[Use of a controlled attenuation parameter for the diagnosis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease].

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) with a controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) in a population of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)and to compare to US and different non-invasive indices. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Single center NAFLD patients' database of 2021-2023 years was retrospectively analysed. Data of VCTE evaluation with CAP (FibroScan 530® and FibroScan 630 Expert®) as well as liver US examination results and values of HSI, FLI, BAAT and NAFLD-LFS were extracted. AUROCs for all methods used were constructed and sensitivity and specificity analysis was performed. RESULTS: The data of 1081 patients were available for analysis (385 with steatosis, 274 with NASH, 422 without NAFLD as a control). Ultrasound examination in the diagnosis of liver steatosis compared to VCTE with CAP showed sensitivity and specificity of 94.6 and 63.7%, respectively. Diagnosis of liver steatosis using indices and scales showed sensitivity and specificity of HSI: 97.9 and 60.1% (AUROC 0.90), FLI: 92.5 and 85.3% (AUROC 0.93), BAAT: 76.6 and 73.5% (AUROC 0.82), NAFLD-LFS: 56.7 and 81.8% (AUROC 0.85). CONCLUSION: The sensitivity of the US of the liver was consistent with previous studies, but the specificity was low. The HSI index had the best indicators of sensitivity and specificity in relation to the diagnosis of liver steatosis. Combination of liver US and HSI can be used in screening of liver steatosis, however, for the complete diagnosis better tools which can simultaneously evaluate liver steatosis and fibrosis should be used.

[Clinical evaluation of the efficacy of innovative spread of a given fatty acid composition enriched by adaptogens].

Adaptogens are a group of substances capable to increase the nonspecific resistance of the organism to a wide range of harmful effects and stress. However, only limited data exist on their use in the composition of foods for special dietary uses. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of a diet that included vegetable-fat spread enriched with 5-hydroxytryptophan, L-theanine and γ-aminobutyric acid on memory, general well-being and emotional status of healthy volunteers. Material and methods. The single-center, single-blind randomized prospective trial that enrolled persons without signs of significant organic pathology have been performed. Participants were randomly allocated to receive either 45 g/day standard spread enriched with 5-hydroxytryptophan (0.67%), L-theanine (0.56%) and γ-aminobutyric acid (0.45%) (main group, MG) or 45 g/day standard spread (control group, CG) for 10 days. Beside this, all participants followed a standard diet. Initially, as well as on the 10th day after the start of using the diet, the emotional state was assessed using the HADS anxiety and depression scale and Beck's depression inventory (BDI), general well-being by SAN questionnaire, memory according to the Lurie method; reaction time and attention concentration were assessed using the Krepelin counting test and the Burdon correction test. A 5-point Likert visual-analogue scale was used to assess the palatability (pasting) of the product, the severity of feelings of hunger and satiety at the baseline and on the 10th day of the study. All tests were performed under the supervision of staff. During the study, daily monitoring of the presence of adverse events was performed. Results. There were 70 subjects in MG and 70 in CG. Lurie memory score significantly increased in the MG (59.9±6.7 vs 58.1±7.4 points at the baseline; p=0.001), but not in the CG (58.0±6.9 vs 57.3±7.3 points, p>0.05). According to the SAN questionnaire, significant increase of well-being values (46.9±13.4 vs 44.2±13.5 points; p=0.01) and mood (49.9±12.6 vs 47.4±12.9 points; p=0.01) was found in MG, while in CG there was an increase of the mood category only (54.4±10.8 vs 52.2±12.1, p=0.04). At the end of the study an increase of «Satiety¼ (60.3±22.8 vs 51.5±24.8, p=0.022) and decrease of «Hunger¼ score (24.1±19.8 vs 29.1±19.4, p=0.02) were revealed in CG but not in the CG. No significant change was found by the results of other tests, stool form and its frequency in both groups. Conclusion. Newly developed spread enriched with 5-hydroxytryptophan, L-theanine, γ-aminobutyric acid was well-tolerated, did not affect the feeling of hunger and satiety, and improved memory and well-being parameters.

[Modification of dietary patterns in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis].

AIM: To assess efficacy of dietary patterns modification with the use of specialized food in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We developed new specialized food (SPP2) based on literature data on the role of dietary patterns in pathogenesis of NASH. It contained -3 PUFAs, soluble dietary fiber, phospholipids, -lipoic acid, coenzyme Q10, L-carnitine, complex of vitamins. Patients with NASH (per EASL guidelines), were invited to participate in the study and were randomly assigned to receive either isocaloric diet (ICD) alone (based on the results of indirect calorimetry Cosmed, Italy) or isocaloric diet with specialized food (2 portions of SPP2 a day), for 14 days. Repeated examinations of body composition with phase angle analysis (InBody, Republic of Korea) and blood chemistry were performed at baseline (BL) and after 14 days (EOT). The patients were advised to follow usual physical activity during the study. Non-parametric statistics was used to compare BL and EOT characteristics in the groups. RESULTS: The groups did not differ by age, proportion of females, and baseline characteristics of body composition. Adherence to the diet was 87.5% in the ICD group and 88.2% in the ICD+SPP group (p=0.65). Compliance with the use of SPP was 100%. In the ICD+SPP group significant reduction of body weight was achieved (117.530.1 kg initially, vs 114.928.8 kg at EOT; p=0.007), whereas in the ICD group it was not statistically significant (106.722.1 kg at BL vs 104.016.8 kg at EOT, respectively; p=0.07). In contrast to the ICD group, in those who received ICD+SPP significant decrease in cholesterol (5.31.3 mmol/L at BL vs 4.61.3 mmol/L at EOT; p=0.003), LDL (3.71.0 mmol/L vs 3.31.0 mmol/L, respectively; p=0.009), alkaline phosphatase (132.699.1 vs 112.087.0 U/L; p=0.04), GGT (54.533.2 vs 37.519.7 U/L; p=0.04), insulin resistance index (6.13.2 vs 3.21.5, respectively; p=0.04) was detected. CONCLUSION: Modification of dietary patterns with the use of a specialized food in combination with low-calorie diet allows achieving significant reduction of weight and improve lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, reduce severity of cholestasis in patients with NASH.

Anemia as a Risk Factor for Organ Dysfunctions in Patients Operated on Heart Valves.

Aim      To study the effects of pre- and postoperative anemia on the risk and the structure of internal organ dysfunction in patients undergoing surgery for acquired heart diseases (AHD).Material and methods  This was a retrospective cohort study including 610 primarily operated patients with AHD. A comparative analysis of the incidence and the structure of internal organ dysfunction was performed, and the likelihood of intraoperative hemotransfusion was determined for patients with preoperative anemia (Hb <130 g/l) and without it. The incidence and the nature of internal organ damage were compared in patients with postoperative Hb < 90 g/l and 90-130 g/l.Results The presence of postoperative anemia detected in 45 % of patients at two days after the surgery 6-fold increased the risk of acute heart failure (odds ratio [OR], 5.75; 95 % confidence interval [CI], 1.23-26.84; р=0.016), 4-fold increased the risk of multiorgan failure (MOF) (OR, 4.2; 95 % CI, 1.16-15.64; р=0.03), and 5-fold increased the likelihood of hemotransfusion (OR, 4.74; 95 % CI, 3.12-7.19; р<0.0001). Severe and moderate anemia (Hb <90 g/l) was observed in 11.2 % of patients, which presence 6-fold increased the risk of brain dysfunction (OR, 5.72; 95 % CI, 2.17-15.06; р=0.001) and MOF (OR, 5.97; 95 % CI, 1.94-18.35; р=0.004) compared to patients with Hb 90-130 g/l.Conclusion      In patients with AHD, postoperative anemia increases the risk of circulatory decompensation at two days after the surgery and of MOF and also increases the likelihood of intraoperative hemotransfusion; postoperative anemia with Hb <90 g/l increases the risk of brain damage and MOF.

Novel modification of Hall-type ion source (study and the first results).

We present the original approach to use plasma accelerators with closed electron drift (Hall-type ion sources), which, unlike traditional accelerators with metal and dielectric walls, have open walls and can be applied for creation cost effective low maintenance plasma devices based on plasma lens configuration for production of converging towards axis accelerated ion beams. The paper describes pilot sample of Hall-type plasma accelerator, the first experimental results, one-dimensional theoretical model, and exact analytical solutions following from it.

Recent development of plasma optical systems (invited).

The article devotes a brief description of the recent development and current status of an ongoing research of plasma optical systems based on the fundamental plasma optical idea magnetic electron isolation, equipotentialization magnetic field lines, and the axi-symmetric cylindrical electrostatic plasma lens (PL) configuration. The experimental, theoretical, and simulation investigations have been carried out over recent years collaboratively between IP NASU (Kiev), LBNL (Berkeley, USA), and HCEI RAS (Tomsk). The crossed electric and magnetic fields inherent the PL configuration that provides the attractive method for establishing a stable plasma discharge at low pressure. Using PL configuration, several high reliability plasma devices were developed. These devices are attractive for many high-tech applications.

[Trophic chains in soil].

Trophic links of soil animals are extensively diverse but also flexible. Moreover, feeding activity of large soil saprotrophs often cascades into a range of ecosystem-level consequences via the ecological engineering. Better knowledge on the main sources of energy utilized by soil animals is needed for understanding functional structure of soil animal communities and their participation in the global carbon cycling. Using published and original data, we consider the relative importance of dead organic matter and saprotrophic microorganisms as a basal energy source in the detritus-based food chains, the feeding of endogeic macrofauna on the stabilized soil organic matter, and the role of recent photosynthate in the energy budget of soil communities. Soil food webs are spatially and functionally compartmentalized, though the separation of food chains into bacteria- and fungi-based channels seems to be an over-simplification. The regulation of the litter decomposition rates via top-down trophic interactions across more than one trophic level is only partly supported by experimental data, but mobile litter-dwelling predators play a crucial role in integrating local food webs within and across neighboring ecosystems.

Compression and focusing a laser produced plasma using a plasma optical system.

Axi-symmetric compression and focusing of a low temperature laser produced copper plasma with an electrostatic plasma optical system was investigated for the first time. The degree of plasma concentration was quantified using Langmuir ion measurements of the ion flow and optical measurements of the thickness distributions of copper depositions on glass substrates. Both the ion flow and the deposition measurements showed strong concentration of the ion-plasma flow towards the axis. The ion current density at the focus was compressed by a factor up to 9. The on-axis deposition rate was increased by about the same factor.

Electrostatic plasma lens for focusing negatively charged particle beams.

We describe the current status of ongoing research and development of the electrostatic plasma lens for focusing and manipulating intense negatively charged particle beams, electrons, and negative ions. The physical principle of this kind of plasma lens is based on magnetic isolation electrons providing creation of a dynamical positive space charge cloud in shortly restricted volume propagating beam. Here, the new results of experimental investigations and computer simulations of wide-aperture, intense electron beam focusing by plasma lens with positive space charge cloud produced due to the cylindrical anode layer accelerator creating a positive ion stream towards an axis system is presented.

Self-heated hollow cathode discharge system for charged particle sources and plasma generators.

This paper presents the results of experimental studies of a new design of discharge system using a self-heated hollow cathode. The discharge system offers certain advantages that are attractive for use in high-dose ion implantation, plasma generators, and plasma electron sources.

[Molecular phylogeny and systematics of flowering plants of the family Crassulaceae DC].

Crassulaceae is the most species rich (ca. 1400) family in the order Saxifragales. Most members of the family are succulent plants. Phenotypic diversity and a large number of species complicate systematics of the family and reconstruction of relationship within it. Phylogenetic analyses based on morphological and molecular markers placed Crassulaceae as one of the crown clades of Saxifragales. In this contribution a review of phylogenetic studies of the family Crassulaceae, based on DNA nucleotide sequence comparisons is presented; major clades established in the family are characterised; their structure and polyphylesis of some genera related to it are discussed. It was shown that the traditional taxonomic structure of Crassulaceae contradicts pattern of phylogenetic relationships between its members. We critically analysed recent taxonomic systems of the family and stress that homoplasy of morphological characters does not allow to use them to reconstruct relationships between crassulacean taxa even at the low taxonomic levels.

[Phylogenetic relationships in the genus Primula L. (Primulaceae) inferred from the ITS region sequences of nuclear rDNA].

The nucleotide sequences of the nuclear rDNA ITS regions were determined for 34 species of the genus Primula L. and one species of the genus Cortusa L., family Primulaceae Vent., and used to infer the phylogenetic relationships among these species. This analysis species of the Russian flora and the flora of adjacent territories were studied for the first time. The results clarified the taxomic structure of the genus Primula and confirmed the entity of some of its sections; but not the subgenera sensu J. Richards. Our data do not support an independent status of the genus Cortusa, placing it as one of the terminal lineages of the section Cortusoides Balf. f. in the genus Primula.

[Phylogenetic relationships among members of the subfamily sedoideae (Crassulaceae) inferred from the ITS region sequences of nuclear rDNA].

Nucleotide sequences of the nuclear rDNA ITS regions were determined in 20 species of the subfamily Sedoideae (Crassulaceae). The phylogenetic relationships of these species with other members of the subfamily, occurring mainly in Southeast Asia, were analyzed. It was shown that the genus Orostachys was not monophyletic; its typical subsection was reliably included into the clade of the genus Hylotelephium. Synapomorphic substitutions and indels, specific for the subsection Orostachys, were detected in ITS1. Sister relationships were established between clades Aizopsis and Phedimus, based on which they can be recognized as isolated genera.

[Phylogenetic relationships of the Far Eastern Araliaceae inferred from ITS sequences of nuclear rDNA].

In eight species of the family Araliaceae, inhabiting the territory of the Russian Far East, the sequences of ITS regions of nuclear rDNA were determined. A comparison of these sequences enabled establishment of phylogenetic relationships between the Far Eastern and other members of the family. It was demonstrated that Aralia sensu populations from Primorye and Sakhalin were genetically different and, hereby, could be classified as interspecific taxa. Aralia continentalis along with A. cordata were attributed to the section Aralia sensu. Oplopanax elaus and O. horridus were found to be very close to each other, possibly being the subspecies of one species or relatively young species. Legitimacy of the isolation of two sections within the genus Eleutherococcus was confirmed.

Modern aspects of planetary protection and requirements to sterilization of space hardware.

The viewpoint of working group of Russian experts on the problem of planetary protection for future manned and unmanned Mars mission is presented. Recent data of Martian environment and on survival of terrestrial microorganisms in extreme conditions were used for detailed analysis and overview of planetary protection measures in regard to all possible flight situations including accidental landing. The special emphasis on "Mars-94" mission was done. This analysis resulted in revised formulation of spacecraft sterilization requirements and possible measures for their best implementation. New general combined approach to spacecraft sterilization was proposed. It includes penetrating radiation and heat treatment of spacecraft parts and components which is to be carried out before the final assembly of spacecraft and gaseous radiation sterilization of the whole spacecraft during the flight to Mars (or from Mars for return missions).