Features of the reaction of the kidney function of healthy rats to the intake of boric hydrocarbonate sodium mineral waters of varying quantitative macro- and micro-composition

The purpose of the work is a comparative assessment of the effect of boron hydrocarbonate sodium mineral waters with a varying quantitative and qualitative composition of macroelements and with different amounts of a bioactive element on the state of the urinary system of rats. Materials and methods. The work was performed on 81 white rats of the Wistar line of auto bred breeding, weighing 180-200 g. The rats were divided into four groups: group 1 - 21 intact rats served as controls; group 2 - 20 rats treated intragastrically with a soft probe MW "Polyana Ploskivskaya" at a dose of 1% of body weight daily, a course of 7 days; group 3 - 20 rats treated with MW "Polyana Kupel" according to the above method; group 4 - 20 rats treated with MW "Svalyava" according to the above process. Before removing the animals from the experiment, daily urine was collected from them; blood was also taken from the tail vein for biochemical studies. At autopsy, pieces of kidneys were taken for histological and histoenzymological studies (the activity of succinate dehydrogenase and lactate dehydrogenase was determined). Results. The histological studies showed no pathological changes in the kidneys were observed with the use of the studied boron MW. Still, there were structural changes, as well as an increase in the activity of redox enzymes. Changes in kidney function were unidirectional with using any of the investigated MW. Still, they had quantitative differences, which are less related to the amount of boron (in the form of orthoboric acid) in 1 liter of MW and more dependent on the osmolarity of the MW, the qualitative composition of macronutrients, and their ratio. Conclusion. We believe that osmolarity, as an integrated indicator of the state of the macronutrient component of MW, can be used to assess its effect on the structural and functional characteristics of the kidneys

The Role of Feature-Based Discrimination In Driving Health Disparities Among Black Americans

Objective: A growing body of research finds that darker skin tone is often associated with poorer physical and mental health in Blacks. However, the psychosocial mechanisms underlying the skin tone-health link remain elusive. The present study seeks to address this knowledge gap by investigating the direct and indirect (through perceived discrimination, socioeconomic status, and self-esteem) effects of skin tone on self-reported physical and mental health. Design: An urban sample of 130 Blacks aged 35 and above completed a self-administered computerized survey as a part of larger cross-sectional study. Results: Self-esteem played a particularly important role in mediating the associations between skin tone and self-reported physical and mental health. This suggests that self-esteem could be a point of intervention to help Blacks with darker skin tone achieve better health. Conclusion: The present study highlights the important role feature-based discrimination plays in determining mental and physical health outcomes among Blacks

Near-equatorial Pi2 and Pc3 waves observed by CHAMP and on SAMBA/MAGDAS stations

We have examined simultaneous ULF activity in the Pi2 and Pc3 bands at the near-equatorial magnetic stations in South America from SAMBA and MAGDAS arrays and low-orbiting CHAMP satellite during its passage over this meridional network. At the nighttime, both Pi2 and Pc3 waves in the upper ionosphere and on the ground are nearly of the same magnitude and in-phase. At the same time, the daytime Pc3 pulsations on the ground and in space are nearly out-of-phase. Comparison of observational results with the theoretical notions on the MHD wave interaction with the system ionosphere–atmosphere–ground suggests that nighttime low-latitude Pi2 and Pc3 wave signatures are produced by magnetospheric fast compressional mode. The daytime near-equatorial Pc3 waves still resist a quantative interpretation. These waves may be produced by a combination of two mechanisms: compressional mode leakage through the ionosphere, and by oscillatory ionospheric current spreading towards equatorial latitudes

Contribution of some immunological and metabolic factors to formation of piglets’ post-vaccination immunity

The role and responsibility of natural resistance factors, protein and lipid metabolism in the formation of piglets post-vaccination immunity against circovirus is researched. Blood was taken for tests before and on the 15th, 40th and 70th day after the vaccination. The sampled blood was analyzed to determine immunological and biochemical parameters. It was revealed that before vaccination, 31.46% of the studied samples have a positive reaction in ELISA; their number increases to 67.80–71.16% on the 40th and 70th days after vaccination.In the blood of piglets, especially on the 40th and 70th day after the vaccination, the total count of leukocytes, monocytes and lymphocytes increases by 1.21; 2.28 times and 1.48 times, but neutrophils reduced by 1.74 times along with the phagocytic properties activation. The anabolic directivity of protein metabolism is defined by the synthesis of globulin proteins. At the same time albumin-synthesizing activity in a liver decreased and “cytolysis reaction” of hepatocytes was detected. In the lipid profile of piglets’ blood, the content of LDL‑cholesterol increased by 1.44 times, while that of triglycerides decreased by 2.64 times. X‑ray spectral analysis revealed the correlation between the formation of post-vaccination immunity and two factors: the factor of the principal component (PC) 1, which is predominantly associated with indicators of natural resistance, and PC2, which is associated with metabolism indicators. The research results show that in order to increase the efficiency of formation of post-vaccination immunity in piglets, it is necessary to combine vaccination with hepatoprotective drugs

