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The molar heat capacity of 1,4-bis(3-methylimidazolium-1-yl)butane bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide dicationic ionic compound ([C 4 (MIm) 2 ][NTf 2 ] 2 ) has been studied over the temperature range from 6 to 350 K by adiabatic calorimetry. In the above temperature interval, this compound has been found to form crystal, liquid, and supercooled liquid. For [C 4 (MIm) 2 ][NTf 2 ] 2 , the temperature of fusion T ° fus = (337.88 ± 0.01) K has been determined by the fractional melting experiments, the enthalpy of fusion Δ fus H ° = (52.79 ± 0.28) kJ mol -1 has been measured using the calorimetric method of continuous energy input, and the entropy of fusion Δ fus S ° = (156.2 ± 1.7) J K -1 mol -1 has also been evaluated. The standard thermodynamic functions of the studied dicationic ionic compound, namely, the heat capacity C p °( T ), the enthalpy [ H °( T ) - H °(0)], the entropy S °( T ) and the Gibbs free energy [ G °( T ) - H °(0)] have been calculated on the basis of the experimental data for the temperature range up to 350 K. The results have been discussed and compared with those available in the literature and in the NIST Ionic Liquids Database (ILThermo) for monocationic ionic compounds.

Analysis of real objects based on surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) often utilizes new SERS substrates and/or complex analysis procedures, and they are optimized for only the determination of a single analyte. Moreover, analysis simplicity and selectivity are often sacrificed for maximum (sometimes unnecessary) sensitivity. Consequently, this trend limits the versatility of SERS analysis and complicates its practical implementation. Thus, we have developed a universal, but simple SERS assay suitable for the determination of structurally related antibiotics (five representatives of the sulfanilamide class) in complex objects (human urine and saliva). The assay involves only mixing of acidified analyzed solution with co-activating agent (polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride - PDDA) and SERS substrate (standard colloidal silver nanoparticles). Acidification promotes the generation of SERS spectra with maximum similarity and intensity, which is explained by the favorable enhancement of the protonated sulfanilamide moiety (a structurally similar part of the studied antibiotics) as a result of its strong electrostatic interaction with the SERS-active surface. Meanwhile, the addition of PDDA improves analysis selectivity by reducing background signal from body fluids, enabling to simplify sample pretreatment (dilution for urine; mucin removal and dilution for saliva). Therefore, the assay allows for rapid (≤10 min), precise, and accurate class-specific determination of sulfanilamides within concentration ranges suitable for non-invasive therapeutic drug monitoring in urine (40-600 μM) and saliva (10-30 μM). We also believe that thorough investigation of structurally related analytes and accompanying effects (e.g., high spectral similarity) is a promising direction to improve the understanding of SERS in general and expand its capabilities as an analytical tool., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: A key restriction of label-free surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) in analysis of objects with complex composition (including with several target analytes) is the competition of mixture components for interaction with SERS-active surface. This leads to poor selectivity of the analysis of such mixtures (e.g., body fluids) and the need to use advanced sample pretreatment procedures such as HPLC or TLC. Therefore, this work aims to develop a set of simple and fast pretreatment steps (dilution, pH correction, etc.) to increase the sorption of the target analyte, reduce the sorption of admixtures, and prevent suppression of the target analyte SERS signal., Results: We have developed label-free SERS assay suitable for the determination of three analytes (methotrexate, cephalosporin antibiotic, and creatinine) in one real urine sample as a model matrix with complex and deviating composition. The choice of drugs is justified by the need to monitor their concentration in urine during joint drug treatment of cancer patients with concomitant bacterial infection, while monitoring creatinine concentration helps to evaluate kidney function of the patients. Additionally, three cephalosporin representatives were used in the study to maximize versatility of the assay. As a results, the optimized pretreatment steps enable to eliminate the negative influence of excess of interferences (including other analytes) and achieve precise (≤12 % RSD) and accurate (88-111 % recovery) determination of several analytes in the therapeutically relevant ranges: 300-3000 μg mL -1 for creatinine, 20-200 μg mL -1 for methotrexate and cephalosporins., Significance: Therefore, in addition to reporting a new SERS assay for the analysis of body fluids, this study clearly demonstrates the importance of taking into account competitive adsorption processes on the SERS substrate surface. We suggest making this practice mandatory when developing any label-free SERS assay because it enables to maximize the selectivity and accuracy of the analysis as well as to simplify the analysis procedure., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

