Amorphous and crystalline cerium(IV) phosphates: biocompatible ROS-scavenging sunscreens.

This paper reports on a comprehensive study of the UV-shielding properties (namely, the sun protection factor and the factor of protection against UV-A radiation) and cytotoxicity (including photocytotoxicity) of amorphous and crystalline cerium(IV) phosphates. It has been shown that cerium(IV) phosphate NH4Ce2(PO4)3 is characterised by UV-shielding properties that are comparable to those of nanocrystalline TiO2 and CeO2. Moreover, cerium(IV) phosphates did not show toxicity towards cell cultures of NCTC L929 line mouse fibroblasts and human mesenchymal stem cells, in a wide range of concentrations, and even enhanced the proliferative activity of the latter. In a model study of the photoprotective properties of cerium(IV) phosphates on human mesenchymal stem cells, the pronounced protective effect of NH4Ce2(PO4)3 was observed, which was comparable to the shielding action of nanocrystalline CeO2. The results have shown that tetravalent cerium phosphates can be considered as promising UV-filters for sunscreen applications.

Processing of household waste in the BTLSS using the wet combustion method.

The present study discusses physicochemical methods of organic waste processing in closed biotechnical life support systems (BTLSS). Sanitary and household cotton wastes were processed by the method of wet combustion in hydrogen peroxide using an alternating current electric field - a promising physicochemical method for organic waste processing in the BTLSS. The highest efficiency of the process (in terms of power consumption, duration of the process, and oxidation rate) was achieved in experiments with oxidation of a combination of cotton fabrics and urea-containing wastes such as human urine and feces. The reason for this must be that urea is a reactive aqueous solvent of cellulose.

[The comprehensive approach to the performance of forensic medical expertises of the injuries inflicted to juvenile victims of suspected compulsive actions]. / Kompleksnyi podkhod k provedeniiu sudebno-meditsinskikh ékspertiz v otnoshenii nesovershennoletnikh v sluchaiakh travm, podozritel'nykh na nasil'stvennye deistviia.

This article was designed to discuss the problems pertaining to the performance of forensic medical expertises of the injuries inflicted to juvenile victims of suspected compulsive actions. The importance of this problem arises from the lack of the comprehensive approach to the performance of such expertises concerning the children. The present study based on the scientific and practical analysis has revealed the drawbacks in forensic medical expertises with respect to the juvenile victims of suspected compulsive actions. The article contains recommendation for the correction of the aforementioned shortcomings.

Phase Transitions in Spin-Crossover Thin Films Probed by Graphene Transport Measurements.

Future multifunctional hybrid devices might combine switchable molecules and 2D material-based devices. Spin-crossover compounds are of particular interest in this context since they exhibit bistability and memory effects at room temperature while responding to numerous external stimuli. Atomically thin 2D materials such as graphene attract a lot of attention for their fascinating electrical, optical, and mechanical properties, but also for their reliability for room-temperature operations. Here, we demonstrate that thermally induced spin-state switching of spin-crossover nanoparticle thin films can be monitored through the electrical transport properties of graphene lying underneath the films. Model calculations indicate that the charge carrier scattering mechanism in graphene is sensitive to the spin-state dependence of the relative dielectric constants of the spin-crossover nanoparticles. This graphene sensor approach can be applied to a wide class of (molecular) systems with tunable electronic polarizabilities.

[Development of liposomal form of polyunsaturated fatty acid concentrate: ways of using in production of functional foods].

