Bronchodilator reversibility test for broncho-obstructive syndrome detection and differential diagnosis of bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Purpose – to analyze the method of bronchodilator reversibility test (BRT) at different doses of salbutamol in patients with bronchial asthma (BA) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Materials and methods. We examined 80 patients with broncho-obstructive syndrome, including 50 patients with a mild persistent BA (Group I) and 30 patients with COPD of moderate (course B) severity (Group II). All patients underwent routine methods of investigation: general clinical, laboratory, pulmonary function test, radiography of the chest organs (if needed), and statistical methods were used. Results. Two methods of BRT were performed that differed in the dose of salbutamol to examine the patients with BA and COPD. All 50 patients with BA were first examined for bronchodilator reversibility with 200 micrograms of salbutamol and then, usually in 2 weeks, with 400 micrograms of salbutamol. Reversibility was in all the patients with BA within 15 minutes after 200 micrograms of salbutamol inhalation, but in 30 patients (60 %) it was full (12 % and more than the previous, >200 ml), and in 20 patients it was partial (less than 12 % or 200 ml). Full reversibility was found in 46 out of the 50 patients (92 %) within 30 minutes and it was 12 % or more (>200 ml) in all the patients only within 45 minutes. When using a salbutamol dose of 400 mg in BRT, the following results were obtained: full reversibility was in 47 (94 %) patients within 15 minutes and in another 3 patients within 30 minutes, that is in all the patients with BA. 16 (53.3 %) patients with COPD were considered nonreversible following administration a dose of salbutamol 200 micrograms within 15 minutes and partial reversibility was in 14 (46.7 %) patients with COPD. Partial reversibility was found in 10 patients (33.3 %) after 30 minutes, and 6 patients (20.0 %) were nonreversible or reversibility was within 2–3 %; in 4 out of the 6 patients (93.24 % in total) partial reversibility was only after 45 minutes and the remaining two patients were nonreversible even after 60 minutes of the examination. BRT revealed partial reversibility at a salbutamol dose of 400 micrograms in 26 (86.6 %) patients with COPD within 15 minutes, in another 3 (96.6 %) patients – within 30 minutes and after 45 minutes – in all patients; none of the patients showed full reversibility. Conclusions. According to conducted study, salbutamol for BRT can be used at a dose of 200 and 400 mcg in patients with BA, but the time of repeated spirometry should be different: at 200 mcg – not earlier than 30 minutes, or preferably 45 minutes; and at 400 mcg – 15 minutes after or a maximum of 30 minutes. In patients with COPD, the use of salbutamol at a dose of 200 mcg is impractical, but a dose of 400 mcg should be used and repeated spirometry is needed not earlier than 30 minutes after a test dose of the drug

Получение лигатуры Al–B алюмотермическим восстановлением KBF4и B2O3 в среде расплавленных солевых флюсов

