Geologic and geophysical exploration of the Russian Arctic in search for new oil and gas regions

Many specialists who studied Russian Arctic and subarctic regions consider that the latter should be rich in various minerals, for example, gold, tin, coal, kimberlites and, especially in oil and gas. The purpose of the article is to show the potential of regional geological and geophysical (remote sensing) methods for the study of tectonic and morphological features of the structure of the Arctic region subsoil allowing to conduct a regional study of potential resources of oil and gas in the Arctic shelf areas as well as in the mountainous or swampy Subarctic regions of Eastern Siberia inaccessible for other exploration methods (for example, seismic surveying). This article presents the results of the conducted scientific work, which together with other geological and geophysical methods will make it possible to carry out better aerospace studies of the tectonic structure of the Arctic region. In particular, the article introduces a block diagram of a computer software package for mathematical processing and the geological and geophysical interpretation of remote sensing data obtained as a result of measurements over the Arctic and Subarctic regions. The findings obtained on morphological (concentric) structures of the central type formed as a result of the occurrence of paleo-mantle plumes are compared with independent data on geological and geophysical sections of the earth's crust constructed in the zones where these structures are located. The obtained data on the oil and gas potential of some regions of the Arctic and Subarctic are compared with the results of forecasts made by other researchers and organizations.

Impact of Pituitary Stalk Preservation on Tumor Recurrence/Progression and Surgically Induced Endocrinopathy After Endoscopic Endonasal Resection of Suprasellar Craniopharyngiomas

Objective: To investigate the factors associated with recurrence/progression after endoscopic endonasal resection of suprasellar craniopharyngiomas. Special attention was paid to assess the impact of pituitary stalk preservation on tumor recurrence/progression and endocrinological outcomes.Methods: We retrospectively recruited 73 patients with suprasellar craniopharyngiomas undergone endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) surgery from September 2014 to May 2019 and assessed their clinical characteristics, surgical outcomes, and recurrence/progression. Stalk preservation or sacrifice was determined by reviewing operative records, videos, and post-operative magnetic resonance imaging.Results: Gross total resection (GTR) was achieved in 51 cases (69.9%). Tumor recurrence was seen in 5 cases (9.8%) and progression was seen in 8 cases (36.4%), respectively. GTR (OR = 0.248 CI 0.081–0.759; p = 0.015) was the only independent factor influencing recurrence/progression. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the mean recurrence/progression-free survival were 53 (95% CI 48–59) and 39 (95% CI 28–50) months, respectively, in patients with and without GTR (p = 0.011). Pituitary stalk preservation was more common in cases with peripheral type tumors (83% vs. 30%, p < 0.01). Preserving the pituitary stalk does not appear to decrease the percentage of GTR (75.5% vs. 55.0%, p = 0.089), or increase the rate of tumor recurrence (12.5% vs. 0%, p = 0.508) or progression (46.2% vs. 22.2%, p = 0.486). However, surgically induced hypothyroidism (60.5% vs. 100%, p = 0.041) and diabetes insipidus (35.1% vs. 81.8%, p = 0.017) were significantly lower in patients with stalk preservation. For patients who had hypopituitarism before EEA, there was no difference between those with and without stalk preservation regarding post-operative hypopituitarism (p > 0.05).Conclusion: GTR is the only independent predictor of recurrence/progression after EEA surgery for suprasellar craniopharyngiomas. Preserving the pituitary stalk does not appear to increase the risk of non-GTR and tumor recurrence/progression and might help reduce the risk of surgically induced hypothyroidism and diabetes insipidus. We recommend preserving the pituitary stalk in peripheral type suprasellar craniopharyngiomas with normal pituitary function, especially in cases without hypothyroidism or diabetes insipidus. On the other hand, stalk sacrifice could be considered in central type tumors with severe pre-operative endocrinopathy.

