COVID-19 in Patients with Diabetes: Clinical Course, Metabolic Status, Inflammation, and Coagulation Disorder.

The aim of the investigation was to study the clinical course of COVID-19 in the presence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and elucidate possible mechanisms of their mutual aggravation. Materials and Methods: The study included 64 patients with COVID-19; of them, 32 were with DM (main group) and 32 were DM-free (control group). The groups were formed according to the "case-control" principle. During hospitalization, the dynamics of clinical, glycemic, and coagulation parameters, markers of systemic inflammation, as well as kidney and liver functions were monitored and compared. Results: Among patients with DM, the course of viral pneumonia was more severe, as evidenced by a 2.2-fold higher number of people with extensive (>50%) lung damage (p=0.05), an increased risk of death according to the CURB-65 algorithm (1.3-fold, p=0.043), and a longer duration of insufficient blood oxygen saturation (p=0.0004). With the combination of COVID-19 and DM, hyperglycemia is persistent, without pronounced variability (MAGE - 1.5±0.6 mmol/L), the levels of C-reactive protein (p=0.028), creatinine (p=0.035), and fibrinogen (p=0.013) are higher, manifestations of hypercoagulability persist longer, including slower normalization of antithrombin III (p=0.012), fibrinogen (p=0.037), and D-dimer (p=0.035). Conclusion: The course of COVID-19 in patients with DM is associated with a high severity and extension of pneumonia, persistent decrease in oxygen supply, high hyperglycemia, accelerated renal dysfunction, systemic inflammation, and hypercoagulability.

[HOSPITAL EMPLOYEES IN THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: WORKING CONDITIONS, LOYALTY AND EMOTIONAL STATE].

The spread of the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) required dramatic changes in the healthcare system, the work of medical workers under extreme stress and an increased threat of infection. In order to formulate general recommendations for preventive work with employees in emergency conditions, a study was carried out of the current nature of work, the emotional state of medical workers and staff loyalty. In a multidisciplinary hospital in Moscow (City Clinical Hospital N 52) in the fall of 2020, a survey of hospital employees (595 people) was carried out according to the author's questionnaire with the additional use of the methodology for measuring the burnout syndrome index (MBI) and loyalty index (eNPS). A number of changes in the nature of work of medical workers were revealed, which had a significant impact on their emotional state, such as changes in the usual functionality, place and mode of work. Despite the negative aspects of working conditions, during the pandemic, the employee loyalty index remained quite high (eNPS = 24), doctors were the most loyal, and junior and middle staff were the least loyal. The assessment of the organizational aspects of the work as a whole was also quite high. The close connection between psychoemotional factors and the loyalty of the organization's employees was confirmed. The study made it possible to offer general recommendations for the development of preventive algorithms for working with employees in case of emergency.

Gender Characteristics of the Novel Coronavirus Infection (COVID-19) in Middle-Aged Adults.

The aim of the study is to assess the gender-related specifics of the COVID-19 course in patients under 55 years of age. Materials and Methods: This pilot single-center continuous retrospective non-randomized study was carried out in the repurposed infectious diseases hospital of the Privolzhsky Research Medical University (Nizhny Novgorod, Russia). The study inclusion criterion was the age of patients (up to 55 years) and confirmed coronavirus infection. In the groups based on gender differences (25 men, average age 44.0±7.8 years and 32 women, average age 41.9±9.1 years), we monitored complications of COVID-19 such as the transfer of patients to the ICU and the volume of lung damage (determined with CT scans). Results: The course of COVID-19 in male patients younger than 55 was aggravated by concomitant diseases (γ=0.36; p=0.043), among which IHD (γ=1.00; p=0.003) and liver disease (γ=0.58; p=0.007) dominated. Frequency analysis confirmed the high prevalence of coronary artery disease in men (p=0.044). Significant differences between the gender-related groups were noted in the volume of lung lesions: at admission (p=0.050), during hospital treatment (p=0.019), and at discharge (p=0.044). Using the logistic regression method, a relationship was found between the transfer of male patients to ICU and the Krebs index [y= -2.033 + 1.154 male gender + 1.539 Krebs index (χ2=5.68; p=0.059)] and comorbidity [y= -2.836 + 1.081 male gender + 2.052 comorbidity (χ2=7.03; p=0.030)]. The influence of the Krebs index and the male gender on the excess volume of lung lesions was shown [y= -1.962 + 0.575 male gender + 1.915 Krebs index (χ2=7.78; p=0.021)]. Conclusion: In individuals under the age of 55 diagnosed with COVID-19, gender is of significant importance: in men, there is a more pronounced lesion of the lung parenchyma and a more significant change in laboratory parameters. Risk factors for a severe course of COVID-19 in men are coronary artery disease and hepatobiliary disorder. Calculating the Krebs index can be used to assess the risk of disease progression.

