MODERN APPROACHES IN MANAGEMENT OF CHILDREN WITH CHRONIC HEPATITIS B IN REMISSION OF ACUTE LYMPHOBLASTIC LEUKEMIA

The aim of the study is to assess the effectivity of the drug «Betargin» in complex management of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in remission of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The research had shown the results of treatment of 41 children with CHB in remission of ALL aged from 3 to 17 years old, who were on dispensary observation in Vinnytsia Regional Children's Clinical Infectious Diseases Hospital during 2013-2017 years. Patients were devided into the following groups: the comparison group (group A), which included 18 children with CHB in remission of ALL, who received basis therapy; the main group (group B) which consisted of 23 patients with CHB in remission of ALL, who got betaine arginine complex («Betargin») in addition to basis therapy. The control group was formed out of 30 healthy children. Determination of effectivity of the proposed treatment regimen was performed by studying the indicators of cholestasis, cytolysis, hepatocellular insufficiency, and lipid metabolism. To assess the liver's fibrosis level and necroinflammatory activity we used the determination of the level of plasma osteopontin in the serum using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method: Human Osteopontin Quantikine (RDD systems, Dos Too, Minneapolis, MS, USA). The verification of the diagnosis of CHB was based on the detection of specific markers of HBV-infection in blood using ELISA and PCR analysis. During our scientific research we established that using betaine arginine complex in management of CHB in remission of ALL led to considerable improvement of children's general condition, namely due to reducing (p<0,05) the incidence of asthenovegetative (8.6% against 33.3% in the comparison group), dyspeptic (13.1% against 38.8%) as well as pain syndromes (4.3% against 11%) and hepatomegaly (13.1% against 38.8%). The activity of ALT in the main group was in 1.6 times less (p<0,05) than in comparison group at the end of the course of treatment. «Betargin» has an antifibrotic effect which is confirmed by a decrease in the level of plasma osteopontin up to 104,92 ng/ml against 178,15 ng/ml in the comparison group (p<0,05).

PREDICTIVE VALUE OF SERUM IL-17A AND IP-10 FOR EVALUATION OF LIVER FIBROSIS PROGRESSION IN PATIENTS WITH HBV/HIV CO-INFECTION

The problem of HBV and HCV infections in addition to the HIV-infection in sub-Saharan African countries remains important due to the high prevalence and mortality after fast progressing fibrogenesis and development of hepatocellular carcinoma. Despite of the large number of investigations on diagnostics and prediction of the disease course, the exact role of the proinflammatory influence of IP-10 and IL-17A on the fibrogenesis during HIV/HBV-co-infection is still unknown. The aim of the study was to investigate IP-10 and IL-17A concentration in blood serum among HIV/HBV patients to consider their potential role in improvement of diagnostics of liver fibrosis progression. 53 HIV/HBV patients of Lewanika General Hospital (West Zambia) and 21 healthy blood donors were checked for serological markers, liver biopsy and IP-10, IL-17A in blood serum. The obtained results were analyzed by statistical package SPSS 12.0. Mean IP-10 was 753,6 pg/ml among HIV/HBV co-infected patients with F3-4 and it was reliably higher than in F1-2 patients and healthy responders (р=0,005). This group had also higher level of IL-17A (37,54 pg/ml) than comparison groups (р=0,032). We found out strong correlation between increasing IP-10 (r=0,6), IL-17A (r=0,52) and fibrotic severity (р<0,05). High IP-10, IL-17A amount increases the risk of F3-4 formation in HIV/HBV patients.

[PECULIARITIES OF THE PREVALENCE OF POLYMORPHISM (C-589T) OF THE IL-4 GENE AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH SERUM IL-4 LEVEL IN PATIENTS WITH ACUTE BRUCELLOSIS IN THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN]

The aim of the study was to determine the frequency of polymorphism of IL-4 (C-589T) in patients with acute brucellosis in the Republic of Azerbaijan and to establish its correlation with serum IL-4 levels. One hundred seventy eight patients with clinical symptoms of brucellosis were examined. According to the criteria for inclusion in a study of 178 patients, only 120 persons- (the main group) - fully met all criteria. The control group consisted of 30 practically healthy persons. Also, all patients in both groups were tested for IL-4 (C-589T) polymorphism and level of interleukin-4 (IL-4). It has been established that carriers of the allele T of the polymorphic (C-589T) IL-4 gene are at increased risk for brucellosis (OR=4.26, 95% CI [2.01-9.05]], whereas in the case of carrier allele C, on the contrary, is a reduced risk of developing brucellosis. The combination of genotypes C/T + T/T among patients with brucellosis was determined 3.1 times more than in practically healthy individuals (OR=10.31, 95% CI [1.55-19.18], χ2=29.21, p<0.0001). It was found that among the carriers of the C/C genotype, IL-4 level was 1.44 higher in brucellosis than in T/T genotype carriers and 1.2 times higher in comparison with the C/T genotype. Among carriers of the C/T genotype, there is a significantly increased risk of brucellosis (χ2=29.73; p=4.0E-7; OR=9.63; 95% CI [3.43-27.03] while cariousness of the homozygous genotype C/С, on the contrary, has a protective effect on the development of brucellosis (OR=0.10, 95% CI 0.04-0.25).

