Effect of Sodium Aminophthalhydrazide on Structural and Functional Characteristics of Pancreatic Islands in Experimental Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Under the influence of inflammation, pancreatic ß cells can transdifferentiate into cells with a different phenotype. When inflammation decreases, the opposite process is possible. We studied the effect of intramuscular injection of 5-amino-2,3-dihydrophthalazine-1,4-dione sodium salt (APH) on the structural and functional characteristics of the pancreatic islets in rats with experimental type 2 diabetes mellitus. Insulin-producing, glucagon-producing, and proliferating cells were identified by immunohistochemistry. After APH administration, an increase in the number of ß cells, a decrease in the number of α cells and cells synthesizing both insulin and glucagon (insulin-glucagon-positive) were observed; mitotic activity of ß cells did not change. It is likely that APH promotes transdifferentiation of α cells into ß cells by changing the microenvironment of endocrine cells and reducing inflammation in pancreatic islets.

[On the study of postmortem tissue changes' dynamics according to impedance metrics data]. / K voprosu izucheniya dinamiki postmortal'nykh izmenenii tkanei po dannym impedansometrii.

OBJECTIVE: To find a way and form of presenting impedance metrics data to clarify prescription of death coming in a comprehensive assessment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The impedance of biological objects was measured depending on prescription of death coming in standardized conditions (air temperature +4 °C, humidity 45%). The main examined postmortem period was 1 months. Measurements were made on 3 diagnostic zones of biological object and for 5 current frequency of the study. A total of 2100 readings were taken. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The studies performed in standardized conditions have showed that using impedance metrics method to diagnose prescription of death coming is possible. The analysis of only absolute impedance values is not sufficient to clarify prescription of death coming due to its undulating changes. The additional use of relative coefficients, characterizing impedance dispersion, is suggested. The study of possible using the impedance indicators of corpse's tissues to determine prescription of death coming should be performed with consideration to pathomorphology of degradation. Further study of impedance dynamics when corpse is under different conditions is necessary for development of a working algorithm to determine prescription of death coming based on tissue impedance.

[Age-specific morphophynctional features of pancreatic endocrine apparatus in rats.]

Dysfunctions of endocrine organs play a priority role in the disruption of the regulation of normal functioning of the aging body. In the study age-related morphological and functional changes in the rat pancreatic insula apparatus have been investigated. With age fibrosis increased in both the pancreatic islets and exocrine pancreas. Non-functional hypertrophy of the islets, mainly due to the proliferation of connective tissue, was observed in rats under conditions of physiological aging. Immunohistochemical and biochemical studies revealed depletion of the islets insulin-producing function, development of hyperglycemia, accumulation of glycated proteins in the blood and change in oxidative stress indicators in 24-month-old rats.

Water Immersion as a Model of Hypogravity.

We studied the effects of hypogravity modeled by water immersion on cognitive functions and physiological parameters of monkeys. Cognitive capacities of monkeys were evaluated using computer-controlled joystick task with food reward in case of target hit. Water immersion (3 days for 3 h) affected in cognitive functions, body temperature, and blood parameters. The intensity of changes depended on the type of monkey behavior. In animals with non-aggressive behavior, the number of target hits did not decrease after water immersion, and even slightly increased. On the contrary, aggressive monkeys showed poorer test performance. Body temperature after each cycle of water immersion was decreased slightly in non-aggressive monkeys, while in aggressive animals, the changes were significant. At the same time, changes in the erythrocyte count, hemoglobin concentration, and hematocrit were significant in non-aggressive monkeys. Our results are in line with previous data performed on BION biosatellites and correspond to changes of physiological parameters in astronauts during space flights.

[The issue of quality of Russian cause-specific mortality statistics at old ages].

The paper presents a brief analysis on the quality of cause-specific mortality statistics at old ages in Russia. Two aspects are in focus: the regional differences in approaches for choosing the underlying cause of death and the comparison of Russian coding practice with the practices of some other European countries. The results obtained indicate that there are certain problems with the quality of cause-of-death coding at old ages in Russia. No unified approach to coding deaths as caused by «Senility¼ is used at a sub-national level. This leads to the distortion of the regional cause-specific mortality structures. Furthermore for many groups of causes Russian death rates are much lower than those in European countries. This peculiarity is caused by the specificity of Russian cause-of-death coding practice, which results in underestimating the mortality from certain causes at old ages.

Modulation of macrophages and response of CD117(+) cells of different localization after liver damage in mice.

We studied the effects of stimulation of mononuclear phagocyte system on the state of CD117(+) hepatocytes of growth zone and CD117(+) hemopoietic stem cells after liver damage. Increased number of CD117(+) hepatocytes and enhanced expression of given antigen was revealed. CD117(+) hemopoietic stem cells respond to the impact by migration to the regenerating organ.

Reaction of CD117+ cells to renal lesion under conditions of phagocytic mononuclear system stimulation.

The content of CD117(+)cells in the kidneys and CD45(low)CD117(+)cells in the bone marrow and blood of mice were studied after partial nephrectomy and under conditions of macrophage stimulation with 3-aminophthalhydrazide. The counts of tubular CD117(+)epitheliocytes sharply increased and the content of CD45(low)CD117(+)cells in the bone marrow decreased after renal damage. Injection of 3-aminophthalhydrazide stimulated the expression of CD117 by renal epitheliocytes and led to reduction of CD45(low)CD117(+)cell counts in the bone marrow and blood. Macrophages stimulated proliferative processes in the kidney and differentiation of stem cells in the bone marrow due to synergic effects of their cytokines and stem cell factor.

Modulation of reparative regeneration and CD117 expression by liver cells after partial hepatectomy in mice.

The effects of 3-aminophthalhydrazide and carrageenan on reparative regeneration and expression of CD117 by liver cells after partial hepatectomy were studied in mice. 3-Aminophthalhydrazide stimulated regeneration of the liver and increased the count of CD117(+) hepatocytes. By contrast, carrageenan inhibited liver reparation and CD117 expression.

[Application of polyguanidine solution for fixation of biological and anatomical specimens].

A new method for fixation of biological material is described, and its effectiveness is compared to that one of formalin fixation. As an embalming agent, polyhexamethylenguanidine (PHMG) hydrochloride was used. Using the proposed method of fixation, the anatomical and histological preparations of human organs and of chick embryos at developmental 12 days, were produced. The anatomical preparations obtained show the appearance, similar to that of the recently removed organs. Histological preparations were free from significant distortions of the microscopic characteristics of the specimens, which are typical to the material fixed with formalin. The results of the study suggest the possibility of PHMG application in the morphological studies.

[Comprehensive study of the major morphological forms of gastric cancer in relation to the indices of their prognostic assessment].

The results of a comparative study of a complex of clinical, morphological, prognostic, and immunohistochemical features and parenchymatous-stromal relations in gastric cancer (GC) suggest the rationality of identifying three basic classification histological forms of GC: intestinal, diffuse, and mixed, rather than two forms. The proposed additional identification of the mixed form of GC (MGC) encompasses a significant, early unclassified, tumors of complex structure with the heterodirectional differentiation of the cancerous epithelium, by the type of P. Correa's cascade. When there is tumor growth, this feature completely realizes individual cell kinetic regularities. The decreased tumor parenchymal maturity, which is characteristic of MGC, with complicated and/or distorted parenchymatous-stromal relations at different levels and stages of tumor growth may affect the lower therapy indices. It is obvious that the standard of an inpatient study of GC as a particular cancer nosological entity should take into account the indices of not only the pTNM system, but also the perfected group histological classification of this tumor.

[A social backing program and motivation provision in patients with tuberculosis].

