Local Immune Factors Research Articles

Local inflammatory factors in pregnant women with various methods of cervical insufficiency treatment

the reasons for the formation of cervical insufficiency are considred to be different from violation of the ratio of connective tissue elements due to its genetic characteristics to hormonal imbalance, and the predominance of pro-inflammatory factors of the immune system. A special attention is devoted to clinical situations, when cervical insufficiency was diagnosed in terms 22-24 weeks, the treatment means an alternative between emergency cerclage and obstetric pessary. The gaol of study – to compare dynamic of vaginal microbiota and local cervical immune factors by use of different cervical insufficiency treatment methods. Materials and methods. 81 pregnant with cervical insufficiency, diagnosed in term 22-24 weeks were observed, 47 pregnant treated by cerclage procedure (group A), and 34 were fitted with an obstetric pessary (group B). 30 healthy pregnant women in the period of 22 weeks formed group C. In all patients before treatment and every two weeks after it microscopy of vaginal discharges according to Hay/Ison criteria and evaluation of cervical cytokines were performed. Results. The balance by obstetric pessary use of type I and type III by Hay-Ison criteria being similar before treatment with pregnancy prolongation is changing dramatically to the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis be use of obstetric pessary – from 30,3% and 21,2% in 2 weeks to 25,0% and 41,7% in 6 weeks, by cerclage – from 43,5% and 14,9% in 2 weeks to 30,3% and 17,5% in 6 weeks. Patients with cervical insufficiency have increased concentration of IL-6 and IL-10, but by use of obstetrical pessary additionally growth of IL-8 from 42,3 pg/ml in 2 weeks to 187,6 pg/ml in 6 weeks is registered as well as decreasing of SLPI from 1,5 μg/ml to 0,6 μg/ml. Both changes show progression of inflammation and are associated with worth pregnancy outcomes. In the same time, cerclage is assocated with growth of SLPI from 1,9 μg/ml to 4,3 μμg/ml, what is a marker of adequate immune reaction by pregnancy. There is a difference between the groups of cerclage and obstetric pessary in dynamic of microbiota changes - a tendency to increasing of laboratory criteria of bacterial vaginosis frequency in group of obstetric pessary in 2 weeks becomes significant in 4 and more in 6 weeks comparing with group of cerclage. Proper to cervical insufficiency high concentration of proinflammatory IL-6 and IL-10 by use of obstetrical pessary is complicated by increasing of IL-8 and decreasing of SLPI, what means an activation of cervical inflammation, by cerclage – a increasing of SLPI is observed, what is favourable for pregnancy.

LOCAL IMMUNE STATUS OF PATIENTS AFTER HYSTEROSCOPIC MYOMECTOMY AND METHODS OF ITS CORRECTION

Aim. To evaluate changes in the local immune status of women after hysteroscopic myomectomy and the effect of the proposed treatment complex on them. Materials and methods. 221 patients with submucous uterine myoma who underwent hysteroscopic myomectomy were examined. 121 patients of the main group in the semi-operative period received complex rehabilitation therapy, 100 patients of the comparison group did not receive additional treatment after surgery. 80 women who applied for a routine preventive examination formed the control group. In all patients, the content of factors of local immunity – IL-6, IL-10, lactoferrin and secretory inhibitor of leukocyte proteinase in cervical mucus was studied by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using Atiscare reagents in the laboratory conditions of the Center. The indicators were studied before surgery, 3 and 6 months after surgery. Results. In patients with submucosal uterine myoma, an increased content of pro-inflammatory IL-6 in cervical mucus was found (357.9 pg/ml and 345.3 pg/ml), in the control group 134.7 pg/ml and a decrease in the concentration of anti-inflammatory IL-10 (37 .6 pg/ml and 34.3 pg/ml) while the value of the control group was 78.5 pg/ml. The increase in the cervical content of the secretory inhibitor of leukocyte proteinase in women with submucous uterine myoma (274.2 pg/ml and 284.9 pg/ml against 114.5 pg/ml in the control group) is evidence of an active reaction of the mucous membrane to the inflammatory process. The role of the factor in the implementation of antisperm immunity is a factor of impaired fertility in such women. Elevated lactoferrin (27.4 ng/ml and 28.4 ng/ml vs. 3.5 ng/ml in healthy women) is also associated with infertility. Performing hysteroscopic myomectomy leads to a gradual, but incomplete normalization of the content of the specified immune factors in the cervical mucus, and the improvement of the treatment complex leads to the full achievement of the indicator of the control group after 6 months, which is important for the implementation of reproductive function. Conclusions. 1. Patients with submucous uterine myoma are characterized by an increased content of pro-inflammatory factors of local immunity – IL-6, lactoferrin and secretory inhibitor of leukocyte proteinase, as well as a reduced concentration of anti-inflammatory IL-10. 2. After hysteroscopic myomectomy for 6 months, there is a decrease in the content of pro-inflammatory factors and an increase in the concentration of IL-10 in the cervical mucus, but the indicators do not reach the values of healthy women. 3. The use of the proposed complex of treatment after hysteroscopic myomectomy allows to achieve faster changes in the indicators of local cervical immunity, and after 6 months to achieve the values obtained in healthy women.

