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Modern crop production requires a balance of high and sustainable productivity with maximum safety for the environment, consumers and agricultural workers. The well-known chemical compound polyguanidine, which was previously used as a disinfectant, surfactant and complexing agent, has recently become widely used as a plant growth and development stimulant. Despite the increasing use of polyguanidine preparations as a growth stimulant, there is no data in the literature on its mechanism of action on plants. There are many studies that try to determine whether the effect of biostimulants on plant productivity is a direct or indirect response, for example, through the soil or microbiome. In many cases, biostimulants are considered in terms of their effects on various plant regulatory and functional systems (signaling, metabolic, uptake and transport mechanisms, etc.). But, in general, these modes of action are very diverse and may include activation of nitrogen metabolism or release of phosphorus from soils, general stimulation of soil microbial activity, or stimulation of root growth and increased plant nutrition. The effect of polyguanidin on the physiological parameters of wheat plants was studied under vegetation and laboratory conditions. Seeds of winter wheat variety Bogdana were used for the study. For the determination of flavonoids, a spectrophotometric method based on the measurement of their absorption with aluminum chloride complex was used. It was proved that the treatment of wheat in the tillering and earing phases with polyguanidin had the greatest effect on the protein content in winter wheat grain, which ensured the formation of this indicator at the level of 11.0–13.4% compared to the control. The treatment of wheat seeds with a preparation based on polyguanidine increased the amount of chlorophyll a by almost two times, while the content of chlorophyll b and carotene increased somewhat less. Thus, the use of polyguanidine contributes to the efficient functioning of the photosynthetic apparatus of plants, which will increase their productivity. Since the energy basis of photosynthesis is the absorption of solar radiation by photosynthetic pigments, which are used to form organic matter, there is a direct link between chlorophyll content and plant productivity. Therefore, we decided to check the content of the main photosynthetic pigments in plants after treatment with polyguanidine. At the first stage of our research, plants at the early stages of ontogenesis were analyzed. Thus, we have shown that the treatment of wheat seeds with a polyguanidine-based preparation increases the amount of chlorophyll a almost twice. Evaluation of flavonoid content in wheat plants showed a decrease in their amount after treatment with polyguanidin. That is, after the treatment, the plants, on the contrary, reduced their adaptive potential, because at the biochemical stage it was believed that there were no unfavorable factors in the environment. The analysis of the free proline content showed an increase in its concentration after treatment with the test substance almost doubled both after the first and after the second treatment. Also, it should be noted that reducing the concentration of the drug to 0.15 liters per 200 liters of the working solution increases the level of proline after the first treatment. The increase in proline, in this case, can lead to an increase in stress resistance, which is provided by metabolic and physiological changes. Consequently, its accumulation and conversion into other amino acids due to changes in the activity of proline oxidase contributes to an increase in the protein content in the grain.

Carotid atherosclerosis is a significant cause of cerebrovascular disease. However, with many candidate markers, precise assessment of its development and progression risks is still limited. This paper reviews state-of-the-art concepts of microRNA as an atherogenesis biomarker throughout various stages including endothelial dysfunction, cholesterol/lipid metabolism, inflammation, oxidative stress, angiogenesis regulation, and proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells. Based on the available literature, we have described most significant microRNAs for each stage characterized in brief. We have visualized interactions between microRNAs and validated target genes with MIENTURNET and suggest and justify a set of microRNAs for further pilot studies of carotid atherosclerosis.

The aim of the article is to outline the concept of transcendentalising reduction and to demonstrate what role it plays in Thomistic metaphysics. An adaptive interpretation has been used in the analyses by applying phenomenological thinking based on epoche reduction to Thomistic metaphysics. It was used to present the structure of transcendentalising reduction, which consists of several different epoché. Consistently applied, this reduction should lead to a neutralised concept of being as a subject of metaphysics expressed in the formula “being as being”. In conclusion, we note that the proposed interpretation opens the door to further research in which phenomenology could be used in metaphysical studies to a greater extent than has been the case to date.

A 30-year-old female was initially diagnosed with cardiac insufficiency and severe claudication. Additional imaging revealed a large iliac arteriovenous fistula, which was treated with an endovascular technique. A custom-made, self-expanding, polytetrafluorethylene-covered stent was implanted to restore the physiologic hemodynamic environment. The patient was asymptomatic at the 12-month clinical follow-up.

