[Capabilities of computed tomography to evaluate polymorphic changes in destructive pancreatitis].

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the lower-density pancreatic parenchymal areas detected by a computed tomography (CT) study in patients with acute pancreatitis correspond to the necrotic portions of the gland or whether these changes may be reversal. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The investigation covered 25 patients who had undergone or dynamic CT studies made at different time intervals. Two independent investigators with 4 and 19 years of experience retrospectively analyzed the results of both CT studies. Target estimation was made of the extent (volume) of and CT density changes in the hypodense areas of the gland parenchyma. RESULTS: Seven (28%) of the 25 patients were noted to have higher CT density in the areas that had decreased density during primary CT studies (more than a 30 HU increase was rated as significant). There was a statistically significant difference between the patient groups when comparing the extent of hypodense areas and the difference in CT density (t-test, p = 0.006); Mann-Whitney U-test, p = 0.01 for extent difference and t-test, p = 0.00; Mann-Whitney U-test, p = 0.00 for CT density difference. There was also a correlation between the extent of hypodense areas and the difference in their CT density (Pearson: r = -0.533, p = 0.006; Spearman: r = -0.636, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results of our investigation may suggest that the lower-density pancreatic parenchymal areas cannot always correspond to necrotic changes and may be reversible.

[The study of effects of geomagnetic disturbances at high latitudes on the intrauterine condition of fetus by cardiotocography]. / Issledovanie vozdeistviia geomagnitnykh vozmushchenii v vysokikh shirotakh na vnutriutrobnoe sostoianie ploda metodom kardiotokografii.

The effect of geomagnetic disturbances on the intrauterine condition of the fetus in high latitudes was studied by comparing the index of fetus condition (IFC) with the heliogeophysical indices (planetary Kp index and Dst variation index). The functional state of fetus at late terms of pregnancy was assessed by the method of cardiomonitoring. The data of fetal cardiomonitoring were processed by the method of Prof. Demidov by calculating the integral IFC using a computer program. It was found that the variations in maximum IFC values (approximately 15% of the total number of cases) coincide with seasonal variations in geomagnetic disturbances. The maximum values of IFC were observed at the equinox (March-April-May, October-November), and the minimum values were registered in the period of the solstice. A comparison of IFC values with the indices of geomagnetic disturbances indicated that the IFC value was maximum in the periods of either the greatest weakening of geomagnetic activity or maximum disturbances.

[Heliomagnetic activity and level of extreme situations at the Polar cap]. / Geliogeomagnitnaia aktivnost' i uroven' ékstremal'nykh situatsii v poliarnoi shapke.

It was found that the frequency of extreme situations (traumas, deaths, sudden diseases) in miners working in Spitsbergen mines (74 degree N) correlates well with heliogeomagnetic activity (local magnetic disturbances, solar proton flashes). It was shown that in winter, both an enhanced and an extremely low level of magnetic activity can affect the occurrence of extreme situations. The results obtained can be used for predicting and reducing the frequency of extreme events in the zone of the polar cap during geomagnetic disturbances.

[Cosmic rays as the main factor affecting solar variability on climatic and atmospheric parameters]. / Kosmicheskie luchi kak glavnyi faktor vliianiia solnechnoi variabel'nosti na klimaticheskie i atmosfernye parametry.

Analysis of experimental data demonstrates that cosmic ray enhancement stimulates an increase of atmospheric aerosols and cloudiness. The study of solar proton events (SPE) has shown that during SPE one can observe increase in aerosol density by 1.2-1.4 times at 12-18 km altitudes. Such variations of aerosol density can be detected on global scale. Aerosol variations cause changes in integral atmospheric transparency which during disturbed periods can reach 5-6%. The atmospheric integral transparency variations are not less during the solar cycle on account of galactic cosmic ray variations. Atmospheric transparency variations creating the so-called "grey filter" for solar radiation should lead to surface temperature variations. During the periods of low solar activity under the influence of enhanced galactic cosmic ray fluxes, the density of the "grey filter" should increase and cause a decrease in surface temperatures, correspondingly. In frame of the physical mechanism considered the connection between solar cycle durations and surface temperature variations can be explained. In addition, one can understand the physical reason for the "Little Ice Age" appearance during Maunder minimum of solar activity, 2400 years periodicity of climatic processes, strong influence of the decrease in main geomagnetic field intensity on the development of Ice Age and Global Cooling.