THE ROLE OF AEROBIC AND ANAEROBIC MICROFLORA IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF DENTAL MUCOSITIS AND DENTAL PERI-IMPLANTITIS

In modern conditions, mixed oral infections: pathogenic and opportunistic bacteria, fungi and protozoa are becoming increasingly important in the emergence of delayed inflammatory complications after dental implantation. Literature data shows that violations of normobiosis in all mucous membranes of the oral cavity are associated with its hygienic condition, dental and periodontal diseases. Local immune protection factors are not of minor importance. To date, the etiological role of the entire group of microorganisms in the appearance of dental mucosa and tooth fairy-implantitis has not been determined. We are talking, first of all, about fungi of the genus Candida, streptococci and staphylococci, the presence of which in the tissues of the oral cavity often indicates immunological diseases in the body, as well as anaerobes found without periodontal signs. tissue disease [2]. In this regard, under certain and not yet fully understood conditions, special attention should be paid to these infectious factors that can lead to the development of inflammatory and inflammatory-destructive complications after surgical interventions carried out to install implants. Rational and effective diagnosis of microbial infection in patients with inflammatory complications after dental implantation remains an unresolved problem, no highly effective pathogenetic methods of its elimination have been developed.

Results of the study of source conditions indicative factors of parodontal status and local immunity of oral cavity besides flying personnel of the civil aviation

AIM. Study the source condition of parodontal structures and local immunity of oral cavity besides flying composition of the civil aviation for the reason improvements of the algorithm treatment-preventive action of dentistry nature.MATERIALS AND METHODS. Organized parodontology and immunology examination of the oral cavity beside 120 flying personnel on the base of physician-sanitary part of International airport Dushanbe. Examined contingent was divided into 5 groups: flight personnel with chronic gingivitis of the light degree of gravity; with chronic gingivitis of the average degree of gravity; with chronic parodontitis of the light degree of gravity; with chronic parodontitis of the average degree of gravity: checking group of the flying composition with sound parodont. They were researched particularities of the clinical current of the chronic gingivitis and parodontitis with using of hygienic and parodontology factors and immunology condition of oral cavity.RESULTS. Inflammatory parodontal diseases beside flying composition with chronic gingivitis and parodontitis of the average degree of gravity (II, IV groups) runs more gravely, with expressed inflammatory reaction of near teeth tissues and disorders of the hygiene of oral cavity, in contrast with flying contingent I and III groups. At study of immunological conditions of oral cavity besides flying personnel of IV group revealed reduction of lysosome activity and increasing of immunoglobulin level that is indicative of reduction humeral protection of oral cavity.CONCLUSION. Called studies have shown that PMA-index, bleeding and hygiene of oral cavity indexes with high degree of validity increased, but importance of the lysosome activity reduced on the base of increasing immunoglobulin of oral liquid beside flying composition with chronic parodontitis light and average degree of gravity.

Functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract in children of different age groups (a literature review)

In recent years, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract are becoming more common with economic and social impacts. It is believed that in terms of frequency, they rank second both among the adult and pediatric population, second only to respiratory system diseases. Due to significant morphological and physiological changes in individual organs and systems during the period of intensive development of a child, the formation of gastroenterological pathology occurs most often at the age of 5–6 or 9–12 years, that gives rise to various functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. There is an opinion that among older children, such functional disorders are often bordering on pathology, prompting pediatricians to an increased interest in their etiology, pathogenesis and current therapy. Aim. To highlight the state of the problem associated with the most frequent functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract in children at the present stage. According to the recent recommendations, it has been recommended to consider functional changes as disorders of the interaction between the brain and the gastrointestinal tract (disorders of gut-brain interaction).The underlying disorders are abnormal motility, visceral hypersensitivity, the state of the gastrointestinal mucosa and local immune factors, intestinal microflora, activity of the central and autonomic nervous system. Most researchers tend to think about the key role of impaired autonomic regulation of sphincter activity in the pathogenesis of motor-evacuatory dysfunction of the alimentary canal in children, buoyed by the fact that often the lack of gastrointestinal organic lesions in motility disorders indicates their dysregulatory character. Conclusions. Functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract have an extraordinary brightness of pain syndrome perception (no organic pathology would give such a wide array of symptoms as functional disorders) and a variable pattern of symptoms, so it becomes clear why these diseases impose a major economic burden, and it is this characteristic enables them to be classified as socially significant disorders. This requires a physician at various levels of medical care to provide timely diagnosis, differential diagnosis between organic gastrointestinal diseases, and timely correction of functional disorders.

