One-step orbit reconstruction using PMMA implants following hyperostotic sphenoid wing meningioma removal: Evolution of the technique in short clinical series

Purpose: To report our experience with patient specific implants for one-step orbit reconstruction following hyperostotic SWM removal and to describe the evolution of the technique through three surgical cases. Methods: Three cases of one-step SWM removal and orbit reconstruction are described. All cases are given consecutively to describe the evolution of the technique. Hyperostotic bone resection was facilitated by electromagnetic navigation and cutting guides (templates). Based on a 3D model, silicone molds were made using CAD/CAM. Then PMMA implant was fabricated from these molds. The implant was adjusted and fixed to the cranium with titanium screws after tumor removal. Results: Following steps of the procedure changed over these series: hyperostotic bone resection, implant thickness control, implant overlay features, anatomic adjustments, implant fixation. The proptosis resolved in all cases. In one patient the progressive visual acuity deterioration was recognized during the follow-up. No oculomotor disturbances and no tumor regrowth were found at the follow-up. Conclusion: CAD/CAM technologies enable creation of implants of any size and configuration, and thereby, to increase the extent of bony resection and lower the risk of tumor progression. The procedure is performed in one step which decreases the risk of postoperative morbidity

GLCE rs3865014 (Val597Ile) polymorphism is associated with breast cancer susceptibility and triple-negative breast cancer in Siberian population

d-Glucuronyl C5-epimerase (GLCE) is one of key enzymes in heparan sulfate biosynthesis and possesses tumour-suppressor function in breast carcinogenesis. Here, we investigated a potential involvement of GLCE polymorphism(s) in breast cancer development in Siberian women population. Comprehensive analysis of SNP databases revealed GLCE rs3865014 (Val597Ile) missense polymorphism as the main significantly present in human populations. According the TaqMan-based SNP assay, allele distributions for the rs3865014 (A > G) were similar in healthy Siberian women (n = 136) and cancer patients (n = 129) (A0,73:G0,27) and intermediate between the European and Asian populations, while genotype distributions were different, with the increase of AG rate in breast cancer patients (OR = 1.76; 95% CI = 1.04–1.90; P(Y) = 0.035 χ2 = 4.44). Heterozygous AG genotype was associated with tumour size (OR = 3.67, P(Y) = 0.004), ER-negative tumours (OR = 3.25, P(Y) = 0.0028), triple-negative tumours (OR = 4.94, P(Y) = 0.015) but not menopausal status, PR and HER-2 status, local or distant metastasis. Homozygous GLCE genotypes (AA/GG) were more common for ER + PR + luminal A breast cancer (OR = 0.25, P(Y) = 0.031). Loss-of-heterozigosity was identified in 5 of 51 breast tumours and the loss of G allele was associated with the decreased GLCE expression. Epidemiologic data for the GLCE SNP in different racial/ethnic groups demonstrated high AG genotype rates as a risk factor not for breast cancer incidence but for poor prognosis of the disease. The obtained data suggest an involvement of GLCE rs3865014 in breast cancer development. Heterozygous AG genotype might be a risk factor for breast cancer susceptibility in Siberian women and is associated with aggressive ER-negative and triple-negative cancer subtypes

GLCE rs3865014 (Val597Ile) polymorphism is associated with breast cancer susceptibility and triple-negative breast cancer in Siberian population

d-Glucuronyl C5-epimerase (GLCE) is one of key enzymes in heparan sulfate biosynthesis and possesses tumour-suppressor function in breast carcinogenesis. Here, we investigated a potential involvement of GLCE polymorphism(s) in breast cancer development in Siberian women population. Comprehensive analysis of SNP databases revealed GLCE rs3865014 (Val597Ile) missense polymorphism as the main significantly present in human populations. According the TaqMan-based SNP assay, allele distributions for the rs3865014 (A > G) were similar in healthy Siberian women (n = 136) and cancer patients (n = 129) (A0,73:G0,27) and intermediate between the European and Asian populations, while genotype distributions were different, with the increase of AG rate in breast cancer patients (OR = 1.76; 95% CI = 1.04–1.90; P(Y) = 0.035 χ2 = 4.44). Heterozygous AG genotype was associated with tumour size (OR = 3.67, P(Y) = 0.004), ER-negative tumours (OR = 3.25, P(Y) = 0.0028), triple-negative tumours (OR = 4.94, P(Y) = 0.015) but not menopausal status, PR and HER-2 status, local or distant metastasis. Homozygous GLCE genotypes (AA/GG) were more common for ER + PR + luminal A breast cancer (OR = 0.25, P(Y) = 0.031). Loss-of-heterozigosity was identified in 5 of 51 breast tumours and the loss of G allele was associated with the decreased GLCE expression. Epidemiologic data for the GLCE SNP in different racial/ethnic groups demonstrated high AG genotype rates as a risk factor not for breast cancer incidence but for poor prognosis of the disease. The obtained data suggest an involvement of GLCE rs3865014 in breast cancer development. Heterozygous AG genotype might be a risk factor for breast cancer susceptibility in Siberian women and is associated with aggressive ER-negative and triple-negative cancer subtypes

Two Cases of Dengue Fever Imported from Egypt to Russia, 2017

In 2017, two cases of dengue fever were imported from Hurghada, Egypt, where dengue fever was not considered endemic, to Moscow. These cases show how emergence of dengue fever in popular resort regions on the coast of the Red Sea can spread infection to countries where it is not endemic

Screening of the Promising Direct Thrombin Inhibitors from Haematophagous Organisms. Part I: Recombinant Analogues and Their Antithrombotic Activity In Vitro

The success in treatment of venous thromboembolism and acute coronary syndromes using direct thrombin inhibitors has stimulated research aimed at finding a new anticoagulant from haematophagous organisms. This study deals with the comparison between hirudin-1 from Hirudomedicinalis(desirudin), being the first-known and most well-studied natural anticoagulant, along with recombinant analogs of haemadin from the leech Haemadipsa sylvestris, variegin from the tick Amblyomma variegatum, and anophelin from Anopheles albimanus. These polypeptides were chosen due to their high specificity and affinity for thrombin, as well as their distinctive inhibitory mechanisms. We have developed a universal scheme for the biotechnological production of these recombinant peptides as pharmaceutical substances. The anticoagulant activities of these peptides were compared using the thrombin amidolytic activity assay and prolongation of coagulation time (thrombin time, prothrombin time, and activated partial thromboplastin time) in mouse and human plasma. The preliminary results obtained suggest haemadin as the closest analog of recombinant hirudin-1, the active substance of the medicinal product Iprivask (Aventis Pharmaceuticals, USA) for the prevention of deep venous thrombosis in patients undergoing elective hip or knee replacement surgery. In contrast, variegin can be regarded as a natural analog of bivalirudin (Angiomax, The Medicines Company), a synthetic hirudin-1 derivative certified for the treatment of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention and of patients with unstable angina pectoris after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty