Evolution of the epidemic process as a form of solution to its internal contradictions

The author formulated the main contradition of the epidemic process consisting of contradiction between the interaction of the motive forces of the epidemic process, since this contradiction at the same time served as the imperative condition of the origination and as the cause of the subsequent arrest of the spread of infection. The main contradiction of the epidemic process is expressed in reduction of the number and limited activity of the sources of infection, attenuation or arrest of the mechanism of transmission of the causative agents, formation of immunity in the population, the appearance of hereditary resistance in the hosts to the causative agent of the infection. The action of the principal internal contradiction of the epidemic process in the course of evolution conditions genetic variability of the causative agents of the infectious diseases, intensification of the mechanisms of excretion of the parasites from the host organism, and increase of their resistance in the external environment, formation of latent forms of infection.     

Current problems in organizing the donor system in the Armed Forces

In the work the factors, rendering essential influence on organization of donorship in modern army conditions are systematized. The organization of donorship should be connected to functioning of territorial system of medical maintenance of the Armed Forces of RF. It assumes presence of four organizational levels: central, district, zone and garrison. Perfecting the system of organization of donorship, we should be guided by the following conducting principles: maximum maintenance of safety of donorship; wide introduction of a method of plasmacytopheresis in work of establishments and subdivisions of blood supply service; organization of autodonorship and quota of the donors of an emergency reserve in each military-medical establishment; reliable maintenance of revealing of markers of hemotransmissible infections at inspection of the donors.     

Critical periods in the development of mutants in scute Drosophila melanogaster

Thermosensitive periods of the development of germs of separate pairs of macrochaetae were studied in two lines of mutation of scute Drosophila melanogaster (y/sc4B and cs7). The experiments have revealed the following three features which had not been observed earlier in similar investigations in other mutants of drosophila: 1) change of thermosensitivity in mutants sc7 in different periods of ontogenesis; 2) different sensitivity in mutants of both lines in different critical periods of the same pair of macrochaetae; 3) discrete sensitivity of separate macrochaetae in mutants of both lines at different stages of oogenesis when there are no germs of these organs yet. The change of penetrability of the mutation of scute for scuttellar macrochaetae in mutants y/sc4B caused by the 90-minute-long heating of larvae on the 4th day of their life (critical period of development) is inherited in 15 observed generations of the maternal line. One may consider these periods of the increased thermosensitivity to be tje periods of stepwise determination of germs of separate pairs of macrochaetae.     

Means to improve therapeutic care in the Armed Forces

The article describes dynamics of diseases of therapeutic field in the Armed Forces in 1991-1996. The analysis of therapeutic sick rate has confirmed, that a major problem of military therapy remains acute pneumonia, which sick rate in 1993-1996 has increased twice. The sick rate of ulcer has increased equally. The main directions of perfection of organization of the therapeutic care in the Armed Forces are etiologic diagnostics and prophylaxis of acute pneumonia in the soldiers, creation of system of prophylaxis, active revealing and centralized high-specialized treatment of the patient with ischemic heart disease among officers, perfection of system of rendering of the specialized care to the patient of endocrinological field, introduction of modern methods of anti-relapse treatment of ulcer, active revealing of the persons, infected by virus of hepatitis, perfection of work of an out-patient department link.     

Topical diagnostic methods in primary hyperparathyroidism

The efficiency of USI of the neck, scintigraphy of the parathyroid glands (PTG) with selen-methionine and selective catheterization of veins (SCV) of the neck and mediastinum for preoperative determination of the localization of the source of hyperproduction of the parathyroid hormone was analyzed on the basis of results of examination of 149 patients including 51 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism confirmed during the operation. It was noted that none of the methods of topical diagnostics used in the work is thought to be universal for different clinical situations. A method of their complex use is proposed which foresee USI of the neck as the first step. In case of insufficient information of the results of USI the authors propose SCV of the neck and mediastinum as a method of choice which allows the size and level of the altered PTG to become more exact and which makes further search with the help of other methods of topical diagnostics more purposeful and effective.     

The mechanical properties of materials from iron powder obtained by the reduction of martite ore

Conclusions The article presents the results of an investigation of the mechanical properties of samples of iron powder obtained by reducing martite ore by converted natural gas.The use of this raw material for producing iron powder for the needs of the powder metallurgy industry permits a considerable extension of the raw material reserves.As a result of the investigations the authors determined the characteristics of strength, plasticity and fatigue strength of material of varying porosity.The regularities of deformation of such materials and the strength characteristics of the duration of load application were studied.The results show that the strength and plasticity of metal powder materials of similar composition made of other kinds of iron powders.     

