Ways of increasing muscular activity by means of isometric muscular exertion

The effect of isometric muscular exertion on the human body was investigated by having subjects perform basic movements in a sitting position in the conventional manner with additional muscle tension at 50% maximum force and at maximum force. The pulse, arterial pressure, skin temperature, respiratory rate, minute respiratory volume and electrical activity of the muscles involved were all measured. Performance of the exercises with maximum muscular exertion for 20 sec and without movement resulted in the greatest shifts in these indices; in the conventional manner substantial changes did not occur; and with isometric muscular exertion with 50% maximum force with and without movement, optimal functional shifts resulted. The latter is recommended for use in industrial exercises for the prevention of hypodynamia. Ten exercises are suggested

The Prostaglandin F Synthase Activity of the Human Aldose Reductase AKR1B1 Brings New Lenses to Look at Pathologic Conditions

Prostaglandins are important regulators of female reproductive functions to which aldose reductases exhibiting hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity also contribute. Our work on the regulation of reproductive function by prostaglandins (PGs), lead us to the discovery that AKR1B5 and later AKR1B1were highly efficient and physiologically relevant PGF synthases. PGE2 and PGF2α are the main prostanoids produced in the human endometrium and proper balance in their relative production is important for normal menstruation and optimal fertility. Recent evidence suggests that PGE2/EP2 and PGF2α/FP may constitute a functional dyad with physiological relevance comparable to the prostacyclin-thromboxane dyad in the vascular system. We have recently reported that AKR1B1 was expressed and modulated in association with PGF2α production in response to IL-1β in the human endometrium. In the present study, we show that the human AKR1B1 (gene ID: 231) also known as ALDR1 or ALR2 is a functional PGF2α synthase in different models of living cells and tissues. Using human endometrial cells, prostate, and vascular smooth muscle cells, cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells we demonstrate that IL-1β is able to up regulate COX-2 and AKR1B1 proteins as well as PGF2α production under normal glucose concentrations. We show that the promoter activity of AKR1B1 gene is increased by IL-1β particularly around the multiple stress response region containing two putative antioxidant response elements adjacent to TonE and AP1. We also show that AKR1B1 is able to regulate PGE2 production through PGF2α acting on its FP receptor and that aldose reductase inhibitors like alrestatin, Statil (ponalrestat), and EBPC exhibit distinct and characteristic inhibition of PGF2α production in different cell models. The PGF synthase activity of AKR1B1 represents a new and important target to regulate ischemic and inflammatory responses associated with several human pathologies

Final Results from phase II of the Mainz Neutrino Mass Search in Tritium β\beta Decay

The paper reports on the improved Mainz experiment on tritum $\beta$ spectroscopy which yields a 10 times' higher signal to background ratio than before. The main experimental effects and systematic uncertainties have been investigated in side experiments and possible error sources have been eliminated. Extensive data taking took place in the years 1997 to 2001. A residual analysis of the data sets yields for the square of the electron antineutrino mass the final result of $m^2(\nu_e)=(-0.6 \pm 2.2_{\rm{stat}} \pm 2.1_{\rm{syst}})$ eV$^2$/c$^4$. We derive an upper limit of $m(\nu_e)\leq 2.3$ eV/c$^2$ at 95% confidence level for the mass itself.Comment: 22 pages, 22 figures submitted to EPJ

Comparison of advanced gravitational-wave detectors

We compare two advanced designs for gravitational-wave antennas in terms of their ability to detect two possible gravitational wave sources. Spherical, resonant mass antennas and interferometers incorporating resonant sideband extraction (RSE) were modeled using experimentally measurable parameters. The signal-to-noise ratio of each detector for a binary neutron star system and a rapidly rotating stellar core were calculated. For a range of plausible parameters we found that the advanced LIGO interferometer incorporating RSE gave higher signal-to-noise ratios than a spherical detector resonant at the same frequency for both sources. Spheres were found to be sensitive to these sources at distances beyond our galaxy. Interferometers were sensitive to these sources at far enough distances that several events per year would be expected

Study of the efficiency of profile subjects taught to students of the dental faculty from the first semester of the first year

