Gamma radiation exposure of MCT diode arrays

Investigations of electrical properties of long-wavelength infrared (LWIR) mercury cadmium telluride (MCT) arrays exposed to gamma-radiation have been performed. Resistance-area product characteristics of LWIR n{+}-p photodiodes have been investigated using microprobe technique at T=78 K before and after an exposure to various doses of gamma-radiation. The current transport mechanisms for those structures are described within the framework of the balance equation model taking into account the occupation of the trap states in the band gap.Comment: 11 pages, 4 figures, submitted to Semiconductor Science and Technolog

EFFICIENCY OF TRIPLE (METHOTREXATE + SULFASALAZINE + HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE) COMBINATION DISEASE-MODIFYING THERAPY VERSUS METOTREXATE MONOTHERAPY IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Objective: to compare the efficiency and tolerability of combination disease-modifying therapy with methotrexate (MT), sulfasalazine (SS), and hydroxychloroquine (HC) with that of MT monotherapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Subjects and methods. Sixty patients with RA, who had received no disease-modifying anti-inflammatory drugs, were enrolled in a 24-month open-label study. The patients were randomized into two groups at a 1:1 ratio. Group 1 received combination therapy with MT (its starting dose was 7.5 mg weekly), SS (2.0 g/day), and HC (200 mg/day); Group 2 had MT therapy. If there was no remission, the dose of MT was gradually increased from 7.5 to 17.5 mg weekly. The basic efficiency rate was a 50% improvement according to the American College of Rheumatologists criteria (ACR 50), which persisted at 9 months of therapy to the end of the study in the absence of adverse reactions (AR) requiring the therapy in question to be discontinued. Results. At 24 months of therapy, the effect corresponding to ACR 50 was observed in 16 (59.3%) of the 27 patients in Group 1 and in 11 (40.7%) of the 27 patients in Group 2 (p = 0.174). This effect persisted at 9 to 24 months in 9 (33.3%) patients in Group 1 and in 2 (7.4%) in Group 2 (p = 0.039). These patients had no AR that required treatment correction. By the end of the study, remission (DAS < 1.6) was seen in 6 (22.2%) patients in Group 1 and in 2 (7.4%) in Group 2 (p = 0.259). The groups showed no significant differences in the progression of X-ray signs of joint destruction. The assessment using the Sharp method indicated that the median erosion scores increased by a point in Groups 1 and 2; the median joint-space narrowing score rose by 8 and 7 points and the median total score increased by 10 and 6.5 points, respectively. There was a functional improvement in both groups. The median HAQ dropped from 1.5 to 0.5 scores in Group 1 and from 2.0 to 0.75 scores in Group 2. The tolerability of combination therapy and MT therapy did not differ greatly. Only 4 (13.3%) patients in Group 1 and 7 (23.3%) were withdrawn from the study because of AR. Conclusions. Combination disease-modifying therapy with MT, SS, and HC is more effective than MT monotherapy. Tolerability was comparable for both treatments

Early diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis: assessment the criteria for axial spondyloarthritis, proposedby the International Working Group of the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis Society (ASAS)

