Predictors of atrial fibrillation in patients with ischemic stroke of undetermined etiology.

Aim    To identify a complex of predictors and to create a mathematical model for prognosis of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with ischemic stroke of undetermined etiology. Material and methods    The study included 981 patients with ischemic stroke. Effects of the following factors were evaluated: gender, a history of stroke, a history of thromboembolism, presence of diabetes mellitus, grade of arterial hypertension, functional class (FC) of chronic heart failure (CHF), age, data of blood biochemistry, and data of coagulogram. The prognostic model was constructed using the binary logistic regression. The value of area under the ROC curve for the proposed prognostic model was calculated.Results    The main predictors of AF in patients with ischemic stroke of undetermined etiology were CHF FC, a history of stroke, age, gender, values of cholesterol and prothrombin index, which were included into the final prognostic model. The sensitivity of the developed model was 83.5 % and the specificity was 85.5 %. The area under the ROC curve corresponding to the interrelation between the prognosis of AF and the regression function value was 0.921±0.012 with 95 % confidence interval: 0.898-0.944.Conclusion    According to the results of the study, the probability of AF in patients with ischemic stroke increased with CHF progression, recurrent stroke, older age, female gender, and reduced prothrombin index and cholesterol level.

[Improvement of measures to ensure safe working conditions for staff of the bureau of forensic medicine]. / Sovershenstvovanie meropriyatii po obespecheniyu bezopasnykh uslovii truda sotrudnikov byuro sudebno-meditsinskoi ekspertizy.

Employees of the Bureau of Forensic Medicine (BFM) are exposed to various harmful and dangerous workplace factors during their work. The objective of the study is to improve measures to maintain a safe epidemiological situation in the experience of the BFM of the Republic of Tatarstan based on the results of an online questionnaire survey of employees, which included parts on the assessment of health, working conditions, and morbidity, including tuberculosis. The detailed analysis of the responses made it possible to determine a set of measures to improve the BFM workflow and health status of employees.

[IMPACT OF ARRHYTHMIAS ON PREGNANCY COURSE AND OUTCOMES IN WOMEN WITHOUT STRUCTURAL HEART DISEASE].

The aim of the study was to observe the influence of different type of arrhythmias on pregnancy course and outcomes in women without structural heart disease. 72 pregnant women without structural heart disease with different type of cardiac arrhythmias had been studied. The most common types of arrhythmias were supraventricular tachycardia (44%, the 1st group) and premature contractions (40%, the 2nd group). Less frequently diagnosed ventricular tachycardia (6%, the 3dgroupe) and bradyarrhythmia (10%, the 4th group). A more unfavorable course of pregnancy was in the 4th group: myometrial hypertonici (29%, p=0,001), the only artery of the fetal mbilical cord (14%, p=0,036). Median pregnancy duration was 39 (38;39,5) in all groups. Vaginal delivery was in 54 (75%) cases, Cesarean delivery - in 18 (25%) cases. Birth weight and 5 minute Apgar's score were 3378 (3023;3917,5) and 8,9 (7,8;9) in the 1st group, 3460 (3016,5;4020) and 8,9 (7,8;8,9) - in the 2nd group, 3430 (3300;3650) and 8,9 (8,9;8,9) - in the 3dgroupe, 3334 (2870;3530) and 8,9 (7,9;9) - in the 4th group (p>0,05). There were no maternal and neonatal death. The most common type of arrhythmias in pregnant women without structural heart disease were supraventricular tachycardia (44%) and premature beats (40%). It is associated by good pregnancy course and outcomes in cases qualified manadgment.

Porous SiO2 nanoparticles containing ruthenium or sulfur compounds: Sonochemical producing and sonoluminescence in aqueous suspensions.

