Structural Changes in the Russian Banking System: Directions and Evaluation.

The article presents the results of a correlation and regression analysis of the spatial placement of banking divisions in Russia as a basis for the development of structural transformations corresponding to solving the problems of modernizing the country's economy and eliminating regional imbalances in socioeconomic development. Variants of a qualitative assessment of structural changes in the Russian banking system are proposed, taking into account Russian specifics and predictive studies. The authors' contribution is an introduction to the correlation-regression analysis of the territorial location of the banking structures of microfinance organizations to test the hypothesis of their mutual complementarity.

Synergistic Effect of the Combined Action of Targeted and Photodynamic Therapy on HER2-Positive Breast Cancer.

Development of combined schemes for the treatment of oncological diseases is a promising strategy to improve the effectiveness of antitumor therapy. This paper shows the fundamental possibility of multiplying the antitumor effect by combining targeted and photodynamic therapy. It was demonstrated that sequential treatment of HER-2 positive breast cancer cells with the targeted toxin DARPin-LoPE and the photoactive compound photodithazine leads to a synergistic enhancement of their effect. In the future, this approach is intended to achieve the maximum therapeutic effect while minimizing the risks of negative side effects.

[Acupuncture in the prevention and treatment of stroke: a review of foreign studies]. / Akupunktura v profilaktike i lechenii insul'ta: obzor zarubezhnykh issledovanii.

Acupuncture has been recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) as an alternative and complementary method for treating stroke and a way to increase the effectiveness of rehabilitation. The data available in the literature suggest that acupuncture has a beneficial effect on the status of patients with stroke. The mechanism of action of acupuncture for stroke includes the following components: 1) stimulation of neurogenesis and cell proliferation in the CNS; 2) regulation of cerebral blood flow; 3) antiapoptosis; 4) regulation of neurotransmitters; 5) improvement of the neuronal synaptic function, stimulation of long-term potentiation; 6) stimulation of neuroplasticity; and 7) decrease in blood-brain barrier permeability. Acupuncture has been proven to have a positive impact on the restoration of stroke-related dysfunctions, such as motor disorders, spasticity, cognitive impairment, and dysphagia. The most commonly used acupuncture points for the treatment of motor disorders are GV20, GB20, LI4, ST36, SP6, LI11, GB39, and motor scalp area; those for the treatment of cognitive dysfunction are GV20 and EX-HN-1, and those for the treatment of dysphagia are GV20, GV16, and CV23. A review of the literature indicates that studies of the clinical potential of acupuncture in the treatment of complications and the prevention of stroke are insufficient. It is assumed that the international community's recent interest in acupuncture methods used in the treatment of stroke will lead to the emergence of new studies and publications.

[The features of botulinum therapy for different patterns of poststroke spasticity]. / Osobennosti botulinoterapii pri razlichnykh patternakh postinsul'tnoi spastichnosti.

AIM: To assess the efficacy of botulinum toxin therapy for different patterns of poststroke spasticity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-nine patients with poststroke spasticity were examined. Rehabilitation included 4 treatment courses of inpatient rehabilitation during 9 month usinga multidisciplinary team approach. Botulinum toxin therapy was included in the program. The individual program was developed taking into account the dynamics of a pathological spastic pattern. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The transformation of the pathological movement pattern was observed during the rehabilitation using botulinum toxin. The best positive changes, including an improvement of the upper extremity function, walk and a decrease in the degree of paresis, was identified when botulinum toxin therapy was used in early stages of neurorehabilitation (1-3 month after stroke).

[The detection of medication sensitivity of M.tuberculosis isolated from patients with tuberculosis with multiple medication resistance in testsystem "Sensititre MycoTB".]

The test-system "Sensititre MycoTB" was applied to analyze 159 cultures of M.tuberculosis isolated from patients with tuberculosis. According data of investigation in "Bactec 960" they are identified as cultures with multiple medicinal sensitivity. The detailed analysis of results of application of mentioned test-system (mycoTB) demonstrated that significant part of cultures with multiple medicinal sensitivity is sensitive to anti-tuberculosis pharmaceuticals. The significant part of cultures is characterized by "intermediate" sensitivity/resistance than can be established by mentioned test-system. This data permits enlarging possibilities of chemotherapy of tuberculosis.

