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Introduction. Mycoplasma hominis is a bacterium belonging to the class Mollicutes . It causes acute and chronic infections of the urogenital tract. The main features of this bacterium are an absence of cell wall and a reduced genome size (517-622 protein-encoding genes). Previously, we have isolated morphologically unknown M. hominis colonies called micro-colonies (MCs) from the serum of patients with inflammatory urogenital tract infection. Hypothesis. MCs are functionally different from the typical colonies (TCs) in terms of metabolism and cell division. Aim. To determine the physiological differences between MCs and TCs of M. hominis and elucidate the pathways of formation and growth of MCs by a comparative proteomic analysis of these two morphological forms. Methodology. LC-MS proteomic analysis of TCs and MCs using an Ultimate 3000 RSLC nanoHPLC system connected to a QExactive Plus mass spectrometer. Results. The study of the proteomic profiles of M. hominis colonies allowed us to reconstruct their energy metabolism pathways. In addition to the already known pentose phosphate and arginine deamination pathways, M. hominis can utilise ribose phosphate and deoxyribose phosphate formed by nucleoside catabolism as energy sources. Comparative proteomic HPLC-MS analysis revealed that the proteomic profiles of TCs and MCs were different. We assume that MC cells preferably utilised deoxyribonucleosides, particularly thymidine, as an energy source rather than arginine or ribonucleosides. Utilisation of deoxyribonucleosides is less efficient as compared with that of ribonucleosides and arginine in terms of energy production. Thymidine phosphorylase DeoA is one of the key enzymes of deoxyribonucleosides utilisation. We obtained a DeoA overexpressing mutant that exhibited a phenotype similar to that of MCs, which confirmed our hypothesis. Conclusion. In addition to the two known pathways for energy production (arginine deamination and the pentose phosphate pathway) M. hominis can use deoxyribonucleosides and ribonucleosides. MC cells demonstrate a reorganisation of energy metabolism: unlike TC cells, they preferably utilise deoxyribonucleosides, particularly thymidine, as an energy source rather than arginine or ribonucleosides. Thus MC cells enter a state of energy starvation, which helps them to survive under stress, and in particular, to be resistant to antibiotics.

Introduction. The Mollicutes class unites cell wall lacking bacteria many of which are membrane parasites and opportunistic bacteria. Aim . This study describes a novel morphological form found in the five species belonging to the bacterial class Mollicutes, and referred to as microcolonies (MCs). Methodology. MCs were obtained as described below and characterized with bacteriological and immunological methods, and microscopy. Results. In contrast to typical colonies (TCs), MCs are characterized by tiny propeller-shaped colonies formed by rod-like cells tightly packed in parallel rows. These colonies were observed within routinely cultivated cultures of type strains 7-12 days post-plating. Rod-like cells were visualized using a scanning electron microscope within TCs with a 'fried-egg-like' appearance. MCs were not observed to revert to TCs. MCs were resistant to antibiotics and other treatments effective against TCs. Pure MC cultures were generated in vitro by treatment of Mycoplasma cultures with hyperimmune serum, antibiotics or argon non-thermal plasma. MCs of Mycoplasma hominis strain H-34 were characterized in detail to confirm that they belonged to that species. MCs tested positive via PCR with M. hominis -specific primers, direct fluorescence and epifluorescence tests, and Western blotting with the camel-derived nanobody aMh-FcG2a, which is specific to the MH3620 transporter protein. Meanwhile, MCs behaved differently in standard bacteriological tests. Pure MC cultures were also isolated directly from clinical samples of the serum, synovial liquid and urine of patients within flammatory urogenital tract diseases, asthma or arthritis. In total, 79 independent MC cultures were isolated from clinical samples including M. hominis ( n =70), Mycoplasma pneumoniae ( n =2), Mycoplasma fermentans ( n =2) and Mycoplasma spp. ( n =5). Conclusion . MCs play an unknown role in infection pathology and display prominent antibiotic resistance, making them a challenge for the future studies on Mollicutes.