GEOPHYSICAL STUDIES OF RING STRUCTURES FOR THE SEARCH FOR OIL AND GAS DEPOSITS

The purpose of this work is to show the possibilities of regional geomorphological and geological-geophysical methods for studying the tectonic and geomorphological features of the structure of central-type ring structures on the territory of the Middle Urals (Tatarstan, Udmurtia, Bashkiria, Kirov Region) and adjacent regions of the Komi-Permyat Autonomous Region, allowing to study the oil and gas prospects of these territories. According to the results of geological and geophysical interpretation of the data of magnetic exploration, gravity exploration and heat flow, the deep structure of the root inhomogeneities of the Voy-Vozhsky ring geomorphological structure of the central type, one of the analyzed in the territory of the Middle Urals, is shown. It is assumed that the intersection points of tectonic faults of the Earth's crust (geomorphological liniments) located in the side zones of circular geomorphological structures of the central type on the territory of the Middle Urals and adjacent regions can be promising objects of geological and geophysical research in search of oil deposits. Gas fields can be confined to the central zones ("pipes" of mantle degassing) of circular geomorphological structures of the central type.

The efficacy of paclitaxel drug-eluting balloon angioplasty versus standard balloon angioplasty in stenosis of native hemodialysis arteriovenous fistulas

Background End stage renal disease is on increasing trend and haemodialysis is the main dialysis modality among these patients. Thus, a functioning dialysis vascular access is critical to the delivery of life-saving haemodialysis treatment to these patients. Conventional angioplasty is the first line of treatment; with a 50% of permeability rate (6 months). For this reason, new alternatives are necessary to maintain the access permeability.Hypothesis: Paclitaxel coated balloon is superior to conventional plain balloon angioplasty with decreased re-stenosis of target lesion, improved access circuit and target lesion patency, and decreased number of interventions needed to maintain patency. Methods A total of 39 patients were randomized to receive a paclitaxel-coated balloon (n=15) or plain angioplasty balloon (n=24) after satisfactory angioplasty with a high-pressure balloon. The inclusion criteria were clinical signs of vascular dysfunction confirmed by Doppler Ultrasound and/or angiography. The primary endpoint was target lesion patency defined as time elapsed between the completion of effective and the appearance of restenosis at 3, 6 and 12 months after angioplasty. Secondary endpoints included the relationship between the location of the stenosis, previous angioplasty, demographic variables and survival. Results We recruited 39 patients with dysfunctional vascular accesses; 24 were assigned to the conventional balloon angioplasty group and 15 drug-eluting balloon angioplasty (paclitaxel). With demographic characteristics in Table I. In group A, all were autologous acces. Group B 16% (4) of the accesses were prosthetic and 84% (20) autologous. In relation to the type and length of stenosis, group A was more frequent at the level and longer, whereas in group B it predominated in the central type and less than 20 mm.In our study, we also observed a high rate of total occlusions, frequently in central vessels in group B, while in group A, where peripheral vessels were predominant, total occlusion was less frequent. Table II. We had no complications in either group, and dialysis was immediate at the end of the procedure. Group A did not present restenosis. Table III. Table III shows DEB group (15p) with 100% of permeability according to follow-up and only one (1/15) of patients died due to myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular accident and this patient kept lasted 9 months without restenosis In Table IV. Group B had 2 (8%) patients with restenosis so it was necessary to reoperate using a drug eluting balloon and until now there is no restenosis. From this group we do not have mortality. One patient 1 (24%) had a recovered infarction. Conclusions Paclitaxel-coated balloon angioplasty resulted in superior survival of dysfunctional peripheral vascular access at 12 meses. Both arms show equivalent complications and similar mortality FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public hospital(s). Main funding source(s): Enrique Garcés Hospital

Lithostratigraphy of the Vuurdood Subsuite, an early mafic-ultramafic phase of the Palaeoproterozoic Vioolsdrif Intrusive Suite, Richtersveld Magmatic Arc, Northern Cape Province

