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Introduction. Adalimumab, a fully humanized monoclonal antibody, is a tumor necrosis factor (TNFα) inactivator that is used against a number of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and other most common inflammatory arthropathies (ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis). Despite the proven efficacy of adalimumab treatment, there is a risk of adverse events, tied up with the formation of anti-drug antibodies, including neutralizing antibodies. Currently, the evaluation and characterization of neutralizing antibodies has become an important part of clinical trials in the development of new drugs and biosimilars.Aim. The aim of this study is to develop and validate the cell-based functional method for neutralizing anti-adalimumab antibodies determination in human serum.Materials and methods. For determination of neutralizing anti-adalimumab antibodies, the cell line L-929 has been employed. L-929 is a cell line sensitive to the TNFα-mediated apoptosis; the neutralizing antibodies interact with adalimumab that leads to TNFα-mediated cytotoxicity. Cytotoxicity was measured using resazurin, an aromatic compound that is a redox indicator.Results and discussion. The developed method was validated for cut point, selectivity, sensitivity, precision, specificity and stability (short- and long-term). An important part of a method development for determining neutralizing antibodies is the selection of concentrations of TNFα (4 ng/ml) and adalimumab (250 ng/ml), as well as determining the minimum required dilution – this parameter is established as 1 : 20. Cut point was chosen as a «floating» cut point, and a correction factor (normalization factor) was determined equal to 0,86. The sensitivity of the developed method was estimated at 108,9 ng/ml of neutralizing anti-adalimumab antibodies.Conclusion. The obtained results can be applied for determining anti-adalimumab neutralizing antibodies in the assessment of the adalimumab immunogenicity, including clinical trials.

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic immunoinflammatory disease of the joints, spine and entheses from the group of spondyloarthritis, which is usually observed in patients with psoriasis. In recent years, the axial form of PsA (axPsA) has been actively researched. However, there is insufficient data on approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of patients with axPsA in real-life clinical practice. This article presents the results of an interim analysis of data from a non-interventional multicenter observational study on the treatment of patients with axPsA in real-life clinical practice (NiSaXPA) in Russian centers.Objective: to identify patients with axPsA, their characteristics and describe treatment tactics in real-life clinical practice.Material and methods. Patients with PsA who met the inclusion criteria were prospectively followed up during routine visits to a rheumatologist. Participants' axial radiographs were uploaded to a database in order for it to be confirmed the presence or absence of axPsA by two independent experts, a rheumatologist and a radiologist. Patients with a confirmed axPsA diagnosis participated in a further data collection phase (Visit 2, week 24).Results and discussion. Six hundred patients were enrolled into the study. At the time of analysis, 386 (64.3%) of them (209 men and 177 women) were screened for axPsA. The diagnosis of axPsA was confirmed in 241 (62.4%) cases; these patients formed the Per Protocol (PP) population. The mean age of patients with axPsA in the PP population was 46.30±12.6 years and the body mass index (BMI) was 27.4±5.2 kg/m2 . In 14.9% of patients, the duration of psoriasis was less than 1–5 years, in 21.5% – 5–10 years and in 63.6% – more than 10 years. The duration of PsA symptoms was less than 1–5 years in 31.2 % of patients, 5–10 years in 31.6 % and more than 10 years in 37.2 %. Low disease activity (BASDAI ˂ 4) was achieved in 33.3 % of patients with axPsA at visit 1 and in 64.3 % at visit 2; the BASDAI index declined on average from 4.67±1.95 to 3.31±1.89 points.In real-life clinical practice, patients were most frequently prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – 88.7% and 71.7% (visits 1 and 2, respectively), and synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (sDMARDs) –79.1% and 70.7%, respectively; therapy with biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) was initiated in 40.2% and 60.6% of patients, respectively.Conclusion. The results of the interim analysis of this observational study showed that in 87.2% of patients who met the CASPAR criteria for PsA there was a suspicion of axial manifestations of PsA on the primary care level. However, only 62.4% of them had a confirmed diagnosis of axPsA on centralized expert assessment, which may indicate a possible overdiagnosis of axial lesions in real-life practice and emphasizes the importance of collaboration between a rheumatologist and a radiologist when analyzing the results of imaging studies. 33.3% of patients with axPsA had low disease activity according to BASDAI at baseline and 64.3% after 24 weeks, meaning that the disease was only adequately controlled in one third of cases despite therapy; the number of these patients doubled after a change in therapy. In real-world clinical practice, patients with axPsA are most commonly prescribed drugs from the NSAID and sDMARD groups; the frequency of use of biologic drugs varied between 40.2 and 60.6% by the end of the observation period.

Scientific and practical aspects are considered for development of functional nutrition products from fish raw materials after lifetime enrichment of the fish muscle tissue with selenium. Size-weight composition is investigated for rainbow golden trout grown in aquaculture, minerals and fatty acids content is determined for hot-smoked products of this species, and quality indicators and nutritional value are evaluated for both raw materials and the products to examine possibility of the enrichment with selenium by adding a selenium-containing preparation to fish feeds and to estimate effect of such feeding on commercial, nutritional and consumer properties of the products. The fish from the experimental group fed by the feeds with preparation Kormogran Selenium-3 had more valuable mineral and fatty acid composition of meat, higher yield of edible parts, and better organoleptic properties of smoked products in comparison with the control group. There is concluded that the lifetime enrichment of the trout tissues with selenium in aquaculture conditions is an effective technology for producing high-quality seafood for functional nutrition.

Takayasu’s disease (nonspecific aortoarteritis) is a granulomatous inflammation of the aorta and its main branches with a progressive course and development of severe ischemic disorders. The difficulty of diagnosis and the possibility of applying various methods of pathogenetic anti-inflammatory treatment of Takayasu’s arteritis make it expedient to study a clinical case. The analysis of a clinical case of a patient with Takayasu’s arteritis with manifestation of the disease in the form of general inflammatory syndrome and manifestations of severe cerebral ischemia due to bilateral stenotic carotid artery lesion was performed. The patient has been under observation since September 2017 up to the present time, various methods of pharmacotherapy and surgical correction were used in her therapy. The dynamics of clinical symptomatology of Takayasu’s arteritis and clinical results of step therapy with high doses of methylprednisolone, bolus administration of cyclophosphan followed by long-term oral cyclophosphan administration were analyzed. In the course of treatment, the patient underwent carotid angioplasty. Due to the unstable effect of the therapy, the patient was administered intravenous infusions of IL-6 blocker tocilizumab, which led to remission of the disease. The presented clinical case demonstrates the important diagnostic value of vascular imaging methods in early diagnosis and control of the disease course and the effectiveness of IL-6 inhibitors in achieving and maintaining remission of Takayasu’s arteritis.

