bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What is the Contemporary?: Brief Archaeology of a Question
Authors: Ruffel Lionel
Published: March 2014

Las aproximaciones críticas a la noción de “lo contemporáneo” poseen una historia propia. En la Argentina, donde el presente trabajo ubica un momento originario, se remontan originalmente a la revista Zum , publicada por el Centro de Expresiones Contemporáneas en Rosario. Pero la trayectoria de esta pregunta y las preocupaciones por lo contemporáneo también se extienden a Italia (en la famosa formulación de Giorgio Agamben), Francia (tanto de parte de arquitectos como de críticos literarios), Bélgica, China, los Estados Unidos y Chile. Estos acercamientos críticos a la idea de lo contemporáneo pueden ser esbozados con miras a entender sus contextos geopolíticos y disciplinarios, y sus bases epistemológicas y discursivas. A manera de revisión crítica de este historial, el presente trabajo se propone explorar la trayectoria de la noción de “lo contemporáneo” a través de su aparición en el arte, exhibiciones de museos, tratados filosóficos, revistas críticas, y hasta instituciones universitarias. Mediante la examinación de estas iteraciones sucesivas de “lo contemporáneo”, buscamos un entendimiento de la historia mundial y de esta compleja pregunta.
Contemporary Intersections of Ecology and Culture: On Amerindian Perspectivism and the Critique of Anthropocentrism
Authors: Avelar Idelber
Published: March 2014

En las recientes formulaciones sobre las relaciones entre naturaleza y cultura, han sido cruciales las nociones de “biopolítica” de Foucault y “tanatopolítica” de Agamben. A estos conceptos fundamentales se les pueden agregar las interrogantes de Fabián Ludueña y Dipesh Chakrabarty, quienes subrayan la necesidad de entender la historia humana en términos de su conexión integral con el planeta y lo animal. A su vez, desde la disciplina de la antropología el brasileño Eduardo Viveiros de Castro ha defendido una “internalización de la naturaleza” como una nueva inmanencia, rechazando la idea de que los seres humanos simplemente habitamos espacios naturales, exteriores. En todas estas posturas, se concluye que la naturaleza y la cultura son realidades consubstanciales. El presente trabajo argumenta que América Latina representa un espacio importante en el estudio de esta nueva imbricación. En particular, los debates y conflictos actuales que se suscitan sobre la Amazonia, y que involucran tanto cuestiones medioambientales como los derechos de las comunidades indígenas, ejemplifican las dificultades que tal imbricación acarrea. Mediante la exposición de esta historia, espero demostrar cómo el momento contemporáneo se caracteriza por una urgencia por repensar la intersección entre la historia cultural y la historia natural.
Game over? Assisting transition from FE to HE level studies for Games Art students
Authors: Tinwell Angela
Published: March 2014

This article describes a case study of the process, implementation, delivery and outcomes of a half-day workshop designed to improve the transition from further education (FE) to higher education (HE) for new first-year students studying on a Games Art undergraduate degree programme. Held in student induction week, the purpose of the workshop was to: spark initial interest and motivation in research activities relevant to the student’s subject area of Games Art; enhance the first-year student experience, and; to assist retention of students, especially at first-year level. As a work in progress, this workshop is part of a larger university wide project to improve the first-year student experience, raise standards in research and scholarship, and aid retention. The implications of this workshop as a preliminary activity to work towards the continued increase of academic standards and confidence in research is discussed, also if this workshop may be used as a model across other subject areas and in other institutions.
Pump insulin therapy for diabetes mellitus
Authors: Emel'yanov A O
Published: March 2014

Insulin therapy is a pharmaceutical treatment used for patients with diabetes to normalize blood glucose level. In patients receiving insulin therapy, optimization of blood glucose levels can be achieved using various types of insulin and various methods, such as MDI (multiple daily injections) and CSII (continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion). This review describes actual key features of CSII for diabetes patients.
Clinical polymorphism of congenital X-linked adrenal hypoplasia
Authors: Orlova E M , Kareva M A
Published: March 2014

Congenital adrenal hypoplasia is a rare clinical variant of primary adrenal insufficiency. Two forms of this disease are known, one of which is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner (including IMAGe syndrome - a combination of adrenal hypoplasia with intrauterine growth retardation, metaphysical dysplasia and abnormal genital structure, OMIM 300290), and the other has X-linked nature of inheritance (DAX-1 gene defect). X-linked adrenal hypoplasia is relatively more common and studied in more detail.Congenital X-linked adrenal hypoplasia is manifested by a combination of primary adrenal insufficiency and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and is caused by defects in the DAX-1 gene (measurement-sensitive sex reversal, adrenal hypoplasia congenital, critical region on the X chromosome, gene-1).
Grelin and hormonal and metabolic parameters in young males with obesity and overweight
Authors: Verbovoy A F , Reshetova O N
Published: March 2014

The paper deals with the study of a correlation of grelin, growth hormone, insulin, Caros index, lipid spectrum, anthropometric characteristics in patients with obesity and overweight. Seventy-six young obese males aged 18 to 23 years were examined. A control group included 15 apparently healthy individuals of the same age. This cohort of patients was found to have a significantly reduced level of grelin that tended to decrease with the increased grade of obesity. The established hyperinsulinemia and decreased Caros index suggest that young obese young males are insulin-resistant.
Prevention of diabetes mellitus: past, present, and future
Authors: Titovich E V
Published: March 2014

