[Renal cell carcinoma associated with Xp11 translocation involving the gene]. / Pochechno-kletochnyi rak, assotsiirovannyi s Xp11-translokatsiei gena.

The paper describes a clinical case of the rare tumor renal cell carcinoma associated with Xp11 translocations involving the TFE3 gene in a 53-year-old male patient. It provides the detailed characteristics of current diagnostic techniques.

[Importance of proliferative potential (as the ratio of a proliferative cells number and duration of mitosis) in diagnoses of malignant degree and prognosis of adrenocortical cancer].

The aim of research has been the estimation of a proliferative potential as simultaneous detection of a proliferative cells number (Ki-67 index) and duration of mitosis (nucleolar argyrophilic protein expression--B23/nucleophosmin and C23/nucleolin) at patients with adrenocortical cancer. In according to lifetime of patients after operation 2 groups had been sorted out. The first one included patients surviving 56.12 months, the second one--9.25 months. We've found out that different aspects of tumor diagnosis as well distinction of benignant or malignant tumor growth, a malignant degree of tumors, a prognostic criteria of illness, survival of patients etc. must be characterized by total research both a proliferative cells fraction (Ki-67 index) and a rate of mitosis (expressions of B23/nucleophosmin and C23/nucleolin).

[Prognistic value of a study of the expression of argyrophilic nucleolar organizer region associated proteins in case of papillary thyroid cancer].

The prognosis in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is usually good. Ten-year survival can be seen in 90-98% of patients. Immunohistochemical study (antigen K-67) ascertained that a female patient with PTC had a low number of proliferating cells, which is usually seen in the favorable course of the disease. However, in the presented case, PTC was highly aggressive and showed a significant invasive growth, provided regional and distant metastases, rapidly progressed and, despite the performed surgical treatment, the patient died due to disease progression 3 months after surgery. This discrepancy between the number of proliferating cells and the aggressive course of PTC should be explained by the high expression of argyrophilic nucleolar organizer region associated proteins nucleofozmin and nucleolin, detected by immunohistochemical study, which is known to cause an increase in the rate of a mitotic cycle rate and to promote intercellular adhesion and enhancement of invasive growth and metastatic spread. Various factors involved in the regulation of proliferation of cells and their capacity for invasion and metastasis should be studied to make the most objective estimation of the degree of malignancy of a tumor and its prognosis.

[Significance of the expression of nucleolar argyrophilic proteins and antigen Ki-67 in the evaluation of cell proliferative activity and in the prediction of minimal (T1) lung cancer].

S u m m a ry. - The subject of the study was 20 cases of non-small-cell lung carcinomas, up to 3 cm in diameter, conventionally designed as minimal lung cancers removed in patients operated on at the N. N. Blokhin Cancer Research Centre, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences in 1986 to 2001. According to survival rates after surgery, the patients were divided into two groups: 1) those who died within the first two years; 2) those who were followed up for 3-5 years. Histological, histochemical, and immunohistochemical studies were performed. The expression of argyrophylic nucleolar organizer site proteins (Ag-NOS-proteins) that characterized the rate of cell proliferation (the duration of a cellular cycle) and the expression of Ki-67 antigen, which reflected the fraction of growth (the number of proliferating cells), were revealed in the tumor cells. Minimal lung cancers were found to be a heterogeneous group of neoplasms showing differences in both the rate of cell proliferation and the count of proliferating cells. The cell proliferation rate is a determinant of the clinical course of minimal lung cancers. Group 1 tumors characterized by the superexpression of Ag-NOS-proteins and, accordingly, the higher cell proliferation rate and the moderate count of proliferating cells had a poor prognosis even in the presence of Stage IA whereas Group 2 tumors with a large quantity of proliferating cells, but with the less rate of cell proliferation were characterized by a much better prognosis. The rate of cell proliferation (expression of Ag-NOS-proteins) and the count of proliferating cells (the expression of Ki-67 antigen) should be simultaneously studied to have more complete information on the proliferative potential of tumor cells and on the prediction of the course of neoplasms.

[Argyrophilic proteins in the regions of nucleolar organizers are markers of cell proliferation rate].

The paper reviews the literature on the role of the above proteins in the mechanisms of cell cycle regulation and presents data on changes in protein expression in dynamics of cell cycle. The significance of studies dealing with the expression of these proteins, which, along with the assessment of a cell population growth fraction, allow one to characterize the rate of cell proliferation that under malignant growth is the determinant of cell proliferative status, which has a great impact on tumor progression, is discussed. The data on the diagnostic value of these proteins as an independent predictor for a broad spectrum of tumors are considered.

[Liver cancer: immunohistochemical and electron microscopic study].

Primary liver tumors, including 7 low-grade hepatocellular carcinomas (HC), 12 average-grade HC (including 2 mixed tumors and 2 cholangiocellular carcinomas (ChC)), obtained from 23 patients, were histologically, immunohistochemically, and electron microscopically. Certain markers were immunohistochemically studied to identify HC and ChC and differentiate liver carcinoma from metastatic tumors of the same organ.

[The influence of antisecretory agents on the antral gastric mucosa in patients with duodenal ulcer].

