Morphological characteristics and immunophenotype of dendritic cells generated from monocytes of human peripheral blood

Morphological features and immunophenotype of mature dendritic cells (DC) generated from the monocytes of healthy donor blood after culture with GM-CSF and IL-4 with the addition of TNF, were studied using light and electron microscopy, as well as flow-cytometry. It was shown that DC were characterized by a number of morphological features such as: large size, eccentrically located nucleus, highly developed system of extensions, large vacuolated cytoplasm, prominent and activated Golgi complex and ribosomal apparatus. Mature DC are characterized by active surface expression of MHC and co-stimulatory molecules (MHC I, MHC II, CD40, CD80, CD86).     

The comparative characteristics of the safety,immunogenic activity and prophylactic potency of the adult and children types of live influenza vaccine in schoolchildren aged 7-14 years

In Russia for prevention of influenza in children, aged from 3 to 14 years, the children's live influenza vaccine (LIV), based upon A/Leningrad/134/47/57(H2N2) master strain (LIVI) is used. The need for double immunization appears to be one out of the faulties of this preparation. The study was aimed to comparing the safety, immunogenic activity and prevention of influenza by LIV for adults (LIVII) (A/Leningrad/134/17/57(H2N2 master strain) and LIVI in children aged from 7 to 17 years under similar administration schedule. The safety, the preventive efficacy, humoral and secretory immunity were studied. In total 2486 persons, including 539 children, twice inoculated with LIVI, 971 persons once inoculated with LIVII, and 840 treated by placebo were obserbed. From the data of the clinical observations during 7 days after immunization both vaccines appeared to be low reactogenic. The LIVII advantages in induction of the humoral and secretory antibodies in comparison with children's vaccine had been revealed. Both vaccines were highly efficacious, the efficiency of both preparations was more pronounced after serologic correction of the diagnosis. The results obtained permit to recommend the single immunization by the variant of LIV at the base on A/Leningrad/134/17/57/(H2N2) master strain for prevention of influenza in school children.     

Morphogenetic aspect of the influence of purified birch tar on skin

Changes of the histological structure of rat's skin were studied two weeks following the daily applications of native birch tar and of purified birch tar, devoid of the components that could be potentially dangerous for humans. The morphometric investigations were performed with the use of computer technologies on the apparatus-programme complex (DiaMorph, Russia). It has been established that the main morphological manifestations of specific dermatotropic activity of birch tar in the present experiment included: epidermal hypertrophy, hyperkeratosis, stimulation of the activity of all dermal cellular elements, intensification of blood supply, reduction of sebaceous glands. Analysis of morphological findings indicates the bioequivalence of the native and purified birch tar in terms of its specific dermatotropic activity.     

Structural basis for the regulation of the neuronal sensitivity

Using light and electron microscopy structural bases for intracellular, extracellular and integrative regulation of synaptic efficiency and neuron sensitivity were established in rat sensomotor cortex. Intracellular regulation is realized basically through modulation of postsynaptic components of the synapse, while extracellular one is provided by synaptic endings of "recurrent" axons on GABA-ergic relay and interneurons. Integrative regulation is realized by means of concentration of similar axonal terminals in restricted cortical area and arrangement of "neuromediatory" pool.     

Currently available blood saving methods in a patient at cardiac surgery under extracorporeal circulation

Different blood saving methods are analyzed in 2000 cardiac surgical patients undergoing coronary and vascular bypass surgery in 1993 to 2000. The basic blood saving methods are as follows: intraoperative autoreinfusion (normovolemic thermodilution), reinfusion of the patient's blood, preoperative autologous plasma donation in combination with aprotinine, aminocapronic acid, etc. An analysis revealed a decrease in homologous blood components intraoperatively. Red blood cell transfusion decreased from 100% in 1993 to 44% in 2000, fresh frozen plasma and platelet transfusions did from 98 to 39% and from 96 to 1%, respectively. Intraoperative homologous blood transfusion could be avoided in 70% of those undergone coronary bypass surgery.     

