Use Of Additional Methods Research Articles

Surgical treatment of L5 spondylolysis in an athlete using custom-made implant

Background: Spondylolysis is one of the most common causes of lower back pain in children and adolescents who are professionally involved in sports. It is noted that spondylolysis is observed more often when practicing a number of sports that are associated with repeated axial load and/or hyperextension of the lumbar spine with rotation. In most cases, the treatment of spondylolysis, including cases of its occurrence in professional athletes, is conservative. Surgical treatment is indicated only if conservative treatment is ineffective or if symptoms progress. One of the most common methods of surgical treatment of spondylolysis is to restore the integrity of the arch using various metal structures. The use of additive methods for the manufacture of individual implants currently allows the manufacture of personalized implants with a number of advantages. The article describes the first experience of using an individual implant for surgical treatment of spondylolysis and provides a brief review of the literature. Clinical case description: A clinical case is presented involving the treatment of a 16-year-old female patient who is a professional gymnast. The report includes a description of the patient’s medical history, clinical manifestations, and specialized diagnostic methods. The preoperative planning, design of a custom implant, the surgical procedure, and long-term treatment outcomes are detailed. A brief literature review highlights the results of conservative treatment, the main indications and methods of surgical therapy for spondylolysis, and justifies the use of a custom-made implant for its surgical treatment. CONCLUSION: For the surgical treatment of L5 spondylolysis and restoration of vertebral arch integrity without limiting motion on L5-S1 level, the use of a custom-made implant is possible. The use of customized implants may improve outcomes in cases where spondylolysis is combined with abnormalities and individual characteristics of the vertebral bone structures, including the patient’s sports activity.

Efficacy of Topical Metal Polyacrylates for the Prevention and Treatment of Bleeding After Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography

Relevance In recent years, local hemostatic agents have become widespread, as their application at the incision area of the major duodenal papilla can stop or prevent bleeding. Aim of study To study the efficacy of topical application of incomplete silver salt of polyacrylic acid (PAAg) (Haemoblock) for the prevention and treatment of bleeding from the papillosphincterotomy area.Material and methods The prospective study included 211 patients who were hospitalized at the Regional Clinical Hospital in Ryazan from 2020 to 2023. In the main group of patients, for the purpose of hemostasis and prevention of bleeding, the area of the dissected major duodenal papilla was irrigated with 20 ml of an aqueous solution of PAAg. In the control group, irrigation was carried out with 20 ml of 0.9% sodium chloride. The main group included 111 patients (44 men, 67 women, mean age 55.09±20.97), the control group included 100 patients (43 men, 57 women, average age 53.85±20.34).Results In the main group of patients, bleeding from the MDP incision was observed in 83 cases after papillosphincterotomy, and in 82 cases in the control group. After irrigation with an aqueous solution of PAAg, bleeding from the MDP incision was arrested within 120 seconds in the main group in 70 patients, and in 51 patients in the control group, after irrigation with 0.9% sodium chloride solution. Within 300 seconds from the initiation of irrigation, hemostasis occurred in 12 of the 13 remaining patients in the main group with ongoing bleeding and in 27 of 31 patients in the control group. In two patients in the control group, bleeding was managed in 300 seconds without additional methods of endoscopic hemostasis. The use of additional methods of endoscopic hemostasis due to ongoing bleeding in the main group was required in one patient; the incision area was injected with an adrenaline solution. In the control group, additional endoscopic hemostasis was performed on two patients: in one case, injection with an adrenaline solution, in the other, diathermocoagulation of the incision area of MDP. In the early postoperative period, delayed bleeding was detected in 3 patients of the main group, which was significantly lower than the same indicator in the control group (7 observations).Conclusions Local application of PAAg for the treatment of early bleeding in papillosphicterotomy showed a significantly faster onset of hemostasis.

