Pelvic vein thrombosis in patients with pelvic venous disorders.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the incidence of pelvic vein thrombosis (PVT) and outcomes of anticoagulant therapy for PVT in patients with pelvic venous disorders (PeVDs). METHODS: This prospective cohort study included 588 female patients with PeVDs underwent clinical examination followed by duplex ultrasound of the pelvic veins in 2021-2023. Patients with PVT were administered with anticoagulant therapy in an outpatient setting using low molecular weight heparins at a therapeutic dose. RESULTS: PVT was detected in 7.6% of patients with PeVDs and was symptomatic in 28.8% of them. The majority of asymptomatic patients had thrombosis in only one of the parametrial veins (90.6%). Anticoagulant therapy resulted in the PVT symptoms relief in all patients within 10 days and recanalization of the pelvic veins in 1-3 months. CONCLUSION: In our study, PVT was diagnosed in 7.6% of patients with PeVDs. Anticoagulant therapy is effective and safe in resolving PVT symptoms.

Effect of left renal vein compression stenosis on functional status of left kidney in patients with pelvic venous disorders.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the effect of left renal vein (LRV) compression stenosis on the functional state of the left kidney in patients with pelvic venous disorders (PeVDs). METHODS: We examined 162 female patients with PeVD and diagnosed LVR compression stenosis using duplex ultrasound (DUS) in 40. Patients with clinical manifestations of PeVD (n = 26) had symptoms and signs of pelvic venous congestion but without pain in the left flank of the abdomen, typical for nutcracker syndrome (NS). The remaining patients were asymptomatic (n = 14). The parameters measured with DUS included the angle of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) with the aorta, the LRV diameter (Dhilum/Dstenosis) ratio, and LRV velocity (Vstenosis/Vhilum) ratio. All the patients underwent laboratory testing (complete blood count, urinalysis, and biochemical blood testing) and dynamic renal scintigraphy to assess the secretory and evacuation functions of the renal tubular system. RESULTS: The laboratory tests revealed no abnormalities, including no hematuria or proteinuria, in either group. The Dhilum/Dstenosis and Vstenosis/Vhilum ratios varied from 2.8 to 5.2 and from 2.9 to 8.3, respectively, and did not differ between the symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. All 40 patients with LRV compression stenosis were diagnosed with left gonadal vein reflux with a mean duration of 4.7 ± 0.6 seconds and 2.2 ± 0.6 seconds in the symptomatic and asymptomatic patients, respectively (P = .005). Eight patients had signs of NS on DUS, including five in the symptomatic group (SMA angle, 34.8° ± 2.7°; Dhilum/Dstenosis ratio, 5.2 ± 0.2; and Vstenosis/Vhilum ratio, 5.7 ± 0.4) and three in the asymptomatic group (SMA angle, 35° ± 2.8°; Dhilum/Dstenosis ratio, 5; and Vstenosis/Vhilum ratio, 5 ± 0.5). The groups did not differ significantly in the DUS parameters. Scintigraphy did not reveal any cases of secretory or evacuation dysfunction of the left kidney, including in the patients with DUS signs of NS. The maximum uptake time, elimination half-life, and effective renal plasma flow were within the normal ranges. CONCLUSIONS: LRV compression stenosis without hematuria has no significant effects on the functional state of the left kidney, irrespective of the disease severity. In patients with PeVDs, dynamic renal scintigraphy provides an objective assessment of left kidney function.

Genomic Insights into Syntrophic Lifestyle of 'Candidatus Contubernalis alkaliaceticus' Based on the Reversed Wood-Ljungdahl Pathway and Mechanism of Direct Electron Transfer.

The anaerobic oxidation of fatty acids and alcohols occurs near the thermodynamic limit of life. This process is driven by syntrophic bacteria that oxidize fatty acids and/or alcohols, their syntrophic partners that consume the products of this oxidation, and the pathways for interspecies electron exchange via these products or direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET). Due to the interdependence of syntrophic microorganisms on each other's metabolic activity, their isolation in pure cultures is almost impossible. Thus, little is known about their physiology, and the only available way to fill in the knowledge gap on these organisms is genomic and metabolic analysis of syntrophic cultures. Here we report the results of genome sequencing and analysis of an obligately syntrophic alkaliphilic bacterium 'Candidatus Contubernalis alkaliaceticus'. The genomic data suggest that acetate oxidation is carried out by the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway, while a bimodular respiratory system involving an Rnf complex and a Na+-dependent ATP synthase is used for energy conservation. The predicted genomic ability of 'Ca. C. alkaliaceticus' to outperform interspecies electron transfer both indirectly, via H2 or formate, and directly, via pili-like appendages of its syntrophic partner or conductive mineral particles, was experimentally demonstrated. This is the first indication of DIET in the class Dethiobacteria.

