Role of actin-binding proteins in the regulation of cellular mechanics.

The viscoelastic parameters of the cell can report on the cell state, cellular processes and diseases. Cell mechanics strongly rely on the properties of the cytoskeleton, an important system of subcellular filaments, especially on the high-level structures that actin forms together with actin-binding proteins (ABPs). In normal cells, components of the cytoskeleton are highly integrated, and their functions are well orchestrated. In contrast, impaired expression and functioning of ABPs lead to the increasing ability of cancer cells to resist chemotherapy and metastasize. ABP-mediated changes in the cytoskeleton architecture can lead to changes in the mechanical properties of the actin network, both locally and at the level of the whole cell. Until now, in cancer-related studies, mechanical data have been used less frequently, compared to biochemical tests or cell migration assays. Here, we will review current methods for analyzing the mechanical properties of cells and provide the available data on the contribution of ABPs in determining cell mechanical properties important for the investigation of cellular functions, particularly in cancers.

[Pregnancy and delivery in women with multiple sclerosis: a retrospective analysis].

We have analyzed the course of multiple sclerosis (MS) in 155 pregnant women. In 85.7% cases, pregnancy resulted in delivery and in 14.3% cases - in abortion. Patients presented with relapse very shortly after the abortion and received hormonal treatment. Patients treated with disease-modifying drugs (DMD) did not have relapses during pregnancy compared to those who did not receive DMD before the pregnancy. In the latter group, 33 (40.2%) patients presented with relapses during the I trimester. After the delivery, the relapses were noted in 31 (27.2%) patients during the first year. The maximal number of relapses was recorded to the 3rd month after the delivery (58.1%) with the gradual reduction to the end of the year (6th month - 29% and 12th month - 12.9%). Patients who did not receive DMD had more relapses to the 3rd and 6th months after delivery. In conclusion, the use of DMD before the pregnancy is an important factor for prevention of relapses during pregnancy and after delivery.

The significance of angiogenic growth factor in the pathogenesis of gestosis in pregnant women with varicose disease.

Recently, a close relationship between angiogenesis processes, growth factor activity in vascular abnormalities, and gestosis was revealed. In the present study, the dynamics of serum vascular endothelial growth factor during pregnancy was studied in patients with varicose disease with and without gestosis and in healthy women. The level of vascular endothelial growth factor increased during normal pregnancy, but decreased in gestosis. In pregnant patients with varicose disease, a less pronounced increase in this parameter was observed in comparison with that in healthy women.

[Nitric oxide production in pregnancy and experimental acute kidney insufficiency]. / Osobennosti produktsii oksida azota pri beremennosti i éksperimental'noi ostroi pochechnoi nedostatochnosti.

Nitric oxide production in organs of pregnant mice (liver, kidney, placenta) was measured using specifical NO traps, Fe-dithiocarbamate complexes (Fe-DETC) forming with NO paramagnetic mononitrosyl iron complexes with DETC (MNIC-DETC), detected by EPR method (-196 degrees C). The amount of NO formed increased in dependence of the pregnancy period (from the first to the third trimesters). Addition of NO-synthase substrate, L-arginine, insignificantly influenced endogenous NO production. However, endogenous NO amount sharply decreased at experimental acute renal failure.

[The surgical treatment of patients with uterine myoma by using endoscopic methods and laser technics]. / Khirurgicheskoe lechenie bol'nykh miomoi matki s ispol'zovaniem éndoskopicheskikh metodov i lazernoi tekhniki.

The advantages and shortcomings of endoscopic and laser myomectomies in comparison with conventional myomectomy using laparotomy are discussed. A total of 279 patients with uterine myoma were subjected to myomectomy using laparotomy with CO2 laser (n = 109), laparotomy without laser (n = 45), laparoscopy (n = 120), and hysteroscopic removal of submucosal fibroids (n = 5). Comparative statistic analysis of the major intraoperative and early postoperative clinical parameters indicated that laparoscopic myomectomies are associated with an appreciable reduction of blood loss, its duration is the same as that of traditional operation, and the postoperative period runs a more benign course than after conventional surgery.