[The endogenous regulation of the cytokine disbalance in humans subjected to simulated spaceflight environment].

Confinement is one of the stress-inducing factors which humans face in such terrestrial environments as those in polar winter-over expeditions, submarines, and is inevitable in space flights. Confinement regime (CR) itself includes a number of stress factors (e.g. psychological compatibility between crew members, microbiological contamination etc.), which have been shown to alter human immunity. Two groups of total seven subjects spent 110 days in closed-habitat chamber as part of SFINCSS (Stimulation of Flight of International Crew on Space Station) study. Distribution of T-cell subsets, NK-, B-cells, and monocytes in whole blood was assessed. Secretion of type I (IL-2, IFN-gamma, TNF-beta) and type II (IL-4, IL-10) cytokines in the LPS/PHA activated whole blood cell culture was assessed. Significant alterations in type I / type II cytokine equilibrium were observed during and after confinement. The data show that stress factors associated with confinement may lead to disbalance between cell-mediated and humoral immune reactions.

[Multilevel revascularization of the lower extremities using loop endarterectomy].

Results of 91 reconstructions of the ilio-femoro-popliteal segment in patients with multilevel injuries of the lower extremity arteries were analyzed. In 42 of the operations a method of operations associated with loop endarterectomy was used. The first stage in all the patients consisted of iliac deep femoral reconstructions or semi-closed loop endarterectomy from iliac arteries in order for inclusion in blood flow of the profound femoral artery. In the presence of the volumetric blood flow along the profound femoral artery less than 150 ml/min after the first stage of revascularization the operation volume was extended at the expense of the femoro-distal reconstructions and/or semi-closed loop endarterectomy from the femoral and popliteal arteries. It was found that revascularization of the ilio-femoral segment in combination with desobliteration of the popliteal artery allowed performing two-level reconstructions with little time and material costs followed by primary positive results in 92.9% of cases.

[Effect on helper activity of synthetic polyelectrolytes introduced into an in vitro system of interacting macrophages and thymus cells]. / Vliianie na khelpernuiu aktivnost' sinteticheskikh poliélektrolitov, vvedennykh v sistemu in vitro vzaimodeistvuiushchikh makrofagov i kletok timusa.

Our experiments have shown that the joint incubation of thymocytes and syngeneic macrophages in vitro for 60 minutes is accompanied by a certain increase in the helper activity of thymocytes. The presence of polyacrylic acid or the copolymer of acrylic acid and N-vinyl-pyrrolidone, containing 56 mol% of acrylic acid, in this system ensures a considerable increase in the helper activity of thymocytes, incubated jointly with marrow cells and sheep red blood cells and then transferred into a cell culture in vivo.

[The characteristics of the O-specific humoral immune response of mice vaccinated with Salmonella choleraesuis antigens]. / Osobennosti O-spetsificheskogo gumoral'nogo immunnogo otveta u myshei, vaktsinirovannykh antigenami Salmonella choleraesuis.

The work deals with the results of the comparative enzyme immunoassay (EIA) of serum samples taken from (CBA X C57BL/6) F1 mice immunized with O-specific polysaccharides, O-antigens (O-Ag) obtained by Boivin's method and antigenic preparations isolated with hydroxylamine (HA) from S. choleraesuis and S. typhimurium. O-Ag and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of the corresponding bacterial species were used as antigens for the sensitization of polystyrene plates. The primary and secondary humoral immune response was studied by means of EIA. As revealed in this investigation, the immunization of mice with HA-isolated antigenic preparations and O-Ag, obtained from S. typhimurium, in a single injection (in doses of 1-100 micrograms) led to the development of weak specific immune response to O-Ag. Response to LPS was absent. After the second immunization of the animals pronounced immune response to O-Ag and LPS was observed. It developed as a response of both IgM and IgG type. The immunization of mice, made in a single injection, with HA-isolated antigenic preparations and O-Ag, obtained from S. choleraesuis, did not lead to the development of O-specific immune response. After the immunization of mice with these antigens in two injections sharply pronounced nonspecific activity of IgM and IgG serum antibodies with respect to O-Ag and LPS of homologous and heterologous bacterial species was noted in EIA. Neither S. typhimurium O-polysaccharide, nor S. choleraesuis O-polysaccharide did not induce O-specific immune response even after the second immunization.

[Plasmapheresis in combined treatment of acute rejection crises after kidney transplantation]. / Primenenie plasmafereza v kompleksnoi terapii ostrykh krizov ottorzheniia posle peresadki pochki.

The aim of the study was assessment of effectiveness and safety of extracorporeal procedures (plasmapheresis) in prevention and combined treatment of acute rejection crises (ARC) after kidney transplantation in patients at high risk to develop acute immunological conflicts in early postoperative period. 94 patients aged 21-56 years after allotransplantation of cadaver kidney (ATCK) entered the study. They were divided into two groups: group 1 patients (n = 47) received plasmapheresis procedures in combined preventive and therapeutic treatment of ARC; matched group 2 patients (n = 47, retrospective) received the same therapy but plasmapheresis. In both groups there were many patients with a high titer of pre-existing antibodies and massive hemotransfusions in the past. The analysis covered also recipients with the second ATCK (9 and 4 patients, respectively). After ATCK both groups received three-component immunosuppressive treatment (neoral, prednisolone, azatioprin and/or sell-cept). The analysis of the transplant and recipient 11-month survival has estimated that it was 93.6 and 91.5% for the recipients, respectively, and 91.5 and 76.5% for the transplanted kidney for group 1 and 2, respectively. The conclusion is that plasmapheresis in combined prevention and treatment of ARC by humoral type in sensitized patients (high titer of the pre-existing antibodies, repeat transplantations, hemotransfusions) is pathogenetically grounded and lowers the percentage of irreversible episodes of acute transplant rejection early after surgery.

[The cytology of the urinary sediment in the differential diagnosis of the complications in patients with kidney allografts]. / Tsitologiia osadka mochi v differentsial'noi diagnostike oslozhnenii u bol'nykh s allotransplantatami pochek.

Urine sediment from 56 renal transplant recipients was tested cytologically. The recipients had 7 episodes of acute rejection (AR), 8 episodes of cyclosporin nephrotoxicity (CNT), acute tubular necrosis (ATN), combined complications, bacterial infection in 11, 6 and 16 cases, respectively. 12 patients had stable renal function. Cytospin preparations were made for Pappenheim staining. FACScan cytograms were obtained based on light scattering (cell size and granularity). Low cell count in patients with stable renal function and higher levels of mononuclear cells in all cases of a complicated postoperative period were seen. In acute tubular necrosis the sediment had a high scatter pattern, i.e. high density and large particles, while in cyclosporin nephrotoxicity renal epithelial cells had a low scatter pattern. Polymorphs were typical of the bacterial infection and acute tubular necrosis. Acute rejections were associated with elevated lymphocyte number. Microscopic examination revealed predominance of collect duct cells, lymphocytes with morphological signs of activation in acute rejection and proximal tubular cells in cyclosporin nephrotoxicity. Episodes of combined complications were difficult for diagnosis due to their mixed cellularity.