[Older age vitality and retirement (literature review).]

The article provides a review of research literature on the social and psychological peculiarities of working and non-working pensioners with additional new data on their life quality. Six psychographic profiles of pensioners based on their post-retirement activities and motivations for new life path choices were described and examined, enabling identification of the subjects' personality types. These data are essential for psychologists and social workers consulting people approaching retirement age and recent retirees on their retirement lifestyle, ways to organize their working life and effective (creative) pastime, including career development later in life, without sacrificing their physical and mental health. The article looks at the main reasons behind continuing work after retirement thereby supplementing the existing knowledge on post-retirement work motivations. It is important to consider the data obtained when designing public policies on post-retirement work promotion. In its psychological aspect, the process of settling into retirement is similar to the emotional phases associated with the transitional periods of human life. After quitting work, almost all retirees face them in one form or another. Their ability to navigate the process is what will eventually determine how they will spend this stage of their lives. The article analyzes five stages of retirement.

[The first clinical experience with a new type of stents -scaffolds, under optical coherence tomography guidance].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the first clinical experience with new types of stents, absorbable carcasses (scaffolds), under guidance of intravascular imaging techniques. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The paper gives the authors' experience in implanting eight Absorb BVS scaffolds in three patients during one operating session. All operations were performed under intravascular imaging guidance: three patients underwent 8 examinations of four vessels, by using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and 2 did using intravascular ultrasound study (IVUSS). RESULTS: The investigation demonstrated the possibility of implanting two devices partially applied to cover longer lesion lengths, the use of scaffolds after occlusion recanalization, and that of rather high pressure values to adapt a carcass if predilation was adequately performed. In one of the cases, control OCT could reveal timely the signs of extensive prolapse and early thrombosis, which had been unrecorded by angiography and IVUSS. To correct of the occurring problem, implantation of the second absorbable carcass into the first one was first successfully used by optimally adapting the girders and completely correcting the prolapse. CONCLUSION: The absorbable scaffolds may potentially signify a new stage in the development of interventional cardiology. However, their use requires the careful adherence of implantation specifications and primarily the accurate estimation of vessel sizes and accordingly a device that may be needed. The application of absorbable carcasses makes higher standards for the equipment and experience of interventional laboratories that plan their use. The possibility of using intravascular imaging is one the priorities in this series.

[Peculiarities of postural balance among elderly men with fear of falling syndrome].

A comparative study of postural balance among elderly men of 65-85 years old with postural instability and an equal number of falls, experiencing and not experiencing the fear of the probability of falling was conducted. Analysis of the data of computer stabilometery found that men fearing to fall in all functional tests had medium speed indicators of general center of mass (GCM), the mean radius of GCMs indicators significantly higher and indicators of mean half-period fluctuations of GCMs in the sagittal and frontal areas were significantly less than among men of similar age not fearing to fall down. These results indicate that the emergence of feelings of fear of possible falls among elderly and senile patients with postural instability has an objective basis in the form of more severe violations of the postural control system in comparison with those that do not face the fear of the probability of falling.

[Oxygen consumption by resting humans at different Elbrus altitudes].

The purpose of the work was to test experimentally the "hypoxic paradox" of growing or constant oxygen consumption by normal humans exposed to O2-deficient environments. The objective was to perform thorough statistical analysis of O2 consumption at two altitudes above sea level under the conditions of close to basic metabolism, and to develop an analytical expression for adequate description of O2 consumption dependence on altitude above seal level. The investigation was fulfilled in August, 2009 at the altitudes of 2224 and 4200 m on Elbrus flanks with participation of 4 volunteers. It was shown that O2 consumption by resting humans decreases with altitude, i.e. the "hypoxic paradox" is invalid. An analytical expression was proposed to describe change in O2 consumption in the interval of altitudes from 0 to 4200 m above sea level.

[Mathematical model of carbon oxide in pressurized chamber during long-term human habitation].

A new approach to quantitative assessment of CO measurements in atmosphere of continuously operating pressurized module GVK-250 has been proposed. It was established that implementation of scheduled operations in the module transform nonstationary CO laws to low-ergodic. The total amount of atmospheric CO decreases substantially as soon as gas emission reaches a low-ergodic condition. Results of the investigation have been brought up to computational procedures and can be instrumental in the course of long-term run of pressurized modules and experimental works.

[The model of nighttime carbon oxide variation in atmosphere of a habitable pressurized module].

A mathematical model was found to describe variations in atmospheric carbon oxide during night sleep of chambered test subjects. The analytical expressions make possible calculation of CO concentration in artificial atmosphere. The model was constructed from the factual laboratory test data and can be used in designing of life support systems.

[Clinical trials of the new skin test Diaskintest for the diagnosis of tuberculosis].

