Anomalous microwave response in the dissipative regime of topological superconducting devices based on Bi2Te2.3Se0.7

Superconducting proximity junctions based on topological insulators are widely believed to harbor Majorana-like bound states. The latter serves as a paradigm non-local topological quantum computation protocols. Nowadays, a search for topological phases in different materials, perspective for a realization of topological qubits, is one of the central efforts in quantum physics. It is motivated, in particular, by recent observation of anomalous ac Josephson effect, which being a signature of Majorana physics. Its manifestations, such as a fractional Josephson frequency and the absence of the first (or several odd in more rare cases), Shapiro steps, were reported for different materials. Here we study Shapiro steps in Nb/Bi2Te2.3Se0.7/Nb junctions, based on ultrasmall single crystals of a 3D topological insulator synthesized by a physical vapor deposition (PVD) technique. We present evidence that our junctions are ballistic. When subjected to microwave radiation, the junctions exhibit Shapiro steps, but the first step is missing. Typically it is assumed that the missing first step (MFS) effect cannot be observed in the presence of quasiparticle poisoning due to suppression of the 4{\pi}-periodic component. Our findings within the context of the RSJ-model of Josephson junction dynamics show that such behaviour of samples corresponds to a specific condition, requiring a minimum of 5% of the 4{\pi}-component for disappearance of the first Shapiro step.Comment: Keywords: Shapiro step missing, Topological insulator, Superconductivity, Ballistic transport, 4{\pi}-periodic componen

ЭПИДЕМИЧЕСКАЯ СИТУАЦИЯ ПО ТУБЕРКУЛЕЗУ В ЧЕЧЕНСКОЙ РЕСПУБЛИКЕ В СОВРЕМЕННЫХ СОЦИАЛЬНО-ЭКОНОМИЧЕСКИХ УСЛОВИЯХ

Introduction. Tuberculosis is one of the most important medical and social problems in the whole world as well as in Russia and its separate regions.Purpose. The study was aimed at assessment of tuberculosis epidemic situation in the Chechen Republic in the current socio-economic conditions after counterterrorist operations.Materials and methods. The authors analyzed the annual reports of the Ministry of Health of the Chechen Republic for 2010–2015, data of Rosstat, statistical data form for tuberculosis (№ 8 and № 30).Results. The results shown a threefold increase in the main tuberculosis indicators (incidence, prevalence and mortality) after counterterrorist operations (1994–1996), and a decrease in these indicators in 2010–2015. The authors have found the cities and rural municipal districts with the most and the least favorable tuberculosis situation. The study results demonstrated an increase in the number of patients with bacillary, with fibrous-cavernous form, as well as patients with tuberculosis in combination with HIV infection. The authors proved the relation between the prevalence of fibrous-cavernous form of tuberculosis and mortality rate. Tuberculosis incidence in children (0–14 years) and adolescents (15–17 years) decreased in 2010–2015 while the incidence in adolescents remains higher than the incidence in children.Conclusion. Effective antituberculosis work in the Chechen Republic needs to improve the quality of medical examinations, early detection of tuberculosis, timely immunization, and health education.Введение. Туберкулез является одной из наиболее значимых медико-социальных проблем как во всем мире, так и на территории России и отдельных ее регионов.Цель. Целью работы явилась оценка эпидемической ситуации по туберкулезу в Чеченской Республике в сложившихся современных социально-экономических условиях после проведенных контртеррористических операций (1994–1996 гг., 1999–2004 гг.).Методы. Источником информации послужили годовые отчеты Министерства здравоохранения Чеченской Республики за 2010–2015 гг., данные Росстата, статистические формы по туберкулезу (№ 8 и № 30).Результаты. Установлено трехкратное увеличение основных показателей по туберкулезу – заболеваемости, распространенности и смертности после контртеррористических операций (1994–1996 гг.) и снижение этих показателей в период 2010–2015 гг. Определены города и сельские муниципальные районы с наиболее и наименее благоприятной ситуацией по туберкулезу. Установлено увеличение в последние годы числа больных с бациллярной, с фиброзно-кавернозной формой, а также больных туберкулезом в сочетании с ВИЧ-инфекцией. Доказано, что со снижением распространенности фиброзно-кавернозной формы туберкулеза снижается показатель смертности от туберкулеза. Установлено снижение показателя заболеваемости туберкулезом в динамике за 2010–2015 гг. детей (0–14 лет) и подростков (15–17 лет), при этом заболеваемость подростков остается выше заболеваемости детей.Заключение. Для эффективной борьбы с туберкулезом на территории Чеченской Республики требуется совершенствование проведения медицинских осмотров, раннего выявления заболевших, своевременное проведение мер по иммунопрофилактике, усиление санитарно-просветительской работы