Iron or sulfur respiration-an adaptive choice determining the fitness of a natronophilic bacterium Dethiobacter alkaliphilus in geochemically contrasting environments.

Haloalkaliphilic microorganisms are double extremophiles functioning optimally at high salinity and pH. Their typical habitats are soda lakes, geologically ancient yet widespread ecosystems supposed to harbor relict microbial communities. We compared metabolic features and their determinants in two strains of the natronophilic species Dethiobacter alkaliphilus, the only cultured representative of the class "Dethiobacteria" (Bacillota). The strains of D. alkaliphilus were previously isolated from geographically remote Mongolian and Kenyan soda lakes. The type strain AHT1T was described as a facultative chemolithoautotrophic sulfidogen reducing or disproportionating sulfur or thiosulfate, while strain Z-1002 was isolated as a chemolithoautotrophic iron reducer. Here, we uncovered the iron reducing ability of strain AHT1T and the ability of strain Z-1002 for thiosulfate reduction and anaerobic Fe(II) oxidation. Key catabolic processes sustaining the growth of both D. alkaliphilus strains appeared to fit the geochemical settings of two contrasting natural alkaline environments, sulfur-enriched soda lakes and iron-enriched serpentinites. This hypothesis was supported by a meta-analysis of Dethiobacterial genomes and by the enrichment of a novel phylotype from a subsurface alkaline aquifer under Fe(III)-reducing conditions. Genome analysis revealed multiheme c-type cytochromes to be the most probable determinants of iron and sulfur redox transformations in D. alkaliphilus. Phylogeny reconstruction showed that all the respiratory processes in this organism are likely provided by evolutionarily related early forms of unconventional octaheme tetrathionate and sulfite reductases and their structural analogs, OmhA/OcwA Fe(III)-reductases. Several phylogenetically related determinants of anaerobic Fe(II) oxidation were identified in the Z-1002 genome, and the oxidation process was experimentally demonstrated. Proteomic profiling revealed two distinct sets of multiheme cytochromes upregulated in iron(III)- or thiosulfate-respiring cells and the cytochromes peculiar for Fe(II) oxidizing cells. We suggest that maintaining high variation in multiheme cytochromes is an effective adaptive strategy to occupy geochemically contrasting alkaline environments. We propose that sulfur-enriched soda lakes could be secondary habitats for D. alkaliphilus compared to Fe-rich serpentinites, and that the ongoing evolution of Dethiobacterales could retrace the evolutionary path that may have occurred in prokaryotes at a turning point in the biosphere's history, when the intensification of the sulfur cycle outweighed the global significance of the iron cycle.

Surgical and endovascular treatment of pelvic venous disorder: Results of a multicentre retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: In the present study, we investigated the clinical outcomes after gonadal vein resection (GVR) and gonadal vein embolization (GVE) with coils in patients with pelvic venous disorder (PeVD). We also assessed the rates of procedural complications and disease recurrence. METHODS: Our multicenter retrospective cohort study included 361 female patients with PeVD-related chronic pelvic pain (CPP) and gonadal vein reflux who underwent GVR (n = 184) or GVE with coils (n = 177) from 1999 to 2020. The clinical outcomes (ie, presence and severity of CPP, procedural complications, disease recurrence) were assessed at 1 month and 1, 3, and 5 years after intervention. The pain intensity before and after treatment was assessed using a visual analog scale. All the patients underwent duplex ultrasound after GVR and GVE, and those with persistent CPP and suspected perforation of the gonadal vein by the coils were also evaluated by multiplanar pelvic venography. RESULTS: GVR and GVE was associated with the reduction or elimination of CPP at 1 month after treatment in 100% and 74% of patients and postprocedural complications in 14% and 37% of patients, respectively (Р < 0.01 for both). The most common complication after either GVR or GVE was pelvic vein thrombosis (11% and 22% patients, respectively; P < .01 between groups). GVE was associated with postembolization syndrome in 20%, coil protrusion in 6%, and coil migration in 1% of patients. The long-term recurrence rate after GVR and GVE was 6% and 16%, respectively (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Both GVR and GVE were found to be effective in treating patients with PeVD. However, GVR was associated with better efficacy in the relief of CPP and lower rates of procedural complications and disease recurrence.