Aim: Study the frequency of detection of mycoplasma and ureaplasma in clinical material from urolithiasis patients., Materials and Methods: Clinical material samples (blood sera, urine, uroliths) from 31 urolithiasis patients were obtained during operations of urolith-removal. Cultural method, LAR and PCR were used in the study., Results: The study of clinical material from 31 patients by PCR has shown, that in 25 individuals. (80.6%) DNA of mycoplasma and ureaplasma was detected, and mycoplasma DNA was more frequently detected in uroliths and less--in-blood sera. Mycoplasma hominis DNA was detected in clinical material of a significantly largerninmber of patients. 23 cultures were isolated from 8 patients by a cultural method, that were identified by PCR as M. hominis. All the isolates have grown as "mini colonies". Even after multiple passages in agar medium, reversion of "mini-colonies" into colonies with a classic morphology was not obtained., Conclusion: A high frequency of detection of mycoplasma and ureaplasma in clinical material of patients with urolithiasis was established. The isolated M. hominis cultures have only grown as "mini-colonies". The phenomenon discovered could give evidence on high variability of mycoplasma and a possibility of existence of previously unknown form of their persistence in human organism.

The clinical material obtained surgically in patients with kidney stone disease (KSD) was tested for content of the stone microflora using PCR and standard microbiological methods. It was demonstrated that about 50% of stones in patients with KSD were infected with various infection agents as observed using standard microbiological and molecular genetic methods. The percentage of detection of the Mycoplasma hominis using cultural method is lower than the percentage detected using PCR, which is due to difficult isolation and cultivation, as well as DNA fragments of mycoplasma observed after antibiotic therapy. Studies based on modern microscopy methods showed that microorganisms on the surface of the kidney stone formed multispecies biofilms.

Aim: To study the effects exerted by argon microwave nonthermal plasma (NTP) on cell wall-lacking Mollicutes bacteria., Methods and Results: 10(8) CFU ml(-1) agar plated Mycoplasma hominis and Acholeplasma laidlawii were treated with the nonthermal microwave argon plasma for 30-300 s. The maximal 10- and 100-fold drop was observed for A. laidlawii and Myc. hominis, respectively. Similarly treated Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus demonstrated the 10(5) and 10(3) drop, respectively. Removal of cholesterol affected resistance of A. laidlawii. 10 mmol l(-1) antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene decreased mortality by a factor of 25-200. UV radiation alone caused 25-85% mortality in comparison with the whole NTP. Exogenously added hydrogen peroxide H2O2 did not cause mortality. NTP treatment of Myc. hominis triggered growth of microcolonies, which were several tenfold smaller than a typical colony., Conclusions: Despite the lack of cell wall, A. laidlawii and Myc. hominis were more resistant to argon microwave NTP than other tested bacteria. Mycoplasma hominis formed microcolonies upon NTP treatment. A role of UV and active species was demonstrated., Significance and Impact of the Study: The first study of NTP effects on Mollicutes revealed importance of a membrane composition for bacterial resistance to NTP. New specific Myc. hominis morphological forms were observed. The study confirmed importance of the concerted action of reactive oxygen species (ROS) with UV and other plasma bioactive agents for NTP bactericidal action., (© 2014 The Society for Applied Microbiology.)

Aim: Study of possibility of generalization of mycoplasma infection in patients with urogenital pathology., Materials and Methods: Among the examined patients 5 males characterized by risky sexual behavior with pronounced symptoms of infection or without those were selected. Patients were examined by a complex of methods for the presence of mycoplasma infection by culture, PCR, DFA, PHA, AHR and by detection of specific immune complexes in blood sera. Scrapes from urogenital tract, blood sera samples, urine, saliva, prostatic fluid were materials for the study., Results: In blood of all patients in ELISA antibodies against Mycoplasma hominis were detected; in PHA they were detected only in 2 individuals. In all the patients in blood CIC were detected including antigens and DNA of one or several mycoplasma species. Sperm of 3 individuals was infected by Ureaplasma spp., 2--M. genitalium. In saliva of 2 individuals M. hominis was detected, 3--U. urealyticum., Conclusion: In all the examined patients the infection was shown to have generalized character. This phenomenon presents itself as quite significant because mycoplasma may cause anti-apoptotic and oncogenic effect.

