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The Werdnig-Hoffmann syndrome is an infantile form of hereditary spinal progressive muscle atrophy with an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance with a frequency of 1 per 10,000 population. The data on the complex ultramicroscopic study of the spinal cord and deltoid muscle of a clinical case of Verdnig-Hoffmann syndrome in a newborn male child who died at the age of 1 month are given. Rubella virus patterns of the RNA were isolated in serum and spinal cord tissue samples. Changes in the structure of the spinal cord and deltoid muscle are described. An ultrastructural study showed the presence of a virus in the tissue of the spinal cord and vascular endothelial cells of the muscle. In the tissue of the spinal cord against the destruction of neurons was detected rubella virus. Viral particles were localized both in the cytoplasm of preserved oligodendrocytes and diffusely in destructively altered tissue of the spinal cord. The number of cells in the spinal cord tissue was reduced, the structure of their mitochondria was disturbed, and vacuolization of the cytoplasm was detected. For myelin fibers there is inherent heterogeneity of the thickness of the membranes, uneven distribution, deformation of the contours, and variability of diameters. Myelin fibers stratified, fragmented, osmiophilia lost. In the study of muscle samples prevailed destructively modified muscle fibers. At the same time, against the background of an unevenly pronounced atrophy of muscle fibers, the reproduction of the rubella virus in the cytoplasm of capillary endotheliocytes and pericytes of muscle vessels was detected. The etiological role of the rubella virus in the onset of the clinical symptoms constituting spinal muscular atrophy syndrome as a variant of congenital rubella has been suggested. .

The synergistic action of the cytostatic drug cyclophosphamide (CP) and fragmented exogenous DNA causes illness and death in mice (Dolgova et al., 2011–2013). The observed “delayed death” effect was most clearly pronounced when the DNA preparation was administered 18 to 30 h after CP treatment. This time span was termed the “death window.” It was found that injections of exogenous DNA result in a sustained increase in bone-marrow cell (BMC) apoptosis, which occurs throughout the time of DNA administration (18–30 h). Exogenous DNA, both allogeneic and belonging to various taxa, induces BMC apoptosis. Plasmid DNA has the greatest effect on apoptosis induction. The analysis of reduction and restoration of the BMC subpopulations as the mice progressed to death revealed a virtually complete loss of the 12–20-μm fraction of the cell population (about 3–4% vs. 35–40% in the control), which corresponds to the maximum leukopenia on day 3 after CP treatment. However, the relative number of CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) from day 15 and until the end of the observation constituted 1.2–1.4%, which corresponds to the wild-type range. Comparison of BMC smears from the sternal bone marrow of the CP and CP + DNA groups of mice indicated that the BMC populations isolated from CP + DNA animals lack young committed lymphopoiesis progenitor cells. Moreover, the affected mice had immature blast cell types in their blood, which was never observed in healthy or CP-treated mice. Pathological and morphological analyses show that starting from posttreatment day 9, mice that received CP + DNA preparations displayed pronounced morphological changes in their lungs, liver, pancreas, central and peripheral immune system organs, and brain. Most of the pathological changes observed are consistent with a severe inflammatory response. This suggestion was proven by structural equivalents of functional involution of lymphoid organs, such as the thymus, spleen, and lymph nodes. We speculate that the death of treated animals resulted from multiple organ dysfunctions caused by accidental involution of lymphoid organs and the systemic inflammatory response syndrome, both associated with injections of fragmented exogenous DNA into experimental animals within the “death window,” which corresponds to the final step in the repair of the majority of CP-induced double-strand breaks.