The incidence of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is increasing in many countries of the world, the average annual increase in the frequency of the disease in European children is 3.4% at the age of 0-14 and 6.3% at the age of 0-5. The increase in the incidence of type 1 diabetes at an early age has a definite effect on the whole society as a whole, increasing the burden both on the patients themselves and their families, in particular, leading to an earlier development of complications. Since these changes in the development of diabetes have occurred too quickly to be due to changes at the genetic level, they are most likely a consequence of environmental changes.
The cardiovascular system in patients with symptomatic and mild primary hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Voronenko I V , Mokrysheva N G , Rozhinskaya L Ya , Syrkin A L
Published: March 2014

The cardiovascular system was analyzed in patients with symptomatic (n = 31) and mild primary hyperparathyroidism (n = 34) whose mean age was 54.6 years; 95% females). In the patients with symptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism, the PQ interval was longer and the QT interval was significantly shorter than those in patients with mild hyperparathyroidism. Left ventricular hypertrophy was noted in 45.2% of patients with symptomatic and in 15.2% of those with mild hyperparathyroidism (p = 0.013). Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction was also more common in the group of symptomatic hyperparathyroidism. There was a statistically significant correlation between the levels of parathyroid hormone, total and ionized calcium and the duration of QT interval and the determinants of diastolic function and left ventricular hypertrophy. The revealed cardiovascular disorders in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism are presumed to depend on the increase rate of parathyroid hormone and total and ionized calcium.
Testosterone level in male patients with coronary heart disease and essential hypertension
Authors: Kravchenko A Ya , Provotorov V. M.
Published: March 2014

The study was undertaken to ascertain the prevalence of age-related androgen deficiency in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and essential hypertension under the age of 60 years and its association with some risk factors. The study covered 107 patients (mean age 50.2±7.2 years). Of them 35 patients had essential hypertension and 72 had CHD, angina on exertion. The blood concentrations of testosterone and cholesterol were measured; the presence and type of adiposity and the level of depression were determined. The mean level of testosterone in patients with CHD and essential hypertension (9.2±0.96 n/mol/l) corresponded to an androgen-deficient state. There was a direct correlation of testosterone concentrations with waist circumference and an inverse correlation with the levels of atherogenic lipoproteins and depression.
DNA fragmentation rate in human thyroid tissue and carcinomas and its change under the influence of a-tocopherol and iodine ions in vitro
Authors: Mishunina T. M. , Kalinichenko E. V. , Tronko N D
Published: March 2014

The rate of DNA fragmentation was studied in intact thyroid tissue and thyroid carcinoma tissue. The determination of low molecular-weight DNA concentrations and the electrophoretic analysis of DNA isolated from the thyroid tissues and tumors, followed by the calculation of the content of oligonucleosome fractions, indicated a drastic reduction in the DNA fragmentation rate in papillary carcinomas and no its significant changes in follicular carcinomas. In the intact thyroid tissue, α-tocopherol and potassium iodide at a concentration of 10-7 M inhibited the rate of stimulated DNA fragmentation in vitro. The agents showed no effect in the papillary carcinoma tissue and their effect was similar in the follicular carcinoma tissue, but it was less pronounced in intact thyroid tissue.
Dynamics of prevalence of functional thyroid dysfunctions among pregnant women in Moscow from 1999 to 2008
Authors: Fadeyev V V , Topalyan S P , Lesnikova S V , Mel'nichenko G A
Published: March 2014

The objective of this study was to study dynamics of prevalence of functional thyroid dysfunctions among pregnant women. The levels of TSH, free T4, and antithyroid peroxidase antibodies (ATP-AB) were measured in randomly selected women of different gestational age who applied to be registered in a maternity welfare centre in 1999-2003 (n = 215) and 2006-2008 (n = 325). The available data indicate that iodine consumption by the study populations increased during the above periods even if still remains subnormal. No statistically significant decrease in the occurrence of ATP-AB and hypothyroidism was recorded. Women carrying ATP-AB in the first and seconds trimesters of pregnancy had significantly higher TSH levels compared to those without ATP-AB. A change of diagnostic criteria for hypothyroidism (lowering the reference TSH threshold from 4.0 to 2.5 mU/l accounts for a several-fold rise (by a factor of 2-7) in the prevalence of hypothyroidism among pregnant women.
Erythrocyte membranes in metabolic syndrome
Authors: Kravets T Y , Stepovaya E A , Koshchevets T Yu , Matyusheva N B , Bulanova A A , Mukhacheva O V , Ananina E A
Published: March 2014

The authors discuss results of investigations into the structure and functional status of erythrocyte membranes in patients with metabolic syndrome. It is shown that the pathological process involves not only well known changes in serum lipid metabolism but also highly specialized cells, such as erythrocytes. Specifically, erythrocytes undergo marked disorganization of membranous lipid phase in conjunction with a relative increase of cholesterol fraction and a decrease in phospholipids levels. Analysis of fractional lipid composition in erythrocyte membranes reveals reduced content of phospholipids, sphingomyelin, and phosphatidylcholine coupled to increased content of cholesterol, lysophosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylserine, and phosphatidylethanolamine. It is concluded that disturbances of carbohydrate metabolism in patients with metabolic syndrome aggravate manifestations of the underlying disease.
Brain GABA-receptor systems in functional thyroid disorders
Authors: Inoyatova F K , Tonkikh A K , Yakubova G T
Published: March 2014

