Atrophic Process Research Articles

Combined therapy using near‑infrared and hyaluronic acid in the treatment of changes related to facial skin aging – a case study

Aging of the body is a physiological, multifactorial and complex process. In aging tissues, growth and regenerative processes slow down, and atrophic processes begin to dominate. This article is a presentation of a case study using a therapeutic protocol to counteract facial skin aging. Combined therapy using near‑infrared (near‑IR) with non‑cross‑linked and cross‑linked hyaluronic acid leads to significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity.

Predicting optic atrophy in patients with anterior uveitis by computed tomography-based assessment of optic nerve diameter

Background: An objective assessment of factors for ocular inflammation and its sequelae and diagnostic assessment of possible development of the sequelae in early phases of uveitis are essential for early and effective treatment of endogenous uveitis. Purpose: To determine whether it is possible to predict optic atrophy in patients with anterior uveitis using computed tomography (CT)-based assessment of optic nerve diameter. Material and Methods: Patients with anterior uveitis underwent a routine eye examination (ophthalmoscopy, biomicroscopy, intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement, and Humphrey perimetry). In addition, they underwent CT-based assessment of optic disc diameter at 3-5 mm from the entrance into the orbit in the affected eye and the contralateral healthy eye. Patients received treatment as per the protocol. Results: The percentage difference in optic nerve diameter between patients with uveitis complicated by optic neuritis and those with uveitis only for affected eyes was large (33.1%) and statistically significant. At 3 months and 6 months after initiation of treatment, mean optic disc diameter in patients with optic neuritis decreased by 37.2% and 49.1%, respectively, compared to baseline values. At 6 months, a decrease in optic nerve diameter among optic neuritis patients was observed both in those who received treatment and in those who failed to receive treatment, but was less marked in the former patients. Particularly, from 3 months to 6 months, optic nerve diameter decreased by 17.3% in treated optic neuritis patients versus 23.5% in those who remained untreated. Conclusion: CT-based data on the change in the optic nerve diameter at the entrance into the orbit in patients with optic neuritis is an objective characteristic of the presence and grade of atrophic process. Early identification of the potential for development of optic atrophy in individuals with optic neuritis will make it possible to treat them early and, consequently, to prevent or stabilize the process.

ОСОБЕННОСТИ НАРУШЕНИЙ МОТОРНОЙ ФУНКЦИИ ЖЕЛУДКА ПРИ ДИСРЕГЕНЕРАТОРНЫХ ИЗМЕНЕНИЯХ ЕГО СЛИЗИСТОЙ ОБОЛОЧКИ

The study was conducted at the Department and Clinic of Hospital Therapy of the Military Medical Academy. CM. Kirov. The work studied the relationship of motor disorders of the stomach with morphological changes in the gastric mucosa in 90 patients with chronic atrophic gastritis and 93 patients with chronic non-atrophic gastritis aged 20 to 73 years (the average age of patients was 52.7+1.7 years and 48.5+ 3.6 respectively). Motor disorders were characteristic of 87% of patients with chronic atrophic gastritis and 79.6% of patients with chronic non-atrophic gastritis. It was found that in patients with chronic atrophic gastritis significantly more often (p<0.01) than in patients with chronic non-atrophic gastritis, there was an insufficiency of the lower esophageal sphincter. At the same time, insufficiency of the pylorus in comparison with its spasm was significantly more often (p<0.01) detected in chronic atrophic gastritis. Duodenogastric reflux in combination with insufficiency of the lower esophageal sphincter in patients with chronic atrophic gastritis significantly more often (p<0.01) atrophy was observed in the body and antrum of the stomach. When atrophy was localized only in the antrum, pyloric insufficiency was observed significantly more often than spasm (p<0.01). Duodenogastric reflux in combination with insufficiency of lower esophageal sphincter in patients with chronic atrophic gastritis significantly more often (p<0,01) atrophy in the body and antral part of the stomach was observed. Thus, the relationship between insufficiency of the lower esophageal and pyloric sphincters with a diffuse atrophic process has been established.