[DETERMINATION OF CRITICAL CONCENTRATION OF CHEMOTHERAPY DRUGS FOR MYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS SENSITIVITY EVALUATION USING Sensititre MyCoTB TEST SYSTEM].

AIM: Determination of critical concentration for chemotherapy drugs, widely used for tuberculosis treatment, for use in Mycobacterium tuberculosis drug sensitivity results evaluation by Sensititre MycoTB test-system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Minimal inhibiting concentration (MIC) of isoniazid, rifampicin, streptomycin, ethambutol, amikacin, kanamycin, ofloxacin and moxifloxacin against conditionally sensitive and conditionally resistant strains of tuberculosis mycobacteria (TBM), isolated from various diagnostic material, obtained from patients with various forms of lung tuberculosis being treated in MCSPCTC hospital and dispensaries for tuberculosis control of Moscow, were studied in Sensititre MycoTB test system. RESULTS: Critical concentration of chemotherapy drugs for MycoTB test system was determined as a result of the obtained MIC values analysis as the minimal concentration that suppressed growth of 95% of sensitive strains and does not obstruct growth of 95% of resistant. The following MIC values were established: streptomycin--1.0, isoniazid--0.25, rifampicin--1.0, ethambutol--4.0, ofloxacin--2.0, moxifloxacin--0.25, kanamycin--2.5 and amikacin- 1.0 µg/ml. CONCLUSION: The developed critical concentration of the mentioned preparations is currently used for evaluation of sensitivity/ resistance of TBM clinical isolates from MCSPCTC.

[THE MODES OF EVALUATION OF TYPE OF DEHYDRATION IN CHILDREN HOSPITALIZED BECAUSE OF ACUTE INTESTINAL INFECTION].

Every year about 800,000 cases of intestinal infections end in lethal outcome due to dehydration. The different types of dehydration acquire differential approach to correction. Everywhere there is no application of routine detection of osmolarity of blood plasma under exicosis in children in view of absence of possibility of instrumental measurement. The search of techniques is needed to make it possible to indirectly detect types of dehydration in children hospitalized because of acute intestinal infection with purpose to apply rationale therapy of water-electrolyte disorders. The sampling of 32 patients with intestinal infections accompanied with signs of exicosis degree I-III was examined. The detection of osmolarity of blood was implemented by instrumental technique using gas analyzer ABL 800 Flex (Radiometer; Denmark) and five estimate techniques according to results of biochemical analysis of blood. The differences in precision of measurement of osmolarity of blood plasma by instrumental and estimate techniques were compared using Bland-Altman graphic technique. It is established that formula: 2x[Na+kp] + [glucosekp] (mmol/l) is the most recise. Its application provided results comparable with values detected by instrumental mode.

Determination of critical concentrations of moxifloxacin and gatifloxacin for drug susceptibility testing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the BACTEC MGIT 960 system.

OBJECTIVES: To determine critical concentrations of moxifloxacin and gatifloxacin for rapid evaluation of drug susceptibility of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Middlebrook 7H9 broth using the automated system BACTEC™ MGIT™ 960. METHODS: In total we studied 152 strains. Critical concentrations of moxifloxacin and gatifloxacin in the BACTEC™ MGIT™ 960 and on Lowenstein-Jensen medium were determined using a panel of 68 strains. The proportion method on Middlebrook 7H10 medium was used as a reference method. Drug susceptibility testing against fluoroquinolones was done for the other 84 strains using the established critical concentrations. The gyrA and gyrB genes of all strains were studied by molecular tests. RESULTS: The critical concentrations determined for moxifloxacin and gatifloxacin were 0.25 mg/L in the BACTEC™ MGIT™ 960 system and 0.75 mg/L on Lowenstein-Jensen medium (absolute concentration method). CONCLUSIONS: The moxifloxacin and gatifloxacin critical concentrations that we have established are reliable for rapid drug susceptibility testing in the BACTEC™ MGIT™ 960.

[Leaching of copper ore of the Udokanskoe deposit at low temperatures by an association of acidophilic chemolithotrophic microorganisms].

