Tuberculosis situation among the pediatric population of Saratov Region (2015-2019)

Subjects and Methods. Incidence and prevalence of tuberculosis among children and adolescents in Saratov Region were retrospectively analyzed for 2015-2019.Results. The incidence of tuberculosis in children reflects general trends in the epidemic situation over the years in Saratov Region. In this region during 10 years of monitoring, tuberculosis incidence among children decreased 4 times by 2019 and it made 2.3 per 100,000 population, and among adolescents, it decreased 1.6 times (16.3 per 100,000 population). The number of children with post-tuberculosis changes detected for the first time increased 3 times in 2019 versus 2015, and the number of adolescents increased 4.5 times not only due to transition to tuberculosis screening in children aged 8-17 years old by skin test with tuberculosis recombinant allergen but also to the examination of children by computed tomography. The incidence in children followed up as Group IVA in 2019 was 15 times higher than this rate in the overall pediatric population. Analysis of the number of children and adolescents who developed tuberculosis and followed up as Groups IV and VI in 2015-2019 showed that the number of children ill with tuberculosis in Group IV was 3 times higher than the number of children in Group VI.

Biochemical and Haematological Effect of Kaempferol in Stress Induced By Experimental Eimeria Tenella Infection in Two Weeks Old Broiler Chickens

In this study, biochemical and haematological effects of kaempferol in stress induced by experimental Eimeria tenella infection in two weeks old broiler chickens was investigated. Sixty-day old broilers were randomly allotted into six groups (I-VI) of ten broilers each and brooded for two weeks with commercial broiler feed (vital feed®) and provided water ad libitum. At two weeks of age broilers in group I served as non-infected control. Broilers in groups II- VI were infected with Eimeria tenella sporulated oocyst (104/ml) via oral inoculation. After infection was established, broilers in groups II-IV were treated per os with 1 mg/kg, 1.5 mg/kg and 2 mg/kg of kaempferol respectively. Broilers in group V were treated for five days with amprolium, 1.25 g/L in drinking water. Broilers in group VI served as infected untreated control. Five days post infection; all broilers were sacrificed by severing their jugular veins. Blood sample was collected from each broiler in a plane sample container devoid of anticoagulant so as to harvest serum for serology while Ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) bottles were used to collect 1 ml of blood from each bird for haematology. Concentrations of antioxidant (GPx, CAT and SOD) and liver enzymes (ALT, AST and ALP) were determined. Data obtained was analyzed using pad prism version 5.0. There were statistically significant (P<0.05) reductions in the mean values of liver enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP) in groups II, III and IV in a dose dependent manner when compared to group VI. Similarly, the mean values of antioxidant (GPx, CAT and SOD) enzymes increased significantly significant (P<0.05) in groups II, III and IV in a dose dependent manner when compared to group VI. No significant (P>0.05) difference in the mean values of antioxidants and liver enzymes were recorded between groups II, III and IV and when compared to group V. Mean Packed Cell Volume (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb) concentration and Red Blood Cell (RBC) count significantly (P<0.05) increased in groups II, III, and IV in a dose dependent manner. Similarly, PCV, Hb concentration and RBC count were significantly (P<0.05) increased in groups II, III, and IV when compared with VI. No significant (P>0.05) difference in the mean values of PCV, Hb and RBC were recorded in groups treated with kaempferol and group treated with amprolium. It was observed in this study that kaempferol improved the serum level of antioxidants and liver enzymes as well as and haematological parameters and also reduced the level of pathology in the caecum of broilers infected with Eimeria tenella in this study.

Aspirin Inhibition of Group VI Phospholipase A2 Induces Synthetic Lethality in AAM Pathway Down-Regulated Gingivobuccal Squamous Carcinoma

Background: To elucidate the role of iPLA2/PLA2G6 in gingivobuccal squamous cell carcinoma (GB-SCC) and to ascertain the synthetic lethality-based chemoprevention role of aspirin in arachidonic acid metabolism (AAM) pathway down-regulated GB-SCC. Methods: The in vitro efficacy of aspirin on GB-SCC cells (ITOC-03 and ITOC-04) was assessed by cell proliferation, colony formation, apoptosis, cell migration, cell cycle assay and RNA-seq, while inhibition of PLA2G6 and AAM pathway components was affirmed by qPCR, Western blot and immunofluorescence staining. The in vivo effect of aspirin was evaluated using NOD-SCID mice xenografts and immunohistochemical analysis. Results: We found that aspirin, which has been reported to act through the COX pathway, is inhibiting PLA2G6, and thereby the COX and LOX components of the AAM pathway. The findings were validated using PLA2G6 siRNA and immunohistochemical marker panel. Moreover, a pronounced effect in ITOC-04 cells and xenografts implied aspirin-induced synthetic lethality in the AAM pathway down-regulated GB-SCC. Conclusions: This study reveals that aspirin induces the anti-tumor effect by a previously unrecognized mechanism of PLA2G6 inhibition. In addition, the effect of aspirin is influenced by the baseline AAM pathway status and could guide precision prevention clinical trials of AAM pathway inhibitors.

