Virus “Tamdy” — A new arbovirus,isolated in the Uzbec S.S.R. and Turkmen S.S.R. from ticksHyalomma asiaticum asiaticum Schulce et Schlottke, 1929, andHyalomma plumbeum plumbeum Panzer, 1796

Summary Eleven virus strains were isolated from ticksHyalomma asiaticum asiaticum Schulce et Schlottke, 1929, andHyalomma plumbeum plumbeum Panzer, 1796, collected in 1971–1974 in desert regions of the Uzbec S.S.R. and the Turkmen S.S.R. According to CF test the strains were closely related to each other and not antigenically connected with viruses from antigenic groups A, B, California, CHF-Congo, Bakau, Bunyamwera, Ganjam, Kaisodi, Qalyub, Kemerovo, Quaranfil, Simbu, Turlock, Hughes, Uukuniemi, Tete and 21 ungrouped viruses isolated from ticks. The virus was named Tamdy after the place of isolation of a prototype strain LEIV-1308 Uz. The virus does not agglutinate goose erythrocytes, it is pathogenic for suckling mice and 3 weeks old mice by intracerebral infection. Replication of a virus with CPE in cell cultures—L, Rh, A₁—and without CPE—in pig embryo kidney cell cultures—was demonstrated. According to ultra-filtration and electron microscope data the size of the virus is about 90 nm.It is rather sensitive to lipid solvents and is an RNA-virus. Morphologically the virus resembles the Bunyaviridae.With 1 Figure     

Loss of proapoptotic Bcl-2-related multidomain proteins in primary melanomas is associated with poor prognosis

Prognosis of primary melanoma is presently based on morphological parameters, mainly tumor thickness. However, more reliable prognostic markers are needed that allow a better stratification of patients, especially with regard to therapeutic options. Here, a retrospective study was performed on patients with primary superficial-spreading melanoma (SSM, n=44) or nodular melanoma (n=16) of 1.5-4 mm thickness. Thirty patients had survived the follow-up of 10 years, whereas the other 30 patients developed metastases. Tumor sections were analyzed by immunohistochemistry for the expression of regulators of the cell cycle (p21; retinoblastoma protein (pRb)), of the intrinsic or extrinsic proapoptotic pathways (p53; murine double minute gene 2 protein; tumour necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-R1/DR4; TRAIL-R2/DR5) and of Bcl-2-related proteins (Bcl-2, Mcl-1, Bax, Bak, Bok), which regulate the common mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. In SSM, decrease of Bax and Bak was significantly correlated with a poor prognosis: high Bax was associated with 10-year survival rates of 68%, whereas low Bax resulted in only 26% survival, and high Bak was associated with 10-year survival rates of 62%, whereas low Bak resulted in only 10% survival. Regulators of apoptosis may therefore candidate for independent prognostic markers for primary melanomas. The study underlines the particular role of the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway and of proapoptotic Bcl-2-related proteins for melanoma progression.     

Investigating an outbreak of acute viral hepatitis caused by hepatitis E virus variants in Karachi, South Pakistan

Hepatitis E is a classic water-borne disease in developing countries. Detection of anti-HEV IgM and IgG antibodies, in addition to HEV RNA are useful epidemiological markers in diagnosis of hepatitis E. This study was conducted to investigate an outbreak of acute viral hepatitis in South-Pakistan. Anti-HEV IgM and IgG were assessed comparatively with serological kits manufactured by Abbott, Cosmic, TGH, and Wantai, selecting HEV RNA as reference assay. Molecular evolutionary analysis was performed by phylogeny and HEV spread time analysis by Bayesian Coalescent Theory approach. Of the 89 patients, 24 (26.9%) did not have acute hepatitis viral marker. Of the remaining 65 cases, 4 (6.1%) were positive for anti-HAV IgM, one (1.5%) for anti-HBc IgM, 2 (3%) for HCV, 53 (81.5%) for anti-HEV IgM, and 5 (7.7%) were hepatitis-negative. The Wantai test was 100% sensitive and specific followed by Cosmic (98.1% and 100%), TGH (98.1% and 97.2%) and Abbott (79.2% and 83.3%). Two HEV variant strains were detected by phylogeny responsible for this acute hepatitis outbreak. Estimates on demographic history of HEV showed that HEV in Pakistan has remained at a steady nonexpanding phase from around 1970 to the year 2005, in which it expanded explosively with the emergence of new HEV variants. In conclusion, the limited sensitivity of available assay (Abbott anti-HEV EIA) may be a concern in HEV diagnosis in Pakistan. This study cautions that the dissemination of the variant strains to other areas of Pakistan may lead to explosive HEV outbreaks.     

The results of different types of cholecystectomy in elderly patients

Treatment results of 1048 elderly patients, operated on the cholelithiasis, were analyzed. The group of minilaparotomic access cholecystectomy numbered 488 (46,6%) patients; the second group consisted of 560 (53,4%) patients, who had the traditional operation. All patients were operated on in a single hospital during 1998-2008 yy. The cholecystectomy from minilaparotomic access proved to be less traumatic and preferable for elderly patients. The rate of postoperative morbidity was 5,7%, mortality - 0,2%. The procedure, though, is subjected to the experienced surgeons.     

Videoendoscopic surgery of cholelythiasis in elderly patients

43 patients aged 60-84 years were operated on calculous cholecystitis. Patients were divided according to the operative technique: laparoscopic and traditional. The laparoscopic cholecystectomy demonstrated good early results. The goal of the study was to define criteria of the elderly patients selection for the laparoscopic operation.     

The use of ozone and low-intensive laser irradiation in complex treatment of complicated duodenal ulcer

The study is based on the examination of 12 patients with perforative duodenal ulcer and 24 patients operated on recurrent bleeding duodenal ulcer. Some component of the immune system, such as T- and B-lymphocytes rates, immunoglobulin rate and macrophagal activity, were decreased prior the beginning of the complex treatment. Normalisation of humoral and cell immunity was registered on 10-12 days after the beginning of the ozone and low-intensive laser irradiation.     

Surgical treatment of chronic coprostasis

Surgical treatment of 27 patients with chronic colostasis and dolichocolon was analyzed. Groups of patients with cologenic and proctogenic colostasis were defined, diagnostic criteria were formulated and optimal surgical tactics were described for each group. Short and long-term results were analyzed and proved to be excellent and satisfactory in majority of patients.     

Efficacy of the immunomodulating therapy in complex treatment of gastric cancer complicated by acute hemorrhage using radical operations

The results of radical operative treatment of 10 patients, suffering gastric cancer, complicated by an acute hemorrhage, using immunomodulating therapy, were presented. The immunomodulator application have promoted the natural cells-killers cytological activity raising, the tumoral antigens (AG) elimination, as well as to enhance the neutrophils bactericidal and phagocytic activity, the circulating immune complexes (AG+IgG), (AG+IgM) formation and their deducing from an organism.