The clinical significance of MDR-1 gene expression in the hemopoietic cells of patients with acute leukemias in different phases of the disease

AIM: Analysis of cytostatic therapy effects on expression of gene MDR-1 in hemopoietic cells of patients with acute leukemia (AL) in complete clinicohematological remission (CCHR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 48 AL patients. 27 of them were untreated, 25 were resistant to or had recurrent AL. 4 patients were followed up. Bone marrow mononuclear fraction was investigated. Expression of MDR-1 gene in the cells was evaluated at hybridization. RESULTS: High expression of MDR-1 gene occurred in leukemic blast cells either upon achievement of CCHR or at least 6 months after its onset. When using schemes of chemotherapy containing two potential inductors of gene MDR-1, expression of this gene was registered significantly more frequently than in using schemes based on one inducing drug (p < 0.05). Frequency of occurrence of enhanced expression of gene MDR-1 in leukemic blasts significantly correlated with frequency of CCHR (p < 0.05). Correlation between occurrence of the gene's expression in normal hemopoietic cells in CCHR and occurrence of early AL recurrences was not found. CONCLUSION: The findings may facilitate design of new AL treatment programs.     

MAGE Spectrometer for the Investigation of Hadron–Nucleus Interactions and the Identification of Final Nuclear States

A combined spectrometer is composed of a wide-aperture magnetic spectrometer with proportional chambers and a -spectrometer based on a Ge(Li) detector. The respective momentum and the angular resolutions of the magnetic spectrometer are FWHM/p(%) = 0.59p (GeV/c) + 1.1 and 0.5–1 mrad; its average efficiency for 0°–5° angles is 85%. The energy resolution of the -spectrometer is 8 and 16 keV for 0.5- and 2.0-MeV photons, respectively; the average angular acceptance is 1.5 msr.     

The possibility of preserving the causative agent of plague in soil in resting (nonculturable) form

The purpose of this study was to find criteria characteristic for patients in need of care and social services. The criteria should serve as a guideline for patients and staff to facilitate care planning before discharge. The sample consisted of 49 patients, born before 1925, in need of emergency inpatient treatment, admitted to medical- or orthopaedic wards. Data of the patient's self care needs were collected by interviews, assessment of self care status and need of treatment. The patients could be divided into three groups depending on type of discharge. Group A (n = 27) discharged home, group B (n = 7) discharged to geriatric clinic and group C (n = 15) discharged and in need of further care and social services. Criteria indicating the patients further assistance from the community were in group C (medical- and orthopaedic wards) deficit in daily living activities and locomotion. Group B had an increased need of support from the physiotherapist and the occupational therapist, in locomotion as well as daily living activities The physician's assessment showed that the criteria behind the decision "no further medical treatment appropriate" and "ready for discharge" were not related to medical impairment but to lack of self care, need of care, rehabilitation and social services.     

Aqueous fullerene C60 solution suppresses herpes simplex virus and cytomegalovirus infections

Abstract

Fullerene C₆₀ is known as a promising therapeutic agent due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and other properties, along with the lack of noticeable toxicity. In this article, we describe antiviral properties of aqueous fullerene C₆₀ dispersion (ndC₆₀) produced by biocompatible diafiltration technology and C₆₀ amino derivatives against Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infections. Their activity in vitro was evaluated by a plaque reduction assay using Vero and HF cells in pre- and post-treatment modes. Therapeutic efficacy of dnC₆₀ and C₆₀ derivatives was studied in DBA mice using cutaneous model of HSV-1 infection. Data obtained indicated low cytotoxicity of all used compounds for both cell lines (CC₅₀ > 1?mg/ml). The antiviral activity of dnC₆₀ in most tests exceeded the activity of both C₆₀ amino adducts and acyclovir (ACV), and it demonstrated significant therapeutic effect against HSV-1 skin infection in mice.     

Diagnostics of fast processes by charged particle beams at TWAC-ITEP accelerator-accumulator facility

A new setup for the experimental investigation of rapid dynamic processes using proton radiography techniques has been created at the TWAC-ITEP terawatt accelerator-accumulator facility. A set of equipment for conducting shock-wave experiments has been designed, constructed, and tested, and an instrumentation-software complex has been developed for the automation of experiments. The first series of experiments with dynamic targets representing high explosives have been carried out, in which the density distribution in detonation waves initiated in these explosives has been measured.