Effect of Biocides on the Activity of Extracellular Enzymes Produced by Degrader Fungi from Technical Objects Used in Tropical Climates (Vietnam).

Activity of extracellular enzymes was assessed in 20 strains of microscopic fungi involved in biodegradation of technical objects exploited under tropical climate conditions (Vietnam). It was found that 19 strains possessed catalase activity, 18 strains had phenol oxidase activity, and eight strains had protease activity. The effect of industrial biocides on the activity of these enzymes was also assessed. The biocides Bior-1, Bioneutral A 10, and Bioneutral A 101 were shown to inhibit the enzymatic activity to various extent. All biocides inhibited extracellular catalase activity in most fungal strains studied. The inhibition of protease and phenol oxidase activity of same test strains was less pronounced. The response to biocides varied at the strain level; its characteristics could differ significantly even between strains of the same species. In several cases, it was observed that exposure to biocides resulted in an increase in enzyme activity.

[EXTERNAL QUALITY ASSESSMENT FOR THE LABORATORY IDENTIFICATION OF THE PATHOGENS OF PARASITIC DISEASES AS AN ELEMENT FOR IMPROVING THE POSTGRADUATE TRAINING OF SPECIALISTS].

Within the framework of the Federal External Quality Assessment (EQA) System and in the context of postgraduate training improvement for health workers in 2010-2014, specialists from the laboratories of the therapeutic-prophylactic organizations and institutions of the Russian Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare were examined for their professional competence in microscopically identifying the pathogens of parasitic diseases in feces. The virtual remote educational computer technology tools that included different combinations of 16 helminthic species, 5 intestinal protozoan species, and a number of artefacts, were used. The specialists from 984 laboratories of multidisciplinary therapeutic-prophylactic organizations and hygiene and epidemiology centers in all Federal Districts of the Russian Federation were covered. A total of 8245 replies were analyzed. The detection rate for helminths was 64.0%, including those by a taxonomic group (nematodes, 65.0%; cestodes, 72.0%; trematodes, 55.1%). There was a dynamic decrease in the above indicators. There were low detection rates for trematodes parasitizing the small intestine (Metagonimus, 10.2%; Nanophyetus, 26.2%) and hepatobiliary organs (Fasciola, 59.6%; Clonorchis, 34.9%). The similar trend was seen in the detection rates for the pathogens of geohelminthisms (ascariasis, trichocephaliasis, etc.) and contagious helminthisms (enterobiasis, hymenolepiasis). The level of competence in detecting and identifying intestinal protozoa was much lower than the similar rates for helminthism pathogens. EQA for the laboratory diagnosis of the pathogens of parasitic diseases, by using the virtual tools is a leading element of the postgraduate training system for laboratory specialists. The results of EQA for the laboratory diagnosis of the pathogens of parasitic diseases are a basic material for the development, and improvement of training modernization programs, by applying a modular approach.

Some properties and possible biological role of peptidase inhibitors from the entomopathogenic fungus Tolypocladium cylindrosporum.

The activities of secreted and mycelial inhibitors of proteolytic enzymes from fungi of the order Hypocreales have been investigated. Inhibitors of bromelain, papain, and trypsin of low molecular mass (about 1 kDa) and a subtilisin proteinaceous inhibitor with molecular mass of 45 kDa were revealed in the culture liquid of the fungus Tolypocladium cylindrosporum. The subtilisin inhibitor from T. cylindrosporum has antibiotic properties, significantly decreased the activity of purified bacterial enzymes, and prevented the growth of the bacterium Pseudomonas sp. Data suggesting the existence in fungi of the Hypocreales order of two pools of peptidase inhibitors have been obtained.

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.

[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.

[Heterogeneity of parasitic contamination of megalopolis soils].

A morphological group ofwhipworm (Trichuris trichiura) eggs, which is detectable in the soil samples from the city's different control lands, shows that their origin is heterogeneous and it is possible to differentiate them by morphometric signs. At the same time is necessary to consider the specific biological factors contributing to soil contamination. Priority in parasitic soil contamination should be given to animals, dogs in particular, which is supported by the fact that the dog walking grounds exhibit the highest contamination rates.

[The structure of micromycete communities and their synecologic interactions with basidiomycetes during decomposition of plant debris].

