[Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome group outbreak caused by Sochi virus.]

BACKGROUND

Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) occupies a leading place among natural focal human diseases in the Russian Federation. Sporadic incidence of HFRS-Sochi has been annually recorded in the Krasnodar Territory since 2000. The group outbreak of the HFRS-Sochi was first registered in Gelendzhik in the fall of 2013.

METHODS

Serological methods were used: indirect immunofluorescence, enzyme immunoassay, FRNT in Vero cells, and methods for the viral RNA detection: PCR and RT-PCR.

RESULTS

Data of clinical, epidemiological, immunological and molecular studies of 3 out of 4 cases in HFRS-Sochi outbreak are presented. Severity of the disease correlated with early gastrointestinal disorders appearance. Patient MA gastrointestinal disorders were joined on day 3 of a fever. Clinical and laboratory studies revealed signs of kidneys, liver, pancreas damage, bilateral hydrothorax, bilateral polysegmental pneumonia and polyneuropathy. As a result of long-term treatment, the patient recovered. Patient AA had gastrointestinal disturbances the next day after fever onset. The patient was not saved, despite early hospitalization. Hantavirus antigen and RNA were detected in the lung tissues 2 out of 10 Black-Sea field mice captured in the affected area, as well as in the organs of deceased patient. The most severe clinical course of the disease in close relatives, son and father, with a fatal outcome in the latter case may be the result of genetic features. The severity and outcome of the disease was not depend on day of hospitalization and correlated with the early manifestations of gastrointestinal disorders.

CONCLUSIONS

Presented data confirm high virulence and pantropism of the Sochi virus, as well as the epidemiological role of Black-Sea field mouse (Apodemus ponticus) as the host of the Sochi virus and the source of human infection.

[Audiodiagnostics in examination of patients with internal TMJ derangement]

The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of audiodiagnostics in dysfunctional TMJ disorders. Thirty-four patients were included in the study. The analysis of phonograms revealed correlation of adverse sound effects with varying degrees of internal TMJ-disorder seen by MRI imaging. The study results confirm the advantages of electronic registration of TMJ sound phenomena.

[Actual problems of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome]

From 2000 to 2011 85 600 cases of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) were registered in Russian Federation. Epidemically active foci of HFRS infection are located generally in temperate latitudes of the European part and the Far East. In the Far East regions whose fraction of all the HFRS disease cases in Russia is around 2%, the causative agents of the infection are Hantaan, Amur, Seoul hantaviruses, the natural reservoir for those are striped field mouse, Korean field mouse and brown rat. In the European part of Russia the causative agent of the infection are Puumala hantavirus as well as 2 genetic subtypes of Dobrava virus, the main reservoirs of those in the nature are bank vole, striped field mouse and Black Sea field mouse, respectively. 9 strain of Puumala and 10 strains of Dobrava virus were isolated. Based on sequencing of Dobrava virus strains significant differences were detected between Dobrava virus strains isolated from Black Sea field mouse from Sochi and striped field mouse from Lipetsk Region. Cultural inactivated vaccine against HFRS was developed and completed preclinical trials.

[Discovery, clinical and etiological characteristic of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in the subtropical zone of Krasnodar region]

Twenty-six patients with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) were revealed as a result of serological examination of 582 patients with fever living around Sochi town. Etiologic role of Dobrava virus subtype as the cause of HFRS was assessed by immunofluorescent and ELISA assays, and neutralization test. The principal host of this virus and source of infection for humans is Caucasian forest mouse Apodemus ponticus. HFRS morbidity was sporadic and not dependent from patients' occupation and season. Comparative analysis of clinical and laboratory data from HFRS cases caused by DOB/Sochi and DOB/Lipetsk subspecies, as well as Puumala virus showed higher proportion of severe forms of disease in patients with HFRS from Sochi.

[Vilon effect on consequences of repeated radioactive and mercuric impact in small doses]

The purpose of the study was to determine the efficacy of vilon administration in rats after reiterated exposure to ecotoxicants (mercury in concentration near to maximum allowable one and gamma-radiation in small dose). In 24 hours after repeated radioactive and mercuric impact (RMI) and for 30 consecutive days the animals reported lymphopenia. At the same time the indices of DNA leucocytes content and structure did not differ from the parameters of intact animals, this could evidence the development of adaptation reactions. Vilon administration led to the normalization of the lymphocytes number by the 30th day after repeated irradiation (contrary to the radioactive- chemical control), while the number of granulocytes in the test group was higher than that in the intact control group. Study of the survival rate in rats revealed that Vilon reduced morbidity of rats in the course of 15 months after RMI.

