Evaluation of a program of breast self-examination training

The study was concerned with an analysis of the first stage of evaluation of the breast self-examination training program aimed at early detection of cancer. The WHO-sponsored study was conducted in Moscow and embraced 3,097 females. Within the first six months after instruction, 1.3% sought medical advice. Out of the latter cases, pathologic changes were identified in the course of clinical examination in 29 females (breast cancer-2; nodular proliferative mastopathy-2).     

Progressive Toxemia with Acetaldehyde in a Reactive Form of Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome

We carried out a complex clinical and laboratory examination of 169 patients with reactive form of alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Progressive toxemia with acetaldehyde (key pathogenetic stage) and volemic changes were followed by homeostasis disorders and gradual decompensation of the natural detoxification system. The patients with this form of alcohol withdrawal syndrome did not exhibit physical and psychic dependence on alcohol. The proposed therapeutic algorithm for the treatment of various pathogenetic stages rapidly and efficiently restored homeostasis parameters and prevented the development of serious and life-threating complications.__________Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 139, No. 6, pp. 704–706, June, 2005     

Disorders of the reproductive function of female workers in resin-producing industry (review of the literature)

The analysis of publications reveals that this professional risk-group of females is marked by an increase of obstetrical pathology, fetal death and inborn malformations. Animal experiments proved teratogenicity, embryotoxicity and mutagenicity of some compounds to which women are exhibited in resin and plastic producing industries. Increased chromosomal abbreviations have been revealed in somatic cells and embryonal tissue fibroblasts. Elaboration of further preventive measures is needed to lower the risk of health affects in female workers and their children.     

Development of main disturbances of hemostasis in patients with obesity

According to current views obesity especially with increased amount of visceral fat is characterized by prothrombogenic changes of hemostasis and fibrinolysis. This combined with insulin resistance, compensatory hyperinsulinemia, disturbances of carbohydrate metabolism, atherogenic dyslipidemia and hypertension substantially increases risk of origination and progression of cardiovascular diseases. Results of our study demonstrate high prevalence of various prothrombogenic abnormalities in coagulation and anticoagulation systems in patients with visceral obesity and metabolic syndrome (MS). Disturbances of hemostasis were detected by such screening methods as measurement of APTT, INR and concentration of fibrinogen in blood plasma. We received data on positive association of severity of some abnormalities of hemostasis with anthropometric and biochemical parameters of obesity and MS, parameters of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. Revealed disturbances of hemostasis create prerequisites for development of thrombophilia and make additional contribution to increase of cardiovascular risk in this category of patients. This dictates necessity of more thorough and deepened examination of patients with visceral obesity and MS with the aim of detection and correction of pathological changes of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, system of hemostasis and fibrinolysis at earliest stages.     

A program to instruct women in breast self-examination

The study was concerned with analysis of the second stage of evaluation of a breast self-examination training program aimed at early detection of cancer. A total of 60,079 of women were recruited into the WHO/USSR Project in Moscow in 1985-1988: study group--30,465 and controls--29,614. At 6 months, 52.5% of women performed breast self-examination on a regular basis whereas at 12 months the percentage decreased to 42.0. Breast cancer was diagnosed in 6 out of 11,548 females of the study group (stage I--1 case, stage II--3 and stage III--2 cases) and in 10 out of 23,083 controls (stage I--2, stage II--5, stage III--2 and stage IV--1 patient). In the study group, medical advice was sought 4.5 times more frequently than in controls.     

Biocompatibility of rapidly solidified magnesium alloy RS66 as a temporary biodegradable metal

Biodegradable magnesium-based alloys are very promising materials for temporary implants. However, the clinical use of magnesium-based alloys is often limited by rapid corrosion and by insufficient mechanical stability. Here we investigated RS66, a magnesium-based alloy with extraordinary physicochemical properties of high tensile strength combined with a high ductility and a homogeneous grain size of ～1 μm which was obtained by rapid solidification processing and reciprocal extrusion. Using a series of in vitro and in vivo experiments, we analyzed the biodegradation behavior and the biocompatibility of this alloy. In vitro, RS66 had no cytotoxic effects in physiological concentrations on the viability and the proliferation of primary human osteoblasts. In vivo, RS66 cylinders were implanted into femur condyles, under the skin and in the muscle of adult rabbits and were monitored for 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8 weeks. After explantation, the RS66 cylinders were first analyzed by microtomography to determine the remaining RS66 alloy and calculate the corrosion rates. Then, the implantation sites were examined histologically for healing processes and foreign body reactions. We found that RS66 was corroded fastest subcutaneously followed by intramuscular and bony implantation of the samples.No clinical harm with transient gas cavities during the first 6 weeks in subcutaneous and intramuscular implantation sites was observed. No gas cavities were formed around the implantation site in bone. The corrosion rates in the different anatomical locations correlated well with the local blood flow prior to implantation. A normal foreign body reaction occurred in all tissues. Interestingly, no enhanced bone formation could be observed around the corroding samples in the condyles. These data show that RS66 is biocompatible, and due to its interesting physicochemical properties, this magnesium alloy is a promising material for biodegradable implants.