bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adhesiveness of the specific phages to yersiniae cells assessed by optical trapping
Authors: Konyshev Ilya V. , Dudina Lyubov G. , Morozova Nadezhda A. , Byvalov Andrey A.
Published: August 2023

In recent years, there has been increasing interest in using bacteriophages in the complex therapy of some infectious diseases. Objectively, it is related to the spread of antibiotic resistance and a small number of side effects triggered by phages applied locally and parenterally. Yersiniae are no exception to this rule, but their interaction with virions has not been studied thoroughly. In three types of lytic Yersiniae bacteriophages are used for diagnostic purposes, which differ in specificity, virulence, and morphological features. We evaluated the interaction force between phages and bacteriae by optical trapping.

Materials and methods. Live Yersinia pseudotuberculosis and Y. pestis cells with different LPS structure and preparations of three bacteriophages Pokrovskayas phage, dHerelles phage (also named as the pseudotuberculosis phage) and the phage L-413C were used. The Pokrovskayas phage is well studied and widely used in diagnostics, but the mechanism of its adsorption on Y. pestis and Y. pseudotuberculosis cells is not well-understood. The phage L-413C lyses plague bacteria, while dHerrels phage can lyse both pathogens. Virions were linked to the surface of aminated glass. Optically trapped microbial cells were approached to the glass surface and then retracted in the opposite direction. The amplitude of the leap was recalculated into force through calibration coefficients. The primary data were processed in the program R; statistical analysis was performed using Matlab 7.0 and Statistica 12

Results and discussion. The analysis of histograms revealed the presence of a specific component in the Y. pseudotuberculosisdHerrells phage (Fmean = 7.463.52 pN) system, as well as in all pairs involving plague microbe. In the latter case, the interaction forces were comparable: 8.643.83 pN for dHerelles phage,11.034.22 pN for Pokrovskayas phage, and 10.424.79 pN for phage L-413C. The average detachment force from the substrate treated with bovine serum albumin (BSA) was comparable for both cell types. Our results convincingly prove an opportunity for using the optical trapping to estimate interaction force in other bacteriumphage systems.
A relation between specific immune status indicators and activity of “lipid peroxidation — antioxidant defense” system in COVID-19 neonates
Authors: Rychkova Lyubov V. , Darenskaya Marina A. , Petrova Alla G. , Semenova Natali V. , Moskaleva Ekaterina V. , Kolesnikov Sergey I. , Vanyarkina Anastasya S. , Kolesnikova Lyubov I.
Published: August 2023

The 2019 coronavirus infection (COVID-19) has not been considered as a solved issue for public health. Pregnant women and newborns are specifically vulnerable to COVID-19 infection compared to older children and healthy young adults. Virtually no data on relation between diverse arms of immunity in patients in neonatal period and coronavirus infection are available. The obtained results can contribute to a better understanding of the pathogenetic mechanisms on reactivity of immune processes in young patients and corresponding formation of approaches for prevention and correction of such disorders. The aim of the study was to determine magnitude of specific altered parameters in immune system and their relation with lipid peroxidation parameters in COVID-19 newborns. Two groups of newborns (mean age 43.1 days) were examined: SARS-CoV-2-positive (COVID-19 patients, n = 44) and negative (control group, n = 80) PCR test of nasopharyngeal swab. All newborns were assessed for specific indicators of peripheral blood immune status and lipid peroxidation activity. The concentration of Th1-pro-inflammatory cytokines and Th2-anti-inflammatory interleukins was assessed by enzyme immunoassay method (a panel of monoclonal antibodies). Spectrophotometric, fluorometric and enzyme immunoassay methods to evaluate the lipid peroxidation system were used. According to our data, newborns with COVID-19 vs. healthy newborns had decreased CRP, pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF, IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, and anti-inflammatory factor (IL-4). Change in lipid peroxidation system in children with COVID-was 19 related to higher level of DC, KD and CT, TBARs, increased SOD activity and reduced GPO. Numerous intersystem dependencies in the group of newborns with COVID-19 (CRP Total AOA, IL-4 KD and CT, IL-4 TBARs, IL-4 Total AOA, IL-4 SOD, IL-8 SOD, IFN GSH) were noted. It can be concluded that in newborns with COVID-19, changes in the immune system are nonspecific and are accompanied by an increased intensity of lipid peroxidation reactions against the background of reduced values of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. These results may contribute to a more accurate assessment of intensity and dynamics of emerging neonatal coronavirus infection, which should be an important arm in preventing subsequent complications.
Autoimmune streptococcal glomerulonephritis: the problem of nephritogenicity of Streptococcus pyogenes
Authors: Burova Larisa A. , Suvorov Alexander N. , Pigarevsky Peter V. , Totolian Artem A.
Published: August 2023

Acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis usually occurs as a complication after a streptococcal infection due to untimely or inadequate antibiotic therapy. The etiology of post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis has been studied rather comprehensively. Today, both clinicians and microbiologists do not deny the dominant role of Streptococcus pyogenes (streptococcus attributed to serological group A, GAS). Usually, emergence of acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (APSGN) is associated with the so-called GAS-related "nephritogenicity" often judged by appearance and accumulation of antibodies to the antigens and extracellular products of streptococcal cells in patient blood. This interpretation is quite loose and most likely evidence about a link to the bacterial strain, rather than its nephritogenicity. Many studies refer and still attribute a leading role of "nephritogenic" factors to various streptococcal antigens and related biologically active products. Streptococcal nephritogenic factors include cross-reacting antigens, streptokinase, cysteine proteinase, endostreptosin a GAS cell membrane protein as well as plasmin-tropic enzyme glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. Nephritogenicity of all such streptococcal products is suspected to result from the fact that they are found in renal biopsies like specific patient blood serum antibodies. Regarding a term of nephritogenicity, it has been evidenced that it cannot be attributed to any specific streptococcal cell product. This review attempted to analyze a number of bacterial products as starting factors triggering this process. APSGN can be reproduced experimentally in rabbits by intravenous administration of a heat-killed Streptococcus pyogenes culture. In our experiments, strains of serotypes 1, 4, 12, 15, 22 were used. They produced M-proteins and had the ability to bind human and rabbit immunoglobulin G by interacting with the Fc part of the IgG molecule. In numerous series of experiments, evidence was obtained regarding the initiating role of GAS IgGFc-receptor proteins in developing APSGN. Recent studies confirmed the role of streptococcal IgGFc-binding proteins in the initiation of glomerulonephritis after animals were inoculated with temperature-killed IgGFc-positive GAS. This approach excluded a large group of bacterial extracellular agents from the list of APSGN-initiating candidates. An unconventional view on the pathogenesis of GAS-infection-coupled complications may allow approaching their prevention or new treatment strategies.
Comparative characteristics of nasal mucosa microflora in various forms of chronic rhinitis
Authors: Smirnova Olga V. , Goncharova Natalia S.
Published: August 2023

Dysbiosis of the nasal mucosa contributes to the development of secondary immune disorders, maladjustment and contributes to the development of pathological processes, regardless of the phenotype of chronic rhinitis. The aim of our work was to comparatively assess microbial species and quantitative composition as well as frequency of its occurrence in patients with various forms of chronic rhinitis. We present the results of a laboratory examination of patients with chronic rhinitis (79 subjects aged 18 to 70 years), including 20 patients with chronic allergic,20 with chronic vasomotor,18 with chronic atrophic,21 with chronic infectious rhinitis. The control group consisted of 40 apparently healthy donors. All patients underwent nasal mucosa bacteriological examination. Statistical analysis of the obtained results was carried out using the Statistica for Windows 8.0 software package (StatSoft Inc., USA,2008). Nonparametric KruskalWallis, MannWhitney, and Wilcoxon tests were used to assess differences in groups. The critical level of statistical significance in testing scientific hypotheses was considered equal to p 0.05. In the control group, microorganisms of the genera Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Neisseria, Acinetobacter, Klebsiella, Proteus are detected in the microflora of the nasal mucosa, which do not cause pathological changes. An interesting fact is the detection of Proteus mirabilis and Acinetobacter baumannii in healthy volunteers in the absence of clinical manifestations of infection, which proves the possibility of coexistence with opportunistic flora while maintaining the immune system functionining. In chronic allergic rhinitis, microorganisms of the genera Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Neisseria, Enterobacter, Сorynebacterium are detected. In chronic vasomotor rhinitis, representatives of the genera Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Neisseria, Klebsiella are detected. In chronic atrophic rhinitis, representatives of the genera Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Neisseria, Acinetobacter are detected, with a predominance of Klebsiella bacteria. In chronic infectious rhinitis, representatives of the genera Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Neisseria, Acinetobacter, Escherichia, Enterobacter, Corynebacterium, Pseudomonas, Proteus, Candida are detected. The absence and/or decrease in the number of representatives of the normoflora was found identifying pathogenic and opportunistic bacteria. With inflammation in the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity, regardless of its etiology, there is a change in the microflora quantitative and species composition. The most pronounced dysbiosis of the nasal mucosa microflora was found in chronic infectious rhinitis.
Characteristics of acute diarrhea in adult cases with Campylobacter spp. positive fecal samples
Authors: Kozhukhova Elena A. , Andreeva Natalia V. , Dmitrieva Maria I. , Nikilaenko Svetlana L.
Published: August 2023

Recently, cases caused by Campylobacter spp. in Russia similar to other countries tended to clearly rise, partly due to the widely implemented biomolecular PCR-based laboratory analysis that substantially facilitated Campylobacter spp. detection in patients samples. The problem of being infected by Campylobacter spp. is so far worth studying because of campilbacteriosis signs in a form of a variety of clinical patterns including local and general forms, possible trigger role in forming the consequent chronic digestive tract pathology as well as general systemic pathology. Development of colitis or heamocolitis as the pattern part of acute diarrhea caused by Campylobacter spp. is usually considered as associated with the disease burden. So far as adult patients have acute diarrhea with positive Campylobacter spp. samples it might be of interest to compare and analyze their clinical and laboratory data to find some possible associations as particular features of different disease patterns. Objective to analyze clinical features and laboratory data of hospitalized AD adult cases with feces samples positive for Campylobacter spp. When carrying out the retrospective cohort study the analyzed were clinical and laboratory data of 111 hospitalized adult patients suffering from moderate acute diarrhea with clinical samples (feces) positive for Campylobacter spp. To verify acute infectious diarrhea all patients went through complex specific laboratory examination that included PCR based methods (feces) with use of Amplisense AD screen-FL in addition to routine standard culture (feces), serologic (specific antibody detection) and ELISA laboratory methods. The analysis results have shown that more than 1/2 part of patients developed colitis syndrome with blood in feces in practically every forth case. In patients (predominantly males) without chronic digestive tract problems relative risks to develop colitis and haemocolitis are respectively 1.6 and 2.6 times higher given they are hospitalized on day 4 after the onset and later versus those hospitalized earlier.
Evaluation of virus-neutralizing antibody level after novel coronavirus infection COVID-19: development of an instant assay assessing protective antibodies using a pseudovirus-based reaction
Authors: Funtikov Andrey A. , Litvinova N. A. , Zuev Evgenii V. , Kulemzin Sergey V. , Shukurov Rachim R.
Published: August 2023

