Effect of prolonged electrical stimulation of the head of the caudate nucleus on secretory reflexes to food in dogs

Neuroscience and Behavioral Physiology -     

Placement of Umbilical Artery Catheters High vs. Low

Placement of umbilical artery catheters was retrospectively reviewed in 181 newborns to evaluate random placement of catheter tip in the "high" position between T₇ and T₉ in the thoracic aorta of 127 infants and in the "low" position below 4 in the abdominal aorta of 54 infants. Group differences in gestational age, asphyxia, hypotension, respiratory disease, duration of catheterization, or infusate type were not significant. Cyanosis or blanching in the low extremities occurred in 67% of the "low" group and 21% of the "high" group ( P < .001). Hematuria occurred in 39% of the "low" group and 21% of the "high" group ( P < .05). High placement appears to have fewer complications. Prompt intervention by neonatal nurse practitioners can help reverse complications that occur during umbilical artery catheterizations.     

Role of a transforming growth factor beta-1 in regulation of invasive growth of prostatic adenocarcinoma

Immunohistochemical study of histological sections and immunochemical study in supernatants of primary cultures demonstrated a marked increase of the factor production in the regions of the background changes outside foci of carcinoma invasive growth. There was no difference in the type of expression of TGFbeta-I and TGFbeta-II receptors in morphologically different regions of the tumour. TGFbeta-I is considered as a principal factor that mediates hyperplastic reaction of the stroma in prostatic adenocarcinoma outside the zones of invasive growth. Formation of reactive stroma, in the authors' opinion, plays the role of a defensive mechanism hindering invasion of tumour cells into the connective tissue and its progression.     

Phase I-II trial of gene therapy with tag-7 modified autologous tumor cells in patients with metastatic solid tumors

A prospective (phase I-II) trial was undertaken to study the efficacy and toxicity of gene therapy with tag 70-modified autologous tumor cells in 32 patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RC) (5) and melanoma (MBL) (27) treated at the Institute's Clinic (2001-2003). Resected material was reduced to cell culture, which was transfected with tag 70 gene and devitalized by irradiation. Immune blotting was used for gene expression. Clinical and immunological effectiveness was evaluated in 22 patients (MBL--17 and RC--5) who received 1-6 injections (3 on the average). Full course of vaccination was given to 8 (MBL--6 and RC--2). No complete or partial response was reported while least regression (50%) was registered in a case of RC metastatic to the lung. According to CT and ultrasound evidence, stabilization was achieved in 5 (23.8%) (MBL--4 and RC--1). Relapse-free period was 6.5+/-3.5 months beginning from the start of treatment. The vaccine was well tolerated while DHT reaction was observed in 47.6% (10 out of 17) of primary immunized patients. A trend of increased content of T- and B-cells in peripheral blood and intensified functional activity was established.     

Effect of eiconol enriched with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on rat behavior and alcohol motivation

We evaluated the effect of eiconol containing polyunsaturated fatty acids on the behavior and alcohol motivation in rats. Administration of eiconol for 10 days to alcoholized rats against the background of ethanol deprivation produced a sustained suppression of alcohol motivation and corrected deprivation-specific behavior.