[Characteristics of the pathogenic potential of Escherichia coli isolated from patients with calculous pyelonephritis].

OBJECTIVE: Comparative phenotypic and genetic assessment of the pathogenic potential of E. coli strains isolated from patients with calculous pyelonephritis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 78 strains of E. coli isolated from urine of patients with calculous pyelonephritis in the acute phase (n=58) and in the remission phase (n=20). Escherichia were investigated for the presence of virulence genes papA, pap EF, papGII; afa, bma E, iutA, fyuA, feoB, kspMTII, usp multiplex PCR using selected primers. Phenotypically determined the ability to biofilm formation, antilysozyme, antihemoglobin, anticytokine, adhesive and sIgA-protease activity E. coli. RESULTS: The virulent potential of Escherichia coli at the pheno- and genotype levels was characterized. In strains of E. coli isolated from the urine of patients in the remission phase, the ability to form biofilms was more often and with high values of the trait; and in strains isolated in relapse - adhesive activity, the ability to inactivate pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, antihemoglobin activity, and genes encoding aphimbrial adhesin (afa), responsible for the synthesis of siderophore aerobactin (iutA), transporting bivalent iron (feoB). CONCLUSION: The revealed differences in the pheno- and genotypic profiles between the cultures of Escherichia coli isolated from patients with calculous pyelonephritis in the phases of exacerbation and remission make it possible to differentiate the isolated strain and predict the course of the infectious-inflammatory process.

Genomic Sequence of the Strain Enterococcus faecium ICIS 18.

We report here the draft genome sequence of Enterococcus faecium strain ICIS 18, which was isolated from human feces. Analysis of the E. faecium ICIS 18 genome revealed genes encoding resistance to metals, fluoroquinolones, and beta-lactam antibiotics.

[Biological properties of microorganisms isolated from the urine of patients with urolithiasis].

AIM: To define persistent properties and antibiotic resistance of microorganisms isolated from the urine of adult patient undergoing surgery for urolithiasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Urine specimens were obtained from the renal pelvis and urinary bladder during percutaneous nephrolithotripsy. Microorganisms that were isolated from the urine were examined for their persistent properties (anti-lysozyme activity, the ability of biofilm formation) and antibiotic resistance using photometric and bacteriological methods. RESULTS: Strains of microorganisms isolated from the urine of patients with urolithiasis have high anti-lysozyme activity and the ability of biofilm formation, and variable antibiotic resistance. These properties should be taken into account when selecting an empirical antibiotic therapy for preventing infectious-inflammatory complications after percutaneous nephrolithotripsy. CONCLUSION: The high level of resistance of microorganisms isolated from the urine of patients with urolithiasis to the studied antibiotics, their ability to inactivate lysozyme and form biofilms may be the cause of the development of postoperative complications.

[Collagen types ratio in prediction of postoperative ventral hernias]. / Sootnoshenie tipov kollagena v prognozirovanii posleoperatsionnykh ventral'nykh gryzh.

AIM: To analyze collagen types ratio in skin and aponeurosis in order to predict postoperative ventral hernias. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The trial included 141 patients for the period 2012-2015. Group I (n=65) of patients without ventral hernias was divided into subgroup AI (primary operation, n=41) and BI (re-operation, n=24). Group II consisted of 76 patients with ventral hernias. We performed histological examination of skin and aponeurosis to define the collagen structure of connective tissue. RESULTS: There were significant differences between collagen type I/III ratio in skin (2.81±0.52 in group I vs. 1.13±0.48 in group II) and aponeurosis (2.69±0.41 vs. 1.09±0.21, respectively, p≤0.05). We revealed strong direct correlation (r=+0.92) between aponeurosis and skin specimens in one group. Collagen type I level was 73.81±2.74% in subgroup AI and 72.03±2.47% in subgroup BI. Collagen type I was predominant (p≤0.05). CONCLUSION: In patients with ventral hernias collagen type I/III ratio in skin is 2.54 times lower than in patients without hernias. Significant correlation of collagen types in skin and aponeurosis (r= +0.92) allows to predict the risk of postoperative ventral hernias on basis of skin fragment.

[BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY OF ANTIMICROBIAL PEPTIDES FROM CHICKENS THROMBOCYTES].

