Use of Corneal Topography in Pediatric Ophthalmology.

AIM: To introduce the topic of pediatric keratoconus, highlighting the importance of routine corneal topography and tomography in children and adolescents from predisposed groups. To attempt to ensure the early detection of keratoconus and its subclinical form, enabling early treatment, which brings better expected postoperative results.  Material and methods: Using the corneal tomograph Pentacam AXL we examined children and adolescents with astigmatism equal or greater than  2 diopters (in at least one eye) and patients with at least one risk factor such as eye rubbing in the case of allergic pathologies, positive family history of keratoconus or certain forms of retinal dystrophy. In total, we included 231 eyes (116 patients), of which 54 were girls and 62 were boys. RESULTS: The Belin-Ambrósio deviation index parameter was evaluated, in which we classified a total of 41 eyes as subclinical keratoconus and 12 eyes as clinical keratoconus. Next, the corneal maps were evaluated individually, in which we included a total of 15 eyes as subclinical keratoconus and 6 eyes as clinical keratoconus. In our group, compared to the control group, subclinical and clinical keratoconus occurred most often in the group of patients with astigmatism and in the group of so-called "eye rubbers". After individual evaluation, keratoconus occurred more frequently in boys than in girls in our cohort. CONCLUSION: Most patients with keratoconus are diagnosed when there is a deterioration of visual acuity and changes on the anterior surface of  the cornea. Corneal topography and tomography allows us to monitor the initial changes on the posterior surface of the cornea, and helps us to detect the subclinical form of keratoconus and the possibility of its early treatment. Therefore, it is important to determine which groups are at risk and groups in which corneal topography and tomography should be performed routinely.

[Features of nephrotransplant blood flow during kidney transplant].

INTRODUCTION: Kidney transplantation, which provides a high quality of life for patients with terminal chronic renal failure worldwide, is recognized as one of the main achievements of modern medicine. Graft dysfunction is an urgent problem, the one-year survival rate of renal transplants is from 93% (from cadaveric donors) to 97% (from living donors), the five-year survival rate is on average 95%. The aim of the study consisted in determining the features of renal graft blood flow in the early post-transplantation period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The results of operative treatment of 110 patients who underwent orthotopic kidney transplantation for various reasons were analyzed. The indication for transplantation was chronic kidney disease of 5 st in the outcome of the main disease: in 70 (64%) in chronic glomerulonephritis, in 22 (20%) patients in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, 10 (9%) patients in diabetic nephropathy, in 8 (7%) patients in chronic pyelonephritis. The five-year survival rate of the renal graft during catamnestic follow-up was 88%. All patients underwent ultrasound dopplerography of a renal graft in dynamics from the first day to discharge. RESULTS: After transplantation of a renal graft, blood flow disorders are caused by swelling in the early postoperative period, but further to discharge there was a normalization of the blood flow rates of the renal graft. Which suggests a satisfactory functional state of the renal graft and is a favorable prognostic feature. Reduced blood flow in the graft and increased resistance index (RI) in ultrasound with dopplerography are signs of developing graft dysfunction. CONCLUSION: In almost all cases, postoperative postoperative renal transplant transplants continued to cause blood flow disturbances due to early postoperative edema. The use of ultrasound and Doppler imaging to assess graft status is a diagnostically valuable non-invasive method.

CHANGE OF SURGICALLY INDUCED CORNEAL ASTIGMATISM AND POSITION OF ARTIFICIAL INTRAOCULAR LENS OVER TIME.

