Features of the Diagnosis of Pulmonary Hypertension in Outpatient Practice.

For the past 20 years, there has been no significant decrease in the time from the onset of symptoms to the diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension (PH). Therefore, it is very important to improve the awareness of therapists about clinical manifestations of the disease, risk factors for the development of PH, and the major diagnostic stages for early detection of the disease and timely administration of appropriate therapy.

[Evaluation of respiratory parameters in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease during physical exercises].

AIM: To study the relationship between the indicators of dynamic capnography and pulse oximetry with the indicators of the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 67 patients of both sexes were examined: 45 patients with COPD (age 60.02.74 years) and 25 patients of the control group (age 47.603.46 years). The study of the functional capabilities of the patients respiratory system was carried out before, during and after the 6MWT on the equipment LifeSense LS1-9R capnograph-pulse oximeter (MedAir AB). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: In the comparison group, the parameters of dyspnea at rest were higher than the control group (p0.05), the spirometry indices were significantly lower (p0.05). Shortness of breath as a reason for stopping/slowing down the pace during the 6MWT was noted by patients of both groups (p0.05). When analyzing the PETCO2 trend graphs, periodic breathing (PВ) was revealed. In the group of patients with COPD, signs of PВ in the analysis of the PETCO2 trend were found in 80.95% (p0.05). Regression analysis of Cox proportional risks of mortality in patients with COPD revealed the prognostic value of the following parameters of a comprehensive assessment of the patient: body mass index (BMI), BODE index, dyspnea index on the mMRS scale, Borg, forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), index Tiffno, signs of PВ, distance 6MWT, signs of PВ and desaturation during 6MWT. At the same time, the total contribution of these indicators to the risk of a lethal event was assessed (p=0.003). CONCLUSION: When analyzing the correlation dependence, it was revealed that the presence of PВ was a prognostically unfavorable sign in patients with COPD. Predictors of an unfavorable course of COPD were BMI (23.0 kg/m2), BODE index, dyspnea indices on the mMRS, Borg, FEV1 scales, Tiffnos index, signs of PH, distance 6MST, signs of PD and desaturation during 6MST (reliability of the model coefficient p=0.003) in terms of forecast.

Laser-Produced Magnetic-Rayleigh-Taylor Unstable Plasma Slabs in a 20 T Magnetic Field.

Magnetized laser-produced plasmas are central to many novel laboratory astrophysics and inertial confinement fusion studies, as well as in industrial applications. Here we provide the first complete description of the three-dimensional dynamics of a laser-driven plasma plume expanding in a 20 T transverse magnetic field. The plasma is collimated by the magnetic field into a slender, rapidly elongating slab, whose plasma-vacuum interface is unstable to the growth of the "classical," fluidlike magnetized Rayleigh-Taylor instability.

Pro/Antigenotoxic Activity of Usnic Acid Enantiomers In Vitro.

The effect of usnic acid enantiomers on the genotoxic effects of dioxidine and methyl methanesulfonate was studied in vitro in human peripheral blood lymphocytes by the DNA comet method. We found that usnic acid enantiomers in a concentration range of 0.01-1.00 µM demonstrated pronounced antigenotoxic activity and reduced DNA damage induced by genotoxicants by 37-70%. In the same concentration range, the test enantiomers reduced the level of atypical DNA comets (hedgehogs) induced by genotoxicants by 23-61%. The test compounds did not modulate the effects of genotoxicants in a concentration of 10 µM and potentiated them in a concentration of 100 µM. The modifying activity of usnic acid did not depend on spatial configuration and on the used model genotoxicant.

Enhancement of Quasistationary Shocks and Heating via Temporal Staging in a Magnetized Laser-Plasma Jet.

