[Antiangiogenic therapy for types I and II macular neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration]. / Antiangiogennaya terapiya pri I i II podtipakh makulyarnoi neovaskulyarizatsii pri vozrastnoi makulyarnoi degeneratsii.

The neovascular form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is characterized by growth of newly formed vessels, accumulation of fluid and, in most cases, presence of retinal pigment epithelium detachment. Depending on its localization in relation to retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), macular neovascularization (MNV) can be considered type 1 when it is located under the RPE, and type 2 when it is invading the RPE and the neurosensory part of the retina. PURPOSE: To conduct a retrospective analysis of the use of anti-VEGF therapy in AMD patients with types I and II of MNV. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study enrolled 89 AMD patients (89 eyes) with active MNV who have been under observation for 3 years. In the course of treatment all patients underwent standard ophthalmological examination that included visometry, biomicroscopy and ophthalmoscopy with mydriasis, as well as optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: Anti-VEGF therapy was found to stabilize best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in both types of MNV (I and II). Comparison of the intraretinal and subretinal fluids (IRF and SRF) revealed that initially neuroepithelium detachment is more frequent (approximately in 90% of eyes) than IRF (30-40%). Antiangiogenic therapy is associated with better resorption of SRF, by the third year of the follow-up the neuroepithelium detachment is visualized in 60% of patients, while IRF remains and is observed in 40% of cases. CONCLUSION: Antiangiogenic therapy has shown good functional and morphological effectiveness in both first and second types of MNV.

Ontogenetic, Light, and Circadian Regulation of PAP Protein Genes during Seed Germination of Arabidopsis thaliana.

The expression profiles of the PAP genes, encoding proteins associated with plastid multisubunit RNA polymerase, were studied in dry seeds, during germination, and at the early stages of Arabidopsis thaliana seedling formation. A detailed analysis of the PAP transcript levels by RT-PCR showed that the transition of seeds from dormancy to active growth is accompanied by a drastic increase in the transcript accumulation of all studied genes on the first day of germination, both in the light and in the dark. Further changes in transcript levels differed among PAP genes and were apparently determined by their functional specificity. It was established for the first time that the expression of individual PAP genes is regulated by circadian rhythms, in addition to factors of ontogenetic and light nature.

The Transcription Factor HY5 Is Involved in the Cytokinin-Dependent Regulation of the Expression of Genes Encoding Proteins Associated with Bacterial Plastid RNA-Polymerase during De-Etiolation of Arabidopsis thaliana.

HY5 (ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL5), a bZIP transcription factor, is one of the main regulators of light and hormonal signaling. Among the targets of this gene, the genes for the transcriptional complex of chloroplasts whose coordinated expression ensures the initial stages of photomorphogenesis are particularly significant. In this study, we showed that, during de-etiolation, HY5 functions as a positive CK-dependent regulator of the expression of genes encoding proteins associated with plastid RNA polymerase (PAP), which functions below the primary chain of sensing the cytokinin signal. The absence of blocking effect of mutations of the CRY1, CRY2, PHYA, and PHYB photoreceptor genes on the CK-dependent content of PAP gene transcripts indicates the parallel action of the hormone and light in their regulation.

Cytokinins and Abscisic Acid Regulate the Expression of the Genes for Plastid Transcription Apparatus during Heat Shock.

The treatment of Arabidopsis thaliana plants with exogenous cytokinin (CK) followed by heat shock (HS) activated the expression of the genes for the plastid transcription machinery but adversely affected the plant viability. Abscisic acid (ABA), conversely, promoted maintaining the resistance to HS and had differentially affected different components of the plastid transcriptional complex. This hormone suppressed the accumulation of transcripts of PEP genes and the genes encoding PAP proteins, which are involved in DNA-RNA metabolism. However, it had no effect or activated the expression of NEP genes and PAP genes, which are involved in the redox regulation, as well as the genes encoding the stress-inducible trans-factor (SIG5) and the plastid transcription Ser/Thr protein kinase (cpCK2). Thus, for the adaptation of plants to elevated temperatures, both increase and decrease in the expression of the genes for the plastid transcriptional machinery with the involvement of various regulatory systems, including phytohormones, are equally significant.

New ferrocene-based 2-thio-imidazol-4-ones and their copper complexes. Synthesis and cytotoxicity.

