Independent inheritance of genes regulating two subpopulations of mouse clonogenic keratinocyte stem cells

Mouse keratinocyte stem cells originate from the bulge of hair follicle, and, according to definition, possess a clonogenic activity in vitro. We have investigated seven inbred (C57BL/6, C3H, DBA/2, BALB/c, FVB) and outbred (SENCAR, CD-1) mouse strains and found that three genetically distinct subsets of mouse strains differ significantly in the frequency of clonogenic activity in vitro. The analysis of keratinocyte colonies in two reciprocal backcross [C57BL/6 x (BALB/c x C57BL/6); BALB/c x (BALB/c x C57BL/6)] and intercross [(BALB/c x C57BL/ 6)F2] of BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice allowed us to identify two subpopulations of clonogenic keratinocytes able to produce small (less than 2 mm2) and large (more than 2 mm2) colonies. We conducted linkage analysis and found that small colonies associated with mouse chromosomes 1, 6, 7, 8, and 9; but large colonies--with the chromosome 4. We defined locus on the chromosome 9 that associated with small colonies as keratinocyte stem cell locus 1 (Ksc1), and locus on the mouse chromosome 4 associated with large colonies-keratinocyte stem cell locus 2 (Ksc2). Ksc1 and loci on chromosomes 6 and 7 are close if not equal to loci associated with sensitivity to skin carcinogenesis. We conclude that two subpopulations of stem cells able to produce small and large colonies regulated by different genes and genes regulating small colonies might be responsible for sensitivity to skin carcinogenesis.     

Prognostic significance of p53, HER-2/neu,Ki-67 and VEGF expression in chondrosarcomas

Expression of the mutant protein-suppressor of tumor growth p53 and the receptor of epidermal growth factor of type II--HER-2/neu may serve as prognostic factors for patients with chondrosarcoma of malignancy grade II. Combined expression of these proteins in the tumor tissue correlates with shorter 5-year survival of recurrence-free patients. The data obtained may be used for prognosis of chondrosarcoma course and choice of adequate therapy.     

Quality problems in quantitative determination of hemoglobin in blood

Sources of errors in determination of hemoglobin were found out. The results were demonstrated to have comparison hemoglobin determination by hemiglobincyanide and hemichrome methods; this or that set of agents is of no significant advantage; to properly determine hemoglobin in the blood it is important to have calibration specimens and high quality control hemoglobin solutions; the equipment in use should be checked and calibrated; calibration hemiglobincyanide specimens produced at SPA "Renam". "Bak. preparations" and hemichrome specimens produced at JSC "Vector-Best" provide high precision of hemoglobin determination; the results of hemoglobin determination in control solutions obtained in autoanalyzers and manually, are comparable.     

Biochemical characteristics of hepatic functions in different clinical forms of chronic opisthorchiasis

The main biochemical indices of hepatic functions (the activities of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, alkaline phosphatase, alpha-amylase, choline esterase and the concentrations of total bilirubin, cholesterol, and glucose) were studied in the sera of 256 patients with chronic opisthorchiasis. It was found that with diseases manifested in different clinical forms (cholangitis, cholecystitis, cholangiocholecystitis, cholangiohepatitis, cholecystitis in combination with pancreatitis), most study indices are within the normal ranges, but significantly differ from the means in a group of apparently healthy individuals. The findings suggest that such clinical forms of opisthorchiais as cholangiocholecystitis and cholangiohepatitis are characterized by manifestations of cytolysis and cholestasis, as cholecystitis is manifested by cytolysis, as cholecystitis in combination with pancreatitis, by cholestasis, and as cholangitis, by cholestasis and hepatic cell insufficiency. It is possible that further studies will provide evidence for how to correct detected disorders during pathogenetic therapy.     

