[Passive hearing stability in the bottle-nosed dolphin Tursiops truncatus to low frequency noise spectrum deformation].

In behavioral experiments on bottle-nosed dolphins there was evaluated efficiency of identification of the low frequency noises that represent a certain rhythmical sequence of impulses, at destabilization of their spectra by method of frequency wobble. Results of the experiments have shown that disturbance of spectra structure at erosion of its discrete components does not lead to a decrease of efficiency of the noise identification, which indicates the greater significance of the time, rather than spectral mechanisms at processing of the complex acoustic signals by the dolphin auditory system.

[Computer modeling of electrodynamic processes in SHF-based water disinfection and heating system as part of the spacecrew life support system].

To optimize the design of SHF-based potable water disinfection and heating subsystem within the life support system (LSS), computer modeling of the super-high frequency electromagnetic field in SHF-based waveguide-coaxial and coaxial running water heaters was performed Software package CST Microwave Studio 2010 was used as the main instrument in the investigation. Results of the investigation can contribute to the development and prototyping of an HSF-based water heater as an integral part of advanced life support system for spacecrews

Use of the new levodopa agent Stalevo (levodopa/carbidopa/entacapone) in the treatment of Parkinson's disease in out-patient clinical practice (the START-M open trial).

Despite the significant symptomatic effects of levodopa, stable 24-h treatment responses are in the vast majority of patients replaced 2-3 years from the start of treatment by oscillations in motor symptoms (fluctuation, dyskinesia), amelioration of which requires addition of constant (physiological) stimulation of postsynaptic dopamine receptors. To some extent this is provided by Stalevo, which contains levodopa and two enzyme inhibitors: the DDC inhibitor carbidopa and the COMT inhibitor entacapone. The results obtained in the present study demonstrated the advantages of Stalevo over traditional agents in patients with the "wearing off" and "on-off" phenomena.

[Omaron in the complex treatment of patients with multiple sclerosis].

We studied efficacy and tolerability of the combined drug omaron (25 mg of cinnarizine and 400 mg of piracetam in one tablet) in patients with multiple sclerosis. The dosage of the drug was 1 tablet 3 times a day during 12 weeks in 33 patients (mean age 35.3±4.2 years) of the index group. A comparison group consisted of 27 patients matched for demographic and clinical characteristics who did not receive nootropics during the study. None of patients included in the study received disease modifying drugs. The significant (p<0.05) decrease in the severity of chronic fatigue syndrome (by 28.6% compared to baseline), improvement (p<0.05) of cognitive functions (increase of MMSE scores by 9.4%) were found in the index group compared to the comparison one. The statistically significant changes in the severity of disability assessed by EDSS were not observed. Omaron was well-tolerated with no serious adverse-effects.

[The use of sirdalud MR in patients with multiple sclerosis].

The study included 54 patients with multiple sclerosis, aged from 23 to 53 years (mean age 37.7 +/- 8.5 years). To reduce muscle tension, 34 patients of the main group received tizanidine with the modified release of active substance (sirdalud MR) in dosage one capsule (6 mg) per day. Twenty-two patients of the comparison group received a standard form of tizanidine--sirdalud in tablets (2 mg) 3 times daily. Patients were examined at baseline, 1, 2 and 4 weeks of the treatment and 2 weeks after the end of the trial. The use of different forms of sirdalud had no effect on disability (the EDSS) scores in patients. Spasticity scores (the Ashworth scale) were decreased during the treatment with different forms of sirdalud but sirdalud MR had more stable effect which remained for 2 weeks after the end of treatment (p < 0.05). Significant differences were observed between tolerability of two forms: side-effects (sleepiness, asthenia) were more frequents in patients treated with the standard form of sirdalud (p < 0.05), the rate of their reduction was significantly higher in the sirdalud MR group (p < 0.05).

[The first use of external counterpulsation for the rehabilitation treatment of post-stroke patients].