In clinical practice, differences in the efficacy of tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors (iTNF-α) have been observed in different diseases.Objective: to evaluate the efficacy of iTNF-α in patients with immune-mediated diseases and its relation to the immunogenicity of these drugs.Material and methods. The study included 70 patients with rheumatic diseases (RD) and 53 with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treated with infliximab (IFN), adalimumab, or certolizumab pegol (CZP). Disease activity and response to therapy were evaluated, as well as measurement of the minimal residual concentration of iTNF-α and the level of anti-drug antibodies.Results and discussion. Therapy efficacy was maintained in 60 (85.7%) patients with RD and 35 (66.0%) with IBD (odds ratio, OR 1.3; p=0.01). Event-free survival of therapy was observed more frequently in RD and was longer than in IBD (p

Objective. Assessment of clinical manifestations and ultrasonographic signs of enthesitis (En) in patients with psoriasis (PsO) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA).Subjects and methods. The study is based on the analysis of survey data from 106 patients with PsO for the period 2018–2021, which were firstly sent by dermatologists for a consultation with a rheumatologist due to musculoskeletal pain. The duration of the period of musculoskeletal pain in the observed patients did not exceed 12 months. In addition to general clinical and laboratory examination, all patients underwent ultrasonography of painful and/or swollen joints, tendons and ligaments using a linear sensor (frequency – 12–18 MHz) of MyLab 50 (Esaote, Italy) apparatus and supplemented by Doppler energy study with a pulse frequency of 6.6 MHz. The OMERACT definitions were used to identify En, synovitis and tenosynovitis.Results and discussion. The diagnosis of PsA was established in 73.6%, osteoarthritis – in 13.2%, gout – in 8.4%, fibromyalgia – in 17.9%. Ultrasonographic signs of En were found in 67.9% of patients: signs of an active inflammatory process in enthesises (decreased echogenicity, thickening and appearance of Doppler signals) were observed in 48.7%, signs of structural damage to enthesial zones (calcifications, enthesophytes and bone erosions) in 25,6% of patients. Isolated En was found in 24.4% of patients, a combination of En and synovitis – in 32.1% of patients, a combination of En and tenosynovitis – in 20.5% of patients. The correlation between the inflammatory domain values of the ultrasoundographic enthesial index MASEI (Madrid Sonographic Enthesitis Index) and the clinical enthesial index LEI (Leeds Enthesitis Index) was 0.71 [0.58; 0.77]. There were less pronounced clinical indicators of enthesial inflammation (lower LEI index values), functional disorders of the joints (lower values of the HAQ-DI index) and laboratory signs of systemic inflammation (lower CRP values) in patients with isolated En in comparison with combination of En and synovitis. Ultrasonographic signs of structural damage of enthesises were observed in 15.4% of patients without clinical and ultrasonographic signs of active En, which may indicate the possibility of a subclinical course of enthesial inflammation in patients with PsO.Conclusion. It was demonstrated that ultrasonography has diagnostic capabilities to identify the site of the inflammatory process in patients with PsA and differentiate patients with isolated En and a combination of En and synovitis in order to select a method of differentiated anti-inflammatory therapy.

The concept of happiness is actively discussed in various areas of modern science. The present article features the phenomenon of happiness in M. Lermontov’s fiction. The statistical data were obtained from the national corpus of the Russian language. The subcorpus of Lermontov’s fiction was analyzed for such lexemes as happiness, misery, happy, and bliss. The authors used systemic and phenomenological approaches, as well as hermeneutic, analytical, statistical, and interpretive methods, to reveal the peculiarities of happiness in Lermontov's artistic world and to examine the paradoxical nature of the characters' ideas of happiness. For most personages, happiness determines the search for the meaning of life and destiny. Some characters believe that happiness is possible in this life. For example, Ashik-Kerib is a story of finding a multifaceted kind of true happiness. Other personages believe that happiness cannot be achieved and that man is a fundamentally miserable creature. However, all Lermontov's characters keep looking for happiness. The article introduces the spheres and conditions that Lermontov's heroes associate with happiness. It focuses on Pechyorin from The Hero of Our Time, his ideas about weird people, happiness, and misery.

Background. The central regions of Vietnam are of strategic importance for the Republic, being, in fact, the gateway to the ASEAN countries. Investing in the exploration and evaluation of mineral resources, in particular ore minerals hidden at great depths, is a specific and necessary task for the country.Aim. To clarify the structural-tectonic scheme of the analysed area and to identify the main fault systems and zoning of the Central Vietnam area by the gravitational field based on classification algorithms.Materials and methods. The objectives were achieved by assessing the total gradient of the gravitational field, analysing the distribution of the field variance and the results of tracing the axes of the gravitational field anomaly. Interpretation processing of gravity data was carried out using the “COSCAD 3D” computer technology of statistical and spectral correlation data analysis.Results. The defined fault systems, which play an important role in the processes of mineral formation, have a northwestern, northeastern and latitudinal strike. The zoning of the study area according to the gravitational field, its characteristics and available geological information made it possible to identify 13 homogeneous areas. Each area is characterised by a certain level of gravitational field, the values of dispersion and total field gradient, as well as correlations between attributes. The classification results confirms the complexity of the geological structure of the area under study and the presence of three main strikes of the systems of tectonic dislocations – northwestern, northeastern and latitudinal.Conclusions. A large number of tectonic dislocations of various strikes and intensities, revealed using the methods of the probabilistic-statistical approach, implemented in the “COSCAD 3D” computer technology, indicates that the area under study is promising in terms of ore deposits.

Introduction. Disturbances in the PI3K-dependent (PI3K – phosphoinositide 3‑kinase) cascade are characteristic of all types of breast cancer. In particular, 30–40 % of patients with advanced / metastatic hormone-positive HER2‑negative (HER2 – human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) breast cancer carry PIK3CA mutations in tumor cells. The detection of these mutations in patients with hormone-positive HER2‑negative breast cancer is of great clinical importance, since they are a predictor of tumor sensitivity to the PI3K inhibitor alpelisib. According to the HER2 / neu protein expression status, all patients with hormone-positive HER2‑negative breast cancer can be divided into two groups – with low expression of HER2 / neu (scores 0, 1+ or 2+ per immunohistochemical analysis and negative result of in situ hybridization) and with a complete lack of expression of this protein.Aim. To establish whether there are differences in the nature and prevalence of PIK3CA mutations in patients in these two groups.Materials and methods. The study was carried out on 32 breast cancer samples with a luminal HER2‑negative immunophenotype, which were divided into two groups – with low HER2 / neu expression (n = 15) and with a complete absence of HER2 / neu expression (n = 17). PIK3CA mutations were determined using the commercially available cobas PIK3CA MutationTest kit (Roche, Switzerland) by real-time polymerase chain reaction on paraffin block material (tissue biopsy).Results. Mutations of the PIK3CA gene were detected in 37.5 % of cases, of which p.E542K mutation was detected in 2 cases; p.E545X – in 3, p.H1047X – in 6 and p.N345K – in 1. Analysis of the mutational status of both groups revealed statistically significant differences in the quantitative distribution of PIK3CA mutations. The frequency of PIK3CA mutations was significantly higher in tumors with low expression of HER2 / neu (p = 0.0268). Thus, characteristic genetic changes have been identified for a group of patients with HER2‑low breast cancer. These changes are potential targets for therapy, which is important for clinical practice, as it opens up new therapeutic possibilities for breast cancer patients with low HER2 / neu expression.

The paper presents the dependence of the degradation degree in various aggressive media and time in a medium. The greatest deterioration in crystallographic characteristics of nanostructures in corrosive media is observed on the day 10th , which is due to partial destruction of the crystal structure as a result of oxidation processes. Also, an increase in the oxygen concentration in the structure leads to an increase in disorder regions, amorphization, and subsequent destruction of samples.

The problem of wastes is drawing more and more attention in Russian society. Advanced companies introduce forms of separate garbage collection, programs of utilization and recycling of wastes, which fosters state policy in the field of waste treatment. The article studies acute home research dealing with interaction of power and business in the field of separate garbage collection and reduction of wastes. As for the reform that takes place in policy of waste treatment, research of the last 2-3 years can be especially interesting. The authors assess the lines in state policy in the field of waste treatment that refer to business, which are being realized in Russia now. Special attention is paid by state to new schemes of separate garbage collection, as well as enterprises dealing with collection and transportation of wastes, while state support to other sectors is still being discussed. Sociological survey of entrepreneurs show their interest in economic methods of stimulating waste recycling and search for new technologies. It is necessary to take into account the entrepreneurs' opinion in order to support business climate and foster the reform of waste treatment.

