Diffusive Formation of Au/Ag Alloy Nanoparticles of Governed Composition in Glass.

For the first time we show that the introduction of silver ions in the glass containing gold nanoparticles (NPs) and additional heat treatment of the glass in the air lead to the formation of Au/Ag alloy NPs. The proposed approach makes it possible to position localized surface plasmon resonance of the NPs by selecting the heat treatment temperature, which determines the silver proportion in the alloy NPs. This allows for expanding customizability of NPs for applications in surface-enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy, catalysis and biochemistry.

Raman Scattering Study of Amino Acids Adsorbed on a Silver Nanoisland Film.

We studied the surface-enhanced Raman spectra of amino acids -alanine and -serine and their mixture on silver nanoisland films (SNF) immersed in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution at millimolar amino acid concentrations. It is shown that the spectra from the amino acid solutions differ from the reference spectra for microcrystallites due to the electrostatic orientation of amino acid zwitterions by the metal nanoisland film. Moreover, non-additive peaks are observed in the spectrum of the mixture of amino acids adsorbed on SNF, which means that intermolecular interactions between adsorbed amino acids are very significant.

Power Spectral Density Analysis for Optimizing SERS Structures.

The problem of optimizing the topography of metal structures allowing Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) sensing is considered. We developed a model, which randomly distributes hemispheroidal particles over a given area of the glass substrate and estimates SERS capabilities of the obtained structures. We applied Power Spectral Density (PSD) analysis to modeled structures and to atomic force microscope images widely used in SERS metal island films and metal dendrites.

Visualization of Spatial Charge in Thermally Poled Glasses via Nanoparticles Formation.

It is shown for the first time that the vacuum poling of soda-lime silicate glass and the subsequent processing of the glass in a melt containing silver ions results in the formation of silver nanoparticles buried in the subanodic region of the glass at a depth of 800-1700 nm. We associate the formation of nanoparticles with the transfer of electrons from negatively charged non-bridging oxygen atoms to silver ions, their reduction as well as their clustering. The nanoparticles do not form in the ion-depleted area just beneath the glass surface, which indicates the absence of a spatial charge (negatively charged oxygen atoms) in this region of the vacuum-poled glass.

Stable in Biocompatible Buffers Silver Nanoisland Films for SERS.

We investigated the stability of silver nanoisland films, which were formed on glass surface by the method of out-diffusion, in biocompatible buffers and the applicability of the films in surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). We have shown that silver nanoisland films are stable in one of the most widespread in biological studies buffer-phosphate buffer saline (PBS), and in 1:100 water-diluted PBS, in the PBS-based buffer, in which NaCl is replaced by the same amount of NaClO, and in acidic phosphate buffer. At the same time, the replacement of NaCl in PBS by N(CH)Cl leads to the degradation of the nanoislands.

[The psychological characteristics of food behavior of the youth in conditions of self-isolation].

The article presents the results of psychological study of characteristics of food behavior in young people in the conditions of forced self-isolation and COVID-19 coronavirus infection pandemic. The common research methods were applied to establish actual food disorders and intensification of their symptoms during isolation. The food behavior of each individual can be considered as network of interactions between various natural factors (physiological, psychological, economic, sociocultural ones).

Controlled metallization of ion-exchanged glasses by thermal poling.

We present studies of the formation of silver nanoparticles (NPs) in silver-sodium ion-exchanged glasses by a combination of thermal poling and nanosecond pulsed laser irradiation at 355 nm. In poling, silver ions drift deeper into the glass and become separated from the glass surface by a poled layer depleted in cations. Performed measurements have indicated poling-induced broadening of silver ions depth distribution.

SERS-Active Pattern in Silver-Ion-Exchanged Glass Drawn by Infrared Nanosecond Laser.

The irradiation of silver-to-sodium ion-exchanged glass with 1.06-μm nanosecond laser pulses of mJ-range energy results in the formation of silver nanoparticles under the glass surface. Following chemical removal of ~25-nm glass layer reveals a pattern of nanoparticles capable of surface enhancement of Raman scattering (SERS).