The estriol use in the perioperative period by patients with genital prolapse

Introduction. Postmenopausal women in a state of oestrogen deficiency often experience pelvic prolapse with underlying genitourinary menopausal syndrome, when the progression of atrophic processes in the vaginal mucosa comes to the forefront.Aim. To evaluate the results of the use of topical hormonal therapy in the perioperative period to improve the vaginal epithelial surface appearance in postmenopausal women who need surgical treatment of pelvic prolapse.Materials and methods. A comparative prospective randomized clinical trial included 60 postmenopausal patients aged 60 to 69 years with a postmenopausal period of 10 to 20 years, suffering from POP-Q stage II–IV pelvic prolapse (ICS, 1996). All patients were recommended surgical treatment using vaginal approach. The treatment group (Group 1) included 30 patients who received topical hormonal therapy with an estriol drug (Ovestin cream, 1 mg/g) within 1 month before reconstructive plastic surgery. The comparison group (Group 2) included 30 patients who did not receive hormonal treatment in the perioperative period.Results. No complications were observed in the treatment group after reconstructive plastic surgery in the early and late postoperative periods. In the comparison group, natural urination was not achieved in 9 of 30 (35.0%) women on Day 2 after surgery, in 4 of 30 (13.3%) patients on Day 3. Also in that group, 4 of 30 (13.3%) patients experienced infectious and inflammatory complications in the postoperative period, the mucous membrane healing in 5/30 (16.6%) patients took a long time, over 1 month.Conclusions. The use of topical hormonal therapy with an estriol drug in the perioperative period in patients who require surgical treatment of pelvic prolapse results in the relief of vulvovaginal atrophy symptoms and adequate regeneration of the vaginal mucosa, which helps reduce the likelihood of complications in both early and late postoperative periods.

The Maintenance of AMPK Activity Eliminates Abnormally Accelerated Differentiation of Primary Myoblasts Isolated from Atrophied Rat Soleus Muscle

Mechanical unloading of skeletal muscles leads to the development of atrophic processes and a decrease in the total number of satellite cells (SCs) that are involved in muscle regeneration. In vitro studies revealed an increased differentiation of myoblasts derived from rat soleus muscle after an unloading-induced decrease in AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). AMPK is necessary for the activation of SCs and also participates in the regulation of myoblast proliferation and differentiation. It can be assumed that a decrease in the activity of AMPK after mechanical unloading can contribute to the acceleration of myoblast differentiation. The main purpose of this study was to elucidate a possible role of AMPK in the regulation of differentiation of myoblasts isolated from rat soleus muscle after mechanical unloading. To test this hypothesis, a specific AMPK activator, AICAR, was used to prevent a decrease in AMPK activity during differentiation of myoblasts isolated from rat soleus muscle after 7-day unloading. Immunocytochemistry, PCR-RT and Western blotting were used to assess changes during myoblast differentiation. In differentiating myoblasts derived from the unloaded soleus muscle there was a significant decrease in AMPK (Thr172) and ACC (Ser 79) phosphorylation levels, an increase in myotube differentiation index, myoblast fusion factors and the expression of myogenic regulatory factors (MRF). Furthermore, there was a decrease in the expression of slow myosin heavy chains (MyHC) and an increase in the expression of fast MyHC isoforms. AICAR treatment of differentiating myoblasts obtained from the unloaded soleus muscle prevented a decrease in AMPK and ACC phosphorylation, returned the expression levels of MRF and fast isoforms of MyHC to the control levels as well as maintained the expression of slow MyHC. Thus, abnormally accelerated differentiation of myoblasts isolated from atrophied rat soleus muscle can be compensated by maintaining the control levels of AMPK activity using AICAR.

Activation of β-catenin in mesenchymal progenitors leads to muscle mass loss.

Loss of muscle mass is a common manifestation of chronic disease. We find the canonical Wnt pathway to be activated in mesenchymal progenitors (MPs) from cancer-induced cachectic mouse muscle. Next, we induce β-catenin transcriptional activity in murine MPs. As a result, we observe expansion of MPs in the absence of tissue damage, as well as rapid loss of muscle mass. Because MPs are present throughout the organism, we use spatially restricted CRE activation and show that the induction of tissue-resident MP activation is sufficient to induce muscle atrophy. We further identify increased expression of stromal NOGGIN and ACTIVIN-A as key drivers of atrophic processes in myofibers, and we verify their expression by MPs in cachectic muscle. Finally, we show that blocking ACTIVIN-A rescues the mass loss phenotype triggered by β-catenin activation in MPs, confirming its key functional role and strengthening the rationale for targeting this pathway in chronic disease.

