Red Blood Cell Morphodynamics in Patients with Polycythemia Vera and Stroke

Polycythemia vera (PV) is a Ph-negative myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) which is characterized by erythrocytosis and a high incidence of thrombotic complications, including stroke. The study aimed to evaluate red blood cell (RBC) morphodynamic properties in PV patients and their possible association with stroke. We enrolled 48 patients with PV in this cross-sectional study, 13 of which have a history of ischemic stroke. The control group consisted of 90 healthy subjects. RBC deformability and aggregation analysis were performed using a laser-assisted optical rotational red cell analyzer. The following parameters were calculated: aggregation amplitude (Amp), RBC rouleaux formation time constant (Tf), time of formation of three-dimensional aggregates (Ts), aggregation index (AI), rate of complete disaggregation (y-dis), and the maximal elongation of RBC (EImax). Statistical analysis was performed with the R programming language. There were significant differences in RBCs morphodynamics features between patients with PV and the control group. Lower EImax (0.47 (0.44; 0.51) vs. 0.51 (0.47; 0.54), p < 0.001) and γ-dis (100 (100; 140) vs. 140 (106; 188) s⁻¹, p < 0.001) along with higher amplitude (10.1 (8.6; 12.2) vs. 7.7 (6.6; 9.2), p < 0.001) was seen in patients with PV compared with control. A statistically significant difference between PV patients with and without stroke in aggregation amplitude was found (p = 0.03). A logistic regression model for stroke was built based on RBC morphodynamics which performed reasonably well (p = 0.01). RBC alterations may be associated with overt cerebrovascular disease in PV, suggesting a possible link between erythrocyte morphodynamics and increased risk of stroke.     

Electron Microscopic Investigation of the Structure of Gas-Sensitive Nanocomposites Prepared by the Hydropyrolytic Method

Polycrystalline films in the SnO₂–In₂O₃ and SnO₂–ZnO systems, which are of interest for use in gas-sensitive sensors, are grown from metal chlorides on a 22-XC ceramic substrate by the hydropyrolytic method. The nanocomposites based on tin dioxide are studied. The structure of polycrystalline grains is investigated by electron spectroscopy and X-ray diffractometry. The distribution of components in the samples prepared is examined using electron probe X-ray microanalysis. It is established that homogeneous films in the SnO₂–In₂O₃ system up to 10 mol % In₂O₃ in the initial solution can be grown by the hydropyrolytic method.     

Preparation, Electrical Conductivity, and Sensory Properties of Oxide Films in the In2O3–SnO2 and In2O3–ZrO2 Systems

Nanostructured polycrystalline films in the In₂O₃–SnO₂ and In₂O₃–ZrO₂ systems, which are of interest for use in sensors for determining the content of strongly oxidizing media (such as ozone) and in electrode materials, are grown by the hydropyrolytic method from metal nitrates and through vacuum deposition of metals. Chemically interacting nanocomposites based on indium oxide are studied. The surface morphology of films and the structure of polycrystalline grains are investigated using electron microscopy and X-ray diffractometry.     

The Role of Pectobacterium atrosepticum Exopolysaccharides in Plant–Pathogen Interactions

The phytopathogenic bacterium Pectobacterium atrosepticum (Pba), one of the members of the soft rot Pectobacteriaceae, forms biofilm-like structures known as bacterial emboli when colonizing the primary xylem vessels of the host plants. The initial extracellular matrix of the bacterial emboli is composed of the host plant’s pectic polysaccharides, which are gradually substituted by the Pba-produced exopolysaccharides (Pba EPS) as the bacterial emboli “mature”. No information about the properties of Pba EPS and their possible roles in Pba-plant interactions has so far been obtained. We have shown that Pba EPS possess physical properties that can promote the maintenance of the structural integrity of bacterial emboli. These polymers increase the viscosity of liquids and form large supramolecular aggregates. The formation of Pba EPS aggregates is provided (at least partly) by the acetyl groups of the Pba EPS molecules. Besides, Pba EPS scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS), the accumulation of which is known to be associated with the formation of bacterial emboli. In addition, Pba EPS act as suppressors of the quantitative immunity of plants, repressing PAMP-induced reactions; this property is partly lost in the deacetylated form of Pba EPS. Overall, our study shows that Pba EPS play structural, protective, and immunosuppressive roles during Pba–plant interactions and thus should be considered as virulence factors of these bacteria.     

Synthesis and electrical conductivity of films based on rare-earth oxides

A number of physicochemical properties of samples are investigated. Changes in the electrical resistance of films based on the yttrium, terbium, and praseodymium oxides in an air atmosphere and upon interaction with different gaseous media (ozone, argon, methanol, ethanol) are studied. The ranges of operating temperatures and the maximum relative sensitivity coefficients of the films under investigation are determined. Original Russian Text P.A. Tikhonov, M.V. Kalinina, P.V. Rastegaev, I.A. Drozdova, 2008, published in Fizika i Khimiya Stekla.     

Polarization and phase of light transmitted through polymer‐dispersed liquid‐crystal film

Abstract— A method for calculating the transmission coefficient, phase shift, and characteristics of the polarization state of light, transmitted through a PDLC film with nanosized nematic droplets, is considered. Functional dependences of these values on the morphological characteristics of a film are obtained and graphically illustrated. Good agreement between the theoretical and available experimental data is established.     

Sulfide ceramic materials based on CaYb<Subscript>2</Subscript>S<Subscript>4</Subscript> with functional electrolytic properties

Phases based on the CaYb₂S₄ compound with hyperstoichiometric compositions of the CaS and Yb₂S₃ sulfides are investigated. The region of solid solutions and the electrolytic temperature range are determined, and the average ion, cation, anion, and electron transport numbers are measured. The pycnometric and X-ray densities are compared. A possible mechanism of defect formation is proposed.     

Visualization techniques for modelling carbon allotropes

Carbon takes many different forms, each with its own electronic structure and has a fantastic range of properties. As well as graphite/diamond, a hexagonal diamond called londsdaleite, and amorphous carbons of sp², sp³ and mixed natures there are all the fullerenes, graphene, nanotubes, etc. Fortunately, their different electronic structures take distinct geometrical forms, so that deducing the geometry of a sample that has been simulated is a crucial step towards understanding its properties. Visualization is essential for understanding sample geometries. AViz [J. Adler, Computers in Science and Engineering 5 (2003) 61] is an Atomistic Visualization package developed at the Technion that can be freely downloaded and installed. Both still and animated AViz implementations for viewing data from our atomistic simulations of carbon allotropes enable understanding of the simulation results and when compared with laboratory experiments and theoretical models provide insight into nanodiamond growth, gas flow in nanotubes, nanotube vibrations and other topics of current research interest.     

The training programs for correction of the nutritional disturbances behavior in patients with arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus type 2

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the alimentary disorders in patients with high risk for cardiovascular diseases, also in patients with arterial hypertension (AH) and njn--insulin-diabetes mellitus (DM). The results showed that patients with AH (155 patients) and DM (107 patients) have high prevalence of the alimentary disorders: high consumption of total fat--46% (DM) and 70.9% (AH), high consumption of carbohydrates--14.9% and 73%, salt intake--34.9% and 68.6%, respectively. Application of special training programs in groups provided stable modification of dietary habits and was more effective, compared with the traditional ones. These groups demonstrated better results in dietary habits modification, compared with the existing routine individual medical control groups.