Hard Magnetic Properties and the Features of Nanostructure of High-Temperature Sm-Co-Fe-Cu-Zr Magnet with Abnormal Temperature Dependence of Coercivity.

This paper presents methods and approaches that can be used for production of Sm-Co-Fe-Cu-Zr permanent magnets with working temperatures of up to 550 °C. It is shown that the content of Sm, Cu, and Fe significantly affects the coercivity (Hc) value at high operating temperatures. A decrease in the content of Fe, which replaces Co, and an increase in the content of Sm in Sm-Co-Fe-Cu-Zr alloys lead to a decrease in Hc value at room temperature, but significantly increase Hc at temperatures of about 500 °C. Increasing the Cu concentration enhances the Hc values at all operating temperatures. From analysis of the dependence of temperature coefficients of the coercivity on the concentrations of various constituent elements in this alloy, the optimum chemical composition that qualifies for high-temperature permanent magnet (HTPM) application were determined. 3D atom probe tomography analysis shows that the nanostructure of the HTPM is characterized by the formation of Sm2(Co,Fe)17 (2:17) cells relatively smaller in size along with the slightly thickened Sm(Co,Cu)5 (1:5) boundary phase compared to those of the high-energy permanent magnet compositions. An inhomogeneous distribution of Cu was also noticed in the 1:5 phase. At the boundary between 1:5 and 2:17 phases, an interface with lowered anisotropy constants has developed, which could be the reason for the observed high coercivity values.

[Age features of the lower nasal passage according to endoscopy in children]. / Vozrastnye osobennosti nizhnego nosovogo khoda po dannym endoskopii u detei.

OBJECTIVE: To study the anatomical features of the lower nasal passage in children in the age aspect by analyzing the results of endoscopic examination of the nasal cavity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 377 children who did not have otorhinolaryngological and ophthalmological pathologies, as well as congenital anomalies in the architectonics of the nose. The distribution into 4 groups, depending on age, was carried out according to the main provisions of the classification of childhood periods by N.P. Gundobin: the first group - children under 1 year old - 80 (21.2%), the second group - from 1 year to 3 years inclusive - 97 (25.7%), the third group - from 4 to 6 years inclusive - 96 (25.5%), the fourth group (control) - from 7 years and older - 104 (27.6%). All patients underwent endoscopic examination of the nasal cavity using rigid endoscopes with a viewing angle of 0 and 30 degrees, 2.7 mm in diameter, and a fibroscope with an inspection angle of 0 degrees, 2.5 mm in diameter. RESULTS: The data on the features of the development of the lower nasal passage in children were obtained. Changes in such anatomical parameters as the diameter of the lower nasal passage, the location of the distal opening of the nasolacrimal canal and the lower turbinate itself in the nasal cavity are presented. Highlighted the peak age periods of the development of the lower nasal passage in children: the first 6 months, 3-4 years and 7-8 years of a child's life. It was revealed that in children under 6 months of age, the middle turbinates are closely adjacent to the lower ones, which, as a rule, are large, tightly pressed to the bottom of the nasal cavity, and therefore the lower nasal passages are extremely weakly expressed. With growing up, their diameter grows from less than 2.0 mm to an average value of 2.90±0.03 mm, while after 7 years, fully formed volumetric lower nasal passages are already noted. In newborns and children of the first year of life, the mouth of the nasolacrimal duct is as close as possible to the bottom of the nasal cavity, and during growing up it gradually shifts upward (finally settling in the area of the fornix of the lower nasal passage or in the area of transition of the fornix to the lateral wall of the lower nasal passage) and posterior to the anterior the end of the inferior turbinate (up to 4 years old is at a distance of less than 1.0 cm, from 4 to 6 years old - 1.0 cm, from 7 years old - 1.14±0.01 cm). CONCLUSIONS: The data obtained as a result of the study are necessary for an otorhinolaryngologist and an ophthalmologist for a full understanding of the processes of development and course, as well as methods of treating various combined rhinological and dacryological pathologies in children.

Old dog, new tricks: Influenza A virus NS1 and in vitro fibrillogenesis.

The influenza NS1 protein is involved in suppression of the host immune response. Recently, there is growing evidence that prion-like protein aggregation plays an important role in cellular signaling and immune responses. In this work, we obtained a recombinant, influenza A NS1 protein and showed that it is able to form amyloid-like fibrils in vitro. Using proteolysis and subsequent mass spectrometry, we showed that regions resistant to protease hydrolysis highly differ between the native NS1 form (NS1-N) and fibrillar form (NS1-F); this indicates that significant structural changes occur during fibril formation. We also found a protein fragment that is capable of inducing the process of fibrillogenesis at 37 °C. The discovery of the ability of NS1 to form amyloid-like fibrils may be relevant to uncovering relationships between influenza A infection and modulation of the immune response.