Analysis of risk variables for association with maxillary sinus mucosal thickenings: a cone-beam computed tomography-based retrospective study

PurposeThis study aimed to determine which patient-related, anatomical, pathologic, or iatrogenic variables may be directly associated with and which may have a modifying effect on the generation of maxillary sinus (MS) mucosal thickenings.MethodsA total of 278 cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans obtained from 114 males and 164 females were evaluated. The protocol included the assessment of 21 candidate variables, of which 18 were bilateral and 3 were unique. The relationship among the study variables and the mucosal thickenings were examined individually and adjusted for confounding using univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression models.ResultsThe prevalence of mucosal thickenings was 71.20% at patient level and 53.40% at sinus level. The ostium height > 28.15 mm, the infundibulum length ≤ 9.55 mm, the infundibulum width ≤ 0.50 mm, along the occurrence of periapical lesions and slight-to-severe periodontal bone loss acted as strong/independent risk variables for MS mucosal thickenings. Confounding and interaction relationships between MS height and depth, and between the alveolar process type and the presence of foreign materials with respect to age stratum > 47.50 years might be also associated with the mucosal thickenings.ConclusionsWhile increased ostium height, decreased infundibulum length/width, the presence of periapical lesions and periodontal involvement might be the foremost indicator variables for MS mucosal thickenings, there are synergistic relationships among the increased sinus height and depth as well as aging regarding atrophic/partially atrophic alveolar process status and the presence of foreign materials that may be also associated with a greater proportion of these mucosal abnormalities.

Disturbances of the stomatognathic system and possibilities of its correction in patients with craniofacial morphea.

Morphea en coup de sabre and progressive hemifacial atrophy are extremely rare connective tissue disorders causing facial deformity. In extreme cases, morphological disorders are accompanied by symptoms of a clear impairment of the stomatognathic system. The aetiology of the above-mentioned diseases is still unknown. Properly planned therapy in the field of maxillofacial orthopaedics makes it possible to correct the asymmetric pattern of hard tissue growth and thus enable rehabilitation. The task of augmentation techniques is the volumetric supplementation of tissue defects resulting from atrophic processes. The degree of destruction and the extent of changes determine the method of correction. Mild and moderate defects are treated mainly with biomaterials and autologous adipose tissue. The severe course of hemifacial atrophy and morphea en coup de sabre and the associated significant tissue atrophy necessitate the search for more complex methods of treatment. In this paper, we summarize the disturbances of the stomatognathic system in patients with craniofacial morphea, together with an analysis of current treatment options.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE DYSTROPHIC MANIFESTATIONS IN THE PERIODONTIUM AND INTESTINAL DYSBACTERIOSIS.

The aim: of our work was investigation of dystrophy in periodontal tissues and an attempt to establish the correlation between dystrophy in the periodontium and presence of intestinal disbacteriosis. Materials and methods: Clinical-radiological examination was carried out in 146 patients with generalized periodontal pathology at the age from 26 to 59 years old. Among them in 92 persons generalized periodontitis was diagnosed and in 54 - periodontosis. The first stage of heaviness of the pathological process in the periodontium was revealed in 50 patients with generalized periodontitis and 28 persons with periodontosis. Other patients suffered from heavier forms of periodontal pathology (II and III stages), 42 persons with generalized periodontitis and 28 persons with periodontosis accordingly. Bacteriological analysis of feces for disbacteriosis was carried out in all patients. Results: Changes in the physiological contour of the gums (that is macro relief of marginal periodontium) were found in the majority of examined patients. Because of the development of pathological gingival contour and recession of the gums, 72,5% of examined patients suffered from root denudation and different pathological conditions of roots cement structure - pigmentation, demineralization, wedge-shaped defects, caries. According to our clinical investigations it was found out that in majority of patients (83%) both inflammatory and dystophic changes were present, only 17% of patients had purely atrophic process in the periodontium without inflammation. In patients with GP and periodontosis, in whom dystrophic changes were accompanied by inflammation, clinical appearance was more expressed with redness, bleeding and suppuration from the pockets, thus hiding dystrophic signs. Conclusions: According to clinical and radiological findings numerous dystrophic changes were found in all structures of the periodontium and teeth of patients with periodontosis and generalized periodontitis. Changes intensify in disease progressing into the II-III stages. In patients with periodontosis clinical- radio¬logical peculiarities of dystrophy were revealed in early stages of disease progression, while in generalized periodontitis dystrophic changes become apparent in late stages of disease. The presence of colon disbacteriosis was established in patients with periodontosis and generalized periodontitis. Disbacteriosis intensifies when diseases progress into II-III stages of heaviness. These data indicates to possible correlation between the development of dystrophic changes in periodontal tissues and the presence of intestinal disbacteriosis.

RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF GASTRITIS ASSOCIATED WITH CHRONIC ATROPHIC H. PYLORI IN PATIENTS WITH NOCARDIAL GASTRIC CANCER IN BUKHARA CITY AND PREVENTION OF ATROPHIC PROCESSES OF GASTRIC MUCOSA

Atrophic gastritis is understood as a progressive inflammatory process of the gastric mucosa, characterized by the loss of gastric glands. Helicobacter pylori infection (HP) and autoimmune gastritis are recognized as the most common etiological factors causing atrophic gastritis. The results of a retrospective analysis of the prevalence of chronic atrophic gastritis associated with H. pylori in patients with non-cardiac gastric cancer in Bukhara city were described. In addition, an algorithm for early diagnosis of atrophic processes of the gastric mucosa has been developed. When the incidence rate of chronic atrophic gastritis associated with H. pylori was analyzed in patients with non-cardiac gastric cancer in the city of Bukhara, it was noted that it tended to increase for 5 years from 2015 to 2019. Based on the research results, a personal algorithm for the formation of risk groups of atrophic processes of the gastric mucosa was developed. A personalized algorithm allows forming risk groups for atrophic processes of the gastric mucosa based on serological parameters, as well as taking into account data on genetic predisposition.

Microstructural changes in the brain in persons with mild COVID-19

BACKGROUND: The purpose of which was to investigate, using voxel-based MR morphometry, changes in the volume of brain structures in persons who had undergone a new coronavirus disease.
 MATERIALS AND METHODS: 34 patients with mild COVID-19 between 4 months and one year were examined. All study participants were scanned at two time points: before COVID-19 infection and re-imaging after infection. The comparison group consisted of 30 healthy volunteers who did not have COVID-19 and were comparable in terms of sex, age, timing and MRI protocol.
 RESULTS: In the main and control groups a significant increase in the volume of individual segments of the large hemisphere cortex, subcortical gray matter, and white matter of the brain was detected. Signs of atrophic process were registered in the cerebellar cortex and left frontal lobe. In the main group there was an increase of cortical volume practically in all cerebral lobes with some emphasis on the posterior parts of the right hemisphere. When analyzing changes of subcortical gray matter in the main group, there was reliable (p 0.05) increase of its total volume due to left caudate nucleus, pale ball, right amygdala body and ventral diencephalon. Increased volume of white matter of the brain in COVID-19 patients was detected in the left isthmus and rostral part of the right cingulate gyrus, left paracentral lobe, and right precuneus.
 CONCLUSION: the cerebellum is affected quite early by SARS-CoV-2, as we recorded atrophic changes in its cortex at 412 months. In COVID-19, the microstructural integrity, predominantly of gray matter and other brain segments, is impaired. Increased volume of these structures indicates the duration of the inflammatory process. An increase in the volume of these structures may indicate the duration of the inflammatory process.

The Role of P2Y Receptors in the Regulation of Atrophic Processes in Rat Skeletal Muscles under Unloading

The Role of P2Y Receptors in the Regulation of Atrophic Processes in Rat Skeletal Muscles under Unloading

Risk factors of gastric cancer as a basis for the development of a prognostic questionnaire for the register of patients with precancerous gastroduodenal diseases

