Pandemic challenge for staff training and development systems

The digital economy has predetermined the priority of digital transformation of all company processes, including staff training and development. But, not all companies have been able to adjust quickly in the face of the digitalisation of their processes by advanced companies. However, the pandemic COVID-19 radically changed the situation, forcing everyone to urgently switch to a remote work format and introduce digital methods for training and developing staff. The article presents an analysis of the peculiarities of accelerated digital transformation of staff training and development in Russian and foreign companies, and staff assessment during the pandemic. The most frequently used digital methods and approaches to staff development and assessment have been analysed, the main trends in corporate training in Russia and worldwide have been identified, and recommendations for improving digital transformation of training and personnel development in the current environment have been offered

Depression, cognitive dysfunction and other factors associated with 5-year overall mortality in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a pilot prospective observational study

BACKGROUND: Psychological predictors of overall mortality in the Russian population of Type 2 diabetic patients and their impact compared to biological risk factors have not been studied.AIM. To identify clinical, laboratory and psychological factors independently associated with the 5-year overall mortality in Type 2 diabetic patients in the Moscow region.MATERIALS AND METHODS: This open label observational prospective study included 178 consecutive type 2 diabetic patients (women 145, men 33, age range 37 to 82 years, duration of diabetes 0,5 to 30 years). At baseline, in addition to the standard clinical, laboratory and instrumental work-up, all patients were assessed for depression, cognitive dysfunction and diabetes-related quality of life. No study-related intervention was performed; all patients were followed up and treated by their local physicians. After 5 years, we assessed the patients’ vital status (alive or dead). Multiple logistic regression was used to identify baseline patients’ characteristics, which were significantly and independently associated with 5-year overall mortality. Taking into account the exploratory type of multiple regression, the results were considered significant at α<0.1.RESULTS: At 5 years, 150 (84%) patients were alive and 15 (8,4%) were dead; no information could be obtained for the rest 13 (7,3%) patients. The analysis of 165 patients with the verified outcome, independent and significant associations with the death outcome were found for male gender (odds ratio [OR] 6,36 [95%CI 0,91–44.40]; p=0.06), age (OR 2.06 [1.30–3.27]; p<0.002), chronic heart failure (CHF) (OR 2.78 [1.25–6.2]; р=0.012), Hamilton depression scale score (OR 1,18 [1.03–1.34]; р=0.016), cognitive dysfunction score (Roschina scale) (OR 1.20 [1.05–1.35]; р=0.006), and age — body mass index interaction (OR 0,98 [0,97–0,997]; р = 0,013). The predicted probability of death within the next 5 years in men and women was 22,9% and 6,7%, respectively. The highest score of cognitive dysfunction was associated with a 25% predicted probability of death and the lowest, with a 2% probability of death; predicted probabilities of death for the highest and lowest depression scores were 26% and 2%, respectively. The 5-year predicted probability of death in the patients without CHF was 6,7%, with CHF I NYHA functional class, 9,8%, II functional class 13,6%, III functional class 18,2%, and IV functional class 23,5%. All other baseline clinical, laboratory, demographic, psychological and socioeconomic variables were not significantly associated with the 5-year survival rate. The model was not verified on an external cohort.CONCLUSION: Cognitive dysfunction and depression have a significant negative impact on the 5-year mortality rate at much higher degree, than glycemic control, any diabetes-related complications and cardiovascular disorders, excluding CHF. The results obtained highlight the importance of the diagnosis and treatment of depression and cognitive dysfunction in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Effect of exogenous melatonin on the antioxidant defense system in the liver and small intestine of the Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus)

Background. Due to the growing light pollution and the development of new territories, including northern ones, the search for drugs that increase the adaptive capacity of the organism is promising.The aim. We studied the effects of the exogenous melatonin (100 µg/day/animal) on antioxidant status of liver and small intestine in Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) in the light conditions of North-West of Russia (Petrozavodsk, northern lighting – NL).Materials and methods. Female hamsters were exposed to a 12/12 light/dark cycle (LD; n = 12) or NL for 3 months. In NL light conditions hamsters were divided into two groups: NL-control (received placebo; n = 12) and NL-mel (received melatonin; n = 12). The study was conducted from the period of the summer solstice – June 25 (NL: 19.36/4.24) to September 25 (NL: 12/12) (autumn equinox).Results. Animals were kept in the NL conditions had decreased the levels of GSH and activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase) at initial stage of experiment as well as increased TBA reactive substances (TBARS) level at the beginning and after a month of the experiment in the liver in comparison to control (LD). It was observed that in the small intestine the activities of SOD and the levels of GSH (initial and intermediate stages) and TBARS (end of the experiment) were significantly higher in NL in comparison to LD. Liver and small intestine TBARS concentrations after one and three months of the experiment were decreased in NL-mel in comparison to NL-control.Conclusion. The results of the study indicate the sensitivity of the antioxidant defense system in the tissues of the liver and small intestine of Syrian hamster to the photoperiod and exogenous melatonin. The present study revealed that exogenous melatonin was able to reduce the level of TBARS and increase the activity of SOD and CAT in the light conditions of North-West of Russia

Effects of experimental domestication of silver foxes (Vulpes vulpes) on vocal behaviour

This paper systematizes and generalizes a research cycle devoted to studying the acoustics and vocal behaviour of silver foxes that differ in their tolerance to humans. The research revealed that 50-year selection for tameness toward people resulted in selective use by Tame foxes toward humans of two call types, pant and cackle. At the same time, the selected for aggression toward people Aggressive foxes and the non-selected for behaviour Control foxes, selectively use toward humans cough and snort. Thus, call types representing vocal indicators of friendly and aggressive behaviour of foxes toward humans have been revealed by the research. Nevertheless, experimental domestication did not change vocal behaviour of foxes toward conspecifics; all three strains did not differ by their vocal behaviour toward same-strain silver foxes. Relationship has been investigated between vocal behaviour and degree of tolerance toward people for hybrids between Tame and Aggressive foxes and for backcrosses to Tame and Aggressive foxes. Effect was estimated between fox sex and the degree of human impact on focal fox for variables of fox vocal behaviour. The research revealed the universal for mammals vocal indicators of emotional arousal that are independent of the emotional valence. Characteristics of vocal behaviour that are related with positive and negative emotional valence have been revealed. A simple and effective method for estimating animal discomfort based on ”joint calls” that takes into account the characteristics of all calls irrespective of their acoustic structure has been revealed. The obtained results provide a basis for further comparative studies of the acoustic structure and vocal behaviour for other taxa of the genus Vulpes and the related canid genera (Canis, Cuon, Lycaon)

Разнообразие паразитов и микроорганизмов у каспийских сельдевых рыб

The aim of the study was to investigate a species composition of parasites and microorganisms and determine infection rate of Caspian herrings. Methods and materials. The objects of the study were Caspian and big-eyed shad, Alosa braschnikowi, that were caught at the aquatic area of the Northern Caspian Sea in spring period 2014, 2015. Collection and processing material was carried out in accordance with generally accepted methods in parasitology and microbiology. Scientists used determinants in species identification. Results and discussion. Parasitophauna of Alosa braschnikowi, Caspian and big-eyed shads were presented by 7 species, relative to classes: Monogenoidea - 1; Crustacea - 1; Trematoda - 2; Nematoda - 2; Acanthocephala - 1. Wide-ranging enteral trematodes Pseudopentagramma symmetricum induce high level of infection of herrings. Fauna is the most variously presented by Caspian big-eyed shads. Fluctuations in parasitophauna structure are connected with ecological conditions, food chains and specificity of parasites to theirs hosts. Indicators of transformation processes of ecosystems are indicator species of parasites and fish microorganisms. As a part of the study it is estimated, that internal organs and gills of herrings were contaminated by microorganisms. The maximum number of bacterium was noted in intestines and gills. The Enterobacteriaceae microorganisms held the dominant position. Besides bacterium there are have been revealed cystophores of micromycetes in liver and spleen in the process of organs microscopic examination. All revealed parasites and microorganisms were characterized by epizootic and epidemiologic significance. However they coexist on the level of symptom-free carriage, without exhibiting the development of invasive and infectious processes in the body of the examined fishes.Цель исследований - изучить видовой состав паразитов и микроорганизмов, а также определить степень зараженности каспийских сельдевых рыб. Материалы и методы. Объектами исследований служили каспийский и большеглазый пузанок, долгинская сельдь, выловленные на акватории Северного Каспия в весенний период 2014-2015 гг. С целью изучения паразитофауны морских сельдевых рыб патологоанатомическому вскрытию подвергнуто 88 экз. долгинской сельди и 36 экз. каспийского пузанка. Для микробиологических исследований отобрано по 15 экз. каспийского и большеглазого пузанков. Учитывали число мезофильных аэробных и факультативно-анаэробных микроорганизмов, видовой состав бактерий, их факторы патогенности и антибиотикорезистентность. Сбор и обработку материала осуществляли в соответствии с общепринятыми в паразитологии и микробиологии методиками. При видовой идентификации использовали определители. Результаты и обсуждение. Паразитофауна долгинской сельди, каспийского и большеглазого пузанков представлена 7 видами, относящимися к классам: Monogenoidea - 1, Crustacea - 1, Trematoda - 2, Nematoda - 2, Acanthocephala - 1. Сельдевые рыбы вызывали широко распространенные кишечные трематоды Pseudopentagramma symmetricum. Наиболее разнообразно фауна паразитов представлена у каспийского пузанка. Флуктуации в структуре паразитофауны связаны с условиями среды обитания, трофическими связями и специфичностью паразитов к своим хозяевам. Показателями происходящих процессов трансформации экосистем являются индикаторные виды паразитов и микроорганизмы рыб. В ходе исследований установлено, что внутренние органы и жабры сельдевых рыб были заражены микроорганизмами. Максимальная численность бактерий отмечена в кишечнике и жабрах. Доминирующее положение занимали микроорганизмы сем. Enterobacteriaceae. Кроме бактерий, в печени и селезенке рыб при микроскопировании отпечатков органов выявлены гифы микромицетов. Все обнаруженные паразиты и микроорганизмы характеризовались эпизоотической или эпидемиологической значимостью, при этом, они сосуществовали на уровне бессимптомного носительства, не вызывая развития инвазионных и инфекционных процессов в организме обследованных рыб

Разнообразие паразитов и микроорганизмов каспийских сельдевых рыб

The aim of the study was to investigate a species composition of parasites and microorganisms and determine infection rate of Caspian herrings. Methods and materials. The objects of the study were Caspian and big-eyed shad, Alosa braschnikowi, that were caught at the aquatic area of the Northern Caspian Sea in spring period 2014, 2015. Collection and processing material was carried out in accordance with generally accepted methods in parasitology and microbiology. Scientists used determinants in species identification. Results and discussion. Parasitophauna of Alosa braschnikowi, Caspian and big-eyed shads were presented by 7 species, relative to classes: Monogenoidea - 1; Crustacea - 1; Trematoda - 2; Nematoda - 2; Acanthocephala - 1. Wide-ranging enteral trematodes Pseudopentagramma symmetricum induce high level of infection of herrings. Fauna is the most variously presented by Caspian big-eyed shads. Fluctuations in parasitophauna structure are connected with ecological conditions, food chains and specificity of parasites to theirs hosts. Indicators of transformation processes of ecosystems are indicator species of parasites and fish microorganisms. As a part of the study it is estimated, that internal organs and gills of herrings were contaminated by microorganisms. The maximum number of bacterium was noted in intestines and gills. The Enterobacteriaceae microorganisms held the dominant position. Besides bacterium there are have been revealed cystophores of micromycetes in liver and spleen in the process of organs microscopic examination. All revealed parasites and microorganisms were characterized by epizootic and epidemiologic significance. However they coexist on the level of symptom-free carriage, without exhibiting the development of invasive and infectious processes in the body of the examined fishes.Цель исследований - изучить видовой состав паразитов и микроорганизмов, а также определить степень зараженности каспийских сельдевых рыб. Материалы и методы. Объектом исследований служили каспийский и большеглазый пузанок, долгинская сельдь, выловленные на акватории Северного Каспия в весенний период 2014 г., 2015 г. Сбор и обработку материала осуществляли в соответствии с общепринятыми в паразитологии и микробиологии методиками. При видовой идентификации использовали определители. Результаты и обсуждение. Паразитофауна долгинской сельди, каспийского и большеглазого пузанков была представлена 7 видами, относящимися к классам: Monogenoidea - 1; Crustacea - 1; Trematoda - 2; Nematoda - 2; Acanthocephala - 1. Высокую степень инвазии сельдевых рыб вызывали широко распространенные кишечные трематоды Pseudopentagramma symmetricum. Наиболее разнообразно фауна паразитов представлена у каспийского пузанка. Флуктуации в структуре паразитофауны связаны с условиями среды обитания, трофическими связями и специфичностью паразитов к своим хозяевам. Показателями происходящих процессов трансформации экосистем являются индикаторные виды паразитов и микроорганизмы рыб. В ходе исследований установлено, что внутренние органы и жабры сельдевых рыб были контаминированы микроорганизмами. Максимальная численность бактерий отмечена в кишечнике и жабрах. Доминирующее положение занимали микроорганизмы сем. Enterobacteriaceae. Кроме бактерий в печени и селезенке рыб при микроскопировании отпечатков органов выявлены гифы микромицетов. Все обнаруженные паразиты и микроорганизмы характеризовались эпизоотической или эпидемиологической значимостью, при этом, они сосуществовали на уровне бессимптомного носительства, не вызывая развитие инвазионных и инфекционных процессов в организме обследованных рыб

Long-term disease control in advanced renal cell cancer with brain metastases with pazopanib (case report and literature review)

We report the case of advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma with brain, pulmonary, hepatic and bone metastases treated with pazopanib.We observed the complete response in brain metastases and stable extracranial disease after 4 years of the treatment. According to the literature review this is the first reported case of complete response to pazopanib in brain metastases in renal cell carcinoma

Approaches to the therapy of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Resolution of an online meeting of the Volga Federal District experts

At an online meeting of experts held on May 14, 2021 additional research results on a sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor empagliflozin in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction were considered. According to the data from the EMPEROR-Reduced international study, cardiovascular and renal effects of empagliflozin therapy in patients with and without type 2 diabetes (T2D) were analyzed. A number of proposals and recommendations was accepted regarding the further study of cardiovascular and renal effects of empagliflozin and its use in clinical practice in patients with heart failure, regardless of the T2D presence

Current status of nuclear cardiology in the Russian Federation

The article is devoted to the analysis of the current status of nuclear cardiology in the Russian Federation. The data on the number of facilities performing radionuclide investigations for the diagnosis and monitoring of the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, their staffing and equipment are given. The statistics of the conducted nuclear cardiology tests for 2018-2020 are given, as well as their methods, features and diagnostic significance are described