Search

Patients with atrial fibrillation taking either indirect anticoagulant acenocumarol or most often prescribed antiaggregant aspirin were followed for 1 year. The results have shown that therapy with acenocumarol lowers content of D-dimer, prevents formation and promotes lysis of left auricular thrombi and lowers risk of development of ischemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation and high risk of thromboembolism. Therapy with aspirin in a dose providing maximal suppression of platelet function, does not lower D-dimer levels, does not promote lysis of left auricular thrombi and is inferior to acenocumarol in prevention of ischemic stroke.

Vertebral operations are highly traumatic, prolonged and can cause significant blood loss, which requires effective anesthesiological defense. Inclusion of clofelin, a stress protector, into the anesthesiological provision scheme is an effective way of potentiating the protection of a patient from surgical stress. The development of neurological disorders is a severest complication during surgical interventions in vertebral surgery. The task that is important for a surgeon and an anesthesiologist in performing such operations is the maximum early recovery of patients from anesthesia and their muscular activity in the postoperative period in order to make a timely evaluation of their neurological status. The hypnotics propofol and dormicum and the myorelaxant nimbex were included into an anesthesiological provision program in 210 patients during surgical treatment of vertebral orthopedic pathology. The study indicated that the use of propofol and dormicum permitted a postanesthetic rapid recovery of patients from anesthesia without undesirable side effects. The myorelaxant nimbex is highly controlled, shows a clear dose-effect relationship, and produces a rapid recovery of neuromuscular conduction, which makes it possible to establish a timely diagnosis of neurological disorders.

We report cloning and characterization of FCRL2, a novel human gene that belongs to the FcR family. The gene is closely linked and structurally similar to the recently identified FCRL/FREB/FcRX gene. The encoded protein is composed of three Ig-like domains and a C-terminal mucin-like domain containing a conserved alpha-helical motif with dileucine signals. Intraexonic splicing may generate two alternative transcripts, coding for isoforms with the third and fourth domains replaced by entirely different amino acid sequences. Like FCRL, the full-length isoform of FCRL2 is expressed intracellularly in transfected 293T cells. Expression analysis revealed FCRL2 mRNA only in placenta. The gene transcripts were not detected in lymphoid tissues or in the main leukocyte subsets isolated from peripheral blood. However, we found that FCRL2 is differentially expressed by transformed B cell lines. Of interest is also the finding that the gene expression may be up-regulated in the progression of melanocytic tumors.

The use of artificially induced general controllable hyperthermia (GCH) of high degree is acknowledged as the 21st century intensive technology; it is used in the treatment of diseases and conditions that can be hardly cured by routine methods. Pathogenetic pharmacotherapy was made use of to enhance, purposefully, the GCH efficiency. The suggested concept, i.e. reproduction of the most efficient use of positive effects from high temperature and thermally mediated effects of pharmacotherapy, was named as "hyperthermic pharmacotherapy". The controllable maintenance of the "biological zero" phenomenon in the brain (registered by EEG) at 42-44 degrees C is the safety criterion of high-level GCH. The described intensive-care technique can be referred to as promising considering the modern anesthesiological-management potentialities related with GCH safety.