The article is a critical analysis of the world scientific literature devoted to the search for risk factors for stomach cancer for the timely prognosis of this disease and the implementation of cancer prevention measures. The paper presents data from numerous studies to determine the role of environmental factors, including unfavorable ecology, as well as gender, age, smoking, alcohol abuse. The authors’ opinions are presented on the essential role of the alimentary factor in the genesis of neoplasms in the stomach, including the predominance of animal fats in food, the abuse of overcooked, pickled foods rich in nitrosoamines, foods saturated with spices, the use of too hot food, the use of foods infected with mycotoxins in nutrition. The role of environmental factors in the prognosis of gastric cancer is noted: the state of secretory activity of the stomach, the dynamics of inflammatory and atrophic processes in the mucous membrane. A special role for the prognosis of stomach cancer is assigned by many authors to the pyloric helicobacter, as well as the quantitative indicator of glycated blood hemoglobin and its dynamics. The significance of genetic changes in the genesis of gastric cancer and their role as prognostic factors of the disease is ambiguous. The article draws attention to the multidirectional results of many authors in understanding a large number of factors they have studied that could be used as prognostic witnesses of stomach cancer. The expediency of searching for the most significant regional factors for the prognosis of gastric cancer is substantiated, on the basis of which it is very important to create registers of patients with precancerous diseases of the stomach for the organization and implementation of personalized and effective measures of cancer prevention.

Effect of Sinus Perforation with Flaplessly Placed Mini Dental Implants for Oral Rehabilitation: A 5-Year Clinical and Radiological Follow-Up.

Background: Flaplessly placed one-piece mini dental implants (MDI) are an option to support maxillary overdentures. Evenly distribution of the implants over the atrophic alveolar process implies a risk of accidental sinus perforation in the posterior area which could induce sinus-related pathology. Methods: Thirty-one patients received 5–6 maxillary MDIs. Schneiderian membrane swelling was assessed with CBCT at the deepest point of the sinus in the mid-sagittal plane prior to surgery (baseline), after 2 and 5 years. Additionally, subjective patient-reported rhinosinusitis complaints, the effect of smoking, and gender differences were investigated. Results: Mean thickness of the Schneiderian membrane was 2.87 mm at baseline, 3.15 mm at 2 years, and 4.30 mm at 5 years in 27 of 31 initially treated patients. MDI perforation was detected in 21/54 sinuses. At 2 years, perforation length does not affect membrane thickness whereas baseline swelling does. In smokers, each perforated mm induced 0.87 mm additional swelling. After 5 years, the effect of baseline swelling becomes smaller whereas perforation length became statistically significant, with 0.53 mm increase for every perforated mm. The effect of smoking lost its significance. No relations between gender, membrane thickness changes, or subjective clinical sinus complaints and MDI perforation were found. Conclusion: Accidental MDI sinus perforation induces Schneiderian membrane swelling but does not interfere with clinical sinusal outcome after 5 years.

Effect of enhanced muscle tone on the expression of atrogenes and cytoskeletal proteins during postural muscle unloading

Skeletal muscle unloading leads to the decreased electrical activity and decline of muscle tone. Aims: Current study evaluated the effect of muscle tone preservation achieved by tetanus toxin (TeNT) treatment on signaling pathways regulating atrophic processes during unloading. Main methods: Four groups of rats were used: non-treated control (C), control rats with TeNT administration (CT), 7 days of unloading/hindlimb suspension with placebo (HS), and 7 days of unloading with TeNT administration (HST). Key findings: Absolute and relative force of tetanic contractions was decreased by 65% in soleus muscle of HS rats when compared with C. Treatment with TeNT significantly lessened force decline in soleus muscle of HST rats when compared with HS. TeNT administration increased myosin heavy chain I beta (MyHC Iβ) expression in CT rats and prevented MyHC Iβ loss in HST group when compared with C rats. Desmin content was lower by 31.4% (p < 0.05) in HS group when compared with HST. Calpain-1 expression was increased in HS group when compared with C, CT and HST. There was a decrease in p-p70S6K content (41%, p < 0,05) and an increase in p-eEF2 content (77%, p < 0,05) in HS group when compared with C, while there were no significant differences in the content of these proteins between HST, CT and C groups. Significance: Treatment with TeNT significantly diminished unloading-induced decline of soleus muscle mass and mechanical properties and affected the regulation of MyHC Iβ expression. These effects are mediated by signaling pathways regulating protein synthesis and degradation.

Advanced Brain-Age in Psychotic Psychopathology: Evidence for Transdiagnostic Neurodevelopmental Origins.

