The effect of repeated episodes of immobilization stress on resistance to combined effects of exercise and low temperature, the level of corticosterone and the relationship between prooxidant and antioxidant enzymes in the blood of rats with different resistance to hypoxia

In animals with intermediate resistance to hypoxia, there was initially a higher level of corticosterone than in intact animals and in animals with both high resistance and low resistance to hypoxia. Animals with intermediate resistance to hypoxia were characterized by greater endurance during swimming at a low temperature.У животных обладающих промежуточной устойчивостью к гипоксии был исходно более высокий уровень кортикостерона, чем у интактных животных и у животных как с высокой устойчивостью, так и с низкой устойчивостью к гипоксии. Животные с промежуточной устойчивостью к гипоксии характеризовались большей выносливостью во время плаванья при низкой температуре

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy of hippocampal and striatal neurometabolites in experimental PTSD rat modeling

The spectrum of the metabolites in the dorsal region of the hippocampus and striatum was studied using the method of 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy at experimental modeling of the posttraumatic stress disorder syndrome (PTSD) in rats. PTSD was reproduced by exposure of the cat cue to rats daily along 10 day by 10 minutes at once. The anxiety level of animals was estimated 12 days later after the end of the experimental series of stress. Based on the anxiety index, the rats were divided into 3 phenotypes. The animals with an anxiety index > 0.8 (group 1) had lower plasma corticosterone compared with rats form the control group. In animals with an anxiety index in the range 0.7–0.8 (group 2), an elevated corticosterone level was noted. The rats with an anxiety index < 0.7 (group 3) had a lower plasma corticosterone level compared with animals from the control group. Rats of group 2 were characterized by an increased level of GABA in the hippocampus compared with controls. In the remaining groups, the percentages of GABA in the hippocampus and striatum did not differ significantly from the control. The distribution of NAA differed form that of GABA. The highest level of NAA was found in the striatum for rats from group 1, whereas NAA in animals form groups 1 or 3 did not differ from the control. The NAA level in the hippocampus was similar between all groups, including the control. The results obtained indicate that multiple exposures to psychological stress associated with the sense of proximity of a natural enemy in some animals cause an anxiolytic reaction. These animals are characterized by a stable corticosterone level and a stable level of neurometabolites in the studied structures of the brain. For rats with the highest level of anxiety, a lowered level of corticosterone with a constant level of neurometabolites in the hippocampus and striatum is characteristic. And only in rats with an intermediate level of anxiety, synchronization was observed between the increase in plasma corticosterone and the increase in hippocampal GABA content. The results obtained are in good agreement with the ideas of the protective action of glucocorticoids under PTSD manifested in  restraining violations of the psycho-physiological status. The mate rials allow the neurobiological mechanisms of the protective action of glucocorticoids to be detailed

Post-COVID immunopatology syndrome: characteristics of phenotypical changes in the immune system in post-COVID patients

This study examines the long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on immune status. Given the prolonged and profound immune dysregulation observed during acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, it remains to be determined whether these changes translate into subsequent immune system dysfunction in recovering individuals. In this sense, the aim of the study was to study the parameters of the immune system in patients who had undergone SARS-CoV-2 infection. 150 patients who underwent SARS-CoV-2 infection were examined according to 96 parameters using flow cytometry. A complete blood count was performed using a Medonic device (Sweden); ELISA method determined the levels of general and specific IgM, IgG, IgA, compliment fragments (JSC Vector-Best, Russia). The activity of the phagocytes was studied according to the generally accepted method. The study found that at least four phenotypes of immune system disorders are detected in patients. The first two phenotypes are related to the impairment of innate immune system factors and are associated with a decrease in the number of CD46+ and NK cells. It has been observed that a decrease in CD46+ persists for a long time in a significant number of recovered patients, highlighted by the impaired expression of this marker in various subpopulations of lymphocytes. The decrease in the level of natural killers was accompanied by a compensatory increase in the number of T lymphocytes, mainly due to T helpers and TNK lymphocytes, and the growth of total memory B cells. Two other identified phenotypes are characterized by damage to acquired immune response factors and are associated with damage to B cells and T cytotoxic cells. The relationship of such disorders with damage to hematopoiesis erythrocyte and platelet sprouts, which contribute to the appearance of hypoxia and possible violation of the blood coagulation system, has been shown. Therefore, the results obtained indicate a long-term pronounced damage to the immune system in postCOVID patients that requires immunocorrection of these disorders

Anxiety and neurometabolite levels in the hippocampus and amygdala after prolonged exposure to predator-scent stress

Here, to study the relationship between anxiety levels with changes in the neurometabolic profile in the hippocampus and amygdala, an experimental predator stress model was reproduced in which Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to cat urine for 10 minutes on a daily basis for 10 days. At the time of presentation of the stimulus, an online survey of behavioral reactions was conducted. Fear, aggressiveness, avoidance of stimulus and grooming were recorded. Fourteen days after the completion of the last stress exposure, the total level of anxiety was determined in the test of the“cross maze”. Using the method of in vivo NMR spectroscopy, the content of neurometabolites was determined in the hippocampus and in the amygdala. According to the peculiarities of behavioral reactions to a stressor, animals were retrospectively divided into two phenotypes. The first phenotype used a passive behavioral strategy, and the second phenotype was active. In animals of the first phenotype, the indicators of anxiety behavior remained at the control level. In animals of the second phenotype, a decrease in anxiety was observed. Animals of the second phenotype showed elevated levels of lactate in the hippocampus compared to animals of the first phenotype, and the lowest N-acetylaspartate levels significantly differed from those in the control and the first phenotype animals. In the amygdala, in animals of the second phenotype, the content of taurine is sharply reduced in comparison with those in the control and the animals of the first phenotype. Thus, the results obtained indicate a relationship of post-stress changes in anxiety, with the peculiarities of the behavioral reactions presented at the moment of the immediate action of the stressor. Among the hippocampal and amygdala neurometabolites, the most informative for the characterization of the anxiolytic action of the predator stress are identified

Big Five Traits as Predictors of a Healthy Lifestyle during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results of a Russian Cross-Sectional Study

The healthy lifestyle of people around the world has changed dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic. The personality risk factors for these processes from around the world remain understudied. This study aimed to examine the associations of the Big Five traits with a healthy lifestyle during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a cross-sectional study, data from 1215 Russian university students were analyzed. Participants completed the Big Five Inventory-10 and Short Multidimensional Inventory Lifestyle Evaluation. The results showed that personality traits predicted many dimensions of a healthy lifestyle during the COVID-19 pandemic. Diet and nutrition were positively predicted by extraversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness, and it was negatively predicted by neuroticism. Substance abuse was positively predicted by agreeableness and conscientiousness, and it was negatively predicted by extraversion. Physical activity was positively predicted by extraversion and conscientiousness, and it was negatively predicted by neuroticism. Stress management was positively predicted by extraversion and conscientiousness, and it was negatively predicted by neuroticism. Restorative sleep was positively predicted by extraversion and conscientiousness, and it was negatively predicted by neuroticism. Social support for healthy practices was positively predicted by extraversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness. Environmental exposures were positively predicted by extraversion, and neuroticism was positively and negatively predicted by conscientiousness. Our findings may be useful for further exploration of personality risk factors for healthy practices in challenging life circumstances. © 2022 by the authors.AAAA-A21-121012090090-9; Russian Foundation for Basic Research, РФФИ: 20-515-55003This study was funded by RFBR (project No. 20-515-55003) and partly by the Government contract of the Institute of Immunology and Physiology (AAAA-A21-121012090090-9)

Offensive behavior, striatal glutamate metabolites, and limbic–hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal responses to stress in chronic anxiety

Variations in anxiety-related behavior are associated with individual allostatic set-points in chronically stressed rats. Actively offensive rats with the externalizing indicators of sniffling and climbing the stimulus and material tearing during 10 days of predator scent stress had reduced plasma corticosterone, increased striatal glutamate metabolites, and increased adrenal 11-dehydrocorticosterone content compared to passively defensive rats with the internalizing indicators of freezing and grooming, as well as to controls without any behavioral changes. These findings suggest that rats that display active offensive activity in response to stress develop anxiety associated with decreased allostatic set-points and increased resistance to stress. © 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.The Russian Science Foundation (grant № 17-15-013418) supported this study. This was supported in part by the contracts of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation with South Ural State University (17.7255.2017/8.9) and Institute of Immunology and Physiology (AAAA-A18-118020690020-1). The work was furthermore supported by institutional funds from the State University of New York (SUNY) Upstate Medical University. This work is part of the TransCampus project between TU Dresden and King’s College London and was partially supported by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (5101CX001219) and the U.S. Department of Defense (W81XWH-16-1-0773)

Financial and economic basis of territorial public self-governance on the example of the city of Perm

В статье рассматривается роль территориального общественного самоуправления как формы самоорганизации граждан для решения вопросов местного значения. Также определены основные источники финансового и экономического обеспечения их деятельности. В статье проводится исследование проблем бюджетного финансирования и самостоятельной хозяйственной деятельности территориального общественного самоуправления. Авторами предложены рекомендации по повышению уровня политической и финансовой самостоятельности деятельности территориального общественного самоуправления.The article discusses the role of territorial public self-go-vernance as a form of citizens self-organization to address issues of local importance. Also identified the main sources of financial and economic support of their activities. The article exa-mines problems of budget financing and independent economic activity of territorial public self-governance. The authors suggest recommendations for improving political and financial independence of territorial public self-governance

Somatic and psychological distress among Russian university students during the COVID-19 pandemic

Objective Previous studies highlighted a high prevalence of mental health issues among students during the COVID-19 pandemic, but there is no evidence from Russia. This study was aimed to examine the prevalence of somatic and psychological distress among Russian university students. Method The cross-sectional study was conducted in March-April 2021. The participants were university students from several regions of Russia (N = 1236). The Patient Health Questionnaire-15 and Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales-21 were used to measure the somatic and psychological distress. Results The prevalence of somatic burden, depression, anxiety, and stress was 72.2%, 54.7%, 63.4%, and 55.4%, respectively. Somatic burden, anxiety, and stress were more frequently observed in females and students with experience of COVID-19 disease compared to males and students without experience of COVID-19 disease. Conclusions These data illuminate the high prevalence and potential risk factors for somatic and psychological distress among Russian university students and determine the importance of psychoeducation and preventive measures in the Russian university environment.The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This study was funded by RFBR and NSFC (project No.20-51555003) and partly by the Government contract of the Institute of Immunology and Physiology (AAAA-A21-121012090090-9)