Cloning, characterisation and expression of the alpha-tubulin genes of the leech, Hirudo medicinalis

BACKGROUND: Exercise testing has long been employed in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), although concerns have constantly been expressed regarding its safety. This study reviews a large number of exercise tests performed in a community-based population with HCM, in terms of safety and clinical utility. METHODS: We analyzed a total of 243 maximal symptom-limited cycloergometer exercise tests performed at our institution in 138 patients with HCM (age 42 +/- 14 years, M/F 99/39), who were followed systematically for 9.4 +/- 6.5 years. RESULTS: In none of the 243 exercise tests did cardiac arrest, hemodynamic collapse or malignant arrhythmia occur, although 53 of the study patients (38%) had > or = 1 risk factors including previous cardiac arrest, recurrent syncope, malignant family history and resting left ventricular outflow obstruction. Early termination of the test was necessary in only 8 patients due to symptomatic hypotension with dizziness, but none had syncope. Mean predicted functional capacity achieved by the study group was 77 +/- 22%. Poor performance (< 60% of predicted functional capacity) was observed in 32 patients (23%), and it was associated with a NYHA functional class > 1 and an abnormal blood pressure response to exercise. Non-malignant arrhythmias occurred in 41 patients (30%), including multiple premature ventricular beats (PVB), paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, non-sustained ventricular (NSVT) and supraventricular tachycardia. The combined presence of multiple exercise-induced PVB and NSVT on Holter ECG had a 14% positive but a 97% negative predictive value for sudden death or cardiac arrest. CONCLUSIONS: 1) Exercise testing is safe in a community-based population of patients with HCM, and provides useful information regarding functional capacity, efficacy of treatment, blood pressure response to exercise and inducible ischemia. Thus, ergometry should routinely be included in the standard evaluation and follow-up protocols of HCM patients. 2) Conversely, the utility of ergometry in the evaluation of the arrhythmic risk in HCM patients appears to be limited to the identification of low-risk patients.     

Oxygen converter steelmaking at the MMK

Information is presented on the invention, ensuing growth, and future prospects of oxygen-converter steelmaking at the MMK. __________ Translated from Metallurg, No. 1, pp. 43–44, January, 2007.     

Current anisotropy influence on beam self-focusing in photorefractive materials

Abstract

We show numerically that the existing photocurrent anisotropy strongly affects the form of initially circular beam after self-focusing in photorefractive crystals. We estimate the ellipticity of the output beam in strontium barium niobate and barium titanate and compare it with existing experimental data.     

Corrosion resistance of amorphous Fe<Subscript>82</Subscript>P<Subscript>16</Subscript>Si<Subscript>2</Subscript> in 0.1 M Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>SO<Subscript>4</Subscript>

A soft-magnetic amorphous Fe-P-Si alloy prepared using ferrophosphorus waste was tested for corrosion in 0.1 M Na₂SO₄. In a nonequilibrium state, the Fe₈₂P₁₆Si₂ alloy interacts with the medium, but annealing and relaxation reduce the interaction, without influencing the magnetic properties of the alloy. The corrosion resistance of the alloy is comparable to that of Finemet (Fe-Si-B-Nb-Cu) materials.     

Simulation and investigation of a bipolar transistor with transfer <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-shaped current-voltage characteristic

The method of the implementation of built-in protection of bipolar transistors from the current overloads in the controlling circuit based on the combination of an element with an N-shaped IVC with the bipolar transistor is considered. The use of the given method makes it possible to create semiconductor structures of bipolar transistors with built-in protection against current overloads in the controlling circuit.     

New possibilities for metabolic protection from hypoxia in pregnant rats and their progeny

The immunological indices were studied by spontaneous rosette-formation and immunocytochemical procedure in 226 patients with breast cancer. The levels, ratio and phenotypic patterns of peripheral blood T-cells were assessed in patients with primary tumors vis-a-vis biological pattern of tumor, stage, rate of growth, locally-regional extension, pathogenetical type of tumor and such breast cancer-related physiological characteristics as age and menstrual function. It was found that immunodepression in breast cancer patients can be detected by laboratory examination at stage IIb. It may manifest itself in a changed ratio of main subpopulations of T-lymphocytes, decrease in the total level of T-cells and increase in dysfunctional ones. The worst immunological indices were identified in patients younger than 35 and those with rapidly growing tumors.     

A Test Setup for Scintillation Counters

A setup has been developed for testing mass-produced scintillation counters. Its design and the quality control procedure for the scintillation counters of the hadron calorimeter are described.     

Superhigh-level language PARIS

The paper describes the main constructs of the language PARIS designed for artificial intelligence applications. The basic ideas underlying the construction of the language are outlined.Translated from Kibernetika, No. 1, pp. 34–36, January–February, 1990.