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Schizophrenia is a prototypical network disorder with widespread brain-morphological alterations, yet it remains unclear whether these distributed alterations robustly reflect the underlying network layout. We tested whether large-scale structural alterations in schizophrenia relate to normative structural and functional connectome architecture, and systematically evaluated robustness and generalizability of these network-level alterations. Leveraging anatomical MRI scans from 2439 adults with schizophrenia and 2867 healthy controls from 26 ENIGMA sites and normative data from the Human Connectome Project (n = 207), we evaluated structural alterations of schizophrenia against two network susceptibility models: (i) hub vulnerability, which examines associations between regional network centrality and magnitude of disease-related alterations; (ii) epicenter mapping, which identifies regions whose typical connectivity profile most closely resembles the disease-related morphological alterations. To assess generalizability and specificity, we contextualized the influence of site, disease stages, and individual clinical factors and compared network associations of schizophrenia with that found in affective disorders. Our findings show schizophrenia-related cortical thinning is spatially associated with functional and structural hubs, suggesting that highly interconnected regions are more vulnerable to morphological alterations. Predominantly temporo-paralimbic and frontal regions emerged as epicenters with connectivity profiles linked to schizophrenias alteration patterns. Findings were robust across sites, disease stages, and related to individual symptoms. Moreover, transdiagnostic comparisons revealed overlapping epicenters in schizophrenia and bipolar, but not major depressive disorder, suggestive of a pathophysiological continuity within the schizophrenia-bipolar-spectrum. In sum, cortical alterations over the course of schizophrenia robustly follow brain network architecture, emphasizing marked hub susceptibility and temporo-frontal epicenters at both the level of the group and the individual. Subtle variations of epicenters across disease stages suggest interacting pathological processes, while associations with patient-specific symptoms support additional inter-individual variability of hub vulnerability and epicenters in schizophrenia. Our work outlines potential pathways to better understand macroscale structural alterations, and inter- individual variability in schizophrenia.

Machine learning approaches using structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) can be informative for disease classification, although their ability to predict psychosis is largely unknown. We created a model with individuals at CHR who developed psychosis later (CHR-PS+) from healthy controls (HCs) that can differentiate each other. We also evaluated whether we could distinguish CHR-PS+ individuals from those who did not develop psychosis later (CHR-PS-) and those with uncertain follow-up status (CHR-UNK). T1-weighted structural brain MRI scans from 1165 individuals at CHR (CHR-PS+, n = 144; CHR-PS-, n = 793; and CHR-UNK, n = 228), and 1029 HCs, were obtained from 21 sites. We used ComBat to harmonize measures of subcortical volume, cortical thickness and surface area data and corrected for non-linear effects of age and sex using a general additive model. CHR-PS+ (n = 120) and HC (n = 799) data from 20 sites served as a training dataset, which we used to build a classifier. The remaining samples were used external validation datasets to evaluate classifier performance (test, independent confirmatory, and independent group [CHR-PS- and CHR-UNK] datasets). The accuracy of the classifier on the training and independent confirmatory datasets was 85% and 73% respectively. Regional cortical surface area measures-including those from the right superior frontal, right superior temporal, and bilateral insular cortices strongly contributed to classifying CHR-PS+ from HC. CHR-PS- and CHR-UNK individuals were more likely to be classified as HC compared to CHR-PS+ (classification rate to HC: CHR-PS+, 30%; CHR-PS-, 73%; CHR-UNK, 80%). We used multisite sMRI to train a classifier to predict psychosis onset in CHR individuals, and it showed promise predicting CHR-PS+ in an independent sample. The results suggest that when considering adolescent brain development, baseline MRI scans for CHR individuals may be helpful to identify their prognosis. Future prospective studies are required about whether the classifier could be actually helpful in the clinical settings.

In recent years, the relationship between teachers' technology competencies and integration and student-centered learning has come to the forefront. It is a clear reality that teachers with a student-centered education paradigm tend to use technology to support student-centered curriculum and should have some competencies in this regard. In this study, it was aimed to determine the relationships between student-centered education and technology integration competencies of primary school teachers in terms of some variables. The sample of the survey model research consists of 290 teachers working in different primary schools in Kazakhstan. In the study, student-centered education and technology integration competencies of teachers were described and then these variables were compared according to gender and professional seniority variables. "Competency Scale for Student-Centered Education and Teacher Technology Integration Scale" were used to collect the data. Descriptive statistics, independent groups t-test, one-way ANOVA and Regression analysis techniques were used to analyze the data. According to the results obtained, primary school teachers' efficacy levels for student-centered education are at the middle level and their technology integration efficacy levels are below the middle level. Teachers' efficacy levels related to student-centered education showed significant differences according to gender and professional seniority variables. However, primary school teachers' technology integration competencies did not differ according to gender and professional seniority variables. There is a moderate positive relationship between student-centered education and technology integration competencies of primary school teachers. Teachers' student-centered education competencies significantly predict their technology integration competencies.

