Role of Laser Energy Density for Photodynamic Therapy of Radiation Injuries of the Skin

The role of different laser energy densities used in photodynamic therapy in the reparation of radiation ulcers caused by X-ray exposure in a dose of 80 Gy was studied. Tissue reparation manifested differently at different laser energy densities. After photodynamic therapy at energy density of 0.1 J/cm² the rate of healing was notably higher during early periods. After exposure at 5 and 40 J/cm² acceleration of ulcer healing was observed 14 and more days after the treatment, indicating the emergence of another mechanism of photodynamic therapy effect. Laser energy density of 5 J/cm² was the most effective for maximally complete healing of radiation ulcers. __________ Translated from Byulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 140, No. 11, pp. 570–573, November, 2005     

T-cell panniculitis-like lymphoma of the subcutaneous fat: clinicomorphological and immunohistochemical analysis

3 cases of T-cell panniculitis-like lymphoma of the subcutaneous fat are reported. Clinical, histological and immunohistochemical findings are presented. Histologically, we found lobular structure, atypical small and middle-size lymphoid cells, angiocentric growth, erythrophagocytosis. Immunohistochemically it was a cytotoxic phenotype of atypical T-cells. T-cell panniculitis-like lymphoma is a special variant of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma which is diagnosed immunohistochemically.     

Two somatic biallelic lesions within and near SMAD4 in a human breast cancer cell line

Loss of chromosome arm 18q is a common event in human pancreatic, colon, and breast cancers and is often interpreted as representing loss of one or more tumor-suppressor genes. In this article, we describe two novel biallelic deletions at chromosome band 18q21.1 in a recently characterized human breast cancer cell line, HCC-1428. One lesion deletes a fragment of approximately 300 kb between SMAD4 and DCC that encodes no known genes. The second lesion is an in-frame SMAD4 deletion (amino acids 49-51) that affects the level of SMAD4 protein but not the SMAD4 message. This change accelerates 26S proteasome-mediated degradation of both endogenous and exogenous mutant SMAD4. Examination of normal DNA from the same patient demonstrated that both lesions are somatic and associated with loss of both normal alleles. These data support the concept that two independent tumor-suppressor loci exist at chromosome segment 18q21.1, one at SMAD4 and the other potentially at an enhancer of DCC or an unrelated novel gene.     

Experience in the use of regional methods of anesthesia in oncological and gynecological surgeries

The block loco-regional methods of anesthesia as applied to onco-gynecology surgery were used in 1310 patients with the predominant 2nd stage ASA risk. The best results (efficiency, safety, convenience) were ensured with spinal anesthesia by intraoperative sedative analgesia (micro-units of midazolam, propofol and ketamine) and by a 0.3 mg single-unit intramuscular injection of buprenorphine (made at the final surgery stage) that prevented a severe postoperative pain syndrome, which was later arrested by an "on-demand" intramuscular injection of peri pheral-action analgetics (ketoprofen or methamezol--therapeutic dose).     

The epidemic situation with malaria in Turkmenistan

As a result of comprehensive research on the causative agents and vectors of malaria and wide use of synthetic antimalarials and highly effective residual insecticides, endemic malaria was eliminated in Turkmenistan by 1960. During the period 1965-1980, 23 local cases of malaria were recorded in Turkmenistan. These local cases were confined to the regions of Mary and Akhal, on the borders of neighbouring countries. In 1998 the epidemiological situation in the country worsened and local transmission of infection resumed. During the year the number of cases recorded was 137:134 being a first diagnosis of the disease and three being relapsed cases. In comparison with 1997, the previous year, incidence was up by 123 cases (a 9.7-fold increase), while the incidence of imported cases of malaria went up by 11 (a 2.2-fold increase), principally in Dashkhovuz and Lebar regions, being brought in from malaria foci in Gushgin district, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Tadjikistan. Local transmission of malaria went up by 111 cases (a 27.7 fold increase); 108 cases were recorded in Gushgin district, Mary region. The first case of malaria in Gushkin district was detected in June 1998. At that time there were five active foci. The approximate number of inhabitants in the active focus area was 10,000. The appearance of local malaria in border districts was caused by the periodic influx of infected mosquitos from neighbouring countries (Afghanistan).     

Structural changes in the lung and the serum lipid content in pulmonary hypertension after an experimental pulmonectomy]

In the experiments on 20 dogs with the left-side pulmonectomy it has been shown that the removal of one lung results in a progressive rise of the pulmonary circulation blood pressure which, in turn, causes some changes in the structure of the lung and of its function in the lipid metabolism.