Evaluation of approaches to increase the effectiveness of various disinfectants against biofilm communities of different ages

Disinfectants are used as the main agents against microorganisms circulating on the surfaces of food enterprises. However, the adaptive ability of microorganisms to form biofilms complicates the process of surface cleaning and reduces the effectiveness of disinfectants. Modern disinfectants act against freely circulating microflora, but it is known that they are not always effective against biofilms. The purpose of this study was to investigate effective disinfectant compositions with bactericidal effect on binary bacterial biofilms of different ages. The article describes the effects of disinfectants based on chlorine, peracetic acid and quaternary ammonium compounds with enzymes in concentrations recommended by the manufacturer and increased several times on Salmonella 38, Brochothrix thermosphacta 2726 and Staphylococcus equorum 2736 planktonic cultures and binary biofilms. Binary biofilms of different ages (2 and 9 days old) were exposed to disinfectants with various active ingredients in combination with adjuvants, i. e. hydrogen peroxide 6% and various concentrations of isopropyl alcohol (30%). All products in concentrations recommended by the manufacturer did not have a disinfectant effect against the studied biofilm cultures. As a result of the work, it was found that the most effective disinfectants against multispecies biofilms were quaternary ammonium compounds in combination with enzymes and chlorine in combination with isopropyl alcohol (30%). The results obtained allow to expand knowledge about effective methods for controlling biofilms.Disinfectants are used as the main agents against microorganisms circulating on the surfaces of food enterprises. However, the adaptive ability of microorganisms to form biofilms complicates the process of surface cleaning and reduces the effectiveness of disinfectants. Modern disinfectants act against freely circulating microflora, but it is known that they are not always effective against biofilms. The purpose of this study was to investigate effective disinfectant compositions with bactericidal effect on binary bacterial biofilms of different ages. The article describes the effects of disinfectants based on chlorine, peracetic acid and quaternary ammonium compounds with enzymes in concentrations recommended by the manufacturer and increased several times on Salmonella 38, Brochothrix thermosphacta 2726 and Staphylococcus equorum 2736 planktonic cultures and binary biofilms. Binary biofilms of different ages (2 and 9 days old) were exposed to disinfectants with various active ingredients in combination with adjuvants, i. e. hydrogen peroxide 6% and various concentrations of isopropyl alcohol (30%). All products in concentrations recommended by the manufacturer did not have a disinfectant effect against the studied biofilm cultures. As a result of the work, it was found that the most effective disinfectants against multispecies biofilms were quaternary ammonium compounds in combination with enzymes and chlorine in combination with isopropyl alcohol (30%). The results obtained allow to expand knowledge about effective methods for controlling biofilms

Anemia of chronic diseases in patients with dilated and ischemic cardiomyopathy

Aim. To estimate the effect of anemia of chronic diseases on the processes of cardiovascular system remodeling in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and ischemic cardiomyopathy. Methods. The study included 27 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy with anemia, 19 with dilated cardiomyopathy without anemia, 11 with ischemic cardiomyopathy with anemia, 34 with ischemic cardiomyopathy without anemia, and 30 healthy individuals. In these comparison groups, peripheral blood, mean corpuscular hemoglobin and mean cell hemoglobin concentration, reticulocytes, serum iron and ferritin were examined. Electrocardiography, echocardiography, scintigraphy and coronary angiography were performed. Results. In all groups identical signs of chronic heart failure class 3 and 4 were found to be predominant, which was confirmed by a significant decrease of blood pressure, stroke volume, ejection fraction, increase of end systolic and diastolic volumes and sizes, as well as left and right atrial size. Patients with dilated and ischemic cardiomyopathy with anemia had decreased hemoglobin, number of erythrocytes and platelets, positive correlation between hemoglobin and serum iron (r=0.49, p=0.000), red blood cells and ferritin (r=0.61, p=0.000), negative correlation between hemoglobin and ferritin (r=-0.51, p=0.02). In ischemic cardiomyopathy with anemia positive correlation was found between hemoglobin and serum iron (r=0.54, p=0.000), erythrocytes and ferritin (r=0.49, p=0.03), negative correlation - between hemoglobin and ferritin (r=0.54, p=0.03). Conclusion. In patients with dilated and ischemic cardiomyopathy no significant effect of anemia of chronic diseases on heart remodeling processes was revealed

