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Literature review upon various types of estrogen receptors expression (type ? and ?) in the cells of cellular lung cancer, their participation in estrogen and antiestrogen effects implementation, influence of estrogens and antiestrogens on occurrence and progression of malignant lung tumors in animals and humans. Were analyzed reasons of data ambiguity on type ? estrogen receptors (ER?) expression frequency. The results of authors own research in quantitative assessment of ER? expression in tumor tissue of patients with cellular lung cancer (79 male and 22 female patients are presented in this article. An increase in expression rate and incidence of tumors with high ER? level has been shown in patients with lung adenocarcinoma regardless of smoking status or gender. A new strategy of antiestrogen use, especially tamoxifen, has been formulated for cellular lung cancer treatment. Authors believe in a positive effect of adjuvant treatment with tamoxifen in patients with ER?-positive cellular lung cancer used independently or during and after the chemotherapy, by analogy with breast cancer patients.

The aim of the review was systematization of the data on discordance in expression of estrogen receptors between primary and metastatic breast cancer, different metastases and repeated analyses of the same tissue. The possible reasons for the phenomenon are discussed. The authors emphasize the need to analyze estrogen receptors in breast cancer metastases, regardless of the receptor status of the primary tumor, for predicting the course of the metastatic disease and providing an adequate treatment of the metastatic tumor in strict accordance with its receptor status during drug therapy. The works cited in the search engine Pub Med to May 2013 were analyzed.

46 year old man appealed to the Cancer Research Center of RAMS in October 2012 with unverified anterior superior mediastinal tumor, which was diagnosed in 2010. Progressive compartment syndrome of the superior vena cava was observed. On examination: CT, MRI, angiography, histological and cytological examination of biopsy material did not allow to confirm the morphological structure of the tumor. Removal of the tumor with bifurcation of the brachiocephalic trunk prosthetics was performed. Immunohistochemical (IHC) study verified malignant hemangioendothelioma.

Radioligand assay demonstrated that in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer, expression of epidermal growth factor receptors in the tumor is higher than in non-tumor tissue. Expression of epidermal growth factor receptors in tumor and non-tumor lung tissue does not correlate with the stage and metastasizing of the disease and tumor histology. It is also shown that expression of epidermal growth factor receptors in tumor and non-tumor tissue is associated with lower survival rate.

Changes in the microvessels, consisting in their dilatation and accelerated formation, and a shift of the peak of epitheliocyte proliferative activity are found to be the structural basis of the stimulating effect of infrared magnetic laser. Morphologic changes in connective-tissue cells determine both the proper development of the connective-tissue carcass, primarily of the fibroblasts, and the barrier protective and regulatory function of such cells as macrophages, neutrophils, plasma cells, eosinophils, and, last but not least, mast cells. Morphologic changes occurring during irradiation according to optimal schemes indicate activation of specific cell functions and are observed at earlier times.

Experimental studies showing ever new biological effects of tamoxifen on tumor cells, both expressing and nonexpressing estrogen receptors, are providing a novel conception of the drug, likely well known at present. The review describes tamoxifen targets, whose blocking induces inhibition of tumor cell growth and angiogenesis, stimulation of the programmed cell death (apoptosis, autophagia and necrosis), inhibition of multiple drug resistance mechanism and inhibition of invasion and metastasizing. In all the events, the results of the tamoxifen interaction with the cells are prognostically favourable from the viewpoint of both the inhibition of the tumor growth and metastasizing and the susceptibility to the medicinal therapy, that is considered by some authors as an extremely important addition to the tamoxifen antiestrogenic effect. The strategy of long-term tamoxifen adjuvant therapy of breast cancer with positive status of the estrogen reseptors was developed by Craig V. Jordan as far back as in the seventies of the XXth century, however there are arguments allowing to consider it also useful for the treatment of other tumors. First of all it is the fact described lately in regard to expression of estrogen beta-reseptors in solid tumors of practically all known localization and histological types, that are also the targets of tamoxifen. Apart from estimation of estrogen receptors, it is believed by some authors that molecular and biological choice of patients is necessary with an account of expression of other cell targets of antiestrogen for complete realization of all the aspects of tamoxifen biological activity in long-term adjuvant therapy of malignant tumors of various localization.