Schizophrenia is characterized by abnormal brain structure such as global reductions in gray matter volume. Machine learning models trained to estimate the age of brains from structural neuroimaging data consistently show advanced brain-age to be associated with schizophrenia. Yet, it is unclear whether advanced brain-age is specific to schizophrenia compared to other psychotic disorders, and whether evidence that brain structure is “older” than chronological age actually reflects neurodevelopmental rather than atrophic processes. It is also unknown whether advanced brain-age is associated with genetic liability for psychosis carried by biological relatives of people with schizophrenia. We used the Brain-Age Regression Analysis and Computation Utility Software (BARACUS) prediction model and calculated the residualized brain-age gap of 332 adults (163 individuals with psychotic disorders: 105 schizophrenia, 17 schizoaffective disorder, 41 bipolar I disorder with psychotic features; 103 first-degree biological relatives; 66 controls). The model estimated advanced brain-ages for people with psychosis in comparison to controls and relatives, with no differences among psychotic disorders or between relatives and controls. Specifically, the model revealed an enlarged brain-age gap for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder with psychotic features. Advanced brain-age was associated with lower cognitive and general functioning in the full sample. Among relatives, cognitive performance and schizotypal symptoms were related to brain-age gap, suggesting that advanced brain-age is associated with the subtle expressions associated with psychosis. Exploratory longitudinal analyses suggested that brain aging was not accelerated in individuals with a psychotic disorder. In sum, we found that people with psychotic disorders, irrespective of specific diagnosis or illness severity, show indications of non-progressive, advanced brain-age. These findings support a transdiagnostic, neurodevelopmental formulation of structural brain abnormalities in psychotic psychopathology.

MORPHOMETRIC RESEARCH SIGNIFICANCE IN DETERMINATION OF VARIABILITY OF TOPOGRAPHIC RELATIONS OF THE MANDIBLE STRUCTURES ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE SAGITTAL SECTION OF ITS ANGLE

The aim of the work – to carry out morphometric analysis of the angle of the mandibleon the sagittal section and determine its interdependent structural variability from thebone tissue atrophy caused by the loss of the masticatory teeth.Material and methods. 136 CT images were analyzed by means of the standardizedsoftware “Vatech original 2020” and the horizontal optional panel sizing tool todetermine the measurements (mm).Results. Morphometric values of the right mandibular angle at a distance from the edgebehind the molar fossa to the mandibular canal (MC) in the experimental groups arerepresented by an average value of 9.50 mm, and in the control group – 10.43 mm. Onthe left side, an average value of MC is 9.75 mm in the experimental groups, comparedto 11.26 mm in the control group. The distance from the mandibular canal to the outercortical edge of the middle of the right mandibular angle (RMB) is, on average, 17.68mm in the experimental groups and 18.92 mm in the control group (with preserveddentition rows). In turn, the left side is characterized by an RMB distance with anaverage value of 17.02 mm in the experimental groups and 19.19 mm in the controlgroup.Conclusions. Early tooth loss in the distal parts of the mandible results in irreversiblemorphometric changes of the bone tissue of the mandibular angle. 2. Bone tissuestructures, forming the mandibular angle, undergo atrophic processes with theprevalence on the cheek side. 3. Both morphological development and atrophicprocesses asynchronicity between left and right sides of the mandible at loss of themasticatory teeth group preserve their regularity.

Epidemiology, clinical and physiological manifestations of dust lung disease in major industrial centers