BACKGROUND: Schizophrenia is associated with an increased risk of aggressive behaviour, which may partly be explained by illness-related changes in brain structure. However, previous studies have been limited by group-level analyses, small and selective samples of inpatients and long time lags between exposure and outcome. METHODS: This cross-sectional study pooled data from 20 sites participating in the international ENIGMA-Schizophrenia Working Group. Sites acquired T1-weighted and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging scans in a total of 2095 patients with schizophrenia and 2861 healthy controls. Measures of grey matter volume and white matter microstructural integrity were extracted from the scans using harmonised protocols. For each measure, normative modelling was used to calculate how much patients deviated (in z-scores) from healthy controls at the individual level. Ordinal regression models were used to estimate the associations of these deviations with concurrent aggressive behaviour (as odds ratios [ORs] with 99% confidence intervals [CIs]). Mediation analyses were performed for positive symptoms (i.e., delusions, hallucinations and disorganised thinking), impulse control and illness insight. Aggression and potential mediators were assessed with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms or Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale. RESULTS: Aggressive behaviour was significantly associated with reductions in total cortical volume (OR [99% CI] = 0.88 [0.78, 0.98], p = .003) and global white matter integrity (OR [99% CI] = 0.72 [0.59, 0.88], p = 3.50 × 10-5) and additional reductions in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex volume (OR [99% CI] = 0.85 [0.74, 0.97], p =.002), inferior parietal lobule volume (OR [99% CI] = 0.76 [0.66, 0.87], p = 2.20 × 10-7) and internal capsule integrity (OR [99% CI] = 0.76 [0.63, 0.92], p = 2.90 × 10-4). Except for inferior parietal lobule volume, these associations were largely mediated by increased severity of positive symptoms and reduced impulse control. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence that the co-occurrence of positive symptoms, poor impulse control and aggressive behaviour in schizophrenia has a neurobiological basis, which may inform the development of therapeutic interventions.

Banking risk management systems are sets of work methods for responsible bank departments, facilitating a positive financial result under conditions of uncertainty. The object of the study is the credit risk of corporate borrowers of commercial banks in the Russian Federation. The subject of the study is credit risk management based on internal ratings of corporate borrowers. The purpose of the work is to analyze the risk management system of commercial banks and develop an internal credit risk management model for corporate borrowers. Research methods: content analysis, analytical and statistical processing of information; methods for assessing cause-and-effect relationships and expert assessments. The relevance of the presented model is due to the regulatory need for commercial banks to switch to internal ratings to assess the risk of lending. The advantages of the model include optimized costs for establishing factor indicators, as well as the valence of selected explanatory variables.

The paper presents the results of surgical treatment of 14 patients with renal masses undergone partial nephrectomy on the Da Vinci Si and Da Vinci Xi robotic systems using ‘drug & cold’ ischemia. The advantages of the original technique, such as long-term safe renal ischemia, nephron sparing, minimal blood loss with no hemotransfusions and short length of hospital stay were presented.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is an age-related neurodegenerative pathology of the central nervous system. The well-known abnormalities characteristic of PD are dysfunctions in the nigrostriatal system including the substantia nigra of the midbrain and the striatum. Moreover, in PD persons, alpha-synucleinopathy is associated with abnormalities in the dopaminergic brain system. To study the mechanisms of this pathology, genetic models in mice have been designed. Transgenic mice of the B6.Cg-Tg(Prnp-SNCA*A53T)23Mkle/J strain (referred to as B6.Cg-Tg further in the text) possess the A53T mutation in the human alpha-synuclein SNCA gene. The density of neurons in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, substantia nigra and striatum in B6.Cg-Tg mice was assessed in our previous work, but the dopaminergic system was not studied there, although it plays a key role in the development of PD. The aim of the current study was to investigate motor coordination and body balance, as well as dopaminergic neuronal density and alpha-synuclein accumulation in the substantia nigra in male B6.Cg-Tg mice at the age of six months. Wild-type mice of the same sex and age, siblings of the B6.Cg-Tg mice from the same litters, lacking the SNCA gene with the A53T mutation, but expressing murine alpha-synuclein, were used as controls (referred to as the wild type further in the text). Motor coordination and body balance were assessed with the rota-rod test; the density of dopaminergic neurons and accumulation of alpha-synuclein in the substantia nigra were evaluated by the immunohistochemical method. There was no difference between B6.Cg-Tg mice and WT siblings in motor coordination and body balance. However, accumulation of alpha-synuclein and a decrease in the number of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra were found in the B6.Cg-Tg mouse strain. Thus, the mice of the B6.Cg-Tg strain at the age of six months have some symptoms of the onset of PD, such as the accumulation of mutant alpha-synuclein and a decrease in the number of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Taken together, the results obtained in our work qualify the B6.Cg-Tg strain as a pertinent model for studying the early stage of human PD already at the age of six months.

In the context of global challenges and changing geopolitical situations around the world, Russian organizations are increasingly facing the necessity of active cooperation with countries in the Far East, especially China. The purpose of this exploratory study was to identify how Russian business representatives perceive and manage this process, with special attention to expectations and perceptions of communication effectiveness. The study focused on two key aspects: firstly, the analysis of expectations of Russian representatives, which shape their approaches to negotiations, and secondly, the assessment of their perception of the dynamics and effectiveness of these negotiations. The study sample included 13 Russian employees of Russian companies who had experience in negotiations with Chinese partners. The study used semi-structured qualitative interviews. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze the data. Further coding and analysis of the text were carried out in the Atlas.ti. As a result of the analysis of the interview, the main topics were identified that describe the perception of the negotiation process: expectations regarding the negotiation process, strategies for preparing for negotiations, behavior strategies in negotiations, perception of behavior strategies of partners in interaction, emotions in the negotiation process, perception of a communicative situation (characteristics), perception of oneself in the process of negotiations, the perception of a negotiating partner, the perception of the effectiveness of negotiations. The study showed that successful intercultural business communication requires a combination of professional and culturally oriented approaches. Attention to cultural features and specifics and consideration of their influence on communication contributes to more effective interaction. However, difficulties arise due to the indirect style of communication and differences in the manifestation of emotions, which can make negotiations difficult. In addition, situations that are threatening to the negotiator’s "face" may have an impact on professional and ethnic/ civil identity. As a result of the study, the features of Russian managers’perception of intercultural business communication with Chinese partners were identified, and recommendations were formulated regarding the preparation of Russian managers for international negotiations.

