Solid-state synthesis and characterization of ferromagnetic Mn5Ge3 nanoclusters in GeO/Mn thin films

Mn5Ge3 films are promising materials for spintronic applications due to their high spin polarization and a Curie temperature above room temperature. However, non-magnetic elements such as oxygen, carbon and nitrogen may unpredictably change the structural and magnetic properties of Mn5Ge3 films. Here, we use the solid-state reaction between Mn and GeO thin films to describe the synthesis and the structural and magnetic characterization of Mn5Ge3(Mn5Ge3Oy)-GeO2(GeOx) nanocomposite materials. Our results show that the synthesis of these nanocomposites starts at 180°С when the GeO decomposes into elemental germanium and oxygen and the resulting Ge atoms immediately migrate into the Mn layer to form ferromagnetic Mn5Ge3 nanoclusters. At the same time the oxygen atoms take part in the synthesis of GeOx and GeO2 oxides and also migrate into the Mn5Ge3 lattice to form Mn5Ge3Oy Nowotny nanoclusters. Magnetic analysis assumes the general nature of the Curie temperature increase in carbon-doped Mn5Ge3Cx and Mn5Ge3Oy films. Our findings prove that not only carbon, but oxygen may contribute to the increase of the saturation magnetization and Curie temperature of Mn5Ge3-based nanostructures

Novel GLIS3 mutation in patient with neonatal diabetes mellitus and congenital hypothyroidism (NDH-syndrome)

Mutations in the GLIS3 gene encoding the GLIS3 transcription factor are cause of a rare syndromic form of neonatal diabetes mellitus (NDM) with congenital hypothyroidism. Additional features include congenital glaucoma, hepatic fibrosis, polycystic kidneys, developmental delay and other anomalies. This disease in foreign literature is called NDH-syndrome (Neonatal diabetes and Hypothyroidism syndrome).We present the description of a patient with this syndrome with novel homozygous GLIS3 mutation.Our patient is a female, who was born with a weight of 1680 gr, length of 44 cm to consanguineous parents. She developed diabetes on 2 day after birth, requiring continuous intravenous insulin. On day 5 of life hypothyroidism was identified. ­Thyroid anatomy was normal on ultrasound scan. NDH syndrome was suspected.Genetic analysis revealed a novel homozygous mutation c.1836delT, p.Ser612ArgfsTer33 in exon 5 in GLIS3 gene.To date, the patient is followed up for 4 years in total. Currently, growth retardation, psychomotor and speech development persist. Carbohydrate metabolism and thyroid profile has been subcompensated against the background of replacement therapy. No other components of the syndrome have been identified.In this report, we have demonstrated the features of the neonatal diabetes mellitus in a patient with a defect in the GLIS3 gene. Early genetic verification of the diagnosis contributes to the timely starting of personalized therapy, can improve the quality of life of such patients, and, given the nature of inheritance, is necessary for medical genetic counseling of the family

КЛИНИЧЕСКИЙ ОПЫТ ПРИМЕНЕНИЯ МЕДИКАМЕНТОЗНЫХ ПРЕПАРАТОВ ПРИ ПОДГОТОВКЕ К КОЛОНОСКОПИИ

Bowel preparation remains an important issue despite vast clinical experience in this field.Methods. 530 patients were included in retrospective analysis. 234 (44.2 %) patients in group 1 used sodium phosphate (SP) for bowel preparation, 176 (33.2 %) patients in group 2 used polyethylene glycol (PEG), 120 (22.6 %) patients used castor oil. Quality of bowel preparation was assessed according to following grading system: «good», «acceptable», «bad».Results. «Good», «acceptable», «bad» bowel preparation was observed in following number of patients: 160 (68.4 %), 46 (19.7 %) and 28 (12 %) patients who used SP, 38.6, 40.3 and 20.1 % who used PEG and 43.3, 20.8, 35.8 % who used castor oil. Results of «good» preparation were significantly better in patients who used SP comparing to other treatment groups.Conclusions. Better bowel preparation with SP was observed in our study, though results need to be validated in randomized trials.Выбор оптимальных методов подготовки пациентов к колоноскопии остается актуальной проблемой, несмотря на многолетний опыт в данной области.Методы. Ретроспективно проанализированы результаты подготовки к колоноскопии 530 пациентов, находящихся на стационарном лечении. Пациенты 1-й группы – 234 (44,2 %) больных – для подготовки к колоноскопии получали препарат фосфата натрия, во 2-й группе – 176 (33,2 %) человек  использовали полиэтиленгликоль (ПЭГ), 3-я группа – 120 (22,6 %) пациентов – применяли касторовое масло. Качество подготовки оценивали согласно степени визуализации стенки толстого кишечника на всем протяжении при каждом эндоскопическом исследовании и описывали как «отличную», «удовлетворительную» или «плохую».Результаты. У большей доли пациентов – 160 (68,4 %) человек, которые получали фосфат натрия, во всех сегментах толстой кишки подготовка была признана «отличной», у 46 (19,7 %) оценена как «удовлетворительная», у 28 (12 %) – как «плохая». Аналогичные показатели для ПЭГ составили 38,6; 40,3 и 20,1 % соответственно, для касторового масла – 43,3; 20,8; 35,8 %. Различия были достоверны по показателю «отличной» подготовки в пользу препарата фосфата натрия по сравнению с двумя другими исследуемыми препаратами.Выводы. Отмечено преимущество подготовки кишечника препаратом фосфата натрия, которое требуется подтвердить в рандомизированных исследованиях

