Comparative study of treatment efficacy in severe intraepithelial squamous cell lesions and preinvasive cervical cancer by conization and chlorin e6-mediated fluorescence-assisted systemic photodynamic therapy

BACKGROUND

Cervical cancer (CC) occupies a leading position in incidence among young women of reproductive age. In this connection, it is urgent to search for the most effective approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of this pathology. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the PDT method using Cе6 with the control of the photobleaching using video and spectral fluorescence diagnostic methods, to develop the method of fluorescence-assisted systemic photodynamic therapy mediated with chlorin e6 for treatment CIN 3 and CIS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A randomized comparative clinical study was conducted involving 94 women aged 18 to 49 years with histologically verified severe intraepithelial squamous cell lesions of the cervix or preinvasive cervical cancer. The patients were included in 2 groups: in the first group conization of the cervix was performed with curettage of the remaining part of the cervical canal; patients in the second group underwent the chlorin e6-mediated fluorescence-assisted systemic photodynamic therapy.

RESULTS

The absolute majority of patients in the main group after the first course of chlorin e6-mediated fluorescence-assisted systemic photodynamic therapy showed normalization of cytological parameters and colposcopic picture, while women from the comparison group showed signs of cervical lesions statistically significantly more often. These changes corresponded to the dynamics of the proliferation markers expression in the cells of intraepithelial squamous cell lesions. Also, patients of the second group who were planning a pregnancy had better reproductive outcomes after treatment compared to those of the first group.

CONCLUSION

In general, higher clinical efficacy and safety of the use of the chlorin e6-mediated fluorescence-assisted systemic photodynamic therapy in the treatment of intraepithelial squamous cell lesions and preinvasive cervical cancer have been established compared to the use of standard treatment methods.

Cost-effective device for locating and circumscribing superficial tumors with contrast enhancement and fluorescence quantification

BACKGROUND

Two Bispectral contrast enhancement approaches for the fluorescence diagnosis with chlorine-e6 and a wide field-of-view imaging system with fluorescence excitation at 405 nm and time-resolved background suppression were analyzed and compared.

METHODS

Two techniques for the contrast enhancement of a fluorescent video system (Red/Green (R/G) ratio and Red-Green (R-G)) with time-resolved background suppression for fluorescent diagnosis (FD) were tested in four patients with basal cell carcinoma (BCC).

RESULTS

The results of both contrast enhancement methods were compared for the diagnostic efficiency for FD of BCC. Both techniques successfully determined the boundaries of the lesions and the fluorescence intensity.

CONCLUSIONS

Both contrast enhancement modes have proven effective in identifying tumor borders in cases of low contrast in BCC FD with Ce6. While the Red/Green (R/G) mode provides sharper lesion borders, the Red minus Green (R-G) mode visualizes more fluorescent features and makes it easier to assess the lesion margins.

[First experience of applying domestic video fluorescent equipment for visualization and blood flow evaluation of the parathyroid glands]

In recent years, predictive methods for assessing the preservation of the parathyroid glands have been actively implemented. The article describes the first experience of evaluating the blood supply of the parathyroid glands by quantitative determination of the indocyanine green (ICG) accumulation index in real time in 6 patients before and after a thyroidectomy with central neck lymph node dissection for papillary thyroid cancer. Intraoperative fluorescent angiography was performed by using domestic equipment with a fluorescent module, as well as by using a domestic medication of ICG. Intraoperative values of the ICG accumulation index were compared with the levels of ionized calcium and parathyroid hormone perioperatively. No clinical manifestations of hypocalcemia were detected in the postoperative period. The obtained results showed the informativeness of the numerical assessment of the intensity of ICG fluorescence. The evaluation of the distribution (accumulation) of ICG has prospects for practical application in thyroid surgery in the formation of tactics for preserving the parathyroid glands and predicting postoperative hypoparathyreosis.

Preliminary low-dose photodynamic exposure to the skin cancer with chlorin e6 photosensitizer

BACKGROUND

The study was aimed to investigate the chlorin e6 photosensitizer distribution in the tumor and tumor border (5 mm) during low-dose photodynamic treatment and to increase the effectiveness of the therapy for skin neoplasms.