The results of immunohistochemical study of signaling pathways’ markers of proliferation in uterine leiomyoma in women using hormonal contraception.

Objective. To elucidate the influence of various components of hormonal contraception in women with uterine leiomyoma (UL) on the key molecular and cellular mechanisms of its proliferation. Methods. Antigen Ki-67, estrogen receptors (ER) and progesterone receptors (PR) were determined by immunohistochemical methods in 230 samples of UL preparations obtained during myomectomy. Depending on the composition of the components of hormonal contraceptives that women used for 12 months before the operation, 8 study groups were created: Group I - control, without the use of any hormonal contraception; Group II - the use of COCs containing 20 μg of ethinylestradiol and 0.075 mg of gestaden; Group III - COCs (30 μg ethinylestradiol and 0.075 mg gestaden) Group IV - COCs (30 μg ethinylestradiol and 0.15 mg desogestrel) Group V - COCs (30 μg ethinyl estradiol and 0.15 mg levonorgestrel) Group VI - COCs (30 μg ethinyl estradiol and 2 mg dienogest) Group VII - COCs (30 μg ethinylestradiol and 3 mg drospirenone) Group VIII - (intrauterine levonorgestrel releasing system (IUD-LNG). Results. In UL samples from group I, an increase of Ki-67 positive cells in 3.4 times was observed (3.1 ± 0.03%; p <0.04) in comparison with intact myometrium (IM) (0.9 ± 0.06%), which is evidence of a higher cell proliferation in the UL, a 3.1-fold increase in the H-index of ER expression - 39.4 ± 4.3 (p <0.05) versus 12.9 ± 1.6 in the group with IM I and in 2.6 times of PR expression - 21.1 ± 1.7 (p <0.05) compared to IM - 8.2 ± 1.4, which may indicate a greater sensitivity of UL to sex hormones and their promoter role in UL proliferation. Expression of Ki-67 in UL samples in women taking COCs, which included dienogest (1.8 ± 0.03%, p <0.05) - group VI and desogestrel (1.9 ± 0.03%, p <0.05) - group IV, was, 42.0% and 38.8% respectively, what ois less than in group I UL, which can be regarded as the cytoprotective effect of the progestogen component of COC on the mitotic activity of UL cells. A positive trend in the expression of Ki-67 persisted when women used COCs containing gestodene (2.1 ± 0.02%; p <0.05) - group III and levonorgestrel (2.2 ± 0.04%, p <0.05) - group V, in which the expression of Ki-67 was shown by a smaller number of PM cells, respectively, by 32.3% and 25.8% than in group I PM, and also to a lesser extent - in group VIII (COC with droperidone), where the mean value of Ki-67 expression in LM samples was 2.6 ± 0.02% and was 16.9% less than in LM group I. An increase in the dose of ethinyl estradiol in COCs from 20 μg (group II) to 30 μg (group III) did not significantly affect the expression of Ki-67, therefore, the content of estrogens in modern low-dose COCs does not contribute to an increase in proliferation in the LM, and the non-contraceptive antiproliferative effect is associated exclusively with biological and the pharmacological properties of individual gestagens in the composition of COCs. It was proved that the studied COCs did not significantly affect the expression of ER and PGR. There was no significant difference in the expression of the Ki-67 marker (2.9 ± 0.04%, p <0.05) in UL cells in women using LNG-IUD for contraception, compared with group I. Conclusion. The results of the study have shown that when choosing a drug for hormonal contraception in women with UL, preference should be given to combined hormonal drugs that contain progestogens with the most pronounced antiproliferative properties (dienogest, desogestrel and levonorgestrel).

Circulatory and Nervous Diseases Mortality Patterns—Comparison of Geomagnetic Storms and Quiet Periods

The aim of this paper is to statistically examine whether there are different patterns in daily numbers of deaths during the quiet periods of solar activity, in contrast to the periods of the strong solar storms. We considered three periods of solar storms (storm of 14 July 2000 Bastille Day Event, storm of 28 October 2003 Halloween Solar Storms, and storm of 17 March 2015 St. Patrick’s Day event) and three periods of continuous very low solar activity (13 September–24 October 1996, 21 July–20 August 2008, and 31 July–31 August 2009) during the Solar Cycles No. 23 and No. 24. In particular, we focus on diseases of the nervous system (group VI from ICD-10) and diseases of the circulatory system (group IX from ICD-10) separately for both sexes and two age groups (under 39 and 40+). We demonstrate that in the resulting graphical models there was a connection between the daily number of deaths and all indices of solar and geomagnetic activity in periods of low solar activity in contrast to periods of strong solar storms in some monitored groups according to age, sex, and group of diagnosis.