Hybrid surgery for aneurysm of the arch and descending part of the aorta. Right-left subclavian bypass as a variant of subtotal debranching

The article presents the experience of our team in various surgical methods of treating aortic pathology. Surgical pathology of the thoracic aorta, namely aneurysms and dissections, remains controversial for the «heart team». In recent years, endovascular aortic replacement (TEVAR) has proven itself as a treatment option for many aortic diseases with a mortality rate up to 7.5 %. According to the latest clinical recommendations, TEVAR has become the method of choice in the treatment of acute aortic dissection, showing better results compared to medical therapy and open surgery. However, the endovascular approach requires certain anatomical features that allow the correct placement of the stent-graft, which is not always possible. Thus, when the brachiocephalic arteries are involved in the pathological process, artificial blood circulation is required with the use of additional methods to protect the brain, such as cerebral perfusion and hypothermia. All these factors increase the risk of intra- and postoperative complications, as well as early mortality. Different methods of open surgery to replace all or most of the thoracic aorta are described, which represent a radical approach and require a high level of professional skills of the surgeon and experience in working with artificial blood circulation.

A new approach to estimate soil organic carbon content targets in European croplands topsoils

Adopting land management practices that increase the stock of soil organic carbon (SOC) in croplands is widely promoted as a win-win strategy to enhance soil health and mitigate climate change. In this context, the definition of reference SOC content and stock values is needed to provide reliable targets to farmers, policymakers, and stakeholders. In this study, we used the LUCAS dataset to compare different methods for evaluating reference SOC content and stock values in European croplands topsoils (0–20 cm depth). Methods gave generally similar estimates although being built on very different assumptions. In the absence of an objective criterion to establish which approach is the most suitable to determine SOC reference values, we propose an ensemble modelling approach that consists in extracting the estimates using different relevant methods and retaining the median value among them. Interestingly, this approach led us to select values from the three different approaches with similar frequencies. Using estimated bulk density values, we obtained a first rough estimate of 3.5 Gt C of SOC storage potential in the cropland topsoils that we interpret as a long-term aspirational target that would be reachable only under extreme changes in agricultural practices. The use of additional methods in the ensemble modelling approach and more valid statistical spatial estimates may further refine our approach designed for the estimation of SOC reference values for croplands.

Possibilities of Using Selected Additive Methods for the Production of Polymer Harmonic Drive Prototypes.

This article includes an analysis of the possibility of using polymer materials for the production of harmonic drive. The use of additive methods greatly eases and accelerates the manufacturing of the flexspline. In the case of gears made of polymeric materials using rapid prototyping (RP) methods, the problem is often with their mechanical strength. In a harmonic drive, the wheel is uniquely exposed to damage, because during work, it deforms and is additionally loaded with torque. Therefore, numerical calculations were conducted using the finite element method (FEM) in the Abaqus program. As a result, information was obtained on the distribution of stresses in the flexspline and their maximum values. On this basis, it was possible to determine whether a flexspline made of specific polymers could be used in commercial harmonic drives or whether they were only adequate for the production of prototypes.

Comparison of sedimentary iron speciation obtained by sequential extraction and X-ray absorption spectroscopy

Iron (Fe) speciation in marine sediments and suspended particulate matter (SPM) are widely used to investigate the role of Fe minerals in marine biogeochemical cycling and to reconstruct paleo-redox conditions. A traditional method for the determination of Fe speciation are sequential extractions, in which operationally defined Fe pools are dissolved by specific extraction solutions. More recently, many studies make use of synchrotron radiation-based X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy (XANES), especially if little sample material is available or a high spatial resolution is required. However, few studies have systematically compared Fe speciation obtained by the two methods. Here, we report Fe speciation for marine sediments (both wet and freeze-dried) and SPM from contrasting marine environments (western Baltic Sea and Amazon shelf) obtained by sequential extraction and XANES. The two methods yield comparable results regarding the approximate proportion of reactive Fe ((oxyhydr)oxide, carbonate and sulfide minerals) in the total Fe pool and the extent to which reactive Fe minerals have been converted to pyrite. However, methodological issues associated with both approaches complicate a direct comparison of specific mineral groups. Pyrite concentrations obtained by XANES are lower than those obtained by extraction, which is attributed to an underestimation by XANES due to self-absorption effects and an overestimation by the chromium reduction method due to dissolution of reduced sulfur phases that are not associated with Fe. As substantial amounts of pyrite are oxidized during freeze-drying and sample storage, we recommend to analyze wet sediments in modern marine environments. The XANES spectra of Fe (oxyhydr)oxide and Fe(III)-containing (ferric) clay minerals are similar, which is why these components cannot be differentiated by XANES. Similarly, sequential extraction schemes are known to dissolve a variable proportion of ferric clay minerals along with Fe carbonates and Fe (oxyhydr)oxides. Further investigating the role of ferric clay minerals in the low-temperature marine Fe cycle may therefore require the use of additional methods. Our findings may help to assess the transferability of XANES-based Fe speciation for small sediment and SPM samples to those reported in more traditional studies on Fe biogeochemical cycling and paleo-redox conditions.

