Quantitative Ratio Research Articles

Comparative analysis of the differences among Langya flavor Baijiu and strong and soy sauce flavor Baijiu by targeted flavor analysis

Jian flavor Baijiu (JFB) is a unique flavor type of Baijiu with the flavor characteristics of both strong flavor Baijiu (SFB) and soy sauce flavor Baijiu (SSFB). Langya flavor Baijiu (LYFB) is a kind of JFB, and its differences in aroma compared to SFB and SSFB were first systematically investigated using targeted flavor analysis. Seventy important odorants were analyzed in LYFB, SFB, and SSFB. The quantitative ratio relationships of 17 skeleton odorants among the three flavor types of Baijiu were explored. In addition, multivariate statistical analysis was used to investigate the differences in the odorant composition among the three flavor types of Baijiu. Hexanoic acid, ethyl acetate, ethyl hexanoate, ethyl lactate, butanoic acid, 2-methylbutanal and ethyl butanoate were all first identified as important markers in JFB and SFB. Fourteen odorants were all first identified as important markers in JFB and SSFB, such as acetic acid and ethyl hexanoate. This study is of great significance to the technological improvement and quality stability of JFB.

Технология изготовления образцов из полимерных композиционных материалов

The article considers the materials, composition and methods of manufacturing samples from polymer composite materials (PCM). There is presented the method of testing samples of PCM for mechanical properties. For testing, plates were made from which samples from PCM were cut, based on glass roving, glass wool and polyester resin with the addition of a hardener. Using mechanical tests, the influence of the quantitative ratio of layers of glass wool and roving fiberglass has been determined when testing samples for three-point bending, stretching and compression. A scheme of structural reinforcement of PCM plates is given, graphs of the average values of breaking loads and ultimate strengths when testing samples for three-point bending, dependences of average values of breaking loads and ultimate strengths when testing samples for tension and compression are illustrated. Comparative analysis of the average values of the tensile strength of the samples during the compression test has been carried out. As a result of processing the data obtained during the study, it was found that with an increased number of layers of roving glass in the PCM composition increases the destructive load and tensile strength, compression, but the values of the applied load of PCM samples decrease during three-point bending tests. The experimental data obtained from the test results of PCM samples are the main indicators of the mechanical properties of PCM with various reinforcement schemes for their use in ship hull structures, in particular as a material for ship tanks.

Quantitative flow ratio-based outcomes in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation quaestio study.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is common in patients with aortic valve stenosis (AS) ranging from 60% to 80%. The clinical and prognostic role of coronary artery lesions in patients undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) remains unclear. The aim of the present observational study was to estimate long-term clinical outcomes by Quantitative Flow Ratio (QFR) characterization of CAD in a well-represented cohort of patients affected by severe AS treated by TAVI. A total of 439 invasive coronary angiographies of patients deemed eligible for TAVI by local Heart Teams with symptomatic severe AS were retrospectively screened for QFR analysis. The primary endpoint of the study was all-cause mortality. The secondary endpoint was a composite of cardiovascular mortality, stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA), acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and any hospitalization after TAVI. After exclusion of patients with no follow-up data, coronary angiography not feasible for QFR analysis and previous surgical myocardial revascularization (CABG) 48/239 (20.1%) patients had a QFR value lower or equal to 0.80 (QFR + value), while the remaining 191/239 (79.9%) did not present any vessel with a QFR positive value. In the adjusted Cox regression analysis, patients with positive QFR were independently associated with an increased risk of all-casual mortality (Model 1, HR 3.47, 95% CI, 2.35-5.12; Model 2, HR 5.01, 95% CI, 3.17-7.90). In the adjusted covariate analysis, QFR+ involving LAD (37/48, 77,1%) was associated with the higher risk of the composite outcome compared to patients without any positive value of QFR or non-LAD QFR positive value (11/48, 22.9%). Pre-TAVI QFR analysis can be used for a safe, simple, wireless functional assessment of CAD. QFR permits to identify patients at high risk of cardiovascular mortality or MACE, and it could be considered by local Heart Teams.

Relationships Between Inflammatory Parameters Derived From Complete Blood Count and Quantitative Flow Ratio in Patients With Stable Coronary Artery Disease.

