Effect of Vitamin D3 in Composition of Original Rectal Suppositories on Parameter of Protein Oxidative Modification in Large Intestine in Experimental Ulcerative Colitis.

The effect of vitamin D3 in the composition of original rectal suppositories on the content of products of oxidative modification of proteins in mucous membrane of the large intestine was studied in rats with experimental ulcerative colitis provoked by a two-stage administration of 3% oxazolone. The rectal suppositories with vitamin D3 (1500 IU) were administered every 12 h during 5 days. Condition of the rats was assessed according to disease activity index (DAI), while the content of oxidative modification products of proteins in the homogenate of the mucous membrane was assayed with extraction-spectrophotometric method in the lesion focus of large intestine. DAI increased during entire observation period of ulcerative colitis, which correlated with the level of products of spontaneous and induced oxidative modification of proteins in mucous membrane of the colon. The study examined the pharmaceutical and technological features of novel rectal suppositories of original composition weighing 300 mg, which are based on polyethylene glycol supplemented with aqueous solution of vitamin D3 (10%). The use of rectal suppositories with vitamin D3 reduced DAI and inhibited the oxidative modification of proteins.

; PUBERTY GENESIS OF FEMALES-OFFSPRING RATS BORN TO MOTHERS WITH FETOPLACENTAL INSUFFICIENCY.

The purpose of this scientific work was to investigate the development of puberty in females-offspring born to mothers of different age with fetoplacental insufficiency (FPI) and to evaluate efficacy of base and combined drug therapy during pregnancy. Negative influence of FPI on the puberty genesis of females-offspring born to mothers of different reproductive age is considered to be the results of the investigation. In particular, the increased anogenital distance, which is the sign of estrogen deficiency, has been observed in females-offspring born to reproductively young mothers with FPI. Females-offspring born to reproductively matured mothers with FPI have demonstrated more negative changes of reproductive system development. That is, body mass and anogenital distance increasing amid accelerated sexual development have been detected. The increasing of testosterone level has caused inadequate ovaries stimulation which has led to steroid genesis disturbances. During histological investigation of ovarian structure of pubertal rats born to mothers of both groups of age, the decreasing of follicles density, the disturbance in follicles types ratio - early secondary follicles were prevailed, declining folliculogenesis reserve and increased number of atretical follicles have been observed. The introduction of pharmaceutical composition to pregnant rats of both groups of age amid fetoplacental insufficiency leads to stronger normalization of reproductive system development in females-offspring than using of drug of comparison.

Sonographically Measured Improvement in Diaphragmatic Mobility and Outcomes Among Patients Requiring Prolonged Weaning from the Ventilator.

BACKGROUND: The need of prolonged weaning from the ventilator is a well-known predictor of an unfavorable patients` outcome. Diaphragmatic dysfunction is a serious problem for these patients. We wanted to determine the survival in patients who were already intubated for more than 4 weeks before they were admitted to our weaning unit. In this prospective study, we wanted to investigate if the diaphragmatic function could improve or was related to survival over an 18 months follow up period. METHODS: 84 patients were included when they were able to breathe at least 10 minutes over a t-piece and sit upright for at least 5 minutes. The diaphragmatic function was estimated sonographically using the up and downward movement of the lung silhouette. Sonographic follow-ups were performed for over 18 months. The survival rate, outcome and changes in diaphragm mobility were investigated. RESULTS: a) Survival: 49 patients (58%) survived the 18 months follow up period - 30 had a good outcome; 19 needed assistance. b) Survival in relation to diaphragm mobility: If diaphragmatic mobility improved ≥ 15.5 mm on the left side, the probability of survival was 94% with a probability of 76% to have a satisfying outcome. CONCLUSION: Survival and outcome of prolonged weaning were significantly better when sonographically measured the mobility of left hemidiaphragm improved.

The incidence of hyperthermia during cochlear implant surgery in children.