Pure cultures of indigenous microorganisms Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans strain TFUd, Leptospirillum ferrooxidans strain LUd, and Sulfobacillus thermotolerans strain SUd have been isolated from the oxidation zone of sulfide copper ore of the Udokanskoe deposit. Regimes of bacterial-chemical leaching of ore have been studied over a temperature range from -10 to +20 degrees C. Effects of pH, temperature, and the presence of microorganisms on the extraction of copper have been shown. Bacterial leaching has been detected only at positive values of temperature, and has been much more active at +20 than at +4 degrees C. The process of leaching was more active when the ore contained more hydrophilic and oxidized minerals. The possibility of copper ore leaching of the Udokanskoe deposit using sulfuric acid with pH 0.4 at negative values of temperature and applying acidophilic chemolithotrophic microorganisms at positive values of temperature and low pH values was shown.

Experience in the use of Actovegin in the treatment of patients with cognitive disorders in the acute period of stroke.

Forty-three patients with mild-moderate ischemic stroke were studied in the acute period and were divided into two groups. The experimental group consisted of 32 patients who were given Actovegin; the reference group consisted of 11 patients who were given piracetam. Patients were investigated before treatment and at 10 and 30 days; investigations included examination, points assessments of neurological disorders using the original Gusev-Skvortsova scale, neuropsychological tests using the MMSE scale, rheoencephalography, and electroencephalography. Analysis of changes in clinical features in patients treated with Actovegin during the acute period showed that Actovegin had clear positive effects both on general cerebral and on focal neurological symptoms. By the end of treatment, the extent of recovery of impaired functions, assessed in terms of total ischemic points and cognitive functions, was significantly greater in patients treated with Actovegin than in patients given piracetam. These data lead to the conclusion that Actovegin is effective in the treatment of patients with ischemic stroke.

Pt(II) and Pd(II) complexes with beta-alanine.

A sequence of stages in the syntheses of isomeric bisamino acid complexes of Pt(II) with beta-aminopropionic acid (beta-alanine = beta-AlaH) has been studied by the (195)Pt NMR spectroscopy. The techniques have been developed of the synthesis of the cis- and trans-bischelates of Pt(II) and Pd(II) with beta-alanine as well as of the halide complexes of trans-[M(beta-AlaH)(2)Cl(2)] (M = Pt, Pd) and trans-K(2)[Pt(beta-Ala)(2)I(2)] types. The NMR spectroscopy and IR spectroscopy (in the nuclei of (195)Pt,(13)C,(1)H) and X-ray diffraction analysis have been used to examine the structures of the synthesized compounds.

[The new combined antituberculous drug: the original combined antituberculous drug dioxazid].

The new combined antituberculous drug dioxazid was designed on the basis on the synergism of isoniazid and dioxidine. The dosage form of the drug is a lyophilized powder (containing dioxidine, 100 mg, and isoniazid, 250 mg) in flasks. Its activity and toxicity were tested in an experiment on laboratory animals. Clinical studies were conducted in the treatment of patients with tuberculous empyema (n = 25) and those with endobronchial pathology of tuberculosis and comorbid genesis (n = 30). Dioxazid was ascertained to show a good efficacy. At the same time, the doses of this combined drug, recommended for the treatment of tuberculosis, are much smaller than those of both that are components of the combination, which are used alone. The side effects characteristic for each component are not potentiated when isoniazid and dioxidine are concurrently used in the developed dosage form.

[Mechanisms of arbidole's immunomodulating action]. / Mekhanizmy immunomoduliruiushchego deistviia arbidola.

The immunomodulating activity of arbidole was studied in cultured cells, animals, and human beings. Arbidole was shown to have effects on nonspecific defense factors, on its capacity to induce interferon and activate phagocytes in particular. Arbidole-treated patients with lower baseline immunity showed improvement in immunological parameters (in the counts of CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, in the levels of serum immunoglobulins). Arbidol produces a high preventive and therapeutical effects in influenza A and B and other acute respiratory viral infections, prevents postinfluenza complications, reduces the incidence of exacerbations of chronic diseases in postinfluenza patients. In influenza, the therapeutical efficiency of the drug appears as decreases in intoxication, the severity of catarrhal syndrome, shorter fever and disease in general. Arbidole is beneficial for patients with second immunodeficiency, in those with recurrent herpes infection or chronic bronchitis. After arbidole treatment regimen, postoperative immunological parameters became normal in cardiac surgical patients, which suggests that the drug should be used in cardiac surgical care. The agent showed no side effects in any case.