In situ synthesis, structural chemistry and vibrational spectroscopy of Zn-doped Ca5Mg4(VO4)6

The phase formation of the solid solution Ca5Mg4–xZnx(VO4)6 (0≤x≤4) was studied in situ using differential scanning calorimetry and high-temperature X-Ray powder diffraction (XRPD). XRPD analysis shows the appearance of unavoidable secondary pyrovanadate phases using conventional synthesis methods. The local structure of the solid solution was verified by vibrational spectroscopy. The analysis of the infrared and Raman spectroscopy data allows establishing the main features between vanadate garnets and their isostructural analogs among natural silicates

Trends in the epidemiology of diabetic retinopathy in Russian Federation according to the Federal Diabetes Register (2013–2016)

Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the most common causes of blindness in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) that is why its necessary to study the epidemiological characteristics of this complication. Aims: The aim of the study was to evaluate the epidemiological characteristics of DR and blindness in adult patients with type 1 (T1) and 2 (T2) diabetes in Russian Federation (RF) for period 201316years. Materials and methods: Database of Federal Diabetes register, 81st regions included in the online register. Indicators were estimated per 10,000 adult DM patients (18years). Results: In 2016 the DR prevalence in RF was T1 38,3%, T2 15,0%, with marked interregional differences: 2,666,1%, 1,146,4%, respectively. The DR prevalence within 20132016 years was: T1 3830,93805,6; T2 1586,01497,0. Trend of new DR cases/per year increased: T1 153,2187,8; T2 99,7114,9. The structure of new cases of DR in 2016: non-proliferative stage (T1 71,4%, T2 80,3%), pre-proliferative stage 16,4%, 13,8%, proliferative 12,1%, 5,8%, terminal 0,2%, 0,1%, respectively, these data indicated the earlier detection of DR. The mean age of DR diagnosis increased: T1 by 1,2 years, T2 by 2,6. The average DM duration of DR determine increased T1 9,613,1 years, T2 6,09,1. The prevalence of blindness tends to decrease: T1 92,390,8; T2 15,415,2/10.000 DM adults. The amount of new cases of blindness/per year increased: T1 4,34,6; T2 1,21,4. The mean age of blindness increased: T1 39,141,6 years, T2 64,467,4; the mean duration of diabetes before blindness occur (from the time of DM diagnosis) increased: T1 20,221,2 years, in T2 10,711,3. We observed growth of DR treatment (laser surgery, vitrectomy, anti-VEGF medication) but the frequency of use in T2 patients is about 2 times less than in T1. Conclusions: There was a decrease in the overall incidence of eye damage in diabetes (DR and blindness) in the analyzed period in RF. DR and blindness develops at advanced age and with a longer duration of diabetes. As the main directions of eye care development in diabetes it is necessary to standardize primary care in the regions, to unify the examination algorithms and methods of early diagnostic, to increase the continuity and interaction of endocrinologists and ophthalmologists in managing patients with diabetes in order to prevent the development of new cases of vision loss

Evaluation of effectiveness of contact transscleral diode laser cyclocoagulation drainage after neovascular glaucoma surgery

Relevance. Recently, drainage surgery has gained prevalence in the treatment of neovascular glaucoma. Unfortunately, studies have reported that their effectiveness does not exceed 70%80%. During the postoperative period, the attending physicians major concern is the normalisation of high IOP. Aim.To evaluate the effectiveness of contact transscleral diode laser cyclocoagulation drainage after neovascular glaucoma surgery, which did not lead to the normalisation of elevated intraocular pressure. Materials and methods. This study enrolled eight patients in the ophthalmic branch of the Endocrinology Research Center. All patients previously underwent a drainage operation for uncompensated secondary neovascular glaucoma with a history of diabetic retinopathy. During the postoperative period, because intraocular pressure failed to stabilise, we performed contact transscleral diode laser cyclocoagulation as per the original methodology. Results. After the execution of contact transscleral diode laser cyclocoagulation, intraocular pressure was compensated in all patients, and any complication was noted for up to 6 months. Conclusion. Contact transscleral diode laser cyclocoagulation can be used to normalise abnormal IOP after drainage surgery for the treatment of neovascular glaucoma in patients with diabetes mellitus

Study of the Effect of Squalene Epoxidase Activity on Squalene Biosynthesis by Yeast Saccharomyces Cerevisiae VGSh-2

The researchers of this study investigated the biosynthesis of squalene by the yeast S. cerevisiae VGSH-2 through the activity of squalene epoxidase, which is a key enzyme in the conversion of squalene to ergosterol. It has been established that under aerobic conditions the antimycotic drug terbinafine promotes the switching of ergosterol formation to squalene synthesis. This switch occurs through specific inhibition of the squalene epoxidase of the yeast S. cerevisiae VGSH-2, thus increasing the biosynthetic ability of the yeast towards squalene. According to the results of this study, the optimal concentration of terbinofine in the nutrient medium was 0.3 μmol / cm3 . This concentration led to a 5-fold decrease in squalene epoxidase activity and a 7-8 times increase in squalene synthesis. The results obtained can be used to develop a competitive technology for the industrial production of squalene by microbial synthesis. Keywords: squalene, yeast, biosynthesis, inhibition of activity, terbinafine, squalene epoxidase, Saccharomices cerevisiae VGSH-

Diversities in the Gut Microbial Patterns in Patients with Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Diseases and Certain Heart Failure Phenotypes

To continue progress in the treatment of cardiovascular disease, there is a need to improve the overall understanding of the processes that contribute to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Exploring the role of gut microbiota in various heart diseases is a topic of great interest since it is not so easy to find such reliable connections despite the fact that microbiota undoubtedly affect all body systems. The present study was conducted to investigate the composition of gut microbiota in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and heart failure syndromes with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and HF with preserved EF (HFpEF), and to compare these results with the microbiota of individuals without those diseases (control group). Fecal microbiota were evaluated by three methods: living organisms were determined using bacterial cultures, total DNA taxonomic composition was estimated by next generation sequencing (NGS) of 16S rRNA gene (V3–V4) and quantitative assessment of several taxa was performed using qPCR (quantitative polymerase chain reaction). Regarding the bacterial culture method, all disease groups demonstrated a decrease in abundance of Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis in comparison to the control group. The HFrEF group was characterized by an increased abundance of Streptococcus sanguinus and Streptococcus parasanguinis. NGS analysis was conducted at the family level. No significant differences between patient’s groups were observed in alpha-diversity indices (Shannon, Faith, Pielou, Chao1, Simpson, and Strong) with the exception of the Faith index for the HFrEF and control groups. Erysipelotrichaceae were significantly increased in all three groups; Streptococcaceae and Lactobacillaceae were significantly increased in ASCVD and HFrEF groups. These observations were indirectly confirmed with the culture method: two species of Streptococcus were significantly increased in the HFrEF group and Lactobacillus plantarum was significantly increased in the ASCVD group. The latter observation was also confirmed with qPCR of Lactobacillus sp. Acidaminococcaceae and Odoribacteraceae were significantly decreased in the ASCVD and HFrEF groups. Participants from the HFpEF group showed the least difference compared to the control group in all three study methods. The patterns found expand the knowledge base on possible correlations of gut microbiota with cardiovascular diseases. The similarities and differences in conclusions obtained by the three methods of this study demonstrate the need for a comprehensive approach to the analysis of microbiota