Apolipoprotein CIII overexpressing mice are predisposed to diet-induced hepatic steatosis and hepatic insulin resistance

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and insulin resistance have recently been found to be associated with increased plasma concentrations of apolipoprotein CIII (APOC3) in humans carrying single nucleotide polymorphisms within the insulin response element of the APOC3 gene. To examine whether increased expression of APOC3 would predispose mice to NAFLD and hepatic insulin resistance, human APOC3 overexpressing (ApoC3Tg) mice were metabolically phenotyped following either a regular chow or high-fat diet (HFD). After HFD feeding, ApoC3Tg mice had increased hepatic triglyceride accumulation, which was associated with cellular ballooning and inflammatory changes. ApoC3Tg mice also manifested severe hepatic insulin resistance assessed by a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp, which could mostly be attributed to increased hepatic diacylglycerol content, protein kinase C-? activation, and decreased insulin-stimulated Akt2 activity. Increased hepatic triglyceride content in the HFD-fed ApoC3Tg mice could be attributed to a ≈ 70% increase in hepatic triglyceride uptake and ≈ 50% reduction hepatic triglyceride secretion. CONCLUSION: These data demonstrate that increase plasma APOC3 concentrations predispose mice to diet-induced NAFLD and hepatic insulin resistance.     

Extracorporeal life support in pediatric cardiac dysfunction

Background  

Low cardiac output (LCO) after corrective surgery remains a serious complication in pediatric congenital heart diseases (CHD). In the case of refractory LCO, extra corporeal life support (ECLS) extra corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) or ventricle assist devices (VAD) is the final therapeutic option. In the present study we have reviewed the outcomes of pediatric patients after corrective surgery necessitating ECLS and compared outcomes with pediatric patients necessitating ECLS because of dilatated cardiomyopathy (DCM).     

Genomic polymorphism of strains of basic subspecies of plague causative agent

Genomic fingerprinting analysis of strains of the basic subspecies of plague causative agent extracted from different types of hotbeds in the Russian Federation and neighboring countries was performed. This analysis has enabled us to demonstrate their significant genetic polymorphism, as well as the similarity of their phenotypic characteristics. Strains of basic subspecies Y. pestis subsp. pestis are distributed into four genetic variants, each of which has its specific host organism. The conservatism of gene fingerprinting profiles of every genetic variant of Y. pestis subsp. pestis strains underlines the prospects of the proposed methodical approach in the case of the intraspecific differentiation of plague-agent strains (including those with atypical characteristics). The correlation of genovars with the host species gives one the opportunity to use them in the analysis of enzootic territories in during changes in hosts.     

In vitro screening for antitumour activity of Clinopodium vulgare L. (Lamiaceae) extracts

Aqueous extract of Clinopodium vulgare L. showed strong antitumour activity when tested in vitro on A2058 (human metastatic melanoma), HEp-2 (epidermoid carcinoma, larynx, human) and L5178Y (mouse lymphoma) cell lines-6 h after treatment disintegration of the nuclei and cell lysis started. Applied at a concentration of 80 microg/ml it reduced the cell survival to 1.0, 5.6 and 6.6%, respectively. The concentrations of aqueous extract inhibiting the growth of A2058, HEp-2 and L5178Y cells by 50% (IC50 values) were calculated to be 20, 10 and 17.8 microg/ml respectively. Two groups of active substances were detected: the first one, probably combining glycosides, influenced adhesion, while the second one caused massive cell vacuolisation. The chloroform extract, which contained ursolic acid and gentriacontan had also cytotoxic, however a little bit weaker effect. All changes observed were irreversible.     

