[Treatment of neurotrophic keratopathy in combined lesions of the trigeminal and facial nerves]. / Lechenie neirotroficheskoi keratopatii pri sochetannom porazhenii troinichnogo i litsevogo nervov.

Ocular symptomatology in lesions of the facial nerve is associated with disturbed innervation of the circular muscle of the eye that leads to disruption of the protective function of the eyelids and the development of exposure symptoms, and is accompanied by a breach in corneal tear film integrity. The main clinical manifestation of the trigeminal nerve damage is the loss of sensory innervation of the cornea and disruption of the supply of neurotransmitters to its cells, manifesting as corneal hypo- or anesthesia. This triggers a cascade of pathological processes that lead to the development of neurotrophic keratopathy. In combined pathology of the facial and trigeminal nerves, a number of interrelated and mutually aggravating problems arise that require correction of lagophthalmos and functional restoration of the trigeminal nerve, since there is an interaction between the corneal epithelium and trigeminal neurons through trophic neuromodulators, which normally contribute to the proliferation of epithelial cells, their differentiation, migration and adhesion, and are essential for vital functions, metabolism and healing of surface lesions of the eye. Classical methods of treating neurotrophic keratopathy aim to protect the ocular surface, and are palliative or auxiliary, do not provide radical relief of the symptoms of neurotrophic keratopathy. Modern surgical technique of neurotization of the cornea allows restoring the structural growth of the nerve, which provides nerve trophism and corneal sensitivity, and is the only pathogenetically substantiated method of effective treatment of neurotrophic keratopathy. At the same time, direct neurotization has undeniable advantages over methods involving intercalary donor nerves, since neuropeptides from nerve fibers are immediately released into the recipient tissue and start reparative processes. Taking into account the accumulated positive experience of neurotization surgeries, scientific and clinical research should be continued in order to improve the most effective methods of corneal neurotization and promote their wider implementation into clinical practice.

[Features of the urine peptidome under the condition of hypertensive pathologies of pregnancy]. / Osobennosti peptidoma mochi pri gipertenzivnykh patologiiakh beremennykh.

In order to find a peptide panel to differentiate close hypertensive conditions a case-control study was designed for 64 women from 4 groups: preeclampsia (PE), chronic hypertension superimposed with PE, chronic hypertension, and healthy individuals. Chromatography coupled with mass-spectrometry and subsequent bioinformatic analysis showed several patterns in the changes of the urine peptidome. There were 36 peptides common for four groups. Twenty two of them 22 belonged to alpha-1-chain of collagen I, nine peptides were from alpha-1-chain of collagen III, two from alpha-2-chain of collagen I, one from alpha-1/2-chain of collagen I, one from alpha-1-chain of collagen I/XVIII and one from uromodulin. Patients with hypertensive disorders had 34 common peptides: 12 from alpha-1-chain of collagen I, 10 from fibrinogen alpha-chain, eight from alpha-1-chain of collagen III, and 4 per other types of collagen. Comparative analysis revealed 12 peptides, which could be used as a diagnostic panel for confident discrimination of pregnant women with various hypertensive disorders.

Low-Dose Ionizing Radiation Affects Mesenchymal Stem Cells via Extracellular Oxidized Cell-Free DNA: A Possible Mediator of Bystander Effect and Adaptive Response.

We have hypothesized that the adaptive response to low doses of ionizing radiation (IR) is mediated by oxidized cell-free DNA (cfDNA) fragments. Here, we summarize our experimental evidence for this model. Studies involving measurements of ROS, expression of the NOX (superoxide radical production), induction of apoptosis and DNA double-strand breaks, antiapoptotic gene expression and cell cycle inhibition confirm this hypothesis. We have demonstrated that treatment of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with low doses of IR (10 cGy) leads to cell death of part of cell population and release of oxidized cfDNA. cfDNA has the ability to penetrate into the cytoplasm of other cells. Oxidized cfDNA, like low doses of IR, induces oxidative stress, ROS production, ROS-induced oxidative modifications of nuclear DNA, DNA breaks, arrest of the cell cycle, activation of DNA reparation and antioxidant response, and inhibition of apoptosis. The MSCs pretreated with low dose of irradiation or oxidized cfDNA were equally effective in induction of adaptive response to challenge further dose of radiation. Our studies suggest that oxidized cfDNA is a signaling molecule in the stress signaling that mediates radiation-induced bystander effects and that it is an important component of the development of radioadaptive responses to low doses of IR.

