The epidemiological indices of multiple myeloma and concomitant nephropathies

The authors have conducted an epidemiological study for multiple myeloma morbidity and mortality among 80,000 patients of the Medical Center examined in 1988-1995. Myeloma was diagnosed in 65 cases. Standard incidence rate was 4.09, 3.18 and 3.5 per 100,000 for myeloma in males, females and both sexes, respectively. Standard mortality was 2.76 and 1.73 per 100,000 for males and females, respectively. The above rates do not differ much from those of other countries. In terminal myeloma renal insufficiency occurred in 39 of 41 cases. In 8 cases chronic pyelonephritis was an independent course of renal failure thus indicating the importance of its persistent treatment.     

Study on structural gene expression in human insulinoma

A human insulinoma cDNA library was constructed in the expression plasmid vector pUEX1. The clone pUEX1Ins12 was selected by means of hybridization with an insulin probe. It codes for full size amino acid sequence preproinsulin. The bacterial strain pUEX3Ins8 producing proinsulin as beta-galactosidase fusion protein was obtained for the use of recombinant protein as an antigen in an ELISA to detect serum antibodies in subjects with IDDM. Recombinant clones containing the middle, N- and C-terminal domains of the GAD65, the major autoantigen in IDDM, were constructed in pVEX1. These clones may become important tools to study the nature of GAD autoreactivity in IDDM. The clone pHICEO.9 was selected from the human insulinoma cDNA library by immunoscreening with total human insulinoma protein antibodies. This clone expresses the C-terminal fragment of human cholesterol esterase/lipase containing its antigenic determinant and can be used for blood lipase determination. Four clones containing cDNA inserts (0.47-1.42 kb) without any significant homologies to the known sequences in the Gene Bank were obtained by means of statistic selection.     

Method of studying acceleration tolerance of pilots in flight conditions

The following procedure was used to study the pilot's tolerance to acceleration inflight. Experiments were carried out in a specially equipped plane with a dual monitoring system. Inflight the pilot performed 3 dives, attaining 3.0, 5.0 and 6.0 g for 30 sec at an interval of 1-2 min and an onset rate of 0.4-0.6 g/sec. The control over the health state and performance of the pilot was maintained by the coach as well as with the aid of breathing rate, ECG, ear pulse rate recordings and cynematography of the pilot's face during exposure to acceleration. These methods were employed in experimental flights of a good number of pilots. The results show that the methods may well be used to better medical monitoring inflight and to identify subjects with decreased tolerance to acceleration.     

A preclinical study of the effect of the animal polysaccharide chonsurid on reparative osteogenesis of the jaws

Experimental studies making use of morphological and x-ray methods demonstrated that in comparison with control (filling of mandibular bone defects with blood clots) chonsuride, an animal polysaccharide, promoted earlier filling of postoperative bone cavities with connective tissue replacement of this tissue with coarse-fiber bone tissue. Secondary restructuring and mineralization of bone regenerate were enhanced as well.