Ocular Manifestations In COVID-19: Clinical Case Reports And A Literature (Review)

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected more than 130 million people as of April 2021. During the current pandemic, SARS-CoV-2 has been found to cause conjunctivitis with anecdotal evidence of a wide range of manifestations from scleritis to retinitis, occlusive vasculitis and optic neuritis. The purpose of this study is to raise awareness about possible COVID-19 related ocular manifestations, including papillophlebitis, anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, uveitis and neuroretinitis. Further detailed analyses will be needed to elucidate the link between SARS-CoV-2 and ocular pathology

The ultraluminous GRB 110918A

GRB 110918A is the brightest long GRB detected by Konus-WIND during its 19 years of continuous observations and the most luminous GRB ever observed since the beginning of the cosmological era in 1997. We report on the final IPN localization of this event and its detailed multiwavelength study with a number of space-based instruments. The prompt emission is characterized by a typical duration, a moderare $E_{peak}$ of the time-integrated spectrum, and strong hard-to-soft evolution. The high observed energy fluence yields, at z=0.984, a huge isotropic-equivalent energy release $E_{iso}=(2.1\pm0.1)\times10^{54}$ erg. The record-breaking energy flux observed at the peak of the short, bright, hard initial pulse results in an unprecedented isotropic-equivalent luminosity $L_{iso}=(4.7\pm0.2)\times10^{54}$erg s$^{-1}$. A tail of the soft gamma-ray emission was detected with temporal and spectral behavior typical of that predicted by the synchrotron forward-shock model. Swift/XRT and Swift/UVOT observed the bright afterglow from 1.2 to 48 days after the burst and revealed no evidence of a jet break. The post-break scenario for the afterglow is preferred from our analysis, with a hard underlying electron spectrum and ISM-like circumburst environment implied. We conclude that, among multiple reasons investigated, the tight collimation of the jet must have been a key ingredient to produce this unusually bright burst. The inferred jet opening angle of 1.7-3.4 deg results in reasonable values of the collimation-corrected radiated energy and the peak luminosity, which, however, are still at the top of their distributions for such tightly collimated events. We estimate a detection horizon for a similar ultraluminous GRB of $z\sim7.5$ for Konus-WIND, and $z\sim12$ for Swift/BAT, which stresses the importance of GRBs as probes of the early Universe.Comment: 22 pages, 20 figures, accepted for publication in Ap

Time course of changes in the development of gait disorders in multiple sclerosis

Objective: to estimate the time course of changes in foot biomechanical function as multiple sclerosis (MS) progresses in patients with different degrees of disability compared to a control group. Patients and methods. To estimate the time course of changes in gait disorders in MS, changes in foot biomechanical function were explored in 30 patients with relapsing-remitting MS. Their neurological status was evaluated using the expanded disability status scale (EDSS); pedographic examination was made applying a plantar pressure distribution system; all the patients were examined twice. During the first examination, the patients were divided into two groups: 1) minimal neurological disorders (EDSS scores of < 3.0) and 2) moderate ones (EDSS scores of ≥3.0). Results and discussion. The patients with a mild neurological deficit showed increases in foot load and its lateralization by elevating pressure on the heads of the fourth and fifth metatarsal bones, as evidenced by a significant rise in mean pressure, maximum force, and force-time integral. These changes occurred in the absence of the patients’ complaints of changes in movements. Pedographic examination revealed the changes indicating an enlarged anterior transverse arch and the lower role of the hallux in body weight transfer in the patients with a moderate neurological deficit despite the fact that there were no further visible negative changes in a motor process or progression in neurological deficit. The pedographic examination makes it possible to estimate the degree of gait disorders caused by pyramidal and/or cerebellar lesions and to identify a leading role of this or that functional system in their genesis. Pyramidal dysfunction has impact on the pressurization of the heads of the second and third metatarsal bones. Computed pedography can identify clinically subtle movement changes and estimate the time course of changes in movement disorders in MS patients, including those to evaluate the efficiency of therapy and rehabilitation measures

