Cationic Polystyrene Latex Nanocarriers for Immunostimulatory Long Double-Stranded RNA Delivery to Ovarian Cancer Cells.

Long double-stranded (ds)RNA, a potent stimulator of type I interferon and the innate immune response. In the present study, we demonstrated, for the first time, the efficacy of cationic polystyrene latex nanostructures (clNPs) as a dsRNA carrier, improving cellular delivery and robustly potentiating the immunostimulatory capacity of dsRNA in the ovarian cancer cell line SKOV3. The clNPs complexed with an in vitro transcribed dsRNA molecule, were bound by SKOV3 cells, and had increased cellular association compared to uncomplexed clNPs. clNPs complexed with dsRNA induced a more robust innate immune response compared to dsRNA alone. Transcript expression of two interferon-stimulated genes, were increased 47- and 108-fold over dsRNA and induced a significant antiviral state against vesicular-stomatitis virus, resulting in a 3.3-fold improvement on the efficacy of dsRNA. These data highlight the potential of polystyrene latex nanostructures as dsRNA carriers for anticancer immunotherapies, improving the uptake and efficacy of the nucleic acid.

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering measurement from a lipid bilayer encapsulating a single decahedral nanoparticle mediated by an optical trap.

We present a new technique for the study of model membranes on the length-scale of a single nano-sized liposome. Silver decahedral nanoparticles have been encapsulated by a model unilamellar lipid bilayer creating nano-sized lipid vesicles. The metal core has two roles (i) increasing the polarizability of vesicles, enabling a single vesicle to be isolated and confined in an optical trap, and (ii) enhancing Raman scattering from the bilayer, via the high surface-plasmon field at the sharp vertices of the decahedral particles. Combined this has allowed us to measure a Raman fingerprint from a single vesicle of 50 nm-diameter, containing just ∼104 lipid molecules in a bilayer membrane over a surface area of <0.01 µm2, equivalent to a volume of approximately 1 zepto-litre. Raman scattering is a weak and inefficient process and previous studies have required either a substantially larger bilayer area in order to obtain a detectable signal, or the tagging of lipid molecules with a chromophore to provide an indirect probe of the bilayer. Our approach is fully label-free and bio-compatible and, in the future, it will enable much more localized studies of the heterogeneous structure of lipid bilayers and of membrane-bound components than is currently possible.

Plasmon mediated shape and size selective synthesis of icosahedral silver nanoparticles via oxidative etching and their 1-D transformation to pentagonal pins.

A size- and shape-selective synthesis of pentagonally twinned silver icosahedral nanoparticles (AgIhNPs), one of the five platonic solid morphologies, has been developed by integrating three key factors: nuclei templating by copper, photochemical development using violet LED light and chemical oxidative etching. The presence of copper is essential for AgIhNP shape selection via the promotion of icosahedral nuclei in precursor NPs. Violet light (401-410 nm) is crucial to promote plasmonic selection of near-spherical AgIhNPs. Oxidative etching with hydrogen peroxide and photochemical reduction with citrate establishes a red-ox equilibrium for the photochemical selection of AgIhNPs. The addition of chloride ions improves size- and shape-selectivity. Finally, the demonstration of 1-D growth of AgIhNPs to pentagonal pins initiated at AgIhNP pentagonal-twinned defects highlights a universal role of twinned defects for the formation of anisotropic nanoparticles.

[Ormond's disease complicated by infectious endocarditis].

A case of retroperitoneal fibrosis (Ormond's disease) is reported. It is known to be usually diagnosed at the late stages of renal complications Urinary infection ended in infectious endocarditis caused by E. faecium showing multiple resistance to antibiotics. Moderate immunosuppressive and modern antibacterial (daptomycin) therapy ensured remission of both Ormond's diseases and endocarditis.

[Comparative analysis and clinical experience with osteoplastic materials materials based on non-demineralized bone collagen and artificial hydroxylapatite at the close of bone defects in ambulatory surgical dentistry].

BACKGROUND: In the presence of bone defects during surgery is not always performed osteoptastic material replenishment defect that leads to a lengthening of the timing healing, bone regeneration, and treatment outcome. Application of osteoplastic materials allows for faster treatment outcomes, accelerate the regeneration of bone tissue in the area of the defect. AIM: To examine the effectiveness of materials based on non-demineralized bone collagen and artificial hydroxylapatite when filling bone defects in outpatient surgical practice dentistry. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 22 patients with bone defects of various localization using osteoplastic materials were examined and treated. In our study, two groups were allocated on the etiology of bone loss: radicular cysts and chronic generalized periodontitis. Basic methods of diagnosis and monitoring of treatment in the work presented with the cone-beam computed tomography and digital orthopantomography. RESULTS: Application of the testing osteoplastic materials resulted in faster recovery times with a combination of bone defects using resorbable membranes or gel enriched fibrin. In all 22 patients both tested materials were well tolerated, allergic reactions were not identified. However, five patients with a history of endocrinological history, during which treatment material is applied on the basis non-demineralized bone collagen, the degree of osseointegration has been reduced by 25% compared to the somatic healthy patients. In 3 patients with a history of hematological history, during which the treatment was applied material on the basis of artificial hydroxyapatite, the regeneration of the bone defect was reduced by 20%, which suggests the influence of somatic condition of the patient on the regeneration of bone tissue. Currently, all patients are on dynamic monitoring, recurrence has been detected. CONCLUSION: Materials based on non-demineralized bone collagen and hydroxyapatite artificial equally successful during the replacement of the bone defect during surgery. However, the degree of regeneration may be different if the patient has a history of aggeravated that should be considered when planning treatment.

[Magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis].

Overall 52 patients with acute pancreatitis were examined with MRI and spiral CT. The examination was performed during 24 hours from admission time. Results of examination were assessed confidentially by 3 experts with 5-scores scale. Non-parametric chi-square criterion was used for significances detection. MRI demonstrated advantages over spiral CT in diagnosis of fat necrosis, sequestration and hemorrhages. MRI compares well with contrast CT in diagnosis of pancreonecrosis. MRI permits to diagnose destructive lesions in pancreas without contrast agent, and accordingly without additional effect on pancreas and kidneys. It is concluded that MRI is high informative method in diagnosis of acute pancreatitis and its complications.

[Development of liver surgery at the Vishnevsky Central Military Clinical Hospital]. / Razvitie gepatokhirurgii v TsVKG im. A. A. Vishnevskogo.

The work of coloproctological center of Vishnevsky Central Military Clinical Hospital for he last 10 years is analyzed. The increased number of treated patients and surgical interventions is noted. The greatest group includes the oncological patients and 90% of them are operated radically. Among the peculiarities of treatment tactics the introduction of laparoscopic operations, interoperation intraperitoneal hyperthermal chemotherapy for relapses and metastases, Lango operation for haemorrhoids are noted. 72 casualties with colon injuries were treated in the center.

[Cryosurgical treatment in metastatic liver cancer]. / [Kriokhirugicheskoe lechenie metastaticheskogo raka pecheni]

All patients endured cryosurgical operations well. Right-sided pleurisy developed in one patient that was eliminated by single puncture of pleural cavity. Short thrombocytopenia was observed in two patients. At present the patients are under dynamic control and the signs of further tumoral growth in the liver are not revealed. According to the data of ultrasonic investigation and computer tomography the process of connective tissue organization expressiveness of which depends on time of surgical intervention was noted in the areas of hepatic tissue subjected to cryosurgery.

[Comparative assessment of diagnostic capacities of thoracic fluorography, film x-ray study and small-dose digital x-ray study]. / Sravnitel'naia otsenka fliuorograpfii, plenochnoi rentgenografii i malodozovoi tsifrovoi rentgenografii grudnoi polosti.

The efficiency of small-dose digital X-ray study (SDDXRS) of the chest versus film X-ray study (FXRS) and fluorography was studied during prophylactic surveys. SDDXRS competes only with FXRS in evaluating the normal anatomic structures and it compares much favourably with fluography. In chest abnormalities, SDDXRS, unlike FXRS, cannot reveal fine linear shadows, detect bullae in the lung, the upper margin of pleural exudates, changes in the bones worse, but shows soft focal shadows of the decay cavity, abnormal changes behind the shadow of the heart. The efficiency of SDDXRS was superior to fluography in detecting tuberculosis in all points, at the same time SDDXRS virtually have no spoilage that is about 18% at fluography.

[The use of computed X-ray tomography for assessing the local spread and lymphogenic metastasis of stomach cancer]. / Primenenie rentgenovskoi komp'iuternoi tomografii dlia otsenki mestnogo rasprostraneniia i limfogennogo metastazirovaniia raka zheludka.

The results of application of computer tomography (CT) in 118 patients with gastric cancer were analyzed. The method accuracy in estimation of the cancer in gastric wall spread constitutes 0.98, sensitivity--0.94, and the specificity--0.99. The method accuracy in revealing of the tumor invasion in retroperitoneal space and diaphragmatic crura constitutes 1.0, in liver--0.99, in splenic hilus--0.98, in colon transversum--0.96, in pancreas--0.94. Differential diagnosis of metastatic affection contra inflammatory changes of lymphatic nodes according to the CT data is sophisticated one. The probability to reveal the presence of metastases in lymphatic nodes more 10 mm in size, belonging to the 2nd or the 3d system of regional lymphatic drainage, constitute 85-100%.

[Possibilities of computerized tomography in the diagnosis of recurrences of cancer of the large intestine]. / Vozmozhnosti komp'iuternoi tomografii v diagnostike retsidiva raka tolstoi kishki.

To study the potentialities of CT in the diagnosis of recurrent cancer of the large bowel, 325 patients underwent various surgical interventions for colorectal carcinoma were examined. The surgery-CT study interval ranged from 2,5 months to 11 years. It was found that CT might detect various intra- and extraintestinal relapses and generalize a tumorous process. With this, the efficiency of CT is higher than that of other diagnostic tools in the detection of extraintestinal relapses and generalizing the tumorous process. To timely reveal a relapse the CT interval should exceed 4-5 months.

[Improvement in integrative processes is the basis for raising the quality of radiodiagnosis in a general hospital]. / Sovershenstvovanie integratsionnykh protsessov--osnova povysheniia kachestva luchevoi diagnostiki v mnogoprofil'nom gospitale.

The article is based on the retrospective analysis of a 5-year experience of work of the Vishnevskii Central Military Hospital roentgenological center which is composed of two roentgenological sections, as well as sections of angiography, ultrasonic, radiological diagnosis, etc. The trends for optimum functioning of this center were determined to enhance its capacities in the conditions of multipurpose hospital. It was marked that roentgenological center as a functional unit was an important part of medical diagnostical process. The main task of this center is to coordinate the work of sections of radiodiagnosis in order to make the more rational use of diagnostical methods.