Adaptive Polarization-Difference Imaging Algorithms for Through-the-Wall Microwave Imaging Scenarios

The preliminary results of application of Adaptive Polarization-Imaging Algorithm for Through-the-Wall Microwave Imaging problems are presented. Use of complete polarization information in the scattered field from the object together with the adaptation technique provides enhancement in detection of target movement

Using of visualization software in nuclear physics teaching

Some results of visualization software using in practice of nuclear physics courses teaching are presentedПредставлены результаты использования программного обеспечения для визуализации процессов прохождения излучения через вещество в образовательных курсах, связанных с ядерной физико

Adaptive Polarization Contrast Techniques for Through-Wall Microwave Imaging Applications

In this paper, we describe and utilize polarization contrast techniques of the adaptive polarization difference imaging algorithm and its transient modification for through-wall microwave imaging (TWMI) applications. Originally developed for optical imaging and sensing of polarization information in nature, this algorithm is modified to serve for target detection purposes in a through-wall environment. The proposed techniques exploit the polarization statistics of the observed scene for the detection and identification of changes within the scene and are not only capable of mitigating and substantially removing the wall effects but also useful in detecting motion, when conventional Doppler techniques are not applicable. Applications of the techniques to several TWMI scenarios including both homogeneous and periodic wall cases are presented

Display of polarization information by coherently moving dots

It is known that human eyes are effectively polarization-blind. Therefore, in order to display the polarization information in an image, one may require exhibiting such information using other visual cues that are compatible with the human visual system and can be easily detectable by a human observer. Here, we present a technique for displaying polarization information in an image using coherently moving dots that are superimposed on the image. Our examples show that this technique would allow the image segments with polarization signals to pop out easily, which will lead to better target feature detection and visibility enhancement

Deletion of the glucocorticoid receptor chaperone FKBP51 prevents glucocorticoid-induced skin atrophy

FKBP51 (FK506-binding protein 51) is a known co-chaperone and regulator of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), which usually attenuates its activity. FKBP51 is one of the major GR target genes in skin, but its role in clinical effects of glucocorticoids is not known. Here, we used FKBP51 knockout (KO) mice to determine FKBP51's role in the major adverse effect of topical glucocorticoids, skin atrophy. Unexpectedly, we found that all skin compartments (epidermis, dermis, dermal adipose and CD34+ stem cells) in FKBP51 KO animals were much more resistant to glucocorticoid-induced hypoplasia. Furthermore, despite the absence of inhibitory FKBP51, the basal level of expression and glucocorticoid activation of GR target genes were not increased in FKBP51 KO skin or CRISPR/Cas9-edited FKBP51 KO HaCaT human keratinocytes. FKBP51 is known to negatively regulate Akt and mTOR. We found a significant increase in AktSer473 and mTORSer2448 phosphorylation and downstream pro-growth signaling in FKBP51-deficient keratinocytes in vivo and in vitro. As Akt/mTOR-GR crosstalk is usually negative in skin, our results suggest that Akt/mTOR activation could be responsible for the lack of increased GR function and resistance of FKBP51 KO mice to the steroid-induced skin atrophy

Возможности применения трехмерной визуализации для дифференциальной диагностики опухолевидных образований надпочечников

Authors show that three-dimensional visualization significantly simplifies the differential diagnosis of suprarenal tumors and allows carrying out comprehensive planning of laparoscopic adrenalectomy even in patients with huge suprarenal tumors.

Оценка эффективности и безопасности комбинированной ингаляционной терапии у больных бронхиальной астмой

