[Mathematical planning of the liquid-liquid extraction procedure: a forensic chemical study of verapamil in blood]. / Matematicheskoe planirovanie protsedury zhidkost'-zhidkostnoi ekstraktsii na primere sudebno-khimicheskogo issledovaniya verapamila v krovi.

The objective of the study is to determine the optimal conditions for blood sample preparation by liquid-liquid extraction using mathematical planning of the experiment by the example of forensic chemical study of verapamil. Evaluation of verapamil recovery from blood samples was performed according to the scheme of multivariate three-level experimental planning using the Box-Behnken design. The effect of aqueous phase pH, the ratio of chloroform to n-butanol in the extraction agent, extraction and centrifugation time, addition of sodium chloride, and the ratio of sample and extraction agent volumes on the recovery was studied. The algorithm using mathematical planning and development of liquid-liquid extraction model of target analyte can be recommended for analysis procedure optimization in forensic chemistry.

Spectroscopic characterization of composite lithium materials irradiated with high-temperature plasma.

High-temperature plasma irradiation of materials leads to significant modification of surface structure, growth of deposited composite films and surface layers with induced self-similar granularity on the scale from macroscales to nanoscale due to strong plasma-surface interaction. The aim of this study was to characterize lithium materials irradiated with high-temperature plasma in the T-10 tokamak and PLM device. The reactivity of lithium leads to reactions with impurities in the plasma and on the vessel. Post-mortem analyses by the X-ray photoemission spectroscopy and X-ray analysis have been used to identify deposits composition and morphology. Lithium carbonate composites have been detected by analysis demonstrating materials mixing and evidence of plasma-induced structure. New structures with the high specific surface area of hierarchical granular are registered. The reference industrial powder of lithium carbonate irradiated with steady-state plasma in the PLM device has acquired a new similar structure demonstrating universal influence of plasma on the structure of irradiated materials.

[Ultrastructural changes in the endocardium and endocrine cardiomyocytes in the wall of the left atrial appendage in patients with atrial fibrillation]. / Ul'trastrukturnye izmeneniya endokarda i endokrinnykh kardiomiotsitov v stenke levogo ushka bol'nykh s fibrillyatsiei predserdii.

OBJECTIVE: To study ultrastructural changes in endocardial tissues and endocrine cardiomyocytes of the left atrial appendage in patients with atrial fibrillation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Electron microscopy was used to examine the endocardium and endocrine cardiomyocytes of the left atrial appendage in 8 patients with long-standing paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation and in one patient with coronary heart disease without rhythm disturbance (a control group). RESULTS: The investigation revealed that all the patients with atrial fibrillation had similar ultrastructural changes in all endocardial layers and endocrine cardiomyocytes of the left atrial appendage. The endothelium showed massive desquamation of endothelial cells. Predominantly single sharply flattened cells and small cytoplasmic fragments remained on the endocardial surface. The latter devoid of endothelial coating was represented by subendothelial loose connective tissue with noticeable signs of edema. The latter was also observed in the dense fibrous connective tissue of the endocardium. The accumulation of large amounts of edema fluid in the subendothelium led to endothelial cell flattening and desquamation. There was no leukocytic infiltration in the tissue of the endocardium or fibrin and desquamated endothelial cell accumulation on its surface. The endocrine cardiomyocytes exhibited disorders as cytoplasmic swelling, complete or partial lysis (necrosis) of individual myofibrils, and lower levels of endocrine granules and their location near or in direct contact with the sarcolemma. CONCLUSION: The study has shown that long-standing atrial fibrillation deteriorates the main factors that determine normal endothelial function: edema in subendothelial tissue disrupts its interaction with endothelial cells and leads the latter to detach from the endocardium; ultrastructural changes in the endocrine cardiomyocytes that produce hormones can impair systemic blood pressure control and intracardiac hemodynamics.

[Comparison of standard and fast track rehabilitation in patients with acute appendicitis. Intermediate results of multicenter prospective randomized trial]. / Sravnitel'naia otsenka metodov standartnoi i uskorennoi reabilitatsii bol'nykh s ostrym appenditsitom. Promezhutochnye rezul'taty mnogotsentrovogo prospektivnogo randomizirovannogo issledovaniia.