The effectiveness and safety of therapy with nebivolol and its effects on life quality (LQ) were studied in 71 patients with prior myocardial infarction (MI) with an ejection fraction of 40% or more. The follow-up lasted 1 year. The mean daily dose of the drug was 3.66 +/- 0.11 mg. Echocardiography, bicycle ergometry, daily ECG monitoring, survey according to the questionnaires developed by V. P. Zaitsev, a researcher of All-Russian Cardiology Research Center, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, to the depression scale (DS), the personality scale (PS) and reactive anxiety scale (RAS) by Spilberg-Khanin were performed. The study was conducted on the day of initiation of outpatient treatment, following 3 months and 1 year. After 3 months of therapy, clinical improvement was observed in 83% of the patients and it preserved at the same level till the end of the first year: exercise tolerance and the total volume of work increased significantly (p < 0.001), 97% of the examinees returned to work. Nebivolol produced an antiarrhythmic effect in 66.7% of the patients with high Lown gradation premature beats. Therapy with the agent showed a low mortality rates (1.4%), few number of cardiovascular excesses (4.2%), and good tolerability (7.2%). By the end of the first year, cardiac remodeling improved insignificantly: end-systolic volume, end-diastolic volume, left ventricular myocardial mass decreased by 6.4, 1.4, and 7%, respectively; fraction ejection increased by 2.3% of the baseline values. The parameters of LQ improved: the RAS scores reduced by 18.4%; the number of patients with high PS scores decreased significantly (p < 0.05) due to the increase in the number of patients with its moderate level (p < 0.01) and, what is significant, erectile function did not deteriorate. Thus, nebivolol demonstrated its high effectiveness and safety during prolonged therapy of patients with prior MI, without cardiodepressive activity and favorable impact on their LQ.

Aim: To assess efficacy and safety of long-term international normalized ratio (INR) guided therapy with acenocoumarol in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation., Material: Patients (n=100) with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation and at least 1 risk factor of thromboembolic complications., Methods: Ischemic strokes, episodes of systemic thromboembolism and hemorrhagic complications were registered during 3 years of treatment with acenocoumarol (target INR 2.0-3.0)., Results: Annual rates of ischemic strokes, hemorrhagic complications and major bleeding were 0.7, 14.4 and 1.1%, respectively. No episodes of thromboembolism were registered in patients with history of thromboembolic complications. Basing on data collected predictors of bleeding complications in patients with atrial fibrillation during long term treatment with acenocoumarol were elucidated.

Aim: To assess frequency of left auricular thrombosis and effect of long-term therapy with acenocoumarol on auricular hemodynamics and system of hemostasis and to elucidate predictors of effective therapy with acenocoumarol in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation., Material: Patients (n=100) with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation and at least 1 risk factor of thromboembolic complications., Methods: Transesophageal echocardiography and measurement of blood D-dimer levels were carried out before and after 1 year of acenocoumarol therapy., Results: Initial prevalence of left auricular thrombosis was 75%. The use of acenocoumarol for 12 months resulted in significant reduction of frequency of left auricular thrombosis. This was associated with improvement of parameters of intraatrial hemodynamics and lowering of elevated blood D-dimer levels. Clinical-instrumental predictors of presence of left auricular thrombosis and its dynamics during therapy with acenocoumarol were also elucidated.

In 34 patients the abstinence syndrome was treated by hypothermia (HT) with the EEG monitoring. HT was carried out under the general propofol-fentanil anesthesia. HT was achieved in the "Hirana" bath. The temperature was increased gradually by 1 degree C per 5 minutes up to 44 degrees C. EEG was recorded before anesthesia, as well as during and after the procedure. On the initial EEG alpha- and beta-rhythms were predominant. Under the anesthesia both alpha-rhythm frequency and amplitude were enhanced, spikes and wave discharges appeared. Under HT (t = 40-42 degrees C) low voltage and wave slowing were recorded. In the range t degree--42.5-43.4 degrees C EEG registered the appearance of clinically significant "biological break point", which was followed by neuropeptide destruction. At t degree--43-44 degrees C acute suppression and, then, electrocerebral silence were observed in a majority of patients. At the end of the procedure (t = 39 degrees C) EEG returned to the initial recording.

