Puzzling asteroid 21 Lutetia: our knowledge prior to the Rosetta fly-by

A wide observational campaign was carried out in 2004-2009 aimed to complete the ground-based investigation of Lutetia prior to the Rosetta fly-by in July 2010. We have obtained BVRI photometric and V-band polarimetric measurements over a wide range of phase angles, and visible and infrared spectra in the 0.4-2.4 micron range. We analyzed them together with previously published data to retrieve information on Lutetia's surface properties. Values of lightcurve amplitudes, absolute magnitude, opposition effect, phase coefficient and BVRI colors of Lutetia surface seen at near pole-on aspect have been determined. We defined more precisely parameters of polarization phase curve and showed their distinct deviation from any other moderate-albedo asteroid. An indication of possible variations both in polarization and spectral data across the asteroid surface was found. To explain features found by different techniques we propose that (i) Lutetia has a non-convex shape, probably due to the presence of a large crater, and heterogeneous surface properties probably related to surface morphology; (ii) at least part of the surface is covered by a fine-grained regolith with particle size less than 20 microns; (iii) the closest meteorite analogues of Lutetia's surface composition are particular types of carbonaceous chondrites or Lutetia has specific surface composition not representative among studied meteorites

Polarimetry of transneptunian objects (136472) Makemake and (90482) Orcus

Context. We study the surface properties of transneptunian populations of Solar-system bodies. Aims. We investigate the surface characteristics of the dwarf planet (136472) Makemake and the resonant object (90482) Orcus. Methods. Using the FORS2 instrument of the ESO-VLT we have carried out linear polarisation measurements of Makemake and Orcus. Results. Polarisation of Orcus is similar to that of smaller size objects. The polarimetric properties of Makemake are very close to those of Eris and Pluto. We have not found any significant differences in the polarisation properties of objects from different dynamical classes. However, there are significant differences in polarisation of large and smaller size objects, and between large TNOs with water-ice and methane-ice dominated surfaces. Conclusions. We confirm the different types of polarisation phase behavior for the largest and smaller size TNOs. To explain subtle surface polarisation of Pluto, Makemake and Eris we assume that their surfaces are covered by a thin layer of hoarfrost masking the surface structure

Alcoholic polyneuropathy. Clinical forms and pathogenetically based approaches to therapy

The number of cases of alcoholism in Russia is gradually decreasing, but still significantly affects the overall health indicators of the population. One of its frequent complications is alcoholic polyneuropathy. The article deals with the pathogenetic mechanisms of the occurrence and development of the disease, its forms, classification, and clinical picture. The damage to the nervous system in patients with alcoholism depends on the frequency of alcohol consumption, the dose, the type of drinks that were consumed, malnutrition, genetic predisposition and individual characteristics that determine the level of alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase. In the clinical picture, a toxic form of alcoholic polyneuropathy is currently distinguished, associated with the direct effect of toxic alcohol metabolites on somatic and autonomic nerve fibers, thiamine deficiency, resulting from a deficiency of B vitamins, and mixed forms. According to the rate of development of clinical manifestations, there are acute forms of alcoholic polyneuropathy (thiamine deficiency) and chronic forms (toxic). The article discusses the possibilities of diagnostics using modern instrumental and laboratory methods of research, primarily electroneuromyography. With the help of this method of investigation, in alcoholic polyneuropathy, signs of axonal damage are most often detected, and in the thiamine-deficient form, it is possible to determine signs of secondary demyelination. The authors emphasize the importance of differential diagnosis with other pathologies. The article highlights the current understanding of the main therapeutic strategies, treatment options for patients with alcoholic polyneuropathy. Therapy of patients suffering from alcoholic polyneuropathy includes refusal of alcohol abuse, normalization of nutrition, medication. For drug therapy, B vitamins and antioxidants are used. The drug with a recognized antioxidant effect is alpha-lipoic acid. A clinical case was analyzed on the basis of our own clinical observation of a mixed form of alcoholic polyneuropathy