Synthesis, characterization (HRMS, NMR, EPR, XANES, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and electrochemistry), DNA and BSA binding and in vitro biological screening of two new ferrocene-incorporated thiohydantoin derivatives (5 and 6) and their copper coordination compounds are reported. The ferrocene-based thiohydantoin derivatives were prepared by copper-catalyzed azide alkyne cycloaddition reactions between alkynyl ferrocenes and 5-(Z)-3-(2-azidoethyl)-2-(methylthio)-5-(pyridin-2-ylmethylene)-1H-imidazol-4H-one. Alkynyl ferrocenes necessary for these syntheses were prepared by new procedures. Intermolecular redox reactions between the ferrocene fragment and copper(+2) coordinated ions were studied by different methods to determine the mechanism and kinetic constants of redox processes. Ferrocene-containing imidazolones (5 and 6) and their copper complexes were also tested for their in vitro cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 and A-549 carcinoma cells, and also against the noncancerous cell line Hek-293. The results showed modest cytotoxicity against the subjected cancer cell line compared with cisplatin. The ability of the obtained compounds to cause DNA degradation and cell apoptosis was investigated, and the distribution of cytosol/pellets was studied by AAS.

Phytohormones Regulate the Expression of Nuclear Genes Encoding the Components of the Plastid Transcription Apparatus.

As multifunctional regulators of physiological processes, phytohormones play an important role in the regulation of expression of the plastid genome and chloroplast biogenesis. Hormones can directly regulate the expression of genes localized in the chloroplast genome. However, many components of the plastid transcription apparatus are encoded by nuclear rather than plastid genes. It remains obscure whether these nuclear genes are subject to hormonal regulation. This is the first study to show that phytohormones exert differential effects on the expression of nuclear genes of the transcription machinery of the Arabidopsis thaliana plastome. RT-PCR analysis showed that the level of transcripts of the majority of studied genes was activated by trans-zeatin but decreased under the influence of ABA, methyl jasmonate, and salicylic acid, whereas ethylene had no significant effect, and the effects of brassinolide depended on the illumination conditions. The results of this study indicate that the hormonal regulation of the plastome expression can be mediated by differential regulation of the nuclear genes encoding plastid transcription machinery components.

Comparative Assessment of Cytokine Pattern in Early and Late Onset of Neonatal Sepsis.

Neonatal sepsis is a significant health issue associated with high mortality. Immune responses associated with neonatal sepsis, such as proinflammatory cytokine production, are believed to play a central role in the pathogenesis of this disease. In the present study, serum levels of the proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL1-ß, and IL-6 and the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4 and IL-10 were evaluated for 25 subjects with neonatal sepsis. We observed that subjects with late onset of sepsis (LOS), as well as those with early onset of sepsis (EOS), had a substantial increase in serum TNF-α. In contrast to EOS, subjects with LOS demonstrated a significant increase in serum levels IL-6 and IL-10. Additionally, we observed a significant difference in cytokine profiles between acute and postacute cases of neonatal sepsis. For instance, the level of proinflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α and IL-6, was elevated in the acute phase, whereas the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-10, became substantially upregulated during the postacute phase. Additionally, no correlation was observed between cytokine levels and CRP levels or lymphocyte counts. Thus, in contrast to CRP levels and lymphocyte counts, examination of the cytokine profile can provide valuable information when determining the most effective therapy for treating neonatal sepsis. This information may be useful to physicians when determining if anti-inflammatory or immune stimulatory therapy is warranted.

[Functional state feature of erythrocytes in healthy term newborn infants].

Hematological parameters and functional status of erythrocytes were studied by the osmotic and ammonium loads in healthy newborns and in adults. Mean erythrocyte volume of newborns more than in adults. Significant difference index of osmotic fragility of neonates were observed in the transition from swelling to hemolysis. Kinetic of erythrocyte's hemolysis in the ammonium load was studied by low-angle light scattering (LaSca-analyzer). The percentage of erythrocyte hemolysis is lower and the velocity of hemolysis is 2.5 times slower in newborns than in adults.

[Features of the rheological properties of red blood cells in healthy newborns].

Variability of deformation and aggregation properties of erythrocytes is a component part of nonspecific antihypoxic response of formation of adequate blood flow in the tissues and efficiency of the microcirculation in different sections of the vascular bed. Degree of change in these properties during neonatal adaptation to spontaneous breathing can be a marker of its abnormality. We examined 19 healthy full-term newborns in the first 1-2 and 13 children in the first 5-7 days of life. The control group consisted of 30 healthy people aged 25-35 years. It is shown that the aggregation properties of erythrocytes, reduced on the birthday, significantly increased to 5-7 day to values in adults. Erythrocyte deformability in neonates enhanced by an excess reserve of specific surface and reduced strength of the membranes to stretch. Adapting to the transition to spontaneous breathing accompanied by an emphasis on the hyperkinetic type of hemodynamics.