AIM: To analyze outcomes of fast track rehabilitation in patients with acute appendicitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective, randomized multi-center trial including 86 patients was conducted. There were 38 patients in the main group and 48 in the control group. All patients underwent laparoscopic appendectomy under endotracheal anesthesia. Protocol included informing, no premedication, glucose infusion prior to surgery, antibiotics administration, mesoappendix excision, limited deployment of drainage tubes, intraabdominal prolonged anesthesia, minimal pneumoperitoneum, limited irrigation, minimum power monopolar electrocautery, antiemetics, early activation and eating (2 and 6 hours after surgery). Pain was evaluated by visual-analogue scale. Auscultative peristalsis was considered every 2 hours after surgery. Cortisol level was assessed preoperatively, in 6 and 12-24 hours after surgery in 11 (29%) and 15 (31%) patients of the main and control groups respectively. Discharge criteria: no leukocytosis, fever and pain syndrome requiring anesthesia, no signs of complications and patient's consent. RESULTS: Terms of disease, gender, age and comorbidities were similar in all patients. Duration of surgery under minimal pneumoperitoneum and standard pressure was also similar: 69.2±3.98 and 70.9±3.89 min (p=0.762). Pain syndrome grade and need for analgesics were significantly lower in the main group within entire follow-up. Pain syndrome was absent at the 1st postoperative day in 16 (42%) and 2 (4.1%) patients of both groups, respectively (score 0-1). Phrenic nerve syndrome was observed in 36.8% of the main group and 60.4% of the control group (p=0.05). Incidence of dyspepsia and terms of peristalsis onset were similar. Length of hospital-stay was 1.45 days in the main group and 3.15 days in the control group (p=0.002). In the main group 18 (47%) patients were discharged on the first day after surgery. There were only 4 (8.3%) patients with similar hospital-stay in the control group (p<0.001). There were no repeated hospitalizations. Postoperative cortisol concentration was similar in both groups as well as in complicated and uneventful postoperative period. In the main group postoperative intestinal paresis (Clavien-Dindo grade 2) occurred in 1 patient. In the control group 7 patients had postoperative infiltrate and 1 patient - intestinal paresis (Clavien-Dindo grade 2). Postoperative drainage tube was deployed in 3 out of 7 patients with postoperative infiltrates and 6 of them received antibiotic therapy. Medication was successfully applied in all patients with complications. CONCLUSION: There are some advantages of FTR for AA including reduced pain syndrome, morbidity and less length of hospital-stay. Issue of cortisol concentration requires further trials.

Fission barrier of superheavy nuclei and persistence of shell effects at high spin: cases of 254No and 220Th.

We report on the first measurement of the fission barrier height in a heavy shell-stabilized nucleus. The fission barrier height of 254No is measured to be Bf=6.0±0.5 MeV at spin 15ℏ and, by extrapolation, Bf=6.6±0.9 MeV at spin 0ℏ. This information is deduced from the measured distribution of entry points in the excitation energy versus spin plane. The same measurement is performed for 220Th and only a lower limit of the fission barrier height can be determined: Bf(I)>8 MeV. Comparisons with theoretical fission barriers test theories that predict properties of superheavy elements.

[Molecular-biological properties of the rubella virus strains isolated in St. Petersburg].

In the surveillance of rubella in the northwest region of Russia samples of nasopharyngeal swabs from 37 patients with rubella, which were treated in the 442nd district military hospital named after Z.P. Solovyov in autumn 2007 were screened for the rubella virus using RK-13 cell line, 22 strains of rubella virus were isolated. Gene sequencing of E1 region of rubella virus isolates was carried out. Rubella virus strains isolated in St. Petersburg during the 2007 outbreak belonged to rubella virus genotype 1E. The morphogenesis of RK-13 cells with formation of replication complexes and enveloped virions of rubella virus was shown.

[Features of clinic, diagnostics and treatment of typhoid fever in young patients].

Typhoid fever is a dangerous infection. The article analyzes the clinical aspects, diagnostic possibilities and casual treatment of the young men in organized group with typhoid. It's shown that despite early hospitalization (at average of 5.5 days) the main manifestations peculiar to the "classical" infection retained. The majority (61.5%) had disease of moderate severity, mild form were at 37,4% of patients. Complications occurred in 5.0% of the patients: pneumonia (2.8%), myocarditis (2.2%) and pancreatits (2.2%). Pathogen isolated from patients with typhoid fever had reduced susceptibility to fluoroquinolones. Antimicrobial therapy showed the advantage of the 3 generation cephalosporin (ceftriaxone) compared with ciprofloxacin or a combination of the latter with cefotaxime.

[Phenanthrene degradation by bacteria of the genera Pseudomonas and Burkholderia in model soil systems].

