Proteasomal activity in brain tissue following ischemic stroke in Wistar rats.

Functional as well as structural reorganization of brain tissues takes place in the surrounding and remotes brain areas after focal ischemic lesions. In particular, reactive or regenerative processes have been described to occur in the infarction areas and the contralateral hemisphere. Experiments were performed on 63 rats, divided into 3 groups (each consisted of 21 animals): sham operated, short-term occlusion of the right middle cerebral artery (MCAO) group, and long-term MCAO group. We have studied changes in proteasome proteolysis during transient occlusion of the middle cerebral artery using method of Koizumi J., duration 2 and 60 min and made the comparison between changes in different types of proteasome activity and severity of ischemic injury and showed three types of decrease inproteolytic activity (trypsin-, chymotrypsin-like, peptidylglutamyl peptide-hydrolyzing) in the brain tissues. Chymotrypsin-like activity of ischemic areas of the brain for short-term MCAO decreased 4.1 times compared with controls (P > 0.05), for long-term MCAO decreased 5.8 times compared with controls (P < 0.05). Trypsin-like activity of ischemic areas of brain for short-term MCAO decreased 7.1 times compared with controls (P > 0.05), for long-term MCAO decreased 12.5 times compared with controls (P < 0.05). PGPH activity of ischemic areas for short-term MCAO decreased 8 times compared with controls (P > 0.05), for long-term MCAO decreased 2.8 times compared with controls (P < 0.05). The similar dynamics was observed also in the penumbra and the core zone of the brain at 6 h of reperfusion, in the long run there is no significant difference between the core and contralateral zones. Our results suggest that proteasome activity may play also a role in contralateral cortical plasticity occurring after focal cerebral ischemia.

[Bilateral breast cancer: risk factors, prognostic factors and patient monitoring].

AIM OF THE STUDY: To identify and explore the most important clinical and morphological and molecular factors that affect the likelihood and prediction bilateral breast cancer (BBC). Develop an algorithm of diagnostic tests and monitoring of patients with high risk of BBC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 272 cases of BBC during the period from 1995 to 2011 in different oncological institutions of Ukraine have been analyzed, 195 of them were with metachronous and 77 with synchronous BBC. RESULTS: We found that the most important morphological factors that affect the likelihood of bilateral breast cancer development are menstrual status of the patients (p = 0.00007703), the first stage of breast cancer (p = 0.000015), the degree of affection of the regional lymph nodes (p = 0.00006915) and tumor size (p = 0.000112) at the time of first detection of breast cancer. Significant effect on the occurrence BBC makes of the fact that history high doze irradiation in the treatment of the first tumor (p = 0.00779). CONCLUSION: At high risk group of development of metachronous BBC are patients with the following parameters of the first tumor: size > 5 cm, N category > pN2, stage > 2, a history of high doze exposure of contrlateral breast cancer, lack of radiotherapy in standard fractionation, chemotherapy and hormone therapy in complex treatment of the first tumor. Optimal algorithm for monitoring patient group increased risk of BBC for the first 5 years of follow include: monthly self testing, quarterly reviews of mammologist, breast ultrasound every half-year, annual mammography control.

[Comparative evaluation of the effectiveness of different schemes of correction the portal system pressure in patients with liver cirrhosis].

The data about the complex examination and treatment of 64 patients is given. Proven the efficiency of prescribing angiotensin II receptor blocker compared with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and beta-blockers in combination with prebiotics, probiotics and L-arginine medical preparations. It is found that more manifested positive changes in indexes of intracardialy hemodynamics in patients with liver cirhhosis usage of valsartan (group III), namely: increased the left ventricular ejection fraction from (58.1 +/- 3.6) % to (65.1 +/- 1.1) % (P < 0.05), the beat index--from (28.99 +/- 2.20) ml/m2 to (36.1 +/- 3.5) ml/m2 (P < 0.05), the heart index to (3.26 +/- 0.70) l/(min2 x m2) from (2.59 +/- 0.80) l/(min2 x m2). Thus, the use of angiotensin II receptor blockers in patients with liver cirrhosis did not significantly reduce the systemic blood pressure, which must be considered in the treatment of this group of patients.

[Application of "reytoil" in prevention of atherosclerosis in diabetes patients].

The paper was conducted sonographic study of extracranial atherosclerotic vascular changes in patients with diabetes mellitus, and lipid profile study of the dynamics under the influence of treatment with the inclusion of the drug "Reytoil". Structural changes of the vascular wall correlates with changes of lipid profile in patients with diabetes. Structural assessment of intima-media complex (IMC) can be used as a marker for early diagnosis of vascular remodeling in patients with diabetes, as well as the criterion of efficiency of a treatment. Detection of lipid exchange and evaluation of IMC in the early stages of diabetes mellitus will make it possible pathogenetic approach to providing comprehensive treatment of diabetes with dyslipidemia, including the drug "Reytoil".

