MODERN METHODS AND POSSIBILITIES FOR DYNAMIC DIAGNOSTICS OF PULMONARY DISEASES

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Intranight variability of 3C 454.3 during its 2010 November outburst

Context. 3C 454.3 is a very active flat spectrum radio quasar (blazar) that has undergone a recent outburst in all observed bands, including the optical. Aims. In this work we explore the short-term optical variability of 3C 454.3 during its outburst by searching for time delays between different optical bands. Finding one would be important for understanding the evolution of the spectrum of the relativistic electrons, which generate the synchrotron jet emission. Methods. We performed photometric monitoring of the object by repeating exposures in different optical bands (BVRI). Occasionally, different telescopes were used to monitor the object in the same band to verify the reliability of the smallest variations we observed. Results. Except on one occasion, where we found indications of a lag of the blue wavelengths behind the red ones, the results are inconclusive for most of the other cases. There were either no structures in the light curves to be able to search for patterns, or else different approaches led to different conclusions.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures. Accepted for publication in A&

Photometric and spectroscopic variability of the FUor star V582 Aurigae

We carried out BVRI CCD photometric observations in the field of V582 Aur from 2009 August to 2013 February. We acquired high-, medium-, and low-resolution spectroscopy of V582 Aur during this period. To study the pre-outburst variability of the target and construct its historical light curve, we searched for archival observations in photographic plate collections. Both CCD and photographic observations were analyzed using a sequence of 14 stars in the field of V582 Aur calibrated in BVRI. The pre-outburst photographic observations of V582 Aur show low-amplitude light variations typical of T Tauri stars. Archival photographic observations indicate that the increase in brightness began in late 1984 or early 1985 and the star reached the maximum level of brightness at 1986 January. The spectral type of V582 Aur can be defined as G0I with strong P Cyg profiles of H alpha and Na I D lines, which are typical of FU Orionis objects. Our BVRI photometric observations show large amplitude variations V~2.8 mag. during the 3.5 year period of observations. Most of the time, however, the star remains in a state close to the maximum brightness. The deepest drop in brightness was observed in the spring of 2012, when the brightness of the star fell to a level close to the pre-outburst. The multicolor photometric data show a color reversal during the minimum in brightness, which is typical of UX Ori variables. The corresponding spectral observations show strong variability in the profiles and intensities of the spectral lines (especially H alpha), which indicate significant changes in the accretion rate. On the basis of photometric monitoring performed over the past three years, the spectral properties of the maximal light, and the shape of the long-term light curve, we confirm the affiliation of V582 Aur to the group of FU Orionis objects.Comment: 9 pages, 8 figures, accepted for publication in A&

Clinical cases of pulmonary tuberculosis as a result of TNF antagonist therapy

През последните 12 години антагонистите на TNF са били успешно използвани за лечение на много пациенти страдащи от хронични възпалителни заболявания. Това лечение увеличава риска от туберкулоза до 25 пъти. Дължи се на факта, че TNF и TNF-рецепторите играят важна роля в медиирането на имунния отговор при остри и хронични възпаления. Ето защо всички пациенти, на които предстои подобно лечение трябва да бъдат подложени на стриктна оценка за изключване на активна и латентна туберкулозна инфекция. През 2010 г. беше публикуван консенсус на TBNET, озаглавен „Рискът от туберкулоза, свързан с лечение с TNF антагонисти`.В изложението са представени два случая на белодробна туберкулоза, които са наблюдавани в хода на провеждано лечение с TNF антагонисти при болни с доказани възпалителни заболявания на червата.During the past 12 years TNF antagonists have been successfully used for the treatment of many patients suffering from chronic inflammatory diseases. This treatment increases the risk of tuberculosis up to 25 times. This is due to the fact that TNF and TNF-receptors play an important role in mediating the immune response in acute and chronic inflammation. Therefore all patients undergoing such treatment should be subject to rigorous assessment to exclude active and latent tuberculosis infection. In 2010 a TBNET consensus was published entitled "The risk of tuberculosis related to TNF therapies." In this article we present two cases of pulmonary tuberculosis, which were observed in the course of an ongoing treatment with TNF antagonists in patients with proven inflammatory bowel disease

The large amplitude outburst of the young star HBC 722 in NGC 7000/IC 5070, a new FU Orionis candidate

We report the discovery of a large amplitude outburst from the young star HBC 722 (LkHA 188 G4) located in the region of NGC 7000/IC 5070. On the basis of photometric and spectroscopic observations, we argue that this outburst is of the FU Orionis type. We gathered photometric and spectroscopic observations of the object both in the pre-outburst state and during a phase of increase in its brightness. The photometric BVRI data (Johnson-Cousins system) that we present were collected from April 2009 to September 2010. To facilitate transformation from instrumental measurements to the standard system, fifteen comparison stars in the field of HBC 722 were calibrated in the BVRI bands. Optical spectra of HBC 722 were obtained with the 1.3-m telescope of Skinakas Observatory (Crete, Greece) and the 0.6-m telescope of Schiaparelli Observatory in Varese (Italy). The pre-outburst photometric and spectroscopic observations of HBC 722 show both low amplitude photometric variations and an emission-line spectrum typical of T Tau stars. The observed outburst started before May 2010 and reached its maximum brightness in September 2010, with a recorded Delta V~4.7 mag. amplitude. Simultaneously with the increase in brightness the color indices changed significantly and the star became appreciably bluer. The light curve of HBC 722 during the period of rise in brightness is similar to the light curves of the classical FUors - FU Ori and V1057 Cyg. The spectral observations during the time of increase in brightness showed significant changes in both the profiles and intensity of the spectral lines. Only H alpha remained in emission, while the H beta, Na I 5890/5896, Mg I triplet 5174, and Ba II 5854/6497 lines were in strong absorption.Comment: 4 pages, 6 figures, accepted for publication in A&

Electrophoretic patterns of gliadin as markers of genotypes in the analysis of the durum wheat landrace Kubanka

Background. The collection of durum wheat landraces (Triticum durum Desf.) at VIR contains unique material of the “Russian northern branch”, which is not found in any other collections worldwide. Studying the genetic diversity of such wheat accessions according to their gliadin bands as markers of genotypes is important for identification and conservation of their gene pool authenticity.Materials and methods. For the first time, molecular markers were used to differentiate among 38 accessions of the local durum wheat variety known under the name of “Kubanka”, collected and placed into the VIR collection in the 1910–1940s, and five accessions from the seed genebanks of the USA and Canada. Electrophoretic patterns of gliadin were used as markers of genotypes within the polymorphic cultivar. Recording bands in the form of “protein formulas” allows the researcher to evaluate the polymorphism of each accession and the diversity within the collection. Gliadin analysis was performed on single grains according to the standard method adopted at VIR and approved by ISTA.Results and conclusions. Fourteen major biotypes marked with gliadin bands were identified. Depending on the component composition of the α-zone encoded by alleles of the GLI-2A locus, biotypes were combined into 4 groups. Within the groups, biotypes are determined by alleles of the GLI-1A, GLI-1B, GLI2B loci. Genetically close monotypic accessions and polytypic ones incorporating 2 to 6 biotypes were identified. Group I is typical for the European part of Russia as well as for Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Accessions of this group can be attributed to the Volga steppe ecotype. Group II biotypes are widespread in Altai Territory, Orenburg and Astrakhan Provinces of Russia; Group III in Stavropol Territory, Russia, and Kyrgyzstan; Group IV only in Altai Territory. The greatest genetic diversity was exhibited by the ‘Kubanka’ accessions from Altai and Krasnodar Territories, and Kyrgyzstan