Assessment of the resistance of cherry varieties to return frost in the Astrakhan region

The article presents the results of studying the resistance of cherry varieties to the spring return frosts of 2019 ... 2020 in the conditions of the sharply continental climate of the Astrakhan region. The aim of the research was to identify the most adapted cherry varieties for cultivation under conditions of abiotic stresses that affect the setting and fruiting. The results of the preservation of generative buds under the influence of low temperatures are presented. The total damage score reached 5 points. It is established that the sensitivity of the studied cherry varieties to low air temperatures depends on the timing of the onset of the main phenological phases. All cherry varieties showed an insufficient level of resistance to return frosts up to -5...-7°C. The exception was the variety Molodezhnaya, which had the lowest degree of damage (1...2 points). During the two years of study, the maximum productivity in the experiment was characterized by the Loznovskaya variety (3.2 kg / tree).

Evaluation of protective effects of mirtazapine and mesna on cisplatin-induced ovarian damage in rats

To evaluate whether mirtazapine and mesna have protective effects on cisplatin-induced ovarian injury. A total of 32 female Wistar Albino rats were divided into 4 groups (8 rats per group) and included in the study. No medication was administered to the first group; only intervention was that their ovaries were removed and anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) values were measured. The second group received intramuscular cisplatin at a single dose of 7.5 mg/kg. The third group received a single dose of 200 mg/kg mesna intraperitoneally, and 30 minutes later, a single dose of 7.5 mg/kg intramuscular cisplatin was administered. The fourth group received oral 30 mg/kg mirtazapine, and 60 minutes later, a single dose of 7.5 mg/kg intramuscular cisplatin was administered. Oral 30 mg/kg mirtazapine was continued for ten days. Ovaries and AMH values of all groups were evaluated at the end of tenth day. In the cisplatin group when compared to normal ovarian tissue total histopathological damage score increased (p=0.037), preantral follicle count decreased (p=0.003) and AMH levels decreased (p<0.001). In the cisplatin + mesna group total ovarian damage score was also increased (p=0.005), preantral and antral follicles decreased (p<0.001 and p=0.001, respectively), and AMH levels decreased (p<0.001). In the cisplatin + mirtazapine group, total ovarian damage score (p<0.001), preantral follicle count (p=0.002) and AMH values were decreased (p<0.001). It was concluded that mesna and mirtazapine were not effective in preventing ovarian damage due to cisplatin.

Impact of positive biphasic pressure during low and high inspiratory efforts in Pseudomonas aeruginosa-induced pneumonia

Background During pneumonia, normal alveolar areas coexist adjacently with consolidated areas, and high inspiratory efforts may predispose to lung damage. To date, no study has evaluated different degrees of effort during Biphasic positive airway pressure (BIVENT) on lung and diaphragm damage in experimental pneumonia, though largely used in clinical setting. We aimed to evaluate lung damage, genes associated with ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) and diaphragmatic injury, and blood bacteria in pressure-support ventilation (PSV), BIVENT with low and high inspiratory efforts in experimental pneumonia. Material and methods Twenty-eight male Wistar rats (mean ± SD weight, 333±78g) were submitted Pseudomonas aeruginosa-induced pneumonia. After 24-h, animals were ventilated for 1h in: 1) PSV; 2) BIVENT with low (BIVENTLow-Effort); and 3) BIVENT with high inspiratory effort (BIVENTHigh-Effort). BIVENT was set at Phigh to achieve VT = 6 ml/kg and Plow at 5 cmH2O (n = 7/group). High- and low-effort conditions were obtained through anaesthetic infusion modulation based on neuromuscular drive (P0.1). Lung mechanics, histological damage score, blood bacteria, and expression of genes related to VILI in lung tissue, and inflammation in diaphragm tissue. Results Transpulmonary peak pressure and histological damage score were higher in BIVENTHigh-Effort compared to BIVENTLow-Effort and PSV [16.1 ± 1.9cmH2O vs 12.8 ± 1.5cmH2O and 12.5 ± 1.6cmH2O, p = 0.015, and p = 0.010; median (interquartile range) 11 (9–13) vs 7 (6–9) and 7 (6–9), p = 0.021, and p = 0.029, respectively]. BIVENTHigh-Effort increased interleukin-6 expression compared to BIVENTLow-Effort (p = 0.035) as well as expressions of cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-1, amphiregulin, and type III procollagen compared to PSV (p = 0.001, p = 0.001, p = 0.004, respectively). Tumour necrosis factor-α expression in diaphragm tissue and blood bacteria were higher in BIVENTHigh-Effort than BIVENTLow-Effort (p = 0.002, p = 0.009, respectively). Conclusion BIVENT requires careful control of inspiratory effort to avoid lung and diaphragm damage, as well as blood bacteria. P0.1 might be considered a helpful parameter to optimize inspiratory effort.

Role of joint damage, malalignment and inflammation in articular tenderness in rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and osteoarthritis

ObjectivesTo determine whether clinical tenderness can be considered a sign of inflammatory joint activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis (OA) or psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and to assess other possible factors associated with tenderness.MethodsPatients diagnosed with RA, PsA and OA underwent clinical and ultrasound examination of wrists and finger joints. Radiographs of the hands were scored for erosions, joint space narrowing (JSN), osteophytes and malalignment. A binary damage score (positive if ≥1 erosion, JSN and/or presence of malalignment) was calculated. Differences in grey scale signs of synovitis and power Doppler (PD) between tender non-swollen (TNS) versus non-tender non-swollen (NTNS) joints were calculated. Disease duration was assessed,<2 years was regarded as early and >5 years as long-standing arthritis.ResultsIn total, 34 patients (9 early and 14 long-standing) from patients with RA, 31 patients (7 early and 15 long-standing) with PsA and 30 with OA were included. We found equal frequencies of PD signal between TNS and NTNS joints in RA (p=0.18), PsA (p=0.59) or OA (p=0.96). However, PD had a significant association with tenderness in early arthritis both in RA (p=0.02) and in PsA (p=0.02). The radiographic damage score showed significant association with tenderness in RA (p<0.01), PsA (p<0.01) and OA (p=0.04).ConclusionTenderness might not always be a sign of active inflammation in RA, PsA and OA. While tenderness in early arthritis may be more related to inflammation, established disease is better explained by joint damage and malalignment.

Screening of sweetpotato germplasm collections for sweetpotato weevil (Cylas spp.) resistance in Tanzania

Weevil damage caused by sweetpotato weevil (Cylas spp.) is a major constraint to sweetpotato production in Tanzania due to a lack of improved varieties with durable resistance. The objective of this study was to screen sweetpotato germplasm collections for weevil resistance and to select the best parents to be used in resistance breeding. Field studies involving 96 sweetpotato genotypes were conducted at two weevil hotspot sites in Western Tanzania using a 12 x 8 lattice design with three replications at each site. Data collected included yield and yield related traits, weevil reaction and weevil damage score. The tested genotypes differed significantly (P < 0.01) for sweetpotato storage root number, root weight, root infestation and root damage score. Weevil infestation on storage roots significantly (P ≤0.05) correlated with total root number (r = 0.38) and weevil damage score (r = 0.79). Marketable root weight and total root weight were significantly correlated with infested root weight each with r = 0.45. The study identified nine sweetpotato genotypes expressing resistance and 10 genotypes with moderate resistance to weevil. Five genotypes including Magunhwa, Chuchu ya Nesi, Rugomoka, Tumauma and New Kawogo were selected with weevil resistance and desirable yield and yield-related traits. These genotypes can be used in future weevil resistance breeding programs of sweetpotato in Western Tanzania or related agro-ecologies.