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Introduction. Hydro-jet technology is an innovative approach to using high pressure water for a variety of purposes. The technology has found a wide application in various industries, including construction, industry, agriculture and surface cleaning. The basic idea of water jetting systems is to use water as a powerful tool to destroy, clean and cut various materials. The paper discusses the constructing of the high-pressure hydro-puller device for hydro-jet technologies.Materials and methods. An analysis of the methods by hydro-jet technologies classification was made. The general structure and the constituent elements of this scheme is shown. Generalizing elements are identified and a characteristic layout diagram for use in all technological methods of hydro-jet methods is described, and the structural elements that are the main components and units of these technologies are described.Results. The scheme of energy flow on the main nodes of the traditional layout scheme of units for hydro-jet technologies is developed. The energy losses formed in the process of operation are estimated, the element of the hydrojet plant with the largest losses is determined, the peculiarities of its functioning and operation are analysed. The design methodologies, taking into account the identified problems and features, for high-pressure transmitting devices are given.Discussion and conclusions. The most efficient operation of ultra-high pressure transmitting devices for hydro-jet technologies is possible only taking into account their thermal state, characterized by a description of their thermal balance, which can only be ensured through the development of a number of techniques proposed for use in the design of such devices.

Introduction. The work is devoted to the calculation of series standards for the design of high-pressure transmission devices used in various hydra jet technologies, which will provide the design of these devices based on dimensionless indicators describing the relationship between their geometric and technological parameters.Materials and methods. The methodology includes the use of mathematical models and analytical approaches to assess the influence of various parameters on heat generation processes in equipment, as well as methods for statistical processing of results.Results. A histogram of temperature distribution was constructed and the data was approximated using the distribution curve of temperature values and parametric series were generated for dimensionless parameters depending on various factors such as temperature, pressure, rotational speed and linear speed. It is possible to obtain parametric series for linear dimensions from five temperature ranges and seven standard sizes depending on the pressure and rotation speed of the drill shaft.Discussion and conclusions. The results obtained provide a better definition of the relationships between rotation speed, geometric characteristics and temperature parameters through the use of dimensionless indicators and it is possible to optimize the design of such devices taking into account operating conditions and ensuring increased efficiency.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of neutron therapy (NT) for salivary gland cancer and recurrent breast cancer. Material and Methods. The study included 130 patients with salivary gland cancer and 125 patients with recurrent breast cancer. Fast neutron therapy using U-120 cyclotron was given to the patients of the study group. Patients of the control group received standard radiotherapy (external beam radiotherapy). Results. Among patients with salivary gland cancer, a recurrence rate was significantly lower in patients who received a postoperative course of NT compared to patients of the control group (21.1 vs 45 %, p

Acid treatment technology has become widespread in the development of carbonate layers in oil fields. Virtually every well in the history of its production has been acid treated downhole, ultimately providing millions of tons of incremental oil production globally. Despite the considerable amount of theoretical and practical research devoted to this technology, the problem of controlling the efficiency of acid treatments remains topical. In this connection, the purpose of this paper is to study the influence of known and available in field conditions geological and technological parameters on the efficiency of acid stimulation in carbonate reservoirs. Laboratory studies (in free volume, filtration and X-ray tomography tests) using two hydrochloric acid compositions and carbonate rock samples of the same geologic age from oil fields of Perm krai to determine the dependencies were performed. Acid treatments were modeled by varying technological parameters (volume, rate and pressure of injection of acid compositions, reaction time of acid with rock) under thermodynamic conditions corresponding to reservoir properties. Statistical processing of empirically obtained data allowed us to note the predominant role of technological parameters to achieve a successful result of acid stimulation. Multivariate statistical models describing the process of formation of acid treatment efficiency in carbonate reservoirs have been developed. It was found that the reservoir stimulation efficiency varies in direct proportion to the increase in the injection pressure of the acid composition and the volume of agent used due to the development of wormholes. The efficiency of acid treatment at dolomite content in the rock is significantly lower, which requires increasing the rate of composition injection and reaction time to achieve the highest stimulation result. Thus, the paper provides a basis for further development of the process of controlling the effectiveness of acid treatments in carbonate reservoirs of oil fields.

The paper proposes and experimentally tests a new method of welding aluminum alloys with simultaneous magnetic‑pulse treatment (MPT) of the liquid and solidifying metal of the welding pool. The results of investigations on semi‑automatic welding of AD1N aluminum alloy with MPT of the molten pool are presented. The influence of welding and magnetic‑pulse treatment modes on the structure and physico‑mechanical properties of the weld zones is investigated. The research data is presented in the range of discharge energy variation from 250 to 500 J and pulse numbers from 23–24. The results show that the influence of the pulsed magnetic field with discharge energy of 350 and 500 J leads to an increase in material hardness. It is shown that welding with simultaneous MPT in these modes results in structure refinement and the formation of a textured zone with elongated grains at the border with the heat‑affected zone.

Relevance and methodology. In order to determine the effect of increasing the proportion of far red light (different ratio of red and far red light) in the total spectrum of polychrome irradiation on the growth rates of sugar beet plants of the Smena hybrid, they were grown for 82 days under LED lighting under controlled climate conditions in a Synergotron digital device of the ISR 2.01 model with a twofold increase in the proportion of far red light compared to control.Results. An increase in the proportion of far red light led to an increase in the specific weight of leaves with a smaller area of leaves in the initial period of plant growth, higher values of the quantum yield of photosynthesis, the rate of electron transport, and a decrease in energy losses mainly to heat. The biometric indicators of plants changed depending on the period of ontogeny. In the initial period, the biomass of the aerial part prevailed, in the subsequent period, the biomass of root crops. In the experimental variant, the accumulation of biomass in the aerial parts of plants in the initial period of the experiment turned out to be less than in the control, and only at the end of the experiment was an excess of the total biomass in the experimental variant by 12.2%. There was an increase in the accumulation of root biomass compared to the control by 38.7%. The predominant part of the aboveground biomass of sugar beet was made up of leaf blades, the proportion of petioles was much less and practically did not depend on the composition of the light. At the end of the growing period, the dry matter content in root crops increased by 2.44% compared to the control, sugar content – by 0.65%. The data obtained can be used in the development of technology for artificial lighting of sugar beets when grown in closed agrobiotechnosystems in order to increase the yield and sugar content of root crops.

Aim. To assess the body composition and functional activity (FA) parameters in men with heart failure (HF) of various nature depending on the stage, class and echocardiographic characteristics of the disease.Material and methods. The study included 100 men aged 23-70 years. The main group consisted of 60 men with HF, the control group — 40 men without HF. Quantitative body composition assessment (fat, lean and bone body mass) was carried out using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Physical activity was assessed using handgrip test, short physical performance battery (SPPB) test, 6-minute walk test (6MWT), and Timed Up and Go (TUG) test.Results. In the HF group, there were a significant decrease in total bone mass, trunk and limb bone mass, total muscle mass, trunk and limbs’ muscle mass, appendicular skeletal muscle index (ASMI), and FA as HF class increased. Fat mass did not differ in individuals with different HF class and stage. HF class was an independent factor in the reduction of total bone mass (b=-301,9, p=0,015), total muscle mass (b=-1903, p=0,03), limb bone mass (b=-147,6, p=0,013) and appendicular muscle mass (AMM) (b=-1903, p=0,001). Total bone mass (b=-2,637, p=0,02) and AMM (b=-3,512, p=0,01) were independently associated with the Vasilenko-Strazhesko HF stage. AMM also had an independent association with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (b=0,274, p=0,03). The average body composition scores did not differ between the study and control groups, while the scores of handgrip test, 6MWT, SPPB and TUG test were significantly worse in the HF group. NYHA HF class, stage of HF, LVEF, left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) made an independent contribution to FA decrease in men with HF.Conclusion. In patients with HF, there was deterioration in musculoskeletal parameters depending on HF class, stage and LVEF, without significant differences compared to the control group. There was no association of fat mass with the disease, clinical and echocardiographic characteristics. The average parameters of muscle strength and tests of FA were reduced in men with HF compared with the control group and depended on the NYHA class and stage of HF, LVEF, LVEDV, and PASP.