Fungal Planet description sheets: 1182-1283.

Novel species of fungi described in this study include those from various countries as follows: Algeria, Phaeoacremonium adelophialidum from Vitis vinifera. Antarctica, Comoclathris antarctica from soil. Australia, Coniochaeta salicifolia as endophyte from healthy leaves of Geijera salicifolia, Eremothecium peggii in fruit of Citrus australis, Microdochium ratticaudae from stem of Sporobolus natalensis, Neocelosporium corymbiae on stems of Corymbia variegata, Phytophthora kelmanii from rhizosphere soil of Ptilotus pyramidatus, Pseudosydowia backhousiae on living leaves of Backhousia citriodora, Pseudosydowia indooroopillyensis, Pseudosydowia louisecottisiae and Pseudosydowia queenslandica on living leaves of Eucalyptus sp. Brazil, Absidia montepascoalis from soil. Chile, Ilyonectria zarorii from soil under Maytenus boaria. Costa Rica, Colletotrichum filicis from an unidentified fern. Croatia, Mollisia endogranulata on deteriorated hardwood. Czech Republic, Arcopilus navicularis from tea bag with fruit tea, Neosetophoma buxi as endophyte from Buxus sempervirens, Xerochrysium bohemicum on surface of biscuits with chocolate glaze and filled with jam. France, Entoloma cyaneobasale on basic to calcareous soil, Fusarium aconidiale from Triticum aestivum, Fusarium juglandicola from buds of Juglans regia. Germany, Tetraploa endophytica as endophyte from Microthlaspi perfoliatum roots. India, Castanediella ambae on leaves of Mangifera indica, Lactifluus kanadii on soil under Castanopsis sp., Penicillium uttarakhandense from soil. Italy, Penicillium ferraniaense from compost. Namibia, Bezerromyces gobabebensis on leaves of unidentified succulent, Cladosporium stipagrostidicola on leaves of Stipagrostis sp., Cymostachys euphorbiae on leaves of Euphorbia sp., Deniquelata hypolithi from hypolith under a rock, Hysterobrevium walvisbayicola on leaves of unidentified tree, Knufia hypolithi and Knufia walvisbayicola from hypolith under a rock, Lapidomyces stipagrostidicola on leaves of Stipagrostis sp., Nothophaeotheca mirabibensis (incl. Nothophaeotheca gen. nov.) on persistent inflorescence remains of Blepharis obmitrata, Paramyrothecium salvadorae on twigs of Salvadora persica, Preussia procaviicola on dung of Procavia sp., Sordaria equicola on zebra dung, Volutella salvadorae on stems of Salvadora persica. Netherlands, Entoloma ammophilum on sandy soil, Entoloma pseudocruentatum on nutrient poor (acid) soil, Entoloma pudens on plant debris, amongst grasses. New Zealand, Amorocoelophoma neoregeliae from leaf spots of Neoregelia sp., Aquilomyces metrosideri and Septoriella callistemonis from stem discolouration and leaf spots of Metrosideros sp., Cadophora neoregeliae from leaf spots of Neoregelia sp., Flexuomyces asteliae (incl. Flexuomyces gen. nov.) and Mollisia asteliae from leaf spots of Astelia chathamica, Ophioceras freycinetiae from leaf spots of Freycinetia banksii, Phaeosphaeria caricis-sectae from leaf spots of Carex secta. Norway, Cuphophyllus flavipesoides on soil in semi-natural grassland, Entoloma coracis on soil in calcareous Pinus and Tilia forests, Entoloma cyaneolilacinum on soil semi-natural grasslands, Inocybe norvegica on gravelly soil. Pakistan, Butyriboletus parachinarensis on soil in association with Quercus baloot. Poland, Hyalodendriella