Assessment of environmental and economic efficiency of iron ore breaking technology using emulsion explosives

Methodology for calculating parameters of drilling and blasting operations for stoping works in mines of Kryvorozhskiy basin and PJSC «Zaporizhskiy iron-ore plant» has been improved with the help of established coefficient of relative capacity for the Ukrainit-PM-2B explosive. A new technology of stoping operations for ore breaking by square-chamber methods at deposit thickness more than 5 m is proposed which assumes usage of emulsion explosives and downward drilling of production hole rings in the direction of underlying drilling horizons. Ecological and economical effectiveness of the proposed ore breaking technology implemented in the extraction chambers was estimated. Regularities of harmful substances hazard index changing were established depending on distance to the emission point when trotyl-contained and emulsion explosives are used. Implementation of the proposed technology allows decreasing prime-cost of 1 ton of ore by 15 % per one extraction unit

Optical echo in photonic crystals

The dynamics of photonic wavepacket in the effective oscillator potential is studied. The oscillator potential is constructed on a base of one dimensional photonic crystal with a period of unit cell adiabatically varied in space. The structure has a locally equidistant discrete spectrum. This leads to an echo effect, i.e. the periodical reconstruction of the packet shape. The effect can be observed in a nonlinear response of the system. Numerical estimations for porous-silicon based structures are presented for femtosecond Ti:Sapphire laser pump.Comment: 4 page

Periodically-Poled Silicon [Updated]

We propose a new class of photonic devices based on periodic stress fields in silicon that enable second-order nonlinearity as well as quasi-phase matching. Periodically-poled silicon (PePSi) adds the periodic poling capability to silicon photonics, and allows the excellent crystal quality and advanced manufacturing capabilities of silicon to be harnessed for devices based on second-order nonlinear effects. As an example of the utility of the PePSi technology, we present simulations showing that mid-wave infrared radiation can be efficiently generated through difference frequency generation from near-infrared with a conversion efficiency of 50%. This technology can also be implemented with piezoelectric material, which offers the capability to dynamically control the X(2) nonlinearity.Comment: 11 pages, 4 figure

Borrmann Effect in Photonic Crystals: Nonlinear Optical Consequences

Nonlinear-optical manifestations of the Borrmann effect that are consequences of the spectral dependence of the spatial distributions of the electromagnetic field in a structure are observed in one-dimensional photonic crystals. The spectrum of the light self-focusing effect corresponding to the propagation-matrix calculations has been measured near the edge of the photonic gap.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, published in russian at Pis'ma v Zhurnal Eksperimental'noi i Teoreticheskoi Fiziki, 2008, Vol. 87, No. 8, pp. 461-46

Angiogenic potential of circulating peripheral blood neutrophils in kidney cancer

The role of neutrophils in kidney cancer is currently being studied. Their role in carcinogenesis is ambiguous. As one of the most abundant blood leukocytes, neutrophils play an important role in cancer progression through multiple mechanisms, including promotion of angiogenesis, immunosuppression, and cancer metastasis. Neutrophils synthesize and release pro-angiogenic factors that are able to directly or indirectly stimulate the growth and migration of endothelial cells, which in turn causes the formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing ones. The production of various factors by neutrophils, including proangiogenic ones, is mediated by the expression of the genes of these molecules. Functional heterogeneity is characterized by differences in neutrophil gene expression patterns. The aim of this study was to evaluate the angiogenic potential of circulating neutrophils in kidney cancer. The object of the study were blood neutrophils of patients with verified clear cell kidney cancer at stage I (T1N0M0G1, n = 28, median age 60), stage II (T2N0M0G2, n = 15, median age 61) and stage III (T3N0M0G2, n = 15, median age 63) before surgery. The control group consisted of apparently healthy donors (n = 15, median age 54). Serum levels of IL-8 and VEGF-A were assessed by enzyme immunoassay. Expression of the CXCL8 and VEGF-A genes in circulating neutrophils was determined by reverse transcription quantitative PCR. As a result of our study, an increase in the level of IL-8 and VEGF-A in the blood serum of patients with kidney cancer in all studied groups compared with the control group was revealed. We observed a direct correlation between serum levels of IL-8 and VEGF-A in patients with kidney cancer (r = 0.429; p = 0.016), which confirms the relationship of these angiogenic factors. A significant increase in CXCL8 gene expression by circulating neutrophils was found in patients on II (2.91, Q0.25-Q0.75: (1.296-4.99), p = 0.02) and III (1.93, Q0.25-Q0.75: (0.755-11.36, p = 0.014) stages of kidney cancer compared with the control group (1.50, Q0.25-Q0.75: (0.80-4.05)). However, VEGF-A gene expression by circulating neutrophils did not differ from those in the control group. Blood neutrophils in kidney cancer exercise their angiogenic potential through the production of IL-8

