GERIATRIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT AND HEARING LOSS

Aim - to examine the results of a comprehensive geriatric assessment depending on the degree of hearing loss. Material and methods. We examined 110 patients aged from 60 to 90 years with bilateral symmetrical impairment of the hearing function. The research design included examination of the otolaryngologist, auditory function test, and geriatric assessment of neuropsychological status. Two groups were allocated based upon the study of the hearing function: the main group, which included 58 people with moderate hearing loss, and the control group, which included 52 people with significant hearing loss. Results. It was revealed that hearing loss has a negative influence on the cognitive abilities of geriatric patients. With increasing degrees of hearing loss, the progression of dementia is observed. There is a direct correlation between the progression of hearing loss and development of depression in geriatric patients. Conclusion. Our study revealed a relationship between the degree of hearing loss and neuropsychological changes in geriatric patients. Hearing function test as a part of comprehensive geriatric assessment would facilitate the understanding of the causes of neuropsychological disorders in geriatric patients

General practitioner management for chronic sensorineural hearing loss in older adults

Introduction. The article is devoted to the special role of the primary care physician - therapist, geriatrician, general practitioner, in assisting the elderly and senile in taking appropriate and timely measures in identifying people with chronic sensorineural hearing loss (SNL), consulting them at the stage of primary health care.Aim of the study. Understand the intended role of general practitioners and therapist in identifying and counseling patients with hearing loss in primary health care.Materials and methods. A survey of general practitioners and therapist was conducted in the form of 88 statements, collected in six concepts, in response to the question “What should be the role of a general practitioner in the treatment of chronic sensorineural hearing loss in persons of an older age group?” in the format of a Google-questionnaire.Results. The results showed a sufficient awareness of general practitioners and therapist about the predisposition of their elderly patients to hearing loss and the significance of the associated consequences on the quality of life. As a result of the data obtained, the highest percentage of statements was noted in Concept 1 “Determine - Diagnose - Discuss” and varied on individual issues from 27.8% to 55.6%, the lowest - in Concept 5 “Educate - Strategise - Encourage” and ranged from 16.7% to 44.4%.Discussion. Strengthening collaboration between therapists and otorhinolaryngologists, otorhinolaryngologists, and audiologists is the most effective strategy for reducing individuals with untreated SNL. The importance of the role of the primary care physician in multidisciplinary care and its coordination is especially emphasized in the concept of “Know - Refer - Coordinate”.Conclusions. The authors conclude that the priority concept of modern health care, which makes it possible to significantly improve the quality of life of patients in the older age group and reduce the psychosocial consequences of hearing loss

A New High-Level Reconfigurable Lossless Image Compression System for Space Applications

On board image data compression is an important feature of satellite remote sensing payloads. Reconfigurable Intellectual Property (IP) cores can enable change of functionality or modifications. A new and efficient lossless image compression scheme for space applications is proposed. In this paper, we present a lossless image compression IP core designed using AccelDSP, which gives users high level of flexibility. One typical configuration is implemented and tested on an FPGA prototyping board. Finally, it is integrated successfully into a System-on-Chip platform for payload data processing and control

Spin Texture in a Cold Exciton Gas

We report on the observation of a spin texture in a cold exciton gas in a GaAs/AlGaAs coupled quantum well structure. The spin texture is observed around the exciton rings. The observed phenomena include: a ring of linear polarization, a vortex of linear polarization with polarization perpendicular to the radial direction, an anisotropy in the exciton flux, a skew of the exciton fluxes in orthogonal circular polarizations and a corresponding four-leaf pattern of circular polarization, a periodic spin texture, and extended exciton coherence in the region of the polarization vortex. The data indicate a transport regime where the spin polarization is locked to the direction of particle propagation and scattering is suppressed.Comment: version 2 contains updated supplementary materia

Modern technologies of simulation training in practical otorhinolaryngology

Objectives to evaluate the realism and usefulness of the model developed by us "The ear simulator for practicing emergency care skills in otorhinolaryngology". Material and methods.49 otorhinolaryngologists participated in the study. They performed the initial surgical debridement of the external ear, removal of earlobe atheroma, otoscopy, removal of foreign bodies of the external auditory canal, and paracentesis of the tympanic membrane using the developed simulator. The results were evaluated using a questionnaire on practicing emergency care skills in otorhinolaryngology. Results.The majority of the specialists (94%) defined the developed ear simulator as an adequate model for training, while 83% considered it possible to use it as a training tool for practicing doctors. Conclusion.The developed model of the simulator is intended for practical training of students and residents in otiatrics in the scope of performing emergency and urgent manipulations

