Single-atom quantum memory with degenerate atomic levels

The storage and retrieval of a single-photon polarization q-bit by means of STIRAP through the atoms with degenerate levels is studied theoretically for arbitrary polarization of the driving laser field and arbitrary values of the angular momenta of resonant atomic levels. The dependence of the probability of long-term photon storage on the polarization of the driving field and on the initial atomic state is examined.Comment: 12 pages, 1 figure. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1203.439

Special section guest editorial: advances in terahertz biomedical science and applications

The Journal of Biomedical Optics (JBO) has published this special section of papers to capture the most recent advances in THz technology and innovative THz instruments and methods in biology and medicine. A few of the papers in this special section are dedicated to similar biomedical applications of novel optical tools from the neighboring infrared (IR) range. Two papers of the special section consider modern problems of oncodiagnosis. In the research article ‘Development of oral cancer tissue-mimicking phantom based on polyvinyl chloride plastisol and graphite for terahertz frequencies’, authors have introduced a new type of a water-free tissue-mimicking phantom for THz biophotonics. This phantom is based on graphite powders embedded into a polyvinyl chloride plastisol matrix. The effective THz optical properties of such a phantom can be managed in a wide range by changing its composition, thus allowing to mimic the THz optical properties of various biological tissues

The relationship of obesity and prostate cancer (review)

Obesity is a critical risk factor for prostate cancer (PCa). Adipose tissue plays an important role in tumor development, including growth, invasion, and metastasis. Diet and dietary components affect the progression of prostate cancer; however, the mechanisms underlying these associations remain unclear. Extraprostatic prostate tumor cells form a new microenvironment in the periprostatic adipose tissue, which alters these interactions and promotes tumor progression. Hyperinsulinemia leads to an increase in the level of free or biologically active insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) due to a decrease in the production of IGF-binding proteins. Hypoandrogenism promotes the development of a more aggressive type of prostate cancer (higher Gleason scores). Adipokines of adipose tissue and cytokines (for example, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), angiogenic factors (for example, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), apelin (AGTRL1) and other factors (for example, leptin and adiponectin) have multiple effects on prostate cancer cells. Tumor cells interact directly or indirectly with adipocytes. Yellow (inactive) bone marrow is adipose tissue with separate islands of reticular tissue. It is located in the medullary canals of the tubular bones and in parts of the cells of the cancellous bone. Bone tissue is the object of the most frequent metastasis in prostate cancer, and with age, the content of fat cells in it increases. Bone marrow adipose tissue interacts with tumor cells, osteoblasts and other stromal cells and participates in the organization of the tumor microenvironment. Adipokines are key molecules in the interaction between tumor cells and adipose tissue, which is carried out through various mechanisms. A better understanding of the role of adipose tissue in the induction and progression of prostate cancer will lead to effective therapeutic strategies for this disease

Chemical analysis of bioactive substances in seven siberian Saussurea species

Main groups of biologically active substances of seven siberian Saussurea species (S. controversa DC., S. latifolia Ledeb., S. parviflora (Poir.) DC., S. frolowii Ledeb, S. amara (L.) DC., S. salicifolia (L.) DC. and S. daurica Adams) have been studied using paper, thin-layer, performance liquid chromatography, IR spectroscopy, spectrophotometry and mass spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma. Siberian Saussurea species have a rich elemental composition and contain a variety of phenolic compounds, amino acids, polysaccharides. The majority of polysaccharides are accumulated by S. controversa, S. salicifolia and S. frolowii. These plants contain a significant amount of calcium that may be a species characteristic. All plants contain quercetin and its glycosides, in some species luteolin, kaempferol, glycosides of apigenin and myricetin were revealed. Phenolic acids with predominant content of caffeic, chlorogenic and cinnamic acids were found in all the species. The maximum amount of phenolic acids and flavonoids was determined in the grass of S. latifolia, S. controversa and S. daurica. Characteristic absorption bands of lactone carbonyl of sesquiterpenoids in IR spectrum found in S. latifolia, S. controversa, S. daurica, S. amara and S. salicifolia. HPLC / UV analysis showed that peaks with absorption maxima of 242-246 nm due to the presence of α,β-unsaturated ketone group in the structure of ecdysteroids were found in S. salicifolia, S. controversa, S. daurica and S. latifolia

Metabolic changes in patients with prostate cancer with androgen deprivation therapy

Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer among men. Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the most effective treatment for this disease. The cornerstone of prostate cancer treatment is the inhibition of testosterone production, which interrupts testosterone-induced growth of the prostate tumour. A sharp decrease in testosterone, however, has several undesirable effects on the metabolic profile and bone metabolism and can also lead to fatigue, loss of libido, gynecomastia and anaemia, provoke vasomotor hyperaemia and generally affect the quality of life. To increase the good (long-term) survival of patients with prostate cancer, studying the side effects associated with treatment is important, and therefore, in every clinical situation, the benefits of ADT must be compared with the side effects associated with the treatment. This article focuses on the described metabolic complications of ADT, including obesity, diabetes, lipid changes, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases. It also contains practical recommendations for managing the side effects and complications based on the available guidelines issued by the medical professional community