Purpose of the study: to analyze published data on the mechanisms of action of interferon gamma (IFN-γ) in tumor growth and to evaluate the possibility of its use in the treatment of solid tumors. Material and Methods. More than 200 publications were found in the Scopus, Pubmed, eLibrary and other databases, the search keywords were: interferon gamma, tumor growth, cancer therapy. This review includes 54 papers. Results. IFN-γ is a pleiotropic cytokine with antiviral, antitumor, and immunomodulatory functions and plays an important role in coordinating the innate and adaptive immune response. The success of immuno-oncology drugs and chemotherapy in the treatment of malignant tumors depends on the stimulation of the production and adequate signaling of IFN-γ. Suppression and loss of IFN-γ receptor and downstream signaling mediators, and amplifcation of molecules that inhibit the IFN-γ signaling pathway are common mechanisms for tumor cells to escape from the immune system. The development of malignant processes is accompanied by a change, more often a decrease, in the secretion of IFN-γ, which attracts the attention of researchers to its exogenous administration. Determination of the IFN-γ signature may be a predictive marker of clinical response to anticancer drug therapy. The antitumor properties of IFN-γ are largely dose-dependent, which has been clearly shown in clinical and experimental studies. Low doses of the drug often promote tumor growth. On the contrary, the use of high doses is usually accompanied by an antitumor effect. IFN-γ or its inducers remain promising agents for cancer therapy. Combinatorial strategies involving IFN-γ may be a rational option to overcome tumor resistance to blockade of immune checkpoints. Conclusion. It is necessary to continue fundamental and applied research to study the feasibility of using interferon gamma as a therapeutic agent in tumor growth.

Introduction. Data on the occurrence of initial failures obtained through testing on standard samples cannot always be extrapolated to real welded joints and structures. This is due to the difference between the concentrators in the joints, because after welding there is a significant structural and mechanical heterogeneity of the heat-affected and stress concentrator zone. Extended, deep concentrators are considered as crack-like defects, at whose vertices a volumetric, multiaxial stress state is formed. The paper addresses the issue of constructing critical diagrams of the onset of the limiting state at the concentrator vertex, which depends on the level of external load and the theoretical concentration coefficient.Materials and Methods. Analytical methods were used to study the stress state. The literature on the topic was analyzed. The features of proven physical models and patterns of behavior of materials were taken into account. The characteristics of steel alloys were taken from open sources and summarized in a tabulated form. Nonlinear equations were solved in Matlab applications. The diagrams constructed by the authors enable to track the correlation of the dangerous level of the theoretical stress concentration factor and the level of external load. Curve Fitting Toolbox Matlab was used to design the graphic part of the work.Results. The characteristic of damage from stress concentrators in welded joints was given. The crack propagation in the fusion zone was shown. The conditions stimulating and inhibiting destruction were indicated. The theoretical stress concentration factor α𝑇 was specified. It was shown how this indicator depended on the width, the height of the seam and the thickness of the welded part. Acute stress concentrators with theoretical concentration factor αт= 5…14 and more were studied. For this case, an approximating formula was given that took into account the maximum stress in the concentrator in the first half cycle, the initial deformation, and the load ratio. Through those elements, an indicator of an increase in maximum stresses was set depending on the number of loading cycles. The flow condition, the stress state, and the overvoltage factor, which took into account the increase in the first principal voltage for a combined stress state, were analytically shown. A model of the critical state at the apex of an acute stress macro concentrator was described. It was presented as the dependence of the relative stresses of the initiation of destruction σн𝑏𝑐/σ0,2 on the concentrator. Possible variations of this model were analyzed. The dependences of relative values σ𝐻𝑏𝑐⁄σ0,2 on the theoretical concentration factor α𝑇𝑏𝑐=α𝑇 were presented. To check the physical adequacy of this model, graphs were constructed that reflected changes in the relative stress of the external load at a critical state at the stress concentrator apex. The inevitability of bifurcation as a result of the studied processes was validated. Two directions of further development of events were indicated: brittle destruction and loss of stability of the stressed state with the transition to an increase in plastic deformations. The moment of bifurcation was defined as a critical state in the focus of the concentrator.Discussion and Conclusion. The analysis and calculations performed within the framework of the presented scientific work enabled, in particular, to draw conclusions about the role of key factors of the processes under study. It was established, for example, that the operation of a steel alloy at a high theoretical stress concentration factor depended on the characteristics of the stress state. In a rigid state, it was possible to inhibit shear deformation and the onset of the limiting state at a lower value of the theoretical stress concentration factor. With the usual strength of steel (in comparison to high), a greater impact of the volume of the stress state on the value of the theoretical stress concentration factor was recorded. The probability of failure depended on the resistance of the material to the growth of a macrocrack. In future research, it is possible to refine analytical models and results, evaluate effective stress concentration factors.

Relevance and methodology. In order to determine the effect of near-ultraviolet radiation with a wavelength of 380 nm on the growth and development of a sugar beet hybrid plant, Smena was grown for 82 days under LED lighting with phytolamps and under conditions of increased UV-A intensity of the light range (an increase in the UV/PPFD ratio (0.027) compared with the control (0.0075) while maintaining the ratio of the remaining sites spectrum). The study was carried out on the basis of the digital software package "Synergotron" with a controlled internal environment.Results. An increase in the share of UV-A in the illumination spectrum leads to a significant change in the biometric indicators of plants – the aboveground biomass increases by 2.2 times compared to the control, and the mass of the underground part (root crops), on the contrary, decreases by 86.9%. At the same time, the share of root crops in the total biomass of plants decreases from 60% in the control to 30%. The morphological structure of the leaf apparatus changes: the proportion of petioles increases significantly compared to leaf blades (64.8% of petioles in aboveground biomass, whereas in the control 30%). Probably, an increase in the share of UV-A in the spectrum can favorably affect the cultivation of leaf forms of beets and other root crops. UV-A radiation leads to a change in the chemical composition of root crops, in particular, a decrease in the accumulation of dry substances (by 1.58%) and a decrease in sugar content (by 1.8%). An increase in the proportion of UV-A in the irradiation spectrum changes the parameters of chlorophyll fluorescence and contributes to an increase in the maximum quantum yield of Fv/Fm, non-photosynthetic quenching of NPQ fluorescence and a decrease in the real quantum yield of photosynthesis Y(II), as well as the electron transport rate (ETR).

THE RELEVANCE. Phenols are one of the main pollutants of the aquatic environment and have a harmful effect on the human body. Therefore, their determination today is an urgent problem. The purpose of this work is to determine the content of phenols in an aqueous medium by gas chromatographic method using various sorption materials. To do this, it is necessary to consider some features of the gas chromatographic method for monitoring the content of phenols in an aqueous medium using various sorption materials. Based on a detailed literature review to show that phenols and their derivatives are highly toxic substances, have low values of MPC standards, ha\’e a negative impact on the human body, which necessitates their control in the aquatic environment. METHODS. To determine phenols in an aqueous medium, the experimental part of the work was carried out on a Crystallux-4000M gas-liquid chromatograph with a flame ionization detector and nozzle columns filled with various sorbents, as which polyethylene glvcol-1500, SE-30 and arsenated polyethylene glycol PEG(As) were used. RESULTS. For gas chromatographic separation of phenols and their derivatives, sorption materials of various physicochemical nature were used. It has been established that the most optimal sorbent, which separates almost all phenols and their derivatives, is polyoxyethylene bis arsenate, the molecule of which contains two arsenvl groups capable of intermolecular interactions with the analyzed sorbates. CONCLUSION. An experimental study of the phenol content in an aqueous medium using a gas-liquid chromatograph Crystallux-4000M was carried out. The characteristics of the retention of phenols on sorption materials of different physicochemical nature are determined. It is shown that the most complete separation of the individual components of phenol derivatives is carried out on a sorbent prepared on the basis of polyoxyethylene bis arsenate, which is explained by the presence in the structure of its molecule of non-white electron pairs of oxygen atoms capable of intermolecular interactions with the hydroxyl group of phenols. The linear dependence of the logarithm of the relative volume of phenols on their dipole moments and refractive index is established. A deviation from this dependence is obsen’ed for phenols having functional substituents in the ortho-position of the benzene ring. This can be explained by the electronic effect? which leads to steric difficulties during intermolecular interaction in the sorbent - sorbate system. Based on the theoretical studies carried out, it was possible to completely separate the individual components of phenols, especially those with close boiling points. The obtained data were tested in practice when monitoring the content of phenols in the silt drains of the Volga river. This technique of gas chromatographic analysis can be used in the system of ecological monitoring of aquatic ecosystems.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) increases the risk of diseases associated with mucous membrane inflammation of gastrointestinal tract, in particular, gastritis, stomach ulcers, and duodenal ulcers. It may also induce a chronic immune response, causing damage to the mucous membrane and development of these diseases. In addition, the role of H. pylori in the initiation of a wide range of autoimmune diseases is discussed. The aim of this study was to assess the level of autoantibodies – markers of various autoimmune diseases in the blood of H. pylori-infected patients with chronic gastritis. We used samples of whole peripheral blood from 267 primary patients with chronic gastritis in the acute stage. The presence of H. pylori in gastric juice from patients was determined using real-time PCR. The level of autoantibodies to double-stranded and single-stranded DNA, autoantibodies to thyroglobulin, thyroid peroxidase, concentration of rheumatoid factor, IgG autoantibodies to the cyclic citrullinated peptide, IgM and IgG autoantibodies to beta(2)-glycoprotein were determined by the enzyme immunoassay. The average level of rheumatoid factor in blood serum was similar for H. pylori-infected and non-infected patients, and did not exceed the normal values. The level of antibodies to cyclic citrullinated peptide, one of the sensitive markers of rheumatoid arthritis, was increased in all patients, being, however, significantly lower in H. pylori-infected patients compared with non-infected persons. Autoantibodies to thyroglobulin, thyroid peroxidase are considered classic markers of autoimmune diseases of the thyroid gland. In blood of H. pylori-infected patients we have found an increased concentration of autoantibodies to thyroglobulin and thyroid peroxidase in comparison with non-infected ones, but the average level of these antibodies did not exceed the normal range. Any differences in the levels of systemic lupus erythematosus serological markers, i.e., autoantibodies to double-stranded and single-stranded DNA, were found between H. pylori-infected and non-infected patients. The levels of thrombosis risk marker in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (IgG and IgM autoantibodies to beta(2)-glycoprotein) were also within the normal ranges. However, in H. pylori-infected patients, it even turned out to be statistically significantly lower than in non-infected ones. Thus, no data have been obtained on increased levels of the tested markers of autoimmune pathology in blood of H. pylori-infected patients with chronic gastritis at the acute stage. However, this does not allow us to make an unambiguous conclusion that the influence of H. pylori does not affect the development of immunological changes associated with autoimmune diseases.