This paper describes the use of cyclodextrins (CDs) to improve the determination of fluoroquinolone antibiotics in human body fluids using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). CDs were used to (i) prepare the CD-SERS substrate (synthesis and stabilization of silver nanoparticles), (ii) increase the sensitivity of the assay by enhancing the interaction between analyte molecules and the substrate, and (iii) improve the analysis accuracy by reducing the interaction between the substrate and endogenous components of body fluids. Two native CDs (α-CD and β-CD) and two of their derivatives with hydroxypropyl groups were tested, and the best results were obtained with CD-SERS substrate prepared using native β-CD. The CD-SERS assay has been developed and optimized for the determination of commonly used and structurally related fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, pefloxacin, and levofloxacin) in urine and blood plasma samples. Importantly, the non-significant difference in the interaction of the CD-modified SERS substrate with various fluoroquinolones has been successfully used to develop a versatile assay suitable for the analyte-class-specific analysis. Calibration plots were obtained for concentration ranges suitable for the determination of the antibiotics in urine (50-500 μg mL -1 ) and blood plasma (1-6 μg mL -1 ). The following figures of merit were obtained (for urine and blood plasma, respectively): RSD values are ≤15% and ≤23%, LOD values are 2.9-5.8 and 0.05-0.34 μg mL -1 , recovery ranges are 96-105% and 91-111%. In addition, the influence of excessive concentrations of some main endogenous components of the body fluids on the analytical signal was studied. This step was used to evaluate possible limitations of the assay associated with the deviation of the composition of the body fluid matrix. Therefore, accounting for the short analysis time (≤15 min) and the use of a portable Raman spectrometer, the proposed assay can be suggested for therapeutic drug monitoring in hospitals., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper, (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

In the present study, the molar heat capacity of solid formamidinium lead iodide (CH 5 N 2 PbI 3 ) was measured over the temperature range from 5 to 357 K using a precise automated adiabatic calorimeter. In the above temperature interval, three distinct phase transitions were found in ranges from 49 to 56 K, from 110 to 178 K, and from 264 to 277 K. The standard thermodynamic functions of the studied perovskite, namely the heat capacity C ° p ( T ), enthalpy [ H 0 ( T ) - H 0 (0)], entropy S 0 ( T ), and [ G °( T ) - H °(0)]/ T , were calculated for the temperature range from 0 to 345 K based on the experimental data. Herein, the results are discussed and compared with those available in the literature as measured by nonclassical methods.

Numerous approaches have been proposed to overcome the intrinsically low selectivity of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), and the modification of SERS substrates with diverse recognition molecules is one of such approaches. In contrast to the use of antibodies, aptamers, and molecularly imprinted polymers, application of cyclodextrins (CDs) is still developing with less than 100 papers since 1993. Therefore, the main goal of this review is the critical analysis of all available papers on the use of CDs in SERS analysis, including physicochemical studies of CD complexation and the effect of CD presence on the Raman enhancement. The results of the review reveal that there is controversial information about CD efficiency and further experimental investigations have to be done in order to estimate the real potential of CDs in SERS-based analysis., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

The molar heat capacity of the first-generation hybrid dendrimer with a "carbosilane core/phenylene shell" structure was measured for the first time in the temperature range T = 6-600 K using a precise adiabatic vacuum calorimeter and DSC. In the above temperature interval, the glass transition of the studied compound was observed, and its thermodynamic characteristics were determined. The standard thermodynamic functions (the enthalpy, the entropy, and the Gibbs energy) of the hybrid dendrimer were calculated over the range from T = 0 to 600 K using the experimentally determined heat capacity. The standard entropy of formation of the investigated dendrimer was evaluated at T = 298.15 K. The obtained thermodynamic properties of the studied hybrid dendrimer were compared and discussed with the literature data for some of the first-generation organosilicon and pyridylphenylene dendrimers.

Self-poisoning is a common method of suicide, for which various medications are used, including antidepressants. A non-systematic review of Russian-language and English-language publications, by keywords, in the databases: ELibrary.ru, PubMed, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. The purpose of the review was to analyze the literature on new risk factors and methods of their reduction in suicides with self-poisoning with antidepressants. Every fifth (20%) self-poisoning performed with antidepressants. In self-poisoning attempts, one drug used in 55% of cases, and more than one drug was used in 45% of cases. Impulsive suicides account for up to half of all suicide cases. Risk factors for impulsive suicides include the presence of impulsive character traits, female gender, young age, and the use of psychostimulants. The WHO Regional Office for Europe's mhGAP-IG guidelines recommend limiting access to a patient at risk of suicide to a weekly dose of an antidepressant. Preferably, the use of antidepressants from the group of SSRIs in small forms of release.

Objective: To present our experience in the treatment of severe patients with mega aorta syndrome., Material and Methods: There were 49 patients with mega aorta syndrome for the period from May 2015 to March 2021. All patients underwent total aortic replacement from sinotubular junction (with staged aortic root repair, if necessary) to abdominal aorta bifurcation. All surgeries were elective. All patients were divided into two groups: group I ( n =33; 67.3%) - staged replacement, group II ( n =16; 32.7%) - one-staged replacement of the aorta via thoracophrenolumbotomy. The primary endpoints were mortality, perioperative parameters and complications. We also analyzed long-term freedom from aortic redo surgery and survival rate., Results: Both groups were comparable by pre-, intra- and postoperative parameters. The interval between surgeries for staged approach was 7.1±2.3 months. Rehabilitation time considering two stages was longer in group I (13±2 vs. 5.5±1.1 months, p =0.0001). Between-stage mortality rate was 12% ( n =4). Intraoperative mortality was absent in both groups. In-hospital mortality was 3% and 12% ( p =0.25), overall mortality with between-stage interval - 10.2% and 12% ( p =1.000), respectively. The follow-up period was similar (18±22.7 (range 1-71) and 23.3±19.1 (range 1-51) months, respectively ( p =0.63)). In group I, 1-year, 3-year and 5-year survival rate considering between-stage mortality was 89% (95% CI 78-100%), 77.1% (95% CI 60.1-98.8%), 77.1% (95% CI 60.1-98.8%), respectively. In group II, 1-year and 3-year survival rate was 86.5% (95% CI 70.5-100%), p log-rank =0.88. Overall freedom from redo surgery was 92.9% (95% CI 80.3-100%) vs. 90.9% (95% CI 75.4-100%), p log-rank =0.072., Conclusion: One-stage total aortic replacement via thoracophrenolumbotomy is safe surgical treatment for mega aorta syndrome, especially in young patients with low surgical risk. Favorable outcomes may be expected in specialized centers with extensive experience in aortic surgery. Compared to staged approach, total aortic replacement eliminates the risks of between-stage aortic rupture. Therefore, it is a worthy alternative to other methods.

Copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) were prepared through a wet chemistry method to be used as substituents for noble-metal-based materials in the determination of cephalosporin antibiotics in urine using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The synthesis of the CuNPs was optimized to maximize the analytical signal, and microwave heating was used to increase the reaction rate and improve the homogeneity of the CuNPs. Ceftriaxone (CTR), cefazolin (CZL), and cefoperazone (CPR) were used as the analytes of interest. The determination tests were performed on artificially spiked samples of real human urine with concentrations corresponding to therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) (50-500 μg mL -1 ). Urine samples collected in the morning and during the day were used to account for deviations in the urine composition, and the universality of the proposed protocol was ensured by performing sample dilution as a pretreatment. The use of calibration plots in the form of Freundlich adsorption isotherms yielded linear calibration plots. All limits of detection were lower than the minimal concentrations required for TDM, equaling 7.5 (CTR), 8.8 (CZL), and 36 (CPR) μg mL -1 . Comparison of CuNPs with Ag and Au nanoparticles (AgNPs and AuNPs, respectively) confirmed that CuNPs offered a competitively high Raman enhancement efficiency (for excitation at 638 nm). Further, although the CuNPs demonstrated poorer temporal stability as compared with the AgNPs and AuNPs, the use of freshly prepared CuNPs resulted in satisfactory accuracy (recovery = 93-107%). Given the short analysis time (<20 min, including the time for the synthesis of the CuNPs and the SERS measurements using a portable Raman spectrometer), low sensitivity to the presence of the primary intrinsic urine components and satisfactory figures of merit of the proposed protocol for the determination of cephalosporin antibiotics in urine, it should be suitable for use in TDM., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

This report is dedicated to determination of anticancer drug methotrexate (MTX) in human urine using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). Aluminum oxide loaded with silver nanoparticles (AO-Ag) was proposed as SERS-active sorbent and used for solid-phase extraction (SPE) of the analyte and its SERS-based determination (SPE-SERS protocol). MTX has strong SERS signal only in alkaline media that challenges its determination in urine due to strong background signal caused by creatinine. The application of SPE step enables to purify and concentrate the analyte making MTX determination possible. Also, the application of the same material for SPE pretreatment and SERS analysis enables to simplify and speed-up the protocol. The protocol was developed and tested using artificially spiked samples of human urine collected during different time of day to account deviating composition of the urine matrix. The use of dilution step of the analyte-containing urine was proposed prior SPE-SERS protocol to reduce the difference between morning-time- and daytime-collected urine achieving maximal reliability of the analysis. Additional physicochemical study was performed to estimate an influence of the primary intrinsic urine components (salts, urea, creatinine) and their mixtures on the analytical signal. Final protocol enables MTX determination in human urine within 20-300 μg mL -1 range of concentrations with satisfactory precision (11-19% RSD), accuracy (97-104% apparent recovery), and limit of detection (4.2 μg mL -1 ). Accounting that the analysis requires less than 15 min and portable Raman spectrometer, the protocol seems to be promising for therapeutic drug monitoring in hospitals to identify poor MTX clearance in a timely manner and minimize adverse effects of therapy. Graphical Abstract.

