Declining carbohydrate content of Sitka-spruce treesdying from seawater exposure.

Increasing sea levels associated with climate change threaten the survival of coastal forests, yet the mechanisms by which seawater exposure causes tree death remain poorly understood. Despite the potentially crucial role of nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) reserves in tree survival, their dynamics in the process of death under seawater exposure are unknown. Here we monitored progressive tree mortality and associated NSC storage in Sitka-spruce (Picea sitchensis) trees dying under ecosystem-scale increases in seawater exposure in western Washington, USA. All trees exposed to seawater, because of monthly tidal intrusion, experienced declining crown foliage during the sampling period, and individuals with a lower percentage of live foliated crown (PLFC) died faster. Tree PLFC was strongly correlated with subsurface salinity and needle ion contents. Total NSC concentrations in trees declined remarkably with crown decline, and reached extremely low levels at tree death (2.4% and 1.6% in leaves and branches, respectively, and 0.4% in stems and roots). Starch in all tissues was almost completely consumed, while sugars remained at a homeostatic level in foliage. The decreasing NSC with closer proximity to death and near zero starch at death are evidences that carbon starvation occurred during Sitka-spruce mortality during seawater exposure. Our results highlight the importance of carbon storage as an indicator of tree mortality risks under seawater exposure.

Low-dose CT angiography of the lower extremities: a comparison study of image quality and radiation dose.

AIM: To investigate the image quality and radiation dose of ultralow-dose (ULD) and low-dose (LD) lower-extremity computed tomography (CT) angiography (LE-CTA) using the advanced modelled iterative reconstruction (ADMIRE) algorithm to detect peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in comparison with standard-dose (SD) CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and seven consecutive patients were examined using LE-CTA at 70 kVp and a dual-source scanner to achieve three image sets using 30% (ULD), 70% (LD), and 100% (SD) tube loads. Qualitative analysis was conducted by examining the three image sets for overall quality. The image quality of arterial segments was analysed by two independent readers. In addition, the CT dose index (CTDIvol) was measured in the three image sets. RESULTS: The mean overall quality scores were 3.4±0.6 for ULD CT, 3.9±0.3 for LD CT, and 3.9±0.2 for SD CT. Both readers scored the arterial segments as 2-4 (adequate-excellent) in the three image sets. In addition, 89.4% (93/104) and 54.8% (57/104) segments of PAD with calcified plaques were scored 4 between SD and LD CT and between SD and ULD CT, respectively, and 45.2% (47/104) segments had a lower score by one point in ULD CT compared with SD CT. The mean CTDIvol was 4.1±1.1 mGy for SD CT, 2.9±0.8 mGy for LD CT, and 1.2±0.3 mGy for ULD CT. CONCLUSIONS: LD/ULD CT at 70 kVp using ADMIRE reconstruction enables a reduction in the radiation dose while enabling adequate evaluation or follow-up of PAD based on LE-CTA.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) testing for essential food production workers: evolving thinking, pilot testing, and lessons learned.

An essential part of U.S. coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) critical infrastructure is the country's food-production workforce. Keeping food-production workers safe during the COVID-19 pandemic has meant added workplace protections. Protection guidance came early from the Federal Government. Absent from such guidance were strategies to screen for the causative virus. Without viral screening, some food companies had outbreaks; some facilities had to close. Companies interested in viral screening had to devise their own strategies. One company devised a strategy having three main goals: (1) detecting asymptomatic infections, before opportunity for spread; (2) identifying workplace clusters, to indicate potential protection breakdowns; and (3) comparing company results to community infection rates. The company decided on pilot screenings at two U.S. production plants. Screenings involved mandatory viral testing (through reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) and optional antibody testing (both immunoglobulins G and M). Pilot screenings showed benefits along with limitations: (1) detecting asymptomatic infections, but at questionably relevant time points; (2) identifying infection clusters, but with uncertain sites of transmission; (3) showing relatively low rates of infection, but absent details for meaningful community comparisons. Establishing a worker screening process was an enormous undertaking. Company employees had to stretch job roles and were distracted form usual responsibilities. Whether other companies would find sufficient benefits to justify similar screening is unclear. Moving forward, new Federal leadership could provide greater support for, and assistance with, worker screenings. In addition, new technologies could make future screenings more feasible and valuable. The worker screening experience from this pandemic offers learnings the next.

