Parenchymal Organs Research Articles

Mechanism of Metabolic Response to Hepatectomy by Integrated Analysis of Gut Microbiota, Metabolomics, and Proteomics.

Hepatectomy is a common clinical procedure for the treatment of many liver diseases, and the successful recovery of a patient's liver metabolism and function after surgery is crucial for a good prognosis. The objective of this study was to elucidate the metabolic response to hepatectomy using high-throughput sequencing analysis of 16S rRNA gene, metabolomics, and proteomics data. Fecal and serum samples from beagle dogs were collected on day 0 (LH0), day 7 (LH7), and day 28 (LH28) after laparoscopic partial hepatectomy. Liver tissue samples were taken on LH0 and LH7. Dysbiosis in the fecal microbiota was explored, and host-microbiome interactions based on global metabolic and protein profiles and inflammatory processes were determined. Results showed that the relative abundance of Allobaculum and Turicibacter was decreased and that of Escherichia-Shigella was increased after hepatectomy (P < 0.05); the phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthetic pathway, along with the phenylalanine and aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthetic pathway, was significantly associated with liver injury. The serum metabolites l-phenylalanine and l-arginine were useful as biomarkers, and the fecal metabolite l-threonine was a signature target monitor for liver recovery. The proteomics profile revealed 412 significantly different proteins and further highlighted two key signaling pathways (mitogen-activated protein kinase [MAPK] and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor [PPAR]) involved in the response to liver injury. We systematically explored the metabolic mechanism of liver injury and recovery, providing new insights into effective ways to promote recovery after hepatectomy and improve liver function and long-term survival. These fundamental studies on hepatectomy will provide the basis for future advances in treatment and recovery from common liver diseases. IMPORTANCE As the largest parenchymal organ, the liver is a target for bacterial and viral infections, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), cirrhosis, cancer, and many other diseases, constituting a serious worldwide problem. The treatment for many of these diseases involves hepatectomy. Here, we show that aberrant inflammatory processes after hepatectomy of the liver as reflected in the association between liver metabolism and gut microbiota create a grave risk. This study investigated the mechanisms of gut microbiota and host metabolism involved in liver injury and recovery after hepatectomy, using proteomics to reveal the mechanisms of postoperative liver injury and a comprehensive multi-omics approach to identify changes in metabolism after hepatectomy.

Effect of azodicarbonamide on rats with a high-fat hypercaloric diet

Azodicarbonamide is an important chemical widely used in the industry as a blowing agent in the foam industry and in the food industry as a flour bleaching agent and a dough conditioner. The discussion about its biosafety is ongoing, in a number of countries, the use of azodicarbonamide is limited or even prohibited since a slightly carcinogenic effect of its by-products has been found. Despite this, many manufacturers continue to use it as a food additive. In a laboratory experiment, the effect of various doses of azodicarbonamide on the organism of laboratory animals under the background of a high-fat diet was determined by changes in their body weight, the state and mass indices of internal organs, blood parameters, the functional state of the nervous system, and changes in the intestinal microbiota. Four groups were formed from laboratory male rats, which for 21 days were consuming: a high-fat diet with the addition of 4%, 1%, 0.25%, 0% azodicarbonamide. It has been determined that azodicarbonamide did not cause a change in the organ mass index, but the addition of 4% and 1% of the substance to the diet significantly reduced the intensity of animals' body weight gain. Both excess fat in the diet and different doses of azodicarbonamide mainly caused functional disorders of the parenchymal organs, as evidenced by changes in the activity of blood enzymes (Aspartate aminotransferase, Alanine aminotransferase, De Ritis ratio (AST/ALT), Alkaline phosphatase) and protein metabolism (Total protein, Globulins, Protein coefficient, Urea). Significant changes in the physical and orientation activity and emotional status of the animals were not observed. Low concentrations of azodicarbonamide (0.25% and 1% of the feed mass) caused a pronounced decrease in the number of normal enzymatic properties of Escherichia coli strains below the control group and the reference range, and a high concentration (4%) significantly reduced the number of Lactobacillus bacteria in comparison with the control one but did not exceed references.

Investigation of the influence of dry extracts of bupleurum aureum and Salsola collina L. on the antimicrobial effect of co-trimoxazole

