Search

Helicobacter pylori, a member of the clade campylobacteria, is the leading cause of chronic gastritis and gastric cancer. Virulence and antibiotic resistance of H. pylori are of great concern to public health. However, the relationship between virulence and antibiotic resistance genes in H. pylori in relation to other campylobacteria remains unclear. Using the virulence and comprehensive antibiotic resistance databases, we explored all available 354 complete genomes of H. pylori and compared it with 90 species of campylobacteria for virulence and antibiotic resistance genes/proteins. On average, H. pylori had 129 virulence genes, highest among Helicobacter spp. and 71 antibiotic resistance genes, one of the lowest among campylobacteria. Just 2.6% of virulence genes were shared by all campylobacterial members, whereas 9.4% were unique to H. pylori. The cytotoxin-associated genes (cags) seemed to be exclusive to H. pylori. Majority of the isolates from Asia and South America were cag2-negative and many antibiotic resistance genes showed isolate-specific patterns of occurrence. Just 15 (8.8%) antibiotic resistance genes, but 103 (66%) virulence genes including 25 cags were proteomically identified in H. pylori. Arcobacterial members showed large variation in the number of antibiotic resistance genes and there was a positive relation with the genome size. Large repository of antibiotic resistance genes in campylobacteria and a unique set of virulence genes might have important implications in shaping the course of virulence and antibiotic resistance in H. pylori., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

The mpox virus (MPXV), a member of the Poxviridae family, which recently appeared outside of the African continent has emerged as a global threat to public health. Given the scarcity of antiviral treatments for mpox disease, there is a pressing need to identify and develop new therapeutics. We investigated 5715 phytochemicals from 266 species available in IMMPAT database as potential inhibitors for six MPXV targets namely thymidylate kinase (A48R), DNA ligase (A50R), rifampicin resistance protein (D13L), palmytilated EEV membrane protein (F13L), viral core cysteine proteinase (I7L), and DNA polymerase (E9L) using molecular docking. The best-performing phytochemicals were also subjected to molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and in silico ADMET analysis. The top phytochemicals were forsythiaside for A48R, ruberythric acid for A50R, theasinensin F for D13L, theasinensin A for F13L, isocinchophyllamine for I7L, and terchebin for E9L. Interestingly, the binding energies of these potential phytochemical inhibitors were far lower than brincidofovir and tecovirimat, the standard drugs used against MPXV, hinting at better binding properties of the former. These findings may pave the way for developing new MPXV inhibitors based on natural product scaffolds. However, they must be further studied to establish their inhibitory efficacy and toxicity in in vitro and in vivo models., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Background: Clogging is characterized by a progressive impairment of transmembrane patency in renal replacement devices and occurs due to obstruction of pores by unknown molecules. If citrate-based anti-coagulation is used, clogging can manifest as a metabolic alkalosis accompanied by hypernatremia and hypercalcemia, primarily a consequence of Na 3 Citrate infusion. An increased incidence of clogging has been observed during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, precise factors contributing to the formation remain uncertain. This investigation aimed to analyze its incidence and assessed time-varying trajectories of associated factors in critically ill patients on continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT)., Methods: In this retrospective, single-center data analysis, we evaluated COVID-19 patients undergoing CRRT and admitted to critical care between March 2020 and December 2021. We assessed the proportional incidence of clogging surrogates in the overall population and subgroups based on the specific CRRT devices employed at our institution, including multiFiltrate (Fresenius Medical Care) and Prismaflex System (Baxter). Moderate and severe clogging were defined as Na > 145 or ≥ 150 mmol/l and HCO 3  > 28.0 or ≥ 30 mmol/l, respectively, with a total albumin-corrected calcium > 2.54 mmol/l. A mixed effect model was introduced to investigate factors associated with development of clogging.-  > 28.0 or ≥ 30 mmol/l, respectively, with a total albumin-corrected calcium > 2.54 mmol/l. A mixed effect model was introduced to investigate factors associated with development of clogging., Results: Fifty-three patients with 240 CRRT runs were analyzed. Moderate and severe clogging occurred in 15% (8/53) and 19% (10/53) of patients, respectively. Twenty-seven percent (37/136) of CRRTs conducted with a multiFiltrate device met the criteria for clogging, whereas no clogging could be observed in patients dialyzed with the Prismaflex System. Occurrence of clogging was associated with elevated triglyceride plasma levels at filter start (p = 0.013), amount of enteral nutrition (p = 0.002) and an increasing white blood cell count over time (p = 0.002)., Conclusions: Clogging seems to be a frequently observed phenomenon in critically ill COVID-19 patients. The presence of hypertriglyceridemia, combined with systemic inflammation, may facilitate the development of an impermeable secondary membrane within filters, thereby contributing to compromised membrane patency., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, an emerging multidrug-resistant opportunistic bacterium in humans is of major concern for immunocompromised individuals for causing pneumonia and bloodborne infections. This bacterial pathogen is associated with a considerable fatality/case ratio, with up to 100%, when presented as hemorrhagic fever. It is resistant to commonly used drugs as well as to antibiotic combinations. In-silico based functional network analysis is a key approach to get novel insights into virulence and resistance in pathogenic organisms. This study included the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis of 150 specific genes identified for antibiotic resistance mechanism and virulence pathways. Eight proteins, namely, PilL, FliA, Smlt2260, Smlt2267, CheW, Smlt2318, CheZ, and FliM were identified as hub proteins. Further docking studies of 58 selected phytochemicals were performed against the identified hub proteins. Deoxytubulosine and corosolic acid were found to be potent inhibitors of hub proteins of pathogenic S. maltophilia based on protein-ligand interactive study. Further pharmacophore studies are warranted with these molecules to develop them as novel antibiotics against S. maltophilia., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The review presents extensive data (from the works of the author and literature) on the structure of C - and N -chlorophosphorylated enamines and the related heterocycles obtained by multipulse multinuclear 1 H, 13 C, and 31 P NMR spectroscopy. The use of phosphorus pentachloride as a phosphorylating agent for functional enamines enables the synthesis of various C - and N -phosphorylated products that are heterocyclized to form various promising nitrogen- and phosphorus-containing heterocyclic systems. 31 P NMR spectroscopy is the most convenient, reliable and unambiguous method for the study and identification of organophosphorus compounds with different coordination numbers of the phosphorus atom, as well as for the determination of their Z - and E -isomeric forms. An alteration of the coordination number of the phosphorus atom in the phosphorylated compounds from 3 to 6 leads to a drastic screening of the 31 P nucleus from about +200 to -300 ppm. The unique structural features of nitrogen-phosphorus-containing heterocyclic compounds are discussed.