Objective. To assess the duration of remission or inactive disease status in patients with achieved partial remission due to treatment with adalimumab (ADA) after it discontinuation.Materials and methods. A dynamic observation was conducted of 26 patients with ankylosing spondylitis with partial remission achieved due to prolonged use (for 24 months or more) of subcutaneous injections of 40 mg ADA once every two weeks. The discontinuation of ADA was carried out after a 3-4 month period of its use in de-escalation mode in the form of 1 injection (40 mg) once every 4 weeks. After discontinuation of ADA, patients continued to take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, sulfasalazine at a dose of 1.5-2 g per day (11 patients) and methotrexate 10 mg per week (3 patients). Assessment of the clinical, laboratory and ultrasonographic parameters of ankylosing spondylitis was carried out in 3, 6 and 12 months after the abolition of the ADA.Results and discussion. Among the observed patients, partial clinical remission of ankylosing spondylitis maintained after 6 months in 12 (46.2%) patients, and after 12 months - in 10 (38.5%). A low degree of ankylosing spondylitis activity (BASDAI

Aim. To study the features of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in patients with different severity of carbohydrate metabolism disorders (CMDs), taking into account the possible role of obesity in the acceleration of clinical and laboratory disorders.Material and methods. There were 137 consecutive patients admitted to the infectious disease hospital for COVID-19patients. Three 3 groups were formed: group 1 — 42 patients with concomitant type 2 diabetes (T2D); group 2 — 13 patients with concomitant prediabetes; group 3 — 82 patients without concomitant CMDs.Results. Patients with T2D tended to have a more severe disease course according to the SMRT-CO algorithm (p=0,089), which was associated with the longest hospital stay (p=0,038), the most pronounced (p=0,011) and prolonged (p=0,0001) decrease in oxygen saturation, the maximum percentage of lung injury at the beginning (p=0,094) and at the end (p=0,007) of hospitalization, the greater need for intensive care unit (p=0,050), as well as the highest increase in C-reactive protein and fibrinogen (hypercoagulability and systemic inflammation were noted in all groups). Patients with prediabetes in terms of COVID-19 severity occupied an intermediate position between those with T2D and without CMDs; at the same time, they most often needed the prescription of biological preparations (p=0,001). In the first and second groups, there were larger, compared with the control, proportions of obese people (61,9%, 53,8% and 30,5%, respectively, p=0,003). Prediabetes group had a strong correlation between the severity of viral pneumonitis according to SMRT-CO and the presence of obesity (R=0,69, p=0,009).Conclusion. In patients with impaired carbohydrate metabolism of any severity, COVID-19 is more severe. At the same time, persons with overt T2D are prone to the most severe COVID-19 course, while patients with prediabetes in terms of disease severity occupy an intermediate position between them and those without CMDs. Obesity is a strong risk factor for severe COVID-19 among patients with initial CMDs (prediabetes), which is partly mediated by prior liver dysfunction associated with the metabolic syndrome. The increase in proinflammatory changes and hypercoagulability is associated with COVID-19 severity in patients with and without CMDs. These disorders had the greatest severity and persistence in patients with T2D.

A combination of chondroitin and glucosamine is widely used in clinical practice as both a symptomatic and structure-modifying agent for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA). The emergence of new drugs based on this combination substantially expands treatment options for OA therapy.Objective: to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Artroflex® that is a combination of chondroitin sulfate 400 mg and glucosamine sulfate 500 mg (CS + GS) to support joint health in patients with knee and/or hip OA.Patients and methods. When implementing an open observational research program, the results of using the CS + GS complex were assessed in 644 OA patients (74.7% women) (mean age, 58.0±14.6 years) who experienced moderate/severe pain and required to continuously take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The CS + GS complex was prescribed in a dose of 2 capsules per day for 3 months. The investigators estimated changes in pain on movement by a 0 to 10 verbal pain scale, general health (GH) by a 0–10 visual analogue scale), the Lequesne index, the need for NSAIDs, and patient satisfaction with treatment and its tolerance.Results and discussion. After 3-month therapy, there were decreases in pain intensity by 49.2±16.8%, GH scores by 45.6±18.1%, the Lequesne index from 9.0 [6.0; 13.0] to 5.0 [3.0; 9.0]; less than half (45.2%) of the patients still needed for NSAIDs. 82.2% of patients were satisfied or completely satisfied with treatment results; 89.6% reported good treatment tolerance.Adverse events (apparently associated with NSAID use) were recorded in 2.2% of cases. There were no serious complications that required CS + GS treatment discontinuation or hospitalization.Conclusion. The findings have indicated that Artroflex® used to support joint health is an effective agent that controls OA symptoms and has a good safety level.

The present paper is devoted to the study of the structural degradation mechanisms of ferroelectric having Pb1−хBaхZr0,53Ti0,47O3−δ composition. On the base of investigations of the influence of temperature-time synthesis modes on the structural perfection degree of the Pb0,85Ba0,25Zr0,53Ti0,47O3−8 compound, it has been determined, that a shift of the position of the XRD reflex from the plane (112) and its broadening, which is caused by the amorphization and an increase of the elastic stresses in the material crystal lattice during the annealing of the compound. It has been demonstrated that at the increase of the annealing temperature up to 520 K, the crystal lattice of the ferroelectric is deformed by means of a formation of VPb,V0 and [V О •• 2Pb / i ] defects, which is realized in a decrease of the I(hkl) intensity relationship of the XRD reflexes from the planes (112) and (211). It has been supposed that an excess of lead is produced on the grain boundaries as a result of this annealing process, which promotes a local manifestation of the liquid phase. This phase which takes place in the transfer of the material components, not only increases the interaction of the reacting components, but lowers the stability of their crystal lattices due to the formation of point defects, as well. In this case, the lattice state is determined both by the emergence of the oxygen (VО) and lead (VPb) vacancies, as well as of the associates of the [V О •• 2Pb / i ] type, and by the emergence of various elastic stresses, which promotes the relaxation of the chemical bonds between atoms, caused by the deficiency introduced into the anionic sublattice of the Pb0,85Ba0,25Zr0,53Ti0,47O3−8 solid solution at the oxygen desorption process.

