Endothelotropic activity of 4-hydroxy-3,5-di-tret-butylcinnamic acid in the conditions of experimental cerebral ischemia

The aim of the study was to evaluate the endothelioprotective activity of 4-hydroxy-3,5-di-tret-butylcinnamic acid in conditions of experimental cerebral ischemia. The brain ischemia was reproduced by the method of irreversible right-sided thermocoagulation of the middle cerebral artery. As comparative drugs, mexidol (30 mg/kg) and sulodexide (30 U/kg) were use

Philosophical and Aesthetic Components of the Art of the Baroque Style

In this paper considers the impact of the historical process of the formation of the Counter- Reformation in the philosophical views of aesthetic expression, symbolism and personification of the Christian temple art of the Baroqu

Optimization of HIFU monotherapy for prostate cancer

Introduction. One of the most researched alternative treatments for localized prostate cancer (PCa) is ultrasound ablation (HIFU ¾ High-intensity Focused Ultrasound). Although the world history of the application of this method of PCa treatment is more than 15 years old, the scope of the application of the method has not finally been determined.Purpose of the study. To study the results of the application of ultrasound ablation in the treatment of patients with localized and locally advanced PCa.Materials and methods. The study included 147 patients with PCa who underwent HIFU treatment using the AblathermÒ device («EDAP TMS», Vaulx-en-Velin, Lyon, France). Group 1 included patients with localized and locally advanced PCa treated at the stage of gaining experience and evaluating the results of treatment (n = 82). Group 2 consisted of patients with localized PCa of low and moderate oncological risk (n = 65). The number of sessions in group 1 varied from 1 (65) to 2 (17). The need to perform a second session was associated with the ineffectiveness of the first. HIFU was also performed after the failure of external beam radiation (2), and photodynamic (1) therapy. In group 2, 61 patients received one treatment session, 4 patients received 2 sessions each. The mean follow-up time for the patients in group 1 was 17.4 ± 5.2 (3 – 29) months, for group 2 was 18.2 ± 7.3 (3 – 29) months.Results. In group 1 of patients with a low degree of oncological risk, a decrease in blood prostate-specific antigen (PSA) below the threshold value and the absence of its significant increase during the observation period was noted in 87.5% of cases (28 patients), with an average degree of oncological risk in 65.6% of cases (21 patients), with a high degree in 27.7% of cases (5 patients). In 34.1% (28 patients), the treatment was ineffective, 21 of them underwent repeated ultrasound ablation of the prostate, and 7 patients received subsequent external beam radiation therapy. These results led us to abandon the use of HIFU in patients with baseline blood PSA levels greater than 20 ng/ml and locally advanced disease. In group 2, biochemical recurrence was noted in 9 patients. A control biopsy in 6 patients confirmed local recurrence, which became the basis for a second HIFU session (4). Five patients received adjuvant hormonal therapy. The total effectiveness of the treatment in group 2 was 86.2%.Conclusion. The results support the notion that HIFU is a treatment option for localized PCa only. The evaluation of the initial results led us to abandon treatment with this method in patients with locally advanced and high-risk localized PCa

Effects of broadening and electron overheating in tunnel structures based on metallic clusters

We study the influence of energy levels broadening and electron subsystem overheating in island electrode (cluster) on current-voltage characteristics of three-electrode structure. A calculation scheme for broadening effect in one-dimensional case is suggested. Estimation of broadening is performed for electron levels in disc-like and spherical gold clusters. Within the two-temperature model of metallic cluster and by using a size dependence of the Debye frequency the effective electron temperature as a function of bias voltage is found approximately. We suggest that the effects of broadening and electron overheating are responsible for the strong smoothing of current-voltage curves, which is observed experimentally at low temperatures in structures based on clusters consisting of accountable number of atoms.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figure

Vertical Structure of the Outer Accretion Disk in Persistent Low-Mass X-Ray Binaries

We have investigated the influence of X-ray irradiation on the vertical structure of the outer accretion disk in low-mass X-ray binaries by performing a self-consistent calculation of the vertical structure and X-ray radiation transfer in the disk. Penetrating deep into the disk, the field of scattered X-ray photons with energy $E\gtrsim10$\,keV exerts a significant influence on the vertical structure of the accretion disk at a distance $R\gtrsim10^{10}$\,cm from the neutron star. At a distance $R\sim10^{11}$\,cm, where the total surface density in the disk reaches $\Sigma_0\sim20$\,g\,cm$^{-2}$, X-ray heating affects all layers of an optically thick disk. The X-ray heating effect is enhanced significantly in the presence of an extended atmospheric layer with a temperature $T_{atm}\sim(2\div3)\times10^6$\,K above the accretion disk. We have derived simple analytic formulas for the disk heating by scattered X-ray photons using an approximate solution of the transfer equation by the Sobolev method. This approximation has a $\gtrsim10$\,% accuracy in the range of X-ray photon energies $E<20$\,keV.Comment: 19 pages, 8 figures, published in Astronomy Letter

Applying integral approach to standardization of the quality of bottom sediments from natural waters

© 2015, Pleiades Publishing, Ltd. An integral method of quality standardization of bottom sediments based on the results of chemical, bioindication, and toxicological studies of bottom sediments has been tested as applied to the Kuibyshev Reservoir. Two types of quality standards for use in the practice of water resources management have been evaluated, including target standards (ensuring the preservation of high biodiversity) and signal (indicating to a hazardous pollution level of bottom sediments). The obtained standards have been compared with similar standards for water bodies in other countries in terms of the concentrations of metals (Zn, Cu, Ni, Cr, Pb, Cd, and Hg) and oil products in bottom sediments of the Kuibyshev Reservoir

Neuroprotective effect of L-carnitine. Focus on changing mitochondrial function

In this study, the neuroprotective effect of L-carnitine administered per os in a dose of 25 mg/kg-800 mg/kg was evaluated. The effects of L-carnitine on changes in mitochondrial function were also studie

Bioactivity and physico-chemical properties of composites on basis of hydroxyapatite with lactic and glycolic acids oligomers

A new method in situ for producing of biocompatible composites based on hydroxyapatite and oligomers of lactic and glycolic acid is described. Their thermo-mechanical, physical-chemical and biological properties are studied as well. The formation of bonds between hydroxyapatite with lactic and glycolic oligomers in composites are confirmed by IR spectroscopy of the samples, including those obtained in the Soxhlet apparatus. The formation of calciumphosphate layer on the surface of composite containing hydroxyapatite was shown by SBFinvestigation. The scaffolds based on lactic acid oligomer do not stimulate formation of a calciumphosphate layer and they are subjected to destruction by the way of hydrolysis