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Introduction Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific complication characterized by hypertension in combination with proteinuria and/or various manifestations of multiple organ failure. It is believed that etiology of preeclampsia lies in dysfunction of the placenta and disorder of the maternal-fetal interactions. In preeclampsia decidual membrane, the maternal part of the placenta which normally supports immunological tolerance of the maternal organism to the semi-allogeneic fetus, becomes a site of inflammation. Methods The aim of our study was to characterize the phenotype of decidual macrophages and plasma profiles in patients with late- and early-onset preeclampsia as compared with controls (n = 43). Decidual cells were obtained by enzymatic digestion method and characterized by flow cytometry analysis, real-time PCR, bioinformatics analysis, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot. Plasma samples were analyzed by multiplex assay. Results The number of inflammation-associated CD86+ and CX3CR1+ cells was significantly higher in the early-onset preeclampsia while the portion of CD163+ cells was significantly higher among studied groups. We observed significant increase of endothelin-1 gene expression and a significant decrease in eNOS and GNB3 expression and TGFβ relative protein level in decidual cells of the early-onset preeclampsia samples. We also revealed elevation of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in plasma of preeclampsia groups. Discussion Our findings reflect profound early-onset preeclampsia-associated alterations in the decidua and emphasize the importance of the decidua as a link in the development of preeclampsia.

The study was carried out using a novel rat model developed in our laboratory, namely16 mm diameter circular excisional wounds were generated on the abdomen which resulted in minimal scarring. Restoration of the skin integrity was completed by day 60 after the wounding surgery. By this time, regenerates on the abdomen were stronger than on the back (at, respectively, 58 and 17.4 % of the tensile strength of the intact skin at corresponding location) and the ratio of type I and type III collagens in regenerates on the abdomen reached the level of intact skin at the same location. On days 3 to 14, the ratio of Mmp9/Timp1 expression levels on the abdomen was higher than on the back. On days 20 and 30, the Mmp9/Timp1 ratio on the abdomen was identical to the level of intact skin, whereas the increased MMPs expression levels on the back were maintained until day 30. It has been shown for the first time that according to functional and molecular characteristics, wound healing on the abdomen of an adult rat is more similar to complete regeneration than scarring repair of the back skin.

AIM To investigate the influence of the umbilical cord-derived multipotent stromal cells (MSCs) on recovery of the liver after the subtotal resection, that is, removal of 80% of the organ mass, a renowned model of the small-for-size liver remnant syndrome. METHODS The MSCs were obtained from the intervascular tissue of umbilical cords, dissected from rat fetuses, by the explant culture technique. The vital labeling of MSCs with РКН26 was carried out on the 3rd passage. The subtotal resection was performed on male Sprague-Dawley rats. The experimental group animals received a transplant 106 MSCs infused into the spleen. Hepatocyte proliferation was assessed by counting of either mitotic figures or Ki67-positive cells in microscopic images. MSC differentiation was assessed with antibodies to hepatocyte-specific marker cytokeratin 18 (CK18), cholangiocyte-specific protein CK19, smooth muscle cell-specific protein α-SMA, the endothelial cell marker CD31, or the active fibroblast marker FAPα. Total macrophages of the liver were selectively stained in cryosections incubated with anti-CD68 antibodies (1:100, Abcam), while the M2a and M2c macrophage populations were selectively stained with anti-CD206 antibodies. Expression of interleukin and growth factor genes was evaluated with PCR-RT. RESULTS Intrasplenic allogeneic transplantation of the umbilical cord-derived multipotent stromal cells stimulates reparative processes within the residual liver tissue after subtotal resection (removal of 80% of the organ mass), as indicated by increased rates of hepatocyte proliferation and accelerated organ mass recovery. These effects may result from paracrine influence of the transplanted cells on the resident macrophage population of the liver. The transplantation favors polarization of macrophages to M2 phenotype (the M2-polarized macrophages specifically express CD206; they are known to suppress inflammation and support tissue repair). No differentiation of the transplanted cells into any of the liver cell types have been observed in the study. CONCLUSION We found no direct evidence for the paracrine effect of MSCs on liver regeneration after the subtotal liver resection in rats. However, the paracrine mechanism of the therapeutic activity of transplanted MSC is indirectly indicated by a decrease in the total number of CD68 + macrophages and an increase in the proportion of M2 pro-repair macrophages in the regenerating liver as compared to animals in which the transplantation was only mimicked.

