The synaptic responses of the neurons in the medulla oblongata to stimulation of the stepping stria of the spinal cord in the cat

Synaptic responses of bulbar neurons to stimulation of stepping points in the dorsolateral funiculus were recorded in decerebrate cats. 40% of neurons were excited from both ipsi- and contralateral stepping points, the rest of them were excited only from one of those points. Part of the neurons was activated from stepping points at both C2 and Th12 spinal cord levels. Latencies of the synaptic responses to stimulation of the stepping point at the cervical level were from 2 to 18 ms. These results suggest that bulbar neurons as well as propriospinal ones contribute to initiation of locomotion.     

Pharmacological activity and clinical effects of trecrezan and other tris-(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium salts of arylheteroacetic acids (A review)

The results of an experimental and clinical study on the pharmacological properties of new compounds representing tris-(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium salts (TES) of arylheteroacetic acids-in particular, tris-(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium-2-methylphenoxyacetate (trecrezan)-are summarized. Trecrezan exhibits a modulating action on immunity and hemopoiesis and offers a promising approach to immune correction for the treatment of immune deficiency and autoimmune disorders. Recovery of the proliferative activity of the early precursors of erythropoiesis with the aid of trecrezan (experimental model) leads to the normalization of immunity and hemopoiesis. A method involving trecrezan administration has been developed for the complex treatment of acute viral hepatitis B as well as hepatitis A and B complicated by occupational anamnesis. Trecrezan has also been successfully applied for the complex treatment of ischemic heart disease and multiple sclerosis. Trecrezan stimulates the regeneration of hepatocytes during partial hepatectomy and acts as an effective adjuvant in the complex therapy of tuberculosis. Trecrezan analogs (TES) show antitumor, hepatoprotective, and adaptive activity, increase the resistance of animals to oxygen insufficiency and to poisoning with heavy metal salts and organophosphorus compounds, and improve the endurance of animals under physical load and emotional stress conditions. __________ Translated from Khimiko-Farmatsevticheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 41, No. 5, pp. 13–17, May, 2007.     

The use of lipid indicators and indexes for assessment of ischaemic heart disease

The informative value of various lipid indicators and indexes in healthy subjects and in patients with ischaemic heart disease (IHD) is compared. In 10 investigated biochemical indicators significant differences were found between healthy people and subjects with epidemiological or clinical signs of IHD. The first places in the order according to Anderson-Bahadur intervals were held by the cholesterol atherogenity index, total cholesterol (CS) and the percent of high-density lipoproteins cholesterol (HDL-CS) in total CS. The cholesterol atherogenity index and HDL-CS percent in total CS were closely correlated with the severity of angiographically proved changes in the coronary arteries.     

A case of prostatic leiomyosarcoma

A case of a 19-year-old male with leiomyosarcoma of the prostate is reported. He visited our hospital with the chief complaint of urinary retention in December, 1983. Following overall examination, needle biopsy of the prostate gland was performed with the suspicion of sarcoma. Histology of the prostate revealed leiomyosarcoma. Two courses of combined chemotherapy were given, but the tumor continued to enlarge. The patient died in April, 1984, 5 months after the appearance of the first symptom.     

Analysis and standardization of the new anxiolytic drug afobazole

The physicochemical properties of the new anxiolytic drug afobazole, which belongs to the group of 2-mercaptobenzimidazole derivatives, have been studied with a view to its pharmacopoeial standardization. It is suggested to check afobazole for the presence of impurities by means of TLC and HPLC. Methods for the standardization of afobazole are developed and a project for the pharmacopoeial article of manufacturer for this drug is formulated. __________ Translated from Khimiko-Farmatsevticheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 40, No. 7, pp. 55–56, July, 2006.