BACKGROUND: Inadvertent hyperthermia during anaesthesia is a rare but life-threatening complication. We have encountered several cases of severe hyperthermia in paediatric patients undergoing anaesthesia for cochlear implantation. METHODS: This study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics of children who developed hyperthermia while undergoing cochlear implantation, and to explore possible mechanisms and predisposing factors. The anaesthetic charts of all patients aged under 18 years who underwent cochlear implantation, or mastoid or ophthalmic surgery, between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2009, at Soroka Medical Center in Beer Sheva, Israel, were reviewed. Patients undergoing mastoid and ophthalmic surgical procedures were used as controls. RESULTS: A larger percentage of patients who underwent cochlear implant surgery (10 per cent) developed hyperthermia compared to controls (0.7 per cent, p < 0.05). In five of the seven cases, hyperthermia appeared in combination with tachycardia and hypercapnia, adhering to the clinical triad of malignant hyperthermia. CONCLUSION: Patients undergoing cochlear implantation are susceptible to developing intra-operative hyperthermia. This article describes the hyperthermic events that occur during paediatric cochlear implantation, and attempts to identify potential triggers of hyperthermia.

The relationship between mouse thymocyte receptors for syngeneic and allogeneic erythrocytes and receptors for IgG.

Mouse thymocytes lose the affinity for syngeneic erythrocytes in the rosette formation test after heating in the isotonic medium for 1 h at 45 degrees. The thymocyte receptors for syngeneic erythrocytes appear in the medium after heating. The rosetting of heated and washed thymocytes is restored after incubation with the supernatant obtained from heating in medium thymocytes. The receptors for allogeneic erythrocytes were not separated from thymocytes under the same conditions of heating and washing. The receptors for syngeneic erythrocytes separated by heating can be adsorbed on the column with IgG-Sepharose conjugate and probably are connected with the receptors for Fc portion of IgG.

Computed tomography and computed tomography angiography findings predict functional impairment in patients with minor stroke and transient ischaemic attack.

INTRODUCTION: Abnormalities on acute magnetic resonance imaging predict outcome in minor stroke and transient ischaemic attack patients. We hypothesised that noncontrast computed tomography and computed tomography angiography findings in minor stroke and transient ischaemic attack patients would also predict functional outcome. METHODS: We analysed consecutive patients with a transient ischaemic attack or a minor stroke with an National Institute of Health Stroke Scale or=2 ) at 90 days. RESULTS: Among 457 patients, the median baseline National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score was 1. Median time from symptom onset to noncontrast computed tomography was 278 min (interquartile range 151-505) and median delay from noncontrast computed tomography to CT angiography was 3 min (interquartile range 0-13). At 90 days, 57 patients (12.5%) had a mRS >or=2. Clinical factors that were associated with functional impairment were age >or=60 years (RR 2.05 CI(95) 1.16-3.64) and baseline National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score >0 (RR 3.23 1.72-6.06). All the assessed computed tomography parameters (acute stroke on noncontrast computed tomography and intracranial or extracranial stenosis or occlusion) were individually predictive of functional impairment. A composite computed tomography imaging 'at risk' metric, defined by acute stroke on noncontrast computed tomography, Circle of Willis intracranial vessel occlusion or >or=50% stenosis, extracranial occlusion or >or=50% stenosis, was associated with poorer outcome (RR 2.92 CI(95) 1.81-4.71). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of an acute stroke on noncontrast computed tomography or an intracranial or extracranial occlusion or stenosis was associated with an increased risk of functional impairment. Multi-modal computed tomography could be used to identify high-risk transient ischaemic attack or minor stroke patients.

Effect of anticancer drugs on production of transforming growth factor and expression of p53 AND Bcl-2 proteins by MCF-7 and T47D cell lines of human breast carcinoma.

AIM: To compare the capability of methotrexate, cisplatin, doxorubicine and vincristine to induce production of the transforming growth factor beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)) in two cell lines - MCF-7 and T47D - of human breast carcinoma, as well as to study sensitivity of these cells to TGF-beta(1) and mentioned anticancer drugs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: ELISA for detection of TGF-beta content in conditioned culture media and Western-blot analysis of the proapoptotic p53 and antiapoptotic Bcl-2 proteins were applied. RESULTS: T47D cells showing higher resistance to growth inhibiting effect of TGF-beta(1) were also refractory to cisplatin. There was no difference between MCF-7 and T47D cells in their sensitivity to methotrexate and doxorubicine, although T47D cells were more sensitive to vincristine. It was found that methotrexate and vincristine did not affect TGF-beta(1) production, while doxorubicine used at a dose of 1-100 ug/ml, significantly induced TGF-beta(1) production in both cell lines. p53 expression in T47D cells was higher than in MCF-7 cells where only doxorubicin induced strongly p53 expression. It should be noted, that Bcl-2 was better expressed in MCF-7 cells, while it was almost undetectable in T47D cells. CONCLUSION: In cells of human mammary carcinoma of MCF-7 and T47D lines doxorubicine, unlike vincristine and methotrexate, in dose depending manner induces production of TGF-beta(1). TGF-beta(1) production in carcinoma cells was associated with doxorubicine-mediated p53 expression in MCF-7 cells or high basal level of p53 in T47D cells. The cells of MCF-7 line were more sensitive to growth inhibition by exogenous TGF-beta(1) and to cisplatine action than T47D cells, but there was no difference between these cell lines in sensitivity to other anticancer drugs.