Aim To evaluate the incidence and features of left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombosis in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) after novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).Material and methods Percutaneous echocardiography (pcEchoCG) was performed for 128 patients with persistent AF prepared for cardioversion, 36 (28.1 %) of whom had had COVID-19. In 3 (8.3 %) patients, the lung lesion area was 50–75 %; in 31 (86.1 %) patients, 25–50 %; in 1 (2.8 %) patient, less than 25 %. One patient had no lung lesion. Median time from the onset of COVID-19 to the patient enrollment in the study was 76.5 days. At the time of enrollment, the polymerase chain reaction test for SARS-CoV-2 was negative in all patients.Results Patients after COVID-19 and those who had not had COVID-19 were comparable by age (62.5±9.2 and 62.4±9.1 years, respectively; р=0.956), gender (men 52.8 and 59.8 %, respectively; р=0.471), and risk of stroke (score 2.19±1.28 and score 1.95±1.35, respectively; р=0.350). Duration of the last arrhythmia episode was longer for patients after COVID-19 than for the comparison group (76.5 and 45.0 days, respectively; р=0.011). All patients received oral anticoagulants. 55.6 % of COVID-19 patients received rivaroxaban, whereas 62.0% of patients who had not had COVID-19 were treated with apixaban. Median duration of the anticoagulant treatment was longer for COVID-19 patients than for the comparison group (61.5 and 32.0 days; р=0.051). LAA thrombus was detected in 7 (19.4 %) patients after COVID-19 and in 6 (6.5 %) patients of the comparison group (р=0.030). In COVID-19 patients, the thrombus adhered to LAA wall over the entire thrombus length whereas in patients who had not have COVID-19, the thrombus had a free part that formed a sharp angle with LAA walls. In the presence of LAA thrombus, the LAA blood flow velocity was considerably higher for COVID-19 patients than for the comparison group (31.0±8.9 and 18.8±4.9 cm/sec, respectively; p=0.010). At the follow-up examination performed at 24.0 days on the average, the thrombus was found to be dissolved in 80 and 50% of patients after and without COVID-19, respectively (р=0.343).Conclusion In patients with persistent AF after the novel coronavirus infection, LAA thrombosis was detected more frequently than in patients who had never had COVID-19; it was characterized by mural localization and was not associated with a decrease in LAA blood flow velocity.

Mordenites are widely used in catalysis and environmental protection. The catalytic properties of mordenite are largely determined by the composition of its crystal framework, i.e., the SiO2/Al2O3 molar ratio (MR), and the cationic form. In H-mordenites, the most important characteristic becomes the structure and distribution of acid sites, which depends on the number and distribution of Al tetrahedra in the framework. In the present work, the local structure of these centers in H-mordenite catalysts with a nominal MR varied from 9.9 to 19.8 was studied in detail using a combination of magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS NMR) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). 27Al MAS NMR indicates the presence of extra-framework Al in most of the studied samples that results in a higher real MR of the zeolitic framework compared to the nominal value. Concentrations of Lewis and Brønsted acid sites, as well as of silanol groups were estimated by elemental analysis, NMR, and FTIR spectroscopy. The values of site concentrations obtained from band intensities of adsorbed CO and those of OH groups are compared with the amount of framework and extra-framework aluminum. The advantages and restrictions of different methods of active site characterization are discussed.

Aim. Compare the incidence of the left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombus dissolution in patients with persistent nonvalvular atrial fibrillation receiving warfarin and direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC).Materials and methods. 68 patients with persistent nonvalvular atrial fibrillation were included in a retrospective study (age was 59.7±9.8 years, 60.3% men), in whom at least one repeated transesophageal echocardiographic examination was performed after detecting a thrombus. After detecting a thrombus in the LAA, 37 (54.4%) patients started or continued taking warfarin in doses that ensure the INR maintenance at the level of 2-3, 14 (20.6%) started or continued taking dabigatran at a dose of 150 mg 2 times/day, 14 (20.6%) started or continued taking rivaroxaban 20 mg 1 time/day and 3 (4.4%) started or continued taking apixaban 5 mg 2 times/day. Repeated transesophageal echocardiographic examination was performed on average 33.3±14.2 days after the first one.Results. Dissolution of a previously identified thrombus was found in 26 (83.9%) of 31 patients receiving DOAC and in 19 (51.4%) of 37 patients receiving warfarin (p=0.011). The logistic regression analysis showed that the chances of a thrombus dissolution in LAA while taking DOAC are 14.8 times (95% confidence interval [CI] was 2.469-88.72) higher than while taking warfarin. The size and the rate at which blood is expelled from the LAA also have an independent influence on the chances of thrombus dissolution. An increase in the size of a thrombus by 1 mm reduces the chances of a thrombus dissolution by 1.136 (95% CI was 1.040-1.244) times, and an increase in the rate of blood expulsion from the LAA by 1 cm/sec increases these chances by 1.105 (95% CI was 1.003-1.219) times.Conclusion. In the present study, the incidence of the LAA thrombus dissolution in patients with persistent nonvalvular atrial fibrillation while receiving DOAC was higher than while receiving warfarin.

