Diagnostic Capabilities of Islet Autoantibodies in Children with New-Onset Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and Healthy Siblings.

The aim of the study is to determine the diagnostic utility of several islet autoantibodies and their combinations in order to identify individuals susceptible to type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) among healthy siblings in the pediatric population within the scope of the development of a screening program. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 424 children were evaluated, 260 children with new-onset T1DM and 164 healthy children with brothers and/or sisters with T1DM.Blood tests for a complex of autoantibodies to insulin (IAA), tyrosine phosphatase (IA-2A), zinc transporter 8 (ZnT8A), pancreatic ß-cells (ICA), and glutamate decarboxylase (GADA) were conducted in all the subjects with the enzyme immunoassay method. RESULTS: It was found that the diagnostic utility of individual autoantibodies is not equal and varies with age. The optimal age groups for the immunological control of the risks of developing type 1 diabetes in healthy siblings were determined. The highest risks were noted with the combination of GADA, ZnT8A, and IA-2A. CONCLUSION: Islet autoantibodies may serve as prognostic markers of the risk of developing type 1 diabetes in healthy siblings.

Corticosteroids and montelukast: effects on airway epithelial and human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

Our primary objective was to investigate the possible contribution of controller medications to asthmatic airway remodeling, by (1) comparing the apoptotic and necrotic effects of several corticosteroids and montelukast on cultured airway human bronchial surface epithelial (16HBE) and submucosal (Calu3) cells; (2) measuring epithelial shedding potential and desmosome length in response to a cytokine challenge, with or without co-administered corticosteroids; and (3) studying corticosteroids and montelukast effects on inter-cellular adhesion molecule (ICAM) expression in both 16HBE and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). For this purpose, apoptosis, necrosis, and ICAM expression were quantified by flow cytometry, with 16HBE cells sensitive to both the apoptotic and necrotic effects of dexamethasone and montelukast; Calu3 cells sensitive only to budesonide. Transmission electron microscopy revealed decreased desmosome length in the presence of cytokines (TNF-alpha and INF-gamma), with corticosteroids counteracting this reduction. Dexamethasone, beclomethasone, and montelukast decreased versus increased ICAM-1 expression in airway epithelial cells and HUVEC, respectively. For conclusions, bronchial surface epithelial and submucosal cells exhibit a different sensitivity profile toward dexamethasone, budesonide, and montelukast, with corticosteroids preventing cytokineinduced desmosomal damage in 16HBE cells. The studied drugs led to increased ICAM-1 expression in endothelium, potentially facilitating inflammatory cell migration into lung tissue.

[Fundamental and applied aspects of comparative genomics of vertebrates]. / Fundamental'nye i prikladnye aspekty sravnitel'noi genomiki pozvonochnykh zhivotnykh.

The Human Genome Project stimulated the development of efficient strategies and relevant hardware for complete genome sequencing. The comparative genomic approach extends the possibilities of using the sequencing data to identify new genes or conserved regulatory regions by means of nucleotide sequence alignment of the particular regions of the mouse and human genomes, or to trace the evolutionary events resulting in the genome structure of modern mammals. The review focuses on the use of new molecular cytogenetic methods along with computer-aided analysis of the genomes in vertebrates. Several factors hindering data analysis are considered. The currently available information on gene evolution rate inferred from comparative genomic data is presented. The origin and evolution of the genomes of several species are discussed.

[Transcription map of the 13q14 region, frequently deleted in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients]. / Transkriptsionnaia karta raiona 13q14, chasto utrachivaemogo u bol'nykh B-kletochnym khronicheskim limfoleikozom.

Deletions in the region located between the STS markers D13S1168 and D13S25 on chromosome 13 are the most frequent genomic changes in patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL). After sequencing of this region, two novel candidate genes were identified: C13orf1 (chromosome 13 open reading frame 1) and PLCC (putative large CLL candidate). Analysis of the repeat distribution revealed two subregions differing in composition of repetitious DNA and gene organization. The interval D13S1168-D13S319 contains 131 Alu repeats accounting for 24.8% of its length, whereas the interval GCT16C05-D13S25, which is no more than 180 kb away from the former one is extremely poor in Alu repeats (4.1% of the total length). Both intervals contain almost the same amount of the LINE-type repeats L1 and L2 (20.3 and 21.24%, respectively). In the chromosomal region studied, 29 Alu repeats were found to belong to the evolutionary young subfamily Y, which is still capable of amplifying. A considerable proportion of repeats of this type with similar nucleotide sequences may contribute to the recombinational activity of the chromosomal region 13q14.3, which is responsible for its rearrangements in some tumors in humans.

Comparative sequence analysis of a region on human chromosome 13q14, frequently deleted in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and its homologous region on mouse chromosome 14.

Previous studies have indicated the presence of a putative tumor suppressor gene on human chromosome 13q14, commonly deleted in patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL). We have recently identified a minimally deleted region encompassing parts of two adjacent genes, termed LEU1 and LEU2 (leukemia-associated genes 1 and 2), and several additional transcripts. In addition, 50 kb centromeric to this region we have identified another gene, LEU5/RFP2. To elucidate further the complex genomic organization of this region, we have identified, mapped, and sequenced the homologous region in the mouse. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis demonstrated that the region maps to mouse chromosome 14. The overall organization and gene order in this region were found to be highly conserved in the mouse. Sequence comparison between the human deletion hotspot region and its homologous mouse region revealed a high degree of sequence conservation with an overall score of 74%. However, our data also show that in terms of transcribed sequences, only two of those, human LEU2 and LEU5/RFP2, are clearly conserved, strengthening the case for these genes as putative candidate B-CLL tumor suppressor genes.