Background: Within the spectrum of emotional competencies, callous-unemotional traits are socially discouraged, while empathy is considered a socially much more accepted emotional trait. This holds particularly true for adolescents, who are still building up their social and emotional competencies. The aims of the present study were two-fold: First, longitudinally, to identify traits of behavioral problems and objective sleep dimensions at the age of 5 years to predict callous-unemotional traits and empathy at the age of 14 years. Second, cross-sectionally, to associate callous-unemotional traits and empathy with current insomnia, stress, and mental toughness., Methods: Preschoolers at the age of 5 years were contacted nine years later at the age of 14 years. At 5 years, parents rated their children's behavior (Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire, SDQ); in parallel, children underwent a one-night sleep-EEG assessment. At the age of 14 years, adolescents completed a series of questionnaires covering callous-unemotional traits, insomnia, empathy, stress, and mental toughness., Results: A total of 77 adolescents (38.1% females) took part in the present study. Longitudinally, higher scores for hyperactivity at age 5 significantly predicted higher callous-unemotional traits at age 14. A higher score for negative peer relationships at age 5 significantly predicted lower scores for cognitive empathy at age 14. Further, objective sleep-EEG measures showed that a higher sleep efficiency and a shorter sleep latency was associated with lower scores for callousness. Cross-sectionally, higher scores for callous-unemotional traits were associated with higher insomnia and stress, while lower insomnia was associated with higher empathy. Mental toughness was unrelated to callous-unemotional traits and empathy., Conclusions: It appears that hyperactivity traits and negative peer relationships and more unfavorable objective sleep patterns at 5 years predicted socially discouraged callous-unemotional traits and low empathy during adolescence. Further, cross-sectionally at the age of 14, callous-unemotional traits, subjective poor sleep, and higher stress were associated.

The review presents extensive data (from the author's work and the literature) on the stereochemical structure of functionalized organophosphorus azoles (pyrroles, pyrazoles, imidazoles and benzazoles) and related compounds, using multinuclear 1 H, 13 C, 31 P NMR spectroscopy and quantum chemistry. 31 P NMR spectroscopy, combined with high-level quantum-chemical calculations, is the most convenient and reliable approach to studying tetra-, penta-, and hexacoordinated phosphorus atoms of phosphorylated N -vinylazoles and evaluating their Z/E isomerization.

