Effect of N-palmitoylethanolamine on energy-dependent transport of Ca2+ in vesicles of myometrium sarcolemma and their phospholipid composition

N-palmitoylethanolamine (NPE) was studied for their effect on calcium pump of pig myometrium sarcolemma. NPE in concentration of 10 microM, stimulated by 28-46% Mg2+, ATP-dependent accumulation of Ca2+ in vesicles of plasmatic membrane of uterus myocytes taking absolutely no effect on passive release of this cation from them. NPE modified phospholipid composition of sarcolemma, causing the increase of percentage content of phosphatidylinositol (by 20.2%) and lysophosphatidylcholine (2.7 times). While NPE effects transport Ca2+, Mg(2+)-ATPase solubilized from plasmatic membrane and purified due to the method of affinity chromatography on calmodulin-sepharose 4B, no activating effect of NPE on the calcium pump was observed. And what is more, a weakly expressed tendency to inhibition (by 14-15%, respectively) of the rate of Ca2+, Mg(2+)-dependent enzymic hydrolysis of ATP has been revealed. It is supposed that the effect of NPE on active transmembrane transport of Ca2+ is an important link in the general mechanism of contraction-relax of the myometrium and is, apparently, connected with its modifying effect on the lipid composition of the sarcolemma.     

Diagnosis-related groups: a comparative analysis of hospital activity in different countries

Comparative study of hospital activities in the Novgorod district and nine countries of the European Community, carried out within the framework of the International Project CAMISE (Case Mix and Severity) of the European Community on the basis of the classification system for diagnosis-related groups, showed a lower Case Mix Index, a longer hospital stay for all major disease, and a lower surgical activity in the hospitals of the Novgorod district in comparison with other European countries. The detected differences are largely due to specific features in the organization of hospital service in Russia (no special hospitals for acute and chronic patients, no nursing homes) and insufficiently intensive therapeutic and diagnostic process.     

The suppression of the chemiluminescence of mammalian cells by the metabolites of Crithidia oncopelti]

Effect of water-soluble (polypeptides) fraction (PF) of Crithidia oncopelti on the chemiluminescence of human blood cells and murine splenocytes was studied. The study has shown that PF possessed a capacity to inhibit oxygen-dependent killer system of polymorphonuclear leucocytes in dose-dependent manner. This effect was of a complex nature. The inhibitory effect of PF was demonstrated also in respect to murine mononuclear phagocytes and splenocytes. It was suggested that, in this case, the suppressor effect was related with the influence on membranous cytokines.     

Radionuclide diagnosis of local inflammation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Radionuclide scintigraphy with osteotropic radiopharmaceuticals labelled 99Tc proved highly sensitive in assessment of local inflammation. Osteoscintigraphy allows detection of preclinical and pre-x-ray lesions in the joints in RA and assessment of the treatment efficacy. Characteristic signs of the radionuclide distribution and accumulation can serve as a prompt in differential diagnosis of RA, DOA, reactive and gouty arthritis.     

Effect of iron, zinc, and copper on lipid peroxidation in liver in vivo

Changes in the levels of lipid peroxides, natural antioxidants (NA), iron, zinc and copper as well as the ability of the lipid substrate to oxidize in animal liver in the presence of iron, zinc and copper have been studied. It has been found that those metals increase the amplitude of natural fluctuations in iron, zinc and copper levels in the liver (by 5-30% in comparison with control). Within the first few hours following administration of iron and copper, the concentration of lipid peroxidation (LPO) products in animal livers increases, while the NA level and lipid oxidizeability decrease, in contrast. Zinc inhibits LPO in the liver within the first few hours following the injection. The changes in the content of NA, lipid oxidizeability and the level of LPO products in animal livers following iron, zinc and copper administration are phase-dependent. Data from regression analysis indicate a direct dependence (kcor = 0.98 at p < or = 0.05) between lipid oxidizeability and NA content in the liver following administration of iron, zinc and copper which, in turn, is suggestive of the lack of disturbances in the system of NA regulation