Aqueous suspensions of silicon dioxide porous nanoparticles (average size 10-30 nm, average pore size 5.8 nm) were obtained via ultrasonic dispersing. As was shown through recording SiO molecular lines in a moving single-bubble sonoluminescence spectrum, these nanoparticles penetrate into the bubble and then undergo decay. Similarly, suspensions of SiO2 nanoparticles, the pores of which were saturated with ruthenium dodecacarbonyl or elemental sulfur, were obtained by impregnation of the initial powder with solutions of these reagents in chloroform followed by evaporation of the solvent. Single-bubble sonoluminescence spectra of these suspensions contain more intense lines of Ru or S and Sn+ as compared with the SiO lines. This also proves the involvement of water insoluble ruthenium and sulfur compounds into bubble sonoluminescent reactions in the heterogenic aqueous medium. Using the method of comparing the experimentally obtained and computer simulated luminescent spectra, we determined the effective electronic temperature TeRu, which was 9000 ±â€¯500 K, in non-equilibrium plasma of a bubble levitating in the ultrasonic field.

[Resynchronization Therapy for Chronic Heart Failure: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approaches].

Chronic heart failure (CHF) remains one of the most important problems of modern cardiology. One of the effective treatment methods is resynchronization therapy (RT). The article presents an analysis of literature data on the effectiveness of RT in improving the quality of life, reducing the number of hospitalizations and mortality in patients with heart failure with severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction and expanding QRS complex, and also discusses key methods for optimizing RT.

Sonochemiluminescence of Ru(bpy)33+ in aqueous solutions. Evidence of the formation of hydrated electrons during the single-bubble sonolysis in a neutral aqueous medium.

Consideration is given to single and multibubble sonochemiluminescence (SCL) in acidic Ru(bpy)33+ aqueous solutions due to the light emission of the excited ion *Ru(bpy)32+ at 613 nm. Spectrophotometrically controlled reduction of Ru(bpy)33+ to Ru(bpy)32+ occurs in both regimes of sonolysis. The kinetics parameters of reduction under SCL during the multibubble sonolysis do not depend on the H+ concentration in the solution (0.005 and 0.5 M H2SO4), but differ for the single-bubble sonolysis. The intensity of single-bubble SCL is maximal at the beginning of sonolysis and monotously decreases to the level of steady-state SCL after complete reduction of Ru(bpy)33+ to Ru(bpy)32+. The intensity of multibubble SCL at the beginning of sonolysis is below the recognition threshold. Then it grows, passes through the maximum and also approaches the steady-state level after the reduction of ruthenium. By considering possible chemiluminescent reactions Ru(bpy)33+ + eaq → *Ru(bpy)32+, Ru(bpy)33+ + H → *Ru(bpy)32+ + H+, Ru(bpy)33+ + Ru(bpy)3+ → *Ru(bpy)32+ + Ru(bpy)32+ as well as the reactions of sonochemical formation of Ru(bpy)33+ and Ru(bpy)3+ from Ru(bpy)32+ and the reaction H+ + eaq → H, the conclusion is made about the generation of eaq during the single-bubble sonolysis of water molecules. The presence and absence of eaq during the single and multibubble sonolysis respectively explain the distinctions in the SCL kinetics. The evidence for the generation of eaq lies also in the reduction of the Fe(CN)63- ion observed during the single-bubble sonolysis in the neutral solution, which is impossible without eaq. The yield of eaq is comparable to that of the hydrogen atom.

[Factors associated with atrial fibrillation in patients with hypertension and preserved left ventricle systolic function].

The objective of our study was to define factors associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with hypertension (HTN) and preserved left ventricle systolic function. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Overall, 273 consecutive patients with HTN residing in urban area were included in the study. Patients were divided into 2 groups: the first - 60 patients with paroxysmal and persistent AF (33% men, age 62, 28 (10,02), the second - 213 patients without AF (33% men, age 59,37 (8,27). RESULTS: Stepwise logistic regression analysis demonstrated AF presence was associated with alcohol intake ≥ 7 drinks per week (OR 4,12; 95%CI: 1,04-16,35), low physical activity (OR 3,18; 95% CI: 1,32-7,68), higher hip circumference (OR 1,19; 95% CI: 1,08-1,31) and history of HTN (OR 1,10; 95% CI: 1,04-1,17). BMI was not associated with presence of AF (OR 0,75; 95% CI: 0,61-0,91). CONCLUSION: Thus in our urban population with hypertension, AF is associated with alcohol intake ≥ 7 drinks per week, low physical activity, increased hip circumference and history of hypertension.AF prevention should include modification of lifestyle.

