An immune complex selective affinity column utilizing site-specific attachment of bovine conglutinin

Established leukemic cell lines have been useful models for studying the biology of leukemia. Analysis of the actions of differentiating agents on leukemic cell lines in vivo has been limited by an inability to unambiguously distinguish host hematopoietic elements from differentiated leukemic cells. In order to identify and quantify leukemic cells during in vivo studies, a derivative of the murine myelomonocytic leukemia cell line WEHI-3B D+, which stably expresses beta-galactosidase, was constructed utilizing retroviral vector gene transfer. This cell line, termed WEHI-3B D+/lacZ 2.8, demonstrated in vitro growth and differentiation properties similar to the parental cell line. WEHI-3B D+/lacZ 2.8 expressed high levels of beta-galactosidase following prolonged in vitro growth and following differentiation in suspension cultures and clonogenic assays. In vivo, WEHI-3B D+/lacZ 2.8 was leukemogenic and high level expression of beta-galactosidase was maintained. Quantification of tissue involvement with WEHI-3B D+/lacZ 2.8 leukemia was performed utilizing staining with the fluorogenic beta-galactosidase substrate fluorescein di-beta-galactoside and fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis. In vivo differentiation efficiency following granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) administration was determined using a simultaneous nuclear and cytoplasmic staining procedure. Results indicate that treatment of mice inoculated with WEHI-3B D+/lacZ 2.8 cells with G-CSF administration causes detectable but limited differentiation.     

Laboratory X-ray diffraction complex for studying structural changes in materials under shock loading

A diagnostic laboratory X-ray diffraction complex has been designed to study the crystal structure under shock loading. Electric explosion of a foil, which accelerates a plane dielectric impactor, is used to generate a plane shock wave. A plasma-focus gas discharge chamber acts as an X-ray source. An automated system for recording X-ray diffraction patterns of shock compressed crystals has been developed on the basis of an image intensifier and a digital CCD camera. Recorded patterns of shock compressed LiF single-crystal structures are presented, which demonstrate that nonequilibrium structural formations have been obtained.     

Sotahexal pharmacodynamics in patients with ischemic heart disease

Therapeutic and prophylactic antiarrhythmic efficacy of sotalol hydrochloride (Sotahexal, "Hexal", Germany) and its effects in intracardiac hemodynamics and ECG parameters were evaluated in 95 patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD). The highest response to the drug was observed in ventricular extrasystoles, arterial flutter and fibrillation. Acute episodes of arrhythmia are managed by bolus administration of Sotahexal [correction of Hexal]. In this case greater risk of side effects exists. It is desirable to decide on the drug dose, mode of administration on the individual basis with due consideration of the risks and dangers which could be avoided in case of adequate instrumental control.     

The creation of a legal-standards basis for the economic validation of nature-preserving activities in health resorts

In patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, intestinal dysbacteriosis has clinical and bacteriological features characterized by the short-age of bifidobacteria (in 88-92%), by changes in the composition of Escherichia coli strains (in 38-42%), by the presence of Candida (in 58-62%), Proteus in half the patients, and by associated dysbacteriosis. Most (75%) patients show Stage III-IV intestinal dysbiosis formed after 3-4 months of continuous chemotherapy. There is a direct relationship between the magnitude of dysbiotic disorders and the duration of chemotherapy.     

Problems of computer modelling and information facilities for diffusion bonding

The methods for improving arc striking with wires of minor diameter and for ensuring the weld formation at a current of 10 A with minimum melting and spatter losses are considered.     

Replicon-helper systems from attenuated Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus: expression of heterologous genes in vitro and immunization against heterologous pathogens in vivo

A replicon vaccine vector system was developed from an attenuated strain of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEE). The replicon RNA consists of the cis-acting 5' and 3' ends of the VEE genome, the complete nonstructural protein gene region, and the subgenomic 26S promoter. The genes encoding the VEE structural proteins were replaced with the influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) or the Lassa virus nucleocapsid (N) gene, and upon transfection into eukaryotic cells by electroporation, these replicon RNAs directed the efficient, high-level synthesis of the HA or N proteins. For packaging of replicon RNAs into VEE replicon particles (VRP), the VEE capsid and glycoproteins were supplied in trans by expression from helper RNA(s) coelectroporated with the replicon. A number of different helper constructs, expressing the VEE structural proteins from a single or two separate helper RNAs, were derived from attenuated VEE strains Regeneration of infectious virus was not detected when replicons were packaged using a bipartite helper system encoding the VEE capsid protein and glycoproteins on two separate RNAs. Subcutaneous immunization of BALB/c mice with VRP expressing the influenza HA or Lassa virus N gene (HA-VRP or N-VRP, respectively) induced antibody responses to the expressed protein. After two inoculations of HA-VRP, complete protection against intranasal challenge with influenza was observed. Furthermore, sequential immunization of mice with two inoculations of N-VRP prior to two inoculations of HA-VRP induced an immune response to both HA and N equivalent to immunization with either VRP construct alone. Protection against influenza challenge was unaffected by previous N-VRP immunization. Therefore, the VEE replicon system was characterized by high-level expression of heterologous genes in cultured cells, little or no regeneration of plaque-forming virus particles, the capability for sequential immunization to multiple pathogens in the same host, and induction of protective immunity against a mucosal pathogen.     

A role of the transforming growth factor-beta in suppression of B-cell blastogenesis mediated by erythroid cells

The bio-psycho-social model was used in the presented study to observe the course of chronic diseases. An attempt was undertaken to correlate the psychosocial situation of 165 women with no presence of disease following breast cancer or genital cancer with their present organic status. The open discussion, a half standardized interview and the gynecological-oncological physical examination were implemented using predetermined parameters. The results of the general well-being scores from the interview and the results of organic status for all 165 patients were related using a rank-correlation between the objective and subjective score. A discrepancy between the psychosocial situation and the objective physical finding was found in the majority of women. The goal of the treatment of chronically ill patients especially following oncological tumors should thus have equal emphasis on the psychosocial and organic dimensions of the disease.