Optimization of the diagnosis and treatment of anemias under exposure to aromatic-type organic solvents

171 iron-deficient painters and 20 subjects with chronic intoxication with aromatic hydrocarbons were studied in a large aircraft construction factory. After correlative analysis of iron metabolism, ferritin, erythrocytes, diameter and perimeter of reticulocytes, length of service three types of iron-deficiency were identified: typical, with evident toxicity, with a high risk of toxic damage. An important role of lipid peroxidation activity and toxic erythrocyto-membranopathy for pathomorphosis of iron deficiency anemia and progress of toxic anemia is demonstrated. A differential approach to treatment of different anemia variants was used. The treatment included membranoprotectors (alpha-tocopherol, essential, lypostabil) and unspecific detoxication (SUMS-enterosorbent, unitiol).     

Role of S-100 protein in the function of brain cell nuclei

Data on physico-chemical properties and functional role of protein S-100 have been generalized. An analysis of literary data permits making a conclusion that the protein interaction with Ca2+ ions plays great part in its action mechanisms. Data are presented on the properties of the family of Ca-binding proteins similar to protein S-100 as to their structure. Peculiar attention is paid to the analysis of this protein function in the cellular nucleus, changing the degree of proteins phosphorylation and RNA synthesis.     

Immunological reactions of skin melanoma patients to nonspecific and adaptive immunotherapy

Patients with malignant skin melanoma were given different kinds of immunotherapy; nonspecific immunotherapy with BCG vaccine, adaptive immunotherapy with methotrexate or phytohemagglutinin activated autolymphocytes, and also a combination of polychemotherapy with BCG. The state of cell immunity was determined prior to, during and at the end of the therapy, in accordance with the courses. As a result of the conducted therapy an increased level of cell immunity was observed, that usually corresponded to clinical development of the disease. At the same time, the increase in immune response indices due to continuous administration of BCG vaccine is not related with the clinical course, while the persistent anergy or reduced level of cell immunity during this kind of therapy is a poor prognostic sign.     

Effect of BCG on the growth of Krebs-2 carcinoma

BCG vaccine inhibits the growth of intramuscular transplants of Krebs-2 carcinoma, when given in mixture with the tumor cells, and stimulates it in contralateral administration. When BCG and the tumor cells are injected separately in the region, drained by one and the same lymph node, no antitumor effect of the vaccine is observed. It is suggested that BCG effect on experimental tumor growth is mainly based not on the immunological mechanisms, but is the result of redistribution of cells participating in nonspecific antitumor resistance.     

The comparative study of peroxidase activity and substrate binding properties of cytochrome P450 2B4 incorporated into phospholipid vesicles with the use of two different methods

The comparative study of peroxidase activities and substrate binding properties of cytochrome p450 2B4 in reconstituted vesicles prepared with the use of two different techniques, and microsomal cytochrome P450 was carried out. The data obtained show that the two types of cytochrome P450 2B4-containing proteoliposomes do not differ substantially from each other with respect to H2O2- or cumene hydroperoxide-dependent substrate hydroxylation activities as well as substrate binding properties of hemoprotein reconstituted. However, some parameters measured with proteoliposomal cytochrome P450 are markedly different from those measured with microsomal hemoprotein, suggesting the existence of conformational differences between the molecules of these two cytochromes or the differences in the depth of their immersion into lipid bilayer.