INTRODUCTION. In clinical practice, stress tests are carried out to draw up an individual patient rehabilitation plan, assess tolerance and optimize the load, and evaluate its clinical effectiveness. The Six-minute walk test (6MWT), in the presence of contraindications to the bicycle ergometer test or the impossibility of performing it, is a tool for assessing the response of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems to the load being performed. There is no description in the literature of the relationship between the distance traveled during 6MWT and the peak metabolic equivalent (MET) assessed during the bicycle ergometer test. AIM. Study the relationship between 6MWT indicators and the results of bicycle ergometer test in patients who have suffered a myocardial infarction. MATERIALS AND METHODS. During the examination, 56 patients underwent a symptom limited bicycle ergometer test and 6MWT, the peak MET and the distance traveled during 6MWT, as well as changes in the ECG during both tests were assessed. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION. The average values of maximum heart rate during the bicycle ergometer test and ECG-controlled 6MWT did not differ significantly. The distance in meters during 6MWT and the power of the exercise performed during bicycle ergometer test in MET have a significant relationship, which indicates the comparability of the data from these tests as a criterion of exercise tolerance. CONCLUSION. The use of 6MWT and bicycle ergometer test allows us to assess various aspects of cardiorespiratory function and physical fitness in patients undergoing a cardiac rehabilitation program. Further study of the possibility of using ECG-controlled 6MWT in the early stages of rehabilitation is necessary to create the most effective and safe physical training for patients who have suffered a myocardial infarction.

Introduction/purpose: Studying the dynamics of the mutual influence of supply and demand is relevant in connection with the financial losses that arise due to uncertainty in demand and forecast errors. The work aims to build a mathematical model of the dynamics of this interaction for the market of one product. Methods: The paper proposes a mathematical model of the states of the supply-demand system, within the framework of which the processes occurring in this system are considered from the perspective of the methodology of economic synergetics. The mathematical model of dynamics has the form of a system of two differential equations with quadratic nonlinearity. Results: The use of the proposed model to reproduce various dynamic states of market self-regulation processes made it possible to identify the hierarchy of transition from stable dynamic regimes to unstable ones with the appearance of corresponding bifurcations. The main attention was paid to studying the behavior of the system at the boundaries of the stability region. Conclusion: The existence of a saddle-node bifurcation of limit cycles has been revealed, which suggests the appearance of stable self-oscillations in the case of a "soft" cycle and unstable ones in the case of a "hard" cycle. When studying a bifurcation of codimension two - "double zero" - special dynamic structures were discovered, determined by the properties of global bifurcations. This type of behavior is characterized by self-oscillations with a low frequency, which gives rise to the so-called "ultra-long waves" of the economic state.

The work is aimed at studying the performance of emotion recognition of people of different sex and age, expressed without specified criteria, in association with «emotional families». The materials of an empirical online research obtained with the help of the crowdsourcing service «Yandex. Toloka», in which 3,590 testers took part. The subjects guessed one of 14 emotions from the presented photographs (pride, anger, joy, irritation, fun, disgust, pleasure, sadness, relief, despair, interest, fear, surprise, anxiety). Photographs of five representatives of different age groups were presented: 7-9 years old («junior school student», 44 photos), 13-16 years old («teenager», 46 photos), 18-25 years old («young woman», 90 photos), 35 -50 years old («woman», 44 photos), 60 years and older («older woman», 70 photos). Subsequently, the experimenters compared the responses of the subjects with the criterion of matching the guessed emotion and its «emotional family» (according to P. Ekman). The main result is that the emotions were distributed by the subjects according to their orientation (valency) rather than according to the “family”. It remains debatable what could be the basis of such choices - the features of the stimulus material, or variability in the expression of emotions by models and their recognition by respondents.

Abstract Analysis of serial liquid biopsy (LB) samples has been found to be a promising approach for the monitoring of tumor dynamics in the course of therapy for patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Currently, somatic mutations are used for tracing the dynamics of the tumor via LB. However, the analysis of the dynamic changes in the molecular signatures such as microsatellite instability (MSI) is not currently used. We hypothesized that changes in blood MSI burden (bMSI) could be registered using serial LB sampling in the course of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), and that its changes could potentially correlate with treatment outcomes. We report the preliminary findings of the observational trial launched to study (NCT06414304) the dynamics of bMSI in 9 MSI-positive CRC patients receiving ICI. NGS-based MSI testing was performed on both pre-treatment FFPE and serial LB samples. For patients who had detectable bMSI burden in any of the LB samples (n = 8, 89%), median bMSI was 1.4% (range, 0.01-40%). Among patients with detectable MSI in available FFPE samples, median MSI burden was 29.3% (range, 10–40%). bMSI detected in baseline LB and FFPE samples were positively correlated (Pearson’s R 0.47). Maximal variant allele frequencies of driver mutations observed in LB were also positively correlated with bMSI burden (Pearson’s R 0.7). Patients who had clinical benefit had undetectable bMSI burden at follow-up. Our results provide the rationale for further validation of bMSI as a predictive biomarker of ICI in MSI-positive patients.

Aim – to develop an applied prognostic calculator for the rate of progression of CKD in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes, which makes it possible to identify a group of high rate of GFR reduction in conditions of routine outpatient admission. Material and methods. 69 clinical indicators were studied, the interrelationships and significance of differences in parameters in the groups identified according to the original diagnostic parameter, the glomerular filtration rate reduction index with a threshold value of 3.83 ml/min/1.73 m2 per year, above which the rate of progression of CKD was considered high. Results. By using regression analysis, significant factors for the prognostic calculator were identified: the duration of diabetes and insulin therapy, concomitant diagnosis of obesity, pulse in the ankle artery, severe stage of polyneuropathy, risk group IV of hypertension, treatment with sulfonylureas, the number of antihypertensive drugs taken. When evaluating the information capacity and predictive ability of the calculator, the area under the AUC ROC curve was 0.89 (0.80; 0.99) p 0.001, which characterizes the quality of the diagnostic technique as high. Conclusion. The presented calculator gives the doctor the opportunity to identify a group of patients with the risk of rapid progression of CKD directly on an outpatient basis.

