[Body composition and basal metabolic rate in overweight and obese patients].

Diet therapy is a key moment in the treatment of patients with obesity. The energy value of the diet must directly depend on the daily energy expenditure. It is extremely important for a specialist who determines a diet for a patient, using an individual approach, to most accurately calculate daily energy expenditure. On the one hand, the calculation method should be as accurate as possible, on the other hand, it should be simple and economically affordable. The aim of the study was to evaluate the body composition in patients depending on gender and body mass index and to identify the optimal method for calculating the basal metabolic rate (BMR) in patients with various degrees of obesity. Material and methods. The study included data from 338 men aged 39.0±11.9 years and 847 women aged 44.0±12.5 years. The study of the body composition was carried out by the multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis on the analyzer "InBody 770", which simultaneously provides information on the BMR, calculated taking into account the composition of the body according to the Ketch-McArdle formula. The BMR was also calculated using the Mifflin-St. Jeor formula and the results were compared. Results. In men and women, with an increase in body weight, an increase in skeletal muscle mass is noted, which entails an increase in the BMR. The BMR, calculated by the formula that does not take into account the volume of the main body energy-consuming tissues, differed from that calculated by the formula that takes into account the value of metabolically active components of the human body composition, towards an increase in men with obesity of class 2 and class 3 degrees, by 141 kcal and by 294 kcal, respectively, in women with obesity class 1 - by 81 kcal, class 2 - by 139 kcal, class 3 - by 262 kcal. Conclusion. When conducting primary diagnostics on an outpatient basis in patients with overweight and obesity, along with simple anthropometry, it is necessary to perform a body composition study. The calculation of the BMR as a component of daily energy expenditure should be carried out taking into account the characteristics of the body composition. If it is not possible to conduct a bioelectrical impedance study and accurately calculate the BMR, the results obtained during this research can be used: BMR in men with obesity of the class 1 - 18.5 kcal/day kg body weight, with obesity of the class 2 - 16.6 kcal/day kg body weight, with obesity class 3 - 14.6 kcal/day kg body weight; BMR in women - respectively 16.7, 15.0 and 13.5 kcal/day kg body weight.

[Nonimmunogenic staphylokinase in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke (FRIDA trial results)]. / Neimmunogennaya stafilokinaza ­ novyi tromboliticheskii preparat v lechenii ishemicheskogo insul'ta (rezul'taty issledovaniya FRIDA).

AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the efficacy and safety of non-immunogenic staphylokinase (NS) compared with alteplase (A) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) within 4.5 h after symptom onset. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 336 patients with IS within 4.5 h after symptom onset were included in a randomized, open-label, multicenter, parallel-group, non-inferiority comparative trial of NS vs A (168 patients in each group). NS was administered as an intravenous bolus in a dose of 10 mg, regardless of body weight, over 10 s, A was administered as a bolus infusion in a dose of 0.9 mg/kg, maximum 90 mg over 1 hour. The primary efficacy endpoint was a favorable outcome, defined as a modified Rankin scale (mRS) score of 0-1 on day 90. Safety endpoints included all-cause mortality on day 90, symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage, and other serious adverse events (SAEs). RESULTS: At day 90, 84 (50%) patients reached the primary endpoint (mRS 0-1) in the NS group, 68 (41%) patients - in the A group (p=0.10, OR=1.47, 95% CI=0.93-2.32). The difference between groups NS and A was 9.5% (95% CI= -1.7-20.7) and the lower limit of the 95% CI did not cross the margin of non-inferiority (pnon-inferiority<0.0001). There were no significant differences in the frequency of deaths between the groups: on day 90, 17 (10%) patients in the NS group and 24 (14%) in the A group had died (p=0.32). There was a trend towards significant differences in the frequency of symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage: NS group - 5 (3%) patients, A group - 13 (8%) patients (p=0.087, OR=0.37, 95% CI=0.1-1.13). There were significant differences in the number of patients with SAEs: in the NS group - 22 (13%) patients, in the A group - 37 (22%) patients (p=0.044, OR=0.53, 95% CI=0.28-0.98). CONCLUSION: The presented results of the FRIDA trial are the first in the world to use a drug based on NS in patients with IS. It has been shown that a single bolus (within 10 s) administration of NS at a standard dose of 10 mg, regardless of body weight, allows to conduct fast, effective and safe thrombolytic therapy in patients with IS within 4.5 h after symptom onset. In further clinical tials of NS, it is planned to expand the therapeutic window beyond 4.5 h after symptom onset in patients with IS.

