[Postoperative prognosis in acromegaly: a role of immunohistochemical markers].

The aim of the investigation was to examine the markers of tumor progression in pituitary adenomas in acromegalic patients and to study their relationship to the poor postoperative predictive factors. Case histories were analyzed in 39 arcomegalic patients undergone transphenoidal adenomectomy as the method of choice at the Endocrinology Research Center, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences. The immunohistochemical technique was used to explore Ki-67, CD31, and galectin-3 in the cells of removed adenomas. Young age, high postoperative growth hormone (GH) levels, a large adenoma, and signs of its paracellular dissemination were poor postoperative predictors. Ki-67 was present In 9 (23%) of the 39 patients, CD31 in 16 (31%), galectin-3 in 11 (28%), and prolactin in 9 (23%). The preoperative GH levels were significantly higher in patients with positive immunostaining for the potential malignancy marker galectin3 and the angiogenetic marker CD31. The cell proliferation marker Ki-67 was present only in adenomas positive for prolactin. Positive immunostaining for Ki-67 and prolactin correlated with large adenoma sizes and intracavernous extension.

[Follicular thyroid neoplasia (a lecture)].

Nodular thyroid formations are detected in approximately 4-7% of individuals living in regions with normal iodine supply. In regions of iodine deficiency, the prevalence of nodular goiter is significantly higher, especially in women older than 40 years, in which it can exceed 30%.

Detection and molecular characterisation of thyroid cancer precursor lesions in a specific subset of Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) represents the most common cause of hypothyroidism and nonendemic goiter, but its clinical and pathological heterogeneity opens the question if this disease should be more properly considered as a spectrum of different thyroid conditions rather than as a single nosological entity. In this study, we analysed 133 cases of HT for the expression of galectin-3, a lectin molecule involved in malignant transformation, apoptosis and cell cycle control. An unexpected expression of galectin-3 was demonstrated in a subset of HT together with the presence of HBME-1, c-met and cyclin-D1 that are also involved in malignant transformation and deregulated cell growth. Furthermore, a loss of allelic heterozygosity in a specific cancer-related chromosomal region was demonstrated in some HT harbouring galectin-3-positive follicular cells, by using laser capture microdissection. On the basis of the morphological and molecular findings we identified four subsets of HT: (a) HT with classic features of chronic autoimmune thyroiditis; (b) HT associated to hyperplastic/adenomatous lesions; (c) HT harbouring thyroid cancer precursors; (d) HT associated to unequivocal thyroid microcarcinomas. Our findings provide a well-substantiated morphological and molecular demonstration that HT may include a spectrum of different thyroid conditions ranging from chronic autoimmune thyroiditis to thyroiditis triggered by specific immune-response to cancer-related antigens.

Environmental radioactivity in the South Urals 1990-1997. An international study supported by INTAS, EC and national funding.

Radioecological studies carried out in a joint co-operation between Russian, Ukrainian and Danish Laboratories are reported. The environmental impact of routine, discharges as well as accidental events, notably the Kyshtym accident in 1957 and the Karachay wind dispersion in 1968 have been studied. From measurements and based on model assumptions it has been estimated that the Ob river system outside Mayak, i.e. first of all the Techa and Iset rivers and their floodplains contain 0.1 PBq 90Sr, 0.3 PBq 137Cs and 0.8 TBq 239, 240Pu. The uncertainty of these estimates is a factor of 3-4. The present contamination from the Kyshtym accident outside the Mayak area is calculated to 0.1-0.5 PBq 90Sr and from the Karachay incident the contamination is 0.05-0.1 Bq 137Cs. The environmental contaminations with Pu from these two events are in the order of 1 TBq. The occurrence of 99Tc, 129I and 237Np in highly contaminated Techa river sediments collected outside Mayak is for the first time reported.