Objective: to study the clinical characteristics of PsA and working capacity in patients included in the All-Russian PsA Registry.Patients and methods. The investigation enrolled 614 patients aged 19–84 years with psoriasis from 39 subjects the Russian Federation, who were followed up in the All-Russian PsA Registry. On the basis of the assessment of demographic data, the spectrum of comorbidities, the degree of activity of the underlying disease according to Disease Activity Index for PsA (DAPSA) and Disease Activity in 28 joints (DAS28), clinical, functional, and social indicators were analyzed in the patients. The investigators studied information on the patients employment, working capacity, and disability, by assessing the group of the latter. The health status and the presence and severity of functional impairment in the patients were analyzed using the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), while their working efficiency was estimated according to the Workers Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire: Specific Health Problem (WPAI-SHP questionnaire), by calculating the following parameters: absenteeism, presenteeism, an overall decrease in labor productivity, and impairment in daily functional activity.Results and discussion. The analysis of the All-Russian PsA Registry showed that most of them were of working age (30 to 59 years); 48.4% had concomitant diseases. Data on DAPSA changes were obtained in 349 patients, who were recorded to have mainly moderate (34.7%) or high (42.7%) disease activity, multiple dactylitides and enthesitides, and limited joint function. The registry reflects information on the social status of 521 patients: employed (61.2%) and unemployed (22.1%) persons, pensioners (15.2%), and students (1.5%). More than one third (37.1%) of patients with PsA had disability, mainly of Group III. The changes in the HAQ disability index were assessed in 326 patients; mild, moderate, and severe functional impairments were observed in 36, 26.4, and 3.7%, respectively. Absenteeism was detected in less than one third of patients with PsA, presenteeism was found in about half; there was an overall decrease in labor productivity in more than 60% and daily activity impairment in 68.8%. Statistically significant direct moderate correlations were established between the indicators of PsA activity (DAPSA and DAS28) and the level of productivity impairment in the patients; this was mostly related to an overall decline in labor productivity and to a decrease in daily activity.Conclusion. The data obtained from real clinical practice suggest that half of the PsA patients had high disease activity and a third had severe functional impairment, which led to a lower quality of life and to disability. The overall decrease in labor productivity and daily activity, which was detected in more than half of the patients, was associated with high PsA activity. The follow-up in the All-Russian PsA Registry, regular anti-inflammatory therapy with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and biological agents can improve the clinical and functional status and, consequently, working capacity in patients with PsA.

The results of studies of hydrocarbon systems of the Eastern and Central Ciscaucasia are shown. The research area covers part of the Scythian platform, namely, the northern side of the Terek-Caspian foredeep, the north-eastern part of the East Kuban depression, the Tersko-Kum depression and the Stavropol arch. Based on the results of the work and basin modelling of hydrocarbons generation, emigration and accumulation processes, the reconstruction of the history of oil and gas formation and oil and gas accumulation in the sedimentary cover of the region was completed. The basin modelling of hydrocarbon formation processes in Central and Eastern Ciscaucasia was carried out using the PetroMod (Schlumberger) program complex. The obtained results made it possible to determine the dynamics of organic substance transformation processes, evolution of oil and gas formation zones, time and expected paths of hydrocarbon migration and phase composition and degree of hydrocarbon saturation of the section. The model reliability was corrected by comparing the values of benchmarks (modern reservoir temperatures measured in wells, with their calculated values obtained as a result of modelling). The location of possible foci of hydrocarbon generation in the sedimentary cover, the migration paths, the phase composition of hydrocarbons, the intensity of hydrocarbon saturation within individual tectonic zones and structures were determined. It has been established that the main foci of hydrocarbon generation in the southern part of the studied region are located in the Chechen depression (Tersko-Caspian deep), on the platform part–in the zone of the Manych deep and Nogai stage.

Objective: to estimate the changes of the Scleroderma Clinical Trials Consortium Damage Index (SCTC-DI) over a five-year period in patients with systemic sclerosis (SS) according to the clinical type of the disease and the use of low doses of glucocorticoids (GCs), methotrexate (MTX), and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ).Subjects and methods. The data of a clinical observation in 68 patients with SSD were analyzed, by estimating the SCTC-DI at two time points: May-July 2019 and retrospectively in 2014. The changes of the index values were studied in the observed patients according to the SS type (diffuse, n=15 and limited, n=46) and treatment (low doses of GCs, n=29, MT, n=18 and HCQ, n=16) used for at least 36 months within 5 years.Results and discussion. The observed patients with SS over a five-year period showed increases in the average SCTC-DI from 3.91 to 6.73 and in the number of patients with SCTC-DI >1 from 76.4 to 88.2%. The increase in SCTC-DI in diffuse SS was more significant than in limited SS (its median was 5.10 [4.34; 6.35] and 2.19 [1.84; 3.06], respectively; p

The kinetics of phase contents modification in the process of SrBaFeMoO6–δ crystallization from a stoichiometric mixture of SrCO3 + BaCO3 + 0,5Fe2O3 + MoO3 simple oxides using the solid phase method has been investigated. In the temperature region of 300–1200°С, a number of endotermic effects have been detected. Herewith, the first one (with maximum around 552°С) and the third one (with maximum around 743°С) are accompanying by the significant decrease of the mass of specimen. In the temperature range of 946–1200°С, the mass change of specimen is practically not observable, while the thermal effect is still present, and the specimen remains not single-phase one. This indicates the difficulty of the flow of solid phase reactions with the formation of solid solution of barium-strontium ferromolybdate. During analysis of the change of the phase composition consisting of a mixture of initial reagents of stoichiometric relation SrCO3 + BaCO3 + 0,5Fe2O3 + MoO3, it has been observed that with increasing temperature, complex compounds BaMoO4, SrFeO3 appear almost simultaneously, then SrBaFeMoO6–δ appears consequently. Thus, the compounds BaMoO4 и SrFeO3, are structure forming for the solid solution of barium-strontium ferromolybdate. With further temperature increase up to 770°С the formation of new compound ВаFeO3 with disappearing SrFeO3 was detected. In this case, the amount of double perovskite increases faster than that of barium molybdate. The main accompanying compounds at the crystallization of the SrBaFeMoO6–δ double perovskite solid solution are BaMoO4 and SrFeO3. It was established that at the initial stage of the interaction, the resulting solid solution of barium-strontium ferromolybdate is enriched with iron and its composition changes during the reaction in the direction of an increase of the molybdenum content, as in the case of other precursor combinations.

Objective: to assess quality-of-life (QoL) dynamics in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) when initiating therapy with biological agents (BAs) in real clinical practice.Patients and methods. The investigation enrolled patients with RA from the patient cohort participating in the TERMINAL-II multicenter Russian study, who newly initiated BA therapy. In the self-assessment terminal, the patient completed HAQ, EQ-5D, and RAPID-3 questionnaires. DAS28, SDAI, CDAI, and RAPID-3 were used to determine disease activity. The patient's functional status and QoL were assessed using the HAQ index and the EQ-5D questionnaire, respectively. The efficiency of the therapy was analyzed 6 months after the start of the study according to the standard procedures.Results and discussion. The investigation enrolled 156 RA patients: 79.6% females; mean age, 45.8±13.2 years; disease duration, 7.6±5.6 years. The patients had high RA activity (a mean DAS28 of 5.2±1.2, a mean SDAI of 39.5±16.4, a mean CDAI of 27.5±10.4, and a mean RAPID-3 of 15.1±3.6) and previous inefficacy of synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) after at least 6 months of therapy. Only 1.2% of patients had a good functional status comparable to the population-based control (HAQ 40.5). 70% of patients needed to take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The first BA was chosen in accordance with the recommendations for administration of BAs and in terms of their availability in a specific region of the Russian Federation. The first prescribed BA was tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) inhibitors in 112 (71.8%)patients, anti-B-cell therapy in 14 (9.0%), an interleukin-6 receptor inhibitor in 16 (10.3%), and a leukocyte costimulatory inhibitor in 14 (9.0%). Comparison of the patients receiving newly initiated therapy with TNF-a inhibitors and drugs with other mechanisms of action showed that the patients who had abatacept received higher doses of methotrexate (MTX), but lower doses of glucocorticoids (GCs) than those who were prescribed rituximab and tocilizumab. A statistically significant decrease in DAS28, SDAI, CDAI, and RAPID-3 scores was achieved after 6 months of therapy. Improvements of functional status and QoL in patients were also noted (p

