Unusual intrinsic thermoluminescence in LiMgPO4:Er.

Olivine-type phosphate LiMgPO4 doped with rare-earth elements is currently considered as a new dosimetric material suitable for both OSL and TSL applications and able to compete with top commercial detectors. In this work, the samples of LiMgPO4:Er3+ were synthesized by the conventional solid state reaction method. We first studied X-ray luminescence and thermally and optically stimulated luminescence in LiMgPO4:Er3+ in detail. Our studies included the structure refinement, DFT calculations, which predicted the preferred positions of both erbium and charge-compensating vacancies, and UV-vis spectroscopy. We showed that the thermoluminescence spectrum of irradiated LiMgPO4:Er3+ does not contain components caused by the 4f-4f transitions in erbium, but coincides with the spectrum of the phosphate matrix with two broad bands at 360 nm and 650 nm. We discovered a high OSL and TSL output in LiMgPO4:Er3+, despite the nonradiative deexcitation of erbium ions.

New Li-Mg phosphates with a 3D framework: experimental and ab initio calculations.

Two new lithium-magnesium phosphates LiMg6(PO4)3(P2O7) and Li(Mg5.62Sc0.19Li0.19)(PO4)3(P2O7) were synthesized by a solid-phase method. Using high-resolution time-of-flight neutron powder diffraction (TOF NPD) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), we established that these phosphates have a Pnma orthorhombic structure with the cell parameters a = 9.14664(5) Å, b = 18.83773(8) Å, c = 8.27450(4) Å, and V = 1425.71(1) Å3 and a = 9.14516(5) Å, b = 18.84222(9) Å, c = 8.28204(4) Å, and V = 1427.12(1) Å3, respectively. The crystal structures can be described by stacking of the [Mg6O18]∞ or [Mg5.62Sc0.19Li0.19O18]∞ wavy layers, which are parallel to the (100) direction and interconnected through PO4 tetrahedra and P2O7 groups to form a 3D-framework. The Li atoms are located in large tunnels formed in a 3D lattice, which contributes to lithium diffusion. AC impedance spectroscopy analysis shows that LiMg6(PO4)3(P2O7) and Li(Mg5.62Sc0.19Li0.19)(PO4)3(P2O7) have a Li ion conductivity of 3.6 × 10-4 S cm-1 and 1.7 × 10-4 S cm-1 at 950 °C, with an activation energy of 1.28 eV and 1.55 eV, respectively. NMR MAS studies confirmed the coexistence of pyro- and orthogroups in the structure of both phases and two lithium positions in Li(Mg5.62Sc0.19Li0.19)(PO4)3(P2O7). The first-principles method was used to study the electronic structure and stability of the two phases. The calculated formation enthalpies demonstrated that Sc is a stabilizing impurity in LiMg6(PO4)3(P2O7), while a strong destabilization of olivine LiMgPO4 is observed upon doping with Sc. This explains the failure to synthesize Sc-doped olivine. The new phosphate LiMg6(PO4)3(P2O7) is a dielectric with a band gap of 5.35 eV, which decreases to 4.85 eV due to the appearance of a localized Sc 3d peak upon doping with Sc. These findings are consistent with the results obtained by UV-Vis spectroscopy. The new phase may be a good optical matrix similar to LiMgPO4.

Genophenotypic analysis of angiotensinogen gene M235T polymorphism and preeclampsia.

We studied phenotypes of the circulating renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and circadian BP during preeclampsia depending on polymorphism of angiotensinogen gene M235T. The TT genotype or T allele of angiotensinogen M235T gene polymorphism is associated with the risk of preeclampsia. Plasma renin activity significantly decreases under conditions of preeclampsia. The TT genotype of angiotensin M235T gene polymorphism is associated with highest renin activity and highest 24-h diastolic BP in comparison with MT and MM genotypes in patients with preeclampsia. Plasma aldosterone level is lower in patients with preeclampsia, but this is not related to angiotensinogen M235T gene polymorphism.

[Microbiocenosis and activity of the inflammatory process in the colon of the patients with chronic cardiac failure].

