Light-emitting diodes with Ge(Si) nanoislands embedded in photonic crystals.

Room temperature lateral p+-i-n+light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with photonic crystals embedded in the i-region were fabricated on structures with Ge(Si) self-assembled islands and their optical properties were investigated. The use of preliminary amorphization and solid phase epitaxy of the implanted p+and n+contact regions made it possible to reduce the impurity activation temperature from 800 °Ð¡-1100 °Ð¡ to 600 °Ð¡, which corresponds to the growth temperature of Ge(Si) islands. This resulted in a significant reduction of the detrimental effect of the high-temperature annealing used for diode formation on the intensity and spectral position of the luminescence signal from the islands. It was shown that significant enhancement (more than an order of magnitude) of room temperature electroluminescence of Ge(Si) islands in the spectral range of 1.3-1.55µm can be achieved due to their interaction with different modes of the photonic crystals. The measured radiation power of the obtained diodes in the spectral range of 1.3-1.55µm exceeds 50 pW at a pump current of 8 mA, which is an order of magnitude higher than the previously achieved values for micro-LEDs with Ge(Si) nanoislands. The obtained results open up new possibilities for the realization of silicon-based light emitting devices operating at telecommunication wavelengths.

[The potential of using the underground mineral waters of the Moscow region in the organization of medical rehabilitation and medical tourism]. / Potentsial ispol'zovaniya podzemnykh mineral'nykh vod Moskovskogo regiona v organizatsii meditsinskoi reabilitatsii i lechebnogo turizma.

Moscow in modern borders is the largest metropolitan area in the country with a fairly high and unevenly distributed population density. This predetermines the need to address environmental regulation of urbanization in order to create the most comfortable living conditions for the population. Health care and the maintenance of health of all age groups are the leading role in the list of the most important tasks to ensure the social well-being of citizens. In the bowels of the Moscow region there are natural therapeutic resources: low-mineralized (M 3-5 g/l) sulfate sodium-magnesium-calcium drinking mineral water and chloride sodium bromine brine. The article presents the characteristics of the natural therapeutic resources of the Moscow region, the area of their therapeutic use, justified the possibility of wider use based on the available scientific data on the effect on the body of these waters and their analogues. All this provides an opportunity to achieve the main goal of medical resortology - the use of mineral water as a means of therapy, rehabilitation and prevention of most existing human diseases.

[FEATURES OF THE MANIFESTATION OF REHABILITATIVE ACTIVITY IN PATIENTS WITH PRINCIPAL DISABLING PATHOLOGIES].

The article presents the results of a psychological study of patients with principal disabling pathologies that form the main structure of disability in the Russian Federation due to malignant neoplasms: diseases of the circulatory system; diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue; diseases of the endocrine system and metabolic disorders (diabetes mellitus of the first and second types). The article presents the results of studying a sample of patients by various psychological parameters, provides statistical comparisons of psychological characteristics of patients depending on the specifics of their social situation, in which patients either claim to be disabled and are under conditions of medical and social expertise, implying the possibility of changing social status, or patients of the same nosological categories, who do not claim to be disabled and who are rehabilitating on the basis of their own personal and socio-environmental resources outside of the "disabled" status. Psychological techniques are presented, the specificity of emotional and personal parameters is analyzed and characterized, including personality frustration and experience of the significance of the disease in the spheres of life, self-esteem indicators, identification characteristics, strategies that provide rehabilitation adherence, which characterize the activity of patients in the compared groups in many ways. The conceptual position that defines the activity of patients as «rehabilitative¼ has been substantiated. The results of the study revealed statistically significant differences in psychological indicators in the compared groups of patients rehabilitating outside the "disabled" status and patients claiming to be disabled. The indicators obtained in the study indicate that the personal self-regulation of patients rehabilitating outside the «disabled¼ status qualitatively differs from the self-regulation of patients claiming disability, in terms of stable self-esteem and belief in the ability to realize life in significant areas of social functioning, in the ability of perspective planning of the future, in active self-realization of social roles, active participation in interpersonal, leisure, professional, household and other spheres, high responsibility for one's health, against the background of stable emotional perception of the current social situation of the disease.

[Weakly mineralized nitrogen thermal waters of Russia]. / Azotnye slabomineralizovannye termal'nye mineral'nye vody Rossii.