The research is aimed at obtaining a concentrate of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in liposomal form and developing possible ways of PUFA application in manufacturing functional food products. The PUFA concentrate was obtained from the fat of the Baikal seal by method of complexing with urea. We prepared a liposomal form of PUFA concentrate by evaporating organic solvent from the solution of lipids to form a thin lipid film with addition of buffer solution and further extrusion of the obtained emulsion. We defined the size of liposomal particles by method of turbidimetry. We identified the fatty acid composition of the samples by gas-liquid chromatography using a chromatographymass spectrometer. Biomedical research was conducted on 30 adult male Wistar rats with initial weight of 130-150 g. We induced atherogenic experimental hyperlipemia in rats by adding 5% cholesterol, 0.3% of 6-methyl-2-thiouracil, 1% cholic acid and 5% of lard to their normal diet for 21 days. We used an automatic biochemical analyzer to define total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) in blood serum. As a result of the experiment, we obtained a concentrate from the seal fat with content of essential PUFA 12.2% of total fatty acids in which the ratio of ω-6:ω-3 was 1.3:1. We obtained the liposomal form of the PUFA concentrate, with the average size of the liposomes ranging from 144 to 158 nm. We have established that the blood serum of the animals with induced hyperlipidemia, which orally took the liposomal form of PUFA concentrate for 14 days in a dose of 20 mg/kg body weight, showed the decrease of total cholesterol content of LDL and VLDL, while HDL increased to the parameters in intact animals. This indicated a normalization of the lipid profile in rats and the lipid-lowering effect of the concentrate. Also, we have studied the possibility of enriching wheat bread with essential fatty acids by replacing some part of the water with the liposomal form of PUFA concentrate. The use of this additive increased the output volume of bread by 14%, intensified the crust color and didn't affect the organoleptic indicators of bread quality. Fatty acid analysis of the lipids in bread showed that after adding 3 g of PUFA concentrate in liposome form per 100 g of flour increased the content of ω-3 PUFA by 3.2 fold (191 mg per 100 g of bread), with the ratio of ω-6:ω-3 PUFA being 5.8:1. Thus, bread enriched with PUFA concentrate in liposome form can be positioned as a functional food product that contains ω-3 PUFA in an amount of 19.1% of the recommended daily intake in 100 g of final product and also as a product with optimal PUFA ratio of ω-6:ω-3.

Observations on changes in abundance of questing Ixodes ricinus, castor bean tick, over a 35-year period in the eastern part of its range (Russia, Tula region).

Ixodes ricinus (Acari: Ixodidae) L. transmit a wide variety of pathogens to vertebrates including viruses, bacteria and protozoa. Understanding of the epidemiology of tick-borne infections requires basic knowledge of the regional and local factors influencing tick population dynamics. The present study describes the results of monitoring of a questing I. ricinus population, conducted over 35 years (1977-2011) in the eastern, poorly studied part of its range (Russia, Tula region). We have found that the multiannual average abundance of ticks is small and varies depending on the biotope and degree of urban transformation. Tick abundance for the first 14 years of observations (1977-1990) was at the lower limit of the sensitivity of our methods throughout the study area (0.1-0.9 specimens per 1-km transect). In the following 21 years (1991-2011), a manifold increase in abundance was observed, which reached 18.1 ± 1.8 individuals per 1-km transect in moist floodplain terraces, and 4.8 ± 0.9 in xerophylic hill woods. Long-term growth of tick abundance occurred in spite of a relatively constant abundance of small mammals and only minor fluctuations in the abundance of large wild animals. Climate and anthropogenic changes appear to be the main contributors to increased abundance of the tick.

Gas jet transection of liver parenchima. Experimental research.

BACKGROUND: There is a great variety of liver parenchyma transection techniques. The objective of this research lies in developing a new method of liver transection and comparing it to the existing ones. METHODS: The original gas jet transection method of biological tissues and the apparatus for its realization "Pneumojet" were developed in our institute. Efficiency comparison of gas jet,water jet, ultrasonic methods of liver transection and clamp crushing technique were carried out on 24 mini-pigs. We did not use Pringle manoeuver. RESULTS: The mean blood loss was the smallest in the group of animals that had a gas jet transection (3.5+-0.15 ml/cm²) and the highest in the clamp crushing technique group (5.5+-0.46ml/cm²). Indicators present statistically authentic differences(p 0.001). The transection speed was the highest in the Clamp crushing technique group (2.9+-0.25 cm²/min) and was credibly higher than in the gas jet (2.4+-0.16 cm²/min), ultrasonic(2.4+-0.13 cm²/min) and water jet (2.5+-0.14 cm²/min) transection groups. Compared to the water jet and ultrasonic methods of liver transection the original method does not have statistically reliable distinctions on the basic indexes of work. CONCLUSIONS: The research conducted proves high efficiency and safety of the gas jet transection method. Gas jet transection,therefore, can be recommended for further improvement and clinical application.