Influence on Mycotox® NG effects on relative weights of some internal organs in Pekin ducks with experimentally reproduced aflatoxicosis В1

Contamination of poultry feeds with mycotoxins is a global problem faced by poultry industry due to increased demands and availability of poor-quality cereals. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the beneficial effects of a mycotoxin binder (Mycotox NG) on relative weights of internal organs in Pekin ducks with experimental aflatoxicosis. The birds were divided into one control and six experimental groups (n=10) as follows: group І (0 mg/kg AFB1 without Mycotox NG); group ІI (0.5 g/kg Mycotox NG); group ІІI (1.0 g/kg Mycotox NG); group IV (0.2 mg/kg AFB1); group V (0.4 mg/kg AFB1); group VI (0.2 mg/kg AFB1 + 0.5 g/kg Mycotox NG) and group VII (0.4 mg/kg AFB1 + 1.0 g/kg Mycotox NG). Trial duration was 42 days. It was established that ducks fed AFB1-contaminated feed had increased relative weights of liver, kidneys, pancreas, heart, gizzard and proventriculus compared to the control group. At the same time, the relative weights of immunocompetent organs (thymus, spleen and bursa of Fabricius) were reduced. The addition of Mycotox NG to the feed contaminated with AFB1 compensated partly the changes in relative weights of visceral organs. The results from the present study demonstrated that the tested toxin binder could be effective for reduction of toxic effects of aflatoxins in domestic ducks.

Effect of Cinnamaldehyde on Female Reproductive Hormones in 7, 12 Dimethyl Benzanthracene Induced Ovarian Cancer Rats

Ovarian cancer is the deadliest type of cancer in women. It is often presented at an advanced stage and has a poor prognosis. The current treatment methods for this tumor are not safe and have serious side effects. It has been suggested that the use of steroids for hormonal purposes is linked to the development of ovarian cancer. The current study aims to investigate the effects of cinnamaldehyde on these hormones. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of cinnamaldehyde on the reproductive hormones of rats after being induced to develop ovarian cancer. Cinnamaldehyde is an active compound that has been used in Asia for over 4000 years. Cinnamaldehyde has different biological activities including antimicrobial, antiinflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant, antitumor were reported by many investigators. In the present study, animals were randomly allocated into VI groups: Group -I served as a control with normal water and group-II was drug control (50 mg/kg b. w) rats received only cinnamaldehyde orally for 36 weeks. The rats in group III were given a single dose of 7,12 Dimethyl benzanthracene (100 µg/rat) dissolved in 10 µL of sesame oil to surgically exposed left ovary and maintained up to 36 weeks to initiate ovarian carcinogenesis. Group IV rats received DMBA + cinnamaldehyde 50 mg/kg b. w (before starting the experiment and continued up to 24 weeks). Group V rats received DMBA + cinnamaldehyde 50 mg/kg b. w (25-36 weeks). Group VI rats received DMBA + cinnamaldehyde 50 mg/kg b. w (1-36 weeks). Serum levels of Estrogen, progesterone, LH, FSH were estimated using ELISA. The results showed that significant increase in serum level of Estrogen, LH, FSH, and decreased progesterone in only DMBA treated group when compared with control groups. Also, there was a significant decrease in serum levels of Estrogen, LH, FSH, and increased progesterone in cinnamaldehyde treated groups (dose-dependent) when compared to only DMBA treated group. The results of the present study suggested that cinnamaldehyde has anticancer activity and further investigations are needed for evaluating the anticancer potential and mechanism of its action. Keywords: Cinnamaldehyde, DMBA, Ovarian cancer, Reproductive hormones.

