Demonstrating Agreement between Radio and Fluorescence Measurements of the Depth of Maximum of Extensive Air Showers at the Pierre Auger Observatory

We show, for the first time, radio measurements of the depth of shower maximum (X_{max}) of air showers induced by cosmic rays that are compared to measurements of the established fluorescence method at the same location. Using measurements at the Pierre Auger Observatory we show full compatibility between our radio and the previously published fluorescence dataset, and between a subset of air showers observed simultaneously with both radio and fluorescence techniques, a measurement setup unique to the Pierre Auger Observatory. Furthermore, we show radio X_{max} resolution as a function of energy and demonstrate the ability to make competitive high-resolution X_{max} measurements with even a sparse radio array. With this, we show that the radio technique is capable of cosmic-ray mass composition studies, both at Auger and at other experiments.

Limits to Gauge Coupling in the Dark Sector Set by the Nonobservation of Instanton-Induced Decay of Super-Heavy Dark Matter in the Pierre Auger Observatory Data

Instantons, which are nonperturbative solutions to Yang-Mills equations, provide a signal for the occurrence of quantum tunneling between distinct classes of vacua. They can give rise to decays of particles otherwise forbidden. Using data collected at the Pierre Auger Observatory, we search for signatures of such instanton-induced processes that would be suggestive of super-heavy particles decaying in the Galactic halo. These particles could have been produced during the post-inflationary epoch and match the relic abundance of dark matter inferred today. The nonobservation of the signatures searched for allows us to derive a bound on the reduced coupling constant of gauge interactions in the dark sector: α_{X}≲0.09, for 10^{9}≲M_{X}/GeV<10^{19}. Conversely, we obtain that, for instance, a reduced coupling constant α_{X}=0.09 excludes masses M_{X}≳3×10^{13}  GeV. In the context of dark matter production from gravitational interactions alone, we illustrate how these bounds are complementary to those obtained on the Hubble rate at the end of inflation from the nonobservation of tensor modes in the cosmological microwave background.

Inducing situations and pathogenetic chains of health deterioration in combatants in the context of COVID-19 and quarantine

<b>Introduction: </b>The purpose of the study was to investigate the mechanisms underlying COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic and the ensuing health problems associated with quarantine.<br /> <b>Methods: </b>All combatants who were hospitalized during the first and most severe quarantine restrictions in Ukraine (from 12 March 2020 to 22 May 2020) were surveyed. Through clinical, anamnestic, psychopathological, and psychodiagnostic examination, including psychoanalysis and the fear of COVID-19 scale, the authors identified combatants’ health disorders and their association with pandemic and quarantine-related experiences.<br /> <b>Results: </b>The authors found that the following situations could provoke deterioration in the health of combatants due to fear: contact with a patient with COVID-19, planned posting to the hotbed of COVID-19, military service in the area of high risk of contact with patients with COVID-19, receiving information about COVID-19, receiving false information about COVID-19, disruption of critical infrastructure due to quarantine measures.the authorshave provided an algorithm by which these traumatic situations provoke the development of health disorders. In particular, they cause fear of social and work stigmatization due to infection with SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), fear of suffering or death during COVID-19, ear that family members will become infected, erroneous conclusions about someone deliberately exaggerating the dangers of COVID-19, feeling of injustice and incorrectness of the quarantine measures, household discomfort and organizational stress. These experiences change the subjective picture of the future of combatants, and this provokes the development or exacerbation of pre-existing mental and somatic disorders. The impact of information on COVID-19 on combatant health disorders was investigated.<br /> <b>Conclusions: </b>The authors believe that this knowledge will help to develop special psychoprophylactic approaches that would prevent the development of mental and somatic disorders due to the COVID-19 pandemic and improve the quality of quarantine measures. It will also allow measures to be taken to prevent a reduction in the army’s combat effectiveness through a pandemic and quarantine.

POS1344 USEFULNESS OF TRADITIONAL AND NOVEL BIOMARKERS FOR EVALUATION OF ADULT-ONSET STILL’s DISEASE ACTIVITY

Background

Adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD) is a rare systemic autoinflammatory disorder with unknown etiology. The main problem for rheumatologists is a lack of generally accepted methods for assessing AOSD activity.

Objectives

To compare the usefulness of traditional and novel biomarkers for assessing the AOSD activity

Methods

The cross-sectional study included 27 patients over the age of 18 with a relapse of AOSD who were examined at the Almazov National Medical Research Centre from 2018 to 2021.

