[DNA mapping in the capsid of giant bacteriophage phiEL (Caudovirales: Myoviridae: Elvirus) by analytical electron microscopy].

INTRODUCTION: Giant phiKZ-like bacteriophages have a unique protein formation inside the capsid, an inner body (IB) with supercoiled DNA molecule wrapped around it. Standard cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) approaches do not allow to distinguish this structure from the surrounding nucleic acid of the phage. We previously developed an analytical approach to visualize protein-DNA complexes on Escherichia coli bacterial cell slices using the chemical element phosphorus as a marker. In the study presented, we adapted this technique for much smaller objects, namely the capsids of phiKZ-like bacteriophages. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Following electron microscopy techniques were used in the study: analytical (AEM) (electron energy loss spectroscopy, EELS), and cryo-EM (images of samples subjected to low and high dose of electron irradiation were compared). RESULTS: We studied DNA packaging inside the capsids of giant bacteriophages phiEL from the Myoviridae family that infect Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Phosphorus distribution maps were obtained, showing an asymmetrical arrangement of DNA inside the capsid. DISCUSSION: We developed and applied an IB imaging technique using a high angle dark-field detector (HAADF) and the STEM-EELS analytical approach. Phosphorus mapping by EELS and cryo-electron microscopy revealed a protein formation as IB within the phage phiEL capsid. The size of IB was estimated using theoretical calculations. CONCLUSION: The developed technique can be applied to study the distribution of phosphorus in other DNA- or RNA-containing viruses at relatively low concentrations of the element sought.

WEIGHT LOSS IN A YOUNG PATIENT WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES: CHALLENGES OF DIABETES MANAGEMENT USING ONLINE PROGRAM OF GOOD NUTRITION (CASE REPORT).

A 31-year-old male with a history of obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and hypercholesterolemia came to our clinic for medical weight-loss management. According to his initial anthropometric measurements (weight - 193 kg, height - 181 cm, and body mass index (BMI) - 58 kg/m2) patient had morbid obesity. In order to educate our patient about good nutrition, physical activity and the need of sun exposure we used an online system based on the video lessons, full of humor, pictures, and cartoons. Even one month of watching the short educational movies was sufficient for the patient to form the habits of healthy eating, including restriction of fat and digestible carbohydrates and increase in daily consumption of low-fat dairy products, slow carbohydrates, protein and fiber. Endocrinologist was regularly available for any questions and inquiries that the patient might have had. In addition to the dietary recommendations subcutaneous liraglutide 2.4 mg daily was initiated. After 8 months of treatment the patient has lost 58 kg and reached the body weight of 135 kg; moreover, he had motivation to continue losing weight.

[Individual parameters of general low-frequency magnetic therapy as a possibility for improving the clinical efficacy of the combined treatment of patients with essential arterial hypertension].

A new approach is proposed for the choice of low-frequency magnetic therapy on an individual basis using the results of analysis of heart rhythm variability. The clinical efficiency of low-frequency magnetic therapy incorporated in the combined treatment of 65 patients aged between 25 and 45 years with essential arterial hypertension was estimated. The statistically significant positive effects of the treatment included normalization of blood pressure and characteristics of heart rhythm variability as well as resolution of clinical symptoms of vegetative dysregulation.

[Hyperbaric oxygenation influence on intracranial pressure in patents with intracranial hemorrhage receiving mechanical ventilation].

The study focuses on hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) influence on the intracranial pressure (ICP) in patients with intracranial hemorrhages. Forty eight hyperbaric oxygenation sessions in 21 mechanically ventilated patients with intracranial hemorrhages were analyzed. HBO was accompanied by ICP increase in 31,3% of cases. ICP was stable during 54,2% of sessions and decreased during 14,5% of sessions. We didn 't find any relation between ICP dynamics and PaCO2. ICP increase correlated with mean BP dynamics which growth by 11% and more was an indicator of intracranial hypertension.

[Principles in the organization and surgical treatment of patients with non-traumatic intracranial hemorrhage]. / Printsipy organizatsii khirurgicheskogo lecheniia bol'nykh s netravmaticheskimi vnutricherepnymi krovoizliianiiami.

By taking into consideration the frequency of different forms of cerebral circulatory disorders, the authors determined the number of operations required to be performed for cerebral bleeding of various etiology in localities with different numbers of populations. The paper presents some results of treatment of patients with aneurysmal ruptures and hemorrhagic stroke at the Department of Neurosurgery, N. V. Sklifosovsky Research Institute of Emergency Care. The ways of improving the quality of care to patients with non-traumatic intracranial hemorrhage are outlined.

Anti-HIV activity of extracts and compounds from algae and cyanobacteria.

