Kinetics of Interaction of Local Anesthetics with Human Serum Albumin

We studied kinetic parameters of interaction of local anesthetics (lidocaine, tetracaine, bupivacaine, and two novel agents with proved local anesthetic potency RU-353 and RU-1117) with human serum albumin. Complexation of local anesthetics with human serum albumin is a time-dependent and reversible process; equilibrium was attained within 1.5–4.5 h depending on chemical nature of local anesthetics. __________ Translated from Byulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 140, No. 9, pp. 298–300, September, 2005     

Peculiarities of nerve conduction block produced by lidocaine and ajmaline

The development of tonic and use-dependent block of nerve conduction under the effect of antiarrhythmic drug ajmaline and local anesthetic lidocaine was examined on sciatic nerve of Rana ridibunda. Ajmaline and lidocaine attenuated the amplitude of action potential by half during 120 and 13 minutes, respectively. Ajmaline produced virtually immediate use-dependent block of conductance, while it was minor in lidocaine-treated nerve preparation. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 143, No. 3, pp. 262–266, March, 2007     

Design of pneumatic gas analyzers for anesthetics

Conclusions 1. The feasibility of pneumatic gas analyzers for respiratory anesthetic mixtures with a single evaporating anesthetic has been established. 2. A pneumatic gas analyzer for anesthetics satisfies the basic anesthesiological requirements and can be used as an integral part of anesthetic equipment. 3. The gas analyzer's data unit must be based on the differential principle to secure the required sensitivity and accuracy of gas analysis. 4. The need for gas analyzers for respiratory anesthetic mixtures with a single evaporating anesthetic can be satisfied by simple small-size pneumatic gas analyzers. All-Union Scientific-Research Institute for Medical Instrument Making, Moscow. Translated from Meditsinskaya Tekhnika, No. 3, pp. 18–21, May–June, 1973.     

Molecular mechanisms of vasoconstrictor action of imidazo[1,2-α]benzimidazole derivative RU-117 possessing local anesthetic properties

We studied the mechanisms of action of imidazobenzimidazole derivative RU-1117 on calcium homeostasis in myocytes isolated from rat thoracic aorta. In therapeutic concentrations, RU-1117 increased the content of free calcium ions due to their mobilization from intracellular depot via the IP₃-dependent mechanisms. Antagonists of angiotensin II AT₁-receptors irbesartan and, to greater extent, eprosartan abolished the calcium-mobilizing action of RU-1117. Selective antagonist of endothelin ET_A-receptors sitaxsentan and α1-adrenoceptor agonist prazosin produced no effect on calcium mobilization caused by novel local anesthetic RU-1117. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 143, No. 5, pp. 531–534, May, 2007     

Structural and mechanical characteristics of erythrocyte membranes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

The morphology and structure of erythrocyte cytoskeleton and local mechanical characteristics in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and donors were studied by atomic force microscopy. Poikilocytosis and anisocytosis, spatial reorganization of the cytoskeleton (loosening and condensation of the actin-spectrin network), and modification of local mechanical properties of erythrocytes were characteristic of diabetics. These results indicate significant heterogeneity of erythrocyte population in the patients, most likely due to the presence of erythrocytes of different age groups, which can promote the development of diabetes complications (angiopathy). __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 145, No. 1, pp. 106–110, January, 2008     

The epidemiology of extraintestinal non-typhoid Salmonella in Israel: the effects of patients’ age and sex

Extraintestinal disease occurs in 5–8% of non-typhoid Salmonella enterica (NTS) infections and is more likely to be associated with hospitalization and death. The study examined the epidemiology of extraintestinal NTS infections in Israel and the possible effects of patients’ age and sex. NTS isolates passively submitted to the National Salmonella Reference Center during 1996–2006 were the source for the study cohort. Poisson regression models were used to assess incidence trends over the study years and to evaluate the effects of patients’ age and sex on the incidence of extraintestinal NTS manifestations. A total of 36,822 stool and 1,415 (3.7%) patient-unique NTS isolates from blood (74.1%), urine (18.3%), and other sources (3.7%) were studied. Serotypes Enteritidis, Virchow, and Typhimurium accounted for 66.3% of the isolates. Analysis showed a highly significant quadratic (U-shaped) relationship between patients’ age and the incidence of extraintestinal isolation (p < 0.001), with increasing risk in the two extremes of age. Differences between the incidence of blood and urine sources were significant in patients <10 and ≥60 years old (relative risk [RR] = 5.88, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.36–10.30, p < 0.001 and RR = 1.66, 95% CI 1.09–2.53, p = 0.017, respectively). Males ≥60 years of age were more likely than females of the same age to have bacteremia (RR = 1.90, 95% CI 1.39–2.61, p > 0.001) and less likely to have urinary NTS isolation (RR = 0.50, 95% CI 0.28–0.89, p = 0.018). Serotype Virchow had the highest incidence in patients <10 years of age, while serotype Enteritidis had the highest incidence in patients ≥60 years old. The study revealed a complex effect of patients’ age and sex on the epidemiology of extraintestinal NTS manifestations.     