Background. Assessing nutritional status at the start of treatment for patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma allows us to plan adequate accompanying treatment for patients in whom early nutritional support can improve the results of antitumor treatment.Aim. To assess the prevalence of nutritional deficiency, features of usual diet energy and protein composition in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma who are starting antitumor treatment.Materials and methods. The study included 96 adult patients (m = 61), average age 38.9 ± 16.8 years, with newly diagnosed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of various localization and prevalence. Additional laboratory screening (total protein, albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP), total cholesterol, triglycerides, daily urea excretion), anthropometric measurements (height, body weight (BW), weight loss over 6 months, body mass index), questionnaire (considering the intake of nutrients during the previous 3 days, calculating the intake of protein and energy, nitrogen balance) were performed in all patients before the first course of antitumor treatment. GLIM (Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition) criteria were used to diagnose protein-energy malnutrition (PEM).Results. In studied patients, energy intake was 27.92 ± 6.47 kcal/kg BW per day, protein 0.91 ± 0.18 g/kg BW per day, and nitrogen balance was –3.57 ± 2.94 g/day. Moderate PEM was diagnosed in 37 (38.5 %) patients. Differences in some laboratory parameters were revealed in patients with PEM and without nutritional disorders: CRP level (20.38 ± 14.69 mg/L versus 12.52 ± 5.66 mg/L; p = 0.0004), glucose (5.07 ± 1.09 mmol/L versus 4.57 ± 0.62 mmol/L; p = 0.005), total cholesterol (4.35 ± 1.27 mmol/L versus 5.36 ± 1.45 mmol/L), triglycerides (1.22 ± 0.51 mmol/L versus 2.02 ± 0.78 mmol/L; p = 0.001).Conclusion. Moderate PEM is detected in more than a third of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma who begin antitumor treatment. The leading symptom in this case is unintentional weight loss over the past 6 months. An increased CRP level, moderate hyperglycemia, and lower concentrations of total cholesterol and blood triglycerides also characterize PEM in this cohort of patients. With sufficient energy supply, the amount of protein in the natural diet of patients with PEM turned out to be low, and the nitrogen balance was negative, which in the future can lead to the development of sarcopenia and requires nutritional support.

The article analyzes the evolution of international mediation from the middle of the 20th century to the present day. How do changes in international environment influence mediation and research on it? The paper’s hypothesis is that the transformation of international order and political organization of the world, the dynamics of (de)globalization and changes in the nature of international conflict determine the specifics of international mediation and shape the relevant research. Over the last 80 years international mediation evolved through three stages. During the first stage, shaped by the cold war, conflicts were mostly of interstate nature and were settled by states and international organizations. Meanwhile, the growing activity of non-state actors led to the emergence of mediation via “track II diplomacy”. At this stage, the study of international mediation becomes an established research area. The second stage, since the end of 1980s to the beginning of the 21st century, witnessed a rapid progress in the settlement of many protracted regional conflicts, aided by the mediation efforts of the USSR and the United States. In Russia, research on international mediation, previously fragmentary and legalistic, developed into a separate subfield of international studies. During the third stage, in the 21st century, the political organization of the world has been undergoing a turbulent transformation at all the three levels: Westphalian system, the system of interstate relations, and political systems of individual states. The all-encompassing nature of this change increases conflict potential and changes the nature of international conflicts, which become multidimensional and involve a variety of actors. Responding to the demand for managing complex conflicts, new trends in mediation emerge, such as the growth in mediation attempts by developing nations, engagement of peacekeeping missions in mediation, the use of digital technologies for mediation purposes. At the same time, the erosion of the old political organization of the world triggers the rise in identity-based conflicts that involve disagreement over values. As parties to such conflicts are less likely to seek interestbased compromises, the likelihood of successful mediation decreases.

Background. Body dissatisfaction is widely spread among the population. It negatively affects human health, contributing to the development of eating disorders, anxiety and depressive disorders, and the formation of unhealthy eating patterns and lifestyle. Determining the factors associated with body dissatisfaction in adolescents may be important for the prevention of the above mentioned disorders.The aim of the work. To describe the prevalence, characteristics and factors associated with body dissatisfaction among urban school students.Materials and methods. Tenth-grade school students (n = 440) underwent anthropometry and also filled out questionnaires including socio-demographic factors and lifestyle factors. Collins scales were used to assess body dissatisfaction, and the Russian version of the Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL 4.0; Lyon, France) was used to assess health-related quality of life.Results. 60.2 % of school students reported a desire to have body figures different from the actual one. 42.7 % of adolescents experienced mild body dissatisfaction, 17.5 % experienced moderate and severe body dissatisfaction. The frequency of body dissatisfaction was comparable among both male and female adolescents, but it was more pronounced among girls compared to boys (Z = 2.2; p = 0.029). Boys were significantly more likely than girls to strive for larger body figures than what they felt they had (38.8 % vs. 8.1 %). In contrast, girls were significantly more likely than boys to want to lose weight (55.4 % vs. 12.3 %). Statistically significant associations with moderate/severe body dissatisfaction are shown for overweight/ obesity and for the time spent by schoolchildren watching TV, on social networks, and in the Internet. Sports activities demonstrated a protective role in relation to body dissatisfaction. The presence of body dissatisfaction significantly reduced all aspects of adolescents’ quality of life.Conclusions. The results of the study justify the approach to body dissatisfaction as an independent problem that requires active diagnostics and targeted exporure, and determine possible directions for preventive measures among adolescents.

