Mechanisms of Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition Induction by Extracellular Matrix Components in Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis can be caused by different factors, including accumulation of pathological extracellular matrix (ECM) with abnormal composition, stiffness, and architecture in the lung tissue. We studied the effect of ECM produced by lung fibroblasts of healthy mice or mice with bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis on the process of endothelialto- mesenchymal transition, one of the main sources of effector myofibroblasts in fibrosis progression. Despite stimulation of spontaneous and TGFß-1-induced differentiation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts by fibrotic ECM, the appearance of α-SMA, the main marker of myofibroblasts, and its integration in stress fibrils in endotheliocytes were not observed under similar conditions. However, the expression of transcription factors SNAI1 and SNAI2/Slug and the production of components of fibrotic ECM (specific EDA-fibronectin splice form and collagen type I) were increased in endotheliocytes cultured on fibrotic ECM. Endothelium also demonstrated increased cell velocity in the models of directed cell migration. These data indicate activation of the intermediate state of the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition in endotheliocytes upon contact with fibrotic, but not normal stromal matrix. In combination with the complex microenvironment that develops during fibrosis progression, it can lead to the replenishment of myofibroblasts pool from the resident endothelium.

[Eritonitis outcome prediction]. / Prognoz iskhoda peritonita.

The review is devoted to the most common general clinical and specific grading systems for peritonitis outcome prediction. Particular attention is paid to methodological approaches, prediction reliability, simplicity of use in clinical practice and their importance in decision-making. It is shown that none of the modern grading systems is universal and absolutely reliable. Combining several systems is quite difficult and will take additional time that is impossible for intraoperative environment. Despite various systems for peritonitis outcome prediction, none of them can completely satisfy surgeons, primarily in choice of surgical access, intervention type and option for its completion.

[Comparative assessment of prognostic systems for secondary peritonitis outcome]. / Sravnitel'naya otsenka sistem prognoza iskhoda vtorichnogo peritonita.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the most common prognostic systems in patients with peritonitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 352 patients with secondary peritonitis. At admission, sepsis was diagnosed in 15 (4.3%) patients, septic shock - in 4 (1.1%) cases. Mortality was associated with the following main causes: purulent intoxication and/or sepsis - 51 cases (87.9%), cancer-induced intoxication - 4 (6.9%) cases, acute cardiovascular failure - 3 cases (5.2%). We analyzed the efficacy of Manheim Peritoneal Index (MPI), WSES prognostic score, APACHE-II scale, gSOFA score and Peritonitis Prediction System (PPS) developed by the authors. RESULTS: Age of a patient, malignant tumor, exudate nature, sepsis (septic shock) and organ failure not associated with peritonitis are the most important criteria in predicting fatal outcome. ROC analysis was used to assess prognostic value of various prediction systems. Standard error was less than 0.05 for all scales. Therefore, all prediction systems can be considered accurate for prediction of mortality in patients with peritonitis. CONCLUSION: PPS (AUC 0.942) has the greatest accuracy in predicting fatal outcome in patients with advanced secondary peritonitis, APACHE II (AUC 0.840) - minimum accuracy. MPI had predictive accuracy > 90% too.

Cell Sheets of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Effectively Stimulate Healing of Deep Soft Tissue Defects.

We used rat model of splinted defect of the skin and soft tissues to compare the efficiency f mesenchymal stromal cells applied in sheets or in suspension for the treatment of these injuries. Transplantation of mesenchymal stromal cells significantly accelerated wound healing in comparison with the control. In the group treated by application of mesenchymal stromal cell sheets, the defect was closed by day 28, in the group treated with cell suspension by day 35, and in the control group after 49 days. According to histological analysis of the tissue samples, the formation of the granulation tissue and fibrosis occurred earlier after application of mesenchymal stromal cells. Application of mesenchymal stromal cells in the form of cell sheets demonstrated high efficiency, which allowed us to consider this approach as a promising method of healing of skin and soft tissue injuries.

Metabolomic prof iles of Ribes nigrum L. and Lonicera caerulea L. from the collection of the N.I. Vavilov Institute in the setting of Northwest Russia.

Recently, the trend of using fruit and berry crops as ingredients for functional and dietary nutrition, the development and implementation of f lavors, pigments, new medicines and dietary supplements has been actualized. Because the direction of use depends on the biochemical properties of fruits, which are determined not only by species and varietal characteristics, but also by reproduction conditions, the study of the biochemical composition of fruits grown in various regions of the world continues to be relevant. In this regard, the collection of N.I. Vavilov Institute (VIR), which has a wide diversity of fruit and berry crops, is of great interest for study. Ribes nigrum fruits have a balanced set of sugars, organic acids, essential oils, microelements, a high content of vitamins, anthocyanins, pectins. Lonicera caerulea fruits are characterized by high values of phenolic substances: biof lavonoids, hydroxycinnamic acids, f lavonols, polyphenols, anthocyanins, as well as vitamins, carotenoids, iridoid glycosides and other natural antioxidants. The investigation of L. caerulea and R. nigrum fruit's accessions from the VIR collection using gas-liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry allows us to obtain new information about the biochemical characteristics of fruits, to identify L. caerulea and R. nigrum varieties with optimal economically valuable characteristics, to determine the specif icity of L. caerulea and R. nigrum metabolomic spectra in the setting of Northwest Russia. As a result of the analysis, typical compounds of the metabolomic prof ile of each culture were identif ied. Organic acids, phenol-containing compounds and polyols prevailed in L. caerulea, while mono- and oligosaccharides, in R. nigrum. The qualitative composition of the black currant varieties 'Malen'kii Printz', 'Dobriyi Dzhinn', 'Tisel', 'Orlovskii Val's', and blue honeysuckle 'S 322-4', 'Malvina', 'Leningradsky Velikan' was optimal for food consumption; the varieties of blue honeysuckle 'Bazhovskaya' and black currant 'Aleander' had a good representation of biologically active compounds, which makes samples attractive as raw materials for the production of biologically active additives, including with the use of microorganisms' cultures.

