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Clinical manifestation of the inflammatory process in its relation to biochemical markers (total cysteine [Cys], cysteine-glycine [CysGly], glutathione [GSH], glutamate-cysteine [Glu-Cys], homocysteine [Hcy], the ratio of reduced to oxidized glutathione [GSH/GSSG], the ratio of reduced to oxidized cysteine [CySH/CySS], malondialdehyde-oxidized low-density lipoproteins [MDA-oxLDL]) has been studied in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

This paper aims to provide a large coverage of recent developments regarding environmental monitoring using metal oxide-based sensors. Particular attention is given to the detection of gases such as H2, COx, SOx, NOx, and CH4. The developments and analyses of the design of sensors and types of metal oxide sensing materials are emphasized. The sensing mechanisms and peculiarities of metal oxides used in chemoresistive sensors are provided. The main parameters that affect the sensitivity and selectivity of metal oxide sensors are indicated and their significance to the sensor signal is analyzed. Modern data processing algorithms, employed to optimize the measurement process and processing of the sensor signal, are considered. The existing sensor arrays/e-nose systems for environmental monitoring are summarized, and future prospects and challenges encountered with metal oxide-based sensor arrays are highlighted.

Currently, the problem of waste disposal of agricultural products is becoming the most urgent due to the dynamic development of the agroindustrial complex, which is the leader among the manufacturing industries in terms of the amount of waste generated. This article is devoted to the possibility of building mobile waste incineration plants for agricultural producers. The branches of agricultural production were considered, the analysis of waste generated and methods of their disposal was carried out. Based on the study, a model of a mobile waste incineration plant was proposed, as well as the construction of sites for its placement. This installation will provide a faster and more convenient way to dispose of waste in agricultural production.

Aim. To investigate formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and their impact on fibrinolysis in patients with colon cancer.Materials and methods. The study was performed in two groups. The experimental group consisted of patients with stage 2–3 non-metastatic colon cancer (n = 17, average age – 67 years). The control group included healthy volunteers matched by sex and age (n = 30, average age – 68 years). An experimental model was created from the whole blood. It included platelet-poor plasma and an isolated culture of neutrophils, previously induced to NETosis by adding 100 nmol PMA. The samples were incubated for 4 hours, then the test tubes were centrifuged to pellet cells and their remnants, and the plasma was transferred for subsequent examination. The plasma incubated with intact neutrophils was used as a control. The levels of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) were used to determine the degree of cell activation. NETosis was confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and fluorescent microscopy. Fibrinolysis was assessed using the thrombodynamics test. The results were compared with the levels of fibrinolytic system components measured by flow cytometry.Results. In the control group, NETosis induction contributed to pronounced neutrophil activation that was accompanied by an increase in the IL-8, PSGL-1, and plasminogen levels, a decrease in PAI-1, and enhancement of fibrinolysis, compared with the intact samples. Higher levels of IL-8, PSGL-1, plasminogen, and PAI-1 and intensified fibrinolysis were detected in the intact samples. However, PMA-induced NETosis did not result in an increase in the degree of activation and significant changes in the given parameters.Conclusion. NETosis promotes both formation and lysis of fibrin clots. However, in cancer patients, suicidal NETosis does not contribute to fibrinolysis due to intracellular protease depletion, which may be one of the mechanisms causing hypercoagulation and insufficient fibrinolysis in cancer.

Aim. To determine the saliva level of immunoregulatory proteins in patients with rampant caries and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) deficiency and evaluate the association of their concentration with 25(OH)D plasma level.Materials and methods. The study was performed in two groups. The experimental group included 15 patients aged 20–22 years with rampant caries and the 25(OH)D plasma level of < 20 ng / ml. The control group encompassed 15 healthy age-matched volunteers with the 25(OH)D plasma level of 20–100 ng / ml. The concentrations of B7.2 (CD86), free active TGF-β1, CTLA-4, PD-1, Tim-3, LAG-3, IGFBP-4, and ICAM-1 were assessed using flow cytometry. The levels of LL-37 and secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) were measured using ELISA. The Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was used to reveal a correlation between the indicated proteins and the 25(OH)D plasma level.Results. A decrease in B7.2 (CD86), PD-1, Tim-3, sIgA, and LL-37 and elevation of IGFBP-4 and ICAM-1 saliva levels were detected in patients with rampant caries and 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency. A positive Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was revealed between plasma 25(OH)D and saliva levels of free active TGF-β1, CTLA4, B7.2 (CD86), LL-37, and sIgA. A negative correlation was revealed between 25(OH)Dand ICAM-1.Conclusion. 25(OH)D deficiency in patients with rampant caries is associated with decreased levels of B7.2 (CD86), PD-1, Tim-3, sIgA, and LL-37 and elevated levels of IGFBP-4 and ICAM-1 in the saliva.

