A nonlinear evolution of the structure, morphology, and optical properties of PbS-CdS films with cadmium nitrate in the reaction mixture.

Herein, we describe the nonlinear processes for the formation of thin films of the PbS-CdS system using chemical bath deposition with a gradual change in the cadmium nitrate content in the reaction mixture. The morphology of films was studied via scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The mechanism for the formation of thin-film compounds can be considered as cluster-particle aggregation (diffusion-limited aggregation). X-ray diffraction confirmed the formation of single-phase layers of substitutional B1-type CdxPb1-xS solid solutions (space group Fm3[combining macron]m) when the concentration of cadmium nitrate in the reaction bath increased up to [Cd(NO3)2] = 0.08 M. The maximum cadmium content in CdxPb1-xS solid solutions was determined to be x = 0.094. At the concentration of [Cd(NO3)2] = 0.10 M, a two-phase film was formed, where the film consisted of crystallites of cubic CdxPb1-xS with x = 0.071 (lower compared to the film obtained at [Cd(NO3)2] = 0.08 M) and fine-crystalline hexagonal B4-type Cd1-δS (space group P63mc). The texture of grains forming films was observed; where a predominant orientation with the (111) plane along substrate in PbS changed to the (200) plane in CdxPb1-xS films, the portion of (200) oriented grains increased with an increase in cadmium nitrate content up to [Cd(NO3)2] = 0.08 M, and at 0.10 M of cadmium nitrate, a radical change in the type of texture to the (111) type occurred. The concentration [Cd(NO3)2] = 0.10 M is called the critical concentration, where under this condition, the deposition process occurs due to the excess Gibbs energy. The higher cadmium content x in films determined by the energy-dispersive X-ray analysis and Auger spectroscopy compared with that estimated from the crystal lattice parameter is associated with the presence of an additional amorphous CdS phase formed as a sublayer distributed in intercrystalline spaces and island formations. Optical studies showed a nonlinear change in the band gap (Eg) of obtained films from 0.53 to 0.76 eV, whereas at the critical cadmium salt concentration (0.10 M), two crystalline phases with Eg equal to 0.73 and 2.47 eV were observed.

[Richter's sacrospinous ligament fixation and its place in current gynecology].

In 1968 K. Richter treated post-hysterectomy prolapse of the vaginal stump by fixating the vaginal stump to the sacrospinous ligament via transvaginal route. Nowadays most authors perceive this technique as an inseparable component of vaginal hysterectomy, for the purpose of preventing vaginal stump prolapse. The authors present the results of Richter's operation among 53 patients, 33 of whom operated on in the Department of General and Oncological Gynaecology at the Military Medical Academy (Sofia), 12 operated on in the Department of Gynaecology at the Military Medical Academy (Varna), 4 in the Municipal Maternity Hospital "St Sofia" (Sofia) and 4 in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Multi-profile Hospital for Active Medical Treatment (Samokov) during the period 2009-2013. In 26 of the cases (49%) the operative indication was a severe vaginal descensus, in 23 (44%)--total uterine prolapse, in 4 (7%)--prolapse of the vaginal stump following hysterectomy. Twenty-six of those women (56%) didn't have any symptoms of urinary incontinence, as 20 (38%) had symptoms of urinary stress incontinence. The median age of operated women is 64 (age range: 43-78 y.o.). All of them experienced at least once a vaginal birth (average parity: 2). The average duration of subjective complaints caused by their condition was 41 months (range: 2-120 months.) The average duration of the operation was 122 minutes (range: 60-210 min). The average amount of blood lost during the operation was 218 ml (range: 60-400 ml). No intraoperative complications were registered. Early postoperative complications consisted in 3 cases of considerable bleeding through the stitches which faded without any special measures, blood transfusion included. One patient developed a haematoma in the ischiorectal fossa which was incised and evacuated. The long-term results, recorded at post-op visits 1 and 6 months after the operation, were satisfactory: regardless their age and their preoperative genital status, surgery in 93% of the cases has led to stable correction of the pelvic statics and disappearance of urinary incontinence in case the latter did exist. Recurrent prolapse was noted in 4 cases (7%), in two of which the condition was diagnosed as a partial recurrence. The authors regard those recurrences as resulting from technical errors, rather than as a shortcoming of the surgical procedure.

