NT-proBNP as an Additional Marker of Significant Coronary Atherosclerotic Lesions

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause for morbidity and mortality both in Ukraine and in the world, so the relevance of this problem for the society is undeniable. The priority is still to study the factors that affect both more severe CAD in patients with chronic coronary syndrome and after myocardial revascularization. The aim. To investigate the patterns of correlation between blood level of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and CAD severity, especially in patients with multivessel lesion, to confirm its status of a useful additional marker for assessing the condition of cardiovascular system and one of the instruments to affect the tactics of treatment. Materials and methods. The study is based on data obtained from a prospective analysis of 40 patients at the age of 51 to 82 years old from January to December 2019, whose complaints could indicate the CAD. All the patients underwent a comprehensive clinical and laboratory examination (complete blood count, biochemical blood test). The main instrumental examination method was coronary angiography; the patients were divided into 2 groups on the basis of the examination results. The quantitative degree of lesion was assessed using the SYNTAX Score for each patient. Results. The groups were comparable in terms of age, sex, and comorbidities. The groups differed significantly in terms of body mass index. Moreover, the groups differed in the level of the following biochemical markers: NT-proBNP (p=0.0001), cholesterol (p=0.02), low-density lipoproteins (p=0.009), creatinine (p=0.02), glomerular filtration rate (p=0.08). A significant correlation was found between the NT-proBNP level and the degree of CAD ρ=0.718 (p=0.0001). Conclusion. NT-proBNP significantly correlates with the SYNTAX Score and is the highest in the group of patients with multivessel coronary disease. This indicator requires further study as an additional marker for assessing the state of the cardiovascular system and can influence the choice of treatment.

Microsaccades as a marker not a cause for attention-related modulation

Recent evidence suggests that microsaccades are causally linked to the attention-related modulation of neurons - specifically, that microsaccades towards the attended location are required for the subsequent changes in firing rate. These findings have raised questions about whether attention-related modulation is due to different states of attention as traditionally assumed or might instead be a secondary effect of microsaccades. Here, in two rhesus macaques, we tested the relationship between microsaccades and attention-related modulation in the superior colliculus, a brain structure crucial for allocating attention. We found that attention-related modulation emerged even in the absence of microsaccades, was already present prior to microsaccades towards the cued stimulus, and persisted through the suppression of activity that accompanied all microsaccades. Nonetheless, consistent with previous findings, we also found significant attention-related modulation when microsaccades were directed towards, rather than away from, the cued location. Thus, in contrast to the prevailing hypothesis, microsaccades are not necessary for attention-related modulation, at least not in the superior colliculus. They do, however, provide an additional marker for the state of attention, especially at times when attention is shifting from one location to another.

EVALUATION OF FETAL THIGH CIRCUMFERENCE AS AN ADDITIONAL MARKER FOR FOETAL BIOMETRY

Objective: Accurate determination of gestational age is the sine qua non of optimal management and hence prognostication of all pregnancies.A meticulous biometry ensures timely interventions resulting in favorable maternal and fetal outcomes. Traditionally, the parameters of Biparietal diameter (BPD), Femur length (FL), Head circumference (HC), and Abdominal circumference (AC) have been utilized for routine fetal biometry. The present study aims to assess the utility of Fetal Thigh Circumference (ThC) as an additional marker for fetal biometry. Methods: The present retrospective, observational, and cross-sectional study was done in the Departments of Radiodiagnosis and Obstetrics and Gynaecology in an ethically and socio-economically diverse group of pregnant females. All pregnant females with singleton pregnancies between 22 and 40 weeks of gestation and fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria were subjected to ultrasound examination. Subsequently analysis was done for the data collected. Results: There were a total of 287 participants in present study group with mean age of 23±3.4 years. The strength of agreement almost perfect (>0.99) between the mean observed ThC to ThC values by Deter et al. taken as standard. There was a highly significant positive correlation between gestational period and standard biometry parameters and ThC. ThC model for prediction will be better than standard biometry parameters of BPD, HC and AC but not as good as FL model according to the regression analysis of the present study. Conclusions: There is concordance of fetal ThC as an accurate predictor of period of gestation only after FL. It can be combined with standard biometry parameters to give a better estimation of period of gestation.

Sareomycetes: More Diversity than Meets the Eye

Since its resurrection, the resinicolous discomycete genus Sarea has been accepted as containing two species, one with black apothecia and pycnidia, and one with orange. We investigate this hypothesis using three ribosomal (nuITS, nuLSU, mtSSU) regions from and morphological examination of 70 specimens collected primarily in Europe and North America. The results of our analyses support separation of the traditional Sarea difformis s.l. and Sarea resinae s.l. into two distinct genera, Sarea and Zythia. Sarea as circumscribed is shown to comprise three phylospecies, with one corresponding to Sarea difformis s.s. and two, morphologically indistinguishable, corresponding to the newly combined Sarea coeloplata. Zythia is maintained as monotypic, containing only a genetically and morphologically variable Z. resinae. The new genus Atrozythia is erected for the new species A. klamathica. Arthrographis lignicola is placed in this genus on molecular grounds, expanding the concept of Sareomycetes by inclusion of a previously unknown type of anamorph. Dating analyses using additional marker regions indicate the emergence of the Sareomycetes was roughly concurrent with the diversification of the genus Pinus, suggesting that this group of fungi emerged to exploit the newly-available resinous ecological niche supplied by Pinus or another, extinct group of conifers. Our phylogeographic studies also permitted us to study the introductions of these fungi to areas where they are not native, including Antarctica, Cape Verde, and New Zealand and are consistent with historical hypotheses of introduction.

Immunocytochemical expression of Ki-67/p16 in normal, atypical, and neoplastic cells in urine cytology using BD SurePath™ as preparation method

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the expression of Ki-67/p16 in urothelial cells in cytological material. Materials and Methods: There were 142 urines including normal controls, anonymous rest urine, controls after treatment for urothelial carcinoma (UC) and newly diagnosed UC. Immunocytochemistry for ki-67/p16 dual staining kit was performed on all specimens. Results: Eight high-grade UC and six anonymous specimens showed dual positivity. None of the low-grade UC or the control specimens after treated UC showed dual staining. Fifteen of 84 (17.8%) symptomatic cases were negative for both markers, and 59/84 (70.2%) showed positivity for both but not dual staining. Twenty-seven of 84 cases were positive for either Ki-67 (n = 22) or p16 (n = 5). Normal controls and benign specimens were negative for p16. Conclusions: Co-expression of p16/Ki-67 in the same cells was found in 16.6% of the cases. All were high grade, and co-expression seems to have limited practical impact as an additional marker in urine cytology. Any positivity for p16 alone strongly indicates malignancy. Negative p16 accompanied by a positive Ki-67 rate at 5% or more could be considered as an additional marker for further clinical follow-up. Both markers, co-expressed and separate, can give additional information in follow-up patients after treatment for UC.