Multilayer factors associated with excess all-cause mortality during the omicron and non-omicron waves of the COVID-19 pandemic: time series analysis in 29 countries.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant excess mortality globally. However, the differences in excess mortality between the Omicron and non-Omicron waves, as well as the contribution of local epidemiological characteristics, population immunity, and social factors to excess mortality, remain poorly understood. This study aims to solve the above problems. Weekly all-cause death data and covariates from 29 countries for the period 2015-2022 were collected and used. The Bayesian Structured Time Series Model predicted expected weekly deaths, stratified by gender and age groups for the period 2020-2022. The quantile-based g-computation approach accounted for the effects of factors on the excess all-cause mortality rate. Sensitivity analyses were conducted using alternative Omicron proportion thresholds. From the first week of 2021 to the 30th week of 2022, the estimated cumulative number of excess deaths due to COVID-19 globally was nearly 1.39million. The estimated weekly excess all-cause mortality rate in the 29 countries was approximately 2.17 per 100,000 (95% CI: 1.47 to 2.86). Weekly all-cause excess mortality rates were significantly higher in both male and female groups and all age groups during the non-Omicron wave, except for those younger than 15 years (P < 0.001). Sensitivity analysis confirmed the stability of the results. Positive associations with all-cause excess mortality were found for the constituent ratio of non-Omicron in all variants, new cases per million, positive rate, cardiovascular death rate, people fully vaccinated per hundred, extreme poverty, hospital patients per million humans, people vaccinated per hundred, and stringency index. Conversely, other factors demonstrated negative associations with all-cause excess mortality from the first week of 2021 to the 30th week of 2022. Our findings indicate that the COVID-19 Omicron wave was associated with lower excess mortality compared to the non-Omicron wave. This study's analysis of the factors influencing excess deaths suggests that effective strategies to mitigate all-cause mortality include improving economic conditions, promoting widespread vaccination, and enhancing overall population health. Implementing these measures could significantly reduce the burden of COVID-19, facilitate coexistence with the virus, and potentially contribute to its elimination.

Особливості стану місцевого імунітету в дітей при запаленні слухової труби

Purpose - to find the factors of local immunity in secret in the region of the pharyngeal opening of the auditory tube (SPOAT) in normal conditions and in the inflammatory process; а compare indicators of local immunity in SPOAT and oropharyngeal secretion (OPS). Materials and methods. In the ENT department of the National Children’s Specialized Hospital “OKHMATDYT” were examined 38 children from 2.5 to 15 years old, 27 of them with inflammation of the auditory tube (IAT) and 11 patients without inflammation of the auditory tube (control group). Radial immunodiffusion was used to detect the level of immunoglobulins (Ig) A, E, M, G, secretory and the IgA monomer in SPOAT and OPS. The level of cytokines and lactoferrin was determined by enzyme immunoassay using a Stat-Fax 2100 reader (USA). Results. It was found that in children with IAT, the concentration of secretory IgA in the SPOAT was lower, the level of lactoferrin was lower, the level of IgG was higher, and total IgE was three times lower than in children of the control group. The concentration of γ-interferon in SPOAT in children of the control group was 7 times higher than in children with IAT. It has been found that delayed hypersensitivity reactions in the development of IAT in children are not significant. The concentration of secretory leukocyte protease inhibitors (SLPI) in SPOAT in sick children was almost 10 times higher than in the control group. At the same time, in the OPS, the content of SLPI in healthy children was within 37.6 pg/ml, and in children with IAT, the average content of SLPI was 7.6 pg/ml. Conclusions. A comprehensive study of immune defense factors at the local and systemic levels in children with IAT was carried out. The protective role of IgE in healthy donors, the importance of lactoferrin and SLPI were revealed. The concentration of inflammatory factors (interleukin-1, 8, IgG, tumour necrosis factor α) can increase near the focus of inflammation, which indicates a high content of reaginic antibodies in the SPOAT of practically healthy children and can be determined as a protective element, which is a new immunodiagnostic test. Significant differences in the content of γ-interferon and SLPI were revealed. The research was carried out in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki Declaration. The study protocol was approved by the Local Ethics Committee of the participating institution. The informed consent of the patient was obtained for conducting the studies. No conflict of interests was declared by the authors.