AIMS: To analyze changes in surgically induced corneal astigmatism and articial intraocular lens (IOL) stability over time following cataract surgery. To compare the interchangeability of measurements between an automatic keratorefractometer (AKRM) and a biometer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this prospective observational study, the above-mentioned parameters were collected from 25 eyes (25 subjects) on the first day, first week, first and third month after uncomplicated cataract surgery. We used IOL-induced astigmatism (difference between refractometry and keratometry) as an indirect indicator of IOL stability change. We used the Blant-Altman method to analyze consistency between devices. RESULTS: At the above time points, surgically induced astigmatism (SIA) decreased as follows: 0.65 D; 0.62 D; 0.60 D and 0.41 D (in the first day, week, month and third month respectively). Astigmatism induced by changes of the position of the IOL varied as follows: 0.88 D; 0.59 D; 0.44 D and 0.49 D. Changes in both parameters were statistically significant (p0.05). CONCLUSION: Both surgically induced astigmatism and astigmatism induced by IOL decreased over time, in which both changes were statistically significant. The decrease in SIA was most pronounced between the first and third month after surgery. For IOL-induced astigmatism, the greatest decrease was within the first month after surgery. The differences in measurement between the biometer and AKRM were statistically insignificant, but the clinical interchangeability between the given methods is questionable, especially with regard to measurement of the astigmatism angle.

Endoparasites of Wild Boars (Sus Scrofa) in Primorsky Krai, Russia.

This study identified helminthic species among wild boars (Sus scrofa) in Primorsky Krai, Russia. In total, 66 fecal samples were taken from wild boars and examined using the floatation-sedimentation method to identify helminths eggs and protozoan cysts. Age and sex were estimated for each host animal investigated. The helminthic fauna of the wild boars examined involved six parasite genera, but 4 are helminths and 2 are protozoans: the nematodes Metastrongylus spp., Trichuris suis, Capillaria sp. and Ascaris suum; and the protozoan parasites Eimeria sp. and Cystoisospora suis. The most prevalent parasite was Metastrongylus spp. (13.6 %) followed by Trichuris suis (7.6 %). The other parasites found were Eimeria sp. (3 %), Ascaris suum (3 %), Capillaria sp. (1.5 %) and Cystoisospora suis (1.5 %). Not found positive correlation between the host's age and sex and the parasite prevalence. This was the first detailed study on helminths infections among wild boars in Primorsky Krai.

No strict host specificity: Brain metacercariae Diplostomum petromyzifluviatilis Müller (Diesing, 1850) are conspecific with Diplostomum sp. Lineage 4 of Blasco-Costa et al. (2014).

Metacercariae of Diplostomum petromyzifluviatilis (Digenea, Diplostomidae) from the brain of European river lamprey Lampetra fluviatilis from the Baltic Sea basin and Arctic lamprey Lethenteron camtschaticum from the White Sea basin were studied with the use of genetic and morphological methods. Phylogenetic analysis based on cox1 marker showed that the parasites of both lamprey species were conspecific with Diplostomum sp. Lineage 4 of Blasco-Costa et al. (2014). The name Diplostomum petromyzifluviatilis Müller (Diesing, 1850) has historical precedence as a species described from the brain of lampreys and should be used in genus nomenclature. There were no morphological qualitative differences between the metacercariae from the two lamprey species but those from L. fluviatilis were larger than those from L. camtschaticum. We expanded the data on the second intermediate hosts and the localization of D. petromyzifluviatilis, showing that its metacercariae occur not only in the brain of lampreys but also in the brain and the retina of three-spined stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus and the vitreous humour of the perch Perca fluviatilis across the European part of the Palearctic.

[The study of cognitive functions and the brain electrical activity in wakefulness and night sleep in patients with lobe tumors]. / Izuchenie kognitivnykh funktsii i organizatsii bioelektricheskoi aktivnosti mozga v bodrstvovanii i vo vremya sna u patsientov s opukholyami lobnoi doli.