[CHARACTERISTICS OF BONE MINERAL DENSITY IN ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH DIABETES MELLITUS].

Diabetes mellitus is a most important medical and social problem in Russia. Osteoarthropathy, osteopenia and osteoporosis are chronic complications of diabetes. There is no consensus on the pathogenetic mechanisms of development of changes of the bone tissue in this pathology. The present literature review outlines the problem.

Functionalized Fullerene Increases NF-κB Activity and Blocks Genotoxic Effect of Oxidative Stress in Serum-Starving Human Embryo Lung Diploid Fibroblasts.

The influence of a water-soluble [60] fullerene derivative containing five residues of 3-phenylpropionic acid and a chlorine addend appended to the carbon cage (F-828) on serum-starving human embryo lung diploid fibroblasts (HELFs) was studied. Serum deprivation evokes oxidative stress in HELFs. Cultivation of serum-starving HELFs in the presence of 0.1-1 µM F-828 significantly decreases the level of free radicals, inhibits autophagy, and represses expression of NOX4 and NRF2 proteins. The activity of NF-κB substantially grows up in contrast to the suppressed NRF2 activity. In the presence of 0.2-0.25 µM F-828, the DSB rate and apoptosis level dramatically decrease. The maximum increase of proliferative activity of the HELFs and maximum activity of NF-κB are observed at these concentration values. Conclusion. Under the conditions of oxidative stress evoked by serum deprivation the water-soluble fullerene derivative F-828 used in concentrations of 0.1 to 1 µM strongly stimulates the NF-κB activity and represses the NRF2 activity in HELFs.

Toxic and DNA damaging effects of a functionalized fullerene in human embryonic lung fibroblasts.

Water-soluble fullerenes have been studied as potential nanovectors and therapeutic agents, but their possible toxicity is of concern. We have studied the effects of F-828, a soluble fullerene [C60] derivative, on diploid human embryonic lung fibroblasts (HELFs) in vitro. F-828 causes complex time-dependent changes in ROS levels. Inhibition of Nox4 activity by plumbagin blocks F-828-dependent ROS elevation. F-828 induces DNA breaks, as measured by the comet assay and γH2AX expression, and the activities of the transcription factors NF-kB and p53 increase. F-828 concentrations>25µM are cytotoxic; cell death occurs by necrosis. Expression levels of TGF-ß, RHOA, RHOC, ROCK1, and SMAD2 increase following exposure to F-828. Our results raise the possibility that fullerene F-828 may induce pulmonary fibrosis in vivo.

Thymic Structures Containing Somatostatin.

Double immunofluorescent staining confirmed co-expression of somatostatin (neuropeptide) and antigen-presenting cells of macrophage origin expressing major histocompatibility complex class II molecules in the intact thymus. The results confirmed cooperation of the neuropeptide and immunocompetent systems.

Morphofunctional adaptation of rat thymus structures to silicon consumption with drinking water.

Administration of standardized drinking water containing 10 mg/liter silicon for 2 months adlibitum induced structural reorganization of the cortical and medullary layers of the thymiclobules in laboratory rats accompanied by functional activation of monocyte/macrophage cells and antigen-presenting cells was changed in morphological structures of the thymus. A possible mechanism of development of autoimmune processes under the effect of silicon is discussed.

[CLINICAL AND MEDICO-SOCIAL ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF CORONARY STENTING].