Association between serum zinc levels and multiple cutaneous warts: A cross-sectional study

Abstract Background: Warts are cutaneous manifestations of human papillomavirus (HPV). Trauma and maceration facilitate initial epidermal inoculation. The spread may then occur by autoinoculation. Local and systemic immune factors appear to influence the spread. Zinc is an essential micronutrient having a wide spectrum of actions. Deficiency of the same adversely affects the immune function, especially, T cell functions. The role of zinc as an immunological modulator activates lymphocytes and cytokines against the penetration and replication of viruses, which has increasingly been recognized. Numerous skin disorders have been linked to zinc deficiency. A high dose of oral zinc sulfate has shown outstanding therapeutic efficacy and prevents relapse in patients with recalcitrant and multiple warts. Owing to the therapeutic efficacy of oral zinc in the treatment of warts, the current study was undertaken to find out the association between serum zinc level and multiple cutaneous warts among the study population. Materials and methods: One hundred and ten patients with cutaneous warts met the inclusion criteria and an equal number of age and sex-matched controls were enrolled. A consecutive sampling technique was used for the enrolment. Details regarding the duration, number, clinical type, size, and distribution of the warts were recorded. Serum zinc levels were estimated in both cases and controls. Data were tabulated and analyzed using the SPSS software version 20. Results: The reference range for normal serum zinc levels was taken as 60–180 µg/dL. Normal serum zinc levels were found in 91 (100%) of the cases and 100 (110%) of the controls; high levels were found only in 9 (10%) of the cases. Cases were found to have significantly higher mean serum zinc levels compared with the controls. (121.1 ± 35.78 µg/dL vs. 101.8 ± 20.48µg/dL, P = 0.0001). Conclusion: Patients with multiple cutaneous warts were found to have higher mean serum zinc levels compared with age and sex-matched controls. There was no significant association of serum zinc levels with the duration or the number of warts.

Indicators of immunological response to non-drug therapy of chronic adenoiditis

The aim of our work was to study individual indices of immune response in children with chronic adenoiditis and evaluate their dynamics following low-frequency ultrasonic cavitation combined with photochromotherapy included into the treatment regimen. The study involved 104 patients 3 to 15 years old, divided into three groups: the 1st control group (n = 34) received standard treatment for 7 days; 2nd group (n = 37) received a supplementary low-frequency ultrasonic cavitation irrigation of pharyngeal tonsil combined with photochromotherapy on lymphoid tissue of the pharyngeal tonsil for 7 days; the 3rd group (n = 33) received only low-frequency ultrasonic cavitation irrigation treatment. Comparative estimation of clinical and immunological indicators (sIgA, IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF) was performed prior to the therapy (day 0) and on the 7th day from the start of treatment. Before therapy, a decrease in the content of sIgA, IgA was revealed in all groups. In the second group, there was a statistically significant increase in the level of IgA after treatment, which suggests activation of local immunity factors. The dynamics of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL- 10) also indicates effectiveness of the drug treatment by reducing manifestations of the tissue immunological reactivity in pharyngeal tonsil. An increased number of anti-inflammatory IL-8 and IL- 10 cytokines could be considered a compensatory response to decreased level of proi-inflammatory cytokines.&#x0D; As a result, the inclusion of low-frequency ultrasonic cavitation in combination with photochromotherapy into the complex treatment for chronic adenoiditis thus stabilizing the course of immune response.

Current methods of normalization and maintenance of mucous membranes in gynecology: A prospective study

Background. The study of the recovery and restoration of the mucous membranes of the genital tract with vaginal intimate gels is presented.&#x0D; Aim. To determine the clinical effectiveness of special cosmetic gels for intimate hygiene, Floragel and Vagizhenal for restoration of the mucous membranes of the vulva and vagina.&#x0D; Materials and methods. Two groups of women were formed, Floragel and Vagizhenal, to analyze the clinical efficacy of cosmetic gels for intimate hygiene. Group 1 included 30 women aged 25 to 55 with clinical symptoms of genital tract mucosa atrophic changes and the absence of normal vaginal microflora. For intimate hygiene, this group regularly used the gel for intimate hygiene Floragel for 1 month. Group 2 included 30 women aged 25 to 55 with clinical symptoms of genital tract mucosa atrophic changes of various etiologies. For intimate hygiene, this group regularly used the gel for intimate hygiene Vagizhenal for 1 month. The gels were applied regularly, two times a day in the morning and evening, in a thin layer after hygienic procedures. Evaluation of the clinical effectiveness of special cosmetic gels for intimate hygiene Floragel and Vagizhenal included assessment of clinical efficacy, indicators of gynecological status, findings of microscopic and microbiological examination of vaginal discharge (Femoflor system), determination of the vaginal health index, and measurement of nonspecific immune protection of the vagina levels of interferon , interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, IL-10 in the vaginal discharge using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.&#x0D; Results. As shown by the questionnaires and interviews with patients, the use of special cosmetic gels for intimate hygiene, Floragel and Vagizhenal was associated with a significant improvement (p0.05) in clinical symptoms: an improvement of vaginal discharge, the disappearance of unpleasant odor and itching, and an improvement in the state of the vaginal mucous membranes and vulva. A special gynecological examination showed significant changes in the visual morphological and functional state characteristics of the vaginal mucosa and vulva. An improvement was reported in 90% (27) patients (p0.05) who used Floragel and in 80% (24) patients who used Vagizhenal.&#x0D; Conclusion. The results demonstrate Floragel and Vagizhenal gels' high efficiency in restoring normal microflora and moisturizing mucous membranes by optimizing microbiological indicators, improving the vaginal health index and local immunity factors, indicating that special gels for intimate hygiene Floragel and Vagizhenal have not only cosmetic but also therapeutic properties.

