[Development of Lyophilization Procedure Ensuring Survival of Bifidobacteria and Preservation of Their Probiotic Potential upon Long-Term Storage].

Survival of bifidobacteria and preservation of their morphological characteristics after 12-month storage of lyophilized cells was studied for the strains of Bifidobacterium bifidum and B. animalis isolated and maintained in the microbial collection of the Department of Microbiology, Moscow State University. A combined approach to pre-lyophilization treatment of microorganisms and subsequent storage was developed in order to improve cell survival. Compared to the standard cryoprotector concentrations, sucrose and glucose (5% and higher) in skim milk, as well as freezing at ‒70°C with subsequent storage at the same temperature resulted in improved survival of bifidobacteria. Under such conditions, the number of viable cells (CFU) after 12 months of storage was two to three orders of magnitude higher than in the case of the standard lyophilization procedure. Investigation of dynamics of resistance of reactivated clones to such gastrointestinal stress factors as gastric juice and bile acids revealed preservation of these properties at all storage modes. However, since the number of surviving cells decreased during storage according to the standard procedure, the number of stress-affected cells was correspondingly lower. Reactivated cultures exhibited high resistance to oxygen, with survival decreasing to 35% of the initial level.

[Mammaglobin in peripheral blood and tumor in breast cancer patients]. / Mammaglobin v perifericheskoi krovi i opukholi pri rake molochnoi zhelezy.

Currently, no molecular biological markers do exist for early diagnosis of breast cancer. One of the possible candidates for the marker of early breast cancer is mammaglobin (MGB1) or SCGB2A2 (secretoglobin, family 2A, member 2), characterized by the maximal expression level in early breast cancer. Using the RT-PCR method MGB1 mRNA expression was examined in 57 tumor tissue samples and 57 samples of morphologically non-malignant tissue (MNT) of breast cancer (BC) patients. Specificity and sensitivity of the MGB1 mRNA assay in peripheral blood of BC patients was evaluated by nested PCR. 169 blood samples (from 95 BC patients, 22 from patients with benign breast tumors, 28 from patients with tumors of other localizations, and 24 samples from healthy donors) have been analyzed. MGB1 expression was significantly higher in BC tissue samples compared to MNT (p=0.0019). The maximal expression level was in the samples T1 (p=0.013), stage I BC (p=0.037), GI (p=0.0019). The MGB1 expression positively correlated with expression of estrogen (p = 0,034) and progesterone (p=0.0004) receptors. Sensitivity and specificity of the MGB1 mRNA assay in peripheral blood were 60.6% and 92.3%, respectively. Expression of MGB1 was higher in BC than MNT and it decreased during BC progression. The sensitivity and specificity of the MGB1 mRNA assay may be used as an additional diagnostic method.

[Prognostic factors in treatment for low-grade brain supratentorial infiltrative gliomas].

The study showed the results of univariate and multivariate analyses of treatment of patients with low-grade brain supra- tentorial infiltrative gliomas. It was reaffirmed the importance of the most significance of such adverse prognostic factors as histology, tumor size, displacement of midline structures of the brain, age and neurological deficit. When assessing the prognostic significance of severity of the debut of clinical symptoms in this category of neuro-oncological patients as well as radical surgical treatment of the primary tumor there were obtained data confirming the absence of their independent prognostic significance.

[New Approaches for the Isolation of Bifidobacterial Strains, Their Molecular Characterization, and Assessment of Their Probiotic Potential].

Six stably growing strains of bifidobacteria possessing probiotic properties were isolated from the feces of newborn children and animals. According to the results of molecular analysis, one strain was classified as Bifidobacterium bifidum, while five belonged to Bifidobacterium animalis. Initial identification of the strains was carried out using the primer pairs for the 16S rRNA gene (g-Bifid-F/R, Bif164/662) and for the xfp gene specific for bifidobacteria. Subsequent sequencing of complete genes encoding 16S rRNA synthesis in the isolates confirmed their species affiliation. The cultures exhibited high resistance to gastroenterological stress (5 ≤ RD ≤ 10) and may be therefore recommended as:potential probiotics.

