The Vocal Babbling Behavior and Its Sibling Effects in a Wild Parrot

Vocal learning is a rare trait in the animal kingdom, defined as the sensorimotor imitation of sounds, and is only found in select groups of birds and mammals. Parrots are a behaviorally complex group of birds, famous for their ability to mimic social companions, but how they develop this ability in the wild has received little attention. The vocal learning period consists of a complex vocal babbling stage, a crucial developmental precursor for imitation of adult vocalizations in humans and songbirds, but has not been described in any of the 360+ parrot species. This project quantifies potential individual variation in vocal babbling of a wild population of Green-rumped Parrotlets (Forpus passerinus) in South America. This project also addresses whether variable sibling presence has an effect on the vocal babbling repertoire. This work exposes a cryptic developmental stage that has never been explored in wild parrots

Модель прогнозирования и управления преждевременными родами

Background: It seems relevant to study the contribution of socio-demographic, somatic and obstetric-gynecological factors in the implementation of preterm birth. Aims: Assessment of the prognostic significance of socio-demographic, obstetric-gynecological and somatic factors in the prediction of preterm birth and associated adverse pregnancy outcomes with subsequent validation of the prognostic model. Materials and methods: Cohort study with a mixed cohort. A retrospective assessment of socio-demographic factors, harmful habits, obstetric and gynecological pathology, somatic diseases, course and outcomes of pregnancy was carried out with the assessment of the status of newborns in 1246 women with subsequent construction of a predictive model of preterm birth and adverse outcomes of pregnancy using Regression with Optimal Scaling and its prospective validation in 100 women. Results: The most significant predictors, that increase the chance of preterm birth and adverse pregnancy outcomes, were history of premature birth, irregular monitoring during pregnancy, history of pelvic inflammatory disease, smoking, obesity, the onset of sexual activity up to 16 years, cardiovascular and endocrine diseases. Intellectual job reduced the chance of preterm birth and adverse pregnancy outcomes This multivariate predictive model has a diagnostic value. The score of risk factors 25 points had a sensitivity of 73%, a specificity of 71%, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) 0.76 (good quality), p0.001. After stratification of high-risk groups by maternal and perinatal pathology the following list of diagnostic and therapeutic measures is introduced and actively implemented in antenatal clinics. To stratificate this model, we prospectively analyze the course and pregnancy outcomes of 100 women divided into 2 groups: group 1 ― 50 women with preterm delivery, group 2 ― 50 women with term delivery. A total score of 25 and above had 44% of women in group 1 and only 10% of women in group 2 (sensitivity 81.4%, specificity 61.6%, positive predictive value 44%, negative predictive value 90%, positive likelihood ratio 2.2 [1.53.0], negative likelihood ratio 0.3 [0.130.68]). Conclusions: We have proposed a model for predicting preterm birth and delivery and perinatal losses using the available characteristics of pregnant women from early pregnancy with moderate indicators of diagnostic value. Further validation of the model in the general population of pregnant women is required.Обоснование. Представляется актуальным изучение вклада социально-демографических, соматических и акушерско-гинекологических факторов в реализацию преждевременных родов. Цель исследования ― оценка значимости социально-демографических, акушерско-гинекологических и соматических факторов в прогнозировании преждевременных родов и ассоциированных с ними неблагоприятных исходов беременности с последующей валидизацией прогностической модели. Методы. Когортное исследование со смешанными группами участников. Проводилась ретроспективная оценка социально-демографических факторов, вредных привычек, соматических заболеваний, гинекологической патологии, течения и исходов беременности для новорожденных у 1246 женщин с целью построения модели прогнозирования преждевременных родов и неблагоприятных исходов беременности при помощи регрессионного анализа с оптимальным шкалированием и валидизацией модели у 100 женщин. Результаты. Наиболее значимыми предикторами, увеличивающими риск преждевременных родов и неблагоприятных исходов беременности, оказались преждевременные роды в анамнезе, нерегулярное наблюдение во время беременности, воспалительные заболевания органов малого таза в анамнезе, курение, ожирение, начало половой жизни до 16 лет, сердечно-сосудистые и эндокринные заболевания. Принадлежность к интеллектуальной работе, наоборот, уменьшала риск преждевременных родов и ассоциированных с ними неблагоприятных исходов. Данная прогностическая модель продемонстрировала диагностическую ценность. При подсчете 25 и более баллов модель имела чувствительность 73%, специфичность 71%, площадь под ROC-кривой (AUC) 0,76 (качество хорошее), р0,001. После стратификации групп высокого риска по материнской и перинатальной патологии в условиях женской консультации внедрен и активно проводится определенный перечень диагностических и лечебно-профилактических мероприятий. С целью стратификации модели проспективно проанализированы течение и исходы беременности у 100 женщин, разделенных на 2 группы по 50 человек, чья беременность закончилась преждевременными или своевременными родами. В группе 1 суммарный балл 25 имели 44% женщин, в группе 2 ― только 10% женщин (чувствительность 81,4%, специфичность 61,6%, положительная прогностическая значимость 44%, отрицательная прогностическая значимость 90%, положительное отношение правдоподобия 2,2 [1,53,0], отрицательное отношение правдоподобия 0,3 [0,130,68]). Заключение. Нами предложена модель прогнозирования преждевременных родов и перинатальных потерь с использованием доступных характеристик беременных женщин с ранних сроков беременности с умеренными показателями диагностической значимости. Требуется дальнейшая валидизация модели на большей популяции беременных женщин

FREQUENCY OF EMOTIONAL DISORDERS AND BEHAVIOR DISTURBANCES IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS OF AGINSKIY DISTRICT OF BURYAT REGION

Aimed at studying the prevalence of emotional disorders and behavior disturbances in children and adolescents of Aginskiy district of Buryatskiy region (okrug), we had been examining 2 572 schoolchildren picked up by random (1 487 primary schoolchildren and 1 085 adolescents). We were using M.Ratter's questionnairy (B2 scale for teachers). Frequency of emotional disorders and behavior disturbances in primary school children was 8.6 %, and in adolescents it was 7.3 %. We marked disorders in boys 2-4 times more frequent than in girls. The shares of behavior disturbances and hyperkinetic disturbances are the largest in the structure

Anterior Abdominal Wall Pain

Aim: to present modern approaches to the differential diagnosis and treatment of anterior abdominal wall pain.Key points. Pain in the anterior abdominal wall is a common reason for visiting a gastroenterologist and is often misinterpreted. Signs that distinguish it from visceral and parietal pain include local character, a positive Carnett sign and the effectiveness of local anesthetic injection. Among the main causes, it is necessary to highlight diseases that are not accompanied by a palpable mass in the anterior abdominal wall (anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome, ilioinguinal nerve syndrome, slipping rib syndrome, radiculopathy and myofascial pain syndrome). Another group of causes of pain in the anterior abdominal wall is represented by diseases in which areas of infiltration (tumors, endometriosis, infections) or hernial protrusions are determined, in which radiation methods play an important role in diagnosis.Conclusion. Knowledge of pathognomonic clinical and instrumental signs is the basis for differential diagnosis and choice of treatment strategy for pathology of the anterior abdominal wall

Heterotopic Gastric Mucosa in Cervical Oesophagus: Clinical Observations

Aim. Description of the endoscopic and clinical traits of heterotopic gastric mucosa (HGM) observed in cervical oesophagus.Key points. HGM in proximal oesophagus can be asymptomatic or have various clinical manifestations. A 40-yo female patient consulted a gastroenterologist with complaints of cough and globus sensation. For several years she was visiting an otorhinolaryngologist and psychotherapist, with therapy ineffective. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGDS) at the last visit revealed several foci of HGM in cervical oesophagus of 1.2 x 0.8 cm maximal size. The patient was prescribed a combined prokinetic — proton pump inhibitor therapy, which relieved the symptoms. EGDS in a 21-yo patient without active complaints revealed a 2 cm-wide HGM of 4/5 cervical oesophageal lining with acidproducing zones.Conclusion. Two different scenarios of cervical oesophageal HGM are described, the first one manifested with laryngopharyngeal reflux, and the second devoid of clinical manifestations despite a large heterotopic site

Prognostic Models of Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis

Aim: to study the significance of prognostic scales in a target group of patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) living in the Chelyabinsk region.Materials and methods. The study included 21 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and a disease duration of at least two years. The primary endpoint studied was death. The MELD, Mayo Risk Score, Amsterdam-Oxford PSC Score, PREsTo score, and UK-PSC Score scales were calculated based on the medical records. Statistical processing was carried out using the SPSS Statistics v.22 application.Results. A retrospective assessment of the risk of mortality using the MELD, Mayo Risk Score and Amsterdam-Oxford PSC Score did not reveal a statistically significant difference between deceased and surviving patients. The UK-PSC Score scale showed the highest predictive value (p = 0.046).Conclusion. The new predictive model UK-PSC Score showed advantages in predicting death in PSC patients compared to other scales

PSYCHO-PATHOLOGIC BASES OF SUICIDAL BEHAVIOR IN ADOLESCENTS OF NATIVE PEOPLE OF SIBERIA

In order to study the peculiarities of emotion sphere and reactions under stress situations, we examined 556 adolescents of indegenion peoples of Siberia, inhabitants of three districts, located in Siberian region. Control was represented by 315 alien adolescents of Siberia. We implemented the technique of «Self-evaluation of psychic disorders» and determined the level of anxiety, frustration, aggression, private rigidity. Wefound out that psycho pathologic basis of suicidal behavior in native adolescents of Siberia is the increased level of anxiety, decreased tolerance to stress, blocked activity under stress situation

Esophageal Lichen Planus as a Cause of Dysphagia: Literature Review and Clinical Observation

Aim: to analyze the literature data, and to raise awareness of doctors of various specialties about the methods of diagnosis and treatment of esophageal lichen planus (ELP).Key points. In a 67-year-old female patient with complaints of difficulty swallowing solid food and weight loss, esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed subcompensated stenosis of the middle third of the esophagus and signs of fibrinous esophagitis. Based on the characteristics of the endoscopic picture and the detection of apoptotic Ciwatt bodies in esophageal biopsies, a diagnosis of ELP was established. Treatment with glucocorticosteroids led to relief of symptoms and positive endoscopic dynamics. ELP is rare and the least studied, data on this disease in the literature are presented mainly in the form of clinical observations and analysis of series of cases. Typical clinical manifestations include dysphagia and odynophagia. Despite the low prevalence, ELP can be associated with serious complications: stenosis and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Endoscopic examination reveals characteristic signs in the esophagus: swelling, thickening and increased vulnerability of the mucosa, often with fibrin, formation of membranes and strictures. The histological picture is represented by epithelial dyskeratosis with exfoliation, lichenoid lymphocytic infiltration. The most specific histological sign is the presence of apoptotic Civatte bodies. Recommendations for the treatment of ELP are limited to the results of a series of clinical observations and include the prescription of systemic corticosteroids. The issue of supportive therapy is the least studied.Conclusion. Analysis of the literature data and the clinical case demonstrate that lichen planus of the esophagus is one of the rare causes of dysphagia. Characteristic endoscopic and histological signs are key for the diagnosis. The management of patients with esophageal lichen planus is insufficiently defined and today includes taking of glucocorticosteroids, endoscopic dilation of stricture and dynamic endoscopic observation, given the high risk of squamous cell carcinoma in this category of patients

The FINDRISC scale as a risk assessment tool for liver fibrosis in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

BACKGROUND: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease in the world, which includes changes from hepatic steatosis and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis to fibrosis and cirrhosis. Attempts to find noninvasive markers of liver fibrosis have led to a variety of scales, diagnostic algorithms, and imaging techniques. Individual studies have analyzed the relationship between the FINDRISC scale and hepatic steatosis and concluded that this questionnaire can be used as part of population screening to identify individuals at risk for hepatic steatosis. However, our review of the literature did not reveal any clinical studies on the use and effectiveness of the FINDRISC in liver fibrosis screening.AIM: To evaluate diagnostic value of FINDRISC for liver fibrosis detection.MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study enrolled patients aged 40–60 years from unorganized outpatient population. The sample of patients was formed randomly according to the inclusion and noninclusion criteria. All patients were assessed with standard anthropometric parameters. The FINDRISC questionnaire was used. All patients underwent transabdominal ultrasound examination of the liver and transient liver elastometry. The degree of steatosis was evaluated using Hamaguchi ultrasound scale. RESULTS: The study included 100 patients. An increased risk of type 2 DM (≥7 points) was detected in 68% of patients using the FINDRISC scale. Liver steatosis was diagnosed in 41% of patients. Median values of hepatic elastic modulus by transient elastometry were 4.50 (4.00; 5.25) kPa. At the same time, liver elasticity modulus values ≥5.9 kPa were registered in 11 (11.0%) patients. When analyzing the array of sensitivity and specificity values using the ROC-curve, it was found that for the FINDRISC scale the maximum LR+ and the minimum LRvalues were observed when the number of points on the indicated scale exceeded 10. At this cutoff, the FINDRISC scale had a sensitivity of 81.8% and specificity of 61.8% for detecting liver fibrosis (liver modulus of elasticity ≥5.9 kPa). The scale was of good diagnostic value (AUC 0.699; 95% CI 0.530–0.815).CONCLUSION: In an unorganized sample of patients aged 40–60 years the FINDRISC can serve as a diagnostic tool for liver fibrosis and steatosis. Sum of FINDRISC scores >10 allowed to diagnose liver fibrosis (liver elastic modulus ≥5.9kPa) with sensitivity 81.8% and specificity 61.8%. The probability of absence of hepatic fibrosis with FINDRISC scale values <10 was 96.5%