Concurrent thermochemoradiotherapy for brain high-grade glioma

Despite the achievements in the current strategies for treatment, the prognosis in malignant glioma patients remains unsatisfactory. Hyperthermia is currently considered to be the most effective and universal modifier of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Preliminary treatment outcomes for 28 patients with newly diagnosed (23) and recurrent (5) high-grade gliomas were presented. All the patients received multimodality treatment including surgery, thermoche-moradiotherapy followed by 4 cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy. All the patients endured thermochemoradiotherapy well. A complication, limited skin burn (II stage), was diagnosed in two cases and treated conservatively without treatment interruption. A month after thermochemoradiotherapy the results were as follows: complete regression was achieved in 4 cases, partial regression in 4 cases, stable disease in 14 cases and disease progression in 6 cases (one of them is pseudo-progression). After completing the adjuvant chemotherapy 2 more patients demonstrated complete response and 1 patient had disease progression. Introduction of local hyperthermia in multimodal therapy of malignant glioma does not impair the combined modality treatment tolerability of patients with malignant gliomas. A small number of studied patients and short follow-up time do not allow making reliable conclusions about the impact of local hyperthermia on the treatment outcomes; however, there is a tendency towards the increase in disease-free survival in the patients with newly diagnosed malignant gliomas

Favorable effect of renal denervation on elevated renal vascular resistance in patients with resistant hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus

ObjectiveTo assess the effect of renal denervation (RDN) on renal vascular resistance and renal function in patients with drug-resistant hypertension (HTN) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Materials and methodsFifty-nine patients (mean age 60.3 ± 7.9 years, 25 men) with resistant HTN [mean 24-h ambulatory blood pressure (BP) 158.0 ± 16.3/82.5 ± 12.7 mmHg, systolic/diastolic] and T2DM (mean HbA1c 7.5 ± 1.5%) were included in the single-arm prospective study and underwent RDN. Renal resistive index (RRI) derived from ultrasound Doppler; estimated glomerular filtration rate (Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration formula), office and 24-h ambulatory BP were measured at baseline, 6, and 12 months after RDN to evaluate the respective changes in renal vascular resistance, renal function, and BP during treatment.ResultsForty-three patients completed 12 months follow-up. The RRI changed depending on the baseline value. Specifically, the RRI decreased significantly in patients with elevated baseline RRI values ≥ 0.7 {n = 23; −0.024 [95% confidence interval (CI): −0.046, −0.002], p = 0.035} and did not change in those with baseline RRI < 0.7 [n = 36; 0.024 (95% CI: −0.002, 0.050), p = 0.069]. No significant change was observed in eGFR whereas BP was significantly reduced at 12 months after RDN by −10.9 (95% CI: −16.7, −5.0)/−5.5 (95% CI: −8.7, −2.4) mmHg, systolic/diastolic. No relationship was found between the changes in RRI and BP.ConclusionOur study shows that RDN can decrease elevated renal vascular resistance (RRI > 0.7) and stabilize kidney function in patients with RHTN and T2DM independently of its BP-lowering effect

Soluble Cyanobacterial Carotenoprotein as a Robust Antioxidant Nanocarrier and Delivery Module

To counteract oxidative stress, antioxidants including carotenoids are highly promising, yet their exploitation is drastically limited by the poor bioavailability and fast photodestruction, whereas current delivery systems are far from being efficient. Here we demonstrate that the recently discovered nanometer-sized water-soluble carotenoprotein from Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 (termed AnaCTDH) transiently interacts with liposomes to efficiently extract carotenoids via carotenoid-mediated homodimerization, yielding violet–purple protein samples. We characterize the spectroscopic properties of the obtained pigment–protein complexes and the thermodynamics of liposome–protein carotenoid transfer and demonstrate the delivery of carotenoid echinenone from AnaCTDH into liposomes with an efficiency of up to 70 ± 3%. Most importantly, we show efficient carotenoid delivery to membranes of mammalian cells, which provides protection from reactive oxygen species (ROS). Incubation of neuroblastoma cell line Tet21N in the presence of 1 μM AnaCTDH binding echinenone decreased antimycin A ROS production by 25% (p < 0.05). The described carotenoprotein may be considered as part of modular systems for the targeted antioxidant delivery.BMBF, 01DJ15007, Carotenoidbindende photoschaltbare Proteine: Lichtinduzierte Dynamik und Anwendungen in modernen mikroskopischen Verfahre

