Mediating role of trust between emotional intelligence and positive functioning of personality

This paper presents the theoretical justification and empirical confirmation of the hypothesis that trust mediates the relationship between emotional intelligence and positive personality functioning. The positive functioning is regarded as association of psychological wellbeing and hardiness. The research was held on the sample of 213 students of different specialties. Data processing included correlation analysis, hierarchical regression analysis, and structural equation modeling (SEM). By the results of regression analysis, general trust and self-trust are significant and rather strong predictors of positive functioning. According to our hypothesis there were developed structural models describing the interrelations between indexes of EI, trust and positive functioning. The models with trust as mediator between EI and positive functioning showed good accordance to the outgoing data. We also received confirmation of the assumption that psychological wellbeing and hardiness may be associated in the framework of the positive functioning construct. Wherein trust performs as a separate phenomenon, one of the important conditions of positive functioning, in refraction through which the “positive potential” of personality`s dispositions and abilities may be realized. Besides, we received empirical confirmation of theoretical grounding for association of hardiness and psychological wellbeing in a framework of positive functioning construct

CLINICAL EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF ADEMETIONINE IN PATIENTS WITH DIABETES-ASSOCIATED OSTEOARTHRITIS: A CROSS-OVER PILOT STUDY

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of most common rheumatic diseases, and currently there is no effective pharmacological treatment of OA. It has been suggested that lack of effective treatment is, in part, due to the disease heterogeneity which may lead to development of several OA subtypes (phenotypes). Diabetes-associated OA is among the proposed OA phenotypes. The key mechanism involved into inflammatory and degenerative changes in OA is a decrease in DNA methylation suggested for several cell types, that was also demonstrated in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Therefore, pharmacological increase of DNA methylation may be an effective treatment strategy which may exert pleiotropic effects in diabetes-associated OA. In a randomized crossover study, we have evaluated efficacy and safety of ademetionine, a methyl group donor, in comparison with chondroitine sulfate in patients with OA associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The patients were randomly assigned to sequential treatment of chondroitine sulfate/ademetionine or ademetionine/chondroitine sulfate during one month, with a washout period of 2 weeks. The primary endpoint was pain measured according to visual analogue scale (VAS). Painful symptoms, as well as function and disease signs in knee, hip and hand joints were also assessed with KOOS, WOMAC, and FIHOA scales. General performance was assessed with SF–36 scale. To evaluate systemic inflammation, we measured serum IL-6, IL-18, adiponectin, and CRP using ELISA technique. Concentrations of serum cartilage destruction biomarkers (aggrecan and antibodies to collagen type II) were assessed by ELISA. Serum lipid levels were measured with standard method; glycated hemoglobin was assessed with liquid chromatography. Ten patients (all women, age 61.7-74.2 year with BMI of 1.1-38.4 kg/m2) were included in the study. It has been demonstrated that ademetionine showed a statistically significant analgetic effect (decrease in VAS pain), improved knee function and reduced symptoms in knee joints (as measured by KOOS subscales), and did not influence the levels of systemic inflammation or cartilage destruction biomarkers. There was also no change in lipid levels and glycated hemoglobin concentrations. Ademetionine was well tolerated, no serious adverse events occurred during the treatment. In conclusion, ademetionine does not have pleiotropic pharmacological effects in diabetes-associated OA. Its potential application in cases of different comorbidities requires further studies

Comparative Reproducibility Analysis of Thoracic Aorta Morphometric Parameters According to Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Angiography