To investigate the relationships between inflammatory parameters, including neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), and quantitative flow ratio (QFR) in stable coronary artery disease (CAD) patients (n = 450) enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate the associations of NLR, PLR, MLR, and SII evaluated as continuous and binary variables with QFR ≤0.80. When treated as continuous variables, lnNLR was associated with QFR ≤0.80 with borderline significance in univariable (odds ratio (OR) = 1.60, p = .05) and multivariable analysis (OR = 1.72, p = .05), while lnMLR was associated with QFR ≤0.80 significantly in univariable analysis (OR = 1.87, p = .03) and with borderline significance in multivariable analysis (OR = 1.91, p = .05). When treated as binary variables, high levels of MLR and SII were significantly associated with QFR ≤0.80 in univariable (MLR: OR = 1.91, p = .02; SII: OR = 2.42, p = .006) and multivariable analysis (MLR: OR = 1.83, p = .04; SII: OR = 2.19, p = .02). NLR, MLR, and SII, but not PLR, were significantly associated with the severity of coronary physiology in stable CAD patients.

Impact of Radial Wall Strain on Serial Changes in Vascular Physiology in Patients with Intermediate Coronary Stenosis.

Coronary biomechanical stress contributes to the plaque rupture and subsequent events. This study aimed to investigate the impact of plaque biomechanical stability on the physiological progression of intermediate lesions, as assessed by the radial wall strain (RWS) derived from coronary angiography. Patients with at least one medically treated intermediate lesion at baseline who underwent follow-up coronary angiography over 6 months were included. The maximal RWS ( ) of the interrogated lesion was calculated from the baseline angiogram. The primary endpoint was to determine the association between baseline and the functional progression of coronary lesions, defined as an increase in the lesion-specific quantitative flow ratio (L- QFR, calculated as the absolute change in QFR across the lesion) on serial angiograms. Among 175 lesions in 156 patients, 63 lesions showed an increase in L- QFR during a median follow-up period of 12.4 months. Baseline values were significantly higher in lesions with increased L- QFR than in those with stabilized or decreased L- QFR (11.8 [10.7, 13.7] vs.10.8 [9.7, 11.7]; p 0.001). Baseline presented an area under the curve of 0.658 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.572-0.743, p 0.001) for the prediction of increased L- QFR. After full adjustment for clinical and angiographic factors, a high ( 12) was found to be an independent predictor of functional lesion progression (odds ratio: 2.871, 95% CI: 1.343-6.138, p = 0.007). A high calculated from baseline angiograms was independently associated with the subsequent physiological progression in patients with intermediate coronary lesions.

Effects of remote ischemic preconditioning on coronary blood flow and microcirculation

This study aimed to determine the effect of short-term remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) on coronary blood flow and microcirculation function using the quantitative flow ratio (QFR) and index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR). We randomly divided 129 patients undergoing coronary angiography (CAG) into RIPC and control groups. Following the first CAG, we randomly divided the patients further into the unilateral upper limb and lower limb groups for four cycles of ischemia/reperfusion circulation; subsequently, we performed the second CAG. During each CAG, contrast-flow QFR (cQFR), fixed-flow QFR (fQFR), and IMR (in patients with cardiac syndrome X) were calculated and compared. We measured 253 coronary arteries in 129 patients. Compared to the control group, the average cQFR of the RIPC group increased significantly after RIPC. Additionally, 23 patients with cardiac syndrome X (IMR > 30) were included in this study. Compared to the control group, IMR and the difference between cQFR and fQFR (cQFR-fQFR) both decreased significantly after receiving RIPC. The application of RIPC can increase coronary blood flow and improve coronary microcirculation function.

ОПРЕДЕЛЕНИЕ КОЭФФИЦИЕНТА ЗАГРУЗКИ МАТЕРИАЛА В КАМЕРЕ ПОМОЛА ШАРОВОЙ БАРАБАННОЙ МЕЛЬНИЦЫ

The predominant application of ball drum mills in industrial enterprises for the comminution process of various materials, which is one of the most energy-intensive basic technological processes, is demonstrated in this scientific article. As one of the parameters that can enhance the efficiency of the comminution process, the rational quantitative ratio of grinding bodies to the material being ground is noted. To calculate the material loading coefficient in the grinding chamber, the feasibility of developing a mathematical description is shown. This allows to determine the change in the area of gaps between grinding bodies in a cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mill's body, as the rotational frequency changes. A mathematical description is obtained to determine the area of the ball-material load in the cross-sectional plane of the grinding chamber during the static state of the mill's body and at different rotational frequencies. Using this mathematical description, research on the change in the area occupied by the ball-material load in the transverse section of the grinding chamber during the transition of the mill's body from the static state to the operating state is conducted. Regularities of its changes for an industrial-sized mill are determined. At different values of the filling coefficient of grinding bodies, it is established that the transition of the mill's body from static to operating state leads to an increase in the area of the transverse section of the ball-material load by an amount close to 17 %. An expression is proposed to determine the material loading coefficient in the grinding chamber corresponding to its operating rotational frequency.

The diagnostic performance of quantitative flow ratio and perfusion imaging in patients with prior coronary artery disease.

In chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) patients with documented coronary artery disease (CAD), ischaemia detection by myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) and an invasive approach are viable diagnostic strategies. We compared the diagnostic performance of quantitative flow ratio (QFR) with single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), positron emission tomography (PET), and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) in patients with prior CAD [previous percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and/or myocardial infarction (MI)]. This PACIFIC-2 sub-study evaluated 189 CCS patients with prior CAD for inclusion. Patients underwent SPECT, PET, and CMR followed by invasive coronary angiography with fractional flow reserve (FFR) measurements of all major coronary arteries (N = 567), except for vessels with a sub-total or chronic total occlusion. Quantitative flow ratio computation was attempted in 488 (86%) vessels with measured FFR available (FFR ≤0.80 defined haemodynamically significant CAD). Quantitative flow ratio analysis was successful in 334 (68%) vessels among 166 patients and demonstrated a higher accuracy (84%) and sensitivity (72%) compared with SPECT (66%, P < 0.001 and 46%, P = 0.001), PET (65%, P < 0.001 and 58%, P = 0.032), and CMR (72%, P < 0.001 and 33%, P < 0.001). The specificity of QFR (87%) was similar to that of CMR (83%, P = 0.123) but higher than that of SPECT (71%, P < 0.001) and PET (67%, P < 0.001). Lastly, QFR exhibited a higher area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (0.89) than SPECT (0.57, P < 0.001), PET (0.66, P < 0.001), and CMR (0.60, P < 0.001). QFR correlated better with FFR in patients with prior CAD than MPI, as reflected in the higher diagnostic performance measures for detecting FFR-defined, vessel-specific, significant CAD.

Low myelin-related values in the fornix and thalamus of 7 Tesla MRI of major depressive disorder patients.

Abnormalities in myelin are believed to be one of the important causes of major depressive disorder, and it is becoming important to more accurately quantify myelin in in vivo magnetic resonance imaging of major depressive disorder patients. We aimed to investigate the difference in myelin concentration in the white matter and subcortical areas using new quantitative myelin-related maps of high-resolution 7 Tesla (7 T) magnetic resonance imaging between patients with major depressive disorder and healthy controls. Myelin-related comparisons of the white matter and nearby subcortical regions were conducted between healthy controls (n = 36) and patients with major depressive disorder (n = 34). Smoothed quantitative ratio (sq-Ratio) myelin-related maps were created using the multi-echo magnetization-prepared two rapid gradient echoes (ME-MP2RAGE) sequence of the T1 and T2* images of 7 T magnetic resonance imaging. Differences in the myelin-related values of the regions of interest between the two groups were analyzed using a two-sample t-test, and multiple comparison corrections were performed using the false discovery rate. The average sq-Ratio myelin-related values were 2.62% higher in the white matter and 2.26% higher in the subcortical regions of the healthy controls group than in the major depressive disorder group. In the group analysis of the healthy control and major depressive disorder groups, the sq-Ratio myelin-related values were significantly different in the fornix area of the white matter (false discovery rate-corrected p = 0.012). In addition, significant differences were observed in both the left (false discovery rate-corrected p = 0.04) and right thalamus (false discovery rate-corrected p = 0.040) among the subcortical regions. The average sq-ratio myelin-related value and sq-ratio myelin-related values in the fornix of the white matter and both thalami were higher in the healthy controls group than in the major depressive disorder group. We look forward to replicating our findings in other populations using larger sample sizes.

