[Focus ultrasound for cardiology practice. Russian consensus document].

This document is a consensus document of Russian Specialists in Heart Failure, Russian Society of Cardiology, Russian Association of Specialists in Ultrasound Diagnostics in Medicine and Russian Society for the Prevention of Noncommunicable Diseases. In the document a definition of focus ultrasound is stated and discussed when it can be used in cardiology practice in Russian Federation.

Introduction of Chalcogenide Glasses to Additive Manufacturing: Nanoparticle Ink Formulation, Inkjet Printing, and Phase Change Devices Fabrication.

Chalcogenide glasses are one of the most versatile materials that have been widely researched because of their flexible optical, chemical, electronic, and phase change properties. Their application is usually in the form of thin films, which work as active layers in sensors and memory devices. In this work, we investigate the formulation of nanoparticle ink of Ge-Se chalcogenide glasses and its potential applications. The process steps reported in this work describe nanoparticle ink formulation from chalcogenide glasses, its application via inkjet printing and dip-coating methods and sintering to manufacture phase change devices. We report data regarding nanoparticle production by ball milling and ultrasonication along with the essential characteristics of the formed inks, like contact angle and viscosity. The printed chalcogenide glass films were characterized by Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. The printed films exhibited similar compositional, structural, electronic and optical properties as the thermally evaporated thin films. The crystallization processes of the printed films are discussed compared to those obtained by vacuum thermal deposition. We demonstrate the formation of printed thin films using nanoparticle inks, low-temperature sintering and proof for the first time, their application in electronic and photonic temperature sensors utilizing their phase change property. This work adds chalcogenide glasses to the list of inkjet printable materials, thus offering an easy way to form arbitrary device structures for optical and electronic applications.

[Shear wave elastography guided targeted biopsy in the diagnosis of prostate cancer].

OBJECTIVE: to compare the effectiveness of targeted biopsy guided by the shear wave elastography (SWE) and systematic biopsy in the diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 164 patients with suspected PCa were examined. Multiparametric TRUS, including SWE, was performed to all patients with the use of the Aixplorer ultrasound system (Supersonic Imagine, France), followed by TRUS guided 12-samples systematic prostate biopsy in combination with targeted biopsy from hypoechoic and/or stiff areas according to SWE data. Comparison of the results of histological examination and tissue stiffness measurements were carried out according to the specimens and patients. A total of 2 171 biopsy samples were analyzed (1 968 systematic and 203 targeted). After morphological evaluation all specimens were divided into groups of PCa+ (n=441) and PCa- (n=1 730), and patients to the group of PCa (n=74) and the control group (n=90). RESULTS: PCa was found in 17.3% of systematic biopsy specimens and in 76.9% of SWE targeted biopsy specimens (P<0.0001). The significant moderate positive correlations of Youngs modulus and Gleason scores (rS=0.51, P<0.0001), Youngs modulus and% specimen involvement (rS=0.59, P<0.0001) were founded in the group of PCa+ biopsy specimens. The percentage of PCa+ specimens was significantly higher with any types of targeted biopsy, than with systematic biopsy. With SWE targeted biopsy the percentage of PCa+ specimens was significantly higher than with B-mode guided targeted biopsy. Similar regularities were observed when comparing these types of targeted biopsy according to morphological prognostic ISUP groups and perineural invasion. Performing of targeted biopsy increased the morphological prognostic group in 5.4% of patients, additionally revealed perineural invasion in 2.7% of patients with PCa, and transferred additional 9.5% of patients from the group of clinically insignificant to the group of clinically significant PCa. CONCLUSION: SWE-guided targeted biopsy shows the significantly higher positive biopsy rate than conventional systematic biopsy. The use of SWE-guided targeted biopsy in addition to systematic biopsy can increase clinically significant PCa detection rate and improve the detection of perineural invasion.

Value of ultrasound shear wave elastography in the diagnosis of adenomyosis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to assess the accuracy of ultrasound shear wave elastography in the diagnosis of adenomyosis. METHODS: One hundred and fifty three patients were examined. Ninety-seven patients were with suspected adenomyosis and 56 patients were with unremarkable myometrium. Adenomyosis was confirmed in 39 cases (A subgroup) and excluded in 14 cases (B subgroup) in the main group based on morphological examination. All patients underwent ultrasound examination using an Aixplorer (Supersonic Imagine, France) scanner with application of shear wave elastography during transvaginal scanning. Retrospective analysis of the elastography criteria against the findings from morphological/histological examination was performed. RESULTS: The following values of Young's modulus were found in subgroup A (adenomyosis): Emean - 72.7 (22.6-274.2) kPa (median, 5-95th percentiles), Emax - 94.8 (29.3-300.0) kPa, SD - 9.9 (2.6-26.3) kPa; in subgroup B (non adenomyosis) - 28.3 (12.7-59.5) kPa, 33.6 (16.0-80.8) kPa, 3.0 (1.4-15.6) kPa; in the control group - 24.4 (17.9-32.4) kPa, 29.8 (21.6-40.8) kPa, 2.3 (1.3-6.1) kPa, respectively (P < 0.05 for all comparison with subgroup В and the control group). The Emean cut-off value for adenomyosis diagnosis was 34.6 kPa. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and area under curve (AUC) were 89.7%, 92.9%, 97.2%, 76.5% and 0.908. The Emax cut-off value was 45.4 kPa (89.7%, 92.9%, 97.2%, 76.5% and 0.907, respectively). CONCLUSION: This study showed a significant increase of the myometrial stiffness estimated with shear wave elastography use in patients with adenomyosis.