Effet de l’addition de riboflavine, d’une couche de phosphate de calcium et d’un système adhésif sur le comportement mécanique de la dentine déminéralisée

Cette étude a évalué si trois traitements dentaires différents pouvaient améliorer les propriétés mécaniques de la dentine déminéralisée. Des tranches de dentine ont été déminéralisées et traitées avec un adhésif universel (SBU), un cross-linker (Riboflavine (RF) et du phosphate de calcium (CP). Des tests de traction ont été effectués, des courbes contrainte/déformation et module E ont été calculées. Les différences entre les groupes ont été évaluées par ANOVA à un facteur test Duncan post hoc. Aucune différence significative dans le module E n’a été observée entre les échantillons traités uniquement avec SBU et ceux traités avec de la Riboflavine + SBU. Sous tractions importantes, un module E significativement plus élevé a été observé parmi les échantillons dont la dentine avait été traitée avec de la RF + CP + SBU. En présence du système adhésif, la réticulation du collagène, avec RF et CP et CP ajoutés, a amélioré les propriétés mécaniques de manière significative. La restitution du contenu minéral dans la dentine, sans parler du renforcement du collagène, peut significativement améliorer les propriétés mécaniques de la dentine préalablement déminéralisée lorsque couverte par un système adhésif

Covid-19:n vaikutukset mielenterveys- ja päihdekuntoutujiin

Opinnäytetyö toteutettiin kirjallisuuskatsauksena ja siinä käsiteltiin koronavirus-tauti covid-19:n vaikutuksia mielenterveys- ja päihdekuntoutujiin. Kirjallisuuskatsauksen tarkoituksena oli kartoittaa koronaviruksen aiheuttaman taudin vaikutuksia mielenterveys- ja päihdekuntoutujien arkeen ja kuntoutusprosessiin. Kirjallisuuskatsaukseen käytettiin hoitotieteellisiä tutkimuksia, jotka käsittelivät koronaviruksen vaikutuksia tutkimaamme aiheeseen. Kirjallisuuskatsauksen tavoitteena on saada tietoa esiin tulleista koronavirustaudin aiheuttamista muutoksista mielenterveys- ja päihdeasiakkaiden arkeen ja hoidon toteutukseen, sekä palveluihin liittyvistä haasteista että mahdollisista palveluiden saatavuuden kehittämis-kohteista. Kirjallisuuskatsauksessa esiin tullutta tietoa on mahdollista hyödyntää tulevaisuudessa mielenterveys- ja päihdekuntoutujien hoidon suunnittelussa ja palvelujen saatavuuden parantamisessa. Analyysimenetelmänä käytettiin induktiivista sisällönanalyysia. Tietokantoina käytettiin Google Scholar, PubMed, Medic ja Science Direct. Lopullisena tutkimusmateriaalina käytettiin 12 hoitotieteellistä artikkelia. Tutkimustulokset osoittivat koronaviruksen aiheuttaneen merkittäviä muutoksia ihmisten mielenterveydessä, esimerkiksi lisännyt ahdistusta ja masentuneisuutta. Poikkeusolojen aikainen sosiaalinen eristäytyminen ja koronaviruksen leviämisen ennaltaehkäisevät rajoitukset ovat vaikuttaneet mielenterveys- ja päihde-palveluihin merkittävästi. Esimerkiksi palveluiden vähentäminen ja lakkauttaminen, sekä siirtyminen etäpalveluihin, on aiheuttanut haasteita kuntoutusprosessissa. Tutkimuksen tuloksien pohjalta voidaan jatkossa tutkia miten mielenterveys- ja päihdekuntoutujille tarjottavaa etäpalvelua voisi parantaa, jotta palvelut olisivat kaikkien sitä tarvitsevien saatavilla. Lisäksi hoidon suunnittelussa voitaisiin kiinnittää huomiota normaalioloista poikkeaviin tilanteisiin, kuten esimerkiksi pandemian aikana.This thesis was executed as a literature review, and it addresses the effects of coronavirus Covid-19 on mental health and substance abuse rehabilitation. The purpose of this literature review was to map the impacts of the coronavirus disease on the daily lives and rehabilitation process of mental health and substance abuse rehabilitees. Nursing studies were used to review the literature on the effects of coronavirus on the topic we studied. The literature review aims to obtain information about the changes caused by the coronavirus disease in realization of the daily life and care of mental health and substance abuse clients, as well as the challenges related to services and possible areas for improving the availability of services. The outcomes of this literature review can be utilized in the future in planning the care of mental health and substance abuse rehabilitees and in improving the availability of the services. Inductive content analysis was used as the analysis method. The databases used were Google Scholar, PubMed, Medic and Science Direct. The final research material consisted of twelve nursing articles. The results of the study showed that the coronavirus caused significant changes in people´s mental health, such as increased anxiety and depression. Similarly, mental health and substance abuse services have been significantly affected by the social isolation during the exceptional circumstances and preventive restrictions. Among other things, the shift to remote services, has posed challenges to the rehabilitation process. Based on the results of this study, in the future, it could be further investigated how the remote services provided for the mental health and substance abuse rehabilitees could be improved so that the services would be available to all those who need it. In addition, it could be studied how out of ordinary situations, such as a pandemic, could be better considered in the planning of the treatment

