The functional activity, energetics and survival of the heart under hypothermia

Adequate blood supply to tissue, which is the most important prerequisite for survival of the organisms when put under hypothermal conditions and taken out of these conditions depends, above all, on the cardial function. Detailed exploration of the automatic reactions, response to stimulation, conductivity and systole of hypothermal cardium using a cardio-pulmonary preparation has been reported by V. M. Pokrovski? and co-authors. As far as we are informed, this monographic volume is the only available review of developments in the last decades in studies of cardium under hypothermal conditions. In this article we shall touch upon the issues not covered by the above monograph including energy status of hypothermal cardium and the issues important the physiological and medical perspectives: cardium functional status in situ under accidental hypothermal conditions (hypothermal freezing), and maintaining functionality of cardium after its stoppage in hypothermal conditions.     

Monoclonal antibodies to the beta-chain of the LFA-1 molecule promote an increase in the cytotoxic index of effector lymphocytes and stimulate their proliferation

The influence of monoclonal antibodies (mAb) to LFA-1 molecule beta-chain on the functional activities of immune splenocyte fractions which were eluted from donor, third party and recipient macrophage monolayers was studied. The splenocyte fractions were treated with the mAb and tested for cytotoxicity and proliferation. MAb to LFA-1 molecule beta-chain (without co-stimulation by other antibodies) were found to stimulate the immune response of the splenocyte fractions in both functional tests. The observed effect might be non-specific. The relationship between the stimulation of proliferative and cytotoxic responses of the immune splenocyte fractions and the treatment with mAb of LFA-I molecule beta-chain remains obscure.     

Biosensors in biotechnology and medicine

The work is a review of the state-of-art of research in the field of biological sensors. The enzymatic and immune biosensors are described. Problems concerning application of microorganisms as biosensors have been reported in detail. The use of luminescent bacteria and luciferase sensors is under discussion. The principles of operation of fibrous-optic and semiconducting biosensors are stated.     

Issues in mental health services for children and adolescents

Existing system of psychiatric care for children and adolescents is in need of basic reorganization. The authors propose: 1) reestablishment of the speciality of children's and adolescent psychiatrist, a specialist in children's and adolescent narcology, a psychiatrist of early child's age and a pediatric medical psychologist; 2) carrying out the reform of child mental care equal in rights with general psychiatry; 3) preservation and widening of both specialized inpatient and outpatient clinics in general system of child's mental care; 4) legislative and public rehabilitation of children's psychiatry, which suffered considerably from antipsychiatric campaign; 5) professionally organized systematic elevation of psychohygienic, psychiatric and psychotherapeutic knowledges of allied medical and other specialists as well as of parents and of all population too; 6) integration and interaction of govermental services concerning mental health of children and adolescent; 7) organization of regional psychoprophylaxic interdisciplinary centers for children and adolescent.     

Electron microscopic study of nerve tissue elements of the medullary substance of the canine adrenals

Studies of the influence of contrycal on condition of the enzyme systems of the muscles, liver, kidneys and heart of rats with developing granulation tissue showed contrycal, a protease inhibitor, to have a stimulating effect on the LDH and MDH activity and on their isozyme spectrum. The effect of the inhibitor was expressed in the changes occurring in the state of the enzyme system, both at the site of damage (granulations and the underlying tissue) and in a number of internal organs -- the liver and kidneys.     

Modern radiation therapy: the achievements and outlook

The ability of lipid A and the antitumour compound, ONO-4007 (sodium2-deoxy-2-[3S-(9-phenylnonanoyloxy)tetradecanoyl] amino-3-O-(9phenylnonanoyl)-D-glucopyranose 4-sulphate) to induce nitric oxide (NO) synthase was investigated in vitro and in vivo, in comparison to the effects of lipopolysaccharide and di- and monophosphoryl lipid A. In J744.2 macrophages, lipopolysaccharide, di-and monophosphoryl lipid A and ONO-4007 (10(-9) - 10(-5) g/ml) alone, or in combination with interferon-gamma, induced NO synthase (order of potency: lipopolysaccharide > diphosphoryl lipid A > monophosphoryl lipid A > ONO-4007). ONO-4007 increased the activity of the inducible NO synthase in the lung of anesthetised rats (20% of the increased caused by bacterial lipopolysaccharide). Thus, ONO-4007 is a weak inducer of the inducible isoform of NO synthase in vitro and in vivo. The finding that di- and monophosphoryl lipid A also induce NO synthase indicates that the lipid A moiety of lipopolysaccharide contributes to the induction of NO synthase by lipopolysaccharide. The induction of NO synthase by ONO-4007, resulting in the formation of cytotoxic NO may contribute to the antitumour activity of the compound.     

The mechanisms of action of ketamine

The review systematizes the latest data on the main mechanisms of realization of some pharmacological properties of ketamine which are particularly valuable in the treatment of many diseases and conditions. The authors present the main aspects of the ketamine effect on the central mechanisms of anesthesia and hemodynamics and give the characteristics of its neuroprotective action. It is shown that these effects are realized also at the cost of the non-competitive blockade of the NMDA receptors in the central nervous system.