[The peculiar features of the distribution of 2-metoxy-4-(1-propenyl)-hydroxybenzene in the organism of the warm-blooded animals]. / Osobennosti raspredeleniia 2-metoksi-4-(1-propenil)-gidroksibenzola v organizme teplokrovnykh zhivotnykh.

The present study was designed to elucidate the distribution patterns of 2-metoxy-4-(1-propenyl)-hydroxybenzene in the organism of the warm-blooded animals (rats) after its intragastric administration at a dose equivalent to three 50% lethal doses (LD-50) for this compound. 2-metoxy-4-(1-propenyl)-hydroxybenzene was extracted in the unmodified form from the organs and blood of the dead animals after the dualfold infusion of the tissues with ethyl-acetate and purification by chromatography on a macrocolumn with silica gel L 40/100 mcm making use of the hexane-acetone mixture (7:3) mobile phase as the eluent. TLC, HPLC, and UV-spectrometry were employed to identify and quantify the analyte. The study has demonstrated the presence of unmetabolized 2-metoxy-4-(1-propenyl)-hydroxybenzene in the organs and blood of the poisoned animals. The largest amounts of this compound (expressed in milligrams per 100 g of the tissue) were accumulated in the stomach with its contents (236.22±28.21), small intestine with their contents (122.29±15.55), lungs (44.28±2.10), and spleen (44.00±4.70).

Complex Monitoring of Biochemical and Radionuclide Parameters in Patients with Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma during Immunotherapy.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To study the effectiveness of complex monitoring of the kidney function, based on biochemical and radionuclide methods in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 41 mRCC patients after nephrectomy received nivolumab (n = 23) and interferon-α (n = 18) from 2015 to 2017. At baseline and 2 months after, all patients underwent blood chemistry, urinalysis, Rehberg test, and ELISA to determine serum levels of IL-17A, TGF-ß, and erythropoietin. The monitoring of the renal function and urodynamics by complex renal scintigraphy (CRS) was used for all patients using a dual-detector gamma camera and simultaneous data recording in 2 projections. The interpretation of CRS data used the original SENS CRS technology. STUDY RESULTS: Statistically significant correlations were established between IL-17A, TGF-ß, and D (excretion rate of 99mTc-technephore from the parenchyma) and Rnfsc (a stable sign of nephrosclerosis), respectively. A significant correlation was established between the parameters of the complex functional monitoring with the prognosis for the risk of renal failure (RF) and efficacy of immunotherapy in mRCC. CONCLUSIONS: All mRCC patients after nephrectomy were recommended to undergo biochemical monitoring with inclusion of TGF-ß and IL-17A, as well as radionuclide monitoring (CRS) to determine the RF risk at an early stage.

[The development of method of intravenous laser irradiation of blood with green laser in patients with hyperlipidemia].

The impact of intravenous laser irradiation of blood with green laser in patients with hyperlipidemia was investigated. The blood of patients was chosen as sample for analysis. The patients were divided in two groups: patients with atherosclerosis of various localization and patients with atherosclerosis associated with diabetes mellitus. The effectiveness of laser impact was evaluated according the blood biochemical indicators. The levels of crude cholesterol, triglycerides, low and very low density lipoproteins, apoproteins A and B, highly sensitive C-reactive protein, atherogenity indicator, glucose content, uric acid content were determined befor and after 1, 3 and 6 months after impact. The study results indicate the occurrence of hypolipedemic and hypoglycemic effects.

[Type 3 membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis: an unusual variety of well-known pathology].

Light microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and submiscroscopy were used to study a renal biopsy specimen obtained from a 51-year-old old male suffering from type 3 membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN-3) concurrent with HCV infection. Along with the signs characteristic of MPGN-3 (glomerulosclerosis; crescents; subendothelial and subepithelial deposits; proliferation of mesangial and endothelial cells), abundant pro- and myelocytes were found in the glomerular capillary lumens with active granular formation in the Golgi apparatus and with granular exocytosis into the glomerular basement membrane. Apoptotic elements were recorded among both glomerular and tubular epithelial cells.

[Morphological characteristics of the non-amyloid form of renal monoclonal immunoglobulin deposition].

The paper shows the morphological findings of and clinical and demographic data on 61 patients with nonamyloid form of renal monoclonal immunoglobulin deposition disease (MIDD) unassociated with amyloidosis and/or Bence-Jones nephropathy: 40 cases of light-chain deposition disease, 18 cases of light-and-heavy- chain deposition disease (LHCDD) and 3 cases of heavy-chain deposition disease (HCDD). According to the composition of paraprotein deposits, the cases were distributed as follows: k (30), lambda (10), IgG/k (6), IgA/k (6), IgG/lambda (4), IgA/lambda (2), and IgA/gamma (3). Light microscopy revealed three variants of the glomerular structure: diffuse nodular glomerulopathy (42.6%), diffuse mesangeal dilation (27.9%), and inract glomeruli (29.5%). Varying severity of tubular atrophy was noted in 95% of cases. Tubular, glomerular, and smooth muscle basement membrane deposits substantially differed in immunofluorescent (100%, 91.8% and 54.1%) and ultrastructural studies (55.7%, 45.9%, and 4.9%, respectively). Azotemia (68.9%) and proteinuria (55.8%) were most commonly revealed. The incidence of nephrotic syndrome concurrent with severe proteinuria was 27.9%.