UNLABELLED: The disability rate due to coronary heart disease (CHD) remains rather high. Surgical and endovascular methods have good prospects for the management of this condition. AIM: To estimate the effectiveness of coronary stenting from the clinical and medico-social standpoints. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 2 groups of patients. Group 1 consisted of 328 patients (mean age 58.2 ± 0.5 yr) with CHD after coronary stenting treated by optimal pharmacotherapy. Group 2 was comprised of 69 patients (mean age 59.7 ± 1.2 yr) who denied stenting and received optimal pharmacotherapy. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Structural and functional disorders of the cardiovascular system in group I were significantly less pronounced than in group 2. They were characterised by higher compensatory abilitiws manifest as the better preserved systolic function of the left ventricle, high or moderate tolerance of physical load facilitating complete rehabilitation, and the capacity for working in the proper environment. Patients of group 1 exhibited positive dynamics of disability features, such as a 9.2% rise in the number of those denied the disability status upon repeated examination at medical and social assessment boards. CONCLUSION: The results of the study suggest clinical effectiveness of coronary stenting confirmed by laboratory and instrumental studies and medico-social efficiency of this procedure manifest as positive dynamics of disability characteristics in the treated patients compared with controls.

Impact of total sleep deprivation on behavioural neural processing of emotionally expressive faces.

Sleep deprivation impacts subjective mood states, but very little research has examined the impact on processing emotional information. In the current study, we investigated the impact of total sleep deprivation on neural responses to emotional facial expressions as well as the accuracy and speed with which these faces were categorized. Forty-nine participants completed two tasks in which they were asked to categorize emotional facial expressions as Happy, Sad, Angry, or Fearful. They were shown the 'full' expression of the emotions in one task and more subtle expressions in a second task in which expressions were 'morphed' with neutral faces so that the intensity of emotion varied. It was expected that sleep deprivation would lead to greater reactivity (indexed by larger amplitude N170 event-related potentials), particularly for negative and more subtle facial expressions. In the full face task, sleep-deprived (SD) participants were significantly less accurate than controls (C) at identifying Sad faces and slower to identify all emotional expressions. P1 was smaller and N170 was larger for the SD compared to C group, but for all emotions, indicating generalized impairment in low-level visual processing. In the more difficult morphed face task, SD participants were less accurate than C participants for Sad faces; as well, the group difference in reaction time was greatest for Sad faces. For the SD group, N170 increased in amplitude with increasing perceptual difficulty for the Fearful and Angry faces, but decreased in amplitude with increasing difficulty for Sad faces. These data illustrate that sleep deprivation led to greater neural reactivity for the threat-related negative emotions as they became more subtle; however, there was a failure to engage these perceptual resources for the processing of Sad faces. Sleep loss preferentially impacted the processing of Sad faces; this has widespread implications for sleep-deprived groups.

[Applicability of the problem of peptic ulcer in modern gastroenterology, military-and-medical and medical-and-social assessment].

The round-up article is devoted to the history of gastroenterology. The authors deal with a subject of aetiology, pathogenesis and treatment of diseases associated with destruction of mucous coat of GI tract. The main criteria of military-and-medical and medical-and-social assessment used in evaluation of patients with different forms of peptic ulcer are performed.

[Antihypertensive therapy in the elderly patients with metabolic syndrome].

The article is concerned with modern methods of assessment of arterial hypertension in patients with metabolic syndrome and characteristics of modern antihypertensive drugs and its combinations necessary for the elderly. The authors gave their own example of treatment of more than 2000 patients with arterial hypertension and metabolic syndrome.

[Principles of antihypertensive therapy in metabolic syndrome].

Clinical features of arterial hypertension in patients with metabolic syndrome are described with reference to antihypertensive therapy and the choice of adequate drugs for the purpose. Characteristics of the most frequently used preparations are presented along with algorithms for their application depending on clinical condition. Advantages of combined antihypertensive therapy in metabolic syndrome are substantiated, their most efficacious combinations are recommended.

[Improved method for the demonstration of the crystalline lens cellular structures].

A new method for the demonstration of the lens epithelial cells and fibers in the eye of the experimental animals (rats) is described. The method proposed is not laborious and is simple in utilization. It is based on the intravital administration of methylene blue solution to the animal with the subsequent supravital crystalline lens staining at 37 degreesC. The material was then embedded into paraffin, and the sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin. The sections obtained using the proposed method, give an opportunity for the detailed demonstration of the morphological features of the lens cells.

[Morphological basis of ocular desympathetization as a new method for experimental cataract modeling].

