Antimicrobial and therapeutic effect of probiotics in cases of experimental purulent wounds

Probiotics based on bacteria of the genus Bacillus with a multifactorial mechanism of action are considered as a possible alternative to antibiotics in the treatment of purulent wounds. The aim of the study was to determine the antimicrobial and therapeutic effect of the Arederma probiotic preparation containing probiotic strains of the genus Bacillus in an experimental model of a purulent wound in animals. The antimicrobial efficacy of the probiotic against test strains and clinical isolates of pathogenic and opportunistic microorganisms was studied using the method of delayed antagonism. Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 and Streptococcus pyogenes K-7 were used to model a purulent wound. From the surface of the wounds, bacteria of Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas genera and Enterobacteriaceae family were sown on appropriate selective media for the cultivation and enumeration of different groups of microorganisms by generally accepted microbiological research methods. The formation of a purulent wound in rabbits caused by mechanical skin damage and subsequent double infection with Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 and Streptococcus pyogenes K-7 strains was accompanied with a pronounced inflammatory process, necrosis, the formation of purulent exudate and general intoxication. Representatives of the genera Staphylococcus and Streptococcus, microscopic fungi and, to a lesser extent, members of the family Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas were found on the surface of purulent wounds, which confirmed the development of the infectious-inflammatory process. Treatment of purulent wounds with a suspension of probiotic preparation once a day for 4 days led to their faster healing (gradual attenuation of the inflammatory process, reduction of edema and discharge, as well as their disappearance) compared with untreated purulent wounds (control). Representatives of the Staphylococcus and Streptococcus genera, as well as microscopic fungi, presented in purulent wounds treated with probiotic preparation in much smaller numbers than in the control, and bacteria of the Pseudomonas genus and the Enterobacteriaceae family were not detected at all. The effective antimicrobial effect of this probiotic preparation against opportunistic and pathogenic microorganisms was confirmed by in vitro studies. Therefore, the Arederma probiotic preparation showed an effective therapeutic and antimicrobial effect in the experimental model of a purulent wound in animals, so it can be recommended for further preclinical and clinical studies

Virtual reality in foreign language training at higher educational institutions

The paper deals with the urgent problem of application of virtual reality in foreign language training. Statistical data confirms that the number of smartphone users, Internet users, including wireless Internet users, has been increasing for recent years in Ukraine and tends to grow. The coherence of quick mobile Internet access and presence of supplementary equipment enables to get trained or to self-dependently advance due to usage of virtual reality possibilities for education in the stationary classrooms, at home and in motion. Several important features of virtual reality, its advantages for education are discussed. It is noted that virtual reality is remaining a relatively new technology in language learning. Benefits from virtual reality implementation into foreign language learning and teaching are given. The aspects of immersion and gamification in foreign language learning are considered. It is emphasized that virtual reality creates necessary preconditions for motivation increasing. The results of the survey at two higher education institution as to personal experience in using VR applications for learning foreign languages are presented. Most students at both universities have indicated quite a low virtual reality application usage. Six popular virtual reality applications for foreign language learning (Mondly, VRSpeech, VR Learn English, Gold Lotus, AltSpaceVR and VirtualSpeech) are analyzed. It is stated that the most preferred VR application for foreign language learning includes detailed virtual environment for maximal immersion, highlevel visual effects similar to video games, simple avatar control, thorough material selection and complete complicity level accordance of every element and aspect, affordability, helpful and unobtrusive following up

Voting 'against all' in postcommunist Russia

Since the early 1990s voters in Russia (and most of the other post-Soviet republics) have been offered the opportunity to vote ‘against all’ parties and candidates. Increasing numbers have done so. The evidence of two post-election surveys indicates that ‘against all’ voters are younger than other voters, more urban and more highly educated. They do not reject liberal democracy, but are critical of the contemporary practice of Russian politics and find no parties that adequately reflect their views. With the ending of the ‘against all’ facility in 2006 and other changes in the Russian electoral system under the Putin presidency, levels of turnout are likely to fall further and the protest vote will seek other outlets within or outside the parliamentary system

