Historical sketch of Slovak Haban (Hutterite) population based on autosomal STR analysis.

According to the Hutterite chronicles, the Habans arrived from Austrian Tyrol, Switzerland, and northernmost Italy and stayed in four regions of Slovakia (Sobotiste, Vel'ké Leváre, Moravský Svätý Ján, Trencín). There are some communities in western Slovakia that retained their Haban cultural identity and still identify themselves as descendents of the Hutterite population with their own specific customs. Slovak Habans are typical founder population with significant social isolation for which high degree of inbreeding is typical. Present study investigated STR polymorphisms as a powerful genetic tool for population genetic studies. The aim was to perform a comparative, population genetic study based on 15 STR loci widely used in forensic genetics, of the Haban population, the Slovak majority population and the population of Tyrol. We analyzed allele frequencies and other statistical parameters in three selected populations in order to identify groups of specific ethnic origin and establish their genetic relationship. The data set included 110 unrelated Habans and 201 unrelated individuals from the Slovak majority population, as well as allelic frequencies for the population of Austrian Tyrol available in the literature. Population pairwise FST values used as a short term genetic distance between populations showed significant differentiation between the Habans and both reference populations (FST=0.0025 and 0.0042 for comparison with the Slovaks and Austrians, respectively; p<10(-3)). The Slovak Hutterites were demonstrated to be genetically distinct and more closely related to their geographic neighbors than to their historical ancestral population, which may be at least partially explained by gene flow between neighboring Haban and Slovak populations.

[MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry in the investigation of large high-molecular biological compounds].

MALDI-TOF (Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight) mass spectrometry has become, in the recent years, a tool of choice for analyses of biological polymers. The wide mass range, high accuracy, informativity and sensitivity make it a superior method for analysis of all kinds of high-molecular biological compounds including proteins, nucleic acids and lipids. MALDI-TOF-MS is particularly suitable for the identification of proteins by mass fingerprint or microsequencing. Therefore it has become an important technique of proteomics. Furthermore, the method allows making a detailed analysis of post-translational protein modifications, protein-protein and protein-nucleic acid interactions. Recently, the method was also successfully applied to nucleic acid sequencing as well as screening for mutations.

[Systolic and diastolic function of heart ventricles and their remodeling in adult patients with congenital heart disease in phase of Eisenmenger's syndrome]. / Systolichna i diastolichna funktsiia shlunochkiv sertsia i ïkh remodeliuvannia u doroslykh khvorykh z pryrodzhenymy vadamy sertsia u fazi syndromu Eizenmenhera.

55 patients with congenital heart diseases (CHD) in phase of Eisenmereger's syndrome (ES) (11 patients with ductus arteriosus (DA), 28--ventricular septal defect (VSD), 16--atrial septal defect (ASD)) at age of 14-53 (mean 29.7+/-3.2) were examined. Heart failure corresponded to I-II functional classes (NYHA) in 28 (50.9%) patients, III-IV--in 27 (49.1%). Diagnosis of ES was confirmed by ECG, Doppler-Echo-CG, catheterization and ventriculography. Moderate right ventricle systolic dysfunction was revealed and confirmed by its dilation and deterioration of inferior vena cava (IVC) (for 156.0% in comparision with healthy people, P<0.001) in patients DA and ASD collapse after inspiration. Unchanged indices of Vmax and Accmax in PA and IVC diameter showed good compensatory potential of RV. There was the initial stage of LV systolic dysfunction (decrease EF for 7.0%, Vmax for 16.7% and Accmax for 21.4%, P<0.05). Diastolic dysfunction of both ventricles in patients with ES is unidirectional and corresponds to relaxation type.

[Use of low-power electromagnetic therapy in diabetic polyneuropathy]. / Zastosuvannia nyz'koenerhetychnykh elektromahnitnykh vplyviv pry diabetychnykh polinevropatiakh.

The clinical-electroneuromyography investigations were performed for objective evaluation of low-power electromagnetic therapy effectiveness in 12 patients with diabetic polyneuropaties. It is established that combination of low-power electromagnetic therapy using "ANET-UHF", "ANET-SHF" apparatus (Ukraine) and low-power variable magnetic field using AMT apparatus (Ukraine) give the stable positive effects. The positive changes were confirmed by following: the decrease of neurological deficit and required insulin daily dose, nerve conduction velocity increase, increase of the muscle compound action potentials (muscle power) and peripheral outflow in some patients.