Hemodynamic and neurobiological factors for the development of chronic pelvic pain in patients with pelvic venous disorder.

OBJECTIVE: The study was aimed at the identification of hemodynamic and neurobiological factors for the development of chronic pelvic pain (CPP) in patients with pelvic venous disorder (PeVD) using ultrasound, radionuclide, and enzyme immunoassay methods. METHODS: This cohort study included 110 consecutive patients with PeVD and 20 healthy controls. Seventy patients with PeVD had symptoms (CPP in 100% of cases, discomfort in hypogastrium, dyspareunia, vulvar varices, and dysuria), and 40 were asymptomatic. Patients underwent clinical examination, duplex ultrasound study of the pelvic veins and lower extremities, and single-photon emission computed tomography of the pelvic veins with in vivo labeled red blood cells. The prevalence, duration, severity, and pattern of reflux in the pelvic veins, as well as the severity of pelvic venous congestion, were evaluated. Healthy controls underwent only clinical and duplex ultrasound examination. All 130 patients were assessed using enzyme immunoassays to determine plasma levels of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and substance P (SP). RESULTS: Symptomatic patients with PeVD had a higher prevalence of reflux in the ovarian veins (OVs) than asymptomatic ones (45.7% vs 10%, respectively; P = .001) and a greater reflux duration (4.1 ± 1.7 seconds vs 1.4 ± 0.3 seconds; P = .002), although no differences in the OV diameter were found. Similar results were obtained when comparing the diameters of the parametrial veins (PVs) and the duration of reflux in them. Type II/III reflux (greater than 2 seconds) was identified in 41.4% of symptomatic and in only 5% of asymptomatic patients (P = .001). Among patients with CPP, 24.2% had a combined reflux in the OVs, PVs, and uterine veins, and 45.7% had a combined reflux in the OVs and PVs, whereas 90% of patients without CPP had only an isolated reflux in the PVs. The pelvic venous congestion was moderate or severe in 95.7% of patients with CPP and in only 15% patients without CPP (P = .001). In patients with PeVD, the presence of CPP was associated with higher levels of CGRP and SP compared with asymptomatic patients (CGRP: 0.48 ± 0.06 vs 0.19 ± 0.02 ng/mL, respectively, P = .001; SP: 0.38 ± 0.08 vs 0.13 ± 0.03 ng/mL, P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with PeVD, significant hemodynamic and neurobiological factors for the CPP development were found to be reflux in the pelvic veins greater than 2 seconds, involvement of several venous collectors, and increased plasma levels of CGRP and SP.

Extracellular Fe(III) reductase structure reveals a modular organization enabling S-layer insertion and electron transfer to insoluble substrates.

The thermophilic anaerobic Gram-positive bacterium Carboxydothermus ferrireducens utilizes insoluble Fe(III) oxides as electron acceptors in respiratory processes using an extracellular 11-heme cytochrome c OmhA as a terminal reductase. OmhA is able to transfer electrons to soluble and insoluble Fe(III) compounds, substrates of multiheme oxidoreductases, and soluble electron shuttles. The crystal structure of OmhA at 2.5 Å resolution shows that it consists of two functionally distinct parts: the cytochrome с electron transfer and the S-layer binding domains. Nonaheme C-terminal subdomain of the cytochrome с domain is structurally similar to the extracellular multiheme cytochrome OcwA from the metal-reducing Gram-positive bacterium "Thermincola potens." S-layer binding domain of OmhA is responsible for interaction with the S-layer that surrounds the Carboxydothermus ferrireducens cell envelope. The structural foundations enabling the embedding of extracellular multiheme cytochromes to the S-layer of a Gram-positive-type cell wall and putative electron transfer pathways to insoluble minerals are discussed.

