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Stenocarpella maydis causes high production losses in almost all countries where corn (Zea mays) is cultivated. The rot caused by S. maydis may occur on the stalks and ears of corn plants. S. maydis in corn poses a significant threat to human and animal nutrition, mainly due to mycotoxins such as diplodiatoxin. This study aimed to validate an efficient methodology for visualizing S. maydis colonization in corn using clarification protocol, fluorochromes, and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM). Conidial suspensions were inoculated into the corn stalk at the V6 stage using a syringe. Corn stalk fragments of 1 cm2 were collected 21 days after inoculation (dai) for CLSM analysis. The samples were fixed in Karnovsky’s solution and clarified in KOH and chloral hydrate. The fungal structures were labeled with Alexa488-WGA at 1.0 mg mL−1 for 30 min under vacuum (excitation at 488 and emission at 510–540 ƞm). Thereafter, the corn plant tissues were labeled with Calcofluor White at 0.1 mg mL−1 (excitation at 405 and emission at 440–490 ƞm) for 30 min. The Laser Confocal LSM780 Zeiss Observer Z.1 microscope, LCI Plan-Neofluar 25 × /0.8, and C-Apochromat 63 × /1.20 objectives were used to acquire fluorescent images. At 21 dai, it was possible to observe the colonization and formation of pycnidia with bicellular conidia of the fungus S. maydis in corn stalk fragments. The fungus colonized parenchymatic tissues and vascular bundles of the corn stalk. In contrast, at 21 dai, colonization of the fungus S. maydis was not observed in the parenchymatic tissues and vascular bundles of the corn stalk from uninoculated control plants. Our study made it possible to validate a new methodology for studying the infectious process of S. maydis in corn stalk using clarification protocols, fluorochromes, and CLSM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bone pathologies have great potential to provide information on the palaeobiology of fossil organisms. Some were likely related to inter/intraspecific fighting behaviors. Among the iconic and conspicuous Late Pleistocene armored mammals, Panochthus Burmeister, 1866 is notable for being one of the largest, most abundant, and diversified genera. A particular feature of Panochthus species is the presence of a caudal armor including a solid bony structure known as a caudal tube that would have played an important role in intra/interspecific contests. In this contribution, we report and describe a caudal vertebra of Panochthus that shows strong evidence of pathologies that may be related to the performance of strong tail movements that could correspond to offensive/defensive behaviors. The specimen (MFA-G-PV 1740) was recovered from Late Pleistocene deposits (MIS 5–3 cycles) cropping out in the cliffs of Northern Salado River, Santa Fe Province, Argentina. Based on morphological and radiological features, the lesions observed are related to a traumatic lesion that would have affected the ligamentum flavum and probably the articular capsule of the postzygapophysis, generating a severe enthesopathy and related septic arthritis. The involvement of this ligament in particular is crucial because it connects adjacent vertebral laminae and restricts mobility, offering resistance to extreme vertebral flexion and protecting the remaining vertebral structures when confronted with large forces. Although it is challenging to determine the exact way in which this species performed fighting tail movements, the joints with the greatest range of movement correspond to the most anterior caudal vertebrae. This also implies that any strong impact would have directly affected these vertebrae and associated soft tissues, including ligaments. Based on this evidence, we consider that the pathology described here represents strong evidence to support the idea of an active use of the caudal tube in Panochthus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Asparagus stem blight, a highly destructive disease in global asparagus cultivation, is caused by the fungus Phomopsis asparagi. However, the underlying mechanisms of the infectious process and pathogenesis of P. asparagi remain poorly understood. This study aims to elucidate the infection event of P. asparagi at the cytological and ultrastructural levels in asparagus stem through a microscopic observation. The host responses were also examined by microscopic observation and fluorescent probe. It revealed that P. asparagi germinated at either the tip or the middle of the conidia to produce short germ tubes on the surfaces of the asparagus stem at 20 h post-inoculation (hpi). The germ tubes penetrated the host cell wall with appressorium-like structures or narrow pegs at 1 day post-inoculation (dpi). At 3 − 5 dpi, a large number of P. asparagi hyphae colonized the epidermal cells. The hyphae were found to grow both intracellularly and intercellularly. The movement of hyphae between cells was facilitated by constricted invasive hyphae pegs. The hyphae exhibited bidirectional intracellular growth, extending and branching along the inner side of the cell wall within the stem cortex and towards the central cylinder. The fungal colonization resulted in cellular damage in plants, which is characterized by plasmolysis, rupture of the cell wall, and disruption of the cytoplasm. At 11 dpi, the fungi penetrated the parenchyma cells, and the fungal pycnidia were formed. At 13 dpi, the fungi penetrated the stem center parenchyma cell, where the conidia were released. In addition, the host defense response was investigated, which revealed a notably reduced germination rate of conidium, the formation of callose analogs, and the reactive oxygen burst. These findings provide unexpected perspectives on the infection process and host response in P. asparagi-plant interaction.