All patients fulfilled the AOSD classification criteria by Yamaguchi. Clinical manifestations were scored in a Pouchot AOSD activity score. The serum concentrations of IL-1, IL-6, IL-18, ferritin, calgranulin, procalcitonin and the level of glycosylated ferritin (GF) were examined. Standard commercial reagents were used for detection clinical analysis of blood, C-reactive protein (CRP) and aminotransferases. Statistical analysis was performed using the licensed statistical applications Statistica 10.0 for Windows (StatSoft Inc., USA), and Prisma GraphPad 8.0 (GraphPad Software, USA). Results were expressed as median (25th–75th percentile) and analysed for statistical significance using nonparametric tests. For quantitative features comparison, the Mann–Whitney U test was used. The correlation coefficient was obtained by nonparametric Spearman’s rank correlation test. P values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Data from commercial test systems are taken as the basis for normal biomarker indicators.

Results

Clinical data were available from 27 patients with AOSD (6 male and 21 female). The median age was 41.3 [26;50]. The median Pouchot activity score was 6 [4.5;7]. The course of AOSD was monocyclic in 1 patient, polycyclic in 23, and chronic in 3. Elevated leukocyte count > 10,000/μl was detected in 17 patients (63%), 9 patients (33%) had an elevated leukocyte count > 15,000/μl.

An increase in biomarkers was detected in most patients: calgranulin was increased in 24 out of 26 patients (92.3%), ferritin was increased and GF was decreased in 21 out of 25 patients (84%). Among those 25 patients, the decrease in GF was less than 20% in 13 patients (52%). IL-18 increased in 17 patients (63%), IL-6 increased in 22 patients (81.5%), and procalcitonin increased in 16 out of 26 patients (61.6%). The median of procalcitonin concentration was 0.08 [0.01; 30.1]. No increase in IL-1 beta was detected.

A correlation analysis revealed a direct relationship between the concentration of IL-18, ferritin and the Pouchot system score. An inverse relationship existed between these indicators and the level of GF (rs=0.803, p=0.001) and between calgranulin and IL-6 (rs=0.46, p=0.02). It was noted that the younger the age of the patients, the higher the concentration of IL-18 (rs=-0.449, p=0.019).

Conclusion

The most promising additional laboratory biomarkers for assessing AOSD activity are calprotectin, IL-18, and ferritin. Despite a slight increase in procalcitonin as one of the indicators of the acute phase of inflammation, it remains an effective biomarker of sepsis; however, it is recommended to focus on threshold concentrations above 0.5.

References

[1]Ruscitti P, Cipriani P, Masedu F, Iacono D, Ciccia F, Liakouli V, Guggino G, Carubbi F, Berardicurti O, Di Benedetto P, Valenti M, Triolo G, Valentini G, Giacomelli R. Adult-onset Still’s disease: evaluation of prognostic tools and validation of the systemic score by analysis of 100 cases from three centers. BMC Med. 2016 Dec 1;14(1):194. doi: 10.1186/s12916-016-0738-8.

[2]Feist E, Mitrovic S, Fautrel B. Mechanisms, biomarkers and targets for adult-onset Still’s disease. Nat Rev Rheumatol. 2018 Oct;14(10):603-618. doi: 10.1038/s41584-018-0081-x.

[3]Lapin S, Maslyansky A., Lazareva N., Vasilyeva E., Totolyan A. The significance of the quantitative determination of procalcitonin for the diagnosis of septic complications in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Clinical laboratory diagnostics. 2013. No. 1.

Disclosure of Interests

Valentina Myachikova Speakers bureau: Novartis, Sobi, Evgenii Kuvardin: None declared, Kira Zotkina Speakers bureau: Novartis Amgen, Olga Tkachenko: None declared, Sergey Lapin: None declared, Alexey Maslyanskiy Speakers bureau: Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Novartis, R-PHARM. Eli Lilly

Features of the structure of psychopathological consequences in COVID-19

Introduction

International experience convincingly shows the prevalence of mental disorders secondary to COVID-19, the pathogenesis of which includes biological and psychosocial factors, which characterizes this area of research as relevant and timely.

Objectives

Analysis of the structure of the most common forms of psychopathology within consequences in COVID-19.

Methods

The study involved 45 patients with depressive episodes of varying severity (F 32.0, 32.1, 32.2) and 37 ones with anxiety disorders (F 40, 41). The average age of the examined groups was 39.42 ± 5.68 and 31.54 ± 4.36 years respectively. Clinico-psychopathological, psychodiagnostic, statistical methods were used.

