Linear Flow Rate Research Articles

Peculiarities of cerebral blood flow and vascular reactivity in patients with large and giant tumors of the cerebello-pontine angle

Background. Vestibular schwannomas and posterior fossa meningiomas are one of the most difficult tumors for surgical treatment. The mortality rate after their removal reaches 13,5 %. The main causes of death are hemorrhagic and ischemic complications. There are no studies in the literature on tissue perfusion of brainstem structures and cerebellum and reactivity of vertebral and basilar arteries in patients with extraaxial tumors of the posterior cranial fossa. Therefore, the study of the blood supply of the brainstem structures and cerebellum, as well as the functional characteristics of the vertebral and basilar arteries in these patients is of considerable interest.Aim. To evaluate tissue perfusion of the pons and cerebellum, as well asthe reactivity of the vertebral and basilar arteries in patients with large and giant vestibular schwannomas and posterior fossa meningiomas.Materials and methods. Eighty-two patients with large and giant extraaxial tumors of the base of the posterior cranial fossa were examined. The median age was 54 [44; 61] years. Vestibular schwannomas were diagnosed in 52.4 % of patients, and meningiomas of the posterior cranial fossa were diagnosed in 47.6 %. All patients underwent duplex scanning of the basilar and vertebral arteries. We evaluated linear blood flow and coefficients of reactivity and index of vasomotor reactivity. We investigated the metabolic reactivity of cerebral blood flow by conducting hyper- and hypocapnic tests. Computed tomography perfusion imaging was performed in 18 patients. We detected cerebral blood volume, cerebral blood flow, mean transit time of contrast agent and time to peak of contrast agent. Measurements were carried out in six regions of interest located symmetrically on the pons and in the white matter of the cerebellar hemispheres on the side of the tumor and on the opposite side.Results. Linear blood flow rates in the intracranial segments of the vertebral and the basilar arteries in patients with tumors were higher than in the comparison group (p<0.05). These patients are characterized by a decrease of reactivity coefficients in the vertebral and basilar arteries, especially when performing hypercapnic tests (p <0.05). Paradoxical reactivity and areactivity were diagnosed in 34.9 % of patients with vestibularschwannomas and 25.6 % with meningiomas. In the pons on the side of the tumor in patients with vestibularschwannomas, a decrease in cerebral blood flow by 19.3 %, an increase in cerebral blood volume by 33.3 % and an increase in mean transit time of contrast agent and in time to peak of contrast agent by 48.1 % and 71.1 % (p <0.05) were found. In patients with meningiomas in the pons on the side of the tumor, all perfusion parameters were higher (p<0.05). In the deep regions of the cerebellar hemisphere on the side of the tumor in patients with tumors, all perfusion parameters were higher compared to the opposite side.Conclusion. The results of the study made it possible to quantify cerebral blood flow in patients with large and giant vestibular schwannomas and meningiomas of the posterior cranial fossa base. The revealed changes indicate the risk of developing pathological vascular reactions and disorders of cerebral blood flow in the postoperative period.

Effect of the insecticide clothianidin on the photosynthetic electron transport chain in pea.

Clothianidin (CL) is a neonicotinoid insecticide widely used in crop protection against insect pests. However, its effects on photosynthesis remain largely unknown. Here, by investigating the influence of CL at the concentrations of 22 and 110 μg/L on the primary processes of photosynthesis, membrane fluidity and structural changes of pea chloroplasts, we located several primary binding sites of this pesticide. Similar dynamics were observed for both concentrations. However, statistically significant differences were only found at 110 μg/L for all methods used. The light saturated rate of linear electron flow decreased mainly due to the disturbance of electron flow on the acceptor side of photosystem II (PSII) associated with the appearance of QB-nonreducing centers and empty QB binding sites of PSII. The functioning of the donor side of PSII, the activity of photosystem I (PSI) and the maximum quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (Fv/Fm) were not found to be significantly altered. Increased membrane fluidity and structural alterations of the thylakoid membrane led to a decrease in the development of the proton gradient ΔрН and membrane energization processes.

