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Two hundred and ninety-five patients who had been found to have Treponema pallidum antibodies detected by enzyme immunoassay were additionally studied by a Western blot test to confirm their presence. Every four cases were ascertained to be false-positive, false seropositivity being more frequent in the presence of IgM antibody against T. palladium. Spinal fluid analysis provided evidence for the course of neurosyphilis in 5 cases. The diagnosis of congenital syphilis was verified in 2 children who had p15, p17, p45, and 47. The findings demonstrate it necessary to extensively use a Western blot in the health care system.

We made a microbiological study of the urine and prostatic secretion (Meares-Stamey test) of 35 patients with chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP) aged 35-75 years. We conducted a bacterial assay, determined species, sensitivity to synthetic antibacterial fluoroquinolone drugs. A total of 163 bacterial strains were isolated, of them 13 were staphylococcal. Gram-negative bacteria were identified in the test biomaterial only in 16.6% cases. The analysis of staphylococcal sensitivity showed the highest antistaphylococcal effectiveness of levofloxacin and lomefloxacin. Our study confirms an essential role of staphylococcal bacteria in CBP etiology.

The purpose of the study was to assess the functional state of endothelium and vascular stiffness using biochemical parameters and non-invasive instrumental methods of examination before and after specific treatment of patients with early forms of syphilis. A total of 51 patients with early syphilis were examined, 30 healthy individuals served as controls. Blood C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, and sialic acid levels were measured. Rigidity index was estimated using a Pulse Trace photopletizmograph (Micro Medical, England). Patients with early forms of syphilis had markedly increased concentrations of CRP, fibrinogen, sialic acids (markers of inflammation) and the ridgidity index both before and after specific therapy.

Aim: To compare high-resolution ultrasound of major arteries and the method of vascular stiffness evaluation by digital volume pulse photoplethysmography after sublingual nitroglycerin in diagnosis of structural vascular changes., Material and Methods: The comparison of the two methods was made in 110 volunteers (mean age 31.9 +/- 11.5 years). The study protocol included measurement of blood pressure (BP), blood lipids and glucose, evaluation of IMT of the carotid arteries by ultrasonography, baseline stiffness index (SIbl) and after sublingual nitroglycerin (SIng) by photoplethysmography. Reproducibility of photoplethysmography was evaluated in 20 volunteers (mean age 20.3 +/- 1.4 years) with repeated measurement after 1 week. The results were tested in 40 volunteers of different age groups., Results: There were significant correlations of IMT, SIbl and SIng with risk factors and close interrelations of these parameters. SIng better explained variability of IMT compared to SIbl (r = 0.79, R2 = 0.62, p < 0.001 versus r = 0.67, R2 = 0.45, p < 0.001, respectively). Relations of IMT with risk factors were lost after correction for SIng. Reproducibility of SIng was higher than SIbl (+/- 5.1% versus +/- 10.9%, respectively) and than those for IMT found in the literature. Mean IMT values for random sample evaluated by ultrasonography and calculated by estimated equation of linear regression for SIng and IMT did not differ significantly (0.576 +/- 0.087 mm versus 0.570 +/- 0.074 mm, p = 0.44; r = 0.71, p < 0.001, mean difference 0.007 +/- 0.051 mm)., Conclusion: The method of vascular stiffness measurement is comparable with ultrasonography in terms of vessel structure evaluation and possesses higher reproducibility. The test with nitroglycerin substantially increases its diagnostic potential and reproducibility.

Narcotic analgesics have an inhibiting effect on the immunity and that is why their use for pain relief in cancer patients cannot be regarded as adequate. The effect of a new synthetic analgesic tramal (tramal hydrochloride) on the immune system has been studied. Cellular immunity indexes, immunoglobulin level, and phagocytic activity of neutrophils have been determined before treatment and 1 and 2 weeks after the treatment started. The data obtained have shown that tramal does not inhibit the immune system. It has been also noted that pain relief in cancer patients improved the indexes of cellular and humoral immunity.

The efficacy of epidural chemical denervation used for the treatment of chronic pain syndrome in cancer patients (clinical stage IV) has been studied at different phases of antinociceptive therapy and also in combination with analgesics. Early use of this technique for the treatment of chronic pain in cancer patients has been recommended and it was concluded that it is more effective in combination with analgesics.

The clinical and biochemical study of results of central electroanalgesia in 112 patients in the postoperative period following operations on the lungs has shown the method to be sufficiently effective. In addition, it fails to affect the postoperative changes of the parameters of biochemical composition of the blood and oxygen tension in tissues.

As a supplement to local anesthesia in aortography, appendectomies and operations for hernia in 118 patients the authors employed through a mask an inhalation anesthetic methoxyflurane in subnorcotic concentrations. The patients were in the state of consciousness, analgesia was adequate, no complications relative to methoxyflurane inhalation were noted inhalation anesthesia with methoxyflurane proved to be safe and effective in combination with local anesthesia. The method is indicated in aortographies.