A new reagent for a skin test given the name Diaskintest has been designed for the screening diagnosis of tuberculosis and preclinical and clinical trials conducted. Preclinical trials were carried out on 315 laboratory animals (guinea-pigs, albino mice). The reagent Diaskintest was ascertained to be nontoxic, to have no sensitizing properties, to be safe and specific, and to induce no positive reactions in BCG-vaccinated animals and healthy guinea-pigs. Its specific activity was comparable with that of the national reference--purified tuberculin PPD-L-2. With progression of tuberculous lesions, the guinea-pigs showed higher responses to Diaskintest dilution and the BCG-vaccinated animals lacked responses to Diaskintest with increased delayed type hypersensitivity. The clinical trial was permitted by the Federal Service for Surveillance in Health Care and Social Development of the Russian Federation. Clinical trials were conducted in 150 persons. The safety, specificity, sensitivity of Diaskintest were first examined in the clinical studies and its action was compared with the results of tuberculin skin test (Mantoux test) with 2 TE of PPD L-2. Diaskintest was ascertained to be highly sensitive when given in a dose of 0.2 microg in 0.1 ml. In patients with active tuberculosis and new cases of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, the agent induced a positive skin reaction (a papule of more than 10 mm) in 98-100% of cases (p < 0.05). The agent caused no reaction associated with BCG vaccination. The specificity of the test was 93-100% with 95% significance. The rate of overexuberant reactions (vesicular necrotic changes, lymphangitis, and lymphadenitis) was 4-14% with 95% significance. Tuberculosis patients with significant immunopathological disorders might have no skin sensitivity to Diaskintest, as to PPD L-2 (a negative test). The findings substantiate the use of Diaskintest for mass epidemiological surveys for the differential diagnosis of tuberculosis and BCG vaccination-associated complications. The agent may be also used to evaluate the activity of the process in patients with tuberculosis and the efficiency of treatment in combination with other methods and to make a differential diagnosis of tuberculosis.

[Energy metabolic in patients with ischemic heart disease before and after heart surgery].

The study involved 85 patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). The parameters of metabolic status the actual food intake with the help of a new computer program, based on frequency method were investigated from patients with cardiovascular diseases. It was found a disbalanse of intake main food components and low physical activity in of patients.

[Using diet therapy based on complex assessment of nutritional status in patient with cardiovascular diseases and obesity].

The study involved 120 patients with arterial hypertension and coronary heart disease (CHD). The parameters of metabolic status were investigated. Assessed effects of antiatherogenic diet supplemented with "Normoprotein" on main cardiovascular parameters, parameters of anthropometry, lipid profile parameters. The results of investigations indicated that a diet supplemented with a "Normoprotein" (60 g/day) increased the effect of dietary therapy in correction of essential hypertension. Significant decrease in body masse and body masse index (MBI), as well as lipid profile normalization.

[The results of quantitative cytological analysis of the structure of follicular thyroid tumors using computer and neural network technologies].

Artificial neural network is a complex system capable of gathering and synthesizing data and capable of learning using particular given parameters. This technology was applied to studying cytological diagnostics of thyroid diseases to differentiate between follicular cancer and follicular adenoma. A complex of quantitative cytological characteristics was used to describe cytological preparations by examples of known cytological diagnosis to train the neural network. Among offered cytological examples, 96% were recognized correctly during testing.

[A charge-deficient analogue of spermine with chelating properties].

1,12-Diamino-3,6,9-triazadodecane, a new isosteric and charge-deficient analogue of spermine, is synthesized. Unlike spermine, the new analogue is an excellent chelator of Cu2+ ions. Possible applications of this compound for studying enzymes of polyamine metabolism and cellular functions of spermine are discussed. The English version of the paper: Russian Journal of Bioorganic Chemistry, 2005, vol. 31, no. 3; see also http://www.maik.ru.

[Roentgenosurgery for aortic coarctation and open arterial duct with intravascular ultrasonic examination]. / Rentgenokhirurgicheskie operatsii po povodu koarktatsii aorty i otkrytogo arterial'nogo protoka s ispol'zovaniem vnutrisosudistogo ul'trazvukovogo issledovaniia.

Forty-five patients (32 with open arterial duct and 13 with aortic coarctation) were examined. Forty-nine intravascular ultrasonic examinations were performed, qualitative and quantitative analysis of 139 vascular segments was carried out. Despite the fact that mean morphometric indices of open arterial duct and aorta in angiography and intravascular ultrasonic examination had no significant difference, real confidence of the o data was seen only in 13.3% cases for open arterial duct an in 16.7% cases--for aortic coarctation. In 37.5 and 50% patients, respectively, difference in the dimensions was so significant that dictated choice of instruments with difference size. Roentgenoendovascular surgeries were performed in 23 patients with open arterial duct and in 12--with aortic coarctation. Choice of instruments parameters based on data of intravascular ultrasonic examination provided safer and more efficient procedures.

