bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating Methods in Arabic Written Expression: Perspectives of Teachers in Al-Dhahira Governorate, Oman
Authors: Alkalbani Awadh , Nasser Saif
Published: June 2023

This study investigates the utilization of methods for evaluating written expression from the perspective of Arabic language teachers in Al-Dhahira Governorate, Sultanate of Oman. The population of the study consisted of 345 male and female Arabic language teachers in Al-Dhahira Governorate, with a randomly selected sample of 127 teachers. The study utilized a descriptive methodology and a questionnaire comprising 17 items. The findings indicate a moderate overall degree of usage of methods for evaluating written expression among Arabic teachers in Al-Dhahira Governorate. There were no statistically significant differences, at a significance level of α=0.05, in the utilization of methods based on gender, except for the method of "direct individual correction," which was favored by males. Furthermore, there were no statistically significant differences, at a significance level of α=0.05, in the utilization of methods based on experience across all included methods, ranging from items 1 to 10 and item 11 onwards.
Synonyms Analysis in Economic News about the Inflation Crisis in CNN Arabic Online Media
Authors: Endah Sofie , Aqila Fariz , Nisa Zahrotun , Alvan Ridha Savira Putri
Published: June 2023

This study aims to describe, understand, analyze, and discover the types of synonyms and collect synonyms in economic news about inflation on CNN Arabic online media. The research object used is synonyms containing phrases, words, and the number of sentences that indicate the means of word relations in synonyms. The qualitative descriptive method is the method used in this study. The data collection technique in this study was the library method. The data source was taken from Arabic-language online media, namely CNN Arabic. The results of this study indicate that a total of 43 synonyms were found with details: the type of perfect synonymy (الترادف الكامل), there are ten synonyms, the type of near synonymy (شبه الترادف) there are 12 synonyms, the type of semantic relation (التقارب الدلالي) there are ten synonyms, synonyms, types of التفاوت في الخصوص there are as many as two synonyms, types of التفاوت في القوة there are as many as four synonyms, types of التفاوت في الملامح there are as many as five synonyms, and 0 for types of التفاوت في العموم.
Salud bucal en la primera infancia: estrategia con agentes educativas y acudientes
Authors:   Institución Universitaria Visión de las Américas, Agudelo Ramírez Alexandra , Galvis Aricapa Johnny Alexander , Villegas García Edwin
Published: June 2023

Introducción: la dentición temporal es esencial para la nutrición, habla y autoestima. Los niños y niñas menores de 5 años no poseen habilidades motoras para efectuar higiene bucal por sí mismos. Objetivo: diseñar e implementar una estrategia educativa para la promoción de la salud bucal en la primera infancia con agentes educativas y acudientes de los niños y niñas que asisten a los hogares comunitarios del Instituto Colombiano de Bienestar Familiar en Santa Rosa de Cabal (Colombia) en el 2019. Materiales y métodos: investigación cualitativa, diseño investigación-acción. Muestreo no probabilístico por conveniencia, participaron 25 agentes educativas y 55 acudientes. Técnicas de investigación empleadas: grupos focales y talleres pedagógicos. Para analizar los datos se usó Análisis Temático. Resultados: se desarrolló en 3 fases. 1) los/as participantes expresaron que tener salud bucal consiste en la adecuada higiene, aunque todos/as conocían la caries, los cuidadores no la comprendían como una patología, las agentes educativas percibieron tener alta capacidad de autoeficacia para contribuir a la salud bucal de los niños/as. 2) En los talleres pedagógicos se resolvieron inquietudes en temas como crecimiento y desarrollo del sistema estomatognático, enfermedades bucales, entre otros. 3) Las agentes educativas aprendieron la relación de la salud bucal con lactancia materna, asimismo las causas y consecuencias de las patologías bucales, y replicaron lo aprendido. Conclusiones: se recomienda el desarrollo de estrategias educativas guiadas por modelos teóricos y con metodologías participativas, adaptadas a las necesidades y contextos de las comunidades, pues se requiere producir conocimiento situado y con aceptabilidad cultural.
Assessment of the humoral immune response in children after immunization with different types of inactivated influenza vaccines in the 2019-2020 season
Authors: Buzitskaya Zh. V. , Popov A. B. , Romanovskaya-Romanko E. A. , Sergeeva M. V. , Varyushina E. A. , Erofeeva M. K. , Stukova M. A. , Lioznov D. A.
Published: June 2023