Verification of the diagnosis of supratentorial ependymomas by real-time PCR

Differential diagnosis of supratentorial ependymomas is of particular difficulty in neurooncology due to nonspecific clinical and radiographic findings, a rare seen «classic» morphological picture, and a nonspecific immunophenotype. Thanks to molecular genetic methods, in particular real-time PCR, it has become possible to verify supratentorial ependymomas and identify their molecular group, on which further prognosis depends. To develop a set of molecular genetic tests based on real-time PCR to verify supratentorial ependymomas. 56 tissue samples were collected from patients with supratentorial ependymomas, WHO Grade II, and anaplastic ependymomas, WHO Grade III. We developed primers and fluorescent TaqMan probes for real-time PCR analysis to detect the ZFTA::RELA, ZFTA::MAML2, ZFTA::NCOA2, ZFTA::MAML3, YAP1::MAMLD1, and YAP1::FAM118B gene fusions. For immunohistochemical analysis, monoclonal rabbit anti-NF-kb p65 antibodies (HUABIO, China) were used, the study was carried out on AutostainerLink 48 immunostainer (DAKO, Denmark). Real-time PCR was able to verify the diagnosis for 69.9% (n=39) of samples and classify them into molecular groups of ZFTA- or YAP1-positive supratentorial ependymomas. Immunohistochemically it was possible to verify 58% (n=29) ependymomas. Diagnosis by real-time PCR is a relatively fast, accessible and easily interpreted method that allows verification of the molecular group in 70% of cases of supratentorial ependymomas without the use of additional methods.

DETERMINATION OF THE IRON AND IRON-BINDING PROTEINS CONCENTRATION IN SPUTUM: VALIDATION EXPERIENCE

To date, sputum studies are mainly associated with the work of the tuberculosis service, and in the practice of clinical diagnostic laboratories remain limited to microscopic methods. At the same time, the experience of using other methods of sputum examination in various nosologies is described. However, in most cases this is in the nature of research work, but not routine practice. Nevertheless, for a certain cohort of patients, for example, patients with cystic fibrosis, the use of additional methods of examination of the separated tracheobronchial tree will help to expand the range of diagnostic capabilities and provide a personalized approach to therapy. Due to the etiopathogenetic features of the disease, infectious complications in cystic fibrosis are of paramount importance, since they develop in a short period of time and in some cases end in death. At the same time, there are data on the ratio of the level of iron and iron-binding proteins in the respiratory tract of patients with cystic fibrosis with the severity of the inflammatory process in the lungs and the infecting microflora. In this regard, the study evaluated the possibility of analyzing the indicators of iron metabolism in sputum after validating measures.

Differential diagnosis of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy after natalizumab withdrawal

The appearance of new foci on MRI, the increase in neurological deficits, including the appearance of cognitive disorders and disturbances in the level of consciousness in patients with multiple sclerosis during the «washing period» when transferring from natalizumab (NZ) to another drug, may be due to both progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) and exacerbation of the disease in the absence of therapy. Discontinuation of NS is fraught not only with a resumption, but with an increase in disease activity, the development of an immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) due to the opening of the blood-brain barrier. Often, the processes of differential diagnosis of IRIS and natalizumab-associated PML are complex and require the use of additional methods of examination and monitoring of the dynamics of the patient's condition. However, the severity of the condition and the severity of the consequences caused by incorrect therapeutic tactics significantly reduce the time for diagnosis and require an immediate decision. The difficulties of differential diagnosis of IRIS and PML are reflected in the clinical case.

