Studying Seismic Stability of Buildings Constructed Using Lift-Slab Method and Equipped with Rubber-Steel Seismic Isolators

As the construction industry develops, unique unconventional methods of improving the seismic stability of buildings are used. One of these methods is the seismic isolation of buildings using special isolating supports. Rubber steel supports with high damping ability can improve the seismic stability of the building by 1.5 times on average. Since the seismic stability of the buildings constructed using the lift-slab method was set at up to 7 points, we expect to increase it to 8-9 points through the installation of the rubber steel supports in these buildings. The implementation of the current seismic resistance improvement methods for the existing buildings and structures shall help achieve the following: improve the preparation of the authorities and residents to major earthquakes; significantly reduce seismic risks and the consequences of both major earthquakes and industrial disasters caused by earthquakes; provide the economic and social stability of the country in case of emergencies. © 2022 Institute of Physics Publishing. All rights reserved.Solovev D.B.Petukhov V.Bekker A

Armenian national grapevine collection: Conservation, characterization and prospects

The general strategy for grapevine genetic resources conservation in Armenia encompasses the collection of the still existing diversity and the use of protection techniques to minimize the losses over time. Being studied mainly by ampelography, the genetic diversity of Armenian grapevine needs to be re-investigated in accordance with modern requirements and international scales. The purpose of the presented research was the first large-scale molecular characterization of Armenian grape varieties by molecular methods using a set of 24 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers encompassing the nine SSR markers recommended by the European project GrapeGen06. The obtained results indicate the uniqueness of the major part of the investigated varieties and reveal a substantial level of genetic variation within the Armenian grapevine. Based on the realized large-scale investigation a true-to-type inventory of Armenian grape germplasm will be realized and documented in theVitis International Variety Catalogue and in the European Vitisdatabase. The next step having strategic importance in terms of conservation of grape genetic resources in Armenia will be establishment of the first ArmenianVitis database with multi-crop passport description of all varieties preserved in grape collection

Coherent Control of Atomic Beam Diffraction by Standing Light

Quantum interference is shown to deliver a means of regulating the diffraction pattern of a thermal atomic beam interacting with two standing wave electric fields. Parameters have been identified to enhance the diffraction probability of one momentum component over the others, with specific application to Rb atoms.Comment: 5 figure

Неоадъювантная химиотерапия и радикальная цистэктомия у больных раком мочевого пузыря

Background. Bladder cancer is the ninth most common malignant neoplasm worldwide. Hidden metastases at the time of diagnosis are the main reason muscle-invasive bladder cancer has poor prognosis. Even after radical cystectomy, muscleinvasive bladder cancer mostly progresses within 2 years with a recurrence rate of over 50 %. At stages II–IV of the disease, drug treatment is indicated before radical cystectomy. The main goal of neoadjuvant chemotherapy is to affect micrometastases, which may be present at the beginning of disease development. The response to ongoing chemotherapy can serve as a predictor of long-term survival.Aim. To increase effectiveness of bladder cancer treatment.Materials and methods. A total of 231 patients with bladder cancer were included in the study. The main contingent consisted of men over 60 years old with locally advanced tumors at stage Т2–Т4. Drug therapy was carried out in neoadjuvant mode before surgical treatment. Standard regimens were used: cisplatin + gemcitabine and MVAC (methotrexate, vinblastine, adriamycin, cisplatin). After four courses of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, the results were evaluated. With complete normalization of a patient’s condition, the issue of surgical treatment – radical cystectomy with one of the types of urinary diversion – was decided.Results and conclusion. The follow-up period for patients after treatment was 62 months. In patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy, the median overall survival was 44.9 months, in patients without neoadjuvant treatment – 36.8 months with improvement in recurrence-free survival from 32.5 to 39.8 months (p = 0.08). Overall survival after neoadjuvant chemotherapy improved by 8.1 months (p = 0.09).Введение. Рак мочевого пузыря занимает 9-е место по распространенности злокачественных новообразований в мире. Скрытые метастазы к моменту постановки диагноза являются основной причиной того, что мышечно-инвазивный рак мочевого пузыря имеет плохой прогноз. Даже после радикальной цистэктомии мышечно-инвазивный рак мочевого пузыря в основном прогрессирует в течение 2 лет с частотой рецидива более 50 %. При II–IV стадиях заболевания показано лекарственное лечение до радикальной цистэктомии. Основная цель неоадъювантной химиотерапии – воздействие на микрометастазы, которые могут быть к началу развития заболевания. Реакция на проводимую химиотерапию может служить прогностическим фактором отдаленной выживаемости.Цель исследования – повышение эффективности лечения рака мочевого пузыря.Материалы и методы. В исследование был включен 231 больной РМП. Основной контингент составили мужчины старше 60 лет с местно-распространенными опухолями стадии Т2–Т4, без регионарных и отдаленных метастазов (N0M0). Лекарственную терапию проводили в неоадъювантном режиме до оперативного лечения. Использовали стандартные схемы: цисплатин + гемцитабин и MVAC (метотрексат, винбластин, адриамицин, цисплатин). После 4 курсов неоадъювантной химиотерапии оценивали результаты. При полной нормализации состояния больного решался вопрос о проведении хирургического лечения – радикальной цистэктомии с одним из видов деривации мочи.Результаты и заключение. Срок наблюдения за больными после лечения составил 62 мес. У больных, которым была проведена неоадъювантная химиотерапия, медиана общей выживаемости составила 44,9 мес, у пациентов без неоадъювантного лечения – 36,8 мес. В группе неоадъювантной химиотерапии по сравнению с группой без нее показатели безрецидивной выживаемости улучшились с 32,5 до 39,8 мес (p = 0,08). Общая выживаемость после неоадъювантной химиотерапии увеличилась на 8,1 мес (p = 0,09)

