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Objective: To analyze in-hospital and long-term results of eversion carotid endarterectomy (CEE), carotid endarterectomy with patch repair and carotid artery stenting (CAS) in patients with high bifurcation of common carotid artery., Material and Methods: A retrospective multiple-center open study included 1983 patients who underwent internal carotid artery (ICA) repair for severe stenosis between 2010 and 2021. Three groups of patients were distinguished depending on revascularization option: group 1 ( n =638) - eversion CEE; group 2 ( n =351) - CEE with patch repair; group 3 ( n =994) - CAS., Results: In-hospital postoperative mortality and incidence of stroke and myocardial infarction were similar. All bleedings ( n =39) occurred after CEE. ICA thrombosis was diagnosed in groups 1 and 2 due to intimal detachment after insertion of temporary bypass tube. Incidence of laryngeal paresis, neuropathy of hypoglossal and glossopharyngeal nerves, Horner syndrome, damage to salivary glands was comparable in groups 1 and 2. Long-term mortality was the highest ( n =10; 2.8%) after CEE with patch repair due to fatal stroke. In turn, the highest incidence of ICA restenosis and restenosis-induced ischemic stroke was observed after CEE with patch repair and CAS., Conclusion: 1. Classical and eversion CEE in patients with high CCA bifurcation is followed by high in-hospital incidence of damage to cranial nerves and salivary glands, laryngeal paresis, Horner syndrome, bleeding and risk of ICA thrombosis. 2. In patients with high CCA bifurcation, CAS and CEE with patch repair are accompanied by high incidence of ICA restenosis, restenosis-induced stroke and mortality in long-term postoperative period. 3. Eversion CEE demonstrates the lowest rates of all adverse cardiovascular events in long-term follow-up period.

Background: Prolactin-releasing peptide(Prl-RP), in addition to stimulating the production of prolactin, interacts with various parts of the central nervous system, participating in the implementation of many functions that are reflected in behavior., Aim: The effect of Prl-RP on the anxiety of white Wistar rats was studied since there were no data in the literature on the relationship between Prl-RP and anxiety., Materials and Methods: Anxiety was assessed in two tests. In the elevated plus-maze (EPM), the time spent in the open arms and the number of edge reactions were recorded. In the social preference test, the time spent near a stranger, near a familiar individual, and in neutral territory were recorded., Results: The administration of Prl-RP at a dose of 10-10 M with a volume of 10 µl in each nostril reduced the time spent by the animals in the open arms of the EPM, and the number of edge reactions. For testing the social interaction, animals were pre-selected for high or low levels of anxiety in the EPM. In rats with initially low levels of anxiety, Prl-RP reduced the time spent near a stranger, indicating an increase in anxiety levels. The behavior of rats with initially high levels of anxiety did not change after application of the Prl-RP., Conclusion: The results of our experiments indicate that the intranasal administration of Prl-RP increases the anxiety of rats.

The review presents the main pathogenetic mechanisms of cataract development in an avitic eye as well as anatomical and functional changes of the eye in the state of avitria. The authors have also analyzed distinctive behavior of such eyes during phacoemulsification and surgical techniques used to answer specific avitreal phenomena.

Conducting daily pH monitoring in patients with asthma has a number of features. Due to the fact that the introduction of the pH probe in such patients may provoke an asthma attack, necessary pre-treatment of the patients to the study. It is necessary to perform the procedure for achieving remission of asthma medication. Utility of the modified pH measuring techniques (prolonged, 48-hour) is the need to identify pathological gastroesophageal reflux in patients with asthma and evaluate the effectiveness of antisecretory drugs, allowing for improved asthma, increasing the period of remission, and to improve the quality of life of patients.

