Detection of antibodies to the hepatitis E virus in domestic reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia).

INTRODUCTION: Although domestic pigs and wild boars are the main reservoir of zoonotic hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotypes in temperate countries, the presence of antibodies to HEV (anti-HEV) in the indigenous population of circumpolar territories, i.e. outside the habitat of wild and domestic pigs, indicates the presence of an alternative reservoir of the virus. Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) may be a potential reservoir for HEV in the polar regions. The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence of anti-HEV among domestic reindeer in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sera from 497 domestic reindeer from the Oymyakon (n = 425) and Ust-Yansky districts (n = 72) of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) were tested for anti-HEV. A commercial ELISA kit DS-ELISA-ANTI-HEV-G (Diagnostic Systems-Stolitsa LLC, Russia) was used for detection of anti-HEV IgG, but a rabbit polyclonal antibody against deer IgG labeled with horseradish peroxidase (KPL, USA) at a dilution of 1 : 100 in phosphate-buffered saline were used instead of the human specific conjugate from the kit. RESULTS: The average detection rate of anti-HEV in reindeer sera was 15.5% (95% CI: 12.6-19.0%). The detection rate of anti-HEV significantly increased with age, from 3.5% (95% CI: 1.1-9.0%) in calves aged 3-6 months to 25.0% (95% CI: 1.6 -36.5%) in deer aged 2-4 years (p < 0.0001). From this age group, anti-HEV detection rates reached a plateau, not differing significantly between older age groups (p > 0.05). The average anti-HEV detection rate among reindeer 2 years of age and older was 19.0% (95% CI: 15.3-23.4%). There were no statistically significant differences in the frequency of anti-HEV detection between female and male reindeer, both among adult animals and among calves. CONCLUSION: The observed anti-HEV detection rates among domestic reindeer in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) indicate that infection caused by HEV or an antigenically similar virus is common in these animals. The dynamics of antibody accumulation in the reindeer population indicates that infection apparently occurs during the first two years of life.

Highly Hydroxylated Buckminsterfullerene Complexes with an Endohedral Iodide Anion.

The properties of the complexes I-@C60(OH)20 and I-@C60(OH)30 have been determined using the quantum chemical DFT PBE0 method to assess the possibility of synthesis of highly hydroxylated fullerene endo-iodides for the use in radiotherapy of different organs. The arrangement of the hydroxyl groups corresponds to the location of halogen atoms in (D5d)-C60F20 and (D3d)-C60Cl30. Negative-charged iodine is localized in the center of the fullerene cavity and has no significant influence on the IR spectra of hydroxylated fullerenes. The exothermic effect of iodide anion encapsulation in C60(OH)n (0.33 eV at n = 20; 0.03 eV at n = 30) is smaller than in C60 (0.78 eV). The energies of the lower excited singlet states computed by the TD DFT method for I-@C60(OH)n (2.11 eV at n = 20; 1.77 eV at n = 30) are larger than those for I-@C60 (1.36 eV). They indicate a low reactivity, making it possible to synthesize such complexes for medical use.

Comparing Colon Capsule Endoscopy to colonoscopy; a symptomatic patient's perspective.

BACKGROUND: Colon Capsule Endoscopy (CCE) has proven efficacy in a variety of gastrointestinal diseases. Few studies have assessed patient-reported outcomes and preference between colonoscopy and CCE. METHODS: Patients from our centre who had both a CCE and colonoscopy within a 12-month period were identified. We performed over-the-phone interviews focused on satisfaction, comfort, and overall preference with a 10-point Likert scale. Electronic records were reviewed; reported Modified-Gloucester-Comfort-Scale (GCS) score, sedation, bowel preparation and endoscopist grade were documented. Data was compared between procedures. A Fishers exact test was used to compare proportions and a Student t-test was used to compare means, a p < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: In all, 40 patients were identified, 57.5% (23/40) were female and the mean age was 48 years (24-78). All patients were referred for investigation of lower gastrointestinal symptoms as part of an ongoing study [Endosc Int Open. 2021;09(06):E965-70]. There was a significance difference in mean comfort (9.2 vs 6.7, p < 0.0001, 95% CI - 3.51 to - 1.44) but not satisfaction (8.3 vs 7.7, p = 0.2, 95% CI - 1.48 to 0.33) between CCE and colonoscopy. Main cause of dissatisfaction with CCE was bowel preparation and for colonoscopy was discomfort. Age and gender were not found to be variables. The correlation between GCS and patient reported values was weak (R = - 0.28). Overall, 77.5% (31/40) of patients would prefer a CCE if they required further bowel investigation. Of these, 77.4% (24/31) preferred a CCE despite the potential need for follow-up colonoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: CCE has a high satisfaction rating (8.3 vs 7.7) and has a higher patient reported comfort rating (9.2 vs 6.7) than colonoscopy. Studies have confirmed CCE and colonoscopy have equivalent diagnostic yields. The majority of patients in our cohort prefer CCE to colonoscopy. CCE should be considered as an alternative to colonoscopy in selected individuals.

