Correlative Interactions Between Visfatin and Inflammatory Biomarkers for Chronic Kidney Disease

The life expectancy of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is significantly reduced due to premature death from cardiovascular disease (CVD) in more than 50% of this patient population. Impaired of renal function may lead to an increase in general inflammatory reactions due to a decrease in renal clearance of factors that are directly or indirectly involved in inflammation. Thus, the presence of even minor renal dysfunction is considered a significant risk factor for subsequent CVD and death.Axelsson et al., in 2007, for the first time reported an increase in serum levels of visfatin in CKD, and several other studies later supported this link. In addition, Axelsson et al. found that visfatin is associated with soluble vascular adhesion molecule-1, which is a biomarker for endothelial damage in CKD. Proteinuria, in turn, is an important predictor of endothelial dysfunction (ED) in diabetic nephropathy. An association between proteinuria and visfatin levels has been discussed. Significant progress has been made so far in identifying the association of visfatin with visceral adipose tissue, diabetes mellitus, and inflammation, but further studies are needed to confirm an increase in its levels in patients with CKD

Unusual case of foreign body in the maxillary sinus

Introduction: The penetration of foreign bodies in the maxillary sinuses is a relatively common pathology. It is observed in a number of traumas and dental procedures. The specificity of this type of etiology is that the penetration of the foreign bodies into the sinuses is combined, to a different degree, with damage to the soft tissues and the bones of the jaws, or a dental procedure.Aim: The aim of this article is to present an unusual case of a foreign body in the maxillary sinuses.Conclusion: During high-risk procedures, the clinicians need to check thoroughly for any residual foreign bodies in the maxillary sinus

Preoperative decompression in treatment of large cystic lesions of the jaws

The cysts of the jaws are a common pathological process in the human organism.The aim of this study is to discuss the perspective effect of the treatment of large mandibular cysts, in which we have applied decompression as the first stage of their operative treatment.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Subjects of the study are 11 patients with large cystic lesions of the mandible. We used the decompression method as the first stage of their operative treatment.RESULTS: The effect of the decompression was monitored radiologically. Changes in the size of the lesion and the bone density were noticed

Влияние на билкови и имуномодулиращи добавки върху растежните способности и качеството на месото при пилета бройлери

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of herbal and immunomodulatory die-tary supplements and their combinations on growth performance, slaughter traits and meat quality in male broiler chickens. A total of 210 one-day-old Ross 308 male chickens were randomly distributed after weighing in 7 groups (3 replicates in each, n=10 chickens). Broilers were reared on deep litter until 42 days of age and divided as follows: Group I – control (basal diet without supplements); Group II – supple-mented with 0.2% Immunoßeta; Group III – supplemented with 0.2% garlic powder; Group IV – supplemented with 0.2% herbal mix (0.05% ginger, 0.05% rosemary, 0.05% thyme and 0.05% yarrow); Group V – supplemented with 0.2% Immunoßeta + 0.2% garlic powder; Group VI – supplemented with 0.2% Immunoßeta + 0.2% herbal mix; Group VII – supplemented with 0.2% Immunoßeta + 0.2% garlic powder + 0.2% herbal mix. At the end of the experiment, chickens weighed from 2552±54 g (Group I) to 2689±55 g (Group IV) without statistically significant differences (Р>0.05). Feed conversion varied from 1.64 (Group IV) tо 1.74 (Group I). Meat pH, water holding ca-pacity, water absorption capacity, and tenderness were not influenced by the dietary supplement type. All supplements used did not show an adverse effect on health, and no mortality was found in the experimental groups. The obtained results show a clear trend towards a positive effect of the used feed additives and their combination mainly on the fattening characteristics of the broiler chickens, evident from the higher values of the two efficiency indices.Целта на проучването беше да се установи ефекта на някои билкови и имуномодулиращи хранителни добавки поотделно и в комбинация върху растежа, кланичните характеристики и качеството на месото при мъжки пилета бройлери. Общо 210 еднодневни пилета (Ross 308) след претегляне бяха разпределени на случаен принцип в 7 групи (всяка с 3 повторения, n=10 пилета). Бройлерите се отглеждаха върху дълбока постеля до 42-дневна възраст и бяха разделени както следва: Група I – контрола (основна диета без добавки); II група – с добавка на 0,2% Immunoßeta; III група – с добавка на 0,2% чесън на прах; IV група – с добавка на 0,2% билкова комбинация (0,05% джинджифил, 0,05% розмарин, 0,05% мащерка и 0,05% бял равнец); Група V – с добавка на 0,2% Immunoßeta + 0,2% чесън на прах; Група VI – с добавка на 0,2% Immunoßeta + 0,2% билков микс; VII група – допълнена с 0,2% Immunoßeta + 0,2% чесън на прах + 0,2% билков микс. В края на експеримента пилетата достигнаха жива маса от 2552±54 g (I група) до 2689±55 g (IV група) като не се установиха доказани разлики между различните групи (Р>0,05). Конверсията на фураж варираше от 1,64 (IV група) до 1,74 (I група). pH на месото, водозадържащата способност, водопоглъщащата способност и нежността не се повлияха от вида на хранителната добавка. Всички използвани добавки не показаха неблагоприятен ефект върху здравословното състояние, като не беше установена смъртност в експерименталните групи. Получените резултати показват ясна тенденция към положителен ефект на използваните фуражни добавки и тяхното комбиниране основно върху угоителните характеристики на бройлерите, видно от по-високите стойности на двата индекса на ефективност