This experimental study was designed to evaluate effects of hypo- and hyperthyroidism on the density of 3H-muscimol and 3H-diazepam-binding sites in synaptic membranes of the rat brain. It was shown that density of both 3H-muscimol and 3H-diazepam-binding sites increases in animals with hypothyroidism and decreases in hyperthyroidism. This difference may account for the predominance of general inhibitory reaction in animals with hypothyroidism and general excitation in hyperthyroid rats.
Initiation of insulin therapy for type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Antsiferov M B
Published: March 2014

This program is designed to identify patients in whom diabetes mellitus resists therapy with oral hypoglycemic agents (OHA) and basal insulin administration is needed to maintain the HbA1c at the desired level below 7. Data from 2895 patients (2034 women and 851 men) were available for analysis. Only 2.6% of the patients had the glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level within the normal values prior to the onset of therapy. The remaining ones had decompensated diabetes mellitus that required supplementation of regular OHA therapy with Lantus insulin. Characteristics of carbohydrate metabolism significantly improved and decreased to the desired values within 12 weeks after the initiation of the combined treatment without enhancement of the risk of hypoglycemia. Results of the study demonstrate beneficial effect of the early prescription of basal insulin. Administration of glargine insulin permits to rapidly and safely reach optimal parameters of carbohydrate metabolism in the majority of the patients.
Hypothalomo-pituitary-gonadal axis in girls with type 1 diabetes mellitus menstrual disorders and ovarian dysfunction
Authors: Grigoryan O R , Okhotnikova A A , Andreeva E N
Published: March 2014

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) has negative effect on the development and functioning of the reproductive system in young girls. The time of onset of type 1 DM (especially in the puberty period), duration of the disease, and poor compensation of disturbed carbohydrate metabolism are supposed to be the most probable causes of delayed pubertal development exerting negative effect on the age of menarche and increasing the frequency of menstrual problems (largely oligo- and amenorrhea). Despite a wealth of relevant investigations, the cause of reproductive dysfunction remains unknown even though negative effect of type 1 DM on different components of the hypothalamo-pituitary-ovarian axis has been fairly well documented. The pathogenetic mechanisms of reproductive disorders may consist of suppression of pulsed production of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) due to enhanced central dopaminergic and opiate activities, decreased concentration of insulin receptors on GnRH-synthesizing neurones, and changes of serum leptin level in the affected girls. In patients with type 1 DM, hypothalamic effects on the pituitary may be supplemented by the direct action of products of free radical oxidative activity leading to a decrease in the production of trophic hormones. Also considered, is primary ovarian origin of menstrual disturbances in girls with type 1 DM. Of great importance are studies concerning autoantibodies against different ovarian structures, variations in concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and hormone ghrelin.
Clinical significance of the ADVANCE study for a practitioner: Possibility to treat and prevent complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Shishkova V N
Published: March 2014

ADVANCE is a multicentre placebo-controlled randomized trial undertaken to investigate effects of intensive decrease of blood pressure and blood glucose level on the development of major micro- and macrovascular complications in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Patients included in the study designed to evaluate results of intense glycemic control were given glyclazide modified release (diabeton MR) as the basic treatment. The main results of ADVANCE indicate that intense hypoglycemic therapy with the use of diabeton MR allows for efficient and safe control of blood glucose level with the reduction of the mean HbA1c level to 6.5% or less. Also, this treatment significantly decreases the risk of severe diabetic complications by 10% including nephropathy and proteinuria (by 21% and 30% respectively).
Iodine availability, thyroid structure and function in residents of the city of Mirny, Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)
Authors: Selyatitskaya V G , Lel'kin M K , Gerasimova I S , Lutov Y V , Pal'chikova N A , Kuz'minova O I
Published: March 2014

Iodine availability for residents of the city of Mirny, Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), was estimated from urinary iodine and creatinine levels and their calculated ratio. Median of iodine/creatinine ratio in the groups of children and adults included in the study was 167.2 and 110.5 mcg/g respectively. Goiter was diagnosed by ultrasound in 0.4% of men and 4.9% of women. Diffuse and focal changes of the thyroid echographic pattern were revealed in the overwhelming majority of the examined subjects (91.7% of the adults and 66.1% of the children). The frequency of thyroid nodules was 5.0% and 20.3% in men and women respectively. Serum TSH level exceeded the respective reference values in 10.9% of the men and 18.2% of the women.
Gender-specific features of hyperprolactinemia syndrome
Authors: Mel'nichenko G A , Dzeranova L K , Barmina I I , Giniyatullina E N , Rozhivanov R V , Dobracheva A D , Goncharov N P
Published: March 2014