Energy expenditures, autonomic functions, the severity of autonomic dysfunctions and personality traits were examined in 41 male students aged 18 to 23 years during their routine daily learning activities and after taking an exam in normal physiology. According to the characteristics of the baseline autonomic tone, all the examinees were divided into 3 groups: 1) those with elevated sympathetic tone EST; 2) those with elevated parasympathetic tone (EPT) and 3) an intermediate group with normal tone (NT). The EPT students showed the lowest energy exchange during routine daily learning activities. Examination-induced stress causes an elevation of mainly aerobic process in EST and EPT students. Anaerobic process increase in NT students at examinations. The parameters of autonomic functions due to examination stress also vary in students with different autonomic control. The students with EPT and worst marks showed significant changes in the measured parameters while these changes were significantly lower in EST students, but the changes in autonomic functions were much more profound in EST students who got good marks.

Psychophysiological characteristics of students' efficacious educational activity were studied in the context of P. K. Anokhin's theory of functional systems. Autonomic functions and dysfunctions and energy expenditures were measured in students during their daily educational activity and after oral examinations. Their physiological characteristics and personality traits were shown to be related to the results achieved by the students--to their marks got at examinations and to their reaction of satisfaction/dissatisfaction with their marks. The students who were satisfied with marks showed increased anxiety, vegetative vascular dystonia, and profound changes in energy expenditures and autonomic functions, i.e. a high physiological price for educational success. The students who failed displayed low physiological expenditures manifested by extraversion and were apparently healthy.

In male rats of Wistar strain individual nociceptive sensitivity properties were studied in correlation with steroid hormones level in the plasma. Seven groups of experimental animals were observed remarkable for dynamics of nociceptive sensitivity. Repeatedly applied test painful stimuli caused reliable changes of corticosterone and testosterone level in the plasma. Individual differences were found of the level of steroid hormones in the plasma in rats from different groups.

Protein kinase C catalyzes phosphorylation of the rat skeletal muscle AMP-deaminase in the presence of calcium ions and phosphatidylserine. At the same time, the catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase fails to phosphorylate AMP-deaminase. Ca2+, phosphatidylserine-dependent phosphorylation decreases three-fold (from 0.6 to 0.2 mM) the Km value and does not affect Vmax. Protein kinase C-induced phosphorylation of AMP-deaminase, besides ADP-ribosylation, is suggested to be involved in regulating the AMP-deaminase activity in vivo.

Changes in dynamics of nociceptive sensitivity in male rats of Wistar strain were studied during formation of negative emotional reaction. The procedure of blood's taking from the tail after its tip's amputation was used as negative emotional factor. The animals were divided into six groups by the criterion of individual properties of nociceptive sensitivity dynamics. On the whole it was found to decrease. Besides, one more group (the seventh group) was found with profound hypoalgesia caused by action of the negative emotional factor. It was also shown that formation of negative emotional reaction in two groups was not accompanied by changes of nociception. The data suggest a selective influence of negative emotional factor on nociceptive sensitivity.

Changes in nociceptive sensitivity and the level of steroid hormones (corticosterone and testosterone) in the plasma of male Wistar rats were studied in repeatedly applied painful stimuli. According to the changes in nociceptive sensitivity the animals were divided into 6 groups. A reliable corticosterone increment and testosterone decrement in the plasma were caused by repeatedly applied painful stimuli. The data observed could be used as individual indices characteristic of animals of this strain.

Synapsin I has been isolated from human brain by a rapid and efficient purification technique, and its phosphorylation by human brain Ca2+, phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (protein kinase C) has been studied. The inhibitory effect of calmodulin on this process has been demonstrated. It is also found that non-esterified fatty acids and acidic phospholipids are inhibitory for synapsin I phosphorylation by Ca2+, calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II.

Changes in sensitivity to repeated nociceptive stimuli permitted to divide male Wistar rats into 6 groups using the observed differences in nociceptive sensitivity dynamics as reliable indices.

Chemical sensitivity of the medial hypothalamic neurons to microiontophoretically applied substance P was studied in male immobilized Wistar rats. Over half of the neurons responding to the substance P by either increase or decrease of their firing rate. Neurons were found that changed their responses under repeated application of the peptide. The immobilization stress in rats seems to induce changes in chemical sensitivity of the medial hypothalamus neurons to substance P.