Results on neutrinoless double-β decay of 76Ge from phase I of the GERDA experiment

Neutrinoless double beta decay is a process that violates lepton number conservation. It is predicted to occur in extensions of the standard model of particle physics. This Letter reports the results from phase I of the Germanium Detector Array (GERDA) experiment at the Gran Sasso Laboratory (Italy) searching for neutrinoless double beta decay of the isotope (76)Ge. Data considered in the present analysis have been collected between November 2011 and May 2013 with a total exposure of 21.6 kg yr. A blind analysis is performed. The background index is about 1 × 10(-2) counts/(keV kg yr) after pulse shape discrimination. No signal is observed and a lower limit is derived for the half-life of neutrinoless double beta decay of (76)Ge, T(1/2)(0ν) >2.1 × 10(25) yr (90% C.L.). The combination with the results from the previous experiments with (76)Ge yields T(1/2)(0ν)>3.0 × 10(25) yr (90% C.L.).

[Combined use conventional and videoendosurgery in pediatric oncology]

The autors report original date on the combined use of videosurgery and open surgical intervention in 3 patients. One (1 yr 10 mo) had neuroblastoma in the posterior mediastinum spreading to the retroperitoneal region, another (5 yr) presented with neuroblastoma in the thoracic aperture region spreading to the neck, the third one (14 yr) suffered limphoepithelioma-like cancer of the thymus. The combined treatment permits to optimize the surgical procedure and avoid additional use of thoraco- and laparotomy.

[Radiotherapy in multiple modality treatment of children with nephroblastoma]

The role of radiotherapy in multiple modality treatment of Wilms' tumor is evaluated in 225 children aged 3 months to 11.5 years (mean age 3.5 years) with stage III-IV. 184 (81.8%) patients presented with stage III, 93.7% with typical nephroblastoma. Intervention was combined with drug and radiotherapy in 99.6% patients. Exposure of the abdominal cavity in total focal doses of 10.5-50.2 Gy (mean dose 28 Gy) was carried out in 219 (97.3%) of 225 patients. Special attention is paid to the incidence of relapses, remote metastases, and survival of patients in relation to prognostic factors (sex, age, stage of tumor process, terms of exposure, and total focal doses). All patients were followed up for 2-203 months (median 32 months). During this period relapses and/or metastases were observed in 34.2% patients; 30.2% died because of disease progress. 35.1% children live without signs of disease for more than 5 years, 14.7% for more than 10 years. Relapses were more incident during the first year of treatment (in 65% children) and outside the exposed field (72.5% cases). 33.2% patients with stage III developed metastases after 1-49 months; the lungs were involved most often. Prolongation of the period between surgery and exposure of the abdominal cavity led to increase in the incidence of relapses in the abdominal cavity from 6.7% (up to 2 weeks) to 21.9% (more than 1 month), p = 0.02. Relapses were the most frequent in children aged over 4 years. This parameter virtually did not depend on the total focal dose. The absence of relationship between the incidence of local relapses and life span after exposure to a total focal dose of up to 21.6 Gy in comparison with higher doses recommends reduced doses for therapy without notable deterioration of the survival of patients with nephroblastoma.

[Modern prospects for polychemotherapy of solid neoplasms in children]

To improve life quality and to increase survival in children with solid tumors, emphasis is placed on chemotherapeutical treatments along with other existing ones (surgery, radiation). By taking into account the fact that most malignant tumors in children are highly responsive to chemotherapy, programme treatment in children with neoplasms included the new drugs iphosphamide, vepeside, cisplatin, carboplatin, melfalan, bleomycin. The results of therapy with these drugs alone or in combination with well-known effective anthracycline antibiotics and plant preparations are presented. Whether more rigid modified schemes for administration and increment of dosage can be used is shown. This investigation opens new vistas for treating patients with not only localized, but disseminated forms of tumors, such as nephroblastomas, germinogenic tumors, soft tissue tumors, tumors of the bone, head, and neck. Regular assessment of the existing programmes in order to amend them, the use of new drugs, the increase of dosage and administration regimens enhance promises in treating malignant tumors in children.

[Metastatic lung tumors in children (clinical course, diagnosis, prognosis)]

According to data available at the Institute (1985-1999, approx. 1,200 patients), the lung is the most frequent site of cancer dissemination (up to 75%). Such most frequent pediatric children tumors as Wilms' tumor, neuroblastoma, rhabdosarcoma, osteogenic sarcoma and that of Ewing disseminate to lung in 85%, particularly, at advanced stages.

[Organ-preserving surgical interventions in unilateral nephroblastomas in children]

The paper presents data available in the literature and the authors' own findings of organ-preserving treatment of 9 children with unilateral nephroblastoma. It proposes absolute and relative indications for organ-preserving treatment in this pathology.

[Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of childhood mediastinal tumors]

Mediastinal tumors make up as high as 7% of the malignant neoplasms in children and are encountered in all age groups, slightly more commonly in preschool children. Three main groups of common symptoms that are typical of mediastinal tumors are identified. These include 1) symptoms associated with tumor compression of thoracic organs; 2) neurological disorders associated with compression or destruction of ganglionary nodes; 3) general symptoms. Posterior mediastinal tumors are diagnosed by X-ray in 85% of cases. X-ray computed tomography makes it possible to judge of the initial site of a neoplasm, the presence of inclusions, the status of adjacent organs and tissues, the density of a pathological focus. Gallium-67 citrate radionuclide study allows one to make an early differential diagnosis between a solid formation and lymph proliferative disease. The lack of morphological verification of a diagnosis requires the use of transthoracic aspiration biopsy whose diagnostic value enhances when it is made under guidance of ultrasound or X-ray computed tomography.

[Tyrosine metabolism, antioxidative system and free radical lipid oxidative processes in children with pigmented nevus and melanoma]

The plasma levels of tyrosine and the lipid peroxidation intermediate malonic dialdehyde (MDA) were measured in children with pigmental nevus and melanoma. They were found to have antioxidative protective failure. The presence of pigmental nevus predetermines the high incidence of tyrosine metabolic abnormalities. In children with pigmental nevus and melanoma, there was an impairment in the correlation of the parameters of tyrosine metabolism, the rate of free radical lipid peroxidation processes, and the status of the antioxidative system. The findings suggest that children with pigmental nevus may be referred to as a high cancer risk group and monitoring of these parameters should be recommended at follow-up of pigmental nevi.

[A device for the treatment of dislocations and subluxations of the temporomandibular joint]

An extraoral approach to the treatment of dislocations and subluxations of the lower jaw by means of a special outfit holds promise since it has no contraindications, does not cause any complications, fully preserves lower jaw function, shortens the treatment period, and enables surgical interventions to be avoided. The outfit is attached to the patient's head and is only removed overnight. The treatment may last 1.5 to 3 months.

[The duration of the aftereffects of UV-irradiation of man in conditions of UV-insufficiency]

The purpose of the present investigation was to study the aftereffect of UV-B-irradiation applied during 10 or 20 sessions. The biological effect and aftereffect duration of UV-B-irradiation of the upper body of 9 healthy volunteers (residents of the city of Moscow and its suburbs) were evaluated in autumn and winter. During UV-irradiation in the range 220-280, 280-320, or 320-400 nm the flux density was 0.035, 1.75, or 0.65 W/m2, respectively. Group 1 subjects (5 men) were exposed to UV-B-irradiation 10 times (once with 0.5, 0.6, 0.75, 0.9, 1.1, 1.35, 1.65 MED and three times with 2.0 MED) and Group 2 subjects (4 men) were exposed to UV-B-irradiation 20 times (twice with 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75 MED and eight times with 2 MED). The sessions were arranged every other day. The exposure produced a beneficial effect on the human body: skin sensitivity decreased, resistance of skin capillaries increased, Ca metabolism normalized, blood 25 (OH) D grew. The trend of responses was similar after 10 and 20 sessions; however, 20 sessions caused a longer-term aftereffect. In relation to space programs, it is concluded that UV-irradiation can be applied on the ground before short-term flights (less than 4 months) and in space during longer-term flights (greater than 4 months).

[Status of water-electrolyte homeostasis and the systems of hormonal regulation during 237-day space flight]

On mission days 216-219 two crewmembers collected urine and recorded their food and water consumption during three days on end. The cosmonaut-physician withdrew blood samples from the vein and finger. In addition, he made venipuncture to himself and drew blood. Urine and blood samples were frozen and returned to the ground for analysis. In spite of individual variations of each cosmonaut, they all showed a trend for water and sodium retention which was provided by adequate hormonal rearrangement, i. e. increased production of ADH and aldosterone. No disorders in calcium and phosphorus metabolism were seen. Immediately postflight the cosmonauts displayed typical changes in fluid-electrolyte balance and renal function that suggested body dehydration and adjustment to Earth's gravity.

[The role of medical gymnastics in a swimming pool in the rehabilitation of hypertension patients]

The effect of underwater exercise on the course of essential hypertension was studied using an original radiometric system "Pool" specially devised to measure muscular effort in water. Remote ECG registration promoted setting graded muscular loads varying with myocardial reserve and arterial pressure. The loads proved effective in sanatorium treatment of hypertensive patients.