Probiotics in treatment of respiratory viral infections

Acute respiratory viral infections (RVI) traditionally lead in frequency of morbidity and frequency of visits to medical institutions. RVI affects people of completely different ages, including children and the elderly, whose diseases occur with more severe symptoms and a higher risk of complications. The study of the pathogenesis, optimization of treatment and prevention of RVI is extremely relevant and has special significance in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. On the other hand, quite a large number of people on the planet have disorders of the gut microbiota, which negatively affects the metabolic process, the state of immunity and may underlie the development of systemic inflammatory reactions. In situation of gut dysbiosis, a more severe and prolonged duration of RVI is noted, which may be associated with a change in the immunological effects of the gut microbiota, the insufficiency of a number of factors of local and common immunity and a disorder of the functioning of the ‘gut-lungs’ axis. Pathogenetically justified the usage of medications (probiotics) for the correction of gut microbiota disorders in patients with RVI, including those taking antibiotics for bacterial complications. Probiotics have immunomodulatory effects. They can directly inhibit the attachment of the virus to the receptor of the host cell, and also contribute to the improvement of cellular, humoral and local immunity.

Immunological factor development of external genital endometriosis

External genital endometriosis (EGE) is one of the common gynecological diseases of women of reproductive age with a relapsing, progressive course that worsens the quality of life of patients due to pain, emotional imbalance, fear of relapse and possible surgical intervention. Currently, endometriosis is recognized as one of the most common diseases associated with infertility. Thus, among fertile women with preserved childbearing function, the disease is generally diagnosed in approximately 6-7%, while among patients suffering from infertility, its frequency can reach 20-48%.However, the causes that determine reproductive dysfunction in patients with EGE are not well understood. Much attention is currently paid to the role of immunity in the formation of endometriosis. Patients with EGE show changes in both local immunity factors and immunological components of circulating blood.Purpose of the study: the study of factors of innate and adaptive immunity in patients of reproductive age with external genital endometriosis (EGE).The study included 71 patients with various stages of external genital endometriosis, the control group included 24 patients without endometriosis. Determination of the population composition of peripheral blood lymphocytes, the level of monocytes expressing TLR, activation markers, was carried out by laser flow cytometry — Immunotex (France), Caltag (USA), FITC (fluorescein isothiocynate) — labeled CD3, CD4, CD8, CD16, CD19, HLA-DR, CD282, CD284 and PE (phycoerythrin) - labeled with CD25, CD69, CD95, CD107a, CD14.External genital endometriosis is characterized by: at stages I-II of the disease - a violation of the early stages of the innate immune response (an increase in the number of monocytes expressing TLR-4, a violation of the activation and differentiation processes of immunocompetent cells, which is reflected in a decrease in the expression of CD16, CD8, CD16+HLA-DR+, CD16+CD107a+, CD8+CD107a+, at III-IV stages of the disease, there is a decrease in the level of CD16 and activation markers CD69, HLA-DR, CD107a on their surface, which is combined with a decrease in the expression of CD8, CD16, HLADR and CD107a on their surface. CD95+ and CD8+CD95+ were found at various stages of EGE.The results obtained allow us to understand the features of the functioning of innate and adaptive immunity at various stages of external genital endometriosis, and the studied immunological parameters can be used as diagnostic criteria for the formation of various stages of EGE. These data can serve as a theoretical basis for further identification of markers of EGE progression, as well as the mechanisms underlying immune inflammation.