Current Ultrasonography Potential in the Diagnosis of Juvenile Recurrent Parotitis

Objective: To determine the diagnostic significance of sonographic signs indicating the parotid glands’ condition in children with juvenile recurrent parotitis (JRP).   Materials and methods: We examined 42 patients with JRP and 30 children aged 3-17 years from the control group. Both groups underwent B-mode and color Doppler ultrasonography of parotid glands to assess linear dimensions, contours, structures, echogenicity, pronouncement of the stromal component, parenchymal vascularization, and condition of intraglandular lymph nodes. The diagnostic significance of the sonographic signs was assessed by ROC analysis.   Results and discussion: We found significant differences between the study and control groups in terms of such sonographic signs as gland enlargement, decreased parenchymal echogenicity, change in the echotexture, increased stromal component, increased parenchymal vascularization, and reactive parotid lymph nodes (P < .05). With the high-frequency probe we were able to study the structure of JRP-associated hypoechoic foci in the parenchyma and prove that they are not cystic dilatation of the ducts but foci of infiltration around the peripheral ducts with structurally altered walls.   Conclusions: Ultrasonography plays a pivotal role in the JRP diagnosis and can identify its most significant sonographic signs, such as increased size, distinctive changes in the parenchymal echotexture, decreased echogenicity, and increased parenchymal vascularization

Experience in Utilization of Phylogenetic Analysis for Epidemiological Investigation of HIV Infection Case

Objective of the study was to investigate a criminal case of infection with HIV, applying molecular-genetic analysis of blood plasma samples from an estimated source of an infection and the recipient for evaluation of probability of epidemiological connection between them. Materials and methods. The study involved genotyping and phylogenetic analysis of nucleotide sequences of HIV-1 variants, isolated from patients in the investigated group and the control one (19 nucleotide sequences of the HIV-1 from the patients living in the Saratov region, and 15 nucleotide sequences from GenBank). Genotyping was performed using the commercial ViroSeq HIV-1 Genotyping System. The sub-typing of HIV-1 strains was carried out on-line, through the COMET HIV-1/2 and HCV and REGA HIV-1 Sybtyping Tool programs. Phylogenetic analysis of nucleotide sequences was carried out by Mega software, version 5.2. Phylogenetic trees were constructed; nucleotide distances were calculated by Kimura method (bootstrap level 1000). Results and conclusions. Virus variants, isolated from the studied samples, were defined as HIV-1 A subtype. Performed phylogenetic analysis showed that nucleotide sequences of the studied samples authentically grouped on the phylogenetic tree, forming a common cluster, which mismatched that of control group. Calculation of the genetic distance testifies that the genetic relation between the samples within the investigated group is higher, than between the same samples and those of the control group. Thus, by means of phylogenetic analysis it is shown that the strains received from an estimated source of infection and the recipient are genetically closer to each other, than to the strains from the group of comparison. In this regard, it is possible to claim with a big share of confidence that probability of epidemiological connection between them exists

Virtual reality in foreign language training at higher educational institutions

The paper deals with the urgent problem of application of virtual reality in foreign language training. Statistical data confirms that the number of smartphone users, Internet users, including wireless Internet users, has been increasing for recent years in Ukraine and tends to grow. The coherence of quick mobile Internet access and presence of supplementary equipment enables to get trained or to self-dependently advance due to usage of virtual reality possibilities for education in the stationary classrooms, at home and in motion. Several important features of virtual reality, its advantages for education are discussed. It is noted that virtual reality is remaining a relatively new technology in language learning. Benefits from virtual reality implementation into foreign language learning and teaching are given. The aspects of immersion and gamification in foreign language learning are considered. It is emphasized that virtual reality creates necessary preconditions for motivation increasing. The results of the survey at two higher education institution as to personal experience in using VR applications for learning foreign languages are presented. Most students at both universities have indicated quite a low virtual reality application usage. Six popular virtual reality applications for foreign language learning (Mondly, VRSpeech, VR Learn English, Gold Lotus, AltSpaceVR and VirtualSpeech) are analyzed. It is stated that the most preferred VR application for foreign language learning includes detailed virtual environment for maximal immersion, high- level visual effects similar to video games, simple avatar control, thorough material selection and complete complicity level accordance of every element and aspect, affordability, helpful and unobtrusive following up