[Linguistic adaptation and validation of the voice handicap index (VHI)-30 in patients with dysphonia into Russian]. / Lingvisticheskaya adaptatsiya i podtverzhdenie primeneniya russkoi versii oprosnika Indeks izmeneniya golosa-30 (Voice Handicap Index (VHI)-30) u patsientov s disfoniei.

Purpose of the study is to assess the internal consistency, reliability of retesting and clinical reliability of the Russian version of the Voice Handicap Index (VHI)-30 questionnaire. MATERIAL AND METHODS: It is prospective observational study. The original English version of the VHI-30 questionnaire was translated into Russian by two independent researchers (professional translators). The final Russian version (VHI-30rus) was formulated by a third researcher (otorhinolaryngologist) on the basis of these two translations, and then translated back into English. The 181 participants were included in this study. The main group patients (n=91) were additionally divided into subgroups in accordance with the form of dysphonia: 65 (71.4%) patients had functional and organic dysphonia, 8 (8.8%) had chronic inflammatory diseases of the larynx, 7 (7.7%) - benign neoplasms of the larynx (singing nodules, polyps, cysts), 11 (12.1%) - unilateral laryngeal paralysis. The control group consisted of 90 people without voice disorders. Internal consistency (Cronbach's α coefficient), retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) VHI-30, comparison of VHI-30 indicators of patients and studied control group (Mann-Whitney U-test, Kruskal-Wallis test) and correlation with the overall severity of dysphonia (Spearman's ρ rank correlation coefficient) were determined. RESULTS: In the patient group, we observed excellent internal consistency for VHI-30rus (α=0.95) and good internal consistency for all VHI-30rus subscales: physical (α=0.88), functional (α=0.88), and emotional (α=0.88). The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) indicated high retest reliability for patients (0.99) and control group subjects (0.84). The 30-item mean total values for patients with dysphonia were statistically significantly higher than for control group participants (p<0.001). A correlation was found between the overall VHI-30rus value and the overall severity of dysphonia (ρ=0.748, p<0.001). In the patient's group, female and male participants showed a statistically insignificant difference in the total value of VHI-30rus (Mann-Whitney U-test, p<0.001). There was a correlation in terms of VHI-30rus indicators in different subgroups of the patient group and the control group (Spearman's correlation coefficient: functional dysphonia - 0.942; chronic laryngitis - 0.756; unilateral laryngeal paralysis - 0.888; benign neoplasms - 0.982; control group studied - 0.882). CONCLUSION: As a result of this study, the VHI-30 questionnaire was translated from English into Russian for use in the Russian-speaking environment. The study showed good internal consistency, retest reliability, and clinical validity for the Russian version of the VHI-30rus questionnaire. The VHI-30rus questionnaire can be recommended for use in clinical practice for patients with dysphonia.

[Assessment of external risk factors of hepatocellular cancer development and markers of genetic predisposition to its development in the ethnic group of yakut - men].

AIM: To establish the main external and genetically determined risk factors for the development of hepatocellular cancer in the ethnic group of male Yakuts living in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) [RS (Y)] in the epidemiologically unfavorable conditions of the incidence of viral hepatitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 97 male Yakuts were examined, including 44 people diagnosed with hepatocellular cancer and 53 people diagnosed with chronic viral hepatitis. HCC risk factors were identified by analyzing medical records and questioning patients. In the experimental and control groups, genetic studies of single nucleotide polymorphisms of genes mapped on the X-chromosome and involved in the activation of antiviral immunity along the TLR7 signaling pathway were performed. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: In 100% of patients with hepatocellular cancer, infection with hepatitis B, C, D viruses or co - infection with these agents was detected. Every fourth patient with HCC in the RS (Y) was infected with hepatitis D. The course of hepatocellular cancer associated with HDV was characterized by rapid progression of liver cirrhosis, development of portal hypertension, bleeding from varicose veins of the stomach and esophagus (36.4%) and edematous ascitic syndrome (63.6%). In addition to viral agents, additional risk factors for liver cancer were identified, such as alcohol abuse, overweight, diabetes mellitus, and smoking. Among the studied variation sites of genes localized on the X-chromosome and encoding the reaction of innate antiviral immunity, no genetic marker was found with a sufficient degree of confidence determining the likelihood of hepatocellular cancer developing. CONCLUSIONS: The high incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma of the male population in the RS (Y) is due to the widespread prevalence of parenteral viral hepatitis, especially viral hepatitis D. Due to the introduction of mass vaccination of the population against hepatitis B in the Russian Federation in the foreseeable future in the RS (Y) we should see a decrease in the proportion of hepatocellular cancer associated with hepatitis B and D viruses, and therefore the focus should be on the treatment and prevention of hepatitis C virus and non - infectious risk factors.

[FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE OF POLYMORPHIC VARIANTS OF IL28B GENE AND GENOTYPES OF HEPATITIS C VIRUS IN POPULATION OF YAKUTIA: CLINICAL OUTCOMES].

AIM: Study clinical outcomes in patients with chronic hepatitis C depending on genotype of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and IL28B gene polymorphism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 592 indi- viduals Were examined, 75 ofthosehad HCVRNAgenotypes determined by PCR. Genotyping of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) - rs12979860 (C/T) and rs8099917 (T/G) in IL28B gene was carried out by real-time PCR. RESULTS: HCV RNA was detected in 72 examined residents of Yakutia. HCV lb genotype was determined in 74.2% of cases, 3a - in 11.4%, la and 2 - 5.7% each. Frequency of polymorph variant rs12979860 CC was 72.2%, CT - 27.8%, rs8099917 TT - 61.1%, TG - 23.2%. CONCLUSION: Combination of HCV lb with polymorphic variants of IL28B'gene rs12979860 CC and rs8099917 CT showed a less aggressive course of the disease. On the other hand, HCV infection of individuals with geno- type 3a and polymorphism rs12979860 CC or rs809917 TT of IL28B gene showed a more severe clinical presentation. The presence ofpolyorirphvariants rs8099917 T/G and rs12979860 C/T showed more severe clinical outcomes of HCV infection (viral load up to 19035212 copies, cirrhosis with ascite, hepatocarcinoma).

[COMPARATIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF IMMUNE STATUS OF PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC FORMS OF VIRAL HEPATITIS B, C, D AND HEALTHY INDIVIDUALS].

AIM: Evaluate immune status in patients with chronic hepatitis (CH) depending on type of causative agent and severity of the infectious process. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 232 residents of Yakutia including 127 patients with various forms of chronic hepatitis and 105 healthy individuals were examined. Relative levels of mature T-lymphocytes (CD3⁺), T-helpers (CD4⁺), T-suppressors (CD8⁺), B-lymphocytes (CD72⁺) and naturalkillers (CD16⁺) were studied by flow cytometry, as well as concentration of sera immune globulins of classes A, M and G by ELISA. RESULTS: In patients with chronic hepatitis of various forms, a decrease of expression of differentiating antigens - CD3⁺, CD4⁺, CD72⁺ on the surface of lymphocytes and concentration of sera immune globulins was established. In CHD patients in phase of monoreplication high activity of the infectious process is accompanied by a shift of immune regulatory index to the increase of activity of cytotoxic cells with simultaneous development of deficiency of mature functionally active T-lymphocytes. In the -group of patients with hepatitis D virus with liver cirrhosis normal concentration of sera immune globulins is retained against the decrease of the number of T-helpers and B-lymphocytes. CONCLUSION: In patients with various forms of viral hepatitis acquired immune deficiency can emerge, which is often accompanied by enhancement of NK-cell activity. The noted reduction of the number of mature functionally active T-cells, as well as main classes of sera antibodies could be con- nected with immune system load during a chronic infectious process.

Transformation from an easy-plane to an easy-axis antiferromagnetic structure in the mixed rare-earth ferroborates Pr x Y1-x Fe3(BO3)4: magnetic properties and crystal field calculations.

