Using of visualization software in nuclear physics teaching

Some results of visualization software using in practice of nuclear physics courses teaching are presentedПредставлены результаты использования программного обеспечения для визуализации процессов прохождения излучения через вещество в образовательных курсах, связанных с ядерной физико

Влияние молекулярной массы поли-N-винилпирролидона на получение ультратонких волокон методом электроформования из растворов

The effect of the molecular weight of poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone) solutions on the rheological properties, process stability and diameters of fibers produced by electrospinning was investigated. The critical value of the polymer concentration and molecular weight for a stable process of fiber electrospinning was obtained. Besides, the relationship between the molecular weight, on one hand, and the solution concentration and viscosity, as well as the process parameters and fiber diameter, on the other hand, was determined.Исследовано влияние молекулярной массы поли-N-винилпирролидона на реологические свойства растворов, стабильность процесса и диаметры волокон, полученных методом электро-формования. Установлены критические значения концентраций и молекулярной массы полимера для проведения устойчивого процесса электроформования волокна, а также определена связь молекулярной массы с концентрацией и вязкостью растворов, технологическими параметрами процесса и диаметром волокон

Ультразвуковая оценка маневра рекрутирования альвеол у пациентов с тяжелой пневмонией

BACKGROUND. Ultrasound study significantly expanded the possibilities of bedside diagnosis in patients with respiratory failure. Using ultrasound, it is possible to determine the volume of lung damage in the form of collapsed alveoli and infiltration areas with preserved airness of the lung tissue. AIM OF STuDY To study the possibility of assessing the recruitment maneuver of the alveoli based on changes in the ultrasound signs of lung tissue damage.MATERIAL AND METHODS. A prospective study was performed in the Clinic of Anesthesiology and Resuscitation of S.M. Kirov Military Medical Academy. The study included 36 patients who were treated in the period from 2010 to 2017 with a duration of respiratory support of at least 48 hours and oxygenation index less than 300 mmHg. For 36 patients, 48 alveoli recruitment maneuvers were performed according to a step-by-step method under the control of dynamic compliance and average tidal volume. Ultrasound determined the type and extent of destruction of lung tissue by signs of infiltration and consolidation.RESULTS. In the studied patients, after carrying out a maneuver of recruitment of the alveoli, arterial blood oxygenation indices increased statistically significantly, PaCO2 level decreased, pulmonary tissue compliance improved, respiratory volume grew. All this confirmed the mobilization of the alveoli and improved lung ventilation. Ultrasonographic evaluation of lung tissue showed a significant decrease in the severity of the ultrasound sign of infiltration after recruitment maneuver from 46.5 (38; 57.5) to 37.5 (30.5; 49.5). However, recruitment had practically no effect on the volume of the consolidated area of lung tissue: the general consolidation index before (4 (3; 5)) and after (4 (3; 5)) the maneuver had no statistically significant differences.CONCLUSIONS. The pneumonia-affected consolidated lung tissue has a low recruitment potential and the volume of consolidation does not change with the growth of PEEP. After the recruitment maneuver, the number of B-lines decreases, indicating a decrease in infiltration and an increase in lung airness.Authors declare lack of the conflicts of interests.АКТУАЛЬНОСТЬ. Ультразвуковое исследование существенно расширило возможности прикроватной диагностики у пациентов с дыхательной недостаточностью. С помощью ультразвука имеется возможность определения объема поражения легких в виде коллабированных альвеол и зон инфильтрации с сохранением воздушности легочной ткани.ЦЕЛЬ ИССЛЕДОВАНИЯ. Изучить возможность оценки маневра рекрутирования альвеол на основании изменения ультразвуковых признаков поражения легочной ткани.МАТЕРИАЛ И МЕТОДЫ. Проспективное исследование выполнено в клинике анестезиологии и реаниматологии Военномедицинской академии им. С.М. Кирова. В исследование были включены 36 пациентов, которые находились на лечении в период с 2010 по 2017 г. с длительностью аппаратной респираторной поддержки не менее 48 часов; индексом оксигенации менее 300 мм рт.ст. Тридцати шести пациентам было выполнено 48 маневров рекрутирования альвеол по пошаговой методике под контролем динамической податливости и среднего значения дыхательного объема. При ультразвуковом сканировании определяли характер и объем поражения легочной ткани по признакам инфильтрации и консолидации.РЕЗУЛЬТАТЫ. У обследуемых пациентов после проведения маневра рекрутирования альвеол статистически значимо выросли показатели оксигенации артериальной крови, индекс оксигенации, снизился уровень PaСO2 , улучшилась податливость легочной ткани, увеличился дыхательный объем. Все это свидетельствовало о мобилизации альвеол и улучшении вентиляции легких. Сонографическая оценка легочной ткани показала существенное уменьшение выраженности ультразвукового признака инфильтрации после проведения маневра рекрутирования с 46,5 (38; 57,5) до 37,5 (30,5; 49,5). Однако рекрутирование практически не оказало влияния на объем консолидированной зоны легочной ткани: общий индекс консолидации до (4 (3; 5)) и после (4 (3; 5)) маневра не имел статистически достоверных различий.ВЫВОДЫ. 1) Пораженная пневмонией консолидированная легочная ткань имеет низкий рекрутабельный потенциал и при увеличении положительного давления в конце выдоха объем консолидации не меняется. 2) После маневра рекрутирования уменьшается количество В-линий, свидетельствующих о снижении инфильтрации и увеличении воздушности легких.Авторы заявляют об отсутствии конфликта интересов

