Omentovesicopexy with transposition of the bladder into the abdominal cavity in the treatment of neurogenic bladder

For the treatment of neurogenic dysfunctions of the urinary bladder resulting in residual urine and therefore the lack of adequate urination, the authors proposed the performance of omentovesicopexy due to which the damaged function could be partially compensated by intraperitoneal pressure. The greater omentum should be used for reinnervation and revascularization of the urinary bladder as it meets the requirements for the donor organ enabling the formation of competent indirect innervation due to its adequate mobility and size and the formation of the abdominal enclosure of the bladder when ascending to the abdominal cavity. Being a double layer of the peritoneum the greater omentum avoids transformation into the connective tissue thus contributing to "functional anastomosis" for a long time. The technique developed was successfully used in 12 surgeries for the patients with residual urine. The postoperative period was featured by the manifest equivalent of micturition urge, disappearance or a significant decrease in the amount of residual urine, restoration of spontaneous and controlled urination. The omentovesicopexy is a simple, efficient and available technique for usage by a wide range of urologists.     

Molecular stratification of diagnostically challenging high-grade gliomas composed of small cells: the utility of fluorescence in situ hybridization.

PURPOSE: There is considerable morphologic overlap between various entities of high-grade gliomas, and, therefore, a further planning of their optimal treatment is a controversial issue. The aim of this study was molecular stratification of morphologically ambiguous high-grade gliomas composed from small cells. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with commercially available probes was used for this purpose. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We analyzed a set of 114 high-grade small-cell gliomas that were difficult to interpret diagnostically because of their distinct cytological origin. FISH assay with locus probes for EGFR, p16, PTEN, and 1p and 19q was done. RESULTS: Morphologically uniform high-grade gliomas composed of small cells varied greatly in terms of molecular features and clinical outcome. Four clinically relevant subsets of patients whose tumors showed distinctly different molecular profiles were identified as follows: (a) 13 patients whose tumors exhibited no discernable molecular alterations (5-year survival rate, 83%); (b) 20 patients whose tumors harbored either 1p/19q codeletion or isolated deletion of 19q unaccompanied by other molecular abnormalities (5-year survival rate, 59%); (c) 35 patients whose tumors showed p16 and/or PTEN deletions unaccompanied by EGFR amplification (5-year survival rate, 8%); and (d) 46 patients whose tumors harbored EGFR amplification (5-year survival rate, 0). CONCLUSIONS: The FISH method provides clinically useful information in the molecular analysis of morphologically ambiguous malignant small-cell gliomas that could potentially enhance the quality of patient care.     

Genotoxicity of Natural Water during the Mass Development of Cyanobacteria Evaluated by the Allium Test Method: A Model Experiment with Microcosms

Cyanobacteria, which develop abundantly in aquatic ecosystems, can be harmful to humans and animals not only by releasing toxins that cause poisoning but also by provoking cytogenetic effects. The influence of the mass development of cyanobacteria on the genotoxic properties of natural water has been studied in model ecosystems (microcosms) with different compositions of biotic components (zooplankton, amphipods and fish). The validated plant test system “Allium test” was used in this study. Genotoxic effects were detected at microcystin concentrations below those established by the World Health Organization (WHO) for drinking water. In all experimental treatments, cells with disorders such as polyploidy and mitotic abnormalities associated with damage to the mitotic spindle, including c-mitosis, as well as lagging chromosomes were found. Genotoxic effects were associated with the abundance of cyanobacteria, which, in turn, depended on the composition of aquatic organisms in the experimental ecosystem. Fish, to a greater extent than other aquatic animals, maintain an abundance of cyanobacteria. After one month, in microcosms with fish, mitotic abnormalities and polyploidy continued to be detected, whereas in other treatments, there were no statistically significant genotoxic effects. In microcosms with amphipods, the number and biomass of cyanobacteria decreased to the greatest extent, and only one parameter of genotoxic activity (frequency of polyploidy) significantly differed from the control.     

Settlement of Soil Reinforced with Vertical Fiberglass Micro-Piles

This article is dedicated to investigating the properties of soil after its reinforcement with fiberglass elements through large-scale laboratory plate-load tests of various samples that varied in the numbers and lengths of the reinforcing elements. The investigation of the vertical elements considered the diameter increase at the bottom toe by using widening washers. The results were compared relative to each other and to the theoretical calculation results. The theoretical calculations for the settlements were undertaken based on the authors’ proposed method. The method considers the number, shape, area and material of the strengthening elements using a pre-proposed reinforcement area factor µ. This pre-established factor was calculated with reference to the elements’ geometry—the diameter of the vertical elements and the bottom’s washer diameter—which determined the reinforcement area. A comparison between the reinforced and reference soft sandy soil samples indicated a 25% increase in the deformation modulus after the reinforcement process at a pressure of 25 kPa. Samples with µ ranging from 1.20 to 1.43 were 55–65% stiffer than samples with µ equal to 0.69 at a pressure of 100 kPa. The comparative analysis of the calculated results and the actual laboratory PLT test results was adequate for use for further development.     