Social Network-Based Digital Stroke Prevention: Opportunities, Results and Prospects

Aim. To study the possibilities and limitations of the social network as a digital medical tool, which is aimed at improving programs for primary and secondary stroke prevention in young people.Material and methods. The study was carried out in the format of online training for volunteers. At the first stage of the work, the online school “Stroke in Young People” was announced in 8 medical blogs. As part of the school, a special account was created for readers (n=1354). At the second stage, 49 respondents (4% of men, whose average age was 24.4±5.2 years) were selected from 1354 listeners, who were surveyed on “Awareness of risk factors and stroke symptoms among users of social networks” before and after the online school.Results. The online school audience is predominantly female (91%), and 43% of readers were in the 25-34 age group. The total number of people who listened to and read the online school material is 8712 people. 17% worked in the healthcare system, and 22% of respondents had a history of stroke. 38 (78%) people of the 2nd stage among the respondents independently searched for information about stroke earlier, and 30 (61%) received this information passively from medical workers in 2020. Before the online school start, the majority of respondents (over 60%) were aware of 2 out of 7 stroke risk factors (dyslipidemia and arterial hypertension) and 3 out of 6 stroke signs (drooping of the face half, weakness in the limbs and difficulty speaking). Less than 40% of the participants considered the stroke risk factors for diabetes mellitus, other cardiovascular diseases (CVD), obesity, and alcohol use; less than 20% were aware of stroke symptoms such as impaired vision and coordination and very severe headache. After completing online learning, the greatest increase in knowledge was found among the following risk factors – smoking and other CVDs (p<0.05); stroke symptoms - headache and drooping of the face half (p<0.05).Conclusion. The online school aroused interest among healthcare workers and people without medical education, including those with stroke. Most of the respondents believed that they knew how to prevent a stroke (over 80%) and would be able to provide first aid to a person with a stroke (over 90%). At the same time, the awareness of risk factors and stroke symptoms was low prior to the start of learning, even though the study included healthcare workers and stroke survivors. Online learning has led to increased awareness of some risk factors and stroke symptoms. Social media can be one of the tools for medical prevention of stroke in young people, but program planning should take into account the way the material is presented and its readability

Computational Modeling of Silicate Glasses: A Quantitative Structure-Property Relationship Perspective

This article reviews the present state of Quantitative Structure-Property Relationships (QSPR) in glass design and gives an outlook into future developments. First an overview is given of the statistical methodology, with particular emphasis to the integration of QSPR with molecular dynamics simulations to derive informative structural descriptors. Then, the potentiality of this approach as a tool for interpretative and predictive purposes is highlighted by a number of recent inspiring applications

Гидродинамика теплоносителя в активной зоне реактора PWR с ТВС-Квадрат разных конструкций