Results

Significantly more patients with depressive disorders before the first clinical manifestations of the disease experienced COVID-19 in mild and moderate form (31.82% and 68.18% of individuals, respectively) (p <0.05), while patients with anxiety disorders were more affected to some stressors of the SARS-COV-2 pandemic (including threatening information background (83.78% of people), quarantine measures in the form of self-isolation (75.66% of people), uncertainty of the impact of coronavirus infection on the socio-economic situation) (62.16% of people)) (p < 0.05). It was found that the examined patients with a history of coronavirus COVID-19 are more likely to have depressive and asthenic syndromes in the clinical picture (p < 0.05), while patients with psychogenic effects of the pandemic - anxiety-phobic and somato-autonomic syndromes (p < 0,05).

Conclusions

Data on the influence of coronavirus disease COVID-19 and stressors of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on the formation of mental disorders of various genesis will allow to develop prevention algorithms and personalize therapeutic programs.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Measurement of the Fluctuations in the Number of Muons in Extensive Air Showers with the Pierre Auger Observatory

We present the first measurement of the fluctuations in the number of muons in extensive air showers produced by ultrahigh energy cosmic rays. We find that the measured fluctuations are in good agreement with predictions from air shower simulations. This observation provides new insights into the origin of the previously reported deficit of muons in air shower simulations and constrains models of hadronic interactions at ultrahigh energies. Our measurement is compatible with the muon deficit originating from small deviations in the predictions from hadronic interaction models of particle production that accumulate as the showers develop.

IMPROVEMENT OF THE TECHNOLOGICAL MODES OF PRODUCING DRY WHITE TABLE WINES

By using the classical technology of making dry white wines, which does not involve maceration of the pomace, we can produce standard table wines, light and delicate. This minimises such an objectionable factor as saturation of the wine with extra nitrogenous and phenolic substances and oxidative enzymes. On the other hand, this scheme gives a specific varietal aroma no chance to reveal itself more expressively. The paper overviews briefly the scientific works considering the modes of pomace maceration before fermentation and the use of enzyme preparations in the technology of white table wines. The physicochemical and sensory characteristics of wine materials from Rkatsiteli grapes grown in the south of the Mykolaiv Region have been analysed. This analysis has proved that standard white table wine materials can be obtained both by the traditional method (the so called ‘white’ method) and with the use of short-term maceration of the pomace. Macerating the pomace resulted in obtaining fuller, richer wine materials with a bright aroma and good body. It has been shown that to obtain bright and not too blunt wine materials, the most essential parameter of the maceration process is its low temperature. A pectolytic enzyme preparation used during maceration increased, to some extent, the mass concentration of phenolic substances, the reduced extract, the optical density, and the concentration of terpene alcohols. Besides, it allowed fuller revealing a wine’s aromatic profile. The research has resulted in establishing that there is regularity in how the concentration of terpene alcohols changes with different temperature conditions of steeping the pomace. It has been shown that the maximum concentration of terpenes responsible for the varietal aroma is best retained in wine materials when the maceration temperature is 5°C. A rise in the pomace maceration temperature to 20°C led to a decrease in the concentration of labile terpene alcohols, so it should be avoided in producing quality wines. Studying different maceration modes has allowed recommending a certain method to manufacture full-bodied, well-structured white table wines with a pronounced varietal aroma. This method involves adding the enzyme preparation Depectil CLARIFICATION to the pomace and macerating it for 12 hours at 5°C.

RENAL, HEPATIC AND IMMUNE FUNCTION INDICES IN PATIENTS WITH DUCHENNE MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY

The purpose of the study is to examine in depth and analyze renal, hepatic and immune function indices in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. We analyzed the follow up clinical and laboratory data of Duchenne muscular dystrophy in 32 patients. The patients underwent a standardized examination, involving studying the medical case history, general clinical data, determining Sheldon's somatotype and the constitutional type, the detailed neurological status examination, testing a personality type, laboratory and instrumental examinations. Through the laboratory examination we determined the general blood test indicators, total serum protein levels, total cholesterol, the ALAT, ASAT, CPK levels, creatinine and urea blood levels, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), the immunogram indices (dynamic data (B-lymphocytes (CD19/CD45), %; T-lymphocytes (CD3/CD 45), %; T-helpers (CD3/CD45/CD4), %; T-suppressors (CD3/CD45/ CD8), %; CD4:CD8 ratio; natural killer cells ratio, myositis profile (Mi-2, IgG antibodies (idiopathic myositis marker); Ku, IgG antibodies (sclerodermia and myositis combination marker); the PM-Scl complex, IgG antibodies (sclerodermia marker); histidyl tRNA synthetase (Jo-1), IgG antibodies; threonyl-tRNA synthetase (PL-7), IgG antibodies; alanyl-tRNA synthetase (PL-12), IgG antibodies; RING-type E3 ubiquitin-ligase (Ro-52), IgG antibodies and the genetic markers of the disease. The instrumental examination included the ultrasound of the abdominal organs, muscles, as well as echo-cardiography, electroneuromyography. According to the analysis of the immunograms, the T-helpers level was found to be below the reference value in 14 patients (45,2%). Herewith, the B-lymphocytes count was observed to deviate from the norm in only 4 patients (8%). However, there was established the presence of an indirect moderate correlation between the B-lymphocytes count and Creatine phosphokinase level in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy; the correlation coefficient was equal to - 0.42 (р<0,05). Having analyzed the renal function indices, we revealed that the creatinine blood level was lower than the lower limit of the reference values in almost a third of patients (21%), but the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) by the SKD-EPI formula was found to be insignificantly reduced in 16% of patients, and it was within 66-87 ml/min/1.73 m2. Regardless, no correlation between the Creatine phosphokinase level, on one side, and creatinine blood level and the glomerular filtration rate, on the other side, was found. However, there was established the presence of an indirect weak correlation between the Creatine phosphokinase level and serum urea level in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (the correlation coefficient was equal to - 0.28, p<0.05). Having analyzed the hepatic function indices, we revealed that such indicators of liver enzymatic activity as alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase were significantly over the limit in almost all the patients (94%) with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Concurrently, we revealed the presence of a direct strong correlation between the Creatine phosphokinase level and the alanine aminotransferase level, which was equal to +0,86 (р<0,05) and the presence of a direct moderate correlation between the aspartate aminotransferase and the Creatine phosphokinase level which was equal to + 0.56 (р<0,05). We also found that the level of alkaline phosphatase was also significantly higher than the normal one in 69% of our patients. The patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy had various multidirectional disorders of the immune status, impaired renal function (in particular, a decrease in serum creatinine concentration and reduced glomerular filtration rate), as well as the divergence of liver enzyme parameters (in particular, a significant increase in transaminase levels).

Features of the Energy Spectrum of Cosmic Rays above 2.5×10^{18} eV Using the Pierre Auger Observatory

We report a measurement of the energy spectrum of cosmic rays above 2.5×10^{18}  eV based on 215 030 events. New results are presented: at about 1.3×10^{19}  eV, the spectral index changes from 2.51±0.03(stat)±0.05(syst) to 3.05±0.05(stat)±0.10(syst), evolving to 5.1±0.3(stat)±0.1(syst) beyond 5×10^{19}  eV, while no significant dependence of spectral features on the declination is seen in the accessible range. These features of the spectrum can be reproduced in models with energy-dependent mass composition. The energy density in cosmic rays above 5×10^{18}  eV is [5.66±0.03(stat)±1.40(syst)]×10^{53}  erg Mpc^{-3}.

SPECIFIC FEATURES OF NITROGEN METABOLISM DURING FERMENTATION OF MUST FROM WHITE GRAPE VARIETIES GROWN IN THE ODESSA REGION

For wine quality management, nitrogen metabolism should be considered as a key process in the system “grape – wine.” Nitrogen is one of the dominant elements a grapevine receives from the soil. It is important in many biological processes of the plant itself and of the microorganisms involved in fermentation. Nitrogen-containing compounds are nutrients necessary for yeast growth, in particular, for stable fermentation. This group of compounds directly and indirectly affects the aromatic and taste qualities of wine during its maturation and largely determines its stability. Nitrogen compounds are transferred to wine directly from grapes and yeast during fermentation. Since their role in the formation and maturation of wine is significant, it is highly important to regulate their metabolism in the fermenting must. On analysing literature references and summarising the information on the metabolism of nitric substances, a scheme has been developed reflecting how these substances influence the formation of the quality characteristics of grape wines. The paper presents the results of studying the metabolism of total nitrogen and amino nitrogen in grape must during its fermentation. The grape variety considered in the research was Sukholimansky White bred by the National Science Centre “Tairov Institute of Viticulture and Winemaking” and harvested in 2015–2017. It has been established that nitrogen metabolism during fermentation does not depend on the feedings added. However, the yeast race affects the physicochemical parameters, namely the content of volatile acids. It has been observed that during fermentation, the amine nitrogen concentration decreases by 90% and the total nitrogen concentration by 40–50%. Regarding the factors that effect on the quality characteristics of wines produced in the South of Ukraine, the physicochemical parameters of wine materials can be improved by using the active dry yeast Vitilevure Quartz and the nutritional supplements Actiferm 1 and Actiferm 2, in combination with aeration. This allows revealing fruity aromas, and achieving the right acidity and harmony of taste due to the presence of the descriptors (butter, apple, peach, apricot, and geranium) characteristic of the grape variety Sukholimansky White.

