The non-adiabatic exciton transfer in tetrathiafulvalene chains: a theoretical study of signal transmission in a molecular logic system.

Using an exciton as a carrier was examined as a possible solution to the problem of signal transmission between molecular logic gates. A tetrathiafulvalene chain was chosen as a model for a molecular logic system and its distinct logic states were described as excitons located at certain tetrathiafulvalene units. The parameters of the exciton transfer between the units of the chain were studied. The transfer rate between the two adjacent units was calculated using the Plotnikov-Bixon-Jortner theory basing on molecular parameters calculated using TD-DFT. The order of electronic states was studied at the MCQDPT and TD-DFT levels of theory. It was found that certain functional groups in the chain can make exciton transfer faster than its recombination. The exciton can effectively carry a signal through the chain, which in turn can be enlarged and modified.

[The use of cardiointervalography for diagnostic screening and evaluation of the efficiency of correction of magnesium deficiency and comorbid conditions]. / Primenenie kardiointervalografii dlya skriningovoi diagnostiki i otsenki effektivnosti korrektsii defitsita magniya i komorbidnykh emu sostoyanii.

AIM: To detect chronic diseases comorbid to magnesium (Mg) deficiency (ICD-10 E61.2) by the data of heart rate variability (HRV). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The investigation enrolled 398 student patients from a university preventorium (52% youngsters; mean age, 18±9 years; height, 157±28 cm; weight, 54±20 kg). The database for each patient included anthropometric, dynamometric, electrooculometric, HRV and blood pressure monitoring data, plasma levels of vitamins, and collected scores of all stress items of the IDIX scale, MFI-20, asthenia rating scale, HAM test, a questionnaire for deficiency of Mg, vitamins, etc., i.e. a total of 521 parameters. A data sample for 398 patents was randomized into a learning subsample (n = 198) that was used to calculate the discussed sets of logical rules and an independent control sample (n = 200) that was employed to test the obtained sets of logical rules in order to determine their sensitivity and specificity. RESULTS: Based on the analysis of the collected database, the investigators established the pattern of diseases comorbid to Mg deficiency in the examined sample, elaborated diagnostic rules for a number of abnormalities, and checked the obtained sets of rules on the control subsample. The presence of more than half the diagnoses given below may be recognized on the basis of HRV and dynamometric, clinical, and laboratory findings and history data with a sensitivity of 70-95% and a specificity of 75-95%. It is shown that HRV data allow detection of a number of chronic diseases comorbid to Mg deficiency (ICD-10 E61.2) with a high degree of accuracy (on average of 80%) and selectivity (about 80%). CONCLUSION: The diagnostic method based on HRV measured by cardiointervalography has been developed, which, among other processes, permits the noninvasive evaluation of electrolyte balance and the identification of Mg, K, Na, and Ca deficiencies. The advantage of this method is that it can assess the body's overall functional possibilities in health, as well as early abnormalities that may gradually progress to serious diseases if no necessary preventive measures are implemented. The practical value of the developed method is demonstrated, by using Magnerot in vegetative dystonia concurrent with hypomagnesium.

[Meta-analysis of clinical trials of cardiovascular effects of magnesium orotate].

AIM: To make a meta-analysis of clinical trials of magnerot (magnesium orotate) used in cardiac patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The meta-analysis covered the data of 19 randomized trials including a total of 603 patients treated with magnerot (a case group) and 587 receiving placebo (a control group). The patients' mean age was 36 ± 19 years. On the average, the patients took magnerot 1878 ± 823 mg/day for 4.2 ± 29 months. RESULTS: Associations between the intake of magnerot and the risk of 50 pathological conditions were analyzed. Significant associations were established between the drug's administration and the reduced risk of conditions, such as hypomagnesemia (relative risk (RR) = 0.06; 95% confidence intervals (C): 0.04 to 0.09; p = 2 · 10(-46)), exercise intolerance (RR = 0.41; 95% CI: 0.27 to 0.62; p = 0.0004), dysautonomia (RR = 0.08; 95% CI: 0.04 to 0.14; p = 2 · 10(-21)), morning headache (RR = 0.16; 95% CI: 0.09 to 0.29; p = 1.5-10(-6)), tension headache (RR = 0.16; 95% Cl: 0.09 to 0.27; p = 5 · 10(-10)), dizziness (RR = 0.28; 95% CI: 0.15 to 0.50; p = 0.0004), first-degree mitral valve prolapse (MVP) (RR = 0.05; 95% CI: 0.03 to 0.09; p = 1.2 · 10(-25)), grade 1 regurgitation (RR = 0.29; 95 CI: 0.14 to 0.60; p = 0.0075), supraventricular (RR = 0.30; 95% CI: 0.21 to 0.44; p = 1 · 10(-8)) and ventricular (RR = 0.48; 95% CI: 0.30 to 0.76; p = 0.019) premature contraction, paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (RR = 0.28; 95% CI: 0.15 to 0.50; p = 0.0002), and hypertension (RR = 0.32; 95% CI: 0.17 to 0.58; p = 0.0027). CONCLUSION: The use of magnesium orotate is promising not only in treating MVP and compensating for hypomagnesemia, but also in preventing and treating cardiac arrhythmias, regulating blood pressure, and improving the function of the autonomic nervous system.

[The experience of creation and deployment of mobile medical units of EMERCOM of Russia].

The experience of the creation and deployment of mobile medical units of EMERCOM of Russia: medical service of specialized fire department on large-scale fire suppression of the Main Directorate of the Russian Emergency Ministry of the Republic of Karelia and the field mobile medical unit of the Southern regional search and rescue team of EMERCOM of Russia. Medical service of specialized fire department on large-scale fire suppression of the Main Directorate of EMERCOM of the Republic of Karelia during the period from 2010 to 2012 provided medical assistance to 636 wounded, including 486 road traffic accident victims and 140 fire victims. Field mobile medical unit of the Southern Regional search and rescue team of EMERCOM of Russia during the humanitarian operation in the Republic of South Ossetia (August - September 2008) registered 635 calls for medical aid: 435 primary and 200--repeated; performed 10 operations. The characteristic structure of traumatic diseases and injuries is presented. Coverage of fluorography for students, teachers and schools staff in three districts of South Ossetia was 1041 (81.1%) patients, 6 (0.57%) cases of pulmonary tuberculosis were revealed among them.

Using non-adiabatic excitation transfer for signal transmission between molecular logic gates.

Molecular logic gates (MLGs) are molecules which perform logic operations. They can potentially be used as building blocks for nano-sized computational devices. However, their physical and functional integration is a difficult task which remains to be solved. The problem lies in the field of signal exchange between the gates within the system. We propose using non-adiabatic excitation transfer between the gates to address this problem while absorption and fluorescence are left to communicate with external devices. Excitation transfer was studied using the modified Bixon-Jortner-Plotnikov theory with the example of the 3H-thioxanthene-TTF-dibenzo-BODIPY covalently linked triad. Several designs of the molecule were studied in a vacuum and cyclohexane. It was found that the molecular logic system has to be planar and rigid to isolate radiative interfaces from other gates. Functioning of these gates is based on dark πσ*-states in contrast to bright ππ*-states of radiative interfaces. There are no fundamental differences between ππ* → πσ* and ππ* → ππ* transitions for cases when an exciton hops from one gate to another. The rates of such transitions depend only on an energy gap between states and the distance between gates. The circuit is highly sensitive to the choice of solvent which could rearrange its state structure thereby altering its behavior. According to the obtained results, non-adiabatic transfer can be considered as one of the possible ways for transmitting a signal between MLGs.

[Clinico-morphological and molecular-genetic characteristic of the miometrium with failure of the uterine scar after the Cesarean section at women with undifferentiated forms of connective tissue dysplasia].

Connective tissue state, its strength, is actual problem especially in the moment of labor because the weakness of labor activity or accelerated labor can be in depending on its consistency and elasticity. In addition, connective tissue is very important in the involution of the uterus after labor or wounds healing. Clinico-morphological and molecular-genetic investigation of 90 patients with undifferentiated forms of connective tissue dysplasia (uCTD) has been done. Reparation of tissue at patients with uCTD had a number of peculiarities, such as fibromuscular scar formation by substitution mechanisms with the laminin deficiency in the basic capillar membrane and extracellular matrix, accumulation of III and IV types of collagen, low expression of VEGF in the stromal cell and polymorphism of the alpha estrogen receptor gene. This immunohistochemical changes correlated with focuses of connective tissue disorganization as mucoid swelling, fibrinoid changes and hyalinosis, as well pathology of the microvasculature, resulted in chronic ischemia of the tissue. The disorganization is connected with disturbed reparation as a result of the genetically determined polymorphism of alpha and beta estrogen receptors. uCTD in pregnant women is prognostically significant for selection of way of delivery.

