[Substances from pyrolised tissues of reptile carcases differently modulate immunity of mammals of both sexes].

Substances with gender action on immunity were detected in water soluble hydrolised matter from reptile carcases. The gender action was shown on isolated blood neutrophils, whole blood and in vivo by the antiviral activity on experimental animals, contaminated with three types of viruses: Herpes simplex type 1, the virus of encephalomyocarditis and the virus of hepatitis of mice. The possible mechanism of the inhibitory action on the male immunity was associated with the protein kinase cascade, including protein kinase C, activated by phorbolmyristate in the cells of the immune system.

[Stimforte action on the main inflammation characteristics in experimental animals contaminated by Herpes simplex-1].

In the brain and lungs of the experimental animals contaminated by Herpes simplex-1 there were detected much higher levels of the thiobarbituric acid-stained lipid oxidation products and proteolytic activity, evident of the inflammation process. Stimforte lowered the inflammation indices to the level, close to that in the brain of the noninfected animals. Yet the drug provided lower titers of the virus in the brain, lungs and serum in the contaminated animals and arrested the infection process by stimulation of the immune system. The mechanism of the inflammation suppression is discussed.

[Effect of Stimforte in combination with Virazole on infection induced by hepatitis C virus in mice].

Twenty-four hours after intramuscular injection of Stimforte in a dose of 25 microg in mice weighing 18-20 g, chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV), viral infection was shown to be at the most suppressed viral replication, as suggested by the data of the infectious and antigenic activities of HCV. Following 72 hours of its administration, the quantity of viral antigen and the infectious activity restored. Readministration of the agent considerably suppressed HCV replication. When given in a dose of 12.5 microg/kg, the agent reduced HCV titers by 2.0-2.5 log10 TCID50; when used in a dose of 25 microg/kg, it diminished the infectious activity of HCV by 3.2 log. The similar data were obtained in the study of the antigenic activity of HCV in infected animals. The effect of Virazole in combination with Stimforte in reducing the replication of infectious HCV and the accumulation of antigens in HCV-infected mice was additive or synergic, suggesting that it is expedient to use them concurrently.

[Effect of Stimforte on infection induced by hepatitis C virus, genotype 1b].

When given at two concentrations of 12.5 and 25 microg/kg to mice weighing 18-20 g in chronic Infection, the novel immunomodulator Stimforte was tested for effects on replication of hepatitis C virus (HCV), 1b strain. The efficacy of the agent was evaluated from the decrease in virus titers in the liver, serum, brain, and spleen and from the reduction of antigen titers in the same organs. When administered at a concentration of 12.5 microg/kg, the agent was ineffective and did not decrease significantly the examined indices in any of the organs. When used at a concentration of 25 microg/kg, Stimforte significantly lowered the number of virus antigen in the study organs, rather than in the serum, the liver showing a 15-fold antigen reduction as compared with the controls. HCV replication decreased by 2.4 log10 in the serum and 1.7-1.9 log10 in the organs of the animals given the agent. A Stimforte-induced decrease in HCV replication correlated well with the increased concentration of proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interferon-gamma, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1 beta , which might be one of the mechanisms responsible for the antiviral activity of the agent in hepatitis C.

[Induction of oxidative stress and SOS response in Escherichia coli by plant extracts: the role of hydroperoxides and the synergistic effect of simultaneous treatment with cisplatinum].

Plasmids containing a transcription fusion of Escherichia coli katG, soxS, and resA promoters to the Photorhabdus luminescens lux operon (luxCDABE) were constructed. The bioluminescence method of assessing oxidative stress and SOS response in E. coli cells was applied to test the genotoxicity of cisplatinum and vegetable extracts. Strains MG1655 (pKatG-lux) and MG1655 (pSoxS-lux) were used in the oxidative stress procedure. Strain MG1655(pRecA-lux) was used to test the genotoxicity of the chemicals. All vegetable extracts induced oxidative stress and SOS response. A marked synergistic response was observed when MG1655 (pRecA-lux) cells were exposed to both cisplatinum and vegetable extracts; the level of luminescence measured in the presence of both inducers was much higher than the sum of the levels of luminescence observed with vegetable extracts or cisplatinum alone. The hydroperoxide content in vegetable extracts and in X63-Ag8.6.5.3 myeloma cells was determined. Vegetable extracts were shown to inhibit the HeLa cell growth.

[Plastic surgery of postoperative abdominal hernias with polypropylene endoprosthesis].

One hundred and twenty-one patients with postoperative abdominal hernias of different size and location were treated, 103 of them underwent surgery with polypropylene endoprosthesis. Size of hernia was objectively assessed with an original method of X-ray-computed hernioabdominometry. The parameter presents as percentage of relative volume of hernia. Based on this index, hernias were classified by size in the following way: small -- relative volume 1.0 - 5.0%, middle-sized -- 5.1 -14,0%, large -- 14.1 - 18%, gigantic -- over 18.0%. Choice of a hernioplasty method depended on relative volume of postoperative hernia. Middle-sized hernias were indications for reconstructive surgery (complete adaptation of muscular and aponeurotic layers of abdominal wall), gigantic hernias - for correcting surgery (specified diastasis of muscular and aponeurotic layers was maintained). In large hernias the method of hernioplasty was individual depending on compensatory abilities of the patient. Postoperative complications (6.6%) were local and seen in 6.6% cases. There were no lethal outcomes and complications associated with endoprosthesis. Recurrences of hernia were not revealed in all 103 patients examined from 6 months to 2.5 years after surgery.

[Value of statistical analysis of cardiac rhythm for the prognosis of electric instability in patients with acute myocardial infarction]. / Znachenie statisticheskogo analiza ritma serdtsa v prognozirovanii élektricheskoi nestabil'nosti u bol'nykh ostrym infarktom miokarda.

Patients with acute myocardial infarction and acute hemodynamic disorders were divided into 2 groups: 56 patients with severe arrthythmias (group 1) and 29 patients without heart rhythm disorders (group 2). Sinus rhythm analysis, making use of the computer technology and a specifically designed cardiac rhythm analyzer, RKAS-1, demonstrated changes, typical for patients at risk for severe arrhythmias. Segments of rigid rhythm alternating with those of high variability on the rhythmogram are a visual sign of electric instability of the heart. This rhythmic variability may be qualified as a result of discrupted adaptation of the sinus node. Mathematical analysis of statistical rhythm characteristics demonstrated typical indicators of the risk of electric instability. They are sigma 15 min between 2.73 and 7.4 ms and RR/sigma between 10.5 and 41.1, while P3 is less than 25%.