NOS3 (rs61722009) gene variants testing in prediction of COVID-19 pneumonia severity.

Background: There is a hypothesis that a sufficient level of endothelial nitric oxide synthase is important for reliable protection against COVID-19. Theoretical ideas about the NOS3 gene demonstrated that it can have an effect on links of the complications pathogenesis in COVID-associated pneumonia. We determined the goal - to investigate the association of the NOS3 gene variants with the occurrence of the disease and its clinical course in patients of the intensive care unit.

SFTPB (rs11130866) and NR3C1 (rs41423247) gene variants as potential clinical biomarkers for personalized treatment strategy selection in patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia.

Background: Exploring the pathogenetic mechanisms behind severe lung damage in COVID-19 is crucial. In this study, we decided to focus on two molecular markers that affect surfactant metabolism and lung development: the surfactant protein B (SFTPB) and the glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1) genes. The aim of our study was to determine the effect of SFTPB (rs11130866) and NR3C1 (rs41423247) gene variants on the course of the disease in patients with COVID-19, and the treatment measures they required.

Modifying effects of , and genes on the development risk and the course of COVID-19. Pilot study.

Objectives: COVID-19 continues to range around the world and set morbidity and mortality antirecords. Determining the role of genetic factors in the development of COVID-19 may contribute to the understanding of the pathogenetic mechanisms that lead to the development of complications and fatalities in this disease. The aim of our study was to analyze the effect of (rs1800629), (rs1800795) and (rs731236 and rs1544410) genes variants on the development risk and the course of COVID-19 in intensive care patients.

Improving ability of RSV microneutralization assay to detect G-specific and cross-reactive neutralizing antibodies through immortalized cell line selection.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a significant cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia. Protection against RSV is associated with neutralizing antibodies against the fusion (F) and attachment (G) glycoproteins. Several RSV vaccine candidates are in development, but their immunogenicity is hard to compare due to the little-understood differences between multiple RSV neutralizing antibody assays used.

Measurements of CD34+/CD45-dim Stem Cells Predict Healing of Diabetic Neuropathic Wounds.

Management of neuropathic foot ulcers in patients with diabetes (DFUs) has changed little over the past decade, and there is currently no objective method to gauge probability of successful healing. We hypothesized that studies of stem/progenitor cells (SPCs) in the early weeks of standard wound management could predict who will heal within 16 weeks. Blood and debrided wound margins were collected for 8 weeks from 100 patients undergoing weekly evaluations and treatment.

Sulforaphane-induced transcription of thioredoxin reductase in lens: possible significance against cataract formation.

Purpose: Sulforaphane is a phytochemically derived organic isothiocyanate 1-isothiocyanato-4-methylsulfinyl-butane present naturally in crucifers, including broccoli and cauliflower. Biochemically, it has been reported to induce the transcription of several antioxidant enzymes. Since such enzymes have been implicated in preventing cataract formation triggered by the intraocular generation of oxy-radical species, the purpose of this investigation was to examine whether it could induce the formation of antioxidant enzymes in the eye lens.

Protective effect of caffeine against high sugar-induced transcription of microRNAs and consequent gene silencing: a study using lenses of galactosemic mice.

Purpose: Previous studies have shown that caffeine prevents the formation of cataracts induced by a high-galactose diet and consequent oxidative stress. The objective of this study was to investigate if this protective effect is reflected in the attenuation of the transcription of microRNAs (miRNAs) known to induce apoptosis and cell death by gene silencing.

Methods: Young CD-1 mice were fed either a normal laboratory diet or a diet containing 25% galactose with or without 1% caffeine.

Effect of high sugar levels on miRNA expression. Studies with galactosemic mice lenses.

Purpose: Development of cataract is associated with apoptotic death of the lens epithelial cells. The purpose of this investigation was to examine whether this could be explained by enhancement in the expression of certain pro-apoptotic microRNAs (miRs), known to induce apoptosis by hybridizing with target mRNAs, with the consequence of gene silencing. In addition, it was intended to investigate if such expression could be antagonized by reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavengers.

Prevention of cataract in diabetic mice by topical pyruvate.

Background: It has been previously reported that oral administration of sodium pyruvate inhibits oxidative stress and cataract formation in diabetic animals. With a view to exploring the clinical usefulness of these findings, this study examined its preventive effect when administered topically as an eye drop.

Methods: Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injections of streptozotocin.

Role of ultraviolet irradiation and oxidative stress in cataract formation-medical prevention by nutritional antioxidants and metabolic agonists.

Purpose: Cataract is a significant cause of visual disability with relatively high incidence. It has been proposed that such high incidence is related to oxidative stress induced by continued intraocular penetration of light and consequent photochemical generation of reactive oxygen species, such as superoxide and singlet oxygen and their derivatization to other oxidants, such as hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radical. The latter two can also interact to generate singlet oxygen by Haber-Weiss reaction.

Effectiveness of topical caffeine in cataract prevention: studies with galactose cataract.

Purpose: The primary objective of the study was to investigate the possible inhibition of cataract formation by topical administration of caffeine using the galactosemic rat model. It was hypothesized that caffeine will do so by acting as scavenger of reactive oxygen species known to be generated under hyperglycemic conditions.

