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T cells expressing checkpoint receptors PD-1, TIM-3 etc., are potential targets for monoclonal antibody immunotherapy in multiple myeloma (MM). However, checkpoint expressing T cell compartment includes different subsets, and their dysregulation following anti-checkpoint therapy can lead to the development of adverse events.The aim of this study was to evaluate activation markers – homeostatic cytokine receptors and transcription factors expressed by PD-1and TIM-3-positive T cells.Material and Methods. Relative counts of circulating PD-1and/or TIM-3-positive and negative T cells expressing common ɣ-chain cytokine receptors CD25, CD122, CD127, phosphorylated STAT5, and transcription factor EOMES associated with T cell exhaustion were studied using flow cytometry in 17 healthy donors, 22 MM patients with remission and 7 MM patients with progressive disease.Results. T cells expressing PD-1 and/or TIM-3 inhibitory checkpoint receptors in MM patients consisted of CD25+EOMESactivated cells, CD4+CD25+CD127-FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Treg), CD4+CD25-EOMES+ dysfunctional cells. CD25+ T cells from healthy donors and MM patients, regardless of the expression of the studied checkpoint receptors, were EOMES-negative. No such association was found for CD122 and CD127 cytokine receptors. EOMES is a marker of T cell exhaustion for CD4+ T cells, but not for CD8+ T cells, in which it is more associated with activation. The proportion of CD4+ Tregs among circulating PD-1+ and TIM-3+ T cells was relatively low. A higher content of cytokine receptors in the population of TIM-3+ T cells may indicate the predominant involvement of TIM-3 in the control of homeostatic proliferation of mature T cells under lymphopenic conditions, while the expression of PD-1 may be more associated with the regulation of activation through T cell receptor. PD-1+ and/or TIM-3+ levels of activated, dysfunctional, and regulatory T cells can potentially be used to predict the safety and efficacy of targeted immunotherapy.

Introduction. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) play an important role in restriction of the immune response and are associated with a poor prognosis in cancer. Mobilization of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) before high-dose chemotherapy (HCT) with autologous HSC transplantation (auto-HSCT) is accompanied by a signifcant increase in MDSC counts in peripheral blood and apheresis product of multiple myeloma (MM) patients. However, quantitative changes of these cells at the post-transplant and their role at the immune recovery remain unexplored.The study was aimed to analyze the dynamics of circulating MDSC counts and the expression of suppressor molecule arginase-1 in patients with MM in the frst 12 months after HCT and auto-HSCT and evaluate association between MDSCs and transplantation outcomes.Material and Methods. The study included 44 MM patients who underwent HCT and auto-HSCT. The relative number of granulocytic MDSCs (G-MDSCs), monocytic MDSCs (M-MDSCs), and early-stage MDSCs (E-MDSCs), as well as the expression of arginase-1 in each of MDSC subsets was evaluated by fow cytometry in patient peripheral blood samples.Results. At the engraftment (day +12 – +16, leukocytes >1×109 /l), M-MDSC relative count was increased (pU=0.038), as well as the relative (pU=0.003) and absolute (pU˂0.0001) counts of G-MDSCs, decreasing after 6 months down to pre-transplant values (рU=0.007, рU=0.024 and рU=0.02, respectively) and remaining at the same level at the 12-month follow-up period. The absolute count of E-MDSCs by the time of the engraftment decreased transiently (pU=0.004 vs before HCT), gradually recovering by 12-month follow-up (pU=0.032 vs day +12 – +16). The remission within 12 months in the group with G-MDSCs˂0.17 % at the engraftment was observed in 67 ± 11 % of patients, with G-MDSCs >0.17 % – in 94 ± 6 % of patients (p=0.049). During the 12-month post-transplant, the number of M-MDSCs expressing arginase-1 has been increasing, with a tendency to lower values at the engraftment in patients with early MM relapse (pU=0.09).Conclusion. The association of early MM relapse after auto-HSCT with the lower count of G-MDSCs and the lower count of arginase-1+ M-MDSCs at the engraftment suggests that MDSCs is involved in the restriction of homeostatic proliferation as a factor for more effective immune recovery.

A new INM RAS global dynamical model of Earth’s ionosphere F region (100–500 km), which takes into account plasma-chemical processes, ambipolar diffusion, and advective ion transport due to electromagnetic drifts and neutral wind is presented. The model includes parameterizations of polar electric fields induced by magnetospheric convection and simplified equatorial drifts considerations. The focus of the paper is directed on the description of specific methods developed and utilized in the ionospheric model. Key processes responsible for the formation of global ionospheric features are outlined and their representation in the model is evaluated. The main global ionospheric characteristic features, such as seasonal and diurnal cycles, the equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA), polar ionization caps and the main trough have been adequately reproduced based on this model.