The paper presents the design, general characteristics of and possibilities of data usage from the All-Russian register of patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA).The purpose of creating and introducing the register into Russian healthcare practice is to evaluate the effectiveness of the diagnosis and treatment of PsA. The All-Russian register of PsA patients was created for the period 2016–2018 within the framework of the All-Russian register of patients with arthritis «OREL» on the basis of the V.A. Nasonova Research Institute of Rheumatology and with the support of the All-Russian public organization «Association of Rheumatologists of Russia». This system is an all-Russian population-based register that allows for the recording and monitoring of patients with PsA throughout the follow-up period. This enables healthcare specialists and organizers to obtain reliable information on the state of care for this category of patients in the region.The main purpose of the register is to provide necessary information support and automated technology for solving the problems of accounting, controlling, and monitoring of the status of PsA patients and to organize information interaction between specialists. The register is based on existing state regulatory legal acts. While developing and testing of the register, there were a number of tasks to be solved: to evaluate the efficiency of existing standard and promising targeted PsA therapies in real practice; to assess and improve the routing of patients with PsA. The use of the register allows an operational analysis of the following characteristics: demographic and socioeconomic parameters of patients with PsA; anamnestic data of patients with this condition; results of clinical examinations, instrumental and laboratory data.The geography of the register covers 27 regions of the Russian Federation; the register includes information on 460 patients with PsA.Creating a register permits one to track the dynamics of various parameters (social, demographic, and medical ones), to compare treatment options and the clinical and functional characteristics of patients with PsA, and to evaluate their performance, disability and changes in the social and labor status during the treatment performed. Thus, for the first time in the Russian Federation, the demographic, functional, and socioeconomic parameters of patients with PsA were comprehensively analyzed and the level of performance and impaired daily activities in PsA patients were studied using the WPAI questionnaire; moreover, the patients’ functional and psychological status was evaluated for the first time, by applying the PsAID-12, FACIT questionnaires (in the patients of the V.A. Nasonova Research Institute of Rheumatology).An analysis of the information available in the register makes it possible to compare the efficiency of different PsA treatment regimens, by estimating the rates of remission and/or minimal disease activity in real practice.

For the first time, the mineral composition and structural features of jewelry ammonite from mine OJSC «Mikhailovcement» in Ryazan Region are studied in detail. Ammonites are associated with sediments of Callovian and Oxfordian stages. Ammonites have a complex zonal structure and mainly up to 96 wt. % pyrite composition. Aragonite, sulphates of calcium and iron, calcite, quartz, apatite, organic matter, graphite, ilmenite, feldspar, mica are established. The walls and partitions of the shells retain the original aragonite composition with lamellar and prismatic layers. Of the impurity elements, heightened contents are fixed (wt.%): As — up to 0,023 and Ni — up to 0,048, and in the range of 0,001—0,01 wt. %: Co, Zn, Mo, Sr, Ba and Pb. The content of radioactive elements U, Th are at the level of background with elevated levels of carcinogenic — As and Pb. The oxidation of pyrite and the formation of a number of micro-inclusions occurred presumably with the participation of bacteria. The main part of the shell is formed by densely fused pyrite crystals of 0,2—0,5 mm in size. There are fine-crystalline and globular pyrite, located on contact with aragonite layers of the walls and partitions of shells. In this zone, most mineral micro inclusions are located. According to their decorative and technological characteristics, ammonites are high-quality jewelry material of the biomineral group. The collection of ammonite shells can be carried out along the way with the development of a mine for the extraction of cement.

The Late Devonian kimberlite pipes Arkhangelskaya, Pionerskaya, named after Grib, as well as a number of other pipes, have full sections of crater tufogenic and terrigenous deposits in the Zimneberezhny diamondiferous region, the thickness of which is 120—127 m. The remains of the erosion bell, which was denuded at the stage of regional erosion in the Middle Carboniferous, are characteristic of the Arkhangelskaya pipe. Based on the systematic documentation of the walls of the pilot industrial pit of the Arkhangelskaya pipe, the authors have calculated the initial height of the bell (92 m). The calculation is based on the equality of the volume of host rocks eroded within the annular bell and the volume of terrigenous material contained in the crater deposits. The sequence and kinematics of the formation of crater deposits were reconstructed for the Arkhangelskaya pipe. Four phases of the development of the maar (explosion) crater were identified, which occurred after the injection of kimberlite magma and pyroclastics into the volcano’s vent before reaching the paleosurface: 1 — accumulation of sandstones, 27 m thick, due to erosion of the Vendian socle in a 50-meter-long annular bell with subsidence of the base of the crater with an amplitude of 77 m; 2 — the accumulation of tufogenic and terrigenous deposits with a thickness of 67 m, it was formed under conditions of repeated volcanic activity and a tephra annular shaft with a total subsidence amplitude of 169 m; 3 — terrigenous sedimentation with a total subsidence amplitude of 219 m; 4 — regional erosion in the period from the Late Devonian to the Early Carboniferous and the blocking of the pipe by deposits of Middle Carboniferous and Quaternary system. The depth of regional erosion practically coincides with the estimated height of the eroded bell, equal to 92 m. For the Pionerskaya and Grib pipes, the estimated heights of the erosion bell are 92 and 103 m, respectively. The subsidence of their bases with amplitude of 212—223 m was required to accumulate crater deposits. During the phases of sharp subsidence the collapse of the walls of the crater leads to the formation of coarse deposits and «reefs». After the completion of gravitational erosion, the maar crater switches to the planar erosion mode with the accumulation of fine clastic and chemogenic lake sediments. The causes of subsidence could be the outflow of degassed magma down the crater, ejection of pyroclastic, and compaction of tuff-sedimentary material in the crater.

The sequence of phase transformations in the process of crystallization of the Sr2CrMoO6 by the solid-phase technique from a stoichiometric mixture of simple oxides SrCO3 + 0.5Cr2O3 + MoO, has been investigated. It was determined that the synthesis of the strontium chrome-molybdate proceeds through a series of sequential-parallel stages. By means of the differential thermal analysis and thermogravimetric analysis data, it has been established that five clearly expressed endothermal effects were observed in the temperature range 300−1300 K. It was found that during the studies of the phase transformations sequence in the process of the double perovskite synthesis, SrCrO3, SrMoO4 and Sr2CrO4 are the main concomitant compounds. Herewith, it has been observed that with the annealing temperature increase from 300 to 1270 K, the complex compounds SrCrO4, SrCrO3 (350−550 К) and SrMoO4, Sr2CrO4 (600−750 К) are emerging initially and practically simultaneously. It has been revealed with a subsequent temperature increase that in the temperature range 940−1100 К, the SrMoO4, Sr2CrO4 and SrCrO3 phase concentration dramatically drops with the emerging and growth of the Sr2CrMoO6-δ double perovskite. With that in the range up to 1120–1190 К, the main XRD reflexes intensity for the SrCrO3 and SrMoO4 lowers substantially, and their content in the samples at 1170 К is no more than 7.9%. During a consideration of the derivative of the SrCrO3, SrMoO4 and Sr2CrO4 phase transformation degree (|(dα/dt)|mах), at which their crystallization rates are maximal, it has been determined that |(dα/dt)|mах for the Sr2CrO4 corresponds to the maximal temperature 1045 К, which indicates the presence of considerable kinetic difficulties at the formation of the Sr2CrO4 phase. Thereafter this phase does not disappear and at its appearance the slowing down of the double perovskite growth takes place. On the base of investigations of the phase transformations dynamics for the obtaining of the single-phase Sr2CrMoO6-δ compound with the superstructural ordering of the Cr/Mo cations and improved magnetic characteristics, the SrCrO3 and SrMoO4 precursors were used with combined heating modes.

