Coherent fluctuation nephelometry in clinical microbiology

In this article data concerning coherent fluctuation nephelometry (CFN) use in clinical microbiology is presented. CFN-analyzer allows to solve two important problems – fast urine screening for bacteriuria within 2-4 hours and antibiotic susceptibility testing within 3-6 hours. Altogether more than 650 urine samples were tested, and the effectivity of CFN-analyzer for preliminary selection of samples for further analysis was shown. Method allows to detect negative samples, reducing the number of urine analyses by 70-80%. Simultaneous analysis of growth curves and concentration of microorganisms shows high sensitivity and specificity (95.2% и 96.9%). Also more than 250 antibiotic susceptibility tests were performed using CFN-analyzer to show its effectiveness for determination of resistant properties of both pure cultures and urine microflora without isolation of bacteria. The agreement with traditional methods was from 84% to 88%. The use of CFN-analyzer with express methods of identification of microorganisms (chromogenic nutrient broths or mass-spectrometry) allows to make full urine analysis within 1-2 days. In the future CFN-analyzer gives an opportunity to screen different human biological liquids, and finds an application for other microbiological tasks, including standardization and speeding-up in sanitary bacteriology

MICROELEMENTS IN THE PREVENTION OF OSTEOPOROSIS: FOCUS ON SILICON

The present review of literature is focusing on the role of the trace element silicon in the process of remodeling of bone tissue and exploring the possibility of using the silicon-containing supplements in the complex prevention of osteoporosis. The experimental studies had proved the involvement of silicon in the development of connective tissue, formation and mineralization of bone tissue. A few clinical trials showed a positive effect of silicon supplements on the bone mass and markers of a bone metabolism. Because the potential biological role of silicon in osteogenesis was not completely studied the growing attention of the scientific medical community to this important nutrient will improve the understanding of its role and place in the formation of healthy bone tissue, and its use to prevent the development of osteoporosis

Characterization of the High Temperature Form of Fe2(MoO4)3

Ferric molybdate in its high temperature orthorhombic phase has been characterized by conductometric and thermogravimetric measurements

Neutrophil extracellular traps: diagnostic and prognostic value in COVID-19

Rationale: An important element of antiviral defense in the pathophysiology of COVID-19 is the innate cell immunity including polymorphonuclear neutrophils prone to netotic transformation. Neutrophils can be not only a marker of acute infection, but, being a source of neutrophil extracellular traps (NET), can play a key role in the development of thrombotic complications leading to acute respiratory insufficiency in COVID-19.Aim: To determine the diagnostic and prognostic value of NET levels in patients with COVID-19.Materials and methods: We monitored NET levels in peripheral blood of 34 patients with COVID-19 (mean age, 67 ± 15.8 years), admitted to MONIKI hospital. The control group consisted of 54 healthy volunteers (mean age, 52 ± 11.5 years). Whole blood samples of 2 pL each were used for the preparation of monolayer smears (Giemsa stain) and calculation of at least 200 cell structures including native intact and transformed neutrophils (MECOS-C2 microscope, Medical computer systems).Results: Patients with COVID-19 had higher NET levels, compared to those in healthy controls: 14.5% (2.9-28.6%) vs. 5.0% (1.8-11.9%, p < 0.0001). The patients who were on non-invasive respiratory support (23.5%) had a NET level of 12% (8.122.3%), whereas those on invasive mechanical ventilation (17.6%) had a 1.5-fold higher NET level of 17.9% (12.3-28.2%) (p < 0.05). In the patients who died (11.8% of the cases), the NET level amounted to 19% (16.5-26%, p < 0.05). Monitoring of blood NET levels was performed in 9 patients from the day of admittance to the day of their transfer to the intensive care unit / discharge / death. It was shown that a decrease of NET levels mirrors an improvement of the patient's clinical condition and efficacy of his/hers treatment. On the opposite, an increase of NET levels can indicate a deterioration and risk of unfavorable course.Conclusion: We have identified some pathophysiological mechanisms in COVID-19, related to the neutrophil compartment. Patients with coronavirus infection are characterized by high NET levels which is at least 3-fold higher than that in healthy volunteers. This indicates an abnormality in immune host defense and development of an inadequate inflammatory response. An increase of NET in whole blood smears of more than 16% can be a criterion of an unfavorable prognosis of the disease course and the risk of death