METHODS

Sensitized boundaries of neoplasms were evaluated by video fluorescence imaging. The study of changes in the chlorin e6 distribution before/after photodynamic therapy and in the process of low-dose photodynamic exposure was carried out by the method of spectral fluorescence diagnostics.

RESULTS

All 19 patients with basal-cell skin cancer had a contrast of chlorin e6 accumulation compared to normal tissues. 3 hours after intravenous administration of the photosensitizer at a dose of 1 mg/kg, the chlorin e6 concentration was: in normal tissues - 0.18 mg/kg, in the tumor - 1.26 mg/kg, in the tumor border - 0.63 mg/kg. In most cases, the fluorescence indices of chlorin e6 in tumor tissues after low-dose photodynamic therapy increased and exceeded the values before light exposure.

CONCLUSION

Low-dose photodynamic therapy seems to be the optimal method for treating neoplasms, which does not cause severe pain in patients during the light exposure and allows locally increasing of the photosensitizer concentration in tumor tissues. This method of photodynamic therapy can improve the effectiveness of thе treatment.

[Biofilm control in urological practice]

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) have long been among the most common diseases. In the structure of the general infectious morbidity, UTIs rank second after acute respiratory viral infection. Every year, researchers note an increasing number of mutations in the genomes of bacteria that cause infectious diseases, which leads to the formation of more and more aggressive forms of pathogens. Patients with infectious diseases of the urinary system have the highest risk of biofilm formation, the frequency of which is directly proportional to the length of time the urethral catheter is located and accounts for more than half of all nosocomial infections. The presence of resistant strains of pathogenic bacteria and the development of bacterial biofilms are major problems in the treatment of urinary tract infections. The increasing number of nosocomial bacterial strains in the hospital increases the postoperative bed-day, the frequency of readmission and the number of antibacterial drugs used. In light of increasing antibacterial resistance, the use of medical resources is dramatically increasing, which ultimately leads to an increase in the cost of treatment. Along with this, the selection of resistant strains brings to the fore both the rational use of antibacterial drugs and the search for alternative methods of therapy. This review of publications on the problem of bacterial biofilm formation in urological practice demonstrates updated information on the role of enzymes, probiotics, and bacteriophages in preventing biofilm formation on various medical biomaterials, such as urethral catheters.

Early results of multiple coronary artery bypass grafting on arteries less than 1.5 mm in diameter

 

The widespread using of coronary artery (CA) stenting has led to the fact that nowadays coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is the method of choice for patients with multiple occlusions and diffuse lesions, who can be refused in surgery due to “small”, not specified in the guidelines, CA (diameter less than 1.5 mm). The use of microsurgical technique makes it possible to reconstruct small-caliber vessels, however, no detailed comparative data has been published yet.

Aim

To analyze the efficacy of CABG using microsurgical techniques for multiple CA bypass with arteries less than 1.5 mm and compare the results with coronary surgery of larger vessels in the early postoperative period.

Methods

We studied the early results of CABG in two groups of patients. The study group was represented by 100 patients with multiple coronary artery lesions with d<1.5 mm, who underwent control MSCT-shuntography in the postoperative period. We formed a control group of 100 patients who underwent CABG with a target artery d>1.5 mm. In all cases cardiopulmonary bypass and microsurgical technique were used.

Results

All patients underwent complete revascularization of CA, the average number of distal anastomoses was 4,3±0,5 in the study group versus 3.6±0,3 in the comparison group, p<0,001. Intraoperatively in the study group significantly more often performed complex anastomoses to arteries <1,5mm (47 patients vs 18, p<0,001), onlay-flap anastomoses (23 vs 1, p<0,001), single and multiple endarterectomies (19 vs 1, p<0,001). The need for long-term inotropic support (15 cases vs 13, p=0,684), as well as prolonged artificial lung ventilation (2 vs 3, p=0,651), in hospital stage was similar in both groups. Patients from the study group more often underwent reexploration for bleeding in the early postoperative period, which was explained by a large number of complex reconstructions and prolonged on pump time, nevertheless, the difference did not reach statistical significance (4 vs 2, p=0,407). Perioperative myocardial infarction (MI) were registered in 3 (3%) and 1 (1%) cases in the study and control groups, respectively, p=0,621. All patients in the study group underwent MSCT-shuntography in the early postoperative period, according to which 8 patients (8%) had occlusion of the autovenous coronary grafts to the CA<1.5mm and 4 patients (4%) - occlusion of the bypasses to CA>1.5 mm.

