Effects of atrial natriuretic peptide on DNA synthesis and NADPH diaphorase activity in epitheliocytes and smooth muscle cells of the respiratory tract in newborn albino rats

Newborn rats received single intraperitoneal injections of atrial natriuretic peptide (1-28) in a dose of 3.2×10_-8 mol/kg on day 6 of life. Autoradiography with ³H-thymidine showed that the peptide inhibited DNA synthesis in smooth muscle cells of the respiratory tract. Pretreatment with nitric oxide synthase inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester attenuated, but did not abolish the effect of atrial natriuretic peptide (1-28). Histochemical assay for NADPH diaphorase showed that nitric oxide constitutively produced in the epithelium is involved in the growth-inhibitory effect of atrial natriuretic peptide (1-28) on proliferating smooth muscle cells.     

Plasma HIV-1 RNA decline within the first two weeks of treatment is comparable for nevirapine, efavirenz, or both drugs combined and is not predictive of long-term virologic efficacy: A 2NN substudy

BACKGROUND: The initial rate of plasma HIV-1 RNA (pVL) decline has been proposed as a marker of early efficacy of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and a possible predictor of late efficacy. We compared the rate of pVL decline in patients starting ART with nevirapine (NVP), efavirenz (EFV), or both drugs combined in addition to lamivudine (3TC) and stavudine (d4T). METHODS: Analysis of the viral decay constant (VDc) during the first 2 weeks of treatment in patients enrolled in the 2NN study who remained on allocated treatment. RESULTS: The median VDc (log10 copies per day, [interquartile range]) was similar for NVP (0.30 [0.25-0.36], EFV (0.31 [0.27-0.37]), and NVP + EFV (0.30 [0.27-0.36]). Patients with a baseline pVL >100,000 copies/mL were 8.7 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.2-12.3) times more likely to have a VDc >75th percentile. A high VDc was not associated with plasma drug concentration or with a decreased risk of virologic failure at week 48 after the start of therapy (hazard ratio = 0.8, 95% CI: 0.6-1.2). CONCLUSION: NVP, EFV, or NVP + EFV in combination with 3TC and d4T show similar rates of pVL decline during the first 2 weeks of treatment. The VDc with these regimens is not predictive of late virologic efficacy.     

Effect of some stressors on mitosis in the corneal epithelium and the bone marrow aneuploid cell level in adrenalectomized albino rats

It was shown previously that exposure to stressors led to a decrease in the number of mitoses in the cornea as a result of G₂–M delay. The index of labeled nuclei and level of pathological mitoses were unchanged. It is now shown that injection of pyrogenal or contact hypothermia for 1 h to 28–30°C did not cause reactive inhibition to develop in adrenalectomized rats, but led to a significant increase in the level of pathological mitoses in the cornea from 4.3–6.3% in intact and adrenalectomized rats to 10.6–12.5% in adrenalectomized rats exposed to stress. Karyotypic analysis of the bone marrow cells under these conditions revealed a significant increase in the number of aneuploid cells (both hypo- and hyperdiploid).Central Research Laboratory, Khabarovsk Medical Institute. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR A. M. Chernukh.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 88, No. 9, pp. 338–341, September, 1979.     

Effect of μ-Opiate Receptor Agonist Tetrapeptide A10 on DNA Synthesis and Protein Content in the Myocardium of Albino Rats

Effect of intraperitoneal injection of tetrapeptide A10 (H-Tyr-D-Orn-Phe-Gly-OH), selective -opiate receptor agonist, synthetic analog of dermorphine, in a dose of 100 g/kg on DNA synthesis and protein content in the myocardium was studied in albino rats. Five injections of tetrapeptide on days 2-6 after birth caused no changes in DNA synthesis 17 days after the last injection, i. e. in 24-day rats. The number of nucleoli and their area increased. In adult males long-term (3-week) treatment with tetrapeptide A10 increased the number of nucleoli and the mean and integral optical density of isolated cardiomyocytes stained with amido black B, which probably attested to activation of protein synthesis in the myocardium. Simultaneously, the content of catecholamines in the heart increased. These data are comparable with delayed effects of k-opiate receptor agonist dinorphine A1-13 and indicate that morphogenetic properties of opioid peptides in rat myocardium are realized via the same routes.     