ASSESSMENT OF SARS-COV-2 SPECIFIC B-CELL IMMUNE MEMORY: EVIDENCE FOR PERSISTENCE UP TO 1 YEAR POST-INFECTION

Background: SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19 pandemic, has posed huge global health challenges. Understanding the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection, and in particular – the role of B cells in the generation of immune memory is crucial for assessing the durability of protective immunity. Materials and Methods: In this longitudinal prospective study, individuals who had recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection were included. Peripheral venous blood samples were collected at three time intervals post symptom onset (PSO): 1-3 mo, 4-8 mo, and 9-12 mo. The humoral immune response was evaluated by measuring anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG, virus-neutralizing antibody activity, total S1-specific B-cells, and B cell subpopulations. Results: The levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG antibodies decreased from 390.3 to 204.5 BAU/ml in the first 6-8 months PSO but did not significantly decrease further until the 12 th mo (126.6 BAU/ml). Virus-neutralizing antibodies (activity decreased by 20.4% between the 1st and 6-8th mos but remained relatively stable thereafter and could be detected up to 12 months PSO. In peripheral blood, the amount of S1-specific plasmablasts was highest one month after COVID-19 infection, and the level of memory B cells at 6 months. Those were detected even 12 months PSO, albeit in smaller quantities.  Conclusion: The study provides evidence for the persistence of SARS-CoV-2-specific B-cell immune memory up to 1year post-infection. The presence of virus-specific memory B cells and plasmablasts suggests potential for sustained protection against reinfection. Further research is needed to elucidate the role of B-cell immune memory in preventing infection and to understand the individual variations of immune response

Colorectal resections - clinical and immunological results

INTRODUCTION: Surgery induces a generalized state of postoperative immunosuppression responsible for a lot of complications in postoperative period. Magnitude and type of the intraoperative injury depend on the extent and duration of postoperative immune suppression. This study compared clinical outcomes and immune changes after minimally invasive and open colorectal resections in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC).MATERIAL AND METHODS: Study included 40 patients with CRC who underwent colorectal resections in our clinic last year. Twenty one of them underwent minimally invasive surgery, with a mean age of 64.8 years (49-86). The rest 19 patients underwent conventional surgery, with a mean age of 66.2 years (56-84). Blood tests were performed 24 hours prior to surgery, 24 hours and 7 days after surgery. Analysis included full blood count, total protein, albumin and markers of inflammation (CRP, ESR, fibrinogen). T- (CD3+), B- (CD19+) and NK-cell lymphocyte populations were studied by means of flow cytometry, as well as activation of leucocytes, according to the expression of HLA-DR, CD38, CD279, CD163 and some clinical parameters. All data were analyzed using SPSS version 21.RESULTS: There was no significant difference in preoperative results between minimally invasive group and conventional group. At 24 hours after surgery there were significant decrease in lymphocyte percentages and increased leucocyte count, granulocyte percentages and CRP levels in conventional group. This ratio maintained at 7 days after surgery. Activated monocyte (CD 163+), total protein and albumin, eosinophiles, percentage of monocytes, lymphocytes and NKT-cells (CD3+ CD16/CD56+) were significant decrease in conventional group compared with minimally invasive group at first postoperative day.CONCLUSIONS: Minimally invasive colorectal cancer resection is a technically feasible option, with comparable results in terms of oncologic clearance, lesser degrees of tissue injury, surgical metabolic stress, and immunosuppressive response to conventional open surgery. Patients undergoing minimally invasive resections demonstrated improved clinical recovery and shorter hospital stay than patients undergoing open surgery. 