The continued emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants with immune evasion properties of concern, such as Delta (B.1.617.2) and Omicron (B.1.1.529), calls into question the extent of the antibody-mediated immune response from the virus. The presence of virus-neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in the blood serum of recovered and immunized volunteers is the most accurate indicator of the level of protective activity. Methods for reliable, sensitive and rapid detection of anti-SARS-CoV-2 nAbs are needed for preclinical and clinical vaccine research. In addition, quantification of virus-neutralizing antibodies in recovered COVID-19 subjects may be useful in identifying potential donors for passive immunization and therapeutic use of class G immunoglobulins. Pseudoviruses are actively used as an alternative to infectious viral isolates of pathogenicity groups III in serological studies to determine the titers of neutralizing antibodies formed in vaccinated or infected volunteers. In addition, using several pseudotypes with different reporter genes, it is possible to simultaneously detect antibodies to different types of viruses in one biological sample. Currently, the pseudolentiviral system is widely used, in which pseudoviral particles are obtained by transfection of producer cells with vectors of a multiplasmid system of 45 plasmids: one for the vector genome, the second for Gag-Pol, the third for Rev, and one or two for protein(s) envelope, or for the co-expression of a labeled viral protein such as GAG-GFP or VPR-GFP, the main advantage of which is safety due to the minimal risk of generating a replication-competent virus. The article discusses the development of a technique that allows to determine the presence of virus-specific neutralizing antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 antigen in the blood serum of volunteers who have had a new coronavirus infection COVID-19 and/or immunized with specific prophylaxis drugs, healthy volunteers in a neutralization reaction on a HEK 293-cell culture. T-hAce2 using pseudotyped viral constructs based on human immunodeficiency virus. The results of the development and validation of the method, as well as its subsequent prospects for use, are shown.
Fungal allergy as a risk factor for developing rosacea
Authors: Barilo Anna A. , Smirnova Svetlana V.
Published: August 2023

The pathogenesis of rosacea is not fully understood. In this disease, the release of inflammatory molecules and overgrowth of skin-colonizing microorganisms, including fungal microbiota, are noted. The study of the frequency of occurrence and the nature of the spectrum of sensitization to fungal allergens in patients with rosacea is of particular interest and accounts for relevance of the study. Purpose of the study: to analyze the frequency of occurrence and the nature of the spectrum of sensitization to fungal allergens in patients with rosacea.
Materials and methods. The study included patients with rosacea aged 18 to 60 years (group 1, n = 31). All patients underwent a specific allergic examination: collected allergic history, skin prick testing using the following allergens: nutritional yeast, Candida albicans, Alternaria alternate, Aspergillus fumigatus, Cladosporium herbarum, Penicillium notatum (Allergopharma, Germany). Concentration of total immunoglobulin E (IgE) and eosinophilic cationic protein in blood serum was measured in indirect immunofluorescence analysis with Thermo Scientific Multiskan FC semi-automatic analyzer. Statistica 8.0 software package was used for statistical analysis.
Results. Analysis of the features of the spectrum of sensitization to fungal allergens in the group of patients with rosacea showed that the most significant allergens are Cladosporium herbarum (74.2% of patients) and Candida albicans (58.1%). Sensitization to nutritional yeast and Penicillium notatum was detected in almost half of the patients. The concentration of total immunoglobulin E in blood serum in the group of patients with rosacea was 79.4 IU/ml [23.4; 105.1], in the control group 45.1 IU/ml [23.4; 144.0]. The concentration of eosinophilic cationic protein in blood serum in the group of patients with rosacea was significantly higher compared to the control group: 50.3 ng/ml [43.0; 62.0] and 7.9 ng/ml [4.6; 27.1], respectively. After skin prick testing with fungal allergens, patients with rosacea were prescribed an individual elimination diet with the exclusion of causally significant allergens for a period of 1 month. In 61.2% (n = 19) of cases in patients with rosacea, a positive elimination effect was noted: a significant decrease in the severity of erythema, papules and pustules in the face.
Conclusion. Thus, the study revealed a high incidence of fungal allergy and established the features of the spectrum of sensitization to fungal allergens in patients with rosacea. The most significant fungal allergens in rosacea are fungi of the genus Cladosporium herbarum, Candida albicans, Penicillium notatum as well as nutritional yeast.
Microbiological evaluation of probiotic therapy in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis
Authors: Otdushkina Larisa Yu. , Zakharova Yuliyа V. , Kholodov Artem A. , Pyanzova Tatyana V.
Published: August 2023

Patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and multiple pathogen resistance (MDR) develop persistent disorders of the intestinal microbiome during prolonged multicomponent chemotherapy requiring correction. However, there is limited data on the use of bacterial drugs in patients with tuberculosis followed by assessing their effectiveness. The aim of the study was to evaluate changes in the intestinal microbiome after a course of probiotics along with anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy in patients with MDR tuberculosis.
Materials and methods. The design a prospective small-cohort study (n = 30). Patients with pulmonary tuberculosis received anti-tuberculosis drugs according to the IV or V regimen, the median of the doses taken was 34.5 (30; 57.5); gastrointestinal syndrome was recorded in all study subjects. Probiotic therapy was applied by using a preparation containing Bifidobacterium bifidum and B. animalis and Lactobacillus casei, L. plantarum, L. delbrueckii subsp.bulgaricus, L. acidophilus. The course of therapy comprised 21 days,1 capsule twice a day. Before and 7 days after probiotics therapy, studies on composition of the intestinal microbiota were carried out, the frequency of virulence factors Enterococcus spp., Staphylococcus spp., Candida spp. was examined; fatty acid composition and activity of enterococcal organic acid production were studied.
Results. After a course of probiotics, a significant increase in lactobacillus titers was recorded from 5.2 (4.0; 6.0) to 6.1 (6.0; 8.0) lg CFU/g (p = 0.05). The frequency of mucosal colonization by Candida fungi and lactose-negative Escherichia decreased by 2-fold (p = 0.001) and 3-fold (p = 0.05), respectively. The frequency of detected virulent strains significantly decreased: hemolysin-producing staphylococci by 9 times (p = 0.009), enterococci with gelatinase activity by 6 times. E. faecalis membrane oleic acid level significantly increased (C9-C18:1) (p = 0.03). In E. faecium, cis-7-palmitoleic acid (C7-C16:1) and oleic (C9-C18:1) fatty acid level increased by 2-fold (p = 0.05), and for linoleic acid (C18:2) by 4 time (p = 0.04) accompanied by elevated acid formation by 1.5 times.
Conclusion. A single course of probiotic therapy in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis leads to qualitative microbiome changes, which are characterized by decreased levels of conditionally pathogenic microorganisms with virulent properties and altered composition of the enterococcal cell membrane accompanied by their increased biochemical activity.
Method for identification of acinetobacter baumannii bv. tryptophandestruens and its subbiovars A and B
Authors: Sivolodskii Evgeny P. , Kraeva Lyudmila A. , Melnikova Elena V. , Gorelova Galina V.
Published: August 2023

The aim of the study was to increase diagnostic sensitivity for identification of A. baumannii bv. tryptophandestruens bacteria and assess prevalence of this biovar and its subbiovars among A. baumannii clinical isolates. There were examined 210 primary strains of A. baumannii isolated in 20212022 at Bacteriological Laboratory of the Military Medical Academy named after S.M. Kirov, of which 42 strains were A. baumannii bv. tryptophandestruens. Tryptophandestruens biovar bacteria were identified by chromogenic biotransformation of sodium benzoate on a dense nutrient medium (g/l): peptone enzymatic 5.0; NaCl 5.0; FeCl3 6H2O (10% aqueous solution) 0.11 ml; bromothymol blue (1.6% aqueous solution) 3 ml; agar 15.0; NaOH (4% solution) 2.63 ml; distilled water 1 l; all components were dissolved by heating and added with sodium benzoate (CAS 532-32-1) 1.02.0; adjusted pH 7.20.2; sterilized at 121С, poured into Petri dishes. Bacteria of subbiovars A and B of biovar tryptophandestruens were identified by chromogenic biotransformation of L-tryptophan using the same nutrient medium supplemented with L-tryptophan (1.02.0 g/l) instead of sodium benzoate. Both nutrient media were used simultaneously. The A. baumannii cultures studied were seeded with a loop on the media sectors in the form of a plaque, incubated aerobically at 37С for 1824 hours, and analyzed final data as follows: the presence of a dark brown color zone of the nutrient medium around bacterial lawn on sodium benzoate- and L-tryptophan-containing medium indicated detection of subbiovar A of the tryptophandestruens biovar; in case of dark brown zone on sodium benzoate- but not L-tryptophan-containing medium around bacterial lawn identified biovar tryptophandestruens subbiovar B. The study revealed for the first time the chromogenic biotransformation of sodium benzoate (benzoic acid) and its importance as a marker for the biovar tryptophandestruens A. baumannii. Two subbiovars A and B of the tryptophandestruens biovar were found. A method was developed to identify the biovar tryptophandestruens A. baumannii and its subbiovars A and B by chromogenic biotransformation of sodium benzoate and L-tryptophan, which enhances diagnostic sensitivity by detecting the subbiovar B. The frequency of tryptophandestruens biovar distribution among primary clinical isolates of A. baumannii in 20212022 was determined: out of 210 strains of A. baumannii were 42 (20.03.5%) strains of bv. tryptophandestruens including subbiovar A 27 (12.92.3%), subbiovar B 15 (7.11.7%).
Molecular genetic characterization of the epstein–Barr Virus: a relationship with the clinical features of pediatric infectious mononucleosis
Authors: Popkova Maria I. , Utkin Oleg V. , Filatova Elena N. , Bryzgalova Daria A. , Sakharnov Nikolai A. , Soboleva Evgeniya A. , Nazarova Lubov V.
Published: August 2023