[Hantapulmonary syndrome].

Features of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome are considered in the review - zoonosis natural focal polyetiological viral infection, that is characterized by lung injury. Etiology of the disease, main characteristics of the agents, epidemiology, contagiousness, pathogenesis, clinical presentation of this pathology are examined. Laboratory diagnostics, therapy and prophylaxis ofhantavirus pulmonary syndrome are described.

[Psychiatric disturbances in patients with acute myocardial infarction and other critical states in conditions of department of reanimation and intensive therapy].

In this review we present in short data of domestic and foreign studies on somatogenic delirium in patients with acute myocardial infarction and with other critical states. The review also contains definitions of basic conceptions, contemporary approaches to diagnosis and management of this complication.

[Determination of free fatty-acid carrier protein by enzyme immunoassay and non-instrumental method in acute coronary syndrome].

The purpose of the investigation was to study changes in and relationships with the clinical and echocardiographic parameters in the serum level of cardiac fatty-acid carrier protein (cFACP) with acute myocardial infarction (MI), as well as the efficiency of non-instrumental determination of the content of cFACP, by using the test systems "CardioFACP" in the diagnosis of acute MI. The investigation showed the high diagnostic value of cFACP as the earliest marker of acute MI during both its enzyme immunoassay and non-instrumental determination. The sensitivity of the test system "CardioFACP" was found to be greater than that of the troponin test within the first hours of acute MI. The findings support the specific features of the kinetics of cFACP and its sensitivity in detecting cardiomyocyte lesions, on the one hand, and determine perspectives for its use to diagnose MI and reocclusions of the infarction-related coronary artery after reperfusion therapy, on the other.

Rivaroxaban versus placebo in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ATLAS ACS-TIMI 46): a randomised, double-blind, phase II trial.

BACKGROUND: Rivaroxaban is an oral direct factor Xa inhibitor that has been effective in prevention of venous thromboembolism in patients undergoing elective orthopaedic surgery. However, its use after acute coronary syndromes has not been investigated. In this setting, we assessed the safety and efficacy of rivaroxaban and aimed to select the most favourable dose and dosing regimen. METHODS: In this double-blind, dose-escalation, phase II study, undertaken at 297 sites in 27 countries, 3491 patients stabilised after an acute coronary syndrome were stratified on the basis of investigator decision to use aspirin only (stratum 1, n=761) or aspirin plus a thienopyridine (stratum 2, n=2730). Participants were randomised within each strata and dose tier with a block randomisation method at 1:1:1 to receive either placebo or rivaroxaban (at doses 5-20 mg) given once daily or the same total daily dose given twice daily. The primary safety endpoint was clinically significant bleeding (TIMI major, TIMI minor, or requiring medical attention); the primary efficacy endpoint was death, myocardial infarction, stroke, or severe recurrent ischaemia requiring revascularisation during 6 months. Safety analyses included all participants who received at least one dose of study drug; efficacy analyses were by intention to treat. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00402597. FINDINGS: Three patients in stratum 1 and 26 in stratum 2 never received the study drug. The risk of clinically significant bleeding with rivaroxaban versus placebo increased in a dose-dependent manner (hazard ratios [HRs] 2.21 [95% CI 1.25-3.91] for 5 mg, 3.35 [2.31-4.87] for 10 mg, 3.60 [2.32-5.58] for 15 mg, and 5.06 [3.45-7.42] for 20 mg doses; p<0.0001). Rates of the primary efficacy endpoint were 5.6% (126/2331) for rivaroxaban versus 7.0% (79/1160) for placebo (HR 0.79 [0.60-1.05], p=0.10). Rivaroxaban reduced the main secondary efficacy endpoint of death, myocardial infarction, or stroke compared with placebo (87/2331 [3.9%] vs 62/1160 [5.5%]; HR 0.69, [95% CI 0.50-0.96], p=0.0270). The most common adverse event in both groups was chest pain (248/2309 [10.7%] vs 118/1153 [10.2%]). INTERPRETATION: The use of an oral factor Xa inhibitor in patients stabilised after an acute coronary syndrome increases bleeding in a dose-dependent manner and might reduce major ischaemic outcomes. On the basis of these observations, a phase III study of low-dose rivaroxaban as adjunctive therapy in these patients is underway. FUNDING: Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development and Bayer Healthcare AG.