Literature review upon various types of estrogen receptors expression (type alpha and beta) in the cells of cellular lung cancer, their participation in estrogen and antiestrogen effects implementation, influence of estrogens and antiestrogens on occurrence and progression of malignant lung tumors in animals and humans. Were analyzed reasons of data ambiguity on type beta estrogen receptors (ERbeta) expression frequency. The results of authors own research in quantitative assessment of ERbeta expression in tumor tissue of patients with cellular lung cancer (79 male and 22 female patients are presented in this article. An increase in expression rate and incidence of tumors with high ERbeta level has been shown in patients with lung adenocarcinoma regardless of smoking status or gender. A new strategy of antiestrogen use, especially tamoxifen, has been formulated for cellular lung cancer treatment. Authors believe in a positive effect of adjuvant treatment with tamoxifen in patients with ERbeta-positive cellular lung cancer used independently or during and after the chemotherapy, by analogy with breast cancer patients.

Our investigation involved 27 patients with osteosarcoma and 2--malignant fibrous histiocytoma of long tubular bones treated at the Center's Clinics (2001-2008). Two regimes were used for relapsed tumor: ifosamide up to 5-10 g/m2 (median 7.5) + carboplatin 300-750 mg/m2 (median 350) + etoposide 300-500 mg/m2 (median 450) (ICE), or doxorubicin 50-80 mg/m2 (median 60) (ICA). Surgical treatment used atypical resection of the lung or precision excision of metastasis. Median post-relapse follow-up was 18 months. When ICE was used, partial effect was reported in 3 (17.6%), stabilization--10 (58.8%), and tumor progression--4 (23.5%); ICA: partial effect--3 (25%), stabilization--6 (50%), tumor progression--3 (25%). Metastases were removed after a course of chemotherapy in 16 cases. Overall 3- and 5-year survival was 51.6 +/- 11% and 34.4 +/- 16%, respectively. Relatively more aggressive was the course of the disease in cases of early relapse (or = 12 months), combination of local recurrence and distant metastasis and those who had not survived until a second surgical remission. Hence, timely combination therapy of relapsed high-grade osteosarcoma may secure relatively long remission in 35-40.3%.

A review of the literature data on expression of estrogen receptor alpha and beta (ERalpha and ERbeta) in tumors different from breast cancer. The results regarding the ERalpha and ERbeta expression frequency in non-small cell and small cell lung cancer, colorectal cancer, esophageal, ovarian, prostate and brain tumors are presented. High frequency of estrogen receptor expression (in up to 50 and more per cent of cases) in various types of tumors, differences between ERalpha and ERbeta in expression frequency, prognostic significance and prediction of the neoplastic process aggressiveness as well as in biological implications of interaction with antiestrogens (antagonistic and/or agonistic effect) are shown. The data on comparative evaluation of ERalpha and ERbeta expression in lung, ovarian, prostate tumor cells and corresponding nonneoplastic tissues are reported. Authors consider necessary to include the ERalpha and ERbeta detection into the routine clinical practice not only in breast cancer but in other tumors as well. Prospects of the clinical application of antiestrogens, in particular tamoxifen, in adjuvant therapy of different tumors with positive ER status are discussed.

Reasons for laboratory misdiagnosis that is observed in general health care network (GHCN) and penitentiaries were studied. The clinical efficiency of the diagnosis of tuberculosis in the GHCN by the Ziehl-Neelsen method is largely determined by three major factors, each of which is fundamentally important in assessing the result. The first factor is the adequacy of making up a cohort of patients having the symptoms of productive cough in the course of 2-3 weeks or more who are to be examined for tuberculosis by laboratory studies. The second is the quality of a diagnostic material. The third is the quality of laboratory specialists' work. The paper shows it necessary to implement programs for the internal control and external assessment of the quality of laboratory studies and to optimize (centralize) the activities of laboratories under the conditions of a regional network.

