A first principles study of the spin-orbit coupling effect in LiM (M = Na, K, Rb, Cs) molecules.

The spin-orbit (SO) interactions in low-lying electronic states of the LiM (M = Na, K, Rb, Cs) molecular series are studied through ab initio calculations of potential energy curves and SO coupling matrix elements as functions of the interatomic distance, R. Two different approaches are employed: (a) the Fock-space relativistic coupled-cluster calculations (FS-RCC) which directly yield full relativistic energies, Urel(R); the SO coupling functions, ξso(R), are extracted a posteriori through projecting scalar-relativistic wave functions onto the subspaces spanned by their full-relativistic counterparts; (b) the evaluation of the scalar-relativistic electronic energies, Usr(R), and relevant ξso(R) functions using the configuration interaction method with core-valence correlation accounted for using core polarization potentials (CI-CPP). The SO-free potentials and SO coupling functions obtained within the framework of both approaches are in good agreement with each other and their prior theoretical and empirical counterparts.

[Results of three-year clinical study of prostamol uno efficacy and safety in patients with initial symptoms of prostatic adenoma and risk of its progression].

Prostamol Uno (PU) efficacy and safety were studied in a multicenter, open-population, randomized and comparative trial. PU was given in a single daily dose 320 mg for 36 months to 50 patients with initial symptoms of prostatic adenoma (PA) in comparison with 50 matched controls. The trial evaluated PU action on the symptoms progression and quality of life with application of questionnaires IPSS and QoL (BS). It was found that PU treatment relieved PA symptoms by IPSS, while these symptoms progressed in the controls. QoL improved in the study group and deteriorated in the control one. Administration of PU significantly increased urinary flow rate though in the controls urinary flow rate decreased, size of the prostate diminished and increased, respectively. Changes in the PSA were not seen and were insignificant, respectively. The results of the study say that prostamol Uno in a dose 320 mg/day can prevent PA progression without side effects.

[Efficacy and safety of prostamol-UNO in the treatment of patients with initial symptoms of prostatic adenoma and risk of progression: 2 years of investigations].

The article presents 2-year pilot results of a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial of prostamol-UNO effects on symptoms progression, quality of life, tolerance and safety in patients with early prostatic adenoma. The drug was used in a single dose 320 mg/day for 36 months. Prostamol-UNO efficacy in arrest of the symptoms progression and quality of life was assessed with the use of IPSS and QoL (BS) questionnaires. Measurements were also made of changes in Qmax, urine volume, residual urine, size of the prostate.

[Results of a multicenter trial of serenoa repens extract (permixon) in patients with chronic abacterial prostatitis].

Chronic prostatitis (CP) morbidity now makes up 8 to 35% in males aged 20-40 years (N.A. Lopatkin et al., 1998; O.L. Tiktinsky, 1999). In general population CP incidence rate is 5 to 8% (J.C. Nickel, 1999). Phytotherapy is now widely practiced in CP. A multicenter trial conducted by the authors demonstrates high efficacy ofpermixon in the treatment of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. The results of 6-month follow-up are presented.

[Combined extract of Sabal palm and nettle in the treatment of patients with lower urinary tract symptoms in double blind, placebo-controlled trial].

A multicenter, prospective clinical trial was performed to study efficacy and tolerance of a compound drug PRO 160/120 in the elderly men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). A total of 257 patients were randomized into two groups. Group 1 of 129 patients received PRO 160/120; group 2 of 128 patients received placebo. In 2-week induction blind phase of placebo the patients received for 24 weeks 1 capsule of the drug or placebo twice a day in conditions of double blind study. The double blind phase was followed by an open control period for 24 weeks when all the patients received PRO 160/120. Treatment efficacy evaluation was based on I-PSS, quality of life index, urodynamic and ultrasonography evidence. PRO 160/120 was superior to placebo by attenuating LUTS assessed by I-PSS, improved obstructive and irritative symptoms, was effective in patients with moderate and severe symptoms. Tolerance of the plant extract was good.

[Morphological changes in prostatic tissue of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia treated with permixon]. / Morfologicheskie izmeneniia v tkani predstatel'noi zhelezy bol'nykh s dobrokachestvennoi giperplaziei predstatel'noi zhelezy pri lechenii permiksonom.

A pilot trial has been performed to assess effects of permixon on prostatic tissue in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). A total of 49 BPH and control patients entered the trial. 36 patients of the study group were randomized into 3 subgroups of 12 patients each. Permixon was taken in a standard dose of 320 mg/day for 3, 6 and 12 months, respectively. Mean duration of BPH was 3.7 years (0-8 years). Mean value of PCA was 6.0 ng/ml. The control group of 13 patients were not given permixon. Multifocal prostatic biopsy was performed in all the patients before and after the treatment or follow-up. Stromal-parenchymatous correlation in the study group significantly increased (by 59%)--from 3.28 (0.25-9.61) to 5.22 (1.20-10.67) (p = 0.0002). For the control group this correlation was insignificant. Permixon-treated patients demonstrated inhibition of prostatic epithelium proliferative activity by 32% (p = 0.0001) and a rise in the stage of proliferative centers development from stage II-III to IV-V. Intensity of inflammation in prostatic tissue decreased by 53% in the study group and insignificantly in the control group. Thus, permixon treatment of BPH leads to a significant rise in stromal-parenchymatous correlation due to inhibition of proliferative activity of prostatic epithelium and attenuation of inflammation.

