Extension of the soil monitoring network via tea bag initiatives: A 3000 km latitudinal gradient in European Russia.

The increasing popularity and recognition of citizen science approaches to monitor soil health have promoted the idea to assess soil microbial decomposition based on a standard litter sample - tea bags. Although tea bag initiatives are expanding across the world, the global datasets remain biased in regard to investigating regions and biomes. This study aimed to expand the tea bag initiative to European Russia, which remains a "white spot" on the tea bag index map. We also added urban soils into the analysis, which were underestimated previously. We compared the standard and local tea brands to explore possible adaptations of the standard approach to regions with limited access to standard tea brands. The established monitoring network included natural and urban sites in six vegetation zones along a 3000 km latitudinal gradient. There was a very close linear relationship (R2 = 0.94-0.98) in the mass loss of alternative and standard tea litter. The mass loss of green tea in soil along the latitudinal gradient showed an increasing trend from north to south. Variations in the microbial decomposition of green tea were mainly explained by the latitudinal gradient, with low soil temperature identified as key factors hampering decomposition. Mass loss of the more recalcitrant rooibos tea was mainly determined via land use, with decomposition rates on average 1.3 times higher in urban soils. This pattern was in line with higher soil temperatures and pH in urban sites compared to natural counterparts. The findings of our study could prove valuable in extending the tea bag network of soil decomposition assessment into broader territories, including urban areas. Additionally, they could facilitate the involvement of citizen science and complete the database for C cycle modeling depending on climatic conditions.

Transcriptome of Lung Cancer Cells Resistant to the Cytotoxic Activity of Macrophages.

The role of the immune system in tumor progression has been the subject of research for more than 100 years since Paul Ehrlich hypothesized that the presence of the immune system limits the occurrence of cancer. One of the mechanisms hindering the initiation and progression of the tumor is the cytotoxic activity of macrophages; however, in some cases, it is not sufficient to control tumorigenesis. This may be due to both the development of resistance of tumor cells to the antitumor activity of macrophages and the development of a tolerant phenotype of macrophages that do not have sufficient antitumor activity. In this work, the lung cancer cells resistant to the cytotoxic action of macrophages were obtained and characterized for the first time, and the genes associated with the observed changes were identified. Understanding the mechanisms of resistance of tumor cells to the cytotoxic activity of macrophages and the peculiarities of its manifestation in a tumor environment is critically important for improving the effectiveness of the existing methods of cancer treatment and developing novel methods for tumor immunotherapy.

[Endothelium-related and neuro-mediated mechanisms of emphysema development in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

Emphysema is one of the main manifestations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and smoking is one of the most significant risk factors. The results of studies in humans and animals show the vascular endothelium initiates and modulates the main pathological processes in COPD and smoking is an important factor initiating, developing and persisting inflammation and remodeling of blood vessels and tissues, including the destruction of small respiratory tracts with the development of lung tissue destruction and emphysema. The latest studies describe mechanisms not just associated with the endothelium, but specific neuro-mediated mechanisms. There is reason to believe that neuro-mediated and neuro-similar mechanisms associated and not related to endothelial dysfunction may play the significant role in the pathogenesis of COPD and emphysema formation. Information about components and mechanisms of neurogenic inflammation in emphysema development is fragmentary and not systematized in the literature. It is described that long-term tobacco smoking can initiate processes not only of cells and tissues damage, but also become a trigger for excessive release of neurotransmitters, which entails whole cascades of adverse reactions that have an effect on emphysema formation. With prolonged and/or intensive stimulation of sensor fibers, excessive release of neuropeptides is accompanied by a number of plastic and destructive processes due to a cascade of pathological reactions of neurogenic inflammation, the main participants of which are classical neuropeptides and their receptors. The most important consequences can be the maintenance and stagnation of chronic inflammation, activation of the mechanisms of destruction and remodeling, inadequate repair processes in response to damage, resulting in irreversible loss of lung tissue. For future research, there is interest to evaluate the possibilities of therapeutic and prophylactic effects on neuro-mediated mechanisms of endothelial dysfunction and damage emphysema in COPD and smoking development.

PRIMARY RETROPERITONEAL EXTRA-ORGAN TUMORS (PRET) - SURGICAL TACTICS.