Objectives. A clinical case of surgical rehabilitation of a patient with palatopharyngeal insufficiency with congenital cleft palate after uranoplasty. Purpose. Description of the long-term result of surgical treatment of congenital cleft palate, the causes of complications and the rationale for the method of treatment of palatopharyngeal insufficiency. Methodology. The paper presents the results of a clinical observation of a patient aged 12 years with congenital cleft palate after uranoplasty and formed palatopharyngeal insufficiency. A child at the age of 2 years 8 months underwent sparing uranoplasty. Since the child lived in a remote area from the city, he did not have the opportunity to engage in logotherapy. On examination, the soft palate is moderately shortened, postoperative scars are not rough. Speech is vile. To select the most optimal method of treating this pathology, it was necessary to visualize the causes of palato-pharyngeal insufficiency. Results. When conducting an examination using nasopharyngoscopy, a sphincter type of closure of the palatopharyngeal ring was revealed. When pronouncing sounds, the soft palate rose slightly, but the lateral walls of the pharynx with the posterior palatine arches actively contracted, narrowing the palatopharyngeal ring. Taking into account the data obtained during nasopharyngoscopy, a surgical method for eliminating palatopharyngeal insufficiency proposed by M. Orticochea was chosen — “speech-improving surgery”, or sphincter pharyngoplasty, with suturing of the distal ends of the mobilized posterior palatine arches on the posterior pharyngeal wall. According to the control examination for 6 months, there was a significant improvement in speech function, there was no nasalization. Conclusions. Nasopharyngoendoscopy makes it possible to objectively assess the causes of palatopharyngeal insufficiency, which makes it possible to choose the most optimal method of surgical treatment. One of the methods of choice in the surgical treatment of palatopharyngeal insufficiency is the method of sphincter pharyngoplasty.

GM-CSF and M-CSF, the hematopoietic colony-stimulating factors, induce various phenotypic changes in macrophage lineage populations and promote cell differentiation, respectively, into M1- and M2-like macrophages. The pro- and anti-inflammatory properties of macrophages generated by these colony-stimulating factors are well described, but the contribution of differentiation and polarization signals to the fibromodulatory activity of macrophages remains unexplored. To clarify the differences in the fibrogenesis regulation mechanisms inherent in differently activated macrophages, we studied the effects of macrophage-conditioned media on proliferation and differentiation of dermal fibroblasts. In this study, the human macrophages generated from peripheral blood monocytes were investigated. They were induced for differentiation by M-CSF or GM-CSF, being further polarized in the M1 direction with lipopolysaccharide and, in the M2 direction, with IL-4 or dexamethasone. Proliferative response of the fibroblasts was determined radiometrically by [3H]-thymidine incorporation. Differentiation into myofibroblasts was determined with flow cytometry technique, as expression of a specific marker α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). The level of macrophage TGF-β1 production was assessed using an appropriate ELISA kit. The data obtained indicate that the macrophages differentiated under the influence of “homeostatic” M-CSF are characterized by a moderate stimulating effect upon fibroblast proliferation, and the effects of M2 (IL-4) and M2 (Dex) macrophages exceed that of M1 (LPS), but do not differ significantly from each other. The M-CSF-induced M1 (LPS) and M2 (IL-4) macrophages, but not M2 (Dex), enhance the fibroblast differentiation and show similar level of stimulation. In contrast to M-CSF, the macrophages induced by “pro-inflammatory” GM-CSF exhibit a pronounced stimulatory effect on fibroblast proliferation, and the effects of M2 macrophages exceed those of M1 cells, being most pronounced for M2 (Dex). At the same time, only GM-CSF-induced M2 (IL-4) macrophages enhance fibroblast differentiation. Dexamethasone-polarized macrophages do not significantly affect fibroblast differentiation regardless of the CSF used (M-CSF or GM-CSF). The content of TGF-β1 in the supernatants of differently activated macrophages does not correlate with the level of stimulating effect of macrophage-conditioned media upon fibroblast differentiation. In general, the data obtained suggest the involvement of differentiation and polarization signals into modulation of pro- and anti-fibrogenic properties of macrophages.

Design of epitaxial interfaces is a pivotal way to engineer artificial structures where new electronic phases can emerge. Here we report a systematic emergence of interfacial superconducting state in epitaxial heterostructures of LaTiO3 and KTaO3. The superconductivity transition temperature increases with decreasing the thickness of LaTiO3. Such behavior is observed for both (110) and (111) crystal oriented structures. For thick samples, the finite resistance developing below the superconducting transition temperature increases with increasing LaTiO3 thickness. Consistent with previous reports, the (001) oriented heterointerface features high electron mobility of 250 cm2/Vs and shows no superconducting transition down to 40 mK. Our results imply a non-trivial impact of LaTiO3 on the superconducting state and indicate how superconducting KTaO3 interfaces can be integrated with other oxide materials., Comment: accepted in APL Materials