КОМПЛЕКСНОЕ ПРИМЕНЕНИЕ МЕТОДОВ ОПТИЧЕСКОЙ ДИАГНОСТИКИ ПРИ НЕСПЕЦИФИЧЕСКОМ ЯЗВЕННОМ КОЛИТЕ

Abstract. Our results suggest that the combined use of optical coherent tomography (OCT) and fluorescence diagnosis helps to refine the nature and boundaries of the pathological process in the tissue of the colon in ulcerative colitis. Studies have shown that an integrated optical diagnostics allows us to differentiate lesions respectively to histology and to decide on the need for biopsy and venue. This method is most appropriate in cases difficult for diagnosis. Резюме. Cовместное использование оптической когерентной томографии (ОКТ) и флюоресцентной диа- гностики способствует уточнению характера и границ патологического процесса в ткани толстой кишки при неспецифическом язвенном колите. Исследования показали, что комплексная оптическая диагностика позволяет дифференцировать патологические изменения соответственно гистологической картине и решить вопрос о необходимости биопсии и месте ее проведения. Применение данного метода наиболее целесообразно в трудных диагностических случаях.

Upper and lower gastrointestinal tract disorders in patients with newly diagnosed acromegaly

Background: Increased growth hormone production in acromegaly results in enlargement of inner organs, their dysfunction and morphological abnormalities. Of special interest are patients with newly diagnosed acromegaly, because their gastrointestinal mucosa can be assessed without consideration of the influence of medications used for the treatment of the underlying disorder. Aim: To describe characteristic features of upper and lower gastrointestinal tract disorders in patient with treatment-naive acromegaly. Materials and methods: We examined 37 patients with newly diagnosed acromegaly, aged from 22 to 73 years (mean age, 49.9 ± 2.1 years). All patients underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy with biopsy for identification of Helicobacter pylori, colonoscopy, morphological examination of biopsy samples taken from neoplasms of the upper gastrointestinal tract, as well as of the colon. The control group included 35 individuals without acromegaly who were ageand gender compatible with the patients of the main group. Results: Cardiac insufficiency was diagnosed in 23 patients with acromegaly and in 13 in the control group (p < 0.05), simultaneous lesions of the stomach and duodenal bulb (erosions), in 7 and 2 patients, respectively (p > 0.05), gastric polypoids, in 6 patients of the main group and in no patient from the control group (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences between groups on esophagitis Savary Miller Grade 1 and 2 (grading, Grade 1 in 7 and 5 patients and Grade 2 in 3 and 2, respectively), as well as on contamination with Helicobacter pylori (19 patients in each of the groups). Colon abnormalities were found in patients with acromegaly more frequently than in the control group: dolichosigma, in 12 and 4 (p < 0.05), colonic polyps, in 13 and 2, respectively (p < 0.01). Diverticles were found in 9 with acromegaly and in 3 in the control group (p > 0.05). At histological examination, hyperplastic gastric polyps were found only in patients with acromegaly (6 patients, p < 0.05), colonic polyps in 8 patients from the main group and in 2 from the control one (p > 0.05). Tubular adenomas were diagnosed only in patients with acromegaly, in 2 of them they were located in the stomach (p > 0.05) and in 5, in the colon (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Right from the diagnosis, patients with acromegaly should undergo an examination of upper and lower gastrointestinal tract, because of the high probability of various disorders under high production of the growth hormone

CLINICAL EXPERIENCE WITH DIFFERENT DRUGS FOR BOWEL PREPARATION

Bowel preparation remains an important issue despite vast clinical experience in this field.Methods. 530 patients were included in retrospective analysis. 234 (44.2 %) patients in group 1 used sodium phosphate (SP) for bowel preparation, 176 (33.2 %) patients in group 2 used polyethylene glycol (PEG), 120 (22.6 %) patients used castor oil. Quality of bowel preparation was assessed according to following grading system: «good», «acceptable», «bad».Results. «Good», «acceptable», «bad» bowel preparation was observed in following number of patients: 160 (68.4 %), 46 (19.7 %) and 28 (12 %) patients who used SP, 38.6, 40.3 and 20.1 % who used PEG and 43.3, 20.8, 35.8 % who used castor oil. Results of «good» preparation were significantly better in patients who used SP comparing to other treatment groups.Conclusions. Better bowel preparation with SP was observed in our study, though results need to be validated in randomized trials

INTEGRATED APPLICATION OF OPTICAL DIAGNOSTIC METHODS IN ULCERATIVE COLITIS

Abstract. Our results suggest that the combined use of optical coherent tomography (OCT) and fluorescence diagnosis helps to refine the nature and boundaries of the pathological process in the tissue of the colon in ulcerative colitis. Studies have shown that an integrated optical diagnostics allows us to differentiate lesions respectively to histology and to decide on the need for biopsy and venue. This method is most appropriate in cases difficult for diagnosis