Aim: Study the possibility of prolonged conservation in macroorganism of antigens, mycoplasma cell DNA and live pathogen cells as part of CIC against the background of persisting antigen biostructures., Materials and Methods: Aggregate-hemagglutination, direct immunofluorescence reactions and PCR method were used to determine antigens and DNA. Circulating immune complexes from blood sera samples were isolated by M. Digeon et al., mycoplasma isolation from CIC was carried out in SP-4 medium, species identity of the isolated mini-colonies was confirmed by real-time PCR method., Results: In patients with urogenital and respiratory pathology the frequency of detection of Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma pneumoniae in free state was 63.3, 53.1 and 80.82% of cases, respectively. Specific CIC in patients with verified respiratory mycoplasmosis 1 month after the onset of the disease were registered in patients with severe course of the disease, bronchitis and diseases of upper respiratory tract--in 92.5, 74.7 and 25.7% of cases, respectively. In children, bronchial asthma patients the frequency of detection of antigens and DNA of M. pneumoniae cells in free state was 72.6 and 12.33%, as part of CIC--in 60.27 and 43.8% of cases, respectively. Antigens and DNA of M. hominis in blood of this group of patients were detected in 32.9 and 26.02%, as part of CIC--in 53.42 and 52.05% of cases, respectively. During repeated examination of 12 children after etiotropic therapy execution (generally in 1.5 - 6 months) in 75% of cases antigens of both M. pneumoniae and M. hominis were detected in free state and as part of CIC. DNA of cells of these mycoplasma species were detected in 20 and 33%, as part of CIC--in41.6 and 50% of cases, respectively. In 5 patients after 6 months (after 1 year in 1 case) mycoplasma antigens and DNA were identified in CIC or in blood sera. During cultivation of CIC components precipitated from 5 blood samples of patients of this group containing M. hominis DNA, culture of M. hominis mini-colonies were isolated in 4 cases., Conclusion: The possibility of prolonged persistence of antigens, DNA and whole mycoplasma cells in both free state and as part of CIC in patients with respiratory and urogenital pathology was shown. CIC are thus a peculiar depot, a place of conservation of not only various mycoplasma cell components, but also live cells.

Aim: Study the influence of low temperature (cold) electrolyte plasma (CEP) on survivability of some mycoplasma strains growing in agar as well as mycoplasma that most frequently contaminate transplantable human cell lines of normal and malignant origin with the aim of decontamination., Materials and Methods: Mycoplasma hominis, Mycoplasma arginini and Aholeplasma laidlawii grown in agar and mycoplasma that contaminated transplantable human cell lines of normal (MT4) and malignant (HeLa) origin. Plasma source--Plasmatom device that generates CEP at normal atmosphere pressure and environment temperature. Exposure to plasma was carried out with adherence to the same modes for all the variants of biological substrate. The duration of exposure was selected randomly from 15 to 300 seconds., Results: A pronounced bactericidal effect of high doses of CEP on all the tested mycoplasma variants exposed immediately after seeding into agar was shown. However after a passage a residual number of survived colonies was registered. Passage of colonies exposed in grown state even to high doses of CEP also showed survival of a residual number of bacteria in all the tested mycoplasma species. Exposure of M. hominis immediately after seeding to low doses of CEP resulted in formation of unusual mini-colonies identical to those isolated from humans infected by the same mycoplasma. During microbiological seeding into agar of cultural fluid from 2 spontaneously contaminated strains of transplantable human cells and exposed to CEP growth ofmycoplasma was not detected., Conclusion: CEP has pronounced bactericidal properties on various mycoplasma strains growing in both agar and contaminating eukaryotic cells. However even at high doses of exposure to CEP an insignificant part of bacterial cells growing in agar still survives. This may indicate a high degree of heterogeneity and adaptation of mycoplasma subjected to even such hard exposure as cold plasma with plasma-chemical mechanism of destruction of biological substrate.

Aim: Study previously unknown forms of persistence of Mycoplasma hominis in host organism., Materials and Methods: Culture method was used for detection of mycoplasmas. Identification was carried out by serological, electron microscopy methods, classic PCR and real time PCR; circulating immune complexes (CIC) were isolated by PEG precipitation., Results: Classic micoplasma cultures could not be isolated from blood even once. At the same time "mini-colony" cultures composed of mini-cells that were hardly passaged but sometimes formed continuous layer of the same colonies were isolated from blood serum samples with high frequency. During reseeding for more than 1 year they never acquired classic form. Not only antigens of M. hominis but its DNA were shown to be present in CIC. Viable cells forming "mini-colonies" identical to those isolated from blood sera were isolated from circulating immune complexes. A system of evidence on identity of isolated M. hominis cultures is presented. Cultures had infectivity and an ability to persist in organs of experimentally infected mice., Conclusion: The isolated forms are apparently the result of adaptation of mycoplasmas to humoral immunity factors.

