Social support and postpartum adherence to HIV treatment: a community-based participatory research study in Russia.

Background: There are over 1 million people living with HIV in Russia, and less than half of them are on antiretroviral treatment (ART). Earlier in the epidemic, Russia was successful in implementing prevention of mother-to-child transmission programmes; however, there is a gap in knowledge about postpartum adherence to ART among women living with HIV (WLHIV). The objective of our research study was to identify which factors are associated with postpartum engagement in HIV care and treatment in Russia.

[Analysis of factors determining the biological availability of 137Cs in forest ecosystem soils].

On five forest plots varying in species composition of woody plants and soil properties, 137Cs accumulation by vegetation of the forest understorey has been studied. Differences in 137Cs availability for root uptake are shown to be dependent on a vertical distribution of 137Cs content over the soil profile, percentage of exchangeable 137Cs and distribution of plant root systems (fungous mycelium) in soil. A 137Cs-bioavailability index is suggested and its non-linear relationship with 137Cs transfer factors to different plant species in the understorey is shown.

[Comparative evaluation of biological availability of 137Cs in soil of various types of forest ecosystems].

On five forests plots varying in species composition of woody plants and soil properties, 137Cs vertical distribution and 137Cs forms occurring in different horizons of forest soils have been studied. It was found that bulk 137Cs and contents of physico-chemical forms of this radionuclide in different horizons of forest soils vary considerably within both plots with different characteristics and individual horizons. The reported regularities can explain observed differences in 137Cs distribution in forest ecosystems of various types.

Increase in extracellular glutatione peroxidase in plasma and lungs of mice exposed to hyperoxia.

Extracellular glutathione peroxidase (E-GPx) is a selenium-dependent enzyme that can reduce hydrogen peroxide and phospholipid hydroperoxides. E-GPx is found in plasma and extracellular fluids such as bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Because lung is one of the tissues that is capable of synthesizing and secreting E-GPx, the effect of exposure to hyperoxia on E-GPx in plasma and lung were studied in an injury model of hyperoxia exposure in adult mice.

Evaluation of omeprazole and lansoprazole as inhibitors of cytochrome P450 isoforms.

The human clearance of omeprazole and lansoprazole is conducted primarily by the hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP) system. Efficacy data indicate few differences between these two drugs, but they may exhibit discrete drug interaction profiles. To compare the potency and specificity of these drugs as inhibitors of CYP isoforms, we performed in vitro studies with human liver microsomal preparations.