[Substantiating the mechanism of action of modified laser cyclocoagulation].

The authors studied in an experiment the processes of a limited and controlled inflammatory reaction after modified laser cyclocoagulation (MLCC) and estimated the content of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and guanosine triphosphate (GTP) in the retina and optic nerve. Hypotensive and trophic MLCC were carried out in 36 grey Shinshilla rabbits (36 eyes) by the standard procedure. Thirty-six pair eyes without MLCC served as a control. Biochemical studies yielded estimates of changes in the content of ATP and GTP in the hypotensive and trophic MLCC and control groups. The experiment showed an increase in the levels of ATP and GTP in nmole. The performed experimental studies proved that ocular exchange processes became activated and the content of ATP and GTP increased.

[The inoculative properties of cold-adapted reassortant A(H5N2) influenza strain during intranasal administration to mice].

Classical genetic reassortant techniques were used to have a cold-adapted (ca) reassortant A/17/Duck/Potsdam/86/92 (H5N2) that inherited the hemagglutinin (HA) gene from the nonpathogenic avian virus A/Duck/Potsdam/ 1402-6186 (H5N2) and the genes of neuraminidase (NA) and non-glycated proteins from the ca attenuation donor A/Leningrad/134/17/57 (H2N2). All experiments were performed under increased biological protection (BSV-3+). The reassortant and parent H5N2 virus were non-pathogenic to Balb/c mice, the reassortant replication in the murine nasal passages (3.5 Ig EID50/ml) being higher than that in the lung (2.1 lg EID50/ml). Intranasal inoculation of mice with reassortant A/17/Duck/Potsdam/86/92 caused an immune response to both homological H5N2 virus and antigenically differing variants of influenza A (H5N1) virus isolated from humans in 1997 and 2003. The mice intranasally immunized with the ca reassortant were protected against fatal infection with the highly pathogenic A/Hong Kong/483/9797 (H5N1) virus and against infection with A/Hong Kong/213/03(H5N1) virus (80 and 100%, respectively).

[Growth characteristics of single gene mutants of A/Leningrad/134/57(H2N2) influenza virus and cold-adapted mutant A/Leningrad/134/17/57(H2N2)].

The authors examined a role of some mutated A/Leningrad/134/17/57(H2N2) virus genes in the realization of growth characteristics. The latter of single gene reassortants (SGRs) (PB2, PB1, PA, M, and NS), epidemic virus and attenuation donor were assessed by infecting MDCK cells and hen embryos at a low inoculation index. Viral replication in the hen embryos and cultured tissue was compared at 34 degrees C. The viruses and reassortants tested showed a high growth capacity in the hen embryos (9.5-10.5 Ig TCID50). The growth curves of viruses were studied on the cultured MDCK cells at a low inoculation index indicated that Len/17 and the single gene reassortants M and NS had the highest growth capacity. At the same time the growth of both PB1 and PB2 SGRs was less extensive. The reproduction of PB2 SGR was 100-1000 times less than that of other viruses tested. M, NS, and PA gene mutations did not affect viral growth in hen embryos and cultured tissue while PB2 gene mutation and its constellations with other genes caused a reduction in viral growth in the cultured tissue.

[Production of early cytokines after infection with A/Leningrad/134/57 (H2N2) wide-type virus and cold-adapted attenuated vaccine viruses].

The production of proinflammatory cytokines was studied following experimental infection of BALB/c mice with influenza viruses that differed in virulence. The generation of TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-12, and IFN-gamma was investigated in the lung homogenates in the early periods after intranasal infection of mice with A/Leningrad/134/57 (H2N2) wild-type virus and cold-adapted attenuated vaccine viruses: A/Leningrad/134/17157 (H2N2) and A/Leningrad/134/47/57 (H2N2). Wild-type virus induced substantially higher levels of proinflammatory cytokines: TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-12, and IFN-gamma. After infection with the cold-adapted viruses, the levels of the cytokines were reduced as compared to those induced by the wild-type virus. The A/Leningrad/134/47/57 virus was marked by a noticeable production of IL-6 and IFN-gamma in the murine lung, but it was less than with wild-type virus infection. At the same time, the more attenuated strain A/Leningrad/134/47/57 induced TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma in the quantities similar to those in the control animals. Thus, a response of proinflammatory cytokines in early infection in the murine lung depended on the level of viral replication in the lower respiratory tract and on the attenuation of influenza virus strains.

[Effects of trans-scleral laser cyclo-coagulation on intraocular pressure and visual function in patients with far advanced open-angle glaucoma]. / Vliianie transskleral'noi lazernoi tsiklokoaguliatsii na vnutriglaznoe davlenie i zritel'nye funktsii u bol'nykh otkrytougol'noi dalekozashedshei glaukomoi.

Transscleral diode laser cyclocoagulation was modified so that laser coagulants (20-25 applications) were applied not only to the ciliary crown, but to the flat part of the ciliary body as well. Inflammation modulators forming after coagulation thus enter aqueous humor and the vitreous body and penetrate into the retina and optic disc, causing dilatation of capillaries and stimulating the blood stream in them. Forty patients (40 eyes) with far advanced glaucoma and pronounced concentrical narrowing of the visual field were operated on and observed for 6-12 months postoperation. One month after the intervention intraocular pressure decreased by 9-21 mm Hg and was below 22 mm Hg in 38 eyes; visual acuity increased by 0.1-0.3 in 11 cases; visual field widened in all patients. These results did not appreciably change till the end of the period of observation.

The effects of research, managed care and professional relations on the chiropractic profession.

The health care professions are in a period of rapid change, and chiropractic, because it is a relatively young profession, is experiencing change at an even more rapid pace. The changes in the chiropractic profession will be dictated in large measure by the effects of future research, managed care and the professional relationship established between the chiropractic profession and other health care professions. In this article, these effects are discussed by reviewing the past history of chiropractic, the present status and future implications.