Tuberculosis Situation in Volga Federal District in 2016-2020

The objective of the study: to assess changes in the incidence and prevalence of multiple drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB) and TB/HIV coinfection (TB/HIV) in Volga Federal District (VFD) and its regions during 2016-2020.Subjects and Methods. Data from FGSN Forms No. 8, 33, and 61, and analytical reviews of main statistical TB rates in the Russian Federation have been studied. The number of those died is presented as per the Rosstat data.Results. An increase in the incidence and prevalence of MDR TB and TB/HIV coinfection has been detected in certain region of Volga Federal District. Perm Region, the Republic of Bashkortostan, the Republic of Udmurtia, and Orenburg and Samara Regions have the highest prevalence of MDR TB and TB/HIV coinfection. In 2020, the Republic of Bashkortostan was the only region where the incidence and prevalence of MDR TB were growing (164.7% and 47.3%, respectively). The highest incidence and prevalence of TB/HIV coinfection was reported in the Republic of Bashkortostan, Perm Kray, Orenburg Region, the Chuvash and Udmurt Republics. Over the last 5 years, the maximum increase in TB/HIV incidence and prevalence was observed in the Republic of Bashkortostan (38.8% and 41.3%, respectively).

Load capacity of single-lap adhesive joints made of 2024-T3 aluminium alloy sheets after shot peening

The goal of the work reported was to determine the influence of selected shot peening parameters on the deflection of the Almen strip and the load capacity of single-lap adhesive joints made of 2-mm-thick aluminium alloy EN AW-2024-T3. Moreover, the research was aimed at checking the possibility of using the Almen strip deflection indicator to predict the load capacity of adhesive joints after shot peening. The analysis was carried out according to Hartley’s PS/DS-P:Ha3 plan. The input factors were the shot peening parameters: treatment time t (60–180 s), ball diameter dk (0.5–1.5 mm) and compressed air pressure p (0.3–0.5 MPa). It has been proved in this work that shot peening treatment of the outer surface of single-lap adhesive joints can be used to strengthen the joint. The maximum increase in the load capacity of the shot peened joints was 33.4%. It was observed that the load capacity of the joints decreases with an increase in the deflection of the Almen strip (in the assumed area of variability of technological parameters). Moreover, the results obtained indicate that the adoption of too intensive treatment, manifested in high values of deflection of the Almen strip, may weaken single-lap adhesive joints.

Effects of oligomerization and decomposition on the nanoparticle growth: a model study

The rate at which freshly formed secondary aerosol particles grow is an important factor in determining their climate impacts. The growth rate of atmospheric nanoparticles may be affected by particle-phase oligomerization and decomposition of condensing organic molecules. We used the Model for Oligomerization and Decomposition in Nanoparticle Growth (MODNAG) to investigate the potential atmospheric significance of these effects. This was done by conducting multiple simulations with varying reaction-related parameters (volatilities of the involved compounds and reaction rates) using both artificial and ambient measured gas-phase concentrations of organic vapors to define the condensing vapors. While our study does not aim at providing information on any specific reaction, our results indicate that particle-phase reactions have significant potential to affect the nanoparticle growth. In simulations in which one-third of a volatility basis set bin was allowed to go through particle-phase reactions, the maximum increase in growth rates was 71 % and the decrease 26 % compared to the base case in which no particle-phase reactions were assumed to take place. These results highlight the importance of investigating and increasing our understanding of particle-phase reactions.

Investigation into Cervical Spine Biomechanics Following Single, Multilevel and Hybrid Disc Replacement Surgery with Dynamic Cervical Implant and Fusion: A Finite Element Study

Cervical fusion has been a standard procedure for treating abnormalities associated with the cervical spine. However, the reliability of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) has become arguable due to its adverse effects on the biomechanics of adjacent segments. One of the drawbacks associated with ACDF is adjacent segment degeneration (ASD), which has served as the base for the development of dynamic stabilization systems (DSS) and total disc replacement (TDR) devices for cervical spine. However, the hybrid surgical technique has also gained popularity recently, but its effect on the biomechanics of cervical spine is not well researched. Thus, the objective of this FE study was to draw a comparison among single-level, bi-level, and hybrid surgery with dynamic cervical implants (DCIs) with traditional fusion. Reductions in the range of motion (ROM) for all the implanted models were observed for all the motions except extension, compared to for the intact model. The maximum increase in the ROM of 42% was observed at segments C5–C6 in the hybrid DCI model. The maximum increase in the adjacent segment’s ROM of 8.7% was observed in the multilevel fusion model. The maximum von Mises stress in the implant was highest for the multilevel DCI model. Our study also showed that the shape of the DCI permitted flexion/extension relatively more compared to lateral bending and axial rotation.