S u m m a ry. - The subject of the study was 20 cases of non-small-cell lung carcinomas, up to 3 cm in diameter, conventionally designed as minimal lung cancers removed in patients operated on at the N. N. Blokhin Cancer Research Centre, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences in 1986 to 2001. According to survival rates after surgery, the patients were divided into two groups: 1) those who died within the first two years; 2) those who were followed up for 3-5 years. Histological, histochemical, and immunohistochemical studies were performed. The expression of argyrophylic nucleolar organizer site proteins (Ag-NOS-proteins) that characterized the rate of cell proliferation (the duration of a cellular cycle) and the expression of Ki-67 antigen, which reflected the fraction of growth (the number of proliferating cells), were revealed in the tumor cells. Minimal lung cancers were found to be a heterogeneous group of neoplasms showing differences in both the rate of cell proliferation and the count of proliferating cells. The cell proliferation rate is a determinant of the clinical course of minimal lung cancers. Group 1 tumors characterized by the superexpression of Ag-NOS-proteins and, accordingly, the higher cell proliferation rate and the moderate count of proliferating cells had a poor prognosis even in the presence of Stage IA whereas Group 2 tumors with a large quantity of proliferating cells, but with the less rate of cell proliferation were characterized by a much better prognosis. The rate of cell proliferation (expression of Ag-NOS-proteins) and the count of proliferating cells (the expression of Ki-67 antigen) should be simultaneously studied to have more complete information on the proliferative potential of tumor cells and on the prediction of the course of neoplasms.

Results of treatment of 52 patients with mesenchymal tumours of the mediastinum. Clinical finding is various and nonspecific. Computer tomography and MRT are the most informative diagnostic techniques. Among 52 patients with mesenchymal tumours of the mediastinum, 40 patients were treated surgically and 12 patients got conservative treatment. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy were carried out in 7 patients in pre- and postoperative periods. Radical surgical treatment was carried out in 21 patients with benign tumors. Among 19 patients with malignant tumors, 42% of patients got radical surgical treatment, and 58 % of patients got palliative therapy in combination with chemotherapy. Benign tumors have a favorable prognosis after surgical treatment. Major factors of the prognosis of surgical treatment are dissemination and the histologic form of a tumor as well as type of surgical intervention. Re-operation is necessary in case of relapse.

The authors discuss literature data and the results of their own many-year research into molecular markers of multiple pharmacoresistance associated with the function of ABC-transporters (MDRABC) from the point of view of their clinical significance. They consider the evolution of views on the mechanism of functioning and intracellular localization of ABC-transporters in normal and tumoral cells, in particular, the role of these transport proteins in the protection of nuclear targets from toxic agents, including antitumoral preparations. By the example of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) the authors critically analyze the reasons why data on the frequency of ABC-transporters expression in human solid tumors and on their prognostic value are inconsistent. The article contains a detailed analysis of the results of the authors' own research into the activity of ABC-transporters in NSCLC, in which the frequency of expression and co-expression of different transport proteins (including Pgp and MRP) is defined and new characteristics and mechanisms of the regulation of the functioning of MDRABC molecular markers are revealed. A methodical approach to routine characterization of MDRABC phenotype in NSCLC is offered. The main directions of pharmacological strategy of overcoming the multiple pharmacoresistance of NSCLC are formulated.

Assessment of human colon and lung mucosa cell viability was performed in Hanks salt media prepared separately with distilled and patented Penta water. The cell viability in the suspension was estimated by fluorescence intensity of propidium iodide, a DNA specific dye, that is an indicator of DNA structure intactness or damage. The experiments were conducted with the flow cytometry technique. The histogram analysis showed that 2-hour incubation of the cells in Hanks salt medium prepared with distilled water resulted in an increase of the number of the apoptotic cells with a respective decrease of the number of the intact cells (approximately 2- and 4-fold in the suspensions of the colon and lung mucosa cells respectively). A similar experiment with Hanks salt medium prepared with Penta water resulted in a less marked increase of the viability of the apoptotic cells that did not exceed 20 and 50% for the colon and lung mucosa cells respectively. The findings showed that viability of the cells ex vivo was significantly higher when Penta water was used as a solvent for preparing Hanks salt media as compared to distilled water. The result is important for ex vivo experiments since maximum preservation of the DNA structure minimizes the number of possible experimental inaccurate and consequently erroneous conclusions. Furthermore, the fact of pathologic process inhibition in cells isolated from various human tissues in Penta-based salt media is in favour of using Penta water as a solvent for nutritional ingredients in ex vivo maintenance of human tissues for transplantation as compared to distilled water.