A FAMILY HISTORY OF DUCHENNE MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY

The purpose of the study is to examine in depth and analyze the clinical and some paraclinical characteristics for a family history of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. We analyzed the follow up clinical and laboratory data of Duchenne muscular dystrophy in two brothers-german, aged 16 and 14, respectively. The patients underwent a standardized examination, involving studying the medical case history, general clinical data, determining Sheldon's somatotype and the constitutional type, the detailed neurological status examination, testing a personality type, laboratory and instrumental examinations. Through the laboratory examination we determined the general blood test indicators, total serum protein levels, total cholesterol, the ALAT, ASAT, CPK levels, the indicators of the immunogram, myositis profile and the genetic markers of the disease. The instrumental examination included the ultrasound of the abdominal organs, muscles, as well as echo-cardiography, electroneuromyography. A complete examination fragment of 42 patients with myodystrophies is presented. The paper presents the neurological examination results, the genetic study data and the CPK level indicators in the representatives of Duchenne muscular dystrophy family history. The given family history of Duchenne muscular dystrophy showed two brothers-german to have differences both in the defective dystrophin gene exons at Xp21 and in the disease clinical picture. Thus, patient A., who is an elder brother was detected to have exon 47, 48, 50 and 52 deletion, and patient B., who is a younger brother, was found to have exon 45-43 deletion. The presented family history of Duchenne muscular dystrophy acknowledges the fact that the clinical, genetic, biochemical and other characteristics in patients with dystrophinopathies warrant further comprehensive investigations in order to update diagnostic and prognostic techniques, considering the great medical and social significance of this disabling pathology. However, the onset age of the disease, the clinical course, and the changes in the CPK level were different. Due to the muscle ultrasound both patients were detected to have degenerative changes in the proximal upper and lower limbs.

SAT0533 ADULT ONSET STILLS DISEASE AND IDIOPATHIC RECURRENT PERICARDITIS: ARE THE MORE SIMILARITIES OR DIFFERENCES?

Background:

Adult onset Stills disease (AOSD) and Idiopathic recurrent pericarditis (IRP) are currently considered auto-inflammatory diseases. Common features of these disorders are symptoms such as fever, leukocytosis, serositis, increased acute phase reactants.

Diagnosis of IRP is based on ESC 2015 diagnostic criteria, while AOSD is defined according to 3 sets of classification criteria. A detailed study shows that modern criteria for these nosologies overlap and do not allow distinguishing one from the other.

Objectives:

We have not found any data on the comparison of the two groups in the literature. We compared the two groups of patients according to several parameters, such as clinical features, laboratory testing, genetic analysis to identify common patterns.

Methods:

We enrolled 22 newly identified subjects (13 patients with AOSD, 9 patients with IRP) to our prospective, monocenter study. The mean age of patients with AOSD was 31 [22; 39], the mean age of patients with IRP was 46 [35;54]. Blood sampling in all patients was performed in the flare.

We quantified the serum levels of ferritin and its glycosylated fraction in both groups. Mutations of the MEFV, TNFRSF1A genes were studied. As more sensitive imaging methods for lymphadenopathy and serositis, we performed the following instrumental studies for all patients: transthoracic echocardiography, ultrasound of the abdominal cavity and pelvis, chest high-resolution computed tomography.

Results:

One subject with a heterozygous missense variant was found in exon

2 of the MEFV gene (E148Q) in the IRP group. The patient was excluded from our study. Elevated white blood cell (WBC) count and C-reactive protein (CRP) were observed in all patients in 2 groups, however, the level of WBC greater than 10,000/mm3was found only in 10 patients from the AOSD group and 5 – from the IRP. Elevated ferritin level in both groups was detected. The number of subjects with high level of ferritin in the AOSD group reached 12 (n=13), in the IRP group – 7 (n=8).

The ferritin level appeared to be more significant in the AOSD group compared to the IRP group (1521 ng/ml vs 408 ng/ml p=0.0159) Figure 1.In turn, lower glycosylated ferritin was recorded in 9 patients with AOSD (n=13), and 7 – with IRP (n=8). We have demonstrated a more significant decrease of glycosylated ferritin level in patients with AOSD in comparison to patients with IRP, which amounted (11% vs 37% p = 0.0286) reference value (38.6%-84.7%). Figure 1.

Abnormal liver function tests were found in the majority of patients with AOSD and IRP (61% vs 75%).

We have also shown that, if the patient had pericardial effusion, the fluid was present in the pleural cavity, regardless of the group.

