El desarrollo de la cultura de gestión ambiental en estudiantes de secundaria en educación no formal con enfoque cultural y ecológico

The purpose of the article is to develop the educational paradigm of the culture of environmental management for advanced education aimed at sustainable development. The methodological foundations of the research are established, presented by cultural-ecological, axiological, personal-activity, integral-situational methodological approaches. The key research methods are defined: system-structural analysis, generalization, systematization, design, and pedagogical experiment. Criteria, indicators and methods for diagnosing the formation of the components of the culture of nature management are revealed. Because of the research, a methodology for the formation of a culture of environmental management in the context of non-formal education was developed, including the goal, content, stages and technology of culturally oriented integral situations. To implement this methodology in educational practice, a program of activities for school “green teams” was developed: “We are in the cultural landscape of estates of our native land”, its purpose, content is revealed, the interconnection of the sections of the program with the technology of culturally oriented integral situations is shown. The results of a pedagogical experiment organized at the experimental sites of Minin University are presented. The results of the experiment, in which 360 high school students took part, made it possible to draw a conclusion about the effectiveness of the formation of a culture of environmental management among students in the context of non-formal education of cultural and ecological orientation.El propósito del artículo es desarrollar el paradigma educativo de la cultura de la gestión ambiental para una educación avanzada orientada al desarrollo sostenible. Se establecen los fundamentos metodológicos de la investigación, presentados por enfoques metodológicos culturales-ecológicos, axiológicos, de actividad personal, integrales-situacionales. Se definen los principales métodos de investigación: análisis sistémico-estructural, generalización, sistematización, diseño y experimentación pedagógica. Se revelan los criterios, indicadores y métodos para diagnosticar la formación de los componentes de la cultura de gestión de la naturaleza. A partir de la investigación se desarrolló una metodología para la formación de una cultura de gestión ambiental en el contexto de la educación no formal, que incluye el objetivo, el contenido, las etapas y la tecnología de las situaciones integrales de orientación cultural. Para implementar esta metodología en la práctica educativa, se desarrolló un programa de actividades para “equipos verdes” escolares: “Estamos en el paisaje cultural de las fincas de nuestra tierra natal”, se revela su objetivo, contenido, se muestra la interconexión de las secciones del programa con la tecnología de situaciones integrales culturalmente orientadas. Se presentan los resultados de un experimento pedagógico organizado en los sitios experimentales de la Universidad de Minin. Los resultados del experimento, en el que participaron 360 estudiantes de secundaria, permitieron sacar una conclusión sobre la eficacia de la formación de una cultura de gestión ambiental entre los estudiantes en el contexto de la educación no formal de orientación cultural y ecológica

Detection rates and high concentration of herpesvirus (Orthoherpesviridae) DNA in autopsy materials from patients with COVID-19 fatal outcome

Introduction. SARS-CoV-2 infection causes immune disorders that create conditions for the reactivation of human herpesviruses (HHVs). However, the estimates of the HHVs effect on the course and outcome of COVID-19 are ambiguous. Аim – to study the possible relationship between the HHV reactivation and the adverse outcome of COVID-19. Materials and methods. Postmortem samples from the brain, liver, spleen, lymph nodes and lungs were obtained from 59 patients treated at the Moscow Infectious Diseases Hospital No.1 in 2021–2023. The group 1 comprised 39 patients with fatal COVID-19; group 2 (comparison group) included 20 patients not infected with SARS-CoV-2 who died from various somatic diseases. HHV DNA and SARS-CoV-2 RNA were determined by PCR. Results. HHV DNA was found in autopsy samples from all patients. In group 1, EBV was most often detected in lymph nodes (94%), HHV-6 in liver (68%), CMV in lymph nodes (18%), HSV in brain (16%), VZV in lung and spleen (3% each). The detection rates of HHVs in both groups was similar. Important differences were found in viral load. In patients with COVID-19, the number of samples containing more than 1,000 copies of HHV DNA per 100,000 cells was 52.4%, in the comparison group – 16.6% (p 0.002). An association has been established between the reactivation of HSV and HHV-6 and the severity of lung damage. Reactivation of EBV correlated with increased levels of liver enzymes. Conclusion. Reactivation of HHVs in patients with fatal COVID-19 was associated with severe lung and liver damages, which indicates a link between HHV reactivation and COVID-19 deaths

