Spectrophotometric study of the interaction of single-stranded RNA with tilorone

The spectrophotometric study of complex formation between phage MS2 single-stranded RNA and tilorone has been carried out. It was found that with components concentration forming "strong linkage" the absorption spectra of RNA-tilorone complex in UV-region experience hyperchromic and bathochromic shifts; besides, a new absorption maximum appears at 280 nm. The changes of spectral properties have been also detected in the long-waved region of the complex spectra. The conclusion has been made that in the course of single-stranded RNA with tilorone interactions a complex formation takes place due to interacalation between spontaneously appeared two-stranded regions in the structure of a single-stranded RNA and tilorone; which component stabilizes these structures and assures there by the previously described interferonogenic activity of a single-stranded RNA--tilorone complexes.     

A stand‐alone compact EUV microscope based on gas‐puff target source

We report on a very compact desk‐top transmission extreme ultraviolet (EUV) microscope based on a laser‐plasma source with a double stream gas‐puff target, capable of acquiring magnified images of objects with a spatial (half‐pitch) resolution of sub‐50 nm. A multilayer ellipsoidal condenser is used to focus and spectrally narrow the radiation from the plasma, producing a quasi‐monochromatic EUV radiation (λ = 13.8 nm) illuminating the object, whereas a Fresnel zone plate objective forms the image. Design details, development, characterization and optimization of the EUV source and the microscope are described and discussed. Test object and other samples were imaged to demonstrate superior resolution compared to visible light microscopy.     

Basic principles of surgical policy in complicated chronic pancreatitis

The paper presents some experience with surgical treatment of 183 patients with complicated forms of chronic pancreatitis. The type of a surgical intervention depended on the pattern of pancreatic morphological changes. Operations of internal drainage of the pancreas in 103 patients with ductal hypertension provide the largest percentage (92.4%) of good and satisfactory results. Resectional methods of surgical treatment for chronic pancreatitis (n = 36) without signs of intraductal hypertension and with the prevalence of predominant lesions in some portions of the gland yield 80% good and satisfactory results. The incidence of postoperative complications following pancreatic resections is higher than those after drainages (16.2 versus 11.6%). The paper gives a concept of combined operations on the pancreas and bile ducts in chronic pancreatitis complicated by stricture of the distal common bile duct, revealed in 24.4% of cases.     

The isolation and analysis of the highly repetitive DNA from the argali

The repeated DNA sequence of wild ram (Ovis ammon) of 800 bp has been cloned. The blot-hybridization, in situ-hybridization, sequencing and computer analysis were used for the sequence analysis. It was shown that the cloned DNA is from 1.714 gm/cm3 repeated satellite DNA family. Fourteen highly homologous sequences were revealed in the nucleotide sequence databases. An analysis of their alignment revealed presence of two subfamilies (A and B). Average divergence of subfamily A. sequences (including the wild ram repeated sequence) from consensus is about 1%.     

The anti-inflammatory action of the mineral bischofite

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and pattern of smoking amongst Pakistanis. SAMPLING DESIGN: A two stage stratified sample design was adopted for the survey, Primary Sampling Units (PSU's) and Secondary Sampling Units (SSU's). SETTING: Urban and Rural, Pakistan 1990-94. SUBJECTS: Stratified systematic sample of 9441 males and females aged 15 years and above. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Smokers were defined as, subjects who were currently smoking and who had smoked > or = 100 cigarettes/beedis or chillum/huqqa in their life time. RESULTS: In Pakistan 21.6% (36% males and 9% females) of 9441 subjects were smokers. In urban areas it was 20.7% and in rural 22.0%, males were predominant in both urban and rural areas. Proportion of smokers who used cigarette/beedi were significantly higher in males (60%) while chillum/huqqa were more in females (62%). Prevalence increased with age upto 64 years, after which it declined but in urban females it continued to rise with age. Among both males and females; illiterate, married individuals with poor general health were more likely to smoke. These factors were 2 to 3 times more in males and 2 to 5 times more in females who were more likely to be smokers than those who were literate, single individuals with good general health. CONCLUSION: Smoking was more prevalent in illiterate, married persons and those with poor general health.     

The antiproteinuric action of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors in chronic glomerulonephritis and diabetic nephropathy

Antiproteinuria effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors was studied in 23 patients with chronic nephritis (CN) and 32 patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN). CN patients received Capoten, DN patients were given enalapril. The drugs were also examined for the action on systemic arterial pressure, renal function and intrarenal hemodynamics. Significantly decreased urinary excretion of protein occurred in DN patients on the treatment month 1, in CN subjects on month 3. In both groups ACE inhibitors produced marked hypotensive effect, did not affect renal function, noticeably improved intraglomerular hemodynamics. Hypotensive and antiproteinuria activity of the drugs were unrelated. The mechanism of antiproteinuria action of ACE inhibitors works via normalization of intrarenal hemodynamics. Systemic arterial hypertension seems to be an additional factor aggravating disturbances of intrarenal circulation and provoking proteinuria.     

Endaural reflex diagnosis of cochleovestibular dysfunctions in patients with vascular brain diseases

Results obtained prove that respiration stimulation of mitochondria Ca2+, Sr2+, Mn2+ is determined by transport of these cations to the indicated subcellular structures with participation of Ca2(+)-uniporter. Effect of Cd2+ on respiration of mitochondria is of two-phase character. Concentration of Cd2+ being above 100 microM the stimulation phase is accompanied by the further inhibition of mitochondria respiration. La3+ inhibits respiration of mitochondria. However La3+ and Cd2+ stimulate H+ production by mitochondria, that is not blocked by ruthenium red (10 microM). Probably, the effect of La3+ and Cd2+ on respiration of mitochondria is determined by the change of proton conductivity of mitochondrion membrane. Direct inhibiting effect of Cd2+ on the respiration chain of mitochondria has been established.