The study covers the process of obtaining the Al–B master alloy by the KBF4and B2O3aluminothermic reduction using KF–AlF3and KF–NaF–AlF3fluoride fluxes at 983 and 1123 К, respectively, and KCl–NaCl–KF chloride-fluoride fluxes at Т= 1173÷1223 К. All experiments were carried out under the same conditions: molten mixture stirring rate was 400 rpm, synthesis duration was 30min. The maximum amount of boron (1,5 %) in the Al–B alloy was obtained when using KBF4(3 % per B) as a boron-containing raw material in the KF–AlF3medium with a molar (cryolite) ratio (CR) of KF/AlF3equal to 1,3, atТ= 983 К, while boron recovery ratio did not exceed 75 %. Comparable results were obtained in experiments with KF–NaF–AlF3f lux (CR = 1,5) at Т= 1123 К. However, with the increased concentration of fed boron its recovery ratio decreased substantially. It is connected with the higher decomposition temperature of not only KBF4, but also less thermally stable NaBF4 formed as a result of exchange reaction in the melt. Therefore it is not recommended to use sodium salts as a f lux component. The Al–B master alloys obtained by KBF4reduction in fluoride fluxes were solid solutions of B in Al containing the AlB2intermetallic compound. The lowest amount of boron in aluminum with the minimum degree of extraction was obtained in experiments with the B2O3in molten KF–AlF3with CR = 1,5. Nevertheless, the results of scanning electron microscopy indicate a uniform distribution of B over the Al matrix and the absence of intermetallic compounds, while a large amount of Al2O3was found, which is the product of B2O3reactions with both liquid Al and KF–AlF3flux.Исследован процесс получения лигатуры Al–B методом алюмотермического восстановления KBF4и B2O3с использованием фторидных флюсов KF–AlF3и КF–NaF–AlF3при температурах, соответственно, 983 и 1123 К и хлоридно-фторидных флюсов KCl–NaCl–KF при Т= 1173÷1223 К. Все эксперименты проводили при одинаковых условиях: скорость перемешивания расплавленной смеси – 400 об/мин, длительность синтеза – 30 мин. Максимальное количество бора (1,5 %) в сплаве Al–B было получено в случае применения в качестве борсодержащего сырья KBF4(3 % в расчете на В) в среде KF–AlF3с мольным (криолитовым) отношением (КО) компонентов KF/AlF3, равным 1,3, при Т= 983 К, при этом степень извлечения бора не превышала 75 %. Сравнимые результаты были получены в экспериментах с флюсом KF–NaF–AlF3(КО = 1,5) при Т= 1123 К. Однако при увеличении концентрации задаваемого бора степень его извлечения существенно снижалась, что связано с разложением при более высокой температуре не только KBF4, но и менее термически устойчивого NaBF4, который образуется в результате обменной реакции в расплаве. Поэтому не рекомендуется использование солей натрия в качестве компонента флюса. Лигатуры Al–B, полученные восстановлением KBF4в среде фторидных флюсов, представляли собой твердые растворы бора в алюминии, содержащие интерметаллид AlB2. Наименьшее количество бора в алюминии с минимальной степенью извлечения было получено в опытах с B2O3в среде расплавленного KF–AlF3с КО = 1,5. Тем не менее результаты сканирующей электронной микроскопии свидетельствуют о равномерном распре-делении B в матрице Al и отсутствии интерметаллидов, при этом найдено большое количество оксида Al2O3, который является продуктом реакций B2O3как с жидким Al, так и с флюсом KF–AlF3

Ultrasound of Acute Appendicitis in the Admission Room of a Multidisciplinary Surgical Hospital

Ultrasound (US) for diagnosing acute appendicitis (AA) and its complications in the admission room may be used as a primary diagnostic method in urgent patients. A total of 180 adult patients underwent US for suspected appendicitis; these results showed high possibilities in pathology screening and differential diagnosis from similar clinical diseases. The accuracy of US in detecting AA with obvious clinical findings and typical position is 100%, but in retrocecal and retroperitoneal forms, it decreases to 84%. With our algorithm of the right iliac and localized pain regions, US scanning optimizes the screening of patients with suspected AA presented in the admission room

A screening for serum markers of arbovirus infections in healthy blood donors from the Volgograd Region

Volgograd region is considered to be endemic West Nile fever (WNF) area due to the established circulation of the West Nile virus (WNV) therein. Some previous independent studies examining samples collected on the territory of the Volgograd region revealed markers related to the California serogroup (CSG), Sindbis and Ukuniemi viruses. WNF, CSG, Sindbis and Ukuniemi fever mainly being asymptomatic posing thereby a threat of virus spread due to transfusiological manipulations along with vector-borne transmission are manifested by diverse clinical signs. The study was aimed at detection of antibodies specific to West Nile, tick-borne encephalitis, California serogroup (Tyaginya, Inko), Sidbis, and Ukuniemi viruses in blood donors from the Volgograd region. For this, 404 blood sera samples collected from blood donors residing in the Volgograd as well as the Volgograd region were examined by ELISA. It was found that percentage of blood serum samples positive for arbovirus-specific antibodies was 18.32%. Among the, 67 out of 404 (16.58%) samples contained anti-WNV antibodies, 3 out of 279 (1.08%) samples — to tick-borne encephalitis virus, 1 out of 92 (1.09%) — to California serogroup fever and Ukuniemi viruses, and 2 out of 92 (2.17%) — to Sindbis fever virus. Importantly, the peak number of IgG and IgM WNV-positive samples was found among residents of Volgograd (29 out of 110, 26%) and Oktyabrsky district (7 out of 25, 28%). In addition, anti-Sindbis, Ukuniemi and CSG virus antibodies were detected in blood serum samples from blood donors residing in the Kalachevsky region and the city of Volgograd. Analyzing age-related distribution and percentage of seropositive subjects in each age group showed as follows: the lowest percentage (14.5%) was positive for anti-WNV, Sindbis, Ukuniemi and CSG virus antibodies in blood donors aged 32–41 years, whereas the peak percentage (25%) — in the subjects aged 52–61 years. Thus, virus specific antibodies detected in healthy individuals in the aforementioned region evidence about potential recovery after asymptomatic infections. In this regard, further research is required to determine a role of the such arboviruses in the structure of regional infectious diseases. The data obtained suggest a need to continue serological arbovirus monitoring in the Volgograd region