The antigens, DNA and RNA of mycoplasmas are preset in the blood serum of persons infected with urogenital mycoplasmas. The planting of patients' tests of blood serum containing antigen M. hominis on the artificial growth mediums resulted in the growth of mini-colonies of mini-cells (20-50 nm). The colonies subcultured hardly but sometimes formed solid bacterial lawn though never acquired "fried-egg" classical mycoplasma form. The proofs of identity of these colonies to M. hominis are presented. The mini-cells possessed infectiousness and ability to persist on a long-run in the internal organs of experimentally infected mice. Apparently, mini-cells are formed under impact of stress factors of the host immune defense and they are one of forms of mycoplasma's persistence in human organism.

Aim: To study the possibility of existence of antigenemia during urogenital mycoplasmal infections by detection the antigens of agents in blood and viscera of infected animals., Materials and Methods: Rabbits and mice were intraperitoneally inoculated with Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum, their antigens and DNAs. Samples of blood and visceral organs were studied by several methods: cultural with use of standard media, PCR, RT-PCR, indirect hemagglutination test, and immunofluorescence assay for detection of antibodies., Results: Bacteremia with M. hominis develops during 2 months after inoculation in rabbits and 3 weeks after inoculation in mice. Antigens of M. hominis and U. urealyticum were detected in serum and visceral organs significantly frequently than live cells and DNAs. Prolonged preservation of the antigens in animals' blood and viscera after intraperitoneal administration of "pure" antigens points to the presence of true mycoplasmal antigenemia. Forms of existence of antigens in organism are different-they can represent corpuscular antigens as well as soluble molecular compounds circulating in blood both in free state and in structure of immune complexes. Antigens as well as live cells are preserved in all studied organs., Conclusion: Inoculation of rabbits and mice with M. hominis or U. urealyticum resulted in development of generalized infection with persistence of the agent in all studied organs during initial phase of infection and predominant persistence in organs of immunogenesis during later phases.

A total of 167 children with bronchial asthma (BA) have been examined for the mycoplasma infection rate. Among investigated patients 62,8% were infected with one or more mycoplasma species. The prolonged persistence in patient body as well as biological properties of mycoplasmas give grounds to consider these agents as a risk factor in the development of the allergy-infection-borne BA and its relapses.

Presents a new method for making preparations of bacteria and their unculturable forms from suspensions with low concentrations of cells, from 1 x 108 to 1 x 104 per ml. to be examined under transmission electron microscope. The novelty of the method consists in the technique of concentrating bacteria by making a colloid solution consisting of bovine serum albumin and polyethyleneglycol. Associations of protein molecules, polyethyleneglycol, and bacteria, forming in the solution, are sedimented by centrifugation after 48-hour incubation at 4 degrees C. The solidity of the resultant macroscopic sediment is sufficient for studying the cells contained in it under transmission electron microscope.

The possibility to identify noncultivating forms of Salmonella by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been shown. To do it the technique for Salmonella identification was elaborated, based on amplification of a 500 bp fragment of araC gene. Time course of populations of two Salmonella typhimurium strains during prolonged incubation in water was studied by the techniques of serial dilutions on solid nutrient media, acridine orange staining, and PCR. The strains differed in pathogenicity levels and genetic characteristics. Cells of nonvirulent strain were shown to loose gradually in the process of incubation the ability to grow on solid nutrient media and transform into noncultivating forms whose ability to proliferation can be restored under definite conditions. No difference in the dynamics identified by PCR or traditional microbiological techniques was found for population of virulent Salmonella typhimurium incubated in water indicating the possibility of fast degradation of cells having lost the ability to divide.

The paper compares the data of selective coronary angiography and 24-hour monitoring in 39 patients with refractory angina pectoris. Transient ST-segment changes were revealed in 79% of the patients, ST-segment depression occurring in 54%, ST-segment elevation in 46%, T-wave inversion in 38%. A combination of ST-T interval changes and occurrence of ventricular premature contraction was found in a third of the examinees. There was no statistically significant correlation between the extent of major coronary lesion and the mean length of ST-segment displacements.