Relationship between prostate cancer and type 2 diabetes mellitus

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) and prostate cancer are widespread diseases throughout the world. Type II diabetes mellitus is accompanied by a deterioration in glycemic control, hyperinsulinemia, and insulin resistance (IR). The accumulation of glucose and lipids leads to a decrease in the density of insulin receptors and the development of insulin resistance in adipose tissue. This contributes to the development of hyperinsulinemia, which suppresses the breakdown of fat and leads to the progression of obesity. A vicious circle develops: insulin resistance → hyperinsulinemia → obesity → insulin resistance. Insulin influences the progression of the cell cycle, proliferation, and metastatic activity of the tumor.Recent studies have shown a strong direct correlation between fasting insulin levels and cancer mortality in men. This may be especially true in patients over 65, who are, in the first place, more likely to develop prostate cancer than younger patients. It should be noted that it is insulin, and not glucose, that is associated with the claim for the development of cancer. Hyperinsulinemia, which often occurs as a result of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), the standard treatment for prostate cancer, is associated with a high tumor aggressiveness and faster treatment failure — the development of castrate-refractory prostate cancer. It is reasonable to assume that hyperinsulinemia — under whatever circumstances it is caused, whether due to ADT or due to inadequate nutrition and other lifestyle factors — can have the same negative effect on cellular signaling.Metabolic syndrome — essentially chronically elevated insulin levels — is closely associated with recurrence of cancer and worse post-treatment outcomes, which has led researchers to question generally accepted dietary guidelines for cancer patients, especially when they are undergoing treatment or recover from treatment, which may include recommendations to consume anything that will help maintain or restore body weight, regardless of sugar or carbohydrate content or its effect on insulin levels. A large number of patients live with hyperinsulinemia, but normoglycemia. Chronic hyperinsulinemia is the main driver of cardiometabolic disease, even when blood sugar levels are within reference values. The scale of this problem is not recognized by the medical and scientific community

Biomedical applications of sapphire shaped crystals

We have proposed novel medical instrument

ЭКОНОМИЧЕСКОЕ ОБОСНОВАНИЕ ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЯ АМБУЛАТОРНОГО ПЛЕВРОДЕЗА В ЛЕЧЕНИИ ЭКССУДАТИВНЫХ ОПУХОЛЕВЫХ ПЛЕВРИТОВ

Introduction. Exudative tumor pleurisy affects up to 100 000 people a year in Russia, up to 400 000 people a year in Europe. Inpatient treatment of such patients is associated with certain costs, and there are also queues for treatment in oncology hospitals. An outpatient pleurodesis can reduce these problems.The objective was to compare pharmacoeconomic parameters for inpatient pleurodesis and outpatient pleurodesis to determine the most cost-effective treatment option.Methods and materials. 179 patients in the clinic of the Federal State Budgetary Institution Scientific Research Center for Oncology named after N. N. Petrov of the Russian Ministry of Health underwent pleurodesis using various methods (talc, bleocin, combined). The effectiveness of the methods and the direct medical costs of treatment were evaluated. The effectiveness of a stationary thoracoscopic pleurodesis was evaluated according to foreign literature, and the direct medical costs of treatment were calculated. Based on the obtained results, the pharmacoeconomic indicators of CER and ICER were calculated.Results. Direct medical costs for stationary thoracoscopic pleurodesis amounted to 35056.4 rubles with an efficiency of 89 %. Direct medical costs for outpatient pleurodesis were: for talc pleurodesis – 8051.7 rubles, for bleocin and combined pleurodesis – 11799.2 rubles. CER amounted to: for a thoracoscopic pleurodesis in the hospital – 393.9, for talc pleurodesis – 115.35, for bleocin pleurodesis – 188.7, for combined pleurodesis – 155.8. ICER in relation to stationary pleurodesis was 1406.4 for talc pleurodesis, 877.6 for bleocin pleurodesis, 1748.6 for combined pleurodesis.Conclusion. CER was almost 3 times lower with outpatient pleurodesis, which makes it the most cost-effective option for the treatment of tumor exudative pleurisy. ICER was maximal in combined pleurodesis, which makes it preferred among outpatient pleurodesis options. Based on the obtained data, it can be argued that the use of ambulatory pleurodesis as an initial stage of care for patients with tumor exudative pleurisy is economically justified.Введение. Экссудативные опухолевые плевриты поражают до 100 000 человек в год в России, до 400 000 человек в год в Европе, при этом стационарное лечение таких больных сопряжено с определенными затратами, а также имеются очереди на лечение в онкологических стационарах. Проведение плевродеза амбулаторно может сократить данные затраты при сохранении достаточно высокой интенсивности лечения.Цель – сопоставить фармакоэкономические параметры при стационарном плевродезе и амбулаторном плевродезе для определения наиболее экономически выгодного варианта лечения.Методы и материалы. 179 пациентам амбулаторно был выполнен плевродез различными методами (тальковый, блеоциновый, комбинированный). Оценены эффективность методов, прямые медицинские затраты на лечение. Эффективность стационарного торакоскопического плевродеза оценена по данным зарубежной литературы, подсчитаны прямые медицинские затраты на лечение. На основании полученных результатов подсчитаны фармакоэкономические показатели CER и ICER.Результаты. Прямые медицинские затраты при стационарном торакоскопическом плевродезе составили 35 056,4 р. при эффективности 89 %. Прямые медицинские затраты при амбулаторном плевродезе составили для талькового плевродеза – 8051,7 р., для блеоцинового и комбинированного плевродеза – 11 799,2 р. CER составил для торакоскопического плевродеза в стационаре – 393,9, для талькового плевродеза – 115,35, для блеоцинового плевродеза – 188,7, для комбинированного плевродеза – 155,8. ICER по отношению к стационарному плевродезу составил для талькового плевродеза 1406,4, для блеоцинового плевродеза – 877,6, для комбинированного плевродеза – 1748,6. Заключение. CER оказался почти в 3 раза ниже при амбулаторном плевродезе, что делает его наиболее экономически выгодным вариантом лечения опухолевых экссудативных плевритов. ICER оказался максимальным при комбинированном плевродезе, что делает его предпочтительным среди вариантов амбулаторного плевродеза. С учетом полученных данных, можно утверждать, что экономически обосновано использование амбулаторного плевродеза в качестве первого этапа помощи больным с опухолевыми экссудативными плевритами. 