Development of the forecast model for management of the disbalance between the labor markets and educational services in the construction industry

In this article, the procedure of the development of the forecast model is described. Within the model based on expert assessment factors that affect the imbalance between labour markets and educational services in the construction industry have been identified. Graphical visualization of models in the form of graphs is presented. On this basis, scenarios of social and economic development of the region in this area (optimistic, realistic and pessimistic scenarios) are define

One Hundred Years of Observations of the Be Star HDE 245770 (the X-ray Binary A0535+26/V725 Tau): The End of an Active Phase

UBV observations of the X-ray binary system A0535+26/V725 Tau at the Crimean Station of the Sternberg Astronomical Institute in 1980-1998 are presented. Based on our and published data, we analyze the photometric history of the star from 1898.Comment: Translated from Pis'ma Astronomicheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 26, No. 1, 2000, pp. 13-2

Extremely polysubstituted magnetic material based on magnetoplumbite with a hexagonal structure: Synthesis, structure, properties, prospects

Crystalline high-entropy single-phase products with a magnetoplumbite structure with grains in the µm range were obtained using solid-state sintering. The synthesis temperature was up to 1400 °C. The morphology, chemical composition, crystal structure, magnetic, and electrodynamic properties were studied and compared with pure barium hexaferrite BaFe 12 O 19 matrix. The polysubstituted high-entropy single-phase product contains five doping elements at a high concentration level. According to the EDX data, the new compound has a formula of Ba(Fe6Ga1.25In1.17Ti1.21Cr1.22Co1.15)O19. The calculated cell parameter values were a = 5.9253(5) Å, c = 23.5257(22) Å, and V = 715.32(9) Å3. The increase in the unit cell for the substituted sample was expected due to the different ionic radius of Ti/In/Ga/Cr/Co compared with Fe3+. The electrodynamicmeasurements were performed. The dielectric and magnetic permeabilities were stable in the frequency range from 2 to 12 GHz. In this frequency range, the dielectric and magnetic losses were??0.2/0.2. Due to these electrodynamic parameters, this material can be used in the design of microwave strip devices. © 2019 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.Funding: The work was supported by the Russian Science Foundation, project No. 18-73-10049

RANGING THE KHABAROVSK KRAY TERRITORIES BY THE LEVELS OF DYSENTERY EPIDEMIC MANIFESTATIONS

Aim: to reveal the Khabarovsk region territories that are under high risk of spread of dysentery in the period of large-scale flood fallout liquidation. Materials and methods. There was the analysis conducted of dysentery incidence during the period of 2003-2012 including distribution of annual and long-term annual average indicators per 100 000 inhabitants throughout administrative entities of Khabarovsk territory. We used methods that reveal tendencies and evaluated dynamic rates of dysentery epidemic process in time. Results and discussion. Khabarovsk region shows uneven levels of manifestations of epidemic process of dysentery not only during evaluation of annual incidence but also among certain administrative territories. During ten years preceding the flood in the Amur River region, long-term annual average level of incidence equaled to 42.7 ± 1.740/0000 The epidemic process was most intense in the Nanayi region, in other six administrative regions long-term annual average levels of incidence were exceeding similar averaged levels in Khabarovsk region. An intense epidemiologic situation on dysentery in several territories of the region was associated with registration of foci of clustered incidence caused by dysentery Sonne of alimentary and water-borne origin including atypical variants of Shigella Sonne. Conclusion. A year before the flood the elevation of dysentery incidence was registered in most of the territories of Khabarovsk Kray, and there was the evidence of outlined tendency of activation of epidemic process. This served as a basis for required adequate emergency measures for prophylaxis of dysentery