Numerical simulation of stratospheric QBO impact on the planetary waves up to the thermosphere.

With the help of numerical simulation, a detailed analysis of the dynamical effect of the stratospheric quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) of the equatorial zonal wind on the planetary waves (PWs) up to thermospheric heights is carried out for the first time. The 3-dimensional nonlinear mechanistic model of middle and upper atmosphere (MUAM) is used, which is capable of simulating the general atmospheric circulation from the surface up to 300-400 km altitude. The amplitudes of stationary and westward travelling PWs with periods from 4 to 10 days are calculated based on ensembles of model simulations for conditions corresponding to the easterly and westerly QBO phases. Fluxes of wave activity and refractive indices of the atmosphere are calculated to analyze the detailed behavior of the PWs. The important result to emerge is that the stratospheric QBO causes statistically significant changes in the amplitudes of individual wave components up to 25% in the mesosphere-lower thermosphere and 10% changes above 200 km. This change in wave structures should be especially noticeable in the atmosphere during periods of low solar activity, when the direct contribution of solar activity fluctuations is minimized. Propagating from the troposphere to the upper atmosphere, PWs contribute to the propagation of the QBO signal not only from the equatorial region to extratropical latitudes, but also from the stratosphere to the thermosphere. The need for a detailed analysis of large-scale wave disturbances in the upper atmosphere and their relationship with the underlying layers is due, in particular, to their significant impact on satellite navigation and communication systems, which is caused by amplitude and phase fluctuations of the radio signal.

[Possible use of carbon nanotubes as taggants in gunpowder for small firearms cartridges]. / Vozmozhnosti ispol'zovaniia uglerodnykh nanotrubok dlia markirovki porokhov patronov k strelkovomu ognestrel'nomu oruzhiiu.

The purpose of the work is to study the possibility of using carbon nanotubes (CNT) as taggants in gun powder to provide expert differentiation of used small firearms cartridges; and to identify the main characteristics of the changes to carbon nanotubes under firing conditions, i.e. short-term exposure to high temperatures and pressures. The principal possibility of using carbon nanotube material for marking gunpowder in small firearms cartridges is stated. There is a need, in both the theory and practice of forensics, to develop such a labeling additive, one that is designed to analyze labeled cartridges and trace their use. We studied the effect of high temperatures and pressures (up to 3000-3500 ºC, 30 MPa) on the behavior of carbon nanotubes by using scanning electron microscopy. We found that the properties of carbon nanotube material - including high chemical and thermal resistance, low prevalence in nature, and a wide variety of forms and configurations - would help solve various investigative issues related to the circumstances of the use of small firearms, in particular, to determine the batch or sample of gunpowder used in the firing of a cartridge.

Efficacy of microsurgery in Reinke's oedema evaluated by traditional voice assessment integrated with the Vocal Extent Measure (VEM).

SUMMARY: There are few data analysing to what specific extent phonomicrosurgery improves vocal function in patients suffering from Reinke's oedema (RE). The recently introduced parameter vocal extent measure (VEM) seems to be suitable to objectively quantify vocal performance. The purpose of this clinical prospective study was to investigate the outcomes of phonomicrosurgery in 60 RE patients (6 male, 54 female; 56 ± 8 years ([mean ± SD]) by analysing its effect on subjective and objective vocal parameters with particular regard to VEM. Treatment efficacy was evaluated at three months after surgery by comparing pre- and postoperative videolaryngostroboscopy (VLS), auditory-perceptual assessment (RBH-status), voice range profile (VRP), acoustic-aerodynamic analysis and patient's self-assessment using the voice handicap index (VHI-9i). Phonomicrosurgically, all RE were carefully ablated. VLS revealed removal or substantial reduction of oedema with restored periodic vocal fold vibration. All subjective and most objective acoustic and aerodynamic parameters significantly improved. The VEM increased on average from 64 ± 37 to 88 ± 25 (p #x003C; 0.001) and the dysphonia severity index (DSI) from 0.5 ± 3.4 to 2.9 ± 1.9. Both parameters correlated significantly with each other (rs = 0.70). RBH-status revealed less roughness, breathiness and overall grade of hoarseness (2.0 ± 0.7 vs 1.3 ± 0.7). The VHI-9i-score decreased from 18 ± 8 to 12 ± 9 points. The average total vocal range enlarged by 4 ± 7 semitones, and the mean speaking pitch rose by 2 ± 4 semitones. These results confirm that: (1) the use of VEM in RE patients objectifies and quantifies their vocal capacity as documented in the VRP, and (2) phonomicrosurgery is an effective, objectively and subjectively satisfactory therapy to improve voice in RE patients.

