Supramolecular thermoplastics and thermoplastic elastomer materials with self-healing ability based on oligomeric charged triblock copolymers

Supramolecular polymeric materials constitute a unique class of materials held together by non-covalent interactions. These dynamic supramolecular interactions can provide unique properties such as a strong decrease in viscosity upon relatively mild heating, as well as self-healing ability. In this study we demonstrate the unique mechanical properties of phase-separated electrostatic supramolecular materials based on mixing of low molar mass, oligomeric, ABA-triblock copolyacrylates with oppositely charged outer blocks. In case of well-chosen mixtures and block lengths, the charged blocks are phase separated from the uncharged matrix in a hexagonally packed nanomorphology as observed by transmission electron microscopy. Thermal and mechanical analysis of the material shows that the charged sections have a T-g closely beyond room temperature, whereas the material shows an elastic response at temperatures far above this T-g ascribed to the electrostatic supramolecular interactions. A broad set of materials having systematic variations in triblock copolymer structures was used to provide insights in the mechanical properties and and self-healing ability in correlation with the nanomorphology of the materials

G-arylated hydrogen-bonded cyclic tetramer assemblies with remarkable thermodynamic and kinetic stability

The preparation and self-assembly of novel G-C dinucleoside monomers that are equipped with electron-poor aryl groups at the G-N2 amino group have been studied. Such monomers associate via Watson-Crick H-bonding into discrete unstrained tetrameric macrocycles that arise as a thermodynamically and kinetically stabilized product in a wide variety of experimental conditions, including very polar solvent environments and low concentrations. G-arylation produces an increased stability of the cyclic assembly, as a result of a subtle interplay between enthalpic and entropic effects involving the solvent coordination sphereFunding from the European Research Council (ERC-StG 279548) and MINECO (CTQ2011-23659) is gratefully acknowledge

The prevalence of CYP2D6*10 (100C>T, rs1065852) gene polymorphism in Russian patients with epilepsy (North-Western and Siberian Districts)

The gene CYP2D6 is of great interest also due to its highly polymorphic nature and involvement in a high number of medication metabolisms. The presence of polymorphisms in the CYP2D6 gene may modulate enzyme level and activity, thereby affecting individual responses to pharmacological treatment.  The purpose of this study was to investigate of CYP2D6*10 polymorphism prevalence in patients with epilepsy in the North-West and the Siberian region of the Russia. The results of the study showed differences in the prevalence of alleles responsible for “intermediate” metabolites in the North-West and Siberian regions of Russia were identified, it’s may be associated with genetic drift and accumulation of alleles typical for European and Asian populations

Assessment of the health and psychological status of the population in the conditions of the COVID – 19 pandemic

The aim of the study – to assess the health and psychological status of the populationЦель исследования – оценка состояния здоровья и психологического статуса населени

Non-ionising electromagnetic radiation, health effects and protective measures

The aim of the study – to study aspects of public awareness of the dangers of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation, as well as its effects on the human body.Цель исследования – изучение аспектов информированности населения об опасности неионизирующих электромагнитных излучений, а также их влияния на организм человек

Pharmacogenetics of antipsychotic-induced metabolic disturbances: state-of-the-art

Antipsychotics are the main pharmaceutical agents in treatment of schizophrenia and other mental disorders. According to literature data up to 60% of patients with schizophrenia have antipsychotic-induced metabolic disturbances. The main objective of pharmacogenetic studies is search for predictors of the response to therapy and definition of likelihood of development of undesirable phenomena. The main findings in the field of pharmacogenetics of metabolic disturbances were analysed. Recently, significant progress in the field of pharmacogenetic research was made which confirmed results of the previous studies and revealed new candidate genes. Ambiguous results in pharmacogenetic studies may be a reflection of complexity of pathogenesis of antipsychotic-induced weight gain, an influence of a set of epigenetic factors on mechanisms of its development. All this complicates design of the studies directed at identification of the candidate genes participating in realization of metabolic disturbances during intake of neuroleptics. Improvement of pharmacogenetic studies will provide the best understanding of how these genes are associated with antipsychotic-induced metabolic disturbances. Inclusion of pharmacogenetic approach in clinical guidelines is necessary, but now it is complicated that is associated mainly with the insufficient level of validity of the genetic markers studied and their ethnic heterogeneity. Use of pharmacogenetic testing improves rational therapy and contributes to the most efficient and safe therapy

The study of risk factors for osteoporosis with prolonged use of anticonvulsants: intermediate results

The mechanisms of anticonvulsant effects on bone metabolism are not studied sufficiently. This determines the relevance of research on factors that influence the development of osteoporosis in patients taking long-term anticonvulsants. The aim of the study to evaluate the effect of modifiable and non-modifiable osteoporosis risk factors on changes in bone mineral density during long-term therapy with anticonvulsants. Materials and methods. The study included 100 adult patients receiving anticonvulsants for moren12 months and 58 healthy volunteers. All participants underwent a clinical screening with assessment of factors affecting bone metabolism and a densitometric study using quantitative computed tomography at three points (L1, L2 and femoral neck). Results. CT-densitometry results showed decrease bone mineral density in the most part of the participants in both study groups. According to the data of the analysis of the influence of osteoporosis risk factors on bone mineral density values, it was found that the presence of fractures in the anamnesis and low level of motor activity increased the risk of osteoporosis development in patients taking long-term anticonvulsants (p (χ2) < 0.001). Conclusion. The results of the study confirm the importance of continuing research on factors affecting bone metabolism and developing a set of preventive measures to prevent the development of osteoporosis

Assessment of bone mineral density in epileptic patients with long-term antiepileptic therapy: pilot data

Currently, there are numerous anticonvulsants with a favorable pharmacological profile and high safety are available. However, there is still a risk of drug-induced adverse events during long-term administration of antiepileptic therapy. One of the most unfavorable changes in bone tissue associated with anticonvulsant use is osteoporotic disorders, which result in a loss of bone density, making the bones more fragile and prone to fractures. The problem of decreased bone mineral density and frequent fractures in patients with epilepsy is an important and understudied issue that significantly reduces quality of life and involves significant economic costs for the treatment and rehabilitation of epileptic patients. Studying the interaction between osteoporosis and epilepsy is of great importance for the development of effective methods for timely diagnosis, treatment and prevention of bone metabolism disorders. This article presents pilot results of a study to investigate the effect of antiepileptic therapy on mineral metabolism and bone density. The aim of the study: to evaluate bone mineral density in adult patients with epilepsy long-term receiving antiepileptic therapy. Materials and methods. Thirty-eight adult patients with epilepsy taking antiepileptic drugs for a long time were examined. All patients underwent general clinical, neurologic examination and densitometric study by quantitative computed tomography at three points (L1, L2 and femoral neck). Results. Decreased bone mineral density was found in 34.2% of the patients. Of them, 29% had osteopenia and 5.2% - osteoporosis. The change in mineral density was observed at a median duration of antiepileptic therapy of 8 years. ROC analysis showed that bone mineral density decreased statistically significantly with increasing duration of anitconvulsant therapy (SROC 0.929±0.052; 95% CI: 0.827-1.000). Correlation analysis revealed a markedly close association (ρ = -0.626, p < 0.001) between bone mineral density and duration of antiepileptic therapy. Conclusion. The results of the study confirm the effect of antiepileptic therapy on bone mineral density. And show that the probability of developing osteopenia and osteoprosis with longer duration of anticonvulsant therapy is higher than in the general population. The study of the effects of antiepileptic drugs on bone metabolism has important clinical implications for effective strategies for prescribing antiepileptic therapy in epileptic patients and requires further research

Attributable mortality of candidemia – Results from the ECMM Candida III multinational European Observational Cohort Study

\ua9 2024 The Author(s)Introduction: Despite antifungal advancements, candidaemia still has a high mortality rate of up to 40%. The ECMM Candida III study in Europe investigated the changing epidemiology and outcomes of candidaemia for better understanding and management of these infections. Methods: In this observational cohort study, participating hospitals enrolled the first ten consecutive adults with blood culture-proven candidemia. Collected data included patient demographics, risk factors, hospital stay duration (follow-up of 90 days), diagnostic procedures, causative Candida spp., management details, and outcome. Controls were included in a 1:1 fashion from the same hospitals. The matching process ensured similarity in age (10-year range), primary underlying disease, hospitalization in intensive care versus non-ICU ward, and major surgery within 2 weeks before candidemia between cases and controls. Overall and attributable mortality were described, and a survival probability for cases and controls was performed. Results: One hundred seventy-one pairs consisting of patients with candidemia and matched controls from 28 institutions were included. In those with candidemia, overall mortality was 40.4%. Attributable mortality was 18.1% overall but differed between causative Candida species (7.7% for Candida albicans, 23.7% for Candida glabrata/Nakaseomyces glabratus, 7.7% for Candida parapsilosis and 63.6% for Candida tropicalis). Regarding risk factors, the presence of a central venous catheter, total parenteral nutrition and acute or chronic renal disease were significantly more common in cases versus controls. Duration of hospitalization, and especially that of ICU stay, was significantly longer in candidemia cases (20 (IQR 10–33) vs 15 days (IQR 7–28); p = 0.004). Conclusions: Although overall and attributable mortality in this subgroup analysis of matched case/control pairs remains high, the attributable mortality appears to have decreased in comparison to historical cohorts. This decrease may be driven by improved prognosis of Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis candidemia; whereas candidemia due to other Candida spp. exhibits a much higher attributable mortality