Injections of exogenous DNA combined with a cytostatic agent cyclophosphamide (CP) cause illness and death in experimental mice. This phenomenon is referred to as delayed death. It has been found that fragments of exogenous DNA reach the bone marrow and enter the bone marrow cells (BMCs) 1–5 min after injections. Fragments of exogenous DNA are captured from culture medium by BMCs generated ex vivo. After joint incubation with BMCs of mice, the fragments of exogenous DNA are internalized into internal compartments in a nondegraded form. Up to 1800 kb of nucleic acid material can be present in each cell of BMCs generated ex vivo and treated with fragments of exogenous DNA. The fragments of exogenous DNA internalized in BMCs generated ex vivo of both intact and CP pretreated mice become circularized. In the case of intact mice, the fragments of exogenous DNA can form high-molecular weight structures in vivo. It is suggested that the exogenous fragments localized in BMC nuclei integrate into chromosome(s) of the recipient mouse genome when treated with CP and exogenous DNA.

Bronchial biopsies were studied in inhabitants from 3 ecologically contrasting regions in the long term after exposure to radiation. It is established that in bronchial biopsies diffuse atrophy of the mucous membrane is prevalent in the bronchial part of the lungs in an ecologically unfavorable region. Under these conditions a marked decrease of metabolic and proliferative reactions is shown in cell populations of the bronchial wall, as is evident from the data of radioautographyin vitro and stereological analysis.

The study of basic biological properties of H5N1 subtype strain isolated during an outbreak among wild birds in Russia in 2010 was presented. The study was carried out using conventional methods according to the WHO recommendations. H5N1 influenza virus isolated in Siberia belonged to clade 2.3.2 of the hemagglutinin gene; the phylogenetic analysis was performed. The antigenic characteristics and the basic genetic markers of biological properties were studied. It was shown that all strains were highly pathogenic for chickens and white mice. Thus, it was shown that in Russia in the 2010 H5N1 virus phylogenetically closely related to Asian variants caused epizootic among wild birds. The potential danger of this variant of the virus for humans was confirmed by different methods. We discussed the possibility of formation of H5N1 influenza natural focus.

Genetical features of the A(H1N1) influenza virus strain that caused the 2009 pandemic are analyzed in the review. Mutations typical for this strain, unique and similar to influenza viruses of swine, avian and seasonal types, and phenotypic (pathologic) features associated with them, that are experimentally confirmed, are described. A possibility of reassortation of avian and swine influenza viruses and possible epidemiologic consequences are discussed.

Cells from the rat bronchoalveolar lavage fluid comprising over 70% of neutrophils were labeled with 51Cr and administered intraperitoneally or intravenously to control animals and to rats which were injected subcutaneously with 2 mg of ketalog 5 days before the onset of experiment. Blood samples, lung, hepatic, splenic, renal, small intestinal, and muscular biposies were taken 1 hour after cell infusion. The intraperitoneal administration of 51Cr-labeled neutrophils did not significantly increase the radioactivity count rate in any organ examined. The rise was most notable in the lungs after v/v infusion of labeled neutrophils. Rats given kenalog showed a low level of radioactivity in the lung tissue compared with controls probably because the glucocorticoid caused a specific change in the mechanism of uptake of labeled neutrophils.

The work purpose was comparative studying the number change and functional activity of macrophages and neutrophils both in lungs and in peritoneal cavity under the influence of a synthetic glucocorticoid kenalog (Kn). Kn was entered to rats Wistar unitary subcutaneously in a dose of 2 mg/kg (experience), the control rats obtained similarly 0.9% solution NaCl. The cell number of rat bronchoalveolar lavage liquid (BALL) and peritoneal lavage liquid (PLL) was defined in different terms after that. In cell monolayers of BALL we estimated ability of alveolar macrophages (AMph) and neutrophils to engulf of Staphylococcus and to generate of superoxide-anionradicals. In cell monolayers of PLL we estimated the functional activity of peritoneal macrophages (PMph) and neutrophils by means of the same tests. Through 6 (see symbol) after introduction Kn in BALL there was the reduction, and through 5 days--the increase of total cell number with the maximum of neutrophil accumulation and their considerable prevalence over AMph on number, phagocyte and superoxide-producing activity. At the same time the cell number in PLL was decreased and reached a minimum for 5 days after Kn-introduction with considerable decrease of phagocyte and superoxide-producing ability both PMph and neutrophils. The differing action of glucocorticoids on macrophages and neutrophils of different organism compartments and recruitment of considerable quantity of neutrophils, possessing in destructive potential, into lungs can serve as an explanation of many cases when high-dose glucocorticoid therapy is not effective and may be even harmful at attempts of preventing acute respiratory distress-syndrome.