[Application of the MELD scale for the estimation of treatment efficacy in patients with hepatic cirrhosis and hepatorenal syndrome type II using extracorporeal methods of hemocorrection].

The results of treatment of 69 patients, suffering hepatic cirrhosis (HC) in decompensation stage with hepatorenal syndrome, were analyzed, in whom extracorporeal methods of hemocorrection (extracorporeal sorption with ultrafiltration of ascitic liquor and the albumin peritoneal dialysis) were applied. The patients state severity as well as the therapy efficacy were estimated in accordance with the MELD (Model of End-Stage Liver Disease) scale. High informativity of the abovementioned estimation system was established, concerning prognosis for their life duration in the patients, suffering HC.

[Changes of intracellular calcium-regulating mechanisms of primary and secondary sensory neurones in periferal inflammation]. / Porushennia funktsii vnutrishn'oklitynnykh kal'tsiirehuliuiuchykh mekhanizmiv pervynnykh i vtorynnykh sensornykh neironiv pry peryferychnomu zapalenni.

Here we summarize the results of experimental investigation of changes in intracellular calcium homeostasis in mice and rat primary (dorsal root ganglia, DRG) and secondary (dorsal horn, DH) sensory neurons under carrageenan-induced periferal inflammation. A decrease in a calcium accumulation in both inositoltriphosphate- and caffeine-sensitive endoplasmic reticulum calcium stores has been detected in primary sensory neurons under condition of peripheral inflammation. We have also shown a decrease in the caffeine-induced calcium release in dorsal horn neurons of inflamed rat as compared to control ones. Decrease in the Ca2+ -accumulating properties of mitochondria has been demonstrated in both DRG and DH neurons with carrageenan-induced inflammation as compared with neurons of control animals. We conclude that changes in Ca2+ -regulating structures of primary and secondary sensory neurons could possibly lead to alterations in the transmission of nociceptive signals during inflammation.

[Pathogenetic role of prostanoids in disorders of sodium reabsorption during development of acute renal insufficiency]. / Patohenetychne znachennia prostanoïdiv u porushenni reabsorbtsiï ioniv natriiu za umov rozvytku hostroï nyrkovoï nedostatnosti.

The experiments were carried out on 36 male rats with an acute renal insufficiency--sublimate-induced nephropathy. An increased amount of both tromboxan A2, and prostaglandine F2a has been shown to play a pathogenic role in the disorders of the main energy-dependent process in kidney--reabsorbtion of sodium ions. The negative correlative relation between the concentration of sodium ions in plasma and an increased amount of prostaglandine E2 in a kidney papilla can be explained by the hyperfunction of the interstitial cells of a kidney papilla and with a natriuretic effect of prostaglandine E2 at the level of collective tubules.

Respiratory complications of pregnancy.

The pregnant woman is susceptible to a variety of respiratory complications. When a pregnant patient presents with an abnormal chest x-ray or a pulmonary complaint, an understanding of the pathophysiology of pregnancy will guide the clinician in establishing a diagnosis. Pregnancy brings about many changes to a woman's body. One of the more intriguing is a decrease in the T helper cells, resulting in a state of relative immunosuppression. Despite this, the prevalence of infectious pneumonia is not increased in pregnancy. Complications from pneumonia, however, are increased in the pregnant host. Most notably are increases in both mortality related to influenza infection and the risk for dissemination of coccidioidomycosis. Other physiologic changes predispose the pregnant woman to certain disease processes. Hypercoagulability associated with pregnancy results in a marked increase in the incidence of thromboembolic disease. Although rare, pregnancy is also associated with other embolic phenomena including amniotic fluid embolism, air embolism, and trophoblastic embolism. Because of the increases in intravascular volume and cardiac output that occur in pregnancy, women with underlying structural heart disease will frequently present for the first time or have an exacerbation of their disease. This is especially true of mitral stenosis. Peripartum cardiomyopathy also can occur, and for the majority of patients, the heart remains damaged for life. Finally, although uncommon, lymphangioleiomyomatosis will often present or become exacerbated during pregnancy. Patients with this disorder need to be counseled concerning the increased risk associated with pregnancy. This paper reviews the various respiratory complications associated with pregnancy.

[Changes in intracellular mechanisms in sensory neurons in experimental diabetes mellitus]. / Porushennia vnutrishn'oklitynnykh mekhanismiv sensornykh neironiv pry eksperymental'nomu tsukrovomu diabeti.

