[Glycemic variability and oxidative stress in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus during combined glucose-lowering therapy]. / Variabel'nost' urovnia gliukozy v krovi i okislitel'nyi stress u bol'nykh sakharnym diabetom 2-go tipa na fone kombinirovannoi sakharosnizhaiushchei terapii.

AIM: To evaluate the impact of intensified glucose-lowering therapy on carbohydrate metabolic indicator, such as glycated hemoglobin, fasting blood glucose level (BGL) (FBGL), postprandial BGL (PBGL), and glycemic variability (GV) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) during metformin monotherapy before and 3 months after therapy intensification. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The investigation enrolled 51 patients with T2DM treated with metformin 1000 mg twice daily, who failed to achieve satisfactory glycemic control. During randomization, the treatment was intensified by addition of sitagliptin 100 mg/day in Group 1 (n=25) or gliclazide MB 60 mg/day in Group 2 (n=26). Before and 3 months after the treatment, carbohydrate metabolic indicators were investigated, 24-hour BGL monitoring (continuous glucose monitoring system (GMS)) was performed, and the body's antioxidant status was examined by determining the total antioxidant capacity of blood plasma (overall sound pressure levels (OASPL)). RESULTS: During 3-month treatment, Group 1 had a significantly reduced FBGL compared to that before the therapy; in Group 2 this index did not change significantly. Both study groups showed a significant decrease in PBGL and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). The mean amplitude of glycemic excursion (MAGE) was significantly decreased in the sitagliptin intensification group. In both groups, the standard deviation (SD) reduced significantly by 26% in Group 1 and by 38% in Group 2. Both groups also displayed a significant increase in blood OASPL (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The addition of sitagliptin significantly affected the change in the indicators of both the standard carbohydrate metabolism (FBGL, PBGL, and HbA1c) and GV (MAGE, SD), whereas that of gliclazide MV altered some studied parameters. OASPL significantly increased in both groups.

[The evaluation of prognostic value of biomarkers in patients with chronic cardiac insufficiency].

Nowadays, the laboratory markers of myocardial dysfunction (cerebral natriuretic peptide - NT-proBNP); instability of atherosclerotic plaque (highly sensitive C-reactive protein - hsCRP); damages of cardiac muscle (highly sensitive cardiac tropine I - hs-cTnl) play a key role in diagnostic, course prognostics and verification of risk of unfavorable outcomes in patients with chronic cardiac insufficiency. The article presents the results of study of dynamics of levels of NT-proBNP, hsCRP, hs-cTnl in 71 patients with chronic cardiac insufficiency of II and III functional class (according classification of New-York association of cardiologists - NYHA). The comparison was made concerning analyzed laboratory markers with fraction of output of left ventricle of heart and index of body mass relatively to their prognostic role inpatients with chronic cardiac insufficiency with different clinical conditions and various outcomes of disease. It is demonstrated that level of hs-cTnl is the most valuable in respect to unfavorable prognosis of course of chronic cardiac insufficiency and risk of lethal outcome. The level of NT-proBNP has invert correlation relationship with fraction of output of left ventricle of heart and can be considered as a laboratory indicator of functional condition of myocardium in patients with chronic cardiac insufficiency.

Chromosomal localization of ribosomal and telomeric DNA provides new insights on the evolution of gomphocerinae grasshoppers.