AIM: Isolation and study of biological activity of antimicrobial peptides from chickens thrombocytes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Peptides from chickens thrombocytes, obtained by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography method with stepped and linear gradients of concentration increase of the organic solvent were used in the study. Their antimicrobial activity was determined by microtitration method in broth; mechanism of biological effect--by using fluorescent spectroscopy method with DNA-tropic dyes. RESULTS: Individual fractions of peptides were isolated from chickens thrombocytes, that possess antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus P209 and Escherichia coli K12. A disruption of integrity of barrier structures of microorganisms under the effect of thrombocyte antimicrobial peptides and predominance of cells with damaged membrane in the population of E. coli was established. CONCLUSION: The data obtained on antimicrobial activity and mechanism of bactericidal effect of the peptide fractions from chickens thrombocytes isolated for the first time expand the understanding of functional properties of chickens thrombocytes and open a perspective for their further study with the aim of use as antimicrobial means.

[PHENOTYPICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND GENETICAL DETERMINANTS OF PATHOGENICITY OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS, ISOLATED FROM BACTERIAL CARRIERS, RESIDING ON THE TERRITORIES WITH VARIOUS LEVELS OF ANTHROPOGENIC POLLUTION OF AIR ENVIRONMENT].

AIM: Comparative phenotypical and genetical evaluation of pathogenic potential of Staphylococcus aureus strains, isolated from resident bacterial carriers, residing on the territories with anthropogenic pollution of air environment of varying intensity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: S. aureus, isolated 3 times from mucous membrane of the anterior of nose from 210 children, were the object of the study. Anti-carnosine activity and biofilm formation was determined by a photometric method, antibiotics resistance--by a disc diffusion method. lukS, lukF, sec 3, clfA, clfB, agr and mecA gene detection, that are associated with S. aureus, was carried out by PCR. RESULTS: S. aureus strains, isolated from children, residing on the territories with a high level of anthropogenic pollution of air environment, were characterized by antibiotics resistance, higher values of anti-carnosine activity, 2 times more frequently formed biofilms with higher values of the parameter. clfA and clfB genes, that determine colonization of mucous membranes, and agr gene were detected in all the studied S. aureus strains, lukF and sec 3 genes were detected in 20-40% of the strains, isolated from children, residing on both territories. mecA and lukS genetical determinants were not detected. CONCLUSION: S. aureus, isolated from children, residing on the territories with high levels of anthropogenic pollution of air environment; were characterized by higher values of the studied factors of persistence and stability against antibiotics. Genetical determinants of pathogenicity were not detected in S. aureus, isolated from individuals, residing on both territories.

[Cytological classification of nontoxic nodular goiter].

By comparing the cytological and histological data on thyroid nodular lesions in 715 patients, the authors have arrived at the conclusion that with a cytological response of colloidal goiter and colloidal goiter with adenomatosis, the cancer detection rate is not greater than 4%. With a cytological response of adenomatosis with atypia and follicular tumor, a malignancy occurs in 9 to 13%. It is recommended that cytological data should be grouped by the type of a morphological classification of thyroid nodular diseases: colloidal goiter (with regression, proliferation, adenomatosis, cystic cavity); tumors (adenomatosis with atypia, follicular tumor); cancer.

Effects of abscisic Acid treatment on the thermostability of the photosynthetic apparatus in barley chloroplasts.

Thermostability of the photosynthetic apparatus of abscisic acid (ABA)-treated seedlings of barley (Hordeum vulgare) was studied by light-scattering and by fluorescence measurements of isolated chloroplasts. ABA treatment markedly decreased heat damage of the chloroplast ultrastructure; an exogenous ABA concentration of 10(-5) molar was most effective. Heat-induced increase of the 77 kilodalton fluorescence ratio F(740)/F(685) was also smaller at this ABA concentration. The heat-induced increase of the initial chlorophyll fluorescence level (F(o)) was virtually eliminated in ABA-treated (10(-5) molar) chloroplasts up to 45 degrees C and slightly increased at 50 degrees C, relative to control chloroplasts where F(o) increased even at 35 degrees C and reached its maximal value at 45 degrees C. In control chloroplasts, F(o) increased with a 5-minute pretreatment temperature, an effect observed as low as 35 degrees C. F(o) was maximal at 45 degrees C. In contrast, chloroplasts treated with 10(-5) molar ABA did not exhibit a heat-induced increase in F(o) until 50 degrees C.

Changes in the polypeptide patterns of barley seedlings exposed to jasmonic Acid and salinity.

