Dynamics of prevalence of diseases of the digestive system among the population of different age groups in conditions of social stress

Objective: to analyze the prevalence of digestive diseases during social stress among the population of different age groups (young, mature, elderly / old). Material and Methods. We studied data from the official statistical reports of the health Committee of the city of Saratov and the logs of incoming and departures / deaths of patients in the surgical and gastroenterology clinics of the city for 1990-2006. Social stress was considered as a factor in the breeding population system from the equilibrium state. Linear regression analysis, odds ratio, and analysis of the speed characteristics of the dynamics of the studied parameters in time were applied. The number of time moments when the sign of the rate of change in the prevalence of the studied parameters changed to the opposite was estimated. Results. The change in the sign of the rate of prevalence of acute pathology of the digestive system was most often observed during the period of maximum severity of social stress, which emphasizes the importance of the social component in the emergence and development of digestive pathology. The increase in the prevalence of diseases of the digestive system in all age groups was revealed. The increase in the prevalence of individual nosological forms, as well as the greatest number of times when the sign of the rate of prevalence of the pathology changed to the opposite, were most often registered among the population of young and elderly / senile age. The population of the mature age was characterized by greater stability of the studied parameters, that is, higher resistance to social stress. Conclusion. The prevalence of diseases of the digestive system during the period of social stress varied among the population of different age groups asynchronously: the most significant changes in the studied parameters were observed among the population of two extreme age groups: young and elderly / old people. These groups of people need closer attention of the doctor than patients of mature age, because they have a higher risk of developing diseases of the digestive system.</p

A new class of glycomimetic drugs to prevent free fatty acid-induced endothelial dysfunction

Background: Carbohydrates play a major role in cell signaling in many biological processes. We have developed a set of glycomimetic drugs that mimic the structure of carbohydrates and represent a novel source of therapeutics for endothelial dysfunction, a key initiating factor in cardiovascular complications. Purpose: Our objective was to determine the protective effects of small molecule glycomimetics against free fatty acid­induced endothelial dysfunction, focusing on nitric oxide (NO) and oxidative stress pathways. Methods: Four glycomimetics were synthesized by the stepwise transformation of 2,5­dihydroxybenzoic acid to a range of 2,5­substituted benzoic acid derivatives, incorporating the key sulfate groups to mimic the interactions of heparan sulfate. Endothelial function was assessed using acetylcholine­induced, endotheliumdependent relaxation in mouse thoracic aortic rings using wire myography. Human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) behavior was evaluated in the presence or absence of the free fatty acid, palmitate, with or without glycomimetics (1µM). DAF­2 and H2DCF­DA assays were used to determine nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, respectively. Lipid peroxidation colorimetric and antioxidant enzyme activity assays were also carried out. RT­PCR and western blotting were utilized to measure Akt, eNOS, Nrf­2, NQO­1 and HO­1 expression. Results: Ex vivo endothelium­dependent relaxation was significantly improved by the glycomimetics under palmitate­induced oxidative stress. In vitro studies showed that the glycomimetics protected HUVECs against the palmitate­induced oxidative stress and enhanced NO production. We demonstrate that the protective effects of pre­incubation with glycomimetics occurred via upregulation of Akt/eNOS signaling, activation of the Nrf2/ARE pathway, and suppression of ROS­induced lipid peroxidation. Conclusion: We have developed a novel set of small molecule glycomimetics that protect against free fatty acidinduced endothelial dysfunction and thus, represent a new category of therapeutic drugs to target endothelial damage, the first line of defense against cardiovascular disease

What do Russians think about transition?

We use data from the 2006 round of the Russian Longitudinal Monitoring Survey to describe perceptions of the Russian population about the transition process and the role of the state compared with that of free markets. We find that about one-half of the Russian population is disappointed with transition and a large majority is in favour of high state regulation and state provision of goods and services. High demand for government regulation and increased state intervention coexists with a low level of trust in government institutions and recognition of high and rising levels of corruption. The findings are consistent with the theory developed by Aghion "et�al." (2009) . In an environment with poor social capital, private business imposes negative externalities on the society and society chooses to demand more state regulation and tolerate corruption to reduce these externalities. We also find that individual perceptions of social capital and corruption co-vary with the demand for regulation, as predicted by the theory. Copyright (c) 2010 The Authors. Journal compilation (c) 2010 The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

Full-scale tests of the AC transmission system to examine the new SPS complexes

In order to improve the transfer capability of the 220-500 kV AC transmission system that forms the power network backbone in the Russian Far East interconnected power system, two new generation system protection schemes complexes were put into operation at the Zeya and Bureya hydro power plants. Putting into operation was accompanied by the series of full-scale tests. The peculiarities of the full-scale experiments were participation of the experts from Russia, Switzerland, Italy and the USA, and implementation of diverse phasor measurement units devices and digital fault recorders produced in different countries such as the USA, Sweden, Belgium and Russi

Comparable Efficacy of Abatacept Used as First-line or Second-line Biological Agent for Severe Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis-related Uveitis

OBJECTIVE: Abatacept (ABA) has recently been proposed as second-line treatment in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)-associated uveitis refractory to anti-tumor necrosis factor-\u3b1 (anti-TNF) agents, but little is known about its efficacy as a first-line approach. The aim of the present study was to compare the safety and efficacy of ABA as a first-line biological agent (ABA-1) with that of ABA as a second-line treatment after 1 or more anti-TNF agents (ABA-2), in patients with severe JIA-related uveitis. METHODS: In this multicenter study, we collected data on patients with severe JIA-related uveitis treated with ABA as a first-line or second-line biological agent. Changes in frequency of uveitis flares/year and ocular complications before and after ABA treatment, clinical remission, and side effects were recorded. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients with a mean age of 10.8 years were treated with ABA for a mean period of 19.6 months. In 4 patients, ABA administration was discontinued, owing to inefficacy on arthritis in 3 cases and allergic reaction in 1. Thirty-one patients, 14 in the ABA-1 group and 17 in the ABA-2 group, completed the 12-month followup period; of these, 17 (54.8%) had clinical remission. The mean frequency of uveitis flares decreased from 4.1 to 1.2 in the ABA-1 group (p = 0.002) and from 3.7 to 1.2 in the ABA-2 group (p = 0.004). Preexisting ocular complications improved or remained stable in all but 5 patients, all in the ABA-2 group. No significant difference was found between the efficacy of the 2 treatment modalities. ABA confirmed its good safety profile. CONCLUSION: ABA, used as first-line biological treatment or after 1 or more anti-TNF agents, induces a comparable improvement in severe refractory JIA-related uveitis