[Achievements and prospects in the development of the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology of the Northwestern Branch of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences]

The article presents the results of the 10-years' long activity of the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology of the North-Western Branch of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences founded to fulfill the basic and applied aims in the sphere of bioregulation and gerontology and to integrate with medical practice new methods of preventing premature ageing and age-related pathology by means of pharmaceuticals based upon peptide bioregulators. Among the Institute main achievements are the theoretical developments in the field of peptide regulation of ageing, creation of a new medical domain--bioregulation therapy, and foundation of the Russian school of biogerontology.

[Geroprotective effect of thymalin and epithalamin]

Researchers of the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology of the North-Western Branch of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences and the Research Institute of Gerontology of the Ukrainian Academy of Medical Sciences (Kiev) clinically assessed the geroprotective effects of thymic and epiphyseal peptide bioregulators (Thymalin and Epithalamin, correspondingly) in 266 elderly and older persons during 6-8 years (the bioregulators were applied for the first 2-3 years of observation). The obtained results convincingly confirmed the ability of the bioregulators to normalize the basic functions of the human organism, i.e. to improve the indices of the cardiovascular, endocrine, immune, and nervous systems, homeostasis, and metabolism. The restoration of homeostasis in the patients was accompanied by a 2.0-2.4-fold decrease in acute respiratory disease incidence, reduced incidence ischemic heart disease clinical manifestations, hypertension, deforming osteoarthrosis, and osteoporosis, as compared to the control group. Such a significant improvement in the somatic state of the peptide-treated patients corresponded to a decrease in their mortality rate during the observation period: 2.0-2.1-fold among the Thymalin-treated patients, 1.6-1.8-fold--in the Epithalamin-treated group, and 2.5-fold--in the patients treated with Thymalin combined with Epithalamin, as compared to the control group. A separate group of patients was treated with Thymalin combined with Epithalamin annually for 6 years. We registered a 4.1-fold mortality decrease in this group as compared to the control level. The results of our research confirmed the conclusion on the high geroprotective efficacy of Thymalin and Epithalamin and the expediency of their application in medicine and social care as the means of health maintenance and age-related pathology prevention in persons over 60 years old enabling the prolongation of the active period of their lives.

Immunomodulatory synthetic dipeptide L-Glu-L-Trp slows down aging and inhibits spontaneous carcinogenesis in rats

Immunomodulatory molecule L-Glu-L-Trp was isolated from natural calf thymic peptide complex Thymalin by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography. On the basis of the synthesized dipeptide a pharmaceutical was designed containing this compound, which later receives the brand name Thymogen. The agent activated T-cell differentiation, T-cell recognition of peptide-MHC complexes, induced changes in intracellular composition of cyclic nucleotides, and activated neutrophilic chemotaxis and phagocytosis. The effect of dipeptide on survival, life span and spontaneous tumor development was studied in female rats. Seventy-six, five-month-old outbred female rats were randomly subdivided into two groups and were subcutaneously injected with 0.2 ml of normal saline (controls, 32 rats) or with 5 micrograms/rat of the dipeptide L-Glu-L-Trp, dissolved in 0.2 ml of saline (44 rats), 5 times per week for 12 months. Animals were monitored up to their natural death and all the tumors discovered were studied microscopically. Mean life span of rats in both groups was similar but that of 10% maximum survived control rats constituted 949 +/- 16.1 days, whereas in the dipeptide-treated rats this value was 1048 +/- 21.1 days (P < 0.001). Six out of 44 rats treated with the drug survived over the maximum life span of control rats (965 days). The aging rate indicated as alpha in the Gompertz equation, was 0.0071 days-1 in controls and 0.0041 days-1 in rats exposed to L-Glu-L-Trp. Total tumor incidence was 1.5 times lower (P < 0.01), malignant tumor incidence 1.7 times lower (P < 0.01), and hematopoietic malignancies (leukemias and lymphomas) 3.4 times lower (P < 0.02) in rats exposed to the dipeptide in comparison with controls. Thus, treatment with L-Glu-L-Trp delayed aging rate and decreased spontaneous tumor incidence in rats.