With an account of the literature data that platinum drugs react with many cellular targets, including ATP and proteins, the authors suggested that disturbance of the function of energy-dependent ABC-transporters (markers of multidrug resistance, MDR) under the effect of platinum drugs could be a cause of increased efficacy of MDR agents (agents, MDR to which is developed by the classical mechanism) when used in combination with platinum drugs even in the treatment of multidrug resistant lung cancer. The cisplatin and carboplatin effect on accumulation of MDR doxorubicin in cells of non-small cell cancer was studied by flow cytometry with the use of biopsy specimens. The MDR phenotype of the tumors was determined by a change in doxorubicin intracellular accumulation under the action of the ABC-transporter(s)' inhibitors: verapamil and genistein (specific inhibitors of Pgp and MRP respectively) and sodium azide (an inhibitor of all energy-dependent ABC-transporters). The MDR phenotypes, i.e. Pgp-MRP+ or Pgp+MRP+, were detected in all the tumors investigated. Two types of changes in doxorubicin intracellular accumulation under the action of the inhibitors and the platinum drugs were shown: (a) an increase in doxorubicin cytoplasmic accumulation and (b) a change in subcellular distribution of the anthracycline (increased accumulation of doxorubicin in the cell nucleus and its higher binding to DNA). Cisplatin and carboplatin had an inhibitory effect on ABC-transporter(s) in all the tumors investigated but the effect of carboplatin was less pronounced. It was concluded that cisplatin and carboplatin stimulation of doxorubicin intracellular accumulation, as well as a change in subcellular distribution of the anthracycline under the action of the platinum drugs (increased doxorubicin accumulation in the cell nucleus) in multidrug resistant lung tumors could be at least partly explained by inhibition of the MDR transporter(s)' function. The results could provide a basis for the use of the sequential combination cisplatin (or carboplatin)--doxorubicin in the treatment of multidrug resistant lung cancer.

According to the literature and the authors' data in patients who died of dysentery Shigellae are found seldom because of postmortem shedding of superficial colonic epithelium infected by them. Shigella adhesion and invasion into the colonocytes are regularly found in the colon biopsies. As shown recently in experiments, Shigella outer membrane proteins forming "contact haemolysin" ("virulence plasmid" product) are responsible for their invasion. In the small intestine this cytotoxin is destroyed by trypsin, therefore Shigella invasion takes place in the large intestine where it also lyses vacuole membranes around the bacteria in colonocytes. Widespread cytopathic alterations of the epithelium with a damage to ribosome and protein synthesis, disturbance of vascular permeability and fluid hypersecretion in the small intestine result from Shiga-like enterotoxin-cytotoxin. Extent of the inflammatory leukocyte response depends on the degree of Shigella invasion and multiplication and the destruction of the epithelium. Damages to the endothelium and blood coagulation system resulting occasionally in the infectious-toxic shock, are associated with Shigella destruction by leukocytes and absorption of lipopolysaccharide endotoxin released by them. Interepithelial lymphocytes especially those containing lysosome-like granules (similar to the blood "natural killers") play an important role in the response to Shigella.

123 lung carcinoids were studied, 32 of them electron-microscopically. Ultrastructural features were evaluated with the use of multivariate analysis. The most informative ultrastructural features were the following: correlation between differentiated and undifferentiated cells, the number of cytoplasm organoids including endocrine granules, degree of nuclei polymorphism and their size, specialized contacts, mitoses. Up to 18% of carcinoids, on the average, need ultrastructural verification of the anaplasia degree, this percentage increasing to 27.2% in atypical carcinoids. The above ultrastructural criteria allow to specify malignant potential of carcinoids, facilitate differential diagnosis and make their prognosis.