Prognostic value of quantitative flow ratio in patients with coronary heart disease after percutaneous coronary intervention therapy: a meta-analysis.

Coronary atherosclerotic heart disease is one of the most serious health and life-threatening diseases. There is no doubt that despite the increasing number of assessment methods used clinically, the prognosis assessment is still not ideal, and newer assessment methods are needed. To investigate the predictive value of quantitative flow ratio (QFR) for adverse events (vessel-oriented composite endpoint events/target lesion failure) in patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Eight studies involving 4,173 patients (5,688 vascular lesions) were included. These are studies on the relationship between QFR values and prognosis of adverse cardiac events after PCI. This meta-analysis was performed after quality assessment and data extraction of clinical trials data that met the inclusion criteria. Each of the eight studies described the cut-off values for the best predictive ability of post-PCI QFR and the hazard ratio (HR) between QFR values and adverse events, respectively. The pooled HR of these studies was 4.72 (95% CI: 3.29-6.75). Concurrently, lower post-PCI QFR values were associated with the occurrence of individual clinical events (cardiac death/myocardial infarction/target vessel revascularization), with relative risk values of 6.51 (95% CI: 4.96-8.53), 4.83 (95% CI: 3.08-7.57), and 4.21 (95% CI: 2.66-6.68), respectively. QFR may have great potential in the assessment of prognosis. It is necessary to measure QFR value after PCI. A lower QFR value after PCI was an important predictor for experiencing adverse events.

Predictors of long-term adverse outcomes after successful chronic total occlusion intervention: physiology or morphology?

Quantitative flow ratio (QFR) and target-vessel SYNTAX score (tvSS) are novel indices used to assess lesion physiology and morphology in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Their prognostic implication after successful recanalization of coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO) is unknown. To investigate the prognostic value of QFR measured immediately after successful CTO-recanalization in predicting vessel-oriented adverse events, and to compare it with the pre-procedural morphological tvSS. QFR was measured offline after successful CTO-PCIs in a single center. We grouped the patients according to a cut-off value of post-PCI QFR (0.91). The primary outcome was target-vessel failure (TVF) at 2years. Among 470 CTO lesions performed during the study period, 324 were eligible for QFR analysis (258 with QFR ≥ 0.91 and 66 with QFR < 0.91). The mean age of the study population was 68.3 ± 10.7years. The low QFR group had a lower left ventricular ejection fraction (45.8 ± 13.9% vs. 49.8 ± 12.4%, p = 0.025) and a higher rate of atrial fibrillation (19.7% vs. 11.2%, p = 0.020). The mean tvSS was 12.8 ± 4.8, and it showed no significant difference in both groups (13.6 ± 5.1 vs. 12.6 ± 4.6, p = 0.122). Patients with low post-CTO QFR had a trend to develop more TVF at 2years (21.2% vs. 12.4%, HR 1.74; 95% CI 0.93-3.25, p = 0.086). Low post-CTO QFR failed to predict 2-year TVF (aHR 1.67; 95% CI 0.85-3.29, p = 0.136), while pre-procedural tvSS was an independent predictor for 2-year TVF (aHR 1.06; 95% CI 1.01-1.13, p = 0.030). We found a limited prognostic value of immediate physiological assessment using QFR after successful CTO intervention. Pre-procedure morphological characteristics of CTO lesions using tvSS can play a role in predicting long-term adverse events.

Post-procedural and long-term functional outcomes of jailed side branches in stented coronary bifurcation lesions assessed with side branch Murray law-based quantitative flow ratio.