Phenotype of circulating neutrophils at different stages of cervical neoplasia

At the present time, there is no common point of view to the role of circulating neutrophils (NP) in emergence and development of neoplasia. It is suggested that due to high functional plasticity, the neutrophils may exhibit both pro- and antitumor activity. In order to study the NP phenotype at different stages of cervical neoplasia (CN), we have evaluated their absolute and relative amounts, myeloperoxidase activity, spontaneous and induced NST-test markers, and the level of intracellular cationic proteins. Spontaneous production of elastase and active forms of matrix metalloproteinases, the levels of IL-2, IL-8, IL-18, IFNy, G-CSF were determined in the NP cell lysates and in blood serum. The formation of extracellular traps (NET) was evaluated using 1-day cultures of Saccharomyces cerevisiae as an inducer. We examined 31 patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and 21 primary patients with cervical cancer (CC, Ia stage according to FIGO scale), as well as 25 practically healthy women. We revealed increased spontaneous and inducible oxygen-dependent cytolytic and phagocytic activity and spontaneous production of NET if compared to normal values, along with decreased absolute NP numbers in patients with CIN, thus suggesting the antitumor activity of NP. The levels of “pro-tumor” cytokines (MMP-9, IL-2 and G-CSF) become increased over normal levels as early as at the CIN stage, both for the neutrophils and blood plasma. High levels of regulatory IFNy and neutrophil-priming IL-8 in blood plasma do not presume any use of exogenous NP-activating factors at the stage of cervical dysplasia. At the initial stage of cervical cancer, the absolute NP amounts are significantly increased compared to normal counts. However, despite increased spontaneous oxygen-dependent cytolytic activity, the NPs have a significantly reduced activity of phagocytosis and sharply increased spontaneous production of NET, thus, generally, being characteristic to the “pro-tumorous” NP phenotype. IL-2 levels are elevated, and MMP-9 values are still increased in NP and blood plasma of patients with CC (stage Ia). Hence, the obtained results suggest some changes of NP phenotype to a pro-tumorous pattern during transition from intraepithelial dysplasia to cervical cancer. These results allowed us to design an algorithm for examining women with suspected cervical cancer, including IL-2 measurement in blood serum, and MMP-9 amounts in the NP lysates

IL-4 and its polymorphism (<i>IL4</i>-589C/T) in cervical neoplasia

The transition of cervical neoplasia (CIN) to cervical cancer occurs with the active participation of IL-4, for which both pro- and antitumor effects have been shown with tumors of various localizations. The expression of cytokines is regulated at the transcriptional level in the promoter region of the gene. It has been shown that the genotype IL4 (589C/T) (rs2243250) is associated with the development of gastric and breast cancer. The contribution of IL-4 genotypic variations to the development of CIN has not yet been studied. The aim of the study was to assess the risk of developing cervical neoplasia by the presence polymorphism of IL4 (589C/T) and the level of IL-4. The object of the study was circulating neutrophils, serum and genomic DNA of 36 patients with CIN and 20 women without dysplasia (comparison group). Using ELISA, the level of IL-4 was determined in neutrophil lysate and serum. Phagocytic activity and adhesive ability (CD11b) of neutrophils were assessed. Allele-specific real-time PCR using Taq-Man probes was used to analyze of the IL4 589C/T (rs2243250). Statistical processing was carried out using Statistica 13 and Jamovi 1.6.5.0. As a result of the study, it was found that the level of IL-4 in serum and circulating neutrophils in patients with CIN is significantly higher than in the comparison group. The -589C* allele of the IL4 gene and the TT genotype are more common in the group with CIN (55.5%) than in the control (25%). At the same time, a direct relationship was established between the presence of polymorphism and increased adhesive ability and with indicators of the phagocytic number of circulating neutrophils. Analysis of the incidence of IL4 C589T by the «case-control» method showed that the chances of CIN formation in carriers of the -589C allele and the TT genotype were 3.75 (95% CI: 1.013 - 13.880, Chi-square = 4.161, p = 0.042). The -589C* allele and TT IL4 genotype, neutrophil and serum IL-4 levels are associated with HPV infection. Using a binary logistic regression model, we demonstrated the possibility of using IL-4 levels in circulating neutrophils and IL-4 gene polymorphism (589C/T) for the differential diagnosis of patients with CIN (χ2 = 15.6, p = 0.001). Significant significance for their combination was assessed by ROC-curve analysis (IL-4 in neutrophils; IL4 (-589С*), 75% probability. Thus, the IL4 (589C/T) is associated with the adhesive and phagocytic activity of circulating neutrophils. In HPV-infected patients, IL4 gene polymorphism (589C/T) can serve as a marker for early detection and prognosis of CIN

