Achievements in morphological diagnosis of prostatic cancer: alpha-methylacyl-coenzyme-A-racemase--a new marker of malignant cell transformation

Gene P504S is considered as the most specific for prostatic carcinoma and its protein (alpha-methylacyl coenzyme A racemaze (AMACR/P504S) is higly sensitive and specific marker not only for adenocarcinoma cells but also for preceding changes - prostatic intraepithelial neoplasm (PIN). AMACR/P504S seems to be the first marker of malignant transformation and tumor progression. Use of immunohistochemical method for revealing this marker together with methods of basal prostatic cells observation (cytokeratin of a high molecular weight, cytokeratin 5/6, p63) improves morphological diagnosis of prostatic carcinoma, particularly on the material of needle biopsies. This combination allows one to identify neoplastic nature of some difficult lesions.     

Morphological features of juvenile colon polyps in children

Histological, histochemical and immunohistochemical studies of 50 solitary juvenile polyps (JP) and 50 JP from children with juvenile polyposis syndrome (JPS) were performed. Observations of the focal complex glandular structures with high mitotic rate were more frequent in JP from patients with JPS (n = 29, 58%) than in solitary JP (n = 17, 34%) (p < 0.03). The immunohistochemical study demonstrated p53 overexpression in individual cells and more than 50% of Ki-67-positive cells in 5 (10%) solitary JP and in 17(34%) JP from patients with JPS (p < 0.007). The finding of microglandular pattern is more typical for JP from patients with JPS. Pathological data, expression of p53 and Ki-67 by immunohistochemistry could help to pick out the group of JP with dysplastic changes.     

Nucleotide sequence of gag and env genes of human immunodeficiency virus type 1, found in Russia: detection of new recombinant variants

Phylogenetic analysis of nucleotide sequences of gag and env genes of type 1 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) variants isolated from individuals infected through sexual intercourse or nosocomially (by injections with nonsterile syringes) showed that 5 of 27 (18.5%) isolated strains were recombinants. Two viruses found in the Russian Far East had gagAenvE genotype, three other recombinants had envG genotype; gag gene of one isolate belonged to subtype A and gag genes of two others belonged to subtype D. Detection of new recombinant variants in addition to the A/B recombinant described previously shows that these viruses can contribute to the HIV-1 genetic variability in Russia.     

Ultrastructural organization of the human lamellar bone tissue mineral component in aged and elderly

The lamellar bone mineral component in mature and senile age was studied using the methods of transmission electron microscopy and cryofractography. This component was shown to be formed by crystals (13-4 x 7-8 x 3-4 nm) of the prismatic shape that formed coplanar units (29-3 x 18-21 x 3-4 nm). The peculiarities of mineral particle distribution inside and between the collagen fibrils, as well as on the completely formed areas of bone surface, were detected. It was established that the length and the width of coplanar crystal aggregates was significantly higher in senile age as compared to similar linear parameters defined in persons of mature age (by 17-20 and 5-9%, respectively).     

Legionnaires disease: results of 25-years of studying infections, problems and perspectives of research

The paper summarizes the results of 25-year study of Legionnaires' disease (Legionnaire's bacillus infection) in its epidemiology, diagnosis, and prevention, the taxonomy and biology of the causative organism. Emphasis is laid on the contribution of the Russian school of investigators in studying this problem. Despite the intensive efforts in investigating the infection and its causative organism, there are still many problems in predicting and preventing the epidemics of Legionnaires' disease, which annually occur in different countries of the world. Legionnaires' disease is a typical example of technogenic infections: active industrial and domestic uses of closed water circulating systems in industry and aerosol sources promote the spread of the infection caused by Legionnaire's bacillus and make its control in these systems. Despite the introduction of current immunological and molecular genetic methods, diagnosis is effective only for L. pneumophila, serogroup 1. The sensitivity and specificity of methods for diagnosis and identification for other 15 L. pneumophila serogroups and 41 species of L. bacilli are far from being perfect. L. bacilli are also a most popular object for studying the biochemical and genetic aspects of its intracellular parasitism.     

Role of alpha-interferon in regulation of apoptosis in cells of the hypothalamo-hypophyseal-adrenocortical system of old mice in oxidative stress

The aim of this work was to demonstrate the role of interferon alpha (IA) in apoptosis control of cells of hypothalamohypophysial adrenocortical system (HHAS) in young and old mice under conditions of hyperoxia. The increase of functional activity of neurosecretory cells of hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus in old mice treated with IA was demonstrated, while no effect was found in young mice. This differences could be associated with aging changes in HHAS in intact old animals. Oxidative stress caused an increase in the number of cells synthesizing proapoptotic c-fos protein in paraventricular nucleus of mice of both age groups. However, the protective action of IA against the stress is expressed more actively and in more early stage of apoptosis in young mice. Thus, the degree of IA participation in the control of programmed cell death of hypothalamic cells depends on the age of the animal. In the adrenal zona fasciculata of young mice the number of apoptotic cells was significantly increased after IA administration while after hyperoxia or its combination with IA it remained at control level. In the adrenal gland of old mice the proportion of apoptotic cells was not different from that found in young mice and remained unchanged after all experimental challenges.     

Scar formation in the liver

The review examines the current data on the cellular and tissue mechanisms of scar formation in the liver. On the basis of the analysis of the literature, authors conclude that to minimize the destructive processes in the liver, the most advisable and promising method during the operations on this organ is the use of laser surgical devices. However, the problems of the selection of the optimal regimes of laser radiation and of the methods of conducting these operations to promote reliable and rapid healing of postoperative wound of the liver.     

Immunohistochemical profile of endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the uterus: ER, PR, HER-2, Ki-67 and their prognostic value

76 endometrioid adenocarcinomas of the uterine body were studied. Expression of the above markers is of essential value together with metastatic involvement of regional lymph nodes, stage of the disease and pathogenetic variant for determining prognosis of carcinoma aggressiveness and disease outcome. Positive hormonal-receptor status of the tumor is characterized by well-differentiated tumor cells, small depth of invasion, rare metastases to regional lymph nodes and higher survival (5 year--81%) of patients comparing with cases where ER and PR were not determined (53%). On the contrary, overexpression of oncoprotein HER-2 and Ki-67 higher than median (42%) was associated with high tumor aggression resulting finally in a significant fall in the survival (from 75% to 58% and from 79% to 60%, respectively). Combination of HER-2 overexpression with a high level of Ki-67 is particularly unfavourable (5-year survival--43%).