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In recent years, the range of combined narcotic drugs has widened. New chemical modifications have emerged, including so-called designer drugs, whose action on the body and in particular on the state of vision is increasingly difficult to determine. While the problem of drug abuse is growing drastically, timely detection of a possible toxic damage to the eye induced by drugs and reliable diagnosis differentiating such damage from other etiologies becomes a topical practical issue. The paper presents a clinical case of poppers maculopathy (poppers being a slang name of aromatic volatile alkyl nitrite compounds). Ophthalmological manifestations and differential diagnostic criteria of the damage are described. The mechanisms of action and possible treatment methods are discussed.

An increase in the growth of cardiovascular diseases has been observed in the last few years. Cardiac rhythm disturbances, especially atrial fibrillation, in absence of cardioversion and proper prophylaxis lead to thromboembolic complications. Drug therapy in rhythm disorders consists of the many antiarrhythmic drugs, prescribed for a long period of time. This fact can result to the ocular toxicy, which have insidious and slow progression. First and foremost, there is a risk of amiodarone-associated toxicity. Amiodarone affects as anterior segment structures (photosensitivity, corneal and conjunctiva deposits, anterior subcapsular cataract) as posterior segment structures (optic neuropathy). Fibers of the papillomacular bundle are the most vulnerable structures in optic nerve to the toxic effect of amiodarone due to the absence of myelination and salutatory conduction, their small size and high-energy requirements. The difficulties in diagnosis of amiodarone-associated optic neuropathy are related to slow progression (patients don’t notice symptoms until the late stages) and clinical similarity to ischemic optic neuropathy.

Recovery and preservation of visual functions during compression in the chiasm-sellar region is possible in the case of early diagnosis of pathology and timely surgical decompression. Today optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the retina is one of the most informative methods for diagnosing pathology of the retina and optic nerve. It can, due to the presence of early diagnostic criteria, promptly detect the compression in the chiasm-sellar region and expand the indications for surgical treatment. The literature review presents the results of optical coherent tomography (OCT) of the retina during compression in the chiasm-sellar region. An analysis of literature data revealed that in patients with chiasmatic compression, the thickness of the nerve fiber layer in the peripapillary and macular areas decreases, the thickness of the macular complex, consisting of the retinal ganglion cell layer and the inner plexiform layer, decreases. Also, there is a change in the value of asymmetry between the GCC thickness indices in the nasal and temporal halves of the macular region. It has been established that a decrease in the thickness index of a macular complex may precede changes in the visual field. According to the results of single studies, a correlation was found between the parameters of the peripapillary RNFL thickness and the the internal capillary retinal plexus density in the same areas. The results of literature sources’s analysis are summarized in the table by the parameters studied, the OCT model; etiology, treating methods and the results of the OCT study. Despite the results obtained, the early specific and sensitive OCT diagnostic criteria for chiasmatic compression have not yet been developed. In addition, a change in the thickness of GCC and RNFL can also be observed in the absence of chiasmatic compression in certain types of tumors and in the presence of comorbidities (arterial hypertension). In this regard, it is necessary to conduct further studies that will reveal the informative OСT-diagnostic criteria for compression in the chiasm-sellar region, develop diagnostic algorithms taking into account the type of tumor, the presence of concomitant pathology. Early diagnostic criteria for chiasmatic compression will expand the indications and improve the result of surgical treatment of patients.