Introduction. Infectious mononucleosis (IM) is an high priority viral infection in children. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is the main etiological agent of IM. EBV is classified into two main types EBV-1 and EBV-2. In addition, different variants of the virus are isolated based on individual genes, among which the LMP-1 gene and the oncoprotein it encodes are the most well known. So far, the study of the clinical significance of EBV genetic diversity in EBV-IM in children in Russia has not been conducted. The aim of the study was to evaluate a relationship between EBV LMP-1 molecular genetic variants and clinical and laboratory manifestations of IM in children.
Materials and methods. The material of the study was presented by blood leukocyte and saliva samples of children aged 117 years with EBV-IM (n = 69). A total of 132 EBV isolates were studied. For differential detection of EBV-1/EBV-2, we used a previously optimized one-round PCR variant with electrophoretic detection of amplification products in agarose gel. The nucleotide sequences of the C-terminal region of the LMP-1 gene were determined by Sanger sequencing followed by analysis of the obtained sequences using the MEGA X software. Multiple Factor Analysis was used to search for the relationship between LMP-1 variants and clinical and laboratory manifestations of IM (32 signs and 8 groups of signs).
Results. It was established that only one type of virus, EBV-1, was identified in all children. At the same time, the severity of clinical manifestations of EBV-IM in children varied significantly (from 15.5 to 35.5 scores in total). Molecular genetic analysis of the sequences of the LMP-1 C-terminal region in Nizhny Novgorod region EBV isolates demonstrated a significant heterogeneity of the viral population, which was not limited only to their grouping according to known variants. According to the frequency of detection, B95-8 was the dominant variant of LMP-1 (60.66.0% of cases), other variants were less common (China 1, NC, Med and China 1+В95-8). It was found that EBV-IM proceeded more easily and with less severity of the intoxication syndrome in cases of infection with a virus having the molecular genetic profile of EBV-1/B95-8, in particular EBV-1/B95-8/E214D. Conversely, EBV-1/Med, as well as EBV-1/Med/L338S, EBV-1/Med/S229T, EBV-1/China 1/L338S and EBV-1/NC/S229T profiles were associated with more severe infection.
Conclusion. For the first time, the influence of the genetic diversity of EBV on the clinical manifestations of IM in children was revealed. In the context of the tasks to be solved in this study, it is necessary to conduct a larger-scale and systemic studies in different territories of Russia.
Post-COVID-19 complications in kidney transplant recipients
Authors: Shafiekhani Mojtaba , Abolghasemi Sara , Asgharpour Masoumeh , Zare Zahra , Negahban Halimeh , Akbari Roghayeh , Nikoupour Hamed , Roozbeh Jamshid , Oliaie Farshid , Yahyapour Yousef , Geraili Zahra , Barari Mohammad , Ebrahimpour Soheil , Baziboroun Mana
Published: August 2023

Background. Although most people recover from acute COVID-19 within a few weeks, some have long-lasting clinical problems. The prevalence of these prolonged complications in kidney transplant (KT) recipients has not been determined.

Materials and methods. Six months following of 148 patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome admitted to three centers in Iran (Tehran, Shiraz and Babol) that underwent KT were included in this study. Also, one-hundred COVID-19 patients without KT were included as the control group. The demographic data, medications, and disease course were recorded. The baseline and demographic characteristics were analyzed using the Chi-square test. Moreover, students t-test were utilized to compare case and control groups.

Results. The total number of patients was 248, of which 148 were in the case groups. Hospitalization associated with COVID-19 was for all patients; besides, there were 18 patients in control and 24 case groups admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU). The most commonly reported symptom was fever. Multivariate analysis identified the history of chronic kidney disease, hypertension, cerebral vascular accident, and diabetes mellites as predictors for developing post-COVID clinical complications.

Conclusion. Evidence shows the high commonness of post-COVID-19 syndrome among kidney transplant patients after COVID-19, and the most common symptoms were fever, chills, and myalgia. So, all patients recovered from acute COVID-19 should undergo long-term monitoring to evaluate and treat possible complications.
Tick-borne infections in the south of Russia: modern epidemiological situation, new approach to create “forecasting” and “explaining” morbidity models (in astrakhan rickettsiosis fever and crimean-congo hemorrhagic fever)
Authors: Prislegina Darya A. , Maletskaya Olga V. , Dubyanskiy Vladimir M. , Taran Tatiana V. , Platonov Aleksandr E.
Published: August 2023

