Primary diffuse large B-cell lymphosarcoma of the spleen

AIM: To investigate characteristics of the course and efficacy of treatment of diffuse large B-cell lymphosarcoma (DLBL) with primary lesion of the spleen. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From 1998 to 2006, primary splenic lesion was registered in 15 of 120 patients with DLBL and affected lymph nodes (LN), spleen and Waldeyer's ring. The diagnosis was made according to WHO criteria. Of them 14 patients had splenectomy as the first stage of therapy. The operation was followed with 6 to 8 courses of CHOP-21 (8 patients), 4 courses of R-CHOP-21 and radiotherapy (one patient). One patient received 7 courses of CHOP-21 followed by splenectomy. Because of the presence of several signs of unfavourable prognosis 5 patients under 60 years were given intensive therapy: 4-6 courses of the modified program NHL-BFM-90, 2 of 5 patients received radiotherapy. RESULTS: All the patients with primary DLBL of the spleen had two and more signs of unfavourable prognosis: elevated concentration of serum LDG, size of the tumor more than 10 cm, high proliferative activity of tumor cells, B-symptoms, severe condition. Seven patients had centroblastic, 8--anaplastic variants of DLBL. Tumor cells in primary DLBL of the spleen had no specific immunophenotype. Complete remission of the disease was achieved in 9 (90%) of 10 patients treated on programs CHOP-21, R-CHOP-21, in 4 of 4 patients on the modified program NHL-BFM-90. Mean follow-up was 39.3 months (from 7 to 103 months). CONCLUSION: For primary DLBL of the spleen characteristic are long-term remissions on first line therapy according to CHOP-21 program irrespective of morphology and immunophenotype.     

Why and How the Indo-Mediterranean Diet May Be Superior to Other Diets: The Role of Antioxidants in the Diet

The Seven Countries Study showed that traditional Japanese and Mediterranean diets are protective against cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The Japanese diet is considered the healthiest because it provides Japanese populations with the highest longevity and health. DASH and Mediterranean-style diets are also considered healthy diets, although the Indo-Mediterranean-style diet may provide better protective effects among patients with CVDs compared to other diets. The concept of the Indo-Mediterranean type of diet was developed after examining its role in the prevention of CVDs in India, the value of which was confirmed by a landmark study from France: the Lyon Heart Study. These workers found that consuming an alpha-linolenic acid-rich Mediterranean-style diet can cause a significant decline in CVDs and all-cause mortality. Later in 2018, the PREDIMED study from Spain also reported that a modified Mediterranean-style diet can cause a significant decline in CVDs, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and cancer. The Indo-Mediterranean diet may be superior to DASH and Mediterranean diets because it contains millets, porridge, and beans, as well as spices such as turmeric, cumin, fenugreek, and coriander, which may have better anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective effects. These foods are rich sources of nutrients, flavonoids, calcium, and iron, as well as proteins, which are useful in the prevention of under- and overnutrition and related diseases. It is known that DASH and Mediterranean-style diets have a similar influence on CVDs. However, the Indo-Mediterranean-style diet may be as good as the Japanese diet due to improved food diversity and the high content of antioxidants.     

The modified program NHL-BFM-90 in the treatment of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphosarcoma

AIM: To investigate efficacy of the modified protocol NHL-BFM-90 in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphosarcoma (DLBCLS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 13 DLBCLS patients with stage II-IV of the disease with affection of lymph nodes at the disease onset (nodal lesion) and stage II with tumor size more than 10 cm (bulky disease) received first-line treatment according to the modified program NHL-BFM-90 from 2002 to 2005. The diagnosis was made by WHO criteria. RESULTS: A complete remission was achieved in 76.9% patients. Resistance to therapy was observed in the patients with bone marrow affection. The 2.5-year overall survival was 74%, 2-year event-free survival was 75% (the events were recurrence and resistance). Follow-up continued from 5 to 47 months. CONCLUSION: The efficacy of the modified protocol NHL-BFM-90 in DLBCLS patients with stage III-IV of the "nodal" disease and stage II of the "bulky" disease was high.     

Use of an electrochemical method in the synthesis of anesthesin from <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-nitrotoluene

We report here the use of an electrochemical method to simplify and reduce the number of stages in the chemical synthesis of Anesthesin (the ethyl ester of p-aminobenzoic acid) from p-nitrotoluene. Methods for electrolysis and product extraction are described. The yields per unit current of the intermediate product p-nitrobenzoic acid and the end product Anesthesin on graphite electrodes increased with increases in the starting substance concentrations, and yields were 98% and 99% respectively in 0.4-M solutions.     

Hormonal mechanisms of morphofunctional changes in the gastric mucosa in chronic gastritis

The authors gave morphometric assessment of the mucous membrane of the stomach (MMS), investigated the proliferative activity of its cells and the levels of cyclic nucleotides (cAMP and cGMP) in 60 patients with different types of chronic gastritis. A parallel study was made of the blood levels of cortisol, thyroxine, insulin, STH, and gastrin. 10 healthy persons were investigated for control. A decrease in MMS thickness, redistribution of the sizable lobes of the glandular epithelium and stroma in favor of the latter were shown in atrophic (but not superficial) gastritis. In patients with atrophic gastritis the proliferative activity of MMS cells was significantly raised, the blood levels of cortisol and gastrin were elevated, the level of thyroxine was lowered, and insulin and STH levels were normal. Marked MMS atrophy was accompanied by cAMP and cGMP insufficiency. The relationships between the morphofunctional status and the proliferative activity of MMS cells, on the one hand, and the activity of the hormonal-cyclase systems, on the other hand, were followed. The mechanisms of pathological regeneration of MMS cell elements was specified, and its importance in the morphogenesis of atrophic gastritis was confirmed.     

Levels of sex hormones in obese women with hypertension during various periods of reproductive activity

AIM: To assess effects of hypertension and obesity on blood plasma levels of sex hormones and gonadotropins in fertile and postmenopausal women. MATERIAL: We assessed endocrinological status and measured levels of sex hormones and gonadotropins in 228 women with grade I-III hypertension (WHO, 1999) and 114 normotensive women of fertile and postmenopausal ages (17 to 74 years). There was a definite relationship between obesity and levels of sex hormones which did not depend on blood pressure level. The authors regarded this relationship as an endocrinological consequence of obesity. Severity of hypertension was associated with elevation of luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones and lowering of progesterone level in fertile women and with elevated levels of sex hormones in blood plasma in menopausal women. The authors interpreted the latter phenomenon as a sign of adrenal gland hyperfunction.