Investigators and clinicians have recently called attention not only to the clinical and morphological parameters, but to the parameters characterizing the biological activity of nonsmall-cell carcinoma of the lung (NSCCL) from biochemical and molecular biological points of view. These include production of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors (EGFR) and their ligands which are important auto/paracrine regulation of lung tissue formation in health and tumor growth. Active studies of EGFR and EGF-like peptides (mainly, EGF and alpha-TGF) have failed to gain an insight into their role in the pathogenesis of NSCCL. Most authors suppose that tumor EGFR production increases as cell atypical features enhance and tumors show EGFR hyperexpression as compared with intact lung tissue. The expression of EGF and alpha-TGF is associated with poor prognosis in NSCCL. Attempts at designing and clinically testing the agents that block the transmission of EGFR ligands within the tumor cell are well-known, which open up new possibilities for antitumor therapy of patients with NSCCL.

We found in experiments involving the use of a biopreparation lymphotilin that its administration was followed by a decrease in proliferative activity of cultured tumor cells and a longer survival of mice bearing transplantable leukemia. An intensified intercalation of ethidium bromide in nucleic acids of tumor cells in lymphotilin culture points to the drug activity on nuclear level. Tumor cell inhibition by lymphotilin holds much promise for the practice of hematology.

Some prognostic signs of surgical treatment of carcinoma of the lung are analysed. The stability and paramount importance of the integral clinical factor "extension of the tumor" is shown. The ultrastructural features of adenocarcinoma and squamous-cell carcinoma of the lungs influencing the disease prognosis were revealed. It is shown that electron microscopy allows differentiation of the tumor cells to be profoundly and precisely assessed. The results of the study unable a differentiated approach to the problems of postoperative therapy.

The treatment of testicular cancer has undergone considerable evolution since the introduction of cisplatin and widespread recognition of its curative potentials at any stages of disease. This article provides an overview on statistical and epidemiological information, the latest developments in testicular cancer biology. Also, the results of treating 360 patients with nonseminomatous and 97 patients with seminomatous germ cell tumors are presented. A combined chemotherapy with cisplatin, etoposide and bleomycin demonstrates the highest rate of activity in nonseminomatous germ cell tumor patients. Surgical resection of residual masses after chemotherapy continues to be an important component of combined modality therapy in nonseminomatous testicular tumors. The needs for regular clinical examination during a follow-up have been underlined.

16 lung large cell carcinomas (13 of them were followed for a long time) were studied. It is established that these tumours are a heterogeneous group of neoplasms which may be undifferentiated or with squamous, glandular, oncocytic and endocrine differentiation. Ultrastructural classification is presented reflecting diagnostic and prognostic aspects of these tumours. Tumours with pneumocytes type II, oncocytic differentiation and many lipid inclusions have more favourable prognosis. Unfavourable prognosis is typical for large cell carcinoma formed of undifferentiated cells only or with differentiation in the direction of goblet cells.

After oral immunization of lambs with S. typhimurium vaccine strain 274 these bacteria were characterized by low adhesion to the epithelial surface of the ileum, cecum, and colon, by very insignificant invasion into intestinal epithelium and then into lamina propria of the intestinal mucosa, mesenteric lymph nodes and the blood; the blood stream carried these bacteria further to the liver, spleen and other organs. Bacteria of strain 274 produced no damages, did not multiply and only persisted for 7-13 days in some lambs. No inflammation developed in response to oral immunization of the animals. The developing immunomorphological reaction presented as just a negligible increase in lymphocyte count in the intestinal epithelium, blast transformation and plasmatization in lymphatic follicles of Peyer's patches, hyperplastic mesenteric lymph nodes, blast and lymphocyte recirculation, moderate hyperplasia of white splenic pulp and insignificant lymphoid infiltration of portal interlayers of the liver.

After the immunization of sheep by the intramuscular injection of S. typhimurium vaccine strain 274 the bacteria did not proliferate, but were phagocytosed and destroyed by leukocytes and macrophages; in some sheep these bacteria persisted up to day 13, inducing inflammation neither at the site of injection, nor in lymphatic nodes and internal organs. The vaccinal process in lymphoid tissue was characterized by an initial decrease in the number of lymphocytes, then a sharp rise in blast transformation, mitosis rate and the number plasmatic cells in the centers of multiplication of follicules in lymph nodes and the spleen. After day 13 gradual normalization began and by day 32 only residual manifestations of immunomorphological changes remained. In the lamina propria of the intestinal mucosa individual small macrophagal granulomas developed. The number of lymphocytes also increased in the epithelium and the lamina propria of the uterine mucosa. In the liver variations in the number of lymphocytes were observed in portal interlayers, around central veins and in the region of sinuses.

