[Impact of mutations in nucleoprotein on replication of influenza virus A/Hong Kong/1/68/162/35 reassortants at different temperatures].

The nucleoprotein (NP) of influenza virus is a multifunctional RNA binding protein. The role of NP in the adaptation of influenza viruses to a host has been experimentally proved. Ambiguous data are available on the role of nucleoprotein in the attenuation of influenza A viruses, which is characterized by ability to replicate at low temperature (26°C) and inability to replicate at high temperature (39°C). Influenza virus donor strain A/Hong Kong/1/68/162/35 (H3N2), adapted to growth at low temperature, differs from the wild type virus by 14 amino acid mutations in the internal and non-structural proteins. Two mutations occurred in the NP: Gly102Arg and Glu292Gly. We have obtained viruses with point reverse-mutations in these positions and compared their replication at different temperatures by measuring infectious activity in chicken embryos. It has been shown that reverse mutation Gly292Glu in the NP reduced virus ability to replicate at low temperature, the introduction of the second reverse mutation Arg102Gly completely abolished virus cold adaptation.

GENETIC AND ANTIGENIC CHARACTERISTICS OF RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS STRAINS ISOLATED IN ST. PETERSBURG IN 2013-2016.

Antigenic and genetic characteristics of Russian RSV isolates are presented for the first time. Of the 69 strains isolated in St. Petersburg, 93% belonged to the RSV-A antigenic group. The antigenic variations in the F-protein RSV were analyzed using a panel from 6 monoclonal antibodies by the method of micro-cultural ELISA. Depending on the decrease in the effectiveness of interaction with monoclonal antibodies (relative to the reference strain Long), RSV-A isolates were divided into 4 antigenic subgroups. The results of 24 isolates sequencing showed that more than 60% of them had substitutions in significant F-protein sites compared to the ON67-1210A reference strain of the current RSV genotype ON1/GA2. The most variable were the signal peptide and antigenic site II. When comparing the results of ELISA and sequencing, it was not possible to identify any specific key substitutions in the amino acid sequence of the F-protein that affect the interaction of the virus with antibodies. The nucleotide sequence of the F-gene from 19 of the 24 characterized isolates was close to that of ON67-1210A reference virus and was significantly different from RSV-A Long and A2 viruses. A separate group consisted of 5 strains, in which the F-protein structure was approximated to RSV Long.

Peripartum anesthetic management of patients with aortic valve stenosis: a retrospective study and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Anesthetic management of parturients with aortic stenosis is controversial. Early studies suggest maternal mortality was related to cardiac condition and anesthetic care. In this report, management of parturients with moderate or severe aortic stenosis in two institutions is compared, and published cases are reviewed. METHODS: Peripartum anesthetic management of all parturients with moderate or severe aortic stenosis who gave birth between 1990 and 2005 at our institutions, is described. Patients with mild or non-valvular aortic stenosis were excluded. RESULTS: There were 12 parturients, six with moderate and six with severe aortic stenosis. Two patients with moderate aortic stenosis were New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification II, the others were asymptomatic. Five patients with severe aortic stenosis were symptomatic (NYHA classification II or III). Two patients with moderate and three with severe aortic stenosis underwent cesarean delivery; epidural anesthesia was used for two. Two patients with moderate and all with serious aortic stenosis were observed postpartum for 24 to 48 h in a high-dependency unit. There were no severe maternal or neonatal complications. CONCLUSIONS: Carefully titrated regional analgesia is usually well tolerated in patients undergoing vaginal or cesarean delivery even in the presence of severe aortic stenosis. Standard monitoring is usually adequate for vaginal delivery, but invasive monitoring may facilitate management in some patients. An arterial line allows close monitoring of systemic blood pressure. Facilities for close 24-48-h post-partum observation should be available. A multidisciplinary approach is needed.

[The electrode for selective nociceptive stimulation: use experience and prospect for application in nociception studies in a human].

Electrode for selective nociception specific stimulation was described by H. Kaube et al. in 2000. The aim of this work was to test this electrode in assessment of nociceptive reactions of the segmental and suprasegmental levels. The method of nociception specific blink reflex based on the use of this electrode was applied in a modified variant for examination of patients with a tension type headache. A decrease in the nociceptive reflex threshold was revealed in patients with episodic headaches (as compared to healthy volunteers). Both the reflex and pain thresholds were decreased in patients with a chronic headache. These results indicate the sensitization of nociceptive structures in patients with a headache. Cerebral evoked potentials elicited by skin stimulation of face and extremities with Kaube electrode were studied in healthy volunteers. The dominance of the late components (100-300 ms) considered to be of nociceptive origin was revealed in the pattern of evoked potentials. Thus, the electrode assures a high degree of selectivity of the pain-specific stimulation. Its adaptation for assessment of various nociceptive reactions can perfect the neurophysiological methods of nociception studies.

[Preliminary results of radical surgery and radiotherapy of locally advanced prostate cancer (basal PSA >50 ng/ml)].

Despite recent progress made in early diagnosis of prostate cancer, medical advice is sought mostly at locally advanced stage. Both surgery and radiotherapy (distant or contact) are used. Yet, such methods have limited application, namely, in patients with basal level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) under 50 ng/ml, without distant metastases. Even in those with excess of that value and without apparent distant metastases, i.e. cases at high risk of tumor process generalization, local treatment may be carried out on a limited scale. Tentative data are discussed on the results of combined treatment of such a group of patients as, compared with hormone therapy.

[Comparative characteristics of pathogenesis of chronic gastroduodenetic pathology in servicemen from different professional groups].

345 servicemen from Air Forces were being examined. That group consisted of 105 servicemen working in deepened special constructions (DSC), 62 from flying staff and 178 from compact sampling. Statistical processing of questionnaire results and the data of gastroenterological examination have shown that main well-known ethiopathogenetic factors influence negatively during the course of chronic gastroduodenetic pathology in servicemen. By the way the main element of pathogenesis in DSC personnel is Helicobacter pylori invasion, and in flying staff is an alimentary factor and unhealthy habits.

[Reaction of the sympathoadrenal system in young children with congenital heart defects during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery]. / Reaktsiia simpatoadrenalovoi sistemy u detei rannego vozrasta s vrozhdennymi porokami serdtsa, operirovannykh v usloviiakh iskusstvennogo krovoobrashcheniia.

Reactions of the sympathoadrenal system were studied during surgical interventions in children aged 1.5-3 years with congenital heart disease operated under conditions of artificial circulation and hypothermia. The state of the sympathoadrenal system was different in uneventful and complicated course of the operation, which may indicate a different efficiency of the neurovegetative blocking and antistress protection from surgical trauma.