[Genomic S segment of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus circulating in Russia and Bulgaria].

S-segment nucleotide sequences for two Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus strains isolated in the Rostov Region of Russia and in Bulgaria have been determined. Analysis of complete S-segment nucleotide sequences in the viral strains from different regions of the world has established that the CCHF virus strains isolated from ticks and human beings in different southern Russian regions in 1967 and 2000 are very closely genetically and they form an individual subgroup in the basic European genetic group. By the S-segment structure, the CCHF virus strain isolated in Bulgaria in 1978 belongs to the same genetic group as a representative of its second subgroup. Analysis of the S-segment 3'-noncoding region suggests that the CCHF virus circulating in Europe, Central Asia, and China may have originated from one global focus of infection, including several CCHF virus genovariants. During evolution, fragmental exchange apparently occurred in the S-segment 3'-noncoding region as a result of homological recombination.

[Genetic monitoring of the Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever virus in Kazakhstan and Tajikistan in 2001-2003].

Blood specimens obtained from 32 CCHF patients were tested for the presence of CCHF virus markers. In addition, 3210 ticks of the genera Hyalomma asiaticum, Hyalomma anatolicum, and Dermacentor niveus were examined to identify the CCHF virus antigen and RNA. This material was obtained during the 2001-2003 local outbreaks of CCHF in Kazakhstan and Tajikistan. The nucleotide sequence in the region 983-1282 of S segment of the CCHF virus for 12 wild type strains was determined. The phylogenetic relationships among the established biovariants of CCHF virus, and also between these biovariants and those from other regions of the world were identified. We were the first to demonstrate the presence of an African-like genotype of CCHF virus in the territory of Kazakhstan. The conclusion was made that two genotypes of CCHF virus were in circulation in Kazakhstan. It was also demonstrated that CCHF virus, circulating in the territories of Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, was genetically heterogeneous.

[ELISA and RT-PCR-based research of viruses in the ticks collected in the foci of Crimean-Congo fever in Kazakhstan and Tajikistan in 2001-2002].

Different species of ticks were found, in the territories of Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, to be infected with the virus of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CKHF). The virologic evaluation included determination of antigen and RNA of the CKHF virus by ELISA and RT-PCR, respectively. The below tick species were found to be involved in the epidemic process: Hyalomma asiaticum, Dermacentor niveus (Kazakhastan) and Hyalomma anatolicum (Tajikistan). The results testify to the fact that Hyalomma ticks are the main carrier of the above virus in the Middle Asia. At the same time, Dermacentor niveus ticks are infection carriers in Kazakhstan.

[Study of virus contamination of Ixodes ticks in the foci of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in Kazakhstan and Tajikistan].

The data on the contamination of different of ticks with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus on the territory of Kazakhstan and Tajikistan were obtained. The methods of the evaluation of the virus contamination of ticks included the determination of the antigen and CCHF virus RNA by the methods of the enzyme immunoassay and the reverse transcription PCR respectively. Different tick species were found to be involved in the epidemic process: Hyalomma asiaticum, Dermatocentor niveus (Kazakhstan) and Hyalomma anatolicum (Tajikistan). The results obtained in this study confirmed that the main vector of CCHF virus in Central Asia were ticks of the genus Hyalomma, and in Kazakhstan the vectors of this virus also included ticks Dermatocentor niveus.

A novel HPLC method for determination of EDTA in a cataract inhibiting ophthalmic drug.

A novel HPLC method for determination of EDTA in a cataract inhibiting ophthalmic drug product has been developed. In this method EDTA was converted to Cu(II)EDTA complex, using Cu + 2 containing mobile phase, after injection into the chromatographic system. This allowed complexation of EDTA with Cu + 2 without interference from formulation ingredients. The Cu(II)EDTA complex was separated from drug substance, impurities, degradants and other formulation excipients by a 250 x 4.1 mm anion exchange column and detected at UV wavelength 250 nm. The mobile phase consisted of 2 mM cupric nitrate, 11 mM nitric acid, and 25% (v/v) acetonitrile at pH 3.0. This stability indicating assay has been validated and shown to be specific, linear, precise, accurate and rugged for routine EDTA analysis.

[Quantitative characteristic of circulating immune complexes in patients with lupus erythematosus and central nervous system disorders]. / Kolichestvennaia kharakteristika tsirkuliruiushchikh immunnykh compleksov u bol'nykh sistemnoi krasnoi volchankoi s porazheniem tsentral'noi nervnoi systemy.

Molecular weight and concentration characteristics of immune complexes (IC) from 19 sera of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and CNS impairment have been obtained by the rapid nephelometry assay. Basing on cranial CT findings, the examinees were divided into 2 groups. Group I included patients with cerebral cysts and local dilation of subarachonid spaces, group II those with the above dilatation or that of ventricles of the brain. Small-size IC were registered in 14 sera, their relative molecular mass being under the values derived for donors and SLE patients without CNS affections whereas their level exceeded such in donor sera. Larger IC relative concentrations were seen in group I patients than in group II ones (34 +/- 13 and 18.7 +/- 12, respectively). Five patients failed to demonstrate IC. The presence of small-size IC in high concentrations may be considered a marker of CNS involvement in SLE, the highest concentrations suggesting local impairment of the brain.

[The characteristics of the course of cholelithiasis in diseases of the cardiovascular system]. / Osobennosti techeniia zhelchnokamennoi bolezni pri nekotorykh zabolevaniiakh serdechno-sosudistoi sistemy.

