[The effect of non-invasive brain stimulation on neuroplasticity in the early recovery period after ischemic stroke]. / Vliyanie neinvazivnoi stimulyatsii golovnogo mozga na neiroplastichnost' v rannem vosstanovitel'nom periode ishemicheskogo insul'ta.

The post-stroke cognitive impairment syndrome (PSCI) develops in 10-80% cases of ischemic stroke and leads to a significant patients' quality of life impairment. The standard program of cognitive rehabilitation includes nootropic agents therapy and neuro-cognitive training. The additional various methods of non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) application can improve the results of PSCI rehabilitation. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Studying the different variants of NIBS influence on synaptic neuroplasticity in the early recovery period after ischemic stroke. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The rehabilitation of 62 patients with PSCI syndrome after ischemic stroke outcomes were studied. The patients were assigned to 5 groups. Patients from the control group underwent standardized nootropic therapy and course sessions with a neuropsychologist. The rest of the patients were divided into 4 groups, in which, in addition to the basic program of cognitive rehabilitation, different options for the course use of NIBS were used: photochromotherapy (PCT) with narrow-band optical radiation (NOR) with a wavelength of 530 nm (green light); rhythmic transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) with a low-intensity high-frequency running pulsed magnetic field; infrared radiation with a wavelength of 1-56 microns, modulated by terahertz frequencies (IRMT); bioacoustic correction (BAC). We analyzed the dynamics of changes in scores of MMSE scales, FAB, Roshchina. In order to assess the effect of NIBS on neuroplasticity, the concentrations of BDNF and antibodies to the NR2 fragment of the NMDA receptor were evaluated before and after the completion of the rehabilitation course. RESULTS: Concentration values of antibodies to the NR2 subunit of the NMDA receptor in all groups remained consistently above the norm (more than 2 ng/ml) throughout the entire course of rehabilitation. Differences between groups in the dynamics of BDNF concentration in the peripheral blood were revealed. There was a significant (p<0.05) decrease in its concentration by almost 2 times by the end of rehabilitation course in control group. In the rTMS and IRMT groups, a decrease in the BDNF concentration was also recorded in dynamics, which, however, did not reach a significant level. There was no decrease in BDNF levels in the BAC group. There was an increase of this level in the PCT group. CONCLUSION: The use of different types of NIBS in the program of cognitive rehabilitation of patients with PSCI syndrome contributes to an increase in the rehabilitation potential due to the activation of neurotrophin-mediated synaptic neuroplasticity. Green light PCT and BAC have the greatest effect on increasing neuroplasticity after ischemic stroke.

Application of multivariate single-step SNP best linear unbiased predictor model and revised SNP list for genomic evaluation of dairy cattle in Australia.

The objectives of this study were (1) to evaluate the computational feasibility of the multitrait test-day single-step SNP-BLUP (ssSNP-BLUP) model using phenotypic records of genotyped and nongenotyped animals, and (2) to compare accuracies (coefficient of determination; R2) and bias of genomic estimated breeding values (GEBV) and de-regressed proofs as response variables in 3 Australian dairy cattle breeds (i.e., Holstein, Jersey, and Red breeds). Additive genomic random regression coefficients for milk, fat, protein yield and somatic cell score were predicted in the first, second, and third lactation. The predicted coefficients were used to derive 305-d GEBV and were compared with the traditional parent averages obtained from a BLUP model without genomic information. Cow fertility traits were evaluated from the 5-trait repeatability model (i.e., calving interval, days from calving to first service, pregnancy diagnosis, first service nonreturn rate, and lactation length). The de-regressed proofs were only for calving interval. Our results showed that ssSNP-BLUP using multitrait test-day model increased reliability and reduced bias of breeding values of young animals when compared with parent average from traditional BLUP in Australian Holsten, Jersey, and Red breeds. The use of a custom selection of approximately 46,000 SNP (custom XT SNP list) increased the reliability of GEBV compared with the results obtained using the commercial Illumina 50K chip (Illumina, San Diego, CA). The use of the second preconditioner substantially improved the convergence rate of the preconditioned conjugate gradient method, but further work is needed to improve the efficiency of the computation of the Kronecker matrix product by vector. Application of ssSNP-BLUP to multitrait random regression models is computationally feasible.