Composition materials on the base of Pb0,75Ba0,15Zr0,53Ti0,47O3 (PBZT) with micro-inclusions of Cu and Ni are prepared by a complex ceramic technology. This technology includes metallization procedures by means of the chemical deposition method from standard solutions of nickel and copper. At determination of correlation of the structure of PBZT composites and their dielectric properties it was shown that dielectric losses increase with decreasing temperature. This is caused by the domination of the real part of the complex dielectric permittivity.

Ferromagnetic-ferroelectric composite materials on the base of Pb0.85Zr0.53Ti0.47O3-Sr2FeMoO6-δ (PZT-SFMO) compound have been prepared by a complex ceramic technology and the citrate-gel synthesis. It was determined that the dielectric permittivity of a sample with a content of PZT of 55 wt. % and SFMO of 45 wt. % increases with temperature due to the rise of electrical conductivity and an influence of the dielectric dispersion caused by the Maxwell-Wagner relaxation. The electrical conductivity of the sample with a content of PZT of 35 wt. % and a content of SFMO of 65 wt. % possesses a clearly expressed frequency dependence, at temperature lower than 600 K, whereas at higher temperatures the electrical conductivity almost does not depends on frequency in the range 20 Hz-1 MHz. This is concerned with a considerable decrease of critical frequency at higher temperatures. At frequencies higher than 100 kHz and temperature lower than 600 K, the electrical conductivity increases by a power law.

Single-phase Sr2FeMoO6-d powders with various degrees of superstructural ordering of Fe/Mo cations and oxygen index d were obtained by solid-phase synthesis. With the help of X-ray phase analysis and neutron diffraction studies it has been established that the Fe-O1 and Mo-O2 values decrease with increasing oxygen content and the superstructural ordering of Fe/Mo cations increases, whereas the Fe-O2 and Mo-O1 bond lengths decrease, which leads to a decrease in the crystal lattice parameters and in the unit cell volume accordingly. This indicates an increase in the covalence of the bond along the axis (c), which stimulates the redistribution of the electron density from the (Fe/Mo-O2) layers to the (Fe/Mo-O1) layers and to an increase in the concentration of spin-polarized electrons with spins¯, which are located in the conduction band on Mo(t2g)¯ electron orbitals. When studying the dynamics of the change in oxygen non-stoichiometry and the degree of superstructural ordering it was found that the rate of desorption of oxygen is several times larger than the rate of Fe/Mo cations ordering.

Objective: to assess the relationship between hematological manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in the early stage of the disease and development of other syndromes and symptoms of the disease, as well as the nature and severity of internal organs damage during the subsequent five-year period.Subjects and methods. The analysis of data of examination of 89 patients with SLE during the five-year period was carried out. The frequency of clinical manifestations of SLE, the level of antinuclear and antiphospholipid antibodies, SLICC/ACR damage index (SDI) depending on the presence of hematological manifestations of SLE in the onset of the disease including leukopenia (LP), thrombocytopenia (TP) and autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AGA) were studied.Results and discussion. In the onset of SLE LP was observed in 21.3%, TP – in 26.9%, AGA – in 8.9% of patients. The presence of LP was associated with an increase of antibodies to SSA frequency, and TP – with more frequent detection of antibodies to Ro-52, cardiolipin and β-2-glycoprotein (p

The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between the detection of hyperechogenic deposits (HD) in the hyaline cartilage of the knee joints (KJ) at ultrasonography in patients with osteoarthritis (OA), clinical manifestations and structural changes according to KJ ultrasonography and radiography. Material and methods. A prospective analysis of clinical, radiological and ultrasonographic data of 114 patients with knee OA was conducted. The patients were divided into two groups: 32 patients with HD detected in at least one of the KJ, and 82 patients without HD; 32 patients of the 1st group and 34 patients of the 2nd group were observed for 2 years. A comparative assessment of initial clinical manifestations (WOMAC index), x-ray data and ultrasonographic parameters of the subchondral bone, hyaline cartilage and the degree of synovial inflammation in the groups of patients at the beginning of the study and after 2 years was carried out. The exclusion criteria were other joint diseases; paroxysmal course of the inflammatory process in KJ; trauma and history of operations on KJ; ESR >20 mm/h, uric acid level >360 μmol/l and C-reactive protein >5 mg/l. Results and discussion. HD in hyaline cartilage was found in 28.1% of patients with knee OA. After 2 years HD remained in all patients having them at inclusion, and in 5.6% of the patients they were found for the first time. In 13 patients with HD in hyaline cartilage, synovial fluid was studied and in all cases calcium pyrophosphate crystals were identified by phase-contrast microscopy. The presence of HD in the hyaline cartilage of patients with knee OA was accompanied by more pronounced ultrasonographic signs of synovitis and was associated with a higher rate of osteophytes growth in the absence of the changes of the hyaline cartilage thickness according to the ultrasonography and the width of the joint space according to x-ray. Conclusion. The presence of HD in the hyaline cartilage of patients with knee OA according to ultrasound examination may be associated with the deposition of calcium pyrophosphate crystals and is associated with persistent synovitis and accelerated growth of osteophytes.

Hip joint (HJ) inflammation in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a frequent manifestation and an unfavorable prognostic feature of the disease and it requires total hip arthroplasty in 7–8% of patients. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), sulfasalazine (SSZ), and tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors are used to treat AS-associated coxitis. However, the influence of these treatments on the time course of HJ structural changes has not been currently studied.Objective: to estimate the time course of HJ changes clinical, X-ray, and ultrasonographic examination was performed in AS patients receiving various drugs: NSAIDs, SSZ, and adalimumab (ADA) during 12 months.Subjects and methods. Seventy-eight AS patients who had clinical, ultrasonographic, and radiological signs of HJ inflammation were followed up. The patients were divided into three groups: 1) 25 patients who took NSAIDs daily; 2) 26 patients who received NSAIDs and SSZ in a daily dose of 2–3 g; 3) 27 patients who were treated with NSAIDs and subcutaneous injections of ADA 40 mg once every 2 weeks. In addition to conventional clinical and laboratory investigations, all the patients underwent radiography with Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Radiology HIP Index (BASRI-Hip) estimation and HJ ultrasonography.Results and discussion. In Group 2, 12-month SSZ use led to a reduction in median pain intensity during HJ movements on a visual analog scale (VAS) from 26.1 [13.9; 42.7] to 69.3 [56.8; 79.3] mm (p

The most important direction in the system of anti-epidemic protection of the population and military personnel from dangerous infectious and natural focal diseases is epidemiological monitoring with the obligatory use of laboratory methods of detection of pathogens and their markers. On separate territories of placement of the military units which are a part of the southern military district, there are centers of natural and focal infections of dangerous infectious diseases (plague, tularemia, cholera). The article presents the results of laboratory studies during epidemiological monitoring of natural focal and dangerous infectious diseases, which can be used by the military medical service as an information basis for decision-making on the organization of anti-epidemic protection of troops in the event of emergency situations of biological and social nature in these areas.

