Physical research of microgravity influence on physical phenomenon in cryogenic liquids and general-purpose onboard cryogenic facility for realization of this researchaboard International Space Station

The united research plan named "Boiling" is created on the basis of several cryogenic research projects developed by experts in Russia and Ukraine for International Space Station. The "Boiling" plan includes 8 first experiments aimed at investigating the influence of microgravity on boiling processes, heat transfer and hydrodynamics in liquid helium being either under normal or superfluid conditions. The experiments are supposed to be carried out with individual cells collected inside a single cryogenic onboard experimental facility. The international research program experiments are characterized by the following features: utilization of several artificially simulated microgravity levels, owing to rotation of the experimental helium cryostat; visualization of the processes that occur in liquid helium; research of boiling and hydrodynamics both in a large volume of stationary liquid, and in a liquid flow running through a channel. Upon completion of the "Boiling" research plan, the cryogenic onboard facility created for International Space Station would be able to find its application in further scientific and experimental researches with helium

Sea Power of Minos

Статья посвящена исследованию "Критской морской державы" в середине II тысячелетия до н.э. Автор, анализируя свидетельства письменных источников, делает вывод об объединении Эгеиды под властью Крита в этот период. The article describes Cretan Sea Power of the mid-2nd millenium B.C. Author makes a conclusion that the Aegean was united by Crete at this period

Local interferon therapy in immunorehabilitation of young children who frequently and for long periods fall ill with respiratory diseases

The problem of children falling ill frequently and for long periods (FIFL) against the background of dysregulatory processes in the immune system, and hence, search for optimal immunorehabilitation measures, are topical issues in everyday paediatric practice. The objective of the study was to work out an ambulatory programme of two-stage immunorehabilitation that includes local interferon therapy of frequently ill children. We examined 150 children aged 1.5–3.5 y, who attended preschool, of them 100 children comprised the FIFL group, whose morbidity rate related to acute respiratory infections (ARI) was 8 to 12 times a year, 50 children comprised the control group who got ARI 2 to 4 times a year. Children of both groups were tested for a number of immunological parameters (levels of Т and В cells, salivary immunoglobulin А and nasal secretion, salivary lysozyme). Clinico-immunological testing was performed before and after recovery for assessment of the effectiveness of the programme of two-stage immunorehabilitation with the use of local interferon therapy with recombinant interferon alpha-2b in combination with antioxidants (Viferon® gel) administered in 40 children from the FIFL group. The developed programme has demonstrated its clinico-immunological effectiveness: against the background of regression of dysregolatory processes in the immune system the number of ARI episodes significantly decreased, the duration and severity of their manifestation also decreased, the number of exacerbations of chronic diseases of the Waldeyer’s lymphatic ring was reduced. © 2018, Dynasty Publishing House. All rights reserved

Local interferon therapy in immunorehabilitation of young children who frequently and for long periods fall ill with respiratory diseases

The problem of children falling ill frequently and for long periods (FIFL) against the background of dysregulatory processes in the immune system, and hence, search for optimal immunorehabilitation measures, are topical issues in everyday paediatric practice. The objective of the study was to work out an ambulatory programme of two-stage immunorehabilitation that includes local interferon therapy of frequently ill children. We examined 150 children aged 1.5–3.5 y, who attended preschool, of them 100 children comprised the FIFL group, whose morbidity rate related to acute respiratory infections (ARI) was 8 to 12 times a year, 50 children comprised the control group who got ARI 2 to 4 times a year. Children of both groups were tested for a number of immunological parameters (levels of Т and В cells, salivary immunoglobulin А and nasal secretion, salivary lysozyme). Clinico-immunological testing was performed before and after recovery for assessment of the effectiveness of the programme of two-stage immunorehabilitation with the use of local interferon therapy with recombinant interferon alpha-2b in combination with antioxidants (Viferon® gel) administered in 40 children from the FIFL group. The developed programme has demonstrated its clinico-immunological effectiveness: against the background of regression of dysregolatory processes in the immune system the number of ARI episodes significantly decreased, the duration and severity of their manifestation also decreased, the number of exacerbations of chronic diseases of the Waldeyer’s lymphatic ring was reduced. © 2018, Dynasty Publishing House. All rights reserved

Differentiated immunotherapy in the integration program for the rehabilitation of immunocompromised children with congenital cleft lip and palate