Conclusion

CABG in patients with coronary arteries less than 1.5 mm in diameter requires complex reconstructive techniques significantly more often. Nevertheless, in the early postoperative period, it is possible to achieve comparable results in the patient groups with and without CA<1,5mm in the anastomotic sites.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Photodynamic therapy of classic Kaposi's sarcoma with video-fluorescence control

BACKGROUND

Kaposi's sarcoma (multiple idiopathic hemorrhagic sarcoma, Kaposi's angiosarcoma) is an angioproliferative neoplasm of endothelial origin associated with human herpes virus 8 (HHV - 8) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The incidence of the classical form of Kaposi's sarcoma (КS) varies significantly in different geographical areas from 0.14/1 million people (both men and women) to 10.5 per 1 million men and 2.7 per 1 million women. The onset of КS is typical at the age of 35-39 in men and 25-39 years in women.

CASE REPORT

A case of successful treatment of a recurrent non-HIV and non-HHV-8 Kaposi's sarcoma with PDT in a 79-year old man.

RESULTS

After the recieved photodynamic treatment, complete pathologic response was achieved, i.e., Grade 5 tumor response according to Miller-Payne histological grading system (1999). The overall condition has significantly improved with no clinical tumor signs.

CONCLUSION

This report describes a good outcome with PDT in the treatment of Kaposi's sarcoma. The results obtained are initial, but encouraging, demonstrating good tolerance, safety and high efficacy of PDT in classical КS. The successful use of PDT in cutaneous manifestations of HIV-associated KS is also described in literature.

Supramolecular structures of NiII and CuII with the sterically demanding Schiff base dyes driven by cooperative action of preagostic and other non-covalent interactions

This work reports on synthesis and extensive experimental and theoretical investigations on photophysical, structural and thermal properties of the NiII and CuII discrete mononuclear homoleptic complexes [Ni(L I,II)2] and [Cu(L I,II)2] fabricated from the Schiff base dyes o-HOC6H4-CH=N-cyclo-C6H11 (HL I) and o-HOC10H6-CH=N-cyclo-C6H11 (HL II), containing the sterically crowding cyclo-hexyl units. The six-membered metallocycles adopt a clearly defined envelope conformation in [Ni(L II)2], while they are much more planar in the structures of [Ni(L I)2] and [Cu(L I,II)2]. It has been demonstrated by in-depth bonding analyses based on the ETS-NOCV and Interacting Quantum Atoms energy-decomposition schemes that application of the bulky substituents, containing several C-H groups, has led to the formation of a set of classical and unintuitive intra- and inter-molecular interactions. All together they are responsible for the high stability of [Ni(L I,II)2] and [Cu(L I,II)2]. More specifically, London dispersion dominated intramolecular C-H⋯O, C-H⋯N and C-H⋯H-C hydrogen bonds are recognized and, importantly, the attractive, chiefly the Coulomb driven, preagostic (not repulsive anagostic) C-H⋯Ni/Cu interactions have been discovered despite their relatively long distances (∼2.8-3.1 Å). All the complexes are further stabilized by the extremely efficient intermolecular C-H⋯π(benzene) and C-H⋯π(chelate) interactions, where both the charge-delocalization and London dispersion constituents appear to be crucial for the crystal packing of the obtained complexes. All the complexes were found to be photoluminescent in CH2Cl2, with [Cu(L II)2] exhibiting the most pronounced emission - the time-dependent density-functional-theory computations revealed that it is mostly caused by metal-to-ligand charge-transfer transitions.

Sublingual administration of 5-aminolevulinic acid for laser-induced photodiagnostics and photodynamic therapy of oral cavity and larynx cancers

BACKGROUND

The study aimed to develop a method for sublingual administration of 5-aminolevulinic acid to patients and evaluate its effectiveness in fluorescence diagnostics and photodynamic therapy of neoplasms of the oral cavity and larynx.

