Clinical-and-pathophysiological prerequisites of impaired breathing and ensuring of safety in drug-induced depression of consciousness

Seventy-three patients operated on under anesthesia based on regional blocks were examined. Thiopental-sodium (T; n = 29), myadozalam (M; n = 10) and propofol (P; n = 24) were used for sedation. The conditions of breathing and of gas exchange were evaluated by the findings of pneumotachography: V(peak insp), P(peak insp), P(100) Raw, breathing pattern, SpO2, PEtCO2 and EMG from mouth-diagram muscles. The obtained results were made use of to draw up a rating scale for impaired breathing, which is based on the respiratory volume and respiration rate of gas exchange as well as on different variations of respiratory support. Irrespective of a sedation type and of a degree of consciousness suppression, the impaired breathing was registered in 90-100% of cases: obstruction of the respiratory tracts was predominant in T (higher Raw); in M--depression of the respiratory center (lower P(100); in P--a pronouncedly lower of EMG, and, respectively, a weakened contraction of diaphragm (lower P(peak insp)). Depression of the respiratory center was found to occur irrespectively of a drug used in sedation, however, the mechanisms of obstruction were different: in T--impaired breathing; in M--impaired phase muscle activity. Sedation by P was not accompanied by any clinically valuable obstructive signs.     

Determination of the efficiency of registration of X-ray diagnostic systems by visually detected minimal radiation contrast

Described in the paper is a relatively simple method for the determination of the efficiency of registration of X-ray diagnostic systems by the whole tract of transformation of radiation contrast from the spot of contrast-sensitivity test to the visual registration of image. It is just enough to have the contrast sensitivity test and to measure the dose at test location. On the basis of the visually registered minimal contrast the efficiency of registration of a diagnostic system is evaluated by the radiation-contrast parameter. The suggested method can be used at handover tests and in testing the X-ray systems during their exploitation.     

Arbidol used in the prophylaxis of acute respiratory viral infections and their complications in servicemen

The prophylactic action of arbidol to prevent the acute respiratory viral infections and their complications (extra-hospital pneumonia) was studied under conditions of two military collectives during winter and summer time. The data obtained confirm the prophylactic activity of the drug in respect of ARVI. Regardless of the degree of disease epidemic rise among the servicemen who didn't take arbitol the minimal threshold of grippe and other ARVI incidence (10-15%) remained in the experimental group. The incidence of pneumonia decreased. It was connected with decrease in viral-and-bacterial pneumonia. The number of patients with bacterial (generally pneumococcal) pneumonia didn't change.     

Quantitative analysis of human immunoregulatory cytokines by electrochemiluminescence method

Quantitative analysis of human immunoregulatory cytokines in physiological media and cell cultures plays an important role in fundamental and clinical research. Here we describe the quantification of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-10 and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in human serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC)-conditioned medium by electrochemiluminescence method (ECL). We demonstrate that this approach allows to detect cytokine concentration from 1 pg/ml. The high sensitivity in combination with accuracy and wide range of determined concentration indicates that ECL meets the standards of quantitative analysis of cytokines. Simplicity and short time of procedure, small assay volume and high reproducibility make ECL method competitive in practical use with conventional quantitative methods of cytokine detection.     

The application of an impulse plasma jet for trauma of the liver

The authors made an analysis of the application of a plasma jet with the help of an apparatus of original construction used for treatment of wounds of the liver in 36 patients. This apparatus has a number of advantages as compared with others. The plasma jet gives a reliable homostasis and minimum heat injuries to the liver tissues.     

Towards retrievable vascularized bioartificial pancreas: induction and long-lasting stability of polymeric mesh implant vascularized with the help of acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors and hydrogel coating

We seek to improve existing methodologies for allogenic grafting of pancreatic islets. The lack of success of encapsulated transplanted islets inside the peritoneal cavity is presently attributed to poor vascularization of the implant. A thick, fibrotic capsule often surrounds the graft, limiting survival. We have tested the hypothesis that neovascularization of the graft material can be induced by the addition of proper angiogenic factors embedded within a polymeric coat. Biocompatible and nonresorbable meshes coated with hydrophilic polymers were implanted in rats and harvested after 1-, 6-, and 12-week intervals. The implant response was assessed by histological observations on the degree of vascularity, fibrosis, and inflammation. Macrostructural geometry of meshes was conducive to tissue ingrowth into the interstitial space between the mesh filaments. Hydrogel coating with incorporated acidic or basic FGF in an electrostatic complex with polyelectrolytes and/or with heparin provided a sustained slow release of the angiogenic growth factor. Anti-factor VIII and anti-collagen type IV antibodies and a GSL I-B4 lectin were used to measure the extent of vascularization. Vigorous and persistent vascularization radiated several hundred microns from the implant. The level of vascularization should provide a sufficient diffusion of nutrients and oxygen to implanted islets. Based on our observations, stable vascularization may require a sustained angiogenic signal to allow for the development of a permanent implant structure.     

Clinical significance of the determination of R-proteins in the ejaculate of patients with chronic prostatitis

Products of cell receptor (R-proteins) catabolic lysis were measured in ejaculate of 121 patients with chronic prostatitis and 15 healthy males. R-protein levels were higher in the patients (U = 172.5; p = 0.047). When immunological indices of the ejaculate (IgA, sIgA, IgG, IgM, interleukin-8) were measured, it was found that in patients with chronic prostatitis there is a positive correlation between concentration of interleukin-8 and content of R-proteins (r = 0.43; p = 0.028). Positive correlation also exists between R-protein content and prostate volume (r = 0.24; p = 0.034) while negative one--between R-proteins concentration and size of the hypoechogenic sites in the prostate (r = -0.25; p = 0.039), between R-proteins in the ejaculate and serum level of fibrinogen B (r = -0.25; p = 0.021). It is inferred that elevation of ejaculate R-protein level occurs in alteration of the prostate. The test for R-proteins in ejaculate can be helpful in detection of early stages of chronic prostatitis.