Mafic-ultramafic plutonic intrusions form an early phase in the emplacement of the predominantly granitic Vioolsdrif Suite, which together with its extrusive carapace, the Orange River Group, form the Richtersveld Magmatic Arc, a Palaeoproterozoic crustal segment formed between 1910 and 1865 Ma. Their lithologic character and distinctive dark weathering features in the mountain desert landscape of the Richtersveld, neighbouring regions of the Northern Cape Province and southern Namibia, make them a separate mappable unit in what is a predominantly granitic terrain. The name of the subsuite is taken from a spectacular twin peak massif near Goodhouse (Vuurdoodberg), while the type locality is one of the best preserved central-type intrusive bodies at Swartkop, situated 2 km off the N7 highway about 20 km south of the border town of Vioolsdrif, where the rock types present include gabbro, metagabbro, quartz-metagabbro, peridotite and troctolite.

An Unusual Presentation of Peripheral Ossifying Fibroma in an Elderly Male - A Case Report

Peripheral ossifying fibroma (POF) is a reactive process of the gingiva that develops due to irritation or minor trauma. Females are more affected than males suggesting a hormonal influence. This case report describes a case of peripheral ossifying fibroma in a 48-year-old male patient in 33, 34 regions in contrast to its common occurrence in young females. Histopathological examination is necessary to confirm the diagnosis. Surgical excision is the treatment of choice to prevent recurrence. One year follow up of the case showed no signs of recurrence. Gingival overgrowth is a common feature of the various types of gingival disease in the oral cavity. Gingival diseases and conditions can be due to genetic disorder, specific infections, inflammatory and immune conditions and lesions, reactive processes, neoplasms, endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic diseases, traumatic lesions and gingival pigmentation.1 Reactive processes are non-neoplastic nodular swellings that develop in response to local irritation or minor trauma. The term epulis is exophytic processes confined to the gingiva.2 Kfir et al. classified epulides into fibrous epulis, peripheral ossifying fibroma, pyogenic granuloma (vascular epulis), peripheral giant cell granuloma (or central).3 Ossifying fibromas in the oral cavity can be classified into central and peripheral type. The central type expands from the medullary cavity of the bone, arising from the endosteum or the periodontal ligament (PDL) adjacent to the root apex. Peripheral type arises from the soft tissues overlying the alveolar process which is contiguous with the periodontal ligament. 4 This article presents a case of POF in a male patient.

Applications of a muscle relaxant (tolperizone) in clinical practice

Tolperizone is a central type of muscle relaxant that is widely used in clinical practice for the treatment of patients with acute and chronic nonspecific lower back pain(LBP), inflammatory and degenerative-dystrophic joint diseases, and is used in the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome (MPS).The Russian market widely used drug tolperizone, which is comparable in its clinical and anti-inflammatory activity with the original tolperizone, as well as with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Tolperizone is prescribed mainly in complex therapy, as well as as monotherapy.In some studies, based on the clinical efficacy of tolperizone (200 mg 3 times a day), it is concluded that tolperizone can be considered as a promising treatment for acute muscle spasm, without causing drowsiness. In the treatment of pain syndromes and osteoarthritis (OA) of various localization, the optimal dosage regimen of tolperizone is currently recommended: oral 150-300 mg per day for a course of 14 days, or according to a 2-stage scheme of administration, first intramuscularly 1.0 ml 2 times a day for 5 injections, then switching to oral administration of 150 mg 3 times a day; with MPS, a single local intramuscular injection of tolperizone is prescribed at the trigger point. The addition of tolperizone (150 mg/s) to the scheme of complex therapy allows to achieve an earlier clinical effect in OA of the hip and ankle joints, suppressing further progression of the disease. When included in the therapy regimen of tolperizone (150 mg/s, 14 days) OA of the ankle joint, with ultrasound examination, there is a statistically significant decrease in the signs of synovitis.