Scientific data on the pharmacodynamics of dry extracts of Bupleurum aureum and Salsola collina L. based on the results of studying the antimicrobial effect and the similar effect of co-trimoxazole when they are used together have been supplemented. The investigated phytoextracts do not show antimicrobial properties, but they do not change the antimicrobial effect of co-trimoxazole when they are used in combination.&#x0D; The aim of the study was to experimentally investigate the antimicrobial effect of extracts of Bupleurum aureum and Salsola collina L. and establish the possible antagonistic effect of these extracts on the antimicrobial drug co-trimoxazole when used together.&#x0D; Materials and methods. The research was conducted in May 2016. Screening of the antimicrobial effect of extracts of Bupleurum aureum and Salsola collina L. and establishing of the possible antagonistic effect of these extracts on the antimicrobial drug co-trimoxazole when they are used together was carried out in the laboratory of the Department of Microbiology of the National Pharmaceutical University, which has a certificate of attestation 045/14 dated 28.10.2014. For determination of antimicrobial activity, the agar diffusion method ("well" method), which is based on the ability of medicinal substances to penetrate the agar layer, was used. A set of reference strains of microorganisms was used: S. aureus ATCC 6538, E. coli ATCC 8739, P. aeruginosa ATCC 9027, B. subtilis ATCC 6633, C. albicans ATCC 10231. Petri dishes were filled with two layers of solid nutrient medium. The lower layer - 10 ml of melted "cold" AGV agar (medium No. 3), the upper layer - nutrient medium for the corresponding test strain. After cooling the lower layer of agar, three thin-walled steel cylinders (inner diameter - 6.0±0.1 mm, height - 10.0±0.1 mm) were placed on it at an equal distance from each other and from the edge of the cup. The top layer was poured around the cylinders - 13.5 ml of agar, melted and cooled to 45-48°С, mixed with the seed dose of the test microorganism (1.5 ml of microbial suspension, the concentration corresponding to the type of microorganism). After cooling the upper layer of agar, the cylinders were removed with sterile tweezers and 0.25-0.3 ml of the studied drug was added to the resulting wells. The results were recorded after 24 h by measuring the zone of growth inhibition, including the diameter of the wells. Measurements were made with an accuracy of 1 mm, while focusing on the complete absence of visible growth.&#x0D; The obtained data were analyzed using the methods of variational statistics. The significance level is p&lt;0.05. The studied plant extracts of Bupleurum aureum (aqueous and alcoholic) and Salsola collina L. (aqueous and alcoholic) were used in doses of 0.005 mg/ml and 0.01 mg/ml, which corresponded to doses of 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg. Experimental data were also processed by parametric (Newman-Keuls) and non-parametric (Mann-Whitney) methods of variational statistics, using the Statistica 6.0 statistical software package; differences were considered statistically significant at p&lt;0.05.&#x0D; Results. At the final stage, the determination of the antimicrobial effect of water and alcohol extracts of Bupleurum aureum and Salsola collina L. at doses of 1 mg/ml and 5 mg/ml was carried out, and the effect of BAS of these extracts on the antimicrobial effect of co-trimoxazole when used together was determined. In the course of the study, it has been established, that the addition of the above-mentioned extracts to the co-trimoxazole formulation does not affect its initial antimicrobial properties.&#x0D; Conclusion. Today, drug-induced liver injury remains one of the most important problems of hepatology and pediatrics, pharmacological science pays a lot of attention to the search for new effective and harmless drugs with a hepatoprotective effect, and the improvement of existing drugs is primarily aimed at increasing their specificity and reducing side effects related to the pharmacological properties of the drug. Currently, there is increasing interest in medicinal plants as a source of various biologically active substances (BAS), which provide a wide spectrum of pharmacological action of the agent, which allows to immediately affect various links of the pathogenesis of liver diseases. The analysis of scientific sources made it possible to establish that medicinal products of plant origin, thanks to BAS, possess polymodality of effects and reveal a versatile complex effect on the course of pathological processes in the body. Most drugs are characterized by good tolerability, absence of withdrawal syndrome and toxicity to parenchymal organs. Medicinal plants are used not only as monopreparations, but also in combination with synthetic drugs and as raw materials for obtaining BAS

Alzheimer's Disease and COVID-19 Pathogenic Overlap: Implications for Drug Repurposing.

As COVID-19 continues, a safe, cost-effective treatment strategy demands continued inquiry. Chronic neuroinflammatory disorders may appear to be of little relevance in this regard; often indolent and progressive disorders characterized by neuroinflammation (such as Alzheimer's disease (AD)) are fundamentally dissimilar in etiology and symptomology to COVID-19's rapid infectivity and pathology. However, the two disorders share extensive pathognomonic features, including at membrane, cytoplasmic, and extracellular levels, culminating in analogous immunogenic destruction of their respective organ parenchyma. We hypothesize that these mechanistic similarities may extent to therapeutic targets, namely that it is conceivable an agent against AD's immunopathy may have efficacy against COVID-19 and vice versa. It is notable that while extensively investigated, no agent has yet demonstrated significant therapeutic efficacy against AD's cognitive and memory declines. Yet this very failure has driven the development of numerous agents with strong mechanistic potential and clinical characteristics. Having already approved for clinical trials, these agents may be an expedient starting point in the urgent search for an effective COVID-19 therapy. Herein, we review the overlapping Alzheimer's/ COVID-19 targets and theorize several initial platforms.