Changes in the antral gastric mucosa of patients with doudenal ulcer after a long-term administration of antisecretory agents were studied. The subjects were five patients with a different duration of the disease. The methods applied included light and electron microscopy of tissue samplings taken from the antral part of the stomach during the periods of exacerbation and remission. In addition to well-known morphological changes, cellular principalis not typical of antral gastric mucosa were found in one patient during exacerbation and remission periods.

[Irritated bowel syndrome: clinicomorphological aspects of treatment with melaxen].

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of melatonin (melaxen, Unipharm, USA), and its influence on the ultrastructural and histological features on the colon mucosa (CM) in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) corresponding to Rome criteria II. Twenty-one patients with IBS were examined before and after the end of the therapy (one month upon the beginning of treatment). All the patients had non-specific morphological changes in the CM, which were more pronounced during exacerbation and less significant during remission. The study showed that in terms of stool normalization and sleep improvement in IBS patients the combination of basic therapy and melaxen was more effective than either the combination of basic therapy and psychotropic drugs or basic therapy alone. Basic therapy plus melaxen is comparable in its effects to basic therapy plus psychotropic drugs in terms of coping with pain syndrome and dyspeptic syndrome in IBS patients, the normalization of their mental status and life quality improvement. The treatment of IBS with melaxen proved to be more effective than other therapies, which was proved by histological and electron microscopic studies of the CM.

[Askenazi (Hurtle) cell tumors of the thyroid].

Oncocytic adenomas have primarily follicular structure; trabeculas, solid areas, necrosis are rare. They may possess malignant potential as their malignant transformation occurs in 35% cases against 5% in adenomas of follicular cells. Oncocytic follicular carcinomas can be hardly distinguished from oncocytic adenomas. Tumors larger than 4-5 cm in diameter are considered to be malignant. Main difference with adenomas is invasion into the capsule surrounding thyroid or into the vessels. They can be well or poorly differentiated or anaplastic. Oncocytic papillary carcinoma and oncocytic medullary carcinoma are rare. The clinical course of oncocytic tumors is more aggressive than that of tumors from follicular cells. Of key importance in differential diagnosis is electron microscopy (EM) and immunohistochemistry with antimitochondrial antibodies. EM may be also useful in determination of the degree of oncocytic tumors maturation.

Melatonin and enterochromaffine cells.

As a result of investigations active biosynthesis of melatonin was found in enterochromaffin cells of gastrointestinal tract. It is suggested to unify epiphysis and enterochromaffine cells into a united functionally active neuroendocrine system, which plays an important role in the control of rhythms of biological processes in the body.

The functional significance of oncocytes (the "B" cells).

Oncocytes independently of their localization in this or that organ contain serotonin and high activity of succinate dehydrogenase. Hence oncocytes are not afunctionally dying cells, as was before believed, but a group of serotoninocytes, represented as a widely spread in the body diffused peripheral system of neuroendocrine system, which activity is bound with the function of the given biogenic monoamine. It seems reasonable to call oncocytes "B" cells after the first letter of the phrase "biogenic monoamines" which fully corresponds to their functional significance.

Uterine sarcomas in CBA mice induced by combined treatment with 1,2-dimethylhydrazine and estradiol dipropionate. Light and electron microscopy.

Three uterine sarcomas induced by combined treatment (1,2-dimethylhydrazine and estradiol dipropionate) in CBA mice were examined by light and electron microscopy. Histologically the tumours consisted either of loose areas with stellate cells or of solid cellular areas. These were formed of elongated cells of the fibroblastic type and rounded cells with clear nuclei and abundant cytoplasm without clearly discernible bodies. Ultrastructurally, undifferentiated mesenchymal cells and cells with the features of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts were distinguished. The tumours described bear resemblance to human endometrial stromal sarcomas and are interpreted as sarcomas originating from immature mesenchymal cells differentiating mainly in the direction of cells of the fibroblastic type. Certain similarities with fibrous histiocytomas are noted.

[Effect of on various cell lines of p53 cDNA, expressed under the control of an exogenous homologous promotor]. / Vliianie na razlichnye linii kletok kDNK p53, ékspresiruemoi pod kontrolem ékzogennogo gomologichnogo promotora.

Previous studies indicate that the wild-type p53 (unlike its mutant forms present in tumor cells) possesses growth suppressor activity specific for transformed cells. However, recombinant p53 gene governed by strong heterologous promoters was used in most of these experiments, that resulting in overexpression of p53. In order to create more physiologically adequate system, we placed the wild-type p53 gene and the His273 mutant under control of homologous p53 gene promoter within self- inactivating retroviral vector. Recombinant viral stocks were used to infect LIM1215, SW480, A431, 293, HeLa and K562 cell lines. These cell lines were found to be highly sensitive to the wild-type p53. The only cell line (LIM1215), that produced few viable colonies expressing wild-type p53, initially contained in its genome two unmodified alleles of the p53 gene. For the cell line HeLa initial proliferation of resistant colonies was observed, however, after a week, the cells stopped to divide and died due to apoptosis. Expression of the mutant (His273) p53 was tolerated by most cell lines, although in HeLa cells the doubling time and density of confluent culture were slightly reduced. These cells become more dependent on serum and factors from the culture medium, contrary ti the cell lines SW480 and A431 expressing His273 p53.

