The Calculation of the Effective Tensor Coefficient of the Medium for the Objects

In this paper, several approaches for calculation of the effective tensor coefficient for domains with inclusions have been proposed. The limits of the approaches using are found. The series of numerical experiments are made on the different frequencies, for different inclusions location and boundary conditions for the contrast properties of the matrix and inclusion materials

Targeting hormone-resistant breast cancer cells with docetaxel: a look inside the resistance

Aim: The study aims to analyze the effect of long-term incubation of ERα-positive MCF7 breast cancer cells with 4-hydroxytamoxifen (HT) on their sensitivity to tubulin polymerization inhibitor docetaxel.Methods: The analysis of cell viability was performed by the MTT method. The expression of signaling proteins was analyzed by immunoblotting and flow cytometry. ERα activity was evaluated by gene reporter assay. To establish hormone-resistant subline MCF7, breast cancer cells were treated with 4-hydroxytamoxifen for 12 months.Results: The developed MCF7/HT subline has lost sensitivity to 4-hydroxytamoxifen, and the resistance index was 2. Increased Akt activity (2.2-fold) and decreased ERα expression (1.5-fold) were revealed in MCF7/HT cells. The activity of the estrogen receptor α was reduced (1.5-fold) in MCF7/HT. Evaluation of class III β-tubulin expression (TUBB3), a marker associated with metastasis, revealed the following trends: higher expression of TUBB3 was detected in triple-negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells compared to hormone-responsive MCF7 cells (P < 0.05). The lowest expression of TUBB3 was found in hormone-resistant MCF7/HT cells (MCF7/HT < MCF7 < MDA-MB-231, approximately 1:2:4). High TUBB3 expression strongly correlated with docetaxel resistance: IC50 value of docetaxel for MDA-MB-231 cells was greater than that for MCF7 cells, whereas resistant MCF7/HT cells were the most sensitive to the drug. The accumulation of cleaved PARP (a 1.6-fold increase) and Bcl-2 downregulation (1.8-fold) were more pronounced in docetaxel-treated resistant cells (P < 0.05). The expression of cyclin D1 decreased (2.8-fold) only in resistant cells after 4 nM docetaxel treatment, while this marker was unchanged in parental MCF7 breast cancer cells.Conclusion: Further development of taxane-based chemotherapy for hormone-resistant cancer looks highly promising, especially for cancers with low TUBB3 expression

Effect of Cholecalciferol Supplementation on the Clinical Features and Inflammatory Markers in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients: A Randomized, Open-Label, Single-Center Study

Recent studies showed that a low 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) level was associated with a higher risk of morbidity and severe course of COVID-19. Our study aimed to evaluate the effects of cholecalciferol supplementation on the clinical features and inflammatory markers in patients with COVID-19. A serum 25(OH)D level was determined in 311 COVID-19 patients. Among them, 129 patients were then randomized into two groups with similar concomitant medication. Group I (n = 56) received a bolus of cholecalciferol at a dose of 50,000 IU on the first and the eighth days of hospitalization. Patients from Group II (n = 54) did not receive the supplementation. We found significant differences between groups with the preferential increase in serum 25(OH)D level and Δ 25(OH)D in Group I on the ninth day of hospitalization (p p = 0.006); we did not observe other clinical benefits in patients receiving an oral bolus of cholecalciferol. Moreover, in Group I, neutrophil and lymphocyte counts were significantly higher (p = 0.04; p = 0.02), while the C-reactive protein level was significantly lower on the ninth day of hospitalization (p = 0.02). Patients with supplementation of 100,000 IU of cholecalciferol, compared to those without supplementation, showed a decrease in the frequencies of CD38++CD27 transitional and CD27−CD38+ mature naive B cells (p = 0.006 and p = 0.02) and an increase in the level of CD27−CD38− DN B cells (p = 0.02). Thus, the rise in serum 25(OH)D level caused by vitamin D supplementation in vitamin D insufficient and deficient patients may positively affect immune status and hence the course of COVID-19