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The aim of this study was to examine association between IFNL4 gene ss469415590 and treatment efficiency in group of Ukrainian PEG-interferon/ribavirin-treated chronic hepatitis C patients. Study group consisted of 92 unrelated hepatitis C virus genotype 1 mono-infected patients: case group - 29 patients with late or absent virological response; control group - 63 patients with sustained virological response. Study material was genomic DNA. Genotyping was performed using amplification-refractory mutation system PCR. Statistical analysis was performed using GenePop and OpenEpi statistical packages. Obtained results show that ss469415590 ΔG/ΔG genotype is associated with poor virological response (OR = 3.62; CI 95%: 1.12-11.67) in PEG-interferon/ribavirin-treated chronic hepatitis C patients from Ukraine.

Thermоchemical Transformation in the Process of Obtaining and Modification of Nanoporous Carbon

The paper is devoted to the study of the thermochemical transformation in the process ofobtaining and modification of nanoporous carbon. Nanoporous carbon material, which was gottenin carbonization process, is characterized by specific surface area. The thermogravimetric study ofmaterials with linear heating and isothermal aging at a certain temperature were made to study theeffect of thermal activation, which was conducted in air and argon atmospheres

ITPA gene variant may protect against anemia induced during pegylated interferon alfa and ribavirin combination treatment in Ukrainian patients with chronic hepatitis C

The aim of this study was to clarify the association between the inosine triphosphate pyrophosphatase (ITPA) gene variants and PEG-IFNalpha/RBV combination treatment induced anemia in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) Ukrainian patients. The data were collected from 80 CHC patients with HCV genotype 1 infection. All study participants received standard doses of PEG-IFNalpha and RBV According to the Hb level changes patients were distributed into: case group--42 patients with combination treatment induced anemia, and control group--38 patients with no signs of anemia. Genotyping for ITPA gene rs1127354 and rs7270101 variants was performed using PCR followed by RFLP assay. Fisher's exact test was used to estimate the difference in genotype and allelic distribution. Distribution of rs 7270101 genotypes was not significantly different between groups of CHC patients with RB Vinduced anemia and without it. The frequency of rs1127354 A allele carriers was significantly higher (P < < 0,05) in group of CHC patients without anemia (23.7%) comparing to the group ofpatients with anemia (7.3%). The respective allele frequency in control group (13.2%) was almost 3-fold higher (P < 0,05) comparing to the case group (4.9%). Significant association of ITPA gene rs1127354 with protection against RB V-induced hemolytic anemia was found in Ukrainian patients with CHC infection. Rs1127354 variant may assist as a pharmacogenetic marker in HCV antiviral therapy correction for side effect avoidance..

Cometary science. The organic-rich surface of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko as seen by VIRTIS/Rosetta

The VIRTIS (Visible, Infrared and Thermal Imaging Spectrometer) instrument on board the Rosetta spacecraft has provided evidence of carbon-bearing compounds on the nucleus of the comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. The very low reflectance of the nucleus (normal albedo of 0.060 ± 0.003 at 0.55 micrometers), the spectral slopes in visible and infrared ranges (5 to 25 and 1.5 to 5% kÅ(-1)), and the broad absorption feature in the 2.9-to-3.6-micrometer range present across the entire illuminated surface are compatible with opaque minerals associated with nonvolatile organic macromolecular materials: a complex mixture of various types of carbon-hydrogen and/or oxygen-hydrogen chemical groups, with little contribution of nitrogen-hydrogen groups. In active areas, the changes in spectral slope and absorption feature width may suggest small amounts of water-ice. However, no ice-rich patches are observed, indicating a generally dehydrated nature for the surface currently illuminated by the Sun.