CHRONIC INFLAMMATION OF THE TONSILS ASSOCIATED WITH EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS

Aim - to identify the prevalence of chronic tonsillitis in the Samara region and the causes of its recurrence. Materials and methods. The authors analyzed the frequency of occurrence of chronic tonsillitis among the patients of the Samara Diagnostic Center for the period from 2011 to 2016, the frequency of quinsy and paratonsillar abscesses. Middle-aged and elderly people with signs of chronic tonsillitis were examined for the presence of Epstein-Barr virus. Results. 56 adult and elderly patients aged from 44 to 75 years (18 men - 31% and 38 women - 65.5%) underwent additional examination of saliva and blood for the presence of Epstein-Barr virus. The analyses were taken on an empty stomach in the morning. When taking saliva, hygienic treatment of the oral cavity was not carried out. Saliva was investigated by a qualitative method of PCR diagnostics. We also performed serodiagnostic assay by ELISA. DNA of Epstein-Barr virus was discovered in 16 patients (27.6%), IgG antibodies to nuclear antigen (EBNA) - in 13 patients (22%), and 1 patient (1.7%) had IgM antibodies to capsid antigen (VCA). Thus, 1.7% of Epstein-Barr virus was diagnosed at an early stage, 22% of patients had infection in the past and 27.6% had recent infection. Conclusions. Presented evidence suggests that it is necessary to combine examination of the content of tonsillar lacunae with PCR and ELISA diagnostics for Epstein-Barr virus not only in young patients of working age with chronic tonsillitis, but also in middle-aged and elderly patients with chronic tonsillitis in order to improve the efficiency and quality of the treatment at the stage of outpatient visit

Endolaryngeal surgery in treatment of early-stage cancer in supraglottic laryngeal region

Objectives to improve the results of surgical treatment of patients with T1-T2 stages of cancer in the supraglottic and ventricular region by using endolaryngeal resections. Material and methods.The study was held in Samara Regional Clinical Oncology Center from 2011 to 2016. We analysed 97 case histories of patients diagnosed with stage 0-I laryngeal cancer. The patients were divided into 2 groups depending on the selected organ-preserving method of surgical treatment. The patients of the control group were subjected to open resection of the larynx (laryngofissure). While the patients of the main group received the endolaryngeal resection using an endoscopic rack, a suspension system, a laryngoscope, hard endoscopes of 0, 30, 45 degrees, as well as electrosurgical cutting and endolaryngeal instruments. Results.The duration of the operation, blood loss, and bed day number was significantly less in patients of the main group in comparison with the control group. Also, the percentage of common complications in the main group was lower in relation to the control group. The three-year relapse-free and overall survival was not significantly different between the study groups. Conclusion.According to our observations, the endolaryngeal resections in treatment of the initial stages of laryngeal cancer do not impair the results of treatment and do not significantly affect the survival of this category of patients

Опыт применения трансартериальной химиоэмболизации печеночной артерии в комплексном лечении больных метастатическим раком молочной железы