The magnetic structure of the mixed rare-earth system Pr x Y1-x Fe3(BO3)4 (x = 0.75, 0.67, 0.55, 0.45, 0.25) was studied via magnetic and resonance measurements. These data evidence the successive spin reorientation from the easy-axis antiferromagnetic structure formed in PrFe3(BO3)4 to the easy-plane one of YFe3(BO3)4 associated with the weakening of the magnetic anisotropy of the Pr subsystem due to its diamagnetic dilution by nonmagnetic Y. This reorientation occurs through the formation of an inclined magnetic structure, as was confirmed by our previous neutron research in the range of x = 0.67 ÷ 0.45. In the compounds with x = 0.75 and 0.67 whose magnetic structure is close to the easy-axis one, a two-step spin reorientation takes place in the magnetic field H||c. Such a peculiarity is explained by the formation of an interjacent inclined magnetic structure with magnetic moments of Fe ions located closer to the basal plane than in the initial state, with these intermediate states remaining stable in some ranges of the magnetic field. An approach based on a crystal field model for the Pr(3+) ion and the molecular-field approximation is used to describe the magnetic characteristics of the system Pr x Y1-x Fe3(BO3)4. With the parameters of the d-d and f-d exchange interactions, of the magnetic anisotropy of the iron subsystem and of the crystal field parameters of praseodymium thus determined, it is possible to achieve a good agreement between the experimental and calculated temperature and field dependences of the magnetization curves (up to 90 kOe) and magnetic susceptibilities (2-300 K).

Delocalization of a Vacancy across Two Neon Atoms Bound by the van der Waals Force.

We experimentally study 2p photoionization of neon dimers (Ne_{2}) at a photon energy of hν=36.56 eV. By postselection of ionization events which lead to a dissociation into Ne^{+}+Ne we obtain the photoelectron angular emission distribution in the molecular frame. This distribution is symmetric with respect to the direction of the charged vs neutral fragment. It shows an inverted Cohen-Fano double slit interference pattern of two spherical waves emitted coherently but with opposite phases from the two atoms of the dimer.

[Circular dichroism of DNA liquid-crystalline dispersion particles].

The optical activity of DNA liquid-crystalline dispersions is being investigated based on a theory for absorption of electromagnetic waves by large molecular aggregates. The impact on the dispersions-optical properties, exerted by the interaction between the complexes of nucleic acid molecules and nanoparticles, is being considered.

2-D Fused Image Reconstruction approach for Microwave Tomography: a theoretical assessment using FDTD Model.

This paper describes an efficient two-dimensional fused image reconstruction approach for Microwave Tomography (MWT). Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) models were created for a viable MWT experimental system having the transceivers modelled using thin wire approximation with resistive voltage sources. Born Iterative and Distorted Born Iterative methods have been employed for image reconstruction with the extremity imaging being done using a differential imaging technique. The forward solver in the imaging algorithm employs the FDTD method of solving the time domain Maxwell's equations with the regularisation parameter computed using a stochastic approach. The algorithm is tested with 10% noise inclusion and successful image reconstruction has been shown implying its robustness.

[Diagnostics of nasal bone fractures with the use of ultrasound study techniques].

The objective of the present study was to estimate the effectiveness of ultrasound diagnostics of nasal bone fractures, compare it with the results of clinical examination, X-ray and CT imaging of nasal bones. The data of the analysis of clinical symptoms and instrumental studies are compared with those of X-ray and ultrasound investigations of intact and fractured bones including the cases of persistent post-traumatic deformation of the nose. It is concluded that the ultrasonic study of nasal bones is a more accurate method for diagnostics of their fractures compared with X-ray examination (p<0.05); specifically, it allowed the lateral displacement of bone fragments to be documented.

[Detection and antigenic characteristics of the recombinant nucleocapsid proteins of Lassa and Marburg viruses].

Two plasmid vectors, which allow the recombinant polypeptides of Lassa and Marburg viruses to be expressed in prokaryotic cells E. coli strain BL21 (DE3), were produced. The two recombinant polypeptides are able to bind specific antibodies. This provides an opportunity to use them as antigenic components of immunoassay diagnostic test kits.

Furnace chemical vapor deposition bismuth-doped silica-core holey fiber.

A bismuth-doped-pure-silica holey fiber is fabricated using a fiber preform made by the furnace chemical vapor deposition method. The spectroscopic properties of the fiber are studied, and laser action at λ=1450 nm with an efficiency of 12% is demonstrated.

Photoionization of fixed-in-space molecules by partially polarized light.

