Percentage expression of neutrophil activation marker in the peripheral blood of patients with dry eye disease plus type 2 diabetes

Background: Dry eye disease (DED) is a disorder of the anterior segment of the eye which is common in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). It has been reported that symptoms of DED were observed in 60-70% of patients with T2DM. Given that inflammation has a key role in the progression of both T2DM and DED, we believe it is reasonable to study the role of neutrophils in this process. Purpose: To assess the percentage expression of CD15, a neutrophil activation marker, in the peripheral blood of patients with both DED and T2DM. Material and Methods: Forty-six patients (92 eyes; mean age, 54.0 ± 8.0 years) with both DED and T2DM were included in this study. There were 19 (40%) women and 27 (60 %) men. Mean diabetes duration was 8.0 ± 6.6 years. All patients had well-compensated diabetes. In addition to a routine examination of the eye, Schirmer I test and tear film break-up time (TBUT) test, they had their corneal fluorescein staining (CFS) scored using the Oxford schema, severities of dry eye graded according to the DEWS II classification and Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) obtained. An immunohistocytochemical study was employed to assess the expression of CD15, a neutrophil activation marker, in peripheral blood cells of patients. Results: The mean percentage expression of CD15, a neutrophil activation marker, in the peripheral blood, was 46.7% for 14 patients with T2DM plus DED and punctuate keratopathy, and 28.5% for 32 patients with T2DM plus DED and intact cornea (р=0.0001). There was a mild negative correlation between the expression of CD15 and the Schirmer score (r = -0.32; р = 0.032), and between the former and the TBUT score (r = -0.34; р = 0.019)

Features of diagnostics late dementia in conditions of out-patient forensic psychiatric examination

The modern socially-demographic situation defines characteristic shift of interest of researchers aside mental frustration of late age not only in clinical, but also in forensic psychiatric. The purpose of the research: to define features of diagnostics late dementia in conditions of out-patient forensic psychiatric examination. The physicians and caregivers do not recognize disorders of cognitive functions. Occurrence psychiatric phenomenas increases probability of the reference behind the psychiatric help and detectability cognitive frustration increases.Современная социально-демографическая ситуация определяет характерный сдвиг интереса исследователей в сторону психических расстройств позднего возраста не только в клинической, но и в судебно-психиатрической практике, что актуализирует цель настоящего исследования: определить особенности диагностики поздних деменций в условиях судебно-психиатрической экспертизы. Применялись клинико-психопатологический, психометрический, статистический методы исследования. Выявлен низкий уровень распознавания когнитивных нарушений как болезненных на доэкспертном этапе как лицами из ближайшего окружения больного, так и специалистами общемедицинских профилей. Появление психотических феноменов увеличивает вероятность обращения за психиатрической помощью и возрастает выявляемость когнитивных расстройств

Comparative analysis of genetic polymorphism in <i>Rhaponticum carthamoides</i> (Asteraceae) populations by ISSR markers in the Altai Republic

Background. Rhaponticum carthamoides (Willd.) Iljin (Asteraceae) is a rare species for the Altai Republic (AR).  The purpose of this study was to characterize the genetic polymorphism of Rhaponticum carthamoides at the inter- and intrapopulation level in a comparative analysis for subsequent selection of seed samples from the genetically most heterogeneous natural populations of the AR for practical purposes.   Materials and methods. The species was studied for ISSR variability in five habitats in the AR. DNA from dried leaves of R. carthamoides was isolated using the STAB method. For testing seventeen ISSR primers were used, seven of which were selected as most informative ones.   Results and conclusion. The analysis showed that individual plants from five cenopopulations (CP) were distributed into three groups of similarity on the dendrogram. A separate clade was formed by plant samples from two CPs of the Katun Nature Reserve (KNR). Samples of one of those CPs grew on well-warmed southern slopes and exhibited a higher genetic heterogeneity than the others. The highest intrapopulation and interpopulation similarity in the distribution of DNA fragments was also found in two CPs from habitats with the smallest geographic distance from each other. Representatives of a separate population, least in size and number of individuals in the KNR, showed a high level of similarity in the distribution of DNA fragments. Significantly lower coefficients of genetic similarity with other CPs were found in plants from a small isolated CP from the Shavlinsky Protected Area. It can be assumed that one of the main reasons for the least genetic similarity of this population with others is its location in the immediate vicinity of the foothill at the pass to Achik (Ongudaysky District; absolute height: 2300 masl). This location can be a limiting factor for the exchange of genetic information with individuals from other populations

Organizational aspects of out-patient forensic psychiatric examination of persons of the senior age groups

Increase in number of judicial examinations on questions capacity defines necessity of the organisation of expert process and its rationalisation. Archival, statistical methods of research were applied. Features in structure of expenditures of labour of experts are revealed at carrying out of out-patient examinations to persons of the senior age groups.Увеличение числа судебных экспертиз по вопросам сделко- и дееспособности определяет необходимость организации экспертного процесса и его рационализацию. Применялись архивный, статистический методы исследования. Выявлены особенности в структуре трудозатрат экспертов при проведении амбулаторных экспертиз лицам старших возрастных групп

Dissolution behaviour of silicon nitride coatings for joint replacements

In this study, the dissolution rate of SiNx coatings was investigated as a function of coating composition, in comparison to a cobalt chromium molybdenum alloy (CoCrMo) reference. SiNx coatings with N/Si ratios of 0.3, 0.8 and 1.1 were investigated. Electrochemical measurements were complemented with solution (inductively coupled plasma techniques) and surface analysis (vertical scanning interferometry and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy). The dissolution rate of the SiNx coatings was evaluated to 0.2–1.4 nm/day, with a trend of lower dissolution rate with higher N/Si atomic ratio in the coating. The dissolution rates of the coatings were similar to or lower than that of CoCrMo (0.7–1.2 nm/day). The highest nitrogen containing coating showed mainly Si–N bonds in the bulk as well as at the surface and in the dissolution area. The lower nitrogen containing coatings showed Si–N and/or Si–Si bonds in the bulk and an increased formation of Si–O bonds at the surface as well as in the dissolution area. The SiNx coatings reduced the metal ion release from the substrate. The possibility to tune the dissolution rate and the ability to prevent release of metal ions encourage further studies on SiNx coatings for joint replacements

Characters of finite groups, part 2

This book places character theory and its applications to finite groups within the reach of people with a comparatively modest mathematical background. The work concentrates mostly on applications of character theory to finite groups. The main themes are degrees and kernels of irreducible characters, the class number and the number of nonlinear irreducible characters, values of irreducible characters, characterizations and generalizations of Frobenius groups, and generalizations of monomial groups. The presentation is detailed, and many proofs of known results are new