Observations of comets C/2002 T7 (LINEAR) and 2P/Encke at Andrushivka

Photometric and spectral observations of C/2002 T7 (LINEAR) and 2P/Encke were made with the Zeiss-600 telescope at the Andrushivka Astronomical Observatory in November 2003. CCD imaging of the comets was carried out with narrowband HB filters CN, RC, and BC. The total number of CN molecules, gas production rate for CN, and Afρ value for the dust coma were obtained. The optical spectra of Comet C/2002 T7 (LINEAR) were obtained and reduced for the wavelength range 4200–7300 Å. The reddening gradient is derived for th

Results of screening for metabolic syndrome amongst college participants in Rostov-on-Don, diagnostic criteria

Purpose: to confirm the prevalence, identify early markers of metabolic Syndrome (MS) amongst college participants between the ages 16-18 years. Materials and methods: 240 young men and 452 young women were observed, Body Mass Index (BMI), percentage fat composition in the organism of (OMRONBF-306 и BF-400), level of Arterial Blood Pressure (BP) (OMRONM3 Expert). We selected 30 young women with hereditary predisposition to metabolic syndrome. MS and normal body mass index BMI. For the purposes of identification of early markers of metabolic syndrome, further investigations on the blood glucose level, C-Peptide, lipidogram and volume of visceral fats using Computer Tomography (CT) was done. Results: overwheight and obesity was found in 20.3% of participants, they all had an elevated level of fat composition. It was noted that 45.8% of the participants had an elevated level of fat composition but normal body mass index. Among this group with elevated fat composition, 98% was found to have visceral fat content 2-3 times higher than the control figures,72% had disorder of the lipid spectre. Summary: the increasement of volume of BMI, found by CT of abdominal ares is the first objective sign of formation of MS in young people

The potential risks and impact of the start of the 2015–2016 influenza season in the WHO European Region: a rapid risk assessment

Background: Countries in the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region are reporting more severe influenza activity in the 2015–2016 season compared to previous seasons. Objectives: To conduct a rapid risk assessment to provide interim information on the severity of the current influenza season. Methods: Using the WHO manual for rapid risk assessment of acute public health events and surveillance data available from Flu News Europe, an assessment of the current influenza season from 28 September 2015 (week 40/2015) up to 31 January 2016 (week 04/2016) was made compared with the four previous seasons. Results: The current influenza season started around week 51/2015 with higher influenza activity reported in Eastern Europe compared to Western Europe. There is a strong predominance of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 compared to previous seasons, but the virus is antigenically similar to the strain included in the seasonal influenza vaccine. Compared to the 2014/2015 season, there was a rapid increase in the number of severe cases in Eastern European countries with the majority of such cases occurring among adults aged < 65 years. Conclusions: The current influenza season is characterized by an early start in Eastern European countries, with indications of a more severe season. Currently circulating influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses are antigenically similar to those included in the seasonal influenza vaccine, and the vaccine is expected to be effective. Authorities should provide information to the public and health providers about the current influenza season, recommendations for the treatment of severe disease and effective public health measures to prevent influenza transmission

Cometary activity of distant object C/2002 VQ94 (LINEAR)

Aims.We have started a program of spectroscopic and photometric investigations of distant active comets in the optical domain. The comets with a significant level of activity–in particular, extended tails–are the objects of our observations. Methods.The observations were made at the 6-m telescope BTA (SAO RAS, Russia), with the focal reducer SCORPIO attached to the prime focus of the telescope. Long-slit and photometry modes were turned to perform our first observations. The spectral resolution in the spectroscopy mode was 10 Å. Results.The result of the spectrum analysis of comet C/2002 VQ94 (LINEAR) is of particular interest. The comet observed at the heliocentric distance of 6.8 AU clearly shows a rich molecular spectrum. We identified 14 vibrational bands of CO+ (Comet Tail system), emissions of C3, and some tentatively assigned to N$_2^+$ and CN. It should be emphasized that, for now, CO+ and tentatively assigned N$_2^+$ emissions are detected at a record heliocentric distance

Theoretical rationale for the choice of interferon alfa-2b substance to be certified as a reference standard for identification test by peptide mapping

The article provides with the results of theoretical research on justification of the choice of methionine form of recombinant interferon alfa-2b substance to be certified as a reference standard for identification test by peptide mapping. At present non- methionine and methionine forms of interferon alfa-2b substance are produced in Russia. The reference standard of interferon alfa-2b CRS I0320301, recommended by the European Pharmacopoeia, is a non- methionine standard and is suitable for identification test by peptide mapping only for a non- methionine form of a protein. In order to choose the reference standard candidate for methionine form of interferon alfa-2b, the article provides with the comparative analysis of the range of criteria and methods used by domestic manufacturers to confirm the quality of substances, authorized in the Russian Federation. The theoretical research allowed to choose interferon alfa-2b substance as a reference standard candidate for identification test by peptide mapping

P/2008 CL94 (Lemmon) and P/2011 S1 (Gibbs): comet-like activity at large heliocentric distances

International audienc

Role of MSCT, MRI, DWI, PET / CT, 3D-Reconstruction and Virtual Endoscopy in Detecting Colon Diseases and Colorectal Cancer

Currently in the world there is a tendency of continuous growth in the incidence of cancer of the rectum and colon. The tendency to a continuous increase in the incidence is especially pronounced in industrialized countries. Within this re-search we have set to establish MSCT criteria for the infiltration and exophytic growth of colon cancer, to establish the capabilities of DWI and PET / CT in the diagnosis of to establish criteria for the invasion of tumor intestinal walls, to de-termine the effectiveness of chemoradiation and surgical treatment, as well as to determine the radiological criteria for recurrent tumors. Materials and Methods: MSCT colonoscopy was performed in 345 patients (240 with suspected cancer, 105 with polyps). Patients underwent standard preparation. The usual radiation dose for MSCT colonoscopy is 6–12 mGy. During screening, it is possible to re-duce the dose to 3–6 mGy ("low dose technique"). The low dose technique should be used to determine the colonoscope obstruction cause or in case performing irrigoscopy is not possible. The contrast medium is often required to envelope the pebble poop. We used standard abdominal radiography, MSCT (multispiral computed tomography), MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), DWI (diffusionweighted images). MSCT studies were carried out on 4 and 64-slice Toshiba devices. MRI examinations were performed with a field strength of 1.5T PET/CT were performed using labeled 18F-FDG (2-fluorodesoxyglucose). Results: MSCT, including MSCT endoscopy, is a highly informative method for detecting invasive colon cancer, showing sensitivity and specificity indicators approaching to 100%, that may not be extended to colon polyps’ diagnosis (76%). Use of MSCT can increase the accuracy of preoperative detection of a colon tumor, clarify the stage of the disease, detect tumor recurrence, and determine the effective-ness of radiation therapy. The sensitivity of MSCT for detecting polyps of 5–6 mm in size was 59%, with optical colonoscopy – 76%, the sensitivity of MSCT for detecting polyps >10 mm was 91%, with optical colonoscopy – 95%. The advantage of virtual colonoscopy is that it does not require complex preparation of the patient for the study and does not injure them, since this method is, in fact, variant of computed tomography. This technique is well suited for screening patients from risk groups, especially in the presence of polyps, because they often undergo malignant transformation. Conclusion: MSCT, DWI, MRI are useful in the diagnosis and definition of the metastatic focus of neoplasm. 18F-FDG PET / CT can provide prognosis information after surgical resection of colon cancer. PET / CT provides a significant advantage in improving diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring of patients, monitoring treatment responses