Purification of his-tagged proteins using printed monolith adsorption columns

Bio-separation is a crucial process in biotechnology and biochemical engineering for separating biological macromolecules, and the field has long relied on bead-based and expanded bed chromatography. Printed monolith adsorption (PMA) is a new alternative to which uses a 3D-printed monolithic structure containing self-supporting, ordered flow channels. PMA allows for direct purification of biological molecules from crude cell lysates and cell cultures, and like the other technologies, can functionalized to specifically target a molecule and enable affinity chromatography. Here we have combined PMA technology with an immobilized metal affinity ligand (iminodiacetic acid) to provide selectivity of binding to polyhistidine-tagged proteins during PMA chromatography. Two different PMA structures were created and tested for both static and dynamic protein-binding capacity. At comparative linear flow rates, the dynamic binding capacity of both columns was ≈3 mg/mL, while static capacity was shown to differentiate based on column voidage. We show that a polyhistidine-tagged protein can be directly purified from crude lysate with comparable results to the available commercial providers of IMAC, and with a substantially reduced purification time.

Droplet Laplace valve‐enabled glaucoma implant for intraocular pressure management

AbstractGlaucoma, the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, is closely linked to aqueous overaccumulation and elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). For refractory glaucoma, aqueous shunts with valves are commonly implanted for effective aqueous drainage control and IOP stabilization. However, existing valved glaucoma implants have the disadvantages of inconsistent valve opening/closing pressures, poor long‐term repeatability due to their reliance on moving parts, and complex architectures and fabrication processes. Here, we propose a novel valving concept, the droplet Laplace valve (DLV), a three‐dimensional printable moving‐parts‐free microvalve with customizable and consistent threshold valving pressures. The DLV uses a flow discretization unit governed by capillarity, comprising a droplet‐forming nozzle, and a separated reservoir to digitize continuous flow into quantifiable droplets. Unlike the classic one‐time‐use Laplace valves, the DLV's unique design allows for its reusability. The opening pressure is adjustable by varying the nozzle size, like the classic Laplace valves (following the Young–Laplace equation), while the closing pressure can be modified by tuning the separation distance and the reservoir size. Various DLVs with customizable opening pressures from 5 to 11 mmHg have been demonstrated, with opening/closing pressure differences suppressed down to <0.5 mmHg (<0.15 mmHg under the best conditions). Thanks to its moving‐parts‐free nature and digitized flow properties, the DLV shows a highly repeatable valving performance (<1.7%, 1000 cycles) and a predictable linear flow rate–pressure correlation (R2 > 0.99). Preliminary ex vivo validation in an enucleated porcine eye confirms the DLV's efficiency in aqueous shunting and prompt IOP stabilization. The DLV technology holds great promise in glaucoma implants for IOP management and various microsystems for flow control.

Electrocoagulation Technique for Treating Swine Slaughterhouse Wastewater from Batch to Semicontinuous Operation Mode

In this study, industrial swine slaughterhouse wastewater was treated by electrocoagulation process using batch and semicontinuous operation systems. Electrochemical technique was carried out in batch operation mode during 2.5 h applying different current densities in sulfate and chloride media. After finding the best operating parameters in batch mode (lab-scale), the process was transferred to a semicontinuous pre-pilot scale process using a filter-press FM01-LC type electrochemical reactor fitted with flat plate aluminum electrodes. In this stage, distinct current densities and mean linear flow rates were assessed.Total organic carbon, chemical oxygen demand, total phosphorus, total nitrogen, and potassium among other parameters were analyzed during both treatments. The industrial swine slaughterhouse wastewater contained TOC 333 mg L–1, COD 1765 mg L–1, TP 13.55 mg L–1, TN 327 mg L–1, K 45 mg L–1, turbidity 102 NTU, color –absorbance 0.90 A.U. at 415 nm–, conductivity 1.9 mS cm–1, and pH 6.9. The highest TOC removal efficiency (72.7%), in semicontinuous process, was found at j = 25 mA cm-2 and ur = 0.64 cm s-1 with an energy consumption of 19.80 kW h m-3. Residual COD and TP concentrations met the international standard limits. Moreover, complete discoloration and disinfection were achieved. EDXRF, SEM, EDAX, XRD, and FTIR analyzes indicate pollutants were removed by adsorption on aluminum/iron hydroxides/oxyhydroxides.