bialowiezensis on debris beneath fallen bark of Norway spruce Picea abies. Russia, Bolbitius sibiricus on à moss covered rotting trunk of Populus tremula, Crepidotus wasseri on debris of Populus tremula, Entoloma isborscanum on soil on calcareous grasslands, Entoloma subcoracis on soil in subalpine grasslands, Hydropus lecythiocystis on rotted wood of Betula pendula, Meruliopsis faginea on fallen dead branches of Fagus orientalis, Metschnikowia taurica from fruits of Ziziphus jujube, Suillus praetermissus on soil, Teunia lichenophila as endophyte from Cladonia rangiferina. Slovakia, Hygrocybe fulgens on mowed grassland, Pleuroflammula pannonica from corticated branches of Quercus sp. South Africa, Acrodontium burrowsianum on leaves of unidentified Poaceae, Castanediella senegaliae on dead pods of Senegalia ataxacantha, Cladophialophora behniae on leaves of Behnia sp., Colletotrichum cliviigenum on leaves of Clivia sp., Diatrype dalbergiae on bark of Dalbergia armata, Falcocladium heteropyxidicola on leaves of Heteropyxis canescens, Lapidomyces aloidendricola as epiphyte on brown stem of Aloidendron dichotomum, Lasionectria sansevieriae and Phaeosphaeriopsis sansevieriae on leaves of Sansevieria hyacinthoides, Lylea dalbergiae on Diatrype dalbergiae on bark of Dalbergia armata, Neochaetothyrina syzygii (incl. Neochaetothyrina gen. nov.) on leaves of Syzygium chordatum, Nothophaeomoniella ekebergiae (incl. Nothophaeomoniella gen. nov.) on leaves of Ekebergia pterophylla, Paracymostachys euphorbiae (incl. Paracymostachys gen. nov.) on leaf litter of Euphorbia ingens, Paramycosphaerella pterocarpi on leaves of Pterocarpus angolensis, Paramycosphaerella syzygii on leaf litter of Syzygium chordatum, Parateichospora phoenicicola (incl. Parateichospora gen. nov.) on leaves of Phoenix reclinata, Seiridium syzygii on twigs of Syzygium chordatum, Setophoma syzygii on leaves of Syzygium sp., Starmerella xylocopis from larval feed of an Afrotropical bee Xylocopa caffra, Teratosphaeria combreti on leaf litter of Combretum kraussii, Teratosphaericola leucadendri on leaves of Leucadendron sp., Toxicocladosporium pterocarpi on pods of Pterocarpus angolensis. Spain, Cortinarius bonachei with Quercus ilex in calcareus soils, Cortinarius brunneovolvatus under Quercus ilex subsp. ballota in calcareous soil, Extremopsis radicicola (incl. Extremopsis gen. nov.) from root-associated soil in a wet heathland, Russula quintanensis on acidic soils, Tubaria vulcanica on volcanic lapilii material, Tuber zambonelliae in calcareus soil. Sweden, Elaphomyces borealis on soil under Pinus sylvestris and Betula pubescens. Tanzania, Curvularia tanzanica on inflorescence of Cyperus aromaticus. Thailand, Simplicillium niveum on Ophiocordyceps camponoti-leonardi on underside of unidentified dicotyledonous leaf. USA, Calonectria californiensis on leaves of Umbellularia californica, Exophiala spartinae from surface sterilised roots of Spartina alterniflora, Neophaeococcomyces oklahomaensis from outside wall of alcohol distillery. Vietnam, Fistulinella aurantioflava on soil. Morphological and culture characteristics are supported by DNA barcodes. Citation: Crous PW, Cowan DA, Maggs-Kölling, et al. 2021. Fungal Planet description sheets: 1182-1283. Persoonia 46: 313-528. https://doi.org/10.3767/persoonia.2021.46.11.