Determination of immune factor levels in serum and local hematoma samples of osteoporotic fracture patients and clinical study of the effect of active vitamin D3 treatment on immune factor levels

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate changes in systemic and local immune factors, namely, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, in patients with and without osteoporotic fractures and to explore the effects of active vitamin D3 treatment on immune function and fracture prognosis in patients with osteoporotic fractures.MethodThe mRNA expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α were measured before the operation. After the operation, the patients in the control group were treated with conventional fracture treatment and calcium supplementation, and the patients in the treatment group were treated with calcium plus active vitamin D3 in addition to conventional fracture treatment. The serum of each patient was collected on the seventh day after the operation.ResultsThe expression levels of the three immune factors (IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α) in the fracture end hematoma samples were significantly positively correlated with those in the serum samples (P < 0.05). The mean values of the serums of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in the osteoporosis group were significantly higher than those in the non-osteoporosis group (P < 0.05). The average number of hematomas in the osteoporosis group was significantly higher than that in the non-osteoporosis group (P < 0.05). The results for the active vitamin D3 treatment group were significantly lower than those for the control group (P < 0.05). The mean wrist function score of the active vitamin D3 treatment group was significantly better than that of the control group (P < 0.05). The average fracture healing time of the treatment group was significantly shorter than that of the control group (P < 0.05).ConclusionThe relative expression of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in the fracture end hematoma samples was positively correlated with the corresponding levels of these immune factors in the serum samples. The levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in the serum and fracture end hematoma samples of the osteoporotic fracture patients were higher than those of the non-osteoporotic fracture patients. Active vitamin D3 treatment promoted fracture healing by affecting the levels of these immune factors.

Clinical aspects and cytomorphological and functional features of the nasal mucosa in chronic pathology of the intranasal structures and their verification from CT data

Background. Approximately 30% of the general human population suffers from chronic pathology of intranasal structures, the main manifestations of which are impaired nasal breathing and sense of smell. The main instrumental diagnostic methods for this pathology are X-ray computed tomography (CT), which allows obtaining data on the architecture of the anatomical structures of the upper respiratory tract, and rhinomanometry, based on the results of which it is possible to assess the functional capacity of the nasal cavity during breathing. Also, a thorough study of the cytological material of the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract is an important component in determining the functional state of the nasal cavity, clarifying the diagnosis and choosing a treatment method. This allows the doctor to determine the composition and number of cellular elements in the material, assess their condition (destruction, proliferation, dystrophy, necrosis, etc.), ascertain the intensity of the body’s reactive abilities, monitor the dynamics of tissue recovery or the healing process in them, and encourages researchers to study in more detail and comparing the materials of clinical, radiological and cytological studies with the aim of developing a pathogenetically directed complex treatment of patients with nasal breathing disorders. Therefore it is necessary to know aspects of correlation between the results of rhinocytography and CT data in typical pathological conditions with nasal congestion are considered. Purpose – is to study the clinical aspects and cytomorphological and functional features of the nasal mucosa in patients with pathology of intranasal structures with respiratory and olfactory disorders and research their independent verification based on the CT data. Materials and Methods. Clinical examination of patients included the study of complaints, anamnesis of the disease, examination of the ENT organs, rhinomanometry, endoscopic examination of the nasal cavity and nasopharynx, The CT of the paranasal sinuses using 3D cone beam tomography on the Vatech PaX-i3D device, as well as cytological examination of the nasal mucosa. The criteria for participation in the study were the absence of chronic diseases of the cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, urinary systems, as well as heredity burdened by these diseases. Results. Formation of a different nature of the course and severity of disorders is associated with inflammatory, dyscirculatory and trophic disorders in the nasal mucosa, which weaken both mucociliary clearance and local immunity. This applies mainly to the I group of observations. The consequence of a decrease in local immunity factors in the nasal mucosa is microbial contamination, which is associated with a long-term nasal breathing disorder in the I and II groups of observations, up to five years and six months, respectively. The results of rhinocytography mostly correspond with the aerodynamic models data of nasal сavity from the CT datasets. Conclusions. Despite the reliability of the examinations carried out by us, the cytological examination of the nasal mucosa is only an additional analysis, the interpretation of which should be based on the clinical picture of a particular patient. Proposed aerodynamic model from CT-datasets actually provides an independent verification of the aerodynamic characteristics of the nasal cavity, obtained from rhinomanometry data, and may indicate a violation of nasal breathing according to changes in the internal anatomical configuration of the nasal chanel.