Aim: To evaluate the efficiency and safety of two eradication therapy (ET) regimens for Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with concomitant chronic hepatitis C (CHC) in relation to the stage of liver fibrosis (LF)., Materials and Methods: A prospective clinical trial was conducted in parallel groups. Group 1 included 50 HCV-negative patients with H. pylori-associated peptic ulcer of the stomach or duodenum; Group 2 consisted of 50 HCV-positive patients with H. pylori-associated peptic ulcer of the stomach or duodenum concurrent with CHC. Each group was divided in 2 subgroups according to the used triple ET (a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) in a standard dose + amoxicillin 1000 mg twice daily + clarithromycin 500 mg twice daily for 10 days) or sequential therapy (PPI in a standard dose + amoxicillin 1000 mg twice daily within the first 5 days and then PPI in a standard dose + clarithromycin 500 mg twice daily + metronidazole 500 mg twice daily for the next 5 days). LF was assessed using indirect elastometry. The efficiency of ET was evaluated by a breath test (after 4 weeks) and an analysis depending on intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) treatments. A patients recorded adverse events in specially developed diaries., Results: The efficiency of ET was 74% (ITT) and 80.4% (PP) in Group 1 and 76 (ITT) and 79.1% (PP) in Group 2. Both groups displayed a tendency towards an 11.9-12.4% increase in the efficiency of the sequential therapy versus the classical triple (PP) one. The rate of totally found side effects was 20% in Group 1 and 28% in Group 2. During sequential therapy, the rate of side effects was lower than that during the classical one. The efficiency of ET did not significantly depend on the stage of LF. Only the presence of concomitant type 2 diabetes mellitus and the use of macrolides (12 months before treatment) significantly lowered the efficiency of ET (OR 0,21; 95% CI 0,06-0,69, p=0,0102 and OR 0,27 95% CI 0,08-0,9, p=0,0342). LF regardless of its magnitude significantly determined the risk of adverse events during ET (OR 3,33 95% CI 1,19-9,31, p=0,0217). A group at the highest risk of adverse events included patients with liver cirrhosis (OR 4,87; 95% CI 1,01-23,5, p=0,0492)., Conclusion: It is appropriate to prescribe a sequential ET regimen as more effective and safe for patients with concomitant CHC during therapy for H. pylori infection-associated diseases. LF increases the risk of adverse events during ET.

During the experiments we investigated the influence of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) on the changes in the behaviour of white rat (Rattus norvegicus) males (n = 90), induced by light uncontrolled impact. After two-week procedure of handling male rats were tested using elevated plus-maze to determine the basal level of anxiety, locomotor and investigative activity and emotionality. A month later we investigated the influence of intranasal administration of TRH-solution (10(-10) M) in a volume of 20 mkl on the anxiety-level increase, induced by stress: short electric foot-shocks. Four hours later animals were tested in the elevated plus-maze. In vehicle-treated animals we detected the increase of anxiety and emotionality level and the decrease of locomotor and investigative activity. In contrast there was no increase of anxiety and emotionality in TRH-treated rats. As to the locomotor and investigative activity, it decreased in TRH-treated animals as well as inthe vehicle-treated. It shows the specific influence on the level of anxiety, which doesn't affect other components of stress-induced behavioral changes Present results suggest TRH as a potential anxiolitic.

In Sprague-Dawley rats by means of in vivo microdialysis it was shown that intra-accumbal infusion of a GABA(A) receptor antagonist bicuculline (20, 60, 120 μM) dose-dependently increased the local level of extracellular citrulline (a NO co-product). This increase was almost completely prevented by intra-accumbal infusion of 7-nitroindazol (0.5 mM), a neuronal NO synthase inhibitor. Intra-accumbal infusion ofa GABA(A) receptor agonist muscimol at concentrations of 10, 50 μM did not affect the citrulline extracellular level in this brain area, whereas at a concentration of 150 μM, muscimol decreased the accumbal citrulline extracellular level. Intra-accumbal infusion of NMDA (100 μM), an NMDA receptor agonist, increased the local level of extracellular citrulline, and intra-accumbal muscimol infusions (10, 50, 150 μM) dose-dependently decreased the NMDA-dependent citrulline rise. The data obtained indicate for the first time that in the n. accumbens, GABA(A)-receptors might regulate basal and NMDA-evoked activity of accumbal nitrergic system.

A stable cell line based on HEK293 cells that expresses proteasome subunit PSMD14 fused to the fluorescent protein EGFP and HTBH tag has been selected. This chimera was shown to be incorporated completely into proteolitic active proteasomes. The created cell line can be used for further fluorescent studies of proteasomes localization in the cell.