Fungal Planet description sheets: 951-1041.

Novel species of fungi described in this study include those from various countries as follows: Antarctica, Apenidiella antarctica from permafrost, Cladosporium fildesense from an unidentified marine sponge. Argentina, Geastrum wrightii on humus in mixed forest. Australia, Golovinomyces glandulariae on Glandularia aristigera, Neoanungitea eucalyptorum on leaves of Eucalyptus grandis, Teratosphaeria corymbiicola on leaves of Corymbia ficifolia, Xylaria eucalypti on leaves of Eucalyptus radiata. Brazil, Bovista psammophila on soil, Fusarium awaxy on rotten stalks of Zea mays, Geastrum lanuginosum on leaf litter covered soil, Hermetothecium mikaniae-micranthae (incl. Hermetothecium gen. nov.) on Mikania micrantha, Penicillium reconvexovelosoi in soil, Stagonosporopsis vannaccii from pod of Glycine max. British Virgin Isles, Lactifluus guanensis on soil. Canada, Sorocybe oblongispora on resin of Picea rubens. Chile, Colletotrichum roseum on leaves of Lapageria rosea. China, Setophoma caverna from carbonatite in Karst cave. Colombia, Lareunionomyces eucalypticola on leaves of Eucalyptus grandis. Costa Rica, Psathyrella pivae on wood. Cyprus, Clavulina iris on calcareous substrate. France, Chromosera ambigua and Clavulina iris var. occidentalis on soil. French West Indies, Helminthosphaeria hispidissima on dead wood. Guatemala, Talaromyces guatemalensis in soil. Malaysia, Neotracylla pini (incl. Tracyllales ord. nov. and Neotracylla gen. nov.) and Vermiculariopsiella pini on needles of Pinus tecunumanii. New Zealand, Neoconiothyrium viticola on stems of Vitis vinifera, Parafenestella pittospori on Pittosporum tenuifolium, Pilidium novae-zelandiae on Phoenix sp. Pakistan, Russula quercus-floribundae on forest floor. Portugal, Trichoderma aestuarinum from saline water. Russia, Pluteus liliputianus on fallen branch of deciduous tree, Pluteus spurius on decaying deciduous wood or soil. South Africa, Alloconiothyrium encephalarti, Phyllosticta encephalarticola and Neothyrostroma encephalarti (incl. Neothyrostroma gen. nov.) on leaves of Encephalartos sp., Chalara eucalypticola on leaf spots of Eucalyptus grandis × urophylla, Clypeosphaeria oleae on leaves of Olea capensis, Cylindrocladiella postalofficium on leaf litter of Sideroxylon inerme, Cylindromonium eugeniicola (incl. Cylindromonium gen. nov.) on leaf litter of Eugenia capensis, Cyphellophora goniomatis on leaves of Gonioma kamassi, Nothodactylaria nephrolepidis (incl. Nothodactylaria gen. nov. and Nothodactylariaceae fam. nov.) on leaves of Nephrolepis exaltata, Falcocladium eucalypti and Gyrothrix eucalypti on leaves of Eucalyptus sp., Gyrothrix oleae on leaves of Olea capensis subsp. macrocarpa, Harzia metrosideri on leaf litter of Metrosideros sp., Hippopotamyces phragmitis (incl. Hippopotamyces gen. nov.) on leaves of Phragmites australis, Lectera philenopterae on Philenoptera violacea, Leptosillia mayteni on leaves of Maytenus heterophylla, Lithohypha aloicola and Neoplatysporoides aloes on leaves of Aloe sp., Millesimomyces rhoicissi (incl. Millesimomyces gen. nov.) on leaves of Rhoicissus digitata, Neodevriesia strelitziicola on leaf litter of Strelitzia nicolai, Neokirramyces syzygii (incl. Neokirramyces gen. nov.) on leaf spots of Syzygium sp., Nothoramichloridium perseae (incl. Nothoramichloridium gen. nov. and Anungitiomycetaceae fam. nov.) on leaves of Persea americana, Paramycosphaerella watsoniae on leaf spots of Watsonia sp., Penicillium cuddlyae from dog food, Podocarpomyces knysnanus (incl. Podocarpomyces gen. nov.) on leaves of Podocarpus falcatus, Pseudocercospora heteropyxidicola on leaf spots of Heteropyxis natalensis, Pseudopenidiella podocarpi, Scolecobasidium podocarpi and Ceramothyrium podocarpicola on leaves of Podocarpus latifolius, Scolecobasidium blechni on leaves of Blechnum capense, Stomiopeltis syzygii on leaves of Syzygium chordatum, Strelitziomyces knysnanus (incl. Strelitziomyces gen. nov.) on leaves of Strelitzia alba, Talaromyces clemensii from rotting wood in goldmine, Verrucocladosporium visseri on Carpobrotus edulis. Spain, Boletopsis mediterraneensis on soil, Calycina cortegadensisi on a living twig of Castanea sativa, Emmonsiellopsis tuberculata in fluvial sediments, Mollisia cortegadensis on dead attached twig of Quercus robur, Psathyrella ovispora on soil, Pseudobeltrania lauri on leaf litter of Laurus azorica, Terfezia dunensis in soil, Tuber lucentum in soil, Venturia submersa on submerged plant debris. Thailand, Cordyceps jakajanicola on cicada nymph, Cordyceps kuiburiensis on spider, Distoseptispora caricis on leaves of Carex sp., Ophiocordyceps khonkaenensis on cicada nymph. USA, Cytosporella juncicola and Davidiellomyces juncicola on culms of Juncus effusus, Monochaetia massachusettsianum from air sample, Neohelicomyces melaleucae and Periconia neobrittanica on leaves of Melaleuca styphelioides × lanceolata, Pseudocamarosporium eucalypti on leaves of Eucalyptus sp., Pseudogymnoascus lindneri from sediment in a mine, Pseudogymnoascus turneri from sediment in a railroad tunnel, Pulchroboletus sclerotiorum on soil, Zygosporium pseudomasonii on leaf of Serenoa repens. Vietnam, Boletus candidissimus and Veloporphyrellus vulpinus on soil. Morphological and culture characteristics are supported by DNA barcodes.

