Preparation of stable and long-lived source samples for the stand-alone beam program at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams.

At the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB), an oven-ion source combination was used to create rare isotope beams in support of the stand-alone user beam program of the ReAccelerator (ReA) facility. This ion source, called Batch-Mode Ion Source (BMIS), was loaded with enriched stable nuclides (30Si, 50Cr, and 58Fe) and long-lived radionuclides (26Al, 32Si). The introduced samples, herein designated as source samples, were thermally volatilized in the BMIS oven, and then ionization was used to generate the required beams. Owing to the different chemical behavior of the used samples, it was important to tailor the sample loading process for each desired beam species. An important parameter here is the volatility of the introduced species, which influences the adequate release of the isotope of interest. Additionally, any co-present, volatile components will affect the ion yields of the desired isotope, while isobaric contaminants will decrease the beam purity. To manufacture isotope source samples that meet these characteristics, various chemical methodologies were developed. All prepared samples were successfully used in BMIS to deliver beams for various user beam experiments. The here-established sample preparation techniques will greatly aid future efforts in developing offline rare-isotope beams.

Proof-of-concept studies of novel protocols for producing highly pure 48V from a 48Cr/48V generator.

The quest to improve the quality of nuclear data, such as half-lives, transition yields, and reaction cross-sections, is a shared endeavor among various areas of nuclear science. 48V is a vanadium isotope for which experimental data on neutron reaction cross-sections is needed. However, traditional isotope production techniques cannot produce 48V with high enough isotopic purity for some of these measurements. "Isotope harvesting" at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) is a new isotope production technique that could potentially yield 48V with the necessary purity for such studies. In this case, 48Cr would be collected and allowed to generate 48V that can be separated from undecayed 48Cr to yield highly pure 48V. Thus, any protocol for producing pure 48V via isotope harvesting would involve utilizing a separation technique that can effectively separate 48Cr and 48V. In this study, the radiotracers 51Cr and 48V were used to develop possible radiochemical separation methodologies, which can be translated to obtain high purity 48V via this novel isotope production method. The developed protocols utilize either ion exchange or extraction chromatographic resins. Separations of 51Cr and 48V with AG 1-X8 anion exchange resin respectively resulted in recoveries of 95.6(26)% and 96.2(12)% with radionuclidic purities of 92(2)% and 99(1)%. An even more effective Cr and V separation was obtained with an extraction chromatographic resin (TRU resin) and 10 M HNO3 loading solution. Here, 51Cr and 48V respectively had recoveries of 94.1(28)% and 96.2(13)% with high radionuclidic purities (100(2)% and 100(1)%) in small volumes (8.81(8) mL and 5.39(16) mL). This study suggests that, to maximize the yield and isotopic purity of 48V, the best production protocol would involve utilizing two separations with TRU resin and 10 M HNO3 to isolate 48Cr and purify the generated 48V.

EVALUATION OF HORMONAL FUNCTION IN WOMEN WITH CERVICAL INSUFFICIENCY AND INFERTILITY IN THE HISTORY.

OBJECTIVE: The aim: To assess the levels of hormones in women with cervical insufficiency and infertility in the history in the II trimester of gestation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: 120 pregnant women with cervical insufficiency and anovulatory infertility in the history were examined in the II trimester of gestation: in the I group (60 persons) pregnancy occurred after hormonal treatment of infertility, in the II group (60 individuals) - after in vitro fertilization. 30 pregnant women without cervical insufficiency and a history of infertility were controls. The levels of estradiol, progesterone, placental lactogen, prolactin and cortisol were determined in the blood serum. RESULTS: Results: The concentration of maternal progesterone was lower in the persons in the I group on 12.36 %, in the II group - on the 15.37 % (p=0.03) compared to the healthy women. Cortisol and prolactin amounts were statistically higher in I and II groups (p<0.001) than in controls. While the levels of estradiol and placental lactogen were slightly less in the subjects with cervical insufficiency and a history of anovulatory infertility compared to the healthy women. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: In pregnant women with cervical insufficiency and a history of anovulatory infertility in the II trimester of gestation there are decrease progesterone level and high prolactin and cortisol concentrations in blood serum. The changes in estradiol and placental lactogen amounts are not significant compared to healthy women.