Asparagus stem blight, a highly destructive disease in global asparagus cultivation, is caused by the fungus Phomopsis asparagi. However, the underlying mechanisms of the infectious process and pathogenesis of P. asparagi remain poorly understood. This study aims to elucidate the infection event of P. asparagi at the cytological and ultrastructural levels in asparagus stem through a microscopic observation. The host responses were also examined by microscopic observation and fluorescent probe. It revealed that P. asparagi germinated at either the tip or the middle of the conidia to produce short germ tubes on the surfaces of the asparagus stem at 20 h post-inoculation (hpi). The germ tubes penetrated the host cell wall with appressorium-like structures or narrow pegs at 1 day post-inoculation (dpi). At 3 − 5 dpi, a large number of P. asparagi hyphae colonized the epidermal cells. The hyphae were found to grow both intracellularly and intercellularly. The movement of hyphae between cells was facilitated by constricted invasive hyphae pegs. The hyphae exhibited bidirectional intracellular growth, extending and branching along the inner side of the cell wall within the stem cortex and towards the central cylinder. The fungal colonization resulted in cellular damage in plants, which is characterized by plasmolysis, rupture of the cell wall, and disruption of the cytoplasm. At 11 dpi, the fungi penetrated the parenchyma cells, and the fungal pycnidia were formed. At 13 dpi, the fungi penetrated the stem center parenchyma cell, where the conidia were released. In addition, the host defense response was investigated, which revealed a notably reduced germination rate of conidium, the formation of callose analogs, and the reactive oxygen burst. These findings provide unexpected perspectives on the infection process and host response in P. asparagi-plant interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background One significant challenge in addressing the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is to grasp a comprehensive picture of its infectious mechanisms. We urgently need a consistent framework to capture the intricacies of its complicated viral infectious processes and diverse symptoms. Results We systematized COVID-19 infectious processes through an ontological approach and provided a unified description framework of causal relationships from the early infectious stage to severe clinical manifestations based on the homeostasis imbalance process ontology (HoIP). HoIP covers a broad range of processes in the body, ranging from normal to abnormal. Moreover, our imbalance model enabled us to distinguish viral functional demands from immune defense processes, thereby supporting the development of new drugs, and our research demonstrates how ontological reasoning contributes to the identification of patients at severe risk. Conclusions The HoIP organises knowledge of COVID-19 infectious processes and related entities, such as molecules, drugs, and symptoms, with a consistent descriptive framework. HoIP is expected to harmonise the description of various heterogeneous processes and improve the interoperability of COVID-19 knowledge through the COVID-19 ontology harmonisation working group.

The incidence and prevalence of oncological diseases, which are the second most frequent cause of death, is steadily increasing among the population of the Russian Federation. The advances in translational medicine, including immunotherapy, have revolutionized the cancer treatment strategies. A particular breakthrough has been achieved in two areas of immunotherapy that have modernized the cancer treatment: chimeric T-cell receptors and antibodies known as immune checkpoint inhibitors, which block cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4), programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) and ligand programmed cell death receptor (PD-L1). Immune checkpoint inhibitors enhance the immune response of the tumor and can cause adverse effects as a result of hyperactivation of T cells. In turn, immunosuppressive drugs, which are often prescribed to mitigate the side effects associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors, are a risk factor for the development of infectious processes. The purpose of this review is to analyze the possible relationships between immune checkpoint inhibitors and the risk of infection, as well as to discuss the possible benefits of immune checkpoint inhibitors as a treatment for various types of infections, including viral, parasitic and fungal infections, as well as sepsis. Although immune checkpoint inhibitors have demonstrated the ability to significantly increase the life expectancy of patients with advanced cancer, they often lead to adverse events, which often require a treatment with immunosuppressive drugs, including corticosteroids, anti-TNF and other biological agents. The overall effect of immune checkpoint inhibitors on human infections remains poorly understood. Further research is needed to understand the basic mechanisms of the immunological effects of immune checkpoint inhibitors on various types of infections, since in some cases such effects may be beneficial.

The increase in mycobacteriosis, an infectious disease caused by non-tuberculous mycobacteriosis, has become an urgent issue for humane medicine. The mycobacteriosis of animals is a subject of intense study by veterinary scientists across most countries globally. In Ukraine, the number of farms with productive animals exhibiting paraallergic reactions to tuberculin is steadily rising, making the diagnosis of tuberculosis more complicated. In dairy cattle breeding, this issue also has significant economic implications. The forced slaughter of breeding young stock and high-producing cows is often a consequence. On the other hand, the identification of various non-tuberculous mycobacteria species in human mycobacteriosis patients, which can sensitize the cows, gives the issue of preventing animal mycobacteriosis both medical and social significance. All of the factors mentioned previously led to the decision to permanently retain cows that react positively to tuberculin testing on a dairy farm in the Volyn region, which has historically been free of tuberculosis. A comprehensive study was conducted from 2018 to 2023, utilizing methods of epizootological analysis as well as clinical, pathological, histological, bacteriological, and statistical research techniques. It was shown that an epizootic process, caused by the infection of cattle with non-tuberculosis mycobacteria, is occurring on the dairy farm. Mycobacterium scrofulaceum, M. fortuitum, and Nocardia spp. were isolated and identified from the lymph nodes and lymphoid tissue of the large intestine submucosa in the infected animals. These pathogens cause significant histological and pathological changes, indicating the presence of a clinically covert infectious process accompanied by sensitization of the animal organism. Epizootological analysis of the results from simultaneous allergic testing, as well as multiple bacteriological studies of samples from animals that reacted positively to both purified protein derivate tuberculin and atypical mycobacteria allergens, established that the allergic reactions to tuberculin were paraallergic in nature. This indicated the presence of an active infectious process within the animals’ bodies.

