[Autochthonous probiotics in prevention of infectious and inflammatory diseases of a human in the altered habitats].

Dysbiotic shifts in intestinal and pharyngeal microflora were studied in 22 normal volunteers in 9-, 14-, 105- and 520-d chamber experiments simulating some of the spaceflight factors. Two preparations were administered to prevent pharyngeal and intestinal dysbiosis: oral dry probiotic based on indigenous intestinal Enterococci and topical collagen-immobilized Lactobacterin based on indigenous intestinal Lactobacilli. Topical autopmrobiotic lactobacterin reduced the growth of opportunistic pathogens in the throat during the experiments. Oral autoprobiotic based on Enterococci reduced the content of intestinal opportunistic pathogens, supporting the high level of protecting microflora. Most of autostrains are free from pathogenicity factors, nevertheless, implementation of genetic testing of indigenous strains are reasonable.

[Microbial fuel cells as an alternative power supply].

Purpose of the work was designing and prototyping of microbial fuel cells (MFC) and comparative evaluation of the electrogenic activity of wastewater autochthonous microorganisms as well as bacterial monocultures. Objects were model electrogenic strain Shewanella oneidensis MR-1, and an Ochrobactrum sp. strain isolated from the active anode biofilm of MFC composed as an electricity generating system. The study employed the methods typically used for aerobic and anaerobic strains, current measurement, identification of new electrogenic strains in microbial association of wastewater sludge and species definition by rRNA 16-S. As a result, two MFCs prototypes were tried out. Besides, it was shown that electrogenic activity of S. oneidensis MR-1 and Ochrobactrum sp. monocultures is similar but differs from that of the microbial association of the anode biofilm.

[Bacterial methane generation and methods of its optimization].

Presented are the results of studying bacterial methane generation and oxidation in the body of solid domestic wastes dump and intensity of gas release into atmosphere. The investigation revealed active microbial degradation of organic wastes with a distinct biogeochemical zoning. Quantitative and qualitative composition of micro-organisms depends on the depth of horizon. Disintegration of organic components of warehoused foods by various microorganisms occurs with production of volatile and gaseous compounds (carbonic acid, methane and others). Anaerobic conditions set the scene for active production of biogas, major components of which are methane and CO2. The final process in the sequence of organics transformations within the body of solid domestic wastes dump is predominant production of CH4 and CO2 in the ratio of approximately 60 and 40%, respectively, and trace quantities of other volatile compounds. Active bacterial methane oxidation is evidenced by the 13C isotope increase in methane and decrease in carbonic acid. The developed model of animal and plant wastes management demonstrated efficiency of the system using frozen-dried preparations of microbial associations and its practicability in municipal economy.

[Choice of a method and a type of device for water decontamination and warming within physical-chemical life support systems].

The review has been undertaken within project Mars-500 supported by the Russian Academy of Sciences and aimed to make choice of a method and associated device for effective decontamination and warming potable water for humans during long confinement and isolation. Analysis of the literary data and patent specifications of chemical, physical and hybrid methods of water decontamination and warming guided the choice of energy of ultrahigh frequencies (UHF). Also, a waveguide-coaxial UHF-device implementing this method was proposed. Ease of the UHF energy transformation to heat, reliability, friendliness and impart attractiveness to the method in the eye of developers of long-operating physical-chemical life support systems.

[Investigation of dysbiosis developing during "dry" immersion and methods of correction].

Dysbiotic shifts in intestinal and integumentary microflora were studied in 10 test-subjectes during 7-day "dry" immersion. Essentially every test-subject reduced significantly fecal lactoflora and developed dysbiotic shifts in the microbial landscape of various types of integument. Pharyngeal microflora was analyzed in 22 normal volunteers for 7-day "dry" immersion. Two probiotic preparations were administered to prevent pharyngeal dysbiosis: peroral dry lactobacterin and topical collagen-immobilized lactobacterin. The peroral probiotic stimulated growth of pharyngeal opportunistic pathogens preventing translocations of the intestinal microflora. The topical probiotic, on the opposite, reduced the content of opportunistic pathogens in the throat; however, it provoked gastrointestinal dysbiosis. It appears that the most effective prophylaxis of pharyngeal dysbiosis can be reached by prescription of both topical and peroral probiotics.

