Screening for breast cancer in females at the level of regional (territorial, republican) clinical hospitals: organizational and methodological aspects

The paper deals with a special screening for breast cancer in female visitors of the consultative-and-diagnostic units (CDU) of regional (territorial, republican) clinical hospitals in the Russian Federation. The study was conducted in the CDU of the Moscow Regional Clinical Research Institute that in addition to its clinical researches acts as a regional clinical hospital for the Moscow Region. The basic idea of this screening is firstly that specialists of such-level CDU attended by many women requiring various consultations obligatorily give multifaceted counseling. Secondly, such polyclinic complexes have a required set of technical devices, such as as radiomammographs, ultrasound apparatuses, etc. In other words, there are prerequisites for providing a present-day screening, without spending any extra money. This screening has been made at the Institute since 2002. A total of 2724 risk-group females and 4222 female patients with the clinical signs of breast space-occupying lesions were examined. Its procedure including the formation of risk groups has been developed by means of a specially designed questionnaire. A comparative analysis of the results of these examinations gives preference to the screening diagnosis of this pathology. This all makes the author recommend this screening for its use in all 89 regions of the Russian Federation, by understanding that this can partially solve the problem of a screening for breast cancer in women in general outpatient care health facilities at the municipal level. Moreover, any attempts to mage a screening diagnosis of tumorous lesions at this level of today's health care become particularly relevant in the light of the governmental program to be implemented, which focuses on municipal public health that is one of its main goals.     

Quantification of the magnification and distortion effects of a pediatric flexible video-bronchoscope

Background

Flexible video bronchoscopes, in particular the Olympus BF Type 3C160, are commonly used in pediatric respiratory medicine. There is no data on the magnification and distortion effects of these bronchoscopes yet important clinical decisions are made from the images. The aim of this study was to systematically describe the magnification and distortion of flexible bronchoscope images taken at various distances from the object.

Methods

Using images of known objects and processing these by digital video and computer programs both magnification and distortion scales were derived.

Results

Magnification changes as a linear function between 100 mm (×1) and 10 mm (×9.55) and then as an exponential function between 10 mm and 3 mm (×40) from the object. Magnification depends on the axis of orientation of the object to the optic axis or geometrical axis of the bronchoscope. Magnification also varies across the field of view with the central magnification being 39% greater than at the periphery of the field of view at 15 mm from the object. However, in the paediatric situation the diameter of the orifices is usually less than 10 mm and thus this limits the exposure to these peripheral limits of magnification reduction. Intraclass correlations for measurements and repeatability studies between instruments are very high, r = 0.96. Distortion occurs as both barrel and geometric types but both types are heterogeneous across the field of view. Distortion of geometric type ranges up to 30% at 3 mm from the object but may be as low as 5% depending on the position of the object in relation to the optic axis.

Conclusion

We conclude that the optimal working distance range is between 40 and 10 mm from the object. However the clinician should be cognisant of both variations in magnification and distortion in clinical judgements.     

A new yeast species,Candida aurita sp. nov., from oligotrophic bogs of Western Siberia

Five anamorphous yeast strains of ascomycetous affinity with a specific mode of budding were isolated from raised bog soils of Bakcharskoe Bog (Tomsk oblast). According to their morphological and physiological properties, these strains belong to the genus Candida but differ from all species described previously. The level of DNA-DNA homology with species similar in the assimilation spectrum was as low as 7%. Based on these data, the new species Candida aurita sp. nov. is described.     

Detection of a system of microsomal monooxygenases in the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei

A microsomal fraction from the cells of the malaria parasite of rodent Plasmodium berghei was obtained. The spectral properties of microsomal preparations suggest that P. berghei microsomes contain cytochromes b5 and P-420. Electrophoretic separation of microsomal proteins revealed the presence of proteins whose molecular mass corresponds to NADPH-cytochrome c reductase, cytochrome P-450 and epoxide hydratase. The activities of NADPH-cytochrome c reductase and benzpyrene hydroxylase were determined. The spectral parameters, electrophoretic data and enzymatic activities of microsomal proteins indicate that P. berghei cells contain a cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase system. The interrelationship between the activity of the microsomal monooxygenase system and the resistance of P. berghei cells to the antimalaria preparation chloroquine is discussed.     

Distribution of specific signals of different modality in the associative parietal area of the cat cortex

In cats under nembutal anesthesia eliciting specific early components of association responses, the drug parietal distribution upon forepaw and thalamic stimulation was studied: relay somatic-ventrobasal complex (VB) and association nuclei, transmitting specific visual impulses in pulvinar (Pul) and lateral-posterior (LP) areas. Signals of maximum intensity were observed in response to peripheral and central stimulation near somatic area and in response to Pul and LP stimulation in the medial part of parietal cortex. Besides, a general principle revealing more intensive signals of different modality in the areas near lateral sulcus than in other parietal areas was established. The difference in processing of specific polysensory signals in various parietal areas and consequently, different involvement of the latter into the systemic action of the brain was proved, this being related to the character of topical organization of these signals.     

Effect of dimethylsulfoxide on the morphology and proliferation of the tumor NGUK-1 cell line

The effects of low doses of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) on the growth and morphology of tumour NGUK-1 strain cells from neurinoma were studied. DMSO produced a dose-dependent reduction in the proliferative capacity. 3% and 5% DMSO concentration inhibited the mitotic activity in the culture and the entry of cells into S-phase of the cell cycle, which was demonstrated by decreased mitotic and thymidine-labelling index. Electron microscopic studies at these DMSO concentrations have revealed large cisterns of rough endoplasmic reticulum with electron dense fine granules. Nucleoli had a spongy structure. DMSO induced stimulation of protein synthesis in cells. At greater DMSO concentrations almost all the cells died. At a 1% concentration DMSO had no effect on cellular morphology and proliferation of in vitro propagated tumour cells.     

The role of different pathways of mevalonate synthesis in the regulation of sterol and bile acid synthesis in the mammalian liver

The role of various pathways of synthesis are considered for mevalonic acid, the first specific precursor of sterols, in the production of cholesterol and bile acids in the mammalian liver. It is emphasized that the mevalonate synthesis with participation of acetyl-CoA-carboxylase and hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA-reductase not bound with the endoplasmic reticulum membranes results in formation of the pool of mevalonic acid and other precursors necessary mainly for the organism supply with bile acids under conditions of cholesterol synthesis inhibition.