The aim of this work was to study colonic microbiocenosis, endotoxin level, intensity of systemic inflammation and the state of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) system and MMP tissue inhibitors (TIMP) in 75 patients with post-infarction cardiosclerosis at different stages of chronic cardiac failure (CCF). The patients were examined by clinical, echocardiographic and laboratory methods including bacteriological analysis of feces and measurement of amino-terminal brain natriuruetic peptide, endotoxin, TNF-alpha, MMP-9, and TIMP-4. The progress of CCF was shown to be associated with increasing colonic dysbiosis, endotoxin and TNF-alpha levels, disbalance in the MMO and TIMP systems.

[Immune mechanisms in pathogenesis of chronic heart failure].

In the review the new information about a participation of immune mechanisms in a pathogenesis of a chronic heart failure (CHF) is presented. Significance of a bacterial endotoxin, as inductor of activation of immune system at CHF, and factors of a system inflammation in a pathogenesis of the disease, breaking balance of matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases system, leading to change of structure of an extracellular matrix of a myocardium, are discussed.

[The activity of components of system of matrix metalloproteinase and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase on different stages of chronic cardiac failure].

The article discusses the results of detection of activity of matrix metalloproteinase-9, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases-4, endotoxin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, C-reactive protein, sE-selectine in blood of patients with chronic cardiac failure depending on severity of disease. It is demonstrated that progressing of chronic cardiac failure is associated with the increase of level of endotoxemia, activation of systemic inflammation and misbalance in the system of matrix metalloproteinase and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase.

[Clinic pathogenetic features of gastroduodenal erosions and ulcers in patients with unstable stenocardia].

OBJECTIVE: To reveal the clinical, morphological and pathogenic features of gastroduodenal erosions and ulcers in unstable angina. METHODS: 135 patients with unstable angina were examined and divided into 2 groups, depending on the presence of a pathological process in the gastroduodenal zone. The state of microcirculation in the tissues of the gastroduodenal zone, secretory and motor function of the stomach were estimated by complex of techniques, adapted to the severity of the patients. RESULTS: It is found that the pathological process in the gastroduodenal zone in patients with unstable angina was presented primarily by acute erosions, less - acute ulcers or recurrent peptic ulcer disease. In this case, the leading symptom of acute erosions was dyspepsia, that as a rule prevailed over the indistinct abdominal pain, and often disappeared in the first few days of treatment. Clinical picture of acute ulcers was determined by gastric dyspepsia and was often combined with abdominal pain and symptoms of gastrointestinal bleeding. The recurrence of peptic ulcer disease was characterized by the combination of moderate abdominal pain, often with migration in retrosternal and cardiac area and loss of circadian rhythm inherent in anthro-duodenal ulcer localization, and dyspeptic disorders. The severity of symptoms of ulcerous process was gradually decreased with time, but in most patients, they had remained by the end of the 2nd week of treatment. The basis of development of erosions and ulcers in unstable angina were the focal mainly thrombohaemorrhagic disorders of the terminal blood flow in the gastroduodenal mucosa. Its were combined with changes in the functional state of the stomach, manifested with an increase activity of acid-peptic factor, reduced production of gastromucoproteins, hypomotor dyskinesia and discoordination of anthro-duodenal propulsion on the hypotonic type. CONCLUSION: Erosive and ulcerative lesions of gastroduodenal zone in unstable angina have a number of clinical and pathogenetic features that should be considered in the process of diagnosis and treatment.

[Features of intestine microbiocenosis and systemic inflammation factors in chronic heart failure patients].

AIM: Intestine microbiocenosis structure, endotoxinemia level, C-reactive protein (CRP) and TNFalpha concentration in chronic heart failure patients (CHF) were studied depending on disease severity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical, echocardiographic and laboratory examination of 104 patients was performed: 75 CHF patients and 29 healthy volunteers. Laboratory examination included bacteriologic analysis of feces for dysbiosis, determination of endotoxin (ET) levels, CRP and TNFalpha levels in blood serum. RESULTS: More expressed alterations in large intestine microbiocenosis and an increase of endotoxinemia and systemic inflammation factors (TNFalpha and CRP) levels were detected in patients with CHF in comparison to individuals without circulatory system pathology. CHF progression is associated with an increase of intestine dysbiosis, and ET, TNFalpha and CRP levels in blood. CONCLUSION: Endotoxinemia in CHF patients, that is caused by an increase in intestine wall permeability during development of venous congestion in systemic circulation, results in immune system activation manifesting in an increase of systemic inflammation factor level in blood that can aggravate the CHF course.

