Search

Abstract Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is an aggressive cancer originating from bile duct epithelial cells, with a high rate of recurrence following surgical resection. Recurrence is categorized as early linked to aggressive tumor biology than late recurrence. This study aimed to identify novel peptide mass fingerprints (PMFs) and potential biomarker panels in the serum of CCA patients with early and late recurrence using mass spectrometry. Serum samples of 81 CCA patients were analyzed using MALDI-TOF MS and LC–MS/MS, with statistical analysis correlating peptide profiles with clinical outcomes like disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). A 365-day DFS cut-off effectively distinguished early from late recurrence, with early recurrence linked to poorer survival outcomes. The PMFs from MALDI-TOF MS differentiated recurrence types based on specific mass signatures. LC–MS/MS analysis identified 95 peptides associated with cancer progression in early recurrence and 60 in late recurrence. Distinct protein associations were found: ATR, POLA1, BLM, SP100, and PPP1R15A for early recurrence, and SERPINA1, TGFB2, SERPING1, and CAD for late recurrence, with strong interactions with chemotherapeutic drugs. This study successfully demonstrated the use of PMFs for rapid discrimination between early and late recurrence in CCA and identified potential serum peptide biomarkers to improve accuracy in recurrence classification.

Introduction: While uncomplicated echinococcal cysts can grow in the liver for years without symptoms, complicated hydatid cysts (CHC) present distinct clinical characteristics that necessitate urgent treatment. Case Report: We present a case of acute biliary obstruction, cholangitis, and sepsis due to massive choledocho-hydatididosis in an 84-year-old COVID-positive patient during the COVID-19 pandemic. Imaging revealed a multicystic lesion in liver segments V and VIII that compressed surrounding liver tissue, leading to intrahepatic duct dilation. A daughter cyst in the ductus choledochus was confirmed during surgery. An attempt at endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was unsuccessful. We performed an open pericystectomy with total cystectomy and choledochotomy, carefully evacuating all hydatid cysts. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged without surgical complications. Conclusion: Complicated hydatid cysts (CHC) leading to acute biliary obstruction require prompt diagnosis and indicate the need for rapid evacuation of the cyst and correction of complications.

Solonchaks are soils characterized by high concentrations of soluble salts. These soils form unique ecosystems that provide habitats for organisms adapted to such extreme conditions. Invertebrates are one of the groups of organisms that inhabit these soils and play a significant role in ecosystem resilience contributing to soil health and fertility. However, the diversity of invertebrates inhabiting the solonchaks remains underexplored. The development of eDNA metabarcoding method has facilitated the detection of soil invertebrates, overcoming the limitations of conventional labor-intensive and time-consuming methods. eDNA metabarcoding made it possible to study/monitor changes in soil invertebrate diversity. This pilot study employed eDNA metabarcoding to detect soil invertebrates in solonchak soils at two agricultural fields in Vojvodina, Serbia. Furthermore, we compared two analytical methods of eDNA metabarcoding data – clustering and denoising sequences. eDNА metabarcoding method proved to be effective in detection of invertebrates. Using BOLD database, 0.21% OTUs and 0.11% ESVs were successfully assigned to expected Invertebrate phyla (Arthropoda, Annelida and Nematoda), with two specific species identified: Aporrectodea jassyensis and Sminthurinus elegans. Comparison of the two analytical approaches, denoising and clustering, revealed that these approaches identified the same taxonomic categories. However, given the limited sample size, further studies should compare these two approaches using a more extensive dataset to better estimate their usefulness.

