Browsing by Author "Zavorins, Aleksejs"

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    Antibacterial susceptibility testing of cutibacterium acnes in acne vulgaris patients
    (2021-06-18) Skadins, Ingus; Zavorins, Aleksejs; Kroica, Juta; Pavloviča, Terēze; Bruzgule, Dagnija; Averjanova, Tatjana; Department of Biology and Microbiology; Department of Dermatology and Venereology
    Introduction: Combination therapy is widely used for the treatment of acne vulgaris (AV), including local anti-inflammatory drugs containing antimicrobials, such as clindamycin or erythromycin, to inhibit Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) growth and at the same time reduce the production of inflammatory mediators. The aim of the study is to compare the anti-bacterial susceptibility of C. acnes to clindamycin and erythromycin in AV patients compared with healthy patients in the control group (CG). Methods: The prospective study included 56 patients with clinically diagnosed AV symptoms and 12 patients were included in the CG who did not have AV. In the AV group, patient specimen was contents of pustules obtained by squeezing pustules, but in the CG, the specimen was content of sebaceous glands. All specimens were cultivated on a combined Mueller–Hinton solid medium. Identification was done by VITEK2 and followed by determination of antibacterial susceptibility of the isolated C. acnes strains by E-test. Results: C. acnes was isolated from samples of 28 (50%) in the AV group, whereas in the CG, C. acnes was isolated from 10 samples (80%). Resistance to clindamycin in both groups was similar, in 6 (21.4%) samples from patients in the AV group and in 2 (20.0%) samples in the CG, but resistance to erythromycin in the AV patients was higher compared to the CG, in 8 (28.6%) and 1 (10%) accordingly. Conclusion: Patients with AV have higher rates of resistance to erythromycin than the CG, while resistance to clindamycin is comparable. Resistance data showed no statistically significant association between use of erythromycin and clindamycin and the development of resistance. More C. acnes were identified in the CG than in the AV group.
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    Comparison of a near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy system and skin conductance measurements for in vivo estimation of skin hydration : a clinical study
    (2017) Saknite, Inga; Zavorins, Aleksejs; Zablocka, Ilona; Ķīsis, Jānis; Spigulis, Janis; Rīga Stradiņš University; Department of Dermatology and Venereology
    Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy system was developed for estimation of skin hydration in the near-infrared spectral range of 900-1700 nm. Experimental setup consisted of a near-infrared spectrometer, Y-type fiber optics probe with 1 detection and 6 illumination fibers, halogen-tungsten light source and a PC. By analyzing diffuse reflectance spectrum, a parameter representing skin hydration by performing baseline correction and calculating the area under the 1450 nm water absorption maximum is proposed. A clinical study was performed acquiring data of skin hydration of 39 patients' forearm skin. Results of the developed system are compared to results obtained by a commercial device based on skin conductance measurements.
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    Lake Zeilu clay application induced changes in human skin hydration, elasticity, transepidermal water loss and PH in healthy individuals
    (2020-09-01) Misiņa, Samanta Marija; Tretjakova, Rasma; Kodors, Sergejs; Zavorins, Aleksejs; Department of Dermatology and Venereology
    Clay has a great biomedical application potential, however there are just a few instrumental studies and the impact of lake clay on the skin has not yet been studied. The DermaLab skin analysis system (Cortex Technology) was used for hydration, elasticity, transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and pH measurements after lake clay facial applications. Research included short-term tests (measurements 20 and 60 min after clay application) and long-term tests (application every 4th day for 3 weeks with measurements 20-24 h post-application). Control measurements and application tests to exclude contact allergy were made beforehand. No volunteer (n = 30) had positive allergic reaction. The matched-pairs design was applied: the right and left parts of forehead were used for the test and control groups. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test (significance level p = 0.001) was applied for statistical analysis. There were statistically significant pH changes demonstrated during the short-term measurements. The long-term measurements provided data that clay significantly improves skin hydration and elasticity.
