[Propagation of hepatitis E virus in an endemic and nonendemic regions].

The role of hepatitis E (HE) in sporadic morbidity at an endemic territory (Southern Uzbekistan) and the incidence of anti-HEV in different populations of a nonendemic region (Russia) were evaluated. Antibodies to HEV were detected in 22.1% of patients with acute HE, including mixed infections (+ HA or HB), in the Dekhkanabad district of Kashkadarya region in 1993.

[Expression of urokinase and its receptor correlate with proliferation of smooth muscle cell in injured arteries].

Using the immunohistochemistry and a standard reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction assay optimized to estimate the mRNA levels, we observed a 2-fold increased uPA expression by the SMCs in injured vessels as compared with uninjured vessels. The uPA elevation occurred within 6 hours from the injury and persisted for 96 hours after the injury. The uPAR expression was also elevated after an injury although it occurred slower and more gradually.

[Involvement of urokinase and its receptor in the remodeling of normal and pathological tissue].

Urokinase is the main component of the fibrinolytic system and comprises two functions. Namely, the catalytic domain enables to trigger the proteolytic cascade in blood and in the vessel wall, stimulating the activation of growth factors, matrix remodelling and smooth muscle cell proliferation. On the other hand, the amino terminal domain of urokinase that is homologous to epidermal growth factor promotes urokinase to bind to the specific receptor.

[The effect of hydrogen peroxide and hypochlorite on brain Na,K-ATPase activity].

Brain Na,K-ATPase is subjected to direct modifying influence of the hypochlorite anion and hydrogen peroxide resulting in irreversible inactivation of the enzyme. The K0.5 values for these compounds are 20-40 microM and 1 mM, respectively.