[The improvement of cognitive rehabilitation of persons of older and senile age].

The article presents results of study of patients of elderly age within the framework of pilot project on the basis of the geriatric department of the State Budget Institution of the Rostov Oblast "The Hospital for War Veterans". The specially questionnaire was developed with participation of the charitable foundation "Memory of Generations" and the public movement "Medics-Volunteers". The social hygienic characteristics of studied contingent was analyzed. The statistical processing of obtained data was carried out considering subjective status of patients.

[Laparoscopic ONLAY ureteroplasty using buccal mucosa graft for long recurrent stricture of the upper third of the ureter].

Long strictures of the upper third of the ureter are most often recurrent and occur after endourological and reconstructive procedures. The lack of native tissues and an impossibility of substitution by bowel segment in some cases dictates the use of alternative surgical techniques. Our first experience of laparoscopic onlay ureteroplasty using buccal graft for long stricture of the upper third of the ureter is described in the article. The length of the stricture was 6 cm. The operation time was 210 minutes, while blood loss volume was less than 100 ml. The patient did not have any surgical complications. Drains were removed in timely manner. The patient was discharged from the hospital in a satisfactory condition on the 8-th day. The ureteral stent was removed after 4 weeks. Kidney ultrasound was performed on a monthly basis. According to IVU after 4 months, the anastomosis was completely patent. This method can be considered as an alternative to more complex procedures in selected patients.

Immune Response of Mice Against Babesia canis Antigens is Enhanced When Antigen is Coupled to Gold Nanoparticles.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to isolate Babesia canis soluble antigens and to investigate the effect of their conjugates with gold nanoparticles on the immunogenicity in laboratory animals. METHODS: A procedure was developed for isolating and purifying B. canis antigens. The isolated culture antigen of B. canis 495 was coupled to gold nanoparticles, and the conjugate was used to immunize laboratory mice. RESULTS: Western blotting showed that the resultant antiserum specifically recognized the proteins of the B. canis strains isolated from naturally infected dogs. The antibody titer, the respiratory activity of peritoneal macrophages, the proliferative activity of splenocytes, and the production of cytokines were maximal when the animals were immunized with the antigen-nanoparticle conjugate emulsified in complete Freund's adjuvant. Without adjuvant, the babesial antigen was weakly immunogenic. CONCLUSION: Therefore, the use of gold nanoparticles as an antigen carrier induced a broad immune response involving both cellular and humoral responses. The antibodies raised by the proposed procedure are potentially effective at immunodetection of Babesia canis infections in dogs.

Diversity of the CO1 Gene of Mitochondrial DNA in Representatives of Genus Antimora (Moridae, Gadiformes) in the World Oceans.

The frequency of occurrence of the COI gene of mitochondrial DNA in the Pacific flatnose Antimora microlepis and blue antimora Antimora rostrata (Moridae, Gadiformes) was analyzed in samples collected in different areas of the World Ocean. The revealed maximum haplotype diversity of COI in the blue antimora in the North Atlantics may indicate that this species emerged in this region, from which it widely distributed in the World Ocean. The Pacific flatnose Antimora microlepis originated from Antimora rostrata. Antimora might penetrate into the North Pacific by several routes: through the Panama Strait, along the coast of Antarctica, or through the Indian Ocean along the coast of Australia.

[Cardiopulmonary bypass in thoracic surgery]. / Iskusstvennoe krovoobrashchenie v torakal'noi khirurgii.

AIM: To analyze advisability of cardiopulmonary bypass in thoracic surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We estimated early and long-term results of CPB-assisted thoracic interventions in 31 patients with malignant and benign thoracic diseases and invasion into vital mediastinal structures or with concomitant cardiovascular pathology. RESULTS: Acceptable rates of mortality and morbidity confirm safety of CPB in thoracic surgery while satisfactory long-term outcomes are arguments in favor of this direction of thoracic oncology.

Population status of Greenland halibut Reinhardtius hippoglossoides (Walbaum, 1793) of the Laptev Sea.

This is the first study to perform a comparative genetic analysis of Greenland halibut in the samples from the Atlantic (waters of west and east of Greenland), Arctic (Laptev Sea), and Pacific (the western part of the Bering Sea) ocean basins using seven microsatellite loci. The obtained data clearly demonstrate that the Greenland halibut population in the Laptev Sea belongs to the groups of the Atlantic Ocean basin. Apparently, the Greenland halibut of the Laptev Sea is represented by a dependent population, which is replenished due to the drift of immatures from the spawning grounds in the Barents Sea with the transformed Atlantic water flow along the continental slope. In addition, the Arctic population can be partially replenished due to the breeding of the halibut in local spawning grounds.

