Paradox: Does liver insuffi ciency protect the patient? A hypothesis

Despite the fact that the key role of the liver in the formation of the immune response to injury is not in doubt, the mechanisms of weakening the immune response to infectious and noninfectious lesions in patients with hepatic failure remain unclear. We propose an original hypothesis of forming the ways to limit the amplitude of the systemic inflammatory response in patients with the end-stage liver disease. The basis of the hypothesis is the idea that as a result of reducing the intensity of the natural stimulation of membrane mCD14 receptors by the ligands of infectious nature, the basic mechanism of the systemic immune response induction by liver macrophages (Kupffer cells) is interrupted. According to the proposed hypothesis, in condition of liver failure, the synthesis of lipopolysaccharide-binding protein by hepatocytes is reduced. This leads to a decreased amplitude and intensity of the protective immune responses. This fact explains a number of clinical phenomena observed in patients with liver failure/dysfunction that consist in a reduced reactivity of the organism to the damage inflicted by infectious and noninfectious agents. The authors consider it possible to use this hypothesis in the search for new trends to prevent the immune system hyper-reactivity in sepsis, and to improve the therapeutic strategies for the management of patients at high risk of infectious complications after liver transplantation

Study of cytotoxicity performance of carbon nanohorns by method of spin probes

The effects of as-produced and treated by HNO3(3M) carbon nanohorns on the microviscosity of rat erythrocyte membranes and the viscosity of the water-containing plasma protein matrix were investigated by the method of spin probes. Addition of nanohorns at the concentration of 100 μg/ml to a suspension of erythrocytes led to an increase in membrane microviscosity during 4 h (about 60% effect). In addition, it was shown that nanohorns also induced an increased polarity of the microenvironment for lipophilic probes in the outer layer of membrane phospholipids, as well as disorders in erythrocytes membranes. Addition of nanohorns to plasma led to a little decrease in the viscosity of water and protein matrix, apparently, due to its partial destruction, impacting especially albumin. Pristine and treated by HNO3(3M) acid nanohorns was found more cytotoxic than nanoparticles of oxidized graphene, and significantly less than carbon nanotubes, which are known to dramatically increase the microviscosity of the membranes of erythrocytes and disrupt their integrity

CHANGE OF NON-SPECIFIC FACTORS OF IMMUNITY UNDER INFLUENCE OF INTERFERON INDUCTOR (CYCLOFERON) IN BRONCHIAL ASTHMA IN CHILDREN

The aim of the work was to evaluate the effect of immunomodulation therapy on factors of nonspecific immunity in children with bronchial asthma (BA) by including interferon (cycloferon) in a standard therapy. 120 children with BA aged from 5 to 14 were examined. The main group (n = 60) included children who, in addition to basic therapy, received an interferon inducer (cycloferon) according to the generally accepted scheme. In comparison group were children who received only basic therapy (n = 60), depending on the severity of the disease. In control group were 25 healthy children. The level of serum interferon, virus-induced interferon production (VII), mitogen-stimulated production of interferon (MSI), phagocytic activity of neutrophils, as well as spontaneous and induced activity were determined. The arithmetic mean (M) and the absolute value error (m) were statistically calculated. The reliability of the differences was determined by the t-test of the Student (p < 0,05). The analysis of the indices of interferon status and phagocytic activity, depending on the type of therapeutic tactics, showed that as a result of the inclusion of cycloferon in the baseline, there was a significant increase in the levels of VII (p < 0,05) and MSI (p < 0,05 ), spontaneous and induced neutrophil activity. It was noted that this positive effect was more noticeable in moderate and severe BA (p < 0,05). Activation of factors of nonspecific protection contributed to a decrease in the frequency of exacerbations of BA in children, as well as a longer-term clinical remission in this contingent of children

The politics of in/visibility: carving out queer space in Ul'yanovsk

&lt;p&gt;In spite of a growing interest within sexualities studies in the concept of queer space (Oswin 2008), existing literature focuses almost exclusively on its most visible and territorialised forms, such as the gay scene, thus privileging Western metropolitan areas as hubs of queer consumer culture (Binnie 2004). While the literature has emphasised the political significance of queer space as a site of resistance to hegemonic gender and sexual norms, it has again predominantly focused on overt claims to public space embodied in Pride events, neglecting other less open forms of resistance.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; This article contributes new insights to current debates about the construction and meaning of queer space by considering how city space is appropriated by an informal queer network in Ul’ianovsk. The group routinely occupied very public locations meeting and socialising on the street or in mainstream cafés in central Ul’ianovsk, although claims to these spaces as queer were mostly contingent, precarious or invisible to outsiders. The article considers how provincial location affects tactics used to carve out communal space, foregrounding the importance of local context and collective agency in shaping specific forms of resistance, and questioning ethnocentric assumptions about the empowering potential of visibility.&lt;/p&gt