The State of Hemodynamics of Retinal Vessels in Primary Open-angle Glaucoma in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Objective: to study the features of linear blood flow rate with central artery and retinal vein calibration in patients with POGC and type 2 diabetes. Examined 220 eyes (110 patients) with type 2 diabetes and 40 eyes (20 patients) with PAH without diabetes. The average age — 58 years old — 0,35. In addition to the common methods of research were: ophthalmoscopy with Goldman lens, binocular ophthalmoscope (Schepevsa), and lens Volk-90,0D (USA), gonioscopy with lenses (Krasnova, Goldman), tonometry by Maccov, NIidek (Japan) pneumototometry NT-2000, simplified tonography for Nesterov, OCT optical nerve disc and yellow spot Carl Zeiss Cirrus, HD OCT Model 4000/5000 Germany), OCT retinal vessels with calibre meter (Cirrus HD-Octiss Ultrasonic), Carl Ultrasonic (ISS) Central artery vessels and retinal veins (UZ — expert class system Sono Scapesq), ultrasound of the eyes. The data are processed statistically. In patients with PSA with SD 2 type of LSC reduction in the CAC at the initial and advanced stages up to 12.5 0.66 cm/s and 11 0.46 cm/s, with blood flow slowing in the CNS-LCC vessels 8.0.5 cm/s and 9.0 0.52 cm/s. In addition, the vascular calibre of the CAC increased to 91.5 0.67 μm and 93.5 0.65 μm at the initial and advanced stages of glaucoma, and the vascular size of the CAC was reduced to -97.6 0.19 μm at 75% and 93.5 0.9 μm at 50%, respectively, and expanded to 141.5 0.7%,7%. Revealed microcirculatory disorders in retinal vessels at POGC with type 2 diabetes allow recommending patients to conduct adequate therapy.

Enhancing industrial swine slaughterhouse wastewater treatment: Optimization of electrocoagulation technique and operating mode

In this study, industrial swine slaughterhouse effluents were treated by an electrocoagulation process (EC) with aluminum and iron electrodes. Batch and semicontinuous operation were performed. EC tests were carried out in batch operating mode for 2.5 h using fixed current densities (j = 10, 20, and 30 mA cm−2) in sulfate and chloride media. At the laboratory scale, higher TOC removal efficiencies were observed using aluminum electrodes at 20 mA cm−2 without the addition of a supporting electrolyte (82.7%). However, the EC process with Fe electrodes consumed 43.6% less energy.After the best operating parameters were found at the laboratory scale, the process was tested as a semicontinuous prepilot process using a filter-press FM01-LC-type electrochemical reactor equipped with flat plate aluminum electrodes. In this stage, current densities and mean linear flow rates were assessed. The highest TOC removal efficiency of 72.7% (i.e., residual TOC concentration of 85.18 mg L−1) in the semicontinuous process was achieved by the application of j = 25 mA cm−2 and ur = 0.64 cm s−1 with an energy consumption of 19.80 kW h m−3. The residual COD and TP concentrations met the international standard limits. Moreover, complete decoloration and disinfection were accomplished. EDXRF, SEM, EDAX, XRD, and FTIR analyses indicated that pollutants were removed by adsorption on aluminum/iron hydroxides/oxyhydroxides.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HAEMOSTATIC AND MACRO-MICROHEMODYNAMIC PARAMETERS IN RATS UNDER EXPERIMENTAL EXPOSURE TO CADMIUM. MEANS OF PREVENTION

In experiments on Wistar rats, it was shown that the prophylactic administration of melatonin at a dose of 5 mg/kg helps to reduce the manifestations of toxic coagulopathy, preventing the development of micro- and macrohemodynamic disorders in rats with chronic cadmium intoxication. Correlations between changes in indicators of the hemostasis system with the restoration of linear and volumetric blood flow rates and a decrease in the Pourcelot peripheral resistive index were revealed. These effects correlated with a decrease in the level of lipid peroxidation products and the activity of antioxidant enzymes in the blood under the influence of melatonin. The results of the experiments suggest further studies on using melatonin for the prevention and correction of the procoagulative and pathocirculatory effects of cadmium.