Here we summarises the results of experimental investigation of changes in intracellular calcium homeostasis in sensory neurones of rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus. Decrease in the calcium-accumulating function of both inositol-trisphosphate- as well as caffeine-sensitive endoplasmic reticulum has been detected both in primary sensory neurones of dorsal root ganglia and in secondary neurones of the spinal cord dorsal horn. Predominant depression in the functioning of metabotropic receptors of ligand-gated channels compared with those of ionotropic ones has been demonstrated. Changes in the pharmacological sensitivity of potential-operated calcium channels (predominantly of L-type), linked, probably, with alterations of functional connections between membrane channels and endoplasmic reticulum, are described. A predominant role of changes in the functioning of intracellular Ca(2+)-accumulating structures, leading to prolongation of depolarisation-induced Ca2+ transients in primary and secondary sensory neurones and corresponding changes in the transmission of nociceptive signals during diabetic neuropathy are discussed.

Respiratory bronchiolitis: an unusual cause of pulmonary infiltrates in a pregnant woman.

Numerous mechanical, biochemical, and immunologic changes occur during pregnancy. Because of these changes, pregnant women are more susceptible to infection, thromboembolic disease, exacerbation of underlying immunologic disease, and heart failure than women who are not pregnant. The differential diagnosis of diffuse pulmonary infiltrates in a pregnant woman is broad; thus, the work-up can be very challenging. If the patient fails to respond to conservative measures, such as antibiotics, the cause of the infiltrate must be aggressively evaluated because the treatment may be essential for the survival of the mother and fetus. We report a case of a pregnant woman who presented with diffuse bilateral infiltrates. After video-assisted thoracoscopic lung biopsy, this patient was found to have respiratory bronchiolitis, a disease not previously reported during pregnancy. Treatment with glucocorticoids resulted in a prompt improvement in symptoms.

Air embolism after intravenous injection of contrast material.

Venous air embolism, though considered rare, occurs more frequently than it is recognized. We report the case of a 54-year-old man who was incidentally found to have air in the left brachiocephalic vein and right ventricle after contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT). Air embolism has been noted to occur after contrast-enhanced CT examination in up to 23% of patients. Because these emboli are small to moderate size and are usually venous, the patients are usually asymptomatic. We review the pathophysiology of air embolization and the recommended treatment.

[The treatment of colorectal cancers]. / Likuvannia kolorektal'noho raku.

Results of treatment of 2900 patients with colorectal cancer in 1972-1994 yrs. period are analyzed. Diagnosis methods, kinds of operative procedures, frequency of complications occurrence are enlightened. Problematic directions of future investigations are determined.

[Antitumor and anticachectic activity of UFT in BALB/c mice bearing colon 26 adenocarcinoma].

We established a cancer cachexia model in BALB/c mice bearing Colon 26 and examined antitumor and anticachectic activity of UFT. The mice bearing Colon 26 showed a progressive loss of body weight, loss of lipid, and hypalbuminosis associated with the change of tumor size and these symptoms were improved by removal of cancer. In this model UFT extended life span significantly at 15mg/kg/day though showed a little growth inhibitory activity. UFT showed a significant tumor growth inhibitory activity and extended life span at 20mg/kg/day and could reverse all biological parameters mentioned above. Since the intratumor and plasma contents of IL-6 were significantly lowered in the UFT administered group, it is estimated that the anticachectic activity of UFT originates from reduction of interleukin-6 in tumor.

Geographical pathology profile of AIDS in Puerto Rico: the first decade.

Postmortem histopathological changes in 100 adult patients with AIDS who died in Puerto Rico from 1982 to 1991 were studied and tabulated. Modes of HIV transmission were reviewed. Patient ages ranged from 21 to 60 yr. Gender composition for the patient group was 83 men (average age, 35 yr) and 17 women (average age, 39 yr). Sixty-eight of the patients were injecting-drug users, 20 were homosexual and bisexual men, seven were women who had had heterosexual contact with men at risk for HIV, and one was a man who had had heterosexual contact with prostitutes. Only one case was linked to transfusions of blood. Twenty-seven men and seven women were serologically tested for antibodies and all were HIV seroreactive. The most common causes of infection and the frequency of each were as follows: Pneumocystis carinii in 49 patients; cytomegalovirus in 43; Toxoplasma gondii in 30; Candida species in 24; Histoplasma capsulatum in 18; Mycobacterium species in 14; Cryptococcus species in eight; and Strongyloides stercoralis in six patients. Infection by Schistosoma mansoni (10 patients) was considered incidental because this trematode is endemic in Puerto Rico. The lung was the organ most frequently infected by a single microorganism: Pneumocystis carinii affected 49 patients. However, Cryptococcus species was the microorganism that infected more body systems: 20 different organs in eight patients. Nineteen patients had microglial nodular encephalitis, 86 patients had lymphocyte depletion in the spleen, and 58 had lymphocyte depletion in lymph node tissue. Twenty-seven men had testicular maturation arrest and variable germ cell loss. Three patients had malignant lymphoma, and two had Kaposi's sarcoma.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)