Scientific, institutional and personal rivalries among Soviet geographers in the late Stalin era

Scientific, institutional and personal rivalries between three key centres of geographical research and scholarship (the Academy of Sciences Institute of Geography and the Faculties of Geography at Moscow and Leningrad State Universities) are surveyed for the period from 1945 to the early 1950s. It is argued that the debates and rivalries between members of the three institutions appear to have been motivated by a variety of scientific, ideological, institutional and personal factors, but that genuine scientific disagreements were at least as important as political and ideological factors in influencing the course of the debates and in determining their final outcome

Deactivation and Regeneration of Mo/ZSM-5 Catalysts for Methane Dehydroaromatization

The methane dehydroaromatization (DHA) was studied over a series of impregnated Mo/ZSM-5 catalysts with different molybdenum contents (1-10 wt.%). It was shown that total methane conversion was decreased by 30% during 12 h of DHA reaction. The benzene formation rate was increased from 0.5 to 13.9 mol C6H6/(gMo·s) when the molybdenum content in the catalyst was lowered from 10 to 1 wt.%. The deactivated Mo/ZSM-5 catalysts were studied by a group of methods: N2 adsorption, XRD, TGDTA, HRTEM and XPS. The content and condensation degree (C/H ratio) of the carbonaceous deposits was found to increase with an increase of either of the following parameters: molybdenum content (1-10 wt.%), reaction temperature (720-780 °C), space velocity (405-1620 h-1), reaction time (0.5-20 h). The stability of Mo/ZSM-5 catalysts in reaction-regeneration cycles was better when the time on stream was shorter. The regeneration conditions of deactivated Mo/ZSM-5 catalysts providing their stable operation under multiple reaction-regeneration cycles have been selected

Cathepsin S Deficiency Results in Abnormal Accumulation of Autophagosomes in Macrophages and Enhances Ang II–Induced Cardiac Inflammation

BACKGROUND: Cathepsin S (Cat S) is overexpressed in human atherosclerotic and aneurysmal tissues and may contributes to degradation of extracellular matrix, especially elastin, in inflammatory diseases. We aimed to define the role of Cat S in cardiac inflammation and fibrosis induced by angiotensin II (Ang II) in mice. METHODS AND RESULTS: Cat S-knockout (Cat S(-/-)) and littermate wild-type (WT) C57BL/6J mice were infused continuously with Ang II (750 ng/kg/min) or saline for 7 days. Cat S(-/-) mice showed severe cardiac fibrosis, including elevated expression of collagen I and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), as compared with WT mice. Moreover, macrophage infiltration and expression of inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor α, transforming growth factor β and interleukin 1β) were significantly greater in Cat S(-/-) than WT hearts. These Ang II-induced effects in Cat S(-/-) mouse hearts was associated with abnormal accumulation of autophagosomes and reduced clearance of damaged mitochondria, which led to increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) in macrophages. CONCLUSION: Cat S in lysosomes is essential for mitophagy processing in macrophages, deficiency in Cat S can increase damaged mitochondria and elevate ROS levels and NF-κB activity in hypertensive mice, so it regulates cardiac inflammation and fibrosis

ТРАНСПЛАНТАЦИЯ СЕРДЦА У ПАЦИЕНТКИ МОЛОДОГО ВОЗРАСТА С ДИЛАТАЦИОННОЙ КАРДИОМИОПАТИЕЙ И ВТОРИЧНЫМ АНТИФОСФОЛИПИДНЫМ СИНДРОМОМ

Patients with congestive heart failure have an increased incidence of thromboembolic events. The choice of me- dical management in patients with antiphospholipid antibodies and generalized thrombosis due to hypercoagula- bility is complex issue. We report heart transplant outcome in 15 years old patient with dilated cardiomyopathy and secondary anti-phospholipid syndrome. Пациенты с хронической сердечной недостаточностью имеют повышенный риск тромбоэмболических осложнений. Выбор врачебной тактики особенно затруднен при выявлении у таких больных антифосфо- липидных антител и развитии генерализованных тромбозов. В статье представлены результаты успеш- ной ортотопической трансплантации сердца у пациентки 15 лет с дилатационной кардиомиопатией и вторичным антифосфолипидным синдромом.

