Эндоскопическая ультрасонография в диагностике опухолей пищевода и желудка

Clinica Gastroenterologie, Universitatea de Medicină şi Farmacie, Craiova, România, Conferinţa Ştiinţifico-Practică „Medicina modernă, actualităţi şi perspective”, consacrată aniversării de 40 de ani ai Spitalului Clinic al Ministerului Sănătăţii, 27-28 mai, 2010, Chişinău, Republica MoldovaEsophageal and gastric tumor pathology is frequently encountered in clinical practice. Recent investigative procedures allow precise diagnosis, differentiation between benign and malignant processes, appreciation of a mural pathologic process and even small therapeutic interventions in early forms of tumors (such as endoscopic resection). Endoscopic ultrasonography is one of the key techniques in tumor pathology of the upper digestive tract diagnosis, allowing positive diagnosis of esophageal cancer and gastric parietal extension and lymph node assessment, defining and determining the submucosal masses and the indication for endoscopic mucosectomiaОпухоли пищевода и желудка встречаются часто в клинической практике. Современные методы диагностики позволяют не только выявлять опухоли, проводить дифференциальную диагностику между доброкачественными и злокачественными поражениями, определять степень инвазивности патологического процесса, но и выполнять эндоскопические резекции опухолей по показаниям. Эндоскопическая ультрасонография является одним из ключевых методов в диагностике опухолей верхних отделов пищеварительного тракта, что позволяет своевременно диагностировать рак пищевода и желудка, распространение опухолевой инфильтрации в подслизистом слое и регионарных лимфоузлах, и определять показания для эндоскопической мукозэктомии

Роль эластографических методов для неинвазивной оценки распространенных хронических заболеваний печени

Centrul de Cercetare în Gastroenterologie şi Hepatologie, Universitatea de Medicină şi Farmacie, Craiova, România, Conferinţa Ştiinţifico-Practică „Medicina modernă, actualităţi şi perspective”, consacrată aniversării de 40 de ani ai Spitalului Clinic al Ministerului Sănătăţii, 27-28 mai, 2010, Chişinău, Republica MoldovaLiver biopsy is considered the procedure of choice at many centers for evaluation of hepatic fibrosis, despite the complications and discomfort suffered by patients. Modern non-invasive imaging methods for assessing liver fibrosis include ultrasound elastography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Since the introduction of magnetic resonance in medical practice, it has become a method of choice for the diagnosis and characterization of liver pathology (tumoral or diffuse type). Unidirectional elastography is the first imaging method for quantifying liver fibrosis introduced in clinical practice and the latest noninvasive method for assessing liver fibrosis. Being a new and promising method for assessing liver fibrosis, it is necessary to prove through extensive studies its real role in noninvasive assessment of hepatic fibrosi; and possibly in association with serological markers, it can completely replace liver biopsyВо многих центрах биопсия печени считается процедурой выбора для оценки фиброза печени, несмотря на сложности и неудобства для пациентов. Ультразвуковая эластография и магнитно-резонансная томография являются современными неинвазивными методами визуализации при оценке фиброза печени. С момента внедрения магнитно-резонансная томография стала методом выбора в диагностике и характеристике диффузных и опухолевых патологий печени. Однонаправленная эластография является первым методом количественной визуализации и оценки фиброза печени в клинической практике. На основе широких исследований остается доказать, что она может играть первостепенную роль в неинвазивной оценке фиброза печени и, возможно, этот метод может полностью заменить биопсию печени

Эндоскопические и цитологические прогностические факторы у больных раком поджелудочной железы

Centrul de Cercetare în Gastroenterologie şi Hepatologie, Universitatea de Medicină şi Farmacie, Craiova, România, Conferinţa Ştiinţifico-Practică „Medicina modernă, actualităţi şi perspective”, consacrată aniversării de 40 de ani ai Spitalului Clinic al Ministerului Sănătăţii, 27-28 mai, 2010, Chişinău, Republica MoldovaThe incidence of pancreatic cancer is increasing and is usually diagnosed in advanced stages. The study included 72 patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the Department of Gastroenterology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Craiova. We selected only patients who were not undergoing palliative or curative surgery because of advanced disease, comorbidities, poor functional status or patient refusal of surgery. All selected patients received the same type of chemotherapy. Current pre-clinical evaluation by endoscopic ultrasonography and fine aspiration may provide some important information for the prognosis of patients. For the development of a complex system of prognostic extensive randomized studies are needed conducted by multidisciplinary teams as well as modern methods of multivariate analysis.Заболеваемость раком поджелудочной железы увеличивается и, как правило, диагностируется в поздних стадиях заболевания. В исследование были включены 72 пациента из отделения гастроэнтерологии Университета Медицины и Фармации, Крайова (Румыния), которые не были оперированы из-за поздних стадий, сопутствующих заболеваний, плохого функционального состояния пациента или отказа от операции. Все больные получали одинаковую химиотерапию. Обследование с помощью эндоскопической ультрасонографии и аспирационной пункции предоставило важную информацию для прогнозирования течения заболевания. Для разработки комплексной системы прогнозирования необходимы обширные рандомизированные исследования, проведенные междисциплинарными группами с применением современных методов одномерного и многомерного анализа