The aim was to study efficacy and safety of combined drug fomroterol/budesonide (Simbicort Turbuhaler) in various doses in bronchial asthma patients.Fifteen patients (7 females and 8 males) with controlled exacerbation of moderate atopic asthma aged 43 to 66 (51.1 in average) were observed. The first 2 weeks the patients used short-acting β2-agonists if needed. Then they received Simbicort Turbuhaler 2 inhaled doses twice a day for 4 weeks and 1 inhaled dose twice a day for the following 8 weeks. Clinical sighs, quality of life (the AQLAQ questionnaire), lung function parameters (peakflowmetry, FEV1) were assessed during the treatment period. Hydrogen peroxide (H202) concentration at the exhaled breath condensate was measured spectrophotometrically to evaluate the airway inflammation activity. The plasma cortizol concentration was determined with an immunoenzyme assay.A reliable growth of the peak expiratory flow volume was noted at the 1st day of the treatment in 3 min after the inhalation of 2 doses of Simbicort Turbuhaler and kept for 12 h. During the further treatment with various doses of this drug a positive dynamics in the clinical sighs and the quality of life was noted. A significant increase in the lung function values was observed at the 14th day of the treatment. A considerable reduction in the H202 concentration at the exhaled breath condensate was found at the end of the 3rd month of the treatment which is probably due to the anti-inflammatory activity of the drug. The plasma cortizol level did not change.The data obtained show the combination formoterol/budesonide (Simbicort Turbuhaler) to demonstrate a rapid action. It can be used to achieve and maintain an individual control for moderate asthma. The positive effect was distinctly reached to the end of the 3rd month of the treatment that confirms the need of long-term application of the combined drugs. Therapeutic doses of Simbicort Turbuhaler were well-tolerated and did not give adverse effects.Целью работы было изучение эффективности и безопасности различных доз фиксированной комбинации формотерол/будесонид (симбикорт турбухалер) у больных бронхиальной астмой (БА).Под наблюдением находилось 15 пациентов (7 женщин и 8 мужчин) с атопической БА средней тяжести в возрасте от 43 до 66 лет (средний возраст 51,5 года) в фазу затихающего обострения. В течение первых 2 нед больные использовали (β2-адреномиметики короткого действия в режиме "по требованию". Последующие 4 нед им назначался симбикорт турбухалер в дозе 2 ингаляции 2 раза в день, а затем в течение 8 нед по 1 ингаляции 2 раза в день. В процессе лечения оценивали динамику клинических симптомов, качества жизни (опросник AQLQ) и показателей бронхиальной проходимости (пикфлоуметрия, ОФВ1. Для исследования активности воспаления дыхательных путей спектрофотометрическим методом определяли концентрацию пероксида водорода (Н202) в конденсате выдыхаемого воздуха (КВВ). Концентрация кортизола в плазме крови определялась иммуноферментным методом.После ингаляции 2 доз симбикорта турбухалера в 1-й день приема достоверный прирост пиковой объемной скорости выдоха отмечался уже через 3 мин и сохранялся в течение 12 ч. В процессе последующего лечения различными дозами этого препарата у пациентов отмечалась положительная динамика клинических симптомов и качества жизни. Достоверный прирост показателей бронхиальной проходимости наблюдался на 14-й день лечения. Отмечалось достоверное снижение концентрации Н202 в КВВ к концу 3-го месяца лечения, что, вероятно, отражает противовоспалительную активность препарата. Не выявлено существенных изменений уровня кортизола в крови.Полученные данные свидетельствуют о том, комбинация формотерол/будесонид (симбикорт турбухалер) обладает быстрым действием. Она может быть использована у больных для достижения и поддержания индивидуального контроля за течением астмы средней степени тяжести. Положительный эффект отчетливо представлен к концу 3-го месяца лечения, что свидетельствует о необходимости длительного применения комбинированных средств. Терапевтические дозы симбикорта турбухалера хорошо переносятся больными и не вызывают развитие у них побочных эффектов

The perspectives of metabolomics studies of potato plants

According to FAO (Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nation), potato is the fourth crop in terms of food production after rice, wheat and maize, and the first among the tubers and roots. The importance of potato is difficult to overestimate; it is a valuable source of carbohydrates, antioxidants and vitamins. A huge number of investigations are focused on the study of metabolic processes occurring in the potato plant in order to elucidate the mechanisms responsible for productivity and accumulation of compounds that determine taste and nutritional quality, keeping quality of tubers, plant resistance, etc. The sum of metabolites, which is produced as a result of metabolic network activity, is defined as metabolome. Complex studies of metabolic diversity with the use of modern state-of-the-art chromatography approaches and highly precise detection of individual compounds revealed specificity of metabolic spectra from subcellular to organism levels and its amazing plasticity under the influence of a variety of internal and external stimuli. Metabolomic approaches are already in use for phenotyping available species, lines and varieties as well as for evaluation of potato plant resistance to environmental challenges and for detection of changes in tubers during storage. Metabolome profiling is widely employed to study differences between genetically modified forms of potatoes from untransformed relatives. A limited number of systemic studies on potatoes combines metabolome investigation with genome, transcriptome and proteome analysis and suggests an important role of the genome in the determination of metabolic rates. It is obvious that the search for biochemical markers depends on standartization of cultivation techniques, sample preparation and subsequent analysis similar to what has been developed for progress in genomic and transcriptomic studies. In the future, potato metabolome studies might complete classical and molecular approaches to develop new lines and varieties

Комбинированная двухуровневая спинально-эпидуральная анестезия с фиксацией эпидурального катетера в подкожном канале с использованием модифицированной спинномозговой иглы

