[Prevalence and typological characteristics of atherosclerotic lesions in carotid arteries associated with metabolic syndrome as revealed by multislice computed tomography].

Aim: To study the character, prevalence, and typological structure of atherosclerotic changes in major arteries by multislice computed tomography in patients with various metabolic disorders. Material and Methods: Carotid arteries of 78 patients with metabolic syndrome or type 2 diabetes mellitus and without carbohydrate metabolism disorders were examined by multislice computed tomography. Results: The study revealed various types of atherosclerotic plaques differing in the composition of lipid, lipid-fibrotic and calcium components. The latter were especially well expressed in diabetes. Conclusion: All types of atherosclerotic plaques are roughly equally represented in the structure of atherosclerotic lesions of carotid arteries in patients with metabolic syndrome in the absence of type 2 diabetes. Diabetic patients had vascular lesions with especially high density of atherosclerotic plaques.

[TOPOGRAPHIC ANATOMY OF ASCENDING AND DESCENDING NEURONS OF SUPRAESOPHAGEAL, MESO- AND METATHORACIC GANGLIA IN PALEO- AND NEOPTEROUS INSECTS].

Topographic anatomy of ascending (AN) and descending (DN) neurons of the supraesophageal and thoracic ganglia in the nervous system of winged insects (Pterygota) - representatives of infraclasses Plaeoptera (Odonata, Aeschna grandis, dragonfly) and Neoptera (Blattoptera, Periplaneta americana, cockroach) was studied. These insects are different in ecological niches, lifestyles, sets of behavioral complexes, levels of locomotor system development, evolutionary age and systematic position. Neuronal bodies and processes of ANs and DNs were stained with nickel chloride (NiC2), their topography was studied on total prerapations of the supraesophageal and thoracic ganglia. Unlike cockroaches, in dragon- fly protocerebrum DNs sending their processes to ocelli were found. Dragonfly DN processes show a spe- cific type of arborization in thoracic ganglia, with collaterals directed both ipsi- and contralaterally. In cockroaches collaterals of DN processes are arranged ipsilaterally. AN bodies in meso- and metathoracic ganglia of dragonfly lie both ipsi- and contralaterally in respect to the ascending process whereas in cock- roaches AN bodies in the same ganglia are predominantly localized contralaterally. Substantial differences in allocation of DNs and ANs in insects dissimilar in locomotor manner reflect a different extent of supraesophageal ganglion control over activity of segmental centers. It seems related to neither the evolu- tionary age of insects, nor the antiquity of origin, nor their systematic position. Probably, a different de- gree of locomotion control depends on the way of getting food - catching prey in air by <> dragonflies unlike <> maneuverable walking or running across a solid substrate by <> cockroaches.

Association of G197 polymorphism of IL-17A gene with myocardial remodeling and aerobic performance in athletes.

We studied the relationship between G197A polymorphism of IL-17A gene and changes in morphometric echocardiography parameters and physiological parameters in skiers (19 examinees). Genotyping was performed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis and echocardiography using a Nemio MX ultrasound scanner (Toshiba). Association of 197A allele of IL-17A gene with low myocardial growth and high aerobic performance of athletes was demonstrated.