BackgroundThe present study aims to determine the structure of morbidity in workers contacting industrial aerosols, assess the timeliness of diagnosing dust-induced lung disease in major industrial centers, and optimize diagnostics for early detection of occupational lung diseases in workers exposed to industrial dust hazards.MethodsThe study on the structure and incidence of occupational lung diseases was carried out in 2016–2020 based on the Moscow Centre for Occupational Pathology data. For a more in-depth clinical examination, 114 patients who were first admitted to the Occupational Pathology Centre with diagnosed pneumoconiosis (PC), chronic dust-induced bronchitis (CDB), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were selected. All patients were subjected to a complex clinical-functional, spirographic, echocardiographic, fibroscopic, radiological, and CT lung examination, with subsequent analysis of the results obtained. The pathology caused by exposure to industrial aerosols within the studied period was first diagnosed in 344 workers. Most patients (64%) with newly detected pathologies were 50–59 years of age, with work experience in adverse conditions of 21–25 years (41%).ResultsThe spirographic study of respiratory function revealed decreased forced vital capacity (FVC) indices in CDB and COPD patients. Changes in expiratory flow rates suggest occupational bronchitis at an earlier stage, whereas no apparent results were noted for the PC diagnosis. The results of fibroscopic examination in PC patients revealed atrophic processes of the bronchial mucosa in 46 (88.5%) of them, and 6 (11.5%) patients had a subtropic process. The results of echocardiographic examination allowed diagnosing pulmonary heart disease in 83 patients (72.8%). Of them, 42 (80.8%) were revealed in the group of patients with PC, 18 (50.0%) in the COB group, and 14 (53.8%) in the COPD group.ConclusionsComputed tomography (CT) detected pathological changes in 52 patients, while the X-ray examination in six people showed no evidence of lung destruction. CT scan also showed that the number of patients with fibrotic PC (including silicosis) in the study groups increased. Timely clinical and functional examination (spirography, fibroscopy, echocardiography) of patients allows detecting PC (including silicosis), CDB, and COPD at an early stage of disease progression.

Mapping cerebral atrophic trajectory from amnestic mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients suffer progressive cerebral atrophy before dementia onset. However, the region-specific atrophic processes and the influences of age and apolipoprotein E (APOE) on atrophic trajectory are still unclear. By mapping the region-specific nonlinear atrophic trajectory of whole cerebrum from amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) to AD based on longitudinal structural magnetic resonance imaging data from Alzheimer's disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database, we unraveled a quadratic accelerated atrophic trajectory of 68 cerebral regions from aMCI to AD, especially in the superior temporal pole, caudate, and hippocampus. Besides, interaction analyses demonstrated that APOE ε4 carriers had faster atrophic rates than noncarriers in 8 regions, including the caudate, hippocampus, insula, etc.; younger patients progressed faster than older patients in 32 regions, especially for the superior temporal pole, hippocampus, and superior temporal gyrus; and 15 regions demonstrated complex interaction among age, APOE, and disease progression, including the caudate, hippocampus, etc. (P < 0.05/68, Bonferroni correction). Finally, Cox proportional hazards regression model based on the identified region-specific biomarkers could effectively predict the time to AD conversion within 10years. In summary, cerebral atrophic trajectory mapping could help a comprehensive understanding of AD development and offer potential biomarkers for predicting AD conversion.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF DENS ITOMETRIC DETERMINATION OF BONE TISSUE IN THE CASE OF LOSS OF THE MASTICATORY TEETH OF THE MANDIBLE

Conducting densitometric studies aimed at objectifying and improving the accuracy of estimating the structural parameters of the bone become fundamental in the rehabilitation of patients to meet their functional, prosthetic and aesthetic needs. Today, the results of bone density analysis determine the priority in choosing a new method of direct implantation with immediate load or search for an alternative to existing ones that guarantee the predictability of the result concerning the physiological terms of osteogenesis, directed bone regeneration and other reconstructive surgical interventions. Based on 243 computed tomographic digital scans taken by the VaTech PaX-I 3D Green extraoral system, bone density was analyzed in conventional grayness units (CGU) in the projection of the missing 3.7, 3.6, 4.6, 4.7 teeth and 136 studies were selected as objects for this work, which provide proper information and signifi cant cognitive importance. The maximum mineralization of bone tissue in the toothless distal areas of the lower jaw, both on the left and right sides, was established in individuals of the fi rst study group (25-45 years) with values of pronounced density on sagittal sections of horizontal planes in the projection of 3.6 tooth M=1246.6±63.13 CGU and in projection 4.6 tooth, where M=1158.8±47.04 CGU. The lowest values of bone density were determined in individuals of the third study group (61-75 years) on sagittal sections of vertical planes in projections of 3.7 tooth, where M=736.8±42.63 CGU, and 4.7 tooth, where M=778.8±51.79 CGU. The result of the analysis of this work confi rms the hypothesis of age-related dependence of changes in bone density on the time of tooth loss. It was found that early loss of the masticatory teeth leads to high indicators, with an increase in bone density towards distalization of the terminal defect of dentition. Conversely, the lack of functional action on bone tissue leads to a decrease in its density in the age aspect, and, accordingly, the exhaustion of the trabecular layer, which contributes to the progression of atrophic processes.