[Mixed infection: viral hepatitis A and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome. Case report].

The article considers a case from clinical practice: a mixed infection of viral hepatitis A and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome. Hepatitis had a protracted course and proceeded with the development of acute hepatic encephalopathy. Hemorrhagic fever was characterized by an atypical course with lung and heart damage.

[Association of tension-free inguinal hernia repair and pathospermia in fertile men]. / Assotsiatsiya nenatyazhnoi pakhovoi gernioplastiki i patospermii u muzhchin reproduktivnogo vozrasta.

OBJECTIVE: To reveal the association of tension-free inguinal hernia repair and pathospermia in fertile men. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We have retrospectively analyzed medical records of 512 men who appealed to andrologist with complaints of the absence of pregnancy in wife in 2018. We evaluated duration and features of infertility, presence/absence of previous inguinal hernia repair, spermogram data (according to WHO criteria, 2010) in all patients. RESULTS: Duration of infertility in men after inguinal hernia repair persists for 4.2±2.1 years. Right-sided hernia repair was performed in 36 (48.6%) patients, left-side - 23 (31%), bilateral repair - 15 (20.2%) patients. Men with impaired sperm motility prevailed among patients after right-sided inguinal hernia repair (17 (47.2%) people). Left-sided hernia repair was followed by asthenozoospermia in 8 (34.7%) cases, bilateral hernia repair - in 3 (20%) cases. The most severe abnormalities in semen analysis (azoospemia) develop after bilateral hernia repair. CONCLUSION: Inguinal tension-free hernia repair is a risk factor for male infertility in 14.4% of cases. It is very important to examine a man in case of infertile marriage. Previous surgical interventions including inguinal hernia repair should be considered.

[Clinical case of a hairy polyp in a 6 month old baby]. / Volosatyi polip u rebenka 6 mesyatsev (klinicheskoe nablyudenie).

Hairy polyp is a rare congenital anomaly, pharynx mass, that causes respiratory and swallowing disorders, and sometimes threatens child's life. A 6 mounths old girl with this pathology was examined and surgically treated at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Pediatric Faculty, N.I. Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University. Epipharingoscopy and computed tomography (CT scan) were used during diagnosis. The surgery was performed under endotracheal anesthesia using ERBE VIO electrosurgical complex.

Clinical releveance of hemorrhagic component of endobronchial inflammation in severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation.

AIM: The study aimed at investigating the relationship between severe exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and hemorrhagic component of endobronchial inflammation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinico-endoscopic characteristics of 118 patients presenting with severe infectious exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bloody expectorations and endoscopically confirmed hemorrhagic component of endobronchial inflammation have been analyzed. All patients underwent a series (5-6) of bronchoscopic examinations accompanied by collection of bronchoalveolar lavage specimens to reveal the presence of acid-resistant mycobacteria and to determine the bacterial flora. The exclusion criteria were the concomitant pulmonary or extrapulmonary pathologic conditions which could lead to hemorrhagic endobronchial manifestations. The other direction of the study was to investigate a correlation between jugulation of the exacerbation and dynamics of such endobronchial symptoms as mucosal edema and hyperemia, quality of bronchial secretions and hemorrhagic component of endobronchial inflammation. RESULTS: All patients were found to have diffuse endobronchitis of severity grade II (39.83%) or III (60.17%) by Lemoine. The neoplastic and tuberculosis genesis of the hemorrhagic component of endobronchial inflammation and its clinical equivalent, the bloody expectorations, had been ruled out. In 50.85% of cases the hemorrhagic component of endobronchial inflammation could not be accounted for by hemolytic properties of cultured microorganisms. The mucosal edema and hyperemia remained stable during jugulation of the exacerbation. Unlike the improvement of quality of bronchial secretions, faster reversal of the hemorrhagic component of endobronchial inflammation showed statistical significance. CONCLUSION: The hemorrhagic component of endobronchial inflammation can represent a non-obligatory manifestation of severe exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and its relief is the earliest endobronchial sign of incipient remission from severe COPD exacerbation.

Superinfection of hepatitis E as a factor in the development of acute hepatic encephalopathy on the background of HBV-cirrhosis of the liver.