[A case report of central pontine and extrapontine myelinolysis in the combination with spinal cord damage in a patient with tuberculosis in the lung]. / Sluchai tsentral'nogo pontinnogo i ekstrapontinnogo mielinoliza v sochetanii s porazheniem spinnogo mozga u bol'nogo tuberkulezom legkikh.

A case report of central pontine and extrapontine myelinolysis in the combination with spinal cord damage is presented. The authors analyze literature data on this problem and discuss the pathogenesis and diagnostic issues of myelinolysis.

[The evaluation of adaptive possibilities of organism under therapy of diabetes mellitus type I and II.]

The article presents results of the study of electrophoretic agility of erythrocytes, their pro-oxidant characteristics and intra-cellular concentration of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) in patients with diabetes mellitus type I and II under implementation of therapy. The sampling included 46 patients with diabetes mellitus type I and II. The control group consisted of 22 healthy volunteers. 20 patients with diabetes mellitus type i received insulin protaphan and insulin actrapid, 26 patients with diabetes mellitus type II received preparations of sulfanylurea, biguanides, incretins. The analysis of blood was applied before and after course of treatment. The electrophoretic agility of erythrocytes was analyzed, including concentration of malonic dialdehyde in them, content of 2,3-DPG and ATP. In case of diabetes mellitus type I and II, the study established increasing of content of malonic dialdehyde, decreasing of electrophoretic agility of erythrocytes, concentration of ATP and 2,3-DPG in erythrocytes concerning physiological standard, mostly expressed in patients with diabetes mellitus type I. The therapy decreased concentration of malonic dialdehyde and increased electrophoretic agility of erythrocytes, content of ATP and 2,3-DPG as compared with indices before treatment. In patients with diabetes mellitus type II during treatment reduction of electrophoretic agility of erythrocytes and 2,3-DPG up to physiological standard was observed. The positive effect of the given clinical strategies during treatment of diabetes mellitus type I and II is conditioned by decreasing of stress reaction and activation of adaptation processes that is manifested at the level of micro-circulation by amelioration of oxygen-transport function of blood at the expense of increasing of electrophoretic agility of erythrocytes, level of 2,3-DPG and decreasing of destructive processes of membranes of erythrocytes.

