (M2 phenotype; alternatively activated, anti-inflammatory). These two cell populations are characterized by the expression of different markers on their surface, which allow these cells to differentiate from each other. The analysis of literature data on the levels of key polarizing cytokines for macrophages and cells-producers of these cytokines that patients with sarcoidosis have, in acute and chronic course of the disease, was carried out.Important aspects of the alternative activation of macrophages of the M2 phenotype and their division into subtypes: M2a, M2b, M2c, M2d are noted. The features of various subtypes’ activation of macrophages in this granulomatosis and their importance in the development and progression of pathology are considered. Studying the role of macrophages’ phenotypes, understanding the mechanisms by which the phenotypes of these cells are activated and modulated in various microenvironmental conditions, can contribute to the development and implementation into clinical practice of new therapeutic approaches for the treatment of sarcoidosis and many other forms of pathologies

High dietary folate in pregnant mice leads to pseudo-MTHFR deficiency and altered methyl metabolism, with embryonic growth delay and short-term memory impairment in offspring

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) generates methyltetrahydrofolate for methylation reactions. Severe MTHFR deficiency results in homocystinuria and neurologic impairment. Mild MTHFR deficiency (677C > T polymorphism) increases risk for complex traits, including neuropsychiatric disorders. Although low dietary folate impacts brain development, recent concerns have focused on high folate intake following food fortification and increased vitamin use. Our goal was to determine whether high dietary folate during pregnancy affects brain development in murine offspring. Female mice were placed on control diet (CD) or folic acid-supplemented diet (FASD) throughout mating, pregnancy and lactation. Three-week-old male pups were evaluated for motor and cognitive function. Tissues from E17.5 embryos, pups and dams were collected for choline/methyl metabolite measurements, immunoblotting or gene expression of relevant enzymes. Brains were examined for morphology of hippocampus and cortex. Pups of FASD mothers displayed short-term memory impairment, decreased hippocampal size and decreased thickness of the dentate gyrus. MTHFR protein levels were reduced in FASD pup livers, with lower concentrations of phosphocholine and glycerophosphocholine in liver and hippocampus, respectively. FASD pup brains showed evidence of altered acetylcholine availability and Dnmt3a mRNA was reduced in cortex and hippocampus. E17.5 embryos and placentas from FASD dams were smaller. MTHFR protein and mRNA were reduced in embryonic liver, with lower concentrations of choline, betaine and phosphocholine. Embryonic brain displayed altered development of cortical layers. In summary, high folate intake during pregnancy leads to pseudo-MTHFR deficiency, disturbed choline/methyl metabolism, embryonic growth delay and memory impairment in offspring. These findings highlight the unintended negative consequences of supplemental folic acid

Выявление групп онкориска у больных инфильтративным туберкулезом легких

Lung cancer early detection is closely linked with selection of risk groups, that are persons suffering from preneoplastic diseases. High risk groups have a greater probability of any cancer development compared with a common population (Denisov L.E. e t al., 1980). The examples given above demonstrate that high risk patients could show the absence of active tuberculosis and intoxication features with tendency to standardization of blood indices and liver functional parameters and at the same time their beta-2 MG and ferritin radioimmunological levels are not diminished; but previous or even increasing. Hyperferritinemia should cause a great suspiciousness, especially oncological, because these parameters (beta-2 MG and ferritin) could characterize not only a high intoxication but a neoplastic process either. A principally new approach to early detection of a malignancy (even before morphological changes) became possible after oncological markers’ discovery. Ранняя диагностика рака легкого тесно связана с выявлением групп риска, то есть лиц с предопухо­левыми заболеваниями. Группы повышенного риска имеют более высокую вероятность заболевания ра­ком любого органа по сравнению с общей популяцией. Приведенные примеры показывают, что у больных из групп риска при отсутствии явлений активности туберкулезного процесса и интоксикации (пока­затели крови и функциональной активности печени нормализуются) радиоиммучологические показатели бета-2 МГ и ферритин не уменьшаются, а сохраняются на прежних уровнях, а у ряда больных даже повышаются. Наличие гиперферритинемии требует большой настороженности, особенно онкологической, так как данные показатели (бета -2 МГ и ферритин) могут характеризовать не только высокую сте­пень интоксикации организма, но и проявление опухолевого процесса. Принципиально новый подход к выявлению ранних признаков малигнизации, даже до появления морфологических проявлений, стал возможным после открытия опухолевых маркеров

Показатели ферритина в мониторинге и прогнозе больных инфильтративным туберкулезом легких

