Psychological and immunological defenses in cancer--the two aspects of one problem

The study group included 17 cancer patients, aged 25-55, (stage III-IV), mostly suffering melanoma. All of them received hypnosuggestive therapy to correct psycho-emotional disorders. Significant decrease in anxiety-related indices (p < 0.001) due to therapy pointed to rehabilitation of psychological defenses. Clinical rehabilitation was manifested by improved quality of life (p < 0.01), better habitus and adaptation (p < 0.01). The modulating effect on the macrophageal and phagocytic components of the immune system (p < 0.05) was matched by a significant correlation between psychological defense indices and those of immunological status. Our data have contributed to the existing knowledge about relationships of mind and immunity in cancer patients.     

Tamoxifen Therapy for Breast Cancer and Endometrial Pathology

Background

Tamoxifen, used as adjuvant therapy for carcinoma breast in postmenopausal women to prevent relapse has estrogenic effect on the endometrium.

Methods

104 patients on tamoxifen for more than six months were subjected to a clinical examination and transvaginal sonography. Patients with endometrial thickness > 8 mm were further evaluated by hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy.

Results

35(34%) patients were symptomatic. The average endometrial thickness was 11.2 mm which correlated with duration of tamoxifen use. 27(48%) patients had abnormal hysteroscopic findings. 35 (63%) of endometrial biopsies revealed abnormal endometrium. One case of endometrial carcinoma was diagnosed. The results were statistically analysed. There is a significant association between symptomatic status and endometrial thickness and duration of tamoxifen use.

Conclusion

All patients on long term tamoxifen should be annually screened for endometrial pathology.Key Words: Tamoxifen, Endometrium, Transvaginal sonography     

Placement of Umbilical Artery Catheters High vs. Low

Placement of umbilical artery catheters was retrospectively reviewed in 181 newborns to evaluate random placement of catheter tip in the "high" position between T₇ and T₉ in the thoracic aorta of 127 infants and in the "low" position below 4 in the abdominal aorta of 54 infants. Group differences in gestational age, asphyxia, hypotension, respiratory disease, duration of catheterization, or infusate type were not significant. Cyanosis or blanching in the low extremities occurred in 67% of the "low" group and 21% of the "high" group ( P < .001). Hematuria occurred in 39% of the "low" group and 21% of the "high" group ( P < .05). High placement appears to have fewer complications. Prompt intervention by neonatal nurse practitioners can help reverse complications that occur during umbilical artery catheterizations.     

New russian myorelaxant vero-pipecuronium (pipecuronium bromide) used for the anesthetic management of operations on the thorax and abdomen organs

The experience of clinical use of the new Russian myorelaxant of the non-depolarizing action vero-pipecuronium (pipecuronium bromided) manufactured by "Veropharm" is described. Vero-pipecuronium was found to ensure splendid and good conditions for the intubation of the trachea and to maintain reliably myorelaxation. The recommended doses and availability of an antidote (prozerine) provide for a sufficiently controllable myorelaxation. Vero-pipecuronium does not virtually exert any effect on the parameters of hemodynamics and can be successfully used in patients with a high anesthetic risk including heart surgeries. Thus, Russian vero-pipecuronium has now an effective and safe myorelaxant manufactured inside the country, whose parameters are not inferior to those of pipecuronium bromide (arduan) manufactured by "Gedeon Richter", Hungary. Since the described drug is made in Russia, one can hope it will be highly effective both economically and pharmacologically.     

Cerebral oximetry during cardiac surgery under extracorporeal circulation

The time course of changes in rSO2 were studied in 58 patients during the uncomplicated course of cardiac operations under extracorporeal circulation (EC) and moderate hypothermia. rSO2 was also compared with central hemodynamic parameters, bioelectrical cerebral activity, and hemoglobin oxygen saturation of the bulb of the internal jugular vein (jbSO2). In the pre- and postperfusion period there was a significant correlation of rSO2 and jbSO2 (p = 0.01), yet with a low correlation coefficient (r = 0.348). During EC, no correlation was found between rSO2 and jbSO2 (p = 0.09, r = 0.386). Changes in rSO2, blood pressure, EEC, body temperature were analyzed in 2 groups of patients at the stages of an operation under EC. Group 1 comprised patients with cardiac valvular apparatus lesions and Group 2 included those with coronary heart disease who differed not only in age, but also in the history of mainly cerebrovascular atherosclerotic lesions, hypertensive disease, myocardial infarction, etc. In patients from both groups, a reduction in rSO2 occurred at the beginning of EC and at the maximum of cooling. But if in Group 1 patients, the significant reductions in rSO2 at the beginning of EC coincided both with that in mean blood pressure (BPmean), as compared to the baseline values (from 75.55 +/- 10.68 to 66.5 +/- 11.73 mm Hg, p = 0.01), and with the change in the frequency spectrum of EEC (a decrease in the frequency of the right edge, as compared to the baseline values, from 20.77 +/- 1.44 to 19.58 +/- 1.14 Hz, p = 0.01), in Group 2 patients, all significant decreases in rSO2 were accompanied only by a significant reduction in BPmean, but without changes in the frequency spectrum of EEG. It should be noted that over the uncomplicated course of an operation all changes in rSO2 were in the normal range of age-related values.     

Immune status of patients with chronic bronchitis and neurocirculatory asthenia

AIM: To study changes in immune system of patients with various forms of chronic bronchitis (CB) and neurocirculatory asthenia (NCA). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Neurological and immunological examinations were made in 84 patients with CB exacerbation and 51 control subjects. RESULTS: It was found that 60% of CB patients had NCA. No negative effects of NCA on immune system in CB patients were registered. Suppression of immune system and secondary immunodeficiency occurred more frequently in CB patients without signs of NCA. 40% of CB patients had vagotonic NCA in which immunological disorders manifested most clearly. CONCLUSION: Vegetative disorders in CB patients do not affect immunological system. Functional testing of autonomic nervous system is suggested for prediction of immune system condition.