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the retrovirus that causes the acquired immune deficiency disease syndrome (AIDS). This review discusses the anti-HIV activity of extracts and compounds isolated from freshwater and marine algae, and cyanobacteria (formerly called "blue-green algae"). Compounds and extracts with anti-HIV activity are also active against other retroviruses such as herpes simplex virus (HSV), but the amount of antiviral activity varies with the compound and the virus. Most of the research has focused on sulfated homopolysaccharides and heteropolysaccharides. Sulfoglycolipids, carrageenans, fucoidan, sesquiterpene hydroquinones, and other classes of compounds with anti-HIV activity that have been isolated from algae have received less attention. Most studies have used in vitro test systems, but a few in vivo studies have been carried out using compounds isolated from algae or analogs produced synthetically or isolated from other natural sources. Sulfated homopolysaccharides are more potent than sulfated heteropolysaccharides. The presence of the sulfate group is necessary for anti-HIV activity, and potency increases with the degree of sulfation. Studies using nonsulfated and sulfated homo- and heteropolysaccharides isolated from algae or other natural sources, or synthesized, have revealed the mechanisms of binding of drugs to the virion, and the mechanisms of viral binding to host cells. However, given the few classes of compounds investigated, most of the pharmacopeia of compounds in algae and cyanobacteria with antiretroviral activity is probably not known.

[Several results of the use of variation pulsometry in the course of hyperbaric oxygenation in patients after clipping of aneurysms of cerebral vessels]. / Nekotorye rezul'taty primeneniia variatsionnoi pul'sometrii v protsesse ispol'zovaniia giperbaricheskoi oksigenatsii u bol'nykh posle klipirovaniia anevrizm tserebral'nykh sosudov.

Dynamic computer study of cardiointervalogram with determination of tension index (TI) has been conducted in the course of hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) in 15 patients operated on for aneurysm ruptures in cerebral vessels. It has been established that TI evaluation makes it possible to register an adaptogenic effect of hyperoxia in these patients and is recommended for the continuation of HBO therapy which in some cases requires 10-12 sessions.

[Interferon and other immunological indices of influenza patients undergoing different methods of treatment]. / Interferon i drugie immunologicheskie pokazateli u bol'nykh grippom pri raznykh metodakh lecheniia.

The authors review the results of immunological examinations of patients with influenza given adapromine and virazole drugs as well as reflex therapy aimed at increasing general host resistance. Patients with influenza administered reflex therapy among other therapeutic measures developed more intensive increase of serum interferon activity in the acute period of the disease, with its more rapid decline; they had a high level of IgM and more intensive rise of specific antibody (in the HI test) as compared with the control group. In the group of patients treated with adapromine and virazole there was also a more significant increase of IgM level, early and significantly high level of IgG as compared with the patients given symptomatic drugs. No differences in the number of T-lymphocytes were found by the method of spontaneous rosette formation with sheep erythrocytes. Both in treatment with antiviral drugs and using reflex therapy, a more rapid disappearance of influenza antigen from nasal smears was observed than in patients of the control groups.

[Late sequelae of brain injuries]. / Otdalennye posledstviia travmy golovnogo mozga.

Clinico-neurologic and electrophysiologic examination of 338 patients in the long-term period of brain trauma has permitted the identification of 5 principal syndromes: cerebro-focal, hypothalamus--brain stem, hypertensive-hydrocephalic, asthenoneurotic and epileptic. The characteristics of the clinical course of the syndromes with regard to the nature, localization and duration of isolated and combined craniocerebral injury are outlined.

[Dynamics of the internal perception of their disease among patients with severe forms of arrhythmia treated with permanent cardiac electrostimulation]. / Dinamika vnutrennei kartiny bolezni u bol'nykh s tiazhelymi formami aritmii pri provedenii postoiannoi élektrostimuliatsii serdtsa.

A study of the disease insight in 80 patients with severe arrhythmias has shown a different nature of the initial understanding of the disease in patients with tachy- versus bradyarrhythmias. Following the surgery, in the majority of patients the understanding of the cardiostimulator transforms into the central component of the disease insight. The pathological disease insight in the postoperative period largely stems from incomplete information about the device and distorted interpretation by the patients of information concerning their future life with the cardiostimulator. Investigation of the time-course of the disease insight by the psychiatrist facilitates the differential therapeutic impact on affective and fixed-idea disorders and is helpful in training the personnel of the cardiosurgical department in minor psychotherapy methods, which contributes to improving the efficacy of rehabilitation measures.

[Trial of polyguacyl safety and tolerance]. / Ispytanie bezvrednosti i perenosimosti poliguatsila.

The results of studies of the antiviral and interferon-inducing activity of the synthetic interferon inducer polyguacyl in white mice as well as the results of the study of safety and tolerance of this drug given to human subjects as aerosol and intranasally are presented. Both modes of administration to mice induced production of endogenous interferon, although after intranasal inoculation high interferon titres in the blood serum of the animals were observed for longer periods of time, whereas after aerosol administration interferon disappeared more rapidly. Significant antiviral protection was achieved only by the intranasal administration of the inducer resulting in 84.0% survival of the animals challenged with the mouse-adapted influenza A/Aichi virus. Clinical trials of polyguacyl in human volunteers demonstrated the safety and good tolerance of this drug given both as aerosol and intranasally.