Neuroimaging in Pineal Tumors

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The authors report radiological findings in 11 tumors in the pineal region, which were histologically diagnosed as germinomas, pineocytomas pineoblastomas, ependymomas, teratomas, and astrocytomas. METHODS: Computed tomography (CT) was performed in seven patients and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed in all patients. RESULTS: CT showed a solid or solid/cystic mass with variable contrast enhancement. MRI showed a heterogeneous mass, with hypointense signal on T1 and iso/hyperintense signal on T2-weighted images (WI) and gadolinium enhancement. Extension to adjacent structures occurred in five patients and spread through the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) in two. CONCLUSIONS: Pineal region tumors have no pathognomonic imaging pattern. MRI and CT are complementary in diagnosis and are important to determine localization, extension, and meningeal spread.     

Experience in hemoconcentration by ultrafiltration in operations using artificial circulation at the All-Union Scientific Center of Surgery of the USSR Academy of Medical Sciences

The article deals with the results of using ultrafiltration hemoconcentration in 649 operations conducted on the open heart with extracorporeal circulation at the All-Union Scientific Center of Surgery, USSR AMS during 1983-1989. The method allows control of hemodilution and colloid-osmotic pressure of plasma during the indicated interventions, lessens the loss of blood, and reduces the expenditure of donor blood.     

Hydrodynamics of the active drainage of the mediastinum using lavage and aspiration]

The results of experimental studies of hydrodynamics in acute drainage are described. Four series of experiments were carried on a transparent model filled with a liquid. The authors have revealed the phenomenon of dyraulic "strokes" which promote mechanical purification of the cavity from the purulent content. It has been established that a running-water fractional regimen of washing should be used for the cavities of more than 15--20 cm3 volume.     

Expression and characterization of Gag protein of HIV-1（CN） in Pichia pastoris

To express the core protein of HIV-1 of Chinese prevalent strain （HIV-1 （CN）） in Pichia pastoris, the fulllength gag gene was inserted into the secretory expression vector pHILS1. Linearized recombinant plasmid pHILGAG by Sail was electrotransformed into the yeast strain GS115, and the yeast transformants were identified by PCR. To induce the interest protein to be expressed, the PCR positive transformants were inoculated in the medium of BMGY and BMMY, mRNA of the strain was detected by RT-PCR, and the expressed protein was analyzed by SDS-PAGE, Western blotting and thin layer scanning. mRNA （1.3 kb） was amplified by RT-PCR. SDS-PAGE and Western blotting analysis showed that the molecular mass of the expressed protein was 55 kD, which was similar to the expected value, and the expressed protein could react with McAb to HIV-1 p24. Thin layer scanning analysis demonstrated that the whole amount of the expressed protein was approximately 13 % of the soluble protein in the supernatant. The recombinant yeast had good genetic stability. The optimal expression conditions of the engineering yeast were as follows： BMMY medium, 80-90% of dissolved oxygen, 1% methanol, and 3-day-cultivation course. Gag proteins were expressed under the optimal expression condition and purified via gel filtration chromatography. The purity of the interest protein was up to 85 %. After the purified proteins were inoculated into BALB/c mice, the anti-HIV-1 antibodies in the immunized mice could be detected by Western blotting.     

Multiplexed immunobead-based cytokine profiling for early detection of ovarian cancer.

Early detection of ovarian cancer might improve clinical outcome. Some studies have shown the role of cytokines as a new group of tumor markers for ovarian cancer. We hypothesized that a panel comprised of multiple cytokines, which individually may not show strong correlation with the disease, might provide higher diagnostic power. To evaluate the diagnostic utility of cytokine panel, we used a novel multianalyte LabMAP profiling technology that allows simultaneous measurement of multiple markers. Concentrations of 24 cytokines (cytokines/chemokines, growth, and angiogenic factors) in combination with cancer antigen-125 (CA-125), were measured in sera of 44 patients with early-stage ovarian cancer, 45 healthy women, and 37 patients with benign pelvic tumors. Six markers, i.e., interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, epidermal growth factor (EGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and CA-125, showed significant differences in serum concentrations between ovarian cancer and control groups. Out of this group, IL-6, IL-8, VEGF, EGF, and CA-125, were used in a classification tree analysis that resulted in 84% sensitivity at 95% specificity. The receiver operator characteristic curve created using the combination of markers produced sensitivities between 90% and 100% in the area of 80% to 90% specificity, whereas the receiver operator characteristic curve for CA-125 alone resulted in sensitivities of 70% to 80%. The classification tree analysis for discrimination of benign condition from ovarian cancer used CA-125, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), IL-6, EGF, and VEGF resulting in 86.5% sensitivity and 93.0% specificity. The presented data show that simultaneous testing of a panel of serum cytokines and CA-125 using LabMAP technology may present a promising approach for ovarian cancer detection.     

The problem of hormonphobia in the practice of obstetrician–gynecologists in Kazakhstan

Abstract

Of the total number of 45–69 years old women in the Republic of Kazakhstan, the frequency of use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) drugs does not tend to increase and remains at a low level amounting to only 0.8% in 2010 and 0.9% in 2013. Frequency of HRT drugs use among women who are obstetricians and gynecologists from different regions of Kazakhstan between the ages of 45 to 69 years old was only 10% in 2008 and 14% in 2013. The reasons for low use of HRT among obstetricians and gynecologists were associated with fear of cancer, obesity, thromboembolism and stroke. Moreover, this information is supported by other doctors, especially oncologists and endocrinologists. There is low use of different types of contraceptives for the prevention of unwanted pregnancy. Thus, contraceptives were used by 30.4% of women of reproductive age in 2000, and by 38.2% in 2012. Frequency of use of hormonal contraceptives remains at extremely low levels with a slight increase from 1.8% in 2004 to 2.2% in 2013, which has resulted in the fact that abortion remains primary birth control method. Low use of hormonal contraception methods and HRT drugs indicates hormonophobia among doctors of all specializations. There is a need to increase the knowledge of obstetrician–gynecologists, internists, cardiologists, endocrinologists, urologists, and healthy living office employees in urban clinics of modern methods of contraception, and nosotropic therapy for menopausal symptoms with the use of HRT drugs.     

The impact of periodontitis on oral health‐related quality of life: a review of the evidence from observational studies

Modern population based oral health management requires a complete understanding of the impact of disease in order to provide efficient and effective oral health care and guidance. Periodontitis is an important cause of tooth loss and has been shown to be associated with a number of systemic conditions. The impact of oral conditions and disorders on quality of life has been extensively studied. However, the impact of periodontitis on quality of life has received less attention. This review summarizes the literature on the impact of periodontitis on oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL). Relevant publications were identified after searching the MEDLINE and EMBASE electronic databases. Screening of titles and abstracts and data extraction was conducted. Only observational studies were included in this review. Most of the reviewed studies reported a negative impact of periodontitis on OHRQoL. However, the reporting standards varied across studies. Moreover, most of the studies were conducted in developed countries.