The notion of corporate security came into being in the late 19th century, however the use and spread of the term in business-environment took place only in the second half of the 20th century. This notion was introduced into circulation to name a system of measures and practices aimed at protection of corporate interests and resources from internal and external threats. Corporate security of the company is a complicated set of measures and procedures for managing risks and at the same time a subject to management with a brand new content, whose topicality is sharpening due to risks of sustainable development. Business partners, company clients and other concerned persons often transfer their communication to the e-environment, where unpredictable changes take place and new risks arise. It can result in transformation of certain types of risks, such as finance, investment, reputational, regulatory, etc. Continuous study of risk transformation, importance of their impact on business and economy, sustainable development of companies shall be introduced as a mandatory function within the frames of sub-system of company corporate security. The authors showed that for timely appraisal of new risk and external factor impact on sustainable development of companies and their business it is necessary to restructure the system of in-company control with regard to corporate security as an element of the system of corporate management.

Abstract Background The Cholangiocarcinoma Screening and Care Program (CASCAP) has been launched since 2013 to detect early-stage cholangiocarcinoma and reduce the disease death. However, the clinical utility of the CASCAP remains unclear. To compare survival outcomes between two time periods: before and after 2013, when significant changes in treatment strategies were implemented, and to evaluate the efficacy of the ultrasound-based screening program, in an Asian region endemic for cholangiocarcinoma. Methods A single-center retrospective review was conducted in curative-intended resection cholangiocarcinoma from 2002 to 2021. Patents characteristics and survival outcomes were compared between 2002 and 2013 (early period) and 2014 to 2021 (later period). Results A total of 1091 patients with intrahepatic (n = 624) or perihilar (n = 467) cholangiocarcinoma was included (early period, n = 658; later period, n = 433). Of 66 (15.2%) patients in the later period were referred by the CASCAP. The incidence of early-staged disease (Stage 0 and 1) was lower in early period compared to later period 16.0% versus 29.1% (p

The process of glass transition during the quenching in the domain with the cold wall has been numerically simulated. We have implemented the temperature-dependent form of the previously proposed theoretical model, which combined the heat transfer in the domain and the gauge theory of glass transition, assuming the presence of topologically stable distortions (disclinations) in the forming solid. The competition between crystallization (formation of polycrystalline structure) and the formation of the amorphous disordered phase has been shown. At the relatively slow cooling rates corresponding to the formation of the crystalline phase, we observed a columnar to equiaxed transition qualitatively similar to the observed in many metallic alloys. The moving front followed the equilibrium isotherm corresponding to the equilibrium temperature of transition in the disclinations subsystem, although front drag resulted in the effect of kinetic undercooling and the emergence of the maximum velocity of the crystallization front. High thermal conductivity values associated with the substantial heat flux lead to the bulk amorphous state. The dynamics of the coarsening of the primary amorphous structure depended on the annealing temperature.

During electron beam evaporation of green-emitting (λex = 980 nm) silicate upconversion (UC-PL) bulk phosphors Sr2Y6.8YbEr0.2Si6O26, amorphous nanoparticles of size 2.7 nm are formed. The nanoparticles are globules formed during condensation of chains consisting of SiO4 tetrahedra. When the globules are excited with radiation of λex = 980 nm, the luminescence color becomes red and its intensity increases 80 times compared with bulk phosphors. It has been shown that luminescence is influenced by nonradiative processes between different transitions of Er3+ ions. There is a threshold population of the Er3+ and Yb3+ levels (level 2F5/2) in the region of relatively low pumping powers. Above this threshold, a sharp increase in the intensity of upconversion photoluminescence occurs. We show that the produced nanophosphors have a core consisting of a combination of SiO tetrahedra (n = 0, 1, 2), while Er, Yb, Sr, and Y ions are on the surface of the globules. Owing to this structure of the globules, the interaction of Er and Yb ions with nucleus defects, which usually suppress the luminescence, decreases. Probably, for this reason the luminescence intensity increases. Our findings reveal that new effective non-linear materials can be designed for converting IR radiation into visible radiation. The produced effective phosphors can hold promise as fluorescent probes in bioresearch, for fundamental therapy, as well as for new display technologies.