Causing millions of cases worldwide every year, influenza is one of the most common respiratory infections. The effectiveness of influenza vaccination and the nature of the resulting immune response may vary depending on the vaccine composition and age group. Since children are at the highest risk of disease and act as the main carriers of influenza, the assessment of the immunological efficacy of vaccines in this group is crucial for controlling the epidemic. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of the humoral immune response in children after immunization with various types of inactivated influenza vaccines. An observational study was conducted in the 2019-2020 season and involved 230 children (< 18 years old) and a comparison group of 87 adults aged 18 to 60 years. The subjects, who provided informed consent to participate, were vaccinated with one of three vaccines (Grippol Plus, Sovigripp, or Ultrix) in an open-label fashion. The humoral immune response was assessed by measuring the hemagglutination inhibition (HI) titer in the paired sera taken before and three weeks after vaccination. The immunogenicity of the vaccines in the age group under 18, met the CPMP criteria for the assessment of inactivated influenza vaccines in terms of the fold increase in antibody titers and the proportion of individuals with seroconversion to all three components (A/H1N1pdm09, A/H3N2, and B/Victoria). Although 6 to 18-year-old participants showed a more robust immune response to the B/Victoria component compared to the adult participants (aged 18 to 60), it was insufficient to ensure that 70% of the participants have a protective antibody titer. A comparative analysis of the vaccines’ immunogenicity was carried out for a subgroup of children aged 6-18 who had initially low antibody levels at the time of vaccination. The analysis showed that the split vaccine Ultrix outperformed the adjuvanted vaccine Grippol Plus in generating an antibody response to the component B/Victoria; however, the antibody responses to the A/H1N1pdm09 and A/H3N2 components did not differ between the two vaccines. The children under 6 years of age demonstrated a less pronounced humoral immune response to vaccination compared with the other age groups, which may be due to the age-related characteristics of the immune system in children of preschool age.
Angiogenic potential of circulating peripheral blood neutrophils in kidney cancer
Authors: Myagdieva I. R. , Abakumova T. V. , Dolgova D. R. , Gorshkov O. U. , Gening T. P.
Published: June 2023

The role of neutrophils in kidney cancer is currently being studied. Their role in carcinogenesis is ambiguous. As one of the most abundant blood leukocytes, neutrophils play an important role in cancer progression through multiple mechanisms, including promotion of angiogenesis, immunosuppression, and cancer metastasis. Neutrophils synthesize and release pro-angiogenic factors that are able to directly or indirectly stimulate the growth and migration of endothelial cells, which in turn causes the formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing ones. The production of various factors by neutrophils, including proangiogenic ones, is mediated by the expression of the genes of these molecules. Functional heterogeneity is characterized by differences in neutrophil gene expression patterns. The aim of this study was to evaluate the angiogenic potential of circulating neutrophils in kidney cancer. The object of the study were blood neutrophils of patients with verified clear cell kidney cancer at stage I (T1N0M0G1, n = 28, median age 60), stage II (T2N0M0G2, n = 15, median age 61) and stage III (T3N0M0G2, n = 15, median age 63) before surgery. The control group consisted of apparently healthy donors (n = 15, median age 54). Serum levels of IL-8 and VEGF-A were assessed by enzyme immunoassay. Expression of the CXCL8 and VEGF-A genes in circulating neutrophils was determined by reverse transcription quantitative PCR. As a result of our study, an increase in the level of IL-8 and VEGF-A in the blood serum of patients with kidney cancer in all studied groups compared with the control group was revealed. We observed a direct correlation between serum levels of IL-8 and VEGF-A in patients with kidney cancer (r = 0.429; p = 0.016), which confirms the relationship of these angiogenic factors. A significant increase in CXCL8 gene expression by circulating neutrophils was found in patients on II (2.91, Q0.25-Q0.75: (1.296-4.99), p = 0.02) and III (1.93, Q0.25-Q0.75: (0.755-11.36, p = 0.014) stages of kidney cancer compared with the control group (1.50, Q0.25-Q0.75: (0.80-4.05)). However, VEGF-A gene expression by circulating neutrophils did not differ from those in the control group. Blood neutrophils in kidney cancer exercise their angiogenic potential through the production of IL-8.
A comparative study of human endogenous retrovirus HERV-E λ 4-1 activation in autoimmune pathology
Authors: Goldina I. A. , Markova E. V.
Published: June 2023

Considering the presence of immunomodulatory properties of human endogenous retroviruses, namely (i) the ability to activate the innate immune response by HERVs nucleic acids; (ii) the antigenicity of transcriptionally competent endogenous retroviruses envelope protein molecule, which causes polyclonal activation of lymphocytes; (iii) the absence of HERVs expression and protein production in the thymus during the immune tolerance formation, which allows us to consider these proteins as autoantigens or neoantigens, it seemed relevant to investigate the association of replication-competent human endogenous retrovirus HERV-E λ 4-1 with course of some of autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. The aim of this work was a comparative study of the human endogenous retrovirus HERV-E λ 4-1 activation frequency in blood mononuclear cells in multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, as well as in chronic nervous system non-progressive diseases and the degenerative-dystrophic disease of the musculoskeletal system. The peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated by the venous blood centrifugation on Ficoll density gradient of 1.078 g/cm3. Expression of the HERV-E λ 4-1 envelope gene was detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. It was found that the HERV-E λ 4-1 envelope gene expression frequency in the chronic non-progressive diseases of nervous system, as well as in degenerative-dystrophic joint disease, is comparable to the expression frequency in conditionally healthy individuals. However, the HERV-E λ 4-1 envelope gene expression frequency in autoimmune diseases significantly exceeded that in conditionally healthy individuals and in non-inflammatory diseases. The maximum values of expression frequency were observed in active multiple sclerosis, significantly higher than in systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis in the acute stage. Moreover, the expression frequency in the remission stage of multiple sclerosis was significantly lower than in the acute stage of the relapsing-remitted course, as well as in the progredient course. Estimation of HERV-E λ 4-1 envelope gene expression frequency at different severity levels of multiple sclerosis revealed its maximum rates at III and IV-V severity levels, both in relapsing-remitting and progressive course of multiple sclerosis. Thus, activation of the human endogenous retrovirus HERV-E λ 4-1 is associated with the course of autoimmune diseases, namely multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus; it positively correlates with the activity and severity of multiple sclerosis.
Clinical and immunological characteristics of medical students depending on the duration and program of study
Authors: Chebotov S. A. , Urazmambetov R. T. , Andreeva I. I. , Kharitonova M. V.
Published: June 2023