When distinct clinical and radiological signs of lung tissue destruction are absent, radioimmune detection of serum ferritin level becomes an additional criterion to assess destruction in lung tuberculosis.A permanent hyperferritinemia exceeding the normal level in 2-3 times or more with a tendency of beta2-globulin concentration to decrease appears to be a sign of the continuing lung tissue destruction and indicates a necessity of further specific anti-tuberculosis therapy, a course and a prognosis of the disease.При отсутствии прямых клинических и рентгенологических признаков деструкции легочной ткани радиоиммунологическое определение ферритина в сыворотке крови является дополнительным критерием оценки деструктивного процесса при туберкулезе легких.Сохранение устойчивой гиперферритинемии, превышающей нормальные значения в 2-3 раза и более, при тенденции к снижению концентрации β2-микроглобулина, свидетельствует о продолжающемся распаде легочной ткани и указывает на необходимость продолжения специфического противотуберкулезного лечения больных, определяет особенность течения заболевания и прогноз

Early diagnosis of right atrial thrombosis in a newborn. clinical case

The neonatal period describes by numbers of physiological features that cause a higher frequence of thrombosis in newborns compared to older children. The article views a clinical case of early diagnosis and successful treatment of a newborn in the first month of life with a blood clot in the right atrial cavityНеонатальный период характеризуется рядом физиологических особенностей, обусловливающих большую частоту возникновения тромбозов у новорожденных по сравнению с детьми старшего возраста. В статье рассмотрен клинический случай ранней диагностики и успешного лечения новорожденного первого месяца жизни с тромбом в полости правого предсерди

Features of COVID-19 course in patients with obesity and dysglycemia

Aim. To study the features of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in patients with different severity of carbohydrate metabolism disorders (CMDs), taking into account the possible role of obesity in the acceleration of clinical and laboratory disorders.Material and methods. There were 137 consecutive patients admitted to the infectious disease hospital for COVID-19patients. Three 3 groups were formed: group 1 — 42 patients with concomitant type 2 diabetes (T2D); group 2 — 13 patients with concomitant prediabetes; group 3 — 82 patients without concomitant CMDs.Results. Patients with T2D tended to have a more severe disease course according to the SMRT-CO algorithm (p=0,089), which was associated with the longest hospital stay (p=0,038), the most pronounced (p=0,011) and prolonged (p=0,0001) decrease in oxygen saturation, the maximum percentage of lung injury at the beginning (p=0,094) and at the end (p=0,007) of hospitalization, the greater need for intensive care unit (p=0,050), as well as the highest increase in C-reactive protein and fibrinogen (hypercoagulability and systemic inflammation were noted in all groups). Patients with prediabetes in terms of COVID-19 severity occupied an intermediate position between those with T2D and without CMDs; at the same time, they most often needed the prescription of biological preparations (p=0,001). In the first and second groups, there were larger, compared with the control, proportions of obese people (61,9%, 53,8% and 30,5%, respectively, p=0,003). Prediabetes group had a strong correlation between the severity of viral pneumonitis according to SMRT-CO and the presence of obesity (R=0,69, p=0,009).Conclusion. In patients with impaired carbohydrate metabolism of any severity, COVID-19 is more severe. At the same time, persons with overt T2D are prone to the most severe COVID-19 course, while patients with prediabetes in terms of disease severity occupy an intermediate position between them and those without CMDs. Obesity is a strong risk factor for severe COVID-19 among patients with initial CMDs (prediabetes), which is partly mediated by prior liver dysfunction associated with the metabolic syndrome. The increase in proinflammatory changes and hypercoagulability is associated with COVID-19 severity in patients with and without CMDs. These disorders had the greatest severity and persistence in patients with T2D

Polymorphisms in the ADRB2 gene and Graves disease: a case-control study and a meta-analysis of available evidence

