Strong 3D correlations in vortex system of Bi2212:Pb

The experimental study of magnetic flux penetration under crossed magnetic fields in Bi2212:Pb single crystal performed by magnetooptic technique (MO) reveals remarkable field penetration pattern alteration (flux configuration change) and superconducting current anisotropy enhancement by the in-plane field. The anisotropy increases with the temperature rise up to $T_m = 54 \pm 2 K$. At $T = T_m$ an abrupt change in the flux behavior is found; the correlation between the in-plane magnetic field and the out-of-plane magnetic flux penetration disappears. No correlation is observed for $T > T_m$. The transition temperature $T_m$ does not depend on the magnetic field strength. The observed flux penetration anisotropy is considered as an evidence of a strong 3D - correlation between pancake vortices in different CuO planes at $T < T_m$. This enables understanding of a remarkable pinning observed in Bi2212:Pb at low temperatures.Comment: 8 pages, 9 figure

Inter- and intragrain currents in bulk melt-grown YBaCuO rings

A simple contactless method suitable to discern between the intergrain (circular) current, which flows in the thin superconducting ring, and the intragrain current, which does not cross the weakest link, has been proposed. At first, we show that the intergrain current may directly be estimated from the magnetic flux density $B(\pm z_0)$ measured by the Hall sensor positioned in the special points $\pm z_0$ above/below the ring center. The experimental and the numerical techniques to determine the value $z_0$ are discussed. Being very promising for characterization of a current flowing across the joints in welded YBaCuO rings (its dependencies on the temperature and the external magnetic field as well as the time dissipation), the approach has been applied to study corresponding properties of the intra- and intergrain currents flowing across the $a$-twisted grain boundaries which are frequent in bulk melt-textured YBaCuO samples. We present experimental data related to the flux penetration inside a bore of MT YBaCuO rings both in the non-magnetized, virgin state and during the field reversal. The shielding properties and their dependence on external magnetic fields are also studied. Besides, we consider the flux creep effects and their influence on the current re-distribution during a dwell.Comment: 13 pages, 16 figures (EPS), RevTeX4. In the revised version, corrections to perturbing effects near the weak links are introduced, one more figure is added. lin

Justification of the choice of the program of rehabilitation of young children with cystic fibrosis

The problem discussed in this article is medical rehabilitation of early aged children with cystic fi-brosis. The study was conducted in the Children City hospital named after Saint Olga and State Center of cystic fibrosis. Physiotherapy selection criteria, rehabilitation essiciency assessment, kinesitherapy algorithms in early aged children were suggested. It was proved that such rehabilitation programmes were effective in children with cystic fibrosis in the dynamic of one year treatment.В статье обсуждаются проблемы реабилитации детей раннего возраста с муковисцидозом. Исследование проводилось на базе СПбГБуЗ «Детская городская больница имени Святой Ольги» и Городского Центра муковисцидоза. Предложены критерии подбора средств лечебной физкультуры, оценки эффективности реабилитации, алгоритм назначения средств лечебной физкультуры у детей раннего возраста. Доказана эф фективность подобранных программ реабилитации для данных групп детей с муковисцидозом в динамике одного года лечения

Differential Roles of Environmental Enrichment in Alzheimer’s Type of Neurodegeneration and Physiological Aging

Impairment of hippocampal adult neurogenesis in aging or degenerating brain is a well-known phenomenon caused by the shortage of brain stem cell pool, alterations in the local microenvironment within the neurogenic niches, or deregulation of stem cell development. Environmental enrichment (EE) has been proposed as a potent tool to restore brain functions, to prevent aging-associated neurodegeneration, and to cure neuronal deficits seen in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. Here, we report our data on the effects of environmental enrichment on hippocampal neurogenesis in vivo and neurosphere-forming capacity of hippocampal stem/progenitor cells in vitro. Two models – Alzheimer’s type of neurodegeneration and physiological brain aging – were chosen for the comparative analysis of EE effects. We found that environmental enrichment greatly affects the expression of markers specific for stem cells, progenitor cells and differentiated neurons (Pax6, Ngn2, NeuroD1, NeuN) in the hippocampus of young adult rats or rats with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) model but less efficiently in aged animals. Application of time-lag mathematical model for the analysis of impedance traces obtained in real-time monitoring of cell proliferation in vitro revealed that EE could restore neurosphere-forming capacity of hippocampal stem/progenitor cells more efficiently in young adult animals (fourfold greater in the control group comparing to the AD model group) but not in the aged rats (no positive effect of environmental enrichment at all). In accordance with the results obtained in vivo, EE was almost ineffective in the recovery of hippocampal neurogenic reserve in vitro in aged, but not in amyloid-treated or young adult, rats. Therefore, EE-based neuroprotective strategies effective in Aβ-affected brain could not be directly extrapolated to aged brain

Awareness of cognitive decline trajectories in asymptomatic individuals at risk for AD

Background: Lack of awareness of cognitive decline (ACD) is common in late-stage Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Recent studies showed that ACD can also be reduced in the early stages. Methods: We described different trends of evolution of ACD over 3 years in a cohort of memory-complainers and their association to amyloid burden and brain metabolism. We studied the impact of ACD at baseline on cognitive scores’ evolution and the association between longitudinal changes in ACD and in cognitive score. Results: 76.8% of subjects constantly had an accurate ACD (reference class). 18.95% showed a steadily heightened ACD and were comparable to those with accurate ACD in terms of demographic characteristics and AD biomarkers. 4.25% constantly showed low ACD, had significantly higher amyloid burden than the reference class, and were mostly men. We found no overall effect of baseline ACD on cognitive scores’ evolution and no association between longitudinal changes in ACD and in cognitive scores. Conclusions: ACD begins to decrease during the preclinical phase in a group of individuals, who are of great interest and need to be further characterized. Trial registration: The present study was conducted as part of the INSIGHT-PreAD study. The identification number of INSIGHT-PreAD study (ID-RCB) is 2012-A01731-42