Russia has almost all hydrochemical types of underground mineral waters; however, unlike the well-known and popular resorts in the world, they are used very limitedly. In addition to their high medicinal value, mineral waters, when properly marketed, is a natural product that is comparable, and, in many cases, superior in price to that of similar volumes of high-octane gasoline. In addition to the characteristics of the chemical and gas composition, some underground mineral waters in their native state have an elevated temperature and are thermal and hyperthermal. Low-mineralized nitrogen thermae are one of the large groups of mineral waters; they are common in the areas of young tectonic faults in the earth's crust, which frame the mountainous areas. The deposits of thermae within the blocky and folded-blocky structures are fractured water-pressure systems; the thermal waters in the sedimentary and volcanic-sedimentary rocks saturate the reservoir or fissure-interstitial aquifers and are typical artesian basins. The successful development of health resort business in Russia should be, first of all, based on the extensive use of natural therapeutic factors. As clearly confirmed by the experience with spa treatment in both Russia and world practice, accumulated data from researches, thermal mineral waters determine the possibility of creating large spa centers that provide high economic efficiency.

[Histological evaluation of inflammatory response to zinc-oxide-eugenol filling materials in a soft and bone tissues]. / Gistologicheskaia otsenka vospalitel'noi reaktsii miagkikh i tverdykh tkanei polosti rta na vvedenie plombirovochnogo materiala na osnove tsink-évgenol'nogo tsementa v éksperimente.

AIM: To evaluate and to compare the intensity of the inflammatory response to zinc-oxide-eugenol based filling material in rabbit's soft and bone tissue. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study employed 20 chinchilla rabbits. The artificial defects were formed in jaw and in soft tissues and filled by zinc-oxide-eugenol based filling material. After 14 or 30 days the animals were euthanized, and tissue samples were analyzed with microscope. RESULTS: Histological analysis revealed that zinc-oxide-eugenol based filling material support inflammation reaction in the tissue, but bone tissue showed statistically lower inflammatory response in comparison to soft tissue (p<0,05). CONCLUSION: Extrusion of zinc-oxide-eugenol based filling material from root canal is undesirable as it leads to complex unfavorable tissue reaction for its elimination, more pronounced in soft tissues.

[Description of aging dogs and fruit flies based on the kinetic theory].

The aim of the study is to assess the adequacy of model representations, accepted in the kinetic theory of aging of living systems, the analysis of the experimental data obtained on dogs and fruit flies. The work is illustrated by applying the need to develop a mathematical model of the kinetic theory of aging to describe the probability density of death, probability of death, the average duration of life of the considered biological systems in the natural conditions of existence, as well as for dogs with limited time and chronic RA-diciannove impact, and for Drosophila - high external temperature. Op-defined kinetic equation of aging and their parameters.

[Prediction of life expectancy for prostate cancer patients based on the kinetic theory of aging of living systems].

The article presents a methodical approach for prediction of life expectancy for people diagnosed with prostate cancer based on the kinetic theory of aging of living systems. The life expectancy is calculated by solving the differential equation for the rate of aging for three different stage of life - «normal¼ life, life with prostate cancer and life after combination therapy for prostate cancer. The mathematical model of aging for each stage of life has its own parameters identified by the statistical analysis of healthcare data from the Zharinov's databank and Rosstat CDR NES databank. The core of the methodical approach is the statistical correlation between growth rate of the prostate specific antigen level (PSA-level) or the PSA doubling time (PSA DT) before therapy, and lifespan: the higher the PSA DT is, the greater lifespan. The patients were grouped under the «fast PSA DT¼ and «slow PSA DT¼ categories. The satisfactory matching between calculations and experiment is shown. The prediction error of group life expectancy is due to the completeness and reliability of the main data source. A detailed monitoring of the basic health indicators throughout the each person life in each analyzed group is required. The absence of this particular information makes it impossible to predict the individual life expectancy.

Amide of Lambertian Acid Suppresses Hyperactivation of Inotropic Glutamate Receptors, but not Synaptic Potentiation in Hippocampal Sections.