[Cardiomyoplasty with autological mononuclear cells of the bone marrow in patients with acute myocardial infarction].

AIM: To study efficacy and safety of transplantation of bone marrow autologous mononuclear cells (BMAMC) in patients with acute myocardial infarction; to examine BMAMC distribution in the human body after intracoronary introduction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The open controlled trial investigated 26 AMI patients (16 entered the study group and 10 were controls). Cell cardiomyoplasty with BMAMC was performed by intracoronary injection of the cells after stenting the coronary artery supplying blood to the infarction zone on AMI day 7-21. BMAMC were isolated by gradient centrifugation. Distribution of mononuclear cells was studied with radionuclear indication of the cells 99m-Tc-HMPAO. All the patients were examined with Tl-199 perfusion scintigraphy of the heart 2 weeks and 6 months after the treatment, echocardiography, 24-h ECG monitoring, 6-min walk test. RESULTS: All the patients were followed up for 6 months. Two patients (one in each group) developed recurrent myocardial infarction 3 months after the first. Radionuclide investigations revealed fixation of labelled mononuclear cells in the heart both in initial hours after the treatment and 24 hours after it. As shown by myocardial scintigraphy, intracoronary administration of the cells with short-term arterial occlusion was followed by much greater number of labeled cells. By follow-up month 6, in the study group, left ventricular ejection fraction increased more: 12.7 +/- 3.2% versus 10.4 +/- 2.5% in the control group (p = 0.09); moreover, a stable defect of myocardial perfusion reduced more (by 29 +/- 24% against 20 +/- 18%, respectively, p = 0.1). Malignant arrhythmia, complications during and after bone marrow aspiration, intracoronary administration of cell suspension were not registered. CONCLUSION: Intracoronary administration of BMAMC in AMI patients is safe and provides their transfer and fixation in the myocardium. BMAMC transplantation has a positive effect on recovery of perfusion and contractile function of left ventricular myocardium in AMI patients.

Autoimmune thyroiditis and exposure to iodine 131 in the Ukrainian cohort study of thyroid cancer and other thyroid diseases after the Chornobyl accident: results from the first screening cycle (1998-2000).

CONTEXT: Due to the Chornobyl accident, millions were exposed to radioactive isotopes of iodine and some received appreciable iodine 131 (131I) doses. A subsequent increase in thyroid cancer has been largely attributed to this exposure, but evidence concerning autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) remains inconclusive. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to quantify risk of AIT after 131I exposure. DESIGN/SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: Baseline data were collected from the first screening cycle (1998-2000) of a large cohort of radiation-exposed individuals (n = 12,240), residents of contaminated, iodine-deficient territories of Ukraine. Study individuals were under the age of 18 yr on April 26, 1986, and had thyroid radioactivity measurements made shortly after the accident. OUTCOMES: AIT was defined a priori based on various combinations of elevated antibodies to thyroid peroxidase (ATPO), TSH, and clinical findings; elevated ATPO were considered to be an indicator of thyroid autoimmunity. RESULTS: No significant association was found between 131I thyroid dose estimates and AIT, but prevalence of elevated ATPO demonstrated a modest, significant association with 131I that was well described by several concave models. This relationship was apparent in individuals with moderately elevated ATPO and euthyroid, thyroid disease-free individuals. CONCLUSIONS: Twelve to 14 yr after the Chornobyl accident, no radiation-related increase in prevalence of AIT was found in a large cohort study, the first in which 131I thyroid doses were estimated using individual radioactivity measurements. However, a dose-response relationship with ATPO prevalence raises the possibility that clinically important changes may occur over time. Thus, further follow-up and analysis of prospective data in this cohort are necessary.

Autologous mononuclear bone marrow cells during reparative regeneratrion after acute myocardial infarction.

