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Results of X-ray diffraction (XRD), absorption spectra, and photoluminescence emission spectra are presented for CdS nanoparticles prepared by different techniques. These techniques included preparation of CdS nanoparticles in a liquid crystal state with H2S as well as by mixing two lamellar phases, sol-gel technique, using thiophenol as capping agent, and prepared it in reverse micelles. XRD, which shows the crystalline nature of the materials as well as determines their size with Scherrer's equation has been studied. Absorption spectra, not only for CdS nanoparticles but for CdS dispersed in polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), were studied and show a blue shift as a result of nanoparticles. Also, the photoluminescence emission spectra for as-prepared nanocomposite CdS that have different peaks depending on different parameters are discussed as will as nonlinear properties through two-photon absorption and second-harmonic generation for the prepared samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Study of the interferon system (IFN) and the production of major cytokines in patients with bronchial asthma of various course severity., Materials and Methods: 204 patients with atopic bronchial asthma (BA); 32 patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) and 93 mostly healthy volunteers were examined. Blood cells of patients with BA of various course severity were studied by biological method in HEP cell culture for the ability to produce IFN. Levels of cytokines in the blood sera were determined by EIA method with the corresponding commercial test systems: IL-4, IL-10, IL-13 and IFN-gamma according to user manual., Results: Disorders in the ability ofleukocytes to produce IFN-alpha and IFN-gamma were detected in patients with bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis. Misbalance in the production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines depending on the level of disease severity was noted. The highest serum IFN-gamma was noticed in patients with mild persistence BA course, that is most probably determined by higher frequency of ARVI in this group of patients. Maximum level of IL-10 was detected in mild BA form and was nearly undetected in the severe course of the infection, which is characterized by higher content of IL-4 in blood sera., Conclusion: Increase of course severity of chronic (allergic) inflammation in bronchial tissue and higher frequency of ARVI among patients with persistent BA of medium and severe course is characterized by a lack of interferon link of the immune system and disorders of regulatory mechanisms, that is expressed by a change in the ratio of IFN-gamma/IL-4 parameters and decrease of IL-10 content in blood sera.

The results of the comparative analysis of patients with migraine attacks developing in the waking period (AP) and night sleep period are presented. Patients with sleep-related migraine (SM) had higher levels of depression and anxiety, marked autonomic dysfunction and stable sleep disturbances that resulted in significant maladaptation of these patients in the between-attacks period and low quality of life. Depression plays a role in the transformation of AP to SM and formation of stable sleep disturbances in the between-attacks period in patients with SM. It is suggested that common serotoninergic mechanisms involved in migraine attack may contribute to formation of "sleep-wake" cycle and depression development. The principles of optimal therapy of such patients are formulated.

Thirty patients with subclinical thyrotoxicosis and 32 with subclinical hypothyroidism with attacks of atrial fibrillation were investigated. At levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone below 0.1 or above 10.0 mIU/l average triiodothyronine and thyroxine levels in patients with subclinical thyrotoxicosis were 89.6 and 73.2%, respectively, higher than in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism. Some relationships were found between levels of thyroid hormones and hemodynamic and electrophysiological parameters of the heart. Differential therapy of attacks of atrial fibrillation was effective in 80 and 62.5% of patients with subclinical thyrotoxicosis or hypothyroidism, respectively.

A follow-up clinical study was made of 320 patients examined in Autonomic Pathology and Headache Center, Nervous disease clinic, Sechenov Moscow Medical Academy, since 1989 to 1999. The peculiarities of migraine attack course and remission period, psychological characteristics, concomitant diseases and quality of life in men and women were described. In women, migraine attacks were more typical, prolonged and severe, being often stipulated by provoking factors, especially by emotional ones, as well as accompanied by autonomic disturbances, anxiety and depression. Despite a more favorable migraine course, men proved to score lower on quality of life, revealing more maladaptation. Patients with sleep migraine attacks were distinguished by more severe migraine course, multiple disturbances in remission period, higher depression and anxiety levels, as well as lower quality of life. Common serotoninergic mechanisms were suggested to underlie sleep migraine and depression. The leading role of depression in the origin of night migraine attacks is discussed.

The study presents a clinical analysis of a large population of migraine patients (n = 320). Computed database used in the study included over 100 clinical parameters and was based on analysis of primary medical records. As a result of statistic processing of the migraine archive, a general review of clinical picture and migraine course in patients from Moscow and Moscow region community and analysis of the peculiarities of migraine heredity, concomitant symptoms, provoking factors, co-morbid diseases, state in attack-free period, psychological characteristics and quality of life are provided. Factors determining course severity and quality of life in migraine are discussed.

The paper presents a discussion on clinical psychological peculiarities of patients with cluster headache (CHA), an analysis of these data in dependence on CHA form (episodically or chronically), on the sex of the patients, on the side of the headache localization (right-sided, left-sided). Taking into consideration a correlation of the headache attacks and the quality of the night sleep, the therapy with imovan (zopiclone) preparation was proposed. Such therapy resulted in positive changes including disappearance of the night attacks and the decrease of the intensitivity of the algesic attacks during daily time.