[The possibility of using the synthetic compound for the purpose of modeling of the human soft tissues in connection with the evaluation of gunshot damages]. / Vozmozhnosti ispol'zovaniia sinteticheskogo kompaunda dlia modelirovaniia miagkikh tkanei cheloveka pri issledovanii ognestrel'nykh povrezhdenii.

The necessity of using a simulator of human soft tissues for the purpose of criminalistic and forensic medical expertises is dictated by the requirements put forward by the expert practice. The objective of the present study was to develop a synthetic simulator of the human soft tissues (compound) to ensure reliability of comparative criminalistics and forensic medical studies for the evaluation of gunshot injuries. The synthetic compound was prepared by mixing up the petroleum and/or synthetic oil with a polymeric thickening agent. This procedure was followed by heating the mixture at 90 degrees Celsius during 5 hours. Thereafter, petrolatum and/or ceresin and/or paraffin were added to the mixture. At the final stage, ionol was introduced, and the mixture was poured into a mold measuring 70×70×210 mm with its subsequent cooling down to 40 degrees Celsius during 10-12 hours. The experimental shooting was effected from the Kalashnikov AKS-74U assault rifle using the 5.45×39 mm (7H6) cartridges, Makarov pistol using the 9×18 mm cartridges and Nagant pistol using the CHELP-1000 cartridges. Five shots were fired from each of the three models. The experimental gunshot damages were evaluated visually by examining the inlet and exit openings and the bullet channel. In addition, criminalistic analysis of the grooves in cartridges was carried out. The technology for the fabrication of synthetic compounds based on ethylene, propylene, and butadiene co-polymers in the combination with such low molecular weight compounds as paraffins and ceresins having a homogeneous structure makes it possible to vary the rheological and mechanical properties of the simulators of human soft tissues for the solution of diagnostic and identification problems in the framework of criminalistics and forensic medical expertises.

[Herpesvirus infections in immunocompromised patients].

Testing of immunocompromised patients for markers of beta-herpesviruses--human herpesvirus type 6 (HHV-6) and cytomegalovirus (CMV), as well as gamma-herpesvirus--Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), revealed that all mentioned infections are frequently detected, mainlyas mixed infections. Chronic HHV-6 infection was diagnosed in more than half of the patients, whereas markers of acute phase of CMV and EBV infections were detected in 25% and 15% of patients respectively.

[Density-specific distribution of erythrocytes in different types of anemia].

AIM: To study density-specific distribution of erythrocytes (DSDE) in different types of anemia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: DSDE was determined in anemic patients by fractionation of the whole blood in hematocritic capillaries in the presence of mixtures of dimethyl- and dibutylphthalates with known density. RESULTS: Parameters are proposed which characterize DSDE changes typical for each type of anemia: mean erythrocyte density (MED)--mean density of total erythrocytic population; DSDE width (W)--a characteristic of erythrocytic population heterogeneity; light fraction of erythrocytes (LEF)--% of the cells with density less than 1.086 g/ml (hypochromic cells and reticulocytes); dense fraction of erythrocytes (DEF)--% of cells with density over 1.112 g/ml (hyperchromic cells forming as a result of erythrocyte dehydration). DSDE parameters for different types of anemia differed: reduced MED was typical for iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), increased DEF was seen in microspherocytic anemia (MSA), autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AHA), deficiency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, increased LEF was observed in reticulocytosis in all anemia types except MSA, DSDE W was larger in MSA, AHA, PNA. CONCLUSION: DSDE is determined by proportion of erythropoiesis and sequestration of erythrocytes as well as pathological impacts leading to impairment of membrane permeability for cations and erythrocytic metabolism. Informative value of DSDE parameters makes them effective for diagnostic screening of anemias and control over course of different diseases.