High-Temperature Oxidation of Steel under Linear Flow Rates of Air and Water Vapor—An Experimental Determined Set of Data

High-temperature oxidation phenomena play a crucial role in steel production and processing. The development of new alloying concepts, the modification of production routes due to the decarbonization of steelmaking, and increasing quality demands will additionally stimulate research activities on high-temperature oxidation. Within the scope of this publication, the oxidation behavior of an unalloyed steel was investigated by means of thermogravimetric (TG) and metallographic analysis. The TG measurements were performed with a simultaneous thermal analyzer in combination with a water vapor generator and a mass spectrometer for quality control. Experiments were conducted in a temperature range from 900 to 1200 °C under various oxidation atmospheres, containing synthetic air and water vapor, with different linear flow rates of the oxidizing medium. According to the thermogravimetric data, an evaluation method is introduced to obtain direct kinetic data for linear and parabolic scale growth. The influence of the experimental parameters on high-temperature oxidation is discussed in detail.

Optimal Safety-Critical Control of Epidemics

We present a generalized model for epidemic processes that partitions control into changes in linear and non-linear flow rates between compartments, respectively. We then define an optimal control problem that minimizes the weighted cost of rate control on the generalized model while maintaining conditions that guarantee system safety at any time using control barrier functions. Using this formulation, we prove that under homogeneous penalties the optimal controller will always favor increasing the linear flow out of an infectious process over reducing nonlinear flow in. Further, in the case of heterogeneous penalties, we provide necessary and sufficient conditions under which the optimal controller will set control of non-linear rates (i.e., the reduction of flow rate into the infection process) to zero. We then illustrate these results through the simulation of a bi-virus SEIQRS model.

The use of neuropeptides (memoprove™) in geriatric pharmacology

The article presents our own data on the effect of the MemoProve™ course of treatment (1 tablet for 30 days) in 20 elderly researchers (mean age 68.2+3.2 years) on mnestic processes (short-term, long-term memory), emotional background (anxiety level); besides, the article presents a structural characteristic of the reorganisation of the brain bioelectrical activity and changes in cerebral haemodynamics. Three types of EEG response to MemoProve™ have been identified. Common to these types is an increase in the total power of brain electrogenesis (by 15-25%) and an increase in the frequency of the rhythm, the main, basic EEG rhythm. The type of influence of MemoProve™ on the power of slow rhythms (delta, theta) depends on the EEG type. In elderly patients, MemoProve™ caused an increase in the Linear Systolic Blood Flow (LSBF) rate in the two middle cerebral arteries (MCAs), vertebral arteries (VAs) and basilar artery (BA). The results of a comprehensive analysis of the impact of the MemoProve™ course of treatment testify to its positive effect on the brain functional state (according to emotional-mnestic parameters, brain bioelectrical activity, cerebral haemodynamics) in the elderly and give reason to recommend MemoProve™ for use in the geriatric pharmacological correction of emotional-mnestic activity. Keywords: MemoProve™; elderly; emotional-mnestic parameters; brain bioelectrical activity; cerebral haemodynamics