We investigate the formation of a laser-produced magnetized jet under conditions of a varying mass ejection rate and a varying divergence of the ejected plasma flow. This is done by irradiating a solid target placed in a 20 T magnetic field with, first, a collinear precursor laser pulse (10^{12} W/cm^{2}) and, then, a main pulse (10^{13} W/cm^{2}) arriving 9-19 ns later. Varying the time delay between the two pulses is found to control the divergence of the expanding plasma, which is shown to increase the strength of and heating in the conical shock that is responsible for jet collimation. These results show that plasma collimation due to shocks against a strong magnetic field can lead to stable, astrophysically relevant jets that are sustained over time scales 100 times the laser pulse duration (i.e., >70 ns), even in the case of strong variability at the source.

GENOTOXIC EFFECT OF USNIC ACID ENANTIOMERS IN VITRO IN HUMAN PERIPHERAL BLOOD LYMPHOCYTES.

Cytotoxic and genotoxic effect of (+) and (­) enantiomers of usnic acid in human peripheral blood lymphocytes studed. We have shown that the studied usnic acid enantiomers in concentrations of 0.04­0.30 mM have a pronounced cytotoxic effect. We have found that the enantiomers of usnic acid in concentrations 0.04­0.30 mM exhibit genotoxic effect. Genotoxicity of (­)-usnic acid enantiomer in concentrations of 0.15 and 0.30 mM was in 2 times higher than hat of the (+) enantiomer. It has been noted that (+) and (­) usnic acid enantiomers induce atypical «comets¼ (hedgehogs). Wherein, (­)-usnic acid induced to 2.5­3.5 times more atypical «comets¼ than its (+) enantiomer.

Effect of Uranium and Thorium Radionuclides on Biochemical Characteristics of Duschekia fruticosa in "Soil-Plant" System.

The biochemical characteristics of Duschekiafruticosa, grown for a long time under a variety of exposure doses of natural background radiation (up to 150 µR/h) was studied. Uranium was found to make the dominant contribution to the y-background exposure doses. The pH-values and the content of organic matter in soils within the surveyed territory remained unchanged. Accumulation of radionuclides of uranium and thorium in the "soil-plant" system was studied. It is shown for the D. fruticosa that U and Th uptake decreased with y-background increasing. Study of anti-free radical and anti-peroxide cells' protection system indicated a balanced activity of prooxidant-antioxidant systems in the cells of the D. fruticosa leaves. The combined effect of incorporated uranium and thorium is accompanied by a significant increase in chlorophyll content in D. fruticosa.

[The Possibilities of Pharmacological Correction of Endothelial Dysfunction in Patients With Arterial Hypertension].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the possibility of a fixed combination of perindopril arginine and amlodipine in the correction of endothelial dysfunction (ED) in patients with arterial hypertension (AH). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 49 patients with hypertension and ED receiving any antihypertensive therapy and have not reached the target level of blood pressure--blood pressure (66% women, 34% men). The mean age was 46.2 ± 5.4 years. Patients switching to visit prescribed combination of perindopril arginine and amlodipine in different dosages depending on the level of blood pressure. The study lasted 12 weeks, on the first and last visit was assessed endothelial function. RESULTS: All patients completed the study. Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased during the 12 weeks to 162.6 ±11.4 to 131.1 ± 10.0 mmHg and 95.4 ± 10.2 to 78.7 ± 7.7 mm Hg respectively (p < 0.05). At the time of the telephone contact was a target mean arterial pressure (p > 0.05). The structure of the DE before the study was as follows: DE major arteries or resistance--28.6%; DE both types--71.4%. After 12 weeks in patients receiving the drug in only 57.1% of the subjects had both types of ED (p < 0.05), DE or large resistive arteries was recorded in 21.4% of patients, while 21.5% were no signs of ED. The number of patients with hypertension who have reached the target blood pressure in patients receiving perindopril arginine and amlodipine increased from visit to visit, and reached 71.4% at 12 weeks. Over the 12 weeks of treatment adverse events occurred only in 2.1-4.2% of cases. CONCLUSION: Combination therapy with ACE inhibitor perindopril arginine and a calcium channel blocker amlodipine in people of working age with hypertension and ED for 12 weeks leads to a reduction of endothelial dysfunction of large and small vessels (from 71.4 to 57.1%), a significant reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and achieve target blood pressure in 71.4% of cases.

