[Mixed infections and inflammatory ophthalmic diseases: clinical and laboratory observations]. / Mikst-infektsii i vospalitel'naia oftal'mopatologiia: kliniko-laboratornye nabliudeniia.

In recent years, all medical specialists, including ophthalmologists, have been facing the problem of mixed infections. Recurrent inflammation in the anterior and posterior eye segments is often a result of infection by more than one variety of pathogens. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Over the period 2013-2016, 34 patients (14 men and 20 women) with different inflammatory processes in the eye who appeared DNA-positive for mycoplasmas (Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum) and/or chlamydiae (Chlamydia trachomatis) (PCR testing of tear fluid and/or urine) were followed up. All patients were examined for intensive production of herpesvirus, adenovirus, and enterovirus DNA in biological fluids. After being consulted by related specialists, all the patients started local and systemic (antibacterial and antiviral) therapy. In the end of the latter, laboratory tests were repeated. RESULTS: Among all the clinical forms, anterior segment inflammation (i.e. of conjunctiva, cornea, and the anterior vascular tract) prevailed - 76%. In most patients, mycoplasmas and/or chlamydiae formed associations with herpesviruses (n=19; 56%). Bacterial DNA alone (mycoplasma and/or chlamydia) was detected in 12 cases (35%). In 4 cases, mycoplasma and/or chlamydia DNA was detected in tear fluid, in 19 patients - in urine, and in 10 patients - in both secreta. Local and systemic causal treatment enabled resolution of the complaints and symptoms and yielded negative results of follow-up laboratory tests. CONCLUSION: More than a half of the patients demonstrated concomitant viral-bacterial infection (22 cases). The presence of bacterial/viral DNA in biological secreta, as revealed by PCR, reflects the systemic nature of the infection process and, thus, necessitates engagement of related specialists (dermatologists, urologists, gynecologists).

[Expression of plasminogen activator system components in the gastric mucosa in portal hypertensive gastropathy].

OBJECTIVE: to study the expression of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) in the gastric mucosal (GM) vascular endothelium and epithelial cells of patients with portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG) and those with portal hypertension (PH) without signs of PHG as compared to a control group. MATERIAL AND METHODS: GM biopsy specimens from patients with PHG, those with PH without signs of PHG, and controls with the normal gastric mucosa were immunohistochemically examined. RESULTS: Comparison of the expression of uPA in the GM vascular endothelium and epithelial vessels revealed no significant differences in the patient groups. The level of PAI-1 in the GM vessels was statistically significantly higher in the control group than in the groups of patients with PHG and PH without PHG. PAI-1 expression in the GM epithelial cells was significantly more commonly absent in the PHG group than in the control group. An analysis of an uPA and PAI-1 expression ratio showed a statistically significant predominance of the expression of uPA over its inhibitor in the GM vascular endothelium of the patients with PHG and those with PH without PHG as compared to the controls. CONCLUSION: The predominance of uPA over PAI-1 in the GM vessels and epithelial cells can play a role in the development of GM bleeding.

Fungal inhibitors of proteolytic enzymes: classification, properties, possible biological roles, and perspectives for practical use.

Peptidase inhibitors are ubiquitous regulatory proteins controlling catalytic activity of proteolytic enzymes. Interest in these proteins increased substantially after it became clear that they can be used for therapy of various important diseases including cancer, malaria, and autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases. In this review we summarize available data on peptidase inhibitors from fungi, emphasizing their properties, biological role, and possible practical applications of these proteins in the future. A number of fungal peptidase inhibitors with unique structure and specificity of action have no sequence homology with other classes of peptidase inhibitors, thus representing new and specific candidates for therapeutic use. The main classifications of inhibitors in current use are considered. Available data on structure, mechanisms and conditions of action, and diversity of functions of peptidase inhibitors of fungi are analyzed. It is mentioned that on one side the unique properties of some inhibitors can be used for selective inhibition of peptidases responsible for initiation and development of pathogenic processes. On the other side, general inhibitory activity of other inhibitors towards peptidases of various catalytic classes might be able to provide efficient defense of transgenic plants against insect pests by overcoming compensatory synthesis of new peptidases by these pests in response to introduction of a fungal inhibitor. Together, the data analyzed in this review reveal that fungal inhibitors extend the spectrum of known peptidase inhibitors potentially suitable for use in medicine and agriculture.

