Cytokines and regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism in the obesity

The article presents data of the influence of cytokines of different directions of glucose and lipid metabolism in obesity. A change of the basic paradigm regarding adipose tissue has contributed to a number of recent discoveries. This concerns such basic concepts as healthy and diseased adipocytes, and, as a consequence, changes of their metabolism under the influence of cytokins. Distinguishing the concept of organokines demonstrates that despite the common features of cytokine regulation, each organ has its own specifics features of cytokine regulation, each organ has its own specific an important section of this concept is the idea of the heterogeneity of adipose tissue. Knowledge of the function of adipose tissue localized in different compartments of the body is expanding. There are date about the possibility of transition of one type of adipose tissue to another. A possible mechanism linking adipose tissue inflammation and the formation of insulin resistance (IR) is presented in this paper. The mechanism of IR development is closely connected with to proinflammatory cytokins disordering the insulin signal, accompanied by a decrease of the work of glucose transporters. A decrease of the income of glucose into cells leads to a change of glycolysis level to an increase of the fatty acids oxidation. Cytokins are able to participate in the process of the collaboration of some cells with others, that occurs both during physiological and pathological process

Features of the immune response in children with acute respiratory infections caused by DNA and RNA viruses

The issues of immunopathogenesis of acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI) remain relevant, despite a long history of study. The aim of the study was to investigate the characteristics of the content of some cytokines in the blood serum of children with ARVI caused by DNA and RNA-containing viruses. Material and methods. We examined 92 children with ARVI at the age from 1 to 15 years, hospitalized in the hospital of the Children’s Clinical Hospital No. 6 (Novosibirsk). In order to determine the etiological factor, a study was carried out using the RT-PCR method (test systems AmpliSensORVI-screen-FL, “InterLabService”, Russia) of mucus from the nose and throat for the presence of genetic material of viruses that cause ARVI. Determination of the content of IL-8, IL-17, IFN-γ in the blood serum in children of all groups was carried out by the method of solid-phase ELISA using commercial test systems of LLC “Cytokin” (Russia). Results and discussion. 4 groups were formed: group I (n = 20) children with ARVI caused by DNA-containing viruses (group B, C, E adenoviruses, bocaviruses); group II (n = 53) children with ARVI caused by RNA viruses (RS virus, metapneumovirus, parainfluenza viruses 1, 2, 3, 4, rhinovirus and coronoviruses); group III (n = 12) children with ARVI caused by mixed infection; group IV (n = 7) – the genetic material of the pathogen has not been isolated. Concentration of IL-8, IL-17, IFN-γ was significantly increased in all groups compared to the normative values. Higher values of IFN-γ and IL-8 were revealed in patients with DNA viruses compared with the group with RNA-containing viruses, although the excess of IFN-γ was not statistically significant. Differences in the content of IFN-γ, IL-8 and IL-17 were noted for various etiological viral agents, but they were not significant. Conclusions. The results obtained can serve as confirmation that the functional characteristics of the response of the immune system in children with ARVI are determined not so much by the etiological factor as by its individual state. With ARVI in children, the presence of genetic material from more than one virus, apparently, is not a significant potentiating factor in the activation of the immune response. At the same time, a negative PCR result with a detailed clinical picture of ARVI does not exclude the viral genesis of the disease

Features of laboratory parameters in children with multisystem inflammatory syndrome associated with SARS-CoV-2

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) is a new childhood disease associated with coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 that manifests itself 3–4 weeks after infection. The development of MIS-C is possible, despite the asymptomatic course of coronavirus infection. The pathogenetic features of MIS-C remain unclear. The aim of the study was to investigate the state of peripheral blood parameters in children with multisystem inflammatory syndrome associated with SARS-CoV-2 upon admission to a hospital. Material and methods. We examined 52 children with MIS-C from 1 to 14 years old, hospitalized in Children`s Clinical Hospital No. 3 in Novosibirsk in October–December 2020. Testing for the isolation of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in scrapings from the nasopharynx and oropharynx was carried out using real time PCR (test systems of DNA-Technology, Russia). The presence of specific IgM and IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in blood serum was determined by ELISA using Vector-Best kits (Russia). Results and discussion. It was noted that SARS-CoV-2 virus RNA was found only in 12.8 % of cases, while specific IgG antibodies in blood serum were detected in 100 % of children. IgM to SARS-CoV-2 antigens were detected in the blood serum only in 53.85 % of children with MIS-C. It has been established that unexpressed leukocytosis was found both in children under the age of 7 and in children of 8–14 years old. However, the leukocytes content in children of the older age group was significantly lower than in children aged 1–7 years. At the same time, in both age groups, some children had extremely low values of the indicator. The causes of severe leukopenia against the background of excessive inflammation remain unclear. Age groups (1–7 and 8–14 years) do not differ statistically significantly in the relative content of lymphocytes and neutrophils. In the study of individual values of the relative content of lymphocytes within the age groups, it was noted that only some children had lymphopenia of varying severity. Conclusions. Against the background of minor leukocytosis in children with MIS-C, upon admission to the hospital, there is a tendency to develop both relative and absolute lymphopenia, regardless of age. The study noted an extremely pronounced variability of individual values of the evaluated peripheral blood parameters, regardless of age, which, with similar clinical symptoms, characterized as MIS-C, requires further study in dynamics, taking into account the initial values of the indicators.There is no pronounced relationship between the leukocytes content and specific IgM antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 antigens in the blood