A randomized controlled trial of a new ovule formulation of ornidazole for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of 500 mg ornidazole vaginal ovules (VO) and vaginal tablets (VT) in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis. METHOD: Patients were allocated at random to one group of 50 subjects to be treated with a VO (500 mg) prepared in our laboratory and to a second group of 50 subjects to be treated with a VT of ornidazole (500 mg). Therapeutic efficacy was assessed by Nugent's scoring system and clinical criteria (Amsel's criteria) before and 1 week after treatment. RESULTS: At the first follow-up visit, complete disappearance of the signs and symptoms or highly significant reduction in intensity of symptoms was observed in both treatment groups. No significant difference was evident between the two ornidazole formulations.

[Morphofunctional characteristics of secretion-producing structures of the gastric and duodenal mucosa in liquidators of aftermaths of the Chernobyl accident with peptic ulcer of the duodenum]. / Morfofunktsional'na kharakterystyka sekretprodukuiuchykh struktur slyzovoï obolonky shlunka i dvanadtsiatypaloï kyshky pry peptychnii vyraztsi dvanadtsiatypaloï kyshky u likvidatoriv naslidkiv Chornobyl's'koï avariï.

With the aid of the comparative structural analysis of 145 biopsy specimens of the gastric and duodenal mucosa obtained from two groups of patients with peptic ulcer of the duodenum (liquidators of effects of the Chernobyl power plant accident and those subjects comprizing the control group), particular morphological features were revealed in the liquidators. These included the following: significant decline in parameters for parietal cells (mostly nuclei), striking alterable changes in their cytoplasma; transformation of the process of glycosylation of glycoproteins in the course of mucus production with disturbances of formation, excertion of the secretion and cytoprotective properties of the mucus; increase in the proliferative activity of the epithelium with insufficiency of cytodifferentiation and functional inadequacy.

Kainic acid lesions to the lateral tegmental field of medulla: effects on cough, expiration and aspiration reflexes in anesthetized cats.

We have tested the hypothesis that neurons of both the ventral reticular nucleus and the adjacent parts of the lateral tegmental field (LTF) may be important for the production of motor programs associated with cough, expiration and aspiration reflexes. Our studies were conducted on non-decerebrate, spontaneously breathing cats under pentobarbitone anesthesia. Dysfunction of the medullary LTF region above the obex, produced by uni- or bilateral injections of kainic acid (a neurotoxin), regularly abolished the cough reflex evoked by mechanical stimulation of both the tracheobronchial and laryngeal regions and in most cases also the expiration reflex induced from the glottal area. However, some electrical activity still occurred in the neurogram of the recurrent laryngeal nerve during probing the laryngeal and glottal regions. Interestingly, the aspiration reflex elicited from the nasopharynx regularly persisted, although with lower intensity after the LTF lesion. Nevertheless, successive midcollicular decerebration performed in four cats also abolished the aspiration reflex. These experiments demonstrate the importance of medullary LTF neurons for the normal occurrence of cough and expiration reflexes. One possible explanation for the elimination of these expulsive processes is that the blockade of the LTF neurons may remove an important source of a facilitatory input to the brainstem circuitries that mediate cough and expiration reflexes. In addition, the potential importance of the mesencephalic reticular formation for the occurrence of the aspiration reflex and the role of the LTF in modulating both the eupnoeic breathing and the blood pressure are also discussed.

Effects of medullary midline lesions on cough and other airway reflexes in anaesthetized cats.

The involvement of rapheal and medial parts of the medullary reticular formation in both generation of airway reflexes and changes in breathing were studied in 18 chloralose or pentobarbitone anaesthetized, non-paralyzed cats. Chemical lesions to the medullary midline region (0-4 mm rostral to the obex) produced by localized injections of the neurotoxin kainic acid regularly abolished the cough reflexes evoked from the tracheobronchial and laryngopharyngeal regions and in most cases also the expiration reflex induced from the glottal area. The aspiration reflex elicited from the nasopharynx was spared, but was less intense. However, the signs of cough and expiration reflexes were preserved in the neurogram of the recurrent laryngeal nerve. The experiments have shown the importance of raphe nuclei and other medullary midline structures for the occurrence of cough and expiration reflexes. One possible explanation for the elimination of these expulsive processes is the removal of an important source of facilitatory input to the spinal respiratory motoneurons or to the brainstem circuitries that mediate cough and expiration reflexes. The role of the medullary midline in modulation of eupnoeic breathing and blood pressure is also discussed.