[A new setup for the generation and studies of mono-disperse microbiological aerosols in medical-and-biological research]. / Novyi kompleks dlia polucheniia i izucheniia monodispersnykh mikrobiologicheskikh aérozolei v mediko-biologicheskikh issledovaniiakh.

A setup for the generation and studies of mono-disperse microbiological aerosols is described in the paper. Coefficients of 3 microm aerosol deposition in the respiratory tract of mice and rats were refined by using the above setup. The probability of deposition of such particles in the trachea and lungs of mice was proven to be equal to 1.2 +/- 0.1% and 2.6 +/- 0.2%, respectively. The probability for rats was equal to 3.2 +/- 0.2 and 11.8 +/- 0.9%, respectively. The distribution of deposited aerosol particles was determined by electron microscopy.

[The results of long-term permixon treatment in patients with symptoms of lower urinary tracts dysfunction due to benign prostatic hyperplasia]. / Rezul'taty dolgosrochnogo primeneniia permiksona u bol'nykh s simptomami narusheniia funktsii nizhnikh mochevykh putei, obuslovlennymi dobrokachestvennoi giperplaziei predstatel'noi zhelezy.

The trial enrolled 155 patients (mean age 65 years) with documented benign prostatic hyperplasia and lower urinary tracts symptoms (LUTS) (IPSS > 6). All the patients received permixon in a dose 160 mg twice a day for 2 years. The data on 130 patients eligible for assessment were processed statistically by dynamics of IPSS, quality of life (QOL), index of sexual function (MSF-4), size of the prostate, urodynamic and biological parameters which were estimated in 6 (V6), 12 (V12), 18 (V18) and 24 months (V24). Clinical examination with registration of all side effects was made each 3 months. Permixon was found to noticeably reduce IPSS and QOL and increase maximal urine flow speed. The size of the prostate diminished insignificantly. Sexual function remained unchanged for 1 year and improved markedly within the second year (p = 0.001). Permixon had no effect on the level of prostate-specific antigen. Plasma hormones (testosterone, DHT, estradiol, LH, androstendion) did not change. Nine patients developed 10 side effects but they were unrelated to the treatment.

[Role of cytokines in the diagnosis of chronic prostatitis]. / Rol' tsitokinov v diagnostike khronicheskogo prostatita.

Chronic prostatitis affects 30-60% males and significantly deteriorates quality of their life. Clinical and experimental investigations have revealed changes in immune status in the onset and development of prostatic inflammation. As some other urologists, we made an attempt to determine the role of cellular immunity and immunoglobulins in the diagnosis of chronic prostatitis. The study was made in 30 patients with chronic abacterial prostatitis (mean age 42.5 years, duration of the disease 1.8 years). In addition to standard examination, all the patients have undergone analysis of the immune status and measurement of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF alpha and IL-12b) in biological media: blood serum, urine, ejaculate, prostatic secretion. The patients had moderate symptoms: IPSS--10.4 scores, life quality index--4.3 scores, on the average. Prostamol-uno was given to all the patients in a standard dose 1 capsule (320 mg) a day for 3 to 6 months. The results were processed statistically. A good effect of prostamoluno was registered in 26 patients, a satisfactory one--in 2. Two patients refused to take prostamol-uno because of lack of a prominent effect. The scores of IPSS lowered from 10.4 to 6.3 (by 39%), life quality improved by 42%. Ultrasound monitoring of the size of the prostate showed no significant changes in the size. Tolerance was good in all 30 patients. Side effects were absent. After 3 months of the treatment serum, urine, ejaculate and prostatic secretion cytokines changed. TNF alpha elevated while IL-1 beta level lowered almost to normal value. In 6 months both IL-1 beta and TNF alpha returned to normal values confirming stabilization of cytokine system and the end of inflammation. Cellular immunity did not change much. Thus, as inflammation in prostatic tissue is characterized by elevation of proinflammatory cytokines, in diagnosis of chronic prostatitis it will be valid to use markers TNF alpha and IL-1 beta as criteria of immune prognosis of prostatic exacerbation. Prostamol-uno does not induce changes in lymphocyte populations and impairment of immune status.

[Prostaplant treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia]. / Lechenie dobrokachestvennoi giperplazii predstatel'noi zhelezy preparatom prostaplantom.

80 patients aged 48 to 91 years with verified benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) stage I and II, having contraindications to surgery, received prostaplant, extract of Sabal serrulata palm fluit, in a dose 320 mg once a day. The treatment resulted in improvement of subjective and objective parameters (the total IPSS score improved by 32.3%, quality of life by 36.4%; maximal urine flow rate by 27.4%, respectively). Residual urine volume reduced in patients of group I by 26.8%, in patients of group II by 25.5%. The drug tolerance was good. 3 patients failed treatment. Good and satisfactory effects were achieved in 69 and 8 patients, respectively. Therefore, prostaplant is effective in BPH.