Proangiogenic signature in advanced laryngeal carcinoma after microRNA expression profiling.

The aim of this study is to evaluate which dysregulated angiomiRs compose the specific proangiogenic microRNA signature of advanced laryngeal cancer and review the literature. Thirty-six samples from twelve patients with advanced laryngeal carcinoma were collected. Total RNA was extracted and microRNA global profiling was performed using Agilent Technologies Microarray Kit. Fifty-nine microRNAs were found to have significantly different expression levels. Eleven microRNAs from the whole group were sorted as regulators of tumor angiogenesis (angiomiRs): seven were up-regulated-miR-1246, miR-181b 5p, miR-18a 5p, miR-21 3p, miR-210 3p, miR-503 5p, miR-93 5p and four were down-regulated-miR148a 5p, miR-145 5p, miR-204 5p, miR-125b 5p. For none of those microRNAs we found heterogeneity in tumor tissue. We are the first to report the specific proangiogenic microRNA signature in advanced laryngeal carcinoma and we confirm and amplify findings from previous studies that expand our perception of a specific "molecular state" of angiogenesis that is distinctive only for laryngeal cancer.

[Molar-incisor hypomineralization among 12-years old children in Arkhangelsk region]. / Moliarno-reztsovaia gipoplaziia u 12-letnikh detei Arkhangel'skoi oblasti.

AIM: To estimate the prevalence of molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH) across genders and place of residence as well as its association with dental caries among 12-years-old children in Northwest Russia. METHOD: A cross-sectional study included 1233 (653 girls) randomly selected 12-years-old children from 7 urban and 5 rural areas of Arkhangelsk region. MIH and its severity were diagnosed using Weerheijm et al (2003) and Mathu-Muju & Wright (2006) criteria. Dental caries was studied at the D3 level following WHO (2013) recommendations. Prevalence of MIH and caries and means for Decayed-Missing-Filled (DMFT) scores are presented with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Pearson's chi-squared tests and Mann-Whitney tests were used for dichotomous and numerical data, respectively. The study was approved by the Ethical Committee of the Northern State Medical University, Arkhangelsk, Russia. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of MIH was 2.1% (95% CI: 1.44-3.07). The prevalence of mild MIH was 46.2% (95% CI: 28.8-64.5). Average and severe MIH were diagnosed in 26.9% (95% CI: 13.7-46.1) of children each. The prevalence of caries among those with and without MIH was 100% (95% CI: 87.1-100.0) and 74.8% (95% CI: 72.3-77.2), respectively (p=0.003). DMFT values for children with and without MIH were 4.46 (95% CI: 3.20-5.72) and 2.41 (95% CI: 2.28-2.53), respectively (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Although the prevalence of MIH in Northwest Russia is lower than in most other countries our findings suggest that hypomineralised molars are much more prone to caries.

The COVID-19 Pandemic: The effect on open lower limb fractures in a London major trauma centre - a plastic surgery perspective.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 has created huge pressures on healthcare systems. The ongoing provision of major trauma services during this time has proved challenging. We report our experience of managing open lower limb fractures (oLLFs) during the pandemic in a London major trauma centre (MTC). METHODS: This was a prospective study of all open lower limb fractures presenting to our unit over the initial 48 days of UK government lockdown - 24th March till 10th May 2020. Results were compared to the same time period in 2019 retrospectively. Epidemiological data, mechanism, Gustilo-Anderson (G-A) severity grading, time to initial debridement and definitive coverage were analysed. RESULTS: There was a 64% reduction in emergency department (ED) attendances (25,264 vs 9042). There was an 18% reduction in oLLFs (22 vs 18). Approximately three-quarters of injuries were in males across both cohorts (77% vs 78%) and tended to occur in younger patients (median age, 37 vs 35). Road-traffic-accidents (RTAs) were the most common injury mechanism in both 2019 and lockdown, but a rise in jumpers from height was seen in the latter. A similar pattern of G-A severities were seen, however only 3 injuries during lockdown required major soft tissue reconstruction. There was no significant difference in times taken for initial debridement (p = 0.72786) or definitive wound coverage (p = 0.16152). A greater proportion of independent operating was seen during lockdown between orthopaedics and plastic surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Despite government lockdown measures, oLLFs still placed significant burden on our MTC. Notwithstanding significant staffing alterations and theatre pressures, we have been able to ensure these lower limb emergencies remain a surgical priority and have managed to utilise resources appropriately.

Management of amputated digits.