This review presents the state-of-the-art of optical sensors for determination of biogenic amines (BAs) in food by publications covering about the last 10 years. Interest in the development of rapid and preferably on-site methods for quantification of BAs is based on their important role in implementation and regulation of various physiological processes. At the same time, BAs can develop in different kinds of food by fermentation processes or microbial activity or arise due to contamination, which induces toxicological risks and food poisoning and causes serious health issues. Therefore, various optical chemosensor systems have been devised that are easy to assemble and fast responding and low-cost analytical tools. If amenable to on-site analysis, they are an attractive alternative to existing instrumental analytical methods used for BA determination in food. Hence, also portable sensor systems or dipstick sensors are described based on various probes that typically enable signal readouts such as photometry, reflectometry, luminescence, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, or ellipsometry. The quantification of BAs in real food samples and the design of the sensors are highlighted and the analytical figures of merit are compared. Future instrumental trends for BA sensing point to the use of cell phone-based fully automated optical evaluation and devices that could even comprise microfluidic micro total analysis systems.

The determination of antibiotic levels in body fluids is of great importance in the field of personalized medicine and therapeutic drug monitoring. We report on the determination of sulfamethoxazole (SMX), an antibacterial drug of the sulfanilamide class, in spiked human urine. The protocol is based on the combination of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and liquid-liquid extraction (LLE-SERS analysis). First, the urine was diluted to reduce its buffer properties and the influence of the intrinsic urine components on the background SERS signal. Second, the acidification of the diluted urine and SMX extracts was performed to facilitate SMX extraction by chloroform and suppress the background signal, respectively. Finally, the SMX determination process was performed using hydroxylamine-stabilized silver nanoparticles as the SERS substrate. The efficiency and reliability of the LLE-SERS analysis were studied using spiked urine samples obtained from healthy volunteers with an SMX content within the therapeutically relevant concentration range (10-200 μg mL -1 ). Additionally, the verification of the analysis protocol was done using spiked urine samples obtained from oncology patients. The results of the verification demonstrate the applicability of the analysis for quantitative therapeutic drug monitoring due to the (i) strong suppression of the background SERS signal, which occurs as the result of LLE, dilution, and pH adjusting, (ii) satisfactory limit of detection of 1.7 μg mL -1 , and (iii) simple, relatively fast (∼30 min), and cost-effective sample pretreatment., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

This review of literature considers apathy syndrome induced by selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). Epidemiology and etiology of this phenomenon are not clear. Clinical features, diagnosis of apathy, differentiating and correlations between apathy and depression are presented. The possible mechanisms of onset and strategies of therapy of SSRI-induced apathy are discussed. It has been concluded that, despite the clinical evidence of the relationship between apathy and SSRI treatment, evidence-based research is needed.

This report is dedicated to development of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) based analysis protocol for detection of antibiotics in urine. The key step of the protocol is the pretreatment of urine before the detection to minimize background signal. The pretreatment includes extraction of intrinsic urine components using aluminum hydroxide gel (AHG) and further pH adjusting of the purified sample. The protocol was tested by detection of a single antibiotic in artificially spiked samples of real urine. Five antibiotics of cephalosporin class (cefazolin, cefoperazone, cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, and cefuroxime) were used for testing. SERS measurements were performed using a portable Raman spectrometer with 638 nm excitation wavelength and silver nanoparticles as SERS substrate. The calibration curves of four antibiotics (cefuroxime is the exception) cover the concentrations required for detection in patient's urine during therapy (25/100‒500 μg/mL). Random error of the analysis (RSD < 20%) and limits of quantification (20‒90 μg/mL) for these antibiotics demonstrate the applicability of the protocol for reliable quantitative detection during therapeutic drug monitoring. The detection of cefuroxime using the protocol is not sensitive enough, allowing only for qualitative detection. Additionally, time stability and batch-to-batch reproducibility of AHG were studied and negative influence of the pretreatment protocol and its limitations were estimated and discussed.

The authors describe a new composite based on SERS-active copper nanoparticles (CuNPs; 10 ± 2 nm) incorporated into calcium carbonate microspheres (CaCO 3 -CuNPs; 3.4 ± 0.3 μm). The CaCO 3 coating acts as a temporal protector of CuNPs against oxidation. Incorporated CuNPs have significantly improved stability during storage and a month-long shelf lifetime. The composite was used for SERS detection of rhodamine 6G and two antibacterial drugs (ceftriaxone and sulfadimethoxine). Two analytical formats, one with and one without solid phase extraction, are introduced to demonstrate the flexibility of the method. Both formats imply the dissolution of CaCO 3 matrix before SERS analysis to release CuNP used as SERS substrate. The study of the influence of pH value and acid nature on the SERS signal demonstrated that HCl is the most efficient candidate to release the CuNPs. Sensitivity (expressed as LOD) is shown to be improved by more than one order when solid phase extraction is used. The average SERS enhancement factor is 10^7 which makes the material efficiency comparable to the one of silver nanoparticles. The LOD (<5 μM), precision (RSDs between 20 and 24% at LOD levels), and trueness (apparent recoveries 84-113%) for the two antibiotics (ceftriaxone and sulfadimethoxine) make the method quite useful for quantitative analysis and therapeutic drug monitoring at physiologically relevant concentrations. Graphical abstract A composite with temporally stable copper nanoparticles was synthesized, studied, and used for SERS detection of two antibacterial drugs. The analytical efficiency of the composite was found appropriate for quantitative analysis due to Raman enhancement comparable with silver nanostructures.

