Early and late changes of multi-marker panel in patients with STEMI after angioplasty

Background: Post-infarction remodeling is strongly linked with collagen turnover which is influenced mostly by oxidative stress and inflammation, the last being, according to our previous data, triggered by early infiltrated neutrophils (24–48 h) followed by accumulation of macrophages M1 (72 h) and M2 (7–14 days). Aim: Evaluation of circulating markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in the different periods of 1 year follow up post-infarct evolution: first 2 weeks (each day), 1st month (synthesis of collagen type III), 3rd month (synthesis of collagen type I), 6 and 12 months. Material and methods: Study was performed in 47 patients (age range of 37–68 years) with STEMI exposed to angioplasty (<12 hours). Circulating levels of 28 markers were determined at admission, 1, 2, 3 ... 14 days, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. Obtained results were compared with control value of markers determined in 17 apparently healthy persons and admission level (before PCI). Results: The earliest (first 24 h) significant change was inherent to MMP-8, whose double elevation (averagely from 3,1 up to 6,4 ng/ml) corresponded to period of neutrophil infiltration (24–48 h). Serum levels of IL-1, IL-6 have raised significantly since 48 h, followed by authentic increase of TNF-alpha, IL-8, CRPhs and phospholipase A2 since 72 h. Up to a period of 7 days these markers remained increased, but toward 14th day fell by 24–46% arguably due to macrophage M2 activation. This is consistent to dynamics of anti-inflammatory markers, IL-4 and IL-10 which decreased till 7th, elevated toward 14th day although remained below control. Inflammation boosting was associated by oxidative stress activation during 1st week manifested by malonic dialdehyde (MAD) rise and total antioxidant activity fall. To be noted that markers improvement till 3rd month was poor and a conspicuous dynamics began since 6th month with nearing to control level toward 12th month. However, at this time following markers significantly differed from control value: TNF-alpha (+29,6%), IL-4 (-31,7%), S-nitrosothiols (-17,8%), CRPhs exceeded 3,0 g/L (4,77±0,38) and MAD (+23,6%). Conclusions: (1). Dynamics of inflammation markers in patients with STEMI during first 14 days after angioplasty conclusive reflect chronologic accumulation of inflammatory cells in necrotic zone. (2). Maximal serum plateau of MMP-8, IL-1, IL-6, IL-6, TNF-alpha and CRPhs goes till 7th day of post-infarct evolution, associated with lowest IL-4 and IL-10. (3). Marker improvements begin since 3rd month with nearing to control toward 12th month, excepting IL-4, TNF-alpha, CRPhs and MAD indicating thus a late statement of inflammation dissemination

Modelling of Multi-Agent Systems: Experiences with Membrane Computing and Future Challenges

Formal modelling of Multi-Agent Systems (MAS) is a challenging task due to high complexity, interaction, parallelism and continuous change of roles and organisation between agents. In this paper we record our research experience on formal modelling of MAS. We review our research throughout the last decade, by describing the problems we have encountered and the decisions we have made towards resolving them and providing solutions. Much of this work involved membrane computing and classes of P Systems, such as Tissue and Population P Systems, targeted to the modelling of MAS whose dynamic structure is a prominent characteristic. More particularly, social insects (such as colonies of ants, bees, etc.), biology inspired swarms and systems with emergent behaviour are indicative examples for which we developed formal MAS models. Here, we aim to review our work and disseminate our findings to fellow researchers who might face similar challenges and, furthermore, to discuss important issues for advancing research on the application of membrane computing in MAS modelling.Comment: In Proceedings AMCA-POP 2010, arXiv:1008.314

Механизмы внутристентового рестеноза анализируемые путём коронарной ангиографии и внутрикоронарной ультрасонографии

