The characteristics of neuroendocrine regulatory disorders in acute myocardial infarct in relation to the severity of the course of the disease

A total of 45 patients aged 35 to 73 years who had sustained acute myocardial infarction (MI) were studied in a special cardiological unit. On days 1, 5, 14, 28 of hospital stay, each patient underwent measurements of cortisol, insulin, T3 and T4 and calculations of the mathematical clinic severity index after G.I. Marchuk et al. In acute MI, there were elevated plasma levels of cortisol depending on the MI severity with a small repeated peak of its increase on day 14 and its subsequent decrease, except deaths. In severe acute MI there were impairments of reciprocal cortisol/insulin ratios. This was particularly pronounced in patients with lethal outcomes. By the end of hospital rehabilitation, patients with acute MI displayed lower levels of thyroidal hormones. The maximum decrease in T3 and T4 was found in patients with lethal outcomes. There was a direct correlation between the mathematical clinical severity index of the natural history of acute MI and the levels of cortisole triidothyronine at the hospital stage of observation. In the course of the study it was found that the Marchuk clinical severity index serves as an informative severity index of MI course whose determination in its acute period allows one to predict the course of acute MI and to choose a differential therapy of and to make a diagnosis of possible complications.     

The epidemiological and prevention problems of arterial hypertension at an oil and gas complex in western Siberia

In capable male population (age 20-59 years) developing oil and gas extraction in the Western Siberia the incidence of arterial hypertension reached 14.1%. Wide introduction of preventive programs in the extreme conditions of labour helped to normalize blood pressure in every second patient and to maintain health in migrants from other regions.     

Evacuatory motor disorders of the digestive tract in the early period after operations on the stomach (2. Evacuatory motor disorders of the small intestine)]

Analysis of case histories and clinical and direct immunofluorescent examinations of 72 patients enabled the authors to single out 3 forms of complicated adenovirus keratoconjunctivitis (AVKC): 1) acute grave; 2) with toxic allergic reaction to previous treatment; and 3) steroid-complicated. Recommendations on the treatment of these forms are offered. A common remedy is interferon inductor poludan and chigain obtained from human colostrum and containing secretory IgA. Poludan was administered by instillations (4-6 times a day) and periocular injections in a dose of 100 U every 1-2 days, 5-6 injections per course, chigain was administered by instillations (2-4 daily). This combined treatment was highly effective and well tolerated. Periocular injection of poludan ensured much more intensive local and even systemic interferon production than instillations alone. Mean terms of treating complicated AVKC were compatible with those in uncomplicated forms: 14.3 +/- 2.1 vs. 13.2 +/- 1.2 days, respectively. Signs of herpesvirus infection were detected in one-third of patients with steroid-complicated AVKC. For eliminating corneal opacities in AVKC patients, enzyme phonophoresis, phototherapeutic keratectomy, and (in grave cases) lamellar keratoplasty are recommended.     

The OX-40 receptor provides a potent co-stimulatory signal capable of inducing encephalitogenicity in myelin-specific CD4+ T cells

The OX-40 receptor, a member of the nerve growth factor/tumor necrosis factor receptor gene family, is expressed preferentially on autoreactive CD4+ T cells isolated from the site of inflammation in rats with clinical signs of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). To examine whether the OX-40 receptor has biologic relevance to T cell function, we evaluated the ability of a rat OX-40 receptor-specific antibody to co-stimulate a myelin basic protein (MBP)-reactive CD4+ T cell line. The anti-OX-40 antibody provided a potent co-stimulatory signal to CD4+ T cells when added in conjunction with a submitogenic dose of anti-CD3, but the anti-OX-40 antibody alone did not produce a mitogenic response. The magnitude and dose-response of anti-OX-40 co-stimulation was virtually identical to the signal delivered to T cells when cultured with anti-CD28 in conjunction with anti-CD3. MBP-specific T cells stimulated with both anti-CD3 and anti-OX-40 antibodies expressed increased mRNA and protein for IL-2 when compared to anti-CD3 alone. MBP-specific T cells stimulated with both anti-CD3 and anti-OX-40 antibodies were also able to induce EAE when transferred into naive Lewis rats. In contrast, cells stimulated with anti-CD3 alone were not encephalitogenic. These data suggest that the function of the OX-40 receptor on activated T cells is to provide an alternative pathway for T cell co-stimulation that may be similar in potency to the CD28-mediated signal.     