The purpose of the study was to obtain information on tuberculosis patients' needs, perception, and expectations from health care as a whole and social backing in order to improve the implementation of a program for enhancing tuberculosis patients' motivation for recovery and treatment. Anonymous voluntary questioning using the standard questionnaire was carried out among new tuberculosis cases registered to be treated in 4 subjects of the Russian Federation (the Oryol, Vladimir, and Belgorod Regions, and the Republic of Mariy-El). Eighty-seven patients who had stopped being treated before the appointed time and 1302 patients who were receiving chemotherapy at the time of questioning were interviewed using the questionnaire. The main reasons for treatment discontinuance in those who stopped treatment before the appointed time were the necessity of earning their living (30%), alcohol consumption (30%), inadequate health education of the patients who considered themselves to be healthy (25%). Most patients (67%) preferred rewards as social backing, products/hot food (41%), and fare (32%). Among the proposed social backing schemes, the most popular ones were those that envisaged small daily rewards (23%) or a large final bonus (21%). The majority (67%) of patients preferred outpatient treatment. Thus, patients with tuberculosis face a great deal of problems that affect their motivation for treatment. To satisfy some of these problems is not the direct duties of an antituberculosis service due to the fact that the manning table lacks appropriate posts and an item of expenses. Therefore additional funds should be allocated from the budgets of a subject of the Russian Federation and/or municipal entities for adequate organization of social backing of patients with tuberculosis to enhance the efficiency of their treatment. Collaboration of antituberculosis services of the Russian Federation's subjects with social organizations and an addiction service along the availability of psychological and legal consultations to patients is the most optimum variant of social backing organization to improve the patients' motivation for treatment.

Correction to: Abstracts : 30th European Congress of Pathology.

The author names of abstract PS-03-011 were presented incorrectly in the original publication (Last Name initial and First Name presented). The author names have been corrected. In addition, the authors wish to clarify the Funding details related to their abstract.

Correction to: Abstracts : 30th European Congress of Pathology.

The author names of abstract E-PS-23-005 were presented incorrectly in the original publication (Last Name initial and First Name presented). The author names have been corrected. In addition, the authors wish to clarify the Funding details related to their abstract.

Correction to: Abstracts : 30th European Congress of Pathology.

The authors of PS-03-018 wish to clarify the Funding details related to their abstract. The abstract is included in full below - no changes have been made to the abstract beyond listing the Funding information.

Correction to: Abstracts : 30th European Congress of Pathology.

The authors of PS-03-015 wish to clarify the Funding details related to their abstract. The abstract is included in full below - no changes have been made to the abstract beyond listing the Funding information.

The potential beneficial role of isoflavones in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Diabetes is a chronic global disease afflicting a substantial number of people worldwide. Different mechanisms have been highlighted in the progression of this disease such as dysfunction of pancreatic ß-cells, insulin resistance, elevated levels of free fatty acids which result in overproduction of reactive oxygen species, as well as pancreatic ß-cell failure and apoptosis. Isoflavones, are polyphenolic phytochemicals found in most leguminous plants, and have been identified as potentially useful antidiabetic agents. The pleiotropic effects of isoflavones include the targeting of numerous cell signaling pathways involved in the pathogenesis of diabetes. Several observational studies have supported the direct relationship between isoflavones intake and a lowered risk of diabetes. The aim of this review was to summarize relevant findings on the effects of isoflavone intake and risk of type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and to highlight some of the possible anti-diabetic molecular mechanisms of these polyphenols. Despite the promising therapeutic effects of isoflavones to moderate risk of T2DM, the underlying mechanisms for their preventive effects are still largely unknown. The acceptable human dosage levels of these polyphenols remain a debatable topic as these have a profound influence on the observed benefits. Considerable numbers of well-controlled, long-term human clinical studies of these phytochemicals are highly recommended. Furthermore, combinations of isoflavones and their derivatives in combination with other naturally isolated compounds, and perhaps even those drugs currently used therapeutically to control diabetes mellitus in clinical practice, may be worth exploring in the future.