Influenza B: Prospects for the Development of Cross-Protective Vaccines

In this review, we analyze the epidemiological and ecological features of influenza B, one of the most common and severe respiratory infections. The review presents various strategies for cross-protective influenza B vaccine development, including recombinant viruses, virus-like particles, and recombinant proteins. We provide an overview of viral proteins as cross-protective vaccine targets, along with other updated broadly protective vaccine strategies. The importance of developing such vaccines lies not only in influenza B prevention, but also in the very attractive prospect of eradicating the influenza B virus in the human population.     

Lymphangiogenesis requires Ang2/Tie/PI3K signaling for VEGFR3 cell-surface expression

Vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) induces lymphangiogenesis via VEGF receptor 3 (VEGFR3), which is encoded by the most frequently mutated gene in human primary lymphedema. Angiopoietins (Angs) and their Tie receptors regulate lymphatic vessel development, and mutations of the ANGPT2 gene were recently found in human primary lymphedema. However, the mechanistic basis of Ang2 activity in lymphangiogenesis is not fully understood. Here, we used gene deletion, blocking Abs, transgene induction, and gene transfer to study how Ang2, its Tie2 receptor, and Tie1 regulate lymphatic vessels. We discovered that VEGF-C–induced Ang2 secretion from lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) was involved in full Akt activation downstream of phosphoinositide 3 kinase (PI3K). Neonatal deletion of genes encoding the Tie receptors or Ang2 in LECs, or administration of an Ang2-blocking Ab decreased VEGFR3 presentation on LECs and inhibited lymphangiogenesis. A similar effect was observed in LECs upon deletion of the PI3K catalytic p110α subunit or with small-molecule inhibition of a constitutively active PI3K located downstream of Ang2. Deletion of Tie receptors or blockade of Ang2 decreased VEGF-C–induced lymphangiogenesis also in adult mice. Our results reveal an important crosstalk between the VEGF-C and Ang signaling pathways and suggest new avenues for therapeutic manipulation of lymphangiogenesis by targeting Ang2/Tie/PI3K signaling.     

Bioceramics Based on β-Calcium Pyrophosphate

Ceramic samples based on β-calcium pyrophosphate β-Ca₂P₂O₇ were prepared from powders of γ-calcium pyrophosphate γ-Ca₂P₂O₇ with preset molar ratios Ca/P = 1, 0.975 and 0.95 using firing at 900, 1000, and 1100 °C. Calcium lactate pentahydrate Ca(C₃H₅O₃)₂⋅5H₂O and monocalcium phosphate monohydrate Ca(H₂PO₄)₂⋅H₂O were treated in an aqua medium in mechanical activation conditions to prepare powder mixtures with preset molar ratios Ca/P containing calcium hydrophosphates with Ca/P = 1 (precursors of calcium pyrophosphate Ca₂P₂O₇). These powder mixtures containing calcium hydrophosphates with Ca/P = 1 and non-reacted starting salts were heat-treated at 600 °C after drying and disaggregation in acetone. Phase composition of all powder mixtures after heat treatment at 600 °C was presented by γ-calcium pyrophosphate γ-Ca₂P₂O₇ according to the XRD data. The addition of more excess of monocalcium phosphate monohydrate Ca(H₂PO₄)₂·H₂O (with appropriate molar ratio of Ca/P = 1) to the mixture of starting components resulted in lower dimensions of γ-calcium pyrophosphate (γ-Ca₂P₂O₇) individual particles. The grain size of ceramics increased both with the growth in firing temperature and with decreasing molar ratio Ca/P of powder mixtures. Calcium polyphosphate (t _melt = 984 °C), formed from monocalcium phosphate monohydrate Ca(H₂PO₄)₂⋅H₂O, acted similar to a liquid phase sintering additive. It was confirmed by tests in vitro that prepared ceramic materials with preset molar ratios Ca/P = 1, 0.975, and 0.95 and phase composition presented by β-calcium pyrophosphate β-Ca₂P₂O₇ were biocompatible and could maintain bone cells proliferation.