Early Coaching to Increase Water Intake in CKD.

Introduction: In observational studies, increased water intake improves kidney function but not in adults with CKD stage 3 and more. CKD WIT trial has shown a nonsignificant gradual decline in kidney function after 1 year of coaching to increase water intake (CIWI) [1]. We propose that CIWI may benefit in CKD stage 1–2 (G1 and G2) and depends on functional renal functional reserve (RFR) [2, 3]. Objective: Parallel-group randomized trial was aimed to determinate the effectiveness of CIWI dependence of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) stage and RFR in adults with CKD 1–2 stages. Methods: CKD WIT trial was taken as the basis for prospective multicenter randomized trial named "Early Coaching to Increase Water Intake in CKD (ECIWIC)." The primary outcome was the change in kidney function by eGFR from baseline to 12 months. Secondary outcomes included 1-year change in urine albumin/Cr ratio, and patient-reported overall quality of health (QH) ranged from 0 (worst possible) to 10 (best possible). CIWI aimed to have the diuresis being 1.7–2 L. There were 4 groups with nondiet sodium restriction which consisted of 31 patients each: 2 groups with CKD G1 and CKD G2, undergoing CIWI and 2 others with CKD G1 and CKD G2 without CIWI (Fig. 1a). Overall checks were made at 0, 6, and 12 months. RFR evaluation was performed using 0.45% sodium chloride oral solution. Results: Of our randomized 124 patients (mean age 53.2 years; men 83 [67%], 0 died), mean change in 24-h urine volume was 0.6 L per day in G1 with CIWI group and 0.5 L in G2. No statistically significant data on eGFR depending CIWI were obtained (Fig. 1b). However, the trend suggests that CIWI improves eGFR in CKD G1 (from 95 to 96 mL/min/1.73 m2) and preserves eGFR decline in CKD G2 (78–78). The QH values were also preserved (from 7 to 7 in G1 and G2 groups). Although coaching to maintain the same water intake did not preserve physiological and pathological eGFR decreasing in CKD G1-2 (G1 from 96 to 93, G2 from 76 to 73; t = 0.6, p = 0.29, and p ≤ 0.05 in all groups) and the QH was declined (from 7 to 6 in both groups). An individual analysis of the RFR has shown that patients with RFR more than 50% (G1 19 patients, 61%, and G2 13 patients, 42%) had reliable preservation of eGFR with its increase of 1.5 mL/min on CIWI, while patients with low functional renal reserve had a drop of eGFR at 1.1 mL/min/m2 within 12 months. Patients with low normal serum sodium levels have shown worse results on CIWI. Conclusions: With CKD G1, the CIWI leads to the preservation of the renal function with its increase of GFR per 1 mL/min/m2/per year in comparison with the same water intake. In CKD G2, the CIWI prevents physiological and pathological loss of renal function, and RFR above 50% aids restoration of eGFR both in CKD G1-2. ECIWIC trial demonstrates benefit of CIWI in patients with CKD 1–2 and preserved RFR