Некоторые аспекты комплексной реабилитации пациентов с приобретенными дефектами и деформациями орофарингеальной зоны

The aim of this study was to assess the features of disturbed food intake and find ways to optimize rehabilitation and resocialization processes for patients with acquired defects and deformities of the oropharyngeal zone.Materials and methods. The study included 86 patients of a surgical hospital with defects and deformities of the oropharyngeal zone: 59 men and 27 women. The degree of dysphagia was assessed using clinical scales: volumeviscosity swallow test (V-VST) and swallowing disability scale (SDS). Rehabilitation measures to normalize swallowing were performed in the experimental group (I), which consisted of 42 patients. The control group (II) consisted of 40 patients and was not included in the restorative effect. The groups were balanced according to the severity of the disorder, sex and age. Comparative analysis of the severity of impaired swallowing before and after rehabilitation and evaluation of its effectiveness were conducted.Results. Data from the study of the dysphagia degree on the SDS scale for the whole sample (n = 82) suggest that the degree of disorder manifestation depends on the location and extent of anatomical defect. Moreover, comparative analysis suggests that the presence of a combined defect exacerbates the severity of dysphagia. Step-by-step speech therapy in the control group aimed at overcoming swallowing disorders included adaptive, compensatory and restorative strategies used in various combinations depending on the location of the defect and the severity of dysphagia. The comparison of the repeated assessment data on dysphagia severity in two groups of patients (I and II) showed that the rehabilitation measures had a positive impact.Conclusion. Thus, we can state that speech therapy, which is a non-drug and non-invasive rehabilitation method, allows patients to successfully normalize eating process, helps in preventing cachexia-anorexia and dehydration, which is important for a successful postoperative period, as well as for improving the life quality of patients.Цель: оценка особенностей нарушений процесса приема пищи и поиск путей оптимизации процесса реабилитации пациентов с приобретенными дефектами и деформациями орофарингеальной зоны.Материалы и методы. В исследование были включены 86 пациентов хирургического стационара с дефектами и деформациями орофарингеальной зоны: 59 мужчин и 27 женщин. Степень дисфагии оценивалась с помощью клинических шкал: Volume Viscosity Swallow Test (V-VST), Swallowing Disability Scale (SDS). Реабилитационные мероприятия по нормализации глотания проводились в экспериментальной группе (I), которую составили 42 пациента. Группа контроля (II), не включенная в восстановительное воздействие, состояла из 40 пациентов. Группы были уравновешены по тяжести дефекта, полу и возрасту. Проведен сравнительный анализ выраженности нарушений акта глотания до и после восстановительного воздействия и оценка его эффективности.Результаты. Данные исследования степени дисфагии по шкале SDS по выборке в целом (n = 82) позволяют говорить о наличии зависимости степени проявления нарушения от места и объема анатомического дефекта. Причем сопоставительный анализ позволяет  утверждать, что именно наличие комбинированного дефекта усугубляет тяжесть  дисфагии. Поэтапно проводимое в контрольной группе логопедическое воздействие, нацеленное на преодоление расстройств глотания, включало в себя адаптивные, компенсаторные и восстановительные стратегии, применяемые в различных комбинациях в зависимости от локализации дефекта и тяжести дисфагии. Результаты сопоставления данных повторной оценки тяжести дисфагии у двух групп пациентов (I и II) показали, что проведенные реабилитационные мероприятия оказали положительное влияние.Заключение. Таким образом, можно утверждать, что логопедическое воздействие, которое относится к немедикаментозным, неинвазивным методам реабилитации, позволяет успешно нормализовать процесс приема пищи, способствует профилактике кахексии-анорексии и дегидратации, что важно для успешного течения послеоперационного периода, а также улучшения качества жизни пациентов.

In vitro terahertz spectroscopy of malignant brain gliomas embedded in gelatin slab

In our work, we have performed in vitro terahert