This article explores the informal public participation in the development of small and medium-sized cities in the European North of Russia. It focuses on two main aspects: the impact of nonprofit organizations (NGOs) and the activity of residents on social networks, particularly in discussions and solutions to local socio-economic issues. The study reveals that NGO activities create significant opportunities for addressing local concerns raised by residents to municipal authorities. An analysis of the official pages of local governments on the VKontakte social network shows that, compared to larger cities, residents of these smaller cities are more engaged in dialogue with local authorities, demonstrate higher loyalty to published content, and actively share information of interest. The research also finds that while residents of small and medium-sized cities actively discuss urban problems in informal online communities and participate in various kinds of socially beneficial events, their participation is generally prompted by external organizers. The level of self-organization to address broader citywide problems remains relatively low. However, when dealing with personal household matters, citizens actively communicate through urban online communities. The study also highlights a high level of trust among residents, as evidenced by their strong response to calls for help in the comments. The scientific novelty of this research lies in its first-time analysis of public participation and the assessment of resident involvement in the management and development processes of small and medium-sized cities, through mechanisms such as NGOs and urban Internet communities.

Background. Breast cysts are a relatively common benign condition, accounting for 26.4% of all benign mammary dysplasias (BMD). Due to scientific and technological progress, in many cases, it is possible to achieve improvement from non-surgical and complex therapy, including minimally invasive technologies such as image-guided air injections with non-surgical treatment. Aim. To determine the optimal approach for the management of benign breast cysts and to provide a rationale for the combined use of air injections with phytotherapy. Materials and methods. The study included women aged 25 to 45 years (mean age was 37.7±5.6 years) taking combined oral contraceptives (COCs) for at least 3 years with benign breast cysts. Patients were randomized into two groups: Group 1 (n=26) included patients with a cystic form of BMD who received a fine-needle puncture followed by air mixture injections into the cyst cavity in combination with non-surgical therapy with the herbal medicinal product Mastopol®; Group 2 (n=19) included patients with a cystic form of BMD who received only air injections into the cyst cavity. The dosing regimen of Mastopol® in patients of Group 1: 1 tablet sublingually 3 times a day 20 minutes before meals. The non-surgical therapy was initiated on the day of the air injection. The duration of treatment with Mastopol® was 3 months. Results. A pain decrease was reported in 18 patients (69.2%) of Group 1; in Group 2, only 2 (10.5%) patients reported a pain decrease. Almost all patients of Group 2 (n=17; 89.5%) required repeated air injections for complete cyst reduction, while in Group 1, only 31% (n=8) of patients received repeated air injections. Comparative analysis showed a significant difference between the groups: φ*=1.7; p≤0.04. One month after treatment and air injections, mastalgia of varying intensity in Group 1 persisted in 31% (n=8) of patients and 89.5% (n=17) of patients in Group 2. Conclusion. While taking COCs, women may experience pain and tension in the breast, as well as an increase in the echo density of the breast and thickening of the glandular tissue and the wall of the cysts. These adverse effects of COCs must be reduced. The results of the study demonstrated the effectiveness of the antiproliferative herbal drug Mastopol®, prescribed in combination with an adequate, effective, and safe method such as air injection into the cyst cavity.

Abstract The WHO recently published a Tobacco Knowledge Summary (TKS) synthesizing current evidence on tobacco and COPD, aiming to raise awareness among a broad audience of health care professionals. Furthermore, it can be used as an advocacy tool in the fight for tobacco control and prevention of tobacco-related disease. This article builds on the evidence presented in the TKS, with a greater level of detail intended for a lung-specialist audience. Pulmonologists have a vital role to play in advocating for the health of their patients and the wider population by sharing five key messages: (1) Smoking is the leading cause of COPD in high-income countries, contributing to approximately 70% of cases. Quitting tobacco is an essential step toward better lung health. (2) People with COPD face a significantly higher risk of developing lung cancer. Smoking cessation is a powerful measure to reduce cancer risk. (3) Cardiovascular disease, lung cancer and type-2 diabetes are common comorbidities in people with COPD. Quitting smoking not only improves COPD management, but also reduces the risk of developing these coexisting conditions. (4) Tobacco smoke also significantly impacts children’s lung growth and development, increasing the risk of respiratory infections, asthma and up to ten other conditions, and COPD later in life. Governments should implement effective tobacco control measures to protect vulnerable populations. (5) The tobacco industry’s aggressive strategies in the marketing of nicotine delivery systems and all tobacco products specifically target children, adolescents, and young adults. Protecting our youth from these harmful tactics is a top priority.

Academic publications on Chinese semiotics are less numerous than those on Indo-European semiotics. This article shows the mantic practices in ancient China from the perspective of the semiotic weakening law. The evolution of hieroglyphic signs cannot be studied separately from that of mantic practices. The basic mental categories of Chinese mentality originated in mantic practices and were fixed in hieroglyphic writing. This study is an attempt to unravel the evolutionary peculiarities of Chinese mentality, i.e., how mantic practices evolved into philosophy which, in its turn, crystallized as the ancient canonical text of The Book of Changes. As the current scientific interest to linguo-cultural codes continues to grow, this research provides an insight into the nature of human mind and hieroglyphic signs, as well as promotes effective intercultural communication. The study relied on the principles developed by C. S. Peirce, C. W. Morris, S. G. Proskurin, V. P. Vasiliev, L. S. Vygotsky, Yu. K. Shchutskii, D. N. Keightley, etc. Hieroglyphs associated with fortune-telling practices were subjected to the methods of grapheme and etymological analyses, as well as the methods of description and comparison, to study the connection of mantic and hieroglyphic systems. The mantic system revealed a ternary structure and three stages of weakening, i.e., identity, similarity, and convention. The main links of the process included cracking (primary), interpretation (secondary), and fixation (tertiary). The hieroglyphic system reflected the transformations of mantic practices, which gradually turned into a philosophical tradition of reading trigrams and hexagrams. The correlation between the two systems made it possible to understand how primitive mantic practices had evolved into philosophy.