Диагностика и прогнозирование внутричерепной гипертензии по данным первичной компьютерной томографии у пострадавших с тяжелой черепно-мозговой травмой

 The objective was to compare the optic nerve sheath diameter measured by CT (ODSN-CT) with the level of compression of the mesencephalic  cisterns and the midline shift in the diagnosis and prediction of intracranial hypertension (ICH) during the first 3 days after brain injury. Materials and methods. We examined 90 patients with TBI, the average age was 34.2 ± 13 years, GCS < 9. All patients had invasive ICP monitoring.  At the time of implantation of the ICP sensor, intracranial hypertension (ICH) was in 11 (12%) patients; later, during the first 3 days, the development of ICH was in 58 (64%) patients. All patients underwent computed tomography of the head at the time of hospitalization: mesencephalic  cisternae was compressed in 57 (63%) and midline shift was observed in 34 (38%) patients, mean value of ONSD-CT was 7.26 ± 0.9 mm, maximum  value of ONSD-CT was 7.34 ± 0.9. We used correlation analysis, logistic regression and ROC-analysis.Results. The level of mesencephalic cisternae compression, mean and maximum value of ONSD-CT correlated with the ICP value measured at the  time of ICP sensor implantation and during the first 72 hours after brain injury (p < 0.05). Midline shift did not correlate with ICP value measured  at the time of sensor implantation and during the first 72 hours after brain injury (p > 0.05). In the diagnosis of ICP > 20 mm Hg at the time of  implantation of the sensor – the average ONSD-CT, AUC 0.902 ± 0.046 (0.812; 0.991), cut-off 7.8 mm with sensitivity and specificity of 82 and  80%, respectively. When predicting ICP > 20 mm Hg in the first 72 hours - the maximum ONSD-CT, AUC 0.815 ± 0.047 (0.724; 0.907), cut-off  7.1 mm with sensitivity and specificity of 85 and 66%, respectively.Conclusions. The ONSD-CT parameter is an independent diagnostic and prognostic criterion of ICH in the first 3 days in patients with severe  TBI. The mean ONSD-CT can be used to diagnose ICH along with such signs of ICP as level of mesencephalic cisterna compression and midline  shift and to make a decision on invasive ICP monitoring. The maximum value of ONSD-CT can be used to assess the probability of ICH in the  first three days after TBI Цель – сравнить диаметр зрительного нерва с оболочками по данным компьютерной томографии (ДЗНО-КТ) со степенью компрессии  мезенцефальных цистерн и смещением срединной линии при диагностике и прогнозировании внутричерепной гипертензии (ВЧГ) в первые  3 суток с момента травмы. Материалы и методы. Обследовали 90 пострадавших с ЧМТ, средний возраст 34,2 ± 13 лет, ШКГ менее 9 баллов. Всем проводили инвазивный мониторинг внутричерепного давления (ВЧД). На момент установки датчика ВЧД ВЧГ диагностирована у 11 (12%) пострадавших,  в дальнейшем течение первых 3 суток развитие ВЧГ регистрировали у 58 (64%) пострадавших. Всем пациентам выполняли КТ головы на  момент госпитализации. При КТ-исследовании компрессия мезенцефальных цистерн была у 57 (63%) и смешение срединной линии – у  34 (38%) пострадавших, среднее значение ДЗНО – 7,26 ± 0,9 мм, максимальное ДЗНО – 7,34 ± 0,9. Использовали корреляционный анализ,  логистическую регрессию и ROC-анализ. Результаты. Степень компрессии мезенцефальных цистерн, среднее и максимальное ДЗНО коррелировали со значением ВЧД, измеренном  на момент постановки датчика и за первые 72 часа мониторинга (p < 0,05). Смещение срединной линии не коррелировало со значением  ВЧД, измеренном на момент постановки датчика и за первые 72 часа мониторинга (p > 0,05). При диагностике ВЧД > 20 мм рт. ст. на момент имплантации датчика – среднее ДЗНО, AUC 0,902 ± 0,046 (0,812; 0,991), cut-off 7,8 мм с чувствительностью и специфичностью 82 и  80% соответственно. При прогнозировании ВЧД > 20 мм рт. ст. в первые 72 часа – максимальное ДЗНО, AUC 0,815 ± 0,047 (0,724; 0,907),  cut-off 7,1 мм с чувствительностью и специфичностью 85 и 66% соответственно. Выводы. Параметр ДЗНО-КТ является самостоятельным диагностическим и прогностическим критерием ВЧГ в первые 3 суток у пострадавших с тяжелой ЧМТ. Среднее значение ДЗНО-КТ можно использовать для диагностики ВЧГ наряду с такими признаками ВЧГ, как  степень компрессии мезенцефальных цистерн и смещение срединной линии, для принятия решения об инвазивном мониторинге ВЧД.  Максимальное значение ДЗНО-КТ можно использовать для оценки вероятности ВЧГ в первые 3 суток после ЧМ

