Impact of Ascaris lumbricoides infection on the development of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis in patients with COPD.

The aetiopathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remains unclear. The aim of our study was to determine the possible influence of Ascaris lumbricoides on the development of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) in patients with COPD. The prevalence of A. lumbricoides in patients with COPD with CPA (19.05%) was significantly higher than that in those without (9.20%) and controls (4.9%) (p < 0.05). Trends in levels of Interleukin-1ß and of tumour necrosis factor α suggest ascariasis increases susceptibility to Aspergillus sp. in patients with COPD and can be considered an additional risk factor for CPA.

Intravenous Nicotinamide Riboside Administration Has a Cardioprotective Effect in Chronic Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiomyopathy.

Doxorubicin, which is widely used to treat a broad spectrum of malignancies, has pronounced dose-dependent side effects leading to chronic heart failure development. Nicotinamide riboside (NR) is one of the promising candidates for leveling the cardiotoxic effect. In the present work, we performed a comparative study of the cardioprotective and therapeutic actions of various intravenous NR administration modes in chronic doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy in Wistar rats. The study used 60 mature male SPF Wistar rats. The animals were randomized into four groups (a control group and three experimental groups) which determined the doxorubicin (intraperitoneally) and NR (intravenous) doses as well as the specific modes of NR administration (combined, preventive). We demonstrated the protective effect of NR on the cardiovascular system both with combined and preventive intravenous drug administration, which was reflected in a fibrous tissue formation decrease, reduced fractional-shortening decrease, and better antioxidant system performance. At the same time, it is important to note that the preventive administration of NR had a more significant protective effect on the animal organism as a whole. This was confirmed by better physical activity parameters and vascular bed conditions. Thus, the data obtained during the study can be used for further investigation into chronic doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy prevention and treatment approaches.

Prevalence of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis and the antifungal drug resistance of Aspergillusspp. in pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Uzbekistan.

The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis in pulmonary tuberculosis patients and the antifungal resistance of Aspergillus spp. isolates in Uzbekistan. Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis was detected in 11.4% and 20.0% of smear-positive and smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis patients, respectively.

Antiprotozoal effect of steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone in giardiosis patients.

The World Health Organization reports that approximately 200 million people are infected with Giardia (G.) lamblia worldwide. Taking into account the emergence of resistance and the high toxicity of conventional drugs, research into new strategies to fight against G. lamblia is increasing. The aim of the study was to assess the antiprotozoal activity of 20-hydroxyecdysone in water sports athletes with giardiosis. A randomized, double-blinded, placebocontrolled clinical study was conducted. Seventy-six athletes with G. lamblia infection participated in the study and were divided into 20-hydroxyecdysone, metronidazole and placebo groups. Clinical, parasitological, haematological and biochemical analyses were performed. Positive results for antiprotozoal therapy were revealed in the 20-hydroxyecdysone and metronidazole groups. After therapy, elimination of G. lamblia was observed in 100.0% of the athletes included in the 20-hydroxyecdysone group. However, G. lamblia was resistant to metronidazole in 4.0% of athletes included in the metronidazole group. A positive clinical response to the therapy occurred in the 20-hydroxyecdysone and metronidazole groups. Our study reveals high antiprotozoal activity of 20-hydroxyecdysone against G. lamblia. Further clinical studies are necessary to evaluate the antiprotozoal efficacy of 20-hydroxyecdysone.

Regions of Chromosome 2A of Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Associated with Variation in Physiological and Agronomical Traits under Contrasting Water Regimes.