In coronary bifurcation lesions treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using a 1-stent strategy, the occurrence of side branch (SB) compromise may lead to long-term myocardial ischemia in the SB territory. Murray law-based quantitative flow ratio (μQFR) is a novel angiography-based approach estimating fractional flow reserve from a single angiographic view, and thus is more feasible to assess SB compromise in routine practice. However, its association with long-term SB coronary blood flow remains unknown. A total of 146 patients with 313 non-left main bifurcation lesions receiving 1-stent strategy with drug-eluting stents was included in this retrospective study. These lesions had post-procedural Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow grade 3 in SBs, and documented angiographic images of index procedure and 6- to 24-month angiographic follow-up. Post-procedural SB μQFR was calculated. Long-term SB coronary blood flow was quantified with the TIMI grading system using angiograms acquired at angiographic follow-up. At follow-up, 8 (2.6%), 16 (5.1%), 61 (19.5%), and 228 (72.8%) SBs had a TIMI flow grade of 0, 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The incidences of long-term SB TIMI flow grade ≤1 and ≤2 both tended to decrease across the tertiles of post-procedural SB μQFR. The receiver operating characteristic curve analyses indicated the post-procedural SB μQFR ≤0.77 was the optimal cut-off value to identify long-term SB TIMI flow grade ≤1 (specificity, 37.50%; sensitivity, 87.20%; area under the curve, 0.6673; P = 0.0064), and it was independently associated with 2.57-fold increased risk (adjusted OR, 2.57; 95% CI, 1.02-7.25; P = 0.045) in long-term SB TIMI flow grade ≤1 after adjustment. Post-procedural SB μQFR was independently associated with increased risk in impaired SB TIMI flow at long-term follow-up. Further investigations should focus on whether PCI optimization based on μQFR may contribute to improve SB flow in the long term.

Features of the Phase Formation of Cr/Mn/Fe/Co/Ni/Cu Codoped Bismuth Niobate Pyrochlore

The phase formation process of Bi2Cr1/6Mn1/6Fe1/6Co1/6Ni1/6Cu1/6Nb2O9+Δ containing 3d-ions of transition elements in equimolar quantities was studied in a wide temperature range (400–1050 °C). The complex oxide crystallizes in the structural type of pyrochlore (sp. gr. Fd-3m:2, a = 10.4937(2) Å). The investigation of the multi-element pyrochlore phase formation process showed that the synthesis goes through a series of successive stages, during which the transition from Bi-rich to Bi-depleted compounds takes place. The predecessor of the pyrochlore phase is bismuth orthorhombic modification orthoniobate (α-BiNbO4) with an equimolar ratio of Bi(III)/Nb(V) ions. The pyrochlore phase is formed as a result of bismuth orthoniobate doping with transition element ions. The complex oxides Bi14CrO24, Bi25FeO40, BiNbO4, and Bi5Nb3O15 appeared as intermediate phases during the synthesis. The interaction between the initial oxide precursors is fixed at temperatures above 500 °C. The phase transition of α-Bi2O3 into β-Bi2O3 near 500 °C is observed. Varying the heat treatment duration at each synthesis step did not qualitatively change the phase composition of the sample but had an effect on the quantitative phase ratio. Phase-pure pyrochlore of the given composition by solid-phase synthesis method can be obtained at a temperature no lower than 1050 °C. Ceramics are characterized by low-porous dense microstructure with blurred outlines of grain boundaries.

Quantitative flow ratio as a continuous predictor of myocardial infarction.

The quantitative flow ratio (QFR) identifies functionally ischaemic lesions that may benefit more from percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) than from medical therapy. This study investigated the association between QFR and myocardial infarction (MI) as affected by PCI versus medical therapy. All vessels requiring measurement (reference diameter ≥2.5 mm and existence of at least one stenotic lesion with diameter stenosis of 50-90%) in the FAVOR III China (5,564 vessels) and PANDA-III trials (4,471 vessels) were screened and analysed for offline QFR. The present study reported clinical outcomes on a per-vessel level. Interaction between vessel treatment and QFR as a continuous variable was evaluated for the threshold of 2-year MI estimated by Cox proportional hazards model. Compared with medical therapy at 2 years, PCI reduced the MI risk in vessels with a QFR ≤0.80 (3.0% vs 4.6%) but increased the MI risk in vessels with a QFR>0.80 (3.6% vs 1.2%). Additionally, continuous QFR showed an inverse association with spontaneous MI (hazard ratio [HR] 0.89, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.79-0.99; p=0.04) that was reduced by PCI compared to medical therapy (HR 0.26, 95% CI: 0.17-0.40; p<0.0001). The interaction indicated a net benefit for PCI over medical therapy to reduce total MI beginning at QFR ≤0.64. The present study demonstrated a continuous, inverse relationship between the QFR value of a vessel and its subsequent risk for MI, and PCI, compared to medical therapy, reduced this risk beginning at a QFR value of 0.64. These novel findings provide physicians with an angiographic tool for optimising vessel selection for PCI.

