Effect of stimulation of cholinergic muscarinic receptors on norepinephrine accumulation in esophageal and gastric mucosa in rats

An hour and half after injection of norepinephrine its concentration in the mucosa of the lesser curvature of the stomach increases and in the greater curvature decreases. Stimulation of muscarinic receptors with pilocarpine leads to a marked rise of norepinephrine concentration in the esophageal mucosa and in the mucosa of the lesser curvature. It is supposed that stimulation of muscarinic receptors of the gastrointestinal tract after injection of exogenous norepinephrine induces accumulation of this transmitter in structures with abundant cholinergic innervation. Selective norepinephrine accumulation in the mucosa of the esophagus and lesser gastric curvature is apparently due to its high permeability for norepinephrine contained in saliva. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 125, No. 4, pp. 378–379, April, 1998     

Evaluation of the hypotensive effect and indications for the operation of nephropexy in patients with arterial hypertension combined with nephroptosis]

The results of the examination and nephropexy operation in 11 patients with arterial hypertension and nephroptosis are presented; a hypotensive effect was achieved in 5 of the operated patients; the follow-up period was up to 3 years. The recordings included the elevation of the arterial pressure in orthostasis, the changes in the urine sediment, the activity of plasma renin at rest and after 1-hour's orthostasis; excretory urography and the Seldinger abdominal aortography in a lying and upright position of the patient were conducted, as well as intraoperative biopsy of the renal tissue. Patients with a hypotensive effect exhibited a regular elevation of the arterial pressure in orthostasis, an increased plasma renin activity, congestive features in the descended kidney. The above symptoms permit to distinguish groups of patients with a hypotensive effect achieved after nephropexy, and those without effect. On the basis of the obtained results it was concluded that in some cases nephroptosis may be the cause of symptomatic arterial hypertension. In such cases it seems rational to recommend the nephropexy operation taking into account, when determining the indications for surgery, the degree of the orthostatic elevation of the arterial pressure and of the renin activity, and the symptoms of disorders in the renal evacuation function.     

Cordaron and nonachlasine in treatment of chronic coronary insufficiency]

In a double blind study of the clinical effect of Cordaron conducted in 55 patients with chronic ischaemic heart disease a positive effect was obtained in 80.4% of the cases, an effect of placebo-in 24.3%. Cordaron was especially effective in patients with localized stenoses of the coronary arteries. Nonachlasine (an activator of the cardiac beta-adrenergic receptors) proved effective in 10 of 13 patients with chronic ischaemic heart disease.     

Random medical check-ups as an instrument of evaluation of the health status of children and teenagers

Analyzed in the paper are the 20-year dynamic changes of widespread chronic diseases and morphofunctional anomalies (MPO) observed in the health condition of schoolchildren at comprehensive medical check-ups. If MPO are predominant in the morbidity structure of schoolchildren, the chronic pathology is more intensive: it aggravates reaching its uttermost point by the age of senior pupils. On the basis of the obtained data the authors formulate the necessity in elaborating a variety of organizational and therapeutic-preventive measures for the treatment, prevention and follow-up of schoolchildren with MPO and pronounced chronic pathologies. It is also suggested to revise the norms and workloads for practitioners at pediatric patient-care facilities, which, according to the authors, should be made with respect to the frequency rate and structure of a detected pathology.     

Active policy in treatment of bleeding ulcer: update

Results of treatment of 2256 patients with ulcerous gastroduodenal bleeding are analyzed. From 1993 to 2000 continued bleeding and high risk of it were indications for urgent surgery. Postoperative lethality after surgeries in active bleeding was 9.3%. Experience with endoscopic hemostasis limits indications for urgent surgeries. Results of treatment during two period were compared: when active surgical policy was used (486 patients) and when endoscopic hemostasis was often performed (503 patients). Surgical activity during the latter period reduced significantly (from 52.3 to 31.5%). Postoperative lethality decreased from 9.45 to 6.25%, total lethality -- from 4.94 to 2.36%.     

Genetic modification of mammalian genome at chromosome level

The review is concerned with a progress in genetic modification of a mammalian genome in vitro and in vivo at chromosomal level. Recently three new approaches for the chromosome biotechnology have been developed: Using Cre/loxP-system a researcher is able to produce targeted rearrangements of whole chromosomes or their segments or particular genes within the genome, and therefore to modify the set, position and copy number of the endogenous elements of the genome. Mammalian artificial chromosomes (MACs) provide a possibility to introduce into genome relatively large segments of alien chromosome material, either artificially constructed or derived from the genome of different species. Using ES-somatic cell hybrids allows to transfer whole chromosomes or their fragments between different genomes within and between species. Advantages and limitations of these approaches are discussed.