Influence of pulse duration when performing Er:YAG laser irradiation on dental tissues

To evaluate the marginal adaptation of mixed Class V composite restorations in cavities prepared with the Quantum Square Pulse (QSP) mode Er:YAG laser, compared to Super Short Pulse (SSP) and diamond bur. The impact of Er:YAG laser finishing with low pulse energy and two irradiation distances was also evaluated

Fluorescent-Tagged Antiscalants&mdash;The New Materials for Scale Inhibition Mechanism Studies, Antiscalant Traceability and Antiscaling Efficacy Optimization during CaCO3 and CaSO4&middot;2H2O Scale Formation

Equipment scaling leads to reduced production efficiency in a wide range of industrial applications worldwide. Various antiscaling agents are currently commonly used to mitigate this problem. However, irrespective of their long and successful application in water treatment technologies, little is known about the mechanisms of scale inhibition, particularly the localization of scale inhibitors on scale deposits. The lack of such knowledge is a limiting factor in the development of applications for antiscalants. Meanwhile, fluorescent fragments integrated into scale inhibitor molecules have provided a successful solution to the problem. The focus of this study is, therefore, on the synthesis and investigation of a novel fluorescent antiscalant: (2-(6-morpholino-1,3-dioxo-1H-benzo[de]isoquinolin-2(3H)yl)ethylazanediyl)bis(methylenephosphonic acid) (ADMP-F) which is an analog of the commercial antiscalant: aminotris(methylenephosphonic acid) (ATMP). ADMP-F has been found to effectively control the precipitation of CaCO3 and CaSO4 in solution and is a promising tracer for organophosphonate scale inhibitors. ADMP-F was compared with two other fluorescent antiscalants&mdash;polyacrylate (PAA-F1) and bisphosphonate (HEDP-F)&mdash;and was found to be highly effective: PAA-F1 &gt; ADMP-F &gt;&gt; HEDP-F (CaCO3) and PAA-F1 &gt; ADMP-F &gt; HEDP-F (CaSO4&middot;2H2O). The visualization of the antiscalants on the deposits provides unique information on their location and reveals differences in the &ldquo;antiscalant-deposit&rdquo; interactions for scale inhibitors of different natures. For these reasons, a number of important refinements to the mechanisms of scale inhibition are proposed

Fluorescent-Tagged Antiscalants—The New Materials for Scale Inhibition Mechanism Studies, Antiscalant Traceability and Antiscaling Efficacy Optimization during CaCO₃ and CaSO₄·2H₂O Scale Formation