Analysis of circulating tumor cells in patients with triple negative breast cancer during preoperative chemotherapy.

The presence of circulating tumor cells in the blood of patients with triple negative breast cancer (early and locally advanced cancer) before and after preoperative chemotherapy was assessed using expression markers. Before therapy, circulating tumor cells were detected in 5 of 13 (38%) patients with early cancer and in 7 of 17 (41.2%) patients with locally advanced cancer. After therapy, the circulating immune cells were detected in one patient with locally advanced cancer, who had no circulating cells before therapy. The tumor was resistant to chemotherapy and the disease progressed. The detected circulating tumor cells were HER-2-positive, while the primary tumor was HER-2-negative. It was concluded that the circulating immune cells can be a potential marker of the efficiency of therapy and predictors of the disease course, while their phenotype can differ from the phenotype of the primary tumor.

Fungal Planet description sheets: 281-319.

Novel species of fungi described in the present study include the following from South Africa: Alanphillipsia aloeicola from Aloe sp., Arxiella dolichandrae from Dolichandra unguiscati, Ganoderma austroafricanum from Jacaranda mimosifolia, Phacidiella podocarpi and Phaeosphaeria podocarpi from Podocarpus latifolius, Phyllosticta mimusopisicola from Mimusops zeyheri and Sphaerulina pelargonii from Pelargonium sp. Furthermore, Barssia maroccana is described from Cedrus atlantica (Morocco), Codinaea pini from Pinus patula (Uganda), Crucellisporiopsis marquesiae from Marquesia acuminata (Zambia), Dinemasporium ipomoeae from Ipomoea pes-caprae (Vietnam), Diaporthe phragmitis from Phragmites australis (China), Marasmius vladimirii from leaf litter (India), Melanconium hedericola from Hedera helix (Spain), Pluteus albotomentosus and Pluteus extremiorientalis from a mixed forest (Russia), Rachicladosporium eucalypti from Eucalyptus globulus (Ethiopia), Sistotrema epiphyllum from dead leaves of Fagus sylvatica in a forest (The Netherlands), Stagonospora chrysopyla from Scirpus microcarpus (USA) and Trichomerium dioscoreae from Dioscorea sp. (Japan). Novel species from Australia include: Corynespora endiandrae from Endiandra introrsa, Gonatophragmium triuniae from Triunia youngiana, Penicillium coccotrypicola from Archontophoenix cunninghamiana and Phytophthora moyootj from soil. Novelties from Iran include Neocamarosporium chichastianum from soil and Seimatosporium pistaciae from Pistacia vera. Xenosonderhenia eucalypti and Zasmidium eucalyptigenum are newly described from Eucalyptus urophylla in Indonesia. Diaporthe acaciarum and Roussoella acacia are newly described from Acacia tortilis in Tanzania. New species from Italy include Comoclathris spartii from Spartium junceum and Phoma tamaricicola from Tamarix gallica. Novel genera include (Ascomycetes): Acremoniopsis from forest soil and Collarina from water sediments (Spain), Phellinocrescentia from a Phellinus sp. (French Guiana), Neobambusicola from Strelitzia nicolai (South Africa), Neocladophialophora from Quercus robur (Germany), Neophysalospora from Corymbia henryi (Mozambique) and Xenophaeosphaeria from Grewia sp. (Tanzania). Morphological and culture characteristics along with ITS DNA barcodes are provided for all taxa.

