Eustrongylides (Nematoda:Dioctophymatidae): Epizootology and Special Characteristics of The Development Biology.

Eustrongylides spp. are the nematodes from the Dioctophymatidae family which are potentially dangerous for the mammal's heath. The first aim of the present research is to describe the biology, developmental characteristics and epizootology of the Eustrongylides spp. nematode. Eustrongylidosis is a parasitic disease commonly occurring in the countries with temperate continental, tropical and subtropical climate. The Eustrongylides spp. parasites are biohelmints with a complex life cycle. The development of the nematodes takes place in the aquatic environment and includes a vast range of intermediate, accidental and definitive hosts. It has also been reported in humans. The second aim of the research is to describe the clinical and pathomorphological changes in organs and tissues of the infected animals, and influence of biotic and abiotic factors on formation of the natural centers of spreading of eustrongylidosis; diagnostics of eustrongylidosis.

Dichotomy of Local Th1- and Systemic Th2/Th3-Dependent Types of Immune Response in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Biomarkers of activity of rheumatoid arthritis were analyzed in the blood serum and synovial fluid of affected joints in 84 patients. Significant differences between the serum and synovial fluid levels were revealed for 10 of 17 analyzed biomarkers; the levels of IgM and proinflammatory cytokines TNFα, IL-1ß, IFNγ, and IL-6 were higher in the synovial fluid. The concentration of IL-10 in the synovial fluid was also elevated. In the peripheral blood, the content of antinuclear antibodies, circulating immune complexes, and cytokines IL-4 and TGF-ß was elevated. These findings attest to the development of local Th1 type immune response in affected joints paralleled by compensatory elevation of immunosuppressive cytokine IL-10 and systemic Th2/Th3 type immune response (judging from peripheral blood parameters) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

[Immunogenetic aspects of early rheumatoid arthritis].

The study is aimed to investigate the distribution of alleles of HLA-DRB1 gene in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis and healthy individuals in Russian population, and evaluate their significance as molecular genetic markers of rheumatoid arthritis predisposition and protection. The association between alleles of HLA-DRB1 genes, antibodies to cyclic citrullinated peptides and IgM rheumatoid factor was also studied. Low and high resolution HLA-DRB1 genotyping were compared. In the cohort of patients with early rheumatoid arthritis, the alleles of HLA-DRB1 gene were found to be markers of rheumatoid arthritis protection/risk, especially in the homozygous state. They determined production of antibodies to cyclic citrullinated peptides but were not associated with rheumatoid factor IgM levels. These findings support different autoimmune mechanisms of rheumatoid arthritis pathogenesis.

[Absorption of iodofolic acids by the cells of malignant tumors].

The uptake of 125-iodine labeled 3' iodofolic acid (I*F) and 3' iodo, 5 formyl tetrahydrofolic acid (I*FT) by the cells HeLa, ECV, L-41, human glioma, and rat glioma was studied. Human Embrionic Lung Fibroblasts (HELF) were taken for comparison as healthy cells. It was shown for *IF that its long-term uptake by cells L-41 and ECV is hundreds oftimes higher than those of HELF cells. The short-term uptake phase was studied for *IFT uptake. The dissociation constant was determined for a complex formed by *IFT and an acceptor in the HeLa cells, which is supposed to cause concentrative uptake of *IFT in cells. The dissociation constants of this acceptor complexes with folic acid, 3' iodofolic acid and 3',5'-diiodofolic acid were determined by competition with I*FT. The distribution ratio of *IF and *IFT in tissues of different organs of healthy mice and rats and rats with a sarcoma grafted on his thigh and glioma grafted into the brain was studied. As was shown there are large differences in the concentration of *IF and *IFT in the tumor and in the healthy tissue, *IF concentration in thigh muscle of healthy being 5 times lower than those in tumor grafted to the thigh, and *IFT concentration in healthy brain being 10 times lower than in brain tumor.

[Ultrasonic diagnostics of mediointimal hyperplasia as a predictor of atherosclerosis in old people].

The aim of the study was estimation of mediointimal hyperplasia of carotid artery for diagnosis of atherosclerosis in old people. 168 patients (94 male and 74 female) were in ultrasound investigation (Aloka 1100 in B-mode) of carotid, femoral arteries and abdominal aorta. Age 60-99 years old, mean 68.3. High level of blood cholesterin check in 41.46% patients. Low dencity lipoprotein mean 4.42 +/- 0.23 mmol/l, triglicerid 1.71 +/- 0.12 mmol/l, much more informative was mediointimal hyperplasia of posterior wall of carotid artery (regression rate r = 1.93). Ultrasound estimation of mediointimal hyperplasia of carotid artery is a safe, not expensive and informative method for diagnosis in screening of atherosclerosis in old people.

