Contradictory to its effects on thrombin,C1-inhibitor reduces plasmin generation in the presence of thrombomodulin

Journal of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis - C1-inhibitor (C1INH) was shown to enhance thrombin generation (TG) in the presence of thrombomodulin (TM) by reducing production of activated protein C....     

Analysis of protein concentration in the urine of children with metabolic nephropathy, crystal-calcium crystalluria

We compared the efficacy of a routine sulphosalycilic acid method and a new technique of pirogallolic red staining for urine protein assay in children with metabolic nephropathy, crystal-calcium crystaluria. The former method was found ineffective in proteinuria diagnosis in children with metabolic nephropathy. The pirogallolic method appeared more effective as it detects microproteinuria and therefore allows accurate diagnosis, control of its treatment and finally to improve the results of therapeutic and prophylactic measures.     

Interactions of human serum albumin with retinoic acid, retinal and retinyl acetate

Human serum albumin (HSA), a major plasma protein and plasma-derived therapeutic, interacts with a wide variety of drugs and native plasma metabolites. In this study the interactions between HSA and small lipophilic molecules all-trans retinoic acid (RA), all-trans retinaldehyde (retinal, RAL) and all-trans retinyl acetate (RAC) were investigated by UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy and circular dichroism (CD). This paper focuses on investigation of the interactions between HSA and RA by the visible CD. RAL and RAC were used in this study due to their structural identity to RA to elucidate the importance of the end functional group for the complex formation. Our data demonstrate that RA specifically binds to HSA in a stable non-covalent complex at least at two internal binding sites with close but distinct affinities. Upon titration of HSA with RA, visible CD spectra clearly demonstrate the appearance of a well-defined induced positive Cotton Effect (CE) around 350 nm. Beyond ligand-to-protein ratio of 0.8 and up to saturation (2.0), CD exhibits two major bands of opposite signs, suggesting exciton coupling between the chromophore molecules in the protein interior. The fluorescence quenching data suggest proximity of the primary RA binding site to tryptophan (W214). RAC shows a weak association with HSA with stoichiometry close to that of RA, while interactions of RAL with HSA proceed non-specifically at multiple sites. Contrary to RA, the adducts of HSA with RAC and RAL do not show any induced chirality, thus indicating that despite their high structural similarity to RA, both compounds do not appear to occupy the internal binding sites, but associate with the protein exterior.     

Luminescent characteristics of the functional state of sarcoma 45 cells

Various functional states of cells of sarcoma 45 in the course of its growth and regression were studied by photometry and spectral analysis using acridine orange. Fluorescent spectral analysis proved to be the most reliable procedure for quantitative evaluation of tumor cell function using the alpha-coefficient.     

Blood aging, safety, and transfusion: capturing the "radical" menace

Throughout their life span, circulating red blood cells (RBCs) transport oxygen (O(2)) primarily from the lungs to tissues and return with carbon dioxide (CO(2)) from respiring tissues for final elimination by lungs. This simplistic view of RBCs as O(2) transporter has changed in recent years as other gases, for example, nitric oxide (NO), and small molecules, such as adenosine triphosphate (ATP), have been shown to either be produced and/or carried by RBCs to perform other signaling and O(2) sensing functions. In spite of the numerous biochemical and metabolic changes occurring within RBCs during storage, prior to, and after transfusion, perturbations of RBC membrane are likely to affect blood flow in the microcirculation. Subsequent hemolysis due to storage conditions and/or hemolytic disorders may have some pathophysiological consequences as a result of the release of Hb. In this review, we show that evolution has provided a multitude of protection and intervention strategies against free Hb from "cradle" to "death"; from early biosynthesis to its final degradation and a lot more in between. Furthermore, some of the same naturally occurring protective mechanisms can potentially be employed to oxidatively inactivate this redox active protein and control its damaging side reactions when released outside of the RBC.     

Fluorescent evaluation of blood nuclear cells in experimental myocardial infarction

Functional (synthetic) activity of acridine orange-stained blood nuclear cells was studied by microspectral fluorescent analysis in experimental myocardial infarction. A specific time course of changes in the synthetic activity of blood nuclears, described by alpha parameter, was detected in uneventful myocardial infarction and infarction complicated by suppurative inflammation of the suture. This time course reflected the reparative changes in the myocardium. Hence, alpha parameter can be regarded as an indicator of reparative processes in the myocardium, and the above method recommended for fluorescent cytodiagnosis of reparation processes after acute myocardial infarction and for predicting its course.     

Correction of a vast craniofacial defect -- a case report

A case of a patient with a vast craniofacial defect after shooting is reported. The case is of interest because of a large size of the defect. The technique is described how to rehabilitate the patient with reconstruction the face contour and calvarium by silicone implants.     

Spiral computer tomography use on the treatment stages of patients with defects and deformations of face bones and soft tissues

There are discussed possibilities of spiral computer tomography use in cases of defects and deformations of face bones and soft tissues elimination.