Magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of benign renal parenchymal epithelial tumors: MRI -- pathomorphological comparison

The study evaluates the MRI diagnostic value in the discovery and characterization of the benign epithelial renal parenchyma's neoplasms. Among more than 700 patients with renal tumors, which underwent MRI, 27 histopathologicaly verified cases of adenoma (10), malignant adenoma (11) and oncocytoma (6) were selected and the retrospective analysis of these 3 groups was performed. The 30 patients with small renal cell carcinoma were accepted as a control group. The benign tumor's MRI semiotics is described in general and in the particular for each nosological form. The author considers that MRI data reliably reflect the true morphological structure of the neoplasm's growth, concerning the secondary tumor's tissue alterations (r = 0.89), the presence (r = 0.92) and safety (r = 0.81) of pseudocapsula. At the same time, the specific MRI criteria for the different types of benign and small malignant tumors were not found.     

Th effect of D2-dopamine receptor blockade on glutamate release into extracellular space of Nucleus accumbens during food reinforcement

In Sprague-Dawley rats in was shown by means of in vivo microdialysis combined with HPLC-EC analysis that the blockade of D2-dopamine receptors of the n. accumbens by raclopride (10 microM) completely prevents a decrease in accumbal extracellular glutamate level induced by food intake.     

Outpatient screening and its place in better detection of breast tumors

The authors state their opinion on this problem by analyzing their 5-year use of their programme specially developed for detection of breast disease, mainly cancer, among females visiting specialized rooms of non-mammological profiles (gastroenterology, endocrinology, rheumatology, pulmonology, neurology, cardiology, hematology, nephrology, etc.) in the consulting polyclinics of regional (territorial) hospitals and large city hospital-polyclinic complexes. In this period, mammographic studies were made in 9169 women included into a breast cancer-risk group. Of them 1370 young female patients with well-developed glandular tissue that makes mammographic diagnosis of presumed masses difficult underwent breast ultrasonography. Abnormalities were found in 6092 (66.44%) patients. Breast cancer and nodal benign masses (including cysts and fibroadenomas) were detected in 278 (3.03%) and 669 (7.30%) women, respectively. The detection rates of unpalpable breast malignant and benign masses carcinomas were 0.4 and 3.03%, respectively. The findings allow the authors to recommend their proposed screening programme for wide use in large regional (territoreal), city, and town polyclinic complexes.     

Application of neural networks using the volume learning algorithm for the study of structure-activity relationship in chemical compounds

A volume learning algorithm for artificial neural networks was developed to quantitatively describe the three-dimensional structure-activity relationships using as an example N-benzylpiperidine derivatives. The new algorithm combines two types of neural networks, the Kohonen and the feed-forward artificial neural networks, which are used to analyze the input grid data generated by the comparative molecular field approach. Selection of the most informative parameters using the algorithm helped to reveal the most important spatial properties of the molecules, which affect their biological activities. Cluster regions determined using the new algorithm adequately predicted the activity of molecules from a control data set.     

Isolation and identification of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus in the Stavropol territory

The results of the isolation and identification of the causative agent of a haemorrhagic fever outbreak in the Stavropol Territory are presented. The virus isolated from blood of haemorrhagic fever patients by virological methods was identified in serological and molecular tests as Crimean haemorrhagic fever virus. This epidemiological analysis testify to increased activity of the natural focus of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever in this area due to a number of natural and other factors leading to intensification of its epidemic realization.