OBJECTIVE: To study cognitive dysfunction and brain electrical activity in sleep-wakefulness cycle in patients with frontal lobe tumors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty patients, aged 48.6±4.2 years, and ten healthy volunteers participated in the study. The first group included patients without cognitive impairment and tumors 8.9±5.1 cm3, the second group included patients with cognitive impairment and tumors 40.7±2.1 cm3. The battery of cognitive impairment tests was used. The EEG of wakefulness and night sleep was recorded. RESULTS: Cognitive impairment in patients with lobe tumors is associated with increases in delta/theta, and areactivity of the cortex in wakefulness, increases in delta/theta/alpha in REM and declining number of arousals in REM. CONCLUSION: The results of the study may be useful in early detection of biomarkers of the cognitive impairment in patients with frontal lobe tumors in order to increase the efficiency of rehabilitation of patients.

Some Methods for Substantiating Diagnostic Decisions Made Using Machine Learning Algorithms.

Various classification algorithms used in the diagnosis of breast cancer based on microwave radiometry data are considered. In particular, their principles of operation and the possibility of substantiating diagnoses using numerical data are discussed. A substantiation algorithm based on decision trees and a naive Bayesian classifier is presented. Examples of substantiation are given for breast cancer.

SARS-COV-2 PANDEMIC FROM THE OPHTHALMOLOGIST`S PERSPECTIVE. A REVIEW.

In December 2019, a novel coronavirus (CoV) epidemic, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged from China. Coronaviruses belong to enveloped ssRNA viruses and are classified into four genera: Alpha coronavirus, Beta coronavirus, Gamma coronavirus and Delta coronavirus. It is assumed that SARS-CoV-2 is spread primarily during a personal contact via bigger respiratory droplets. These droplets with viruses can be directly inhaled by other people or can lend on the surfaces with the possibility of further spreading. The ocular surface has been suggested as one of possible infection entries. Human eye has its own renin-angiotensin system with present ACE2 receptors, which bind the virus through spike protein. The most common symptoms of the SARS-CoV-2 infection are fever, cough and dyspnoea. Several clinical entities, such as conjunctivitis, anterior uveitis, retinitis, and optic neuritis have been associated with this infection. The most common ophthalmologic symptom associated with COVID-19 disease is conjunctivitis. Some studies indicate that eye symptoms are commonly present in patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia and that it is possible to detect viral RNA from the conjunctival sac of these patients. In ophthalmologic praxis, we manage not only the therapy of the eye structures` inflammation in relation with this infection, but also the overall management of the visits and the supervision of the patients who are at risk and positive for coronavirus. Ophthalmologists could potentially have a higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection due to personal communication with the patients, frequent exposure to tears and eye secrets and the use of devices. We would like to provide an ophthalmologist`s perspective on this topic.

ENDOTHELIAL CELL LOSS AFTER PARS PLANA VITRECTOMY.

AIMS: To analyse the changes in endothelial cell density (ECD) after pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and to identify the factors implicated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a prospective, consecutive, and non-randomised, case-control study. All 23-gauge vitrectomies were performed by a single surgeon at a tertiary centre. ECD was measured at baseline before surgery and on postoperative Days 30, 90, and 180. The fellow eye was used as the control eye. The primary outcome was a change in ECD after PPV. RESULTS: Seventeen patients were included in this study. The mean age of the patients was 65 years. The mean ECD count at baseline was 2340 cells/mm2. The median ECD loss in the vitrectomised eye was 3.6 %, 4.0 %, and 4.7 % at Days 30, 90, and 180, respectively, compared to +1.94 %, +0.75 %, +1.01 %, respectively, in the control eye. The relative risk of ECD loss after PPV was 2.48 (C.I. 1.05-5.85, p = 0.0247). The pseudophakic eyes lost more ECD than the phakic eyes, but this was not statistically significant. There were no significant differences in diagnosis, age, surgical time, or tamponade used after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Routine pars plana vitrectomy had an impact on the corneal endothelial cells until Day 180 post-op. The phakic status was slightly protective against ECD loss after PPV, although it was not statistically significant. The pathophysiology of corneal cell damage after routine PPV remains unclear. Further studies are required to confirm these findings.

Genome assembly using quantum and quantum-inspired annealing.