Traumatic digit amputations account for 1% of all trauma admissions and are an important cause of morbidity in young, working people. It is essential that patients are worked up appropriately and referred promptly to a specialist unit for consideration of replantation. This review summarises the acute management of a patient presenting to the emergency department with an amputated digit. It discusses the assessment, initial management in the emergency department, how to make the decision to replant and operative steps.

Strong Correlation Between mRNA Expression Levels of HIF-2α, VEGFR1, VEGFR2 and MMP2 in Laryngeal Carcinoma.

The hypoxia that arises due to the rapid proliferation of tumor cells is a fundamental driving force for the canonical pathway of neovascularization. In the current study we report a very strong correlation between mRNA expression levels of HIF-2α (but not HIF-1α), VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2 and MMP2 in ex vivo samples from laryngeal carcinoma. Sixty-three samples from patients with histopathologically verified carcinoma of the larynx were examined in this study. Total RNA was isolated from both normal and tumor fresh frozen tissues of each patient and real-time quantitative PCR reactions were performed. The mRNA expression levels of HIF-1α, HIF-2α, VEGFR1, VEGFR2 and MMP2 were acquired. We found strong positive correlations between mRNA expression levels of HIF-2α and VEGFR-1, r s (98) = .671, p < .0005; HIF-2α and VEGFR-2, r s (98) = .742, p < .0005; HIF-2α and MMP2, r s (98) = .566, p < .0005; VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2, r s (98) = .791, p < .0005; VEGFR-1 and MMP2, r s (98) = .709, p < .0005; VEGFR-2 and MMP2, r s (98) = .793, p < .0005. Our results provide evidence for the regulatory connection between HIF-2α and VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2 and MMP2 in the light of ETS1/ HIF-2α regulatory axis on a non-in-vitro level in carcinoma tissue, uncover some of the differences between the homologues HIF-1α and HIF-2α and round up and support the results from different experimental models in this field.

Macrophageal infiltration and microvessel density in laryngeal carcinoma: study of 52 cases.

Angiogenesis is one of the six originally constituted hallmarks of cancer that has been extensively studied in the last two decades. The aim of our study is to assess the microvessel and macrophageal density in laryngeal carcinoma and its clinicopathological correlations. We immunohistochemically assessed microvessel density (CD34) and macrophage count (CD68) using microarray techniques and then looked for clinicopathological correlations. The mean micro-vessel density in the study group was 14.27 ± 12.92 vessels in a ×200 field with a mean macrophageal infiltration density of 5.19 ± 4.32. Median microvessel density was significantly higher in patients with metastasis than in patients without metastasis. Additionally, linear regression established that macrophageal infiltration density could predict microvessel density in laryngeal carcinoma. We found no association between either factor and recurrence rate or other clinical characteristics. Our study adds additional data to a problem that has been widely studied during the last two decades, even if controversies in this area still remain.

Mesomelic form of chondrodysplasia and congenital glaucoma associated with de novo translocation (13;18)(q14;q23).

Mesomelic form of chondrodysplasia and congenital glaucoma associated with de novo translocation (13;18)(q14:q23): Mesomelic dysplasias are characterized by limb shortening most prominent of the middle segment of the extremities (forearm and lower leg). In addition to several syndromic forms a few patients with sporadic or familial forms and without precise nosological classification have been reported so far. In this report we present a young female with disproportionate mesomelic dwarfism, dysmorphic facial features, bilateral glaucoma, patent ductus arteriosus, low and hoarse voice, and generalized muscular hypotonia. At the age of 2.5 years mental development is normal. High resolution G-banded chromosome studies revealed a de novo reciprocal translocation with karyotype 46,XX t (13;18)(q14;q23). The concurrence of this de novo autosomal translocation with this distinct phenotype supports the hypothesis that disruption of (a) gene(s) at the translocation breakpoints causes this unusual, apparently new form of skeletal chondrodysplasia.

Transplacental passage of Plasmodium falciparum and seroevaluation of newborns in northern Nigeria.

The findings of a prospective study of 656 near-term pregnant; women, and of the cord and peripheral blood of newborns of positive mothers are reported. 292 (44.51%) of the pregnant women were infected with Plasmodium falciparum. Further microscopic screening of the cord blood of newborns of the 292 positive cases at delivery showed a parasite rate of 10.95%. Transplacental passage of P. falciparum was confirmed by detection of parasitemia in the peripheral blood of 2.82% of newborns within 7 days of birth. Serological investigation of sera of 284 newborns by indirect fluorescent technic (IFA) with P. falciparum IgM specific conjugate indicated that 72 (24.66%) had IgM antibodies of P. falciparum in their blood. The average birthweight of seropositive newborns was 400 g less than seronegative ones. There was no significant difference in the rate of neonatal infection regardless of whether or not the mothers had taken chloroquine prophylaxis.