Розробка конструкції вариатора зачепленням з використанням теорії графів

Various designs of CVTs were explored from two points of view: analysis of the design itself and analysis of the methods and techniques, used in the process of creation of the CVT. To solve the problem of finding new designs of mechanisms, the graph transformation method was developed. It includes the following heuristic techniques: a decrease in the number of graph nodes at simplification of a design or to remove non-essential elements; a change in location of graph edges and comparison of a new location of edges and necessary changes in a design; a search for all possible options for location of the parts that correspond to the same graph; introduction to the graph of the nodes, corresponding to the property, for implementation of which a part (a node) can be added to a design or, vice versa, can be removed from a design, and the property it implemented will be implemented by other parts.The original design of the CVT, in which load is transmitted by gear engagement without using friction disks and flexible sections, was developed. A continuously variable of transition ratio is ensured by a gear wheel with a variable pitch. The gear wheel consists of three gear sectors, two of which are involved in meshing. The third unloaded sector performs a turn with angular velocity that is higher than velocity of rotation of the output shaft until it takes a position before coming into engagement. The CVT does not have such drawback as fluctuations of transmission ratio. Based on the analysis of the bond-graphs, efficiency was determined, which depending on velocity of the output shaft is in the range of 95…97 %. The disadvantage of the developed design is an insufficiently wide gear ratio range R=1.5…1.6, which is limited by transverse contact ratio εαИсследованы разнообразные конструкции вариаторов с двух точек зрения: анализ собственно конструкции и анализ методов и приемов, применяемых на пути создания вариатора. Для решения задачи поиска новых конструкций механизмов разработан метод трансформации графов. Он включает следующие эвристические приемы. Уменьшение количества узлов графа при упрощении конструкции или для отсечения несущественных элементов. Изменение расположения ребер графа и сопоставления нового расположения ребер и необходимых изменений в конструкции. Поиск всех возможных вариантов расположения деталей, соответствующих одному и тому же графу. Введение в граф узлов соответствующих свойств, для реализации которой в конструкцию может быть добавлена деталь (узел), или наоборот, деталь может быть удалена из конструкции, а свойство, которое она реализовывала, будет реализовано другими деталями. Разработана оригинальная конструкция вариатора, в котором нагрузка передается зубчатым зацеплением без использования фрикционных дисков и гибких звеньев. Плавная регулировка передаточного отношения обеспечивается зубчатым колесом с переменным шагом. Колесо состоит из трех зубчатых секторов, два из которых участвуют в зацеплении. Третий ненагруженный сектор осуществляет поворот с угловой скоростью большей, чем скорость вращения выходного вала, пока не займет положение перед входом в зацепление. Вариатор лишен такого недостатка, как колебания передаточного отношения. На основе анализа бондграфов определен КПД, который в зависимости от скорости выходного вала колеблется в пределах 95...97 %. Недостатком разработанной конструкции является недостаточно широкий диапазон регулирования R=1,5...1,6, который ограничен коэффициентом перекрытия εαДосліджено різноманітні конструкції варіаторів з двох точок зору: аналіз власне конструкції і аналіз методів та прийомів, застосованих на шляху створення варіатору. Для розв'язання завдання пошуку нових конструкцій механізмів розроблений метод трансформації графів. Він включає наступні евристичні прийоми. Зменшення кількості вузлів графу при спрощення конструкції або для відсікання несуттєвих елементів. Зміна розташування ребр графу і зіставлення нового розташування ребр і необхідних змін в конструкції. Пошук всіх можливих варіантів розташування деталей, що відповідають одному і тому ж графу. Введення в граф вузлів відповідних властивості, для реалізації якої в конструкцію може бути додана деталь (вузол) або навпаки, деталь може бути видалена з конструкції, а властивість, яка вона реалізовувала, буде реалізовано іншими деталями. Розроблено оригінальну конструкцію варіатору, в якому навантаження передається зубчатим зачепленням без використання фрикційних дисків і гнучких ланок. Плавне регулювання передатного відношення забезпечується зубчастим колесом зі змінним кроком. Колесо складається з трьох зубчастих секторів два з яких беруть участь в зачепленні. Третій ненавантажений сектор здійснює поворот з кутовою швидкістю більшою, ніж швидкість обертання вихідного валу, поки не займе положення перед входом в зачеплення. Варіатор позбавлений такого недоліку, як коливання передатного відношення. На основі аналізу бондгафів визначено ККД, який в залежності від швидкості вихідного валу коливається в межах 95…97 %. Недоліком розробленої конструкції є недостатньо широкий діапазон регулювання R=1,5…1,6, який обмежений коефіцієнтом перекриття ε