Multicomponent nutritional supplement Oncoxin and its influence on quality of life and therapy toxicity in patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy.

Treatment of cancer often requires the use of adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT). In real clinical practice, numerous patients suffer from severe toxicity and reduced quality of life (QoL). Hence, there is a need to maintain QoL and to reduce therapy toxicity to comply with recommended chemotherapy (CT) regimens.

[Nitricoxideergic neurons of the human bulbar vasomotor center in arterial hypertension].

The distribution of nitricoxideergic neurons and activity of neuronal NO-synthase (nNOS) was studied in some nuclei of the medulla oblongata in patients with the lifetime diagnosis of arterial hypertension, stages I-III (AG I-III). In AG I, the significant decrease of nNOS activity was observed in most nuclei, although the relative content of NO-neurons was not changed. The marked changes of these parameters were noted in the nucleus of solitary tract compared to those of the reticular formation.

Nitroxidergic neurons in nuclei of the medulla oblongata in hypertensive and normotensive rats.

Distribution of nitroxidergic neurons and neuronal NO-synthase activity in certain medulla oblongata nuclei were studied in normotensive and hypertensive rats with different types of arterial hypertension. In rats with renovascular hypertension, neuronal NO-synthase activity markedly decreased in most nuclei 2 weeks after surgery, while the number of NO-positive cells did not change significantly; after 4 weeks, the percentage of NO-positive neuron markedly decreased and neuronal NO-synthase activity also slightly decreased. No further decrease in neuronal NO-synthase activity was observed 8 week after intervention, but the percentage of NO-neurons decreased compared to that in normotensive rats.

[Efferent innervation of the arteries of human leptomeninx in arterial hypertension].

Structure of the efferent nerve plexuses (adrenergic, acetylcholinestherase- and cholinacetyltranspherase-positive, NO-dependent), was studied in the arteries of human leptomeninx with different diameters. Material was obtained from the corpses of the healthy people and of the patients with initial stages of arterial hypertension (AH). It was shown that the concentrations of cholinergic and adrenergic nerve fibers and varicosities in axon terminal part, innervating the arteries with the diameters ranging from 450 till 100 microm, were not significantly different.

[Vasomotor innervation of the human pia mater in arterial hypertension].

Materials of forensic-medical autopsies of men, aged 18-44 year, who died from trauma, have been studied. Arteries of the pia mater have been taken from 26 men with arterial hypertension (AH), stages I-III, and 12 men without AH. Histochemical methods have been used to study the structure of nerve plexus of medial brain artery branches of different diameters.

[Nitroxidergic neurons in some nuclei of medulla oblongata in human and rat].

Seven nuclei of medulla oblongata bearing a relation to human and rat bulbar vasomotor center and in which four types of neurons were distinguished by intensity of reaction to NADPH-diaphorase were analyzed. The analysis has shown that majority of human and rat nuclei have similar pattern on nitroxid-positive neuron distribution: neurons with high NO-synthase activity predominate in vasomotor nuclei, and neurons with low one predominate in sensitive nuclei.

[Organic features of mast cells cytochemistry in rats].

The mast cells from small intestine mesentery, brain membrane, skin, uterus, wide uterical ligament, ovaries and peritoneal fluid were studied in rats by hystochemical and immunocytochemical technique. Constitutional and inducible NO-synthase, Ca2+-ATPase, cytochromoxidase, and biogenic amines (histamine, dopamine, serotonin) were revealed in mast xells, localized in different tissues. A great number of mast cells with positive cytochromoxidase reaction was presented in skin, intestine mesentery and peritoneal fluid, while the amount of must cells containing biogenic amines was found to be greater in the organs with a significant deal of Ca2+-ATPase and NO-synthase-active cells.

[Ultrastructure of the intima of human pial arteries in arterial hypertension].

Ultrastructure of the intima of human pial arteries obtained from 5 male cadavers of practically healthy individuals and from 8 cadavers of the patients with the intravitally diagnosed grade I arterial hypertension (AH) was studied by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. AH was found to be associated with the remodeling of the intimal structural elements in the pial arteries. In most arteries, the changes were detected in the microrelief of the luminal surface and in the permeability of the vascular endothelial lining and of the subendothelial layer.