Transplacental passage of Plasmodium falciparum and seroevaluation of newborns in northern Nigeria.

The findings of a prospective study of 656 near-term pregnant women, and of the cord and peripheral blood of newborns of positive mothers are reported. 292 (44.51%) of the pregnant women were infected with P. falciparum. Further microscopic screening of the cord blood of newborns of the 292 positive cases at delivery showed a parasite rate of 10.95%. Transplacental passage of P. falciparum was confirmed by detection of parasitemia in the peripheral blood of 2.82% of newborns within 7 days of birth. Serological investigation of sera of 284 newborns by Indirect Fluorescent Technique (IFA) with P. falciparum IgM specific conjugate indicated that 72 (25.35%) had IgM antibodies of P. falciparum in their blood. The average birth weight of seropositive newborns was 400 gm less than seronegative ones. There was no significant difference in the rate of neonatal infection regardless of whether or not the mothers had taken chloroquine prophylaxis.

[Circadian cycles of wakefulness and rest in Rana temporaria frogs]. / Sutochnye tsikly bodrstvovaniia i pokoia u liagushki Rana temporaria

In the diurnal activity of the frog R. temporaria, rest and awakefulness stages were investigated. Resting stage was differentiated into daily and nocturnal phases. During daily rest, plastic tone in neck muscles was registered. During this phase, the head might be subjected to unnatural position which is maintained for a certain period. The heart rate was minimal, respiration could not be recorded. During nocturnal rest, in contrast to daily one, the animal changed its positon when touched at the head and kept itself in this positon. Cardiac contractions exhibited evident rhythmicity. Sleep episodes were rare and occasional; they were accompanied by eye closing and relaxation of the body.

[The Stein-Leventhal syndrome with obesity]. / Prouchvaniia vurkhu sindroma na Stein-Leventhal sus zatlustiavane.

The authors carried out studies on 28 women with the syndrome of Stein-Leventhal with obesity. It was established that patients with hypothalamic genuine obesity of III degree predominated. The number of patients with liver steatosis was the largest among accompanying metabolic disturbances, followed by those with arterial hypertension and asymptomatic hyperuricemia. Menarche occurred on time, but it was succeeded by various menstrual disturbances. There was increased level of testosterone in sera of 12 out of 20 examined women patients, of LH-in 17, of 17-ketosteroids-in 8, of estrogens-in 6, of prolactin-in 8 patients. These data in parallelism between menstrual disturbances and hirsutism were interpreted by the authors as an expression of primary disturbances in hypothalamic-hypophysial-gonadal interrelationships with secondary changes in the ovaries. The role of fatty tissue in the metabolism of steroid hormones is discussed as well as the possibility for participation of genetic factors in the development of the syndrome of Stein-Leventhal and obesity.

[Daily form of rest in the catfish Ictalurus nebulosus and the frog Rana temporaria]. / Osobennosti dnevnoi formy pokoia u karlikovogo somika Ictalurus nebulosus and the frog Rana temporaria

By means of recording the cardiac rhythm, respiration rate and motor activity in unrestrained animals, studies have been made on the dynamics of formation of cataleptic-like immobilization in the teleost I. nebulosus. Rhythmic illumination at a rate 3/min. (10 sec light on - 10 sec light off) in the daytime gradually caused the onset of immobilization in the fish. This immobilization is characterized by the specific heart rate, type of respiration and the degree of plastic tone. Under the same experimental conditions, the formation of photogenic catalepsy in the frog Rana temporaria was confirmed. Typical heart rate, respiration pattern and the degree of plastic tone were determined as well. The role of illumination rhythm in the onset of all conditions which are characteristic for the "awakefulness-rest" cycle is discussed.

