[Functional phenotypic variability in a plague pathogen and plague enzootics].

In the bacterial population, phenotypic variability plays a part of structural and functional subsystem that occupies a special place in the relations of heterogenic populations by performing an important adaptive function in the common system of ecological connections of parasitocenosis. At the same time regularly varying microorganism phenotypes act as an independent system that are closely related with the conditions of the niches occupied by the causative agent. Each subsystem as part of parasitocenosis is provided by its intrinsic adaptive mechanisms, which in combination ensures the stability of biocenosis based on self-regulation of evolutionarily established ecosystems.

Amsacrine and cisplatin in poor prognosis patients with metastatic transitional cell carcinoma of the urothelium: a phase-II study.

Objectives: Amsacrine, as a single agent, was reported to be effective in patients with metastatic transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder. Amsacrine is also associated with a lower toxicity than cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin and cisplatin therapy and has similar activity. But amsacrine has been forgotten in clinical studies of transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder.

The effect of an anti-HLA-B27 immune response on CTL recognition of Chlamydia.

The interplay between triggering bacteria and HLA-B27 in the pathogenesis of the spondyloarthropathies remains one of the most active areas of investigation in the rheumatic diseases. This has proved difficult to study systematically in the clinical setting, and in this study we utilized a rat model to address the influence that B27-related immunity may have on the process of generating anti-Chlamydia immunity. When splenocytes from HLA-B27 DNA-immunized Lewis (LEW) animals received restimulation in vitro with Chlamydia-treated cells from B27-transgenic LEW rats, we observed that in addition to the expected CTL recognition of HLA-B27, there was also anti-Chlamydia CTL killing of Chlamydia-sensitized syngeneic fibroblast targets.

[Transgenic Tobacco plants expressing bacterial genes encoded the thermostable glucanases].

It is shown that bacterial genes for thermostable beta-glucanases are expressed retaining their activity and substrate specificity. The leader peptide of the carrot extensin exerts effective secretion of the bacterial enzymes into the intercellular space of the plant tissue. Expression of the bacterial gene for beta-1,3-glucanase in plant tissues alters their morphogenetic potential.

Photochemiluminescent detection of antiradical activity. V. Application in combination with the hydrogen peroxide-initiated chemiluminescence of blood plasma proteins to evaluate antioxidant homeostasis in humans.

Disturbance of the steady state between pro- and antioxidants in tissues is an important aetiopathogenetic factor. Two method--(i) photosensitized chemiluminescence for detection of antiradical activity and (ii) hydrogen peroxide-initiated chemiluminescence of plasma proteins (CLP) and erythrocytes (CLE)--were tested in 136 healthy donors and 82 patients with untreated breast tumours for their applicability to detecting disturbances in antioxidant homeostasis in humans. The total antiradical capacity of water-soluble substances (ACW) and its urate-independent proportion (ACU) were lower (P <0.

Tumor 'flare' hypercalcemia--an additional indication for bisphosphonates?

The most serious, potentially life-threatening manifestation of 'flare' is hypercalcemia, registered in 4-5% of breast cancer patients with bone metastases, usually during the first few weeks of tamoxifen treatment. There are no specific treatment recommendations for flare hypercalcemia, except tamoxifen withdrawal. There are no reports on the use of bisphosphonates in the treatment of flare hypercalcemia.

High-dose anthracyclines in the treatment of advanced primitive neuroectodermal tumors in adults--a single institution experience.

Primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNET) are rare malignancies of presumed neural crest origin, most often presenting as bone or soft tissue masses in the trunk or axial skeleton, in children and young adults. Treatment of advanced PNET in adults is not clearly defined in the literature. Data concerning dose-intensive chemotherapy regimens for poor-risk patients with those tumors are sparse, due to rarity of PNET in adults, their diverse presentation, the variable treatment procedures applied and the absence of direct comparisons.

[Photochemiluminescent study of the antioxidant activity in biological systems. Mathematical modeling].