Effects of functional poly(ethylene terephthalate) nanofibers modified with sericin-capped silver nanoparticles on histopathological changes in parenchymal organs and oxidative stress in a rat burn wound model

In this study, it was aimed to investigate the effect of a poly(ethylene terephthalate)-g-poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PET-g-HEMA) nanofiber wound dressing modified with sericin-coated silver nanoparticles (S-AgNPs) on internal organs, oxidative stress, and biochemical parameters. To establish a burn model, the backs of anesthetized rats were shaved and then third-degree burns were created with a round-bottomed stainless steel rod 2 cm in diameter kept in 100 °C water for 20 seconds. The wounds of the negative control group (G1) were covered with standard bandages; the wounds of the positive control group (G2) were covered with silvercel, used as burn wound material; and the wounds of the experimental group (G3) were covered with PET-based dressing material. Histopathological changes in organs (liver, kidneys, heart, pancreas, lungs), total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), nitric oxide (NO), and biochemical parameters (serum aspartate aminotransferase [AST], alanine aminotransferase [ALT], gamma glutamyl transpeptidase [GGT], creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase [LDH], total protein, albumin, globulin, urea) were examined. Compared with the G1 group, plasma AST, ALT, and GGT levels were found to be significantly decreased in G2 and G3 (P&amp;lt;0.001). Plasma TAS was found to be significantly increased in G2 and G3 compared to G1 (P&amp;lt;0.05). Compared to the G1 group, degenerative and necrotic changes in the liver, kidneys, and pancreas were found to be significantly reduced in G2 and G3 (P&amp;lt;0.05). In conclusion, this work demonstrates that the synthesized PET-based wound dressing material has the capacity to be used commercially.

Upside down and the game of C allocation.

Non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) represent the primary carbon (C) reserves and play a crucial role for plant functioning and resilience. Indeed, these compounds are involved in the regulation between C supply and demand, and in the maintenance of hydraulic efficiency. NSCs are stored in parenchyma of woody organs, which is recognized as a proxy for reserve storage capacity of tree. Notwithstanding the importance of NSCs for tree physiology, their long-term regulation and trade-offs against growth were not deeply investigated. This work evaluated the long-term dynamics of mature tree reserves in stem and root, proxied by parenchyma features, and focusing on the trade off and interplay between the resources allocation in radial growth and reserves in stem and coarse root. In a Mediterranean beech forest, NSCs content, stem and root wood anatomy analysis, and eddy covariance data, were combined. The parenchyma fraction (RAP) of beech root and stem was different, due to differences in axial parenchyma (AP) and narrow ray parenchyma (nRP) fractions. However, these parenchyma components and radial growth showed synchronous inter-annual dynamics between the two organs. In beech stem, positive correlations were found among soluble sugars content and nRP, and among starch content and the AP. Positive correlations were found among Net Ecosystem Exchange (NEE) and AP of both organs. In contrast, NEE was negatively correlated to radial growth of root and stem. Our results suggest a different contribution of stem and roots to reserves storage, and a putative partitioning in the functional roles of parenchyma components. Moreover, a long-term trade-off of C allocation between growth and reserve pool was evidenced. Indeed, in case of C source reduction, trees preferentially allocate C towards reserves pool. Conversely, in high productive years, growth represents the major C sink.

Efficacy of a novel polyoxazoline-based hemostatic patch in liver and spleen surgery

BackgroundA new hemostatic sealant based on a N-hydroxy-succinimide polyoxazoline (NHS-POx) polymer was evaluated to determine hemostatic efficacy and long-term wound healing and adverse effects in a large animal model of parenchymal organ surgical bleeds.MethodsExperiment 1 included 20 pigs that were treated with two NHS-POx patch prototypes [a gelatin fibrous carrier (GFC) with NHS-POx and an oxidized regenerated cellulose (ORC) with poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-NHS-POx:NU-POx (nucleophilically activated polyoxazoline)], a blank gelatin patch (GFC Blank), TachoSil® and Veriset™ to stop moderate liver and spleen punch bleedings. After various survival periods (1–6 weeks), pigs were re-operated to evaluate patch degradation and parenchymal healing. During the re-operation, experiment 2 was performed: partial liver and spleen resections with severe bleeding, and hemostatic efficacy was evaluated under normal and heparinized conditions of the two previous prototypes and one additional NHS-POx patch. In the third experiment an improved NHS-POx patch (GATT-Patch; GFC-NHS-POx and added 20% as nucleophilically activated polyoxazoline; NU-POx) was compared with TachoSil®, Veriset™ and GFC Blank on punch bleedings and partial liver and spleen resections for rapid (10s) hemostatic efficacy.ResultsNHS-POx-based patches showed better (GFC-NHS-POx 83.1%, ORC-PLGA-NHS-POx: NU-POx 98.3%) hemostatic efficacy compared to TachoSil® (25.0%) and GFC Blank (43.3%), and comparable efficacy with Veriset™ (96.7%) on moderate standardized punch bleedings on liver and spleen. All patches demonstrated gradual degradation over 6 weeks with a reduced local inflammation rate and an improved wound healing. For severe bleedings under non-heparinized conditions, hemostasis was achieved in 100% for Veriset™, 40% for TachoSil and 80–100% for the three NHS-POx prototypes; similar differences between patches remained for heparinized conditions. In experiment 3, GATT-Patch, Veriset™, TachoSil and GFC Blank reached hemostasis after 10s in 100%, 42.8%, 7.1% and 14.3%, respectively, and at 3 min in 100%, 100%, 14.3% and 35.7%, respectively, on all liver and spleen punctures and resections.ConclusionsNHS-POx-based patches, and particularly the GATT-Patch, are fast in achieving effective hemostatic sealing on standardized moderate and severe bleedings without apparent long-term adverse events.