Viral hepatitis remains the most common cause of liver cirrhosis (LC). Monocytes, capable of migrating to the liver and participating in inflammation and fibrogenesis, play an important role in the LC pathogenesis as confirmed by the association of certain monocyte subsets with the disease severity and mortality in alcoholic and biliary LC. However, the clinical and prognostic relevance of monocytes in viral LC remains poorly investigated. This study was aimed to investigate the disturbances in circulating monocytes including classical (CD14++CD16, cMo), intermediate (CD14++CD16+, iMo) and non-classical monocytes (CD14+CD16++, nMo) in patients with viral LC, as well as their correlation with viral characteristics, LC severity and progression of the disease 12 months after combination therapy. A significant increase in iMo and nMo, cMo level tended to decrease, and a two-fold decline in cMo/iMo ratio was revealed in patients with viral LC vs. healthy donors. These changes in monocyte pattern did not depend on the type of virus (HCV vs HBV/HDV) or its replication (replication vs the integrative phase), but were associated with the LC severity. The iMo level was positively correlated with laboratory indicators of liver damage, ChildPugh (rS = 0.57; P = 0.001) and MELD score (rS = 0.41; P = 0.033). ROC analysis showed that the cMo/iMo ratio at 9.5 allowed to predict the risk of LC progression with a sensitivity of 83.3% and a specificity of 76.2%. Of note, in comparison groups patients with alcoholic or biliary/autoimmune LC also demonstrated increased frequencies in iMo and nMo and decreased cMo/iMo ratio. However, in this case, the LC severity was negatively correlated with CD16+monocytes, particularly with the iMo and nMo subset, respectively, in alcoholic and biliary LC, evidencing the protective role of such cell subsets. Thus in viral LC the changes in circulating monocyte profile to increased iMO and nMo as well as decreased cMo are not associated with the virus type and replication; in contrast to the alcoholic and biliary/autoimmune LC, the level of iMo directly correlates with the indicators of liver damage and LC severity; cMo/iMo ratio is a biomarker of therapy response/disease progression.

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New methods for constructing an approximation of the diffusion operator for the two-dimensional equation of the ambipolar diffusion process in the F layer of the Earth's ionosphere are presented. This equation is solved in the framework of modelling the global thermosphere and ionosphere dynamics (for the altitudes from 90 to 500 km). The proposed schemes have finite-difference versions of the integral identity, which is a property of differential diffusion equation and which represents the geometric properties of the process (diffusion proceeds along the magnetic field lines of the Earth). The stability of the proposed schemes is analyzed, as well as the accuracy estimates are obtained on the base of the model analytical solution and during the calculations with physically realistic data. A comparison is made with the second-order finite-difference scheme developed earlier for solving the same problem.

The article is devoted to the analysis of trends in the expansion of the apparatus for assessing the development of the economy and the spiritual freedom of society using analogs of mathematical dependences describing entropy in dynamic systems in which, as well as in economic and social systems, there is a process of energy exchange. The constructed verbal model made it possible to assess the possibilities and applicability of thermodynamic dependencies for describing processes in the economy.

The results of modeling are presented and calculations of the accumulated degree of shear deformation and the degree of depletion of the plasticity reserve in the process of hardening treatment by surface plastic deformation are performed. The theoretical foundations of the model constructed using the finite element method based on the conceptual apparatus of the mechanics of technological inheritance are given, taking into account the effect of a hardened body. It is shown that according to the results of modeling, areas are identified in which, during processing, the accumulation of deformation and the depletion of the plasticity reserve occur most intensively. The influence of metal hardening on the distribution of mechanical state parameters and the relationship of the accumulated mechanical state parameters with the main parameters of the processing mode: preload and profile radius of the roller are described.

Oceanic Transform faults are one of manifestations of the three major plate boundaries and a key tectonic feature of oceanic crust. They are broadly considered to accommodate strike-slip displacement along simple vertical faults and to be largely without magmatic addition. We present the first observations from broadband 3D seismic of buried, Cretaceous-aged transform faults in the Gulf of Guinea with complex internal architectures including crustal scale detachments and rotated packages of volcanics within oceanic crust. In the study area, several Oceanic Fracture Zones (OFZ) are described from Top Crust to Moho. OFZ scarps are observed to connect at depth with zones of low angle reflectivity which dip into the OFZ and perpendicular to the spreading orientation. At depth they detach onto the Moho, necking the adjacent crust in the manner of extensional shear zones. Thickly stacked and tilted reflectors, interpreted as extrusive lava flows, are common above the shear zones and infill up to 75% of the crustal thickness within the OFZ. The entire OFZ stratigraphy is overlain and sealed by late-stage lavas that are continuous from the abyssal hills of the trailing spreading ridge. These insights demonstrate complexity previously only predicted in numerical simulations. We propose a model with inside corner extension at a high angle to the spreading orientation along a low angle shear zone that acts as a conduit for decompression related melt and volcanism. Late-stage lavas indicate a second stage of magmatic accretion as dykes propagate through the transform to adjacent crust, as inferred from bathymetric studies. These observations come from a unique 3D seismic dataset and are placed within a kinematic model which combines insights from numerical models. We conclude that these oceanic transforms were non-conservative and not simple strike slip fault zones, contradicting the conventional view.

