[Combined treatment of colorectal cancer followed by metastatic liver injury]. / Analiz rezul'tatov kombinirovannogo lecheniia bol'nykh kolorektal'nym rakom s metastaticheskim porazheniem pecheni.

AIM: To increase the effectiveness of treatment of colorectal cancer followed by metastatic liver lesion. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study included 319 patients with colorectal cancer and metastatic liver lesion Gennari grade I, II, and III for the period from 2002 to 2017. All patients received combined treatment. 107 patients underwent liver resections: right-sided hemihepatectomy - 10, advanced right-sided hemihepatectomy - 7, left-sided hemihepatectomy - 9, triple segmentectomy - 33, bisegmentectomy - 29, segmentectomy - 19 cases. Radiofrequency ablation of liver metastases was performed in 105 patients. Cool tip device with a power of 200 W was used for destruction. Fifty-seven patients underwent microwave destruction of liver tumor (AveCure MWG 881, 34 W). Transarterial chemoembolization by doxorubicin and HepaSpheres 150-250 ng was applied in 34 patients. RESULTS: Annual, 2-, 3- and 5-year survival was 83.1%, 73.5%, 60.2% and 24.6%, respectively after liver resection. RFA of liver metastases was followed by annual, 2- and 3-year survival near 73.5%, 53.3% and 32.1%, respectively. In case of MWA of liver metastases annual survival was 78.5%, 2-year - 63.3%, 3-year - 58.3%. CONCLUSION: Chemotherapy combined with targeted therapy, radiofrequency and microwave ablation is able to increase resectability up to 35-40% in patients with colorectal cancer followed by liver metastases. Minimally invasive procedures (RFA, MWA) reduce surgical risk in critically ill patients.

Role of vascular endothelial growth factor in non­small cell lung cancer pathogenesis.

UNLABELLED: The angiogenesis is an important process in the pathogenesis of malignancies. It is regulated by various growth factors, with the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) playing the central role. The aim of the present study was to evaluate possible associations of functional VEGF -2578C>A, -634G>C, and +936C>T polymorphisms with the risk for occurrence and progression of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in patients living in Republic of Belarus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 202 patients (147 males and 55 females) diagnosed as having the NSCLC. The control group consisted of 336 individuals (245 males and 91 females) without an oncopathology. The total DNA was isolated from peripheral blood. We investigated the single nucleotide polymorphisms of VEGF (rs 2010963), (rs 699947), (rs 3025039). The genotyping was performed by PCR-RFLP analysis. RESULTS: Our results revealed a marginally significant association of the -2578CC genotype (p=0.002) with a greater degree of tumor spread (Т2-Т4). Heterozygous genotypes -2578СА and +936СT carriers were included into the follow-up group significantly more often (р=0.021 and р=0.012, respectively). Our study demonstrate that VEGF -2578A/C and +936C/T polymorphisms are among the factors determining the individual peculiarities of NSCLC course in this population and can be used for clarifying the prognosis of the disease.

Intent to quit among daily and non-daily college student smokers.

Given the high prevalence of young adult smoking, we examined (i) psychosocial factors and substance use among college students representing five smoking patterns and histories [non-smokers, quitters, native non-daily smokers (i.e. never daily smokers), converted non-daily smokers (i.e. former daily smokers) and daily smokers] and (ii) smoking category as it relates to readiness to quit among current smokers. Of the 4438 students at six Southeast colleges who completed an online survey, 69.7% (n = 3094) were non-smokers, 6.6% (n = 293) were quitters, 7.1% (n = 317) were native non-daily smokers, 6.4% (n = 283) were converted non-daily smokers and 10.2% (n = 451) were daily smokers. There were differences in sociodemographics, substance use (alcohol, marijuana, other tobacco products) in the past 30 days and psychosocial factors among these subgroups of students (P < 0.001). Among current smokers, there were differences in cigarettes smoked per day, recent quit attempts, self-identification as a smoker, self-efficacy and motivation to quit (P < 0.001). After controlling for important factors, converted non-daily smokers were more likely to be ready to quit in the next month versus native non-daily smokers (OR = 2.15, CI 1.32-3.49, P = 0.002). Understanding differences among young adults with different smoking patterns and histories is critical in developing interventions targeting psychosocial factors impacting cessation among this population.