Effect of chronic mild uncontrollable stress on behaviour was studied on rats with opposite behavioural coping styles--active and passive. In a population of outbred animals, specimens with opposite coping style of behaviour were selected based on their reactions in the active avoidance (AA) test. Both groups were subjected to chronic mild stress during 30 days and tested for depressive behaviour (forced swim test, 32% glucose solution consumption test), anxiety (elevated plus maze) and learning (AA test). The behavioural test showed that depressive behaviour after chronic mild stress is more common in animals with active behaviour strategy.

The stereological values of the structural density of hepatocyte cytoplasmic organelles were similar in chronic mixed HCV+HBV infection irrespective of the form of HBV infection (seropositive or latent). High incidence of HBsAg- and HBeAg-negative forms of HBV infection determines the leading role of PCR diagnosis and studies of liver biopsy specimens with detection of HBcAg structural markers and HBV DNA in native liver tissue in the diagnosis of mixed HCV+HBV infection.

Patients with infectious viral or toxic cirrhosis of the liver participated in complex clinical pathomorphological and molecular-genetic study aimed at the search for markers of predisposition to accelerated liver fibrosis, in which the xenobiotic biotransformation system is involved. The results demonstrate association between CYP2D6 (1846G/A) genotype and rapid cirrhosis development and indicate the necessity of studying the mechanisms underlying this association.

The results of comparative study of efficacy and safety of vision correcting system "Focus" and Picamilon in patients with dry form of age macular degeneration are presented. 60 patients were enrolled into the study, follow-up was 3 months. Routine examination revealed positive impact of "Focus" on dynamics of main visual functions (visual acuity and field). In terms of impact on dynamics of main visual functions "Focus" is comparable with Picamilon, though it is better tolerated. Intake of vision correcting system "Focus" promotes visual functions improvement and prevents progressing of retinal degenerations.

Polymorphic variants of cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1), glutathione-S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) and T1 (GSTT1) distribution was studied in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and healthy individuals. It was shown that homozygotes for the GSTT1 gene deletion occur significantly more frequently in the CML patient group compared to the control group (13.17% versus 24.10% in CML patients, Chi2 = 4.40, p < 0.05; OR = 2.09; 95% CI = 1.10-3.99). In contrast, no significant difference was observed between the healthy individuals and CML patients in the frequency of polymorphic variants of GSTM1 and CYP1A1 genes (p > 0.05).

In outbred population of white rats (Rattus norvegicus), we picked out two groups of male animals with high (HA) and low levels of anxiety (LA). Social preference for a familiar or unfamiliar conspecific were studied. The rats (n = 85) were housed five per cage for two months before the experiment. Thus, the social structures in every cage were stable. The anxiety was tested in an elevated plus-maze. For social interaction test we used the box, in which two opposite corners were separated with perforated transparent Plexiglas walls. A mate of a tested subject was placed into one corner the cage, an unfamiliar animal was put into another corner. During five minutes we measured the time spent near each of the conspecifics and in neutral area. For both high- and low-anxiety groups, the time spent in the neutral area was less than 60 sec. i.e. rats in a novel environment spent much more time in social contacts than in environmental exploration. Rats with high anxiety spent 88 +/- 32 s and 155 +/- 35 s close to an unfamiliar subject and a cage mate, respectively. On the contrary, the measurements for rats with low anxiety were 200 +/- 40 s for an unfamiliar subject, and 65 +/- 32 s for a cage mate. Consequently, high-anxiety rats preferred contacts with a familiar conspecific, whereas low-anxiety rats preferred to contact with an unfamiliar conspecific.

The level of ferritin in serum is known to be increased frequently in most human cancers. Ferritin consists of the heavy and light chains, encoded by FTL and FTH genes. The analysis of the EST database showed that the level of FTL and FTH mRNA is decreased in lung squamous cell carcinomas as compared to the normal tissues, no change in the mRNA level was observed in clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Using real-time PCR we estimated the mRNA level of these genes in primary tumors. It was shown significant and frequent decrease of FTL and FTH mRNA level in lung squamous cell carcinoma: on the average by 11 and 9 times in 83% (33/40) and 73% (11/15) of cases, respectively. In clear cell renal cell carcinoma the changes were not so marked both with respect to the level of decrease (on the average 6 and 3 times) and to its frequency (58 and 27%). In the present work it has been shown for the first time that the FTL mRNA is frequently down-regulated even at the early stages of lung squamous cell carcinoma in all studied samples. This fact permits to consider this gene as potential oncomarker of early diagnosis. The FTL mRNA content may be quantified by non-concurrent hybridization on expression DNA microarrays. The possible causes of a serum ferritin increase in lung cancer and renal cancer are discussed.