The objective of the present work was to study specific clinical features of hyperprolactinemia in men and women. A total of 148 men and 138 women with hyperprolactinemia of tumorous and non-tumorous etiology were examined. Analysis of medical histories demonstrated that the period between the appearance of the first clinical symptoms and the establishment of diagnosis of hyperprolactinemia in men was longer than in women. The frequency, size, and invasiveness of macroprolactinomas were also different in the two sexes. Prolactin-secreting pituitary tumours in men showed more aggressive growth than in women. All the patients included in the study were examined for the measurement of monomeric prolactin (PRL) by separation of individual fractions in the precipitation reaction with 25% polyethyleneglycol. Macroprolactinemia occurred more frequently in women than in men. Total and monomeric PRL levels were higher in men with hyperprolactinemia of tumorous origin compared with women.
Significance of the method of selective blood collection from the inferior petrosal sinuses for differential diagnosis of ACTH-dependent hypercorticism
Authors: Dedov I I , Belaya Z E , Sitkin I I , Marova E I , Przhiyalkovskaya E G , Remizov O V , Rozhinskaya L Y
Published: March 2014

This review paper was designed to discuss the accumulated worldwide experience with selective collection of blood from the inferior petrose sinuses for the purpose of differential diagnostics of ACTH-dependent hypercorticism. The history of the development of the method is described, principal indications and contraindications to its clinical application are considered with reference to the informative value of this diagnostic tool. Possible causes of false positive and false negative results as well as complications ever reported as associated with the diagnostic procedure are discussed. Much attention is given to the comparative analysis of advantages and disadvantages of alternative techniques for blood collection and to the use of pharmaceutical agents that may increase efficiency of the method under consideration.
Interactions of estrogens, progesterone, and dopamine in regulation of prolactin secretion
Authors: Akhkubekova N K
Published: March 2014

This paper reviews pathologic conditions associated with disturbances of prolactin secretion. The author analyses results of experimental and clinical investigations published in the literature with special reference to the role of estrogens, progesterone, and dopamine in control of prolactin secretion and its regulation under normal and pathological conditions.
Statistical methods for the analyses in clinical practice. Part 2. Survival analysis and multivariate statistics
Authors: Rumyantsev P O , Saenko V A , Rumyantseva Ul'yana Viktorovna , Chekin Sergey Yur'evich
Published: March 2014

Statistical analysis is an integral component of clinical studies. The objective of the present paper is to assist clinicians in getting deeper insight into basic principles underlying different methods available for the statistical treatment of medical data without a detailed description of relevant mathematical calculations. The most popular and widely used methods of statistical analysis are considered with special reference to their practical application in clinical and experimental medicine. Part I of the review was devoted to foundations of descriptive statistics and univariate analysis. Part II is focused on the principles of survival analysis and multivariate methods.
Clinical and laboratory aspects of investigations into prolactin isoforms by PEG precipitation and ultrafiltration techniques
Authors: Mel'nichenko G A , Goncharov N P , Dzeranova L K , Dobracheva A D , Barmina I I
Published: March 2014

The objective of this work was to study prolactin (PRL) isoforms using two methods, polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation and ultrafiltration (UF). Sera from 41 patients with hyperprolactinemia were available for analysis. The two techniques revealed roughly similar levels of monomeric and high-molecular weight PRL variants. The somewhat lower monomeric PRL level following UF may be attributed to separation of not only macroprolactin but also of dimeric forms of the hormone during filtration. The clinical picture of the disease and brain MRI images of the patients were consistent with low-molecular weight PRL levels. Comparison of monomeric PRL levels showed no significant difference between the results of measurements by the two methods.
Metabolic and hemostatic characteristics of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus differing in the severity of angiopathy
Authors: Petrik G G , Pavlishchuk S A
Published: March 2014

The objective of the present study was to identify risk factors of developing vascular disorders in patients at different stages of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) by comprehensive analysis of metabolic parameters, hemograms, thrombocytic and plasma hemostasis. The study involved 75 patients (22 men and 53 women of mean age 57,3±9,7 years) having angiopathies of different severity. The data obtained confirmed the presence of risk factors of vascular pathology in different phases of DM2. All the examined patients including those without angiopathies in the early period of diabetes showed triglyceridemia, cholesterolemia, enhanced platelet aggregation activity, and shortened activated partial thromboplastin time. Patients with diabetic nephropathy at the stage of microalbuminuria and with non-proliferative retinopathy were distinct from the remaining ones in that they had significantly higher blood alpha-2 globulin and fibrinogen levels. Diabetic patients with micro- and macrovascular problems were characterized by marked dysproteinemia and abnormal platelet disaggregation.
Clinical and molecular genetic characteristic of 10 cases with congenital adrenal hypoplasia caused by DAX-1 gene defects
Authors: Tiul'pakov A N , Kalinchenko N Iu
Published: March 2014

X-linked congenital adrenal hypoplasia (CAH) is one of the most widespread forms of congenital hypocortisolism in boys. The disease is caused by defects in the NR0B1 gene that encodes for DAX1 protein. CAH manifests itself largely as adrenal insufficiency in young children and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism developing by the pubertal period. This paper describes 10 patients presenting with X-linked form of congenital adrenal hypoplasia. In six of them adrenal insufficiency was apparent during the first month of life and in the remaining four at a later time (up to the age of 13 years). Hypogonadism was diagnosed in all the patients (n=7) who reached the age of 15 by the moment of the last examination. Diagnosis of CAH was confirmed by molecular genetic analysis in all the ten cases. Nine different mutations in the NR0B1 gene were identified.
Ovotesticular disorder of sexual development due to gonosomal mosaicism
Authors: Raĭgorodskaia N Iu , Morozov D A , Chernykh V B , Bolotova N V , Zharkov D A , Shilova N V , Zolotukhina T V , Tsmokaliuk E N
Published: March 2014