The main goal of this study was the elucidation of structures of products of oxidation of industrial hydrolysis lignin (HL) obtained in the system H2O2-H2SO4-H2O. It was found that the obtained oxidized hydrolysis lignin (OHL) contained structural fragments of muconic acid dilactone. The latter appeared as a result of the oxidation of aromatic ring of HL into unstable structures of 3,4-dihydroxyadipic acid, which are spontaneously cyclized into the corresponding fragments of muconic acid dilactone in acidic oxidative medium. Consequent reaction of OHL with aqueous sodium hydroxide (NaOH) led to the formation of sodium salt of OHL (Na-OHL), in which the muconic acid dilactone units of OHL opened into fragments of disodium salts of 3,4-dihydroxyadipic acid. The Na-OHL was transformed into the series of novel derivatives of lignins. Thus, the reaction of Na-OHL with thionyl chloride proceeded as a substitution of hydroxyl groups into chlorine atoms in the structure of OHL, that afforded chloro-derivative of OHL. The latter was transformed into amino-amide and ester-ether derivatives of OHL by nucleophilic substitution of chlorine atoms with amines and alcohols correspondingly.

The purpose of the work was to analyze the present distribution of viruses that infect tomatoes and to identify the species composition of the tomato viruses under field conditions in Ukraine, as well as to test commercial seeds of various tomato varieties for the presence of viral contamination. In this work, a range of methods, which included visual diagnostics, various modifications of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, electron microscopy method and the method of statistical data processing were used. A number of symptoms of viral etiology were detected by visual diagnostics. Symptoms of viral etiology on plants were displayed as necrosis, chlorosis, yellow-green mosaic, dark green vein mosaic, and on fruits as ring-shaped spots, various fruit deformations. The morphological properties of the studied viruses were researched by electron microscopy. As a result, two types of virions were detected. The first type of virions was spherical, with a mean diameter of 29 nm. According to the literature, such shape and diameter of the virions are characteristic of the Cucumovirus genus members, in particular the cucumber mosaic virus. The second type of virions was rod-shaped, with a mean length of 300 nm and a mean diameter of 15 nm. According to other researchers, such morphological features are characteristic of the tobacco mosaic virus. The results of five-year monitoring of agrocenoses of Ukraine found that recently in a tomato crop circulates 5 species of viruses, namely tomato spotted wilt virus, cucumber mosaic virus, tobacco mosaic virus, potato virus X, and tomato mosaic virus. We also tested the seeds of 25 varieties of tomatoes by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the presence of viral contamination. The tests revealed that 37% of tested tomato seeds were contaminated with viral antigens. Viral antigens found in tested tomato seeds were antigens of three species of viruses, namely tobacco mosaic virus, cucumber mosaic virus, tomato mosaic virus. In general, the tomato seeds were contaminated with mono-infections, except for mixed infection of cucumber mosaic virus and tomato mosaic virus that was detected once.

The aim of this study is to identify the features of ST-changes in 12-leads surface ECG, which help to diagnose the right ventricular involvement in inferior myocardial infarction. The study included 145 patients with inferior myocardial infarction, the right ventricular infarction (RVI) was detected by echocardiography in 62 (42.8%) patients. ST segment depression in lead aVL was deeper than in lead V3 in 93.5% of patients with RVI. This feature is revealed in 4.9% patients with inferior myocardial infarction without RVI only. The sensitivity of this criterion for diagnosis RVI is 93.5%, the specificity is 95.2%, the predictive value of positive and negative results make up 93.5 and 95.2%.

The results of investigations of the influence of main parameters (surfactant concentration and temperature) on the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by the sonoelectrochemical method in polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) solutions by cyclic voltammetry (CVA) are presented. It is shown that the ultrasonic field (22 kHz) leads to an increase in the anodic and cathodic currents by ~30 %. A scheme of the AgNPs formation has been proposed, which includes the following main processes: 1) dissolution of sacrificial silver anodes at E = 0.2...1.0 V with the formation of [AgPVP]+ complex ions; 2) cathodic and sonochemical reduction of the latter to Ag(0); 3) formation of AgNPs. It has been established that with an increase in PVP concentration from 1 to 4 g·L-1, the anodic and cathodic currents decrease by 40–60 %. The formation rate of AgNPs also decreases. The growth of anodic and cathodic currents and the formation rate of nanoparticles in the range of 20…60 °C corresponds to the diffusion-kinetic action of the temperature factor. The CVA curves practically do not change in time, which indicates the stability of anodic and cathodic processes at prolonged sonoelectrochemical synthesis. The character of the UV-Vis spectra of AgNPs colloidal solutions in PVP with the 405…410 nm absorption maximum is the same in a wide range of nanoparticle concentrations.

