Bacteriological examination of sputum was performed, pneumococcal antigen substances and titers of pneumococcus-specific antibodies were determined in blood serum , IgA, IgM, and IgG serum concentrations were studied in 343 pneumonia patients (217 of them over 60). It was found, that pneumococci, both as monoinfection and in microbial associations, are the most frequent cause of pneumonia in elderly patients. The first week of pneumonia is characterized by maximal incidence of pnemococcal antigenemia and minimal serum titers of pneumococcus—specific antibodies. Pneumococcal antigenemia in pneumococcal pneumonia elderly patients has a characteristic manifestation (the 1st and the 3rd weeks of the disease). Titers of pneumococcus—specific antibodies are decreased, due to increased consumption, in pneumococcal antigenemia and pneumonia induced by mixed infection with pneumococcus.

Immunological examination, conducted in 132 patients with psychotropic drug poisonings, revealed that they had developed immunodefficiencies, the extent of which in the toxicogenic phase of poisonings correlated with the incidence of pneumonias in the somatogenic phase. Simultaneous determinations of T- and B-lymphocytes and IgG levels were of the best prognostic value in respect to possible consequent pneumonias. Supplementation of therapeutic activities with ultraviolet blood treatment made it possible to control immunity disorders and increased the effectivity of prevention and treatment of acute pneumonias complicating the course of psychotropic drug poisonings.

The measurement of airway occlusion pressure over the first 100 ms of inspiration (P100 index) is a simple non-invasive test for the evaluation of the patients’ central inspiratory activity. This test does not require any complicated diagnostic equipment, is easy for the patient, does not require any respiratory manoeuvres on his part. P100 index measurements enrich our concepts of the condition of external respiration system, and substantiate pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment. P100 index helps to evaluate physiological mechanisms of respiratory insufficiency and their extent.

Prolonged oxygen therapy (POT) was administered in addition to basic one in combined treatment of 47 patients with chronic obstructive bronchitis, secondary pulmonary emphysema, diffuse pneumosclerosis, chronic pulmonary insufficiency grade 1 and 2. The patients recieved 38 % oxygen for 15 hours per day during 30 days. Having thoroughly analysed the results of treatment and literary data, the authors suggest their own algorithm of indications for POT. The algorithm is based, aside from initial pa02 , on the value of pulmonary physiological shunt, which is an objective and integral parameter in the authors ’ opinion, and its change pattern under the influence of increased oxygen concentrations. The algorithm contains recommendations aimed at reducing the risk of possible respiratory disorders due to the cessation of hypoxemic stimulation in patients with hypercapnia associated with marked hypoxemia.

The impact of a preparation belonging to sustained release theophyllines upon capacity for physical work was studied in 13 patients with mild and moderate bronchial asthma. The patients recieved Theopaec during 4 weeks. Their clinical condition was evaluated through the dynamics of flow-volume curve values and body plethysmography. Ergospirometry was performed before and after treatment. Capacity for physical work was determined by maximal levels of oxygen consumption and the amount of work performed. Anaerobic thresh old , oxygen pulse, maximal ventilation per minute, an drespiratory rate were also analysed.

It has been shown, that Theopaec in creased capacity for physical work and anaerobic threshold in bronchial asthma patients. A trend to a significant raise in ergospirometrical values has been observed in the group of patients with initially low lung function parameters, as in those cases Theopaec had several influence points.

The content and ion-transporting systems of monovalent ions and calcium in patients with bronchial asthma were studied through an example of erythrocyte membrane. An increase of intracellular concentration of sodium associated with increased cellular influx of this ion (Na+, K+, 2Clco-transport) and decreased efflux (Na+, K+-AT Pase) has been revealed. Decreased activity of Ca2+-ATPase — an enzyme sustaining physiological levels of intracellular calcium has been observed. Possible mechanisms of involvement of the above-mentioned abnormalities in bronchial asthma pathogenesis have been suggested.

Generation of active oxygen forms by blood leucocytes (GAOFL) was studied in 84 bronchial asthma patients and 20 normal donors. Baseline value of chemolum inescence (CL) and stimulated CL value were determined with the method of luminol-dependent CL. Both CL values were increasing in bronchial asthma patients during exacerbation in comparison to normal donors. Both CL values were decreasing and approached normal ones in remission. CL values were higher in aspirin-induced bronchial asthma than in atopic and exerciseinduced asthm a. CL values were significantly higher in moderate and severe exacerbations than in mild ones. The findings above argue, to a certain extent, for the participation of active oxygen forms in bronchial asthma pathogenesis.

The article compiles data on neuropeptide impact upon respiratory function, including the impact upon tonus and motorics of the bronchi, bronchial patency and secretion, the tonus of pulmonary and peripheral blood vessels in normal and abnormal conditions. In particular, the influences of such regulatory peptides as vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), hystidin-methionin peptide (HMP), bombesin, neurokinines, galantine, opiates are discussed. Findings concerning the role of non-cholinergic and non-adrenegic transmission and possible participation of biologically active substances as neurotransmitters are presented. The development of new pharmacological compounds based on regulatory peptides, in particular, for the treatment of lung abnormalities, primarily bronchial asthma, is also discussed.