Structural reorganization of endotheliocytes was studied on models of various pathological processes: placental dysfunction, glomerular pathology, vibration syndrome, antiphospholipid syndrome, and diffuse angiokeratoma, all of these characterized by endothelial insufficiency. Universal modification of endothelial associations was revealed. It included a chain of stereotypical reactions: from degeneration alternating with compensatory hypertrophy to subsequent atrophy and death of endotheliocytes. The time course of the process was confirmed by the results of light microscopy in combination with ultrastructural examination and by evaluation of the biosynthetic reactions by in vitro radioautography.

The authors conducted retrospective analysis of medical records related to 1000 patients aged more than 45 years old and with chronic heart failure (CHF). These medical histories were selected by a method of stratified randomization. These patients had been diagnosed with verified CHF of I-III stages and II functional class (FC) and above according NYHA classification. It resulted because of ischemic heart disease (IHD). It is established, that anemia is diagnosed in 27.6% of patients with CHF of coronary genesis. Greater expressiveness of clinical signs of heart insufficiency with frequent detection of III and IV FC of HCF and systolic dysfunction of left ventricule (20% against 12%) is typical for these patients. In patients with CHF and anemia prevails normochromal anemia (61.6%), less often--hypochromic anemia (16.7%) and hyperchromic anemia (13%), that testifies about its various genesis in patients with this syndrome.

Dynamics of HIV-infection epidemic in St. Petersburg was analyzed. New features of epidemic process, which were not observed in St. Petersburg earlier, whereas noted in other territories of Russia, were revealed and described.

Mitochondria are multifunctional organelles of eukaryotic cells that provide the energy for the cells by oxidative phosphorylation, play an important role in the apoptosis and take part in Fe-S clusters formation, fatty acids oxidation and synthesis of some aminoacids. They contain their own genome and are able to transcribe and to translate it. However, the vast majority of the macromolecules which function inside the mitochondria are imported into these organelles from the cytoplasm. The imported macromolecules include proteins and several types of small RNAs. Protein import is a universal process and its mechanism is conserved among all species. This mechanism is now known in detail. RNA import was shown to occur in several groups of eukaryotes, while the pool of imported RNA molecules varies in different organisms. Although the knowledge about the mechanisms of RNA import is less extensive than for the proteins, it becomes clear that these mechanisms are not universal among all the species possessing this pathway. In this review, we summarize the data about the import of macromolecules mentioned above into mitochondria.

Optimal photoperiod and temperature conditions for rearing of the mosquito Culex pipiens pipiens f. molestus without blood feeding (through autogenous eggs) were experimentally substantiated. This method may be used in order to obtain relatively small quantities of mosquitoes or for preservation of a laboratory colony. Optimal conditions of rearing are the short-day photoperiod (12 h of light per day) at 20 degrees C, when 87 % of the females produce autogenous eggs rafts consisting of 52 eggs on the average. It should be emphasized that larval food must be adequate and abundant, because the quality and quantity of it has a pronounced effect on the autogeny rate.

The molecular characters suitable for the differentiation between the autogenous form of Culex pipiens pipiens (the urban mosquito) and the species Culex torrentium, which was previously identified erroneously as an anautogenous form of C. pipiens pipiens (Shaikevich, Vinogradova, 2004), are given. These mosquitoes differ in the infection by the endosymbiotic bacteria Wolbachia pipientis, 6 transitions among 247 nucleotide sequences of 3' part of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), in the mtDNA fragments resulted from the restriction analysis, and in the lengths of second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) sequences in the ribosomal DNA.

The distribution of the urban mosquitoes, Culex pipiens pipiens f. molestus in Petrozavodsk city was studied for the first time. Immature mosquito stages were found in 21 of 68 basements flooded with polluted waters, the occurrence of the mosquitoes varied in different districts of the sity. The mean siphonal index of the mosquito larvae from 6 underground populations varied from 3.8 up to 4.2, i. e. within the range typical for C. p. p. f. molestus.