We investigated the interactions between micromycetes and basidiomycete mycelium on plant substrates in the course of their 3-year incubation in the litter of ecologically intact spruce forests of the Central State Biosphere Forest Sanctuary (Nelidovo District, Tver oblast). Only 40-60% of the micromycetes were involved in direct antagonistic interactions with basidiomycetous fungi. In terms of the ratio between physiologically active strains and those which did not interact with basidiomycete mycelium, we revealed differences in the structure of micromycete communities developing on various types of substrates (xylem, bark, sphagnum, leaves, needles, litter, and cotton grass). The micromycetes tested belonged to 49 species. At the end of the observation period, the fraction of microscopic fungi that actively influenced basidiomycete mycelium was four times lower in the inactive litter fraction (lignin-containing xylem debris) than in the active fraction (grass substrates). The mechanisms of indirect regulation of the structure and functions of micromycete communities are discussed, which may be based on the accumulation of phenolic compounds in the medium and changes in the enzyme activities of basidiomycete mycelium.

[The structure of the micromycete complexes of oligotrophic peat deposits in the southern taiga subzone of West Siberia]. / Struktura mikromitsetnogo kompleksa oligotrofnykh torfianikov iuzhno-taezhnoi podzony Sapadnoi Sibiri.

The analysis of the micromycete complexes of oligotrophic peat deposits in the Vasyugan Marsh by direct count and culture methods showed that the micromycete carbon comprises no more than 3% of the total peat carbon and that the microscopic fungal biomass varies from 2 to 13 tons/hectare, depending on the season and the peat deposit thickness. Fungal spores were found in all layers of the peat deposits, whereas the mycelium was found only in the active peat layer. The high abundance of eukaryotic cells in the peats was due to the presence of yeastlike cells rather than fungal spores. Analyses by culture methods showed that micromycetes were present in all peat layers and that their abundance tended to decrease with depth, except for yeasts, which were uniformly distributed in a vertical direction. The micromycete complexes of the peat deposits were similar in the diversity and abundance of dominant species but differed in the composition of minor species. Peat yeasts were dominated by ascomycetes.

[Improving the sanitary and epidemiologic surveillance system is a necessary condition for enhancing the efficiency of preventive measures against parasitic diseases]. / Sovershenstvovanie sistemy sanépidnadzora--neobkhodimoe uslovie povysheniia éffektivnosti profilakticheskikh meropriiatii pri parazitozakh.

The paper presents a pattern of the improved sanitary and epidemiological surveillance system against parasitic diseases in Russia at the present stage. A great deal of species of causative agents of parasitic diseases, a great variety of ways and factors of their transmission show that there is a need for its further optimization by taking into account local, natural, climatic and social conditions of the population's life and activities and paying a particular attention to the system's key point, namely to the evaluation of the risk of infection, which is the basis of planning preventive measures against parasitic diseases.

[The choice of the surgical procedure in treating a chronic disorder of the arterial blood supply to the brain]. / Vybor khirurgicheskoi taktiki pri lechenii khronicheskogo narusheniia arterial'nogo krovosnabzheniia golovnogo mozga.

Results of surgical treatment of 336 patients with chronic disorder of the brain arterial blood supply were summarized. Surgical tactics provided for maximum brain revascularization by means of simultaneous intervention on two-three arteries. Technical aspects of operative procedures elaborated in clinic are presented. Late follow-up results noted were good in 60.1% and fair--in 25.7%.

[Experience with the parallel use of immunoenzyme analysis and copro-ovoscopy for assessing the clonorchiasis infectivity of the population of Khabarovsk Territory]. / Opyt parallel'nogo ispol'zovaniia immunofermentnogo analiza i koproovoskopii dlia otsenki porazhennosti naseleniia klonorkhozom v Khabarovskom krae.

The paper describes how enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and copro-ovoscopy are concurrently used to define the spread of clonorchiasis among the population of the Nanaisk District in the Khabarovsk Territory. It shows the efficiency of EIA in seroepidemiological surveys and the possibility of its use in endemic areas. The sensitivity of EIA to determine antibodies to Clonorchis antigens was 70.58% and its specificity was 98.4%. The assay is recommended for wide application in clinical and epidemiological practice in the foci of the disease. The total affliction of the population, which was calculated by 2 techniques is 33.7% +/- 3.0.

[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.