[Fifteen years experience of the use of magnesium preparations in patients with mitral valve prolapse].

We followed for 15 years 31 patients with mitral valve prolapse (MVP) who during follow-up regularly took orotic acid (1500 mg/day) for 3 months twice a year. We revealed peculiarities of dynamics of clinical picture, their interrelation with phenotypic manifestations of connective tissue dysplasia, changes of electrocardiogram, structure of valvular apparatus of the heart, state of vegetative homeostasis, changes of levels and 24-hour profile of arterial pressure, tone of sympathetic and parasympathetic parts of vegetative nervous system. We noted significant reduction of mean and maximal heart rate, number of episodes of tachycardia, duration of QTc intervals, incidence of paroxysmal supraventricular and ventricular extrasystoles. We fixed statistically significant lowering of maximal systolic and diastolic arterial pressure, hypertensive burden and elevated variability of systolic and diastolic arterial pressure. Data of retrospective analysis showed absolute normalization of these parameters in all studied patients. Decrease of the tone of sympathetic part of vegetative nervous system was also established. There was 2 to fold decrease of number of persons with sympathicotonia, 3 to fold increase of those with vagotonia, and 5 times increase of number of patients with equal tone of sympathetic and parasympathetic parts. Regular use of magnesium salt of orotic acid was associated with significant elevation of quality of life of patients with MVP. Clinically valuable improvement of work and social life scores was noted in 54.8%, of personal life score - in 45.2% of individuals. In half of patients with MVP index of efficacy of therapy with orotic acid was significant.

[Spontaneous pneumomediastinum as complication of alimentary toxicoinfection].

The author reports a case of spontaneous pneumomediastinum in a previously healthy young boy resulting from alimentary toxicoinfection with frequent nausea. Adequate treatment completely eliminated symptoms of pneumomediastinum and prevented development of its complications. Published data suggesting other possible causes of spontaneous pneumomediastinum are discussed.

[Dynamics of cardiovascular system functional state indices in patients with idiopathic mitral valve prolapse against the background of magnerot and alprazolam therapy].

144 patients with idiopathic mitral valve prolapse (MVP) were examined. They were divided into groups of treatment with magnerot, and placebo (control group). Decrease of echocardiography indices of MVP was noticed in the patients who received magnerot. After therapy with alprazolam only tendency to decrease of prolapse depth was registered. Significant decrease of maximal systolic and diastolic pressure, mean diastolic pressure, hypertonic load with diastolic pressure and increased variability of systolic and diastolic pressure occurred after therapy with magnerot. Decrease of systolic and diastolic pressure was noticed after therapy with alprazolam. At Halter monitoring of patients with MVP were noticed that magnerot had greater effect than alprazolam to decrease of number of tachycardia (paroxysmal supraventricual and nonparoxysmal) episodes. Significant decrease of number of patients with sympathicotonia and, at the same time, increase of number of person with equal tonus of both vegetative nervous systems were registered after therapy with magnerot (by 9 times) and with alprazolam (by 4.5 times).

[Hypolipoproteinemia and secondary role of atherosclerosis in the development of ischemic heart disease in patients with polycythemia vera].

Relationship between presence of coronary heart disease (CHD), coronary risk factors (parameters of lipid transport system and hypertension) and disturbances of microcirculation was studied in patients with myeloproliferative blood disease Polycythemia Vera (PV). Probability of tissue (including blood vessel wall) cholesterol accumulation was estimated by measurement of its content in skin surface layers. PV patients (n=55, including 27 patients with CHD) had predominant hypolipoproteinemia with normal proportion of various lipoprotein classes. Absence of substantial increase of skin surface cholesterol content both in patients with and without CHD was considered to be a sign of low probability of the presence of severe atherosclerotic processes. However patients with CHD had substantially more pronounced disturbances of microcirculation. Basing on these data the authors suggest that CHD in PV patients had non-lipoprotein genesis and present discussion of alternative mechanisms of vascular changes.

