Pulmonary function abnormalities in thalassemia major and the role of iron overload.

To determine the predominant abnormality of pulmonary function in patients with thalassemia major (TM), we evaluated 29 patients with TM who were receiving hypertransfusion therapy and chelation with desferrioxamine (DFO), and who ranged in age from 6 to 40 yr (mean 19.8 +/- 8.5 yr).

[Endothelium of the donor's transplant after penetrating keratoplasty].

The results of a follow-up of changes in the transplant endothelial cells in 208 patients (209 eyes) in the periods from 1 week to 5 years after surgery helped the authors define the criteria for the choice of donor material with consideration of the endothelial status for various groups of patients. They suggest a method for differential diagnosis of tissue incompatibility reactions and infection recurrences in patients who were operated on for herpes virus keratoiridocyclitis by means of reflecting biomicroscopy of the endothelium. The minimal count of cells necessary for the transplant to remain transparent was estimated.

[Protective effect on the graft of bioprotectors of the endothelium in reconstructive surgery of the anterior eye segment].

The authors analyze quantitative and qualitative changes in the transplant endothelium after keratoplasty and reconstruction of the anterior segment of the eye (altogether 209 surgeries) in various periods (1 week to 5 years) after surgery with the use of Quilonum and Chonsurid, endothelial protectors. A marked protective action of Quilonum has been noted, that has helped cut down the loss of endothelial cells by 10-12% in open keratoplasty and by 15% in reconstruction of the anterior segment of the eye. Chonsurid is characterized by an immediate protective effect, but in remote periods after surgery its action is cytotoxic.

[Characteristics of the mutagenic and toxic effects of ethylene imine and its oligomers. Comparative study in the automated SOS-chromotest system and in standard bacterial test systems].

Raising total positive charge of a chemical mutagen does increase its local concentration in the area of biological target-DNA, and, as a consequence, causes increase in the rate of interaction of a mutagen with the target. Experimental evidence of this idea has been obtained in three test systems: the Ames test, Trp+ reversions in Escherichia coli WP2 and in the automated "SOS-chromotest" system with E. coli PQ 37 ("Labsystems", Finland).