Results of treatment of dysentery patients with streptomycin-dependent vaccine in comparison with other methods of treatment]

Comparative study of various methods of treatment was carried out on 777 patients suffering from acute dysentery with a bacteriologically confirmed diagnosis. To assess the therapeutic efficacy, along with consideration of clinical signs of the disease, immunoglobulin level was examined in the blood and coprofiltrates; also the state of reparative processes in the mucosa was appreciated by the histological examination of the biopsy material. Results of the work carried out indicated the inexpediency of the treatment of this disease with a combination of levomycetin and phthalazol. The use of live streptomycin-dependent dysentery vaccine was indicated in protracted torpid dysentery and was of no avail in acute form of the disease. A good therapeutic effect was observed with the application of pathogenetic therapy alone.     

Constitutively active calcium channels in plasma membrane of T-lymphocytes

Compensated influx and efflux of calcium ions maintain the constancy of Ca²⁺ concentration in cytoplasm of quiescent cells under variable external conditions. In cell plasma membrane there exist several types of Ca²⁺ channels with different properties, regulation mechanisms, and pharmacology. Using fluorescent Ca²⁺-sensitive probes, we have shown here that in T-lymphocytes under resting conditions, Ca²⁺ influx occurs through special constitutively active Ca²⁺ channels, permeable to Ni²⁺ and Mn²⁺. These channels differ from the receptor-activated SOC channels, from Ca²⁺ channels activated by arachidonic acid, and from calmidazolium-activated channels. Ca²⁺ influx rate in quiescent cells increases with a rise in temperature (Q₁₀ =1.9). The strong dependence of the constitutively active channel activity on temperature coincided with the plasma membrane Ca²⁺-ATPase dependence, indicating that intracellular enzymes regulate the channel activity. To identify the constitutively active channel, we analyzed the effects of L-type Ca²⁺ channels, SOC channels, Ca²⁺-independent phospholipase A2, and calmodulin inhibitors. Of all inhibitors listed only dihydropyridine blocker of L-type voltage-dependent Ca²⁺ channels, isradipin, at a concentration of 1.5 μM completely suppressed calcium influx. However, the channels did not exhibit sensitivity to changes in membrane potential. Our observations testify to the existence of a new nonselective Ca²⁺ channel in T-lymphocyte plasma membrane and characterize the new channels pharmacologically. The results obtained are important for understanding the regulation mechanisms of Ca²⁺ channels in plasma membrane of non-excitable cells.     

In vivo efficacy of Ingavirin against pandemic A (H1N1/09)v influenza virus

Ingavirin was shown to be efficient in inhibition of the pandemic influenza virus strains A/California/04/2009 (H1N1)v, A/California/07/2009 (H1N1)v, A/Moscow/225/2009 (H1N1)v and A/Moscow/226/2009 (H1N1)v. as well as the influenza virus strain A/Aichi/2/68 (H3N2) in the lungs of the infected mice. After oral administration of Ingavirin the titers of the influenza virus strains in the lung homogenates lowered.     

A combined effect of cortisol and concanavalin A on calcium ion contents in thymic lymphocytes]

The influence of hydrocortisone (1-10 microM) on mitogen-induced Ca level was studied in cytoplasma thymocytes of rat. The investigation was conducted with the use of fluorescence technique (FURA-2AM). A specific Ca-blocking effect of the hormone was observed in the thymocytes of intact animals. Hydrocortisone did not change Ca-response of mitogen-stimulated hormone-resistant thymic lymphocytes. A conclusion was made about applicability of this method to assess the response of the cells to glucocorticoids in vitro.