Objective: To test the significance of new criteria for axial spondyloarthritis (axSPA) in the early stages of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and spondyloarthropathies (SPA) and that of changed ASAS criteria for inflammatory back pain. Subjects and methods. The study enrolled patients aged 16 to 49 years who were consecutive visitors to the Research Institute of Rheumatology, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, in 2006-2008 for chronic (a history of at least 3 months, but not more than 3 years) low back (LB) and/or thoracic portion (TP) pains without significant X-ray signs of sacroiliitis. In addition of pelvis X-ray study, goal-seeking collection of history data, and examination, sacroiliac joint (SJ) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (1,5 Tesla, Magnetom Symphony (Siemens)) was performed and HLA-B27 and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were determined in all the patients. X-ray and MRI of vertebral portions with pains being observed were, if needed, carried out. The diagnosis of axSPA was established in the detection of inflammatory LB and/or TP pains that met the criteria described by A. Calin et al., in the presence of MRI signs of sacroiliitis and/or spondylitis with no evidence for another interpretation of back pain. Pelvis X-ray films were assessed by two rheumatologists; MRI scans were estimated by a rheumatologist and a radiodiagnostician. The MRI diagnosis of sacroiliitis was made if there was one T2-FS medullary edema (ME) area (on at least two consecutive slices) or two areas or more (on at least one slice) in the SJ subchondral or periarticular regions. The MRI diagnosis of spondylitis was established if there was one T2-FS ME area (on at least two consecutive slices) or more (on at least one slice) in the vertebral bodies or posterior vertebral structures. The ESSG criteria or the criteria proposed by B. Amor et al. were used for the diagnosis of undifferentiated SA. Results. Early axSPA was diagnosed in 39 patients (a study group). A control group consisted of other 39 patients with chronic LB and/or TP pain without MRI signs of sacroiliitis and spondylitis. The patients' median age in these groups was 25 and 23 years; the median duration of back pain was 12 and 20 months; HLA-B27 was detected in 94,9 and 43,6% of the patients, respectively. The sensitivity of the first variant of the ASAS criteria was 84,6% and its specificity was 100%. These of the second variant of the ASAS criteria were 94,9 and 84,7%, respectively. With the consecutive use of the first variant of the ASAS criteria for early SPA, then their second variant, their sensitivity was as high as 100%. LB pain only was observed in 76,9% of patients with axSPA, 20% of them having wandering pains in the buttocks. In the control patients, LB pain was also predominant (71,7%). The sensitivity and specificity of the criteria proposed by M. Rudwaleit et al. and the ASAS (J. Siper et al.) were 89,7 and 85,7%; 89,7 and 100%, respectively. There were no statistical differences in the sensitivity of individual criteria. The specificity of the ASAS criteria was significantly higher than that of the criteria described by A. Calin (p=0,0000; double Fisher's test). Conclusion. With the consecutive use of the first variant of the ASAS criteria for early SPA, then their second variant, their sensitivity was as high as 100%. It is more preferential to use the criteria described by М. Rudwaleit et al. or the 2009 new criteria by the ASAS working group. The valuable symptom of inflammatory pain is wandering buttock pain, the specificity of which in patients with early axSPA was 100%

Magnetic resonance imaging of sacroiliac joints in patients with seronegative spondyloarthritides

Objective. To study diagnostic possibilities of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of sacroiliac joints (SIJ) in pts with seronegative spondyloarthritides (SS). Material and methods. MRI and radiological examination was performed in 15 pts: 10 with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and 5 with undifferentiated SS. MRI was done with Magnetom Symphony apparatus (Siemens, Germany) with magnetic-field strength 1,5 tesla. Tl, T2 and T2-FS weighted were used. Tl-FS weighted performed in 3-4 minutes after intravenous infusion of gadolinium were additionally used in 5 pts. Inflammatory and structural (erosions, subchondral sclerosis) MRI changes of SIJ were studied. Inflammatory changes of SIJ were analyzed in subchondral bone, bone marrow, joint capsule, joint cavity, interosseous ligaments. SS activity was assessed with BASDAI. Results. Median age of pts was 24 years, median SS duration — 3 years. HLA-B27 was revealed in 13 from 15 pts. All pts had radiological signs of sacroiliitis: 13 - bilateral (12 - II or III stage and 1 — I and III stage according to Kellgren), 2 — unilateral (II stage). So radiological signs of inflammation were revealed in 28 from 30 examined SIJ. MRI signs of sacroiliitis were present in the same 28 SIJ. Subchondral edema of sacrum and/or huckle-bone was revealed in 23 SIJ of 13 pts, bone marrow edema — in 20 SIJ of 13 pts, joint cavity edema - in 21 SIJ of 14 pts, capsule edema — in 12 SIJ of 8 pts, interosseous ligaments inflammation signs — in 3 SIJ of 2 pts. Inflammatory changes of all 5 examined anatomic structures were present in 1, 4 — in 9, 3 — in 13 SIJ. In 1 SIJ inflammation was localized in capsule only. Structural changes were revealed in 22 (73%) SIJ of 14 pts. Structural MRI changes of SIJ at II radiological stage of sacroiliitis were noted in 67% and at III stage — in 83%. Combination of inflammatory and structural changes was present in 22 from 30 SIJ (73%). Frequency of such combination was similar at different radiological stages of sacroiliitis. Isolated inflammatory signs without structural changes were present in 3 SIJ of 3 pts. Gadolinium administration allowed to reveal 5 additional edema zones in SIJ region of 4 from 5 pts. Inflammatory changes of SIJ were revealed with similar frequency in presence (81%) or absence (88%) of pain in this region. Pts with high (BASDAI&gt;40) or not high (BASDAK40) general activity of the disease had about the same mean number of SIJ inflammatory changes (7,6 and 7,8 respectively). Conclusion. MRI is highly sensitive method for revealing SIJ changes in pts with SS. Inflammatory MRI changes were present in all joints with radiological changes irrespectively from radiological stage