[Molecular physiology of aging]

The article is dedicated to the analysis of the peptide bioregulators role in molecular mechanisms of ageing and age-related pathology development. There has been put forward the concept of peptide regulation of ageing based on the priority data of authors long-term investigations on inhibition of involution processes in organs and tissues developed with age and restoration of specific proteins synthesis in cells under the influence of natural and synthetic peptide bioregulators. The prospects of peptide bioregulators employment in gerontological practice are being discussed in the paper with the purpose of treatment and prevention of age-associated pathology and human longevity increase.

[Comprehensive approach to diagnosis and treatment of chronic generalized periodontitis]

The article presents the new investigation technique of parodontium examination and treatment. The trials proved the high efficacy of low molecular polyvinylpyrrolidone, antioxidantes, antihypoxants, application sorbites, low-temperature plasma flow argon and surgical interventions.

Short-time dynamics with initial correlations

The short-time dynamics of correlated systems is strongly influenced by initial correlations, giving rise to an additional collision integral in the non-Markovian kinetic equation. Exact cancellation of the two integrals is found if the initial state is thermal equilibrium, which is an important consistency criterion. Analytical results are given for the time evolution of the correlation energy, which are confirmed by comparisons with molecular dynamics simulations.

Effect of peptide Lys-Glu on interleukin-2 gene expression in lymphocytes

Lys-Glu in vitro stimulated interleukin-2 gene expression in mouse spleen lymphocytes. This effect depended on peptide concentration and duration of treatment. It is hypothesized that this peptide is the shortest regulatory fragment promoting the transport of trans-acting factors into the nucleus. It can not be excluded that Lys-Glu is a structural component of trans-acting factor active centers, which are necessary for the activation of interleukin-2 gene transcription in lymphocytes.

Effect of vilon on biological age and lifespan in mice

Subcutaneous administration of vilon (Lys-Glu) to female CBA mice starting from the 6th month of life increased physical activity and endurance, decreased body temperature, prolonged the lifespan, and prevented the development of spontaneous neoplasms. Vilon had no effect on age-related changes of estrous function and free radical processes. Long-term administration of vilon caused no unfavourable effects on animal development. The obtained results show safety of chronic vilon administration and allow to use this preparation for geroprotection and prophylaxis of age pathology.

[Prospects of cytomedines application in clinical medicine and gerontology]

Available are the results of experimental and clinical study of a new class of peptide bioregulators--cytomedines. Mechanism of action of these substances is considered. Cytomedines-based drugs can be used for prevention and treatment of age pathology and premature aging. A new trend in clinical medicine--bioregulation therapy--is grounded.

[Cortexin effectiveness in circulatory encephalopathy]

A clinical trial of cortexin, a new peptide bioregulator of cerebral functions, in combined therapy of dyscirculatory encephalopathy (DE) stage I-II was made in 76 patients. They were divided into two groups: a control group of 31 patients on standard therapy and the study group of 45 patients on standard therapy with adjuvant cortexin delivered via nasal electrophoresis (NE). The effect was estimated by clinical symptoms, psychophysiological tests, computed EEG, quantitative parameters of rehabilitation. Cortexin NE produced a positive effect on psychoemotional state, neurological status, intellectual-mnestic and CNS functions. Adjuvant cortexin aroused efficiency of rehabilitation in DE stage I and II by 22.7%. The response of intellectual-mnestic and CNS functions was the highest. Cortexin improves attention, perception, memory, thinking, cortical neurodynamic processes. It is well tolerated and has no side effects. Cortexin is recommended as a drug of choice in combined treatment of patients with DE stage I-II.

Propagation of curved activation fronts in anisotropic excitable media

We study theoretical and numerical propagation of autowave fronts in excitable two-variable (activator-inhibitor) systems with anisotropic diffusion. A general curvature-velocity relation is derived for the case that the inhibitor diffusion is neglected. This relation predicts the break of an activation front when the front curvature exceeds a critical value, which is corroborated by computer simulations of a particular reaction-diffusion model. Some qualitative effects associated with the inhibitor diffusion are studied numerically. It is found that the critical value of curvature decreases with an increase in the inhibitor diffusion coefficient. The core of a spiral wave increases in size and turns through an angle which depends on the inhibitor diffusion coefficient. PACS Numbers: 05.50. +q, 05.70. Ln., 82.40. -g, 87.10. +e.