Background: One significant challenge in addressing the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is to grasp a comprehensive picture of its infectious mechanisms. We urgently need a consistent framework to capture the intricacies of its complicated viral infectious processes and diverse symptoms. Results: We systematized COVID-19 infectious processes through an ontological approach and provided a unified description framework of causal relationships from the early infectious stage to severe clinical manifestations based on the homeostasis imbalance process ontology (HoIP). HoIP covers a broad range of processes in the body, ranging from normal to abnormal. Moreover, our imbalance model enabled us to distinguish viral functional demands from immune defense processes, thereby supporting the development of new drugs, and our research demonstrates how ontological reasoning contributes to the identification of patients at severe risk. Conclusions: The HoIP organises knowledge of COVID-19 infectious processes and related entities, such as molecules, drugs, and symptoms, with a consistent descriptive framework. HoIP is expected to harmonise the description of various heterogeneous processes and improve the interoperability of COVID-19 knowledge through the COVID-19 ontology harmonisation working group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Belgium and worldwide, agriculture has been under threat from plant-parasitic nematodes. Root-lesion nematodes (Pratylenchus spp.) cause yield loss in many vegetable, arable and horticultural crops. Increased use of cover crops can affect population build ups. This study evaluated the reproductive potential of Pratylenchus penetrans on different cultivars of cover crops both, in pot tests and field experiments. Twenty-three different cultivars were evaluated against P. penetrans at low (10 P. penetrans per 100 cm3 soil) and high (100 P. penetrans per 100 cm3 soil) initial inoculum density in a pot experiment under glasshouse conditions. Based on their reproductive factor (Rf) after 8 weeks, they were classified under five different categories: Non-host, Poor host, Maintenance host, Good host, and Excellent host. At low Pi, fodder radish 'Defender' and 'Doublet' and birds foot trefoil 'Lotar' were poor hosts. At high Pi, birds foot trefoil 'Lotar' and 'Franco', fodder radish 'Doublemax', 'Maximus' and 'Contra', black oat 'Pratex', phacelia 'Natra', Italian ryegrass 'Meroa' and 'Fedra', rye 'Dukato' and 'Matador' reduced the P. penetrans population. Under field conditions, fodder radish 'Doublet', Japanese oat 'Delux', yellow mustard 'Chacha', Phacelia 'Natra', Italian ryegrass 'Fedra' and Tagetes patula reduced the root-lesion nematode population. The infectious process of P. penetrans on some of these cultivars, proven to be poor hosts, was screened using Cone tainers™. Penetration, development and multiplication of P. penetrans was assessed. The information opens possibilities for further resistance breeding. Based on our results we can conclude that with proper choice of selected cultivars of cover crops, P. penetrans can be controlled but that further breeding efforts are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animal mycobacterioses, unlike those in humans, are not in the focus of veterinary science and practice for various reasons. This fact, as well as some others, including the growing incidence of human mycobacteriosis caused by non-tuberculous mycobacteria involved in the sensitisation of productive animals, is an objective, albeit indirect, indication of the existing problem of mycobacteriosis in veterinary medicine. This study employed the comparative geographical and epizootological methods of analysis. The findings obtained from the publications of scientists from around the world helped to summarise and objectively assess the severity of the epizootic situation regarding mycobacteriosis in animals in the world and in Ukraine, to identify a range of features of the infectious and epizootic processes, and to establish the dominant aetiopathogenetic criteria for this infection in animal populations. Animal mycobacteriosis is the subject of detailed scientific research in most countries of the world, as this disease is widespread among productive and unproductive (domestic and wild) animals, as well as the fish fauna of sea and river waters. It was found that the most common causative agents of mycobacteriosis are nontuberculous mycobacteria such as Mycobacterium avium complex, M. abscessus complex, M. kansasii, and M. fortuitum, and some others. In Ukraine, animal mycobacteriosis is not given due attention, even though parallergic reactions to tuberculin in cattle lead to complications in the diagnosis of tuberculosis infection. They cause considerable losses in dairy farming due to the culling and slaughter of highly productive cows. Identification of aetiopathogenetic patterns of paraallergic reactions to tuberculin in productive animals is a key to effective control and management of the epizootic process of animal mycobacteriosis and reduction of biohazards of human infection with non-tuberculous mycobacteria through food of animal origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The innate immune system is the first line of defense against pathogens. Its composition includes barriers, mucus, and other substances as well as phagocytic and other cells. The purpose of the present paper is to compare tissues with regard to their immune response to infections and to cancer. Simple ideas and the qualitative theory of differential equations are used along with general principles such as the minimization of the pathogen load and economy of resources. In the simplest linear model, the annihilation rate of pathogens in any tissue should be greater than the pathogen’s average replication rate. When nonlinearities are added, a stability condition emerges, which relates the strength of regular threats, barrier height, and annihilation rate. The stability condition allows for a comparison of immunity in different tissues. On the other hand, in cancer immunity, the linear model leads to an expression for the lifetime risk, which accounts for both the effects of carcinogens (endogenous or external) and the immune response. The way the tissue responds to an infection shows a correlation with the way it responds to cancer. The results of this paper are formulated in the form of precise statements in such a way that they could be checked by present-day quantitative immunology.

