Effect of in Doping on the ZnO Powders Morphology and Microstructure Evolution of ZnO:In Ceramics as a Material for Scintillators

Transparent ZnO ceramics are of interest for use as material for high-efficiency fast scintillators. Doping ZnO ceramics in order to improve complex of their properties is a promising direction. In the present research, the role of indium in the ZnO nanopowders surface interactions and in the change of microstructures and photoluminescence (PL) characteristics of sintered cera-mics is considered. Undoped and 0.13 wt% In doped ZnO ceramics are obtained by hot pressing sintering. It has been found that indium leads to the transition of initially faceted ZnO particles to rounded, contributing to good sintering with formation of diffusion active grain boundaries (GBs). Unlike ZnO ceramics, ZnO:In ceramics microstructure is characterised by the trans-crystalline mode of fracture, faceted GBs with places of zig-zag forms and predominant distribution of In at the GBs. Such indium induced modifications of GBs promote removal of point defects and reduce PL parameter α = I def /I exc in comparison with the undoped ceramics. Results characterise ZnO:In cera-mics with improved GBs properties as a prospective material for scintillators.The present research has been supported by the Project ERANET RUS_ ST#2017-051(Latvia) and #18-52-76002 (Russia); Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia as the Center of Excellence has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Framework Programme H2020-WIDESPREAD-01-2016-2017-TeamingPhase2 under grant agreement No. 739508, project CAMART

INTERLEUKIN 10, BODY MASS INDEX AND SERUM ALBUMIN IN CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE STAGE 5D PATIENTS

IL-10 - one of the central factors in the altered cytokine network of uremia, may play important role in the development of T-helper imbalance, CVD and wasting in dialysis patients. Aim: to evaluate level of ІL-10 in CKD stage 5D patients depending on the body mass index and serum albumin. Methods: Thirty-nine HD patients were included (male/female 20/19, age 21- 53 years, mean dialysis treatment time 4.2 ± 1.21 years). Blood tests were taken before a midweek dialysis session. Serum IL-10, serum albumin and BMI were measured. Results: HD patients had higher serum IL-10 than healthy donors (79.9 ± 7.3 vs. 18.8 ± 1.3 pg/ml, p < 0.001). Patients with low BMI had lower serum IL-10 than patients with normal BMI and large BMI – 31.0 ± 6.3 pg/ml; 76.7 ± 10.1 pg/ml; 117.7 ± 6.2 pg/ml, respectively (p < 0.001). Higher IL-10 was associated with increased serum albumin. Conclusion: Compensative increase of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in serum is typical in HD patients. Patients with nutrition deficit are characterized by lower serum IL-10

КЛІНІЧНА ЕФЕКТИВНІСТЬ НЕФРОТЕКТА У ГЕМОДІАЛІЗНИХ ПАЦІЄНТІВ

Пациенты на гемодиализе составляют большую группу, которая получает искусственное питание. Нутриционная программа для этих пациентов рассматривает не только метаболические нарушения, связанные с почечной недостаточностью и сопутствующими осложнениями, а и нарушения нутриционного баланса, обусловленные процедурой гемодиализа

Blood fluidity during physical exertion of various types

This paper presents data from the literature and own results on the study of blood fluidity (or rheological properties) when performing physical exercises. It is shown that the rheology of blood depends on the functional state of the haemostasis system. It has been established that in the physiological state of the organism, physical exertion of any strength can lead to changes in the reactions of primary and plasma haemostasis and, accordingly, the rheological properties of blood. The review describes the study of factors related to blood flow in humans and animals before and after physical exercise (running, swimming, etc.) in the normal physiological state of the organism, with overstrain and with certain types of pathology (cardiovascular and metabolic diseases). Data on blood flow in conditions of physical activity restriction are presented. Special attention is paid to the corrective role of physical exercises on the rheology (fluidity) of blood in violation of homeostasis of the organism. Possible mechanisms of action of physical exertion on blood flow are considered

Antidepressants administration in rheumatoid arthritiswith comorbid depression

Objective. To study comorbid depression influence on course of rheumatoid arthritis (RA)and antidepressants efficacy in such pts. Material and methods. 70 pts with RA (all women) fulfilled the 1987 ACR criteria with comorbid depression disturbances were included. 30 from them received course of treatment with antidepressants (main group). 20 refused proposed therapy (main control group). 20 RA pts without depression were included in an additional control group which was also followed up. Hamilton scales of depression and anxiety were used. Results. Baseline clinical measures did not significantly differ between study groups. Antidepressants application in main group pts was accompanied by significant improvement of tender and swollen joint count, morning stiffness duration, pain intensity (score),functional disability index (FDI) after 3 months (&lt;0,001,&lt;0,001, &lt;0,01, &lt;0,001,&lt;0,001). This improvement further increased to sixth month of follow up. Comparison of main and additional control groups showed better outcome in the absence of comorbid depression and its negative influence on results of treatment. Conclusion. Effective treatment of depression with modern antidepressants (selective inhibitors of reverse serotonin capture) in pts with RA improves clinical course of the disease, its prognosis and pts quality of life