In the present study, we used multicolor flow cytometry assay to measure the numbers of various myeloid suppressor cell subpopulations (Lin-HLA-DR-CD33+, Lin-HLA-DR-CD33+CD66b+, and CD14+HLA-DRlow/-) in peripheral blood of 51 participants, including 33 patients with viral- and 1 8 patients with «nonviral» (alcoholic or biliary/autoimmune) liver cirrhosis. Patients in both groups had increased proportions of Lin-HLA-DR-CD33+, Lin-HLA-DR-CD33+CD66b+, and CD 14+HLA-DRlow/-cells which levels did not depend on the type and replication of the virus in viral liver cirrhosis. In viral liver cirrhosis, the relative numbers of Lin-HLA-DR-CD33+cells directly correlated with the albumin levels (Rs=0.45; p=0.029). In «nonviral» group an inverse relationship was found between these indicators (Rs = -0.56; p=0.02), in addition the proportion of Lin-HLA-DR-CD33+and CD14+HLA-DRlow/-cells directly correlated with disease severity scores (Child-Pugh and MELD) direct correlation of the proportion of Lin-HLA-DR-CD33+and CD14+HLA-DRlow/-cells with the disease severity scores (Child-Pugh and MELD). Comparison of the initial content of myeloid suppressors with the response to complex therapy (that included autologous bone marrow-derived cell transplantation), showed that in viral liver cirrhosis, the proportion of Lin-HLA-DR-CD33+cells was characterized by a prognostic significance and, at values

Introduction. High-dose chemotherapy (HDC) with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT) is the standard of treatment for multiple myeloma (MM) patients. The post-transplant period appears to be promising for targeted anti-checkpoint therapy in MM.Aim — to study the dynamics and functional properties of T-cells expressing inhibitory checkpoint molecules PD-1 and TIM-3 in patients with MM under conditions of lymphopenia after HDC with auto-HSCT.Methods. The study included 40 patients with MM who underwent HDC with auto-HSCT. The counts of PD-1- and TIM3-positive CD8+ and CD4+ T-cells and their functional activity on the intracellular expression of Ki-67, production of granzyme B, and interferon-γ were assessed by fl ow cytometry.Results. Relative counts of patient PD-1+ and TIM-3+ subsets of CD8+ and CD4+ T-cells obtained from bone marrow samples were higher compared to peripheral blood. CD8+ PD-1+ and CD4+ PD-1+ T-cells of MM patients had a pronounced cytotoxic and cytokine-producing potential. The functional activity of CD8+ TIM-3+ and CD4+ TIM-3+ T-cells was signifi cantly reduced compared with TIM-3-negative subsets. Low functional activity was also detected in populations of CD8+ and CD4+ T-lympho cytes, co-expressing PD-1 and TIM-3. The frequencies of T-cells expressing PD-1 and TIM-3 increased signifi cantly on the engraftment day after auto-HSCT. The proliferative activity of PD-1+ and TIM-3+ CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells and the cytotoxic potential of PD-1+ and TIM-3+ CD8+ T-cells were also signifi cantly increased compared to the data prior auto-HSCT.Conclusions. PD-1-positive T-cells in MM patients are related to activated or “early dysfunctional” but not exhausted subsets, while T-cells exhaustion is more analogous with CD8+ TIM-3+ and CD4+ TIM-3+ T-cells, as well as with subsets co-expressing PD-1 and TIM-3. To identify the state of T-cells exhaustion, it is necessary to evaluate T-cells subsets co-expressing PD-1, TIM-3, and other ICMs, and/or to study their functional properties. In the early post-transplant period, the proportion of Tcells expressing PD-1 and TIM-3 increases due to an increase in their proliferative potential.

The aim of the present study was to assess safety and clinical efficacy of inhalation immunotherapy based on intranasal administration of bioactive factors produced by the M2 phenotype macrophages in children with language impairments, as well as to study the effect of inhalation immunotherapy on the cytokine profile in the patients' blood serum. The study was carried out according to the NCT04689282 protocol (www.ClinicalTrials.gov) and included 14 children (9 boys / 5 girls), aged 3 to 8 years, with language impairments associated with perinatal or postnatal CNS lesions of various origin. The children recruited into the study were assessed by a neurologist and speech therapist before the therapy, at the end of the course (1 month), and 6 months later. Serum samples for cytokine analysis were obtained before and 1 month after therapy. The course of intranasal inhalations by the conditioned M2 media (2 ml one time per day for 28-30 days) was safe and well tolerated. None of the 14 treated children had significant adverse reactions and severe undesirable events. Intranasal immunotherapy led to a decrease in the severity of language problems, which manifested by improved speech understanding by 45%; the sensorimotor level of speech, by 51%; word formation skills, by 72%, as well as a twofold increase in general and fine motor skills. In children with signs of autism spectrum disorders, along with a language improvement, a decrease in the severity of autistic symptoms was registered, as evidenced by statistically significant decrease in the CARS score from 42.5 to 38.5 after 1 month, and to 33 points after 6 months (p < 0.05). The clinical effect was revealed rather soon, i.e., within a month after the first procedure, being maintained or intensified during a follow-up for 6 months. At the same time, two-thirds of the children showed a clear clinical improvement, with insignificant effect in the rest of patients. Comparative analysis of the serum cytokine levels in these subgroups showed that children with a pronounced positive response to inhaled immunotherapy differed in the following parameters: (1) initially higher level of VEGF and IGF-1, and (2) decrease the level of TNFα in response to intranasal immunotherapy. In summary, we first tested a fundamentally new approach based on the use of soluble factors from M2-type macrophages and intranasal route of their administration in order to treat the children with severe language impairments, demonstrating safety and obtained preliminary data on effectiveness of such approach.