To study antiviral activity of extracts obtained from basidial fungi against influenza viruses of different subtypes.Antiviral activity of extracts obtained from basidial fungi against influenza virus A/chicken/Kurgan/05/2005 (H5N1) was determined in in vitro experiments. Changes in infectiousness of pandemic influenza virus A/Moscow/226/2009 (HIN1)v caused by extracts of basidial fungi was studied in experiments in vitro and in vivo.Seventy water extracts of basidial fungi were studied, of which 10 were able to inhibit infectiousness of influenza virus strain A/ chicken/Kurgan/05/2005 (H5N1) in MDCK cell culture. Also, several studied extracts decreased infectiousness of pandemic influenza virus strain A/ Moscow/226/2009 (H1N1)v in MDCK cells and inhibit its reproduction in lungs of infected mice.High antiviral activity of extracts obtained from basidial fungi against influenza viruses opens perspectives for development of drugs with preventive and treatment effects.

To analyze influenza viruses isolated in the 2008-2009 autumn-winter season, and to test sera collected in the south of Western Siberia during the beginning and the end of the epidemic seasons from 2007 until the A/H1N1 pandemic.Total 149 clinical samples were analyzed and 2190 blood sera were tested. During the 2008-2009 season 17 influenza viruses were isolated. 9 of these were A/H1N1, 5-were A/H3N2, and 3 were influenza B viruses. The nucleotide sequences and amino acid composition of influenza A virus hemagglutinin (HA) were compared with reference strains.Among A/H1N1 viruses circulating in Novosibirsk region three viruses contained four amino acid replacements in antigen sites Ca, Cb and Sb. In A/ H3N2 viruses from Novosibirsk, 2 amino acid substitutions were detected in antigen sites B and E.Based on genotyping influenzae epidemic on February to April of 2009 in the south of western Siberia was associated with influenza viruses A/H1N1, A/H3N2, and B. All A/H3N2 influenza virus isolates were variants of reference A/Brisbane/10/2007(H3N2) and A/ H1N1 influenza viruses isolates were similar to reference A/Brisbane/59/2007(H1N1).

Twenty one strains of rubella virus were isolated in the Western Siberia during 2004-2006 epidemic period. Genotyping of isolated strains was performed by partial sequencing of glycoprotein E1 gene. Phylogenetic analysis showed that 20 out of 21 isolated in the Western Siberia strains of rubella virus belonged to genotype 1g, and 1 strain (isolated in Altai region in 2006)--to genotype 1E.

The morphology and virus localization were studied in the microcapsulated measles vaccine formulation involving polyacrylic acid (PAA) copolymers as a matrix. Transmission electron microscopy and phosphotungsic staining at a pH value of 2 to 7 showed that the morphology of microparticles was related to the value of pH and to the concentration of a polymer in the matrix. In the neutral medium, the microcapsules had the sizes of 0.5 to 10 microm, which were optimal for transport through the intestinal wall when immunization was orally used. Immunocytochemistry revealed measles virus antigen within the microparticles. The specific activity of the microcapsulated formulation of measles virus was as high as 3.36 and 4.31 lg of TCD50/0.5 ml for the samples containing 1 and 0.1% polymer, respectively. The findings suggest that the microparticles of the vaccine contain live measles virus.