[Psychoacoustic tests for perceptual assessment of processor fitting in patients with cochlear implants]. / Ispol'zovanie psikhoakusticheskikh testov dlya pertseptivnoi otsenki nastroiki protsessora kokhlearnogo implanta u glukhikh patsientov.

THE AIM OF THE STUDY: Was to study the possibility of using a battery of psychoacoustic tests to assess the tuning of the cochlear implant processor (CI) in deaf patients. METHODOLOGY: The study involved 60 prellingually deaf patients aged 10 to 23 years with oral speech skills. To assess the quality of the CI processor tuning, in addition to traditional methods, a special battery of psychoacoustic tests was used. The first block of tests assessed the perception of the basic characteristics of sound signals (duration, temporal structure, spectrum, timbre) and was used to assess the initial setting. The second block of tests, intended for patients with experience using CI, included tasks to distinguish acoustically similar and dynamically changing signals, etc. RESULTS: At the end of the initial CI setup session, patients with short signal perception problems were identified. Adjusting the frequency of electrical stimulation in patients has increased their ability to distinguish between sounds. During the second tuning session of the CI processor, 6 months later, a group of patients with difficulties in perceiving acoustic information in the low-frequency range was identified - distinguishing melodic intervals, changing the pitch of sounds, highlighting the voice of the target speaker. The «problem¼ patients underwent additional correction of the CI processor setting and the corresponding auditory training, which improved the test performance and subjective perception of sounds. CONCLUSION: The use of psychoacoustic tests expands the possibilities of fine tuning the CI processor, taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient's auditory perception at different stages of CI use, especially in «problem¼ patients.

Multi-criteria decision analysis to evaluate foot and mouth disease control strategies with the perspectives of Chief Veterinary Officers in the Asia-Oceania region.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of foot and mouth disease (FMD) control strategies using multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA). The FMD control strategies were evaluated for epidemiological, economic and social-environmental criteria, accounting for the preferences of Chief Veterinary Officers (CVOs) from the Asia-Oceania region, with the preferences quantified using a questionnaire study. Previously reported simulation results of an FMD epidemic were used to measure the epidemiological effectiveness of FMD control strategies. The simulated FMD epidemic results, such as the number of infected farms, the duration of the epidemic and the outbreak area, were compared for a number of FMD control strategies. Based on previous simulation and economic modelling results and incorporating a literature search to quantify the social and environmental outcomes of an FMD outbreak, MCDA analysis was conducted to evaluate control strategies. According to the overall score in the MCDA results, an FMD control strategy which consisted of a 3-km radius of pre-emptive slaughter, 100 days of movement restriction and vaccinating all FMD-susceptible animals (baseline strategy) was the preferred strategy, with the highest overall score of 62.99. In contrast, the same duration of movement restriction and vaccination strategy with a 0.5-km radius of pre-emptive slaughter was least preferred, with the lowest overall score of 37.05. The evaluation of the FMD control strategies presented here using MCDA has provided scientific evidence for selecting an appropriate baseline FMD control strategy, based on the preferences of CVOs.