The proper functioning of the monocyte−macrophage system, an important unit of innate immunity, ensures the normal course of pregnancy. In this review, we present the current data on the origin of the monocyte−macrophage system and its functioning in the female reproductive system during the ovarian cycle, and over the course of both normal and complicated pregnancy. Preeclampsia is a crucial gestation disorder characterized by pronounced inflammation in the maternal body that affects the work of the monocyte−macrophage system. The effects of inflammation at preeclampsia manifest in changes in monocyte counts and their subset composition, and changes in placental macrophage counts and their polarization. Here we summarize the recent data on this issue for both the maternal organism and the fetus. The influence of estrogen on macrophages and their altered levels in preeclampsia are also discussed.

Preeclampsia is a gestation-associated hypertensive syndrome that threatens the life and health of the mother and the child. The condition is presumably caused by systemic failure with a strong involvement of innate immunity. In particular, it has been associated with flexible phenotypes of macrophages, which depend on the molecules circulating in the blood and tissue fluid, such as cytokines and hormones. This study aimed at a comparative evaluation of pro-inflammatory (TNFα) and anti-inflammatory (CD206, MMP9, HGF) markers, as well as the levels of estrogen receptor α, expressed by decidual macrophages in normal pregnancy and in patients with early- and late-onset preeclampsia. The tissue samples of decidua basalis were examined by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. Isolation of decidual macrophages and their characterization were performed using cultural methods, flow cytometry and real-time PCR. Over 50% of the isolated decidual macrophages were positive for the pan-macrophage marker CD68. In the early-onset preeclampsia group, the levels of estrogen receptor α in decidua were significantly decreased. Furthermore, significantly decreased levels of HGF and CD206 were observed in both preeclampsia groups compared with the control group. The observed downregulation of estrogen receptor α, HGF and CD206 may contribute to the balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory macrophages and thereby to pathogenesis of preeclampsia.

A clinical case of Bickerstaff encephalitis, an autoimmune neuropathy, which affects central and peripheral nerve systems, is presented. This article describes problems of the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Results of MRI, PET, electrophysiological and immunological studies are presented.В статье приведено клиническое наблюдение энцефалита Бикерстаффа - аутоиммунной нейропатии с поражением как центральной, так и периферической нервной системы. Рассмотрены вопросы трудности диагностики и возможности терапии заболевания. Представлены результаты позитронно-эмиссионной томографии, электрофизиологических и иммунологических исследований.

Background In many clinical cases of extensive liver resection (e.g. due to malignancy), the residual portion is too small to maintain the body homeostasis. The resulting acute liver failure is associated with the compensatory growth inhibition, which is a typical manifestation of the ‘small for size’ liver syndrome. The study investigates possible causes of the delayed onset of hepatocyte proliferation after subtotal hepatectomy (80% liver resection) in rats. Results The data indicate that the growth inhibition correlates with delayed upregulation of the Tnf gene expression and low content of the corresponding Tnfα protein within the residual hepatic tissue. Considering the involvement of Tnf/Tnfα, the observed growth inhibition may be related to particular properties of liver macrophages – the resident Kupffer cells with CD68+CX1CR3−CD11b− phenotype. Conclusions The delayed onset of hepatocyte proliferation correlates with low levels of Tnfα in the residual hepatic tissue. The observed growth inhibition possibly reflects specific composition of macrophage population of the liver. It is entirely composed of embryonically-derived Kupffer cells, which express the ‘proregeneratory’ M2 macrophage-specific marker CD206 in the course of regeneration. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12865-018-0260-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Cell therapy is increasingly recognized as a beneficial practice in various cardiac conditions, but its fundamentals remain largely unclear. The fates of transplanted multipotent stromal cells in postinfarction cardiac microenvironments are particularly understudied. To address this issue, labeled multipotent stromal cells were infused into rat myocardium at day 30 after myocardial infarction, against the background of postinfarction cardiosclerosis. Therapeutic effects of the transplantation were assessed by an exercise tolerance test. Histological examination at 14 or 30 days after the transplantation was conducted by means of immunostaining and quantitative image analysis. An improvement in the functional status of the cardiovascular system was observed after both the autologous and the allogeneic transplantations. Location of the label-positive cells within the heart was restricted to the affected part of myocardium. The transplanted cells could give rise to fibroblasts or myofibroblasts but not to cardiac myocytes or blood vessel cells. Both types of transplantation positively influenced scarring processes, and no expansion of fibrosis to border myocardium was observed. Left ventricular wall thickening associated with reduced dilatation index was promoted by transplantation of the autologous cells. According to the results, multipotent stromal cell transplantation prevents adverse remodeling and stimulates left ventricular reverse remodeling.

