Role of a transforming growth factor beta-1 in regulation of invasive growth of prostatic adenocarcinoma

Immunohistochemical study of histological sections and immunochemical study in supernatants of primary cultures demonstrated a marked increase of the factor production in the regions of the background changes outside foci of carcinoma invasive growth. There was no difference in the type of expression of TGFbeta-I and TGFbeta-II receptors in morphologically different regions of the tumour. TGFbeta-I is considered as a principal factor that mediates hyperplastic reaction of the stroma in prostatic adenocarcinoma outside the zones of invasive growth. Formation of reactive stroma, in the authors' opinion, plays the role of a defensive mechanism hindering invasion of tumour cells into the connective tissue and its progression.     

Genetic disruption of Kir6.2, the pore-forming subunit of ATP-sensitive K+ channel, predisposes to catecholamine-induced ventricular dysrhythmia

Metabolic-sensing ATP-sensitive K+ channels (KATP channels) adjust membrane excitability to match cellular energetic demand. In the heart, KATP channel activity has been linked to homeostatic shortening of the action potential under stress, yet the requirement of channel function in securing cardiac electrical stability is only partially understood. Here, upon catecholamine challenge, disruption of KATP channels, by genetic deletion of the pore-forming Kir6.2 subunit, produced defective cardiac action potential shortening, predisposing the myocardium to early afterdepolarizations. This deficit in repolarization reserve, demonstrated in Kir6.2-knockout hearts, translated into a high risk for induction of triggered activity and ventricular dysrhythmia. Thus, intact KATP channel function is mandatory for adequate repolarization under sympathetic stress providing electrical tolerance against triggered arrhythmia.     

The evolution of cataract surgery,extra- and intraocular correction of aphakia

The evolution of cataract surgery during the recent 2 centuries, and especially in the last 50 years, witnessed essential changes--from reclination of the lens and a traditional extracapsular cataract extraction to cataract microsurgery including phacoemulsification. A lack of the lens in the eye, i.e. aphakia, is considered to be a serious complication. The optic extraocular correction of aphakia is implemented mainly by the use of spectacles and contact lenses, which are not deprived of essential shortcomings. H. Ridley was the first to implant, in 1949, a polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) intraocular lens (IOL). After that, anterior-chamber and iris-clips lenses as well as extrapupillary lenses with fixation to Sulcus cyliaris, which had by some complications, were offered. Only in 1973, we offered, for the first time in the world practice, an intracapsular implantation and intercapsular fixation of IOLs of various models. The designed intraocular correction of aphakia was checked by time and it is used now in cataract microsurgery, including small-incisions as well as ultrasound and laser phacoemulsification. The use of the lens bag as a natural bed for the fixation and isolation of IOL from intraocular structures is a priority direction in the Russian research ophthalmology.     

Nociceptive thresholds in adult rats of three strains after pain stimulation in the neonatal period

Nociceptive thresholds in the tail-flick test decreased in adult 2.5-month-old KM, Wag/Rij, and Wistar rats receiving injections of placebo in the neonatal period (days 3-9 of life).