[Prevention of ultraviolet insufficiency after a long stay by humans in an isolation chamber]

The purpose of this study was to investigate biological effects of various regimens of ultraviolet irradiation in order to prevent UV insufficiency in men long kept in an enclosure. The subjects were kept for 60 days under artificial illumination in a Moscow laboratory in winter time. Two different regimens of UV irradiation were used and compared: 20 exposures at a dose of 0.75 MED and 20 exposures at incremental doses from 0.5 to 2 or 3 MED. Before and after 10 and 20 exposures (with medium-range radiation being predominant) the skin state, vitamin and mineral metabolism, and cytotoxicity of natural killers were investigated. The experimental observations allowed the conclusion that prophylaxis of UV insufficiency in men long kept in an enclosure can best be provided by UV irradiation at an incremental dose up to 2 MED. During this exposure skin sensitivity to UV radiation decreased, the content of vitamins D, A, E and that of Ca, P, Cu grew, and cytotoxicity of natural killers lightly increased. UV irradiation at a dose of 0.75 MED proved inadequate and that at a dose of 3 MED induced signs of excessive irradiation.

[Changes in the content of bile acids and lipids in human bile during head-down tilt hypokinesia and their correction]

The spectrum of bile acids and bile lipids in men exposed to 120-day head-down tilt was investigated. The test subjects were subdivided in to four groups: group 1-bed rest per se, group 2-bed rest + exercise, group 3-bed rest + drugs normalizing calcium metabolism, and group 4-bed rest + exercise + drugs. It was anticipated that biliary concrements would primarily be formed in group 1 and 2 subjects. They showed a low level of bile acids and a high content of total Ca and cholesterol in the bile, which was more pronounced in the C portion (decrease of the cholate/cholesterol coefficient). Group 2 subjects displayed a modified synthetic function of the liver: prevalence of tauroconjugates in the bile (decrease of the ratio of glucoconjugates to tauroconjugates). Group 3 and 4 subjects showed a faster synthesis of bile acids in the liver and a lower content of total calcium and cholesterol in the bile, the latter being more distinct in group 4 subjects. Positive dynamics of these parameters is a factor responsible for a reduced lithogeny of the bile. However, the test subjects of these groups exhibited hazardous changes that may be responsible for concrement formation. This is indicated by a lower concentration of the lipid complex in the bile, possibly at the expense of a lower content of phospholipids. This emphasizes the necessity of further search for prophylactic procedures aimed at normalizing the synthetic function of the liver under hypokinetic conditions.

[Antitumor antibiotics in the treatment of nephroblastomas in children]

The results of the chemotherapy of 20 children with nephroblastoma are analysed. The patients were treated according to the following scheme: vincristine in a dose of 0.05 mg kg bw once a week on the 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd days, dactinomycin in a dose of 15 micrograms/kg once a day for 3 days on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd days of adriamycin in a dose of 30-40 mg/m2 on the 15th day of the treatment course. The postoperative chemotherapy was started 10 days after the operation. It was performed in 4 courses with intervals of 3 weeks. The efficacy of the treatment was estimated with angiography, echography and computer-aided tomography. The above scheme proved to be efficient in the treatment of the children with nephroblastoma. Reliable control of the tumor size during the preoperative treatment was shown to be possible.

[Ultrasonic studies and calcium content of the bones in experimental animals during limited mobility and weightlessness]

The velocity of ultrasonic propagation, calcium content, and femur size of rats exposed to actual and simulated weightlessness were investigated. The exposure slowed down the ultrasonic velocity in bones. The effect of the calcium content on the ultrasonic velocity in various bone sites was different: as a rule, there was a positive correlation in diaphyses and a negative correlation in epiphyses. These specific features should be taken into consideration when new methods of bone ultrasonic diagnostics will be developed.

[Characteristics of the water-salt metabolism and functional state of the kidneys in members of the crew of the 1st "Saliut-4" expedition]

The paper presents the results of studying fluid-electrolyte metabolism and the renal function in A. A. Gubarev and G. M. Grechko after their 30-cay orbital flight. On the R + O day renal excretion of fluid, sodium, potassium and osmotically active subtances decreased. Renal excretion of calcium and magnesium postflight was higher than preflight. Similar, although better pronounced, changes were seen during provocative tests with a water load. One of the factors causing changes in the renal transport of electrolytes postflight could have been an alteration in the ionic composition of the serum, especially a decrease in the potassium concentration and an increase in the calcium and magnesium content. Disorders in the relationship between the function of osmo- and ion regulation systems and dissociation in the renal excretion of individual ions after the 30-day flight that were distinct during tests with a water load seem to be associated with metabolic changes during and after flight rather than with hemodynamic changes.

[Makeup of the tubular structures of a stock culture of Act. roseoflavus var. roseofungini]

The methods of spectral analysis, spectrophotometry, fluorescence and thin-layer chromatography were used for the study of the composition of the tubular structures of the initial culture of Act. roseoflavus var. roseofungini. It was found that they contained a complex of antibiotics (roseofungin and its analogs), Ca, Mg, Na, K, Si and a significant amount of the third non-identified component in the antibiotic complex.