Recent advances in DNA sequencing open prospects to make whole-genome analysis rapid and reliable, which is promising for various applications including personalized medicine. However, existing techniques for de novo genome assembly, which is used for the analysis of genomic rearrangements, chromosome phasing, and reconstructing genomes without a reference, require solving tasks of high computational complexity. Here we demonstrate a method for solving genome assembly tasks with the use of quantum and quantum-inspired optimization techniques. Within this method, we present experimental results on genome assembly using quantum annealers both for simulated data and the [Formula: see text]X 174 bacteriophage. Our results pave a way for a significant increase in the efficiency of solving bioinformatics problems with the use of quantum computing technologies and, in particular, quantum annealing might be an effective method. We expect that the new generation of quantum annealing devices would outperform existing techniques for de novo genome assembly. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first experimental study of de novo genome assembly problems both for real and synthetic data on quantum annealing devices and quantum-inspired techniques.

[Analysis of phosphatidylcholines alterations in human glioblastoma multiform tissues ex vivo]. / Analiz izmenenii sostava fosfatidilkholinov v glioblastomakh cheloveka ex vivo.

Significant metabolism alteration is accompanying the cell malignization process. Energy metabolism disturbance leads to the activation of de novo synthesis and beta-oxidation processes of lipids and fatty acids in a cancer cell, which becomes an indicator of pathological processes inside the cell. The majority of studies dealing with lipid metabolism alterations in glial tumors are performed using the cell lines in vitro or animal models. However, such conditions do not entirely represent the physiological conditions of cell growth or possible cells natural variability. This work presents the results of the data obtained by applying ambient mass spectrometry to human glioblastoma multiform tissues. By analyzing a relatively large cohort of primary and secondary glioblastoma samples, we identify the alterations in cells lipid composition, which accompanied the development of grade IV brain tumors. We demonstrate that primary glioblastomas, as well as ones developed from astrocytomas, are enriched with mono- and diunsaturated phosphatidylcholines (PC 26:1, 30:2, 32:1, 32:2, 34:1, 34:2). Simultaneously, the saturated and polyunsaturated phosphatidylcholines and phosphatidylethanolamines decrease. These alterations are obviously linked to the availability of the polyunsaturated fatty acids and activation of the de novo lipid synthesis and beta-oxidation pathways under the anaerobic conditions in the tumor core.

The software for interactive evaluation of mass spectra stability and reproducibility.

SUMMARY: Mass spectrometry (MS) methods are widely used for the analysis of biological and medical samples. Recently developed methods, such as DESI, REIMS and NESI allow fast analyses without sample preparation at the cost of higher variability of spectra. In biology and medicine, MS profiles are often used with machine learning (classification, regression, etc.) algorithms and statistical analysis, which are sensitive to outliers and intraclass variability. Here, we present spectra similarity matrix (SSM) Display software, a tool for fast visual outlier detection and variance estimation in mass spectrometric profiles. The tool speeds up the process of manual spectra inspection, improves accuracy and explainability of outlier detection, and decreases the requirements to the operator experience. It was shown that the batch effect could be revealed through SSM analysis and that the SSM calculation can also be used for tuning novel ion sources concerning the quality of obtained mass spectra. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: Source code, example datasets, binaries and other information are available at https://github.com/EvgenyZhvansky/R_matrix. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.

[The role of lipids in the classification of astrocytoma and glioblastoma using MS tumor profiling]. / Rol' lipidov pri klassifikatsii astrotsitomy i glioblastomy pri pomoshchi mass-spektrometricheskogo profilirovaniia opukholei.