Keratinocyte-Targeted Overexpression of the Glucocorticoid Receptor Delays Cutaneous Wound Healing

Delayed wound healing is one of the most common secondary adverse effects associated to the therapeutic use of glucocorticoid (GC) analogs, which act through the ligand-dependent transcription factor GC-receptor (GR). GR function is exerted through DNA-binding-dependent and –independent mechanisms, classically referred to as transactivation (TA) and transrepression (TR). Currently both TA and TR are thought to contribute to the therapeutical effects mediated by GR; however their relative contribution to unwanted side effects such as delayed wound healing is unknown. We evaluated skin wound healing in transgenic mice with keratinocyte-restricted expression of either wild type GR or a mutant GR that is TA-defective but efficient in TR (K5-GR and K5-GR-TR mice, respectively). Our data show that at days (d) 4 and 8 following wounding, healing in K5-GR mice was delayed relative to WT, with reduced recruitment of granulocytes and macrophages and diminished TNF-α and IL-1β expression. TGF-β1 and Kgf expression was repressed in K5-GR skin whereas TGF-β3 was up-regulated. The re-epithelialization rate was reduced in K5-GR relative to WT, as was formation of granulation tissue. In contrast, K5-GR-TR mice showed delays in healing at d4 but re-established the skin breach at d8 concomitant with decreased repression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and growth factors relative to K5-GR mice. Keratinocytes from both transgenic mice closed in vitro wounds slower relative to WT, consistent with the in vivo defects in cell migration. Overall, the delay in the early stages of wound healing in both transgenic models is similar to that elicited by systemic treatment with dexamethasone. Wound responses in the transgenic keratinocytes correlated with reduced ERK activity both in vivo and in vitro. We conclude that the TR function of GR is sufficient for negatively regulating early stages of wound closure, while TA by GR is required for delaying later stages of healing

Outpatient diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations (For a practicing doctor)

The article is focused on the diagnosis of exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Comorbidities should be always excluded In smokers with clinical symptoms of exacerbations and normal lung function. Because of high rate (>50%) of undiagnosed COPD exacerbation we recommend to use validated questionnaires: «Exacerbations of Chronic Pulmonary Disease Tool» (EXACT) or «Breathlessness, Cough, and Sputum Scale» (BCSS) and leaflet for patients during their follow-up. We proposed algorithm for the diagnosis of COPD exacerbations in outpatient facilities in real clinical practiceХроническая обструктивная болезнь легких (ХОБЛ) является одним из наиболее распространенных заболеваний во всем мире и в России. Статья посвящена диагностике обострений хронической обструктивной болезни легких (ХОБЛ) у амбулаторных больных. Сопутствующие заболевания должны быть всегда исключены у курильщиков с клиническими симптомами обострений и нормальной функцией легких. Поэтому, при оценке обострения ХОБЛ на основании симптомов, необходимо убедиться, что у больного имеется ХОБЛ. Степень понимания пациентами термина «обострение» в целом является низкой. 59,2% больных никогда не слышали этот термин или не знают, что он означает. Данное обстоятельство свидетельствует об актуальности диагностики обострений ХОБЛ в амбулаторных условиях. Для диагностики обострения ХОБЛ используются два валидизированных опросника: «Exacerbations of Chronic Pulmonary Disease Tool» (EXACT) и «Breathlessness, Cough, and Sputum Scale» (BCSS) и памятка для пациентов с ХОБЛ. С целью оптимизации диагностики обострений ХОБЛ в амбулаторных условиях предлагается алгоритм действий врача на поликлиническом приеме с бальной оценкой симптомов

Effect of lutein and antioxidant dietary supplementation on contrast sensitivity in age-related macular disease:A randomized controlled trial