[The role of ischemical preconditioning in the development of ischemia-reperfusion hepatic injury in experiment].

The optimal regimen of preliminary ischemic preparation, in which the vessels occlusion causes minimal pathohistological hepatic changes without inhibition of its regeneration capacities, was studied in experiment. The ischemic-reperfusional damage of liver, using hepatoduodenal ligament crossclamping in various regimens, was modeled on 40 rabbits in a randomized experimental investigation. Morphological investigations of the animals liver fragments, taken immediately after ligament crossclamping and on the third postoperative day, were performed. There was established, that severity and reversibility of the hepatic tissue affection have differed, depending on the ischemia duration and reperfusion period. The vessels occlusion regimen with preliminary ischemic preparation was the most safe for hepatic tissue, without rude structural injuries and functional disorders, permitting to recommend it for clinical application as the optimal one while performance of hepatic resection in combination with afferent vascular exclusion.

[The topical problems of forensic medical expertise of the child injury].

The objective of the present study was to analyse the current state of forensic medical expertise of the child injury. The relevant medical documents were used to estimate the quality of forensic medical examinations (surveys) of selected cases of child injuries and the related organizational, strategic, and methodological errors. The most challenging problems facing forensic medical expertise of the child injury are identified and the ways to address them are proposed.

[Peculiar approaches to the estimation of the severity of harm to health in children with craniocerebral injuries].

The results of forensic medical analysis of non-fatal craniocerebral injuries (CCI) in the children and adolescents are presented. They provided a basis for the scientific substantiation and development of the algorithms for forensic medical expertise of the cases of CCI in children. The scientifically-grounded criteria are proposed for the estimation of the harm to health resulting from craniocerebral injuries taking into consideration their clinical manifestations. These criteria make it possible to enhance the objectiveness and reliability of the expert conclusions as regards the harm to health associated with CCI. The analysis of forensic medical examinations for the determination of the harm to health in the case of non-fatal craniocerebral injuries in the children and adolescents included evaluation of the related organizational, strategic, and methodological errors. The approaches to their prevention and elimination are discussed.

[Peculiar approaches to the estimation of the severity of harm to health in children with non-fatal injuries].

The medico-legal estimation of non-fatal injuries in the children and adolescents is presented. The data obtained have been used to develop and substantiate the algorithm of forensic medical expertise of such injuries. Scientifically sound criteria have been proposed to be used for the purpose of expert estimation of the severity of harm to health associated with non-fatal injuries taking into consideration their clinical manifestations. The procedures of forensic medical expertise for the estimation of the harm to health have been analysed with special reference to non-fatal injuries in children and adolescents. Main attention was given to the accompanying strategic, organizational, and methodological errors. The approaches to their prevention and correction are described.

[Right-sided hemihepatectomy in the closed hepatic trauma (clinical observation and review of the literature)].

A case observation of a severe closed hepatic injury, treated using right-sided hemihepatectomy after primary suturing with tamponade performance and angiographic embolization of right hepatic artery, is presented. The literature review for this problem is presented with special attention to modern approaches in the treatment of the injured persons, suffering hepatic trauma. Various methods of treatment of hepatic injuries are analyzed as well as indications for their usage and efficacy. The tactics of conservative treatment in trauma of IV-V severity grade in the injured persons in conditions of a stable hemodynamics state presence was elaborated. The interventional radiology methods are more widely used in the patients, to whom conservative therapy is conducted or while their stable state is achieved, using a tamponade performance. While unstable state presence during the surgical treatment conduction a tendency is observed to use a "damage control" tactics.

[Comparative analysis of self-actualization and self-esteem of pensioners].

This article presents the results of a sociological study of the correlation between self-actualization and self-esteem of pensioners. The analysis of the data established a strong link between these two characteristics.

[Hypodynamia and spontaneous venous thromboses].