Malignant cutaneous adnexal tumors are rare dermatosis that can have extradermal twins. Diagnosis of adnexal skin tumors is sometimes difficult. Immunohistochemistry has limited value in the diagnosis. Most adnexal skin tumors are localized on the head and neck. Difficulties in their diagnosis associated with absence of strict clinical criteria.

Systemic inflammation is an integral pathophysiological component of many critical illnesses. The systemic inflammatory response is based on a cascade of interactions leading to hypercytokinemia and, as a consequence, multiple organ failure, which is one of the main causes of mortality in intensive care units.Aim of the study. To evaluate the activity of the negative regulation system of T-cell response by determining the plasma levels of PD-1, PD-L1 and PD-L2 molecules in pneumonia patients with influenza A (H1N1).Materials and methods. 85 patients with pneumonia and underlying influenza A (H1N1) were examined. Among them there were 30 patients with severe pneumonia, and 55 patients with non-severe pneumonia. Plasma levels of PD-1, PD-L1, PD-L2 molecules was determined by flow cytofluorometry method.Results. In patients with severe pneumonia and underlying influenza A (H1N1), the plasma level of PD-1 receptor increased 4.6-fold, while the concentration of its ligands PD-L1 and PD-L2 increased 10.6 and 2.2-fold, respectively.Conclusion. Significant increase in levels of PD-1 and its ligands PD-L1 and PD-L2 in patients with pneumonia and underlying influenza A (H1N1) indicates the involvement of negative regulation system of T-cell response in the cascade of immunological reactions and is associated with the severe disease. Possible correction of immune reactions realized through PD-1/PD-L1/PD-L2 complex in critically ill patients is a promising research avenue.

Background. A critical condition of any genesis may be accompanied by the development of multiple organ failure, one of the manifestations of which is acute renal injury. Often, the process is subclinical in nature and the «classical» approaches to diagnose renal damage by creatinine concentration, urea level and assessment of glomerular filtration rate may not fully reflect the degree of impaired renal function, while acute kidney injury is a well-known predictor of high hospital mortality among critically ill patients.Aims. The purpose of this study was to assess functional state of the kidneysby determining the serum concentration of the markers of kidney injury NGAL and Cystatin C in patients with pneumonia associated with influenza A/H1N1.Materials and methods. 85 patients with pneumonia associated with influenza A/H1N1 were examined, 30 patients with severe pneumonia, 55 with non-severe pneumonia. The control group was formed by 15 healthy donors. The serum concentration of NGAL and Cystatin C molecules was determined by flow cytometry on a Beckman Coulter analyzer (USA), using a Human Immune Checkpoint Panel 1 multiplex assay kit (Biolegend, USA). The glomerular filtration rate was calculated using the CKD-EPI formula.Results. It was found that in patients with severe pneumonia with the influenza A/H1N1, the concentration of NGAL increased 3.8 times compared with the control group, the concentration of Cystatin C increased 1.4 times, the glomerular filtration rate did not change.Conclusion. Timely diagnosis of subclinical kidney injury makes it possible to objectify the severity of the condition, make adjustments to therapy, which can help to an increase in the survival rate of critically ill patients.

Objective: to determine the level of growth factors in the blood serum of patients with left-sided colon cancer and to assess the feasibility of using these findings in the tumor detection.Material and Methods. The study group included 63 patients aged 20 to 75 years who underwent surgery for left-sided colon adenocarcinoma (descending, sigmoid, rectosigmoid) with stage i (t1–2n0m0), ii (t3–4an0m0), and iii (t1–2n1m0). Only 5 patients developed metastases in one regional lymph node. The remaining patients had no regional metastases. In all patients, before hospitalization, the tumor was confirmed by colonoscopy followed by histological examination. The group of comparison consisted of 25 patients with chronic hemorrhoids without exacerbation, who underwent colonoscopy. In patients of the study group, blood tests were drawn on the day of surgery before its starting. In patients of the comparison group, blood was taken after excluding colon cancer (after colonoscopy). Blood tests were carried out using a test system (Biolegend): multiplex set for determining growth factors (angiopoietin-2, (ang-2), egf, epo, FGF-basic, G-csf, GM-csf, HGF, M-csf, pdgf-aa, pdgf-BB, scf, tgf-α, vegf).Results. In cancer patients, the levels of egf, HGF, M-csf, pdgf-aa, and pdgf-BB were several times higher than in the control group (p