ХРОНИЧЕСКАЯ ОБСТРУКТИВНАЯ БОЛЕЗНЬ ЛЕГКИХ И ХРОНИЧЕСКАЯ СЕРДЕЧНАЯ НЕДОСТАТОЧНОСТЬ У ПОЖИЛЫХ

The article provides literature review on the subject: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: pathogenesis, principles of treatment, the course of heart failure in elderly people with comorbide pathology (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cardio-vascular diseases). Role of NT-pro BNP as marker of heart failure in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was analyzed. Influence в-blockers and m-anticholinergic drug on cardiovascular system, and possibility of reception of β-blockers at people with COPD and HF was studied. Представлен обзор литературы о патогенезе, принципах лечения, течении сердечной недостаточности у пожилых людей с коморбидной патологией (хроническая обструктивная болезнь легких (ХОБЛ) и сердечно-сосудистые заболевания). Проанализирована роль NT-proBNP как маркера сердечной недостаточности у больных с хронической сердечной недостаточностью (ХСН) и хронической обструктивной болезнью легких. Рассмотрено влияние бета-агонистов и м-холинолитиков на сердечно-сосудистую систему и возможность приема бета-блокаторов у больных ХОБЛ с ХС

Управление потребительским опытом на рынке востребованных в кризис финансовых услуг

Purpose: to provide differentiated marketing solutions for manage customer experience based on various demographics, behavioral characteristics and customer values in the process of servicing for investing in gold.Methods: the current study was based upon general scientific methods of analysis and synthesis, applied methods of marketing research. The field market research and analysis of customer experience were carried out in relation to investment opportunities available in banks: physical gold and depersonalized metal accounts. A qualitative research method included “Mystery shopper” – a covert participant observation research of 8 banks in Moscow – the major players offering services for investing in gold.Results: the authors found out that investing in gold becomes in demand during the crisis time. Gold, as an investment opportunity, is a protective asset and retains its value in a long term. The target segments potentially interested in investing in gold can be determined by demographic and behavioral characteristics, desired benefits and values. The authors analyzed the customer experience journey of two segments in the process of investing in through different banking channels. The customer experience was illustrated with customer experience maps that propose management solutions for banks that desire to offer gold investment services.Conclusions and Relevance: in the context of geopolitical and economic instability, the demand for investment opportunities in gold remains high. While customers value high level of services and investment appeal banks are interested in obtaining a stable income. To provide a mutually beneficial cooperation it is important to create a level of service that would fully meet consumer demand. The basis to create a high-quality service for investing in gold include specific management strategies enabling to receive omnichannel (both digital and non-digital) customer experience in various customer segments.Цель работы – представить дифференцированные маркетинговые решения по управлению опытом конечных потребителей с различными демографическими и поведенческими характеристиками и ценностями при продаже услуг по инвестированию в золото.Методы: Для выполнения задач исследования были использованы общенаучные методы анализа и синтеза, прикладные методы маркетинговых исследований. Полевое исследование и анализ потребительского опыта проведены в отношении объектов инвестирования, доступных в банках: физическое золото и обезличенные металлические счета. Применен качественный метод исследования «тайный покупатель»: скрытое включенное наблюдение за моделями продаж 8-ми банков г. Москвы – крупнейших игроков, предлагающих услуги по инвестированию в золото.Результаты работы. Авторами показано, что одной из финансовых услуг, востребованных в кризис, является инвестирование в золото. В процессе исследования были определены потенциальные целевые потребительские сегменты, готовые инвестировать в золото через различные инструменты, доступные в банках. Целевые сегменты отличаются демографическими и поведенческими характеристиками, искомыми выгодами, ценностями. Проанализирован клиентский путь целевых сегментов потребителей при инвестировании в золото в разных каналах банковского обслуживания. Предложены дифференцированные решения по управлению потребительским опытом потребителей целевых сегментов при продаже услуг инвестирования в золото, иллюстрированные картами потребительского опыта.Выводы. В условиях геополитической и экономической нестабильности интерес со стороны частных инвесторов к услуге инвестирования в золото остается высоким. Для взаимовыгодного обмена ценностями в данных условиях, получения потребителями искомых ценностей и стабильного дохода банками, важно создать такое предложение, качество и количество которого будут соответствовать потребительскому спросу. Основой создания качественного предложения услуг по инвестированию в золото являются дифференцированные стратегии управления потребительским опытом целевых сегментов в цифровых и нецифровых каналах сбыта и коммуникаций, базирующиеся на принципах омниканальности коммуникаций и сбыта