Aim. To study associations between arterial stiffness and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women.Material and methods. The intima-media thickness (IMT), the presence and number of atherosclerotic plaques (AP) were studied using duplex scanning. Pulse wave velocity (PWV), augmentation index (AI) were measured by applanation. The Bone mineral density (BMD) of the spine, hip neck (HN) and proximal hip (PH) was measured using double energy x-ray absorptiometry.Results. A significant correlation of PWV with age, duration of menopause was revealed, a more pronounced correlation was noted with blood pressure (BP), maximum IMT thickness. There was no significant correlation between PWV and BMD. AI showed a statistically significant but weak negative correlation with the HN (rs=0.12, p

In biological fluids of trauma patients the essential changes in soluble forms of immune system cells membrane antigens in different states have been revealed. The soluble forms of membrane antigens, which can makes up oligomers, consists of subunits, belong to one antigen, or which can make up soluble complexes (associations), composed of pair receptor–ligand. The changes in concentration of soluble analogs of membrane antigens in patients with mechanical injury, craniocerebral trauma and burning injury are the perspective prognostic markers of possibility of development complication. The state of soluble differentiation molecules pool is one from factors which define the outcomes of underlying disease. Peculiarity of immune system cells transcriptome, associated with mRNA of soluble and membrane differentiation antigens have prognostic character in trauma patients.

Abstract Analytical formulas for the cross section of the reaction $$pp \rightarrow p + \ell ^+ \ell ^- + X$$ p p → p + ℓ + ℓ - + X are presented. Fiducial cross sections are compared with those measured recently by the ATLAS collaboration.

Aim. To evaluate bone mineral density (BMD) and parameters of bone metabolism in men with heart failure (HF) of various origins.Material and methods. The study included 100 men aged 20-70 years. The main group consisted of 60 men with HF, while the control group — 40 men without HF. BMD was measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. The levels of C-terminal telopeptide type I collagen (CTx) and N-terminal propeptide type 1 procollagen (P1NP) were determined in blood serum by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay.Results. Analysis in the group with HF showed a significant inverse correlation for the BMD of the spine, femoral neck and proximal femur with HF class, the independent nature of which was confirmed by multivariate regression analysis: BMD L1-L4 (β=-0,135, p=0,001), femoral neck (β=-0,122, p=0,001), proximal femur (β=-0,127, p=0,001). However, the average values of BMD in all measured areas did not differ in the main and control groups. The mean P1NP level was significantly lower in the HF group compared to the control group — 42,5±15,0 vs 52,6±19,8 ng/ml (p=0,007). The bone resorption marker CTx was independently associated with HF stage (β=0,137, p=0,001) and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide level (β=0,128, p=0,001), and also negatively correlated with the left ventricular ejection fraction (r=-0,36, p

THE PURPOSE. Harmonic resonance has become a serious problem of shunt capacitor banks for reactive power and voltage support. Effective solution to damp out the capacitor-caused resonance is the series connection of capacitor bank with harmonic damping network. This paper presents a general design method for shunt capacitive compensating units with damping networks. The damping unit is designed in such a way that it provides harmonic filtering and adequate damping of the transient oscillations. METHODS. The method was developed for designing damping network in the form of ladder LC-two-port. The design is based on minimization of voltage total harmonic distortion (VTHD) in the point of common coupling. Normalized element parameters of the different order damping networks have been determined. RESULTS. Comparative study of transient behavior of shunt capacitive compensating units with damping networks illustrate the effectiveness of the propose structure. It has been observed that there is a significant reduction of transient overvoltage in switching of capacitor bank with damping network. CONCLUSION. This paper presents a new design method for capacitive compensating units with damping networks for industrial power systems with powerful nonlinear loads. The paper illustrates superior performance characteristics of proposed shunt capacitive compensating units by computer simulations.

Abstract In this work demostrates a unique method for determining the absolute value of the friction force of a nanoobject on the surface of a cell membrane using atomic force microscopy. The tribological properties of membranes of adult human buccal epithelium cells in the presence of a protective adsorption buffer layer of ~ 100 nm on their surface were studied using atomic force microscopy in the contact scanning mode. Local mapping of the tribological characteristics of the surface was carried out, viz. friction F L = F L (x, y) and adhesion F adh = F adh (x, y) forces were measured. Studies of the friction force F fr on the membrane surface at the nanolevel showed that its value varies discretely with an interval equal to l LF ≈ 100 nm. It was shown that such discreteness is determined by the interval l LF of the action of adhesive forces F adh and indicates the fractal nature of the functional dependence of the friction force on the coordinate F fr = F fr (x). Thus, for nano-objects with dimensions ≤ l LF , the absolute value of F fr decreases according to a power law with an increase in the size of the object, which contradicts the similar dependence of the friction force for macro-objects in the global approximation.

Purpose: to summarize available data on the diagnostic value of various circulating biomarkers for the detection of glioblastoma recurrence.Material and Methods. A literature search was conducted using PubMED ExoCarta and SILVA databases.Results. Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common glioma in adults with an unfavorable prognosis. Treatment of tumor recurrence can improve the survival of patients. Neuroimaging is the standard method of diagnosing brain tumor recurrence. However, a neuroimaging method to clearly distinguish between pseudo progression and tumor progression has not been found to date. Current molecular tumor profling relies heavily on tissue resection or biopsy. Tissue profling has several disadvantages in the central nervous system’s tumors, including the challenge associated with invasive biopsy, the heterogeneous nature of many malignancies where a small biopsy can under represent the mutational profle. Liquid biopsy is a promising method in diagnosing malignant tumors. Blood collection is a simple, minimally invasive procedure, but cerebrospinal fuid allows tumor markers to be detected more confdently. However, collection of cerebrospinal fuid is a complex and invasive procedure that can be accompanied by serious complications.Conclusion. Biological fuid markers such as circulating tumor cells, extracellular vesicles, cell-free DNA and cell-free RNA allow for the detection of GMB, determination of molecular genetic features of cancer during response to therapy, and early detection of GBM recurrence.