A general equation for the three-dimensional angular distribution of photoelectrons ejected from fixed-in-space molecules of any symmetry by light of arbitrary polarization is derived. The state of the light polarization is described by the Stokes parameters. The equation is also valid for photoionization of polarized atoms and aligned or oriented rotating molecules. In the particular case of linear molecules the three-dimensional angular distribution of photoelectrons is fully characterized by five two-dimensional angular distributions. Simple ways to determine experimentally these two-dimensional functions are mentioned. The application of general equations is illustrated by a numerical example of photoionization of the C K-shell of CO molecule in the region of the σ∗ shape resonance.

How to Distinguish between Venous and Arterial Strokes and Why?

Cerebral venous infarct is considered to be rare (0-5% of all strokes). In some cases venous infarcts with no specific signs on conventional CT or MR study are not diagnosed due to incomplete examination. A venous infarct more often (63%) than an arterial (15%) infarct is accompanied by hemorrhage (primary or secondary in the early period) and a high risk of hemorrhage should be a contraindication to intravenous thrombolysis. Consequently, the definition of the kind of a stroke should lead to different therapeutic tactics. Using MR and CT angiographic and perfusion techniques in the urgent examination of patients with an infarct, considering time necessary for the "time window", can lead to exact diagnosis and fewer complications.

Inclusion complexes of nitroxides of pyrrolidine and imidazoline series with cucurbit[7]uril.

Inclusion of nitroxides into the cavity of molecular nanocontainers may prevent or significantly retard nitroxide reactions with cellular reductans and increase nitroxide lifetime. This paper is aimed at studying possible applications of cucurbit[7]uril (CB7) as a molecular nanocontainer for pH-sensitive nitroxides probes. Inclusion complexes of CB7 with different nitroxides--3-aminomethyl-proxyl (AMP), 3-hydroxymethyl-proxyl (HMP), 4-amino-2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-2,5-dihydroimidazole-1-oxyl (ATI), and 2,2,4,5,5-pentamethyl-2,5-dihydroimidazole-1-oxyl (MTI)--were studied. It was found that reversible formation of inclusion complexes AMP@CB7, AMPH(+)@CB7, HMP@CB7, ATIH(+)@CB7, and MTIH(+)@CB7 is accompanied by a decrease of hyperfine interaction (HFI) constant on nitrogen of the nitroxide group and by a 5-7-fold increase of rotational correlation time monitored by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). The binding constants of nitroxide@CB7 complexes were determined, and the influence of alkali metal ions and pH on the equilibrium between free and encapsulated nitroxides was studied. The EPR spectra of CB7 mixtures with protonable nitroxides were found to be more sensitive to pH changes than the spectra of pure nitroxides, and the apparent pK of these mixtures was found to increase with CB7 concentration. The nitroxide@CB7 complexes showed higher resistance to chemical reduction with ascorbic acid compared to free nitroxides. Thus, CB7 can be used for the improvement of functional properties of nitroxides.

Dielectric spectroscopy of normal and malignant human lung cells at ultra-high frequencies.

Microwave techniques for biomedical applications aimed at cancer treatment or diagnosis, either by imaging or spectroscopy, are promising. Their use relies on knowledge of the dielectric properties of tissues, especially on a detectable difference between malignant and normal tissues. As most studies investigated the dielectric properties of ex vivo tissues, there is a need for better biophysical understanding of human tissues in their living state. As an essential component of tissues, cells represent valuable objects of analysis. The approach developed in this study is an investigation at cell level. Its aim was to compare human lung normal and malignant cells by dielectric spectroscopy in the beginning of the microwave range, where such information is of substantial biomedical importance. These cells were embedded in small and low-conductivity agarose hydrogels and laid on an open-ended coaxial probe connected to a vector network analyser operated from 200 MHz to 2 GHz. The comparison between normal and malignant cells was drawn using the variation of measured dielectric properties and fitting the measurements using the Maxwell-Wagner equation. Both methods revealed slight differences between the two cell lines, which were statistically significant regarding conductivities of composite gels and cells.

Ultrafast probing of core hole localization in N2.

Although valence electrons are clearly delocalized in molecular bonding frameworks, chemists and physicists have long debated the question of whether the core vacancy created in a homonuclear diatomic molecule by absorption of a single x-ray photon is localized on one atom or delocalized over both. We have been able to clarify this question with an experiment that uses Auger electron angular emission patterns from molecular nitrogen after inner-shell ionization as an ultrafast probe of hole localization. The experiment, along with the accompanying theory, shows that observation of symmetry breaking (localization) or preservation (delocalization) depends on how the quantum entangled Bell state created by Auger decay is detected by the measurement.