Les auteurs présentent les résultats d'une étude qui visait à évaluer l'efficacité d'un certain nombre de stratégies de lutte contre la fièvre aphteuse en recourant à une analyse décisionnelle multicritères (ADMC). Diverses stratégies de lutte contre la fièvre aphteuse ont été évaluées au regard de critères épidémiologiques, économiques et socio-environnementaux, en prenant en compte les préférences exprimées par les chefs des Services vétérinaires de la région Asie-Océanie, recueillies et quantifiées lors d'une étude par questionnaire. L'efficacité des stratégies de lutte contre la fièvre aphteuse au plan épidémiologique a été évaluée à partir des résultats d'une simulation d'épidémie de fièvre aphteuse effectuée au préalable. Les résultats de la simulation, notamment le nombre d'exploitations infectées, la durée de l'épidémie et l'extension de la zone focale, ont été comparés au regard de chacune des stratégies de lutte pouvant être appliquées contre la fièvre aphteuse. Une ADMC a été réalisée pour évaluer les stratégies de lutte en s'appuyant sur les résultats de simulations antérieures et de modélisations économiques, ainsi que sur les données réunies lors d'une recherche documentaire visant à quantifier les répercussions sociales et environnementales d'un foyer de fièvre aphteuse. Il ressort du classement des notes globales attribuées par l'ADMC que la stratégie préférée de lutte contre la fièvre aphteuse (note globale de 62,99) était celle associant l'abattage préventif dans un rayon de 3 km à une restriction des déplacements d'animaux pendant une période de 100 jours et à la vaccination de toutes les espèces sensibles au virus de fièvre aphteuse (stratégie de référence). En revanche, la stratégie associant une restriction des déplacements d'animaux de même durée, la vaccination et l'abattage préventif dans un rayon de 0,5 km recueillait le score le plus bas dans l'ordre de préférence (note globale de 37,05). Les évaluations des stratégies de lutte contre la fièvre aphteuse présentées par les auteurs à partir des résultats de l'ADMC fournissent des éléments scientifiques probants pour choisir une stratégie de référence appropriée afin de lutter contre la fièvre aphteuse, fondée sur les préférences des chefs des Services vétérinaires.

Los autores describen un estudio encaminado a evaluar la eficacia de distintas estrategias de control de la fiebre aftosa, para lo cual se siguió un proceso de análisis de decisiones con empleo de múltiples criterios de tipo epidemiológico, económico y socioambiental que recogían las preferencias de los jefes de los Servicios Veterinarios de la región Asia-Oceanía (preferencias cuantificadas con empleo de un cuestionario). Para medir la eficacia epidemiológica de las estrategias de lucha se utilizaron los resultados previamente descritos de simulaciones de una epidemia de fiebre aftosa. Después se compararon entre sí los resultados (por ejemplo, número de explotaciones infectadas, duración de la epidemia o territorio afectado por el brote) que deparaban distintas estrategias de lucha en una epidemia simulada de fiebre aftosa. A partir de los resultados de simulaciones y modelizaciones económicas anteriores e incorporando una búsqueda bibliográfica para cuantificar los efectos sociales y ambientales de un brote de fiebre aftosa, se procedió a evaluar las estrategias de lucha empleando el análisis de decisiones por criterios múltiples. A tenor de la puntuación global que arrojaban los resultados de este análisis, se determinó que la estrategia preferible de lucha contra la fiebre aftosa era la consistente en sacrificios sanitarios preventivos en un radio de 3 kilómetros, restricciones de desplazamientos durante 100 días y vacunación de todos los animales sensibles a la enfermedad (estrategia básica), pues era la que deparaba la puntuación global más elevada (62,99). La menos eficaz, es decir, la que deparaba la puntuación global más baja (37,05), preveía la aplicación de restricciones de desplazamientos durante el mismo período e idéntica estrategia de vacunación, pero con sacrificios sanitarios preventivos en un radio de solo 0,5 kilómetros. La evaluación de estrategias de lucha mediante un análisis de decisiones por criterios múltiples que aquí se presenta ha aportado sólidos datos científicos con los que seleccionar, partiendo de las preferencias de los jefes de los Servicios Veterinarios, una estrategia básica adecuada para combatir la fiebre aftosa.

[Antimycotic therapy impact on oral mucosa Candida species composition in HIV-infected patients]. / Vliianie antimikoticheskoi terapii na vidovoi i shtammovyi sostav gribov roda Candida polosti rta bol'nykh VICh-infektsiei.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES: the analysis of a specific and strains drift of Candida in HIV/AIDS patients with oropharyngeal candidiasis and the analysis of Candida sensitivity dynamics to reference antimycotic drugs. The study comprised 49 HIV-infected patients aged 20-69 years. The study revealed candidiasis treatment provides specific and strains drift of Candida. Eradication of fluconazole sensitive C. albicans leads to growth of more resistant strains (C. glabratae, krusei, tropicalis) thus lowering antimycotic therapy efficacy. The efficacy improvement requires selective approach to candidiasis treatment with azol agents.

RF photonic downconversion of vector modulated signals based on a millimeter-wave coupled electrooptic nonlinear polymer phase-modulator.