[Experimental grounds for administration of probiotic drugs in conditions of hydroweightlessness].

We studied pharyngeal microflora in 22 healthy volunteers after 7-day dry immersion. For prophylactic pharyngeal dysbiosis, we used two probiotic drugs: oral -- "lactobacterin dry" and local --"lactobacterin immobilized on collagen". Administration of oral probiotic was accompanied with growth of pharyngeal opportunistic microflora preventing translocation of intestinal microflora. Local probiotic, on the contrary, decreased opportunistic microflora in the pharynx, but was associated with gastrointestinal dysbiosis. It is evident that combined use of topic and oral probiotic provides maximal effective prophylaxis of pharyngeal dysbiosis.

Red blood cell triiodothyronine uptake as membrane parameter of depression.

We tested the hypothesis considering the role of hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis (HPT), L-triiodothyronine (L-T3) uptake into erythrocytes, and the role of membrane lipids in the development and treatment of affective disorders. Changes in kinetic parameters (V(max), maximal velocity and K(M), apparent Michaelis constant) of L-T3 uptake into red blood cells (RBCs) and changes in membrane fluidity in a group of 24 patients with major depression were measured before treatment and after 1 month of treatment with citalopram. Parameters V(max) and K(M), as well as membrane microviscosity, were significantly increased in depressed patients both before and after treatment in comparison with healthy subjects. We concluded that the function of the membrane transporter for L-T3 in RBC is changed in depression. This change is probably connected with alteration of membrane fluidity and/or transporter-lipid interactions. We did not find any normalization of the measured parameters after 1 month of treatment. The results show the importance of composition and physical properties of the lipid bilayer for transmembrane transport of L-T3 and support the hypothesis that the HPT axis is in depression.

Study of methanogenesis during bioutilization of plant residuals.

The waste management strategy for the future should meet the benefits of human safety, respect principles of planet ecology, and compatibility with other habitability systems. For these purposes waste management technologies relevant to application of the biodegradation properties of bacteria are of great value. Biological treatment method is based on the biodegradation of organic substances by various microorganisms.The objectives of our study were: to evaluate the effectiveness of microbial biodegradation of vegetable non-edible residual, using artificial inoculum, and to study the peculiarities of biogas, and possibilities of optimizing or reducing the share of methane. The diminution rate of organic gained 76% from initial mass within 9 days of fermentation. The biogas production achieved 46 l/kg of substrate. The microbial studies of biodegradation process revealed the following peculiarities: (i) gradual quantitative increase of Lactobacillus sp. (from 10(3) to 10(5) colony-forming units (CFU) per ml); (ii) activation of Clostridia sp. (from 10(2) to 10(4) CFU/ml); and (iii) elimination of aerobic conventional pathogens (Enterobacteriaceae, Protea sp., Staphylococci). Chromatography analysis revealed the constant presence of carbon dioxide (up to 90.9%). The methane content measures revealed traces 0.1-0.4%. However, when we optimized the methane production in "boiling layer" using methanogenic granules, the amount of methane in biogas reached 80-90%. Based on the results obtained the artificial inoculum was created which was capable of initiating biodegradation of vegetable wastes. This inoculum consisted of active sludge adapted to wastes mixed with excretea of insects which consume plant wastes. Using this inoculum the biodegradation process takes less time than that using active sludge. Regulation of methane concentration from traces to 90% may be achieved by adding methane reactor to the plant digester.