Understanding the genetic architecture of drought tolerance is of great importance for overcoming the negative impact of drought on wheat yield. Earlier, we discovered the critical role of chromosome 2A for the drought-tolerant status of wheat spring cultivar Saratovskaya 29. A set of 92 single-chromosome recombinant double haploid (SCRDH) lines were obtained in the genetic background of Saratovskaya 29. The lines carry fragments of chromosome 2A from the drought-sensitive cultivar Yanetzkis Probat. The SCRDH lines were used to identify regions on chromosome 2A associated with the manifestation of physiological and agronomical traits under distinct water supply, and to identify candidate genes that may be associated with adaptive gene networks in wheat. Genotyping was done with Illumina Infinium 15k wheat array using 590 SNP markers with 146 markers being polymorphic. In four identified regions of chromosome 2A, 53 out of 58 QTLs associated with physiological and agronomic traits under contrasting water supply were mapped. Thirty-nine candidate genes were identified, of which 18 were transcription factors. The region 73.8-78.1 cM included the largest number of QTLs and candidate genes. The variation in SNPs associated with agronomical and physiological traits revealed among the SCRDH lines may provide useful information for drought related marker-assisted breeding.

Intestinal protozoa and helminths in ulcerative colitis and the influence of anti-parasitic therapy on the course of the disease.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of intestinal helminths and protozoa in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and to estimate the influence of the anti-parasitic therapy on the course of the disease. METHODS: The study was conducted at the Research Institute of Epidemiology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases and Coloproctology Department of the Republic Clinical Hospital №1 of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan. One hundred UC patients and 200 healthy individuals were examined by triple coproscopy. Additionally, 20, 25 and 22 UC patients with Blastocystis infection were treated with nitazoxanide (1.0 g/day), mesalazine (1.5-2 g/day) or a combination of nitazoxanide (1.0 g/day) and mesalazine (≥1.5-2 g/day) for 14 consecutive days, respectively. Parasitological, clinical and endoscopic examinations were conducted before therapy, immediately after and 6 and 12 weeks after therapy completion. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of helminths in UC patients and control individuals was not significantly different: 14±3.4% and 8.5±1.9%, respectively (OR: 1.7524; 95% CI: 0.8258 to 3.7186; P=0.1). Giardia lamblia was the most prevalent parasite in both groups, but the difference compared to the control was insignificant (OR: 0.4565; 95% CI: 0.2020 to 1.0318; P=0.05). A significantly higher prevalence of Blastocystis sp., Chilomastix mesnili and Iodamoeba butschlii in UC patients compared to control individuals was found (P<0.0005): 65.0%, 14.0% and 22.0%, respectively. During all follow-up periods, the clinical response and clinical remission were not statistically different between the groups (P>0.05). Mucosal healing immediately and 6 weeks after therapy with a combination of nitazoxanide with mesalazine was significantly better than with a monotherapy of nitazoxanide, respectively (P<0.05). UC patients treated with a combination of nitazoxanide with mesalazine showed better mucosal healing than in patients treated with a monotherapy of mesalazine (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Diagnosis of Blastocystis sp. should be introduced in the complex examination of UC patients. Further clinical studies are necessary for assessment of the efficiency of anti-Blastocystis therapy in UC patients.

Pityriasis alba: Possible associations with intestinal helminths and pathogenic protozoa.

BACKGROUND: The aetiology of pityriasis alba (PA) remains uncertain, and children are at risk for PA and intestinal parasites. AIM: To determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites in PA patients and to evaluate their possible role in PA pathogenesis. METHODS: Overall, 180 PA patients and 100 healthy individuals were enrolled. Intestinal parasites were diagnosed by triple coproscopy, and the total serum Immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels were determined by ELISA. PA patients with intestinal parasites were treated with conventional antiparasitic drugs. Patient response to antiparasitic therapy was evaluated after 6 weeks. RESULTS: The prevalence of intestinal parasites in PA patients and controls was 60 ± 3.6% and 32 ± 4.6%, respectively (P < .0001). Regardless of the parasite species among the PA patients and control individuals, the total IgE levels were significantly higher in PA patients (P ≤ .05). The highest values of IgE were found in PA patients with Hymenolepis nana (641.7 ± 46.3 IU/mL). The total IgE level in PA patients with parasites decreased after antiparasitic therapy, but the reduction was only significant in patients with H. nana (P < .05). Complete disappearance of hypopigmented patches was observed after the elimination of H. nana, Giardia lamblia and Enterobius vermicularis in 65 ± 10.6%, 48.7 ± 8.0% and 33.3 ± 8.2% of cases, respectively. In total, a positive clinical response to antiparasitic therapy was achieved in 60 ± 4.7% of infected PA patients. CONCLUSION: A positive clinical response to antiparasitic therapy indicates the role of intestinal parasites in PA pathogenesis. Parasitological examination is justified by the recovery of 60 ± 4.7% of infected PA patients after the elimination of intestinal parasites.

