Magnetostimulated Chandges of Microhardness in Potassium Acid Phthalate Crystals

A decrease in microhardness along the (010) cleavage in potassium acid phthalate single crystals by 15--18% after the application of a permanent magnetic field was revealed for the first time. It is shown that the effect revealed is of the volume character. The role of interlayer water in the processes stimulated by a magnetic field is studied., Interlayer water plays does not cause the observed changes it only plays the part of an indicator of these changes in potassium acid phthalate crystals in a magnetic field. It is established that microhardness in the (100) plane of the crystal in an applied a magnetic field first increases by 12--15% and then remains constant in time within the accuracy of the experiment. The possibility of varying the crystal structure of potassium acid phthalate crystals by applying magnetic fields inducing rearrangement in the system of hydrogen bonds or in the defect structure is discussed.Comment: 6 pages, 7 figure

Phosphatidylserine Targets Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes to Professional Phagocytes In Vitro and In Vivo

Broad applications of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) dictate the necessity to better understand their health effects. Poor recognition of non-functionalized SWCNT by phagocytes is prohibitive towards controlling their biological action. We report that SWCNT coating with a phospholipid “eat-me” signal, phosphatidylserine (PS), makes them recognizable in vitro by different phagocytic cells - murine RAW264.7 macrophages, primary monocyte-derived human macrophages, dendritic cells, and rat brain microglia. Macrophage uptake of PS-coated nanotubes was suppressed by the PS-binding protein, Annexin V, and endocytosis inhibitors, and changed the pattern of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine secretion. Loading of PS-coated SWCNT with pro-apoptotic cargo (cytochrome c) allowed for the targeted killing of RAW264.7 macrophages. In vivo aspiration of PS-coated SWCNT stimulated their uptake by lung alveolar macrophages in mice. Thus, PS-coating can be utilized for targeted delivery of SWCNT with specified cargoes into professional phagocytes, hence for therapeutic regulation of specific populations of immune-competent cells

Theoretical Aspects of Identification of the Essence of Economic Integration

The article generalises leading concepts and theories of economic integration that cover key aspects of this process. It gives a list of economic, socio-cultural and political factors that determine dynamics and direction of economic integration of the countries of the world. It studies approaches of foreign and domestic researchers with respect to the essence of the “economic integration” notion and provides a list of its basic characteristics. It builds a scheme of interconnections between the elements of the process of economic integration of the countries of the world in the world economy, on the basis of which the article offers a list of positive and negative consequences of economic integration for national economies

Current approaches to the intraocular correction of postoperative aphakia after corneal refractive surgery (a review)

Cataract surgery after radial keratotomy (RK) represents many challenges as many patients who had RK are now developing visually significant cataracts. Currently, cataract surgery is not only the exchange of opaque lens but a refractive procedure as well. Despite a huge armamentarium of diagnostic methods, intraocular lens (IOL) power calculations in these patients can be inaccurate and are associated with residual refractive errors for many reasons (overestimation of the corneal power by keratometry and corneal topography, errors in the assessment of effective lens position, inadequate selection of power calculation formulas). Methods based on refractive history which consider refraction and K values before corneal refractive surgery and its refractive result before cataract development as well as methods based on corneal topography are the most accurate methods to neutralize keratometry errors. Methods of «true» refraction estimation using correction coefficients which were calculated based on regression analysis of IOL implantation results after corneal refractive surgery are of significant importance as well. Patients with prior RK who undergo cataract surgery often require intraocular correction of astigmatism. The techniques include positioning and modifications of tunnel incision, anterior dosed keratotomy, excimer laser surgery, and toric IOL implantation. Finally, phaco technique should be carefully selected in patients with prior RK. Intraoperative dehiscence of RK incisions is the key challenge. 1.8‑2.2‑mm corneal incision placed between keratotomy incisions prevents this complication. In numerous keratotomy incisions, scleral tunnel is recommended

Endoscopic Detection of Gastric Metastases in Skin Melanoma

Aim. A clinical description of disseminated skin melanoma with endoscopic observation of its pathognomonic pigmented metastases into the stomach.Key points. A 66-yo patient was hospitalised with dyspnoea, general weakness, cough and suspected community-acquired pneumonia. The patient had a complex examination, including computed tomography, which revealed a presumed malignancy of the right lung with secondary changes in the chest and abdominal organs. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGDS) visualised multiple pigmented spots and raised black plaques in cardia and the gastric body diagnosed as a metastasising melanoma in stomach. Endoscopic verification of the metastases confirmed the correct diagnosis of primary skin melanoma.Conclusion. Metastatic melanoma of the gastrointestinal tract has non-specific symptoms and most often occurs during the dissemination process. Endoscopy should be used to correctly verify pigmented mucosal lesions, necessarily allowing for non-pigmented gastric neoplasms in patients with skin melanoma in history

ЛЕЧЕБНАЯ ТАКТИКА ПРИ ПЛЕВРАЛЬНОМ ВЫПОТЕ РАЗЛИЧНОГО ОБЪЕМА

Summary. Treatment results of 155 patients with pleural effusion have been analyzed in the paper. In this group, 75 patients were treated with standard methods and 80 ones were managed using a special diagnostic and therapeutic program including pleural microdrainage. This program could be applied in all hospitals involved in treatment of patients with pleural effusion.Резюме. В работе анализируются результаты лечения 155 пациентов с синдромом плеврального выпота различного объема. Из них 75 пациентов лечились традиционными методами, 80 – с применением предлагаемой лечебнодиагностической программы с использованием микродренирования плевральной полости. Применение предложенных лечебно-диагностических мероприятий возможно в любом стационаре, куда поступают пациенты с плевральным выпотом