Stable suspensions of nanogold (NG) and nanosilver (NS) with mean particle diameter 50 and 49 nm, respectively, were prepared by laser ablation of metals in water. To assess rat’s pulmonary phagocytosis response to a single intratracheal instillation of these suspensions, we used optical, transmission electron, and semi-contact atomic force microscopy. NG and NS were also repeatedly injected intraperitoneally into rats at a dose of 10 mg/kg (0.5 mg per mL of deionized water) three times a week, up to 20 injections. A group of rats was thus injected with NS after oral administration of a “bioprotective complex” (BPC) comprised of pectin, multivitamins, some amino acids, calcium, selenium, and omega-3 PUFA. After the termination of the injections, many functional and biochemical indices and histopathological features of the spleen, kidneys and liver were evaluated for signs of toxicity, and accumulation of NG or NS in these organs was measured. From the same rats, we obtained cell suspensions of different tissues for performing the RAPD test. It was demonstrated that, although both nanometals were adversely bioactive in all respects considered in this study, NS was more noxious as compared with NG, and that the BPC tested by us attenuated both the toxicity and genotoxicity of NS.

According to global data, there is a male reproductive potential decrease. Pathogenesis of male infertility is often associated with autoimmunity towards sperm antigens essential for fertilization. Antisperm autoantibodies (ASAs) have immobilizing and cytotoxic properties, impairing spermatogenesis, causing sperm agglutination, altering spermatozoa motility and acrosomal reaction, and thus preventing ovum fertilization. Infertility diagnosis requires a mandatory check for the ASAs. The concept of the blood–testis barrier is currently re-formulated, with an emphasis on informational paracrine and juxtacrine effects, rather than simple anatomical separation. The etiology of male infertility includes both autoimmune and non-autoimmune diseases but equally develops through autoimmune links of pathogenesis. Varicocele commonly leads to infertility due to testicular ischemic damage, venous stasis, local hyperthermia, and hypoandrogenism. However, varicocelectomy can alter the blood–testis barrier, facilitating ASAs production as well. There are contradictory data on the role of ASAs in the pathogenesis of varicocele-related infertility. Infection and inflammation both promote ASAs production due to “danger concept” mechanisms and because of antigen mimicry. Systemic pro-autoimmune influences like hyperprolactinemia, hypoandrogenism, and hypothyroidism also facilitate ASAs production. The diagnostic value of various ASAs has not yet been clearly attributed, and their cut-levels have not been determined in sera nor in ejaculate. The assessment of the autoimmunity role in the pathogenesis of male infertility is ambiguous, so the purpose of this review is to show the effects of ASAs on the pathogenesis of male infertility.

We used stable water suspensions of copper oxide particles with mean diameter 20 nm and of particles containing copper oxide and element copper with mean diameter 340 nm to assess the pulmonary phagocytosis response of rats to a single intratracheal instillation of these suspensions using optical, transmission electron, and semi-contact atomic force microscopy and biochemical indices measured in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Although both nano and submicron ultrafine particles were adversely bioactive, the former were found to be more toxic for lungs as compared with the latter while evoking more pronounced defense recruitment of alveolar macrophages and especially of neutrophil leukocytes and more active phagocytosis. Based on our results and literature data, we consider both copper solubilization and direct contact with cellular organelles (mainly, mitochondria) of persistent particles internalized by phagocytes as probable mechanisms of their cytotoxicity.

Lyme arthritis, caused by the tick-borne spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, produces typically intermittent episodes of arthritis of the larger joints, usually the knee joints. A number of patients, however, develop arthritis more closely resembling Reiter's syndrome, i.e., heel and ankle involvement. We studied the clinical features of ten patients who developed arthritis after a tick bite and who had shown erythema migrans and related it to the presence of evidence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection. Along with typical signs of Lyme arthritis we observed heel and ankle involvement. Chlamydia trachomatis was found in smears in 4 cases, whereas no patient had antichlamydial antibodies. However, evidence of Chlamydia trachomatis did not correlate with signs considered typical of Reiter's syndrome. Therefore, Lyme arthritis may have some arthritic manifestations resembling Reiter's syndrome, but this seems unrelated to the presence of Chlamydia trachomatis. Moreover, the arthritis is not associated with HLA-B27.

The purpose of this work was to study the characteristics of human papillomaviruses spread in reproductive age patients with low and high degree squamous intraepithelial lesions of the cervix in Yekaterinburg. Material and Methods. In with study 140 female patients of reproductive age with histologically confirmed low and high grade intraepithelial lesions were retrospectively included. HPV-genotyping by polymerase chain reaction was carried out in combination with liquid-based cytology BDSurePath. Formed 4 groups: LSIL, age from 18 to 30 years; LSIL, age from 31 to 44; HSIL, ages 18 to 30; HSIL, ages 31 to 44. Results. Analysis of the obtained data demonstrated that HPV 16 prevails in intraepithelial squamous cell lesions of the cervix of low and high degree in women of reproductive age in Yekaterinburg. In women aged 18-30 years, compared with the older reproductive age (31-44 years), multiple infections with 3, 4 or more HPV genotypes are more often recorded, regardless of the degree of damage. In addition to HPV 16, low-grade lesions in young women are most often associated with HPV 31, 51, and 52, and high-grade lesions with types 31, 33 and 52. HPV 33 is characteristic of a high degree of intraepithelial squamous cell lesions, especially in patients of older reproductive age. With intraepithelial squamous lesions of low and high degree, regardless of age, an equally high concentration of HPV DNA is observed.