Factors of the immune microenvironment and the state of the extracellular matrix in vulvar ­cancer

Background. The progression of malignant tumors, including vulvar cancer, largely depends on the state of the extracellular matrix and immune microenvironment of the tumor, the study of which is an urgent problem of oncology to identify the most prognostically significant of them.&#x0D; Aim. To evaluate the expression of extracellular matrix and local immunity factors, as well as their relationships in vulvar cancer with different prevalence.&#x0D; Material and methods. A retrospective study on vulvar tumors in 56 patients with stage I (n=20), stage II (n=26) and relapses (n=10) was performed. The expression of markers of the extracellular matrix (matrix metalloproteinases MMP-2 and MMP-9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 TIMP-2) and local immunity (FOXP3, CD68, CD206) was determined by immunohistochemical method. Statistical processing was performed using the MannWhitney U-test and multiple correlation analysis with the calculation of paired and partial R coefficients.&#x0D; Results. The depth of invasion proved to be more informative for detecting multidirectional differences in the expression of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 than the stage. Infiltration by CD68+-macrophages in the stroma increased in parallel with the stage and did not differ at different depths of invasion; infiltration by macrophages M2 (CD206+) increased at stage II compared with stage I (Me 13 and 5, respectively, p=0.03). Differences were noted only in the stroma of tumors, as well as an increase in T-regs (FOXP3) with an increase in the depth of invasion (Me 25 and 8, respectively, p=0.0359). As the prevalence of the tumor developed, the number of correlation relationships between the parameters of local immunity of the parenchyma and tumor stroma increased: 2 statistically significant correlations that do not depend on covariates, 7 that depend on the stage, and 6 that depend on the depth of invasion, were found. Correlations of factors of the immune microenvironment with the extracellular matrix weakened.&#x0D; Conclusion. The levels of MMP-2, TIMP-2, CD68+, CD206+, FOXP3 reflect the progression of vulvar cancer and can be used to predict the course of the disease; infiltration of tumors by macrophages, T-regs characterizes the stage of the primary tumor rather than recurrence.

Study on the mechanism of Wumei San in treating piglet diarrhea using network pharmacology and molecular docking.

Wumei San (WMS) is a traditional Chinese medicine that has been widely applied in the treatment of piglet diarrhea (PD). However, the mechanism of WMS in PD has not been investigated. In this study, the main active compounds of WMS and the target proteins were obtained from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systematic Pharmacology, PubChem, and SwissTargetPrediction databases. The molecular targets of PD were identified using GeneCards, OMIM, and NCBI databases. The common targets of WMS and PD were screened out and converted into UniProt gene symbols. PD-related target genes were constructed into a protein-protein interaction network, which was further analyzed by the STRING online database. Gene Ontology and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analyses were performed to construct the component-target gene-disease network. Molecular docking was then used to examine the relationship between the core compounds and proteins. As a result, a total of 32 active compounds and 638 target genes of WMS were identified, and a WMS-compound-target network was successfully constructed. Through network pharmacology analysis, 14 core compounds in WMS that showed an effect on PD were identified. The targets revealed by GO and KEGG enrichment analysis were associated with the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, IL-17 signaling pathway, and other pathways and physiological processes. Molecular docking analysis revealed that the active compounds in WMS spontaneously bind to their targets. The results indicated that WMS may regulate the local immune response and inflammatory factors mainly through the TNF signaling pathway, IL-17 signaling pathway, and other pathways. WMS is a promising treatment strategy for PD. This study provides new insights into the potential mechanism of WMS in PD.

The Impacts of Iron Overload and Ferroptosis on Intestinal Mucosal Homeostasis and Inflammation.

Intestinal homeostasis is maintained through the interplay of the intestinal mucosa, local and systemic immune factors, and the microbial content of the gut. Iron is a trace mineral in most organisms, including humans, which is essential for growth, systemic metabolism and immune response. Paradoxically, excessive iron intake and/or high iron status can be detrimental to iron metabolism in the intestine and lead to iron overload and ferroptosis-programmed cell death mediated by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation within cell membranes, which contributes to several intestinal diseases. In this review, we comprehensively review recent findings on the impacts of iron overload and ferroptosis on intestinal mucosal homeostasis and inflammation and then present the progress of iron overload and ferroptosis-targeting therapy in intestinal diseases. Understanding the involved mechanisms can provide a new understanding of intestinal disease pathogenesis and facilitate advanced preventive and therapeutic strategies for intestinal dysfunction and diseases.

The role of the palatine tonsils in the regulation of the state of humoral local immunity in patients with chronic inflammatory diseases of the nose and perinasal sinuses when infected with viruses of the respiratory group