[The effect of brain peptides on nerve tissue cells in vitro]

The effect of cortexin and epithalamin on the cell growth rate was investigated in the organotypic tissue culture of dorsal root ganglia (DRG), and of cortex and subcortical structures of 10-11-day old chick embryos. Cortexin in concentrations of 20 and 100 ng/ml is active, inducing a more intensive neurite outgrowth in DRG, compared to the control. Epithalamin was active in concentrations 20 and 200 ng/ml. Cortexin (100 ng/ml) was active in the cortex tissue culture, but inhibited the neurite growth in the subcortical structures culture. The stimulation of this culture to development was evident after using 200 ng/ml epithalamin. The neurite stimulating effect of cortexin and epithalamin is presumably associated with neurotrophic factors.

Natural and synthetic thymic peptides as therapeutics for immune dysfunction

Natural thymic peptides have been isolated from calf thymus by mild acid extraction. Pharmaceutical containing natural peptides (Thymalin) was put into practice as immunocorrector. One of the immunomodulatory molecules (L-Glu-L-Trp) has been isolated from Thymalin by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography. Pharmaceutical containing this agent (Thymogen) was designed on the base of synthesized dipeptide. A novel immunomodulatory dipeptide was synthesized and termed Vilon. Both natural and synthetic pharmaceuticals activated T-cell differentiation, T-cell recognition of peptide-MHC complexes, induced the changes in intracellular composition of cyclic nucleotides and cytokine [interleukin (IL-2), interferon (IFN)] excretion of blood lymphocytes. Synthetic dipeptides activated neutrophil chemotaxis and phagocytosis. They had no influence on antioxidant response in thymocytes in comparison with natural peptides. Thymalin and Thymogen were used in persons with chronic pathology and immune dysfunction. The results indicate that thymic peptides participate in the regulating mechanisms of inflammatory processes as cytokine antagonists and show the difference between natural and synthetic products. It is important for the drugs designed to prevent immune dysfunction development.

Study of the post-natal effects of chemopreventive agents on ethylnitrosourea-induced transplacental carcinogenesis in rats. II. Influence of low-molecular-weight polypeptide factors from the thymus, pineal gland, bone marrow, anterior hypothalamus, brain cortex and brain white substance

The influence of the polypeptide factors extracted from thymus, pineal gland, bone marrow, anterior hypothalamus, brain cortex or brain white substance on N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU)-induced transplacental carcinogenesis was studied in rats. ENU was given to pregnant rats as a single i.v. exposure at a dose of 75 mg/kg body weight on the 21st day of gestation. The polypeptide factors were given to the offspring as a series of s.c. injections, at a dose of 0.5 mg/rat/day, starting at one or 2.5 months of age and continuing throughout the whole of post-natal life. ENU induced tumors of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves and kidneys in 94-98% of the offspring exposed to the carcinogen, with an average number of 2.3-2.6 tumors per rat, and an average survival time of 294 days. Post-natal thymus factor or pineal gland factor administration was followed by an increase in mean lifespan of approximately 2 months and a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in the total tumor number per tumor-bearing rat, as well as the incidence and multiplicity of spinal cord tumors. Pineal gland factor also decreased the incidence of peripheral nerve and kidney tumors and their number per tumor-bearing rat. Brain cortex factor and brain white substance factor treatment was followed by a decrease in total tumor multiplicity of 1.2- to 3.3-fold, and a decrease in incidence of brain tumors of 10 to 33% per rat in comparison to the controls. Brain cortex factor also decreased the total tumor incidence. At the same time, brain white substance factor administration increased the incidence of peripheral nerve tumors and decreased the mean lifespan. Both bone marrow factor and anterior hypothalamus factor did not have any modifying effects on any of the ENU-induced tumors and mean lifespan. Thus, our results show the possibility of attenuation of transplacental ENU-induced carcinogenesis with post-natal administration of some polypeptide substances.