Hypoglycemia detection in T2DM patients is an important issue which is usually accomplished with self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG). Optimal schedule of testing and diagnostic threshold are important for effective SMBG. Aims of study: To evaluate hypoglycemia frequency by SMBG using structured AccuChek 360 View protocol and glucose monitoring and increase SMBG efficacy in the detection of hypoglycemia. Study design: 16 T2DM patients after initiation of insulin treatment were included. Each patient had 3 days of glucose monitoring together with SMBG 7 times a day after hospital discharge and 3 months later. Results: Hypoglycemia was detected in 38% of monitoring periods; this patients had higher glucose variability and lower average glucose. SMBG detected hypoglycemia in 16% of periods. 6 out of 7 unrecognized hypoglycemias were during night. This 6 cases were characterized by minimal daytime glucose levels by SMBG below 5 mmol/l. ROC-analysis demonstrated minimal glucose level during daytime of 4.8 mmol/l to have 92% sensitivity and 74% specificity for detection of any hypoglycemia by glucose monitoring. Conclusion: Structured Accu-Chek 360 View SMBG can reliably detect daytime hypoglycemia but regular nighttime testing is recommended in all T2DM patients using insulin for detection of nighttime hypoglycemia. Minimal glucose levels below 4.8-5 mmol/l during daytime corresponds with high hypoglycemia risk.

The aim of the study is establishing the possibility of using Zn nanotube arrays as a basis for design compact and lightweight elements of flexible electronics, including operating under influence of ionizing irradiation.The paper presents the results of the synthesis of Zn nanotubes obtained by electrochemical deposition in the pores of polymer matrices and the study of their structural and electrophysical properties after directional modification by ionizing radiation with different doses. Using the methods of scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and energy dispersive analysis, the structure of nanotubes having a polycrystalline structure and completely consisting of zinc was studied and it was demonstrated that irradiation with Ar8+ ions with a dose from 1 × 109 to 5 × 1011 ion/cm2 and energy 1.75 MeV/nucleon has an effect on the crystal structure of nanotubes.At high doses, localized highly defect zones arise, leading to a critical change in the structure and physical properties of the nanotubes, respectively. It is shown that the consequence of the modification of the crystal structure is a change in the electrical conductivity of nanotubes: at low doses the electrical conductivity increases, but when the threshold value is reached, it sharply decreases. The change in the crystal structure and the corresponding changes in the conductive properties of Zn nanotubes due to irradiation determine the mechanism of ionizing radiation influence on nanomaterials and determine the possibility of using Zn nanotubes arrays as a basis for creating compact and lightweight elements of flexible electronics.

Mycoplasmas are the main contaminants of cells cultures. They persist in cell cultures and can extensively affect host cell functions. Conducting experiments or producing protein in contaminated cultures are impractical. The aim of the study was to explore the possibility of quick detection of mycoplasma contamination of cell cultures and biotechnological products by a previously developed method which was modified to make it simpler and more affordable in Russia; and to assess the possibility of method validation for quality control. The authors chose the most applicable qPCR method of all qPCR methods currently used for mycoplasma detection, and modified it in the following way: expensive MGB-probes which cannot be synthesized in Russia were substituted by ordinary fluorescence probes. The reproducibility and sensitivity of the modified method were tested with M. hominis. The sensitivity of the test was equal to 10 mycoplasma gene copies per reaction. Comparison of the obtained results with regulatory requirements for mycoplasma detection showed that the proposed method complies with current official requirements and could be used as the main method for routine prompt cell culture testing for mycoplasma contamination.

In December 2016 at the Test Loop of JSC “VNI-IZhT” comparative testing of four types of ballastless track designs (BVSP) - LVT (RZDstroy, Russia), FFB (MaxBögl, Germany), NBT (Alstom, France), EBS (Tines, Poland) - have been completed. The passed tonnage for the pilot section of the four structures was 600 million tonnes gross. The article analyzes the intensity of settlement of the ballastless track and in transitional sections under the train load. Conducted tests of four types of ballastless track designs LVT (RZhDstroy, Russia), FFB (MaxBögl, Germany), NBT (Alstom, France), EBS (Tines, Poland) and earlier tests of the Rheda (RailOne, Germany) design showed that for the ballastless track on the subgrade, the most critical are not the stresses in the structural elements, but the values of the vertical settlements. In the places of maximum values of the settlement of the upper bearing concrete (reinforced concrete) slab, the underlying layer of the hydraulically linked bearing layer of lean concrete is subsequently destroyed. Tests on the Test Loop of the train with an axial load of 23.5 tons showed that the BVSP design can be used for freight traffic. It is impractical to arrange ballastless track on one of the track of a two-track section. It is necessary to exclude the ingress of water between the bearing concrete slab and the hydraulically linked bearing layer (HLBL). The significant risks are that the ballastless track is more demanding for maintain the construction technology, the composition of the concrete mixes and the quality of the substrate preparation, as evidenced by splashes from the concrete bearing slabs. The probability of a malfunction on the ballastless track is much smaller, but the risk of a sharp increase in the costs of its elimination is much higher. Tests made it possible to confirm the working capacity of the ballastless railway track for the conditions of the Russian railways, to reveal the features of the current maintenance of each design and to give recommendations on its improvement. The tests carried out at JSC “VNIIZhT” test site showed that the ballastless track can be used not only for express and high-speed traffic, but also for combined and freight traffic.

A sonographic sign, such as linear hyperechoic inclusions or uric acid deposits in the hyaline cartilage, has been recently introduced into the system of gout classification criteria. At the same time, the differential diagnostic value of this sign in early gouty arthritis (GA) has not been adequately explored.Objective: to evaluate specificity and sensitivity for detecting linear hyperechoic inclusions in the differential diagnosis of early GA in comparison with the increased level of uric acid, the presence of subcutaneous tophi, and the identification of intraosseous cysts at radiography.Subjects and methods. The investigators analyzed the data of examining 119 patients with arthritis with its symptom duration within 6 months at the stage of differential diagnosis. The following diagnoses were further established: GA in 32 patients, osteoarthritis (OA) in 28, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in 28, and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in 16. Along with clinical, laboratory, and radiological examinations, all the patients underwent ultrasonography (USG) of inflamed joints with an 18-MHz linear transducer to identify linear hyperechoic inclusions (urate deposits) in the hyaline cartilage.Results and discussion. Joint USG revealed urate deposits in 28 (87.5%) patients with GA, in 3 (10.7%) with OA, and in 1 (6.3%) with PsA. The sensitivity of the other signs of gout in early GA was 21.7% for intraosseous cysts, 25.0% for subcutaneous tophi, and 81.3% for hyperuricemia. The specificity of USG for urate deposits in GA was 94.4% and was comparable with that for the other signs of gout (86.1–98.6%). Conclusion. USG detection of urate deposits in patients with gout is characterized by high sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing GA within the first 6 months after the initial symptoms appear.

The calculation and experimental investigations of an external fuel tank influence on longitudinal and lateral aerodynamic characteristics of the light transport cryoplan model has been executed. Tank influence on drag coefficient and lift-drag ratio of the model is presented. It's revealed the essential decreasing the model directional stability due to tank installation. Technical solutions intended for increasing cryoplan's directional stability are developed and preliminarily investigated.

The principle of "early matching" aircraft aerohydrodynamic layouts with air cushion landing gear is suggested. Application of this principle is considered as an example of adaptation to the ball screw base circuit of light transport aircraft. The principle, other than weight, aerodynamic, technological and operational requirements includes additional project activities related to the installation of ball screws.