Topicality: Acute respiratory diseases of the upper respiratory tract, which in the vast majority of cases are caused by viruses, especially with frequent recurrences of diseases, reduce local and system immunity, which often leads to the accumulation of bacterial infection due to the activation of endogenous microflora or exogenous infection and causes the development of viral-bacterial diseases. Recurrent respiratory diseases contribute to the formation of chronic pathology of the oro- and nasopharynx, which in turn supports the violation of the body's protective mechanisms. Previous studies have shown that the tonsils of the lymphadenoid pharyngeal ring perform the function of immunological protection, and the absence of palatine tonsils (PT) negatively affects the state of both local and system immunity. Aim: to determine the role of the palatine tonsils in the realization of local humoral reactions in patients with chronic inflammatory diseases of nose and paranasal sinuses when infected with viruses of the respiratory group. Materials and methods: Studies were conducted in 134 patients with chronic inflammatory diseases (CID) of nose and paranasal sinuses (PNS) in remission, among whom 93 had a diagnosis of chronic rhinosinusitis, 27 – chronic catarrhal rhinitis, 14 – allergic rhinitis with chronic bronchitis. The control group consisted of 47 practically healthy persons without pathology from the ENT organs. The examined persons were divided into those who had PT and those from whom they were surgically removed no earlier than five years ago. All examinees were divided into those who had anamnestic antibodies in their blood to one or more of the respiratory viruses, such as: adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus and influenza A virus in a clinically significant titer, and those in whom antibodies were not detected. The local humoral immunity state of patients was assessed by the content of immune complexes (IC) and concentrations of secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA), interferons alpha- (α-IFN) and gamma- (γ-IFN) in the oropharyngeal secretion (OS), which were determined by the immunoenzymatic method using sets of reagents for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays ("Cytokin", RF) and the Stat Fax-2100 analyzer (USA). All examined patients had a healthy state of the oral cavity. Results: The presence or absence of palatine tonsils changes the levels of number of humoral factors of local immunity in oropharyngeal secretion in practically healthy donors and in patients with chronic inflammatory diseases of the nose and PNS. The production of sIgA and α-IFN in OS depends on PM, decreasing in practically healthy persons of the control group who underwent tonsillectomy. Chronic inflammatory diseases of the nose and PNS caused a decrease in the concentration of IC and α-IFN in the OS of patients of both groups- with or without PT. In patients with normal PMs who got sick with viral infections, in contrast to those with removed PMs, α-IFN level in OS increased and practically did not differ from those in healthy donors. The greatest suppression of α-IFN production was determined in patients with CID of the nose and PNS with removed PM and with the absence of clinically significant titers of antiviral antibodies. The level of γ-IFN production did not reliably change in the OS of patients with CID of nose and PNS in the remission phase both with normal PT and after tonsillectomy, but depended to a greater extent on the transferred infectious disease caused by viruses of the respiratory group. Conclusion: PTs play a significant role in the formation of a number of reactions of local immunity in the naso- and oropharynx, both in practically healthy individuals and in patients with chronic inflammatory disease of nose and paranasal sinuses. Therefore, the determination of local immunity indices in patients with chronic inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract with different status of the palatine tonsils, who are in contact or had contact with respiratory viruses, provides an opportunity to identify the most vulnerable links in the system of their anti-infective protection, which should first of all be paid attention to during examination and treatment of patients with chronic inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract, especially in cases of frequent recurrence of acute respiratory diseases.

Severe diseases of the anterior segment of the eye accompanied by somatic pathology and COVID-19: clinical cases under the pandemic

The article presents three clinical cases of severe pathologies of the anterior segment of the eye, which developed in patients with serious concomitant somatic diseases and COVID-19 under the pandemic. Our observations show that the SARS-CoV-2 virus can contribute to the onset of severe keratitis and keratouveitis, characterized by a long torpid course, relapses, and a poorly predicted outcome. In patients with coronavirus and severe somatic pathology, these diseases have atypical symptoms that complicate the diagnosis, are resistant to treatment, and require an extended period of convalescence. This can be explained by pronounced vascular inflammatory reactions, a possible invasion of eye tissue by viral particles, disruption of tear production, a decrease in local immune defense factors of the eye and systemic immunity, and a violation of the hemato-ophthalmic barrier. Local and general drug treatment brought weakly positive changes. The course of the disease took an undulating character. The description of the clinical cases reflects the polymorphism of symptoms and the multiorganic character of damages associated with COVID-19.

Reverse Adverse Immune Microenvironments by Biomaterials Enhance the Repair of Spinal Cord Injury.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a severe and traumatic disorder that ultimately results in the loss of motor, sensory, and autonomic nervous function. After SCI, local immune inflammatory response persists and does not weaken or disappear. The interference of local adverse immune factors after SCI brings great challenges to the repair of SCI. Among them, microglia, macrophages, neutrophils, lymphocytes, astrocytes, and the release of various cytokines, as well as the destruction of the extracellular matrix are mainly involved in the imbalance of the immune microenvironment. Studies have shown that immune remodeling after SCI significantly affects the survival and differentiation of stem cells after transplantation and the prognosis of SCI. Recently, immunological reconstruction strategies based on biomaterials have been widely explored and achieved good results. In this review, we discuss the important factors leading to immune dysfunction after SCI, such as immune cells, cytokines, and the destruction of the extracellular matrix. Additionally, the immunomodulatory strategies based on biomaterials are summarized, and the clinical application prospects of these immune reconstructs are evaluated.