Prevalence of diabetes mellitus in patients with acromegaly

Early carbohydrate metabolism disorders (ECMDs) and diabetes mellitus (DM) are frequently associated with acromegaly. We aimed to assess the prevalence of ECMDs in patients with acromegaly and to compare the results with those in adults without acromegaly using two population-based epidemiologic surveys. We evaluated 97 patients with acromegaly in several phases of their disease (mean age, 56 years and estimated duration of acromegaly, 12.5 years). An oral glucose tolerance test was done in those not yet diagnosed with DM to reveal asymptomatic DM or ECMDs (impaired glucose tolerance+impaired fasting glucose). Comparisons were made between patients with acromegaly and participants from the general adult population (n=435) and an adult population with multiple type 2 diabetes risk factors (n=314), matched for gender, age and BMI. DM was diagnosed in 51 patients with acromegaly (52.5%) and 14.3% of the general population (P<0.001). The prevalence of ECMDs was also higher in patients with acromegaly than in the general population and in the high-risk group; only 22% of patients with acromegaly were normoglycaemic. The prevalence of newly diagnosed ECMDs or DM was 1.3-1.5 times higher in patients with acromegaly compared with the high-risk group. Patients with acromegaly having ECMDs or DM were older, more obese and had longer disease duration and higher IGF1 levels (Z-score). Logistic regression showed that the severity of glucose derangement was predicted by age, BMI and IGF1 levels. In patients with acromegaly, the prevalence of DM and ECMDs considerably exceeds that of the general population and of a high-risk group, and development of DM depends on age, BMI and IGF1 levels

The T7-Related Pseudomonas putida Phage ϕ15 Displays Virion-Associated Biofilm Degradation Properties

Formation of a protected biofilm environment is recognized as one of the major causes of the increasing antibiotic resistance development and emphasizes the need to develop alternative antibacterial strategies, like phage therapy. This study investigates the in vitro degradation of single-species Pseudomonas putida biofilms, PpG1 and RD5PR2, by the novel phage ϕ15, a ‘T7-like virus’ with a virion-associated exopolysaccharide (EPS) depolymerase. Phage ϕ15 forms plaques surrounded by growing opaque halo zones, indicative for EPS degradation, on seven out of 53 P. putida strains. The absence of haloes on infection resistant strains suggests that the EPS probably act as a primary bacterial receptor for phage infection. Independent of bacterial strain or biofilm age, a time and dose dependent response of ϕ15-mediated biofilm degradation was observed with generally a maximum biofilm degradation 8 h after addition of the higher phage doses (104 and 106 pfu) and resistance development after 24 h. Biofilm age, an in vivo very variable parameter, reduced markedly phage-mediated degradation of PpG1 biofilms, while degradation of RD5PR2 biofilms and ϕ15 amplification were unaffected. Killing of the planktonic culture occurred in parallel with but was always more pronounced than biofilm degradation, accentuating the need for evaluating phages for therapeutic purposes in biofilm conditions. EPS degrading activity of recombinantly expressed viral tail spike was confirmed by capsule staining. These data suggests that the addition of high initial titers of specifically selected phages with a proper EPS depolymerase are crucial criteria in the development of phage therapy

Порівняльне хімічне дослідження жирнокислотного складу квіток глодів секції Sanguineae Sarg.