The number of AOSD patients with polyserositis was 5 (n=13).

Other symptoms are presented in Table 1

Table 1Symptom and signAOSD (n=13)IRP (n=8)CRP mg/L, mean, %123 [69;164], 100%151[65; 226], 100%Pericarditis38%100%Pleuritis38%100%Leukocytosis ≥10,000/mm377%62%Abnormal liver function tests61%75%Fever >39 °C100%100%Rush77%0 %Arthralgia100%75%Arthritis, lasting 2 weeks or longer100%12.5%Sore throat54%0%Recent lymphadenopathy85%25%Hepatomegaly or splenomegaly54%62%Elevated ferritin92%87%Glycosylated ferritin ≤20%69%25%

Conclusion:

The level of ferritin in the IRP group was lower, which can be explained by a less generalized process, the absence of such symptoms as arthritis, rash, splenomegaly.

Diagnostic and classification criteria of both disorders do not allow distinguishing between the diseases.

There might be no differences between the diseases; further research (on more representative groups) is needed. We consider the comparison of the gene-expression analysis in these patients to be of great importance.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

Profiling of non-criteria antiphospholipid antibodies in patients with SLE: differentiation of thrombotic SLE patients and risk of recurrence of thrombosis

To reveal the clinical significance of criteria and non-criteria antiphospholipid antibodies detected by line immunoassay in comparison with ELISA, systemic lupus erythematosus patients with and without thrombotic events were investigated. Thus, 107 systemic lupus erythematosus patients (48% with deep vein thrombosis or/and arterial thrombosis) and 120 healthy donors were enrolled. Serum antiphospholipid antibodies were detected by ELISA (Orgentec Diagnostika, Germany) and line immunoassay (GA Generic Assays, Germany). Lupus anticoagulant and IgG to cardiolipin and β2GPI but not IgM as well as triple positivity by ELISA and line immunoassay were linked with thrombosis in systemic lupus erythematosus. IgG to phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylserine by line immunoassay showed significantly higher levels in systemic lupus erythematosus with deep vein thrombosis/arterial thrombosis than without and were independent risk factors for deep vein thrombosis (odds ratio 3.9, 95% confidence interval 1.1, 13.2) and arterial thrombosis (odds ratio 5.1, 95% confidence interval 1.3, 19.8) as well as thrombosis (odds ratio 3.6, 95% confidence interval 1.1, 11.3) and recurrence thereof (odds ratio 6.9, 95% confidence interval 2.1, 22.6), respectively. The occurrence of >4 IgG antiphospholipid antibodies by line immunoassay was an independent risk factor for thrombosis (odds ratio 10.9, 95% confidence interval 1.2, 101.5), arterial thrombosis (odds ratio 14.6, 95% confidence interval 2.5, 86.3), deep vein thrombosis (odds ratio 5.8, 95% confidence interval 1.0, 32.4) and recurrence of thrombosis (odds ratio 35.9, 95% confidence interval 3.8, 342.8). Line immunoassay is a promising multiplex test for the simultaneous detection of criteria and non-criteria antiphospholipid antibodies. Profiling of antiphospholipid antibodies by line immunoassay can differentiate systemic lupus erythematosus patients with thrombosis from systemic lupus erythematosus patients without and assess the risk for thrombosis and recurrence thereof.

SPECIFIC FEATURES OF FERMENTATION OF THE MUST FROM WHITE GRAPE VARIETIES IN THE CONDITIONS OF THE ODESSA REGION

One of the most important problems of the modern wine technology is the production of high quality and competitive products. It is commonly known that the quality of a wine largely depends on the yeast race. The main requirement for yeast is completeness of fermentation, which depends on the amount  of yeast involved, aeration, initial content of various substances in the must, temperature, pH of the environment. Using  imported  materials in the specific conditions of national winemaking requires laboratory and industrial research to rationalize the use of local and foreign pure yeast cultures and to accelerate the process of grape must fermentation. So, this study considers how  the  yeast  origin and additional nutrition effect on grape must fermentation and influence the physicochemical and organoleptic characteristics of wine materials obtained from the white grape varieties  Aromatny and Zagrei of the generative breeding by the National Scientific Centre Tairov Viticulture and Winemaking Institute. Besides, it has been concluded whether using additional nutrition  is  practical.  It has been established that the fermentation process was complete in both the control and the experimental samples. There were no facts of underfermentation. When supplementary nitrogenous nutrition was used, the fermentation activity of yeast increased and the fermentation process ended faster. The dynamics of the  total  number of cells of the Aromatic and Zagrei varieties was the same during the years 2015–2017 and did not depend on the fermentation scheme. It has been found that the fermentation process does not depend on supplementary nutrition, but the yeast race effects on the physicochemical parameters, namely on the volatile acids content. The results obtained have shown the effect of a yeast race and supplementary nutrition on the organoleptic characteristics of these varieties. In Southern Ukraine, to control the quality characteristics of wine materials, using active dry yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae with a two-stage nutrition complex has a positive effect on the physicochemical parameters of the corresponding grape variety and allows revealing its varietal characteristics.