Express MS identification of biological tissues has become a much more accessible research method due to the application of direct specimen ionization at atmospheric pressure. In contrast to traditional methods of analysis employing GC-MS methods for determining the molecular composition of the analyzed objects it eliminates the influence of mutual ion suppression. Despite significant progress in the field of direct MS of biological tissues, the question of mass spectrometric profile attribution to a certain type of tissue still remains open. The use of modern machine learning methods and protocols (e.g., "random forests") enables us to trace possible relationships between the components of the sample MS profile and the result of brain tumor tissue classification (astrocytoma or glioblastoma). It has been shown that the most pronounced differences in the mass spectrometric profiles of these tumors are due to their lipid composition. Detection of statistically significant differences in lipid profiles of astrocytoma and glioblastoma may be used to perform an express test during surgery and inform the neurosurgeon what type of malignant tissue he is working with. The ability to accurately determine the boundaries of the neoplastic growth significantly improves the quality of both surgical intervention and postoperative rehabilitation, as well as the duration and quality of life of patients.

[New approach to treatment of polypous rhinosinusitis]. / Novyi vzlyad na lechenie polipoznogo rinosinusita.

ANNOTATION: Polypous rhinosinusitis (PRS) is a hardly treatable disease due to the unknown etiology and recurrent course. Standard treatment regimens are aimed at removing polyps and reducing the activity of inflammation, while little attention is paid to pathogenesis factors such as oxidative stress and mucociliary insufficiency. OBJECTIVE: To improve the combined treatment of PRS. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study involved 98 patients (50 people - the study group, 48 people - control group). The structure of the comorbid pathology of patients in the control group was selected so as to correspond to the pathology in the study group. Patients of both groups received combined treatment, including surgical treatment in accordance with the FESS principles, followed by the prescription of 200 mcg mometasone furoate in each half of the nose for 6 months. The treatment of patients of the study group also included the drug N-acetylcysteine - 3 ml (300 mg) in each maxillary sinus intrasurgicaly, then 600 mg orally in the morning after meals for 6 months. Survey methods included a questionnaire survey using the SNOT-22 questionnaire, the prevalence of the polypous process was assessed by endoscopy (Claus Bachert scale) and CT (Lund-Mackay scale), and mucociliary function was also evaluated by performing a saccharin test. The results were compared with each other before surgery and after 6, 12 and 24 months after surgery. RESULTS: Patients who have been taking N-acetylcysteine for a long time have a more pronounced and long-term improvement in their general condition (according to SNOT-22, an average by 1.7 times, p<0.05) compared with patients in the control group. Also, the frequency of relapses decreases and the effectiveness of surgical treatment increases (according to the Lund-Mackey scale - 5.02 in the experimental group and 10.75 in the control; according to S. Bachert - 1 point and 3 points, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Long-term use of N-acetylcysteine in PRS increases the effectiveness of surgical treatment, reduces the frequency of relapses, and also improves the general condition of patients.

Diversity of life spans across the animal world.

Animal world is one of the main sources of information on ageing and longevity. Several animal species are used to explore the evolution of ageing and to find the remedies to extend human longevity. However, about a third of animal phyla, and usually less, are mentioned in the relevant reviews. We analysed the entire animal world in context of longevity studies choosing for the analysis one of its most general characteristics - the limits of variation of life spans within the main groups. We performed a systematic review of the sources on all groups of animals of the class level and meta-analysis of the values of life spans within them.

PUPILLOTONIA AND ADIE SYNDROME.

The aim of the work is to approach the examination of the pupil with a focus on anisocoria, its characteristics and approach to the diagnosis of pupillotonia and Adie's syndrome and its clinical evaluation. Pupil function is important not only in neurophthalmological examination but also in general ophthalmological examination. First of all, we need to know how the reflex arc works in order to be able to exclude or confirm whether the parasympathetic or sympathetic is affected. It is also necessary to know the exact characteristics of the pupil, such as size, shape, placement, function and reaction to light and at close range. Only on this basis can we distinguish pathological features. We do not often encounter this diagnosis, but it is necessary to keep it in mind, especially in the field of neurophthalmology but also in general ophthalmology. We also present three cases of pupilotonia and Adie's syndrome, which we diagnosed at the Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, after the patient himself came by emergency admission or was sent directly to ophthalmology clinic. In the discussion, we present various other diagnoses, where the reflex arc may not be affected, but the pathological pupil is caused by intraocular tumors, general systemic diseases and, last but not least, local therapy or alkaloids.