Chronic psycho-emotional stress can cause dysfunction of neuroimmunoendocrine dysregulation with consequences in the form of a violation of the functional potential of the immune system. Adaptation to new living conditions at the start of studies at a medical university is one of the inevitable circumstances that first-year students overcome. Education under the military training program at a medical university carries an additional stress load in this aspect. Research on the mechanisms of formation of adaptive reactions of the immune system during training under the military training program for officers of the medical service is of undoubted interest. The purpose of the study was to compare the clinical manifestations of immune-mediated pathology and the parameters of adaptive and innate immunity of medical students depending on the length of service and training program. Under observation were 104 medical students, all men, of which 37 were first-year students and 67 were third-year students of a medical university. The subjects of each course were divided into two subgroups depending on the training program. The group of first-year students consisted of 18 people from the military training center (VTC) and 19 people from the medical and preventive faculty (LPF). Among the third-year students of the VUC – 31, LPF – 36. For the clinical characterization of the incidence during the year of study, registration cards for the analysis of immune-mediated pathology were used, the parameters of the immune system at the end of the spring semester were studied using standard methodological approaches. The data obtained indicate that in the first year students with an additional load in the form of a military training program have a more difficult time adapting to learning in comparison with first-year students of the medical faculty. These differences consist in a more frequent and significant clinical manifestation of infectious pathology and are reflected in the functional potential of cellular parameters of innate immunity. The statement of signs of inhibition of the functional potencies of macrophage cells and natural killers in firstyear students of a military training center is an alarming factor in the possible disruption of the adaptive reserves of the immune response system, which probably suggests the need to develop programs to prevent the negative impact of stress-forming factors. By the third year of study, the students of the military training center have the best clinical and immunological indicators of the functioning of the immune system in comparison with the students of the standard educational program of general practitioners. It is likely that during this period the process of psychological adaptation of military medical students is completed.
CD56 and Tim-3 molecule expression in different monocyte subsets in physiological pregnancy
Authors: Orlova E. G. , Loginova O. A.
Published: June 2023

Monocytes play an important role in the systemic immune defense against pathogens and maintaining physiological pregnancy. During pregnancy peripheral monocytes migrate into the decidua and form the pool of decidual macrophages which participate in the formation and development of placental tissues. The population of peripheral blood monocytes is phenotypically and functionally heterogeneous. In humans, there are different monocyte subsets depending on the expression of CD14 and CD16. CD56-positive monocytes are found in healthy women. Their number is positively correlated with body mass index, body fat. Tim-3 (T cell Ig and mucin domain-containing protein 3) expression is observed in peripheral monocytes during pregnancy. It is known that peripheral monocyte functions effectively change at pregnancy to form the immune tolerance at the maternal-fetal interface and the systemic immune defense against pathogens. However, the monocyte phenotype shift during pregnancy remain poorly understood. Therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate the CD56 and Tim-3 expressions in monocyte subsets in human pregnancy. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from peripheral blood of pregnant women (gestational age 29 weeks (28-31) by density gradient centrifugation and analyzed by flow cytometry. Peripheral blood of healthy non-pregnant fertile women (in follicular phase of the menstrual cycle) aged 21-29 years was studied as control. Pregnant women had a lower percentage of classical CD14hi/CD16- monocytes in comparison with non-pregnant. The percentages of intermediate (CD14hi/CD16+) and non-classical (CD14low/CD16+) monocytes did not change. The CD56 molecule expression was observed in all monocyte subsets in pregnant and non-pregnant women. Pregnant women had a higher percentage of CD56-positive classical (CD14hiCD16-) and non-classical (CD14lowCD16+) monocytes than non-pregnant. The percentage of CD56-positive intermediate (CD14hiCD16+) monocytes did not change. The percentages of double-positive CD56+Tim-3+ classical (CD14hiCD16-) and non-classical (CD14lowCD16+) monocytes were increased in pregnant women. The numbers of double-positive CD56+Tim-3+intermediate (CD14hiCD16+) monocytes did not change. Thus, the CD56 and Tim-3 expressions in different monocyte subsets were changed in human pregnancy.
Characteristics of immune-active and immune-silent phenotypes of early-stage cervical carcinoma as revealed by transcriptome sequencing
Authors: Kurmyshkina O. V. , Kovchur P. I. , Volkova T. O.
Published: June 2023