Dual targeting of the epigenome via FACT complex and histone deacetylase is a potent treatment strategy for DIPG

Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is an aggressive and incurable childhood brain tumor for which new treatments are needed. CBL0137 is an anti-cancer compound developed from quinacrine that targets facilitates chromatin transcription (FACT), a chromatin remodeling complex involved in transcription, replication, and DNA repair. We show that CBL0137 displays profound cytotoxic activity against a panel of patient-derived DIPG cultures by restoring tumor suppressor TP53 and Rb activity. Moreover, in an orthotopic model of DIPG, treatment with CBL0137 significantly extends animal survival. The FACT subunit SPT16 is found to directly interact with H3.3K27M, and treatment with CBL0137 restores both histone H3 acetylation and trimethylation. Combined treatment of CBL0137 with the histone deacetylase inhibitor panobinostat leads to inhibition of the Rb/E2F1 pathway and induction of apoptosis. The combination of CBL0137 and panobinostat significantly prolongs the survival of mice bearing DIPG orthografts, suggesting a potential treatment strategy for DIPG

From Barbie to the oligarchs wife: Reading fantasy femininity and globalisation in post-Soviet Russian womens magazines

This article shows how an analysis of fantasy femininity sheds light on how norms of gender, class and national identity reflect global and local cross-cultural currents in post-Soviet Russia. Drawing on a discourse analysis of women’s magazines and in-depth interviews with readers, it shows how, in the globalized post-Soviet cultural landscape, fantasy femininity represents both change and continuity. Feminine archetypes in women’s magazines, from fairytale princesses to Barbie dolls, reflect a wider post-Soviet cultural hybridisation, and show how Western women’s magazines have adapted to the Russian context. Furthermore, the article highlights readers’ ambiguous attitudes towards post-Soviet cultural trends linked to perceived Westernisation or globalisation, such as individualism, conspicuous consumption, and glamour

Сравнение слабительных препаратов для подготовки к КТ-колонографии при использовании схемы с полным очищением толстой кишки