[Supportive antisecretory therapy in preventing duodenal ulcer recurrence].

Different points of view on the need to conduct supportive acid-suppressive therapy gave rise to this study. The study is aimed at evaluating the influence of the individual supportive therapy based on the results of intragastric pH-monitoring on the incidence of duodenal ulcers. The study is based on a two-year observation of 90 patients with duodenal ulcers. After the ulcers had scarred and the patients had been discharged from hospital, all the patients were divided into three groups for undergoing a follow-up supportive acid-suppressive therapy. As a result, it was revealed that the individually selected supportive antisecretory therapy controlled by intragastric pH-monitoring within two years of observation made it possible to reduce considerably the incidence of duodenal ulcer recurrence in comparison with traditional preventive treatment.

[Pharmacoeconomic evaluation of the efficacy of treating patients with duodenal ulcers].

High cost of medical care provided to the patients with duodenal ulcers requires improvement of treatment organization. This study is aimed at pharmacoeconomic evaluation of the efficacy of treating patients with duodenal ulcers. Two groups of patients were made up for the investigation. The first group was made up of patients who had undergone an individual antisecretory therapy based on intragastric pH-monitoring. The other group was made up of patients undergoing standard treatment without using intragastric pH-monitoring. Upon the comparison of the results in both groups, it was revealed that the "cost of illness" and "cost-efficacy" turned out to be lower in the group of patients where intragastric pH-monitoring for selecting individual antisecretory therapy was used.

Correction of anemia in patients with congestive heart failure increases resting energy expenditure.

BACKGROUND & AIM: Congestive heart failure (CHF) and anemia were reported to affect resting energy expenditure (REE). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the correction of anemia on REE in subjects with CHF. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Nine anemic patients with compensated CHF and CRF were studied before and after correction of anemia. REE was studied by an open circuit indirect calorimeter, body composition by dual-energy-X-ray absorption and total body and extracellular water by multi-frequency bioelectrical impedence. Four anemic and 5 non-anemic CHF patients who did not receive any new treatment served as controls. RESULTS: After the correction of their anemia patients tended to increase weight (P<0.06), but no significant changes were observed in body composition. Daily caloric intake increased significantly (P<0.02). Ejection fraction increased (P<0.05) and pulse rate decreased significantly (P<0.001). REE and REEPP were in the normal range before correction but increased significantly afterwards (1402+/-256 vs. 1496+/-206 kcal/d, and 101+/-9 vs. 109+/-8, P<0.023 and P<0.006, respectively). CONCLUSION: Correction of anemia in patients with CHF increases their REE. This can be related either to improved tissue oxygenation and/or to increased caloric intake.

[The mechanism of the antioxidant action of D-penicillamine]. / Mekhanizm antioksidantnogo deistviia D-penitsillamina.

The mechanism of the antioxidative effect of D-penicillamine was studied under the conditions of NADPH- and CCl4-dependent lipid peroxidation in microsomes of rat liver and adrenalin autooxidation reaction. The antioxidative action of the drug was shown to be due to both its chelating properties and direct anti-radical influence. The chelating effect was more pronounced and depended on the concentration of ferric ions in the medium.

[The laser therapy of rheumatoid arthritis]. / Lazernaia terapiia revmatoidnogo artrita.

About 300 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) underwent multimodality treatment including laser radiation of varying wavelengths. Use was made of helium-neon, infrared, argon and helium-cadmium lasers. A new method of combined laser therapy by radiation of helium-cadmium and helium-neon lasers is described. A scheme of optimal parameters and types of laser radiation recommended for the treatment of different clinical varieties of RA is provided.

[The biochemical heterogeneity of rheumatoid arthritis]. / O biokhimicheskoi geterogennosti revmatoidnogo artrita.

The content of cyclic nucleotides (cAMP and cGMP) in plasma (or blood), synovial fluid and neutrophils was measured in 151 patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as was the content of prostaglandins (E2 and F2 alpha), ACTH, hydrocortisone, antioxidant system enzymes (superoxide dismutase and catalase). Part of the patients were examined over time. Relative stability of certain characteristics (the content of hydrocortisone, neuropeptides, superoxide dismutase, and so forth) was established throughout a long time, irrespective of the process activity or treatment provided. It is concluded that every RA patient has a "weak" biochemical component of his own, reflecting the activity or power of one or another regulatory system.

[Still's syndrome in adults as one of the causes of fever of unknown origin]. / Sindrom Stilla u vzroslykh kak odna iz prichin likhoradki neiasnogo geneza.

