Conservative treatment of the longitudinal flatfeet in children

Introduction. A significant percentage of the musculoskeletal system pathology in children is currently fall on the foot pathology – longitudinal flatfeet, which is not only a medical, but also a social problem. The incidence of this pathology is up to 58% of the total orthopedic foot pathology. Traditional methods of treatment and prevention of mild (I– II severity) longitudinal flatfeet (LF), which are known today (massage, physiotherapy exercises, the use of orthopedic devices, electromyostimulation) do not give a significant effect and a stable, long-term result. This makes us look for more effective methods of conservative treatment of LF of the I– II severity degree, which have a pathogenic orientation and physiological effect. Purpose of the work: to develop the most effective algorithm for the complex conservative treatment of LF, depending on the severity, hemodynamic disorders, deformity options, foot rigidity. Materials and methods. Conservative treatment was carried out in 62 patients aged 10– 18 years with LF of the I– II severity degree. Depending on the clinical manifestations and examination results, the treatment was carried out in two stages. At the first stage, serial casting was used (in the presence of concomitant deformations – silicone pelottes were used). Results. The results of the two-stage conservative treatment of LF demonstrate the effectiveness of serial casting in combination with the use of silicone pelottes and biostimulators in comparison with traditional methods of foot correction. Conclusions. Algorithms for conservative treatment of LF were developed, depending on the severity, nature of the deformity, hemodynamic disorders and muscle tone of the lower leg and foot

Ages and abundances in large-scale stellar disks of nearby S0 galaxies

By undertaking deep long-slit spectroscopy with the focal reducer SCORPIO of the Russian 6m telescope, we studied stellar population properties and their variation with radius in 15 nearby S0 galaxies sampling a wide range of luminosities and environments. For the large-scale stellar disks of S0s, we have measured SSP-equivalent metallicities ranging from the solar one down to [Z/H]=-0.4 - -0.7, rather high magnesium-to-iron ratios, [Mg/Fe] > +0.2, and mostly old SSP-equivalent ages. Nine of 15 (60%) galaxies have large-scale stellar disks older than 10 Gyr, and among those we find all the galaxies which reside in denser environments. The isolated galaxies may have intermediate-age stellar disks which are 7-9 Gyr old. Only two galaxies of our sample, NGC 4111 and NGC 7332, reveal SSP-equivalent ages of their disks of 2-3 Gyrs. Just these two young disks appear to be thin, while the other, older disks have scale heights typical for thick stellar disks. The stellar populations in the bulges at radii of 0.5r_eff are on the contrary more metal-rich than the solar metallicity, with the ages homogeneously distributed between 2 and 15 Gyr, being almost always younger than the disks. We conclude that S0 galaxies could not form in groups at z=0.4 as is thought now; a new scenario of the general evolution of disk galaxies is proposed instead.Comment: Accepted to the MNRA

Relapses In multiple sclerosis.

Exact causes of contradictions in the understanding of relapsing course as characteristic phenomenon of multiple sclerosis (MS) and primarily relapsing-remitting type are still considered to be “sub rosa”. We tried to determine connection and correlation between seasonal dynamic factors, chronometric parameters of disease progression (age, disease duration) and frequency of relapses and the role of gender differences as well. A four-year prospective study included complete registration of all cases of MS exacerbations in resident patients with a relapsing-remmiting course of the disease according to McDonald criteria in Volyn region of Ukraine in 2010. Each patient had neurological score based on EDSS scale to ensure compliance with inclusion criteria. 128 patients (44 males and 84 females) with a remitting-recurring course of the disease were involved in this study. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 18, MedCalc and Microsoft Excel software using standard descriptive statistics, correlation and regression analysis. In total, 197 cases of MS relapses were registered. Episodes of relapses prevailed in winter-spring period. Multiple regression model including suggested climate factors showed multiple correlation coefficient – 0.55 (p<0.01). The prevalence of MS was higher in females, while general incidence of recurrences was similar to males. However, relapse rate in different age groups differs: the rate of recurrence increases in women aged after 50 years (mean annualized relapse rate (ARR)=0.66), while it slowly decreases in men with aging. The duration of the disease did not have significant effect on the course of MS in women, whereas weak negative relationship (0.24, p<0.001) between the duration of the disease and the frequency of MS in men was showed. Correspondingly, the average negative correlation (-0.37, p<0.001) was detected between the age of disease onset and the incidence of MS recurrence in males, while this connection was not observed in females. We established that the recurrence of MS is a result of multifactorial influence of external and internal factors. Individual seasonal climate variability did not have sufficient force of influence. Therefore, combined effect of corresponding climate changes played a significant role. Furthermore, it is quite probable that interactions of MS with external factors influencing the human body can be mutually integrated