Diagnosis and differential diagnosis of viral hemorrhagic disease and eimeriosis of rabbits

The rabbit breeding industry in Ukraine is an important element of animal husbandry, most of the rabbits are in private households. In the absence of systematic veterinary care, accurate postmortem diagnosis of the causes of death of rabbits in households is important. Rabbit eimeriosis is widespread in Ukraine and with mixed intestinal and hepatic forms of eimeriosis against the background of unsatisfactory feeding and maintenance in young rabbits can cause death. Viral hemorrhagic disease of rabbits is also common in Ukraine and causes the death of rabbits of all ages. The aim was to study the pathomorphological changes in eimeria and viral hemorrhagic disease of rabbits and the use of other methods to confirm the diagnosis. The article presents the results of pathological, coprological and microbiological diagnosis of rabbit eimeriosis. Polymerase chain reaction was used to confirm the diagnosis of viral hemorrhagic disease of rabbits with the simultaneous establishment of the genotype of the pathogen. The effectiveness of the use of additional methods of postmortem diagnosis of eimeria (coprological, microscopic) and viral hemorrhagic disease of rabbits (polymerase chain reaction) was established. In rabbits that died from rabbit hemorrhagic disease the infection was caused by the virus of the first type. Key words: pathological and anatomical diagnosis, coproscopy, PCR, liver damage.

Sequential scavenging and measurement of seawater radiocesium concentrations and plutonium isotopic ratios offshore Fukushima

The scientific interest in radiocesium and plutonium found in the oceans and seas has increased enormously in the past years as a consequence of the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident and is expected to be ongoing due to many unresolved questions. Hence, continuous development of new and verification of old analytical methods should be at the top of the list of the community, working on the topic. In this study, we processed and analyzed several seawater samples, collected in different time frames (2011–2015) from the North Pacific Ocean offshore Fukushima, to determine their radiocesium activities, 134Cs/137Cs activity ratios and 240Pu/239Pu isotopic ratios using the sequential scavenging method, gamma spectrometry and accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS). The observed radiocesium levels in seawater (0.07–0.042 Bq L−1) clearly indicated that the investigated region remained impacted by releases from the damaged power plant even after four years after the accident. Regarding plutonium, its successful separation from large volume seawater samples was confirmed by detection of 240Pu by AMS. However, several problems emerged during the analyzes, which we tried to address with the use of additional methods (e.g., measurements of uranium by ICPMS). The efficiencies of the applied methods and other issues are also discussed.

Excessive hypercorrection after an open wedge high tibial osteotomy: a clinical case

Background: Currently, there is a tendency to increasing the proportion of knee joint organ-preserving surgeries. High tibial osteotomy (HTO) has proven itself a good method for the treatment of the knee joint varus deformity in extra-articular deformity cases. The question of the perfect angle of correction, which will not significantly impair the biomechanics of the knee and adjacent joints, remains controversial, as well as the issue of preventing excessive hypercorrection as an osteotomy complication.
 Clinical case description: A clinical case of a 59-year-old patient who underwent primary and revision HTOs is analyzed in this article. The patient had a varus deformity of the left lower limb with isolated medial knee osteoarthritis. The patients body mass index (BMI) was 28 kg/m2. The patient complained only of pain and a limited range of motion in the knee joint. According to the arthroscopy and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data, there was a cartilage damage classified as Outerbridge 4 stage of the medial compartment. There were no signs of a lateral compartment cartilage damage and patellofemoral joint arthritis. The varus deformity of the knee joint was 10. The patient underwent a medial high tibial open wedge osteotomy. During the preoperative planning, topograms of the lower limb with weight bearing were used. The clinical status before the operation, according to the used scales, was as follows: Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) 46 points, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) 7 cm, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) 92 points. 6 months after the initial surgery, the clinical status was as follows: knee joint VAS 1 cm, ankle joint VAS 5 cm, KOOS 88 points, AOFAS 63 points. During the clinical examination and according to the instrumental studies, excessive valgus hypercorrection of 11.2 was noted. Also, the tibial plafond inclination (TPI) and the talar inclination (TI) were significantly increased. 1.5 years after the primary osteotomy, a revision closed wedge osteotomy was performed. The valgus deformity of the knee joint became 3, the axis of the ankle joint changed to the normal values. The clinical and functional results 6 months after the revision osteotomy were the following: KOOS 92 points, AOFAS 99 points, pain in the knee and ankle joint 1 cm by the VAS scale.
 Conclusions: The case showed that the careful preoperative planning and the use of additional methods for monitoring the intraoperative correction were important. Excessive valgus hypercorrection promotes good regeneration of the medial compartment cartilage; however, it overloads a lateral compartment and adversely affects the ankle joint and foot.