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The beta-2-Adrenergic receptor (<it>ADRB2</it>) gene on chromosome 5q33.1 is an important immunoregulatory factor. We and others have previously implicated chromosomal region 5q31-33 for contribution to the genetic susceptibility to Graves disease (GD) in East-Asian populations. Two recent studies showed associations between the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs1042714 in the <it>ADRB2 </it>gene and GD. In this study, we aimed to fully investigate whether the <it>ADRB2 </it>gene conferred susceptibility to GD in Chinese population, and to perform a meta-analysis of association between <it>ADRB2 </it>and GD.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Approximately 1 kb upstream the transcription start site and the entire coding regions of the <it>ADRB2 </it>gene were resequenced in 48 Han Chinese individuals to determine the linkage disequilibrium (LD) patterns. Tag SNPs were selected and genotyped in a case-control collection of 1,118 South Han Chinese subjects, which included 428 GD patients and 690 control subjects. A meta-analysis was performed with the data obtained in the present samples and those available from prior studies.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Fifteen SNPs in the <it>ADRB2 </it>gene were identified by resequencing and one SNP was novel. Ten tag SNPs were investigated further to assess association of <it>ADRB2 </it>in the case-control collection. Neither individual tag SNP nor haplotypes showed association with GD in Han Chinese population (P > 0.05). Our meta-analysis of the <it>ADRB2 </it>SNP rs1042714 measured heterogeneity between the ethnic groups (I²= 53.1%) and no association to GD was observed in the overall three studies with a random effects model (OR = 1.13, 95% CI, 0.95 to 1.36; P = 0.18). However, significant association was found from the combined data of Caucasian population with a fixed effects model (OR = 1.18, 95% CI, 1.06 to 1.32; P = 0.002; I²= 5.9%).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our study indicated that the <it>ADRB2 </it>gene did not exert a substantial influence on GD susceptibility in Han Chinese population, but contributed to a detectable GD risk in Caucasian population. This inconsistency resulted largely from between-ethnicity heterogeneity.</p

Fungal planet description sheets: 951–1041

Novel species of fungi described in this study include those from various countries as follows: Antarctica , Apenidiella antarctica from permafrost, Cladosporium fildesense fromanunidentifiedmarinesponge. Argentina , Geastrum wrightii onhumusinmixedforest. Australia , Golovinomyces glandulariae on Glandularia aristigera, Neoanungitea eucalyptorum on leaves of Eucalyptus grandis, Teratosphaeria corymbiicola on leaves of Corymbia ficifolia, Xylaria eucalypti on leaves of Eucalyptus radiata. Brazil, Bovista psammophila on soil, Fusarium awaxy on rotten stalks of Zea mays, Geastrum lanuginosum on leaf litter covered soil, Hermetothecium mikaniae-micranthae (incl. Hermetothecium gen. nov.)on Mikania micrantha, Penicillium reconvexovelosoi in soil, Stagonosporopsis vannaccii from pod of Glycine max. British Virgin Isles , Lactifluus guanensis onsoil. Canada , Sorocybe oblongispora on resin of Picea rubens. Chile, Colletotrichum roseum on leaves of Lapageria rosea. China, Setophoma caverna fromcarbonatiteinKarstcave. Colombia , Lareunionomyces eucalypticola on leaves of Eucalyptus grandis. Costa Rica, Psathyrella pivae onwood. Cyprus , Clavulina iris oncalcareoussubstrate. France , Chromosera ambigua and Clavulina iris var. occidentalis onsoil. French West Indies , Helminthosphaeria hispidissima ondeadwood. Guatemala , Talaromyces guatemalensis insoil. Malaysia , Neotracylla pini (incl. Tracyllales ord. nov. and Neotra- cylla gen. nov.)and Vermiculariopsiella pini on needles of Pinus tecunumanii. New Zealand, Neoconiothyrium viticola on stems of Vitis vinifera, Parafenestella pittospori on Pittosporum tenuifolium, Pilidium novae-zelandiae on Phoenix sp. Pakistan , Russula quercus-floribundae onforestfloor. Portugal , Trichoderma aestuarinum from salinewater. Russia , Pluteus liliputianus on fallen branch of deciduous tree, Pluteus spurius on decaying deciduouswoodorsoil. South Africa , Alloconiothyrium encephalarti, Phyllosticta encephalarticola and Neothyrostroma encephalarti (incl. Neothyrostroma gen. nov.)onleavesof Encephalartos sp., Chalara eucalypticola on leaf spots of Eucalyptus grandis × urophylla, Clypeosphaeria oleae on leaves of Olea capensis, Cylindrocladiella postalofficium on leaf litter of Sideroxylon inerme , Cylindromonium eugeniicola (incl. Cylindromonium gen. nov.)onleaflitterof Eugenia capensis , Cyphellophora goniomatis on leaves of Gonioma kamassi , Nothodactylaria nephrolepidis (incl. Nothodactylaria gen. nov. and Nothodactylariaceae fam. nov.)onleavesof Nephrolepis exaltata , Falcocladium eucalypti and Gyrothrix eucalypti on leaves of Eucalyptus sp., Gyrothrix oleae on leaves of Olea capensis subsp. macrocarpa , Harzia metro sideri on leaf litter of Metrosideros sp., Hippopotamyces phragmitis (incl. Hippopota- myces gen. nov.)onleavesof Phragmites australis , Lectera philenopterae on Philenoptera violacea , Leptosillia mayteni on leaves of Maytenus heterophylla , Lithohypha aloicola and Neoplatysporoides aloes on leaves of Aloe sp., Millesimomyces rhoicissi (incl. Millesimomyces gen. nov.) on leaves of Rhoicissus digitata , Neodevriesia strelitziicola on leaf litter of Strelitzia nicolai , Neokirramyces syzygii (incl. Neokirramyces gen. nov.)onleafspots o