To achieve power and data synchronous transfer efficiently in the wireless power transfer system, a novel injection wireless communication method is proposed. Combined with the characteristic of the double-D coupling coil, the data are directly injected into one of the D coils and can be entirely coupled to the data receiving side and, therefore, the power lossless data transfer is obtained. Unlike traditional injection power and synchronous data methods, the additional wave trapper or trap inductor is not required with the proposed approach, and the power is delivered efficiently. The power transfer link and data transfer link are, respectively, analyzed, and the method to improve the data rate is proposed. Additionally, the interference between power and data delivery has been explored. The high-order harmonic interference with the data can be efficiently suppressed due to the low-pass filter characteristic of inductor-–capacitor-–capacitor ( LCC / LCC ) resonant composition topology, and the condition to eliminate the fundamental frequency power interference is proposed. A 150-W prototype is established to validate the performance of the proposed system. The experimental result indicates that the dc–dc power transfer efficiency reaches 90%, and the data rate is 166.7 kbps.

Objective We describe experimental and theoretical premises of a powerful cancer therapy based on the combination of three approaches. These include (I) in situ vaccination (intratumoral injections of CpG oligonucleotides and anti-OX40 antibody); (II) chronometric or metronomic low-dose cyclophosphamide (CMLD CP)-based chemotherapy; (III) cancer stem cell-eradicating therapy referred to as Karanahan (from the Sanskrit kāraṇa [“source”] + han [“to kill”]). Background In murine models, the first two approaches are particularly potent in targeting immunogenic tumors for destruction. In situ vaccination activates a fully fledged anticancer immune response via an intricate network of ligand–receptor–cytokine interactions. CMLD CP-based chemotherapy primarily targets the suppressive tumor microenvironment and activates tumor-infiltrating effectors. In contrast, Karanahan technology, being aimed at replicative machinery of tumor cells (both stem-like and committed), does not depend on tumor immunogenicity. With this technology, mice engrafted with ascites and/or solid tumors can be successfully cured. There is a significant degree of mechanistic and therapeutic overlap between these three approaches. For instance, the similarities shared between in situ vaccination and Karanahan technology include the therapeutic procedure, the cell target [antigen-presenting cells (APC) and dendritic cells (DC)], and the use of DNA-based preparations (CpG and DNAmix). Features shared between CMLD CP-based chemotherapy and Karanahan technology are the timing and the dose of the cytostatic drug administration, which lead to tumor regression. Methods The following keywords were used to search PubMed for the latest research reporting successful eradication of transplantable cancers in animal models that relied on approaches distinct from those used in the Karanahan technology: eradication of malignancy, cure cancer, complete tumor regression, permanently eradicating advanced mouse tumor, metronomic chemotherapy, in situ vaccination, immunotherapy, and others. Conclusion We hypothesize, therefore, that very potent anticancer activity can be achieved once these three therapeutic modalities are combined into a single approach. This multimodal approach is theoretically curative for any type of cancer that depends on the presence of tumor-inducing cancer stem cells, provided that the active therapeutic components are efficiently delivered into the tumor and the specific biological features of a given patient’s tumor are properly addressed. We expect this multimodal approach to be primarily applicable to late-stage or terminal cancer patients who have exhausted all treatment options as well as patients with inoperable tumors.

In modern medicine, biotechnological products and systems are used and widely studied, in which various elements and parts interact with biological fluids, soft and hard muscle tissues. This mainly concerns products used in cardiovascular surgery, orthopaedic surgery, dentistry and reconstructive surgery, as well as in ophthalmology. The article studies scientific approaches to the creation of biocompatible implant materials, considers their types, defines the basic requirements for biocompatible materials.