Molecular classification, immuneheterogeneity, and the existence of distinct immunophenotypes of virus-associated cervical cancer (CeCa) remain as-yet weakly explored issues, and this is particularly true of its earliest clinical stages and pre-invasive forms: cervical intraepithelial neoplastic (CIN) lesions. The goal of the study was to identify transcriptomic landscapes of invasive CeCa at its initial progression that differ substantially in their immune-related characteristics, patterns of signaling pathways and composition of the microenvironment. Transcriptome profiling was carried out using RNA-sequencing on Illumina platform. A panel of surgical-derived tissue samples comprised human papillomavirus-positive CIN grade 1-3, cancer of FIGO IA1-IIB stages, and morphologically normal epithelium. Transcriptomic profiles were analyzed with the use of bioinformatics tools, such as gene set enrichment (GAGE) for signaling pathways, xCell enrichment for cell composition identification, and PREDA positional analysis of genomic data. Hierarchical clustering revealed heterogeneity of transcriptomic profiles within the early-stage CeCa, namely, the existence of two clusters of tumor samples and three functional patterns of genes showing coordinately altered expression. Pathway enrichment analysis on genes differently expressed between the two clusters/groups of CeCa samples (‘A' and ‘B') and CIN (group ‘C') suggested that invasive tumor progression in groups ‘A' and ‘B' might rely on immunologically dissimilar mechanisms. xCell analysis confirmed heterogeneity of changes in the abundancies of cell populations when comparing CeCa sample groups and CIN, along with differences in immune and stromal scores. PREDA demonstrated that these transcriptomic differences could be linked to different chromosomal regions and co-localized with particular gene families and potentially the reported virus integration hotspots. Overall, the existence and detectability of different transcriptomic immune-based phenotypes of invasive CeCa at its initial stages of progression is shown, which may provide new options to broaden the knowledge and applicability of target and immune anti-cancer therapy.
Differentiated disorders of the immune system in acute hematogenic and acute posttraumatic osteomyelitis in children
Authors: Chudilova G. A. , Tarakanov V. A. , Chicherev E. A. , Teterin Yu. V. , Barova N. K. , Mitropanova M. N.
Published: June 2023

Osteomyelitis is an inflammation of bone and bone marrow caused by the spread of S. aureus from a local focus by the hematogenous route or from an open traumatic fracture; it is difficult to treat and remains a serious problem. The condition for spreading of the infectious process into bone is the effect of S. aureus and its impaired elimination due to immune system (IS) dysfunction. Controversial information on the immunopathogenetic mechanisms of acute osteomyelitis needs study, which would allow the development of sound immunotherapy. Purpose of the study: to specify the variants of antibacterial immune protection disorders in children with acute hematogenous and acute posttraumatic osteomyelitis. Materials and methods. Children 8-15 years old (n = 22) were studied: Study Group 1 (SG1, n = 12) – with acute hematogenous osteomyelitis (AHO); Study Group 2 (SG2, n = 10) – with acute post-traumatic osteomyelitis (APTO). The comparison group (CG) – 13 healthy children. Tested: Tlymphocytes (CD3+CD19- , CD3+CD4+, CD3+CD8+), B lymphocytes (CD3- CD19+), NK (CD3- CD16+CD56+) and TNK (CD3+CD16+CD56+) lymphocytes, neutrophil granulocytes (NG, CD16, CD32, CD64) (FC-500 Beckman Coulter, USA); the level of serum IgA, IgM, IgG (ELISA). Phagocytic function of NGs in relation to S. aureus was assessed: the number of actively phagocytizing NGs (%PhAN), capture processes (PhN, PhI) and killing activity (%D, DI). Results. In both groups was revealed a decrease of T lymphocytes, T helpers, TCTL and NK quantity (p1-4 < 0.05). In AHO, the levels of IgA, IgM, IgG did not differ from that in GS, while in APTO the levels of IgA and IgG increased (p1, 2 < 0.05). The density of CD64, CD16, CD32 receptor expression on NG in the studied groups has been a different equipping, predetermining an incompetence of the phagocytic function: in AHO associated with abnormalities in the function capture and killing, in APTO only with the S. aureus digestion. Conclusion. The revealed combined defects of IS functioning necessitate the development of new approaches in the treatment of AHO and APTO in children, pathogenetically substantiating the use of immunotherapy in the complex etiopathogenetic treatment. This approach will contribute to the restoration of mechanisms of anti-infective immunity, timely elimination of pathogens, improve the clinical course of the diseases, prevent the chronic inflammatory process.
Dynamics of cellular immunity indicators in the complex treatment of acute optic neuritis
Authors: Storozhilova D. A. , Kolenko O. V. , Danilova L. P. , Emanova L. P. , Vasilieva I. V.
Published: June 2023

