The Rarity of Metastasis to the Spleen - a Phenomenon with an Unknown Mechanism.

The review analyses the frequency of malignant tumors metastasizing to the spleen. The facts are presented of a higher frequency of metastasis to the spleen in the presence of multiple metastases to other organs and the extreme rarity of isolated metastases to the spleen. Despite the rarity of spleen metastases, their frequency varies depending on the nosological form of the malignancy. The data about clinical manifestations of spleen metastases and positive effects of splenectomy in these cases are presented. The hypotheses explaining the rarity of metastases to the spleen are analyzed. Emphasis is placed on the multiple immune functions of the spleen, including the development of immunogenesis and tolerance, and the possible role of these processes in inhibiting the development of spleen metastases. However, to date, there is no complete understanding of the mechanisms of spleen metastasis inhibition. The spleen is an area where antimetastatic microenvironment is naturally formed. Understanding of the mechanisms inhibiting the development of metastases in the spleen and underlying the failure of this function in cases where metastases do occur could arm oncologists with a new strategy to prevent metastasis to any organ. Targeted research in this field is required.

Video or text? Education through a social media website in hypertension.

Background: Currently, several studies are available on the effective use of the Instagram social media platform to conduct training projects for CVD patients. The aim of this study was to determine the most effective methods (text or video) of informing people about the primary prevention of hypertension using a social media website. Materials and methods: A total of 125 participants were randomly selected and assigned to one of the four training groups depending on the training mode, i.e. text posts (4000 characters) - Group 1, video clips (5 min) - Group 2, text followed by video - Group 3 and video followed by text - Group 4. Before and after training, respondents in all four groups completed the Heart Disease Knowledge Questionnaire (HDKQ). Results: The total number of people who listened to and read the materials of the online school was 2108 people. Before training, the number of correct responses for 29 HDKQ statements was 18.4 ± 5.1, after training it increased to 21.9 ± 3.9 (CI, 21; 22.7) (p < 0.0001). The post-hoc analysis showed that after training the participants in Group 4 had more correct responses than the respondents in Group 3, 2, 1 i.e. Δ = 5.2, Δ = 1.5, Δ = 0.3, respectively. The respondents from Group 3 gave the lowest number of correct responses in other groups. Conclusions: The most effective method of informing people about the primary prevention of hypertension using a social media website corresponded to the following sequence: a video clip followed by a text post.

[A new approach in the compression therapy of postoperative scars]. / Novyi podkhod v kompressionnoi terapii posleoperatsionnykh rubtsov.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of compression therapy with a prolonged plaster of Contractubex in the formation of skin scarring in children after surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a prospective open-label randomized trial, 109 patients aged 5.3±2.1 years after surgery: boys - 73, girls - 36. Patients were divided into 2 groups: in the main group (54 children) the application of the prolonged plaster Contractubex was performed; in the control group (55 patients) - dynamic observation. The scar deformation was assessed according to the Vancouver scale for 10, 30 and 90 postoperative days. RESULTS: 94.4% patients had good compliance; in 2 (3.7%) - satisfactory; in 1 (1.9%) - unsatisfactory compliance. In our study, the formation of hypertrophic scars in the main group was significantly less frequent than in the control group (1 and 8 patients, respectively, χ2=4.241, p=0.042). CONCLUSION: Thus, the use of the prolonged plaster Contractubex in the near and distant period a good cosmetic and functional result in the formation of a postoperative scar was provided.

[The complications of intestinal stoma in children]. / Oslozhneniia kishechnykh stom u detei.

