Mercury content in the fur of sea otters (Enhydra lutris) from the Commander Islands.

The sea otter (Enhydra lutris) is a keystone species in the ecosystem which is currently in depression in Russia. The objectives of this study were to: (1) establish if the sea otters from the Commander Islands have hazardous levels of mercury (Hg) in their fur; (2) assess Hg pollution in sea otters during a period of high abundance and population depression; (3) identify the age and sex differences in sea otters by Hg content. The sea otters were classified from no to low risk for Hg health effects.

Effect of Polyvinylidene Fluoride Membrane Production Conditions on Its Structure and Performance Characteristics.

Poly (vinylidene fluoride) membranes were prepared by freeze-casting. The effects of PVDF concentration, and freezing temperature on the morphology, crystallization, and performance of prepared membranes were examined. Polymer concentration was varied from 10 to 25 wt%.

Structural Features and Properties' Characterization of Polylactic Acid/Natural Rubber Blends with Epoxidized Soybean Oil.

Because of the effort to preserve petroleum resources and promote the development of eco-friendly materials, bio-based polymers produced from sustainable resources have attracted great attention. Among them, polylactide (PLA) and natural rubber (NR) present prominent polymers with unique barrier and mechanical features. A series of samples with improved phase compatibility were obtained by blending PLA and NR using a double-rotor mixer.

Short-term recovery of physical activity and knee function after an acute knee injury.

Objectives: To describe self-reported knee function, participation in physical activity and the number of knee surgeries at 3 and 6 months following acute knee injury.

Methods: Prospective cohort study. Participants, aged 15-40 years with an acute knee injury sustained no more than 6 weeks prior to inclusion, were recruited.

Effect of adsorption, radioactive decay and fractal structure of matrix on solute transport in fracture.

Reservoir contamination by various contaminants including radioactive elements is an actual environmental problem for all developed countries. Analysis of mass transport in a complex environment shows that the conventional diffusion equation based on Fick's Law fails to model the anomalous character of the diffusive mass transport observed in the field and laboratory experiments. These complex processes can be modelled by non-local advection-diffusion equations with temporal and spatial fractional derivatives.

Characterization and Evaluation of Controlled Antimicrobial Release from Petrochemical (PU) and Biodegradable (PHB) Packaging.

The academic exploration and technology design of active packaging are coherently supplying innovative approaches for enhancing the quality and safety of food, as well as prolonging their shelf-life. With the object of comparison between two barrier materials, such as stable petrochemical polyurethane (PU), (BASF), and biodegradable natural poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB), (Biomer Co., Krailling, Germany), the study of antibacterial agent release has been performed.

Webs on surfaces, rings of invariants, and clusters.

We construct and study cluster algebra structures in rings of invariants of the special linear group action on collections of 3D vectors, covectors, and matrices. The construction uses Kuperberg's calculus of webs on marked surfaces with boundary.

Neuroendocrine thymic carcinoma metastatic to the parathyroid gland that was reimplanted into the forearm in patient with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 syndrome: a challenging management dilemma.

Objective: To describe a unique case of a metastatic thymic carcinoma to the hyperplastic parathyroid gland and to present a challenging management dilemma.

Methods: Our patient is 60-year-old, intellectually disabled man with history of the multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) syndrome, a surgery in 1985 for hypercalcemia with removal of one parathyroid gland, surgery in 2007 with findings of extensively necrotic well differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma (carcinoid tumor) of the thymus. In 2012, he presented with persistent hypercalcemia (calcium level 11.

[Prevention of tobacco addiction in the Armed Forces].

The problems of tobacco smoking among servicemen are analyzed from the position of their interrelations with the quality of service duties performance. On the basis of received data the conclusion is drawn that the servicemen with tobacco dependence are characterized by lower level of mental resilience, adjustment capacities and are related to lower category of fitness for duty. Based on analyzes of the world and own country experience the program of tobacco smoking prevention among servicemen is proposed.

[The effect of hemosorption on the glycoprotein concentration of the blood serum in inflammatory diseases of the large intestine].