Dietary factors and their associations with socioeconomic background in Finnish girls and boys 6-8 years of age: the PANIC Study.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: To study nutrient intake, food consumption and meal pattern, and their associations with socioeconomic background in Finnish children. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The subjects were a population sample of 424 children (211 girls, 213 boys) 6-8 years of age. Nutrient intake and meal pattern were measured by food records, and food intake and socioeconomic characteristics were assessed by questionnaires. RESULTS: Intakes of saturated fat, sucrose and salt were higher, and intakes of vitamin D, iron and fibre and unsaturated-to-saturated fat ratio lower than recommended. Less than 5% of children consumed vegetables, fruit and berries as recommended. Children with highest parental education more likely ate fish (odds ratio (OR) 2.20, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06-4.54), fibre-rich bread (OR 5.06, 95% CI 1.80-14.29) and main meals (OR 2.54, 95% CI 1.34-4.83), but less likely used soft margarine (OR 0.43, 95% CI 0.20-0.94) as recommended than children with lowest parental education. Children with highest household income more likely consumed skimmed milk (OR 2.43, 95% CI 1.21-4.88) and fish (OR 2.21, 95% CI 1.12-4.36) as recommended than children with lowest household income. Only 34% of girls and 45% of boys ate all main meals daily. Snacks provided as much as 42% of total energy intake. CONCLUSIONS: Children do not meet recommendations in all important nutrients. Children from lowest socioeconomic position least likely consumed fish, skimmed milk and fibre-rich bread and ate main meals, but most likely used soft margarine as recommended. Less than half of children ate all main meals daily.

[Trends in systemic inflammatory factors and aminoterminal brain natriuretic propeptide in the treatment of chronic heart failure].

AIM: To study trends in systemic inflammatory factors and aminoterminal brain natriuretic propeptide (NT-proBNP) in the blood of patients with stage IIA and IIB chronic heart failure (CHF) during therapy aimed at reducing venous congestion. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study enrolled 52 patients with postinfarction cardiosclerosis (PICS). Clinical, echocardiographic and laboratory studies were conducted. The levels of TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-10 and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured by enzyme immunoassay. The concentration of endotoxin (ET) was estimated by the end-point chromogenic LAL test, that of NT-proBNP--by immunochromotographic assay. RESULTS: In the patients with CHF, clinical signs of pulmonary venous congestion are associated with a statistically significant increase in the blood levels of TNF-alpha and CRP, those of systemic venous congestion are related to a further rise in TNF-alpha levels and elevation of blood concentrations of NT-proBNP, ET and IL-10. Treatment-related reduction in pulmonary venous congection is associated with a decrease in the levels of TNF-alpha, CRP and IL-6; that in systemic venous congestion--with lower concentrations of NT-proBNP, TNF-alpha and ET. CONCLUSION: Specific changes in the levels of systemic inflammatory factors and NT-proBNP were found in patients with CHF in the presence of pulmonary and systemic venous congestion. Treatment aimed at elimination of the latter leads to reduction in the levels of systemic inflammatory factors and NT-proBNP.

[Endotoxinemia and systemic inflammation in pathogenesis of chronic heart failure].

Large intestine microbiocenosis, levels of endotoxinemia, tumor necrosis factor alpha, C-reactive protein, sE-selectin, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-4 (TIMP) in chronic heart failure (CHF) patients was studied. Association of dysbiosis and endotoxinemia levels increase, systemic inflammation activation and an imbalance of MMP-TIMP system with progression of CHF has been shown. It can be a reason of a myocardium extracellular matrix structure disturbance and heart remodeling at CHF.

[The influence of the experimental hyperlipoproteinemia on lipid composition and infrared spectrum of hypothalamic and hippocampal tissues]. / Vliianie éksperimental'noi giperlipoproteinemii na lipidnyi sostav i pokazateli infrakrasnogo spektra tkanei gipotalamusa i gippokampa.

Lipid composition and parameters of infrared (IR) spectrum of the tissues controlling heart activity (hypothalamus and hippocamp) were studied in rabbits with experimental hyperlipoproteinemia. Thin-layer chromatography discovered that in atherogenic dislipoproteinemia hypothalamic and hippocampal cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids and phospholipids occurred in higher quantities while the levels of phosphatidylcholines and phosphatidylserines were subnormal. Altered parameters of IR-spectrum of hypothalamic and hippocampal tissue homogenates in atherogenesis were seen in the regions reflecting specific features of structural organization of water molecules. The analysis of the data allows the conclusion that disturbed structural transformation of water in the central nervous system in atherosclerosis is an important link of pathogenesis of electric heart unstability which may result in a sudden cardiac death.