Background: There is evidence that regular exercise training has the potential to improve psychological well-being among cancer survivors. However, limited findings are available for individuals with high-grade glioma (HGG; WHO grade III and IV) after neurosurgery and undergoing radiochemotherapy. Given this, endurance and strengths training were employed to investigate their impact on symptoms of depression, feelings of stress and anxiety, fatigue, insomnia, and physical fitness, compared to an active control condition., Methods: A total of 29 patients (M = 52.07, SD = 12.45, 55.2% women) participated in this randomized controlled trial (RCT). After neurosurgical treatment and during adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy or combined radiochemotherapy, patients were randomly assigned to the following conditions: Endurance training (n = 10); strengths training (n = 11); active control condition (n = 8). At baseline, three weeks and six weeks later at the end of the study physical fitness was objectively measured with a 6-min walk test (6MWT) and a handgrip test. Participants completed a series of questionnaires covering sociodemographic information, symptoms of depression, stress, anxiety, fatigue, and insomnia. Further, experts rated participants' severity of symptoms of depression., Results: Over time and compared to the strengths and active control condition, self-rated symptoms of depression, state and trait anxiety, stress and insomnia decreased in the endurance condition. Over time and compared to the endurance and active control condition, no changes on symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, or insomnia were observed in the strengths condition. Over time and compared to the endurance and strengths condition, symptoms of depression (self-ratings), stress, insomnia and fatigue decreased in the active control condition. Fatigue increased in both exercising conditions. Over time and irrespective from the study condition, physical fitness did neither improve nor decrease., Conclusions: The pattern of results suggests that endurance training and an active control condition improved dimensions of depression, stress, and anxiety, while mere strengths training appeared to neither improve, nor decrease dimensions of psychological functioning. Further, exercise interventions did not change physical fitness, but increased fatigue. Overall, endurance training and an active control condition appeared to favorably impact on psychological well-being among patients with high-grade glioma after neurosurgery and undergoing radiochemotherapy., (Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

The bacterial domain produces numerous types of sphingolipids with various physiological functions. In the human microbiome, commensal and pathogenic bacteria use these lipids to modulate the host inflammatory system. Despite their growing importance, their biosynthetic pathway remains undefined since several key eukaryotic ceramide synthesis enzymes have no bacterial homolog. Here we used genomic and biochemical approaches to identify six proteins comprising the complete pathway for bacterial ceramide synthesis. Bioinformatic analyses revealed the widespread potential for bacterial ceramide synthesis leading to our discovery of a Gram-positive species that produces ceramides. Biochemical evidence demonstrated that the bacterial pathway operates in a different order from that in eukaryotes. Furthermore, phylogenetic analyses support the hypothesis that the bacterial and eukaryotic ceramide pathways evolved independently., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature America, Inc.)

We present optical coherence tomography (OCT)-based tissue dynamics imaging method to visualize and quantify tissue dynamics such as subcellular motion based on statistical analysis of rapid-time-sequence OCT signals at the same location. The analyses include logarithmic intensity variance (LIV) method and two types of OCT correlation decay speed analysis (OCDS). LIV is sensitive to the magnitude of the signal fluctuations, while OCDSs including early- and late-OCDS (OCDS e and OCDS l , respectively) are sensitive to the fast and slow tissue dynamics, respectively. These methods were able to visualize and quantify the longitudinal necrotic process of a human breast adenocarcinoma spheroid and its anti-cancer drug response. Additionally, the effects of the number of OCT signals and the total acquisition time on dynamics imaging are examined. Small number of OCT signals, e.g., five or nine suffice for dynamics imaging when the total acquisition time is suitably long., Competing Interests: Abd El-Sadek, Miyazawa, Mukherjee: Yokogawa Electric Corp. (F), Sky Technology (F), Nikon (F), Kao Corp. (F), Topcon (F), Tomey Corp (F). Makita, Yasuno: Yokogawa Electric Corp. (F), Sky Technology (F), Nikon (F), Kao Corp. (F), Topcon (F), Tomey Corp (F, P). Shen, Fukuda, Yamashita, Oka, Matsusaka, Kano: None. Oshika: Topcon (F), Tomey Corp (F)., (© 2020 Optical Society of America under the terms of the OSA Open Access Publishing Agreement.)

The performance of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) critically depends on the efficiency of electron transport within the TiO 2 -dye-electrolyte interface. To improve the efficiency of the electron transfer the conventional structure of the working electrode (WE) based on TiO 2 nanoparticles (NPs) was replaced with TiO 2 nanotubes (NTs). Sol-gel method was used to prepare undoped and Nb-doped TiO 2 NPs and TiO 2 NTs. The crystallinity and morphology of the WEs were characterized using XRD, SEM and TEM techniques. XPS and PL measurements revealed a higher concentration of oxygen-related defects at the surface of NPs-based electrodes compared to that based on NTs. Replacement of the conventional NPs-based TiO 2 WE with alternative led to a 15% increase in power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the DSCs. The effect is attributed to the more efficient transfer of charge carriers in the NTs-based electrodes due to lower defect concentration. The suggestion was confirmed experimentally by electrical impedance spectroscopy measurements when we observed the higher recombination resistance at the TiO 2 NTs-electrolyte interface compared to that at the TiO 2 NPs-electrolyte interface. Moreover, Nb-doping of the TiO 2 structures yields an additional 14% PCE increase. The application of Nb-doped TiO 2 NTs as photo-electrode enables the fabrication of a DSC with an efficiency of 8.1%, which is 35% higher than that of a cell using a TiO 2 NPs. Finally, NTs-based DSCs have demonstrated a 65% increase in the PCE value, when light intensity was decreased from 1000 to 10 W/m 2 making such kind device be promising alternative indoor PV applications when the intensity of incident light is low., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest

We report a novel Cd-free ZnTiO buffer layer deposited by atomic layer deposition for Cu(In,Ga)Se 2 (CIGS) solar cells. Wet pretreatments of the CIGS absorbers with NH 4 OH, H 2 O, and/or aqueous solution of Cd 2+ ions were explored to improve the quality of the CIGS/ZnTiO interface, and their effects on the chemical state of the absorber and the final performance of Cd-free CIGS devices were investigated. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis revealed that the aqueous solution etched away sodium compounds accumulated on the CIGS surface, which was found to be detrimental for solar cell operation. Wet treatment with NH 4 OH solution led to a reduced photocurrent, which was attributed to the thinning (or removal) of an ordered vacancy compound (OVC) layer on the CIGS surface as evidenced by an increased Cu XPS peak intensity after the NH 4 OH treatment. However, the addition of Cd 2+ ions to the NH 4 OH aqueous solution suppressed the etching of the OVC by NH 4 OH, explaining why such a negative effect of NH 4 OH is not present in the conventional chemical bath deposition of CdS. The band alignment at the CIGS/ZnTiO interface was quantified using XPS depth profile measurements. A small cliff-like conduction band offset of -0.11 eV was identified at the interface, which indicates room for further improvement of efficiency of the CIGS/ZnTiO solar cells once the band alignment is altered to a slight spike by inserting a passivation layer with a higher conduction band edge than ZnTiO. Combination of the small cliff conduction band offset at the interface, removal of the Na compound via water, and surface doping by Cd ions allowed the application of ZnTiO buffer to CIGS treated with Cd solutions, exhibiting an efficiency of 80% compared to that of a reference CIGS solar cell treated with the CdS.

The objective of the present study was to elucidate the role of genetic and environmental factors in the development of the curvature of the nasal septum in the children by means of the twin method. A total of 171 twins were examined during the study. They included 27 pairs of monozygotic (MZ) twins and 1 triplet. There were 87 boys and 84 girls. All of them were distributed by age as follows: group 1 (3-7 years) - 97 children, group II (8-11 years) - 34 children, group III (12-15 years) - 40 adolescents. Taken together, the members of these groups accounted for 56.7%, 19.9%, and 23.4% of the participants of the study respectively. The prevalence of the nasal septum curvature among the children born after multiple pregnancies (MZ and dizygotic (DZ) twins) with such ENT pathology as the curvature of the nasal septum was estimated at 68.5% and 47.6% respectively. The intraparallel correlation analysis showed that both twins of a MZ pair presented with the curvature of the nasal septum in 12 (30.7%) pairs. The study has demonstrated the statistically significant difference in the frequency of concurrence of the nasal septum curvature between MZ and DZ twins (p=0.005). It is concluded that the results of the study give evidence that heredity and genetic factors greatly contribute to the formation of the curvature of the nasal septum in the children.

This study guided by device evaluations was conducted to reveal the reasons for the loss of the photo-generated carriers in CIGS cells with the buffer based on In2S3 derivatives. Chemical bath deposited Inx(OOH,S)y films have been employed as a Cd-free buffer layers. When compared to solar cells with CdS buffer layer, the Cu0.9(In0.7,Ga0.3)Se2.1 (Eg = 1.18 eV) cells with the Inx(OOH,S)y buffer exhibited strong voltage-dependent carrier collection and poor spectral response above 500 nm, presumably, due to energy barrier at the junction. In order to improve the charge collection by upward shift of the conduction band minimum of CIGS absorber, Inx(OOH,S)y/Cu0.9(In0.55,Ga0.45)Se2.1 (Eg = 1.30 eV) solar cells were also fabricated and their spectral responses were examined. When compared to the Cu0.9(In0.7,Ga0.3)Se2.1 cells, the improved spectral response and voltage dependent carrier collection were obtained. Nevertheless, considerable loss in charge collection above 500 nm was still observed. The efficiency reached 9.3% while the Cu0.9(In0.7,Ga0.3)Se2.1 cell exhibited only the efficiency of 3.4%. Finally, CIGS (Eg = 1.18 eV) solar cells with n-ZnO/i-ZnO/Inx(OOH,S)y/CdS/CIGS and n-ZnO/i-ZnO/CdS/Inx(OOH,S)y/CIGS configurations were fabricated. The influence of the TCO/buffer interface on the device characteristics was also addressed by means of comparison between the characteristics of two cells employing different interfaces. A 13.0% efficient cell has been achieved from n-ZnO/i-ZnO/CdS/Inx(OOH,S)y/CIGS configuration. The obtained data suggested that the limitation of the device efficiency was mainly related to the i-ZnO/Inx(OOH,S)y interface. The experimental results provide the knowledge base for further optimization of the interface properties to form high-quality p-n junction in the CIGS solar cells employing the CBD In2S3 buffer layer.