Photoluminescence study of Si_1-xGe_x nanoparticles in various oxide matrices

We investigate the photoluminescence properties of structures comprising of Si1-xGex nanoparticles (NPs) within SiO2, GeO2, TiO2 and Ta2O5 oxide matrices. Of the investigated structures, it was observed that the structures with GeO2 and TiO2 matrices provide increased spectral response (at ~907 and 844 nm respectively) and increased PL intensity. The improved PL characteristic have been attributed to increased diffusion barrier against oxygen which otherwise would result in formation of unwanted oxide at the film-oxide interface, thereby deteriorating the optical properties.This work is partially funded by the Icelandic Research Fund Grants nos. 218029 and 196141.Pre-print (óritrýnt handrit

Role of synovial fibroblast subsets across synovial pathotypes in rheumatoid arthritis: a deconvolution analysis

OBJECTIVES: To integrate published single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data and assess the contribution of synovial fibroblast (SF) subsets to synovial pathotypes and respective clinical characteristics in treatment-naïve early arthritis. METHODS: In this in silico study, we integrated scRNA-seq data from published studies with additional unpublished in-house data. Standard Seurat, Harmony and Liger workflow was performed for integration and differential gene expression analysis. We estimated single cell type proportions in bulk RNA-seq data (deconvolution) from synovial tissue from 87 treatment-naïve early arthritis patients in the Pathobiology of Early Arthritis Cohort using MuSiC. SF proportions across synovial pathotypes (fibroid, lymphoid and myeloid) and relationship of disease activity measurements across different synovial pathotypes were assessed. RESULTS: We identified four SF clusters with respective marker genes: PRG4(+) SF (CD55, MMP3, PRG4, THY1(neg)); CXCL12(+) SF (CXCL12, CCL2, ADAMTS1, THY1(low)); POSTN(+) SF (POSTN, collagen genes, THY1); CXCL14(+) SF (CXCL14, C3, CD34, ASPN, THY1) that correspond to lining (PRG4(+) SF) and sublining (CXCL12(+) SF, POSTN(+) + and CXCL14(+) SF) SF subsets. CXCL12(+) SF and POSTN(+) + were most prominent in the fibroid while PRG4(+) SF appeared highest in the myeloid pathotype. Corresponding, lining assessed by histology (assessed by Krenn-Score) was thicker in the myeloid, but also in the lymphoid pathotype + the fibroid pathotype. PRG4(+) SF correlated positively with disease severity parameters in the fibroid, POSTN(+) SF in the lymphoid pathotype whereas CXCL14(+) SF showed negative association with disease severity in all pathotypes. CONCLUSION: This study shows a so far unexplored association between distinct synovial pathologies and SF subtypes defined by scRNA-seq. The knowledge of the diverse interplay of SF with immune cells will advance opportunities for tailored targeted treatments

Type of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine and immunomodulatory treatment influence humoral immunogenicity in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases.

Patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRD) are at increased risk for worse COVID-19 outcomes. Identifying whether mRNA vaccines differ in immunogenicity and examining the effects of immunomodulatory treatments may support COVID-19 vaccination strategies. We aimed to conduct a long-term, model-based comparison of the humoral immunogenicity following BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 vaccination in a cohort of IRD patients. Patients from the Swiss IRD cohort (SCQM), who assented to mRNA COVID-19 vaccination were recruited between 3/2021-9/2021. Blood samples at baseline, 4, 12, and 24 weeks post second vaccine dose were tested for anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike IgG (anti-S1). We examined differences in antibody levels depending on the vaccine and treatment at baseline while adjusting for age, disease, and past SARS-CoV-2 infection. 565 IRD patients provided eligible samples. Among monotherapies, rituximab, abatacept, JAKi, and TNFi had the highest odds of reduced anti-S1 responses compared to no medication. Patients on specific combination therapies showed significantly lower antibody responses than those on monotherapy. Irrespective of the disease, treatment, and past SARS-CoV-2 infection, the odds of higher antibody levels at 4, 12, and 24 weeks post second vaccine dose were, respectively, 3.4, 3.8, and 3.8 times higher with mRNA-1273 versus BNT162b2 (p < 0.0001). With every year of age, the odds ratio of higher peak humoral immunogenicity following mRNA-1273 versus BNT162b2 increased by 5% (p < 0.001), indicating a particular benefit for elderly patients. Our results suggest that in IRD patients, two-dose vaccination with mRNA-1273 versus BNT162b2 results in higher anti-S1 levels, even more so in elderly patients