Betulin-3,28-diphosphate (BDP) obtained by phosphorylation of betulin using POCl₃ has two main structural forms-BDP-1 and BDP-2-which differ in ethanol solubility, melting point, FTIR spectra, thermoanalytical characteristics and biological activity. Betulin-3,28-diphosphate and its sodium salt (Na-BDP) were characterized using 13 C and 31 P-NMR spectra, powder XRD experiments, as well as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TG) methods. The exo-effects at 193 ± 8 °C for ethanol soluble BDP-1 samples (-19.7 ± 0.2 kJ∙mol -1 ) were about three times less than for ethanol insoluble BDP-2 samples f (-70.5 ± 0.7 kJ∙mol -1 ). The DSC curves of Na-BDP-1 and Na-BDP-2 characterized the endo-effects having a maximum at 95⁻112 °C. Water-soluble Na-BDP-1 was obtained as needle-like crystals, unlike poorly crystalline Na-BDP-2, whereas BDP-1 and BDP-2 aged with time and were isolated as amorphous substances. In vitro experiments on rats showed that compared to the control, Na-BDP-1 increased catalase and SOD activity and improved energy metabolism more effectively than Na-BDP-2., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

The aim of the work is the development of the procedure for ceftriaxone (antibiotic drug of cephalosporin class) detection in urine using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). Hydroxylamine stabilized silver nanoparticles were used as SERS-active material. Additional urine pretreatment steps were developed in order to eliminate the influence of creatinine on the ceftriaxone SERS signal. These steps include adjusting of the sample pH to alkaline value (pH 13) and purification of the sample using silica gel column chromatography. Alkali pH increases SERS signal of ceftriaxone, while silica gel separates the analyte from creatinine-the main admixture in urine which provides inappropriate SERS signal background. Additionally, it was found that total protein content up to 0.2 mg/mL (upper level for urine of healthy person) and pH deviation of initial urine do not influence on SERS signal of ceftriaxone. The proposed detection procedure enables fast (~ 10 min) determination of ceftriaxone in artificially spiked urine samples within 5 to 500 μg/mL range of concentrations which matches the range of the drug concentrations in urine after injection of therapeutically required dosages. Limits of detection (3σ) and quantification (10σ) were found to be 0.4 and 2.0 μg/mL, correspondingly. Graphical abstract Application of urine pretreatment enables the purification of target analyte from intrinsic urine components and improves SERS-based detection of ceftriaxone (antibiotic drug).

Inositol therapy is aimed at improving the quality of oocytes during preconception care in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), a cause of infertility and reproductive dysfunction. The objectives of this observational comparative multicentre study were to evaluate the effectiveness of inositol in improving the quality of oocytes/embryos and IVF cycle outcome. Group 1 patients (N = 133) received inositol 1000 mg (Inofert or Nutrilinea) + folic acid 0.1 mg. Group 2 consisted of patients with preserved ovarian reserve without PCOS (N = 137), not administered inositol prior to pregnancy. Effectiveness criteria were numbers of mature oocytes and good quality embryos, pregnancy rates per ET, 'take home baby' index and miscarriage rates. Pregnancy rates per ET (87.0% vs. 87.4%), 'take home baby' index (79.6% vs. 89.4%) and miscarriage rates (14.3% vs. 10.6%) were comparable. Use of inositol in patients with PCOS during preconception care is an effective method allowing improvement of oocytes quality and positively affecting IVF cycle prognosis. High pregnancy rates per ET and 'take home baby' index after treatment are justifying inositol usage in patients with PCOS and infertility.