Objective: to compare intra- and inter-operator reproducibility of thoracic aorta (ThAo) morphometric parameters, calculated by multislice computed tomography (MSCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Material and methods. The prospective study included 20 patients with ascending aorta (AAo) dilatation (≥45 mm). All patients underwent MSCT- and MRI-angiography in electrocardiogram-gated mode. Mean diameter (Dmean) and cross-sectional area (CSA) were measured at different ThAo levels in the systole and diastole along the inner contour of the vessel. All measurements were performed by two radiologists. Each of them took measurements twice at an interval of at least 1 month. The reproducibility of repeated measurements was studied using intraclass correlation coefficient. Results. The analysis of the systolic frame revealed significant differences between the methodsfor measuring Dmean (MRI: 42.5 (41.0–47.8) mm; MSCT: 37.7 (34.7–40.3) mm; p = 0.003) and CSA at the level of the sinotubular junction (MRI: 14.8 (12.7–17.9) cm2; MSCT: 11.4 (10.3–13.3) cm2; p = 0.009), AAo CSA(MRI: 17.6 (14.6–20.8) cm2; MSCT: 19.6 (16.7–21.5) cm2; p = 0.035) and Dmean at the level proximal to left subclavian artery (LSA) (MRI: 31.5 (31.0–34.0) mm; MSCT: 31.7 (27.3–32.9) mm; p = 0.041). For the diastolic frame, significant differences between the methods were observed when measuring AAo CSA (MRI: 17.0 (14.5–19.7) cm2; MSCT: 19.7 (15.3–21.8) cm2; p = 0.025), Dmean (MRI: 30.5 (29.3–32.8) mm; MSCT: 29.8 (27.1–31.3) mm; p = 0.05) and CSA at the level proximal to LSA (MRI: 7.5 (6.9–7.9) cm2; MSCT: 7.4 (5.9–7.8) cm2; p = 0.007), as well as CSA at the left atrium level (MRI: 4.9 (4.2–5.0) cm2; MSCT: 5.1 (4.67–5.5) cm2; p = 0.042). For MSCT-angiography, good intra- and inter-operator reproducibility of measurements at all ThAo levels was obtained. For MRI-angiography, there was a strong intra- and interoperator variability in determining Dmean and CSA at the levels of aortic arch and descending aorta.Conclusion. Aortic cross-sectional area showed the best intra- and inter-operator reproducibility and comparability of measurements between MSCT- and MRI-angiograph

Complex 99mTc-PDA-DTPA for myocardial imaging

The 123I-labeled fatty acids such as 123I-Iodophenylpentadecanoic acid and 123I-Beta-methyliodophenylpentadecanoic acid are the agents used clinically for myocardial imaging. Fatty acids are the major source of energy for the normal myocardium. However, under ischemic conditions the myocardial cells switch to glucose metabolism for their energy needs. Fatty acids undergo prolonged metabolic stunning in patients with reversible ischemia, thereby helping in early diagnosis of coronary artery disease in highrisk patients. High cost andlimited availability of cyclotron-produced 123I, makes 99mTc-labeled fatty acids more desirable for the purpose. In diagnosis the dominant radionuclide is 99mTc. It is estimated that it is involved in about 85% of all imaging procedures in nuclear medicine. The method for preparation of new 99mTc-fatty chemical systems based on modified diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) molecule has been elaborated in this work . The main advantage using DTPA as chelate agent for radioactive label, is the molecule or it's derivative ability to form sufficiently stable complexes with different radioactive metals including technetium-99. Moiety of pentadecanoic acid addition gave the ability to prepare modified complex of DTPA. In a labeling procedure, freshly eluted Na99mTcO4 (20mCi) was added to a mixture of cysteine, stannous chloride, PDK-DTPA and ethanol in a vial. On keeping the reaction mixture at 90 0C for 30 min, [99mTc-PDK-DTPA] radiopharmaceutical was formed. Thereafter, the reaction mixture was cooled over ice and characterized by HPLC. The result of dynamic scintigraphic research showed, that after being injected, the substance is actively acumulated into myocardium. Eventually one can say that modified DTPA-moleculs are functionally suitable for myocardial imaging

Radiomorphological Parameters of the Foot Bones During the Talus Fracture Treatment Using the Ilizarov Apparatus

Background: Talus fractures are one of the most dangerous injuries leading to serious consequences. Quite a lot of treatment methods have been proposed, but the use of the Ilizarov apparatus is relatively rare.   Objective: To justify the use of the Ilizarov apparatus in the talus fracture treatment by studying radiomorphological parameters of the foot bones at different stages of follow-up.   Methods: We used radiography and multislice computed tomography (MSCT) in 25 patients treated for talus injuries by the Ilizarov apparatus to study radiographic and radiomorphological features of the foot bones at different stages of follow-up. We analyzed normal parameters of the foot bones forming the ankle joint in 15 patients.   Results and discussion: Dynamics of talus radiomorphology during its fracture or fracture-dislocation are characterized by a gradual increase in the bone density at the union site. The local density of the talus at the fracture site gradually increased and exceeded 500 HU in 6 months. The organotypic adjustment at the union site did not end by this time, given the architecture of the talus and the biomechanics of the foot. We observed a decrease in the total densities of the talus and calcaneus during fixation by the Ilizarov apparatus and their gradual return to normal values after removal of the apparatus.   Conclusions: Talus fracture treatment by transosseous osteosynthesis using the Ilizarov apparatus makes it possible to get immediate good results, especially using a configuration with hinges allowing for early mobilization of the ankle joint and loading in the early stages of treatment