Software platform virtualization in chemistry research and university teaching

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Modern chemistry laboratories operate with a wide range of software applications under different operating systems, such as Windows, LINUX or Mac OS X. Instead of installing software on different computers it is possible to install those applications on a single computer using Virtual Machine software. Software platform virtualization allows a single guest operating system to execute multiple other operating systems on the same computer. We apply and discuss the use of virtual machines in chemistry research and teaching laboratories.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Virtual machines are commonly used for cheminformatics software development and testing. Benchmarking multiple chemistry software packages we have confirmed that the computational speed penalty for using virtual machines is low and around 5% to 10%. Software virtualization in a teaching environment allows faster deployment and easy use of commercial and open source software in hands-on computer teaching labs.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Software virtualization in chemistry, mass spectrometry and cheminformatics is needed for software testing and development of software for different operating systems. In order to obtain maximum performance the virtualization software should be multi-core enabled and allow the use of multiprocessor configurations in the virtual machine environment. Server consolidation, by running multiple tasks and operating systems on a single physical machine, can lead to lower maintenance and hardware costs especially in small research labs. The use of virtual machines can prevent software virus infections and security breaches when used as a sandbox system for internet access and software testing. Complex software setups can be created with virtual machines and are easily deployed later to multiple computers for hands-on teaching classes. We discuss the popularity of bioinformatics compared to cheminformatics as well as the missing cheminformatics education at universities worldwide.</p

Влияние аллогеной трансплантации мезенхимальных стволовых клеток жировой ткани на ноцицептивную чувствительность и репаративные процессы при экспериментальной травме ахиллова сухожилия у крыс

On the model of Achilles tendon injury in rats, the antinociceptive and regenerative effect of allogeneic transplantation of various doses of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) into the lesion area was studied. It was found that netiher of tested regimens of allogeneic transplantation of ADMSCs contributed to a decrease in the edema of the injured limb. Among the studied regimens, only a twofold administration of 0.25 • 106 ADMSCs exhibited an antinociceptive effect. Administration of 0.50 • 106 ADMSCs promoted the accelerated onset of neovascularization of tendon tissue, while enhancing inflammation and the formation of granulation tissue. Double transplantation of 0.25 • 106 ADMSCs led to accelerated reorganization of collagen fibers, later neovascularization, however, there was an absence of inflammatory infiltrate, lipomatosis, and massive formation of granulation tissue in the lesion area.На модели травмы ахиллова сухожилия у крыс изучен антиноцицептивный и регенеративный эффект аллогенной трансплантации различных доз мезенхимальных стволовых клеток жировой ткани (МСК ЖТ) в область повреждения. Установлено, что аллогенная трансплантация МСК ЖТ ни в одном из тестируемых режимов не способствовала уменьшению величины отека травмированной конечности. Среди исследуемых режимов только двукратное введение 0,25 • 106 МСК ЖТ оказывало антиноцицептивное действие. Введение 0,50 • 106 МСК ЖТ способствовало ускоренному началу неоваскуляризации ткани сухожилия, одновременно усугубляя воспаление и образование грануляционной ткани. Двукратная трансплантация 0,25 • 106 МСК ЖТ приводила к ускорению реорганизации коллагеновых волокон, более поздней неоваскуляризации, однако наблюдалось отсутствие воспалительного инфильтрата, липоматоза и массивного образования грануляционной ткани в области травмы