Clinical features of post-COVID-19 period. Results of the international register “Dynamic analysis of comorbidities in SARS-CoV-2 survivors (AKTIV SARS-CoV-2)”. Data from 6-month follow-up

Aim. To study the clinical course specifics of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and comorbid conditions in COVID-19 survivors 3, 6, 12 months after recovery in the Eurasian region according to the AKTIV register. Material and methods.The AKTIV register was created at the initiative of the Eurasian Association of Therapists. The AKTIV register is divided into 2 parts: AKTIV 1 and AKTIV 2. The AKTIV 1 register currently includes 6300 patients, while in AKTIV 2 — 2770. Patients diagnosed with COVID-19 receiving in- and outpatient treatment have been anonymously included on the registry. The following 7 countries participated in the register: Russian Federation, Republic of Armenia, Republic of Belarus, Republic of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Republic of Moldova, Republic of Uzbekistan. This closed multicenter register with two nonoverlapping branches (in- and outpatient branch) provides 6 visits: 3 in-person visits during the acute period and 3 telephone calls after 3, 6, 12 months. Subject recruitment lasted from June 29, 2020 to October 29, 2020. Register will end on October 29, 2022. A total of 9 fragmentary analyzes of the registry data are planned. This fragment of the study presents the results of the post-hospitalization period in COVID-19 survivors after 3 and 6 months. Results. According to the AKTIV register, patients after COVID-19 are characterized by long-term persistent symptoms and frequent seeking for unscheduled medical care, including rehospitalizations. The most common causes of unplanned medical care are uncontrolled hypertension (HTN) and chronic coronary artery disease (CAD) and/or decompensated type 2 diabetes (T2D). During 3- and 6-month follow-up after hospitalization, 5,6% and 6,4% of patients were diagnosed with other diseases, which were more often presented by HTN, T2D, and CAD. The mortality rate of patients in the post-hospitalization period was 1,9% in the first 3 months and 0,2% for 4-6 months. The highest mortality rate was observed in the first 3 months in the group of patients with class II-IV heart failure, as well as in patients with cardiovascular diseases and cancer. In the pattern of death causes in the post-hospitalization period, following cardiovascular causes prevailed (31,8%): acute coronary syndrome, stroke, acute heart failure. Conclusion. According to the AKTIV register, the health status of patients after COVID-19 in a serious challenge for healthcare system, which requires planning adequate health system capacity to provide care to patients with COVID-19 in both acute and post-hospitalization period

Evaluation of breeding potential of wild grape originating from Armenia

Crop wild relatives provide a useful source of genetic variation and represent a large pool of genetic diversity for new allelic variation required in breeding programs. Armenia is an important center of origin both for cultivated Vitis vinifera ssp. sativa and wild Vitis vinifera ssp. sylvestris. Owing to recent prospection in Armenian woods and river floodplains many forms of wild grapevine were discovered and inventoried, which is an important prerequisite to unlock their breeding potential in the future. The fact that some genotypes of V. sylvestris can withstand the diseases is likely to be due to a more efficient basal immunity. The overall goal of the proposed research was to characterize the diversity of V. sylvestris from Armenia with respect to its capacity for stilbene biosynthesis, which might be exploited as genetic resource for resistance breeding. The realized research stimulates the recovery, characterization and preservation of wild grape germplasm, presently at risk of extinction. The recovery and characterization of wild genotypes will be the base of selection of genetic traits important in breeding programs for the generation of biotic and changing climate tolerant grapevine varieties and rootstocks, both necessary for the future of viticulture in Armenia and in Europe