Venous Thromboembolism After Interventions on the Ovarian Veins in Patients With Pelvic Venous Disorder.

BACKGROUND: Ovarian vein resection (OVR) and ovarian vein embolization (OVE) are effective options for treating patients with pelvic venous disorder (PeVD). However, due to in an abrupt cessation of blood flow in the ovarian veins (OVs), these interventions can be complicated by pelvic vein thrombosis (PVT). The aim of this study was to assess venous thromboembolism (VTE) rates after OVR and OVE in patients with PeVD. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 272 patients with PeVD who underwent OVR (n = 122) or OVE with coils (n = 150). The rates and clinical manifestations of VTE were assessed in each group on days 1 and 3 after the intervention using duplex ultrasonography. Vein patency, blood flow velocity, and localization of thrombi in the pelvic (parametrial, uterine, and ovarian), iliac, superficial, and deep veins of the lower extremities were examined. PVT was defined as the formation of blood clots in nontarget (i.e. not intended to intervention) veins of the pelvis (parametrial, uterine veins, or tributaries of the internal iliac veins). RESULTS: VTE after OVR and OVE was identified in 52 (19%) out of 272 patients. In the OVR group, PVT and calf deep vein thrombosis were detected in 9% and 1% of patients, accordingly, while in the OVE group their rates were almost three times higher (24% and 3%; both P = 0.001). In both groups, the most common VTE was PVT. The odds ratio for developing VTE with coils was 10 times higher (95% confidence interval: 2.35-56.43) after OVE than after OVR. Clinical manifestations of PVT were observed in 2.5% of patients, and the rest patients were asymptomatic. No cases of pulmonary embolism occurred. CONCLUSIONS: VTE after interventions of the ovarian vein in patients with PeVD occurs in every fifth patient. OVE is associated with a higher incidence of PVT.

Retrospective Analysis of Complications After Gonadal Vein Interventions for Pelvic Venous Disorder.

INTRODUCTION: To investigate and compare complications after gonadal vein embolization (GVE) with coils and gonadal vein resection (GVR) in patients with pelvic venous disorder (PeVD). METHODS: This single-center retrospective cohort study included 277 female patients with PeVD who underwent GVE with coils (n = 150) or GVR (n = 122) in the period from 2000 to 2020. The participants were selected from a cohort of 4975 patients with chronic pelvic pain (CPP), of whom 1107 suffered from the PeVD-related CPP and 305 underwent surgical or endovascular intervention on the gonadal veins. The GVR technique was open retroperitoneal in 92, endoscopic transperitoneal in 18, and retroperitoneal in 12 patients. Clinical outcomes included 30-day complication rates and 3-year PeVD recurrence rates. The pain intensity was assessed before and after the procedure using a visual analogue scale. All patients underwent duplex ultrasound after the procedure, and those with persisting pain and suspected gonadal vein perforation with coil were also examined using computed tomographic venography. RESULTS: A substantial pelvic pain relief was achieved within 30 d after GVE and GVR in 73% and 100% patients, accordingly (Р = 0.001). Complications after GVE were identified in 85 (56%) patients. The major complications included pelvic vein thrombosis (PVT) and calf deep vein thrombosis (24%), postembolization syndrome (22%), and coil protrusion (5.3%). Complications after GVR occurred in 14 (11%) patients and consisted of PVT (10%) and ileus (1.6%). The 3-year recurrence rates after GVE and GVR were 11% and 5%, accordingly (P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with PeVD, the gonadal vein embolization with coils is associated with a high complication rate, which can be reduced with further development of the GVE technique, the use of new embolic agents, and the selection of a treatment method based on the patient's body composition.

Fast-growing Arctic Fe-Mn deposits from the Kara Sea as the refuges for cosmopolitan marine microorganisms.

