Seasonal aspects of the oxidative stress in Northeners]

Evaluated were consequences of changes in oxygen demand, bronchial conduction, exercise performance, functioning of antioxidant enzymes and body provision with natural oxidants for the level of free-radical oxidation products in human organism. To this end, a group of essentially healthy young male northerners spending much time outdoors was surveyed over a one-year period. Among the listed parameters oxidation of free radicals was particularly sensitive to seasonal insufficiency of some of the antioxidant enzymes.     

Determining the level of the rheumatoid factor associated with polyclonal and monoclonal human serum IgA

The authors studied the activity of the rheumatoid factor (RF) associated with polyclonal and monoclonal IgA contained in the sera of patients with chronic diseases of noninfectious etiology and A-paraproteinemia. IgA-RF-activity was determined by an enzyme immunoassay. In most of the patients' sera IgA had a high level of RF-activity. The frequency of RF-activity detection did not depend on the level of polyclonal IgA but correlated with the level of monoclonal serum IgA. During a study of the chromatographic fractions of sera containing monoclonal IgA, RF-activity was mainly revealed in the fraction of IgA polymers; IgA monomers forming the bulk of serum IgA, demonstrated no RF-activity. The inclination of curves reflecting the correlation between the level of IgA-RF and dilutions of tested sera made it possible to assess function of the affinity of such molecules which was growing with an increase in IgA molecular mass.     

Analysis of antibody reactivities toward self antigens of IgM of patients with Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia

By using a quantitative immunoblotting technique, we have analyzed the repertoires of antibody reactivities of IgM directed toward self antigens in the serum of patients with Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (WM) and in the serum of healthy adults. Monoclonal IgM of patients with WM expressed various degrees of polyreactivity and a high degree of heterogeneity with regard to the number and the nature of the protein bands that were recognized in homologous tissue extracts. Heterogeneous patterns of reactivity of WM IgM contrasted with the conserved profiles of reactivity of IgM in the serum of healthy blood donors. Protein bands that were recognized by WM IgM belonged to the restricted set of self antigens recognized in homologous tissues by normal polyclonal IgM, indicating the absence of a disease-specific reactivity profile of monoclonal WM IgM. Thus, monoclonal IgM that is present in large amounts in WM distorts the homogeneous pattern of reactivity of natural antibodies with self antigens which characterizes the natural antibody repertoire of healthy individuals.      

Characteristics of toxoplasmosis-induced myocarditis in experimental peroral infection

In oral infection with cysts and oocysts of strain 131 Toxoplasma gondii, specific interstitial productive myocarditis with involvement of the endo- and pericardium developed in albino mice and guinea pigs in the acute stage of the process. Toxoplasmic myocarditis terminated in focal cardiosclerosis. The intensity of cardiac affection was higher in oral infection with toxoplasm oocysts than in infection with cysts than in infection with cysts. Unabating persistence of toxoplasms in the myocardium of the infected animals after subsidence of acute inflammatory phenomena was revealed (cysts in the myocardium).     

Praziquantel Efficacy Increased Using Mechanical Technology and Supramolecular Targeted Delivery System for Treatment of Cestodiasis

Pharmaceutical Chemistry Journal - Various samples of praziquantel (PZQ) with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate (SDS) with increased aqueous solubility and efficacy...     

The transition from fetus to neonate – an endocrine perspective

Gluckman PD, Sizonenko SV, Bassett NS. The transition from fetus to neonate - an endocrine perspective. Acta Pædiatr 1999; Suppl 428: 7–11. Stockholm. ISSN 0803–5326
The transition from fetus to neonate involves three phases: late gestation, parturition and the processes needed to establish independent homoeostatic regulation after separation from the placenta. These phases are regulated by a series of fetal and placental endocrine events. Glucocorticoids have an important role in the preparation for birth, including involvement in lung and cardiac development, and the maturation of enzymes in a variety of pathways. Fetal Cortisol production is, in turn, also under hormonal control. Parturition is a complex process, which is still poorly understood in humans. The final steps are largely dependent on the effect of prostaglandin F_2α on the myometrium associated with increased oxytocin activity. The transition to birth is accompanied by changes in respiration, circulation, glucose homoeostasis, and the onset of independent oral feeding and thermoregulation. Several examples of endocrine components of the transition from fetal to neonatal life are reviewed here: the role of prostanoids, the onset of thermogenesis, and changes in the thyroid hormone and growth hormone axes. The effects of hormone levels on prematurity and growth retardation are also discussed. □ Birth transition, fetus, gestation, hormonal control, neonate, parturition