Изучение продукции некоторых цитокинов при вирусных инфекциях, протекающих с диарейным синдромом у детей

The aim of the study was to study the characteristics of the content of certain cytokines in serum as indicators of the immune response in viral infections accompanied by diarrhea syndrome in children. Materials and research methods. A survey was conducted of 92 children aged 3 months to 15 years with acute respiratory viral infections hospitalized in hospital No. 6 in Novosibirsk in the first 2 days from the onset of the disease. Two groups were formed — group 1 — patients with diarrheal syndrome and signs of respiratory system damage. Group 2 — children with isolated lesions of the respiratory tract. In all children, the genetic material of viruses was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the nose and throat washes. Also, in all children, the determination of serum levels of IL-8, IL-17, IFN-ã by ELISA was performed. Results and discussion. When studying the levels of cytokines (IFN-ã, IL-8, IL-17) in patients with signs of gastrointestinal tract lesions in comparison with isolated respiratory manifestations, no statistically significant differences were found. However, when analyzing the levels of the studied parameters in patients with diarrheal syndrome in different age groups, significant differences in the levels of IFN-ã and IL-8 were revealed.Целью исследования явилось изучение особенностей содержания некоторых цитокинов в сыворотке крови как показателей иммунного реагирования при вирусных инфекциях, сопровождающихся диарейным синдромом у детей. Материалы и методы исследования. Проведено обследование 92 детей в возрасте от 3 месяцев до 15 лет с острыми респираторными вирусными инфекциями, госпитализированных в стационар ДКБ №6 города Новосибирска в первые двое суток от начала заболевания. Сформированы две группы: I группа — пациенты с диарейным синдромом и признаками поражения респираторной системы. Группа II — дети с изолированным поражением респираторного тракта. У всех детей провели определение генетического материала вирусов методом полимеразной цепной реакции (ПЦР) в смывах из носо- и ротоглотки. Также у всех детей было проведено определение содержания в сыворотке крови IL-8, IL-17, IFN-ã методом ИФА. Результаты и обсуждение. При исследовании уровней содержания цитокинов (IFN-ã, IL-8, IL-17) у пациентов с признаками поражения желудочно-кишечного тракта в сравнении с изолированными респираторными проявлениями статистически значимых различий выявлено не было. Однако при анализе уровней исследуемых показателей у пациентов с диарейным синдромом в различных возрастных группах выявлены достоверные различия в уровне содержания IFN-ã и IL-8

Personality profiles and the "russian soul": Literary and scholarly views evaluated

Many domestic and foreign observers have claimed that Russians have a unique constellation of personality traits that mirrors their distinctive historical and cultural experience. To examine the hypothesized uniqueness of Russian personality, members of the Russian Character and Personality Survey collected data from 39 samples in 33 administrative areas of the Russian Federation. Respondents (N = 7,065) identified an ethnically Russian adult or college-aged man or woman whom they knew well and rated the target using the Russian observer-rating version of the Revised NEO Personality Inventory. The mean personality profile of Russians was very similar to the international average based on 50 different countries, debunking the myth of a unique Russian soul.The small variations from world norms did not converge with depictions of Russian national character in fiction and the scholarly literature. New items intended to capture distinctive, emic aspects of Russian personality provided no new information beyond the familiar Big Five dimensions. Religion, ethnicity, and beliefs about the uniqueness of the Russian character and the malleability of personality traits had little effect on personality ratings. Perceptions of the Russian soul do not seem to be based on the personality traits of Russians