Domestic researchers who significantly contributed in the study of digestive system diseases: images in art. Vasyl Parmenovich Obraztsov

Vasyl Parmenovich Obraztsov (1849 — 1920) was an outstanding therapist, Professor of Medicine, and innovator in the field of techniques for diagnosing diseases of the cardiovascular and digestive systems. The research interests of V. P. Obraztsov were mainly focused on studying the most important issues in general and specific gastroenterology and cardiology. At the same time, he aimed to invent reliable techniques for the physical diagnosis of diseases of the abdominal organs and heart.&#x0D; Palpation of the abdominal organs, invented and introduced into clinical practice by V. P. Obraztsov, is based on four principles. During deep breathing, especially when the patient is lying down, the abdominal press occasionally relaxes. During the exhalation phase, the researcher tries to reach deep into the abdominal cavity with a palpating hand and press an organ that needs to be felt against the posterior abdominal wall. The first principle of the research technique that V. P. Obraztsov came up with is deep palpation. It is usually possible to palpate any organ in the abdomen when the fingertips of the palpating hand slide off the edge of the organ being examined. The palpable part of the gastrointestinal tract is pressed against the posterior abdominal wall with a strong downward movement of the hand that is perpendicular to the organ’s long axis. When the fingers slip from the organ, the localization of the organ, as well as its consistency, shape, width, and mobility, can be determined; at the same time, the patient may report unpleasant or painful sensations. Sliding palpation is the second principle of the research technique by V. P. Obraztsov. According to topographic anatomy, each organ in the abdominal cavity has its own normal localization. Now, X‑rays confirm this, but V. P. Obraztsov had to do experiments to develop a typical topography of certain segments of the digestive tract in the abdominal cavity of a healthy person and find typical projections of internal organs on the anterior wall of the abdomen. Further studies by his students proved the correctness of his description of the topography of the abdominal organs. Of course, both V. P. Obraztsov and his students repeatedly emphasized the possibility of individual differences or physiological variants in the localization of the digestive tract organs in patients. Topographic palpation has become the third guiding principle of the research technique developed by V. P. Obraztsov. V. P. Obraztsov suggested that a study of the organs in the abdomen be done in a certain sequence. First, the sigmoid colon is examined, then the cecum, the terminal segment of the small intestine, the appendix, the stomach, with an attempt to palpate its small and large curvatures, and the pylorus. After that, the palpation of the transverse colon and the ascending and descending sections of the large intestine starts. The examination is completed by determining the localization, consistency, shape, mobility, and other features of the parenchymal organs — the liver, spleen, and kidneys. Thus, systematic palpation is the fourth principle of the examination of the abdominal organs.&#x0D; V. P. Obraztsov made a significant contribution to the history of cardiology. Systematic cardiac auscultation with a stethoscope and directly with the ear let him describe some features of the tone I, report the presence of a normal tone III, and point out the relatively frequent detection of bifurcation and splitting of heart tones. A series of works by V. P. Obraztsov on the study of the gallop rhythm is of particular importance for cardiology.&#x0D; In 1950, on the centenary of his birth, the government of the Ukrainian SSR decided to publish his «Selected Works», build a monument, and assign his name to the Department of Internal Diseases No. 1 of the Kyiv Medical Institute. By the same date, the country’s medical journals had published his students’ memoirs, as well as articles and essays about his life path.&#x0D;

MICROSCOPIC CHANGES IN THE LIVER OF RATS IN MODELED BLUNT ABDOMINAL TRAUMA COMPLICATED BY EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL BLEEDING AND UNDER CONDITIONS OF CORRECTION