Variability of quantitative traits in winter triticale in the central region of Belarus

Introduction: The article presents the results of a long-term study of quantitative traits in winter triticale varieties and accessions grown in the soil/climatic conditions of the central region of Belarus using conventional and intensive cultivation technologies. The effects of the intensification level on the yield, performance constituents and triticale grain quality are described.
 Purpose: to assess the variability of quantitative traits in winter triticale grown by conventional and intensive cultivation technologies in Belarus.
 Material and methods: Winter hexaploid triticale varieties and promising accessions grown by traditional and intensive technologies in a competitive variety trial nursery were studied. The plot area was 10 m2; the replication number was three; the design was randomized; the seeding rate was 4.5 million viable seeds per hectare; the observation period was in 2011-2020. Upon intensive cultivation, additional doses of nitrogen fertilizers, trace elements (Cu, Mn), growth regulators and fungicides were applied. The contents of crude protein, gluten and starch in grain were determined by near-infrared spectroscopy
 Results and discussion: During the observation period, the average yield from the winter triticale accessions in the competitive variety trial nursery was on 69.3 dt/ha and 77.8 dt/ha upon the application of traditional and intensive cultivation technologies, respectively. The additional factors of intensification increased the yield by 8.5 dt/ha or by 12.3 %. The constituents of the main spike performance as well as contents of crude protein and gluten in winter triticale grain also grew. Strengthening of intensification of the cultivation technology didn’t significantly affect the test weight, 1000-grain weight or crude protein content.
 Conclusions. The use of additional methods of intensification was demonstrated to change the absolute values of the winter triticale indicators, to have no key impact on the level of their environmental of genotypic variability. The test weight and crude protein content were the most stable traits, while the gluten content and yield – the least stable ones, as their values were determined by both varietal specificity and environmental factors

Geometric Specification of Non-Circular Pulleys Made with Various Additive Manufacturing Techniques.

The paper presents the procedure of generating geometrical features on the contours of non-circular pulleys through the selection of materials and technological parameters for easy and efficient production of these parts. Based on the models designed in the computer aided design (CAD) system, several prototype non-standard pulleys were made, which were assessed for functional characteristics and correct operation of non-linear gears. The effect of additive technology on the geometric specification of non-circular pulleys was also assessed. The results showed that thanks to the use of additive methods, the need for costly manufacturing of such wheels with subtractive methods was eliminated. Additionally, it is not necessary to design specialized cutting tools or to use conventional or numerically controlled machine tools to manufacture these wheels. The test results showed that in case of selective laser sintering (SLS) the highest accuracy of mapping (0.01 mm) of geometrical features of the surface was obtained. This result is confirmed by the assessment of the morphology of the surface of the teeth of gears made with this technique, characterized by a uniform structure of the working surface of the wheel while maintaining a high tolerance of the outer profile of gear for selective laser sintering at the level of ±0.03 mm. Research has shown that most of the additive methods used to manufacture non-circular pulleys meet the required geometrical features and due to the short production time of these pulleys, these methods also facilitate quick verification of the designed pulley geometry.