Controlled release recombinant human interferon-α2b for treating patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 1: a phase 2a clinical trial

Better convenience and tolerability and sustained therapeutic concentrations might improve interferon (IFN) treatment for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. In an open-label, randomized study, controlled release free (chemically unmodified) recombinant human IFN-α(2b) in poly(ether-ester) microspheres (CR-rhIFN-α(2b)), was injected at doses of 160, 320, 480 or 640 μg every 2 weeks for 12 weeks with concomitant weight-based oral ribavirin in 32 treatment-naïve patients with chronic HCV genotype 1. Treatment was well tolerated, with 31 patients (97%) successfully completing the study. Full doses of CR-rhIFN-α(2b) were administered on 96% of scheduled occasions. Flu-like symptoms were generally mild and brief. Injection site reactions developed in 13 patients (41%), and neutropenia occurred in six of eight patients receiving 640 μg. In the 320, 480 and 640 μg groups, 62-75% of patients achieved a ≥2 log(10) HCV RNA reduction by 4 weeks and 88-100% by 12 weeks. For those groups, the pooled median time to ≥2 log(10) reduction was 11 days (95% confidence interval, 7-35 days). In those groups, viral reduction below the limit of detection was accomplished in 25% of patients by 4 weeks and in 62% by 12 weeks. The 160-μg dose was less potent. After CR-rhIFN-α(2b) injection, stable plateau levels of serum IFN-α(2b) were generally reached within 72 h. Treatment-emergent neutralizing antibodies to IFN-α(2b) were observed in one patient. No antibodies to host plant proteins were detected. CR-rhIFN-α(2b) with ribavirin cotherapy was well tolerated and displayed potent early antiviral activity in patients with chronic HCV genotype 1.

Modulatory action of RFamide-related peptides on acid-sensing ionic channels is pH dependent: the role of arginine

Acid-sensing ionic channels (ASICs) are involved in such functions of the sensory nervous system as mechanoreception, nociception and perception of acid taste. Phe-Met-Arg-Phe amide-related (FMRFa-related) peptides in micro m concentrations slow down the rate of ASICs desensitization. Here we report that this effect is strongly pH dependent: the lower the pH used to activate ASICs, the larger is the modulatory effect of Arg-Phe amide-related (RFa-related) peptides. Pre-application of the peptides results in a change to the desensitization kinetics of the ASICs-operated current from monoexponential to biexponential: the fast component retains the control kinetics, whereas the slow one is induced by the peptide. The lower the pH, the larger is the slow component, whereas there is practically no modulation at pH 6.6. Phe-Met-Val-Phe amide (FMVFa), which has neutral valine instead of arginine, similarly modulates the kinetics of ASICs, but does not reveal pH dependence of this action. Thus, positively charged arginine regulates the access of the RFa-related peptides to the modulatory site. We suggest that the pH dependence of the modulatory action of RFa-related peptides can be associated with the interaction of a positively charged arginine with histidine residues in the molecule of ASIC.

Patterns of enkephalin immunolabeling in the pulmonate snail Cepaea nemoralis and related molluscs

In the land pulmonate snail Cepaea nemoralis, immunocytochemical localization of methionine- and leucine-enkephalin-like substances was demonstrated in specific populations of brain neurons. Methionine-enkephalin reactivity is also present in the peripheral nervous system as (i) abundant axonal projections of central neurons to the sole of the foot, and (ii) sparse local neurons of the head and mantle wall. Similar peripheral methionine-enkephalinergic elements were found immunocytochemically in all pulmonates (Helix aspersa, Lymnaea stagnalis) and prosobranchs (Littorina littorea, Acmaea testudinalis) examined and seem therefore conserved among gastropods. Their distribution was different from those of nervous elements labeled by antisera against serotonin and FMRFamide. The chiton Lepidopleurus asellus considered to be a more primitive mollusc, had both types of enkephalin-immunoreactive elements in the central nervous system whereas peripheral methionine-enkephalin-immunoreactive elements were lacking. It is suggested on the morphological evidence that enkephalinergic (especially methionine-enkephalinergic) neurons are part of a sensory system mediating analgetic effects in molluscs.

Is nitric oxide (NO) produced by invertebrate neurones?

NADPH-diaphorase (NADPHd) is known to be identical to nitric oxide (NO) synthase in the mammalian nervous system, and is therefore used as a marker of NO-producing neurones. Using the histochemical reaction for NADPHd, we searched for such neurones in a selection of invertebrates. Special emphasis was given to molluscs. No selective neuronal staining was found in representatives of coelenterates, turbellarians, nematodes and urochordates. In all annelids, arthropods and molluscs examined, with the exception of a chiton, specific neurones were selectively stained. The reaction was particularly strong in pulmonate molluscs where scattered positive neurones were found in various ganglia and clustered symmetrically in the paired buccal ganglia. Biochemical assay of NO synthase in osphradia of the gastropod mollusc Lymnaea stagnalis revealed a formation of citrullin that was inhibited by the specific NO synthase N omega-nitro-L-arginine (NO2Arg). Both histochemical and biochemical methods indicate that NO can be used as a signal molecule by specific neurones in advanced invertebrates.