Образ дзеркала та естетичні ідентифікації суб’єкта в символіці художньої творчості (The image of a mirror and aesthetic identification of subject in art creativity symbolism)

У статті досліджений спектр семантичних значень символу дзеркала в мистецтві та показана виняткова роль цього художнього образу в розкритті проблем ідентичності суб’єкта. Наявність різних модусів «дзеркала» (ціле, деформоване, розбите, реальне, порожнє) у творі дозволяє виробити уявлення про внутрішній статус естетичного суб’єкта в той чи інший історичний період. (The spectrum of semantics of mirror symbol in art and the significanсe of this image in disclosing problems of the subject’s identity are researched in the article. The motif of «a man in the mirror» is used to depict moments of self-reflection, introspection of character in works of art. It is a «mirror» becomes a symbol with the wide range of connotations related to human subjectivity and identity of the subject (an author, a character, a recipient). A «mirror» in art is allegory of self-knowledge, wisdom, selfrighteousness, selfishness, pride, lust, luxury, vanity, dissimulation, mimicry and even annihilation. The symbol of the person, who immerse himself in contemplation of his own «Ego» in a mirror, is a mythological character Narcissus. This image used throughout the history of art embodies many meaning and senses as well as the mirror. Narcissus is the highest expression of introspection, complete absorption in himself, egomania and absolute break with society The mirror also provides the subject with another, opposite possibility – to see himself among the others, compare himself with someone or something, and, therefore, to understand his place in the social or spiritual space. Thus, artists often represent character vis-a-vis a»mirror» to give him the opportunity to see himself in some context: in the context of his own life, in the context of ideal prescriptions or in the context of society. So the identity is acquired between these two positions – self-discovery, introspection and comparison, mimicry. The art via various modes of «mirror «(whole, deformed, broken, real, empty) demonstrates the results of such searches for identity and allows to develop the idea of the internal status of the aesthetic subject in a particular historical period.

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

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

Molecular structure and properties of κ-carrageenan-gelatin gels

© 2018 Elsevier Ltd Rheological studies, FTIR spectroscopy and a molecular docking approach were used to explore the structural basis of the peculiar physicochemical properties of gelatin gels modified with a κ-carrageenan admixture. Mixed gel properties are affected by the polysaccharide-to-gelatin ratio, Z, and can be divided into two categories. At low ratios, the strength of mixed gels varies insignificantly compared to gelatin due to the similar structures of the gels. Above the threshold content of κ-carrageenan (Z > 0.1), the storage modulus and yield stress of mixed gels are significantly enhanced. The nonadditivity and threshold character of the rheological properties could be the result of conformational ordering of both gelatin and κ-carrageenan, leading to the formation of additional junction zones in the gel network. According to molecular docking studies, the junctions could be formed as a result of complementary interactions between the gelatin triple helix and the κ-carrageenan double helix. The stack formation increases the interaction energy, which explains the strengthening of the gel network

Comparative Analysis of the Pathogen Structure in Patients with Community-Acquired and Nosocomial Pneumonia in Medical Organizations of the Rostov, Tyumen Regions and Khabarovsk Territory at the Current Stage of a New Coronavirus Infection Pandemic

The aim of the study was to conduct a comparative analysis of the spectrum and antibiotic resistance of secondary pneumonia pathogens isolated in the territories of the Rostov, Tyumen Regions and Khabarovsk Territory against the background of a new coronavirus infection pandemic.Materials and methods. We investigated sputum samples from coronavirus-positive and coronavirus-negative patients with community-acquired pneumonia from medical organizations using bacteriological method, PCR mass spectrometry.Results and discussion. The study of the etiological structure of secondary pneumonia agents isolated from patients in medical organizations of the Southern, Ural and Far Eastern Federal Districts has revealed that the dominant cultures in SARS‑CoV‑2 “+” and SARS‑CoV‑2 “–” patients were yeast and yeast-like fungi. It has been found that under diversity of isolated fungi, Candida albicans species prevailed. The bacterial microflora is represented by a variety of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, of which Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniaе were most often present in sputum. It has also been established that even before hospitalization of patients, community-acquired pneumonia could be caused by microorganisms of the ESKAPE group (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniaе, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter spp.), which are usually considered as polyantibiotic-resistant pathogens of nosocomial infections. Moreover, in coronavirus-positive patients with secondary community-acquired pneumonia, those pathogens were isolated 2–3 times more frequently than in coronavirus-negative ones. Assessment of sensitivity/resistance of isolated strains to antibacterial drugs has revealed a general trend: the majority of the strains, regardless of the type, were characterized by a narrow spectrum of sensitivity, having 3 or more markers of antibiotic resistance. This confirms the necessity and expediency of microbiological support of the patient during the entire infectious process. The most adequate drugs of choice, providing activity against 60–70 % of strains of the Enterobacteriaceae family, are amikacin and cefoperazone/sulbactam

