Interim Results of the BYHEART Observational Study: Exogenous Phosphocreatine Effect on the Quality of life of Patients with Chronic Heart Failure.

Aim      Improvement of quality of life is one of the most important goals for the treatment of patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). This study searched for ways to increase the efficiency of CHF treatment based on parameters of quality of life in CHF patients during and after the treatment with exogenous phosphocreatine (EP).Material and methods  The effect of a single course of EP treatment on quality of life of patients with functional class (FC) II-IV CHF with reduced or mid-range left ventricular ejection fraction was studied as a part of the all-Russia prospective observational study BYHEART. The presence of FC II-IV CHF and a left ventricular ejection fraction <50 % were confirmed by results of 6-min walk test (6MWT) and findings of echocardiography after stabilization of the background therapy.Results An interim data analysis showed that the course of EP treatment was associated with a significant improvement of quality-of-life indexes as determined by the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (LHFQ) total score. These indexes significantly increased and remained at a satisfactory level for 6 mos. following completion of the treatment course. Also, the treatment significantly beneficially influenced the clinical condition of patients (heart failure severity scale), results of 6MWT, and the increase in left ventricular ejection fraction.Conclusion      The conclusions based on results of the interim analysis should be confirmed by results of the completed study. Complete results are planned to be published in 2022.

[Laparoscopically assisted neovagina formation--updated Vechieti surgery]. / Laparoskopicky asistovaná neoplastika pochvy podle Vecchiettiho.

UNLABELLED: AIMS OF THE WORK: To evaluate the file o patients operated for the agenesis of uterus and vagina by laparoscopic assisted neoplastic of vagina according to Vecchietti. TYPE OF THE STUDY: Original study. SETTING: Gynecologic-Obstetrics Dpt, Medical Faculty of Masaryk University and University Hospital, Brno. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 13 patients operated from September 2000 until April 2011. The patients were operated for the agenesis of the uterus and vagina by laparoscopic assisted neoplastic of vagina with gradual retraction of the special "olive" into the retrovesical space. RESULTS: All of the operations were performed without any serious complication. The retraction of the olive was done once in 2 to 3 days. The dilatation period varied between 10 to 14 days. The length of the vagina, after removing the olive, was 8 to 10 cm. During examination, 2 to 4 months later, the length of the neovagina varied from 8 to 10 cm. During later follow-up controls, 11 patients reported regular sexual intercourse with which they were satisfied. CONCLUSION: This operation technique enables patients, with undeveloped vagina, satisfactory sexual life. Our results are comparable to the ones of the other authors.

[The first break-through of the genotype 2.3.2 of high-virulence influenza A virus A/HSN1, which is new for Russia, in the Far East].

The epizootic etiologically associated with highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 genotype 2.3.2 that is new for Russia among wild and domestic birds in the south of the Primorye Territory during spring migration in April 2008 has been decoded. About 25% of the wild birds of a water complex, which include European teals (Anas crecca), mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos), great-crested grebes (Podiceps cristatus), are involved in viral circulation in the area of the Suifun-Khankai plain. Chicken embryos and the cell lines MDCK, SPEV, BHK-21, SW-13 were used to isolate 3 strains from recently deceased hens (A/chicken/Primorje/1/08, A/chicken/Primorje/11/08, and A/chicken/Primorje/12/08) and one strain from a European teal (A/Anas crecca/Primorje/8/08). The strains were deposited in the State Collection of Viruses of the Russian Federation, D. I. Ivanovsky Research Institute of Virology, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences. The nucleotide sequences of the full-sized genomes of A/chicken/Primorje/1/08 and A/Anas crecca/Primorje/8/08 were sent to the International databank GenBank. The strains from domestic and wild birds were shown to be identical. The isolated strains are most close to the strains Alchicken/Viet Nam/10/05, A/chicken/Guangdong/178/04, and A/duck/Viet Nam/12/05. Molecular genetic analysis has indicated that the strains isolated are susceptible to rimantadine and ozeltamivir and less adapted to mammalian cells (particularly, they contain E627 in RV2, which agrees with the biological properties of these strains in vitro). Penetration of the newly isolated virus into the Far East ecosystem provides in the foreseeable future a way for infecting the birds wintering in America and Australia in the nesting places, with further carriage of viral populations there in the period of autumn migrations.

[Clinico-economical efficacy of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors in patients with arterial hypertension and ischemic heart disease].

We conducted comparative analysis of clinico-economical efficacy of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors as components of combination therapy of patients with arterial hypertension and ischemic heart disease. Clinical efficacy of fosinopril, moexipril, perindopril, and ramipril was comparable: in compared groups statistically significant lowering of arterial pressure was achieved by day 6 of treatment and this lowering persisted up to day 36 of therapy with ramipril. All studied drugs were well tolerated. Ramipril was notable for highest economical efficacy determined by the method of \"minimization of expenditures\". Technology of assessment of clinico-economical effectiveness of preparations from the same pharmacological group can be used in compilation of standards of drug therapy of various diseases, basing on which a physician administers a concrete drug to a concrete patient.