Diffuse water pollution during recent extreme wet-weather in the UK: Environmental damage costs and insight into the future?

Periods of extreme wet-weather elevate agricultural diffuse water pollutant loads and climate projections for the UK suggest wetter winters. Within this context, we monitored nitrate and suspended sediment loss using a field and landscape scale platform in SW England during the recent extreme wet-weather of 2019-2020. We compared the recent extreme wet-weather period to both the climatic baseline (1981-2010) and projected near- (2041-2060) and far- (2071-2090) future climates, using the 95th percentiles of conventional rainfall indices generated for climate scenarios downscaled by the LARS-WG weather generator from the 19 global climate models in the CMIP5 ensemble for the RCP8.5 emission scenario. Finally, we explored relationships between pollutant loss and the rainfall indices. Grassland field-scale monthly average nitrate losses increased from 0.39-1.07 kg ha-1 (2016-2019) to 0.70-1.35 kg ha-1 (2019-2020), whereas losses from grassland ploughed up for cereals, increased from 0.63-0.83 kg ha-1 to 2.34-4.09 kg ha-1. Nitrate losses at landscape scale increased during the 2019-2020 extreme wet-weather period to 2.04-4.54 kg ha-1. Field-scale grassland monthly average sediment losses increased from 92-116 kg ha-1 (2016-2019) to 281-333 kg ha-1 (2019-2020), whereas corresponding losses from grassland converted to cereal production increased from 63-80 kg ha-1 to 2124-2146 kg ha-1. Landscape scale monthly sediment losses increased from 8-37 kg ha-1 in 2018 to between 15 and 173 kg ha-1 during the 2019-2020 wet-weather period. 2019-2020 was most representative of the forecast 95th percentiles of >1 mm rainfall for near- and far-future climates and this rainfall index was related to monitored sediment, but not nitrate, loss. The elevated suspended sediment loads generated by the extreme wet-weather of 2019-2020 therefore potentially provide some insight into the responses to the projected >1 mm rainfall extremes under future climates at the study location.

[Pathomorphological aspects of urethral strictures of various etiologies].

INTRODUCTION: The study of the structure of strictures of various etiologies is an open and uncertain issue of modern urology. AIM: To evaluate the morphological and immunohistochemical structure of strictures of various etiologies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study involved postoperative tissue of a pathologically altered urethra of 110 patients aged 23 to 74 years who underwent treatment at the University Clinic of Urology, Russian National Research Medical University. N.I. Pirogova (2014-2018) with Ds: urethral stricture. Morphological study: Van-Gieson staining; hemotoxylin - eosin. Immunohistochemical study: mouse monoclonal antibodies to muscle and connective tissue markers (Smooth Muscle Actin, Vimentin, Calponin) and inflammation markers (CD45R, CD58, CD138, CD20, CD3) were used as primary antibodies in all reactions. RESULTS: According to the revealed morphological changes, the material was divided into three groups: group I (n=27) - active inflammation; group II (n=33) - the predominant development of connective tissue with low activity of inflammation; group III (n=50) - mixed (chronic mild inflammation, an even amount of connective tissue). In a morphological study of idiopathic urethral strictures, it was noted that the multicolumnar epithelium was replaced by a multi-layer flat epithelium with a weakly pronounced keratinization. Inflammatory changes were mild, including the submucosal connective tissue and the spongy body. Spongiofibrosis is accompanied by a significant reduction in the vascular bed of both venous sinuses and arteries. The same changes were observed in the inflammatory genesis of urethral strictures. In the study of strictures with traumatic etiology, a restructuring of the cylindrical epithelium was observed. In cases with severe inflammation in the mucosa, the changes were atrophic-hyperplastic in nature with reactive cell atypia. CONCLUSION: urethral Strictures in men have a specific etiological factor, but the pathogenesis of urethral lesions can be divided into: post-traumatic and post-inflammatory.

