Electrophoretic deposition of YSZ layers on pyrolytic graphite and a porous anode substrate based on NiO-YSZ

Solid oxide fuel cells are promising hydrogen energy devices. The goal of this research was to create ceramic layers for SOFCs based on yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) and to investigate their parameters. YSZ ceramic layers with a thickness of 5.14 μm on a porous NiO–YSZ substrate and 7 μm on pyrolytic graphite were obtained by electrophoretic deposition. X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy were used to determine the composition, structure, and morphological features of ceramic layers. The effects of the substrate's nature, the degree of dispersion of the initial YSZ powder, and the heat treatment conditions on the properties of the ceramic layer YSZ were considered

ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF CREATING A HIGH-PERFORMANCE SENSOR BASED ON BORON NITRIDE NANOTUBES

The possibility of attaching a chlorine atom to the outer surface of a single-layer borocar-bon ВС3 of a type A and B nanotube was investigated, namely, adsorption of a Cl atom was studied. Calculations were performed within the molecular cluster model using the MNDO [1] semiempiric scheme.Researches are executed with financial support of a grant of the Russian President № МК-1758.2020.8

Opisthorchis felineus infection, risks, and morbidity in rural Western Siberia, Russian Federation

The liver fluke, Opisthorchis felineus, is widely distributed throughout Europe and large parts of the Russian Federation. In Western Siberia, information about opisthorchiasis is lacking although infection may lead to severe liver and bile duct diseases. We aimed to assess the current prevalence of O. felineus infection along with associated risk factors and morbidity in rural Western Siberia.; We conducted a community-based, cross-sectional study in the rural Shegarskiy district, Tomsk Oblast, Russian Federation. All household members (≥ 7 years) present on the survey day were enrolled (n = 600). Two stool samples per person were examined for helminth eggs, using PARASEP (DiaSys Ltd, UK). The number of eggs per gram (EPG) of feces was recorded. Each study participant was interviewed to determine risk factors, using a pre-tested questionnaire. An abdominal ultrasonography examination of liver and bile ducts was performed with a mobile, high resolution ultrasound device. In total, 488 persons completed assessments (two stool samples, completed questionnaires); of those, 436 individuals had an ultrasonography (US) examination.; We observed a prevalence of O. felineus infection of 60.2%. Significant risk factors for infection were the consumption of river fish (odds ratio from adjusted analysis [aOR] 2.4, 95% CI 1.52-3.95, p<0.001), particularly stock fish (OR from multivariable analysis [mOR] 3.2, 95% CI 2.63-3.80, p<0.001), smoked fish (mOR 1.5, 95% CI 1.24-1.72, p<0.001), frozen fish (mOR 1.6, 95% CI 1.29-2.02, p<0.001), and raw fish (mOR 1.4, 95% CI 1.05-1.84, p = 0.02); and fishing activities (mOR 1.2, 95% CI 1.03-1.43, p = 0.019). Women had a higher risk of infection than men. Infection was associated positively with age and negatively with socio-economic status. The respondents' general awareness of opisthorchiasis was quite high (93.2%), but their knowledge about infection transmission and prevention was insufficient. Children aged 7-18 years old had a lower level of awareness compared to adults. The abdominal ultrasonography results demonstrated a strong association between O. felineus infection and gallbladder stones (mOR 2.8, 95% CI 1.33-6.04, p = 0.007) and periductal fibrosis of intrahepatic bile ducts (mOR 1.9, 95% CI 1.08-3.46, p = 0.026).; O. felineus infection is highly prevalent in rural regions of Western Siberia, and associated with severe hepatobiliary pathology. Identified risk factors will be used to develop a comprehensive targeted O. felineus infection control program

The Effect of the Synthesis Method on the Luminescent and Dosimetric Properties of Zinc Aluminate

In this article, the thermoluminescence properties of zinc aluminate synthesized by solid-state reaction and citrate-nitrate auto-combustion routes were investigated. The dose dependence study of a low-temperature TL peak showed a sensitivity of ceramics to the obtained dose in the range of 1-80 Gy

ЭПИДЕМИОЛОГИЯ ОСТРЫХ КИШЕЧНЫХ ИНФЕКЦИЙ У НОВОРОЖДЕННЫХ

This article presents a retrospective analysis of the incidence of acute intestinal infections of newborns in 2006—2012 years. The analysis has revealed increased morbidity, the leading etiological role of rota-and noroviruses alongside with opportunistic pathogens, and absence of a clear seasonality. В статье представлены данные ретроспективного анализа заболеваемости острыми кишечными инфекциями новорожденных за 2006—2012 гг. Установлен рост заболеваемости, ведущая этиологическая роль ротаи норовирусов, также условно-патогенных микроорганизмов, отсутствие четкой сезонности.

