Mitochondrion-targeted antioxidant SkQ1 prevents rapid animal death caused by highly diverse shocks.

The response to stress involves the activation of pathways leading either to protection from the stress origin, eventually resulting in development of stress resistance, or activation of the rapid death of the organism. Here we hypothesize that mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) play a key role in stress-induced programmed death of the organism, which we called "phenoptosis" in 1997. We demonstrate that the synthetic mitochondria-targeted antioxidant SkQ1 (which specifically abolishes mtROS) prevents rapid death of mice caused by four mechanistically very different shocks: (a) bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) shock, (b) shock in response to intravenous mitochondrial injection, (c) cold shock, and (d) toxic shock caused by the penetrating cation C12TPP. Importantly, under all these stresses mortality was associated with a strong elevation of the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and administration of SkQ1 was able to switch off the cytokine storms. Since the main effect of SkQ1 is the neutralization of mtROS, this study provides evidence for the role of mtROS in the activation of innate immune responses mediating stress-induced death of the organism. We propose that SkQ1 may be used clinically to support patients in critical conditions, such as septic shock, extensive trauma, cooling, and severe infection by bacteria or viruses.

Prediction of features of the course of chronic hepatitis C using Bayesian networks.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: 253 patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and liver cirrhosis were included in the study. Assessment of gene polymorphisms of genes involved in inflammatory reactions and antiviral immunity (IL-1ß-511C/T, IL-10 -1082G/A, IL28B C/T, IL28B T/G, TNF-α -238G/A, TGF-ß -915G/C, IL-6 -174G/C), activators of local hepatic fibrosis (AGT G-6A, AGT 235 M/T, ATR1 1166 A/C), hemochromatosis (HFE C282Y, HFE H63D), platelet receptors (ITGA2 807 C/T, ITGB3 1565 T/C), coagulation proteins and endothelial dysfunction (FII 20210 G/A, FV 1691G/A, FVII 10976 G/A, FXIII 103 G/T, eNOS 894 G/T, CYBA 242 C/T, FBG -455 G/A, PAI-675 5G/4G, MTHFR 677 C/T) was carried. Using Bayesian networks we studied the predictor value of clinical and laboratory factors for the following conditions - end points (EP): development of cirrhosis (EP1), fibrosis rate (EP2), presence of portal hypertension (EP3) and cryoglobulins (EP4). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: In addition to traditional factors we have shown the contribution of the following mutations. Predicting EP1- liver cirrhosis - HFE H63D, C282Y, CYBA 242 C/T, AGT G-6G, ITGB31565 T/C gene mutations were significant. We also found a link between the rate of progression of liver fibrosis and gene polymorphisms of AGT G-6G, AGT M235T, FV 1691G/A, ITGB31565 T/C. Among the genetic factors associated with portal hypertension there are gene polymorphisms of PAI-I-675 5G/4G, FII 20210 G/A, CYBA 242 C/T, HFE H63D and Il-6 174GC. Cryoglobulins and cryoglobuliemic vasculitis (EP4) are associated with gene mutations MTHFR C677T, ATR A1166C and HFE H63D. CONCLUSION: The results obtained allow to detect the major pathophysiological and genetic factors which determine the status of the patient and the outcome of the disease, to clarify their contribution, and to reveal the significance of point mutations of genes that control the main routes of HCV course and progression.

[The mechanoreceptor tactile diagnostics of thoracic diseases].

The novel system of tactile analysis was used in the mechanoreceptor device. The local pressure measurement is carried out in in cameras, divided by the elastic membrane from the analyzed organ. The devise allows fast and adequate real-time measurement of tissue density and elasticity. The results, acquired with the use of the mechanoreceptor device were checked microscopically. The study showed high compatibility and adequacy of the novel mechanoreceptor.

[Deodorant gaskets for colostomy patients]. / Issledovanie dezodoriruiushchikh prokladok dlia bol'nykh s kolostomoi.

The results of the experiments for the objective evaluation on a model system of the protective effect of deodorant gaskets on colostomy patients are given. It has been determined that the deodorant capacity of the above gaskets is more than two times higher than that of its "washer filter" analog manufactured by the foreign "Coloplast" company.

[Comparative evaluation of remote results of radical and conservative operations in initial forms of rectal cancer]. / Sravnitel'naia otsenka otdalennykh rezul'tatov radikal'nykh i ékonomnykh operatsii pri nachal'nykh formakh raka priamoi kishki.

According to the authors' data, the 5 years' survival following economic resections of the rectum for cancer is not worse than that after radical operations, done on properly determined indications.

[Conservative operations in malignant tumors of the rectum and the sigmoid colon]. / Ekonomnye operatsii pri zlokachestvennykh opukholiakh priamoi i sigmoidnoi kishok

The results of treatment in 230 patients with malignant transformation of polyps and villous tumors, carcinoid and cancer of the rectum and sigmoid are reported. The aforementioned tumors were removed by transanal excision, electrocoagulation adn posterior proctotomy. In 33 patients economic operations for rectal cancer were associated with radiotherapy. Late results indicated that after economic resections for rectal cancer in most cases a persistant cure is gained. In malignified polyps, villous tumors and rectal carcinoids electroexcision or electrocoagulation seems to be an adequate procedure. Patients subjected to economic resections need to be examined every month during the first postoperative year, and later once in six months.