Performance of two commercially available automated immunoassays for the determination of Epstein-Barr virus serological status.

This study evaluated the performance of two automated Vidas (V) and Liaison (L) immunoassays for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) serology. The detection of the viral capsid antigen (VCA) IgM, the VCA/early antigen (VCA/EA) IgG, and the Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen (EBNA) IgG was assessed on 526 sera collected for routine EBV testing in immunocompetent subjects. The determination of expected EBV status (186 EBV primary infections, 183 past EBV infections, and 157 EBV-seronegative individuals) was based on results of routine laboratory enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) together with clinical data. The sensitivity and specificity of each individual marker were determined in comparison to the expected EBV status. The agreement between the V and L profiles and the expected EBV status was established through the interpretation of combinations of the different EBV markers. Statistically significant differences between the two tests were found for the specificity of the VCA IgM marker (96.2% for V versus 93.2% for L), the sensitivity of the VCA/EA IgG marker (89% for V versus 94% for L), and the specificity of the EBNA IgG marker (96.5% for V versus 74.2% for L). The results determined for the two assays with respect to overall agreement with the established expected EBV status were not significantly different (89.7% for V versus 88.2% for L), with discrepancies mainly observed in sera referenced as primary infections. These findings demonstrated the similar performances of the Vidas and the Liaison assays for the establishment of an EBV serological status using the VCA, EA, and EBNA markers.

[The role of radiofrequency thermoablation in the treatment of primary and metastatic hepatic cancer].

The experience of the method of radiofrequency thermoablation in complex of treatment in 95 patients, suffering primary and metastatic hepatic cancer, was summarized. The lower complications rate, the shorter rehabilitation period in the patients in comparison with those indices after hepatic resection performance, the possibility to achieve the late results, comparable with those in surgical treatment, constitute the method advantages.

Seasonal effects of Selank on the behavior of hibernating animals.

We studied the seasonal effects of peptide preparation Selank on orientation and exploratory activity in 36 arctic ground squirrels Citellus undulatus in the open-field and hole-board tests. Selank most significantly increased behavioral activity of hibernating animals in the spring and fall. The test peptide had no effect on locomotor activity of animals. The selective stimulatory effect of Selank on exploratory behavior of hibernating animals was season-dependent. The maximum effect was observed under conditions of seasonal depression-like state.

[Enzymatic activity of some tissues and blood serum from animals and humans exposed to microwaves and hypothesis on the possible role of free radical processes in the nonlinear effects and modification of emotional behavior of animals]. / Fermentnaia aktivnost' nekotorykh tkanei i syvorotki krovi zhivotnykh i cheloveka pri vozdeistvii mikrovoln i gipoteza o vozmozhnoi roli svobodnoradikal'nykh protesssov v nelineinykh éffektakh i modifikatsii émotsional'nogo povedeniia zhivotnykh.

The dependence of activities of actomyosin ATPase, alkaline phosphatase, aspartataminotranspherase, monoaminoxidase and that of affective rat behavior on frequency of modulation of microwaves (0.8-10 microW/cm2) was explored at short-time actions. Series of nonlinear phenomenons, inexplicable from positions of the energy approaches are revealed, The working hypothesis explaining opportunity of high performance of weak and super-weak microwaves and other revealed phenomena by resonance interaction of such electromagnetic radiofrequency radiation with paramagnetic molecules of biological tissues was proposed. This resonance interaction activate free radicals and initiate auto-supporting and auto-intensifying of chain chemical reactions. The spontaneous autocatalytic oxidation of catecholamines enlarges a common pool of free radicals, capable to participate in such enhanced generating. The protective role of monoaminoxidase is postulated. Monoaminoxidase is basically located on an outer surface of mitochondrias and it is deaminating monoamines. The deaminating prevents penetration of catecholamines inside of mitochondrias and their quinoid oxidation there with formation of free-radical semi-quinons, capable to destroy system of ATP synthesis. These inferences are obliquely confirmed by the experimentally revealed correlation between activity of monoaminoxidase and integrative activity of the rat brain.