Plasma technologies in surgery of pulmonary echinococcosis

178 patients were operated over 18 years for pulmonary echinococcosis, 100 of them with standard methods, 78--with plasma technologies (surgical device SUPR-2M). Close echinococcectomy was performed in 22.5% patients, open--in 69.1%, combination of these operations--in 8.4% patients. Plasma technologies were used at pneumolysis, cysts section, antiparasitic treatment of residual cavities, fibrous capsule resection (pericystectomy) or cystpericystectomy, marginal resection of the lung with cyst, bronchotomy, sanation of pleural cavity, zone of operation and margins of operative wound. It is demonstrated that postoperative complications were seen in 34% patients operated by standard methods and in 8.9% patients operated with plasma technologies, lethal outcomes were in 2 (2%) and 1 (1.3%) patients, respectively. Plasma technologies permitted to reduce postoperative complications rate 3.8 times and postoperative treatment by 9.8 bed days or by 45.8%. Long-term results were studied in 61 (78.2%) operated patients followed from 1 month to 7 years, there were no recurrence of echinococcosis.     

Surgical correction of the rheumatic concomitant mitral-aortal failure complicated by thrombosis of the left auricle

The results of surgical treatment of 51 patients with the thrombosis of the left auricle (LA), occurred after performance of intervention for the rheumatic concomitant mitral-aortal failure (RCMAF) of the heart were analyzed. The substitution of two valves was performed in 37 patients, valve-preserving operations in combination with the prosthesis--in 14. The massive thrombosis of LA (more than 1/3 volume) occurred in 16 (31%) patients. On the hospital stage 17 patients, mainly with complicated current and organic failure of the tricuspid valve in combination with the adhesive pericarditis, calcinosis of the valves, and also previously operated for the heart, died. The late results (from 1 to 12 yrs) of intervention were studied in 33 patients. Good result was noted in 20 (60.6%) patients, satisfactory--in 5 (15.2%), nonsatisfactory--in 1 (9.1%). 5 (15.2%) patients died mainly because of the thromboembolic complications. The thromboembolic complications were not noted in patients to whom the valve-preserving procedures were conducted. All the patients in this group are alive.     

Surgical correction of combined insufficiency of mitral,tricuspid and aortic valves

In 39 patients the correction of insufficiency of mitral, tricuspid and aortic valves were performed by cardiopulmonary bypass. Genesis of valve diseases was rheumatism. Correction of tricuspid valve insufficiency was performed by annuloplasty with one or two hemiarch sutures by N. M. Amosov--De Vega method. Correction of mitral and aortic valve diseases included double valve replacement--in 37 (94.9%) patients, mitral valve replacement and plication of aortic cusp by Trusler's method--in 2 (5.1%). From 39 consecutive operated patients at the hospital period 15 died. The main reason of death was acute heart failure. The late results were followed-up in 21 patients. The good result were marked in 6 (28.6%) patients, satisfactory one--in 6 (28.6%) and unsatisfactory--in 1 (4.8%). 8 (38.1%) patients were died during 1 till 8 years. Correction of combined insufficiency lead to high hospital mortality and there were not good results of survival and good results stability at the late period.     

Successful surgical reconstruction of ruptured renal pelvis following blunt abdominal trauma

A 25-year-old man with occult ureteropelvic obstruction presented with abdominal pain 3 h following blunt abdominal trauma. Isolated rupture of the right renal pelvis was promptly diagnosed and the patient underwent immediate pyeloplasty according to the Anderson-Hynes procedure. The patient made an uneventful recovery. One year after surgery, renal function was satisfactory.     

A rare complication of conduction anesthesia in the treatment of finger injury

At the present time novocain still remains the anesthetic of choice in ambulatory surgery and traumatology. In practical work the 2% and 0.5% solutions are used. The 2% solution of novocain can in some cases (in patients prone to angiodystonic reactions) cause a persistent spasm of digital arteries that results in irreversible alterations in finger tissues down to the development of gangrene. This fact was confirmed in experiments with 2% solutions of novocain. It is proposed to follow the recommendations on using the 0.5% and 1% solutions of novocain for regional anesthesia in fingers. Such anesthetics as Lidocain and Trimecain should be used more widely since they possess more pronounced and continuous anesthetizing properties.