Nurses are an important part of the multidisciplinary team that treats patients with colostomy, helping to get proper care and avoid developing peristomal complications. The purpose of the article is to examine nursing care for stoma patients. In May and June of 2023, a self-structured survey was used to gather the data. After permission, interviews were conducted with twelve nurses who provided stomatized patient care in the Xhaferr Kongoli Regional Hospital's Surgery Department. The survey contained questions about the level of their skills and experience working with these patients. Statistical analysis was performed through the analysis of the data collected. Seventy -five percent of the respondents were female and fifteen percent male, with an average age of 42.4 years (S. D = 6.4) and working experience with patients with approximately 10 years (S. d = 5.8). Based on their responses, eighty -three percent of the nurses who were interviewed knew the proper procedures for managing colostomy patients. A planned ostomy care plan was followed by fifty - nine percent of them. Sixty -six percent of the nurses were able to timely identify colostomy complications and intervene without the need to remove the stoma from the patient. Regarding the training courses for the nursing care of patients with ostomy, only seven had developed several training courses on the subject. Providing adequate care for these persons requires a specialized and advanced qualification. To provide care for patients with stoma and to avoid problems, nurses must continue and update their education and training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The innate immune system is the first line of defense against pathogens. Its composition includes barriers, mucus, and other substances as well as phagocytic and other cells. The purpose of the present paper is to compare tissues with regard to their immune response to infections and to cancer. Simple ideas and the qualitative theory of differential equations are used along with general principles such as the minimization of the pathogen load and economy of resources. In the simplest linear model, the annihilation rate of pathogens in any tissue should be greater than the pathogen's average replication rate. When nonlinearities are added, a stability condition emerges, which relates the strength of regular threats, barrier height, and annihilation rate. The stability condition allows for a comparison of immunity in different tissues. On the other hand, in cancer immunity, the linear model leads to an expression for the lifetime risk, which accounts for both the effects of carcinogens (endogenous or external) and the immune response. The way the tissue responds to an infection shows a correlation with the way it responds to cancer. The results of this paper are formulated in the form of precise statements in such a way that they could be checked by present-day quantitative immunology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The main complaint of patients with inflammatory diseases of the pharynx is a sore throat; rhino-orbital pathology, in turn, is manifested by symptoms associated with impaired nasal breathing, lacrimal drainage and other ophthalmological disorders. With pathology of the larynx, dysphonia is often present. As a rule, such patients initially fall into the hands of general practitioners, therapists and pediatricians, less often otolaryngologists, however, periodically the clinical situation requires the involvement of other specialists and additional laboratory and instrumental studies. The article presents a number of clinical observations of patients with combined pathology of the pharynx, larynx and rhino-orbital zone, who initially turned to an otolaryngologist, who subsequently required a team approach from various specialists. Aim. Demonstration of a differentiated approach to the diagnosis and treatment of combined pathology of the pharynx, larynx and rhino-orbital zone within the framework of interdisciplinary interaction of specialists based on clinical observations of patients. Materials and methods. We observed 5 patients who initially sought consultation with an otorhinolaryngologist with complaints of pain or discomfort in the throat, impaired nasal breathing, lacrimal drainage, itching in the eye area, and dysphonia. Results. The article presents clinical cases of syphilis, leptotrichosis of the oropharynx, herpesvirus infection type VI, infectious mononucleosis, infectious-toxic paresis of the larynx, the diagnosis and treatment of which was carried out through interdisciplinary interaction of otorhinolaryngologists with doctors of other specialties. The presented observations demonstrate that, despite the reason for treatment, patients with combined pathology of the pharynx, larynx and rhino-orbital zone require the help of not only otolaryngologists, but also other specialists, primarily infectious disease specialists. Conclusion. In order to improve the quality of diagnosis, routing and treatment of patients with combined pathology of the pharynx and rhino-orbital zone, it is necessary to develop interdisciplinary interaction and create conditions for expanding the professional erudition of doctors dealing with the problems of pathology of the same anatomical areas.