For the first time the comparative study of the fatty acid composition of flowers of C. almaatensis Pojark., C. kansuensis Wils., C. Schneideri C.K.Schneid and C. Maximowizchii C.K.Schneid of Sanguineae Sarg. has been carried out by the chromato-mass-spectrometry method. For research the samples of the dried raw material collected at the flower bud stage in the Botanical garden of the V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University were used. The studies were carried out on an Agilent Technologies 6890 chromatograph with the mass-spectrometry detector 5973. As a result, 17 fatty acids have been identified. By the quantitative content such saturated fatty acids as laurinic, myristic pentadecanic, palmitic, palmitoleic, heptadecanoic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, linolenic, arachinic, 2-oxypalmitic, cheneicosanic, behenic, hexadecanedicarbonic, tetracosanic and hexacosanoic dominate in all species studied. The unsaturated acids are presented by oleic, linoleic and linolenic acids. In flowers of C. almaatensis Pojark. 14 fatty acids, in C. kansuensis Wils. and С. Schneideri C.K.Schneid. 15 acids, and in C. Maximowizchii C.K.Schneid. 17 acids have been identified. The content of fatty acids (calculated with reference to the total amount) for C. almaatensis Pojark. flowers was as follows: saturated – 64.73% , unsaturated – 35.27%; for C. kansuensis Wils. flowers: saturated – 65.59%, unsaturated – 34.41%; for C. Maximowizchii C.K.Schneid. flowers: saturated – 57.71%, unsaturated – 42.29%; for C. Schneideri C.K.Schneid. flowers: saturated – 54.22%, unsaturated – 45.78%. The highest content (calculated with reference to the total amount of fatty acids) of oleic acid has been determined in C. almaatensis Pojark. flowers (4.5%), linoleic acid – in C. kansuensis Wils. flowers (20.37%), linolenic acid – in C. Maximowizchii C.K.Schneid. flowers (18.01%).Хромато-масс-спектрометрическим методом впервые проведено сравнительное изучение жирнокислотного состава цветков  C. аlmaatensis Pojark., C. kansuensis Wils., С. Schneideri C.K. Schneid.  и С. Maximowizchii C.K. Schneid. секции Sanguineae Sarg. Для исследования использовали образцы сухого сырья, собранного в фазу бутонизации на базе Ботанического сада Национального университета им. Н.Н. Каразина. Исследование проводили на хроматографе Agilent Technologies 6890 с масс-спектрометрическим детектором 5973. В результате в сырье было идентифицировано 17 жирных кислот. Во всех исследованных видах по количественному содержанию доминируют насыщенные жирные кислоты: лауриновая, миристиновая, пентадекановая, пальмитиновая, пальмитолеиновая, гептадекановая, стеариновая, арахиновая, 2-оксипальмитиновая, хенейкозановая, бегеновая, гексадекандикарбоновая, тетракозановая, гексакозановая. Ненасыщенные представлены олеиновой, линолевой и линоленовой кислотами. В цветках C. аlmaatensis Pojark. идентифицировано  14 жирных кислот, C. kansuensis Wils. и С. Schneideri C.K. Schneid. – 15, С. Maximowizchii C.K. Schneid  – 17. Содержание жирных кислот (в пересчете от общей суммы) для цветков C. аlmaatensis Pojark. составило: насыщенных 64,73%, ненасыщенных – 35,27%;  C. kansuensis Wils. насыщенных – 65,59%, ненасыщенных –34,41%; С. Maximowizchii C.K. Schneid. насыщенных – 57,71%, ненасыщенных –42,29%; С. Schneideri C.K. Schneid. насыщенных – 54,22%, ненасыщенных – 45,78%. Наибольшее содержание (в пересчете от общей суммы жирных кислот) олеиновой кислоты установлено в цветках C. аlmaatensis Pojark. (4,5%), линолевой – цветках C. kansuensis Wils. (20,37%), линоленовой – цветках С. Maximowizchii C. K. Schneid. (18,01%).Хромато-мас-спектрометричним методом вперше проведено порівняльне дослідження жирнокислотного складу квіток  C. аlmaatensis Pojark., C. kansuensis Wils., С. Schneideri C.K. Schneid.  та С. Maximowizchii C.K. Schneid.  секції Sanguineae Sarg. Для дослідження використовували зразки сухої сировини, зібраної в фазу бутонізації на базі Ботанічного саду Національного університету ім. М.Н. Каразіна. Дослідження проводили на хроматографі Agilent Technologies 6890 з мас-спектрометричним детектором 5973. В результаті в сировині було ідентифіковано 17 жирних кислот. В усіх досліджуваних видах за кількісним вмістом домінують насичені жирні кислоти: лауринова, міристинова, пентадеканова, пальмітинова, пальмітолеїнова, гептадеканова, стеаринова, арахінова, 2-оксипальмітинова, хенейкозанова, бегенова, гексадекандикарбонова, тетракозанова, гексакозанова. Ненасичені представлені олеїновою, лінолевою та ліноленовою кислотами. В квітках C. аlmaatensis Pojark. ідентифіковано  14 жирних кислот, C. kansuensis Wils. та С. Schneideri C.K. Schneid. – 15, С. Maximowizchii C.K. Schneid  – 17. Вміст жирних кислот (у перерахунку від загальної суми) для квіток C. аlmaatensis Pojark. склав: насичених 64,73% , ненасичених – 35,27%;  C. kansuensis Wils. насичених – 65,59%, ненасичених –34,41%; С. Maximowizchii C.K. Schneid. насичених – 57,71%, ненасичених –42,29%; С. Schneideri C.K. Schneid. насичених – 54,22%, ненасичених – 45,78%. Найбільший вміст (в перерахунку від загальної суми жирних кислот) олеїнової кислоти визначено у квітках C. аlmaatensis Pojark. (4,5%), лінолевої – квітках C. kansuensis Wils. (20,37%), ліноленової – квітках С. Maximowizchii C. K. Schneid. (18,01%)