The interaction of Shigella recombinant strains (with attenuating chromosomal mutations, with transposon-neutralized plasmid gene mutations, the hybrids of both strains), incapable of inducing keratoconjunctivitis in guinea pigs, with cells Hep-2 and enterocytes in the ligated loop of the small intestine of rabbits was studied. These strains retained, to varying extent, pronounced adhesiveness, but practically lost their invasiveness (though in Peyer's patches the translocation of bacteria by M-cells was observed) and cytotoxicity, as well as their capacity to multiply in epithelial cells and to cause destructive inflammation in the intestine. According to these criteria of evaluation, morphological investigations confirm the safety of the recombinant shigellae under study.

In 2-3 weeks after the oral immunization of rabbits, made in one or two administrations, with attenuated two-marker S. dysenteriae 1 strain VS-12 and recombinant S. dysenteriae VS-12/S. sonnei NR-18 and S. flexneri y433/S. sonnei NR-18 pronounced immunological reaction developed in the mucous membrane of the small intestine: blast transformation follicles of Peyer's patches, an increase in the number of lymphoblasts and plasmocytes in the cupolae of follicles and in intestinal villi, and an increase in the number of lymphocytes and macrophages in the intestinal epithelium with their release into the lumen of the intestine after challenge with virulent shigellae. The protective potency of these recombinants after challenge with massive doses of virulent shigellae was found to be high, which was shown by quantitative evaluation of the decrease of adhesion, invasiveness and cytotoxicity, suppression of epithelial lesions and development of inflammation in the intestinal mucosa.

Chickens over 10 days old, infected orally with virulent salmonellae, were found to remain alive. Histologic investigation showed the development of mild enteritis and more pronounced, lasting for more than two weeks, inflammation of the cecum, dissemination and focal lesions in the liver (granulomas, necrosis). In experiments on the oral immunization of 3-day old chickens the bivalent hybrid of S. typhimurium vaccine strain 274 and S. dublin induced only pronounced blast transformation in lymphatic follicles of the cecum, hyperplasia of activated macrophages and formation of granulomas from these macrophages and lymphocytes. After oral challenge of the immunized chickens with virulent salmonellae of group B (S. typhimurium) and group D (S. enteritidis, S. gallinarum-pullorum) the chickens exhibited sharply pronounced protection against adhesion, colonization and invasion, and a few penetrating bacteria were rapidly destroyed by immune macrophages. Hybrid strain 274/O9 proved to be suitable for use as oral bivalent vaccine against salmonellosis in chickens.

After the intraperitoneal injection of corpuscles of C. burnetii antigen (Ag), phospholipid (PL), and sediment obtained after the extraction of PL from Ag with chloroform-methanol (CM) slight leukocytic reaction developed in the peritoneum on day 1, and on day 2 it could be observed in the liver and in the spleen. Ag induced the most pronounced morphological changes. In the spleen they were manifested by the activation of T- and B-dependent zones of white pulp from day 2 and by the pronounced hyperplasia of reticular cells and macrophages, leading to splenomegaly, by days 7-14. Simultaneously lymphoid-macrophagal granulomas and hepatomegaly developed in the liver. By days 7-14 the foci of necrosis in the liver were caused by the thrombosis of portal veins and were not registered after the injection of PL and CM (and earlier also in experiments with Ag in doses of 0.1-0.3 mg).

The clinical and morphological data were studied and compared in 84 patients with Flexner's dysentery and 40 with Sonne dysentery. It is established that more pronounced and lingering colitic syndrome typical of Flexner's dysentery is related to more lasting persistence of causative agents in the superficial epithelium and in the m. mucosae of the rectum. Unlike Sonne dysentery, insufficiency of the local defence mechanisms was discovered in patients with Flexner's dysentery, namely inhibition of mucus secretion, low level of elimination of microorganisms with desquamated colonocytes at the disease onset, pathological changes of interepithelial lymphocytes, ineffective phagocytosis of bacteria by macrophages of the m. mucosae during convalescence.

