Cпектроскопия спонтанного комбинационного рассеяния для ex vivo диагностики внутричерепных опухолей

Neurosurgery of intracranial tumors, especially of glial origin, is a non-trivial task due to their infiltrative growth. In recent years, optical methods of intraoperative navigation have been actively used in neurosurgery. However, one of the most widely used approaches based on the selective accumulation of fluorescent contrast medium (5-ALA-induced protoporphyrin IX) by the tumor cannot be applied to a significant number of tumors due to its low accumulation. On the contrary, Raman spectroscopy, which allows analyzing the molecular composition of tissues while preserving all the advantages of the method of fluorescence spectroscopy, does not require the use of an exogenous dye and may become a method of choice when composing a system for intraoperative navigation or optical biopsy. This work presents the first results of using the principal component method to classify Raman spectra of human glioblastoma with intermediate processing of spectra to minimize possible errors from the fluorescence of both endogenous fluorophores and photosensitizers used in fluorescence navigation. As a result, differences were found in the principal component space, corresponding to tissue samples with microcystic components, extensive areas of necrosis, and foci of fresh hemorrhages. It is shown that this approach can serve as the basis for constructing a system for automatic intraoperative tissue classification based on the analysis of Raman spectra.Cпектроскопия спонтанного комбинационного рассеяния для ex vivo диагностики внутричерепных опухолей  Нейрохирургия внутричерепных опухолей, особенно глиального происхождения, представляет нетривиальную задачу в силу их инфильтративного роста. В последние годы в нейрохирургии активно используются оптические методы интраоперационной навигации, однако один из наиболее широко распространенных подходов, основанный на селективном накоплении опухолью флуоресцентного контрастного вещества (5-АЛК индуцированного протопорфирина IX), не может быть применен для значимой части опухолей вследствие его низкого накопления. Напротив, спектроскопия комбинационного рассеяния, позволяющая проводить анализ молекулярного состава тканей с сохранением всех достоинств метода флуоресцентной спектроскопии, не требует при этом введения экзогенного красителя и может быть вариантом выбора при построении системы интраоперационной навигации или оптической биопсии. В настоящей работе представлены первые результаты использования метода главных компонент для классификации спектров комбинационного рассеяния глиобластомы человека с промежуточной обработкой спектров для минимизации возможных ошибок от флуоресценции как эндогенных флуорофоров, так и фотосенсибилизаторов, используемых при флуоресцентной навигации. В результате были обнаружены различия в пространстве главных компонент, соответствующие образцам тканей с микрокистозными компонентами, обширными участками некрозов, фокусами свежих кровоизлияний. Показано, что данный подход может послужить основой для построения системы автоматической интраоперационной классификации тканей на основе анализа спектров комбинационного рассеяния

Узкополосная фототерапия и препарат натриевой соли синтетического дипептида гамма-D-глутамил-D-триптофана в качестве комбинированного метода лечения псориаза: комплексная и сравнительная оценка

