The effect of low-intensity laser radiation on functional potential of leukocytes

We examined whether X radiation induces a particular deletion in the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of the cells of two human squamous cell carcinoma lines with different sensitivity to radiation and in a radiosensitive ataxia telangiectasia (AT) cell line. We used polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to quantify the accumulation of a particular 4977-bp deletion (delta mtDNA4977). PCR products of delta mtDNA4977 were detectable after exposure to 10 Gy in the radioresistant squamous cell carcinoma cells, 2 Gy in the radiosensitive squamous cell carcinoma cells and 1 Gy in the radiosensitive AT cells. These observations suggest that ionizing radiation induces the delta mtDNA4977 in human cells and that the radiation doses required to induce this deletion reflect the sensitivity of cells to radiation.     

Integral equations of the theory of liquid in the study of hydration of macromolecules

Based on the numerical algorithm proposed by us in [1] for solving integral equations of the theory of liquids in the RISM approximation we calculate all of the solvent-solute atom-atom correlation functions for a fragment of the DNA duplex d(GGGGG) in infinitely diluted aqueous solution. The obtained results are compared with available experimental data and results from computer simulations.     

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in acute cholecystitis

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was fulfilled in 108 patients admitted to the clinic with acute cholecystitis. Operations were made on 73% of them during the first four days from the beginning of the disease, 18.5% were operated upon within 5-7 days, 8.5% - 8 days later. Endoscopic papillotomy with removing the stones from the choledochus was performed in 10% of the patients before operation. Serious problems during taking the gallbladder from the inflammatory infiltration were observed in 29% of the patients. Technical problems took place more often if the patients were operated upon 5 days after the beginning of the disease. Change for open laparoscopy and standard cholecystectomy were necessary in 9 patients (8.3%). There were no lethal outcomes after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Complications were observed in 12 patients (11.1%). The average period of staying at the hospital was (5.2 +/- 2.1) days. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be successfully performed in patients with acute cholecystitis by a sufficiently experienced surgeon.     

Interstitial cells of the medulla and the renin-angiotensin system in disorders of water-salt homeostasis

Electron microscopic studies of the intersticial cells of the renal medullar layer and the count of lipid granules in them were conducted in two experimental states accompanied by a reduction of the circulating blood volume--72 hours of water-free diet and intravenous administration of Lazyx that possesses a potent natriuretic and diuretic effect. The concentration of renin and angiotensin was determined in the plasma of the same animals, using the radioimmunoassay technique, and the juxtaglomerular apparatus of the kidneys was examined. The study has demonstrated that the reduction of the circulating blood volume is accompanied, on the one hand, by a significant elevation of the plasma concentration of renin and angiotensin, and, on the other hand, by a reduction of the number of lipid granules in the intersticial cells that is interpreted by the authors as an index of an increased synthesis of renal prostaglandins. It has been concluded that a close functional interrelashionship exists between the two hormonal systems of the kidneys that regulate the water-electrolyte homeostasis, i.e. the renin-angiotensin system and the prostaglandins system.     

Pathomorphology of kidney lesions induced by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Pathomorphological findings on nephrobiopsies from two groups of patients with NSAID-induced kidney lesions are provided. In the first group (9 patients) the disease developed in patients of different age after short-term use of NSAID and was clinically manifested by acute renal failure with extrarenal allergic symptoms (skin, rash, eosinophilia). Morphological features were acute tubulo-interstitial nephritis without glomerular lesions. In the second group (23 patients) the disease developed after longterm use of NSAID in older patients with a compromised renal blood circulation presenting clinically with nephrotic syndrome, and morphologically by acute tubulo-interstitial nephritis with minimal change (lipoid nephrosis).     

Diagnostic significance of electrocortical responses to rhythmic and solitary photic stimuli in patients with hepato-portal encephalopathy]

In order to clarify some diagnostical criteria of latent hepato-portal encephalopathy in 57 patients with intrahepatic forms of portal hypertension the authors studied the character of driving response in photorhythmical stimulation. In 9 patients the development of evoked potentials depending upon the significance of the stimula was studied as well. The studies confirmed the prognostical significance of a slowing down the mean frequency of rhythms in the EEG in relation to the development of acute encephalopathy and a certain tendency to the shift in the spectrum of driving responses to low frequency and a worsening of driving responses in slowing down the medium rhythm frequency of EEG. In patients with changed resting activity in the Background EEG there was a drop in the amplitude of late components of evoked potentials.