Amide of lambertian acid suppresses hyperactivation of inotropic glutamate receptors in hippocampal sections induced by a decrease in the level of magnesium ions (a selective blocker of glutamate NMDA receptors). Treatment of the sections with amide of lambertian acid in standard physiological saline does not prevent development of NMDA-dependent synaptic potentiation. Lambertian acid isolated from needles and turpentine of Siberian pine (Pinus sibirica R. Mayr), and its derivatives may become a source of substances with glutamatergic mechanism of action for treatment of cognitive and neurodegenerative disorders.

[The natural therapeutic resources of Russia: the topical problems]. / Prirodnye lechebnye resursy Rossii: aktual'nye problemy.

Mineral water, therapeutic peloids, favorable landscape and climatic conditions make up the main basis for the creation and development of the health resort business. Mineral water and therapeutic peloids are mineral resources, their prospecting, discovery, exploration and stock assessment of the responsibility of the Geological Survey of the country while the exploration and practical exploitation of the natural medicinal resources is the prerogative of the users of subsurface resources. At present, there are over 1200 deposits of mineral waters as well as more than 260 sources of therapeutic peloids at the territory of the Russian Federation; the include almost all hydrochemical species and types known and exploited in the world's practice The overall picture of the distribution of the potential and developed deposits of mineral waters and therapeutic peloids of the territory of this country is highly non-uniform and depends on the extent of the economic development of different regions, their geographical and climatic conditions as well as the state and availability of the spa and health resort infrastructure. The natural therapeutic resources, territories suitable for the organization and realization of health promoting activities, setting up new spa and health resort facilities are highly vulnerable to any external impact. We possess the scientifically grounded and practice-proven methods for the search, prospecting, practical development, and medical utilization of various natural therapeutic resources as well as technologies for their conservation, restoration, and protection from damages and overexploitation. The rational use and development of the territories promising for the extension of health resort business imply the necessity of the systemic approach in a consistent stage by stage manner based of the reliable prognoses.

[Curare-Like Camphor Derivatives and Their Biological Activity].

The synthesis and evaluation of muscle relaxant activity of series of dimeric camphor derivatives are described. Compounds in which the quaternary nitrogen atoms are separated by aromatic chain exhibited the highest efficiency as muscle relaxant. It was shown the screening of a charged atom and counter-ion does not have a significant role on the activity of the studied agents.

[Effectiveness of high-dose polychemotherapy with autologous hemopoietic stem cell transplantation in the treatment for malignant tumors of the central nervous system in children and young adults].

A total of 40 patients (median age 6 years, range 1-28 years) with high-risk malignant brain tumors received a single (n = 35) or tandem (n = 5) high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) with autologous hemopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT). The 2-year OS and DFS are 52% and 47%, accordingly, with median follow-up of 24 (range 2-96) months. The patients without complete response at the time of auto-HSCT had worst prognosis with 53% DFS in patients with partial remission and 25% in patients with disease stabilization (p = 0.001). Patients with relapsed tumor had worse prognosis, than high-risk patients in the first remission with DFS 26% and 62%, accordingly (p=0.02). The relapse rate also correlated with patient's age (38% DFS in patients younger, than 4 years and 60% in older patients, p = 0.005) and tumor morphology (63% DFS in patients with medulloblastoma, 60% in patients with germ-cell tumors, 45% in other embryonal CNS tumors, p = 0.05). The 4th-grade transplant-related toxicity and mortality rates were observed in 13% and 18% of patients, accordingly. Therefore, HDCT with auto-HSCT in young patients with high-risk CNS tumors is characterized by acceptable toxicity and allows improving overall therapy results.

[Combined therapy for children and adolescents with Ewing tumors (a 25-year experience)].

A total of 115 children (median age 10.5 years, range 2-17) with Ewing sarcoma family tumors (ESFT) received therapy in N.N. Petrov Institute of Oncology pediatric department from April 1985 till August 2013. These patients were divided into two groups depending on treatment tactics used: patients treated according to modified T9 protocol (n = 64) and patients treated according to EICESS-92 or Euro-Ewing 99 regimens (n = 51). Twenty four patients from the second group with adverse prognostic factors received high-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplantation. All patients received surgical treatment and/or irradiation for primary tumor local control. Five-year overall and disease-free survival was 39% and 37,9% in the first group. In the second group these values were significantly higher; 55% and 39.5%, accordingly (p = 0.03 and 0.25). All patients from the first group with primary metastatic ESFT died of disease progression, while in the second group OS and DFS reached 45.8% and 28.9%, accordingly. There was a statistically significant correlation between local relapse rate and irradiation dose biological equivalent (in TDF units). The local relapse cumulative rate was minimal (12,6%) in patients receiving 80 TDF.