Methods: Cataract was induced by feeding young rats a diet containing 24% galactose for a period of 25 days.

Inhibition of selenite-induced cataract by caffeine.

Purpose: The objective of the investigation was to study possible inhibition of oxidative stress and cataract formation by caffeine in vivo.

Methods: Oxidative stress and consequent cataract formation was induced by intraperitoneal administration of a single dose of sodium selenite (1.16 μmol) to Sprague-Dawley rat pups on day 9 postnatally.

Inhibition of glycolysis in the retina by oxidative stress: prevention by pyruvate.

Intraocular generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) with consequent oxidative stress has been shown to be a significant factor in the pathogenesis of many vision-impairing diseases such as cataracts and retinal degenerations. Previous studies have shown that pyruvate can inhibit such oxidative stress. This is attributable to its property of scavenging various ROS and consequently inhibiting many of the apparent toxic reactions such as lipid peroxidation and loss of tissue thiols.

Oxidative stress in lens in vivo: inhibitory effect of caffeine. A preliminary report.

Purpose: Experiments have been conducted to study the hypothesis that caffeine would inhibit reactive oxygen species induced oxidative stress in the lens in vivo, with implications of attenuating or preventing cataract formation.

Methods: Oxidative stress was directly induced by administering 24% galactose diet to young adult rats. The treated group was fed a diet containing 24% galactose + 1% caffeine.

Intraocular penetration of pyruvate following its topical administration in mice.

Previous studies from our laboratory have demonstrated that pyruvate, an endogenous alpha-keto acid metabolite, has a protective effect against oxidative stress induced damage to the ocular tissues including the lens, in which in addition to exerting its protective effect against tissue damage caused by oxyradicals generated under organ culture, it is also found effective in preventing actual cataract formation in vivo in animal models undergoing direct oxidative stress as well as in diabetes. In the latter studies, pyruvate was administered mixed with diet and drinking water. However, with the view of the desirability of treating eye diseases by topical administration of the pharmacological agents, the present studies were conducted to determine the penetrability of pyruvate through the cornea to the aqueous humor and the lens following its topical administration as its ester, ethyl pyruvate (EP).

UV-B-induced damage to the lens in vitro: prevention by caffeine.

Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation is one of the significant risk factors in the genesis of cataracts. Pathogenetically, the process can be triggered by the intraocular generation of various reactive species of oxygen that are well known to be initiated by the penetration of light, especially of the UV frequencies. The contribution of UV exposure in the etiology of this disease is likely to increase further due to ozone depletion in the upper atmosphere.

Induction of ultraviolet cataracts in vitro: prevention by pyruvate.

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is one of the important cataract risk factors. The present studies examined the hypothesis that this effect is due to the UV penetration through the cornea and subsequent induction of a photochemical generation of reactive species of oxygen (ROS) in the aqueous and lens. The hypothesis was ascertained by rat lens organ culture studies conducted under UV (365 nm), with media containing micromolar levels of riboflavin, with and without pyruvate, the latter acting as an ROS scavenger.

Oxidative damage to lens in culture: reversibility by pyruvate and ethyl pyruvate.

It is generally believed that prophylactic intake of antioxidants is beneficial in delaying the onset of some aging manifestations such as cataract. However, whether such a supplementation will also be effective if the pathophysiological process has already set in remains a largely open question. We examined this possibility with lens changes leading to cataract formation, since cataract genesis is intimately related to a continued generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the aqueous humor.

Attenuation and delay of diabetic cataracts by antioxidants: effectiveness of pyruvate after onset of cataract.

Cataract is one of the most significant vision-impairing complications of diabetes. The present study examined the feasibility of inhibiting cataract formation by treatment with pyruvate, a metabolite known to effectively scavenge reactive species of oxygen and inhibit protein glycation, both known to be involved in the genesis of diabetic cataracts. In addition, pyruvate stimulates tissue metabolism, which is depressed with the onset of cataract formation.

[Participation of midbrain central gray neurons in the organization of defensive conditioned reflexes in the cat].

Neuronal reactions of the periaqueductal gray matter were studied in cats during conditioning defence reflex to auditory stimuli. Phasic and tonic spike responses lasting up to 3s developed in the recorded neurons in response to conditional stimulus. These reactions had developed long before the elaboration of the conditioned reflex and disappeared significantly later than the conditioned reflex became extinct.

[Effect of a new cholinesterase reactivator, diethixime, on the central nervous system].

A new cholinesteras reactivator--chlorohydrate of S-diethylaminoethyl ether p-bromo benzoylthiohydroxime acid (diethixime), containing a tertiary nitrogen atom in the molecule, was shown to produce a central effect in a dose of 20 mg/kg--1/50 LD50--in contrast to diproxime in a dose of 3 mg/kg, containing a quarternary nitrogen atom, under intoxication of albino rats and rabbits with dimethyl-dichlorynylphosphate. This effect was confirmed by the restortion of the cholinesterase activity in different parts of the rabbit brain, by the normalization of the EEGand of the functional stateof motor neurons of the rat spinal cord.