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    Overlaps in the Pathogenesis of Rosacea and Atherosclerosis
    (2018-06-01) Zavorins, Aleksejs; Voicehovska, Julija; Ķisis, Janis; Lejnieks, Aivars; Department of Dermatology and Venereology; Department of Internal Diseases
    Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterised by transient or persistent erythema, telangiectasia, papules, and pustules that predominantly involve central regions of the face. Recent studies have shown a possible clinical association between rosacea and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Rosacea and atherosclerosis are both known to have alterations in the innate immune system, enhanced oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress. The aim of this review is to delve deep into the pathogenesis of rosacea and atherosclerosis to uncover possible pathogenic overlaps between these chronic inflammatory diseases.
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    Pathogenesis of congenital adhesions : cytokines and human β-defensin 2
    (2015-07-07) Zavorins, Aleksejs; Pilmane, Māra; Volrāts, Olafs; Institute of Anatomy and Anthropology
    Intestinal malrotation is a failure of the bowel to attain the correct position during 5th to 10th week of embryogenesis that results in fixation of caecum to the upper part on the right side of abdominal wall with congenital peritoneal adhesions also known as Ladd’s bands. There are several factors speculated to have an impact on formation of the congenital adhesions, including intraute-rine mesothelial trauma due to ischemia or an infectious agent. Therefore, the aim was to research expression of local pro- and anti-inflammatory factors, ischemia related factors and antimicrobial peptides in the tissue of congenital adhesions.Biopsy samples of congenital peritoneal adhesions from 20 neonates that were 0 to 4 days old were gathered from the collection of Institute of Anatomy and Anthropology of Riga Stradins University. All biopsy samples were obtai-ned during a primary laparotomy due to obstructive gut malrotation. Tissue samples were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, as well as immunohis-tochemical staining with antibodies to VEGF, IL-1, IL-6, IL-10 and human β-defensin 2 was also performed.Relatively increased quantity of IL-10, IL-6 and human β-defensin 2 was discovered, that suggests an activation of an anti-inflammatory response, possibly due to an intrauterine infection. Additionally, a relatively increa-sed amount of IL-10 and IL-6 positive macrophages and fibroblasts suggests that a persistant inflammation triggered development of fibrous tissue. Inc-reased quantity of human β-defensin 2 positive and decreased quantity of VEGF positive endothelial cell suggests that angiogenesis was mediated by β-defensin 2 independentaly from VEGF pathway.
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    Reaction of Subcutaneous Connective Tissue of Experimental Animals on Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Coated Hydroxyapatite
    (2012) Zavorins, Aleksejs; Pilmane, Māra; Šalms, Ģirts; Skagers, Andrejs; Čakstiņa-Dzērve, Inese; Ločs, Jānis; Institute of Anatomy and Anthropology; Rīga Stradiņš University
    Introduction. Hydroxyapatite (HAp) scaffolds have become an alternative to autologous bone grafts in orthopedic surgery, because it is possible to fill larger scale bone defects and of the decreased operation time and complication risks at the graft donor site, a promising method in bone regeneration is to load bone marrow - mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs) on to a HAp scaffold. Aim of the Study. The aim of our study is to compare subcutaneous tissue reaction of experimental animals to implantation of HAp and HAp that is coated with BM-MSCs. Materials and Methods. Autologous BM-MSCs were cultivated from crista iliaca dextra biopsy, 4 HAp ceramic implants were coated with BM-MSC and implanted in subcutaneous tissue on one side and non-coated HAp implants on the other side of the spine of 4 rabbits. Immunohistochemical staining of BM-MSC and connective tissue included TUNEL assay, NFkBp105, HSP 70k, Wnt1, TNF-α, VEGF, MMP-2 antibodies, microscoped at 400X magnification and analyzed semiquantitatively. Results. Routine staining with haemotoxilin and eosin demonstrated formation of granulation tissue around the HAp implant, which was more distinct on the control side. There was an increased number of NFκB p105 positive cells (fibroblasts, myocytes, endotheliocytes) on the experimental side (+++), in comparison to the control side (++). HSP70 and apoptosis index was decreased on the experimental side (++ and 60%), in comparison to the control side (+++ and 70%). Number of MMP2 positive structures was increased on the control side in the fibrous capsule (++), in comparison to the experimental side, where the result varied (0 - +) Conclusions. Cultured BM-MSC activity is partly limited due to the apoptosis, which is probably induced by environmental factors. BM-MSC coated HAp implant stimulates secretion of proliferation marker NFkBp105 in subcutaneous tissue, decreases cell stress, apoptosis and tissue degradation (decreased HSP 70, apoptotic cell count and MMP 2) to improve the local tissue quality and proving BM-MSC tissue protective effect.