[The State of Coagulation Hemostasis and Fibrinolysis in Children With Essential Arterial Hypertension].

Children with essential hypertension and increased risk of thrombotic complications are characterized by history of familial thrombosis, increased levels of fibrinogen and soluble fibrin-monomer complexes, activity and content of von Willebrand factor, activity of plasminogen.

Investigation on the origin of hot electrons in laser plasma interaction at shock ignition intensities.

Shock Ignition is a two-step scheme to reach Inertial Confinement Fusion, where the precompressed fuel capsule is ignited by a strong shock driven by a laser pulse at an intensity in the order of [Formula: see text] W/cm[Formula: see text]. In this report we describe the results of an experiment carried out at PALS laser facility designed to investigate the origin of hot electrons in laser-plasma interaction at intensities and plasma temperatures expected for Shock Ignition. A detailed time- and spectrally-resolved characterization of Stimulated Raman Scattering and Two Plasmon Decay instabilities, as well as of the generated hot electrons, suggest that Stimulated Raman Scattering is the dominant source of hot electrons via the damping of daughter plasma waves. The temperature dependence of laser plasma instabilities was also investigated, enabled by the use of different ablator materials, suggesting that Two Plasmon Decay is damped at earlier times for higher plasma temperatures, accompanied by an earlier ignition of SRS. The identification of the predominant hot electron source and the effect of plasma temperature on laser plasma interaction, here investigated, are extremely useful for developing the mitigation strategies for reducing the impact of hot electrons on the fuel ignition.

[Genetic differentiation in plants of the genus Cypripedium from Russia inferred from allozyme data].

Ten gene loci of nine enzyme systems (PGI, 6-PGD, NADHD, SKDH, GDH, PGM, DIA, ADH, GOT-1, and GOT-2) were analyzed in Cypripedium calceolus, C. macranthon, C. shanxiense, and C. ventricosum plants from the south of the Russian Far East. Alleles of loci 6-PGD, NADHD, GDH, ADH, GOT-1, and PGIproved to be diagnostic for C. calceolus and C. macranthon. Plants of C. shanxiense from Primorye and Sakhalin Island were monomorphic at all of the loci examined, and their allelic structure can be regarded as diagnostic for the species. The allelic structure for fragments of the C. calceolus population from the western and eastern parts of the species range differed in two loci, PGl and SKDH: alleles absent in C. calceolus plants from the western part of the range occurred at a high frequency in the plants of this species from the eastern part of the range (28 and 55 plants or 41% and 68%, respectively). These alleles were found in C. shanxiense. The genetic structure of C. shanxiense was similar to that of C. calceolus from the eastern part of the range, i.e., the region when these species are sympartic. The additional alleles in C. calceolus from the eastern part of the range might have appeared as a result of hybridization with C. shanxiense. Our results indicate that C. calceolus plants occuring on the territory of Russia form two groups that represent two different units of genetic diversity preservation. We suggest that C. x ventricosum plants in southern Primorye were formed by hybridization between C. macranthon and C. calceolus x C. shanxiense hybrids. Thus, they differ from plants inhabiting the Urals and West Siberia, which originated by hybridization between C. macranthon and C. calceolus. The population of C. x ventricosum presumably also consists of two plant groups differing in genetic structure, which should be regarded as two different units of preservation of this taxon.

Laboratory disruption of scaled astrophysical outflows by a misaligned magnetic field.