[Recovery of polyclonial hemopoiesis in females with chronic myeloid leukemia with a complete cytogenetic response].

AIM: To study feasibility of hemopoiesis clonality determination in assessment of remission completeness in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) using polymerase chain reaction (PCR HUMARA). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We have examined 28 patients with newly diagnosed CML, 10 CML patients with a complete cytogenetic response (CCR) to therapy with imatinib mesilate and/or alpha-interferon, 24 healthy control females. Twelve patients with untreated CML were homozygous by HUMARA gene (human androgenic receptor gene) and were withdrawn from the study. Leukocytes of peripheral blood from all the patients were investigated with PCR HUMARA for mono- or polyclonal hemopoiesis. Clonality was defined as allele proportion (a/p) of polymorphic loci of HUMARA gene. Remission completeness was confirmed cytogenetically and by molecular methods. RESULTS: The value a/p in 10 patients with CCR varies from 0.69 to 1.33 and is similar to those in the control group. CONCLUSION: The PCR HUMARA technique adequately assesses reduction of Ph-positive clone in CML patients with CCR and points to polyclonal hemopoiesis.

[Priorities of health-promoting and medical rehabilitation in railwaymen].

The paper describes the priorities of health-promoting and medical rehabilitation in railwaymen working under adverse industrial conditions. The authors define the priorities of selection of occupational groups to be primarily referred for sanatorium-and-spa treatment (by taking into account the profile of disease or major industry-associated risk factors), which regulate the medical criteria for selection of contingents (apparently healthy individuals having risk factors, with early morbid signs and significant forms of underlying occupational and industry-dependent diseases). The periodicity of referrals for sanatorium-and-spa treatment and health-promotion depends on the intensity of and exposure to occupational factors, as well as the mean time of development of major forms of abnormalities.

[Antibodies to the infective agents of opportunistic infections in blood of patients with hemoblastosis complicated with pneumonia].

The examination of 112 hematological patients with diagnosed acute and chronic leucosis, lymphoma, myeloma, anemia, melanoma and other diseases revealed not a single subject among these examinees in whom no markers of opportunistic infections were detected. Low titers of antibodies to Pneumocystis carinii, cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) were noted in 42%, 46.4% and 40.2% of examinees, respectively. Markers of acute diseases, such as class IgM, IgG antibodies in high titers, as well as P.carinii, CMV, EBV antigens, were detected in 37.5%, 30.4% and 22.3% of patients of a hematological hospital. In the group of comparison (donors) these figures were, respectively, 15.3%, 2.4% and 6.9%. The signs of monoinfection were detected in 11.6% (pneumocystosis), in 10.7% (CMV infection) and in 14.3% (EBV infection), while the markers of two infections, EBV infection and pneumocystosis, were detected in 9.8%, EBV and CMV infections in 11.6%, pneumocystosis and CMV infection in 14.3%; mixed contamination with all three infective agents was detected in 12.5% of the patients.

[Integral evaluation of redox metabolism in erythrocytes from patients with various anemias]. / Integral'naia otsenka okislitel'no-vosstanovitel'nogo metabolizma u bol'nykh s razlicnymi formami anemii.

The potentiometric determination method (Vmax NADP.H) was made use of to make an integral evaluation of the status of the oxidant-restorative metabolism of erythrocytes; the method facilitates essentially the diagnostics in certain hemolytic processes like G-6-PD-insufficiency, toxic hemolytic anemia and auto-immune hemlytic anemia. Essential differences of the oxidant-restorative potential of erythrocytes (Vmax NADP.H) at congenital and acquired hemolytic anemias were detected, which can be used in the hematological practice alongside with other laboratory tests in the differentiated diagnostics of hemolytic anemias of unclear etiologies.

[Contemporary approaches to diagnosis and treatment of chronic duodenitis among flying personnel]. / Sovremennye podkhody k diagnostike i lecheniiu khronicheskogo duodenita u letnogo sostava.