[The cytomorphological characteristics of the epithelial layer of the gastric and duodenal mucosa in those who worked in the cleanup of the aftermath of the accident at the Chernobyl Atomic Electric Power Station]. / Tsytomorfolohichna kharakterystyka epitelial'noho pokryvu slyzovoï obolonky shlunka ta dvanadtsiatypaloï kyshky u likvidatoriv naslidkiv avariï na ChAES.

The complex of cytomorphological changes (dystrophy, dysregeneration, dysplasia, metaplasia) and dysfunction of gastric and duodenal mucosa epithelium were found in 79 liquidators of the Chernobyl disaster. It was shown that the reparative capability of superficial epithelium was retained. The increased number of abnormal mitoses was observed. The highest proliferative activity of duodenal epithelium reflects the intensity of reparative processes in duodenum at acute phase of peptic ulcer disease.

Quantitative analysis of myelinated nerve fibers of peripheral nerve in streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus.

The purpose of this study was to examine morphometric changes of myelinated fibers in early stages of experimental diabetes mellitus. Adult male Wistar rats aged 17 wk were used in this study. Diabetes mellitus was induced by streptozotocin. Samples of common peroneal nerve from diabetic rats (4 and 8 wk after induction of diabetes mellitus) and age-matched control animals were removed and processed. The semithin cross sections were stained with toluidine blue and used for myelinated fiber computer-aided morphometric analysis. There were no significant changes in diabetic animals after 4 wk duration of the disease. There was significant reduction in myelinated nerve fiber caliber in diabetic rats 8 wk after induction of diabetes as compared to age-matched controls. There was no significant reduction of axonal area in this group of diabetic rats, so diminution of fiber area was caused predominantly by reduction of myelin sheath area. The study demonstrates that the induction of diabetes mellitus in rat by streptozotocin is accompanied by early changes of the morphometric indices of myelinated nerve fibers of peripheral nerve.

[The functional characteristics of the digestive system organs in persons living in a radionuclide-contaminated area]. / Osoblyvosti stanu systemy orhaniv travlennia u osib, iaki prozhyvaiut' na zabrudnenii radionuklidamy terytoriï.

A comprehensive clinico-instrumental evaluation was performed of 339 individuals residing in areas with high levels of radionuclide contamination, aimed to identify incidence rate for the development of various gastrointestinal tract pathologies. The digestive organs abnormalities were found to occur in 96% of the examinees, and included, for the most part, chronic gastritis, chronic cholecystitis, and ulcero-erosive lesions of gastric and duodenal mucosa. The results obtained warrant long-term follow-up examination of the digestive system status in victims of the Chernobyl accident, employing instrumental methods of investigation along with the institution of curative-and-prophylactic measures.

[The clinical efficacy of the new delayed-action calcium antagonist Cordipin-Retard]. / Klinichna efektyvnist' novoho antahonistu kal'tsiiu podovzhenoï diï kordypinu-retardu.

Cordipin-retard is one of the new highly effective slow-releasing hypotensive drugs from the calcium antagonists family. Single intake of the drug is equal to that of corinfar while prolonged treatment with cordipin-retard surpasses corinfar in hypotensive influence and duration of effect. No adverse effect of the drug on conductive system of the heart and myocardial contractility were established. Taking into consideration the fact that cordipin-retard markedly decreases total peripheral resistance without reducing hypersympathicotonia the drug may be recommended for monotherapy and first-step treatment of patients suffering from Ist and IInd stage hypertonic disease associated with eu- and hypokinetic haemodynamics.

[Agonist-induced platelet adhesion: use of the method in patients with myocardial infarction]. / Agonistindutsirovannaia adgeziia trombotsitov, primenenie metoda u bol'nykh s infarktom miokarda.

