The Technology of Homogeneous Scar Tissue Creating as a Result of Ablation of the Atrial Wall with a Radiofrequency Bipolar Clamp: an Experimental and Clinical Study.

Introduction: The objective of this study was to develop a radiofrequency ablation technique to create a homogeneous scar tissue in the atrial myocardium.

Methods: In the double-blinded morphological stage of the study, the left atrial appendage was used as an anatomical model to investigate the efficacy of one experimental and two conventional techniques to create ablation lines. Then, these lines were studied by morphologists.

The Study of Efficiency of the Approach to Prevent the Adhesions in the Abdominal Cavity of Rats.

Adhesions in rat abdominal cavity were studied after laparotomy and subsequent single intraperitoneal injection of 2 ml of 5% aqueous solution of oxidized dextran (OD) with a molecular weight of 40 kDa (oxidation degree 10%). On days 7 and 21 after laparotomy, the number of adhesions in OD-treated rats was lower by 7.5 and 4 times than in animals not receiving OD.

Destructive Processes and Fibrotic Complications in the Liver of Mice with BSG-Induced Granulomatosis Treated with Anti-Tuberculous Drugs.

Three months after infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MBT) from BCG vaccine, male BALB/с mice were treated with isonicotinic acid hydrazide, dextrazide (oxidized dextran), and liposome-encapsulated dextrazide intraperitoneally or in inhalations in a dose of 14 mg/kg (calculated for isoniazid) twice a week for 6 months. All these drugs exhibit different antimycobacterial efficiency. In the liver parenchyma, an up to 5-fold decrease in the number of destructed hepatocytes was observed depending on the efficiency of treatment.

Analysis of the Efficiency of Different Antituberculous Drugs and Approaches to Treat BCG-Induced Granulomatosis in Mice and Abundance and Localization of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the Liver.

In 3 months after infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MBT) from BCG vaccine, male BALB/с mice received intraperitoneal injections of isonicotinic acid hydrazide, dextrazide, or liposome-encapsulated dextrazide, or inhalation of liposome-encapsulated dextrazide 2 times a week for 6 months. In 6 months, no MBT were detected in macrophages outside granulomas in treated mice. Macrophages containing MBT can incorporate into granulomas and leave them after suppression of MBT persistence.

Structural Changes in the Lungs and Liver of Mice with Experimental Tuberculosis Treated with Liposome-Encapsulated Dextrazide.

Male BALB/с mice were intravenously infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv (0.5 ml of 2-week culture). One month later, treatment with liposome-encapsulated dextrazide (LEDZ, a conjugate of isonicotinic acid hydrazide (INH) and 40 kDa oxidized dextran encapsulated in phosphatidylcholine liposomes), INH, or a combination of LEDZ with INH was started.

Surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation: technique of thoracoscopic radiofrequency fragmentation of the left atrium.

Presented in the article is a detailed description of a modified technique of minimally invasive surgical treatment of patients with atrial fibrillation - thoracoscopic radiofrequency fragmentation of the left atrium. This modification differs from the prototype GALAXY procedure by a significant increase of the 'quantitative' rather than 'qualitative' parameter of surgical aggression in relation to the left atrium. This technique results in creation of multiple transmural continuous closed lines of lesion to the left atrium and, consequently, a reduced risk of inadequate surgical treatment for atrial fibrillation.

[Results of hybrid loop endarterectomy from the superficial femoral artery with the MultiTASC].

The purpose of this study was to analyse the results of hybrid loop endarterectomy from the superficial femoral artery (SFA) in its occlusion, preformed in a total of forty-two patients. Of these, 27 patients had prior to the intervention been diagnosed with stage II B ischaemia and 15 patients had been diagnosed as having critical ischaemia. Technical success of the operation amounted to 88%, with the frequency of early thromboses equalling 2.

[Biological aspects and clinical application of bone-marrow stem cells in critical lower limb ischaemia].

Critical lower-limb ischaemia (CLLI) is associated with high risk of limb loss and a lethal outcome, as well as with decreased quality of life. The underlying cause of the disease is imbalance between blood supply of ischaemized tissues and their metabolic demands. Restoration of adequate perfusion with the help of standard medicamentous therapy or operative treatment is often inefficient or impossible.

Study of Antiviral Efficiency of Oxidized Dextrans In Vitro and In Vivo.

Antiviral efficiency of oxidized dextrans (OD) with different molecular weights and oxidation degree (OD40min, OD70min, OD40max, and OD70 max) was studied in vitro and in vivo. Dextrans OD40max and OD70max prevented the development of the cytopathic effect of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus in more than 50% MDCK cells vs. control (no OD).