Роль информированного согласия в принятии решения об участии в исследовании: данные многоцентрового исследования в России «Лицом к лицу»

Introduction. Currently, clinical trials (CT) remain the only technology, which provides proof of efficacy and safety of new drugs and their subsequent release to the market. Medical researcher and informed consent (IC) are the main (and often the only) source of information for the patient about the upcoming clinical trials, and thus have a direct impact on the perception of clinical trials, and on the patient’s decision about participation. However, the degree of influence of these factors on the clinical trials participants still remains unclear.Materials and methods. A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted in different cities of the Russian Federation. Patients who had previous experience in CTs (or were enrolled in a CT at the time of this study) were asked to complete a questionnaire.Results. To assess the impact of researcher, all respondents were divided into 2 groups: patients that acquainted with IC in collaboration with the researcher, and the other group, which reviewed IC form independently. We evaluated the importance of the factors influencing the decision-making process on participation in clinical trials. According to our data, the most important factors were professional monitoring services (3,72 ± 1,00), regular condition monitoring (3,66 ± 0,98), and better medical care (3,62 ± 1,00). These factors were evaluated at significantly lower score by group of patients that acquainted with IC together with the researcher (3,55 ±0,94, vs 4,01 ± 0,90, p = 0,002; 3,52 ± 1,01 vs 3,87 ± 0,90, p = 0,040; 3,49 ± 0,94, vs 3,83 ± 1,06, p = 0,020 respectively). In assessing the factors that had negative impact on the interest in participating in a clinical trial, the most significant were risk of side effects (3,01 ± 1,27), study of new medication (2,68 ± 1,21), and the risk of getting into the placebo group (2,64 ± 1,34) (so-called “objective” risk factors). At the same time, risk of side effects and risk of getting into the placebo group were also assessed at significantly lower score by group of patients that acquainted with IC together with the researcher (2,87 ± 1,28, vs 3,33 ± 1,17, p = 0,024; 2,51 ±1,25, vs 3,03 ± 1,34, p = 0,022 respectively). Furthermore, it was found that in the case of the researcher’s assistance acquaintance time with IC reduced threefold. We also evaluated the effect of the complexity of IC text on the decision-making process on participation in clinical trials. The group of respondents, who rated the IC as easy, appeared to be more interested in the final results of the study.Conclusion. Thus, when assessing the impact of the researcher on the review process of informed consent with the decision to participate in clinical trials, we found that in the case of assistance of the researcher, the acquaintance time with IC is reduced three times. In addition, this group of patients during the conversation with the researcher shows better and more clear understanding of the nature and general methodology of clinical trials, resulting in an adequate assessment “objective” risk factors for participation in clinical trials. Thus, this group of patients is more informed, compared with an “independent” group. According to the study “Face to Face”, we can recommend mandatory participation of a researcher during review process of the IC.Введение. В настоящее время клинические исследования (КИ) остаются единственной технологией, обеспечивающей доказательство эффективности и безопасности новых лекарственных средств и последующего их выхода на рынок. Врач-исследователь и информированное согласие (ИС) являются основными (и часто единственными) источниками информации для пациента о предстоящем КИ и тем самым непосредственно влияют на восприятие КИ и на решение пациента об участии. Однако до сих пор остается неясной степень влияния данных факторов на участников КИ.Материал и методы. В исследовании приняли участие девять центров, расположенных в разных городах Российской Федерации. Основным методом исследования являлось анкетирование пациентов. В рамках исследования пациенту, имеющему опыт участия в КИ и удовлетворяющему критериям отбора, однократно было предложено самостоятельно заполнить вопросник.Результаты. Для оценки влияния врача-исследователя все респонденты были поделены на две группы: пациенты, знакомившиеся с ИС совместно с врачом и самостоятельно. Самыми важными факторами, влияющими на принятие решения об участии в КИ, оказались: наблюдение профессиональными специалистами (3,72 ± 1,00), регулярное наблюдение за состоянием (3,66 ± 0,98) и более качественная медицинская помощь (3,62 ± 1,00). Данные факторы были оценены на достоверно более низкий балл группой пациентов, знакомившихся совместно с врачом (3,55 ± 0,94, vs 4,01 ± 0,90, p = 0,002; 3,52 ± 1,01, vs 3,87 ± 0,90, p = 0,040; 3,49 ± 0,94, vs 3,83 ± 1,06, p = 0,020 соответственно). При оценке факторов, отрицательно повлиявших на интерес к участию в клиническом исследовании, наиболее значимыми оказались: риск побочных явлений (3,01 ± 1,27), использование нового препарата (2,68 ± 1,21), а также риск попадания в группу плацебо (2,64 ± 1,34) (так называемые объективные факторы риска). При этом факторы – риск побочных явлений и риск попадания в группу плацебо – также были оценены на достоверно более низкий балл группой пациентов, знакомившихся с ИС совместно с врачом (2,87 ± 1,28, vs 3,33 ± 1,17, p = 0,024; 2,51 ± 1,25, vs 3,03 ± 1,34, p = 0,022 соответственно). Кроме того, установлено, что в случае помощи исследователя время ознакомления с ИС сокращается в три раза. Также отмечено влияние сложности текста ИС на принятие решения об участии в КИ. Группа респондентов, оценивших ИС как легкое, оказались более заинтересованы в конечных результатах исследования. Выводы. При оценке влияния исследователя на процесс ознакомления с информированным согласием принятия решения об участии в КИ установлено, что в случае помощи исследователя время ознакомления с информированным согласием сокращается в три раза. Кроме того, данная группа пациентов в ходе беседы с исследователем начинает ясно представлять суть и общую методологию клинических исследований, что выражается в адекватной оценке объективных факторов риска участия в клинических исследованиях. Таким образом, данная группа пациентов более информирована по сравнению с группой «самостоятельных» участников. По результатам исследования «Лицом к лицу» при проведении клинических исследований в дальнейшем рекомендуется обязательное участие врача при ознакомлении потенциальных участников с ИС