Type of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine and immunomodulatory treatment influence humoral immunogenicity in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases

Patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRD) are at increased risk for worse COVID-19 outcomes. Identifying whether mRNA vaccines differ in immunogenicity and examining the effects of immunomodulatory treatments may support COVID-19 vaccination strategies. We aimed to conduct a long-term, model-based comparison of the humoral immunogenicity following BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 vaccination in a cohort of IRD patients. Patients from the Swiss IRD cohort (SCQM), who assented to mRNA COVID-19 vaccination were recruited between 3/2021-9/2021. Blood samples at baseline, 4, 12, and 24 weeks post second vaccine dose were tested for anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike IgG (anti-S1). We examined differences in antibody levels depending on the vaccine and treatment at baseline while adjusting for age, disease, and past SARS-CoV-2 infection. 565 IRD patients provided eligible samples. Among monotherapies, rituximab, abatacept, JAKi, and TNFi had the highest odds of reduced anti-S1 responses compared to no medication. Patients on specific combination therapies showed significantly lower antibody responses than those on monotherapy. Irrespective of the disease, treatment, and past SARS-CoV-2 infection, the odds of higher antibody levels at 4, 12, and 24 weeks post second vaccine dose were, respectively, 3.4, 3.8, and 3.8 times higher with mRNA-1273 versus BNT162b2 (p < 0.0001). With every year of age, the odds ratio of higher peak humoral immunogenicity following mRNA-1273 versus BNT162b2 increased by 5% (p < 0.001), indicating a particular benefit for elderly patients. Our results suggest that in IRD patients, two-dose vaccination with mRNA-1273 versus BNT162b2 results in higher anti-S1 levels, even more so in elderly patients

Lateral electrical transport, optical properties and photocurrent measurements in two-dimensional arrays of silicon nanocrystals embedded in SiO2

In this study we investigate the electronic transport, the optical properties, and photocurrent in two-dimensional arrays of silicon nanocrystals (Si NCs) embedded in silicon dioxide, grown on quartz and having sizes in the range between less than 2 and 20 nm. Electronic transport is determined by the collective effect of Coulomb blockade gaps in the Si NCs. Absorption spectra show the well-known upshift of the energy bandgap with decreasing NC size. Photocurrent follows the absorption spectra confirming that it is composed of photo-generated carriers within the Si NCs. In films containing Si NCs with sizes less than 2 nm, strong quantum confinement and exciton localization are observed, resulting in light emission and absence of photocurrent. Our results show that Si NCs are useful building blocks of photovoltaic devices for use as better absorbers than bulk Si in the visible and ultraviolet spectral range. However, when strong quantum confinement effects come into play, carrier transport is significantly reduced due to strong exciton localization and Coulomb blockade effects, thus leading to limited photocurrent

Predictors of ASDAS-CRP inactive disease in axial spondyloarthritis during treatment with TNF-inhibitors : Data from the EuroSpA collaboration

Correction: Volume 58, Article Number 152141 DOI: 10.1016/j.semarthrit.2022.152141 Published: FEB 2023Objectives: In patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) initiating their first tumor necrosis factor alpha-inhibitor (TNFi), we aimed to identify common baseline predictors of Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS-CRP) inactive disease (primary objective) and clinically important improvement (CII) at 6 months, and drug retention at 12-months across 15 European registries. Methods: Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were collected. Outcomes were investigated per registry and in pooled data using logistic regression analyses on multiply imputed data. Results: The consistency of baseline predictors in individual registries justified pooling the data. In the pooled dataset (n = 21,196), the 6-month rates for ASDAS inactive disease and ASDAS CII were 26% and 51%, and the 12-month drug retention rate 65% in patients with available data (n = 9,845, n = 6,948 and n = 21,196, respectively). Nine common baseline predictors of ASDAS inactive disease, ASDAS CII and 12-month drug retention were identified, and the odds ratios (95%-confidence interval) for ASDAS inactive disease were: age, per year: 0.97 (0.97-0.98), men vs. women: 1.88 (1.60-2.22), current vs. non-smoking: 0.76 (0.63-0.91), HLA-B27 positive vs. negative: 1.51 (1.20-1.91), TNF start year 2015-2018 vs. 2009-2014: 1.24 (1.06-1.45), CRP > 10 vs.Peer reviewe