Cyclooxygenase-2 expression in esophageal epithelium before and after photodynamic therapy for Barrett's esophagus with high-grade dysplasia or intramucosal carcinoma

Cyclooxygenase-2 expression is upregulated in Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma. Photodynamic therapy using porfimer sodium can result in ablation of dysplasia and intramucosal carcinoma, eradication of Barrett’s esophagus, and restitution of squamous epithelium. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of photodynamic therapy on cyclooxygenase-2 expression in esophageal epithelium. Paired pre- and post-photodynamic therapy biopsy samples from the same anatomical levels of 20 individuals who had undergone photodynamic therapy for Barrett’s esophagus with high-grade dysplasia and/or intramucosal carcinoma were immunostained using a cyclooxygenase-2 monoclonal antibody. Cyclooxygenase-2 expression was graded in squamous epithelium, Barrett’s esophagus, and neoplasia (if present) as follows: grade 0 (no staining), grade 1 (staining in 1–10% of cells), grade 2 (staining in 11–90% of cells), and grade 3 (staining in >90% of cells). Pre-photodynamic therapy median cyclooxygenase-2 expression was grade 2 (range 1–3) in neoplastic foci and grade 1 (range 1–3) in nondysplastic Barrett’s esophagus (P = 0.0009 for pairwise comparison). With the exception of a few cells staining in the basal epithelial layers, median cyclooxygenase-2 expression was graded as 0 (similar to controls) in both pre-photodynamic therapy squamous epithelium and post-photodynamic therapy neosquamous epithelium. This was significantly lower when compared to either neoplastic foci (P < 0.0001) or nondysplastic Barrett’s esophagus (P < 0.0001) pre-photodynamic therapy. Notably, in four patients with post-photodynamic therapy recurrent neoplasia, cyclooxygenase-2 expression returned to elevated levels. Cyclooxygenase-2 expression is elevated in Barrett’s esophagus with high-grade dysplasia or intramucosal carcinoma prior to photodynamic therapy. Following successful photodynamic therapy, cyclooxygenase-2 expression in neosquamous epithelium returns to a low baseline level similar to that observed in native esophageal squamous epithelium. Post-photodynamic therapy neoplastic recurrence is associated with elevated cyclooxygenase-2 expression. Prospective studies should determine whether cyclooxygenase inhibitors have a role as adjuvant therapy to prevent recurrence of Barrett’s esophagus following endoscopic therapy.     

Roller organ cultures of the retina from postnatal rats

Whole retinas of 2–14-day-old rats were cultured in a roller device for 2–14 days. Floating retinas of 7–14-day-old rats formed hole spheroid structures (spheroids) with the wall completely retaining the linear structure and layer-by-layer cellular and fibrous architecture, including the outer nuclear, outer plexiform, inner nuclear, inner plexiform layers, layers of ganglion cells and nerve fibers. The retina obtained at earlier terms of development often formed folds, with pyknotic nuclei of dead neurons in their deep compartments. In organ cultures of the retina isolated from rats at early postnatal periods, rosettes were formed in sites of local injury to the outer nuclear layer and pigmented epithelium. Roller organ cultures can be used for in vitro studies of the development and experimental diseases of the retina. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 142, No. 10, pp. 471–474, October, 2006     

Comparison of antiarrhythmic activities of rihlocaine and lidocaine

In different models of arrhythmia, the local anesthetic rihlocaine (rinocaine) exhibits a higher (or comparable) antiarrhythmic activity and therapeutic spectrum than that of lidocaine. Antiarrhythmic activity of rihlocaine may be associated with its effect on sodium and, to a greater extent, on calcium channels. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 122, No. 11, pp. 517–520, November, 1996     

Characterization of formation and trace rhythm reproduction by rabbit hippocampal neurons during early and late ontogeny