Adolescents in a tuberculosis hospital: Qualitative study of how relationships with doctors, caregivers, and peers mediate their mental wellbeing

Lengthy hospitalization can impact adolescents' mental wellbeing in a number of negative ways. Scholarship has indicated that a young patient's relationships play an important role in reducing the amount of stress felt and in improving emotional state. In this article we turn to the experiences of adolescents with tuberculosis [TB] in Russia to explore how exactly hospitalization together with the TB diagnosis itself impact their mental wellbeing and how relationships with others mediate these impacts. We conducted a qualitative, interview-based study in Tomsk pediatric TB clinic. Interviews were conducted with three groups relevant for reaching the aim of this research: adolescent patients, their adult caregivers, and their treating physicians [17 informants in total]. Interview data were complemented with prolonged observations in the same clinic. The results of our study highlight that threats to mental wellbeing of adolescents with TB are multiple. Adolescents who are about to enter the in-patient treatment feel apprehensive and anxious about their future. They tend to have a hard time accepting their diagnosis, which they often feel is something shameful, and, consequently, may develop a negative attitude towards themselves. Most importantly, many undergo painful loss of personal relationships and expect or actually experience rejection by peers because of having tuberculosis. However, relationships with physicians, caregivers, and other patients in the clinic mediate negative impacts of TB diagnosis and hospitalization on adolescents' mental wellbeing and can open ways for providing support. Supportive practices include physicians leaving it up to adolescents to decide what they want to discuss and when, caregivers remaining available for contact and keeping regular communication, and other adolescents with TB proactively seeking contact with the newcomers and behaving in a non-judgmental way. These results can inform design of adolescent-friendly TB services

Risks and benefits of trial participation: A qualitative study of participants' perspectives in Russia

Background: The Russian Federation is one of the emerging clinical trial regions where the numbers of international clinical trials have been significantly rising over the course of recent years. Purpose: Our aims were to describe and explain risk-benefit calculus by clinical trial participants in Russia and to analyse the significance of the results for the ethical regulation of globalizing clinical trials. Methods: In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 individuals participating in trials for cardiovascular disease. Analysis was based on the inductive constant comparative method. Results: Interviewed participants perceived multiple benefits in trial enrolment including regular check-ups, provision and explanation of individual test results, the opportunity to ask investigators for advice and the provision of treatment recommendations for those with limited access to a physician outside of the trial. Participants tried to manage risks of trial enrolment by paying attention to how they felt and reporting changes to investigators. Regular monitoring, the opportunity to drop out of the trial and health insurance provision in case of adverse events were viewed as further minimizing individual risks. Importantly, interviewed trial participants did not assess the risks and benefits of a single trial independently of wider social situation or particularities of their own health condition. Value of trial enrolment benefits for participants was enhanced by the healthcare system that was viewed as being unresponsive to the needs of people with cardiovascular disease. Therefore, in their risk-benefit assessment, participants weighed enrolment risks against the risks of dealing with their fragile health without continuous contact with a medical professional. Limitations: A relatively small number of interviews was conducted, only participants of cardiovascular disease trials were interviewed and the extent to which the described perspectives are generalizable is not established. Conclusion: The risk-benefit assessment as performed by most interviewed trial participants involved multiple components, including the ones unrelated to the trial itself, and was largely context-dependent. Perspectives of research participants can enrich frameworks for the evaluation of trial risks and benefits