Drug dependence is one of important social problems in modern society. It became more actual because of the high morbidity in young working-age patients. The central nervous system is the main target for psychoactive substances. Long-term drug intoxication results in functional and structural brain alterations, it leads to cognitive impairment and disturbances of higher mental functions rendering patients’ disadapted in their work and daily life activities. Eye disorders due to drug abuse are multifaceted and can vary from conjunctival damage to severe endogenous endophthalmitis. Opioid dependence can result not only from intentional self-administration of narcotic drugs, but also from long-term prescribed use of these medicinal products owing to their potent analgesic effect exhibited in somatically ill patients with severe chronic pain. Opioid derivatives act as partial or full agonists of three types of opioid receptors (δ, κ, and µ) extensively expressed by the neurons of the central and, to a lesser extent, peripheral nervous system. The most dangerous complication of intoxication with this group narcotic drugs is opioid induced-respiratory depression resulting in hypoxaemia and hypercapnia. The paper presents a case report of bilateral optic nerve atrophy that developed in a young female patient after a long period of intravenous heroin use. There are practically no reports of optic nerve damage due to heroin intoxication in the current literature. Possible optic nerve atrophy mechanisms under discussion include generalized hypoxia developing against a background of chronic heroin intoxication and direct toxicity of admixtures used to dilute home-made narcotic drugs. In view of the growing use of these substances, physicians have to consider their effects in the differential diagnosis in patients with atypical eye disorders.

An environmentally friendly solvent, namely, polypropylene glycol 425, has been proposed for the extraction of metal ions from chloride solutions using trioctylmethylammonium thiocyanate. The quantitative characteristics of the extraction of Fe(III), Zn(II), and Mn(II) using trioctylmethylammonium thiocyanate in the polypropylene glycol 425–NaCl–H2O system have been found. For extracting Fe(III), Zn(II), and Mn(II), it has been shown that the patterns of the extraction of metal ions remain unchanged and the replacement of the solvent does not lead to the loss of extraction capacity for trioctylmethylammonium thiocyanate. The mechanism of the extraction of the metal ions under study has been determined. The proposed extraction system can be used to purify Mn(II) from Fe(III) and Zn(II).

The hereditary thrombophilias is a well-recognized important risk factor for a systemic and local thromboembolic events development. The case of Leiden thrombophilia family inheritance concomitant by the visual disturbances development are shown in this аrticle. Most commonly in hereditary thrombophilias, venous thrombembolias occur, arterial occlusions which have been reported in the recent literature only as individual clinical cases occur more rarely. In the European population hereditary thrombophilias are associated with a prothrombotic mutation in the coagulation factor V gene (Leiden factor) in a greater degree; herewith the risk of thrombotic complications is increasing significantly in homozygous polymorphism forms. Presence of combined mutations in several clotting factors also leads to risk of thrombembolias increase. Consequence of the Leiden mutation is a V activator resistance to the resolving action of the activated protein C which is a natural endogenous anticoagulant protein. Resistance development leads to a deceleration of V factor inactivation and to increasing of the thrombin amount. In the work presented here, development of the consistent bilateral occlusion of the central retinal artery (CRA) in a middle-aged patient with a heterozygous form of Leiden thrombophilia is the subject of interest. Along with the hereditary hemostatic system abnormality, the patient also had cardiovascular risk factors (hypertensive disease, atherosclerosis) which had a potentiating effect on the occlusion development. Taking into account the autosomal dominant nature of the Leiden mutation inheritance, the patient’s only daughter was examined; brief episodes of amaurosis fugax against the background of headaches similar to migraine were detected due to ophthalmological abnormalities. For verification of the Leiden thrombophilia diagnosis, both patients underwent molecular genetic diagnostics. Currently there are no large prospective studies showing the optimal and economically viable approach for identification of thrombophilia genetic polymorphisms in patients with retinal vascular occlusions in daily clinical experience. Possible additional risk factors for thrombembolias development, prevention services for manifest and recurrent vascular occlusions in patients with hereditary blood coagulation system abnormalities and their relatives are discussed in this article.