Clinical evidence and morphological picture of rectal biopsy specimens were analysed for 125 dysentery patients. As compared to a light course, moderately severe and severe dysentery presented enhanced microbial adherence and an elevated level of large lymphocytes in the external epithelium of the rectum, deeper penetration of Shigella into crypts. On day 9-15 of the disease in attenuation of the clinical symptoms in severe and moderately dysentery morphological shifts persisted whereas the light run was associated with a marked decline of microbial invasion and cellular infiltration of the epithelium. In the protracted condition elimination of the microbes with desquamative colonocytes appeared inhibited permitting prognosis of the protraction as early as day 2-4 of the disease.

To ascertain the frequency of disturbance of the stage character of regional metastasis in lung carcinoma complicated by disintegration or obstructive pneumonitis, and its influence on certain results of surgical treatment, the authors analysed the data on 175 patients who underwent lung resection. The stage character of regional lymphogenous metastasis was found to be disturbed in 61 (34.8%) patients, in 52 (85.2%) of them the main disease was complicated by obstructive pneumonitis. Five-year survival in the group of patients without disturbance of the stage character of metastasis was 28 +/- 4.8%, which was significantly greater than that in the group of patients with a disturbed stage character (15.5 +/- 5.2%).

Receptors to estrogens (ER), progesterone (PR), glucocorticoids (GR) and androgens (AR) were assayed in 44 lung cancer patients to evaluate hormonal sensitivity of tumor. In 30 cases, active forms of GR were additionally measured by DNA-cellulose adsorption method. GR appeared to be most frequent (65%). Tumors contained PR and ER in 22% and 16% respectively, but failed to reveal AR. A correlation was established between stage and GR positivity, with 83 +/- 8% of GR-positive tumors observed at stage T1-3N0M0 as compared to 50 +/- 12% at stage T1-3N 1-2M0 (P less than or equal to 0.05). As few as 55% (11 out of 20) of GR-positive tumors revealed receptors capable of activation and interaction with DNA-cellulose. These tumors alone, one third of tumors studied, are likely to respond to glucocorticoid treatment.

The material of 70 patients with lung adenocarcinomas radically operated at the All-Union Cancer Research Centre is analyzed. The spread of tumour expressed in terms of TNM system (I group--T1-3 N0M0--37 patients, II group--T1-3 N1M0--18 patients, III group--T1-3 N2M0--11 patients, IV group--T1-3 N1M1--4 patients) and its ultrastructure served as criteria. The correlation is found between the life-span, degree and type of the tumour cell ultrastructural differentiation. The most favourable prognosis at comparable tumour spread is found when the tumour cell ultrastructural differentiation corresponded to that of Clara type, pneumocytes of II order and ciliary type. Less favourable ultrastructural features were the domination of undifferentiated cells and the presence of goblet cells and those having the signs of differentiation into the various directions. The lack of correlation of the differentiation at the light microscopic and ultrastructural levels is found in some cases this being reflected in delayed results.

The comparative characteristics of the invasiveness of Y. pseudotuberculosis, the most important element of its pathogenicity, is given on the basis of the results obtained in testing 57 Y. pseudotuberculosis strains and 23 Y. enterocolitica strains, all of them recently isolated, on experimental models (the monolayer cultures of Hep-2 cells, the enteral inoculation of mice and guinea pigs, the keratoconjunctival test). The invasiveness of Y. pseudotuberculosis has been shown to be manifested immediately after the ir adhesion and accompanied by the multiplication of these microbes in the cytoplasma of Hep-2 cells and, in animal experiments, in the cytoplasma of the epithelial cells of mucous membranes and the macrophages of lamina propria mucosae. The intracellular multiplication leads to the destruction of the layer of Hep-2 cells and, in animal experiments, to the disintegration of the infected cells, the development of Hep-2 cells and, in animal experiments, to the disintegration of the infected cells, the development of erosions and ulcers, purulent lymphadenitis of the regional lymph nodes, generalized infection with multiple abscesses in internal organs. Y. enterocolitica strains under investigation induced neither conjunctivitis, nor enterocolitis in the animals, and in experiments on Hep-2 cells, these strains, having less pronounced adhesive properties, either showed sharply limited adhesiveness without the capacity for intracellular multiplication and cytotoxicity, or proved to be absolutely noninvasive.