Helicobacter pylori is considered an etiological agent of chronic gastritis and a number of other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. The immune response to H. pylori is characterized by the development of both pro-inflammatory and tolerogenic reactions. Against this background, the possibility of forming autoimmune shifts is also assumed. The purpose of the present study was to conduct a comparative analysis of the state of immunity in patients with chronic gastritis in the exacerbation stage associated with and not associated with H. pylori infection. There were used whole peripheral blood (n = 50) and serum (n = 49) samples from 162 patients with primary chronic gastritis at the exacerbation stage, in which the presence or absence of H. pylori DNA was tested by real-time PCR in gastric juice. In the peripheral blood of patients, the relative content of CD4+FoxP3+ cells (T regulators) and CD4+CD161+ cells (IL-17 producing cells) was evaluated using flow cytofluorometry and monoclonal antibodies method, the level of mRNA FoxP3 and mRNA IL-17A was determined using real time RT-PCR, and the concentration of IL-2 and IL-23 was determined using enzyme immunoassay. It has been shown that in H. pylori-infected patients with chronic gastritis in the exacerbation stage in comparison with patients not infected with H. pylori, the content of CD4+FoxP3+ cells, CD4+CD161+ cells does not change in the blood, also with the level of mRNA FoxP3 and mRNA IL-17A. Since the equilibrium between the populations of Th17 cells and T regulators is modulated by IL-2, which is important for generating the population of T regulators, but inhibits polarization of the immune response towards Th17 cells, we conducted a comparative assessment of the serum IL-2 level in patients with chronic gastritis. All patients showed an increase in IL-2 content in comparison with the norm. In this case, the concentration of IL-2 in the blood of infected H. pylori patients was statistically significantly higher than in H. pylori-uninfected patients. An important regulator of the function of Th17 cells is also IL-23, which induces the differentiation of naive T lymphocytes into Th17 cells involved in inflammatory and autoimmune reactions. In this regard, we determined the level of this cytokine in the blood of patients with chronic gastritis. Multiple increase of IL-23 concentration in comparison with normal level and higher content of IL-23 in H. pylori-infected patients in comparison with uninfected patients were revealed. On the basis of the obtained data, it can be concluded that an increase in the concentration of IL-23 does not exclude the possibility of forming autoimmune shifts with its participation in persons with helicobacter infection, but the issue requires further study.

Introduction. The purpose of the article is to consider the effect of damping in the shock absorber on smooth running, continuous rolling of the wheel and energy loss in the suspension of the car.Materials and methods. The review is based on the analysis of the amplitude-frequency characteristics of a two-mass car model and the dependence of the shock absorber operation during the oscillation cycle on the frequency of kinematic action.Results. The article presents a calculation scheme and equations of dynamics of a two-mass oscillatory system equivalent to an automobile suspension. The frequencies at which the amplitude-frequency characteristics intersect for different levels of damping (invariant points) in a two-mass oscillatory system are calculated. The relative operation of the shock absorber for the oscillation cycle concept is proposed and a formula for calculating the relative operation of the shock absorber in a two-mass oscillatory system is given. A comparative analysis of graphs characterizing smooth running, continuous rolling of the wheel and energy losses in the suspension is carried out.Discussion and conclusions. It is revealed that significant contradictions between these requirements arise only near the second resonance of the sprung mass, with an increase in the frequency of vibrations in the resonant zone, these contradictions are decrease.

THE PURPOSE. Broadband passive filters (BBF) are an effective measure to mitigate harmonic resonance in power systems with nonlinear harmonic producing loads. The disadvantage of simple second-order broadband filters are pure selectivity and excessive fundamental frequency losses. This is especially evident in devices designed for low-order harmonics mitigation. This paper presents new broadband filter configurations with superior performances and low fundamental frequency losses.METHODS. A general method of broadband passive filter design is considered. The filter has the form of single-loaded ladder LC-two-port. Conditions of minimal fundamental frequency loss of the filer are determined.RESULTS. This paper presents new broadband filter configurations with superior damping performances and low fundamental frequency losses. Different broadband filter configurations are compared. The results show that 3-5 order broadband ladder filters have better filtering performance and lower power loss than traditional C-type filters.CONCLUSION. The proposed broadband filters can be used for industrial power systems with powerful nonlinear loads. This will normalize the power quality and at the same time improve the energy efficiency of compensating devices.

Diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) is the most common neurological complication of diabetes mellitus. The most common type of DPN is distal symmetric, predominantly sensory, polyneuropathy. Chronic hyperglycemia plays a key role in DPN pathogenesis. It leads to accumulation of advanced glycation end products in tissues, including vasa nevrorum that supply peripheral nerves with oxygen. Thorough diagnostic approach to DPN is crucial for early detection of this condition. Early diagnosis and treatment slow DPN progression rates and leads to symptom reduction. Long-lasting metformin therapy may cause vitamin B deficiency. This article describes a comprehensive approach to the treatment of patient with type 2 diabetes and symptomatic diabetic and vitamin deficiency neuropathy. Apart from DM therapy, the patient received pathogenesis-based therapy of DPN with alpha-lipoic acid and a combination of vitamins B1, B6 and B12. Such pathogenesis-based approach has shown to decrease severity of DPN symptoms and reduce sensory ataxia.

Introduction. Welded joints in large-sized metal structures (e.g., in the structures of ship hulls) subject to low-cycle fatigue are considered. The characteristic appearance of soft interlayers, which are significantly plastically deformed under working loads, was noted. Deformation of the metal structure with damage, especially in the form of cracks, reduces the strength and reliability of structural elements and joints. Pre-deformation negatively affects plasticity; therefore, much depends on the residual plasticity of the cracking material. At the same time, with a decrease in residual plasticity, such an important reliability indicator as the resistance of the material to crack propagation — the fracture toughness – decreases. The paper is devoted to the development of a model that includes analytical dependences for assessing the crack resistance of metal structures and their welded joints with soft interlayers according to the crack resistance limit for all crack sizes.Materials and Methods. The theory and methods of linear mechanics of materials destruction, structural-mechanical approach are used. The calculation results were analyzed and compared to the experimental data and other analytical solutions. The numerical experiment was performed for the ferrite-perlite steel grades of 10, 50, 22K, St3sp, etc., widely used in industry, as well as for alloy steels hardened to medium and high strength of 30KhGSA, 37KhN3A, etc. Results. Analytical dependences are obtained for calculating the relative crack resistance limit according to three main known mechanical characteristics of the state of the material of the soft interlayer of the welded joint.Discussion and Conclusions. The results obtained can be used to assess the crack resistance of pre-deformed structural elements and welded joints (including those with soft interlayers) operating under a transverse load. The results of experimental data and analytical calculations are shown in dimensionless form, which enables to obtain invariant results with respect to the fracture toughness limit.

Introduction. Enterovirus (nonpolio) infection is widespread all over the world, registered as sporadic cases and large-scale outbreaks and can cause severe lesions such as serous meningitis. Epidemiological studies have shown that enterovirus (Picornaviridae; Enterovirus) variant Echovirus 30 (E30) is the most frequently detected variant in patients with enterovirus meningitis in the Russian Federation. However, no vaccines to prevent the disease caused by this pathogen have been developed so far. One of the promising modern trends in terms of creating vaccine preparations is the use of virus-like particles (VLPs), including chimeric ones containing the biological structures of viruses belonging to different species. The aim of this work was to obtain norovirus (Caliciviridae; Norovirus) VLPs displaying enterovirus Echovirus E30 full-length VP1 on the surface. Material and methods. The nucleotide sequences of VP1 protein of norovirus genotype GII.4 and VP1 E30 of genotype h circulating in Russia were used. The SN-VP1E30 protein was constructed, in which the shell (S) and the hinge regions of the norovirus VP1 are fused into one molecule with the full-length VP1 of the E30 virus. The protein was expressed in E. coli, purified using affinity chromatography, and characterized by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and immunoblotting. VLPs were visualized by electron microscopy. Results. The S N-VP1E30 protein expressed in E. coli as insoluble form, so the conditions for SN-VP1E30 solublisation were defined. Sucrose has been shown to significantly increase the efficiency of renaturation. Electrophoretic mobility comparison of denatured and non-denatured SN-VP1E30 demonstrated that most monomers form high molecular weight compounds. Electron microscopy showed that renatured SN-VP1E30 spontaneously forms empty virus-like particles about 50 nm in diameter. Conclusion. Chimeric protein SN-VP1E30 self-assemble into VLPs displaying the VP1 protein of E30 variant that is highly prevalent in Russia. Further immunological research is necessary to characterize VLPs potential for development of the vaccine for enteroviral meningitis prevention.

Abstract Ultraperipheral collisions of high energy protons are a source of approximately real photons colliding with each other. Photon fusion can result in production of yet unknown charged particles in very clean events. The cleanliness of such an event is due to the requirement that the protons survive during the collision. Finite sizes of the protons reduce the probability of such outcome compared to point-like particles. We calculate the survival factors and cross sections for the production of heavy charged particles at the Large Hadron Collider.

Background. The majority of tumors of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinus are diagnosed at an advanced stage, requiring invasive and mutilating surgery, and therefore, the reconstruction of post-surgical craniofacial bone defects using various implants is necessary.Purpose of the study: to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of the thin-profile implants made of titanium nickelide in the surgical treatment of nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancers.Material and Methods. From 2002 to 2020, a total of 60 patients with stage Т3–4n0–1M0 nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer were treated at the Cancer Research institute (tomsk). All patients received radiation therapy followed by surgery with reconstruction of bone structures of the subcranial region and orbital walls. In the study group (n=30), the orbital walls were restored with individual thin-profile shape memory titanium nickelide implants. In the control group (n=30), typical porous and tissue titanium nickelide implants were used. They required adjustment during surgery and complicated reparative processes in the postoperative period due to their thickness. Tissue implants did not allow accurate restoration of the orbital walls due to their structure.Results. Surgical rehabilitation with orbital wall reconstruction using thin-profile titanium nickelide implants makes it possible to shorten the duration of surgery and improve the precision of surgical repair. Features of the architectonics of implants do not interfere with the growth of tissues of the recipient zone, thus preventing the development of inflammation in the implantation site. The technique allows adequate restoration of the natural position and function of the eye.