. The paper presents the results of experimental studies of the hydrodynamics of the coolant in the core of the PWR reactor with fuel assemblies “TVS-Kvadrat” of various designs. Experimental studies of hydrodynamics consisted in studying the velocity fields and the process of cross-flow of coolant between adjacent fuel assemblies “TVS-Kvadrat” of various designs in homogeneous and mixed cores on large-scale experimental models, including fragments of two adjacent fuel assemblies “TVS-Kvadrat” and a gap between them. The test models differ in the number of installed grids, this is due to the fact that in a homogeneous core the hydraulic load along the height of the fuel assemblies is identical, and in a mixed core the hydraulic load is uneven due to the different number of installed grids. The hydrodynamics of the coolant has been studied on an aerodynamic open-loop based on the theory of hydrodynamic similarity, using individually calibrated pneumometric sensors. Based on the data obtained, the fields of local axial and transverse velocities in various sections along the length of the studied section of the test models have been constructed. The fields of local dimensionless transverse and axial flow velocities in the fuel bundles and the gap between the fuel assemblies “TVS-Kvadrat” of the PWR reactor core have been studied. Peculiarities of the process of transverse flow between adjacent “TVS-Kvadrat” of a homogeneous and the mixed core of the PWR reactor have been revealed. The results of experimental studies have been transferred to the developer of “TVS-Kvadrat”, that is  JSC “Experimental Design Bureau of Mechanical Engineering named after I. I. Afrikantov”,  for further use in justifying the design and operating modes of a nuclear power plant.  В статье приведены результаты экспериментальных исследований гидродинамики теплоносителя в активной зоне реактора PWR c ТВС-Квадрат разных конструкций. Экспериментальные исследования гидродинамики заключались в изучении полей скоростей и процесса поперечного перетекания теплоносителя между соседними ТВС-Квадрат разных конструкций в однородной и смешанной активных зонах на масштабных экспериментальных моделях, включающих в себя фрагменты двух соседних ТВС-Квадрат и зазор между ними. Экспериментальные модели отличаются количеством установленных решеток. Это обусловлено тем, что в однородной активной зоне гидравлическая нагрузка по высоте ТВС идентична, а в смешанной – неравномерна из-за разного количества установленных решеток. Гидродинамика теплоносителя изучалась на аэродинамическом исследовательском стенде с учетом теории гидродинамического подобия с использованием пневмометрических датчиков с индивидуальной тарировкой. На основании полученных данных построены поля локальных осевых и поперечных скоростей в различных сечениях по длине исследуемого участка экспериментальных моделей. Изучены поля локальных безразмерных поперечных и аксиальных скоростей потока в твэльных пучках и зазоре между ТВС-Квадрат активной зоны реактора PWR. Выявлены особенности процесса поперечного перетекания потока между соседними ТВС-Квадрат однородной и смешанной активной зон реактора PWR. Результаты экспериментальных исследований переданы разработчику ТВС-Квадрат АО «ОКБМ Африкантов» для дальнейшего использования при обосновании конструкции и режимов работы ядерной энергетической установки

Risk factors for outcomes of COVID-19 patients: an observational study of 795 572 patients in Russia

Abstract Background Several factors that could affect survival and clinical outcomes of COVID-19 patients require larger studies and closer attention. Objective To investigate the impact of factors including whether COVID-19 was clinically or laboratory-diagnosed, influenza vaccination, former or current tuberculosis, HIV, and other comorbidities on the hospitalized patients’ outcomes. Design Observational nationwide cohort study. Patients All subjects, regardless of age, admitted to 4,251 Russian hospitals indexed in the Federal Register of COVID-19 patients between March 26, 2020, and June 3, 2020. All included patients for which complete clinical data were available were divided into two cohorts, with laboratory- and clinically verified COVID-19. Measurements We analyzed patients’ age and sex, COVID-19 ICD-10 code, the length of the hospital stay, and whether they required ICU treatment or invasive mechanical ventilation. The other variables for analysis were: verified diagnosis of pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease, diseases of the endocrine system, cancer/malignancy, HIV, tuberculosis, and the data on influenza vaccination in the previous six months. Results This study enrolled 705,572 COVID-19 patients aged from 0 to 121 years, 50.4% females. 164,195 patients were excluded due to no confirmed COVID-19 (n=143,357) or insufficient and invalid clinical data (n=20,831). 541,377 participants were included in the study, 413,950 (76.5%) of them had laboratory-verified COVID-19, and 127,427 patients (23.5%) with the clinical verification. Influenza vaccination reduced the risk of transfer to the ICU (OR 0.76), mechanical ventilation requirement (OR 0.74), and the risk of death (HR 0.77). TB increased the mortality risk (HR 1.74) but reduced the likelihood of transfer to the ICU (OR 0.27). HIV comorbidity significantly increased the risks of transfer to the ICU (OR 2.46) and death (HR 1.60). Patients with the clinically verified COVID-19 had a shorter duration of hospital stay (HR 1.45) but a higher risk of mortality (HR 1.08) and the likelihood of being ventilated (OR 1.36). According to the previously published data, age, male sex, endocrine disorders, and cardiovascular diseases increased the length of hospital stay, the risk of death, and transfer to the ICU. Limitations The study did not include a control group of subjects with no COVID-19. Because of that, some of the identified factors could not be specific for COVID-19. Conclusions Influenza vaccination could reduce the severity of the hospitalized patients’ clinical outcomes, including mortality, regardless of age, social, and economic group. The other factors considered in the study did not reduce the assessed risks, but we observed several non-trivial associations that may optimize the management of COVID-19 patients