Membrane protein dynamics: limited lipid control

Correlation of lipid disorder with membrane protein dynamics has been studied with infrared spectroscopy, by combining data characterizing lipid phase, protein structure and, via hydrogen-deuterium (H/D) exchange, protein dynamics. The key element was a new measuring scheme, by which the combined effects of time and temperature on the H/D exchange could be separated. Cyanobacterial and plant thylakoid membranes, mammalian mitochondria membranes, and for comparison, lysozyme were investigated. In dissolved lysozyme, as a function of temperature, H/D exchange involved only reversible movements (the secondary structure did not change considerably); heat-denaturing was a separate event at much higher temperature. Around the low-temperature functioning limit of the biomembranes, lipids affected protein dynamics since changes in fatty acyl chain disorders and H/D exchange exhibited certain correlation. H/D exchange remained low in all membranes over physiological temperatures. Around the high-temperature functioning limit of the membranes, the exchange rates became higher. When temperature was further increased, H/D exchange rates went over a maximum and afterwards decreased (due to full H/D exchange and/or protein denaturing). Maximal H/D exchange rate temperatures correlated neither with the disorder nor with the unsaturation of lipids. In membrane proteins, in contrast to lysozyme, the onsets of sizable H/D exchange rates were the onsets of irreversible denaturing as well. Seemingly, at temperatures where protein self-dynamics allows large-scale H/D exchange, lipid-protein coupling is so weak that proteins prefer aggregating to limit the exposure of their hydrophobic surface regions to water. In all membranes studied, dynamics seemed to be governed by lipids around the low-temperature limit, and by proteins around the high-temperature limit of membrane functionality

The elastic properties of the vascular wall and inflammatory biochemical parameters in hypertensive patients with abdominal obesity

The study involved 125 patients (male and female) aged 47.67 ± 8.69 years. The patients were divided into 2 groups: group I - patients with hypertension n = 51 (AH ). group II - patients with hypertensive patients with abdom inal obesity (AH with AO) n=74 The structural parameters ot the vascular wall were evaluated by sphygmography on the unit VASERA V S -1000 «FUCUDA»; evaluated biochemical parameters — total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, MDA (MD) and inflammatory markers - homocysteine HS-CRP Initially, in the second group of patients showed a significant breach of the elastic properties ot the vascular wall (PWV-R / L. CAVI). exceeding the level of atherogenic lipid parameters (total cholesterol, low-density lipiproteiny) and inflammatory markers ( high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, homocysteine) compared to the first group. By logistic regression identified the biochemical predictors indicative of impaired elastic properties of the vascular wall.Обследовано 125 пациентов (мужского и женского пола) в возрасте 47.67+ 8,69 лет. Пациенты распределены в 2 группы. 1-я группа - больные с артериальной гипертонией (АГ I-III степени без метаболических нарушений) n = 5 1 ,2 -я группа - бопьные артериальной гипертонией с абдоминальным ожирением (АО) n=74. Исследовали эластические параметры сосудистой стенки методом сфигмографии на аппарате VASERA VS-1 ООО «FUCUDA»; биохимические показатели — общий холестерин, пипопротеины низкой плотности, липопротеины высокой плотности, триглицериды , МДА (MD) и воспалительные маркеры - гомоцистеин и hS-CRP. Исходно во 2-ой группе пациентов выявлено достоверное нарушение эластических свойств сосудистой стенки (P W V -R /L CAVI). превышение уровня атерогенных параметров липидного профиля (общий холестерин, липипротеины низкой плотности) и маркеров воспаления (высокочувствительный С-реактивный белок, гомоцистеин) по сравнению с 1-ой группой Методом логистической регрессии выявлены биохимические предикторы повышения скорости пульсовой волны (PW V)

Membrane fluidity matters: Hyperthermia from the aspects of lipids and membranes

Hyperthermia is a promising treatment modality for cancer in combination both with radio- and chemotherapy. In spite of its great therapeutic potential, the underlying molecular mechanisms still remain to be clarified. Due to lipid imbalances and 'membrane defects' most of the tumour cells possess elevated membrane fluidity. However, further increasing membrane fluidity to sensitise to chemo-or radiotherapy could have some other effects. In fact, hyperfluidisation of cell membrane induced by membrane fluidiser initiates a stress response as the heat shock protein response, which may modulate positively or negatively apoptotic cell death. Overviewing some recent findings based on a technology allowing direct imaging of lipid rafts in live cells and lipidomics, novel aspects of the intimate relationship between the 'membrane stress' of tumour cells and the cellular heat shock response will be highlighted. Our findings lend support to both the importance of membrane remodelling and the release of lipid signals initiating stress protein response, which can operate in tandem to control the extent of the ultimate cellular thermosensitivity. Overall, we suggest that the fluidity variable of membranes should be used as an independent factor for predicting the efficacy of combinational cancer therapies