[Structural brain changes in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy and comorbid depression]. / Strukturnye izmeneniya golovnogo mozga u patsientov s visochnoi epilepsiei i komorbidnoi depressiei.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the morphological features of the brain structures in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy and comorbid depression. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2020, we studied 80 patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (aged 18-60 years, 38 of whom had comorbid depression) and 48 healthy subjects of comparable age. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain was performed using the epilepsy protocol in a scanner with a magnetic field strength of 1.5 T. Focal temporal lobe epilepsy was diagnosed by neurologists (epileptologists) specialising in epilepsy according to the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) classification of epilepsy. Psychiatrists assessed the presence and severity of depressive disorders by clinical interview and by participants' scores on the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II). MRI data were processed using FreeSurfer 6.0 software to determine volumes of subcortical structures and thicknesses of cortical structures. At the group level, analysis of covariance with Holm-Bonferroni correction was used as the statistical method. RESULTS: Morphometric analysis revealed a significant decrease in the volume of the thalamus bilaterally and the brain stem and an increase in the volume of the choroid plexus in the left hemisphere, as well as a significant decrease in the thickness of the entorhinal cortex, temporal pole and isthmus of the cingulate gyrus in the left hemisphere and middle temporal gyrus and inferior temporal gyrus in the right hemisphere in patients with epilepsy compared to healthy controls. No association was found between the presence of depression and significant structural changes on MRI. CONCLUSION: The data obtained suggest an effect of temporal lobe epilepsy, but not comorbid depression, on the morphology of brain structures.

Breast Malignancies After Mastectomy With Autologous or Implant Reconstruction.

There are multiple indications for mastectomy for breast cancer, including extent of tumor, inability to achieve negative margins after re-excision, patient preference, or prevention in women with a high lifetime risk of breast cancer. Multiple types of autologous or implant reconstruction options are available for cosmesis. Although rare, breast cancers after mastectomy can occur, and it is important for both surgeons and radiologists to be aware of the associated risk factors, common locations, and classic imaging features of these malignancies. This article reviews the types of mastectomies, reconstruction options, and information about the location, presentation, and prognosis of cancers in the reconstructed breast.

Injected Breast Materials: Review of Imaging Features and Characteristics.

In the United States, silicone and saline breast implants with their familiar radiologic appearance are the mainstays of breast augmentation. However, less well-known sequelae of unconventional injected materials introduced for cosmetic and noncosmetic purposes may also be encountered on breast imaging-for example, free silicone, paraffin and/or oil, polyacrylamide gel, autologous fat, and hyaluronic acid, which are encountered in the setting of breast augmentation. Breast injection of go-yak is not cosmetic but also results in characteristic imaging findings. Breast changes due to extravasation of chemotherapy or interstitial brachytherapy can mimic the appearance of injected noncosmetic materials. Because many of these materials can mimic or obscure imaging findings of breast cancer, it is important to recognize their varied appearances and the limitations of imaging alone in delineating breast injection material from cancer. Given the relatively uncommon incidence of injected materials into the breast, this article aims to review the imaging appearance in order to aid radiologists in maximizing cancer detection and ensuring optimal patient management.

Charged with Discharge: A Case-based Review of Nipple Discharge Using the American College of Radiology's Appropriateness Guidelines.

Nipple discharge, a relatively common presenting symptom for women of all ages, may be due to both benign and malignant conditions. Men can also present with nipple discharge, and when they do, they have a higher likelihood of malignancy than women. Radiologists vary in their evaluation of patients with nipple discharge, although the American College of Radiology practice guidelines for nipple discharge provides data-driven appropriate algorithms. In patients with physiologic discharge, imaging is not typically indicated. For those with pathologic nipple discharge, imaging typically starts with diagnostic mammography and retroareolar ultrasound for women over 40 years of age, diagnostic mammogram or ultrasound for women aged 30-39 years, and ultrasound for women younger than 30 years. Finally, contrast-enhanced breast MRI or galactography are usually reserved for identifying the cause of discharge when initial imaging with mammography and ultrasound is unrevealing.

Method for Selection of New Primers for Identification of the Especially Dangerous Bacterium Acidovorax citrulli.

We propose a method for selection of new primers for identification of especially dangerous bacterium Acidovorax citrulli. A specific pair of new primers AC-1 F/R that can be used for detection and identification of A. citrulli was successfully tested. This opens up new possibilities for investigation of the role of this bacterium in the ecosystems.

[Functioning features of the mirror neuron system in patients with affective disorders]. / Osobennosti funktsionirovaniia sistemy zerkal'nykh neironov u bol'nykh s affektivnymi rasstroistvami.

AIM: To reveal EEG patterns and activation of neural network changes during perception and realization of a simple motor act in healthy subjects and patients with affective disorders. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The patient group consisted of 15 people with affective disorders, the control group included 11 normals. As task subjects were asked to observe the movement of the experimenter hand (clenching of the hand), then submit this motion and then repeat it by themselves. EEG recording and EEG analysis were conducted. To identify activation areas, sLORETA method was used for solving the inverse problem of EEG. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: In patients with affective disorders, the activation of the brain mirror system occurred in the left temporal region, while in healthy people such activation was observed in the temporal lobes of the two hemispheres and in the frontal upper, middle and lower convolutions.