Adaptability of Opisthorchis felineus metacercariae as a result of altered phagocytic activity of polymorphonuclear neutrophils

The higher absorptivity of neutrophils during their alpha-tocopherol stimulation has been found to promote lower adaptability in the metacercariae of Opisthorchis felineus, a reverse picture was observed when cyclophosphanum was used. The antihelminthic effect of biltricide is probably to be unassociated with the changed functional activity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes, but to be determined by its direct action on helminths. This phenomenon was studied on golden hamsters inoculated with Opisthorchis felineus. On day 2 after inoculation, the following drugs were given for a fortnight: biltricide in a single dose of 60 mg/kg weight; biltricide used in a daily fractionated dose of 60 mg/kg; cyclophosphanum (6 mg/kg, every second day); alpha-tocopherol in a daily dose of 30 mg every day.     

Serological assay in the assessment of the trichinosis epidemiological situation in the Tiumen' region

A total of 3022 sera from patients with suspected trichinosis and healthy individuals were studied by enzyme immunoassay using the commercial test systems of the Ye.I. Martsinovsky Institute of Medical Parasitology and Tropical Medicine (Moscow) and of the private joint stock company "Vector-Best" (Novosibirsk). The study indicated the trichinosis situation of strain in all subjects of the Russian Federation, including the Tyumen Region. The proportion of positive serological assays during diagnostic studies was 15.4%, that of seroepidemiological surveys was 3.3%. This poor situation associated with this entity is confirmed by group, "familial", and single cases of clinical trichinosis associated with ingestion of the meat of brown bears, badgers, and dogs and pork. The presence of natural trichinosis foci in the Tyumen Region is unquestionable, there is no evidence for formed synanthropic foci. An increase in the risk of trichinosis infection in the region is favoured by both socioeconomical and environmental epizootological prerequisites associated with the factors of technogenic and anthropic pressure on the ecosystem. Growing epidemic hazard of trichinosis foci requires that controlling and preventive measures shall be included into social development programmes for the districts and south of the Tyumen Region.     

Methods of hormone replacement therapy in hypertensive women

A comparative retrospective study was made to examine influence of replacement therapy by estradiol valeriate and climonorm on perimenopausal hypertension. The test group (25 hypertensive women) received climonorm for 6 months. Control women received hypotensive therapy. Lipid metabolism and risk of vascular events were assessed. The replacement therapy had a positive effect on lipid metabolism. Criteria of Mann-Whitney, Friedmann, Wilkinson and of chi 2 were made use of. The target arterial pressure was achieved only with hypotensive therapy which also diminished intensity of menopausal disorders. To determine individual policy, it is necessary to stratify risk of cardiovascular events. The best effect is achieved at combination of hypotensive therapy with replacement hormone treatment.     

Functional status of the autonomic nervous system in patients with polyps of the vocal cords

Assessment of functional state of the autonomic nervous system (tonicity, reactivity, support of the cardiovascular system) was made in 34 patients aged 18-64 years admitted to the ENT Research Institute for removal of laryngeal tumors. All the patients were diagnosed to have polyps of the vocal folds. Comprehensive studies suggest the conclusion on morphofunctional changes in the vocal folds which combine with adaptation-trophic disorders in the autonomic nervous system.     

Reclid effects on carbohydrate, lipid metabolism, lipid peroxidation and hemodynamics in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2

Patients with diabetes mellitus type II have disorders in carbohydrate, lipid and other kinds of metabolism. This increases the risk of cardiovascular complications and atherogenesis. Therefore, it is advisable to use drugs preventing an excessive late phase of insulin secretion with resultant reduction of hyperinsulinemia. Reclid, the drug of this group, improves metabolic processes, insulin resistance, lipid metabolism, hemostasis and microcirculation. 3-month reclid therapy of patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus produced a good hypoglycemic effect in 85% of the cases. This effect consisted in reduction of basal and postprandial glycemia, levels of glycosylated hemoglobin, 24-h glucosuria. In patients with diabetes mellitus type II reclid diminished the levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, glycosylated hemoglobin. In patients with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, reclid improved transmitral blood flow. Thus, reclid provides a good metabolic control in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Moreover, it positively affects mechanisms initiating cardiovascular complications in diabetic patients.