[The new approaches to understanding of neurohumoral regulation in overweight and ways of its correction]. / Novye podkhody k ponimaniiu neirogumoral'noi reguliatsii pri izbytochnoi masse tela i sposoby ee korrektsii.

The clinical study reflex of food specific dynamic effect food SDE reflex phase in various forms of obesity permit differential diagnosing and choosing of special diet therapy with the use of various biologically active food supplements.

Antibody proteases: induction of catalytic response.

Most of the data accumulated throughout the years on investigation of catalytic antibodies indicate that their production increases on the background of autoimmune abnormalities. The different approaches to induction of catalytic response toward recombinant gp120 HIV-1 surface protein in mice with various autoimmune pathologies are described. The peptidylphosphonate conjugate containing structural part of gp120 molecule is used for reactive immunization of NZB/NZW F1, MRL, and SJL mice. The specific modification of heavy and light chains of mouse autoantibodies with Val-Ala-Glu-Glu-Glu-Val-PO(OPh)2 reactive peptide was demonstrated. Increased proteolytic activity of polyclonal antibodies in SJL mice encouraged us to investigate the production of antigen-specific catalytic antibodies on the background of induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). The immunization of autoimmune-prone mice with the engineered fusions containing the fragments of gp120 and encephalitogenic epitope of myelin basic protein (MBP(89-104)) was made. The proteolytic activity of polyclonal antibodies isolated from the sera of autoimmune mice immunized by the described antigen was shown. Specific immune response of SJL mice to these antigens was characterized. Polyclonal antibodies purified from sera of the immunized animals revealed proteolytic activity. The antiidiotypic approach to raise the specific proteolytic antibody as an "internal image" of protease is described. The "second order" monoclonal antibodies toward subtilisin Carlsberg revealed pronounced proteolytic activity.

[A structure-activity study of a catalytic antiidiotypic antibody to the human erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase]. / Strukturno-funktsional'noe issledovanie kataliticheskogo antiidiotipicheskogo antitela k atsetilkholinésteraze éritrotsitov cheloveka.

The catalytic monoclonal antibody 9A8 (MA 9A8), antiidiotypic to the antibody AE-2 (MA AE2) produced to the active site of acetyl cholinesterase from human erythrocytes, was subjected to a structure-function study. The specific binding of MA 9A8 to MA AE2 (K 2.26 x 10(9) M-1) was shown by the method of surface plasmon resonance, and the functional activity of MA 9A8 was demonstrated. Unlike acetyl cholinesterase, this antibody specifically reacted with the irreversible phosphonate inhibitors of esterases. A peptide map of MA 9A8 was analyzed by MALDI mass spectrometry. The Ser99 residue of its heavy chain was shown to be within the active site of the catalytic antibody. A computer modeling of the MA 9A8 active site suggested the existence of a catalytic dyad formed by Ser99 and His35. A comparison of the tertiary structures of the MA 9A8 and the 17E8 monoclonal antibody, which also exhibited an esterase activity and was produced to the stable analogue of the reaction transition state, indicated a practically complete coincidence of the structures of their presumed active sites.

[Structural-functional study of recombinant forms of onconase]. / Strukturno-funktsional'noe issledovanie rekombinantnykh form onkonazy.

A method for expression of an onconase gene leading to a soluble form of the protein was developed. The enzymatic and cytotoxic properties of the protein's recombinant forms were studied. Recombinant onconase with an additional N-terminal Met residue isolated in nondenaturing conditions did not substantially differ from the native enzyme in ribonucleolytic activity. The addition of a 33-mer peptide containing auxiliary elements for the simplification of isolation and detection of the recombinant protein did not affect the enzyme properties of onconase. The method proposed is useful for the onconase structure-function relation studies and enables construction of onconase-based fusion proteins for anticancer therapy.

[Rheolytic thrombectomy using the "Angiojet" complex in treating arterial thrombosis]. / Reoliticheskaia trombéktomiia s ispol'zovaniem kompleksa "Angiodzhet" v lechenii arterial'nykh trombozov.

Results of roentgenendovascular treatment of arterial thrombosis by rheolytic thrombectomy with "Angiojet" are presented. 18 patients (1 woman, 17 men) underwent 19 rheolytic thrombectomies from peripheral arteries. Mean age of patients was 53.3 +/- 3.0 years, time of thrombosis--from 20-30 min to 60 days (mean 121 +/- 17 hours). Thrombectomy was performed from superficial femoral, popliteal or tibial arteries, or from all these vessels simultaneously. In one case thrombus was removed from femoro-popliteal graft. Rheolytic thrombectomy was combined with balloon angioplasty of hemodynamicaly important stenosis, 5 patients underwent implantation of 9 stents. Good and satisfactory results were achieved in 77.8% patients; thrombectomy as the stage of operation was ineffective in one case only. Rheolytic thrombectomy from coronary arteries was performed 3 times, with complete effect in 1 and with partial--also in 1 patient.