Low Cognitive Awareness, but Not Complaint, is a Good Marker of Preclinical Alzheimer's Disease

Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) may result from many conditions, including Alzheimer's disease (AD)

3D Morphology, Ultrastructure and Development of Ceratomyxa puntazzi Stages: First Insights into the Mechanisms of Motility and Budding in the Myxozoa

Free, amoeboid movement of organisms within media as well as substrate-dependent cellular crawling processes of cells and organisms require an actin cytoskeleton. This system is also involved in the cytokinetic processes of all eukaryotic cells. Myxozoan parasites are known for the disease they cause in economical important fishes. Usually, their pathology is related to rapid proliferation in the host. However, the sequences of their development are still poorly understood, especially with regard to pre-sporogonic proliferation mechanisms. The present work employs light microscopy (LM), electron microscopy (SEM, TEM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) in combination with specific stains (Nile Red, DAPI, Phalloidin), to study the three-dimensional morphology, motility, ultrastructure and cellular composition of Ceratomyxa puntazzi, a myxozoan inhabiting the bile of the sharpsnout seabream

Бактериальные инфекции у пациентов детского и подросткового возраста после трансплантации аллогенных гемопоэтических стволовых клеток: этиология, структура, факторы риска

155 children and adolescents who had been diagnosed oncohematological diseases and had undergone allogeneic hemapoetic stem cell transplantation were examined. In post-transplant period 80% of patients developed different bacterial complications. Main risk factors of bacterial infections were acute leukemia (73%), acute «graft versus host disease» (61%), severe infectious complications before HSCT (30%), cytomegaloviral reactivation (51%). Main causative agents were Kl. pneumoniae (15%), Escherichia coli (8%), Enterobacter sp. (7%), Pseudomonas sp. (6,5%), Enterococcus sp. (16,5%), S.еpidermidis (13,5%). Most frequent involved sites are urinary tract (30,6%), lungs (22,5%) and bacteriemia (38,7%). Rise in ciprofloxacin resistans among Entorobactri, aerobic and Gram-positive cocci. General survival rate of patients with bacterial complications was 36,3% (p&lt;0,001). Number of infectious episodes and their severity were statistically significant (both p&lt;0,001) deteriorating factor for general surviral rate.Обследовано 155 пациентов детского и подросткового возраста со злокачественными заболеваниями системы крови после трансплантации аллогенных гемопоэтических стволовых клеток (алло-ТГСК). У 80% больных на разных этапах после алло-ТГСК развились бактериальные осложнения различной степени тяжести. Основными факторами риска бактериальных инфекций были диагноз острого лейкоза (73%), развитие острой «реакции трансплантат против хозяина» (61%), тяжелые инфекционные осложнения в анамнезе до трансплантации (30%), реактивация цитомегаловирусной инфекции (51%). Основные возбудители: Kl. pneumoniae (15%), Escherichia coli (8%), Enterobacter sp. (7%), Pseudomonas sp. (6,5%), Enterococcus sp. (16,5%), S. еpidermidis (13,5%). Наиболее часто возникает поражение мочевыводящих путей (30,6%), легких (22,5%) и бактериемия (38,7%). Отмечен рост резистентности к ципрофлоксацину среди энтеробактерий, аэробной и грам-положительной кокковой флоры. Общая выживаемость больных с развившимися бактериальными осложнениями составила 36,3% (p&lt;0,001). Статистически значимо ухудшает показатели общей выживаемости больных с бактериальными инфекциями количество инфекционных эпизодов (p&lt;0,001) и их тяжесть (p&lt;0,001)

Clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy

Aim of the lecture. To present the modern concept of etiology and pathogenesis of the intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) and the modern diagnostic and treatment approaches to gastroenterologists. Summary. The etiology and pathogenesis of ICP are related to disorders of bile acid metabolism caused by hormonal factors (elevation of estrogen and progesterone levels) and genetic predisposition. The leading clinical signs of ICP include pruritus and jaundice that develop most commonly in the third trimester of pregnancy, and characteristic changes of laboratory scores: increase in bile acid level (over 10 mcmol/l) and moderate elevation of transaminase activity. Severity of ICP and complication risk for mother and fetus correlate to the degree of bile acids elevation. The most effective agent for ICP treatment is ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). Conclusion. Timely diagnostics of ICP and early UDCA administration, fetus condition control and early delivery at severe ICP cases allows to prevent development of serious complications and to achieve favorable pregnancy outcome

Features of pathogenesis, diagnostics and treatment of gallstone disease at pregnancy

The aim of review. To highlight the modern concept of the gallstone disease (GSD) pathogenesis at pregnancy and to discuss modern diagnostic and treatment approaches. Summary. The risk of biliary sludge and cholesterol gallstones at pregnancy is significantly increased that is caused mainly due to elevation of estrogen and progesterone level leading to increased cholesterol synthesis, decreased gallbladder contractility and, as a result, to increased lithogenicity of bile. Clinical presentation of GSD at pregnant patients is similar to that at nonpregnant women. Transabdominal ultrasound investigation play the major role in diagnosis of cholelithiasis at pregnancy. For treatment of symptomatic GSD forms in this the period active surgical approach is becoming more and more common. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a method of choice, and the optimal term for its implementation is the second trimester of pregnancy. Prevention and treatment of biliary sludge in pregnancy may be carried out by ursodeoxycholic acid. Conclusion. Increased risk of cholelithiasis at pregnant women requires further improvement of management approach and search for better methods for treatment and prophylaxi