Using Fuzzy Mathematical Model in the Differential Diagnosis of Pancreatic Lesions Using Ultrasonography and Echographic Texture Analysis.

Malignant tumors of the pancreas are the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths. This is mainly because they are often diagnosed at a late stage. One of the challenges in diagnosing focal lesions in the pancreas is the difficulty in distinguishing them from other conditions due to the unique location and anatomy of the organ, as well as the similarity in their ultrasound characteristics.

Early short-term effects on catecholamine levels and pituitary function in patients with pheochromocytoma or paraganglioma treated with [Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE therapy.

Purpose: While there are reports of treatment-related endocrine disruptions and catecholamine surges in pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma (PPGL) patients treated with [Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE therapy, the spectrum of these abnormalities in the immediate post-treatment period (within 48 hours) has not been previously evaluated and is likely underestimated.

Methods: The study population included patients (≥18 years) enrolled in a phase 2 trial for treatment of somatostatin receptor (SSTR)-2+ inoperable/metastatic pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma with [Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE (7.4 GBq per cycle for 1 - 4 cycles).

Differential Diagnosis of Pancreatic Cancer and Chronic Pancreatitis According to Endoscopic Ultrasonography Based on the Analysis of the Nature of the Contours of Focal Formations Based on Fuzzy Mathematical Models.

One of the key echographic signs of focal pathology of the pancreas is the presence of formation contours and their nature. Endoscopic ultrasonography has a unique ability to visualize the echographic texture of the pancreatic parenchyma, and also allows you to assess in detail the boundaries and nature of the contours of the tumor formations of the organ due to the proximity of the ultrasound sensor. However, the differential diagnosis of focal pancreatic lesions remains a difficult clinical task due to the similarity of their echosemiotics.

Method for Determining the Body's Level of Protection According to Oxidant Status in Assessing the Influence of Industrial Risk Factors on Health.

This work aims at improving the quality of health assessments, specifically under the influence of occupational risk factors. For this purpose, additional informative indicators are utilized in prognostic and diagnostic models. The models are used to characterize the level of body protection based on oxidative status.

Development of a Fuzzy Diagnostic Model of Ischemic Disease of the Lower Limbs for Different Stages of Patient Management.

Ischemic disease has severe impact on patients which makes accurate diagnosis vital for health protection. Improving the quality of prediction of patients with ischemic extremity disease by using hybrid fuzzy model allows for early and accurate prognosis of the development of the disease at various stages. The prediction of critical ischemia of lower extremity (CLI) at various disease stages is complex problem due to inter-related factors.

Identification and analysis of odorant receptors expressed in the two main olfactory organs, antennae and palps, of Schistocerca americana.

Locusts depend upon their sense of smell and provide useful models for understanding olfaction. Extending this understanding requires knowledge of the molecular and structural organization of the olfactory system. Odor sensing begins with olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs), which express odorant receptors (ORs).

Case Report: Primary Hypothyroidism Associated With Lutetium 177-DOTATATE Therapy for Metastatic Paraganglioma.

Background: Lutetium 177 (Lu) - DOTATATE is a form of peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) utilized in the treatment of neuroendocrine tumors. Data on Lu-DOTATATE-induced thyroid dysfunction is limited.

Case Description: A 29-year-old male with  positive metastatic paraganglioma enrolled under the Lu-DOTATATE trial (NCT03206060) underwent thyroid function test (TFT) evaluation comprised of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (FT4) immunoassay measurements per protocol prior to Lu-DOTATATE therapy.

Fuzzy Models of Choice of Prevention Schemes for the Occurrence and Development of Gangrene of the Lower Extremities.

The study focuses on the choice of prevention schemes of the appearance and recurrence of gangrene of the lower extremities, depending on any of the degrees of confidence that the patient will have gangrene or will experience its relapse. The degree of confidence is determined using the fuzzy logic of decision making on the relevant membership functions. For each of the selected classes, an appropriate prevention scheme has been developed, the effectiveness of which was tested using the theory of measuring latent variables and the synthesis of mathematical models of their choice depending on the degree of risk of the occurrence and recurrence of lower extremities gangrene.

Systemic Delivery of MicroRNA Using Recombinant Adeno-associated Virus Serotype 9 to Treat Neuromuscular Diseases in Rodents.

RNA interference via the endogenous miRNA pathway regulates gene expression by controlling protein synthesis through post-transcriptional gene silencing. In recent years, miRNA-mediated gene regulation has shown potential for treatment of neurological disorders caused by a toxic gain of function mechanism. However, efficient delivery to target tissues has limited its application.

Imaging and tracking HIV viruses in human cervical mucus.