Multiple colliding electromagnetic pulses: a way to lower the threshold of e+ e- pair production from vacuum.

The scheme of a simultaneous multiple pulse focusing on one spot naturally arises from the structural features of projected new laser systems, such as the Extreme Light Infrastructure (ELI) and High Power laser Energy Research (HiPER). It is shown that the multiple pulse configuration is beneficial for observing e+ e- pair production from a vacuum under the action of sufficiently strong electromagnetic fields. The field of focused pulses is described using a realistic three-dimensional model based on an exact solution of the Maxwell equations. The e+ e- pair production threshold in terms of electromagnetic field energy can be substantially lowered if, instead of one or even two colliding pulses, multiple pulses are focused on one spot. The multiple pulse interaction geometry gives rise to subwavelength field features in the focal region. These features result in the production of extremely short e+ e- bunches.

Urokinase receptor regulates nerve regeneration through its interaction with α5ß1-integrin.

PURPOSE: Urokinase receptor (uPAR) promotes extracellular matrix proteolysis, regulates adhesion and cell migration, transduces intracellular signals through interactions with the lateral partners. The expression of uPAR and urokinase (uPA) is significantly upregulated in peripheral nerves after injury, however, little is known about uPAR function in nerve regeneration or the molecular mechanisms involved. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of uPAR in nerve regeneration after traumatic injury of n. Peroneus communis in uPA-/-, uPAR-/- or control mice (WT) and in neuritogenesis in an in vitro Neuro 2A cell model. RESULTS: Electrophysiological analysis indicates that nerve recovery is significantly impaired in uPAR-/- mice, but not in uPA-/- mice. These data correlate with the reduced amount of NF200-positive axons in regenerating nerves from uPAR-/- mice compared to uPA-/- or control mice. There is an increase in uPAR expression and remarkable colocalization of uPAR with α5 and ß1 integrin in uPA-/- mice in recovering nerves, pointing to a potential link between uPAR and its lateral partner α5ß1-integrin. Using an in vitro model of neuritogenesis and α325 blocking peptide, which abrogates uPAR-α5ß1 interaction in Neuro 2A cells but has no effect on their function, we have further confirmed the significance of uPAR-α5ß1 interaction. CONCLUSION: Taken together, we report evidence pointing to an important role of uPAR, rather than uPA, in peripheral nerve recovery and neuritogenesis.

[Clinical picture and epidemiology of disseminated sclerosis]. / O klinike i épidemiologii rasseiannogo skleroza.

The prevalence and characteristic features of the clinical course of disseminated sclerosis in the population of the Far North were studied. The proportion of disseminated sclerosis among organic diseases of the central nervous system in this area is considerably lower (0.36%) than in many regions and areas of Western and Eastern Siberia and especially in the central regions of the European part of the USSR. A considerable difference in the incidence of this disease between the local population and newcomers is noted, namely 7% and 93%, respectively. Local population displays a more progressive course of the disease. No cases of disseminated sclerosis have been recorded among the indigenous population i.e., yakutes and small nationalities of the North.

[The possibility of developing shock in craniocerebral trauma]. / O vozmozhnosti razvitiia shoka pri cherepno-mozgovoi travme.

It was established in acute experiments on dogs and rabbits that craniocerebral trauma does not lead to the development of torpid shock. In combination of craniocerebral trauma with severe mechanical injury to the thigh or acute massive extracranial blood loss a typical torpid shock develops with death of the animals in the immediate hours. Infusion therapy relieves shock but fails to prevent the development of brain edema. Intravenous injections of procaine hydrochloride have a positive effect in craniocerebral trauma and shock. It is concluded that craniocerebral trauma does not disturb the mechanisms of shock formation and the process takes a course independently of the process of brain edema development.

Strong field ionization rate for arbitrary laser frequencies.

A simple, analytical, nonrelativistic ionization rate formula for atoms and positive ions in intense ultraviolet and x-ray electromagnetic fields is derived. The rate is valid at arbitrary values of the Keldysh parameter and confirmed by results from ab initio numerical solutions of the single active electron, time-dependent Schrödinger equation. The proposed rate is particularly relevant for experiments employing the new free electron laser sources.

[Response of the body to a combination of severe cranio-cerebral trauma and acute massive blood loss]. / Osobennosti reaktsii organizma na sochetanie tiazheloi cherepno-mozgovoi travmy s ostroi massivnoi krovopoterei

It was shown in acute experiments on 54 dogs that peculiarities of body reaction to the combination of a severe craniocerebral trauma with acute blood loss depended on the sequency of the extreme influences inflication. The craniocerebal trauma inflicted at the early period of hemorrhagic shock failed to influence significantly the dynamics and results of the main pathological process. Against the background of the craniocerebral trauma hemorrhagic shock appeared with a much less blood loss and its course was more severe.