The paper discusses the potential possibility and effectiveness of X-ray endovascular laser recanalization (ELR) of the coronary arteries in order to treat coronary atherosclerosis in patients with coronary heart disease. The intervention was performed in 4 patients (into the anterior interventricular artery in 3 and into the right coronary artery in 1). In 3 of 4 cases, X-ray ELR proved to be successful, in one case the intervention failed due to technological reasons. Recanalization of a completely occluded segment of the coronary artery with a residual stenosis of no more than 40% was observed in two cases. Laser recanalization of profound local coronary stenosis was made in the mid-third of the vessel in one case. It can be stated that X-ray ELR of the coronary artery may extend the scope of X-ray surgical therapeutical tools of the treatment of coronary atherosclerosis. At the same time, accumulation of clinical experience and further improvement of laser and laser catheter engineering are essential in defining the value and possible scope for the application of this method.

The experimental infection of tampan ticks (Ornithodoros moubata) with the bacterial cultures of Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella typhimurium, as well as with their L-forms, was carried out. These experiments demonstrated that both the L-transformation of bacteria and the reversion of their L-forms into the initial bacterial culture could occur in the body of the ticks.

The study of the possibility of detecting the specific antigens of S. typhi L forms has revealed that out of three destructive methods under study (osmotic lysis, freezing-thawing, sonication) only ultrasonic disintegration has proved to be effective for S. typhi L forms. Three specific fractions capable of interacting only with specific antibodies to S. typhi L forms have been revealed in the course of chromatographic separation of the soluble antigenic complex of S. typhi stable L forms and the subsequent analysis of the fractions thus obtained in the enzyme immunoassay.

Anabaena variabilis and Chlorogloea fritschii can easily form L-like colonies that are characterized by their appearance and the morphology of component structures. The colonies consist of morphological elements typical of the L-variants of chemoheterotrophic bacteria: filaments, "grains", ring-shaped cells, etc. Data are presented pertinent to the functional activity of the photosynthetic apparatus of these organisms subjected to L-transformation.

The expulsion fraction was examined with reference to qualitative and quantitative parameters of segment contractility of the left-ventricular wall in 68 coronary patients. Segment contractility of the left-ventricular wall can provide the basis for the interpretation of the left-ventricular integrative function in these patients. Its qualitative assessment can characterize the general condition of the myocardium, whereas its quantitative features may contribute to the elucidation of mechanisms involved in compensatory relationships between the damaged and intact myocardium of the left ventricle.

Thirty-five patients including 26 with coronary heart disease and 9 with a pain syndrome non-typical of angina were studied. All patients were subjected to Valsalva's standardized test during which the pressure was measured in the aorta and the heart left ventricle paralleled by simultaneous ECG registration at the three standard leads and at AVR lead. The test sensitivity equalled 50%, the test specificity was 88.9%. Both healthy subjects and coronary heart disease patients displayed a reduction of the diastolic coronary gradient during Valsalva's test, mostly due to the increased diastolic pressure in the left ventricle, which corresponded to the dissemination of coronary atherosclerosis (by coronographic findings). The mechanisms contributing to the development of ischemia associated with Valsalva's test include a fall in coronary perfusion, tachycardia and the reflectory influence of the pulmonary receptors.

A comparative study of bacteria and their L-forms Actinomyces and blue-green algae, taken from centrifugates and grown on Millipore filters, was made with the use of scanning electron microscopy. The study revealed that only in the second case the location of the cells inside the colony was preserved and the architectonics of the colony remained unchanged. The anastomoses between the cells and slime on the cell surface, destroyed when other methods of making the preparations were used, could be easily detected.

The enzyme immunoassay of serum samples, obtained from 37 typhoid patients and previously subjected to bacteriological study with negative results, permitted the detection of S. typhi specific antigens and, as a consequence, the rapid diagnosis of the disease. The prevalence of various antigenic components of S. typhi was observed at different stages of infection. The presence of surface O and Vi antigens was characteristic of acute stages of S. typhi infection. At the same time L-form antigens, in rare cases in combination with surface O and Vi antigens, were characteristic of patients at the period following the acute stage of the disease, as well as chronic carriers. This is indicative of the necessity of introducing specific antibodies to the antigenic determinants of S. typhi L forms into the assortment of diagnostic immune preparations.