[Low ability of blood lymphocytes to produce interferon-gamma in patients with idiopathic prolapse of mitral valve].

AIM: To examine lymphocyte ability to synthetize interferon-gamma in patients with mitral prolapse (MP). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The diagnosis of MP was made in 75 patients at echocardiography. ECG monitoring was made and the study of the ability of blood lymphocytes to produce IFN-gamma (If-g). RESULTS: The ability to produce If-g was diminished. This phenomenon is associated with chronic inflammation, autonomic disregulation of cardiac activity, depends on gender. CONCLUSION: Cytokine modulates metabolism of connective tissue in MP so If-g may participate in MP pathogenesis. Therefore, If-g and/or its inductors may prevent some MP-related complications due to its deficiency.

[Ferritin and other acute phase proteins in various forms of coronary heart disease].

The purpose of the study was to determine clinical importance of high serum levels of ferritin, fibrinogen and C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients with various forms of coronary heart disease (CHD) such as stable angina, painless myocardial ischemia (PMI) and instable angina (IA). The subjects of the study were 60 patients with CHD, whose clinical variant (stable angina, PMI or IA) had been determined by stress echocardiography. The control group consisted of 20 patients, not suffering from CHD, but having cardiovascular risk factors (arterial hypertension, dyslipoproteinemia, male gender, obesity, elderly age). All patients underwent routine clinical examination and biochemical blood tests. Serum levels of CRP, fibrinogen and ferritin were highest in the patients with IA and significantly differed from those in the control group. The difference in serum iron levels and total iron-binding capacity in serum (TIBC) between the groups were insignificant. Correlations between serum level of iron, TIBC and ferritin level were found neither in CHD patients (r = 0.1) nor in the control group (r = 0.15). No correlation between serum level of ferritin and CRP level was observed in the control group, but in all CHD groups this correlation was significant. The strongest correlation between these values was observed in the patients with IA. Besides, correlations between serum levels of ferritin and CRP (r = 0.46, p < 0.02) and between ferritin and fibrinogen levels (r = 0.39, p < 0.05) were found in the patients with IA. In patients with CHD, especially those who have IA, serum ferritin should be considered among acute phase proteins, reflecting destabilization of atherosclerotic plaque.

[Effect of Ca2+ ions on hydrodynamic properties of pentamer and decamer of C-reactive protein in solution]. / Vliianie ionov Ca2+ na gidrodinamicheskie svoistva pentamera i dekamera C-reaktivnogo belka v rastvore.

The molecular mass and sedimentation coefficient of native C-reactive protein in solution were determined by analytical ultracentrifugation in the presence and absence of calcium ions. Pentameric C-reactive protein was shown to be the major macroscopic form of this protein in solution. The removal of calcium ions from solution caused decompaction of the protein accompanied by changes in its hydrodynamic parameters. The sedimentation coefficient s20(0), w of pentameric C-reactive protein in solution containing 2 mM--Ca2+ (6.6S) exceeded that for C-reactive protein in solution containing 2 mM EDTA (6.4S). Analysis of average molecular masses Mw and Mz obtained from sedimentation data demonstrated that the solution of highly purified protein was not homogeneous. As shown by intermolecular crosslinking, the solution also contained the 241-kDa decamer of C-reactive protein (9.5S) as a separate macroscopic form, whose share hardly reached 10% in the presence of 2 mM Ca2+ and increased after removal of calcium ions. The decamers were shown to result from intermolecular association of the pentamers.

[Aggregation of C-reactive protein in solutions at acid pH]. / Agregatsiia C-reaktivnogo belka v rastvorakh pri kislom znachenii pH.

The hydrodynamic properties of the C-reactive protein (CRP) at different pH were studied using quasi-elastic light scattering, size-exclusion liquid chromatography, and nonreducing gel electrophoresis. It was shown that a CRP solution at pH 5.0-7.2 presents a polydisperse system the major component of which is the native pentameric CRP. At pH 4.0-4.5, CRP exists in two states having different hydrodynamic properties: the native pentameric form with a molecular mass of 120 kDa and with the hydrodynamic radius of 4.03 nm and high-molecular-weight aggregates with a wide range of their molecular weight distribution. The interaction of the C-reactive protein with monoclonal antibodies to it indicates that conformation-dependent surface epitopes of the protein lose the native structure at pH 5.0-5.5. The aggregation of CRP is an irreversible process, which begins in a narrow pH range of pH 5.0-4.5 and is not accompanied by the dissociation into subunits but is determined by intermolecular interactions of its quasi-native pentamers.