Background: The frequency and the causes for the development of hyperlactatemia during operations on the heart and aorta in conditions of cardiopulmonary bypass (CB) is not adequately described in the literature., The Aim: To study the clinical significance of the lactate dynamics in arterial blood depending on the source ofpathology, stages of operation, basic parameters of cardiopulmonary bypass, the characteristics of the post-perfusion period, and to identify ways to prevent the development of intraoperative hyperlactatemia in surgical interventions on the heart and aorta., Materials and Methods: 420 adult cardiac surgery patients operated on the heart and ascending aorta were examined. All patients were operated on under balanced General anesthesia, CB in hypothermic or normothermic mode. Lactate level in arterial blood and the frequency of hyperlactatemia were analyzed at the following stages of operation: after induction of anesthesia, prebypass period, during CB, in the postbypass period and at the time of admission of the patient in the ICU. During CB we analyzed the duration of the CB, the degree of hemodilution, calculated value of oxygen delivery. Oxygen consumption was recorded in the current mode, the monitor CDI-500. Hyperlactatemia was considered the concentration of lactate above 3 mmol/L., Results: Preperfusion period in all groups of cardiac surgery patients was characterized by a normal level of blood lactate in the absolute majority ofpatients, the frequency of hyperlactatemia did not exceed 1%. Hemodynamic stability was achieved without the use of catecholamines by optimizing volemia and heart rate. While CB showed a trend of increasing lactate on average in comparison with the previous period in patients operated on the heart. Duration CB less than 3 hours was not a factor in the development of hyperlactatemia, provided that oxygen delivery in all patients during perfusion exceeded 300 ml/min/m2, hematocrit ofperfusate at the end of CB was at 25-27% in most patients. To maintain it at a large hemodilution the ultrafiltration hemoconcentration was used. The frequency of hyperlactatemia was 3%. A significant increase in lactate concentration at the end of the CB to 3.39k1,3 mmol/l (range of 2.1-7.2 mmol/l) on the background of metabolic acidosis found only in patients with circulatory arrest due to receipt of blood products of anaerobic glycolysis after the resumption of the CB. They have frequency of hyperlactatemia risen to 29%. The lac- tate average value at admission ofpatients in the ICU with application of 50-60% ofpatients in dopamine/dobutrex at a dose of 5 mcg/kg/min and reaching the targets of transfusion therapy was slightly higher in the baseline period and corresponded to the upper level of normal values. Only during operations on the aortic arch under conditions of circulatory arrest, the concentration of lactate at the end of the operation was 3,4+1,1 mmol/l with a tendency to decrease in comparison with the period of the CB. From 88 to 93% patients during operations on the heart and ascending aorta without circulatory arrest and 64% ofpatients after operations on the aortic arch with circulatory arrest were admitted to the ICU with a normal lactate level in arterial blood Conclusion. The duration ofperfusion less than 3 hours in the conditions of these indicators preservation is not a risk factor for the development of hyperlactatemia. In postbypass period during operations on the heart and aorta without circulatory arrest about 90% ofpatients transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU) with normal values of lactate. During operations on the aortic arch with circulatory arrest about 60% ofpatients have normal levels of lactate at admission from the operating room to the ICU.

The temperature dependences of heat capacities of carbosilane dendrimers of the sixth generation with ethyleneoxide terminal groups, denoted as G6[(OCH2CH2)1OCH3]256 and G6[(OCH2CH2)3OCH3]256, were measured in the temperature range from T = (6 to 520) K by precision adiabatic calorimetry and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). In the above temperature range the physical transformations, such as glass transition and high-temperature relaxation transition, were detected. The standard thermodynamic characteristics of the revealed transformations were determined and analyzed. The standard thermodynamic functions, namely, heat capacity Cp°(T), enthalpy H°(T) - H°(0), entropy S°(T) - S°(0), and Gibbs energy G°(T) - H°(0) for the range from T → 0 to 520 K, and the standard entropies of formation ΔfS° of the investigated dendrimers in the devitrified state at T = 298.15 K, were calculated per corresponding moles of the notional structural units. The standard thermodynamic properties of dendrimers under study were discussed and compared with literature data for carbosilane dendrimers with different functional terminal groups.

We demonstrate application of precise adiabatic vacuum calorimetry to observation of phase transition in the tripeptide L-alanyl-L-prolyl-glycine monohydrate (APG) from 6 to 320 K and report the standard thermodynamic properties of the tripeptide in the entire range. Thus, the heat capacity of APG was measured by adiabatic vacuum calorimetry in the above temperature range. The tripeptide exhibits a reversible first-order solid-to-solid phase transition characterized by strong thermal hysteresis. We report the standard thermodynamic characteristics of this transition and show that differential scanning calorimetry can reliably characterize the observed phase transition with <5 mg of the sample. Additionally, the standard entropy of formation from the elemental substances and the standard entropy of hypothetical reaction of synthesis from the amino acids at 298.15 K were calculated for the studied tripeptide.

The problems of layer-by-layer-based surface enhancement Raman scattering (SERS)-sensor application for pharmaceutical analysis were discussed. Layer-by-layer (LbL) method allows fabrication of encapsulated SERS platforms with high reproducibility of enhancement factor and increased signal/noise ratio of Raman scattering. LbL encapsulation approach opens an avenue to implement a novel type of theranostic systems combining SERS based sensing and drug delivery in one entity. The area of encapsulation development toward smart multifunctional theranostic systems could bring benefits for personalized medicine and should minimize costs and resources at preclinical and clinical study in pharmacology while testing new bioactive compounds., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

This study of infertile women prior in vitro fertilization (IVF) is focused at the genetic and acquired thrombophilia before the IVF program, the identification of the frequency of occurrence of thrombophilia in them, the impact of thrombophilia of the offensive, the course and outcome of pregnancies, to improve the quality of cycles in terms of a pregnancy and childbirth. Forty-five women with infertility were examined. Thirty-two (71%) were identified thrombophilia: genetic thrombophilia in 32 cases (100%), among them a combination of several forms of genetic thrombophilia - 21 (63%) of them, other forms of thrombophilia (genetic and acquired) - in 5 of them (16%). In IVF 23 (72%) women became pregnant. In 87% of pregnancies ended in spontaneous birth, in 13% of cases of preterm birth.

