Coenzyme Q ₁₀ and L-Carnitine Disturbances in Children with Mitochondrial Diseases

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and L-carnitine are very important biologically active compounds involved in energy metabolism. L-carnitine and coenzyme Q10 disturbances in mitochondrial diseases require the correction. Patients and methods: The levels of coenzyme Q10 and L-carnitine (total carnitine, free carnitine, and acylcarnitines) were determined in children with mitochondrial diseases (25 children and 16 children, respectively). High-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection (chromatograph Shimadzu Nexera LC-30) and chromatography-mass spectrometry (Agilent 6410 QQQ , USA) were used. As an additional parameter of possible coenzyme Q10 and carnitine insufficiency, the coenzyme Q10/cholesterol ratio and acylcarnitines/free carnitine ratio were calculated. Results: A significantly low ratio of coenzyme Q10/cholesterol in children with mitochondrial diseases was revealed—0.10 ± 0.01 vs. 0.19 ± 0.01 in the control group (p < 0.001). A lower absolute level of coenzyme Q10 and tendency toward a more pronounced decrease in the Q10/cholesterol ratio in older patients (6–16 years) were shown. The free carnitine blood level was within the normal range and averaged at 29.8 ± 2.6 μmol/l; however, the level was lower than that in the control group (44 ± 5.2 μmol/l, p < 0.05). A pronounced significant increase in the acylcarnitines/free carnitine ratio was determined—1.5 ± 0.05 (the normal range < 0.6)

Private Health Insurance in the Post-Pandemic Era: Spatial Econometric Market Development Analysis

The post-COVID era has posed unprecedented challenges to healthcare systems worldwide, urging a reevaluation of healthcare financing mechanisms. This study investigates the evolving landscape of private health insurance markets in the aftermath of the pandemic while considering the influence of international sanctions. Employing a spatial lag model (SLM), data from Albania, Russia, and Malaysia were analyzed to uncover the intricate interplay of factors shaping private health insurance coverage rates. The findings reveal nuanced patterns and disparities across these countries. The significance of variables varies: while private insurance share and government health expenditure consistently exhibit positive and substantial impacts on coverage rates, the unemployment rate presents differential effects. COVID-19 deaths influence coverage in Russia, emphasizing the pandemic's specific impact. Moreover, hospital beds’ significance in Malaysia underscores healthcare infrastructure's varying importance. Importantly, the spatial lag effect is consistently significant, emphasizing regional interdependence. Collectively, our study highlights the multifaceted determinants of private health insurance coverage, revealing insights crucial for policymakers navigating post-pandemic healthcare financing challenges among international sanctions. Doi: 10.28991/ESJ-2023-07-06-013 Full Text: PD

Diagnostic significance of TLR2 and TLR4 receptors on lymphoid cells as a marker of the progression of periodontal inflammation associated with key periodontal pathogenic species <i>F. alocis</i> and <i>P. gingivalis</i>

The aim of the work was to evaluate the diagnostic value of TLR2 and TLR4 expression on periodontal and peripheral blood lymphoid cells by immunofluorescence microscopy in patients with chronic periodontitis associated with key periodontal pathogenic species Filifactor alocis, Porphyromonas gingivalis. Materials and methods. The study included 150 patients 88 (59%) women and 62 (41%) men aged 18 to 73 years with chronic periodontitis in the acute phase (CP) and 32 people without signs of chronic periodontal inflammation. To confirm the diagnosis of periodontitis, the Multident-5 PCR kit was used (detection of P. gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Tannerella forsythia, Treponema denticola, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans), as well as rt-PCR for F. alocis and P. gingivalis in the contents of the periodontal pocket (NPF GenLab, Russia). To evaluate cells carrying CD282 and CD284 markers, gingival fluid flushes from the periodontal pocket with Hanks' solution were used. The isolated cells were stained with antibodies to CD282 markers (corresponding to TLR2 receptor) or CD284 (corresponding to TLR4 receptor) labeled with FITC, and fixed with paraformaldehyde for subsequent immunofluorescence microscopy. Results. The expression of TLR2 and TLR4 on peripheral blood and gingival fluid leukocytes was studied in individuals with healthy periodontitis and patients with chronic periodontitis associated with F. alocis, P. gingivalis. According to the results of PCR, the detection rate of F. alocis and P. gingivalis was 64 and 62.7%, respectively, which confirmed their dominance in the microbial association. It was found that the expression of TLR2 and TLR4 on peripheral blood lymphoid cells varied in humans. The possible diagnostic significance of this phenomenon in assessing the progression of chronic periodontitis is discussed. Conclusion. In patients with chronic periodontitis associated with the dominance of periodontopathogenic species F. alocis, P. gingivalis, the multidirectional expression of TLR2 and TLR4 on peripheral blood cells was observed, which may have diagnostic significance in assessing the progression of periodontal diseases

Improving the economic performance of Russia's energy system based on the development of alternative energy sources

An upward trend in conventional energy consumption and the exhaustibility of its resources, volatility of the prices for hydrocarbons in the global energy market update the development of scientific approaches to justification of the commercial efficiency of alternative energy in the Russian Federation. Integrated economic performance and environmental safety coefficients for generating companies in Russia were calculated through taxonomic analysis. Trends in the expenditure level for energy production in the context of alternative and conventional energy resources were forecasted by means of neural modeling technologies. Using an integrated assessment method, global priorities for the use of energy resources in Russia that would enhance the national energy system operation efficiency were identified. A forecasting integrated model of the Russian energy system development was elaborated, taking into account the commercial efficiency of alternative energy. Measures to stimulate energy production based on the use of alternative energy sources were proposed. Practical implementation of the research findings would contribute to Russia's energy system restructuring and meeting the energy needs of the national economy to the fullest extent possible. Keywords: Alternative Energy Sources, Alternative Energy, Energy System, Economic Performance of Energy Production, Energy Resources, Conventional Energy JEL Classifications: L98; L16; O25 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32479/ijeep.702