Abdominal trauma is a type of traumatic injury that occurs in the abdomen and is divided into open and closed. Closed abdominal trauma involves damage to the parenchymal organs, in particular the organs of the hepatobiliary system. Histological changes in the liver can vary depending on the level of damage and traumatic mechanism. In case of signifi cant damage to the parenchyma and stroma of the organ, processes such as hypoxia, hypertrophy and hemorrhage occur.Objective. To determine the morphological changes in the liver of rats under conditions of closed abdominal trauma complicated by external and internal bleeding and correction with arminids. Material and Methods. The experimental study was performed on 132 sexually mature white male rats. Blunt abdominal trauma (BAT) was infl icted by a solid object with a fl at nozzle and energy of 0.7 J under general anesthesia with thiopental sodium. The experimental animals were divided into 4 groups: 1 – intact group, 2 – BAT and where extensive external bleeding was caused by transection of the femoral vein, 3 – BAT where bleeding was caused from the femoral vein, then blood from the wound in the volume of 20 % of the circulating blood was taken into a syringe and injected intraperitoneally, 4 – group with correction with arminide. For microscopic studies, the liver was sampled in accordance with the generally accepted methodology. Histological slides of liver that were examined from laboratory rats of the control group showed a typical lobular structure of the organ. In the second experimental group, signifi cant vascular disorders in the liver, central vein hemorrhage, disorganization of hepatic lining, hepatocyte dystrophy occurred after 7 days, and after 14 days, alternative changes in hepatocytes in peripheral areas of portal tracts, dilated lumens of central arteries were detected. Under the conditions of application of the correction factor, after 7 days, destructive changes in hepatocytes, vascular disorders, macrophage reaction were established, and on day 14, remodeling of the organ’s vessels was less than in the previous period, the manifestations of discomplexity of the beams of hepatocytes of the liver lobe, their dystrophy were partially reduced, binuclear hepatocytes and cells with mitotic fi gures were more often detected, indicating the activation of regenerative processes.Conclusions. The histoarchitectonics of the liver of experimental animals modeled with blunt abdominal trauma, external and internal bleeding after 7 days of experiment underwent the most prominent dystrophic and necrotic changes in hepatocytes among all groups of observations, extensive histoleukocyte clusters and macrophages in the portal tracts, against the background of deep circulatory disorders with the formation of hemorrhages on 14th day. In the group of animals modeled with blunt abdominal trauma, external and internal bleeding and under the conditions of the corrective drug administration both on 7th day and to a greater extent on day 14th, a lesser degree of dystrophic- necrotic changes in hepatocytes was found, the macrophage reaction decreased, hemodynamics of the organ and the integrity of the vessel wall were partially restored, indicating the activation of the regenerative potential of the organ.

Changes of abdominal organs in children with tuberculosis infection detected by ultrasound diagnostics

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound diagnostics of abdominal organs is an early method of detecting functional and structural changes in tuberculosis infection before the manifestation of clinical manifestations. Currently, there are no uniform criteria for interpreting the sonographic pathology of parenchymal organs in tuberculosis infection in children, which requires its analysis.&#x0D; AIM: The aim is to determine the frequency and nature of sonographic changes in abdominal organs in children with tuberculosis infection, as well as their dynamics against the background of chemotherapy.&#x0D; MATERIALS AND METHODS: 192 patients aged 6 months 14 years of tuberculosis department of City Childrens Infectious Hospital No. 3 for the period 20192021 were examined. 3 groups of patients were identified: group 1 92 children with active tuberculosis of the respiratory organs; group 2 52 children with residual post-tuberculosis changes; group 3 48 children with latent tuberculosis infection from tuberculosis risk groups. Comprehensive examination of patients included evaluation of the results of immunodiagnostics (Mantoux test with 2TE and test with recombinant tuberculosis allergen), multispiral computed tomography of the chest, laboratory tests. Ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs was prescribed to children in the diagnosis of tuberculosis infection and on the background of anti-tuberculosis therapy after 3 and 6 months.&#x0D; RESULTS: Sonographic changes of the liver (reactive and/or intrahepatic cholestasis and/or hepatomegaly) were observed in children with active tuberculosis in 40.2 5.1% of cases, in children of group 3 in 35.4 6.9% of cases and less often in children of group 2 in 17.3 5.3% of cases (p 0.05). Changes of the gallbladder (violations of bile outflow and/or shape changes) in children with active tuberculosis were visualized in 73.9 4.6% of cases, in children of group 3 (60.4 7.1%), less often in children of group 2 (55.8 6.7%, p 0.05 for group 1). Changes of the pancreas were reactive and were more often observed in children of group 1 (in 14.1 3.5%) than in children of group 2 (5.8 3.2%, p 0.05) and group 3 (4.2 2.9%). Changes of the spleen were more often detected in children with active tuberculosis (in 17.4 4.0%) than in children of group 2 (5.8 3.2%, p 0.05) and group 3 (2.1 2.1%, p 0.05). During chemotherapy, there was an increase in the number of sonographic changes of the liver and gallbladder by 23 months, which was due to the undesirable effects of anti-tuberculosis drugs.&#x0D; CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound diagnostics of the abdominal organs allows the most timely diagnosis of changes in the abdominal organs in children with tuberculosis infection, which allows individualizing pathogenetic therapy, if necessary, tuberculosis chemotherapy regimen.

