Vol 22, No 11 (2019)

The correct formation of the design of future research determines the representativeness of the results. Today, most studies are mainly focused on the study of the bacterial component of the human intestinal microbiota, and its fungal component is not taken into account. The study of intestinal mycobiota, which belongs to a diverse set of fungal species, is a relatively new and rapidly progressing field of study. Despite the ubiquity and abundance of fungi that inhabit the human intestines, their totality is several orders of magnitude smaller than bacteria. Recent studies, however, have shown that mycobiota can be closely associated with health and disease, that fungal communities not only change with the disease, but also play a role in maintaining homeostasis of a particular locus of the human body, as well as in influencing systemic immunity. In addition, it is now widely believed that the associations of fungi of various species in the host organism, the associations of bacteria and fungi are crucial for the health of the host. However, less than 0.4% of the literature is devoted to the study of mycobiota and mycobiome. The mechanisms by which fungi interact with other components of the microbiome and host remain poorly characterized. The results of scientific research conducted for this purpose are often contradictory, and difficulties arise when trying to compare data. Researchers use different methods of obtaining material for research, different methods of studying its composition, diverse groups of patients (different geographical regions, without primary treatment, with treatment, different stages of the disease, etc.), often a small sample. Currently, a full-fledged study of mycobiome is possible only with a multifaceted and multidisciplinary approach. An extremely interesting field of study is the functionality of various species of fungi, including how they interact with other eukaryotes and prokaryotes present in various loci of the human body. It remains to be seen, more importantly, how these interactions affect us.

The aim of this work was to study the effect of different sources and doses of irradiation on the rheological and antibacterial properties of hydrogel systems, intended for further use in traumatology and orthopedics for the prevention and treatment of periprosthetic infections. The rheological and antibacterial properties of hydrogels, that are potentially applicable for local antimicrobial therapy in orthopedics and traumatology, were investigated. In this study the local drug carrier was the hydrogel based on a biodegradable polymer polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). Gentamicin and fosfomycin were used as medicines. In the frame of this study the evaluated effect of two different sterilization methods (exposure under accelerated electrons and gamma-radiation) on the rheological and antibacterial behavior of PVP hydrogels. The mentioned sterilization methods were applied for the formation of gel-shaped polymer matrix. It has been established that gamma-radiation is a more efficient method for crosslinking of PVP in aqueous solutions than exposure under accelerated electrons. Method of irradiation of initial solutions, which effectively influences on the viscosity of the gels, was determined. The temperature dependence of the rheological properties of the system was studied. It was shown that the efficiency of crosslinking reaction of macromolecules depends on the composition of the irradiated system. The presence of drugs in the system inhibits the process of crosslinking. The antimicrobial activity of the samples was preserved regardless on the concentration of PVP in the system. It also does not depend on the viscosity of the samples, the order of insertion of the components into the system, the source and dose of irradiation.

Oenothera biennis (biennial evening primrose) - Oenothera biennis L. is a biennial herbaceous plant is one of willowherb family (Onagraceae). Medicinal raw materials are seeds that are harvested during the ripening of the fruit in the second year of vegetation. The object of the study was the fruits of the samples of the collection of two-year oslinnik harvested in 2013-15 on the experimental site of VILAR. The studies were performed in 3 repetitions. Their average data and standard deviations were calculated. The study of the component composition of O. biennis L. fatty oil was carried out by gas-liquid chromatography after the preliminary transfer of fatty acids into methyl esters according to GOST 30418-96. To study the elemental chemical composition of Oenothera biennis L., the samples of seeds recommended as medicinal raw materials were studied. Method of analysis: inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (Nexion 300 D quadrupole mass spectrometer (Perkin Elmer, USA). Fatty acid composition of seeds of promising samples of O. biennis L., cultivated in VILAR, characterized by a high content of linoleic (70,0 to 73,9% in oil) and Y-linolenic acid (8,12-9,25% in oil). The analysis of mineral composition showed the presence in the fruit, evening primrose macroelements: Ca, K, Mg, Fe, Mn, and P. Among micronutrients, there are high values of Zn, Mn, Sr, Fe, Al, Si. The content of the toxic element of lead in the studied samples of evening primrose does not exceed the permissible concentration for tea and medicinal plant materials, which indicates its environmental safety. A study of fatty acid composition of seeds of Oenothera biennis L. allowed to identify the most promising samples, characterized by high productivity and yield fatty oil. These requirements are met by sample number 3-89: seed yield 1,9 t/ha; oil content in seeds - 23,7%; high content of linoleic (73,9% in oil) and Y-linolenic acid (9,25% in oil). Analysis of the mineral composition of O. biennis L. showed the presence of 25 mineral elements, among which both essential and toxic elements were found.

A number of studies demonstrate high risk of micronutrient disorders in children with cerebral palsy. However, the existing data on trace element status and particularly selenium are insufficient. Therefore, the objective of the present study is assessment of serum, urinary, and hair Se levels in children with cerebral palsy. Se levels were assessed in 52 children with cerebral palsy aged 2-8 y.o. and 52 healthy controls using inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry at NexION 300D (PerkinElmer, USA). The obtained data demonstrate that serum Se levels in cerebral palsy were 12% higher than the control values (0.088±0.013 vs 0.099±0.034 |jg/ml; p=0.037). Oppositely, hair Se content was characterized by a 5% decrease when compared to the healthy controls (0.386 (0.308-0.498) vs 0.368 (0.250-0.467) jg/g; p = 0.042). No significant group difference in urinary Se levels were observed. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that in a crude model both serum (P=0.233; p=0.017) and hair (P=-0.207; p=0.035) Se levels were significantly associated with cerebral palsy. Given a significant role of selenium in psychomotor dysfunction, personalized assessment of Se status is recommended to children with cerebral palsy in order to manage the strategies of pharmaco-nutraceutical correction of metal-ligand homeostasis.