Based on their own investigations and reported data, the authors describe the clinical and laboratory signs of Still's syndrome in adults. Special attention is paid to an analysis of the feverish syndrome. The clinical cases of Still's syndrome running its course under the mask of fever of obscure genesis for a long time are provided. The possibilities of early diagnosis of the disease are under discussion.

[Antioxidative activity of antiarthritic preparations]. / Antiokislitel'naia aktivnost' protivoartritnykh preparatov.

Antioxidative activity of acetyl salicylic acid, indometacin, ibuprophen, orthophen, delagil, D-penicillamine and levamysol was studied under conditions of NADPH- and CCl4-dependent lipid peroxidation both in rat liver microsomes and in adrenaline autioxidation. All the drugs studied exhibited only slight antioxidative activity being dissolved in mater, and especially towards lipid peroxidation, as compared with quercitrol and ionol; their activity was noted at concentrations exceeding distinctly the therapeutic doses. At the same time, D-penicillamine inhibited lipid peroxidation not only by means of free radicals neutralization but also via binding of iron ions. This property of the drug may be responsible for its effects, to some extent, in treatment of joint inflammations.

[Treatment of Sjögren's syndrome with protease inhibitors]. / Lechenie sindroma Shegrena ingibitorami proteaz.

The authors reported the results of therapy of 28 patients with primary and secondary Sjogren's syndrome by iv injections of protease inhibitors (contrykal and trasylol). Findings of clinical and laboratory tests showed a significant increase in salivation and lacrimation. The elimination of concomitant oral candidosis raised the efficacy of treatment of xerostomia in many patients.

[The possibilities of an individual approach to intra-articular drug administration in rheumatoid arthritis patients]. / Vozmozhnosti individual'nogo podkhoda k vnutrisustavnomu vvedeniiu medikamentov bol'nym revmatoidnym artritom.

A study was made of the possibilities of an individual approach to intraarticular administration of protease inhibitors, cytostatics and orgoteine in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The activity of hyaluronidase, superoxide dismutase, the level of rheumatoid factor and the phagocyte count in synovial fluid were examined. With regard to the results of synovial fluid analysis in 67 RA patients, contrykal, orgoteine or cyclophosphamide were administered intra-articularly (based on an individual approach) in addition to corticosteroid hormones. It has been shown that with the individual approach to intraarticular drug administration the number of repeated punctures of the joints decreased by 18.8% while the amount of glucocorticosteroid hormones administered was twice as reduced.

[Treatment experience with rheumatoid arthritis patients during remission]. / Opyt lecheniia bol'nykh revmatoidnym artritom v period remissii.

94 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients were observed for 4-5 years to evaluate the effect of basic treatment and opportunities for prolonged remission. A regimen of combined treatment has been tested which allows for psychologic status of the patient, corrects weak points in the regulatory systems, affects mechanisms of nonspecific resistance. The combined treatment administered during RA remission has resulted in complete responses (remissions) more frequently, prolonged their duration. Destructive processes in the joints still present in remission were seen to slow down.

[Theoretical basis and clinical assessment of fluid evacuation from the lungs during bronchoalveolar lavage in children]. / Teoreticheskoe obosnovanie i klinicheskaia otsenka évakuatsii zhidkosti iz legkikh pri bronkhoal'veoliarnom lavazhe u detei.

The authors discuss the theoretical aspects of the process of lavage fluid absorption from bronchial and alveolar spaces during broncho-alveolar lavage. It is shown that pressure in the vessels of pulmonary circulation, the blood colloid osmotic pressure, and permeability of the alveolar-capillary barrier play an important role in the dynamics of changes of the absorption process. Methods for correcting the intensity of absorption (use of solutions of different osmotic force for lavage) are suggested. Data gained in observation over the use of therapeutic lavage in children confirm the theoretical conclusions and demonstrate the favourable results of lavage in children with atelectases.

[Gunshot dowel injuries]. / Ognestrel'nye diubel'nye raneniia

In the practice of building construction a panel mounting pistol is widely used for driving in special fastening parts. Injuries would frequently result from the fastening member ricocheting from the object. On the example of 19 injuries a necessity of surgical treatment in such patients due to grave damages of tissues and organs is warranted.

[The electrophoresis with sinusoidal modulated currents of copper ions from a dimexide solution in the combined treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis]. / Elektroforez ionov medi sinusoidal'nymi modulirovannymi tokami iz rastvora dimeksida v kompleksnom lechenii bol'nykh revmatoidnym artritom.

Sinusoidal modulated current electrophoresis of Cu ions from dimexide solution was compared to hydrocortisone ultraphonophoresis in combined treatment of rheumatoid arthritis patients. High tolerance and therapeutic effect of combined action of sinusoidal modulated currents, Cu ions and dimexide permit advocation of this method as physical therapy for rheumatoid arthritis.