The seasonal sensitivity of brown bear denning phenology in response to climatic variability.

BACKGROUND: For brown bears (Ursus arctos), hibernation is a critical part of the annual life cycle because energy savings during hibernation can be crucial for overwintering, and females give birth to cubs at that time. For hibernation to be a useful strategy, timing is critical. However, environmental conditions vary greatly, which might have a negative effect on the functionality of the evolved biological time-keeping. Here, we used a long-term dataset (69 years) on brown bear denning phenology recorded in 12 Russian protected areas and quantified the phenological responses to variation in temperature and snow depth. Previous studies analyzing the relationship between climate and denning behavior did not consider that the brown bear response to variation in climatic factors might vary through a period preceding den entry and exit. We hypothesized that there is a seasonal sensitivity pattern of bear denning phenology in response to variation in climatic conditions, such that the effect of climatic variability will be pronounced only when it occurs close to den exit and entry dates. RESULTS: We found that brown bears are most sensitive to climatic variations around the observed first den exit and last entry dates, such that an increase/decrease in temperature in the periods closer to the first den exit and last entry dates have a greater influence on the denning dates than in other periods. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that climatic factors are modulating brown bear hibernation phenology and provide a further structuring of this modulation. The sensitivity of brown bears to changes in climatic factors during hibernation might affect their ability to cope with global climate change. Therefore, understanding these processes will be essential for informed management of biodiversity in a changing world.

Sub-terahertz microsecond optically controlled switch with GaAs active element beyond the photoelectric threshold.

We study an unusual working regime of a recently developed sub-terahertz microwave cavity-based switch. The resonator cavity includes a semiconductor plate which is illuminated by laser emission beyond the photoelectric threshold. Despite a significant change to the conventional process of photoelectric effect we have found that the switch works. Typical switching performance rate is about 1 µs for the regime. A process of carrier density relaxation beyond the photoelectric threshold is discussed. An idea of diagnostic method for the semiconductor's quality is proposed.

[Neurophysiological analysis of the effects of antihypoxic versus psychotropic agents]. / Neirofiziologicheskii analiz deistviia antigipoksantov v sravnenii s psikhotropnymi sredstvami.

The Fourie EEG spectral analysis of thr sensomotor cortex and dorsal hypocampus in freely moving rats could reveal the common pharmacological EEG effects of different antihypoxic agents (gutimin, amtizole, emoxipine, and 3-OPK). All the agents decreased the total EEG power (they all reduced the absolute power in all frequency bands) and simultaneously enhanced (2 relative power. The former suggests that there was a decrease in the energetic level of bioelectric fluctuations, which may indicate that the brain reduces its energetic functioning level. The latter means that antihypoxic drugs activate the central nervous system. This effect may normalize EEG activity during hypoxic conditions, which causes the enhancement of slow-wave activity and reduces fast EEG activity. The pharmacological EEG effects of different groups of psychotropic drugs (nootropic drugs, psychostimulants, antidepressants, benzodiazepine tranquilizers, etc.) versus antihypoxants are discussed.

[Efficacy and safety of high doses of beclomethasone dipropionate in patients with bronchial asthma]. / Effektivnost' i bezopasnost' vysokikh doz beklometazona dipropionata u bol'nykh bronkhial'noi astmoi.

AIM: To assess efficiency and safety of high-dose beklometasone dipropionate in patients with bronchial asthma (BA). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The trial included 14 female and 3 male patients with moderate or severe BA (mean age 43.6 years) in declining exacerbation. The patients inhaled beklometasone dipropionate as a dose-adjusted aerosol with built-up spacer (beklojet) in a daily dose 1000-2000 mcg for 8 weeks. Changes in clinical symptoms, life quality (AQLQ) and bronchial permeability (peak flowmetry, FEV1) were registered. Concentration of H2O2 in expired air condensate was measured spectrophotometrically to evaluate activity of airway inflammation. Oral smears were studied mycologically, hydrocortisone in blood plasma was measured with enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: The treatment produced positive trend in clinical symptoms and quality of life. Bronchial permeability improved since the 7th treatment day. H2O2 significantly fell, hydrocortisone levels and fungal flora did not change significantly. CONCLUSION: Beklometasone dipropionate in high doses for 8 weeks is effective and safe against BA.

[Differential diagnosis of chronic urogenic arthritis]. / O differentsial'noi diagnostike khronicheskogo urogennogo artrita.