[Biological effect of extracellular peptide factor from Lateococcus japonicas subsp. casei on probiotic bacteria].

The biological effect of the extracellular peptide reactivating factor (RF) from Luteococcus casei on cells of probiotic cultures was studied. The RF showed the protective and reactivating effects on the Bifidobacterium bifidum cells under the action of bile salts and an acidic stress. Also, it acted as a cryoprotector during lyophilisation and long-term culture storage. The RF and the L. casei culture liquid (CL) were shown to have bifidogenic properties. The degree of protection and reactivation of lactic-acid bacteria under the action of bile salts depended on the particular strain properties. The maximum degree of protection (more than thirteen-fold) and reactivation (close to three-fold) was found in Lactobacillus casei, while the minimum values were characteristic of Lactobacillus reuterii. The resistance of lactobacilli to bile was increased in the row of L. acidophilus, L. casei, L. plantarum, L. rhamnosus, and L. reuterii correlating with the RF protection degree.

[Anxiety level studies in patients with chronic liver diseases].

The results of complex neurological and neuropsychological study with evaluation of anxiety levels in young and middle-age patients with chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis are presented in the article. Raised anxiety levels with statistically significant difference to control group patients were found. By turn, anxiety levels in patients with chronic hepatitis were lower than in patients with liver cirrhosis. The most of examined patients had middle (with tendency to low level as well as with tendency to high level) and high level of anxiety.

[Current strategies in radiotherapy for cervical and endometrial carcinoma].

We used combinations of taxan-based neoadjuvant and adjuvant full-dose chemotherapy and aggressive combined radiotherapy including clinical target volume extension, increased total dosage, hyperthermia, cryo- and local chemotherapy as radiosensitizers, for treatment of invasive and locally-advanced breast cancer or endometrial carcinoma with poor prognosis. 3D-ultrasound/CT/MRI--based designing of radiotherapy and monitoring of dynamic definition of target volume and "high risk volume" in organs at risk in cases of tumor progression was an indispensable measure. As a result, no local recurrence was reported in 73% for 36 months.

[NSAID-induced damage to the gastrointestinal mucosa]. / Vliianie nesteroidnykh protivovospalitel'nykh preparatov na sootnoshenie agressivnykh i zashchitnykh faktorov v slizistoi obolochke organov pishchevareniia.

Non-steroid antiinflammatory drug (NSAID)-related gastropathy is regarded as the most important NSAID-induced complication. The above term is used to signify erosive and ulcerous injuries to the stomach and duodenum, having a characteristic clinical picture.

[Correction of metabolic disturbances in patients with cholestasis]. / Korrektsiia metabolicheskikh narushenii u bol'nykh s kholestazom.

The nosologic and etiopathogenetic structure of the cholestatic syndrome encountered both in surgical and therapeutical practice is described.

[Sensitivity of Helicobacter pylori to antibacterial drug preparations in potential military recruits with duodenal peptic ulcer]. / Chutlyvist' Helicobacter pylori do antybakterial'nykh preparativ u pryzovnykiv, khvorykh na peptychnu vyrazku dvanadtsiatypaloï kyshky.

Results are submitted of bacteriological investigations in those persons with duodenal peptic ulcer who had been called up. The presence of regional strains of H. pylori is ascertained together with their sensitivity to certain antibacterial drug preparations. A rational antihelocobactertherapy schedule is proposed.

[Cytoprotective properties of smecta on the intestinal mucosa of the alimentary canal]. / Vliianie smetky na tsitoprotektivnye svoistva slizistoi obolochki pishchevaritel'nogo kanala.

The chief factors of aggression are discussed together with mechanisms of protection of gastric and duodenal mucosa. Results of treatment of 30 patients with gastritis (Helicobacter pylori negative) with a cytoprotective drug smecta are presented.

[Current approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of irritable bowel syndrome]. / Sovremennye podkhody k diagnostike i lecheniiu sindroma razdrazhennogo kishechnika.

Modern definition, classifications, diagnosis and treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are presented together with results of treatment of 30 patients with irritable bowel syndrome with the new selective calcium-channel blocker dicetel.

