Optimization, evaluation, and comparison of standard algorithms for image reconstruction with the VIP-PET

A novel positron emission tomography (PET) scanner design based on a room-temperature pixelated CdTe solid-state detector is being developed within the framework of the Voxel Imaging PET (VIP) Pathfinder project []. The simulation results show a great potential of the VIP to produce high-resolution images even in extremely challenging conditions such as the screening of a human head []. With unprecedented high channel density (450 channels/cm 3) image reconstruction is a challenge. Therefore optimization is needed to find the best algorithm in order to exploit correctly the promising detector potential. The following reconstruction algorithms are evaluated: 2-D Filtered Backprojection (FBP), Ordered Subset Expectation Maximization (OSEM), List-Mode OSEM (LM-OSEM), and the Origin Ensemble (OE) algorithm. The evaluation is based on the comparison of a true image phantom with a set of reconstructed images obtained by each algorithm. This is achieved by calculation of image quality merit parameters such as the bias, the variance and the mean square error (MSE). A systematic optimization of each algorithm is performed by varying the reconstruction parameters, such as the cutoff frequency of the noise filters and the number of iterations. The region of interest (ROI) analysis of the reconstructed phantom is also performed for each algorithm and the results are compared. Additionally, the performance of the image reconstruction methods is compared by calculating the modulation transfer function (MTF). The reconstruction time is also taken into account to choose the optimal algorithm. The analysis is based on GAMOS [] simulation including the expected CdTe and electronic specifics

Laboratory of Senses

It is reported about a series of scientific and research events “Laboratory of Senses” organized in October and December 2016 at the Philological faculty of Samara State Socio-Pedagogical University. The content and purpose of “Laboratory of Senses” are characterized - teaching the analysis of literary text in literary, philological and linguistic methodology aspects with the achievements of various methodologies and scientific schools. Constructive performance of this series of activities carried out by teachers of the University with the bachelors and undergraduates is described

Эффективность интерферонотерапии при острых респираторных вирусных инфекциях у детей раннего возраста

The problem of choosing an effective etiotropic treatment for acute respiratory viral infections in young children is one of the urgent in pediatrics.Materials and methods. The article presents data on the mechanism of the combined antiviral and immunomodulating action of the drug recombinant interferon alpha-2b. The results of observation of 80 children aged 3 to 12 months with acute respiratory viral infections of various etiologies are presented. Results. Clinical and laboratory indicators of intoxication that occur during acute respiratory viral infections in children have been identified. It has been shown that the use of rectal suppositories of interferon alpha-2b in the treatment of young children with acute respiratory viral infections causes a rapid relief of the clinical symptoms of the disease and helps to reduce the duration of hospital treatment of patients.Проблема выбора эффективной этиотропной терапии острых респираторных вирусных инфекций у детей раннего возраста является одной из актуальных в педиатрии. Материалы и методы: приведены данные о механизме комбинированного противовирусного и иммуномодулирующего действия препарата рекомбинантного интерферона альфа-2b с высокоактивными антиоксидантами витаминами Е и С (ВИФЕРОН®). Представлены результаты наблюдения за 80 детьми в возрасте от 3 до 12 месяцев с острыми респираторными вирусными инфекциями различной этиологии. Результаты: Выявлены клинико-лабораторные показатели интоксикации, возникающие при острых респираторных вирусных инфекциях у детей. Показано, что применение ректальных свечей интерферона альфа-2b (ВИФЕРОН®) в терапии детей раннего возраста с острыми респираторными вирусными инфекциями вызывает быстрое купирование клинических симптомов болезни и способствует сокращению продолжительности стационарного лечения больных.

THE MOLECULAR GENETIC STUDY OF KRIM-SAGHYZ (Taraxacum hybernum Steven) USING SSR, RAPD AND ISSR MARKERS

Krim-saghyz (Taraxacum hybernum Steven) is an alternative to Hevea brasiliensis as a source of natural rubber. In Russia, krim-saghyz is common only in the Crimean Peninsula and is traditionally named after it. In spite of its potential for economical use, the genetic structure of the Crimean population of this plant is still unexplored. In this regard, the purpose of our work was a comparative molecular-genetic characterization of T. hybernum from various habitats of the Crimean Peninsula using SSR, RAPD and ISSR markers. According to the plan, we collected achenes, leaves and roots of krim-saghyz in 10 spots all over the Crimean Peninsula. We found the plants in the western part of the southern Crimean coast and the western part of the Crimean foothills, which are two general regions of the area of this species. Total DNA was extracted from dry leaves of krim-saghyz with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). For the first time 12 SSR, 3 RAPD and 3 ISSR markers were tested on krim-saghyz. To observe polymorphism of RAPD- and ISSR-fragments, we used analytical electrophoresis in 1.7 % agarose gel. To compare the length of SSR amplicons, we used gel-electrophoresis in 8 % polyacrylamide gel. We found that the Crimean population of krim-saghyz appears to be genetically homogeneous. This could be due to a small geographic range and apomictic reproduction of this species. However, the phenotypical diversity within the population of T. hybernum is well known from the literature. Consequently, the study of the DNA polymorphism of this species should be continued, in particular, with the help of high-resolution techniques