Chromosome location of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) and telomeric repeats was analysed in mitotic chromosomes of 15 species of Gomphocerinae grasshoppers belonging to the tribes Arcypterini, Gomphocerini, Stenobothrini, and Chrysochraontini. Two types of rDNA distribution were found in the Gomphocerini tribe. Type 1, found in 9 species, was characterized by the presence of rDNA in the short arm of the long biarmed chromosomes 2 and 3 and, in some species, also in the X chromosome. Type 2 was found only in Aeropus sibiricus and Stauroderus scalaris and consisted in the presence of pericentromeric rDNA blocks in all chromosomes. A comparison of rDNA distribution in Gomphocerini species with 2n ♂ = 23, 2n ♂ = 21, and 2n ♂ = 17 suggested the possible involvement of chromosome 6 in the ancestral karyotype (2n ♂ = 23) in 1 of the 3 centric fusions that decreased the chromosome number in these species. In the tribe Stenobothrini, Stenobothrus eurasius carried a single rDNA cluster in the X chromosome, likewise 2 Spanish species previously analysed, but Omocestus viridulus unusually showed a single rDNA cluster in the longest autosome. Telomeric repeats were located primarily on the ends of chromosome arms. In 2 species, however, we observed the presence of interstitial clusters outside telomeric regions. The first one, Aeropus sibiricus, exhibited a polymorphic interstitial site of telomeric repeats in chromosome 6 as a consequence of a paracentric inversion. Most remarkably, Chorthippus jacobsoni showed the presence of telomeric repeats in the pericentric regions of the 3 biarmed chromosome pairs originated by centric fusion, thus suggesting that these rearrangements were not of the Robertsonian type but true centric fusion with a probable generation of dicentric chromosomes.

Differences in ribosomal DNA distribution on A and B chromosomes between eastern and western populations of the grasshopper Eyprepocnemis plorans plorans.

Distribution of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) on standard (A) and supernumerary (B) chromosomes of the grasshopper Eyprepocnemis plorans was analysed in specimens collected in Turkey and Armenia, belonging to the E. p. plorans subspecies, and in South Africa, belonging to the E. p. meridionalis subspecies. The latter individuals showed rDNA loci in chromosomes 9 and 11 only, whereas those from Armenia carried it in chromosomes 9 and 11 or else in chromosomes 9-11, depending on the population. The specimens from Turkey carried it in chromosomes 1, 9-11 and X. A comparison of this pattern with those previously observed in populations from Spain, Morocco, and Greece (belonging to E. p. plorans) suggests the existence of two evolutionary patterns in rDNA chromosome location in A chromosomes of this subspecies: eastern populations showing rDNA restricted to the small (9-11) chromosomes (as in E. p. meridionalis and other closely related taxa within the Eyprepocneminae subfamily) and western populations carrying rDNA in most A chromosomes (Spain) or all of them (Morocco). The intermediate pattern discerned in geographically intermediate populations (in Greece and Turkey), with rDNA also being located on the X chromosome, suggests a possible east-west cline. Additional support for east-west differentiation in the rDNA location pattern comes from the analysis of B chromosomes. In eastern populations, including Daghestan, Armenia, Turkey, and Greece, B chromosomes are composed mostly of rDNA, whereas in western populations (Spain and Morocco) they contain roughly similar amounts of rDNA and a 180-bp tandem repeat (satDNA), the latter being scarce in eastern Bs.

[The b chromosome polymorphism in Armenian and Turkey populations of the grasshopper Eyprepocnemis plorans plorans (Charpentier) (Orthoptera, Acrididae, Eyprepocnemidinae)].

Karyotype analysis of the grasshopper Eyprepocnemis plorans samples derived from Armenian and Turkey populations was performed using C-banding technique. Chromosome polymorphism was associated only with B chromosomes that were revealed in all studied populations. Six new B chromosome morphotypes were described. Four morphotypes were found only in Armenian populations. One morphotype was revealed only in Turkey populations. One B chromosome morphotype was present in Armenian and Turkey populations. B chromosomes derived from Asian populations consisted mostly from C-positive regions. In some of the B chromosomes small C-negative regions were also registered. Morphotypes of the B chromosomes derived from Armenian and Turkey populations drastically differed from the B chromosomes described in the Iberian Peninsula and North African populations. In contrast to the B chromosomes from Armenian and Turkey populations the B chromosomes from Spain populations contained C-positive and C-negative regions alternated in their arms.

Comparative FISH analysis of distribution of B chromosome repetitive DNA in A an d B chromosomes in two subspecies of Podisma sapporensis (Orthoptera, Acrididae).