The efficiency of agricultural use of soils depends directly on their quality indicators, which include an extended set of characteristics: from data of the environmental situation to the component composition of the soil air. Therefore, for a more complete survey of agricultural land in order to determine their qualitative indicators and subsequent application, it is necessary to carry out comprehensive monitoring while simultaneously studying the characteristics of soils and their air composition. The article is devoted to the literature analysis on the remote monitoring of soils and soil air. Particular attention was paid to the relationship between soil type and soil air composition and it was found that the soil air composition (in the combination with pH and humidity parameters) can assess the type, quality and environmental condition of soils. Since when developing a remote monitoring system of soil air soil moisture and soil structure significantly affect the processes occurring in soils, and ultimately the quantitative composition of soil air, it is very important to know the dependence of the soil air composition on the type and quality of the soil itself, the influence of moisture, structure and other parameters on it. It was shown that the use of sensors is a promising direction for the development of the soils and soil air remote monitoring. It was indicated that soil and soil air remote monitoring in real time will provide reliable, timely information on the environmental status of soils and their quality. Commercial sensors that can be used to determine CO2, O2, NOx, CH4, CO, H2 and NH3 were considered and the technique for sensor signal processing was chosen. A remote monitoring system with the use of existing commercial sensors was proposed, the movement of which can be realized with the help of quadcopter, which will allow parallel scanning of the soils and the land terrain. Such a system will make it possible to correctly assess the readiness of soils for planting, determine their intended use, correctly apply fertilizers, and even predict the yield of certain crops. Thereby, this approach will create a modern on-line system for full monitoring of soil, land and rapid response in the case of its change for the agro-industrial sector.

Aim of investigation: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possibility using of indirect liver fibrosis markers for the estimation of fibrosis severity and timely prescribing of antiviral therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B.Materials and methods: We examined 130 patients with chronic hepatitis B (mean age 41,8±13,5 years, 70% of men) having known liver fibrosis stage based on fibroelastography or liver biopsy. The age of patients, 9 parameters of biochemical blood analysis, complete blood count and coagulogram along with 7 indices calculated on their base were considered. Their prognostic values were estimated by means of ROC analysis.Results: According to increase of liver fibrosis stage albumin, prothrombin index, platelet count, cholesterol reduce and aspartate aminotransferase, international normalized ratio, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase levels rise (p

Background. Tumors influence on various vital processes in organism leading to cachexia, immunosuppression, anemia, changes in humoral regulation etc. Inflammation is one of the well-known etiological factors of carcinogenesis, including for cervical cancer, so we suggest that some blood serum inflammatory factors in patients with cervical cancer influence are associated with the level of tumor progression.The objective of our study was to analyze the level of some hematological markers of inflammation in the blood serum of patients with cervical cancer in dependence on the histological characteristics of the primary tumors.Materials and methods. In the study we analyzed the blood serum of patients with invasive cervical cancer I–IV stage (4 patients with verrucous cancer and 26 – with cervical cancer among them 10 – of G1 stage, 6 – of G2 stage, 10 – G3 stage) using flow cytometry. We studied the value of myoglobin, calprotectin, lipocalin, matrix metalloperoxidase 2, matrix metalloperoxidase 9, osteopontin, myeloperoxidase, serum amyloid A, protein 4, insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 4, cell-cell adhesion molecule 1, vascular cell adhesion molecule, cystatin С.Results. We revealed the changes of some serum markers of inflammation in patients with G3 and verrocous cervical cancer.Conclusion. The obtained dates demonstrate that further study of blood inflammatory markers as an additional differential and prognostic criteria in patients with cervical cancer should be considered as reasonable.