At present, professional misconduct of medical practitioners is paid much attention to. However, there is a lack of research into the content, importance of classification and stages of the relevant forensic activities of investigators. The specific nature of the iatrogenic crime is expressed in its «trace picture» and determines both the structure of forensic activity and the content of its separate stages. The purpose of this work is to develop provisions indicating the need of taking into account the peculiar material and ideal picture of the iatrogenic incident, and the study of the contents of investigator's activities at the initial stage of investigation. In order to achieve the above goal, the objectives of the study of the established approaches to the definition of iatrogenic crime were set and solved and on this basis, taking into account the «trace picture», of the iatrogenic incident, the examination of the forensic activity of the investigator, aimed, ultimately, at proving the causal relationship between the actions of the doctor and the consequences, called the «mechanism of the crime». The method of dialectical cognition, system-structural and system-functional methods, situational method, modeling method and other modern methods of scientific research constitute the methodological basis of the present work.

Aim. To study the results of thrombolytic therapy and accuracy of electrocardiographic assessment of thrombolysis efficiency in inferior myocardial infarction with and without right ventricular lesion.Material and methods. The118 patients with inferior myocardial infarction were included in this study. They received TLT in the first 12 hours of the disease. The dynamics of ST-segment in 90 minutes from the TLT start and coronary angiography data were analyzed.Results. Right ventricular myocardial infarction (RVMI) was diagnosed in 49 (41.5%) of 118 patients by echocardiography. Patients with and without RVMI did not differ in age, gender and comorbidities, but patients with RVMI were more likely to have arterial hypotension, atrioventricular block, and atrial fibrillation. All patients with RVMI had occlusion of the right coronary artery (RCA) in the proximal (34.7%) or medial segment (65.3%). Occlusion of the circumflex coronary artery was found in 20 (29.0%) patients without RVMI, and RCA occlusion - in other patients. The infarction-associated artery blood flow equal TIMI 2-3 was found in 17 (34.7%) patients with RVMI and in 46 (66.7%) patients without RVMI (p0.05). The false-positive assessment of thrombolysis efficiency was noted in patients with and without RVMI in 21 (42.9%) and 11 (15.9%) cases (p Conclusion. TLT should be considered effective in patients with inferior myocardial infarction with the right ventricle lesion, if ST-segment decreases to isoline in 90 minutes from the TLT start.

The results of experiments to determine the sensitivity to impact and puncturing, as well as to the response time of explosive compositions based on porous silicon with various oxidants and phlegmatizing or inert additives, are presented. The results obtained are compared with the data on the response time of the standard igniting compositions and initiating explosives.

Potentiometric titration, FTIR spectroscopy, 13C solid-state NMR spectroscopy and chemical analysis were used to study the gelation of technical lignins (oxidized hydrolysis, kraft, soda and lignosulfonates) and Pepper lignin in interaction with metal salts (CaCl2, Mg(NO3)2, FeSO4, Co(NO3)2, Pb(NO3)2, Fe(NO3)3, CuSO4, AgNO3). It has been found that compounds that are salts of weak base and strong acid possess an ability to gelation; the metal cation has a standard potential above a certain value, has moderate hydrolysis ability and the cation hydroxide formed in the hydrolysis reaction has a relatively low solubility. At the gel formation, a compounds of the composition R–COO–Mez +–OOC–R, z = 2, 3 were formed. A scheme of intermolecular bonds at the point of lignin hydrogel formation was proposed, according to which, adjacent lignin molecules bound to each other by three types of bonds: ionic between carboxyl groups of lignin and metal cation, coordination between metal cation and water molecules included in the coordination sphere, and hydrogen bonds, binding all components of the system into a single whole. Lignin hydrogels have a high sorption ability with respect to heavy metals such as lead, iron and copper, that, depending on the content of acid groups in lignin and the molar mass of the sorbate, is approximately 25–50% by weight of lignin. This opens up the possibility of using a new type of lignin hydrogels for wastewater treatment of chemical plants.

Aim To study a possibility of using the left atrial strain (LAS) for predicting results of the noninvasive diastolic stress test (DST) in patients with arterial hypertension (AH).Material and methods The study included 98 patients previously diagnosed with AH. As a part of evaluation for complaints of dyspnea, palpitation or pain in the area of the heart, DST and transthoracic echocardiography were performed. Echocardiography included measurements of LAS in the reservoir phase, left atrial volume index (LAVI), pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP), and ratio of early filling transmitral flow velocity to mitral annular velocity (Е / е’).Results The DST was negative in 52 patients (group 1) and positive in 46 patients (group 2). Group 2 had greater values of mean Е / е’ (11.0 [9.4; 12.6] vs 9.0 [7.9; 11.1], р=0.0003); LAVI (33.8 [29.0; 40.0] ml /m2 vs 28.0 ml /m2 [25.0; 32.9], р=0.0001); and PASP (29.0 mm Hg [28.0; 30.0] vs 26.0 mm Hg [25.0; 28.0], рvs 24.0 % [22.0; 28.0], рConclusion If the DST cannot be performed for a noninvasive diagnosis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, a positive result of this test can be predicted by a decrease of LAS in the reservoir phase to 21 % or lower. The diagnostic accuracy of this criterion is 88.8 % (81.0–93.6 %).