Causes for increased gastric and duodenal morbidity were analyzed in 435 patients. Chelibacteriosis was shown to be one of the key factors of development and recurrence of chronic duodenitis which which, in its turn, leads to physical disability retirement of flying personnel. The role of determining the immune status in dynamics in predicting recurrence, and effectiveness of therapy was confirmed. Results of the investigation indicate that "triple therapy" (Tribemol, Doxacyclin, Trichopol) of chronic duodenitis on the background of chelibacteria is most effective as it reduces length of treatment, decreases the recurrence rate and improves the clinical and certification-important indices in flying personnel.

[Effects of low-intensity laser irradiation on several parameters of microcirculation in the bulbar conjunctiva of patients with scleroderma]. / Vliianie nizkointensivenogo lazernogo izlucheniia na nekotorye pokazateli mikrotsirkuliatsii bul'barnoi kon"iunktivy u bol'nykh sklerodermiei.

Computer-aided analytical system of TV images (CASTI) of the anterior segment of the eye revealed an appreciable increase of the level of aggregation gradient in arterioles and venules of the bulbar conjunctiva of 37 children suffering from various forms of scleroderma, as against 18 healthy children. Exposure to low-energy laser of a close infrared band (approximately 890 nm) had a favorable impact on blood aggregation in patients with scleroderma. CASTI of the anterior segment of the eye proved to be an objective and highly informative method for the diagnosis and monitoring of the efficacy of various treatment modalities.

[The characteristics of the development of gallbladder and biliary tract pathology under the influence of vibration]. / Osobennosti formirovaniia patologii zhelchnogo puzyria i zhelchevyvodiashchikh putei pod vliianiem vibratsii.

The examination of 86 helicopter pilots has shown that their exposure to vibration leads to biliary and gallbladder damage which aggravates with longer service. As indicated by spectroscopy and gas-liquid chromatography, vibration affects colloid-osmotic properties of bile: molecules grow in size, bile acids retention becomes longer.

[The laser therapy of patients with a long-term nonhealing stomach ulcer]. / Lazernaia terapiia bol'nykh s dlitel'no nezazhivaiushchei iazvoi zheludka.

Results are presented of treatment of 109 patients with prolonged nonhealing gastric ulcers using a new method of highly intensive impulse laser radiation. A scarring effect was achieved in 87% of cases. Correction of immunological indices and sanation of pathological flora, apparently, contributes to the favourable effect.

[High-intensity laser irradiation in the treatment of patients with non-healing stomach ulcers]. / Vysokointensivnoe lazernoe izluchenie v lechenii bol'nykh s dlitel'no ne zazhivaiushchimi iazvami zheludka.

A new modality--strong impulse laser radiation--has been tried in the treatment of 99 patients suffering from atonic gastric ulcer. It was found to promote cicatrization in 87% of cases. The effect may be due to correction of immunity and local microcirculation, affection of causative agents. Strong impulse laser radiation appears to be superior to ++trans-endoscopic treatments in safety and availability.

[Effectiveness of endobronchial administration of granulocyte concentrate in patients with various forms of chronic bronchitis]. / Effektivnost' éndobronkhial'nogo vvedeniia kontsentrata granulo- tsitov u bol'nykh s razlichnymi formami khronicheskogo bronkhita.

The paper concerns the efficacy of endobronchial introduction of fresh donor leukocytic mass which was studied in 56 patients with chronic obstructive bronchitis and compromised immunity in hypoactivity of alveolar macrophages. The above treatment promoted correction of the immunity shifts, activation of alveolar macrophages and eventually better prognosis in relevant patients.

Prognosis of hemolytic anemia in G6PD- subjects. Multifactorial cluster analysis of biochemical characteristics of red cell age groups.

Individual susceptibility of 10 G6PD- hemizygotes to oxidative hemolytic agents was tested on the basis of multifactorial cluster analysis of biochemical indices of erythrocyte populations; the indices related to G6PD activity and glucose metabolism were analyzed under physiological and oxidative stress conditions in very young, exactly adult and very old red cell suspensions. Biochemical images of G6PD- erythrocytes were obtained and compared with the donor (7 subjects) biochemical image on a IBM-PC computer according to a special "taxon" program. As a result, a stable subdivision of 10 Gd- biochemical images into 5 taxons was formed; each taxon included G6PD subjects with a certain form of clinical appearance of G6PD deficiency. Multifactorial cluster analysis of biochemical data on the erythrocyte population allows a clinical prognosis for G6PD- subjects.