Sensitization of MCF-7 breast cancer cells to the apoptotic effect of estradiol

A new substrain of hormone-resistant MCF-7/T breast cancer cells was selected after long-term culturing of estrogen-dependent MCF-7 cells in the presence of tamoxifen. These cells were resistant to the growth-stimulating and cytostatic effects of estradiol and tamoxifen, respectively. MCF-7/T cells gained paradoxical sensitivity to the apoptotic effect of estradiol. Estradiol stimulated p53 expression and decreased DNA-binding activity of NF-κB. Our findings provide indirect evidence that these proteins are involved in the regulation of estrogen-induced apoptosis. These results indicate that tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer cells can be sensitized to the apoptotic effect of estradiol. The data form a basis for the development of new methods of endocrine therapy for breast cancer patients. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 141, No. 3, pp. 334–337, March, 2006     

Are Hamsters a Suitable Model for Evaluating the Immunogenicity of RBD-Based Anti-COVID-19 Subunit Vaccines?

Currently, SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor-binding-domain (RBD)-based vaccines are considered one of the most effective weapons against COVID-19. During the first step of assessing vaccine immunogenicity, a mouse model is often used. In this paper, we tested the use of five experimental animals (mice, hamsters, rabbits, ferrets, and chickens) for RBD immunogenicity assessments. The humoral immune response was evaluated by ELISA and virus-neutralization assays. The data obtained show hamsters to be the least suitable candidates for RBD immunogenicity testing and, hence, assessing the protective efficacy of RBD-based vaccines.     

(+)-Usnic Acid and Its Derivatives as Inhibitors of a Wide Spectrum of SARS-CoV-2 Viruses

In order to test the antiviral activity, a series of usnic acid derivatives were synthesized, including new, previously undescribed compounds. The activity of the derivatives against three strains of SARS-CoV-2 virus was studied. To understand the mechanism of antiviral action, the inhibitory activity of the main protease of SARS-CoV-2 virus was studied using the developed model as well as the antiviral activity against the pseudoviral system with glycoprotein S of SARS-CoV-2 virus on its surface. It was shown that usnic acid exhibits activity against three strains of SARS-CoV-2 virus: Wuhan, Delta, and Omicron. Compounds 10 and 13 also showed high activity against the three strains. The performed biological studies and molecular modeling allowed us to assume that the derivatives of usnic acid bind in the N-terminal domain of the surface glycoprotein S at the binding site of the hemoglobin decay metabolite.     

Experience in the use of epidural anesthesia in a multi-profile hospital

The article analyses the experience of the use of 14,634 epidural anesthesia procedures in a city multi-profile hospital. The authors express their ideas on the use of epidural anesthesia with opiates and local analgesics as one of the anesthetic techniques in the operative and postoperative periods. All the complications and adverse events of epidural anesthesia are thoroughly analysed, with the number indicated somewhat lower than in other articles by Soviet authors. Ways of decreasing the frequency of complications are suggested and wider use of the technique is recommended.     

Immobilization of the limb after surgical treatment of habitual shoulder dislocation]

The authors, on the basis of 20-years experience of treatment of patients with habitual dislocations of the shoulder by the method of tenosuspension, analyse the causes of postoperative recurrencies with the aid of biomechanical, electrophysiologic and roentgenologic methods. There is suggested an expediency of limb immobilization in the post-operative period by means of Dezault's bandage.