Although the coronary angiography remains a proven method of in-stent restenosis assessment, intracoronary ultrasound (IVUS) is underlined as a method of better coronary lesion indices evaluation. This study was aimed as an attempt at relevant in-stent restenosis mechanisms estimation via concomitant using of IVUS and coronary angiography. These exams were applied to 47 patients having 54 bare metallic and eluting stents. Obtained results indicated different mechanisms of restenosis development in bare metallic and eluting stents. The neointima hyperplasia and negative artery remodeling in metallic stent restenosis are more expressed. Likewise, the IVUS method appears as a feasible tool of the coronary plaque area determination and guiding of stent implantation during angioplasty. The last aspect is especially important in the case of coronary artery diameter less than 3 mm.Хотя коронарная ангиография продолжает оставаться апробированным методом выявления внутристентового рестеноза, внутрикоронарная ультрасонография (IVUS) выделяется как метод лучшего определения показателей коронарных поражений. С целью анализа механизмов развития рестеноза эти два метода были использованы на 47 больных, имеющих 54 имплантированных металлических и фармакологических стентов. Полученные данные показывают наличие различных механизмов развития рестеноза металлических и фармакологических стентов. Гиперплазия неоинтимы и негативное ремоделирование артерии более выражены в металлических стентах. Метод IVUS представляется достоверным способом определения размеров коронарной бляшки и контроля имплантации стента, особенно, когда диаметр коронарной артерии меньше 3 мм

Understanding single-top-quark production and jets at hadron colliders

I present an analysis of fully differential single-top-quark production plus jets at next-to-leading order. I describe the effects of jet definitions, top-quark mass, and higher orders on the shapes and normalizations of the kinematic distributions, and quantify all theoretical uncertainties. I explain how to interpret next-to-leading-order jet calculations, and compare them to showering event generators. Using the program ZTOP, I show that HERWIG and PYTHIA significantly underestimate both s-channel and t-channel single-top-quark production, and propose a scheme to match the relevant samples to the next-to-leading-order predictions.Comment: 40 pgs., revtex4, 35 ps figs; added Fig. 4, 1 Ref., minor clarifications, to appear in Phys. Rev.

The observation of a family with hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer for 30 years

Institutul Oncologic, Chişinău, Republica Moldova, Al XII-lea Congres al Asociației Chirurgilor „Nicolae Anestiadi” din Republica Moldova cu participare internațională 23-25 septembrie 2015Introducere: Sindroamele ereditare reprezintă de la 5% la 10% cazuri din cancerul colorectal. Unul dintre acestea este sindromul bine definit de cancer colorectal nonpolipozic ereditar (CCNPE). Scopul: De a studia spectrul de incidenţă a tumorilor maligne în rîndul persoanelor de primul și al doilea grad de rudenie a probandului cu sindromul de CCNPE. Material şi metode: Studiul a cuprins 101 persoane cu primul şi al doilea grad de rudenie a probandului cu sindrom de CCNPE. Au fost studiate incidenţa cancerului colorectal printre aceştia, numărul şi localizarea tumorilor, managementul chirurgical. Rezultate: Printre cele 101 rude de primul și al doilea grad tumori maligne au fost depistate în 13 cazuri (12,9%). În familie au fost relevate 30 de tumori maligne, dintre care 23 cu afectarea colonului. La 9 rude (8,9%) au fost neoplasme primare multiple (NPM): cîte 2 tumori – la 4 rude, cîte 3 tumori – la 3 rude, 4 tumori – la 1 rudă şi 5 tumori – la 1 rudă. Din cele 26 tumori depistate la aceştia – 19 cu localizare în colon (8 – hemicolonul drept), altele 7 – în afara intestinului (tumori extracolice). Toate rudele cu cancer au fost supuse tratamentului chirurgical. Trei pacienţi cu cancer colorectal primar multiplu au suportat colectomie subtotală şi 1 – colectomie totală. Concluzii: Se impune monitorizarea activă a rudelor pacienţilor cu CCNPE, cu scopul de a depista posibila apariţie a cancerului colorectal la aceştia şi a tumorilor extracolice asociate la un stadiu precoce, ce ar duce, fără îndoială, la un tratament mai eficient.Introduction: Hereditary syndromes range 5% to 10% of cases of colorectal cancer. One of them is well defined syndrome, hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC). Aim: To study the spectrum of accumulation of malignant neoplasms among the first- and second-degree relatives of the proband with the HNPCC syndrome. Material and methods: The study included 101 people with first- and second-degree kinship of the proband with HNPCC syndrome. We studied the incidence of colorectal cancer among these persons, the number and location of the tumors, surgical management. Results: Among the 101 first- and second-degree relatives malignant tumors were found in 13 (12.9%). 30 malignant tumors were revealed in the family, 23 of them with colon impairment. 9 relatives (8.9%) had multiple primary neoplasms (MPN): by 2 tumors were detected in 4 relatives, by 3 tumors – 3 relatives, 4 tumors – 1 person and 1 relative with 5 tumors. Of the 26 tumors detected in them – 19 had colon localization (8 – right hemicolon), 7 others had extra-intestinal location. All relatives with cancer underwent surgical treatment. Three patients with primary multiple colorectal cancer – subtotal colectomy and 1 – total colectomy. Conclusions: A dynamic monitoring of the relatives of patients with HNPCC is recomanded, in order to detect possible occurrence of colorectal cancer and associated extra-intestinal tumors at an early stage, which would undoubtedly lead to more effective treatment

