Brain disorders in fetal alcohol syndrome.

Intrauterine effect of alcohol on the development of cytomorphological structure of CNS in rats was studied by heterogeneous enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The level of transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) in animals during pregnancy was analyzed. Pronounced damaging effect of alcohol on brain cell in the progeny of alcoholized animals was demonstrated: loosening of nerve cells and degenerative changes in the form of pyknosis and chromatolysis in the cortex, hypothalamus, and cerebellum; subtotal decrease (sometimes complete absence) of neuroendocrine granules. The level of TGF-ß1 was significantly increased in alcoholized pregnant females, which can attest to defects of the receptor apparatus of the target cells in both females and the progeny. Thus, the observed peculiarities of TGF-ß1 expression are comparable to morphological changes in the brain and can be extrapolated to similar processes in humans (fetal alcohol syndrome).

[Morphological characteristics of the kidneys in fetuses and newborns exposed to hypoxia]. / Morfologicheskie osobennosti pochek u plodov i novorozhdennykh, perenesshikh gipoksiiu.

A pathomorphological study of the kidney in embryos and newborns was carried out (149 cases). Correlations were found between morphological characteristics and duration of hypoxia.

Proportion of the GSTM1 0/0 genotype in some Slavic populations and its correlation with cystic fibrosis and some multifactorial diseases.

A homozygous gene deletion at the glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) locus of genomic DNA from blood spots was studied by PCR in the group of Slavic populations from the north-western and central-eastern regions of European Russia and in patients with lung cancer (LC), other tumors (OT), endometriosis (E), alcoholic cirrhosis (AC), cystic fibrosis (CF) and chronic bronchitis (CB). The frequencies of the GSTM1 0/0 genotype were 38.8% and 67.5% for both population groups, respectively. The proportion of the GSTM1 gene deletion genotype was estimated as significantly increased in LC (81%), OT (65%), E (81%), AC (77.3%), and in CB (73.6%) patients with symptoms of CB confirmed by X-ray but not in CB patients without X-ray evidence of disease (40.9%). A definite preponderance of GSTM1-0 homozygotes (51.1%) has been registered in CF patients of the pancreatic sufficient group with clear-cut pulmonological manifestations but not in those of the pancreatic insufficient group with predominantly intestinal or mixed clinical symptoms (41.2% and 37.5%, respectively). Earlier clinical manifestations and death before the age of 5 years are typical for GSTM1-deleted CF patients. These data support the notion that GSTM1 deletion should be considered as a convenient genetic marker for the early detection of groups at higher risk of many diseases caused by environmental and genetic factors, where manifestation depends on the lack of detoxification. High levels of GSTM1 0/0 genotypes in E patients favor the substantial contribution of certain environmental toxins in the pathogenesis of this widespread disease.

[The periodic and regional characteristics of the pneumococcal serotype spectrum in children with respiratory diseases and in healthy carriers]. / Peridodicheskie i regional'nye osobennosti serotipovogo spektra pnevmokokkov u detei s respiratornymi zabolevaniiami i zdorovykh nositelei.

The aim of the work was the comparative study Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes, isolated from healthy carriers and acute pneumonia patients in different regions of the CIS; in Moscow observations were carried out for 10 years. Specific antibodies to different S.pneumoniae capsular polysaccharide antigens were determined in blood serum samples by the method of heterogeneous enzyme immunoassay. The study revealed that S.pneumoniae serotype spectra in healthy children and in children with acute respiratory viral diseases were similar, while from pneumonia patients with complications of pleuritis caused by S.pneumoniae serotypes 1, 3, 5 and 14, were more frequently isolated. During 10 years of observations changes in the occurrence of individual serotypes were noted both in carriers and in patients. Differences in the serotype spectra of S.pneumoniae isolated in different regions were established. S.pneumoniae serotype 5 caused 70% of pleuritis cases in Tashkent, while rarely occurring in regions with the moderate climate. S.pneumoniae serotype 14, formerly causing complicated forms of pneumonia, lately became more widespread, but at the same time caused fewer cases of pneumonia with complications. High occurrence of pneumonia among children aged 1-3 years correlated with a low level of specific antibodies in the child population.