[Radiographic morphometry of intervertebral spaces of the vertebral column in health and dystrophic changes in the intervertebral disks].

OBJECTIVE: To develop a radiographic morphometric procedure for estimating the sizes and shapes of intervertebral spaces in the thoracic and lumbar spine and to evaluate the status of intervertebral spaces in women in health in terms of their age and in dystrophic transformations of intervertebral disks. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The data of a radiographic morphometric study of the sizes and forms of intervertebral spaces were analyzed in 127 women of different ages. Lateral thoracic and lumbar spondylograms performed in compliance with a number of requirements were used to estimate the sizes of anterior, middle, and posterior portions of intervertebral spaces (from T4 to L5); the magnitude of dystrophic changes in the intervertebral disks were determined applying semiquantitative methods. RESULTS: The intervertebral space width of the lower segment was more than that of the upper one. The differences in the width of intervertebral spaces of the neighboring segments in the lower portions of the vertebral column were greater than those in its upper portions. The intervertebral spaces (T4-T12) were biconvex in shape and those in the upper lumbar segments were posterior wedge-shaped. There was no noticeable narrowing of the intervertebral spaces with age. The age group of 70 years or older showed a significant moderate increase in the height of intervertebral spaces in the middle and lower thoracic vertebral segments. In varying degrees of dystrophic intervertebral disc changes, their most pronounced manifestations were found to be accompanied by a decrease in the width of intervertebral spaces in the lower half of the vertebral column in conjunction with their normal shape being impaired. CONCLUSION: The sizes and shape of intervertebral spaces show a number of regularities associated with the position of a segment in the vertebral column. In the bulk of the thoracic spine, the vertebral spaces are biconvex in shape and those in the transient thoracolumbar area and in the lumbar segment were posterior wedge-shaped. The age-related changes in the sizes and shape of intervertebral spaces are associated with their slight dilatation at the age of 70 years or older, without their normal shape being impaired. When dystro- phic intervertebral disk changes develop, there is a moderate narrowing of intervertebral spaces in the lower half of the vertebral column in conjunction with a wedge-like alteration in intervertebral discs, their shape.

Micro-evolutionary processes in sablefish Anoplopoma fimbria, based on polymorphism of the two sites of mitochondrial DNA.

Sablefish Anoplopoma fimbria is a deep-sea fish, endemic to the North Pacific Ocean, with continuous range from southern California to the central part of Honshu Island, including the Bering and Okhotsk Seas. It is an important commercial species and a promising object for aquaculture. Compared to the eastern part of the range the population structure of sablefish in Asian waters is poorly studied. It is believed that sablefish goes to the Bering Sea and Pacific waters of Kamchatka and the Kuril Islands from the northeastern Pacific, and Asian waters are its eviction zone. Other authors suggest that replenishment of sablefish off the eastern Kamchatka and the Kuril Islands is not only due to migration of the adult fish from the Bering Sea along the continental slope, but also due to the drift of yearlings by Aleutian current over the American coast.

[Electrical properties of water: a new insight].

New insight into the electrical properties of liquid water, from a standpoint of the physics of electrolytes, is proposed. The dielectric spectrum of water at frequencies 10(4)-10(11) Hz is described by a simple diffusional model taking into account the electrophoretic and relaxation effects inherent in electrolytes. The static dielectric permittivity and microwave absorption are derived from diffusion of Coulomb interacting H3O+ and OH- ions instead of orientational motion of H2O molecules. The drift component of diffusion provides the proton dc-conductivity. Ion concentration is found to be 7 orders of magnitude higher than commonly accepted.(- 1% of the total concentration of H2O molecules). The findings refer to the basic properties of water and therefore can be the key to solving the water-related problems.

[Genetic variation at the pantophysin (PanI) locus in North-East Arctic cod Gadus morhua L. (Gadiformes: Gadidae) population in the Barents Sea and adjacent waters].

We investigated polymorphisms in the pantophysin gene (Pan I locus) in a population of North-East Arctic cod, Gadus morhua L., throughout its foraging area in the Barents Sea and adjacent waters. Correlations between the frequencies of Pan I alleles and habitat conditions, such as depth and temperature, were explored. This study was based on a large number of specimens (2210 individuals) of different age and wide geographic sampling coverage. The frequency of the Pan I(A) allele, a known genetic marker of coastal cod, varied from zero to 0.47. Allele frequencies correlated with depth at the sampling location but not with bottom water temperatures. We observed variations in Pan I(A) frequencies among different age cohorts from the same area. The most prominent shift in Pan I polymorphism was detected at the early stages of the fish life cycle, between pelagic juveniles and benthic cod. We found that the Pan I(A) allele frequency in pelagic yearling cod was essentially same throughout the studied areas in the Barents Sea. In turn, juveniles settling at the northern and deep water locations showed a significant decrease in the allele frequency. In contrast, the frequency of the Pan I(A) allele remained constant in juveniles settling in shallow waters when compared to the pelagic stage. These results confirm the selective nature of the cod Pan I locus and indicate that selection process acting on individuals with different genotypes at the Pan I locus leads to the formation of a stable spatial distribution of allele frequencies observed in adult cod.

