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Emerging infectious diseases are on the rise in many different taxa, including, among others, the amphibian batrachochytrids, the snake fungal disease and the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus, responsible for Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in mammals. Following the onset of the pandemic linked to COVID-19, eastern Asia has shown strong leadership, taking actions to regulate the trade of potential vector species in several regions. These actions were taken in response to an increase in public awareness, and the need for a quick reaction to mitigate against further pandemics. However, trade restrictions rarely affect amphibians, despite the risk of pathogen transmission, directly, or indirectly through habitat destruction and the loss of vector consumption. Thus, species that help alleviate the risk of zoonoses or provide biological control are not protected. Hence, in view of the global amphibian decline and the risk of zoonoses, we support the current wildlife trade regulations and support measures to safeguard wildlife from overexploitation. The current period of regulation overhaul should be used as a springboard for amphibian conservation. To mitigate risks, we suggest the following stipulations specifically for amphibians. I) Restrictions to amphibian farming in eastern Asia, in relation to pathogen transmission and the establishment of invasive species. II) Regulation of the amphibian pet trade, with a focus on potential vector species. III) Expansion of the wildlife trade ban, to limit the wildlife-human-pet interface. The resulting actions will benefit both human and wildlife populations, as they will lead to a decrease in the risk of zoonoses and better protection of the environment., Significance Statement: There is an increasing number of emerging infectious diseases impacting all species, including amphibians, reptiles and mammals. The latest threat to humans is the virus responsible for COVID-19, and the resulting pandemic. Countries in eastern Asia have taken steps to regulate wildlife trade and prevent further zoonoses thereby decreasing the risk of pathogens arising from wild species. However, as amphibians are generally excluded from regulations we support specific trade restrictions: I) Restrictions to amphibian farming; II) regulation of the amphibian pet trade; III) expansion of the wildlife trade ban. These restrictions will benefit both human and wildlife populations by decreasing the risks of zoonoses and better protecting the environment., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Medical-genetic examination covered 24 families of patients with congenital defects of the larynx and trachea. These developmental defects can be attributed to multiple unestablished defects (66.7%) or can be part of some congenital-hereditary syndromes (25%) such as chromosomal, genetic, teratogenic, of unknown etiology. The percentage of isolated developmental laryngeal and tracheal defects is relatively small--8.3%.

Cytokines form a kind of regulatory net which normal functioning is critical for development of inflammation and regeneration in eye, namely cornea. In connection with this, we studied effects of complex of natural cytokine obtained from pig and comprising activities of IL-1, IL-6, TNF, MIF, TGFbeta1, on post-burn regeneration in rabbit cornea. The cornea burn was induced by 10% NaOH and cytokine complex was locally administered (over month after the burn) to the regeneration site observed as wall-eye. Hystologic analysis and in vitro experiment with mice (F1 hybrids of CBAxC57BL) peritoneal macrophages and human peripheral blood neutrophils were performed to reveal cytokine biological roles. CC augmented post-burn cornea regeneration that is distinctly observed at all regeneration stages and manifested as: (i) action on macrophages at the early regeneration (inhibition of migration, activation of phagocytosis, ROS production, cytokine synthesis and secretion); and (ii) attraction of cornea stromal cells to the regeneration site and enhancement of their main functions (proliferation, fibronectin and collagen synthesis). As a consequence of CC local administration, post-burn regeneration site displayed high plasticity, low scaring and vascularization, being close to those of normal tissue, that finally enabled progression of successful keratoplastics. The data reported below show wide perspectives for administration of natural cytokine complex to treat cornea alterations of various genesis.

The data obtained by foreign and national investigators on pathogenesis of congenital juvenile papillomatosis allow to confirm the existence of a congenital form of juvenile respiratory papillomatosis of the larynx.