Impacts of abiotic stress on priming of defense responses and pathogen resistance in Norway spruce

Norway spruce (Picea abies) is one of the most important tree species in Norway due to its high economic and ecological significance in forests. Pathogens, fungi and insects may have detrimental impacts on Norway spruce trees and cause economic losses for the timber industry. Insects such as the European spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus) carry fungi and help them enter the trees as the fungi cannot penetrate the bark alone. Grosmannia penicillata is a bluestain fungus that causes discoloration and necrosis in Norway spruce trees. Together this mutualistic pair may overcome the defenses of healthy trees and kill thousands of trees during outbreaks. There have been several studies experimenting with either methyl jasmonate (MeJA) or drought against pathogens, fungi and insects, but few have studied the combined effects of drought and MeJA on Norway spruce. This study will look at the effects of MeJA, a natural defense-inducing compound found in trees, and whether Norway spruce seedlings sprayed with MeJA are more resistant to G. penicillata infection than uninfected control seedlings. Drought is also going to be a main part in this study, as drought is known to act as a priming agent in trees which enables them to respond to threats faster but may also stress trees to the point where they become more vulnerable to pathogens, fungi and insects. In this study 144 seedlings, 72 of these were sprayed with MeJA, while the other 72 seedlings were treated with Tween as a control. Half the seedlings in each treatment group were exposed to drought while the other half received ample water. The results of this study showed that the aboveground growth of Norway spruce seedlings, such as height and stem growth, were not significantly different in control and MeJA-treated plants exposed to drought. However, belowground root biomass in Norway spruce was negatively affected by the combination of MeJA application and drought exposure. The necrotic lesions caused by G. penicillata infection were significantly longer in control plants, than MeJA-treated plants. Our study shows that the combination of mild drought and minimal amount of MeJA increases Norway spruce resistance to fungi, but further studies should be done to better understand the effects of combinations of stresses on spruce defense.submittedVersionM-ECO

Impacts of abiotic stress on priming of defense responses and pathogen resistance in Norway spruce

Norway spruce (Picea abies) is one of the most important tree species in Norway due to its high economic and ecological significance in forests. Pathogens, fungi and insects may have detrimental impacts on Norway spruce trees and cause economic losses for the timber industry. Insects such as the European spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus) carry fungi and help them enter the trees as the fungi cannot penetrate the bark alone. Grosmannia penicillata is a bluestain fungus that causes discoloration and necrosis in Norway spruce trees. Together this mutualistic pair may overcome the defenses of healthy trees and kill thousands of trees during outbreaks. There have been several studies experimenting with either methyl jasmonate (MeJA) or drought against pathogens, fungi and insects, but few have studied the combined effects of drought and MeJA on Norway spruce. This study will look at the effects of MeJA, a natural defense-inducing compound found in trees, and whether Norway spruce seedlings sprayed with MeJA are more resistant to G. penicillata infection than uninfected control seedlings. Drought is also going to be a main part in this study, as drought is known to act as a priming agent in trees which enables them to respond to threats faster but may also stress trees to the point where they become more vulnerable to pathogens, fungi and insects. In this study 144 seedlings, 72 of these were sprayed with MeJA, while the other 72 seedlings were treated with Tween as a control. Half the seedlings in each treatment group were exposed to drought while the other half received ample water. The results of this study showed that the aboveground growth of Norway spruce seedlings, such as height and stem growth, were not significantly different in control and MeJA-treated plants exposed to drought. However, belowground root biomass in Norway spruce was negatively affected by the combination of MeJA application and drought exposure. The necrotic lesions caused by G. penicillata infection were significantly longer in control plants, than MeJA-treated plants. Our study shows that the combination of mild drought and minimal amount of MeJA increases Norway spruce resistance to fungi, but further studies should be done to better understand the effects of combinations of stresses on spruce defense