Soluble and thylakoid membrane proteins of jasmonic acid (JA)-treated and salt-stressed barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) seedlings were investigated using 15% sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide slab gel electrophoresis. High JA concentrations induced marked quantitative and qualitative changes in polypeptide profiles concerning mainly the proteins with approximately equal mobility, as in NaCl-stressed plants. The most obvious increase in thylakoid polypeptide band intensity was at 55 to 57 kilodaltons (kD). The relative share of some polypeptides with apparent molecular masses above 66 kD and of polypeptides with lower molecular masses in the region of 20.5 to 15 kD was enhanced. At the same time, one new band at 31 to 31.5 kD was well expressed at 25 and 250 micromolar JA concentrations and became discernible in the 100 micromolar NaCl-treated plants. The intensity of some polypeptides of soluble proteins (molecular masses of 60, 47, 37, 30, and 23.4 kD) increased with increasing JA concentration, whereas the intensities of other polypeptide bands (55, 21.4, and 15 kD) decreased. Enhanced levels of 60-, 47-, 34-, and 30-kD polypeptides and reduced levels of 55- and 15-kD polypeptides were present in NaCl-treated plants. The appearance of one new polypeptide, of 25.1 kD, was observed only in NaCl-treated plants. At 100 millimolar NaCl, an eightfold increase in proline content was observed while at 250 micromolar JA, the proline content was threefold over the control. It is hypothesized that exogenously applied jasmonates act as stress agents. As such, they provoke alterations in the proline content and they can modulate typical stress responses by induction of stress proteins.

Oxygen-evolving activity of thylakoids from barley plants cultivated on different concentrations of jasmonic Acid.

The kinetics characteristics of oxygen evolution in thylakoids prepared from barley (Horeum vulgare) seedlings grown in the presence of different jasmonic acid (JA) concentrations were studied. In comparison to control preparations, 100 micromolar JA-treated samples show an inhibition of the Hill activity (46%) and of O(2)-flash yields to above 70%. A damping in the oscillations of O(2) yields, induced by a flash train, increases with increasing growth regulator concentration. After these treatments, the value of the total number of oxygen-evolving centers (S(0) + S(1)), estimated according to the Kok scheme, shows a considerable decrease. In 100 micromolar JA-treated preparations, the turnover half-time of S(1)-states increases and the stability of the S(2)- and S(3)-states decreases.

[Pulmonary berylliosis]. / Berillioz legkikh.

A case of a chronic lung berylliosis in a 20-year-old woman with a 20-weeks pregnancy is described. The diagnosis is established on the basis of morphological features: fibrosing alveolitis with numerous lympho-histiocytic granulomas containing conchoidal bodies and the lung tissue chemical analysis showing the presence of beryllium (2.71 X 10(-6) g/organ). Morphology of the lungs is described in detail.

Effect of abscisic acid on the photosynthetic oxygen evolution in barley chloroplasts.

In vivo effect of abscisic acid (ABA) on photosynthetic oxygen evolution was investigated in barley chloroplasts. The most important kinetic parameters of O2-producing reactions were changed. The results show inhibition of the O2-flash yields at ABA concentrations of 10 µmol/l and 100 µmol/l and an increase in the degree of damping of the oscillations. ABA has a marked effect on the distribution of the oxygenevolving centers in S0 and S1 states and on sum of the centers (S0+S1) estimated according to the Kok model. In addition, the amplitude and the shape of the initial oxygen burst under continuous illumination are also significantly altered. At a concentration of 100 µmol/l, ABA strongly inhibits Hill reaction activity measured by DCPIP reduction. The results cannot be explained by the hypothesis of socalled "stomata effect". On the other hand, no effects were observed on the investigated parameters in experiments involving ABA applied in vitro to isolated chloroplasts. It is hypothesized that ABA disrupts the granal chloroplasts structure and raises the degree of participation of the cooperative mechanism of O2-evolution connected with the functioning of PS IIß centers in the stroma situated thylakoids.

A possible role for abscisic Acid in regulation of photosynthetic and photorespiratory carbon metabolism in barley leaves.

The influence of abscisic acid (ABA) on carbon metabolism, rate of photorespiration, and the activity of the photorespiratory enzymes ribulose bisphosphate oxygenase and glycolate oxidase in 7-day-old barley seedlings (Hordeum vulgare L. var. Alfa) was investigated. Plants treated with ABA had enhanced incorporation of labeled carbon from (14)CO(2) into glycolic acid, glycine, and serine, while (14)C incorporation into 3-phosphoglyceric acid and sugarphosphate esters was depressed. Parallel with this effect, treated plants showed a rise in activity of RuBP oxygenase and glycolic acid oxidase. The rate of photorespiration was increased twofold by ABA treatment at IO(-6) molar while the CO(2)-compensation point increased 46% and stomatal resistance increased more than twofold over control plants.