Spontaneous luminol-dependent chemiluminescence of thrombocytes increases in hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome

Spontaneous luminol-dependent chemiluminescence (CL) of thrombocytes was studied in 12 patients with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) caused by Puumala virus. CL in the acute phase of HFRS (median, 61 mV/10 sec; range, 22-91) was higher than that of healthy controls (median, 22 mV/10 sec; range, 18-29; P < 0.01) and patients with acute hepatitis B infection accompanied by thrombocytopenia (median, 33 mV/10 sec; range, 13-45; P < 0.01). CL of thrombocytes in the convalescence phase of HFRS (median, 31 mV/10 sec; range, 12-80) was significantly lower than that during the acute phase (P < 0.01). Neither was there a difference in CL response between HFRS patients with or without thrombocytopenia, but both groups produced a higher CL response than that of the control groups. Both the complement-containing and complement-free sera from acute HFRS patients (final dilutions: range 1:10-1:2560) exhibited no effect on CL response of normal thrombocytes. A possible role of increased oxygen radicals production by thrombocytes in pathogenesis of HFRS is discussed.

Neurological manifestations of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome caused by Puumala virus: review of 811 cases

Eight-hundred eleven case records of patients with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) caused by Puumala virus were reviewed, and particular attention was given to data regarding severe neurological manifestations. The most common symptoms were headache (97%), blurred vision (40%), and vomiting (31%); 27% of the patients had all three. Nine patients (1%) had severe neurological manifestations: meningism and cerebral hemorrhage occurred during the first week of illness, whereas epileptiform seizures and urinary bladder paralysis developed during the second week. In terms of the severity of renal failure, as evidenced by maximum serum creatinine levels, there was no difference between patients with or without severe neurological conditions. There was one fatal case due to cerebral hemorrhage; the other patients with severe neurological manifestations clinically recovered and did not have any neurological signs during 6 months of follow-up. HERS caused by Puumala virus, or a variant of it, may be associated with severe, potentially life-threatening neurological complications.

Impaired neutrophil function in the cutaneous form of anthrax

Spontaneous and Bacillus anthracis induced luminol-dependent chemiluminescence of neutrophils was studied in six patients with the cutaneous form of anthrax. Spontaneous chemiluminescence in anthrax was decreased compared to the healthy controls (p < 0.05). B. anthracis, opsonized by complement-containing sera from patients, induced chemiluminescence in neutrophils from control donors but not from patients. B. anthracis, opsonized by complement-free sera from the patients, did not cause an increase in chemiluminescence response in either the patient or the control neutrophils. Also, B. anthracis, opsonized with normal sera and nonopsonized, did not induce chemiluminescence in either patient or control neutrophils. It was concluded that oxidative metabolism by neutrophils is impaired in anthrax, whereas the functional capacity of antibodies seems to be unaffected.

[Reaferon in the treatment of hemorrhagic fever with the renal syndrome]

Ninety six patients with hemorrhagic fever and the renal syndrome were followed up. Reaferon was included into the complex therapy of 57 cases. The drug was administered intramuscularly in a dose of 2 x 10(6) IU twice a day for 5 days. The use of reaferon in the complex therapy resulted in a decrease in the period of the general intoxication by 3.4 +/- 1.3 days. The use of the drug at the initial stages prevented acute renal failure. When reaferon was used at the stage of oliguria, the level of proteinuria and the risk of the further affection of the kidneys lowered. After the completion of the treatment course with the use of reaferon, a significant increase in the content of the T-helper cells was observed which could be indicative of an activation of the mechanisms providing the immunity development and pathogen elimination. Reaferon promoted a decrease in the concentration of the circulating immune complexes of the blood serum. No significant adverse reactions to the use of reaferon were recorded. The results are in favour of the reaferon use in complex therapy of patients with hemorrhagic fever and the renal syndrome, especially at the initial stages until the syndrome of acute renal failure developed.

A case of haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome complicated by spleen haemorrhage

A case of haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) complicated by spleen haemorrhage is described. The patient developed progressive anaemia, hypotension and signs of preshock. Computerized tomography demonstrated extensive haematoma in the spleen and splenectomy was performed. This case confirms previous reports that HFRS caused by Puumala virus may be associated with severe haemorrhagic manifestations.

[The diagnostic value of different test systems for the screening determination of antibodies to the human immunodeficiency virus]

Evaluation of the quality of enzyme immunoassay (EIA) systems by their sensitivity and specificity is inadequate, mainly due to the impossibility of detecting early or latent HIV infection in humans as it manifests by seroconversion only to a few HIV proteins. The additional evaluation criterion (confirmation rate) has been introduced, and an original method for the integral evaluation of the quality of assay systems intended for the diagnosis of HIV infection by EIA techniques has been proposed.