The article presents an analysis of the clinical case of superinfection of autochthonous acute hepatitis E against the background of HBV-cirrhosis of the liver. HEV infection was diagnosed in a 39 year old man who did not travel outside the region and the country for a long time and used unboiled water. The peculiarity of the disease in the non-endemic region was: a severe course of hepatitis E against the background of HBV etiology, with the development of the clinic for acute hepatic insufficiency and encephalopathy, the presence of severe cytolysis syndrome, cholestasis, hepatic-cell insufficiency and prolonged convalescence. Timely treatment of the patient for medical aid and intensive pathogenetic therapy of hepatit-E superinfection with compensated HBV-cirrhosis allowed to save the patient's life. However, the prognosis for the patient's later life is unfavorable, due to submissive liver necrosis and the risk of rapid decompensation of cirrhosis. When deciphering undifferentiated in Russia acute hepatitis in persons with cirrhosis of another etiology (viral, alcoholic, medicinal), it is necessary to include the definition of HEVRNA and HEV IgM and G. in the survey design.

[Aesthetic criteria in surgical treatment of hypospadias in children].

Aesthetically acceptable cosmetic results of surgical correction of external genital organ defects are important for treatment evaluation along with well-known criteria of good functional outcomes.The purpose of this study was to improve the results of treating children with hypospadias by improving the assessment of results and introducing multi-step correction modalities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2013 to 2015, 476 patients with various forms of hypospadias were treated at the Department of Uroandrology of RCCH. The patients age ranged from 1 year to 17 years (mean age 3 years). All patients were divided into 3 groups depending on the form of hypospadias and type of treatment. They included patients with distal forms of hypospadias (group1, n=270), proximal forms (group 2, n=112) and patients with stem and penoscrotal hypospadias who underwent 3-6 operations before admission (group 3, n=94). RESULTS: The study evaluated both functional and cosmetic results. Cosmetic appearance was assessed using the HOPE scoring system [2]. Despite the difference in surgical methods used for all types of hypospadias, good cosmetic results have been achieved in the majority of patients (65%). Functional outcomes differed depending on the form of hypospadias. In primary patients with distal and proximal forms of hypospadias, good results were achieved in 96% and 77% of patients, respectively. At the same time, 72% of patients who underwent repeat interventions had good results, which is comparable to the group of primary patients with proximal forms. CONCLUSION: The results of treating patients after repeat/failed surgery confirm the high effectiveness of our surgical methods (the Bracka two-stage graft repair, buccal mucosa hypospadias repair, reconstruction with scrotal skin flaps, correction of scrotal transposition). Using the HOPE scoring system to assess cosmetic results helps motivate surgeons to achieve the best treatment results.

[Analysis of the effectiveness and long-term results of formation of adaptive immunity in the use of various medications and vaccination schemes against pneumococcal infection in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease]. / Analiz otdalennykh rezul'tatov éffektivnosti i formirovaniia adaptivnogo immuniteta pri primenenii raznykh preparatov i skhem vaktsinatsii protiv pnevmokokkovoi infektsii u bol'nykh s khronicheskoi obstruktivnoi bolezn'iu legkikh.

AIM: To assess the long-term clinical results of vaccination with pneumococcal polysaccharide and conjugated polysaccharide vaccines in the separate and sequential use, by determining the optimal vaccination schedule in adult patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and to investigate adaptive immunity levels. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The clinical effects of vaccination were evaluated in patients with COPD within 1 and 4 years after immunization against pneumococcal infection using various schemes, as well as the time course of changes in adaptive immunity indicators was examined. RESULTS: Four years after vaccination, the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13)/23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23) group showed a decline in the number of patients with COPD exacerbations by 50% (p<0.001) and reductions in the number of antimicrobial chemotherapy cycles by 47.8% (p<0.001) and in that of hospitalizations by 87.5% (p<0.001). At 1 year after vaccination versus at baseline, the COPD patients vaccinated against pneumococcal disease, regardless of the drug and schedule of vaccination, displayed elevated levels of IgG antibodies to the mixture of capsular polysaccharides included in PPV23 and PCV13. CONCLUSION: It has been indicated that a complex of basic therapy for patients with COPD should include initial vaccination with PCV13, followed by administration of a booster dose of PPV23.