The article presents a description of the current tick-borne infection epidemiological situation in the south of Russia from the years 2013 to 2022, proposes a new approach to develop forecasting models for morbidity dynamics of Astrakhan rickettsial fever (ARF) and Crimean hemorrhagic fever (СCHF) in the Astrakhan region and presents data assessing 2022 explaining models for the Stavropol Territory and Astrakhan Region. Materials and methods. A comprehensive research was performed using epidemiological analysis and non-parametric statistical methods. The data assessing tick-borne infections epidemic process manifestations were retrieved from ARF and CCHF morbidity databases (developed as a project) and documents of infectious disease focus epidemiological examination provided by the departments of Rospotrebnadzor in the subjects of the Southern and North Caucasian Federal Districts. Morbidity models were developed using the Bayes theorem and Walds sequential statistical analysis, with a preliminary calculation of indicators informativeness by the Kullback method. The values of climatic factors from the database of the Center for Collective Use IKI-monitoring of the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences were used. Results. The results of the study indicate persistence of serious epidemiological situation regarding rickettsiosis of the tick-borne spotted fever group, Q fever, tick-borne borreliosis and CCHF in the south of Russia. Almost all tick-borne infections nosological forms in children under 14 years (including young children and infants) were widely involved in the epidemic process, which belong to patients at risk for a complicated disease course due to complicated diagnostics and treatment. The annual registration of tick-borne infections cases in the resort areas, with the subsequent occurrence of imported cases in other, including non-endemic regions poses a serious problem. The proposed forecasting models allow to predict the CСHF and ARF morbidity for each administrative district of the Astrakhan region with up to 91.7% accuracy. The explaining models CСHF accuracy for the Stavropol Territory and Astrakhan Region, when tested in 2022, was 88.5 and 83.3%, respectively, for ARF 91.7%. Conclusions. The further continuation of forecasting and explaining models verification for planning preventive measures and propose similar steps for tick-borne borreliosis and Q fever to epidemiological tick-borne infections to stabilize situation in the south of Russia.
The effect of Saposin D on the anti-tuberculosis immune response in experimental tuberculosis infection
Authors: Shepelkova Galina S. , Evstifeev Vladimir V. , Avdienko Vadim G. , Bocharova Irina V. , Yeremeev Vladimir V.
Published: August 2023

Saposins (Sap) are a subgroup of glycoproteins belonging to the Saposin-Like Proteins family. They are generated by the proteolytic processing of the common precursor prosaposin. Saposins localize primarily in the lysosomes and are required for the catabolism of glycosphingolipids. Saposins are involved in the presentation of lipid mycobacterial antigens on CD1 molecules. SapD is the most abundant saposin in normal tissues, where its concentration is three times higher than that of other saposins. SapD promotes the hydrolysis of ceramide by acid ceramidase in vivo, as evidenced by the accumulation of -hydroxyl-ceramide in the kidneys and cerebellum of SapD-deficient mice. Accordingly, SapD-deficient animals show renal tubular degeneration and hydronephrosis, as well as progressive loss of Purkinje cells in the cerebellum, leading to ataxia. To date, no hereditary SapD deficiency has been identified in humans.Previously we had shown that macrophages derived from SAPD knockout mice suppress the growth of M. tuberculosis to a lesser extent than macrophages from wild-type mice. Moreover, compensation for the deficiency of SapD in knockout cells led to the restoration of their bactericidal function. Thus, SapD is an important component in the anti-TB immune response. However, it is not clear how SapD deficiency affects the in vivo antituberculosis immune response. In the model of experimental tuberculosis infection, it was shown that five weeks post infection the mycobacterial load in the lungs and spleens was significantly higher in SapD-ko mice than in wild-type mice. Analysis of the lung tissue cellular composition showed the differences between SapD-ko and B6 mice. Thus naive SapD-ko mice are characterized by a larger quantity of macrophages compared to B6 mice. It was also shown that five weeks after infection, SapD-ko mice differ from wild-type mice in a more pronounced neutrophilic infiltration of the lung tissue. A study of the propensity for apoptosis of cells in the lung tissue of SapD-ko mice showed that the content of apoptotic cells in the lungs of SapD knockout mice three weeks after infection was significantly higher than in wild-type B6 mice. Thus, SapD deficiency leads to a significant increase in inflammation during experimental tuberculosis infection, and also affects the predisposition of lung cells to apoptosis.
The impact of adjuvanted and non-adjuvanted influenza vaccines on in vitro lymphocyte immunophenotype
Authors: Khromova E. A. , Akhmatova Nelli K. , Kostinov Michael P. , Skhodova Svetlana A. , Stolpnikova Vera N. , Vlasenko Anna E. , Polishchuk Valentina B. , Shmitko Anna D.
Published: August 2023

Vaccination is the most effective method of influenza prophylaxis resulting in reduced frequency and severity of complications. Currently, for the prevention of influenza, inactivated split and subunit vaccines as the safest and promoting formation of protective level of strain-specific virus neutralizing antibodies are used. It is known that not all inactivated vaccines are effective enough for select human groups. While nowadays the level of public health is low, there is a need to improve the effectiveness of vaccines that should activate all chains of the immune system. In order to enhance intensity of influenza virus strain-specific antibody production, adjuvant vaccines exerting other mechanisms to activate humoral and cellular immunity compared to non-adjuvant vaccines have been used. The aim of the study was to examine lymphocyte immunophenotype in 27 healthy donors treated with polymer-subunit (immunoadjuvant) and non-adjuvanted split and subunit influenza vaccines.
Materials and methods. Peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations were studied in vitro by flow cytometer FC-500 Cytomics (Beckman Coulter, USA) using FITC- and PE-labeled monoclonal antibodies (mAbs).
Results. All examined influenza vaccines activate the effectors of cellular immunity, increasing the number of NK-cells (CD16/56), NKT-lymphocytes (CD3/CD16/56), B-lymphocytes (CD45/CD20), activated (CD3/HLA-DR) and cytotoxic (CD8/HLA-DR) T-lymphocytes, as well as cells bearing early activation marker (CD45/CD25). Among them the immunoadjuvant vaccine showed the greatest potential to induce cellular response eliciting regulatory mechanisms that prevent hyperactivation, stimulating growth of NK (CD16/56), NKT-cells (CD3/CD16/56), B-lymphocytes (CD45/CD20), activated (CD3/HLA-DR) and cytotoxic (CD8/HLA-DR) T-lymphocytes, T-regulatory cells (Tregs, CD4/CD25/Foxp3).
Conclusion. Vaccination against influenza besides the formation of specific antibodies render a transient, immunomodulating effect that is more noticeable after immunoadjuvant vaccine. It can be assumed that vaccination of people with dysfunctions of the immune system an additional prophylactic effect will be observed.
Malposition of a Tunneled Cuffed Hemodialysis Catheter: Where Did the Catheter Go?
Authors: NB Mahmoud , A Letaief , J Saad , MB Salem , MB Salah , M Hamouda , S Aloui , H Skhiri
Published: August 2023