We report the RF photonic reception and downconversion of vector modulated RF signals using a millimeter-wave coupled electrooptic phase modulator with in-plane slotted patch antennas based on SEO125 nonlinear polymer. We demonstrate experimental results with QPSK, 8-PSK, 16-QAM, 32-QAM, and 64-QAM millimeter-wave signals centered at 36 GHz. After downconversion to intermediate frequencies between 0.5 GHz and 2 GHz, the vector encoded signals are demodulated using an electrical signal analyzer and found to have measured error vector magnitudes below 8%. Design, simulation, fabrication, and experimental results are presented and discussed.

The unusual γ-ray burst GRB 101225A from a helium star/neutron star merger at redshift 0.33.

Long γ-ray bursts (GRBs) are the most dramatic examples of massive stellar deaths, often associated with supernovae. They release ultra-relativistic jets, which produce non-thermal emission through synchrotron radiation as they interact with the surrounding medium. Here we report observations of the unusual GRB 101225A. Its γ-ray emission was exceptionally long-lived and was followed by a bright X-ray transient with a hot thermal component and an unusual optical counterpart. During the first 10 days, the optical emission evolved as an expanding, cooling black body, after which an additional component, consistent with a faint supernova, emerged. We estimate its redshift to be z = 0.33 by fitting the spectral-energy distribution and light curve of the optical emission with a GRB-supernova template. Deep optical observations may have revealed a faint, unresolved host galaxy. Our proposed progenitor is a merger of a helium star with a neutron star that underwent a common envelope phase, expelling its hydrogen envelope. The resulting explosion created a GRB-like jet which became thermalized by interacting with the dense, previously ejected material, thus creating the observed black body, until finally the emission from the supernova dominated. An alternative explanation is a minor body falling onto a neutron star in the Galaxy.

[Prevalence of DNA viruses in maxillofacial area of HIV-infected]. / Porazhennost' DNK-virusami cheliustno-litsevoi oblasti bol'nykh s VICh-infektsiei.

DNA viruses have high oncogenic risk viruses; they cause emergence of Kaposi sarcoma, Lymphoma, Squamous cell carcinoma. HIV immunodeficiency promotes increase in frequency of such tumors. Etiotropic therapy of HIV patients considerably reduces prevalence of DNA viruses and a viral malignization.

Combination of Lactate and Base Deficit Levels at Admission to Predict Mortality in Blunt Trauma Patients.

INTRODUCTION: Elevated lactate levels are associated with increased mortality in both trauma and non-trauma patients. The relation between base deficit (BD) and mortality is less clear. Traumatologists debate the utility of elevated lactate (EL) versus BD in predicting mortality. We hypothesized that EL (2mmol/L to 5mmol/L) and BD (≤-2mmol/L) in combination could predict mortality in blunt trauma patients.  Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of the trauma registry from 2012 to 2021 at a level 1 trauma center. Blunt trauma patients with admission lactate and BD values were included in the analysis. Exclusion criteria were age <18, penetrating trauma, unknown mortality, and unknown lactate or BD. Logistics regression of the total 5153 charts showed 93% of the patients presented with lactate levels <5mmol/L, therefore patients with lactate >5mmol/L were excluded as outliers. The primary outcome was mortality. RESULTS: A total of 4794 patients (151 non-survivors) were included in the analysis. Non-survivors had higher rates of EL + BD (35.8% vs. 14.4%, p <0.001). When comparing survivors and non-survivors, EL + BD (OR 5.69), age >65 (5.17), injury severity score (ISS) >25 (8.87), Glasgow coma scale <8 (8.51), systolic blood pressure (SBP) <90 (4.2), and ICU admission (2.61) were significant predictors of mortality. Other than GCS <8 and ISS >25, EL + BD had the highest odds of predicting mortality. CONCLUSION: Elevated lactate + BD on admission in combination represents a 5.6-fold increase in mortality in blunt trauma patients and can be used to predict a patient's outcome on admission. This combination variable provides an additional early data point to identify patients at elevated risk of mortality at the moment of admission.

The deceased organ donor with an "open abdomen": proceed with caution.

