The relation between serum markers in the second trimester and placental pathology. A study on extremely small for gestational age fetuses

To disclose the cytoprotective mechanism of 1,6-dihydro-2[2-(2-methyoxypropoxy)anilino]-6-oxo-5-pyrimidinecarb oxylic acid (CAS 98772-05-5, MAR-99), the effect of this compound on the microvascular injury in gastric mucosa induced by 99.5% ethanol in rats was studied. In this experiment, it was found that the elevation of vascular permeability observed at the early state of ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury was closely correlated with the combined action of histamine and slow reacting substance (leukotriene C4, LTC4). MAR-99 (0.3-10 mg/kg p.o.) prevented dose-dependently the increase in vascular permeability. Furthermore, MAR-99 (10 mg/kg p.o.) improved the decrease in the number of histamine containing cells and histamine content, and prevented the production of LTC4. These results suggest that MAR-99 exerts its anti-microvascular injury effect by regulating the release of histamine and the production of LTC4 in glandular stomach against ethanol, and this effect may contribute to the anti-lesion effect of this compound.     

Analysis of the immunologic heterogeneity of HIV-1: I. "Arginine-glutamine trigger" in the fourth position of the central tetrapeptide of the V3 loop of gp120

This article reviews the existing knowledge base concerning the biology of spinal fusion, with the understanding that the focus is weighted toward posterolateral lumbar spinal fusion because of a relative paucity of biologic information on healing of other types of fusions. The discussion focuses first on the basic science of spinal fusion healing from the standpoint of animal modeling. Next, the discussion centers on the multitude of local factors that can affect fusion healing. Finally, the numerous systemic factors known to affect fusion healing are discussed.     

Genetic analysis of the South Altaian population of the Mendur-Sokkon village, Altai Republic

This study was a continuation of complex research on the gene pool of indigenous Siberian populations conducted at the Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Division, Russian Academy of Sciences. In the population of South Altaians from the Mendur-Sokkon village, Ust'-Kanskii raion, Altai Republic, polymorphism for the following genetic markers was studied: blood groups ABO, MNSs, Rhesus, Kell, Duffy, and P; erythrocyte acid phosphatase (AcP); phosphoglucomutase 1 (PGM1); haptoglobin (Hp); and transferrin (Tf). The genetic position of South Altaians relative to the populations of the European part of Russia, Siberia, and the Urals was estimated. It was demonstrated that the gene pool of the South Altaian population of Mendur-Sokkon possessed both Caucasoid and Mongoloid genetic characteristics, with the latter prevailing. Genetically, this population is most closely related to Mongols and Nentsis. The genetic distance between South and North Altaians was large; this agreed with earlier genetic data and confirmed anthropological and ethnographic evidence indicating that these two groups had different backgrounds and were at different stages of ethnogenesis.     

Color Doppler ultrasound velocimetry of internal carotid arteries in normal pregnancies

BACKGROUND: There are few reports on maternal cerebral circulation during pregnancy. Using the hypothesis that cerebral blood flow resistance decreases progressively with advancing gestational age (GA) as a consequence of estrogenic effects on the vascular system during pregnancy, we calculated the pulsatility index (PI) and the mean velocity (MV) of the maternal right internal carotid artery (ICA) in order to build fitted reference centiles. METHODS: A total of 315 pregnant women with a single fetus were studied at 20-42 weeks' gestation. The patients had uncomplicated singleton pregnancies and were without any known fetal or maternal risk factors. Duplex color ultrasound with a pulsed Doppler scanner (7.5 MHz) was used to determine the PI and MV of the maternal ICA. RESULTS: Among the 315 healthy pregnant women, the PI of maternal ICA decreased progressively with advancing GA, PI50th = Exp (0.3124-0.0084 x GA), (p = 0.0003), during the second half of pregnancy. The predicted 50th percentile PI values of the ICA decreased from 1.117 (5th% = 0.755, 95th% = 1.654) at 24 weeks' gestation to 0.917 (5th% = 0.659, 95th% = 1.448) at 40 weeks' gestation. The MV of the maternal ICA also decreased progressively with advancing GA, MV50th = Exp (3.855-0.0093 x GA), (p = 0.0005), during the second half of pregnancy. The predicted 50th percentile MV values in the ICA decreased from 37.811 cm/sec (5th% = 24.177 cm/sec, 95th% = 59.138 cm/sec) at 24 weeks' gestation to 32.591 cm/sec (5th% = 20.818 cm/sec, 95th% = 51.021 cm/sec) at 40 weeks' gestation. CONCLUSIONS: Both the PI and MV of the maternal ICA decreased with GA during the second half of normal pregnancy as a result of intracerebral vessel dilatation.