Analysis of positional candidate genes in the AAA1 susceptibility locus for abdominal aortic aneurysms on chromosome 19

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a complex disorder with multiple genetic risk factors. Using affected relative pair linkage analysis, we previously identified an AAA susceptibility locus on chromosome 19q13. This locus has been designated as the AAA1 susceptibility locus in the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) database. METHODS: Nine candidate genes were selected from the AAA1 locus based on their function, as well as mRNA expression levels in the aorta. A sample of 394 cases and 419 controls was genotyped for 41 SNPs located in or around the selected nine candidate genes using the Illumina GoldenGate platform. Single marker and haplotype analyses were performed. Three genes (CEBPG, PEPD and CD22) were selected for DNA sequencing based on the association study results, and exonic regions were analyzed. Immunohistochemical staining of aortic tissue sections from AAA and control individuals was carried out for the CD22 and PEPD proteins with specific antibodies. RESULTS: Several SNPs were nominally associated with AAA (p < 0.05). The SNPs with most significant p-values were located near the CCAAT enhancer binding protein (CEBPG), peptidase D (PEPD), and CD22. Haplotype analysis found a nominally associated 5-SNP haplotype in the CEBPG/PEPD locus, as well as a nominally associated 2-SNP haplotype in the CD22 locus. DNA sequencing of the coding regions revealed no variation in CEBPG. Seven sequence variants were identified in PEPD, including three not present in the NCBI SNP (dbSNP) database. Sequencing of all 14 exons of CD22 identified 20 sequence variants, five of which were in the coding region and six were in the 3'-untranslated region. Five variants were not present in dbSNP. Immunohistochemical staining for CD22 revealed protein expression in lymphocytes present in the aneurysmal aortic wall only and no detectable expression in control aorta. PEPD protein was expressed in fibroblasts and myofibroblasts in the media-adventitia border in both aneurysmal and non-aneurysmal tissue samples. CONCLUSIONS: Association testing of the functional positional candidate genes on the AAA1 locus on chromosome 19q13 demonstrated nominal association in three genes. PEPD and CD22 were considered the most promising candidate genes for altering AAA risk, based on gene function, association evidence, gene expression, and protein expression

Дифференциальная диагностика токсического эпидермального некролиза (синдрома Лайелла) в ОРИТ: клинические наблюдения

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is a critical life-threating condition developing as the total detachment of epidermidis and characterized by severe pathological reactions of all body systems. The current article describes two cases of TEN with similar clinical and laboratory signs. In one case the diagnosis of TEN was subsequently refused.The objective: analysis of methods of clinical and differential diagnostics of conditions accompanied with massive epidermidis detachment in ICU patients.Results. The immunomorphological evaluation of skin specimen obtained from the patient with a torpid form of TEN showed linear IgG fixation in the intercellular space of stratum basale, stratum spinosum and stratum granulosum and C3 fixation in the intercellular space of stratum basale.Conclusion. The complex of anamnesis data and pathomorphological evaluation of skin are crucial for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with atypical TEN.Токсический эпидермальный некролиз (ТЭН) – критическое жизнеугрожающее состояние, развивающееся в виде тотального отслоения эпидермиса и характеризующееся тяжелыми реакциями со стороны всех систем организма. Приведено описание двух клинических случаев со сходной клинико-лабораторной симптоматикой, в одном из которых диагноз ТЭН впоследствии был опровергнут.Цель: анализ методов клинической и лабораторной дифференциальной диагностики состояний, сопровождающихся массивной отслойкой эпидермиса, у пациентов, пребывающих в ОРИТ.Результаты. При иммуноморфологическом исследовании биоптата кожи, полученного от пациентки с торпидным течением ТЭН, обнаружена четкая линейная фиксация IgG в межклеточной связывающей субстанции (МСС) базального, шиповатого и зернистого слоев эпидермиса, а также фиксация С3-компонента комплемента в МСС базального слоя эпидермиса.Заключение. Совокупность анамнестических сведений и результатов патоморфологического исследования методом прямой иммунофлюоресценции имеет критически важное значение для установления диагноза и выбора лечебной тактики у пациентов с атипичным течением ТЭН

