[Personalization of Nordic walking programs in a sanatorium-type medical center]. / Personifikatsiya programm skandinavskoi khod'by v usloviyakh meditsinskogo tsentra sanatornogo tipa.

Nordic walking is a wellness technology available to people of all ages with varying fitness levels and health conditions. The greatest health strengthening effect when using it is achieved in those cases when the program is personified depending on a specific disease taking into account the current functional state of the body and system-forming parameters of activity including the initial vegetative tone. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of Nordic walking in adolescent 15-17 years old depending on type of initial vegetative tone and the time of the lessons. MATERIAL AND METHODS: It was examined 60 adolescents aged 15-17 years of the II health group including 30 persons with vagotonic and 30 persons with sympathicotonic type of initial vegetative tone. In each groups the subgroups were identified who were engaged in Nordic walking from 8:00 to 9:00 (morning subgroups, 15 teenagers) and from 18:00 to 19:00 (evening subgroups, 15 teenagers). The course included 21 sessions of 45 minutes daily. Heart rate variability, the level of self-esteem according to D. Keirsey, well-being, activity and mood according to the SAN method, subjective load tolerance according to the Borg scale and general physical endurance according to the results of a test with a 6-minute run were assessed. RESULTS: A significant positive effect was observed with the differentiated use of Nordic walking taking into account the type of the initial vegetative tone and the daily rhythm of physical activity. In adolescent vagotonics training in the evening according to the analysis of heart rate variability, the functional reserve and activity of regulatory systems increased with a tendency to normalize the sympathetic-parasympathetic balance, the indicators of the psychological sphere improved, physical endurance increased, as well as the motivation for training and their subjective tolerance. In sympathicotonic adolescents, a similar positive effect of Nordic walking took place when exercising in the morning. A different distribution of training time (morning hours for vagotonics and evening hours for sympathicotonics) was accompanied by tension in the work of the autonomic nervous system apparatus caused disharmony in the emotional state, did not lead to an increase in physical endurance and worsened subjective load tolerance. CONCLUSION: When planning a course of Nordic walking in adolescents it is necessary to take into account the type of initial vegetative tone and choose the right time for classes: with vagotonia they should be carried out in the evening, with sympathicotonia - in the morning.

The magnitude of behavioural responses to artificial light at night depends on the ecological context in a coastal marine ecosystem engineer.

Artificial light at night (ALAN) is one of the most extensive human geographic disturbances to wildlife. ALAN can have ecological and evolutionary effects on individual organisms, which in turn can affect populations, communities and ecosystems. Although understanding of the effects of ALAN on the ecology and biology of organisms has increased in recent years, most of these advances are in terrestrial environments, but scarce in marine habitats, especially in ecologically important transition areas such as saltmarshes. Here, we study the effects of ALAN on the behavioural budget (i.e. the proportion of time spent performing feeding, burrow maintenance and concealment) of the South American intertidal crab Neohelice granulata, which is an ecosystem engineer of coastal salt marshes. Moreover, we compared the impact of a gradient of ALAN between two different saltmarshes with contrasting environmental characteristics. Our results showed a relationship between ALAN and the behavioural budget. In particular, we showed that an increase in ALAN drove an increase in time spent maintaining burrows at the expense of time spent concealed in the burrow or feeding outside it. Such effects showed slightly different patterns in the two saltmarshes, possibly related to the reproductive value of burrows for mating and to predation risk. Considering the ecosystem role of N. granulata, we argue that the different effect of ALAN on its behavioural budget could have ecosystem effects that differ between the two saltmarshes studied here.

Freshwater transport between the Kara, Laptev, and East-Siberian seas.

The Kara and Laptev seas receive about one half of total freshwater runoff to the Arctic Ocean from the Ob, Yenisei, and Lena rivers. Discharges of these large rivers form freshened surface water masses over wide areas in these seas. These water masses, i.e., the Ob-Yenisei and Lena river plumes, generate an eastward buoyancy boundary current that accounts for the large-scale zonal freshwater transport along the Siberian part in the Arctic Ocean. In this study we investigate spreading of the Ob-Yenisei plume from the Kara Sea to the Laptev Sea through the Vilkitsky Strait and of the Lena plume from the Laptev Sea to the East-Siberian Sea through the Laptev and Sannikov straits during ice-free season. Large horizontal density gradient between freshened plume water and salty ambient sea water is the main driver of these processes, however, their intensity strongly depends on local wind forcing. The Ob-Yenisei plume is spreading to the Laptev Sea in a narrow alongshore current which is induced by strong and long-term southwesterly winds. Under other wind forcing the plume does not reach the Vilkitsky Strait. The Lena plume is almost constantly spreading to the East-Siberian Sea as a large-scale surface water mass which intensity is governed by eastward Ekman transport and is prone to large synoptic variability.

The antitumor effect of magnetic nanodisks and DNA aptamer conjugates.