Mars mud volcanoes in color: A new approach to the study of subsurface sediment mobilization

Mud volcanism has been proposed to explain the formation of morphologically diverse edifices across the surface of Mars. Previous global compositional analysis of surface features on Mars, such as pitted cones and knobs, interpreted as mud volcanoes using Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars (CRISM) targeted data revealed consistent water hydration signatures associated with these landforms (Dapremont and Wray, 2021b). However, no definitive identifications of specific minerals known to comprise mud volcanism materials on Earth (e.g., phyllosilicates, carbonates, sulfates) were identified. Here, we take advantage of an alternative methodology involving a quantitative color band ratio technique using blue-green (BG), red (RED), and infrared (IR) reflectance data sourced from the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera to determine if any additional mineralogical information about proposed Martian mud volcanoes could be acquired. Across Mars in the three distinct study regions of Valles Marineris, Terra Sirenum, and Arabia Terra, proposed mud materials consistently plot with ferric laboratory and Mars surface reference minerals. In Terra Sirenum, HiRISE color data point clusters acquired from mounds attributed to mud volcanism plot overtop the Fe-smectite reference mineral nontronite. We show that HiRISE color data can be used as a complementary mineralogical investigation tool applied to the study of surface materials on Mars and demonstrate the value of HiRISE color ratios for comparative planetology.

Pre- and Post-Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Quantitative Flow Ratio: An Analysis and Tentative Prediction of 2-Year Vessel-Oriented Composite Events in the MULTIVESSEL TALENT Trial

Pre- and Post-Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Quantitative Flow Ratio: An Analysis and Tentative Prediction of 2-Year Vessel-Oriented Composite Events in the MULTIVESSEL TALENT Trial

Prediction of residual ischemia after coronary stenting by quantitative flow ratio modulated by optical coherence tomography: Where we are now and our future perspectives.

Key Points The present article revealed the utility of simulated residual OCT‐μQFR, which was computed from pre‐PCI angiography and OCT, by assuming full stent expansion to the intended‐to‐treat segment. More accurate and specific PCI planning, including the decision on treatment segment and the size and length of devices, is possible using simulated residual OCT‐μQFR. Future studies should be considered to determine whether the further plaque composition AI analysis application will support comprehensive residual risk assessment by OCT‐guided PCI.

Quantitative ratio of mRNA expression of IGF/INS system receptors in multiple myeloma

Background. Individuals with increased expression of components of the IGF/INS system, are more likely to develop various malignancies. And in the case when the components of the IGF/INS system are overexpressed in tumors, this adversely affects the prognosis of the disease, including leading to a decrease in relapse-free survival. A characteristic feature of the IGF/INS system is the ability of the same ligands to bind to different receptors and vice versa (cross interactions) and activate different signaling pathways in the cell. This feature of the system requires an integrated approach to the study of the expression of its components, namely, the study of the quantitative ratio of the expression of individual components. The result obtained will make it possible to determine possible combinations of ligand-receptor bonds and, ultimately, will have both prognostic and evaluative value: in terms of a therapeutic target.Aim. To establish the quantitative ratio of mRNA expression of the IGF/INS system receptors: IR-A, IR-B, IGF-1R, and IGF-2R in the IM9 lymphoblastoid cell line and in three myeloma cell lines: RPMI1640, RPMI8226, H929, and to identify frequency of expression of these receptors in the mononuclear fraction of bone marrow aspirates obtained from treated patients with multiple myeloma.Materials and methods. We used human lymphoblastoid cells and 3 types of human myeloma cells, differing in the degree of differentiation and, as well as bone marrow aspirates obtained from 19 treated patients with stage III multiple myeloma. Expression of mRNA in cells was studied by quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and in bone marrow aspirate samples by semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.Results. During the study, we found that within each cell line, the receptor IR-A is predominant compared to the receptor IR-B. Patients with MM have a high frequency of IR-A expression compared to IR-B. The minimum ratio of IGF-1R:IR-A and IGF-1R:IR-B mRNA is in IM9 lymphoblastoid cells, and for myeloma cells these ratios are high. The ratio of IGF-2R:IR-A is maximum for IM9 lymphoblastoid cells, and for myeloma cells this ratio is three or more times less.Conclusion. Based on the study of the quantitative ratio of receptor mRNA, we state that in myeloma cells there is a high probability of the presence of IGF-1R/IGF-1R and IR-A/IR-A homodimers, and an IGF-1R/IR-A heterodimer. These data have both prognostic and evaluative value, since these combinations of receptors suggest a significant increase in the mitogenic effect due to activation by three ligands: IGF-1, IGF-2 and INS, which is an unfavorable factor, especially when a patient with multiple myeloma with concomitant Diabetes mellitus was prescribed insulin therapy along with chemotherapy. Based on our findings, we recommend simultaneously inhibiting both the IGF-1R receptor and the IR-A receptor as a therapeutic target.