Objectives. Our aim was to study the dielectric properties of the 4-n-pentyloxybenzoic acid– N-(4-n-butyloxybenzylidene)-4’-methylaniline system and reveal how different concentrations of N-(4-n-butyloxybenzylidene)-4’-methylaniline additives affect the dielectric properties of 4-n-pentyloxybenzoic acid.Methods. System properties were investigated using polarization thermomicroscopy and dielcometry.Results. We found that dielectric anisotropy changes its sign from positive to negative at the transition temperature of the high-temperature nematic subphase to the low-temperature one. The anisotropy of the dielectric constant of N-4-n-butoxybenzylidene-4’-methylaniline has a positive value and increases as to the system approaches the crystalline phase. The crystal structure of the 4-n-pentyloxybenzoic acid contains dimers formed by two independent molecules due to a pair of hydrogen bonds. The crystal structure of N-(4-n-butoxybenzylidene)-4’-methylaniline contains associates formed by orientational interactions of two independent molecules. 4-n-Pentyloxybenzoic acid dimers (270 nm) and associates of N-4-n-butoxybenzylidene-4’- methylaniline (250 nm) proved to have approximately the identical length. Considering the close length values of the structural units of both compounds and the dielectric anisotropy sign, we assume that the N-4-n-butoxybenzylidene-4’-methylaniline associates are incorporated into the supramolecular structure of the 4-n-pentyloxybenzoic acid. The specific electrical conductivity of the compounds under study lies between 10−7 and 10−12 S∙cm−1. The relationship between the specific electrical conductivity anisotropy and the system composition in the nematic phase at the identical reduced temperature, obtained between 100 and 1000 Hz is symbatic. However, the electrical conductivity anisotropy values of the system obtained at 1000 Hz are lower compared to those obtained at 100 Hz. At N-(4-n-butoxybenzylidene)-4’-methylaniline concentrations between 30 and 60 mol %, the electrical conductivity anisotropy values are higher than those of the individual component.Conclusions. A change in the sign of the dielectric constant anisotropy of the 4-n-pentyloxybenzoic acid during nematic subphase transitions was established. We showed that the system has the highest dielectric constant anisotropy value when components have an equal number of moles. Highest electrical conductivity anisotropy values are observed when the concentration of the N-4-n-butoxybenzylidene-4᾽-methylaniline system lies between 30 and 60 mol %.

THE PURPOSE. In order to control the technical condition of oil-filled electrical equipment, a number of new analytical methods have recently been created to determine the ultra-low concentrations of impurity compounds in transformer oil. An analysis of the literature data showed that at this stage of the analytical procedure significant errors may occur that worsen the quality of control of the technical condition of oil-filled electrical equipment, and in some cases make its results meaningless. The published literature practically does not discuss the problem of sample preparation of transformer oil, which negatively affects the quality of analytical control, that is, the reliability of the results and, accordingly, the diagnosis of oil-filled electrical equipment. METHODS. The paper discusses a sample preparation system for transformer oil, which is based on various methods for extracting target components from it. The adsorption process is used, the preparation of chemical derivatives, various types of extraction, liquid, gas, solid phase and fluid, as well as using low temperatures, extraction in microwave, magnetic, electromagnetic and centrifugal fields. It is shown that liquid extraction with an organic solvent is widely used from all sample preparation methods, with the help of which furan compounds resulting from the destruction of paper insulation are extracted from transformer oil. The disadvantages of sample preparation using liquid-phase extraction and the possibility of using solid-phase extraction on various adsorbents for this purpose are discussed. RESULTS. The results of an experimental study of the sorption properties of various organic solvents with respect to porous materials differing in the structure of their surface are presented. We used zeolite-bearing rocks of the Tatar-Shatrashansky deposit, synthetic zeolites NaX-13A. Using the ascending variant of liquid column chromatography, the absolute retention values of standard extractants were determined and their dependence on the length of the sorption layer of the porous material was found. CONCLUSIONS. It was shown that the highest retention times for all studied adsorbents are observed for organochlorine extractants, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, dichloroethane, trichlorethylene. For N. Hexane is a relatively small interaction. Histograms are given of the effect of the retention time of standard sorbates (extractants) on their physicochemical nature.

THE PURPUSE. The paper considers the influence of the nature of organic solvents on the process of separation of an antioxidant additive added to transformer oil at a concentration of up to 0.40% by weight, and organic solvents used as selective extractants. Based on the analysis of literature data, it is shown that mineral transformer oil is a complex hydrocarbon composition that undergoes oxidative degradation during operation, leading to aging of transformer oil and deterioration of technical conditions of operation of transformer electrical equipment. As a result of this process, peroxide compounds appear in transformer oil, which affect its color, oxidation stability, aging resistance, compatibility with structural parts of equipment, etc. Gas -liquid chromatography was used to determine the "Ionol" antioxidant additive and organic extractants in transformer oil. Experiments were performed on a chromatograph of Chromosomes GC -1000 with a flame ionization detector and a quartz capillary column 30 m long, 0.32 mm in diamet er, filled with a fixed liquid phase Valko Bond VB-WAX P/n with a film thickness of 0.5 microns. The sample was dosed into the gas-liquid chromatograph injector using an automatic liquid dispenser DAZH-23, designed for entering up to twenty-three samples of sorbates and controlled by a computer with the appropriate software.METHODS. Aliphatic alcohols from C1 to C5 were studied as extractants of the antioxidant additive, which are well separated from the ionol both under isothermal conditions and in the mode of linear programming of the column temperature from 40 to 220 °C. Under these conditions the chromatogram of the separation of antioxidant additives, and aliphatic alcohols, which are used to calculate their relative retained volumes, the asymmetry of chromatographic peaks and the column efficiency, which depends on the physico -chemical nature of the solutes to be analyzed and the conditions of the chromatographic experiment.RESULTS. The dependence of the relative volume of retention of aliphatic alcohols on their permittivity, which has a nonlinear form, is established. At the same time, with a decrease in the chain length of alkyl substituents in the aliphatic alcohol molecule, there is a tendency to increase their permittivity. The dependence of the relative retained volume of aliphatic alcohols on the selectivity coefficient of separation with Ionol is linear. In this case, the most optimal separation selectivity, approaching one, is characteristic of the Ionol – Butanol-1 pair. It is shown that the dependence of the logarithm of the retention time of aliphatic alcohols on their boiling points is linear both at a low temperature of the chromatographic column (40 °C) and at a higher temperature (more than 100 °C). CONCLUSION. At the same time, the angle of inclination of the corresponding lines changes in the boiling point of organic solvents, which is associated with a change in the sorption mechanism in a capillary chromatographic column filled with a polar stationary phase.

Aim. To study associations between calcification of the coronary arteries (CA), the state of the peripheral vascular wall and bone strength indices.Material and methods. In a cross-sectional study were included 200 women at the age 45-69 y.o. who were observed on an outpatient basis and signed informed consent. A survey was conducted on the presence of cardiovascular risk factors and the risk of fractures. The intima-media thickness (IMT), the presence and number of atherosclerotic plaques (AP) were studied using duplex scanning. Pulse wave velocity (PWV), augmentation index (AI) were measured by applanation tonometry. The presence of calcium deposits in coronary vessels was determined by multispiral computed tomography (MSCT) using the Agatston index. The bone mineral density (BMD) of the spine, hip neck (HN) and proximal hip (PH) was measured using double energy x-ray absorptiometry. The marker of bone resorption C-terminal telopeptide of type-1 collagen (СТх) was determined in blood serum by the β-crosslaps method.Results. There was a positive correlation between the parameters of vascular stiffness, subclinical atherosclerosis of peripheral vessels and CA calcification: AI and calcium index (r=0.25, p

THE PURPOSE. Transformer oil is widely used in high-voltage electrical equipment and acts as a dielectric and also as a cooling medium. It consists of a complex mixture of hydrocarbon compositions with various impurity compounds. During the operation of oil -filled electrical equipment under the influence of the technological operating conditions of high -voltage devices, aging of both transformer oil and solid insulation occurs. In this case, the dielectric properties deteriorate, which can damage the transformer equipme nt. METHODS. To increase the service life of oil-filled electrical equipment, an antioxidant additive is introduced into the transformer oil at the stage of its manufacture, which is most often used as ionol, the concentration of which must be constantly controlled by various instrumental methods. To determine the antioxidant additive in transformer oil, a sample preparation system is used based on liquid-phase extraction with selective solvents, which are used as aliphatic alcohols of various physical and chemical nature. RESULTS. It has been established that ethyl alcohol, which is widely used in the sample preparation system for liquid extraction of ionol, contains a significant amount of water, which has a negative effect on the process of ionol extracti on from transformer oil. In addition, the composition of ethyl alcohol contains impurity substances that can have a negative effect on the process of liquid-phase extraction of ionol from transformer oil. The generalized data on the physicochemical properties of extractants used to extract ionol from transformer oil are presented. CONLUSION. It has been shown that butanol is the most promising organic solvent for the extraction of ionol, which has a higher boiling point compared to ethyl alcohol and contains a small amount of water. It was found that the selectivity of the chromatographic separation of butanol components with an elevated column temperature increases. At the same time, the separation efficiency increases as the number of theoretical plates per meter of chromatographic column increases. As the temperature of the capillary column increases, the symmetry of the chromatographic peaks of the separated components also increases.