A randomized controlled study included 44 patients with acute myocardial infarction. It was found that intracoronary injection of bone marrow mononuclear cells is safe, ensures fixation of the injected cells in the myocardium, reduces blood levels of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha, increases the content insulin-like growth factor, and does not provoke malignant arrhythmias.

[Laboratory diagnostics of the outbreak of Crimean haemorrhagic fever in Southern Russia]. / Laboratornaia diagnostika vspyshki krymskoi gemorragicheskoi likhoradki na iuge Rossii.

The results of the serological analysis of blood sera taken from patients with Crimean haemorrhagic fever (CHF) and from persons suspected for this disease are presented. These results made it possible to confirm that during the period of April 16-September 04, 2000, the outbreak of CHF occurred on the territory of Southern Russia. In addition to the laboratory confirmation of the outbreak of CHF by means of the enzyme immunoassay and the indirect immunofluorescence test the diagnostic work was completed by the isolation, and subsequent identification, of 3 strains of CHF virus from the blood of patients and 1 strain from the pool of ticks Hyalomma marginatum.

[Tumor markers in the diagnosis of thyroid cancer]. / Opukholevye markery v diagnostike raka shchitovidnoi zhelezy.

Informational value was studied of radioimmunologic analysis of tumor markers, such as thyroglobulin, carcinoembryonic antigen, ferritin, beta 2-microglobulin, CA 19-9, thyrotrophin and free thyroxin in diagnosis of carcinoma of the thyroid gland. Forty-eight patients with carcinoma of the thyroid gland and benign tumors were examined together with 12 essentially healthy subjects. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the methods employed were evaluated along with whole number of false-positive and false-negative results. Tumors of the thyroid gland were verified by histologic studies after surgical excision thereof. Of all the tumors markers approved of, thyroglobulin was found out to have the highest diagnostic sensitivity. Radioimmunologic determination of thyroglobulin in blood can be recommended for use in preoperational diagnosis of carcinoma of the thyroid gland and formation of groups of high risk for development of carcinoma.

[Development of the immunoenzyme test-system for detection of Ebola virus antigen]. / Razrabotka immunofermentnoi test-sistemy dlia opredeleniia antigena virusa Ebola.

An enzyme immunoassay system has been developed for the detection of Ebola virus antigen. It permits a highly accurate and sensitive rapid detection of the antigen. Optimal dilutions of specific immunoglobulin (1:500, corresponding to protein concentration of 50 micrograms/ml) and conjugate were found. The resolving capacity of the new test system is 1.9 x 10(-7) g protein.

[Surgical interventions in patients with a history of alimentary constitutional obesity]. / Khirurgicheskie vmeshchatel'stva u bol'nykh v otdalënnye sroki posle operativnogo lecheniia alimentarno-konstitutsional'nogo ozhireniia.

Surgical removal of a fat "flap" is a last step of surgical treatment of patients with 3-d and 4-th stage of alimentary obesity. This kind of surgery makes sense only 12-24 months after "small stomach" creation. During this period the weight is stable. A detailed clinical examination and prophylaxis helps to avoid septic and thromboembolic complications that may cause death and usually appear short time after the operation. To minimize postoperative complications and to decrease a risk of repeated anaesthesia and time of stay in a hospital it is necessary to make some concomitant small surgical procedure (cholecystectomy, phlebectomy).

[Long-term results of the treatment with stomach reducing operations in patients with alimentary constitutional obesity]. / Otdalennye rezultaty lecheniia bolnykh s krainimi stepeniami alimentarno-konstitutsionalnogo ozhireniia s pomoshchíu operatsii formirovaniia malogo zheludka.

The authors analyse experience in the treatment of 415 patients with extreme alimentary-constitutional obesity (ACO) by operation for formation of a small stomach (FSS). Seventy-five patients were followed up and examined 3-5 years after the operation. FSS leads to stable and significant loss of body weight. Its degree depends on the diameter of the anastomosis between the proximal and distal parts of the stomach and the initial excess of body weight. The working capacity of the patients is restored in the late-term postoperative periods and diseases attendant to obesity disappear or take a milder course. The success of the treatment is determined significantly by the correct choice of the patients for surgery. Operations for FSS may be repeated for very strict indications in specialized clinics experienced in the treatment of patients with obesity.