Pathogen-derived methods for improving resistance of transgenic plums (Prunus domestica L.) for Plum pox virus infection

Plum pox virus (PPV), the causal agent of Sharka disease, is considered to be one of the most serious pathogens of stone fruits including apricots, plums and peaches. This disease is of particular concern in central and southern Europe, the Mediterranean areas and North America. The transformation of plum with viral genes, such as coat protein, can provide virus resistant varieties or gene resources for breeding new resistant varieties. In the current study we report the evaluation of two technologies for producing plants resistance to PPV, one based on co-suppression and another on RNA-silencing. Two gene constructs were evaluated; the binary vector pCamPPVcp that contained the selective hpt gene and ppv-cp gene in sense-orientation (driven by double 35S promoter) and vector pCamPPVRNAi that contained self-complementary fragments of gene ppvcp (698bp) driven by double 35S promoter and the hpt and gus genes.The fragments of the ppv-cp gene in pCamPPVRNAi were separated by a pdk-intron to produce a “hairpin” RNA structure in antisense-sense orientation. Seven independent transgenic lines with the sense-oriented ppv-cp gene and five transgenic lines with inverted repeats of the ppv-cp gene fragment were produced. The accumulation of coat protein in five pCamPPVcp lines was confirmed by Western blotting. Transgenic shoots were rooted and acclimatized to the greenhouse. After grafting with PPV infected buds PPV-CP was detected by Western blotting in all control and pCamPPVcp transformed plants whereas no PPV coat protein were observed in samples from plants transformed with the pCamPPVRNAi “hairpin” construct. These preliminary results confirmed the efficiency of the RNAi strategy for producing virus resistant plants in general and PPV resistant stone fruits in particular.Keywords: RNA interference, PPV, transformation, coat protein, Prunus domestic

Indication and genotyping of rotaviruses group in children on the territory of Ukraine

According to the literature, diarrhoeal diseases can be caused by viruses that belong to different species (rotaviruses, caliciviruses, intestinal adenoviruses, astroviruses), but rotaviruses are most often the cases of severe diarrhoea with fatal consequences. The aim of the present study was the investigation of rotavirus circulation among children under 5 years old, hospitalized with severe diarrhoea in different regions of Ukraine and rotavirus genotype identification. Stool specimens were selected from 600 young children under 5 year old, hospitalized in 6 Ukrainian regions: South, North, West, East, Center and Kyiv from 2006 to 2009. The detection of rotaviruses (group A) was performed by chromatographic immunoassay (CITO TEST ROTA, Test Biotec. S.L., Spain). All specimens positive for rotaviruses were confirmed and identified by RT-PCR (AmpliSens® Rotavirus-290, InterLabService, Russia). It was shown that proportion of severe diarrhoea, caused by rotaviruses in 5 regions of Ukraine in the period of study was: in the East - 10% in the South - 44,5% in the North - 24,8% in the West - 45,4%, in the Centre - 21,1%. The winter-spring seasonality was confirmed, and it was found that in the age group of children under 3 years the average frequency of rotavirus identification was the highest and amounted to 70,1 ± 4,0%. As a result among 210 positive samples it was detected G-genotype in 182 cases (86,7%) and P-genotype in 176 cases (83,8%). Pgenotype and G-genotype were not identified in 3,3% and 4,3% of samples, respectively. In 5,7% of samples both genotypes were not identified. It was shown that during each epidemic season from 2006 to 2009 in Ukraine G1P[8] was the dominant genotype, which varied from 30% to 80% of all positive samples. The second most distributed genotype was G4P[8] (40%), third - genotype G3P[8] (25%), and the fourth - G2P[8] (11%). During the epidemic period 2006-2009 in Kiev, for the first time genotype G9P[8] was identified in 5% of cases. Thereafter it was found seldom during 2007, then appeared in rare cases. In some clinical samples multiple genotypes were identified: G1P[8] + G3; G1P[8] + G2; G3P[8] + G4. Genetic variant G2P[4] was the cause of rare cases of diarrhoea during the studied period. For the first time the features of rotavirus group A circulation in Ukraine among children under 5 years old were shown. The obtained data of the major rotavirus genotypes has a great importance in deciding the implementation of specific prevention of rotavirus diarrhoea in Ukraine