+33 cases of vascular tumors, 15 of congenital membranes, 12 of papillomatosis, 5 of cysts, 12 of abnormal laryngeal cartilages, 3 of tracheomalacia, 9 of stridor, 1 of fibrous polyp and 1 of mucous membrane folding in the interarytenoid region are reported. Operative interventions primarily endoscopic laser surgery were performed in children with congenital vascular tumors, membranes, cysts. Removal of papillomas in congenital papillomatosis conducted with the use of micro-instruments and CO2-laser was combined with immunomodulation. Children with laryngeal cartilage anomalies, tracheomalacia and stridor were subjected to prolonged nasotracheal intubation of even tracheotomy only in case of severe respiratory failure..

Congenital laryngeal and tracheal anomalies found in 1980-1995 in 91 children consisted of vascular tumors, laryngeal membranes, laryngeal cartilage anomaly, tracheomalacia, laryngeal papillomatosis, cysts, stridor (36.2%, 16.5%, 13.2%, 3.3%, 13.2%, 5.5%, 9.9%, respectively). Other causes are responsible for the defects in 2.2% of cases. Early symptoms of the above diseases are detailed. This information contributes to valid preliminary diagnosis and to optimal planning of further examination and treatment.

The authors tried a new medical form of interferon, rectal suppositories viferon, to treat severe juvenile respiratory papillomatosis in young children. Side effects were absent, antibodies to interferon in low titers were registered in 2 patients only. Further studies are needed to specify the promising effects of the above treatment.

An increase in content of acetylcholine (AC) as well as stimulation of choline acetyltransferase and acetylcholinesterase were observed in basal ganglia of rat brain during development of alcohol dependency, thus indicating the activation of the AC structures. Less distinct activation of the AC structures occurred in limbic (frontal) cortex. At the step of complete alcohol dependency the patterns of AC metabolism were considerably normalized in the both brain structures; at the same time, activity of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) system was decreased, which occurred due to inhibition of the GABA synthesis. At the III step of experimental alcoholism with "physical" dependency on ethanol synthesis and release of the AC were lowered, especially distinct in basal ganglia. These phase alterations in the activity of the AC structures in basal ganglia were accompanied by the similar alterations in content of glutamate: an increase of glutamate at the I step of alcoholism and a decrease--at the III step. Possible mechanisms and pathogenetic role of the phase alterations observed in metabolism of the brain neurotransmitters and in activity of AC- and GABA-structures during development of alcohol dependency are discussed. The data obtained suggest that the specific steps of alcoholism should be taken into consideration in the differential treatment using neurotransmitter drugs.

Neuroleptics (haloperidol) closapine, pimozid, chlorpromazine) diminished the level of free (functionally active) form of acetylcholine (ACh), and, to some extent, the bound form of ACh; they changed the content of the labile-bound (vesicular) form of ACh and weakly influenced the choline-acetyltranspherase activity in the basal ganglia of the rat brain 5 to 30 min after the injection. In contrast to the inhibitory action on the acetyl-cholinesterase (AChE) activity in vitro, most of the neuroleptics, except closapine, increased the AChE activity in vivo. These results indicate that the neuroleptics activate ACh-metabolism and probably stimulate the cholinergic structure in the basal ganglia of the brain; the AChE activity may serve as a criterion of such stimulating action of neuroleptics.

Rats with increased alcohol motivation have been found to have a rise in enkephalin levels in limbic cortex and a decrease in met-enkephalin levels in the brain basal ganglia. Reduction of met-enkephalin to leu-enkephalin ratio in basal ganglia, limbic cortex and hypothalamus may serve as an index of increased inclination to ethanol in these animals. Alcohol dependence is characterized by reduced cAMP content in the majority of brain structures studied, sharply decreased met-enkephalin levels in limbic cortex and hypothalamus, and diminished cAMP and cGMP content in hypothalamus. In the third stage of experimental alcoholism the partial normalization of met-enkephalin and cAMP levels is observed in brain structures, with cGMP content increased in hypothalamus and considerably reduced in basal ganglia.