L-Lysine-α-Oxidase: Acidovorax citrulli Bacterium Inhibitor.

Studies of the effects of Trichoderma harzianum Rifai F-180 culture fluid concentrate containing L-lysine-α-oxidase antitumor enzyme produced by the fungus and the homogenous enzyme, on ultrahazardous bacterium Acidovorax citrulli demonstrated the antibacterial activity of the concentrate. Trichoderma harzianum Rifai F-180 producing L-lysine-α-oxidase was cultured in a technological device at G. K. Skryabin Institute of Biochemistry and. Physiology of Microorganisms, Russian Academy of Sciences. Activity of L-lysine-α-oxidase in the resulted culture fluid concentrate was 0.54 U/ml, activity of the homogenous enzyme was 50 U/mg.

Antibacterial Activity of L-Lysine-α-Oxidase from the Trichoderma.

We studied the effects of a concentrate of metabolites of Trichoderma harzianum Rifai F-180, an active producer of L-lysine-α-oxidase, and homogenous enzyme on a highly virulent bacteria Erwinia amylovora. The producer of antitumor and antiviral Trichoderma enzyme L-lysine-α-oxidase was cultured on a processing system of G. K. Skryabin Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms, Russian Academy of Sciences (Pushchino). Activity of L-lysine-α-oxidase in the prepared concentrate of metabolic products of the producer was 5.4 U/ml, and activity of the homogenous enzyme was 50 U/ml. Antibacterial activity of the enzyme was shown in our experiments.

Predictors of long-term drug survival for infliximab in psoriasis.

BACKGROUND: Limited information is available regarding factors associated with long-term drug survival of infliximab for psoriasis in real life. OBJECTIVES: The main aim pf this study was to identify predictors of long-term (>12 months) drug survival among patients treated with infliximab for psoriasis in a real-world clinical setting. METHODS: Retrospectively collected data, relating to disease, patient characteristics and treatment procedures, in a multicentre observational cohort of patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis treated with infliximab at eight university hospitals, 120 of whom maintained a response to infliximab for more than 12 months, were compared with prospectively collected data in the same centres from 54 patients who experienced secondary loss of response within a 12-month period. RESULTS: Mean duration of drug survival of infliximab in patients with long-term drug survival was 41.12 months ± 20.64 SD vs. 8.5 months ± 2.43 SD in patients with a secondary loss of response. Multivariate analysis identified greater disease severity at treatment onset (PASI score >12) (OR = 5.18, 95% CI: 1.60-16.77, P = 0.006), high levels of initial psoriasis clearance (PASI-90 reduction or equivalent) (OR = 18.50, 95% CI: 4.56-74.45, P = 0.0001) and combination with methotrexate (OR = 13.15, 95% CI: 1.46-118.79, P = 0.022) as independent predictors of long-term drug survival and sustained efficacy of infliximab. CONCLUSION: Positive predictors for long-term drug survival of infliximab in real life were identified. Their impact on treatment management should be addressed in further prospective trials.

Inhibition of Tobacco Ringspot Virus by the Culture Fluid of L-Lysine-α-Oxidase Producing Strain.

A producing strain of an anti-tumor and antiviral enzyme L-lysine-α-oxidase from Trichoderma was cultured using a technological device of G. K. Skryabin Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms, Russian Academy of Sciences (Pushchino). L-lysine-α-oxidase activity in the obtained metabolite concentrate was 5.4 U/ml. We studied the effects of the concentrate of active L-lysine-α-oxidase producer on the highly infectious Tobacco ringspot virus and revealed anti-viral activity of it when enzyme concentration was at least 1.0 U/ml.

Trichoderma L-Lysine-α-Oxidase Producer Strain Culture Fluid Inhibits Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus.

A method for PCR diagnosis of impatiens necrotic spot virus is developed. Concentrated culture fluid with active L-lysine-α-oxidase (0.54 U/ml) from Trichoderma harzianum Rifai fungus producer strain F-180 inhibits vitally hazardous impatiens necrotic spot phytovirus.

[The Connectomics: Neurophysiology, Achievements and Perspectives].

The review is devoted to researches in the relatively new field of neuroscience--connectomics. The theoretical and applied aspects of connectom studying are observed. The concept of connectom is defined as well as its attributes such as connectivity. The review describes the basic modern methods of the connectom investigation, existing data on the connectom structure in normal and pathological conditions, as well as prospects for the development of a new field of knowledge--connectomics.

[Complex Neurophysiological Examination of Patients with Affective Disorders].

In order to find objective physiological correlates of affective disorders we have carried out the complex examination of patients comparing with the control group. Psychophysiological tests, EEG and speech signal parameters have shown statistically significant difference between the groups. At clinical practice our conclusions might be used on the diagnostics stage.