Preparation and application of poly (hydroxyl ethyl methacrylate) nanocomposite hydrogels containing iron oxide nanoparticles as wound dressing

In recent years, polymeric hydrogels are widespread in the field of biological materials such as wound dressing and wound care. In this work, we report for the first time the preparation and application of pHEMA nanocomposite hydrogels containing iron oxide nanoparticles as wound dressings. For this purpose, nanocomposite hydrogels based on poly (hydroxyl ethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA) and various amounts of 5, 10, and 15 wt% iron oxide nanoparticles were successfully prepared via radical polymerization. The structure and morphology of nanocomposite hydrogels were determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), respectively. The results of gel fraction and the degree of swelling of hydrogels demonstrated that the gel percentage of pHEMA increased, and the degree of swelling decreased with increasing the percentage of nanoparticles. The WVRT and the porosity of hydrogels decreased by increasing the quantity of nanoparticles and were suitable for wound dressing applications. The effect of iron oxide nanoparticles on the mechanical properties of nanocomposite hydrogels was also studied using compression test and hardness shore A durometer. The results indicated that the compression strength, modulus, strain, and hardness are steadily increasing compared to pure hydrogel by adding nanoparticles. The maximum increase was obtained for a hydrogel sample with 15 wt% iron oxide nanoparticles. Antibacterial properties and biocompatibility were determined by the disk-diffusion and MTT assay methods, respectively. Based on the results, nanocomposite hydrogels exhibited higher percentages of cell survival and better antibacterial properties compared to pure pHEMA.

Evaluation of Suitable IPM Module for Management of YMV Disease in Mungbean under West Central Table Land Zone of Odisha

Background: YMV disease in mungbean is one of the major disease causing heavy losses annually throughout the country. As the disease is transmitted by insect vector, management of vector is important to check the YMV disease that can minimise the losses. The present investigation was aimed to evaluate different IPM modules for management of YMV disease of mungbean. Methods: Field experiments were carried out during Rabi season of 2016-17 and 2017-18 at the Research Farm of Regional Research and Technology Transfer Station, Chiplima, Sambalpur, Odisha, India. Population of whitefly was recorded on three leaves selected from top, middle and bottom canopy of the plant. Disease severity was recorded by using 0-9 scale. Result: The IPM module i.e. seed treatment with Thiamethoxam 25 WG @ 5 gm kg-1 of seed, installation of yellow sticky trap @ 50 ha-1 and spraying of Acetamiprid 20 SP @ 0.3 gm l-1 of water was found as the most effective among all other modules. Pooled analysis of two years data revealed that 65.5% YMV disease control and 59.3% reduction of white fly population over control were performed by the said IPM module. A maximum increase in yield (84.8%) and highest cost benefit ratio (1.77) were also achieved with the module.

Ways to increase bean productivity and quality with different growing technologies

The aim of the research was: to study ways to increase the productivity of beans by combining in a single process fertilizer, pre-sowing seed treatment with drugs based on an active strain of nodule bacteria, growth stimulants of biological origin, micronutrients in the form of negligence. Methods. The research program included: phenological observations of plant development (development phases and stages of organogenesis), morphological - on the formation of elements of productivity, leaf apparatus and duration of its functioning, morphophysiological - on the dynamics of development of productivity elements, the formation of productive potential. Results. The article presents the results of research on the effectiveness of mineral fertilizers, growth stimulants and microfertilizers to increase the productivity of beans and its quality. It is established that the maximum yield of beans - 2.81 t / ha (in 2018 3.30 t / ha) at the level of absolute control, respectively 1.05 t / ha was formed on the option, which involves the application of mineral fertilizers at a dose of P60K60 + N30 + N30 kg / ha d.r., sowing of seeds treated with a strain of nodule bacteria BTU - p and joint treatment of crops with growth stimulants in the physique of branching and budding with microfertilizers in the budding phase. The maximum increase in yield was 0.92 t / ha, and 0.86 t / ha from the application of fertilizers was obtained with the application of P60K60 + N30 + N15 and P 0 K0 + N30 + N30, with the control of 1.05 t / ha. Pre-sowing inoculation of seeds with a strain of nitrogen-fixing bacteria BTU-r provided an increase in yield - 0.24 - 0.39 t / ha. The use of growth stimulator in the technology of cultivation provided an increase in crop productivity by 1.04 t / ha on the background without seed inoculation, with inoculation - 2.22 t / ha compared to the absolute control (1.05 t / ha). Co-application of growth stimulant with microfertilizers on crops yielded 2.41 t / ha with a protein content of 20.39%.