Радиомические характеристики текстурных изменений эпикардиальной жировой ткани при атеросклеротическом поражении коронарных артерий

Aim. To investigate the association of the radiomic characteristics of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) on contrast-free computed tomography (CT) of the heart with the severity of obstructive coronary lesion and myocardial ischemia.Methods. The study included 68 patients with coronary heart disease (mean age of 63.5±9.4, 45 men and 23 women), and 15 patients (mean age 30±4.8; 14 men and 1 woman) without cardiovascular disease as a control group. All the patients underwent multispiral computed coronary angiography, coronary calcium scores (CCS) determination and stress myocardial perfusion scintigraphy. Radiomic characteristics of EAT (texture analysis by gradations of gray color) were determined on non-contrast computer tomogram images of the heart using 3D-Sliser software and the SliserRadiomics module (version 4.10.2). The obtained indicators were compared between a control and under the study groups as well as between subgroups of patients divided according to the degree of obstruction of the coronary arteries, the size of the perfusion defect, and the value of the CCS.Results. The comparative analysis of radiomic indicators of EAT between patients with coronary artery disease and the control group showed the presence of statistically significant differences between them. At the same time, the correlation analysis in the study group did not reveal any correlations between the radiomic parameters and the size of the perfusion defect, CCS or degree of stenosis of the lumen of the coronary arteries.Conclusion. The textural characteristics of EAT in patients with coronary heart disease differ from those in individuals without cardiovascular pathology. At the same time, these indicators are not associated with the severity of obstructive lesions of the coronary arteries, the value of the CCS, and the size of the perfusion defect according to scintigraphy.Цель. Исследовать ассоциацию радиомических характеристик эпикардиальной жировой ткани (ЭЖТ) на бесконтрастной компьютерной томографии (КТ) сердца с выраженностью обструктивного поражения коронарного русла и ишемии миокарда.Материалы и методы. В исследование ретроспективно включены 68 пациентов с ишемической болезнью сердца (ИБС) (средний возраст 63,5±9,4 года; 45 мужчин и 23 женщины), а также 15 лиц (средний возраст 30±4,8 года; 14 мужчин и 1 женщина) без сердечно-сосудистых заболеваний, составившие группу контроля. Всем обследуемым выполнены мультиспиральная компьютерная коронароангиография, определение индекса коронарного кальция, нагрузочная перфузионная сцинтиграфия миокарда. На бесконтрастных КТ-изображениях сердца определяли радиомические характеристики ЭЖТ (текстурный анализ по градациям серого цвета) с помощью программного обеспечения 3D-Sliser и модуля SliserRadiomics (версия 4.10.2). Полученные показатели сравнивали между группами исследования и контроля, а также в подгруппах больных, разделенных в зависимости от степени обструкции коронарных артерий, размера дефекта перфузии и значения индекса коронарного кальция.Результаты. Сравнительный анализ радиомических показателей ЭЖТ у пациентов с ИБС и группы контроля показал наличие статистически значимых различий. В то же время корреляционный анализ в группе исследования не продемонстрировал связи между радиомическими показателями и размером дефекта перфузии, индексом коронарного кальция, степенью стеноза просвета коронарных артерий.Заключение. Текстурные характеристики ЭЖТ у пациентов с ИБС отличаются от таковых у лиц без сердечно-сосудистой патологии. В то же время данные показатели не ассоциированы с выраженностью обструктивного поражения коронарных артерий, значением индекса коронарного кальция, а также размером дефекта перфузии по данным сцинтиграфии

Electromechanical instability in suspended carbon nanotubes

We have theoretically investigated electromechanical properties of freely suspended carbon nanotubes when a current is injected into the tubes using a scanning tunneling microscope. We show that a shuttle-like electromechanical instability can occur if the bias voltage exceeds a dissipation-dependent threshold value. An instability results in large amplitude vibrations of the carbon nanotube bending mode, which modify the current-voltage characteristics of the system