The impact of biomineralization and redox processes on the formation and growth of ferromanganese deposits in the World Ocean remains understudied. This problem is particularly relevant for the Arctic marine environment where sharp seasonal variations of temperature, redox conditions, and organic matter inflow significantly impact the biogenic and abiotic pathways of ferromanganese deposits formation. The microbial communities of the fast-growing Arctic Fe-Mn deposits have not been reported so far. Here, we describe the microbial diversity, structure and chemical composition of nodules, crust and their underlying sediments collected from three different sites of the Kara Sea. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a high abundance of microfossils and biofilm-like structures within the nodules. Phylogenetic profiling together with redundancy and correlation analyses revealed a positive selection for putative metal-reducers (Thermodesulfobacteriota), iron oxidizers (Hyphomicrobiaceae and Scalinduaceae), and Fe-scavenging Nitrosopumilaceae or Magnetospiraceae in the microenvironments of the Fe-Mn deposits from their surrounding benthic microbial populations. We hypothesize that in the Kara Sea, the nodules provide unique redox-stable microniches for cosmopolitan benthic marine metal-cycling microorganisms in an unsteady environment, thus focusing the overall geochemical activity of nodule-associated microbial communities and accelerating processes of ferromanganese deposits formation to uniquely high rates.

Complications and Adverse Events of Gonadal Vein Embolization with Coils.

Background: The efficacy and safety of gonadal vein embolization (GVE) with coils in the treatment of pelvic venous disease (PeVD) has not been fully investigated, and the outcomes after GVE do not always meet expectations of both doctors and patients. The study was aimed at assessing the incidence and causes of the complications after GVE with coils in patients with PeVD. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 150 female patients with PeVD who underwent GVE with coils in 2000-2020. A total of 4975 patients with chronic pelvic pain (CPP) were examined, of which 1107 patients had the PeVD-related CPP and 305 underwent surgical or endovascular interventions on the gonadal veins. Complication rates were evaluated 30 days after GVE and classified according to the Society for Interventional Radiology (SIR) adverse event classification system. The pain severity before and after GVE was assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS). All patients underwent duplex ultrasound after GVE, while patients with persisting pain syndrome and suspected perforation of the gonadal vein were also evaluated using computed tomographic venography. Results: At 30 days after GVE, the CPP was decreased in 109 (72.6%) patients (from 8.2 ± 1.5 at baseline to 1.7 ± 0.8 scores, p = 0.0001) and persisted in 41 (27.4%) patients (mean change from 8.1 ± 0.7 at baseline to 7.8 ± 0.4 scores; p = 0.71). Post-embolic syndrome (PES) occurred in 22% of patients and was completely resolved in 1 month after GVE. The efficacy of GVE in the CPP relief after resolving PES was 94.6%. The GVE complications were identified in 52 (34.6%) patients. Minor complications included access-site hematoma (4%) and allergic reactions (1.3%), and major complications included protrusion of coils (5.3%), thrombosis of the parametrial/uterine veins (21.3%) and deep veins of the calf (2.7%). Conclusions: Gonadal vein embolization with coils in the treatment of PeVD is associated with the development of specific complications and adverse events. The most common complication was pelvic vein thrombosis. Post-embolization syndrome should be considered as an adverse event of this procedure.

The first cultivated representatives of the actinobacterial lineage OPB41 isolated from subsurface environments constitute a novel order Anaerosomatales.

The continental subsurface harbors microbial populations highly enriched in uncultured taxa. OPB41 is an uncultured order-level phylogenetic lineage within the actinobacterial class Coriobacteriia. OPB41 bacteria have a wide geographical distribution, but the physiology and metabolic traits of this cosmopolitan group remain elusive. From two contrasting subsurface environments, a terrestrial mud volcano and a deep subsurface aquifer, located in the central part of Eurasia, within the Caucasus petroleum region, we have isolated two pure cultures of anaerobic actinobacteria belonging to OPB41. The cells of both strains are small non-motile rods forming numerous pili-like appendages. Strain M08DHBT is mesophilic, while strain Es71-Z0120T is a true thermophile having a broad temperature range for growth (25-77°C). Strain M08DHBT anaerobically reduces sulfur compounds and utilizes an aromatic compound 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid. Strain Es71-Z0120T is an obligate dissimilatory Fe(III) reducer that is unable to utilize aromatic compounds. Both isolates grow lithotrophically and consume molecular hydrogen or formate using either thiosulfate, elemental sulfur, or Fe(III) as an electron acceptor. Genomes of the strains encode the putative reductive glycine pathway for autotrophic CO2 fixation, Ni-Fe hydrogenases, putative thiosulfate/polysulfide reductases, and multiheme c-type cytochromes presumably involved in dissimilatory Fe(III) reduction. We propose to assign the isolated strains to the novel taxa of the species-order levels and describe strain M08DHBT as Anaerosoma tenue gen. nov., sp. nov., and strain Es71-Z0120T as Parvivirga hydrogeniphila gen. nov., sp. nov., being members of Anaerosomatales ord. nov. This work expands the knowledge of the diversity, metabolic functions, and ecological role of the phylum Actinomycetota.