Determining the properties of chia seed meal gel

Potential areas of using chia seeds meal as part of mincemeat semi-finished products were substantiated. The modern stage of development of the food industry involves the expansion of the range of natural functional ingredients that improve the organoleptic characteristics of finished products and provide consumers with "healthy" food. This causes the use of new ingredients in the meat processing industry for producing and devising products. The relationship between the indicators of emulsifying capacity, emulsion resistance, and the degree of hydration of chia meal was determined experimentally. It was found that the ability of chia meal to absorb and retain water and fat molecules in the emulsion composition decreased proportionally to a decrease in its concentration in the composition of hydrated samples. The existence of non-polar side chains of amino acids that get bound to fat molecules contributes to an increase in the indicators of emulsifying capacity and emulsion stability during heat treatment (70±2 °C) and after pre-freezing on average by 7–8.7 % and by 16–18.8 %, respectively. Analysis of effective viscosity of the dispersed system of chia seeds meal indicates that in the area of a higher concentration, the viscous-elastic and solid-like behavior of the suspension depends on dynamic changes in the volume of the phase of particles. Heating the experimental samples to a temperature of 70±2 °C in the center leads to a maximum increase in viscosity of the formed dispersions. When studying the effect of the processes of freezing on the properties of the studied systems, the cryoprotective properties for the proposed additives were detected. The obtained data indicate the thermal stabilization of the proposed additive, the ability to form a microgel structure in the finished product, and retain moisture during heat treatment of semi-finished products.

GLINT: GlucoCEST in neoplastic tumors at 3 T—clinical results of GlucoCEST in gliomas

Objective Clinical relevance of dynamic glucose enhanced (DGE) chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) imaging has mostly been demonstrated at ultra-high field (UHF) due to low effect size. Results of a cohort study at clinical field strength are shown herein. Materials and methods Motion and field inhomogeneity corrected T1ρ‐based DGE (DGE⍴) images were acquired before, during and after a d-glucose injection with 6.3 s temporal resolution to detect accumulation in the brain. Six glioma patients with clear blood–brain barrier (BBB) leakage, two glioma patients with suspected BBB leakage, and three glioma patients without BBB leakage were scanned at 3 T. Results In high-grade gliomas with BBB leakage, d-glucose uptake could be detected in the gadolinium (Gd) enhancing region as well as in the tumor necrosis with a maximum increase of ∆DGE⍴ around 0.25%, whereas unaffected white matter did not show any significant DGE⍴ increase. Glioma patients without Gd enhancement showed no detectable DGE⍴ effect within the tumor. Conclusion First application of DGE⍴ in a patient cohort shows an association between BBB leakage and DGE signal irrespective of the tumor grade. This indicates that glucoCEST corresponds more to the disruptions of BBB with Gd uptake than to the molecular tumor profile or tumor grading.

Glutathione-dependent system in the blood of gastric cancer patients with various tumor histotypes and prevalence of the disease

Purpose of the study. Exploring the erythrocyte glutathione system functioning in patients with gastric cancer in a comparative aspect, depending on tumor histotype and disease prevalence.Patients and methods. The study included 89 patients with gastric cancer, divided into 6 groups depending on the histotype of the tumor. Separately, the results of the study were analyzed in patients with T4 status according to TNM and in patients at stage 4. The content of reduced glutathione and the activity of glutathione-dependent enzymes in the erythrocytes of the patients' blood were studied by conventional spectrophotometric methods. Statistical processing of the results was carried out using the Statistika 6.0 software package according to the Student's t-test and the nonparametric Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test for two independent samples.Results. An increase in the content of glutathione was revealed in patients with gastric cancer compared with the group without oncopathology. The maximum increase was observed in patients with low-grade adenocarcinoma - by 42.5 %, while in signet ring cell carcinoma (SRCC) there was only a tendency to increase by 17.8 %. Glutathione reductase activity was decreased in adenocarcinoma by 23.4-26.2 % and did not change in SRCC. The activity of the antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase and glutathione transferase was increased in all groups, and especially in SRCC - by 76 % and 23-29 %, respectively. In patients with the T4 status and at stage IV of the process, a lower activity of the studied glutathione-dependent enzymes was revealed in comparison with all other groups of patients.Conclusions. The data obtained indicate a greater functional potential of the glutathione system in SRCC. A significant increase in glutathione transferase activity at a sufficiently high level of reduced glutathione can contribute to the development of treatment resistance in SRCC patients.