Patriotism and the Spanish territorial crisis in the discourse of Podemos

This article aims to study, in an integrated way, how the Spanish party Podemos deals with the concepts of patriotism and nationalism in the sphere of the political discourse. The study examines what place in terms of cognitive linguistics the concepts of “homeland”, “patriotism”, “patriot”, “State”, “national flag” occupy in the rhetoric of the present political institution. The analysis reveals how the party has dealt with the problem of the Catalan independence movement applying the discursive theory and highlights the weaknesses of the Podemos communication strategy in this regard. The study is conducted on the basis of remarks made by the leaders of Podemos in Parliament, articles of relevance, as well as tweets issued by party spokesmen from 2014 to the beginning of 2018. The research methodology includes the discursive approach, the method of content analysis, the analysis of frames.The investigation comes to the conclusion that Podemos develops a unique interpretation of the phenomenon “patriotism” in the Spanish social and cultural context. Podemos has been the first to connect the concept of “patriotism” with the possibility that citizens can take advantage of civil liberties and public service of their country

Communicative failures of the political discourse of the spanish party Podemos

The article considers the effectiveness of the Spanish party Podemos discourse from the standpoint of cognitive science and pragmalinguistics. It argues that inconsistency in the development of discourse as well as communicative failures tend to play a significant role in promoting or degrading political communication and, as a result, affect the dynamics of electoral support.Given the thesis of linguo-pragmatists that the source of communicative failure can be both the communicant himself and the circumstances of the communicative act, the author carries out a discourse analysis of the rhetoric of the Podemos leaders in a chronological framework - 2014-2019, focusing not only on the evolution of pragmalinguistic practices, but also on the pragmatic context of communicative events.Having ascertained the high media dependence of the Podemos discourse and its performative nature, it has been revealed that the repeated nature of “performative misfires” or communicative failures leads to disruption of the discourse sequence, a decrease in its effectiveness, and even erosion of the communicator’s discursive identity.It seems that if the aggressive communication tactics of “media scandals” are likely to bring politicians popularity at the starting stage, then voters subsequently expect logic and consistency from their representatives, and the discontinuity and incomprehensible change of the discursive framework for the audience may lead to uncontrolled consequences for the addresser. It is recorded that the decline in Podemos’s electoral support in the general and municipal elections in Spain in 2019 may refer to large media scandals around the party’s activities, which have been triggered by violations of discursive logic

DO FATS OR CARBOHYDRATES SHORTEN OUR LIVES? WHAT DOES THE PURE STUDY REVEAL?

Healthy nutrition decreases the risk of cardiovascular disorders (CVD). Optimal content of fatty acids is an important point in clinical guidelines. However, during more than a half century of observation, the influence of fatty acids on CVD development is still debated. Recent decades, there has been a range of ecological studies conducted, on the relation of macronutrients (proteins, fats, carbohydrates) and CVD. In 2017, at the annual Congress of Cardiological society, results of PURE study (Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiological Study) were reported. The article as focused on analysis of the PURE and explores reasons for the results as these were reported