Psychoemotional state and bioelectrical brain activity in patients of different ages with metabolic syndrome after COVID-19

The aim of this study was to find out the impact of COVID-19 infection on the psycho-emotional state and bioelectrical brain activity in persons of different ages with metabolic syndrome. Material and methods. We examined 53 people who were divided into groups depending on age (40–59 years and 60 years and older) and status with regard to COVID-19 infection (contracted, not contracted). Patients had metabolic syndrome (ATP III), underwent comprehensive clinical and laboratory examinations, electroencephalography (an 18-channel electroencephalograph Nihon Kohden, Japan) and answered the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaire. Results. Symptoms of anxiety or depression after COVID-19 were found in both age groups of MS. Anxiety symptoms were more often found in the group of 60 years and older. At the same time, subclinical anxiety was noted in persons of 60 years and older, while clinical anxiety – in middle-aged individuals. The latter also showed a trend towards an increase in clinically evident depression after COVID-19. Persons after COVID-19 with symptoms of anxiety or depression (according to the HADS scale) demonstrated changes in the frequency-amplitude indicators of the electroencephalogram (EEG) characterized by a power increase in the range of theta rhythm and accompanied by subclinical and clinical manifestations of depression. About 80 % of people who did not suffer from COVID-19 had normal EEG since 9 Hz alpha rhythm power was registered. In patients after COVID-19, there was a redistribution of alpha-rhythm power range: an increase in the ranges of alpha-1 rhythm and decrease in alpha-2 rhythm power as well as an increase in the delta and theta rhythm power range. Conclusions. 1–3 months following the acute period of COVID-19, the frequency of depression is 3 times higher in middle-aged patients with metabolic syndrome. In elderly patients with metabolic syndrome after COVID-19, anxiety is predominantly diagnosed – almost in every second. These manifestations of anxiety and depression are accompanied by disorganization of the bioelectrical brain activity

Transforming Design Education іn Ukraine: Insights from Global Best Practices

The article reveals some aspects of the problem of transforming the Ukrainian design education system through the prism of international experience. This problem is caused by the long-term neglect of the importance of the humanitarian segment of education in Ukraine, which, in turn, has become a determinant of the accumulation of numerous problems. In order to achieve the goal and objectives, it was important, firstly, to refer to the relevant source base, and secondly, to analyse certain aspects of the educational activities of higher education institutions abroad, in particular Seian University of Art and Design (Otsu, Shiga, Japan), Royal Collage of Art (London, Great Britain), KEDGE Design School (Marseille, France), Istituto Pantheon Design & Technology (Rome, Italy). The analytical and synthetic activities carried out allowed us to identify the best international practices in this area and propose vectors for the transformation of domestic design education. These include: multidirectional international cooperation; introduction of a practical component of student training on the basis of business institutions and enterprises; focus on the educational needs of students; active use of digital innovative technologies, etc. We see the prospects for further research in this direction in the practical application of the proposed steps to modernise design educatio