AIM: To investigate the complications of intestinal stoma in children and to develop measures for decrease of their incidence. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 152 children with congenital and acquired gastrointestinal pathology requiring surgical treatment with the imposition of intestinal stoma. Atresia of intestinal tube was observed in 28 (18.4%) children, meconium ileus - in 10 (6.6%) cases, Hirschsprung's disease - in 11 (7.2%)cases, anorectal malformations - in 39 (25.7%) cases, multiple malformations - in 11 (7.2%) patients, necrotic enterocolitis - in 56 (36.8%) patients, other reasons - in 7 (4.6%) cases. The average age of patients was 12,3±7,2 days. There were 93 (61.2%) boys and 59 (38.8%) girls. Ileostomy, ileocolostomy and colostomy were made in 37 (24.3%), 46 (30.3%) and 69 (45.4%) cases respectively. Time of intestinal stoma function was 18-217 days. RESULTS: Early complications were dehiscence in the area of stoma in 4 (2.6%) children, evagination in 7 (4.6%) patients, marginal necrosis of stoma in 2 (1.3%) cases, retraction of stomy into abdominal cavity in 1 (0.6%) child and abdominal skin maceration in 8 (5.2%) patients. Remote complications included dermatitis around stomy in 35 (23.1%) children, stenosis of stoma in 9 (5.9%) cases, evagination of stoma in 12 (7.9%) patients. Also, 5 patients were unable to use the colostomy bag due to vicious overlaying of intestinal stoma. Using the colostomy bags «Coloplast¼ and skin care products around the stoma significantly reduced (p<0.01) the number of complications at inpatient stage of treatment. CONCLUSION: Successful function of stoma depends on not only technical aspects but also obligatory care performance with timely correction of complications.

Comparative Evaluation of ß-Catenin and E-Cadherin Expression in Liquid Aspiration Biopsy Specimens of Thyroid Nodules.

We compared the results of gene molecular and immunocytochemical studies of ß-catenin and E-cadherin in different variants of nodular thyroid disease (nodular colloid goiter, follicular thyroid adenocarcinoma, papillary thyroid cancer) and revealed changes of the function of the E-cadherin/ß-catenin complex leading to switching from adhesion function of ß-catenin in nodular colloid goiter to predominantly transcriptional activity in papillary carcinoma. The results confirm the important role of disturbances in E-cadherin-ß-catenin interactions in the mechanisms of malignant transformation of follicular epithelium.

[ß-Catenin: Structure, Function and Role in Malignant Transformation of Epithelial Cells].

The article presents the data on the structure and mechanisms of ß-catenin functioning. The basic aspects of the role of ß-catenin in malignant transformation have been studied at various tumors. Primary structure of ß-catenin allows it to interact with many factors and ligands, including transcription factors, α-catenin, cadherin, Axin, Rho family GTPases, Bcl9 et al. This interaction is the base for ß-catenin's intracellular multi-functioning. The review presents data on the participation of ß-catenin in the mechanisms of adhesion, regulation of RNA metabolism, formation contacts with the cytoskeleton and its role in the canonical Wnt signaling pathway, marked examples pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory effects of ß-catenin. The ß-catenin involvement in malignant transformation and progression of certain tumors is not in doubt. The data on the changes in ß-catenin expression in the given examples of colon cancer, prostate cancer, different forms of thyroid cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma are presented with the prospects of its use as a marker and a predictor of malignant transformation. Continued research in this area will not only make use of ß-catenin as a potential predictor of malignant tumors, but also to develop approaches to targeted therapy.

[Modern approach to the rehabilitation of children with fractured long tubular bones].

An optimized therapeutic rehabilitation program involved 393 patients with fractured long bones (humeral, radial/ulnar, femoral, crural) admitted to the Orthopedic Department of the Stavropol Regional Children's Clinical Hospital and the Rehabilitation Centre for Handicapped Children and Adolescents. Rehabilitation was performed in three consecutive stages, viz. immobilization, functional recovery and training. The proposed approach ensured rather fast functional recovery of the affected extremity even in cases with compound fractures. The rehabilitation program included polyenzyme therapy with wobenzym during 3-4 weeks after injury or surgical repositioning of bone fragments. Pain and oedema syndromes resolved twice as fast as after traditional treatment. The use of this program permitted to avoid development of contracture and disturbances of locomotary activity; moreover, it improved the quality of life in children with fractures of long tubular bones.

[The antimutagenic and gene-protective properties of preparations of plant origin]. / Antimutagennye i genoprotektornye svoistva preparatov rastitel'nogo proiskhozhdeniia.

The data of experimental studies of gene protective and antimutagenic activities of plant extracts on different test systems is reviewed. The most frequently used test systems are microorganisms and experimental animals (49.4 and 40.6% of cases, respectively). Plant test systems, insects and human cell cultures are rarely used (7.2, 2.9, and 4.3, respectively). Antimutagenic properties of plant preparations are due to vitamins, pigments, polyphenol complex, coumarin, flavonoids, terpenic saponins, lactons etc.