Changes in mitotic activity of the corneal epithelium of albino rats cooled at different times of day

The effect of moderate hypothermia on mitotic activity of the corneal epithelium of albino rats was studied. The animals were cooled to 28°C by a contact method for 1 h. Cooling was carried out in the early morning (6 a.m.), at noon, and in the evening (6 p.m.). The response of the epithelium to cooling was found to depend on the time of day. The most marked inhibition of mitotic activity (by 14 times) occurred in the afternoon, 3 h after cooling at noon. A tendency toward restoration of normal cell division was observed 6 and 12 h later. The number of mitoses was reduced 3 h after cooling in the evening, but no changes in mitotic activity were discovered 6 and 12 h later. No changes were found 3 and 6 h after cooling in the morning, but 12 h later cell division was inhibited.Central Scientific-Research Laboratory, Khabarovsk Medical Institute. Laboratory of Cytology, Institute of Human Morphology, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR A. P. Avtsyn.) Translated from Byulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 82, No. 11, pp. 1371–1373, November, 1976.     

One-stage laparoscopic cholecystectomy and appendectomy]

The authors describe the technique of simultaneous performance of cholecystectomy and appendectomy with the use of laparoscopic technique. A standard set of laparoscopic instruments of the firm "Karl Shtortz" (FRG) and conventional points for introduction of the instruments into the abdominal cavity were used. The immediate and long-term result of the intervention is favourable.     

Effect of synthetic dermorphin analogues on tissue homeostasis in the myocardium of newborn albino rats

DNA synthesis and state of the nucleolar apparatus in myocardial cells of newborn albino rats receiving intraperitoneal injection of sedatin, a synthetic dermorphin analogue, were studied by means of autoradiography and silver impregnation. Labeling intensity significantly increased, while the number of nucleoli in nuclei decreased. Chemiluminescence study showed that the concentration of reactive oxygen metabolites significantly decreased in the myocardium of treated animals after sedatin administration. Non-arginine analogue of sedatin had little effect on tissue homeostasis in the myocardium. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 144, No. 10, pp. 413–416, October, 2007     

Current role of laser angioplasty of restenotic coronary stents

Treatment of in-stent restenosis (ISR) with conventional percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) causes significant recurrent neointimal tissue growth in 30-85%. Therefore, laser ablation of intrastent neointimal hyperplasia before balloon dilation can be an attractive alternative. However, the long-term outcomes of such treatment have not been studied thoroughly enough. This prospective case-control study evaluated angiographic and clinical outcomes of PTCA alone and a combination of excimer laser coronary angioplasty (ELCA) and adjunct PTCA in 125 patients with ISR. ELCA was performed before balloon dilation in 67 patients, PTCA alone was performed in 58 patients. Basic demographic and clinical data were comparable in both groups. Lesions included in ELCA group were longer (17.1+/-9.9 vs 13.6+/-9.1 mm; p = 0.034), more complex (36.5% type C stenoses vs 14.3%; p = 0.006), and more frequently had reduced distal blood flow (TIMI <3: 18.9% vs 4.8%; p = 0.025) compared to lesions in the PTCA group. Immediate angiographic results of PTCA and ELCA + PTCA appeared to be comparable. PTCA alone was successful in 57 patients (98.3%), ELCA + PTCA, in 66 patients (98.5%). The rates of hospital complications were comparable (3.0% in ELCA group vs 8.6% in PTCA group). The 1-year follow-up showed that the rates of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were comparable in the 2 groups (37.3% in ELCA group vs 46.6% in PTCA group). The rates of target vessel revascularization (TVR) within 1 year after the intervention were also similar in the 2 groups (32.8% vs 34.5%). The data mean that ELCA in patients with complex ISR is efficient and safe. Despite a higher complexity of lesions in the ELCA group, no increase in the rate of complications was registered.     

Gastroprotective Effect of Dalargin in Gastropathy due to Treatment with Nonsteroid Antiinflammatory Drugs

We studied the effect of dalargin and its analogue [Dala]²-leu-enkephalin on the gastric mucosa in indomethacin-receiving animals. Indomethacin treatment was followed by severe injury to the gastric mucosa, decrease in proliferative activity of the epithelium, and stimulation of free-radical processes in gastric tissues. Dalargin significantly decreased the area of erosive and ulcerative lesions, had a normalizing effect on proliferation of epithelial cells, and reduced the degree of oxidative stress. Administration of [Dala]²-leu-enkephalin did not improve the state of the gastric mucosa.