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Clinical-epidemiological characteristics delivery cases of tropic dengue fever
No full textDengue fever is a zooantroponotic, vector-borne viral disease. It is common among the population of tropical countries and is characterized by a tendency to expand to other countries as a result of infection drifts. Objective: to identify epidemiological, clinical and laboratory features of imported dengue fever in St. Petersburg. Materials and methods. The obtained data of official registration of cases of diseases in the Department of accounting and registration of infectious and parasitic diseases of the city of St. Petersburg and clinical case histories from the Сlinical Infectious diseases hospital named after S.P. Botkin for 2012–2018 were used as the basis for epidemiological analysis. 144 cases of dengue fever were identified on the basis of registration materials in the city during this period, of which 86 cases were studied on clinical histories. Standards methods of epidemiological diagnostics and statistics were used in the article. Results and discussion. Epidemiological anamnesis has been seen in a wide variety of countries in which tourists stayed and became infected. The hemorrhagic form of dengue fever was diagnosed in only 18 (19,1%) out of 86 patients. This form usually develops with repeated encounters with the virus and is more severe than the classic version of the disease. Dengue fever remains a topical imported disease and is associated with an increase in tourists, often re-visiting disadvantaged tropical countries. Both sexes were equally exposed to the disease. The age characteristic of patients is represented by persons of 20–29 and 30–39 years of age. An increase in the number of patients over a 7-year period was noted in May and November. Such countries as Thailand (37%), Vietnam (13,9%) and India (9,3%) were the predominant tourist destinations. Besides, single infections occurred in 13 countries of the Asian, African and American regions. The primary diagnosis in 50,3% of patients referred to hospital were acute respiratory diseases, combined with diarrhea and other manifestations. Clinical manifestations fit into 5 syndromes, which pass with a variety of symptoms, complicating both clinical diagnosis and laboratory confirmation of the diagnosis. Imported dengue fever is characterized by combined infections caused by pathogens of acute intestinal diseases, cytomegalovirus, hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, West Nile fever, hepatitis A, Legionella and Plasmodium malaria. In General, combined infection was detected in 39.5% of patients
Ace2 is an adjacent element of atherosclerosis and covid-19 pathogenesis
No full textCOVID-19 is a highly contagious new infection caused by the single-stranded RNA SarsCoV-2 virus. For the first time, this infection was recorded in December 2019 in the Chinese province of Wuhan. The virus presumably crossed the interspecies barrier and passed to humans from a bat. Initially, the disease was considered exclusively in the context of damage to the respiratory system, but it quickly became clear that the disease also entails serious consequences from various systems, including the cardiovascular system. Among these consequences are myocarditis, myocardial damage, subsequent heart failure, myocardial infarction, and Takotsubo syndrome. On the other hand, clinical data indicate that the presence of chronic diseases in a patient aggravates the course and outcome of coronavirus infection. In this context, the relationship between COVID-19 and atherosclerosis, a condition preceding cardiovascular disease and other disorders of the heart and blood vessels, is particularly interesting. The renin-angiotensin system is essential for the pathogenesis of both coronavirus disease and atherosclerosis. In particular, it has been shown that ACE2, an angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, plays a key role in Sars-CoV-2 infection due to its receptor activity. It is noteworthy that this enzyme is important for the normal functioning of the cardiovascular system. Disruptions in its production and functioning can lead to various disorders, including atherosclerosis
Predicting the risk of pT3a stage in cT1 clear cell renal cell carcinoma
No full textWe hypothesized that pT3a stage at nephrectomy can be accurately predicted in cT1N0M0 clear cell-renal cell carcinoma (cc-RCC) patients. Of 236 patients, treated with either partial or radical nephrectomy (2005–2019), 25 (10.6%) harbored pT3a stage. Multivariable logistic regression models predicting pT3a were fitted using age, tumor size, tumor location and exophytic rate. The new model was 81% accurate. In calibration plots, minimal departures from ideal prediction were recorded. In decision curve analyses, a net-benefit throughout all threshold probabilities was recorded relative to the treat-all or treat-none strategies. Using a probability cut-off of 21% for presence of pT3a stage, 38 patients (16.1%) were identified, in whom pT3a rate was 36.8%. Conversely, in 198 patients (83.9%) below that cut-off, the rate of pT3a was 5.6%. Alternative user-defined cut-offs may be selected. The new model more accurately identifies a subgroup of cT1N0M0 cc-RCC patients with substantially higher risk of pT3a stage than average
Analysis of communicative methods effectiveness in teaching foreign languages during the coronavirus epidemic: Distance format
No full textThe forced transition to distance learning in 2020 forced the world scientific community to pay special attention to researching the effectiveness of the methodology for teaching subject disciplines in a remote format. In this manuscript, the authors did attempt to study, analyze, and classify various methods of teaching a foreign language (English, French, and German) at MGIMO University. The present research is based not only on a direct professional experience of working at a distance but also on an anonymous survey conducted among students. The purpose of this study is to develop and describe the most effective model of teaching a foreign language in the specified conditions. In addition to the empirical approach - observation of students’ work during the semester, the use of experimental control methods, comparison, comparative analysis of the results - the authors also use data from an anonymous survey among students and foreign language teachers, which emphasizes the practical significance and relevance of the study. During the students questioning, it was found out which teaching methods and specific exercises are the most effective in the framework of a distance lesson. The questioning of teachers made it possible to classify statistical results and identify methods that teachers use in teaching a foreign language in a distance format and which could be used by them but are not used. On the basis of the data obtained, the authors conclude that there is a discrepancy between the ideas of teachers and students about the effectiveness of using certain forms of online education. This conclusion will allow in the near future to adjust the methodological and teaching aids for working in a distance format in foreign language classes
Neuroelectrostimulation from natural electricity to multifactorial systems: A review