The paper presents the results of a comparative study of various immunosuppressive treatment methods of medium severity vulgar psoriasis (PASI from 10 to 20). The parameters used were PASI indices, p53 apoptosis marker expression indices, and expression indices of T-regulatory cell marker Foxp3. The study involved 96 patients, from 18 to 60 years old, divided by randomization into three groups. Patients in the 1st group (n = 32) received narrow-band phototherapy according to a 4-day regimen. We used the Waldmann UV-7002K instrument and F79/120W-TL01 lamps generating radiation with a maximum emission at a wavelength of 311 nm. We started with a dose of 0.05–0.1 J/cm2, subsequently increased by 0.05–0.1 J/cm2 for each procedure, in the absence of erythema. In total, patients received 12–15 procedures, with a course dose of 4.7–7.65 J/cm2. In the 2nd group (n = 32), patients were treated with the sodium salt of the synthetic gamma-D-glutamyl-D tryptophan dipeptide. Patients of the 3rd group (n = 32) underwent combination therapy, which included both methods described above. As a result of treatment, the greatest decrease in the PASI index, as well as the level of expression of the marker of Foxp3 T-regulatory cells, was observed among patients who received the combined regimen. The data obtained indicate the high therapeutic efficacy of narrow-band phototherapy in combination with the sodium salt of the synthetic gamma-D glutamyl-D tryptophan synthetic dipeptide. It was also noted that the immunohistochemical marker p53, reflecting the cellular renewal of psoriatic papule keratinocytes, is an informative molecular-cellular indicator of the effectiveness of narrow-band phototherapy.В работе представлены результаты сравнительного исследования различных иммуносупрессивных методов лечения вульгарного псориаза среднетяжёлой степени (PASI от 10 до 20). В качестве оцениваемых параметров использовали индекс PASI, уровни экспрессии маркера апоптоза р53 и экспрессии маркера Т-регуляторных клеток Foxp3. В исследование были включены 96 пациентов в возрасте от 18 до 60 лет, разделённые методом рандомизации на три группы. Пациенты в 1-й группе (n=32) получали узкополосную фототерапию по 4-дневной схеме. Использовали прибор «Waldmann UV-7002K» и лампы F79/120W-TL01, генерирующие излучение с максимальной эмиссией на длине волны 311 нм. Начинали с дозы 0,05 – 0,1 Дж/см2, повышая в последующем на 0,05 – 0,1 Дж/см2 каждую процедуру, при отсутствии эритемы. Всего пациенты получали от 12 до 15 процедур с курсовой дозой облучения 4,7 –7,65 Дж/см2. Во 2-й группе (n=32) пациентам проводили терапию натриевой солью синтетического дипептида гамма-D-глутамил-D-триптофана. Пациентам 3-й группы (n=32) проводили комбинированную терапию, включающую в себя сочетание двух вышеописанных методик. В результате лечения наибольшее снижение индекса PASI, а также уровня экспрессии маркера Т-регуляторных клеток Foxp3 наблюдали среди пациентов, получивших комбинированную схему. Полученные данные свидетельствуют о высо- кой терапевтической эффективности узкополосной фототерапии в комбинации с препаратом натриевой соли синтетического дипептида гамма- D-глутамил-D-триптофана. Также было отмечено, что иммуногистохимический маркер р53, отражающий клеточное обновление кератиноцитов псориатической папулы, является информативным молекулярно-клеточным показателем эффективности узкополосной фототерапии

Coat Polymorphism in Eurasian Lynx: Adaptation to Environment or Phylogeographic Legacy?

We studied the relationship between the variability and contemporary distribution of pelage phenotypes in one of most widely distributed felid species and an array of environmental and demographic conditions. We collected 672 photographic georeferenced records of the Eurasian lynx throughout Eurasia. We assigned each lynx coat to one of five phenotypes. Then we fitted the coat patterns to different environmental and anthropogenic variables, as well as the effective geographic distances from inferred glacial refugia. A majority of lynx were either of the large spotted (41.5%) or unspotted (uniform, 36.2%) phenotype. The remaining patterns (rosettes, small spots and pseudo-rosettes) were represented in 11.0%, 7.4%, and 3.9% of samples, respectively. Although various environmental variables greatly affected lynx distribution and habitat suitability, it was the effect of least-cost distances from locations of the inferred refugia during the Last Glacial Maximum that explained the distribution of lynx coat patterns the best. Whereas the occurrence of lynx phenotypes with large spots was explained by the proximity to refugia located in the Caucasus/Middle East, the uniform phenotype was associated with refugia in the Far East and Central Asia. Despite the widely accepted hypothesis of adaptive functionality of coat patterns in mammals and exceptionally high phenotypic polymorphism in Eurasian lynx, we did not find well-defined signs of habitat matching in the coat pattern of this species. Instead, we showed how the global patterns of morphological variability in this large mammal and its environmental adaptations may have been shaped by past climatic change.publishedVersio

Comparative Chromosome Mapping of Musk Ox and the X Chromosome among Some Bovidae Species