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    Rubeosis faciei diabeticorum is not associated with oxidative stress and skin autofluorescence
    (2019-09-01) Zavorins, Aleksejs; Silova, Alise; Voicehovska, Julija; Kisis, Janis; Department of Dermatology and Venereology; Bioķīmijas zinātniskā laboratorija; Department of Internal Diseases
    Background: Rubeosis faciei diabeticorum is a persistent facial erythema in patients with diabetes mellitus. The actual pathogenesis has not been studied. However, it is speculated to be a cutaneous diabetic microangiopathy. Objective: Examine the correlation between the severity of facial erythema and the possible causes of microvascular diabetic complications, namely oxidative stress, hyperglycemia, and cutaneous accumulation of advanced glycation end-products. Methods: Patients diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (n = 32) were enrolled in the study. The facial erythema index was measured using the Mexameter MX18; cutaneous accumulation of advanced glycation end-products was estimated by measuring skin auto fluorescence with the AGE Reader (DiagnOptics Technologies B.V. – Groningen, Netherlands). Glycated haemoglobin, total antioxidant status, and malondialdehyde were measured in blood by TBARS assay. The correlation between the selected variables was assessed by Spearman's rank test; p ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: There was a statistically significant correlation between total antioxidant status and the facial erythema index (ρ = 0.398, p = 0.024). Malondialdehyde, skin autofluorescence, glycated haemoglobin, body mass index, duration of diabetes, and age did not demonstrate statistically significant correlation with the facial erythema index. Study limitations: This is an observational study. Elevation of total antioxidant status could have been caused by several factors that might have also influenced the development of rubeosis faciei, including hyperbilirubinemia and hyperuricemia. Conclusions: The results contradicted expectations. Total antioxidant status correlated positively with facial erythema index; however, there was no correlation with oxidative stress and skin autofluorescence. Further investigations should be conducted to reveal the cause of total antioxidant status elevation in patients with rubeosis faciei.
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    Uterine Prolapse : Immunohistochemical Study of the Pelvic Ligaments
    (2011) Zavorins, Aleksejs; Pilmane, Māra; Lietuviete, Nellija; Institute of Anatomy and Anthropology
    Introduction. Uterine prolapse is a pathological condition when pelvic support system loses elasticity and the uterus descends down into the vagina, leading to pain and even protrusion of tissue from the vagina. Aim of the study. Compare morphology of pelvic ligaments in women with uterine prolapse and without it. Materials and methods. Biopsies of lig. teres uteri were taken during the reconstructive surgery from 7 women with uterine prolapse and the control group of 3 women. Tissues were stained with hematoxilin and eosin, periodic acid – Schiff method and with antibodies of bFGF, FGFR 1, VEGF, PGP 9.5, Collagen III and IV, MMP-9, microscoped at 400X magnification and evaluated semiquantitatively. Data were analysed using non-parametric statistics – Mann – Whitney U test. Results. VEGF was statistically significantly increased (U = 3.5, p = 0.022, two-tailed Mann – Whitney U test) in the prolapse group, in comparison to the control group. Other parameters did not display any statistically significant difference when comparing the two groups, however, amount of GAGs stained with periodic acid – Schiff method showed a notable tendency to decrease in the prolapse group in comparison to the control group. Conclusions. Increased number of VEGF positive endothelium indicates hypoxia and stimulation of angiogenesis in female pelvic ligaments with uterine prolapse. Tendency of GAGs to decrease in the pelvic ligaments of females with uterine prolapse suggests qualitative degradation of tissue.