The authors discuss the difficulties in diagnosing cholelithiasis. Considering the presence of disorders of the metabolic function of the liver, ultrasound examination is considered the most preferable method of diagnosis of cholelithiasis. Knowledge of the specificity of development and clinical manifestations of cholelithiasis in diseases of the cardiovascular system is of importance due to difficulties of diagnosis and high incidence of this kind of pathology among this group of patients.

[Effect of simulated weightlessness on calcium metabolism and the condition of bone tissue in experimental animals]. / Vliianie model'noi nevesomosti na obmen kal'tsiia i sostoianie kostnoi tkani éksperimental'nykh zhivotnykh.

Male rats of the Wistar strain were for 40 days exposed to hypokinesia and hypodynamia. After exposure bone biochemical, physical, chemical, morphological and strength parameters were investigated. Both simulation studies led to changes in calcium and phosphorus metabolism but the nature of bone changes was different. It is concluded that the efficacy of drugs used as countermeasures in animal simulation experiments should be assessed by both exposures, viz. small size cages and suspension, because they reproduce different mechanisms of potential bone lesions in microgravity. It is also inferred that various countermeasures should be used in combination to yield the best results.

Production and characterization of heat-aggregated IgG complexes with pre-determined molecular masses: light-scattering study.

A method for the preparation of model immune complexes of heat-aggregated human IgG with predetermined molecular masses is described. IgG complexes with different molecular masses were produced by incubation of human IgG for 20 min at 63 degrees C, the protein concentration varying from 0.5 to 5 mg/ml before heat treatment. To determine the bulk of IgG molecules included in the aggregates, the IgG complexes obtained were precipitated by 7% polyethylene glycol. The relative molecular masses of the heat-aggregated IgG preparations were calculated using light-scattering measurements, being expressed as the number of IgG molecules per aggregate (MIC/MIgG). The dependence of the MIC/MIgG value upon IgG concentration in aggregation was plotted. This dependence makes it possible to produce IgG model immune complexes with pre-determined molecular masses.

[New basic preparations with prolonged action in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis]. / Novye dlitel'no deistvuiushchie (bazisnye) preparaty v terapii revmatoidnogo artrita.

A long-term comparative study of the classic basic drug-d-Penicillamin and 2 new sulfa drugs: sulfasalazin and salazopyridazin used for the first time in rheumatology, was conducted. Both drugs were shown to produce a "basic" effect in rheumatoid arthritis and to exceed d-Penicillamin in their therapeutic action. Better results were obtained with salazopyridazin. The tolerance to the new antirheumatic sulfa drugs was quite satisfactory; no severe side-effects were noted. Both drugs extend the potentialities of antirheumatoid therapy of prolonged action and warrant further use and study.

[Complement-binding activity of myeloma and normal immune complexes]. / Komplementsviazyvaiushchaia aktivnost' mielomnykh i normal'nykh immunnykh kompleksov.

The comparison of complement-fixing capacity of simulated immune complexes formed by normal IgG and IgG, isolated from serum of patients with multiple myeloma, has been performed. In both cases a non-linear dependence of complement-fixing capacity on the complex molecular mass was demonstrated, it being higher for myeloma proteins. Complement supplementation to high molecular complexes leads to their collapse, with normal immune complexes destroyed at lower molecular masses. Heat-aggregation of myeloma immunoglobulins leads to the formation of simulated immune complexes of lower molecular mass compared to normal proteins.

[Comparison of the complement-binding activity of model immune complexes of different molecular weights]. / Sravnenie komplemntsviazyvaiushchei aktivnosti model'nykh immunnykh kompleksov razlichnykh molekuliarnykh mass.

The authors studied and compared the complement-fixing activity of model immune complexes with different molecular mass. The complement-fixing activity of the complexes was found to be linearly independent of the molecular mass, being mainly determined by the size of the complex, and to be slightly dependent on the concentration of aggregated immunoglobulins. As far as the aggregates with a molecular mass over 20 IgG are concerned, addition of complement leads to the dissociation of the complexes.

A method for quantitative determination of average masses and concentrations of circulating immune complexes in human sera.

A method for rapid determination of average masses and concentrations of circulating immune complexes in human sera is suggested. It is based on the dissimilarity in solubilities of immune complexes with different masses in the presence of polyethyleneglycol. Light-scattering intensities are measured by a laser nephelometer after adding to the serum of PEG in two different concentrations. The experimental values of the average masses and concentrations are calculated using calibration curves. The calibration curves are plotted for model immune complexes with different average masses obtained by heat-aggregation of IgG at various concentrations. This technique has been employed for determination of the average masses and concentrations of circulating immune complexes in 17 patients suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus and in 8 control individuals.

[Complement-binding capacity of aggregated immunoglobulins of different molecular weights]. / Komplementsviazyvaiushchaia sposobnost' agregirovannykh immunoglobulinov razlichnykh molekuliarnykh mass.

The complement-fixing capacity of aggregated immunoglobulins with varying molecular weights has been explored. It has been demonstrated that as the molecular weight of a complex rises, the complement-fixing capacity increases. The amount of unfixed complement depends nonlinearly on the concentration of complement added and aggregated complexes in solution. The size of the complexes rather than their concentration plays the key role in the measurement of the complement-fixing capacity of aggregated immunoglobulins.