Low-coherence dye laser with an intracavity radiation diffuser.

Study of a low-coherence dye laser is reported. A cuvette with a 2 mm gap containing a dense mixture (slurry) of LiF crystal granules (70-140 µm) and an immersion liquid with a dye dissolved in it was installed in a double flat mirror cavity as an active element and simultaneously as a diffuser of radiation. The parallel light beam experiences losses in such a cuvette due to refraction at a set of interfaces between solid particles and a liquid in which different parts of the beam are randomly deflected at small angles. Measurements of the loss coefficients, angles of rays' deflection in the cuvette-diffuser were carried out. When this cuvette was pumped by 25 ns pulses of the 2nd harmonic of a Nd:YAG laser, 20 ns pulses of radiation in the region of 550-650 nm with energy ≈1 mJ at a beam divergence 5-80 mrad, and a degree of spatial coherence γ ≲ 0.1 were obtained in slurry with PM567, Rh101 or DCM dyes. The features of spectra and spatial-angular characteristics of these slurry lasers are discussed, tuning of the spatial coherence of radiation is demonstrated. Possible applications of a dye laser with an intracavity diffuser as a source of low-coherence radiation are considered.

[Nutrition and nutritional status of underweight patients].

Insufficient body weight is one of the manifestations of nutritional disorders. Diseases associated with malnutrition occur in 10-12% of the population. The aim of the work was to study indicators of nutritional status and actual nutrient intake in patients with insufficient body weight. Material and methods. The study included 48 women aged 31.4±11.8 years, with a body mass index below 18.5 kg/m2. The body composition was estimated by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Nutrient intake was assessed using food frequency questionnaire, physical activity was evaluated by the survey method, using the computer program "Evaluation of nutrition", also blood biochemical parameters were determined. Results. Body fat mass was below average values in 93.8% of patients, while only 50.0% of women had a skeletal muscle deficiency, and 10.4% surveyed had skeletal muscle mass above average values. The energy value of the daily diet was 1982± 282 kcal, and daily energy expenditure was 2158±255 kcal. In the structure of the diet, fats prevailed (42.0±10.5% of daily calorie intake) and there was a significant lack of total carbohydrates (39.9±10.4% of daily calorie intake) and dietary fiber. Fat intake was exceeded in 92.9% of patients. Insufficient carbohydrate intake was also observed in 92.9% of patients. In most patients, daily intake of potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, B vitamins did not reach the recommended level, while sodium and phosphorus intake was excessive. The nutrient intake imbalance affected blood biochemical parameters in hypercholesterolemia (in 41.7% of patients) and hypertriglyceridemia (31.3%), and decreased calcium (30.0%), iron (12.8%) and vitamin D (52.2%) levels. Conclusion. Thus, for underweight patients, correction of the diet and dispensary observation is required to determine body composition and biochemical parameters, in particular, the fat and muscle components of the body weight, lipid metabolism indicators, the supply with macro- and micronutrients in order to develop treatment and prevention tactics of diet-related diseases, combined with reduced body weight.

[Multifocal brain lesions]. / Mnogoochagovye porazheniya golovnogo mozga.

Despite the current laboratory and instrumental approaches to the diagnosis, a patient with multiple brain lesions remains a difficult one. The reason is that these lesions can be caused by a variety of disorders, including rare ones and atypical forms. Distinguishing neoplastic lesions from non-neoplastic CNS disorders is crucial due to different treatment options. The authors report the case of a patient with multiple brain lesions, present a literature review of diseases to be differentially diagnosed with multifocal brain lesions and suggest a simple algorithm for the differential diagnosis. Timely clinical evaluation and a multidisciplinary approach are required for making a definitive diagnosis that is extremely important to start the appropriate therapy.

Implications of crop model ensemble size and composition for estimates of adaptation effects and agreement of recommendations.

