Proton isotropy boundaries as measured on mid- and low-altitude satellites

Polar CAMMICE MICS proton pitch angle distributions with energies of 31-80 keV were analyzed to determine the locations where anisotropic pitch angle distributions (perpendicular flux dominating) change to isotropic distributions. We compared the positions of these mid-altitude isotropic distribution boundaries (IDB) for different activity conditions with low-altitude isotropic boundaries (IB) observed by NOAA 12. Although the obtained statistical properties of IDBs were quite similar to those of IBs, a small difference in latitudes, most pronounced on the nightside and dayside, was found. We selected several events during which simultaneous observations in the same local time sector were available from Polar at mid-altitudes, and NOAA or DMSP at low-altitudes. Magnetic field mapping using the Tsyganenko T01 model with the observed solar wind input parameters showed that the low- and mid-altitude isotropization boundaries were closely located, which leads us to suggest that the Polar IDB and low-altitude IBs are related. Furthermore, we introduced a procedure to control the difference between the observed and model magnetic field to reduce the large scatter in the mapping. We showed that the isotropic distribution boundary (IDB) lies in the region where <i>R<sub>c</sub></i>/ρ~6, that is at the boundary of the region where the non-adiabatic pitch angle scattering is strong enough. We therefore conclude that the scattering in the large field line curvature regions in the nightside current sheet is the main mechanism producing isotropization for the main portion of proton population in the tail current sheet. This mechanism controls the observed positions of both IB and IDB boundaries. Thus, this tail region can be probed, in its turn, with observations of these isotropy boundaries.<p> <b>Keywords.</b> Magnetospheric physics (Energetic particles, Precipitating; Magnetospheric configuration and dynamics; Magnetotail

Experience with Relatox® in the combination therapy of arm and hand spasticity after stroke

Objective: to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and tolerability of the botulinum toxin A Relatox® in arm and hand spasticity after ischemic stroke in routine clinical practice. Patients and methods. The instigation enrolled 7 patients after ischemic stroke (7 years ago) with the signs of upper limb spasticity. All the patients received combination treatment that involved daily kinesiotherapy sessions and electrical stimulation of the paralyzed limbs. Relatox® was once injected into the forearm muscles of the paralyzed arm 6 months or later after stroke. Muscles were chosen according to clinical and electromyographic findings. The patients' status was assessed before, 2 weeks and 3 months after injection. There were changes in muscle tone, motor abilities of the hand, in the degree of self-service, the presence of subjective sensations, and the degree of local and systemic reactions. The efficiency of therapy was evaluated clinically (Ashworth scale, Frenchay test, Barthel index) and on the basis of an analysis of video monitoring a patient's status and of the consideration of care-givers' views. Before included in the study, all the patients were treated with different types of botulinum neurotoxin type A made by other manufacturers. Results. The clinical efficiency of local intramuscular injection of the botulinum toxin type Relatox® in combination with kinesiotherapy and electrical stimulation after 14 days and 3 months after injection was noted in all cases. The good tolerability, efficacy, and long-term of action of relatox, which were comparable to those of other botulinum neurotoxin type A products, were noted during a 3-month follow-up. Neither side effects no adverse events were identified. Conclusion. Accumulation of data on the doses and effects of drugs for the local therapy of post-stroke spasticity, which have been obtained by different clinical centers, and the possibility of choosing a medication will be able to improve treatment in such patients

Clinical manifestations of the onset and diagnostic problems in children with moyamoya disease

Moyamoya disease in children is a rarely diagnosed entity. Frequent headache is the first symptom of the disease. Headache associated with moya-moya disease (HAMD) is a separated entity reported in the literature. Variants of onset, a spectrum of primary diagnoses and diagnosis verification rate of moyamoya disease in 7 children are presented. A clinical case of moya-moya disease in a 9-year boy, who was primarily diagnosed with migraine with aura, is reported. The results presented by the authors as well as literature data indicate the necessity of using magnetic-resonance angiography in children with headache attacks and focal neurologic symptoms to identify this progressive vascular pathology and timely recommend a surgical treatment. © 2016, Media Sphera. All rights reserved

The morphofunctional and biochemical characteristics of opisthorchiasis-associated cholangiocarcinoma in a Syrian hamster model

The validity of experimental models of pathologies is one of the key challenges in translational medicine. Cholangiocarcinoma, or bile duct cancer, ranks second among oncological diseases of the liver. There is a strong association between bile duct cancer and parasitic infestation of the liver caused by trematodes in the family Opisthorchiidae. We have recently demonstrated that cholangiocarcinoma can develop in Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) infected by Opisthorchis felineus and administered with dimethylnitrosamine. However, there is still no description of how this experimental model can possibly be used in translational research. The aim of this work was to study the morphological, functional and biochemical characteristics during cholangiocarcinoma development in Syrian hamsters infected by O. felineus and administered with dimethylnitrosamine. The experi­ment lasted 30 weeks with combined exposure to dimethylnitrosamine in drinking water at a dose of 12.5 ppm and a single injection of 50 metacercariae O. felineus. It was shown that the development of cholangiocarcinoma (18 weeks) increased the total number of basophils, eosinophils and monocytes, the relative number of granulocytes, the amount of total and direct bilirubin, and cholesterol and ALT levels, but reduced the relative number of lymphocytes. Based on pathological, morphometric and biochemical analyses, our model has characteristics similar to those in patients with opisthorchiasisassociated cholangiocarcinoma. Thus, this model can be used to test anticancer drugs, to study the mechanisms of cholangiocarcinogenesis and to search for molecular markers for early diagnosis of bile duct cancer