[Tadalafil in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia during conservative combined therapy].

The article presents the results of treatment of 155 patients with BPH aged 48-65 years, who received conservative treatment for this disease. The patients were divided into three groups. Group 1 consisted of patients with BPH and erectile dysfunction (ED), who underwent conservative treatment (5alpha-reductase inhibitors in combination with alpha1-adrenoblocker) and phosphodiesterase inhibitor (tadalafil 20 mg) on demand. Group 2 consisted of patients with prostatic adenoma and ED, who received only conservative therapy. Group 3 consisted of BPH patients without ED, who received only conservative therapy. The effectiveness of treatment was assessed using patient self-assessment questionnaire. I-PSS score was used for the assessment of symptoms of the disease, for assessment of sexual function--AMS questionnaire for the age-related symptoms in men (specific section), short BSFI questionnaire, and International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5). Questionnaire survey was performed before treatment and 3, 6 and 9 months after therapy. Analysis of the results showed that there were significant impairments of sexual function in BPH. The use of phosphodiesterase inhibitor against the background of conservative therapy improves erectile function, and reduces the intensity of urination disorders.

[Correction of erectile dysfunction in patients with benign prostate hyperplasia using daily administration of tadalafil 5 mg against the background of combined drug therapy].

The study included 59 patients with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and erectile dysfunction (ED), inhibited inflammation in the prostate gland and with normal or medically normalized levels of total testosterone. All the patients underwent conservative therapy using dutasteride and tamsulosin, 21 of them (group 2) additionally received tadalafil 5 mg daily. Efficacy of treatment was assessed by self-assessment questionnaire of patients before treatment and 12 weeks after therapy. In group 1 of patients, the dynamics of the erectile function, sexual satisfaction and quality of life for patients was not revealed. In the group 2, improvement in erectile function in an average of 19 points was shown (IIEF-5 questionnaire). According to the AMS questionnaire, improvement in sexual function was demonstrated; in patients with compensated androgen deficiency, however, response to the treatment with tadalafil was less pronounced. According to BSFI score after 3 months of therapy with tadalafil, indicator of overall satisfaction of sexual life improved to 2.4 points (p < 0.002). According to the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, anxiety in patients was reduced to the permissible values (p < 0.0002), the level of depression was decreased by almost 2-fold (p < 0.0002). The total IPSS score decreased from 13 to 9 points in average. The inclusion of tadalafil in complex of combined conservative therapy of patients with BPH not only improves sexual function but has a positive effect on symptoms of the disease and the psychological state of the patient.

Dielectric spectroscopy and ultrasonic study of propylene carbonate under ultra-high pressures.

We present the high pressure dielectric spectroscopy (up to 4.2 GPa) and ultrasonic study (up to 1.7 GPa) of liquid and glassy propylene carbonate (PC). Both of the methods provide complementary pictures of the glass transition in PC under pressure. No other relaxation processes except α-relaxation have been found in the studied pressure interval. The propylene carbonate liquid is a glassformer where simple relaxation and the absence of ß-relaxation are registered in the record-breaking ranges of pressures and densities. The equation of state of liquid PC was extended up to 1 GPa from ultrasonic measurements of bulk modulus and is in good accordance with the previous equations developed from volumetric data. We measured the bulk and shear moduli and Poisson's ratio of glassy PC up to 1.7 GPa. Many relaxation and elastic properties of PC can be qualitatively described by the soft-sphere or Lennard-Jones model. However, for the quantitative description of entire set of the experimental data, these models are insufficient. Moreover, the Poisson coefficient value for glassy PC indicates a significant contribution of non-central forces to the intermolecular potential. The well-known correlation between Poisson's ratio and fragility index (obtained from dielectric relaxation) is confirmed for PC at ambient pressure, but it is violated with pressure increase. This indicates that different features of the potential energy landscape are responsible for the evolution of dielectric response and elasticity with pressure increase.

[Tracheoplasty after circular trachea resection].