Equipment scaling leads to reduced production efficiency in a wide range of industrial applications worldwide. Various antiscaling agents are currently commonly used to mitigate this problem. However, irrespective of their long and successful application in water treatment technologies, little is known about the mechanisms of scale inhibition, particularly the localization of scale inhibitors on scale deposits. The lack of such knowledge is a limiting factor in the development of applications for antiscalants. Meanwhile, fluorescent fragments integrated into scale inhibitor molecules have provided a successful solution to the problem. The focus of this study is, therefore, on the synthesis and investigation of a novel fluorescent antiscalant: (2-(6-morpholino-1,3-dioxo-1H-benzo[de]isoquinolin-2(3H)yl)ethylazanediyl)bis(methylenephosphonic acid) (ADMP-F) which is an analog of the commercial antiscalant: aminotris(methylenephosphonic acid) (ATMP). ADMP-F has been found to effectively control the precipitation of CaCO3 and CaSO4 in solution and is a promising tracer for organophosphonate scale inhibitors. ADMP-F was compared with two other fluorescent antiscalants—polyacrylate (PAA-F1) and bisphosphonate (HEDP-F)—and was found to be highly effective: PAA-F1 > ADMP-F >> HEDP-F (CaCO3) and PAA-F1 > ADMP-F > HEDP-F (CaSO4·2H2O). The visualization of the antiscalants on the deposits provides unique information on their location and reveals differences in the “antiscalant-deposit” interactions for scale inhibitors of different natures. For these reasons, a number of important refinements to the mechanisms of scale inhibition are proposed

Detection of Changes in Macrophage Polarization as a Result of 5-Aminolevulinic Acid Photodynamic Therapy Using Fluorescence-Lifetime Imaging Microscopy

Non-invasive detection of polarized macrophages in tumors is an urgent task in terms of combined antitumor therapy. By analyzing the fluorescence lifetime of the metabolic cofactors—the reduced form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and flavins—differences in cellular metabolism of normal tissue, tumor, inflammatory and anti-inflammatory macrophages were demonstrated. In this work we studied changes in the polarization of macrophages obtained from THP-1 monocytes in response to photodynamic therapy with 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA–PDT). Moderate ALA–PDT in vitro led to changes in M0 macrophages metabolism towards M1 polarization, wherein M1 and M2 macrophages died and were replaced by non-polarized cells. The interstitial distribution of polarized macrophages after ALA–PDT was studied in a mouse tumor model of grafted Lewis lung carcinoma. In response to ALA–PDT, there was an increase in the inflammatory macrophages fraction in the tumor node. Metabolic fluorescence-lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) was performed for macrophages in vitro and for tumor cryosections. It was shown that analysis of phasor diagrams for the NADH, flavins, and 5-ALA-induced protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) fluorescence lifetime helps to determine the change in metabolism in response to different modes of PDT at the cellular and tissue levels. These data can be used for post-surgery tissue inspection

A Case Study of Calcium Carbonate Crystallization during Reverse Osmosis Water Desalination in Presence of Novel Fluorescent-Tagged Antiscalants

Calcium carbonate scaling in reverse osmosis (RO) desalination process is studied in the presence of two novel fluorescent-tagged scale inhibitors 1,8-naphthalimide-tagged polyacrylate (PAA-F1) and 1-hydroxy-7-(6-methoxy-1,3-dioxo-1H-benzo[de]isoquinolin-2(3H)-yl)heptane-1,1-diyl-bis(phosphonic acid) (HEDP-F) by fluorescent microscopy (FM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Both antiscalants diminished the mean size of calcite crystals relative to the blank experiment. The behavior and localization of HEDP-F and PAA-F1 during calcite scale formation on membrane surface was found to be significantly different from the distribution in similar RO experiments with gypsum, reported earlier. In the former case, both antiscalants are concentrated exactly on the surface of calcium carbonate crystals, while in the latter one they form their own phases (Ca-HEDP-F and Ca-PAA-F1) and are not detected on gypsum scale. The difference is interpreted in terms of interplay between background calcium concentration and sparingly soluble calcium salts&rsquo; solubility. HEDP-F reveals slightly higher efficiency than PAA-F1 against calcite scale formation, while PAA-F exhibits a higher ability to change calcite morphology. It is demonstrated that there is a lack of correlation between antiscaling efficacy and ability of antiscalant to change calcium carbonate morphology in a particular case study. An application of fluorescent-tagged antiscalants in RO experiments provides a unique possibility to track the scale inhibitor molecules&rsquo; localization during calcite scale formation. Fluorescent-tagged antiscalants are presumed to become a very powerful tool in membrane scaling inhibition studies