Preventing the cardiotoxic effects of anthracyclines with Cardioxane]

An immune response to heparin, which is clinically manifested by the development of thrombocytopenia with or without thrombosis, is stimulated by a complex of heparin with platelet factor 4 (PF4). The primary thrombotic events in patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) are more frequently venous than arterial. The development of antibodies, however, does not always result in thrombocytopenia or in catastrophic events. The antibodies, which are of the IgG, IgM, and IgA isotypes, can be easily measured by an ELISA that contains a complex of heparin-platelet factor 4 (PF4). Initial antibody formation can be greatly reduced by limiting the exposure to unfractionated heparin or by the use of low-molecular-weight heparin. For those patients who require anticoagulation and who have antibodies to heparin-PF4, danaparoid (Orgaran), a low-molecular weight heparinoid that does not react with the antibodies, is now commercially available; argatroban, a thrombin-specific inhibitor, can also be obtained for compassionate use. The use of these agents during anticoagulation with warfarin is preferable to the simple discontinuation of heparin and intitiation of warfarin, because the latter treatment can result in ongoing thrombosis.     

State of rat liver and spleen DNA after space flight on the "Cosmos-605" satellite

The effect of space flight on the content of nucleic acids and the structure of DNA in the rat liver and spleen was studied. The 22-day exposure did not influence the DNA content in tissues, whereas the RNA content decreased by 14% and 19% in the liver and spleen, respectively. The flight did not induce changes like one-stranded or paired breakages in the DNA structure. Studies of the liver showed a minor trend towards a fall of elastic viscosity of the DNA supermolecular structure (difference between the flight and control rats was statistically insignificant). The above changes in the state of nucleic acids in the liver and spleen were transient.     

Weanling and adult rats differ in fatty acid and carnitine metabolism during sepsis

Increased oxidation of fat is an important host response to sepsis, and carnitine is essential for long-chain fatty acid oxidation. Because neonates have low levels of carnitine, their ability to respond to a septic insult may be impaired. The purpose of this study was to compare fatty acid and carnitine metabolism in septic weanling (60 to 85 g) and septic adult (285 to 310 g) rats. Sepsis was induced in weanling and adult male Sprague-Dawley rats by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). The rats were killed 16 hours after CLP or sham operation, and serum glucose, lactate, beta-hydroxybutyrate, fatty acid, carnitine, liver fatty acid, and tissue carnitine levels were measured. The data suggest that during sepsis weanling rats may be more dependent on fatty acid oxidation than adult rats are, as evidenced by their elevated serum fatty acid and acylcarnitine levels, and relative hypoglycemia and hyperketonemia. In addition, although total serum carnitine levels were increased in both adult and weanling septic rats, tissue carnitine levels of weanling rats became significantly depleted during sepsis, unlike in adult rats. This study supports further investigation regarding the role of exogenous carnitine in newborn sepsis.     

Local use of levomycetin in neurosurgery]

A method of local application of the unsoluble medicinal form of chloramphenicol during operations has been developed. Administration of the preparation in a dose up to 2g under an osteal or cutaneous graft induces no side complications and forms a depot of the agent therapeutic concentrations for more than 8 days. There exists a direct relationship between the increasing of staphylococcus resistance to chloramphenicol and the quantity of the agent used in patients.     

Experimental Parelaphostrongylus andersoni infections in white-tailed deer

Gross and microscopic lesions caused by Parelaphostrongylus andersoni were studied in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) infected with large (1000 or 5000) and moderate (200-356) numbers of third-stage larvae. In heavy infections, adult worms caused eosinophilic myositis in the loin and thigh. Masses of eosinophils underwent caseous necrosis surrounded by a granulomatous border. Adult worms, eggs, and larvae were in the lesions. Muscle damage caused by moderate doses was slight. One deer given a moderate dose maintained a patent infection for more than 1 year and was reinfected. Gross lung damage caused by eggs and larvae occurred with both degrees of infection and consisted of firm miliary nodules. Microscopically, the main changes were granulomatous encapsulation of eggs and first-stage larvae in alveolar capillaries, accumulations of eosinophils and mononuclear inflammatory cells in the adjacent alveolar septa, congestion, and interstitial pneumonia.     

Distribution of CCR5-delta 32 gene deletion across the Russian part of Eurasia

We describe the cases of two premature infants carrying a central venous line who developed on the fourth day of life a catheter related intracardiac thrombus. Although they were clinically asymptomatic we opted for thrombolytic treatment considering the potential risks of this situation. Treatment with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) was performed for one day in the first case and for three days in the second one, in association with fresh frozen plasma. Thrombus dissolution occurred in both patients and no adverse effects were noted. In our experience tissue plasminogen activator was a therapy acceptably safe and effective inducing clot lysis in very low birthweight neonates into critical situations.