STG-12变辊距型钢矫直机的设计计算

针对变辊距矫直机具有不同于恒辊距矫直机的结构特点 ,给出变辊距型钢矫直机辊数、辊距的确定方法 ,并计算出各辊的弯曲力矩及矫直力 ,最后求得设备电机功率。通过设备的具体运行证明 ,变辊距结构对改善设备的受力状况及提高型钢矫直质量十分有利     

Evolution of gypsy-group retrotransposons: phylogenetic analysis of domains included in the pol-polyprotein

Transposons of gypsy group are assigned to LTR-containing retrotransposons present in the genomes of invertebrates, fungi, and plants. In this work, a theoretical analysis of the potential products of ORFs of these retrotranposons was conducted. Alignments were obtained and trees of similarity were constructed for domains of the POL region. On the basis of the obtained data, two hypothetically monophyletic subgroups of transposons were distinguished within the framework of the gypsy group, settling the genomes of taxonomically related organisms (the subgroup of "true" gypsy of insects and the subgroup of gypsy-like transposons of plants and fungi). A number of peculiarities of the topology of these trees hypothetically indicate cases of genetic conversion and recombination of domains accompanying the evolution of this group. The amino acid substitution fixation rate was evaluated on the basis of comparison of sequences of the protein products of ORFs. Estimates of the time of divergence of subgroups of gypsy-group transposons are significantly less than estimates of the times of divergence of their host species. One explanation for this discrepancy might be the hypothesis of settlement by transposons of the genomes of isolated host species.     

Change in neutrophils in liquidators of the consequences of the accident at the Chernobyl Atomic Electric Power Station

In result of own researches and analysis of the literature? the information about high sensitivity of neutrophils of peripheric blood to infringements of constancy of internal state of body, arising as reply to radiating influence, are received. Ionized radiation modulates greatly properties and functions of neutrophilic granulocytes, which are the most sensitive and high-modulated cells of non-specific resistance system. The changes of the functional-metabolic status of neutrophils in participants of liquidation of consequences of Chernobyl disaster have been saving during 10 years after influence of the extreme, including radiating, factors of failure.     

Basal encephalocoele: imaging and exposing the hernia

The effects of daily injections, over the course of 14 days, of 45 micrograms of phenamine, 5 micrograms of haloperidol and naloxone, 15 micrograms of leu-enkephalin and its analog, a tetrapeptide, into the rostral neostriatum have been studied. The chronic stimulation of the dopaminergic system of the striatum induced facilitation of the realization of an active avoidance conditioned reflex, and stimulated exploratory stereotypy, while its blockade led to suppression of conditioned reflex activity against the background of a clearcut rigid akinetic syndrome. The microinjections of leu-enkephalin and naloxone did not substantially alter the behavior, but the injection of the tetrapeptide was accompanied by changes in behavior, with symptoms of catalepsy and hyperkinesia. Injections of phenamine and haloperidol were accompanied by a decrease in the content of dopamine in the striatum and an increase in the level of DOPAC; the injections of enkephalin and naloxone induced changes of the reverse order. The possible causes of the noncorrespondence of the behavioral and neurochemical shifts in the presence of a direct chronic pharmacological action on the mediator of the neostriatum.     

Effect of alpha-tocopherol on the respiratory burst of neutrophils, blast transformation of lymphocytes, and activity of human natural killer cells in blood

The effect of vitamin E on immunological reactions of blood cells was studied. The addition of vitamin E in concentration of 100 microM to neutrophils caused the increase of superoxide production. But this index was decreased when incubation of these cells with A23187 or FMLP was accompanied by alpha-tocopherol in concentration of 100 microM followed by the removal of free ligand or alpha-tocopherol in concentration of 0.5 microM. In the presence of PMA the inhibiting action of alpha-tocopherol was not found (under the 0.5 microM of alpha-tocopherol) or was small (under the concentration of it 100 microM of alpha-tocopherol). The addition of alpha-tocopherol in concentration of 0.5 microM and 50 microM caused the inhibition of blasttransformation of lymphocytes and activity of natural killer cells. This effect was expressed more under the low contents of this vitamin in the incubation medium. The level of blasstransformation of blood in vitamin E-deficient rats was by 20% less than in normal. The exogenous addition of alpha-tocopherol in concentration of 0.5 microM did not affect this value. It was suggested that vitamin E can affect the respiration burst of neutrophils, blasttransformation of lymphocytes and activity of natural killer cells and these actions depend on its concentrations.     

