Evaluation of Genotoxicity of Perchlozone, Antituberculous Drug.

Experimental studies of Perchlozone, an antituberculous drug with manifest inhibitory activity towards Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium bovis, were carried out. Genotoxicity of Perchlozone was evaluated by the DNA comet method on liver and lung tissues and blood cells after 14-day inhalation exposure of rats. The level of DNA aberrations in response to inhalations of the drug in a concentration of 102.6±13.7 mg/m3 increased in lung tissue but not in the blood cells or liver. These results indicated genotoxic activity of antituberculous drug Perchlozone.

Contribution of Fetal Programming in the Formation of Cognitive Impairments Induced by Lead Poisoning in White Rats.

The contribution of prenatal hypoxic damage to the CNS to the formation of high sensitivity of the body to lead acetate was studied. Prenatal fetal hypoxia was modeled by the administration of sodium nitrite in doses of 5, 25, and 50 mg/kg to pregnant female rats. Cognitive capacities of mature offspring were evaluated in the radial maze test and Morris water maze test. After attaining learning criterion in the radial maze, lead acetate in a dose of 80 mg/kg was added to the drinking water of all animals over 2 weeks. Testing was performed during the exposure to the agent until disruption of the conditioned behavior. It was found that severe prenatal hypoxia (induced by the administration of 50 mg/kg sodium nitrite) impaired spatial memory, increased latency of funding the platform in Morris water maze test, and serves as a factor contributing to earlier manifestations of the neurotoxic effects of lead acetate.

TNFR1 -383 A˃C polymorphism and ankylosing spondylitis in a Russian Caucasian population: a preliminary study.

The aim of this study was to assess the association between the TNFR1 rs2234649 polymorphism and ankylosing spondylitis susceptibility in a Russian Caucasian population. A total of 41 ankylosing spondylitis patients and 43 healthy controls, matched according to age and sex, were enrolled, and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis was used to genotype the rs2234649 variant. We evaluated genotype distributions in the patient and control groups with the chi-square test, and assessed the relationship between genotypes and ankylosing spondylitis using the odds ratio. Our analysis showed that the rs2234649 polymorphism does not increase ankylosing spondylitis risk. In conclusion, the TNFR1 gene polymorphism tested does not appear to be useful for assessing predisposition to this disease or for its diagnosis or prognosis.

[Mitochondrial dysfunction in children with hepatic forms of glycogen storage disease].

AIM: The purpose of the study was to assess mitochondrial dysfunction severity in patients with hepatic forms of glycogen storage disease (GSD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We examined 53 children with GSD in the dynamics. Distribution of children by disease types was: 1st group--children with GSD type I, 2nd group--children with GSD type III, 3rd group--children with GSD type VI and IX; comparison group consisted of 34 healthy children. Intracellular dehydrogenases activity: succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), glycerol-3-phosphate-dehydrogenase (GPDH). nicotinamideadenin-H-dehydrogenase (NADH-D) and lactatdehydrogenase (LDH) was measured using the quantitative cytochemical method in the peripheral lymphocytes. RESULTS: It was revealed decrease of SDH- (p < 0.001) and GPDH-activities (p < 0.001), along with increase of the NADH-D activity (p < 0.05) in all patients with GSD, (SDH/ NADH-D) index was decreased (p < 0.001). LDH activity was increased in groups 1 (p < 0.05) and 3 (p < 0.01), compared with comparison group. The most pronounced intracellular enzymes activity deviations were observed in children with GSD type I, that correspond to more severe clinical form of GSD. It was found strong correlation between intracellular enzymes activity and both hepatomegaly level (R = 0.867) and metabolic acidosis severity (R = 0.987). CONCLUSION: Our investigation revealed features of mitochondrial dysfunction in children with GSD, depending on the GSD type. Activities of lymphocytes enzymes correlates with the main disease severity parameters and can be used as an additional diagnostic criteria in children with hepatic form of GSD.