Introduction. Multiple myeloma (MM) is a B-cell malignancy with clonal expansion of plasma cells in bone marrow. Highdose chemotherapy with autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation is among main consolidation therapies in MM. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are immature myeloid-accompanying cells able to suppress the immune response. The administration of granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) to mobilise haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) increases the MDSC count in peripheral blood (PB).Aim — to study MDSC subsets in PB of remission MM patients and their incidence dynamics at HSC mobilisation.Methods. The study surveyed 35 MM patients prior to and after HSC mobilisation. The counts of granulocytic (G-MDSCs; Lin–HLA-DR–CD33+ CD66b+), monocytic (М-MDSCs; CD14+ HLA-DRlow/–) and early MDSCs (E-MDSCs; Lin–HLA-DR– CD33+ CD66b–) were estimated in flow cytometry.Results. Remission MM patients differed from healthy donors in higher relative counts of G-MDSCs (Lin–HLA-DR– CD33+ CD66b+) and increased relative and absolute counts of М-MDSCs (CD14+ HLA-DRlow/–). М-MDSCs significantly outnumbered G-MDSCs. MDSC subset counts were elevated in complete response (CR) and very good partial response (VGPR), as well as in partial response (PR). Higher relative MDSC counts were associated with greater pretreatment (2–3 lines of chemotherapy). After HSC mobilisation with cyclophosphamide 2–4 g/m2 + G-CSF (filgrastim 5 μg/kg/day), the median relative E-MDSC and M-MDSC counts increased by 2.3 and 2.0 times, respectively, while the relative G-MDSC count raised 46-fold perturbing the MDSC subset balance.Conclusion. Remission MM patients had the increased relative G-MDSC and both relative and absolute M-MDSC counts compared to donors. A greater patient pretreatment was associated with higher relative G-MDSC counts. Treatment response (CR/VGPR vs. PR) was not coupled with MDSC count variation. The G-CSF-induced HSC mobilisation entailed a significant expansion of all three MDSC subsets in PB.

The heat treatment (HT) of a hard magnetic Fe–30Cr–16Co–1Ti powder alloy is optimized by experimental design using the Statgraphics XVI Centurion and Statistica software. After HT in accordance with the optimum conditions, the following magnetic hysteretic properties are reached: the remanence is Br = 1.158 T, the coercive force is HcB = 56.2 kA/m, and the maximum energy product is (BH)max = 33.0 kJ/m3. The obtained magnetic hysteretic properties of the hard magnetic Fe–30Cr–16Co–1Ti powder alloy, namely, the remanence and the maximum energy product exceed those of one of the main industrial alloys, namely, YuNDK18 (GOST 17809–71), by more than 28 and 70%, respectively; in this case, as compared to the YuNDK18 alloy, the Fe–30Cr–16Co–1Ti powder alloy is characterized by a lower cobalt content (by more than 10%) and is free of nickel.

Stem-like tumor cells of ascites carcinoma Krebs-2 and Epstein-Barr virus–induced B-lymphoma were shown to possess the innate capability of binding and internalizing the TAMRA-labeled double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) probe. The process of binding and internalizing is rather complicated and composed of the following successive stages: 1) initiating electrostatic interaction and contact of a negatively charged dsDNA molecule with a positively charged molecule(s) on the surface of a stem-like tumor cell; 2) binding of the dsDNA probe to a tumor stem cell surface protein(s) via the formation of a strong chemical/molecular bond; and 3) the very internalization of dsDNA into the cell. Binding of DNA to cell surface proteins is determined by the presence of heparin/polyanion-binding sites within the protein structure, which can be competitively blocked by heparin and/or dextran sulfate, wherein heparin blocks only the binding, while dextran sulfate abrogates both binding and internalization. The abrogation of internalization by dextran sulfate implies the role of scavenger receptors in this process. Cells were shown to uptake DNA in amounts constituting ∼0.008% of the haploid genome. Inhibitors of caveolae-dependent internalization abrogate the DNA uptake in Krebs-2 cells, and inhibitors of the clathrin/caveolar mechanism block the internalization in B-lymphoma cells. In the present report, it is shown for the first time that in contrast to the majority of committed tumor cells, stem-like tumor cells of Krebs-2 and B-lymphoma carry a general positive charge on their surface.

1H spin-diffusion solid-state NMR was utilized to elucidate the domain size in multiblock-copolymers (BCPs) poly-(block poly(dimethylsiloxane)-block ladder-like poly(phenylsiloxane)) and poly-(block poly((3,3′,3″-trifluoropropyl-methyl)siloxane)-block ladder-like poly(phenylsiloxane). It was found that these BCPs form worm-like morphology with rigid cylinders dispersed in amorphous matrix. By using the combination of solid-state NMR techniques such as 13C CP/MAS, 13C direct-polarization MAS and 2D 1H EXSY, it was shown that the main factor which governs the diameter value of these rigid domains is the presence of interpenetrating segments of soft blocks. The presence of such interpenetrating chains leads to an increase of rigid domain diameter.

The purpose and composition of the radio-photon components of the fiber-optic distribution system of reference signals of the decimeter wavelength range are described. The principle of the components of the fiber-optic distribution system of reference signals is described. The possibility of creating radio-photon components with improved technical characteristics in comparison with the closest foreign functional analogues has been proved. High technical characteristics are achieved by the original design and parametric compensation of the phase delay of the signal.

Background/aim We compared the therapeutic efficacy of two recently developed experimental anticancer technologies: 1) in situ vaccination based on local immunotherapy with CpG oligonucleotides and anti-OX40 antibodies to activate antitumor immune response and 2) "Karanahan" technology [from the Sanskrit kāraṇa ('source') + han ('to kill')] based on the combined injection of cyclophosphamide and double-stranded DNA to eradicate cancer stem cells. Materials and methods The anticancer approaches were compared on three types of mouse malignant tumors with different grades of immunogenicity: weakly immunogenic carcinoma Krebs-2, moderately immunogenic Lewis carcinoma, and highly immunogenic A20 В-cellular lymphoma. Results Our results indicated that in situ vaccination was the most effective against the highly immunogenic tumor А20. In addition, "Karanahan" demonstrated high efficiency in all types of tumors, regardless of their immunogenicity or size. Conclusion "Karanahan" therapy showed higher efficacy relative to in situ vaccination with CpG oligonucleotides and anti-OX40 antibodies.