The mathematical modeling of the kinetics of riboflavin photo-chemiluminescence (PCL) in the presence of antioxidants, superoxide dismutase and ascorbic acid, has been performed. A specially developed computer program "Kinetic Analyzer" was used for the modeling. The PCL intensity of was taken as directly proportional to the superoxide concentration, because lucigenin had been added to the system.

[Genotyping Yersinia pestis strains from various natural foci].

Seven genetic variants of Yersinia pestis were detected by finger-printing of 85 strains of this bacterium from natural foci by means of a BX probe. Variants of Y. pestis strains correlate with certain species of carriers.

Colorectal cancer: dilemmas regarding patient selection and toxicity prediction.

Irinotecan (Campto, Rhône-Poulenc Rorer) is probably the most studied drug used as second-line treatment for colorectal cancer. Its main disadvantages are toxicity and cost. Delayed diarrhea and neutropenia are the most common toxic side effects, both of which can usually be predicted, by knowing the criteria for patients who are at increased risk for those side effects.

[Disorders in sexual function after hysterectomy].

The authors studied 120 women with hysterectomy, divided into 4 groups according to the volume of the surgical intervention (with preserved or removed cervix uteri and with preserved or eliminated ovaria). In the groups do not enter hysterectomies of oncological diseases and of patients with vaginal hysterectomy. The authors found a disturbed sexual function.

Eight-hour infusion versus bolus injection of doxorubicin in the EAP regimen in patients with advanced gastric cancer: a prospective randomised trial.

Background: Doxorubicin (40 mg/m2/cycle), etoposide (360 mg/m2/cycle) and cisplatin (80 mg/m2/cycle) comprise an efficient regimen in patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC). However, its excessive hematological toxicity led doctors to avoid using the combination. Doxorubicin is the main cause of myelotoxicity in the EAP regimen.

[A multicenter study of the antimicrobial effect of Macmiror and Macmiror Complex in the treatment of vaginal infections].

Unlabelled: The aim of the present multicentre study was to examine the therapeutic possibilities of the wide-spectrum medicament MACMIROR & MACMIROR COMPLEX for the treatment of the vaginal infections.

Materials And Methods: The study included 159 nonpregnant women among 15 and 54 years (middle age 35.6) with different by kind and intensity colpitis complaints.

[A rare case of generalized echinococcosis and pregnancy].

The authors describe a rare case of combination of generalized echinococcosis and gravidity. It concerns about a 23-years-old patient in 10 lunar month in whom 10 days before the term, accidentally through ultrasound is found an Echinococcus cyst in the liver. The delivery performed with planned caesarean section without disturbance of the cyst, ended successfully.

[Laparoscopic fenestration of the ovaries in sterility and the Stein-Leventhal syndrome--is it a modern fad or correct procedure].

The treatment of the sterility due to the Stein-Leventhal syndrome has been always object of many discussions. Sometimes, the approach towards this disease in the different departments is diametrically different. Some offer only conservative therapy other-only surgical interventions and some-combination between the two.

[Diagnostic ultrasound and the intrauterine pessary].

The aim of the authors is an analysis of the results in application of ultrasound technique in patients with intrauterine device (IUD). Using the ultrasound criteria for a correct and incorrect position of IUD, the criteria for an elevated risk for expulsion and contraindications for IUD application, the authors have used ultrasound technique for diagnosis in 65 patients with IUD. The causes for the "wrong" diagnosis were discussed: imperfection of the apparatuses, non-observance of the conditions for ultrasound examinations and lack of experience.

[Myasthenia and pregnancy].

The myasthenia is a neurological autoimmune disease affecting women in reproductive age. The combination of myasthenia and gravidity has two important aspects; reflection of gravidity on the neurological illness and the influence of the myasthenia on the course of the gravidity and the delivery. The authors present one case of myasthenia and gravidity and offer some practical advises: 1.