Association of the 25(OH) vitamin D status with upper respiratory tract infections morbidity in water sports elite athletes.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to determine seasonal changes of total serum 25(OH) vitamin D (VD) concentration and its influence on upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) morbidity among water sports elite athletes. METHODS: The study was planned as a prospective, non-interventional, observational study. Study participants included 40 elite athletes and 30 control individuals. Serum levels of 25(OH) VD and TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-6 were detected by ELISA technique. Frequency of acute URTI in participants was determined by medical cards and self-reported questionnaire during the year. RESULTS: VD deficiency/insufficiency dominated in both groups of elite athletes, especially in synchronized swimmers (100%) in comparison with the control individuals (63.3%) (P≤0.05). Prevalence of VD deficiency/insufficiency depends on the season, but independently on the season the highest values were observed among athletes. VD sufficiency was detected in 30% and 13.3% of the control individuals in August and February and only in 10% of swimmers in August. More than 3 episodes of URTI were detected only in elite athletes in winter-spring. The elevation of TNF-α, IL-4, IL-6 and decrease of IFN-γ levels were detected in all athletes, but they were more expressed in swimmers. CONCLUSIONS: VD insufficiency is quite pronounced among elite athletes engaged in synchronized swimming and swimmers. It is accompanied with a decrease of IFN-γ, increase of TNF-α, IL-4 and IL-6 level, and elevation of URTI morbidity. Seasonal monitoring and correction of the VD level for normalization of cytokine profile and decrease of URTI morbidity is definitely advised.

Quantitative characteristics of pubescence in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) are associated with photosynthetic parameters under conditions of normal and limited water supply.

MAIN CONCLUSION: Density and length of leaf pubescence are important factors of diversity in the response to water deficiency among wheat genotypes. Many studies evidence an important protective value of leaf hairiness in plants, especially under the conditions of drought, thermal loads and increased solar radiation. However, the physiological and adaptive roles of such traits in cereals, including cultivated plants, have not been sufficiently studied to date. The aim of this work was to study the association of morphological characteristics of leaves with parameters of gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence in wheat lines carrying a genetically different leaf hairiness. Isogenic and inter-varietal substitution wheat lines were used, carrying various combinations of dominant and recessive alleles of the known genes. A quantitative assessment of the pubescence was carried out in contrasting watering conditions to establish the physiological role of this trait in adaptation to drought. With the help of a portable system for studying the gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence, ten parameters of photosynthesis were studied, as well as morphological features of leaves and shoot biomass. It was found that gas exchange parameters are inversely proportional to the density and length of trichomes. In drought conditions, the trichome density increased and the length of trichomes decreased under the observed decrease in the level of gas exchange. A similar dependence was observed for the level of non-photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence. Under optimal conditions, the poorly haired cultivars exhibited a higher biomass than the densely haired. However, under water deficiency they significantly reduced the biomass and showed a low value of the tolerance index.

Intestinal helminths and protozoan infections in patients with colorectal cancer: prevalence and possible association with cancer pathogenesis.