The first site of insertion of central venous catheters for hemodialysis is usually the right jugular vein, and in some cases we find it necessary to insert catheters into the left jugular vein. In our case, we describe the case of a patient aged 80 years, which required the placement of a tunneled catheter for hemodialysis at the level of the left jugular vein which was complicated by a malposition of the catheter at the level of the mediastinum causing a breach at the level of the left brachiocephalic venous trunk, requiring withdrawal of the catheter without incident. In order to avoid this type of complication, we recommend a chest X-ray after the insertion to verify the correct position of the catheter.
Pediatric Acute Renal Failure in Chad: Epidemiological, Clinical and Evolutionary Aspects
Authors: Y Djidita Hagre , G Mahamat Abderraman , AD Mahamat Nour , A Mahamat Hissein , M Adamou Abbassi , C Senoussi , Y Aboulbachar
Published: August 2023

Introduction: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a clinical syndrome characterized by a sudden and potentially reversible reduction in kidney function, as measured by glomerular filtration rate (GFR) affecting the exocrine functions of the kidney. It engages the short-term vital prognosis and the long-term renal function prognosis. It is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. Our objective was to study the epidemiological, clinical, paraclinical, therapeutic and evolutionary aspects of acute renal failure in children at the Renaissance University Hospital Center and Mother and Child University Hospital in N’Djamena, Chad. Methodology: This was a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study for six months from March to August 2020. All children aged 1 year to 15 years that were hospitalized in the emergency room of the Mother and Child University Hospital and went for follow-up consultations in the Nephrology and Dialysis Department of the Renaissance University Hospital Center with acute renal failure defined by the KDIGO 2012 criteria were included in the study. The data were analyzed by Excel 2019 and SPSS 18.0 with significance (p<0.05). Results: Thirty children were included in the study with a hospital prevalence of 0.56%. The mean age was 8.33 years with a sex ratio of 3.28. The average consultation time was 10.1 days. Vomiting was the main reason for consultation (46.7%). About 27% of patients had oligoanuria. There were 86% of the cases that were anemic, half of which were severe. Mean serum creatinine was 434.02 µmol/l and the mean urea level was 26.86 mmol/l. Severe malaria was the main cause of AKI (33.3%). All patients suffering from malaria received antimalarials based on artemisinin derivatives. Intermittent hemodialysis was indicated in 22 patients (73.4%). The evolution was marked by a total recovery of renal function in 20 patients, 8 deaths and 2 transitions to chronic kidney disease. Deaths were statistically related to AKI severity, age range 1-5 years, femoral catheters and infections (p<0.0000). Conclusion: Acute kidney injury is an uncommon pathology in pediatrics and in Chad. It is often linked to severe malaria and has a high mortality rate.
Cost of Therapeutic Care for Patients on Maintenance Hemodialysis in a Public Hospital in Congo Brazzaville in 2022
Authors: GH Mahoungou , DT Eyeni Sinomono , A Clauvel Niama , P Ngoma , E Gandzali-Ngabé , F Ambounou , B Ndinga , H Fouda-Embana , R Loumingou
Published: August 2023

Objective: Evaluate the cost of CRD (Chronic Renal Disease) management at the dialysis stage, in a public hospital in Congo Brazzaville. Patient and method: It was a longitudinal and descriptive study of 7 months, which took place over the period from February 1 to August 31, 2022, in the Nephrology-Hemodialysis department of HGELBO It focused on 35 patients identified in a way exhaustive. Socio-demographic and clinical information and expenses incurred over 3 months were collected from medical records and during individual interviews using pre-established survey sheets. SPSS 22 software was used for data analysis and processing. Results: Of the 35 patients, 26 were men, i.e., a sex ratio of 2.9. The mean age was 51.2 ± 12.3 years. Only 3 patients (9%) had health insurance and 52.2% of working patients had lost their job after starting dialysis. The median monthly cost of a chronic HD patient was 630,800 CFA Francs. Direct expenses amounted to 589,367 CFA Francs, they represented 93.4% of the total cost and are dominated by the cost of dialysis consumables (56.9%). The monthly median indirect cost was evaluated at 60,000 CFA Francs and represents 9.2% of the overall cost. The average cost of an HD session was evaluated at 31,219.4 CFA Francs. The total annual cost of the patient in HD maintenance was estimated at 7,569,600 CFA Francs. Conclusion: The cost of caring for HD patients is high. The cost of managing CR at the dialysis stage is beyond the reach of most patients, so there is a need to implement strategies to prevent and manage ESRD in our setting.
Financial Flows to the United States in 2022: Was There Fragmentation?
Authors: Weiss Colin R.
Published: August 2023