A total of 208 mosquitoes of the Culex pipiens complex from 15 basement and terrestrial populations collected in different regions of the European part of Russia and Siberia were examined by genetic methods. Among these, two major mitotypes, M and P, were identified. These mitotypes differed by six substitutions in the 246-bp mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase I gene fragment examined. Urban basement mosquito ecotype C. pipiens (form molestus) were characterized by the presence of mitotype M and infection with the endosymbiotic bacteria of the genus Wolbachia. Mosquitoes of the C. pipiens complex inhabiting opened biotopes harbored mitotype P, or its variety, mitotype P1, and were not infected with Wolbachia. Thus, in natural conditions marked linkage disequilibrium between cytoplasmic elements, mitochondrial DNA and Wolbachia, can be observed. Similarity of mitotypes in form molestus mosquito from different geographical localities favors the hypothesis on the common ancestry of urban mosquitoes.

The proportion of those who died at a hospital in 2001 is 3.8% of the treated patients and that in 2002 is 4.2%. In 2003, mortality rates increased more than 3-fold and accounted for 13.4%. Patients with a long history of tuberculosis were found to have pulmonary tuberculosis without extrapulmonary foci. Generalized forms of tuberculosis were detectable in more than a third of the cases and more frequently encountered in patients with significant immunodeficiency for whom tuberculosis was opportunistic infection.

Molecular genetic methods for the identification of two ecotypes, or forms (pipiens and molestus) of the Culex pipiens pipiens mosquitoes, which are known as active bloodsuckers and vectors of various agents of diseases, are proposed. For the DNA analysis, two populations of the urban mosquitoes (the molestus ecotype) from St. Petersburg and Moscow and two populations from the overground reservoirs in the Leningrad Province and neighboring areas of Moscow (the pipiens ecotype) have been studied. These ecotypes differ by six transitions among 247 nucleotide sequences of 3' part of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), by the mtDNA fragments resulted from the restriction analysis and by the lengths of second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) sequences in the ribosomal DNA.

Maternal behavior of Koltushi High- and Low-avoidance (KHA and KLA) rats strains was assessed over the prewealing period (days 6-21). Ten litters of each strain were observed during the light phase of the light/dark cycle. In a series of experiments, rat pups were taken from the maternal nest and placed into the opposite corner of the cage. The following parameters of the maternal behavior were recorded: the latency of the first contact with the pups, pup licking, latency of carrying/retrieval of the first pup back to the nest, time of returning to the nest of the whole litter, and mother's spontaneous behavior (grooming and locomotion time) over the course of 10 min of observation. KLA mothers stayed with their pups and took care of them more frequently than KHA mothers during the light phase of the circadian cycle. Time of self-grooming was significantly higher in KHA rats. The highest levels of self-grooming of mothers was registered on the first day of testing. The latency of the first coming to pups after their removal from the nest was lower in KHA rats, but they needed more time to returned all pups to the nest. The experimental evidence suggests that the KHA but not KLA rats with the active coping style and higher stress reactivity display disorders in maternal behavior in a novel situation.

Current ecological conditions in the regions of Bol'shoi Keretskii raid and Glubokaya Salma (Kandalaksha Bay, White Sea) were evaluated on the basis of structural and dynamic indices of the upper sediments in the context of specific composition of the benthic foraminiferal community. The distribution of the main species of living foraminifers was determined for the shallow and deep-sea groups. The relationship between populations of the most abundant species of living benthic foraminifers and hydrolytic enzyme activities providing for destruction of bottom organic matter at biochemical rates has been revealed.

The efficiency of regional lymphotropic therapy (RLT) used to treat tuberculosis in HIV-infected patients was analyzed. With this treatment, the symptoms of intoxication are eliminated more rapidly. In shorter periods, bacterial isolation ceases and decay cavities close in the majority of patients. This chemotherapy is better tolerated and toxic reactions occur less frequently. Due to its absolute controllability, RLT is may be used in socially dysadapted patients.