Inventory methodology of periglacial lakes in Spitzbergen (Svalbard)

The paper discusses periglacial lakes, which were formed after the Little Ice Age due to the reduction of Spitzbergen (Svalbard) glaciation. A method for inventorying the periglacial lakes in Spitzbergen (Svalbard) is proposed based on the Norwegian Polar Institute cartographic materials and remote sensing methods. Such lakes have been formed due to deglaciation in Svalbard since the beginning of the 20th century after the Little Ice Age. Three morphological features of the periglacial lake were used as selection criteria: the lake is in contact with the glacier, the lake is located within the terminal moraine or borders on it, each of which is sufficient.As a result of the inventory, 705 periglacial lakes have been found in Spitzbergen (Svalbard). The largest number of lakes is located in the northeastern part of the archipelago, where the relief is poorly dissected. The largest clusters of lakes are found on the moraines of mountain-valley glaciers located on the warmer western coasts. The periglacial lakes were divided into 5 types: glacier-dammed lakes (19 %), lakes in contact with the glacier front (30 %), thermokarst lakes on the moraine (27 %), moraine-dammed lakes (15 %) and lakes in contact with the terminal moraine (9 %). The most numerous were periglacial lakes adjoining the glacier (about 50 %). Their total area is 162 km2 and accounts for 87 % of the total area of all periglacial lakes. The other half of the lakes have formed shores, and their transformation is likely to be much slower in the future. The quantitative ratio of lake types testifies to the active phase of the process of lake expansion in the archipelago. This ratio of lakes by groups can be a clear indicator of climate change in the archipelago.

Long-term prognostic value of quantitative-flow-ratio-concordant revascularization in stable coronary artery disease

ObjectivesConfirming the prognostic value of global QFR and evaluating the long-term prognosis of QFR-concordant therapy in stable coronary artery disease. BackgroundWire-based functional evaluation of coronary disease is linked to patient's prognosis. Quantitative Flow Ratio (QFR) is a newer index of computational physiology, linked to clinical outcomes and prognosis at 1 year follow-up. Long-term prognosis of QFR-concordant revascularization in stable coronary artery disease is however unknown hitherto. MethodsConsecutive patients with stable coronary disease undergoing coronary angiography were included. Centralized and blinded QFR analysis of three coronary territories was performed. Three vessel QFR (3vQFR) was defined as the sum of the basal QFR of each coronary territory. QFR-concordant revascularization was met if all significant lesions (QFR ≤ 0.80) were revascularized and all non-significant lesions (QFR > 0.80) were not; otherwise, the case was defined as QFR-discordant revascularization. Patient-oriented composite end-point (POCE) of cardiac death, myocardial infarction and unscheduled revascularization was the primary endpoint. ResultsA total of 803 patients from six high-volume centers were included. Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) class II angina was the most frequent (48.9%) clinical presentation. Median of follow-up was 68.8 months. 3vQFR was an independent predictor of POCE (HR 1.79 CI95% 1.01–3.18), with 2.75 as optimal cut-off value, irrespective of the therapy received. QFR-discordant revascularization (QFR+/Revascularization- or QFR-/Revascularization+) was an independent predictor of POCE in multivariate analysis (HR 1.65, CI 95% 1.03–2.64). ConclusionGlobal burden of epicardial coronary atherosclerosis, as evaluated by 3vQFR, as well as QFR-discordant therapy are independent predictors of adverse clinical outcome at long-term follow-up in stable coronary artery disease.