Directed, Elliptic, and Higher Order Flow Harmonics of Protons, Deuterons, and Tritons in Au+Au Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=2.4 GeV.

Flow coefficients v_{n} of the orders n=1-6 are measured with the High-Acceptance DiElectron Spectrometer (HADES) at GSI for protons, deuterons, and tritons as a function of centrality, transverse momentum, and rapidity in Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=2.4 GeV. Combining the information from the flow coefficients of all orders allows us to construct for the first time, at collision energies of a few GeV, a multidifferential picture of the angular emission pattern of these particles. It reflects the complicated interplay between the effect of the central fireball pressure on the emission of particles and their subsequent interaction with spectator matter. The high precision information on higher order flow coefficients is a major step forward in constraining the equation of state of dense baryonic matter.

Strong Absorption of Hadrons with Hidden and Open Strangeness in Nuclear Matter.

We present the first observation of K^{-} and ϕ absorption within nuclear matter by means of π^{-}-induced reactions on C and W targets at an incident beam momentum of 1.7 GeV/c studied with HADES at SIS18/GSI. The double ratio (K^{-}/K^{+})_{W}/(K^{-}/K^{+})_{C} is found to be 0.319±0.009(stat)_{-0.012}^{+0.014}(syst) indicating a larger absorption of K^{-} in heavier targets as compared to lighter ones. The measured ϕ/K^{-} ratios in π^{-}+C and π^{-}+W reactions within the HADES acceptance are found to be equal to 0.55±0.04(stat)_{-0.07}^{+0.06}(syst) and to 0.63±0.06(stat)_{-0.11}^{+0.11}(syst), respectively. The similar ratios measured in the two different reactions demonstrate for the first time experimentally that the dynamics of the ϕ meson in nuclear medium is strongly coupled to the K^{-} dynamics. The large difference in the ϕ production off C and W nuclei is discussed in terms of a strong ϕN in-medium coupling. These results are relevant for the description of heavy-ion collisions and the structure of neutron stars.

Antioxidant Defense System after Single and Chronic Administration of Obestatin and Its Fragment (1-4) to Normal and Overweight Male Rats.

We studied the effects of anorectic peptide obestatin and its fragment (1-4) on the antioxidant defense system in animals with normal and experimentally induced increased body weight. In rats with normal body weight, no changes in activity of the antioxidant defense system 1 week after single administration of the substances. After chronic administration of obestatin and fragment (1-4) for 1 week, total antioxidant capacity of the plasma decreased; obestatin also lowered the content of TBA-reactive products. In the overweight rats, SOD-like activity in the plasma increased 1 week after chronic administration of obestatin. Hence, obestatin and its fragment (1-4) induced changes in the antioxidant defense system only after chronic administration.

Subthreshold Ξ

Results on the production of the double strange cascade hyperon Ξ^{-} are reported for collisions of p(3.5 GeV)+Nb, studied with the High Acceptance Di-Electron Spectrometer (HADES) at SIS18 at GSI Helmholtzzentrum for Heavy-Ion Research, Darmstadt. For the first time, subthreshold Ξ^{-} production is observed in proton-nucleus interactions. Assuming a Ξ^{-} phase-space distribution similar to that of Λ hyperons, the production probability amounts to P_{Ξ^{-}}=[2.0±0.4(stat)±0.3(norm)±0.6(syst)]×10^{-4} resulting in a Ξ^{-}/(Λ+Σ^{0}) ratio of P_{Ξ^{-}}/P_{Λ+Σ^{0}}=[1.2±0.3(stat)±0.4(syst)]×10^{-2}. Available model predictions are significantly lower than the measured Ξ^{-} yield.

[POSTPARTUM ACQUIRED HEMOPHILIA].

This review deals with etiology, pathogenesis, clinical picture, diagnostic algorithm, and treatment of acquired hemophilia. In addition, a case of successful treatment of a patient with postpartum acquired hemophilia is reported.

Effect of anorexigenic peptide obestatin on platelet aggregation and osmotic resistance of erythrocytes.