The antigenic structure of the L-forms of salmonellae (S. typhimurium and S. typhi) in comparison with that of the initial bacterial cultures and revertant cultures was studied with the use of the immunoferritin method. The L-forms of salmonellae were found to retain an insignificant amount of O-antigen, as well as to have K-antigen on the surface of the cytoplasmic membrane, but in a lesser amount than the initial strains. In the cultures reverting from the L-forms of S. typhimurium and S. typhi the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of O- and K-antigens were completely restored.

The process of L-transformation of S. typhi was studied under conditions of diffusion chambers implanted into the abdominal cavity of rabbits with different immunological status. The process of L-transformation of S. typhi in vivo was induced by the action of humoral immunity factors. No unbalanced growth forms and L-forms of S. typhi were found to appear in the organism of nonimmune animals.

On examination of 56 persons, 4 were found to have no abnormalities of the cardiovascular system, in all of the others the diagnosis of ischemic heart disease was confirmed. The cardiac output was determined by means of a thermodiluter. The stroke work index, the total peripheral resistance, and the segmental contraction of the left-ventricular wall were calculated. Changes in the stroke volume in response to a stress test, left ventriculography, were studied. It was found that changes in the stroke volume do not correlate with the clinical and coronarographic manifestations of the disease and the condition of the contractility of segments of the left-ventricular wall in the absence of clinical symptoms of circulatory insufficiency. The trend of stroke volume changes recorded during the stress test showed a dependence on the volume and degree of left-ventricular asynergy. Changes in the stroke volume were determined by the initial value of the cardiac output. High sensitivity of the left-ventricular function curve in detecting dysfunction of the left ventricle as well stroke volume-total peripheral resistance feedback were revealed.

The possibility of the induction and persistence of S. typhi L-forms in the process of experimental typhoid infection and carriership has been studied in rabbits. This study has revealed that the process of L-transformation leading to the appearance of the imbalanced growth forms and unstable L-forms of S. typhi in the organism of the animals infected with S. typhi culture may occur under the conditions of carriership. Such changed forms can be detected in the organism of the animals 18 months after the primary infection.

The study was conducted in 55 patients with cardiac pains. Electrocardiography was used successively prior to, during and following physical exercises, followed by Seldinger selective coronary angiography, and electrocardiography prior to, during and following hyperventilation tests. In 2 of 55 patients the result of the exercise test was interpreted as false-positive, since the coronary angiography demonstrated intact vessels, and during hyperventilation ECG recorded a decreased ST segment. To avoid false-positive results in patients with suspected angina pectoris the physical exercises tests can be considered positive only in cases in which hyperventilation caused no ECG changes typical for angina pectoris.

In the study of the antigenic composition of S. typhi L-forms and their revertants were determined. The stable L-forms were characterized by profound disturbances in the synthesis of Vi- and H-antigens. After reversion to bacterial forms all the revertants under study showed the complete restoration of their bacterial antigenic structure.

The nitroglycerin test was conducted in 21 patients with ischemic heart disease. The changes in the hemodynamic parameters of left-ventricular function, namely the end-diastolic pressure, the end-systolic and end-diastolic volumes, the ejection fraction, and the segmental contractility of the left-ventricular wall were studied. It was found that nitroglycerin discloses the zones of reparable asynergy and thus allows the area of true cicatricial changes of the myocardium to be clearly demarcated. All hemodynamic indices changed under the effect of nitroglycerin; the dynamics of the end-systolic volume and the ejection fraction made it possible to appraise the functional condition of the myocardium. The results obtained showed the importance of the nitroglycerin test in prognosing the results of myocardial revascularization and determining the volume of surgical intervention in aneurysms of the left ventricle.

The indices of hemodynamics and myocardial contractility rate (end diastolic and end systolic volumes, ejection fraction, average rate of shortening of circumferential fibres, and average normalized rate of systolic ejection) were studied in 44 patients with ischemic heart disease to appraise the informative value of each parameter and reveal myocardial dysfunction. Calculations were done on an electronic computer system. The data obtained were compared with the findings in practically healthy persons. It was found that increase of the residual volume is the first sign of disturbed myocardial contractility and correlates well with the extent and volume of impaired contractility of the left ventricular segments. A decrease of the ejection fraction is noted only with an increase of the residual volume, the degree of the decrease correlating most closely with the degree of the decrease of the rate indices. The number and localization of the affected segments of the left ventricular wall have an effect on the contractile function of the myocardium.