Aim of study To develop a new safe and reliable method of fixing an epidural catheter (EC), to study and compare the results of this method of fixing EC in the subcutaneous canal using a modified spinal needle (MSN) and an adhesive tape with a standard method of fixing an EC using only an adhesive tape when performing the combined double-segment spinal-epidural anesthesia (CDSEA) in the surgical treatment of fractures of the bones of the lower limb.Material and methods A comparative study of two methods of EC fixation was carried out in patients undergoing CDSEA during the surgical treatment of fractures of the bones of the lower limb. The patients were divided into two groups. The Group 1 (comparison, n=65), where EC was fixed at the site of epidural access with adhesive tape and the Group 2 (study, n=65), where EC was fixed in the subcutaneous canal using MSN and adhesive tape at the site of EC exit on the skin.Results In the study group, where EC was fixed in the subcutaneous canal using MSN and adhesive tape at the site of EC exit to the skin, there were 32.3% fewer cases with clinically significant dislocation (more than 15 to 30 mm) than in the comparison group, where EC was fixed at the site of epidural access only with adhesive tape.Conclusions A used spinal needle in a modified version can be used to perform EC in the subcutaneous canal. The dimensions of the MSN allow tunneling of the EC less traumatic and at a great distance from the site of the epidural access, which provides more reliable fixation of the EC, the number of cases with clinically significant + dislocation decreases, this allows for a longer and better postoperative epidural analgesia. This method does not solve all the problems of EC fixation; it is required to develop new methods of EC fixation, including fixation in the subcutaneous canal.ЦЕЛЬ Разработать новый безопасный и надежный способ фиксации эпидурального катетера (ЭК), изучить и сравнить результаты данного способа фиксации ЭК в подкожном канале с использованием модифицированной спинномозговой иглы (МСИ) и лейкопластырной наклейки со стандартным способом фиксации ЭК с использованием только лейкопластырной наклейки при проведении комбинированной двухуровневой спинально-эпидуральной анестезии (КДСЭА) при оперативном лечении переломов костей нижней конечности.МАТЕРИАЛ И МЕТОДЫ Было проведено сравнительное исследование двух способов фиксации ЭК у пациентов при проведении КДСЭА при оперативном лечении переломов костей нижней конечности. Пациенты были разделены на две группы: 1-я группа — сравнения, n=65, где ЭК фиксировали в месте эпидурального доступа лейкопластырной наклейкой; 2-я группа — исследования, n=65, где ЭК фиксировали в подкожном канале с использованием МСИ и лейкопластырной наклейки в месте выхода ЭК на кожу.РЕЗУЛЬТАТ В группе исследования, где ЭК фиксировали в подкожном канале с использованием МСИ и лейкопластырной наклейки в месте выхода ЭК на кожу, случаев с клинически значимой дислокации (от 15 до 30 мм) было на 32,3% меньше, чем в группе сравнения, где ЭК фиксировали в месте эпидурального доступа только лейкопластырной наклейкой.ВЫВОДЫ Использованную спинномозговую иглу в модифицированном варианте можно применить для проведения эпидурального катетера в подкожном канале. Размеры модифицированной спинномозговая иглы позволяют провести туннелирование эпидурального катетера менее травматично и на большое расстояние от места эпидурального доступа, что обеспечивает более надежную фиксацию эпидурального катетера, уменьшается количество случаев с клинически значимой наружной дислокацией, а это позволяет проводить более длительную и качественную послеоперационную эпидуральную анастезию. Данный способ не решает всех проблем фиксации эпидурального катетера, поэтому требуется разрабатывать новые способы его фиксации, в том числе и в подкожном канале

Metabolic Profiling of Transgenic Tobacco Plants Synthesizing Bovine Interferon-Gamma

Interferon-gamma belongs to a large family of cytokines – multifunctional secreted proteins involved in animal non-specific immune response. Previously inbred lines of Nicotiana tabacum L. plants harboring a heterologous gene of bovine interferon-gamma Bt-sIFNG under the control of a constitutive 35S CaMV promoter have been created by Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation. The antiviral and immunomodulatory activities of plant-produced interferon-gamma in bovine cell culture and laboratory animals (mice) were observed. A state-of-the-art GS-MS technique has been used to identify the possible effect of the transformation on the plant’s metabolome. Total profiles included 350 metabolites from leaves, among which 150 substances were identified up to their class and 80 up to the exact metabolite. Metabolite profiling revealed that plants able to synthesize interferon-gamma are characterized by a higher level of amino acids and other substances involved in nitrogen metabolism. In transgenic plants intensification of the secondary metabolism was also detected. Some alterations were distinguished in plant metabolome depending on cultivation conditions