Vol 8, No 3 (2008)

The article is devoted to the progress of modern transfusion medicine as separate medical discipline, the structure of Russian blood transfusion service (BTS), the output of its activity for 2006 year, the specific features of the BTS within the North-West region of Russia. The problems of the BTS in Russia and the main goals of its development are discussed.

In this review our own results and published data of contribution of single mutant genes in attenuation of live reassortant cold-adapted influenza vaccine were summarized. The critical role of genes coding for polymerase genes of A and В influenza viruses in attenuation was demonstrated.

Influenza epidemics influence on community-acquired and nosocomial pneumonia mortality among St. Petersburg adults aged 30 years and older in 1993-2004 was evaluated by prepared with methods of correlation and regression analysis (ARIMA model). Correlation between weekly morbidity and mortality (for autopsy data) data among adult was determined in the most of years. Excess mortality was maximal in influenza epidemics caused by antigenically different drift-variant subtype A(H3N2) and type В viruses and was minimal in epidemics caused by subtype A(H1 N1) influenza virus. For community-acquired pneumonia increase of excess mortality was observed in relationship with increasing of age of adults (age groups 30-39,40-49, 50-59, 60-69 70 years and older), excess mortality of males was higher than females in each age group. These findings were not observed for nosocomial pneumonia. Excess mortality for nosocomial pneumonia was reliably lower, than for community-acquired pneumonia.

The specific activity of experimental specimens of mucosal inactivated influenza and adenovirus vaccines with original adjuvant (corauban - a polysaccharide of microbial origin, interferon-y inducer) was studied in mice. The specimens were: whole virion egg influenza vaccine (GRIPCOR) and split cultural adenovirus vaccine, input as monovaccines or divalent vaccine. Intranasal one-fold application to mice of vaccine GRIPCOR (H3N2) induced the broad spectrum of heterotypic protective activity (to the influenza viruses types A and B) in the first days after vaccination, homologous subtypic (to H3) and heterosubtypic (to HI) - in late period after vaccination. It was shown, that early resistance of immune mice to the lethal influenza infection was determined by interferon synthesis and late resistance - by synthesis of secretory and serum antibodies.

It was revealed the high efficacy of the oral-lingual method of 2-3-fold mice immunization with vaccine GRIPCOR (H1N1, H5N1), estimated by increase of secretory antibodies. But the advantage of adjuvant effect of corauban with increasing of fold of immunization became less noticeable. It was determined a high antigen activity (3-4-fold increase of slgA in bronchial washes) of the influenza-adenovirus divalent vaccine (H5N1, Ad6) and corresponding monovaccines under mucosal (intranasal, oral-lingual) two-fold animals immunization.

The DUSP9 gene, located on chromosome Xq28, encodes a dual specificity protein phosphatase MKP-4. A recent study could indicate a tumor suppression function of this phosphatase. Previously, we have shown the down-regulation of DUSP9 expression in renal clear cell carcinomas, but the mechanism of DUSP9 silencing is unclear. It is known that aberrant promoter hypermethylation of tumor suppressor genes occurs frequently during the pathogenesis of human cancer. In this study we explored whether the methylation of DUSP9 CpG sites is associated with loss of DUSP9 expression. Using combined bisulfite restriction analysis (COBRA) we compared methyation status of 5' region of DUSP9 in 27 paired tissue samples obtained from primary kidney tumors and corresponding normal tissues (18 samples were from male and 9 samples were from female patients). We have found the gender difference tn methylation of 5' region of DUSP9 in renal tumors.The increased methylation in tumor samples compared to paired normal samples were detected in 58% of the female patients (8/9), whereas all 18 male patients samples had unmethylated DNA status. Our results suggest that methylation of DUSP9 CpC sites may be associated with the loss of expression of this gene in kidney cancer cells. However, since the methylation frequency was low in male patients we concluded that the epigenetic silencing of DUSP9 by DNA methylation is not common and other mechanisms could be responsible for the loss of the expression of this gene in primary clear cell renal tumors.

Study of different factors, influencing the appearance of the conditions, predisposing to BA, and BA onset in kids, born by BA pregnants. 194 kids, born by females with allergic BA, were studied. Mothers were performed complex clinico-functional examination. In mothers GSTT1 and GSTM1 genes were studied with PCR method. Clinical follow-up, dynamic ultrasound examination Doppler measurements of fetoplacental complex and haemostasis investigation were carried out by obstetrician. Primary prophylaxis of allergic pathology in kids was performed at every stage. Kids were followed-up by pediatrician-allergologist. Special clinical genetic study was performed as well as analysis of specific IgE. The proving data about significance of different internal and environmental factors in atopic diseases formation in kids, born by BA females were acquired. Diet violations while pregnancy and breast feeding, short term of pure breast feeding and cow's milk protein intolerance are concerned to be to be the most important factors. Also the role of pregnancy complication was shown. Affiliation of the kid to GSTM1 0/0 and GSTT1 0/0 genotypes seems to be a significant factor. Positive influence of adequate BA control during pregnancy to allergic pathology development in kids was demonstrated.

The investigations performed by Hybridoma Technology Laboratory of CNIRRI (present-RSC RCT) that resulted in creation of a unique panel of monoclonal antibodies against light and heavy chains, J-chain and secretory component of human immunoglobulins are reviewed.This panel includes the reagents of 21 specificities and permits using immunoenzyme analysis, immunoblotting or immunochistochemistry to reveal and estimate the quantity of all clinically significant molecular forms of immunoglobulins and their fragments. The data concerning the application of these reagents in fundamental studies and for diagnostics of infectious, autoimmune, allergic diseases, benign and malignant gammapathies are presented.

The article describes methodological aspects of development of continuing medical education in St. Petersburg Medical Academy for Postgraduate Studies, Russia. Problems of training organization and conducting are described as possible ways of development.