The purpose of the present study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal helminths and protozoa in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and to evaluate the possible association between the prevalence and CRC pathogenesis. A total of 200 CRC patients and 200 residents of Tashkent, who had no complaints related to the gastrointestinal tract, were examined by triple coproscopy using a concentration method and estimations of protozoan infection intensity. Of the CRC patients tested, 144 were classified as T1-4N0M0 (without metastases) and 56 were classified as T1-4N1-2M0-1 (with metastases). Parasitological examination was performed during CRC diagnosis before and after surgery and chemotherapy. A significantly higher prevalence of Blastocystis sp., Chilomastix mesnili, Jodamoeba butschlii, and Endolimax nana was found in CRC patients than in the control population (p < 0.0001), amounting to 80, 20, 22.5, and 11.5%, respectively. The high prevalence of Blastocystis sp., as well as the patterns of infection intensity, was stable at all stages of examination. The ratio of the number of CRC patients with and without Blastocystis sp. in the T1-4N0M0 and T1-4N1-2M0-1 groups amounted to 3.3 and 7.0, respectively. The ratios for C. mesnili, E. coli, J. butschlii, and E. nana in both groups were 0.2 and 0.2, 0.07 and 0.07, 0.3 and 0.16, and 0.18 and 0.01, respectively. The prevalence of helminths and Giardia lamblia in CRC patients and the control population was not significantly different. Taken together, these data indicate a possible role for Blastocystis sp. in CRC pathogenesis. Diagnosis, treatment, and further observation of patients with Blastocystis sp. are necessary at all stages of CRC, including during diagnosis and before and after surgery and chemotherapy.

Regions of the bread wheat D genome associated with variation in key photosynthesis traits and shoot biomass under both well watered and water deficient conditions.

A quantitative trait locus (QTL) approach was taken to reveal the genetic basis in wheat of traits associated with photosynthesis during a period of exposure to water deficit stress. The performance, with respect to shoot biomass, gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence, leaf pigment content and the activity of various ascorbate-glutathione cycle enzymes and catalase, of a set of 80 wheat lines, each containing a single chromosomal segment introgressed from the bread wheat D genome progenitor Aegilops tauschii, was monitored in plants exposed to various water regimes. Four of the seven D genome chromosomes (1D, 2D, 5D, and 7D) carried clusters of both major (LOD >3.0) and minor (LOD between 2.0 and 3.0) QTL. A major QTL underlying the activity of glutathione reductase was located on chromosome 2D, and another, controlling the activity of ascorbate peroxidase, on chromosome 7D. A region of chromosome 2D defined by the microsatellite locus Xgwm539 and a second on chromosome 7D flanked by the marker loci Xgwm1242 and Xgwm44 harbored a number of QTL associated with the water deficit stress response.

Role of non-prolamin proteins and low molecular weight redox agents in protein folding and polymerization in wheat grains and influence on baking quality parameters.

The various enzyme systems and low molecular weight (LMW) redox agents are related to the folding and polymerization of prolamins in the ripening wheat grains and the formation of baking quality. Protein disulfide isomerases (PDIs) and cyclophylins accelerate "correct" folding of prolamins, which is most likely necessary for the subsequent formation of the macromolecular structure of the gluten protein matrix. PDIs are also involved in the polymerization of prolamins, catalyzing the oxidation of protein sulfhydryl groups. Molecular chaperone binding BiP protein facilitates folding of prolamins, with its role increasing in the stressful conditions. Reducing systems of thioredoxin and glutaredoxin, LMW redox pairs GSH/GSSG and Asc/DHAsc, thiol oxidases, and lipoxygenases (LOXs) regulate redox balance and the rate of polymerization of prolamins at the different stages of grain ripening. Additionally, LOX is probably involved in the protein-starch-lipid interactions between the starch granule and the protein matrix, mediated by puroindolines, determining the formation of grain texture. It is assumed that the high variability of baking quality in different environmental conditions is due to the interaction of labile enzyme systems with the storage proteins in the developing wheat caryopsis.