Minimally Invasive Treatment of Benign Thyroid Nodules

Background. Nodular goitre is the commonest pathology of thyroid gland. According to published evidence, the endemic prevalence of iodine deficiency varies within 19–76 % population. The high rates and lack of symptoms at progressive nodules growth warrant the development of effective organ-preserving treatments. Imaging techniques for local precision targeting of individual lesions enable maximum-preserving interventions at thyroid tissue. Today’s world experience of percutaneous ethanol sclerotherapy and radiofrequency ablation is adequate. However, there exist no clear indications for sclerotherapy and radiofrequency ablation, and their consecutive use has not been assessed.Materials and methods. We analyse minimally invasive organ-preserving treatments of benign thyroid nodules (ethanol sclerotherapy, RFA) in 63 patients at the outpatient and general surgery units of BSMU Clinic and MEGI Medical Centre, Ufa, during February 2019 — December 2020.Results and discussion. Ethanol sclerotherapy was highly effective in 46.5 % patients, as evident from discontinued nodule’s blood supply in CDI and B-mode ultrasound, which remained stable in 10.5 % and restored after 3–4 weeks in 25 % patients. Sclerotherapy in colloid goitre was efficient only in 37.5 % patients. Ethanol sclerotherapy was RFA-followed in 25.4 % patients. RFA was favoured at a low-effective sclerotherapy providing for a weak positive dynamics of nodule size, local parietal blood flow preservation and intranodular vessels recanalisation at re-examination.Conclusion. Sclerotherapy was high-effective in cystic nodules. Radiofrequency ablation can be considered most adequate for treating solid nodules. RFA-followed sclerotherapy is a rational choice in treatment of large cystic nodules (>5 cm3 )

Cognitive tests in zebrafish (Danio rerio): T-and Y-mazes

T-and Y-shaped mazes are traditionally used to assess spatial learning and memory of zebrafish. In the installation of the T-shaped maze, the fish are taught to swim into the desired sleeve and not swim into the “wrong” one using both posi-tive (for example, food reinforcement) and negative (for example, electric current) stimuli to form more persistent reflexes. The Y-shaped maze is based on the principle of spontaneous choice. Spontaneous choice behavior describes the tendency of animals to change their direction of rotation in a series of successive turns. Each choice statistically depends on the previous one, which indicates its mnestic origin. Unlike other types of memory tasks, testing in the Y-shaped maze does not require prior training or reinforcement (as in the T-shaped maze). Both aquatic mazes are becoming useful tools for assessing zebrafish cognitive phenotypes. © Authors, 2022.Saint Petersburg State University, SPbU, (73026081)Funding source. The work was carried out with the support of St. Petersburg State University (State assignment, project No. 73026081)

Modeling the drug withdrawal syndrome in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

The central pathological link in addictive states is the drug withdrawal syndrome. Usually, severe manifestations of the withdrawal syndrome are associated with reduced sensitivity of postsynaptic receptors (desensitization), lower den-sity of receptors and impaired transport of neurotransmitters, and the rebound effect. Zebrafish is an effective tool in the study of classic withdrawal symptoms and special cases of withdrawal of other selected psychoactive drugs. © 2022, Eco-Vector LLC. All rights reserved.Saint Petersburg State University, SPbU, (73026081)Funding source. The work was carried out with the support of St. Petersburg State University (State assignment, project No. 73026081)

Modeling depression in zebrafish

Depression is a widespread, severely debilitating mental disorder characterized by low mood, anhedonia, fatigue, decreased attention, suicidality and psychomotor retardation, accompanied by neuroendocrine and molecular disorders. Zebrafish have neuroendocrine and neurotransmitter systems similar to humans, as well as high genetic homology, and are rapidly becoming popular model organisms for modeling depressive-like conditions. Here, we discuss modern behavioral, pharmacological and genetic models of depression in zebrafish, their methodological applications and translational implications. © Authors, 2022.Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation, Minobrnauka, (075-15-2022-301)Funding source. This work was financially supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation (Agreement No. 075-15-2022-301)