Seasonal patterns of oviposition in a synanthropic unautogenous population of Culex pipiens pipiens mosquitoes from 69 suburban settlements (60 degrees 30' N, 30 degrees E') of the Leningrad province were studied during the period 1998-2002 years. The numbers of egg rafts laid in six artificial pools (barrels) were counted every day; altogether 692 rafts were collected. The general patterns of oviposition activity were similar for all studied years, in spite of their differences in the summer temperature regimes. The first peak of oviposition was observed during the second decade of July, the second peak--during the third decade of July--the first decade of August. The first and second summer generations of mosquitoes were responsible for these oviposition peaks, whereas the third generation completely entered the reproductive diapause. Thus, the oviposition activity was successfully used for populational monitoring of C. p. pipiens, that was for the first time recommended by Madder and co-authors (1980), taking into consideration the simplicity and economy of this technique. The differences in the attractiveness of distinct reservoirs for oviposition were recorded. The females preferred the barrels located on open sun-lit space and waters with organic pollution settled by mosquito larvae. Windly and rainy weather and also low (below 10 degrees C) night temperatures suppressed mosquito oviposition.

Social ranks were determined in rats with different degrees of activity-passivity in coping style. The dominance status of rats was assessed by their behavior during social interaction and during competition for food and water. Coping styles were determined during initial trials of acquisition of active avoidance in a two-way shuttle box. Animals with passive behavior in a shuttle box had average scores of social ranks. Both dominant and subordinate rats displayed significantly more active behavior than subdominant animals. In additional experiment, the rats were caged as a one male-one female pairs. Two weeks later, the social ranks of males were determined during agonistic interactions. Males were caged in triads, and corticosterone levels were assayed in blood samples taken from the tail veins during the first five days. The corticosterone level was significantly higher in subdominants than in dominants. There was no significant difference between the dominants and subordinates in corticosterone levels. The obtained evidence suggests the passive coping in subdominant rats, whereas the dominant and subordinate animals were more "active" under aversive stimulation.

Influence of consumption of 32% sucrose or 0.1% saccharin solutions on passive avoidance acquisition in female Wistar rats was studied at different stages of estrous cycle. Under conditions of weak electrical shock, rats of the control and saccharin groups showed no acquisition at any stage of estrous cycle. Under the same conditions females of the sucrose group acquired the avoidance behavior if trained on the first day of diestrous and metestrous but not proestrous and estrous. The stage of estrous cycle on the second day did not influence the latency during testing session.

The article deals with results of periodic medical examination conducted in Regional Occupational Center MONICI for 90 subjects working in apparatus workshop of asbestos ware plant. Data presented are results of thorough evaluation of respiration biomechanics through electronic spirometry and body plethysmography, serum activity of interstitial alveolomucin 3EG5 and oncologic markers CA-125 and CA-15.3.

Pain thresholds and body resistance in female Wistar rats were determined during estrous cycle stages. The flinch and shuffle thresholds were increased on the 3rd day of measurement in diestrus and estrus but not in proestrus and metestrus as compared with the thresholds during the 1st day of recording. The thresholds decreased as of the 7th day to the 14th day. Daily threshold measurements raised the body resistance on the 7th day of recording. In contrast to the pain thresholds, the body resistance change had not a stage-dependent character.

Sucrose consumption by male and female rats during active avoidance acquisition was measured in two rat strains: KLA (Koltushi low avoidance) and KHA (Koltushi high avoidance) selected for divergent performance in a shuttlebox. Under resting condition, there were no interstrain difference in sucrose consumption by males, but KHA females consumed significantly less sucrose than KLA females. Active avoidance acquisition during five consecutive days decreased sucrose consumption in KLA males and did not change sucrose consumption in KHA males. Within a week after exposure to the stress, the sucrose consumption by KLA males returned to its normal values, and KHA males consumed significantly more sucrose. The active avoidance conditioning did not affect sucrose consumption in females of both strains. Substitution of 32% solution for 4% produced on the first day a sharp decrease in sucrose consumption in males of both strains, while females sharply increased consumption of the diluted solution over the next four days of observation. During this time, males returned to consumption of the same volume of the solution despite its decreased concentration. The findings suggest that the exposure to the escapable stress induces the negative affect only in KLA males.