RESPIRATORY ORGANS PROTECTION FROM THE AMMONIA ACTION

The article deals with the issues of protection of the respiratory organs from the toxic effects of ammonia, based on the research of employees of the Physical-chemical institute for environment and human protection of MES OF Ukraine and NAS of Ukraine. The physicochemical properties of ammonia and its toxicological characteristics are discussed in detail. Emergency hygienic regulations and reference levels of its concentration in the air are given, depending on the severity of possible effects. Activated carbon, the most widely used for equipping gas-absorbing cartridges of respirators and industrial gas masks, does not have the ability to selectively absorb ammonia without treatment with chemically active compounds. To enhance selectivity, activated carbon is infiltrated with d-metal salts and organic polybasic acids. An alternative to granular charcoal sorbents are ion-exchange fibrous materials or impregnated fibrous chemisorbents (IFCS), which have a significantly lower weight and breathing resistance. Impregnation was carried out with solutions of citric acid, and glycerol, sodium chloride, and ethanol were used as modifiers to achieve a uniform distribution of citric acid on the surface of the fibers and increase adhesion to them. The study of the sorption characteristics of IFCS as part of the gas-absorbing cartridge of the «Klen-K1» respirator was carried out with dry and moistened samples under dynamic conditions close to the actual operation of respiratory protection equipment: NH3 concentration in the gas-air mixture 700 mg/m3 (35 TVL), relative humidity φ = 0 ÷ 72%, linear flow rate – 5,1 sm/s. It is shown that the humidity of the gas-air mixture plays a decisive role in the efficiency of ammonia sorption, it activates the protective properties of IFCS. It has been established that gas-absorbing cartridges equipped with the developed samples of IFCS impregnated with a 40.0% solution of citric acid with the addition of 3.3% glycerol and 1.0% sodium chloride provide the normalized requirements for class K1 gas filters (ammonia) with humidity of the inhaled air ≥ 30%. The presence of «free» water provides a more complete «activation» of the specified chemisorbent for this toxicant.

Implementation of two sustainable chromatographic methods for the simultaneous micro-quantitation and impurity profiling of metformin and rosuvastatin in recently approved fixed dose pills: Greenness and whiteness studies

Rosuvastatin-Metformin is an emerging fixed dose combination (FDC) for the treatment of diabetes mellitus-associated dyslipidemia. Generally, the beneficial outcomes of FDC in reduction of pills burden, cost and complexity of medications protocols, encouraged analysts and we in turn for the development of rapid sustainable analytical methods for the simultaneous estimation of such important drug combinations. Within this framework, two validated analytical methodologies have been implemented for the neat separation and quantitation of metformin (MET) and rosuvastatin (RSV) in presence of the pharmacopeial impurities cyanoguanidine (CYG) (impurity A of MET) and the rosuvastatin-related substance B (RSV-impurity B). The latter was freshly prepared and then confirmed using Liquid Chromatography-Mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Method I represented the first electro-driven separation method for the assay of this FDC using Micellar Electrokinetic Chromatography (MEKC). The optimized conditions were 50 mM borate buffer containing 100 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) at pH 9.2 using a deactivated fused silica capillary (50 cm effective length × 50 μm id). Method II was High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) method using Microsorb MV-C18 (4.6 × 250 mm, 5 μm particle size) column with 20 mM sodium dihydrogen phosphate buffer (pH 3.5), acetonitrile and methanol as mobile phase constituents. The separation was achieved with a linear gradient program and flow rate 1.5 mL/min all over the run. The Diode Array Detector (DAD) detector was set at wavelengths 243 nm for RSV and 235 nm for MET in both methods. The 4 peaks were separated in about 8 and 5 min for methods I and II, respectively. Linear relationships were obtained between peak areas and concentrations of metformin and rosuvastatin in the ranges 10–100 μg/mL for MEKC and 1–150 μg/mL for HPLC. The 2 techniques fulfilled the International Council for Harmonization (ICH) validation criteria, as well as the green and white analytical chemistry principles which were evaluated using the trendiest AGREE, hexagon and RGB12 tools. The interpretation of scores indicated that the suggested methods outperformed the reported methods in terms of eco-friendliness and sustainability. They offered fast, feasible, stability indicating and accurate analysis of both drugs in bulk and in pills.