[Forecasting of environmental health risk on the basis of the kinetic theory of aging of living systems].

The method of iterative congruence of search of parameters of kinetic mathematical model of aging of living systems according to medical statistics is developed. Its opportunities for the description of risk functions of mortality and life expectancy for the person and animals depending on environment factors are illustrated. The concept of forecasting of environmental risks--risks to population health from ecological factors of influence--is formulated.

[NMR screening of potential inhibitors of Citrobacter freundii methionine].

Methionine γ-lyase [EC 4.4.1.11] participates in a methionine catabolism at a number of bacteria and protozoa eukaryotes, including pathogenic microorganisms. Lack of this enzyme at mammals allows consider it as a perspective target for rational antibacterial drug design. Currently in medical practice there are no the preparations based on an inhibition of methionine γ-lyase activity. We present results of the search of potential inhibitors of the enzyme using the NMR screening techniques based on identification of compounds, which able to bind specifically to their biological target. Study included a stage of in silico virtual screening of the library of commercially available compounds and subsequent experimental selection of the leading compounds, capable to interact with enzyme. Identification of binding was carried out by means of saturation transfer difference (STD) spectroscopy and WaterLOGSY technique. At the final stage the experimental assessment of inhibiting ability of the selected compounds in the reaction of γ-elimination of L-methionine catalyzed by methionine γ-lyase was carried out. Binding constants of two leading compounds were determined using the WaterLOGSY method. The research expands structural group of potential inhibitors of methionine γ-lyase and allows approach to the design of the inhibitors with higher efficacy.

[Molecular mechanisms of cardiovascular disease].

There are the point of molecular personified medicine view the applied importance of studying the expression of a variety of genetic and epigenetic factors (miRNAs, chemokines, cytokines, adhesion molecules, proliferation and apoptosis factors of vessel endothelium) as an innovative approach to the diagnostics and treatment of atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction. The review has described the data, which is connected with development new biological active vaso- and cardioprotective substances on the peptides base. These substances can regulate the expression of signaling molecules--the molecular markers of cardiovaslular diseases.

[Evaluation of ovarian status in women who received anti-tumor therapy in childhood and adolescence].

The paper presents the results of a study of the ovarian reserve in young women who received treatment for malignant tumors in childhood and adolescence and are in complete clinical remission. The function of the reproductive system was evaluated by serum concentrations of gonadotropins, estradiol, anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and inhibin B. The results were compared to the treatment, patients' age at the beginning of therapy and at the time of the examination. AMH level in serum was the most informative indicator of ovarian reserve in patients treated for malignant tumors.

[Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for acute myeloblastic leukemia in first remission].

AIM: To evaluate the efficiency of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in patients with acute myeloblastic leukemia in first remission depending on the regimens of conditioning, the source of a graft, and the characteristics of a donor and a recipient. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In 66 treated patients, including from partially HLA-mismatched relatives (n=4), the efficiency of allo-HSCT from related donors (n=26) and unrelated donors (n=40), were compared. According to cytogenetic findings, 7 (11%), 31 (47%), and 10 (15%) patients belonged to low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups, respectively. RESULTS: Five-year overall survival (OS) and mortality associated with transplantation were 56 and 22% for allo-HSCT from related donors, 68 and 23% for that from HLA-matched donors, and 71 and 25% for that from partially HLA-mismatched donors, respectively (p=0.8 and p=0.7). The relapse risk after allo-HSCT from unrelated donors was significantly lower than after that from related donors (13 and 35%, respectively; p=0.8). Univariate analysis showed that the OS rates depended on the cytogenetic risk group (OS was 24 and 64% in the high- and intermediate-risk groups, respectively (p=0.027). The relapse risk in chronic graft-versus-host reaction (GVHR) and in grade 3 acute GVHR (p=0.01) was shown to be less than that in grades 1-2 acute GVHR (p=0.06). CONCLUSION: OS rates after allo-HSCT from related and unrelated donors were comparable and unrelated to the source of a graft, the regimen of conditioning, and other characteristics of a donor and a recipient.