This paper describes diagnosis and surgical treatment of a 3.5 year-old child who presented with abnormal sex differentiation resulting in the development of gonads into ovotestes. This disorder was provoked by a rare variant of mosaicism involving sex chromosome and characterized by the presence of an irregular marker chromosome. Additional genetic analysis allowed its origin to be determined: it was identified as Yp chromosome. Comprehensive examination yielded criteria for the choice of sexual identity and provided a basis for the surgical treatment in conformity with the gender being sought.
Experience with the use of domestic somatotropin Rastan for the treatment of children with Turner syndrome
Authors: Dedov I I , Volevodz N N , Malievskiĭ O A , Peterkova V A
Published: March 2014

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the efficiency and safety of the treatment of girls presenting with Turner syndrome by recombinant growth hormone Rastan (Farmstandart-UfaVITA). A total 29 girls in this condition were available for observation. Their chronological age at the time of diagnosis averaged 7.9±1.2 years at the time of diagnosis and 9.8±1.6 at the onset of therapy; the bone age was 7.5±1.1 years. Duration of the treatment was 24 months. Recombinant somatotropin was used in the form of lyophilisate (1.33 mg) to prepare a solution for subcutaneous injections at a dose of 0.05 mg/kg of body weight. The solution was administered daily at evening hours. The mean growth rate of the patients with Turner syndrome was estimated at 4.2±0.6 cm/year prior to Rastan therapy, 8.7±0.6 cm/year during the first 12 months of the treatment, and 6.1±1.2 cm/yr in the second year. Overall, the height of the girls increased by 0.84 SD within the two years. No adverse effects of therapy were documented. It is concluded that the use of recombinant somatotropin Rastan is an efficacious and safe therapeutic modality for the acceleration of growth in girls with Turner syndrome.
Apoptosis of blood lymphocytes in autoimmune thyropathies
Authors: Kravets E B , Urazova O I , Nedosekova Iu V , Rogaleva A V
Published: March 2014

This paper reports the results of a study of lymphocyte apoptosis in the blood of 81 patients presenting with autoimmune thyropathies, such as autoimmune thyroidism (AIT) and Grave's disease (GD). It was shown that AIT in patients with hypothyroidism and DTG is associated with an increased number of CD95+ lymphocytes «doomed» to apoptose. Moreover, AIT and DTG conditions are characterized by an elevated level of serum tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). In euthyroid patients with AIT, this rise is accompanied by a decrease in the interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) level. Hypotyroid patients with AIT exhibit positive relationship between an increased number of CD95+ lymphocytes in blood and serum TNF-α levels.
Radiosurgery with the use of protons beams in patients with Cushing's disease: hormonal monitoring of delayed results
Authors: Kolesnikova G S , Goncharov N P , Zhimirikina M L , Manchenko O V , Arapova S D , Rozhinskaia L Ia , Marova E I
Published: March 2014

The present paper deals with late results of the treatment of patients with Cushing's disease by proton beam irradiation of the pituitary gland. Retrospective analysis included results of hormonal assays in 197 patients (161 women and 36 men) with verified Cushing's disease who had undergone proton therapy at the Endocrinological Research Centre. The age of the patients prior to irradiation varied from 17 to 54 years (mean 29±12.1). Duration of the follow up period ranged from 1 to 24 years. Each patient was first examined 6 month after irradiation, then annually for 5 years, and thereafter during episodic visits to the clinic of Endocrinological Research Centre. Trophic hormones (ACTH, GH, prolactin, LH, FSH, TSH) as well as cortisol, estradiol, testosterone, and free thyroxin were determined in peripheral blood; in addition, free cortisol was measured in daily urine. ACTH and cortisol were measured twice daily (at 8 a.m. and 11 p.m.) to characterize diurnal dynamics of these hormones. Complete remission of the primary disease was documented based on the results of hormonal assays in 164 (83.6%) patients 0.5-3 (mean 1.5±1.8) years after irradiation; remission without subsequent impairment of the pituitary trophic activity was achieved in 43 (21.8%) patients. Different combinations of post-treatment side effects (hypopituitarism) were recorded in 100 (50.1%) patients while 54 (27.4%) others had only one function affected by radiation. The following disorders of hormonal function of the pituitary and peripheral glands developed: adrenal insufficiency in 58 (29.7%) patients, secondary hypothyroidism in 66 (22.8%), hypogonadism in 93 (47.4%), and hyperprolactinemia in 72 (36.7%). Adrenal insufficiency was the first adverse event to develop after proton therapy (within 0.5-12.0, mean 2.5±2.3, years). It was followed by elevation of prolactin levels and decrease of gonadotropins (within 1.0-7.2, mean 3.0±2.9, years and 0.8-11.8, mean 3.0±3.1, years respectively). Secondary hypothyroidism was the last to develop (within 1.3-12.3, mean 5.0±3.2, years after treatment). It is concluded that biochemical monitoring hormonal changes coupled to the evaluation of the patient's clinical conditions is a very important component of long-term (throughout the lifespan) dynamic observation of patients with Cushing's disease necessary for the timely detection of manifestations of hypopituitarism and initiation of relevant treatment.
Elemental composition of the bone tissue in mice treated with a combination of thyroxin and diazepam in a model carcinogenic system
Authors: Abduvaliev A A , Ismaĭilova M A , Gil'dieva M S , Saatov T S
Published: March 2014

