The Effect of Vitamin D3 on Neutrophil Extracellular Trap Formation in High-Glucose Conditions.

NETosis, i.e., the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NET), and neutrophil autophagy are important elements in the pathogenesis and the development of complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Therefore, the search of drugs that can regulate the level of NETosis and autophagy in T2DM is relevant. Here we studied an ex vivo NET formation and neutrophil death in whole blood from healthy subjects upon the addition of glucose up to a high concentration of 15 mM or/and the phorbol ester PMA (phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate). Their individual and combined action caused neutrophil death and an increase in NET content. It can be hypothesized that this resulted from activation of NETosis and autophagy. It was also shown that this activation of NETosis and autophagy is completely prevented by daily intake of 1000 IU vitamin D3 for 14 days. Therefore, vitamin D3 supplementation can be considered as a preventive measure against the development of T2DM complications.

[Neutrophils as a source of factors that increase the length of the inflammatory phase of wound healing in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus]. / Neitrofily kak istochnik faktorov, uvelichivaiushchikh prodolzhitel'nost' fazy vospaleniia ranevogo protsessa u bol'nykh sakharnym diabetom 2-go tipa.

Oxidative stress and neutrophil activation leading to an increase in myeloperoxidase (MPO), elastase and neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) levels in blood are considered as pathogenic mechanisms responsible for the development of extremity damage in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between factors, associated with neutrophil activation, and the length of the initial phase of wound healing (the inflammatory phase) in T2DM patients. Patients were divided retrospectively into three groups depending on the damage extent: group 1 (wound on toe) < group 2 (wound on foot) < group 3 (wound on lower leg). Compared to the control group (healthy volunteers), T2DM patients at admission to hospital had significantly (p<0.05) increased levels of blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin (groups 1-3), ESR (groups 1 and 3), blood neutrophil count (groups 2 and 3), plasma MPO concentration (groups 1-3) and blood NET concentration (group 3) and decreased levels of plasma thiols (groups 1-3) and erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity (groups 2 and 3). The length of hospital stay after surgical procedures corresponded to the length of the inflammatory phase of the wound healing process and correlated with the number of blood neutrophils in patients before surgery (r=0.72, p<0.05). Leukocytic intoxication index depended on wound area (r=0.59, p<0.05), and it was significantly higher for groups 2 and 3 compared to the control group and group 1. The neutrophil count before surgery in T2DM patients with damage in the lower extremities correlated with the length of the inflammatory phase of wound healing. The correlation found can be attributed to an increase in extracellular MPO and NETs, which, in its turn, results from the activation and degranulation of neutrophils and netosis. Thus, the duration of the inflammatory phase of wound healing depends on specific aspects of systemic inflammation increasing oxidative/halogenative stress and intoxication.

Optical skyrmion lattice in evanescent electromagnetic fields.

Topological defects play a key role in a variety of physical systems, ranging from high-energy to solid-state physics. A skyrmion is a type of topological defect that has shown promise for applications in the fields of magnetic storage and spintronics. We show that optical skyrmion lattices can be generated using evanescent electromagnetic fields and demonstrate this using surface plasmon polaritons, imaged by phase-resolved near-field optical microscopy. We show how the optical skyrmion lattice exhibits robustness to imperfections while the topological domain walls in the lattice can be continuously tuned, changing the spatial structure of the skyrmions from bubble type to Néel type. Extending the generation of skyrmions to photonic systems provides various possibilities for applications in optical information processing, transfer, and storage.

The role of a modified intussusception jejunocolic valve in short-bowel syndrome.

Short-bowel syndrome results in malabsorption and malnutrition producing profound metabolic disorders. Attempts to correct this problem with various surgical procedures have so far proved unsuccessful. Studies made in our laboratory using experimental animals, showed that a modified jejunocolic intussusception valve appears to be effective in prolonging the small-bowel transit time and the absorptive capacity of the intestines in short-bowel syndrome. Furthermore, construction of the valve is uncomplicated and unaccompanied by any mortality or morbidity.

Diagnosis and treatment of gastroesophageal reflux in infants and children.

Most infants with pathologic GER will respond to medical treatment when the condition is recognized. For this reason a more aggressive approach should be instituted in the evaluation of patients with symptoms in order to prevent the serious complications of severe peptic esophagitis with ulceration and bleeding, stricture, failure to thrive, and life-threatening pulmonary complications, which in most instances will require an antireflux operation. Fortunately, experience with the Nissen fundoplication has been associated with low morbidity and no mortality. Despite the accuracy of 3-hour continuous intraesophageal pH monitoring in establishing the diagnosis of pathologic GER, esophageal manometry and esophagogram are an important adjunct in assessing esophageal motility and LES competence as well as establishing the presence of stricture or gastric dysmotility. This is especially critical in the patient with life-threatening acute and chronic pulmonary complications, in whom there is a distinct need to establish accurately the correlation of pulmonary symptoms with reflux. In some instances, endoscopic procedures on the esophagus and tracheobronchial tree may even be necessary.