Effect of Silicate Additive on Structural and Electrical Properties of Germanium Nanowires Formed by Electrochemical Reduction from Aqueous Solutions.

Layers of germanium (Ge) nanowires (NWs) on titanium foils were grown by metal-assisted electrochemical reduction of germanium oxide in aqueous electrolytes based on germanium oxide without and with addition of sodium silicate. Structural properties and composition of Ge NWs were studied by means of the scanning and transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy. When sodium silicate was added to the electrolyte, Ge NWs consisted of 1-2 at.% of silicon (Si) and exhibited smaller mean diameter and improved crystallinity. Additionally, samples of Ge NW films were prepared by ultrasonic removal of Ge NWs from titanium foils followed with redeposition on corundum substrates with platinum electrodes. The electrical conductivity of Ge NW films was studied at different temperatures from 25 to 300 °C and an effect of the silicon impurity on the thermally activated electrical conductivity was revealed. Furthermore, the electrical conductivity of Ge NW films on corundum substrates exhibited a strong sensor response on the presence of saturated vapors of different liquids (water, acetone, ethanol, and isopropanol) in air and the response was dependent on the presence of Si impurities in the nanowires. The results obtained indicate the possibility of controlling the structure and electrical properties of Ge NWs by introducing silicate additives during their formation, which is of interest for applications in printed electronics and molecular sensorics.

Tailoring porous/filament silicon using the two-step Au-assisted chemical etching of p-type silicon for forming an ethanol electro-oxidation layer.

In this paper, we are reporting on the fabrication of a porous silicon/Au and silicon filament/Au using the two-step Au-assisted chemical etching of p-type Si with a specific resistivity of 0.01, 1, and 12 Ω·cm when varying the Au deposition times. The structure analysis results show that with an increasing Au deposition time of up to 7 min, the thickness of the porous Si layer increases for the same etching duration (60 min), and the morphology of the layer changes from porous to filamentary. This paper shows that the uniform macro-porous layers with a thickness of 125.5-171.2µm and a specific surface area of the mesopore sidewalls of 142.5-182 m2·g-1are formed on the Si with a specific resistivity of 0.01 Ω·cm. The gradient macro-porous layers with a thickness of 220-260µm and 210-290µm, the specific surface area of the mesopore sidewalls of 3.7-21.7 m2·g-1and 17-29 m2·g-1are formed on the silicon with a specific resistivity of 1 and 12 Ω·cm, respectively. The por-Si/Au has excellent low-temperature electro oxidation performance with ethanol, the activity of ethanol oxidation is mainly due to the synergistic effect of the Au nanoparticles and porous Si. The formation mechanism of the uniform and gradient macro-porous layers and ethanol electro-oxidation on the porous/filament silicon, decorated with Au nanoparticles, was established. The por-Si/Au structures with perpendicularly oriented pores, a high por-Si layer thickness, and a low mono-Si layer thickness (with a specific resistivity of 1 Ω·cm) are optimal for an effective ethanol electro-oxidation, which has been confirmed with chronoamperometry measurements.

Use of a novel Likert scale instrument to assess patient satisfaction following endovascular and surgical treatment of pelvic venous disorders.

