[Genetic characterization of the rabies virus field isolates detected in Russian Federation within the period 2008-2011].

Sixty-three gene N fragments of rabies virus field isolates detected within the period 2008-2011 in different regions of Russian Federation were sequenced. The comparison with previously tested isolates and strains has shown that newly isolated isolates can be placed into five previously described phylogenetic groups: Arctic group, Central Russian group, Eurasian group, Northern European group, and Caucasian group. The Arctic group isolates detected in Komi republic were identical to previously described rabies virus strain from Yakutia. This is the first reliable case of detecting Arctic group rabies virus in European part of Russia.

[Peculiarity of the laboratory diagnostic of the measles virus infection in previously vaccinated and unvaccinated patients].

119 specimens of blood sera collected from measles cases with different vaccination history (aged 4 months to 48 years) on 5th-6th days after rash onset were Investigated using EIA. The obtained results showed that the primary immune response (PIR) was developed in 59 patients; the secondary immune response (SIR) was developed in 60 patients with a significant increase in the specific high avidity IgG (22.34 IU/ml +/- 3.2). The specific IgM were detected in 100% cases studied with capture ELISA in both previously vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals of different age. The specific IgM were detected by indirect ELISA in 100% cases in unvaccinated patients, while IgM positive sera was defined only in 23.3% of individuals with SIR. It was concluded that measles virus infection in previously vaccinated and unvaccinated adults had clinical differences. The role of patients with SIR in virus transmission was discussed.

[Factors influencing left ventricular diastolic function in elderly patients with chronic heart failure].

The purpose of the study was to define factors influencing the diastolic left ventricular (LV) function in elderly patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Ninety-seven I to IV functional class CHF patients aged 65 to 88 (mean age 76.6+/-5.1 yr), 61 women and 36 men, were examined. CHF was caused by coronary artery disease in 22 (22.7%) patients, by arterial hypertension in 14 (14.4%) patients, and by both in 61 (62.9%) patients. Fourteen (14.4%) patients had type 2 diabetes. Hemoglobin level lower than 130g/l in men or 120g/l in women was considered anemia. Glomerular filtration speed (GFS) was calculated using Cockcroft-Gault formula. EchoCG and Doppler EchoCG were performed in all patients. LV hypertrophy (LVH) was revealed in 90 (92%) of the patients; 52patients had concentric L VH and 38 patients had eccentric LVH. Ejection fraction was less than 45% in 17 (17.5%) patients. Isovolemic relaxation time (IVRT) was over the normal limit in 73 (75.3%) patients; the time of early diastolic flow slowing (DT) changed in different directions and was 211.2+/-55.6 msec. A type of transmitral blood flow with relaxation disorder was found in 58 (59.8%) patients, a pseudonormal type was revealed in 32 (33%), and a restrictive type was found in 7 (7.2%) of patients. The study found a reverse independent correlation between hemoglobin level and the speed of LV filling during atrial systole. An independent correlation between the degree of renal dysfunction (GFS) and disorder of LV relaxation was found: the lower GFS, the longer IVRT and DT. Thus, in addition to age and structural changes in the heart, factors that have adverse effects on diastolic filling parameters are anemia, lowered renal function, and the level of systolic and diastolic pressure.

[Morphofunctional aspects of genetic analysis of osteogenesis imperfecta in cultured skin fibroblasts]. / Morfofunktsional'nye aspekty geneticheskogo analiza nesovershennogo osteogeneza v kul'ture kozhnykh fibroblastov.

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a disease with biochemical evidence of abnormality in collagen biosynthesis. We report here that expression of the OI phenotype extends to the level of dermal fibroblast morphology in vitro. Growth characteristics and morphology of control (n = 3) and 01 cell strains (n = 10) were compared. Our results show that (1) OI fibroblasts take longer time (16 days) than that with control cells (13 days) to reach stationary phase; (2) OI fibroblasts achieve a lower cell density (1.0 +/- 0.09) at stationary phase compared to control cells (1.47 +/- 0.1); p < 0.01; (3) cell shape (expressed as the width/length ratio) was also abnormal in OI cells: they have significantly increased ratios (p < 0.05) compared to control. These changes were associated with an increased level of fibronectin concentration and engorged cytoplasmic vesicles in dermal fibroblasts in vitro. We have reason to suspect that dysmorphology of fibroblasts may be related to aberrant collagen metabolism that leads to inadequacy of extracellular substratum, that in its turn hinders normal adhesion of cells as well as their spreading, morphology and fibronectin concentration.