We review the studies of phase stabilization of a pulsed relativistic backward-wave oscillator (BWO) excited by the feed voltage with a steep front. Results of radiation phase stabilization are compared with the results of in-phase excitation of two independent nanosecond relativistic microwave backward-wave oscillators of the 8-mm wavelength range. Stable and controlled (by correcting the voltage front) synchronization of two channels with identical high-current electron beams is demonstrated for the case of generation power of up to 230 MW and a pulse duration of up to 100 oscillation periods in each beam.

The theoretical premises and experimental results of phase control in high-power microwave oscillators with nanosecond pulse duration are presented. In experiments, two-channel backward wave oscillators (BWOs) for both steady state (100-150 cycles) and super-radiance (SR) mode operation (10-20 cycles) are discussed. For the phase control, the shift of the moment with fastest current rise is provided in the sections of nonlinear transmission lines with axially biased ferrites. The voltage pulse sharpening and shift of group velocity depend on the dc axial magnetic field. In SR mode, two-channel source is capable of producing 2 × 0.3 GW pulses with duration of 2 ns and the center frequency of 10 GHz. The source operates at the repetition rate up to 100 pps with electronic control of the phase in one channel relative to another. The last experiment is carried out using two synchronized compact RADAN-type drivers with two parallel Ka-band BWOs (100 MW, 2 ns, 37 GHz). The controllable shift of interference picture is a proof of the coherency in the aggregated radiation. At the maximum of the pattern in the far zone, the detector indicateds fourfold increase in power density over that measured from single channel.

The coherent composition of the wave beams of two relativistic nanosecond backward-wave tubes (BWTs) with an 8-mm range and peak power in each channel of up to 230 MW is implemented. A specific feature of this experiment was power supply of explosive-emission cathodes by split pulses supplied by a completely solid-phase SOS modulator with reduced amplitude scatter. The voltage growth rate was increased compared to previous experiments, which made it possible to transition to the region of weaker magnetic fields ∼2 T, which was less than cyclotron resonance field, while retaining stable emission of the electron beams. As a result, a standard deviation of phase scatter between the channels of 0.5 ps was found on the time scale.

The possibility of in-phase excitation of two independent nanosecond-pulsed relativistic 37-GHz backward-wave oscillators (BWOs) with high-current electron beams has been studied. This regime can be achieved using BWO switching with a picosecond precision. It is shown that long-term (up to 100–200 periods of the field) phase locking in each channel is stably reproduced from pulse to pulse, which ensures coherent summation of the output wave beams at a megawatt power.

Nondestructive testing of the strength of materials and structures is based on the evaluation of representative strength indices that allow forecasting of the instant that destruction will occur. Flaws in a material and complexities in a structure lead to nonuniformities in their structural, stressed-strained, and strength states, to the reduction of the testability of objects, and the necessity of increasing their strength margin. The criteria for determining the kind and nonuniformity of the strength state of structural materials are formulated, a technique for qualitative evaluation of the degree of the strength nonuniformity is considered, and the correlations of different acoustic-emission and geometric strength characteristics, which were obtained by a nondestructive method, are compared to the durability of specimens.