Climate change is expected to severely affect cropping systems and food production in many parts of the world unless local adaptation can ameliorate these impacts. Ensembles of crop simulation models can be useful tools for assessing if proposed adaptation options are capable of achieving target yields, whilst also quantifying the share of uncertainty in the simulated crop impact resulting from the crop models themselves. Although some studies have analysed the influence of ensemble size on model outcomes, the effect of ensemble composition has not yet been properly appraised. Moreover, results and derived recommendations typically rely on averaged ensemble simulation results without accounting sufficiently for the spread of model outcomes. Therefore, we developed an Ensemble Outcome Agreement (EOA) index, which analyses the effect of changes in composition and size of a multi-model ensemble (MME) to evaluate the level of agreement between MME outcomes with respect to a given hypothesis (e.g. that adaptation measures result in positive crop responses). We analysed the recommendations of a previous study performed with an ensemble of 17 crop models and testing 54 adaptation options for rainfed winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) at Lleida (NE Spain) under perturbed conditions of temperature, precipitation and atmospheric CO2 concentration. Our results confirmed that most adaptations recommended in the previous study have a positive effect. However, we also showed that some options did not remain recommendable in specific conditions if different ensembles were considered. Using EOA, we were able to identify the adaptation options for which there is high confidence in their effectiveness at enhancing yields, even under severe climate perturbations. These include substituting spring wheat for winter wheat combined with earlier sowing dates and standard or longer duration cultivars, or introducing supplementary irrigation, the latter increasing EOA values in all cases. There is low confidence in recovering yields to baseline levels, although this target could be attained for some adaptation options under moderate climate perturbations. Recommendations derived from such robust results may provide crucial information for stakeholders seeking to implement adaptation measures.

Formation of the cementite crystal in austenite by transformation of triangulated polyhedra.

A mechanism is proposed for the nucleus formation at the mutual transformation of austenite and cementite crystals. The mechanism is founded on the interpretation of the considered structures as crystallographic tiling onto non-intersecting rods of triangulated polyhedra. A 15-vertex fragment of this linear substructure of austenite (cementite) can be transformed by diagonal flipping in a rhombus consisting of two adjacent triangular faces into a 15-vertex fragment of cementite (austenite). In the case of the mutual austenite-cementite transformation, the mutual orientation of the initial and final fragments coincides with the Thomson-Howell orientation relationships which are experimentally observed [Thompson & Howell (1988). Scr. Metall. 22, 229-233] in steels. The observed orientation relationship between f.c.c. austenite and cementite is determined by a crystallographic group-subgroup relationship between transformation participants and noncrystallographic symmetry which determines the transformation of triangulated clusters of transformation participants. Sequential fulfillment of diagonal flipping in the 15-vertex fragments of linear substructure (these fragments are equivalent by translation) ensures the austenite-cementite transformation in the whole infinite crystal. The energy barrier for diagonal flipping in the rhombus with iron atoms in its vertices has been calculated using the Morse interatomic potential and is found to be equal to 162 kJ mol-1 at the face-centered cubic-body-centered cubic transformation temperature in iron.

[Surgical technique and the first clinical experience of augmentation urethroplasty without dividing of corpus spongiosum (KODAMA technique)].

AIM: In case of complex and long urethral stricture a use of augmentation technique is often limited by "critically" narrowing of urethral plate. In such cases, the augmentation anastomotic urethroplasty without division of the corpus spongiosum can be the method of choice, because it allows to perform simultaneous augmentation urethroplasty with maximal sparing of antegrade blood flow in corpus spongiosum. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In urologic clinic of N.I. Pirogov City Clinical Hospital No1 the analysis of 17 patients who were undergone to augmentation anastomotic urethroplasty without division of the corpus spongiosum (Kodama technique), performed by single surgeon from 2013 to 2017 yy was done. The meant stricture length was 3.75 cm (2-6). Penile, bulbar and panurethral stricture was found in 6 (35.3%), 7 (41.2%) and 4 (23.5%) cases, respectively. RESULTS: Technique efficiency was 88.2% and in 2 patients (11.8%) a stricture recurrence developed. The mean maximum flow rate before and after surgery were 5.4 and 23.1 ml/s, respectively (p<0.05). The mean catheterization time was 14 (7-30) days. There were no patients with de novo urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction. CONCLUSION: The initial results of augmentation anastomotic urethroplasty without division of the corpus spongiosum showed high efficiency. To our opinion, the antegrade blood flow sparing makes it the method of choice in patients with long non-traumatic urethral stricture (without severe spongiofibrosis), good preoperative erectile function but isolated length of "critically" narrowing of the urethral lumen.