[The use of xenon irradiator in otology]. / Primenenie ksenonovogo obluchatelia v otiatricheskoi praktike.

Xenon irradiator " " (Yakhont-F) has been used in combined treatment of chronic purulent diseases of the external and middle ear in 50 patients. The unit is supplied with flexible multifiber light guides which can operate in the sites not easily accessible for other instruments. Such radiation leads to good bactericidal, antiinflammatory and antiedema effects. In reconstructive and cleansing surgery on the middle ear the transplant retension and epidermization of the postoperative cavity took less time. The technique is proposed for wide otiatric practice.

[Effect of captopril and reserpine on the activity of certain neuropeptide metabolism enzymes]. / Vliiane kaptoprila i rezerpina na aktivnost' nekotorykh fermentov obmena neiropeptidov.

Chronic consumption of the highly specific angiotension-converting enzyme inhibitor captopril was found to decrease the activity of the enzyme in the rat hypothalamus and striatum and to enhance it in the pituitary and blood serum. The agent also increased the activity of carboxypeptidase N in the serum and that of carboxypeptidase H in the pituitary. Reserpine, a catecholaminergic blocking agent, reduces the pituitary and serum activities of angiotensin-converting enzyme and activates soluble carboxypeptidase H in the pituitary and striatum and membrane-bound carboxypeptidase in the hypothalamus and striatum. Possible mechanisms of action of captopril and reserpine on the activity of the enzymes in question, as well as a contribution of these enzymes to their antihypertensive effect are discussed in the paper.

[Diagnostic informative value of enzyme tests in the detection of pancreatic involvement in systemic scleroderma]. / Diagnosticheskaia informativnost' fermentnykh testov dlia vyiavleniia porazheniia podzheludochnoi zhelezy pri sistemnoi sklerodermii.

Thirty-three patients with systemic scleroderma were examined using a complex of enzymatic tests to detect pancreatic involvement. The diagnostic informative value of these tests was found to be not inferior to that of acknowledged instrumental methods of examination: pancreatic involvement was detected in 25 of the 33 patients with systemic scleroderma.

[Use of helium-neon laser device LTM-01 in the treatment of patients with chronic suppurative otitis media]. / Ispol'zovanie gelii-neonovoi lazernoi ustanovki LTM-01 v lechenii bol'nykh khronicheskim gnoinym srednim otitom.

The all-purpose small-sized portable helium-neon laser unit LTM-I has been tested in a clinic. The unit is constructed on the basis of a quantum generator of 0.5-1.0 mW with a wave length of 632.8 nm. The unit is provided with special appliances allowing emission to be brought to the external auditory passage and the tympanic cavity. The unit was used to treat 110 patients with chronic purulent middle otitis. Exposure lasted 10-12 min. The treatment course consisted of 7-12 sessions. The favourable effect was noted by the 6-7th day of treatment in 52 patients with chronic purulent mesotympanitis with a protracted torpid course. Improvement of the cytological picture, disappearance of the microbial flora, normalization of immunological indices made it possible to arrive at a conclusion on the existence of a certain adaptogenic mechanism of action of laser emission.

[Microcirculation in patients with systemic scleroderma during treatment using hyperbaric oxygenation]. / Mikrotsirkuliatsiia u bo'lnykh sistemnoi sklerodermiei pri lechenii metodom giperbaricheskoi oksigenatsii.

Hyperbaric oxygenation treatment of systemic scleroderma has a favourable effect on microcirculatory changes whose positive dynamics can be demonstrated by conjunctival biomicroscopy. These changes include accelerated blood flow and decrease in the degree of erythrocyte aggregation. The method can be used for the objective assessment and for prognosis of the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygenation treatment in patients with systemic scleroderma.

[Treatment of inflammatory salivary gland diseases by using intraductal UV irradiation]. / Lechenie vospalitel'nykh zabolevanii sliunnykh zhelez s pomoshch'iu intrakanal'nogo UF-oblucheniia.

A novel technique is offered for treatment of sialadenitis. Ultraviolet irradiation conductors are inserted into the gland via its major duct for subsequent intracorporeal UV therapy of the gland. The results of the treatment are analyzed in 57 cases of sialadenitis observed during 1 to 2.5 years. The technique proved effective enough to be recommended for practical application.

[Laser therapy of mandibular fractures]. / Lazernaia terapiia pri perelome nizhnei cheliusti.

Results of a comparative analysis of treatment of 46 patients with mandible fractures show the laser radiation (1 mv/cm2) to enhance the activity of serum alkaline phosphatase, to accelerate fixation of the mandible fracture, to shorten the period of disability of the patients, to prevent inflammatory complications.

[Small-scale laser unit and its use in dental surgery]. / Malogabaritnaia lazernaia ustanovka i ee primenenie v khirurgicheskoi stomatologii.

A design and main specifications of the laser set lTM-01 for the operative dentistry are presented. Some methods and manipulations are also described. Special attention is focused on a rather high therapeutic activity of He-Ne laser beams at the radiation density about 0,1-1 mW/cm2 when treating more than 3000 patients. In the course of the treatment no complications have been observed. The set does not require any special room or particular protection for personnel and patients. It is mounted on the dental chair and may be conveniently used by a physician during consultations.