[5-Methoxy-N-acetyltryptamine (melatonin) in enterochromaffin cells]. / 5-Metoksi-N-atsetiltriptamin (melatonin) v énterokhromaffinnykh kletkakh

As evidenced from the action of acetone extracts of the mucous layer of the human appendix, these extracts contain a substance capable of bleaching the frog's skin. Model experiments with 0.1% adrenaline, 0.2% noradrenaline, 2.5% hydrocortisone and solutions of various concentrations of synthesized melatonin permitted to identify the above substance as melatonin. The bleaching aciton dependence on the number of enterochromaffin cells (Ec-cells) in the mucous layer of the appendix, and the presence of serotonin in Ec-cells reveal a connection between melatonin and Ec-cells. An average content of 5-methoxy-N-acetyltryptamine in the human appendix amounts to 0.004 mg per 100 Ec-cells. It is suggested that the epiphysis and enterochromaffin cells compose a common functional neuroendocrine system playing a definite role in maintaining the homeostasis of the organism.

[Comparative electron cytochemical and biochemical study of ATPase and beta-glycerophosphatase activity in thymocytes, leukocytes and erythrocytes]. / Sravnitel'noe élektronnogistokhimicheskoe i biokhimicheskoe izuchenie ATFaznoi i beta-glitserofosfataznoi aktivnosti v timotsitakh, leikotsitakh i éritrotsitakh.

A study was made of the effect of procedures (freezing-thawing prior to incubation, prefixation with formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde, incubation with DMSO) on the activity of ATPase and beta-glycerophosphatase in leucocytes and erythrocytes of man, and of the effect of these procedures and of homogenization on ATPase activity in the cells of the rat thymus. The homogenization of rat thymocytes decreases ATPase activity by 15%. A repeated freezing-thawing results in a 15% decrease of ATPase activity in the cells of the rat thymus. The homogenization of rat thymocytes decreases ATPase activity in rat thymocytes, in a 2% decrease in human leucocytes, and in a 21% increase in human erythrocytes. Beta-glycerophosphatase activity in leucocytes and in erythrocytes increases thereby by 89 and 38%. Incorporation of 5% DMSO into the medium increases ATPase activity in human leucocytes and erythrocytes by 17 and 16%, while thymocytes this activity drops by 27%. Beta-glycerophosphatase activity increases thereby in leucocytes by 26 and in erythrocytes by 11.5%, resp.

[Morphological characteristics and immunophenotype of dendritic cells generated from monocytes of human peripheral blood]. / Morfologicheskie osobennosti i immunofenotip dendritnykh kletok, poluchennykh iz monotsitov perifericheskoi krovi cheloveka.

Morphological features and immunophenotype of mature dendritic cells (DC) generated from the monocytes of healthy donor blood after culture with GM-CSF and IL-4 with the addition of TNF, were studied using light and electron microscopy, as well as flow-cytometry. It was shown that DC were characterized by a number of morphological features such as: large size, eccentrically located nucleus, highly developed system of extensions, large vacuolated cytoplasm, prominent and activated Golgi complex and ribosomal apparatus. Mature DC are characterized by active surface expression of MHC and co-stimulatory molecules (MHC I, MHC II, CD40, CD80, CD86).

[General principles of the electron microscopic analysis of human neoplasms (using the example of studying lung cancer ultrastructure)]. / Obshchie printsipy élektronno-mikroskopicheskogo analiza novoobrazovanii cheloveka (na primere izucheniia ul'trastruktury raka legkogo).

Electron microscopic examinations of lung cancer showed the tumor cells to be capable of specific ultrastructural differentiation owing to which a tumor represents a combination of cells with different degrees of differentiation. This capacity of tumor cells to specific ultrastructural differentiation and formation of tumors consisting of nondifferentiated cells alone or of nondifferentiated and differentiated cells of one or several types, as well as the discovery of differentiated cells simultaneously with signs of cells of two types (chimera cells) suggest that either polypotent (stem cells) or monopotent (precursor cells) cells undergo malignancy. Accordingly, the histogenetic (cytogenetic) appurtenance of a tumor depends not upon its development from one to another type of differentiated cells but upon further direction of differentiation of transformed cells.

[Undifferentiated basal cell cancer of the skin (the ultrastructural and histochemical aspects of its histogenesis and diagnosis)]. / Nedifferentsirovannyi bazal'nokletochnyi rak kozhi (ul'trastrukturnye i gistokhimicheskie aspekty gistogeneza i diagnostiki).

Twenty-eight undifferentiated basal-cell carcinomas were studied electron microscopically and histochemically. It is established that the cells of which the tumours are formed, retain a number of tissue- and cell-specific features of the epidermis and skin appendages cells. 4 groups of undifferentiated basal-cell carcinoma are distinguished on the basis of this study that histogenetically are connected with the cells of epidermis, hair follicle, secretory parts of the eccrine sweat or sebaceous glands respectively.