It is shown that combined treatment with thyroxin and diazepam permits to avoid negative effect of either drug on the bone tissue. Mutual regulation of thyroxin and diazepam activities is mediated through their competitive binding to common receptors. It is hypothesized that the key factor in this process is steric availability of the receptor; in other words, close localization of thyroxin and diazepam targets may interfere with simultaneous activation of receptors by the two ligands and account for the effects of their combined administration described in the present work.
Clinical, hormonal, and molecular-genetic characteristics of three cases of 46XY disorder of sex development caused by type II 5-alpha reductase deficiency
Authors: Kolodkina A A , Karmanov M E , Kalinchenko N Iu , Nizhnik A N , Nokel' M A , Faĭzulin A K , Tiul'pakov A N
Published: March 2014

Deficiency of type II 5-alpha reductase (5-ARII) is known to be responsible for abnormal sexual differentiation in boys. Of primary importance is differential diagnosis between this condition and incomplete form of androgen resistance. In the latter case, adaptation to male gender is highly undesirable because of inefficiency of androgen therapy. In contrast, such adaptation is socially justified in patients with type II 5-alpha reductase deficiency; sometimes, it permits to preserve fertility. The cases reported in this paper demonstrate low diagnostic value of the T/DHT ratio (at least as determined by the immunoenzyme assay) and emphasize the necessity of analysis of the SRD5A2 gene in all patients with suspected deficiency of type II 5-alpha reductase.
Reproductive function in men presenting with Cushing's disease
Authors: Rozhivanov R V , Kurbatov D G , Rozhinskaia L Ia
Published: March 2014

This paper reports results of clinical examination of 29 men having corticotropinoma. It was shown that hypogonadism occurs in more than 60% of the patients with this condition and is accompanied by disorders of sexual function and spermatogenesis. Excessive cortisol secretion in men with coticotropinoma may contribute to the development of infectious and inflammatory diseases of sexual organs and leukospermia.
The prevalence and clinical features of polycystic ovary syndrome in a Moscow population
Authors: Dedov I I , Mel'nichenko G A , Chebotnikova T V , Il'in A V , Davydova G N , Kolesnikova G S , Ivannikova E V
Published: March 2014

The objective of the present study was to estimate the prevalence and and characterize clinical phenotypes of PCOS. A total of 312 women from 18 to 45 years of age working engaged in Moscow enterprises were examined in 2009. All of them were interviewed by questionnaire, underwent routine medical examination, anthropometry and blood sampling for the measurement of Prl, TSH, FSH, testosterone, 17-OP, and DHEAS levels. The degree of hirsutism was assessed using the modified Ferriman-Galway scale. Women with fewer than eight cycles during a year were regarded as having menstrual problems. All women presenting with disturbances were invited for verification of the diagnosis. PCOS was diagnosed based on the Rotterdam (2003) criteria (the presence of oligo-/amenorrhea and clinically manifest hyperandrogenism (hirsutism), with all other disorders simulating the clinical picture of PCOS being excluded). All patients with clinical signs of PCOS were examined at the Endocrinological Research Centre. They were divided into the following groups: 1. Regular menstrual cycles in the absence of hirsutism. 2. Menstrual dysfunction (oligo-/amenorrhea) without hirsutism. 3. Hirsutism without menstrual disturbances. 4. Menstrual dysfunction plus hirsutism. Mean age of the women was 30,2±7,4 years, their BMI 24±5,5, overweight patients comprised 17,3% of the total (n=54), obesity occurred in 14.7% (n=46), oligoamenorrhea in 12.8%, hirsutism in 9.3%, acne in 6.4%, infertility in 2.6%, obesity in 14%. Menstrual dysfunction without hirsutism was documented in 17/312 (5.4%) cases. The prevalence of PCOS in this phenotypical group was estimated at 17.6%. Hirsutism in the absence of menstrual dysfunction was diagnosed in 8/312 (2.6%) women (prevalence of PCOS 62.5%), menstrual dysfunction plus hirsutism in 21/312 (6.7%) patients (prevalence of PCOS 85.7%). The study has demonstrated that the overall prevalence PCOS in the given population was 6,4%, but individual symptoms of this condition were manifest much more frequently than that. It is concluded that the diagnosis of PCOS is most reliably confirmed by the presence of combination of oligo-/amenorrhea and hirsutism.
Disturbances in the hemostatic system of patients with endogenous hypercorticism and metabolic syndrome
Authors: Khodakova Iu V , Arapova S D , Sukhanova G A , Chirkova L D , Rozhinskaia L Ia
Published: March 2014