Spine inflammatory changes in patients with ankylosing spondylitis assessed by magnetic resonance image

Objective. To develop the optimal mode of spine evaluation with magnetic resonance image (MRl) in pts with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and to study relationship between MR! signs of spinal inflammatory lesions (IL), spondylitis duration and clinical features of AS activity. Material and methods. MRl was performed in 36 pts (22 male, 14 female) fulfilling the modified NY criteria of AS. Median age of pis was 26 years (range 19 - 55), Median AS duration - 8 years (range 1,8 - 24). 34 (97%) pts were HLA-B27 positive. 21 (64%) pts had high AS activity - median BASDAI 40 (range 10 - 77). 92% of pts had inflammatory spine pain (VAS&gt;20 mm) and 61% of pts had night pain. Median inflammatory pain duration had been defined separately for every part of the spine assessed by MRl. Median duration of axial pain was 36 months (range: 1-240). MR-scanning (Magnetom Symphony, Siemens, 1.5 T) was performed inTl, T2 and T2-FS (fat signal suppression) modes. IL scoring was done only in 29 pts evaluated in both sagittal and axial planes. We used two scoring methods: 1) individual IL score of the each spine element (vertebral bodies, processes, arches, zygapophyseai, costovertebral and costotransverse joints, ligaments), and 2) separate IL scoring in the vertebral bodies and posterior spinal elements in order "yes/no”. Results. 50 MRl images of different parts of the spine (8 cervical, 30 thoracic and 12 lumbar) have been obtained in 36 pts. Spine IL were found in 35 pts. 26% of all IL were revealed in axial planes. 3 pts with short AS duration had IL only on axial slices (zygapophyseai lumbar joints, costotransverse joints, processes). IL were revealed more often in thoracic (average score: 7.1), than in lumbar (3.7) and cervical (2.1) spine. In most (26 from 29 pts, 90%) pts IL were found in painful parts of spine. There was no IL score difference between pts(n=12) with low (BASDAI &lt;40) and high (BASDAI&gt;40; n=17) AS activity. Me and range were 4 (1.8-10.3) and 6 (4-16), respectively; p=0.35. There was also no difference in percent of images with IL between pts with short (Me: 4 months, range: 1-18; n= 10) and prolonged (Me: 54 months, range: 24-180; n=16) duration of spondylitis (100% and 94% of images, respectively). However, pts with early spondylitis had significantly more IL in posterior spinal structures than in vertebral bodies (92.3% and 23.1% images, respectively; p&lt;0,001). Conclusion. Inflammatory MRl lesions are frequently observed in pts with active AS, more often in thoracic spine, and independently of spondylitis duration. Inflammatory MRl lesions in early spondylitis are revealed more often in posterior structures of spine. These results show the necessity to obtain MRl scans for early diagnosis of AS not only in sagittal but also in axial plane

Coxitis in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: clinicoradio logic comparisons

Objective. To analyze and compare clinical, radiological and ultrasonic signs of coxitis in pts with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Material and methods. 35 pts with AS and clinical signs of coxitis were included. Median age was 26 years, AS duration 9 years, coxitis duration 5 years. 17 pts with AS without clinical signs of coxitis constituted control group. Pain on visual analog scale, hip joint mobility, radiological changes and ultrasonic signs of exudation were assessed. Results. Among the pts with AS prevailed those with the beginning of the disease before 20 years of age (77%). 71% of pts had bilateral coxitis. In 40% of pts coxitis signs during the first years were inconstant. Most frequent radiological signs of coxitis were narrowing of joint space (91,9%), femoral head or/and acetabulum cysts (77,4%), femoral head osteophytes (67,7%). Femoral head deformity (8,1%), partial bone anchylosis (6,5%), marginal bone erosions (3%) acetabulum protrusion (1,6%) were rare signs. Exudation was present in 84% of damaged hip joints. Bone destruction was significantly more frequent in pts with longer duration of AS and coxitis and was associated with more prominent functional disability and higher frequency of exudation. Hip joint exudation frequency and its volume did not influence pain intensity. Radiological changes were revealed in 12 hip joints of 7 pts of control group