Порівняльне хімічне дослідження жирнокислотного складу квіток глодів секції Sanguineae Sarg.

For the first time the comparative study of the fatty acid composition of flowers of C. almaatensis Pojark., C. kansuensis Wils., C. Schneideri C.K.Schneid and C. Maximowizchii C.K.Schneid of Sanguineae Sarg. has been carried out by the chromato-mass-spectrometry method. For research the samples of the dried raw material collected at the flower bud stage in the Botanical garden of the V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University were used. The studies were carried out on an Agilent Technologies 6890 chromatograph with the mass-spectrometry detector 5973. As a result, 17 fatty acids have been identified. By the quantitative content such saturated fatty acids as laurinic, myristic pentadecanic, palmitic, palmitoleic, heptadecanoic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, linolenic, arachinic, 2-oxypalmitic, cheneicosanic, behenic, hexadecanedicarbonic, tetracosanic and hexacosanoic dominate in all species studied. The unsaturated acids are presented by oleic, linoleic and linolenic acids. In flowers of C. almaatensis Pojark. 14 fatty acids, in C. kansuensis Wils. and С. Schneideri C.K.Schneid. 15 acids, and in C. Maximowizchii C.K.Schneid. 17 acids have been identified. The content of fatty acids (calculated with reference to the total amount) for C. almaatensis Pojark. flowers was as follows: saturated – 64.73% , unsaturated – 35.27%; for C. kansuensis Wils. flowers: saturated – 65.59%, unsaturated – 34.41%; for C. Maximowizchii C.K.Schneid. flowers: saturated – 57.71%, unsaturated – 42.29%; for C. Schneideri C.K.Schneid. flowers: saturated – 54.22%, unsaturated – 45.78%. The highest content (calculated with reference to the total amount of fatty acids) of oleic acid has been determined in C. almaatensis Pojark. flowers (4.5%), linoleic acid – in C. kansuensis Wils. flowers (20.37%), linolenic acid – in C. Maximowizchii C.K.Schneid. flowers (18.01%).Хромато-масс-спектрометрическим методом впервые проведено сравнительное изучение жирнокислотного состава цветков  C. аlmaatensis Pojark., C. kansuensis Wils., С. Schneideri C.K. Schneid.  и С. Maximowizchii C.K. Schneid. секции Sanguineae Sarg. Для исследования использовали образцы сухого сырья, собранного в фазу бутонизации на базе Ботанического сада Национального университета им. Н.Н. Каразина. Исследование проводили на хроматографе Agilent Technologies 6890 с масс-спектрометрическим детектором 5973. В результате в сырье было идентифицировано 17 жирных кислот. Во всех исследованных видах по количественному содержанию доминируют насыщенные жирные кислоты: лауриновая, миристиновая, пентадекановая, пальмитиновая, пальмитолеиновая, гептадекановая, стеариновая, арахиновая, 2-оксипальмитиновая, хенейкозановая, бегеновая, гексадекандикарбоновая, тетракозановая, гексакозановая. Ненасыщенные представлены олеиновой, линолевой и линоленовой кислотами. В цветках C. аlmaatensis Pojark. идентифицировано  14 жирных кислот, C. kansuensis Wils. и С. Schneideri C.K. Schneid. – 15, С. Maximowizchii C.K. Schneid  – 17. Содержание жирных кислот (в пересчете от общей суммы) для цветков C. аlmaatensis Pojark. составило: насыщенных 64,73%, ненасыщенных – 35,27%;  C. kansuensis Wils. насыщенных – 65,59%, ненасыщенных –34,41%; С. Maximowizchii C.K. Schneid. насыщенных – 57,71%, ненасыщенных –42,29%; С. Schneideri C.K. Schneid. насыщенных – 54,22%, ненасыщенных – 45,78%. Наибольшее содержание (в пересчете от общей суммы жирных кислот) олеиновой кислоты установлено в цветках C. аlmaatensis Pojark. (4,5%), линолевой – цветках C. kansuensis Wils. (20,37%), линоленовой – цветках С. Maximowizchii C. K. Schneid. (18,01%).