Preventive Effects of Oxidized Dextran on Functional Activity of Pulmonary Macrophages in Mice Infected with Influenza A Virus.

We analyzed cytokine profile of pulmonary macrophages in mice infected with highly pathogenic influenza A/H5N1 virus after preventive injections of oxidized dextran. Light microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and morphometric examinations showed that preventive injections of oxidized dextran led to more effective virus elimination, modulation of the proinflammatory cytokine response, and host antiviral response and reduce animal mortality. Our findings allow recommending oxidized dextran for further studies in order to create a vaccine with antiviral and adjuvant potencies.

Cell Death and Development of Fibrotic Alterations in Lung Granuloma of BALB/c Mice during Chronic BCG-Induced Granulomatosis.

Light microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and morphometric examinations established that cell death in lung granulomas of BCG-infected mice resulted mainly from activation of receptor-mediated apoptosis, which did not prevent the persistence of the causative agent in macrophages of the granulomas and promoted the formation of pronounced fibrosis in granulomas and pulmonary interstitium.

Effect of Oxidized Dextran on Cytokine Production and Activation of IRF3 Transcription Factor in Macrophages from Mice of Opposite Strains with Different Sensitivity to Tuberculosis Infection.

We studied differences in the production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and IRF3 transcription factor by peritoneal macrophages from mice of opposite strains CBA/J and C57Bl/6 and the effect of 60-kDa oxidized dextran on these parameters. Macrophages from C57Bl/6 mice were mainly characterized by the production of proinflammatory cytokines TNFα, IL-12, and MCP-1 (markers of M1 polarization). By contrast, CBA/J mice exhibited a relatively high level of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and lower expression of proinflammatory cytokines (M2 phenotype).

Oxidized Dextran Enhances Alternative Activation of Macrophages in Mice of Opposite Lines.

Differences in peritoneal macrophage polarization in mice of opposite lines CBA and C57Bl/6 and the effects of 60 kDa oxidized dextran were studied. Macrophages of C57Bl/6 mice demonstrated a phenotype close to M1, with increasing expression of CD86 costimulatory molecule and unchanged CD206 expression in response to activation. Macrophages of CBA mice demonstrated higher plasticity in response to activating agents; expression of the markers increased irrespectively on stimulated receptor (TLR-4 or mannose receptor) and both CD86 (classical activation) and CD206 (alternative activation) increased.

[STUDYING THE ACUTE TOXICITY OF DEXTRAN POLYALDEHYDE CONJUGATE WITH ISONICOTINIC ACID HYDRAZIDE.].

The acute toxicity of a new antubercular drug, dextran polyaldehyde conjugate with isonicotinic acid hydrazide (dextrazide), has been studied on animals, HepaRG cell line, and FRSN human skin fibroblasts. Average tolerable doses (LD(10), LD(16)), half-lethal doses (LD(50)), and lethal doses (LD(84)) of dextrazide have been determined for intraperitoneal introduction in mice and rats and intravenous injection in rabbits.

Effects of Liposomal Compositions with Oxidized Dextrans on Functional Activity of U937 Macrophage-Like Cells In Vitro.

We studied the effects of liposomal pharmaceutical compositions with oxidized dextrans on functional activity of U937 monocyte/macrophage-like cells. Liposomes in the emulsion contained oxidized dextran with a molecular weights of 40 kDa or 70 kDa or isonicotinic acid hydrazide (INAH) conjugated with oxidized dextran (40 kDa). Cell viability was evaluated by MTT test; mitochondrial transmembrane potential and production of superoxide anion and H2O2 were studied by fluorescent methods.

Modifying Effects of Nanosized Diamonds on Hydrolytic Potential of Macrophages In Vitro.

The effects of nanosized particles (4-6 nm) of synthetic diamonds on mouse macrophage expression and secretion of lysosomal cathepsins (B and D) and MMP-1 and MMP-9 were studied in vitro. Culturing of peritoneal macrophages in medium with diamond nanoparticles led to an increase in the counts of macrophages expressing the above enzymes and to stimulation of their secretion. However, the manifestations of these effects varied significantly for various enzymes.

Effectiveness of composition based on oxidized dextran in the treatment of grade IIIB skin burns.

Grade IIIB skin burns were treated with a composition based on oxidized dextran with a molecular weight of 40 kDa (oxidation of 7% glucose residues). On day 32 after burn infliction and from the start of the treatment, the area of skin defect in rats was 30% less than in the group without treatment and by 2.3 times less than in rats treated with panthenol.