[Antitumor enzyme L-lyzine-alpha-oxidase from Trichoderma harzianum Rifai F-180 and investigation of its action on L-lysine oxidation by capillar electrophoresis].

Trichoderma harzianum Rifai F-180, an organism producing the antitumor enzyme L-lysine-alpha-oxidase was cultivated and the enzyme was isolated and purified under the manufacturing conditions. The effect of L-lysine-alpha-oxidase on oxidation of L-lysine was investigated for the first time by capillary electrophoresis and the procedure conditions were developed. The reaction of L-lysine oxidative deamination is described and location of the reaction components picks on the elecrophoregrams was identified. The average rate of the catalytic reaction of L-lysine oxidation equal to 0.46 RU/min (7.7 x 10(-3) RU/sec) was determined. The use of the antitumor enzyme L-lysine-alpha-oxidase is recommended as a drug for the treatment of superficial tumors and tissue relative oxygen excess.

[The acoustic characteristics of the speech signal as an indicator of the human functional state].

The current review focuses on the capabilities and the efficiency of the functional state investigation based on the extralinguistic (nonsemantic) properties of the speech signal. This article provides an overview of the studies, which used such speech signal characteristics to investigate the human state during performing the operator activity, in the simulation of emotions, under emotional stress and in the presence of various mental disorders.

[Neurophysiological manifestations of the monotony state in the human-operators with different alpha-activity hemispheric asymmetry].

This paper presents the monotony state investigation of the human-operator while simulator driving by using a combination of psychophysiological testing, registration of an electrocardiogram and electroencephalogram (EEG). The appearance of specific EEG-pattern (power ascension of the theta-, alpha- and beta-rhythms) during operator activity due to the monotony state progression was revealed. We found out the reduction in health, decrease activity, the increase of the situational anxiety, and the reaction time after 90 minutes of the monotonous activity. The signs of drowsiness were detected at the rest with closed eyes after operator activity. Moreover, these negative manifestations of the monotony state were observed mainly in subjects with domination of the alpha-activity in the left hemisphere.

Validation of organ procurement and transplant network (OPTN)/united network for organ sharing (UNOS) criteria for imaging diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Imaging diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) presents an important pathway for transplant exception points and priority for cirrhotic patients. The purpose of this retrospective study is to evaluate the validity of the new Organ Procurement and Transplant Network (OPTN) classification system on patients undergoing transplantation for HCC. METHODS: One hundred twenty-nine patients underwent transplantation for HCC from April 14, 2006 to April 18, 2011; a total of 263 lesions were reported as suspicious for HCC on pretransplantation magnetic resonance imaging. Magnetic resonance imaging examinations were reviewed independently by two experienced radiologists, blinded to final pathology. Reviewers identified major imaging features and an OPTN classification was assigned to each lesion. Final proof of diagnosis was pathology on explant or necrosis along with imaging findings of ablation after transarterial chemoembolization. RESULTS: Application of OPTN imaging criteria in our population resulted in high specificity for the diagnosis of HCC. Sensitivity in diagnosis of small lesions (≥1 and <2 cm) was low (range, 26%-34%). Use of the OPTN system would have resulted in different management in 17% of our population who had received automatic exception points for HCC based on preoperative imaging but would not have met criteria under the new system. Eleven percent of the patients not meeting OPTN criteria were found to have T2 stage tumor burden on pathology. CONCLUSIONS: The OPTN imaging policy introduces a high level of specificity for HCC but may decrease sensitivity for small lesions. Management may be impacted in a number of patients, potentially requiring longer surveillance periods or biopsy to confirm diagnosis.

How does osteonecrosis about the knee progress in young patients with leukemia?: a 2- to 7-year study.

BACKGROUND: Osteonecrosis is a major treatment complication of pediatric leukemias owing to its potential to cause joint deterioration. Because of potential long-term effects of osteonecrosis on joints, information regarding its progression and collapse in different patients can be used to identify high-risk groups, advise the patients and parents of this complication, and potentially consider the risk for development of osteonecrosis in planning primary treatment. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We therefore determined: (1) the incidence of joint collapse and/or pain in young patients with hematologic malignancies diagnosed with ON of the knee; (2) risk factors associated with collapse; and (3) the relationship between size and location of osteonecrotic knee lesions and the likelihood of joint collapse. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 109 patients with hematologic malignancies and MRI-confirmed knee osteonecrosis. The median age was 11.5 years (range, 2.3-18.8 years) at primary diagnosis of hematologic malignancy and a median age of 13.4 years (range, 2.7-23.3 years) at diagnosis of osteonecrosis of the knee. For analyses, we used the first and last MR images. Minimum clinical followup was 2.3 years after diagnosis of knee osteonecrosis (median, 6 years; range, 2.3-7.17 years). RESULTS: Joint collapse occurred in 22% (24 of 109). Older age, pain at osteonecrosis presentation, and lesions extending to the articular surface of distal femoral epiphyses were associated with joint collapse. CONCLUSIONS: Younger patients and those without extensive femoral epiphyseal involvement have a better prognosis for osteonecrosis of the knee. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, prognostic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.