Microbial associations for pneumonia causative agents and level of their resistance to antimicrobial drugs during a new coronavirus infection pandemic

Introduction. Bacterial coinfection and secondary bacterial infection are considered critical risk factors for the severity and mortality of SARS-CoV-2-caused pneumonia. The aim of the study was to analyze a pattern of microbial associations between K. pneumoniae and A. baumannii isolated from the lower respiratory tract discharge and sectional material (lung tissue) of patients diagnosed with pneumonia, and to compare resistance level in monoculture and associations during new coronavirus infection pandemic. Materials and methods. A bacteriological study of 2689 sputum and bronchial washing samples from patients at infectious diseases hospitals, and 1411 lung pathological material samples was carried out. Bacterial isolates were identified by mass spectrometry. Antibiotic sensitivity for isolates was determined by the disk diffusion method. Genetic determinants of resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics were detected by PCR. Statistical data processing was performed using SPSS version 22 software. Results. K. pneumoniae and A. baumannii isolates were predominantly found in two- and three-pathogen associations. It was established that the resistance level of K. pneumoniae isolates in association with A. baumannii is significantly higher compared to that in monoculture for all antimicrobial drugs studied. At the same time, K. pneumoniae in combination with Candida spp. vs monoculture showed significantly lower level of resistance to ciprofloxacin, amikacin, cefotaxime, ceftazidime and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid. K. pneumoniae isolates carried resistance determinants to extended-spectrum beta-lactamases: OXA-48 — (22.5%), OXA-51 — (5.6%), OXA-23 — (4.2%), KPC — 70.9%, NDM — 7%. Of these, 14.1% of strains had the ability to co-produce serine carbapenemases OXA-48 and KPC. Sputum and lung tissue A. baumannii isolates exhibited extremely high multiple resistance regardless of their associations with other microorganisms. Microbiome species similarity in the lower respiratory tract and lung tissue discharge was revealed. The proportion of lung tissue vs sputum resistant strains of K. pneumoniae and A. baumannii was significantly higher. Conclusion. The detection of of multiple drug resistant K. pneumoniae and A. baumannii isolates as well as their associations may indicate aggravated pneumonia severity

Pathological features of the lungs and liver of piglets under conditions of constant vaccination of livestock against circovirus infection

The pathogenicity of PCV 2 in the body of vaccinated piglets was studied based on the results of pathomorphological changes in the lungs and liver of animals. The work was carried out on commercial piglets vaccinated with the vaccine Ingelvak CircoFLEX (Germany) against circovirus. The work used clinical, zootechnical, enzyme immunoassay and pathomorphological research methods. It has been established that under the conditions of ongoing vaccination of piglets against PCV2, 30.3% of piglets still do not have virus-neutralizing antibodies. The main reason for the culling of animals are circovirus diseases that have respiratory clinical signs, as well as signs of multisystem wasting syndrome, determining the safety of the livestock at the level of 68.05%, the average live weight of 1 head at the moment of its transfer for fattening is 40.44±0.78 kg, and the average daily gain in live weight is 346.00±9.18 g. At autopsy, sick piglets reveal an increase in the lungs and liver, and the signs of inflammation in them, as a result of circulatory disorders, damage to the lymphoid tissue, the development of dystrophic and necrotic changes. The results of the research suggest that in order to increase the efficiency of the formation of post-vaccination immunity, specific medical preparations can be used to stimulate the immune response of the body, as well as to enhance the resistance of the lymphoid tissue of the lungs and liver in animals.The pathogenicity of PCV 2 in the body of vaccinated piglets was studied based on the results of pathomorphological changes in the lungs and liver of animals. The work was carried out on commercial piglets vaccinated with the vaccine Ingelvak CircoFLEX (Germany) against circovirus. The work used clinical, zootechnical, enzyme immunoassay and pathomorphological research methods. It has been established that under the conditions of ongoing vaccination of piglets against PCV2, 30.3% of piglets still do not have virus-neutralizing antibodies. The main reason for the culling of animals are circovirus diseases that have respiratory clinical signs, as well as signs of multisystem wasting syndrome, determining the safety of the livestock at the level of 68.05%, the average live weight of 1 head at the moment of its transfer for fattening is 40.44±0.78 kg, and the average daily gain in live weight is 346.00±9.18 g. At autopsy, sick piglets reveal an increase in the lungs and liver, and the signs of inflammation in them, as a result of circulatory disorders, damage to the lymphoid tissue, the development of dystrophic and necrotic changes. The results of the research suggest that in order to increase the efficiency of the formation of post-vaccination immunity, specific medical preparations can be used to stimulate the immune response of the body, as well as to enhance the resistance of the lymphoid tissue of the lungs and liver in animals