A hybrid process combining electrocoagulation and active chlorine-based photoelectro-Fenton-like methods during the removal of Acid Blue 29 dye

• Electrocoagulation (EC) and active chlorine-based photoelectro-Fenton-like (PEF-like). • Acid blue 29 (AB 29) dyestuff removal on iron flocs (76–58%) by EC. • Residual AB 29 after EC was mineralized (100%) by • OH generated in PEF-like. • AB 29 dyestuff solutions of 150–300 mg L −1 COD having 2000 mg L −1 chlorides. This paper deals with the development of an innovative process combining electrocoagulation (EC) and active chlorine-based photoelectro-Fenton-like (PEF-like) methods for eliminating the Acid Blue 29 (AB 29) dye from synthetic water (initially having 150–300 mg L −1 COD, in 2000 mg L −1 NaCl at pH 7.3). The EC process was performed in a continuous EC reactor equipped with 1018 steel plates as sacrificial electrodes. The PEF-like electrolysis was carried out in a filter-press electrochemical reactor equipped with Ti|Ir-Sn-Sb oxides and stainless-steel plates as the anode and cathode, respectively. The hydrodynamics influence in terms of the mean linear flow rate (0.69 ≤ u ≤ 3.47 cm s −1 ) and current density (12 ≤ j ≤ 36 mA cm −2 ) in the continuous EC reactor was systematically examined. The best EC trial was achieved at j = 36 mA cm −2 and u = 0.69 cm s −1 reaching 62 % bleaching and 84 % COD removal. Then, the remaining solution after EC passed through the PEF-like process (adjusting the pH = 3 and the catalyst at 0.4 mM Fe 2+ ), reaching complete discoloration and COD removal at 15 mA cm −2 , 24.2 cm s −1 . Hydroxyl radicals were responsible for the mineralization of the AB 29 dye in the PEF-like process. The obtained flocs after EC were analyzed by XRD, XRF, and FTIR to elucidate the removal pathway of the AB 29 dye on flocs. Finally, the carboxylic and inorganic byproducts produced during the incineration of AB 29 dye by PEF-like were followed by HPLC techniques.

Physiotherapy impact on the periodontal microcirculation during mild chronic generalized periodontitis treatment

Relevance. The high incidence of chronic generalized periodontitis indicates the relevance of this disease and its social significance. Treatment of chronic generalized periodontitis requires an integrated approach and should include conservative and surgical methods and elements of dental system rehabilitation. Physiotherapy procedures, which affect tissue blood supply and increase local immunity, form an important component of the complex treatment of chronic generalized periodontitis. Choosing the most effective physiotherapy method is essential for the complex treatment of chronic generalized periodontitis.Materials and methods. The study examined and treated 104 patients with mild chronic generalized periodontitis. All patients agreed to participate in the study and signed informed voluntary consent. The treatment type determined the allocation of three groups (group 1 – periodontium exposure to d’Arsonval currents, group 2 – the combination of physiotherapy procedures, and the control group – rinsing with antiseptics). The study consisted of the following stages: initial examination, professional controlled oral hygiene, group-dependent course of treatment, follow-up immediately after the treatment, after 3 and 6 months. Each stage included an interview, clinical examination and evaluation of periodontal microcirculation using Doppler ultraso und.Results. The study revealed a positive effect of physiotherapy procedures on the periodontal microcirculation, i.e., a significant increase in linear and volumetric blood flow rates (linear blood flow velocity – 0.411 (0.393: 0.431; 0.315-0.436) cm/s; volumetric blood flow velocity – 0.024 (0.016: 0.021; 0.015-0.019) cm3/s compared with the data of the control group patients (linear blood flow velocity – 0.305 (0.291: 0.313; 0.203-0.326) cm/s; volumetric blood flow velocity – 0.012 (0.011: 0.015; 0.007-0.090) cm3/s.Conclusion. Physiotherapy procedures in chronic generalized periodontitis treatment allowed the achievement of not only the significant immediate result but also a prolonged re mission period.