ТРАНСПЛАНТАЦИЯ СЕРДЦА У ПАЦИЕНТКИ С ПОСТТРАВМАТИЧЕСКОЙ АНЕВРИЗМОЙ ЛЕГОЧНОЙ АРТЕРИИ

Right heart catheterization (RHC) should be performed on all candidates in preparation for listing for cardiac transplantation. Patient, 64 y. o., with chronic heart failure NYHA III class, had developed a rare complication while performing that procedure – a rupture of segmental branch of pulmonary artery (PA) with pulmonary haemorrhage. The episode of pulmonary bleeding was stopped conservatively without surgical management. There was a pseudoaneurysm formation of segmental branch of PA 2,7 × 2,8 cm with signs of thrombosis. Afterfi ve months the patient underwent heart transplantation without severe complications in perioperative period. No more recurrent episodes of pulmonary haemorrhage were identifi ed.Обязательной процедурой, выполняемой перед включением кандидата на трансплантацию сердца в лист ожидания, является катетеризация правых отделов сердца и легочной артерии (ЛА). У пациентки 64 летс хронической сердечной недостаточностью III функционального класса по NYHA при выполнении данной манипуляции возникло редкое осложнение – разрыв сегментарной ветви ЛА с развитием легочного кровотечения. На фоне комплексной интенсивной терапии эпизод легочного кровотечения был купирован, не потребовав хирургического лечения. Сформировалась ложная аневризма сегментарной ветви ЛА размерами 2,7 × 2,8 см с признаками тромбирования. Спустя пять месяцев пациентка перенесла трансплантацию сердца, периоперационный период протекал без развития тяжелых осложнений, повторных эпизодов легочного кровотечения зафиксировано не было

Iron Behaving Badly: Inappropriate Iron Chelation as a Major Contributor to the Aetiology of Vascular and Other Progressive Inflammatory and Degenerative Diseases

The production of peroxide and superoxide is an inevitable consequence of aerobic metabolism, and while these particular "reactive oxygen species" (ROSs) can exhibit a number of biological effects, they are not of themselves excessively reactive and thus they are not especially damaging at physiological concentrations. However, their reactions with poorly liganded iron species can lead to the catalytic production of the very reactive and dangerous hydroxyl radical, which is exceptionally damaging, and a major cause of chronic inflammation. We review the considerable and wide-ranging evidence for the involvement of this combination of (su)peroxide and poorly liganded iron in a large number of physiological and indeed pathological processes and inflammatory disorders, especially those involving the progressive degradation of cellular and organismal performance. These diseases share a great many similarities and thus might be considered to have a common cause (i.e. iron-catalysed free radical and especially hydroxyl radical generation). The studies reviewed include those focused on a series of cardiovascular, metabolic and neurological diseases, where iron can be found at the sites of plaques and lesions, as well as studies showing the significance of iron to aging and longevity. The effective chelation of iron by natural or synthetic ligands is thus of major physiological (and potentially therapeutic) importance. As systems properties, we need to recognise that physiological observables have multiple molecular causes, and studying them in isolation leads to inconsistent patterns of apparent causality when it is the simultaneous combination of multiple factors that is responsible. This explains, for instance, the decidedly mixed effects of antioxidants that have been observed, etc...Comment: 159 pages, including 9 Figs and 2184 reference

