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We studied the role of oxalate release through the airways as a potential injurious factor in the development of inflammation, bronchial obstruction and cough syndrome (respiratory oxalosis). Detection of oxalates in bronhcoalveolar lavage fluid and daily urine is the most valuable method for diagnostics of oxalates. Systemic effects, such as cholelithiasis, urolithiasis, and spinal osteochondrosis are characteristic clinical signs of respiratory oxalosis, besides purely respiratory symptoms.

This work was aimed at estimating the role of special therapy of patients with bronchial asthma, COPD and hyperoxaluria designed to restrict the delivery or eliminate excess of oxalates and producing well apparent beneficial effect confirmed by the disappearance or decrease of clinical and functional manifestations of obstruction, reduction of requirements for broncholytic and anti-inflammatory agents.

The prevalence of bronchial asthma and obesity has grown in the recent decades. The mechanisms of these pathologies remain unclear despite a number of publications on the relationship between the two diseases. Analysis of the association of BA with obesity should take into account that both diseases develop in young children undergoing effects of breast milk and specific nutrients, intestinal colonization pattern (neonatal and early childhood), body mass at birth and it growth rate, sedentary lifestyle, and adipokine level in early ontogenesis. The available data suggest that the phenotype of BA associated with obesity is characterized by a number of clear-cut peculiarities (more severe clinical manifestations with frequent exacerbaions and impaired control of the disease). Moreover; such patients show no signs of cellular inflammation. There are several distinct mechanisms characterizing obesity-associated BA, viz. co-morbid conditions such as gastroduodenal reflux disease, sleep apnea, obesity-associated systemic inflammation (elevated cytokine (IL-6, TNF-alpha) levels), oxidative stress, production of obesity hormones (leptin. adiponektin, resistin). Thus, BA and obesity have some common potential mechanisms, including genetic factors, systemic inflammation, mechanical factors, and concomitant diseases. Understanding the common mechanisms of these diseases will promote the development of new therapeutic strategies.

Nine patients with moderate and severe aspirin bronchial asthma (ABA) received epifamine (a course dose 400 mg) in addition to continuous antiasthmatic therapy. Matched 12 ABA patients received placebo. Epifamine was found to improve the patients' clinical condition, response of distal bronchi to berotek; to promote achievement of long remission and increased production of melatonin. Thus, epifamine is effective and can be used in pathogenetic strategic therapy of ABA.

Magnesium and calcium levels in the serum, red cells, lymphocytes, circadian urine and exhaled air condensate were measured in 40 patients with hormone-dependent bronchial asthma (BA) and 15 BA patients receiving glucocorticoids in inhalations (beclamete, becotide) and injections (hydrocortisone, prednisolone, dexasone). Nuclear absorption spectrophotometry (AAC-508, Hitachi, Japan) and selective ionometry (Mycrolyte, Kone, Finland) were employed. Short-term (10-14 days) intravenous infusions and inhalations of steroids in medium therapeutic doses do not change much homeostasis of two-valent cations. Complications resultant from disturbance of mineral metabolism developed more frequently in BA patients on long-term (4 years more longer) oral glucocorticoids. Increased renal and bronchial excretion of magnesium and calcium in patients with hormone-dependent BA having complications of glucocorticoid therapy suggests that derangement of mineral metabolism is involved in the onset of steroid osteopathy and myopathy.

On the basis of the anonymous questionnaires filled by 131 therapeutic interns from 18 higher medical establishments young specialists distinguished certain personality traits which, in their opinions, should be inherent in a doctor; they evaluated training in the institute and during internship and pointed out its shortcomings. The information obtained is important for further improvement of the medical training.