Current trend in transfusion is a decreasing of the donor's blood use due to possible complications. The article deals with analysis of intraoperative blood loss in different surgeries on the heart and aorta and of a role of blood-saving factors in decreasing of the donor's blood transfusion. We found a correlation between the blood components need and type of surgery and assessed a preoperative provision of autoplasma and intraoperative autohemotransfusion with a blood sampling from the right atrium before the beginning of artificial circulation (Complex use of the blood-saving methods with a prophylactics and treatment of hemostasis disturbances allowed the significantly decreasing of the donor's blood use. 50-70% of patients did not receive components of the donor's blood during cardiac surgery.

The heat capacities of tripeptides N -formyl-l-methionyl-l-leucyl-l-phenylalaninol ( N -f-MLF-OH) and N -formyl-l-methionyl-l-leucyl-l-phenylalanine methyl ester ( N -f-MLF-OMe) were measured by precision adiabatic vacuum calorimetry over the temperature range from T = (6 to 350) K. The tripeptides were stable over this temperature range, and no phase change, transformation, association, or thermal decomposition was observed. The standard thermodynamic functions: molar heat capacity C p ,m , enthalpy H ( T ) - H (0), entropy S ( T ), and Gibbs energy G ( T ) - H (0) of peptides were calculated over the range from T = (0 to 350) K. The low-temperature ( T ≤ 50 K) heat capacities dependencies were analyzed using the Debye's and the multifractal theories. The standard entropies of formation of peptides at T = 298.15 K were calculated.

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) microspectroscopy is a very promising label-free, noncontact, and nondestructive method for real-time monitoring of extracellular matrix (ECM) development and cell integration in scaffolds for tissue engineering. Here, we prepare a new type of micrometer-sized SERS substrate, core-shell microparticles composed of solid carbonate core coated with silver nanoparticles and polyhedral multishell fullerene-like structure, astralen. Astralen has been assembled with polyallylamine hydrochloride (PAH) by the layer-by-layer manner followed by Ag nanoparticle formation by means of a silver mirror reaction, giving the final structure of composite particles CaCO3(PAH/astralen)x/Ag, where x = 1-3. The components of the microparticle carry multiple functionalities: (i) an easy identification by Raman imaging (photostable astralen) and (ii) SERS due to a rough surface of Ag nanoparticles. A combination of Ag and astralen nanoparticles provides an enhancement of astralen Raman signal by more than 1 order of magnitude. Raman signals of commonly used scaffold components such as polylactide and polyvinyl alcohol as well as ECM component (hyaluronic acid) are significantly enhanced. Thus, we demonstrate that new mechanically robust and easily detectable (by astralen signal or optically) core-shell microspheres based on biocompatible CaCO3 can be used as SERS platform. Particle design opens many future perspectives for fabrication of SERS platforms with multiple functions for biomedical applications, for example, for theranostic.

Sleep obstructive apnea syndrome (SOAS) is a life-threatening respiratory disorder. Its combination with COPD further deteriorates respiratory distress and accelerates the development of pulmonary hypertension (crossover syndrome). Systemic inflammation with concomitant oxidative stress in patients with SOAS and COPD suggests their influence on the development of circulatory disorders. Night-time cyclic hypoxia in patients with SOAS triggers systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, and atherogenesis which accounts for the frequent complications more severe in combination of SOAS and COPD than in either of these diseases. Intermittent hypoxia in patients with SOAS is associated with hypoventilation resulting from COPD, deteriorates clinical conditions of the patients, and requires the choice of specific methods of respiratory support.

Aim: To determine the specific features of respiratory support in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) concurrent with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)., Subjects and Methods: Thirty-six patients with OSAS concurrent with COPD were examined. External respiration function, apnoea/hypopnoea index, and arterial gas composition were determined in all the patients. The efficiency of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy was evaluated in all the patients with the crossing-syndrome (CS)., Results: The prevalence of CS among the patients with OSAS was 18.8%. The CS patients' need for bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) therapy was 27.8%. These patients and those treated with CPAP had at baseline a daytime hypercapnia level of 50.7 +/- 1.8 and 42.0 +/- 1.2 mm Hg (p = 0.005) and a nocturnal blood oxygen saturation level of 83.6 +/- 1.3 and 88.8 +/- 0.9% (p = 0.004), respectively. BiPAP therapy resulted in a 1.8-fold reduction in the desaturation index than did CPAP therapy., Conclusion: On choosing a respiratory support method in patients with OSAS, one should assess the presence of chronic lower airway obstruction, the degree and type of chronic respiratory failure, and the presence and magnitude of clinical, functional, and laboratory signs of alveolar hypoventilation. Bilevel lung ventilation is more effective in patients who have CS, daytime hypercapnia, and nocturnal hypoxemia uncorrected by CPAP therapy and who need high therapeutic pressure.