METHODS

The boundaries of the neoplasms were established by the video-fluorescence diagnostics and clarified using spectral-fluorescent diagnosis before and after photodynamic therapy.

RESULTS

The fluorescence diagnostics demonstrated a high accumulation of protoporphyrin IX, induced by sublingual administration of 5-aminolevulinic acid to patients before the photodynamic therapy and photobleaching of protoporphyrin IX in pathologically altered tissues after the photodynamic therapy. Glucose contained in the sublingual dose supports active transport of 5-ALA into the cells. It increases the PpIX accumulation in the cells, therefore improving the PD and PDT efficacy.

CONCLUSION

The study and the initially obtained results demonstrated the possibility and effectiveness of laser-induced photodiagnostics and photodynamic therapy with sublingual administration of 5-ALA to patients with premalignant lesions of the oral cavity and larynx. It can eliminate the threat of the transformation of these diseases into malignant tumors and prevent the need for surgical treatment.

[ORGANIZATION OF MEDICAL CARE FOR ELDERLY PATIENTS UNDER THE CONDITIONS OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC]

The first report of the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) appeared at the end of December 2019 and in March,2020 the World Health Organization announced COVID-19 a pandemic. The steady number of newly detected cases increase predetermined the modernization of the global healthcare system, shifting the paradigm of fighting with the COVID-19 pandemic towards maximum resource conservation. The change in the medical care provision for infectious patient's approach led first to a gradual decrease, and then to a complete cessation of planned surgical treatment, outpatient examinations, as well as observation of high-risk patients, which primarily include elderly patients. As a result of this, the key objective of this systematic review was to analyze sources of existing practice of providing urological care to patients of the older age group in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. In accordance with the search for the keywords, the study reflects world and its own experience of MSMSU Urology Department in the treatment of age-related patients in the current epidemiological situation. The analysis showed that infectious complications from the urinary system take a leading position among the common complications inherent in elderly patients with COVID-19. The development of catheter-associated infection, the occurrence of antibiotic-resistant forms of bacteria, asymptomatic bacteriuria are only a small part of the problems clinicians have to face in newly profiled departments.

[Alpha1-adrenergic blockers therapy and sexual function]

An increase in life expectancy and the number of older and elderly men, an improvement in the quality of medical care and socio-economic factors in most countries contributed to an increase in the number of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Currently, improvement of the quality of life is the mainstay of strategy for managing patients with BPH, as well as prevention of complications and the need for surgery. In this regard, the pharmacotherapy with 1-adrenergic blockers (1-AB) is widely used as an effective method for improving lower urinary tract symptoms and reducing the risk of BPH progression. Given that the quality of life is becoming increasingly important in evaluating the efficiency of BPH treatment, including therapy in elderly patients, it is necessary to take into account its effect on sexual function, when choosing a particular drug. The use of 1-AB can be accompanied by side effects manifested by various sexual disorders. Alfuzosin does not adversely affect sexual function in men with BPH, may improve erectile and ejaculatory function and should be considered as the drug of choice, especially in sexually active men and patients who already suffer from worsening ejaculatory function while using another 1-AB.

Resonance Assisted Hydrogen Bonding Phenomenon Unveiled through Both Experiments and Theory: A New Family of Ethyl N-Salicylideneglycinate Dyes

