The characteristics of the spread of Coxiella burnetii in the Carpathian region

The paper presents data of the long-term (1975-1994) study of Q fever in Carpathian region [correction of Forecarpathia] (Ivano-Frankivs'k and Chernivtsi provinces) and dynamics of epidemiologic manifestations of this disease during the recent years. It is shown that after Q fever outbreaks in 1975-1977, people sick for it have been recorded sporadically, and a considerable decrease of epidemiological manifestations of Coxiella burnetii circulation is observed in the late years. This is accompanied by the decrease of the immune stratum among the population from 10.1% to 1.6-2.8%. In the authors opinion there is the interepizootic period now when the agent population remains in the phase of reservation that requires devoting much attention to the future appearance of its epidemiologically dangerous variants. The expediency of the purposeful examination of the profile therapeutic patients for Q fever and a necessity of special study of the chronic form of this infection are emphasized.     

Reconstruction of the lower orbital wall in the remote posttraumatic period]

The authors share their experience gained in the treatment of 11 patients with different fractures of the lower orbital wall in remote periods after the injury (1 month to 4 years). A specific feature of late injury in all the patients we observed were disorders of binocular vision presenting as diplopia due to cicatricial changes in the orbit. X-Ray examinations showed deep fractures of the lower orbital wall involving the posterior half of the orbital space in all cases. An operation had to be performed in all the patients: inferior orbitotomy via a transcutaneous access combined with anterior highmorotomy and submucosal refracture of the upper wall of the maxillary sinus within the framework of improperly consolidated fracture along the borders of the orbital hernia. The choice of this operation was dictated by specific localization of the fractures (zones difficult to access), solidity of scar growth at the site of the fracture (because of long period elapsed after the injury), and by limited possibility of intervention via an isolated transorbital access. An accessory element: refracture of the lower deformed wall and its reposition in the proper state helped repair the defect in the wall with a homocartilage on the side of strips and the orbit. Binocular vision and mobility of the eyeball in the orbit were repaired in all the patients, the degree of posttraumatic enophtalmos was appreciably decreased.     

Interferon-inducing and antiviral activity of levamisole

It was shown that levamisol administered orally to mice induced production of interferon with its maximum level in 4-6 hours and prolonged subsequent circulation in the host (the observation period of 5 days). Antiviral activity of levamisol in experimental forest-spring encephalitis was shown (protection of 35-40 per cent). When levamisol were used in combination with polyguacyl, an additive effect was recorded.     

Yield of chromosome aberrations induced by x-irradiation in regenerating rat liver cells at different periods of the generation cycle

The yield of cells with chromosome aberrations was studied using 630 rad X-irradiated liver cells of intact and hepatectomied rats, hepatectomy being performed 2-24 hours before irradiation. The radiosensitivity was variable throughout the cell cycle. The kinetic curve of radiosensitivity changes shows two ranges of radioresistance: in the early period G1 and in the middle period S, as well as the range of a relatively high sensitivity in the middle of period G1. The increase in radiosensitivity is also characteristic of the G0-G1 transition (4 hours after the stimulation).     

Model of a chronic Vibrio cholerae carrier based on gnotobiotic rats

Germ-free monoflora (contaminated with nonpathogenic spore-bearing bacillus) and common albino rats (OFA) were infected with V. cholera El Tor, of Ogava and Inaba serological types (6 milliard microbial cells per 1.5 ml of physiological solution per rat). Approximately one week after the infection the number of vibrios reached hundreds of millions per 1 g of feces and persisted at this level for over 100 days (observation period). Newborn rats were infected by natural way from adult vibrio carriers and also became vibrio-carriers. The number of vibrios excretedby the animals which were germ-free and monoflora before the infection was approximately the same. Cholera vibrios perished completely in the enteric tract and were never revealed in the feces of common (control) rats.     

SOLID STATE PROPERTIES AND LEACHING OF MECHANICALLY ACTIVATED TETRAHEDRITE

The mechanical activation of tetrahedrite Cu_12Sb_4S_13 was carried out in a planetary mill.The changes in the surface.and bulk properties produced in mineral by mechanicalactivation were detected by infrared,photoelectron and Mossbauer spectroscopy.The rateand selectivity of tetrahedrite acid leaching depends on conditions of mechanical activation.     

Quantitative cytomegalovirus (CMV) antigenaemia during antiviral treatment of AIDS-related CMV disease

Self-inflicted dermatoses are associated with personality disorders and psychoses, including monosymptomatic hypochondriacal psychosis (MHP), which is characterized by a delusion involving a particular hypochondriacal concern. We report an unusual case of MHP with severe mutilation of the skin complicated by a skull defect and brain abscess. The patient was a 66-year-old uneducated man who damaged his forehead repeatedly because he believed that a 'toxic root' in the forehead was the source of his general ailment. He admitted that the lesions were self-inflicted. There was no other evidence of psychosis or primary skin disease and MHP was diagnosed. Despite initial favourable response to pimozide, the patient was lost to follow-up for 4 years, during which he continued to damage his forehead and applied corrosive agents. He was then referred with a personality change and a 6 x 4 cm bony defect in the skull, complicated by herniation and abscess of the left frontal lobe. This case represents one of the most severe examples of self-mutilation ever reported. The differential diagnosis of dermatitis artefacta and the principles of treating MHP are discussed.     

Use of Diacarb to attain hypotension in preoperative treatment of patients with different cataract etiology

The results of studying of correlation lipid composition of blood and immunity are presented. Features of nutrition of patients with chronic infectious-inflammatory diseases in Tyumen region are also analyzed. Decrease of protein, fat and carbohydrates in diet of patients was found. Level of cholesterol and triglycerides in plasma of patient was increased.