Combined traumatic injuries of the anterior eye segment are attributed to the severe consequences of the injured organ of vision. Iris defects result in spherical and chromatic aberrations, diplopia, flares, severe photophobia, cosmetic defects, and significantly reduced visual acuity after the injury. The literature describes various methods to restore visual functions impaired as a result of aniridia. Use of an artificial iris together with an intraocular lens pathology results in optimal reconstruction and recovery of normal anterior segment anatomy and topography. In this paper, we provide a report on a patient followed up for 15 years after combined reconstruction eye surgery for an off-the-job penetrating eye injury sustained in 2003. A complex intervention was required due to the involvement of the cornea, iris, and lens. In 2004, the patient underwent a lens-iris diaphragm implantation combined with penetrating keratoplasty. The diaphragm implantation was followed by an improvement in visual acuity and elimination of photophobia and flares. There were no intra- or postoperative complications. Two years later, LASIK refractive surgery was performed on the corneal transplant to eliminate induced ametropia. The patient retained good eye function, with a stable position of the lens-iris diaphragm, for many years after the diaphragm implantation, keratoplasty, and refractive surgery. In 2018, he had an intravitreal implant impregnated with dexamethasone, as changes in the retina had developed. The long-term follow-up in this case demonstrates that the implantation of a lens-iris diaphragm resulted in an elimination of undesirable optical events associated with aniridia and produced an optimal functional result, while also improving the patient’s quality of life with a good aesthetic effect.

The extraction of non-ferrous metal ions (Co, Ni, Cu, Al) from chloride solutions with poly(propylene glycol) 425 was studied. The values of the distribution coefficients and the degree of metal ions extraction are determined in the system under study. The mechanism of metal extraction in the poly(propylene glycol) 425 – sodium chloride– water extraction system in the presence of KSCN is described. The possibility of selective extraction of Co (II), Ni (II), Cu (II) and Al (III) from chloride solutions with poly(propylene glycol) 425 in the presence of KSCN is shown. Keywords: aqueous two-phase system, metal extraction, liquid–liquid equilibria, e-waste, poly(propylene glycol), sodium chloride

The aim of the study was to investigate the molecular genetic mechanisms of the influence of laser radiation with 577 nm wavelength in a microimpulse mode on the retina in the experimental conditions after the intravitreal injection of VEGF. Materials and methods The study was performed on 4-5 week-old male mice of the line C57BL/6J. The animals were divided into 4 groups of 5 mice in each group, one eye was excremental, the contralateral eye remained intact. In the first group, intravitreal injection of PBS was performed; in the second group, intravitreal injection of 50 ng/ml of recombinant VEGF165 in 2 μL of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) was performed; in the third and fourth groups, a day after the intravitreal injection of recombinant VEGF165, laser radiation with wavelength 577 nm was applied in the micropulse and continuous modes, respectively. Tissue samples (neuroepithelium, pigment epithelium) for the microarray transcription analysis in the animals from group 1 and 2 were taken 2 days after the injection of PBS and VEGF, in the animals from group 3 and 4 – a day after the retina was exposed to laser radiation. Results and conclusion Molecular genetic mechanisms of the influence of laser radiation with wavelength 577 nm in a microimpulse mode on the retina in experimental conditions were studied and the genes that significantly changed the level of expression (the genes that take part in the regulation of neoangiogenesis, structural cell functions, processes of cells proliferation, transcription, differentiation, transmembrane transport, signaling, synaptic transmission, etc.) were identified.

The present review summarizes experimental data revealed while studying the mechanism of the adaptogenic effect of furostanol glycosides (FG) extracted from Dioscorea deltoidea Wall cell culture under the conditions of biotic stress in tomato plants Lycopersicon esculenium Mill. induced by the gall nematode Meloidogyne incognita Kofoid et White. Comparison of changes in isoprene content (phytosterines, tomatin, and carotenoids) and in the rate of oxidative processes in the leaves and roots of intact and treated plants evidence that FG cause nonspecific defense reactions resulting in the formation of systemic acquired resistance. This formation is presented by the enhancement in photosynthetic apparatus pigment fund, pigments of the violaxanthin cycle in particular, by activation of processes related to POL, and by increase in peroxidase activity—enzyme of antioxidant protection.