Preparation of macroporous rigid agarose microspheres by pre-crosslinking with cyclic anhydride

In this study, a new method for preparing macroporous rigid agarose microspheres was developed by one-step pre-crosslinking method with cyclic anhydride. Three different cyclic anhydrides, namely, maleic anhydride, succinic anhydride, and glutaric anhydride, were used to pre-crosslink agarose. The reaction temperature and the amount of cyclic anhydride in the pre-crosslinking process were optimized to endow agarose with stronger cross-linking. Under the optimal cross-linking condition, macroporous rigid agarose microspheres with homogeneous particle size were successfully obtained by adjusting emulsification method. Cryo-scanning electron microscopy was used to characterize the morphology of cross-linked agarose gel and microspheres. The addition of cyclic anhydride increased the gel aperture of cross-linked agarose microspheres, thereby making the macropores in the microspheres more dense and enhancing the mass transfer in the particles. Under low pressure, the cross-linked agarose microsphere column can effectively separate model proteins at linear flow rates three times higher than the agarose microsphere column. These results indicate that the developed agarose microspheres are a promising high-speed chromatographic medium.

Our experience of combined treatment of chronic central serous chorioretinopathy using laser exposure of different wavelengths

Central serous chorioretinopathy is a disease that occurs in young people and causes a significant decrease in visual functions. In some cases, the pathological process acquires a chronic course, the treatment of which remains an urgent problem. Unfortunately, the available methods of conservative treatment of this problem do not have proven effectiveness, and laser treatment methods do not always lead to rapid and persistent remission and do not guarantee the absence of relapses of the disease.The aim of this study. To evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment of this pathology using a combined treatment method: a combination of transpupillary thermotherapy of the optic nerve disc with micropulse laser exposure to the retinal neuroepithelial detachment zone in the treatment of patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy.Patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy were divided into two groups: patients who were treated with simultaneous application of laser exposure in micropulse mode (wavelength – 577 nm) with a single session of transpupillary thermotherapy on the optic nerve disc area (wavelength – 810 nm); and patients whose treatment consisted in laser exposure in micropulse mode (wavelength – 577 nm). In patients of the combined laser treatment group, there was an improvement in visual acuity after a month and a half from the start of therapy in 84 % of cases, whereas in patients who received only micropulse laser exposure it happened in 57 % of cases. A noticeable improvement in the linear blood flow rate in the posterior short ciliary arteries according to the ultrasound triplex examination of the eye vessels was also observed in the combined treatment group: the blood flow rate increased by 36 %, in the other group the blood flow rate did not significantly change. Also, in the combination therapy group, only 1 relapse of the disease was detected within 24 months, while in the second group, relapses were observed in 8.7 % of cases. Subjectively, patients from the combined treatment group noted a faster disappearance of complaints of visual discomfort.

Supercritical Fluid Nanospray Mass Spectrometry.

Supercritical fluids are typically electrosprayed using an organic solvent makeup flow to facilitate continuous electrical connection and enhancement of electrospray stability. This results in sample dilution, loss in sensitivity, and potential phase separation. Premixing the supercritical fluid with organic solvent has shown substantial benefits to electrospray efficiency and increased analyte charge state. Presented here is a nanospray mass spectrometry system for supercritical fluids (nSF-MS). This split flow system used small i.d. capillaries, heated interface, inline frit, and submicron emitter tips to electrospray quaternary alkyl amines solvated in supercritical CO2 with a 10% methanol modifier. Analyte signal response was evaluated as a function of total system flow rate (0.5-1.5 mL/min) that is split to nanospray a supercritical fluid with linear flow rates between 0.07 and 0.42 cm/sec and pressure ranges (15-25 MPa). The nSF system showed mass-sensitive detection based on increased signal intensity for increasing capillary i.d. and analyte injection volume. These effects indicate efficient solvent evaporation for the analysis of quaternary amines. Carrier additives generally decreased signal intensity. Comparison of the nSF-MS system to the conventional SF makeup flow ESI showed 10-fold signal intensity enhancement across all the capillary i.d.s. The nSF-MS system likely achieves rapid solvent evaporation of the SF at the emitter point. The developed system combined the benefits of the nanoemitters, sCO2, and the low modifier percentage which gave rise to enhancement in MS detection sensitivity.