Direct actions of androgen, estrogen and anti-Müllerian hormone on primate secondary follicle development in the absence of FSH in vitro

STUDY QUESTION

What are effects of androgen, estrogen and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), independent of FSH action, on the development and function of primate follicles from the preantral to small antral stage in vitro?

SUMMARY ANSWER

Androgen and estrogen, but not AMH, promote follicle survival and growth in vitro, in the absence of FSH. However, their growth-promoting effects are limited to the preantral to early antral stage.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

FSH supports primate preantral follicle development in vitro. Androgen and estrogen augment follicle survival and growth in the presence of FSH during culture.

STUDY DESIGN SIZE, DURATION

Nonhuman primate model; randomized, control versus treatment groups. Rhesus macaque (n = 6) secondary follicles (n = 24 per animal per treatment group) were cultured for 5 weeks.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

Follicles were encapsulated in 0.25% (w/v) alginate and cultured individually in modified alpha minimum essential media with (i) FSH (1 ng/ml; control), (ii) no FSH, (iii) no FSH + estradiol (E2; 100 pg/ml)/dihydrotestosterone (DHT; 50 ng/ml) and (iv) no FSH + AMH (50 ng/ml). In a second experiment, follicles were cultured with (i) FSH (1 ng/ml), (ii) no FSH, (iii) no FSH + E2 (1 ng/ml), (iv) no FSH + DHT (50 ng/ml) and (v) no FSH + E2/DHT. Follicle survival, antrum formation and growth pattern were evaluated. Progesterone (P4), E2 and AMH concentrations in culture media were measured.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

In the first experiment, FSH deprivation significantly decreased (P < 0.05) follicle survival rates in the no FSH group (16 ± 5%), compared to CTRL (66 ± 9%). E2/DHT (49 ± 5%), but not AMH (27 ± 8%), restored follicle survival rate to the CTRL level. Similarly, antrum formation rates were higher (P < 0.05) in CTRL (56 ± 6%) and E2/DHT groups (54 ± 14%), compared to no FSH (0 ± 0%) and AMH (11 ± 11%) groups. However, follicle growth rate after antrum formation and follicle diameter at week 5 was reduced (P < 0.05) in the E2/DHT group (405 ± 25 μm), compared to CTRL (522 ± 29 μm). Indeed, the proportion of fast-grow follicles at week 5 was higher in CTRL (29% ± 5), compared to E2/DHT group (10 ± 3%). No fast-grow follicles were observed in no FSH and AMH groups. AMH levels at week 3 remained similar in all groups. However, media concentrations of P4 and E2 at week 5 were lower (P < 0.05, undetectable) in no FSH, E2/DHT and AMH groups, compared to CTRL (P4 = 93 ± 10 ng/ml; E2 = 4 ± 1 ng/ml). In the second experiment, FSH depletion diminished follicle survival rate (66 ± 8% in control versus 45 ± 9% in no FSH, P = 0.034). E2 plus DHT (31.5 ± 11%) or DHT alone (69 ± 9%) restored follicle survival rate to the control (FSH) level as expected. Also, E2 plus DHT or DHT alone improved antrum formation rate. However, in the absence of FSH, E2 plus DHT or DHT alone did not support growth, in terms of follicle diameter, or steroid (P4 or E2) production after the antral stage.

LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION

This study is limited to in vitro effects of E2, DHT and AMH during the interval from the secondary to small antral stage of macaque follicular development. In addition, the primate follicle pool is heterogeneous and differs between animals; therefore, even though only secondary follicles were selected, follicle growth and developmental outcomes might differ from one animal to another.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

This study provides novel information on the possible actions of estrogen and androgen during early follicular development in primates. Our results suggest that sequential exposure of preantral follicles to local factors, e.g. E2 and DHT, followed by gonadotropin once the follicle reaches the antral stage, may better mimic primate folliculogenesis in vivo.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

Research reported in this publication was supported by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Center for Translational Research on Reproduction and Infertility 5P50HD071836, and the NIH Primate Centers Program 8P510D011092. There are no conflicts of interest.

