Relationship between Chlamydia pneumoniae and classical risk factors of coronary heart disease

In order to elucidate relationship between Chlamydia pneumonia infection and established risk factors of coronary heart disease (hypercholesterolemia, hyperglycemia, hyperfibrinogenemia, smoking, age) chlamydial IgA and IgG antibodies were determined by solid phase enzyme immunoassay in 122 patients with ischemic heart disease and 40 healthy subjects. Elevated titers of IgA class antibodies were found to be associated with presence of ischemic heart disease as well as with hypercholesterolemia, hyperglycemia, hyperfibrinogenemia, and smoking.     

Application of neutron generators for high explosives, toxic agents and fissile material detection

The portable pulsed neutron generators developed and designed by VNIIA are presented. The neutron methods are good tools for non-destructive assay of dangerous materials. The samples of various systems for the detection of high explosives in luggage, identification of toxic agents in chemical munitions, and also for the prevention of illicit trafficking of fissile elements in passengers’ luggage are discussed.     

Fecal incontinence in Hirschsprung's disease in children]

Among the criteria of evaluation of the results of operative treatment of Hirschsprung's disease in children, along with the absence of constipation is the function of defecation control. The authors examined 27 patients with fecal incontinence after Duhamel's operation. It was established that fecal incontinence in children after operative treatment of Hirschsprung's disease may be caused not only by affection of the external sphincter muscle of the anus, the nerve plexuses, and adaptation of the rectum to the new conditions after the pull-through operation, but also by trauma inflicted to the levator ani muscle. In children with severe damage to the levator group of muscles consequent upon operative treatment of Hirschsprung's disease, operative intervention for creating the anorectal angle is indicated.     

Epidemiology of chronic rheumatic disease of heart among teenagers in the Republic of Dagestan

The morbidity of rheumatic heart diseases (RHD) was studied, for the purpose of designing a set of measures to prevent them, among the teenagers in the Republic of Dagestan. The studies were based on the medical aid appealability, hospitalization data and clinical-and-epidemiological research made, with respect to climatic-and-geographic zones, in 3 rural areas and in the city of Makhachkala. A total of 1142 teenagers were questioned; laboratory-instrumental examinations were made for 234 teenagers. According to the data analysis, RHD and acute rheumatic fever (ARF) have been recently on the rise in the Republic, where the average morbidity figures are 4.5-fold higher versus those registered in whole Russia. The morbidity rate of RHD went up 1.8-fold, and that of ARF--1.5-fold, in Dagestan during 2000-2002. According to clinical-and-epidemiological examinations, RHD prevail among rural youth residing primarily in plains and, to a less extent, in highlands. Finally, measures are suggested, on the basis of research, for the prevention of RHD among youth.     

The diagnosis and treatment of complications in the late periods after operations for Hirschsprung's disease in children]

On the basis of examinations of 15 children the authors consider that recurrent constipation and fecal discharges as complications of a remote postoperative period take place more frequently than incontinence of feces. One of the causes of constipation after radical operation for Hirschsprung's disease may be a long hypoganglionic zone of the distal portion of the colon. To solve the question about reoperation of children with Hirschsprung's disease the complex examination must necessarily include the determination of activity of tissue acetylcholinesterase in colon mucosa biopsies, balloon proctography, sphincterotonometry, endoscopic examination of the colon in addition to irrigography.     

Clinico-metabolic and anti-ischemic effects of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor lisinopril and its role in the process of left ventricular remodeling in patients with diabetic heart

Clinico-metabolic and anti-ischemic effects of lisinopril and its influence on processes of left ventricular remodeling were studied on 64 patients with ischemic heart disease and stable class II-III effort angina combined with type 2 diabetes mellitus; 30 patients received standard therapy, 34--standard therapy plus lisinopril (5 mg/day). Investigation included Holter ECG monitoring, echocardiography, assessment of carbohydrate and lipid profile at baseline, in 1 and 3 months. Lisinopril exerted anti-ischemic effect, improved systolic and diastolic cardiac function, facilitated regression of left ventricular hypertrophy, and favorably affected carbohydrate and lipid metabolism at the background of body mass decrease. Lisinopril was well tolerated by patients.