The method of contact glow discharge with the using of “sacrificial” silver anodes have been proposed for synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) stabilized by polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). Using transmission electron microscopy, it was found that the mean size of AgNPs decrease from 10 to 5 nm with increasing of PVP concentration from 2.5 to 10 g/L. At the same time, the polydispersity index of AgNPs non-monotonically depends on concentration of stabilizer and the narrowest size distribution (less than 15%) was observed at PVP concentration equal to 5 g/L. The electrochemical investigations of Ag anodic dissolution associated with the recorded UV-Vis spectra of the obtained AgNPs solutions suggest that (i) the rate of silver dissolution depend on the nature of regulating agent—NaOH or CH3COONa; (ii) silver anodes are not passivated in the presence of PVP; (iii) unlike to the process of chemical reduction of silver ions by PVP using of the contact glow discharge technique provides a pseudo-stationary process mode, i.e., the stability of rates of nucleation and growth of AgNPs via stability both of Ag+ and solvated electrons concentrations that leads to formation of nearly monodisperse nanoparticles.

The article goal is to single out and describe verbal means of suggestive influence on the recipient of “Ofudesaki” text a translation erbatim from Japanese: “At the tip of the brush”), which is the main script of the Tenrikyo religion, one of the “oldest” among the many newest syncretic religions in Japan, founded by a simple peasant Nakayama Miki (1797-1887) in 1838. The text “Ofudesaki”, written by the founder of this religion “from the words of God the Father” in 1869-1881, consists of 17 chapters and 1711 tanka poems, which vividly reflect the Japanese language of the second half of the 19th century. This makes it possible to consider “Ofudesaki” as a valuable source of spoken and literary language of this historical era, as well as the then Kansai dialect, because, despite the poetic form, this work is saturated with colloquial vocabulary and dialectal expressions. Thus, the subject of research is the graphic, phonetic, lexical and syntactic features of “Ofudesaki” text, which reflect not only the idiolect of the author of this sacred work, but also give good reason to make assumptions about the intentional pastiche of this text by Nakayama Miki at almost all language levels. The methods of semantic, grammatical, etymological analysis, as well as historical and descriptive ones are used in the work. One of the main results and substantiated by specific examples study findings is the hypothesis put forward by the author of the article that the convergence of Japanese spoken language with literary language was bidirectional. Not only the language of fiction actively influenced the normative base of the national language through the education system, but also the spoken element had a significant impact on the then Japanese language, “eroding” the limits defined by the literary tradition: changing the pronunciation of words, lexical composition, grammar rules, stylistic norms, and so on.

The results of experimental studies on the initiation of compositions containing energy-saturated materials by high-current electron beams and electrodischarge plasma are presented. Experimental studies simulate the effects on energy-saturated materials of electromagnetic fields of natural and man-made origin. The threshold voltage of the electrical breakdown of the compositions during a high-voltage electric discharge was determined and the possibility of initiation of the compositions by high-current electron beams of nanosecond duration using a pulsed high-current electron accelerator GKVI-300 was studied. Four compositions were selected as objects of study: a composition based on potassium picrate, a composition containing ammonium perchlorate, a composition based on lead minium with zirconium and colloxylin additives, and ballistite composition SBK-3. It is shown in the work that the initiation of compositions by a high-current electron beam is potentially possible only for compositions with low ignition temperatures, ignition of compositions with high ignition temperatures is possible due to the introduction of a powdery nanoscale additive, particles of which have specific heat less than particles of an energy-saturated material, and ignition of ammonium perchlorate is possible only if the particles of the additive have lower thermal conductivity than the particles of perchlorate ammonium.

The studies, performed with MRI and CT, showed that the increase of fat, immediately adjacent to the myocardium (epicardial fat) is correlated more strongly with the risk of atrial fibrillation than the general or abdominal obesity. According to some studies, epicardial fat around the left atrium is a strong predictor of the development at atrial fibrillation. Also, the amount of the fat is associated with the effectiveness of cardioversion and the risk of developing thromboembolic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. The number of such works is small, since tomographic examinations are not needed if intra-atrial thrombosis is suspected, and transthoracic echocardiograthy does not allow visualization of atrial fat. However, transesophageal echocardiography is widely used in patients with atrial fibrillation and allows to measure the structures that serve as depots of epicardial fat, namely the interatrial septum and left lateral ridge. Accumulation of epicardial fat leads to thickening of these structures. This can be used to study the relationship between epicardial obesity and the risk of thromboembolic complications in patients with atrial fibrillations.