Long-standing hypercortisolemia is accompanied by multiple defects of metabolic regulation. Glucocorticoids are known to affect not only metabolic processes but also the vascular wall directly influencing its remodeling and angiogenesis. Syndrome of endogenous hypercorticism is characterized by various disturbances in the hemostatic system and a tendency toward the development of hypercoagulation. Altered metabolic and hemostatic parameters in the active phase of the disease persist during a long time after the achievement of remission. It accounts for the high risk of atherosclerosis, atherothrombosis, and thromboembolic complications which necessitates correction with medicinal preparations throughout the follow-up period. According to foreign authors, thromboembolic complications are the main cause of mortality among the patients with this clinical condition and occur 4 times as frequently as in the general population.
Galectin-3 expression in preoperative diagnosis of highly differentiated thyroid cancer
Authors: Semenov D Iu , Koloskova L E , Boriskova M E , Pankova P A , Feshchenko N S , Filippova O I ,  Farafonova U V
Published: March 2014

Galectin-3 expression in fine-needle aspiration biopsies from 66 patients with thyroid Nodes (TN) was studied by flow fluorocytometry (FFC). Cytological study revealed 29 patients with papillary thyroid cancer, 31 with follicular tumour, and 6 with colloid nodular goiter. Galectin-3 expression was documented in 27 of the 29 patients with preoperative diagnosis of papillary cancer; in 25 (92.6%) of these cases diagnosis of highly differentiated cancer was confirmed histologically, the remaining 2 (7.4%) cases presented with benign thyroid disease. Two (6.9%) patients without galectin-3 expression had papillary cancer. In the group of patients with cytologically verified diagnosis of follicular tumour, galectin-3 expresion occurred in 2 with highly differentiated (papillary and follicular) thyroid cancer and in 2 with follicular and oncocytic thyroid adenoma. The remaining 27 patients with benign neoplasms did not show expression of galectin-3. Nor was it detected in 6 (100%) patients with colloid nodular goiter. Sensitivity of flow fluorocytometry for detection of galectin-3 expression in thyroid node aspirates was estimated at 93.1%, specificity 89.2%, diagnostic precision 90.9%. It is concluded that this method may be used as an additional tool for preoperative diagnosis of high-differentiated thyroid cancer.
Functional state of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in diabetes mellitus
Authors: Shpakov A O
Published: March 2014

Diabetic patients present with a wide variety of reproductive disorders supposed to be underlain by changes in the functional activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis (HPGA) and sensitivity of the reproductive system tissues to the regulatory hormonal action. The objective of the present review is to analyse the literature data and the results of original studies pertinent to the biosynthesis and secretion of hypothalamic LH releasing factor, pituitary gonadotropic hormones, steroid hormones, and susceptibility of their target tissues in patients with types 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus. It is concluded that the improvement of control over blood glucose levels constitutes a most efficacious approach to the correction and normalization of reproductive function in diabetic patients.
The risk of development of prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer in patients presenting with acromegalia
Authors: Rozhivanov R V , Fabrichnova A A , Lepetukhin A E , Dubskiĭ S A , Kurbatov D G
Published: March 2014

The objective of the present review was to consider the available data on the risk of development of prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer in patients presenting with acromegalia. It is shown that the incidence of prostatic diseases in acromegalic patients is significantly higher than in the general population. Prostatic hyperplasia occurs in patients of all age groups presenting with acromegalia while its treatment reduces the volume of the prostate gland. The reviewed publications do not report cases of prostate cancer.
Comparison of different reference tables and threshold values of body mass indices for the estimation of the prevalence of overweight, underweight, and obesity in schoolchildren
Authors: Vaĭnilovich E G , Danilova L I , Sretenskaia Zh L , Zapol'skiĭ S A
Published: March 2014

The objective of the present work was to compare the prevalence of overweight, underweight, and obesity in 725 children and adolescents residing in the city of Minsk based on a variety of reference tables and criteria for body mass index ( BMI ). It was shown that the prevalence of overweight (including obesity) in the total group varied from 17.3% (Centre for disease Control and Prevention, CDC) to 25.6% (France) and that of obesity from 3.9% (International Obesity Task Force, IOTF) to 13.8% (France). The prevalence of underweight was estimated at 2.6% to 8.4% (WHO SD and IOFT respectively). There was an excellent agreement between the data of the BMI percentile tables constructed at Grodno, Republic of Belarus (2000) and WHO (2007). The study has demonstrated the high prevalence of overweight in Belorussian schoolchildren whatever type of reference BMI tables is used whereas the prevalence of obesity and underweight varies considerably depending on the BMI criteria employed for its estimation.
Acromegaly: recent progress in diagnostics and treatment
Authors: Molitvoslovova N N
Published: March 2014

Acromegaly is a serious disease with different complications leads to reduced life expectancy and increase mortality. Only early diagnosis and modern methods of management of disease lead to remission. According to consensus on criteria for cure of acromegaly (2010) the measurement of GH and age-matched total IGF-I concentrations are the most important biochemical variables for the diagnosis of acromegaly and for monitoring progression or treatment response. The optimal disease control is now defined as IGF-I level in the age – adjusted normal range, random GH levels less than 1,0 µg/liter and nadir GH level during OGTT less than 0,4 µg/liter. MRI with use a contract substance is the best method of adenoma visualization. The trassphenoidal surgery with new technologies (endoscope, intraoperative blood sampling, neuronavigation, intraoperative MRI), radiosurgery, modern medical treatment (multiligand long-acting somatostatin analogs, GH receptor antagonist) are effective modalities for treatment of acromegaly, which elaborated last decades.
The role of body weight reduction and treatment with metformin in the recovery of the menstrual function in women presenting with polycystic ovary syndrome and excessive body weight
Authors: Popova P V , Riazantseva E M , Zazerskaia I E , Ivanova L I , Grineva E N
Published: March 2014