Katalanische piraterie in der Ägäis (E. 14. Jh./15. Jh.)

Die Katalanen genossen nach ihrer Vertreibung aus Athen (1388) weiterhin die Unterstützung Aragons und behielten ihre Stellungen in den Häfen des Mittelmeers. Eine Beschreibung ihrer Tätigkeit hat uns der Athospilger und Diakon des Dreifaltigkeitsklosters des hi. Sergij bei Moskau, Zosim, hinterlassen. Das genuesische Schiff, auf dem er reiste, wurde 1422 zwischen Lesbos und Rhodos von Katalanen gekapert und geplundert. Die Kaperung von Handelsschiffen, u.a. auch byzantinischen, und die Angriffe auf Ägäs-Inseln unter genuesischer oder venezianischer Herrschaft zwangen die Behörden in Byzanz und in den italienischen Republiken zu Gegenmaßnahmen und Appellen an die Könige von Aragon sowie deren Vizekönige in Neapel mit der Forderung, auf die Piraten einzuwirken und Gefangene sowie geraubtes Vermögen zurückzuerstellen. Die türkische Expansion und die Einschränkung des italienischen Levante-Handels gegen Ende des 15. Jh.s hatten zur Folge, daß sich die katalanische Seeräubertätigkeit in der Ägäis verringerte und schließlich ganz verschwand

Johanniterordens im östlichen Mittelmeer (1291-1522)

Nach der Eroberung von Rhodos wurde der Johanniterorden zu einer der einflußreichsten Mächte im östlichen Mittelmeer, deren Interessen mit denen Venedigs, Genuas, der ägäischen Emirate und Ägyptens zusammenstießen. Nach der Schaffung einer Flotte führte der Orden ziemlich bald einen Piratenkrieg, dessen Opfer nicht nur türkische und ägyptische, sondern auch venezianische und genuesische Schiffe waren. Nicht nur einzelne Ritter, sondern auch der Orden als ganzer gab sich der Piraterie hin. Er beteiligte sich an allen antitürkischen Koalitionen des XIV. Jh.s, eroberte Smyrna, das ihm von 1344 bis 1402 gehörte, und plünderte Alexandrien im Jahr 1365. Die osmanische Expansion, die Unterwerfung der Herrschaften der Beys und die Eroberung Konstantinopels stellten neue Machtverhältnisse im östlichen Mittel¬meer her. Die Schaffung einer osmanischen Flotte und die Verdrängung der Venezianer und Genuesen von den Inseln der Ägäis hatten erste Zusammenstöße der türkischen Flotte mit der des Ordens zur Folge. Die Schwächung Ägyptens und die Zerstörung seiner Flotte durch den Orden im Jahre 1510 ermöglichten diesem die Kontrolle über die phönizische Küste, während die Unterwerfung Ägyptens durch die Türken im Jahre 1517 die Unterwerfung von Rhodos im Jahre 1522 nach sich zog

Byzantine navy and piracy during emperor Michaels VIII Paleologus (1261-1282)

After getting Constantinople back the emperor Michael VIII Palaeologus created powerful navy to ensure the defense of the Empire. Development of the navy made the recruitment necessary. The first Byzantine crews were formed with Gasmuli (descendants of cross marriages between the Byzantines and the Latin’s). The Byzantine navy was very successful in battles with Venetians, who suffered from the Greek pirates attacks. The last quarter of the XIII century was the time for the rise of the Greek sea robbery. The main data about Byzantine piracy can be found in The Venetian Claim Commission of 1278. There are detailed reports about pirates attacks in the Aegean Sea in this document. The Venetian Claim Commission of 1278 contains the Greek and non-Greek names of pirates. Perhaps some pirates were of Italian descent. The main pirates centers were Rhodes, Monemvasia, Anaea