[Statistical indices in medicine and epidemiology and their classification]

Mathematical statistics deals with abstract notions, while medicine solves complicated and many-sided problems. For this reason medical statistics faces some moot points in the interpretation of a number of notions and the classification of statistical indices. In the present article the definition of variables and statistical indices is formulated and their characterization is given. An attempt is made to provide the systematization and natural classification of the latter. Statistical indices are defined as the characteristics of statistical totalities. To classify statistical indices, the most essential signs are used: the character of a variable (external relations), the trend of study (internal content), the form of expression (calculation), derived indices and characteristics (comparison and the results of analysis).

[Effects of intracerebroventricular administration of a caspase-3 inhibitor Z-DEVD-FMK on behavior of rats]

Rats received intracerebroventricular injections of z-DEVD-FMK (caspase-3 inhibitor) or z-FA-FMK (control peptide) in a dose of 3 nmol. Administration of z-DEVD-FMK significantly decreased the number of avoidance reactions in some blocks of trials in active avoidance (shuttle box) learning. However, only slight effect of the caspase inhibitor across the session was found. Z-DEVD-FMK impaired development of some essential components of the two-way active avoidance performance, such as escape reaction, conditioned fear reaction, and inter-trial crossings. Z-DEVD-FMK did not impair working memory in the spontaneous alternation behavior paradigm. Z-DEVD-FMK affected neither emotionality nor locomotor activity in the open-field test. It also did not influence behavior in the light-dark chamber. Measurement of caspase-3 activity in rat brain regions involved in active avoidance learning revealed z-DEVD-FMK-related inhibition of the enzyme activity most pronounced (about 30%) in the fronto-parietal cortex; a similar effect was close to significant in the hippocampus. The results suggest the involvement of brain caspase-3 in selected forms of learning.

[Pentylenetetrazole kindling induces caspase-3 activation in rat brain]

Pentylenetetrazole kindling (but not a single pentylenetetrazole injection) induced caspase-3 activation in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum of rats as well as neurodegeneration in the hippocampus. The number of neurons in the CA3 subfield of the hippocampus decreased significantly, whereas no apoptotic nuclei could be detected. The results support a possible non-apoptotic involvement of caspase-3 in brain plasticity.

[Russian Cross-disciplinary Consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of spondyloarthritis associated with inflammatory bowel diseases]

The Russian Cross-disciplinary Consensus on the diagnositic and treatment of spondyloarthritis (SpA) in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) was prepared on the initiative of the Loginov Moscow Clinical Scientific Center, using the Delphic system. Its purpose was to consolidate the opinions of experts on the most actual issues of diagnosis and treatment of concomitant immuno-inflammatory diseases (SpA and IBD). An interdisciplinary approach is provided by the participation of leading gastroenterologists and rheumatologists. The working group analyzed domestic and foreign publications on the problem of curation of patients with SpA and IBD. There have been 17 statements and 2 treatment algorithms formulated. Statements 1-3 reflect the fundamental principles of management of patients with SpA and IBD. The principles of early diagnosis of SpA and IBD, including the diagnosis of complications of therapy, are described below. Eleven statements are devoted to current methods of treatment, on the basis of which 2 treatment algorithms have been developed. The statements of the Consensus were submitted to the Expert Council for consideration, edits were made, after which an online vote took place. This paper presents current recommendations for the management, diagnosis and treatment of patients with SpA and IBD.

[Effect of a single dose of parlodel on the secretion of various hormones in Itsenko-Cushing disease]

The results of investigation of the secretion of hypophyseal, adrenal and renal hormones resulting from parlodel administration in 44 patients with Itsenko-Cushing disease were discussed. Concentrations of corticotropin (ACTH), prolactin, somatotropin (STH), thyrotropin (TSH), cortisol, aldosterone, adrenalin, noradrenaline, dopamine and blood renin activity were determined by radioimmunoassays and radioenzymatic methods on an empty stomach and 30, 60 min., 2, 4 and 24 h after parlodel administration (2.5 mg) per os. Parlodel administration in Itsenko-Cushing disease was shown to cause a decrease in the secretion of hypophyseal hormones (ACTH, prolactin and STH). The level of cortisol raised before the start of the investigation was gradually decreased after the drug administration and reached its minimum in 2-4 h. Correlation of the basal level of aldosterone and blood renin activity, and a response of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system to parlodel administration was revealed. Changes in the secretion of catecholamines were of diverse nature: a decrease in the blood concentration of noradrenaline in the absence of adrenalin and dopamine shifts.

[Comparison of the morphological changes in the capillaries and the state of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in diabetes mellitus]

Microangiopathies were the earliest and most frequent complications of diabetes mellitus; however, their pathogenetic mechanisms are still obscure. Electron microscopic study of the capillaries of the gastrocnemius was conducted in 11 patients with diabetes mellitus at the state of decompensation and in 8--of clinical compensation; blood aldosterone level and the plasma renin activity were determined by the radio-immunological method. A marked thickening of the capillary basal membrane (the most marked sign of microvascular affection) was revealed in all the patients under study; there was also an increase in the aldosterone level and renin activity. The mentioned changes were to the greatest degree (statistically significant values) expressed in the patients at the state of decompensation. Analysis of the data obtained revealed a direct correlative relationship of these changes.

