Transplantation of porcine adrenal spheroids for the treatment of adrenal insufficiency.

Primary adrenal insufficiency is a life-threatening disorder, which requires lifelong hormone replacement therapy. Transplantation of xenogeneic adrenal cells is a potential alternative approach for the treatment of adrenal insufficiency. For a successful outcome of this replacement therapy, transplanted cells should provide adequate hormone secretion and respond to adrenal physiological stimuli.

Innovative multidimensional models in a high-throughput-format for different cell types of endocrine origin.

The adrenal gland provides an important function by integrating neuronal, immune, vascular, metabolic and endocrine signals under a common organ capsule. It is the central organ of the stress response system and has been implicated in numerous stress-related disorders. While for other diseases, regeneration of healthy organ tissue has been aimed at such approaches are lacking for endocrine diseases - with the exception of type-I-diabetes.

Expression of progenitor markers is associated with the functionality of a bioartificial adrenal cortex.

Encapsulation of primary bovine adrenocortical cells in alginate is an efficacious model of a bioartificial adrenal cortex. Such a bioartificial adrenal cortex can be used for the restoration of lost adrenal function in vivo as well as for in vitro modeling of the adrenal microenvironment and for investigation of cell-cell interactions in the adrenals. The aim of this work was the optimization of a bioartificial adrenal cortex, that is the generation of a highly productive, self-regenerating, long-term functioning and immune tolerant bioartificial organ.

PreImplantation Factor (PIF*) Regulates Stress-Induced Adrenal Steroidogenesis and Anti-Inflammatory Cytokines: Potential Application for Bioartificial Adrenal Transplant.

The main treatment algorithm for adrenal insufficiency is hormonal replacement, however, inadequate hormone substitution often leads to severe side effects. Adrenal cell transplantation could be a more effective alternative but would require life-long immune suppressive therapy. PreImplantation Factor (PIF) is an endogenous peptide secreted by viable human embryos that leads to maternal tolerance without immunosuppression.

Transplantation of bovine adrenocortical cells encapsulated in alginate.

Current treatment options for adrenal insufficiency are limited to corticosteroid replacement therapies. However, hormone therapy does not replicate circadian rhythms and has unpleasant side effects especially due to the failure to restore normal function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Adrenal cell transplantation and the restoration of HPA axis function would be a feasible and useful therapeutic strategy for patients with adrenal insufficiency.

Functional asymmetry of the cerebral hemispheres: its role in the pathogenesis of ectromelia and melanoma in (CBAxC57BL/6)F1 mice.

The aim of the present work was to identify the role of functional asymmetry in the cerebral hemispheres in the pathogenesis of infectious and oncological pathology in (CBAxC57BL/6)F1 mice. Mice with lefthemisphere dominance of motor functions ("right-handers") were found to be more resistant to infection with ectromelia virus and to show slower growth of tumors after subcutaneous injection of B-16 melanoma than animals with right-hemisphere dominance of motor control ("left-handers"). Thus, this report provides the first evidence for the role of functional asymmetry of the nervous system in the pathogenesis of ectromelia and melanoma (B-16) in (CBAxC57BL/6)F1 mice.

Exogenous allogenic fragmented double-stranded DNA is internalized into human dendritic cells and enhances their allostimulatory activity.

Exogenous allogenic DNA as nucleosome-free fragments reaches main cellular compartments (cytoplasm, nucleus) of human dendritic cells and deposits in the nuclear interchromosomal space without visibly changing in linear size. The presence of such allogenic fragmented DNA in medium in which human dendritic cells are cultured produces an enhancement of their allostimulatory activity. This enhancement is comparable to that produced by the standard maturation stimulus lipopolysaccharide Escherichia coli.

[Functional asymmetry of the brain hemispheres: the role in pathogenesis of ectromelia and melanoma in (CBAxC57BL/6)F1 mice].

The object of the research was to identify role of functional nervous asymmetry in formation of pathology in experimental animals. The role of functional asymmetry of the brain hemispheres in development of ectromelia and melanoma at (CBAxC57BL/6)F1 mice was investigated. It has been established, that mice with domination of motor functions in the left hemisphere ("right-handed") are more resistant against infection with ectromelia virus, and melanoma B-16 grows more slowly in these mice as compated with animals with domination of motor functions of the right hemisphere ("left-handed").

[Leukocyte stimulation by DNA fragments shored up protamine in cyclophosphamide-induced leukopoiesis in mice].

Our study showed that protamine (80% w/w to DNA) effectively protected its molecules from degradation by native nucleases of the mammalian blood serum. Exogenous DNA bound to protamine effectively stimulated restoration of cyclophosphamide-induced leukopoiesis in mice. It is suggested that the phenomenon was due to repair processes taking place in hemopoietic stem cells damaged by a cross-linking cytostatic drug such as cyclophosphamide.

Association of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the IL-18 gene with production of IL-18 protein by mononuclear cells from healthy donors.

IL-18 has proinflammatory effects and participates in both innate and adaptive cellular and humoral immunity. A number of SNPs that influence IL-18 production are found in the gene promoter region. We investigated the association of SNPs in the IL-18 promoter at -607 and -137 with the level of IL-18 protein production by PBMC from healthy donors from Southwestern Siberia.

[Frequency of the HLA-DP genes and the antigens of the HLA-A, -B, -Cw, and -DR loci in Tuvinians].