A new method of agonist-induced platelet adhesion has been developed for the evaluation of platelet activity. Platelet adhesion to plastic was stimulated by low doses of ADP, epinephrine and stable thromboxane analogue U46619. These inducers cause more than 3-fold increase of platelet adhesion in concentrations by 5-10 times lower than those necessary for stimulation of platelet aggregation in Born aggregometer. The method was applied for evaluation of platelet adhesive activity in patients with myocardial infarction. A dramatic increase of agonists-induced platelet adhesion was registered in patients with acute infarction, most significantly expressed when epinephrine was used as platelet agonist.

Effects of focal cooling of medulla oblongata structures on quiet breathing in cats.

Experiments were carried out on 16 anaesthetized, non-paralysed cats to determine the effects of unilateral, successive focal cooling of the nuclei of the dorsal and ventral respiratory groups (DRG, VRG) of the medulla oblongata on quiet breathing parameters. The results of cold block tests of the respiratory nuclei showed that: 1. Compared with the control state, cooling of the ventrolateral part of the nucleus solitarii (vl. NTS) and the rostral part of the nucleus retroambigualis (r. NRA) to 20 degrees C or 15 degrees C decreased the respiration rate (p less than 0.001), prolonged the inspiration time (p less than 0.01 and p less than 0.001 respectively) and the development of apneustic breathing. A decrease in the inspiratory pleural pressure values (p less than 0.01) was found after cooling the r. NRA region to 15 degrees C. In 45% of the cases of cooling of the vl. NTS and 66.7% of cooling of the r. NRA to 15 degrees C, an incidence of short inspiratory efforts was observed. 2. Focal cooling of the nucleus retrofacialis (nucl. RF) region to 20 degrees C always arrested rhythmic respiration. 3. The effects of unilateral focal cooling of the respiratory nuclei were always bilaterally symmetrical and, after discontinuing cooling, reversible. 4. The findings indicate that the inspiratory neurones of the r. NRA participate more in regulation of the intensity of inspiration than those of the vl. NTS, while the nucl. RF region may be a part of central regulatory mechanisms essential for the maintenance of rhythmic breathing in cats.

[Review of the morphological changes in peripheral nerves in experimental diabetes mellitus]. / Prehl'ad morfologických zmien periférnych nervov pri experimentálnom diabetes mellitus.

A survey of morphological changes of myelinated nerve fibers of peripheral nerves recorded in experimental streptozotocin induced diabetes mellitus in rats is presented. Causes of discordant interpretations of findings are considered and pathogenetic mechanisms involved in morphological changes of myelinated nerve fibers of peripheral nerves observed in this model of diabetes mellitus are discussed. (Ref. 41.)

Respiration and airway reflexes after transversal brain stem lesions in cats.

The effect of brain stem transection at different levels of the pons Varolii and the medulla oblongata on respiration and on cough and the aspiration and expiration reflex elicited by mechanical stimulation of the relevant parts of the respiratory tract was studied in experiments on 13 anaesthetized, unparalyzed cats. The results of 142 respiratory reflex elicitation tests showed that: 1. Compared with the control state, transection of the upper and middle part of the pons Varolii and transection at the level of the pontomedullary junction reduced the respiration rate (p less than 0.001), increased the duration of inspiration and expiration (p less than 0.001, transection 10 mm rostrally to the obex) and gave rise to apneustic breathing (8 mm), or to tonic, respiration-modulated activity of the phrenic nerve and diaphragm (6 mm). 2. Successive transection of the pons and the pontomedullary junction region led chiefly to a drop in maximum expiratory pleural pressure values (p less than 0.01-0.001) during cough and the expiration reflex and to a drop in maximum inspiratory pleural pressure values during the aspiration reflex (p less than 0.02-0.001). 3. Transection of the upper part of the medulla oblongata always led to permanent arrest of rhythmic respiration, during which cough and the expiration reflex could not be elicited while the aspiration reflex persisted (though in a weakened form). This state was followed by gasping, during which only a highly elicitable aspiration reflex persisted. 4. It can be assumed from the above findings that the central mechanisms responsible for the development of powerful expiratory efforts in cough and the expiration reflex could be localized in the pons Varolii, while those integrating the aspiration reflex are probably localized mainly in the medulla oblongata.