ЗАСТОСУВАННЯ ЗГОРТКОВИХ НЕЙРОННИХ МЕРЕЖ ДЛЯ ДІАГНОСТИКИ COVID-19 НА ОСНОВІ РЕНТГЕНОГРАМ ЛЕГЕНЬ

The object of the study is the process of classification of lung radiographs for the diagnosis of COVID-19. The research is based on the use of deep convolutional neural networks, which make it possible to store spatial information and analyze complex images, preventing the attenuation of the gradient. The principle of operation of convolutional neural networks and the advantages of their use in application to complex images, in comparison with artificial neural networks based on a multilayer perceptron are considered. The main assumption of the study is the hypothesis that the use of a deep convolutional neural network for the classification of radiographs of the lungs will obtain a high-accuracy result in the diagnosis of COVID-19 and will automate the diagnostic process. The urgency of the problem of automated diagnosis of COVID-19 on the basis of lung radiographs is considered. Training of high-performance architectures of deep convolutional neural networks, with the use of additional methods of image processing to prevent retraining. The results of neural networks are compared and statistical information is given to assess the quality of their work. The analysis of the results of the artificial neural network, using image division by the Lyme method. The expediency and prospects of using deep convolutional artificial neural networks for automation of COVID-19 diagnosis on the basis of pulmonary radiographs are substantiated. Common errors of artificial neural networks and possible approaches to their prevention are analyzed. The disadvantages of using the considered approaches and the difficulties that may arise in automation are considered, according to the results, possible options for improving the quality of the deep convolutional neural network are proposed.

MACROMICROSCOPIC ARGUMENTATION OF THE PATHOGENETIC SCENARIO OF BABESIOSIS IN THE COORDINATE SYSTEM «PATHOGEN-CARRIER-RESERVOIR»

The aim is to get a thorough argument for the babesiosis pathogenetic scenario in the coordinate system «pathogen (Babesia spp.) - carrier (ticks of the Ixodoidea superfamily of the Ixodidea family) - reservoir (a susceptible organism)» with the emphasis on the epizootic/epidemic role of the carrier. Materials and methods: The macromicroscopic method of research was used in order to maximize the clarification of the babesiosis scenario, its pathogenetic links, the connection of the latter with attacks of active stages of ixodes ticks, types of circulation of ontogenetic forms of Babesia spp. in the body of carriers and their inoculation of the pathogen into an organism susceptible to it. The use of this method helped to strengthen the diagnostic potential of the study, and increase the reliability of the results obtained. Taking this into consideration it was focused on the epizootological/epidemiological aspects of babesiosis, the role and significance of the most vulnerable epizootic link - Ixodes ticks on the body of the vertebrate provider (mammal), poikilomorphism, anisomorphy. The study of the monolithic idiosome and ticks salivary glands were carried out on activated (capable of attack) female individuals aged 2-3 months after molting. Ticks were dissected in a cool (t=4ºC) Ringer's saline solution for arachnids. Ticks and prepared salivary glands were fixed in 12% formalin solution on 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pH=7.0-7.2) at t=4oC for 3 hours, washed with the buffer, and fixed again for 1 hour (t=4oC). To achieve tonicity, sucrose was added to the fixatives and the washing medium. Dehydration occurred due to a battery of alcohols of increasing concentration and absolute acetone. Microspecimens stained with hematoxylin and eosin were studied using an Olympus BX-41 microscope (Japan). Results: Implementation of the leading stages of the babesiosis pathogenetic scenario is focused on the coordinate system «pathogen (Babesia spp.) - carrier (ticks of the Ixodoidea superfamily of the Ixodidea family) - reservoir (a susceptible organism)» in which carrier take the leading place. The macromicroscopic specificity of the structure of the ticks (variability: ability to aniso-, poikilomorphism) is an evidence-based criterion for pathogens inoculation to the macroorganism of warm-blooded vertebrates. It determines the features of circulation and organ/cellular locations of Babesia spp. (intestines and its epithelium, hemolymph, gonads, salivary glands). The species belonging of warm blooded vertebrates susceptible to babesiosis pathogens correlates with the species belonging of ticks and determines the tropicity of the latter. The simultaneous implementation of a complex of research procedures with the tick biological material samples is problematic taking into account the physical lack of material, which requires researchers to re-orient the diagnostic vector towards the use of additional methods for babesiosis diagnosing, including in vitro ones. Conclusions: In the pathogenetic scenario of babesiosis, the carrier (Ixodes ticks) is the central figure in the epidemic/epizootic coordinate system.

