Artificial Intelligence in Neurosurgery: a Systematic Review Using Topic Modeling. Part I: Major Research Areas.

In recent years, the number of scientific publications on artificial intelligence (AI), primarily on machine learning, with respect to neurosurgery, has increased. The aim of the study was to conduct a systematic literature review and identify the main areas of AI applications in neurosurgery. METHODS: Using the PubMed search engine, we found and analyzed 327 original articles published in 1996-2019. The key words specific to each topic were identified using topic modeling algorithms LDA and ARTM, which are part of the AI-based natural language processing. RESULTS: Five main areas of neurosurgery, in which research into AI methods are underway, have been identified: neuro-oncology, functional neurosurgery, vascular neurosurgery, spinal neurosurgery, and surgery of traumatic brain injury. Specifics of these studies are characterized. CONCLUSION: The information presented in this review can be instrumental in planning new research projects in neurosurgery.

Artificial Intelligence Technologies in Neurosurgery: a Systematic Literature Review Using Topic Modeling. Part II: Research Objectives and Perspectives.

The current increase in the number of publications on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in neurosurgery indicates a new trend in clinical neuroscience. The aim of the study was to conduct a systematic literature review to highlight the main directions and trends in the use of AI in neurosurgery. METHODS: Using the PubMed search engine, 327 original journal articles published from 1996 to July 2019 and related to the use of AI technologies in neurosurgery, were selected. The typical issues addressed by using AI were identified for each area of neurosurgery. RESULTS: The typical AI applications within each of the five main areas of neurosurgery (neuro-oncology, functional, vascular, spinal neurosurgery, and traumatic brain injury) were defined. CONCLUSION: The article highlights the main areas and trends in the up-to-date AI research in neurosurgery, which might be helpful in planning new scientific projects.

[Experience of using the antibacterial drug Fosfomycin Esparma for the treatment of acute uncomplicated cystitis in women].

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the antibacterial drug fosfomycin trometamol (Fosfomycin Esparma) in women of reproductive age with acute uncomplicated cystitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In order to assess the efficacy and safety of using fosfomycin trometamol (Fosfomycin Esparma), a prospective, non-randomized, uncontrolled study involving 32 women with acute uncomplicated cystitis was carried out. The average patients age was 27.3+/-3.1 years. Before the study, all women underwent a general clinical, bacteriological, and ultrasound examination. Inclusion criteria was the presence of pathognomonic symptoms of acute uncomplicated cystitis. Exclusion criteria were as following: complicated urinary tract infection, anatomical and functional disorders of the urinary tract, comorbidities. All patients were prescribed a study drug at a dose of 3 g, once. The efficiency of therapy was evaluated on days 3 and 14 after administration of Fosfomycin Esparma based on clinical and microbiological cure and safety. RESULTS: The only bacterial pathogen isolated from the urine was E. coli. In 4 cases (12.5%) strains produced extended-spectrum -lactamase. The sensitivity of E. coli to fosfomycin, piperacillin/tazobactam, amikacin and meropenem was 100%. A resistance to ampicillin was 15.6%, compared to 9.4% for levofloxacin and norfloxacin and 12% for cefotaxime, ceftazidime, cefpoxin. By the 3rd day after receiving fosfomycin, the symptoms of cystitis were resolved in all patients. On day 14, according to the results of the urine culture, there was no growth of bacteria. During the follow-up period, no significant side effects was detected. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that antibacterial drug Fosfomycin Esparma in women of reproductive age with acute uncomplicated cystitis is effective and safe. Maintaining a high sensitivity to fosfomycin allows us to recommend this drug as an empirical antibiotic therapy in this cohort of patients.

[Urodynamics study in patients with urinary incontinence, after surgical treatment of localized prostate cancer].