The results of investigations of multi-component nanostructured coatings of (TiAlSiY)N/CrN type are presented. The influence of different variants of substrate surface pretreatment on adhesive strength and hardness of coatings was studied. Pre-treatment of samples was carried out in plasma of two-stage gas discharge according to various technological schemes. Except for ion-plasma purification, some samples were pretreated with a sublayer of chromium within 5 minutes. The coatings were formed by a vacuum-arc deposition method at simultaneous spraying of two cathode targets. The first cathode is made of chromium, and the second cathode is made of multicomponent Ti - Al - Si - Y alloy obtained by vacuum-arc remelting of powder mixture of the mentioned elements. The coatings were deposited on polished stainless-steel substrates at negative 280 V bias potential. The geometry of the unit and its elements, as well as technological characteristics of the processes of evaporation-condensation were selected so that at a speed of rotation of samples 8 revolutions per minute the formation of the coating with a total thickness of about 9.0 microns occurred in approximately 60 minutes. The analysis of the composition of the coatings shows that the content of elements in the coating differs greatly from the content of elements in the sprayed cathodes. The X-ray diffractometry has shown that all deposition modes are characterized by the formation of phases with cubic (fcc) crystal lattice in both phase layers of multilayer coatings. In the layers formed at spraying of TiAlSiY alloy, a multi-element disordered solid solution (TiAlSiY)N with a crystal lattice of NaCl type and a lattice parameter of 0.4241 nm, as well as chromium mononitride CrN with a lattice parameter of 0.4161 nm, is determined. It has been established that preliminary formation of a chromium sublayer on the substrate leads to significant changes in adhesive strength of multi-component coatings compared to coatings without a sublayer.

Introduction. Microdefects and zones with stress concentration in welded joints cause fatigue macrocracks. Such damage is potentially dangerous, especially if the fatigue life of the structure is almost exhausted. In this case, the crack size is close to the critical value, and it is crucial to determine its length. The paper considers the development of an engineering analytical model for assessing the critical crack length and endurance limit of welded joints with the formed grain in the structure of ferrite-pearlitic steels after welding. Materials and Methods. The theory and methods of fracture mechanics at the mesoscale are used. A simple analytical dependence is obtained, which provides determining the critical dimensions of a macrocrack for ferrite-pearlite steels without using the Griffiths formula. . The calculation results of the critical crack lengths of various steels depending on their yield strength are presented. An analytical dependence of the endurance limit calculation for the most dangerous symmetric loading cycle, according to the standard set of mechanical characteristics and the average grain diameter of ferrite-pearlite steel, is presented. Results. Structural deformation analysis of the crack propagation process has been performed. On its basis, an engineering technique for assessing the endurance limit is developed. A mathematical model that enables to calculate the endurance limit and the critical crack length in the components of welded assemblies of large-sized facilities, considering periodic loads of a symmetrical cycle, is developed. Using this model, it is possible to estimate the degree of metal sensitivity to the original characteristics (yield stress, Poisson's ratio, grain diameter, relative constriction, Young's modulus, power-law hardening coefficient, etc.).Discussion and Conclusion. Under stresses corresponding to the steel endurance limit, the critical crack opening rates of the tip and edges approach each other. Energetically, this moment approximately corresponds to the transition of the crack to an unstable state. The accumulation of one-sided plastic deformations causes the limiting state of plasticity of the region adjacent to the crack tip and its avalanche-like or sharply accelerated motion. This critical area is interrelated with the grain diameter of the material, the characteristic of critical plasticity and the critical opening at the crack tip at the fatigue limit. The proposed analytical dependences can be used to assess the residual life and the fatigue limit of welded structures, the influence of various factors on the fatigue limit of welded joints of ferrite-pearlitic steels used in mechanical engineering, shipbuilding, pipeline transport, etc

Core samples taken from the bottom sediments of the glacial Lake Kucherla (Gorny Altai, Russia) clearly show annual layers represented by glacial clays. In our study, age-depth modeling is based the varve chronology and Cs-137, Pb-210 and C-14 isotope data. Our model is a highly accurate and reliable demonstration of the annual sedimentation history within the past 1400 years. The time series of geochemical indicators of climate change were obtained by synchrotron radiation micro X-ray fluorescence (SR-μXRF) core scanning. Instrumental meteorological observations from 1940 to 2016 were used to construct transfer functions for the average annual temperatures and atmospheric precipitation amounts. A geochemical trace of a catastrophic seismic event, the Mongolian earthquake of 1761, was found in the cross-section of the bottom sediments.

Objective: to investigate the correlation of bone mass, the parameters of vascular stiffness and subclinical atherosclerosis with biochemical markers of inflammation in postmenopausal women. Subjects and methods. The cross-sectional investigation included 98 patients aged 45–82 years who were followed up in the outpatient setting and signed an informed consent. The investigation did not include patients with any clinical manifestations of atherosclerosis, malignant neoplasms, with diseases causing secondary osteoporosis, as well as with the presence of symptoms of acute bacterial or viral infections and an exacerbation of chronic diseases, who took drugs affecting bone metabolism and vascular stiffness. C-reactive protein (CRP) level was determined by a high-sensitive immunoturbidimetric assay using carboxylated polystyrene particles. interleukin (IL)-6 concentration was measured by an enzyme immunoassay. The intima-media thickness (IMT), the presence and number of atherosclerotic plaques (ASP) were studied with duplex scanning. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (AI) were measured by applanation tonometry using a SphygmoCor device (AtCor Medical Pty. Ltd., Sydney, Australia). Lumbar spine and hip bone mineral density (BMD) was determined using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Results and discussion. There was an increase in the parameters of vascular stiffness, subclinical atherosclerosis, and CRP level and a decrease in bone mass with a longer length of menopause. The vascular stiffness parameters, including IMT (r=0.26; p

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of death among patients with diabetes. Antiplatelet therapy is an important part of the treatment and prevention of CVD and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) is the main medication. This review describes modern approaches to the primary prevention of cardiovascular events in patients with diabetes. Until now, no concerted strategy on this issue has been developed by the global medical communities. The approaches used in the guidelines were heterogeneous and did not cover most of the risk factors, which were often associated with the underlying disease. The risk assessment for CVD with a view to developing risk factor stratification is often difficult due to the variety of manifestations and complications of the disease, as well as the specificity of factors used as independent predictors of atherosclerotic vascular disease for the diabetes population. Only cardiovascular risk analysis in an individual patient can make it possible to choose the best method for prevention. Therefore, the most important objective is to introduce the adopted CVD risk stratification criteria for patients with diabetes into clinical practice, which will enhance the preventive treatment and personalize the therapeutic approaches.The adopted standardized cardiovascular risk analysis system for patients with diabetes, for now, has been implemented in the 2019 European clinical guidelines.The consensus regarding use of ASA adopted by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) in collaboration with the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) in 2019 has been based on meta-analyses with a high degree of evidence. They advise to use low-dose ASA in patients with diabetes, if they are at «high» and «very high» risk of CVD and have no obvious contraindications.It allowed clinicians to use low-dose ASA (in combination with proton pump inhibitors) as one of the most important methods for primary prevention. Such modern approaches will surely improve the cardiovascular morbidity and mortality rates in the diabetes population.

Much attention is paid to the consideration of the causes of transformer oil aging under the influence of technogenic and natural factors. The paper insulation destruction mechanism is considered, as a result of which furan compounds are formed that enter the transformer oil and worsen its dielectric characteristics. The characteristics of the domestic transformer oil grade GK-1 obtained using the technology of hydrocracking in a hydrogen medium are given. Furan compounds are formed in used transformer oil, which are monitored using chromatographic analysis methods according to standard procedures. The group composition of transformer oil was determined using thin layer chromatography. As a solvent used n. Hexane. To extract furan compounds from transformer oil, various organic solvents are used, the physicochemical properties of which are given in this work. It was found that the retention time of the studied sorbates corresponds to an increase in their boiling points for ethyl acetate, methyl ethyl ketone and dodecane. In the case of isopropanol, which has a close boiling point with ethyl acetate and methyl ethyl ketone, a significant increase in retention time is observed, which is associated with the formation of an intermolecular hydrogen bond. The dependence of the spot diameter of furan substances on their concentration was established under conditions of thin-layer chromatography on Sorbfil plastics. Moreover, the most effective separation is characteristic of furfural. In this case, the chromatographic spots are small in size with good fidelity. The ascending mode of column liquid chromatography was used to determine the dependence of the retention time of standard sorbates on the length of the Silyochrome S-80 sorption layer, which is parabolic. It was found that the highest retention times are characteristic of ethoxyethanol and isopropanol, which is consistent with the known theoretical principles of liquid chromatography. Histograms of the effect of the retention time of standard sorbates on their nature and boiling point, where isopropanol and 2-ethoxyethanol are extreme, are presented. In this case, isopropanol having a lower boiling point than 2-Ethoxyethanol is retained on the sorbent more strongly, which is associated with the formation of intermolecular hydrogen bonds with surface silanol groups of the sorbent.

According to the World Health Organization, over 10 million new tuberculosis cases are reported annually worldwide. According to the 2017 Federal State Statistics Service Report, incidence rate for active TB infection in the Russian Federation was 109.8 cases per 100,000 population, of which 41.3% accounted for chronic disease form. Regardless of climatic conditions, high prevalence of TB infection, is not only due to high Mycobacterium tuberculosis viability, but also its ability for long persistence in human body and reactivation after an unlimited period of dormancy. The outcome of infection is largely determined by host immunoreactivity and its ability to develop protective immune response. In addition, status of immune system also underlies tuberculosis course after the onset: either as a localized form, or as a form with extensive damage to the lungs and even other organs observed in generalized infection. In recent decades, a great attention was paid to examining mechanisms of adaptive cell immunity played in pathogenesis of TB infection. No doubt, adaptive immunity is a powerful defense system providing a targeted specific immune response, but now it is becoming clear that it represents solely an effector arm of innate immunity. Innate immunity is a phylogenetically more ancient, inherited system largely aimed at ensuring rapid pathogen elimination and preventing development of infection at early stages when adaptive immunity ongoing antigen-specific maturation. Mechanisms of innate immunity mediated by cells, diverse receptors, molecules and their complexes, found on various cells. Activation of innate immunity begins with recognition of conserved molecular groups present in various pathogens called pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), which are sensed by pathogen recognition receptors (PRRs). Here, we review current data on the role of innate receptors in recognizing M. tuberculosis-derived PAMPs, production of immunoregulatory cytokines and activation of signaling pathways playing a crucial role in the regulation of necroptosis, apoptosis and autophagy of infected macrophages. Significance of innate mucosal factors in implementing immune response to M. tuberculosis is discussed. In particular, Toll-like receptors, scavenger-receptors, mannose receptor, DC-SIGN etc. were described to participate in development of M. tuberculosis immunity. The data on single nucleotide polymorphic variants for innate genes are shown, which predispose to developing tuberculosis and affecting its course.

Improving the quality of the urban environment allows the government to influence on large number of citizens, including changing their migration preferences. Urban development can offer a large amount of patriotism. The successes of socio-economic development of cities are confirmed by practice when the planned activities are fully implemented.At the same time, the goals are to consolidate the indigenous population of cities, to attract high-quality specialists from other cities with favorable living conditions. Such internal migration processes can be both permanent and temporary-all of them are aimed at creating socially necessary products. If such trends are supplemented by high wages in high-tech industries that implement advanced technologies, the influx of the required number of highly qualified specialists becomes very likely.Improvement of the quality of the urban environment and its ecological condition on high level is now a state-supported priority. It meets the criteria of social justice, focuses on a more active lifestyle of citizens, which has a positive impact on the health of the population. In addition, the health-improving effect of favorable living conditions is felt on a subconscious level, positively charging people with new energy, improving their mood and maintains their tone on a high emotional level.Improving the comfort of the living environment in addition to improved housing conditions provides for the improvement of infrastructure, a significant transformation of the surrounding landscaped areas, as well as socially significant public urban spaces that harmoniously complement the natural resource potential of settlements.All this in a complex influences on the positive public mood of society and helps to increase the competitive advantages of specific cities in the fight for human capital, affecting also the migration preferences of modern people.

Abstract We propose a model-independent approach for the search of charged long-lived particles produced in ultraperipheral collisions at the LHC. The main idea is to improve event reconstruction at ATLAS and CMS with the help of their forward detectors. Detection of both scattered protons in forward detectors allows complete recovery of event kinematics. Though this requirement reduces the number of events, it greatly suppresses the background, including the large background from the pile-up.

The aim to demonstrate that subclinical atherosclerosis and vascular rigidity in a postmenopausal patient without clinical sings of cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis are connected with a decreased bone mass.Materials and methods. Patient O., 64 years old, was examined at the National Medical Research Center for Preventive Medicine within the program “Comprehensive assessment of total risks and early preclinical markers of osteoporosis and atherosclerosis complications”. No complaints during the examination were revealed. Laboratory tests were performed to evaluate blood lipids level, calcium-phosphorus metabolism, determine marker of bone resorption – CTX (β-crosslaps), measure levels of vitamin D and parathyroid hormone. Instrumental examinations included dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry of the spine and femoral neck, carotid ultrasound, applanation tonometry, multispiral computed tomography of coronary arteries with calcium score determination.Results. During outpatient examination, densitometry revealed decreased bone mineral density in the lumbar spine and in the femoral neck, corresponding to osteoporosis, carotid ultrasound identified atherosclerotic plaques, multispiral computed tomography of coronary arteries – coronary calcification, applanation tonometry – increased aortic stiffness.Conclusion. The clinical case is an example of early-detected preclinical signs of atherosclerosis and osteoporosis, as well as an increased risk of cardiovascular complications. Due to the high frequency of subclinical atherosclerosis, vessel wall state should be examined in women at the beginning of postmenopause. Signs of vascular stiffness and subclinical atherosclerosis give occasion to assess risk of fractures using the FRAX ® calculator and, if necessary, to diagnose bone mass loss using X-ray densitometry. Proposed algorithm can contribute to the early detection of cardiovascular diseases and at the same time improve fracture risk assessment.

Objective: to analyze the clinical and organizational feasibility of using different intervention thresholds for the Russian population.Subjects and methods. The probability of fractures using the Russian FRAX model was calculated on a sample of 3,866 postmenopausal female residents from 6 cities of the Russian Federation. Different intervention thresholds, including fixed (20% for major fractures and 3% for hip fractures), age-dependent (European and Russian) ones, as well as alternative models, were analyzed. The proportion of women to be treated was estimated using different intervention thresholds.Results and discussion. The analysis of the effectiveness of the thresholds showed that the European threshold was the least appropriate one for the formed sample, since more than half (53.6%) of the women to be treated using the threshold, while the vast majority (90%) of the patients were in the younger age groups (50—54 years). There were very similar results of the effectiveness analysis of the fixed threshold (according to the USA National Osteoporosis Foundation — NOF) recommendations and that of the age-dependent threshold for Russia (in the context of the national clinical recommendations). Using the NOF approach in our sample could identify 47.8% of the postmenopausal women to be treated for osteoporosis. Their proportion rose from 29.6% of the patients aged 50—54 years to 80.6% of those aged 85 years and older. The alternative analyses of age-dependent thresholds showed great effectiveness when the fracture was considered not as a risk factor for future fractures, but as a clinical disease manifestation that was sufficient to recommend that the patient should be treated without FRAX counting. However, with their use, the proportion of older people to be treated remains not high enough. In this connection, there remains a need to search for the more adequate application of the existing intervention threshold or to develop a new, for example, hybrid variant of the age-dependent threshold.