[Anxiety level during morphine abstinence correlates with the status of nitrergic system in the rat hippocampus]

Opiate addiction is accompanied by long-term structural and functional changes in brain regions persisting during abstinence, this status being an experimental model of the aberrant neuroplasticity. Nitric oxide is known to be involved in mechanisms of psychopathological events during opiate abstinence. In this study, indices of a nitregic system (nitric synthase activity--NOS, nitrites and nitrates concentration--NOx-) were measured in the rat brain region during morphine abstinence. Prior to this, the rats were tested for anxiety in an elevated plus maze. NOS activity increased in hippocampus 3 days after morphine withdrawal, while NOx--6 days after withdrawal. No changes of the nitrergic system could be revealed in other brain regions under study. Six days (but not 3 days) after morphine withdrawal, rats visited the open arms of the plus maze more frequently and spent more time in these arms as compared with respective controls. The data suggest that nitrergic system changes in the hippocampus may be involved in molecular mechanisms of behavioural alteration during morphine abstinence in rats.

[Effects of morphine withdrawal on the indices of free radical homeostasis and nitric oxide system in rat liver and thymus]

Indices of oxidative stress, nitric oxide (NO) metabolism as well as the activity of caspase-3, an important enzyme of apoptotic cell death, were measured during the morphine withdrawal syndrome in liver and thymus of rats. Male Wistar rats were administered with morphine hydrochloride (i.p., at increasing doses from 10 to 100 mg/kg, twice a day, for 6 days). Thirty-six hours after the last administration the withdrawal syndrome was monitored using the specific autonomic and locomotor indices. During this period, weights of body and thymus significantly decreased. Oxidative stress in liver was accompanied by an increase in aspartate aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyl transferase in blood serum. No signs of oxidative stress could be demonstrated in thymus. The activity of the Ca(2+)-dependent isoform of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in liver increased, while, the activity of the Ca(2+)-independent NOS diminished, the total activity of NOS in liver and thymus remained unchanged. The concentration of nitrates/nitrites in blood was decreased, in thymus increased, and in liver unchanged. Caspase-3 activity changed neither in liver, nor in thymus. The results are discussed from the perspective of possible antioxidant and antiapoptotic role of NO during morphine withdrawal syndrome.

[Morbidity: terminology, mechanisms of formation and classification]

In the 70-ies of the last century the evolution of the epidemic process doctrine resulted in developing population approach to morbidity analysis, in addition to the traditional focal approach. On the one hand, this led to the discussion on the possibility of applying such notion to non-infectious diseases and, on the other hand, to the discussion on the mechanisms of the development and formation of different manifestations in infectious diseases. In both cases the discussion was centered on the phenomenon of morbidity. The present article deals with the nature of morbidity as a phenomenon and the acceptability of general scientific approaches in the interpretation of seasonal and cyclic character of morbidity from the viewpoint of the wave process in an open system. On the basis of the data presented in this work the terms used in epidemiology in considering manifestations of the epidemic process are discussed. The improved classification of morbidity by qualitative and quantitative signs for infectious diseases is proposed.

[Using thioGlo-1 for the determination of thiols in brain tissue]

A technique for the fluorometric determination of protein and non-protein thiols in brain tissue with the maleimide reagent ThioGlo-1is has been described. Comparison with the most popular spectrophotometric Ellman method has been performed. The ThioGlo-1-based method is highly sensitive and may be used for thiol determination both in homogenates and supernatants of brain tissue.

[Prostaglandins in Itsenko-Cushing syndrome]

The results of the study of depressor (PGE+A) and pressor (PGF2 alpha) prostaglandins in the blood plasma and of PGE2 and PGF2 alpha excretion in the urine of 52 patients with an acute stage of Itsenko-Cushing disease are presented. It has been established that the different components of the PG system have dissimilar changes: the absence of differences in the content of depressor and significant increase in pressor PG, which may be the cause of hypertension in Itsenko-Cushing disease. Stress due to insulin hypoglycemia and furosemide load brought about disturbances in the reaction of the PG system, which were more pronounced in the system pressor component. Disturbances of the PG system which were more pronounced in the presence of stable hypertension were established in all patients.

[The manifestations of an epidemic process in a respiratory streptococcal infection among ships' crews under commercial sailing conditions]

Morbidity in respiratory streptococcal infection in 6 ships of the State Fishery Amalgamation "Dal'ryba" during 8 voyages was analyzed. During voyages morbidity rate is determined by sporadic cases, seasonal rises at the time of the voyage and epidemic outbreaks. Spring and summer months constitute the period of risk for seasonal morbidity rises during voyages and epidemic outbreaks at the time of the formation of the crew. The minimal size of the crew in which the activation of the epidemic process took place was 350 persons. In lesser crews (250-300 persons) seasonal rises in morbidity were observed only in the presence of frequent and intensive change-over of crew members.

[Effect of the dopamine agonist parlodel on steroid hormone secretion and their metabolism in the liver]

Experiments on rats have shown that the dopamine agonist parlodel produces a noticeable inhibitory effect on function of the pituitary-adrenal system by a decrease in corticotropin secretion and direct influence on aldosterone synthesis and secretion. Changes in corticosterone level caused by parlodel are related to ACTH action and inhibition of activity of the microcirculatory bed of the adrenal fascicular zone. The dopamine agonist parlodel produces no effect on metabolism of the steroid hormones: corticosterone and testosterone in the rat hepatic tissue.