Here we describe a method of forming large arrays (up to 10(9) pieces) of free magnetic Ni-nanodisks 50 nm thick coated on both sides with layers of 5 nm thick Au. The antitumor effect of the magnetic nickel gold-coated nanodisks and DNA aptamer conjugates was evaluated in vivo and in vitro. Under the influence of rotating magnetic field, the studied nanodisks can cause the death of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells.

New composites of betulin esters with arabinogalactan as highly potent anti-cancer agents.

Betulin and its esters are the natural compounds with high in vitro cytotoxicity toward many cancer cells. However, the poor water solubility of these compounds has limited their applications. We prepared new composites of betulin esters using two methods, namely ball-milling of the mixtures of betulin esters with arabinogalactan and preparation of thin films of these mixtures by evaporating the aqueous solutions. These composites revealed higher water solubility as compared with the initial substances without losing the structural integrity and functionality. As a result, the new composites have shown much higher inhibitory effects against different cancer cell lines such as Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells and lung carcinoma cells (A549) in comparison with the initial substances. The cell viability studies based on Annexin V and Propidium iodide probes have confirmed the high proapoptotic effect of betulin ester derivatives against cancer cells.

[The clinical significance of evaluation of the inflammatory infiltrate in chronic gastroduodenitis in children].

OBJECTIVE: To establish the diagnostic value of the determination of leukocyte composition of inflammatory infiltrate in chronic gastroduodenite in childhood. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We examined 103 patients aged 8-17 with chronic gastroduodenitis associated with Helicobacter pylori. To detect Hp and Epstein-Barr viral infections we used esophagogastroduodenoscopy, quick urease test, bacterioscopy of gastrobiopsies. We performed the analysis of the cellular composition of the inflammatory infiltrate. RESULTS: It was found that the number of lymphocytes and neutrophils located in the lamina and intraepithelial increases, which is associated with the degree of inflammation. Increased to the maximum was the number of intraepithelial lymphocytes, both in the body, and in the antrum. Intensity of leukocyte infiltration is directly correlated with the increased prevalence of inflammation. Persistence of Epstein-Barr virus (35.9% of patients) is followed by more severe intraepithelial lymphocytic infiltration in the stomach. In 4-6 months after treatment 18 patients with severe gastritis were repeatedly studied for the inflammatory infiltrate. A significant decrease in the number of intraepithelial neutrophils was found. CONCLUSION: Cellular composition of the infiltrate is an objective characteristic of chronic inflammation in the gastric mucosa. Persistence of Epstein-Barr virus is accompanied by an increase in the amount of intraepithelial lymphocytes and neutrophils.

[Efficacy of an educational preventive technology in patients with stable angina in ambulatory conditions].

Aim of the study was to assess efficacy of educational technology--School for patients with stable angina--in conditions of practical health care. We randomized 100 patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) and stable FC I-III angina into 2 groups one of which went through learning in a School for patients with IHD (6 90 min sessions 2 times a week). Patients of both main and control groups were followed up for 12 months. During the whole term of the investigation in both groups observation and treatment of patients was conducted by physicians of city polyclinic in accordance with generally accepted method of care of patients with diagnosis "IHD, stable angina pectoris". Results of the investigation evidence that studying in the School for patients with stable angina significantly elevates level of medical information adopted by patients, ensures positive dynamics of the whole row of clinical and psychological parameters as well as integral parameters of quality of life of patients with IHD.

The feasibility of sleep assessment by actigraph in patients with tetraplegia.

BACKGROUND: Sleep disturbances are frequent in patients with high spinal cord lesions, and are difficult to diagnose by means of polysomnography (PSG). DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. OBJECTIVE: Examine the feasibility of sleep assessment by actigraph in patients with tetraplegia. SETTING: A rehabilitation center in Israel. SUBJECTS: Twenty-one patients with tetraplegia and 20 healthy persons. INTERVENTIONS: Sleep assessment by actigraphs attached to the head and the wrist. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The actigraphic movement index (MI), total sleep time (TST), sleep efficiency (SE), wake after sleep onset (WASO), sleep latency (SL), and number of awakenings (NOA). RESULTS: In the control group actigraphy showed that during sleep the hand moves more than the head but that the movements were highly correlated. In patients with tetraplegia below C(5)-C(7) the hand also moved more than the head, but in patients with tetraplegia below C(4), the head moved more (P<0.05). No significant differences were found between patients with C(5)-C(7) tetraplegia and healthy controls in the sleep indices obtained by hand movements, or between patients with C(4) tetraplegia and healthy controls in the indices obtained by head movements. Control subjects and patients showed similar subjective assessment of sleep quality. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary findings support the validity of wrist actigraphy for sleep assessment in patients with C(5)-C(7) tetraplegia, and suggest that head-mounted actigraphy is a feasible alternative for sleep assessment in patients with tetraplegia below C(4). To establish these findings, further investigations are required, with a larger number of patients and comparison with PSG.

