Effects of the preparation Undevit on the indicators of vitamin provision of Norilsk's schoolchildren]

The effect of the prophylactic use of multivitamin "Undevitum" on parameters of vitamin providing of schoolchildren in Norilsk was studied. The results of the investigation showed a positive effect of the prophylactic vitamin administration on providing with vitamins of schoolchildren in Norilsk and proved the necessity of conducting mass vitamin administration to schoolchildren.     

Energy metabolism and fuel mobilization: from the perioperative period to recovery

PURPOSE: Previous studies of monochromatic visual evoked potentials confirm the strong suppression of (the cortical representation of) paracentral retinal areas of functionally amblyopic eyes, by a flat response to a blue stimulus. A clinical trial stimulating these areas with blue light was encouraging, and justified a prospective comparison of this treatment with conventional classic treatment. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In 50 strabismic children with amblyopia, the blue filter treatment protocol (flash stimulation with, and the wearing of, a blue filter during occlusion of the better eye for one hour daily) was compared with the classical treatment (full time total occlusion by patch) in a prospective matched and randomized study. Patients 3 to 7 years old without previous treatment and a visual acuity up to 0.3 were admitted to the study. Visual acuity and fixation behavior were used as the parameters of comparison. Visual Evoked Potentials by monochromatic flashes were also studied. Results of treatment were compared after 6 months. RESULTS: The visual acuity outcome for the blue filter treatment was "statistically significantly" better (p=0.005). The greatest improvement was seen in the subgroup of children with eccentric fixation (p=0.01). Fixation behavior also showed a better outcome from the blue filter treatment (p=0.05) favoring especially children between 3 and 5 years. In children of this age with a visual acuity better than 0.1 we found a very "statistically significant" difference between the two treatments (p=0.004). In children 3 to 5 years old with poorer visual acuity we also found a "statistically significant" difference in the two treatments (p=0.04). The interocular difference of amplitude on the Visual Evoked Potentials also demonstrated more improvement in children treated with the blue filter. This treatment improved especially the cortical response to blue flash stimulation, correlating to paracentral retinal areas. CONCLUSIONS: The blue filter treatment protocol provided better results for treating amblyopia than the conventional classic occlusion treatment method. We propose that stimulation of these paracentral retinal areas triggers a better disinhibition of a functionally amblyopic eye.     

Synthesis of the nitrogen-fixing enzyme system in oligonitrophilic bacteria

Oligonitrophilic bacteria were cultivated on a medium containing only 2.5--10.0 mg/litre of nitrogen compounds. They assimilated elementary nitrogen only after utilization of these nitrogen compounds during growth and formation of nitrogen-fixing enzyme system. Their cells grown on a medium containing high concentrations of bound nitrogen did not fix nitrogen during further incubation in the atmosphere of 15N; therefore, the enzymes involved in nitrogen fixation were induced. These organisms are characterized by diauxia during their growth on media containing "start" doses of nitrogen. Enzymes catalysing nitrogen fixation in azotobacter are also induced. But, contrary to oligonitrophilic bacteria, the azotobacter does not require nitrogen compounds in the medium in order to adapt to molecular nitrogen, and its growth curve is not of a biphasal character. These data and the evidence of other authors suggest that all nitrogen-fixing microorganisms are characterized by the induced, not constitutive, enzymes involved in reduction of molecular nitrogen.     

Some problems of the moral and psychological training of medical service personnel

The authors' experience with 45 papillosphincterotomies, performed for diseases of bile passages and chronic pancreatitis, is reported. The details of the operative technic, employed by the authors, are described. The technic of papillosphincterotomy on a conus-shape sound by means of a "laser scalpel" proved to be the most perfect one. Careful observation of the surgical technic made it possible to gain favourable results--only 1 of 45 operated patients died. Papillosphincterotomy is largely advocated in stenoses and concretions in the large duodenal papilla, strictures of choledocho-duodenoanastomoses, care should be taken not to overwiden indications to the operation concerned.     

Kinetic description of rapeseed oil conversion into aromatic hydrocarbons on promoted MFI zeolite

An approach to the construction of a kinetic model for the reactions of rapeseed oil hydroconversion to aromatic hydrocarbons has been proposed, which is based on analysis of experimental data obtained using a MFI zeolite promoted with zinc and chromium ions. An empirical mathematical model describing the dynamic behavior of the main products of the decomposition reaction of rapeseed oil as a model feedstock has been developed. It has been shown that an increase in the space time and temperature in the examined range of reaction conditions increase the yield of aromatic hydrocarbons. The influence of hydrogen pressure on the yield of aromatics is nonmonotonic in character, passing through a maximum, with the optimum yield being in the middle of the hydrogen pressure range of 10–20 atm.     

