A spatially specified systems pharmacology therapy for axonal recovery after injury.

There are no known drugs or drug combinations that promote substantial central nervous system axonal regeneration after injury. We used systems pharmacology approaches to model pathways underlying axonal growth and identify a four-drug combination that regulates multiple subcellular processes in the cell body and axons using the optic nerve crush model in rats. We intravitreally injected agonists HU-210 (cannabinoid receptor-1) and IL-6 (interleukin 6 receptor) to stimulate retinal ganglion cells for axonal growth.

Dynamic balance between vesicle transport and microtubule growth enables neurite outgrowth.

Whole cell responses involve multiple subcellular processes (SCPs). To understand how balance between SCPs controls the dynamics of whole cell responses we studied neurite outgrowth in rat primary cortical neurons in culture. We used a combination of dynamical models and experiments to understand the conditions that permitted growth at a specified velocity and when aberrant growth could lead to the formation of dystrophic bulbs.

A biomimetic gelatin-based platform elicits a pro-differentiation effect on podocytes through mechanotransduction.

Using a gelatin microbial transglutaminase (gelatin-mTG) cell culture platform tuned to exhibit stiffness spanning that of healthy and diseased glomeruli, we demonstrate that kidney podocytes show marked stiffness sensitivity. Podocyte-specific markers that are critical in the formation of the renal filtration barrier are found to be regulated in association with stiffness-mediated cellular behaviors. While podocytes typically de-differentiate in culture and show diminished physiological function in nephropathies characterized by altered tissue stiffness, we show that gelatin-mTG substrates with Young's modulus near that of healthy glomeruli elicit a pro-differentiation and maturation response in podocytes better than substrates either softer or stiffer.

Double Filtration Plasmapheresis in Treatment of Patients With Co-Infection of Hepatitis C and Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

One of the main causes of mortality of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients are complications of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV). Combining drug therapy for HCV with double filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP) has significantly increased the effectiveness of treatment for these patients. However, there are no data on the use of this method for the treatment of patients co-infected with HIV and HCV.

[The effect of a syringe-exchange program on a decrease in the risk of HIV infection among intravenous narcotic abusers in the city of Rostov-on-Don].

The necessity and effectiveness of introducing the program of the exchange of syringes for intravenous drug users as a preventive and antiepidemic measure are discussed. Preventive and antiepidemic measures within the concept of harm reduction are described. The comparative analysis of materials obtained as a result of two sociological questionings, carried out in 1997-1998 among the representatives of the community (random nonrepeating choice) and in the middle of 1999 among the participants of the program revealed that the participants of the program had statistically significant changes in risky behavior patterns during the use of injection drugs.

[The behavioral risk factors for contracting HIV infection in the intravenous administration of narcotics in abusers of psychoactive substances in the city of Rostov-on-Don].

150 persons (drug users) who had applied to the department of psycho-social consultations and voluntary tests for the presence of HIV infection and STD of the Regional AIDS Control Center, as well as partners of HIV-infected addicts in the intravenous use of drugs, were examined. Out of 150 examined persons 63 were found to be positive for HIV infection. Among dangerous behavioral patterns, characteristic of drug addicts introducing drugs intravenously, the practice of repeated aspiration of the drug into syringes from the dose of the drug solution, common for the whole group of addicts, was noted as the most widespread habit.

[The characteristics of HIV infection during a sharp activation of the epidemic process in Rostov Province].

A considerable growth in cases of HIV infection in Rostov Province was registered in 1996-1997. Number of men was 525, number of women--196 cases, were registered. The highest index of HIV infection was noted in group of tested by epidemiological evidence (4494,4 per 100,000 tested persons), which was 57.

[Atherogenesis and the acute-phase reaction of the liver].

Data from literature are given on the role of "acute phase" proteins in inflammation and their connection with lipoproteins. Intensive production of acute phase proteins is shown to take place in modelling of experimental atherosclerosis. The hypothesis is proposed that allows to consider the acute phase reaction of the liver as a very important condition of modified lipoproteins formation acquiring autoantigenic properties.

[The role of immune inflammation in atherogenesis].

Data on cellular-molecular aspects of the development of immune inflammation in vascular wall under atherogenesis are considered. Own results and literature data on the investigation of mechanism of adhesion of agrannulated leucocytes on endothelium, role of macrophages and T-cells in modification of apoprotein B-containing lipoproteins, production and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and acute phage proteins by "intima" cells are considered. A conception evaluating atherogenesis as a local immune inflammation in the arterial wall is considered.

[Experimental study of a new biological preparation for treating E. coli infection and Proteus dysbacteriosis in young infants].

The action of a new biological preparation intended for the treatment of E. coli infection and Proteus dysbacteriosis in children has been studied in experiments on mice and suckling rabbits. The protective activity of anti-E.