71 patients with nonspecific diseases of the colon were examined before and after hemosorption for concentrations of seromucoid, orosomucoid, immunoglobulins G,M,A, C3 and C4 complement component fractions, haptoglobin, ceruloplasmin, alpha 1-antitrypsin, C-reactive protein, properdin, transferrin. It was found that hemosorption results in lowering of all the above concentrations in nonspecific ulcerative colitis, except seromucoid and orosomucoid in moderate and acute colitis. In response to hemosorption serum glycoproteins levels varied with the disease severity, its duration and metabolic activity of the liver.

Management of a patient with synchronous squamous cell cancers of the oesophagus and stomach.

Synchronous tumours of the oesophagus and stomach are relatively rare and principles of diagnostics and treatment are still the matter of discussion. Either primary tumours or primary and metastatic lesions in the oesophagus and stomach have been described. The difficulty of diagnosing the gastric lesion and necessity of fast decision making during surgery are reasons to discuss this case.

Neutron brachytherapy in the treatment of melanoma.

Purpose: The use of Cf-252 for treatment of cutaneous malignant melanoma is presented.

Methods And Materials: From 1975 to 1992, plaque Cf-252 applicator neutron brachytherapy was performed in nine patients with skin malignant melanoma of head and neck or chest wall. Neutron brachytherapy alone was applied in six patients; two patients received neutron brachytherapy before and one after photon teletherapy.

[Ultrasonic endoscopic examination of the upper portion of the gastrointestinal tract].

Thirty-two patients with various diseases of the esophagus, stomach, and the adjacent organs (pancreas, liver and spleen) were examined to assess the potentialities of transesophageal ultrasonic endoscopy. The results were compared with the findings of fiber gastroscopy, x-ray and ultrasonic transabdominal examinations. Nineteen patients were examined for a malignant involvement of the esophageal and gastric wall and tumor progress at the site of anastomosis after combined treatment of gastric cancer.

[Primary retroperitoneal adenocarcinoma].

A rare case is reported of retroperitoneal papillary adenocarcinoma in a 25-year-old female. Two recurrences were observed after surgical and radiation treatment. The tumour became inoperable after the second recurrence.

[Radiation-induced human osteogenic sarcoma].

The authors studied clinically, roentgenologically and morphologically 8 patients with radiation osteogenic bone sarcomas which the patients developed 9 to 24 years (15 years, on the average) after distant gamma therapy at total local doses from 35 to 111 Gy (average 63 Gy) for primary skeletogenic and non-skeletogenic tumors when the bone was in the zone of irradiation. Radiation osteogenic sarcomas developed when the women or patients at early age were irradiated. Osteosclerotic (3), osteoblastic (2), osteoid (1), chondroblastic (2) forms of osteogenic sarcoma were identified.

Radiation-induced sarcomas of the clavicle following treatment of Hodgkin's disease. Report of two cases.

Two patients who received combined chemo- and radiotherapy for Hodgkin's disease developed secondary tumors in irradiated fields by 15 and 24 years, respectively. All the necessary criteria for the diagnosis of radiation-induced sarcoma have been found.

[A rare case of rupture of a syphilitic aortic aneurysm into the esophagus].

A case of the rupture of a syphilitic aortic aneurysm into the esophagus in a woman aged 64 with cured breast cancer was observed. A clinical picture, autopsy and microscopy findings were described. The authors underlined the rarity of the case, difficulty of intravital and morphological diagnosis which could be attributed to syphilis pathomorphosis.

Efficiency of hemosorption in treatment of patients with ulcerative colitis.

One hundred and seven sessions of hemosorption were performed on 77 patients with severe ulcerative colitis. Clinically, improvement was demonstrated in the reduction of the signs of intoxication in 50 to 60 per cent of patients. Combination of hemosorption and anti-inflammatory medication allowed to achieve a remission or a marked improvement determined by clinical observation or endoscopy of 39 from 52 patients with a severe, total form of the disease, whereas toxic influence of sulfasalazine was controlled and extra-intestinal complications were weakened in 8 patients from 11.