To study morphofunctional tissue changes during perforation of the tympanic membrane using blood plasma enriched with platelet growth factors in the experiment.Examined 36 rats (72 tympanic membranes), which were divided into 2 groups, experimental (1st) and control (2nd). Injected blood plasma enriched with platelet-derived growth factors into the external auditory canal once by application after perforation of the tympanic membrane in the rats of the experimental group. Sacrificed rats on the 5th, 10th, 15th day after surgery (6 animals in each group at each stage). Evaluated the condition of the tympanic membrane otoscopically during the experiment. Evaluated the signs of acute otitis media, the presence of 'dry' perforation of the tympanic membrane (without signs of inflammation), and the closure of perforation of the tympanic membrane.In the experimental group, on the 5th day after the surgery, there were no signs of acute otitis media, closure of perforation of the tympanic membrane was identified in 4 cases, 'dry' perforation of the tympanic membrane (without signs of inflammation) was preserved in 8 cases. In the control group, on the 5th day after the surgery, the signs of acute otitis media were identified in 9 cases, cases of closure of the perforation of the tympanic membrane were not noted, 'dry' perforation of the tympanic membrane was preserved in 3 cases. In the 1st group, on the 10th day after surgery, the signs of acute otitis media were identified in 1 case, 'dry' perforation of the tympanic membrane was preserved in 1 case, closure of perforation of the tympanic membrane was identified in 10 cases. At the same time in the 2nd group, the signs of acute otitis media were identified in 6 cases, the 'dry' perforation of the tympanic membrane was preserved in 6 cases, there were no cases of closure of the perforation of the tympanic membrane. In the 1st group, on the 15th day after the surgery, there were no signs of acute otitis media, 'dry' perforation of the tympanic membrane was preserved in 1 case, closure of perforation of the tympanic membrane was identified in 11 cases. In the 2nd group, on the 15th day after surgery the signs of acute otitis media was identified in 1 case, 'dry' perforation of the tympanic membrane was preserved in 10 cases, the closure of perforation of the tympanic membrane was noted in 1 case.Preliminary results show a favorable effect of blood plasma enriched with platelet growth factors on the regeneration of the tympanic membrane under conditions of its traumatic perforation in the rat experiment, which is manifested in a decrease in the incidence of acute otitis media on the 5th day after perforation and in an increase in the incidence of closure of tympanic membrane perforation both on the 10th and 15th day, and in general in the experimental group.Цель исследования - изучить морфофункциональные изменения тканей при перфорации барабанной перепонки с использованием плазмы крови, обогащенной тромбоцитарными факторами роста, в эксперименте. Материал и методы. Обследовали 36 крыс (72 барабанных перепонки), которых поделили на две группы, экспериментальную (1-я) и контрольную (2-я). В экспериментальной группе после перфорации барабанной перепонки однократно аппликационно в наружный слуховой проход вводили плазму крови, обогащенную тромбоцитарными факторами роста, крыс выводили из эксперимента на 5, 10, 15-е сутки после операции (по 6 голов в каждой группе на каждом этапе). В процессе эксперимента отоскопически оценивали состояние барабанной перепонки. Оценивали признаки острого среднего отита, наличие 'сухой' перфорации барабанной перепонки (без признаков воспаления), закрытие перфорации барабанной перепонки. Результаты. В экспериментальной группе на 5-е сутки после операции признаков острого отита не было, закрытие перфорации барабанной перепонки выявили в 4 случаях, 'сухая' перфорация барабанной перепонки (без признаков воспаления) сохранилась в 8 случаях. В контрольной группе на 5-е сутки после операции признаки острого отита выявили в 9 случаях, случаев закрытия перфорации барабанной перепонки не отметили, 'сухая' перфорация барабанной перепонки сохранилась в 3 случаях. На 10-e сутки после операции в 1-й группе развитие острого отита выявили в 1 случае, 'сухая' перфорация барабанной перепонки сохранилась в 1 случае, закрытие перфорации барабанной перепонки выявили в 10 случаях. В те же сроки во 2-й группе развитие острого отита выявили в 6 случаях, 'сухая' перфорация барабанной перепонки сохранилась в 6 случаях, случаев закрытия перфорации барабанной перепонки не было. На 15-е сутки после операции в 1-й группе не было признаков острого среднего отита, 'сухая' перфорация барабанной перепонки сохранилась в 1 случае, закрытие перфорации барабанной перепонки выявили в 11 случаях. На 15-е сутки после операции во 2-й группе наличие признаков острого среднего отита определили в 1 случае, 'сухая' перфорация барабанной перепонки сохранилась в 10 случаях, закрытие перфорации барабанной перепонки отметили в 1 случае. Заключение. Предварительные результаты свидетельствуют о благоприятном влиянии плазмы крови, обогащенной тромбоцитарными факторами роста, на регенерацию барабанной перепонки в условиях ее травматической перфорации в эксперименте на крысах, что проявляется в уменьшении частоты развития острого среднего отита на 5-й день после перфорации и увеличении частоты закрытия перфорации барабанной перепонки как на 10-й и 15-й дни, так и в общем в экспериментальной группе.