Pattern-recognition receptors in duck (Anas platyrhynchos): identification, expression and function analysis of toll-like receptor 3.

1. Innate immunity provides the first line of defence against pathogenic organisms through a myriad of germline encoded receptors called pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs). Toll-like receptor (TLR) 3, as an important member of PRRs, is indispensable for host defence against viral infection by recognising virus-derived RNAs. However, little is known about the structure and function of TLR3 in ducks (Anas platyrhynchos), a natural host for the avian influenza virus.2. This study cloned the full-length cDNA of duck TLR3 using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). The cDNA sequence of duck TLR3 was 4046 bp in length and encoded 895 amino acids. Multiple sequence alignment showed that duck TLR3 shared high similarity with that from other vertebrates.3. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis suggested that TLR3 mRNA was constitutively expressed in all tissues tested, having higher levels in the kidney, liver, breast muscle, ovary and heart. After stimulation with viral- or bacterial-mimics, including LPS, poly(I:C), pam3CSK4, FLS-1, FLA-ST and R848, the TLR3 transcript was significantly upregulated. Meanwhile, overexpression of duck TLR3 significantly promoted the transcription of IFN-ß, IRF7, TRIF, Mx, STAT1 and STAT2 mRNA after stimulation with poly(I:C).4. These results suggested that TLR3 play an important role in resistance against viral and bacterial infections in ducks.

Comparative evaluation of the results of surgical treatment of acute ascending thrombophlebitis of the great saphenous vein using the endovascular high-frequency welding technique and traditional technique.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to conduct a comparative evaluation of the effectiveness of surgical treatment of acute ascending thrombophlebitis of the great saphenous vein using the endovascular high-frequency welding technique and traditional phlebectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: Two groups were formed in the conducted study. Group I included patients (n=42) with the acute ascending thrombophlebitis of the great saphenous vein, in whom their thrombosed great saphenous vein was removed using the endovascular high-frequency welding technique. As a source of current, an EK300M1 Svarmed electric welding machine (Ukraine) was used. Electric welding of a thrombosed vein segment was carried out using the endovenous electric welding catheter. Group II included patients (n=31) with the acute ascending thrombophlebitis of the great saphenous vein, who underwent the traditional phlebectomy of the thrombosed great saphenous vein according to Babcock's technique. RESULTS: Results: In group I no patient revealed presence of pain syndrome with significant intensity during the postoperative period. An infiltrate along the coagulated segments ofnthe great saphenous vein, postoperative oedema and paresthesiae were observed in considerably fewer cases from group I versus group II (р=0.0005, р=0.0001, р=0.0018). During their follow-up for more than 12 months, 2 (4.76 %) of 42 patients from group I revealed partial recanalization of the great saphenous vein (р=0.632). In group I the postoperative inpatient period was 1.3±0.1 days. In group II the above period averaged 4.8±0.8 days (p<0.001). Absence of an intense pain syndrome in group I was caused by a gentle effect of high-frequency electric current itself on the venous wall and paravasal structures. A significant reduction of side effects and complications with a shorter stay of patients in hospital versus the traditional phlebectomy was achieved owing to reduction in the extent of injury of the surgical operation itself with the use of endovascular high-frequency welding. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: The technique of endovascular high-frequency welding in treatment of acute ascending thrombophlebitis of the great saphenous vein makes it possible to reduce the extent of injury of the surgical operation versus the traditional phlebectomy, results in a significant decrease in the number of side effects and complications and shortens the period of the patient's stay in hospital.

Effective use of various minimally invasive technologies eliminating vertical reflux in the treatment of chronic diseases of the lower limb veins.