Social support and incentives programme for patients with tuberculosis: experience from the Russian Federation.

SETTING: Tuberculosis (TB) services including social support and incentive programmes in four Russian regions (Orel, Vladimir, Belgorod Oblasts and Republic of Mari-El). OBJECTIVES: To determine reasons for TB treatment default among non-adherent patients and to describe patient views of social support programmes and the organisation of treatment. METHODS: Standard anonymous questionnaires were administered to new pulmonary TB patients registered for treatment. RESULTS: A total of 87 non-adherent patients and 1302 adherent patients were interviewed. The leading reasons for treatment default given by non-adherent patients were the need to earn money (30%), alcohol use (30%) and not perceiving themselves as being sick (25%). Monetary incentives were preferred by the majority of patients (67%), followed by food/hot meals (41%) and transportation reimbursement (32%). Overall, among the proposed social support programmes, those that offered small daily incentives (23%) or a big final bonus (21%) were the most popular. The majority of patients (67%) preferred out-patient treatment. CONCLUSION: Collaboration between TB services and social organisations and substance abuse services as well as availability of psychological testing/counselling for patients are social support modalities for improving adherence suggested by study findings. Social support should be combined with a patient-centred approach to TB treatment.

Risk factors associated with default among new pulmonary TB patients and social support in six Russian regions.

SETTING: Tuberculosis (TB) services in six Russian regions in which social support programmes for TB patients were implemented. OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors for default and to evaluate possible impact of social support. METHODS: Retrospective study of new pulmonary smear-positive and smear-negative TB patients registered during the second and third quarters of the 2003. Data were analysed in a case-control study including default patients as cases and successfully treated patients as controls, using multivariate logistic regression modelling. RESULTS: A total of 1805 cases of pulmonary TB were enrolled. Default rates in the regions were 2.3-6.3%. On multivariate analysis, risk factors independently associated with default outcome included: unemployment (OR 4.44; 95%CI 2.23-8.86), alcohol abuse (OR 1.99; 95%CI 1.04-3.81), and homelessness (OR 3.49; 95%CI 1.25-9.77). Social support reduced the default outcome (OR 0.13; 95%CI 0.06-0.28), controlling for age, sex, region, residence and acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear of sputum. CONCLUSION: Unemployment, alcohol abuse and homelessness were associated with increased default outcome among new TB patients, while social support for TB patients reduced default. Further prospective randomised studies are necessary to evaluate the impact and to determine the most cost-effective social support for improving treatment outcomes of TB in patients in Russia, especially among populations at risk of default.

[Primary lung osteosarcoma simulating gastric carcinoma].

The rarest case of primary lung osteosarcoma is described. Despite the fact that an extended clinicoinstrumental study was conducted, the clinicians who interpreted the process to be a destructive gastric carcinoma did not diagnose the site of the tumor. Autopsy identified the unusual form of primary lung malignancy progression with an advanced invasion into the organs on both sides of the diaphragm, including the gastric wall.

[A positive effect of Propionibacterium freudenreichii on the growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae during their cocultivation].

The growth pattern of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Propionibacterium freudenreichii ssp. shermanii (P. shermanii; propionic acid bacteria, PABs) during cocultivation in liquid media depended on the ratio of the cells in the inoculum. An increase in the growth rate of S. cerevisiae was observed at a PAB to yeast ratio of approximately 3 : 1; higher ratios exerted adverse effects on yeast growth. The culture liquid of 18- to 24-h (young) cultures of PABs stimulated yeast growth. Although yeast growth-stimulating exometabolites of PABs were not high-molecular-weight compounds, they were thermolabile. When present in the medium at concentrations of up to 1.5%, the antimicrobial agent sodium propionate did not interfere with S. cerevisiae growth; however, it completely inhibited the growth of B. subtilis at a concentration of 0.2%.