[Functional activity of alveolar macrophages in patients with bronchial asthma and gastroesophageal reflux disease].

Combination of bronchial asthma (BA) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a widespread clinical situation. The two pathologies are known to influence each other leading to disturbances in immune responsiveness. We studied phenotypes and phenotypic plasticity of immune cells (alveolar macrophages) in patients with BA and GERD. It was shown that BA and GERD are largely associated with AM of proinflammatory M2 and anti-inflammatory M1 phenotypes respectively. Population of AM with MI phenotype increases in patients having both BA and GERD compared with that in BA alone. In vitro experiments showed that acidic milieu promotes shifting the phenotype toward the predominance of M1, i.e. simulates the situation characteristic of GERD. Combination of BA and GERD narrows the interval within which AM can change MI phenotype (i.e. makes them more "rigid") but broadens the range in which they can change M2 phenotype. Also, GERD promotes the development of morphological rigidity of AM. Patients with BA given steroid therapy undergo inversion of phenotypic plasticity of AM. These data characterize the immunological component of BA and/or GERD pathogenesis. They help to better understand mechanisms of development of broncho-pulmonary pathology in GERD patients and can be used to work out new methods for the treatment of these diseases.

[Resistance to acute hypoxia and changes in the phenotype and phenotypic plasticity of macrophages in mice of different genetic strains].

The aim of study was to investigate the effect of hypoxia on the macrophage phenotype and phenotypic plasticity and to determine the resistance to acute hypoxia in C57/BL mice, which have the pro-inflammatory M1 macrophage phenotype, and in BALB/c mice, which have the anti-inflammatory M2 macrophage phenotype. The following results were obtained. 1) The response of macrophages to acute hypoxia has two successive phases, the immediate, anti-inflammatory phase, and the delayed, pro-inflammatory phase. This response was more distinctly inverted in C57/BL6 M1 macrophages than in BALB/c M2 macrophages; 2) the effect of acute hypoxia on macrophage phenotypic plasticity depends on the genetically predetermined, original macrophage phenotype. In this process, a clear regularity was observed: hypoxia increased the capability of macrophages for changing into the pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype, while their capability for changing into the anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype remained virtually unaffected. 3) BALB/c mice were more resistant to acute hypoxia than C57/BL6 mice. Taken together, these data expand our understanding of mechanisms for pathogenetic effects of hypoxia.

[The role of the floodplain gradient in structuring of testate amoebae communities in the Ilych River].

Forty-two testate amoebae taxa were identified in alluvial soils of floodplain islands in the Ilych River. Among the pedo- and eurybionts, there were aquatic rhizopods. Along the floodplain transect (willow --> meadow --> deciduous forest --> coniferous forest), the testate amoebae community changed directly. There are spatially homogeneous (low beta-diversity) testacean communities but species rich on the local level (high alpha-diversity) within forests. Within willows and meadows, communities are characterized by low alpha-diversity and high heterogeneity that leads to high gamma-diversity.

[Evaluation of functional adaptation level in air specialists according to biochemical indexes of saliva secretion].

It was examined a capability of evaluation of functional condition of air staff by indexes of natrium, kalium, cortisol and glucose in saliva. There were realized 5 series of examinations with participations of 71 airplane pilot of the same level in conditions of realizing flies of different difficultness. Saliva sampling was effectuated before and after the flies not later then 10-15 minutes after landing. On pre-flight medical examination and after performance of task of air relay there was registration of systolic, diasystolic blood pressure and cardiac rate. It was posed the correlation of physiological indexes with percentage of examined ingredients in saliva in different flight loads. The results of examinations speak for capability of using of indexes of percentage of natrium, kalium, cortisol and glucose in saliva for evaluation of functional condition of airplane pilots during effectuating the flies and rating of value of flight load with account of individual peculiarities.

[Complex evaluation of parachutists' stress-endurance by biochemical characteristics of saliva].