We describe a systematic approach to image, track, and quantify the movements of HIV viruses embedded in human cervical mucus. The underlying motivation for this study is that, in HIV-infected adults, women account for more than half of all new cases and most of these women acquire the infection through heterosexual contact. The endocervix is believed to be a susceptible site for HIV entry.

Reducing neonatal mortality associated with preterm birth: gaps in knowledge of the impact of antenatal corticosteroids on preterm birth outcomes in low-middle income countries.

The Global Network's Antenatal Corticosteroids Trial (ACT), was a multi-country, cluster-randomized trial to improve appropriate use of antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) in low-resource settings in low-middle income countries (LMIC). ACT substantially increased ACS use in the intervention clusters, but the intervention failed to show benefit in the targeted < 5th percentile birth weight infants and was associated with increased neonatal mortality and stillbirth in the overall population. In this issue are six papers which are secondary analyses related to ACT that explore potential reasons for the increase in adverse outcomes overall, as well as site differences in outcomes.

MiR-298 Counteracts Mutant Androgen Receptor Toxicity in Spinal and Bulbar Muscular Atrophy.

Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) is a currently untreatable adult-onset neuromuscular disease caused by expansion of a polyglutamine repeat in the androgen receptor (AR). In SBMA, as in other polyglutamine diseases, a toxic gain of function in the mutant protein is an important factor in the disease mechanism; therefore, reducing the mutant protein holds promise as an effective treatment strategy. In this work, we evaluated a microRNA (miRNA) to reduce AR expression.

B-vitamin status and bone mineral density and risk of lumbar osteoporosis in older females in the United States.

Background: Previous data suggest that elevated serum total homocysteine (tHcy) may be a risk factor for bone fracture and osteoporosis. Nutritional causes of elevated tHcy are suboptimal B-vitamin status. To our knowledge, this is the first nationally representative report on the relation of B vitamins and bone health from a population with folic acid fortification.

Mutation in CPT1C Associated With Pure Autosomal Dominant Spastic Paraplegia.

Importance: The family of genes implicated in hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSPs) is quickly expanding, mostly owing to the widespread availability of next-generation DNA sequencing methods. Nevertheless, a genetic diagnosis remains unavailable for many patients.

Objective: To identify the genetic cause for a novel form of pure autosomal dominant HSP.

Systematic identification of 3'-UTR regulatory elements in activity-dependent mRNA stability in hippocampal neurons.

Ongoing neuronal activity during development and plasticity acts to refine synaptic connections and contributes to the induction of plasticity and ultimately long-term memory storage. Activity-dependent, post-transcriptional control of mRNAs occurs through transport to axonal and dendritic compartments, local translation and mRNA stability. We have identified a mechanism that contributes to activity-dependent regulation of mRNA stability during synaptic plasticity in rat hippocampal neurons.

MicroRNA regulation of homeostatic synaptic plasticity.

Homeostatic mechanisms are required to control formation and maintenance of synaptic connections to maintain the general level of neural impulse activity within normal limits. How genes controlling these processes are co-coordinately regulated during homeostatic synaptic plasticity is unknown. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) exert regulatory control over mRNA stability and translation and may contribute to local and activity-dependent posttranscriptional control of synapse-associated mRNAs.

The transcriptional mediator component Med12 is required for hindbrain boundary formation.

Background: Rhombomere boundaries form during hindbrain segmentation and are critical for maintaining segmental integrity and regulating migration in the hindbrain. Some genetic models affecting hindbrain boundary formation have been described, but involvement of components of the transcriptional mediator complex in boundary formation has not reported so far.

Principal Findings: The kto/med12 mutant zebrafish, which affects the Mediator component Med12, causes specific loss of rhombomere boundary cells even though segmentation of the hindbrain takes place at least in part.

Chlorhexidine vaginal and infant wipes to reduce perinatal mortality and morbidity: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To estimate the effects of chlorhexidine vaginal and baby wipes on fetal and neonatal mortality, respectively, and infection-related morbidity.

Methods: We performed a placebo-controlled, randomized trial of chlorhexidine vaginal and neonatal wipes to reduce neonatal sepsis and mortality in three hospitals in Pakistan. The primary study outcome was a composite of neonatal sepsis or 7-day perinatal mortality.

Prevention of developmental delays in a Down syndrome mouse model.

Objective: To estimate whether prenatal treatment with neuroprotective peptides prevents the developmental delay and the glial deficit in the Ts65Dn mouse model for Down syndrome and to explore the peptides' effects on achievement of normal development.

Methods: Pregnant Ts65Dn females were randomly assigned to NAPVSIPQ+SALLRSIPA or control and were treated by investigators blinded to treatment and genotype on gestational days 8-12. Offspring were tested from postnatal day 5 to 21 for motor and sensory milestones with standardized tests by operators blinded to the pup's treatment and genotype.