Хромато-мас-спектрометричним методом вперше проведено порівняльне дослідження жирнокислотного складу квіток  C. аlmaatensis Pojark., C. kansuensis Wils., С. Schneideri C.K. Schneid.  та С. Maximowizchii C.K. Schneid.  секції Sanguineae Sarg. Для дослідження використовували зразки сухої сировини, зібраної в фазу бутонізації на базі Ботанічного саду Національного університету ім. М.Н. Каразіна. Дослідження проводили на хроматографі Agilent Technologies 6890 з мас-спектрометричним детектором 5973. В результаті в сировині було ідентифіковано 17 жирних кислот. В усіх досліджуваних видах за кількісним вмістом домінують насичені жирні кислоти: лауринова, міристинова, пентадеканова, пальмітинова, пальмітолеїнова, гептадеканова, стеаринова, арахінова, 2-оксипальмітинова, хенейкозанова, бегенова, гексадекандикарбонова, тетракозанова, гексакозанова. Ненасичені представлені олеїновою, лінолевою та ліноленовою кислотами. В квітках C. аlmaatensis Pojark. ідентифіковано  14 жирних кислот, C. kansuensis Wils. та С. Schneideri C.K. Schneid. – 15, С. Maximowizchii C.K. Schneid  – 17. Вміст жирних кислот (у перерахунку від загальної суми) для квіток C. аlmaatensis Pojark. склав: насичених 64,73% , ненасичених – 35,27%;  C. kansuensis Wils. насичених – 65,59%, ненасичених –34,41%; С. Maximowizchii C.K. Schneid. насичених – 57,71%, ненасичених –42,29%; С. Schneideri C.K. Schneid. насичених – 54,22%, ненасичених – 45,78%. Найбільший вміст (в перерахунку від загальної суми жирних кислот) олеїнової кислоти визначено у квітках C. аlmaatensis Pojark. (4,5%), лінолевої – квітках C. kansuensis Wils. (20,37%), ліноленової – квітках С. Maximowizchii C. K. Schneid. (18,01%)

Formation of Multilayered Ti−Hf−Si−N//NbN//Al2O3Ti-Hf-Si-N//NbN//Al_2O_3 Coatings with High Physical and Mechanical Properties

This work presents the first results on forming of multi-layered superhard coatings $Ti-Hf-Si-N//NbN//Al_2O_3$ and their properties as well as structure. Microstructure, elemental and phase compositions of multi-layered coatings obtained by different methods were investigated. There were used such methods as: scanning electron microscopy EDS JEM-7000F microscope (with microanalysis) for research of cross-section of coatings, with subsequent Auger-electron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, optical inverted microscope Olympus GX51, electron-ion microscopes Quanta 200 3D and Quanta 600 (scanning electron microscopy), equipped by the detector of X-ray radiation of the system PEGASUS 2000. It was stated that hardness of coatings has reached 56 GPa, and at the same time the factor of wearing during friction was the smallest - $2.571 \times 10^{-5}$. It was also noted that nitrogen pressure in the chamber at the deposition of the top layer significantly influences on the properties of samples. For example, the coefficient of friction at P=0.3 Pa from 0.2 at the beginning of track to 0.001 (during the tests), and at the pressure of nitrogen P=0.8 Pa, the coefficient of friction was equal to 0.314 at the beginning of track and 0.384 at the end (during the tests)