Extracellular RNA – a new predictor and a supposable mechanism of in-stent restenosis

Department of Interventional Cardiology, Institute of Cardiology, Chisinau, the Republic of MoldovaBackground: The evaluation of new predictors of negative coronary remodeling after angioplasty remains an adequate approach of interventional cardiology in the diagnosis and prognosis of in-stent restenosis (ISR). Previously we have demonstrated on a murine model of atherosclerosis that extracellular RNA (eRNA) increases proportionally to vascular injury progression, and a first activation of the blood RNAase is changed by its steady quantitative decline, a reason that suggests a plausible role of eRNA in coronary neointima hyperplasia. Material and methods: This article is aimed at the study of eRNA amount in a tissue pattern of a stent with restenosis as well as its correlation with such inflammatory predictors as macrophage number and TNF-alpha expression. Using the techniques of confocal microscopy and immunohistochemistry we have first proved that eRNA level significantly increases in the coronary wall of segments with ISR (the specimens have been taken postmortem from 19 patients exposed to angioplasty). Results: The rise in the assay has been closely correlated to restenosis degree, and in muscular media it has been 2-4 times beyond the control range estimated in the adjacent coronary segment without negative vascular remodeling. In the restenosis zone eRNA has risen by about 130% from minimal to severe ISR. Moreover, its level has been found markedly increased earlier also comparatively to the control pattern: by 62% in moderate and 128% in severe ISR. A key disclosed evidence is that eRNA is positively correlated with TNF-alpha level (r = +0.88) and the number of macrophages (r = +0.84), whereas the last is notably enhanced depending on ISR progression. Conclusions: The obtained outcomes result in 2 opportunities: 1. eRNA may be a feasible predictor of negative coronary remodeling, facilitating the prognosis of ISR risk; 2. eRNA may be singled out as a factor involved in the pathogenesis of neointima formation and hyperplasia due to its relation to the inflammatory process

Optimisation of ultrasound-assisted extraction method of biologically active compounds from Cynara scolymus L.

Drug Technology Department and Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Nicolae Testemitsanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Chisinau, the Republic of Moldova, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaBackground: Traditionally artichoke has been cultivated as a vegetable for human food in some Mediterranean regions and has been used in folk medicine since Roman times. Biological compounds of artichoke are mostly concentrated in leaves which contain high levels of caffeoylquinic acid derivatives. Obvious interest in this plant with hepatoprotective and cholesterol lowering qualities persuaded artichoke’s introduction in the collection of the Centre for the Cultivation of Medicinal Plants at the NicolaeTestemitsanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy in 2002. This study is focused on optimized ultrasound-assisted extraction parameters of polyphenols and flavonoids from artichoke leaves without the risk of thermal degradation for their main phytoconstituents. Material and methods: In this study we have investigated the influence of some variables on extraction of polyphenols and flavonoids compounds from artichoke leaves based on ultrasound-assisted method. For this purpose an experimental design with 5 variables and 2 levels was used. The studied variables were: concentration of extraction solvent, temperature, extraction time and also the influence of parameters of ultrasonic processor pulse and amplitude; the total polyphenolic and flavonoid content were dependent variables. Results: The results of composite design indicated that the optimal extraction parameters were as follows: concentration of ethanol solution 70%, temperature 80°C, ultrasound time 30 minutes, with ultrasonic power output and pulse mode factor 100%. Conclusions: The influence of various parameters on the extraction of total flavonoid and polyphenolic content from artichoke’s leaves was studied. The ethanol concentration, the temperature and the time were found to be the most effective in extracting phenolic compouds with ultrasound-assisted method respectively