[Management of urological patients with HIV infection].

The analysis of urological care for HIV infected patients treated in Moscow city clinical hospital N 47 covers 12-year trends in hospitalization of HIV-infected urological patients, their nosological distribution, statistics of surgical outcomes. The highest efficacy of empiric antibacterial therapy of acute pyelonephritis in HIV-infected patients was seen in combined administration of fluorofloxacin of the second generation (ofloxacin) and nitroimidasol (metronidasol). Specific features of pharmacokinetics and interaction of antiretroviral drugs with medicines used in urological practice are analysed.

[The new MRI pulse sequence: experience in emergency neuroradiology].

The new pulse sequence (PS) has been obtained on MRI tomography Ellipse, B=0,15 and Biospec 70/30, B=7 T. The new pulse images of the brain combine features of FLAIR and its sensitivity to magnetic field heterogeneity. We named its PS as the T2 Fluid Attenuation Gradient Echo (T2 FLAGE). The T2 FLAGE characteristics of tissue contrast as well as its efficacy in detection of ICH have been assessed in 57 patients with acute stroke and in 16 experimental rats. The analysis of tissue contrast of lesions and normal brain structure has revealed the greater visibility of T2 FLAGE images compared to FLAIR. At the same time, the images sensitivity of magnetic field heterogeneity is retained. The ROC-analysis has shown that T2 FLAGE images are more effective in differential diagnosis of stroke type compared to FLAIR.

[Comparative assessment of MR-semiotics of acutest intracerebral hematomas in low- and extra high-field frequency magnetic resonance tomography].

An objective of the study was to compare sensitivity of low- and extra high-field frequency magnetic resonance (MR) tomography of acutest intracerebral hematomas (ICH) and to assess differences between symptoms in obtained images. A study was conducted using experimental ICH in rats (n=6). Hematomas were formed by two injections of autologic blood into the brain. MR-devices "Bio Spec 70/30" with magnetic field strength of 7 T and "Ellipse-150" with magnetic field strength of 0,15 T were used in the study. MR-tomography was carried out 3-5 h after the injections. Both MR-devices revealed the presence of pathological lesion in all animals. Extra highfield frequency MR-tomography showed the specific signs of ICH caused by the paramagnetic effect of deoxyhemoglobin in T2 and T2*-weighted images (WI) and low frequency MR-tomography - in T2*-WI only. The comparable sensitivity of low- and extra high-field frequency MR-devices in acutest ICH was established.

[Improvement of MRI effectiveness in the detection of intracerebral hematoma. Double inversion recovery].

A study aimed at developing the pulse consequence, the double inversion recovery (DIR), using low field magnetic tomography, and assessing its effectiveness in the detection of intracerebral hematoma. The research has been conducted at "Ellipse" MR tomograph. The new pulse sequence has been created by the modification of the regular FLAIR, its technical parameters were as follows: the first TI - 90 ms, the second TI - 1300 ms, TR - 4665 ms, echo - 3. Twenty-seven patients have been enrolled in the study. The tissue contrast coefficients on FLAIR and DIR images have been compared. It has been shown that the contrast coefficient of normal brain structures and brain lesions on the DIR images in regard to the white matter are significantly higher than on the FLAIR images. Results of the study revealed that the dynamics of MR symptoms of intracerebral hematoma is faster on the DIR images compared to the FLAIR ones. This finding can be used for detection of intracerebral hematoma in difficult clinical cases.