[Prevalence and intensity of smoking among the patients with ischemic heart disease of older age living in the Far North.]

The article presents an analysis of the prevalence, intensity and correlation of smoking with other risk factors of ischemic heart disease among patients with chronic ischemic heart disease aged 60 years and older living in the Far North on the basis of ethnicity, age and sex. Smoking dependence on age was traced in patients of non-indigenous ethnicity. There was a lower prevalence of smoking among women, as opposed to men and among long-livers in comparison with the elderly and senile age. High intensity and length of smoking were revealed in both ethnic groups of men patients. The average smoking experience of smokers at the time of the survey was more than 50 years, and of former smokers - more than 30 years. The quantity of more than 25 packs per year was established as a high smoking index for both ethnic groups. The high smoking index is 1,5 times more common in patients of non-indigenous ethnicity compared to Yakut group. The highest smoking index was recorded in the group of patients under 75 years. The higher the smoking index is in smoking non-indigenous group, the lower is the cholesterol level of HDL regardless of the place of birth and the length of residence in the Far North. The analysis has revealed the correlation of smoking with other risk factors: blood lipids, arterial pressure (BP), body mass index (BMI), abdominal obesity (AO) and the dependence of the suffered myocardial infarction from the smoking experience and the value of smoking index. Smoking cessation leads to a decrease in blood pressure, BMI, and promotes HDL cholesterol.

EFFECT OF MULTIPLE VARIABLES ON THE REFRACTIVE ERROR AFTER CATARACT SURGERY.

PURPOSE: To analyze refractive results after cataract surgery in relation to used type of monofocal intraocular lens, calculation formula, to age, gender and laterality. SETTINGS: Department of Ophthalmology, Comenius University and University hospital in Bratislava, Slovakia Methods: We analyzed 173 eyes (118 patients) after uneventful cataract surgery. We calculated prediction error (PE) and mean absolute error (MAE) of postoperative refraction. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: We found no statistically significant differences in PE and MAE in relation to types of used IOL, calculation formulas, gender, age or laterality. Key words: Optical biometry, monofocal IOL, IOL calculation, refractive error.

Metrics for evaluating the stability and reproducibility of mass spectra.

In this work, we demonstrate a new approach for assessing the stability and reproducibility of mass spectra obtained via ambient ionization methods. This method is suitable for both comparing experiments during which only one mass spectrum is measured and for evaluating the internal homogeneity of mass spectra collected over a period of time. The approach uses Pearson's r coefficient and the cosine measure to compare the spectra. It is based on the visualization of dissimilarities between measurements, thus leading to the analysis of dissimilarity patterns. The cosine measure and correlations are compared to obtain better metrics for spectra homogeneity. The method filters out unreliable scans to prevent the analyzed sample from being wrongly characterized. The applicability of the method is demonstrated on a set of brain tumor samples. The developed method could be employed in neurosurgical applications, where mass spectrometry is used to monitor the intraoperative tumor border.

Unified representation of high- and low-resolution spectra to facilitate application of mass spectrometric techniques in clinical practice.

The majority of research in the biomedical sciences is carried out with the highest resolution accessible to the scientist, but, in the clinic, cost constraints necessitate the use of low-resolution devices. Here, we compare high- and low-resolution direct mass spectrometry profiling data and propose a simple pre-processing technique that makes high-resolution data suitable for the development of classification and regression techniques applicable to low-resolution data, while retaining high accuracy of analysis. This work demonstrates an approach to de-noising spectra to make the same representation for both high- and low-resolution spectra. This approach uses noise threshold detection based on the Tversky index, which compares spectra with different resolutions, and minimizes the percentage of resolution-specific peaks. The presented method provides an avenue for the development of analytical algorithms using high-resolution mass spectrometry data, while applying these algorithms in the clinic using low-resolution mass spectrometers.