ШЕСТИЛЕТНИЙ ОПЫТ ТРАНСПЛАНТАЦИИ СЕРДЦА В ФГБУ «СЕВЕРО-ЗАПАДНЫЙ ФЕДЕРАЛЬНЫЙ МЕДИЦИНСКИЙ ИССЛЕДОВАТЕЛЬСКИЙ ЦЕНТР ИМЕНИ В.А. АЛМАЗОВА»

Aim. To estimate the results of 6-year experience of heart transplantation (HT) in Federal Almazov North-West Medical Research Centre. Methods. From 2010 to 2015 we have performed 65 HT. Mean age was 44.3 ± 14 years old (from 10 to 64 years old). We used biventricular assist device (BIVAD, Berlin Heart Excor) support in 7 heart transplant candidates before HT. 19 patients (29%) received thymoglobulin, whereas 46 patients (71%) had basiliximab to induce immunosuppression.Results. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation machines were implanted in 5 patients (7.7%) after HT due to acute right ventricular failure. Suture annuloplasty (the Batista procedure) for tricuspid valve repair was carried out in 3 cases (4.6%). Venovenous hemodiafi ltration was used in 11 patients (16.9%). A total of 598 endomyocardial biopsies (EMB) were performed after HT. Evidence of cellular rejection (R1 and R2) was presented in 286 biopsies (48%). The 30-day in-hospital mortality rate was 3.1%. The 6-month survival rate after HT was 92%, 1-year – 91% and overall survival for the 6-year period of observation – 89.2%. Maximum observation period was 71 months.Conclusions. The 6-year experience of HT in our Center has shown a high level of survival. BIVAD Excor support can be effectively used as a «bridge» to HT. Prevention of graft loss due to acute rejection in heart transplant recipients can be achieved only through regular EMB monitoring. The rate of viral infection increased in 2 months after HT.Цель исследования. Оценить результаты трансплантаций сердца (ТС), выполненных в ФГБУ «Северо-Западный федеральный медицинский исследовательский центр имени В.А. Алмазова» за шесть лет.Материалы и методы. В период с 2010-го по 2015 год в Центре было выполнено 65 ТС. Средний возраст реципиентов составил 44,3 ± 14 лет (от 10 до 64 лет). В качестве «моста» к ТС у 7 пациентов перед пересадкой были имплантированы устройства вспомогательного кровообращения (УВК) Excor. Для индукции иммуносупрессивной терапии у 19 пациентов (29%) применялся антитимоцитарный иммуноглобулин, у 46 пациентов (71%) – базиликсимаб.Результаты. У 5 (7,7%) пациентов, в связи с тяжелой правожелудочковой недостаточностью, в раннем периоде после ТС была установлена система ЭКМО. У 3 (4,6%) больных ввиду развития трикуспидальной недостаточности была выполнена пластика трикуспидального клапана по Батиста. Проведение сеансов заместительной почечной терапии после ТС потребовалось у 11 (16,9%) реципиентов. Всего за шестилетний период наблюдения у всех пациентов было выполнено 598 эндомиокардиальных биопсий (ЭМБ). В 286 (48%) случаях диагностировано клеточное отторжение трансплантата стадии R1 или R2. 30-дневная госпитальная летальность составила 3,1% (2 пациента). Выживаемость в отдаленном периоде составила: через 6 месяцев – 92%, через 1 год – 91%, общая выживаемость за 6 лет наблюдения – 89%. Максимальный срок наблюдения – 71 месяц.Заключение. Шестилетний опыт ТС в нашем Центре показал высокий уровень выживаемости после операции. Имплантация УВК является «мостом» к ТС у больных с терминальной стадией ХСН. ЭМБ остается единственным эффективным методом диагностики острого отторжения трансплантата сердца. Через два месяца после ТС в структуре инфекционных осложнений увеличивается частота вирусной инфекции