Separate training of hemispheres to perform visual discrimination in conditions of blocking of interhemisphere transmission by masking

Subjects were trained to discriminate three figures presented in the left field of vision and three other figures presented in the right field of vision. In these conditions, the two hemispheres usually show identical learning to discriminate the sets of stimuli because the hemispheres in healthy humans can exchange information. In the present study, training was performed in conditions in which, during presentation of stimuli, the opposite visual hemifield was covered by a mask. After training, the recognition of all six figures was compared by presenting them to the left and right visual fields. Each hemisphere recognized figures presented to the cognate hemifield but completely or very nearly failed to recognize figures learned by the other hemisphere. The mask would thus appear to block (completely or partially) the transmission of information from one hemisphere to the other. Thus, it was possible to train the hemispheres separately to recognize different sets of images in healthy subjects.Translated from Rossiiskii Fiziologicheskii Zhurnal imeni I. M. Sechenova, Vol. 89, No. 10, pp. 1177–1183, October, 2003.     

Prognosis of postinjection abscesses course with use of mathematical model]

Virulent and persistent characteristics of staphylococci isolated from 100 patients with various types of course of the abscessed forms of postinjection suppuration were defined. Comparative analysis of 11 biological characteristics of the microorganisms was carried out. An important role of the complex of properties of Staphylococcus aureus was established, including lysozyme, proteolytic, fibrinolytic activities, ability for inactivation of immunoglobulins through their Fc-receptors' binding to protein A, antilysozyme, "antiinterferon", anticomplement activities in determination of protracted character of festering and inframmatory process initiated by them. The model for prognosis of the course of postinjection abscesses was developed with the help of discriminant analysis, being based on the analysis of the informative properties of the pathogen.     

Association of 2B-adrenergic receptor gene polymorphism with disturbances of cardiac conduction

In this work we for the first time revealed on clinical - genetic material association between hereditary disturbances of cardiac conduction and polymorphism of 2-adrenergic receptor gene.     

Application of Near-IR Spectroscopy to Analysis of Kemantane Drug Substance

Pharmaceutical Chemistry Journal - Near-IR spectroscopy is a promising analytical method in pharmacy. It was shown that it can be used as a rapid method for confirming the identity and analyzing...     

艾滋病合并隐球菌脑膜炎18例临床分析

目的　提高对艾滋病 (AIDS)合并隐球菌脑膜炎的认识。方法　对赤道几内亚巴塔地区医院 18例AIDS合并隐球菌脑膜炎患者进行临床综合分析。结果　 18例AIDS合并隐球菌脑膜炎患者的临床主要表现为 :发热、剧烈头痛、极度乏力、肢体痛、脑膜刺激征及消瘦与脱水等。脑脊液 (CSF)培养均为新型隐球菌生长 ;涂片及隐球菌多糖荚膜抗原 (ELISA法 )检测的阳性率分别为 77 8% (14/ 18) ,94 4% (17/ 18)。结论　隐球菌脑膜炎为AIDS常见机会性感染及主要致死病因之一。     

PD-L2 is a second ligand for PD-1 and inhibits T cell activation

Programmed death I (PD-I)-deficient mice develop a variety of autoimmune-like diseases, which suggests that this immunoinhibitory receptor plays an important role in tolerance. We identify here PD-1 ligand 2 (PD-L2) as a second ligand for PD-1 and compare the function and expression of PD-L1 and PD-L2. Engagement of PD-1 by PD-L2 dramatically inhibits T cell receptor (TCR)-mediated proliferation and cytokine production by CD4+ T cells. At low antigen concentrations, PD-L2-PD-1 interactions inhibit strong B7-CD28 signals. In contrast, at high antigen concentrations, PD-L2-PD-1 interactions reduce cytokine production but do not inhibit T cell proliferation. PD-L-PD-1 interactions lead to cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 but do not increase cell death. In addition, ligation of PD-1 + TCR leads to rapid phosphorylation of SHP-2, as compared to TCR ligation alone. PD-L expression was up-regulated on antigen-presenting cells by interferon gamma treatment and was also present on some normal tissues and tumor cell lines. Taken together, these studies show overlapping functions of PD-L1 and PD-L2 and indicate a key role for the PD-L-PD-1 pathway in regulatingT cell responses.     

Balancing high accrual and ethical recruitment in paediatric oncology: a qualitative study of the 'look and feel' of clinical trial discussions

Background  

High accrual to clinical trials enables new treatment strategies to be tested rapidly, accurately and with generalisability. Ethical standards also must be high so that participation is voluntary and informed. However, this can be difficult to achieve in trials with complex designs and in those which are closely embedded in clinical practice. Optimal recruitment requires a balance of both ethical and accrual considerations. In the context of a trial of stratified treatments for children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (UKALL2003) we examined how recruitment looked to an observer and how it felt to the parents, to identify how doctors' communication could promote or inhibit optimal recruitment.     

Ecological and hygienic evaluation of the lignin by-products utilization

Main trends in utilization of lignin wastes formed in complex wood processing are discussed. Toxicological and hygienic characteristics of lignins and products of their biotransformation and chlorination are presented. Ecology and hygiene of fertilizers, preserving agents, and construction materials based on lignins are evaluated.     

Features of surgical infection of soft tissues

Microflora from surgical infection foci of soft tissues was studied in 92 patients with local, 78 patients with spread and 10 patients with generalized forms of pyo-inflammatory processes. Increase of bacterial contamination of surgical infection foci, more frequent detection of gram-negative bacteria, associations of microorganisms, high antibiotics resistance and persistent characteristics of bacteria in spread and generalized forms of surgical infections were found. Increase of persistent potential of infective agents is significant for prolongation of the disease and generalization of infectious process.