Pyrrolylquinoxaline-2-one derivative as a potent therapeutic factor for brain trauma rehabilitation

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) often causes massive brain cell death accompanied by the accumulation of toxic factors in interstitial and cerebrospinal fluids. The persistence of the damaged brain area is not transient and may occur within days and weeks. Chaperone Hsp70 is known for its cytoprotective and antiapoptotic activity, and thus, a therapeutic approach based on chemically induced Hsp70 expression may become a promising approach to lower post-traumatic complications. To simulate the processes of secondary damage, we used an animal model of TBI and a cell model based on the cultivation of target cells in the presence of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from injured rats. Here we present a novel low molecular weight substance, PQ-29, which induces the synthesis of Hsp70 and empowers the resistance of rat C6 glioma cells to the cytotoxic effect of rat cerebrospinal fluid taken from rats subjected to TBI. In an animal model of TBI, PQ-29 elevated the Hsp70 level in brain cells and significantly slowed the process of the apoptosis in acceptor cells in response to cerebrospinal fluid action. The compound was also shown to rescue the motor function of traumatized rats, thus proving its potential application in rehabilitation therapy after TBI. © 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation, Minobrnauka: 0124-2019-002Russian Foundation for Basic Research, RFBR: 20-33-70102Russian Science Foundation, RSF: 18-74-10087Funding: This research was funded by Russian Science Foundation, research project #18-74-10087 (V.F.L., E.A.D., M.A.M., E.R.M.), Russian Foundation for Basic Research, research project #20-33-70102 (I.A.U., O.N.C., V.N.C, M.?.T., I.V.G.), and by The Ministry of Education and Science of Russian Federation № 0124-2019-002 (R.V.S., N.D.A., B.A.M.)

Investigation of the Sorption Properties of Ore Materials for the Removal of Sulfur Dioxide from Exhaust Flue Gases of Power Plants

The prospects of using a natural material – ferromanganese nodules (FMN) from the Gulf of Finland – as the SO2 adsorbent are discussed. The starting material was studied as pellets and powder using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, XRD, BET, and mechanical strength analysis; dependences of physicochemical parameters of the material on heat treatment at 100-1000 ºC were found. FMN samples were tested in the process of SO2 sorption. The sorptive capacity of FMN samples for SO2 was found to increase with humidity of adsorbents; FMN samples with a humidity above 40% were shown to be promising for the removal of sulfur dioxide from gase

Blood biomarkers and Ki-67 proliferation marker in breast cancer

Metastasis is the leading cause of death in patients with breast cancer (BC). It is known that the lesion of regional lymph nodes by tumor cells is more common in tumors with higher proliferative activity. Moreover, there is literature evidence on effects of cytokines and proteins upon the migration potential of the tumor. The aim of our work was to study the correlation between the concentrations of cytokines, proteins, and expression of Ki-67 proliferation marker in breast cancer with histology of non-specific invasive carcinoma.On the basis of pathological findings, 16 patients had metastases in regional lymph nodes (group I), and 18 patients had no detectable metastases (group II). Solid-phase enzyme immunoassay was used to determine concentrations of 14 cytokines in the supernatants of immunocompetent blood cells, i.e., IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17, IL-18, IL-1β, IL-1ra, TNFα, IFNγ, G-CSF, GM-CSF, VEGF and MCP-1, and concentrations of 6 proteins were determined in blood serum: estrogen and progesterone receptors, cadherin-E (CDH1), plasminogen activator type 1 (PAI-1), mucin 1 (MUC1), heat shock protein 90αA1 (HSP90αA1). Immunohistochemical study of Ki-67 expression was performed in paraffin sections of tumors using monoclonal antibodies.The study showed that Ki-67 expression in tumor tissues and blood concentrations of IL-6, IL-8, IL-1β and TNFα were higher in group I patients. On the contrary, blood concentrations of CDH1 and PAI-1 were higher in group II patients. It was found that Ki-67 showed both inverse correlations with CDH1 and PAI1, and direct correlations with IL-8 and TNFα. CDH1 had a direct correlation with PAI1, and inverse correlations with IL-6, IL-1β and TNFα. The studied cytokines showed direct correlations with each other. The analysis of ROC curves showed good quality and optimal values of the cut-off points for Ki-67 expression, cytokine and protein concentrations, thus allowing best prediction for detectable lymphatic metastasis.On the basis of these results, a quotient was proposed, which represents a ratio of CDH1 contents to the sum of IL-1β and TNFα concentrations in blood samples, which can help identification of the patients with breast cancer at risk for lymphatic metastasis