Tobacco sales in pharmacies: time to quit.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the pharmacy profession's perceptions of tobacco sales in US pharmacies and explore whether a policy prohibiting sales of tobacco in pharmacies would alter adult consumer shopping behaviour. SUBJECTS AND DESIGN: In California, surveys were administered to 1168 licensed pharmacists and 1518 pharmacy students, and telephone interviews were conducted with 988 adult consumers. RESULTS: Most (58.1%) licensed pharmacists were strongly against sales of tobacco in pharmacies, 23.6% were against it, 16.7% were neutral, 1.2% were in favour of it, and 0.4% were strongly in favour of it. Pharmacists who were current tobacco users were more likely to be in favour of tobacco sales in pharmacies than were pharmacists who were current non-users (p < 0.005). Similar statistics were observed for pharmacy students. Most consumers (72.3%) disagreed with the statement, "I am in favour of tobacco products being sold in drugstores"; 82.6% stated that if the drugstore where they most commonly shopped were to stop selling tobacco products, they would shop there just as often, 14.2% would shop there more often, and 3.2% would shop there less often. CONCLUSION: Little professional or public support exists for tobacco sales in pharmacies.

[Using energetic Doppler-angiography in combined diagnostics of prostatic abscess].

Diagnostic possibilities of conventional clinical-laboratory, physical methods, seroscale echography and energetic dopplerangiography (EDA) were compared in 32 patients with prostatic abscess (PA). Nonspecific symptoms hamper conventional PA diagnosis. PA is detected, as a rule, at transrectal ultrasonic investigation (TUI) which is effective in formed PA (sensitivity 100%) but is low effective in early PA (sensitivity 50%). Minimal size of PA detectable by TUI is 7 mm (mean 12 +/- 1.2 mm). EDA improves diagnostic potential of TUI in infiltrative PA (sensitivity 91.7%). In established PA, EDA confirms TUI findings. Transabdominal ultrasonography has insufficient resolution and must be used for PA screening.

[Xenogenous islets of Langerhans transplantation of insular cells without immunosuppressive therapy in the treatment of insulin-dependent diabetes].

Results of experimental and clinical xenotransplantation without immunosuppressive therapy in the treatment of insulin-dependent diabetes are summarized. Morphologic study demonstrated possibility of long-term preservation of macroencapsular xenogeneous culture of the insular cells in the blood of the recipients without immunosuppressive therapy. Thirteen patients with diabetes underwent surgery according to the developed method. Laboratory and clinical examinations demonstrated an increasing level of C-peptide, immunoreactive insulin, a decrease of fructozamine and insulin demand to 70-85%. It is concluded that intravascular xenotransplantation is an effective procedure, and it may be regarded as alternative to allotransplantation.

[Doppler technologies in combined diagnosis of acute pyelonephritis].

We studied diagnostic potentialities of conventional clinical, device, x-ray and ultrasonic methods including current Doppler technology in differentiation of serous and purulent stages of acute pyelonephritis (AP) in 50 patients (mean age 25.5 +/- 5.5 years). Energetic dopplerangiography (EDA) showed the highest diagnostic significance. EDA was highly informative in renal carbuncle and total purulent destruction of the kidney and low informative in serous and apostematous AP, renal abscess. Conventional ultrasonic, x-ray, clinical and device investigations as well as impulse dopplerography and color Doppler mapping of blood flow are of secondary importance in AP.

Youth and tobacco.

Youth around the world take up smoking and use tobacco products at high rates. Young people may not grasp the long-term consequences of tobacco use, although tobacco consumption and exposure has been shown to have significant negative health effects. Youth use a variety of tobacco products that are smoked, chewed, or sniffed, including machine-manufactured cigarettes, cigars, bidis, kreteks, sticks, and snuff. Prevention efforts have focused on countering those aspects that are believed to contribute to smoking uptake, such as tobacco industry advertising and promotion, and access to tobacco. There are many aspects of tobacco promotion through the media that have been more difficult to control, however, such as product placement within popular cinema movies. Once a youth has taken up tobacco, he or she is more likely than an adult to become addicted and should be offered treatment for tobacco cessation. Although there is not yet sufficient evidence to prove efficacy, the same treatments are suggested for youth as are recommended for adults, including nicotine replacement products. Given the severity of the tobacco epidemic worldwide and the devastating health effects on an individual and population basis, there are currently many efforts to curtail the tobacco problem, including the World Health Organization (WHO) sponsored Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. It is through comprehensive and collaborative efforts such as this that the global hazard of tobacco is most likely to be overcome.

