Phytoplankton Community Structure in Highly-Mineralized Small Gypsum Karst Lake (Russia).

Gypsum karst lakes are unique water ecosystems characterized by specific habitat conditions for living organisms, including phytoplankton species, as primary producers and mediating biogeochemical cycles in the water bodies. Studies of diversity and structure of phytoplankton communities can be used to identify the specific and typical lake features and plan basin-wide monitoring. The aim of this research was to analyze the structural variables of algocenoses in the small gypsum karstic Lake Klyuchik (Middle Volga basin), atypical for the subzone of mixed coniferous and deciduous forest zone high values of water mineralization (brackish water) and low temperatures.

Mifepristone versus balloon catheter for labor induction: a cohort study.

Objective: to compare trans-cervical balloon catheter with oral administration of mifepristone for induction of labor.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study including a total of 325 patients; labor was induced with Foley catheter (group I,  = 220) or mifepristone (group II,  = 105). We selected patients with cervical ripening ≤5 cm according to Bishop score ( = 208) and divided into 2 subgroups depending on the parity: group I, primiparous with a Bishop score of ≤5,  = 70 - I (1, ≤5); group I, multiparous with a Bishop score of ≤5,  = 44 - I (2,≤5); group II, primiparous with a Bishop score of ≤5,  = 65 - II (1, ≤5); group II, multiparous with a Bishop score of ≤5,  = 29 - II (2, ≤5).

[Natural Childbirth after the Previous Caesarian Section is a Solved Problem].

Тhe rapid increase in the frequency of сesarian section (CS) observed in recent years (up to 60% in some countries) is alarming and reduces the reproductive potential of the population. The operated uterus remains the main indication for CS (up to 40%). This is the factor which may allow reducing the frequency of the CS by subsequent delivering through the birth canal.

[Multifractal analysis of the species structure of freshwater hydrobiocenoses].

The principles and methods of fractal analysis of the species structure of freshwater phytoplankton, zooplankton, and macrozoobenthos communities of plain water reservoirs and urban waterbodies are discussed. The theoretical foundation and experimental verification are provided for the authors' concept of self-similar (quasi-fractal) nature of the species structure of communities. According to this concept, the adequate mathematical image of species richness accumulation with growing sampling effort is quasi-monofractals, while the generalized geometric image of the species structure of the community is a multifractal spectrum.

[Experience in using perftoran in combined treatment of placental insufficiency in severe gestosis].

Twenty-two women with severe gestosis were examined during weeks 27-38. They were divided into 2 groups with different intensive care protocols: 1) osmooncotherapy and 2) 3-4 infusions of perfluorane in a dose of 3-4 ml/kg every other day. Addition of perfluorane to combined therapy promoted a more rapid stabilization of hemodynamics, metabolism, and helped prolong the pregnancy to 37-38 weeks.