Assessment of Association of rs2200733 SNP on Chromosome 4q25 with the Risk of the Development of Atrial Fibrillation in the Russian Population

The aim of our case-control study was to investigate the possible genetic association of the rs2200733 SNP on chromosome 4q25 with AF in the Russian population as this association has not been examined before in this ethnicity. Methods and Results: A total of 76 unrelated individuals diagnosed with AF and 73 control subjects without any cardiovascular pathology were included in this study. The diagnosis of AF was based on ECG and/or Holter ECG data following standard diagnostic criteria. We found that the TT genotype of the rs2200733 SNP was associated with a higher risk of AF (OR=1.4, 95% CI: 1.1-12.4). The homozygote minor rare allele genotype TT of the rs2200733 SNP tended to elevate the risk of lone AF development (OR=2.5, 95% CI: 1.2-19.5). A risk of secondary AF development did not depend on rs2200733 SNP on chromosome 4q25 (OR=0.5, 95% CI: 0.2-1.3). Conclusion: Our results provide additional evidence for the association between the rs2200733 (4q25) SNP on chromosome 4q25 and AF, emphasizing the need for further studies examining the role of this polymorphism in AF

MRI-derived PRECISE scores for predicting pathologically-confirmed radiological progression in prostate cancer patients on active surveillance

Funder: University of CambridgeAbstract: Objectives: To assess the predictive value and correlation to pathological progression of the Prostate Cancer Radiological Estimation of Change in Sequential Evaluation (PRECISE) scoring system in the follow-up of prostate cancer (PCa) patients on active surveillance (AS). Methods: A total of 295 men enrolled on an AS programme between 2011 and 2018 were included. Baseline multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) was performed at AS entry to guide biopsy. The follow-up mpMRI studies were prospectively reported by two sub-specialist uroradiologists with 10 years and 13 years of experience. PRECISE scores were dichotomized at the cut-off value of 4, and the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were calculated. Diagnostic performance was further quantified by using area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) which was based on the results of targeted MRI-US fusion biopsy. Univariate analysis using Cox regression was performed to assess which baseline clinical and mpMRI parameters were related to disease progression on AS. Results: Progression rate of the cohort was 13.9% (41/295) over a median follow-up of 52 months. With a cut-off value of category ≥ 4, the PRECISE scoring system showed sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV for predicting progression on AS of 0.76, 0.89, 0.52 and 0.96, respectively. The AUC was 0.82 (95% CI = 0.74–0.90). Prostate-specific antigen density (PSA-D), Likert lesion score and index lesion size were the only significant baseline predictors of progression (each p < 0.05). Conclusion: The PRECISE scoring system showed good overall performance, and the high NPV may help limit the number of follow-up biopsies required in patients on AS. Key Points: • PRECISE scores 1–3 have high NPV which could reduce the need for re-biopsy during active surveillance. • PRECISE scores 4–5 have moderate PPV and should trigger either close monitoring or re-biopsy. • Three baseline predictors (PSA density, lesion size and Likert score) have a significant impact on the progression-free survival (PFS) time

MRI-derived PRECISE scores for predicting pathologically-confirmed radiological progression in prostate cancer patients on active surveillance

