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INTRODUCTION: The existing multiple factors of the ship’s environment, together with the climatic conditions of navigation, have a long and complex effect on the body of seamen. As a result, they often cause significant changes in the body. In turn, such changes can cause the emergence and development of many diseases.OBJECTIVE: To analyze the morbidity of trawl fleet fishermen working in different climatic regions, possible factors contributing to the occurrence of diseases, to develop recommendations for reducing diseases with disability of workers.MATERIALS AND METHODS: The morbidity of fishermen of the Arkhangelsk trawl fleet for the same period when working in the fishery in different climatogeographic regions was studied. 464 people of 4 crews of large freezing fishing trawlers aged 25–49 years (average age 41.8±9.5 years) and work experience from 3 to 10 years were under monitoring. The fishing area is the Norwegian Sea (northern climate zone, crew 237 people) and the Moorish Economic Zone (southern region, crew 217 people). The duration of the works ranged from 168 to 185 days. 10 voyage reports from on-board logbooks (5 times in each of the climatic regions) were used as sources of information on morbidity. Statistics: The McNemar criterion was used for comparative analysis between frequency indicators, and the MannWhitney criterion was used for absolute averages. The statistical significance level pRESULTS: The morbidity of seafarers, according to the initial appeals, had statistically significant differences when working in different climatogeographic regions. The frequency of cases of temporary disability for people working in tropical regions turned out to be much higher in comparison with the northern ones. At the same time, the average duration of the disease in the absolute majority of nosological forms (except for skin and subcutaneous tissue diseases) had no statistically significant differences between the groups of sailors.DISCUSSION: Territorial features of fishing produce the characteristic of morbidity. Among them, the greatest contribution to the occurrence of diseases are frequent international contacts, peculiarities of processing of harvested fish, tension of adaptation mechanisms due to work in unusual conditions combined with hard work. The identified causes of morbidity among trawl fleet fishermen require the development of special measures to level them, prevent the development of chronic diseases.CONCLUSION: Is made about the need for constant monitoring of seafarers to determine adaptive changes during the voyage period and during the readaptation of the crew to coastal conditions. Within the framework of the medical support system for water transport workers, it is necessary to take into account the adverse factors of the professional environment in order to create high-quality and safe working conditions.

Intravenous thrombolysis (IT) with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator has remained the main method of reperfusion therapy in ischaemic stroke for a quarter of a century. The main trends in the use of IT in recent years are the expansion of the therapeutic window using additional methods of neuroimaging, reducing the number of contraindications and introduction into clinical practice of bolus forms of drugs. Providing IT to the largest number of patients should be considered a major challenge for the primary vascular department. This article presents 10 clinical rules for extending IT in stroke while ensuring its efficacy and safety: 1) conduct IT in suspected stroke; 2) conduct IT in patients over 80 (and even 90) years of age; 3) conduct IT in minor but disabling stroke; 4) conduct IT in minor vertebrobasilar stroke and central acute vestibular syndrome; 5) perform IT in cases of large artery occlusion; 6) perform IT in suspected lacunar stroke and chronic neuroimaging changes (lacunas, white matter hyperintensity, atrophy); 7) reduce door-to-needle time, use thrombolytics with bolus administration; 8) use neuroimaging options (CT perfusion, MR perfusion, MR DWI/FLAIR) to expand the therapeutic window; 9) ensure the safety of IT; 10) be prepared for complications. Increasing the frequency of IT should not be seen as a goal, but intensifying the use of this method of treatment is associated with the improvement of all areas of the diagnostic and treatment process in the clinic and the improvement of stroke outcomes.

Atrial cardiopathy (AC) and silent atrial fibrillation (AF) are potential causes of embolic cryptogenic stroke (embolic stroke of undetermined source, ESUS) timely diagnosis of which can significantly change the direction of secondary prevention and reduce the risk of repeated brain catastrophe. The article discusses clinical and radiological markers of cardioembolism, the concept of atrial cardiopathy, its electrocardiographic, echocardiographic and serum markers, as well as the possibility of drug prophylaxis of recurrent stroke. The most applicable AC features in daily operation are the ECG data (p-wave terminal force in lead V1 > 5000 μV x ms, supraventricular extrasystoles and advanced interatrial block), 24-hour ECG monitoring (≥ 480 supraventricular extrasystoles per 24-hour, paroxysms of supraventricular tachycardia ≥ 20 complexes), transthoracic (diameter of left atrium > 40 mm, index of diameter of left atrium ≥ 3 cm/m2, index of volume of left atrium > 34 ml/m2) and transesophageal echocardiography (spontaneous echo contrast phenomenon, blood flow rate in LA appendage 250 pg/ml. An individual, interdisciplinary decision to prescribe an anticoagulant when combined: (1) the presence of structural and functional AC markers, (2) cardioembolic pattern of a cerebral infarction or intracranial artery occlusion by visualization data and (3) high thromboembolic risk and probability of detection of AF on assessment scales (CHA2DS2-VASc, AF-ESUS and C2HEST). The greatest benefit of prescribing anticoagulant therapy can be obtained by patients with recurrent ESUS in whom sufficient secondary prevention and expressed AC, typical cardioembolism imaging pattern and high risk of thromboembolic events have already been achieved.

The epidemiology of cervical artery dissection (CAD), which is often not thought to be the cause of ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA), is discussed. The pathomorphology and pathogenesis of CAD, the key feature of which is the development of intramural hematoma, as well as predisposing conditions, triggers and associated conditions, in particular migraine, are reviewed. The clinical picture of diseases — local symptoms (headache and/ or neck pain, Horner’s syndrome, caudal cranial nerve involvement, cervical radicular syndrome, pulsatile tinnitus) and ischemic events (ischemic stroke or TIA) is presented. Modern approaches to urgent neuro- and angioimaging in CAD are reflected, including the possibilities of CT angiography (direct and indirect signs) and fat sat MRI (crescent symptom). Issues of reperfusion therapy (intravenous thrombolysis, thrombectomy and stenting) are discussed. The course of disease and secondary antithrombotic prophylaxis are analyzed.

INTRODUCTION: The adaptive human characteristics are time bound, hence an abrupt change of environmental conditions is crucial in adaptation process, specifically relevant maritime medicine.OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY: Based on literature data, to frame the issue of changes in psychological adaptive process among the fishing industry staff during long sea journeys and to justify the need of their constant medical supervision for early identification of possible health problems in the voyage period as well as during crew readaptation to the shore conditions.MATERIALS AND METHODS: The literature has been searched in the international electronic databases of Web of Science, Scopus, also in the domestic library system eLibrary. The sources with a full-text access to the e-library are used. Time depth of the analysed literature coverage is the last 20–25 years, yet more than half of the sources are less than 5–7 years. The key words in the search engine are maritime labour, adverse occupational factors of maritime activities, the health of fishing transport staff, psychological adaptation of the sailing vessel crew.RESULTS: Specificity of the adaptation problem in maritime medicine is primarily that seamen’s body should adjust to a significant number of adversities in a relatively short time. Time discrepancy between these processes leads to the emergence of disadaptation disorders which might evoke pathological lesion. Psychological status has a pronounced impact on human adaptation to working environment. Individuals with pronounced weakness of nervous processes often experience breakdowns in tense navigation conditions. The literary data analysis of seamen’s psycho-emotional state study in navigation conditions shows that even while short-term journey in the Arctic Basin seas most sailors experience mental tension of the central nervous system by the midterm. At long-term journey during a year-round Arctic navigation the phasal nature of psychological adaptation course is identified. In the first third of the journey the development of orienting response was observed due to the staff change and familiar social environment. By the middle of the journey there was a period of mental stabilization. By the end of the journey signs of psychological disadaptation were detected and intensified. Disadaptation changes include emotional instability, increased lability of the nervous system, particularly reflected in irritation, sleep disturbance, increased neuromuscular excitability, decline in mental and physical performance.CONCLUSION: Seamen require constant psychophysiological monitoring to identify adaptive changes in the journey period and during crew readaptation to the shore conditions. Within the system of medical support to the water transport staff, an integrated manner of adverse conditions in professional environment is required in order to create high-quality and safe working conditions.

Medullary thyroid cancer (MRSH) has a high malignant potential in the vast majority of cases, but in some patients with MRSH is characterized by a sluggish, non-aggressive course, when patients with the presence of proven medullary carcinoma or distant metastases and / or relapse, can live without progression for a sufficiently long time. Such a course of a malignant tumor is called indolent. The article presents a clinical case of diagnosis and treatment of indolent primary MRSH in a patient with a duration of the disease of 11 years. Shows some features of the dynamics of the level of basal calcitonin and cancer-embryonic antigen (CEA), ultrasound characteristics and data of fine-needle puncture biopsy of the tumor. The phenomenon of indolent course of MRSH characterized, as a rule, by a high malignant potential, is probably due to the biological characteristics of the tumor and requires further research.

Introduction: Determination of individual reactions of the nervous system during self-regulation under experimental cold conditions has a potential to contribute to better understanding of the "physiological costs" humans "pay" for adaptation to the climatic factors of the Arctic. Aim: To study the dynamics of the spectral power of the electroencephalogram (EEG) during heart rate variability biofeedback (HRV BF) sessions in experimental hypothermia. Methods: Thirty healthy male volunteers (18-20 years old) participated in the experiment. The experimental group consisted of men who performed the HRV BF session (n = 15) and the control group (n = 15). The experiment included five stages: I - rest (+20 °С); II - HRV BF session for the experimental group and rest for the control group; III - whole cooling (-20 °С) for 10 min; IV and V - states after cooling, similar to stages I and II, respectively. EEG were recorded during each stage of the study using a portable electroencephalograph "Neuron-Spectrum-SM" (Neurosoft, Russia). Results: Body temperature significantly decreased on average by 2.2-2.7 °С (p < 0.001) during cooling. An increase in the power of theta- and alpha-activity of the EEG was revealed in the subjects during HRV BF session; the most pronounced changes were observed during stage V. Desynchronization of the EEG alpha-rhythm with the greatest decrease in the right frontal-central regions was observed in subjects of the control group by stage II (p < 0.05), and at the stage of rewarming (stage V), no significant changes in theta- and alpha-activities EEG were revealed. Significant increases in theta-activity EEG during HRV BF after cooling were observed in subjects in the left frontal, central and temporal brain parts (p < 0.05-0.01), which was caused by an increase in the activity of subcortical regulatory mechanisms and an increase in parasympathetic activity during the HRV BF session. An increase in the power of the EEG alpha-activity, reflecting the combined enhanced influence of thalamic and brainstem structures, was revealed over all brain parts, the most significant increases were also noted in the left frontal, central and temporal brain parts (p < 0.05-0.01). Concluzion: HRV BF training stimulates the central structures of autonomic regulation and parasympathetic activity when exposed to cold contributing to better adaptation to the climatic conditions of the Arctic.

Aim: To study electroencephalographic (EEG) changes in adolescents with different risks of developing Internet addiction (IA). Methods: This cross-sectional study included 1б-17 years-old adolescents (n = 55) permanently living in the Arctic Russian town of Arkhangelsk. Risk of IA was assessed using the Chen Internet Addiction Scale (CIAS). By the results of the CIAS test all adolescents were divided into three groups: I - minimal risk of IA, II - increased risk to develop IA and III - stable IA pattern. EEG was evaluated by the values of spectral power (|jV2) in each frequency band. Results: Altogether, 25.5 % of adolescents had minimal risk of developing IA, б3.б% belonged to group 2 and 10.9 % had IA. The organized type of alpha activity EEG was found in 79 % of individuals in group I and in 100 % of individuals in group III. This indicates the optimal age ratio of the activity of the reticular formation, cerebral cortex and diencephalic structures. A large number of negative correlations between compulsive symptoms of IA and all types of EEG activity in group I was determined, which may indicate a resistance of these individuals to addiction. The organized EEG type was detected in 54 %, hypersynchronous type - in 14 %, desynchronized type - in 14 %, disorganized type - in 18 % of group II individuals. A disorganized EEG type with a large ratio of theta EEG waves in the frontal-central brain parts in group II may indicate a high limbic-diencephalic excitation. The correlations between the indicators of the withdrawal symptom scale and the EEG theta-activity reflect the psychological discomfort when access to Internet resources is difficult. Conclusions: Most adolescents with minimal risk of IA and symptoms IA have an organized EEG-type while adolescents with IA have this EEG-type only in a half of the cases, which is caused by the heterochronia of the EEG formation in the Arctic residents and the peculiarities of the formation and development of IA.

The aim was to study changes in cardiovascular indices and electroencephalogram (EEG) characteristics in response to short-term general air cooling of the body in young adults. Methods. The sample consisted of 13 healthy men aged 18-21 years who were permanent residents of the city of Arkhangelsk (Northwest Russia). The spectral power (SP) of EEG rhythms was assessed using an electroencephalograph (Neurosoft, Russia). Heart rate variability (HRV) was measured using Varikard equipment (Ramena, Russia). Temperature of the skin surface was measured with an electronic infrared thermometer B Well WF - 1000 (Switzerland). Blood pressure were recorded with an automatic tonometer A&D Medical UA-668 (Japan). All indicators were measured prior to the exposure, under cold exposure in the cold chamber "USF-25N" (-20C, 10 minutes) and 5 and 10 minutes after the exposure. Results. Two types of changes in the study parameters were identified. In type I reaction there was is a greater decrease in body surface temperature, an increase in blood pressure (BP), HRV indicators (RMSSD, pNN50%, TP) and minimal changes in the bioelectrical activity of the brain during the exposure. During the recovery period, systolic BP did not decrease and HRV indicators recovered slowly. In type II reaction, there was a smaller decrease in body surface temperature, an increase in the а-0 activity of the EEG in the anterotemporal regions of the brain and an increase in the 0-activity of the EEG in the frontal regions on the right combined with a increase in HRV (SDNN, pNN50%, RMSSD, TP), an increase in BP during exposure with return to initial values after the exposure. Conclusions. We identified two types of reactions to cold exposure in young men that may reflect the heterogeneity of adaptive reactions of the body's regulatory systems to cold.

Long nonconding RNAs (lncRNAs) perform a variety of functions: they are involved in chromatin organization, regulation of gene expression at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels, and regulation of activity and stability of some proteins. The majority of known lncRNAs contain sequences of mobile genetic elements (MGEs) in a sense or antisense orientation. According to several studies, MGE may serve as functional modules responsible for interactions between the lncRNA and certain proteins, DNA regions, or other RNAs. The available data make it possible to describe groups of lncRNAs that possess common structural features and contain certain MGEs and to predict the characteristics of new lncRNAs. The review summarizes the data on the role that MGE sequences play in lncRNA functions.

Aim. This study was conducted to determine the incidence of delirium after cardiac surgery and its effect on the length of the patient’s stay in the ICU and to identify the perioperative risk factors.Methods. This research was a retrospective assessment of 1941 medical records and the course of the perioperative period in patients subjected to elective cardiac surgery.Results. Delirium developed in 193 cases (9.94%); whereas, hyperactive, hypoactive and mixed delirium was observed in 13%, 43% and 44% of the patients, respectively. Most often (26% of the cases), delirium occurred after complex combined surgeries. Independent risk factors for the development of delirium were older age (OR 1.041, 95% CI [1.002–1.081], p = 0.038), EuroSCORE II score (OR 1.286, 95% CI [1.093–1.731], p = 0.025), acute kidney injury (OR 1.306, 95% CI [1.107–1.942], p = 0.0018) and renal replacement therapy (OR 1.399 95% CI [1.361–2.792], p = 0.001). Cardiopulmonary bypass duration and time of clamping of the aorta, postoperative serum creatinine level, need for blood transfusions and duration of mechanical ventilation and duration of ICU stay were identified as predictors and were also significantly higher in the delirium group. Delirium was closely associated with critical illness polyneuropathy (OR 9.201, 95% CI [2.13–38.826], p < 0.001) and neurogenic dysphagia (OR 7.48, 95% CI [1.12–56.07], p = 0.022).Conclusion. The key factors for delirium development in the postoperative period include advanced age, high EuroSCORE II scale and acute kidney injury requiring continuous renal replacement therapy. Delirium significantly increases the duration of mechanical ventilation and the duration of ICU stay.Received 30 January 2020. Revised 18 March 2020. Accepted 24 March 2020.Funding: The study did not have sponsorship.Conflict of interest: Authors declare no conflict of interest.Author contributionsConception and design: V.V. Pasyuga, I.N. LeidermanData collection: D.A. Demin, E.V. Demina, I.L. Nudel, V.V. Pasyuga Data analysis: V.V. Pasyuga, I.N. Leiderman, D.A. Demin, D.G. TarasovDrafting the article: V.V. Pasyuga, D.A. DeminCritical revision of the article: I.N. Leiderman, A.V. KadykovaFinal approval of the version to be published: V.V. Pasyuga, D.A. Demin, I.L. Nudel, E.V. Demina, A.V. Kadykova, D.G. Tarasov, I.N. Leiderman

The effect of multidirectional forging on the evolution of the grain structure and the parameters of secondary-phase particles in the aluminum–magnesium alloy (Russian grade 1565ch) has been investigated using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The multidirectional forging was performed at 200, 350, and 500°C to a total strain of 12. Five multidirectional forging cycles (cumulative strain ∑e = 12) at 350°C lead to fragmentation of particles of crystallization origin, reduce the average particle size of manganese dispersoids by half, and the average grain size by two orders of magnitude from 200 to 1–2 µm. The ultrafine-grained structure forms in 90% of the sample volume.

A technique for approximate calculations of scattering characteristics based on the use of the pattern equation method has been developed. Explicit formulas have been obtained for integral scattering characteristics that can be applied to thin dielectric cylinders of rather arbitrary cross sections. The applicability of the obtained relations has been analyzed by examples of scattering by an elliptical cylinder, by a cylinder whose cross section has the shape of a superellipse, by a polygon, and by a petal curve. The results presented show that the obtained approximate relations are sufficiently accurate in a wide range of problem parameters.

Background.The availability of drug-eluting stents with evidence-based clinical safety and efficacy produced in the Russian Federation is one of the relevant goals for successful treating of patients with coronary artery disease, including acute coronary syndrome. Aim To confirm clinical rationale and experimental feasibility of the first Russian drugeluting stent, Calypso (Angioline, LLC, Russian Federation), for the clinical practice.Methods.The study included four phases. The first phase was aimed at selecting the optimal stent platform with superior healing properties. Then, the selected Russian coronary stents based on the optimal platforms underwent preclinical studies. The third phase included the clinical assessment using optical coherence tomography (OCT) in order to confirm the preclinical results. The last phase was focused on assessing clinical safety and efficacy of the Russian coronary stent based on the comparative analysis of angiographic findings within the 12-months follow-up.Results.At the first phase, biodegradable polymer sirolimus-eluting stent showed superior healing properties in comparison with the healing score of 18±14.97 for Orsiro stents (Biotronik, Germany) versus 25.6±1.0 for Xience stents (Abbott Vascular, USA) versus 32.5±20.3 for Synergy (Boston Scientific, USA), pConclusion.The biodegradable polymer sirolimus-eluting stent Calypso manufactured in the Russian Federation demonstrated superior neointimal healing pattern with no signs of chronic inflammation in the experiment. This stent reported high neointimal healing properties according to the clinical OCT study. According to the angiographic findings, the incidence of binary restenosis between the Russian biodegradable polymer sirolimus-eluting stent and durable polymer everolimuseluting stents was similar at the 12-months follow-up (p>0.05).

PTTG1 (vertebrate securin) is a separation inhibitor and regulates DNA repair and transcription. The protein is predominantly expressed in the second half of the S phase and at the G2 stage. With the onset of anaphase, securin is ubiquitinated by the APC/C complex and degraded rapidly. Increased expression of PTTG1 is associated with enhanced tumor cell growth and metastasis. Recently, we found a short securin isoform lacking the main APC/C recognition site (D-box) and the DNA-binding domain encoded by exons 3 and 4. The mRNA level of the short isoform in unsynchronized cells is 0.4-2% of the full-length one. We reported earlier on the ability of the short PTTG1 isoform to activate some of the genes controlled by the full-length protein. In this work, groups of genes, whose expression is altered by the action of the short and complete securin isoforms, were determined using RNA sequencing. Groups of genes whose mRNA levels are regulated by both protein isoforms and only one of the isoforms were identified. For a more detailed study of the effect of securin isoforms on the transcriptional program of cells, the NFYB gene, encoding the NF-Y transcription regulator subunit, was chosen. Our data showed that with overexpression of the short isoform, the level of NFYB mRNA decreased 2.4 ± 0.7 times, while the complete isoform did not significantly affect the expression of NFYB. 2.2-fold suppression of the short isoform of securin led to an increase in the expression of NFYB mRNA by 2.7 ± 0.3 times. Moreover, the mRNA expression of full-length securin increased by 2.7 ± 0.4 times. Since NFYB is associated with the PTTG1 promoter region, we suggest that the short isoform may be involved in regulation of the expression of the main isoform of securin by changing the level of this transcription factor. Since NFYB and PTTG1 are involved in the development of tumors and the formation of drug resistance, we assume that the short isoform of securin may play an important role in these processes. Thus, we showed the functional significance of the minor short isoform of securin.

Tumor-associated antigen (TAA)-specific autoantibodies have been widely implicated in cancer diagnosis. However, cancer cell lines that are typically exploited as candidate TAA sources in immunoproteomic studies may fail to accurately represent the autoantigen-ome of lower-grade neoplasms. Here, we established an integrated strategy for the identification of disease-relevant TAAs in thyroid neoplasia, which combined NRASQ61R oncogene expression in non-tumorous thyroid Nthy-ori 3–1 cells with a multi-dimensional proteomic technique DISER that consisted of profiling NRASQ61R-induced proteins using 2-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis (2D- DI GE) coupled with serological proteome analysis ( SER PA) of the TAA repertoire of patients with thyroid encapsulated follicular-patterned/RAS-like phenotype (EFP/RLP) tumors. We identified several candidate cell-based (nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase NAMPT, glutamate dehydrogenase GLUD1, and glutathione S-transferase omega-1 GSTO1) and autoantibody (fumarate hydratase FH, calponin-3 CNN3, and pyruvate kinase PKM autoantibodies) biomarkers, including NRASQ61R-induced TAA phosphoglycerate kinase 1 PGK1. Meta-profiling of the reactivity of the identified autoantibodies across an independent SERPA series implicated the PKM autoantibody as a histological phenotype-independent biomarker of thyroid malignancy (11/38 (29%) patients with overtly malignant and uncertain malignant potential (UMP) tumors vs 0/22 (p = 0.0046) and 0/20 (p = 0.011) patients with non-invasive EFP/RLP tumors and healthy controls, respectively). PGK1 and CNN3 autoantibodies were identified as EFP/RLP-specific biomarkers, potentially suitable for further discriminating tumors with different malignant potential (PGK1: 7/22 (32%) patients with non-invasive EFP/RLP tumors vs 0/38 (p = 0.00044) and 0/20 (p = 0.0092) patients with other tumors and healthy controls, respectively; СNN3: 9/29 (31%) patients with malignant and borderline EFP/RLP tumors vs 0/31 (p = 0.00068) and 0/20 (p = 0.0067) patients with other tumors and healthy controls, respectively). The combined use of PKM, CNN3, and PGK1 autoantibodies allowed the reclassification of malignant/UMP tumor risk in 19/41 (46%) of EFP/RLP tumor patients. Taken together, we established an experimental pipeline DISER for the concurrent identification of cell-based and TAA biomarkers. The combination of DISER with in vitro oncogene expression allows further targeted identification of oncogene-induced TAAs. Using this integrated approach, we identified candidate autoantibody biomarkers that might be of value for differential diagnostic purposes in thyroid neoplasia.

New derivatives of 2-(4-vinylchromen-2-ylidene)malononitrile and 2-(2-vinylchromen-4-ylidene)malononitrile were synthesized using the Knoevenagel reaction of 2-(4-methyl-chromen-2-ylidene)malononitrile and 2-(2-methylchromen-4-ylidene)malononitrile, respectively, with the participation of [1-(2-n-butoxyethyl)-2,2,4,7-tetramethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolin-6-yl)]-carbaldehyde. First hyperpolarizability (β) was calculated for the obtained compounds using the M05-2X functional and 6-31+G (d) basis. Optical properties and solvatochromism in solvents of different polarity (toluene, 1,4-dioxane, chlorobenzene, dichloromethane, DMF, and ethanol) were also investigated.

An approach towards new 2-(4-vinyl-2H-chromen-2-ylidene)malononitriles-derived chromophores was developed. The optical, solvatochromic, and electrochemical properties of the synthesized compounds were studied. The first hyperpolarizability (β) was calculated using M06-2x functional with 6–31+G* basis set. The synthesized compounds absorb at a wide spectral range, from 350 to 770 nm. Divinylthiophene-bridged compound showing the narrowest band gap (1.78 eV), strong solvatochromic effect, and the highest first hyperpolarizability value (β = 47805) was found to be the most promising of the synthesized chromophores.

A cryogenic liquid-tritium target was developed by RFNC−VNIIEF for studying ptμ fusion. In 2016, it was regularly used for more than 270 h on the muon channel of the JINR Phasotron, thus confirming the compliance with the specified requirements and the correctness of the proposed engineering solutions. At a maximum operating pressure of 4 MPa, an irradiated ampoule volume as large as 80 cm3, and three lines of protection, the target was able to liquefy up to 40 L of a hydrogen-isotope mixture and maintain a temperature in the range of 20−22 K with an accuracy of ±0.05 K or better. Based on the results of the ptμ‑fusion experiments, the reaction channel with the emission of electron−positron pairs was detected for the first time and evidence for the existence of a new reaction channel with the emission of a pair of γ-ray photons was obtained.

Modern approaches to the preparation of monomers and polymers based on benzocyclobutene are considered. The groups of polymers containing siloxane, silyl, polyfluorinated fragments, polyimides, polyamides, polyacrylates, polyolefins, and polyarylenes are distinguished among benzocyclobutene-containing polymers. The basic properties of these polymers (glass transition temperature, decomposition onset temperature, dielectric properties, moisture resistance) are described, and the possibility of their application in the creation of microelectronics devices is evaluated. It has been established that the dielectric constant of most known benzocyclobutene-based polymeric materials lies in the range from 2.3 to 3.07. Fluorine-containing and organosilicon derivatives show the best dielectric properties (2.3–2.38). Polysiloxanes possess the highest thermal stability between considered polymers, demonstrating stability up to 500–550 °C both in inert atmosphere and in air.

Background: The problem of maintaining body temperature in people working outdoors in the cold air of the Arctic remains relevant. The purpose of this study was to determine the autonomic nervous mechanisms of regulation of heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP) and local immunity on the example of the dynamics of salivary lactoferrin during a decrease in body temperature in humans (the core and the skin of hands) during and after a short-term, whole-body exposure to cold air. Materials and Methods: A total of 15 healthy Russian male volunteers aged between18 and 20 years, born and living in Arkhangelsk, were examined in the winter. Research stages: the registration of indicators before exposure to the cold air (Stage 1), during the 10-minute exposure to the cold air at -20°C (Stage 2) and after the 10-minute exposure to the cold air (Stage 3). The registration of indicators in Stages 1 and 3 was carried out indoors at an air temperature of +20 °C. HR (bpm), the heart rate variability (HRV) parameters, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BPsyst, BPdiast, mmHg), salivary lactoferrin level (ng/ml) by ELISA and the body temperature in the ear canal (Tear, °C) and on the skin of the dorsum of the right hand (Tskin, °C) were determined at each stage of the study. Results: In Stage 2 with significantly decreased Tear and Tskin, compared to the initial indicators in Stage 1, there was a significant increase in HRV indices reflecting the overall HRV and vagal effects on the heart rhythm. At the same time, HR was significantly decreased, as well as SI. An increase in the total power (TP) of the HRV spectrum was revealed due to a predominant increase in HF and VLF, and to a lesser degree in LF. Both BPsyst and BPdiast significantly increased. After cooling in Stage 3, HR increased, but remained significantly lower than the initial values. The overall HRV according to SDNN and TP decreased, reaching baseline values. Concentrations of salivary lactoferrin during cooling in Stage 2 tended to increase, which was also maintained in Step 3 after cooling. Correlation analysis in the entire sample (n=15) revealed a positive correlation between SDNN and Tear in Stage 2 (rs=0.56, p=0.035). In Stage 2, the change in Tskin was significantly correlated with the salivary lactoferrin level (rs=-0.73, p=0.003); this relationship was also found in Stage 3(rs=-0.65, p=0.015). Conclusion: The successful return of body temperature after general cooling occurs under the condition of increasing the overall HRV, enhancing vagal influences on the heart rhythm, HF and VLF components of HRV during cooling. An increase in the level of salivary lactoferrin, while maintaining vagal reserves of the vegetative regulation of heart rhythm against a decrease in skin temperature during general cooling, as well as a decrease in the level of lactoferrin against the background of recovery of body temperature after cooling, at least 10 minutes, can be regarded as an adaptive response of the body

The Q61R mutation of the NRAS gene is one of the most frequent driver mutations of thyroid cancer. Tumors with this mutation are characterized by invasion into blood vessels and formation of distant metastases. To study the role of this mutation in the growth of thyroid cancer, we developed a model system on the basis of thyroid epithelial cell line Nthy-ori 3-1 transduced by a lentiviral vector containing the NRAS gene with the Q61R mutation. It was found that the expression of NRAS(Q61R) in thyroid epithelial cells has a profound influence on groups of genes involved in the formation of intercellular contacts, as well as in processes of epithelial-mesenchymal transition and cell invasion. The alteration in the expression of these genes affects the phenotype of the model cells, which acquire traits of mesenchymal cells and demonstrate increased ability for survival and growth without attachment to the substrate. The key regulators of these processes are transcription factors belonging to families SNAIL, ZEB, and TWIST, and in different types of tumors the contribution of each individual factor can vary greatly. In our model system, phenotype change correlates with an increase in the expression of SNAIL2 and TWIST2 factors, which indicates their possible role in regulating invasive growth of thyroid cancer with the mutation of NRAS(Q61R).

The results of high tech laparoscopic operations were analysed in 236 patients, with 116 patients under 60 years old, and 120 patients above 60 years old. In both age groups of patients with similar characteristics of surgical aggression, there was no significant difference of intra- and postoperative complications. In elderly patients, there might be even a slight tendency for less complications. Laparoscopic technique of complex surgical intervention in combination with early patient's rehabilitation is a very important element in management of the postoperative period in elderly patients, it allows the effectiveness and safety of modern surgery in this patient population.Проанализированы результаты высокотехнологичных лапароскопических операций у 236 пациентов, 116 из которых были до 60 лет, а 120 — пожилого и старческого возраста. В обеих возрастных группах больных при аналогичных объемах хирургической агрессии не получено достоверной разницы в числе интра- и послеоперационных осложнений. У пациентов старшего возраста их было даже меньше. Лапароскопическая техника сложного хирургического вмешательства в комбинации с максимально ранней реабилитацией пациента имели ключевое значение в ведении послеоперационного периода у пациентов пожилого и старческого возраста и обеспечивали эффективность и безопасность данной операции у этого контингента больных.

Long nonconding RNAs (lncRNAs) perform a variety of functions: they are involved in chromatin organization, regulation of gene expression at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels, and regulation of activity and stability of some proteins. The majority of known lncRNAs contain sequences of mobile genetic elements (MGEs) in a sense or antisense orientation. According to several studies, MGE may serve as functional modules responsible for interactions between the lncRNA and certain proteins, DNA regions, or other RNAs. The available data make it possible to describe groups of lncRNAs that possess common structural features and contain certain MGEs and to predict the characteristics of new lncRNAs. The review summarizes the data on the role that MGE sequences play in lncRNA functions.

CD40 receptor is expressed on B lymphocytes and other professional antigen-presenting cells. The binding of CD40 to its ligand CD154 on the surface of T helper cells plays an important role in the activation of B lymphocytes required for production of antibodies, in particular, against autoantigens. Association of several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located in the non-coding areas of human CD40 locus with the elevated risk of autoimmune diseases has been demonstrated. The most studied of these SNPs is rs4810485 located in the first intron of the CD40 gene. Expression of the CD40 gene in B lymphocytes of donors homozygous for the common allelic variant of this polymorphism (G) is higher than in B cells from donors carrying the minor (T) variant. We investigated the enhancer activity of this fragment of the CD40 locus in human B cell lines and showed that it is independent on the rs4810485 alleles. However, the minor allelic variants of the rs4810485-linked SNPs rs548231435 and rs115662534 were associated with a significant decrease in the activity of the CD40 promoter due to the impairments in the binding of EBF1 and STAT1 transcription factors, respectively.