The substance reacting with SRBC (sheep red blood cells) and rabbit IgG. Isolation under mild conditions from rat thymus.

A factor reacting with SRBC and rabbit IgG was obtained under mild conditions from rat thymus and spleen. The isolation procedure includes incubation of thymocytes or splenocytes with IgG-cellulose adsorbent, destruction of cells, washing the adsorbent and elution of an adsorbed material at pH 2. This preparation as well as the purified substance previously obtained by affinity chromatography on IgG-cellulose columns were found to agglutinate both SRBC and autologous erythrocytes. Preincubation in 1% SDS leads to dissociation of the preparation into several components separated by gel electrophoresis. A probable relation of this structure to the rosette forming capacity of T-lymphocytes is discussed.

In vitro response of phagocytic cells to immunomodulating agents.

BACKGROUND: Phagocytes (polymorphonuclear cells and monocyte-macrophages) are the first line of defence of the host against infectious microorganisms and other foreign antigens. Agents which participate in activation of phagocytic cells possess a potential immunomodulating action. Thus, search for convenient in vitro test-systems and study of mechanisms of action of these agents are of practical interest. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Human blood polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells and murine macrophages (line J774.2) were used as cellular test-systems for study of phagocytosis-stimulating action of immunomodulating agents. Indexes of phagocytic activity were estimated by the phagocyte ingestion of yeast cells. NO-synthase activity, nitrite production, and nitroblue tetrazolium test were determined after phagocyte stimulation. RESULTS: It was revealed that indexes of phagocytic activity can be used as quantitative indicators for measurement immunomodulating activity. Zymosan A-induced phagocytosis in almost 100% PMN cells and macrophages and thus can be used as a positive control. Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA, 0.5-1.0 microg/ml) stimulated phagocytosis in PMN cells 1.8 times after 2-3 h incubation, although in higher concentrations (5-10 microg/ml) it strongly inhibited phagocytosis. TGF-b1 (10 ng/ml) suppressed phagocytosis in WGA-stimulated PMN cells. Mistletoe agglutinin-1 stimulated phagocytosis in PMN cells, although its effect in macrophages was weak, while concanavalin A stimulation of phagocytosis in macrophages was well expressed. Vasodilating peptide bradykinin increased phagocytosis 2.5 times in macrophages. We did not reveal changes in NO-synthase activity and nitrite production in macrophages and PMN cells activated by different immunomodulatig agents. Only lipopolysacharide stimulated such activity in macrophages. CONCLUSIONS: Cultured macrophages and PMN cells can provide reproducible quantitative results in screening phagocytic activity of different immunomodulating agents. Both positively and negatively acting immunomodulators might be studied using these test cells.

Phospholipid composition of human sperm and seminal plasma in relation to sperm fertility.

The phospholipid and fatty acid composition of sperm was studied in 8 healthy and 16 infertile men. Infertile men randomly formed from the patients with normal semen parameters according to WHO criterion. Therefore, all semen parameters of infertile patients were similar to the same characteristics of the semen of healthy men, except the abnormal forms. The amount of abnormal forms in infertile men was significantly higher than in healthy men. Sperm from infertile men show a drastic loss of phosphatidyl ethanolamine. At the same time, the significant increase of phosphatidyl serine in the sperm and seminal plasma of sterile patients was found. Lysophosphatidyl serine in the sperm of the infertile men was detected. Fatty acid composition of the semen of infertile men was altered. The levels of stearic and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (eicosopentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids) was dramatically lowered, but the values of some n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (linolenic and docosatetraenoic) acids increased. There was significant positive correlation between docosahexaenoic acid and sperm motility (r = .82, p < .001) and negative correlation between linolenic acid and spermatozoa motility (r = -0.58. p < .05). Infertility of men with normal semen quality can originate from the disorder of sperm lipid metabolism. The drastic loss of phosphatidyl ethanolamine and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids with simultaneous enhancement of phosphatidyl serine and some n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in sperm could be an important cause of male infertility.