Funder: University of CambridgeAbstract: Objectives: To assess the predictive value and correlation to pathological progression of the Prostate Cancer Radiological Estimation of Change in Sequential Evaluation (PRECISE) scoring system in the follow-up of prostate cancer (PCa) patients on active surveillance (AS). Methods: A total of 295 men enrolled on an AS programme between 2011 and 2018 were included. Baseline multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) was performed at AS entry to guide biopsy. The follow-up mpMRI studies were prospectively reported by two sub-specialist uroradiologists with 10 years and 13 years of experience. PRECISE scores were dichotomized at the cut-off value of 4, and the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were calculated. Diagnostic performance was further quantified by using area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) which was based on the results of targeted MRI-US fusion biopsy. Univariate analysis using Cox regression was performed to assess which baseline clinical and mpMRI parameters were related to disease progression on AS. Results: Progression rate of the cohort was 13.9% (41/295) over a median follow-up of 52 months. With a cut-off value of category ≥ 4, the PRECISE scoring system showed sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV for predicting progression on AS of 0.76, 0.89, 0.52 and 0.96, respectively. The AUC was 0.82 (95% CI = 0.74–0.90). Prostate-specific antigen density (PSA-D), Likert lesion score and index lesion size were the only significant baseline predictors of progression (each p < 0.05). Conclusion: The PRECISE scoring system showed good overall performance, and the high NPV may help limit the number of follow-up biopsies required in patients on AS. Key Points: • PRECISE scores 1–3 have high NPV which could reduce the need for re-biopsy during active surveillance. • PRECISE scores 4–5 have moderate PPV and should trigger either close monitoring or re-biopsy. • Three baseline predictors (PSA density, lesion size and Likert score) have a significant impact on the progression-free survival (PFS) time

WAYS TO IMPROVE PRIMARY PROPHYLAXIS MEASURES CONCERNING ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN POPULATION EARNING CAPACITY

Проведен анализ опроса больных артериальной гипертензией об эффективности применении методов самоконтроля артериального давления и возможности использования обучающих программ. На базе Красногорской городской больницы № 1 в период с 2013 по 2015 гг. проведено исследование результатов опроса 318 больных артериальной гипертензией о необходимости контроля артериального давления, об организации специальных пунктов для осуществления такого контроля, а также о прохождении пациентами специальных образовательных программ для больных артериальной гипертензией. Установлено, что большинство опрошенных понимают необходимость осуществления регулярного контроля уровня артериального давления, измеряют его 1–2 раза в сутки, делая это в домашних условиях. Показана необходимость обеспечения возможностей измерения артериального давления в различных ситуациях, в том числе при нахождении больного на работе, в поездке, в торговом центре. При этом необходимо обучение пациентов самостоятельному измерению давления и необходимым действиям при проявлении признаков неблагополучия, например, начинающегося гипертонического криза. Анализ показал, что 89,5% опрошенных проходили обучение по специальным программам для больных артериальной гипертензией, но 57,9% пациентов рассматривают его как полезное, а 32% отозвались о них отрицательно, что свидетельствуют о необходимости совершенствования организации проведения и содержания этих программ. Сделан вывод, что основная роль в этом процессе должна принадлежать специалистам в области организации здравоохранения, которым необходимо активизировать разработку профилактических технологий артериальной гипертензии.We analyzed hypertensive patients’ opinions about the effectiveness of the blood pressure (BP) self-monitoring methods and training programs. In 2012–2015, we surveyed 318 hypertensive patients at Krasnogorsk (Moscow region, Russia) municipal hospital № 1. We asked their opinion about the necessity of BP monitoring, about setting of special points for BP measurement, and about educational programs for hypertensive patients. We found that most of the patients understand the necessity BP monitoring. Most of the patients measure BP once or twice a day, usually at home. We found the demand for BP measurement opportunities in various settings: at work, on trip, at shopping centers. Moreover, educational programs are necessary to train patient to monitor BP and take adequate actions in case, for example, of a hypertensive crisis. We found that 89.5% of patients participated in special programs for hypertensive, but only 57.9% of patients found them useful, and almost a third of them expressed negative opinion, than suggested a need to improve the programs. We think the health care policy-makers should play the main role this process and take steps in the development of new prevention technologies

Targeting Mitochondrial Dynamics Proteins for the Development of Therapies for Cardiovascular Diseases

Cardiovascular diseases are one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The identification of new pathogenetic targets contributes to more efficient development of new types of drugs for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. This review highlights the problem of mitochondrial dynamics disorders, in the context of cardiovascular diseases. A change in the normal function of mitochondrial dynamics proteins is one of the reasons for the development of the pathological state of cardiomyocytes. Based on this, therapeutic targeting of these proteins may be a promising strategy in the development of cardiac drugs. Here we will consider changes for each process of mitochondrial dynamics in cardiovascular diseases: fission and fusion of mitochondria, mitophagy, mitochondrial transport and biogenesis, and also analyze the prospects of the considered protein targets based on existing drug developments