Polarimetric survey of asteroids with the Asiago telescope

We present the first results of an asteroid photo--polarimetry program started at Asiago--Cima Ekar Observatory. The aim of our survey is to estimate diversity in polarimetric properties of asteroids belonging to different taxonomic and dynamical classes. The data were obtained with the polarization analyser placed inside the Faint Object Spectrographic Camera (AFOSC) of the 1.8m telescope. This instrument allows simultaneous measurements of the two first Stokes parameters without any lambda/2 retarding plate. Our survey began in 2002, and up to now we have obtained data on a sample of 36 asteroids; most of them are being investigated with the polarimetric technique for the first time. Combining our data with those already available in literature, we present an estimate of the inversion angle for 7 asteroids in this paper. Furthermore, we present the polarimetric measurements of the rare asteroid classes belonging to the A and D types and a detailed VRI observations at extremely small phase angles of the low albedo asteroid 1021 Flammari

Myasthenia gravis and demyelinatinig diseases of central nervous system

We report case of combination of two rare diseases: myasthenia and central nervous system demyelinating disease: multiple sclerosis. Prevalence and catamnesis described combinations require further study, since the pathogenesis of this association remain unresolved until the end: whether it is a coincidence or part of a non-specific immune response, and genetic predisposition.В данной статье представлено собственное наблюдение сочетания двух дизиммунных заболеваний нервной системы: миастении и рассеянного склероза. Распространенность и катамнез описанных сочетаний нуждаются в дальнейшем изучении, т.к. вопросы патогенеза данной ассоциации остаются до конца нерешенными: случайность ли это или часть неспецифической реакции иммунной системы и генетической предрасположенности

New opportunities of increase of complex therapy productivity with the symptomatic locally-caused epilepsy with the resistant current

Efficiency of Phenotropili preparation was studied in jugulating of asthenia among patients with resistant symptomatic localization related epilepsy. Some patients (62 persons) against the basic antiepileptic therapies put on Phenotropili in a dose 100 mg (18 persons) and 200 mg (22 persons) a day in a continuous course, during 3 months. The assessment of this therapy influence was conducted in relation to the group accepting a placebo (22 persons). It was specified an authentic decrease of all types of asthenia, and efficiency of a preparation in a dose of 100 mg a day practically didn't concede efficiency of 200 mg a day.Изучалась эффективность препарата Фенотропил® при купировании астении у пациентов с резистентной симптоматической локально-обусловленной эпилепсией. Пациентам (62 человека) на фоне базисной антиэпилептической терапии назначался Фенотропил® в дозе 100 (18 человек) и 200 мг (22 человека) в сутки непрерывным курсом, длительностью 3 месяца. Оценка влияния этой терапии велась по отношению к группе, принимающей плацебо (22 человека). Отмечено достоверное снижение всех типов астении, причем эффективность препарата в дозе 100 мг в сутки практически не уступала эффективности 200 мг в сутки

Intellectual decline in patients with schizophrenia with comorbid type ii diabetes mellitus and alcoholism

Comorbid conditions in general psychopathological practice need equally research in the field of psychiatry and narcology, as well as the development of issues of social practice in relation to mental patients. There is an opinion that comorbid mental pathologies are even more common than “pure” forms of diseases. In most cases of comorbid conditions, the medical community increasingly encounters clinical situations where “classic” symptoms and syndromes are deformed, mutually intertwined and, superimposed on the actual social situation of the patient, acquire an “unreal fancy character”.Schizophrenia remains one of the most urgent problems at the stage of modern psychiatry formation. Up to date there are 1.1% of men and 1.9% of women in the general population of patients. Schizophrenic spectrum disorders are often combined with a number of chronic pathologies that increase the negative impact on the neuro-cognitive sphere of a person. One of the main problems of modern urbanized society is type II diabetes and alcoholism. By increasing the negative impact on a person’s cognitive abilities, they accelerate the process of disintegration of personality and its social functioning. The intellectual level of patients with those chronic diseases that require patients to actively and consciously participate in the treatment process and social functioning can significantly affect the patient’s ability to learn, independently manage the disease, establish a high level of compliance and, as a result, the effectiveness of therapy. An attentive study of the issue of the state of intelligence of patients with comorbid pathology will lead to an improvement in the patient’s social adaptation, a more careful attitude to their somatic health and reduce the risk of disability of the able-bodied population