[Microbial cenoses of the nasopharynx].

The review is devoted to nasopharyngeal microflora, its significance for macroorganisms, and to relations between main representatives of nasopharyngeal microbial associations.

[The phenotypic heterogeneity of meningococcal strains by their serogroup trait].

It is shown that heterogeneity of meningococci of the outlined serogroups is formed due to appearance of nonagglutinable individuals in subpopulations but heterogeneity of polyagglutinable strains is characterized by incorporation not only of cross-reacting cells, but also microcommunities of each separate group which make a total feature. Serologically inactive strains either may be homogeneous or may form variants with low (to 20%) and high (to 44%) specific weight of agglutinable colonies. Strains in the centres embrace different concentrations of microcommunities which are identical by their serogroup properties to subpopulations of the meningitis pathogen.

[The types of interaction of the microflora of the human oropharynx with the causative agent of meningococcal infection].

It is shown that interrelationships between meningococci and positive symbionts can manifest themselves more often in the type of mutual or one-side regulatory reduction of intensity of the associates' growth and career they are displayed in stimulation of the development of pathogenic Neisseria populations. Representatives of three streptococci species (Streptococcus pyogenes, S. faecium and S.

[The rapid differential diagnosis of bacterial and viral meningitis by using the lysozyme test].

The authors have modified the technique of the lysozyme test by adding polimixin M sulfate into the gel bacterial medium. Rapid diagnosis with the use of this test is based on different time of the appearance of the lysis areas: in bacterial meningitides the CSF lysozyme activity is detectable within 15-120 min, whereas in viral meningitides it manifests 40-50 min later or does not manifest at all. The results were found to depend on the time of the CSF collection: the earlier the CSF samples were obtained, the higher was the share of positive results.

[The role and place of serologic research in the system of epidemiologic surveillance of meningococcal infection].

The results of serological surveys, carried out with a view to the detection of capsular meningococcal polysaccharides in the passive hemagglutination (PHA) test and covering 1,289 patients with systemic meningococcal infection, 221 patients with bacteriologically confirmed meningococcal nasopharyngitis, 2,820 persons in organized groups of children and adults with different epidemiological situation (including 650 carriers) and 4,050 residents of 8 cities with different morbidity levels, were analyzed. The patients, the carriers and the members of organized groups underwent multiple surveys. As shown in this study, the confirmation of the meningococcal etiology of the systemic forms of meningococcal infection (meningitis, meningococcemia) in all cases with the exception of children under 1 year of age, as well as the determination of the groups of meningococci, could be achieved in the PHA test twice as frequently, i.

Leydig cell tumor induced hypercalcemia in the Fischer rat: morphometric and histochemical evidence for a humoral factor that activates osteoclasts.

A nonmetastatic, transplantable Leydig cell tumor of Fischer rats causes hypercalcemia in the host animals. The tumor's effects on long bones were studied with histochemical and morphometric methods. Small viable fragments of the tumor (about 1 cu mm) were transplanted into 59 Fischer rats.

[Criteria of the epidemiological surveillance of meningococcal infection].

The results of studies carried out with the use of the unified, specially developed methods in eight regions of the USSR are generalized. Basing on the analysis of the results, the leading role of serogroup A meningococci in the rise of morbidity is emphasized, the relation of the morbidity level to the serogroup composition of meningococci circulating among healthy population is revealed, the necessity of carrying out selective bacteriological surveys with a view to establish the serogroups of meningococci circulating among the population is shown. The expedient criteria to be used in the system of epidemiological surveillance of meningococcal infection are presented.

Degenerative changes in the digestive glands of rats bearing Leydig cell tumors.

We undertook this study to determine the effects of a transplantable Leydig cell tumor on the major digestive glands of the host rats. It has been known that after bearing this tumor for only two weeks, the rats become anorexic and cathectic, develop hypercalcemia and osteolysis, and their peripheral bone marrow becomes hyperplastic. We now demonstrate that the parotid glands undergo marked degeneration including depletion of secretory product, apparent loss of acinar organization and the appearance of conjoined nuclei.