The comparative characteristics of the Salmonella serotypes rarely encountered in the Maritime Territory

The results of the comparative study of the phenotypical properties and the plasmid profile of 63 strains of salmonellae, belonging to 44 serotypes of groups B, C1, C2, C3, D, E1, E4, F. The study revealed that strains of different serotypes had their individual plasmid profile. Strains of the same serotype of salmonellae isolated from similar sources had an identical plasmid profile, while strains isolated from different sources differed in their plasmid profiles, though they might have a similar phenotype. Plasmid analysis was shown to be an effective method for the intraspecific typing of rarely isolated Salmonella serotypes and suitable for use as the basis of the microbiological monitoring of salmonellae.     

Control and diagnosis in the biotechnical systems of artificial clearance

Controlling and diagnostic processes in the bioengineering artificial clearance systems despite of the procedures applied, their functional use and design seem to occur in the artificial organs, each of them consists of controlling and actuating processors ensuring their homogeneous (material, energy-producing, informational) or combined interaction with the patient's body. Centralized control over artificial clearance is proposed by using universal controlling processes which are informationally connected with the operator, the central computer and other controlling processes of the bioengineering system.     

Polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma of the parotid salivary gland

Polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma is an unusual tumor that has been described as occurring in the minor salivary glands, particularly of the palate. To our knowledge, there is only one previous report that has documented the occurrence of this type of lesion in the major salivary glands. We describe an elderly patient with polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma arising in the parotid gland that was originally diagnosed as carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma.     

Applying nursing theory to perioperative nursing practice

The perioperative nursing role has evolved from that of task-oriented specialists to patient-centered professionals. The concept of caring is significant to perioperative nurses and is manifested by the many caring behaviors perioperative nurses demonstrate toward surgical patients. This article describes how the element of caring is an essential function of perioperative nursing and relates the perioperative nursing role to the work of three nursing theorists (le, Florence Nightingale; Virginia Henderson, RN, AM; Carol L. Montgomery, RN, PhD).     

Effect of the approximately 2400-year solar climatic cycle on the lives of peoples

2400-year solar cycle ascertained by us in the long-term series of various natural characteristics (e.g. the radiocarbon content in samples of well-known ages, oscillations of the sea and ocean levels etc.) includes three parts roughly equal in duration: a phase of high activity, a phase of depression and a phase of moderate activity. In climate oscillations, which are connected with this cycle, the next phenomena are established: a little climatic optimum, a little Ice Age, and a temperate climate epoch.     

Peritoneal healing after fibrin glue application: a comparative study in a rat model

The influence of fibrin glue on adhesion formation and peritoneal healing is evaluated in a prospective, randomized, controlled study. In all, 20 Wistar rats underwent microsurgical suturing of two silicone sheets, one covered with a fibrin glue barrier, to the anterior peritoneum. Each animal thus served as its own control. After 10 days, adhesions and peritoneal healing were evaluated by a blinded observer through a second-look laparotomy. Adhesions were scored using a modification of the classification of Diamond. Tissue around the silicone sheet was examined histologically and by scanning electron microscopy to evaluate the inflammatory reaction and peritoneal healing (ingrowth of blood vessels and quality of peritoneal cells). Adhesion scores for treated and control sides were (mean +/- SD) 2.89 +/- 4.68 and 6.79 +/- 9.09 (P = 0.181) respectively, and the percentage of the sheet covered by peritoneum was 26.25 +/- 31.50 and 29.21 +/- 40.21 (P = 0.226) respectively. Using the paired Wilcoxon rank test, the P values for the ingrowth of blood vessels and peritoneal healing evaluated by histology and scanning electron microscopy were 0.842, 0.692 and 0.695 respectively. We conclude that although the mean adhesion score was reduced by > 50% by fibrin glue, there is no statistically significant difference concerning adhesion formation or peritoneal healing with the use of fibrin glue.     

The prospects for using the genetically engineered surface antigen of the hepatitis B virus (HBsAg) expressed by recombinant poxvirus strains as the basis for vaccines against hepatitis B

The use of a recombinant poxvirus (RPV) strain, expressing HBsAg in the process of reproduction in different bioreactor systems under stationary and bioreactor conditions of cultivation, made it possible to obtain highly purified HBsAg. The identity and purity of HBsAg was confirmed by the analysis of its amino acid composition, SDS electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel, electron microscopy and high-performance liquid chromatography. Good prospects of the use of RPV-expressed gene engineering HBsAg as the basis vaccines against hepatitis B was demonstrated in 10 experimental batches of vaccine. All batches of the preparation had pronounced immunogenicity and were safe and nontoxic in animal experiments. The ID50 of experimental batches did not exceed 211 ng/ml, which, according to the data of comparative experiments, was lower than, or equal to, corresponding values of analogous foreign commercial preparations, based on plasma or yeast HBsAg.