The oxidative status in patients with chronic kidney disease

An excess of free radicals accompanies the development of renal pathologies and causes numerous concomitant complications and syndromes. The most common of these are cardiometabolic syndromes in patients with chronic kidney disease. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to determine the activity of paraoxonase-1 and myeloperoxidase, which are associated with indicators of high-density lipoproteins content and oxidative stress in the blood of patients with the chronic stage of kidney disease. The activity of the enzymes, thiobarbiturate-active products concentration and transferrin, ceruloplasmin, thiol compounds content were determined in the blood of patients with chronic kidney disease. The oxidative status was shown to be changed. Thus, myeloperoxidase activity, the content of oxidized proteins and the concentration of thiobarbiturate-positive components were increased, while the activity of the antioxidant enzyme paraoxonase-1, the content of transferrin, ceruloplasmin and thiol compounds were decreased. The ratio of myeloperoxidase/paraoxonase-1 activities was progressively increased up to 9-fold, indicating the presence of cardiovascular complications in patients. The data obtained allowed to extend the range of indicators for monitoring the development of cardiometabolic disorders in the progression of chronic kidney disease

ESCHERICHIA COLI phenotypic characteristics and antagonistic activity in opisthorchiasis invasion

Opisthorchis felineus invasion in human causes inflammatory and dyskinetic disorders of the gastrointestinal tract accompanied by altered phenotypic characteristics in colon microbiota. The aim of research — study an impact of the Escherichia coli isolate phenotypic characteristics on Klebsiella spp. bacteria, isolated from colonic contents of patients with diagnosed opisthorchiasis as well as E. coli antagonistic activity. Materials and methods. The phenotypic properties of 54 E. coli isolates and 8 genus Klebsiella isolates obtained from colonic contents of patients with diagnosed opisthorchiasis were assessed. Identification of isolates and analysis of proteomic profiles were performed using Maldi BioTyper 3.0 software. 204 co-cultivation datasets were analyzed investigating antagonistic activity of E. coli isolates with varying properties on Klebsiella spp. E. coli and Klebsiella spp. isolates were examined by whole genome sequencing. Results. E. coli bacteria with typical phenotypic characteristics showed significantly more prominent antagonistic activity against Klebsiella spp. A significantly higher level of antagonistic activity against K. oxytoca bacteria vs K. pneumoniae strains. The proteomic bacterial strain profiles were divided into clusters depending on the level of antagonistic activity. E. coli molecular serotyping for O- and H-antigens revealed the genes of enterotoxigenic, enteroinvasive and extraintestinal pathogens in 60.0% of cases. Strains with the highest antagonistic activity index, which are carriers of the genes typical to enterotoxigenic E. coli sequence serotypes O6:H1 and O6:H5, were identified. The genome of such strains consisted of the largest number of virulence gene complexes: adhesins, invasins, toxins, bacteriocins. Multilocus sequence typing and sequence serotyping of E. coli and K. pneumoniae strains established their heterogeneity; K. oxytoca isolates were identified as ST242 and ST176. All strains were characterized by homology of antibiotic resistance markers (oqxA, oqxB, fosA) and a variety of beta-lactam resistance gene variants. Conclusion. It was found that E. coli isolates with typical phenotypic characteristics and carriers of virulence gene complexes exhibited significantly more pronounced antagonistic activity against Klebsiella spp. isolated from colonic contents of patients with diagnosed opisthorchiasis

Stat1 nuclear translocation by nucleolin upon monocyte differentiation

BACKGROUND: Members of the signal transducer and activator of transcription (Stat) family of transcription factors traverse the nuclear membrane through a specialized structure, called the nuclear pore complex (NPC), which represents a selective filter for the import of proteins. Karyophilic molecules can bind directly to a subset of proteins of the NPC, collectively called nucleoporins. Alternatively, the transport is mediated via a carrier molecule belonging to the importin/karyopherin superfamily, which transmits the import into the nucleus through the NPC. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: In this study, we provide evidence for an alternative Stat1 nuclear import mechanism, which is mediated by the shuttle protein nucleolin. We observed Stat1-nucleolin association, nuclear translocation and specific binding to the regulatory DNA element GAS. Using expression of nucleolin transgenes, we found that the nuclear localization signal (NLS) of nucleolin is responsible for Stat1 nuclear translocation. We show that this mechanism is utilized upon differentiation of myeloid cells and is specific for the differentiation step from monocytes to macrophages. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our data add the nucleolin-Stat1 complex as a novel functional partner for the cell differentiation program, which is uniquely poised to regulate the transcription machinery via Stat1 and nuclear metabolism via nucleolin