Identification of individual antigenic epitopes of the envelope protein in the tick-borne encephalitis virus using monoclonal antibodies]

A variant analysis of virus antigens of tick-borne encephalitis complex was carried out by enzyme immunoassays and topographic mapping of this protein using a panel of monoclonal antibodies to the structural glycoprotein of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus of the Far East subtype. The results of the study confirmed the existence on the structural protein of both identical determinants typical of all the antigens of the complex and of subgroup-specific determinants. The topological analysis of the epitopes binding monoclonal antibodies revealed 3 separate domains possessing different functional properties. The results of topological mapping and immune typing of TBE virus antigen were compared.     

Effect of shunt surgery on spleen size, portal pressure and oesophageal varices in patients with non-cirrhotic portal hypertension

Shunt surgery is considered to be the treatment of choice in patients with non-cirrhotic portal hypertension. There is little data on the effect of side-to-side lieno-renal (SSLR) shunt on oesophageal variceal size, splenic size and splenic pulp pressure (SPP) in patients with non-cirrhotic portal hypertension. We evaluated pre- and postoperatively endoscopic grading of varices, splenic size and SPP for predicting shunt patency in 86 patients with non-cirrhotic portal hypertension: 56 with extrahepatic portal venous obstruction (EHPVO) and 30 with non-cirrhotic portal fibrosis (NCPF). The EHPVO patients with patent shunts (n= 47) showed significant reduction in SPP (pre-operative 43.56±7.9 vs postoperative 29.96±7.7 cm of saline), splenic size (6.5±2.8 vs 4.00±2.6 cm below costal margin) and varices grades (2.96±0.5 vs 0.92±0.8). Patients with blocked shunt (n= 9) did not show significant reduction in SPP and varices grades. However, there was reduction in spleen size (8.6±3.0 vs 6.3±4.3). In the NCPF group, 28 had patent shunts and showed significant reduction in SPP (46.3±13.5 vs 33.8±7.6 cm of saline), splenic size (9.1±3.3 vs 6.8±4.6 cm below costal margin) and varices grades (2.8±0.7 vs 1.05±0.96). As only two patients with NCPF had blocked shunts, no statistical comparison between patients with patent and patients with blocked shunts could be done. In conclusion, following SSLR, there is a significant reduction in SPP and varices grades in patients with patent shunts. Endoscopic grading of varices can be used to predict shunt patency. However, spleen size is not a good criteria for predicting shunt patency.     

Sertoli-Leydig cell tumour in an infertile patient after stimulated ovulation

A 36 year-old infertile female developed a stage IV (FIGO) ovarian carcinoma consisting of a poorly differentiated Sertoli-Leydig cell tumour after receiving one course of ovulation induction with follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG) and human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) followed by gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogue (GnRHa). The patient died of liver metastasis and hepatic failure 4 1/2 months after first diagnosis, despite aggressive treatment consisting of debulking surgery and aggressive adjuvant chemotherapy.      

Endogenous intoxication parameters in the assessment of a risk for pneumonias in acute azaleptin intoxications

In cases of acute azaleptin poisoning (AAP), the parameters of endogenous intoxication (EI) were studied in patients both with complicated pneumonias and without them. The integral EI index endogenous intoxication coefficient (Cei) was developed, which simultaneously reflects the coupling capacity of albumin of hydrophilic toxins and lipid peroxidation products: Cei (MMWP x MDA/EAC) x 1000, where MMWP is medium molecular-weight peptides; MDA is malonic dialdehyde; EAC is the effective albumin concentration. The use of Cei significantly enhances the efficiency of diagnosis of early-stage EI and provides a more objective assessment of therapy in AAP patients. EI is more severe when poisoning is concurrent with complicated pneumonias. Cei is of informative value in the assessment of a risk for pneumonias in AAP, which may be used in various emergencies accompanied by EI.     

Specific features of hygienic standardization of noise in Metro

There are various harmful physical factors in the passenger and work premises of the Moscow underground. Noise is the most common harmful factor. The normative documents regulating noise in the underground were found to have discrepancies, which in practice makes it difficult to define whether the level of the sound is in compliance with the existing specifications and hence to determine effective actions made to mitigate its negative impact on the underground passengers and personnel.     

The use of ultraviolet-irradiated plasma in the treatment of peritonitis

Intravenous infusion of the one-group lyophilized donor plasma irradiated with ultraviolet rays was included in the complex treatment of 43 patients with acute purulent peritonitis. The species-specific composition of the microflora was studied in the different groups of patients according to the cause of peritonitis and the degree of microbial contamination of the purulent wounds in patients treated with and without ultraviolet plasma irradiation (UVPI). For prognosticating the course and outcome of the disease the authors used a complex of indices linked with the manifestation of neutrophil bactericidal activity and the level of exogenous intoxication. A positive effect of UVPI in the management of acute purulent appendicitis was noted, which was confirmed by clinical and microbiological tests.