Activation of Ru(bpy)32+ multibubble sonochemiluminescence in alkaline aqueous solutions by a hydrated electron.

The sonochemiluminescence in 10-4 M aqueous solutions of Ru(bpy)3Cl2 was studied in the presence of NaOH and KOH (up to 0.4 M). The observed increase in the steady-state emission intensity from Ru(bpy)32+ as compared with the intensity in neutral solutions was attributed to conversion of H resulting from water sonolysis to eaq. As a result, there is a multiple (>106) change in the concentrations of the sonochemical intermediates Ru(bpy)3+ and Ru(bpy)33+. The reduction of the Ru(bpy)33+ ion with H, which is of low efficiency for the formation of the excited *Ru(bpy)32+ ion, is replaced by reduction with hydrated electron, in which *Ru(bpy)32+ is generated in a high yield. The participation of eaq provides a fivefold increase in the sonochemiluminescence intensity in a key disproportionation reaction: Ru(bpy)3+ + Ru(bpy)33+ → Ru(bpy)32+ + *Ru(bpy)32+. It was shown that chemiluminescence from reduction of intermediate Ru(bpy)33+ with the OH- ion does not make a pronounced contribution to the sonochemiluminescence intensity.

Mechanism of multibubble sonochemiluminescence of Ru(bpy)32+ in neutral aqueous solutions.

The effect of hydrated electron scavengers, Cd2+, NO3-, (CH3)2CO, and OH radical scavengers, Cl-, I-, on the intensity of Ru(bpy)32+ ion sonochemiluminescence observed in neutral aqueous solutions of Ru(bpy)3Cl2 was studied. The variation trends in the luminescence intensity due to the action of the scavengers indicated three main reactions sufficient to explain the sonochemiluminescence in a neutral medium. These reactions are the Ru(bpy)32+ reduction and oxidation with the H atom and the OH radical, respectively, and disproportionation of the Ru(bpy)3+ and Ru(bpy)33+ ions thus formed, giving rise to the multibubble sonochemiluminescence emitter, namely, the electronically excited ∗Ru(bpy)32 ion.

Spectroscopic measurement of electronic temperature in the bubbles during single- and multibubble sonoluminescence of metal carbonyl solutions and nanodispersed suspensions.

It is for the first time that we have obtained emission-line spectra of metal atoms during single-bubble sonoluminescence of metal carbonyl W(CO)6, Mo(CO)6, Cr(CO)6 solutions in dodecane and similar spectra during single- and multibubble sonoluminescence of nanodispersed Cr(CO)6 suspensions in water, 83% H2SO4 and 74% H3PO4. Nanodispersed suspensions with an average particle size of 15-20 nm were obtained through sonodispersing and filtering Cr(CO)6 crystals in water. The method for comparing the intensities of two atomic metal lines made it possible to measure the electronic temperatures achieved in cavitation bubbles under different modes of sonolysis that vary in the range of (4.5-16)·103 K depending on the mode of sonolysis, the type of liquid and saturating gas (He, Ar, Kr) and the acoustic energy entering the solution or suspension. The electronic temperature for multibubble sonoluminescence is, on the average, by (2-2.5)·103 K less than for single-bubble sonoluminescence for all liquids in question.

Evaluation of the Applicability of the Comparatory Method for Species Diagnosis of Unionidae (Bivalvia) by Genetic Analysis.

Five genetically distant groups of mussels possessing high intragroup homogeneity were identified among 65 specimens of 14 East European Unionidae "comparatory species" by genetic analysis of nuclear and mitochondrial markers. By shell morphology other than the shape of the convex contour of the shell, the identified groups correspond to five "taxonomic species" according to Zhadin's classification. The use of the comparatory method for Unionidae species identification is unjustified.