Polyfunctional protein PML contributes significantly to the vital activity of the cell. Eleven isoforms of PML differ from one another in their C-terminal domain. Despite intensive research into the protein, the role of the isoforms in cellular processes remains obscure. In addition, the literature contains various names for isoforms. The goal of this work is to review the structure of the PML gene, variants of alternative splicing of mRNA, and domain organization of corresponding protein forms. PML isoforms are classified and the functional specificity of each PML isoform is characterized as follows: contribution to gene transcription, contribution to cell apoptosis, cell growth, immune response, and the formation of nuclear bodies.

Chromosomal and genome abnormalities of 3p are frequent in many epithelial tumors, including lung cancer. Several critical regions with a high frequency of hemi-and homozygous deletions in tumors are known for 3p, and more than 20 cancer-related genes occur in 3p21.3. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to measure the mRNA level for tumor-suppressor and candidate genes of 3p21.3 (RBSP3/CTDSPL, NPRL2/G21, RASSF1A, ITGA9, HYAL1, and HYAL2) in major types of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): squamous cell lung cancer (SCC) and lung adenocarcinoma (AC). A significant (2-to 100-fold) and frequent (44–100%) decrease in mRNA levels was observed in NSCLC. The mRNA level decrease and its frequency depended on the histological type of NSCLC for all genes. The downregulation of RASSF1A and ITGA9 was significantly associated with AC progression; the same tendency was observed for RBSP3/CTDSPL, NPRL2/G21, HYAL1, and HYAL2. In SCC, the downregulation of all genes was not associated with the clinical stage, tumor cells differentiation, and metastasis in lymph nodes. The RBSP3/CTDSPL, NPRL2/G21, ITGA9, HYAL1, and HYAL2 mRNA levels significantly (5-to 13-fold on average) decreased at a high frequency (83–100%) as early as SCC stage I. Simultaneous downregulation of all six genes was observed in some tumor samples and was independent of the gene position in 3p21.3 and the functions of the protein products. The Spearman correlation coefficient r s was 0.63–0.91, p < 0.001. The highest r s values were obtained for gene pairs ITGA9-HYAL2 and HYAL1-HYAL2, whose products mediate cell-cell adhesion and cell-matrix interactions; coregulation of the genes was assumed on this basis. Both genetic and epigenetic mechanisms proved to be important for downregulation of RBSP3/CTDSPL and ITGA9. This finding supported the hypothesis that the cluster of cancerrelated genes in the extended 3p21.3 locus is simultaneously inactivated during the development and progression of lung cancer and other epithelial tumors. A significant and frequent decrease in the mRNA level of the six genes in SCC could be important for developing specific biomarker sets for early SCC diagnosis and new approaches to gene therapy of NSCLC.

Changes in the c-Met/HGF system are noted in tumors of various types and may be directly related to their progression. In particular, the c-Met/HGF system may play a definite role in the progression of lung tumors, and changes in the expression of c-Met and HGF may occur in non-small cell lung carcinomas. In this work we analyzed the change in the expression of c-Met and HGF in non-small cell lung carcinomas in comparison with the adjacent normal tissue, using a semiquantitative PCR method. The results of the investigations revealed transcription of c-Met in 50% of the cases of squamous cell lung carcinoma and an increase in the number of transcripts in 2 tumors out of 25 analyzed (8%). Expression of HGF was established in only two cases of squamous cell carcinoma. At the same time, a transcript of c-Met was detected in all five investigated samples of lung adenocarcinomas; an increase in the level of the c-Met transcript was observed in three cases in comparison with that in the adjacent unchanged tissues, whereas a HGF transcript was determined in two cases of lung adenocarcinomas. Thus, the expression of c-Met, but not of HGF, is often observed in non-small cell lung carcinomas, especially in adenocarcinomas, and, in agreement with the results of previous investigations, can serve as an indicator of an aggressive course and progression of non-small cell lung carcinomas.