Background. Among the key trends influencing education today, the following stand out: “massification” and internationalization of education, turbulence of the world economy, “digital revolution”, technological innovation. Gamification has become a popular tool for solving various problems of varying degrees of complexity and today is confidently used in areas including business, personnel management, healthcare, and education. The purpose is to examine the application of gamification in teaching economics to medical students. Materials and methods. When working on the article, we used an analysis of sources containing experience in the use of gamification by domestic and foreign scientists, generalization and systematization of the results obtained, modeling of the educational process, a pedagogical experiment on modifying existing economic games and using them in practical classes in economics, observation of behavior students in classes using gaming technologies, analyzing the results of using games. Results. The characteristics of generations differ in different countries depending on the economic, social, political and other conditions of the development of society. Taking these characteristics into account, educational standards and teaching technologies are changing. Educational technologies used in the process of teaching economics to students of generation “Y” required significant improvements for teaching to students of generation “Z”. The idea of using gaming technologies, which is actively used in our time, cannot be called completely new. The classics of pedagogy K.D. Ushinsky and Sukhomlinsky V.A. spoke about the need for games in learning. The authors conducted a pedagogical experiment on introducing gamification into the teaching of economics to medical university students. At a medical university, students study economics in their junior years, when they themselves are still dependent and, with rare exceptions, have no experience of earning money on their own. The use of games, common in teaching economics at specialized economic universities, presupposes a well-developed economic thinking and knowledge base. For medical students, gamification tools require significant adaptation and refinement. Also, when introducing games into the learning process, it is necessary to take into account the different perceptions of students of generations “Y” and “Z”. Generation Z is closer to computer games and, accordingly, there are opportunities for their use in education. However, as the experiment showed, these students willingly take part and show interest in classes using the classical principles of board games. As a result, approaches to introducing gamification into teaching economics to medical university students have been developed. An analysis of gamification as a tool for developing interest and motivation of students was carried out, taking into account the theory of generations. As part of gamification, board games were modified and tested, which allowed students to develop skills in applying economic knowledge in future professional activities, including the commercialization of scientific developments.

Introduction. Digital economy has generated a completely new model of human-machine interaction based on the active use of digital technologies in almost all spheres of human activity. Most information systems used by organizations are integrated with big data analytics, which requires higher qualified staff. The job responsibilities of employees change according to industry and corporate needs. The requirements for staff qualification are increasing, urging the company HR service to find, attract and retain specialists of the required qualifications, and organize staff development in the organization. Innovations in decision-making algorithms make artificial intelligence the most useful tool for implementing a human resource management strategy in an organization. Materials and methods. The article uses general scientific research methods, such as qualitative analysis, observation method, synthesis, logical induction method and others. The information basis of the article consists of scientific research works, official documents, and information posted in the media. A secondary analysis of the research on the topic under study was carried out. Results. Despite the fact that the processes related to personnel management have always been a human cognitive ability, artificial intelligence technologies can currently provide technical solutions in the field of recruitment and further staff development. Artificial intelligence plays an important role in collecting candidate data from various sources, and is able to evaluate the required candidates based on a job description more effectively and objectively than a HR officer. Artificial intelligence can more accurately describe a job that corresponds to the business process in skills. Artificial intelligence technologies can play an important role in the process of organizing professional development and retraining of staff. The use of artificial intelligence provides for obtaining more personalized and understandable results excluding the "human factor". In this article, special attention is paid to artificial intelligence technologies, which can be effectively used in staff management. The opportunities to increase the HR employees’ productivity are considered, main risks of artificial intelligence introduction are highlighted and recommendations for its efficient application are given. The research novelty is in identification of the scope of the use of artificial intelligence in the organizational personnel policy, making it possible to realize the opportunities for revealing the creative potential of the organization’s employees and increase competitiveness. Discussion. It is absolutely clear that AI is becoming an integral part of business ecosystems, and necessary to maintain and increase the level of competitiveness of economic agents. Nevertheless, AI is constantly evolving, which allows companies to expand the functionality of its use. However, it is important to define the boundaries of AI use, including how human-machine interaction will be ensured, which functions can be given to AI, and which can be abandoned.

Abstract Background The positive changes in hygienic living conditions are commonly believed to explain secular changes in body height and the age of maturity. However, it is difficult to estimate the separate impacts of these factors due to the lack of social and economic data and variations in the sources of information. We hypothesized that final male body height could be associated with various socioeconomic indicators, such as the development of the medical care system, the quality of nutrition, and the level of sanitary and hygienic conditions. Moreover, we hypothesized that male body height could be associated with the level of morbidity in the region during the time of conscript childhood (from 1 to 7 years old). Materials and methods We used two main sources of information in the analyses. The first is the data from the Statistical Reference Book published by the Central Statistical Committee in 1929. The second is the annual data from the Statistical Reference Book published in the Russian Empire. Since the conscripts were born between 1906 and 1909, we used datasets from 1910 to 1913. To analyze the data, we used a method of analyzing interacting variables called St. Nicolas House Analysis (SNHA). Results Our analyses revealed direct associations between the morbidity of some diseases and male body height and other anthropometric parameters. Conclusions There are associations between conscript final body height and the morbidity of influenza, dysentery and some venereal diseases, such as chancroid and syphilis. There were no associations between conscript final body height and the level of morbidity during childhood. However, other final parameters, such as BMI, weight, and chest circumference, could be associated with the morbidity of malaria, scabies, scurvy, and scarlet fever during childhood. The prevalence of these diseases could be strongly connected with unfavorable living conditions. The results are similar for both urban and rural areas.