Персонифицированный подход к ведению пациентов с глаукомой продвинутых стадий. Выбор стратегических направлений антиглаукомной работы в Тюменской области

PURPOSE: To conduct a personalized analysis of patients with advanced stages of glaucoma in Tyumen region. To show the effectiveness of "Method of selecting strategic directions for improving the quality of eye care for glaucoma patients in the framework of the process approach" software product for dealing with this category of patients. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 1657 outpatients' case histories with first diagnosed advanced or terminal glaucoma in the period from 2011 to 2015. Clinical and sociological portraits of an advanced glaucoma patient were composed based on the "Register of Tyumen region glaucoma patients" automated system and by means of a sociological survey. Compliance of 680 glaucoma patients was assessed with Moriscos-Green clinical and psychological compliance scale. Screening for identification of patients with inadequate compliance was carried out. The correlation of treatment duration and compliance was studied. The efficacy of "Method of selecting strategic directions for improving the quality of eye care for glaucoma patients in the framework of the process approach" software product was investigated. RESULTS: During 5 years in Tyumen region 4 types of first diagnosed glaucoma (51% - mild, 18% - moderate, 22% - advanced, 9% - terminal) were revealed. Registration includes 9585 patients with glaucoma in Tyumen region. 1 657 patients had advanced stages of glaucoma. The ratio of men and women with advanced stages of glaucoma was 40 and 60%. Advanced stages of glaucoma more frequently occurred in men and women aged 70-85 years. The study revealed that by the end of the 5 year follow-up 15% of patients with advanced glaucoma remained compliant, 52% did not follow doctor's prescription, 33% showed insufficient compliance and composed the risk group for noncompliance. Patients with advanced-stage glaucoma regarded their quality of life as decreasing because of a lifelong treatment (52% patients), 33% - because of the illness itself and 15% patients - because of the glaucoma medicine side effects. CONCLUSION: Reasons of late glaucoma stages detection were analyzed. Reasons of low compliance to treatment in patients with advanced stages of glaucoma were studied. Clinical and sociological portrait of a patient with advanced stages of glaucoma was composed.ЦЕЛЬ. Провести персонифицированный анализ состояния пациентов с глаукомой продвинутых стадий в Тюменской области. Показать эффективность программного продукта «Способ выбора стратегических направлений для повышения качества офтальмологической помощи глаукомным больным в рамках процессного подхода» для работы с данной категорией пациентов. МЕТОДЫ. Проведен ретроспективный анализ 1 657 амбулаторных карт пациентов с диагнозом «впервые выявленная глаукома далеко зашедшей или терминальной стадий» в период с 2011 до 2015 г. На основании данных автоматизированной системы «Регистр больных глаукомой Тюменской области» и с помощью социологического анкетирования был составлен клинико-социологический портрет пациента с далеко зашедшей и терминальной глаукомой. С помощью клинико-психологической тестовой методики - шкалы комплаентности Мориски - Грин - проведена оценка комплаентности 680 пациентов с глаукомой, проведен скрининг для выявления недостаточно комплаентных больных и изучено влияние продолжительности лечения на комплаентность. Исследована эффективность программного продукта «Способ выбора стратегических направлений для повышения качества офтальмологической помощи глаукомным больным в рамках процессного подхода» для антиглаукомной работы. РЕЗУЛЬТАТЫ. Анализ структуры впервые выявленной глаукомы в Тюменской области на протяжении 5 лет показал, что, несмотря на преобладание ранних стадий впервые выявленной глаукомы - 69%, доля продвинутых стадий глаукомы достаточно велика и составляет 31%. На диспансерном учете в Тюменском области состоят 9 585 пациентов с глаукомой. Из них 1 657 - это пациенты с глаукомой продвинутых стадий. Соотношение мужчин и женщин среди пациентов с продвинутыми стадиями - 40 и 60%. Чаще продвинутая стадия глаукомы встречается у мужчин и женщин в возрастной группе от 70 до 85 лет. Выявлено, что к концу 5 года наблюдения 15% пациентов с продвинутыми стадиями глаукомы остаются комплаентными, 52% не соблюдают назначения врача, 33% недостаточно комплаентны, составляют группу риска некомплаентности. Пациенты с продвинутыми стадиями глаукомы отмечают снижение качества жизни из-за необходимости пожизненного лечения в 52%, из-за заболевания как такового - в 33%, из-за побочных эффектов принимаемого лечения - в 15%. ЗАКЛЮЧЕНИЕ. Проведен анализ структуры впервые выявленной глаукомы и причин позднего выявления запущенных стадий глаукомы, выявлены причины низкой приверженности лечению пациентов с глаукомой продвинутых стадий, составлен клинико-социологический портрет пациента с глаукомой