The Outpatient Pediatric Neurology Service of Moscow today

The organisation of children's neurological service was considered in terms of 25 years of medical-diagnostic work of children's consultative neurological out-patient clinic (CCNC) attached to one of Moscow children's clinical hospital (Morozov hospital). The work of appropriate departments of CCNC was presented together with the consideration of the main problems of child's neurology as well as of the peculiarities of nervous system's pathology in terms of age. The close connection was emphasized between CCNC and child's neurologists of general out-patient clinics as well as the role of CCNC both in coordination of their work and in the rise of their qualification.     

Mechanism of antibody formation suppression in high density suspension cultures

There was a sharp decrease in the number of antibody producing cells formed in induction of primary immune reaction in vitro with increase of surface density (number of cells per 1 cm2 of the bottom of the incubation vessel); the cause of this phenomenon was studied. It was shown that depression of antibody formation in dense cultures was associated not with disturbance of the induction of the clone of antibody-forming cells, but with the inhibition of the subsequent proliferation of the cells of this clone. Disturbance of proliferation was reversible: a reduction of the density of the cultures 1 or 3 days after the beginning of the incubation led to the restoration of the growth of the number of antibody-producing cells. The depressive effect could not be transferred by humoral way from the cultures with a high density to the cultures with a low density; it could not be eliminated by daily replacement of the incubation medium in dense cultures for a fresh nutrient medium.     

Comparative cytologic study of nephron structure in higher vertebrates

A comparative study of the cytological characteristics of the epithelial lining of the nephron and collecting tubules was performed in 9 species of reptiles, 19 species of birds and 12 species of mammals. Representatives of each class of higher vertebrates were shown to have certain specific features of the epithelial lining of different parts of the nephron. Differentiation of various areas of the proximal part of the nephron proceded in phylogeny with different intensity and the maximum specialization was characteristic of the most proximal portion of this part of the nephron. In the cells of the proximal parts of nephrons of some reptiles there were phenomena of apocrine secretion. Evolution of the distal part of the nephron developed to form a loop and differentiation of the distal convoluted segment. The higher differentiation of the epithelial lining of the nephron distal part in birds and mammals, unlike in reptiles, seems to be associated with a more considerable functional specilization of this part. In the cytochemical characteristics of the epithelium of the uriniferous and collecting tubules of kidneys of higher vertebrate animals there are common regularities in the distribution of RNA, proteins and some enzymes. The polysaccharide content is maximum in the epithelial cells of kidneys of reptiles.     

Clinical manifestations of myotonic dystrophy: epidemiologic survey

BACKGROUND: The presence of a local aggregation of cases of myotonic dystrophy (MD) allows the evaluation of clinical symptoms of the disease in a sample in which the influence of a possible genetic heterogeneity is decreased. METHODS: The degree of global neuromuscular handicap and the incidence and severity of four of the most characteristic symptoms (cataracts, myotonia, muscular weakness and neuropsycologic disturbances) were studied in 183 patients with MD (146 typical adult forms, 19 neonatal, and 18 partial syndromes) in relation with the age of onset of the symptomatology or length of disease. RESULTS: Only 8.3% of the patients (excluding the neonatal forms) were severely handicapped, and the degree of neuromuscular handicap depended fundamentally on the age of onset of the disease. Cataracts and myotonia were present in 87 and 89% of the patients, respectively. Almost all the patients above the age of 40 presented cataracts. No clinical or subclinical evidence of neuromuscular involvement was present in 11% of the patients with MD. These patients principally corresponded to the group in whom the disease initiated over the age of 50. CONCLUSIONS: The age of onset of the symptomatology appears to be the determining factor to establish both the global prognosis of neuromuscular incapacity of patients with myotonic dystrophy and the explanation of the chronology of the appearance of the most characteristic symptoms of the disease. The presence of carriers without neuromuscular symptomatology is of note, this fact reinforcing the need to incorporate DNA examination in the evaluation of asymptomatic relatives or with exclusive ocular symptomatology.     

