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Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) and turnip rape (B. rapa L. subsp. campestris (L.)) are important agricultural plants widely used for food, fodder and technical purposes and as green manure. Over the past decades, a large number of perspective varieties that are being currently cultivated in every region of Russia have been developed. To increase the breeding eff iciency and facilitate the seed production, modern molecular-genetic techniques should be introduced as means to estimate species and varietal diversity. The objective of the presented research study was to investigate DNA polymorphism of the rapeseed and turnip rape varieties developed at Federal Williams Research Center of Forage Production and Agroecology and detect informative markers for varietal identif ication and genetic certif ication. To genotype 18 gDNA samples, 42 and 25 combinations of respective SSR and SRAP primers were used. The results obtained demonstrate that SRAP markers were more effective for polymorphism analysis: 36 % of the tested markers revealed genetic polymorphism compared with only 16.7 % of microsatellite loci. Molecular markers to detect differences at interspecif ic and intervarietal levels have also been found. For the investigated set, such microsatellite loci as Na12A02, Ni2C12, Ni02-D08a, Ra02-E01, Ni03H07а and SRAP-marker combinations as F13-R9, Me4- R7, F11-Em2, F10-R7, F9-Em2 and F9-R8 proved to be informative. Application of the two marker techniques made it possible to detect a higher level of DNA polymorphism in plants of different types (spring and winter varieties) if compared against the intervarietal differences within a species or a group. According to Nei's genetic diversity index, in the cluster of winter rapeseed, VIK 2 and Gorizont varieties had the longest genetic distance, and in the spring cluster, these were Novosel and Veles. A high level of similarity was found between Vikros and Bizon winter rapeseed varieties. The results obtained have a high practical value for varietal specif ication of seed material and genetic certif ication of rapeseed and turnip rape varieties., (Copyright © AUTHORS.)

Signals of system functioning of different nature are presented in the parameter space (state-velocity-acceleration) as a trajectory of dynamic events. Such signals geometrization allows to reveal the hidden spatio-temporal correlation in dynamics of systems functioning. It is shown that the nature of relationship between the dynamic parameters of signal determines the natural cycle of sensor functioning. Its restructuring displays the inherited features of systems functioning in signature package. The universal differential-geometry parameters and new integrative indexes of system functioning are used to analyze the signatures of biological and physical signals.

The paper presents the results of examination of the chemical and radionuclide composition of natural waters and snow cover in Moscow. Areas with abnormal contents of tritium are found in the underground and surface waters and snow cover. The high concentrations of strontium, boron, fluorine, and barium are ascertained to be associated with natural factors. Areas of technogenically polluted underground waters are identified. Recommendations are given for further studies. Particular emphasis is laid on that the artesian wells that are a reservoir source of water supply under emergency are to be revised.

The authors present the results of a six-year clinicoimmunological study of a therapeutic effect of cytkins combined with 5-fluoruracyl in metastatic renal-cell carcinoma. Two therapeutic regiments have been used: rhIFN-a + 5-FU and rhIL-2 + RHifn-A + 5-FU. In cytokin-sensitive patients, both therapy protocols vrs conventional therapeutic alternatives (cytostatics, hormones, irradiation) have been shown to increase the frequency of achievement of remission by objective scoring and life span of the patients. There was an improvement in patients on having received the complex with IL-2 but a higher therapeutic effect appeared to be accompanied by substantial side effects. Recommendatory measures well-targeted to those patients with metastatic renal-cell carcinoma who are to be placed on cytokinotherapy are presented together with immunological indices to monitor the treatments administered and prognosis.

125 patients with tuberculous and posttuberculous cystitis were examined using cytological test of the aspirate from the bladder for atypical cells and histological investigation of the biopsy. Cancer of the bladder has developed in long-term chronic tuberculous or posttuberculous cystitis in 4% of the cases. The best objective method of the diagnosis was histological examination of the biopsy obtained from cancer-suspected sites of the bladder mucosa.

1. Apparent expression of PCNA in different tumours should not be regarded as an unquestionable criterion of tumoral growth and progression but a negative result of an immunohistochemical assay for PCNA of certain human tumours is not to be taken as a proof that there is no tumoral growth whatever. 2. With results of the immunohistochemical study into the tumour for PCNA protein varying thus much, they are to be interpreted as different forms of manifestation of this protein gene abnormalities.

In an immunohistochemical investigation designed to study a mutated p53 protein in transitional-cell tumours (n = 44) we succeeded in identifying the presence of two types of transitional-cell tumours of human urinary bladder, such as p53 immunopositive and p53 immunonegative transitional-cell tumours. Thus, the results of the immunohistochemical investigation into the protein p53 were found out to directly correlate with the clinical course of transitional-cell tumours, that are held to be of great differential-diagnostic and prognostic significance.

Recombinant interferon treatment of donors' and bladder cancer patients' lymphocytes results in activation of natural killer cells which is in correlation with enhanced activity of 2,5-oligoadenylate synthetase in them. The study of sensitivity of bladder cancer cell primary cultures showed that the cells are sensitive to various interferons virtually in all the cases observed as indicated by high synthetase activity. The baseline level of 2,5-oligoadenylate synthetase in tumor cells surpassed that in natural killers from healthy donors which may be related to elevated levels of serum gamma-interferon in the above patients.