A case of Susac’s syndrome: bilateral retinal vessel occlusion in the presence of autoimmune inflammatory endotheliopathy

The paper presents a case with a classic triad (bilateral inferotemporal branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO), multifocal callosal micro-infarcts, and sensorineural hearing loss) of Susac’s syndrome in a female patient following COVID-19 infection. We report clinical examination data, particularly, eye examination data and neurological status with brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results. Special attention was given to the diagnostic value of optical coherence tomography (OCT) in Susac’s syndrome, which allows detecting characteristic focal atrophic changes in the inner retina with a preserved structure of the photoreceptor layer. Identification of the typical neurological, ocular or otological symptoms should raise suspicion for the syndrome, which is critical for early administration of the systemic steroid therapy

Електронний підручник як засіб оптимізації післядипломної підготовки спеціалістів охорони здоров’я

Aim. To determine the scientific and methodological approaches to elaboration of electronic textbooks.Materials and methods. The methods of analysis and generalization were used in the study.Results. The study gave a possibility to assess domestic regulatory support for elaboration and implementation of electronic textbooks, define their types, basic characteristics and basic principles of development. The authorial definition of an “electronic textbook” and an algorithm to create electronic textbooks are presented.Conclusions. The algorithm for electronic textbook elaboration created in the study has been used to develop an electronic textbook of the second type “Pharmaceutical and biomedical aspects of medicines” for postgraduate training of healthcare professionals.Цель: определение научно-методических подходов к созданию электронного учебника.Материалы и методы. В работе были использованы методы анализа и обобщения.Результаты исследования. Изучено отечественное нормативное обеспечение создания и внедрения электронных учебников с обозначением их типов, базовых характеристик и основных принципов разработки. Представлены авторское определение понятия «электронный учебник» и алгоритм его создания.Выводы. Отработан алгоритм создания электронного учебника, на основании которого создан электронный учебник второго типа для системы последипломного образования специалистов охраны здоровья «Фармацевтические и медико-биологические аспекты лекарств».Мета: окреслення науково-методичних підходів до створення електронного підручника.Матеріали та методи. У роботі були використані методи аналізу та узагальнення.Результати дослідження. Вивчено вітчизняне нормативне забезпечення створення та упровадження електронних підручників із визначенням їх типів, базових характеристик та основних принципів розробки. Наведено авторське визначення поняття «електронний підручник» та алгоритм його створення.Висновки. Опрацьовано алгоритм створення електронного підручника, на основі якого розроблено електронний підручник другого типу для системи післядипломної освіти фахівців охорони здоров’я «Фармацевтичні та медико-біологічні аспекти ліків»

New ex-OH maser detections in the northern celestial hemisphere

Aims.Molecular masers, including methanol and hydroxyl masers, and in particular the ones in excited rotational states (ex-OHmasers), are one of the most informative tools for studying star-forming regions. So, the discovery, of new maser sources in theseregions is of great importance. Many studies and surveys of ex-OH maser sources have been carried out in the southern celestialhemisphere, but only a few have been done in the northern hemisphere. The specific aim of this work is to close this gap.Methods.The star-forming regions in the northern hemisphere with known active methanol masers were observed to search for newex-OH maser sources with the 32 m and 16 m radio telescopes of the Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre (VIRAC).Results.Three OH maser lines in the excited state at the 6035 MHz in three northern hemisphere star-forming regions are detected.The maser 189.030+0.783 was previously known, but we suggest this maser is a possible variable. We confirm recent detections ofthe ex-OH masers 85.41+0.00 and 90.92+1.49 by other authors. The magnetic field strength in the masering regions is estimated byusing right circular polarization (RCP) and left circular polarization (LCP) pair splitting. The high-velocity resolution provides uswith an estimation of a comparatively small magnetic field strength for the 189.030+0.783 and 90.92+1.49 star-forming regionsComment: 6 pages 1 figure 4 table