SPATIAL MODEL “CORE–PERIPHERY”: TESTING THE LABOR POTENTIAL OF THE KYIV REGION

Already in most segments of the economy there are new facts of labor shortage for Ukraine. The formation and use of Ukraine’s labor potential is quite polarized. First, it is due to the varying degrees of favorable geographical location of the administrative-territorial units of the country. Secondly, the existence of uneven social development of the regions of Ukraine creates different conditions for the functioning of the labor market and the reproduction of labor resources. Third, the development of labor potential of any region of the country depends mainly on diverse programs and strategies of socio-economic development at different taxonomic levels of government.To spatially delimit the development of labor potential of Kyiv region, the dynamics of the integrated rank of labor potential development for 2010–2016 was analyzed.The main methods of work were the use of index methods, factor and cluster analysis. The task of the study was to test the provisions of the concept of “Core–Periphery” on the materials of the labor potential of the population of Kyiv region.The results of the analysis helped to identify four different types of districts of Kyiv region by the core-peripheral feature of labor potential development during 2010–2016: 1) central-type districts or core-districts/central districts; 2) areas of semi-peripheral type or semi-peripheral areas; 3) peripheral areas or peripheral areas; 4) lacunar-type areas or lacunar areas (areas that are exceptions to the rules of center-peripheral spatial distribution).This structure is a consequence of the territorial concentration of different levels of labor potential development in the studied micro-regions, as a result of this concentration there is an accumulation and generation of various innovations that directly or indirectly affect the labor potential of districts. Core areas or central areas are areas-leaders in the level of labor potential development, which in fact form a single zone of advanced development of labor potential among all studied areas. The semi-periphery of labor potential development in Kyiv region combines all possible palette of districts-neighbors of Kyiv, which is quite strong in the nature and level of labor potential development of each semi-peripheral micro-region. Peripheral microregions are outsider districts in terms of the level of labor potential development. The type of lacunar areas has only one representative, which forms a separate spatial center in the territorial organization of the center-periphery of labor potential development.Key words: core, periphery, Kyiv region, labor potential. Уже зараз у більшості сегментів економіки виникають нові для України факти дефіциту трудових ресурсів. Формування та використання трудового потенціалу України є досить поляризованим. По-перше, це зумовлено різним ступенем сприятливості суспільно-географічного положення адміністративно-територіальних утворень країни. По-друге, що за своєю суттю є досить вираженим наслідком із першого, існування нерівномірності соціально-економічного розвитку регіонів України створює різні умови функціонування ринку праці та відтворення трудових ресурсів. По-третє, розвиток трудового потенціалу будь-якого регіону країни в основному залежить від різносторонніх програм і стратегій соціально-економічного розвитку на різних таксономічних рівнях управління.Для просторової делімітації центр–периферії розвитку трудового потенціалу Київської області було проаналізовано динаміку інтегрального рангу розвитку трудового потенціалу за 2010–2016 рр. у розрізі районів, кластеризацію районів за рівнем розвитку трудового потенціалу, типі-зацію районів за величиною базового приросту інтегрального рангу розвитку трудового потенціалу та порядок сусідства районів стосовно м. Києва. Основними методами роботи стали сполучне застосування індексних методів, факторного та кластерного аналізу. Завданням дослідження стало тестування положень концепції «Центр–Периферія» на матеріалах трудового потенціалу населення Київської області.Результати аналізу допомогли ідентифікувати чотири різні типи районів Київської області за центр-периферійною ознакою розвитку трудового потенціалу протягом 2010–2016 рр.: 1) райони центрального типу, або райони-ядра/центральні райони; 2) райони напівпериферійного типу, або напівпериферійні райони; 3) райони периферійного типу, або периферійні райони; 4) райони лакунарного типу, або лакунарні райони (райони, що є винятками із правил центр-периферій-ного просторового розподілу). Райони-ядра, або центральні райони, – це райони-лідери за рівнем розвитку трудового потенціалу, що фактично формують єдиний пояс випереджаючого розвитку трудового потенціалу серед усіх досліджуваних районів. Напівпериферія розвитку трудового потенціалу у Київській області об’єднує у собі всю можливу палітру районів-сусідів Києва, що досить сильно проявляється на характері та рівні розвитку трудового потенціалу кожного напівп-ериферійного мікрорегіону. Мікрорегіони периферійного типу – райони-аутсайдери за рівнем розвитку трудового потенціалу. Тип лакунарних районів має лише одного представника, який формує окремий просторовий осередок у територіальній організації центр–периферії розвитку трудового потенціалу.Ключові слова: центр, периферія, Київська область, трудовий потенціал.