An increase in the incidence of optic neuritis among the working-age population, as well as an unpromising prognosis for vision due to the development of optic nerve atrophy, determines the high social significance of this problem. The aim of the work is to analyze the effect of Imunofan at the parameters of cellular immunity and clinical symptoms of the disease in the complex treatment of optic neuritis associated with herpes virus infection. The study involved 37 people (37 eyes) with acute optic neuritis associated with herpes infection. The treatment regimen included the appointment of a dexamethasone solution according to a decreasing scheme, a 1% solution of the drug Emoxipin 0.5 mL and a 12.5% solution of the drug Dicynone 0.5 mL through an irrigation system implanted in the retrobulbar space, in combination with the neuroprotection drugs (Pikamilon and Semax) for 10 days. All patients were divided into 2 groups. The main group consisted of 20 patients who received Imunofan to the treatment regimen in addition. The comparison group included 17 patients who were treated only according to the method described above. The course of treatment lasted 10 days. The analysis of the data showed a more significant positive dynamics of cellular immunity parameters in those who received immunotherapy. Our studies showed the effectiveness of this drug in the complex treatment of optic neuritis associated with herpes infection, what is confirmed by the acceleration of inflammation relief, a more significant increase in visual functions of patients treated with Imunofan, and a lower percentage of optic nerve atrophy. In this group of patients, changes in the parameters of the cellular link of immunity occurred earlier and remained stable throughout the entire period of observation. According to our data, an intergroup assessment of the immunoregulatory index showed its faster increase in patients of the comparison group who received Imunofan, and reached normal values already 6 months after treatment. The clinical effectiveness of Imunofan in the complex therapy of optic neuritis associated with herpes infection was characterized by a reduction in the period of relief of signs of inflammation in the optic nerve by 2 times or more, by an increase in the maximum corrected visual acuity by 4.5 times, and by a decrease in the incidence of recurrence of optic neuritis by 2 times over a 12 months observation period.
Eotaxin and cardio-ankle vascular index in patients with high and very high cardiovascular risk
Authors: Kravchenko E. S. , Suslova T. E. , Kologrivova I. V. , Koshelskaya O. A.
Published: June 2023

Eotaxin is a chemokine, which is a chemoattractant mainly to eosinophils, as well as basophils and Th2 lymphocytes. According to studies, overexpression of eotaxin is found in endothelial and smooth muscle cells of blood vessels in the area of atherosclerotic plaque. In clinical medicine, cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) is widely used as an indicator of arteriosclerosis and a predictor of cardiovascular events. Few studies have shown the relationship of eotaxin with coronary atherosclerosis; in other studies, the relationship of eotaxin with atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction and pulse wave velocity was not revealed. The aim of the present study was to assess blood level of eotaxin and cardio-ankle vascular index and their association with major cardiovascular risk factors in patients with high and very high cardiovascular risk. We examined 65 patients with high and very high cardiovascular risk, due to documented coronary artery disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, or combination of cardiovascular risk factors and who were undergoing generally accepted cardioactive, hypoglycemic therapy and lipid-lowering therapy. All patients were examined for the elastic properties of the vascular wall by volumetric sphygmography with assessment of CAVI. In the blood, the concentrations of eotaxin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, glycosylated hemoglobin and lipid spectrum indicators were determined. All examined were divided into two groups: with a normal value of CAVI (less than 8) and elevated. Patients with elevated CAVI had higher concentrations of eotaxin (p = 0.013), total cholesterol (p = 0.009), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p = 0.016), were older (p < 0.0001) and less likely to take statins (p = 0.002). In all those examined, correlations were found between serum eotaxin concentration and CAVI (rs = 0.34; p = 0.005), as well as age (rs = 0.32; p = 0.006). The age of the patients correlated with CAVI (rs = 0.35; p = 0.007). Thus, in our study, we for the first time showed the relationship between higher concentrations of eotaxin and an increased cardio-ankle vascular index in patients with high and very high cardiovascular risk. Cardio-ankle vascular index was associated with age, lipid metabolism and lipid-lowering therapy. The obtained results allow us to consider eotaxin as a factor associated with atherogenesis and arterial stiffness.
Efficacy and safety of curcumin in patients with metabolic phenotype of osteoarthritis: A pilot study
Authors: Shirinsky I. V. , Shirinsky V. S. , Filatova K. Yu.
Published: June 2023

The aim of this study was to assess efficacy and safety of curcumin in metabolic syndrome- associated osteoarthritis (MetS-OA). All patients provided written informed consent. Knee OA was diagnosed according to American College of Rheumatology criteria; MetS was diagnosed according to Russian Scientific Society of Cardiology Guidelines. The study had before-and-after design. The main inclusion criteria were presence of knee OA and MetS, levels of global health assessment and pain assessment more than 50 mm using 0-100 visual analogue scale (VAS). The main outcome was VAS global. The other outcomes were VAS pain, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) consisting of five subscales: pain (KOOS pain), other symptoms (KOOS symptoms), activities in daily living (KOOS ADL), function in sport and recreation (KOOS Sport/Rec) and knee related Quality of life (KOOS QoL). The level of depression was measured using PHQ- 9. For pain, proportion of patients achieving minimal clinically important improvement (MCII) was assessed using the cut-offs of (a) 15 of 100 for absolute improvement and 20% for relative improvement.