The concepts of quantum theory can be introduced into psychophysiology

Changes in the structural proteins and hydration during aging is responsible for altered skin morphologic and mechanical properties manifested as wrinkling, sagging, loss of elasticity, or apparent dryness. To gain insight into the age-related alterations in protein conformation and water structure, we obtained Raman spectra from the sun-protected buttock skin representing chronologic aging and the sun-exposed forearm skin representing combined effects of photoaging and chronologic aging. Ten aged individuals (five men, five women; age range 74-87) and 10 control young individuals (five men, five women; age range 22-29) entered the study. In the photoaged forearm skin the positions of protein-specific amide I, amide III, and CH stretching bands were shifted, suggesting increased protein folding. In contrast, major changes were seen only in the amide I peak in chronologically aged skin. The intensity of the 3250 cm(-1) OH stretching band was increased in photoaged skin (but not in chronologically aged skin) indicating an increased water content. R(v) representation of the low-frequency region of Raman spectra was applied to determine water structure. In the young skin and chronologically aged skin water was mostly present in the bound form. In the photoaged skin, however, an increase in intensity at 180 cm(-1) was noted, which reflects an increase in the not-protein bound water (tetrahedron water clusters). In conclusion, it seems that proteins in the photoaged skin are more compact and interact with water to limited degree. Impairment in protein hydration may add to the understanding of ultrastructural, mechanical, and biochemical changes in structural proteins in the aged skin.     

Mechanisms of induction of apoptotic DNA fragmentation

PURPOSE: Despite its common use as an indicator of apoptosis, little is known about the mechanisms controlling apoptotic DNA fragmentation in irradiated cells. This review discusses the pathways of chromatin fragmentation, and the role of both nucleases and chromatin structure in this process. DEFINITIONS: DNA fragmentation linked to apoptosis is a combination of cleavage events excising both large DNA fragments within the range 0.4-1.0 Mbp and 50 kbp followed by random cuts within internucleosomal regions (i.e. DNA laddering). The first two cleavage steps can be detected in virtually all apoptotic cells, but DNA laddering is not ubiquitously observed. Endonucleases that mediate this cleavage of chromatin may be classified by substrate specificity, mode of DNA cleavage and their cofactor requirements. CONCLUSIONS: Three major pathways of DNA fragmentation are proposed and discussed: (1) upregulation of endonucleases, (2) their intranuclear/intracellular redistribution and (3) primary changes of chromatin structure.     

Participation of phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase Cgamma1 and STAT1 protein in the formation of latent complexes of signal proteins

It is known that the growth factor activates appropriate membrane receptors which become starting points of cascades of protein-protein interactions leading to cellular response. Recent data suggest that different signalling pathways may cross-talk during the cellular response. Here we show that phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C gamma 1, one of the key elements in phosphoinositide pathway of signal transduction, is physically associated with members of the STAT pathway. The precipitation of phospholipase C gamma 1, using polyclonal antibody in A-431 cells, leads to co-immunoprecipitation of STAT1 alpha and STAT1 beta, as well as STAT3. The formation of such complexes was observed in both unstimulated and EGF stimulated cells. The participation of SH3-domains in the formation of such complexes is discussed.     

Molecular analysis of the retinoblastoma (RB1) gene in acute myeloid leukemia patients

Patient 1: A 48-year-old man was admitted to Osaka Red Cross Hospital because of fever and dyspnea. Laboratory examination revealed pancytopenia, liver dysfunction and hematostatic abnormality. Chest radiographs obtained on admission revealed ground-glass opacity in both lung fields, and an analysis of arterial blood showed severe hypoxemia (PaO2:46.8 Torr). Pulse therapy with methylprednisolone was started. Although the hypoxemia subsided and radiographic findings rapidly improved, pancytopenia persisted. Examination of bone marrow aspirate revealed mature histiocytes with marked hemophagocytosis. Amplified Mycobacterium tuberculosis direct tests of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, sputum, urine, and bone marrow were all positive, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis was cultured from sputum and urine. Although the patient was taking antituberculous agents, his pancytopenia persosted. Treatment with etoposide induced remssion. Patient 2: A 19-year-old woman was admitted to Osaka Red Cross Hospital because of prolonged cough and fever. Laboratory examination revealed leukocytosis, liver dysfunction, and hematostatic abnormality. Serologic tests provided conclusive evidence of Mycoplasma infection and a CRP test was strongly positive. Chest radiographs obtained on admission revealed infiltration shadows in the middle and lower lung fields on both sides, with left pleural effusion. An analysis of arterial blood showed hypoxemia (PaO2: 54.2 Torr). Examination of bone marrow and pleural effusion samples revealed mature histiocytes with marked hemophagocytosis. Although treatment with antibiotics and pulse therapy with methylprednisolone was started, the patients respiratory functions deteriorated. Endotracheal intubation was performed. Therapy with etoposide induced remission. Hemophagocytic syndrome associated with Mycoplasma infection and tuberculosis appears to be exceedingly rare. In these 2 cases, it was difficult to achieve remission with therapy for the underlying infections, but etoposide treatment was effective.