Look granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) straight in the face: missed opportunities leading to a delayed diagnosis.

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a systemic vasculitis with a potential to involve any organ system. It remains an important cause of kidney related morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis can be difficult and requires high index of suspicion in all patients, but especially in cases with atypical presentation. We report a case with GPA, which was diagnosed only after new and advancing symptoms belied the original diagnosis of bilateral facial palsy and aortic mural thrombus.

High toxicity of Bi(OH)3 and α-Bi2O3 nanoparticles towards malignant 9L and MCF-7 cells.

Here we report the extreme toxicity in vitro of Bi(OH)3 and α-Bi2O3 nanoparticles (NPs), obtained through a facile synthesis with an average single particle size of 6-10 nm, tested on malignant gliosarcoma 9L and MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. For both nanomaterials, clonogenic assays reveal a mortality of over 90% in 9L and MCF-7 cells for a concentration of 50 µg/mL after incubation for 24 h. Moreover, the NPs show a significant mortality of up to 60% in the malignant cells at the very low concentration of 6.25 µg/mL. In contrast, at the same concentration, the nanomaterials exhibit no noticeable mortality towards normal Madin-Darby canine kidney cells. The internalisation of the NPs was demonstrated using flow cytometry and confocal microscopy was used to investigate when the loss of cell viability starts. The NPs show a faster cell death in 9L cells compared with MCF-7 cells, demonstrated via the identification of apoptosis through increased sub G1 levels after 24 h of NP incubation. Cleavage is identified as the main apoptotic nuclear morphology in 9L, which suggests the presence of reactive oxygen species.

[EXISTENTIAL ORGANIZATION OF BRAIN BIOELECTRICAL ACTIVITY OF THE OFFSPRING OF RATS AFTER VITAL STRESS].

An association was found between severity of behavioral disturbances in the offspring of rats that survived the stress, and changing spatial-temporal organization of the ECOG. The proportion of synchronous activity in the right frontal and left occipital regions with respect to the right nape, and between the frontal leads increases with the minimum deviations of behavior. The proportion of ahead activity increased in frontal leads; reduced the share of lagging and an increasing proportion of synchronous bioelectrical activity in relation to the right occipital region in case of serious disorders of behavior.

[THE DEPENDENCE OF THE DYNAMICS IN THE BAND OF THETA ON THE TIME DELAY AND LEVEL OF CONSISTENCY IN THE PRESENTATION OF THE ACOUSTIC IMAGE OWN EEG].

Dynamics of activity in the frequency band of theta waves during of procedures, listening of the acoustic image of the own EEG was investigated. The formation of the acoustic image EEG was performed with a significant reduction of musical properties. It is shown that the increase in activity in the theta range depends on the level of synchronization and consistency of the presentation of the acoustic image own EEG relative to the current bioelectrical activity of the brain. The maximum increase in activity in the theta range was observed with minimum time delay and maximum consistency requirements of sounds with the current EEG. It is concluded that the increase in activity in the range of theta waves in the listening environment acoustic image own EEG is determined by the correlation of sounds with the current bioelectric activity of the brain.

[Specifics of perception of acoustic image of intrinsic bioelectric brain activity].

We studied the particularities of perception of the acoustic image of intrinsic EEG. We found that the assessment of perception of sounds, the presentation of which was synchronized and was agreed with current bioelectric brain activity, is higher that assessment of perception of acoustic EEG image presented in recorded form. Presentation of recorded acoustic image of EEG is accompanied by increased activity of beta-band in the frontal areas, while real-time presentation of acoustic EEG image is accompanied by the increase of slow wave activity: theta- and delta-bands of occipital areas of the brain. Increase activity in theta- and delta-bands of occipital areas in sessions of hearing the acoustic image of EEG in real time depend on the baseline frequency structure of EEG and correlates with expression of alpha-, beta- and theta-bands of bioelectric brain activity in both frontal and occipital areas. We suppose that presentation of sounds synchronized and agreed with the current bioelectric activity, activated the regulatory brain structures.

[Features of an existential organization of a bioelectric activity of the brain at posterity from rats with a lateral injury of the brain].