Background: The current treatment recommendation involves administering a high dose of sulbactam alongside at least one additional agent. However, there remains a lack of data regarding the optimal dosage of sulbactam. We investigated whether administering sulbactam at a dosage of 12 g/day decreases the mortality rate among patients with CRAB pneumonia compared to 9 g/day. Methods: The study was an open-label, superiority, randomized controlled trial conducted at Phramongkutklao Hospital between September 2019 and September 2023 in patients diagnosed with CRAB. Participants were randomly assigned to receive a combination of colistin with either 9 or 12 g/day of sulbactam. The primary endpoint was the all-cause mortality rate at 28 days postrandomization. Results: Among the 138 participants, there was a trend towards a lower mortality rate in the 12 g/day group (59.4% vs. 47.8%; P = 0.158). After adjusting for factors associated with mortality, a lower mortality was observed in the 12 g/day group (adjusted HR 0.54 [95% CI 0.33-0.87]; P = 0.0110). The microbiological cure rate at day 7 was higher in the 12 g/day group (73.2% vs. 89.4%; P = 0.02). Conclusions: Colistin in combination with sulbactam at a dosage of 12 g/day may improve mortality compared to 9 g/day.

The most progressive direction for identifying and assessing the chemical warfare situation is the introduction of technologies based on artificial intelligence. The goal of the work is to develop the architecture of a promising system for monitoring the radiation, chemical and biological situation using artificial intelligence. Research information base. Publications on the use of mathematical models in artificial intelligence (AI), available via the Internet. The research method is analytical, from general to specific. We considered the features of using artificial intelligence in automated control systems. Results and discussion. Confrontations with Ukraine and NATO are multivariate and spatial in nature, and require constant monitoring in the face of a lack of specific information about attacks being prepared and already carried out. The use of AI technologies will allow us to go beyond simply displaying the current situation, providing tools for predicting the development of events. The proposed architecture of a promising system involves the creation of a single database filled with verified information from open sources. The developed structure of the web application, which is an interactive interface for analyzing and responding to changes in the chemical warfare situation, will allow flexible switching between information layers and obtaining data in real time. Conclusion. The use of neural network technologies by NBC protection troops will make it possible to search according to specified parameters and conduct retrospective data analysis, which will significantly simplify monitoring of NBC threats for the troops and population of the Russian Federation.

Abstract Lipids are the most abundant but poorly explored components of the human brain. Here, we present a lipidome map of the human brain comprising 75 regions, including 52 neocortical ones. The lipidome composition varies greatly among the brain regions, affecting 93% of the 419 analyzed lipids. These differences reflect the brain’s structural characteristics, such as myelin content (345 lipids) and cell type composition (353 lipids), but also functional traits: functional connectivity (76 lipids) and information processing hierarchy (60 lipids). Combining lipid composition and mRNA expression data further enhances functional connectivity association. Biochemically, lipids linked with structural and functional brain features display distinct lipid class distribution, unsaturation extent, and prevalence of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid residues. We verified our conclusions by parallel analysis of three adult macaque brains, targeted analysis of 216 lipids, mass spectrometry imaging, and lipidome assessment of sorted murine neurons.