Variations in saliva biochemical characteristics of parachuting sportsmen were analyzed after flight duty. The investigation revealed three types of saliva biochemical reactions to the stresses of parachuting. Our data point to the possibility to judge about the level of tension in organism of people engaged in difficult and extreme activities by saliva concentrations of Na+, K+, cortisol and glucose along with the physiological and psychological investigations traditionally employed by aviation and sport medicine.

Intracellular and extracellular NO differentially modulates the stress response and apoptosis in macrophages exposed to the influence of biological or physical factors.

We studied the role of extracellular and intracellular NO in the regulation of the stress response and apoptosis in macrophages of proinflammatory and antiinflammatory phenotypes under the influence of S. aureus and heat shock. Blockade of extracellular nitric oxide synthesis in cells with antiinflammatory phenotype inhibited the stress response induced by S. aureus and heat shock. The decrease in extracellular nitric oxide concentration around antiinflammatory macrophages potentiated the stress response induced by S. aureus, but had no effect on the stress response induced by heat shock. Hence, intracellular NO mediates the stress response induced by S. aureus and heat shock, while extracellular NO inhibits the stress response induced by S. aureus, but has no effect on the stress response induced by heat shock. In cells with antiinflammatory phenotype, intracellular NO plays an antiapoptotic role. S. aureus and heat shock did not cause apoptosis in macrophages with proinflammatory phenotype, while intracellular NO did not play a role in antiapoptotic activity of the proinflammatory phenotype. Extracellular NO synthesized by macrophages protects these cells from apoptosis induced by S. aureus and heat shock.

Inversion of stress response reprogramming phenomenon in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated alveolar macrophages.

The stress response and NO production in reprogrammed proinflammatory or antiinflammatory alveolar macrophages were studied after lipopolysaccharide treatment. Experiments with macrophages not containing HSP70 showed that lipopolysaccharide in a dose of 500 ng/ml induced stress response in cells with the proinflammatory phenotype (as distinct from an antiinflammatory phenotype). The stress response was not observed in HSP70-containing lipopolysaccharide-stimulated proinflammatory macrophages, but occurred in cells with antiinflammatory phenotype. Hence, the presence of HSP70 in alveolar macrophages results in the inversion of the phenomenon of reprogramming of the stress response. Independently on the phenotype, stimulation with lipopolysaccharide was accompanied by a 60-70% increase in NO production by macrophages not containing HSP70. However, NO production by HSP70-containing macrophages did not increase in response to lipopolysaccharide treatment. Our results indicate that reprogramming of the cell response in macrophages does not concern the system for NO synthesis. HSP70 prevents the lipopolysaccharide-induced activation of NO synthesis in alveolar macrophages.

Role of extracellular and intracellular nitric oxide in the regulation of macrophage responses.

We studied the role of nitric oxide in the stress response and apoptosis. Intracellular nitric oxide potentiated the stress response. However, intracellular nitric oxide suppressed the stress response in macrophages of proinflammatory and antiinflammatory phenotypes. Intracellular nitric oxide promoted apoptosis in macrophages of the proinflammatory phenotype, but inhibited this process in cells of the antiinflammatory phenotype. Exogenous nitric oxide synthesized by macrophages protected them from lipopolysaccharide-induced apoptosis. Our results indicate that nitric oxide produces various effects on the stress response and apoptosis in macrophages, which depends on modus operandi.

Caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK potentiates heat shock-induced apoptosis and HSP70 synthesis in macrophages.

Caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK potentiated heat shock-induced apoptosis in macrophages. Z-VAD-FMK did not activate HSP70 synthesis, but significantly increased the intensity of this process during heat shock. It cannot be excluded that caspases abolish HSP70 accumulation under these conditions. The HSP70 synthesis inhibitor quercetin potentiated DNA fragmentation in macrophages cocultured with Z-VAD-FMK after heat shock. HSP70 play an important role in the protection of macrophages from caspase-independent apoptosis.

Stress response and apoptosis in pro- and antiinflammatory macrophages.

We showed that stress response and apoptosis in macrophages depend on the phenotype of their secretory activity and specific biological and physical characteristics of the factor inducing stress-response or apoptosis.