The possibility to prepare new organic-inorganic hybrids by grafting reactions of the protonated perovskite-like oxide H2K0.5Bi2.5Ti4O13·H2O (HKBT4·H2O) with n-alcohols (with alkyl chain length nc = 1–4, 6, 10) has been studied. The reactions have been conducted by grafting using preliminarily n-butylamine and n-octylamine intercalated derivatives of HKBT4 and in the case of n-decanol, the alcohol exchange approach of shorter-chain alcohols substitution has been also performed. Grafting reactions have been conducted at various temperatures with a view to fully substitution the n-alkylamine by n-alcohols. The obtained samples have been characterized by powder XRD analysis, NMR spectroscopy, CHN analysis, and SEM. The thermal stability has been studied by thermogravimetric analysis. It was shown that the pure methanol and ethanol hybrids could not be obtained in conditions tested and the optimal conditions of preparation of other n-alcohol hybrids have been established. In addition, it was shown that the HKBT4 compound is easily subjected to bismuth reduction at high temperatures, leading to the destruction of the perovskite-like structure.

The aim of this study is to estimate the possibility of using the differences of negative T waves in the right precordial leads for the differential diagnosis of the pulmonary thromboembolism (pulmonary embolism) and Wellens syndrome. We studied the first ECGs with T -wave inversion in leads V 1 –V 3 in 70 patients (38 patients with pulmonary embolism and 32 patients with Wellens syndrome). The ratio of the magnitude of negative T wave in the lead V 1 to the magnitude of negative T wave in the lead V 3 (T V1 /T V3 ) was more than 0.5 in all patients with pulmonary embolism and in only one (4.5%) patient with Wellens syndrome. So, this criterion T V1 /T V3 >0.5 may by useful for the differential diagnosis of these diseases.

Refereed/Peer-reviewed Humic substances with or without chemical modification can serve as environmentally benign and inexpensive adsorbents of potentially toxic trace elements (PTTEs) in the environment. The present study investigated the absorption of Pb, Zn, Cu and Ni by natural and potassium persulfate (K2S2O8) modified humic acids (HAs) isolated from a lowland peat through batch experiments. The adsorption of the studied PTTEs on the natural HA was satisfactorily described by the Langmuir isotherm model with maximum monolayer adsorption capacities of 318.2, 286.5, 225.0 and 136.8 mmol/kg for Pb, Cu, Zn and Ni, respectively. A thorough characterization of the natural and modified HA using 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy demonstrated that the chemical modification of natural HA with K2S2O8 led to an increase in the content of carboxyl groups, and ketone and quinoid fragments in the HA structure. Consequently, the modified HA absorbed 16.3, 14.2, 10.6 and 6.9% more Pb, Ni, Zn and Cu, respectively, than the original natural HA. The isotherm data modeling together with adsorbent characterization suggested that the adsorption of PTTEs was controlled mainly by chemisorption mechanisms where inner-sphere complexations of metal ions with HA functional groups took place.

Aim To study the right ventricular (RV) myocardial longitudinal systolic strain in patient with RV myocardial infarction (MI), and pulmonary embolism (PE) with and without McConnell’ phenomenon.Material and methods This study included 53 patients with PE (mean age, 59.0±15.1 years; men, 58.5 %) and 30 patients with RVMI (mean age, 61.8±10.9 years; men, 90 %). Longitudinal strain of basal, medial and apical segments of the RV free wall (RVFW) and the interventricular septum (IVS) was determined in the mode of two-dimensional speckle tracking. Ratio of the IVS apical strain to the RVFW strain (apical ratio) was calculated. Systolic excursion of the RVFW apical segment (apical excursion) was measured in the anatomical M-mode from the apical four-chamber view.Results The McConnell’s sign was observed in 23 (43.4 %) of 53 patients with PE and in 16 (53.3 %) of 30 patients with RVMI (p>0.05). Irrespective of the cause for the RV damage, patients with the McConnell’s sign had higher values of the apical ratio (1.69±0.50 vs. 0.95±0.22; pvs. 2.6±1.4 mm; p0.05).Conclusion Incidence of the McConnell’s sign was similar in patients with PE and RVMI. McConnell’s sign is based on a passive systolic shift of the RVFW apical segment, which develops during contraction of the IVS apical segment. The greater the ratio of IVS apical segment to RBFW global strain the greater the amplitude of this shift. With the ratio value of 1.18 or more, the systolic shift of RVFW apical segment was >5 mm, which was visually perceived as the McConnell’s sign.