Homocystinuria in Children

Homocystinuria is a genetically heterogeneous hereditary disease from the group of aminoacidopathies caused by a metabolic disorder of  sulphur-containing amino acids, primarily methionine. The article  presents the etiopathogenetic, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of this disease and covers modern opportunities of biochemical and molecular  diagnostics. The approach to dietary and pharmacological correction of  metabolic disorders in homocystinuria and the general strategy of  patients’ management are described in detail. Important information is given for physicians of various disciplines and parents of patients

Current Approaches in Management of Patients with Hypophosphatasia

he authors present the latest data on the hypophosphatasia (HPP) management in children. Hypophosphatasia is a rare genetic disease caused by deficiency of tissue-specific alkaline phosphatase due to mutation in the ALPL gene. The article covers all the features of epidemiology, etiology and pathogenesis, detailed stages of differential diagnostics. Treatment guidelines for pediatric patients are provided, they are based on the principles of evidence-based medicine. Special attention was given to the only effective method of hypophosphatasia management —enzyme replacement therapy (ERT). This material is the clinical guideline draft for the management of patients with hypophosphatasia prepared by the Union of Pediatricians of Russia and the Association of Medical Geneticists

Современные подходы к ведению пациентов с гипофосфатазией

he authors present the latest data on the hypophosphatasia (HPP) management in children. Hypophosphatasia is a rare genetic disease caused by deficiency of tissue-specific alkaline phosphatase due to mutation in the ALPL gene. The article covers all the features of epidemiology, etiology and pathogenesis, detailed stages of differential diagnostics. Treatment guidelines for pediatric patients are provided, they are based on the principles of evidence-based medicine. Special attention was given to the only effective method of hypophosphatasia management —enzyme replacement therapy (ERT). This material is the clinical guideline draft for the management of patients with hypophosphatasia prepared by the Union of Pediatricians of Russia and the Association of Medical Geneticists.Авторами представлены новейшие данные по ведению гипофосфатазии у детей. Гипофосфатазия — редкое генетическое заболевание, обусловленное дефицитом тканенеспецифической щелочной фосфатазы в результате мутации в гене ALPL. В статье отражены особенности эпидемиологии, этиологии и патогенеза, подробно освещаются этапы дифференциально-диагностического поиска. Для пациентов детского возраста приведены рекомендации по лече- нию, основанные на принципах доказательной медицины. Особое внимание уделено единственному эффективному методу лечения гипофосфатазии — ферментозаместительной терапии. Представленный материал является проектом клинических рекомендаций по ведению пациентов с гипофосфатазией Союза педиатров России и Ассоциации медицинских генетиков

Современные подходы к ведению детей с гипофосфатазией

Hypophosphatasia is rare genetic disease caused by tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase deficiency due to the mutation in the ALPL gene. Disease can manifest in utero, in childhood or in adults depending on its form and severity. This article presents modern data on the epidemiology, etiology, and clinical signs of hypophosphatasia in children, covers in details differential diagnostic search, and gives guidelines for its evidence-based treatment. Without timely treatment the prognosis of the disease is unfavorable in most cases. Such patients require follow-up by multidisciplinary team of physicians. The only effective method of treatment is enzyme replacement therapy with asfotase alfa. Symptomatic therapy is also crucial as well as physiotherapeutic procedures and therapeutic exercise programs (at rehabilitation stage).Гипофосфатазия — редкое генетическое заболевание, обусловленное дефицитом тканенеспецифической щелочной фосфатазы в результате мутации в гене ALPL. В зависимости от формы и тяжести болезнь может дебютировать внутриутробно, в детском возрасте или у взрослых. В статье представлены современные сведения об эпидемиологии, этиологии и клинических проявлениях гипофосфатазии у детей, подробно освещаются этапы дифференциально-диагностического поиска, приведены рекомендации по лечению, основанные на принципах доказательной медицины. При отсутствии своевременного лечения прогноз болезни в большинстве случаев неблагоприятный для жизни. Пациенты нуждаются в наблюдении мультидисциплинарной командой врачей. Единственным эффективным методом лечения является ферментозаместительная терапия асфотазой альфа; необходимо также проводить симптоматическую терапию, а при реабилитации пациентов использовать физиотерапевтические процедуры и лечебные физкультурные комплексы упражнений