Peritoneal endotoxicosis,morphology, and morphogenesis of biosystem involvement in experimental animals

Experimental acute peritonitis was induced by single and repeated injections of 1.5–3% fecal autosuspension in the abdominal cavity of white rats. The blood content of medium-weight molecular proteins, which increases 1.5-2-fold during the course of entry of toxic products into the blood over 1–3 days, was measured. Examination of the vascular system and parenchymatous elements of many organs helped reveal three morphogenetic mechanisms of their injury: hyperfunction of cells, followed by their depletion and death; the direct action of toxic products on membranous structures of cells due to severe impairment of the histohematic barrier at the level of the microcirculation; the destructive effect of hypoxia due to the development of the disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 118, N ^o 12, pp. 636–639, December, 1994 Presented by D. S. Sarkisov, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Antiproliferative effects of natural interferon beta alone and in combination with natural interferon gamma on human breast carcinomas in nude mice

Summary Nude mice bearing bilateral xenografts of human breast carcinoma cells (MCF-7 and BT20) were treated with 2 or 4 5-day cycles of intralesional (i.l.) injections of human natural interferon beta (nIFN-) alone or in combination with human natural interferon gamma (nIFN-). The injections were administered to only 1 of the 2 tumors in each animal, thus making it possible to assess at the same time local therapeutic effects in the injected tumors and systemic effects in the contralateral ones. When n-IFN- was used as a single agent only mild local antitumor effects and virtually no systemic effects were observed. In contrast, the combined administration of nIFN-/nIFN- produced marked antiproliferative effects, presumably as a result of the synergistic action of type I and type II IFNs. These effects ranged from complete regression documented histologically in 2 MCF-7 tumors to varying degrees of growth inhibition with persistence of residual microscopic or grossly detectable tumor. Local effects were more pronounced than systemic effects. The therapeutic efficacy of nIFN- proved to be greater than that of recombinant interferon beta (rIFN-). In MCF-7 tumors nIFN- appeared to be less effective than nIFN-, whereas the opposite was true for BT 20 tumors.     

Clinical involvement in daughters of men with fragile X‐associated tremor ataxia syndrome

Chonchaiya W, Nguyen DV, Au J, Campos L, Berry‐Kravis EM, Lohse K, Mu Y, Utari A, Hervey C, Wang L, Sorensen P, Cook K, Gane L, Tassone F, Hagerman RJ. Clinical involvement in daughters of men with fragile X‐associated tremor ataxia syndrome. Women with the fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) premutation often have concerns about neurological and medical problems, as they become older and if their fathers experience fragile X‐associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS). We therefore determined the prevalence of these problems in 110 daughters of men with FXTAS [mean age of 44.8 years (SD 8.2)]. We compared them with 43 female controls with normal FMR1 alleles [mean age of 43.8 years (SD 8.1)] and 36 premutation carrier daughters of parents with the premutation, but without FXTAS [mean age of 43.5 years (SD 7.7)]. Overall, daughters of men with FXTAS have a higher prevalence of neurological symptoms including tremor, balance problems, memory problems, and dizziness, menopausal symptoms, and psychiatric involvement including sleep problems and anxiety when compared with non‐carrier female controls. Reported balance problems and menopausal symptoms were significantly higher in daughters of men with FXTAS than in carrier daughters of parents without FXTAS, suggesting the potential influence of background gene effects. Therefore, neurological, psychological and gynecological surveillance should be warranted to better provide appropriate counseling, management and care for daughters of men with FXTAS. Biological markers of additional gene effects that predispose individuals with the premutation to FXTAS need to be developed.     

Membrane bistability in thalamic reticular neurons during spindle oscillations

The thalamic reticular (RE) nucleus is a major source of inhibition in the thalamus. It plays a crucial role in regulating the excitability of thalamocortical networks and in generating some sleep rhythms. Current-clamp intracellular recordings of RE neurons in cats under barbiturate anesthesia revealed the presence of membrane bistability in approximately 20% of neurons. Bistability consisted of two alternate membrane potentials, separated by approximately 17-20 mV. While non-bistable (common) RE neurons fired rhythmic spike-bursts during spindles, bistable RE neurons fired tonically, with burst modulation, throughout spindle sequences. Bistability was strongly voltage dependent and only expressed under resting conditions (i.e. no current injection). The transition from the silent to the active state was a regenerative event that could be activated by brief depolarization, whereas brief hyperpolarizations could switch the membrane potential from the active to the silent state. These effects outlasted the current pulses. Corticothalamic stimulation could also switch the membrane potential from silent to active states. Addition of QX-314 in the recording micropipette either abolished or disrupted membrane bistability, suggesting I(Na(p)) to be responsible for its generation. Thalamocortical cells presented various patterns of spindling that reflected the membrane bistability in RE neurons. Finally, experimental data and computer simulations predicted a role for RE neurons' membrane bistability in inducing various patterns of spindling in target thalamocortical cells. We conclude that membrane bistability of RE neurons is an intrinsic property, likely generated by I(Na(p)) and modulated by cortical influences, as well as a factor that determines different patterns of spindle rhythms in thalamocortical neurons.     

Results of a multicenter trial of serenoa repens extract (permixon) in patients with chronic abacterial prostatitis

Chronic prostatitis (CP) morbidity now makes up 8 to 35% in males aged 20-40 years (N.A. Lopatkin et al., 1998; O.L. Tiktinsky, 1999). In general population CP incidence rate is 5 to 8% (J.C. Nickel, 1999). Phytotherapy is now widely practiced in CP. A multicenter trial conducted by the authors demonstrates high efficacy ofpermixon in the treatment of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. The results of 6-month follow-up are presented.     

Cytotoxic Activity of Peripheral Blood NK Cells towards Trophoblast Cells during Pregnancy

Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine - We evaluated cytotoxic activity of peripheral blood NK cells towards trophoblast cells. NK cells either isolated or in the composition of mononuclear...     

The joint use of hemosorption and plasmapheresis in the combined treatment of rheumatoid arthritis patients]

AIM: Assessment of hemopheresis effects on calcium-regulating and immune systems, clinical and laboratory activity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hemosorption and plasmapheresis were included in combined treatment of 86 RA patients. Plasmapheresis was performed 3-5 days after hemosorption (a total of 4-6 procedures per course). The activity of RA, immune and calcium-regulating system were assessed clinically, with laboratory tests, enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: Hemosorption plus plasmapheresis produced positive effects on the disease course, activity. Laboratory indices improved. Percentage of T-helpers and T-suppressors, calcitonin loading rate, levels of parathormone, calcidiol normalized. CONCLUSION: Combined hemopheresis therapy promotes correction of disorders in immune and calcium-regulating systems.