Features of the existential organization of a bioelectric activity of a brain at posterity from rats with a lateral injury of the brain were investigated. The EEG analysis revealed in one month animals significantly increased the proportion of advanced and lagging decrease in the activity of the right frontal derivation towards the right occipital region. Change between structural ties in terms of the rats were correlated with the severity of behavioral disorders in the test "open field" (OF). The most significant change in the existential organization of a bioelectrical activity (the reduction of synchronous communications between the frontal derivations) recorded in rats with severe conduct disorder compared with animals of the same groups, in which the behavior was not significantly different from the norm. The violation of the behavior in the test OF was accompanied by a decrease in synchronous activity between the left frontal and right occipital region or the decline in the anticipatory activity in the right frontal region in relation to the right occipital region. By maintaining the integrity of the behavior of these parameters were increased in comparison with an intact control.

[Use of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in 14 months old child with acute respiratory distress syndrome and pneumonia].

UNLABELLED: Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) is used in pediatric patients with ARDS in recent 20 years with survival rate from 50 to 67% Venovenous ECLS was used in 1 year 2 months old patient with ARDS and pneumonia developed in postoperative period after gastral esophagoplasty. Purposes of ECLS use were stabilization child's condition and normalization of gas composition of blood with relative lungs repose. Indications for ECLS were increasing respiratory failure, hypoxemia, low respiratory index (PaO2/FiO2 ratio 47.3), alveolar-arterial gradient of oxygen (A-aDO) 630 mmHg and absence of positive effect from high frequency oscillation (HFO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: ECLS was used in 1 year 2 months old patient with ARDS and bilateral pneumonia developed in postoperative period after gastral esophagoplasty. Deltasteam system (Medos Medizintechnik AG, Germany) with centrifugal pump and servoregulation of blood flow pressure was used for ECLS. Double-lumen cannula with size 12 French was used ECLS was instituted via right internal jugular vein. RESULTS: The patient did not have expressed heart failure. Thus preference was given to venovenous ECLS and not to venoarterial ECLS. Duration of ECLS use was 72 hours. Auscultation parameters and gas exchange improved haemodynamics stabilized parameters of biochemical and haematological analysis normalized and the dynamics x-ray examination was positive after the ECLS use. Patient was decannulated and extubated. CONCLUSIONS: Venovenous ECLS was an only way of life support in child with heavy ARDS and pneumonia developed in postoperative period More observations are needed for more thorough analysis and recommendations.

[The recovery of cognitive functions in the patients with organic brain disorders as a component of combined rehabilitation with the use of the method of bioacoustic correction].

This study was designed to follow up dynamics of the recovery of cognitive functions after comprehensive medical rehabilitation of the patients with organic brain disorders using a bioacoutsic correction technique. A peculiar feature of this method is it allows for involuntary self-regulation of the functional state of the central nervous system and therefore can be used to treat patients experiencing cognitive problems. It was shown that the application of the method of bioacoustic correction promotes restoration of cognitive functions, reduces anxiety, and normalizes parameters of electroencephalograms.

Rietveld analysis of the effect of annealing atmosphere on phase evolution of nanocrystalline TiO2 powders.

The structural evolution of nanocrystalline TiO2 was studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and the Rietveld refinement method (RRM). TiO2 powders were prepared by the sol-gel technique. Post annealing of as-synthesized powders in the temperature range from 500 degrees C to 800 degrees C under air and argon atmospheres led to the formation of TiO2 nanoparticles with mean crystallite size in the range of 37-165 nm, based on the Rietveld refinement results. It was found that the phase structure, composition, and crystallite size of the resulting particles were dependent on not only the annealing temperature, but also the annealing atmosphere. Rietveld refinement of the XRD data showed that annealing the powders under argon atmosphere promoted the polymorphic phase transformation from anatase to rutile. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) was employed to investigate the morphology and size of the annealed powders.

[Reduction of the severity of affective disorders in patients with the first episode of schizophrenia using the method of bioacoustics correction].