Detection and characterization of gastric carcinoma associated with epstein-barr herpes virus

The present investigation was carried out to estimate the incidence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated cases among gastric carcinoma (GC) patients in Russia. Carcinoma specimens from 184 patients with GC treated at the Cancer Research Center were investigated by EBV encoded RNA-1 (EBER-1) in situ hybridization. Seventeen (9.24%) cases showed uniform EBER-1 expression restricted to the carcinoma cells. Hybridized signals were not detected in the non-neoplastic gastric epithelium. EBV involvement was significantly more frequent among males, especially in the tumors belonging to less differentiated types (moderately differentiated tubular adenocarcinomas and poorly differentiated solid adenocarcinomas) and located in the upper stomach (cardia and middle part). Most EBV-positive GCs were characterized by great lymphoid compartment involvement. The findings of the distribution of EBV-positive. GCs by sex, site, and histology are similar to those in Japan; however, the detection rate of EBV-positive cases in Russia is higher than that in Japan (6.7%) and lower than that in the USA (16%).     

Blood oxygen transport and pro-oxidant-antioxidant state during liver reperfusion

Indices of blood oxygen transport (hemoglobin-oxygen affinity, pCO2, pH, pO2, etc.) and prooxidant-antioxidant state (Schiff bases, conjugated dienes, catalase, retinal, alpha-tocopherol) were measured in rabbit blood and the liver during postischemic reperfusion. Hepatic ischemia was induced for 30 min by ligation of a hepatica propria, and reperfusion lasted for 120 min. Hepatic ischemia worsened blood oxygen transport. Restoration of arterial blood flow did not result in improvement of oxygen delivery. Moreover, marked metabolic acidosis was observed throughout 2 hr of reperfusion. Ischemia induced a shift of oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve to the right. This shift persisted after restoration of hepatic arterial blood flow facilitating increased oxygen transport to tissues. Changes in blood oxygen transport during hepatic ischemia/reperfusion were accompanied with high activity of free radical processes. During reperfusion, the largest increase in content of lipid peroxidation products and the greatest fall of some antioxidant levels except catalase were observed indicating impairment of liver prooxidant-antioxidant balance. The results showed that activation of lipid peroxidation and a decrease in some antioxidant levels during hepatic reperfusion were associated with lowering of hemoglobin-oxygen affinity and suggest participation of the latter in impairment of prooxidant-antioxidant balance.     

Computer modelling of the organs of the upper abdominal cavity

Method of creation computer models of upper floor of abdomen organs: liver, gallbladder, duodenum, pancreas, stomach, blood vessels with using computer system "DUCT" was described. Details of modelled structures of the cylindric and complicated forms were noted.     

Fibre optic confocal imaging (FOCI) of keratinocytes, blood vessels and nerves in hairless mouse skin in vivo

Fibre optic confocal imaging (FOCI) enabled subsurface fluorescence microscopy of the skin of hairless mice in vivo. Application of acridine orange enabled imaging of the layers of the epidermis. The corneocytes of the stratum corneum, the keratinocytes in the basal layers and redundant hair follicles were visualised at depths greater than 100 μm. Cellular and nuclear membranes of keratinocytes of the skin were visualised by the use of acridine orange and DIOC5(3). Imaging of the skin after injection of FITC-dextran revealed an extensive network of blood vessels with a size range up to 20 μm. Blood cells could be seen moving through dermal vessels and the blood circulation through the dermal vascular bed was video-taped. The fluorescent dye 4-di-2-ASP showed the presence of nerves fibres around the hair follicles and subsurface blood vessels. Comparison was made between images obtained in vivo using FOCI and in vitro scanning electron microscopy and conventional histology. FOCI offers the potential to study dynamic events in vivo, such as blood flow, skin growth, nerve regeneration and many pathological processes, in ways which have not previously been possible.     

Mast cells in photolesion of the skin and basal cell cancer associated with it

Morphofunctional features of skin mast cells located in the areas subjected to chronic UV-radiation and in the associated basal cell carcinoma with photoinjure have been studied. Various immunohistochemical methods (chromogranin A, CDla, HLA-DR, CD35, Ki67, P53, Bcl-2, Mcl-1, involucrine) were used. It is found that chronic UV-damage leads to mast cell hyperplasia as well as activation of their synthetic, absorption and secretory functions. It is suggested that mast cell hyperplasia and increase of mast cells neuroendocrine activity provide a risk of basal cell carcinoma development.