Modeling of GERDA Phase II data

The GERmanium Detector Array (GERDA) experiment at the Gran Sasso underground laboratory (LNGS) of INFN is searching for neutrinoless double-beta ($0\nu\beta\beta$) decay of $^{76}$Ge. The technological challenge of GERDA is to operate in a "background-free" regime in the region of interest (ROI) after analysis cuts for the full 100$\,$kg$\cdot$yr target exposure of the experiment. A careful modeling and decomposition of the full-range energy spectrum is essential to predict the shape and composition of events in the ROI around $Q_{\beta\beta}$ for the $0\nu\beta\beta$ search, to extract a precise measurement of the half-life of the double-beta decay mode with neutrinos ($2\nu\beta\beta$) and in order to identify the location of residual impurities. The latter will permit future experiments to build strategies in order to further lower the background and achieve even better sensitivities. In this article the background decomposition prior to analysis cuts is presented for GERDA Phase II. The background model fit yields a flat spectrum in the ROI with a background index (BI) of $16.04^{+0.78}_{-0.85} \cdot 10^{-3}\,$cts/(kg$\cdot$keV$\cdot$yr) for the enriched BEGe data set and $14.68^{+0.47}_{-0.52} \cdot 10^{-3}\,$cts/(kg$\cdot$keV$\cdot$yr) for the enriched coaxial data set. These values are similar to the one of Gerda Phase I despite a much larger number of detectors and hence radioactive hardware components

Modeling of GERDA Phase II data

The GERmanium Detector Array (Gerda) experiment at the Gran Sasso underground laboratory (LNGS) of INFN is searching for neutrinoless double-beta (0νββ) decay of 76Ge. The technological challenge of Gerda is to operate in a “background-free” regime in the region of interest (ROI) after analysis cuts for the full 100 kg·yr target exposure of the experiment. A careful modeling and decomposition of the full-range energy spectrum is essential to predict the shape and composition of events in the ROI around Qββ for the 0νββ search, to extract a precise measurement of the half-life of the double-beta decay mode with neutrinos (2νββ) and in order to identify the location of residual impurities. The latter will permit future experiments to build strategies in order to further lower the background and achieve even better sensitivities. In this article the background decomposition prior to analysis cuts is presented for Gerda Phase II. The background model fit yields a flat spectrum in the ROI with a background index (BI) of 16.04+0.78−0.85⋅10−3 cts/(keV·kg·yr) for the enriched BEGe data set and 14.68+0.47−0.52⋅10−3 cts/(keV·kg·yr) for the enriched coaxial data set. These values are similar to the one of Phase I despite a much larger number of detectors and hence radioactive hardware components

Albiglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (Harmony Outcomes): a double-blind, randomised placebo-controlled trial

Background: Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists differ in chemical structure, duration of action, and in their effects on clinical outcomes. The cardiovascular effects of once-weekly albiglutide in type 2 diabetes are unknown. We aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of albiglutide in preventing cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke. Methods: We did a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial in 610 sites across 28 countries. We randomly assigned patients aged 40 years and older with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (at a 1:1 ratio) to groups that either received a subcutaneous injection of albiglutide (30–50 mg, based on glycaemic response and tolerability) or of a matched volume of placebo once a week, in addition to their standard care. Investigators used an interactive voice or web response system to obtain treatment assignment, and patients and all study investigators were masked to their treatment allocation. We hypothesised that albiglutide would be non-inferior to placebo for the primary outcome of the first occurrence of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke, which was assessed in the intention-to-treat population. If non-inferiority was confirmed by an upper limit of the 95% CI for a hazard ratio of less than 1·30, closed testing for superiority was prespecified. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02465515. Findings: Patients were screened between July 1, 2015, and Nov 24, 2016. 10 793 patients were screened and 9463 participants were enrolled and randomly assigned to groups: 4731 patients were assigned to receive albiglutide and 4732 patients to receive placebo. On Nov 8, 2017, it was determined that 611 primary endpoints and a median follow-up of at least 1·5 years had accrued, and participants returned for a final visit and discontinuation from study treatment; the last patient visit was on March 12, 2018. These 9463 patients, the intention-to-treat population, were evaluated for a median duration of 1·6 years and were assessed for the primary outcome. The primary composite outcome occurred in 338 (7%) of 4731 patients at an incidence rate of 4·6 events per 100 person-years in the albiglutide group and in 428 (9%) of 4732 patients at an incidence rate of 5·9 events per 100 person-years in the placebo group (hazard ratio 0·78, 95% CI 0·68–0·90), which indicated that albiglutide was superior to placebo (p<0·0001 for non-inferiority; p=0·0006 for superiority). The incidence of acute pancreatitis (ten patients in the albiglutide group and seven patients in the placebo group), pancreatic cancer (six patients in the albiglutide group and five patients in the placebo group), medullary thyroid carcinoma (zero patients in both groups), and other serious adverse events did not differ between the two groups. There were three (<1%) deaths in the placebo group that were assessed by investigators, who were masked to study drug assignment, to be treatment-related and two (<1%) deaths in the albiglutide group. Interpretation: In patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, albiglutide was superior to placebo with respect to major adverse cardiovascular events. Evidence-based glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists should therefore be considered as part of a comprehensive strategy to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes. Funding: GlaxoSmithKline