[Development of a technology for biodegradation of plant wastes in order to resolve the life support requirements of a Martian expedition]. / Razrabotka tekhnologii biodegradatsii otkhodov rastitel'nogo proiskhozhdeniia primenitel'no k zadacham poleta na Mars.

A two-phase technology has been developed for biodegradation of plant wastes. On the first phase, wastes are subjected to anaerobic fermentation by specially selected microbial associations processing solid wastes into a liquid mixture of organic acids. On the second phase, methanogenic bacteria are used to produce biogas out of the liquid, which then can be dumped out into open space or utilized as a cold propellant.

[Technology of biological management of plant and animal wastes]. / Tekhnologiia biologicheskoi utilizatsii otkhodov rastitel'nogo i zhivotnogo proiskhozhdeniia.

Analytical, research and design efforts were made to modify the technology of anaerobic fermentation of plant and animal wastes. Results were publication of a register of wastes of a middle size Russian town, development of a simulator of natural food wastes, and development and testing of a laboratory prototype of original system for anaerobic degradation of natural food wastes. It was shown that association of Clostridia and lactobacilli is best to initiate and implement the first phase of biodegradation of natural wastes.

[The effect of the microwave energy on the water, contaminated by vegetative forms of microorganisms]. / Vliianie mikrovolnovoi energii na vodu, zarazhennuiu vegetativnymi formami mikroorganizmov.

The paper presents a technology and a device for super-high sterilization, and results of investigation on the effect of microwave energy on water contaminated by vegetative forms of microorganisms. Temperatures bringing death to microorganisms in water flow were determined. In addition to the thermal effect of microwave energy, a non-thermal "specific" effect of super-high frequencies on various microorganisms (staphylococci, E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) was also studied.

Neurotransplantation--a new method of treatment in psychiatry?

The authors present the results of their catamnestic evaluation of the first few patients (diagnosis of schizophreny; atrophic process posttraumatic and Alzheimer's dementia), in whom implantation of neuronal embryonal tissue into the brain was performed in the last few years. They warn against excessive publicity and optimistic appraisal by neurosurgeons because psychiatric examinations after some time fail to confirm the success of the operation.

Prescription of psychopharmaca in common psychiatric diagnoses (discussion on the results of an anonymous survey).

The authors have made an anonymous survey among Czechoslovak psychiatrists on the prescription of psychopharmaca in select psychiatric diagnoses. The first place is occupied by haloperidol, perfenazin and chlorpromazine in hallucinatory paranoid syndromes, amitriptyline and clomipramine in depressions. The authors also wanted to find out which drugs were regarded as unsuitable by each psychiatrist. The replies varied considerably. In comparison with a similar survey made ten years ago, the methods of treatment relatively persist and novelties are rather wished for than really administered.

Our experience with incisive neuroleptic drugs in child psychiatry.

The authors report their own experiences of treatment with incisive neuroleptic drugs in child psychiatry (haloperidol, pimozide, penfluridol, sulpiride). An attention was paid to side effects of the treatment, especially to a possible side effect of cardiovascular character, namely that pimozide might block Ca channels. The authors made a control check of ECG and report the findings. The results of the treatment of various disorders (tic disorders, psychosis, obsessive- compulsive diseases, autism) are very good. The authors never came across the picture of serious side effects e.g. of tardive dyskinesis.

[Tics in childhood]. / Tikové projevy v detském veku.

