Magnetic resonance imaging in the differential diagnosis of chronic endometritis: capacities and methodic features

By examining 83 females aged 17-48 years by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the authors conclude that the specificity and sensitivity of the technique without MR contrast agents in detecting chronic endometritis (CE) and chronic metroendometritis (CME) are 75.3 and 95.9%, respectively. On the MRI scans, hypertrophic and atrophic forms of CE have rather specific MR signs and appear as changes not only in the functional layer of the endometrium and transitional area, but also in the proper myometrium in CME. This all permits evaluating the degree of uterine wall involvement in the pathological process. Overall, the MRI criteria proposed by the authors can identify the signs of a chronic inflammatory process and its sequels and make a differential diagnosis this condition with female genital diseases to a high accuracy.     

The Effect of Multiple Paternity on Genetic Diversity of Small Populations during and after Colonisation

Genetic variation within and among populations is influenced by the genetic content of the founders and the migrants following establishment. This is particularly true if populations are small, migration rate low and habitats arranged in a stepping-stone fashion. Under these circumstances the level of multiple paternity is critical since multiply mated females bring more genetic variation into founder groups than single mated females. One such example is the marine snail Littorina saxatilis that during postglacial times has invaded mainland refuge areas and thereafter small islands emerging due to isostatic uplift by occasional rafting of multiply mated females. We modelled effects of varying degrees of multiple paternity on the genetic variation of island populations colonised by the founders spreading from the mainland, by quantifying the population heterozygosity during both the transient colonisation process, and after a steady state (with migration) has been reached. During colonisation, multiple mating by males increased the heterozygosity by in comparison with single paternity, while in the steady state the increase was compared with single paternity. In the steady state the increase of heterozygosity due to multiple paternity is determined by a corresponding increase in effective population size. During colonisation, by contrast, the increase in heterozygosity is larger and it cannot be explained in terms of the effective population size alone. During the steady-state phase bursts of high genetic variation spread through the system, and far from the mainland this led to short periods of high diversity separated by long periods of low diversity. The size of these fluctuations was boosted by multiple paternity. We conclude that following glacial periods of extirpation, recolonization of isolated habitats by this species has been supported by its high level of multiple paternity.     

Notch signaling mediates melanoma–endothelial cell communication and melanoma cell migration

Stromal and cellular components within the tumor microenvironment significantly influence molecular signals mediating tumor growth and progression. We recently performed a screen to evaluate critical mediators of melanoma–endothelial communication and identified several molecular pathways associated with these cellular networks, including Notch3. Here, we evaluate the nature of melanoma–endothelial communication mediated by Notch3 and its functional significance. We find that Notch3 is specifically upregulated in melanoma–endothelial cell cocultures and is functionally associated with increased Notch signaling in melanoma cells. Furthermore, induced Notch3 signaling in melanoma cell lines leads to enhanced tumor cell migration without associated increases in tumor cell growth. Additionally, Notch3 expression is specifically associated with malignant patient samples and is not evident in benign nevi. We conclude that Notch3 mediates melanoma–endothelial cell communication and tumor cell migration and may serve as a meaningful therapeutic target for this aggressive malignancy.     

The age-related features of influence biofeedback training on efficiency of functional state voluntary regulation in young schoolchildren

The aim of the study was to assess an impact of biofeedback training (5 sessions) onto the voluntary regulation of the brain functional state (relaxation) in two groups of children of 7-8 and 9-10 years old. EEG alpha-band spectral coherence and skin resistance were measured during pre-relaxation, relaxation and post-relaxation phases before and after training. Short-term memory test was used to evaluate behavioral changes in functional state regulation before and after training. The group of children of 9-10 y.o. was the only group that showed any significant relaxation-related changes of spectral coherence in alpha-band after training. Besides, that group showed a significant post-relaxation improvement in short-term memory volume. We found a number of individual psychophysiological indices that influenced an efficiency of the biofeedback training.     

Activation of human RNase L by 2'- and 5'-O-methylphosphonate-modified oligoadenylates

To determine the influence of internucleotide linkage and sugar ring conformation, and the role of 5'-terminal phosphate, on the activation of human RNase L, a series of 2'- and 5'-O-methylphosphonate-modified tetramers were synthesized from appropriate monomeric units and evaluated for their ability to activate human RNase L. Tetramers pAAAp(c)X modified by ribo, arabino or xylo 5'-phosphonate unit p(c)X activated RNase L with efficiency comparable to that of natural activator. Moreover, incorporation of phosphonate linkages ensured the stability against cleavage by nucleases. The substitution of 5'-terminal phosphate for 5'-terminal phosphonate in tetramer p(c)XAAA afforded tetramers with excellent activation efficiency and with complete stability against cleavage by phosphomonoesterases.     

Structural bases for the invasion of the causative agents of experimental Pseudomonas aeruginosa sepsis into the bloodstream from the primary septic focus

The soft tissues around the implant with a suspension of P. aeruginosa were studied by light and electron microscopy. Severe damages to structures of the histohematic barrier, phagocytes were revealed as was the bacterial invasion into thrombosed vessels of the microcirculatory bed. The mechanism of the micrometabolism as playing the key role in the bacterial penetration from the primary septic focus into the common bloodstream is discussed.     

Pyocyaneus infection of burn wounds]

Materials of clinico-bacteriological study of 302 patients with thermal burns of different severity pointed to a considerable elevation of the incidence of Ps. aeruginosa isolation (in cultures) from burn wounds; the last few years it was found in about 50% of the cases. The greater frequency of Ps. aeruginosa detection correlated with the increase of the severity of the affection. By using Soviet set of 17 type agglutinating sera it was possible to type almost 90% of the Ps. aeruginosa cultures isolated from the wounds; a marked prevalence (over 70% of the strains) of cultures belonging to the serological group II was revealed. Patients admitted to the burn centre at early periods after the trauma displayed infection of the wound with the Ps. aeruginosa strain of the II serological group.     

Characterization of the composition of the aqueous humor and the vitreous body of the eye of the frog Rana temporaria L

This study aimed to analyze the aqueous humor (AH) and the vitreous body (VB) of the eye of the adult frog Rana temporaria L. as a representative species of amphibians, which lead a semi-terrestrial life. The presence of collagen, albumin, uric acid and electron donors was shown in both media; however, there are slight differences in their concentrations. To determine collagen, a spectral-fluorescent probe, cyanine dye, was used. The presence of collagen in AH of the frog was found at the first time. The total content of electron donors (ascorbic and uric acids, tryptophan, and tyrosine) in VB and HA was roughly estimated at ~ 1.5 × 10^− 4 mol/L. Both VB and AH absorb light in similar UV regions. The total protein and albumin contents in AH were found to be somewhat higher than those in VB. The uric acid content was at an equally low level in both intraocular media. It is supposed that the similarity of VB and AH compositions shown in this work is due to some exchange between VB and AH contents in the course of accommodation. The role of intraocular fluids in physiological functions of the eye and in protecting the retina against UV light is discussed.