Salmonella-induced changes of the rat intestinal microbiota

The gut microbiome profoundly affects the body functioning: it participates in host protection against pathogenic microorganisms, metabolic events, inhibition of inflammatory responses, formation of innate and adaptive immune response in the intestinal mucosa. One of the causes altering microbiota community is due to antibiotics. Therefore, the processes of antibiotics interaction together with Salmonella enteritidis and Salmonella typhimurium with representatives of normal intestinal microflora are of particular interest. Materials and methods. The quantitative and qualitative analysis of the wall microbiota composition in rats was evaluated by bacteriological method, the statistical data analysis was performed using the software StatSoft Statistica v.12. Results and discussion. Inoculation of vancomycin and S. enteritidis, S. typhimurium in groups II, III, IV resulted in quantitatively decreased E. coli level by 10-, 7- and 110-fold, respectively (p ≤ 0.05). The count of P. aeruginosa decreased markedly only in the group III (p ≤ 0.05). The count of Bacteroides spp. members was profoundly decreased by several thousand times (group II) as well as 70- and 87-fold (groups III and IV), respectively (p ≤ 0.05). The count of E. faecalis and E. faecium decreased by 861-, 6- and several thousand times (groups II, III, IV), respectively (p ≤ 0.05). The count of Proteus spp. markedly decreased in group II by 27-fold and rapidly increased in group IV (p ≤ 0.05). Group III revealed a sharp decline in level of Enterobacter spp. and Klebsiella spp. by 847- and 150-fold, whereas in group II they were increased by 7- and 46-fold, respectively (p ≤ 0.05). The count of Staphylococcus spp. decreased by 10-fold only in group II. The level of Clostridium spp. decreased by several thousand times (group II) and by 5,500 times (group IV) (p ≤ 0.05). The count of Lactobacillus spp. decreased by several thousand times (group II). The count of Bifidobacterium spp. members significantly decreased by 10.9-fold and by several thousand times (groups III, IV). The level of Peptostreptococcus anaerobius profoundly decreased in all three study groups (p ≤ 0.05). The level of Salmonella spp. increased in group II by 49 times, but markedly increased in groups III and IV (p ≤ 0.05). Inoculation of Salmonella after vancomycin pretreatment caused dramatic change in the microbiota composition in groups V and VI, namely: increased count of E. coli by 65- and 105-fold, markedly increased level of P. aeruginosa in group V and VI — by 3-fold. In addition, these groups also showed decreased level of Bacteroides spp. by 9- and 10-fold (p ≤ 0.05). The count of E. faecalis and E. faecium decreased dramatically only in group V (p ≤ 0.05). The count of Proteus spp. decreased by 17 times in group V as well as in group VI (p ≤ 0.05). A sharp increase in level of Enterobacter spp. and Klebsiella spp. members was observed in groups V and VI (p ≤ 0.05). However, representatives of Peptostreptococcus anaerobius in groups V and VI decreased by 20 and 9 times, respectively (p ≤ 0.05). The count of Salmonella spp. decreased only in group V by 7 times (p ≤ 0,05). Inoculating experimental animals with B. fragilis conditioned with S. enteritidis, S. typhimurium and pretreated with vancomycin resulted in markedly decreased level of E. coli in group VII and VIII by 538 times (p ≤ 0.05). The count of P. aeruginosa in groups VII and VIII decreased profoundly, whereas level of Bacteroides spp. members was reciprocally increased (p ≤ 0.05). The level of Lactobacillus spp. decreased by 10.3 times only in group VI. The count of E. faecalis and E. faecium increased by 10 and 19 times in groups VII and VIII, respectively, whereas level of Proteus spp. decreased only in group VII by 322 times (p ≤ 0.05). In addition, a sharp decrease in level of Enterobacter spp. and Klebsiella spp. members (p ≤ 0.05) was found in groups VII and VIII. The count of Peptostreptococcus anaerobius and Lactobacillus spp. members was markedly increased by 7-, 12-, several thousand-fold and 40 times (groups VII and VIII, respectively) (p ≤ 0.05). The count of S. enteritidis and S. typhimurium in groups VII and VIII decreased rapidly (p ≤ 0.05). Conclusion. Inoculation of B. fragilis can be used in treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases or disorders with impaired gut barrier function.

Functionalized Tellurene; a candidate large-gap 2D Topological Insulator

The discovery of group IV and V elemental Xene’s with topologically non-trivial characters in their honeycomb lattice structure (HLS) has led to extensive efforts in realising analogous behaviour in group VI elemental monolayers. Theoretically; it was concluded that, group VI elemental monolayers cannot exist in HLS. However, some recent experimental evidence suggests that group VI elemental monolayers can be realised in HLS. In this letter, we report HLS of group VI elemental monolayer (such as, Tellurene) can be realised to be dynamically stable when functionzalised with Oxygen. The functionalization leads to, peculiar orbital filtering effects (OFE) and broken spatial inversion symmetry which gives rise to the non-trivial topological character. The exotic quantum behaviour of this system is characterized by, spin-orbit coupling induced large-gap (≈ 0.36 eV) with isolated Dirac cone along the edges indicating potential room temperature spin-transport applications. Further investigations of spin Hall conductivity and the Berry curvatures unravel high conductivity as compared to previously explored Xene’s alongside the potential valley Hall effects. The non-trivial topological character is quantified in terms of the Z2 invaraint as ν = 1 and Chern number C = 1. Also, for practical purposes, we report that, hBN/TeO/hBN quantum-wells can be strain engineered to realize a sizable nontrivial gap (≈ 0.11 eV). We finally conclude that, functionalization of group VI elemental monolayer with Oxygen gives rise to, exotic quantum properties which are robust against surface oxidation and degradations while providing viable electronic degrees of freedom for spintronic applications.