[Iatrogenic urethral structures in men].

INTRODUCTION: Iatrogenic urethral damage is the leading etiologic factor for urethral stricture in men in developed countries and second after traumatic injury in developing ones. This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of iatrogenic strictures of the urethra and the results of their treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective analysis comprised 133 patients who were treated for iatrogenic urethral stricture from 2011to 2016. Group I included 72 (54%) patients after trans(intra)urethral interventions (transurethral resection of the prostate or urinary bladder), urethral dilation, traumatic catheterization, etc. Forty-five (34%) patients with post-catheter strictures (ischemic/post-inflammatory), 7 (5%) patients after failed treatment of hypospadias, and 9 (7%) patients after open adenomectomy made up groups II, III, and IV. The diagnosis of recurrent stricture and the need for repeat surgical intervention were determined based on uroflowmetry, urethrography, and urethrocystoscopy. RESULTS: In group I, the mean extent (rank) of the stricture was 2 (0.1-15) cm, the most frequent location (85%) was the bulbar urethra. In group II, the most frequent location (71%) was also the bulbar urethra with a mean stricture length of 2.4 (0.3-13) cm. There were 4 cases of panurethral strictures, lesions of the penile urethra and meatal stenosis. In group III, the strictures were on average 6 (2-12) cm long. Patients group IV had strictures of the bulbar and prostatic urethra. In general, the effectiveness of endoscopic treatment (direct vision internal urethrotomy, DVIU) was 52%, the effectiveness of urethroplasty varied from 83 to 100% depending on the method. In group I, the effectiveness of the DVIU was 52%, various types of urethroplasty - 88-100%, in group II - 50% and 82-100%, respectively. In group III, the effectiveness of the single-stage/multi-stage buccal mucosa urethroplasty was estimated at 0%/100%. In group IV, the effectiveness of DVIU/urethroplasty/perineal prostatectomy was 20%/75%/100%. CONCLUSION: The proportion of iatrogenic urethral strictures in large megacities can reach 45%. Iatrogenic urethral strictures most commonly result from catheterization and transurethral interventions. Each subgroup of iatrogenic strictures is characterized by its location, extent and degree of urethral spongiofibrosis. With the correct choice of surgical modality, urethroplasty is almost twice more effective than DVIU.

[Topical respiratory strategies in neurocritical care]. / Aktual'nye respiratornye strategii v neiroreanimatologii.

Management of the respiratory tract and maintenance of adequate gas exchange are the basic goals of critical care. Injury to the nervous system is often accompanied by development of respiratory disorders. On the other hand, changes in the gas composition of arterial blood can cause brain damage. In addition, approaches to the patient with respiratory failure, which are used in general critical care and neurocritical care, may differ. The presented literature review is devoted to modern respiratory strategies used in neurocritical care.

[Buccal mucosa transplant the concept of ideal graft in surgical management of peyronies disease].

INTRODUCTION: Surgical techniques in managing Peyronies disease include plication corporoplasty, plaque incision, grafting and penile prosthesis implantation. The question of an ideal transplant for corporoplasty remains open. AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness of the substitution corporoplasty using buccal mucosa transplant (BMT) in treating Peyronies disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2011 to February 2016, 28 patients with stable stage Peyronies disease underwent substitution coroproplasty using BMT (incision and grafting). The mean age of patients was 54.8+/-6.2 years. All patients completed an IIEF-5 questionnaire and underwent a standard preoperative examination: anamnesis, physical examination, penile duplex pharmaco-ultrasonography and penile fixation photography to assess the type and angle of curvature. The average angle of penile curvature was 82.8 (45-120). All patients underwent incision and grafting using BMT; in 5 patients additionally the plication of the penile tunica albuginea was performed. Follow-up examinations were concluded at 3, 6 and 12 months and more after surgery. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 30 months. Postoperative penile straightening was achieved in 93% of patients. The duplex peak systolic velocity of the right and left cavernosal arteries improved from 42.59 to 45.64 cm/s and from 34.55 to 43.48 cm/s, respectively (p less or equal 0.05). CONCLUSION: Penile corproroplasty using BMT is a safe and effective method of treating patients with Peyronies disease. Follow-up clinical and instrumental examination showed no impairment of the erectile function or penile hemodynamics.