Purpose. Our study aimed to identify an optimal full-cleanse bowel preparation scheme for patients undergoing CT colonography.Material and methods. The final sample included 118 patients: 81 females (68.6%), with the median age being 75 years (IQR 675-80 years). For bowel preparation 39 (33.1%) patients used PM/Ca, 36 (30.5%) – 2 L PEG + Asc, 19 (16.1%) – 3 L PEG, 24 (20.3%) – 4 L PEG. Otherwise, the preparation did not differ in all four groups. Visual assessment of residual stool, residual fluid, and distension degree was performed using a 4-point Likert scale. The patient’s subjective tolerance assessment was executed according to the survey results using a 5-point Likert scale.Results. There were no statistically significant differences in quality of bowel preparation in all four groups. Mean value of the total residual stool score in groups was 46.2 ± 2.87 for PM/Ca; 46.9 ± 2.34 for 2 L PEG + Asc; 46.5 ± 1.98 for 3 L PEG; 45.9 ± 3.18 for 4 L PEG (p &gt; 0.05). The median of the total residual fluid score in groups was 36 (33–38) for PM/Ca; 36.5 (34–39) for 2 L PEG + Asc; 37 (36–39) for 3 L PEG; 36 (34–40) for 4 L PEG (p &gt; 0.05). Mean value of the total distention degree score in groups was 43 ± 4.34 for PM/Ca; 44.6 ± 3.13 for 2 L PEG + Asc; 44.2 ± 3.98 for 3 L PEG; 43.5 ± 4.9 for 4 L PEG (p &gt; 0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the patient tolerance total score, depending on the laxative (p = 0.001). The total preparation score was significantly lower for PM/Ca when compared with 2 L PEG + Asc. (p = 0.021), 3 L PEG (p = 0.001), and 4 L PEG (p = 0.043).Conclusion. Use of PM/Ca in CTC preparation lowers the burden of full cleanse exam preparation and can be recommended as a safe laxative choice, including senior age patients. Цель исследования: выявить оптимальную схему подготовки слабительным препаратом с полным очищением кишки для пациентов, проходящих КТ-колонографию (КТК).Материал и методы. В финальную выборку включено 118 пациентов: женщин – 81 (68,6%); медиана возраста составила 75 лет (Q1–Q3: 67,5–80 лет). 39 (33,1%) проходили подготовку слабительным препаратом натрия пикосульфатом, магния оксидом, лимонной кислотой (НП+МО+ЛК), 36 (30,5%) пациентов – 2 л полиэтиленгликоля в сочетании с аскорбиновой кислотой (2 л ПЭГ+АК), 19 (16,1%) – 3 л ПЭГ, 24 (20,3%) – 4 л ПЭГ. В остальном подготовка не отличалась во всех четырех группах. Визуальная оценка остаточного содержимого, остаточной жидкости и степени растяжения проводилась с использованием 4-балльной шкалы Лайкерта. Оценка субъективной переносимости подготовки осуществлялась по 5-балльной шкале Лайкерта.Результаты. Статистически значимой разницы качества подготовки выявлено не было при всех вариантах подготовки. Среднее значение суммарного балла остаточного кишечного содержимого составило 46,2 ± 2,87 для группы НП+МО+ЛК; 46,9 ± 2,34 для группы ПЭГ+АК; 46,5 ± 1,98 для группы 3 л ПЭГ; 45,9 ± 3,18 для группы 4 л ПЭГ (р &gt; 0,05). Медиана суммарного балла остаточной жидкости составила 36 (33–38) для группы НП+МО+ЛК; 36,5 (34–39) для группы ПЭГ+АК; 37 (36–39) для группы 3 л ПЭГ; 36 (34–40) для группы 4 л ПЭГ (р &gt; 0,05). Среднее значение суммарного балла степени растяжения составила 43 ± 4,34 для группы НП+МО+ЛК; 44,6 ± 3,13 для группы ПЭГ+АК; 44,2 ± 3,98 для группы 3 л ПЭГ; 43,5 ± 4,9 для группы 4 л ПЭГ (р &gt; 0,05). Была выявлена статистически значимая разница в суммарном балле переносимости подготовки у исследуемых в зависимости от вида слабительного препарата (p = 0,001). Суммарный балл подготовки был значительно ниже при подготовке НП+МО+ЛК при сравнении с ПЭГ+АК (p = 0,021), 3 л ПЭГ (p = 0,001) и 4 л ПЭГ (p = 0,043).Заключение. Использование НП+МО+ЛК повышает переносимость подготовки к КТК с полным очищением толстой кишки и может быть рекомендовано в качестве безопасного препарата выбора, в том числе у пациентов старшей возрастной группы.

The ART-XC telescope on board the SRG observatory

ART-XC (Astronomical Roentgen Telescope - X-ray Concentrator) is the hard X-ray instrument with grazing incidence imaging optics on board the Spektr-Roentgen-Gamma (SRG) observatory. The SRG observatory is the flagship astrophysical mission of the Russian Federal Space Program, which was successively launched into orbit around the second Lagrangian point (L2) of the Earth-Sun system with a Proton rocket from the Baikonur cosmodrome on 13 July 2019. The ART-XC telescope will provide the first ever true imaging all-sky survey performed with grazing incidence optics in the 4-30 keV energy band and will obtain the deepest and sharpest map of the sky in the energy range of 4-12 keV. Observations performed during the early calibration and performance verification phase as well as during the on-going all-sky survey that started on 12 Dec. 2019 have demonstrated that the in-flight characteristics of the ART-XC telescope are very close to expectations based on the results of ground calibrations. Upon completion of its 4-year all-sky survey, ART-XC is expected to detect ~5000 sources (~3000 active galactic nuclei, including heavily obscured ones, several hundred clusters of galaxies, ~1000 cataclysmic variables and other Galactic sources), and to provide a high-quality map of the Galactic background emission in the 4-12 keV energy band. ART-XC is also well suited for discovering transient X-ray sources. In this paper, we describe the telescope, results of its ground calibrations, major aspects of the mission, the in-flight performance of ART-XC and first scientific results.Comment: 19 pages, 30 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysic