[Stenting of the main pancreatic duct for acute post-manipulation pancreatitis]. / Stentirovanie glavnogo pankreaticheskogo protoka v lechenii ostrogo postmanipuliatsionnogo pankreatita.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results of stenting of the main pancreatic duct for acute post-manipulation pancreatitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: There were 946 transpapillary interventions within 5-year period. Various risk factors of this complication and the role of stenting of the main pancreatic duct for prevention of acute post-manipulation pancreatitis were analyzed for the same period. Complication was predicted only in some cases. There were 10 patients with unpredicted acute pancreatitis for this period. In all cases, an attempt of stenting of the main pancreatic duct was made in the first hours after development of complication. Stenting was successful in 7 cases. Technical success of operation was 70%. Stenting was followed by clinical improvement and pain relief. RESULTS: The course of acute post-manipulation pancreatitis is milder in patients who underwent pancreatic stenting. There were no cases of purulent-necrotic complications in these patients (n=7). At the same time, 2 cases of pancreatic necrosis were observed in the control group. One patient died among those who did not undergo stenting of the pancreatic duct. CONCLUSION: Stenting of the main pancreatic duct is effective in patients with acute post-manipulation pancreatitis. The course of acute post-manipulation pancreatitis is milder in patients who underwent pancreatic stenting. Significant clinical improvement is observed the next day after stenting. Stenting of the pancreatic duct should be carefully considered early after development of complication.

Methane hydrate emergence from Lake Baikal: direct observations, modelling, and hydrate footprints in seasonal ice cover.

This paper provides a novel report of methane hydrates rising from bottom sediments to the surface of Lake Baikal, validated by photo and video records. The ascent of hydrates in the water column was confirmed by hydroacoustic data showing rising objects with velocities significantly exceeding the typical speeds (18-25 cm s-1) of gas bubbles. Mathematical modelling along with velocity and depth estimates of the presumed methane hydrates coincided with values observed from echograms. Modelling results also showed that a methane hydrate fragment with initial radius of 2.5 cm or greater could reach the surface of Lake Baikal given summer water column temperature conditions. Results further show that while methane bubbles released from the deep sedimentary reservoir would dissolve in the Lake Baikal water column, transport in hydrate form is not only viable but may represent a previously overlooked source of surface methane with subsequent emissions to the atmosphere. Methane hydrates captured within the ice cover may also cause the formation of unique ice structures and morphologies observed around Lake Baikal. Sampling of these ice structures detected methane content that exceeded concentrations measured in surrounding ice and from the atmosphere demonstrating a link with the methane transport processes described here.

THE MAYAK WORKER DOSIMETRY SYSTEM-2013 (MWDS-2013): PHASE II-QUALITY ASSURANCE OF ORGAN DOSE CALCULATIONS.

In order to check developed software tools, it was necessary to compare estimates of statistical characteristics of annual absorbed plutonium internal doses obtained by PANDORA and IMBA software with the same original data. The results were compared from dose calculations of five cases with different initial data on plutonium inhalation intake, lifetime measurements of plutonium activity in daily urine and post-mortem measurements in lungs, lung lymph nodes, liver and skeleton. Estimates of geometric mean and geometric standard deviation of annual regionally weighted lung dose and bone surface dose were compared. Satisfactory agreements of the estimates of statistical characteristics of annual doses to two critical organs for the selected cases were shown. One hundred individual hyper-realizations (forward model evaluations) are sufficient to calculate MWDS-2013 if only measurements of plutonium activity in daily urine are used, and 2000 individual hyper-realizations if both urine and autopsy measurement results are used.

Hyphenated techniques in speciation analysis of polyoxometalates: identification of individual [PMo12-xVxO40]-3-x (x = 1-3) in the reaction mixtures by high performance liquid chromatography and atomic emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma.

Unambiguous identification of polyoxometalate (POM) species generated in self-assembly reactions in solution is rather problematic due to close similarity of their properties such as solubility and spectral characteristics. The situation is made more complex by protonation equilibria (which can change their analytical signals) and the lack of individual compounds to serve as standards for individual members of these mixtures. In the present work a new approach to the study of such POMs has been suggested, taking molybdovanadates [PMo12-xVxO40]-3-x as a model. The key feature of this approach consists of generation of so-called "conditional model systems" that include most of the expected components of a mixture formed by self-assembly, tracked down by reliable detection techniques, e.g., 51V NMR-spectroscopy in this particular case. Then the proposed composition of the mixture is verified and corrected by means of high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (HPLC-ICP-AES).

THE MAYAK WORKER DOSIMETRY SYSTEM (MWDS-2013) FOR INTERNALLY DEPOSITED PLUTONIUM: AN OVERVIEW.

The Mayak Worker Dosimetry System (MWDS-2013) is a system for interpreting measurement data from Mayak workers from both internal and external sources. This paper is concerned with the calculation of annual organ doses for Mayak workers exposed to plutonium aerosols, where the measurement data consists mainly of activity of plutonium in urine samples. The system utilises the latest biokinetic and dosimetric models, and unlike its predecessors, takes explicit account of uncertainties in both the measurement data and model parameters. The aim of this paper is to describe the complete MWDS-2013 system (including model parameter values and their uncertainties) and the methodology used (including all the relevant equations) and the assumptions made. Where necessary, Supplementary papers which justify specific assumptions are cited.

[Opportunities of endovideosurgical interventions in thoracic and abdominal trauma].

AIM: To analyze the results of laparo- and thoracoscopy in patients with thoracic and abdominal trauma in conditions of emergency hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS: For the period 2006-2013 we performed 56 laparoscopic and 15 thoracoscopic interventions in 67 patients with trauma. There were 80.6% of men and 19.4% of women aged 35±1.7 years. Abdominal, thoracic and thoraco-abdominal injuries were observed in 51 (76.1%), 14 (20.9%) and 2 (3%) patients. Abdominal or thoracic trauma alone was diagnosed in 41 (61.2%) cases and combined injury - in 26 (38.8%) patients. 37 (66%) interventions were performed laparoscopically. Conversion to laparotomy was observed in 19 (34%) cases. Mean volume of hemoperitoneum was 458 ml (range 100-1100 ml). In 11 (73.3%) patients thoracoscopic surgery was performed and conversion of access was applied in 4 (26.7%) cases. RESULTS: No injuries of internal organs were observed in 19.6% and 13.3% of patients using laparo- and thoracoscopy respectively. So inadvisable open surgery was prevented although formal indications for laparo- and thoracotomy were present. In 25% and 20% of abdominal and thoracic damages respectively we avoided relatively unjustified laparo- or thoracotomy because of injuries were cured endoscopically. No one missed injury was observed. Postoperative complications were diagnosed in 5.6% of cases. Mortality rate was 15.6% in case of severe combined trauma. Mean hospital stay was 23.2 days (range 3-105). CONCLUSION: Endoscopic techniques are perspective in treatment of thoracic and abdominal trauma. It allows to avoid inadvisable laparo- and thoracotomy in some cases and to improve results of treatment.

[Medical support of the Persamo-Kirkenes Offensive].

Medical support of the Petsamo-Kirkenes Offensive. W consider the organizational aspects of the healthcare support of Petsamo-Kirkenes Offensive in the Arctic. The conditions and factors that influenced the preparation and conduct of operations are analysed. It is shown that success and effectiveness of medical support of the operation are based on good planning, build-up of forces and means of medical service and manoeuvre, timely evacuation of the wounded and sick, experience of interaction and mutual reinforcement of the Army Medical Services, and the fleet can be used in the development of plans for medical support of diverse groups of troops (forces) in the Far North of Russia.

Imaging of oxygen gradients in giant umbrella cells: an ex vivo PLIM study.

O2 plays a pivotal role in aerobic metabolism and regulation of cell and tissue function. Local differences and fluctuations in tissue O2 levels are well documented; however, the physiological significance of O2 microgradients, particularly at the subcellular level, remains poorly understood. Using the cell-penetrating phosphorescent O2 probe Pt-Glc and confocal fluorescence microscopy, we visualized O2 distribution in individual giant (>100-µm) umbrella cells located superficially in the urinary bladder epithelium. We optimized conditions for in vivo phosphorescent staining of the inner surface of the mouse bladder and subsequent ex vivo analysis of excised live tissue. Imaging experiments revealed significant (≤85 µM) and heterogeneous deoxygenation within respiring umbrella cells, with radial O2 gradients of up to 40 µM across the cell, or ∼0.6 µM/µm. Deeply deoxygenated (5-15 µM O2) regions were seen to correspond to the areas enriched with polarized mitochondria. Pharmacological activation of mitochondrial respiration decreased oxygenation and O2 gradients in umbrella cells, while inhibition with antimycin A dissipated the gradients and caused gradual reoxygenation of the tissue to ambient levels. Detailed three-dimensional maps of O2 distribution potentially can be used for the modeling of intracellular O2-dependent enzymatic reactions and downstream processes, such as hypoxia-inducible factor signaling. Further ex vivo and in vivo studies on intracellular and tissue O2 gradients using confocal imaging can shed light on the molecular mechanisms regulating O2-dependent (patho)physiological processes in the bladder and other tissues.

Coordination-induced condensation of [Ta6O19](8-): synthesis and structure of [{(C6H6)Ru}2Ta6O19](4-) and [{(C6H6)RuTa6O18}2(µ-O)](10-).

Reaction of [(C6H6)RuCl2]2 and Na8[Ta6O19] gives two new hybrid organometallic POM complexes, Na10[{(C6H6)RuTa6O18}2(µ-O)]·39.4H2O (Na10-1) and Na4(trans-[{(C6H6)Ru}2Ta6O19]·20H2O (Na4-2). In both cases the half-sandwich fragments {(C6H6)Ru}(2+) are coordinated as additional vertices to the {Ta3(µ2-O)3} triangles of the hexatantalate. According to NMR and ESI-MS data, the dimeric complex [{(C6H6)RuTa6O18}2(µ-O)](10-) dissociates in water with the formation of monomeric [(C6H6)RuTa6O19](6-) species (1a). X-ray structural characterization and aqueous speciation of the complexes by (13)C, (1)H, and DOSY NMR; ESI-MS; and capillary electrophoresis (CE) have been carried out.

Comparative bioenergetic assessment of transformed cells using a cell energy budget platform.

The aberrant expression and functional activity of proteins involved in ATP production pathways may cause a crisis in energy generation for cells and compromise their survival under stressful conditions such as excitation, starvation, pharmacological treatment or disease states. Under resting conditions such defects are often compensated for, and therefore masked by, alternative pathways which have significant spare capacity. Here we present a multiplexed 'cell energy budget' platform which facilitates metabolic assessment and cross-comparison of different cells and the identification of genes directly or indirectly involved in ATP production. Long-decay emitting O(2) and pH sensitive probes and time-resolved fluorometry are used to measure changes in cellular O(2) consumption, glycolytic and total extracellular acidification (ECA), along with the measurement of total ATP and protein content in multiple samples. To assess the extent of spare capacity in the main energy pathways, the cells are also analysed following double-treatment with carbonyl cyanide p-(trifluoromethoxy)phenylhydrazone and oligomycin. The four-parametric platform operating in a high throughput format has been validated with two panels of transformed cells: mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) lacking the Krebs cycle enzyme fumarate hydratase (Fh1) and HeLa cells with reduced expression of pyrimidine nucleotide carrier 1. In both cases, a marked reduction in both respiration and spare respiratory capacity was observed, accompanied by a compensatory activation of glycolysis and consequent maintenance of total ATP levels. At the same time, in Fh1-deficient MEFs the contribution of non-glycolytic pathways to the ECA did not change.

[General surgical procedures in patients with electrical pacemaker].

Work of the implanted electric pacemaker (EP) was assessed in 99 patients, aged 62.4±9.6 years, during non-cardiological surgery. Inhibition of the EP stimuli was registered in 9 (9.1%) patients, short episodes of uneffective stimulation with synchronization disturbation--in 2 (2%) patients and change of stimulation regimen was registered in the same number of patients by electocoagulation. Episodes of myopotential inhibition not assotiated with electrocoagulation was registered in 4 cases. The ascertained rhythm disturbances require a thorough preoperative check-up, intraoperative ECG control and short use of monopolar electrocoagulation.

Mitochondrial pyrimidine nucleotide carrier (PNC1) regulates mitochondrial biogenesis and the invasive phenotype of cancer cells.

The insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) signalling pathway is essential for metabolism, cell growth and survival. It induces expression of the mitochondrial pyrimidine nucleotide carrier 1 (PNC1) in transformed cells, but the consequences of this for cell phenotype are unknown. Here we show that PNC1 is necessary to maintain mitochondrial function by controlling mitochondrial DNA replication and the ratio of transcription of mitochondrial genes relative to nuclear genes. PNC1 suppression causes reduced oxidative phosphorylation and leakage of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which activates the AMPK-PGC1alpha signalling pathway and promotes mitochondrial biogenesis. Overexpression of PNC1 suppresses mitochondrial biogenesis. Suppression of PNC1 causes a profound ROS-dependent epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), whereas overexpression of PNC1 suppresses both basal EMT and induction of EMT by TGF-beta. Overall, our findings indicate that PNC1 is essential for mitochondria maintenance and suggest that its induction by IGF-I facilitates cell growth whereas protecting cells from an ROS-promoted differentiation programme that arises from mitochondrial dysfunction.

Disorders in cytokine gene expression in endometrial hyperplasia and effect of hormone therapy.

We studied local expression of insulin-like growth factor 1, insulin-like growth factor receptor, epithelial growth factor, transforming growth factor beta2, PCNA, TNF-alpha, type I TNF receptor, Fas, FasL, IFN-gamma, IL-1beta, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and IL-12 genes in intact and hyperplastic endometrium. Endometrial hyperplasia was associated with reduced production of TNF-alpha (p<0.05), PCNA (p<0.05), and epithelial growth factor mRNA and enhanced production of Fas mRNA (p<0.01). The expression of TNF-R1, IL-1beta, and IL-12 genes decreased only in glandular cystic hyperplasia (p<0.05 for all genes), expression of insulin-like growth factor 1 gene decreased only in adenomatous hyperplasia (p<0.05). Dufaston therapy of glandular cystic hyperplasia and zoladex therapy of adenomatous hyperplasia normalized expression of Fas receptor, PCNA, and insulin-like growth factor 1 genes, while the expression of IFN-gamma and IL-6 genes, which was normal in hyperplasia, decreased (p<0.05). Zoladex therapy decreased the production of transforming growth factor beta2 (p<0.05) and IL-1beta (p<0.01) mRNA, dufaston therapy decreased production of TNF-alpha (p<0.05) and IL-4 mRNA (p<0.05). Hence, both apoptosis and proliferative activity were suppressed in endometrial hyperplasia, and hormone therapy created prerequisites for transition of the endometrium into the normal proliferation stage.

[The method of parietal-cavitary sanitation of intestines in complex treatment of acute diffuse peritonitis]. / Metod pristenochno-polostnoi sanatsii kishechnika v kompleksnom lechenii ostrogo rasprostranennogo peritonita.

Experimental investigations carried out in 154 white rats and 24 mongrel dogs have proved pathogenetical effectiveness and safety of using the method of parietal-cavitary sanitation of the intestine in treatment of acute experimental peritonitis. This method used in complex treatment in 28 patients with acute diffuse peritonitis allowed a 1.5-2 times quicker arrest of the syndrome of endogenous intoxication and liquidation of intestinal paresis. Infectious complications were 43% less frequent and the lethality indices were reduced by 9.5% as compared with the results obtained in the control group.

[Tobacco etch virus proteinase: crystal structure of the active enzyme and its inactive mutant]. / Proteinaza virusa gravirovki tabaka: kristallicheskaia struktura aktivnogo fermenta i ego neaktivnogo mutanta.

Tobacco Etch Virus Protease (TEV protease) is widely used as a tool for separation of recombinant target proteins from their fusion partners. The crystal structures of two mutants of TEV protease, active autolysis-resistant mutant TEV-S219D in complex with the proteolysis product, and inactive mutant TEV-C151A in complex with a substrate, have been determined at 1.8 and 2.2 A resolution, respectively. The active sites of both mutants, including their oxyanion holes, have identical structures. The C-terminal residues 217-221 of the enzyme are involved in formation of the binding pockets S3-S6. This indicates that the autolysis of the peptide bond Met218-Ser219 exerts a strong effect on the fine-tuning of the substrate in the enzyme active site, which results in considerable decrease in the enzymatic activity.

Location and intensity of IL-8 and TGF-beta2 mRNA production in the fimbrial compartment of fallopian tubes and IL-10 in the endometrium in patients with pyoinflammatory adnexal diseases.

The location and level of IL-8 and TGF-beta2 expression in the fimbrial compartment of fallopian tubes and IL-10 expression in the endometrium of women with pyoinflammatory adnexal diseases were studied by in situ hybridization. These diseases are associated with considerable changes in the levels of local production of these cytokines. Inflammatory infiltration and epithelial cells were most active producers of IL-9 and TGF-beta2 in the fimbrial compartment of fallopian tubes, while in the endometrium IL-10 gene was expressed at a high level primarily in the glandular epithelial cells.