Occurrence of tumours in the descendants of CBA male mice prenatally treated with diethylstilbestrol

There is well documented evidence both in humans and in experimental animals that exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) during pregnancy results in an increased incidence of tumours in the progeny. The increased cancer risk has been reported to persist in the second generation descendants of DES-exposed pregnant mice. In the present experiment, female mice of the CBA strain were treated at day 17 of pregnancy with I μg/g body weight of DES. The descendants of DES-treated mothers, described as F₁DES, were mated among each other or with untreated animals. The F₁DES females were found to be sterile when mated with either F₁DES or untreated males. F₁DES males were successfully mated with untreated females. In the female offspring so obtained, but not in the male, a statistically significant increased incidence of tumours was observed, in particular of uterine sarcomas, and also of benign ovarian tumours and of lymphomas.     

Complete elimination of cytomegalovirus without antiviral therapy after systemic transplantation of mesenchymal bone marrow stromal cells in a patient with ulcerative colitis

Cytomegalovirus infection (CMV) has become in the last 15-20 years one of the most important problems of scientific research and clinical high attention. This is due to new information discovered about its leading role in the origin, development, and the outcome of a large group of serious diseases. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is one of the most common causative agents of opportunistic infections (OI) in patients with IBD, which are mandatory feature of the state of immunodeficiency. Numerous studies in vivo and in vitro studies have demonstrated that mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) suppress immune reactions to allogeneic stimulation, but not the invasion of infection, as well as themselves possess antiviral and antimicrobial activity, as demonstrated in this clinical case.     

Inflammatory bowel diseases in the XXI century

Modern strategy of the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), aimed at molecular targets of inflammation, is described in the article. It has reviewed the successe and failure of anticytokine therapy based on the application of Infliximab, Adalimumab and Certolizumab. The Results of Priority researchs of transplantation of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) in the Central Scientific Research Institute of Gastroenterology are shown in the article. Clinical observations of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) showed that intravenous infusion of allogeneic MSCs significantly increases the duration of remission, reduces the risk of recurrence and is comparable to the effectiveness of Infliximab. The use of MSCs allowed to cancel the corticosteroids and cytotoxic agents, except 5-ASA drugs, in the majority of patients with UC and CD. MSCs have a multidirectional regulatory impact on the inflammatory process: stimulate the functional activity of the suppressed immune system, reduce the intensity of the autoimmune reactions and the activity of immunopathological processes. The program and indications for treatment with MSCs are developed and suggested for clinical practice. Transplantation of MSCs is indicated in patients with hormone resistant, hormone-dependent forms of IBD characterized by high activity of the inflammatory process at the early stages of the disease. Accumulated clinical experience demonstrates the reducing of antibodies to infliximab after systemic MSC transplantation that helps to prevent and to overcome the secondary inneficiencies of anticytokine therapy. It has been possible to achieve significant improvement and even complete elimination of disease activity in patients resistant to all previous treatments.     

A cross-sectional survey of complementary and alternative medicine use by children and adolescents attending the University Hospital of Wales

Background  

A high prevalence of CAM use has been documented worldwide in children and adolescents with chronic illnesses. Only a small number of studies, however, have been conducted in the United Kingdom. The primary aim of this study was to examine the use of CAM by children and adolescents with a wide spectrum of acute and chronic medical problems in a tertiary children's hospital in Wales.