The results of studying complex objects can be presented as a problem with several outputs, and this will require a separate mathematical model for each result. If we use a generalized optimization criterion (super criterion), for example, in the form of the Harrington desirability function, one model will suffice. The authors have drawn an example of applying this methodology to determine the factors influencing the seeding process performed with an experimental seeder.(Research purpose) To show general recommendations for improving the process of planning and organization of scientific experiments in the field of agricultural engineering.(Materials and methods) The authors were guided by the idea of converting the natural values of particular criteria (or characteristics) into a dimensionless scale of desirability with subsequent assessment of the level of preference of a set of factors and their levels of variation in a multifactorial experiment. The object of research was represented by a sowing unit used for combined seeding of two crops. (Results and discussion) The study has established the following levels of desirability of natural output values (combinations of the variation levels of experimental factors): "very good", "good", "satisfactory", "bad", and "very bad". The rate of influence of these factors on corn seed sowing with an experimental seeder was obtained by applying a priori ranking technique. An acceptable set of values (a combination of optimal and maximum values) from the range of factors variation was revealed, which provides for more qualitative choice of the main factors influencing the optimization parameter. The authors have demonstrated the operation of the patented software to calculate data according to the Box-Behnken plan, which allows to obtain sufficient information about the response surface of the process in the experiment center selected as the expected optimum. (Conclusions) The paper presents the way of preparing for an experiment and subsequent processing of the results of complex studies using the super criterion. The necessity for digitalizing the process of planning and organization of scientific experiments has been emphasized.

Background: At present, there are no methods for intraoperative monitoring of the interventricular septum (IVS) thickness in a stopped and empty heart. This might be an obvious reason for unsatisfactory results after a number of septal myectomies.Aim: To provide an experimental background for the method to control the IVS thickness (that we had proposed) during septal myectomy.Materials and methods: The proposed technique is based on the transillumination method. The experimental models were cadaveric porcine hearts, as well as fragments of the human myocardium removed during septal myectomies. The thickness of the translucent myocardium was estimated depending on the local illumination value at the entrance to the myocardium and the external illumination of the surgical field. We compared the results of 67 septal myectomies performed in the clinic of the Almazov National Medical Research Centre with the results of 35 similar experimental procedures with cadaveric porcine hearts using the proposed way of measurement.Results: A graph of the illumination at the entrance to the myocardium against the thickness of the translucent myocardium was constructed. After conventionally performed septal myectomies the median variation of the myocardial thickness was 4 [3; 6] mm. In the experiment using the proposed control method, the median variation was 1 [1; 2] mm, i.e. significantly less than with the conventional approach (p = 3 x 10-10).Conclusion: The method to control the IVS thickness when performing septal myectomy makes it possible to achieve the required myocardial thickness the resection area with much greater accuracy than with the conventional one.

Surgical treatment is leading in the treatment of malignant tumors of the salivary glands. The complexity of the anatomical areas, the severity of the tumor process, the close location of the facial nerve branches lead to frequent complications in the postoperative period. The technique of elimination of paresis of mimic muscles with the use of a complex of therapeutic measures, including a course of physiotherapy with the appointment of a magnetolaser and SCENAR therapy developed at the Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center of the RAS and the prospect of its use in this pathology. The clinical case of application of this material is described.

The most significant in the technology of growing potatoes are the timing of removal of the tops, as this factor directly affects the physiological state of the tubers and their quality. Therefore, the aim of the study was to determine the effect of the timing of removal of tops on yield, quantitative yield and quality of elite seed of early maturing potato varieties Snegir, Delphin, Udacha and Zhukovskij rannij. Experience, observations and accounting were carried out according to generally accepted methods. The study was conducted in a field experiment of the Smolensk Institute of agriculture (ex. Smolensk GOSHOS). As a result of phenological observations, it was found that the mass flowering did not occur simultaneously in all studied potato varieties. Before all the phase of mass flowering occurred in the Zhukovskij rannij variety. The percentage of plant viral diseases in all studied varieties in the variant with the term of removal of the tops 21 days after mass flowering was higher, compared with the options for removing the tops in earlier flowering periods. The maximum yield of seed fraction of potato tubers in varieties Delphin and Snegir (12.6 and 26.1 t/ha, respectively) was noted in the version with the second term of removal of the tops, in varieties Zhukovskij rannij and Udacha (23.2 and 23.4 t/ha, respectively) – in the version with the term of removal of the tops 21 days after mass flowering. The yield of tubers seed fraction and their mass were the highest varieties of Dеlphin and Zhukovskij rannij. According to the results of the tuberous analysis, an increase in the total number of tubers affected by fungal diseases was observed in variants with later dates of removal of the tops. The most affected disease of all the studied varieties was the grade of bullfinch (1.5-4%), the most resistant to disease – cv. Udacha.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate mRNA levels of genes encoding CD16A (FCGR3A) and CD16B (FCGR3B) in peripheral blood and tumors of colorectal cancer patients (CRC).Materials and methods. The study included 66 CRC patients from Nizhny Novgorod Regional Clinical Oncology Center and 111 people without cancer as a comparison group from Nizhny Novgorod Regional Blood Center named after N.Ya. Klimova. The mRNA relative levels in peripheral blood and tumor was detected by reverse transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction. The mRNA levels correlation and association with CRC clinical characteristics were assessed by statistic methods.Results. The study suggests that in the peripheral blood of CRC patients the levels of mRNA FCGR3A and FCGR3B were statistically significantly lower than in healthy individuals. The mRNA levels remained low at 7–10 days after surgery. The FCGR3A mRNA normalized level in the blood and tumors of CRC patients, as well as in the blood of healthy individuals, was several times higher than the FCGR3B mRNA level. At the II stage of tumor development in CRC patients, the FCGR3A and FCGR3B mRNA levels were statistically significantly decreased, but as the tumor progressed is normalized. Moderate degree of tumor differentiation was also characterized by a drop in mRNA levels of the tested genes. Reduced FCGR3A and FCGR3B mRNA levels in the blood of patients were observed in the absence of metastases. In tumor samples, FCGR3A mRNA was tested in 95.5% of cases, FCGR3B mRNA in 68.2% of cases. Progression of CRC was accompanied by an increase in FCGR3A mRNA level in tumors, the FCGR3B mRNA level did not change. Positive correlation of FCGR3A mRNA level with TNF and FOXP3 mRNA levels was found, which indicates the possible involvement of FCGR3A in the regulation of chronic inflammation in tumors of CRC patients.Conclusion. Changes in mRNA levels of genes encoding CD16A (FCGR3A) and CD16B (FCGR3A) molecules were detected in blood and tumor samples. The results indicate the potential for their use as monitoring immunological markers in CRC.

Introduction. Substances with sorption properties can be used to create transport drug systems, in which the main mechanism of binding, transport and release of the drug molecule is sorption. The sorbent in this case acts as a carrier of the drug molecule, followed by its delivery to the destination by desorption. One of the ways to study the processes of sorption-desorption in transport drug systems is the study of the morphology of the sorption substance. Therefore, the morphological analysis of sorption substances is important, including the size, shape, and spatial organization of their structural elements.Aim. The study of the morphology of sorption substances.Materials and methods. The materials of the study are active coal, silicon dioxide, povidone, dioctahedral smectite, kaolin and montmorillonite clay. The methods is scanning electron microscopy.Results and discussion. The scanning electron microscopy of objects was carried out using segmentation of elements as subsystems, inside of which the morphological description does not penetrate. It was established that for coal of active and silicon dioxide, the segmentation of elements is represented by three levels of organization; for povidone, smectite, kaolin and montmorillonite clay, the segmentation of elements is represented by two levels of organization. The morphology of the objects was investigated. It is established that the studied substances are microstructural objects. Porosity in samples of active coal, smectite dioctahedral, kaolin, montmorillonite clay was determined. In samples of silicon dioxide and povidone porosity is absent.Conclusion. Morphological analysis of sorption substances allowed us to develop classification of the possible interaction of the carrier substance with the drug molecule in the transport drug system. The materials under study are divided into two groups according to porous characteristics: group 1 – porous substances – sorption interaction in pores (active coal), sorption interaction in pores and by ion exchange (smectite, montmorillonite clay), sorption in secondary pores and through oxygen and hydroxyl centers (kaolin); group 2 – non-porous substances – sorption on oxygen centers (silicon dioxide), sorption by means of complex formation (povidone). The prospect of further research is the modeling of porosity and sorption interaction of the carrier substance with the drug molecule in the drug transport system.

The role of sociological research in the strategy of planning advertising campaigns has been has been considered. Sociological research is the main supplier of data on the behavior of the target audience, its quantity, and the structure of its media consumption. On the basis of sociological data, a decision-making process is taking place on the choice of the required type of media, or media mix, the start time of the campaign and the frequency of advertising. With the assistence of sociological measurements delivered on an ongoing basis, calculate the efficiency of media indicators of advertising goods and services. One of the research areas is the evaluation of the content of advertising communication by consumers, the quality of creativity and the way of presenting information, the recognition of the key idea of advertising communication. For the needs of the advertising market, both qualitative and quantitative sociological studies are used.