Conducting routine allergy tests of cattle with a simultaneous sample in TB-prone farms is necessary to confirm the stage of the epizootic process. The purpose of the research – to explore the pathomorphological changes in cows upon detection of para allergic reactions during diagnostic testing for tuberculosis. The diagnosis of tuberculosis in animals was performed comprehensively using all methods for tuberculosis control provided for in the guidelines – epidemiological, clinical, allergic, pathological, histomorphological, bacteriological and biological. It allowed establishing that the reactions to tuberculin in cows were of a paraallergic nature, caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria or so-called atypical mycobacteria. It was determined that cows that reacted positively to tuberculin and an atypical mycobacterial allergen and were sent for slaughter for diagnostic purposes did not demonstrate pathological changes characteristic of tuberculosis. However, pathological changes (granulomatous foci, atrophy of lymphoid and epithelioid tissue, hyperplasia of varying intensity and nature, dotted haemorrhages in the cortical zone) were observed in many lymph nodes, including mediastinal, mesenteric, pharyngeal and mandibular lymph nodes, indicating an active infectious process in the body of animals caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria. Therewith, several changes were observed in the lymph nodes during histomorphological examination: development of primary nodules of lymphocytes and reticular tissue in reactive centres, degradation and necrosis of lymphocytes, the establishment of cellular detritus in the centre of the nodules and capsules of epithelioid elements around the nodules, etc., which can be used to confirm the patterns of pathology development and, indirectly, the mechanism of sensitisation of the cow’s body, and therefore the nature of paraallergic reactions in animals. The obtained results are important for the timely detection and identification at the histomorphological level of a complex of changes in the organs and tissues of cows due to the penetration of nontuberculous mycobacteria, which is the key to the successful diagnosis of primary foci of mycobacteriosis and their effective prevention

Conducting routine allergy tests of cattle with a simultaneous sample in TB-prone farms is necessary to confirm the stage of the epizootic process. The purpose of the research -- to explore the pathomorphological changes in cows upon detection of para allergic reactions during diagnostic testing for tuberculosis. The diagnosis of tuberculosis in animals was performed comprehensively using all methods for tuberculosis control provided for in the guidelines -- epidemiological, clinical, allergic, pathological, histomorphological, bacteriological and biological. It allowed establishing that the reactions to tuberculin in cows were of a paraallergic nature, caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria or so-called atypical mycobacteria. It was determined that cows that reacted positively to tuberculin and an atypical mycobacterial allergen and were sent for slaughter for diagnostic purposes did not demonstrate pathological changes characteristic of tuberculosis. However, pathological changes (granulomatous foci, atrophy of lymphoid and epithelioid tissue, hyperplasia of varying intensity and nature, dotted haemorrhages in the cortical zone) were observed in many lymph nodes, including mediastinal, mesenteric, pharyngeal and mandibular lymph nodes, indicating an active infectious process in the body of animals caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria. Therewith, several changes were observed in the lymph nodes during histomorphological examination: development of primary nodules of lymphocytes and reticular tissue in reactive centres, degradation and necrosis of lymphocytes, the establishment of cellular detritus in the centre of the nodules and capsules of epithelioid elements around the nodules, etc., which can be used to confirm the patterns of pathology development and, indirectly, the mechanism of sensitisation of the cow's body, and therefore the nature of paraallergic reactions in animals. The obtained results are important for the timely detection and identification at the histomorphological level of a complex of changes in the organs and tissues of cows due to the penetration of nontuberculous mycobacteria, which is the key to the successful diagnosis of primary foci of mycobacteriosis and their effective prevention [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Inadequate vitamin D supply worldwide is a public health problem. Low vitamin D levels during pregnancy can lead to abnormal placentation, placental insufficiency and abnormal fetal development, which contributes to poor health after birth.Objective of the study is to analyze the vitamin D status of premature infants born in the south of Russia.Materials and methods. A total of 141 premature infants were examined. Extremely low birth weight was found in 19 (13.4%) newborns, very low birth weight in 35 (24.8%), and low birth weight in 75 (53.2%).Results and discussion. Premature infants had vitamin D deficiency in the majority of cases (51%), with a median of 16.9 [11.7; 22.9] ng/mL. Correlation analysis demonstrated a positive association between 25(OH)D levels and body weight in very low birth weight infants (r = 0.34, p = 0.043). Serum vitamin D concentrations were 1.6 times lower in infants whose mothers did not receive multivitamins than in those whose mothers received multivitamins, 13.8 [9.7; 20.9] and 21.6 [16.9; 28.6] ng/mL, respectively (p = 0.001). Infants with an Apgar score of 7-10 had higher vitamin D levels, 17.8 [11.9; 22.7] ng/mL, than infants with severe asphyxia, 13.8 [9.9; 16.8] ng/mL (p = 0.036). Premature infants with congenital infection had lower 25(OH)D levels than infants without an infectious process, 15.6 [10.8; 22.9] and 18.4 [14.2; 22.7] ng/mL, respectively. Children with an infectious process that subsequently ended in death had lower 25(OH)D levels than children without an infectious process (p = 0.001). Children with cerebral ischemia had lower 25(OH)D concentrations than children without cerebral ischemia (p = 0.001).Conclusions. Premature infants born in the south of Russia have vitamin D deficiency in more than half of the cases. Administration of preparations containing cholecalciferol reduces the proportion of newborns with severe vitamin D deficiency, but does not ensure optimal serum levels. Initially low levels of 25(OH)D can be considered as an unfavorable prognostic sign against the background of the development of congenital infection.