Different patterns of pneumothorax in patients with soft tissue tumors treated with pazopanib: A case series analysis

To investigate pneumothorax patterns in pazopanib treatment by focusing on the positional relationship between the visceral pleura and metastatic lung tumor, we examined 20 patients with advanced soft tissue tumors who developed lung metastases and underwent pazopanib treatment between 2012 and 2019. Pneumothorax was classified into two types based on the location of the metastatic lesion around the visceral pleural area before pazopanib treatment: subpleural type, within 5 mm from the pleura; and central type, >5 mm from the pleura. We investigated the rates of pneumothorax and the associated risk factors. Five patients experienced pneumothorax (three subpleural and two central types). Cavitation preceded pneumothorax in 83% of patients and led to connection of the cavitated cyst of the metastatic lesion to the chest cavity in the shorter term in patients with the subpleural type. Conversely, a more gradual increase in the cavity size and sudden cyst rupture were observed in the central type. The risk factors for pneumothorax were cavitation after initiating pazopanib and intervention before pazopanib, either ablation or surgery. The location of the metastatic lesions was not a risk factor for the occurrence of pneumothorax. In conclusion, pneumothorax is an adverse event associated with pazopanib treatment. Therefore, attention must be paid to predisposing factors such as the formation of cavitation after pazopanib initiation and previous interventions to the lungs. Moreover, because subpleural pneumothorax tends to occur earlier than the central type, a different time course can be anticipated based on the positional relationships of the metastatic lesions to the visceral pleura.

Pulmonary mucormycosis presenting as central bronchopleural fistula—a case report with review of literature

Background Bronchopleural fistula (BFF) is a fistulous communication between the trachea or bronchus and the pleural space. Central type of bronchopleural fistula is usually post-surgical. Infective cause for central bronchopleural fistula is rare. This case report encompasses an infective cause of central bronchopleural fistula, mucormycosis. Pulmonary mucormycosis is a rapidly progressive condition with high mortality. A high index of suspicion and timely intervention is required to alleviate fatal outcome. The present case is discussed in detail about the clinical presentation and diagnostic imaging of pulmonary mucormycosis presenting with central bronchopleural fistula. Case presentation Thirty-five years old diabetic male, presented with fever, productive cough, mild haemoptysis and chest pain for 10 days duration. The patient was pale on general examination and had decreased breath sound in the right suprascapular and interscapular areas with coarse crackles in the right infrascapular and infra-axillary areas. The laboratory investigations were unremarkable except for anaemia and raised blood glucose level. Sputum examination on potassium hydroxide (KOH) mount showed broad aseptate hyphae. There was a loculated right hydropneumothorax with collapsed lung in chest radiograph. Multi-detector computed tomography of the thorax revealed central type of bronchopleural fistula with the right main bronchus, consolidation of the middle lobe and superior segment of the right lower lobe with multiple internal thick-walled cavities. Right pneumonectomy was performed as the patient did not improve on medical management and showed worsening of symptoms. Histopathological examination was suggestive of mucormycosis. Conclusion Central bronchopleural fistula due to an infective aetiology is uncommon. However, mucormycosis should be considered as a differential diagnosis in cases of central bronchopleural fistula with the destroyed lung, especially in diabetic individuals. Hence, a high index of suspicion is necessary for early diagnosis and management as mucormycosis is a rapidly progressive disease with delay in treatment leading to high mortality.