Background. Metabolic reprogramming of tumor cells is one of the leading links in carcinogenesis. The objective to confirm the hypothesis of a propionate pathway for the synthesis of long-chain acids with an odd number of carbon atoms in cervical cancer.Materials and methods. As samples for the study were biopsies of the colli uteri, from which a suspension of tumor cells was obtained (20 – cervical cancer, 20 – cervical intraepithelial neoplasia III grade, 18 – endocervical scraping from healthy women). The spectrum of fatty acids (FA) was analyzed before, after 24 hours incubation without and with 50 μmol/l propionic acid by the gas chromatography method.Results. Metabolism of FA is multidirectional in different locus in cervical cancer. In the locus of cervical cancer, most likely, there is a propionic pathway for the synthesis of FA using palmitate. In cervical intraepithelial neoplasia III grade, the metabolism of FA is another. Palmitic acid was used for synthesis stearate, which was metabolized to oleic acid.Сonclusion. The specificity of biochemical changes within one organ and one pathology has been revealed, which reflects the stage-by-stage development of the oncological process.

Background. Despite the known trigger and identified risk factors, the screening program developed, many aspects of the pathogenesis of cervical cancer are still being studied. In particular, recently in the literature there are data on the participation of short-chain fatty acids in the tumor process. The aim of the study was to perform a correlation analysis of the level of TNF-A., its soluble sTNF-RI receptor, the spectrum of SCFA and some biological parameters (apoptosis, necrosis, proliferation, cell cycle) in the exocervical cells during dys- and neoplastic transformation. Materials and methods: the laboratory data obtained by us earlier were used to perform the Spearman correlation analysis. The groups of research: IA - the focus of the pre-tumor lesion of exocervix; IB - paradysplastic cells; IIA - locus of cervical cancer; IIB - paraneoplastic cells. Results. The correlation relationships between the parameters studied were multidirectional, determined by the state of the cell (healthy, dysplastic, malignant) and varied within one study, depending on the location in relation to the pathological focus. Conclusions. The revealed interrelations are important for expanding the already available information on cervical carcinogenesis, for discovery of new diagnostic methods and treatment of cervical neoplasia. Summarizing, it is possible to judge the presence of pathogenetic relationships between the processes of cervical carcinogenesis (proliferation, apoptosis, necrosis, modulation of the phases of the cell cycle), the level of short-chain fatty acids and cytokine production at the local level.

Aim: to study the relationship between homocysteine, cysteine and glutathione in blood serum and various single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of genes involved in folate metabolism in patients with proliferative breast disease and breast cancer. Material and methods. The study included 112 patients with proliferative breast lesions and breast cancer in Transbaikalia. The control group consisted of 144 women having no breast cancer. Blood levels of homocysteine, cysteine and glutathione were evaluated by HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography). Genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction with the detection of amplification product in real-time. Results. Molecular-genetic testing revealed no association between breast disease and genetic polymorphisms of MTHFR(C677T), MTHFR(A1298C), MTR(A2756G), MTRR(A66G) in women with proliferative breast lesions and breast cancer, however, in contrast to the control group, the concentrations of homocysteine and glutathione were increased.

This article considers the possibility of sustainable development of the eastern territories of Russia from the Ural to the Pacific Ocean, which concentrate the overwhelming part of the country’s natural resources. An approach for the development of economic policy, making optimal economic decisions in the field of assessing the prevented damage is presented. It is noted that the underestimation of environmental parameters leads to a distortion of the analysis of economic development through traditional indicators of the gross national product, etc., the growth of which may cover the environmental degradation. A new method for assessing the prevented economic damage during environmental protection measures was proposed, which takes into account various technical and design features of dust cleaning systems. By using the proposed methodology it seems possible to assess the expected damage to the environment, the economic efficiency of the project being developed, and select the most profitable area for the location of dust-cleaning equipment at the design stage. A criterion for evaluating the effectiveness when comparing installations of various designs were proposed.