The specific features of reproduction of EP-2 strain of cowpox virus (CPV) were studied in intranasally infected BALC/C mice by light and electron microscopy. Virus replication was found in the ciliated, intercalary, basal, and goblet cells (the nasal respiratory area), basal and supporting cells (the nasal olfactory area), ciliated, intercalary, goblet cells (the tracheal and bronchial epithelium), and collagen-producing, Schwann's, endothelial, smooth muscle, and adventitial cells. It has been shown that the CPV strain EP-2 locally replicates in the nasal cavity, trachea, and large bronchi and that there is no generalized infection.

The decision for the method of connection of the skin wound edges should be based on specific reconstruction of the injured tissues depending on the suture material and kind of the skin suture. An alternative of the classical suturing of the postoperative wound is a sutureless fixation of the skin edges--a method of using adhesive plaster. The work includes a clinico-morphological comparison of the course of the process of regeneration when using the intracutaneous suture and the adhesive plaster. The macroscopic and pathologic-histological estimation of the healing of the postoperative wound of the skin has shown that a smoother course of the postoperative period is noted in the groups where the adhesive plaster was used.

The specificity of lethal infection was studied in noninbred white mice (age--15 to 20 and 25 to 30 days) infected intraperitoneally with the EP-2 strain of cowpox virus (CPV) in doses 10(5), 10(6) and 10(7) PFU. The virus caused the lethal infection in the 15-20-day mice; while the 25-30-day mice remained healthy and survived. Virologic, immunologic-and-histochemical and electron-microscopy examinations of the 15-20-day mice revealed a replication of the EP-2 strain in tissues bordering on the virus introduction area; there was no generalization of infection. The virus replicated first in the mesothelium cells, and after that, in fibroblasts as well as in the endothelial, fatty, adventicial, cross-striated and muscle cells and in myosatellites.

The problem of congenital and acquired defects of innervation of the distal colon has many unsolved questions for making clinical and histological diagnosis, classification and using methods of treatment. Clinical, radiological and morphological aspects of treatment of 153 patients aged from 2 days to 14 years with disturbances of the colorectal innervation were analyzed. Radiological examination was not sufficient for making the diagnosis. Histological signs of aganglionosis, hypoganglionosis, dysganglionosis, type-A and type-B neuronal intestinal dysplasia in full-thickness biopsy specimens were used to confirm the diagnosis of congenital defects of innervation of the distal colon. The scheme of patho- and morphogenesis and clinico-morphological classification of disturbances of the colorectal innervation were proposed. Hirschsprung's disease was classified as a variant of the disturbance of the colorectal innervation.

The role of chronic colitis in pathogenesis of Hirschsprung's disease was studied ultrastructurally and morphometrically. Morphological features of chronic colitis were revealed by examination of full-layers biopsies and excised fragments of the colon in 26 children aged from 2 to 14 years with Hirschsprung's disease. Atrophic-sclerotic form of colitis develops in various disturbances of colo-rectal innervation. In this condition diffuse sclerosis of bowel wall could be considered as pathognomonic symptom of Hirschsprung's disease. As a result of development of sclerosis insufficiency of the bowel motor function increases.

Bacteria capable of producing exoproteases were isolated from intermediate products of microbial lipase. The proteolytic enzymes produced by the bacteria were able to inactivate 20 to 80 per cent of the lipase depending on the time of incubation, protease production by the contaminating microbe and the experimental conditions. Antibiotics and antiseptics inhibiting growth of bacteria prevented or limited their inactivating action on lipase. Except catamine, the tested antimicrobial drugs as such had no effect on lipase activity.