[Efficacy of donor lymphocyte infusion in patients after different types of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation].

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) to prevent and treat recurrences in patients after different types of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Data from 118 patients with malignant blood diseases were analyzed. Allo-HSCTs from HLA-matched related donors (n=49), HLA-matched unrelated donors (n=50), partially HLA-matched unrelated donors (n=2), and haploidentical donors (n=24) were performed. The indications for DLI were underlying disease relapse (59 DLIs), resistant disease course (n=40), minimal residual disease (n=1 6), falling donor chimerism (n=1 5), and recurrence prevention (n=1 3). RESULTS: Therapy response was obtained after 57 (44%) DLls. There were 36 (25%) and 30 (21%) cases of acute and chronic graft-versus-host reactions (GVHR), respectively. The use of DLI from HLA-matched donors, its performance in the periods of D+100 to one year after allo-HSCT, a donor chimerism level of over 90% at the moment of DLI, the administration of the initial DLI dose of below 1.10(6) CD3+/kg, and the development of chronic GVHR after DLI were associated with the highest rate of therapy responses. The overall survival rates of patients with DLI were significantly influenced by factors, such as DLI periods, donor chimerism levels at DLI, and the development of chronic CVHR after DLI. CONCLUSION: The choice of the optimal dose of cells, the periods of DLI and its preventive administration improve prognosis in patients after allo-HSCT. The occurrence of acute GVHR is affected by the degree of HLA matching and the type of a donor. The development of chronic GVHR after DLI is associated with the highest rate of responses to DLI and higher survival rates.

[Extracorporeal photopheresis in the treatment of patients with refractory chronic graft-versus-host disease after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation].

AIM: To evaluate the efficiency of extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) in the treatment of patients with refractory chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study included 49 patients aged 2 to 55 years. Allo-HSCT was carried out in 38 (79%) patients with acute leukemias, 5 (10%) with chronic leukemias, 4 (8%) with myelodysplastic syndrome/myeloproliferative disease, and 2 (3%) with other hematologic diseases. The patients included in the study had glucocorticosteroid (GCS)-refractory disseminated cGVHD or a history of severe complications from GCS therapy. RESULTS: When evaluating the efficiency of therapy, its response was recorded in 37 (77%) cases; the best results were obtained in patients with hepatic (82%), mucosal (76%), and skin (74%) lesions. The mean severity according to the cGVHD Working Group, National Institutes of Health, and a platelet level of more than 100.10(9)/1 were defined as factors improving a therapy response. In the patients receiving ECP, the overall survival was 70%. The latter was higher in the group of patients who had responded to ECP therapy without involving the gastrointestinal tract in the cGVHD process and in those receiving a combination of ECP and other immunosuppressive drugs. CONCLUSION: ECP is an effective treatment for patients with refractory cGVHD, it may be used in those with a history of severe complications from GCS therapy. ECP allows the dose of GCS to be reduced to the point of complete discontinuation.

[The impact of therapy with Mexidol on neurological deficit and functional outcome in patients with ischemic stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis]. / Vliyanie terapii preparatom Meksidol na regress nevrologicheskogo defitsita i funktsional'nyi iskhod u patsientov s ishemicheskim insul'tom: sistematizirovannyi obzor i metaanaliz.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate systematically the published peer-reviewed literature and estimate the effect of therapy with Mexidol on the course and outcomes of ischemic stroke (II) in adult patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The meta-analysis included 11 studies reported In Russian (2 randomized controlled studies, 9 non-randomized, unblinded cohort studies). RESULTS: The results obtained indicate a positive effect of Mexidol on the course of II in the treated adult patients: we found statistically significant decrease in NIHSS scores on days 7-10 and 21-24 and in modified Rankin scale scores on days 5-7 and days 10-14 compared with the control group. The cumulative effect of the drug was shown: the between-group difference of the NIHSS scores increases with the course of observation time. The effect of Mexidol on indicators on the NIHSS scale is more significant, the greater the initial severity of the patient's neurological deficit. CONCLUSION: Heterogeneity in study designs and patient characteristics has resulted in significant statistical heterogeneity, and the evidence presented at the time of writing requires further examination as new data become available.