Актинический ретикулоид. Диагностика

This article is about the case of actinic reticuloid - the rare dermatosis which clinical presentation is similar to atopic dermatitis, T-cell lymphoma. Good treatment effect was obtained by long cycles (2 cycles for 3 months) of hydroxychloroquine and sun protective therapy included sunscreens SPF 50, nicotinic acid, sun-safe clothes which blocked ultraviolet radiation without any glucocorticosteroid drugs and cytostatic treatment.Описан случай актинического ретикулоида - редкого дерматоза, напоминающего по клиническим проявлениям атопический дерматит и Т-клеточную лимфому. У пациента достигнуто значительное клиническое улучшение при длительных циклах (2 цикла по 3 мес.) лечения препаратом гидроксихлорохин, на фоне фотопротективной терапии никотиновой кислотой, наружными средствами SPF 50 и специально подобранной одеждой, закрывающей от солнечного излучения, без применения глюкокортикостероидов и цитостатической терапии

ИММУНОГЕНЕТИЧЕСКИЕ АСПЕКТЫ РАННЕГО РЕВМАТОИДНОГО АРТРИТА

The study is aimed to investigate the distribution of alleles of HLA-DRB1 gene in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis and healthy individuals in Russian population, and evaluate their significance as molecular genetic markers of rheumatoid arthritis predisposition and protection. The association between alleles of HLA-DRB1 genes, antibodies to cyclic citrullinated peptides and IgM rheumatoid factor was also studied. Low and high resolution HLA-DRB1 genotyping were compared. In the cohort of patients with early rheumatoid arthritis, the alleles of HLA-DRB1 gene were found to be markers of rheumatoid arthritis protection/risk, especially in the homozygous state. They determined production of antibodies to cyclic citrullinated peptides but were not associated with rheumatoid factor IgM levels. These findings support different autoimmune mechanisms of rheumatoid arthritis pathogenesis. Изучено распределение аллелей гена HLA-DRB1 у больных ранним ревматоидным артритом и здоровых лиц контрольной группы российской популяции и оценена их значимость в качестве молекулярно-генетических маркеров предрасположенности и протекции ревматоидного артрита. Определена сила ассоциативной связи аллелей гена HLA-DRB1 с продукцией антител к циклическим цитруллинированным пептидам и ревматоидному фактору класса М. В исследовании проведено сравнение методов высоко- и низкоразрешающего генотипирования аллелей HLA-DRB1. У больных ранним ревматоидным артритом обнаружены аллели гена HLA-DRB1, являющиеся маркерами риска и протекции ревматоидного артрита, детерминирующие продукцию антител к циклическим цитруллинированным пептидам, но не ассоциированные с антителами класса M к ревматоидному фактору. Полученные данные могут свидетельствовать о различных аутоиммунных механизмах патогенеза ревматоидного артрита. 

Status of the GERDA experiment

The study of neutrinoless double beta (0nbb) decay is the only one presently known approach to the fundamental question if the neutrino is a Majorana particle, i.e. its own anti-particle. The observation of 0nbb decay would prove that lepton number is not conserved, establish that neutrino has a Majorana component and, assuming that light neutrino is the dominating process, provide a method for the determination of its effective mass. GERDA is a new 0nbb decay experiment which is currently taking data at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso (LNGS) of INFN in Italy. It implements a new shielding concept by operating bare diodes made from Ge with enriched 76Ge in high purity liquid argon supplemented by a water shield. The aim of GERDA is to verify or refute the recent claim of discovery, and, in a second phase, to achieve a two orders of magnitude lower background index than past experiments, to increase the sensitive mass and to collect an exposure of 100 kg yr. The paper will discuss design, physics reach, and status of data taking of GERDA.JRC.D.4-Standards for Nuclear Safety, Security and Safeguard

Price assymetry in the Dutch retail gasoline market

This paper analyses retail price adjustments in the Dutch gasoline market. We estimate an asymmetric error correction model on weekly price changes for the years 1996 to 2001. We construct five datasets, one for each working day. The conclusions on asymmetric pricing are shown to differ over these datasets, suggesting that the choice of the day for which prices are observed matters more than commonly believed. In our view, the insufficient robustness of outcomes might explain the mixed conclusions found in the literature. Using two approaches, we also show that the effect of asymmetry on Dutch consumer costs is negligible