The paper describes the data on unusual rheological properties of detonation nanodiamonds (DND) hydrosols and presents the fractal model explaining such behavior. The hydrosols of DND with particles size of 4–5 nm and concentration range of 1.1–7.3 wt% with negative (ζ 0) electrokinetic potentials have been studied by rotational viscometry, small-angle X-ray scattering, nuclear magnetic resonance and Cryo Electron Tomography. Remarkable hysteresis of viscosity and thixotropic effect demonstrate the sol-gel transition at very low concentrations of the DND: 4–5 wt% for ζ > 0 and 5–6 wt% for ζ

Three-layer metal–viscoelastic polymer–metal composites with thermoplastic plasticized films based on polyvinyl acetate as a viscoelastic polymer layer were studied by dynamic mechanical analysis. The temperature dependences of the mechanical loss coefficients and components of the complex elastic modulus were obtained experimentally for composites with different ratios of the thickness of the reinforcing and viscoelastic layers. The results were compared to the experimental data obtained by other methods with other polymer materials, and also to calculation results.

Aim. To study the prospects of using parameters of right ventricle (RV) longitudinal strain (LS) during systole for the differential diagnosis of RV myocardial infarction (RVMI) and pulmonary embolism (PE).Material and methods. The study included 83 patients who were hospitalized with RVMI or PE in the period from December 2017 to May 2019. The study of RV LS using the two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography was carried out in 30 patients with RVMI (group 1), 15 patients with high-risk PE (group 2), and 38 patients with intermediate-risk PE (group 3).Results. The mean values of RV global LS in patients of groups 1 and 2 did not differ (12,8±2,69 and 12,0±2,56%, respectively) and were significantly lower than in patients of group 3 (15,9±3,03%). The ratio of the interventricular septum (IVS) LS to the RV free wall (FW) LS in the group 1 (1,04±0,43) was significantly lower than in the groups 2 (1,61±0,52) and 3 (1,29±0,38). The ratio of the LS of the RVFW basal segment to the apical segment in group 1 (0,60±0,37) was also significantly lower than in groups 2 (1,69±1,57) and 3 (1,67±1,33).Conclusion. In patients with RVMI, there is a comparable decrease in the LS of the RVFW and IVS, and the LS of the basal segment decreases to a greater extent than the apical one. In patients with PE, the decrease in the LS of the RVFW is more pronounced than in IVS, and the LS of the apical segment decreases to a greater extent than the basal one. These differences can be used for the differential diagnosis of RVMI and PE.

Protonated forms of layered perovskite-like titanates HLnTiO4 (Ln = La, Nd), relating to the Ruddlesden-Popper phases, have been used to yield inorganic-organic hybrids with the simplest representatives of amines (methylamine), alcohols (methanol), aminoalcohols (monoethanolamine) as well as n-butylamine. The possibility of the synthesis of the hybrids is studied in a wide range of conditions using both standard laboratory techniques and solvothermal/solvothermal-microwave methods. It is established that only methylamino derivatives may be synthesized in a single-phase form by a direct reaction between protonated titanates and the corresponding organic compound whereas pure n-butylamino, methanolic and monoethanolamino hybrids may be obtained on the basis of methylamino ones. For all the hybrids synthesized structure, quantitative composition, morphology and a type of a bond between inorganic and organic parts are discussed by means of powder XRD, Raman, IR and NMR spectroscopy, STA, elemental CHN analysis and SEM.

The purpose of this work was to study the effect of the obstruction level associated with pulmonary embolism (PE) on development of pulmonary infarction (PI) and infarction-related pneumonia. Materials and Methods. Patients ( n = 105) with PTE identified by results of multislice computed tomography (MSCT) with enhancement of pulmonary vessels were enrolled in the study. Among them patients with high risk PTE, survived the 1st week of the disease ( n = 53), and with community-acquired pneumonia ( n = 54) were present, and in these patients MSCT allowed to detect PTE was performed during week 1. Results. PI was detected in 58 (95.1%) of 61 PTE patients with obstruction of segmental pulmonary artery (PA) branches and 15 (32.6%) of 46 patients without obstruction of segmental arteries ( p < 0.001). In PTE patients with upper obstruction level in PA trunk region, the involvement of segmental branches and PI development were observed in 20.0% of cases, with upper obstruction level in main branches region it was reported, respectively, in 31.8 and 52.3% of patients, and with pulmonary branches involvement – in 80.0 and 100.0% of patients. Conclusion. PI development is associated with obstruction of segmental branches of PA. The incidence of segmental branches involvement and risk of PI are increased in association with decreased upper obstruction level of PA.