[Analysis of stable chromosome aberrations using G-banding stain in lymphocyte of patients with high dose radiation injury]. / Issledovanie stabil'nykh aberratsii khromosom metodom g-differentsial'nogo okrashivaniia v limfotsitakh krovi cheloveka posle oblucheniia v vysokoi doze.

The analysis was performed on 514 blood lymphocytes from a person accidentally exposed to 137Cs. Blood samples were collected 1 year after exposure three times at intervals of one month. Terminal deletions and simple translocations were found to predominate in all cases. No differences between these cases were observed on analysing total frequency of stable chromosome aberrations. However, the frequency of terminal deletions decreased and frequencies of exchange-type aberration increased with time after exposure. Chromosome #4 was more involved in stable aberrations than it would be expected from the relative chromosome lengths. Clonal aberrations del-ter (5)(q31 or 32) were found.

[The effect of electromagnetic radiation on the monoamine oxidase A activity in the rat brain]. / Vliianie élektromagnitnogo izlucheniia na aktivnost' monoaminooksidazy A v mozge krys.

The effect of the ultralow power pulse-modulated electromagnetic radiation (EMR, power density 10 microW/cm2; carrying frequency 915 MHz; modulating pulses with frequency 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16 and 20 Hz) on activity of monoamine oxidase (MAO-A), enzyme involved in the oxidative deamination of monoamines, was investigated. It was established that the increase of activity MAO in hypothalamus reached the maximal meaning at modulation frequency of 6 Hz that corresponded 160% (p < 0.01) of the control level; and at modulation frequency of 20 Hz the decrease of enzyme activity up to 74% (p < 0.01) was found. Mainly the action of ultralow power pulse-modulated EMR on activity of MAO in hippocamp was activating; and the maximal increase of enzyme activity up to 174% (p < 0.01) was registered at modulation frequency of 4 Hz.

[Influence of electromagnetic fields on the emotional behaviour of rats]. / Vliianie élektromagnitnogo izlucheniia na émotsional'noe povedenie krys.

The effects of ultra low power pulse-width + modulation electromagnetic radiation (EMR, power density 10 mc/Wt/cm2, carrying frequency 915 MHz, modulating pulses with frequency 4, 6, 16 and 20 Hz, duration 10 min) on the rat emotional behavior and motor activity in the elevated plus-maze were studied. It was established that EMR (frequency of modulation 4 and 6 Hz) significantly decreased the emotionally negative reactions of anxiety and fear by a factor of 3.7 (p < 0.01) and 4.5 (p < 0.01) correspondingly and increased by a factor of 1.9-2.2 (p < 0.05) exploratory activity. On the contrary EMR (frequency of modulation 20 Hz) significantly increased by a factor of (p < 0.05) emotionally negative reactions of anxiety and fear and decreased by a factor of 1.8 (p < 0.05) the exploratory activity in rats.

[The detection of the herpes simplex virus 1 and 2 antigens in clinical specimens by using monoclonal antibodies]. / Detektsiia antigena virusa prostogo gerpesa 1 i 2 tipa pri pomoshchi monoklonal'nykh antitel v klinicheskikh obraztsakh.