Expression of growth factors and their receptors in the postnatal rat cochlea

RT-PCR was used to assay for growth factors and receptors from seven different protein families in cochlea tissues of the juvenile rat. There was a broad representation of the growth factor families in all the cochlea tissues examined, though the organ of Corti and stria vascularis expressed a greater variety than the spiral ganglion. This broad expression suggests that a variety of known growth factors play significant roles in the development, maintenance, and repair of the inner ear. The results of this survey serve as a basis for the design of future in vitro experiments that will address the ability of growth factors to protect hair cells from damage and to evoke a repair-regeneration response by injured hair cells.     

Positive correlation between Tono-Pen intraocular pressure and central corneal thickness

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between intraocular pressure (IOP) readings taken by the Tono-Pen tonometer (Mentor O&O, Norwell, MA) and central corneal thickness (CCT). DESIGN: Prospective cross-sectional population study. PARTICIPANTS: There were 651 eyes of 332 healthy subjects. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A questionnaire was given to each subject requesting information on gender, age, race, and other factors that can influence IOP. The IOP then was measured using the Tono-Pen followed by measurements of CCT using an ultrasonic pachymeter. RESULTS: The IOP was found to increase by 2.9 mmHg/100 microns CCT in males and 1.2 mmHg/100 microns in females. For males, CCT was found to be statistically significant in predicting IOP (P < 0.001 in the right and left eyes) and diabetes was of borderline significance (P = 0.012 in the right eye, P = 0.089 in the left eye). For females, CCT was of borderline significance (P = 0.064 in the right eye, P = 0.019 in the left eye). In females, a family history of glaucoma (P = 0.021 in the right eye, P = 0.022 in the left eye) and hypertension (P = 0.010 in the right eye, P = < 0.001 in the left eye) were also significant in the prediction of IOP. Race was found to be a significant predictor of CCT (P < 0.001 in both right and left eyes) for both males and females. CONCLUSION: Clinicians should be aware that, as with the Goldmann applanation tonometer, the Tono-Pen has a systematic error in IOP readings caused by its dependence on CCT. Tono-Pen IOP readings are positively correlated to CCT in males and, to a lesser extent, in females as well. The CCT measurements should be considered to ensure proper interpretation of IOP measurements in the diagnosis and management of disorders in which the CCT or IOP readings are outside normal limits.     

The cerebrovascular manifestations of temporomandibular joint pain dysfunction

Overall 37 patients with painful dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), characterized clinically by headaches and dizziness as well (25 persons) were examined. A study was made of REG. The responsiveness of the sinocarotid node (SCN) was recorded. Diverse changes in the REG readings that attested to the development of cerebral angiodystonia were recorded. Abnormal responsiveness of SCN was discovered. Skillful orthopedic correction of the spatial position of the mandible was associated with noticeable changes in the normalizing and optimizing character of numerous REG readings. These data together with optimization of the responsiveness of the SCN point to the role played by the irritative vascular mechanism in the pathogenesis of headaches and dizziness seen in TMJ dysfunction.     

Immunodepressive effect of transcerebral lasers

The aim of the present paper was to study the effect of infrared laser radiation on endocrine regulation of immunogenesis and on endogenic opioid system. For this purpose experiments on rabbits were carried out. The animals underwent transcerebral radiation with subsequent induction of the primary immune response (PIR) to thymus-dependent antigen (sheep red blood cells). The PIR suppression was revealed in all test animals. It was more graphically expressed in rabbits exposed to impulse radiation. Immunodepression was combined with the increase of glucocorticoid activity of adrenal cortex, while no significant changes in thyroid hormones were registered. The 0.08 Joles impulse radiation cause a palpable fall in opioid concentration in blood plasma, the fact, which can be possibly accounted for the rapid exhaustion of opioid synthesis after their stimulation due to laser radiation.