External counterpulsation (ECP) - is a non-invasive method of treatment providing the increase of perfusion pressure in coronary and cerebral arteries during diastole and the decrease of vascular resistance during systole. Efficacy of this method in the early rehabilitation period of ischemic stroke was studied for the first-time in Russian Federation. Twenty-six patients, aged 65,9+/-8,7 years, who survived stroke 58--115 (mean 81,6+/-15,6) days ago, were examined. Patients of group 1 (n=7) received 17 sessions of ECP, patients of group 2 (n=9) -- 35 sessions, patients of group 3 -- standard basic therapy without ECP. The maximal effect estimated as the increase of power in paretic extremities by 24,3%, decrease of spasticity by 69,6% and higher Barthel index scores (by 6,9%) as well as the increase of blood flow through inner carotid arteries by 24% (p<0,05) and spine arteries by 14% (p<0,05) were found in group 2. Side-effects of the treatment were not observed.

[Results of a study of velaxin (venlafaxine) efficacy in patients with subacute and chronic spondylogenic dorsalgia].

An open comparative study of efficacy and tolerability of velaxin (venlafaxine with prolonged action), which has been prescribed in a single dosage of 75 mg daily during 8 weeks, included 47 patients with subacute and chronic spondylogenic dorsopathy (SD). Degree of pain chronisation and its intensity (The Visual Analogous Scale - VAS and the Verbal Pain Scale - VPS) and levels of daily activity restriction (the modified Pain Disability Questionnaire - PDQ), anxiety and depression were measured. The comparison group consisted of 32 patients with SD matched for clinical characteristics with the main group, who did not receive antidepressants and antiepileptics in the complex treatment of pain syndrome. Scores of VAS, VPS and PDQ in the main group were 69+/-2.9; 2.8+/-0.1 and 44.2+/-3.2 respectively, at baseline; 38.8+/-3.3 (p<0.01); 1.6+/-0.2 (p<0.01) and 26.2+/-2.5 (p<0.01) after 4 weeks and 15.8+/-2.5 (p<0.05); 0.6+/-0.1 (p<0.05) and 11.2+/-1.6 (p<0.01) to the end of treatment. To the 8th week, scores on VAS, VPS and PDQ were significantly low in the main group compared to the controls (p<0.5) and the intensity of pain was reduced by 50% in 40 (85%) patients. No serious side-effects were observed.

[The use of baclosan in the complex therapy of muscle-tonic and myofascial pain syndromes in patients with dorsopathy].

Baclosan (baclofen), a GABA analogue, has been used in the treatment of 20 patients, aged 20-56 years, with a pain syndrome in dorsopathy of lumbar spine. Baclosan has been administered in the increasing dosages (from 10 mg to 30 mg per day) for 4 weeks in conjunction with traditional therapy (symptomatic pharmacotherapy, physiotherapy, reflexotherapy etc).The control group consisted of 10 patients who received only basic therapy (without baclosan). Patient's status has been measured clinically and with several scales. The results obtained allow to conclude that baclosan exerts a positive effect in the pain syndrome caused by dorsopathy. Its inclusion to the complex therapy reduces both the pain intensity and the degree of muscle-tonic tension as well as improves the motor function and emotional state of patients.

[The use of axamon in the complex rehabilitation of patients with movement disorders in the pathology of lumbar spine].

The authors review the use of axamon in the complex rehabilitation of neurological patients with movement disorders in the pathology of lumbar spine. Axamon (ipidacrine) stimulates neuromuscular transmission and excitement conduction via nerves and smooth muscles due to the blockade of potassium channels of the excited membrane and cholinesterase inhibition. Authors studied the efficacy of complex therapy of dorsopathy of lumbar spine in 90 patients using axamon, movalis, pantogamum in different combination and manual methodics. Patient's status has been measured clinically and with several scales. The results obtained allow to conclude that the combination of axamon and pantogamum exerts the best theraupetic effect without any side symptoms.

[The study on the assessment of the new levodopa drug--stalevo (levodopa/carbidopa/entacapone), in treatment of Parkinson's disease in out-patient clinical practice (the results of the open START-M)].

Despite significant symptomatic effect of levodopa, in most patients the stable 24 hour's effect changed for alterations of movement symptoms (fluctuations, dyskinesia) after 2-3 years of the therapy. These complications may be reduced due to the constant (physiologic) stimulation of post-synaptic dopamine receptors that, to a certain degree, provides the drug stalevo, which contains levodopa and 2 enzyme inhibitors, dopa decarboxylase (carbidopa) and catechol-O-methyltransferase (entacapone). The results of the study demonstrated beneficial effects of stalevo as compared to traditional therapy in patients with "wearing off" and "on-off" phenomena.