The results of DNA typing of the HLA-DPB1 gene among Tuvinians are described. The allele 0201 was found to be the most frequent (26.66%); then, in order of decreasing frequency, followed the alleles 0401 (26.

[Quantitative analysis of the phospholipid composition of the myocardium in experimental diabetes mellitus: effect of total ischemia].

Phospholipid composition was studied in the myocardium of rats and rabbits with alloxan diabetes developed after intravenous of intraperitoneal administration of alloxan and complicated by 60-min total ischemia. The diabetes developed within 4 weeks thereafter heart tissue was isolated and used for biochemical analyses. Total cardioplegic ischemia was simulated in the perfused heart after drastic interruption of perfusion.

[Frequency distribution of HLA phenotypes, haplotypes and alleles in ethnic groups of Taĭmyr and Chukotka].

HLA typing data of two little populations living in Tajmyr peninsula (Dolgans and Nganasans) and Chukotka peninsula (Chukchas and Chuvantses) were presented. Our data were compared with the International standard distribution of class I HLA antigens in orients and its distribution in orients who live in the Asian part of Russia. Indexes of genetic distribution and genetic likeness were calculated.

[Demographic aspects of adaptive changes of human immune system in the North].

The dynamics of an immunotypological structure in migrants in Magadan was studied in relation to the duration of residence in the North. The changes were assessed by the integrated immune heterogeneity index, the atypic immune status index, frequencies of some immune phenotypes, the prevalence of clinical immunopathological signs and HLA Class 1 antigen distribution in the groups of the examinees. The dynamics of the immunotypological structure of migrants to the North was shown to have regular features depending upon the duration of "life in the North", some certain time-dependent, qualitative and quantitative characteristics.

[Changes in central hemodynamics and microcirculation during laser therapy in patients with coronary insufficiency].

The study was undertaken to examine 45 patients with Stages IIB-III heart failure (HF) by the classification developed by V. Kh. Vasilenko and N.

[Energy metabolism and contractile function of the heart in diabetic cardiomyopathy: effect of ischemia and reperfusion].

Physiological parameters, rates of mitochondrial respiration, high energy phosphate levels and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) activity were investigated in the hearts from control and alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits before and after 40-min total ischemia and reperfusion. Diabetic hearts demonstrated significant decreases in the rates of contraction (+dP/dt) and relaxation (-dP/dt), heart rates and cardiac work compared to control hearts. Determination of mitochondrial respiration rates in saponin-skinned fibers showed a low mitochondrial respiratory function in diabetic hearts.

[The use of helium-neon laser in drug-resistant cardiac arrhythmias].

Out of 85 patients with cardiac arrhythmias in the presence of chronic coronary heart disease, 28 who were resistant to ethacisine and allapinine were included into the study. They had frequent and persistent arrhythmias. The patients were divided into 2 groups: (1) the patients receiving intravenous He-Ne laser therapy in combination with one of the above drugs; (n = 17) and (2) those taking He-Ne laser therapy alone (n = 11).

[Comparative analysis of indicators of the immune status of population of the Eastern regions of the USSR].

Altogether 1,500 healthy residents of seven cities situated in the Asian part of the USSR were examined. In Novosibirsk, Tomsk, Tyumen, Norilsk, Magadan, Yakutsk and Ussuriisk, the people were examined for the blood levels of T and B lymphocytes, the ratio of regulatory subclasses of T lymphocytes, the concentration of IgG, IgM and IgA, and for the content of immune complexes. Analysis was made of the general and regional regularities in changes seen in the immune system depending on climatic and geographic factors.

[Disorders of cardiac rhythm and the changes in Q-T interval in mitral valve prolapse syndrome].

To study the incidence and nature of cardiac arrhythmias and the changes in the corrected Q-T interval, 60 patients with the prolapsed mitral valve syndrome were examined. All the patients underwent resting ECG and leg isometric exercise. 24-hour ECG monitoring was performed in 48 patients.

[Use of isometric exercise to enhance the diagnostic value of dipyridamole testing in patients with angina pectoris].

A dipyridamole test was performed in 40 patients with coronary heart disease who were divided into 2 groups, each consisting of 20 subjects. The dipyridamole test alone was performed in the patients from Group 1, while the agent was given by using manual dynamometry and increasing venous return in those from Group 2. Positive results were obtained in 55 and 85%, respectively (p less than 0.

[Functional state of the left regions of the heart in healthy persons during isometric exercise].

Hemodynamic parameters of left and atrial contractile and pump functions were examined in 25 healthy males undergoing leg isometric exercise, by employing echocardiography. Analysis of changes in intracardiac hemodynamics showed that for provision of a marked pressor reaction occurring in healthy persons during isometric exercise, there was enhanced left ventricular myocardial contractility and thereby higher stroke and minute volumes. To maintain the required increase in stroke volume at the maximal exercise level, an accessory mechanism of compensation gears (by the Frank-Starling type), which operates due to myocardial diastolic relaxation, elevated venous blood supply at the expense of sucking cardiac action, and augmented left atrial contractility.

[Evaluation of the effect of intravenous administration of streptodecase on the extent of the damage in myocardial infarction].

Precordial mapping was employed to examine 29 patients with acute anterior transmural myocardial infarction (MI). Seventeen of them received intravenous streptokinase, eleven underwent symptomatic therapy. The size of the lesion was assessed in the course of the disease.