Improved functionalization of oleic acid-coated iron oxide nanoparticles for biomedical applications

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles can providemultiple benefits for biomedical applications in aqueous environments such asmagnetic separation or magnetic resonance imaging. To increase the colloidal stability and allow subsequent reactions, the introduction of hydrophilic functional groups onto the particles’ surface is essential. During this process, the original coating is exchanged by preferably covalently bonded ligands such as trialkoxysilanes. The duration of the silane exchange reaction, which commonly takes more than 24 h, is an important drawback for this approach. In this paper, we present a novel method, which introduces ultrasonication as an energy source to dramatically accelerate this process, resulting in high-quality waterdispersible nanoparticles around 10 nmin size. To prove the generic character, different functional groups were introduced on the surface including polyethylene glycol chains, carboxylic acid, amine, and thiol groups. Their colloidal stability in various aqueous buffer solutions as well as human plasma and serum was investigated to allow implementation in biomedical and sensing applications.status: publishe

Effects of alirocumab on types of myocardial infarction: insights from the ODYSSEY OUTCOMES trial

Aims  The third Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction (MI) Task Force classified MIs into five types: Type 1, spontaneous; Type 2, related to oxygen supply/demand imbalance; Type 3, fatal without ascertainment of cardiac biomarkers; Type 4, related to percutaneous coronary intervention; and Type 5, related to coronary artery bypass surgery. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) reduction with statins and proprotein convertase subtilisin–kexin Type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors reduces risk of MI, but less is known about effects on types of MI. ODYSSEY OUTCOMES compared the PCSK9 inhibitor alirocumab with placebo in 18 924 patients with recent acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and elevated LDL-C (≥1.8 mmol/L) despite intensive statin therapy. In a pre-specified analysis, we assessed the effects of alirocumab on types of MI. Methods and results  Median follow-up was 2.8 years. Myocardial infarction types were prospectively adjudicated and classified. Of 1860 total MIs, 1223 (65.8%) were adjudicated as Type 1, 386 (20.8%) as Type 2, and 244 (13.1%) as Type 4. Few events were Type 3 (n = 2) or Type 5 (n = 5). Alirocumab reduced first MIs [hazard ratio (HR) 0.85, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.77–0.95; P = 0.003], with reductions in both Type 1 (HR 0.87, 95% CI 0.77–0.99; P = 0.032) and Type 2 (0.77, 0.61–0.97; P = 0.025), but not Type 4 MI. Conclusion  After ACS, alirocumab added to intensive statin therapy favourably impacted on Type 1 and 2 MIs. The data indicate for the first time that a lipid-lowering therapy can attenuate the risk of Type 2 MI. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol reduction below levels achievable with statins is an effective preventive strategy for both MI types.For complete list of authors see http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehz299</p

Advances in structure elucidation of small molecules using mass spectrometry

The structural elucidation of small molecules using mass spectrometry plays an important role in modern life sciences and bioanalytical approaches. This review covers different soft and hard ionization techniques and figures of merit for modern mass spectrometers, such as mass resolving power, mass accuracy, isotopic abundance accuracy, accurate mass multiple-stage MS(n) capability, as well as hybrid mass spectrometric and orthogonal chromatographic approaches. The latter part discusses mass spectral data handling strategies, which includes background and noise subtraction, adduct formation and detection, charge state determination, accurate mass measurements, elemental composition determinations, and complex data-dependent setups with ion maps and ion trees. The importance of mass spectral library search algorithms for tandem mass spectra and multiple-stage MS(n) mass spectra as well as mass spectral tree libraries that combine multiple-stage mass spectra are outlined. The successive chapter discusses mass spectral fragmentation pathways, biotransformation reactions and drug metabolism studies, the mass spectral simulation and generation of in silico mass spectra, expert systems for mass spectral interpretation, and the use of computational chemistry to explain gas-phase phenomena. A single chapter discusses data handling for hyphenated approaches including mass spectral deconvolution for clean mass spectra, cheminformatics approaches and structure retention relationships, and retention index predictions for gas and liquid chromatography. The last section reviews the current state of electronic data sharing of mass spectra and discusses the importance of software development for the advancement of structure elucidation of small molecules