The treatment consisted of C. longa extract 1000 mg/day for 4 weeks. The assessments were performed on baseline and 4 weeks thereafter. Eighteen women with MetS-OA of the knee were included in the study.

At the end of treatment, there were significant improvements in the VAS global scale by an average 33.9 mm (p = 0.001), VAS pain by 25 mm (p = 0.001). There was a trend towards improvement in PHQ-9 by 2.9 (p = 0.05). The mean improvement in KOOS pain was 11 (p = 0.001). KOOS symptoms improved by 9 (p = 0.025), KOOS ADL - by 12.4 (p = 0.001), KOOS Sport/Rec by 10.3 (p = 0.044), and KOOS QOL by 14.4 (p = 0.009). The proportion of patients achieving clinically significant improvement (MCII) were nine (56%) for both global health and pain. There were no adverse events during the study. The findings of this study suggest clinical efficacy and safety of C. Longa in MetS-associated knee OA. There is a need for large controlled studies to confirm these results.
Evaluation of mediators of fibrosis and angiogenesis in the blood serum of premature infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia
Authors: Semikina E. L. , Snovskaya M. А. , Basargina M. A. , Seliverstova A. A. , Zhuzhula A. A. , Davidova I. V.
Published: June 2023

In premature birth and postpartum damage to the developing lung, the processes of the formation of pulmonary vessels and alveoli are disrupted, leading to bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). BPD is a multifactorial disease and the pathogenesis of lung tissue damage is still not fully understood. Studies of angiogenesis biomarkers can be informative for assessing the development of BPD. In this study we examined the blood serum of 65 premature infants aged 6 to 180 days of life; gestational age at birth was 23-33 weeks, body weight 480-1840 g, APGAR score 5-6. All children in the early neonatal period had respiratory distress syndrome, then 46 children formed and 19 did not form bronchopulmonary dysplasia. The concentration of the factors of angiogenesis and fibrosis was determined in blood serum by ELISA. There were no differences in the levels of angiopoietins 1 and 2, vascular endothelial growth factor VEGF-D, transforming growth factor beta TGF-β, thrombospondin-1. We observed a tendency to increasing the level of VEGF-A, which is a key regulator of angiogenesis and lung maturation; we regard this tendency as a favorable sign of lung formation. We found tendencies to increase of the adhesion molecule of endothelial platelet cells PECAM-1, interleukin 8 and connective tissue growth factor CTGF. CTGF expression is enhanced by artificial lung ventilation and exposure to high oxygen concentrations. We consider an increase of CTGF in BPD to be an unfavorable change, since the binding of CTGF to VEGF inhibits VEGF-induced angiogenesis. In children with BPD, we found a decrease in the level of platelet derived growth factor PDGF-BB, the median concentration was 3180 pg/mL in BPD versus 4782 pg/mL without BPD (p = 0.024). PDGF is an important factor in tissue regeneration and plays an important role in the formation of blood vessels. We assume the decreasing of PDGF concentration in BPD can lead to a violation of the alveolarization necessary for the formation of the structure of healthy lungs. Studies of angiogenesis factors will help to better understand the pathogenesis of lung damage in BPD.
Evaluation of the influence of Inosine pranobex on the matrix protein system in patients with chronic viral cervicitis
Authors: Nevezhkina T. A. , Tulupova M. S. , Markelova E. V. , Knysh S. V. , Chagina E. A. , Rudneva A. V. , Fedyanina L. N. , Bystritskaya A. S.
Published: June 2023