[Surgery for intractable epilepsy in a patient with encephalocele of the temporal lobe: a case report]. / Khirurgicheskoe lechenie farmakorezistentnoi épilepsii u patsientki s éntsefalotsele visochnoi doli (klinicheskoe nabliudenie i obzor literatury).

We describe a case of surgical treatment of intractable temporal epilepsy in a female patient with congenital middle cranial fossa encephalocele. We present clinical-anamnestic and neuroimaging data as well as the microscopic and macroscopic pictures of encephalocele. We analyze outcomes of surgery for this pathology, which have been reported in the literature. To date, there have been a few articles on this subject in the domestic literature. The development of neuroimaging techniques and a growing number of verified encephalocele cases promote the widespread use of surgery for treatment of intractable epilepsy. Congenital encephalocele should be considered in the differential diagnosis of intractable temporal epilepsy, and, if verified, surgical treatment is the method of choice in most cases.

[Experience of endoscopic removal of hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage].

AIM: This study was aimed at assessing the efficacy of endoscopic technique in surgery for hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This paper focus on our experience (11 cases) of endoscopic removal of hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage. The paper presents examples of endoscopic removal of hematomas located in the basal ganglia (9 cases) and in the posterior fossa (2 cases), causing occlusion at the fourth ventricle. In 3 patients (27%) with intraventricular hemorrhage, the removal of acute hematomas from the ventricular system with simultaneous endoscopic triple ventriculostomy was performed. Intervention was carried out within the first 6 hours in patients with hemispheric hematomas (in 90% of cases) and within 3-5 hours in patients with PCF hematomas. RESULTS: The article analyzes the functional outcomes in the early and late postoperative period. Complete regression of neurological symptoms was achieved in 4 (36%) patients and the remaining 7 (64%) patients had a moderate disability at discharge. CONCLUSION: In our opinion, endoscopic removal of hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage is a promising method that meets all existing aspects of modern neurosurgery. The combination of rigid and flexible endoscopy provides new capabilities in surgery of patients with intraventricular hemorrhage.

Adapting wheat in Europe for climate change.

Increasing cereal yield is needed to meet the projected increased demand for world food supply of about 70% by 2050. Sirius, a process-based model for wheat, was used to estimate yield potential for wheat ideotypes optimized for future climatic projections for ten wheat growing areas of Europe. It was predicted that the detrimental effect of drought stress on yield would be decreased due to enhanced tailoring of phenology to future weather patterns, and due to genetic improvements in the response of photosynthesis and green leaf duration to water shortage. Yield advances could be made through extending maturation and thereby improve resource capture and partitioning. However the model predicted an increase in frequency of heat stress at meiosis and anthesis. Controlled environment experiments quantify the effects of heat and drought at booting and flowering on grain numbers and potential grain size. A current adaptation of wheat to areas of Europe with hotter and drier summers is a quicker maturation which helps to escape from excessive stress, but results in lower yields. To increase yield potential and to respond to climate change, increased tolerance to heat and drought stress should remain priorities for the genetic improvement of wheat.

An objective approach to model reduction: Application to the Sirius wheat model.