[The treatment characteristics of patients with peptic ulcer infected with Helicobacter pylori]. / Osobennosti lecheniia bol'nykh iazvennoi bolezn'iu, infitsirovannykh Helicobacter pylori.

Peptic ulcer (PU) is one of the most prevalent medical problems. It is essential for PU patients to undergo gastrofibroscopy, pH-metry, and examination for Helicobacter pylori during the phase of exacerbation. Results of a comprehensive evaluation of patients will, we believe, help in ensuring the chosen treatment schedule compliance for each particular patient. Use of amoxycillin, metronidazole, and bismuth combined with raniberl in treatment of the above category of patients appeared to be an effective therapeutic alternative designed to eradicate Helicobacter pylori.

[Results of peripheral densitometry in a population of postmenopausal women]. / Rezul'taty perifericheskoi densitometrii pri populiatsionnom obsledovanii zhenshchin v postmenopauze.

Osteodensity was compared in 582 postmenopausal patients with such pathologies as urogenital atrophy, osteoporosis, vulvar craurosis, breast carcinoma, hyperplasia and endometrial carcinoma. A double-photon Z-ray densitometer with a computer program designed for postmenopausal women examination was employed. It was shown that osteodensity measurements can distinguish two opposite patterns of homeostasis in postmenopause: involute-atrophic vs. hyperplastic processes in target tissues characterized by high oncological susceptibility. However, if strict and clear distinctions are applied, many patterns of pathology combination so typical of postmenopause will stay outside the classification. Much in further studies of the problem will depend on progress made in investigation of estrogen receptors in target tissues.

[Current potential of sonography for primary and specific diagnosis of endometrial cancer]. / Sovremennye vozmozhnosti sonografii v pervichnoi i utochniaiushchei diagnostike raka éndometriia.

Findings on sonography diagnostic potential to be used in screening for endometrial carcinoma suggested an ultrasound examination of 235 postmenopausal patients who had had no relevant complaints. As a result, criteria of ultrasound screening for endometrial tumors in postmenopausal patients were worked out. Later, sonography was carried out in 596 endometrial carcinoma patients with a view to verify the diagnosis. It pointed to inadequate identification of microinvasive carcinoma (up to 5 mm) by transabdominal and transvaginal scanning. Sonography, however, efficiently diagnosed marked infiltration (9.4%), organ involvement (88.4%) and metastatic lesions in the ovaries.

[Various aspects of individualized planning of computerized radiotherapy for uterine and ovarian cancer]. / Hekotorye aspekty individual'nogo radiobiologicheskogo planirovaniia avtomatizirovannoi luchevoi terapii raka matki i iaichnikov.

The study was concerned with radiotherapy planning using individual data on tissue volume to be treated. The investigation used criteria based on correlations of TDF, actual volume identified by ultrasound, computed and magnetic resonance tomography and dose fractionation regime. As a result, grave complication rates dropped 3 times including cases of locally advanced tumors, non-traditional dose fractionation and advanced regimens of polychemotherapy.

[Current aspects of the classification of cholelithiasis and the principles of the therapeutic procedure in its different forms]. / Suchasni aspekty klasyfikatsiï zhovchnokam'ianoï khvoroby ta pryntsypy likuval'noï taktyky pry ïï riznykh formakh.

A classification is submitted of cholelithiasis, taking account of stages of the illness, its main clinical forms and complications, with the diagnostic criteria and policy of treating it being pointed out. The use of the above classification ensures succession of surgeons' and therapists' work in questions of diagnosis, prophylaxis, and treatment of patients with cholelithiasis.

[The enzyme preparation Kirshner Pancreal in the treatment of patients with chronic pancreatitis]. / Fermentnyi preparat "Pankreal' Kirshnera" v lechenii bol'nykh khronicheskim pankreatitom.

Our objective in this study was investigation into the effectiveness of the enzymic preparation Kirshner Pancreal in 27 patients with chronic pancreatitis. It is shown that against the background of treatment with the above drug patients dispelled the pain syndrome and manifestations of the maldigestion syndrome. The described drug made for normalization of the blood serum content of beta-lipoproteins. The drug is well-tolerated by patients, no adverse effects were noted.