The reproductive potential of both women and men is declining every year. Many factors contribute to the violation of the reproductive function – chemical, physical, mechanical, psychogenic, however, biological factors have the most pronounced effect on reproduction. Chronic viral cervicitis can be not only the cause of infertility and reproductive losses, but also the development of intraepithelial dysplasia, as well as cervical cancer. PVI, as a monoinfection, is quite rare along with HPV. Other UGIs (urogenital infections) act as common routes of transmission and entry gates. The most common association with PVI is herpesvirus infection. An increase in MMP, both systemically and at the local level, may indicate a violation of cell modeling processes, which contributes to the development of autoimmune inflammation with further destruction of the tissues of the reproductive tract. Activation of MMP promotes the release of HSV from the nerve ganglia and reactivation of the infection. Therapy for HPV and HVI (herpes virus infections) are debatable. There is no single standard of treatment, but there are a number of drugs that have antiviral and immunomodulatory effects. Currently, there are no studies on the dynamics of the effect of HPV and HSV infection on the state of MMPs and TIMPs during Inosine pranobex therapy. Objective: to evaluate changes in matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 and their tissue inhibitors types 1 and 2 in patients with human papillomavirus and herpes infections after Inosine pranobex therapy. 6 patients with papillomavirus and herpetic infections were examined and treated with drugs containing the active ingredient Inosine pranobex. The levels of MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP-1, TIMP-2 in blood serum were determined using specific reagents from R&D Diagnostics Inc. (USA). The dynamics of indicators in the blood serum of patients with PVI showed a decrease in the level of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1 with a simultaneous increase in TIMP-2 relative to the values before therapy. In patients with PVI and HVI, Inosine pranobex therapy showed a decrease in MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels, no changes in the content of TIMP-1, but an increase in the serum content of TIMP-2. Prior to the use of therapy, an increase in the ratio in the main groups in comparison with the control group was found, however, the largest increase was found in the group with the association of infections. After therapy, positive dynamics was established in the main groups. Thus, the ratio in group I decreased and became equal to the control values. In the II group of patients, the ratio, despite the decrease, remained higher than the control values and higher in comparison with the I group of women.
Functional activity of the monocyte immune link in gastric adenocarcinoma
Authors: Smirnova O. V. , Ovcharenko E. S.
Published: June 2023

Stomach cancer is in the top ten in terms of prevalence and ranks 4th in terms of causes of death worldwide. The most common and most aggressive variant of gastric cancer is adenocarcinoma. The monocytic link of immunity provides the main line of the body's fight against malignant cells, while in patients with adenocarcinoma it is insufficiently studied. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the functional activity of monocytes in patients with gastric adenocarcinoma at different stages of the disease.

Individuals (n = 164) were examined, among whom 85 were diagnosed with stage I-IV stomach adenocarcinoma. The study also involved 79 apparently healthy donors. The functional activity and oxygen-dependent phagocytosis of monocytes were assessed by the chemiluminescent method. Luminol was used as a chemiluminescence inducer. The respiratory burst was activated with opsonized zymosan.

In patients with stomach adenocarcinoma, at rest (spontaneous chemiluminescence), an increase in the time the curve reached the maximum intensity of chemiluminescence (Tmax = 7957 s), the area under the chemiluminescence curve (Squr = 0.2 x 106), the activation index (1.89 c. u.) and a decrease in the maximum value of chemiluminescence intensity (Imax = 424 c. u.) relative to the control group (Tmax = 5533 s, Squr = 0.011 x 106, activation index = 0.88 c. u., Imax = 424 c. u., p < 0.05) were seen. When chemiluminescence is induced in patients with stomach adenocarcinoma, a statistically significant predominance of Squr is fixed (0.46 x 106, in the control group Squr = 0.031 x 106). Also, in the group of patients with stomach adenocarcinoma, monocytic phagocytosis was reduced by more than 2 times (29% vs 84% in the control group, p < 0.05). When analyzing the studied parameters, depending on the stage of the disease, it was found that the violation of the chemiluminescent reaction in patients with stomach adenocarcinoma is fixed already at an early stage. At the same time, in patients with stage IV stomach adenocarcinoma, the indicators of spontaneous and induced chemiluminescence are more than 2 times different from those in the control group and patients at stage I of the disease. The identified features indicate a decrease in the effectiveness of immune reactions of the monocytic link in stomach adenocarcinoma already in the early stages of the disease and can be used to detect early signs of immune disorders and optimize therapeutic approaches in this disease.
Functional exhaustion of CD4+T cells in HIV/HCV coinfected HAART-treated patients
Authors: Vlasova V. V. , Korolevskaya L. B. , Loginova O. A. , Shmagel N. G. , Saidakova E. V.
Published: June 2023

Infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) is common among HIV-positive patients, with up to 50% of them being coinfected in Russia. While highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) suppresses HIV replication and restores the immune system of HIV-infected subjects, HCV coinfection interferes with CD4+T cell regeneration and increases the risk of patients’ morbidity and mortality. During HAART, HIVinfection progression and the immune system restoration efficiency largely depend on immune activation and CD4+T cell exhaustion. This study determined the level of activation, exhaustion, and cytokine production in CD4+T cells obtained from the peripheral blood of HAART-treated HIV/HCV coinfected and HIV monoinfected subjects. The study comprised 11 HIV/HCV coinfected individuals and 10 HIV monoinfected patients receiving HAART for more than two years, with a control group of 10 volunteers without the signs of HIV or HCV infections. Compared with healthy controls, HIV/HCV coinfected patients had an increased frequency of activated CD38+HLA-DR+ CD4+T lymphocytes (p < 0.05), a higher level of CD4+T cell exhaustion determined according to the TIGIT expression density per cell (p < 0.05), and a greater proportion of interferon-gamma (IFNγ)-producing CD4+T lymphocytes following activation (p < 0.05). The frequency of IFNγ-producing CD4+T cells in the donors’ blood positively correlated with the proportion of activated CD4+T cells (R = 0.514, p < 0.01). Despite having a large number of IFNγ-producing CD4+T lymphocytes, the HIV/HCV coinfected patients’ average production of IFNγ by CD4+T cells was significantly lower than that in healthy controls (p < 0.05). The IFNγ production in CD4+T lymphocytes did not depend on activation (p > 0.05). However, a negative correlation was established between the IFNγ production and the level of CD4+T cell exhaustion (R = -0.400, p < 0.05). The letter was also found to inversely correlate with the CD4+T cell counts in the donors’ peripheral blood (R = -0.598, p < 0.01). These data suggest that HCV coinfection leads to pronounced functional exhaustion of CD4+T cells and may aggravate the course of HIVinfection in patients receiving HAART.
Features of the blood cytokine profile in gastroesophageal reflux disease in schoolchildren with gastritis and family history of peptic ulcer
Authors: Polivanova T. V. , Vshivkov V. A. , Akhmetshin T. N.
Published: June 2023