ФУНКЦИОНАЛЬНОЕ СОСТОЯНИЕ СИСТЕМЫ МИКРОЦИРКУЛЯТОРНОГО РУСЛА В ТКАНЯХ ПАРОДОНТА У ЛИЦ МОЛОДОГО ВОЗРАСТА ПРИ РАЗЛИЧНЫХ ВИДАХ КУРЕНИЯ

Subject. Tobacco smoking is one of the risk factors of periodontal disease development; therefore, special attention should be paid to this group of patients in periodontal treatment management. Any pathological process in periodontium is directly or indirectly connected with microcirculatory disturbances. Therefore, the correction of these disturbances will promote the normalization of the periodontal morphofunctional status.
 Objectives. To study functional state of the microcirculatory channel system in the periodontal tissues of the young patients with different types of smoking.
 Matodology. Clinical examination of 240 patients was carried out with subsequent division into subgroups depending on the smoking type: smoking cigarettes, electronic cigarettes with liquids, tobacco heating systems and hookah with further division into subgroups depending on the smoking experience: up to 1 year, from 1 to 5 years, more than 5 years. Subsequently indices were determined: simplified index of oral hygiene according to Green–Vermillion (OHI-s, 1964), papillary-marginal-alveolar index (PMA modified by Parma, 1960), bleeding index SBI (Muehlemann modified by Cowell, 1975). For objective assessment of microcirculation in periodontal tissues we used high-frequency ultrasonic Dopplerography device "Minimax-Doppler-K" (LLC "SP-Minimax", St. Petersburg) with subsequent determination of average linear blood flow rate (Vas) and Gosling (PI) and Purcelo (RI) indices. Microcirculatory channel dynamics in periodontal tissues of the studied groups was studied in the state of physiological rest, immediately after smoking, in 15 minutes, in 30 minutes and in 60 minutes. 
 Results. On the basis of the carried out research the distinctive indices of microcirculation in the periodontal tissues before and after different kinds of smoking as well as the functional state of the vascular architectonics were determined. 
 Conclusions. The given research allows to understand at which types of smoking the smallest and the largest changes of microcirculation in periodontal tissues are observed and that also should be taken into account in daily clinical practice when seeing young periodontal patients who smoke.

Removal of brilliant green tannery dye by electrocoagulation

• Bright green dye (BG) removal from tannery wastewater by electrocoagulation (EC). • Continuous up-flow parallel plate EC reactor with 1018 steel plates as electrodes. • Decolorization and COD removal reached values up to 100% and 96%, respectively. • Best conditions were 6 mA cm −2 and 0.69 cm s −1 giving overall cost of 0.193 USD m −3 . • The removal of BG occurs by adsorption on iron oxyhydroxides flocs. This paper deals with the removal of brilliant green (BG) tannery dye from synthetically prepared water (chemical oxygen demand 660 ≤ COD ≤ 2065 mg L −1 , in 6000 mg L −1 C l - at pH 6.0) by electrocoagulation (EC) using a continuous up-flow parallel plate EC reactor. The reactor employed two 1018 steel plates as sacrificial electrodes. The influence of flocculation time (15 ≤ τ f ≤ 35 min) on the dye removal efficiency was examined, using a jar test coupled to the exit of the EC reactor. The effect of hydrodynamics, in terms of mean linear flow rate and Reynolds number (0.69 ≤ u ≤ 3.47 cm s −1 and 72 ≤ Re ≤ 362), and current density, applied to the EC reactor, and the initial BG dye concentration on the elimination of color and COD was systematically analyzed. The range of Reynolds numbers studied in the EC reactor obeys a laminar flow, Re <2100. Laminar flow pattern allows the initial floc growth to occur orderly within the EC reactor. The decolorization and COD removal reached values up to 100% and 86%, respectively, at j = 6 mA cm −2 and u = 0.69 cm s −1 ( Re = 72), giving electrolytic energy consumption and overall operating cost of 0.077 kWh m −3 (0.134 kWh (kg COD) −1 ) and of 0.193 USD m −3 (0.34 USD (kg COD) −1 ), respectively. XRD, XRF-EDS, SEM, FTIR, and OEA analysis of the dried flocs indicated the removal of BG by adsorption on iron oxyhydroxides flocs.