Among infectious diseases, opportunistic mycoses hold a special place. There has been accumulating a lot of evidence regarding the clinical and epidemiological aspects of infection caused by Fusarium spp., which global incidence rate among microbial keratitis ranges from 2 to 40% depending on the geographical location of the country. Colonizing mucous membranes, fungi can exist not only in the form of plankton, but form biofilms after surface attachment, which leads to elevated resistance to multiple antifungal agents. Here we describe a clinical case of fungal keratitis due to Fusarium solani by determining profile of the antifungal sensitivity for isolated fungal strains, by taking into account their potential for biofilm formation. We used an F. solani culture isolated from the patient as well as F. solani test culture obtained from the Russian National Collection of Microorganisms. While determining the sensitivity of fungal planktonic cultures to antifungal agents from the azole group (fluconazole, voriconazole), amphotericin B and terbinafine, it was revealed that antimycotics amphotericin B and voriconazole exerted a marked antifungal activity against clinical isolate, whereas the plankton F. solani test culture was more sensitive to all groups of antifungal agents. Due to a long-lasting progressive course of the infectious process and the high biofilm-forming ability of the clinical strain F. solani, the activity of antifungal agents on biofilm cells was modeled and examined in vitro. It was shown that regarding to the fungal biofilms, value of the minimally inhibitory concentration exceeded those for planktonic cultures by 100-fold. The mechanisms of action for antifungal agents on vital parameters of fungal cell structures were analyzed by using confocal laser scanning microscopy after staining samples with propidium iodide and acridine orange for 15 min to detect changes between intact and damaged cell surface. It was found that within the biofilm fungal cells preserved viability even after exposure to high concentrations of antifungals. In addition, despite the fungicidal drug activity at substantial concentrations acting on the biofilm cell membrane, the cell nuclei remained viable. Owing to the presence ot the mechanism of resistance in mycelial fungi shown in the study, it is necessary to take into account and investigate characteristics of biofilms in terms of drug sensitivity that will allow to optimize a choice of antimicrobial therapy.

The aim of the study — demonstration of the capabilities of new generation geographic information system software and agent-based modeling for solving epidemiological problems (on the example of the spread of measles in a metropolis).Materials and methods. Examples of the use of thematic layers and the functionality of the geoinformation platform, as well as the developed multi-agent model of measles spread in the megalopolis, are given. The measles spread model is presented as following three independent sub-models or nested models: behavior model, infection model, infectious process model. The modularity and independence of the sub-models allow the useof the necessary statistical and clinical data, both directly related to the studied disease and demographic indicators, which are analyzed and stored in the thematic layers of the platform.Results. The developed software tools allow visualizing, analyzing and short-term forecasting of the spread of the disease in the study area, with the ability to generate reports, which can be a useful and relevant addition to the daily work of specialists, contribute to the improvement and deepening of practical skills and abilities, in accordance with the types and tasks of professional activities, as well as expand opportunities for assistance in management decision making.

Introduction. Chronic and latent infections are often activated during pregnancy.Aim - to asses the pathogenetic role of microbial pathogens in urogenital tract infection (UTI) in pregnant women.Materials and methods. 89 pregnant women underwent general clinical examination, examination of smears from urethra, vagina, cervical canal; bacteriological analysis of vaginal contents; enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, polymerase chain reaction and determination of specific antibodies for verification of herpes simplex virus (HSV) type I and II, cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr (EBV) and UTI pathogens in pregnant women in blood and mucosal scrapes.Results. Prevalence of Herpesviridae was revealed (90-100% -EBV, HSV type I and II, CMV); in 41% of cases - bacterial pathogens, in 57% of cases - Mycoplasma, Ureaplasma.Discussion. In preterm birth and pregnancy termination mycoplasma and ureaplasma were more often revealed, and in pregnancy termination - association of HSV type I and II in comparison with urgent birth; in the last equally often - HSV type I and association of HSV type I and II; in urgent birth (infection) more often - HSV type I, than association of HSV type I and II; in preterm birth more often - HSV type I, than the association of HSV types I and II, and less often than combination of HSV type I and association of HSV types I and II in pregnancy termination; in the last, the association of HSV types I and II is more common than HSV type I. Increase of TLRs genes expression levels depends on HSV type I less than from association of HSV types I and II, less than from combination of HSV type I and association of HSV types I and II (it determines the clinical manifestations of genital herpes).Conclusion. Microbial pathogens determine the character of pregnancy course, and HSV types I and II- are the triggers of the infectious process, prognosing its course.

Anthracnose caused by species of Colletotrichum is considered one of the main postharvest diseases for avocado. In this study, Colletotrichum isolates associated with avocado anthracnose, collected in different states of Brazil, were evaluated through phylogenetic analysis, morphological characterization, and pathogenicity assays. Moreover, the events during pathogen infection of avocados were examined by scanning electron microscopy. To assess the genetic diversity of 54 Colletotrichum isolates, partial sequence analysis of the gene gapdh was performed. According to the generated groupings and the geographical origins of isolates, a subset of 14 strains was selected for performing multilocus phylogeny analysis (using sequences of gapdh, act, tub2, and ApMat). Two species previously described were identified: C. siamense belonging to the C. gloeosporioides species complex and Colletotrichum karstii belonging to the C. boninense species complex. All Colletotrichum strains evaluated caused typical symptoms of anthracnose in avocado fruits. Conidia of the most virulent strain germinated between 6 and 12 hr after inoculation (hai). Penetration through wounds occurred 48 hai, tissue colonization occurred between 144 and 240 hai, and sporulation took place at 240 hai via the production of an acervulus, conidiophores, and conidia. The findings shed light on the aetiology of avocado anthracnose in Brazil and provide a better understanding of the infection process of this pathogen, which may assist in the development of disease management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On the basis clinical and microbiological studies are revealed differences in the pathogenesis of burn injury during the hypodermic introduction to the rabbits of the species «chinchilla» of the cultivated and uncultivated bacteria P.aeruginosa and S.aureus. Infection by the uncultivated bacteria S.aureus and P.aeruginosa in 87.5% causes the loss of laboratory animals on the average on 3.43 ± 0.94 day after putting of thermal injury, which is accompanied by the phenomena of the defeat of brain s 1 on 4 the twenty-four hours in each second individual. Infection by the cultivated bacteria causes the generalization infection by gram-negative bacteria with the colonization of internal organs with the subsequent development of sepsis and loss 80% of animals on 13.58 ± 0.63 day.