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common acid-dependent disease among the population, including children, with multifactorial genesis. It, like many other acid-dependent diseases (peptic ulcer, etc.) is associated with a family predisposition to the disease. Of interest is the study of the role of cytokines in the regulation of pathology in childhood, depending on the severity of a family history of peptic ulcer disease. Aim: to evaluate the levels of cytokines in the blood serum in case of family history of ulcerative diseases in schoolchildren with gastritis associated with GERD. In the course of a scientific study, 142 children with gastroenterological complaints aged 7-17 years were examined. The diagnosis of GERD was made in the presence of weekly heartburn in accordance with the global consensus on pathology in children. All subjects underwent gastroscopy with taking biopsy material from the gastric mucosa and morphological confirmation of their diagnosis of gastritis in accordance with the Sydney classification. The concentration of cytokines in blood serum (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-18, IL-1β, IFNα, TNFα) was obtained by enzyme immunoassay. During statistical processing, the χ2  and Mann–Whitney tests were used. The studies were approved by the ethics committee and informed consents of patients and their parents were obtained prior to the start of the study. The results of the study did not show significant differences in the concentration of cytokines in schoolchildren depending on the presence of GERD. In children with a family burden of peptic ulcer, GERD was detected more often (p = 0.054), which is probably a consequence of their increased acid formation. Changes in the cytokine profile of the blood were noted. During GERD, with aggravation of peptic ulcer, there was an increase in the replication of IL-4 (p = 0.027) and IFNα (p = 0.001). The increase in blood IFNα in children with GERD with family burden is obviously aimed at enhancing immune responses involving the whole body to damage. This is due to its functional role – participation in the immune response. Increased replication of IL-4, obviously, provides an increase in metabolic, immune processes in the body aimed at optimizing the course of proliferative processes in the esophageal mucosa under conditions of increased secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. Thus, when a family history of peptic ulcer is aggravated in schoolchildren with gastritis associated with GERD, a number of links in the cytokine network (IL-4, IFNα) move to the systemic level of regulation.
Gender differences in serum markers of inflammation and platelet activation in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation
Authors: Ogurkova O. N. , Lugacheva Yu. G. , Dragunova M. A. , Sitkova E. S.
Published: June 2023

The prevalence of atrial fibrillation is high and comparable in both sexes. Such factors as differently expressed blood biomarkers in women and men may play a role in the occurrence of atrial fibrillation and the development of thrombotic complications. To study markers of inflammation and platelet activation in patients with atrial fibrillation of non-valvular origin, receiving anticoagulant therapy and having a history of thrombotic complications and patients with atrial fibrillation without thrombotic complications, depending on the gender of the patients. The study included 22 healthy volunteers and 60 patients diagnosed with atrial fibrillation receiving anticoagulant therapy, of which 21 patients developed thrombotic complications. Serum levels of α2- macroglobulin, hsC-reactive protein, fetuin A, α-1-acid glycoprotein, L-selectin, serum amyloid P, adipsin, and platelet factor 4 were studied on FLEXMAP 3D using Acute Phase diagnostic test systems Panel 3. A comparative study of the content of biomarkers demonstrated an increased concentration of C-reactive protein in men and women in both groups of patients with atrial fibrillation; decrease in fetuin A and L-selectin in the group of women with thrombosis compared with women without thrombotic complications and compared with healthy women. There were no gender differences in the concentration of fetuin A and L-selectin in the group of patients with atrial fibrillation without thrombotic complications and in healthy volunteers. The level of adipsin had no gender differences in the group of patients with atrial fibrillation with thrombosis and in healthy volunteers, however, it was significantly increased in women without thrombosis. The content of platelet factor 4 in women in both groups of patients exceeded the value of this indicator in healthy women; no gender differences were found in the groups of patients with atrial fibrillation. Low levels of fetuin A and L-selectin, with a simultaneous increase in C-reactive protein and platelet factor 4, lead to an increase of prothrombogenic potential and to a change in the balance of pro- and antiinflammatory mediators towards increased inflammation in female patients with atrial fibrillation.