An analysis was made of the change in the expression of the extracellular inhibitor of the Wnt-signal pathway WIF1 in non-small cell lung carcinomas. The results of the analysis revealed a frequent (67% of the cases) suppression of the WIF1 transcript in non-small cell lung carcinomas. On the basis of the data obtained and the results of previously published investigations, it was suggested that inhibition of WIF1 expression is typical of squamous cell carcinoma of the lungs and only to a lesser degree of adenocarcinoma. An analysis of the content of the WIF1 protein in tumor lysates with a suppressed level of the WIF1 transcript also revealed an accompanying decrease in the level of the WIF1 protein in the tumors. The results of the investigation confirm the frequent suppression both of the transcript and of the WIF protein in lung tumors, which may cause a disregulation of the Wnt-signal pathway and may contribute to the development of the tumor.

Lung cancer is among the most common neoplasms in Russia, the United States, and in Western Europe and is accompanied by changes in the functional activity of many genes. The transcription levels of TIMP3, DAPK1, and AKR1B10 were compared for normal and tumor lung tissues of patients with squamous-cell cancer (SCC) by RT-PCR. A substantial increase in AKR1B10 transcription level was observed in 80% of the tumors. The transcription levels of TIMP3 and DAPK1 were significantly decreased in 76 and 72% of the tumors, respectively. The results implicated the genes in carcinogenesis in SCC, AKR1B10 acting as a potential oncogene, and TIMP3 and DAPK1 acting as potential tumor suppressor genes. It was assumed that dramatic changes in their transcription levels could be used for early diagnosis of SCC.

The effect of furostanol glycosides of cell culture of Dioscorea deltoidea Wall on oxidative processes in tomato plants subjected to invasion with the gall nematode Meloidogyne incognita Kofoid et White was studied. We showed that furostanol glycosides induce a nonspecific defensive response in plants. Exposure of cell membranes to furostanol glycosides cause rearrangements in fatty acids resulting in the formation of conjugated dienes, which makes molecules thermodynamically more stable under stress conditions. The study of changes in the activity of peroxidases of intact plants and plants affected with the nematode, which were treated with furostanol glycosides, showed that the protective effect of the guaiacol-dependent peroxidase is more long-term than the effect of the benzidine-dependent peroxidase.

The effects of certain plant steroids (belonging to furostanol glycosides or glycoalkaloids) and α-ecdysone on growth and development of phytoparasitic nematodes were studied. It was shown using an experimental system including tomato Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. and root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita Kofoid et White, that a steroid molecule exhibits significant nematicidal activity if it contains a carbohydrate moiety and an additional heterocycle in the steroid core. The maximum nematicidal activity is inherent in glycosides containing chacotriose as the carbohydrate moiety of the molecule. Some compounds tested in this work could be used for protecting plants against phytoparasitic nematodes.

This report presents results obtained from comparative analysis of learning and the dynamics of extinction of a conditioned passive avoidance response in ASC mice, which were bred for a high level of predisposition to catalepsy, and in CBA and AKR mice. The following findings were obtained: 1) impairments to the extinction of the memory of fear represent an important symptom of depression in ASC mice; 2) extinction is delayed in CBA mice; and 3) new inhibitory learning occurs quickly in AKR mice. Prolonged retention of the fear memory in ASC mice appears to be related to increased anxiety on prolonged testing without a punishment. The deficit of inhibition of the fear reaction in ASC mice allows this strain to be regarded as a genetic model of depression.

Learning and extinction of a conditioned passive avoidance reaction resulting from neuropharmacological actions on dopamine D(1) and D(2) receptors were demonstrated to be specific in intact mice and in mice with a depressive-like state. Learning was degraded only after administration of the D(2) receptor antagonist sulpiride and was independent of the initial functional state of the mice. In intact mice, activation of D(2) receptors with quinpirole led to a deficit of extinction, consisting of a reduction in the ability to acquire new inhibitory learning in conditions associated with the disappearance of the expected punishment. In mice with the "behavioral despair" reaction, characterized by delayed extinction, activation of D(1) receptors with SKF38393 normalized this process, while the D(2) agonist was ineffective. A positive effect consisting of accelerated extinction of the memory of fear of the dark ("dangerous") sector of the experimental chamber was also seen on blockade of both types of dopamine receptor.