Authors examined 17 adolescents, aged 15-17 years, during the manifestation of slow-progressive schizophrenia. The possibility of the correction of affective disorders, on the basis of involuntary self-regulation using bioacoustics correction (BAC), was studied. BAC method is based on on computed EEG transformation into acoustic signals. The use of BAC method led to the stable reduction of depression and anxiety and their corresponding clinical presentations. The positive changes in the patient's state were accompanied by the EEG reorganization. The decrease in the intensity of beta- and delta-index, the increase of the power of the alpha-rhythm and the decrease of the interhemispheric asymmetry were noted. It has been concluded, that the bioacoustics correction procedures promote the formation of new skills and behaviors by means of restructuring of conditioned reflexes and reshaping (redesigning) of time constraints in the central nervous system. BAC is recommended as an effective and physiologically adequate way of therapy in adolescent schizophrenic patients with anxiety-depressive syndromes.

Genetic evaluation of Australian dairy cattle for somatic cell scores using multi-trait random regression test-day model.

A multi-trait (MT) random regression (RR) test day (TD) model has been developed for genetic evaluation of somatic cell scores for Australian dairy cattle, where first, second and third lactations were considered as three different but correlated traits. The model includes herd-test-day, year-season, age at calving, heterosis and lactation curves modelled with Legendre polynomials as fixed effects, and random genetic and permanent environmental effects modelled with Legendre polynomials. Residual variance varied across the lactation trajectory. The genetic parameters were estimated using asreml. The heritability estimates ranged from 0.05 to 0.16. The genetic correlations between lactations and between test days within lactations were consistent with most of the published results. Preconditioned conjugate gradient algorithm with iteration on data was implemented for solving the system of equations. For reliability approximation, the method of Tier and Meyer was used. The genetic evaluation system was validated with Interbull validation method III by comparing proofs from a complete evaluation with those from an evaluation based on a data set excluding the most recent 4 years. The genetic trend estimate was in the allowed range and correlations between the two sets of proofs were very high. Additionally, the RR model was compared to the previous test day model. The correlations of proofs between both models were high (0.97) for bulls with high reliabilities. The correlations of bulls decreased with increasing incompleteness of daughter performance information. The correlations between the breeding values from two consecutive runs were high ranging from 0.97 to 0.99. The MT RR TD model was able to make effective use of available information on young bulls and cows, and could offer an opportunity to breeders to utilize estimated breeding values for first and later lactations.

Electrochemical performance of nanocrystalline SnO2-carbon nanotube composites as anode in lithium-ion cells.

SnO2-carbon nanotube composites were prepared by chemical treatment of tin chloride salt mixed with carbon nanotubes, followed by heat-treatment at high temperature. Nanosize SnO2 particles were formed and embedded in a carbon nanotube matrix. TEM and HRTEM observation confirmed the homogeneous distribution of SnO2 nanoparticles. SnO2-carbon nanotube anodes demonstrated high lithium storage capacity and stable cyclability, which could be attributed to the nanosize SnO2 crystals and the formation of carbon nanotube networks in the electrode.

[Modulation of the functional activity of the acoustic and visual analyzers under conditions of listening to one's own EEG acoustic image of the temporal and occipital cortex areas].

Investigation into the functional activity of the acoustic and visual analyzer has been carried out before and after procedures of listening to one's own EEG of the temporal and occipital cortex areas. It has been shown, that there is a dependence of the dynamics of latent periods of sensomotor response to modality of stimuli and localization of source of the EEG acoustic image. After listening to acoustic image of the temporal EEG, a reduction of sensomotor reaction latency in the acoustic test has been observed. After listening to acoustic image of the occipital EEC, a reduction of sensomotor reaction latency in the visual test has been observed. In the control session after listening to A. Vivaldi's music, no significant shifts of sensomotor reaction latency have been observed. A conclusion has been made that, under conditions of local EEG-acoustic feedback, there is a selective elevation of functional activity of the brain areas used as the EEG-source for acoustic image forming.

Association between scleroderma, renal cell carcinoma and membranous nephropathy.