Glycemic disorders in acute pancreatitis: significance of microstructural changes of pancreatic parenchyma

Objective. To study the character and peculiarities of pathohistological changes of pancreatic tissues on the autopsy material, including its endocrine apparatus in acute necrotic pancreatitis and to determine connection between established changes and occurrence of glycemia.&#x0D; Materials and methods. Pathohistological investigation of 48 preparation of pancreatic gland was performed on the autopsy material in 11 dead patients with an acute necrotic pancreatitis, using method of the light microscopy.&#x0D; Results. There was established the presence of microstructural disorder of pancreatic acinar apparatus with various degree of spread and depth of the organ parenchyma necrosis, as well as parapancreatic cellular tissue. With beginning of the false pancreatic cysts formation there was demonstrated occurrence of the connective tissue elements, as well as focal and diffuse sclerosing, while the structure of islets of Langerhans remained unchanged.&#x0D; Conclusion. The signs of hyperglycemia in the disease course may be do not connected with destruction of the organ endocrine apparatus.

Acute lethal leptospirosis in a red fox (Vulpesvulpes)

Leptospirosis, caused by pathogenic spirochaetes belonging to the genus Leptospira, is a globally distributed zoonosis that can affect many species of domestic and wild animals, and humans. The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is a native species in Croatia and, due to constant food availability and lack of interspecies competition, is becoming more abundant in urban and suburban areas. Although antibodies for Leptospira spp have been detected in red foxes, lethal disease has not been reported. We necropsied a young, male red fox that had jaundice, multifocal haemorrhages in the heart, lungs and urinary bladder, hepatomegaly, non-congestive splenomegaly and slight yellow discolouration of the renal cortex and medulla. Histology revealed multifocal haemorrhages in parenchymal organs, thrombi within lung septal capillaries and other blood vessels, interstitial lymphocytic and plasmacytic nephritis and erosions of the gastric mucosa. A microscopic agglutination test on the post-mortem cardiac blood clot revealed a high titre to Leptospira interrogans serovar Icterohaemorrhagiae, which implies contact with rats, which are natural reservoirs of this serovar in Croatia. The gross and histological findings in this fox were similar to those in dogs with leptospirosis, indicating that fatal leptospirosis can occur in foxes and suggesting that this species can act as a source of infection for other animals and humans.

PECULIARITIES OF FORENSIC MEDICAL ASSESSMENT OF LIVER, SPLEEN AND KIDNEY DAMAGE DURING A FALL FROM HEIGHT

The article reflects the data of an expert assessment of blunt abdominal trauma in a fall from a height. It is especially important to find out the circumstances of the injury in order to have an idea of possible damage to the hollow and parenchymal organs of the abdominal cavity. According to the conducted studies, when falling from a height, characteristic damage was established, depending on the height of the fall.

Concise, Practical Review on Transthoracic Lung Ultrasound in Prehospital Diagnosis of Dyspnea in Adults.

Ultrasonography is a relatively young but widely recognized method of imaging parenchymal organs, including the lungs. Our concise, practical review on transthoracic lung ultrasound (LUS) in the prehospital diagnosis of dyspnea in adults attempts to summarize current knowledge in the field. Furthermore, we discussed POCUS protocols in the analyzed context, discussing their usefulness. We concluded that bedside ultrasonography, or point of care (POCUS), is developing rapidly; however, the knowledge about the use of LUS in a pre-hospital setting is scarce, highlighting the need for further research in this field. Additionally, despite the possibility of using various ultrasound protocols in diagnosing a patient with dyspnea, there is no comprehensive and, at the same time, highly sensitive and specific protocol covering a satisfactory saccade of differential diagnosis of this symptom. It seems reasonable to conduct further targeted research to create such a dedicated solution.

Noncoding RNAs: Master Regulator of Fibroblast to Myofibroblast Transition in Fibrosis.

Myofibroblasts escape apoptosis and proliferate abnormally under pathological conditions, especially fibrosis; they synthesize and secrete a large amount of extracellular matrix (ECM), such as α-SMA and collagen, which leads to the distortion of organ parenchyma structure, an imbalance in collagen deposition and degradation, and the replacement of parenchymal cells by fibrous connective tissues. Fibroblast to myofibroblast transition (FMT) is considered to be the main source of myofibroblasts. Therefore, it is crucial to explore the influencing factors regulating the process of FMT for the prevention, treatment, and diagnosis of FMT-related diseases. In recent years, non-coding RNAs, including microRNA, long non-coding RNAs, and circular RNAs, have attracted extensive attention from scientists due to their powerful regulatory functions, and they have been found to play a vital role in regulating FMT. In this review, we summarized ncRNAs which regulate FMT during fibrosis and found that they mainly regulated signaling pathways, including TGF-β/Smad, MAPK/P38/ERK/JNK, PI3K/AKT, and WNT/β-catenin. Furthermore, the expression of downstream transcription factors can be promoted or inhibited, indicating that ncRNAs have the potential to be a new therapeutic target for FMT-related diseases.