Proteomics Readjustment of the <i>Yarrowia lipolytica</i> Yeast in Response to Increased Temperature and Alkaline Stress

Yeasts cope with a wide range of environmental challenges using different adaptive mechanisms. They can prosper at extreme ambient pH and high temperatures; however, their adaptation mechanisms have not been entirely investigated. Previously, we showed the pivotal role and flexibility of the sugar and lipid composition of Yarrowia lipolytica W 29 upon adaptation to unfavorable conditions. In this study, we showed that extreme pH provoked significant changes in the cell wall proteins expression, with an increase in both the chaperones of heat shock protein HSP60 and some other proteins with chaperone functions. The mitochondria activity changes inducing the VDAC and malate dehydrogenase played an essential role in the adaptation, as did the altered carbohydrate metabolism, promoting its shift towards the pyruvate formation rather than gluconeogenesis. The elevated temperature led to changes in the cell wall proteins and chaperones, the induced expression of the proteins involved in the cell structural organization, ribosomal proteins, and the enzymes of formaldehyde degradation. Moreover, the readjustment of the protein composition and amount under combined stress indicated the promotion of catabolic processes related to scavenging the damaged proteins and lipids. Under all of the stress conditions studied, the process of folding, stress resistance, redox adaptation, and oxidative phosphorylation were the dominant pathways. The combined chronic alkaline and heat stress (pH 9.0, 38 °C) led to cross-adaptation, which caused “switching” over the traditional metabolism to the adaptation to the most damaging stress factor, namely the increased temperature

Reforming tuberculosis control in Ukraine: results of pilot projects and implications for the national scale-up of DOTS.

The period of economic transition has had severe consequences for health and health systems in Ukraine. The tuberculosis (TB) situation illustrates this. The strategy recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for TB, directly observed treatment short-course (DOTS), has the potential to provide real improvements in TB services, forming the basis of the response to the growing epidemic. In 2002, Ukraine, financially supported by USAID and the European Community (EC), began to introduce DOTS through pilot projects in Mariupol and Kyiv City. The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility, effectiveness, health service cost, patient cost, and the cost-effectiveness of these pilots, in order to inform the national scale-up of DOTS. The study finds that DOTS is feasible and has the potential to be both effective and cost-effective in Ukraine. Following this study, Ukraine adopted DOTS as a national TB control strategy in 2005. However, the pilots also found that there are several evidence-related concerns and perverse economic incentives to both providers and patients that will need to be addressed if national scale-up is to be successful. These include concerns related to the treatment of MDR-TB, economic benefits to some patients to remain hospitalized, and payments to providers and health facilities that support current practices. These will need to be addressed if Ukraine is to develop an effective response to its emerging TB epidemic

Status of NESTOR

NSC KIPT proposed to construct a new X-ray and soft UV source NESTOR with a 40 - 225 MeV electron storage ring in Kharkov. NESTOR is a new type radiation source on the base of Compton scattering and a storage ring. Electrons are injected in the storage ring at 100 MeV and ramped up to final energy of 225 MeV. So, using interaction angle 10 Deg and 150 Deg, the facility covers operation energy range of radiation from soft UV trough synchrotron radiation from bending magnets up to hard X-ray radiation through Compton scattering (.apprx.1 eV .apprx.1 MeV). It is supposed that stored electron beam current will be of about 200 mA. Along with use of Nd:Yag laser of 10 W av. power which was developed by High-Q laser firm and optical resonator with accumulation gain of about 1000 it allows to provide X-ray radiation flux up to 1011 phot/s. NESTOR is the cooperative facility and its development is supported by Ukrainian government and NATO SfP project #977982. It is supposed that NESTOR will be in operation by mid-2007 yr. The status of the project and main facility systems are described in the report