A Complex Approach to Control Black Dot Disease in Potato

In recent years, skin blemish diseases of potato (including black dot (BD) caused by Colletotricum coccodes) have begun to be important for global potato marketing, since consumers often reject tubers with an imperfect appearance, which results in financial losses caused by the disposal of unwanted potatoes. Like for many non-fatal plant diseases, BD severity may depend on the immune status of plants influenced by other infectious agents. Using a set of 98 potato cultivars differing in their late blight (LB) resistance, we examined the correlation between the intensity of their infection with LB determined by their LB resistance and the occurrence of the BD disease under field conditions with a high background level of both diseases. Using LB-susceptible (Arizona) and moderately susceptible (Sante) cultivars, we also evaluated the effect of a crop protection against LB on BD development under the same field conditions. A strong negative correlation (r = −0.81, p < 0.05) between the LB resistance and the BD occurrence has been revealed. An experiment using the two cultivars, chemically protected against LB, showed a significant reduction in BD occurrence of 30% (cv. Arizona) and 20% (cv. Sante) compared to the untreated controls; the total yield and marketability of potatoes increased by 103.6 and 62.5% for cv. Arizona and by 65.9 and 43.8% for cv. Sante. The reduction in the LB affection of potato is one of the key factors improving the immune status of potato cultivars in relation to BD infection, so methods of LB protection should be included in a complex approach to BD control

Terminal T-wave inversion predicts reperfusion tachyarrhythmias in STEMI

INTRODUCTION: A reliable electrocardiographic predictor of ventricular fibrillation (VF) in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is lacking so far. Previous experimental/simulation study suggested a terminal T-wave inversion (TTWI) in ischemia-related ECG leads corresponding to anterior infarct localization as an independent predictor of reperfusion VF (rVF). This T-wave characteristic has never been tested as a rVF predictor in clinical settings. The aim of this study was to test if terminal T-wave inversion (TTWI) at admission ECG (before reperfusion) can serve as a predictor of ventricular fibrillation during reperfusion (rVF) in patients with anterior STEMI undergoing primary PCI.METHODS AND RESULTS: Study population included consecutive patients with anterior infarct localization admitted for primary PCI (n = 181, age 65 [57; 76] years, 66% male). Of those, 14 patients had rVF (rVF group, age 59 [47; 76] years, 64% male) and patients without rVF comprised the No-rVF group (n = 167, age 65 [57; 76] years, 66% male). Association of TTWI with rVF was analyzed using logistic regression analysis adjusted for relevant clinical and electrocardiographic covariates. The prevalence of TTWI in rVF group was 62% comparing to 23% in the No-rVF group, p = 0.005. TTWI was associated with increased risk of rVF (OR 5.51; 95% CI 1.70-17.89; p = 0.004) and remained a significant predictor after adjustment for age, gender, history of MI prior to index admission, VF before reperfusion, Tpeak-Tend, maximal ST elevation, and QRS duration (OR 23.49; 95% CI 3.14-175.91; p = 0.002).CONCLUSIONS: The terminal T-wave inversion in anterior leads before PCI independently predicted rVF in patients with anterior MI thus confirming the previous experimental/simulation findings

Complete and Prolonged Inhibition of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Infection In Vitro by CRISPR/Cas9 and CRISPR/CasX Systems

Almost all people become infected with herpes viruses, including herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), during their lifetime. Typically, these viruses persist in a latent form that is resistant to all available antiviral medications. Under certain conditions, such as immunosuppression, the latent forms reactivate and cause disease. Moreover, strains of herpesviruses that are drug-resistant have rapidly emerged. Therefore, it is important to develop alternative methods capable of eradicating herpesvirus infections. One promising direction is the development of CRISPR/Cas systems for the therapy of herpesvirus infections. We aimed to design a CRISPR/Cas system for relatively effective long-term and safe control of HSV-1 infection. Here, we show that plasmids encoding the CRISPR/Cas9 system from Streptococcus pyogenes with a single sgRNA targeting the UL30 gene can completely suppress HSV-1 infection of the Vero cell line within 6 days and provide substantial protection within 9 days. For the first time, we show that CRISPR/CasX from Deltaproteobacteria with a single guide RNA against UL30 almost completely suppresses HSV-1 infection of the Vero cell line for 3 days and provides substantial protection for 6 days. We also found that the Cas9 protein without sgRNAs attenuates HSV-1 infection. Our results show that the developed CRISPR/Cas systems are promising therapeutic approaches to control HSV-1 infections