Objective: The aim of the study is to determine the effect of lutein combined with vitamin and mineral supplementation on contrast sensitivity in people with age-related macular disease (ARMD). Design: A prospective, 9-month, double-masked randomized controlled trial. Setting: Aston University, Birmingham, UK and a UK optometric clinical practice. Subjects: Age-related maculopathy (ARM) and atrophic age-related macular degeneration (AMD) participants were randomized (using a random number generator) to either placebo (n = 10) or active (n=15) groups. Three of the placebo group and two of the active group dropped out. Interventions: The active group supplemented daily with 6 mg lutein combined with vitamins and minerals. The outcome measure was contrast sensitivity (CS) measured using the Pelli-Robson chart, for which the study had 80% power at the 5% significance level to detect a change of 0.3log units. Results: The CS score increased by 0.07 ± 0.07 and decreased by 0.02 ± 0.18 log units for the placebo and active groups, respectively. The difference between these values is not statistically significant (z = 0.903, P = 0.376). Conclusion: The results suggest that 6 mg of lutein supplementation in combination with other antioxidants is not beneficial for this group. Further work is required to establish optimum dosage levels

Androgen Receptor Drives Cellular Senescence

The accepted androgen receptor (AR) role is to promote proliferation and survival of prostate epithelium and thus prostate cancer progression. While growth-inhibitory, tumor-suppressive AR effects have also been documented, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, we for the first time link AR anti-cancer action with cell senescence in vitro and in vivo. First, AR-driven senescence was p53-independent. Instead, AR induced p21, which subsequently reduced ΔN isoform of p63. Second, AR activation increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and thereby suppressed Rb phosphorylation. Both pathways were critical for senescence as was proven by p21 and Rb knock-down and by quenching ROS with N-Acetyl cysteine and p63 silencing also mimicked AR-induced senescence. The two pathways engaged in a cross-talk, likely via PML tumor suppressor, whose localization to senescence-associated chromatin foci was increased by AR activation. All these pathways contributed to growth arrest, which resolved in senescence due to concomitant lack of p53 and high mTOR activity. This is the first demonstration of senescence response caused by a nuclear hormone receptor

Cancer Biomarker Discovery: The Entropic Hallmark

Background: It is a commonly accepted belief that cancer cells modify their transcriptional state during the progression of the disease. We propose that the progression of cancer cells towards malignant phenotypes can be efficiently tracked using high-throughput technologies that follow the gradual changes observed in the gene expression profiles by employing Shannon's mathematical theory of communication. Methods based on Information Theory can then quantify the divergence of cancer cells' transcriptional profiles from those of normally appearing cells of the originating tissues. The relevance of the proposed methods can be evaluated using microarray datasets available in the public domain but the method is in principle applicable to other high-throughput methods. Methodology/Principal Findings: Using melanoma and prostate cancer datasets we illustrate how it is possible to employ Shannon Entropy and the Jensen-Shannon divergence to trace the transcriptional changes progression of the disease. We establish how the variations of these two measures correlate with established biomarkers of cancer progression. The Information Theory measures allow us to identify novel biomarkers for both progressive and relatively more sudden transcriptional changes leading to malignant phenotypes. At the same time, the methodology was able to validate a large number of genes and processes that seem to be implicated in the progression of melanoma and prostate cancer. Conclusions/Significance: We thus present a quantitative guiding rule, a new unifying hallmark of cancer: the cancer cell's transcriptome changes lead to measurable observed transitions of Normalized Shannon Entropy values (as measured by high-throughput technologies). At the same time, tumor cells increment their divergence from the normal tissue profile increasing their disorder via creation of states that we might not directly measure. This unifying hallmark allows, via the the Jensen-Shannon divergence, to identify the arrow of time of the processes from the gene expression profiles, and helps to map the phenotypical and molecular hallmarks of specific cancer subtypes. The deep mathematical basis of the approach allows us to suggest that this principle is, hopefully, of general applicability for other diseases

The role of the carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin, in protecting against age-related macular degeneration: A review based on controversial evidence

PURPOSE: A review of the role of the carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin, and their function in altering the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: Medline and Embase search. RESULTS: Recent evidence introduces the possibility that lutein and zeaxanthin, carotenoids found in a variety of fruits and vegetables may protect against the common eye disease of macular degeneration. This potential and the lack to slow the progression of macular degeneration, has fueled high public interest in the health benefits of these carotenoids and prompted their inclusion in various supplements. The body of evidence supporting a role in this disease ranges from basic studies in experimental animals to various other clinical and epidemiological studies. Whilst some epidemiological studies suggest a beneficial role for carotenoids in the prevention of AMD, others are found to be unrelated to it. Results of some clinical studies indicate that the risk for AMD is reduced when levels of the carotenoids are elevated in the serum or diet, but this correlation is not observed in other studies. Published data concerning the toxicity of the carotenoids or the optimum dosage of these supplements is lacking. CONCLUSION: An intake of dietary supplied nutrients rich in the carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin, appears to be beneficial in protecting retinal tissues, but this is not proven. Until scientifically sound knowledge is available we recommend for patients judged to be at risk for AMD to: alter their diet to more dark green leafy vegetables, wear UV protective lenses and a hat when outdoors. Future investigations on the role of nutrition, light exposure, genetics, and combinations of photodynamic therapy with intravitreal steroid (triamcinolone-acetonide) injections hold potential for future treatment possibilities