[Matrix metalloproteinases and clinical and functional status in smokers with persistent asthma].

AIM: To assess the role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) in the clinical and functional status of smoking patients with persistent asthma. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Examinations were made in 16 healthy smokers (a control group), 22 healthy nonsmoking volunteers (a volunteer group), and 16 patients with endogenous (n = 6) and mixed (n = 10) persistent asthma (a study group) with varying disease control. The investigators used the following techniques: spirometry; determination of airway resistance and FeCO in the expired air; 30-minute percutaneous monitoring of blood oxygenation and 6-minute walk test; enzyme immunoassay for matrix metalloproteinase levels. RESULTS: The longer duration and higher intensity of smoking increase airway inflammation in the asthmatic patients and the length of blood oxygenation within the very low range. The combined negative influence of tobacco smoking and the underlying disease leads to a clinically significant decrease in pulmonary ventilation ability and basic levels of blood oxygenation, the occurring asthma control reduction being correlating with the longer duration of treatment. The investigators revealed the predictors of lowering the mean level of blood oxygenation (MMP-9, FeCO, and airway resistance), as well as the factors that negatively influence the level of dyspnea and fatigue in asthmatic smokers. CONCLUSION: The serum levels of FeCO and MMP-9 may serve as markers reflecting the intensity of airway inflammation in smokers with persistent asthma.

[Efficacy of neuromidin in alcoholic encephalopathy].

40 patients with alcoholic encephalopathy, aged from 30 to 60 years, were enrolled in the study. Patients were divided into two groups: 20 patients in the treatment group received vasoactive, antioxidant treatment and neyromidin in dose 15 mg in solution during 10 days and then in tabs in dose 20 mg three times a day during 2 months. The comparison group included 20 patients receiving only vasoactive and antioxidant treatment. To the end of treatment, the positive changes in the state of patients reflected in the decrease in the number of complaints and neurological symptoms were seen in the treatment group. The significant improvement of MMSE scores, positive changes in P300 latency and amplitude, the increase in scores on physical activity scales, emotional functioning, mental health scales of SF-36 questionnaire were found as well. There were no serious treatment-emergent adverse events.

[Comparative characteristics of somatic risk factors for the development of Tourette syndrome and slowly-progressing schizophrenia in childhood]. / Sravnitel'naia kharakteristika somaticheskikh faktorov riska dlia razvitiia sindroma Turetta i maloprogredientnoi shizofrenii detskogo vozrasta.

The contribution of the environmental risk-factors has been studied in 25 children with Tourette's syndrome and 25 children with sluggish schizophrenia. It has been established that the levels of the severity of the toxicosis in pregnancy, the presence of the nephropathy, neuroinfections of the first year of life were significantly higher in the Tourette's syndrome, than in schizophrenia. Those data are not in line with the speculations about one major dominance gene transmission for the Tourette's syndrome, because genetic contributions in it and in the child schizophrenia are equal. The environmental risk-factors may morbogenic role in the development of Tourette's syndrome.