One of the development directions of osteoimmunology is the search for new therapeutic approaches in the pathology of bone tissue, in the pathogenesis of which the interaction between the immune and bone systems plays an essential role. In children with congenital cleft lip and palate (CCLP), the physiological deficiency of the immune system (IS) and its anatomical disorders lead to intense tension in the immature mechanism for maintaining immune homeostasis, which is accompanied by clinical features of immunodeficiency in the form of recurrent viral, bacterial and fungal infectious and inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract, ENT organs and oral cavity. Objective. To develop an integration program for the rehabilitation of children with CCLP, which includes not only traditional complex rehabilitation, but also measures aimed at restoration of the normal functioning of IS with the use of new approaches to conduct differentiated immunotherapy for each age period. Patients and methods. The study included 210 children of different ages: 150 children with CCLP and 60 conditionally healthy children without CCLP. Immunophenotyping of lymphocytes was conducted by flow cytometry; testing of phagocytic activity of neutrophilic granulocytes (NG), spontaneous and induced production of reactive oxygen species in the NBT test, determination of the level of serum IgA, IgM, IgG and sIgA in oral fluid. Results. Common for all age groups of children with CCLP, NG dysfunctions of different severity were found: defects of phago-cytosis, an increase of spontaneous activity of NADPH oxidase and dysfunction of adequate response in the form of partial or complete blockade of NADPH oxidase activity during additional antigenic bacterial load in the system in vitro. Taking into account revealed defects in the functioning of IS and peculiarities of the clinical status of immunocompromised children of different ages with CCLP who suffer from a high frequency of infectious and inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract, ENT organs and oral cavity, we have developed programs of differentiated immunotropic therapy for children of different ages with CCLP. Considering revealed defects in the functioning of IS and peculiarities of the clinical status of immunocompromised children of different ages with CCLP who suffer from a high frequency of infectious and inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract, we have developed and used an integration program of immunorehabilitation with a positive clinical and immunological effect. Conclusion. The developed integration program for the rehabilitation of immunocompromised children with CCLP with a high frequency of infectious and inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract, ENT organs and oral cavity, organically including differentiated immunotherapy along with methods of surgical, orthodontic and social rehabilitation and speech therapy, optimizes the treatment of patients with this pathology. The principles of differentiated immunotherapy are based on the revealed clinical and immunological peculiarities of immunodeficiency, which have both common features and differences depending on age, infectious and inflammatory manifestations and the stage of surgical treatment of children with CCLP. © 2020, Dynasty Publishing House. All rights reserved

The effectiveness of a programme of combination immunotherapy for recurrent chronic nonspecific vulvovaginitis in immunocompromised girls

The objective: To develop an effective programme of combination immunotherapy for treatment of immunocompromised girls suffering from chronic nonspecific vulvovaginitis (CNVV), taking into account specified impairments of the functioning of the immune system and interferon (IFN) system. Patients and methods: We observed 25 girls aged 3 to 4 years, suffering from recurrent CNVV in the exacerbation period. The control group consisted of 12 conditionally healthy girls of the same age. Immunophenotyping of T and B lymphocytes, natural killer cells (NKC) was employed to assess the immune system (IS). The phagocytic and microbicidal function of neutrophil granulocytes (NG) was examined with detection of the number of actively phagocytic NG (%PhAN, PhC, PhI), assessment of digestive activity (%D, DI). NADPH oxidase activity of NG was determined by parameters of spontaneous and stimulated NBT tests (St. aureus), taking into account % of formazan-positive NG (%FPC), average cytochemical index (ACI), by the %FPCst/%FPCsp ratio mobilisation coefficient (MC) was calculated. Using methods of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, the levels of serum immunoglobulins (IgA, IgM, IgG, IgE) and interferons (IFN-α, -γ) were tested. Results: In immunocompromised girls suffering from CNVV, deficiency of cytotoxic T lymphocytes, NKC, serum IFN-α, IFN-γ, IgA, IgM, IgG and defects of NG phagocytic activity were found. Taking into account the diagnosed disorders a 10-week programme of combination immunotherapy of girls was developed with the use of local and systemic therapy with recombinant human interferon α2b in combination with antioxidants (viferon) and glucosaminyl muramyl dipeptide (licopid). Analysis of the clinical effectiveness after 1-year follow-up showed that after the administered combination immunotherapy the incidence of CNVV exacerbations was reduced by 3.4 times from 6.2 to 1.8 times per year (p < 0.05) and the duration of exacerbations decreased from 12-14 days to 7-8 days. The clinical picture of CNVV exacerbations developing after a complex of therapeutic measures was characterised by smoother symptoms. Also, the incidence of ARVI decreased from 14.8 to 5.2 episodes per year, p < 0.05, and their duration was reduced from 10-14 days and more to 5 days. Positive clinical effects of combination immunotherapy were accompanied by a positive dynamics of changes in the immune system: normalisation of a previously low lymphocyte count with the cytotoxic function (CD3+CD8+; CD3-CD16+CD56+), recovery of the absolute values of CD3-CD19+ and against this background the level of serum IgA, IgG, previously decreased by 2 times, recovery of actively phagocytic NG (%PhAN); NG engulfing capacity (PhC and PhI). Conclusion: The developed programme of combination immunotherapy with inclusion of viferon and licopid permitted to obtain a positive clinico-immunological and protective effect (catamnestic follow-up for 1 year) in immunocompromised girls with recurrent CHVV and recurrent respiratory tract infections. © 2018 Dynasty Publishing House. All rights reserved