Relevance. From the theory of hydrodynamics, it is known about the interaction of a pair of vortices in inviscid fluids. The relevance of the study is conditioned upon the presence of many studies of numerical simulations of the interactions of two vortices or two cylinders, but the lack of research of practical installations for observing the effects of attraction and repulsion in fluid media may slow down research in this area for practical application. Purpose. The purpose of this study is a practical demonstration of the possibility of the effect of double interaction in the air, with the calculation of the approximate magnitude of the force tending to attract or repel each of the cylinders. Methods. In a practical experiment, a pair of plastic cylinders are used, which are driven by engines and rotate next to each other in the air at atmospheric pressure. Numerical simulation of the effect shows the nature of the effect and allows predicting the magnitude of the force generated by rotating cylinders on each other. The relationship between the directions of rotation of the cylinders and the observed effects was verified by numerical simulation using numerical simulation of finite volumes of OpenFOAM version 9. Results. In a practical experiment, a pair of rotating cylinders started interacting at 5-7 cm in the experiment, which at a smaller distance of 2-3 cm created sufficient force to stabilise the vibrations of one of the cylinders around the thread for which it is suspended. Numerical simulation shows that a zone of high or low pressure is formed in the space between the cylinders, depending on the direction of rotation. The rotation of adjacent disks with opposite directions of rotation helps the circulation of the other cylinder to maintain the flow velocity in the gap, which reduces the fluid pressure between the rotating disks and attracts them. Conversely, rotating disks with the same direction extinguish and compress fluid flows in the gap, which increases the air pressure between rotating objects above the stationary pressure and repels them. Conclusions. The results of the study provide a better understanding of the processes of fluid interaction, link the dependence of the interaction force on the parameters of the medium and cylinders, and demonstrate the practical possibility of applying the effects of interaction in fluid media

This article is the second communication in a series of articles devoted to the effects of a domestic preparation of macrophage-activating factor (GcMAF-RF) and assessment of its biological properties. The aim of this work was to study the effect of the GcMAF-RF upon M0 → M1 polarization of macrophages (Mph), and activation of the professional properties of ex vivo generated antigen-presenting dendritic cells (DC), as well as on ex vivo production of pro-inflammatory (TNFα, IL-1β, IL-6, IFNγ, IL-17, IL-18) and anti-inflammatory (TGF-β, IL-4, IL-10) cytokines, growth factors (IL-2, GM-CSF, G-CSF, VEGF) and chemokines (MCP, IL-8) by the whole blood cells from healthy donors. Mph and DC were generated from the monocytes (3 to 5×106 /ml) derived from adherent fraction of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (MNC) of healthy donors. Granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF) was used to obtain Mph, whereas DC production was induced by GM-CSF and interferon-α. To provide M1 polarizing signals, bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS from E. coli 0114:B4) was used in controls. In experimental series, GcMAF-RF was added 48 h before the end of culture. The stimulating effect of the obtained Mph and DC upon cell proliferation was assessed in allogeneic mixed culture of leukocytes (alloMLC) using radiometric technique, by 3 H-thymidine incorporation. The influence index (IR) of Mph or DC upon allo-SCL was calculated as the ratio of the proliferative response of MNCs in the presence of Mph, or DC to the level of spontaneous MNC proliferation. To determine the cytokine production by human whole blood cells ex vivo, peripheral blood samples from 3 donors with two replicate GcMAF-RF preparations were used, at a total of 6 points. All variants of the study were carried out with mitogen-activated and non-activated blood cells. The cytokine content was determined by the ELISA assays. The effects of GcMAF-RF were quantified as a fold increase (FI), i.e., the ratio of cytokine production in the presence of GcMAF-RF to the level of their spontaneous production. It was shown that the GcMAF-RF preparation was as effective, as lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the standard Mph and DC activator which induces polarization of differentiated M0-macrophages into M1 cells and final maturation of DCs, manifesting by a significant increase in their allo-stimulatory activity in a mixed leukocyte culture (allo-MLC). Moreover, GcMAF-RF stimulates production of numerous cytokines and chemokines (TNFα, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, IL-4, IL-10, GM-CSF, G-CSF, VEGF, IL-8), by blood cells (granulocytes, lymphocytes, monocytes), thus indicating direct participation of the macrophage activator GcMAF-RF in various immune processes. The domestic GcMAF-RF drug induces polarization of macrophages M0 → M1, final maturation of DCs and allostimulating activity of Mf and DCs, and is also able to effectively stimulate circulating blood cells to synthesize cytokines/chemokines with pro-inflammatory and immunoregulatory activities.