БИОРЕЗОРБИРУЕМЫЕ ВНУТРИСОСУДИСТЫЕ КАРКАСЫ. ОБЗОРНАЯ СТАТЬЯ

Introduction: Modern interventional surgery is one of the most dynamically developing areas of modern medicine. Evidence of this is the bioresorbable stent appearance in its stockpile – intravascular frames, which provide temporary mechanical support and the delivery of cytotoxic substances in the vascular wall during its regeneration. The emergence of this technology in English literature is often called the fourth revolution in x-ray surgery. In this literature review, the authors tried to reflect modern ideas about safety, indications and disadvantages of bioresorbable scaffolds.Methods: This review presents data of 65 articles on bioresorbable intravascular frames in pubmed. The preference was given to the data of multicenter studies and international registries and records of clinical cases of complications associated with implantation of bioresorbable intravascular scaffolds.Results: This literature review presents the latest English-language publications on the use of bioresorbable intravascular scaffolds in the treatment of ischemic heart disease, and it lists the main stages of their development too. Введение. Современная интервенционная хирургия – это одно из наиболее динамично развивающихся направлений современной медицины. Свидетельством этому является появление в её арсенале биорезорбируемых стентов – внутрисосудистых каркасов, обеспечивающих временную механическую поддержку и доставку цитостатических веществ в сосудистой стенке в период её регенерации. Появление данной технологии в англоязычной литературе зачастую называют четвертой революцией в рентгенохирургии. В данном литературном обзоре авторы постарались отобразить современные представления о безопасности, показаниях и недостатках биорезорбируемых каркасов.Методы. В обзоре представлены данные 65 статей по биорезорбиуремым               внутрисосудистым каркасам, найденных в сети Pubmed. Предпочтение отдавалось данным многоцентровых исследований, международных регистров, а также отчетам о клинических случаях осложнений, связанных с имплантацией биорезорбируемых внутрисосудистых каркасов.Результат. В данном литературном обзоре представлены последние англоязычные публикации на тему применения биорезорбируемых внутрисосудистых каркасов в лечении ишемической болезни сердца, а также перечислены основные этапы их развития

Using Screencasts in Computer Science Classes at a Technical University

The information technologies applications in various fields of human activity are developing exponentially now. The article considers possibility of using screencasting in a computer science course at a technical university. Screencast is a video that contains a record of actions performed on a computer with the author’s comments. The advantages and disadvantages of this technology in the learning process are considered. It is noted that the technology of on-screen video is distinguished by information richness and strong emotional effect on the student. The application of screencasting in computer science classes at the Tomsk Polytechnic University using the mathematical package MathCad, which has the means to solve all kinds of problems associated with symbolic operations, is presented. The motivation for this study is to increase the student learning process effectiveness. Therefore, the objectives of the study are: to study the possibility of screencasting in the student learning process organization, to study the possibility of using this technology during studying a computer science course, to find out how effectively this method allows to master knowledge in the relevant discipline. The results of study using this technology and the traditional method are analyzed. It is shown that the use of screencasting allows to improve the test results in comparison with the group trained by the traditional method

Pulmonary Involvement in Systemic Onset Juvenile Arthritis: Current Status of the Problem

Systemic onset juvenile arthritis is the complex autoinflammatory disease with multigenic type of inheritance. It is characterized by significant systemic manifestations and unfavourable adverse events, among which macrophage activation syndrome and pulmonary involvement are playing crucial role. This article presents data on the frequency and features of the disease course, possible development predictors and clinical-radiological picture of pulmonary involvement in systemic onset juvenile arthritis. Possible factors (including hereditary) affecting the process of pulmonary involvement development and the role of genetically engineered biologic therapy are considered

Ag/ZnO and Ag/SnO2 Electrocontact Materials Obtained from Fine-Grained Coprecipitated Powder Mixture

The manufacturing processes of Ag/ZnO and Ag/SnO2 electrocontact materials concerns to chemical precipitation of precursors are represented in this paper. At all stages, obtained powders and compacts were characterized by X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal analysis (TG, DSC, DMA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The size of particles in the sintered molded article is in the range of 0,1-0,3 nm for ZnO and 1-5 μm for SnO2. The particles size mostly depends on chemical precipitating conditions and metallurgical stage parameters. Relative density of final compacts is about 0,97-0,99. Resistivity is 2,5 cm for the concentration of ZnO equal 8 % and 2.4 cm for the concentration of SnO2 equal 10 %. Electrical wear (AC, test device, 380 V, 30 А, cos =0,8) depends on oxide content and exceeds Ag/CdO series contacts wear.Рассмотрены процессы изготовления электроконтактных материалов Ag/ZnO и Ag/SnO2 из химически соосажденных прекурсоров. На всех стадиях получения порошки и компакты охарактеризованы методами РСА, РФА, ТГА/ДСК и СЭМ. Размер частиц в спеченном компактированном образце находится в диапазоне 0,1-0,3 м для ZnO и 1-5 m для SnO2. Размер частиц главным образом зависит от условия химического осаждения и параметров металлургического передела. Относительная плотность готовых компактов имеет значения 0,97-0,99. Сопротивление 2,5 Om*см для образца, содержащего 8% ZnO, и 2,4 Om*см для 10% SnO2. Дуговая эррозия (условия испытания - постоянный ток, 380 В, 30 А, cos fi=0,8) зависит от содержания оксида и превышает износ контактов серии Ag/CdO