Events of the last five years, such as the U.S.-China trade war, the COVID-19 pandemic, and—most recently—Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, have raised concerns in the popular press and among policymakers that the international economic and financial system is at risk of becoming significantly fragmented (Aiyar et al., 2023; Ip, 2023; Shin, 2023). Most recently, attention has shifted to the possibility of fragmentation along geopolitical lines, where countries primarily trade with and invest in other countries with which they share close diplomatic and political ties (International Monetary Fund, 2023a,b).
Dealers' Treasury Market Intermediation and the Supplementary Leverage Ratio
Authors: Cochran Paul , Infante Sebastian , Petrasek Lubomir , Saravay Zack , Tian Mary
Published: August 2023

Treasury market intermediation by dealers, including Treasury securities market making and financing, requires regulatory capital. In particular, the six largest U.S. Treasury securities dealers are subsidiaries of large U.S. bank holding companies (BHCs), which are required to maintain a supplementary leverage ratio (SLR) of at least 5 percent at the BHC level.
The Restrained Recovery of State and Local Government Payrolls from the Pandemic Recession
Authors: Cashin David , Lutz Byron , Peterman William , Ratner David , Rodman Sarah
Published: August 2023

On the eve of the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, state and local government (SandL) employment in the U.S. stood at 20 million. In the first three months of the pandemic, SandL payrolls plunged 1.5 million as social distancing reduced the need for many government services, such as in-person schooling, and SandL governments feared sharp revenue declines.
Addressing missed visits to improve retention of young South African women in clinical trials
Authors: Ahmed Khatija , Malahleha Mookho , Mbatsane Thulisile E. , Thindisa Dineo , Bailey Veronique C. , Seocharan Ishen , Dilraj Athmanundh
Published: August 2023

In clinical trials, a vital protocol requirement for participants is adherence to scheduled visits. A substantial number of missed visits and the resultant missing data could affect generalisability of the findings and undermine the scientific conclusions. We aimed to investigate the extent of and reasons for missed visits in the Evidence for Contraceptive Options and HIV Outcomes (ECHO) trial in order to optimise recruitment and retention practices. Despite being a multi-country study, we investigated missed visits only at Setshaba Research Centre in Soshanguve, Tshwane, South Africa. Of 810 participants enrolled at Setshaba Research Centre, 94 (11.6%) participants missed visits and 231 missed visits were recorded. Of the 94 participants who missed visits, 53 (56.4%) missed at least two visits; 37 (39.4%) missed three or more visits, and of these, 32 (86.5%) missed at least two visits for the same reason. Overall, the main reasons for missed visits were: participant had to work (60; 26.0%), unable to contact participant (60; 26.0%), participant relocated (32; 13.9%), and participant travelled out of area (23; 10%). The large proportion of participants who missed two or more visits indicates that participants who miss a single visit are likely to miss even more, often for the same reason. Site staff need to be vigilant to detect any trends in missed visits early and innovative in developing personalised strategies to minimise missed visits and retain participants until completion of their scheduled visits.
Significance:

Despite trial site staff developing strategies to minimise missed visits, they will not be able to anticipate all scenarios.
Participants’ work commitments, loss of contact with participants, and participants’ travel/relocation to distant areas were the main reasons for missing visits, and site staff need to consider the potential for these to arise during the course of the study when assessing potential participants at enrolment and at each follow-up visit.
Case report forms designed for multi-country studies should be adapted to reflect the most likely reasons for missed visits for the local situation, so that trends in missed visits can be identified and addressed early.
Co-infection of urogenital schistosomiasis and malaria and its association with anaemia and malnutrition amongst schoolchildren in Dutse, Nigeria
Authors: Muhammed Hafizu , Balogun Joshua B. , Dogara Musa M. , Adewale Babatunde , Ibrahim Abdulganiyu A. , Okolugbo Chinedu B. , Jackson Graham
Published: August 2023

Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease. Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for 93% of the world’s 207 million schistosomiasis cases. Urogenital schistosomiasis and malaria are both public health problems in Nigeria, where they are endemic. We determined the co-prevalence of urogenital schistosomiasis and malaria in schoolchildren and assessed its implication on anaemia and malnutrition. This cross-sectional study was conducted amongst primary schoolchildren in the Warwade, Saya Saya and Jigawar Daha villages of Nigeria. Urine samples were collected to detect Schistosoma haematobium eggs, and finger prick blood was used for haemoglobin concentration and malaria diagnosis. Nutritional status was assessed using anthropometric measurements and a pre-tested questionnaire. The overall prevalence and density of S. haematobium were 27.7% and 9 eggs/10 mL, respectively, with significant differences between villages and sexes. The prevalence of malaria and infection density was 10.4% and 330 mps/μL, respectively. Co-infection prevalence was 3.3%. Anaemia prevalence was 66%, with significant variation across villages and between sexes. Prevalence of stunting, underweight, and wasting was 41.7%, 46%, and 29.7%, respectively. Mean haemoglobin concentrations in Plasmodium and children co-infected with urogenital schistosomiasis were significantly lower than those who were negative for the infection. No significant association was observed between malnutrition and single or co-infection of urogenital schistosomiasis and malaria. After adjusting for variables associated with anaemia, village of residence remained a significant predictor of anaemia. Water contact activities, such as fishing, swimming, and irrigation, emerged as independent risk factors of S. haematobium infection.
Significance:
Urogenital schistosomiasis and malaria infections are prevalent in communities around Warwade dam in Dutse, Nigeria, and cause anaemia. Continuous monitoring, proper treatment and regular intervention is desirable in the communities.