Sonochemiluminescence in an aqueous solution of Ru(bpy)3Cl2.

The sonochemiluminescence spectra of electron-excited ions *[Ru(bpy)3]2+ was registered for the first time during sonolysis of argon saturated aqueous solutions of Ru(bpy)3Cl2 with low concentration. At single-bubble sonolysis, the luminescence band of ruthenium is recorded at a concentration of Ru(bpy)3Cl2 from 10-6 M, and at multibubble from 10-5 M. Possible mechanisms for the appearance of the band of a tris-bipyridyl ruthenium(II) complex on the background of an structureless continuum of water in the spectra of sonoluminescence are analyzed. Based on the results of the comparison of the sonoluminescence spectra of Ru(bpy)3Cl2 aqueous solutions with the sonoluminescence spectra of aqueous solutions of rhodamine B (which has a high quantum yield of photoluminescence) it was established that a possible mechanism of sonophotoluminescence does not play a decisive role in ruthenium sonoluminescence. The effect of radical acceptors (O2, C2H5OH, Cd2+, I-) on ruthenium sonoluminescence is analyzed. The most significant mechanism for the formation of electron-excited ions *[Ru(bpy)3]2+ during sonolysis is the sonochemiluminescence in oxidation-reduction reactions involving [Ru(bpy)3]2+ ions and radical products of sonolysis of water (OH, H, e-aq) in the solution volume.

[Clinical, laboratory and uretroscopic evaluation of the effectiveness of Safocid in the complex treatment of urethritis associated with sexually transmitted infections by using endoscopic techniques].

The study included 110 men suffering from sexually transmitted infections. Clinical diagnosis was made using modern hardware and instrumental methods of examination. It is shown that the combined preparation "Safocid" is a high-effective drug for the etiotropic treatment of specific and non-specific urethritis, with elimination of causative microorganisms of sexually transmitted infections in 96.4% of cases.

[Diagnosis and treatment of chronic urogenital trichomoniasis in males].

The article presents the results of laboratory, clinical and device diagnosis of chronic urogenital trichomoniasis. Case reports show efficacy of this disease treatment with combined drug safocid.

[Heart rate variability in patients with neurocardiogenic syncopes].

AIM: To investigate chronotropic heart regulation and prognostic significance of heart rate variability (HRV) in patients with neurocardiogenic syncopes (NCS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 90 patients (25 healthy controls and 65 patients with documented HRV, mean age 33.9 +/- 17.4 years) were divided into 3 groups depending on an NCS type (cardioinhibitory, n = 18; vasodepressive, n = 25; mixed, n = 22). All the examinees have undergone a long-term passive head-up tilt table test with registration and analysis of HRV. RESULTS: A cardioinhibitory NCS variant was characterized by slow heart rate (both at rest and test), increased mode amplitude--Amo (by 28, 1, 21, 6 and 46.8% at rest, tilt test, in rehabilitation, respectively), range of deviation (RD) (by 47, 1, 62, 5 and 52.9%, respectively). A simultaneous rise of indices characterizing activity of the sympathic and parasympathic parts of the autonomic nervous system led to the absence of significant differences of the integral parameters (Amo/RD; index of regulatory system tension) vs control. Still more marked changes in the indices of cardiovascular vegetative regulation were registered in a vasodepressive NCS, but the differences with the control were moderate. Vegetative tonicity and reactivity in mixed NCS represent an intermediate variant between cardioinhibitory and vasodepressory types. CONCLUSION: In NCS patients circadian HRV was less than in the controls. The parasympathic tonicity prevails in all NCS types. Moreover, NCS is affected by episodes of activation of sympathico-adrenal system. Typical HRV in different NCS variants allows using this method for their diagnosis, prognosis and follow-up of the patients.