The possibility of using monoclonal antibodies (McAb), obtained earlier, for the detection of herpes simplex virus (HSV) in clinical specimens taken from sick and infected persons was studied. The examination of 90 persons revealed that the mixture of McAb 4A and 2C could effectively detect the presence of HSV antigen in the indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) directly in cells contained in cytological preparations (smears, scrapes, impressions) obtained from different organs of patients. The search of optimum combinations of McAb for the detection of HSV antigens by the method of the solid-phase enzyme immunoassay (EIA) was carried out. This study, made on purified HSV used as an experimental model, revealed that the maximum sensitivity could be achieved with the use of two McAb (4f6 and 7c4) out of three McAb (4f6, 7c4 and 3d10). The approbation of both variants of EIA on clinical specimens taken from 99 patients (blood clots, seminal fluid, scrapes of cervical canal cells, peripheral blood lymphocytes) showed that the addition of McAb 3d10 made it possible to detect 8 more positive specimens. 754 specimens from 337 patients were studied with the use of McAb-based EIA, and in 204 of these patients (61%) HSV antigen was detected. The results obtained with the use of our McAb were compared with the data obtained with certified commercial test systems. The coincidence of the EIA data with those obtained with the use of the Murex Wellcozyme HSV test system (UK) was registered in 75% of cases (in 15 out of 20 cases). The coincidence of the IFA data with those obtained with the use of the Sanofi test system (France) was observed in all 19 cases (100%).

[Viral antigens in kidney biopsies of children with glomerulonephritis]. / Virusnye antigeny v bioptatakh pochechnoi tkani u detei s glomerulonefritom.

A relationship between clinical forms of glomerulonephritis and incidence of viral antigens in renal tissue was revealed: Hepatitis B virus antigens (HBsAg) are more frequently detected in the glomeruli in the patients with nephrotic glomerulonephritis, Herpes simplex antigens are detected in the glomeruli in mixed glomerulonephritis, and cytomegaloviral and Herpes simplex antigens are detected in the epithelium of the proximal canaliculi in patients with hematuric glomerulonephritis. No correlations between the persistence of Herpes simplex type 1, cytomegalovirus, and HBsAg in the renal tissue were detected. HBsAg is detected in the renal tissue mainly in the children without free HBsAg in the blood serum. This may be indicative of an important role of specific immune complexes in the pathogenesis of glomerulonephritis associated with hepatitis B viral infection. The results point to an appreciable contribution of a persistent viral infection to the progress of glomerulonephritis.

[Effect of various specific agents on the heat stability of human serum albumin]. / Vliianie razlichnykh spetsificheskikh agentov na termostabil'nost' syvorotochnogo al'bumina cheloveka.

Effect of lipoic acid, 5,5-dithiobis-2-nitrobenzoic acid, monoiodoacetic acid and cystine on thermal stability of human serum albumin was studied by differential scanning calorimetry and electrophoretic methods. Quantitative estimation of the protective effect of these reagents on resistance of 5% solutions of albumin to the temperature influence was studied. It is concluded that all the compounds used protect albumin from polymerization at heating.

[The choice of a method of treating chronic disorders of the cerebrovascular circulation]. / Vybor metoda khirurgicheskogo lecheniia khronicheskogo narusheniia mozgovogo krovoobrashcheniia.

The results of surgical treatment of 106 patients with occlusive lesions of the brachiocephalic trunk vessels have been analysed. A necessity of reorientation of the conservative approach to the treatment of patients in favour of surgical angioneurology is stressed.

[Use of a conjugate of staphylococcal protein A with peroxidase in an immunoenzyme test system for determining antibodies to the herpes simplex virus]. / Ispol'zovanie kon"iugata belka A stafilokokka s peroksidazoi v immunofermentnoi test-sisteme dlia opredeleniia antitel k virusu prostogo gerpesa.

An enzyme-immunoassay system for the detection of specific antibody to herpes simplex virus was developed in which the antigen layered on the solid phase consisted of a crude extract of infected cells, and the detecting agent was a conjugate of protein A with horseradish peroxidase. This assay system was used for serological examination of 22 serum specimens from patients suffering from either meningoencephalitis or recurrent herpes of the skin and mucous membranes of the genitalia, as well as 6 specimens of the cerebrospinal fluid from patients with meningoencephalitis. The enzymeimmunoassay was found to be more sensitive than CFT. The advantages of using protein A/peroxidase conjugate for rapid estimation of the total amount of specific antibodies at any stage of herpes infection are discussed.