The aim of this study was to obtain the morphological basis for ocular desympathetization as a method for cataract modeling in vivo. The study was conducted on 20 outbred rabbits, in which the bilateral removal of superior cervical ganglia of sympathetic trunk resulted in the change of tone of the sympathetic division of the nervous system. 5-7 months after this operation, biomicroscopy of the anterior portion of both eyes was performed that has demonstrated in 16 out of 20 rabbits the initial manifestations of lenticular opacity. 12-14 months after the operation, their area was significantly increased, and the formation of wedge-shaped opacity with its basis facing the lens periphery, was documented. This was associated with the dissociation of lens fibers, as well as the extracellular liquid accumulation. Histological and phenotypic changes of the lens were similar to those in age-related cortical cataract, detected in man. In both age-related cataract, and that one received by a proposed modeling method, the immunopositive reaction was found demonstrating neuron-specific enolase, vimentin and S-100 protein in lenticular cortex. The proposed method of cataract modeling in vivo may be used for the study of cataract pathogenesis and for the development of measures of its prophylaxis and therapy.

[The bioamine profile of the lens during the development of different types of human age-related cataract].

Luminescence microscopy of cryostat sections of lenses and spectrofluorometry were used to study the lens in health and in different types of human age-related cataract. The cortical type of age-related cataract occurs with the considerably increased concentrations of histamine, catecholamines and serotonin. Examination of the bioamine profile of age-related nuclear cataract revealed a significant increase in the level of serotonin and a moderate rise in the concentration of catecholamines. At the same time, the values of histamine did not practically differ from those in the intact lens. Thus, principal differences were found in the bioamine provision of the development of age-related cortical and nuclear cataract, suggesting that it is necessary to elaborate a differential approach to studying the pathogenetic mechanisms and treatments for human age-related cataract depending on its specific type.

[Fetal inflammatory response in the development of multiple organ dysfunction in newborn].

The fetal inflammatory response syndrome (FIRS) is one of the causes of multiple organ dysfunction (MOD) in critically ill newborn infants. The paper shows a role of interleukin-8 (IL-8) in the development of FIRS and MOD in neonates a correlation between the concentration of IL-8 and the number of organs involved in the pathological process and demonstrates the leading role of endothelial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of the pathological processes concerned.

[Colorless sulfur bacteria Thioploca from different sites in Lake Baikal].

The colorless sulfur bacteria Thioploca spp. found in Lake Baikal are probably a marker for the influx of subterranean mineralized fluids. Bacteria act as a biological filter; by consuming sulfide in their metabolism, they detoxicate it and maintain the purity of Lake Baikal's water. The bacteria were investigated by various techniques. According to analysis of the 16S rRNA gene fragment, Thioploca sp. from Frolikha Bay, Baikal belongs to the clade of freshwater species found in Lake Biwa and Lake Constance; it is most closely related to Thioploca ingrica.

Effect of orchiectomy on structures of the thymus expressing major histocompatibility complex class II molecules.

Morphological and immunohistochemical study was performed to evaluate the effect of orchiectomy on structures of the thymus expressing major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II) proteins. Male sex hormone deficiency in the organism led to an increase in the number of MHC-II+ cells in the medulla and cortex of the thymic lobule. At the same time, the count of these cells in the corticomedullary zone decreased after orchiectomy. These changes modify homeostasis and activate immune processes.

Immunohistochemical analysis of lens cells on formation of different types of age-related cataract in humans.

The aim of the present work was to perform a comparative immunohistochemical study of the ocular lens in normal conditions and after formation of various type of age-related cataract in humans. The control group consisted of lenses from young men dying from accidents and serving as corneal donors (n = 10, not more than one hour after death). Lenses from patients (aged 60-70 years) undergoing surgery for cortical (n = 20) and nuclear (n = 20) cataracts were studied. The investigations demonstrated plasticity in the phenotype of lens cells in age-related cataract. Changes in the phenotype of lens cells were found to depend on the type of age-related cataract. Development of the cortical variant of age-related cataract was associated with positive reactions with monoclonal antibodies to neuron-specific enolase, S-100 protein, and vimentin only within the lens cortex. Formation of age-related nuclear cataract was associated with positive reactions with antibodies to alpha-smooth muscle actin and pancytokeratin, which were detected only in the lens nucleus. This provides evidence of the need to develop a differential approach to the treatment of different types of age-related cataract.