Architectural typology of intergenerational shared sites

In the conditions of the modern world, there is an increasing socio-cultural gap between generations. To create sustainable development and functioning of society, to maintain its stability in the present and future, it is necessary to create conditions for strengthening intergenerational relations. All social programs must be accompanied by architectural programs, so there is a need for the architectural and urban planning transformation of the existing urban space in favor of the development of intergenerational ties. The purpose of this study is to determine the typological features of intergenerational centers based on a comparative analysis of existing facilities. Several different intergenerational shared sites examples around the world were analyzed. The analysis revealed a general typology of intergenerational environments: outdoor spaces for short-term intergenerational communication; indoor and outdoor spaces for intergenerational communication at centers; specialized housing estates and co-living buildings with public indoor and outdoor zones for intergenerational communication. The results of this work are the basis for further research, the purpose of which is to form the principles of an environment that promotes the development of intergenerational relations in Russian conditions and their approbation in the design of a residential area in Yakutsk

Russia's Human Capital: Performance and Comparisons

Article discusses the results of the valuation of human capital in Russia by analyzing the dynamics of in the period from 2007 to 2012 in nominal and real terms. The changes in the value of human capital by age groups are studied, cross-country differences in the estimates of human capital are revealed. The cost of human capital is estimated via two methods: the cost method proposed by Russian scientist M.M. Kritsliy, and the income method developed by the OECD. Current study reflects on the modified OECD method, which is applicable for statistical information disaggregated by five-year age intervals. Calculations show that in 2012 the total value of the human capital in Russia amounted to 768.7 trillion rubles if counted using M.M. Kritsliy' method and 504.6 trillion rubles using OECD method. In real terms, growth in comparison with 2007 was 40 percent using the first method 10 percent using OECD method. The comparison of the estimates on the value of Russia's human capital by age groups showed that the younger ages are ‘richer' than those in older age groups. Comparison of macro characteristics of the Russian economy showed that the gross stock of human capital at times exceeds the GDP and the stock of physical capital. The study revealed cross-country differences in the cost of and the level of equipment with human capital in Russia and the United States. Keywords: human capital, Russia, dynamics, age groups, cross-country comparisons JEL Classifications: O15; R1

C\u3csub\u3e60\u3c/sub\u3e fullerenes selectively inhibit BK\u3csub\u3eCa\u3c/sub\u3e but not K\u3csub\u3ev\u3c/sub\u3e channels in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells

© 2019 Elsevier Inc. Possessing unique physical and chemical properties, C60 fullerenes are arising as a potential nanotechnological tool that can strongly affect various biological processes. Recent molecular modeling studies have shown that C60 fullerenes can interact with ion channels, but there is lack of data about possible effects of C60 molecule on ion channels expressed in smooth muscle cells (SMC). Here we show both computationally and experimentally that water-soluble pristine C60 fullerene strongly inhibits the large conductance Ca2+-dependent K+ (BKCa), but not voltage-gated K+ (Kv) channels in pulmonary artery SMC. Both molecular docking simulations and analysis of single channel activity indicate that C60 fullerene blocks BKCa channel pore in its open state. In functional tests, C60 fullerene enhanced phenylephrine-induced contraction of pulmonary artery rings by about 25% and reduced endothelium-dependent acetylcholine-induced relaxation by up to 40%. These findings suggest a novel strategy for biomedical application of water-soluble pristine C60 fullerene in vascular dysfunction

Antigen Retrieval and Its Effect on the MALDI-MSI of Lipids in Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded Tissue

Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue represents the primary source of clinical tissue and is routinely used in MALDI-MSI studies. However, it is not particularly suitable for lipidomics imaging given that many species are depleted during tissue processing. Irrespective, a number of solvent-resistant lipids remain, but their extraction may be hindered by the cross-link between proteins. Therefore, an antigen retrieval step could enable the extraction of a greater number of lipids and may provide information that is complementary to that which can be obtained from other biomolecules, such as proteins. In this short communication, we aim to address the effect of performing antigen retrieval prior to MALDI-MSI of lipids in FFPE tissue. As a result, an increased number of lipid signals could be detected and may have derived from lipid species that are known to be implicated in the lipid-protein cross-linking that is formed as a result of formalin fixation. Human renal cancer tissue was used as a proof of concept to determine whether using these detected lipid signals were also able to highlight the histopathological regions that were present. These preliminary findings may highlight the potential to enhance the clinical relevance of the lipidomic information obtained from FFPE tissue