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Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the leading antibiotic-resistant gram-negative organisms responsible for nosocomial infections. Multidrug pathogen resistance leads to the low antibiotic therapy efficiency. The solution for this problem involves developing new therapeutic agents that operate under different principles to the currently available antibiotics. The Type Three Secretion System (T3SS) is a major virulence factor in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This review presents a brief description of structure and regulation of T3SS, which has been shown to contribute to the virulence of Gram-negative bacteria with different types of parasitism and is extremely necessary for the manifestation of the pathogenesis of diseases caused by them. The secretion apparatus is formed after bacteria contact with eukaryotic cell and allows the bacterium to inject toxins directly into the host cell cytoplasm. The T3SS regulation is a strictly hierarchically organized process that occurs at least at two levels, transcriptional and secretory. Thus, T3SS appears to be a highly attractive target for innovative therapies as it possesses a number of advantages over antibiotics: T3SS inhibitors are expected to have a lower risk of selecting resistance because they do not suppress the viability of pathogens, but only reduce bacterial virulence; inhibitors will be effective regardless of acquired antibiotic resistance; inhibitors will not to exert negligible effects on commensal bacteria. To date, a number of T3SS inhibitors with various nature and different mechanism of action have been identified. The discovered inhibitors suppress the transcription of the T3SS genes, toxins translocation and inhibit the effector molecules. For many of the developed inhibitors, their specific activity was shown in in vitro experiments, for few of them the antibacterial effect was shown in animal models and only two inhibitors are ongoing to test in clinical trials now: the Ftortiazinon and the antibodies MEDI3902. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Body-temperature elevations are multifactorial in origin and classified as hyperthermia as a rise in temperature due to alterations in the thermoregulation mechanism; the body loses the ability to control or regulate body temperature. In contrast, fever is a controlled state, since the body adjusts its stable temperature range to increase body temperature without losing the thermoregulation capacity. Fever refers to an acute phase response that confers a survival benefit on the body, raising core body temperature during infection or systemic inflammation processes to reduce the survival and proliferation of infectious pathogens by altering temperature, restriction of essential nutrients, and the activation of an immune reaction. However, once the infection resolves, the febrile response must be tightly regulated to avoid excessive tissue damage. During fever, neurological, endocrine, immunological, and metabolic changes occur that cause an increase in the stable temperature range, which allows the core body temperature to be considerably increased to stop the invasion of the offending agent and restrict the damage to the organism. There are different metabolic mechanisms of thermoregulation in the febrile response at the central and peripheral levels and cellular events. In response to cold or heat, the brain triggers thermoregulatory responses to coping with changes in body temperature, including autonomic effectors, such as thermogenesis, vasodilation, sweating, and behavioral mechanisms, that trigger flexible, goal-oriented actions, such as seeking heat or cold, nest building, and postural extension. Infrared thermography (IRT) has proven to be a reliable method for the early detection of pathologies affecting animal health and welfare that represent economic losses for farmers. However, the standardization of protocols for IRT use is still needed. Together with the complete understanding of the physiological and behavioral responses involved in the febrile process, it is possible to have timely solutions to serious problem situations. For this reason, the present review aims to analyze the new findings in pathophysiological mechanisms of the febrile process, the heat-loss mechanisms in an animal with fever, thermoregulation, the adverse effects of fever, and recent scientific findings related to different pathologies in farm animals through the use of IRT.

Creation of the Russian register of patients with cystic fibrosis and participation in the program European register is essential for patients in the region and in the country. Result of creating and analyzing annual data register should be the understanding of the following fundamental epidemiological indicators: number of patients, including deaths, number, patient age, their sex distribution. Analysis of the register of patients showed that the proportion of children and adolescents dominates adults (58 children and 14 adults), the average age of the patients below the other regions of the country and the world. Clinical-laboratory features of cystic fibrosis in the Krasnodar region showed an increase in complications of the disease and Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection with age. Total number of mutations have been identified 7, which was 75%. Results register landmark adoption of adequate institutional, medical and social measures when working with patients suffering from cystic fibrosis.