An existing simulation model of wheat growth and development, Sirius, was evaluated through a systematic model reduction procedure. The model was automatically manipulated under software control to replace variables within the model structure with constants, individually and in combination. Predictions of the resultant models were compared to growth analysis observations of total biomass, grain yield, and canopy leaf area derived from 9 trials conducted in the UK and New Zealand under optimal, nitrogen limiting and drought conditions. Model performance in predicting these observations was compared in order to evaluate whether individual model variables contributed positively to the overall prediction. Of the 1 1 1 model variables considered 16 were identified as potentially redundant. Areas of the model where there was evidence of redundancy were: (a) translocation of biomass carbon to grain; (b) nitrogen physiology; (c) adjustment of air temperature for various modelled processes; (d) allowance for diurnal variation in temperature; (e) vernalisation (f) soil nitrogen mineralisation (g) soil surface evaporation. It is not suggested that these are not important processes in real crops, rather, that their representation in the model cannot be justified in the context of the analysis. The approach described is analogous to a detailed model inter-comparison although it would be better described as a model intra-comparison as it is based on the comparison of many simplified forms of the same model. The approach provides automation to increase the efficiency of the evaluation and a systematic means of increasing the rigour of the evaluation.

[Structure of the microbial community in soil catena of the right bank of the Oka River].

The structure of the microbial community (the fungal-bacterial ratio) has been assessed by selective inhibition of the substrate-induced respiration (SIR) using streptomycin sulfate and cycloheximide antibiotics in the gray forest soil of eluvial, transite, transite-accumulative, and accumulative (meadow alluvial) facies of slope landscape on the right bank of the Oka River (near Pushchino, Moscow oblast) which represents an abandoned field, small-leaved wood, spruce forest, and meadow. The concentrations of bactericide and fungicide were selected experimentally for each landscape facies which provide the greatest SIR inhibition of the soil upon their individual application and in combination. Fungi were established to be predominant in the contribution to the total SIR which was found to be 82-97%. A dependence between the structure of the microbial community and the C/N ratio and pH of the soil was shown.

[Endoscopic assistance in microvascular decompression of cranial nerves].

Microvascular decompression (MVD) is an effective method for treatment of trigeminal neuralgia (TN), hemifacial spasm (HFS), glossopharyngeal neuralgia (GPN). The aim of this study was to assess the role of endoscopic assistance in MVD for the treatment of cranial neuropathies. Since 2009 till 2011 133 patients with cranial neuropathies were treated by MVD in Burdenko Neurosurgical Institute, Moscow. In 22 patients (11 patients with HFS, 10 patients with TN, 1 with GPN) endoscopic assistance was applied during the MVD. We used minimally invasive retrosigmoid approach in a unilateral position. Cerebellopontine angle was explored by 30-degree or 70-degree telescope to visualize the root entry zone of trigeminal, facial or glossopharyngeal nerves and to locate the neurovascular conflict. In 9 patients with HFS and in 1 patient with TN and in another patient with GPN endoscopy discovered offending vessels that were not visible through the microscope. In all cases endoscope was used to exclude another site of compression and to verify decompression and to identify position of teflon and offending vessel after MVD. Immediately after the surgery excellent outcome was observed in 10 patients with HFS (89%), one patient was reoperated 1.5 years after first operation with positive effect. Relief of pain in early postoperative period was observed in patients with TN and GPN. There were no major complications and postoperative mortality in our series. Endoscopic assistance is very effective and helpful technique in MVD of cranial nerves, especially in cases with HFS. In this study the use of the endoscope allowed to identify the site of compression and to confirm the position of teflon after MVD.

Intermolecular hydrogen bonds in hetero-complexes of biologically active aromatic molecules probed by the methods of vibrational spectroscopy.

By the methods of vibrational spectroscopy (Infrared and Raman) the investigation of the hetero-association of biologically active aromatic compounds: flavin-mononucleotide (FMN), ethidium bromide (EB) and proflavine (PRF) was performed in aqueous solutions. It was shown that between the functional groups (CO and NH(2)) the intermolecular hydrogen bonds are formed in the hetero-complexes FMN-EB and FMN-PRF, additionally stabilizing these structures. An estimation of the enthalpy of Н-bonding obtained from experimental shifts of carbonyl vibrational frequencies has shown that the H-bonds do not dominate in the magnitude of experimentally measured total enthalpy of the hetero-association reactions. The main stabilization is likely due to intermolecular interactions of the molecules in these complexes and their interaction with water environment.