Aevit and glutamic acid in the treatment of patients with bronchial asthma

To elucidate the effect of antioxidants aevit and glutaminic acid on the course of bronchial asthma (BA) and free radical processes in this disease, 54 BA patients were divided into 2 groups: glucocorticoid-untreated and glucocorticoid-treated. Each of two subgroups made of these groups either received antioxidants (AO) or not. The response was assessed by clinical BA symptoms and free radical processes reflecting production of active oxygen forms by leukocytes (PAOFL) and free radical peroxidation (FRPO). PAOFL was studied using luminol-dependent chemiluminescence (CL). CL basal and stimulated values were calculated. FRPO was measured by plasma levels of malonic dialdehyde. Aevit and glutaminic acid treated BA patients improved clinically and exhibited reduced CL of PAOFL and malonic dialdehyde in plasma compared to BA patients on conventional therapy or conventional therapy plus glucocorticoids. Aevit and glutaminic acid are recommended for BA patients.     

An erythrocyte suspension in Modegel in the treatment of acute gastrointestinal hemorrhages

The effectiveness of a suspension of erythrocytes in the new colloid preservative "Modegel" (in 1:1 ratio) was studied in the complex treatment of 31 patients with severe gastroduodenal bleedings. It was established that the hemodynamic, antianemic action of the suspension was not inferior (and even excels) to the action of the whole preserved blood and the erythrocytic mass. The suspension transfusion has a favorable effect upon functions of the liver and kidneys, corrects the acidic-alkaline state of the recipients' blood, decreases the lipid peroxidation and has detoxicating properties. During transfusion of the suspension hypocoagulation of blood doesn't take place. The temperature reactions following the suspension transfusion are rare. The suspension of erythrocytes "Modegel" deserves wide introduction to clinical practice.     

The effect of immune and inflammatory mediators on growth of Lucilia cuprina larvae in vitro

Immune and inflammatory responses occurring during dermal infestation by larvae of Lucilia cuprina can retard larval growth and development. This study examined the effect of 4 classes of humoral inflammatory mediators on larval growth in an in vitro assay. Mediators of plasma leakage (histamine, bradykinin, platelet-activating factor and serotonin), leucocyte chemotactic agonists (activated complement, leukotriene B4 and interleukin-8), effector molecules of immune responses (interleukin-1 beta, tumour necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gamma) and endotoxin all failed to inhibit larval growth. In contrast, immunoglobulins isolated from immune serum caused marked retardation of larval growth. The results suggest that humoral mediators of inflammatory and immune responses do not play a role in immune defence against Lucilia cuprina.     

An autonomously replicating plasmid transforms Botrytis cinerea to phleomycin resistance

A transformation system has been developed for the pathogen fungus Botrytis cinerea, based on the utilization of the wide host plasmid pUT737 that contains the Sh ble gene, conferring resistance to phleomycin. Transformed protoplasts were regenerated at 10-25 micrograms ml(-1) of phleomycin, at a frequency of 25-40 transformants per microgram of DNA, and they were resistant up to 50 micrograms ml(-1). Southern hybridization using undigested and digested total DNA showed the presence of circular autonomously replicating plasmid pUT737 in the transformants. Reisolated plasmid from transformed fungus transformed E. coli and rescued plasmid was identified as PUT737. Transformants were grown for four generations under non-selective conditions and replicative plasmids were still detected. Plasmids present in all transformants at this stage had been modified from native pUT737 and showed the same size and configuration indicating that selection through stabilizing plasmid forms has happened.     

Dexamethasone therapy for bacterial meningitis in children: 2- versus 4-day regimen

Four-day dexamethasone therapy has been used to treat bacterial meningitis. This prospective, randomized study compared the effect of a 2-day versus a 4-day regimen. Children (n = 118, ages 2.5 months to 15 years) were evaluated; 50% of the cases were due to Neisseria meningitidis and 40% to Haemophilus influenzae type b. Patients were treated intravenously (iv) mainly with conventional antimicrobial therapy and were randomly assigned to receive dexamethasone, 0.15 mg/kg iv every 6 h for 2 or 4 days. The clinical response was similar for both dexamethasone regimens. The meningococcal meningitis patients survived without neurologic or audiologic sequelae. On long-term follow-up, neurologic sequelae or moderate or more severe unilateral or bilateral hearing impairment (or both) were found in 1.8% and 3.8% of patients treated with dexamethasone for 2 and 4 days, respectively. The 2-day regimen appears appropriate for the treatment of H. influenzae and meningococcal meningitis.