The formation and reproduction of memory traces by hippocampal neurons were studied and a relationship between the number of presented series of periodical electrocutaneous stimulation and degree of trace acquisition of the rhythm, on the one hand, and rabbit age (6–30 days, 1, 4–5, and 7 years), on the other, was detected. The hippocampus of 6–7-day and 7-year-old rabbits is characterized by low neuron activity and inability to trace acquisition of rhythm. The pulse frequency and trace acquisition of the rhythm in animals aged 8–14 days and 4–5 years (middle age) formed slower than in adult animals (after 2–4 stimulation series on days 2–4 of experiment) and could not be reproduced on the next day without reminding. In rabbits aged 25–30 days and 1 year the basal activity reached the optimum level and trace acquisition of rhythm was observed after 1–2 series on days 1–2 of experiment and was reproduced without reminding on the next day. The detected physiological stages are in good correlation with the morphochemical organization of the rabbit hippocampus at the stages of early and late ontogeny. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 143, No. 3, pp. 254–257, March, 2007     

Inflammatory degeneration of joint tissue in adjuvant arthritis after intraarticular treatment with the mixture of silver drug and nicotinic acid

Combination intraarticular administration of Poviargol (0.5 mg/kg) and nicotinic acid (1.0 mg/kg) reduced symptoms of local and general inflammation in rats with adjuvant arthritis. We revealed a decrease in morphological signs of inflammatory degeneration of joint tissue and reduction of metabolic disorders. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 140, No. 12, pp. 655–657, December, 2005     

Effect of peroxynitrite on mechanical properties of human erythrocyte membranes

Atomic force microscopy showed that treatment of human whole blood with peroxynitrite modified local mechanical and physical characteristics of erythrocyte membranes, specifically, increased their rigidity. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 143, No. 2, pp. 227–230, February, 2007     

Experimental evidence on metasympathetic nervous mechanisms of asthma

Electrical activity from tracheal and bronchial smooth muscles, either spontaneous or induced by transmural electrical stimulation of muscles and nerves, was recorded in experiments with local anesthetics, ganglioblockers, and biologically active substances (histamine and vasoactive intestinal peptide). A hypothesis on mechanisms the underlying genesis of asthmatic state was formulated. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii I Meditsiny, Vol. 126, No. 7, pp. 20–24, July, 1998     

Effect of radioprotector indralin on carboplatinum hemotoxicity

A decrease in carboplatinum hemotoxicity was detected in experiments on C57Bl mice treated with the drug in combination with indralin (urgent radioprotector). Carboplatinum in a dose of 125 mg/kg, injected intraperitoneally, caused 80–100% death; the median term of death was 6 days (3–17). Single oral dose of indralin (100 mg/kg) during the 1st min or 15 min after carboplatinum injection (125 mg/kg) increased animal survival by 40.0–46.7% by day 20 of the experiment primarily during the period of manifest hemotoxicity (days 7–17), indralin injected 1, 2, or 4 h after carboplatinum exhibited no chemoprotective effect. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 141, No. 4, pp. 422–424, April, 2006     

Sex hormone-binding globulin, serum testosterone, and androgen receptors in the skin in papulopustular and conglobata forms of acne vulgaris

It is shown that in 14–20- and 21–28-year-old men two clinical forms of acne vulgaris, papulopustular acne and acne conglobata are related to the disturbances in androgenic status. Translated fromByulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 123, No. 2, pp. 188–191, February, 1997     

Non-Invasive Biomechanical Evaluation of Implanted Human Cryopreserved Arterial Homografts

Native vessels–grafts biomechanical mismatch (BM) is related to graft failure. The BM could be reduced using human cryopreserved/defrosted arteries (cryografts), but post-thaw cryografts’ recovery could be associated with an impaired biomechanical behavior. In vitro, we demonstrated that our cryopreservation methods do not affect arteries’ biomechanics, but only post-implant studies would allow determining the cryografts’ biomechanical performance. Aim To characterize the biomechanical properties of implanted cryografts, and to compare them with cryografts pre-implant, recipients’ native arteries, and arteries from subjects with characteristics similar to those of the recipients and multiorgan donors (MOD) whose arteries were cryopreserved. Methods Native femoral arteries anastomosed to cryografts, implanted cryografts, and arteries from subjects, recipient-like and MOD-like, were studied. In vitro (pre-implant cryografts) and in vivo non-invasive studies were performed. Arterial pressure, diameter, and wall thickness were obtained to quantify local and regional biomechanical parameters, and to evaluate the arterial remodeling. Conclusion Implanted cryografts were remodeled, with an increased wall thickness, wall-to-lumen ratio, and wall cross-sectional area. The proximal–distal gradual transition in stiffness remained unchanged. Implanted cryografts were stiffer than MOD-like arteries, but more compliant than recipients’ arteries. The cryografts–native arteries biomechanical differences were lesser than those described for venous grafts or expanded polytetrafluoroethylene.     

