Different regimes of the Purcell effect in disordered photonic crystals

We demonstrate that disorder in photonic crystals could lead to pronounced modification of spontaneous emission rate in the frequency region corresponding to the photonic band gap (PBG). Depending on the amount of disorder, two different regimes of the Purcell effect occurs. We provide statistical analysis of Purcell coefficient on the frequency of the emitter and its position within the sample. For the moderate disorder, an enhancement of spontaneous emission occurs at the edge of PBG due to the modification of properties of the edge state. This effect is responsible for recently observed mirrorless lasing in photonic crystals at the edge of PBG. When the level of disorder increases, the spontaneous emission rate enhances within the PBG due to the appearance of the high quality factor states. This effect is likely responsible for a superlinear dependence of emissions on pumping observed in synthetic opals.

[Forensic medical criteria for the evaluation of the unfavourable outcomes of the roentgeno-endovascular operations on the arteries of the lower extremities]

The objective of the present work was to develop the forensic medical criteria for the evaluation of the unfavourable outcomes of the roentgeno-endovascular operations (REVO) on the arteries of the lower extremities. The study included the analysis of the conclusions based on the results of the commission forensic medical examinations, attorney inquiry reports, query response, medical histories of the hospitalized patients who had undergone the roentgeno-endovascular operations on the arteries of the lower extremities. The criteria for the forensic medical evaluation of the unfavourable outcomes of the roentgeno-vascular operations on the arteries of the lower extremities have been proposed together with the indications for REVO, methods and tools for the performance of these surgical procedures. Particular attention was given to the identification of the signs and prognostics of the unfavourable outcomes of the roentgeno-endovascular operations (both intraoperatively and during the early postoperative period and the subsequent stay in the hospital) and to the risks of the development of the unfavourable outcomes of the surgical interventions following the technically adequate REVO. Special emphasis is placed on the cause-and-effect relationship between the actions or a failure to act on the part of an emergency physician and/or an attending surgeon/cardiovascular surgeon and the possibility of the unfavourable outcomes of the roentgeno-endovascular operations.

[Rhythmic pneumocompression for treatment of patients with chronic obliterating diseases of the lower-limb arteries]

A total of 68 patients suffering from chronic obliterating diseases of the lower-limb arteries (CODLLA) under-went treatment with rhythmic pneumocompression (RPC) in the descending <<travelling wave>> mode with a simultaneous relief of pressure in the sections of the cuffs. The values of the pneumatic action exceeded the APS determined on the shoulder by 10-20 mm Hg. The therapeutic course consisted of 10-15 sessions. Clinical improvement commenced to be observed as soon as after the first session of RPC: the patients were found to have decreased pain, and increased distance of pain-free walking. Based upon the parameters of the dynamics of the cutaneous temperature on the feet, transcutaneous determination of pO2, dynamic pulse oximetry, acid-base balance, and the indices of the blood gaseous composition, the authors have hereby arrived at the conclusion that the therapeutic impact of the RPC in the mode of the descending <<travelling wave>> with the values of the pneumatic impact exceeding the APS was related to the opening of the capillary bed and stimulation of the metabolic processes. The method may therefore be safely recommended to be used in patients presenting with CODLLA, especially in the presence of distal lesions to the arteries of the lower extremities, as a preoperative preparation of the vascular bed.

[Morphological changes in femoral vein wall structure in presence of persistent vertical reflux]

The article contains an analysis of different mechanisms of persistent chronic venous insufficiency formation and its impact on the condition of lower extremity magistral vein wall. The authors studied autopsy samples of femoral vein segments from 86 patients aged 56 to 64 years, who had died of non-cardiovascular diseases. The investigation revealed significant changes in the vein wall structure, associated with persistent overload caused by valvular insufficiency and continuous persistent vertical reflux. At the same time, valve cusp structure remodels. Histological studies show that the overload of the system of deep femoral vein segment primarily increases the bulk of longitudinal smooth muscle cells, which fulfill the main contractile function in contrast to circular smooth muscle cells, performing the tonic function. Further overload of all vein wall structures results in structural alterations, smooth muscle cell hypertrophy, forming of longitudinal smooth muscle cell fascicle, and finally, their dystrophic changes. These processes bring about clinical presentations of chronic venous insufficiency.

[The quality of life of patients with chronic lower limb ischemia]

Sixty-six patients with chronic lower limb ischemia (CLLI) were examined. The mean age of the patients constituted 55.98+/-7.7 (from 39 to 75 years). There were 64 (96.9%) men and 2 (3.1%) women. According to the runoff, the patients were distributed in the following way. Twenty-eight (41.8%) patients demonstrated good runoff, 23 (34.855) satisfactory, and 15 (23.2%) patients had poor runoff (according to the classification proposed by R.B.Rutherford). As dependent on the stage of ischemia the patients were divided into 2 groups. Twenty-eight (42.5%) patients presented with intermittent claudication (stage IIB) and 38 (57.5%) patients suffered from critical ischemia (st. III-IV). The quality of life (QL), was assessed using a SF-36 questionnaire and a questionnaire for patients with CLLI. After vascular reconstruction the QL of patients with infrainguinal artery lesion remained significantly low according to the majority of parameters as compared to the normal population. However, comparatively to the preoperative parameters, the QL after operation was significantly improved in all the indicators. The QL of patients with a clinical improvement after operation significantly differed from that in the patient group with a history of unsuccessful operation. In the long-term period, the QL of patients with bypass thrombosis was considerably worse in all the parameters than in patients with patent bypasses. As for the parameters of both questionnaires, the QL of patients with an amputated lower limb was appreciably worse than in patients with saved limbs.