[Species characteristics of the diurnal periodicity of rest and activity in Black Sea fish]. / Vidovye osobennosti sutochnoi periodiki dvigatel'noi aktivnosti i pokoia u chernomorskikh ryb

In 6 species of the Black Sea teleosts differing in habitats and other ecological peculiarities, behavioural and electrophysiological experiments revealed 3 types of the diurnal periodism of motor activity and rest. The first type was most evident in the grey mullet Mugil sp., being characterized by the decrease of the level of the activity at night time. In the second type, motor activity was observed at any time; this type of periodism was typical of the dogfish Squalus acanthias and the hunchback Sciaena umbra. In the third type of periodism, the level of the activity remained also unchanged, but in contrast to the second type, it was practically equal to zero. This type was most evident in the scorpionfish Scorpaena porcus. The data obtained indicate that species peculiarities may be found in the diurnal rhythm of the activity and rest. These periods of rest we consider as "presleep" or "protosleep" (the initial stage of the development of sleep) in vertebrates.

[Histochemical determination of RNA and protein in the brain during primary sleep in the frog Rana temporaria and during intermediate sleep in the turtle Emys orbicularis]. / Gistokhimicheskoe opredelenie RNK i belka v mozgu vo vremia pervichnogo sna liagushki Rana temporaria i promezhutochnogo sna cherepakhi Emys orbicularis.

It has been shown that resting forms of the primary sleep in the frog and intermediate sleep in the tortoise (P-1, P-2 and P-3) differ from each other with respect to neurochemical characteristics. Cytospectrophotometric studies reveal the increase in the content (per one cell) and concentration of total protein and RNA in cells of the preoptic nuclei of the frog only during one of the resting forms of the primary sleep (P-3), which represents functional homologue of the intermediate sleep of reptiles and sleep of homoiothermic animals. These anabolic changes were not observed during two other resting forms of the primary sleep, this finding being consistent with divergent development of resting forms of the primary sleep in evolution of vertebrates.

[Late complications in patients having undergone a gastric resection]. / K voprosu o pozdnikh oslozhneniiakh u bol'nykh, perenesshikh rezektsiiu zheludka.

A total of 37 patients who had undergone partial gastrectomy for duodenal or gastric ulcers, were investigated. The postoperative periods ranged from 5 to 28 years. All the patients were subjected to comprehensive clinical and neurologic examinations. The content of vitamin B12 and folic acid in the blood serum was studied by radioimmunoassay in 29 gastrectomized patients, hematological parameters (hemoglobin, serum iron, red blood cell morphology, proteinogram) were estimated in 19 patients. The mean content of vitamin B12 in the blood serum of patients was lower than in normal subjects. The mean level of folic acid in the blood of patients was also lower than in the control, however, this difference was insignificant. Nine patients had subnormal content of vitamin B12, eight of them showed manifest neurologic complications, such as myelopathy and polyneuropathy. Only 3 patients had subnormal content of folic acid in the blood serum. Weakly pronounced anemic syndrome was detected only in 2 out of 19 patients. The role of vitamin B12 deficiency in the development of neurologic symptoms has been considered.

[The use of barberry berries in human nutrition]. / Ispol'zovanie iagod barbarisa obyknovennogo v pitanii cheloveka.

The contents of carbohydrates, organic acids, some vitamin, poliphenolic compounds, pectin tannin, mineral elements, in berberis vulgaris are presented. Describle utilize berberis in traditional medicine and dietetica are also outlined.

Comparison between myringotomy and tympanostomy tubes in combination with adenoidectomy in 3-7-year-old children with otitis media with effusion.

The specific aim of this study was to compare, by means of a randomized clinical trial, the efficacy between the two surgical combinations - adenoidectomy with myringotomy and tympanostomy (A+T) and adenoidectomy with myringotomy (A+M) - in reducing middle ear disease in children with otitis media with effusion (OME). Seventy-eight 3-7-year-old patients (156 ears) with a history of bilateral middle ear effusion for at least 3 months were randomly assigned to either A+T or A+M. Hearing threshold levels, recurrence rate of the effusion and episodes of acute otitis media (AOM) and otorrhea were evaluated for a follow-up period of 1 year. Audiometry testing showed that there was no statistically significant difference in the hearing loss levels of both groups during the whole follow-up period. Free of AOM episodes were 72% of the patients in the A+T group and 75% of those in the A+M group. None of the patients with A+M had episodes with otorrhea which contrasted with the 40% occurrence rate in the A+T group. During the follow-up period we documented a 10% recurrence rate of OME in the A+T group and 14% recurrence rate in the A+M group. Overall our data suggests that the insertion of tympanostomy tubes in association with adenoidectomy provides no additional benefit to adenoidectomy in association with myringotomy alone in terms of hearing loss or AOM episode occurrences in patients with bilateral otitis media with effusion. Furthermore no relationship was found between the choice of operative intervention and the recurrence rate of OME despite the slightly greater relative risk in the A+M group.