Copper content in parenchymatous organs of landrace pigs

Results of the evaluation of copper levels in the liver, kidneys, lungs, and spleen of Landrace pigs are presented. Studies were performed on clinically healthy six-month-old animals bred in a large pig farm in Altai Krai. Animal housing conditions were standard, typical for meat-fattening feeding was used. The authors performed an elemental analysis of samples of parenchymal organs using atomic absorption spectrometry with flame and electrothermal atomization. The data were processed using Microsoft Office Excel and the R programming language in the RStudio data analysis environment version 2022.07.2+576 (RStudio, PBC). It was found that the distribution in the case of copper accumulation in the kidneys and lungs was different from usual, and the dispersions were not homogeneous. Based on the mean value and median, the authors established an increasing ranked series of the copper content in the organs: spleen &lt; lungs &lt; kidneys &lt; liver, in numerical terms: 1: 1.1: 6.4: 7.5. Median copper values in the liver, kidneys, lungs, and spleen were 6.25; 5.02; 0.88; and 0.83 mg/ kg, respectively. More excellent uniformity is characteristic of copper accumulation in the lungs and spleen. Using the Kraskell-Wallis criterion, we found that the collection of copper varies significantly in the organs under study (H = 80.03, df = 3, p &lt; 0.0001). Pairwise comparison showed significant differences for pairs: “liver - lungs” (p &lt; 0.0001), “kidneys - lungs” (p &lt; 0.0001), “liver - spleen” (p &lt; 0.0001), “kidneys - spleen” (p &lt; 0.0001). Cluster analysis revealed two groups: “lungs - spleen” and “liver - kidneys,” which differ significantly in the level of copper accumulation. The data obtained can be used to calculate the corresponding standard values of the copper content in the liver, kidneys, lungs, and spleen of Landrace pigs under the conditions of Western Siberia.

The pathological mechanism of the COVID-19 convalescence and its treatment with traditional Chinese medicine.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus - 2 (SARS - CoV - 2) was reported to cause the Wuhan outbreak of the corona virus disease 2019(COVID-19). To date, the COVID-19 has infected more than 600 million people gloabally. As a growing number of patients recover from acute infections and are discharged from hospitals, the proportion of patients in the recovery period is gradually increasing. Many of these individuals have been reported to experience multiple symptoms during the convalescence, such as fatigue, dyspnea and pain which are designated as "long-COVID", "post-COVID syndrome" or "recovery sequelae. We searched for recent articles published in PubMed on COVID-19 convalescence and found that the pathogenesis of COVID-19 convalescence is not yet well recognized. It may be associated with incomplete recovery of immune system, parenchymal organ damage (liver or lung), coagulation abnormalities, "second hit" caused by viral infection, and Phenomenon of Cell Senescence-Associated Secretory Phenotype (SASP). Some drugs and psychological factors of patients also play a non-negligible role in it. We also found that the effect of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is effective in the treatment of the COVID-19 recovery phase, which can not only relieve the corresponding symptoms, but also improve the indicators and pulmonary fibrosis. Bufei Huoxue Capsule, as the only drug explicitly mentioned for COVID-19 recovery period, can exert strong rehabilitative effects on physiological activity in patients recovering from COVID-19. In addition, in previous studies, traditional Chinese medicine has been confirmed to have the ability to resist cytokine storms, as well as improve coagulation and myocardial damage, which makes it have potential therapeutic advantages in targeting the hyperimmune response, coagulation abnormalities and myocardial damage existing in the recovery period. In conclusion, the clinical symptoms of patients convalescing from COVID-19 are complex, and its pathogenesis has not been elucidated. traditional Chinese medicine, as a traditional treatment, its specific action and mechanism need to be confirmed by more studies, so that it can play a better role.

