RNA INTERFERENCE: NEW APPROACH TO THE TREATMENT OF ALLERGIC ASTHMA (A REVIEW).

Asthma is among the most common chronic disorders of airways, which affects both children and adults. Asthma being a common disease among different segments of population, it has a high mortality rate and, in the absence of appropriate care, affects the quality of life and leads to economics losses. In a view of continuing growth in the incidence of asthma, it is important to find relevant biological targets for developing new approaches to astma therapy.

[Results of estimation of mutation rates for translocation trisomy 21].

Among 1332 cases of trisomy 21 born within 1979-1999 in St. Petersburg, 76(5.7%) were carriers of a translocation between chromosome 21 and other acrocentrics.

[Karyological characteristics of Down's syndrome: clinical and theoretical aspects].

These data have been collected from St. Petersburg Down Syndrome Register that comprises information on 1778 liveborn children with the Down syndrome, including three twin sets, ascertained within 1970-1996. Karyotypes were obtained in 1223 cases, of which 1119 (90.

[Mutational level of translocated variants of Down's syndrome in Leningrad (1982-1991)].

Karyological study of 644 newborns with Down's syndrome (DS) revealed 37 translocation cases (5.7%). Translocations were inherited in 8 cases, in 17 cases they were sporadic, and in 12 cases parents were not examined.

[Complex biochemical and molecular approach to prenatal diagnosis of mucoviscidosis].

Prenatal diagnosis of 62 cases of cystic fibrosis was performed in high-risk families at 18-21 gestational weeks using biochemical and molecular tests. The diagnosis was ruled out in 42 and confirmed in 20 cases. The incidence of false-positive results was 8.