[Phytoecdysteroids: structure, sources and biosynthetic pathways in plants].

Data on the content of ecdysteroids in plant sources are given and the ecdysteroid biosynthesis and role in plants are discussed.

[Current concepts of oxalate nephropathies (clinical and population studies)].

The paper presents the results of clinical and laboratory examination made in 3 groups of children: populational, hospital and control (a total of 176 patients). The children were diagnosed to have variants of dysmetabolic nephropathy (DN) which had become a problem not only for urolithiasis-endemic regions, but also for the Middle Russia. The study involving characterization of cytomembranes, renal tissue biopsy allowed conclusion on nonspecific DN symptoms.