Electromyographic signal-activated functional electrical stimulation of abdominal muscles: the effect on pulmonary function in patients with tetraplegia.

BACKGROUND: Paralysis of abdominal muscles is the main cause of respiratory dysfunctions in patients with lower cervical spinal cord lesion. Activation of the abdominal muscles using functional electrical stimulation (FES) improved respiratory function in these patients. But application of FES frequently requires a caregiver, and it may not be well synchronized with the patient's respiratory activity. OBJECTIVE: To perform preliminary examination of electromyographic (EMG)-activated FES for caregiver-independent and synchronized cough and expiration induction in tetraplegia. DESIGN: Self-controlled study. SETTING: Loewenstein Rehabilitation Center, Raanana, Israel. SUBJECTS: A total of 10 male patients with complete or almost complete tetraplegia. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Peak expiratory flow (PEF), forced vital capacity (FVC), and maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV). METHODS: The outcome measures were examined with the abdominal muscles unassisted or assisted by various methods. These included manual assistance or application of FES, activated by a caregiver, by the patient, or by EMG signals elicited from the patient's muscle. RESULTS: Manual assistance improved the mean PEF value by 36.7% (P<0.01) and the mean FVC value by 15.4% (P=0.01). FES did not significantly change most measurements, and patient-activated FES even reduced PEF (P<0.05). But following EMG-activated FES PEF and FVC values were higher than those following patient-activated FES (P<0.05 for PEF; P<0.01 for FVC), and their mean values were higher by 15.8 and 18.9%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Abdominal FES failed to improve respiratory function in this study, but applying FES to abdominal muscles by EMG from the patient's muscle may promote caregiver-free respiration and coughing in persons with cervical SCL.

[RELIPH -- REgularnoye Letcheniye I ProPHylaktika (Regular Treatment and Prevention) -- the key to improvement of situation with cardiovascular diseases in Russia: results of multicenter study. Part II].

The paper presents results of the conducted in Russia large scale study " REgularnoye Letcheniye I ProPHylaktika (Regular Treatment and Prevention) -- the key to improvement of situation with cardiovascular diseases in Russia -- RELIPH " on assessment of conformity of recommended by medical practitioners treatment of arterial hypertension (AH) and ischemic heart disease (IHD) to contemporary standards as well as compliance of patients to physician s recommendations. Local physicians/general practitioners (n=512) and patients (n=2517) with AH (isolated and combined with IHD) from 20 cities in Russia participated in the study. This publication contains data on assessment of compliance of patients to antihypertensive therapy and to recommendations of physicians concerning non-drug treatment, as well as analysis of large number of factors closely associated with compliance.

Residues of captan and folpet in strawberries and grapes.

Fresh strawberries and grapes grown in Michigan and Indiana were surveyed for residues of captan and folpet, 2 fungicides commonly used on these crops. The fungicides were reportedly applied to the crops by overhead irrigation, tractor sprayer, or aerial spraying, in amounts ranging from 0.5 to 6 lb formulation/acre for captan and from 1 to 4 lb formulation/acre for folpet. Reported dates of last application ranged from just 2 days to nearly 5 months before samples were collected. Twenty-eight strawberry samples and 24 grape samples were collected of crops field-treated with one or both of these fungicides. Samples were analyzed by previously described methodology. Captan residues were found in all strawberry samples, ranging from less than 0.01 to 1.5 ppm. Folpet was found in only one strawberry sample at 0.041 ppm. Captan residues were found in only 6 grape samples, ranging from less than 0.01 to 0.082 ppm. Folpet residues were found in 12 grape samples, ranging from less than 0.01 to 0.50 ppm. All residues were well below the current tolerances of 25 ppm for both captan and folpet in strawberries and 50 ppm for captan and 25 ppm for folpet in grapes. Residue levels of these surface-applied, nonsystemic fungicides were inconsistent with amounts and dates of application, most likely because of variations in weather conditions, especially rainfall. Residues were quite stable in frozen sample homogenates, declining only 5-10% after 2 months.

[Pathology of microhemocirculatory vessels in congenital heart defects with left-to-right shunt]. / Patologiia sosudov mikrogemotsirkuliatsii pri vrozhdennykh porokakh serdtsa so sbrosom krovi sleva napravo.

Pathology of microcirculatory vessels of greater omentum and bulbar conjunctiva in children with congenital heart disease presenting with a left-to-right shunt was studied by biomicroscopic and morphologic methods. It has been shown that in this disorder of central hemodynamics the progressive reduction of true capillaries arises both in bulbar conjunctiva, and especially in the omentum. The authors believe that such deficit of tissue blood supply leads to reduction of density in terminal vascular networks and to the simplification of the construction of microcirculatory, in which the number of main microvessels (capillaries) increases, thus combining directly arterioles and venules, resulting in blood flow centralization and decrease of the efficiency of microcirculation.