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN CARDIAC LESION AND OTHER CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONSOF ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS

Objective: to study associations between the lesion of the heart and aorta and other clinical manifestations and the characteristics of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Subjects and methods. Three hundred and forty-four patients under 60 years of age with a valid diagnosis of AS without concomitant heart disease, followed up at the Research Institute of Rheumatology, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, in 2005-2008, were examined. Of them, 64 (18.6%) patients had at least one attack of uveitis during the disease; 280 had never uveitis. During the disease, peripheral arthritis occurred in 160 (46.5%) patients; 184 (53.5%) had axial AS. All the patients underwent ECG; 101 had EchoCG (27 with uveitis and 74 without uveitis, 63 with arthritis and 38 without arthritis). Results. Forty-four patients were found to have cardiac conduction disturbances (atrioventricular or left bundle-branch block); of them 14 (31.8%) and 30 (68%) had uveitis and peripheral arthritis, respectively. Out of the 300 individuals without conduction disturbances, 50 (16.7%) and 130 (43%) had the above conditions (p = 0.01 and 0.003, respectively). Cardiac structural changes (aortic thickening/dilatation, subaortic bump, aortic and/or mitral leaflet thickening) were revealed in 45 patients; among them 21 (46.7%) and 34 (75%) had uveitis and arthritis, respectively; of the 56 patients without EchoCG changes, 6 (10.7%) and 29 (51%) had the above conditions (p = 0.0001 and 0.02, respectively). On the other hand, conduction disturbances were noted in 15 (23.4%) of the 64 patients with uveitis and in 29 (10.3%) of the 280 patients without this condition; p = 0.006; in 30 (19%) of the 160 patients with peripheral arthritis and in 14 (7.6%) of the 180 patients without arthritis; p = 0.003. Aortic and valvular changes were detected in 16 (59.2%) of the 27 patients with uveitis and in 28 (37.8%) of 74 without this condition; p = 0.04; in 36 (57%) patients with arthritis and in 9 (23%) of the 38 without arthritis; p = 0.018. There were no significant differences in the parameters of inflammatory activity between the groups. Conclusion. In patients with AS, cardiac lesion was significantly more frequently in the presence of uveitis and peripheral arthritis; uveitis and peripheral arthritis were significantly more common in patients with AS-induced cardiac changes

Heart damage in ankylosing spondylitis

Objective. To study heart damage in pts with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) by ECG and echocardiography (EchoCG). Material and methods. 344 pts with definite AS not older than 60 years without comorbid cardiac diseases examined in the Institute of rheumatology during 2005-2008 were included. ECG with 12 leads was performed in all pts and transthoracic EchoCG – in 101 pts. Results. Rhythm and conductivity disturbances were revealed in 67 from 344 (19,5%) pts: atrioventricular (a/v) heart block was present in 20 (5,8%) pts (16 had 1, 2 – 2 and 3 – 3 stage of a/v heart block). 27 (7,8%) pts had intraventricular heart block. EchoCG signs of aortal valve changes were revealed in 45 from 101 (44,5%) pts: thickness or dilatation of aorta – in 36 (35,6%), aortal valve cusps thickness – in 32 (31,7%), mitral – in 15 (14,8%). Local thickness in the form of a comb beneath aortal valve on the back wall of aorta basis at the site of its junction with basis of mitral anterior cusp – “subaortic bump” was found in 10 (10%) pts. Frequency of a/v heart block among pts with changes of aorta and cardiac valves was significantly higher than in pts without such changes. On the other hand frequency of aorta and cardiac valves changes in pts with a/v heart block was significantly higher than in pts without a/v heart block (p=0,0027) what shows relationship between conductivity disturbances and aorta and cardiac valves damage in AS. Conclusion. Cardiac pathology in AS is characterized by frequent (44,5%) damage of aorta basis and aorta-mitral junction zone in combination with thickness of aortal and mitral valves and conductivity disturbances