AIM: To investigate features of chronic urogenic arthritis (CUA) and its differences with psoriatic arthritis (PA) and ankylosing spondylarthritis (AS) with joint lesion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CUA, AS, PA were diagnosed according to S. M. Sidelnikova et al., S. van der Linden and Agababova, respectively, in 94 patients. The disease ran for more than 3 years. Articular syndrome was examined in CUA, AS and PA. RESULTS: Articular syndrome in CUA remains for the most part monoarticular with affection of the joints of the low extremities. AS has clinical and x-ray signs of sacroileitis, affection of the spinal column and hip joints. PA runs with multiple arthritic lesions of the hand and foot joints. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic infection persists in all the CUA and PA patients. Its exacerbation coincides with arthritis aggravations. Only in CUA there is a chronological connection between acute or aggravated chronic urogenital infection and initial symptoms of joint disease.

[Therapeutic potential of glucocorticoids inhalation in bronchial asthma]. / Terapevticheskie vozmozhnosti ingaliatsionnykh gliukokortikoidov pri bronkhial'noi astme.

AIM: To assess effectiveness and safety of inhalation glucocorticoids (budesonide, beklometasone dipropionate) in bronchial asthma (BA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 19 BA patients (8 males and 11 females) inhaled glucocorticoids for 9 months. RESULTS: The treatment reduced the need in inhalation of short-acting beta-2-adrenomimetics, episodes of asphyxia occurred less frequently. A significant improvement of bronchial permeability was achieved only after 3 months of therapy. Blood levels of hydrocortisone, concentrations of magnesium, calcium and potassium in the serum, red cells and 24-h urine, serum osteocalcin, lumbar vertebral tissue density 3, 6 and 9 months after the treatment start were almost similar to the baseline. CONCLUSION: Glucocorticoids for inhalation are clinically effective in BA. They should be used for not less than 3 months. Topical steroids in mean therapeutic doses had no negative effects on the levels of hydrocortisone, mineral metabolism and bone tissue.

[Pathogenetic aspects of chlamydia-associated urogenic arthritis: feasibility of microorganism reproduction in cells of articular cartilage]. / O patogeneticheskikh aspektakh urogennykh artritov, assotsiirovannykh s khlamidiiami: vozmozhnost' mikroorganizma razmnozhat'sia v kletkakh systavnogo khriashcha.

AIM: The study of feasibility of Chlamydia trachomatis infection and reproduction. This microorganism is an essential etiologic factor in urogenic arthritis, in chondrocytes and fibroblasts of human skin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Infection of human skin chondrocytes and fibroblasts was made with chlamydia CP-1 strain isolated from joint fluid of the patient and serially passaged in the hen's embryo yolksacs. The inoculation results were assessed by direct staining with the use of monoclonal and fluorescent antibodies and hematoxiline. RESULTS: Chlamydial infection of human skin connective tissue, chondrocytes of the auricular cartilage and fibroblasts in particular, is possible. CONCLUSION: The findings confirm the ability of Chlamydia trachomatis to reproduce in the cartilage tissue.

[The local therapy of enthesitis and bursitis of the calcaneal area in seronegative spondylarthritis]. / Lokal'naia terapiia éntezitov i bursitov piatochnoi oblasti pri seronegativnykh spondiloartritakh.

Four methods of local treatment of calcaneal enthesopathy and bursitis (hydrocortisone phonophoresis, laser radiation, glucocorticosteroids injections into the calcaneal region, physiotherapy with sinusoidal modulated currents) were tried in 69 patients with seronegative spondylarthritis. Local injections of glucocorticosteroids produced the best effect. Laser therapy or hydrocortisone phonophoresis is recommended in dominating pain syndrome in the calcaneal region. SMC therapy was not good in inflammation of tendinous-ligamentous system and calcaneal bursas in patients with spondylarthritis.

[Use of fluoroquinolones in rheumatology]. / Primenenie ftorkhinolonov v revmatologii.

The efficacy and tolerance of 3 fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin, pefloxacin, lomefloxacin) were studied in 157 patients with rheumatic diseases concurrent with infection-induced abnormalities. Infection cure was achieved in 123 (78.6%) patients, as evidenced by clinical, microbiological, and serological studies. The tolerance of fluoroquinolones was regarded as good, satisfactory, and poor in 114 (72.6%), 37 (23.6%), and 6 (3.8%) patients, respectively. All representative drugs of the fluoroquinolones series produced typical adverse reactions. The authors consider it expedient to make further clinical studies to test the optimal treatment regimens and to expand indications for the use of fluoroquinolones in this group of patients.