Effect of experimental litter reduction in female rats on parameters of brain and endocrine gland development in the progeny

We studied the relationship between parameters of brain development, elevated plusmaze behavior, and the status of the endocrine glands in the progeny of 4.5–5-and 8–9-month-old females after litter reduction by removal of one uterine tube. The progeny of young experimental females differed from the progeny of control animals by brain weight (at the age of 1 day), morphometrical characteristics of the cortex and its neurons, activity of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in the adrenal cortex (at the age of 1 and 40 days), and behavioral reactions in the elevated plus-maze (at the age of 30 days). The differences in these parameters between the progeny from old females with experimentally reduced litter size and control females were significantly less pronounced. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 143, No. 3, pp. 349–353, March, 2007     

Generation of free oxygen radicals and clastogenesis in bone marrow cells in MRL/1 mice

The level of chemiluminescence induced by phorbol myristate acetate or opsonized zymosan in the bone marrow cells of 5–6-month-old male MRL/1 mice is significantly higher than that in the same cells of 1–2-month-old mice. The number of chromosome aberrations induced by the prooxidant mutagen dioxydine in bone marrow cellsin vivo is significantly higher in 5–6-month-old MRL/1 mice than in 1–2-month-old mice. It is suggested that these effects are more pronounced in 5–6-month-old animals due to progressive development of rheumatic pathology in this mouse strain. Translated fromByulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 123, No. 1, pp. 22–25, January, 1997     

Outcome of hospitalized MDR-TB patients: Israel 2000–2005

MDR-TB has emerged in Israel following an immigrations wave from the Former Soviet Union (FSU) and Ethiopia. The purpose of this study was to outline characteristics and outcome of hospitalized MDR-TB patients. We retrospectively summarized charts of MDR-TB patients hospitalized in the national referral tuberculosis centers from January 2000 to December 2005, and followed them for 2 years. One hundred thirty-two patients were identified with a median age of 40 years and male predominance (77%). The majority of the patients were immigrants from FSU (83%) and Ethiopia (7.6%). They were characterized by alcohol (25.8%) and IV drug abuse (23.5%), presented with advanced disease manifested by hypoalbuminemia (50.8%) and smear positivity (70.5%). Cure was achieved in 50.3% and 30.4% died. Factors independently associated with death were patients’ age (OR = 1.036 for each year, 95%CI 1.0–1.1, p = 0.014), hypoalbuminemia (OR = 2.95, 95%CI 1.1–7.6, p = 0.025), smear positivity at diagnosis (OR = 3.7, 95%CI 1.2–11.4, p = 0.023), alcohol abuse (OR = 4.8, 95%CI 1.7–13.7, p = 0.004) and XDR-TB resistance pattern (OR 8.3, 95%CI 1.5–44.6, p = 0.014). This study brings out the poor prognosis of a highly vulnerable immigration population. Efforts should be focused on earlier diagnosis and treatment in a well controlled hospital environment and to professional support groups to attend to this population’s special needs.     

Effect of atropine,propranolol, and atenolol on wave structure of heart rate oscillations in rats

Were studied the effects of atropine and β-adrenoblockers on the power of very low (<0.25 Hz), low (0.25–0.70 Hz), and high frequency (0.7–1.8 Hz) waves of the heart rhythm in wakeful rats. Atropine reduced the power of all waves in 100% cases. Propranolol on average decreased the power of very low frequency waves and increased the power of low and high frequency waves, although opposite effects were observed in many cases. Atenolol produced similar effects. Some animals demonstrated spontaneous moderation of respiratory rate to a level corresponding to low-frequency oscillations of the heart rhythm accompanied by elevation of the relative power of low frequency waves. Inconsistency of the effects of β-adrenoblockers in rats can be related to variability of sympathetic tone and spontaneous deceleration of respiration with the corresponding changes of low frequency waves. Augmentation of the high frequency waves during application of β-adrenoblockers is not related to their action on CNS. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 145, No. 4, pp. 364–367, April, 2008