СРАВНЕНИЕ МОРФОЛОГИЧЕСКИХ И ХИМИЧЕСКИХ СВОЙСТВ СФЕРИЧЕСКИХ И ИГОЛЬЧАТЫХ КАЛЬЦИЙ-ФОСФАТНЫХ БИОНОВ

Aim. To compare morphological properties, mineral, and organic profile of spherical calcium phosphate bions (SCPB) and needle calcium phosphate bions (NCPB) for the assessment of the CPB-specific endothelial toxicity in models of mild or severe hypercalcemia/hyperphosphatemia in the further studies.Methods. Both SCPB and NCPB were artificially synthesized employing blood-mimetic medium either moderately or significantly supersaturated of calcium and phosphorus salts. Size and shape of SCPB and NCPB were investigated by scanning and transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Elemental analysis was performed utilizing energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, atomic emission spectroscopy, and CHNSO analysis, functional groups were examined using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy while chemical formula was identified by X-ray powder diffraction analysis. Protein profile of SCPB and NCPB was screened employing sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis following silver staining.Results. SCPB were visualized as crystalline spherical spongeous particles of 80-200 nm diameter and mean diameter of around 120 nm while NCPB represented needle crystals of a similar diameter. Both SCPB and NCPB had similar crystallinity, surface charge and tended to form clusters of several particles. Furthermore, both SCPB and NCPB were composed of carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, calcium, and phosphorus, contained phosphate (PO4 3-), carbonate (CO3 2-), and hydroxyl (OH- ) functional groups, and consisted of hydroxyapatite (Ca10(PO4 )6 (OH)2 ) and carbonate-hydroxyapatite (Ca10(PO4)3 (CO3)3 (OH)2 ). In addition, protein profile of SCPB and NCPB was similar and notable for the abundant albumin and fetuin A levels.Conclusion. Having similar size, surface charge, extent of crystallinity, and chemical composition, SCPB and NCPB possess a different shape. Цель Сравнить морфологию, минеральный и органический профиль сферических кальций-фосфатных бионов (СКФБ) и игольчатых кальций-фосфатных бионов (ИКФБ), необходимых для оценки эндотелиотоксического действия КФБ при моделировании умеренной и тяжелой гиперкальциемии/гиперфосфатемии в последующих исследованиях. Материалы и методы СКФБ и ИКФБ были искусственно синтезированы посредством умеренного и выраженного перенасыщения имитирующей состав крови среды солями кальция и фосфора. Размерность и форма СКФБ и ИКФБ были изучены при помощи сканирующей и просвечивающей электронной микроскопии и атомно-силовой микроскопии. Элементный анализ проводился посредством энергодисперсионной рентгеновской спектроскопии, атомно-эмиссионной спектроскопии и CHNSO-анализа, функциональные группы идентифицировались при помощи инфракрасной спектроскопии с преобразованием Фурье и спектроскопии комбинационного рассеяния света, формула входящих в состав бионов химических соединений и степень их кристалличности определялась методом рентгеновской порошковой дифрактометрии. Белковый профиль СКФБ и ИКФБ был исследован путем электрофореза в полиакриламидном геле в присутствии додецилсульфата натрия с последующим окрашиванием нитратом серебра. Результаты СКФБ визуализировались как кристаллические сферические частицы губчатой структуры диаметром 80–200 нм и средним диаметром около 120 нм, в то время как ИКФБ представляли собой игольчатые кристаллы такого же диаметра. Как СКФБ, так и ИКФБ имели схожий поверхностный заряд и были склонны к агрегации. СКФБ и ИКФБ состояли из углерода, кислорода, водорода, азота, кальция и фосфора, содержали фосфатные (PO4 3-), карбонатные (CO3 2-) и гидроксильные (OH- ) группы и состояли из гидроксиапатита (Ca10(PO4 ) 6 (OH)2 ) и карбонат-гидроксиапатита (Ca10(PO4 ) 3 (CO3 ) 3 (OH)2 ). Кроме того, СКФБ и ИКФБ обладали идентичной степенью кристалличности и схожим белковым профилем с преобладанием альбумина и фетуина-А над остальными белками. Заключение СКФБ и ИКФБ отличаются лишь формой, имея схожие размерность, поверхностный заряд, степень кристалличности и химический соста