Spondyloarthropathies in circumpolar populations of Chukotka (Eskimos and Chukchi): epidemiology and clinical characteristics.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the prevalence of HLA-B27 and the prevalence and nature of spondyloarthropathies in the native residents of Eastern Chukotka, Siberia, Russia. METHODS: We conducted a cross sectional study with medical examination and interview of 464 of 640 (72.5%) native residents of 2 Eastern Chukotka settlements, Sireniki and Novo-Chaplino. RESULTS: Among them were 212 Eskimos, 98 Chukchi and 154 subjects of mixed race. There were 2 subjects (0.4%) with ankylosing spondylitis, 2 with Reiter's syndrome, 2 with undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy and 1 with late onset pauciarticular juvenile arthritis consistent with spondyloarthropathy. Four of the subjects were Eskimos, 2 were of mixed race, and 1 was Chukchi. We found a high percentage of HLA-B27 antigen in the population, 32% in the native population overall, and 40% among the Eskimos. CONCLUSION: Our data complement other studies of circumpolar populations and reinforce the reported high prevalence of spondyloarthropathy and HLA-B27 among those people.

[The epidemiology of spondylarthropathies among the native inhabitants of Chukotka (Eskimos and Chukchi). 1. The prevalence of spondylarthropathies among the Eskimos and the coast Chukchi]. / Epidemiologiia spondiloartropatii sredi korennykh zhitelei Chukotki (éskimosov i chukhei). Soobshchenie 1. Rasprostranennost' spondiloartropatii sredi éskimosov i beregovykh chukchei.

To establish the prevalence of spondyloarthropathies among the indigenous population of Chukot Peninsula, a one-stage cross-sectional study was made with a direct medical examination of the natives of the two settlements of Eastern Chukot Peninsula: Sireniki and Novo-Chaplino where the main part of Eskimos live. During expedition, 640 natives aged over 6 years lived in both settlements (382 and 258 respectively). 464 persons (72.5%) were examined. Of these, 7 persons (1.5%) were diagnosed to suffer from diseases belonging to the group of spondyloarthropathies: 2 persons (0.4%) had ankylosing spondyloarthritis, 2 (0.4%) Reiter's syndrome, 2 undifferentiated spondyloarthropathies, and 1 juvenile chronic arthritis. Of the 7 patients, 4 were Eskimos, 2 half-breeds and 1 was a Chukchi man. The incidence of ankylosing spondyloarthritis among Eskimos amounted to 0.9%, Reiter's syndrome to 0.5%, and undifferentiated spondyloarthropathies to 0.5%. Thus the one-stage expedition examination of the indigenous population of Chukotka Peninsula (Eskimos and Chukchi) has shown that diseases belonging to the group of spondyloarthropathies are widely prevalent among Eskimos.

[Leukocyte function in reactive arthritis]. / Funktsiia leikotsitov pri reaktivnykh artritakh.

The authors studied ++chemotaxis, phagocytosis and the activity of intracellular enzymes of leukocytes in the peripheral blood of 90 patients with reactive arthritis as compared to 23 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 28 healthy individuals. Disorders of all these parameters were noted. They correlated with the specific features of the clinical course of the disease and its activity. In case of reactive arthritis the persistence of the infection and immunopathological disorders underlying chronic synovitis are attributable to the condition of nonspecific resistance.

[The effect of tetracycline therapy on the laboratory indices of chlamydia infection in Reiter's disease (preliminary report)]. / Vliianie tetratsiklinoterapii na laboratornye pokazateli khlamidiinoi infektsii pri bolezni Reitera (predvaritel'noe soobshchenie).

The authors studied the effect of tetracycline therapy (short and long courses) on the indices of chlamydia infection (antigens and antibodies) in Reiter's urogenous disease. The concentration of tetracycline in the blood serum and synovial fluid when administered in a daily dose of 2.0 g (single dose 0.5 g) was determined. It has been established that tetracycline exerts an inhibitory effect on the chlamydia infection not in all the patients suffering from Reiter's disease despite sufficient concentration of the antibiotic in biological fluids (blood serum, synovial fluid). Prolonged courses of tetracycline therapy proved most effective.