ИЗУЧЕНИЕ КИШЕЧНОГО МИКРОБИОМА СИБИРСКОЙ КОСУЛИ

The fauna of Yakutia is rich and diverse, but the epizootic situation of the republic with regard to infectious diseases of wild animals remains poorly studied. There are practically no reports in the literature on the study of the microbiota of wild ungulates of the Arctic and Subarctic. The study of the microbiome of wild animals is not only relevant but also informative research, as the microbiota is a sensitive indicator that responds to many factors of the external and internal environment of the body. The aim is to study the microbiome of wild animals in the Arctic and Subarctic zones of Russia. The article presents the results of the study of the intestinal microbiota of Siberian roe deer. The biological material (thin and thick sections of the intestine (lumen and wall microbiota)) was studied. The generally accepted dilution method was used for quantitative counting of microorganisms. Analysis of the results showed that in the studied Siberian roe deer (43 heads), aerobic bacilli of the genus Bacillus dominate in the normal microbiota (wall and lumen) up to 88–100% (respectively), the main representatives of the intestinal normoflora are significantly inferior to them are: bifidobacteria (61.3–68.1%), lactobacilli (36.3–63.6%), enterococci (59–66%), and lactosepositive escherichia (54.5–59%). Quantitatively, the intestinal microbiocenosis of roe deer showed 135 a comparatively high number of bacilli – up to 104 CFU/g, the number of lactobacilli, enterococci and lactose-positive escherichia was much less, and bifidobacteria were registered in a significantly low amount – up to 101 CFU/g. Examination of material taken from the carcasses of dead roe deer revealed the absence of representatives of normal microflora, except for lactose-positive escherichia, which were found in the wall contents. Microbiological examination of the post-mortem material (parenchymal organs and intestines) revealed potential enteropathogens – lactose-negative escherichia, which, were further identified as Salmonella abortus equi, with high virulence to laboratory animals. The conducted studies showed pronounced intestinal dysbiosis in fallen roe deer, which is characterised by the absence of the main representatives of normal microflora along with the predominance of a large number of potential enteropathogens up to 104 CFU/g. The presence of a highly virulent causative agent of salmonellosis in the intestinal microbiota of roe deer indicates their etiological role in the cause of animal deaths. Thus, summarizing the results of the conducted studies, it can be concluded that aerobic bacilli of the genus Bacillus dominate in the intestinal microbiota of the Siberian roe deer and they have the main protective function against pathogenic microorganisms.

КАРЦИНОМАТОЗ ЛЕГЕНЬ: ОСОБЛИВОСТІ КЛІНІЧНОЇ ТА РАДІОЛОГІЧНОЇ СЕМІОТИКИ

The term “carcinomatosis” characterizes multiple metastases to serous membranes or organ parenchyma, caused by malignant tumor in patient’s body. Even though the name of this secondary neoplasia is derived from the name of malignant tumor originated from epithelial tissue — “carcinoma”, the term “carcinomatosis” is used to define a wide range of advanced metastases of malignant neoplasm of any origin. The main route of metastatic spread is hematogenous, less often — lymphatic, rare — aerogenous of through the diaphragm. According to autopsy data lung metastases are frequently found in chorionepithelioma, osteogenic sarcoma, kidney, testis, breast, and prostate cancer. In early hematogenous dissemination phase clinical signs are usually mild due to preliminary subpleural localization of metastases in lung. Only when visceral pleura, chest wall or bronchi are penetrated such symptoms as cough, chest pain, hemoptysis, dyspnea, and fever appear. Lymphangitic carcinomatosis is a secondary malignancy due to dissemination of tumor cells via the lymph vessels. In most cases the lymphangitic carcinomatosis is a result of primary hematogenous spread of metastases, appearing on radiograms or computed tomography scans as densities — nodules, mases or consolidation. In about 6–8 % of cases lymphangitic carcinomatosis are characterized by dissemination of tumor exclusively into lung interstitium without a distortion of lung parenchyma. This may cause a lot of difficulties for differential diagnosis. Despite the high diagnostic efficacy of bronchoscopy, video thoracoscopy and lung histology, the leading tool at initial stage of diagnostics is a high resolution computed tomography (CT). The article presents several clinical cases of lymphangitic carcinomatosis, observed at Interstitial lung diseases department of National Institute of phthisiology and pulmonology named after F. G. Yanovsky NAMS of Ukraine. Key words: lung carcinomatosis, clinical features, differential diagnosis, computed tomography.

Morphology of the testes of animals during estrogen injection in the prenatal period

The aim of the study was to investigate the morphological changes in the testes of the offspring of white non-pedigreed laboratory mice when the synthetic oestrogen analogue synestrol was prenatally injected to the mother. After fertilization, the females were divided into 2 groups which received a single intramuscular injection of the synthetic oestrogen analogue synestrol on day E 11.5 of gestation at the same time of the day. The intact group was not exposed to any treatment. The experimental group was exposed to synestrol, a synthetic oestrogen analogue, as a 2% oil solution at a dose of 40 µg/kg (C-40). The results of morphometric analysis of testes of descendants of white outbred laboratory mice after prenatal single injection of synthetic oestrogen analogue synestrol in a dose of 40 µg/kg showed morphological changes in the organ parenchyma, manifested as decrease in mean number of Sertoli cells (C-40) 17.4±1.1 compared to intact group 20.8±1.9; decrease in mean number of spermatogonia (C-40) 24.4±1.1 compared to intact group, decrease in mean number of spermatozoa (C-40) 178.0±4.2 compared to intact group 196.6±5.3. There was observed a change in the endocrine apparatus of testes, expressed as a decrease in the mean area of Leydig cell nuclei in the intact group of 6,72±1,78. Prenatal effects of synestrol revealed in an experimental model, allow us to use it to search for means of postnatal developmental testicular dysfunction correction as well as to develop optimal doses of oestrogenic preparations during pregnancy.