Objective: to study a trend in the development of the infectious process caused by cultivable and non cultivable bacteria in Chinchilla rabbits with burn disease. Materials and methods. The investigators examined 64 rabbits subcutaneously infected with cultivable and non cultivable Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus at a dose of 105 microbial cells in the presence of burn injury in experimental groups and in two similar control groups of animals without thermal injury. Rabbits were exposed to IIIAB degree burn injury under anesthesia. The non cultivable bacteria were obtained by the procedure proposed by L. B. Kozlov et al., by applying a refrigerated heating circulator. The trend in the development of the infectious process was observed during 21 days. Dead animals were dissected; bacterial concentrations were estimated in their viscera and abnormal changes were determined in the histological specimens. The results of the investigations were statistically processed according to STATISTICA 6.0 using the mean arithmetic error (М±m). Differences were statistically evaluated by Student’s t test and the Mann Whitney test. A correlation analysis was made applying the software package Microsoft Excel 97 for IBM PC to compute correlation coefficients and their errors. Results. The cultivable bacteria in the animals with burn injury induced an infectious process in their viscera to develop sepsis on days 8—12 of the disease with a fatal outcome and the non cultivable bacteria in those with burn disease caused death due to brain injury on days 2—3, with P.aeruginosa isolated from brain tissue. Conclusion. Both the cultivable and non cultivable bacteria had significant effects in Chinchilla rabbits with burn disease. Non cultivable P.aeruginosa had a tropism for nerve tissue, which was not found in the cul tivable bacteria.

The article contains materials about the dynamics of brucellosis-affected locations in reindeer-breeding farms in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). Analysis of the data shows how the efficiency of diagnostic studies of brucellosis in reindeer has varied over the last 28 years. It is shown by the results of statistical analysis, where the correlation coefficient between the two ranges of values was -0.02 (r = -0.02). After 2007, the picture changed dramatically, and the coefficient of direct correlation was -0.9 (r = +0.9). That is, with a high degree of veracity, the number of reacting animals depended on the number of examined animals. Analysis of the epizootic state of the tundra, forest-tundra, mountain-taiga, and taiga territorial-climatic zones of the Republic in terms of brucellosis in the domesticated reindeer was performed between 1988 and 2016. The percentage of reindeer positively reacting to brucellosis in the tundra zone was on the average 2-3 times higher than in the mountain-taiga and the forest-tundra zones. The reindeer infection rate in disadvantaged areas in 1988 - 1990 was very high and amounted to 2.0 - 5.2 %. As a result of the taken antibrucellar measures, the number of animals infected in 2008 - 2010 decreased significantly, and now amounts to 0.6 - 1.3 %. However, the number of affected locations remains unchanged, correlating with the certain stabilization of the population dynamics. The number of affected locations shows a downward trend -- from 19 districts in 1988 to 8 in 2017. The reindeer infection rate in the tundra zone of the Republic declined significantly (by 1.4 - 3.9 %), and now amounts to 0.6 - 1.3 %. The reindeer brucellosis infection rate in the mountain-taiga and the forest-tundra zones is 0.1 - 2.2 %; brucellosis is not found in animals of the taiga zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Diseases caused by C. trachomatis have an adverse impact on male and female health and the reproductive function and are among the leading causes of infertility. Even though C. trachomatis is a sexually transmitted pathogen adapted to the epithelial cells of the urogenital tract (UGT), it has a fairly wide tropism and can infect blood cells, conjunctival epithelium, synovial cells, hepatocytes, and enteroendocrine cells. The pathogen is detected in various divisions of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) in men and women. Studies of the infection in mice showed that chlamydia could spread in the body with lymph or blood flow, colonize various digestive organs, and persist in these organs for a long time without causing a significant pathology, but still inducing chronic pathological inflammation in the reproductive organs. Studies in the C. muridarum model demonstrated the role of the conservative chlamydial protein Pgp3 (encoded by the plasmid sequence) in colonization of the digestive tract. There is accumulating experimental and clinical evidence characterizing the intestine as a favorable niche for the persistence of chlamydia, since the intracellular pathogen сan avoid the competitive impact of the intestinal microflora, and immune homeostasis on the intestinal mucosa weakens the protective action of the immune response. Generalization of the urogenital chlamydial infection and colonization of the digestive tract by chlamydia are probably the main causes for the emergence of a chronic infection and the development of pathology in the reproductive sphere and other organs. If the role of this mechanism in the emergence of a chronic infection is proven, new approaches for the diagnosis and treatment of chlamydiosis will become necessary. The present review addresses these new data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose a concept, according to which the action of prokaryotes (bacteria and viruses) on the soma cells of the human body, perceived by us as an infectious disease, is in fact a reflection of infectious processes. The basis of these phenomena is the existing inequality between prokaryotes and eukaryotes, which is manifested not only in the emergence of pathogens with the changed strategy of parasitism, but also by the development of poorly or not controlled infectious processes.

The review presents characteristics of drugs being developed that modulate Toll-like receptors activity and can be applied in the treatment of infectious, chronic inflammatory, autoimmune, allergic diseases, malignancies.

The review presents the characteristics of cytokine IL-1F11 (IL-33), its mechanisms of action and value in the development of inflammatory response.

The review presents the characteristics of IL-1F4 (IL-18), its mechanisms of action and value in the development of inflammatory response.

The general characteristics of interleukin 1 family is given in the review.

The survey characterized HIN-200 proteins molecular family and their role in the development of infection.