Cognitive impairment is a common stroke-induced complication that aggravates the outcome of the disease. Post-stroke cognitive processes are an important research issue: unlike motor disorders, cognitive impairments prevent patients from adapting to their new state, which leads to social and professional maladjustment, as well as complicates the rehabilitation. This article describes the functioning of cognitive processes in post-stroke patients. The methods involved Schulte Table Test, Pictogram Method, Wartegg Test ("Circles"), Masselon Test, Gordon’s questionnaire, Benton Visual Retention Test (BVRT), McNair and Kahn’s Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB), and Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination Revised (ACE-R). Most participants demonstrated cognitive impairments. Moderate cognitive impairments of multifunctional amnestic type predominated; severe cognitive impairments were less numerous; mild cognitive impairments were scarce. Subjective cognitive disorders occurred very often and correlated with anxiety and depression. To test the age-dependance hypothesis, the participants were divided into two groups, i.e., those under 65 y.o. and those over 65 y.o. The 65-plusers were more prone to disorders of memory, attention, speech, thinking, imagination, gnosis, and praxis. The younger participants initially demonstrated subjective cognitive impairments, which were not confirmed by further neuropsychological tests.

Relevance. The development of antimicrobial drugs and alternative methods, technologies and means of prevention, diagnosis and treatment of human infectious diseases caused by antibiotic-resistant microorganisms is one of the priorities of ensuring the biological safety of the country. Aims. To evaluate the bactericidal activity of tetrapyrrole macroheterocycles (porphyrins) at different light irradiation durations in relation to staphylococci, in vitro. Materials and methods. Studied strains of microorganisms: museum strains of microorganisms – S. aureus ATCC 29213, S. epidermidis ATCC 14990 and antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria of the genus Staphylococcus (n=18) isolated from clinical biomaterial and from environmental objects in a medical organization. The studied chemical compounds are three different compounds of water-soluble asymmetrically substituted porphyrins containing heterocyclic fragments on the periphery of the porphyrin cycle (residues of benzoxazole, N-methylbenzimidazole and benzothiazole). Results. The activity of all three porphyrin compounds in relation to museum strains of staphylococcus and 77.8% of clinical antibiotic-resistant strains (n=14; 95% CI 20.1-97.5) turned out to be maximal (complete lysis) after 10 minutes of irradiation. Conclusions. The tested tetrapyrrole macroheterocycles (porphyrins) exhibit bactericidal activity against museum and clinical strains of staphylococcus, with different levels of antibiotic resistance, which determines Keywords: antibiotic resistance, water-soluble porphyrin, photodynamic inactivation, photosensitizer, photochemistry, staphylococci No conflict of interest to declare.

The purpose of the work was to study the dynamics of mountain stone glaciers and streams flowing down from them for an understanding their hydrological significance. Two glaciers: Morenny and Gorodetsky, were analyzed, both located in the river Ulken Almaty (Big Almatinka) basin, Northern Tien Shan. On the average, the rate of surface displacement of the Morennoye glacier is higher than that of the Gorodetsky, which is associated with increased ice content of the last one. The increase in rates of surface displacement of both stone glaciers revealed in 2021–2022 when compared to previous years turned out to be consistent with the widely discussed idea of intensification of such glaciers dynamics under the present-day climate changes and glacier retreats. It was found that the stone glaciers have a pronounced influence on the water regime, temperature and chemical composition of watercourses formed by water running out from them. They are distinguished by the almost complete absence of intraday fluctuations in the level, temperature, and specific electrical conductivity of water, which are more pronounced in rivers and streams with glacial alimentation during the summer time. Some waterflows from the Gorodetsky glacier do not freeze in winter, which is indicative of significant groundwater reserves in its body. The waters of each of the above stone glaciers differ in their characteristic mineralization, temperature, and the ratio of the major ions. The stable water flow from such glaciers can play an important role in maintaining a river runoff during periods of the low stream discharge.

The article presents a review of a number of modern foreign studies of implicit false beliefs in young children with typical development, hearing impairments, autism spectrum disorders, and primates. The results of studies performed using different methodological paradigms for assessing early development of mental models: violation of expectations and anticipatory looking are analyzed. The results of research on the search for the biological basis of the origins of social cognition using functional near-infrared spectroscopy are presented, as well as the results of research on the relationship between possible predictors of theory of mind (understanding the purpose of another's actions, joint attention, implicit false beliefs) and the success of social cognition in preschool age under typical development. Theoretical conceptualizations of two theory of mind systems are described: the minimal one and the theory of mind. Immediate prospects for future research to resolve existing replication crises and prevent new ones are outlined.

Aim. Development and external validation of a risk prediction model for acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) in patients with low left ventricular ejection fraction.Material and methods. The model development group was represented by patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) included in a registry observational study from 2015 to 2019, a total of 260 patients, age 59 (53; 66) years, 214 (82.3%) — men. External validation of the model was carried out in a cohort of independent prospective observation of 94 patients with HFrEF from the same registry for the period from 2020 to 2021, median age 66 (52;73) years, of which 73 (77.6%) were men. The prospective follow-up period was 4.6 (2.3; 4.9) years in the internal validation group, 2.5 (1.7; 2.9) years in the external validation group. Data were obtained on the status of patients, causes of death, and the frequency of hospitalizations for ADHF. The actual and predicted incidence of ADHF using the evaluated prognostic model was compared.Results. During the observation period in the internal validation group, ADHF developed in 69 (26.5%) patients, and 47 (18.1%) died due to ADHF. The prognostic regression model included LA enlargement of more than 45 mm, male gender, left ventricular ejection fraction less than 35%, absence of renin-angiotensin system blocker and amiodarone. When performing ROC analysis, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of the created model was 0.8, sensitivity model — 69.2%, specificity — 80%, accuracy — 75.3%. In the external validation group, 34 (36.2%) cases of ADHF were registered; mortality from ADHF in the external validation group was 15.9%, which is comparable to the development group (p > 0.05). The diagnostic value of the developed model during external validation showed to be high and was comparable to the results obtained in the development group: the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.8, sensitivity — 73.3%, specificity — 82.5%, accuracy 76.1%, (p=0.102, McNeil test).Conclusion. The developed regression model has sufficient statistical power to predict the risk of ADHF in patients with low left ventricular ejection fraction in the long term, which is confirmed by external validation.

Aim. To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Extimia® (empegfilgrastim, JSC "BIOCAD") in reducing the frequency, duration of neutropenia, the incidence of febrile neutropenia (FN) and infections caused by FN in patients with solid tumors receiving myelosuppressive therapy. Materials and methods. The paper presents the final results of a multicenter prospective observational post-marketing study of the safety and effectiveness of Extimia® (empegfilgrastim) in patients with solid tumors receiving cytotoxic therapy. For the primary prevention of FN, all patients received empegfilgrastim at 7.5 mg subcutaneously once per course of chemotherapy (CT) 24 hours after the end of CT administration. The primary endpoint included an assessment of the relative dose-intensity (RDI) of the CT courses administered. The endpoints of interest included the assessment of the RDI of CT courses by nosology and CT regimen, the frequency of dose-limiting neutropenia, and the incidence of all adverse events (AEs) in patients who received at least one dose of the study medication, including serious AEs. Results. From February 2021 to December 2022, 3218 patients with various malignancies were included in 41 study centers of the Russian Fede- ration. Of these, 3217 (99.97%) patients received at least one dose of the study drug, and 2663 (82.8%) patients were included in the RDI evaluation population according to the study protocol. The mean age in this group was 56.9 (18–84) years. RDI ≥85% was achieved in 2,415 (90.7%) patients. The mean RDI was 96.2%, with a median of 100%. FN risk factors were present in 1216 (45.7%) patients, with age ≥65 years being the most common risk factor at 761/2663 (28.6%). It should be noted that in patients younger than 65 years, the RDI was 91.5%, and in elderly patients (≥65 years) 88.7%. Dose-limiting neutropenia was reported in 19 (0.7%) patients. There were 74 cases of grade 3–4 AEs (according to CTCAE v.5) in 59 (1.8%) patients. The most common were neutropenia, anemia, and diarrhea in 19 (0.7%), 7 (0.2%), and 6 (0.2%) patients, respectively. Serious AEs were reported in 17 patients (0.5%). Conclusion. Primary prophylaxis of FN with long-acting granulocyte colony-stimulating factor empegfilgrastim effectively maintains RDI in various nosological and therapeutic groups of patients with different CT regimens in real-world clinical practice.

Food allergy is a matter of global concern, proteins being a popular allergen worldwide. Enzymatic protein hydrolysates serve as hypoallergenic components in functional foods. This article describes enzymatic hydrolysates of egg and soy proteins as potential antigens, sensitizers, and antioxidants. The research featured soy protein isolate and egg albumin. The protein hydrolysates were obtained in a two-step process with pepsin and trypsin to measure hydrolysis, total antioxidant activity, and residual antigenicity. The sensitizing ability of native proteins and their hydrolysates was studied using a delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) skin test of paw swelling in mice. The egg albumin and soy protein were hydrolyzed by sequentially adding the proteases, i.e., pepsin and trypsin. The degree of protein hydrolysis was calculated against total nitrogen and its contents in non-hydrolyzed raw materials and hydrolysate. It was 82.6% for the egg hydrolysate and 88.3% for the soy hydrolysate, the total antioxidant activity being 114.3 and 91.4 mg/100 mL, respectively. The residual antigenicity of the hydrolysates determined by ELISA in a sandwich version was 1.55×10–4 and 3.30×10–4 RU, respectively. The native egg and soy proteins demonstrated good allergenic properties, and the DTH response index increased fivefold. The hydrolysates reduced the DTH response indices by an average of 3.5 for egg hydrolysate and 2.6 times for soy hydrolysate. The resulting enzymatic hydrolysates of egg albumin and soy protein demonstrated a high degree of hydrolysis and antioxidant activity. They had low residual antigenicity (10–4) and low sensitizing ability. The resulting enzymatic hydrolysates could be used as hypoallergenic components and antioxidants in new functional foods.

The study considers the phenomenology of the professional crisis of the teacher personality in the context of the transition to online learning. Based on the analysis of the results of the theoretical and empirical research involving 170 teachers, it was established that the features of the professional crisis of the teacher personality are the transformation of the value-semantic sphere of the personality and the actualization of reflexive and anticipation processes. The results of the empirical research allowed for the first time to reveal the features of the professional crisis of the teacher in the context of the transition. The experimental group had the life efficiency indicator on the level 47.92 out of 100 points, while the control group -- 69.59 points, which is not a much higher indicator. The results can become an empirical basis for the development of programs of psychological and pedagogical support for teachers experiencing professional crisis situations when implementing online learning programs.

We present a novel spin-valve THz emitter composed of FeCo/TbCo2/FeCo tri-layers separated by a copper spacer, designed to provide amplitude modulation of THz radiation. The distinct coercivities of the magnetic layers enable magnetic field control of the THz emission, with the final amplitude formed by the interference of THz waves from the individual tri-layers. Experimental studies using time-domain spectroscopy reveal that the spin-valve structure, optimized for in-plane magnetic anisotropy, effectively modulates the THz signal and maintains constant polarization. Although the current optical-to-THz conversion efficiency is insufficient for commercial use, the findings offer crucial insights for enhancing efficiency through structural optimization, highlighting the potential for advanced THz emitters and modulators.