[The use of DNA polymerase from Thermus thermophilus]

National DNA polymerase from Thermus thermophilus was used in polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The synthetic oligonucleotides (primers) to the basic structural HIV genes GAG, ENV, the genome DNA of donor peripheral blood lymphocytes were used, and the controls included the plasmid DNA with cloned HIV genome and the genome DNA of peripheral blood lymphocytes from HIV-infected persons confirmed by ELISA and Western blot analysis. The PCR technique and evaluation of the obtained results are described. The expediency of using PCR for different contingents is discussed.

[The status of immunity in the victims of industrial catastrophes and natural disasters]

The influence of industrial catastrophes or calamities upon human organism is accompanied by the affection of the immunity system. The structure and manifestations of immunity disorders depend on nature of the disturbing factors in every concrete catastrophe. The affections of the immunity system may lead to the formation of secondary immunodeficiency which will require additional medical assistance.

[The correction of secondary radiation-induced immunodeficiencies]

The influence of the ionizing radiation upon the human organism is accompanied by the formation of the secondary radiative immunodeficiencies, which can be treated with the help of immunomodulating preparations of microbiotic, animal and plant origin, as well as compounds obtained by chemical synthesis. The comparative analysis of the various immunomodulators has shown that the peptide preparations of thymos and bone marrow, referred to the cytomedinum class (thymalinum, thymogenum, haemalinum) were most perspective for the correction of the secondary radiative immunodeficiencies. The scheme of thymalinum application in the treatment of radioactive affections of immune system is enclosed.

[The effect of thymalin on biochemical and immunological indices of lymphocyte differentiation and functional activity]

Polypeptide preparation thymalin obtained from thymus was found to normalize the LDH isoenzyme spectrum and cyclase system in lymphocytes of patients. Thymalin contributed also to expression of differentiation antigens on T-lymphocytes surface. As a result of this functional activity of T-lymphocytes was restored, which correlated with improvement of the patients clinical state. Biochemical and immunological patterns of lymphocytes differentiation may be used both in diagnosis and control of treatment efficiency in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

[Regulating properties of peptides of the thymus and bursa of Fabricius in immunodepression in birds]

The intensity of nucleic acids and protein synthesis in the cells of the thymus and the bursa of Fabricius was studied in chickens against the background of an immunodepression induced by administration of hydrocortisone and cyclophosphamide. It was found out that hydrocortisone causes in chicken a marked lowering of the intensity of inclusion of 3H-thymidine, 3H-uridine and 14C-glycine in thymic cells, and cyclophosphamide--in the cells of the bursa of Fabricius. Under the conditions of selective immunodepression the preparations on the basis of the peptides of the thymus (thymalin) and of the bursa of Fabricius (bursilin) regulate the processes of nucleic acids and protein synthesis chiefly in the cells of organs which produce them.

Effect of low-molecular-weight factors of thymus and pineal gland on life span and spontaneous tumour development in female mice of different age

Female SHR mice, aged 3.5 or 12 months, were exposed monthly to 5-day long courses of subcutaneous injections of 0.1 mg thymus-derived or pineal gland-derived polypeptide factors (TF and PF, respectively) or 0.9% sodium chloride solution (control). PF treatment increased life span of both young and middle-aged mice by 20% and 17%, respectively, and TF increased the life span only in young mice. Both factors when administered to young mice caused a decrease in both overall tumour incidence and incidence of mammary adenocarcinomas (TF, 1.8-fold decrease; PF, 2.6-fold decrease). TF administration to mature mice did not produce any antitumour effect, whereas PF possessed certain anti-tumour activity, but the response was far less pronounced than in young animals. The results obtained give additional evidence of the geroprotective and anti-tumour effect of thymus and pineal gland-derived peptide factors. The mechanisms of action of TF and PF and perspectives of clinical use of these agents as geroprotectors are discussed.

[Treatment of deep burns and frostbite of the hand and fingers]

Under observation there were 186 patients with thermal burns and 59 patients with frostbites of hands and fingers. Free skin plasty with a splitted autotransplant was used in 29 patients. Plasty on a temporary feeding pedicle was used in 39 patients. Better results were obtained in remote terms in patients after non-free dermoplasty. In patients with burns and frostbites of the IVth degree no labour rehabilitation was achieved.