ROLE OF LECTIN-SUBSTRANCE RECOGNITION IN IMMUNOREGULATORY INTERACTION BETWEEN INTERLEUKIN-2 IGG

As assessed by decreased response of ConA-induced blasts to IL-2, a staphylococcal protein A was shown to extract IL-2 from cultural medium after its preincubation with IgG, but it did not bind pure IL-2. Normal human immunoglobulin inhibits reaction of DTH effectors to Listeria antigen, which is also IL-2-dependent. An immunomodulating drug Phosprenyl (sodium polyprenylphosphate) abolishes the inhibitory ffect of immunoglobulin. Since Phosprenyl (as shown earlier) interacts with alpha-chain of rIL-2 and blocks IL-2 activity, the two drugs are in competitive relations. The latter may be explained by identities in prostetic carbohydrate groups of the both glycoproteins (CD25 and immunoglobulin), whereas Phosprenyl and IL-2 would behave like as lectins. These results characterize local conditions and mechanisms of immune regulation under tissue domination of gamma-globulin or antibodies of a given isotype. IgG binds with IL-2, reacting not with an active center but with effector region of IgG molecule, thus blocking IL-2 activity. Since a similar effect is observed under in vivo conditions (in a DTH model), the phenomenon revealed may explein inhibition of immune response after passive injection of antibodies, as well as a feed-back relationship between humoral and cellular immunity. Inhibition of IL-2 biological activity after its interaction with IgG and immune complexes may be considered as a universal mechanism of immune regulation performed by a feedback regulation, which may be influenced by means of Phosprenyl-like immunomodulators. In some infections, malignant growth etc., such mechanism may be of utmost pathogenetic significance. Moreover, such a mechanism cannot be also excluded in some physiological immunogenetic interactions, e.g., in feto-maternal system, where it could promote a positive selection for individuals with broader MHC repertoire, which would be necessary for development of individual and population-based resistance to infection

Early arthritis in children and adolescents — immune status of patients and perspectives of treatment

Objective. To study state of immune status in children and adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) at early stages of the disease development and perspectives of their treatment. Materials and methods. 286 children and adolescents with olygo- and polyarticular variants of JIA aged 3 to 18 years were included. Examination of CD4, CD8, CD16, CD95 lymphocyte markers, IgA, IgG, IgM rheumatoid factor, interleukin 1(3, 4, 6, 8, 10, tumor necrosis factor a as well as lymphocyte morphometry was performed. Results. High blood levels of CD4, CD8, CD 16, CD95, pro- and anti- inflammatory interleukins were revealed at active stage of JIA particularly in pts with polyarthritis and extended olygoarthritis. Changes of mean lymphocyte morphometric measures linearly inversely correlated with relative lymphocyte markers level what proves relationship of processes of proliferation, cytotoxicity and elevation of circulating apoptotic cell count in blood. However increase of “programmed death cells" may reflect not only proliferation but also capability of cells to induce cell death program in presence of provocative factors. In pts with very high humoral level of lymphocyte markers and cytokines appropriate therapy more often induces clinico-laboratory remission than in pts with lower values. Conclusion. Immune and cytokine status in children and adolescents with JIA determines evolution of arthritis. Early administration of disease modifying drugs more often induces of clinico-laboratory remission in pts with high levels of lymphocyte markers and antiinflammatory cytokines

Variants of intensification of immunosuppressive therapy of rheumatoid arthritis

Objective. To assess influence of different treatment intensification regimens on clinico- laboratory parameters of activity and quality of life of pts with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Material and methods. 40 RA pts of group 1 received pulse-therapy with methotrexate (MT) and dexamethasone (DM), 20ptsofgroup 2 received pulse-therapy with methylprednisolone (MP) and cyclophosphane (CP). After that all pts continued treatment with disease modifying antirheumatic drugs. Pts were examined at baseline, 1 and 6 months after completion of therapy intensification cycle. Results. At 1 month tender and swollen joint counts decrease in group 1 was more prominent than in group 2. After 6 months significant decrease of all disease activity measures was maintained in group 1 but not in pts received CP and MP. Conclusion. Pulse therapy with MT and DM provided more prolonged decrease of RA clinico-laboratory activity than treatment with MP and CP. Group 1 pts also showed significant increase of quality of life. None method of intensive treatment caused severe adverse events