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Immunological non-responders (INR) are HIV-infected subjects that fail to restore CD4+ T-cell counts despite undetectable HIV viral load, which is controlled by highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). In INR, impaired immune restoration is linked to low-productive proliferation of memory CD4+ T-lymphocytes. Taking into account that T-cell ability to divide depends on the activity of metabolic pathways, we aimed to determine rates of mitochondrial respiration and glycolysis in memory CD4+ T-cells of INR. Two groups of HIV-infected HAART-treated patients were studied: immunological non-responders and subjects with an adequate immunological response to therapy (immunological responders – IR). Control (C) group comprised uninfected volunteers. In both groups of HIV-infected patients glycolytic activity of memory CD4+ T-cells was lower than that in C. Mitochondrial respiration rate in memory CD4+ T-cells derived from IR was comparable to that of C at basal state, however, after stimulation IR failed to reach the values of uninfected subjects. INR had the lowest mitochondrial respiration rate both at basal state and after stimulation. Taken together, the data presented herein demonstrate that low regenerative potential of memory CD4+ T-cells derived from INR might be linked to diminished lymphocytes' metabolic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experience of dietological help for population in Saint-Petersburg has shown in this article. Efficiency of dietological help in clinics and hospitals depends on completeness of investigation of fundamental bases of patient's nutrition.

The paper deals with ecological and hygienic approaches to assessing the risk of nutritional factors to human health.

The authors review the results of the research performed in patients with chronic tonsillitis in 1997-1999. Immunological activity of their palatine tonsils was evaluated according to the original technique which demonstrated relations between external functional activity of the palatine tonsils and age as well as symptoms of chronic tonsillitis. Additional information is presented on interrelations between lymphocytopoietic production of the palatine tonsils and hormonal status, metabolism, ecological and physical factors. The study of lifetime activity of the palatine tonsils is necessary for examination of local immunity of the mucous membranes of the lymphoid pharyngeal ring.

Clinical and laboratory tests were conducted in 138 females of reproductive age with chronic decompensated tonsillitis (CDT) with normal and excessive body mass. Improper diet of the obese patients was responsible for specific manifestations of CDT, disturbances of lipid, carbohydrate and mineral metabolism, thyroid function.

The trial of a new antibiotic dirithromycin against acute pharyngitis and tonsillitis for safety and efficacy included 28 patients with acute tonsillitis and pharyngitis. Microbiological, biochemical, clinical and laboratory tests were conducted throughout the treatment and 2-3 weeks after the end of dirithromycin administration. The results support dirithromycin clinical potential in acute, chronic pharyngeal inflammation due to its high selective activity in relation to beta-hemolytic streptococcus A and the absence of side effects.

The inhibitory effects of oligonucleotide derivatives on the transcription of virus RNA in an in vitro system and synthesis of virus proteins was studied. Oligonucleotide derivatives d(T)3, d(T)4, d(T)8, d(T)10, d(CCAAACA), d(TCACCCTC), d(TTCCCATT), d(AATACTCT) and d(TGACCCTCTTCCCATT), that bear residues of ethidium, deuteroporphyrin and its complexes with Fe3+, hemin, cholesterol, deuterocholesterol, estrone and naphthoquinone at the 5'-end phosphate and/or at the 3'-end phosphate were studied. Unmodified oligonucleotides and their derivatives had a negligible effect on the synthesis of cellular proteins, but did inhibit the synthesis of influenza virus proteins. The majority of structural modifications increased the inhibitory effect of oligonucleotides. It was shown that the oligonucleotide derivatives carrying residues of porphyrin, quinone, ethidium, cholesterol, deuterotestosterone and estrone at concentrations near 10 mM inhibit virus development to 50-80%. A clear inhibitory effect (20-25%) of deuteroporphyrin, cholesterol and ethidium derivatives was revealed even at concentration 0.1 mM. The obtained results testified that the inhibition of influenza virus development is dependent on the interaction of oligonucleotide derivatives with the transcription complex proteins.