There is a global need to discover effective anti-cancerous compounds from natural sources. Cultivated wheat cells can be a valuable source of non-toxic or low toxic plant-derived polysaccharides. In this study, we evaluated the anti-cancer ability of seven fractions of wheat cell culture polysaccharides (WCCPSs) in the HCT-116 colon cancer cell line. Almost all (6/7) fractions had an inhibitory effect on the proliferation of colon cancer cells, and two fractions (A-b and A-f) had considerable therapeutic indexes. The WCCPS fractions induced cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase and induced different rates of apoptosis (≤48%). Transmission and scanning electron microscopy revealed that WCCPS fractions caused apoptotic changes in the nucleus and cytoplasm, including damage to mitochondria and external morphological signs of apoptosis. In addition, the WCCPSs induced an increase in the levels of Bax, cytochrome c, and caspases 8 and 3, indicating that cell death progressed through intrinsic and extrinsic pathways of apoptosis. Furthermore, some fractions caused a significant decrease of c-Myc, b-catenin, NFkB2, and HCAM (CD 44) levels, indicating enhanced cell differentiation. Thus, for the first time, our results provide a proof of concept of the anti-cancer capacity of WCCPS fractions in colorectal cancer.

Objective: To identify socio-demographic, clinical and laboratory risk factors associated with fibro-cavernous tuberculosis. Material and methods: Clinical and laboratory data of 184 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis who were treated at the National Scientific Center for Phthisiopulmonology of the Ministry of Healthcare of the Republic of Kazakhstan were analyzed. Specific antibodies to the lipoglycan of M.tuberculosis (MBT) were evaluated in an immunochromatographic assay. To assess the significance of differences in groups, the Pearson Chi-Square test was used. To determine factors associated with the fibro-cavernous tuberculosis, а multiple binary logistic regression analysis was carried out. Results: Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that low BMI (OR=5,719, 95% CI: 2,049–15,965, p=0,001), TB recurrence (OR=3.374, 95% CI: 1,191–9,561, p=0,022), and a negative specific production of antibodies to lipoglycan of M.tuberculosis (MBT) (OR=0,354, 95% CI: 0,126-0,995, p=0,049) were significantly associated with fibro-cavernous tuberculosis. Conclusion: Weight deficiency, high antibodies levels and TB relapse are factors associated with fibro-cavernous tuberculosis.

Natural polysaccharides (PSs) have shown inhibitory effects on differentiated cancer cells (DCCs), but their activity against cancer stem cells (CSCs) remains poorly understood. Here, we report that PSs from wheat cell cultures (WCCPSs) inhibit the proliferation of both DCCs and CSCs derived from HCT-116 colorectal cancer cells. Among them, NA and DC fractions showed the strongest anti-CSC activity. NA, rich in xylose, was effective at lower concentrations, while DC, enriched in xylose and galacturonic acid (GalUA), exhibited higher potency, with a lower IC₅₀ and preferential activity against CSCs at higher doses. WCCPSs reduced β-catenin levels, and some fractions also downregulated Ep-CAM, CD44, and c-Myc. Notably, DC increased caspase-3 without inducing cytochrome C and caspase-8 overexpression, suggesting a mechanism promoting CSC differentiation rather than apoptosis. Correlation analysis linked xylose content to reduced c-Myc expression, and GalUA levels to increased caspase-3. These results suggest that WCCPS bioactivity may be related to their monosaccharide composition. Overall, our findings support the potential of wheat-derived PSs as CSC-targeting agents that suppress self-renewal and promote differentiation, offering a promising approach to reduce tumor aggressiveness and recurrence.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in comorbidity structures and its effect on the clinical course in hospitalized COVID-19 patients in south region of Kazakhstan. Material and methods: A retrospective analysis of data from 918 patients with COVID-19 treated at the City Clinical Infectious Diseases Hospital was carried out. Pearson's Chi-square test and Student's t-test were conducted. Results: In Kazakhstan, diabetes mellitus occupies the second position in the structure of comorbidities in patients with COVID-19 with a share of 20%. Diabetes mellitus in patients most often occurs in combination with cardiovascular diseases and arterial hypertension (20.3% and 16.3%, respectively). Combination of diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension and other diseases was detected in 72.4% of patients. Combination of diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular and other diseases was detected in 32.5%. In diabetes mellitus patients, COVID-19 was more severe, the hospital stay was longer, and patients over 60 years of age suffered. These patients had a combination of diabetes mellitus with arterial hypertension, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases. Hyperglycemia, elevated blood pressure, rapid breathing, and low saturation were more common for these patients. Conclusion: Diabetes mellitus ranks second in the structure of comorbidities in COVID-19 in the south region of Kazakhstan and is characterized by a combination with cardiovascular diseases, arterial hypertension and obesity. In patients with diabetes, COVID-19 is more severe, which affects the length of stay in the hospital, the mortality rate and the need for transfer to the Intensive Care Unit.

This review presents an analysis of current research on the role of epigenetic mechanisms in regulating gene expression, which is fundamental to key functions of innate immunity in tuberculosis. Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, has a profound and multifaceted impact on human health. It can lead to a decline in quality of life, disability, and mortality, and is also associated with psychosocial challenges. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are extensively involved in numerous biological processes, including M. tuberculosis infection, and play a crucial role in gene regulation. In this review, we summarise findings on ncRNAs that influence the host’s immune response to M. tuberculosis infection. Our analysis demonstrates that pathogens can exploit interactions between ncRNAs and other biomolecules to evade immune-mediated clearance mechanisms and persist within host cells for extended periods. During the interaction between M. tuberculosis and host macrophages, ncRNA expression levels undergo significant alterations, affecting the regulation of host cell metabolism, inflammatory responses, apoptosis, and autophagy. These findings provide valuable insights that could contribute to the development of novel approaches for the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis.

Objective: To study the structure of concomitant pathologies in low birth weight premature newborns with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). To identify mortality risk factors in these newborns. Materials and methods: Data from 374 premature newborns weighing less than 1500 g and gestational age less than 32 weeks with RDS treated in the intensive care unit were analyzed. Results: Several comorbidities were more common among children with RDS compared to children without RDS. Thus, disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome (DIC) occurred 2 times, atelectasis 1.3 times, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) 2.4 times, and anemia 1.8 times more often among children with RDS compared to those without RDS. In multivariate logistic regression, such factors as 1-3 points on the Apgar scale at 1 minute (OR - 2.478, 95% CI - 1.289-4.764, p = 0.007), 1-3 points on the Apgar scale at 5 minutes ( OR - 3.754, 95% CI - 1.788-7.878, p<0.0001), DIC (OR -4.428, 95% CI -2.206-8.887, p<0.0001), NEC (OR - 4.508, 95% CI - 2.270-8.954, p<0.0001) showed a positive association with death in children with RDS. When assessing the effect of the combination of DIC and NEC on death, it was found that the combination of these two pathologies in children with RDS increases the risk of death by more than 2 times. Thus, the area under the curve (AUC) for DIC was 0.283, for NEC the AUC was 0.335, and for the combination ICE+NEC it was 0.782). Conclusions: The structure of comorbidities in low birth weight infants with RDS differs from that of infants without RDS. Premature infants with RDS were more likely to develop anemia, DIC, atelectasis, and NEC. The presence of comorbidities increases the risk of death in low birth weight infants with RDS. Low Apgar score, DIC syndrome, and NEC can increase the risk of death in low birth weight premature infants with RDS. It is anticipated that the collected data will enhance personalized care for low birth weight, premature infants with multiple health conditions, ultimately reducing mortality rates in this vulnerable patient group.