[Non-specific resistance and immune responsiveness in patients with ischemic heart disease and cardiac arrhythmias]. / Nespetsificheskaia rezistentnoct' organizma i immunologicheskaia reaktivnost' u bol'nykh ishemicheskoi bolezn'iu serdtsa s narusheniiami serdechnogo ritma.

Nonspecific resistance (peripheral leukogram, integral leukocytic indices, types of adaptive responses, and phagocytosis) and immunological responsiveness (T- and B-immunity systems) were studied in 30 patients with chronic coronary heart disease (CHD) concurrent with various cardiac arrhythmia. In the patients, there was an increase in the relative counts of band neutrophils and lymphocytes, a decrease in the counts of segmented granulocytes and monocytes. A number of integral leukocytic indices (leukocytic index, lymphocytic-and-granulocytic index, total index, and deviation index) were increased and the neuthrophil/lymphocyte ratio was decreased. A higher frequency of a reactivation response and a lower frequency of a training response were revealed in the structure of their adaptive reactions. The patients with CHD concurrent with arrhythmia were also found to have increased granulopectic and phagocytic indices and higher tetrazolium nitroblue test values than healthy individuals. Their immunological responsiveness was characterized by a reduction in the absolute and relative counts of theophylline-sensitive T lymphocytes and an elevation of immunoglobulins A concentrations.

[The role of certain sections of the central nervous system in the genesis of sudden death]. / Rol' nekotorykh otdelov tsentral'noi nervnoi sistemy v geneze vnezapnoi smerti.

Hypothalamic and hippocampal lipid composition in sudden death from coronary heart disease is studied. Thin-layer chromatography was the main method of biochemical analysis. Disorders in the lipid component of hippocampal cytostructures involved mainly the cholesterol fractions. Metabolic disorders in the hypothalamus involved the phospholipid metabolism. The above-mentioned biochemical changes were paralleled by ultrastructural abnormalities. Analysis of the data demonstrates a probable metabolic basis of a central mechanism of sudden cardiac death.

[Lipid composition of the hypothalamus and hippocampus in sudden cardiac death]. / Lipidnyi sostav gipotalamusa i gippokampa pri vnezapnoi serdechnoi smerti.

The study was made of hypothalamic and hippocampal lipid composition in sudden death of ischemic heart disease. Biochemical findings rest on the evidence obtained at thin-layer chromatography. Lipid disorders of the hippocampal cell structures were primarily related to cholesterol fractures. Hippocampal metabolism was impaired in phospholipids metabolism. These biochemical changes entailed changes in ultrastructure which may represent one of the central mechanisms of a sudden cardiac death.

[Mechanism of self-maintenance of experimental atherogenic hyperlipoproteinemia]. / O mekhanizme samopodderzhaniia éksperimental'noi aterogennoi giperlipoproteinemii.

Disorders of lipid catabolism in the liver and increased formation and intensified secretion into the blood of lipoproteins synthesized in the liver evidently play a significant role in the maintenance of experimental atherogenic hyperlipoproteinemia induced in rabbits by prolonged administration of atherogenic lipoproteins.

[Role of the patho-autokinetic element in the pathogenesis of disturbances of myocardial lipid composition induced by experimental atherogenic dyslipoproteinemia]. / Rol' patoautokineticheskogo élementa v patogeneze narushenii lipidnogo sostava miokarda, indutsirovannykh éksperimental'noi aterogennoi dislipoproteidemiei.

The lipid and phospholipid composition of the myocardium and mitochondria of cardiac myocytes of rabbits was studied after correction of atherogenic dyslipoproteinemia induced by intravenous infusion of atherogenic lipoproteins. Discontinuation of lipoprotein infusions and subsequent normalization of the blood lipoprotein spectrum was not attended by removal of lipidosis of the cardiac muscle characteristic of hyperlipoproteinemia. The disturbance of the lipid composition of the mitochondria of the cardiac myocytes also persisted after disappearance of atherogenic dyslipoproteinemia. The results of the study provide evidence of the existence of a patho-autokinetic element of the pathogenesis of disturbances of myocardial lipid metabolism occurring in atherogenesis.