[Choice of optimal vaccination tactics against pneumococcal infection from immunological and clinical standpoints in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

AIM: To provide a rationale for choosing the optimal tactics of vaccination against pneumococcal infection in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the context of evidence-based medicine and on the basis of immunological and clinical data. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Patients with COPD were examined during a year after vaccination with a 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate (Prevenar-13, PCV13) and a 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide (Pnemo-23, PPV23) vaccines. The following vaccination schemes were used: PCV13 monovaccination, PPV23 monovaccination, sequential vaccination with PPV23/PCV13, and sequential vaccination with PCV13/PPV23. RESULTS: Vaccination using all the analyzed schemes in the patients with COPD caused a statistically significant reduction in the frequency of exacerbations, the number of antibiotic cycles, and the number of hospital admissions, as shown by the results of analysis of short-term data. The use of PCV13 was followed by additional effects that were unobserved in the use of PPV23, namely: it promoted the formation of immunological memory to Streptococcus pneumoniae antigens, resulted in the enhanced activity of nonspecific resistance factors, and caused activation of antiviral defense factors. CONCLUSION: If patients with COPD need to be vaccinated against pneumococcal infection, preference should be given to PCV13 monovaccination. Short-term observations have shown that the sequential use of pneumococcal conjugate and polysaccharide vaccines is redundant and gives no additional benefit to patients with COPD. However, the sequential application of both vaccines may have additional advantages in the long term.

[Anogenital warts: a new way of solving the common problem of urology (results of long-term follow-up)].

AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness of combined use of the imiquimod 5% cream and vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) using a quadrivalent recombinant vaccine to achieve long-term clinical remission of chronic HPV infection manifested by anogenital warts. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study comprised 36 patients, including 22 men, aged 26.4+/-4.1 years, who had from 1 to 5 anogenital warts. Participants of the study were vaccinated by quadrivalent recombinant vaccine under a 3-dose scheme 0-2-6 months co-administered with imiquimod 5% cream three times per week up to 16 weeks. The follow-up period was 2 years. RESULTS: Complete disappearance of genital warts within 1 year from baseline was observed in 34 (94.4%) patients. Two patients with anogenital warts after 1 year were treated for 1 year 3 months and 1 year and 4 months with Solcoderm which lead to the complete disappearance of genital warts. There were no recurrences of genital warts during the 2 years of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Vaccination with a recombinant quadrivalent vaccine concurrently with using imiquimod 5% cream results in prolonged clinical remission of chronic HPV infection manifested by anogenital warts in at least 94.4% of the cases (2 year follow-up).

[New ideas on the therapeutic effect of a combination of vaccines against pneumococcal, Haemophilus influenzae type b infection, and influenza in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

AIM: To estimate the indicators of the therapeutic effect of combination vaccination against pneumococcal, Haemophilus influenzae type b infection, and influenza in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Clinical, bacteriological, and immunological studies, by determining the quality of life (QL), were conducted in COPD patients during a year after combination vaccination against pneumococcal, Haemophilus influenza type b infection, and influenza. RESULTS: One year after the vaccination, there were reductions in the number of COPD exacerbations by 3.7 times, in that of antibiotic therapy cycles by 3.4 times, in the levels of inflammatory mediators of interleukins 2 and 8 and interferon-γ, and in the synthesis of IgG antibodies to Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b, and influenza virus strains as compared to the baseline values. CONCLUSION: Combination vaccination against bacterial and viral infections substantially improves the major clinical parameters of COPD, positively affecting LQ indicators that generally characterize the therapeutic effect of immunization.

[The clinical aspects of efficiency of the prevention of pneumococcal infection with vaccines in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients living in the West Siberian Region].

AIM: To evaluate the impact of vaccination against pneumococcal infection on the clinical aspects of the underlying disease in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study conducted in the West Siberian Region (Omsk and Tyumen) enrolled 200 COPD patients aged 30 to 55 years, of whom 50 people in each city were vaccinated with Pneumo 23, as well as 50 unvaccinated persons in each city formed a comparison group. Physical examination, questionnaire survey, and medical history data collection were made during a year before vaccination and after it. Changes in the number of COPD exacerbations, hospital admissions, and disability days were compared in the groups of Pneumo 23-vaccinated and unvaccinated patients. RESULTS: In Pneumo 23-vaccinated patients with COPD, the number of its exacerbations, hospital admissions, and disability days within a year of starting the study were fewer than in the unvaccinated patients, with the more effect being seen in the Omsk dwellers, which had a beneficial effect on the clinical state of the vaccinated. CONCLUSION: Incorporation of pneumococcal vaccine along with antirecurrent, standard therapy may serve as one of the tools to alleviate COPD.

[The use of fibrin-collagen substance in case of spleen injuries].

Spleen damage is one of the most common injuries of the abdomen. Thus, splenectomy is one of the most common embodiments of the surgical procedure. Justified by the desire of surgeons to perform organ save surgery, which was made possible by the emergence of new hemostatic agents. In this paper, an experimental and clinical study of the effectiveness of fibrin-collagen substance (FCC) "Tachocomb" to hemostasis of spleen injuries was submitted.