One of the crucial features of the reconstructive surgery of the trachea is the choice of suturing method and materials. The authors' experience of tracheal stenoses treatment counts 759 patients, aged from 9 to 77 years. The number of administered patients, who had been operated earlier in other hospitals, has drastically increased recently. The amount of patients with long tracheal stenoses has also increased. The novel operative techniques of tracheal suture, suggested by the authors, permit better results of rehabilitation.

[Population structure of beaked redfish (Sebastes mentella Travin, 1951) in the Irminger Sea and adjacent waters inferred from microsatellite data].

Samples of beaked redfish from the Irminger Sea and adjacent waters were examined for polymorphism at ten microsatellite loci. The strategy of the material collection enabled investigation of geographic, bathymetric, and temporal variation of this species. The results did not support the evidence on spatial differentiation and temporal stability of the species distribution, favoring the idea that the water area examined was inhabited by a single pelagic population of beaked redfish.

[Advanced approaches to studying the population diversity of marine fishes: new opportunities for fisheries control and management].

Recent conceptual and technological advances now enable fisheries geneticists to detect and monitor the dynamics and distribution of marine fish populations more effectively than ever before. Information on the extent of genetically-based divergence among populations, so-called "population diversity", is crucial in the quest to manage exploited living resources sustainably since it endows evolutionary potential in the face of environmental change. The generally limited dialogue between scientists, fisheries managers and policy makers, however, continues to constrain integration of population genetic data into tangible policy applications. Largely drawing on the approach and outputs from a European research project, FishPopTrace, we provide an example how the uncovering of marine fish population diversity enables players from genetics, forensics, management and the policy realm to generate a framework tackling key policy-led questions relating to illegal fishing and traceability. We focus on the use of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in European populations of cod, herring, hake and common sole, and explore how forensics together with a range of analytical approaches, and combined with improved communication of research results to stakeholders, can be used to secure sufficiently robust, tractable and targeted data for effective engagement between science and policy. The essentially binary nature of SNPs, together with generally elevated signals of population discrimination by SNPs under selection, allowed assignment of fish to populations from more areas and with higher certainty than previously possible, reaching standards suitable for use in a court of law. We argue that the use of such tools in enforcement and deterrence, together with the greater integration of population genetic principles and methods into fisheries management, provide tractable elements in the arsenal of tools to achieve sustainable exploitation and conservation of depleted marine fish stocks.

Glassy dynamics under superhigh pressure.

Nearly all glass-forming liquids feature, along with the structural alpha-relaxation process, a faster secondary process (beta relaxation), whose nature belongs to the great mysteries of glass physics. However, for some of these liquids, no well-pronounced secondary relaxation is observed. A prominent example is the archetypical glass-forming liquid glycerol. In the present work, by performing dielectric spectroscopy under superhigh pressures up to 6 GPa, we show that in glycerol a significant secondary relaxation peak appears in the dielectric loss at P>3 GPa. We identify this beta relaxation to be of Johari-Goldstein type and discuss its relation to the excess wing. We provide evidence for a smooth but significant increase in glass-transition temperature and fragility on increasing pressure.

[Comparative analysis of STR and SNP polymorphism in the populations of sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) from Eastern and Western Kamchatka].

Sockeye salmon samples from five largest lacustrine-riverine systems of Kamchatka Peninsula were tested for polymorphism at six microsatellite (STR) and five single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci. Statistically significant genetic differentiation among local populations from this part of the species range examined was demonstrated. The data presented point to pronounced genetic divergence of the populations from two geographical regions, Eastern and Western Kamchatka. For sockeye salmon, the individual identification test accuracy was higher for microsatellites compared to similar number of SNP markers. Pooling of the STR and SNP allele frequency data sets provided the highest accuracy of the individual fish population assignment.

[Obstructive uropathy in nephrotuberculosis and the results of its surgical correction].

In 2000 to 2006, one hundred and fifty-eight patients with active nephrotuberculosis, including 24 without obstructive uropathy, 70 with obstruction at the level of the upper ureter third, and 64 with that at the level of the lower ureter third, were examined. It was shown that papillites, pyonephroses, and specific paranephritis were prevalent when a specific process extended to the upper ureter third. Involvement of the lower ureter third resulted in the most significant renal destruction that was bilateral in 75% of cases with a large proportion (51.4%) of complete organ destruction and complications of the underlying disease. The effectiveness of organ-removing operations was higher in ureteritis of the upper third of the ureter and that of reconstructive operations was higher in ureteritis of the lower third. Surgical treatment for nephrotuberculosis in distal obstruction induced no regression of renal failure in 24% of cases, its progression being observed in 8%. Every five patients were reoperated on; more than 29% of the patients underwent bilateral operations; the proportion of organ-removing interventions turn to be highest.