A priori estimations of geometric parameters of an anomalous object in modeling the soil structure using RES3DINV software

We discuss the problem of proper use of software packages that implement methods for solving ill-posed problems. Most of the problems of processing experimental data belong to ill-posed problems. When using methods for solving ill-posed problems, there is a problem of non-uniqueness of the solution, which is solved by introducing a priori information. Obtaining a priori information is possible in different ways, but quantitative estimates involve the use of additional methods for data analysis. Obviously, additional methods should not be more complicated and labor intensive than the main data processing method. Using the RES3DINV electrical prospecting data analysis software as an example, the role of a priori information for obtaining reliable results is demonstrated. The RES3DINV software is used to build a soil model from the measured values of resistivity using electrical survey’s methods. When using the inversion method implemented in the software package, it is necessary to set the input parameters describing the geometric dimensions of the anomalous resistance object, which are usually unknown a priori. By model objects we demonstrate how the incorrect setting of input parameters affects the result of data interpretation. We show that the vector analysis method can be used as a way to obtain a priori information. This method allows us to obtain estimates of the geometric parameters of an anomalous object, does not involve high time and resource expenses, and can be used directly at the site of field experimental measurements.

Minor salivary gland biopsy: Its role in the classification and prognosis of Sjögren's syndrome.

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by mononuclear cell infiltration in the exocrine glands, which leads to sicca syndrome (xerostomia and xerophthalmia). The etiology of SS is unknown, but multiple environmental factors (infectious, hormonal and stress-related), as well as genetic factors, may play a role in its pathogenesis. The diagnosis of SS is complex considering its clinical and paraclinical parameters may not be very specific. The minor salivary gland biopsy (MSGB) has undoubtedly become crucial for classifying and determining the prognosis of SS. The three main different classification systems for its interpretation have been described by Chisholm and Mason, Greenspan and Daniels, and Tarpley. However, this invasive procedure has variable sensitivity and specificity as well as low reproducibility. The use of additional methods, such as skin biopsy, imaging techniques, and serum/salivary biomarkers, may be combined with current methods to develop a bioscore that could increase diagnostic performance. In this review, we summarized the main pathological findings in SS and the prognosis of patients with SS according to the biopsy results.

Using Facebook to recruit to a national online survey investigating complementary medicine product use in pregnancy and lactation: A case study of method

Online recruitment can be targeted efficiently to recruit specific samples for survey research. It has been shown to be a cost-effective method of recruitment, and useful for geographically dispersed populations. To describe the use of Facebook to recruit a targeted sample of expectant and breastfeeding mothers to a national online survey. Different techniques to assess response rates using data provided by Facebook are also described. Participants accessed an anonymous online survey through a link included in posts from a Facebook page specifically set up for the research. Recruitment strategies were primarily of two types. Firstly, Facebook was paid to promote posts by displaying them on potential participants' Facebook feeds. Secondly, by purposive and snowball recruitment through the sharing of posts on relevant Facebook pages. Post success was measured by the reach, impressions, link clicks, post clicks, and click through rates; and for boosted posts, the cost per day, and cost per engagement with the post as well. Traditional methods of calculating response rates, and response rates using post clicks and survey link clicks were calculated. After 10 weeks of recruitment, 1418 participants had enrolled in the study, and of these 810 (57.1%) completed the 20-minute (70 question) survey. Women participated from across Australia. Both paid and purposive approaches to promotion contributed to recruitment success. Paid promotions at higher costs for fewer days were the most successful. Total paid promotion costs were (Australian) $1147.97 (or $1.44 per completed survey). Purposive promotion was slower, but also contributed significantly to the number of people who saw the posts and clicked through to the survey. Traditional response rate calculations showed a response rate of 0.8%. Using post clicks and survey link clicks in calculations, resulted in response rates of 23.1% and 42.7%, respectively. A combination of paid promotions and purposive and snowball recruitment on Facebook were used to successfully recruit 1418 participants resulting in 810 completed surveys over a 10-week period, at a low cost per participant. Use of additional methods to measure response rates may be useful in measuring the success of using Facebook posts in recruitment.

Search for algorithms for treatment of non-specific septic spondylodiscitis

The treatment results of 30 patients with non-specific purulent diseases of the spine were analyzed using various methods — primary or secondary stabilization of the spinal column, local negative pressure method, prolonged local antibiotic therapy method and various implants. The results were rated as «excellent» in 16 patients, «good» in 7 people, «satisfactory» in 4 cases (relapses) and 3 patients died. The results obtained indicate the need for a personalized approach to treatment tactics, the feasibility of staged treatment and the use of additional methods.