On the Relationship between Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Parameters and the Underlying Vascular Architecture Extracted from Acoustic Angiography

Dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasound (DCE-US) has been proposed as a powerful tool for cancer diagnosis by estimation of perfusion and dispersion parameters reflecting angiogenic vascular changes. This work was aimed at identifying which vascular features are reflected by the estimated perfusion and dispersion parameters through comparison with acoustic angiography (AA). AA is a high-resolution technique that allows quantification of vascular morphology. Three-dimensional AA and 2-D DCE-US bolus acquisitions were used to monitor the growth of fibrosarcoma tumors in nine rats. AA-derived vascular properties were analyzed along with DCE-US perfusion and dispersion to investigate the differences between tumor and control and their evolution in time. AA-derived microvascular density and DCE-US perfusion exhibited good agreement, confirmed by their spatial distributions. No vascular feature was correlated with dispersion. Yet, dispersion provided better cancer classification than perfusion. We therefore hypothesize that dispersion characterizes vessels that are smaller than those visible with AA.     

Rotavirus infection in a maternity home based on virological and serological study data]

The studies carried out in a maternity house, employing a set of virological and serological methods, revealed the facts of introduction of rotavirus infection into the maternity house, and followed the further spread of the infection. Epidemiological surveys evaluated the sources of infection (parturients, newborns, medical personnel), means of spread of rotavirus infection, and analysed the epidemiological advantages of wards for mother and newborn baby staying together.     

Correlation between oocyte morphology and the embryo aneuploidy rate in IVF cycles

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the aneuploidy rates of 13, 18, and 21 and the X and Y chromosomes in embryos from patients with morphologically normal oocytes and different oocyte dysmorphisms.

Methods: This prospective cohort study included 84 patients treated with in vitro fertilization (IVF) at a single academic center. The patients were divided into the following three groups: group 1 – women with cytoplasmic dysmorphisms (n?=?28), group 2 – women with extracytoplasmic dysmorphisms (n?=?28), and group 3 – women with morphologically normal oocytes (n?=?28). One blastomere from each embryo was analyzed for aneuploidies of chromosomes 13, 18, 21, X, and Y.

Results: The highest prevalence of aneuploid embryos was observed in the group 1 (68.4%) followed by the group 2 (38.9%) and the group 3 (31.3%) (р?<?0.0001). The adjusted OR for receiving an aneuploid embryo in the case of cytoplasmic dysmorphism was 3.6 (95% CI?=?1.8; 7.2), in the case of extracytoplasmic dysmorphisms – 1.3 (95% CI?=?0.7; 2.1).

Conclusions: Women with morphological oocyte abnormalities are at risk for developing aneuploid embryos during IVF cycles. We recommend that woman with cytoplasmic oocyte dysmorphisms receive additional genetic counseling to define the indications for the genetic screening of embryos.     

Analysis of toll-like receptor-dependent production of proinflammatory cytokines <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis> by human peripheral blood mononuclears of donors and patients with primary immunodeficiency

The production of TNF-α and IFN-α cytokines by peripheral blood mononuclears in response to stimulation by TLR2/6, TLR4, TLR5, TLR9 ligands (zymosan, LPS, flagellin, and CpG-oligodeoxynucleotide, respectively) was studied in donors and patients with common variable immunodeficiency. Individual characteristics of TNF-α production by mononuclears were revealed in donors. Reduced stimulated production of TNF-α in response to stimulation with TLR4 and TLR5 ligands in vitro was detected in patients with common variable immunodeficiency. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 144, No. 7, pp. 68–71, July, 2007     

Possibilities of intravenous use of helium-neon laser in the treatment of experimental tuberculosis of animals]

The study presents experimental finding of 40 mongrel dogs whose intravascular blood was irradiated with laser as a supplement to the multimodality treatment of respiratory tuberculosis. Earlier disappearance of intoxication symptoms and reduced terms of destruction cavity decrease and closure, as roentgenologically evidenced, was achieved. The influence of this treatment on certain lipid peroxidation parameters, hemocoagulation, immunity status and bacteriostatic blood activity were found. There were no side effects during treatment.