Data on the prevalence of hypodynamia among individuals with the first and second episodes of spontaneous venous thrombosis in a population sample of Moscow residents are compared. It is stressed that changes in behavioral stereotype, which determine the reduction of physical activity level before the first episode, are significant for the risk of rethrombosis. Besides, the authors discuss a range of questions concerning terminology of low physical activity, distinguishing the reasons for hypodynamia, and evaluation of existing questionnaires for measuring the levels of physical activity.

[Promoters of genes MTHFR from patients with hyperhomocysteinemia and PTEN from patients with malignant and benign endometrial and ovarian tumors].

Mutational changes in the promoter regions of MTHFR genes from patients with hyperhomocysteinemia and PTEN genes from patients with endometrial and ovarian tumors were studied. An increased level of homocysteine was found in a part of the patients with a heterozygous C677T mutation in the MTHFR gene, although a moderate hyperhomocysteinemia is usually associated with homozygous mutation. We hypothesized that, in this case, the allele lacking the C677T mutation may be inactivated by the promoter mutation. The sequencing of both DNA strands of the minimal promoter region of the MTHFR gene in ten patients did not reveal any mutation, which implied another mechanism of the development of hyperhomocysteinemia in these patients. A PCR analysis of the minimal promoter region of the tumor suppressor PTEN in the presence of 2-pyrrolidone in 101 patients from Moscow clinics revealed changes in it in patients with endometrial (56%) or ovarian (29%) cancer, as well as in patients with endometrial hyperplasia and benign ovarian tumors (34.6 and 29%, respectively). It was presumed that the found PTEN gene promoters may arise from epigenetic alterations (erroneous methylation) or may (more rarely) be induced by mutations. As a result of the studies, new molecular markers associated with endometrial and ovarian tumors were revealed and a simple and effective method of detection of these markers was developed.

[The prognostic value of thrombus precursor protein in the assessment of the probability for venous thrombosis recurrence after the completion of anticoagulatory therapy with warfarin].

The article contains data on venous thrombosis (VT) recurrence rate in patients with the first episode of thrombus formation after the completion of one-year therapy with warfarin. The investigation included study of the prognostic value of intravascular coagulation marker (thrombus precursor protein --TPP) for the risk of venous retrombosis. The study showed that a high TPP level at the end of standard therapy course with warfarin in patients who had the first episode of spontaneous venous thrombosis is a significant indicator of a possible thrombosis recurrence during the nearest two tears after treatment with anticoagulants.

[Use of fragmin in program hemodialysis of patients with terminal chronic renal failure].

The subjects of the study were 60 patients at the end stage of chronic renal failure of various origins, who were on program hemodialysis (PHD) in Dialysis Center of City hospital #20. The main group consisted of 25 patients, who were administered fragmin (Pfizer, USA), a low-molecular heparin, for hypocoagulation during the procedure of hemodialysis. The drug was administered in a bolus dose of 5000 aXa ICU into the arterial line after connecting it to a fistula needle. The control group (35 patients) received unfranctionated heparin (UFH) in a conventional way (a bolus of 2000 to 2500 IU before the beginning of the procedure, followed by 1200 to 1500 IU/h in a continuous infusion, stopped 1 hour prior to the end of the dialysis). The following parameters were measured at the beginning and the end of the procedure: the number of thrombocytes, hemoglobin and hematocrit levels, activated partial thromboplastin time, activated coagulation time, antithrombin III level, and anti-Xa factor activity. Standard regimen of UFH administration allowed satisfactory hypocoagulation, but the necessary dose was hard to select. A bolus dose of fragmin led to adequate hypocoagulation in all the patients: there were no fibrin or blood clots in the lines or the dialyzer, or hemorrhage from the sites of puncture after the procedure. Anti-Xa-factor activity grew after a bolus injection of fragmin. By the end of the procedure the inhibitory activity of fragmin towards Xa-factor remained at the level of 0.44 +/- 0.7 IU/ml. The results show that a single dose of fragmin is effective and safe during a standard procedure of hemodialysis lasting up to 5 hours.