Engineering novel tunable optical high-Q nanoparticle array filters for a wide range of wavelengths.

The interaction of non-monochromatic radiation with arrays comprising plasmonic and dielectric nanoparticles has been studied using the finite-difference time-domain electrodynamics method. It is shown that LiNbO3, TiO2, GaAs, Si, and Ge all-dielectric nanoparticle arrays can provide a complete selective reflection of an incident plane wave within a narrow spectral line of collective lattice resonance with a Q-factor of 103 or larger at various spectral ranges, while plasmonic refractory TiN and chemically stable Au nanoparticle arrays provide high-Q resonances with moderate reflectivity. Arrays with fixed dimensional parameters make it possible to fine-tune the position of a selected resonant spectral line by tilting the array relative to the direction of the incident radiation. These effects provide grounds for engineering novel selective tunable optical high-Q filters in a wide range of wavelengths, from visible to middle-IR.

Observation of the Self-Modulation Instability via Time-Resolved Measurements.

Self-modulation of an electron beam in a plasma has been observed. The propagation of a long (several plasma wavelengths) electron bunch in an overdense plasma resulted in the production of multiple bunches via the self-modulation instability. Using a combination of a radio-frequency deflector and a dipole spectrometer, the time and energy structure of the self-modulated beam was measured. The longitudinal phase space measurement showed the modulation of a long electron bunch into three bunches with an approximately 200 keV/c amplitude momentum modulation. Demonstrating this effect is a breakthrough for proton-driven plasma accelerator schemes aiming to utilize the same physical effect.

[Neuropathy in n-hexane poisoning]. / Neiropatiya pri otravlenii n-geksanom.

N-Hexane is a solvent widely used in manufacturing as a cleaner, degreaser and component of rubber cement. Chronic exposure to n-hexane either through contact with unprotected skin or inhalation can lead to the development of clinical symptoms and electrophysiological changes similar to those of inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy which requires careful differential diagnosis. This article presents three cases of severe predominantly motor polyneuropathy with demyelinating features in 15- and 16-year-old adolescents. The results of laboratory tests were within normal limits; electroneuromyography revealed symmetrical involvement of sensory and motor fibers of the nerves of the legs and arms with a decrease in the speed of propagation of excitation and conduction blocks. Sural nerve biopsy revealed intraneural and perineural swelling without any signs of inflammation or fibrosis confirming the genesis of the neuropathy. Despite a relatively favorable prognosis there is no specific therapy for hexane poisoning and the recovery period can last up to several years.

[Postradiotherapy complications and their correction ways at patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma].

Today hyperfractionated radiotherapy in combination with cisplatin and 5-FU is the most effective treatment modality of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. However late complications of this method are investigated poorly what was the aim of this research. Analyzing treatment results of 118 patients who achieved complete tumor regression we revealed that radiation damages more often and severe at patients who received more aggressive treatment - accelerated hyperfractionated radiotherapy with and without concurrent cytotoxic drugs. But application of complex prophylaxis and treatment measures by radiation oncologists in cooperation with other specialist (stomatologists, dermatologists, endocrinologists etc.) allow to control toxicity and finalize planned treatment schedule.

[Batching of low-concentration anesthetics with evaporators used in apparatuses for inhalation anesthesia].

The accuracy of the anesthetic vaporizers with modern vaporizing devices is complicated by necessity of providing small anesthetic vapor concentration for a wide range of gas flows, especially at small flows, and at use of a combination of inhalation anesthesia with intravenous one. Compliance with the requirements of the international standards concerning the accuracy of low-concentration anesthetic vapor batching also does not provide management of anesthesia depth at various stages of surgical operations. The problem is solved well by replacement traditional vaporizers with so-called barbotage ones equipped by adjustment of vapor concentration by modem electronic methods. It is even more promising to use direct injection of the liquid anesthetics into the respiratory contour of infusion pump. However, because individual sensitivity of patients to anesthetics is rather variable, these devices do not provide regulation of the depth of anesthesia. Therefore, stability rather than accuracy of batching of low-concentration anesthetics with evaporators used in apparatuses for inhalation anesthesia is of cardinal importance, Methods of objective instrumental evaluation of the depth of anesthesia require further research and implementation.

The octapeptide corresponding to the region of the highest homology between alpha-interferon and thymosin-alpha 1 effectively competes with both cytokines for common high-affinity receptors on murine thymocytes.

The octapeptide corresponding to human interferon-alpha 2 (Hu IFN-alpha 2) sequence 131-138 has high affinity to murine thymocyte receptors (Kd = 4.2 x 10(-12) M, about 700 receptors per cell). The peptide receptor binding is inhibited by both Hu rIFN-alpha 2 (Ki = 8.6 x 10(-10) M) and thymosin-alpha 1 (TM-alpha 1) (Ki = 3 x 10(-7) M) as well as by the octapeptide homologous to the TM-alpha 1 sequence 16-23 (Ki = 4.5 x 10(-7) M). The peptide from IFN-alpha 2 (131-138) activates murine thymocyte blast transformation at a concentration of 10(-11) M in the presence of 2.5 micrograms/ml of concanavalin A.

Nonapeptide corresponding to the sequence 27-35 of the mature human IL-2 efficiently competes with rIL-2 for binding to thymocyte receptors [corrected].