In solid organ transplantation, the disparity between donor supply and patients awaiting transplant continues to increase. The organ shortage has led to relaxation of historic contraindications to organ donation. A large percentage of deceased organ donors have been subjected to traumatic injuries, which can often result in intervention that leads to abdominal packing and intensive care unit resuscitation. The donor with this "open abdomen" (OA) presents a situation in which the risk of organ utilization is difficult to quantify. There exists a concern for the potential of a higher risk for both bacterial and fungal infections, including multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens because of the prevalence of antibiotic use and critical illness in this population. No recommendations have been established for utilization of organs from these OA donors, because data are limited. Herein, we report a case of a 21-year-old donor who had sustained a gunshot wound to his abdomen, resulting in a damage-control laparotomy and abdominal packing. The donor subsequently suffered brain death, and the family consented to organ donation. A multiorgan procurement was performed with respective transplantation of the procured organs (heart, liver, and both kidneys) into 4 separate recipients. Peritoneal swab cultures performed at the time of organ recovery grew out MDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa on the day after procurement, subsequently followed by positive blood and sputum cultures as well. All 4 transplant recipients subsequently developed infections with MDR P. aeruginosa, which appeared to be donor-derived with similar resistance patterns. Appropriate antibiotic coverage was initiated in all of the patients. Although 2 of the recipients died, mortality did not appear to be clearly associated with the donor-derived infections. This case illustrates the potential infectious risk associated with organs from donors with an OA, and suggests that aggressive surveillance for occult infections should be pursued.

Detection and characterization of enterovirus associated with herpangina and hand, foot, and mouth disease in Seoul, Korea.

BACKGROUND: Human enteroviruses (HEVs) are a major cause of herpangina, HFMD (hand, foot, and mouth disease), and other neurological diseases in Seoul, Korea. METHODS: A total of 56 specimens from hospitalized patients collected from February to December 2009 (37 females and 19 males) in Seoul were tested for HEV from stool, throat swab, and vesicle swab samples taken from patients with herpangina or HFMD using cell culture and RT-PCR in 2009. By the 1D gene, encoding the VP1 capsid protein, seven different HEV genotypes were detected with Coxsackievirus A2, A4, A5, A9, A16 (CA), Coxsackievirus B1 (CB), and Enterovirus 71 (EV71). The most prevalent genotype was CA16 (6, 10.7%), followed by CA2 (4, 7.1%), CA5 (4, 7.1%), EV71 (2, 3.6%), CA4 (1, 1.8%), CA9 (1, 1.8%), and CB1 (1, 1.8%). The 1D gene sequences of two EV71 strains were closely related with one another (98.5% nucleotide similarity) and belonged to the C4 genotype. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to continuously survey the genetic characteristics of EV71 and CA16 from patients, which will provide useful data that aids in our understanding of HFMD infections in Seoul, Korea and may contribute to future control.

Efficiency of inorganic and organic iron sources under iron depleted conditions in broilers.

A total of 240 d-old male Ross chicks (average BW 37·15 ± 0·49 g) were fed on an iron (Fe)-deficient semi-synthetic diet (45 mg Fe/kg) from d 1-7 post hatching. At d 7, all 240 chicks (average BW 140·15 ± 1·4 g) with depleted Fe-stores were randomly assigned to three treatments on the basis of BW to study the efficiency of dietary inorganic and organic iron (Fe) utilisation. Each treatment had 4 replicates with 20 birds in each. Dietary treatments were: maize-soyabean meal-based basal diet, containing 103 to 106 mg Fe/kg (control); and basal diets supplemented with an additional 80 mg/kg Fe either from an inorganic (FeSO4 · H2O, 28% Fe) or organic (ferrous methionine chelate, 10% Fe) source. The starter and finisher diets were fed from d 7 to 21 and d 21 to 35, respectively. Improved body weight gain and FCR during finisher phase and overall study period; and greater DM and CP retention, and excreta Fe excretion, at d 20 to 21 and d 34 to 35; were observed in birds fed on Fe supplemented diets when compared with birds fed on control diet. At d 35, the RBC, Hb, haematocrit, and Fe concentration in plasma, tibia and liver were higher in birds fed on Fe supplemented diets than birds fed on the control diet. Supplementation of Fe in organic form resulted in greater Fe concentration in the tibia and liver and less Fe excretion at d 34 to 35, when compared with birds receiving inorganic Fe. These results indicate the necessity to supplement Fe in the commercial diets of broilers; however, organic and inorganic sources of Fe supplementation at 80 mg/kg were equally effective in improving performance, nutrient retention and haematological indices. In addition, Fe supplementation through an organic source seems to be more efficient in depositing Fe in the haemopoietic organs (liver and tibia) of birds under Fe depleted conditions.