Bovidae, the largest family in Pecora infraorder, are characterized by a striking variability in diploid number of chromosomes between species and among individuals within a species. The bovid X chromosome is also remarkably variable, with several morphological types in the family. Here we built a detailed chromosome map of musk ox (Ovibos moschatus), a relic species originating from Pleistocene megafauna, with dromedary and human probes using chromosome painting. We trace chromosomal rearrangements during Bovidae evolution by comparing species already studied by chromosome painting. The musk ox karyotype differs from the ancestral pecoran karyotype by six fusions, one fission, and three inversions. We discuss changes in pecoran ancestral karyotype in the light of new painting data. Variations in the X chromosome structure of four bovid species nilgai bull (Boselaphus tragocamelus), saola (Pseudoryx nghetinhensis), gaur (Bos gaurus), and Kirk’s Dikdik (Madoqua kirkii) were further analyzed using 26 cattle BAC-clones. We found the duplication on the X in saola. We show main rearrangements leading to the formation of four types of bovid X: Bovinae type with derived cattle subtype formed by centromere reposition and Antilopinae type with Caprini subtype formed by inversion in XSB1

Biological Earth observation with animal sensors.

Space-based tracking technology using low-cost miniature tags is now delivering data on fine-scale animal movement at near-global scale. Linked with remotely sensed environmental data, this offers a biological lens on habitat integrity and connectivity for conservation and human health; a global network of animal sentinels of environmen-tal change

EFFECTIVENESS OF CREAM CONTAINING VERAPAMIL HYDROCHLORIDE, IN THE THERAPY OF RUBTS IN EXPERIMENT

The data in respect to efficacy of verapamil-containing scar cream for treatment of hypertrophic and keloid scars are presented in the article. Skin scars were simulated in rats by excision of a full-thickness skin flap size 5x4 cm2 in the center of the back. Upon wound healing and scar formation a daily twofold fomentation of verapamil-containing cream was carried out. Treatment efficacy was checked after 10, 30 and 60 days. The following indices were studied: an area of the scar, its type, consistence, color, sensitivity, and scar microcirculation according to biomicroscopy. The proposed novel method for treatment of hypertrophic and keloid scars with verapamil-containing cream allowed to obtain a sustained clinical result demonstrating a reducing area of the scar by 25%, a physiological scar formation, improving the consistence and scar colour changing to the normal skin colour, its softening and flattening, and pain disappearance. Due to the dermal application, the method was painless, safety and did not affect on the surrounding tissues. According to biomicroscopy a scar remodeling approximated the indices to the level of healthy skin in 93% of rats. The most significant clinical effect the cream with verapamil was observed in experimental animals in 60 days after treatment

Narrow-band phototherapy and sodium salt of the synthetic diamide gamma-D-glutamyl-D-tryptophan as a combined method of psoriasis treatment: comprehensive and comparative evaluation

The paper presents the results of a comparative study of various immunosuppressive treatment methods of medium severity vulgar psoriasis (PASI from 10 to 20). The parameters used were PASI indices, p53 apoptosis marker expression indices, and expression indices of T-regulatory cell marker Foxp3. The study involved 96 patients, from 18 to 60 years old, divided by randomization into three groups. Patients in the 1st group (n = 32) received narrow-band phototherapy according to a 4-day regimen. We used the Waldmann UV-7002K instrument and F79/120W-TL01 lamps generating radiation with a maximum emission at a wavelength of 311 nm. We started with a dose of 0.05–0.1 J/cm2, subsequently increased by 0.05–0.1 J/cm2 for each procedure, in the absence of erythema. In total, patients received 12–15 procedures, with a course dose of 4.7–7.65 J/cm2. In the 2nd group (n = 32), patients were treated with the sodium salt of the synthetic gamma-D-glutamyl-D tryptophan dipeptide. Patients of the 3rd group (n = 32) underwent combination therapy, which included both methods described above. As a result of treatment, the greatest decrease in the PASI index, as well as the level of expression of the marker of Foxp3 T-regulatory cells, was observed among patients who received the combined regimen. The data obtained indicate the high therapeutic efficacy of narrow-band phototherapy in combination with the sodium salt of the synthetic gamma-D glutamyl-D tryptophan synthetic dipeptide. It was also noted that the immunohistochemical marker p53, reflecting the cellular renewal of psoriatic papule keratinocytes, is an informative molecular-cellular indicator of the effectiveness of narrow-band phototherapy

A neurosyphilis case study: results of a five-year follow-up

The authors describe a case study of the long-term follow-up of a patient with symptomatic neurosyphilis. The article describes the patient management process on the basis of close interaction between physicians of allied specialties. Remote consequences of the specific therapy are described. The authors specify key problems of allied diagnostics related to similar cases