Fifty-six patients subjected to aortofemoral bilateral shunting under prolonged epidural anesthesia are examined. Swan-Gans catheter was used to evaluate central and pulmonary hemodynamics. Ganglionic blocking with pentamine for taxiphylaxis was carried out in 31 patients prior to catheterization of the epidural space. Epidural anesthesia with ganglional blocking is associated with reduced vasodilation and hypotension and attenuates the hemodynamic reactions during clamping and unclamping of the aorta, thus decreasing the incidence of intra- and postoperative complications.

The authors examined 20 general educational schools in Rostov-on-Don and identified 8 informative determinants of enterobiasis prevalence among them, such as the frequency of wet cleaning, the number of recreational rooms and gymnasia, over-crowding, the presence of extended-day groups, water supply, shower-rooms in the gymnasia, and shifts of educational processes.

The pupils from Rostov-on-Don were interviewed by a questionnaire on medical helminthology. They were found to poor knowledge in this sphere. They do not observe elementary personal hygienic rules. The ways of improving the hygienic education of pupils.

The paper provides evidence for dividing the prevention of enterobiasis, which is the major human helminthiasis in Russia, into social and medical ones. It proposes to implement 4 directions of medical prophylaxis: behavioral, sanitary and hygienic, functional and biological, and therapeutic and health-improving actions. The paper also characterizes measures underlying each of them.

Risk factors for enterobiasis were qualitatively and quantitatively assessed by a questionnaire given to 277 health schoolchildren and 277 schoolchildren who suffered from enterobiasis. A prognostic table was developed for primary screening of risk groups. Preventive measures are recommended in the paper.

Evidence is provided for the value and priority of sanitary and hygienic measures and hygienic education of the population in the prevention of enterobiasis. It is emphasized that preventive work can be successful only when the parents, tutors of preschool institutions and teachers of schools are obligatorily attracted to it.

Two epidemiologically unrelated outbreaks of trichinellosis were registered in Rostov Province in the November and December of 1984 with 16 patients in the Salsk District and 20 patients in Rostov-on-Don. The course of the disease was characterized by 6-20% of severe and 31-45% moderate forms, respectively. The source of the infection was pork that had not been controlled for Trichinella spiralis. Late diagnosis and inadequate treatment in one case led to a fatal outcome. Economic losses accounted for 490,000 rubles (as of 1985). In spite of energetic prophylaxis measures, the situation in the Rostov Province continues to be serious. In 1989-1992, eighteen cases of trichinellosis were registered in the Salsk District again.

Presents data on enterobiasis prevalence, medicosocial significance, and epidemiologic features in the former USSR and CIS. Analyzes the causes of ineffective control of this disease. Emphasizes the necessity of simultaneous solution of medical and nonmedical (social) problems. Distinguishes the priority trends in the disease prevention.

The efficacy and tolerance of embovin, a new anthelminthic manufactured in Russia, was studied in 60 patients with nematodiases. The results evidence its high efficacy in ankylostomiasis (100%), enterobiasis (100%), and ascariasis (90 +/- 6.4%). The drug was well tolerated in all the cases. No adverse effects on the liver, pancreas, kidneys, as well as on the peripheral blood and urine composition were detected. This recommends embovin for wide use in medical practice.

Significant factors of enterobiasis spreading in preschool institutions in Rostov-on-Don were: water supply conditions, staff number, number of children in groups (above 25 per group). Classification of those institutions was given.

Presents a quantitative assessment of some risk factors leading to enterobiasis and opisthorchiasis. Suggests a division of these factors into those that can be eliminated easily, conditionally, or not at all.

On the basis of answers to questionnaires distributed among 338 opisthorchiasis patients and 123 healthy persons in the Komi-Permiak Autonomous Okrug of Perm Province the risk factors leading to contacting opisthorchiasis were studied. As a result, a more complete characterization of the focus of this infection was obtained and a table was made, permitting the screening of population with the use of questionnaires and the determination of risk groups in this disease.

Nursery schools and kindergartens have been examined in Rostov-on-Don. Five most essential factors based on the determination of signs informativeness and prognostic coefficients and responsible for possible enterobiasis determination have been identified: the state of water supply, staffing with personnel, presence (absence) of the round-the-clock groups, overcrowded groups, location of bedrooms. An attempt is made to classify kindergartens according to these indexes.