A study of 61 patients with congenital stenosis of the aortic ostium has shown that left ventricular myocardial dysfunction is related to the extent of myocardial hypertrophy. Progressive discrepancy between growing left ventricular myocardial hypertrophy and its blood supply resulted, at a certain point, in a qualitative change from compensatory to abnormal hypertrophy. The extent of left ventricular hypertrophy determined the severity of aortic stenosis and left ventricular dysfunction. The emergence of electrocardiographic signs of left ventricular hypertrophy and systolic overstrain is indicative of the defect acquiring a new quality--that of left ventricular and relative coronary insufficiency.

The possibility of using, on principle, the enzyme immunoassay (EIA) in different modifications for the detection of S. typhi L-forms in biological fluids (blood, urine) was established. The inhibiting variant of EIA showed the highest sensitivity: 1 ng/ml. The direct sandwich variant permitted the quantitative determination of the antigen of S. typhi L-form in the widest range of 20-500 ng/ml. The indirect enzyme immunometric variant permitted the detection of S. typhi L-forms with a sensitivity of 10(5) colony-forming units per ml only in urine.

Problems concerned with the use of desk computers in the nuclear medicine are considered, viz. the structure of technical components in the radiodiagnostic systems and mathematical logistics, an analysis into comparative characteristics of some systems, as well as the experience gained by the authors in elaborating specialized mathematical logistics. This experience and a pertinent analysis prompted the authors to conclude that the use of a computer at each stage of a radioisotope investigation is a matter of necessity and of top importance, without, however, being of cardinal aid in establishing a diagnosis. An effective instrument that will be capable of rendering good service to medicine at the present level of its development should be complex diagnostic systems, whose creation will be the aim of further research work.

Examination covered 56 patients with chronic post-infarction aneurysm of the heart. It included electro- and phonocariography, selective coronarography and ventriculography of the left heart. In the majority of these patients the affection started with myocardial infarction which gave rise to the development of the cardiac aneurysm. Coronarography disclosed a lesion of the left anterior descending artery in the form of an extended occlusion. Collateral coronary circulation was indefinable. Ventriculography of the left heart disclosed an aneurysm whose localization accorded with electrocardiographic indications. In the development of aneurysms of the heart the authors attach great importance to presence of collateral circulation at the instant of an acute lesion of the coronary artery.

The immunofluorescence test with the use of antisera to S. typhi and its L-forms permits the detection of the infective agent in bone marrow smears. This diagnostic method is particularly important in cases of carrier state in the latent phase and in differential diagnosis. As revealed in this study, the microbial variants of S. typhi, reacting with antiserum to its L-forms, are present in the bone marrow of carriers. They are localized, as a rule, on the membranes of lymphoid and erythroid cells, which probably leads to the formation of rosettes.

To simulate the infectious process and to study the persistence of L-forms, rabbits and guinea pigs were infected with S. typhi stable L-forms. The materials presented in this work indicate that both subconjunctival and intraperitoneal infection led to the development of the clinically indistinct, but morphologically pronounced pathological process with characteristic localization and typical changes in the gastrointestinal tract. The typical features of the process were the generalized immunomorphological reaction of the lymphoid apparatus with the appearance of light-colored reticulomacrophagal elements, the signs of the activation of humoral and cell-mediated immunity and the formation of small epitheloidocellular granulomas. The results of the investigation indicate that the stable cultures of S. typhi L-forms are highly pathogenic and capable of inducing the infectious process in experimental animals.

The results of investigations by echoCG, ECG, FCG, sphygmography, roentgenography, including cardiac catheterization, of 16 patients with rheumatic mitral-tricuspid disease of the heart were compared. The organic injuries of the tricuspid valves (OITV) were confirmed during operation. With respect to preoperative diagnosis of OITV the sensitivity of echoCG was equal to 94 %, polycardiography--81 %, roentgenography--54 %, cardiac catheterization--94 %. Thus, echoCG proved to be the most accurate method of the primary asanguineous diagnosis of an organic injury of the tricuspid valve. The echocardiographic diagnosis of OITV included the symptoms of constriction of the right atrioventricular orifice and fibrous alterations of the valve cusps. Possible technical errors of the methods in respect to the detection of OITV are discussed.