Extensive experimental and theoretical investigations are reported on the nature of resonance-assisted hydrogen bonding phenomenon (RAHB) and its influence on photophysical properties of the newly designed dyes differing in donor-acceptor properties, namely ethyl N-salicylideneglycinate (1), ethyl N-(5-methoxysalicylidene)glycinate (2), ethyl N-(5-bromosalicylidene)glycinate (3) and ethyl N-(5-nitrosalicylidene)glycinate (4). All compounds are thermochromic in the solid state and they contain a typical intramolecular O-H⋅⋅⋅N hydrogen bond formed between the hydroxyl hydrogen atom and the imine nitrogen atom, yielding the enol form in the solid state. It is unveiled, that the magnitude of RAHB effect fine tunes the strength of the O-H⋅⋅⋅N bonding and accordingly the relative populations of the enol, cis-keto and trans-keto forms leading to variation of the photophysical properties of 1-4. It is determined, that the electron-withdrawing NO₂ in 4 amplifies the most RAHB effect causing the breaking of the O-H⋅⋅⋅N hydrogen bond and accordingly formation of the dominant cis-keto isomer in both the solid state and EtOH. To this end, the UV/Vis spectra of 1-3 in EtOH revealed the exclusive presence of the enol form, while the prevalent contribution of the cis-keto form was found for 4. Furthermore, only compound 4 is emissive in the solid state in ambient condition due to dual emission arising from the cis-keto* and trans-keto* forms, while 2 was found to be highly emissive in EtOH. It is revealed qualitatively and quantitatively, based on the ETS-NOCV charge and energy decomposition scheme and the EDDB population-based method, that RAHB is strongly a non-local phenomenon based on electrons pumping or sucking through both the π- and σ-channels, which accordingly exerts chemical bonding changes at both the phenyl ring and predominantly a distant O-H⋅⋅⋅N area.

[Immune response to lower urinary tract infections]

Urinary tract infections are one of the most common and widespread infectious diseases. A certain role in etiopathogenesis may play genetic predisposition, as well as a decrease in antiadhesive properties and an increase in urothelium permeability due to incompetence of bladder glycosaminoglycan layer. The prevalence of infectious diseases increases significantly with age, as well as in patients with chronic diseases. The introduction of modern biotechnology has allowed clinicians to greatly expand therapeutic armamentarium, while having a number of advantages, including minimal frequency of complications and adverse events, the possibility for long-term use, accessibility, and etc. Priority research areas include the study of toll-like receptors, which are transmembrane proteins that provide pathogen recognition and activate the immune response. The role of these receptors in the development of the immune response to urinary tract infections was evaluated in our study, which allows to predict the course of the disease and to increase treatment efficiency.

[The possibilities of using levosimendan in medical preparation to Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting in coronary artery disease patients with low left ventricular ejection fraction]

AIM

to work out an approach of preoperative drug preparation for CAD patients with low LVEF and varying degrees of compensation for CHF, to study the possibility of using levosimendan (L) in this preparation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We studied 82 patients with severe angina pectoris, multivascular coronary disease, extensive postinfarction zone, LVEF ≤35%, chronic heart failure and proven viable myocardium, which performed CABG. All patients received long - term standard CHF therapy before surgery: loop diuretic, ACE/ARA, beta - blocker, aldosterone antagonist. In the first, retrospective part of the study (39 pts), it was determined which factors could be associated with perioperative AHF. In the second, prospective part (43 pts), the course of the operation and the early postoperative period in patients with compensated and uncompensated heart failure were compared; uncompensated pts received L 2 days before surgery in addition to standard therapy. The third, retro - prospective part of the study (37 pts) was the assessment of operation outcome in patients only with uncompensated pre - operative CHF, but with different preoperative drug preparation.

RESULTS

Statistically significant direct influence on the perioperative AHF development was provided by the combined clinical sign - venous pulmonary congestion+orthopnea (p.

[Prospects of using bacteriophages in urological practice]

In modern clinical practice, antimicrobial resistance creates a significant problem for the effective metaphylaxis of various infectious and inflammatory diseases of the urinary system. Annually, researchers note an increasing number of mutations in the genomes of bacteria that cause infectious diseases, which leads to the appearance of more aggressive strains. The inefficiency of antibiotic therapy requires to a search for alternative methods for treatment and prevention of infectious diseases. use of viruses that infect bacteria (bacteriophages) represent one of such methods. A literature review of recent publications indicates that phage therapy has been gained significant increase. The general aspects of phage therapy, mechanism of action, as well as the existing possibilities and limitations of phage therapy in treatment and prevention of infectious diseases of the urinary system are highlighted in this article.

[Microsurgery of coronary arteries using an operating microscope]

The world experience of coronary artery bypass surgery using an operating microscope is reviewed in the article. Important role of operating microscope and microsurgical techniques for coronary anastomoses formation is shown. High optical magnification provided by operating microscope directly affects the quality of surgical technique and accuracy of coronary anastomoses suturing that affects postoperative graft patency. Thus, the use of operating microscope can affect the results of coronary artery bypass surgery, as shown in several reports.