Degradation of phenanthrene by strains Pseudomonas putida BS3701 (pBS1141, pBS1142), Pseudomonas putida BS3745 (pBS216), and Burkholderia sp. BS3702 (pBS1143) was studied in model soil systems. The differences in accumulation and uptake rate of phenanthrene intermediates between the strains under study have been shown, Accumulation of 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid in soil in the course of phenanthrene degradation by strain BS3702 (pBS143) in a model system has been revealed. The efficiency of phenanthrene biodegradation was assessed using the mathematical model proposed previously for assessment of naphthalene degradation efficiency. The efficiency of degradation of both phenanthrene and the intermediate products of its degradation in phenanthrene-contaminated soil is expected to increase with the joint use of strains P. putida BS3701 (pBS1141, pBS1142) and Burkholderia sp. BS3702 (pBS1143).

[Complex treatment of atherosclerotic lesions of the aorta abdominal segment and of the peripheral arteries, with critical ischemia of the lower extremities in senior patients].

Here, we summarize the experience of surgical treatment of atherosclerotic lesions of the aorta in its terminal region and of the peripheral arteries, in 136 senior patients with critical ischemia of the lower extremities. We have designed a sequential strategy of examination and risk factor detection, combined with an investigation of other arterial basins. Isolated consecutive and simultaneous "two-story" reconstructions have been evaluated. The efficiency of using endovascular and open operations has been assessed, as well as using endovascular interventions alone in some cases, considering the severe condition of the patient. We demonstrate the superior qualities of an autovein in situ as compared to an allotransplant, especially in reconstructions below the cleft of the knee joint.

[Combined operations in cases of critical ischemia of the lower extremities in senior patients with generalized atherosclerosis].

Here, we present the experience of surgical treatment of senior patients with generalized arterial lesions. We have determined the diagnostic principles for the lesions of other arterial basins, and designed the tactics of surgical treatment in haemodynamically significant stenoses of the carotid and coronary arteries. The indications for and assessment of sequential and simultaneous interventions have been defined, and the complications arising after the consecutive operations have been analyzed. We have also studied the remote results of reconstructive operations in senior patients with critical ischemia of the lower extremities. Surgical tactics aimed at blood flow correction in clinically significant lesions of all arterial basins was recognized as the method of choice when treating patients with generalized atherosclerosis. Blood flow in the carotid and coronary basins should be restored in the first place. When performing revascularization of the extremities, blood flow in all the arterial segments (iliac, femoral, and tibial) should be restored.

[Method of surgical treatment of critical ischemia of lower extremities in patients with occlusive injuries of shin arteries].

The work describes a new method of restoration of blood circulation in patients with critical ischemia of the lower extremities of atherosclerotic genesis with a distal type of damage of the arterial bed. In 52 patients with the saved lumen of the distal part of the shin and little capacity of the distal bed reconstructive operations were performed by the developed technique. Reconstructive operations were fulfilled on 45 (86.5%) patients with the saved patency of the distal third of the posterior tibial artery, in 7 (13.5%) patients--of the anterior tibial artery. Thrombosis of the arterial bed occurred in 2 patients with saved patency of the vein in 3 weeks after operation. No recurrence of the critical ischemia of the extremity was observed. Thrombosis of the distal segment of the foot vein was found in 3 patients with the saved patency of the arterial bed in the period from 3 days to 4 weeks. Thrombosis of the venous shunt due to embolism of the cut off cusps of the venous valve was observed in 2 patients on the first day after operation. Thromboectomy from the shunt was fulfilled in these patients followed by recovery of blood circulation. Long-term results were followed up to 24 months. The shunt patency was 68%, the extremity was saved in 87% of the cases.

A complex interferon inducer potentiates the functional macrophage activity during Staphylococcal infection.

The antibacterial effect of a new type I interferon inducer, an yeast RNA-tilorone molecular complex (MC), was studied using a model of staphylococcal infection. The MC taken in experimental doses being optimal interferon-inducing ones accelerates the Staphylococcus aureus elimination from mice organisms accompanied by increased functional ability (phagocytosis and bactericide activity) of peritoneal macrophages. The conclusion is that the MC antibacterial activity detected is mediated by its interferon-inducing properties.

[Allergenic and immunotropic properties of yeast RNA-tilorone hydrochloride molecular complex].

Immunotropic properties of the interferon-inducing molecular complex (MC) yeast RNA--tilorone hydrochloride have been under study. MC was experimentally studied in vivo to establish its influence on the amount of antibody-forming cells and the level of antibody formation. The influence of MC on the oxygen-generating activity of spleen macrophages was established in the HCT test. MC in a dose of 1.25 mg/kg was shown to considerably activate immunocompetent cells, thus producing pronounced influence on humoral immunity. In addition, the study showed the dose dependence of the influence of MC on individual elements of the immune system as well as differences in the dynamics of immunomodulation caused by the use of high and low doses of MC. The data thus obtained made it possible to regard MC as a promising immunomodulator.