Aim. To compare the epicardial fat thickness (EFT) in right ventricular anterior wall (RVAW) and left atrial mechanical dispersion (LAMD) in hypertensive (HTN) patients without arrhythmias and with various types of recurrent atrial fibrillation (AF).Material and methods. This observational cross-sectional single-center study included 383 patients with HTN, of which 251 did not have AF, 61 patients had paroxysmal, and 71 patients — persistent AF. Echocardiography performed against the background of sinus rhythm assessed the EFT in RVAW. In addition, using speckle-tracking echocardiography, the LAMD was determined, equal to the percentage of the standard deviation of the time to peak global longitudinal LA strain in the reservoir phase to duration of cardiac cycle.Results. In HTN patients without AF, with paroxysmal and persistent AF, the EFT was 6,70 [5,80; 8,00], 8,20 [7,10; 9,93] and 8,70 [7,93; 10,0] mm (рConclusion. In HTN patients with paroxysmal and persistent AF, the EFT in RVAW and LAMD is significantly greater than in patients without arrhythmias. In patients with persistent AF, EFT is greater than in paroxysmal AF, while LAMD practically does not differ.

Editorial note about the project entitled "Polish Christian Philosophy of the Twentieth Century," which inspired philosophers from Jesuit University Ignatianum in Krakow to organise the international conference "Christian Philosophy: Its Past, Present and Future." This issue of Forum Philosophicum collects edited and blind-reviewed papers from this conference.

Contains fulltext : 249977.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Closed access) BACKGROUND: It is important to evaluate whether a new treatment for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) provides additive benefit to background foundational treatments. As such, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of empagliflozin in patients with HFrEF in addition to baseline treatment with specific doses and combinations of disease-modifying therapies. METHODS: We performed a post-hoc analysis of the EMPEROR-Reduced randomised, double-blind, parallel-group trial, which took place in 520 centres (hospitals and medical clinics) in 20 countries in Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America. Patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification II-IV with an ejection fraction of 40% or less were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive the addition of either oral empagliflozin 10 mg per day or placebo to background therapy. The primary composite outcome was cardiovascular death and heart failure hospitalisation; the secondary outcome was total heart failure hospital admissions. An extended composite outcome consisted of inpatient and outpatient HFrEF events was also evaluated. Outcomes were analysed according to background use of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) or angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitors (ARNIs), as well as β blockers and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) at less than 50% or 50% or more of target doses and in various combinations. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03057977. FINDINGS: In this post-hoc analysis of 3730 patients (mean age 66·8 years [SD 11·0], 893 [23·9%] women; 1863 [49·9%] in the empagliflozin group, 1867 [50·1%] in the placebo group) assessed between March 6, 2017, and May 28, 2020, empagliflozin reduced the risk of the primary outcome (361 in 1863 participants in the empagliflozin group and 462 of 1867 in the placebo group; HR 0·75 [95% CI 0·65-0·86]) regardless of background therapy or its target doses for ACE inhibitors or ARBs at doses of less than 50% of the target dose (HR 0·85 [0·69-1·06]) and for doses of 50% or more of the target dose (HR 0·67 [0·52-0·88]; p(interaction)=0·18). A similar result was seen for β blockers at doses of less than 50% of the target dose (HR 0·66 [0·54-0·80]) and for doses of 50% or more of the target dose (HR 0·81 [0·66-1·00]; p(interaction)=0·15). Empagliflozin also reduced the risk of the primary outcome irrespective of background use of triple therapy with an ACE inhibitor, ARB, or ARNI plus β blocker plus MRA (given combination HR 0·73 [0·61-0·88]; not given combination HR 0·76 [0·62-0·94]; p(interaction)=0·77). Similar patterns of benefit were observed for the secondary and extended composite outcomes. Empagliflozin was well tolerated and rates of hypotension, symptomatic hypotension, and hyperkalaemia were similar across all subgroups. INTERPRETATION: Empagliflozin reduced serious heart failure outcomes across doses and combinations of disease-modifying therapies for HFrEF. Clinically, these data suggest that empagliflozin might be considered as a foundational therapy in patients with HFrEF regardless of their existing background therapy. FUNDING: Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company.

Despite multimodal approaches for the treatment of multiforme glioblastoma (GBM) advances in outcome have been very modest indicating the necessity of novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Currently, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) represent a promising platform for cell-based cancer therapies because of their tumor-tropism, low immunogenicity, easy accessibility, isolation procedure, and culturing. In the present study, we assessed the tumor-tropism and biodistribution of the superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle (SPION)-labeled MSCs in the orthotopic model of C6 glioblastoma in Wistar rats. As shown in in vitro studies employing confocal microscopy, high-content quantitative image cytometer, and xCelligence system MSCs exhibit a high migratory capacity towards C6 glioblastoma cells. Intravenous administration of SPION-labeled MSCs in vivo resulted in intratumoral accumulation of the tagged cells in the tumor tissues that in turn significantly enhanced the contrast of the tumor when high-field magnetic resonance imaging was performed. Subsequent biodistribution studies employing highly sensitive nonlinear magnetic response measurements (NLR-M2) supported by histological analysis confirm the retention of MSCs in the glioblastoma. In conclusion, MSCs due to their tumor-tropism could be employed as a drug-delivery platform for future theranostic approaches.