[Indirect electrochemical blood oxidation in the prophylaxis of suppurative-inflammatory complications after transurethral resection of the prostate]. / Nepriamoe élektrokhimicheskoe okislenie krovi v profilaktike gnoino-vospalitel'nykh oslozhnenii posle transuretral'noi rezektsii prostaty.

To investigate efficiency of indirect electrochemical blood oxidation in prophylaxis of infectious complications, 28 patients were treated with 0.06% hypochlorite solution (2 infusions, 2-3 days before TURP). These patients belonged to a high-risk group of infectious complications (80% of them had chronic prostatitis, 8 patients had bladder stones, 8 had undergone cystostomy). The results demonstrated that the complication rate in the above prepared patients fell four times as compared to the control group and the postoperati hospital stay was reduced by 3 days.

[Differential diagnostic value of prostate-specific antigen in prostatic hyperplasia]. / Differentsial'no-diagnosticheskoe znachenie prostaticheskogo spetsificheskogo antigena pri giperplazii predstatel'noi zhelezy.

Diagnostic value of prostate specific antigen (PSA) was studied in 163 patients with prostatic hyperplasia. As PSA is not a cancer-specific test, it is recommended to obtain biopsy in patients with prostatic hyperplasia and PSA > 4 ng/ml to diagnose prostatic cancer early. Methods raising PSA specificity for differential diagnosis of prostatic hyperplasia are not absolutely reliable.

Nicotine dependence, withdrawal symptoms, and adolescents' readiness to quit smoking.

The purpose of this study was to characterize nicotine dependence and nicotine withdrawal symptoms among adolescent smokers and to investigate associations between these key factors and adolescents' readiness to quit smoking. A total of 5624 high school students participated in a school-based survey. Of 1111 adolescents who were current or former smokers, the following stage-of-change distribution for smoking cessation was observed: precontemplation, 52.5%; contemplation, 16.0%; preparation, 7.5%; action, 13.2%; and maintenance, 10.8%. Among current smokers, 18.1% were substantially dependent on nicotine, 45.2% had moderate dependence, and 36.7% had no dependence. Higher proportions of current smokers than successful quitters reported withdrawal symptoms with their most recent quit attempts. Precontemplators exhibited significantly higher mean nicotine dependence scores than did students in the contemplation or preparation stages (F(2,837) = 12.03; p < 0.0001). A similar trend was observed for withdrawal-symptom scores across the stages of change. The nicotine dependence and withdrawal-symptom scores were significantly correlated (r = 0.44, p < 0.001). Nicotine dependence and nicotine withdrawal appear to interfere with adolescents' abilities and readiness to quit smoking, suggesting a potential role for nicotine replacement therapy in the treatment of tobacco use and dependence among adolescents.

Validation of the modified Fagerström tolerance questionnaire with salivary cotinine among adolescents.

This study was conducted to gain evidence of validity for a nicotine dependence measure for adolescent smokers. We hypothesized that the individual item responses and the total Fagerström Tolerance Questionnaire (FTQ) score would be positively correlated with cotinine values. We examined the relationship between a seven-item modified FTQ and saliva continine among 131 adolescent volunteers in a smoking cessation program. As anticipated, the total FTQ score was related to saliva cotinine (r = .40, p < .01), as were six of the seven individual FTQ items (p < .05). Our findings provide preliminary evidence that the modified FTQ scale is valid and applicable to adolescent smokers.