Local therapy can complement traditional systemic drug therapy for metastatic breast cancer. The objective of the study was to assess toxicity, immediate results of the treatment and to determine the overall survival rate in patients with breast cancer with metastases to the liver, who underwent transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) of the hepatic artery in combination with traditional chemotherapy with taxanes. Sixty patients were divided into 2 groups: 34 patients received combined treatment (systemic chemotherapy with the following TACE (1–2 procedures) with HepaSphere microspheres, lipiodol, doxorubicin 30 mg/m² and 5‑fluorouracil 600 mg/m²), while 26 patients received chemotherapy only. The groups were comparable in terms of their main clinical parameters: age, initial stage, biological subtype, and previous treatment (p>0.05). Median follow‑up period was 17 months. The immediate response to the therapy according to the RECIST criteria in the chemotherapy+TACE group was the following: partial response — 7 (20.6 %), stabilization — 23 (67.6 %), disease progression — 4 (11.8 %). Adverse effects of TACE were manageable. Kaplan‑Meier 3‑year‑survival rate was 63.2 % in the chemotherapy+TACE group versus 43.8 % in the control group (p=0.039). Thus, TACE method can be included to the treatment protocol for the patients with metastatic breast cancer with partial response to chemotherapy or stabilization of the disease progression after chemotherapy for consolidation of the result.Локальные методы лечения могут дополнять традиционную системную лекарственную терапию метастатического рака молочной железы. Целью исследования была оценка токсичности, непосредственных результатов лечения и определение общей выживаемости у больных раком молочной железы с метастазами в печень, которым выполнялась трансартериальная химиоэмболизация печеночной артерии (ТАХЭ) в сочетании с традиционной химиотерапией таксанами. Шестьдесят пациенток были разделены на 2 группы: 34 пациентки получили комбинированное лечение в виде системной полихимиотерапии с последующим выполнением 1–2 процедур ТАХЭ с использованием микросфер HepaSphere, липиодола, доксорубицина 30 мг/м² и 5-фторурацила 600 мг/м², тогда как 26 пациенток получали только химиотерапию. Группы были сопоставимы по основным клиническим характеристикам: возраст, начальная стадия, биологический подтип и предшествующее лечение (р> 0,05). Медиана наблюдения составила 17 месяцев. Непосредственный ответ на терапию по критериям RECIST в группе химиотерапия + ТАХЭ был следующим: частичный ответ — 7 (20,6 %), стабилизация — 23 (67,6%), прогрессирование — 4 (11,8 %). Побочные эффекты ТАХЭ были контролируемыми. 3-летняя общая выживаемость по Каплану — Мейеру в группе химиотерапия + ТАХЭ составила 63,2 %, в группе контроля — 43,8 % (р = 0,039). Таким образом, метод ТАХЭ может быть включен в протокол лечения пациентов с метастазами рака молочной железы с частичным ответом или стабилизацией после химиотерапии для консолидации полученного эффекта

Spin dynamics in semiconductors

This article reviews the current status of spin dynamics in semiconductors which has achieved a lot of progress in the past years due to the fast growing field of semiconductor spintronics. The primary focus is the theoretical and experimental developments of spin relaxation and dephasing in both spin precession in time domain and spin diffusion and transport in spacial domain. A fully microscopic many-body investigation on spin dynamics based on the kinetic spin Bloch equation approach is reviewed comprehensively.Comment: a review article with 193 pages and 1103 references. To be published in Physics Reports

Eribulin-trastuzumab combination in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer: updated results from a Russian observational study

Introduction. The standard of 1st line treatment of HER2+ metastatic breast cancer (mBC) is double blockade with trastuzumab and pertuzumab + taxane, 2nd line – Trastuzumab-emtazine. There are no standards for further treatment, as well as the optimal drug sequence. Expansion of the arsenal of therapeutic possibilities and the use of new combinations will certainly improve the results of treatment of this category of patients and increase their life expectancy.Aim. We sought to describe treatment patterns of  eribulin  and clinical outcomes of  metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer treated with eribulin  plus trastuzumab combination in  academic institutions and community oncology practices across the Russian Federation.Materials and methods. Patients treated with eribulin anytime between Jan, 2014 and Sep, 2019 with a diagnosis of MBC were identified by 23 providers from Russia. Providers retrospectively reviewed the health records and abstracted selected data points into an electronic case report form for each eligible patient.Results. 100 HER2-positive pts received eribulin in combination with trastuzumab. Median age was 55 (31–80) yrs and ECOG status 0–3. 67% pts had visceral metastases. Eribulin was administered as 1st and 2nd line to 23 (23%) pts, 3rd line to 31 (31%) pts, 4th line and later to 46 (46%). Median number of cycles was 5 (2–27). ORR was 12%, SD – 72%, SD > 6 months – 23%, PD – 16%. Clinical efficacy rate achieved in 35%. Median PFS was 5.07 months (95% CI 4.021–6.119). According to the ER-status the response to eribulin and trastuzumab was different. ORR was 18.8%, SD 72.9% in pts with ER-positive MBC (n = 48) and 5.8% and 71.2% respectively in ER-negative MBC (n = 52). Median PFS was 6.97 months (95% CI 3.924–10.016) in pts with ER-positive MBC and 4.67 months (95% CI 3.841–5.499) in ER-negative MBC (р = 0.3). The combination was well tolerated: dose reductions were required in 12% pts, withdrawal due to toxicity in 4% pts. The most common type of toxicity was hematological with neutropenia Gr III-IV in 14 (14%) pts. Peripheral neuropathy Gr III was observed in 5 (5%) pts. No cardiotoxicity was detected.Conclusions. This is the real-life data of clinical outcomes for patients receiving eribulin plus trastuzumab for HER2-positive MBC throughout the Russian Federation. Our experience with eribulin plus trastuzumab demonstrates that this combination may be a potential effective treatment option for HER-2 positive MBC patients