We studied the effects of the anorexigenic peptide obestatin on the coagulation system and blood rheology (by the parameters of platelet aggregation and osmotic resistance of erythrocytes) in vitro and in vivo. Obestatin inhibited in vitro platelet aggregation in the entire dose range and reduced osmotic resistance of erythrocytes in all doses except 300 nmol/kg (obestatin in a dose of 300 nmol/kg had no effect on this parameter). Similar to the results of in vitro experiments, intranasal, intraperitoneal, and subcutaneous administration of obestatin in a dose of 300 nmol/kg inhibited platelet aggregation and had no effect on the osmotic resistance of erythrocytes.

Tripeptide Pro-Gly-Pro prevents disturbances in osmotic resistance of rat erythrocytes under conditions of inflammation.

The development of inflammation (experimental model of peritonitis induced by administration of sodium thioglycolate) was accompanied by a decrease in osmotic resistance of erythrocytes. Changes in osmotic resistance of erythrocytes associated with preliminary (15 min before induction of inflammation) administration of peptide Pro-Gly-Pro were significantly weaker, and the percentage of hemolyzed cells was reduced. The peptide injected against the background of developed inflammation (1 h 45 min after induction) had no corrective effect on osmotic resistance. During in vitro experiments, Pro-Gly-Pro did not affect hemolysis of intact erythrocytes. These results support the assumption that prophylactic administration of the peptide protects erythrocyte membranes and increases their osmotic resistance.

[Toxicity of different treatment protocols for acute myeloid leukemias in adults: the results of four Russian multicenter studies].

AIM: To comparatively analyze the toxicity of 4 treatment protocols in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), which were used in the Russian multicenter center in 1992 to 2009. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The information obtained in 4 Russian multicenter studies conducted in 33 hematology departments of 26 cities and towns of the Russian Federation in 1992 to 2009 was analyzed. Randomization was made in 243 patients with AML (median age 38 years) in 1992-1995, 396 patients (median age 39 years) in 1995-1999, 392 patients (median age 39 years) in 2001-2006, and 137 patients (median age 40 years) in 2006-2009. The analysis excluded patients with acute promyelocytic leukemias who were recruited in the AML-92 and AML-95 studies. These patients' statutory forms adequately filled in were 60-70% therefore toxicity was analyzed on the basis of the data of 631 patients. RESULTS: The baseline clinical and laboratory parameters in the patients enrolled in the studies in different years slightly differ in the count of leukocytes at the onset of the disease and in the level of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH): the recent studies revealed a larger number of high-risk group patients (leukocytes more than 30 10(9)(/l; LDH more than 500 units) possibly due to the later diagnosis of AML. During the studies, the number of complete remissions remained as before (55%) after the first course and increased from 65 to 78% after the second course using cytosine arabinoside in high doses. Despite treatment intensification, mortality in the induction period remained as before (19-21%). Remission mortality decreased from 18 to 10-13%. The long-term results of using the aggressive therapy did not differ from those obtained during the standard treatment protocols. The duration of leucopenia after standard induction courses during the all studies remained equal (17-19 days); the exclusion was a HAM course as the second induction course after which the duration of neutropenia was much more than that of the standard course (17 and 10 days, respectively). During the study years, there was an increase in platelet transfusion volumes (from 20 to 53 doses during the first course and from 7 to 28 doses during the second course) and a reduction in the percentage of severe hemorrhagic complications. The incidence of pneumonias remained at the same level (40-50%) during the induction courses and that of septic complications and necrotic enteropathy considerably decreased from 40-46 to 17-19%. The incidence of invasive aspergillosis during the current programs from AML treatment was 10% (two induction courses), that of invasive candidiasis was 4.7% (two induction courses). CONCLUSION; The long-term results of treatment for AML were virtually unchanged regardless significant therapy intensification. Mortality remained high during induction treatment and in the postremission period. Its cause is severe infectious complications developing during myelotoxic agranulocytosis. The results of the analysis provide the basis for developing a new AML treatment protocol that should take into account all the merits and demerits of the previous protocols and provide a toxicity-treatment efficiency balance.

[Evaluation of fludarabine-containing regimens versus immunochemotherapy for chronic lymphocytic leukemia].