Fusarium euwallaceae sp. nov.--a symbiotic fungus of Euwallacea sp., an invasive ambrosia beetle in Israel and California.

The invasive Asian ambrosia beetle Euwallacea sp. (Coleoptera, Scolytinae, Xyleborini) and a novel Fusarium sp. that it farms in its galleries as a source of nutrition causes serious damage to more than 20 species of live trees and pose a serious threat to avocado production (Persea americana) in Israel and California. Adult female beetles are equipped with mandibular mycangia in which its fungal symbiont is transported within and from the natal galleries. Damage caused to the xylem is associated with disease symptoms that include sugar or gum exudates, dieback, wilt and ultimately host tree mortality. In 2012 the beetle was recorded on more than 200 and 20 different urban landscape species in southern California and Israel respectively. Euwallacea sp. and its symbiont are closely related to the tea shot-hole borer (E. fornicatus) and its obligate symbiont, F. ambrosium occurring in Sri Lanka and India. To distinguish these beetles, hereafter the unnamed xyleborine in Israel and California will be referred to as Euwallacea sp. IS/CA. Both fusaria exhibit distinctive ecologies and produce clavate macroconidia, which we think might represent an adaption to the species-specific beetle partner. Both fusaria comprise a genealogically exclusive lineage within Clade 3 of the Fusarium solani species complex (FSSC) that can be differentiated with arbitrarily primed PCR. Currently these fusaria can be distinguished only phenotypically by the abundant production of blue to brownish macroconidia in the symbiont of Euwallacea sp. IS/CA and their rarity or absence in F. ambrosium. We speculate that obligate symbiosis of Euwallacea and Fusarium, might have driven ecological speciation in these mutualists. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to describe and illustrate the novel, economically destructive avocado pathogen as Fusarium euwallaceae sp. nov. S. Freeman et al.

Gall induction may benefit host plant: a case of a gall wasp and eucalyptus tree.

Gall-inducing insects display intimate interactions with their host plants, usually described as parasitic relationships; the galls seem to favor the galler alone. We report on a case in which the presence of the galls induced by Leptocybe invasa Fisher & LaSalle (Hymenoptera; Eulophidae) benefit its host plant, the river red gum Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. Field observations showed that E. camaldulensis plants infected by this gall wasp were less susceptible to cold injury than neighboring conspecific plants without galls. In the laboratory, frost resistance was compared between galled and non-galled plants which were both divided into two subgroups: cold-acclimated plants and plants that were non-acclimated. Galled plants displayed higher frost resistance than the non-galled ones, and the differences were higher in non-acclimated plants compared with acclimated ones. Physiological changes in host plant were determined by chemical analyses of chlorophylls, proteins, soluble sugars and anthocyanin contents. The results showed higher values of all physiological parameters in the galled plants, supporting the hypothesis that the presence of the gall wasp induces physiological changes on the plant foliage, which may in turn increase plant defense mechanisms against cold. Therefore, the toll of galling by the herbivore may pay off by the host plant acquiring increased frost resistance. This work provides evidence for physiological changes induced by a herbivore which might have a positive indirect effect on the host plant, promoting frost resistance such as cold acclimation.

Sexual maturation and aging of adult male mealybug (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae).

The physiological age of adult males of seven mealybug species was measured in relation to the elongation of the male pair of the waxy caudal filaments. These filaments begin to emerge after eclosion and reached their maximum length from 29.4-46.6 h. The studied males were divided into three age groups, expressed as percentages of the total waxy caudal filaments length. Attraction to a sex pheromone source was significantly higher in the oldest male group (maximum filaments growth) compared with youngest one. Only the oldest male group copulated successfully; few of the younger males tested displayed 'courtship' behavior towards conspecific virgin females. The calculated duration of the sexually active phase of the adult male life cycle varied among species ranging from 34.4 to 46.6 h. There were marked variations in the strength of attraction to a pheromone source according to time of day. There was a continuous decrease in sexual activity from morning to evening. Our findings reveal clear maturation periods for adult males of the seven studied species. The long immature phase of the adult male mealybug is probably also related to several physiological processes that are needed to complete male maturation. The most noticeable change is the elongation of the waxy caudal filaments. However, mating may be performed at any time ambient conditions are suitable. Whereas male mealybug flight towards a pheromone source is restricted to a few hours, the male may continue mating activity throughout its sexually active period.