Vol 18, No 1 (2018)

The possible pathogenetic role of extraoral sweet taste receptors Tas1R in respiratory system is considered. In many respects, the function of extraoral receptors for sweet taste still remains unclear. The mechanism of intracellular signal transduction at sweet taste reception is considered, as well as the molecular mechanism of interaction of Tas2R and Tas1R receptors, expressed on the same cell. Tas1R receptors in respiratory system can function as a “rheostat” to control the amount of secretion of antimicrobial peptides that is mediated by extraoral bitter taste receptors Tas2R, depending on the concentration of glucose on the surface of the airways. In diabetes mellitus, the liquid on the luminal surface of respiratory tract contains an increased concentration of glucose, which leads to overexpression of TAS1R2 / TAS1R3, inhibition of Tas2R signaling activity and to decrease in secretion of antimicrobial peptides. Clinically, the effect on glucose homeostasis in the lumen of the respiratory tract with comorbid respiratory pathology, including diabetes mellitus, is considered. A possible sequence of pathogenetic mechanisms in respiratory system, associated with extraoral sweet taste receptors is presented as a vicious circle. Research into the problem of role of the ectopic chemosensory network in clinical medicine will bring new knowledge on the predisposition to diseases, a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of their development, and will serve as a scientific basis for developing new medicinal approaches.

The review presents and analyzes literature data on the influence of environmental pathoplastic factors on the course of the schizophrenic process. One of the most promising areas is the study of social factors. Their interaction with the biological and psychological characteristics of patients is reflected on the nature of psychopathological manifestations and their dynamics. Social functioning also depends on socio-economic changes. A number of authors come to the conclusion that a significant part of the dispensary contingent of mentally ill persons reveals shortcomings of social functioning practically in all spheres of life: labor, family, material and household, as well as social contacts. The review shows that the best personal and social functioning was observed in patients who had family support, permanent employment, the absence of other family members with mental disorders, and treatment in a day hospital. At the same time, many questions remain insufficiently clarified. In particular, this relates to the correlation of psychosocial indicators in various spheres of life activity, features of social functioning at patients with rare hospitalizations and gender peculiarities. These questions determine the trajectory of further research.

The aim of research: to synthesize the gene, coding the non-toxic variant of diphtheria toxin CRM197, to explore its expression in Escherichia coli cells, to construct bacterial strain - producer of recombinant CRM197 and to develop the method for purification of this CRM197 protein from the biomass of bacteria. Materials and methods of research. the gene of CRM197 was synthesized by chemical and enzymatic methods. Expression vector pColdII-CRM197 construction and assembly were performed by standard genetic engineering methods. CRM197 production by Escherichia coli cells was explored by electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel and immunoblotting. The recombinant CRM197 was purified with the use of metal-chelate chromatography. Results. The application of the pColdII expression vector made possible to produce recombinant protein after decrease of the cell cultivation temperature from 37° C to 16° C. The method for purification of CRM197 recombinant protein was developed and the protein preparation with the purity 97% was obtained, having molecular mass 60 kDa; this protein was coupled with polyclonal antibodies against diphtheria toxin in the immunoblot. Conclusion. Successful production of CRM197 recombinant protein was reached with the use of pColdII vector at the decreased cell cultivation temperature. The purified CRM197 demonstrated nuclease activity pointing its proper folding. Production of the purified recombinant CRM197 protein allows its use for development of new conjugate vaccines.

The probability of alcohol consumption by humans and experimental animals increases immediately after impact of stressors and remains at high level for some time. Neurobiological basis of this pattern is the effect of stress hormones on the mesolimbic system which is the core of the reward system in the brain that initiates learning processes. Literature data suggest that formation of aversive reactions depends on the system of dynorphin and к-opioid receptors which activates during the stress reaction. The purpose of this study was to investigate effect of alcohol administration on the post-stressor condition of the reward system and to clarify the role of к-opioid receptors in this. Experiment 1 aimed to investigation of post-stressor condition of the reward system in male and female rats and the influence of alcohol administration on it. Experiment 2 aimed to study whether alcohol affects the known from the literature aversive effect of che mical stimulation of к-opioid receptors as a model of post-stressor aversion. Methods. Appearance of preference or aversion to place where the rats were after action of the stressor was the indicator of the state of their reward syste m (place preference test). Result of the experiment 1. Condition of the reward syste m in the male rats was aversive 15 minutes after the end of the stressor action that caused avoidance of the context of environment in the future. Administration of alcohol after the end of the stressor action ceased this effect. Result of the experiment 2. Unlike the post-stressor aversion alcohol does not influence the aversion caused by stimulation of к-opioid receptors. Conclusion. Results of the study suggest that there is the aversive phase of the post-stressor state in the male rats that leads to formation of aversive associative reaction to the context of environment. Alcohol administration abolishes this phase. The involve ment of к- opioid receptors in this effect of alcohol is doubtful. But the final conclusion is possible only after direct experiment using antagonists.

Abdominal wall hernias are the common pathology in modern clinical practice. Clinical data sometimes make the correct diagnosis not possible what requires the timely specific and targeted ultrasound examination. Aims of research. Revealing the capabilities of ultrasound examination at the assumption of abdominal wall hernias. Materials and methods. Within four years the ultrasound examination of 88 patients was carried out who suffered from different abdominal wall hernia, with the use of standard procedure of ultrasound examination and specific tests for evaluation of the condition of hernia’s content. The ultrasound scanning procedure was performed using B-mode and Color Doppler mapping mode. The majority of patients hereafter underwent the planned or emergency surgical treatment and subsequent ultrasound dynamic control. Results. The ultrasound examination gave the opportunity to reveal hernias in all the patients examined. Standards of morphometry, conditions of successful diagnosis and criterions of differential diagnosis signs of abdominal wall hernias have been detected. Criterions of differentiation of non-complicated and complicated hernias were concretized Conclusions. Ultrasound examination is a highly informative method for search, diagnosis and differential diagnosis of abdominal wall hernias. The targeted search of specific ultrasound signs allows making a correct diagnosis what has a great value for the timing of beginning of the adequate treatment.