AIM: to analyze the efficacy of RFC (rituximab, fludarabine, and cyclophosphan), FCM (fludarabine, cyclophosphan, and mitoxantrone), and FC (fludarabine and cyclophosphan) treatment programs in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in an open-labeled comparative controlled investigation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The paper presents the authors' results of treatment in patients with progressive CLL in 2002 to 2007. The study included 229 patients, of them 78 patients received the RFC program, 72 had the FCM program, and 79 had the FC one. RESULTS: With the use of RFC, a clinically significant therapeutic effect was obtained in 96% of the patients, a complete remission (CR) was in 80% of the primary patients and in 53% of the pretreated patients. When the FCM program was applied, a positive response was noted in 93% of the patients, CR was seen in 75 and 42% of the primary and pretreated patients, respectively. In the treatment of FC, the total effect was 80%, CR was in 41 and 14% of the primary and pretreated patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: Comparative analysis of an objective response to therapy has indicated that the effectiveness of the RFC significantly exceeds that of the FCM and FC programs, without enhancing toxicity, which allows he RFC regimen to be regarded as the program of choice in therapy for CLL.

Deep subthreshold Xi;{-} production in Ar + KCl reactions at 1.76A GeV.

We report first results on a deep subthreshold production of the doubly strange hyperon Xi;{-} in a heavy-ion reaction. At a beam energy of 1.76A GeV the reaction Ar + KCl was studied with the High Acceptance Di-Electron Spectrometer at SIS18/GSI. A high-statistics and high-purity Lambda sample was collected, allowing for the investigation of the decay channel Xi;{-} --> Lambdapi;{-}. The deduced Xi;{-}/(Lambda + Sigma;{0}) production ratio of (5.6 +/- 1.2_{-1.7};{+1.8}) x 10;{-3} is significantly larger than available model predictions.

[The results of a multicenter randomized trial on the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia of adults].

AIM: Systematization of the results of 20-year multicenter randomized trial of the efficacy of treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) of adults; presentation of the design of the study of the strategy of consolidation and maintenance therapy after high-dose consolidation initiated in 2007. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Treatment outcomes on the protocol AML-01.01 are presented for 354 AML patients from 29 hematological centers located in 22 towns of Russia and 2 towns of Ukraine. The patients were randomized into 3 groups by variant of therapy: 124 patients (62 males and 62 females; age median 42 years) received 4 courses of 7+3+VP-16 and 5 courses of maintenance therapy (7+3 with thioguanin); 130 patients (65 males and 65 females, age median 41 year) received 2 courses of 7+3+VP-16, 2 courses 7+3, maintenance--5 courses 7+3 with thioguanin; 126 patients (57 males and 68 females, age median 40 years) were given 2 courses of 7+3+VP-16, 2 HAD courses, treatment discontinuation. RESULTS: A complete remission after the first course of 7+3+VP-16 was achieved in 55% patients, after the second course--in 30% after the course 7+3+VP-16 or 7+3 with mitoxantron, in 70%--after NAM. Overall and recurrence-free survival were 18 and 35%; 30 and 20%; 36 and 30%, respectively. There was no significant difference in efficacy of the treatment scheme. CONCLUSION: The multivariate analysis has shown that a leading factor having impact on treatment results was the number of randomized patients: the less patients were randomized, the worse were the results.

Dielectron production in 12C+12C collisions at 2A GeV with the HADES spectrometer.

The invariant-mass spectrum of e+e- pairs produced in 12C+12C collisions at an incident energy of 2 GeV per nucleon has been measured for the first time. The measured pair production probabilities span over 5 orders of magnitude from the pi(0)-Dalitz to the rho/omega invariant-mass region. Dalitz decays of pi(0) and eta account for all the yield up to 0.15 GeV/c(2), but for only about 50% above this mass. A comparison with model calculations shows that the excess pair yield is likely due to baryon-resonance and vector-meson decays. Transport calculations based on vacuum spectral functions fail, however, to describe the entire mass region.

[Functional activity of vasopressin analog desglycinamide-arginine-vasopressin].

Original and published data on the functional activity of neurohypophyseal hormone vasopressin and its analog DGAVP were analyzed with a particular focus on the pattern of the peptide effect on the hemostatic system. The effects of the natural hormone and its synthetic analog on some indices of coagulation and fibrinolysis were compared. The effects of the peptides on the behavioral responses as well as on memory processes of animals are analyzed.