Extended Thromboprophylaxis with Betrixaban in Acutely Ill Medical Patients

Background Patients with acute medical illnesses are at prolonged risk for venous thrombosis. However, the appropriate duration of thromboprophylaxis remains unknown. Methods Patients who were hospitalized for acute medical illnesses were randomly assigned to receive subcutaneous enoxaparin (at a dose of 40 mg once daily) for 10±4 days plus oral betrixaban placebo for 35 to 42 days or subcutaneous enoxaparin placebo for 10±4 days plus oral betrixaban (at a dose of 80 mg once daily) for 35 to 42 days. We performed sequential analyses in three prespecified, progressively inclusive cohorts: patients with an elevated d-dimer level (cohort 1), patients with an elevated d-dimer level or an age of at least 75 years (cohort 2), and all the enrolled patients (overall population cohort). The statistical analysis plan specified that if the between-group difference in any analysis in this sequence was not significant, the other analyses would be considered exploratory. The primary efficacy outcome was a composite of asymptomatic proximal deep-vein thrombosis and symptomatic venous thromboembolism. The principal safety outcome was major bleeding. Results A total of 7513 patients underwent randomization. In cohort 1, the primary efficacy outcome occurred in 6.9% of patients receiving betrixaban and 8.5% receiving enoxaparin (relative risk in the betrixaban group, 0.81; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.65 to 1.00; P=0.054). The rates were 5.6% and 7.1%, respectively (relative risk, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.66 to 0.98; P=0.03) in cohort 2 and 5.3% and 7.0% (relative risk, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.63 to 0.92; P=0.006) in the overall population. (The last two analyses were considered to be exploratory owing to the result in cohort 1.) In the overall population, major bleeding occurred in 0.7% of the betrixaban group and 0.6% of the enoxaparin group (relative risk, 1.19; 95% CI, 0.67 to 2.12; P=0.55). Conclusions Among acutely ill medical patients with an elevated d-dimer level, there was no significant difference between extended-duration betrixaban and a standard regimen of enoxaparin in the prespecified primary efficacy outcome. However, prespecified exploratory analyses provided evidence suggesting a benefit for betrixaban in the two larger cohorts. (Funded by Portola Pharmaceuticals; APEX ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01583218. opens in new tab.

Gender gap in parental leave intentions: Evidence from 37 countries

This is the final version. Available from Wiley via the DOI in this record. Despite global commitments and efforts, a gender-based division of paid and unpaid work persists. To identify how psychological factors, national policies, and the broader sociocultural context contribute to this inequality, we assessed parental-leave intentions in young adults (18–30years old) planning to have children (N = 13,942; 8,880 identified as women; 5,062 identified as men) across 37 countries that varied in parental-leave policies and societal gender equality. In all countries, women intended to take longer leave than men. National parental-leave policies and women’s political representation partially explained cross-national variations in the gender gap. Gender gaps in leave intentions were paradoxically larger in countries with more gender-egalitarian parental-leave policies (i.e., longer leave available to both fathers and mothers). Interestingly, this cross-national variation in the gender gap was driven by cross-national variations in women’s (rather than men’s) leave intentions. Financially generous leave and gender-egalitarian policies (linked to men’s higher uptake in prior research) were not associated with leave intentions in men. Rather, men’s leave intentions were related to their individual gender attitudes. Leave intentions were inversely related to career ambitions. The potential for existing policies to foster gender equality in paid and unpaid work is discussed.SSHRC Insight Development GrantSSHRC Insight GrantEconomic and Social Research CouncilState Research AgencyGuangdong 13th-five Philosophy and Social Science Planning ProjectNational Natural Science Foundation of ChinaSwiss National Science FoundationSwiss National Science FoundationCenter for Social Conflict and Cohesion StudiesCenter for Intercultural and Indigenous ResearchSSHRC Postdoctoral FellowshipSlovak Research and Development AgencySwiss National Science FoundationCanada Research ChairsSocial Sciences and Humanities Research Council of CanadaOntario Ministry of Research and InnovationHSE University, RFFaculty of Arts, Masaryk Universit

The autonomic nervous system in 15–17‑year-old adolescents

Objective: to examine the autonomic nervous system in 15–17‑year-old adolescents.Subjects and methods: 2015 adolescents (1080 boys and 935 girls) aged 15–17 years were examined. The tables developed by A. M. Wayne, cardiointervalography, wedge orthostatic test, and heart rhythm variability were used to evaluate the autonomic nervous system. Results. The study showed that the adolescents of both sexes (82% of boys and 84.8% of girls) showed an imbalanced autonomic nervous system as sympathicotonia, vagotony, and vegetative vascular dystonia of mixed-type.Conclusion. The adolescents belong to a group at risk for psychosomatic diseases in the future and therefore require a special followup and prevention activities

Role of myokines in regulation of a power exchange

This review presents new data in respect of polyfunctioning of the muscular system. It is shown that the muscles are able to synthesize and секретировать миокины, with auto-couple-and endocrine effects. Is represented by the signal cascade, which runs the transcription of interleukin -6 (Il-6) in the skeletal muscles. For example, IL-6, as an important миокина, shown its metabolic and антивоспалительные effects at physical loads. Considered the issue of the specificity of the cytokine response in muscle contraction. This position is confirmed by the fact that, in эндотоксемии induced by the introduction of липополисахарида, the muscles begin to produce, as the IL-6, and factor of tumor necrosis α. The biological sense of the rise of production of IL-6 and other миокинов is that миокины are the communication system, the input signal of different organs and systems, primarily in the liver, adipose tissue, and immune and endocrine, subordinating their work requirements of long-term muscles flex