CYTOKINE-PRODUCING RESOURCE OF IMMUNOCOMPETENT BLOOD CELLS IN BREAST TUMORS AND PRECANCEROUS CHANGES OF MAMMARY GLAND

At present, only ductal carcinoma in situ is included into the group of precancerous lesions of mammary ducts, according to International Agency for the Study of Cancer. However, based on recent publications, in addition to ductal carcinoma in situ, sclerosing adenosis, intraductal proliferative lesions and radial scar may be also attributed to precancerous changes. A variety of both benign and malignant events in mammary gland, the features of neoplastic growth and age of the patients require new approaches to study of carcinogenic events in mammary gland. As based on the known role of cytokines in genesis of malignancies, the aim of the study was to evaluate the cytokine-producing resource of immunocompetent blood cells in malignant, benign and precancerous mammary disorders. To assess the cytokine-producing resource of immunocompetent blood cells in the patients, we studied quantitative effects of polyclonal activators upon production of cytokines by immunocompetent blood cells of patients with invasive ductal cancer representing a histological type of adenocarcinoma (group I), and patients with non-malignant breast neoplasias (group II). At subsequent step, the patients with non-malignant neoplasms of the breast were divided into a subgroup of patients with only fibroadenoma and mastopathy (group III), and a group which included patients with precancerous diseases, i.e., sclerosing adenosis and interductal proliferates (group IV). Concentrations of IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17, IL-18, IL-1β, IL-1ra, TNFα, IFNγ, G-CSF, GM-CSF, VEGF, and MCP-1 were determined by solid-phase enzyme immunoassay. When comparing groups I and II, we revealed higher influence of polyclonal activators upon production of G-CSF and GM-CSF in patients with invasive ductal cancer. When comparing the influence of polyclonal activation for cytokine production in patients of I and III groups, higher values were registered in patients with invasive ductal cancer (production of IL-2, G-CSF, and GM-CSF), and in patients with fibroadenoma and mastopathy (IL-18, and TNFαproduction). When comparing patients of groups I and IV, higher indexes of the polyclonal activator effects were found only for IL-1ra, G-CSF, and VEGF production in invasive ductal cancer. When comparing the indexes of polyclonal activator influence upon cytokine production of groups III and IV, higher values were obtained in patients with benign changes for the following cytokines: IL-8, IL-18, IL-1β, IL-1ra and TNFα, in contrast to patients with sclerosing adenosis and proliferates. The lower indexes of polyclonal activating effects upon the production of a number of cytokines in patients with precancerous changes, as compared to patients with malignant and benign breast tumors, do not indicate a decreased functional activity of immunocompetent blood cells. However, those may be due to high level of spontaneous cytokine production in sclerosing adenosis and interductal proliferates

Cytokinesproduction by blood immune cells in patients of different age groups with invasive ductal carcinoma of no special type and lymphatic metastases

The aim of this study was to evaluate production of cytokines by the blood immune cells in patients of different age groups with invasive non-specified type mammary ductal carcinoma, with or without metastases. Production of cytokines by periphery blood immunocompetent cells, either spontaneous and stimulated with polyclonal activators, was assessed in 82 patients with invasive mammary ductal carcinoma. The concentrations of IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17, IL-18, IL-1p, IL-1ra, TNFa, IFNy, G-CSF, GM-CSF, VEGF и MCP-1 were determined by solid-phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The patients were divided into 2 age groups: the first group consisted of 48 patients from 45 to 60 years old; the second group consisted of 34 older patients (61 to 75 years old). Metastases in local lymph nodes were documented in twenty patients from the first group and nine patients from the second group. The younger patients (45-60 years old) with metastases in local lymph nodes showed higher polyclonal activation index of IL-4 and IL-1ra production, when compared to the patients without lymphatic metastases. As for the older patients (61 to 75 years old), their polyclonal activation index of IL-6, IL-8, IL-1ra, G-CFS, GM-CSF production was significantly lower in cases of local lymph nodes metastases. The latter was due to higher level of spontaneous production, which suppressed the influence of polyclonal activators. The index of polyclonal activation upon production of cytokines in patients with lymphatic metastases was shown to be significantly higher for the age group of 45 to 60 years than in the age group of 61 to 75 years old. This fact suggested a highly stimulating effect of polyclonal activators in patients younger than 60 years. It was found that correlation between the index of polyclonal activation of cytokine production, and the indexes of ER, PR, HER2/NEU and Ki-67 receptor expression, which are used for the determination of molecular genetic subtype of the tumor, differ significantly for the distinct age groups