Correction of changes in ADP-induced platelet aggregation with vasopressin analogue desglycinamide-arginine-vasopressin.

We studied the effect of vasopressin analogue desglycinamide-arginine-vasopressin on changes in platelet hemostasis produced by intragastric administration of Ticlid or clopidogrel (inhibitors of ADP-induced platelet aggregation). Intranasal administration of the peptide under conditions of hemorrhagic diathesis produced a hemostatic effect and normalized some parameters of blood coagulation.

[Effect of thyrotropin-releasing hormone and its synthetic analogue digipramine on certain hemostatic indices in vitro and in vivo].

The effect of neuropeptide thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and its synthetic analogue digipramine on certain indices of the blood coagulation system and fibrinolysis were studied in vitro and in vivo. The peptides added to the pool of normal rat plasma at 10(-10) to 10(-3) M increased the procoagulant activity but had virtually no effect on fibrinolysis. Intravenous administration of TRH and digipramine increased the procoagulant activity of the blood and thrombocyte aggregation but decreased fibrinolysis; digipramine had a more pronounced effect on the coagulation potential of the blood and a less pronounced effect on fibrinolytic indices as compared to TRH. Intranasal administration of the peptides did not change the pattern of their effect on hemostatic indices although the effects became less pronounced.

[Role of glycine in blood coagulation processes]. / Rol' glitsina v protsessakh svertyvaniia krovi.

We studied hemocoagulation properties of the amino acid glycine in vitro and after intravenous administration in animals (rats). Addition of 10(-3) and 10(-4) M glycine to the plasma increases the aggregability of thrombocytes in vitro, while all other tested concentrations had virtually no effect on hemostatic parameters of the plasma. Intravenous administration of glycine increased functional activity of the enzyme fibrinolytic unit of the anticoagulation system. Dose dependence of this effect has been established. The causes of these changes and possible application of this compound for activation of fibrinolysis are discussed.

[Effects of complexes of alpha-fetoprotein and amphiphilic docosaenoic acid derivatives on the humoral immune response in C57BL/6 mice]. / Vliianie kompleksov al'fa-fetoproteina s amfifil'nymi soedineniiami na osnove dokozageksaenovoi kisloty na gumoral'nyi immunnyi otvet u myshei linii C57BL/6.

The immunotropic activity of three derivatives of docosahexaenic acid (N-docosahexaenoyl-L-serine phosphate, N-docosahexaenoyl-L-threonine phosphate, and N-docosahexaenoyl-L-tyrosine phosphate) in complexes with high-purity human alpha-fetoprotein was evaluated. The polyene compounds stimulate the humoral immunity in mice immunized with T-dependent antigen (ram red blood cells). The immunotropic activity of the alpha-fetoprotein-ligand complexes studied depends on the structure and the content of polyene ligands.

Modification of humoral immune response in C57Bl/6 mice with a complex of alpha-fetoprotein and retinoid acid derivatives.

Amides of all trans-retinoic acid and O-phospho-L-threonine, O-phospho-L-tyrosine, and O-phosphoethanolamine injected intravenously in a dose of 6.8 microg/kg 1.5-3.4-fold increased the count of antibody-producing cells in the spleen of C57Bl/6 mice (primary immune response to sheep erythrocytes). Activity of the complex containing alpha-fetoprotein and L-threonine ligand did not differ from that of free retinoid. This complex holds much promise as a prototype of immunomodulators with a wide range of activity.

[Effects of neurohypophysial hormones and their synthetic analogs on platelet aggregation]. / Vliianie neirogipofizarnykh gormonov i ikh sinteticheskikh analogov na agregatsiiu trombotsitov.

The effect of neurohypophysial hormones vasopressin and oxytocin as well as their synthetic analogs on platelet aggregation induced by thrombin or ADP was studied in vitro on washed rat platelets. Vasopressin and its analog DGAVP, as well as oxytocin enhanced thrombin-induced platelet aggregation, while their effect on ADP-induced aggregation was considerably lower. An oxytocin analog depotocin had a pronounced antithrombin effect indicated by a significant inhibition (by 81%) of thrombin-induced platelet aggregation and by assay for its antithrombin activity in the blood plasma.