New functionality of chalcogenide glasses for radiation sensing of nuclear wastes.

Data about gamma radiation induced effects in Ge40Se60 chalcogenide thin films and radiation induced silver diffusion within these are presented. Blanket films and devices were created to study the structural changes, diffusion products, and device performance. Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, current vs. voltage (I-V) and impedance measurements expound the behavior of Ge40Se60 glass and silver diffusion within this glass under radiation. Raman study shows that there is a decrease in the area ratio between edge shared and corner shared structural units revealing structural reorganization occurring in the glasses as a result of gamma radiation. X-ray diffraction studies revealed that with sufficiently radiation dose it is also possible to create Ag2Se in selenium-depleted systems. Oxidation of the Ge enriched chalcogenide backbone is confirmed through the electrical performance of the sensing elements based on these films. Combination of these structural and diffusion products influences the device performance. The I-V behavior is characterized by increase in current and then stabilization as a function of radiation dose. Additionally, device modeling is also presented using Silvaco software and analytical methods to shed light on the device behavior. This type of sensor design and material characterizations facilitate in improving the radiation sensing capabilities of silver containing chalcogenide glass thin films.

[The feeding of newborns with low birth weight with milk formula "Nenatal" and "Nutrilon-premium"].

The aim of the study is to make retrospective analysis of 9 years experience in the feeding of praematuries and high risk newborn in that ward in First City Hospital-Sofia with formula milks "Nenatal" and "Nutrilon-premium". 721--42.4% from all babies in this period were feed with those formulas. With Nenatal only--11.8%, with Nutrilon-premium 88.2%. This the fact is due that all babies under 2000 gr. were fed with Nenatal, and after reaching 2000 gr.--with Nutrilon-premium. The results confirm that Nenatal is right formula for feeding of low and very low birth weight infant, due to its special content and qualities. The results from Nutrilon-premium illustrated that mean gain weight is the biggest in I grade of prematurity--33 grams, followed by matures--30 gr, after them II grade--29 gr., III grade--27 gr., IV grade--26 gr. As a conclusion we may say that mean gain weight for all groups is 29 grams. Consuming all gain weight of the babies feeding with Nutrilon-premium data appear that the biggest is in III of prematurity--1499 grams, followed by IV grade--1418 gr., I grade--1341 spama, II grade--1219 gr., and last matures--745 gr.

[The prognostic value of an early bicycle ergometry test and the management of patients with uncomplicated acute myocardial infarct]. / Prognostichna stoinost na ranniia veloergometrichen test i povedenie pri bolni ot neuslozhnen ostur miokarden infarkt.

In 75 men with uncomplicated acute myocardial infarction early symptom-limited submaximum bicycle ergometric test was performed 24-48 hours before discharge from hospital. 32 patients (42.7%) showed a positive test (ST-depression greater than 0.1 mV with duration of greater than or equal to 0.08 s and/or angina pectoris). The prognosis assessed by the number of cases with unstable angina pectoris, recurrent myocardial infarction or sudden death in the patients with positive test is significantly worse (p less than 0.0001). The patients with positive early bicycle ergometric test are indicated for direct examination and are potential candidates for aortocoronary bypass or percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. An algorithm for attitude toward patients with uncomplicated acute myocardial infarction is presented.

[Treatment of ectopic ventricular activity with palpitin (disopyramide)]. / Lechenie na ektopichnata kamerna aktivnost s palpitin (dizopiramid).

The therapeutic effect of palpitin (Gedeon Richter) was examined in an open clinical experiment with 30 patients with ectopic ventricular activity. The mean number of ventricular extra-systoles, established for one hour, was reduced from 573.7 to 149.7(p less than 0.001)--in 30.0% of the treated it completely disappeared, in 56.7% it was reduced with more than 50% and in 13.3%--there was no effect. The adverse effects are often (33.3%) but light, rarely necessitating the discontinuation of the treatment.