Modulation of septal influences on hippocampal neurons by cholinergic substances

The effects of electrical stimulation of the medial septal area (MS-DB) for the purpose of distinguishing and assessing the cholinergic component of the septohippocampal input were investigated in awake rabbits in chronic experiments. Initial inhibitory effects of a standard duration of 40-140 msec (54%) predominated in the intact rabbits. In animals with chronic basal undercutting of the MS-DB, initial inhibitory reactions predominated absolutely (90%). An increase in the level of endogenous acetylcholine by administration of eserine led to a partial or complete suppression of all effects of stimulation in 78% of the hippocampal neurons of the intact rabbits against the background of intensification of the theta modulation of the activity of hippocampal neurons. Scopolamine removed theta modulation and restored the reactivity of neurons to stimulation of the MS-DB. These influences of cholinergic substances were maintained in the animals with basal undercutting of the MS-DB. It is inferred that the general initial influence of septal input on neurons of the hippocampus is expressed in the suppression of their activity ("reset"), which depends on the noncholinergic (GABAergic) component of the septohippocampal connections. The cholinergic component limits the effectiveness of both extraseptal (brainstem) and primary inhibitory septal influences on hippocampal neurons.     

Surgical treatment of juxtarenal occlusion of the abdominal aorta

Incidence, etiology and clinical course of chronic juxtarenal occlusion of the abdominal aorta have been studied. It was established that this type of lesion among other forms of occlusive disease of the aorto-ileal segment is encountered in 8.1% of patients. Inflammatory diseases of arteries prevailed as an etiologic factor. Diagnosis of this disease should be based on the use of complex up-to-date methods of examination. Roentgeno-contrast aortography in lateral position is of paramount importance in detection of upper level of thrombus spreading in the aorta. Original method of operative procedure used in 20 patients, has been developed with due regards for location of the occlusion, character of lesion of aortic walls and prophylaxis of intraoperative embolic complications. Restoration of blood flow in lower extremities without any intraoperative complications was obtained in all operated patients. In all suffering from symptomatic hypertension normalization of arterial pressure was obtained after the operation. Postoperative mortality rate made up 4.4%. The results obtained confirm high effectiveness of the above surgical treatment of patients with juxtarenal occlusion of the abdominal aorta.     

Model system of binaural hearing. III. Binaural processing of information about short sounds

A model of neuronal structures of the medial superior olivary nuclei and inferior colliculus performing the determination of the direction on the source of the short (shorter than 10 ms) sound signals is presented. In the model the difference between the moments of the arrival of the two informational messages formed on the stage of monaural information processing is calculated. The result of this calculation is the firing probability of the primary detector (the neuron of the medial superior olivary nucleus). Because of the internal noise the curve of this probability as a function of the direction on the source is smoothly sloped. The estimation of the direction is the result of the statistical processing of the responses of the primary detectors ensemble. The direction on the source of sound is coded by a position of the secondary detector (the neuron of the inferior colliculus) on the direction "scale".     

The arteriolymphatic administration of antibiotics in treating patients with suppurative-inflammatory diseases of the abdominal cavity organs

Experimental study of pharmacokinetics of Gentamicin was carried out in 23 dogs. Three different modes of its intralymphatic administration were used: intranodular inguinal, lymphotropic retroperineal and arterio-lymphatic. It has been established, that arterio-lymphatic mode of introduction of antibiotics (as well as regional endolymphatic and lymphotropic) warrants high concentration of antibiotics in venous blood and lymph. The peculiarity of arteriolymphatic administration is regional effect of accumulation of the antibiotic in organs and tissues of abdominal cavity of corresponding arterial region. Arteriolymphatic infusions of antibiotics have been introduced into complex of drug treatment of patients with pyogenic and inflammatory disorders of abdominal organs. The clinical testing has revealed high curative effect of this made of antibiotics administration.     

Epidemiological assessment of the system of indices characterizing the quality of vaccine preparations

The authors discuss the methodology and the method of formation of the medico-technical requirements to newly-elaborated or modified vaccine preparations. The following are considered among the principal parameters responsible for the formation of the quality of the vaccines: the prophylactic activity, the extent of the injurious effect, the technological and the exploitation properties. A close association of these parameters in the determination of the quality of the vaccine and the dependence of the efficacy of its use on the character of the epidemic situation was shown. A possibility of using the method of calculation of the efficacy of immunization for detection of the main (leading) parameters of the quality of the vaccine elaborated which should be used in composing the medico-technical requirements. It is emphasize that one of the principal directions of the investigations is the elaboration and the assessment of the correctness of the immunological and laboratory methods of standardization and control of the methods of objective measurement of the parameters forming the quality of the vaccine preparations.