[Evaluation of the biological effects of chemical substances on albino rat offspring].

The paper provides the results of experimental studies of the impact of vinyl chloride or sublimate intoxication in male albino rats on the functional state of the nervous system of their offspring. Retarded sensorimotor development was revealed in the neonatal offspring. The pubertal offspring showed behavioral pattern disintegrity that was characterized by changes in motor activity and orientative-exploratory responses and by anxiety. There was abnormal impulse conduction in the neuromuscular apparatus of the hind legs of albino rats and morphological changes in the structure of nervous tissue.

[Experimental modelling of toxic encephalopathy].

The article covers problem of experimental biologic modelling of toxic encephalopathies. The authors represent major methodic approaches to modelling, criteria and methods to evaluate pathologic condition of CNS, present results of own research in creating models of toxic encephalopathies caused by metallic mercury and vinylchloride inhalation.

[Morphofunctional disturbances in rats affected vinyl chloride in remote period of intoxication].

Morphofunctional disturbances in rats affected vinyl chloride in remote period of intoxication. The presented data concern influence of inhalation impact of vinyl chloride on nervous system of white rats in remote period.

[Air purification aboard space vehicles]. / Obezzarazhivanie vozdushnoi sredy na bortu kosmicheskikh letatel'nykh apparatov.

Air purification unit POTOK 150MK has been designed to clean air of space vehicles from microbial contaminant. Comparison of the data of analysis of air samples collected in different periods of operation of the space station MIR and ISS reconfirmed efficiency of the unit.

[Air decontamination and the fine filtration system "Potok 150MK"]. / Ustanovka obezzarazhivaniia i tonkoi fil'tratsii vozdukha "Potok 150MK".

Longevity of space stations is dependent on efficiency and robustness of the life support systems. The article describes the principle of operation of air decontamination system Potok 150MK intended for providing microbial safety of the orbital station environment. High quality of air disinfection and decontamination has been demonstrated aboard SS Mir and the International space station.

[Psychosomatic evaluation of primates with the use of a psychomotor testing system]. / Issledovaniia psikhosomaticheskogo sostoianiia obez'ian v ékstremal'nykh usloviiakh s ispol'zovaniem psikhomotornoi testovoi sistemy.

The higher nervous system reactions of rhesus monkeys to the head-down tilt (HDT, 28 d, -5 degrees) and preventive centrifugation were evaluated with the use of a computerized psychological testing system (PTS). Prior to HDT, the primates elaborated conditioned instrumental food-obtaining reflexes by playing computer games. Drilled to perform PTS tests to the best of their ability, the animals were to fulfill two PTS tests of increasing complexity in HDT. Test results were used to determine the dynamics of primates' cognitive function and the psychological state. The investigation consisted of two series with two groups of monkeys in each series. Twelve animals of each group (10 had skill in performing the PTS tests) were distributed into 2 subgroups. Every other day one of the subgroups was exposed to centrifugation at 1 to 2.5 g. In the first series, 10 monkeys worked on the simplest test, i.e. spotting a static object. All animals showed interest in the computer game, and played a lot and successfully during HDT. In the second series, the animals were challenged with a more difficult test of following a moving object with the cursor. Based on the analysis of experimental data, a significant variability in achievement and emotional behavior of the primates should be attributed to different types of the nervous system.

[Reaction of the conducting vessels of the liver to experimental venous congestion at the early period of the experiment]. / Reaktsiia provodiashchikh sosudov pecheni na eksperimental'nyi venozynyi zastoi v rannie sroki eksperimenta

Effects of experimental venous congestion on the vessel wall and liver parenchyma were studied in rats. The development of venous arterial reactions, dilatation of lymph capillaries and vessels were found to occur in response to venous congestion. Inspite of these reactions the disturbance of the capillary blood flow increased. The instant sharp restriction of the blood outflow from the organ and direct proximity to the obstacle for blood outflow seemed to prevent the organ from compensating the effects of experiments.