AIM: Radical treatment of prostate cancer (PCa) is often associated with the development of urinary incontinence (UI). The etiology of UI after prostatectomy is multifactorial and can be caused by both urethral sphincter deficiency and bladder dysfunction. To date, there are no comparative studies of the development of UI in patients after either organ-preserving treatment or radical prostatectomy (RP). Considering this fact, our aim was to carry out the comparative assessment of urodynamic changes in these categories of patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study (n=158) was conducted. All patients were divided into three groups, depending on the method of treatment, HIFU (Group 1, n=32), retropubic RP (Group 2, n=46); robot-assisted RP (Group 3, n=80). The mean age was 71.8+/-3.68, 69.5+/-4.63 and 65.8+/-3.4 years in Group 1, 2 and 3, respectively (p<0.01). The average score was ICIQ-SF-14 points. The median follow-up was 2.7 years. In all cases a multi-channel urodynamics study in accordance with ICS standards was performed. RESULTS: Detrusor overactivity (DO) was detected in 22 (68.7%), 24 (52.1%) and 64 (80%) patients in Group 1, 2 and 3, respectively (p<0.001). In 14% of patients with DO (18%, 12% and 12% Group 1, 2 and 3, p<0.05), leakage test with stress provocative maneuver was negative. The decrease in the bladder compliancy was revealed in 75.9% of patients, and in 8.8% cases (n=14) it was associated with anatomical changes (12.5%, 8.6% and 7.5% in Group 1, 2 and 3, respectively, p<0.01). The mean maximum detrusor pressure was reduced in all patients. Bladder outlet obstruction was detected in 46.6%, 21.7% and 12.5% cases (p<0.001). There was no significant difference in the level of maximum urethral pressure in all groups, but it was significant in patients with negative breakdown at the threshold of abdominal pressure and DO (p<0.05, k=0.87). CONCLUSION: The high incidence of postoperative bladder dysfunction in patients of the studied groups revealed by us differs from the existing literature data, which dictates the need for a detailed assessment of bladder dysfunction when choosing a tactic for treating UI. In connection with the above, we consider it necessary to conduct further studies with a mandatory pre- and postoperative urodynamic assessment of the lower urinary tract in patients after surgical treatment of prostate cancer without UI.

AGGREGATION BY LECTIN-METHODICAL APPROACH FOR EFFECTIVE ISOLATION OF EXOSOMES FROM CELL CULTURE SUPERNATANT FOR PROTEOME PROFILING.

Exosomes are small membrane vesicles secreted by most cell types in vivo and in vitro. Exosomes are found in cell culture media, blood, urine, amniotic fluid, malignant ascite fluids and contain distinct subsets of microRNAs and proteins depending upon the tissue from which they are secreted. Thus exosomes constitute potential biomarkers of human diseases, such as cancer. A major bottleneck in the development of exosome-based diagnostic assays is the challenging purification of these vesicles; this requires time-consuming and instrument-based procedures. Isolation of exosomes can be a tedious, non-specific, and difficult process. Here, we provide a preparative technique for isolation of exosomes based on their ability to aggregate in the presence of lectins. The new method for lectin-based isolation of exosomes from cell culture media was developed as a sample preparation step for exosome-based protein biomarker research.

[Effectiveness of Reamberin in orthopedic knee surgery]. / Effektivnost' primeneniya reamberina pri ortopedicheskikh operatsiyakh na kolennom sustave.

AIM: To study an efficacy of Reamberine in complex therapy in early postoperative period after knee-joint surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: It was analyzed treatment of 108 patients (47 men and 61 women) with degenerative diseases of knee-joint in postoperative period. Periarticular osteotomy of tibia and knee-joint replacement were performed. Patients were divided into 2 groups. Main group consisted of 43 patients who received Reamberine 400-800 ml with infusion rate 4-5 ml/min during 1-1,5 hours for 4-8 days postoperatively. Control group (65 patients) had conventional therapy with daily volume 400-800 ml. RESULTS: It was revealed that Reamberine increased efficacy of postoperative treatment. There were earlier (by 52.6% compared with control group) improvement of health including weakness disappearance, sleep and appetite recovery. Hemodynamic parameters were also improved (stabilization of blood pressure and pulse). It was observed earlier disappearance of pain and edematous syndrome (by 32.3%). There were also earlier postoperative wound healing (by 21.3%) and reducing of rehabilitation terms (by 72%, i.e. 2.1 ± 0.7 vs. 7.5 ± 0.9 days respectively).