INTRODUCTION: Retroperitoneal tumors, in general, are rare tumors which histopathological characteristics and biological behavior can be considered as benign or malignant. They originate from various tissue elements located in the retroperitoneal space. They often cover Anatomical structures of varying importance - mainly retroperitoneal vessels and organs, which determines the type of surgery - radical or palliative. They are composed of adipose tissue, vascular elements, smooth and striated muscle, neural elements germline structures. There are three main types of retroperitoneal tumors: mesodermal, neurogenic and teratosarcomas. As mentioned above each can be either benign and malignant. In most cases there are no specific symptoms except general weakness, heaviness in the abdomen, loss of appetite, progressive weight loss, headache and fever. The pain is most often located in the lumbosacral area. The tumor can also cause disturbances in urination. In patients with advanced stage can be observed significantly symmetrical or asymmetrical tumor growth in the abdominal area. The most commonly used techniques for the diagnosis of the disease are X-ray, CT-scan and MRI. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study involving 112 cases operated in the clinic for 14-years period (2000-2014) - 101 patients, 11 of them were operated on twice in a different time interval on the occasion of relapsed malignant process. RESULTS: Out of all operated cases, 42% are males (47 cases) and 58% - women (65 cases). In most cases (72% - 81 cases) tumors are malignant. All patients were treated surgically. There were followed up a total of 89 patients over a period of 3 months to 8 years (96 months) as of the studied malignant cases 3 year survival was observed in 21 patients, and one patient has survived 96 months after total extirpation of fibrosarcoma. Early postoperative mortality (till 20th postoperative day) was registered in 3 patients - 2.67% of all operated cases. DISCUSSION: About 80% of primary retroperitoneal extra-organ tumors are generally malignant. People of all ages are affected equally and no statistically significant difference in the number of men and women is detected. There are many theories about the emergence of retroperitoneal tumors, but currently none of them has not been fully proven. Treatment depends on the type of the lesion. Surgery is the main approach and it should be applied to both benign and malignant lesions. In the case of malignancy other methods than surgical are chemo- and radiotherapy but they are less effective.

Clinical and prognostic significance of pathological and inflammatory markers in the surgical treatment of locally advanced colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Locally advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) may vary in its clinical and pathological appearance. It is now accepted that progression of disease in patients with locally advanced CRC is determined not only by local tumor characteristics but also by the immune system and inflammatory response in the body. METHODS: We investigated patients with confirmed CRC who were treated in the surgical clinic at the University Hospital Alexandrovska over a 10-year period and retrospectively evaluated the histological features of the preoperative biopsies and operative specimens removed during radical multivisceral resections. We also collected prospective data for serum C-reactive protein levels and Jass-Klintrup score, Petersen Index score, and Glasgow Prognostic Score in patients with locally advanced CRC. RESULTS: Of 1,105 patients with CRC, 327 (29.6%) were diagnosed with locally advanced disease. In total, 108 combined multivisceral resections (79 for primary tumors and 29 for recurrent tumors) were performed. Overall survival was 34 months for pR0 cases and 12 months for pR1 cases (P<0.05). Our data confirmed that C-reactive protein is a prognostic marker of overall survival. Data for 48 patients with histologically confirmed locally advanced tumors showed significantly increased survival with a higher Jass-Klintrup score (P=0.037). In patients with node-negative disease, 5-year survival was 49%. However, where there were high-risk pathological characteristics according to the Petersen Index, survival was similar to that for node-positive disease (P=0.702). Our data also showed a significant difference in survival between groups divided according to whether they had a modified Glasgow Prognostic Score of 1 or 2 (P=0.031). CONCLUSION: In order to maintain a reasonable balance between an aggressive approach and so-called meaningless "surgical exorbitance", we should focus on certain histopathological and inflammatory markers that can be identified as additional factors for planning the type and volume of surgical treatment.

Protective effect of spin-labeled 1-ethyl-1-nitrosourea against oxidative stress in liver induced by antitumor drugs and radiation.

This study was carried out to investigate possible protection effect of 1-ethyl-3-[4-(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl)]-1-nitrosourea (SLENU), synthesized in our laboratory, against oxidative liver injuries induced in mice treated by antitumor drugs: doxorubicin (DOX), bleomycin (BLM), or gamma irradiation (R). Specifically, alterations in some biomarkers of oxidative stress, such as lipid peroxidation products measured as malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and activities of the antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), were studied in liver homogenates isolated from tumor bearing C57 black mice after i.p. treatment with solutions of DOX (60 mg/kg), BLM (60 mg/kg), or after total body gamma-irradiation with a single dose of 5 Gy. The same biomarkers were also measured after i.p. pretreatment of mice with SLENU (100 mg/kg). Statistical significant increased MDA levels and SOD and CAT enzymes activities were found in the liver homogenates of tumor bearing mice after alone treatment with DOX or gamma-irradiation compared to the control mice, while these parameters were insignificantly increased after BLM administration compared to the same controls.

