Direct (Hetero)Arylation Polymerization of a Spirobifluorene and a Dithienyl-Diketopyrrolopyrrole Derivative: New Donor Polymers for Organic Solar Cells

The synthesis and preliminary evaluation as donor material for organic photovoltaics of the poly(diketopyrrolopyrrole-spirobifluorene) (PDPPSBF) is reported herein. Prepared via homogeneous and heterogeneous direct (hetero)arylation polymerization (DHAP), through the use of different catalytic systems, conjugated polymers with comparable molecular weights were obtained. The polymers exhibited strong optical absorption out to 700 nm as thin-films and had appropriate electronic energy levels for use as a donor with PC70BM. Bulk heterojunction solar cells were fabricated giving power conversion efficiencies above 4%. These results reveal the potential of such polymers prepared in only three steps from affordable and commercially available starting material

Клинический случай этапного лечения комбинированных осложнений ортотопической трансплантации печени

Hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) following liver transplantation (LT) is a severe life-threatening complication that can lead to graft loss and mortality after LT. According to different reports, HAT incidence ranges from 2% to 9%. Modern endovascular and radiosurgical techniques allow for minimally invasive liver graft revascularization. Nonetheless, a major consequence of even a successful revascularization is ischemic cholangiopathy, which can lead to ischemic biliary strictures and anastomotic leak. The paper presents a clinical case of long-term complex treatment of combined complications of LT using minimally invasive endovascular and endoscopic techniques.Тромбоз артерии трансплантата печени - тяжелое осложнение, которое может привести к потере трансплантата и смерти реципиента. По данным различных авторов, частота возникновения тромбозов колеблется от 2 до 9%. Современные эндоваскулярные рентгенохирургические технологии позволяют малоинвазивно выполнить реваскуляризацию печеночного трансплантата. В то же время серьезным последствием даже успешной реваскуляризации является ишемическая холангиопатия, которая может приводить к формированию ишемических билиарных стриктур и несостоятельности анастомоза. В статье представлен клинический случай длительного комплексного лечения комбинированных осложнений трансплантации печени с использованием малоинвазивных эндоваскулярных и эндоскопических технологий

PARALLEL ALGORITHM FOR BAYESIAN NETWORK STRUCTURE LEARNING

The article deals with implementation of a scalable parallel algorithm for structure learning of Bayesian network. Comparative analysis of sequential and parallel algorithms is done

Prospective Assessment of mrTRG System Used for Determining the Efficiency of Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy in Patients with Rectal Cancer

Background. Evaluation of the therapeutic effect of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) for rectal cancer (RC) is of prognostic value and allows to individually plan the type and extent of further surgical intervention. One of the most promising methods of MRI evaluation is magnetic resonance tumour regression grade (mrTRG) system. However, the reliability and safety of this method must be confirmed by the results of clinical trials and practical application.Objective: to analyze our experience in the prospective use of mrTRG system and evaluate the additional contribution of diffusion-weighted images (DWI) to its diagnostic efficiency.Material and methods. The mrTRG values were determined in 125 (including 30 with DWI) patients with locally advanced RC who received combined treatment with nCRT in Tsyb Medical Radiological Research Centre from 2015 to 2019. The obtained data were compared with the modified pathologic response based on Lushnikov’s definition, and the diagnostic parameters of differentiation of patients responding and nonresponding to nCRT were calculated.Results. When the mrTRG system was used without DWI, the following sensitivity and specificity values as well as positive and negative predictive values were obtained: 75%, 60%, 70% and 67%, respectively, with DWI – 87%, 87%, 87% and 87%, respectively.Conclusion. A prospective evaluation of the result of nCRT using the mrTRG system has moderate accuracy for stratification of patients responding and non-responding to nCRT, which requires the use of additional criteria for MRI scores to select patients who may receive less aggressive surgical treatment. Despite the small number of patients with DWI, we obtained higher values of the diagnostic parameters. In this regard, we consider it appropriate to use DWI when assessing the treatment response