[Analysis of changes in the accumulation of the photosensitizer Photosens, its elimination kinetics and distribution in the tissues of the eye and eyelids in health and in some tumorous processes].

The authors analyze and present the results of spectroscopic studies into changes in the accumulation of the photosensitizer Photosens, its elimination kinetics and distribution in the tissues of the eye and eyelids, as well as in the tumors that have developed at these sites. The findings allowed the authors to estimate the duration of the agent's persistence in the eye tissues and the time interval associated with the high risk for phototoxic eyelid skin and conjunctival reactions and to determine a possibility of and conditions for photodynamic therapy, as well as the length of hospital stay when the latter was performed.

[Molecular genetic characteristics of the strain A/chicken/Moscow/2/2007 (H5N1) strain from a epizootic focus of highly pathogenic influenza A among agricultural birds in the neear-Moscow region (February 2007)].

Among agricultural birds in the near-Moscow Region (February 2007), local epizootics caused by the highly pathogenic avian influenza A/H5N1 virus seem to be of unintended manual origin. Such a situation may be considered to be model when the source of inoculation is elucidated in cases of potentially possible acts of bioterrorism. Molecular genetic analysis of isolated A/chicken/Moscow/2/2007 strain established its genetic similarity with the highly pathogenic strains detected in the Black-and-Caspian Sea region in 2006. At the same time, comparison of nucleotide sequences of the strain A/chicken/Moscow/2/2007 with the strains of Qinghai-Siberian genotype (CSG) for which the sequences of full-sized genomes are known in the international databases revealed a significant distinction of the near-Moscow strain from the earlier known analogues. The uniqueness of the primary structure of the PB1 gene is shown. The paper discusses the functional value of amino acid substitutions in the proteins of the strain A/chicken/Moscow/2/2007 and in other variants of CSG of the subtype H5N1.

[West Nile virus infection of agricultural animals in the Astrakhan region, as evidenced by the 2001-2004 serological surveys].

Sera sampled from 2,884 farming animals in the Astrakhan region in 2001 to 2004 were investigated by the hemagglutination inhibition test (HIT) in order to indicate specific antibodies to West Nile virus (WNV). HIT-positive samples were investigated by the neutralization test (NT). WNV antibodies were detected in all the examined species of animals: horses (the proportion of positive tests throughout the observation averaged 9.8%; the agreement with NT results was 94.1%), cattle (6,4 and 72.%), camels (5.2 and 41.7%), pigs (3.1 and 75%), and sheep (2.2 and 57.1). Relationships between the environmental features of WNV in different natural zones, the infection rate, and the conditions of keeping farming animals in the Astrakhan region are analyzed.

[HIV-1 serotyping of V3-mimicking peptides circulating in the Republic of Tajikistan among intravenous drug users]. / Serotipirovanie na osnove V3-imitiruiushchikh peptidov variantov VICH-1, tsirkuliruiushchikh v Respublike Tadzhikistan sredi lits, upotrebliaiushchikh narkotiki vnutrivenno.

The paper summarizes the results of HIV-1 serotyping by using 56 positive sera collected in the territory of the Republic of Tajikistan (RT) from intravenous drug users (IVDU). It was made by solid-phase ELISA based on synthetic peptides, mimicking different variants of the apical epitope of the HIV-1 gp120 V3-loop. Two types of conjugates, those specific to human IgG and IgA, were used to detect the immune complexes. Serotypes, as determined according to IgG and IgA-based ELISA, coincided, however, the latter were proven to be more suitable for serotyping. There is a high level of HIV-1 serotype heterogeneity among IVDU in RT; altogether, 4 serotypes were identified, i.e. B (10%), B+A/C (18%), A/C (20%) and A/C+B (52%). The modern serotype HIV-1 diversity in RT resembles the epidemiologic situation in the territory of the former USSR as observed in the late 80-ies-early 90-ies of the last century.

[Cryopreservation of sperm before neoplasm therapy--7 years' experience]. / Kryokonzervace spermatu pred onkologickou lécbou--7 let zkuseností.

OBJECTIVE: To compare sperm count of cancer patients with health men, to analyze possible relation of sperm pathology and diagnosis of malignant disease and present experience of our cryopreservation programme for cancer patients. DESIGN: Retrospective clinical study. SETTING: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic. METHODS: 215 patients (age 25.4 +/- 5.6 years) were referred to our unit by oncology specialists for semen cryopreservation before cancer treatment during 1995-2001. Sperm samples were analysed according to guidelines of WHO. Richardson's medium and Planer Kryo 10 were used for standard cryopreservation. Sperm count results were compared to control group of 84 men (23.1 +/- 3.6 year) examined as possible sperm donors. Program SPSS version 9 was used for statistical analysis. Standard intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) using frozen spermatozoa was used for infertility treatment following malignant disease recovery. RESULTS: Testicular cancer was diagnosed in 115 (53.5%) patients, malignant disease of lymphatic and haemopoetic tissue in 75 (34.9%) cases--out of them 35 (16.3%) Hodgkin's lymphoma. Twelve men (5.6%) were treated for osteosarcoma and 13 for other malignant disease. Only 2.8% patients had normospermia. Severe oligospermia < 5 mil/ml was found in 73 men (33.9%) including 22 cases of azoospermia (10.2%) and 12 cases (5.6%) of cryptozoospermia. 138 (64.2%) patients had asthenospermia < 10% of progressive motility, 49 (22.8%) had terratozoospermia < 10% spermatozoa with standard WHO morphology. Sperm concentration, progressive motility and morphology were in cancer patients significantly lower (P < 0.001) than in control group. Men with testicular cancer had significantly higher frequency of severe sperm pathology. Only 4 patients have returned for assisted reproduction treatment. In all cases ICSI was used, 1 pregnancy and delivery was achieved. During more than 4 years after cryopreservation died 16.6% of patients. CONCLUSION: Cancer patients has significantly higher frequency of severe sperm pathologies than healthy men. The most severe sperm pathologies are among men with testicular cancer. Only minority of patients return for fertility treatment. Cryopreserved spermatozoa of cancer patients are able to initiate pregnancy by assisted reproduction techniques.

The outcome of infertility treatment by in-vitro fertilisation in smoking and non-smoking women.

The former and current smoking habits of 159 patients treated for infertility by means of IVF/ET technique were observed. The data were verified by a cotinine examination in urine. The basal levels of gonadotropines before treatment, the process and outcome of ovarian stimulation, oocyte fertilisation and incidence of pregnancy were observed. There were no differences between smokers and non-smokers in terms of their age and professional risks; smoking correlated with a lower level of education. The overall response of active smokers to hormonal stimulation was worse than that of non-smokers: a lower number of mature follicles (12.3 vs. 16.2) and a lower number of oocytes were gained (7.3 vs. 10.9). There was a correlation between the age of the smokers and the higher consumption of FSH needed for stimulation and lower levels of 17 beta-estradiole. The number of fertilised oocytes in smokers was significantly lower (p < 0.01; 68.2% vs. 47.8%). A negative correlation between the duration of exposure to cigarette smoke and fertilisation rate was shown (p < 0.05). There were fewer embryos in smokers as compared with non-smokers (3.3 vs. 4.7). A total of 35 women became pregnant (i.e. 22.1%), of which 28.8% were non-smokers, 12.5% were occasional smokers, and none were regular smokers. The OR value in non-smokers was 1.48, and in occasional smokers 0.57. In this study, the negative influence of smoking on the outcome of treatment by IVF/ET technique was proved. The phasing out of smoking should be an integral part of human infertility treatment.

Basic properties of populations generated in the frame of one-parameter discrete model of genetic diversity.

Previously, when discussing the properties of one parameter discrete model of genetic diversity (M.Yu. Shchelkanov et al, J. Biomol. Struct. Dyn. 15, 887-894 (1998)), we took into account Hamming distance distribution only between precursor and arbitrary descendant sequences. However, really there are sets of sequence populations produced during amplification process. In the presented work we have investigated Hamming distance distributions between sequences from different descendant sets produced in the frame of one parameter discrete model. Two basic descendant generation operators (so called amplifiers) are introduced: 1) the last generation amplifier, L, which produces descendants with precursor elimination; 2) all generations amplifier, G, which produces descendants without precursor elimination. Generalization of one-parameter discrete model for the case when precursor sequences do not coincide are carried out. Using this generalization we investigate the distribution of Hamming distances between L- and G-generated sequences. Basic properties of L and G operators, L/G-choice alternative problem have been discussed. Obtained results have common theoretical significance, but they are more suitable for high level genetic diversity process (for example, HIV diversity).

[Present possibilities of prevention of adhesions and their immunologic aspects]. / Soucasné moznosti prevence adhezí a jejich imunologické aspekty.

The study reviews recent developments with regard to postsurgical adhesion formation, the role of some cytokines and possible prevention. Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) levels in peritoneal fluid were assayed during 24 and 48 hours after laparoscopic or laparotomic surgery and the influence of diclofenac was evaluated. IL-1 beta levels in peritoneal fluid were substantially lower after laparoscopic adnexal surgery than after laparotomy. Application of diclofenac after abdominal hysterectomies reduced substantially intraperitoneal IL-1 beta levels.

Stochastic properties of one-parameter discrete model of genetic diversity in the unique random parameter case.

Stochastic properties of previously introduced one parameter discrete model of genetic diversity (M. Yu. Shchelkanov et al, J. Biomol. Struct. Dyn. 15, 887-894 (1998)) are investigated. Two approaches are compared: (A) when the on-step substitution number and/or the number of substitution steps are random variables; (B) referred parameters are replaced by mathematical expectations of the respective variables. It has been demonstrated, that estimations of sequence measure based on the number of replication steps are more under the assumption of case (A) as compared with (B). Thus, real biological situation relating to the case (A) could additionally promote the increasing of distinctions between different taxons (e.g. HIV, etc.). Peculiarities of one-parameter discrete model of genetic diversity during calculation of the distinctions between symbol (e.g. nucleotide) sequence sets are also discussed.