OBJECTIVE: The study was aimed at assessing satisfaction with endovascular and surgical treatment, using a novel Likert scale procedure satisfaction instrument, in patients with pelvic venous disorder (PeVD) caused by the gonadal vein reflux. METHODS: This prospective cohort study included 100 women with PeVD who underwent gonadal veins embolization with coils (GVE group, n = 71) or gonadal veins endoscopic resection (GVR group, n = 29) in 2012-2020. The GVE was performed under local anesthesia and sedation, and was left-sided in 61, right-sided in three, and bilateral in seven patients. The GVR was performed under general anesthesia through transperitoneal (n = 19) or retroperitoneal (n = 10) access with three access ports in both cases. The GVR was left-sided in 19, right-sided in one, and bilateral in nine patients. To assess satisfaction with GVE and GVR treatment of PeVD, patients were asked to evaluate statements related to their experience using a new Likert scale instrument. The responses for each item were compared between the groups at Day 7 (D7) and at Month 6 (M6) after the procedure, as was a summary score of all the responses at both time points. The summary score allowed categorization on a spectrum from "completely satisfied" to "completely dissatisfied." RESULTS: The comparison between GVЕ and GVR groups at D7 showed that 80% and 100% of patients, accordingly, reported the overall summary satisfaction, 49% and 79% agreed with a complete pelvic pain relief by D7, 79% and 0% agreed with the absence of a significant discomfort during the first postoperative day, 71% and 100% reported no need for analgesics to relief pain in the assess area, 80% and 100% reported fast return to daily activity, and 19.7% and 100% still experienced pelvic pain at D7 (pain in the GVR group was more severe and required the use of analgesics) (all p < .05). At the same time, 94% and 96% patients were satisfied with the aesthetic result of the procedure at D7 (p = n.s.). The comparison between GVЕ and GVR groups at M6 showed that 100% of patients in both groups reported overall satisfaction with treatment (p = n.s.), 96% and 100% confirmed a complete pelvic pain relief by M6, 79% and 65% agreed with the absence of a significant discomfort after the procedure, 79% and 65% reported no need for analgesics, 83% and 100% reported about the return to daily activity (all p < .05), and 100% in both groups were satisfied with the aesthetic result of the procedure (p = n.s.). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with PeVD, both GVE and GVR are associated with a high, although not significantly different, overall treatment satisfaction in the long term and have advantages and disadvantages. GVE is associated with less severe post-procedural pain, while GVR provides faster relief of pelvic pain and a return to usual daily activity.

Relationships of Pelvic Vein Diameter and Reflux with Clinical Manifestations of Pelvic Venous Disorder.

The causes of chronic pelvic pain (CPP) in patients with pelvic venous disorder (PeVD) are not completely understood. Various authors consider dilation of pelvic veins (PeVs) and pelvic venous reflux (PVR) as the main mechanisms underlying symptomatic forms of PeVD. The aim of this study was to assess relationships of pelvic vein dilation and PVR with clinical manifestations of PeVD. This non-randomized comparative cohort study included 80 female patients with PeVD who were allocated into two groups with symptomatic (n = 42) and asymptomatic (n = 38) forms of the disease. All patients underwent duplex scanning and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) of PeVs with in vivo labeled red blood cells (RBCs). The PeV diameters, the presence, duration and pattern of PVR in the pelvic veins, as well as the coefficient of pelvic venous congestion (CPVC) were assessed. Two groups did not differ significantly in pelvic vein diameters (gonadal veins (GVs): 7.7 ± 1.3 vs. 8.5 ± 0.5 mm; parametrial veins (PVs): 9.8 ± 0.9 vs. 9.5 ± 0.9 mm; and uterine veins (UVs): 5.6 ± 0.2 vs. 5.5 ± 0.6 mm). Despite this, CPVC was significantly higher in symptomatic versus asymptomatic patients (1.9 ± 0.4 vs. 0.7 ± 0.2, respectively; p = 0.008). Symptomatic patients had type II or III PVR, while asymptomatic patients had type I PVR. The reflux duration was found to be significantly greater in symptomatic versus asymptomatic patients (median and interquartile range: 4.0 [3.0; 5.0] vs. 1.0 [0; 2.0] s for GVs, p = 0.008; 4.0 [3.0; 5.0] vs. 1.1 [1.0; 2.0] s for PVs, p = 0.007; and 2.0 [2.0; 3.0] vs. 1.0 [1.0; 2.0] s for UVs, p = 0.04). Linear correlation analysis revealed a strong positive relationship (Pearson's r = 0.78; p = 0.007) of CPP with the PVR duration but not with vein diameter. The grade of PeV dilation may not be a determining factor in CPP development in patients with PeVD. The presence and duration of reflux in the pelvic veins were found to be predictors of the development of symptomatic PeVD.

A workflow for the joint modeling of longitudinal and event data in the development of therapeutics: Tools, statistical methods, and diagnostics.