[Wolf-Parkinson-White syndrome: stratification of syncope risk factors].

AIM: To evaluate risk factors of syncopes in patients with Wolf-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPWS) using transesophageal pacing (TEP). MATERIAL AND METHODS: 82 WPWS patients were divided into two groups: the study group (n = 46) with syncopes and presyncopes, the control group (n = 36) without syncopes. The groups were matched by sex and age. TEP protocol included two stages: before radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and on day 2 after RFA (control test). RESULTS: Highly significant differences between the groups were detected only in induction of ortodromic tachycardia. In patients of the study group the cycle duration (CD) was 317 +/- 38.9 ms, in the control group - 365.25 +/- 96.3 ms (R = 0.003), heart rate--197.7 +/- 15.03 vs 167.3 +/- 31.65 per 1 min (R = 0.003), heart rate--197.7 +/- 15.03 vs 167.3 +/- 31.65 per 1 min (R = 0.0001), ventricular interval--122.5 +/- 17.5 and 153.1 +/- 44.4 ms (R = 0.0001). A correlation was found between syncope risk and baseline heart rate, CD, Venkebach point, antegrade effective refractory period of additional atrioventricular connection, ventriculoatrial interval during tachycardia, WPWS manifestation, atrial fibrillation, arrhythmia history. CONCLUSION: The detected electrophysiological changes allow early detection of patients at high syncope risk among WPWS patients and reduction of sudden cardiac death risk in these patients.

[Characteristics of microflora isolated in chronic adnexitides and effects of balneotherapy on biological properties of microorganisms in experimental and clinical conditions]. / Kharakteristika mikroflory, vydelennoi pri khronicheskikh adneksitakh, i vliianie bal'neolecheniia na biologicheskie svoistva mikroorganizmov v éksperimente i klinike.

The study of species and biology of microflora isolated from 42 patients with chronic adnexitides has detected a wide spectrum of pathological agents among which both aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms were encountered. The isolated cultures were examined for ability to inactivate lysozyme, complement and lactoferrin. The experiments have established changes in biological properties of the microorganisms in response to use of mud and salty brine therapy. Clinical investigations demonstrate the ability of balneotherapy to restore normal flora, to reduce contamination with opportunistic microflora and suppress biological, including persistent, properties of microorganisms in females with chronic adnexitides. Positive effects of balneotherapy seem to base, primarily, on this ability.

[Optimization of hypotensive therapy in hypertensive patients with new beta-1 selective long-acting adrenoblocker]. / Puti optimizatsii gipotenzivnoi terapii bol'nykh gipertonicheskoi bolezn'iu novym beta1-selektivnym adrenoblokatorom prolongirovannogo deistviia.

20 hypertensive subjects entered the trial of kerlon (Searle, USA). Central hemodynamics was studied by tetrapolar chest rheography according to J. Franz. Therapeutic response to beta-1-adrenoblocker kerlon in hypertension was assessed by hemodynamic indices and acute pharmacological test. The effect was found to depend on the initial hemocirculation type. In hyperkinetic hemodynamics lowering of blood pressure was due to diminution of the cardiac index, in eukinetic and hypokinetic types- to a decrease in the total peripheral vascular resistance.

[The effect of therapeutic mud on the viability and persistence properties of bacteria]. / Vliianie lechebnoi griazi na zhiznesposobnost' i persistentnye svoistva bakterii.

The influence of therapeutic salt mud on the viability and some biological properties of bacteria, responsible for their survival in the macroorganisms, was shown. Therapeutic mud had low bactericidal properties, and enterobacteria were, on the whole, even less sensitive to these properties than staphylococci. Therapeutic mud inhibited the capacity of bacteria for inactivating complement, lysozyme and the bactericidal component of the preparation of interferon and also reduced the hydrophobic properties of bacterial cells. At the same time Escherichia were found to be more susceptible to the modifying action of the mud than staphylococci. The greatest effect on the hydrophobic properties and anticomplement activity of bacteria was observed after their incubation in mud solution.