The study demonstrates the effects of kenalog (Kn), a synthetic glucocorticoid hormone, on the course of virus A/Aichi/2/68 influenza in white mice. In doses of 5 and 10 mg/kg, Kn reduced the weight of the adrenal glands, thymus and spleen, which was accompanied by decrease of the resistance to the mentioned virus, judging by LD50 decrease vs. this index in the control infected group. Besides, four days after infecting with 5 LD50 of influenza virus (IV), lung virus and interferon titers were significantly lower in mice pretreated with Kn vs. mice treated with placebo. Lung cell susceptibility to IV in vitro was identical in mice treated with Kn or placebo. In ultrathin lung sections of IV-infected mice, both experimental and control ones, there was virus budding in bronchial epithelium cells and type I and II alveolocytes. Analysis of inflammatory effusion compound in semithin lung sections 6 days after IV infection, found a substantially smaller number of mature alveolar macrophages (AM) and a bigger number of neutrophiles vs. infected controls. The authors reckon that higher mortality of mice pretreated with Kn before infecting, is caused not by enhancement of IV reproduction in target lung cells during influenza development, but by the contribution of other pathogenic factors. One of those may be increase of neutrophilic migration into the lungs; neutrophiles are more able to realize their significant destructive potential under the condition of reduction in the clearing function of AM and IV infection.

The levels of susceptibility to influenza virus A/Aichi/2/68 H3N2 and the virus yield were determined using primary cells of the trachea and lungs of CD-1 mice and Wistar rats, and for 3 sets of cells obtained from primary lung cells of the both species by centrifugation in the gradient of density and by sedimentation on a surface. The values of ID50 virus dose for 10(6) cells and virus yield per 1 infected cell determined for primary mice cells were 4.0+/-0.47 and 3.2+/-0.27 IgEID50 (lung cells), 3.8+/-0.17 and 3.3+/-0.20 IgEID50 (tracheal cells), and those determined for primary rat cells were 4.0+/-0.35 and 2.1+/-0.24 IgEID50 (lung cells), 3.7+/-0.27 and 2.2+/-0.46 IgEID50 (tracheal cells). The values of ID50 and yield measured for mixtures of cells obtained from primary lung cells by centrifugation in gradient of density and by sedimentation on a surface differed insignificantly (p = 0.05) from the values of the corresponding parameters measured for lung and tracheal cells for both rats and mice. The analysis of data on the variation of the concentrations of different cell types in the experimental cell mixtures shows that type 1 and 2 alveolocytes possess significantly lower (p = 0.05) susceptibility and productivity vs. ciliated cells of the both species. The investigation was conducted within the frame of the ISTC/DARPA#450p project.

The purpose of the case study was to evaluate comparatively the relative contribution of cell susceptibility and the inhibiting effect of factors of pulmonary epithelial lining in mice and rats to influenza virus A/Aichi/2/68 (H3N2) adapted to mice as related with the development of infection process in the lungs of experimental animals when infected in vivo and in vitro. Mice and rats were infected aerogenically with different doses of influenza virus. The primary cell-culture suspensions sampled from the lungs of mice and rats were used to study the adsorption and dynamics of influenza virus production in infection by different dose of influenza virus in vitro. The cell suspensions were shown to be able to produce the influenza virus for as long as 48 hours after infection. It was for the first time that the results denoted the identical susceptibility of primary pulmonary cells in mice and rats to influenza virus. A lower pulmonary susceptibility to influenza virus in rats versus mice could be indicative of that the surface factors of epithelial lining contribute essentially to shaping the pulmonary susceptibility to influenza virus since there is no difference of the susceptibility of pulmonary cells to influenza virus between the two above animals' species.

1. The dynamic gas-mixing equipment based on obtaining gas mixtures by means of rheometers with calibrated capillaries can be recommended for calibrating and checking calibrations of commercial automatic gas analyzers used for determining the content of sulfur dioxide. 2. Commercial gas analyzers which have an error of 3–10% can be calibrated by means of the gas-mixing equipment without a thermostat, since room temperature vibrations in the range of 5–7°C have virtually no effect on measurement results.

The mixer described here can be recommended for the fabrication of two-component and multicomponent gas mixtures of specified composition containing virtually any gases whatever, over a wide range of concentrations (from 10%−3 in volume to 50% in volume). A blocking liquid which will not dissolve the component being metered in must be selected for the flowmeters in the case of chemically active gases. The mixer can be used to check out laboratory and industrial gas analyzers either under laboratory conditions or in the field.