The shaping of astrophysical outflows into bright, dense, and collimated jets due to magnetic pressure is here investigated using laboratory experiments. Here we look at the impact on jet collimation of a misalignment between the outflow, as it stems from the source, and the magnetic field. For small misalignments, a magnetic nozzle forms and redirects the outflow in a collimated jet. For growing misalignments, this nozzle becomes increasingly asymmetric, disrupting jet formation. Our results thus suggest outflow/magnetic field misalignment to be a plausible key process regulating jet collimation in a variety of objects from our Sun's outflows to extragalatic jets. Furthermore, they provide a possible interpretation for the observed structuring of astrophysical jets. Jet modulation could be interpreted as the signature of changes over time in the outflow/ambient field angle, and the change in the direction of the jet could be the signature of changes in the direction of the ambient field.

Laboratory study of stationary accretion shock relevant to astrophysical systems.

Accretion processes play a crucial role in a wide variety of astrophysical systems. Of particular interest are magnetic cataclysmic variables, where, plasma flow is directed along the star's magnetic field lines onto its poles. A stationary shock is formed, several hundred kilometres above the stellar surface; a distance far too small to be resolved with today's telescopes. Here, we report the results of an analogous laboratory experiment which recreates this astrophysical system. The dynamics of the laboratory system are strongly influenced by the interplay of material, thermal, magnetic and radiative effects, allowing a steady shock to form at a constant distance from a stationary obstacle. Our results demonstrate that a significant amount of plasma is ejected in the lateral direction; a phenomenon that is under-estimated in typical magnetohydrodynamic simulations and often neglected in astrophysical models. This changes the properties of the post-shock region considerably and has important implications for many astrophysical studies.

Stochastic modelling of the growth of a microbial population under changing temperature regimes.

The application of models of microbial growth to the design of food safety systems requires consideration of the effect of arbitrary changes in external variables on growth of bacteria. In particular, the effect of changes in external variables, such as temperature, on the probability that the microbial population size will not exceed acceptable levels at a given time needs to be predicted. This paper presents a method of calculating the time-dependent probability distribution of the microbial population size under arbitrary changes of temperature through time. To illustrate this method, the effect of a sudden temporary increase in temperature on the evolution of the probability distribution of Lactobacillus plantarum population size is presented. The effect of this change in temperature on the time taken for the population to reach a critical size, with a given probability, is also calculated and the application of this calculation to the design of HACCP protocols is discussed.

[The effect of the biochemical adaptations in the Manchu alder (Duschecia fruticosa (Rupr)) to an elevated natural radiation background on the survivability of seedlings and on the radiosensitivity of its seeds]. / Vliianie biokhimicheskikh adaptatsii ol'khi kustarnikovoi (Duschecia fruticosa (Rupr)) k povyshennomu estestvennomu radiatsionnomu fonu na vyzhivaemost' prorostkov i radiochuvstvitel'nost' ee semian.

Seeds and sprouts of bushy alder existing for long under the condition of the enhances natural radiation background (ENRB; from 1.4 to 72.0 mCu/(kg.s)) have been examined to determine biochemical adaptations to permanent low-level irradiation. To achieve this goal a combined cytological and biochemical technique for the assessment of the activity of genome of the sprout root meristem in response to translation, replication and reparation has been applied. The activity of antioxidant systems has been studied. The data obtained allow us to reveal mechanisms of alder bush biochemical adaptations to various ENRB rates and their effect upon seeds radiosensitivity and sprouts survival. It is determined that the increase in sprout vitality and high radioresistance of seeds ripened under the conditions of low-level natural radiation is due to the content of low molecular antioxidants and activation of systems of genome reparation.

[Use of functional electrocardiographic tests for detecting and evaluating disorders of cardiac rhythm in young people]. / Primenenie funktsional'nykh élektrokardiograficheskikh prob dlia vyiavleniia i otsenki narushenii serdechnogo ritma u molodykh lits.