FISH analysis of B chromosome repetitive DNA distribution in A and B chromosomes of two subspecies of Podisma sapporensis (P. s. sapporensis and P. s. krylonensis) was performed. In the B chromosomes, C-positive regions contained homologous DNA repeats present also in some C-positive A chromosome regions. Most C-negative regions contained DNA repeats characteristic of A chromosome euchromatic regions. The two subspecies analyzed differed in the location of A chromosome regions enriched with repeats homologous to repeats of B chromosomes. The only common region enriched with these B chromosome repeats in both subspecies was the X chromosome pericentromeric region. The origin of B chromosomes in P. sapporensis is discussed.

Multiregional origin of B chromosomes in the grasshopper Eyprepocnemis plorans.

Analysis of chromosome localization of three molecular markers, 18S-5.8S-28S rDNA, 5S rDNA and a 180 bp satDNA, showed that B chromosomes in the grasshopper Eyprepocnemis plorans originated independently in Eastern (Caucasus) and Western (Spain and Morocco) populations. Eastern B chromosomes are most likely derived from the smallest autosome, which is the only A chromosome carrying the three markers, in coincidence with Caucasian B chromosomes. Western B chromosomes, however, lack 5S rDNA and are most likely derived from the X chromosome, which is the only A chromosome carrying the two remaining markers, always in the same order with respect to the centromere, as the B chromosome.

[Human dirofilariasis in the Moscow region]. / Difiliarioz cheloveka v Moskovskom regione.

Dirofilaria repens Railliet et Henry, 1911 was for the first time studied in the Moscow Region where 11 patients (6 males and 5 females) aged 4-72 years were recorded in 2000-2002. The geographical distribution (the southern and south-eastern parts of the region) of local cases of dirofiliriasis, was observed. There was a relatively high rate of D. repens in the male genitalia of the infected patients as compared with that reported by other authors. In accordance with the current terminology, D. repens in the Moscow Region is proposed to be regarded as emerging infection. The authors show it necessary to obligatorily record all autochtonous cases of D. repens infection, to make epidemiological surveillance and analysis in order to early detect and prevent dirofilariasis-associated complications.

Comparative FISH analysis in five species of Eyprepocnemidine grasshoppers.

The chromosomal localization of ribosomal DNA, and a 180 bp satellite DNA isolated from Spanish Eyprepocnemis plorans specimens, has been analysed in five Eyprepocnemidinae species collected in Russia and Central Asia. Caucasian E. plorans individuals carried each of the two DNAs, but the rDNA was limited to only two chromosomes (S(9) and S(11)) in sharp contrast to Spanish specimens that show 4-8 rDNA clusters and to Moroccan specimens which carry rDNA in almost all chromosomes. The four remaining species, however, lacked the 180 bp tandem repeat, and showed rDNA clusters in one (S(9) in Thisoicetrinus pterostichus), two (S(9) and S(10) in Eyprepocnemis unicolor; M(8) and S(11) in Heteracris adspersa), or three (S(9), S(10), and S(11) in Shirakiacris shirakii) chromosome pairs. The implications of these findings for the evolution of these two chromosome markers in this group of species are discussed.

B chromosomes, translocation between B and autosomes, and C-heterochromatin polymorphism of the grasshopper Podisma sapporensis Shir. (Orthoptera, Acrididae) in Hokkaido, northern Japan.

Seven categories of B chromosomes found in the brachypterus grasshopper Podisma sapporensis from Hokkaido populations differ in structure, size, and C-band content. The interchange between B and one autosome from M3 and sporadically M7 was observed in most of the populations examined. Such an interaction between standard and non-standard chromosomal set provides an insight into the integration of supernumerary chromosome. In addition, C-heterochromatin polymorphism was also identified in male karyotypes in some populations. These facts indicate P. sapporensis is a highly polymorphic species from the cytogenetic point of view.

Chromosome polymorphism and C-banding variation of the brachypterous grasshopper Podisma sapporensis Shir. (Orthoptera, Acrididae) in Hokkaido, northern Japan.