Self-assembly of soluble unlinked and cross-linked fibrin oligomers.

Self-assembly of soluble unlinked and cross-linked fibrin oligomers formed from desA-fibrin monomer under the influence of factor XIIIa was studied in the presence of non-denaturing urea concentrations. By methods of elastic and dynamic light scattering combined with analytical ultracentrifugation, desA-fibrin oligomers formed in both the presence and absence of the factor XIIIa were shown to be ensembles consisting of soluble rod-like double-stranded protofibrils with diverse weight and size. Unlinked and cross-linked soluble double-stranded protofibrils can reach the length of 350-450 nm. The structure of soluble covalently-linked protofibrils is stabilized by isopeptide γ-dimers. Electrophoretic data indicate a complete absence of isopeptide bonds between α-chains of desA-fibrin molecules. The molecular mechanism of formation of soluble rod-like fibrin structures and specific features of its covalent stabilization under the influence of factor XIIIa are discussed.

Effect of the spin-labelled 1-ethyl-1-nitrosourea on CCNU-induced oxidative liver injury.

This study was carried out to determine the effects of 1-ethyl-3-[4-(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl)]-l-nitrosourea (SLENU), recently synthesised in our laboratory, and vitamin E as positive control on 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (CCNU) - free radical induced oxidative injuries in the liver of mice. Specifically, alterations in malonyl dialdehyde (MDA) level and activities of some antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), were measured in liver homogenates from tumour-bearing C57 black mice after treatment with solutions of CCNU (30 mg/kg) and SLENU (100 mg/kg), both administered intraperitoneally. CCNU-induced increase in MDA level, SOD and CAT activities were suppressed by SLENU. The present results and those from a previous report demonstrated superoxide scavenging activities (SSA) of the nitrosourea SLENU and enabled us explain the protective effect of the spin-labelled nitrosourea on CCNU-induced oxidative stress in the liver of mice. This protective effect is through the scavenging of *O2- and by an increased production of *NO. Thus, a potential for developing new combination chemotherapy in cancer is seen.

[Morphological changes in experimental duodenogastric reflux]. / Morfologicheskie izmeneniia pri duodenogastral'nom reflekse v éksperimente.

The model of a total duodenal-gastric reflux was developed in 20 dogs and morphological changes in the stomach were studied. 5 dogs served as control. Histologic changes occurred 3.5 months and 1 year after the operation were characterized by metachromasia, increased mucus formation, proliferation of epithelial and parietal cells, moderate inflammation. Process of the disease had fluctuations. 6 months after the operation 5 dogs were reoperated for the elimination of reflux and were observed for another 6 months. A complete reversibility of all changes was established. Bacteriological studies showed a considerable increase of bacteria population in the stomach and a pH increase. The authors suggest the term 'reflux gastropathy" to replace the term "alkaline reflux-gastritis".

[Lyophilization of live CA-80 vaccine against coli enteritis in pigs]. / Liofilizirane na zhiva vaksina CA-80 protiv kolienteriti pri prasetata.

A live vaccine against coli enteritis in pigs, CA-80, with a protection medium of 5 per cent hemodex, was successfully freeze-dried in ampoules or vials at the rate of 5 to 10 vaccinal doses each, the titer ranging from 10(9) to 10(10) live bacteria per cu. cm, of a 12-month shelf-life period. The vaccine was found to be innocuous for pigs, and was intended for active immunoprophylaxis on both infected and menaced farms and complexes, applying it to sows in the last third of the gestation period.

Antagonistic effect of polyphloretin phosphate and di-4-phloretin phosphate on the contractile responses of guinea-pig gastric muscles to prostaglandin E2.

Polyphloretin phosphate (PPP) and di-4-phloretin phosphate (DPP) were studied for their ability to antagonize the contractions produced by prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) on isolated guinea-pig gastric muscles. PPP (100, 200 and 300 micrograms/ml) and DPP (10, 30 60 and 100 micrograms/ml) inhibited reversibly the PGE2-produced excitatory effect in longitudinal fundus and corpus muscles but did not influence the PGE2-produced inhibitory effect in circular muscle strips. In the presence of PPP and DPP the concentration-effect curves for PGE2 were shifted to the right parallel to control curves. The antagonistic action of PPP and DPP appeared to be a specific one since the compounds had little, if any, effect on the responses to histamine, acetylcholine and BaCL2. Analysis of the data (1) showed that DPP is a more potent antagonist than PPP against PGE2 on guinea-pig gastric muscle with pA2 6,1 and 4,8, respectively.