Kharkiv database of asteroid absolute magnitudes : Comparative analysis with other datasets

We present a database of the absolute magnitudes of asteroids named the Kharkiv Asteroid Absolute Magnitude Database (KhAAMD). The database includes a homogeneous set of the absolute magnitudes for about 400 asteroids in the new HG(1)G(2) magnitude system. We performed a comparative analysis of the asteroid absolute magnitudes between the Kharkiv database and other main magnitude databases (MPC, Pan-STARRS, ATLAS, PTF, and Gaia). We show that the Pan-STARRS absolute magnitude dataset has no systematic deviations and is the most suitable for the determination of diameters and albedos of asteroids. For the MPC dataset, there is a linear trend of overestimating the absolute magnitudes of bright objects and underestimating the magnitudes of faint asteroids. The ATLAS dataset has both a systematic overestimation of asteroid magnitudes and a linear trend. We propose equations that can be used to correct for systematic errors in the MPC and the ATLAS magnitude datasets. There are possible systematic deviations of about 0.1 mag for the Gaia and PTF databases but there are insufficient data overlapping with our data for a definitive analysis.Peer reviewe

Количественная оценка магнитной восприимчивости (QSM) в подкорковых структурах головного мозга как маркер нейродегенерации при ремиттирующем и вторично-прогрессирующем рассеянном склерозе

Purpose. The aim of the study was to investigate changes in iron distribution in the brain of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique – quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) – in comparison with clinical data.Materials and methods. Three groups of patients were included in this prospective study: 47 patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), 20 patients with secondary progressive MS (SPMS) and 39 healthy controls. For all patients we collected clinical data, including history of present illness (H&P) and disability degree, and performed brain MRI followed by QSM maps obtaining and assessing relative magnetic susceptibility in subcortical structures.Results. We found an increase in magnetic susceptibility in the heads of the caudate nuclei and in putamen in patients with SPMS as compared to RRMS. At the same time, a decrease in magnetic susceptibility in the thalamic pulvinar was detected in patients with MS in the long term, but a sharp hyperintensity in conjunction with decreasing volume was observed in some patients.Conclusion. Increased magnetic susceptibility on the QSM in subcortical structures of the brain, reflecting iron content, is more typical for patients with SPMS, which may indicate the prognostic value of these changes.Цель исследования: изучение изменений в распределении железа в веществе головного мозга с помощью методики магнитно-резонансной томографии (МРТ) – количественного картирования восприимчивости (quantitative susceptibility mapping – QSM) – в сопоставлении с клиническими данными у пациентов с рассеянным склерозом (РС).Материал и методы. В данное проспективное исследование вошло три группы пациентов: 47 пациентов с ремиттирующим РС (РРС), 20 – с вторично-прогрессирующим РС (ВПРС) и 39 здоровых добровольцев (группа контроля). Для всех пациентов были собраны анамнестические данные и проведена МРТ головного мозга, включающая последовательность мульти-эхо 3D Т2* GRE, после чего были получены карты QSM и рассчитана относительная магнитная восприимчивость в области подкорковых структур.Результаты. Были выявлены более высокие показатели магнитной восприимчивости в скорлупе у пациентов с ВПРС по сравнению с РРС, что может отражать избыточное накопление железа в данных структурах. При этом было выявлено понижение магнитной восприимчивости в подушке таламуса у пациентов с ВПРС, однако у части пациентов отмечалось ее резкое повышение при уменьшении объема подушки таламуса.Заключение. Повышение магнитной восприимчивости на карте QSM в области подкорковых структур головного мозга, преимущественно в области скорлупы, отражающее накопление железа, а также ее снижение в области подушки таламуса, являются более характерными для пациентов с ВПРС, что может иметь прогностическую значимость в оценке прогрессирования заболевания