RESULTS OF EVLT: RADIAL FIBER VERSUS BARE-TIP FIBER WITH CHEMICAL ASSISTANCE

Purpose of the study - comparison of the effectiveness of various methods of endovenous laser coagulation of the great saphenous vein, searching the optimal scheme for the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency. Retrospective analyze of 318 clinical cases of combined surgical treatment using various methods of thermoablation (bare-tip fiber, radial fiber, simultaneous thermoablation and echosclerobliteration) of a great saphenous vein. By the parameter of the great saphenous vein occlusion, the results in the group of simultaneous thermoablation and echosclerobliteration surpassed the bare-tip thermoablation group results and were comparable with the results of radial thermoablation. The combination of methods of subcutaneous veins occlusion allows to use lower-energy modes of bare-tip endovenous laser coagulation to achieve the effective vein obliteration comparable to the results of radial thermoablation.

Quality parameters of wine grape varieties under the influence of different vine spacing and training systems

Physicochemical and biochemical indices, which characterize quality of white wine grape varieties Zagrey and Aromatnyi of selection of NNC «IV&W named after V. Ye. Tairov», (harvest of 2016) were determined. The field trial which includes various variants of planting density and vine training systems, made it possible to study the influence of viticulture practices on the criteria of carbohydrate-acid and phenolic complex, oxidative enzyme system of grapes. Low-density plantings of Aromatnyi variety (2222 vines per ha) were characterized by harvest that slightly exceeded the grapes obtained from dense plantations (4000 vines per ha) in terms of carbohydrate-acid and phenolic complexes. The most optimal in terms of the mass concentration of sugars, phenolic substances, polymer forms, macerating ability of must, activity of oxidizing enzyme system was cultivation of this variety on a 160 cm – high trunk. Growing grapes of Zagrey variety with vine spacing, corresponding to 4000 plants per ha, contributed to obtaining harvest with optimal parameters of carbohydrate-acid complex, low technological reserve and mass concentration of phenolic compounds, moderate macerating ability and activity of monophenol monooxygenase in must. Training vines of this variety on a 40 cm high trunk with vertical shoot positioning led to significant deterioration of grape quality due to increased content of phenolic substances and their polymer forms, high macerating capacity of must.

Analysis of alternative methods and price politic of icewine production

The artificial methods of must concentration were discussed in current study: the microwave vacuum dehydration, reverse osmosis and cryoextraction. The main factor of using of alternative ways is deficiently low temperatures in winter period that are necessary for freezing grapes on vine according to the classical technology. The benefits and disadvantages of using of non-classic processes to obtain sweet musts were shown. The physical, chemical and sensory characteristics of wine made from grapes previously frozen by alternative and natural ways were analyzed. Indicators influencing on price of icewines and dessert wines bottle including agricultural climatic, technological and marketing factors were determined.  Detailed indicators highlight specificity of used technology and represent consumer preferences. Producers of winemaking regions of Argentina, New Zealand, Israel, Ukraine and Australia adhere to provisions that are inconsistent with the standards of Canada and the European countries regarding the icewine output. These instruments determine the processing of grapes and parameters reflect on parameters of the finished product.

Effects of diuretics on stroke development in Kyoto-Wistar stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats

1. Previous studies have indicated that increases in dietary K+ promote diuresis and retard stroke development in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (spSHR) fed a Japanese-style diet containing 4% NaCl. 2. It is possible that elevations in dietary K+ retard stroke development by inducing natriuresis and facilitating the clearance of Na+, and that diuretics associated with natriuresis might also be capable of retarding stroke development in spSHR. To test if this was the case, the onset of stroke development in spSHR fed a low (0.75%) K+ diet containing 4% NaCl (controls) was monitored and compared with that in spSHR treated with (a) frusemide, (b) chlorothiazide, (c) amiloride or (d) acetazolamide, and with (e) untreated spSHR fed a high (2.11%) K+ diet. 3. The onset of stroke, as well as death resulting from stroke, occurred at a significantly later age in spSHR fed a high K+ diet than in spSHR fed a low-K+ diet, despite the fact that both groups of spSHR rats had comparable blood pressures. 4. Treatment of spSHR with the above-named diuretics before stroke development did not alter the blood pressure of the rats. The onset of stroke development and death in spSHR treated with chlorothiazide, amiloride or acetazolamide was comparable with that observed in untreated control spSHR. In spSHR treated with frusemide, the onset of stroke was comparable with that of untreated control spSHR, whereas the onset of death after stroke development was accelerated. 5. Post mortems performed on spSHR that developed stroke indicated the presence of haemorrhagic stroke of comparable severity in the six groups of spSHR studied.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)