Previously it was shown [1] that amino acid substitutions at the region of the first alpha-helix of IL-2 specifically inactivate its reactivity with the intermediate-affinity receptor p70, and mutations in the fifth alpha-helix specifically inactivate the binding to the low-affinity receptor p55. We have synthesized the peptides corresponding to the putative binding site of IL-2 with the intermediate-affinity receptor p70 and found that the nonapeptide corresponding to the sequence 27-35 of the mature IL-2 [2] effectively competes with human rIL-2 for binding to thymocyte receptors. Two types of nonapeptide receptors were revealed: those with Kd1 = 1.84 x 10(-8) M and Kd2 = 1.6 x 10(-7) M. The rIL-2 provides a 100% inhibitory effect on the binding of the 125I-labeled nonapeptide to thymocyte receptors, Ki = 3.5 x 10(-8) M. Low immunoproliferative activity of the peptide allows one to recommend it as a specific antiproliferation drug, IL-2 inhibitor [corrected].

[Neutral glycosphingolipids in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells]. / Neitral'nye glikosfingolipidy kletokk astsitnoi kartsinomy Erlikha.

The structure of the neutral glycosphingolipids of the Ehrlich ascite carcinoma (EAC) cells was studied. The main four components were identified as glycosylceramide, lastosylceramide, N-acetylgalactosyllactosylceramide and galactosyl-N-acetyllactosylceramide (asialo-GM1). The neutral glycolipid pattern of the cells was found to depend on their density. Dilution of the cell suspension resulted in an increased content of asia-lo-GM1, whereas the content of the other neutral glycolipids remained unchanged. The possible connection between these changes and the earlier disclosed cell density dependence of the gangliosides in EAC cells is discussed.

[The ultrastructural changes in the central and peripheral nervous system in burns]. / Ul'trastrukturnye izmeneniia v tsentral'noi i perifericheskoi nervnoi sisteme pri ozhogovoi bolezni.

Ultrastructural changes of the brain neurons and vegetative nerve ganglions (superior cervical ganglions, ganglion stellatum, ganglions of vagus nerve) were studied on the autopsy material of 30 patients dying at various periods of burn disease at the age of from 19 to 75 years (burn disease III-IV degree, 35-50% of the body surface) and on the experimental material as well. Ultrastructural changes of neurons, their processes, synapsis apparatus, glial cells, mitochondria, endoplasmatic network nuclei and cell membranes are described. The degree of the destructive changes in central nervous system and vegetative nervous ganglions depends upon the period of burn disease and the size of surface burned.

[Fungal myocarditis in deep visceral candidiasis]. / Gribkovyi miokardit pri glubokom vistseral'nom kandidoze.

Morphological and functional changes of the myocardium were studied in 40 patients with candidiasis and attempt to establish morphological criteria of fungal myocarditis was undertaken. Retrospective analysis of autopsy material showed that myocardial involvement in candidiasis was possible and was not as rare as it had been accepted. Clinical symptomatology was not always similar to that of classical infectious-allergic myocarditis. However immunological parameters were characteristic of inflammatory process. Complex echocardiographic study gave important information for assessment of the state of the myocardium.

[Pathomorphologic changes of the solar plexus ganglia in burn disease]. / Patomorfologicheskie izmeneniia gangliev solnechnogo spleteniia pri ozhogovoi bolezni.

Solar ganglia taken from 64 subjects who died in different periods of burn disease: (shock, toxemia septico toxemia, and burn exhaustion) were pathomorphologically examined. The specific time course of changes in solar ganglia was established in various periods of the disease. Dystrophic changes, necrosis of individual neuron groups, and varices of myelinated fibers were detected during burn shock, hypertrophic neurons with thick processes interwoven in between as "felt" predominanted in toxemia whereas in septicotoxemia and burn exhaustion, necrotic changes in neurons and degeneration of nerve fibrous bundle.

[Immediate results of polychemotherapy in esophageal cancer patients]. / Neposredstvennye rezul'taty polikhimioterapii u bol'nykh rakom pishchevoda.

Short-term results of intensive 5-day polychemotherapy given to patients with esophageal cancer are presented. The drug therapy was mainly indicated for dramatic disorders of esophageal patency for liquid food (18 patients) or for its complete lack (5 patients). As a result of the treatment esophageal patency improved in 17 of the 23 patients (73.3%). This made it possible to give up palliative surgery and to carry out x-ray treatment.

[Problems of dose fractionation in radiotherapy of patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer]. / Problemy fraktsionirovaniia pri luchevoi terapii bol'nykh mestnorasprostranennym rakom pishchevoda.

Patients with local inoperable tumors of the esophagus received a radiation course consisting of three modalities--conventional, continuous accelerated and split fractionation using large single fractions. Significant overall beneficial effect--complete or partial remission--was registered more often in those treated with the two non-traditional modalities. Their application was followed by a 20% rise in palliative effect.

[First experience in the use of oscillating ventilation of lungs in complex treatment of respiratory distress syndrome in the newborn]. / Pervyi opyt primeneniia ostsilliatornoi ventiliatsii legkikh v komplekse lecheniia respiratornogo distress-sindroma novorozhdennykh.

High-frequency oscillatory controlled lung ventilation in patients with spontaneous respiration and constant positive pressure in combination with periods of mandatory lung ventilation promoted a significant increase in PtkO2 and PtkCO2 normalization. The absence of spontaneous respiration was not accompanied by gas exchange deterioration. The efficacy of high-frequency oscillatory controlled lung ventilation depends on the severity of the lung damage. The improvement in arterial blood oxygenation might be associated with the improvement in ventilation-perfusion ratio and a slight effect on hemodynamics.