3-OAK antigen was determined by immunodiffusion in agar by means of immune sera containing antibodies against 3-OAK. In patients with cancer of the urinary bladder the percentage of detecting 3-OAK-Ag in the native serum was 76.9 while in lyophilized it was 41.9. In patients with pretumorous diseases (leukoplakia, chronic cystitis, papillomas) their values were 64.1 and 56.1 respectively. It is concluded that lyophilized blood serum may be used in the clinical practice for immunological and serological examinations.

Stage I--II disease was identified in 71 out of 219 patients with nonseminomatous germ cell tumors of the testis. After orchifuniculectomy, polychemotherapy was given to 30 patients while the rest underwent transperitoneal lymphadenectomy. Long-term survival in the polychemotherapy group was 83.3%, in the lymphadenectomy one--95.1%. After excision of the retroperitoneal lymph nodes, the patients' follow-up should include regular assays of such tumor markers as alpha-fetoprotein and chorionic gonadotropin as well as X-ray examination of the chest for at least the first 24 months. Polychemotherapy should not be administered unless tumor dissemination or an increase in tumor marker levels are detected.

The writers present an analysis of the remote results of the combination therapy in 208 patients with cancer of the urinary bladder, depending on the histological form of the tumor. Radical surgery was performed in 193 patients, palliative--in 15. All types of surgical intervention were associated with radiotherapy in the pre- and postoperative period. The survival for 3 years and longer was noted in 153 patients, for 5 years and longer--in 69. Transitional-cell papilloma is characterized by the most favourable prognosis.

The electron-microscopic analysis of 65 different transitional-cell tumours of the urinary bladder revealed quantitative correlations between the tumour cells belonging to different groups, types and forms of transitional-cell papilloma, transitional-cell carcinoma and undifferentiated carcinoma of the bladder. These correlations are of importance for histogenetic and differential diagnosis of these tumours. The correlation between the changes in cell composition of transitional-cell papilloma or transitional-cell carcinoma and the subsequent clinical course of the disease (prognosis) is determined.

The authors share their experience with cryosurgical treatment of 38 patients with prostatic cancer (stage T3--in 9 patients, T4--in 29). The technic of cryotherapy is described. The former was employed in patients with complete obstruction of the cervico-urethral segment being nonresponsive to the hormone- and radiotherapy, and also for a life cystostome. Three freezing sessions for 5--15 minutes were conducted with natural warming of the prostate between sessions during 10--12 minutes, and forced warming for 3--4 minutes after the third session. The optimum time of cryoeffect was 5--7 minutes. The postoperative period was smooth, uncomplicated. The process of rejection of the frozen tissues lasted for up to 4--6 weeks, after that a suprapubic drainage was withdrawn and uresis was restored. 32 patients were discharged from the clinic, the survival up to 3 months--in 2, up to 6 months--in 6, up to 1 year--in 4, up to 2 years--in 7, up to 3 years--in 7.

Analyzes the findings of histologic studies of biopsies of a pathologically changed and visually intact bladder mucosa from 334 patients with chronic cystitis with nonproliferative, proliferative, and metaplastic changes (n = 164), papillomas (n = 62), and carcinomas (n = 108). Demonstrates the relationships between these conditions and their evolution over a follow-up of 36-72 months. Outlines the most typical patterns of their development and progress eventuating in noninvasive or various forms of invasive carcinoma.

The urinary bladder leukoplakia from 42 patients was studied clinico-morphologically, histochemically and electron microscopically. This precancerous condition is observed in 58,3 cases of chronic cystitis, more frequently in females. Three successive stages of the leukoplakia development under the conditions of the inflammatory process can be distinguished: squamous-cell modulation, squamous-cell metaplasia, squamous-cell metaplasia with keratinization. The formation of fissure-like intercellular bridges and the appearance of the long dense bundles of tonofibrils in the cytoplasm are the early ultrastructural signs of squamous-cell metaplasia of the transitional epithelium which are of the differential-diagnostic importance.

A comparative evaluation of histologic patterns of non-seminomatous testicular tumors was carried out in 2 groups of patients: those receiving platinum derivative-based preoperative chemotherapy (31) and chemotherapy-free cases (36). Preoperative cytostatic treatment potentiated cell differentiation in retroperitoneal metastases in some patients, the latter effect being considered prognostically favorable.

The effect of combined treatment was studied in 97 patients with nonseminomatous testicular tumors with regional and distant metastases with regard to the blood serum levels of alpha-fetoprotein and chorionic gonadotropin. The disease stage was found closely correlating with the efficacy of the treatment and the level of tumor markers. Complete remission was observed in 84.2 per cent (16 out of 19) patients with normal marker levels and in 26.8 per cent (11 out of 41) of those in whom both markers levels were raised (p less than 0.05). A continuous follow-up revealed that increased marker levels were the evidence of tumor relapse or metastases in clinically silent patients.

A clinico-morphologic study was carried out in 63 patients suffering from leukoplakia of the urinary bladder. Certain differential diagnostic characteristics of clinical course and cystoscopic pattern of the disease as well as morphologic features of squamous cell metaplasia were identified. Malignant leukoplakia was registered in 12%. Papilloma and cancer concomitant to leukoplakia were detected in 22 and 27%, respectively.