Cladribine provides immunomodulation through selective targeting of lymphocyte subtypes. We report the results of a 96-week phase 3 trial of a short-course oral tablet therapy in patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis. We randomly assigned 1326 patients in an approximate 1:1:1 ratio to receive one of two cumulative doses of cladribine tablets (either 3.5 mg or 5.25 mg per kilogram of body weight) or matching placebo, given in two or four short courses for the first 48 weeks, then in two short courses starting at week 48 and week 52 (for a total of 8 to 20 days per year). The primary end point was the rate of relapse at 96 weeks. Among patients who received cladribine tablets (either 3.5 mg or 5.25 mg per kilogram), there was a significantly lower annualized rate of relapse than in the placebo group (0.14 and 0.15, respectively, vs. 0.33 ; P

Summary Background Interferon beta-1a and glatiramer acetate are commonly prescribed for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), but no published randomised trials have directly compared these two drugs. Our aim in the REGARD (REbif vs Glatiramer Acetate in Relapsing MS Disease) study was to compare interferon beta-1a with glatiramer acetate in patients with RRMS. Methods In this multicentre, randomised, comparative, parallel-group, open-label study, patients with RRMS diagnosed with the McDonald criteria who had had at least one relapse within the previous 12 months were randomised to receive 44 μg subcutaneous interferon beta-1a three times per week or 20 mg subcutaneous glatiramer acetate once per day for 96 weeks to assess the time to first relapse. A subpopulation of 460 patients (230 from each group) also had serial MRI scans to assess T2-weighted and gadolinium-enhancing lesion number and volume. Treatments were assigned by a computer-generated randomisation list that was stratified by centre. Analysis was by intention to treat. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00078338. Findings Between February and December, 2004, 764 patients were randomly assigned: 386 to interferon beta-1a and 378 to glatiramer acetate. After 96 weeks, there was no significant difference between groups in time to first relapse (hazard ratio 0·94, 95% CI 0·74 to 1·21; p=0·64). Relapse rates were lower than expected: 258 patients (126 in the interferon beta-1a group and 132 in the glatiramer acetate group) had one or more relapses (the expected number was 460). For secondary outcomes, there were no significant differences for the number and change in volume of T2 active lesions or for the change in the volume of gadolinium-enhancing lesions, although patients treated with interferon beta-1a had significantly fewer gadolinium-enhancing lesions (0·24 vs 0·41 lesions per patient per scan, 95% CI −0·4 to 0·1; p=0·0002). Safety and tolerability profiles were consistent with the known profiles for both compounds. The overall number and severity of adverse events were similar between the treatments and were not an important cause for discontinuation of the trial during the 96 weeks. Interpretation There was no significant difference between interferon beta-1a and glatiramer acetate in the primary outcome. The ability to predict clinical superiority on the basis of results from previous studies might be limited by a trial population with low disease activity, which is an important consideration for ongoing and future trials in patients with RRMS. Funding EMD Serono; Pfizer.

Expression of il1b, il6, il10, tnfa, hgf, tgfb, vegf, and fgf2 genes in the lungs and kidneys was examined on rat model of liver regeneration after subtotal hepatectomy. Enhanced expression of il6, il10, tnfa, hgf, and fgf2 genes was detected at the early terms after 80% liver resection.

In the liver of rats subjected to subtotal liver resection (80% organ weight), the expression of sox9 gene and SOX9 protein content increased and cells with hepatocyte morphology expressing SOX9 appeared; the proportion of cells expressing cytokeratin-19 also increased. Based on these data, we cannot completely exclude the involvement of resident progenitor cells and hepatocyte reprogramming in liver regeneration after subtotal resection, however, the contribution of these processes seems to be insignificant. The leading mechanism of liver mass recovery after subtotal resection is proliferation of hepatocytes.