Effects of preventive administration of oxidized dextran on liver injury and reparative regeneration in mice infected with influenza A/H5N1 virus.

Intranasal infection of outbred male mice with influenza A/H5N1 A/goose/Krasnoozerskoye/627/05 virus led to high (85%) mortality of animals. Morphological studies of liver specimens showed destructive changes in the parenchyma (93.5% hepatocytes), caused by long persistence of the virus in the liver.

In vitro effects of nanosized diamond particles on macrophages.

The effects of synthetic diamond nanoparticles (4-6 nm) on mouse macrophage biotropism and biocompatibility and the modulation of the macrophage functions (expression of IL-1α, TNF-α, GM-CSF, bFGF, and TGF-β) by nanoparticles in different concentrations were studied in vitro during exposure of different duration. Macrophage endocytosis of nanodiamonds increased with increasing the concentration of nanoparticles in culture and incubation time. Nanodiamonds exhibited high biotropism and biocompatibility towards macrophages; in doses of 10-20 μg/ml, they induced expression of GM-CSF and TGF-β, inhibited expression of bFGF, and did not stimulate IL-1α and TNF-α.

Experimental study of the efficiency of oxidized dextran for prevention of influenza A/H5N1.

Oxidized dextran is suggested for prevention of infection induced by influenza A/H5N1 viruses, methods of its use and doses are determined. Two intravenous injections of dextran 3 and 1 days before experimental infection of outbred mice by influenza A/H5N1 A/goose/Krasnoozerskoye/627/05 virus resulted in a high preventive dose-dependent effect: the mean lifespan was 25% prolonged, the mortality decreased 3-fold.

[Comparison of morphological features of carotid arteries atherosclerotic plaques with clinical-instrumental data in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients with severe carotid atherosclerosis].

A complex histomorphometric and clinical-instrumental analysis of atherosclerotic lesions of the carotid arteries obtained during carotid endarterectomies (CEE) of patients with hemodynamically significant stenoses was conducted. Two groups of patients were compared: symptomatic, which earlier underwent cerebral vascular accident (CVA) or transitory ischemic attacks (TIA), and asymptomatic ones with no complications of the disease. Statistical analysis of clinical and laboratory data showed no significant differences between two groups except for the level of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] in the blood plasma, which was higher (p<0.

[Oxidised dextrans influence on reactive oxygen species generation by murine peritoneal exudate phagocytic cells].

The effects of oxidized dextrans of different molecular weight on reactive oxygen species production and transmembrane mitochondrial potential of macrophages and neutrophils have been studied in vivo and in vitro. Oxidised dextrans demonstrated moderate direct antioxidant ability but induced intracellular oxidative stress through the increase of oxygen radical generation. This effect of the investigated compounds amplifies the cytotoxic and bactericidal potential of phagocytes and can influence isoniazid metabolism, thus increasing its efficiency in therapy of infectious diseases.

[Outcomes of hybrid operations in multi storeyed lesions of arteries of the aortoiliac and femoropopliteal segments].

The work was aimed at analysing immediate and remote outcomes of hybrid operations in storey atherosclerotic lesions of the aortoiliac and femoropopliteal segments. Over the period from 1997 to 2012 hybrid operations were performed in a total of 224 patients presenting with multi-storeyed lesions of iliac and lower-limb arteries, classified as TASC A, B, C, and D. The operations were carried out at departments of vascular surgery of Clinical Hospital No 83 of the Federal Biomedical Agency of Russia and the Centre of Cardiovascular and Endovascular Surgery of Clinical Hospital No 119 of the Federal Biomedical Agency of Russia.

[Hybrid surgery- a promising trend in treatment of complicated cardiovascular lesions].

The article deals with a review of scientific literature concerning hybrid cardiovascular surgery, followed by analysis various points of view on the definition of the notion hybrid operation and hybrid tactics, suggesting own definition, representing advantages of hybrid therapeutic policy in managing complex cardiovascular lesions.

[The phylogeny of Schistidium (Bryophyta, Grimmiaceae) based on primary and secondary structure study of nuclear rDNA internal transcribed spacers].

The phylogeny of Schistidium (Bryophyta, Grimmiaceae) was studied on the basis of nucleotide sequences of internal transcribed spacers ITS1-2 of nuclear DNA and trnT-trnD region of chloroplast DNA. The consistency of phylogenetic trees constructed from nuclear and chloroplast sequences was shown. A basal grade and two large clades were resolved on the phylogenetic trees.