Modeling of GERDA Phase II data

The GERmanium Detector Array (Gerda) experiment at the Gran Sasso underground laboratory (LNGS) of INFN is searching for neutrinoless double-beta (0\u3bd\u3b2\u3b2) decay of 76Ge. The technological challenge of Gerda is to operate in a \u201cbackground-free\u201d regime in the region of interest (ROI) after analysis cuts for the full 100 kg\ub7yr target exposure of the experiment. A careful modeling and decomposition of the full-range energy spectrum is essential to predict the shape and composition of events in the ROI around Q\u3b2\u3b2 for the 0\u3bd\u3b2\u3b2 search, to extract a precise measurement of the half-life of the double-beta decay mode with neutrinos (2\u3bd\u3b2\u3b2) and in order to identify the location of residual impurities. The latter will permit future experiments to build strategies in order to further lower the background and achieve even better sensitivities. In this article the background decomposition prior to analysis cuts is presented for Gerda Phase II. The background model fit yields a flat spectrum in the ROI with a background index (BI) of 16.04 120.85+0.78\ub710 123 cts/(keV\ub7kg\ub7yr) for the enriched BEGe data set and 14.68 120.52+0.47\ub710 123 cts/(keV\ub7kg\ub7yr) for the enriched coaxial data set. These values are similar to the one of Phase I despite a much larger number of detectors and hence radioactive hardware components

Search for exotic physics in double-β decays with GERDA Phase II

A search for Beyond the Standard Model double-$\beta$ decay modes of$^{76}$Ge has been performed with data collected during the Phase II of theGERmanium Detector Array (GERDA) experiment, located at Laboratori Nazionalidel Gran Sasso of INFN (Italy). Improved limits on the decays involvingMajorons have been obtained, compared to previous experiments with $^{76}$Ge,with half-life values on the order of 10$^{23}$ yr. For the first time with$^{76}$Ge, limits on Lorentz invariance violation effects in double-$\beta$decay have been obtained. The isotropic coefficient$\mathring{a}_\text{of}^{(3)}$, which embeds Lorentz violation indouble-$\beta$ decay, has been constrained at the order of $10^{-6}$ GeV. Wealso set the first experimental limits on the search for light exotic fermionsin double-$\beta$ decay, including sterile neutrinos.<br

Transformation of the global energy resources market as a challenge for Russia’s energy security

We have analyzed the main trends of development of the global energy resources market, as well the positions of countries and major companies that have influence on global energy security. It also considers principal threats and prospects of preserving the national energy security of Russia

Ультразвуковое исследование и аспирационная пункционная биопсия в диагностике кистозной формы папиллярного рака щитовидной железы

Background: Cystic type of thyroid papillary carcinoma is a  rare independent disease of this organ. Its prevalence among papillary carcinomas is from 2.5 to 6%.Aim: To identify ultrasonographic features of the cystic form of papillary carcinoma for the differential diagnosis of solitary liquid neoplasms of the thyroid and to elaborate an optimal technique for its fine-needle aspiration biopsy.Materials and methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data on the diagnosis and treatment of 29  patients with the cystic type of thyroid papillary carcinoma (26  women, 3  men, mean age 52  years). The instrumental diagnosis was based on a  comprehensive ultrasonography and fine-needle aspiration biopsy.Results: We identified the following ultrasonographic characteristics of “potentially malignant” cystic nodules of the thyroid: the wall thickness of  2 to  3  mm with marginal tissue components of various size (from 10 mm to 3 cm in diameter) and microcalcinates; presence of focal blood supply by color Doppler mapping; homogeneity and low echogenicity of the liquid component. Conclusion: The right interpretation of the ultrasonographic results and adequately performed fine-needle aspiration biopsy help to verify the diagnosis of thyroid carcinoma and to avoid mistake in the treatment of this patient category. Актуальность. Кистозная форма папиллярного рака щитовидной железы является редкой самостоятельной патологией данного органа. Ее встречаемость среди папиллярных карцином составляет 2,5–6%.Цель – установить ультразвуковые особенности кистозной формы папиллярного рака для дифференциальной диагностики солитарных жидкостных новообразований щитовидной железы и разработать оптимальную методику их пункционной биопсии.Материал и методы. Ретроспективно проанализированы данные по диагностике и лечению 29  больных кистозной формой папиллярного рака щитовидной железы (26 женщин, 3 мужчины, средний возраст 52 года). Основой инструментальной диагностики было комплексное ультразвуковое исследование и  проведение пункционной биопсии.Результаты. Выявлены ультразвуковые признаки «возможной злокачественности» кистозных узлов щитовидной железы: толщина стенки полости 2–3  мм с  наличием краевого тканевого компонента различного размера (от  10  мм до  3  см в  поперечнике) и  микрокальцинатов; присутствие в  нем при цветном доплеровском картировании очагов кровотока; однородность и гипоэхогенность жидкостного компонента.Заключение. Правильная интерпретация данных ультразвукового исследования и адекватно проведенная аспирационная пункционная биопсия позволяют верифицировать диагноз рака щитовидной железы и избежать ошибок в лечебной тактике у данной категории больных.