[Viruses as the etiological factor of type 1 diabetes. Animal models].

Type 1 diabetes (TID) results from the destruction of pancreatic beta-cells. In spite of genetic pre-disposition, being the major component for the development of this type of diabetes, nongenetic factors also play an important role in the disease development. Among these factors viruses are implicated in the pathogenesis of TID. Basing on the literature data we have attempted to elucidate possible role of viruses in TID pathogenesis. Viruses may be involved in the TID pathogenesis in at least two distinct mechanisms. Firstly, viruses may trigger beta-cell-specific autoimmunity with or without direct infection of beta-cells. Secondly, viruses may directly infect and destroy beta-cells resulting in TID. Moreover viruses not only cause diabetes, but also may prevent from the disease in animals susceptible to diabetes. Further studies are necessary to understand the mechanisms of the pathogenesis of human virus-induced TID.

[Interferonogenic activity of immobilized ribopolynucleotides in vitro]. / Interferonogennoe deistvie immobilizovannykh ribopolinukleotidov in vitro.

In vitro experiments the authors have studied a property of yeast RNA--tilorone hydrochloride complex covalently linked to spheron to induce the synthesis of interferons type I (alpha- and beta-interferons) in the culture of peripheral mononuclear human cells. Such a complex is shown to possess a marked interferonogenic activity. The data obtained appear to be a proof of the interferon induction to be realised by a mechanism needing at the first stage the contact between the inducer and the cell surface without its penetration into the cell.

[Effect of synthetic muramyl dipeptide derivatives on staphylococcal infection in mice]. / Vliianie sinteticheskikh proizvodnykh muramildipeptida na techenie stafilokokkovoi infektsii u myshei.

The work deals with the results of experimental evaluation of the influence of some new modified derivatives of muramyldipeptide (MDP) on the course of staphylococcal infection in mice. The preparations under study were found to produce rapid elimination of bacteria from kidneys and the increase of phagocytic activity of blood macrophages in animals. At the same time MDP and its derivatives stimulated natural killer cells whose activity was inhibited during infection. The dependence between the structure of these compounds and their protective action in staphylococcal infection, as well as the increase of the natural immunity characteristics of the body was followed.

Description and identification of difficulties arising from the application of a cleaning process in operating conditions for the treatment of components used on liquid metal fast reactors (LMFR). A technical designed approach to avoid these situations.

The cleaning process is one of the major maintenance operation for liquid metal fast reactors (LMFRs), both in operation and in their decommissioning stage. Russian and French cleaning processes are briefly described, including problems which have arisen during the processes. It appears that the cause of these problems is always connected to bad draining of the component, resulting in a vigorous reaction between vapour or liquid water and the bulk of sodium. From this discussion, the paper makes major recommendations for the efficient and safe cleaning of sodium wetted components, and proposes several processes which should be developed in order to deal with difficult situations, for example the removal of large amounts of undrainable sodium.

Endogenous and exogenous interferons in HIV-infection.

The interferons (IFNs) belong to the body's natural defensive response mechanisms directed against virus infections including also the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. This review discusses the current knowledge concerning the role of IFNs types I and II during the HIV infection. The author analyzes the HIV-driven process of endogenous IFNs induction in different cell types as well as the development of unusual acid-labile IFN following the HIV infection, its nature and clinical significance. Possible action mechanisms of different exogenous IFN types against the HIV-infection are reviewed taking into consideration the stages of HIV replication accompanied by these mechanisms of action and describing both positive and negative roles of IFNs during this disease. The author discusses also some well-known IFN-inducible antiviral pathways participating in the anti-HIV mechanisms and enzymes realizing antiviral action (PKR, 2'5'-OAS, iNOS, IDO, Mx and 9-27 proteins). A problem of HIV defense against the anti-HIV IFN action as well as some aspects of HIV-accelerating IFN effects are also examined in detail.

Virus-inhibitory effect of a yeast RNA-tilorone molecular complex in cell cultures.

The virus-inhibitory activity of a molecular complex (MC) of tilorone and yeast RNA was studied in vitro on three virus-cell systems: vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) - murine fibroblast L929 cells, Venezuelan equine encephalittis virus (VEEV) - swine embryo kidney (SEK) cells and encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) - established piglet testicular (EPT) cells. In all these systems the MC exerted an antiviral effect similar to that of polynucleotide interferon (IFN) inducers such as poly(I)-poly(C), larifan and ridostin. The antiviral effect of the MC was similar when the compound was applied before or after virus adsorption to cells. The MC may be regarded as a perspective antiviral agent of common use.