Many patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) develop myocardial damage that is frequently latent and usually manifests itself as congestive heart failure and arrhythmias in the late period of the disease.Objective: to comparatively study the time course of clinical, structural, and functional changes in the myocardium in RA patients taking methotrexate (MTX) and a combination of MTX and hydroxychloroquine (HC) during a 4-year follow-up period.Subjects and methods. Clinical data and echocardiographic, carotid artery ultrasonographic, and Holter electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring readings were analyzed in 83 patients with RA with disease duration of < 10 years, who had received MTX (n = 44) or a combination of MTX and HC (n = 39) for 4 years. RA activity remained low (DAS28 ≤ 3.1) during the follow-up period.Results and discussion. Over 4 years, the RA patients showed significant increases in left ventricular mass index (from 106.20 [98.14; 112.44] to 114.23 [109.12; 131.19]), in the rate of eccentric left ventricular hypertrophy (from 22.9 to 40.9%), frequent supraventricular extrasystoles (from 13.3 to 22.8%), different types of premature ventricular contractions (from 14.2 to 26.2%), paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia (from 1.2 to 3.6%), intraventricular conduction disturbances (from 3.6 to 14.4%), and first-degree atrioventricular block (from 2.4 to 4.8%), as well as atherosclerotic plaques in the carotid arteries (from 6.0 to 10.8%) (p < 0.05). During combined therapy with MTX and HC, the increase in the rate of eccentric left ventricular hypertrophy, high-grade premature ventricular contractions, and right bundle-branch block was not so great as that during MTX monotherapy (5.1 and 29.6%; 5.1 and 18.2%; 2.6 and 11.4%, respectively).Conclusion. There is evidence that HC intake has a positive impact on myocardial structural and functional parameters in RA patients.

The inflammatory process in the synovial membrane (SM), which may be a main cause of chronic pain in many patients, is one of the most significant components in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA).Objective: to study the time course of clinical and sonographic changes in patients with knee OA who used different symptomatic slow-acting agents, such as chondroitin sulfate (CS), glucosamine sulfate (GS), and diacerein, during an 18-month follow-up period in general clinical practice.Subjects and methods. The investigation enrolled 86 knee OA patients who took CS and/or GS in combination with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and/or paracetamol in an outpatient setting for 12 months. Clinical and ultrasound (US) studies of the affected knee joints (KJ) were performed at the study inclusion and 12 and 18 months after follow-up initiation. The signs of active synovitis were considered to be increased synovial thickness of up to at least 3 mm and articular fluid accumulation, as evidenced by KJ US study. After 12 months, 36 patients in whom the clinical and sonographic signs of active synovitis persisted were divided into two groups: 1) 19 patients took diacerein instead of CS/GS for the following 6 months; 2) 17 patients in whom the treatment regimen remained unchanged.Results and discussion. 60.4% of the patients with knee OA were observed to have the sonographic signs of active synovitis, which were weakly correlated with the sizes of osteophytes and the thickness of the hyaline cartilage (r < 0.37). The rate of synovitis decreased to 41.9% during 12-month CS/GS therapy. The patients with persistent sonographically active synovitis had higher visual analogue scale and WOMAC pain scores (p < 0.05), as well as high C-reactive protein levels. They needed the more frequent and longer intake of NSAIDs and paracetamol. During the following 6 months, there was a reduction in the signs of active synovitis, as evidenced by US study, in 78.9 and 6.7% of the patients in Groups 1 and 2, respectively.Conclusion. Among those with knee OA, there was a subgroup of patients with persistent sonographically and clinically active synovitis, whose treatment demonstrated the efficacy of the interleukin-1 antagonist diacerein.

A method of creation of 3D flexible high-frequency microinductor on the base of polyimide film with etched swift heavy ion tracks, filled with a conducting material is proposed. This methos is more simple as compared with existing technologies. The service model of the microinductor having dimensions 0,04 mm3 is fabricated. This model has following main operational characteristics: winding density of 7 winding/mm at the winding thickness 10 μm; inductivity 0.3 mH with the Q-factor of 8 at 200 MHz. A possibility of the decrease of dimensions of the device down to 10-6 mm3 is shown.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is characterized by considerable variation in the rate of development of structural changes in the vertebral column and joints. As of now, the clinical and laboratory predictors of progression of undifferentiated axial spondyloarthritis (SpA) to AS have not been adequately explored. Objective: to study the clinical features of early axial SpA in view of radiographic changes in the sacroiliac and hip joints and spinal column.Subjects and methods. The rate of different clinical syndromes of axial SpA was analyzed in 162 patients. The study included less than 35-year-old patients with a 2-to-5-year history of axial SpA that was first diagnosed according to the 2009 ASAS criteria, by excluding psoriatic and reactive arthritis and inflammatory bowel diseaserelated arthritis.Results and discussion. The examinees were diagnosed with undifferentiated SpA (52.5%), advanced AS (43.2%), and late AS (in the presence of syndesmophytes) (4.3%). 38.3% of patients had peripheral arthritis (PA), 8.6% – dactylitis, 28.4% – enthesitis , and 4.9% – uveitis. The patients with advanced AS had higher C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (38.7 [22.3; 45.8]) and lower rates of PA (27%) than those with undifferentiated axial SpA (14.4 [4.2;18.6] mg/l and 48%, respectively; p < 0.05). The patients with late AS had more commonly enthesitis (71.4%) and HLA-B27 (100%) than those with undifferentiated axial SpA (31.4 and 78.8%) and those with advanced AS (22.3 and 81.4%, respectively; p < 0.05). Radiographic narrowing of the hip joint space was accompanied by increases in the rate of enthesitis up to 56.2% and HLA-B27 up to 93.7% (the remaining patients exhibited 24.6 and 79.5% increases, respectively (p < 0.05).Conclusion. High CRP levels, presence of enthesitis and HLA-B27 may be regarded as predictors for rapid progression of structural changes in patients with early axial SpA.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.14412/1995-4484-2015-139-142

Technique to obtain disaggregated composites with uniform distribution of the Ni nanoparticles in a polymer matrix was developed on the example of epoxy resin. Disaggregated and aggregated composites based on butyl methacrylate copolymer with 5 wt% methacrylic acid and Ni and NiO nanoparticles were obtained. Enthalpies of mixing the components compositions in a wide range of compositions were defined using isothermal calorimetry. Parameters adhesive interaction at the interface and glassy polymer structure changes were calculated. The influence of the chemical nature of nanosized filler on interfacial energy was found.

35 patients with chronic cardiac failure of the third functional class and anxiety depressive disorders were examined. The screening group consisted of 35 patients with chronic cardiac insufficiency without affective disorders. Evaluation of the clinical state was carried out by echocardiography, 6 minute walk and estimation of therapy compliance. Severity of the symptoms of anxiety and depressive disorders were studied by MMPI test, Beck`s test, Hamilton`s scale, Spielberg scale. PET with 18FFDG was carried out on PET tomographs «EcatExact 47» and «Ecat Exact HR+» (Siemens, Germany). It was found that anxiety depressive disorders have negative effect on the clinical state and the therapy compliance in the patients with chronic cardiac failure. Significant correlation between the clinical data and the brain 18FFDG PET results was seen in most cases.

The possibility of estimating the high-elasticity state of solutions of polymers and oligomers by criterial parameters and dependencies was studied. It was found that the high elasticity of polymer solutions facilitates fiber formation in electroforming. The criteria used are dimensionless values of reduced viscosity and of reduced concentration, as well as the number of nodes in the physical entanglement of the macromolecules .

The effect of the molecular weight of poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone) solutions on the rheological properties, process stability and diameters of fibers produced by electrospinning was investigated. The critical value of the polymer concentration and molecular weight for a stable process of fiber electrospinning was obtained. Besides, the relationship between the molecular weight, on one hand, and the solution concentration and viscosity, as well as the process parameters and fiber diameter, on the other hand, was determined.

The research results showing an opportunity to use a power quality rating in a system of direct current electric traction on a traction substation input and output are stated. It is demonstrated that these ratings essentially simplify the quality analysis of power coming into traction circuits.