[Specific features of lymphoid infiltration in liver biopsy in patients with chronic viral hepatitis B and C].

AIM: To study characteristics of leukocytic infiltration of the liver in patients with chronic viral hepatitis B and C (CVHB and CVHC) with consideration of hepatitis activity and fibrosis severity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The examination of 37 patients with CVHB (n = 13) and CVHC (n = 24) included liver puncture biopsy by Mengini, subsequent histological and morphological investigation of liver biopsy with immunohisto- and immunocytochemistry. RESULTS: In CVHB and CVHC patients leukocytic infiltrates (LI) of the liver present primarily with T-lymphocytes (CD3+), NKT cells (CD3+CD16+CD56+), NK cells (CD16+CD56+), T-regulatory lymphocytes (CD4+CD25+), cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CD8+). Cytotoxic lymphocytes (CD8+) and NK cells (CD16+CD56+) detected in hepatic LI of patients with chronic viral hepatitis are similar in composition with cells in hepatic tissue infiltrates in autoimmune hepatitis. We are the first to detect the complex of T-regulatory cells (CD4+CD25+) in hepatic parenchyma of these patients. This complex suppresses cellular immune response in virus elimination and damaged tissues and supports development of persistent viral infection with autoimmune component. CONCLUSION: The complex of T-regulatory cells (CD4+CD25+) isolated in hepatic LI evidences for existence of a morphofunctional base for autoimmune manifestations in the presence of persistent viral infection.

In vivo survival of viral antigen-specific T cells that induce experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

A peptide derived from the human papillomavirus L2 protein is recognized by a myelin basic protein (MBP)-specific T cell clone from a multiple sclerosis patient and by MBP-specific autoantibodies purified from multiple sclerosis brain tissue. We now show in mice that low doses of this papillomavirus peptide were optimal in selecting a subpopulation of papillomavirus peptide-specific T cells that cross-reacted with MBP(87-99) and with an unrelated viral peptide derived from the BSLF1 protein of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). These low dose viral peptide- specific T cell lines were highly encephalitogenic. Splenocytes from mice transferred with viral peptide-specific T cells showed a vigorous response to both the papillomavirus and MBP peptides, indicating that viral antigen-specific T cells survived for a prolonged time in vivo. The EBV peptide, unable to prime and select an autoreactive T cell population, could still activate the low dose papillomavirus peptide-specific cells and induce central nervous system (CNS) autoimmunity. Cytokine profiles of papillomavirus peptide-specific encephalitogenic T cells and histopathology of CNS lesions resembled those induced by MBP. These results demonstrate conserved aspects in the recognition of the self-antigen and a cross-reactive viral peptide by human and murine MBP-specific T cell receptors. We demonstrate that a viral antigen, depending on its nature, dose, and number of exposures, may select autoantigen-specific T cells that survive in vivo and can trigger autoimmune disease after adoptive transfer.

Effects of honeybee venom supplementation in drinking water on growth performance of broiler chickens.

The effects of water supplementation of bee venom (BV) on performance, antioxidant activity, and liver function in Arbor Acres broiler chickens were investigated. Hence, 3 experimental treatment groups (control, 0.5 mg/L of BV, and 1 mg/L of BV) were allocated to 3 replicates of 5,000 one-day-old chicks each. The control group was kept on tap water, whereas the other 2 groups were supplied water supplemented with 0.5 and 1 mg of BV, respectively, per liter of drinking water. Broilers were provided ad libitum access to feed for the experimental period of 1 to 28 d of age. Supplementing drinking water with BV significantly increased BW gain at 28 d of age (P < 0.05). The average daily weight gain from d 1 to 28 was increased for birds supplemented with BV compared with control birds. The increase in BW gain was more pronounced with supplementation of 1 mg/L of BV compared with 0.5 mg/L of BV. An improved feed intake was noted in groups supplemented with BV as compared with control chicks. Liver function enzymes, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase activities including total cholesterol, total protein, albumin, and globulin were not changed by BV supplementation. Tap water supplementation of BV did not alter the number of leukocytes, erythrocytes, heterophils, and lymphocytes. However, the antioxidative activities estimated as a superoxide dismutase-like activity of broiler chicks supplemented with BV was significantly increased (P < 0.05) in comparison with those without BV supplementation. These data indicate a possibility of better broiler performance through BV supplementation under conditions of severe stressful challenges the newly born chicks encounter.