OBJECTIVE: The aim: To analyze and evaluate the efficacy of CDLLV treatment, using high-frequency endovascular welding (EVW), endovenous laser coagulation (EVLC) and catheter microfoam echosclerotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: We have treated 329 patients with CDLLV C2-C6 functional classes according to the Clinical Etiological Anatomical Pathophysiology. Of these, 102 patients had vertical reflux eliminated by EVW, in 112 - by EVLC, and in 115 - by catheter microfoam echosclerotherapy. RESULTS: Results: In the EVW group 3 patients (2.94%) had a partial recanalization of coagulated veins 3 months after the procedure. In EVLC group 2 patients (1.79%) also had partial recanalization group after 6 months. In the group of catheter microfoam echosclerotherapy partial recanalization occurred in 3 patients during 3 months of observation, in the period of 6 months - in 2, in the period of 12 months - in 9, in total - in 14 patients (12.17%). The EVW and EVLC methods showed high efficacy of vertical reflux elimination on the great and small subcutaneous veins (GSV/SSV) in CDLLV and have no fundamental differences in the immediate and long-term results of treatment. Microfoam catheter echosclerotherapy leads to a greater number of recanalisations, compared with EVW and EVLC. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: High-frequency endovenous welding results in complete fibrotic GSV/SSV transformation in 97.06% of patients. Endovascular laser coagulation results in complete fibrotic GSV/SSV transformation in 98.21% of patients. Elimination of vertical reflux by microfoam echosclerotherapy results in complete fibrotic GSV/SSV transformation in 87.83% of patients.

Development of obliteration in the great saphenous vein after influence of high-frequency endovenous welding by data of morphological and ultrasonic studies

Introduction: Acute ascending thrombophlebitis (AAT) of the great saphenous vein (GSV) is one of the problems in modern surgery. The aim: Study of morphological and ultrasonic changes in a thrombosed vein following the influence of high-frequency endovenous electrical welding and assessment of the efficacy of application of this method to treatment of acute ascending thrombophlebitis. Material and methods: During the period of 2016-2018, surgery departments of Kyiv City Hospital No. 8 provided surgical treatment for 52 male and female patients with AAT of the GSV, who underwent high-frequency endovenous electrical welding (EVEW) with help of an EK300M Svarmed apparatus. The patients' age ranged from 19 to 78 years (their mean age was 51±2.63 years). According to the international CEAP (сlinical-etiological-anatomical-pathophysiological) classification, C2 was revealed in 4 cases, C3 in 19, C4 in 13, C5 in 9 and C6 in 7. Sections, prepared in compliance with standard methods, were morphologically examined. Photo archiving was made with use of a ZEISS light optical microscope (Germany) and «Axio Imager. A2¼ data processing system. Duplex ultrasonography (DUS) was performed with help of a TOSHIBA Nemio XG (Japan) device, equipped with a convex transducer having the working frequency of 3.5-5 MC and a linear transducer at a range of 7.5-12 MC. Ultrasonic studies were carried out 2-7 days after the operation. Remote results were assessed after 3, 6 and 12 months. Results: Morphological examinations of vein preparations after EVEW with standard haematoxylin-eosin staining revealed homogenization of thrombotic masses in the venous lumen and a close relationship of the veins with the treated vascular wall; in the majority of examined cases, thrombotic masses totally obliterated the venous lumen. All the layers of the venous wall ­ internal, middle and external ­ coalesced into a single homogenous complex. Specific staining on elastic fibers revealed their total destruction in the internal and middle coats, thinning and fragmentation of elastic fibers in the adventitia. Total occlusion of the GSV was observed sonographically in 49 of 52 cases (94.24%) on days 2-7 after the influence of EVEW. Within 3-6 months, 3 cases (5.76%) developed some partial recanalization. During 9-12 months, colour mapping revealed preservation of some partial and haemodynamically insignificant recanalization in 2 cases (3.84%). One case (1.92%) developed the complete and haemodynamically significant recanalization of the whole welded segment of GSV. Conclusions: Analysis of ultrasonic studies showed that despite the total destruction of the whole venous wall during the first days after the influence of EVEW there were areas of parietal blood flow in 5.76% of cases. During a remote period of follow-up from 3 to 6 months the above changes could develop partial and haemodynamically insignificant recanalization in 3.84% of cases. Within the period of follow-up from 9 to 12 months those areas of blood flow could lead to the complete and haemodynamically significant recanalization of the welded GSV in 1.92% of cases. High-frequency EVEW of the thrombosed GSV in AAT caused the total destruction of thrombotic masses and all layers of the venous wall and made it possible to achieve the total obliteration of the welded vein in 94.24 % of cases.