The purpose of the study is to find out the differences in knowledge and attitude to oral hygiene among the first and second–year students as well as fourth and fifth-year students of USMU Faculty of Dentistry to assess the effectiveness of teaching junior students the profile subjects.Цель исследования – выявление отличий в знаниях и отношении к гигиене полости рта между студентами 1–2 и 4–5 курсов стоматологического факультета УГМУ для оценки эффективности обучения студентов 1–2 курсов профильным предметам

Commissioning of the vacuum system of the KATRIN Main Spectrometer

The KATRIN experiment will probe the neutrino mass by measuring the beta-electron energy spectrum near the endpoint of tritium beta-decay. An integral energy analysis will be performed by an electro-static spectrometer (Main Spectrometer), an ultra-high vacuum vessel with a length of 23.2 m, a volume of 1240 m^3, and a complex inner electrode system with about 120000 individual parts. The strong magnetic field that guides the beta-electrons is provided by super-conducting solenoids at both ends of the spectrometer. Its influence on turbo-molecular pumps and vacuum gauges had to be considered. A system consisting of 6 turbo-molecular pumps and 3 km of non-evaporable getter strips has been deployed and was tested during the commissioning of the spectrometer. In this paper the configuration, the commissioning with bake-out at 300{\deg}C, and the performance of this system are presented in detail. The vacuum system has to maintain a pressure in the 10^{-11} mbar range. It is demonstrated that the performance of the system is already close to these stringent functional requirements for the KATRIN experiment, which will start at the end of 2016.Comment: submitted for publication in JINST, 39 pages, 15 figure

Принципы хирургического лечения рецидивных грыж пищеводного отверстия диафрагмы (обзор литературы)

Recurrent hiatal hernia is the re-displacement of the abdominal organs into the chest after surgical treatment. Indications for repeated surgical interventions for this pathology are resistant to medical correction gastroesophageal reflux or anatomical disorders, bearing the risk of developing life-threatening conditions. The key task of revision interventions is to identify and address the causes of the failure of the primary operation. The main factors of the recurrence of hernias of this localization are the large size of the hiatal opening, the mechanical weakness of the legs of the diaphragm and the shortening of the esophagus. To increase the reliability of the esophageal aperture plasty in the surgical treatment of recurrent hiatal hernias, prosthetic materials are widely used. When the esophagus is shortened, it is possible to increase its length by creating a gastric stalk (gastroplasty) or fixing the stomach to the anterior abdominal wall (gastropexy). The disadvantage of both methods is the occurring functional impairment. An alternative approach is the formation of a fundoplication wrap in the chest with the closure of the esophageal opening only with its own tissues. To eliminate or prevent the development of gastroesophageal reflux, antireflux reconstruction is an essential component of operations for recurrent hiatal hernias. The option of fundoplication is selected in accordance with the contractility of the esophagus. With normokinesia, circular fundoplication was preferred, with impaired motor skills – free reconstructions.Под рецидивными грыжами пищеводного отверстия диафрагмы понимают любые варианты повторного смещения органов брюшной полости в грудную клетку после хирургического лечения. Показаниями к повторным оперативным вмешательствам при данной патологии являются не поддающийся медикаментозной коррекции гастроэзофагеальный рефлюкс или анатомические нарушения, несущие риск развития угрожающих жизни состояний. Ключевая задача ревизионных вмешательств заключается в выявлении и устранении причин неудачного исхода первичной операции. Основными факторами повторного возникновения грыж данной локализации являются большие размеры хиатального отверстия, механическая слабость ножек диафрагмы и укорочение пищевода. Для повышения надежности пластики пищеводного отверстия диафрагмы при хирургическом лечении рецидивных хиатальных грыж широко используются протезирующие материалы. При укорочении пищевода возможно увеличение его длины созданием желудочного стебля (гастропластика), фиксация желудка к передней брюшной стенке (гастропексия). Недостатком обеих методик являются возникающие функциональные нарушения. Альтернативный подход – формирование фундопликационной манжеты в грудной клетке с закрытием пищеводного отверстия только собственными тканями. Для устранения или профилактики развития желудочно-пищеводного заброса обязательным компонентом операций при рецидивных хиатальных грыжах является антирефлюксная реконструкция. Вариант фундопликации выбирается в соответствии с сократительной способностью пищевода. При нормокинезии предпочтительны циркулярные фундопликации, при нарушениях моторики – свободные реконструкции