Introduction: Pseudoaneurysms of the pancreaticoduodenal arcade are rare, accounting for approximately 2% of all visceral artery aneurysms. They typically arise as complications of chronic pancreatitis, peptic ulcer disease, trauma, pancreatic and biliary surgery, or pancreas transplantation. Diagnosis often occurs only after rupture, leading to life-threatening internal bleeding. Bleeding may occur within a pseudocyst, with blood passing through the Vater’s papilla into the digestive tract, or may result in the formation of a retroperitoneal hematoma that can rupture into the abdominal cavity, causing hemoperitoneum. The cell-saver is a tool that can be utilized for intraoperative blood cell salvage and autologous transfusions. Case Report: Our patient, a 54-year-old male, an untreated alcoholic with no prior medical history or documented treatment, presented to the Clinic for Emergency Surgery at the University Clinical Center of Serbia with a sudden onset of upper abdominal pain. A quick ultrasound of the abdomen was performed, followed by an urgent CT scan of the chest and abdomen, revealing a hematoma extending from the right retroperitoneum and mesentery of the intestine, measuring 150x109x180mm in diameter, with signs of active bleeding in the region beneath the pancreas, indicative of hemoperitoneum. Due to hemodynamic instability, accompanied by a drop in arterial blood pressure and hemoglobin levels, an urgent laparotomy was performed. Active bleeding was identified from a ruptured pseudoaneurysm originating from the pancreaticoduodenal arcade. Hemostasis was achieved followed by tamponade, and the tampons were removed 30 hours post-surgery. The patient remained hemodynamically stable thereafter, recovered well from the surgery, and was discharged home in good general condition. Intraoperatively, we utilized the Cell-saver to collect the patient’s blood and subsequently administered autologous transfusion. Conclusion: In patients with chronic pancreatitis presenting with sudden abdominal pain and hemodynamic instability accompanied by a drop in arterial pressure, hemoglobin, and hematocrit levels, the possibility of a ruptured pseudoaneurysm in the pancreatic or peripancreatic region should be considered. Timely diagnosis and prompt surgical intervention are crucial for a successful outcome. Effective collaboration among radiologists, anesthesiologists, and surgeons is essential. The utilization of the Cell-saver system significantly aids in maintaining cardiac output and hemodynamic stability in these patients.

Introduction Historically, radiologists believed that ultrasound was ineffective for detecting lung and pleural diseases. Today, it is regarded as a diagnosis (imaging) that may be ‘equated’ with advanced methods such as radiography and computed tomography (CT) since it has comparable, if not greater, diagnostic accuracy for specific pathological substrates when compared with cross-sectional radiographic approaches such as CT. We have covered the basic anatomical points and lines, as well as their meanings in the interpretation of ultrasound findings, throughout this article. We have specifically highlighted conditions with high lung ultrasound (LUS) specificity and sensitivity, such as pleural effusion, pneumothorax, and pneumonia. It is also noteworthy that it’s recommended for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients in the diagnosis of interstitial pneumonitis. Following lines such as A, B, C, Z, and E would provide us with information on the patient’s current condition. We identified 15 papers that contained the following keywords: ‘A lines’, ‘B lines’, ‘C lines’, ‘Z lines’, ‘E lines’, ‘pleural effusion’, ‘pneumothorax’, ‘pneumonia’, and ‘coronavirus disease 2019’. Conclusion The use of lung ultrasound will become more widespread. It is vital to train general practitioners and emergency doctors in its use since it provides a quick and reliable reference point for further diagnosis.

The article suggests ways to determine time intervals based on video recordings obtained by shooting or capturing an image of the screen on which the original video is broadcast. The authors consider examples of determining the duration of inter-frame intervals based on such video, as well as cases from expert practice.

Appendiceal intussusception is a rare condition characterized by the invagination of the appendix into the base of the cecum. In some cases, this condition can lead to obstruction, ischemia, and perforation. It is more common in elderly patients, particularly women, and is often associated with the presence of a lesion, benign or malignant, acting as a “lead point.” This case report details the emergency management of a 54-year-old female patient with severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. The physical examination was unremarkable, as were the laboratory tests. However, ultrasound revealed a small amount of fluid in the pelvis, leading to further investigation with a CT scan which showed appendiceal intussusception with significant wall edema, fluid in the surrounding fatty tissue, and reactive lymph nodes. The patient then underwent an operation that confirmed an intussuscepted appendix showing signs of ischemia. Histopathology showed the presence of an endometrioma acting as the “lead point”. This case report showcases the crucial role of diagnostic imaging, which is superior to clinical examination and laboratory tests when diagnosing these patients. Diagnostic imaging, coupled with careful differential diagnosis, is vital to distinguishing benign conditions from malignancy and ensuring timely and appropriate intervention. Early diagnosis and surgical intervention are essential to prevent life-threatening complications such as gangrene and perforation and exclude malignancy in adult patients.