The grasshopper Podisma sapporensis consists of two main chromosome races in Hokkaido. The western group of populations of P. sapporensis, belonging to the XO race, has a diploid number of chromosomes 2n = 23 in the male and 2n = 24 in the female (sex determination XO male/XX female). The eastern group of populations of this species, belonging to the XY race, differs from the western one as a result of Robertsonian translocation between the originally acrocentric X chromosome and M5 autosome in homozygous state, having resulted in the forming of chromosome sex determination neo-XY male/neo-XX female (2n = 22). These races are geographically isolated by the mountainous system consisting of the Mts Daisetsu and Hidaka range, occupying the central part of the island. The hybrid zones between the races have not so far been discovered. Various levels of polymorphism for the pericentric inversions and C-banding variation exist in different chromosomes throughout populations in both chromosome races. In some solitary populations (the population at the summit of Mt Yotei, populations in the vicinity of Naganuma, Oketo, and Tanno) pericentric inversions are fixed in some pairs of chromosomes, which enables marking of the discrete karyomorphes. In the Mt Daisengen population all chromosomes are two-armed as a result of fixing the pericentric inversions. These facts contradict karyotypical conservatism of the tribe Podismini. The level of diversity of P. sapporensis karyotypes could provide a new perspective on the evolutionary process of different karyotype in Orthoptera. The considerable occurrence of polymorphism in chromosomes suggests that karyotypic diversification is undergoing in P. sapporensis. The authors also proposed that P. sapporensis would be divided into four chromosome subraces in the XO chromosome race and two chromosome subraces in the XY race, on the basis of karyotypic features. These races may have been established by fundamental climatic changes during the glacial epoch.

C-banded karyotypes of some dragonfly species from Russia. II. The families Cordulegasteridae, Corduliidae and Gomphidae.

The C-stained karyotypes of five species of three dragonfly families from Western Siberia and Kunashir Island have been analysed. Gomphus epophtalmus Sel., G. vulgatissimus (L.), Nihonogomphus ruptus (Sel. et Hag.) (Gomphidae), and Anotogaster sieboldii (Sel.) (Cordulegasteridae) showed usual character of C-heterochromatin distribution, all chromosomes have terminal C-bands. Somatochlora graeseri Sel. (Corduliidae) has unique for dragonflies type of terminal C-blocks on autosomes. Three pairs of autosomes have the very large heterochromatic blocks, other chromosomes, including the X, have no C-band.

[The characteristics of the preclinical and initial stages of organic dementias at an older age]. / Osobennosti domanifestnogo i nachal'nogo étapov organicheskikh dementsii pozdnego vozrasta.

89 aged patients with different clinical forms of dementia (senile, vascular, Pick's disease, Alzheimer's disease) were examined. There appeared 4 variants of preclinical development of dementia: cerebroasthenic, dysmnesic, rigidity of thinking, psychopathy-like condition). On the basis of these symptom complexes early diagnosis of mental disturbances is possible in general geriatric population.

[Ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin in the treatment of sexually-transmitted diseases]. / Ofloksatsin i tsiprofloksatsin v terapii infektsii, peredavaemykh polovym putem.

A complex clinico-laboratory++ examination and treatment were made of 76 women with inflammatory processes in the urogenital tract. Gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, chlamydiosis and Ureaplasma infection were detected in 60, 31.4, 41 and 14 per cent of the cases, respectively. There were affections of the rectum by gonococci, chlamydia, ureaplasmas and Trichomonas in 55, 32, 10.6 and 6.6 per cent of the cases, respectively. The frequency of chlamydia in the oropharynx amounted to 30 per cent whereas gonococci and ureaplasma were less frequent i.e. 9 and 1.2 per cent, respectively. The combination of the above pathogens in the rectum were the following: gonococci and chlamydia (15 per cent of the cases), gonococci, chlamydia and Trichomonas (7.3 per cent), gonococci and ureaplasma (7.3 per cent), ureaplasma and chlamydia (7.8 per cent). In the throat the association of gonococci and chlamydia was detected in 3.7 per cent of the cases. It should be indicated that the signs of sex-transmitted diseases were few, which required careful clinico-laboratory examination of the extragenital foci in the patients with inflammatory urogenital diseases. Ofloxacin showed a high efficacy in the treatment of patients with gonorrhea and ureaplasmosis. Its use in treatment of chlamydiosis proved inexpedient while ciprofloxacin was effective in the treatment of the infection.