[Approaches to improvement of laboratory diagnosis of infectious diseases].

Modern routine and novel techniques for diagnostics of infectious diseases and identification of intoxication syndrome markers are reviewed. Also presented are results of original studies of mixed intestinal infections and methods of their rapid differential diagnostics.

[Lymphocyte subpopulation composition in hepatic tissue and autoimmune manifestations in viral hepatitis].

This work had the aim to study the role of disbalance of inflammatory procytokines, lymphocyte subpopulation composition in peripheral blood, and cell populations of hepatic tissue in pathogenesis of viral hepatitis. A total of 159 patients with chronic hepatitis B and C were examined. They proved to exhibit signs of autoimmune processes (ASMA, ANA, AMA, anti-LKM-1, RF, CG) and cytokine (IL-1b, TNFa) disbalance. The number of lymphocytes expressing HLADR+ was shown to increase and CD+ lymphocyte to decrease in proportion to the severity of periportal necrosis, portal inflammation, intralobular degeneration and fibrosis compared with healthy donors. Hepatic biopsies contained T-regulatory cell complex (CD4+ CD25+). These data give evidence of the morphofunctional basis for autoimmune manifestations in patients with persistent viral hepatitis infection.

The chemokine system and CCR5 antagonists: potential in HIV treatment and other novel therapies.

Since the recognition of human acquired immune deficiency syndrome, numerous classes of pharmacologic therapeutics have been developed to manage the disease. Current therapy includes co-administration of combinations of drugs classified by their mechanism of action as 'transcriptase inhibitors', 'protease inhibitors', 'integrase inhibitors' and the more recent 'fusion inhibitors'. This review focuses on the chemokine system and the recognition of chemokine receptors as targets for anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) therapy. The FDA-approved chemokine (C-C motif) receptor 5 (CCR5) antagonist maraviroc (Selzentry) is discussed in detail, along with another compound vicriviroc, currently in clinical trials. The mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, toxicity and current status of research on CCR5 antagonists is described. Further, potential therapeutic uses of these agents other than anti-HIV therapy are discussed.

Calcium reuptake related genes as a cardiac biomarker in dogs with chronic mitral valvular insufficiency.

BACKGROUND: Gene expression linked to sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium reuptake (SRCR) is altered in humans and animals with heart failure. HYPOTHESIS: The expression of SRCR genes in peripheral blood cells have the potential to be cardiac biomarkers of heart failure in dogs with chronic mitral valvular insufficiency (CMVI). ANIMALS: Client-owned 15 healthy control dogs and 23 small breed dogs with CMVI classified by severity, based on the classification system determined by the international small animal cardiac heart council. METHODS: Prospective, controlled, observational study. The expression levels of SRCR genes (SERCA2alpha, PLN, and HAX-1) were evaluated in peripheral blood of dogs at different stages of CMVI via real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The mRNA expression levels of PLN and HAX-1, but not SERCA2alpha were significantly (P=.08), reduced in dogs with moderate to severe CMVI. The fold change in PLN expression compared with control were 0.38+/-0.07 (in group II) and 0.20+/-0.10 (in group III), while HAX-1 expression were 0.37+/-0.06 (group II) and 0.41+/-0.12 (group III). The expressions of PLN and HAX-1 were significantly reduced in groups II and III (P<.05) but not in group I (P>.05). The reduced PLN and HAX-1 expressions were highly correlated with the severity of heart failure (P<.001), vertebral heart score (P<.05), and left atrium to aortic root ratio (P<.05). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: PLN and HAX-1 can be potential biomarkers for heart failure caused by CMVI.