The electronic band structure at the Zn(1-x)Mg(x)O/Cu(In(0.7)Ga(0.3))Se(2) interface was investigated for its potential application in Cd-free Cu(In,Ga)Se(2) thin film solar cells. Zn(1-x)Mg(x)O thin films with various Mg contents were grown by atomic layer deposition on Cu(In(0.7)Ga(0.3))Se(2) absorbers, which were deposited by the co-evaporation of Cu, In, Ga, and Se elemental sources. The electron emissions from the valence band and core levels were measured by a depth profile technique using X-ray and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy. The valence band maximum positions are around 3.17 eV for both Zn(0.9)Mg(0.1)O and Zn(0.8)Mg(0.2)O films, while the valence band maximum value for CIGS is 0.48 eV. As a result, the valence band offset value between the bulk Zn(1-x)Mg(x)O (x = 0.1 and x = 0.2) region and the bulk CIGS region was 2.69 eV. The valence band offset value at the Zn(1-x)Mg(x)O/CIGS interface was found to be 2.55 eV after considering a small band bending in the interface region. The bandgap energy of Zn(1-x)Mg(x)O films increased from 3.25 to 3.76 eV as the Mg content increased from 0% to 25%. The combination of the valence band offset values and the bandgap energy of Zn(1-x)Mg(x)O films results in the flat (0 eV) and cliff (-0.23 eV) conduction band alignments at the Zn(0.8)Mg(0.2)O/Cu(In(0.7)Ga(0.3))Se(2) and Zn(0.9)Mg(0.1)O/Cu(In(0.7)Ga(0.3))Se(2) interfaces, respectively. The experimental results suggest that the bandgap energy of Zn(1-x)Mg(x)O films is the main factor that determines the conduction band offset at the Zn(1-x)Mg(x)O/Cu(In(0.7)Ga(0.3))Se(2) interface. Based on these results, we conclude that a Zn(1-x)Mg(x)O film with a relatively high bandgap energy is necessary to create a suitable conduction band offset at the Zn(1-x)Mg(x)O/CIGS interface to obtain a robust heterojunction. Also, ALD Zn(1-x)Mg(x)O films can be considered as a promising alternative buffer material to replace the toxic CdS for environmental safety.

Certain laryngeal procedures require a sedated patient who is responsive to allow for the assessment of vocalization. Dexmedetomidine as a single agent for sedation and anxiolysis for awake laryngoplasty in a patient with unilateral vocal fold paralysis is presented.

Inulin hydrogels were used to prepare insoluble colored substrates for screening of inulin-degrading microorganisms. Methycrylated inulin, synthesized with glycidyl methacrylate, was crossed-linked by free radical polymerization producing an insoluble hydrogel. The inulin hydrogels were colored with one of three covalent dyes (Reactive blue 4, Reactive orange 14, Reactive red 120). The efficacy of the colored inulin hydrogels was determined by comparing their performance to insoluble, colored amylose, xylan and HE-cellulose in screening assays. Novel substrates (alone or in combination with other insoluble colored substrates) were successfully used for screening inulin-degrading microorganisms from sludge samples. Selected strains were identified using 16S rDNA gene partial sequencing; all of them belong to the genus Bacillus.

Background: Lung cancer screening may serve as a 'teachable moment' for smoking cessation, a brief period in which motivation to stop smoking is enhanced. Within the context of two NCI-funded randomized lung screening trials, we conducted an ancillary study to explore the impact of screening on smoking cessation and readiness to stop smoking., Methods: We accrued a sample of current and former smokers participating at the Georgetown University site of the Lung Screening Study (LSS; N=144) and of the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST; N=169). In each sample, we assessed reasons for trial participation, interest in smoking cessation interventions, motivations for stopping smoking, and the impact of undergoing screening on tobacco use and readiness to stop smoking. Telephone interviews were conducted prior to screening, and 1-month following receipt of the screening result. The samples were analyzed separately due to differences in age and level of nicotine dependence., Results: The majority of the findings were consistent across the two samples. Frequently endorsed reasons for trial participation among both current and former smokers included psychological reasons (e.g., wanting peace of mind about lung cancer) and altruism (e.g., wanting to make a contribution to science). Nicotine replacement therapy and free counseling were the cessation methods that were of most interest, and fear of lung health problems was the most frequently endorsed motivation for quitting smoking. Regarding readiness to stop smoking, approximately 20% were ready to stop in the next 30 days, 45% were ready to stop in the next 6 months, while 35% were not thinking of stopping. At the follow-up, 7% of current smokers at baseline reported abstinence, and 4% of former smokers at baseline reported having relapsed. The findings differed across the two samples when considering the readiness to quit outcome. At the 1-month follow-up of the NLST sample, participants became more ready to stop smoking (p<.05). Screening result did not moderate this finding. In the LSS sample, among younger participants (

