[Variation in evolutionary unstable regions of the chloroplast genome in plants obtained in anther culture of dihaploid wheat lines].

In dihaploid wheats, two evolutionarily unstable regions of the chloroplast genome were examined. These regions include the following genes, changes in which could be associated with albinism in anther culture: rbcL, encoding the large Rubisco subunit; psaA, encoding p700 apoprotein Ia; petA, encoding cytochrome f; atpB and atpE, encoding respectively beta and epsilon subunits of the CF1 ATPase complex; trnE, encoding glutamine tRNA; and cemA, encoding a cell membrane protein. Using PCR, we have shown that atpB was the gene most often not detected in the lines examined. These results suggest that regeneration of albino plants is accompanied by a deletion of a chloroplast DNA region harboring this gene.

[Regeneration potential of different wheat, rye and barley species in leaf explant culture].

Regeneration potential of different wheat, rye and barley species in leaf explant culture. Comparative analysis of the induction ability of morphogenetic processes in vitro has been carried out in 16 wheat genotypes, 4 barley species and 6 rye genotypes. It has been shown that tetra- and hexaploid wheat species as well as wild barley species exhibited the highest embryogenic potential in the leaf explant culture while diploid wheat species and rye genotypes showed the lowest one. Genotypic dependence of processes of callus formation, induction of embryogenic calli and regeneration was revealed in the studied species.

[The use of capoten in the treatment of chronic cor pulmonale in elderly patients]. / Ispol'zovanie kapotena v lechenii khronicheskogo legochnaia serdtsa u bol'nykh starshego vozrasta.

Forty patients of elderly and senile ages with chronic obstructive bronchitis, complicated with degrees II-III respiratory insufficiency, and chronic cor pulmonale with stage IIA circulatory failure have been examined. The examination revealed impairment of the external respiration and tissue oxygen exchange, changes in the cardio- and hemodynamics the most typical of which was a significant rise of the diastolic volume of the left ventricle, activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, and an increase of the extracellular volume of fluid. To explore the ways to correct these changes, nine patients were given a single dose of capoten, an inhibitor of the converting enzyme angiotensin (12.5 mg orally), after which a 20-day course was administered (12.5 mg three times daily). The agent proved to be highly effective, which suggested the expediency of its use in the complex management of old-age patients with decompensated cor pulmonale.

[Effect of age on the pharmacokinetic parameters of digoxin]. / Vliianie vozrasta na farmakokineticheskie parametry digoksina.

Digoxin pharmacokinetics was studied in 40 virtually healthy subjects aged 60-89 years and 10 subjects aged 20-29 years injected with a single dose (0.5 mg) of digoxin. The pharmacokinetic data were interpreted in terms of a two-compartmental model. The constant of digoxin transfer rate from the peripheral compartment to the central one appreciably increased, whereas the elimination constant and the magnitude of the total clearance was decreased with aging. The values of the apparent volume of the drug distribution in the central compartment, as well as those of the stationary and kinetic volumes of distribution got reduced. In elderly and senile subjects, the pharmacokinetic curve area increased. The half-life of digoxin in young, elderly and senile subjects was equal to 51, 54 and 57 h, respectively.

[Relation between lipid and carbohydrate metabolism in patients suffering from ischemic heart diseases in old age]. / Zusammenhang zwischen Lipid- und Kohlenhydratstoffwechsel bei Patienten mit ischämischer Herzkrankheit (IHK) im Alter.

The authors determined the levels of oral glucose tolerance, of serum insulin and of the serum lipids in 143 patients of advanced age suffering from ischaemic heart disease. They point out the importance of the relationship between disturbed lipid and carbohydrate metabolisms which cause coronary arteriosclerosis via hyperinsulinism.

[Age related changes in the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of digoxin (author's transl)]. / Altersabhängige Veränderungen der Pharmakodynamik und der Pharmakokinetik des Digoxins.

Studies have been carried out on some peculiarities of the pharmacodynamics and pharmaco-kinetics in clinically healthy elderly and aged persons. It has been demonstrated that an increase in the sensitivity of the myocardium to digitoxin, and a decrease of its excretion by the kidneys are factors promoting the development of glycoside intoxication in the aged.