We report a patient with scleroderma, renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and membranous nephropathy (MN). Certain clinical and laboratory features suggested that RCC caused or enhanced the other two conditions. A 55-year-old man developed scleroderma which progressed rapidly during its first 2 years with development of hypertension and acute renal failure, peak serum creatinine (SCr) 327 micromol/l (3.7 mg/dl) and partial improvement of the renal function (SCr 239 micromol/l or 2.7 mg/dl) after initiation of an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor. He subsequently developed nephrotic syndrome (urine protein excretion 9 gm/24-h) and progressive renal failure, with SCr 469 +/- 18 micromol/l (5.3 +/- 0.2 mg/dl). An anti-nuclear mitotic apparatus protein (NUMA) antibody, which is uncommon in scleroderma but has been linked to certain malignancies, was found in his serum. A left upper pole RCC was removed by heminephrectomy. MN was found in the renal parenchyma adjacent to the excised tumor. In the 3.5 years following surgery, the clinical manifestations of scleroderma have been arrested while the medications prescribed for this condition have been greatly reduced. Proteinuria is consistently less than 1 gm/24-h and 42 months after surgery serum creatinine was 256 micromol/l (2.9 mg/dl). Nutrition has also improved. Although this case may represent chance occurrence of three uncommon diseases (scleroderma, RCC, MN) in the same individual, the sustained improvement of the manifestations of scleroderma and MN after resection of the RCC contrasted to the rapid course of these conditions until the surgery, and the presence in the patient's serum of an autoantibody which is uncommon in patients with scleroderma, but has been linked to malignancy, suggest a pathogenetic relationship between the three conditions.

Cell surface staining of recombinant factor VIII is reduced in apoptosis resistant BHK-21 cells.

We have recently demonstrated an increase in recombinant factor VIII (rFVIII) secretion from BHK-21 cells (rBHK-21(host)) following an over-expression of the chaperone protein heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) (rBHK-21(Hsp70)) due to an inhibition of apoptotic cell death and an increased cellular expression of rFVIII [Ishaque, A., Thrift, J., Murphy, J.E., Konstantin, K., 2007. Over-expression of Hsp70 in BHK-21 cells engineered to produce recombinant factor VIII promotes resistance to apoptosis and enhances secretion. Biotechnol. Bioeng. Biotech. Bioeng. 97, 144-155]. In the present study we investigated the difference in adherence of rFVIII to the cell membrane surface by comparing changes in cell viability and extent of phosphatidylersine (PS) exposure in apoptosis between rBHK-21(host), rBHK-21(Hsp70), and parental BHK-21 cells devoid of rFVIII expression (BHK-21(native)) during batch cell culture experiments. The Zenon technique was used to double stain for cell surface and intracellular rFVIII using flow cytometric Guava PCA analysis. By this quantitative analysis intracellular rFVIII was shown to decrease in rBHK-21(host) cells as the cell viability declined while the rFVIII cell surface staining increased. Conversely, rBHK-21(Hsp70) cell cultures displayed higher cell viability and intracellular rFVIII with less cell surface rFVIII staining. Time dependent increases of rFVIII adherence to the surface of rBHK-21(host) cells and its reduction on the surface of rBHK-21(Hsp70) cells was also confirmed by fluorescence microscopy. Furthermore, greater rFVIII cell surface staining correlated with an increase in detectable PS exposure on the surface of BHK-21(native) batch cell cultures. However, PS exposure could not be identified to the same extent on rBHK-21(host) cells despite a similar decline in cell viability between rBHK-21(host) and BHK-21(native) batch cultures. Any exposed PS on rBHK-21(host) cells was most likely masked by secreted rFVIII, mimicking the effect on activated platelets where the externalization of PS also occurs, and serves as a ligand for FVIII activation in the blood coagulation cascade. Taken together we have identified that rFVIII sequestration on the membrane surface is another potential limitation to rFVIII productivity and one which can also be alleviated by reduction of apoptosis in a clone expressing human HSP70.

In-situ fabrication of nanostructured cobalt oxide powders by spray pyrolysis technique.

Nano-crystalline Co3O4 and CoO powders have been prepared by a spray pyrolysis approach. The effects of the reaction temperature and initial salts on the crystallinity and phase composition have been studied. Based on the TEM and XRD results, the crystal sizes were in the range of 1-10 nm. SEM and TEM observations also reveal that the nano-powders easily create micron-scale spherical agglomerates. The Co3O4 powders obtained by spraying nitrate solution at 500 degrees C show high specific surface area, which according to the BET method is 82.37 m2/g. The time/temperature phase diagram of cobalt oxides developed from XRD and DTA/TGA analyses shows the existence of a CoO phase at low and high temperature ranges when some specific preparation conditions are applied.