No full textThe article discusses the problem of the neuropsychiatric health deterioration in the face of new challenges to humanity: the complication of the scientific and technical environment and the technosphere, social relations in society against the background of an increase in the duration of a person's active life, as well as the relevance of the development of neurorehabilitation technologies for restoring human health in these conditions. The paper presents a review of the evolution of the technology of transcutaneous neuroelectrostimulation from ancient times to modern technologies, transcranial electrical stimulation, electrical stimulation of cranial nerves, spinal cord and neck nerve structures. The prospects of a mobile hardware and software system for polyfactorial neurostimulation and its potential for use in personalized medicine are considered. Possibilities of promising medical technologies for homeostatic regulation, capable of modulating autonomic processes, influencing motor control and cognitive functions are discussed
Digitalization in activities of non-state actors: Example of the church
No full textThis study considers the role of digitalization in activities of religious institutions using the example of the Roman Catholic Church. The digital innovations undertaken by the Holy See and their results are being studied. The analysis revealed the intense impact of digitalization on approaches of the RCC with the world community, namely the opportunities expanded that allowed the Holy See to strengthen the efficiency of its own ideas. It is noted that digitalization processes have acquired special significance for the church during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, when traditional formats for the implementation of political aspirations were not available. Thus, digitalization contributes to the fact that even the church, being oriented towards traditionalism and keeping the fundamental principles in its activity, successfully uses digitalization as an instrument of adaptation to modern social changes in society
The Chinese steel market transformation influenced by the economic recession
No full textSince the beginning of 2020, sharp changes in China's economy have affected virtually all sectors of the country's production. Temporary decline in China's steel production and demand due to the coronavirus outbreak and associated restrictions may lead to the increased production of these goods in other countries and increased steel stocks stored in warehouses, which would have a negative impact on the world steel prices. The virus concentration in China, following a high steel production growth and exports since 2003, has created a demand vacuum throughout the region. At the same time, the world steel stocks are quite high and can compensate for the decline in steel production in China, which will affect the market transformation in whole. However, it should be borne in mind that the Industrial Revolution penetrates the entire added value chain, defining a set of technological solutions in metallurgy, which improves the prospects for further industry development and strengthening positions after a stagnation period. In this context, the dynamics of major economic indicators with regard to steel in China is relevant to study, which will allow to determine the short-term metallurgy development trends and the world steel market dynamics in general
Intellectual Networking in Digital Education – Improving Testing for Enhanced Transfer of Knowledge
No full textDevelopment of technical solutions and equipment cost reduction led to the expansion of digital tools to different fields of activities, computing has become ubiquitous due to formalization and rationalization of living processes. Cognitive activity is also transforming due to the introduction of computing, but it is necessary to measure the degree of digitalization of intelligent processes so that researchers and educators can better understand the practical results of digital learning. The effectiveness of digital learning tools has been evaluated over the past decade based on online courses. Testing is a learning element that easily turns knowledge assessment into routine operations. The study of knowledge creation demonstrates the complex role of networking and communication among students, which is built and structured in preparation for passing tests. Developing test content and design and improving test conditions can help improve learning by transferring and sharing knowledge between students. A survey conducted at the St. Petersburg Polytechnic University allowed researchers to formulate several technical, organizational and methodological recommendations for improving testing and draw conclusions about the social, cultural and intellectual impact of tests on learning outcomes
Helicobacter pylori: Commensal, symbiont or pathogen?
No full textThis review considers the data on Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), which have been accumulated over 40 years since its description as an etiological factor in gastrointestinal diseases. The majority of modern publications are devoted to the study of the pathogenic properties of the microorganism in the development of chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, and gastric cancer, as well as methods for its eradication. However, in recent years, there have been more and more studies which have suggested that H. pylori has a beneficial, or potentially positive, effect on the human body. The authors have attempted to objectively analyze the information accumulated in the literature on H. pylori. Some studies consider it as one of the recently identified human bacterial pathogens, and special attention is paid to the evidence suggesting that it is probably part of the composition of the human microbiome as a commensal (commensal from French to English is a table companion) or even a symbiont. The presented data discussing the presence or absence of the effect of H. pylori on human health suggest that there is an apparent ambiguity of the problem. The re-assessment of the data available on H. pylori infection is important in order to answer the question of whether it is necessary to create a program of mass H. pylori eradication or to apply a more personalized approach to treating patients with H. pylori-associated gastrointestinal diseases and to perform eradication therapy
Impact on refractive surgery due to increasing use of personal protection equipment: Insights from EUROCOVCAT group.
No full textSince the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 to be a pandemic on 11th March 2020, changes to social and sanitary practices have included significant issues in access and management of eye care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the fear of loss, coupled with social distancing, lockdown, economic instability, and uncertainty, have led to a significant psychosocial impact that will have to be addressed. In the current COVID-19 pandemic, personal protective equipment such as face masks or face coverings have become a daily necessity. While "mass masking" along with hand hygiene and social distancing became more widespread, new issues began to emerge - particularly in those who wore spectacles as a means of vision correction. As we began to see routine patients again after the first lockdown had been lifted, many patients visited our clinics for refractive surgery consultations with a primary motivating factor of wanting spectacle independence due to the fogging of their spectacles as a result of wearing a mask. In this article, we report on new emerging issues in eye care due to the widespread use of masks and on the new unmet need in the corneal and cataract refractive surgery fields