A total of 40 women presenting with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and excessive body weight/obesity were randomly allocated to 3 groups. The patients in group 1 were advised to change the life style (including consumption of a low-calory diet and regular physical exercises), those making up group 2 had to change the life style and take metformin (850 mg twice daily), the patients of group 3 used metformin without modifying their life style. Thirty three patients completed the study. Those in groups 1 (n=14) and 2 (n=10) experienced a similar significant reduction of both the body weight and the HOMA index. In group 3 (n=9), these characteristics remained virtually unaltered. The fraction of women displaying the positive menstrual response during the treatment was not significantly different in groups 1 and 2 (50 and 60% respectively; p=0.77) whereas none of the patients in group 3 showed the positive menstrual response (the difference between this and the two previous groups was significant; p=0.035). A significant decrease in the testosterone level was documented in the women of group 2. The authors conclude that it was the reduction of the body weight rather than regular intake of metformin at a daily dose of 1700 mg that contributed to the improvement of the menstrual function in women with PCOS and the excessive body weight.
Age-related deficit of androgens in the male patients presenting with coronary heart disease
Authors: Frolov D S , Khalimov Iu Sh , Shustov S B
Published: March 2014

A total of 51 men at a mean age of 55±5.2 years with coronary heart disease were available for examination. Twenty of them presented with confirmed age-related androgen deficiency while the remaining 31 had the testosterone level within the normal reference values. The study included characteristic of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, diagnosis of obesity and its type, estimation of the depression level, echocardiographic imaging, 24-hour ECG monitoring, and myocardial perfusion scintigraphy. The patients with androgen deficiency were shown to more frequently suffer abdominal obesity and high-level depression than those with the normal testosterone level. Moreover, patients of the former group usually had atypical anginal syndrome. The deficit of androgens was not infrequently associated with a rise in the number of ventricular extrasystoles. The correlation analysis demonstrated a significant negative relationship between the total testosterone level, blood glucose and triglyceride levels, the duration of ST segment ischemic depression.
Anti-TSH receptor antibodies as predictors of the severity and outcome of endocrine ophthalmopathy in the patients presenting with Graves' disease
Authors: Sviridenko N Iu , Likhvantseva V G , Belovalova I M , Sheremeta M S , Tabeeva K I
Published: March 2014

A total of 139 patients (278 eyes) presenting with Graves' disease (GD) and endocrine ophthalmopathy (EOP) were examined. The age of 35 men and 104 women ranged from 17 to 71 years. All of them were tested for the functional activity of the thyroid gland and underwent standard ophthalmologic examination; anti-TSH receptor antibodies were measured. Both the activity and severity of EOP were verified as recommended by the European Group on Graves' Orbitopathy (EUGOGO) It was shown that the frequency of detection of anti-TSH receptor antibodies and their titers in patients with GD and EOP depended on the activity of the intraorbital process and the severity of EOP manifestations. The functional state of the thyroid gland also influenced the level of anti-TSH receptor antibodies level during the active phase unlike that in the inactive phase. The in-depth analysis of the relationship between the level of anti-TSH receptor antibodies and clinical characteristics of either EOP (activity, severity, manifestation of selected clinical symptoms) or GD (thyrotoxicosis, euthyroidism, hypothyroidism) demonstrated the possibility to use these characteristics as the factors predicting the severity and outcome of EOP. Also, they may be helpful for the choice of a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of such patients.
The use of estriol for the treatment of atrophic vulvovaginitis in women with disturbances of carbohydrate metabolism in the peri- and postmenopausal period
Authors: Grigorian O R , Andreeva E N
Published: March 2014

Specific urogenital tract symptoms in women with diabetes mellitus are shown to directly correlate with the quality of compensation of carbohydrate metabolism while atrophic vulvovaginitis is both a consequence and an early marker of its decompensation. It is concluded that combined patogenetically sound treatment of acute and chronic "atrophic diabetic vulvitis" in patients presenting with disturbances of carbohydrate metabolism in the peri- and postmenopausal period should include Estrocard therapy, apart from thorough compensation of carbohydrate metabolism, in order to normalize the vaginal health index and the quality of life of the patients.
Alterations of the thyroid structure and function in experimental hypopinealism
Authors: Bondarenko L A , Sergienko L Iu , Sotnik N N , Cherevko A N
Published: March 2014

The pituitary-thyroid axis of young sexually mature rabbits kept under a 24-hour daylight photoperiod was shown to undergo phase-modulated variations of hormonal activity with its initial increase (during the first month) and subsequent progressive decrease (within 2-5 months after the onset of exposure to light). These changes correlated with the time-dependent fall in the blood T3, T4, and TSH levels. Simultaneously, the animals developed pathological changes in the histological structure of the thyroid gland similar to those in patients with secondary or tertiary hypothyroidism. It is concluded that hormonal and structural changes in the thyroid gland during long-term hypopinealism should be regarded as an experimental model of hypothyroidism of neuroendocrine origin.