Evolution of the Exon-Intron Structure in Ciliate Genomes.

A typical eukaryotic gene is comprised of alternating stretches of regions, exons and introns, retained in and spliced out a mature mRNA, respectively. Although the length of introns may vary substantially among organisms, a large fraction of genes contains short introns in many species. Notably, some Ciliates (Paramecium and Nyctotherus) possess only ultra-short introns, around 25 bp long. In Paramecium, ultra-short introns with length divisible by three (3n) are under strong evolutionary pressure and have a high frequency of in-frame stop codons, which, in the case of intron retention, cause premature termination of mRNA translation and consequent degradation of the mis-spliced mRNA by the nonsense-mediated decay mechanism. Here, we analyzed introns in five genera of Ciliates, Paramecium, Tetrahymena, Ichthyophthirius, Oxytricha, and Stylonychia. Introns can be classified into two length classes in Tetrahymena and Ichthyophthirius (with means 48 bp, 69 bp, and 55 bp, 64 bp, respectively), but, surprisingly, comprise three distinct length classes in Oxytricha and Stylonychia (with means 33-35 bp, 47-51 bp, and 78-80 bp). In most ranges of the intron lengths, 3n introns are underrepresented and have a high frequency of in-frame stop codons in all studied species. Introns of Paramecium, Tetrahymena, and Ichthyophthirius are preferentially located at the 5' and 3' ends of genes, whereas introns of Oxytricha and Stylonychia are strongly skewed towards the 5' end. Analysis of evolutionary conservation shows that, in each studied genome, a significant fraction of intron positions is conserved between the orthologs, but intron lengths are not correlated between the species. In summary, our study provides a detailed characterization of introns in several genera of Ciliates and highlights some of their distinctive properties, which, together, indicate that splicing spellchecking is a universal and evolutionarily conserved process in the biogenesis of short introns in various representatives of Ciliates.

Gynecologic oncology training systems in Europe: a report from the European network of young gynaecological oncologists.

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of the study were to highlight some of the differences in training systems and opportunities for training in gynecologic oncology across Europe and to draw attention to steps that can be taken to improve training prospects and experiences of European trainees in gynecologic oncology. METHODS: The European Network of Young Gynaecological Oncologists national representatives from 34 countries were asked to review and summarize the training system in their countries of origin and fulfill a mini-questionnaire evaluating different aspects of training. We report analysis of outcomes of the mini-questionnaire and subsequent discussion at the European Network of Young Gynaecological Oncologists national representatives Asian Pacific Organization for Cancer Prevention meeting in Istanbul (April 2010). RESULTS: Training fellowships in gynecologic oncology are offered by 18 countries (53%). The median duration of training is 2.5 years (interquartile range, 2.0-3.0 years). Chemotherapy administration is part of training in 70.5% (24/34) countries. Most of the countries (26/34) do not have a dedicated national gynecologic-oncology journal. All trainees reported some or good access to training in advanced laparoscopic surgical techniques, whereas 41% indicated no access, and 59% some access to training opportunities in robotic surgery. European countries were grouped into 3 different categories on the basis of available training opportunities in gynecologic oncology: well-structured, moderately structured, and loosely structured training systems. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need for further harmonization and standardization of training programs and structures in gynecologic oncology across Europe. This is of particular relevance for loosely structured countries that lag behind the moderately structured and well-structured ones.