Clinical trials investigate treatment endpoints that usually include measurements of pharmacodynamic and efficacy biomarkers in early-phase studies and patient-reported outcomes as well as event risks or rates in late-phase studies. In recent years, a systematic trend in clinical trial data analytics and modeling has been observed, where retrospective data are integrated into a quantitative framework to prospectively support analyses of interim data and design of ongoing and future studies of novel therapeutics. Joint modeling is an advanced statistical methodology that allows for the investigation of clinical trial outcomes by quantifying the association between baseline and/or longitudinal biomarkers and event risk. Using an exemplar data set from non-small cell lung cancer studies, we propose and test a workflow for joint modeling. It allows a modeling scientist to comprehensively explore the data, build survival models, investigate goodness-of-fit, and subsequently perform outcome predictions using interim biomarker data from an ongoing study. The workflow illustrates a full process, from data exploration to predictive simulations, for selected multivariate linear and nonlinear mixed-effects models and software tools in an integrative and exhaustive manner.

Anodic TiO2nanotube arrays for photocatalytic CO2conversion: comparative photocatalysis and EPR study.

Titania (TiO2) is a widely used semiconductor for the photocatalytic decomposition of organic impurities in air, water and the conversion of CO2into hydrocarbon fuel precursors. TiO2in the form of nanotubes arrays is the most attractive for practical use because of the morphological advantages providing more favorable diffusion of photocatalytic reaction products and a low recombination rate of photogenerated electrons and holes. We have carried out a comparative study of the photocatalytic activity of gas-phase conversion of CO2to hydrocarbon products and the defect properties of multi-walled and single-walled arrays of TiO2nanotubes. Methanol and methane have been detected in the CO2photoreduction process. The photocatalytic evolution rate of multi-walled TiO2nanotubes is twice as fast for methane as for single-walled TiO2nanotubes after four hours of irradiation and four times faster for methanol. The type and features of the structural defects have been investigated by EPR spectroscopy. For the first time, it has been shown that Ti3+/oxygen vacancy centers are mainly located inside the outer layer of nanotubes, while carbon dangling bonds have been observed directly on the surface of the inner layer. Carbon defects have been found to be the centers of adsorption and accumulation of photoinduced charge carriers. The results are entirely new; they clarify the role of different types of defects in the photocatalytic conversion of CO2to hydrocarbon compounds and show good prospects for applying TiO2nanotube arrays.

The Effect of Venoactive Drug Therapy on the Development and Severity of Post-Embolization Syndrome in Endovascular Interventions on the Gonadal Veins.

Objective. To evaluate the incidence of post-embolization syndrome (PES) and the effect of venoactive therapy on its development, severity, and duration after endovascular embolization of gonadal veins (EEGV) with coils in patients with pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS). Materials and Methods. We analyzed the outcomes of EEGV with coils in 70 female patients who received (n = 38; group 1) or did not receive (n = 32; group 2) treatment with a venoactive drug (VAD) before and after the procedure. Assessments of the EEGV efficacy and for possible signs of PES were done on days 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 after the intervention. All patients underwent transvaginal and transabdominal duplex ultrasound scanning (DUS) after EEGV. In addition, patients with PES were examined using the computed tomography of the pelvic veins in the postprocedural period. Results. Technical success of EEGV was achieved in 100% of patients. Pelvic venous pain (PVP) reduction after EEGV was observed in 77.1% of patients. The PES was diagnosed in 18.6% of cases (10.5% in group 1 vs. 28.1% in group 2, p > 0.05). In three patients of group 1, the protrusion of coils was suspected and eventually verified during the resection of the left gonadal vein with coils. The group 1 patients had less severe post-embolization pain (6.2 ± 0.4 vs. 7.8 ± 0.3 scores in group 2; p = 0.009) and three times shorter duration of PES (5.0 ± 1.2 vs. 16.2 ± 2.7 days; p = 0.003). No significant differences in the diameters of gonadal veins, side of embolization, and number of coils were revealed between patients with and without PES. The rate of parametrium vein thrombosis was found to be significantly higher in patients with PES than in those without PES (30.7% vs. 18.5%, respectively; p < 0.05). Conclusion. The PES is a frequent complication of EEGV with coils and occurs in 18.6% of patients. Venoactive treatment does not effect the incidence of this complication but reduces the PES severity and duration.