Популяционный иммунитет к SARS-COV-2 населения Калиниградской области в эпидемический сезон COVID-19

Introduction. The COVID-19 pandemic was announced by WHO in February 2020. In the Kaliningrad region, the first case (imported) was registered in early March 2020, the beginning of the epidemic increase fell on the 14th week. 2020, and the peak incidence was reached in the 22nd week of the year, after which there was a steady decrease in the number of cases. The study of population immunity was carried out at the 32nd week during the period of the lowest level of intensity of the epidemic process.Purpose of the study. Assessment of the assessment of the level of population immunity to the SARS-CoV-2 virus among the population of the Kaliningrad region during the period of the epidemic incidence of the population of COVID-19.Materials and methods. The study was carried out as part of the first stage of the Rospotrebnadzor program to assess population immunity to SARS-CoV-2 among the population of the Russian Federation. The selection of volunteers for the study was carried out by a questionnaire survey and subsequent randomization. The analysis includes the results of a survey of 2675 people. The number of volunteers in age groups ranged from 314 to 493 people. The results obtained were processed by the methods of variation statistics.Results. The results obtained showed that the average seroprevalence in the population was 50.2%, while the highest seroprevalence was found in the child age group 1-17 years (66.9%) and among persons aged 18-29 (57.0). No significant gender differences were found (men – 48,3 ± 1,6%, women – 51,1 ± 1,1%). The distribution of the proportion of seropositive people in the settlements of the region varied from 33,9% to 59.6%. The largest share of seroprevalence in the representative samples was found among people engaged in art / creativity (55,3%), the smallest – among educational workers (42,0%). Among COVID-19 convalescents, the level of humoral immunity reached 94,6%. Most of the seropositive volunteers (95,2%) did not have any symptoms of COVID-19, that is, they belonged to the category of asymptomatic carriers.Output. The results of a survey of a representative cohort of volunteers in the Kaliningrad region showed that they are characterized by a high level of population immunity, which makes it possible to expect a decrease in.Введение. Пандемия COVID-19 была объявлена Всемирная организация здравоохранения в феврале 2020 г. В Калининградской области первый случай (завозной) зарегистрировали в начале марта 2020 г., начало эпидемического нарастания пришлось на 14-ю неделю 2020 г., а пик заболеваемости был достигнут на 22-й неделе года, после чего отмечалось устойчивое снижение количества заболевший. Исследование популяционного иммунитета было проведено на 32-й неделе в период самого низкого уровня напряженности эпидемического процесса.Цель. Оценка уровня популяционного иммунитета к вирусу SARS-CoV-2 среди населения Калининградской области в период эпидемической заболеваемости населения COVID-19.Материалы и методы. Исследование проведено в рамках первого этапа программы Роспотребнадзора по оценке популяционного иммунитета к SARS-CoV-2 среди населения Российской Федерации. Отбор волонтеров для исследования проводили методом анкетирования и последующей рандомизации. В анализ включены результаты обследования 2675 человек. Количество волонтеров в возрастных группах варьировало от 314 до 493 человек. Полученные результаты обрабатывали методами вариационной статистики.Результаты. Полученные результаты показали, что средняя серопревалентность по популяции составила 50,2%, при этом набольшая серопревалентность была выявлена в детской возрастной группе 1–17 лет (66,9%) и среди лиц в возрасте 18–29 лет (57,0). Достоверных половых различий не установлено (мужчины – 48,3±1,6%, женщины – 51,1±1,1%). Распределение доли серопозитивных по населенным пунктам области варьировало от 33,9% до 59,6%. Наибольшая доля серопревалентных в репрезентативных выборках выявлена среди лиц, занятых искусством/творчеством (55,3%), наименьшая – среди работников образования (42,0%). Среди реконвалесцентов COVID-19 уровень гуморального иммунитета достиг 94,6%. Большая часть серопозитивных волонтеров (95,2%) не имела каких-либо симптомов COVID-19, то есть относилась к категории бессимптомных носителей.Выводы. Результаты обследования репрезентативной когорты волонтеров Калининградской области показали, что для них характерен высокий уровень популяционного иммунитета, позволяющий ожидать снижения напряженности эпидемического процесса.