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Introduction: Medical students develop their attitude towards euthanasia during their study at medical schools. These views may reflect cultural traditions of different countries. Objectives: The goal of the research is to find out cross-cultural differences in attitudes towards euthanasia among Russian and Uzbek medical students. Methods: The research is based on the survey of 140 students of medical universities of Russia (n=84; mean age 19.1±2.1) and Uzbekistan (n=56; mean age 20.1±1.6). To measure various aspects of euthanasia attitudes, we used E. Nikolaev (2016) structured questionnaire. Results: According to most parameters the students of the two countries revealed no significant differences. At the same time 64.8% of the Uzbek students consider euthanasia primarily as a legal matter that requires legislative regulation (p=0.000) and 70.5% of Russian students see euthanasia as an issue of moral and ethical nature that should be solved in compliance with the paramount human values (p=0.025). There were also revealed valid differences (p=0.03) concerning one of the spiritual aspects of euthanasia - there were more Uzbek students who confidently believe that humans have no right to depart their life voluntarily as they come to this world not at their own will. These manifestations can be related to a certainly higher level of religious faith declared by the Uzbek students as compared to the Russian ones (p=0.02). Conclusions: Cross-cultural differences in attitudes towards euthanasia are determined by the fact that Russian medical students are guided mostly by the proper ethical nature of the issue while Uzbek medical students regard both legal and spiritual aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The analysis of evaluation of the efficacy and safety of Relatox in patients with cervical dystonia (CD)., Material and Methods: Russian multicenter simple comparative randomized clinical trial. The study involved 180 patients of both sexes aged 18-65 years from 3 research centers of the Russian Federation. All patients had previously established diagnosis of CD and were randomized to one of two groups at 1 visit after the inclusion procedure and signing of informed consent. Patients in group 1 ( n =90) got injections of Relatox, in group 2 ( n =90) - injections of Botox for the first time or no earlier than 4 months after the previous injection of Dysport 500 units, Botox 200 units or Xeomin 200 units. The assessment of changes in cervical dystonia followed, including of determination of changes in the severity of CD, assessed on the TWSTRS scale by the total score and by the defining values of the blocks, as well as on the scales: the Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I) and of adverse events (local and systemic reactions). Based on the form of cervical dystonia (torticollis, laterocollis, etc.), the drug was injected under electromyographic control into the target muscles: sternocleidomastoid, belt, trapezoidal, shoulder-lifting muscle., Results: Equal efficacy, good tolerability and safety comparable to the comparison drug Botox was demonstrated in 12 weeks after injection of Relatox. The number of registered local and systemic reactions in both groups was insignificant and did not differ significantly ( p >0.05). There were no significant differences in the results of laboratory parameters in patients of both groups ( p >0.05). Serious adverse events were also not detected during the study., Conclusion: Obtained results indicate the safety, good tolerability and efficacy of Relatox in patients with CD comparable to Botox and can be recomemded for using by practitioners.