[Clinical hemodynamic analysis of the circulatory types in hypertension]. / Kliniko-gemodinamicheskii analiz tipov krovoobrashcheniia u bol'nykh gipertonicheskoi bolezn'iu.

Forty-nine signs found on clinical examination of 192 patients with hypertensive disease were compared with the cardiac index determined by means of tetrapolar chest rheography. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to the type of hemodynamics: eukinetic, hyperkinetic, and hypokinetic. The types of hemodynamics were determined with due regard for the age variations of the systolic index. From the results of the correlation analysis of the systolic index, types of circulation, and the findings of clinical examination, 13 clinical signs with significant and greatly marked connection were distinguished. In accordance with these signs, it proved possible to identify correctly in retrospective the hypertensive type of circulation in 91.9% of patients, the hypokinetic type in 85.1%, and the eukinetic type in 78.9% of patients.

[Characteristics of the effect of nitroglycerin on hemodynamics]. / Nekotorye osobennosti vliianiia nitroglitserina na gemodinamiku.

An examination was conducted of 45 healthy individuals 23 to 28 years of age who received nitroglycerine sublingually in a dose of 0.5 mg (15 persons) and by intravenous drip for one hour in doses of 3, 10, and 20 mg (groups of ten persons). It was shown that the drug had no essential effect on the rate of cardiac contractions and the diastolic arterial pressure. The systolic arterial pressure decreased with the increase of the nitroglycerine dose. The trend and the severity of changes in central hemodynamics were, in most cases, inversely dependent on the volume of cardiac ejection and did not depend on the dose and route of administration of the drug. With a cardiac index of 3 to 5.5 1/min/m2, this index in 71% of individuals reduced by 26% on the average. With an initial cardiac index of 2 to 2.9 1/min/m2, in 63% of individuals this index increased by 27% on the average. The authors distinguish three types of the reaction of hemodynamics to the administration of nitroglycerine: hypo-, hyper-, and eucardiac.

[Principles of decontaminating the small intestine with bacterial preparations in experimental antibiotic dysbacteriosis]. / Printsipy dekontaminatsii tonkogo kishechnika bakterial'nymi preparatami pri antibiotikovom disbakterioze v ékpserimente.

Introduction of antibiotic-resistant bifidobacterial and lactobacterial strains, separately or together, does not decrease the degree and duration of contamination of the small intestine by enterobacteria after oral administration of antibiotics in large doses. The use of antibiotic-resistant bifidobacterial and lactobacterial strains allows one to decrease contamination of the small intestine by enterobacteria, resulting from the administration of antibiotics in near-therapeutic doses. The therapeutic effectiveness of bacterial preparations with respect to antibiotic dysbacteriosis has been found to depend on the level of resistance to the administered antibiotic. Antibiotic-resistant strains of bifidobacteria decrease the number of opportunistic microorganisms in the intestine in cases of dysbacteriosis caused by irradiation and administration of antibiotics.

[Painless myocardial ischemia in patients with post-infarction cardiosclerosis]. / Bezbolevaia ishemia miokarda u bol'nykh postinfarktnym kardio- sklerozom.

Holter monitoring, echocardiography and 201Tl myocardial scintigraphy were performed in 40 patients with postinfarction cardiosclerosis. The monitoring revealed silent myocardial ischemia (SMI), including 27 having SMI with concurrent anginal episodes, 7 with SMI alone. A direct correlation was found between the duration of SMI and silent myocardial infarction (r = 0.539; p less than 0.05). The patients with left ventricular failure and myocardial hypertrophy exhibited longer SMI, as evidenced by echocardiography. 201Tl myocardial scintigraphy revealed no relationship between the degree of SMI and the dimensions of a postinfarction scar. SMI was detected in 77.5% of the patients with postinfarction cardiosclerosis. The duration of SMI was longer with the presence of angina pectoris, left ventricular failure or myocardial hypertrophy.