[Peripheral circulation regulation in patients with the neuroendocrine metabolic form of hypothalamic syndrome]. / Reguliatsiia perifericheskogo krovoobrashcheniia u bol'nykh s neiroéndokrinno-obmennoi formoi gipotalamicheskogo sindroma.

Peripheral circulation and regulating hormonal (renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system) and electrolytic (plasma sodium and potassium) factors were studied in 102 patients with the hypothalamic syndrome neuroendocrine metabolic form administered pathogenetic therapy with antiserotonin and dopaminergic drugs as well as routine therapy. Blood plasma sodium vasopressin and aldosterone levels were found increased, arterial vessel reactivity in the forearm reduced, and venous circulation disordered in these patients. Routine therapy failed to normalize electrolytes and hormonal parameters and was conducive to a still more marked reduction of arterial vessel reactivity. Peritol therapy resulted in a reduction of vasopressin concentration and normalization of blood plasma sodium and aldosterone, as well as in improvement of the myogenic mechanisms of vascular tone regulation and normalization of venous circulation parameters. A course of parlodel therapy lead to normalization of blood plasma levels of vasopressin, aldosterone, and sodium but no changes in the regional vessels were observed.

[The effect of the one-time and long-term administration of preparations acting on biogenic amine metabolism on the blood level of pressor peptide hormones]. / Vliianie odnokratnogo i dlitel'nogo priema preparatov, deistvuiushchikh na obmen biogennykh sminov, na so9derzhanie v krovi pressornykh peptidnykh gornonov.

Blood contents of pressor peptide hormones vasopressin and angiotonin II were studied in patients with neuro-endocrine syndrome before and after single intake and prolonged treatment with anti-serotonin drug peritol and cholinergic agent parlodel which affect biogenic amine metabolism and, consequently, influence blood pressure. Single doses of the drugs were established to cause different blood dynamics of vasopressin and angiotonin II which classified as marked and paradoxic reactions on peritol and parlodel used separately and associatively. Fall of blood vasopressin content induced by single dose of parlodel was accompanied by blood pressure decrease. Tree-week treatment with peritol and parlodel exerted hypotensive effect and significantly reduced vasopressin blood content.

[The antiaggregant activity of the synthetic antioxidant emoxipin]. / Antiagregatsionnaia aktivnost' sinteticheskogo antioksidanta émoksipina.

The action of the synthetic antioxidant aemoxipin, 3-oxypyridime derivative on platelet aggregation was studied in 8 patients with ischemic heart disease and cardialgias. An hour later after an intravenous injection in a dose of 5-10 mg/kg, aemoxipin reduced platelet aggregation by 25% (p < 0.05), inhibited the reaction of "release" and spontaneous platelet aggregation. The same effect of the drug was demonstrated in the aggregation caused by ADP action on platelets preliminarily activated by minimum adrenaline concentrations in a tube. Our results are in agreement with the data of other investigators concerning a direct, non-specific nature of aemoxipin action on cellular membranes.

[Status of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in patients with a neuroendocrine-metabolic type of the hypothalamic syndrome]. / O sostoianii renin-angiotenzin-al'dosteronovoi sistemy y bol'nykh neiroéndokrinno-obmennoi formoi gipotalamicheskogo sindroma.

The paper is concerned with the results of a radioimmunoassay of the state of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in patients with a neuroendocrine-metabolic type of the hypothalamic syndrome. They received pathogenetic therapy with peritol (an antiserotonin drug) or parlodel (a dopaminergic drug) during three months and routine therapy. The latter was not enough to return to normal the basal blood levels of aldosterone, reaction of the glomerular zone of the adrenocortical substance and the juxtaglomerular apparatus of the kidneys. Peritol therapy normalized the blood concentration of aldosterone; reactions of the glomerular zone of the adrenocortical substance and the juxtaglomerular apparatus to insulin hypoglycemia and furosemide acute testing improved considerably. After a course of parlodel therapy blood concentration of aldosterone got to normal, and reaction of the glomerular zone of the adrenocortical substance and the juxtaglomerular apparatus to insulin hypoglycemia was unchanged whereas it improved after furosemide testing.