Ten-minute-long resting electrocardiograms and functional tests (respiratory arrest, hyperventilation, orthostatic and exercise tests) under continuous cardiac rhythm monitoring were conducted in 239 young subjects between 10 and 35 years of age (153 skilled athletes, 62 apparently normal individuals and 24 young unskilled athletes). Arrthythmias were detected in 124 (51.9%) of those. Complex arrthythmias were particularly common in skilled athletes, as compared to normal subjects and young unskilled athletes (58.2, 45.2 and 29.2%, respectively). Cardiovascular abnormalities were found in 30.7% of skilled athletes and 9.7% of normal subjects. Electrocardiographic functional tests allow timely identification of athletes with cardiovascular abnormalities and the choice of correct therapeutic strategy in terms of stress exposure.

[Atrial complex in bronchial ECG leads]. / Predserdnyi kompleks v bronkial'nykh otvedeniiakh EKG.

The authors suggest a probe electrode by means of which the ECG may be recorded in the bronchial leads simultaneously from four levels of the atrioventricular zone. The P wave of bronchial ECG's was analysed in 24 patients who had no pathological changes in the respiratory organs and cardiovascular system in comparison with similar indices of routine ECG's. The informativeness of ECG's recorded in the bronchial leads in study of the bioelectric activity of the right and left atria is determined. It is pointed out that esophageal leads may be used for analysing the electric activity of the right atrium when they are recorded from the level of an electrode (28.5--31.5 cm) introduced into the esophagus.

[Indicators of cellular and humoral immunity in chronic opisthorchiasis]. / Pokazateli kletochnogo i gumoral'nogo immuniteta u bol'nykh khronicheskim opistorkhozom.

Quantitative content of T- and B-lymphocytes in the peripheral blood was studied after Mendes in 30 patients suffering from chronic opisthorcosis and in 30 practically healthy persons; immunoglobulins--M, G, and A were examined after Mancini, and the presence of autoantibodies in the blood serum was studied by indirect method of mast cells degranulation. There was revealed a reduction of the T-cell count to 28.8 +/- 2.28% (normal value--52.9 +/- 3.32%) and a fall of IgM level to 163.4 +/- 16.2 (207.2 +/- 10.5 in donors) in the patients; macrophages count was almost doubled. Autoantibodies to the antigens of the liver, gastric mucosa and the gall bladder wall were revealed in 1/3 of the patients.

[Anti-ischemic effects of trimetazidine in patients with post-infarction heart failure]. / Anti-ishemicheskaia éffektivnost' trimetazidina u bol'nykh s postinfarktnoi serdechnoi nedostatochnost'iu.

The antiishemic efficiency of course monotherapy with trimethazidine and its impact on myocardial perfusion were studied in patients with postinfarct dysfunction of the left ventricle (LV), which was associated with moderate heart failure (HF). This prospective controlled clinical study included 47 patients who had experienced myocardial infarction. The patients had also angina pectoris on exertion and NYHA Functional Classes (FC) II-III HF. The patients were randomized into 2 groups: Group 1 comprised patients with more than 50-W exercise tolerance (ET), FC II angina, and FC II HF; Group 2 consisted of those with 50-W or less ET, FC II-III angina, and FC II-III HF. Four-week course therapy with trimethazidine in a dose of 60 mg/day was found to exert a pronounced antiischemic effect in patients with reversible LV ischemia associated with HF. The tolerance of the drug during its 4-week course therapy was good and the drug caused no adverse reactions.

[Changes in the intragastric vessels after a chemical burn]. / Izmeneniia intraorgannykh sosudov zheludka posle ego khimicheskogo ozhoga.

The functional and morphological studies have proved that some considerable vascular changes occur in the injured stomach wall within the first hours after a superficial chemical burn. The most gross injuries in the arterial, venous and capillary network of the mucous occur 24 hours after the contamination with a corrosion substance. Regenerative processes in the vascular system together with functional improvement start after 3 days. Normalization of the circulation in the injured stomach wall comes about after 14 days.