[Effect of concentration of spermatozoids on fertilization of oocytes and human embryo development in vitro]. / Vliianie kontsentratsii spermatozoidov na oplodotvorenie ootsitov i razvitie émbrionov cheloveka in vitro.

The correlation between sperm insemination concentrations, rates of normal and abnormal fertilization and embryo development was investigated. For male factor patients fertilization rates are significantly lower than for female factor. We have found the increased fertilization rate for male factor, if insemination concentration increased from 10 x 10(4) to 15 x 10(4) per 1 ml. In cases of severe male factor infertility the concentration of sperm of 30 x 10(4) per 1 ml had no effect. We have found no difference in abnormal rates of fertilization, when the number of sperm increased in male factor. The correlation between the frequency of polysperm zygote and slightly increased insemination concentration was observed in patients with normal sperm.

[Features of chromosome segregation in unfertilized human oocytes]. / Osobennosti segregatsii khromosom pri sozrevanii ootsitov cheloveka.

Mechanisms of abnormal chromosomal segregation in female meiosis and factors exerting influence on unfertilized human oocytes have been analysed in vitro. The differences in results of cytological studies on the rate of aneuploidy have been reviewed. The advanced maternal age is primarily associated with disturbances in oocyte meiosis.

[Relationship between the frequency of cultured oocytes fertilization and morphology of human sperm]. / Zavisimost' chastoty oplodotvoreniia ootsitov v kul'ture ot morfologicheskikh kharakteristik spermatozoidov cheloveka.

The study has evaluated 304 cases under of vitro fertilization. Positive correlations were shown of semen parameters and fertilization rate. The individual spectrum of different sperm morphological types was shown to be constant. The discriminant analysis was used for comparison of two groups of patients--with low (less than 33%) and high (more than 67%) fertilization rates. The percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa stronger correlated with fertilization rate. Although there was a fairly good correlation (in the order of their significance) with a progressive motility, grade of motility, percentage of slightly amorphous cells, sperm concentration, percentages of the neck and midpiece. The cut-off values of our discriminant test may conclusively predict the low (DF < 1.5) and the high (DF < 3.5) fertilization rates.

[Effect of age on frequency of heteroploidy in human oocytes]. / Vliianie vozrasta na chastotu geteroploidii v ootsitakh cheloveka.

Human oocytes that failed to be fertilized in vitro were fixed for cytogenetic analysis. Successful karyotyping was achieved in 157 oocytes. Among women aged 23-35 years, 34% of oocytes were aneuploid and 8.6% diploid, while for women aged 36-39 years, these values exceeded 41 and 11.8%, respectively. The proportion of aneuploid and diploid oocytes increased significantly as the maternal age advanced. The rate of chromosomal abnormalities with age was analysed using methods of mathematical modelling.

Relationship between abnormal sperm chromatin packing and IVF results.

This study was initiated to determine the relationship between the fertilizing potential of spermatozoa and abnormalities in the compact packing of their chromatin which occurs in the final stage of male germ cell differentiation. Chromatin packing involves disulphide bridge covalent cross-linking. The degree of packing was determined from the accessibility of DNA to a fluorescent dye, ethidium bromide, following detergent treatment of the spermatozoa. The amount of dye bound was determined by flow cytometry in the presence or absence of heparin, a polyanion which removes only non-disulphide bridge-linked proteins. The results of a number of different sperm samples were compared with their results following in-vitro fertilization, and a relationship between disordered sperm chromatin packing and rates of embryo cleavage was observed. This study suggests that abnormal chromatin packing in spermatozoa may contribute to male fertility.

[The effect of spermatozoon morphology on the fertilization rate and on disorders in early embryonic development]. / Vliianie morfologii spermatozoidov na chastotu oplodotvoreniia i narushenii rannego émbrional'nogo razvitiia.

The influence of teratozoospermia on the results of in vitro fertilization was analysed. Indices of normal sperm morphology, in cases of failed fertilization in vitro, significantly differ from those of successful fertilization. Fertilization rate in patients with less than 14.0% of normal sperm morphology was 41.9%. If the index of normal sperm morphology exceeded 14.0%, the rate of fertilization made up 62.2%. These data enable us to conclude that teratozoospermia may result in zygote development disorders and in the increased probability of embryo fragmentation.

[Ovarian steroid synthesis in tissue culture after administration of hormones and epidermal growth factor]. / Steroidogenez iaichnikov v kul'ture pri deistvii gormonov i epidermal'nogo faktora rosta.

