Methodological aspects of hygienic standardization of pesticide level in food products

On the basis of a significant amount of experimental studies of toxic effect of pesticides attributed to different groups of chemical substances a rapid calculating and experimental technique for hygienic standardization of pesticide content in foodstuffs has been set forth. The proposed technique enables one to define quickly and safely the threshold and inert pesticide doses and to reduce general duration of toxicologic experiments by 35%.     

The hemostatic homeostasis of patients with malignant neoplasms of the larynx, stomach and uterine cervix during radiotherapy and radiosensitization with metronidazole

In 90 patients with malignant neoplasia of larynx, stomach and cervix uteri the functional state of hemostasis was investigated within the process of radiotherapy and in radiotherapy and radiosensitization by metronidazole. Aim of this work is to answer the question if metronidazole affects the state of organism besides its effect on radiosensitivity of tumor tissue, especially the system of hemostasis, the impairment of which can not seldom result in thrombohemorrhagic complications in oncologic patients as is known. It was pointed out that the thrombophilic status of the blood of patients with stomach carcinoma continues to be unchanged and the patients are endangered for thrombosis potentially. In consequences of radiotherapy and doses of metronidazole the capacity for adhesion is decreased in thrombocytes of patients with laryngeal and cervical carcinomas to a high degree, whereby the thrombogenic potential of blood is reduced and with that the risk for origin of intravascular thrombosis.     

Antioxidative activity of histochrome and some other drugs used in ophthalmology]

The antioxidative activity (AOA) of histochrome (2,3,5,6,8-pentahydroxy-7-ethyl-1,4-naphthoquinone) and some other drugs with antioxidant properties used in ophthalmology has been studied in the hemoglobin--hydrogen peroxide--luminol system. The AOA of histochrome, ascorbate, dicinon, rutin, quercetin, and dihydroquercetin is comparable to that of trolox, the reference antioxidant in our studies. The drugs (in physiological concentrations) listed above are characterized by a high AOA. Cerebrolysin was 300 times less active than trolox, and emoxipin showed no antioxidant properties. Lacrimal AOA increased after a parabulbar injection of histochrome. Histochrome is believed to be a perspective antioxidant for the treatment of ocular diseases.     

A working classification and nomenclature of rheumatic diseases (pediatric aspects)

The authors provide the working classification of rheumatic diseases prepared by a large group of scientists under the aegis of the All-Union Society of Rheumatologists and under the guidance of V. A. Nasonova, Academician of the USSR AMS. In preparing the final variant of the classification use was made of the experience gained by therapists in cooperation with pediatricians.     

Echocardiographic study of heart function in systemic scleroderma

Echocardiographic investigation of 65 patients with systemic scleroderma showed that the left ventricular sizes and indices of central hemodynamics were frequently lowered in them; an increase in sizes was observed mainly in the patients with stage II-III of disease. In 3/4 of the same patients pericarditis was revealed; on the whole, it was detected in 26 (40%) examinees. One patient had changes which were typical of asymmetric obstructive cardiopathy. In location of the valvular apparatus signs of mitral stenosis were found in one patient, those of mitral insufficiency in one patient and those of aortic insufficiency in one patient. Signs of mitral prolapse were noted in 7 (10.9%) patients, i.e. twice more frequently than in the entire population. Echocardiography made it possible to specify the nature of cardiac pathology and brought to light some additional features of the involvement of different heart membranes in systemic scleroderma.     

Clinical aspects and diagnosis of diffuse eosinophilic fasciitis

The authors presented an analysis of 10 cases of eosinophilic fasciitis (EF): 6 men and 4 women aged 18 to 55. In 4 patients the disease followed excessive physical exercise. Pronounced induration of the limb tissues with the development of flexion contractures, hypereosinophilia prevailed in the clinical picture of the disease, morphology showed a picture of fasciitis. A positive time course was noted in the presence of corticosteroid therapy which in 2 patients was combined with azathioprine and carbohemoperfusion. Besides, there was a patient with the combination of the classical signs of scleredema and EF. EF appears to be a nosological entity. The probability of combined forms requires a further study.     

Immunological aspects of laboratory diagnosis of chronic urticaria

High prevalence of allergic diseases necessitates search for new methods of laboratory diagnosis thereof. We studied the diagnostic significance of the count of cells expressing low-affinity receptors to IgE (CD23+ cells) and compared this test with skin tests with non-infectious allergens and measurement of total serum IgE. 104 patients with various forms of chronic relapsing urticaria were examined. The count of CD23+ cells was markedly increased in atopic urticaria. The increase in the count of these cells and correlation with the results of skin test were less expressed in infectious allergic urticaria. In other forms of chronic urticaria characterized by negative results of skin tests the count of CD23+ cells was normal. The level of total serum IgE was low virtually in all patients. Hence, the count of cells carrying low-affinity receptors to IgE is highly informative, detecting IgE-mediated reactions in the patients, though this parameter does not allow identification of the allergen. This test can be used in complex with other methods of allergodiagnosis, particularly in cases when skin tests are for this or that reason impossible.