Tics belong to the most frequent hyperkineses of child age. Their prevalence is reported as 4-28%. In our literature tics are still listed in the group of child neuroses although their organic aetiology is generally accepted. Tics are considered a continuum of complaints from transient tics in childhood to Touretté's disease (Gilles de la Tourette syndrome). As part of a catamnestic investigation 131 children with tics were followed up, all hospitalized at the paediatric department of the psychiatric clinic in Olomouc in 1968-1988. A prognostic evaluation was possible in 63 patients at the age of 15-29 years (group B). In the majority of patients the tics manifested themselves first at the age of cca 7 years. The group comprised a large percentage of children with the diagnosis ADDH (58.9%). Dynamic comparison revealed that in recent years the number of children in this group with tics increased. Evaluation of the therapeutic approach before hospital admission during hospitalization and during subsequent ambulatory treatment provided evidence of the further development of the disease, as the development of symptoms and increasing impact of psychosocial consequence frequently called for administration of incisive neuroleptics in ambulatory treatment, administered in subsequent years. The greatest proportion of patients terminated ambulatory treatment at the age of 10-15 years which, however, did not reflect regression of complaints. Prognostic evaluation provided evidence that 38% of the patients recovered completely by the time of the check-up examination, 62% have occasional complaints (relapses persisting for several days), only 14% have permanent manifestations of tics. Some patients need event in adult age prolonged maintenance pharmacotherapy.

[The occurrence of less common psychogenic disorders in children]. / K výskytu méne castých psychogenních poruch detí.

The development of child neuroses must have certain rerequisites, in particular disposition (temperamental characteristic), an adverse situation in early childhood and a provoking conflict proper or a traumatic situation. To hysterical neuroses apply similar findings as to these disorders in adults; a hysterical neuroses is not always evidence of a hysterical nature. Psychogenic disorders in children may differ, the character of these complaints is not always typical. The complexity of the diagnostic process is demonstrated on two case--histories from which it is apparent that long--term treatment and examinations in somatic departments do not rule out the detection of the psychogenic aetiology of the somatic disorder. The first case--history is that of a twelve-year-old girl treated from the age of two years with antiepileptic drugs, in recent years the condition is compensated without treatment. After a conflict with a girl friend she developed pain in the hip joint which eventually resulted in the inability of spontaneous movement. After several months hospitalization at the orthopaedic department she was transferred to the psychiatric department where after hypnotherapy the conversion syndrome receded but the patient developed another psychopathological syndrome, impaired sexual identification. The second case--history is that of a twelve-year-old boy a re-trained left-handed with manifestations of balbuties. On account of sudden manifestations of torticollis leading to prolonged absence at school he repeated the class, for another three years he was treated by neurologists without effect. After admission to the psychiatric department he was treated by psychotherapy and placebo with a marked effect.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Catamnestic study of children hospitalized with the diagnosis of Kanner's infantile autism]. / Katamnestická studie detí hospitalizovaných pro diagnózu: Kanneruv infantilní autismus.

Kanner's infantile autism is conceived as a psychosis of early childhood manifested clinically as schizophrenic syndrome with dominating extreme spontaneous isolation of the child (autism). The authors attempted a catamnestic investigation of 20 patients where their diagnosis was made during hospitalization. In 17 cases it was possible to confirm this diagnosis after a certain time interval, in two patients oligophrenia was confirmed and only in one child disharmonious personality development. In patients with a confirmed diagnosis of Kanner's infantile autism the actual psychopathology of rational abilities was tested (a defective intellect was confirmed in all investigated children), social relations of the patients and the level of speech development. Attention was also paid to psychopharmacotherapy. The majority of junior patients, but only four of the senior patients, are in families. Senior patients and sometimes also preschool children with partial speech development are in social care institutions where the defect of the disease proper is potentiated by negative aspects of the asylum. Kanner's infantile autism is a serious disease which affects the entire mental development of the child, not only the emotional development. In the sphere of therapy, and in particular psychopharmacotherapy, much remains to be done, psychiatric intervention is frequently only at the diagnostic and follow-up level of the disease.

Treatment of some cases in child psychiatry with incisive neuroleptic drugs.

The authors report on the administration of incisive neuroleptic drugs in child psychiatry. The drugs were applied in schizophreny, obsessive syndromes and especially in tics. They administered pimozide, haloperidol, penfluridol and isofloxythepin. The results were often better than in the case of sedatives. The authors believe that incisive neuroleptic drugs deserve greater application in these indications as well as in child psychiatry.