Sulfalene pharmacogenetics. I. The genetic determination of the pharmacokinetic indices

Genetic determination of pharmacokinetics of sulfalen, a new antibacterial drug, has been studied in 28 twin pairs of Moscow Russian population. In order to determine the degree of heritability of such pharmacokinetic parameters of sulfalen as t 1/2 (half-life); Vd and delta (apparent and specific volumes of distribution) and Co (apparent initial concentration) Holtsinger H-statistics values have been calculated, which are 0.891, 0.866, 0.766 and 0.797 respectively. Possible causes of discrepancies between these values and the coefficients of genetic determination G, calculated by decomposition of general phenotypical dispercion of the parameters via the main equation of quantitative traits of genetics are given (0.913, 0.762, 0.828, 0.856 in that order). The data obtained make it possible to assume that genetic determination t 1/2 of sulfalen is carried out within the system of monogenous interaction (HD = 0.91, HA = 0), that of Vd and Co--within the system of additive-polygenous interaction, while linear and non-linear effects contribute to delta determination (HD = 0.232, HA = 0.596).     

Variation in Fine Root Characteristics and Nutrient Dynamics Across Alaskan Ecosystems

Ecosystems - Carbon cycle perturbations in high-latitude ecosystems associated with rapid warming can have implications for the global climate. Belowground biomass is an important component of the...     

Male- and female-specific variants of doublesex gene products have different roles to play towards regulation of Sex combs reduced expression and sex comb morphogenesis in Drosophila

Sexually dimorphic characters have two-fold complexities in pattern formation as they have to get input from both somatic sex determination as well as the positional determining regulators. Sex comb development in Drosophila requires functions of the somatic sex-determining gene doublesex and the homeotic gene Sex combs reduced. Attempts have not been made to decipher the role of dsx in imparting sexually dimorphic expression of SCR and the differential function of sex-specific variants of dsx products in sex comb development. Our results in this study indicate that male-like pattern of SCR expression is independent of dsx function, and dsx ^F must be responsible for bringing about dimorphism in SCR expression, whereas dsx ^M function is required with Scr for the morphogenesis of sex comb.     

Acute outcome of treating patients admitted with electrical storm in a tertiary care centre

Background

Electrical storm (ES) is a life threatening emergency. There is little data available regarding acute outcome of ES.

Aims

The study aimed to analyze the acute outcome of ES, various treatment modalities used, and the factors associated with mortality.

Methods

This is a retrospective observational study involving patients admitted with ES at our centre between 1/1/2007 and 31/12/2013.

Results

41 patients (mean age 54.61 ± 12.41 years; 86.7% males; mean ejection fraction (EF) 44.51 ± 16.48%) underwent treatment for ES. Hypokalemia (14.63%) and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) (14.63%) were the commonest identifiable triggers. Only 9 (21.95%) patients already had an ICD implanted. Apart from antiarrhythmic drugs (100%), deep sedation (87.8%), mechanical ventilation (24.39%) and neuraxial modulation using left sympathetic cardiac denervation (21.95%) were the common treatment modalities used. Thirty-three (80.49%) patients could be discharged after a mean duration of 14.2 ± 2.31 days. Eight (19.5%) patients died in hospital. The mortality was significantly higher in those with EF < 35% compared to those with a higher EF (8 (42.11% vs 0 (0%), p = 0.03)). There was no significant difference in mortality between those with versus without a structural heart disease (8 (21.1% vs 0 (0%), p = 0.32)). Comparison of mortality an ACS with ES versus ES of other aetiologies (3 (50%) vs 5 (14.29) %, p = 0.076)) showed a trend towards significance.

Conclusion

With comprehensive treatment, there is reasonable acute survival rate of ES. Hypokalemia and ACS are the commonest triggers of ES. Patients with low EF and ACS have higher mortality.     

Lipoxin B, an enhancing factor of spontaneous platelet aggregation in whole blood

The arachidonic acid metabolites, lipoxin B (5,14,15-trihydroxy-6,8,10,12-eicosatetraenoate) and 5,15-dihydroxy-eicosatetraenoate were shown to possess a marked effect on platelet aggregation and procoagulant activity. Lipoxin B increases and 5,15-dihydroxy-eicosatetraenoate decreases spontaneous platelet aggregation and procoagulant activity when added at various concentrations. The drugs tested were found to have no direct action on blood coagulation.     

Effect of a low-frequency alternating magnetic field on the formation of avoidance reflexes in the rat

Alternating magnetic field with induction of 3 mTl, frequency of 10 Hz, homogenous, with impulses of sinusoidal form and a vector with horizontal direction, produces an inhibitory effect on the formation of avoidance reflexes in white rats. The after-effect of the field lasts less than 1 hour.     

Localization of motor and speech cortex in the brain with functional magnetic resonance tomography

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used for non-invasive mapping of cerebral cortex. The purpose of the study was evaluation of applicability of functional MRI for studies of neurosurgical patients. 32 volunteers (mean age 37.8 +/- 20.9 years) and 16 patients with brain tumors (mean age 36.2 +/- 24.2 years) were included in the study. Statistical analysis of the data obtained was performed. Activation maps were superimposed on anatomical images and discussed with neurosurgeons. Functional MRI studies were successful in localising the motor cortex and Broca's area in 89% of cases. In 69% of cases, results of the functional MRI influenced the patients' treatment.     

Microbiological analysis of cryopegs from the Varandei Peninsula,Barents Sea

The paper deals with the microbiological characterization of water-saturated horizons in permafrost soils (cryopegs) found on the Varandei Peninsula (Barents Sea coast), 4–20 m deep. The total quantity of bacteria in the water of cryopegs was 3.5 × 10⁸ cells/ml. The population of cultivated aerobic heterotrophic bacteria was 3–4 × 10⁷ cells/ml and the number of anaerobic heterotrophic bacteria varied from 10² to 10⁵ cells/ml depending on cultivation temperature and salinity. Sulfate-reducing bacteria and methanogenic archaea were found as hundreds and tens of cells per ml of water, respectively. A pure culture of a sulfate-reducing strain B15 was isolated from borehole 21 and characterized. Phylogenetic analysis has shown that the new bacterium is a member of the genus Desulfovibrio with Desulfovibrio mexicanus as its closest relative (96.5% similarity). However, the significant phenotypic differences suggest that strain B15 is a new species of sulfate-reducing bacteria.