First version of relativistic BWO with TM 02 operating mode has been tested also in [1]. The cyclotron-resonance mode selection was used. In this case, because of requirement to the defined values of magnetic field and e-beam radius, the efficiency of oscillator was not very high (approximately 10%). Now, the different electrodynamic codes are available to optimize the geometry of Slow Wave Structure (SWS) and reflector for TM 02 mode with small re-emission to TM 01 . Then other techniques of mode selection such as the e-beam pre-modulation near the reflector [2], sectioning of SWS and diffractive losses at the coaxial magnetically-insolated diode can be used. So, refusing the cyclotron-type discrimination of TM 01 mode, we studied approaches of mode selection with higher magnetic field to increase the BWO efficiency, including the idea of self-modulated e-beam emission [3].

The generation of short electromagnetic pulses excited in an extended slow-wave system (SWS) of a relativistic backward wave tube (BWT) operating in the so-called superradiance regime with a carrier frequency of 3.7 GHz has been simulated and experimentally studied. At a decreased magnetic field (about 0.2 T) in the SWS, the BWT generated 2.5-ns microwave pulses with a power of up to 800 MW. At a pulse repetition rate of 100 Hz, the working life of the system was limited by the lifetime of an explosive emission cathode (106 pulses). The possibility of phase synchronization of the high-frequency field of the relativistic microwave oscillator with respect to the voltage pulse front is demonstrated for the first time.

Coherent summation of microwave beams has been demonstrated for two superradiance Ka-band backward wave oscillators producing over 700 MW of power. The explosive emission cathodes of the e-beam injectors were powered by stable splitted voltage pulses produced by an all-solid-state modulator. The voltage fronts were shortened to 300 ps in controlled delay shock-excited ferrite lines. The standard deviation of the phase difference between the microwave pulses was less than 2% of the oscillations period. The power flux density of the summarized radiation was the same as that of a single generator producing an output power of ∼3 GW.

A reproducible model of fetal liver regeneration was created. Resection of 20% liver was carried out in rat fetuses on day 17 of prenatal development. The organ weight was restored after 2 days at the expense of an increase in hepatocyte mitotic activity; cell hypertrophy was minor. After recovery, the cell composition of the operated liver did not differ from the control, i.e. the regeneration was organotypical.

Recent studies of the generation of GW-level nanosecond microwave pulses in extended BWO-type slow-wave structures have been showed an opportunity for stabilization of the RF field phase. Decline in the dependence of the output microwave power on the electron energy in this operation mode allows reaching radiation peak power spread not exceeding voltage variation on a vacuum diode. Superradiative microwave generators can produce high peak power with moderate beam energy and have good efficiency. This paper discusses the possible application of such systems.

The operation of a nonstationary relativistic X-band BWO in the mode of production of quasicontinuous superradiation pulse trains has been studied. The average power of superradiation pulses generated by packets of duration 10–100 s with a repetition rate of 300 Hz was ∼1 kW. The radiation peak power reached ∼3 GW. When the device operated in a reduced magnetic field focusing the electron beam, the factor of conversion of electron beam power to pulsed electromagnetic radiation was 0.75–0.8. Phase lock conditions for the high-frequency carrier of the radiation in relation to the leading edge of the accelerating voltage pulse have been investigated.

The paper presents theoretical and experimental studies of the Superradiance (SR) regime of short high-power microwave pulse production in the Cherenkov relativistic BWO. It was found in theory and simulations, that under certain conditions, the peak power of the microwave pulse may be higher than the electron beam power. It is possible for enough lengthy uniform slow wave structure in the case of moderate electron energy and task easy for longitudinal profiling of coupling impedance. In experiment using the RADAN-303SNS mini-accelerator, 420 MW, 200 ps pulses were produced in Ka-band. In X-band experiment using SINUS-150 accelerator, 1.2 GW, 0.5 ns pulses were produced with 140% power conversion efficiency.

A two-channel source of Cherenkov superradiance pulses with the electron-wave systems of identical geometry which is capable of producing 2 × 0.3 GW pulses of duration 2 ns and center frequency 10 GHz has been developed and explored. The channels are powered by a high-voltage driver whose pulse is split into two pulses that are sent through parallel transmission lines. To shorten the voltage rise time in each channel, identical NiZn ferrite-loaded coaxial transmission lines with independently controlled axial bias fields are used.