The article discusses the problems of assessing the efficiency of university teaching staff in the light of the effective contract introduction. The main stress is laid on the fundamentalquestions such as an assessment, namely: the ratio (proportion) between scientific and educational aspects of teachers’ work; the role of the department and its prospects for change after the innovations introduced; the ratio of quantitative (formal) and qualitative (informal) indicators in assessing the teachers’ performance; possible approaches to quantitative evaluation criteria. Conclusions and recommendations formulated are based on the analysis and lessons learned in a particular higher education institution - Southern Federal University.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of detoxification therapy omega-3-polyunsaturated fatty acids and flower pollen (apifitohol) in fetal growth restriction prevention (FGR). In the 1st trimester of pregnancy 140 pregnant women were randomized to receive omega-3-PUFA (group 1), apifitohol (group 2) or no treatment group (group 3). In the beginning of the pregnancy and 1st day after labor all patients passed daily urine Pb/Cd test, and benz(a)pyrene/styrene/formaldehyde blood serum test. The patients of the 1st and 2nd group had much lower level of heavy metals in daily urine and organic pollutants in blood serum after labor compared with the onset of pregnancy. FGR was twice more often, and newborn weight was significantly lower in women of no treatment group ( p=0,0022). Detoxification therapy during the pregnancy can prevent FGR and can be recommended in the condition of environmental pollution.

The higher fatty acid spectrum of tumor tissue in cervical cancer with different histopathologic grades was studied using the method of gas-liquid chromatography. Irrespective of differentiation grade, the high level of saturated fatty acids as compared to the control was observed mainly due to the increase in the amount of С14:0 and occurrence of С19:0. The increased level of monounsaturated fatty acids was observed in tumor tissue as compared to the control samples. Deficiency of ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids was noted in all tissue fragments. The specific features of fatty-acid composition of cervical cancer with different differentiation grade were found.

Abstract. Blood serum levels of cytokines (Il-1β, TNFα, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-20, IL-23), cytokine soluble receptors (SRp55 TNFα, SR IL-6), as well as markers of insulin resistance were studied in a group of male patients with primary gout. Increased levels of the above cytokines and deficiency of soluble IL-6 receptors in blood serum were most pronounced in gouty patients with insulin resistance syndrome. Close links were revealed between serum uric acid and insulin contents in gouty patients. Significant correlations were found between the levels of insulin, some cytokines (IL-4, IL-6, TNFα), and soluble receptors (SRp55 TNFα, SR IL-6), thus presuming a certain role of impaired cytokine profile for development of insulin resistance syndrome in such cohort of patients. (Med. Immunol., 2011, vol. 13, N 6, pp 627-630)

Abstract—The role of chemokines involved in the processes of neuroinflammation is not well understood in schizophrenia, especially in patients with the first episode of the disease. The aim of this research was to study the contents of pro-inflammatory chemokines in the blood of patients with the first episode of paranoid schizophrenia. We examined 18 patients with a diagnosis of F20.09, the control group was 35 people. Determination of the contents of 13 chemokines in the blood serum was carried out by flow fluorometry. Blood sampling was carried out before the start of therapy. In patients with the first episode of schizophrenia before the appointment of therapy, we found an increase in the blood level of CCL4 (MIP-1β) by 1.1 times; CXCL9 (MIG) by 1.4 times; CCL11 (Eotaxin), CXCL5 (ENA-78), and CXCL10 (IP-10) by 1.5 times; CXCL1 (GRO-α) by 1.6 times; СCL20 (MIP-3α) by 2.1 times; and CXCL8 (IL-8) by 21.0 times. The results we obtained indicate the importance of neuroimmune inflammation in the manifestation of schizophrenia with the involvement of chemokines in this process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To study the dynamics of cystatin C in patients after procedures on retroperitoneal viscera using laparoscopic and retroperitoneal access., Material and Methods: A prospective study of serum and urine cystostatin C levels in 162 patients with renal cysts using laparoscopic (n=83) and retroperitoneal access (n=79) was carried out. Patients were divided into four groups depending on the duration of the procedure and the gas level. For determination of cystatin C level in serum and urine, flow cytometry was performed using Human Kidney Function Panel 2 Mix and Match Subpanel (for Serum/Plasma Samples)., Results: A significant increase in the serum and urine level of cystatin C in groups 3 and 4 was seen on the 1st day after laparoscopic procedures in case of pneumoperitoneum pressure above 12 mm Hg., regardless of its duration. For retroperitoneoscopic procedures, similar changes were found only in group 4 with a gas pressure above 12 mm Hg and duration of the intervention of more than 30 minutes. By day 3, cystatin C levels returned to baseline values in all groups., Conclusion: The most significant risk factor for acute kidney injury after laparoscopic and retroperitoneoscopic procedures is the gas pressure. The second most important factor is the duration of the intervention. Pneumoperitoneum has a greater effect on cystatin C levels compared to retropneumoperitoneum.