The influence of long term parenteral melatonin administration on the biochemical composition of granulation tissue of surgical wounds in rats during healing was investigated. Physiological solution and solutions containing various concentrations of melatonin were subcutaneously injected to the animals within 3 weeks. Control and injected animals were wounded. Samples of gramilation tissue were investigated on the 5-th and the 8-th day of healing. The contents of oxyprolin, uronic acids, hexosamines, total lipids and their fractions, fractional composition of glycosaminoglicans and proteins composition of salt extracts were determined in the se samples. Repeated injections during three weeks caused the changes in biochemical composition of researched samples which were characteristic for stressful reaction of connective tissue. The specific changes are most expressed at long term introduction of a physiological solution to animals. The introduction of melatonin during similar period cansed protective effect, partially defending biochemical composition of granulation tissue from changes, which were induced by stressful situation.

The paper surveys controllability in the stress theory. Uncontrollable action is perceived by living organisms in a principally different way than the controllable one and induces persisting pathological changes. The controllability, i.e. presence of a feedback in the stimulus/response system, is determined by an interaction of the medium factors and a strategy of subject's behaviour. A passive strategy proves to be optimal for adaptation under the conditions when an animal cannot change unfavourable medium conditions. The authors base their theoretical statements on their own experimental studies as well as literature references analysis.

Place learning in Morris place navigation task was studied in male rats of KHA (Koltushi High Avoidance) and KLA (Koltushi Low Avoidance) rat strains. These strains were selected for different rate of acquisition of active avoidance in a shuttle box. At the initial stages of learning and after changing the experimental conditions, the performance of KLA rats was significantly better than that of KHA. Analysis of individual escape latency showed that the latency of the platform finding in the first trial had a significant effect on successful performance in the second trial. This effect was different in KHA and KLA rats. As distinct from KLA, the KHA rats demonstrated more rigid strategy in spatial orientation, the clear-cut thigmotropism was characteristic for their behavior in water.

Female rats during the sex dominanta (proestrus) revealed lower anxiety scores and a higher general level of activity than the rats in diestrus. Responses to stress were also more obvious in proestrus. During gestation the rats revealed a lower activity and a higher anxiety. In lactation, the rats' behaviour was similar to that in proestrus.

The interstrain differences in passive avoidance conditioning were studied in male and female KHA (Koltushi High Avoidance) and KLA (Koltushi Low Avoidance) rats. These strains were selected for the rate of acquisition of active avoidance in a shuttle box. It was shown that the passive avoidance was substantially better acquired in the KLA strain than in the KHA. In females KHA rats the capability for passive avoidance conditioning depended on the estrus phase: the conditioning was impossible in proestrus.

The results of diagnosis and treatment of 1483 children were analyzed in order to determine the frequency of clinical symptoms and laboratory indices in children with acute appendicitis. Seven most valuable objective parameters were stressed which allowed to differentiate the strategy in situations difficult for diagnosis.

Sera from 926 patients were analyzed by PCR using universal primers to surface gene of hepatitis B virus (HBV). HBV DNA was detected in 195 specimens. There were no serological markers of HBV in 8.2% of these sera, but later they were detected in patients' sera. In patients without HBV DNA in the serum, specific HBV antigens and antibodies were detected in 62%. Only in 14% of them the clinical picture of the disease corresponded to acute viral hepatitis, although the blood for PCR analysis was collected during the late stages of the infection. The rest cases were referred to mixed hepatitis C + D. Comparison of the results of PCR test and detection of serological virus replication markers HBeAg and HBeAb showed the presence of HBV DNA in 28% cases without HBeAg.

Anxiety and motor activity of female white rats in the elevated plus-maze were studied at different stages of the reproduction cycle (estrus, diestrus, pregnancy and lactation). The level of anxiety was lower, and that of locomotor and exploratory activity was higher during estrus and lactation than during diestrus and pregnancy. Exposure to chronic pain of threshold intensity did not induce behavioral changes in pregnant rats. There was no difference between the control and experimental animals in the level of plasma corticosterone.

Hepatitis delta virus antigen was isolated from a patient by reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction. Gel-purified cDNA was cloned in E. coli expression vectors. High expression of the recombinant HDAg in bacteria was observed. The minor and major forms of HDV antigens were simultaneously expressed in bacterial strains carrying SupE mutation. A laboratory method is developed for detecting anti-HD in patients' blood. It is based on the use of minor and major forms of recombinant HDV antigen immobilized on the same membrane filter. The method can be used for creating an original highly specific test system.