Expansion of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) due to impaired differentiation of myeloid progenitor cells under conditions of inflammation was described in a number of autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and type 1 diabetes mellitus. Studying the role of MDSCs in ankylosing spondylitis is an important issue, given that increased concentration of proinflammatory mediators in this pathology can also cause myelopoiesis disorders. The aim of present work was to study the quantitative content of MDSC subpopulations in patients with different clinical phenotypes and activity of AS. 37 patients, including 10 patients without peripheral skeletal lesions (axial form) and 27 patients with simultaneous lesions of spine and peripheral joints (peripheral form) were recruited into the study. The control group consisted of 32 age/sex-related healthy donors. Evaluation of granulocytic (LinHLA-DRCD33+CD66b+; G-MDSC), monocytic (CD14+HLA-DRlow/-; M-MDSC) and early-stage MDSCs (LinHLA-DRCD33+CD66b- ; E-MDSC) was performed using corresponding antibodies (BD Biosciences, USA) in the population of peripheral blood mononuclear cells by flow cytometry. In general, the AS patients were characterized by an increased relative and absolute amount of M-MDSC (p = 0.00002 and p = 0.00003, respectively) and G-MDSC (p = 0.0002 and p = 0.0006, respectively). Patient gender, age, and HLA-B27 expression did not significantly affect the content of these cells in peripheral blood. An increase in the median values of M-MDSC was detected both in patients with axial (Ме 5.0 (3.2-6.3) versus 2.4 (1.7-3.5) %; p = 0.001) and peripheral form (Ме 5.0 (3.0-7.0) versus 2.4 (1.7-3.5) %; p = 0.0002) AS. At the same time, the G-MDSC expansion was observed only in patients with involvement of peripheral joints (Ме 0.16 (0.07-0.3) % versus 0.05 (0.04-0.09) %; p = 0.0001). The relative contents of E-MDSC, M-MDSC and G-MDSC in the axial form of AS was in direct correlation with the activity of the disease (R = 0.58, p = 0.02; R = 0.73, p = 0.08 and R = 0.65 p = 0.04, respectively). This relationship was not observed in peripheral form of AS. The data obtained suggest a potential involvement of MDSCs in pathogenesis and phenotypic heterogeneity of AS. Simultaneously, the revealed direct correlation between the MDSC contents and the disease activity suggests a decrease in suppressive activity and/or appearance of pro-inflammatory activity in MDSC, thus requiring further research in the field.

Hydrogen used as an energy carrier can be obtained by water electrolysis. To improve the energy efficiency of this process porous nickel catalysts are often used. The paper investigates the electrodeposition regularities and the porous nickel deposits morphology and the properties of nickel foams toward the hydrogen evolution reaction. During electrodeposition at high current density, nickel deposits with macro- and micropores are formed. The dependence between the fraction of macropores on the deposit surface and the electrolysis time is described by the empirical equation. Total porosity of loose nickel deposits is much higher than the porosity of foams. However, the surface macropores fraction of deposits studied is approximately the same, while the microporosity of loose deposits is significantly higher. The values of nickel deposits total porosity calculated by the model agree with the values obtained by experimental data. The highest density of macropores on the surface is observed for the foam thickness of 100 μm. These data correlate with the results of polarization measurements. When the foam thickness increases up to 100 μm, hydrogen evolution overvoltage in the alkali solution decreases and the efficiency of nickel foam as a cathode material increases.

We studied the effect of conditioned media of GM-CSF-differentiated human macrophages polarized in M1(LPS), M2a(IL-4), M2c(dexamethasone), and M2(low serum) phenotypes on proliferation, differentiation, and collagen-producing activity of dermal fibroblasts. It was found that M1(LPS) and M2a(IL-4) were characterized by moderate influence on functional activity of fibroblasts. At the same time, soluble factors of M2c(dexamethasone) significantly enhanced the proliferative response of fibroblasts, but not their differentiation and type I collagen production. On the contrary, M2(low serum) generated under conditions of growth factors deficiency had a pronounced stimulating effect on the differentiation of fibroblasts and production of type I collagen by these cells, but moderately stimulated the fibroblast proliferation. Thus, the secretory activity of various functional phenotypes of macrophages is an important mechanism of fibrogenesis regulation.

Macrophages play the key role in the regulation of neuroregeneration. For evaluation of the neuroregenerative potential of M2 macrophages, we studied the effect of macrophages polarized with IL-4 (M2a (IL-4)) and by efferocytosis under conditions of serum deprivation (LS, Low Serum; M2(LS)) on proliferative activity and apoptosis of SH-SY5Y cells under conditions of deficiency of growth/serum factors. Conditioned media of both M2(LS) and M2a(IL-4) stimulated proliferation of SH-SY5Y cells. Moreover, soluble factors of M2(LS) and M2a(IL-4) reduced the degree of early apoptosis of SH-SY5Y cells and the protective effect of M2(LS) was observed at earlier terms of culturing. Our findings suggest that M2 macrophages have high neuroregenerative potential that is mediated through soluble factors and manifests itself both in stimulation of proliferation and inhibition of apoptosis of SH-SY5Y cells.