[Evaluation bacteriological analysis of urine in patients with long-term bladder drainage]

INTRODUCTION

The experience of comparative evaluation of the effectiveness of various types of urethral catheters in prevention of catheter-associated infection is described in this article.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study included 69 patients treated at the CCH n.a. S.I. Spasokukotsky in the period from December 2017 to March 2018. The average age of patients was 67.5 years. In all patients, the bladder was drained by a two-way Foley catheter No. 16-18 Ch (100% silicone). In the 1st group (n=18), the bladder was drained with a standard urethral uncoated catheter, in the 2nd (n=16) - with a silver impregnated urethral catheter, in the 3rd (n=15) - with an urethral catheter coated with nitrofuran, in the 4th (n=20) urethral catheter with the possibility of controlled irrigation of the bladder and urethra with antiseptic solutions and (a new model of the urethral catheter developed during cooperative work of the Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry n.a. A.I. Evdokimov Urology Department and National Medical Research Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology n.a. V.I. Kulakov).

RESULTS

The bladder was drained by Foley urethral catheter for more or equal 15 days. A microbiological study of urine (on the example of clinical isolates of conditionally pathogenic microorganisms) with preparation of an inoculum, inoculation of nutrient media, counting cultures of pathogenic bacteria and determining the sensitivity of pathogenic bacteria to antibiotics was carried out. The study showed the effectiveness of the new urethral catheter model in patients with long-term bladder drainage.

CONCLUSIONS

Conducting multicenter studies evaluating the effectiveness of the proposed urethral catheter model with the inclusion of a larger number of patients will reduce the economic costs, associated with treating patients with prolonged bladder drainage in the long term by reducing the number of nosocomial infection cases and reducing postoperative day.

[Giant Aneurysms in Coronary Arteries of a Young Woman]

Coronary arteries aneurysms with their thrombotic occlusion are known to be detected in young patients who have suffered Kawasaki disease in childhood. The other vascular beds are usually not involved. In the literature one can find not enough information regarding diagnostics of this pathology, as well as no specific treatment algorithm. We present here a clinical case of re-emergence of giant aneurysms of coronary arteries in the young female patient with subsequent immuno-histological confirmation of previous Kawasaki disease.

[The role of the uretral catheter in the development of catheter- related urinary tract infection]

The most common source of nosocomial infection is the urinary tract, especially if they it is drained with a urethral catheter. Catheter-associated urinary tract infections account for at least 80% of all complicated urinary tract infections and are the most common type of hospital-acquired infection. Intestinal microflora plays the leading role in the pathogenesis of catheter-associated urinary tract infections, whereas the most important risk factor for their development is the long duration of urinary catheter drainage. In the case of short-term and intermittent catheterization, routine antibiotic prophylaxis is not required, but if a patient develops clinically significant infection, antibiotic therapy is required followed by definitive therapy based on culture. Urethral catheters coated with antimicrobial substances and anti-inflammatory agents can significantly reduce the adhesion and migration of bacteria, thereby reducing the incidence of urinary tract infections. Despite this, the incidence of catheter-associated infection remains high. We have reviewed recent literature related to catheter-associated urinary tract infections and the best means of preventing this condition.

[Current methods of early diagnosis of prostate cancer]

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men, except for lung cancer. Therefore, it is imperative to identify diagnostic methods for early detection of prostate cancer to determine patients from healthy populations, which helps guide a timely treatment at an initial stage of the disease. The article provides an in-depth review of the most current diagnostic biomarkers of prostate cancer, their role in clinical practice as a means of the early detection and screening for prostate cancer.

Oxygen in bulk monocrystalline diamonds and its correlations with nitrogen

The distribution of oxygen and nitrogen impurities in diamond single crystals from a variety of origins and qualities was investigated using secondary ion mass spectrometry. A positive correlation between these impurities is observed over a wide concentration range. It is suggested that in diamonds oxygen is present not only in submicroscopic inclusions, but also as a lattice impurity. It appears that the presence of oxygen in a given crystal volume suppresses the IR-activity of nitrogen defects.