Bernard-Soulier syndrome (BSS) is a rare congenital platelet disorder characterized by defective platelet adhesion and manifested by spontaneous and often profuse bleeding. Recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa) is a haemostatic agent licensed for the treatment of bleeding episodes in patients with haemophilia and inhibitors, which may represent a low-risk alternative to existing therapies in the management of patients with BSS. Here, we describe the use of rFVIIa for the treatment of three severe bleeding episodes in two patients with BSS. Data were extracted by automated searching of the international, Internet-based registry http://www.haemostasis.com . Patient 1, a 24-year-old woman, was admitted with severe epistaxis and hypotension. The diagnosis of BSS was confirmed by macrothrombocytopenia, absence of ristocetin-induced platelet agglutination (RIPA) and absence of glycoprotein (GP) Ibalpha and IX on the platelet surface. Epsilon aminocaproic acid (EACA; two 50-mg/kg doses), packed red blood cells (PRBCs, 2 U) and platelets (30 U) failed to control the bleeding and, after 13 h, three bolus doses of rFVIIa (90 microg/kg body weight) and a third dose of EACA were administered; bleeding stopped after the third dose of rFVIIa. Patient 2, a 15-year-old girl, initially presented with severe menorrhagia. A lack of RIPA and severe deficiency of GPIbalpha on the platelet surface confirmed the diagnosis of BSS. EACA and fresh-frozen plasma did not control the haemorrhage, but two bolus doses of rFVIIa (98 microg/kg body weight) resulted in a marked decrease in bleeding. On second admission, patient 2 had severe epistaxis and mild menorrhagia. Two rFVIIa doses (98 and 122.5 microg/kg body weight) were given, and the bleeding stopped. No adverse events were reported in these cases. These three admissions highlight the potential of rFVIIa for the treatment of severe bleeds in patients with BSS.

Sixty-six patients (132 eyes) with hereditary reticular corneal dystrophy were treated by instillations of taufon and vitasik eyedrops and by vitasik magnetophoresis. Time course of clinical symptoms and visual acuity is compared. Vitasik is better tolerated and its therapeutic effect is higher than that of taufon. The efficacy of vitasik is still more increased by magnetophoresis ensuring the best results.

The growth-inhibiting effect on the roots of maize and cucumber shoots was studied. We tested 53 triamine complexes of platinum (cis*- and trans*-[Pt(NH3)*2LCl]Cl, cis*- and trans*-[PtHx*2LCl]Cl and [PtenLCl]Cl, where Hx is hydroxylamine, en is ethylenediamine, and L are various heterocycles, which either have biological activity and occur in the cells or have no biological activity and are foreign to the cells). The cis*-[Pt(NH3)*2LCl]Cl and [PtenLCl]Cl complexes showed cytostatic properties, and the latter were effective at higher concentrations. Small changes in the composition of ligand L led to marked changes in the biological activity of the complexes. In order to characterize the effect of the complexes, we first determined the time of development of the lateral root from its initial appearance to its divergence from the main root (Tlat). The complexes with cytostatic properties markedly inhibited root branching and increased Tlat. The other complexes had virtually no effect on Tlat and reduced the zone of lateral roots only at the expense of inhibition of the main root growth. The complexes with cytostatic properties markedly inhibited the main root growth with time. Parallel studies conducted in the Oncological Research Center, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences have shown that the complexes with cytostatic properties display distinct antitumor activity.

An effect of a 40-day hypokinesia produced by the stay of the white mongrel female rats in the small cages on their reproductive system was studied. The data being indicative of the involvement changes in the ovaries which appear as the decreased mass of an organ and qualitative alterations of its structures (depletion of germinate stroma, decrease in volumetric part of the follicles) have been obtained with the use of radioimmunologic technique, light-optical methods and quantitative analysis of tissue specimens. In this case, the yellow bodies become dominant structures in the ovary. A comparison of structural changes with progesterone and estradiol concentrations revealed a pronounced hormonal insufficiency of the follicles and yellow bodies.