Anamnestic, clinical and laboratory features of the acute period of ischemic stroke in young patients

Objective: to study the anamnestic, clinical and laboratory features of the acute period of ischemic stroke (IS) and to determine the risk factors for its development in young patients. Patients and methods. Clinical and statistical processing of data of 256 patients aged 18 to 44 years included, who had IS, confirmed by computed and/or magnetic resonance imaging of the brain in the acute period, was carried out. Furthermore, in 154 patients and in 117 healthy participants, who made up the control group, eight polymorphisms of the thrombophilic spectrum genes were determined – FGB: -455G>A, F2: 20210G>A, F5: 1691G>A, F7: 10976G>A, F13: 103 G>T, ITGA2: 807C>T, ITGB3: 1565 T>C, PAI-1: -675 5G>4G. Results and discussion. 154 (60.15%) patients demonstrated good recovery (achievement of a level of ≤2 points on the Rankin scale by the patient). None of the patients died during their hospitalization. In the evaluated group of patients, we identified allelic variants of the thrombophilic spectrum genes and gene-gene combinations, the carriage of which increased the likelihood of IS development at the young age by 1.74 and 2.19 times, respectively. Taking into consideration additional examination methods, the pathogenetic variant of IS according to the TOAST classification was verified in 226 (88%) patients. Conclusion. In IS at a young age a detailed assessment of risk factors is required, including an analysis of carrier variants and combinations of procoagulant and prothrombotic spectrum gene polymorphisms. © 2022 Ima-Press Publishing House. All rights reserved

Studyng the effects of Cantharellus cibarius fungi on Opisthorchis felineus trematode and on parasite host - C57BL/6 inbred mice

Opisthorchiasis is a dangerous parasitic disease caused by trematodes in the family Opisthorchiidae. One of the causes of this infection is the species Opisthorchis felineus, which is common in the Russian Federation and Western Europe. The disease has a large number of complications and relatively few effective treatments, so nowadays it is relevant to look for new drugs for the treatment of opisthorchiasis, with the maximum antiparasitic and minimal side effect. In this work, a potentially anthelmintic effect of the methanol extract of the golden chanterelle mushroom (Cantharellus cibarius) was investigated. In in vitro experiments, the significantly reduced mobility and survival rates of juvenile O. felineus specimens with increasing concentrations (10-1000 pg/ml) of the C. cibarius extract were shown. In in vivo studies, administration of the C. cibarius extract on the first day after parasitic infection of inbred C57BL/6 mice resulted in a decrease of the number of helminths in the bile ducts of the liver, evaluated 6 weeks after infection. In another series of experiments, administration of the C. cibarius extract for 7 days to mice infected with O. felineus for five weeks had no anthelmintic effect. In both cases, the state of the infected hosts, evaluated by a number of physiological and biochemical parameters (relative weight of organs, blood indices), did not deteriorate, indicating that there was no adverse effect of the C. cibarius extract. The results obtained suggest that the C. cibarius extract might have anthelmintic properties if applied as parasite larvae excyst

Burden of Illness and Quality of Life in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex: Findings From the TOSCA Study

Research on tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) to date has focused mainly on the physical manifestations of the disease. In contrast, the psychosocial impact of TSC has received far less attention. The aim of this study was therefore to examine the impact of TSC on health, quality of life (QoL), and psychosocial well-being of individuals with TSC and their families. Questionnaires with disease-specific questions on burden of illness (BOI) and validated QoL questionnaires were used. After completion of additional informed consent, we included 143 individuals who participated in the TOSCA (TuberOus SClerosis registry to increase disease Awareness) study. Our results highlighted the substantial burden of TSC on the personal lives of individuals with TSC and their families. Nearly half of the patients experienced negative progress in their education or career due to TSC (42.1%), as well as many of their caregivers (17.6% employed; 58.8% unemployed). Most caregivers (76.5%) indicated that TSC affected family life, and social and working relationships. Further, well-coordinated care was lacking: a smooth transition from pediatric to adult care was mentioned by only 36.8% of adult patients, and financial, social, and psychological support in 21.1, 0, and 7.9%, respectively. In addition, the moderate rates of pain/discomfort (35%) and anxiety/depression (43.4%) reported across all ages and levels of disease demonstrate the high BOI and low QoL in this vulnerable population

Happiness around the world: A combined etic-emic approach across 63 countries

What does it mean to be happy? The vast majority of cross-cultural studies on happiness have employed a Western-origin, or "WEIRD" measure of happiness that conceptualizes it as a self-centered (or "independent"), high-arousal emotion. However, research from Eastern cultures, particularly Japan, conceptualizes happiness as including an interpersonal aspect emphasizing harmony and connectedness to others. Following a combined emicetic approach (Cheung, van de Vijver & Leong, 2011), we assessed the cross-cultural applicability of a measure of independent happiness developed in the US (Subjective Happiness Scale; Lyubomirsky & Lepper, 1999) and a measure of interdependent happiness developed in Japan (Interdependent Happiness Scale; Hitokoto & Uchida, 2015), with data from 63 countries representing 7 sociocultural regions. Results indicate that the schema of independent happiness was more coherent in more WEIRD countries. In contrast, the coherence of interdependent happiness was unrelated to a country's "WEIRD-ness." Reliabilities of both happiness measures were lowest in African and Middle Eastern countries, suggesting these two conceptualizations of happiness may not be globally comprehensive. Overall, while the two measures had many similar correlates and properties, the self-focused concept of independent happiness is "WEIRD-er" than interdependent happiness, suggesting cross-cultural researchers should attend to both conceptualizations