The features of steroidogenesis of immature mouse ovaries in culture under the influence of follicle-stimulating hormones (FSH), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), epidermal growth factor (EGF) and insulin have been investigated during the period of reinitiation of meiosis in the oocytes. Secretion of progesterone is stimulated after addition of FSH, hCG and of insulin and EGF combination to the medium. EGF increases FSH-stimulated progesterone secretion and inhibits estradiol secretion. The ratios progesterone/estradiol and testosterone/estradiol increase, when EGF is added to the culture medium. It is analogous to the action of hCG. It is suggested that EGF may be an intrafollicular EGF regulator of luteinizing hormone action on the sex and somatic cells of the mammalian ovaries.

[The effect of hormones and growth factor on the course of meiosis in murine oocytes in culture]. / Vliianie gormonov i faktorov rosta na protekanie meioza v ootsitakh myshei v kul'ture.

The role of some intraovarian regulators of the final stages of gametogenesis is analysed. It is shown that the epidermal growth factor (EGF) in concentration of 1 and 10 ng/ml is able to induce reinitiation of meiosis from dictyotene stage during cultivation of the ovarian follicles of prepuberal mice in the serum-free medium after gonadotrophic stimulation. The pattern of maturation was analogous to that of maturation after HCG (LH) administration. Also, the EGF is able to stimulate meiosis reinitiation in the culture of cumulus-free oocytes blocked with cAMP at the stage of dictyotene. At the same time fibroblast growth factors and insulin do not demonstrate such an activity. Taking into consideration a high sensibility of oocytes to the EGF action, and also the fact that the character of changes of steroid hormones secreted by the ovary in culture under the action of EGF is the same as that under the influence of LH it is suggested that, the EGF and EGF-like proteins secreted by somatic follicle cells are the paracrinic regulators of the mammalian oocyte maturation which modulate neuroendocrine factors of the oogenesis control.

[The effect of hormones and growth factors on the proliferation of cultured mouse granulosa cells]. / Vliianie gormonov i faktorov rosta na proliferatsiiu kul'tiviruemykh kletok granulezy myshei.

A method of obtaining granulosa cell culture reacting to the action of gonadotropins and growth factors is described. The efficiency of cell cloning is enhanced under influence of insulin, epidermal growth factor (EGF) and fibroblast growth factors (FGF). Stimulation of proliferation by the latter two factors is seen in the medium with the low serum concentration. Luteinizing and follicle-stimulating inhibit the cell growth in culture. The role of growth factors and gonadotropins in regulation of granulosa proliferation in mammalian ovarian follicles is discussed.

[The regulation of meiotic inhibition and reinitiation in mammalian oocytes]. / Reguliatsiia ingibirovaniia i reinitsiatsii meioza ootsitov mlekopitaiushchikh.

Experimental data on the control of biochemical factors regulating the arrest and resumption of meiosis in mammalian oocytes are reviewed. Evidence is provided on the action of the central (luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones) and paracrine (purine, steroids, gonadocrinins, growth factors, etc.) factors in controlling these processes. It is shown that the microenvironment of the follicle displays both inhibitory and stimulatory actions on the oocyte maturation. The role of the maturation-promoting factor in the meiosis stimulation and in the process of transmitting somatic cells from G2-phase to mitosis is analysed. An attempt has been undertaken to show the analogy of the oocyte meiosis reinitiation and the stimulation of somatic cell proliferation. A possibility of the pleiotropic control in the induction of oocyte maturation in the mammalian ovaries is discussed.

[Growth factors--the new regulators of reproduction]. / Faktory rosta--novye reguliatory reproduktsii.

Experimental data on the role of growth factors in the processes of oocyte maturation and of proliferation and differentiation in the mammalian ovaries are reviewed. Evidence is provided that theca and granulosa cells can synthesize epidermal, fibroblast, insulin-like and transforming growth factors and have receptors to all of them. The regulation of oocyte maturation induction by the growth factors is analysed. A possible physiological influence of growth factors and inhibin on regulation of folliculogenesis and gametogenesis and also on selection of the dominant follicle in the mammalian ovaries is discussed.

[Factors regulating the differentiation of somatic cells of mammalian ovarian follicles]. / Faktory reguliatsii differentsirovki somaticheskikh kletok follikulov iaichnikov mlekopitaiushchikh.

Experimental data on regulation of the cytodifferentiation of theca and the granulosa cells in mammalian ovaries are reviewed, in addition to mechanisms of cooperative interactions of these cell types in steroidogenesis. Evidence is provided on the gonadotropin induced differentiation in the cultured ovarian somatic cells, and on a modifying effect exerted on this process by some central (prolactin, LH-RH, etc.) or local factors (steroids, growth factors, low-molecular fraction of follicular fluid, etc.). A possible physiological importance of endocrine and also of auto- and paracrine regulators of differentiation in growth processes and selection of the dominant follicle in the mammalian ovaries is discussed.