MRI-PATHOLOGICAL PARALLELS WITH THE COMPLETE TUMOR RESPONSE TO NEOADJUVANT CHEMORADIATION TREATMENT OF RECTAL CANCER

Purpose of the study. To study the patterns of forming an MRI picture of a complete pathological morphological response (pCR) of colorectal cancer a er neoadjuvant chemoradia on therapy (NHLT) based on comparisons with the pathomorphological picture. Patients and methods. Among 130 patients with locally advanced colorectal cancer who received a combined treatment with NHL at A. Tsyb MRRC clinic — a Branch of HMRRC of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation within the period 2012–2017 thirteen patients were selected for the study, in whom pCR was achieved, according to the pathological analysis of surgical specimen. MRI was performed on all patients before the NHLT and atier the end (atier 6–10 weeks) of treatment. We analyzed the MRI fi ndings from case histories (prospective assessment) on degree of tumor regression (mrTRG) using a fi ve-point grading scale. Ten of these patients had MRI examinations available for re-review (retrospective assessment), which allowed for a qualitate ve assessment of the signal intensity in T2 mode on a nominal scale, according to which low, medium, moderately elevated and high MR signals were discerned; signal localization was determined relative to the intestinal lumen with conditional selection of the inner and outer layer of the wall, and the outer contour was charactezied (smooth or uneven due to hypointense spicules). The obtained data on the localization of the MR signal of varying intensity were compared with the data of the pathological description of the operating drugs.Results. A prospective MRI assessment of pCR in 77% of cases corresponded to TRG2 and in 92% — y N0. Macroscopically, the pCR in all patients had an appearance of an ulcerative defect of the intestinal wall, to which on T2-WI in 80% of cases corresponded to a moderately elevated MR signal from the inside of the wall, due to necroti c changes and granulations, and in 100% of cases — a low MR signal from the outer layer of the intestinal wall, caused by a more mature connective tissue, the outer contour in 50% of cases was tight due to the desmoplastic reaction; hypo-intensive inclusions corresponded to lime deposits, and “mucous lakes” — inclusions with high signal intensity and clear contours.Conclusion The features of forming MRI picture of the pCR are due to a range of radiation pathomorphosis manifestations, including destructive, regenera ve and infl ammatory processes in the tumor stroma

Aortic valve replacement for patient with infective endocarditis early after liver transplantation with a complete withdrawal of immunosuppressive therapy

The number of patients with severe liver failure awaiting transplantation is increasing steadily. The shortage of donor organs, in turn, leads to long waiting time for liver transplants and increases the likelihood of decompensation and progression of the disease, significantly increasing the proportion of urgent patients on the waiting list for liver transplantation. This article presents a clinical case report of a successful multistage surgical and therapeutic treatment of complications in a patient before and after liver transplantation. In the early postoperative period, the recipient of the liver from a deceased donor underwent the debridement of the aortic root and the aortic valve replacement for the treatment of acute infective endocarditis, with the immunosuppressive therapy being discontinued for 3 weeks without a deterioration of the graft function

Тerminology of rectal cancer: consensus agreement of the expert working group

Unified terminology is a necessary condition for successful interdisciplinary communication within the field of oncology. The variety of anatomical, pathomorphological, and clinical terms used in rectal cancer is often accompanied by their ambiguous interpretation both in domestic and foreign scientific literature. This not only complicates the interaction between specialists, but also complicates the comparison of the results of rectal cancer treatment obtained in different medical institutions. Based on the analysis of recent domestic and international scientific and methodological literature on rectal cancer, the key terms used in the diagnosis and treatment planning of rectal cancer were selected, followed by a two-time online discussion of their interpretations by experts from the Russian Society of Radiologists and Therapeutic Radiation Oncologists, the Association of Oncologists of Russia, and the Russian Association of Therapeutic Radiation Oncologists until reaching consensus (≥80%) of experts on all items. Terms that fail to attain consensus were excluded in the final list. A list of anatomical, pathomorphological, and clinical terms used in the diagnosis, staging, and treatment planning of rectal cancer has been compiled and, based on expert consensus, their interpretation has been determined. A lexicon recommended in the description and formulation of the conclusion of diagnostic studies in patients with rectal cancer is proposed