The results obtained in the study of antibiotic and sulfamide sensitivity of 197 Neisseria meningitidis strains of groups A, B and C, isolated from the spinal fluid and blood of patients with meningococcal infection hospitalized in the 2nd Clinico-Infectious Hospital, Moscow, in 1984-1989 and studied with the use of the disc diffusion method and the method of serial dilutions of antibiotics in solid culture media, are presented. As revealed in this study, N. meningitidis strains retained their high sensitivity to penicillin and ampicillin (MIC50 = 0.016 and 0.032 micrograms/ml respectively). Sensitivity to tetracycline decreased (MIC50 = 0.5 micrograms/ml) and to rifampicin increased (MIC50 = 0.063 micrograms/ml). 48.5% of strains were resistant to streptomycin. In recent years the proportion of N. meningitidis, resistant to sulfanilamide preparations, significantly decreased and MIC50 was equal to 2.5 micrograms/ml in comparison with 5-10 micrograms/ml in the preceding period. The results of testing sensitivity to antibiotics by both methods coincided. Still the disc diffusion method can be used in epidemiological surveillance on meningococcal infection, while for more exact differentiation of N. meningitidis strains the use of the method of serial dilutions is necessary.

The laboratory examination, by microscopic or bacteriological methods and by counterimmunoelectrophoresis, of CSF and blood from 2653 patients with purulent bacterial meningitis, including those with clinically diagnosed meningococcal infection, was carried out between June 1980 and June 1984. The results showed three main etiological agents: meningococci (79.9%), pneumococci (10.8%) and Haemophilus influenzae type b (5.25%). Out of 488 Neisseria meningitidis strains isolated from the CSF or blood, 58.2% belonged to serogroup A, 17.2% to serogroup B, and 14% to serogroup C; infection due to the B serogroup reached nearly 59% among children in 1984. Serotypes were determined in 131 out of 151 strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae and the most frequent were types 1, 19 and 3; type 34, which was isolated from 4 patients, is not a component of the pneumococcal vaccine. The age groups at high risk were children under 5 years old (for meningococcal infection), adults and babies in the first year (pneumococcal meningitis), and children under 3 years, especially between 6 months and 2 years old (H.influenzae type b infection).

Antagonistic and bacteriocinogenic activity was studied in 169 strains of meningococci of various serological groups and with different localization in the human organism at the time of isolation. Bacteriocinogenic activity was revealed in all the meningococcus strains (by delayed antagonism method), and, in addition, antagonistic activity was found in 100 strains. The inhibitory activity was the greatest in meningococci isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid. The data obtained suggest an important inhibitory activity of meningococci, along with their resistance to the antagonistic activity of the nasopharyngeal microorganisms, in the manifestation of pathogenic properties in them.

Comparative study of the meningococcus sensitivity of various serological groups with different localization in the human organism to the antagonistic activity of normal microbes of the nasopharynx and the antibiotics it was found that strains isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid of patients suffering from cerebrospinal meningitis, chiefly of serological group A, had the greatest resistance to the antagonists. Taking into consideration the leading epidemiological role of the cultures belonging to the serological group A in the USSR, it can be supposed that meningococcus sensitivity to the nasopharyngeal antagonists was of significance for the manifestation of their pathogenic properties. No association of the antibiotic sensitivity of the same strains with reference to a definite serological group or the site of the microbe localization was revealed.

Complexes of surface soluble antigens were obtained in grown meningococci of serological groups A, B and C in fluid nutrient media. In studying the chemical composition and biological properties of these complexes released of the nutrient medium components it was revealed that they consisted of proteins, carbohydrates and lipids, possessed marked group-specific properties in the PHAT, were toxic (LD50 about 0.15 mg) and immunogenic.

A study was made of the duration of meningococcus carrier state, immunological indices and group-specific properties of meningococci isolated from them. The periods of meningococcus discharge were studied in 738 persons. Three categories of the carrier state were revealed: a single discharge (67% of the carriers), of average duration (up to 4 weeks), and prolonged. Greater indices of group-specific antibodies (in the passive hemagglutination test) were revealed in the carriers with prolonged presence of meningococci in the nasopharynx. Dynamics of immunological indices and periods of the carrier state formation in the foci of infection permitted to characterize the prolonged carrier state as a latent form of meningococcus infection. A study of the group-specific properties in 1845 strains and comparison of the group-specific pattern of the circulating strains with the epidemic situation indicated that meningococci of group A were not only epidemic, but also more virulent.

The results of studies carried out with the use of the unified, specially developed methods in eight regions of the USSR are generalized. Basing on the analysis of the results, the leading role of serogroup A meningococci in the rise of morbidity is emphasized, the relation of the morbidity level to the serogroup composition of meningococci circulating among healthy population is revealed, the necessity of carrying out selective bacteriological surveys with a view to establish the serogroups of meningococci circulating among the population is shown. The expedient criteria to be used in the system of epidemiological surveillance of meningococcal infection are presented.

The results of the laboratory examination of 2034 patients with meningococcal infection and purulent meningitides, hospitalized during the period of June 1980 to October 1983, revealed that three main etiological agents were responsible for these diseases: meningococci, pneumococci and Haemophilus influenzae. The susceptibility of the patients to different etiological agents was found to depend on their age. Children aged up to 3 years constituted 75% of the patients with meningitis caused by H. influenzae; 50% of the patients with meningococcal infection were children aged up to 5 years; pneumococcal meningitis occurred more frequently in adults. Serogroup A meningococci were found to prevail in patients with meningococcal infection. Besides, in children serogroup C meningococci could be isolated in 24% of cases. Since 1983 the cases of the isolation of strains belonging to serogroup B increased in number. Among the pneumococci responsible for the disease serotypes 1, 19, 6 and in children serotype 12 occurred most frequently.

The results obtained in 1987 in the study of the immunostructure of the population of Yaroslavl with respect to meningococcal polysaccharides, groups, A, B, C, and lipopolysaccharide are presented in comparison with earlier results obtained in 1976. The regulating role of the immunological factor in the evolution of the epidemic process of meningococcal infection has been confirmed. The level of antibodies to meningococcal polysaccharides, groups A and B, has been found to reflect the intensity of the circulation of the infective agent among the population. The comparison of the results of investigations carried out in 1976 and 1987 has revealed the essential role of the lipopolysaccharide antigen in the formation of the postinfection immunity of the population to meningococcal infection, irrespective of the group of the infective agent.

The effect of 21 methionine-platinum(II) and (IV) complexes on growth and division of cells in maize seedling roots has been studied. The studied complexes did not possess properties inherent in typical cytostatic compounds, e.g. cis-dichlorodiammineplatinum (DDP). They inhibited root growth at higher concentrations as compared to DDP. In contrast to DDP, the studied complexes inhibited cell elongation to a similar or greater extent than cell division, did not prevent lateral root formation, and their inhibitory effect did not change with time. No correlation between the level of tumor growth inhibition and the pattern of root growth was observed.

As the result of laboratory examination of 2165 patients with virulent bacterial meningitides, including cases of meningococcal infection, the etiological diagnosis was confirmed in 1407 patients (65.0%), the number of cases confirmed by the laboratory examination being significantly greater among adults than among children: 67.5 +/- 1.37% and 63.1 +/- 1.53%, respectively, (t = 2.1). Meningococcal infection was confirmed in 1111 (70.6%) out of 1572 patients under examination. Of the patients with purulent meningitides, pneumococcal etiology was determined in 27.4%, type b of Haemophilus influenzae in 13.5%, other infective agents in 10.0%. The comparison of the results obtained in the examination, carried out by different methods, of 946 children and 770 adults with meningococcal infection revealed a considerable difference in the number of positive results yielded by the bacteriological method and countercurrent immunoelectrophoresis (CIE). Among adults meningococci were isolated twice as frequently (41.1 +/- 2.5% - 19.4 +/- 1.6%), and the results yielded by CIE were predominantly positive (55.1 +/- 2.5% and 40.1 +/- 2.5%). CIE and the immunoenzyme assay were shown to have advantages in the diagnosis of the disease. Under the conditions of intensive antibiotic therapy the methods based on the detection of specific antigens in body fluids can greatly assist in diagnosis.

The materials on the development and use of the test system, based on the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and intended for the detection of specific group A and C meningococcal polysaccharides and type b Haemophilus influenzae polysaccharide in the spinal fluid of patients, are presented. In this work commercial preparations manufactured in the USSR were used, and all parameters of the assay were developed on the basis of these preparations. The study was made on the samples of spinal fluid from 410 patients; of these, 203 had meningococcal infection, 57 had purulent bacterial meningitides and 150 had other diseases (acute respiratory diseases, influenza, etc.). As demonstrated by the results of this study, ELISA proved to be a highly specific and sensitive technique. In the investigation of the spinal fluid samples from the patients with meningococcal infection the use of ELISA with bacteriological techniques increased the number of positive results to 67%; with countercurrent electrophoresis, to 78%; and with bacterioscopy, to 83.8%. ELISA is recommended for practical use as an auxiliary laboratory technique and as a rapid method for the diagnosis of meningococcal infection.

Oxygen consumption was compared during phagocytosis of killed S. aureus by peritoneal polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PNL) from conventional mice and C57BL/6 mice free of pathogenic agents. The rate of oxygen consumption by PNL during phagocytosis was 3 times higher in conventional mice than in C57BL/6 mice free of pathogenic agents. The latter mice can be used as a suitable model for studying diverse effects on the most important component of the bactericidal mechanism of PNL.

The coagglutination (COA) test is used for the serogrouping of streptococci, group B, and meningococci. The trial of a Soviet commercial preparation (staphylococcal reagent) has shown good prospects for its use in the COA test and high specificity of this test method. The availability of highly specific immune sera permits making standard kits for the identification of different infective agents in the COA test.