[Dynamics the level of visfatin and markers of immune inflammation in hypertensive patients with abdominal obesity using the combination of antihypertensive therapy].

Today is actively discussing the impact of the new adipocytokin visfatin on the processes of atherosclerosis and inflammation. In this regard, of particular interest is a contingent of patients with hypertension in combination with abdominal obesity (AO). According to the patient should receive an adequate selection of antihypertensive therapy in connection with common pathology. The aim of the study was improved the treatment of hypertensive patients combined with abdominal obesity, which based on determining the level of visfatin and markers of immune inflammation. There were 64 patients which separated on the 1st group of hypertensive patients (n=28), 2d hypertensive with AO (n=36) and the 3d group of 19 healthy individuals. Patients matched for age and sex. All patients were determined in serum the level of visfatin («RayBioteeh¼, USA) interleukin-6 (IL -6) ("Vector -Best", Russia) interleukin-4 (IL-4) ("Vector -Best ", Russian) and C -reactive protein (CRP) («DRG International Inc.¼, USA) - ELISA. The treatment was carrying out with a combination of antihypertensive therapy: angiotensin receptor blocker-II of olmesartan medoxomil (10-20 mg dose once daily) with a calcium antagonist amlodipine (5-10 mg once a day) as hypertensive patients with AO, and without. It was noted the achievement of target blood pressure in both groups. On the antihypertensive therapy the 1st group in serum the level of IL-6 and CRP was significantly decreased by 48.7% and 60,6% (p <0,05). Whereas in the 2nd group there were a statistically significant reduction in the level of IL-6 and CRP in serum by 43.6% and 63.4% and detected statistically significant change in the level of serum visfatin 37.3%, respectively (p <0,05). The level of IL-4 in serum was increased in the 1st and 2nd groups by 29.7% and 11.6%, respectively (p>0.05). Conducted combination of antihypertensive therapy reducing the level of visfatin in hypertensive patients with abdominal obesity. As well, as has contributed to the target blood pressure and reduce inflammation in both groups.

[Influence of lipids on ice formation during the freezing of cryoprotective medium].

The influence of lipids on ice formation during the freezing of cryoprotective medium for the semen of rainbow trout has been studied by the cryomicroscopy technique. It was shown that the lipids extracted from marine vertebrates and liposomes from the lipids of trout sperm effectively inhibit the ice formation in cryoprotective solutions during freezing, fundamentally changing the form and size of ice crystals. At high concentrations of lipids, either the crystallization does not occur in the cryoprotective medium or, even if ice crystals are formed, they have a broken shape and blurred borders. The addition of egg yolk sligthly increases the size and essentially changes the shape of ice crystals during the freezing of solution.

[Significance of determination of medium weight molecules in urine in normal pregnancy, in complicated pregnancy and in newborns with hypoxia]. / Znachenie opredeleniia srednikh molekul v moche pri normal'noi i oslozhnennoi beremennosti i u novorozhdennykh s gipoksiei.

Women with normal gestation and with gestosis and diabetes and newborns exposed to chronic intrauterine hypoxia were examined in order to elucidate the diagnostic value of measuring the content of low- and medium-weight molecules (MWM) in the urine in some obstetrical and gynecological abnormalities. Urinary content of MWM was increased at late terms of pregnancy (25-40 weeks). In first-degree nephropathy and type I diabetes without vascular complications the content of MWM in the urine did not change. A drop of MWM level was observed in second-third-degree nephropathy and proteinuria, which can be attributed to impaired function of the kidneys. In healthy newborns no differences in MWM content were detected during the first day of life, but in newborns exposed to chronic intrauterine hypoxia MWM level was increased. Hence, measurement of MWM level in the urine can have prognostic significance in diseases involving gestosis and fetal hypoxia.

[Feasibility of treating Sonne dysentery patients at home]. / Izuchenie vozmozhnosti lecheniia bol'nykh dizenteriei Zonne v domashnikh usloviiakh

Results of studying possibility of treatment of 589 patients suffering from Sonne dysentery at home showed that their significance in the spread of infection was not greater than that of those treated at the hospital. Significance of the patients in the spread of infection in a family was determined by their age, severity of the disease, number and duration of excretion of the causative agent. It was concluded that patients with forme frustes or subclinical form of Sonne dysentery and also those revealed during the late periods of the disease could by treated at home.