Мини-инвазивные способы лечения доброкачественных узлов щитовидной железы

Background. Nodular goitre is the commonest pathology of thyroid gland. According to published evidence, the endemic prevalence of iodine deficiency varies within 19–76 % population. The high rates and lack of symptoms at progressive nodules growth warrant the development of effective organ-preserving treatments. Imaging techniques for local precision targeting of individual lesions enable maximum-preserving interventions at thyroid tissue. Today’s world experience of percutaneous ethanol sclerotherapy and radiofrequency ablation is adequate. However, there exist no clear indications for sclerotherapy and radiofrequency ablation, and their consecutive use has not been assessed.Materials and methods. We analyse minimally invasive organ-preserving treatments of benign thyroid nodules (ethanol sclerotherapy, RFA) in 63 patients at the outpatient and general surgery units of BSMU Clinic and MEGI Medical Centre, Ufa, during February 2019 — December 2020.Results and discussion. Ethanol sclerotherapy was highly effective in 46.5 % patients, as evident from discontinued nodule’s blood supply in CDI and B-mode ultrasound, which remained stable in 10.5 % and restored after 3–4 weeks in 25 % patients. Sclerotherapy in colloid goitre was efficient only in 37.5 % patients. Ethanol sclerotherapy was RFA-followed in 25.4 % patients. RFA was favoured at a low-effective sclerotherapy providing for a weak positive dynamics of nodule size, local parietal blood flow preservation and intranodular vessels recanalisation at re-examination.Conclusion. Sclerotherapy was high-effective in cystic nodules. Radiofrequency ablation can be considered most adequate for treating solid nodules. RFA-followed sclerotherapy is a rational choice in treatment of large cystic nodules (>5 cm3 ). Введение. Самой распространенной патологией щитовидной железы является узловой зоб. Встречаемость йододефицита в  эндемических регионах варьирует, по литературным данным, от 19  до 76  % населения. Высокая распространенность, бессимптомное течение с прогрессирующим ростом узлов диктуют необходимость выработки эффективных органосохраняющих методов лечения. Имея визуализирующие способы локального прецизионного воздействия на отдельные патологически измененные структуры, можно выполнять вмешательства с максимальным сохранением неизмененной ткани щитовидной железы. На сегодня в мире уже накоплен достаточный опыт применения чрескожной склеротерапии этанолом и радиочастотной абляции (РЧА). Однако не разработаны четкие показания к применению склеротерапии и радиочастотной абляции и не оценена возможность последовательного их применения.Материалы и методы. В работе представлен анализ лечения доброкачественных узлов щитовидной железы мини-инвазивными органосохраняющими методами (этаноловая склеротерапия, РЧА) у 63 пациентов, проведенными на базе амбулаторного отделения и отделения общей хирургии Клиники Башкирского государственного медицинского института и медицинского центра «МЕГИ», г. Уфа, в период с февраля 2019 до декабря 2020 г.Результаты и обсуждение. Применение этаноловой склеротерапии было высокоэффективным у  46,5  % пациентов, оценку проводили по нарушению питания узла в виде исчезновения кровотока при УЗД исследовании в режиме ЦДК и B-flow, которое отмечалось в 10,5 % случаев — стабильное и в 25 % отмечено восстановление кровотока спустя 3–4 недели. При склеротерапии узлов с признаками организации коллоида эффективность отмечена только у 37,5 % пациентов. У 25,4 % исследуемых после этаноловой склеротерапии была проведена последующая РЧА. Решение в пользу РЧА было принято при малоэффективном курсе склеротерапии в виде слабой положительной динамики размеров узла, сохранения пристеночных локусов кровотока и реканализации внутринодулярных сосудов при повторном осмотре.Заключение. Высокая эффективность склерозирующей терапии отмечалась при кистозном характере узла. В лечении узлов, имеющих солидный характер, лучшим методом следует признать радиочастотную деструкцию. При лечении кистозно-трансформированных узлов больших размеров (более 5 см3 ) рационально проведение сеансов склеротерапии перед РЧА.

Novel Uracil-Based Inhibitors of Acetylcholinesterase with Potency for Treating Memory Impairment in an Animal Model of Alzheimer’s Disease

Novel derivatives based on 6-methyluracil and condensed uracil, 2,4-quinazoline-2,4-dione, were synthesized with terminal meta- and para-benzoate moieties in polymethylene chains at the N atoms of the pyrimidine ring. In the synthesized compounds, the polymethylene chains were varied from having tris- to hexamethylene chains and quaternary ammonium groups; varying substituents (ester, salt, acid) at benzene ring were introduced into the chains and benzoate moieties. In vivo biological experiments demonstrated the potency of these compounds in decreasing the number of β-amyloid plaques and their suitability for the treatment of memory impairment in a transgenic model of Alzheimer’s disease