Niobium‐containing saponite clays are active catalysts, under mild ambient conditions and in the presence of aqueous hydrogen peroxide, in the oxidative abatement of sulfur‐containing blister chemical warfare agent simulants, such as (2‐chloroethyl)ethyl sulfide. Over a Nb‐saponite solid, a complete, selective and safe abatement of the chemical agent was attained within 8 h. The biological and environmental impact of the Nb‐containing nanostructured clays used as decontamination solids was assessed by specific rapid biotoxicity tests on bioluminescent bacteria and vegetable plants. No negative impact on the strain of luminescent bacteria was evidenced in terms of acute and chronic toxicity. No adverse effects have been observed on vegetable plants in terms of germination, vigour and induction of chlorophyll fluorescence either.

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Objective: to study the immunophenotype of the macrophage population and the mechanisms of their vectorial redistribution in fibrous cavernous pulmonary tuberculosis.Materials and methods. The material for the study was fragments of the fibrous cavern wall and pericavernous lung tissue of the dead or surgical patients diagnosed with fibrous cavernous tuberculosis (n = 163). All patients were divided into 2 main groups: patients with active bacteria excretion (MTB+, n = 84) and patients with clinical abacillation (MTB–, n = 79) for immunohistochemistry with a panel of markers for: macrophages and histiocytes – CD68; vascular growth factor A – VEGF-A; T-helpers – CD4, and T-cytotoxic lymphocytes – CD8.Results. Following the analysis of CD68 expression, the population heterogeneity of macrophages was revealed depending on the intensity of the cytoplasmic reaction, functional activity, localization and quantitative characteristics. Three groups were identified: highly active, moderately active and weakly active. Based on the reaction with vascular growth factor A, it was determined that VEGF+ cells correspond to weakly active CD68+ macrophages and are located on the border between the specific granulation tissue and fibrous layer as well as in the pericavernous zone and intact lung tissue with a statistically significant predominance in patients with MTB– (p < 0.05). Regardless of the scope of bacterial secretion, the number of VEGF+ cells in the lymphoid follicle zone directly correlates with that of CD68+ macrophages in the pericavernous zone (R = 0.68) and indirectly correlates with the number of diffusely scattered VEGF+ cells in the fibrous capsule (R = –0.75). In the meantime, CD68+/VEGF+ are visualized in the zone of CD8+ T-lymphocytes, and CD68+/VEGF- – in the zone of CD4+ cell clusters. Such correlation indicates the redistribution of macrophages into type 2, which has a remodeling effect on the surrounding tissues with the potentiating participation of lymphoid cells.

Angiogenesis is a genetically determined mechanism for the formation of new vessels from progenitor cells; it is also a complex process of new vessels formation, that is regulated by an imbalance in the pro- and anti-angiogenic factors ratio. Angiogenesis is divided on physiological and pathological, which directly refers to angiogenesis in conditions of tumor pathology, and in conditions of inflammatory diseases. So the fundamental differences in the mechanisms base in the direct synthesis of vascular growth factors in tumor cells, or the release of pro-angiogenic factors by immune and stromal cells. Under conditions of inflammation, cytokines can directly induce vascular synthesis by recruiting angioblasts, or, indirectly, by inducing leukocytes and endothelial cells for the synthesis of pro-angiogenic mediators.

Background. Despite the progress and development of scientific directions in various fields of medicine, the problem of tuberculosis and its morphological manifestations remains relevant and is not fully disclosed due to complex pathogenesis, the presence of various clinical forms, therapeutic pathomorphosis, torpid to therapy, the presence of relapses. It is known that a surfactant system occupies a special place in the system of local lung protection.Aim. To study the condition of surfactant-assotiated protein A in the foci of specific destruction and in the surrounding intact lung tissue to assess its functional status, degree of respiratory failure and possible dissemination of tuberculous inflammation.Material and Metods. An analysis of 163 lung fragments of the dead or operated on for cavernous pulmonary tuberculosis with active bacterial excretion of 89 fragments and with clinical abacilation – 74 was carried out. Results A morphological study revealed stereotypical dynamic depression of surfactant-associated protein A in all the samples studied, both in the areas of cavernous destruction and pericavernouse zone, and in intact lung tissue. The maximum intensivity of the immunohistochemical expression of this surfactant protein was recorded in the alveolar macrophages, which indicated intensive recycling and utilization of the components of the surfactant.Conclusion. Minimizing the production of surfactant components and its active utilization in intact lung tissue leads to a collapse of the alveoli with subsequent progression of respiratory failure.